Construction of cytopathic PK-15 cell model of classical swine fever virus

No cytopathic effect (CPE) can be observed on classical swine fever virus (CSFV) infected cell culture in vitro. This brings an obstacle to the researches on reciprocity between CSFV and host cells. Based on the construction of full-length genomic infectious cDNA clone of Chinese CSFV standard virulent Shimen strain, partial deletion is introduced into genomic cDNA to obtain a 7.5 kb subgenomic cDNA. A new subgenomic CSFV is derived from transfection with the subgenomic cDNA on PK-15 cells pre-infected by CSFV Shimen virus. Typical CPE induced by this subgenomic virus is observed on PK-15 cells. Coexistence of wildtype and subgenomic virus in cytopathic cell culture is demonstrated by RT-PCR detection in cytopathic cells. For conclusion, the construction of cytopathic cell model exploited a new way for researches on the molecular mechanism of CSFV pathogenesis.     

A BAC clone of MDV strain GX0101 with REV-LTR integration retained its pathogenicity

The complete genome of Marek＇s disease virus （MDV） strain GX0101, which was integrated with the LTR sequences of REV, was cloned in Escherichia coli as a bacterial artificial chromosome （BAC）. BAC vector sequences were introduced into the US2 locus of the MDV genome by homologous recombination. The viral DNA containing the BAC vector was used to transform Escherichia coli strain of DH10B. Then the recombinant virus was successfully rescued by transfection of the recombinant BAC DNA into primary chicken embryo fibroblast （CEF）. This BAC viral clone was named bac-GX0101. When the reconstituted virus was inoculated into 1-day-old birds, visceral tumors could be detected as early as 62 d post infection. There was no difference in growth ability and pathogenicity to birds between the BAC derived virus and its parental virus. The BAC derived virus maintained its oncogenicity and immunosuppressive effects. In conclusion, the complete genome of GX0101 strain was successfully cloned into BAC and the infectious clone was rescued. With the powerful BAC manipulation system, the infectious clone will provide a useful tool for further understanding the functional roles of the inserted REV-LTR sequence in the GX0101 strain of MDV,     

Variations of geochemical compositions and the paleoclimatic significance of a loess-soil sequence from Garzê County of western Sichuan Province, China

The West Sichuan Plateau is located in the southeast margin of the Tibetan Plateau, where the climate is mainly influenced by the Indian southwest summer monsoon and the Tibetan Plateau monsoon. In this study, detailed geochemical analysis has been carried out on Ganzisi loess-paleosol sequence in Ganzê County of western Sichuan Province. The results indicate that Ganzê loess and paleosol have experienced the incipient stage of chemical weathering in dust source regions, characterized by the decomposition of plagioclase which caused the depletion of mobile elements Na and Ca. The post-depositional chemical weathering is characterized by carbonate dissolution and oxidation of Fe2＋. The variations of some geochemical indexes （such as CIA values, Na/K and Fe2＋/ Fe3＋ ratios） in Ganzisi loess-paleosol sequence indicate a gradually decreased chemical weathering intensity in the dust source regions and deposition areas since 1.15 Ma BP consistent with the general increase of global ice volume, reflecting that the arid trend since 1.15 Ma BP in the southeast Tibetan Plateau is a regional response to the global climate change. The geochemical indexes in this section also reveal an obvious drying step occurred at about 250 ka BP in this region. We interpret this drying step as a result of decreased influence of the Indian southwest summer monsoon. This decrease in monsoon moisture is probably attributable to the uplift of the southeast margin of the Tibetan Plateau at about 250 ka BP.     

