Superluminal radio source PKS 0420-014

The very long baseline interferometry result of a superluminal radio source PKS 0420-014 at 5 GHz with Shanghai (China), Urumqi (China), Note (Italy), and HartRAO (South Africa) telescopes is presented. Proper motions of the relativistic jet components in the source are calculated. Based on the Self-Compton emission in a uniform spherical model, the beaming parameters of the source are estimated. The results show that PKS 0420-014 has a high Doppler factor of 9.3, a Lorentz factor of 6.5, and a small angle of 5.5 degrees to the line of sight.

Near-infrared spectroscopy of PKS 1549-79: a protoquasar revealed?

We present a near-infrared (near-IR) spectrum of the nearby radio galaxy PKS 1549-79 (z = 0.153). These data were taken with the aim of testing the idea that this object contains a quasar nucleus that is moderately extinguished, despite evidence that its radio jet points close to our line of sight. We detect broad Paalpha emission (FWHM 1745 +/- 40 km s(-1)), relatively bright continuum emission, and a continuum slope consistent with a reddened quasar spectrum (3.1 <A(V) <7.3), all emitted by an unresolved point source. Therefore we conclude that we have, indeed, detected a hidden quasar nucleus in PKS 1549-79. Combined with previous results, these observations are consistent with the idea that PKS 1549-79 is a young radio source in which the cocoon of debris left over from the triggering events has not yet been swept aside by circumnuclear outflows.

Particle acceleration and magnetic field structure in PKS 2155-304: optical polarimetric observations

In this paper, we present multiband optical polarimetric observations of the very-high energy blazar PKS 2155-304 made simultaneously with a HESS/Fermi high-energy campaign in 2008, when the source was found to be in a low state. The intense daily coverage of the data set allowed us to study in detail the temporal evolution of the emission, and we found that the particle acceleration time-scales are decoupled from the changes in the polarimetric properties of the source. We present a model in which the optical polarimetric emission originates at the polarized mm-wave core and propose an explanation for the lack of correlation between the photometric and polarimetric fluxes. The optical emission is consistent with an inhomogeneous synchrotron source in which the large-scale field is locally organized by a shock in which particle acceleration takes place. Finally, we use these optical polarimetric observations of PKS 2155-304 at a low state to propose an origin for the quiescent gamma-ray flux of the object, in an attempt to provide clues for the source of its recently established persistent TeV emission.

Análise in silico de um novo “cluster” de PKS II Metagenômico

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Análise e expressão de genes de PKS II e de carboidrases provenientes de bibliotecas metagenômicas

Pós-graduação em Microbiologia Agropecuária - FCAV

Calcolo del flusso di raggi-γ del Blazar PKS B1424-418

Lo scopo di questo lavoro è quello di analizzare i dati raccolti dal Large Area Telescope a bordo del satellite Fermi con l'obiettivo di ricavare il flusso di raggi-γ, di energia compresa tra 100 MeV e 300 GeV, prodotti dal Blazar PKS B1424-418 in un periodo compreso tra l'1 Gennaio 2012 e il 4 Settembre 2016. Secondo alcuni modelli questo blazar potrebbe essere infatti la prima sorgente di Ultra High Energy Cosmic Ray associata sperimentalmente all'emissione di neutrini. L'analisi dei dati è effettuata tramite il pacchetto di software Fermi Science Tools.

The role of organisational culture, trust and mechanisms in inter-project knowledge sharing

