Sensory neuron sodium channel Nav1.8 is essential for pain at low temperatures

Sensory acuity and motor dexterity deteriorate when human limbs cool down, but pain perception persists and cold-induced pain can become excruciating. Evolutionary pressure to enforce protective behaviour requires that damage-sensing neurons (nociceptors) continue to function at low temperatures. Here we show that this goal is achieved by endowing superficial endings of slowly conducting nociceptive fibres with the tetrodotoxin-resistant voltage-gated sodium channel (VGSC) Na(v)1.8 (ref. 2). This channel is essential for sustained excitability of nociceptors when the skin is cooled. We show that cooling excitable membranes progressively enhances the voltage-dependent slow inactivation of tetrodotoxin-sensitive VGSCs. In contrast, the inactivation properties of Na(v)1.8 are entirely cold-resistant. Moreover, low temperatures decrease the activation threshold of the sodium currents and increase the membrane resistance, augmenting the voltage change caused by any membrane current. Thus, in the cold, Na(v)1.8 remains available as the sole electrical impulse generator in nociceptors that transmits nociceptive information to the central nervous system. Consistent with this concept is the observation that Na(v)1.8-null mutant mice show negligible responses to noxious cold and mechanical stimulation at low temperatures. Our data present strong evidence for a specialized role of Na(v)1.8 in nociceptors as the critical molecule for the perception of cold pain and pain in the cold.     

Expression of active human factor VIII from recombinant DNA clones

DNA clones encoding the complete 2,351 amino acid sequence for human factor VIII have been isolated and used to produce biologically active factor VIII in cultured mammalian cells. The recombinant protein corrects the clotting time of plasma from haemophiliacs and has many of the biochemical and immunological characteristics of serum-derived factor VIII.     

林木生物质热裂解液化制备胶黏剂技术经济分析

 将热裂解液化得到的生物油作为清洁化工原料用于制备酚醛树脂胶黏剂是林木生物质高效利用的重要方式。本文介绍了林木生物质热裂解液化制取生物油及生物油制备胶黏剂的技术概况,对比分析了生物油的利用方式,以河北地区年4000t处理量规模为例,对林木生物质热裂解液化生产线设备组成及投资规模、生物油生产成本和生物油替代苯酚制备酚醛树脂胶黏剂的经济效益等进行了探讨。分析表明,河北地区年4000t处理量的林木生物质热裂解液化项目投资约为250万元,生物油的实际生产成本约为1200元/t,将生物油全部用于制备酚醛树脂胶黏剂的直接经济效益至少可达330万元/a。林木生物质热裂解液化制备胶黏剂项目技术经济效益显著,具有良好的发展和应用前景。