Properties of the proton-evoked currents and their modulation by Ca2+ and Zn2+ in the acutely dissociated hippocampus CA1 neurons

The characterization of acid-sensing ion channel (ASIC)-like currents has been reported in hippocampal neurons in primary culture. However, it is suggested that the profile of expression of ASICs changes in culture. In this study, we investigated the properties of proton-activated current and its modulation by extracellular Ca2+ and Zn2+ in neurons acutely dissociated from the rat hippocampal CA1 using conventional whole-cell patch-clamp recording. A rapidly decaying inward current and membrane depolarization was induced by exogenous application of acidic solution. The current was sensitive to the extracellular proton with a response threshold of pH 7.0-6.8 and the pH(50) Of 6.1, the reversal potential close to the Na+ equilibrium potential. It had a characteristic of acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs) as demonstrated by its sensitivity to amiloride (IC50 = 19.6 +/- 2.1 muM). Either low [Ca2+](0) or high [Zn2+](0) increased the amplitude of the current. All these characteristics are consistent with a current mediated through a mixture of homomeric ASIC1a and heteromeric ASIC1a + 2a channels and closely replicate many of the characteristics that have been previously reported for hippocampal neurons cultured for a week or more, indicating that culture artifacts do not necessarily flaw the properties of ASICs. Interestingly, we found that high [Zn2+] (>10(-4) M) slowed the decay time constant of the ASIC-like current significantly in both acutely dissociated and cultured hippocampal neurons. In addition, the facilitating effects of low [Ca2+](0) and high [Zn2+](0) on the ASIC-like current were not additive. Since tissue acidosis, extracellular Zn elevation and/or Ca2+ reduction occur concurrently under some physiological and/or pathological conditions, the present observations suggest that hippocampal ASICs may offer a novel pharmacological target for therapeutic invention. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Effects of ginkgo biloba extract on cation currents in rat ventricular myocytes

Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE), a valuable natural product for cerebral and cardiovascular diseases, is mainly composed of two classes of constituents: terpene lactones (e.g., ginkgolide A and B, bilobalide) and flavone glycosides (e.g., quercetin and kaempferol). Its electrophysiological action in heart is yet unclear. In the present study, using whole-cell patch clamp technique, we investigated electrophysiological effects of GBE on cation channel currents in ventricular myocytes isolated from rat hearts. We found that GBE 0.01-0.1% inhibited significantly the sodium current (I-Na), L-type calcium current (I-Ca) and transient outward potassium current (IKto) in a concentration-dependent manner. Surprisingly, its main ingredients, ginkgolide A (GB A), ginkgolide B (GB B) and bilobalide (GB BA) at 0.1 mM did not exhibit any significant effect on these cation channel currents. These results suggested that GBE is a potent non-selective cation channel modulator in cardiaomyocytes. Other constituents (rather than GB A, GB B and GB BA) might be responsible for the observed inhibitory effects of GBE on cation channels. (C) 2004 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Study on the GABA gated channels in the neurosecretory cells of MTXO in the eyestalks of Eriocheir sinensis

The responses to rapid application of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and the GABA receptor characteristics of MTXO neurosecretory cells in the eyestalks of Chinese mitten-handed crab (Eriocheir sinensis) were examined by whole-cell patch clamp. Under current clamp mode, the depolarization and hyperpolarization were evoked from the three types of neurosecretory cells in response to the GABA (0.1 mmol/L) depending on the Nernst Cl- potential. Under voltage clamp mode, the inward Cl- channel currents (I-GABA) were resolved from all three types of neurosecretory cells in response to GABA (0.01similar to5 mmol/L). The GABA currents were activated within 1 200 ms and peaked within 800 ms. No obviously desensitization was observed during GABA application. The dose-response curve showed usual S-shape, with a just-discernible effect at 0.01 mmol/L and near-saturation at 0.5 mmol/L. The GABA currents had reversal potentials that followed Nernst Cl- potentials when [Cl-] was varied. The pharmacological results revealed that the GABA receptor of the crab neurosecretory cells was sensitive to the Cl- channel blockers picrotoxin and niflumic acid (0.5 mmol/L), insensitive to GABA(A) receptor antagonist bicuculline and GABA(C) receptor agonist cis-4-aminocrotonic acid (CACA 1 mmol/L) and trans-4-aminocrotonic (TACA 1 mmol/L).

