Analysis of Seed-specificity of Silencing fad_2 Gene Expression in Transgenic Rapeseed Line W-4(Brassica napus L.)

This study was to investigate the efficiency and specificity of RNAi silencing on the expression of endogenous fad2 gene in transgenic line W-4. [Method] The relative expression of fad2 gene in seeds at different developmental stages of 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th day after flowering （DAF） as wel as the root, stem, leaf at winter seedling stages of both the transgenic line W-4 and non-transgenic control Westar by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR. [Results] The results showed the relative expression of fad2 gene was gradual y increasing with the days after flowering in the seeds of the control Westar, while it was found decreasing significantly since the 21st DAF in the seeds of the line W-4. The decline was up to 60% in comparison with the control Westar. However, no significant difference in the relative expression of fad2 gene in other organs like root, stem and leaf was observed between transgenic line W-4 and non-transgenic control Westar. Fatty acid composition analysis showed the oleic acid desaturation parameter（ODP） in seeds of the line W-4 was 0.07 in average, decreased by nearly 75% than control Westar which was 0.24 in average, while no significant difference in the seedling root, stem and leaf was measured between transgenic rapeseed and control. [Conclusion] The results above validated that RNA interference in transgenic rapeseed W-4 is at a seed-specific manner, not interfering with fad2 gene expression in organs such as the root, stem and leaf. The study also found that the period of fad2 gene expres-sion decline was wel coincided with the expression of napin gene, both appeared at the 21st DAF, indicating that the expression of dsRNA of fad2 gene is precisely control ed by the napin promoter.

欧洲规范铁路桥梁动力分析竖向荷载取值研究

为有助于推动海外工程顺利实施,解决海外工程结构设计中的部分问题,开展国外标准规范系统研究是十分必要的,进而吸收与借鉴国际标准的先进经验,同时增强国际竞争力。针对铁路桥梁动力分析中欧洲规范竖向荷载的相关规定进行了详细研究,探讨分析了其规定差异性,提出了对国际工程设计咨询具有指导价值的结论。有助于解决涉外工程结构分析中荷载计算问题,有利于我国结构设计行业对外交流,为进一步推动海外工程的顺利实施奠定基础。

Gamma oscillations and their role in orchestrating balance and communication following stroke

Induced brain oscillations in the gamma range have recently garnered attention due to their reported neuroprotective effects in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.This method differs from pharmacological approaches by tapping into the neuronal population dynamics that underlie the homeostatic processes in the brain that are crucial for the recovery of function.Recently,induced gamma-range oscillations have been used to improve cerebral blood flow,motor function,and synaptic plasticity in a mouse model of focal stroke,highlighting the broad potential of recruiting intrinsic recovery processes for the treatment of neurological conditions.Addressing open questions,such as the frequency specificity of the benefits,will shed light on the intrinsic processes involved and allow clinicians to optimize recovery after stroke.

A Simple and Rapid Method to Determine the CO_2/O_2 Specificity Factor for Rubisco

A simple and rapid new method is presented to determine the CO 2/O 2 specificity factor for ribulose_1,5_bisphosphate(RuBP) carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco). In principle, the quantitative formula, which intrinsically resulted in error or enormous error in all reported methods, was improved to circumvent the problem. In practice, the complicated procedure with radiolabelling and chromatographic separation of 3_phosphoglycerate and 2_phosphoglycolate was substituted by one_step procedure without radiolabelling and chromatographic separation to decrease the random error. The effects of pH, temperature and ionic strength on accuracy of the data and the reliability of the calculation of the CO 2/O 2 specificity factor are also discussed.