Knowledge has been recognised as a powerful yet intangible asset, which is difficult to manage. This is especially true in a project environment where there is the potential to repeat mistakes, rather than learn from previous experiences. The literature in the project management field has recognised the importance of knowledge sharing (KS) within and between projects. However, studies in that field focus primarily on KS mechanisms including lessons learned (LL) and post project reviews as the source of knowledge for future projects, and only some preliminary research has been carried out on the aspects of project management offices (PMOs) and organisational culture (OC) in KS. This study undertook to investigate KS behaviours in an inter-project context, with a particular emphasis on the role of trust, OC and a range of knowledge sharing mechanisms (KSM) in achieving successful inter-project knowledge sharing (I-PKS). An extensive literature search resulted in the development of an I-PKS Framework, which defined the scope of the research and shaped its initial design. The literature review indicated that existing research relating to the three factors of OC, trust and KSM remains inadequate in its ability to fully explain the role of these contextual factors. In particular, the literature review identified these areas of interest: (1) the conflicting answers to some of the major questions related to KSM, (2) the limited empirical research on the role of different trust dimensions, (3) limited empirical evidence of the role of OC in KS, and (4) the insufficient research on KS in an inter-project context. The resulting Framework comprised the three main factors including: OC, trust and KSM, demonstrating a more integrated view of KS in the inter-project context. Accordingly, the aim of this research was to examine the relationships between these three factors and KS by investigating behaviours related to KS from the project managers‘ (PMs‘) perspective. In order to achieve the aim, this research sought to answer the following research questions: 1. How does organisational culture influence inter-project knowledge sharing? 2. How does the existence of three forms of trust — (i) ability, (ii) benevolence and (iii) integrity — influence inter-project knowledge sharing? 3. How can different knowledge sharing mechanisms (relational, project management tools and process, and technology) improve inter-project knowledge sharing behaviours? 4. How do the relationships between these three factors of organisational culture, trust and knowledge sharing mechanisms improve inter-project knowledge sharing? a. What are the relationships between the factors? b. What is the best fit for given cases to ensure more effective inter-project knowledge sharing? Using multiple case studies, this research was designed to build propositions emerging from cross-case data analysis. The four cases were chosen on the basis of theoretical sampling. All cases were large project-based organisations (PBOs), with a strong matrix-type structure, as per the typology proposed by the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBoK) (2008). Data were collected from project management departments of the respective organisations. A range of analytical techniques were used to deal with the data including pattern matching logic and explanation building analysis, complemented by the use of NVivo for data coding and management. Propositions generated at the end of the analyses were further compared with the extant literature, and practical implications based on the data and literature were suggested in order to improve I-PKS. Findings from this research conclude that OC, trust, and KSM contribute to inter-project knowledge sharing, and suggest the existence of relationships between these factors. In view of that, this research identified the relationships between different trust dimensions, suggesting that integrity trust reinforces the relationship between ability trust and knowledge sharing. Furthermore, this research demonstrated that characteristics of culture and trust interact to reinforce preferences for mechanisms of knowledge sharing. This means that cultures that facilitate characteristics of Clan type are more likely to result in trusting relationships, hence are more likely to use organic sources of knowledge for both tacit and explicit knowledge exchange. In contrast, cultures that are empirically driven, based on control, efficiency, and measures (characteristics of Hierarchy and Market types) display tendency to develop trust primarily in ability of non-organic sources, and therefore use these sources to share mainly explicit knowledge. This thesis contributes to the project management literature by providing a more integrative view of I-PKS, bringing the factors of OC, trust and KSM into the picture. A further contribution is related to the use of collaborative tools as a substitute for static LL databases and as a facilitator for tacit KS between geographically dispersed projects. This research adds to the literature on OC by providing rich empirical evidence of the relationships between OC and the willingness to share knowledge, and by providing empirical evidence that OC has an effect on trust; in doing so this research extends the theoretical propositions outlined by previous research. This study also extends the research on trust by identifying the relationships between different trust dimensions, suggesting that integrity trust reinforces the relationship between ability trust and KS. Finally, this research provides some directions for future studies.

Instructional constraints on movement and performance of players in the penalty kick

The influence of different instructional constraints on movement organisation and performance outcomes of the penalty kick (PK) was investigated according to participant age. Sixty penalty takers and twelve goalkeepers from two age groups (under 15 and under 17) performed 300 PKs under five different task conditions, including: no explicit instructional constraints provided (Control); instructional constraints on immobility (IMMOBILE) and mobility (MOBILE) of goalkeepers; and, use of keeper-dependent (DEP) and independent (INDEP) strategies by penalty takers. Every trial was video recorded and digitised using motion analysis techniques. Dependent variables (DVs) were: movement speed of penalty takers and the angles between the goalkeeper's position and the goal line (i.e., diving angle), and between the penalty taker and a line crossing the penalty spot and the centre of the goal (i.e., run up angle). Instructions significantly influenced the way that goalkeepers (higher values in MOBILE relative to Control) and penalty takers (higher values in Control than in DEP) used movement speed during performance, as well as the goalkeepers' movements and diving angle (less pronounced dives in the MOBILE condition compared with INDEP). Results showed how different instructions constrained participant movements during performance, although players' performance efficacy remained constant, reflecting their adaptive variability.

