Fibroblast growth factor-2 and fibroblast growth factor receptor-1 mRNA expression and peptide localization in placentae from normal and diabetic pregnancies

Soils developed on serpentine rocks cover a large area in Albania which contains large reserves of iron, nickel, chromium and copper and is characterised by a high density of mines and metal smelters. This work was conducted to study the flora associated with serpentine and former industrial and mining sites in Albania. Eight sites were investigated in the south-eastern, central and northern parts of the country. Soils were sampled in the Ap horizon and plants were collected and identified. Plant material was allowed to dry before being ground. Soil and plant samples were analysed for total Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mg, Ni, Pb and Zn. Results showed that each site exhibited a high concentration of one or more metals. The maximum concentrations of metals in soils dry matter (DM) were 14 mg Cd kg-1, 476 mg Co kg-1, 3865 mg Cr kg-1, 1107 mg Cu kg-1, 3579 mg Ni kg-1, 172 mg Pb kg-1 and 2495 mg Zn kg-1. The Mg/Ca ratio in serpentine soils varied from 1 to 7.8. A collection of 58 plant species, members of 44 genera and 17 families, were collected. Alyssum markgrafii in the north and Alyssum murale in the south-eastern serpentines had a concentration of 1.26 and 0.85% Ni in DM, respectively. In the species Herniaria hirsuta, a serpentine plant, concentrations of 808 mg Ni kg-1 and 275 mg Cr kg-1 in DM were recorded. Other taxa (Filago, Inula, Picris, Galamintha, Marrubium, Teucrium, Lotus, Ononis and Xeranthemum) from serpentines had a high, but not exceptional Ni content. Some species collected on serpentines and industrial sites presented rather high concentrations of lead or copper in their above-ground parts, probably related to contamination by soil dust.     

10MeV中子引起的~（238）U，~（209）Bi，Fe和~9Be的次级中子

１０ＭｅＶ中子引起的￣（２３８）Ｕ，￣（２０９）Ｂｉ，Ｆｅ和￣９Ｂｅ的次级中子双微分截面测量祁步嘉，唐洪庆，周祖英，周陈维，沈冠仁，柯尊建，孙振强，夏海鸿（中国原子能科学研究院核物理所，北京２７５－４６信箱，１０２４１３）次级中子双微分截面是核工程设...     

Oral administration of rapamycin and cyclosporine differentially alter intestinal function in rabbits

The immunosuppressive drugs rapamycin (Rap) and cyclosporine A (CsA) are used clinically to modify or abolish immune-mediated functions. This study examined the effect of orally administered regimens of Rap, CsA, and a combination of Rap/CsA on intestinal function in male New Zealand white rabbits. Animals received oral doses of CsA (15 mg/kg/body weight/day), low-dose (LD) and high-dose (HD) Rap (0.25 or 1 mg/kg/body wt/day, respectively), or Rap/CsA (0.25 and 5 mg/kg/body wt/day, or 0.5 and 5 mg/kg/body wt/day, respectively) for 20 days. We measured in vitro uptake of nutrients and permeability, and morphometric measurements in the jejunum and ileum were made. Animals receiving HD-Rap or HD-Rap/CsA had decreased food intake, body weight, and intestinal weight, when compared with LD-Rap, LD-Rap/CsA, CsA, or controls. The maximal transport rate (Vmax) for the active jejunal uptake of D-glucose was increased in HD-Rap and CsA, but not in the HD-Rap/CsA-treated animals. The jejunal Vmax of D-glucose in the LD-Rap- or -Rap/CsA-treated animals was no different from controls. In the HD-Rap- and HD-Rap/ CsA-treated animals, jejunal rates of uptake of stearic, linoleic, and linolenic acids were reduced when compared with controls. Jejunal and ileal permeability (as assessed by the passive uptake of L-glucose, tissue conductance, and mucosal-to-serosal flux of [3H]inulin) was increased in animals treated with HD-Rap or HD-Rap/CsA, when compared with CsA or controls. These parameters of permeability were no different at lower doses of Rap or Rap/CsA. The jejunal and ileal villous surface area was increased in CsA, but decreased in HD-Rap or HD-Rap/CsA animals. Thus, HD-Rap given alone or in combination with CsA reduced body weight gain, in part due to reduced food intake and malabsorption of lipids, which was due at least in part to reduced intestinal surface area. The relevance of these findings to patients undergoing chronic immunosuppressive drug therapy needs to be established.     

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency and malaria

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) is a cytoplasmic enzyme that is essential for a cell's capacity to withstand oxidant stress. G6PD deficiency is the commonest enzymopathy of humans, affecting over 400 million persons worldwide. The geographical correlation of its distribution with the historical endemicity of malaria suggests that 66PD deficiency has risen in frequency through natural selection by malaria. This is supported by data from in vitro studies that demonstrate impaired growth of P. falciparum parasites in G6PD-deficient erythrocytes. Attempts to confirm that G6PD deficiency is protective in field studies of malaria have yielded conflicting results, but recent results from large case control studies conducted in East and West Africa provide strong evidence that the most common African G6PD deficiency variant, G6PD A-, is associated with a significant reduction in the risk of severe malaria for both G6PD female heterozygotes and male hemizygotes. The effect of female homozygotes on severe malaria remains unclear but can probably be assumed to be similar to that of comparably deficient male hemizygotes.     