Recent advances in identification of male specificity determinant and its function in S-RNase-mediated gametophytic self-incompatibility

S-RNase-mediated gametophytic self-incompatibility （GSI） is controlled by a multiallelic S-locus at which two separate genes, the female （pistil） and male （pollen） specificity determinants, are tightly linked. This review described both the identification of pollen specific F-box genes, SLF/SFBs, in Antirrhinum, Petunia and Prunus species and the demonstration of SLF/SFB as pollen determinant together with their functions in GSI response. Recent studies of how the pollen determinant functions in pollination reaction revealed that pollen determinant interacted with S-RNases in a non-allele-specific manner. It targeted all of the non-self S-RNases for ubiquitination through a functional SCF complex and subsequent degradation via 26S proteasome pathway in compatible reaction. It allows pollen tube to reach into the embryo sac and to finish double fertilization. In incompatible response, the intact self S-RNases were left to function as a cytotoxin that degrades self-pollen tube RNA, resulting in the cessation of pollen tube growth.

Analysis on 16S-ITS Marker from Bacillus licheniformis and Its Specificity

[Objective] This study aimed to establish molecular identification methods for Bacillus licheniformis. [Method] Based on clone sequencing and difference analysis for 16S and ITS sequences of B. licheniformis TS-01, specific primers were designed using region sequences as the targets used for amplifying all test strains. [Result] The specific primers of B. licheniformis were designed from the ITS and 16S rDNA regions. The optimal annealing temperature of the specific primers for PCR was 67.2 ℃ with 24 cycles. A 905 bp marker fragment was amplified for B. licheniformis TS-01, while all other test strains showed negative results. This indicated that a specific 16S-ITS marker was obtained, which accurately identified the strain at the species level. [Conclusion] This molecular identification method for B. licheniformis TS-01 has laid the foundation for molecular diagnosis of B. licheniformis.

3D打印个体化截骨导板结合定制钢板在开放楔形胫骨高位截骨中的应用

背景:3D打印个体化截骨导板辅助开放楔形胫骨高位截骨治疗膝骨关节炎具有手术时间短、透视次数少、矫正精准度高等优点。但之前报道的截骨导板对周围软组织破坏严重、锁定钢板位置不当等问题依旧明显。目的:探究3D打印个体化截骨导板结合定制钢板辅助开放楔形胫骨高位截骨治疗膝骨关节炎的临床疗效。方法:收集20例确诊为膝骨关节炎的患者,按手术方法分为3D组和常规组,每组10例。3D组采用3D打印个体化截骨导板结合定制钢板辅助开放楔形胫骨高位截骨手术,常规组进行常规开放楔形胫骨高位截骨手术。分析比较两组患者手术时间、透视次数、切口长度,术前和术后髋膝踝角、胫骨近端内侧角、胫骨后倾角以及计划矫正角度与实际矫正角度的差值,术前和术后1,3,6个月膝关节活动度及Lysholm评分,另外记录并发症发生情况。结果与结论:①3D组患者的手术时间、透视次数少于常规组,差异有显著性意义(P<0.001);②两组患者的术后髋膝踝角、胫骨近端内侧角均较术前增大,差异有显著性意义(P<0.001),而胫骨后倾角无明显改变;3D组术后髋膝踝角、胫骨近端内侧角及胫骨后倾角与术前计划值分别相差(-0.22±0.72)°、(-0.20±0.73)°和(0.23±0.37)°,但差异均无显著性意义;3D组计划矫正度数与实际矫正度数的差值较常规组小,差异有显著性意义(P<0.05);③两组患者术后膝关节活动度及Lysholm评分均逐步升高(P<0.001);3D组术后1,3个月的膝关节活动度及术后1个月的Lysholm评分优于常规组,差异有显著性意义(P<0.05);两组患者术后3个月的Lysholm评分、术后6个月的膝关节活动度及Lysholm评分差异无显著性意义(P>0.05);④两组患者均无并发症发生;⑤上述结果说明3D打印个体化截骨导板结合定制钢板辅助和常规方法均有良好的临床疗效,但前者的手术时间更短,透视次数更少,术后膝关节功能恢复更快;并且3D打印个体化截骨导板可精准实现术前规划。

