Direct inhibition of phospholipid scrambling activity in erythrocytes by potassium ions

The exposure of phosphatidylserine (PS) at the cell surface plays a critical role in blood coagulation and serves as a macrophage recognition moiety for the engulfment of apoptotic cells. Previous observations have shown that a high extracellular [K⁺] and selective K⁺ channel blockers inhibit PS exposure in platelets and erythrocytes. Here we show that the rate of PS exposure in erythrocytes decreases by ~50% when the intracellular [K⁺] increases from 0 to physiological concentrations. Using resealed erythrocyte membranes, we further show that lipid scrambling is inducible by raising the intracellular [Ca²⁺] and that K⁺ ions have a direct inhibitory effect on this process. Lipid scrambling in resealed ghosts occurs in the absence of cell shrinkage and microvesicle formation, processes that are generally attributed to Ca²⁺-induced lipid scrambling in intact erythrocytes. Thus, opening of Ca²⁺-sensitive K⁺ channels causes loss of intracellular K⁺ that results in reduced intrinsic inhibitory effect of these ions on scramblase activity. Received 11 September 2008; received after revision 17 October 2008; accepted 27 October 2008     

处理频率对TC4钛合金微弧氧化膜特性的影响

利用自制多功能微弧氧化膜的制备系统对TC4钛合金进行表面处理, 通过扫描电镜(SEM)和X射线衍射仪(XRD)研究脉冲频率(f)对氧化膜生长特性、 表面形貌和相组成的影响. 结果表明, 当f≤2 000 Hz时, 成膜速率随f增加迅速减小; 当2 000 Hz＜f＜4 000 Hz时, 成膜速率随f增加而减小的趋势变缓; 当f≥4 000 Hz时, 成膜速率不随f发生变化. 该氧化膜表面多孔, 随f的增加, 膜表面微孔尺寸逐渐减少, 微孔密度逐渐增加. 膜层主要由锐钛矿和金红石相TiO2及少量不饱和氧化物TiO2-x（0.02＜x＜0.07）相组成, 其中锐钛矿和金红石相TiO₂的相对含量随f的变化不明显, 而TiO_2-x的相对含量当f≤2 000 Hz时较高, 当f＞2 000 Hz时, TiO_2-x的相含量明显减少.      

动车组车体底边梁用6005A铝型材检验分析

6005A铝合金大截面复杂制品作为轨道车体的边梁或枕梁,对轨道车体的整体起连接和承重作用,是动车组车体的关键部位。采用电子万能试验机、铝型材压力试验机、光学显微镜等研究了速度达400 km·h^-1动车组车体底边梁用6005A铝型材的强度、显微组织和断口形貌等,旨在为动车组用铝挤压型材产品检验和工艺制度制定提供技术支持与指导。     

两种不同形貌FePO_4的制备及其正电极材料LiFePO_4的电化学性能

分别以Fe(NO_3)_3·9H_2O和FeSO_4·7H_2O为铁源,采用均相沉淀法和氧化-液相沉淀法制备了两种不同形貌的FePO_4粉体,再以FePO_4为前驱体,与LiOH·H_2O、蔗糖混合,采用碳热还原法合成了LiFePO_4正电极材料.用XRD和SEM对所制备的FePO_4粉体进行结构和表面形貌表征,测试了LiFePO_4样品的充放电性能.XRD和SEM测定结果表明,采用均相沉淀法制备的FePO_4为六方晶系纯相,颗粒形貌为圆片状,颗粒大小均匀;而液相氧化法制备的FePO_4也为六方晶系纯相,但颗粒形貌无规则.由圆片状FePO_4和无规则FePO_4所合成的LiFePO_4的颗粒形貌与其前驱体相同.充放电测试表明在0.5C下圆片状LiFePO_4的首次放电比容量为140 mAh/g,无规则LiFePO_4的首次放电比容量为89 mAh/g.经过50次循环后,前者的放电比容量仅下降1.43%,后者基本不变.     