A complete sequence and comparative analysis of a SARS-associated virus （Isolate BJO1）

The genome sequence of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)-assoclated virus provides essential information for the identification of pathogen(s), exploration of etiology and evolution, interpretation of transmission and pathogenesis, development of diagnostics, prevention by future vaccination, and treatment by developing new drugs.We report the complete genome sequence and comparative analysis of an isolate (B J01) of the coronavirus that has been recognized as a pathogen for SARS. The genome is 29725 nt in size and has 11 ORFs (Open Reading Frames). It is composed of a stable region encoding an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (composed of 20RFs) and a variable region representing 4 CDSs (coding sequences) for viral structural genes (the S, E, M, N proteins) and 5 PUPs (putative uncharacterized proteins). Its gene order is identical to that of other known coronaviruses. The sequence alignment with all known RNA viruses places this virus as a member in the family of Coronaviridae. Thirty putative substitutions have been identified by comparative analysis of the 5 SARS-associated virus genome sequences in GenBank. Fifteen of them lead to possible amino acid changes (non-synonymous mutations) in the proteins. Three amino acid changes, with predicted alteration of physical and chemical features, have been detected in the S protein that is postulated to be involved in the immunoreactions between the virus and its host.Two amino acid changes have been detected in the M protein,which could be related to viral envelope formation. Phylogenetic analysis suggests the possibility of non-human origin of the SARS-associated viruses but provides no evidence that they are man-made. Further efforts should focus on identifying the etiology of the SARS-associated virus and ruling out conclusively the existence of other possible SARS-related pathogen(s).     

Functional analysis of DNA 4 coding region from a Chinese Zhangzhou isolate of banana bunchy top virus

The DNA 4 coding region of banana bunchy top virus from a Chinese Zhangzhou isolate (BBTV-ZZ) is cloned by PCR. The sequencing analysis shows that it is 351 nucleotides long and it putatively encodes a protein of 116 amino acids. On the basis of a plant binary vector pBin438, the plant expression vector pBBTV-4B harboring the BBTV-ZZ DNA 4 coding region has been constructed and then transferred to tobacco (Nicotiana tobacum cv. Xanthi nc) by a Agrobacterium-mediated procedure. Under insect-free condition, movement-defective mutant of CMV-Fny strain (CMV-Fny-△MP) is mechanically inoculated on the lower leaves of transgenic plants. Systemic symptoms with different degrees of severity are developed in the upper uninoculated leaves of transgenic plants at 12 days postinoculation (dpi), while no symptoms can be seen in the uninoculated leaves of untransformed plants at any time. Accumulation of CMV-Fny is detected on the upper uninoculated leaves of transgenic plants, but is not on that of untransformed plants by indirect double antibody sandwich enzyme-link immunosorbent assay (DAS-ELISA). The results reveal that transgenic plants have acquired the property of cell-to-cell movement and systemic spread of CMV-Fny-△MP. This suggests that the protein encoded by BBTV-ZZ DNA 4 might have function of viral movement protein.     

Sequencing and rescuing a highly virulent classical swine fever virus： Chinese strain cF114 from a full-length cDNA clone

Classical swine fever is an economically important, highly contagious disease of pigs caused by the classical swine fever virus (CSFV), as referred to as hog cholera virus. CSFV belongs to Pestivirus within the family of Flaviviridae. The virus contains a positivestranded RNA of approximately 12.3 kb in length[1]. The genome is composed of a 5′ non-coding region, a single large open reading frame (ORF) encoding the viral polyprotein with 3898 amino acid residues and a 3′ non-coding reg…     

Genome sequencing and characterization analysis of a Beijing isolate of chicken coronavirus infectious bronchitis virus

