Molecular function of the novel α7β2 nicotinic receptor

The α7 nicotinic receptor is a promising drug target for neurological and inflammatory disorders. Although it is the homomeric member of the family, a novel α7β2 heteromeric receptor has been discovered. To decipher the functional contribution of the β2 subunit, we generated heteromeric receptors with fixed stoichiometry by two different approaches comprising concatenated and unlinked subunits. Receptors containing up to three β2 subunits are functional. As the number of β2 subunits increases in the pentameric arrangement, the durations of channel openings and activation episodes increase progressively probably due to decreased desensitization. The prolonged activation episodes conform the kinetic signature of α7β2 and may have an impact on neuronal excitability. For activation of α7β2 receptors, an α7/α7 binding-site interface is required, thus indicating that the three β2 subunits are located consecutively in the pentameric arrangement. α7-positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) are emerging as novel therapeutic drugs. The presence of β2 in the pentamer affects neither type II PAM potentiation nor activation by an allosteric agonist whereas it impairs type I PAM potentiation. This first single-channel study provides fundamental basis required to decipher the role and function of the novel α7β2 receptor and opens doors to develop selective therapeutic drugs.     

Maternal eating behavior is a major synchronizer of fetal and postnatal peripheral clocks in mice

Most living organisms show circadian rhythms in physiology and behavior. These oscillations are generated by endogenous circadian clocks, present in virtually all cells where they control key biological processes. To study peripheral clocks in vivo, we developed an original model, the Rev-Luc mouse to follow noninvasively and longitudinally Rev-Luc oscillations in peripheral clocks using in vivo bioluminescence imaging. We found in vitro and in vivo a robust diurnal rhythm of Rev-Luc, mainly in liver, intestine, kidney and adipose tissues. We further confirmed in vivo that Rev-Luc peripheral tissues are food-entrainable oscillators, not affected by age or sex. These data strongly support the relevance of the Rev-Luc model for circadian studies, especially to investigate in vivo the establishment and the entrainment of the rhythm throughout ontogenesis. We then showed that Rev-Luc expression develops dynamically and gradually, both in amplitude and in phase, during fetal and postnatal development. We also demonstrate for the first time that the immature peripheral circadian system of offspring in utero is mainly entrained by maternal cues from feeding regimen. The prenatal entrainment will also differentially determine the Rev-Luc expression in pups before weaning underlining the importance of the maternal chrononutrition on the circadian system entrainment of the offspring.     

The expansion of GPCR transactivation-dependent signalling to include serine/threonine kinase receptors represents a new cell signalling frontier

G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) signalling is mediated through transactivation-independent signalling pathways or the transactivation of protein tyrosine kinase receptors and the recently reported activation of the serine/threonine kinase receptors, most notably the transforming growth factor-β receptor family. Since the original observation of GPCR transactivation of protein tyrosine kinase receptors, there has been considerable work on the mechanism of transactivation and several pathways are prominent. These pathways include the “triple membrane bypass” pathway and the generation of reactive oxygen species. The recent recognition of GPCR transactivation of serine/threonine kinase receptors enormously broadens the GPCR signalling paradigm. It may be predicted that the transactivation of serine/threonine kinase receptors would have mechanistic similarities with transactivation of tyrosine kinase pathways; however, initial studies suggest that these two transactivation pathways are mechanistically distinct. Important questions are the relative importance of tyrosine and serine/threonine transactivation pathways, the contribution of transactivation to overall GPCR signalling, mechanisms of transactivation and the range of cell types in which this phenomenon occurs. The ultimate significance of transactivation-dependent signalling remains to be defined but it appears to be prominent and if so will represent a new cell signalling frontier.     

正交试验优化手性镍催化不对称反应条件研究

用正交试验法优化手性镍催化二乙基锌对α，β不饱和酮的不对称麦克尔加成反应条件，优化后的不对称麦克尔加成反应的一般条件为：低温(近反应溶剂冰点)，常压，非质子非极性溶剂(环己烷)．     

催化光度法测定甲醇

基于甲醇对K2S2O8与亮绿间的氧化裉色反应有强烈的负催化作用,从而建立了一种测定甲醇动力学光度新方法.该法的线性范围为8.0×10-6～4.0×10-4mol/L;检出限为2.7×10-6mol/L;对1.0×10-5mol/L甲醇溶液连续进行11次测定,相对标准偏差为4.2%.将该方法用于工业洒精样品中甲醇含量的测定,结果较为满意.     

项目引入法——可普遍采用的研究性学习模式

研究性学习是实施素质教育和创新教育的一种新型教学方式。在工科类课程的教学中 可采用引入一个工程项目,通过项目设计来学习研究新知识,完成教学计划。     

Reconsideration on Homogeneous Quadratic Riemann Boundary Value Problem

The homogeneous quadratic Riemann boundary value problem (1) with Hoelder continuous coefficients for the normal case was considered by the author in 1997. But the solutions obtained there are incomplete. Here its general method of solution is obtained.     

基于电阻阵的红外图像实时生成和显示系统

对基于MOS电阻阵列红外图像转换器的红外图像实时生成和显示系统的实现进行了重点论述。根据红外图像仿真原理对典型目标建模,并利用openGL和开发的图像转换等软件,完成目标动态图像数据序列的计算机生成;论述了基于128×128电阻阵列的红外图像数据处理与驱动控制技术,实现了目标动态红外亮度图像向目标动态灰度图像的转换,并利用驱动控制系统以200Hz的帧频速度驱动MOS电阻阵实时生成目标动态红外图像。该系统已在红外成像目标仿真中得到应用。     

New Develoopment of the Basic Theory of Extenics

In this paper,the new development of three basic theories of Extenics,incluing basic-element theory,extension set theory and extension logic theory ,has been introduced.And the new theoretical frame of Extenics has also been set forth.     

搪瓷烧成温度计算方法

搪瓷釉的烧成过程是一种“液相烧结”过程，其传质有赖于熔体的粘性流动。根据玻璃态物质化学组成-结构-粘度-温度的一般关系，推导出计算瓷釉烧成温度(T烧)的经验公式。