运动疗法通过机械-化学偶联治疗慢性非特异性下背痛

背景:目前运动疗法是非药物治疗腰痛的有效方法,运动疗法可通过骨骼和肌肉之间的机械-化学偶联维持腰椎的稳定,但目前尚无关于运动疗法通过机械-化学偶联缓解慢性非特异性下背痛之间研究进展及最佳治疗方案的明确阐述。目的:综述运动疗法时椎旁肌通过机械-化学偶联影响腰椎稳定性进而缓解慢性非特异性下背痛的相关研究进展,以及目前运动疗法治疗慢性非特异性下背痛的最佳方案。方法:在万方数据库、中国知网、维普、Web of Science和PubMed数据库进行文献检索,以“慢性非特异性下背痛,腰椎稳定,椎旁肌,运动疗法”为中文检索词,以“chronic nonspecific low back pain,lumbar stabilization,paravertebral muscle,exercise therapy”为英文检索词,检索各数据库建库至2024年1月发表的相关文献,最终纳入93篇文献进行归纳总结。结果与结论:运动疗法可以通过适当的机械刺激作用于椎旁肌和骨骼并使其产生相应的变化。运动疗法主要通过机械-化学偶联方式来提高椎旁肌的质量,进而维持腰椎稳定,从而更好地缓解慢性非特异性下背痛,是慢性非特异性下背痛的重要干预措施。但是,对于运动疗法通过腰椎稳定来治疗慢性非特异性下背痛的确切有效方案尚无明确报道。个体化运动方案的制定对于慢性非特异性下背痛的治疗和预后尤为重要。同一个体的肌肉质量与骨骼质量是密切相关的,影像学评估椎旁肌的质量和体积对于疾病的发现和干预具有重要意义。

生物反馈助力电刺激对慢性非特异性腰痛患者下肢步行功能的改善

背景:国内外关于慢性非特异性腰痛生物反馈疗法和三维步态功能分析的相关研究已开展很多,但是对二者结合的研究少有报道。目的:利用三维步态分析采集步态参数数据,研究生物反馈助力电刺激对慢性非特异性腰痛患者步行能力的改变效果。方法:选择2021年6月至2022年9月在广东药科大学附属第一医院收治的60例慢性非特异性腰痛患者,男34例,女26例,年龄32-58岁。采用随机数字表法将60例患者分为对照组(n=30)与试验组(n=30),两组患者均接受腰部动态干扰电的常规治疗(20 min/次,1次/d,每周5次,持续治疗20次),对照组患者在常规治疗的基础上进行仰卧搭桥和俯卧搭桥的悬吊核心肌群训练(每周5次,持续治疗20次),试验组在对照组治疗的基础上进行生物反馈助力电刺激治疗(20 min/次,1次/d,每周5次,持续治疗20次)。比较分析两组患者治疗前后的腰痛评分、肌电信号平均值和步态参数。结果与结论:①两组患者治疗结束后的数字类比表评分、日本骨科协会(JOA)评分、Oswestry功能障碍指数均较治疗前明显改善(P<0.05),试验组治疗结束后的数字类比表评分、JOA评分、Oswestry功能障碍指数均优于对照组(P<0.05);②两组患者治疗结束后的腹直肌、臀大肌、竖脊肌表面肌电平均值均高于治疗前(P<0.05),试验组治疗结束后的腹直肌、臀大肌、竖脊肌表面肌电平均值均高于对照组(P<0.05);③两组患者治疗结束后的步宽、步速、步频、健患侧步长比值、健患侧支撑相比值、患健侧摆动相比值、健患侧髋关节及膝关节矢状面活动度和健患侧足偏角均优于治疗前(P<0.05),试验组治疗结束后的上述指标均优于对照组(P<0.05);④结果表明,生物反馈助力电刺激能明显缓解慢性非特异性腰痛,改善了患者下肢步行功能。