Avian infectious bronchitis virus (AIBV) is classified as a member of the genus coronavirus in the family coronaviridae. The enveloped virus has a positive-sense, single-stranded RNA genome of approximately 28 kilo-bases,which has a 5‘ cap structure and 3‘ polyadenylation tract.The complete genome sequence of infectious bronchitis virus (IBV), Beijing isolate, was determined by cloning sequencing and primer walking. The whole genome is 27733 nucleotides in length, has ten open reading frames:5′-orfla-orflab-s-3a-3b-e-m- 6a-6b-n-3′. Alignments of the genome sequence of IBV Beijing isolate with those of two AIBV strains and one SARS coronavirus were performed respectively. The genome sequence of IBV Beijing isolate compared with that of the IBV strain LX4 (uncompleted, 19440 bp in size) was 91.2% similarity. However, the full-length genome sequence of IBV Beijing isolate was 85.2% identity to that of IBV Strain Beaudette, and was only 50.8% homology to that of SARS coronavirus. The results showed that the genome of IBV has remarkable variation. And IBV Beijing isolate is not closely related to SARS coronavirus. Phylogenetic analyses based on the whole genome sequence, S protein, M protein and N protein, also showed that AIBV Bering isolate is lone virus in group Ⅲ and is distant from SARS coronavirus. In conclusion, this study will contribute to the studies of diagnosis and diseases control on IBV in China.     

Shape controllable preparations of PbS nanocrystals using cysteine as the precursor of S^2- ions

Flowerlike, spherical and cubic PbS nanoparticles have been successfully synthesized by refluxing cysteine and lead nitrate in an alkaline solu- tion. The influences of the cysteine to Pb2 molar ratio, the pH value of the reaction mixture as well as the refluxing time on the shape of PbS nanoparticles were investigated. Detailed experimental results demonstrated that a higher molar ratio of cysteine to Pb2 (5.2:1) and shorter refluxing time favor the for- mation of flowerlike PbS nanoparticles at pH 9.0. While lower pH value (8.0) favors the formation of spherical PbS nanoparticles, and higher pH value (10.0), however, favors the formation of cubic PbS nanoparticles. The mechanism for the shape control of PbS nanoparticles is discussed.     

Assessment of soil erosion risk on area alongside a typical section of road in Longitudinal Range-Gorge Region

Assessment of soil erosion risk on the area alongside a road not only provides important guidance to prevent and alleviate soil erosion, but also reflects a road built on soil erosion. The area alongside the road from Simao to Jinghong is chosen as the typical case; spatial analysis of GIS and BP neural network of artificial neural network are used as the methods; 5 factors of 3 aspects, such as topography, climate and land cover, are chosen to assess soil erosion risk on the area alongside a section of typical road. The results are that the area proportion of easier erosion land （the value of erosion risk is from 2.5 to 3.5） is relatively bigger; and the erosion risk of an area alongside the road in a certain distance is higher than an area far away from the road. It shows that the road has an effect on soil erosion of the area alongside it; the effect can be directly or indirectly caused by road construction; and the effect is reflected by the land cover change （including land use and vegetation status） caused by road construction.     

Cloning and characterization of a glucose 6-phosphate／phosphate translocator from Oryza sativa

Plastids of nongreen tissues import carbon as a source of biosynthetic pathways and energy, and glucose 6-phosphate is the preferred hexose phosphate taken up by nongreen plastids. A cDNA clone encoding glucose 6-phosphate/phosphate translocator (GPT) was isolated from a cDNA library of immature seeds of rice and named as OsGPT. The cDNA has one uninterrupted open reading frame encoding a 42 kDa polypeptide possessing transit poptide consisting of 70 amino acid residues. The OsGPT gene maps on chromosome 8 of rice and is linked to the quantitative trait locus for 1000-grain weight. The expression of OsGPT is mainly re-stricted to heteretrephic tissues. These results suggest that glucose 6-phosphate imported via GPT can be used for starch biosynthesis in rice nongreen plastids     

我国积极心理学文献计量学分析

了解国内积极心理学的发展及研究现状,并分析其存在的问题,为进一步的研究提供依据,以"积极心理学"为主题词,从中国期刊全文数据库上检索出590篇文献。对这些文章进行文献计量学分析和内容分析。结果显示:我国积极心理学自21世纪初开始进行研究,从2007年至今已成为研究的热点;研究的主题主要包括主观幸福感、积极人格、积极教育、积极组织行为及和谐社会等;而目前的研究以理论研究为主,需要更多的实证研究、深入研究和本土化研究。     

从实有人口信息化管理谈户籍制度改革——以上海为例

户籍制度是国家的一项基本行政制度,中国“二元”户籍制度引发了越来越多的争议.国家从八十年代开始一直在进行改革,但改革效果却不尽如人意.不过,上海市2007开始实施的实有人口信息化管理的实践却给户籍制度改革注入了新的动力,对未来人口管理模式的建立也有多重启迪意义.     

