Human chromosome 11 DNA sequence and analysis including novel gene identification

Chromosome 11, although average in size, is one of the most gene- and disease-rich chromosomes in the human genome. Initial gene annotation indicates an average gene density of 11.6 genes per megabase, including 1,524 protein-coding genes, some of which were identified using novel methods, and 765 pseudogenes. One-quarter of the protein-coding genes shows overlap with other genes. Of the 856 olfactory receptor genes in the human genome, more than 40% are located in 28 single- and multi-gene clusters along this chromosome. Out of the 171 disorders currently attributed to the chromosome, 86 remain for which the underlying molecular basis is not yet known, including several mendelian traits, cancer and susceptibility loci. The high-quality data presented here--nearly 134.5 million base pairs representing 99.8% coverage of the euchromatic sequence--provide scientists with a solid foundation for understanding the genetic basis of these disorders and other biological phenomena.     

非光滑表面离心泵叶轮的流动减阻特性

为了分析非光滑表面对离心泵性能的影响,基于仿生凹坑表面的减阻特性,将凹坑型非光滑单元体排布于离心泵叶片的工作面,建立具有非光滑表面的叶轮离心泵的流动减阻特性分析模型,通过RNGk-ε湍流模型对离心泵内部流场进行数值模拟,分析具有非光滑表面叶轮的流动减阻特性,研究不同流量下非光滑表面对叶片近壁面的速度分布、剪应力和离心泵内部流场的影响.结果表明:凹坑型非光滑表面能够降低因黏性阻力产生的叶轮扭矩,其扭矩的最大降幅为5.8%;非光滑表面能够有效控制叶片近壁面边界层的流体流动,减小叶片的壁面剪应力;凹坑型非光滑表面能够降低离心泵叶轮内部流体的湍动程度,减小湍动产生的能量耗散,使叶轮内部的流体流动更加稳定并提高离心泵的效率.     

Adipocytes as regulators of energy balance and glucose homeostasis

Adipocytes have been studied with increasing intensity as a result of the emergence of obesity as a serious public health problem and the realization that adipose tissue serves as an integrator of various physiological pathways. In particular, their role in calorie storage makes adipocytes well suited to the regulation of energy balance. Adipose tissue also serves as a crucial integrator of glucose homeostasis. Knowledge of adipocyte biology is therefore crucial for understanding the pathophysiological basis of obesity and metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes. Furthermore, the rational manipulation of adipose physiology is a promising avenue for therapy of these conditions.