Climatic reconstruction at the miocene shanwang basin；China；using leaf margin analysis；clamp；coexistence approach；and overlapping distribution analysis

IEECAS SKLLQG

Coupling of seagrass (Cymodocea nodosa) patch dynamics to subaqueous dune migratio

The coupling between patch dynamics - described by the patch growth (horizontal and vertical), patch mortality, and life-history of Cymodocea nodosa (Ucria) Aschers., and the disturbance caused by the migration of subaqueous dunes over the plants was examined in a shallow NW Mediterranean bay (Alfacs Bay) where this species maintains a patchy cover. C. nodosa shoots survived substantial burial rates (up to 2.4 mm/day) by growing vertically at rates proportional to, albeit four-fold slower than, burial rates. Patch death was caused by erosion as large subaqueous dunes migrated pass the plant patch. Patch growth was fastest over the progressing slope of the dunes ( similar to 2.5 m year super(-1)) and flowering was also stimulated by sand accretion. The time interval between the passage of consecutive dunes, which sets the time window available for patch development, ranged between 2 and 6 years. This time interval allowed C. nodosa to recolonize bare substrata, with patch formation occurring about half a year after the disturbance, and also allowed established shoots to complete their life-cycle and produce seeds and thus enable subsequent recolonization. The time windows available for patch development also set an upper limit to patch size of about 26 m. Significant cross correlations between dune topography and patch dynamics and plant flowering frequency provide evidence that the spatial heterogeneity in the vegetation is closely associated with the disturbance imposed by the migration of sand dunes. The migration of subaqueous dunes maintains C. nodosa in a continuous state of colonization involving spatially asynchronous patch growth and subsequent mortality, which is ultimately responsible for the characteristic patchy landscape of this Bay. 

Vortex dynamics in the studies of looping in tropical cyclone tracks

This paper proposes criteria for predicting the tendency of looping in tropical cyclone tracks using the approach of vortex dynamics. We model the asymmetric structure of a cyclone by a system of vortex patches. The evolution of such system of vortices is simulated by the method of contour dynamics. A new set of exact analytic formulas for contour dynamics calculations is derived, which is shown to be more computationally effective. Based on point-vortex models, we derive analytic formulas for the criteria of looping in a cyclone track. From numerical experiments, the simulated trajectories obtained from the point-vortex system and vortex patch system agree quite well. Hence, the looping criteria obtained from the point-vortex system can be applied by forecasters to stay alert for tendency of looping in a cyclone track. To demonstrate the applicability of the proposed criteria, the trajectory of Typhoon Yancy (9012), whose field data are available from ''TCM-90'', is simulated. The case study shows that the asymmetric structure similar to the pattern of a beta gyre is responsible for its recurvature when Yancy landed Fujian Province, China on 20 August 1990.

环形抛光中工件形状对抛光速度的影响

本文基于库仑摩擦模型，模拟了不同形状的工件在环形抛光的运动。从结果可知，（1）如果工作环处于自由转动状态，工件的角速度在环形抛光中比抛光盘的角速度大；（2）可通过控制工作环的角速度使工件和抛光盘的角速度同步。工作环的角速度依赖于工作环和工件的半径、抛光盘－工件和抛光盘－工作环的摩擦系数，以及抛光盘的角速度；（3）有尖角的工件与工作环的接触处于不连续状态，导致二者的接触状态发生变化和工件角速度的波动。

