What is a trait? Lessons from the human chin.

The chin, a distinguishing feature of Homo sapiens, has sparked ongoing debates regarding its evolutionary origins and adaptive significance. We contend that these controversies stem from a fundamental disagreement about what constitutes a well-defined biological trait, a problem that has received insufficient attention despite its recognized importance in biology. In this paper, we leverage paleoanthropological research on the human chin to investigate the general issue of character or trait identification. First, we examine four accounts of the human chin from the existing literature: the mandibular differential growth byproduct, the bony prominence, the inverted T-relief, and the symphyseal angle. We then generalize from these accounts and propose a three-stage framework for the process of character identification: description, detection, and justification. We use this framework to reinterpret the four accounts, elucidating key points of contention surrounding the chin as well as other morphological characters. We show that debates over the chin carry broad and important biological implications that extend beyond this trait and that are not mere semantic issues of definition.

The Origin of Stroma Influences the Biological Characteristics of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Normal stromal cells surrounding the tumor parenchyma, such as the extracellular matrix (ECM), normal fibroblasts, mesenchymal stromal cells, and osteoblasts, play a significant role in the progression of cancers. However, the role of gingival and periodontal ligament tissue-derived stromal cells in OSCC progression is unclear. In this study, the effect of G-SCs and P-SCs on the differentiation, proliferation, invasion, and migration of OSCC cells in vitro was examined by Giemsa staining, Immunofluorescence (IF), (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium) (MTS), invasion, and migration assays. Furthermore, the effect of G-SCs and P-SCs on the differentiation, proliferation, and bone invasion by OSCC cells in vivo was examined by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, immunohistochemistry (IHC), and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining, respectively. Finally, microarray data and bioinformatics analyses identified potential genes that caused the different effects of G-SCs and P-SCs on OSCC progression. The results showed that both G-SCs and P-SCs inhibited the differentiation and promoted the proliferation, invasion, and migration of OSCC in vitro and in vivo. In addition, genes, including CDK1, BUB1B, TOP2A, DLGAP5, BUB1, and CCNB2, are probably involved in causing the different effects of G-SCs and P-SCs on OSCC progression. Therefore, as a potential regulatory mechanism, both G-SCs and P-SCs can promote OSCC progression.

Impacts of exogenous pollutant bisphenol A on characteristics of soybeans.

Bisphenol A (BPA) is an endocrine disruptor that is ubiquitous in the environment. Previous studies have focused on the effects of BPA on plants to assess the ecological risk of BPA in the environment. To evaluate the effects of BPA on plant biological characters more systematically, we investigated the biological characters of above-ground and under-ground organs of soybean plants exposed to BPA. Meanwhile, the mechanisms for the observed changes were also analyzed from the view of hormone levels and photosynthesis. The results showed that after exposure to 0.8 mg L-1 BPA for three days, indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and gibberellic acid levels in roots increased significantly, and the IAA level increased in leaves, so the character indices of roots and leaves both increased. The IAA and ethylene levels in stems increased, but the character indices of stems did not increased. With higher BPA concentrations, especially exposure to 17.2 mg L-1 BPA, the levels of IAA, gibberellic acid, and zeatin decreased (except for the increased zeatin in leaves), and abscisic acid and ethylene levels increased; thus, all of the character indices significantly decreased. By comparing the changes in various biological characters, we found that leaf area, root surface area, and root length changed most significantly. In addition, changes in photosynthetic parameters provided initial causes for plant growth changes, and impacted biological characters. The changes of character indices were stronger when the BPA exposure time was prolonged, and after the removal of BPA, the character indices showed some recovery. Therefore, BPA exposure can regulate the changes in plant characters by influencing hormone levels and photosynthesis, and root surface area, root length, and leaf area were the most sensitive to BPA.