长链非编码RNA核富集转录本1对瘢痕成纤维细胞增殖、凋亡和迁移的影响

背景:已有研究阐明核富集转录本1(nuclear enriched abundant transcript 1,NEAT1)下调抑制了瘢痕成纤维细胞的进展,但具体机制尚不完全清楚。目的:探讨长链非编码RNA NEAT1调节miR-136-5p/泛素特异性蛋白酶4(ubiquitin specific protease 4,USP4)轴对瘢痕成纤维细胞生物学行为的影响。方法:将瘢痕成纤维细胞分为5组:si-NC组、空白对照组、si-NEAT1组、si-NEAT1+miR-136-5p inhibitor组、si-NEAT1+inhibitor-NC组,qRT-PCR检测NEAT1、miR-136-5p表达;CCK-8法及EDU染色检测细胞增殖能力;流式细胞术检测细胞凋亡情况;划痕愈合实验检测细胞迁移情况;Western blot检测USP4、p27、Bax、基质金属蛋白酶9、α-平滑肌肌动蛋白、Ⅰ型胶原蛋白α1链蛋白表达;双荧光素酶实验检测NEAT1与miR-136-5p、miR-136-5p与USP4的关系。结果与结论:①与si-NC组比较,si-NEAT1组NEAT1表达、A450值、EDU阳性细胞百分比、划痕愈合率以及USP4、基质金属蛋白酶9、α-平滑肌肌动蛋白、Ⅰ型胶原蛋白α1链蛋白表达降低(P<0.05),miR-136-5p表达、细胞凋亡率及p27、Bax蛋白表达升高(P<0.05);②miR-136-5p inhibitor逆转了沉默NEAT1对瘢痕成纤维细胞生物学行为的影响;③miR-136-5p与NEAT1、miR-136-5p与USP4存在靶向调控关系。结果表明,沉默NEAT1可能通过调控miR-136-5p/USP4轴抑制瘢痕成纤维细胞的增殖和迁移,诱导其凋亡。

Phylogenetic diversity and specificity of bacteria associated with Microcystis aeruginosa and other cyanobacteria

Interactions between bacteria and cyanobacteria have been suggested to have a potential to influence harmful algal bloom dynamics; however, little information on these interactions has been reported. In this study, the bacterial communities associated with five strains of Microcystis aeruginosa, three species of other Microcystis spp., and four representative species of non-Microcystis cyanobacteria were compared. Bacterial 16S rDNA fragments were amplified and separated by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis （DGGE） followed by DNA sequence analysis. The similarities among bacterial communities associated with these cyanobacteria were compared to the digitized DGGE profiles using the cluster analyses. The bacterial community structure of all cyanobacterial cultures differed. Cluster analysis showed that the similarity values among M. aeruginosa cultures were higher than those of other cyanobacterial cultures. Sequence analysis of DGGE fragments indicated the presence of bacteria including, Alphaproteobacteria, Betaproteobacteria, Gammaproteobacteria, Bacteroidetes and Actinobacteria in the cyanobacterial cultures. Members of the Sphingomonadales were the prevalent group among the Microcystis-associated bacteria. The results provided further evidence for species-specific associations between cyanoabcteria and heterotrophic bacteria, which are useful for understanding interactions between Microcystis and their associated bacteria.

Expression and role of specificity protein 1 in the sclera remodeling of experimental myopia in guinea pigs

