Melatonin Entrains Free‐running Blind People According to a Physiological Dose‐response Curve

The specific circadian role proposed for endogenous melatonin production was based on a study of sighted people who took low pharmacological doses (500 µg) of this chemical signal for the “biological night”: the magnitude and direction of the induced phase shifts were dependent on what time of day exogenous melatonin was administered and were described by a phase‐response curve that turned out to be the opposite of that for light. We now report that lower (physiological) doses of up to 300 µg can entrain (synchronize) free‐running circadian rhythms of 10 totally blind subjects that would otherwise drift later each day. The resulting log‐linear dose‐response curve in the physiological range adds support for a circadian function of endogenous melatonin in humans. Efficacy of exogenous doses in the physiological range are of clinical significance for totally blind people who will need to take melatonin daily over their entire lifetimes in order to remain entrained to the 24 h day. Left untreated, their free‐running endocrine, metabolic, behavioral, and sleep/wake cycles can be almost as burdensome as not having vision.     

Circadian Time Organization of Professional Firemen: Desynchronization—Tau Differing from 24.0 Hours—Documented by Longitudinal Self-assessment of 16 Variables

We investigated the circadian synchronization/desynchronization (by field-study assessment of differences in period, τ, of 16 coexisting and well-documented rhythms) of 30 healthy firemen (FM) exposed to irregular, difficult, and stressful nocturnal work hours who demonstrated excellent clinical tolerance (allochronism). Three groups of FM were studied (A?=?12 FM on 24-h duty at the fire station; B?=?9 FM on 24-h duty at the emergency call center; C?=?9 day-shift administrative FM) of mostly comparable average age, body mass index, career duration, chronotype—morningness/eveningness, and trait of field dependence/independence. The self-assessed 16 circadian rhythms were (i) physiological ones of sleep-wake (sleep log), activity-rest (actography), body temperature (internal transmitter pill probe), right- and left-hand grip strength (hand dynamometer), systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP) plus heart rate (ambulatory BP monitoring device); (ii) psychological ones (visual analog self-rating scales) of sleepiness, fatigue, fitness for work, and capacity to cope with aggressive social behavior; and (iii) cognitive ones of eye-hand skill and letter cancellation, entailing performance speed (tasks completed/unit time) and accuracy (errors). Data (4–6 time points/24?h; 2 591 480 values in total) were gathered continuously throughout two 8-d spans, one in winter 2010–2011 and one in summer 2011. Each of the resulting 938 unequal-interval time series was analyzed by a special power spectrum analysis to objectively determine the prominent τ. The desynchronization ratio (DR: number of study variables with τ?=?24.0?h/number of study variables?×?100) served to ascertain the strength/weakness of each rhythm per individual, group, and season. The field study confirmed, independent of group and season, coexistence of rather strong and weak circadian oscillators. Interindividual differences in DR were detected between groups and seasons (χ², correlation tests, analysis of variance [ANOVA]). Moreover, in each group, both in winter and summer, a normal distribution was observed in the number of FM with rhythms with τ?=?24.0?h, e.g., ranging from 5/16 (large desynchronization) to 16/16 (no desynchronization). Such a normal distribution with intraindividual stability over time (i.e., seasons) is consistent with the hypothesis of an inherited origin of a differential propensity to circadian desynchronization and which is supported by the distribution of τs in winter and summer following the Dian-Circadian Genetic Model, i.e., with τ?=?24.0?h, τ?=?24.0?h?+?n(0.8?h), and τ?=?24.0?h???n(0.8?h).     

Turkish nationalism and the Kurdish question

This article addresses the ways in which Turkish nationalism has perceived the Kurdish question. It is shown that both Turkish nationalism and the Kurdish question have passed through some paradigmatic moments in the twentieth century. This, I argue, has shaped the way that the Kurdish question has been perceived by Turkish nationalism. While the Kurdish question had been seen by Turkish nationalism mostly in terms of a fatal rivalry between the backward, pre-modern and tribal past and the prosperous present in the first half of the century, it was perceived in terms of a tension between the peripheral economy and national market in the fifties and sixties. In the 1970s, the Kurdish unrest was believed to be a product of communist incitement. Despite this impurity in perception, one thing has remained nearly unchanged for Turkish nationalism: Kurds could become Turkish. In other words, Turkish nationalism of the republican era has principally perceived Kurds as future-Turks. However, the signs in circulation at present indicate that the confidence of Turkish nationalism as to Kurds’ potential of becoming Turkish is not as firm as it used to be. At present, Turkish nationalism seems to be getting prepared to abandon its contention that Kurds are future-Turks.     

Active Bacterial Populations and Grazing Impact Revealed by an In Situ Experiment in a Shallow Aquifer

To elucidate bacterial population dynamics in an aquifer, we attempted to reveal the impact of protozoan grazing on bacterial productivity and community structure by an in situ incubation experiment using a diffusion chamber. The abundance and vertical distribution of bacteria and protozoa in the aquifer were revealed using wells that were drilled in a sedimentary rock system in Itako, Ibaraki, Japan. The water column in the wells possessed aerobic and anaerobic layers. Active bacterial populations under the grazing pressure of protozoa were revealed through in situ incubation with grazer eliminating experiment by the filtration. On August 19, 2003, the total number of bacteria (TDC) decreased from 1.5 × 10⁶ cells ml^{? 1} at 2.2 m depth to 3.0 × 10⁵ cells ml^{? 1} at 10 m depth. The relative contribution of the domain Bacteria to TDC ranged between 63% and 84%. Protozoa existed at a density of 4.2 × 10⁴ to 1.9 × 10⁵ cells ml^{? 1} in both aerobic and microaerobic conditions. A grazing elimination experiment in situ for 6 days brought about clearly different bacterial community profiles between the 2.2 m and 10 m samples. The bacterial composition of the initial community was predominantly β- and γ -proteobacteria at 2.2 m, while at 10 m β-, α - and γ -proteobacteria represented 56%, 26% and 13% of the community, respectively. The distribution of bacterial abundance, community composition and growth rates in the subsurface were influenced by grazing as well as by geochemical factors (dissolved oxygen and concentrations of organic carbon, methane and sulfate). Results of the in situ incubation experiment suggested that protozoan grazing contributes significantly to bacterial population dynamics.     

