Allometric growth of the sulcus in Cynoscion spp. (Sciaenidae)

The sulcus of Cynoscion spp. exhibited strong positive allometric growth relative to the medial surface of the otolith, and the ratio between the area of the sulcus and the otolith (S:O) increased dramatically with size. The S:O ratios of larger specimens are the highest that have so far been reported.     

Programmed cell death in the development of the vertebrate inner ear

Programmed cell death is known to be an essential process for accurate ontogeny during the normal development of the inner ear. The inner ear is a complex sensory organ responsible for equilibrium and sound detection in vertebrates. In all vertebrates, the inner ear develops from a single ectodermic patch on the surface of the embryo's head, which undergoes a series of morphological changes to give rise to the complex structure of the adult inner ear. Enlargement and morphogenesis of the inner ear primordium is likely to depend on cellular division, growth, migration, differentiation and apoptosis. Here we describe the regions of programmed cell death that contribute to the final morphological aspect of the adult inner ear. The few studies that focus on the molecules that control this process during inner ear development indicate that the molecules and intracellular signaling pathways activated during the apoptotic response in the inner ear are similar to the previously described for the nervous system. In this review, we will describe some of the growth factors and key pathways that regulate pro- and anti-apoptotic signals and how they cross talk to determine the apoptotic or survival fate of cells in the development of the inner ear.     

玉米O2/o2近等基因系胚乳中基因表达差异分析

对玉米Hz85(O2/O2)和 Hz85(o2/o2)以及S7913(O2/O2)和 S7913 (o2/o2)两种不同核背景下的近等基因系(NIL),采用cDNA芯片杂交技术研究玉米o2突变基因及赖氨酸形成和胚乳发生相关基因在RNA水平上的表达差异。在两套NILs中检测到共同的表达差异克隆87个,对其序列分析得到26个TUGs（tentative unique genes）、11个未命名蛋白和6个新序列。这些TUGs分别参与了生长发育、胁迫响应、物质运输、信号转导、电子传递链、细胞防御、代谢等细胞过程,以及作为细胞组分和贮存蛋白。基于O2/o2 NILs间胚乳发育中基因表达的差异,讨论了o2籽粒中的不透明粉质胚乳形成的分子机制。     

Role of hydrogen peroxide during the interaction between the hemibiotrophic fungal pathogen Septoria tritici and wheat

Hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) is reported to inhibit biotrophic but benefit necrotrophic pathogens. Infection by necrotrophs can result in a massive accumulation of H(2)O(2) in hosts. Little is known of how pathogens with both growth types are affected (hemibiotrophs). The hemibiotroph, Septoria tritici, infecting wheat (Triticum aestivum) is inhibited by H(2)O(2) during the biotrophic phase, but a large H(2)O(2) accumulation occurs in the host during reproduction. Here, we infiltrated catalase, H(2)O(2) or water into wheat during the biotrophic or the necrotrophic phase of S. tritici and studied the effect of infection on host physiology to get an understanding of the survival strategy of the pathogen. H(2)O(2) removal by catalase at both early and late stages made plants more susceptible, whereas H(2)O(2) made them more resistant. H(2)O(2) is harmful to S. tritici throughout its life cycle, but it can be tolerated. The late accumulation of H(2)O(2) is unlikely to result from down-regulation of photosynthesis, but probably originates from damage to the peroxisomes during the general tissue collapse, which is accompanied by release of soluble sugars in a susceptible cultivar.     

The foraging ecology of two pairs of congeneric demersal fish species: importance of morphological characteristics in prey selection

The feeding habits of two sympatric species pairs of demersal fish ( Mullus barbatus-Mullus surmuletus, Serranus cabrilla-Serranus hepatus ) which occupy the shallow coastal area (25–30 m) in Iraklion Bay were investigated from samples collected on a monthly basis (August 1990 to August 1992). Stomach content analyses revealed that all of them were carnivores, feeding mainly on benthic invertebrates, and that each species consumed a narrow range of prey species with no significant dietary overlap. The morphology of their feeding apparatus was compared to examine the effect of any morphological differences on food selection and resource partitioning between the fish species. The species could be distinguished on the basis of the size of their mouth gape, the number of gill rakers and the length of their intestine. This study shows that each species pair follows a different strategy segregating along food niche dimensions. In particular, M. barbatus and M. surmuletus segregate their feeding niche consuming different prey taxa with similar sizes whereas S. cabrilla and S. hepatus differ considerably with respect to the degree to which prey species contribute to their diets coupled with differences in mean prey sizes.     

