TMVA, a novel GPIb-binding protein, significantly prevents platelet microthrombi formation and prolongs discordant cardiac xenograft survival

In xenotransplantation, donor endothelium is the first target of immunological attack. Activation of the endothelial cell by preformed natural antibodies leads to platelet binding via the interaction of the glycoprotein (GP) Ib and von Willebrand factor (vWF). TMVA is a novel GPIb-binding protein purified from the venom of Trimeresurus mucrosquamatus. In this study, the inhibitory effect of TMVA on platelet aggregation in rats and the effect on discordant guinea pig-to-rat cardiac xenograft survival were investigated. Three doses (8, 20 or 40 mug/kg) of TMVA were infused intravenously to 30 rats respectively. Platelet aggregation rate was assayed 0.5, 12, and 24 h after TMVA administration. Wister rats underwent guinea pig cardiac cervical heterotopic transplantation using single dosing of TMVA (20 mug/kg, i.v., 0.5 h before reperfusion). Additionally, levels of TXB2 and 6-keto-PGF(1alpha) within rejected graft tissues were determined by radioimmunoassay. Treatment with TMVA at a dose of 20 or 40 mug/kg resulted in complete inhibition of platelet aggregation 0.5 h after TMVA administration. Rats receiving guinea pig cardiac xenografts after TMVA therapy had significantly prolonged xenograft survival. Histologic and immunopathologic analysis of cardiac xenografts in TMVA treatment group showed no intragraft platelet microthrombi formation and fibrin deposition. Additionally, the ratio of 6-keto-PGF(1alpha) to TXB2 in TMVA treatment group was significantly higher than those in control group. We conclude that the use of this novel GPIb-binding protein was very effective in preventing platelet microthrombi formation and fibrin deposition in a guinea pig-to-rat model and resulted in prolongation of xenograft survival. The increased ratio of PGI(2)/TXA(2) in TMVA treatment group may protect xenografts from the endothelial cell activation and contribute to the prolongation of xenograft survival.

Interaction between tsunami waves and isolated conical Islands

A newly developed computer model, which solves the horizontal two-dimensional Boussinesq equations using a total variation diminishing Lax-Wendroff scheme, has been used to study the runup of solitary waves, with various heights, on idealized conical islands consisting of side slopes of different angles. This numerical model has first been validated against high-quality laboratory measurements of solitary wave runups on a uniform plane slope and on an isoliated conical island, with satisfactory agreement being achieved. An extensive parametric study concerning the effects of the wave height and island slope on the solitary wave runup has subsequently been carried out. Strong wave shoaling and diffraction effects have been observed for all the cases investigated. The relationship between the runup height and wave height has been obtained and compared with that for the case on uniform plane slopes. It has been found that the runup on a conical island is generally lower than that on a uniform plane slope, as a result of the two-dimensional effect. The correlation between the runup with the side slope of an island has also been identified, with higher runups on milder slopes. This comprehensive study on the soliton runup on islands is relevant to the protection of coastal and inland regions from extreme wave attacks. © the Coastal Education & Research Foundation 2012.

人工湿地中试系统基质中藻类组成的研究

从2003年3月到2004年2月,在水力负荷为600mm/d的条件下研究了人工湿地中试系统(mediumscaleplot,MSP)基质中藻类的组成.结果表明,栅藻、小球藻、盘星藻、空星藻、纤维藻、舟行藻、小环藻、平裂藻和颤藻属的一些种类在下行池基质各层不同季节均有出现,下行池表层藻类较丰;上行池基质中不同季节的藻类组成中念珠藻和鱼腥藻均为固氮种类,菱板藻、舟行藻和卵形藻属的一些种类在上行池表层出现较多,上行池藻类组成较下行池少.本实验探讨了在人工湿地基质中存在的藻类组成,为湿地除藻机理和评估系统的稳定性

香溪河官庄坪库湾叶绿素a及初级生产力的分布特征

2005年2月—4月对三峡库区香溪河进行了定点初级生产力及相关影响因子的研究,分析了官庄坪库湾叶绿素a含量和初级生产力的时空分布特征。结果表明,叶绿素a含量、初级生产力在各水层的变化具有相同的周期性,均存在5个峰值,平均每个周期为7—10d左右,但两者不同步。官庄坪测站的真光层深度为10m左右,介于湖泊与海洋之间,光补偿点为4—5m。初级生产力最大值出现在水下0.5m处,并沿物理深度逐渐降低;叶绿素a含量最大值则出现在水下2m处。水温的垂直变化在后期差异明显,各水层日平均水温增量(ΔT/d)与平均毛初级生