ICOS is essential for effective T-helper-cell responses

The outcome of T-cell responses after T-cell encounter with specific antigens is modulated by co-stimulatory signals, which are required for both lymphocyte activation and development of adaptive immunity. ICOS, an inducible co-stimulator with homology to CD28, is expressed on activated, but not resting T cells, and shows T-cell co-stimulatory function in vitro. ICOS binds specifically to its counter-receptor B7RP-1 (refs 5,6,7), but not to B7-1 or B7-2. Here we provide in vivo genetic evidence that ICOS delivers a co-stimulatory signal that is essential both for efficient interaction between T and B cells and for normal antibody responses to T-cell-dependent antigens. To determine the physiological function of ICOS, we generated and characterized gene-targeted ICOS-deficient mice. In vivo, a lack of ICOS results in severely deficient T-cell-dependent B-cell responses. Germinal centre formation is impaired and immunoglobulin class switching, including production of allergy-mediating IgE, is defective. ICOS-deficient T cells primed in in vivo and restimulated in vitro with specific antigen produce only low levels of interleukin-4, but remain fully competent to produce interferon-gamma.     

The evolutionary inheritance of elemental stoichiometry in marine phytoplankton

Phytoplankton is a nineteenth century ecological construct for a biologically diverse group of pelagic photoautotrophs that share common metabolic functions but not evolutionary histories. In contrast to terrestrial plants, a major schism occurred in the evolution of the eukaryotic phytoplankton that gave rise to two major plastid superfamilies. The green superfamily appropriated chlorophyll b, whereas the red superfamily uses chlorophyll c as an accessory photosynthetic pigment. Fossil evidence suggests that the green superfamily dominated Palaeozoic oceans. However, after the end-Permian extinction, members of the red superfamily rose to ecological prominence. The processes responsible for this shift are obscure. Here we present an analysis of major nutrients and trace elements in 15 species of marine phytoplankton from the two superfamilies. Our results indicate that there are systematic phylogenetic differences in the two plastid types where macronutrient (carbon:nitrogen:phosphorus) stoichiometries primarily reflect ancestral pre-symbiotic host cell phenotypes, but trace element composition reflects differences in the acquired plastids. The compositional differences between the two plastid superfamilies suggest that changes in ocean redox state strongly influenced the evolution and selection of eukaryotic phytoplankton since the Proterozoic era.     

Cellular turnover and extracellular matrix remodeling in female reproductive tissues: functions of metalloproteinases and their inhibitors

Female reproductive tissues possess a unique ability to accommodate a remarkable amount of cell turnover and extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling following puberty. Cellular structures within ovary, uterus, and mammary tissue not only change cyclically in response to ovarian hormones but also undergo differentiation during pregnancy, and eventually revert to that resembling the pre-pregnant stage. Cell proliferation, apoptosis, invasion, and differentiation are integral cellular processes that are precisely regulated in reproductive tissues, but become dysregulated in pathologies such as cancer. Explicit reorganization of ECM and basement membranes is also critical to preserve the form and function of these tissues. Here we review the evidence that coordinated spatiotemporal expression patterns of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) genes and their tissue inhibitors (TIMPs) are important in cell and ECM turnover of the ovary, uterus, and mammary tissues. We discuss how perturbation in these gene families may impact the biology of these reproductive tissues and the factors implicated in the control of MMP and TIMP gene expression. The observed trends in MMP and TIMP expression involved in ovarian and mammary carcinomas are also presented.     

Mechanisms of heterotypic immunity against canine distemper.

Hep-2 cells infected with measles virus (MV) for as short as 6 h became refractory to superinfection with canine distemper virus (CDV) but not to vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV). The exact mechanism of such interference is unknown but probably occurs after virus attachment and penetration. These results verify the suggestion that virus interference may be a mechanism of heterotypic protection against canine distemper.     

