A genetic variation map for chicken with 2.8 million single-nucleotide polymorphisms

We describe a genetic variation map for the chicken genome containing 2.8 million single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). This map is based on a comparison of the sequences of three domestic chicken breeds (a broiler, a layer and a Chinese silkie) with that of their wild ancestor, red jungle fowl. Subsequent experiments indicate that at least 90% of the variant sites are true SNPs, and at least 70% are common SNPs that segregate in many domestic breeds. Mean nucleotide diversity is about five SNPs per kilobase for almost every possible comparison between red jungle fowl and domestic lines, between two different domestic lines, and within domestic lines--in contrast to the notion that domestic animals are highly inbred relative to their wild ancestors. In fact, most of the SNPs originated before domestication, and there is little evidence of selective sweeps for adaptive alleles on length scales greater than 100 kilobases.     

Enhancing rice resistance to fungal pathogens by transformation with cell wall degrading enzyme genes from Trichoderma atroviride

Three genes encoding for fungal cell wall degrading enzymes (CWDEs), ech42, nag70 and gluc78 from the biocontrol fungus Trichoderma atroviride were inserted into the binary vector pCAMBIA1305.2 singly and in all possible combinations and transformed to rice plants. More than 1800 independently regenerated plantlets in seven different populations (for each of the three genes and each of the four gene combinations) were obtained. The ech42 gene encoding for an endochitinase increased resistance to sheath blight caused by Rhizoctonia solani, while the exochitinase-encoding gene, nag70, had lesser effect. The expression level of endochitinase but exochitinase was correlated with disease resistance. Nevertheless, exochitinase enhanced the effect of endochitinase on disease resistance when the two genes co-expressed in transgenics. Resistance to Magnaporthe grisea was found in all kinds of regenerated plants including that with single gluc78. A few lines expressing either ech42 or nag70 gene were immune to the disease. Transgenic plants are being tested to further evaluate disease resistance at field level. This is the first report of multiple of expression of genes encoding CWDEs from Trichoderma atroviride that result in resistance to blast and sheath blight in rice.     

Immunotherapy of intracranial G422 glioblastoma with dendritic cells pulsed with tumor extract or RNA

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the anti-tumor efficacy of dendritic cell (DC)-based vaccines pulsed with tumor extracts or RNA in a mouse model of intracranial G422 glioblastoma. METHODS: Bone marrow-derived DCs were pulsed ex vivo with tumor extracts or RNA. Ninety female mice harboring 4-day-old intracranial G422 glioblastomas and 126 normal mice were treated with three spaced one week apart subcutaneous injections either with PBS, unpulsed DCs, G422 tumor extracts, RNA, DCs pulsed with G422 tumor extracts (DC/extract) or with RNA (DC/RNA). Seven days after the third immunization of normal mice, the spleens of 36 of them were harvested for cytotoxic T lyphocyte (CTL) assays and the others were challenged in the brain with G422 tumor cells. All the treated mice were followed for survival. Some mice brains were removed and examined pathologically when they died. RESULTS: Immunization using DC/extract or DC/RNA significantly induced G422-specific CTL responses compared with control groups (P<0.01). Vaccination with DC/extract or DC/RNA, either prior to G422 tumor challenge or in tumor-harboring mice, significantly prolonged survival compared with other control groups (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: DCs pulsed with tumor extracts or RNA derived from autologous tumors has potential antitumor effects via activation of cell-mediated immunity. Our results suggest a useful therapeutic strategy against gliomas.     

Tuning the lowest excited- states of platinum (Ⅱ) terpyridyl acetylide complex bearing azacrown moiety: Stimulated by transition metal ions

The development of molecular sensor with high stability and sensitivity has attracted considerable attention in recent years. Of particular interest lies in the molecules which show dramatic color changes in the visible or infrared regions upon exposure to specific substrates. In general, host molecule can selectively recognize the specific guest molecules at their receptor site and produce a measurable change. A number of organic molecular sen     

重组细胞因子类药物研究的新进展

细胞因子(cytokine)是由免疫细胞及相关细胞产生的一类调节细胞功能的高活性、多功能的多肽分子,不包括免疫球蛋白、补体和一般生理性的细胞产物.细胞因子通常由淋巴细胞、单核巨噬细胞、成纤维细胞、内皮细胞等相关细胞产生,按其功能及与免疫学的关系可分为:(1)具有抗病毒活性的细胞因子,如干扰素(interferon,IFN);(2)具有免疫调节活性的细胞因子,包括白细胞介素(interleukin,IL)类的IL 2、IL 4、IL 5、IL7、IL 9、IL 10和IL 12,以及β型转化生长因子(transforming growth factor β,TGF β);(3)具有炎症介导活性的细胞因子,包括以肿瘤坏死因子(tumor necrosis factor,TNF)及IL 1、IL 6和IL 8为代表的结构相似的小分子趋化因子;(4)具有造血生长活性的细胞因子,包括IL 3、IL11、集落刺激因子(colony-stimulating factor,CSF)、促红细胞生成素(erythropoietin,EPO)、干细胞因子(stem cell factor,SCF)和白血病抑制因子(leukemia inhibitory factor,LIF)等.     

建国以来我国公民科学素质建设的经验和教训

随着新世纪的到来,我国的公民科学素质建设进入了关键时期,只有对以往建设过程中的经验和教训进行回顾和整理,有充分而清醒的认识,才能有针对性地开展下一步工作.本文总结了建国以来我国公民科学素质建设在六个方面的经验和教训,以期对实践有所裨益.     

乾隆皇帝的陶瓷诗

乾隆皇帝弘历是一位博雅好古，兴趣广泛，有着多方面才艺的天子，写有不少陶瓷题材的诗歌。其抒发情性之作，表现了一代帝王的情趣爱好和独特的审芙感受；其抒发感慨之作，表现出作者的思想性格，富含人生的哲理。     

PPP协议在GPRS无线网络中的嵌入式实现

介绍了PPP协商机制,给出了一个利用GPRS模块实现快速小数据量的无线数据通信的实例,此例中PPP协议采用了优化的协商流程以提高链路建立的速度,项目实施中还采用了串口监测的方式检测收发的数据值,这个重要的调试手段保证了系统的正确实现.     

G-凸空间中的广义KKM定理及极小极大定理

在G凸空间中证明了一个广义KKM定理,并给出了KyFan极小极大定理在G凸空间的推广.     

SPM电场加工纳米结构的评价方法

纳米结构形状特征及其相关参数的评价是扫描探针显微镜(SPM)加工面临的一个主要问题．文中对原子力显微镜(AFM)电场诱导硅氧化结构的部分形状特征进行了分析和讨论．借助传统评价方法，结合纳米加工实际，提出了几个评价参数，并用于SPM加工方法的评价中，其中加工线宽是一个关键参数．与加工线宽相关的参数还包括直线度、线平行度、垂直度、倾斜度、加工高度及纵横比等．通过对AFM加工生成的线结构进行评价，说明了该方法的可行性。