Early life history of the sheepnose (Plethobasus cyphyus) (Mollusca: Bivalvia: Unionoida)

Managing a rare species can be improved with knowledge of its natural history. The sheepnose (Plethobasus cyphyus) is a freshwater mussel recently listed by the US as federally endangered. We used standard methods to study P. cyphyus brooding behaviour, host fishes in the laboratory and under natural conditions, and glochidial morphology. We monitored a population of P. cyphyus in the Chippewa River, WI during spring and summer 2007–2009 and 2011 and found brooding animals between mid-May and early August. Gravid individuals ranged between 5 and 27 yr (mean age ± 1 s.d. = 13 ± 4 yr). Plethobasus cyphyus brooded glochidia in outer gills, which varied in colour from red, orange, pink, cream, or white. We observed mature glochidia more commonly in individuals with cream or white gills and these glochidia were released in a clear, adhesive, mucus matrix. In laboratory trials we found several minnow and topminnow species (29 spp.) served as productive suitable native hosts. The mean number of juvenile mussels released per cyprinid per day was significantly higher for trials conducted at 22–25°C compared with those at 18–20°C, and 83% of trials conducted at 18–20°C using suitable host species produced no juveniles. Glochidia had a unique outline and shell morphometrics that distinguished P. cyphyus from seven other Chippewa River mussel species that produce similar sized glochidia. Using morphometrics we determined that mimic shiners (Notropis volucellus) were natural hosts for P. cyphyus, round pigtoe (Pleurobema sintoxia), and Wabash pigtoe (Fusconaia flava). Releasing mucus-bound glochidia has evolved in a variety of mussel species and may be more common than is currently realized. Our data show that P. cyphyus is a cyprinid host specialist, and propagation efforts for this species can be strengthened through improved access to mature glochidia by using females with cream-coloured gills and increased juvenile production through warmer fish holding temperatures.     

A new species of the pseudoscorpion genus Megachernes (Pseudoscorpiones: Chernetidae) associated with a threatened Sri Lankan rainforest rodent,with a review of host associations of Megachernes

Most species of the Old World pseudoscorpion genus Megachernes are associated with mammals, either within their nests or in their pelage, whereas others are found in cave systems, usually in bat guano. The first Sri Lankan species of the genus, Megachernes kanneliyensis, is described from the fur of an endemic, threatened Sri Lankan mouse, Mus mayori pococki from the Kanneliya rainforest. The species is compared with other species of the genus. Host associations of all named and several unnamed species of Megachernes are reviewed, with two main habitat types, those found in mammal nests and in their pelage, and those found in bat guano. Based on similarities with Megachernes, Chiridiochernes is transferred to Lamprochernetinae as the spermathecae are T-shaped, the sole diagnostic feature of the subfamily.     

Morphology of Eogystia sibirica (Alphéraky) (Lepidoptera: Cossidae) attacking Asparagus officinalis in northern China with descriptions of its immature stages

The carpenter moth Eogystia sibirica (Alphéraky) (Lepidoptera: Cossidae) is a serious pest of the garden asparagus Asparagus officinalis (family Liliaceae) in northern China, with its larvae boring in the stem and roots, frequently causing significant damage to the plant. All the life stages of the pest, including egg, larva, pupa and adult, are described and illustrated in detail. The ovoid egg is covered with a reticulate meshwork of ridges on the chorion. The eruciform larva possesses only three stemmata on each side of the head; the reduced abdominal prolegs on segments III–VI each bear 35–55 uniordinal crochets arranged in two transverse bands; the short anal prolegs each bear five to seven uniordinal crochets in a transverse band. The pupa is adecticous and obtect, without cremaster. The reduction of larval stemmata and the invagination of the adult pterosterna are briefly discussed.     

Use of morphological and molecular data to identify three new sibling species of the genus Munida Leach, 1820 (Crustacea,Decapoda, Galatheidae) from New Caledonia

Three cryptic species of the genus Munida from New Caledonia, previously identified as M. tuberculata Henderson, , M. notata Macpherson, and M. clinata Macpherson, , are described and illustrated. The three species are identified by subtle and constant morphological characters, which match clear differences in molecular sequences (16S rDNA and COI genes). The results also confirm the importance of several of these characters (e.g. length of the antennular and antennal spines) in the taxonomy of the genus Munida.