NATURALIZING PLANTED HORSEMINT BIOLOGICAL / Монголын эм зүй, эм судлал

We are still doing research on 30 kind of ephemeral and perennialgramineous, bosk and wooded in our country. Nation`s enterprise in industries importing essential oils from abroad and they are using in product of medicine, food and beauty. Whole world`s most of them still researching and using widely Mentha L (Horsemint) plant in crop production and if we naturalize this Mentha L it will show result good result in plant raw material of nature and important to our economy as well.Key words: Mentha longifolia; Menth arvensis, Biological characterIntroductionEach year resource availability of raw material is proved to be not enough and it shows in research of resource in medical plant range and also what plant shows low resourceof raw material has to provide before the plant germinate or during fl owering stage in every year. Nowadays this plant is destroying and possibility of grow again is decreasing, because of the people who has interest in profi t they are taking away a lot of rhizome roots. The result of 100 scrip in Mongolian medicine shows that we supplied 43.75% of raw material in plants are from our fl ora and 56.25% is from other country. So it shows bad affect to our economy that still using other country`s resource and getting import from them. Then we have naturalize the plants in our weather conditions and try to detect innovative biological active ingredients and do research that has explained by modern science. Mongolian medicine need phytogenic of rareplants from other foreign country, so that`s why we are still doing research on how to naturalize plants in our country.Goal: How to plant Metha L. (Horsemint) in fi eld area that in order to determine the nature this plant and next try to know purpose under the following main objectives. There are:1. To recognize the naturalizing plant division2. To identify the qualifi cation of naturalizing plant division and do research ratio with anatomical result3. Get recognition of the importance in Metha L. (Horsemint)Materials and methodsThings that involved in research (blossom) take middle leaf and in order to prepare slice for anatomy research, cut the middle of leaf, get in foam plastic sponge and cut it, blue, paint it with sapphire, put it on the glass shelf make jelly and in order to prepare slice done with 8-10 frequency. According to traditional method with the help of “Enaval” microscope research leaf’s inside anatomy and textural fi nished (Гзырян,1981; Эзау 1980; В.К.Василевская,А.А.Бутник, 1981; Гамалей, 1984). The plants leaf that involved in research anatomy picturedwith the help of “PA-4”that camera.

Biological effects of lipopolysaccharide, transforming growth factor-β1 on murine bone marrow-derived dendritic cells / 细胞与分子免疫学杂志

AIM: To explore method of stimulating murine bone marrow-derived dendritic cells by lipopolysaccharide(LPS), transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)and to study their biological character. METHODS: Murine bone marrow-derived dendritic cells were cultivated with cytokine GM-CSF and IL-4 for 6 days, BMDC was stimulated by control, LPS, TGF-β1, LPS +TGF-β1 for 48 hours respectively. Morphological characters of BMDC were observed by a inversed microscope, surface molecules such as CD_(11C), CD_(80), CD_(86)and MHC Ⅱ were detected by flowcytometry, Interleukin-6 and interleukin-12 p70 in co-culture medium was quantified by ELISA. RESULTS: In LPS group it presented the most typical DC morphology with the highest expression of CD_(80), CD_(86) and MHC Ⅱ, the strongest ability in mixed lymphocyte reaction, higher level of IL-6 and IL-12 p70 compared with control, TGF-β1, LPS + TGF-β1 ( P < 0. 05). While in TGF-β1 group it presented the less typical DC morphology with the lower expression of CD_(80), CD_(86), MHC Ⅱ, weaker ability in mixed lymphocyte reaction, and lower levels of IL-6 and IL-12 p70 compared with control and LPS (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: LPS can stimulate maturation of BMDC in its late differentiation which makes it presents a more significant biological characteristics. TGF-β1 can inhibit maturation but not differentiation of BMDC thereby can prevent its biological characteristic presentation.

Effect on Nervous Tissue and Anaphase Diagnostic Ultrasound in Early Pregnancy / 医学研究杂志

Objective To assess the diagnosis safety by detecting the biological character of prenatal fetus rats’nervous tissue exposed to diagnostic ultrasound during earlier period. Methods Cell culture, morphology examining, cell proliferation curve measurement and flow cytometry detection were adopted. Results ①After morphology examining, there are no difference between the treated group and control group. ② We can see from the growth curve, the two groups has identical growth tendency. ③Through flow cytometry detection, results show that there are no significance between two groups. Conclusion Diagnostic ultrasound in early pregnancy have no significant effect on prenatal fetus rats’nervous tissue.