Transition from radiatively inefficient to cooling dominated phase in two temperature accretion disks around black holes

We investigate the transition of a radiatively inefficient phase of a viscous two temperature accreting flow to a cooling dominated phase and vice versa around black holes. Based on a global sub-Keplerian accretion disk model in steady state, including explicit cooling processes self-consistently, we show that general advective accretion flow passes through various phases during its infall towards a black hole. Bremsstrahlung, synchrotron and inverse Comptonization of soft photons are considered as possible cooling mechanisms. Hence the flow governs a much lower electron temperature similar to 10(8) - 10(9.5) K compared to the hot protons of temperature similar to 10(10.2) - 10(11.8) K in the range of the accretion rate in Eddington units 0.01 less than or simiar to (M) over dot less than or similar to 100. Therefore, the solutions may potentially explain the hard X-rays and the gamma-rays emitted from AGNs and X-ray binaries. We finally compare the solutions for two different regimes of viscosity and conclude that a weakly viscous flow is expected to be cooling dominated compared to its highly viscous counterpart which is radiatively inefficient. The flow is successfully able to reproduce the observed minosities of the under-fed AGNs and quasars (e.g. Sgr A*), ultra-luminous X-ray sources (e.g. SS433), as well as the highly luminous AGNs and ultra-luminous quasars (e.g. PKS 0743-67) at different combinations of the mass accretion rate and ratio of specific heats.

Two-temperature accretion around rotating black holes: a description of the general advective flow paradigm in the presence of various cooling processes to explain low to high luminous sources

We investigate viscous two-temperature accretion disc flows around rotating black holes. We describe the global solution of accretion flows with a sub-Keplerian angular momentum profile, by solving the underlying conservation equations including explicit cooling processes self-consistently. Bremsstrahlung, synchrotron and inverse Comptonization of soft photons are considered as possible cooling mechanisms. We focus on the set of solutions for sub-Eddington, Eddington and super-Eddington mass accretion rates around Schwarzschild and Kerr black holes with a Kerr parameter of 0.998. It is found that the flow, during its infall from the Keplerian to sub-Kepleria transition region to the black hole event horizon, passes through various phases of advection: the general advective paradigm to the radiatively inefficient phase, and vice versa. Hence, the flow governs a much lower electron temperature similar to 10(8)-10(9.5) K, in the range of accretion rate in Eddington units 0.01 less than or similar to (M) over dot less than or similar to 100, compared to the hot protons of temperature similar to 10(10.2)-10(11.8) K. Therefore, the solution may potentially explain the hard X-rays and gamma-rays emitted from active galactic nuclei (AGNs) and X-ray binaries. We then compare the solutions for two different regimes of viscosity. We conclude that a weakly viscous flow is expected to be cooling dominated, particularly at the inner region of the disc, compared to its highly viscous counterpart, which is radiatively inefficient. With all the solutions in hand, we finally reproduce the observed luminosities of the underfed AGNs and quasars (e. g. Sgr A*) to ultraluminous X-ray sources (e. g. SS433), at different combinations of input parameters, such as the mass accretion rate and the ratio of specific heats. The set of solutions also predicts appropriately the luminosity observed in highly luminous AGNs and ultraluminous quasars (e. g. PKS 0743-67).