Primary culture of capillary endothelial cells from the spiral ligament and stria vascularis of bovine inner ear

Summary Methods for isolation and culture of microvascular endothelial cells of the inner ear were devised to provide an in-vitro system for studying endothelial functions in this tissue. Capillaries from the stria vascularis and spiral ligament were treated enzymatically to free them from surrounding tissue. Contamination by extraneous tissue was minimized by banding capillary segments in Percoll gradients and culture in plasma-derived serum on a fibronectin-coated substrate. Although only small amounts of inner ear tissue were available, tritiated thymidine autoradiography demonstrated that considerable growth in culture was possible. Addition of heparin and endothelial cell growth supplement to the medium enhanced proliferation. The endothelial origin of the cultured cells was confirmed by immunofluorescent demonstration of the presence of Factor VIII-related antigen and angiotensin-converting enzyme. In addition, tight junctions between cells were observed in both thin sections and platinum replicas obtained by freezefracture techniques. Endothelial cells from neither the stria vascularis nor the spiral ligament allowed passage of horseradish peroxidase across the monolayer during a 5-min period. However, endothelial cells from the stria vascularis exhibited a greater amount of pinocytotic activity than those of the spiral ligament, a difference that is also observed in vivo. Methods for expanding a small population of endothelial cells with retention of specialized properties into one of sufficient size for morphologic and biochemical studies have been demonstrated for the inner ear.     

There are high levels of functional and genetic diversity in Oxyrrhis marina

Oxyrrhis marina, a widely distributed marine protist, is used to model heterotrophic flagellate responses in microbial food webs. Although clonal variability occurs in protists, assessments of intraspecific diversity are rare; such assessments are critical, particularly where species are used as models in ecological studies. To address the extent of intraspecific variation within O. marina, we assessed diversity among 11 strains using 5.8S rDNA and ITS sequences. The 5.8S rDNA and ITS regions revealed high divergence between strains: 63.1% between the most diverse. To compare O. marina diversity relative to other alveolates, 18S rDNA sequences for five strains were analysed with sequences from representatives of the major alveolate groups. 18S rDNA also revealed high divergence in O. marina. Additionally, consistent with phylogenies based on protein coding genes, maximum likelihood analysis indicated that O. marina was monophyletic and ancestral to the dinoflagellates. To assess ecophysiological differences, growth rates of seven O. marina strains were measured at 10 salinities (10-55 per thousand). Two salinity responses occurred: one group achieved highest growth rates at high salinities; the other grew best at low salinities. There was no clear correlation between molecular, ecophysiological, or geographical differences. However, salinity tolerance was associated with habitat type: intertidal strains grew best at high salinities; open-water strains grew best at low salinities. These data indicate the need to examine many strains of a species in both phylogenetic and ecological studies, especially where key-species are used to model ecological processes.     

Hypergravity decreases carbonic anhydrase-reactivity in inner ear maculae of fish

Previous investigations revealed that fish inner ear otolith growth depends on the amplitude and the direction of gravity. Both otolith total size, otolith bilateral size-asymmetry and the total and bilateral calcium-incorporation are also affected by gravity. Hypergravity, e.g., slows down otolith growth and diminishes bilateral otolith asymmetry as compared to 1 g control specimens raised in parallel. Since the enzyme carbonic anhydrase (CA) plays a prominent role in otolithic calcification, the reactivity of inner ear CA during otolith growth under hypergravity was investigated. CA-reactivity was demonstrated histochemically and densitometrically on sections of inner ear maculae of larval cichlid fish (Oreochromis mossambicus), that were kept for 6 hrs in a 3 g hypergravity centrifuge. The total unilateral macular CA-reactivity and the bilateral difference in CA between the left and the right maculae were significantly lower in 3 g animals than in 1g controls. The result is in complete agreement with previous studies indicating that a regulatory mechanism, which adjusts otolith size and asymmetry towards the gravity vector, acts via activation/deactivation of macular CA.     