AIM：To study the expression of collagen I and transcription factor specificity protein 1（Sp1）,a transforming growth factor-β1（TGF-β1） downstream target,and reveal the impact of the TGF-β1-Sp1 signaling pathway on collagen remodeling in myopic sclera.METHODS：Seventy-five 1-week-old guinea pigs were randomly divided into normal control,form deprivation myopia（FDM）,and self-control groups.FDM was induced for different times using coverage with translucent latex balloons and FDM recovery was performed for 1wk after 4wk treatment;then,changes in refractive power and axial length were measured.Immunohistochemistry and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction were used to evaluate dynamic changes in collagen I and Sp1 expression in the sclera of guinea pigs with emmetropia and experimental myopia,and the relationship between collagen I and Sp1 levels was analyzed.RESULTS：In the FDM group,the refractive power was gradually changed（from 2.09±0.30 D at week 0 to-1.23±0.69 D,-4.17±0.59 D,-7.07±0.56 D,and-4.30±0.58 D at weeks 2,4,6,and 1wk after 4wk,respectively;P〈0.05）,indicating deepening of myopia.The axial length was increased（from 5.92±0.39 mm at week 0 to 6.62±0.36 mm,7.30±0.34 mm,7.99±0.32 mm,and 7.41±0.36 mm at weeks 2,4,6,and 1wk after 4wk;P〈0.05）.The m RNA and protein expression of Sp1 and collagen I in the sclera of the FDM group was lower than that of the control groups（P〈0.05）,and the reduction was eye-coverage time-dependent.Furthermore,correlation between Sp1 and collagen I down-regulation in the myopic sclera was observed.CONCLUSION：Our data indicate that transcription factor Sp1 may be involved in the regulation of type I collagensynthesis/degradation during myopic sclera remodeling,suggesting that TGF-β1 signaling plays a role in the development and progression of myopia.

Tissue specificity of DNA damage response and tumorigenesis

The genome of cells is constantly challenged by DNA damages from endogenous metabolism and environmental agents.These damages could potentially lead to genomic instability and thus to tumorigenesis.To cope with the threats, cells have evolved an intricate network, namely DNA damage response(DDR) system that senses and deals with the lesions of DNA.Although the DDR operates by relatively uniform principles, different tissues give rise to distinct types of DNA damages combined with high diversity of microenvironments across tissues.In this review, we discuss recent findings on specific DNA damage among different tissues as well as the main DNA repair way in corresponding microenvironments, highlighting tissue specificity of DDR and tumorigenesis.We hope the current review will provide further insights into molecular process of tumorigenesis and generate new strategies for cancer treatment.

THE EXTENSIVENESS AND SPECIFICITY OF EFFECT OF ELECTROACUPUNCTURE AT DIFFERENT ACUPOINTS ON NOCICEPTIVE RESPONSE OF CONVERGENT NEURONS IN TRIGEMINAL NUCLEUS CAUDALIS

Experiments were carried out on rats anaesthetized with uraethane. The sponta-neous discharges and nociceptive responses of convergent neurons in the right trigerninal nucleus cau-dalis(TNC) to noxious stimuli at receptive field (cheek) were recorded extracellularly with glass mi-cro-electrode. Electroacupuncture (EA ) was applied at bilateral " Xiaguan" (ST 7 on face ) or "Zusanli" (ST 36 on shank) acupoint with Iow (2V) and high (18V) intensity. The noclceptive re-sponse of convergent neurons in TNC could be inhihited by low intensity EA applied at "Xiaguan" butnot "Zusanlil", showing the specificity of acupoints. High intensity EA at either "Xiaguan" or "Zusan-li" also reduced the nociceptive responses, showing the analgesic extensiveness of acupoints. We sug-gest that "the gate of control" mechanism plays a main role in low intensity EA and "diffuse noxiousinhibitory controls" (DNIC) rnechanism does so in high intensity EA.The results suggest that we should pay attention to the location of acupoints,