Microvascular reconstruction in extremity soft tissue sarcoma surgery

Soft tissue sarcomas (STS) are rare tumors of soft tissue occurring most frequently in the extremities. Modern treatment of extremity STS is based on limb-sparing surgery combined with radiotherapy. To prevent local recurrence, a healthy tissue margin of 2.5 cm around the resected tumor is required. This results in large defects of soft tissue and bone, necessitating the use of reconstructive surgery to achieve wound closure. When local or pedicled soft tissue flaps are unavailable, reconstruction with free flaps is used. Free flaps are elevated at a distant site, and have their blood flow restored at the recipient site through microvascular anastomosis. When limb-sparing surgery is made impossible, amputation is the only option. Proximal amputation such as forequarter amputation (FQA) causes considerable morbidity, but is nevertheless warranted for carefully selected patients for cure or palliation. 116 patients treated in 1985 - 2006 were included in the study. Of these, 93 patients treated with limb-sparing surgery and microvascular reconstructive surgery after resection of extremity STS. 25 patients who underwent FQA were also included. Patients were identified and their medical records retrospectively reviewed. In all, 105 free flap procedures were performed for 103 patients. A total of 95 curatively treated STS patients were included in survival analysis. The latissimus dorsi, used in 56% of cases, was the most frequently used free flap. Free flap success rate was 96%. There were 9% microvascular anastomosis complications and 15% wound complications. For curatively treated STS patients, local recurrence-free survival at 5 years was 73.1%, metastasis-free survival 58.3%, and overall disease-specific survival 68.9%. Functional results were good, with 75% of patients regaining normal or near-normal function after lower extremity, and 55% after upper extremity STS resection. Among curatively treated forequarter amputees, 5-year disease-free survival was 44%. In the palliatively treated group median time until disease death was 14 months. Microvascular reconstruction after extremity soft tissue sarcoma resection is safe and reliable, and produces well-healing wounds allowing early oncological treatment. Oncological outcome after these procedures is comparable to that of other extremity sarcoma patients. Functional results are generally good. Forequarter amputation is a useful treatment option for soft tissue tumors of the shoulder girdle and proximal upper extremity. When free flap coverage of extended forequarter amputation is required, the preferable flap is a fillet flap from the amputated extremity. Acceptable oncological outcome is achieved for curatively treated FQA patients. In the palliatively treated patient considerable periods of increased quality of life can be achieved.

Protein Kinase C and Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase Targeted Compounds

The protein kinases (PKs) belong to the largest single family of enzymes, phosphotransferases, which catalyze the phosphorylation of other enzymes and proteins and function primarily in signal transduction. Consequently, PKs regulate cell mechanisms such as growth, differentiation, and proliferation. Dysfunction of these cellular mechanisms may lead to cancer, a major predicament in health care. Even though there is a range of clinically available cancer-fighting drugs, increasing number of cancer cases and setbacks such as drug resistance, constantly keep cancer research active. At the commencement of this study an isophthalic acid derivative had been suggested to bind to the regulatory domain of protein kinase C (PKC). In order to investigate the biological effects and structure-activity relationships (SARs) of this new chemical entity, a library of compounds was synthesized. The best compounds induced apoptosis in human leukemia HL-60 cells and were not cytotoxic in Swiss 3T3 fibroblasts. In addition, the best apoptosis inducers were neither cytotoxic nor mutagenic. Furthermore, results from binding affinity assays of PKC isoforms revealed the pharmacophores of these isophthalic acid derivatives. The best inhibition constants of the tested compounds were measured to 210 nM for PKCα and to 530 nM for PKCδ. Among natural compounds targeting the regulatory domain of PKC, the target of bistramide A has been a matter of debate. It was initially found to activate PKCδ; however, actin was recently reported as the main target. In order to clarify and to further study the biological effects of bistramide A, the total syntheses of the natural compound and two isomers were performed. Biological assays of the compounds revealed accumulation of 4n polyploid cells as the primary mode of action and the compounds showed similar overall antiproliferative activities. However, each compound showed a distinct distribution of antimitotic effect presumably via actin binding, proapoptotic effect presumably via PKCδ, and pro-differentiation effect as evidenced by CD11b expression. Furthermore, it was shown that the antimitotic and proapoptotic effects of bistramide A were not secondary effects of actin binding but independent effects. The third aim in this study was to synthesize a library of a new class of urea-based type II inhibitors targeted at the kinase domain of anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK). The best compounds in this library showed IC50 values as low as 390 nM for ALK while the initial low cellular activities were successfully increased even by more than 70 times for NPM-ALK- positive BaF3 cells. More importantly, selective antiproliferative activity on ALK-positive cell lines was achieved; while the best compound affected the BaF3 and SU-DHL-1 cells with IC50 values of 0.5 and 0.8 μM, respectively, they were less toxic to the NPM-ALK-negative human leukemic cells U937 (IC50 = 3.2 μM) and BaF3 parental cells (IC50 = 5.4 μM). Furthermore, SAR studies of the synthesized compounds revealed functional groups and positions of the scaffold, which enhanced the enzymatic and cellular activities.

