Ephelides are More Related to Pigmentary Constitutional Host Factors than Solar Lentigines

Ephelides and solar lentigines are benign pigmented spots, which are currently associated with an increased risk of skin cancer. These two pigmented spots are known to be discriminated by their clinical, histological, and electron microscopic characteristics, even though occasional misclassification can occur because of their similarity. It has also been questioned whether these spots are not one and the same. In this study, we have attempted to differentiate between these two pigmented spots with the use of a standardized protocol for clinical examinations on 272 healthy volunteers, paying particular consideration to their pigmentary and constitutional host factors. We found that solar lentigines 1) are more prevalent than ephelides, 2) increase in prevalence and number with higher age, and 3) are most prevalent on the trunk and occur more frequently in males than in females. A trend is also observed whereby ephelides 1) loose their prevalence with age, 2) become equally distributed on the face, arms, and trunk, and 3) occur more frequently in females. An intimate association of ephelides, but not solar lentigines, has been found with hair color and skin type. All of these findings are in agreement with most of those reported in the literature, supporting the view that ephelides and solar lentigines are different types of pigmented lesions.     

斑须蝽生物学特性及成虫耐寒性的研究

斑须蝽Dalycoris baccarum(Linnaeus)是多种作物和苗木的重要害虫。在鲁西南一年发生3代，以成虫主要在越冬菜叶夹缝、作物根际、枯枝落叶，树皮及房屋缝隙等处越冬。其越冬成虫结冰点和过冷却点分别为-5．2℃和-8．5℃。冬季极端低温对其越冬成活率有明显影响．第一代发生较轻．第二代发生重。成虫具弱趋光性，第二代上灯量占全年总量的77．56%。     

Phosphatases and phosphodiesterases isolated from the red king crab (Paralithodes camtschatica) hepatopancreas

Five enzymes have been isolated from the hepatopancreas of the red king crab Paralithodes camtschatica by means of ion exchange and gel chromatography: two acid (AcP) and one alkaline (AlkP) phosphomonoesterases, one alkaline phosphodiesterase (AlkPI), and one acid phosphodiesterase (AcPD). The pH optimum values of these enzymes are: AlkPs and AlkPD, 7.5; AcP, 5.5; and AcPD, 5.0. The activity of AlkP and AlkPD demands Mg²⁺ ions. The molecular weights of the enzymes (kDa) are the following: AlkP, 80; AcPs, 80 and 82; AlkPD, 51; and AcPD, 57. The enzymes are relatively thermostable (ID 50 from 47 to 62°C). AlkP is inhibited by NaCl (IC 50 at 0.4 M). The AcP, AcPD, and AlkPD activities are tolerant of high ionic strength.     

An invasive tree alters the structure of seed dispersal networks between birds and plants in French Polynesia

Aim We studied how the abundance of the highly invasive fruit‐bearing tree Miconia calvescens DC. influences seed dispersal networks and the foraging patterns of three avian frugivores. Location Tahiti and Moorea, French Polynesia. Methods Our study was conducted at six sites which vary in the abundance of M. calvescens. We used dietary data from three frugivores (two introduced, one endemic) to determine whether patterns of fruit consumption are related to invasive tree abundance. We constructed seed dispersal networks for each island to evaluate how patterns of interaction between frugivores and plants shift at highly invaded sites. Results Two frugivores increased consumption of M. calvescens fruit at highly invaded sites and decreased consumption of other dietary items. The endemic fruit dove, Ptilinopus purpuratus, consumed more native fruit than either of the two introduced frugivores (the red‐vented bulbul, Pycnonotus cafer, and the silvereye, Zosterops lateralis), and introduced frugivores showed a low potential to act as dispersers of native plants. Network patterns on the highly invaded island of Tahiti were dominated by introduced plants and birds, which were responsible for the majority of plant–frugivore interactions. Main conclusions Shifts in the diet of introduced birds, coupled with reduced populations of endemic frugivores, caused differences in properties of the seed dispersal network on the island of Tahiti compared to the less invaded island of Moorea. These results demonstrate that the presence of invasive fruit‐bearing plants and introduced frugivores can alter seed dispersal networks, and that the patterns of alteration depend both on the frugivore community and on the relative abundance of available fruit.     

