英文科普：女性免疫系统强于男性

时间：2011-09-30 02:29:58

（单词翻译:单击）

As anyone familiar with the phrase 'man-flu' will know women consider themselves to be the more robust¹ side of the species when it comes to health and illness. Now new research, published in BioEssays, seems to support the idea. The research focuses on the role of MicroRNAs encoded on the X chromosome² to explain why women have stronger immune systems to men and are less likely to develop cancer. The research, led by Dr Claude Libert from Ghent University in Belgium, focused on MicroRNA, tiny strains of ribonucleic acid which alongside DNA³ and proteins, make up the three major macromolecules that are essential for all known forms of life.

"Statistics show that in humans, as with other mammals, females live longer than males and are more able to fight off shock episodes from sepsis（败血症） , infection or trauma," said Libert. "We believe this is due to the X chromosome which in humans contains 10% of all microRNAs detected so far in the genome. The roles of many remain unknown, but several X chromosome-located strands⁴ of microRNA have important functions in immunity⁵ and cancer."

Dr Libert's team proposes that the biological mechanisms⁶ of the X chromosome have a strong impact on an individual's genes⁸, known as genetic⁹ imprinting¹⁰, which gives an immunological advantage to females. To develop their hypothesis the team produced a detailed¹¹ map of all described microRNAs which have a role in immune functions and cancer in both human and mouse X chromosomes¹².

"We believe this immunological advantage is due to the silencing of X-linked genes by these microRNAs," said Libert. "Gene⁷ silencing and inactivation¹³ skewing are known mechanisms which affect X-linked genes and may influence X-linked microRNAs in the same way."

This genetic silencing leaves males at an immunological disadvantage as a male has only one X-chromosome. The Y-Chomosone contains fewer genes so if the genes involved in immunity are silenced maternally¹⁴ the male is left with no compensating¹⁵ genetic information.

"How this unique form of genetic inheritance influences X-chromosone linked microRNAs will be a challenge for researchers for years to come," concluded Libert, "not only from an evolutionary¹⁶ point of view, but also for scientists investigating the causes and cures of disease."

英语科普

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1 robust
adj.强壮的，强健的，粗野的，需要体力的，浓的
参考例句：
She is too tall and robust.她个子太高，身体太壮。 China wants to keep growth robust to reduce poverty and avoid job losses,AP commented.美联社评论道，中国希望保持经济强势增长，以减少贫困和失业状况。

2 chromosome
n.染色体
参考例句：
Chromosome material with exhibits of such behaviour is called heterochromatin.表现这种现象的染色体物质叫做异染色质。 A segment of the chromosome may become lost,resulting in a deletion.染色体的一个片段可能会丢失，结果产生染色体的缺失。

3 DNA
(缩)deoxyribonucleic acid 脱氧核糖核酸
参考例句：
DNA is stored in the nucleus of a cell.脱氧核糖核酸储存于细胞的细胞核里。 Gene mutations are alterations in the DNA code.基因突变是指DNA密码的改变。

4 strands
n.（线、绳、金属线、毛发等的）股( strand的名词复数 )；缕；海洋、湖或河的)岸；（观点、计划、故事等的）部份v.使滞留，使搁浅( strand的第三人称单数 )
参考例句：
Twist a length of rope from strands of hemp. 用几股麻搓成了一段绳子。来自《简明英汉词典》 She laced strands into a braid. 她把几股线编织成一根穗带。来自《简明英汉词典》

5 immunity
n.优惠；免除；豁免，豁免权
参考例句：
The law gives public schools immunity from taxation.法律免除公立学校的纳税义务。 He claims diplomatic immunity to avoid being arrested.他要求外交豁免以便避免被捕。

6 mechanisms
n.机械( mechanism的名词复数 )；机械装置；[生物学] 机制；机械作用
参考例句：
The research will provide direct insight into molecular mechanisms. 这项研究将使人能够直接地了解分子的机理。来自《简明英汉词典》 He explained how the two mechanisms worked. 他解释这两台机械装置是如何工作的。来自《简明英汉词典》

7 gene
n.遗传因子，基因
参考例句：
A single gene may have many effects.单一基因可能具有很多种效应。 The targeting of gene therapy has been paid close attention.其中基因治疗的靶向性是值得密切关注的问题之一。

8 genes
n.基因( gene的名词复数 )
参考例句：
You have good genes from your parents, so you should live a long time. 你从父母那儿获得优良的基因，所以能够活得很长。来自《简明英汉词典》 Differences will help to reveal the functions of the genes. 它们间的差异将会帮助我们揭开基因多种功能。来自英汉非文学 - 生命科学 - 生物技术的世纪

9 genetic
adj.遗传的，遗传学的
参考例句：
It's very difficult to treat genetic diseases.遗传性疾病治疗起来很困难。 Each daughter cell can receive a full complement of the genetic information.每个子细胞可以收到遗传信息的一个完全补偿物。

10 imprinting
n.胚教，铭记（动物生命早期即起作用的一种学习机能）；印记
参考例句：
He gathered her to himself, imprinting kisses upon her lips and cheeks. 他把她抱过来，吻着她的嘴唇和面颊。来自辞典例句 It'seems likely that imprinting is an extreme case of conditioning. 看来似乎铭记是适应的一种极端的情况。来自辞典例句

11 detailed
adj.详细的，详尽的，极注意细节的，完全的
参考例句：
He had made a detailed study of the terrain.他对地形作了缜密的研究。 A detailed list of our publications is available on request.我们的出版物有一份详细的目录备索。

12 chromosomes
n.染色体( chromosome的名词复数 )
参考例句：
Chromosomes also determine the sex of animals. 染色体也决定动物的性别。来自《简明英汉词典》 Each of four chromosomes divide longitudinally. 四种染色体的每一种都沿着纵向分裂。来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

13 inactivation
n.灭活，失活，钝化（作用）；减化
参考例句：
This inactivation may be accomplished in a variety of ways. 这种失去活性作用能以多种方式来实现。来自辞典例句 Long sonication periods can lead to some inactivation. 长时间的声波作用可导致某种程度的失活。来自辞典例句

14 maternally

参考例句：
She loved her students almost maternally. 她像母亲一样爱她的学生。 The resulting fetuses consisted of either mostly paternally or mostly maternally expressed genes. 这样产生的胎儿要么主要是父方的基因表达，要么主要是母方的基因表达。

15 compensating
补偿，补助，修正
参考例句：
I am able to set up compensating networks of nerve connections. 我能建立起补偿性的神经联系网。 It is desirable that compensating cables be run in earthed conduit. 补偿导线最好在地下管道中穿过。

16 evolutionary
adj.进化的；演化的，演变的；[生]进化论的
参考例句：
Life has its own evolutionary process.生命有其自身的进化过程。 These are fascinating questions to be resolved by the evolutionary studies of plants.这些十分吸引人的问题将在研究植物进化过程中得以解决。