The relationship between the radio and gamma-ray emission of blazars

Blazars are active galaxies with a jet closely oriented to our line of sight. They are powerful, variable emitters from radio to gamma-ray wavelengths. Although the general picture of synchrotron emission at low energies and inverse Compton at high energies is well established, important aspects of blazars are not well understood. In particular, the location of the gamma-ray emission region is not clearly established, with some theories favoring a location close to the central engine, while others place it at parsec scales in the radio jet.

We developed a program to locate the gamma-ray emission site in blazars, through the study of correlated variations between their gamma-ray and radio-wave emission. Correlated variations are expected when there is a relation between emission processes at both bands, while delays tell us about the relative location of their energy generation zones. Monitoring at 15 GHz using the Owens Valley Radio Observatory 40 meter telescope started in mid-2007. The program monitors 1593 blazars twice per week, including all blazars detected by the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope (Fermi) north of -20 degrees declination. This program complements the continuous monitoring of gamma-rays by Fermi.

Three year long gamma-ray light curves for bright Fermi blazars are cross-correlated with four years of radio monitoring. The significance of cross-correlation peaks is investigated using simulations that account for the uneven sampling and noise properties of the light curves, which are modeled as red-noise processes with a simple power-law power spectral density. We found that out of 86 sources with high quality data, only three show significant correlations (AO 0235+164, B2 2308+34 and PKS 1502+106). Additionally, we find a significant correlation for Mrk 421 when including the strong gamma-ray/radio flare of late 2012. In all four cases radio variations lag gamma-ray variations, suggesting that the gamma-ray emission originates upstream of the radio emission. For PKS 1502+106 we locate the gamma-ray emission site parsecs away from the central engine, thus disfavoring the model of Blandford and Levinson (1995), while other cases are inconclusive. These findings show that continuous monitoring over long time periods is required to understand the cross-correlation between gamma-ray and radio-wave variability in most blazars.

