Binding of estradiol to synaptosomal mitochondria: physiological significance

The subsynaptosomal distribution and specific binding of 17beta-estradiol in vitro to mitochondria isolated from presynaptic nerve endings of female rat brain were examined. 17Beta-estradiol is (i) distributed unequally in synaptosomes and mitochondria posses the highest capacity to bind estradiol with respect to the available amount of the hormone. (ii) Estradiol binds specifically to isolated synaptosomal mitochondria. A Michaelis-Menten plot of specific binding was sigmoidal within a concentration range of 0.1-5 nM of added estradiol, with a saturation plateau at 3 nM. Binding of higher estradiol concentrations demonstrated an exponential Michaelis-Menten plot, indicating non-specific binding to mitochondria. Vmax and Km for the sigmoidal-shape range were estimated as 46 +/- 6 fmol of estradiol/mg of mitochondrial proteins and 0.46 +/- 0.07 nM free estradiol respectively. (iii) Estradiol binding is not affected by the removal of ovaries. The results show that inhibition of Na-dependent Ca2+ efflux from mitochondria by estradiol occurs according to an affinity change of the translocator for Na+, at the same estradiol concentrations that show specific binding to mitochondrial membranes. These data imply that physiological concentrations of estradiol, acting on mitochondrial membrane properties, extragenomically modulate the mitochondrial, and consequently the synaptosomal content of Ca2+, and in that way exert a significant change in nerve cell homeostasis.     

Cardiac protective role of a novel erythrocyte-derived depressing factor on rats and its Ca^2＋ mechanism

The cardiac protective role of a novel erythro-cyte-derived depressing factor (EDDF) on spontaneous hy-pertensive rats (SHR), calcium overload (CaO) rats and Wistar rats and its mechanism was evaluated. Mean artery pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR) and LVdp/dtmax were measured by physiological recorder. The effect of EDDF on the Ca2+-ATPase activity in myocardial sarcoplasmic reticu-lum (SR) of CaO rats was determined by inorganic phos-phate assay. Calcium transport in myocytes was measured by 45Ca2+ radioactive isotope measurement. The phosphoryla-tion levels of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases (ERK1/2) in myocardial tissue of SHR and CaO rats were measured by Western blot method. And the ultrastructures of cardiac muscle cells were observed with the transmission electron microscope. The results indicated that EDDF could significantly decrease MAP, HR and LVdp/dtmax in a dose dependent manner (P < 0.05). It seems that the mechanism might relate with activating the Ca2+-APTase, enhancing the uptake and release of Ca2+ from SR (P < 0.05), decreasing the phosphorylation levels of ERK1/2 of myocytes (P < 0.01) and lightening the ultrastructural lesion of cardiac muscle cells. In CaO rats, the Ca2+-ATPase activity decreased clearly com-pared to control (64.99 7.16 vs 94.48 7.68 nmol·min-1 ·mg-1 protein, P < 0.01), while EDDF (100 mg/mL) could significantly increase the activity (87.93 ?9.54 vs 64.99 ?7.16, P < 0.05, n = 7). Both uptake and release rate of Ca2+ (祄ol 45Ca2+/g protein/min) from myocardial SR of CaO rats re-markably decreased compared to control (32.40 ?2.70 and 15.46 ?1.49 vs 61.09 ?10.89 and 25.47 ?4.29, P < 0.05); EDDF (100 mg/mL) could significantly stimulate their activi-ties (50.48 6.76 and 21.76 2.75 vs 32.40 2.70 and 15.46 1.49, P < 0.05). EDDF could evidently down-regulate the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 in myocardial tissue from SHR and CaO rats (P < 0.01), lighten the ultrastructural lesion of cardiac muscle cells of SHR as well. It is concluded that EDDF seems to play protective roles on both structure and function of heart, which closely related with amelioration of Ca2+ transport and inhibition of Ca2+-MAP kinase pathway.     

