Microsatellite markers uncover cryptic species of Odontotermes (Termitoidae: Termitidae) from Peninsular Malaysia

Termites from the genus Odontotermes are known to contain numerous species complexes that are difficult to tell apart morphologically or with mitochondrial DNA sequences. We developed markers for one such cryptic species complex, that is, Odontotermes srinakarinensis sp. nov. from Maxwell Hill Forest Reserve (Perak, Malaysia), and characterised them using a sample of 41 termite workers from three voucher samples from the same area. We then genotyped 150 termite individuals from 23 voucher samples/colonies of this species complex from several sites in Peninsular Malaysia. We analysed their population by constructing dendograms from the proportion of shared-alleles between individuals and genetic distances between colonies; additionally, we examined the Bayesian clustering pattern of their genotype data. All methods of analysis indicated that there were two distinct clusters within our data set. After the morphologies of specimens from each cluster were reexamined, we were able to separate the two species morphologically and found that a single diagnostic character found on the mandibles of its soldiers could be used to separate the two species quite accurately. The additional species in the clade was identified as Odontotermes denticulatus after it was matched to type specimens at the NHM London and Cambridge Museum of Zoology.     

The case in international law for Canada's extension of fisheries jurisdiction beyond 200 miles

In March 1995, Canadian fisheries authorities boarded and arrested the Spanish fishing vessel, Estai, outside the Canadian 200‐mile zone on the Grand Banks, an event that served to focus world attention on a dispute that had its origins in the failure of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea to implement an effective conservation and management regime for fish stocks on the high seas, particularly with respect to fish stocks that straddle coastal states’ exclusive economic zones. This article examines the origins of the dispute, including the allegations relating to overfishing of North Atlantic Fisheries Organization‐recommended quotas, the background to the vessel's arrest, and the subsequent confrontation that occurred, both at diplomatic levels and on the high seas, between Canada and the European Union. An analysis is made of the case in international law for Canada's extension of jurisdiction beyond 200 miles pursuant to the provisions of Section 5 of the Coastal Fisheries Protection Act. Finally, the article examines the implications of the recently concluded Agreement on the Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks for disputes of the kind that arose in the present case.     

Considerations in Developing a Functional Approach to the Governance of Large Marine Ecosystems

Interest in the management of the environment and its resources on an ecosystem basis has been increasing, in both terrestrial and marine contexts. In recent years, the concept of the large marine ecosystem has become a point of focus at the national and international levels as a possible unit for management of ocean and coastal areas. An ecosystem approach, however, challenges the manner in which marine resources and the environment that sustains them have been managed in the past. Governance is a key element in ecosystem management and encompasses the formal and informal arrangements, institutions, and mores that determine how resources and the environment are utilized. This study explores some of the problems, concepts, and principles involved in efforts to provide needed governance arrangements if large marine ecosystem-based management is to be implemented and made effective.     

Great Apes in the Giardino Zoologico of Rome (1910-1998): An Overview

This work reviews nearly 90 years of ape keeping and housing at the Giardino Zoologico in Rome, and offers an overview of the scientific research carried out on these primates. It may thus contribute to a better historical knowledge of primate zoo management in Italy. Furthermore, particular attention is paid to morphological aspects in orangutan physical development that should deserve further research.     

食品、药品微生物检测实验室质量控制方法分析

系统分析食品、药品微生物检测实验室的质量控制方法,从总体环境条件控制、微生物室管理、样品管理、仪器设备管理、人员管理、培养基质量控制、标准菌(毒)种管理、操作过程控制、记录管理等9个方面进行系统分析,对微生物实验室的质量控制工作提供系统指导,提高微生物检测结果的准确性.     

