Objective: To explore the mechanism of native Tibetan fetuses adaptation to hypoxia, we tried to find the different expression genes about mitochondrial function in the native Tibetan placents. Methods: In this stud...Objective: To explore the mechanism of native Tibetan fetuses adaptation to hypoxia, we tried to find the different expression genes about mitochondrial function in the native Tibetan placents. Methods: In this study, the placents of native Tibetan and the high-altitude Hart (ha-Hart) were collected. After the total RNA extraction, the finally synthesized cDNAs were hybridized to mitochondrial array to find the altered expression genes between them. Then, the cytochrome c oxidase 17 (Coxl7), dynactin 2 (DCTN2, also known as p50), and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR, also known as KDR) were chosen from the altered expression genes to further verify the array results using the SYBR Green real-time PCR. Because the altered expression genes (such as Cybb and Cox 17) in the array results related to the activities of COXI and COXIV, the placental mitochondria activities of COXI and COXIV were measured to find their changes in the hypoxia. Results: By a standard of≥1.5 or ≤0.67, there were 24 different expressed genes between the native Tibetan and the ha-Han placents, including 3 up-regulated genes and 21 down-regulated genes. These genes were related to energy metabolism, signal transduction, cell proliferation, electron transport, cell adhesion, nucleotide-excision repair. The array results of Cox17, DCTN2 and KDR were further verified by the real-time RT-PCR. Through the mitochondria respiration measurements, the activity of COXI in the native Tibetan placents were higher than that of ha-Han, there was no difference in COXIV activity between them. Conclusion: The altered mitochondrial related genes in the native Tibetan placents may have a role in the high altitude adaptation for fetuses through changing the activity of mitochondrial COX.展开更多
In this narrative, we explore the story of Ananias and Sapphira from the book of Acts in the Christian scriptures. We examine the story in the light of a recent hook by Dominic Johnson (2016), God Is Watching You, a...In this narrative, we explore the story of Ananias and Sapphira from the book of Acts in the Christian scriptures. We examine the story in the light of a recent hook by Dominic Johnson (2016), God Is Watching You, and other related research. The idea of a punitive God and/or the belief in a punitive God may have significant effects on group functioning. The troubling story of Ananias and Sapphira may be seen as a central cog in the cooperative coming together of what became the Christian Church. In our modem world, a punitive God is an idea we seek to avoid but it may be the one that is essential for a peaceful cooperative world.展开更多
Plasmablastic lymphoma(PBL) is a rare aggressive B-cell lymphoproliferative disorder,which has been characterized by the World Health Organization as a new entity.Although PBL is most commonly seen in the oral cavity ...Plasmablastic lymphoma(PBL) is a rare aggressive B-cell lymphoproliferative disorder,which has been characterized by the World Health Organization as a new entity.Although PBL is most commonly seen in the oral cavity of human immunodeficiency virus(HIV)-positive patients,it can also be seen in extraoral sites in immunocompromised patients who are HIV-negative.Here we present a rare case of PBL of the small intestine in a 55-year-old HIV-negative male.Histopathological examination of the excisional lesion showed a large cell lymphoma with plasmacytic differentiation diffusely infiltrating the small intestine and involving the surrounding organs.The neoplastic cells were diffusely positive for CD79a,CD138 and CD10 and partly positive for CD38 and epithelial membrane antigen.Approximately 80% of the tumor cells were positive for Ki-67.A monoclonal rearrangement of the kappa light chain gene was demonstrated.The patient died approximately 1.5 mo after diagnosis in spite of receiving two courses of the CHOP chemotherapy regimen.In a review of the literature,this is the first case report of PBL with initial presentation in the small intestine without HIV and Epstein-Barr virus infection,and a history of hepatitis B virus infection and radiotherapy probably led to the iatrogenic immunocompromised state.展开更多
The 2016 G20 Hangzhou Summit helped develop new concepts and inject new stimulus into the growth of the world economy.In order to realize the full potential of the summit,however,it is vital that countries implement t...The 2016 G20 Hangzhou Summit helped develop new concepts and inject new stimulus into the growth of the world economy.In order to realize the full potential of the summit,however,it is vital that countries implement the consensus reached at the meeting.China endeavors to enhance development of the world economy by proactively applying new concepts and bringing to the table its successful experience of economic growth.展开更多