山东山旺中新世古气候的定量研究

本论文研究的创新之处是在高分辨率的地层层序上选定3米X3米的工作剖面，逐层采集标本，定量研究山旺中新世古气候的变化过程。主要有以下新的认识和结论： 植物化石的数量和种类在地层层序上的变化很大。第5层、第6层、第7层、第13层、第15层和第16层的标本丰富，可以进行CLAMP分析。 第5层、第6层和第7层的泥岩中保存有丰富的植物化石，运用荧光显微分析技术可以清晰地观察到泥岩中植物的气孔和表皮细胞形态。 山旺地区中新世年均温（MAT）在9.5℃和11.3℃之间。较热月份平均温度（WMMT）在19.9 ℃和22.4 ℃之间。生长季月数（GSL）为5.9－－6.9个月。生长季节平均降水量（MGSP）为860－－1770 mm。生长季月平均降水量（MMGSP）为152－－253mm，生长季三个连续最湿的月份降水量（3－WET）为530－－920mm，三个连续最旱的月份的降水量（3－DRY）为286－－687mm。相对湿度（Rel. Hum）在73％以上，高达80％。特殊湿度（q-Specific Humidity）在5.9－－6.7之间，热熵值（H－Enthalpy）为298.5－－304.5。 气候参数在地层层序上存在变化。CLAMP分析的结论与最近亲缘种分析（NLR）的结论相似。CLAMP分析的年均温比现在山旺的年均温12.5℃低，比同层的线性分析结果低3℃。与海底有孔虫氧同位素的研究结论一致。山东山旺中新世古气候的研究可以作为中中新世全球气候变化研究的一个标尺。

山东山旺中新世气候定量重建的综合研究

新生代以来，全球气候经历了一系列的冷暖交替，呈现总体变冷的趋势。对该时期不同区域气候变化过程的深入研究有助于我们更好地理解现今全球气候变化规律。中新世是新生代古气候与古环境演变的一个重要转折时期，定量重建山东山旺中新世气候是认识和理解中国东部与东亚新近纪气候演变的一个关键环节。 将化石植物作为气候代用指标，用于研究过去全球气候变化，已经广为国际科学界接纳。国际上，定量研究第三纪气候的植物学方法按照不同原理可以划分为两大类，其各自代表分别为基于化石的现存最近亲缘类群生态适应度推演古气候参数值的共存分析法（Coexistence Approch, CA ）和基于叶片形态特征与气候相关关系的叶缘分析（Leaf Margin Analysis, LMA ）与气候叶片多变量程序（Climate Leaf Analysis Multivariate Program, CLAMP）。两大主流方法各有优势，也各有局限性。前人运用两大主流方法对山旺中新世植物群相同地层，同套数据的分析结果表明：LMA 和CLAMP 所估测年均温数值要显著低于CA 所估测的数值。其差异的原因既可能是LMA 和CLAMP 由于埋藏因素的影响造成估测值偏低，也可能由于CA 数据库数据主要来自于欧洲和北美而缺乏东亚的资料所致。 本论文提出了一种新的方法——分布区叠加分析（Overlapping Distribution Analysis, ODA ）对山旺中新世古气候进行定量重建。ODA 采用最近亲缘类群在叠加区间的气候参数来重建化石植物所生活的当时当地的气候。其详细步骤如下：1. 鉴定化石植物和认定它们的最近亲缘类群（尽量到种级水平）。2. 调查这些最近亲缘类群的分布数据（包括经度、纬度和海拔数据）。某些类群可能会有不止一个最近亲缘类群，须将这些最近亲缘类群的分布数据合并。3. 对分布数据分析，得出包含最多类群的最大叠加区间。4. 调查在最大叠加区间中气象站点的气候数据。5. 按照公式（1）和（2）来转换年均温数据TU=T0 - (HU -H0)×Γ (1); TL=T0 - (HL -H0)×Γ (2) 其中HU (m) 是海拔叠加区间的上界; HL (m) 是海拔叠加区间的下界; H0 (m) 气象站的实测海拔; T0 (ºC) 气象站的实测年均温; TU (ºC) 在海拔叠加区间气温的下界; TL (ºC) 在海拔叠加区间气温的上界; 系数Γ 为大气垂直直减率，年均温为0.5ºC/100m，最冷月均温为 0.45ºC/100m，最热月均温为 0.6ºC/100m。同样的方法，在海拔叠加范围内最冷月均温与最热月均温范围也可以确定，而降水量则采用气象台站的原始数据。6. 在这些转换数据的基础上，得出年均温，最冷月均温，最热月均温，年较差和年平均降水量波动范围。 ODA 分析结果表明：山旺中新世时期年均温为10.9-14.5oC，年较差为21.1-22.7oC，最冷月均温为-0.5-3.3oC，最热月均温为21.9-25.0oC，年平均降水量为1107.3-1880.0mm 。同时本论文还定量恢复了山旺硅藻土矿各层的古气候参数，其所估测的古气候参数数值与CLAMP 和LMA 的结果一致，而与CA 不同。对山旺气候参数的恢复表明，虽然其中新世年均温与现在相似，但最冷月均温要高于现在。 本项研究的创新之处是选择同一个研究地点（山东山旺），依据同一套数据（化石植物的类群资料），采用国际上以不同原理为基础的主流方法，同时加入我们自己提出的新方法，进行的古气候重建，对所获得气候参数值进行对比和验证，并对其存在的差异进行分析和探讨。