蛋白体黏膜佐剂的研究进展

通讯作者：蛋白体是脑膜炎球菌外膜蛋白形成的疏水性的毫微粒囊泡状结构,可以安全有效的提高脂多糖,蛋白和多肽等多种抗原疫苗的免疫原性。迄今为止,很多研究显示蛋白体黏膜佐剂的优势潜能。作者检索了近年来国内外关于蛋白体作为免疫佐剂的相关文献,并进行分析、归纳。本文综述了蛋白体的结构、作用机理以及国内外作为黏膜佐剂的研究进展。     

某部队男性官兵前列腺炎及其相关因素的调查研究

目的：了解部队男性官兵前列腺炎的发病情况及影响因素调查。方法：采用整群分层,随机抽样,对某高原部队300名男性官兵进行问卷调查,并对官兵的生殖系统、前列腺液等进行相关检查。结果：发现前列腺炎12人,多数为已婚的干部及入伍前有女朋友的战士。约66%官兵了解生殖健康概念及内容,与被调查者的学历、职务、是否来自城市等有关;对性传播疾病的病种及传播途径了解不够的官兵达20%。结论：部队官兵的生殖健康良好,少数有前列腺炎,最好定期进行生殖系统疾病筛查;部队官兵对生殖健康概念及内容了解尚可,但还应加强宣传教育。     

静电纺丝制备担载神经生长因子的聚乳酸纤维的工艺研究

目的:研究担载神经生长因子(NGF)的聚乳酸纤维乳液法静电纺丝的制备工艺,从电压、溶液浓度等工艺条件进行探索,通过扫描电镜对纤维的形态结构进行观察,旨在找到最佳纺丝制备条件,并观察该条件下纤维的体外释放行为和细胞活性。方法:将NGF水溶液分散于聚乳酸(PLLA)溶液中,通过W/O乳液法制备静电纺丝纤维。分别从电压8 k V、10 k V、12 k V,浓度梯度90mg/m L、100 mg/m L、110 mg/m L进行静电纺丝纤维的制备,对纤维的形态等进行表征。使用ELISA对NGF体外释放动力学进行检测,用Alamer Blue试剂考察纤维释放液对于PC12悬浮细胞增殖的影响。结果:浓度和电压对电纺纤维制备影响很大。当浓度过大时,易堵塞纺丝喷头且纤维弯曲,过小时纤维粗细差异较大。电压过大或过小时纤维弯曲情况严重,甚至出现缠绕现象。当浓度为100 mg/m L,电压为10 k V时制备的乳液法静电纺丝聚乳酸纤维直径粗细均匀,具有较好形态。在该条件下的制备的纤维NGF体外有效释放13天,释放液可以促进PC12细胞的增殖。结论:担载NGF的聚乳酸纤维乳液法最佳静电纺丝制备条件为:PLLA溶液浓度100 mg/m L、电压10 k V,该条件下制备的担载NGF的聚乳酸纤维体外释放可累计释放13天,其释放液可有效促进PC12细胞的增殖,为进一步研究担载NGF的聚乳酸纤维导管奠定了一定的工艺基础。     

Crustaceans as ecological indicators of metropolitan sandy beaches health

We have investigated how indices of beach health perform in predicting the abundances of the crustaceans Emerita brasiliensis and Atlantorchestoidea brasiliensis from 22 metropolitan beaches in the cities of Rio de Janeiro and Niterói. Urbanization, Recreation and Conservation indices were used to assess sandy beaches health. Grain size and beach slope were used as morphodynamics indicators. Diagram from the principal component analysis clearly separated beaches with different urbanization and conservation levels. Generalized additive models (GAM's) were adjusted for species abundance using the indices and morphodynamic parameters as explanatory variables. Lower abundances were predicted for beaches with high levels of urbanization, whereas predictions of higher abundances occurred on beaches with high conservation levels. Using theoretic inference we showed that the urbanization index was the most important predictor for abundance of A. brasiliensis and the conservation index was the most important predictor for E. brasiliensis, reflecting different responses by upper tidal and intertidal species. A. brasiliensis occupies the intermediate and upper beach zones and E. brasiliensis is a swash zone filter-feeder that is more abundant in pristine beaches. Both species are highly subject to the impact of bathers and coastal modification. Unexpected, the recreation index did not show a negative effect on abundance predictions. Urbanization and conservation indices can be suitable metrics to measure anthropogenic effects on macrobenthic species. Moreover, mole crabs and sandhoppers species can be easily monitored. Coastal urbanization is a global phenomenon and we used the diagram of urbanization and conservation levels to expose possible directions for management strategies of metropolitan sandy beaches.