A paradigm shift of the origin of ovarian cancer to fallopian tube has brought more focus on bilateral salpingectomy as a preventive method for ovarian cancer. Bilateral salpingectomy has shown a dramatic reduction in...A paradigm shift of the origin of ovarian cancer to fallopian tube has brought more focus on bilateral salpingectomy as a preventive method for ovarian cancer. Bilateral salpingectomy has shown a dramatic reduction in the risk of ovarian cancer. Bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy has been a long-used practice to prevent ovarian cancer, but it brings surgical menopause and an increased mortality rate to women undergoing such a surgery at the age of <47.5. With the prophylactic bilateral salpingectomy, however, the ovarian function remains unaltered. Recent studies have shown that prophylactic salpingectomy was helpful not only in preventing high-grade serous type ovarian cancer, but also in decreasing adnexal pathologies. With the publication of committee opinion, more practitioners have accepted this proposal, but some are more concerned about its disadvantages. This review illustrates the latest updates on salpingectomy as a preventive method for ovarian cancer, including its advantages and disadvantages, clinicians' opinions, public opinions, so as to find out Obstetricians' and Gynecologists' practice pattern related to opportunistic salpingectomy worldwide.展开更多
Food technology has been instrumental in ensuring that troops remain "fit to fight". Early food technologies produced flat bread, hard biscuits, cheese and salted meat, allowing Roman legionaries to carry rations fo...Food technology has been instrumental in ensuring that troops remain "fit to fight". Early food technologies produced flat bread, hard biscuits, cheese and salted meat, allowing Roman legionaries to carry rations for several days. Canning was invented in the late 18th century in response to the French Government's offer of a substantial reward to the person whose invention would allow troops to carry their food when marching long distances. World War II saw further advances in the form of stable and palatable canned meals, compressed cereal bars, candy-coated peanuts and other innovative foods in US combat rations. Two significant technology breakthroughs in the second half of the 20th century have altered the form of military rations. Freeze drying matured as an industrial technology, allowing the production of long-life, light-weight rations. Flexible packaging, based on plastic laminates, led to reduced weight and less waste disposal through the development of retort pouched meals (meals in flexible packaging that have undergone heat sterilization), which have largely replaced metal cans in combat rations. Improvements in quality of military rations, particularly their organoleptic properties, are emerging through application of innovative technologies such as high-pressure thermal processing, pulsed electric field, and microwave assisted thermal sterilization. Research and development of "functional foods", such as those containing added essential fatty acids or probiotics offers the potential to provide combat rations that can further improve soldier health and performance.展开更多
The relationship between species diversity and ecosystem function is a hot topic in ecology and environics. This paper investi- gates the evolution of diversity of the late Middle Permian brachiopods community in Hech...The relationship between species diversity and ecosystem function is a hot topic in ecology and environics. This paper investi- gates the evolution of diversity of the late Middle Permian brachiopods community in Hechuan, Chongqing, China, and dis- cusses the relationship between species diversity and community productivity in terms of the geohistorical development. This paper shows that the species diversity is externalized by several indexes, and the relationship between diversity and productiv- ity is too complex to be described by a single assumption. The relationship between species diversity and community produc- tivity is restricted by environment and community evolution. When the community succeeds normally, the relationship be- tween species richness index, species diversity index, and species evenness index to productivity is in linear dependence rela- tion to each other, which is met with the third assumption. But, when the environment interference surpasses the beating capa- bility of the community, not only the community succession will be terminated and be replaced by another one, but also the relationship between species richness index, species diversity index, and species evenness index to productivity is also in- versed to negative correlation by the interference from environment. Only the relationship between ecological dominance and productivity is in linear dependence relation to each other and approximately met with the third assumption. It is illustrated that the assumption that the productivity is in linear dependence relation with diversity should be established on the presupposition that the community succession is normal.展开更多
Mechanisms of animal learning and memory were traditionally studied without reference to niche-specific functional considerations. More recently, ecological demands have informed such investigations, most notably with...Mechanisms of animal learning and memory were traditionally studied without reference to niche-specific functional considerations. More recently, ecological demands have informed such investigations, most notably with respect to foraging in birds. In parallel, behavioural ecologists, primarily concerned with functional optimization, have begun to consider the role of mechanistic factors, including cognition, to explain apparent deviations from optimal predictions. In the present paper we discuss the application of laboratory-based constructs and paradigms of cognition to the real-world challenges faced by avian foragers. We argue that such applications have been handicapped by what we term the 'paradigmatic assumption' - the assumption that a given laboratory paradigm maps well enough onto a congruent cognitive