Soluble expression and purification of Brucella cell surface protein (BCSP31) of Brucella melitensis and preparation of anti-BCSP31 monoclonal antibodies

Brucella cell surface protein (BCSP31) is potentially useful for diagnosing brucellosis. We aimed to establish a monoclonal antibody (MAb) against Brucella melitensis BCSP31 and to investigate its distribution in diagnosis. Soluble recombinant BCSP31 was successfully expressed and purified. Two MAbs (1F1 and 1E5) against B. melitensis BCSP31, effective in detecting both recombinant and cellular proteins, were obtained and characterized. The MAbs did not react with Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, or Bacillus aeruginosus, but strongly reacted with BCSP31 and B. melitensis by ELISA and Western blot analysis. We also tested different Brucella species and brucellosis using the prepared anti-BCSP31 MAbs. BCSP31 and anti-BCSP31 MAbs may play important roles in future research in diagnosing brucellosis.     

Y-SNP haplogroups related to the Yqh+ heteromorphism in the Mexican northwestern population

Morphological variation of the Y chromosome has been observed in different populations. This variation is mostly related to the heteromorphic Yq12 band, which is composed of a variable block of constitutive heterochromatin. The Yqh+ heteromorphism has a worldwide frequency of 2.85% and is considered clinically innocuous. The aim of this study was to identify the ancestry of the Yqh+ heteromorphism present in individuals from western Mexico. For this purpose, 17 Y-chromosome single nucleotide polymorphisms were analysed by multiplex polymerase chain reaction and SNaPshot assays. In 28 Yqh+ males, only five haplogroups were observed; with a haplogroup diversity of 0.4841 ± 0.1094, which was less than that observed in a study of unselected Mexican mestizo population. Differences were specifically conferred by the high frequencies of haplogroups R1b1 and P*(xQ,R), and by the absence of the Amerindian haplogroup Q (Q*(xQ1a3a) plus Q1a3a) from the Yqh+ group. This study suggests a post-1492 incorporation for Yqh+ chromosomes into the Mexican northwestern population.     

Cumulus cell layers as a critical factor in meiotic competence and cumulus expansion of ovine oocytes

A critical stage in the optimization of in vitro maturation (IVM) is the selection of good quality oocytes. There exists a relationship between the size of the cumulus investment and the in vitro developmental ability of the cumulus–oocyte complex (COC), which provides a basis for the selection of the COCs. This study was designed to evaluate the effect of the number of cumulus cell layers which enclose the oocytes, on the in vitro maturation, cytoplasm quality and cumulus expansion of the ovine oocytes. Ovaries were obtained from an abattoir and transported to the laboratory within 1–2 h, at 37 °C. Oocytes (n = 535) were recovered by means of an aspiration pump (set at a flow rate of 10 mL H₂O/min), with a disposable 20 G needle attached. Oocytes were divided into four classes (classes I to IV – with more than 5, 3–4, 1–2 and no cumulus cell layers, respectively) and separately cultured in a TCM199 medium for 24 h. The morphology of oocytes was evaluated following in vitro culture (IVC) to assess cumulus expansion, cytoplasm quality (score I with a homogenous cytoplasm and II with granulated cytoplasm) and nuclear maturation stage. The percentage of maximum cumulus expansion for classes I to III oocytes were 53.0 ± 1.0, 36.3 ± 2.2 and 16.3 ± 1.8% respectively. The rate of meiotic resumption of oocytes in classes I to IV were 77.0 ± 2.7, 77.2 ± 1.9, 53.0 ± 2.1 and 2.7 ± 1.1% respectively. The proportion of oocytes with a cytoplasm quality I in oocyte classes I to IV were 62.8 ± 1.5, 59.4 ± 1.2, 36.4 ± 2.1 and 0.5 ± 1.1%, respectively. Results showed that the presence of ≥3 cumulus cell layers in the COC prior to IVM led to a better (p < 0.05) cumulus expansion, meiotic resumption and cytoplasmic maturation rate. Thus the morphological grading of immature ovine oocytes may be an appropriate selection criterion regarding their developmental ability.     