哺乳动物多能干细胞:在创建疾病模型、发病机制、药物发现和个性化治疗中的作用

背景:多能干细胞的自我更新和多向分化的特征有可能彻底改变人们对生物学、医学、发育和疾病的理解。干细胞在胚胎发育的早期发挥着重要作用,研究干细胞可以深入理解生物体发育和组织器官形成的基本原理,探索各种疾病的潜在机制,研究受损组织和器官的修复和再生,以及推动药物发现和个性化治疗。目的:回顾多能干细胞的研究历程,并对多能干细胞的基本类别进行归纳总结,同时阐述常见哺乳动物中各类多能干细胞的建系情况。方法:应用计算机检索PubMed、Web of Science、中国知网和万方数据库,检索词为“多能干细胞,胚胎干细胞,诱导多能干细胞,扩展多能干细胞,家畜多能干细胞,Pluripotent stem cells,Embryonic stem cells,Induced pluripotent stem cells,Expanded potential stem cells,Livestock pluripotent stem cells等”,根据纳入标准和排除标准系统地筛选与哺乳动物多能干细胞相关的文献99篇进行综述分析。结果与结论:(1)小鼠胚胎干细胞经典理论认为,干细胞的多能态分为“初始”(na?ve)态和“始发”(primed)态两种,na?ve态对应于早期胚胎未植入子宫壁前的囊胚内细胞团;primed态对应于植入后的上胚层,二者在表观遗传特征、转录活性、外部信号依赖性和代谢表型等方面存在显著的特征差异;后来研究发现在初始态和始发态之间,还存在一个过渡状态——“形成态”(formative态);事实上,胚胎干细胞的多能性属于连续阶段的发展进程,而不是某种独立的细胞状态。(2)除了从囊胚内细胞团获得多能干细胞之外,还有多种多能干细胞获得方式和建系方法:如利用来源于小鼠胎儿原始生殖细胞所建立的胚胎生殖干细胞;利用Oct3/4,Sox2,c-Myc和Klf4因子诱导成年小鼠和人的成纤维细胞去分化所建立的诱导多能干细胞;体细胞核移植,孤雌激活,以及从新生或成体睾丸组织或卵巢组织中分离并进行类胚胎干细胞培养所建立的胚胎干细胞样细胞系;来源于多种成体组织的极小胚胎样干细胞和来源于前囊胚期的扩展多能干细胞,这些多能干细胞的共同特征为不断自我更新,表达核心多能因子,并具备原始三胚层分化能力。(3)目前,多能干细胞正在被用于疾病建模,以便研究不同疾病的机制并开发新的药物。同时,科学家正在尝试用多能干细胞培养各种组织和器官,为再生医学和移植提供新的可能性。然而,多能干细胞的临床应用面临着安全性挑战,包括细胞畸变和免疫排斥问题。不断改进多能干细胞的产生方法,将使其更安全、高效地适用于临床。(4)借鉴小鼠和人多能干细胞的获得方式和建系方法,研究者们已经在家畜中建立了各类多能干细胞,包括胚胎干细胞、诱导性多能干细胞、生殖细胞谱系的多能干细胞和扩展多能干细胞,这将为动物繁殖育种、基因工程、疾病模型、新药筛选和野生濒危动物保护提供新的途径。

Evaluation of the Sensitivity and Specificity of the New Clinical Diagnostic and Classification Criteria for Kashin-Beck Disease,an Endemic Osteoarthritis,in China

This study aimed to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of the new clinical diagnostic and classification criteria for Kashin-Beck disease （KBD） using six clinical markers： flexion of the distal part of fingers, deformed fingers, enlarged finger joints, shortened fingers, squat down, and dwarfism. One-third of the total population in Linyou County was sampled by stratified random sampling.

PGC-1α differentially regulates the mRNA expression profiles of genes related to myofiber type specificity in chicken