mechanism (or cognitive ability) to justify confiation of the two. We present evidence against the paradigmatic assumption and suggest that to achieve a profitable integration between function and mechanism, with respect to animal cognition, a new conceptualization of cognitive mechanisms - functional cogni- tion - is required. This new conceptualization should define cognitive mechanisms based on the informational properties of the animal's environment and the adaptive challenges faced. Cognitive mechanisms must be examined in settings that mimic the im- portant aspects of the natural environment, using customized tasks designed to probe defined aspects of the mechanisms' opera- tion. We suggest that this approach will facilitate investigations of the functional and evolutionary relevance of cognitive mecha- nisms, as well as the patterns of divergence, convergence and specialization of cognitive mechanisms within and between species .展开更多
Integrated observation platforms have been set up to investigate consequences of global change within a terrestrial network of observatories (TERENO) in Germany. The aim of TERENO is to foster the understanding of w...Integrated observation platforms have been set up to investigate consequences of global change within a terrestrial network of observatories (TERENO) in Germany. The aim of TERENO is to foster the understanding of water, energy, and matter fluxes in terrestrial systems, as well as their biological and physical drivers. Part of the Lower Rhine Valley-Eifel observatory of TERENO is located within the Eifel National Park. Recently, the National Park forest management started to promote the nat- ural regeneration of near-natural beech forest by removing a significant proportion of the spruce forest that was established for timber production after World War II. Within this context, the effects of such a disturbance on forest ecosystem functioning are currently investigated in a deforestation experiment in the Wtistebach catchment, which is one of the key experimental re- search sites within the Lower Rhine Valley-Eifel observatory. Here, we present the integrated observation system of the Wiistebach test site to exemplarily demonstrate the terrestrial observatory concept of TERENO that allows for a detailed mon- itoring of changes in hydrological and biogeochemical states and fluxes triggered by environmental disturbances. We present the observation platforms and the soil sampling campaign, as well as preliminary results including an analysis of data con- sistency. We specifically highlight the capability of integrated datasets to enable improved process understanding of the post-deforestation changes in ecosystem functioning.展开更多
The efforts of many laboratories worldwide and large scale international mutagenesis consortia have resulted in mutagenesis of nearly all mouse genes, and present efforts are devoted to large scale phenotyping of germ...The efforts of many laboratories worldwide and large scale international mutagenesis consortia have resulted in mutagenesis of nearly all mouse genes, and present efforts are devoted to large scale phenotyping of germline null mutant mice (Ayadi et al., 2012). Although early lethality associated with loss of function of a given gene may prevent elucidating its function at a later stage or in a given tissue, conditional alleles in which a critical part of the gene is flanked by recombinase target sites provide an opportunity for addressing gene function at later stages (Branda and Dymecki,2004). Fortunately, many of the mutant alleles generated by the consortia allow for conditional mutagenesis using site directed recombinases.展开更多
基金Supported by the National Basic Research Program of China (973 Program, 2006CB504101)the National Natural Science Foundation of China (30393131)
文摘Objective: To explore the mechanism of native Tibetan fetuses adaptation to hypoxia, we tried to find the different expression genes about mitochondrial function in the native Tibetan placents. Methods: In this study, the placents of native Tibetan and the high-altitude Hart (ha-Hart) were collected. After the total RNA extraction, the finally synthesized cDNAs were hybridized to mitochondrial array to find the altered expression genes between them. Then, the cytochrome c oxidase 17 (Coxl7), dynactin 2 (DCTN2, also known as p50), and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR, also known as KDR) were chosen from the altered expression genes to further verify the array results using the SYBR Green real-time PCR. Because the altered expression genes (such as Cybb and Cox 17) in the array results related to the activities of COXI and COXIV, the placental mitochondria activities of COXI and COXIV were measured to find their changes in the hypoxia. Results: By a standard of≥1.5 or ≤0.67, there were 24 different expressed genes between the native Tibetan and the ha-Han placents, including 3 up-regulated genes and 21 down-regulated genes. These genes were related to energy metabolism, signal transduction, cell proliferation, electron transport, cell adhesion, nucleotide-excision repair. The array results of Cox17, DCTN2 and KDR were further verified by the real-time RT-PCR. Through the mitochondria respiration measurements, the activity of COXI in the native Tibetan placents were higher than that of ha-Han, there was no difference in COXIV activity between them. Conclusion: The altered mitochondrial related genes in the native Tibetan placents may have a role in the high altitude adaptation for fetuses through changing the activity of mitochondrial COX.