Ⅰ 虎杖聚酮类化合物生物合成相关基因的克隆及功能分析 Ⅱ 高山红景天酪醇生物合成代谢途径机制分析

Ⅰ 虎杖聚酮类化合物生物合成相关基因的克隆及功能分析 虎杖 (Polygonum cuspidatum Sieb. et Zucc) 属于蓼科蓼属多年生草本植物，在中国和日本民间曾被广泛用于动脉粥样硬化、高血压、咳嗽、化脓性皮肤炎以及淋病的治疗，具有祛风利湿、散瘀定痛、止咳化痰等功效。而在现代医学上最令人瞩目和具有发展前景的是其在抗肿瘤、心血管保护、抗氧化方面的作用，相关疗效主要来自于虎杖中结构迥异、种类丰富的聚酮化合物及其衍生物资源。这些聚酮类化合物主要包括蒽醌、大黄素、大黄素-甲醚、大黄酚、芪类以及类黄酮化合物等。其中，大部分聚酮类化合物生物合成途径机制尚不明确，但可以肯定的是植物类型III聚酮合酶type III polyketide synthases (PKSs) 在这些聚酮化合物的生物合成起始反应中行使着关键的作用。因此，除了我们所熟悉的类黄酮化合物、芪类化合物之外，进一步分离和分析虎杖中其它重要聚酮类化合物生物合成所涉及的类型III聚酮合酶基因的是非常值得期待的。 目前，已经有14个植物类型III PKS基因被克隆和功能分析。植物类型III PKS的共同特征包括基因结构、序列相似性、保守的活性中心、酶学性质以及共同的催化机制等。显花植物（裸子植物和被子植物）中，植物类型III PKS的基因结构绝对保守，除了一个早期报道的金鱼草（Antirrhinum majus）查尔酮合酶chalcone synthase (CHS) 含有第二个内含子外，迄今为止所有已知的植物类型III PKS基因均含有一个内含子且该内含子位置保守。有趣的是，在本研究中，两个含有3个内含子的类型III PKS基因从虎杖中被分离，且两个基因3个内含子的位置完全保守，这是三内含子类型III PKS基因首次得到分离。除了新奇的基因结构外，体外功能分析显示上述两个基因还具有特殊的酶学性质和功能。 本论文围绕上述2个三内含子基因开展了以下工作： 虎杖中一个由三内含子基因编码的新型类型III聚酮合酶 一个类型III PKS的cDNA及其相应的基因（PcPKS2）从药用植物虎杖中被克隆。序列分析结果表明，PcPKS2的开放阅读框被3个内含子分隔，这是一个出人意料的发现，因为截至到目前为止，除了金鱼草一个CHS基因外，所有已知的类型III PKS基因均在固定位置上含有一个内含子。除了特殊的基因结构外，PcPKS2显示了一些有趣的特性：(i) CHS“守卫”苯丙氨酸——Phe215和Phe265在PcPKS2中双双缺失，它们分别被亮氨酸和半胱氨酸取代;(ii) 体外功能分析结果表明，当酶促反应体系的pH值为6.5-8.5时，大肠杆菌中过表达的重组PcPKS2高效地合成丁烯酮非环化产物——4-香豆酰甘油酸内酯（4-coumaroyltriacetic acid lactone (CTAL)）为主产物，而丙烯酮非环化产物bis-noryangonin (BNY) 以及苯亚甲基丙酮为副产物;而当酶促反应体系的pH值为9.0时，PcPKS2高效地合成苯亚甲基丙酮为主产物，而CTAL、BNY为副产物。另外，除了上述3种产物外，在不同的pH条件下，还有痕量的柚皮素查尔酮能被检测到。此外，在4-香豆酰辅酶A（4-coumaroyl-CoA）的类似化合物中，除了4-香豆酰辅酶A外，只有feruloyl-CoA能够被PcPKS2接受作为起始底物。PcPKS2不接受脂肪酰辅酶A——异丁酰基辅酶A（isobutyryl-CoA）、异戊酰基辅酶A（isovaleryl-CoA）以及乙酰辅酶A（acetyl-CoA）作为起始底物。Southern blot杂交结果表明，在虎杖基因组中存在2-4个PcPKS2基因的拷贝。Northern blot杂交结果表明，在根茎和幼叶中，PcPKS2表达量很高，而在根中无表达。叶中的PcPKS2的表达受病原菌诱导，但不受伤诱导。 虎杖中一个编码双功能类型III聚酮合酶的三内含子基因的鉴定 显花植物中，所有已知的类型III PKS 基因均含有一个内含子且位置绝对保守。本研究中，综合运用PCR技术，从富含聚酮类化合物的植物虎杖中克隆得到一个类型III PKS 基因（PcPKS1）及其cDNA。序列分析结果表明，PcPKS1含有3个内含子。系统发育分析结果表明，PcPKS1与其它植物的CHSs归为一类。然而，体外功能分析结果表明，当酶促反应体系pH值为7.0时，大肠杆菌中过表达的重组PcPKS1高效地合成柚皮素查尔酮（naringenin）为单一产物;而当pH值为9.0时，苯亚甲基丙酮（p-hydroxybenzalacetone）几乎为重组PcPKS1的唯一产物。后续的研究表明，与典型的CHSs相比，PcPKS1具有另外一些不同的特点：在pH值为9.0时（PcPKS1的苯亚甲基丙酮合成活性最适pH值），在4-香豆酰辅酶A的类似化合物中，只有feruloyl-CoA能够被PcPKS1接受作为起始底物。