Top ten biotechnologies for improving health in developing countries

Most research into genomics and other related biotechnologies is concerned with the priorities of industrialized nations, and yet a limited number of projects have shown that these technologies could help improve health in developing countries. To encourage the successful application of biotechnology to global health, we carried out a study in which we asked an international group of eminent scientists with expertise in global health issues to identify the top ten biotechnologies for improving health in developing countries. The results offer concrete guidance to those in a position to influence the direction of research and development, and challenge common assumptions about the relevance and affordability of biotechnology for developing countries.     

Minocycline inhibits cytochrome c release and delays progression of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in mice

Minocycline mediates neuroprotection in experimental models of neurodegeneration. It inhibits the activity of caspase-1, caspase-3, inducible form of nitric oxide synthetase (iNOS) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). Although minocycline does not directly inhibit these enzymes, the effects may result from interference with upstream mechanisms resulting in their secondary activation. Because the above-mentioned factors are important in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), we tested minocycline in mice with ALS. Here we report that minocycline delays disease onset and extends survival in ALS mice. Given the broad efficacy of minocycline, understanding its mechanisms of action is of great importance. We find that minocycline inhibits mitochondrial permeability-transition-mediated cytochrome c release. Minocycline-mediated inhibition of cytochrome c release is demonstrated in vivo, in cells, and in isolated mitochondria. Understanding the mechanism of action of minocycline will assist in the development and testing of more powerful and effective analogues. Because of the safety record of minocycline, and its ability to penetrate the blood-brain barrier, this drug may be a novel therapy for ALS.     

从目的论看武当山的公示语翻译

本论文通过对中国道教圣地武当山古建筑群景区进行调研,搜集旅游文本资料,以功能翻译学派的核心理论目的论为理论指导,对该景区公示语的英译进行探讨和研究,对其中某些公示语英译提出了自己的见解。     

不同压缩比对湍流射流点火发动机性能和爆震影响的试验研究

本文基于一台四冲程单缸发动机开展了不同压缩比对湍流射流点火(TJI)汽油发动机性能和爆震特性的影响研究,试验所采用的压缩比为9、11、13和15,在每个压缩比工况下对不同过量空气系数λ进行研究．结果表明,高压缩比可以拓展湍流射流点火汽油发动机的稀燃极限,压缩比15工况下,可以实现λ=3稳定燃烧．增大压缩比并配合预燃室喷油可缩短发动机燃烧的滞燃期和燃烧持续期,进而提高射流点火发动机燃烧效率．1.4<λ<1.9时,随着过量空气系数增加,主燃烧室内混合气变稀,滞燃期和燃烧持续期在低压缩比工况(CR=9、11、13)呈上升趋势,此时主燃烧室混合气浓度对燃烧过程的影响占主导作用;但是随着压缩比逐渐升高至15,滞燃期和燃烧持续期的上升趋势不再明显;而当λ>1.9时,主燃烧室混合气过于稀薄,此时预燃室射流火焰对主燃室燃烧的影响增强．试验还发现,射流点火发动机和普通火花塞点火发动机在压力振荡方面存在较大差异,射流点火发动机的压力振荡从燃烧初期阶段开始一直持续到燃烧结束,这主要是由于高温射流对主燃室多点点火造成的压力振荡．在高压缩比和较浓混合气工况下,射流点火发动机可能还会发生早燃,因...