文摘In this narrative, we explore the story of Ananias and Sapphira from the book of Acts in the Christian scriptures. We examine the story in the light of a recent hook by Dominic Johnson (2016), God Is Watching You, and other related research. The idea of a punitive God and/or the belief in a punitive God may have significant effects on group functioning. The troubling story of Ananias and Sapphira may be seen as a central cog in the cooperative coming together of what became the Christian Church. In our modem world, a punitive God is an idea we seek to avoid but it may be the one that is essential for a peaceful cooperative world.
文摘Plasmablastic lymphoma(PBL) is a rare aggressive B-cell lymphoproliferative disorder,which has been characterized by the World Health Organization as a new entity.Although PBL is most commonly seen in the oral cavity of human immunodeficiency virus(HIV)-positive patients,it can also be seen in extraoral sites in immunocompromised patients who are HIV-negative.Here we present a rare case of PBL of the small intestine in a 55-year-old HIV-negative male.Histopathological examination of the excisional lesion showed a large cell lymphoma with plasmacytic differentiation diffusely infiltrating the small intestine and involving the surrounding organs.The neoplastic cells were diffusely positive for CD79a,CD138 and CD10 and partly positive for CD38 and epithelial membrane antigen.Approximately 80% of the tumor cells were positive for Ki-67.A monoclonal rearrangement of the kappa light chain gene was demonstrated.The patient died approximately 1.5 mo after diagnosis in spite of receiving two courses of the CHOP chemotherapy regimen.In a review of the literature,this is the first case report of PBL with initial presentation in the small intestine without HIV and Epstein-Barr virus infection,and a history of hepatitis B virus infection and radiotherapy probably led to the iatrogenic immunocompromised state.
文摘The 2016 G20 Hangzhou Summit helped develop new concepts and inject new stimulus into the growth of the world economy.In order to realize the full potential of the summit,however,it is vital that countries implement the consensus reached at the meeting.China endeavors to enhance development of the world economy by proactively applying new concepts and bringing to the table its successful experience of economic growth.
文摘A paradigm shift of the origin of ovarian cancer to fallopian tube has brought more focus on bilateral salpingectomy as a preventive method for ovarian cancer. Bilateral salpingectomy has shown a dramatic reduction in the risk of ovarian cancer. Bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy has been a long-used practice to prevent ovarian cancer, but it brings surgical menopause and an increased mortality rate to women undergoing such a surgery at the age of <47.5. With the prophylactic bilateral salpingectomy, however, the ovarian function remains unaltered. Recent studies have shown that prophylactic salpingectomy was helpful not only in preventing high-grade serous type ovarian cancer, but also in decreasing adnexal pathologies. With the publication of committee opinion, more practitioners have accepted this proposal, but some are more concerned about its disadvantages. This review illustrates the latest updates on salpingectomy as a preventive method for ovarian cancer, including its advantages and disadvantages, clinicians' opinions, public opinions, so as to find out Obstetricians' and Gynecologists' practice pattern related to opportunistic salpingectomy worldwide.
文摘Food technology has been instrumental in ensuring that troops remain "fit to fight". Early food technologies produced flat bread, hard biscuits, cheese and salted meat, allowing Roman legionaries to carry rations for several days. Canning was invented in the late 18th century in response to the French Government's offer of a substantial reward to the person whose invention would allow troops to carry their food when marching long distances. World War II saw further advances in the form of stable and palatable canned meals, compressed cereal bars, candy-coated peanuts and other innovative foods in US combat rations. Two significant technology breakthroughs in the second half of the 20th century have altered the form of military rations. Freeze drying matured as an industrial technology, allowing the production of long-life, light-weight rations. Flexible packaging, based on plastic laminates, led to reduced weight and less waste disposal through the development of retort pouched meals (meals in flexible packaging that have undergone heat sterilization), which have largely replaced metal cans in combat rations. Improvements in quality of military rations, particularly their organoleptic properties, are emerging through application of innovative technologies such as high-pressure thermal processing, pulsed electric field, and microwave assisted thermal sterilization. Research and development of "functional foods", such as those containing added essential fatty acids or probiotics offers the potential to provide combat rations that can further improve soldier health and performance.