北京地区植被景观的空间分布特征

本文利用地理信息系统(GIS)技术、景观生态学理论和方法、分形理论以及统计分析方法对北京地区植被景观的空间分布特征进行了分析，并对景观格局和景观多样性的分析方法进行了探讨，结果表明： (1)对几乎所有的斑块类型，其斑块大小的分布都不是对称的，而是右偏的。4种概率分布（Г—分布、对数正态分布、Weibull分布和（负）指数分布）都只能刻划部分斑块类型，并且服从对数正态分布的斑块类型最多，服从（负）指数分布的斑块类型最少。 (2)随着斑块面积的增加，边界效应越来越小，而斑块形状越来越不紧凑。 (3)分形分析识别出本地区植被景观中的两个尺度域：一个是斑块面积小于(大约)2.7km2，另一个是斑块面积大于(大约)2.7km2。两个域中的斑块复杂程度有很大差异，后一个域中的斑块明显比前一个域中的斑块复杂，并且随着斑块面积的增加，斑块形状越来越复杂。 (4)用斑块数作为多度指标时，该景观的斑块类型一多度分布服从（截断）对数正态分布和（截断）负二项分布，不服从对数级数分布和几何分布。用斑块面积作为多度指标时，该景观的斑块类型一多度分布服从对数正态分布、Weibull分布和Г—争布，不服从正态分布。从而该景观的斑块类型一多度分布不是对称的，也是右偏的。在4个优势度／多样性模型中，“生态位优先占领”模型和Zipf-Mandelbrot模型可以较好地刻划该景观的斑块类型一多度关系。 (5)样本大小对多样性测度有直接的影响。如果这种影响比较小，就说明测度指标比较稳定。三个丰富度指数中，Ri比R2和R3更稳定;五个多样性性指数中，D和Di最稳定，OD最不稳定，因此，OD是用于景观多样性监测的理想指标;五个均匀度指数中，Jgi最稳定。根据设计的3种计算临界样方数量（即多样性测度指标达到稳定时的样方数量）方法的计算结果，上述几个最稳定的测度指标在通常情况下只需要几个样方(即总抽样面积为数百km2)就达到稳定状态。 (6)斑块类型数目随面积的增加而增加。根据四个评价指标的评价结果，认为双曲线对该景观的斑块类型一面积关系的拟合效果最好。 (7)样本较大（对于一阶刀切估计，大于30个样方;对于二阶刀切估计，大于60个样方）时，刀切法能够给出斑块类型数目(NPT)较好的估计;样本较小（小于30个样方）时，Mingoti和Meeden提出的经验贝叶斯方法能够对NPT给出比刀切法和自助法更好的估计。斑块类型一面积曲线外推虽然也能给出NPT较好的估计，但这种方法需要慎重使用，不能外推得很远。 (8)列联表分析表明，该植被景观中的斑块类型与土壤类型、岩石类型、海拔高度和坡向各因子之间均存在显著的相关性。植被景观多样性与岩石类型多样性和地形多样性之间也均呈显著的正相关关系，即植被景观多样性随岩石类型多样性和地形多样性的增加而增加。但植被景观多样性与土壤类型多样性之间不存在显著的线性相关或秩相关关系，这可能是由于二者的分类体系不吻合。植被景观多样性与总的道路密度和第二类道路密度之间均呈显著的负相关关系，而与第一类和第三类道路密度之间的关系都不显著。这反映出景观样本单元(10kmxlOkm)的尺度对应于第二类道路的影响尺度。而道路密度在一定程度上反映了人类活动的强度，因此，在10kmxlOkm这个尺度上，人类活动愈剧烈，景观多样性就愈小。