液相色谱智能化——多段梯度洗脱满意分离条件之启发式自动搜索

本文为高性能液相色谱作定量分析,提供一种新颍方法,自动求得峰形分离良好的色谱图,并由此对于仪表之智能化前景作一展望。利用多段梯度洗脱法来改进分离,会引起搜索该条件之复杂化。为此,启发微机来搜索满意的分离条件,而不去搜索最优分离条件,较为合理而且方便。用本法分析人体血液中21种主要氨基酸组分,获得成功。     

Morphological variability and genetic diversity in five species of Skeletonema （Bacillariophyta）

Twelve strains of Skeletonema from Chinese coastal waters and another strain from the West Sea of Korea were examined using light microscopy （LM）, scanning and transmission electron microscopy （SEM, TEM）, and small subunit （SSU） rDNA sequence analysis. We identified four species of Skeletonema： S. marinoi Sarno et Zingone, S. subsalsum （A.Cleve） Bethge, S. dohrnii Sarno et Kooistra, S. trop- icum Cleve, as well as a Skeletonerna-like species. These are the first records of S. rnarinoi, S. dohrnii and S. subsalsurn in China. The Skeletonema-like species, MMDLS067, was isolated from the estuary of the Changjiang River. The morphologic and phylogenetic characteristics of this species are not correspond to those of any previously published Skeletonerna species. The intercalary fultoportula pro- cesses （IFPPs） has long open tubes, and the intercalary rimoportula process （IRP） is short and located inside the rim of the IFPPs. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that MMDL5630 clustered with S. tropicurn in the NJ and MP trees, but its IRPs differed from those of previously described specimens of S. tropicum. The IRP is partially open, with an elongated opening at the base of the tube, and is longer than the IFPPs. Some specimens of S. marinoi and S. dohrnii also have longer tubular IRPs than the IFPPs. Compared to pre- viously described specimens of S. rnar＆oi and S. dohrnii, these two specimens we identified have shorter IRPs. Our results reflect the ambiguity and diversity of Skeletonema taxonomy. They are also significant for the future identification and management of red tides caused by Skeletonerna in the seas around China.     

Synthesis of mesoporous polymeric carbon nitride exhibiting enhanced and durable visible light photocatalytic performance

A thiourea precursor was employed to synthesize mesoporous carbon nitride(C3 N4) by a thermal polycondensation process with high surface area SiO2 and nanosphere SiO2 as two types of hard templates. The resultant mesoporous C3 N4 samples have high surface areas(105–112 m2/g) and mesopores with narrow sizes distribution(9.3 nm). Photocatalytic performance was evaluated by removal of NO in air under visible light irradiation. The results showed that mesoporous C3 N4 samples exhibited significantly improved photocatalytic activity in comparison with bulk C3 N4, which also exceeded that of N-doped TiO2 and C-doped TiO2. The activity enhancement can be ascribed to the synergistic effects of large surface area and pore volume, enhanced light-harvesting ability, increased redox potential, and reduced recombination of charge carriers. In addition to the high activity, the mesoporous C3 N4 samples also showed high photochemical stability. The mesoporous C3 N4 photocatalysts with enhanced and durable activity could provide a new efficient material for environmental pollution control.     

Serotype-independent pneumococcal vaccines

Streptococcus pneumoniae remains an important cause of disease with high mortality and morbidity, especially in children and in the elderly. The widespread use of the polysaccharide conjugate vaccines in some countries has led to a significant decrease in invasive disease caused by vaccine serotypes, but an increase in disease caused by non-vaccine serotypes has impacted on the overall efficacy of these vaccines on pneumococcal disease. The obvious solution to overcome such shortcomings would be the development of new formulations that provide serotype-independent immunity. This review focuses on the most promising approaches, including protein antigens, whole cell pneumococcal vaccines, and recombinant bacteria expressing pneumococcal antigens. The protective capacity of these vaccine candidates against the different stages of pneumococcal infection, including colonization, mucosal disease, and invasive disease in animal models is reviewed. Some of the human trials that have already been performed or that are currently ongoing are presented. Finally, the feasibility and the possible shortcomings of these candidates in relation to an ideal vaccine against pneumococcal infections are discussed.     

Pharmacologic therapeutic window of pramiracetam demonstrated in behavior, EEG, and single neuron firing rates

Following oral or intravenous administration, a representative cognition activator drug, pramiracetam sulfate, is shown to have a pharmacologic therapeutic window at three different levels of study: learned behavior, gross EEG activity of the frontal cortex and hippocampus, and firing rate of single hippocampal neurons.     

宣钢竖炉球团适宜膨润土配比试验研究

为了探求宣钢球团矿适宜膨润土的配比,进行了一系列的实验室研究。结果表明:膨润土配比控制在2.1%时,球团矿性能满足生产要求且经济合理。