Pharmacokinetic data of propranolol enantiomers in a comparative human study with (S)- and (R,S)-propranolol

The pharmacokinetics of (S)-propranolol were compared after the oral administration of a 40 mg dose of the pure enantiomer and an 80 mg dose of a racemic mixture of (R,S)-propranolol. The results of this study indicate that the bioavailability of (S)-propranolol, as expressed by the mean area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) and maximum serum concentration, is lower after 40 mg of the optically pure drug than after the racemic drug.     

Gut of goatfishes,a heterogeneous biotope for intestinal mesoparasites: variations in pyloric caeca number and growth models of colonizable digestive surface area

Fish organs constitute biotopes for various parasites. In the case of gills or digestive tracts, hosts of different ages and sizes lead to a heterogeneity in these biotopes at the fish population level. The digestive tracts of goatfishes Mullus surmuletus and M. barbatus harbour several species of helminths that colonize the pyloric caeca and intestine. The structural heterogeneity of this biotope is analysed by study of variations in caeca number and colonizable surface area. Caeca number varies between host species and among individuals of the same population. Colonizable intestinal surface area also varies between goatfish species and increases with fish size, but differently according to the intestinal parts considered. These variations were studied, using image-processing techniques, and analysed quantitatively. Theoretical growth models are proposed and some consequences for parasite ecology discussed.     

Water temperatures influence the marine area use of Salvelinus alpinus and Salmo trutta

The migratory behaviour and spatial area use of sympatric Arctic charr Salvelinus alpinus and brown trout Salmo trutta were investigated during their marine feeding migration. The likelihood of finding individuals of both species in the inner or outer fjord areas was dependent on water temperature in the inner area (especially for S. alpinus), the temperature difference between the inner and outer areas (especially for S. trutta) and fish fork length (both species). The strongest predictor was the water temperature in the inner area, and particularly S. alpinus left this area and moved to the outer areas with increasing temperatures in the inner area. At 8° C in the inner area, the likelihood of finding S. alpinus in the outer areas was >50%. This predictor had a smaller effect on S. trutta, and the likelihood of finding S. trutta in the outer areas only started to increase at around 14° C. The relationships between temperature and area use did not correspond to the species' optimal growth temperatures, but to their previously documented temperature preferences. Individuals of both species used mainly the littoral fjord areas, and to a lesser extent the pelagic areas. In conclusion, temperature differences between the inner and outer marine areas probably resulted in the segregated area use between the species, because water temperatures or factors influenced by temperature affected their migratory behaviour and habitat use differently. The results indicate that increased marine temperatures with global warming may lead to increased spatial overlap between S. trutta and S. alpinus, which again may lead to increased interspecific competition during their marine phase, and with S. alpinus probably being the more negatively affected.     

Quantification of SSB protein in E. coli and its variation during RECA protein induction

Using a two-site immunometric assay (IRMA) we quantified the concentration of single-stranded DNA binding protein (SSB) in several E. coli strains. We found approximately 7,000 monomers of SSB present per bacterium, and this number remained constant throughout the exponential phase of growth. Two ssb- mutants (ssb-1 and ssb-113) are defective in the induction of the S.O.S. pathway. One of the first functions expressed upon induction of the S.O.S. pathway is the amplification of recA protein (RECA), which we monitored by an IRMA assay similar to the one used for SSB quantification. By combining the two assays we determined the level of SSB and RECA in ssb- mutants or in SSB and RECA overproducer strains. We found: a) a normal induction of RECA following UV irradiation of E. coli bacteria overproducing SSB, b) a normal level of SSB in wild type and ssb-1 and ssb-113 mutants either in the absence or in the presence of S.O.S. inducing agents. We confirmed a severe impairment in the induction of RECA in these two mutants after nalidixic acid treatment. Our results suggest that the concentrations of RECA and SSB protein in E. coli are regulated by independent biochemical pathways.     