根茎克隆植物羊草分株种群对去叶干扰的生长对策

克隆植物具有多种不同于非克隆植物的生长和繁殖策略。本研究首先综述了这些生长与繁殖策略之中，与我们的实验研究相关的尤其是对于去叶干扰适应策略的四个方面，包括克隆整合、克隆分株大小与密度之权衡( tradeoff)过程、碳水化合物贮备与利用、营养繁殖和芽种群(bud population)调节等。预测克隆植物选择什么样的对策以及某种对策发生作用的条件及程度如何，对克隆植物生态学研究者来说，将是富有挑战意味的课题。 羊草(Leymus chinensis (Trin,) Tzvel.)是禾本科的一种多年生根茎型克隆植物，常常处于由放牧或刈割造成的去叶干扰( defoliation)的胁迫下。在我们的第一个实验（2002年）中，考察了去叶干扰和根茎切割( rhizome severing)是否影响根茎本身和分株地上部分的生长、以及营养繁殖芽的数量特征。同时我们检验如下的假设：直接受到去叶干扰的分株除了会受益于可能的补偿作用之外，还会受益于克隆整合作用，即与之保持根茎联系的未受去叶处理的分株将转移碳水化合物或养分给受去叶干扰的分株，使之得以尽快恢复光合组织。实验结果显示：单次去叶干扰影响根茎生长和芽的产生，而对地上部分的生长影响甚微。只有重度去叶干扰才显著影响营养繁殖芽的产生，而轻度去叶干扰作用不明显。所以，当去叶强度不大时，补偿作用机制将弥补植物由于去叶干扰而受到的损失。我们的实验并未检测到克隆整合的发生，可能的原因是本实验持续的时间不足够长或者是由于根茎中的碳水化合物贮备在去叶干扰发生后发挥了作用，缓解了去叶干扰对羊草分株生长及芽生产的所造成的冲击。 在第二个实验（200 3年）中，为了考查相继数次的去叶干扰是否能够启动羊草分株间的克隆整合，以及启动克隆整合所需达到的去叶干扰的频次，我们将实验样方设计为两部分：核心区( Core section)和外围区(Periphery section)。不同频次的去叶处理（0去叶，作为对照; 1次去叶;3次去叶;5次去叶）仅施加于实验样方的核心区。结果表明，经历3次和5次去叶处理的样方外围区的生物量及水溶性碳水化合物( wsc)含量均明显少于经历1次去叶处理及0去叶处理的样方外围区，这意味着克隆整合在3次去叶和5次去叶两种处理中发生了，而在其它两种处理中没有发生。此外，分株的大小一数目之权衡可能在基株(genet)水平上发生，因此，一个克隆植物基株，当部分分株受到去叶干扰后，将增加其分株数目，但优先增加未受到去叶干扰部分的分株数目。我们将羊草的这种行为视为克隆基株试图逃避干扰的“逃逸行为”( escaping behavior)。 同时在实验中，我们监测了实验样方核心区分株的wsc浓度，目的是查明羊草枝条与根茎中wsc浓度随时间的变化格局及其对去叶干扰的响应，意在发现羊草枝条地上、地下部分和根茎中wsc浓度的时间变化之间的联系。在生长旺季，对照处理（即O去叶处理）的wsc浓度显著降低，这是由于植物在此时期的高生长速率和高呼吸速率所致;相比之下，其它经历去叶干扰的三个处理中羊草wsc浓度降低不如对照处理那么明显和迅速，甚至在高频次去叶处理中还有所上升，其原因大概是由于去叶而使叶面积减小，引起枝条的总呼吸下降所致。羊草枝条中最终的wsc浓度没有受到单次去叶处理的显著影响，却很可观地受到相继数次去叶干扰（3次和5次去叶处理）的影响。去叶干扰可能加速了碳水化合物在气温降低时自地上向地下的转移。枝条的地下部分wsc浓度比地上部分更稳定。在地上部分受到去叶干扰后，根茎中的wsc必然向上输出到地上枝条，而强烈的生长会消耗wsc，但可能的克隆整合（通常在相对频繁的去叶干扰条件下发生）将在一定程度上缓解这种wsc消耗。 在此实验中，我们还监测了羊草平均每分株所拥有的芽的数目，包括每分株分蘖节芽（tiller bud）数目和根茎芽(thizomatous bud)数目。从平均每分株芽数目的时间动态来看，各种去叶处理之间的差异程度不大，这主要是羊草在受到去叶干扰后补偿作用的贡献。与对照处理相比，受不同频次去叶干扰的三个处理的根茎芽具有相对于分蘖节的更强的增长优势。去叶干扰对根茎芽生长的促进作用大于对分蘖节芽的促进作用。我们认为这种反应是羊草克隆基株的一种逃避干扰的适应性努力，可视为一种“逃逸行为”，也可看作克隆植物觅养行为(foraging behavior)的一种特殊形式。芽的增长在中等频度的去叶干扰条件下最强，似乎同样符合中度干扰理论。有趣的是，特定频度的去叶干扰可能会造成芽种群中两大类型芽之间比例（根茎芽／分蘖节芽）的振荡现象（Oscillation）。 最后展望了对于羊草今后应继续开展的工作主要集中在两大方面：一是有性繁殖与无性繁殖之间在不同生境或不同干扰条件下的权衡关系;二是处于不同斑块对比度( patch contrast)的生境中的羊草克隆分株之问的生理整合，及其强度与斑块对比度的定量关系。