Influence of receptor number on the stimulation by salmeterol of gene transcription in CHO-K1 cells transfected with the human beta2-adrenoceptor

We investigated the behavior of the antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and ascorbate peroxidase (APx), in potato tubers during storage at low temperature. SOD activity increased temporarily within 3 weeks and was higher at 1 degree C than at 20 degrees C. APx activity also increased more at low (1 degree C) than at higher temperatures (5 and 20 degrees C). The contents of ascorbic acid (AsA), which is the substrate of APx, decreased immediately within 3 weeks and then gradually decreased until 15 weeks. The activity of CAT, the other enzyme which can scavenge hydrogen peroxide, decreased once in the first six weeks and thereafter increased to 15 weeks. Thus, the enhancement of the active oxygen-scavenging system that was induced by low temperature in potato tubers could result not only in a decrease of AsA but also in combined increases in APx and CAT activity whose manners were different.     

Influence of Neotyphodium coenophialum on copper concentration in tall fescue

Poor performance of livestock that graze tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) has been associated with the endophyte fungus Neotyphodium coenophialum [Morgan-Jones and Gams] Glenn, Bacon, and Hanlin). Recent evidence suggests lowered Cu status and a depression of Cu-related immune function in steers that graze endophyte-infected (E+) tall fescue. Greenhouse and field studies investigated relationships between the endophyte and Cu concentrations in tall fescue. Seventeen infected 'Kenhy' clones were divided, and one plant of each pair was treated three times with Benomyl to remove the endophyte (E-). Plants were watered with nutrient solution in a greenhouse for 6 mo before sampling. Copper concentrations were greater (P < .001) in E- than in E+ clones (3.4 vs 2.8 microg/g; SE, .06). In the second greenhouse experiment, genetically similar E+ and E- 'Kentucky'-31 (KY-31) and 'Georgia Jessup' were grown from seed and fertilized with nutrient solution to produce mature plants. Copper concentrations were higher (P < .05) in E- than in E+ tall fescue (8.6 vs 7.6 microg/g; SE, .3). In a field plot experiment in Texas, E+ and E- KY-31 were grown with 0, 50, and 100% replacement of potential evapotranspiration. By September, Cu concentrations were higher (P < .05) in E- than in E+ tall fescue (7.3 vs 6.6 microg/g; SE, .2). In pasture experiments, KY-31 E+ (> 70% infection level) and E- (< 5% infection level) tall fescue were grown in Virginia at two locations with three rates of N fertilizer. Copper concentrations were higher (P < .05) in E- than in E+ tall fescue (4.8 vs 4.5 microg/g; SE, .1) and increased (P < .01) linearly in response to N. Our data demonstrate that the presence of the endophyte is associated with lower Cu concentrations in tall fescue, which may contribute to lowered Cu status in animals and thus contribute to the etiology of fescue toxicity.     

Expression of beta 2-integrins and L-selectin on polymorphonuclear leukocytes in septic patients

Adhesion molecules on polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL) play an important role in nonspecific defense mechanisms directed at invading microorganisms. When local infection, however, cannot be controlled, a systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) ensues which may progress to septic shock and multiple organ failure, these being major determinants of the patient's outcome. In the present study, the expression of beta 2-integrins and L-selectin on blood PMNL was measured on subsequent days in patients with sepsis (n = 17) and in healthy volunteers (n = 15). beta 2-Integrins and L-selectin molecules were detected by flow cytometry, using the monoclonal antibodies IB4 (anti-CD18) and Dreg200 (anti-CD62L), respectively. Adhesion molecules were determined at baseline immediately after blood collection and also 45 min after incubation of cells in vitro at body temperature to allow for spontaneous regulation. In addition, PMNL were activated by receptor-dependent and receptor-independent stimuli to characterize stimulus-specific adhesion molecule expression. In parallel with the measurement of adhesion molecules, severity of sepsis was assessed by the Elebute score. The results demonstrate significant differences in the basal, spontaneous and stimulus-induced expression of adhesion molecules between healthy volunteers, survivors (n = 11) and nonsurvivors (n = 6). Moreover, when survivors and nonsurvivors with severe sepsis (Elebute score > 12) were compared, basal expressions of both beta 2-integrins and L-selectin were significantly lower in patients who did not survive. Thus, measurement of adhesion molecules on circulating PMNL may be useful to identify septic patients at high risk for lethal outcome.     

设计沟通中的噪音——从传播学角度看设计沟通中的困难

文章从传播学的角度探讨设计沟通过程中的困难。设计沟通是贯穿于整个设计管理活动的重要环节,是传达信息的主要途径,但在实践过程中却经常遇到困难,导致设计活动无法顺利进行。文章通过引入噪音的概念,分析设计沟通的困难产生的原因,并利用传播学的理论提出通过冗余调节噪音的想法,以解决设计沟通中的问题。     

基于Web的高职院校实训室管理系统的设计与实现

讨论实训室管理系统的设计目标．利用Struts＋Spring＋Hibernate技术架构对其进行设计与实现,并给出系统的功能设计、体系结构设计和数据库设计。通过上述J2EE架构实现的实训室管理系统具有较好的扩展性、稳定性和良好的用户体验。