Effects of diet and host access on fecundity and lifespan in two fruit fly species with different life‐history patterns

The reproductive ability of female tephritids can be limited and prevented by denying access to host plants and restricting the dietary precursors of vitellogenesis. The mechanisms underlying the delayed egg production in each case are initiated by different physiological processes that are anticipated to have dissimilar effects on lifespan and reproductive ability later in life. The egg‐laying abilities of laboratory‐reared females of the Mediterranean fruit fly (Ceratitis capitata Wiedmann) and melon fly (Bactrocera cucurbitae Coquillett) from Hawaii are delayed or suppressed by limiting access to host fruits and dietary protein. In each case, this is expected to prevent the loss of lifespan associated with reproduction until protein or hosts are introduced. Two trends are observed in each species: first, access to protein at eclosion leads to a greater probability of survival and a higher reproductive ability than if it is delayed and, second, delayed host access reduces lifetime reproductive ability without improving life expectancy. When host access and protein availability are delayed, the rate of reproductive senescence is reduced in the medfly, whereas the rate of reproductive senescence is generally increased in the melon fly. Overall, delaying reproduction lowers the fitness of females by constraining their fecundity for the remainder of the lifespan without extending the lifespan. © 2013 The Royal Entomological Society     

Co-fermentation of xylose and cellobiose by an engineered Saccharomyces cerevisiae

We have integrated and coordinately expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae a xylose isomerase and cellobiose phosphorylase from Ruminococcus flavefaciens that enables fermentation of glucose, xylose, and cellobiose under completely anaerobic conditions. The native xylose isomerase was active in cell-free extracts from yeast transformants containing a single integrated copy of the gene. We improved the activity of the enzyme and its affinity for xylose by modifications to the 5′-end of the gene, site-directed mutagenesis, and codon optimization. The improved enzyme, designated RfCO*, demonstrated a 4.8-fold increase in activity compared to the native xylose isomerase, with a K_m for xylose of 66.7?mM and a specific activity of 1.41?μmol/min/mg. In comparison, the native xylose isomerase was found to have a K_m for xylose of 117.1?mM and a specific activity of 0.29?μmol/min/mg. The coordinate over-expression of RfCO* along with cellobiose phosphorylase, cellobiose transporters, the endogenous genes GAL2 and XKS1, and disruption of the native PHO13 and GRE3 genes allowed the fermentation of glucose, xylose, and cellobiose under completely anaerobic conditions. Interestingly, this strain was unable to utilize xylose or cellobiose as a sole carbon source for growth under anaerobic conditions, thus minimizing yield loss to biomass formation and maximizing ethanol yield during their fermentation.     

Stimulating effect of the low dose laser - a new hypothesis

Increase in the amount of secretary material (interreceptor matrix) surrounding the visual cells was observed after laser treatment. At the same time, an increase in labelled uridine uptake by the pigment epithelium was detected. The increase uptake was highest 4 h after laser treatment.     

二氯苯醚菊酯(除虫精)在茶叶中残留降解动态

在田间条件下,二氯苯醚菊酯(以下简称“二氯”)在茶树新梢上降解缓慢,渗透性弱,在叶表始终保持较高的比例。以原始附着量计算,10%“二氯”3000倍液在茶树鲜叶上的半衰期为0.85天,在成茶中的半衰期为2.8天。反式异构体的降解速度高于顺式。在相同施药剂量条件下,超低容量喷雾的残留量比常量喷雾高85%左右。 由于“二氯”的蒸气压低,因此鲜叶中的“二氯”残留量在加工过程中降解率较低,平均45.2%;由于“二氯”水溶性弱,在泡茶过程中只有3.9—4.7%进入茶汤。 通过室内和田间试验,认为“二氯”是一种适于在茶叶生产中推广应用的优良农药品种。建议茶叶中“二氯”的允许残留标准暂定为3ppm,茶树喷施10%“二氯”5000—6000倍液后的安全间隔期为3天。     

电针镇痛时人脑脊液中β-内啡肽样免疫活性物质的含量与痛阈的关系

用β-内啡肽放射免疫分析法测定10例无疼痛主诉的患者电针前后侧脑室脑脊液中B-内啡肽样免疫活性物质(B-EPIS)的含量,其中6例用弹簧棒测定了痛阈和耐痛阈。结果表明,每 ml 脑脊液中β-EPIS 的含量比针前增加126.7 fmol/ml(P<0.02),病人的痛阈比针前升高29.5%,耐痛阈升高28.1%(P<0.05)。β-EPIS 含量的增加量与痛阈、耐痛阈的升高值呈直线相关,r_1=0.776,r_2=0.741(P<0.05)。表明电针能促使脑内释放β-内啡肽,释放增加的β-内啡肽参与镇痛作用,这可能是电针镇痛机制的重要环节之一。     

Rapid reprogramming of haemoglobin structure‐function exposes multiple dual‐antimicrobial potencies

The intrinsic cytotoxicity of cell‐free haemoglobin (Hb) has hampered the development of reliable Hb‐based blood substitutes for over seven decades. Notably, recent evidence shows that the Hb deploys this cytotoxic attack against invading microbes, albeit, through an unknown mechanism. Here, we unraveled a rapid molecular reprogramming of the Hb structure‐function triggered by virulent haemolytic pathogens that feed on the haem‐iron. On direct contact with the microbe, the Hb unveils its latent antimicrobial potency, where multiple antimicrobial fragments are released, each harbouring coordinated ‘dual‐action centres’: microbe binding and pseudoperoxidase (POX) cycle activity. The activated Hb fragments anchor onto the microbe while the juxtaposed POX instantly unleashes a localized oxidative shock, killing the pathogen‐in‐proximity. This concurrent action conceivably restricts the diffusion of free radicals. Furthermore, the host astutely protects itself from self‐cytotoxicity by simultaneously releasing endogenous antioxidants. We found that this decryption mechanism of antimicrobial potency is conserved in the ancient invertebrate respiratory protein, indicating its fundamental significance. Our definition of dual‐antimicrobial centres in the Hb provides vital clues for designing a safer Hb‐based oxygen carrier blood substitute.