Peregrine and saker falcon genome sequences provide insights into evolution of a predatory lifestyle

As top predators, falcons possess unique morphological, physiological and behavioral adaptations that allow them to be successful hunters: for example, the peregrine is renowned as the world's fastest animal. To examine the evolutionary basis of predatory adaptations, we sequenced the genomes of both the peregrine (Falco peregrinus) and saker falcon (Falco cherrug), and we present parallel, genome-wide evidence for evolutionary innovation and selection for a predatory lifestyle. The genomes, assembled using Illumina deep sequencing with greater than 100-fold coverage, are both approximately 1.2 Gb in length, with transcriptome-assisted prediction of approximately 16,200 genes for both species. Analysis of 8,424 orthologs in both falcons, chicken, zebra finch and turkey identified consistent evidence for genome-wide rapid evolution in these raptors. SNP-based inference showed contrasting recent demographic trajectories for the two falcons, and gene-based analysis highlighted falcon-specific evolutionary novelties for beak development and olfaction and specifically for homeostasis-related genes in the arid environment–adapted saker

Blocking Autophagic Flux Enhances Matrine-Induced Apoptosis in Human Hepatoma Cells

Autophagy, a self-defense mechanism, has been found to be associated with drug resistance in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Our study was designed to investigate the role and related mechanisms of autophagy in matrine-induced apoptosis in hepatoma cells of HepG2 and Bel7402. Cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry analysis (Annexin V–FITC/PI double-staining assay), the activity and activating cleavages of caspase-3, -8, and -9. MTT assay and colony forming assay were used to assess the effect of matrine on growth and proliferation of HCC cells. Autophagic flux in HCC cells was analyzed using the expression of LC3BI/II and p62/SQSTM1, GFP-LC3 transfection, and transmission electron microscopy. Moreover, regarding to the associated mechanisms, the effects of matrine on the phosphoinositide 3-kinase/AKT/mTOR pathway and beclin-1 were studied. Our results showed that: (1) both autophagy and apoptosis could be induced by treatment with matrine; (2) using the autophagic inhibitor chloroquine and beclin-1 small-interfering RNA, cell apoptosis induced by matrine could be enhanced in a caspase-dependent manner; and (3) autophagy was induced via inhibition of PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway and up-regulation of beclin-1. In conclusion, inhibition of autophagy could enhance matrine-induced apoptosis in human hepatoma cells

my wife Lanyue Xu TABLE OF CONTENTS

I would like to thank Professor Un-Ku Moon, my advisor, for his encouragement and insightful guidance throughout my Ph.D. studies. I am also grateful to Professors Gábor C. Temes, Karti Mayaram and Terri Fiez for their helps in both research and academic matters. I would also like to acknowledge all members of my committee, for taking the time to serve on my defense. I would like to thank Dr. Byung-Moo in National Semiconductor Corporation for the sponsorship of the prototype ADC fabrication. I appreciate the helps on chip layout from Mr. Yong-In Park in Texas Instruments Corporation. This work was supported by NSF center for Design of Analog and Digital Integrated Circuits (CDADIC) and partly by Analog Devices Corporation. All my colleagues in the Analog Group have not hesitated to offer their help to me. First, I would like to thank Jose Silva. He has offered great help to me from the beginning of my research in school to the end of my study. I would also like to thank Dong-Young Chang, Cil-Cho Ahn, Xuesheng Wang and Pavan Hanumolu for helpful discussions

Microencapsulating Alginate-Based Polymers for Probiotics Delivery Systems and Their Application

Probiotics exhibit many health benefits and a great potential for broad applications in pharmaceutical fields, such as prevention and treatment of gastrointestinal tract diseases (irritable bowel syndrome), prevention and therapy of allergies, certain anticancer effects, and immunomodulation. However, their applications are limited by the low viability and metabolic activity of the probiotics during processing, storage, and delivery in the digestive tract. To overcome the mentioned limitations, probiotic delivery systems have attracted much attention. This review focuses on alginate as a preferred polymer and presents recent advances in alginate-based polymers for probiotic delivery systems. We highlight several alginate-based delivery systems containing various types of probiotics and the physical and chemical modifications with chitosan, cellulose, starch, protein, fish gel, and many other materials to enhance their performance, of which the viability and protective mechanisms are discussed. Withal, various challenges in alginate-based polymers for probiotics delivery systems are traced out, and future directions, specifically on the use of nanomaterials as well as prebiotics, are delineated to further facilitate subsequent researchers in selecting more favorable materials and technology for probiotic delivery

Coadsorption of Para-toluene Sulfamide and 1.4-Butynediol at Mercury Electrode

用电毛细曲线、微分电容曲线、Ｓｔｕａｒｔ模型和自洽场分子轨道法（ＣＮＤＯ／２）研究对甲苯磺酰胺和１．４－丁炔二醇在汞电极上的共吸附特性。此共吸附本质上是一种物理吸附。在其最大的吸附电位附近，二者分别以侧卧与平卧方式吸附于汞表面，并在共吸附层中表现出静电斥力作用。当两者的浓度相等时，１．４－丁炔二醇的吸附占优势。The coadsorption characteristics of para-toluene sulfamide and 1,4-butynediol atmercury electrode have been studied by means of electrocapillary curve,differential capacity curve,Stuart model and the SCFMO method(CNDO/2).The coadsorption is a physical adsorption occuringnaturally. Lateral and flat orientations in the two adsorbates close to their maximum adsorptionpotential were considered respectively.Unlike attractive interactions of their own,there was arepulsive interaction at their coadsorption layer.A preferred adsorption of 1,4-butynediol occurredWhen they were at the same volume concentration.作者联系地址：湖南大学化学化工系Author's Address: Depart. Chem.Chem.Eng.Hunan Univ.,Changsha 41008