Preparation and biological characterization of monoclonal antibody against shiga toxin Ⅱ A1 subunit of enterohemorrhagic E. coli O157∶H7 / 第三军医大学学报

Objective To prepare high-titer monoclonal antibodies against STX2A1 subunit of enterohemorrhagic E.coli(EHEC) O157∶H7.Methods BALB/c mice were immunized with GST-STX2A1 fusion protein and the spleen cells of BALB/c mice which were not immunized were used as feeder cells.Hybridoma technique,natural STX2A protein and ELISA test were used to prepare and screen the hybridoma cell lines of monoclonal antibodies against STX2A1.The ascites developed by injecting the hybridoma cells into abdominal cavity of the BALB/c mice and was purified with Protein A-Sepharose.The subclasses and isotypes were identified by mouse monoclonal antibody isotyping kit.The antigenic epitopes that can be recognized by STX2-1A3,STX2-1E10 and STX2-3A7 were analyzed by the ELISA additivity test.Results Three hybridoma cell strains were obtained and named as STX2-1A3,STX2-1E10 and STX2-3A7,respectively,all of which produced monoclonal antibodies specifically against STX2A1.The isotypes of the monoclonal antibodies were IgG1?,IgG1?,and IgG3? and the affinity constant was 5.76 ?109,1.21 ?109 and 3.97 ?108,respectively.Conclusion We have successfully prepared three hybridoma cell strains which secrete high-titer and highly specific monoclonal antibodies against STX2A1.Our study provides a basis for researching the early diagnosis,prevention and cure of the disease induced by EHEC O157∶H7.

Observation on Biological Character of Cultivated Cornea Limbal Epithelial Cells / 中国医师杂志

Objective To observe biological character iistcs of cultivated cornea limbal epithelial cells of rabbit.Methods Cultivated cornea limbal epithelial cells with tissue inoculation were observed by inverted microscope every two days; ultrastructure of cell was observated by electron microscope; Proliferative ability of cell was examined by flow cytometry; the cell growth curve was examined by monotetrazolium(MTT) colorimetry.Results Cultivated limbal cornea epithelial cells formed monolayer at six day,the cultivated conea limbal epithelial cells had high metabolism and proliferative ability, growth of cornea limbal epithelial cells reached climax after 4 days by passage culture. Conclusion Cultivated limbal epithelial cells during the first and second growth generation can keep cornea epitheliam property and high proliferative ability.

Biological characteristics and hematopoietic support of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus / 中华风湿病学杂志

Objective To explore the biological characteristics and karyotype of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs)in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE)and hematopoietic sup- port of MSCs.Methods MSCs were isolated from bone marrow of 11 SLE patients and 6 healthy controls by density centrifugation and adhesive culture in vitro.The surface markers were detected by flow cytometry (FCM).The morphological changes of MSCs were observed in primary and passage cultures.The growth curves were assayed.The karyotype of MSCs was detected by blocking cellular mitosis with colchicines.The MSCs from SLE patients and healthy controls were infused to ICR mice after high-dose chemotherapy.The changes of peripheral blood counts of the mice were recorded.Results Approximately(6～9)?10~9 MSCs from SLE were obtained after 5 passages and their growth was slower than normal controls(P＜0.01).Both groups were positive for CD29,CD44 and CD105,and negative for CD14,CD34,CD45 and HLA-DR.MSCs from SLE had a normal karyotype.MSCs infusions of the two groups were accompanied by no adverse event and the recovery of white blood cell,hemoglobin and platelet count was quicker when compared with the controls(P＜0.05).Conclusion MSCs from SLE have demonstrated abnormalities in expansion in vitro.MSCs from SLE have a normal karyotype.Ex vivo MSCs infusion from SLE patients can support hematopoiesis as normal MSCs.

Preliminary study on the biological characters of Ornidazole Slow-Release Membrane / 中国海洋药物

Objective To evaluate the biocompatibility and antibacterial activities of the Ornidazole Slow-Release Membrane.Methods 1.The lower lips of 12 rats were sewed into 12 pockets and the pockets were immited with extracting solution of the ornidazole membrane, formaldehyde and normal saline respectively once per day.The specimens were examined histologically 7 days later.2.The dorsal muscles of 16 rats were implanted with the membranes or silk threads,and examined histologically 1 week and 2,4,6 weeks later respectively.3. The antibacterial activity against Streptococcus mutans and Fusobacterium nucleatum was observed on solid culture medium in vitro.Results The animal experiments showed the membranes were not irritative to the oral mucosa.It was found that the tissue reaction of the membranes was similar to that of the silk threads after implanted into dorsal muscles and the membranes had been degraded in the second week.And the membranes had effective antibacterial action against Streptococcus mutans and Fusobacterium nucleatum.Conclusion The Ornidazole Slow-Release Membrane possesses favorable biocompatibility and antibacterial activities.