江苏省旅游等级景区发展及其空间分布特征研究

系统分析了2001年以来江苏省旅游等级景区的发展态势和等级结构演变特征,并对2007年全省旅游等级景区空间分布特征进行了研究.研究结果表明:2001年以来江苏全省旅游等级景区总量逐年上升,年均增长率达37%;不同等级的旅游景区发展历程各有差异,4A级景区发展最为平稳,3A级景区增长最快,2A级景区持续快速发展,1A级景区发展明显滞缓;2006年以来全省旅游景区等级结构趋于相对稳定;2007年全省旅游等级景区主要集中分布在苏南地区,而在苏中、苏北地区的空间集中度较低,其中,2A至4A景区在全省的空间分布具有"空间集聚程度随景区等级提高而上升,等级越低的景区空间分布越均匀"的特点,4A级以上的高等级旅游景区主要集中分布在苏州、无锡、南京等苏南城市.     

Quick ice mass loss and abrupt retreat of the maritime glaciers in the Kangri Karpo Mountains,southeast Tibetan Plateau

The maritime glaciers are sensitive to climate change because of high annual precipitation and high air temperature in the region. A combined comprehensive study was carried out based on glacier mass balance observation, GPS-based glacier terminus position survey, glacier Ground Penetrating Radar, topography maps and RS satellite images in the Kangri Karpo Mountains, Southeast Tibet. The study revealed a strong ice mass loss and quick glacier retreat since the 1970s. Ata Glacier, one glacier from the south slope of the Kangri Karpo Mountains, has formed a 6-km-long terminal moraine zone at the end of the glacier since the 1970s, and the accelerating retreat is largely due to the strong glacier surface melting. Mass balance study on the other four glaciers on the northern side of the Kangri Karpo Mountains shows that they are in large negative mass balance and the glaciers had retreated 15--19 m from May 2006 to May 2007. The in-situ glacier observation also shows that the glacier retreat is more obvious in small glaciers. The enhanced ice mass deficit caused by climate warming and the ongoing extinction of many small glaciers in this region could seriously affect the water resources, environ- ments, local climate and regional sustainable development in the near future.     

1986-2007年中国耕地面积时空变化分析

根据统计数据,运用逐步回归方法分析了我国1986-2007年耕地面积的时空变化规律及影响因素.结果表明:中国耕地面积和人均耕地面积一直在减少,1999年以后减速加快.以1996年为界线,中国耕地面积从1980-1990年东部部分省份锐减、中西部大部分省份增加的格局转变为1996-2007年的西部锐减、中部次之,东部减速缓慢的格局.1986-1996年耕地面积减少的主要因素是城市人口和人口自然增长率,1996-2007年主要因素是第二产业产值、全国总户数,1986-2007年主要是城市人口、第二产业总产值、乡镇企业增加值及耕地总量平衡政策的发展.     