与CHSs展现出的对脂肪酰辅酶A宽泛的底物特异性不同，在不同的pH条件下，PcPKS1不接受异丁酰基辅酶A（isobutyryl-CoA）、异戊酰基辅酶A（isovaleryl-CoA）以及乙酰辅酶A（acetyl-CoA）作为起始底物。以上数据指出重组PcPKS1是一个具有查尔酮合酶（CHS）和苯亚甲基丙酮合酶（BAS）活性的双功能酶。Southern blot杂交结果表明，在虎杖基因组中存在2-4个PcPKS1基因的拷贝。Northern blot杂交结果表明，PcPKS1可能在防御病原菌和草食动物方面起着重要作用。PcPKS1和PcPKS2共同从虎杖中被分离的事实极有可能暗示了苯丁烷类化合物（phenylbutanoid）及其衍生物存在于虎杖中。 Ⅱ 高山红景天酪醇生物合成代谢途径机制研究 高山红景天（Rhodiola sachalinensis A. Bor）是景天科（Crassulaceae）红景天属多年生草本植物，作为一种适应原性中草药在中国的应用史已经超过800年。最近红景天提取物作为一种重要的商业药用制剂资源，其应用遍及欧洲、亚洲和美国，其主要治疗范围包括抗变应性和消炎，提高心理机敏性等。目前已经非常明确，红景天甙（salidroside）和甙元酪醇（tyrosol）是红景天属植物的主要功效成分，主要分布于这类植物的根中并且具有抗缺氧、抗疲劳、延缓衰老、预防紫外线辐射伤害等功效。红景天甙为酪醇8-O-β-D葡萄糖甙，是酪醇在葡萄糖基转移酶UDP-glucosyltransferase (UGT) 的催化下糖基化后形成的，可以认为是酪醇在植物体内的贮存形式。酪醇作为一种重要的活性分子，同样存在于橄榄树和葡萄酒中。 虽然已经非常明确酪醇来自于莽草酸代谢途径，然而其具体的生物合成途径及其调控仍不明确。总结以往的报道，在酪醇的生物合成上主要存在两种观点：一是酪醇可能来自于苯丙烷代谢途径产生的4-香豆酸（4-coumaric acid）前体;二是来自于酪氨酸的酪胺（tyramine）可能是酪醇生物合成的直接前体。我们的工作兴趣主要围绕着鉴别高山红景天中的酪醇生物合成途径展开： 高山红景天内源苯丙氨酸解氨酶PALrs1的过表达对红景天甙积累的影响 红景天甙是来自于药用植物高山红景天的一种适应原性新型药物，其生物合成途径可能起始于苯丙氨酸或酪氨酸。由于高山红景天野生植物资源的匮乏和相对含量很低，阐明红景天甙的生物合成途径对于增加红景天甙的供给至关重要。在我们以前的工作中，运用cDNA末端快速扩增技术（RACE），一个编码苯丙氨酸解氨酶phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL)的cDNA从高山红景天中被克隆，命名为PALrs1。在本研究中，PALrs1置于35S启动子+Ω增强子序列的控制下通过农杆菌（Agrobacterium tumefaciens）介导法转化回高山红景天。PCR 和 PCR–Southern blot分析结果表明，PALrs1已经整合到了转基因植物的基因组上。Northern blot杂交结果表明，PALrs1已经获得在转录水平上的高水平表达。与预期的结果相同，高效液相色谱High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)测定结果显示PALrs1的过表达引起4-香豆酸含量增长3.3倍。然而，与之相反的是，酪醇和红景天甙含量与对照相比反而分别下降4.7和7.7倍。此外，我们发现PALrs1的过表达造成酪氨酸含量下降2.6倍。这些数据暗示着PALrs1的过表达和4-香豆酸的积累并不能促进酪醇的生物合成。酪醇，作为一种苯乙烷类衍生物并非来自苯丙氨酸，而酪氨酸含量的下降则极有可能是酪醇生物合成和红景天甙积累大规模下降的直接原因。

Polymorphisms in the C-type lectin genes cluster in chromosome 19 and predisposition to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) infection

Background: Polymorphisms of CLEC4M have been associated with predisposition for infection by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV). DC-SIGNR, a C-type lectin encoded by CLEC4M, is a receptor for the virus. A variable number tandem