Phylogenetic relationships among four species and a sub-species of Mullidae (Actinopterygii; Perciformes) based on mitochondrial cytochrome B, 12S rRNA and cytochrome oxidase II genes

DNA sequence comparisons of three mitochondrial DNA genes were used to reveal phylogenetic relationships among four species and a sub-species of Mullidae family. This is the first report using mitochondrial DNA sequence data to infer intraspecific relationship among different populations of Mullus barbatus and Mullus surmuletus; phylogenetic relationships between M. barbatus and its sub-species; M. barbatus ponticus. Cytochrome b, 12S ribosomal RNA, and cytochrome oxidase II regions of 242 individuals belonging to species M. barbatus, M. surmuletus, Upeneus moluccensis, Upeneus pori and sub-species M. barbatus ponticus were sequenced and phylogenetic trees were constructed using four different algorithms. The phylogenetic trees constructed support the existing taxonomical data of two mullid genera (Mullus, Upeneus). Molecular data shows no significant difference between same species of different geographical populations. The results suggest that the molecular difference is not large enough between M. barbatus and M. barbatus ponticus to consider them as sub-species.     

雌激素及其受体在内耳发育和功能上的作用

雌激素在生殖系统、认知记忆系统、骨骼和神经的发育及其功能维持等多种生理功能中扮演了重要的作用。近年来,在内耳发育及其功能研究过程中,许多学者发现在听力和平衡系统功能上的性别差异可能归根因于不同性别的雌激素水平差异。这些研究表明,雌激素及其受体在内耳发育、听力和平衡系统功能维持上也具有重要作用。该文用一个新的视角聚焦于雌激素及其受体在内耳发育和功能上的研究进展。该综述能为进一步研究雌激素在听力和平衡系统中的作用机制及相关疾病的临床治疗提供参考。     

Electrophoretic patterns of protein synthesis and turnover in apical plasma membrane and outer bilayer of Schistosoma mansoni

Polypeptide fractions labelled with [¹⁴C]leucine and associated with fractioned inner plasma membrane and outer bilayer (envelope) from the apical double bilayer complex of the surface epithelium of the human blood fluke, Schistosoma mansoni, were analyzed by two-dimensional electrophoresis and fluorography. In contrast to the distribution of alkaline phosphatase, the polypeptide profiles of the two bilayer fractions were similar due to cross contamination between one membrane containing larger amounts of protein (inner) and the second bilayer having more heavily labelled proteins (outer bilayer). Convincing evidence for only two of 35 polypeptides could be provided for localization to the outer bilayer. These results suggest that the marker enzyme used for the inner bilayer, alkaline phosphatase, may not be homogeneously distributed in this membrane. In pulse-chase studies a correction factor for cross-contamination was derived. The rate to turnover of the polypeptide fractions was twice as fast for the outer compared to the inner membrane, this difference being consistent with the view that multilamellar bodies are the precursors of the apical double bilayer complex. Comparing the rates of surface renewal in adult and juvenile schistosomes leads to the suggestion that membrane turnover can be correlated with susceptibility to host immune effector mechanisms.     

不同大气校正方法对森林叶面积指数遥感估算影响的比较

利用TM原始图像以及经过6S模型和基于影像自身的Gilabert模型大气校正后的地面绝对反射率图像,分别计算了褒河流域阔叶林和针阔混交林2种林型的5类光谱植被指数(SR、NDVI、MNDVI、ARVI和RSR),并建立各林型森林叶面积指数与同时相的各个植被指数的相关关系。结果表明,2种大气校正模型均显著提高了各植被指数与森林叶面积指数的相关关系,除了对森林叶面积指数与植被指数SR和NDVI的相关关系影响不显著外,对森林叶面积指数与植被指数MNDVI、ARVI和RSR相关关系的影响均非常显著。说明不同大气校正模型对叶面积指数的遥感估算结果有较大影响。因此,在利用遥感数据进行定量分析、信息提取和生态遥感应用时,不仅要进行大气校正,而且还要慎重选择大气校正模型和植被指数。     

Acclimation to ozone affects host/pathogen interaction and competitiveness for nitrogen in juvenile Fagus sylvatica and Picea abies trees infected with Phytophthora citricola

