BMP signaling inhibits intestinal stem cell self-renewal through suppression of Wnt-beta-catenin signaling

In humans, mutations in BMPR1A, SMAD4 and PTEN are responsible for juvenile polyposis syndrome, juvenile intestinal polyposis and Cowden disease, respectively. The development of polyposis is a common feature of these diseases, suggesting that there is an association between BMP and PTEN pathways. The mechanistic link between BMP and PTEN pathways and the related etiology of juvenile polyposis is unresolved. Here we show that conditional inactivation of Bmpr1a in mice disturbs homeostasis of intestinal epithelial regeneration with an expansion of the stem and progenitor cell populations, eventually leading to intestinal polyposis resembling human juvenile polyposis syndrome. We show that BMP signaling suppresses Wnt signaling to ensure a balanced control of stem cell self-renewal. Mechanistically, PTEN, through phosphatidylinosital-3 kinase-Akt, mediates the convergence of the BMP and Wnt pathways on control of beta-catenin. Thus, BMP signaling may control the duplication of intestinal stem cells, thereby preventing crypt fission and the subsequent increase in crypt number.     

Mutations in SEC63 cause autosomal dominant polycystic liver disease

Mutations in PRKCSH, encoding the beta-subunit of glucosidase II, an N-linked glycan-processing enzyme in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), cause autosomal dominant polycystic liver disease. We found that mutations in SEC63, encoding a component of the protein translocation machinery in the ER, also cause this disease. These findings are suggestive of a role for cotranslational protein-processing pathways in maintaining epithelial luminal structure and implicate noncilial ER proteins in human polycystic disease.     

Fingerprint representation methods based on B-Spline functions

The global characteristics of a fingerprint image such as the ridge shape and ridge topology are often ignored in most automatic fingerprint verification system.In this paper,a new representative method based on B-Spline curve is proposed to address this problem.The resultant B-Spline curves can represent the global characteristics completely and the curves are analyzable and precise.An algorithm is also proposed to extract the curves from the fingerprint image.In addition to preserve the most information of the fingerprint image,the knot-points number of the B-Spline curve is reduced to minimum in this algorithm. At the same time,the influence of the fingerprint image noise is discussed.In the end,an example is given to demonstrate the effectiveness of the representation method.     

Early association of electrocardiogram alteration with infarct size and cardiac function after myocardial infarction

OBJECTIVE: Myocardial infarction (MI) is the main cause of heart failure, but the relationship between the extent of MI and cardiac function has not been clearly determined. The present study was undertaken to investigate early changes in the electrocardiogram associated with infarct size and cardiac function after MI. METHODS: MI was induced by ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery in rats. Electrocardiograms, echocardiographs and hemodynamic parameters were assessed and myocardial infarct size was measured from mid-transverse sections stained with Masson's trichrome. RESULTS: The sum of pathological Q wave amplitudes was strongly correlated with myocardial infarct size (r = 0.920, P < 0.0001), left ventricular ejection fraction (r = -0.868, P < 0.0001) and left ventricular end diastolic pressure (r = 0.835, P < 0.0004). Furthermore, there was close relationship between MI size and cardiac function as assessed by left ventricular ejection fraction (r = -0.913, P < 0.0001) and left ventricular end diastolic pressure (r = 0.893, P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: The sum of pathological Q wave amplitudes after MI can be used to estimate the extent of MI as well as cardiac function.     

Multiple regulatory sites in large-conductance calcium-activated potassium channels

Large conductance, Ca(2+)- and voltage-activated K(+) channels (BK) respond to two distinct physiological signals -- membrane voltage and cytosolic Ca(2+) (refs 1, 2). Channel opening is regulated by changes in Ca(2+) concentration spanning 0.5 micro M to 50 mM (refs 2-5), a range of Ca(2+) sensitivity unusual among Ca(2+)-regulated proteins. Although voltage regulation arises from mechanisms shared with other voltage-gated channels, the mechanisms of Ca(2+) regulation remain largely unknown. One potential Ca(2+)-regulatory site, termed the 'Ca(2+) bowl', has been located to the large cytosolic carboxy terminus. Here we show that a second region of the C terminus, the RCK domain (regulator of conductance for K(+) (ref. 12)), contains residues that define two additional regulatory effects of divalent cations. One site, together with the Ca(2+) bowl, accounts for all physiological regulation of BK channels by Ca(2+); the other site contributes to effects of millimolar divalent cations that may mediate physiological regulation by cytosolic Mg(2+) (refs 5, 13). Independent regulation by multiple sites explains the large concentration range over which BK channels are regulated by Ca(2+). This allows BK channels to serve a variety of physiological roles contingent on the Ca(2+) concentration to which the channels are exposed.     

图书馆加强为内部顾客服务的必要性及对策

提出了“图书馆内部顾客”这一概念,阐述了图书馆加强对内部顾客服务的必要性,指出应把“为内部顾客服务”作为处理图书馆内部关系的思想准则,并就这一思想准则的贯彻落实提出了几点建议。     

试论"一国两制"与祖国统一

“一国两制”构想是马列主义普遍原理和中国实际相结合的产物。它从实践中来,又到实践中去。当前,国内外形势发生了很大变化。按照“一国两制”构想来解决台湾问题,虽然面临着一些现实困难,但也初步具备了国际国内条件。我们应该坚定祖国和平统一的信心和决心,推进祖国统一大业早日完成。     

任务导向与员工导向:一项关于国营企业和中外合资企业领导风格的比较研究

文章对中国国营企业和中外合资企业的领导风格进行了比较研究。采用一种在西方广泛使用的测量领导风格的调查问卷,对410名国营企业和中外合资企业的员工进行了问卷调查。这些问卷的统计分析结果显示出两种不同的领导风格：“任务导向”和“员工导向”。国营企业有着更强有力的“任务导向的领导”,而中外合资企业存在着更强有力的“员工导向的领导”。     

川东高陡构造成因地质模式与含气性分析

川东高陡构造位于四川盆地东部 ,由一系列 NE-NNE向的隔档式褶皱组成。其构造变形经历了由隔槽式褶皱到“两背一断”,最终形成隔挡式褶皱的演化过程。在“两背一断”先存构造研究基础上 ,按继承发展的观点 ,综合运用伸展构造、反转构造、断层相关褶皱等构造新理论 ,系统探讨了川东高陡构造形成演化的成因地质模式 ,结合志留系主力生烃层的生气高峰期 ,对地腹不同成因类型的构造圈闭含气性进行了分析。     

比喻义的训释与比喻义的形成--《现代汉语词典》比喻义计量研究之一

运用计量统计的方法,分析了<现代汉语词典>(1983年版)中2488条比喻义的释义特点及所反映的词义性质.概括出了六种释义类型,反映出两种不同性质的比喻义固定比喻义与语境比喻义.固定比喻义是指已经凝固为稳定词义成分的比喻义,已成为词典释义中的一部分.语境比喻义是指靠具体上下文来显示的比喻义,以例句的形式来体现.<现代汉语词典>对比喻义的处理方法在词汇学与词典学有着独到的贡献再现了词义形成、稳定的过程;扩大了规范语文词典反映语言事实的范围,加强了语文词典的"引导"功能;丰富了词典的编纂技巧,完善了语文词典的表现手段.