Observations on fluctuations of sound transmission and temperature field from the ASIAEX 2001 South China Sea experiment and inversion of the characterizations of internal tides (waves)

Two conclusions are obtained by analyzing the fluctuation data of the temperature field and the sound transmission in the South China Sea from ASIAEX 2001 volume interaction experiment. First of all, the peak-to-peak value of the particle vertical mean displacement due to the internal waves exceeds 40 m. Secondly, the peak-to-peak value of the sound transmission fluctuations represented by the pulse leading-edge fluctuations of the travel-time average exceeds 100 ms. Based on that, the major components of the internal waves are obtained by analyzing the spectrum of the temperature field fluctuations. The spectrum structures of the temperature field fluctuations in the across-shelf and the along-shore directions are compared respectively, and the spectrum structures of the sound transmission in such two different directions are also compared. The multi-path signals and the travel-time of the pulse are respectively used to capture the information of the sound transmission fluctuations, and their spectrum structures are compared also.     

Mutations in the gene encoding the 3'-5' DNA exonuclease TREX1 cause Aicardi-Goutières syndrome at the AGS1 locus

Aicardi-Goutières syndrome (AGS) presents as a severe neurological brain disease and is a genetic mimic of the sequelae of transplacentally acquired viral infection. Evidence exists for a perturbation of innate immunity as a primary pathogenic event in the disease phenotype. Here, we show that TREX1, encoding the major mammalian 3' --> 5' DNA exonuclease, is the AGS1 gene, and AGS-causing mutations result in abrogation of TREX1 enzyme activity. Similar loss of function in the Trex1(-/-) mouse leads to an inflammatory phenotype. Our findings suggest an unanticipated role for TREX1 in processing or clearing anomalous DNA structures, failure of which results in the triggering of an abnormal innate immune response.     

孤岛油田馆(1+2)地层划分对比与沉积模式

孤岛油田馆(1 2)砂层组属于河流相沉积，其纵向、横向相变迅速，砂体难以大面积追踪，本利用河流结构单元分析法、标准层与辅助标志层控制下的“旋回-厚度”对比法，很好地解决了馆(1 2)地层的划分对比问题，其中馆(1 2)砂层组内辅助标志层的发现为地层的划分对比提供了重要的保证．根据结构单元分析、砂体的岩性特征、粒度特征、河流砂体的空间展布形态以及河流曲率的计算，对馆(1 2)河流沉积的垂向旋回性及沉积模式进行了研究。对比Miall的16种河流分类方案，孤岛油田馆(1 2)砂层组属于细粒曲流河沉积．     

均匀细圆环和均匀薄圆盘对任意轴线的转动惯量

分别运用一般方法和投影法计算了均匀细圆环和均匀薄圆盘对任意轴线的转动惯量,在验证投影法计算结果正确性的基础上,对计算结果进行了讨论,可以用于对实际问题的分析研究.     

Hexon-chimaeric adenovirus serotype 5 vectors circumvent pre-existing anti-vector immunity

A common viral immune evasion strategy involves mutating viral surface proteins in order to evade host neutralizing antibodies. Such immune evasion tactics have not previously been intentionally applied to the development of novel viral gene delivery vectors that overcome the critical problem of anti-vector immunity. Recombinant, replication-incompetent adenovirus serotype 5 (rAd5) vector-based vaccines for human immunodeficiency virus type 1 and other pathogens have proved highly immunogenic in preclinical studies but will probably be limited by the high prevalence of pre-existing anti-Ad5 immunity in human populations, particularly in the developing world. Here we show that rAd5 vectors can be engineered to circumvent anti-Ad5 immunity. We constructed novel chimaeric rAd5 vectors in which the seven short hypervariable regions (HVRs) on the surface of the Ad5 hexon protein were replaced with the corresponding HVRs from the rare adenovirus serotype Ad48. These HVR-chimaeric rAd5 vectors were produced at high titres and were stable through serial passages in vitro. HVR-chimaeric rAd5 vectors expressing simian immunodeficiency virus Gag proved comparably immunogenic to parental rAd5 vectors in naive mice and rhesus monkeys. In the presence of high levels of pre-existing anti-Ad5 immunity, the immunogenicity of HVR-chimaeric rAd5 vectors was not detectably suppressed, whereas the immunogenicity of parental rAd5 vectors was abrogated. These data demonstrate that functionally relevant Ad5-specific neutralizing antibodies are focused on epitopes located within the hexon HVRs. Moreover, these studies show that recombinant viral vectors can be engineered to circumvent pre-existing anti-vector immunity by removing key neutralizing epitopes on the surface of viral capsid proteins. Such chimaeric viral vectors may have important practical implications for vaccination and gene therapy.     

A new role for cryptochrome in a Drosophila circadian oscillator

Cryptochromes are flavin/pterin-containing proteins that are involved in circadian clock function in Drosophila and mice. In mice, the cryptochromes Cry1 and Cry2 are integral components of the circadian oscillator within the brain and contribute to circadian photoreception in the retina. In Drosophila, cryptochrome (CRY) acts as a photoreceptor that mediates light input to circadian oscillators in both brain and peripheral tissue. A Drosophila cry mutant, cryb, leaves circadian oscillator function intact in central circadian pacemaker neurons but renders peripheral circadian oscillators largely arrhythmic. Although this arrhythmicity could be caused by a loss of light entrainment, it is also consistent with a role for CRY in the oscillator. A peripheral oscillator drives circadian olfactory responses in Drosophila antennae. Here we show that CRY contributes to oscillator function and physiological output rhythms in the antenna during and after entrainment to light-dark cycles and after photic input is eliminated by entraining flies to temperature cycles. These results demonstrate a photoreceptor-independent role for CRY in the periphery and imply fundamental differences between central and peripheral oscillator mechanisms in Drosophila.     

Identification of receptors for neuromedin U and its role in feeding

Neuromedin U (NMU) is a neuropeptide with potent activity on smooth muscle which was isolated first from porcine spinal cord and later from other species. It is widely distributed in the gut and central nervous system. Peripheral activities of NMU include stimulation of smooth muscle, increase of blood pressure, alteration of ion transport in the gut, control of local blood flow and regulation of adrenocortical function. An NMU receptor has not been molecularly identified. Here we show that the previously described orphan G-protein-coupled receptor FM-3 (ref. 15) and a newly discovered one (FM-4) are cognate receptors for NMU. FM-3, designated NMU1R, is abundantly expressed in peripheral tissues whereas FM-4, designated NMU2R, is expressed in specific regions of the brain. NMU is expressed in the ventromedial hypothalamus in the rat brain, and its level is significantly reduced following fasting. Intracerebroventricular administration of NMU markedly suppresses food intake in rats. These findings provide a molecular basis for the biochemical activities of NMU and may indicate that NMU is involved in the central control of feeding.