Genome 10K: A Proposal to Obtain Whole-Genome Sequence for 10 000 Vertebrate Species

The human genome project has been recently complemented by whole-genome assessment sequence of 32 mammals and 24 nonmammalian vertebrate species suitable for comparative genomic analyses. Here we anticipate a precipitous drop in costs and increase in sequ

Circulating immunoglobulin A- and immunoglobulin G-secreting hybridoma cells in peripheral blood preferably migrate to female genital tracts. The role of sex hormones

Antigen-specific circulating immunoglobulin-secreting cells (ISC) migrate to various secondary and tertiary lymphoid tissues. To understand the migration of the cells into the genital tract and its regulation by sex hormones, spleen-derived SG2 hybridoma cells secreting immunoglobulin G2b (IgG2b) and Peyer's patch-derived PA4 hybridoma cells secreting polymer IgA were labelled with (3) H-TdR, and intravenously injected into syngeneic mice of both sexes. Using flow cytometry, surface molecular markers of plasma cells, CD38 and CD138, and adhesion molecules, CD49d, CD162, and CD11a were found to be positive in SG2 and PA4 cells, but CD62L, alpha4beta7 and CD44 were not expressed on these cells. The relative distribution indexes (RDIs) of the cells in genital tract and other tissues were measured. The means of RDIs of SG2 and PA4 cells in female genital tissues were 6.5 and 4.5 times as many as the means in male genital tissues, respectively. The treatment of ovariectomized mice with beta-oestradiol significantly increased the RDIs of PA4 cells in cervix and vagina, but decreased the RDIs of SG2 cells in vagina, horn of uterus, uterus and rectum (P <0.05). Progesterone treatment increased the RDIs of PA4 cells in vagina and rectum (P <0.05). The treatment with testosterone significantly increased the RDIs of SG2 and PA4 cells in epididymis and accessory sex glands (P <0.05). These results demonstrate that the female genital tract is the preferable site for the migration of circulating hybridoma cells to the male genital tract, and sex hormones play an important role in regulation of the migration of circulating ISC to genital tracts.