中意合作西藏羊八井ARGO-YBJ实验成果概览

文章简要介绍了中意合作西藏羊八井ARGO-YBJ宇宙线观测实验的物理目标和探测原理,重点概述了ARGO-YBJ阵列自2007年稳定运行以来在宇宙线实验观测中取得的重要成果,如甚高能γ点源、大尺度各向异性、宇宙线月亮阴影效应和全粒子谱等。     

西方马克思主义对经济危机的认识综述

文章分三个阶段介绍了西方马克思主义对经济危机的认识:1997年以前,1997年至2007年之间,以及2007年经济危机以来西方马克思主义对经济危机的认识。最后文章对西方马克思主义对经济危机的认识做了简短的评论,认为西方马克思主义对经济危机的认识呈现螺旋上升的趋势,同时也指出了西方马克思主义对经济危机认识的不足。     

免费师范生教育政策刍议

在高校普遍实行收费制教育的今天,2007年免费师范生教育政策的出台,犹如一石激起了千层浪,短时间内即引起了包括教育界在内的社会各阶层人士的极大关注。人们关注的焦点之一是,通过“免费”的举措,是否能真正吸引有志优秀青年报考师范类院校？焦点之二是,这一政策的具体实施将有附加条件,即根据教育部颁布的《教育部直属师范大学师范生免费教育实施办法（试行）》的有关规定,凡享受免费师范生教育政策的学生,必须至少签定二年支援西部农村贫困地区教育的协议。由此这一政策出现了双重的目的指向,即它究竟是为了吸引优秀学生报考师范院校,以加强一线优秀教师的培养;还是为了扶贫帮困,援助西部贫困地区的落后教育;或者是两者兼而有之,以其达到一项政策多种功能的目标？笔者从政策分析的角度,对这一新政策的实施状况,从历史和现实的层面进行全面剖析,同时就其可能出现的问题与利弊作一深入探讨,这对于政策的完善不仅十分必要而且还具有重要的现实意义。     

个人住房贷款风险及其防范

自次贷危机在美国乃至全球市场蔓延以来，我国金融市场也面临着很大挑战。面对如此严峻的形势，商业银行如何保持稳定发展，是当前非常重要的课题。对我国商业银行个人住房贷款业务风险及其产生原因进行剖析，明确风险防范管理措施，对我国个人房贷有积极的现实意义。     

Population status, threats and conservation of the Yangtze finless porpoise

The Yangtze finless porpoise （Neophocaena phocaenoides asiaeorientalis） is currently limited to the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River from Yichang to Shanghai, China, and the adjoining Poyang and Dongting Lakes. Its population size has decreased remarkably during the last several decades due to the heavy impact of human activities, including overfishing of prey species, water development projects that cause attendant habitat loss and degradation, water pollution, and accidental deaths caused by harmful fishing gear and collisions with motorized vessels. It was estimated that the number of remaining individuals was down to approximately 1800 in 2006, a number that is decreasing at a rate as high as 5% per year. Three conservation measures - in situ and ex situ conservation and captive breeding have been applied to the protection of this unique porpoise since the early 1990s. Seven natural and two ＂semi-natural＂ reserves have so far been established. Since 1996, a small group of finless porpoises has been successfully reared in a facility at the Institute of Hydrobiology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences; three babies were born in captivity on July 5, 2005, June 2, 2007 and July 5, 2008. These are the first freshwater cetaceans ever born in captivity in the world. Several groups of these porpoises caught in the main stream of the Yangtze River, or rescued, have been introduced into the Tian＇e-Zhou Semi-natural Reserve since 1990. These efforts have proven that, not only can these animals survive in the area, they are also to reproduce naturally and successfully. More than 30 calves had been born in the reserve since then, with one to three born each year. Taking deaths and transfers into account, there were approximately 30 individuals living in the reserve as of the end of 2007. Among eight mature females captured in April 2008, five were confirmed pregnant. This effort represents the first successful attempt at off-site protection of a cetacean species in the world, and establishes a solid base for conservation of the Yangtze finless porpoise. A lesson must be drawn from the tragedy of Chinese River Dolphin （Lipotes vexillifer）, which has already been declared likely extinct. Strong, effective and appropriate protective measures must be carried out quickly to prevent the Yangtze finless porpoise from becoming a second Chinese River Dolphin, and save the biodiversity of the Yangtze River as a whole.