In a two-year phytotron study, juvenile trees of European beech (Fagus sylvatica) and Norway spruce (Picea abies) were grown in mixture under ambient and twice ambient ozone (O3) and infected with the root pathogen Phytophthora citricola. We investigated the influence of O3 on the trees' susceptibility to the root pathogen and assessed, through a 15N-labelling experiment, the impact of both treatments (O3 exposure and infection) on belowground competitiveness. The hypotheses tested were that: (1) both P. citricola and O3 reduce the belowground competitiveness (in view of N acquisition), and (2) that susceptibility to P. citricola infection is reduced through acclimation to enhanced O3 exposure. Belowground competitiveness was quantified via cost/benefit relationships, i.e., the ratio of structural investment in roots relative to their uptake of 15N. Beech had a lower biomass acquisition and captured less 15N under enhanced O3 and P. citricola infection alone than spruce, whereas the latter species appeared to profit from the lower resource acquisition of beech in these treatments. Nevertheless, in the combined treatment, susceptibility to P. citricola of spruce was increased, while beech growth and 15N uptake were not further reduced below the levels found under the single treatments. Potential trade-offs between stress defence, growth performance, and associated nitrogen status are discussed for trees affected through O3 and/or pathogen infection. With respect to growth performance, it is concluded that O3 enhances susceptibility to the pathogen in spruce, but apparently raises the defence capacity in beech..     

Structure of the O9 antigen from Burkholderia (Pseudomonas) cepacia

Abstract The O9 antigen of Burkholderia (Pseudomonas) cepacia has the following disaccharide repeating-unit: → 4)-α-D-Glc-p-(1 → 3)-α-L-Rha p-(1 → The same unit is present in the O antigens of Serratia marcescens strain S1254 and serogroup O4 (predominantly acetylated at O-2 of rhamnose in the latter case).     

瓦屋山国家森林公园锄足蟾科6种的繁殖鸣声特性

在地处四川省洪雅县的瓦屋山国家森林公园录取了锄足蟾科 6种的繁殖期求偶鸣叫声。它们分隶 4属 ,即角蟾属 (Megophrys)、齿蟾属 (Oreolalax)、齿突蟾属 (Scutiger)和掌突蟾属 (Leptolalax)。在IBMPC上用“SIGNAL”软件 (EngineeringDesign ,USA)对获取的鸣声资料进行分析 ,分析的频率范围设置为 0～ 10kHz。声学分析结果表明 :峨山掌突蟾 (L oshanensi) ,小角蟾 (M minorr) ,角蟾 1种 (M sp) ,金顶齿突蟾[S (S )chintingensis],峨眉齿蟾 (O omeimontis)和无蹼齿蟾 (O schmidti)的主能峰频率平均值分别是45 2 1 9、 34 5 6 4、 2 2 93 8、 10 76 5、 10 71 0和 1849 4Hz ,每声持续时间的平均值分别是 46 2、 90 8、 99 6、72 2、 78 8和 110 3ms ,声距的平均值分别是 140 4、 2 5 3 0、 6 81 4、 15 17 7、 46 1 3和 6 19 5ms。单因子方差分析结果表明主能峰频率、每声持续时间和各声距在 6个种间差异极显著 (P <0 0 1)。LSD法多重比较的结果指出金顶齿突蟾和峨眉齿蟾间的主能峰频率无显著差异 (P =0 917>0 0 5 ) ;在每声持续时间上 ,只有峨山掌突蟾与小角蟾、角蟾 1种、峨眉齿蟾、无蹼齿蟾间差异极显著 (P <0 0 1) ;在声距上 ,峨山掌突蟾与小角蟾间无显著差异 ,角蟾 1种与无蹼齿蟾之间、峨     

Distribution of superoxide and hydrogen peroxide in Arabidopsis root and their influence on root development: possible interaction with peroxidases

The respective distribution of superoxide (O(2) (.-)) and hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)), two reactive oxygen species (ROS) involved in root growth and differentiation, was determined within the Arabidopsis root tip. We investigated the effect of changing the levels of these ROS on root development and the possible interactions with peroxidases. H(2)O(2) was detected by confocal laser-scanning microscopy using hydroxyphenyl fluorescein (HPF). Both O(2) (.-) accumulation and peroxidase distribution were assessed by light microscopy, using nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) and o-dianisidine, respectively. Root length and root hair length and density were also quantified following ROS scavenging. O(2) (.-) was predominantly located in the apoplast of cell elongation zone, whereas H(2)O(2) accumulated in the differentiation zone and the cell wall of root hairs in formation. Treatments that decrease O(2) (.-) concentration reduced root elongation and root hair formation, while scavenging H(2)O(2) promoted root elongation and suppressed root hair formation. The results allow to precise the respective role of O(2) (.-) and H(2)O(2) in root growth and development. The consequences of their distinct accumulation sites within the root tip are discussed, especially in relation to peroxidases.