基金supported by State Key Laboratory of Palaeobiology and Stratigraphy (Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology,CAS) (Grant No.123115)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities"(Grant No.2010LKDZ01)
文摘The relationship between species diversity and ecosystem function is a hot topic in ecology and environics. This paper investi- gates the evolution of diversity of the late Middle Permian brachiopods community in Hechuan, Chongqing, China, and dis- cusses the relationship between species diversity and community productivity in terms of the geohistorical development. This paper shows that the species diversity is externalized by several indexes, and the relationship between diversity and productiv- ity is too complex to be described by a single assumption. The relationship between species diversity and community produc- tivity is restricted by environment and community evolution. When the community succeeds normally, the relationship be- tween species richness index, species diversity index, and species evenness index to productivity is in linear dependence rela- tion to each other, which is met with the third assumption. But, when the environment interference surpasses the beating capa- bility of the community, not only the community succession will be terminated and be replaced by another one, but also the relationship between species richness index, species diversity index, and species evenness index to productivity is also in- versed to negative correlation by the interference from environment. Only the relationship between ecological dominance and productivity is in linear dependence relation to each other and approximately met with the third assumption. It is illustrated that the assumption that the productivity is in linear dependence relation with diversity should be established on the presupposition that the community succession is normal.
文摘Mechanisms of animal learning and memory were traditionally studied without reference to niche-specific functional considerations. More recently, ecological demands have informed such investigations, most notably with respect to foraging in birds. In parallel, behavioural ecologists, primarily concerned with functional optimization, have begun to consider the role of mechanistic factors, including cognition, to explain apparent deviations from optimal predictions. In the present paper we discuss the application of laboratory-based constructs and paradigms of cognition to the real-world challenges faced by avian foragers. We argue that such applications have been handicapped by what we term the 'paradigmatic assumption' - the assumption that a given laboratory paradigm maps well enough onto a congruent cognitive mechanism (or cognitive ability) to justify confiation of the two. We present evidence against the paradigmatic assumption and suggest that to achieve a profitable integration between function and mechanism, with respect to animal cognition, a new conceptualization of cognitive mechanisms - functional cogni- tion - is required. This new conceptualization should define cognitive mechanisms based on the informational properties of the animal's environment and the adaptive challenges faced. Cognitive mechanisms must be examined in settings that mimic the im- portant aspects of the natural environment, using customized tasks designed to probe defined aspects of the mechanisms' opera- tion. We suggest that this approach will facilitate investigations of the functional and evolutionary relevance of cognitive mecha- nisms, as well as the patterns of divergence, convergence and specialization of cognitive mechanisms within and between species .
基金the support by the SFB-TR32 "Patterns in SoilVegetation-Atmosphere Systems:Monitoring,Modelling and Data Assimilation" funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG)TERENO (Terrestrial Environmental Observatories) funded by the Helmholtz Association of German Research Centers
文摘Integrated observation platforms have been set up to investigate consequences of global change within a terrestrial network of observatories (TERENO) in Germany. The aim of TERENO is to foster the understanding of water, energy, and matter fluxes in terrestrial systems, as well as their biological and physical drivers. Part of the Lower Rhine Valley-Eifel observatory of TERENO is located within the Eifel National Park. Recently, the National Park forest management started to promote the nat- ural regeneration of near-natural beech forest by removing a significant proportion of the spruce forest that was established for timber production after World War II. Within this context, the effects of such a disturbance on forest ecosystem functioning are currently investigated in a deforestation experiment in the Wtistebach catchment, which is one of the key experimental re- search sites within the Lower Rhine Valley-Eifel observatory. Here, we present the integrated observation system of the Wiistebach test site to exemplarily demonstrate the terrestrial observatory concept of TERENO that allows for a detailed mon- itoring of changes in hydrological and biogeochemical states and fluxes triggered by environmental disturbances. We present the observation platforms and the soil sampling campaign, as well as preliminary results including an analysis of data con- sistency. We specifically highlight the capability of integrated datasets to enable improved process understanding of the post-deforestation changes in ecosystem functioning.
基金supported by grants RO1 DE022363 and RO1 DE022778 from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research
文摘The efforts of many laboratories worldwide and large scale international mutagenesis consortia have resulted in mutagenesis of nearly all mouse genes, and present efforts are devoted to large scale phenotyping of germline null mutant mice (Ayadi et al., 2012). Although early lethality associated with loss of function of a given gene may prevent elucidating its function at a later stage or in a given tissue, conditional alleles in which a critical part of the gene is flanked by recombinase target sites provide an opportunity for addressing gene function at later stages (Branda and Dymecki,2004). Fortunately, many of the mutant alleles generated by the consortia allow for conditional mutagenesis using site directed recombinases.