Previous studies on mammals showed that peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1α(PGC-1α)played a prominent role in regulating muscle fiber type transition and composition.However,the role of PGC-1αin chicken muscle has seldom been explored.To investigate the effect of PGC-1αon chicken skeletal muscles in this study,the PGC-1αgene was overexpressed or silenced in chicken primary myoblasts by using lentivirus,and then the effects of the PGC-1αgene overexpression and knockdown on the mRNA expression profile of genes related to myofiber type specificity were examined during fiber formation.The results showed that overexpression of PGC-1αfrom proliferation to differentiation was accompanied by the up-regulated expression of Pax7,MyoD,and CnAα,which was significantly(P<0.01)increased after one day of transfection(1 I).The enhancement of MyoG,MEF2 c,and MyHC SM expression lagged,which was improved significantly(P<0.01)after four days of transfection(1 I3 D).Overexpression of PGC-1αdecreased(P<0.01)the MyHC FWM expression after four days of transfection(1 I3 D),and it had no significant impact(P>0.05)on the expression of CnB1,NFATc3,and MyHC FRM during myofiber formation.The effective silence(P<0.01)of PGC-1αby lentivirus mediating short hairpin RNA(shRNA)was detected after four days of transfection(1 I3 D)in cultures,and the lack of its function in chicken primary myoblasts significantly(P<0.01)down-regulated the expression of Pax7,MyoD,CnAα,MyoG,MEF2 c,and MyHC SM,significantly(P<0.01)up-regulated the expression of MyHC FWM,and had no significant impact(P>0.05)on the expression of CnB1,NFATc3,and MyHC FRM.These results indicated that the role of PGC-1αin regulating the fiber type specificity of chicken skeletal muscles might be similar to that in mammals,which interplayed with key genes related to myocyte differentiation and calcineurin signaling pathway.

Identification of highly conserved domains in hemagglutinin associated with the receptor binding specificity of influenza viruses: 2009 H1N1, avian H5N1, and swine H1N2

The hemagglutinin (HA) of influenza viruses facilitates receptor binding and membrane fusion, which is the initial step of virus infection. Human influenza viruses preferentially bind to receptors with α2-6 lin- kages to galactose (SAα2,6Gal), whereas avian influenza viruses prefer receptors with α2-3 linkages to galactose (SAα2,3Gal). The current 2009 H1N1 pandemic is caused by a novel influenza A virus that has its genetic materials from birds, humans, and pigs. Its pandemic nature is characterized clearly by its dual binding to the α2-3 as well as α2-6 receptors, because the seasonal human H1N1 virus only binds to the α2-6 receptor. In a previous study, the informational spectrum method (ISM), a bioinformatics technique, was applied to uncover one highly conserved region in the HA protein associated with receptor binding preference in each of various influenza subtypes. In the present study, we extended the previous work by discovering multiple such domains in HA of 2009 H1N1 and avian H5N1 to expand our repertoire of known key regions in HA responsible for receptor binding affinity. Three such domains in HA of 2009 H1N1 were found at residue positions 106 to 130, 150 to 174, and 191 to 221, and another three domains in HA of avian H5N1 were located at residue positions 46 to 65, 136 to 153, and 269 to 286. These identified domains could be utilized as therapeutic and diagnostic targets for the prevention and treatment of influenza infection.

Cerebral functional imaging of Waiguan (SJ 5) acupoint specificity using single-photon emission computed tomography

The action of needling in acupoint therapy has to first be regulated and integrated by the brain, and then it affects the target organ and manifests its therapeutic effects, which is dependent on the specificity of the acupoints. The authors put forward the hypothesis of the ＂acupoint-related brain＂. Single-photon emission computed tomography was used to explore the activation of brain regions following true needling in true acupoint Waiguan （SJ 5）, sham needling in true acupoint Waiguan, true needling in a sham point, and sham needling in a sham point. The relative specificity of Waiguan in normal persons was analyzed by observing changes in regional cerebral blood flow. Compared with the sham needling in true acupoint group and sham needling in the sham point group, acupuncture at Waiguan can activate brain regions controlling movement. Compared with true needling in the sham point group, acupuncture at Waiguan can also activate brain regions controlling movement. The results suggest that the specificity of needling at an acupoint is related to certain activated cerebral functional regions, which are associated with the clinical application of the acupoint.

Some Evidence for Host Specificity in Arbuscnlar Myc-orrhizas

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