The plasma membrane proton-translocating ATPase

Living cells require membranes and membrane transporters for the maintenance of life. After decades of biochemical scrutiny, the structures and molecular mechanisms by which membrane transporters catalyze transmembrane solute movements are beginning to be understood. The plasma membrane proton-translocating adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) is an archetype of the P-type ATPase family of membrane transporters, which are important in a wide variety of cellular processes. The H+-ATPase has been crystallized and its structure determined to a resolution of 8 angstrom in the membrane plane. When considered together with the large body of biochemical information that has been accumulated for this transporter, and for enzymes in general, this new structural information is providing tantalizing insights regarding the molecular mechanism of active ion transport catalyzed by this enzyme.     

Investigations on Several Mechanical Problems in Windblown Sand Movement

It is very necessary for the investigation on mechanism of windblown sand movement to understand and find out effective measures of preventing and reducing danger of windblown sands,which also deals with some general characters and hot spots in the scient     

浅议既有线天桥钢箱梁施工

文章就新塘站站后工程既有线天桥钢箱梁施工的运输和吊装方案提出解决方案，着重讨论了既有线天桥钢箱梁的运输方法。     

束流输运网络中多目标的分区耦合牵制控制

分别构造了具有小世界和无标度拓扑结构的束流输运网络,为了实现网络多目标同步控制的目的,把束流输运网络按照需要分成多局域网络,采用多局域网络的全局耦合分局域控制方法,实现了分区局域网络中各自所需的多目标(不动点和周期态等)的稳定控制.该方法可以拓广应用于其他复杂网络的多目标控制.     

Concentration level and distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in soil and grass around Mt. Qomolangma, China

High mountains may serve as a condenser for persistent organic pollutants. In the present study, soil and grass samples from Mt. Qomolangma region, China were collected from 4600 to 5620 m a.s.I and were analyzed for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons （PAHs） to determine if they are concentrated at colder, more elevated sites and to evaluate their possible resources and fractionation. The total PAHs concentration in soil samples was 〈 600 ng g^-1, the critical value to differentiate PAHs levels in remote and urban regions. This implied the PAHs levels at Mt. Qomolangma are relatively low and what one might expect in such a remote region of the world. These low values may represent a soil background for mid-latitude Northern Hemisphere soils away from the direct influence of an anthropogenic source. As for the distribution pattern, the low molecular weight PAHs were prone to accumulate at higher altitude, while the high molecular weight PAHs inversely related or unrelated with elevation. Based on high concentration of phenanthrene at elevated sample site and the ratios of individual PAHs, we deduced that home-heating combustion and vehicle emission may result in the constitution trait of PAHs in this mountain region. Monsoon traveling over India, Pakistan and other countries with dense population may carry contaminant to Mt. Qomolangma region.     

煤矿井下运输系统管理对策探讨

分析了煤矿原煤运输系统事故的原因,提出了控制煤矿皮带运输事故的对策和强化皮带运输系统安全管理的措施。     

基于JMF实时传输的远程授课系统的设计与实现

在简要介绍多媒体实时传输关键技术的基础上,对在JMF平台上实现音视频数据实时处理传输技术的远程授课系统的硬件结构和软件层次结构设计以及RTP流的发送和接收作了详细阐述,提出了一套从硬件到软件的完整设计和实现方案。为保证系统高度的实时性,采用了对音频和视频建立不同的虚拟信道,以负责不同媒体信息的传输,每个信道根据其媒体信息特点,赋予相应的服务质量参数,保证了信息的高效传输。     

客运专线板式无碴轨道动力设计参数

基于高速列车-板式无碴轨道时变系统竖向振动分析理论,研究了车速、轨道几何不平顺幅值、CA砂浆刚度及阻尼等动力学参数对此系统竖向振动响应的影响规律。在此基础上,进一步得出了合理的CA砂浆刚度取值范围。研究结果表明:高速列车-板式无碴轨道系统竖向振动响应均随车速及轨道几何不平顺幅值的增大而增大;合理的CA砂浆刚度取值范围为1.0~1.5 GPa/m;CA砂浆阻尼应尽可能取较大值,有利于降低轨道板的振动,延长板式无碴轨道结构的使用寿命。