Characteristics of visual perception in seven-year-old children differing in functional maturity of brain structures

Individual and age-related characteristics of visual perception as a whole and its individual components were studied in seven-year-old children as related to their brain functional development. A dependence was found between the success of visual perception and the characteristics determining the functional maturity of both the cerebral cortex and the brain regulatory structures. Difficulties in noise resistance, visuospatial perception, and visual analysis/synthesis were greater in first-year school students with signs of immaturity of the bioelectrical activity of the cerebral cortex. Poor development of the visual perception system in schoolchildren was also determined by an underdeveloped frontothalamic regulatory system and deviations in the functional state of the nonspecific activation system.     

Spectral composition of shade light in coastal-zone oak forests in SE Bulgaria,and relationships with leaf area index: a first overview

Major knowledge gaps exist with respect to light-quality regimes in the coastal-zone Strandzha Quercus frainetto (Q.f.) forest region adjoining the southern Bulgarian Black Sea. This paper presents preliminary results that help narrow these gaps. In conjunction with leaf area index (LAI) field campaigns we undertook measurements with an array of 7 broad-band (ca 40 nm) sensors covering the range 0.40–0.94 μm, plus 1 sensor for UVB (0.297 μm peak) and 1 for photosynthetically active radiation (PAR). Measurements focused on inside-forest shade conditions at sites 0 to ca 15 km from the Black Sea and at altitudes up to ca 120 m above sea level. Some of the sites were also studied using a high-resolution spectroradiometer. A sequential measuring strategy was necessary. This involves potentially large uncertainties, here addressed through estimations of the variability around the sinusoidal course of daylight. Light-quality regimes were found to be in general support of earlier studies of deciduous forests. Our data from the broad-band sensors and from the spectroradiometer are mutually supportive. They indicate a stronger red-shift below Q.f. canopies than below canopies in enclaves dominated by Fagus orientalis and Pinus sylvestris. Transmission in the range 0.50–0.55 μm increases beneath the three types of canopies, most pronounced in the Q.f. case. Analysis of relationships between the inside-forest to open-field irradiance ratio and LAI supports the use of Beer’s Law. We found a fairly strong relationship between the red (0.66 μm) to far-red (0.73 μm) irradiance ratios (R/FR) and LAI for the Q.f. forest. In quantitative terms, the result is new for this Q.f. region, and suggests further research to explore whether a two-sensor approach (0.66 and 0.73 μm) might offer possibilities for further low-cost mapping of the spatio-temporal patterns of R/FR and LAI in Strandzha. Such mapping would assist in further studies of the region’s forest biogeochemistry and vitality.     

Accumulation of the labdane diterpene Marrubiin in glandular trichome cells along the ontogeny of Marrubium vulgare plants

The content of the diterpene Marrubiin was assessed by GC-FID in leaves of Marrubium vulgare plants along their ontogeny. Maximum accumulation occurred just before flowering time and in fully expanded leaves. After feeding the plants with radio labeled [³H]-geranyl geranyl diphosphate, up to 70% of the radioactivity was recovered in HPLC-Rt coincidental with authentic Marrubiin, which was also characterized by GC-EIMS, thus confirming that the biosynthesis of Marrubiin proceeds through the 1-deoxy-D-xylulose-5-phosphate pathway. The major accumulation of radioactivity occurred in glandular trichome cells, and the product remained stable throughout.