繁殖前期中国大鲵雄性成体的冲凉行为及其意义

为揭示和探讨中国大鲵(Andrias davidianus)繁殖前期的冲凉行为及其意义,在仿生态养殖环境条件下,采用定时定点观察法和全事件记录法,对雄性成鲵的冲凉行为过程及姿势进行了观察记录,并分析了冲凉行为与年龄、求偶行为、繁殖成功率之间的关系.繁殖前期雄性成鲵表现出冲凉行为,冲凉行为与求偶行为之间存在极显著的正相关,表现出求偶行为的6尾雄性成鲵有4尾成功参与了繁殖.冲凉行为可能促进了雄性成鲵精巢的发育,引发求偶行为,最终达到成功繁殖.     

The multiple forms of bovine seminal ribonuclease: Structure and stability of a C-terminal swapped dimer

Bovine seminal ribonuclease (BS-RNase) acquires an interesting anti-tumor activity associated with the swapping on the N-terminal. The first direct experimental evidence on the formation of a C-terminal swapped dimer (C-dimer) obtained from the monomeric derivative of BS-RNase, although under non-native conditions, is here reported. The X-ray model of this dimer reveals a quaternary structure different from that of the C-dimer of RNase A, due to the presence of three mutations in the hinge peptide 111–116. The mutations increase the hinge peptide flexibility and decrease the stability of the C-dimer against dissociation. The biological implications of the structural data are also discussed.     

Factors affecting incidence and severity of leaf spot disease on lettuce caused by Septoria birgitae

In the 1990s during wet seasons a new disease causing brown leaf spots on lettuce (Lactuca sativa) was found for the first time in many lettuce‐growing areas of Austria and Germany. The causal agent, a new pathogenic species called Septoria birgitae, may be responsible for total crop loss. To study how temperature, inoculum density and leaf wetness period influence disease incidence and severity of leaf spot on lettuce caused by S. birgitae, we carried out in vivo experiments in growth chambers and in the field. Additionally, we evaluated the relevance of infected plant debris acting as a primary inoculum source in soil for subsequent crops. S. birgitae produces spores over a wide temperature range between 5°C and 30°C, and can infect plants at temperatures between 10°C and 30°C, with an optimum between 20°C and 30°C. Spores of S. birgitae at a density of at least 10³ conidia mL^–1 are essential for disease outbreak on lettuce. Because leaf wetness is crucial for releasing conidia from pycnidia, we studied the impact of leaf wetness duration on disease development under various temperature conditions. For relevant leaf spot disease development on lettuce in vivo, a leaf wetness duration of at least 24 h and temperatures higher than 10°C were necessary. Leaf spot disease development in the field required several leaf wetness periods longer than 20 h at approximately 15°C at the beginning of crop cultivation. Incorporating S. birgitae infected plant debris in soil as a primary inoculum was not relevant for leaf spot disease outbreak in the next year. However, in cases of continuous cropping of lettuce on the same field and in the same season, Septoria‐infected lettuce debris may become more relevant.     

Spatial memory deficits in maternal iron deficiency paradigms are associated with altered glucocorticoid levels

"The goal of this study was to examine the effect of maternal iron deficiency on the developing hippocampus in order to define a developmental window for this effect, and to see whether iron deficiency causes changes in glucocorticoid levels. The study was carried out using pre-natal, post-natal, and pre + post-natal iron deficiency paradigm. Iron deficient pregnant dams and their pups displayed elevated corticosterone which, in turn, differentially affected glucocorticoid receptor (GR) expression in the CA1 and the dentate gyrus. Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) was reduced in the hippocampi of pups following elevated corticosterone levels. Reduced neurogenesis at P7 was seen in pups born to iron deficient mothers, and these pups had reduced numbers of hippocampal pyramidal and granule cells as adults. Hippocampal subdivision volumes also were altered. The structural and molecular defects in the pups were correlated with radial arm maze performance; reference memory function was especially affected. Pups from dams that were iron deficient throughout pregnancy and lactation displayed the complete spectrum of defects, while pups from dams that were iron deficient only during pregnancy or during lactation displayed subsets of defects. These findings show that maternal iron deficiency is associated with altered levels of corticosterone and GR expression, and with spatial memory deficits in their pups."     

内蒙古不同类型草地土壤氮矿化及其温度敏感性

土壤氮矿化(Nitrogen mineralization)是土壤氮循环的重要环节,对土壤氮素供应以及植物生产力的维持具有十分重要的意义。沿中国东北草地样带(Northeastern China Transect, NECT)分别在典型草地、过渡草地及荒漠草地设置了3个实验样地,利用不同温度(5、10、15、20 ℃和25 ℃)和不同水分(30%、60%和90%土壤饱和含水量,Saturated soil moisture, SSM)的室内培养途径,探讨了不同类型草地的土壤氮矿化速率、土壤氮矿化的温度敏感性(Q₁₀)及其主要影响因素。实验结果表明:从典型草地至荒漠草地,土壤全碳、全氮、全磷、微生物生物量碳氮含量均表现为逐渐下降的趋势;类似地,土壤净氮矿化速率、硝化速率也逐渐降低。在20 ℃和60% SSM时,土壤净氮矿化速率表现为典型草地 (0.715 mg N kg^-1 d^-1) > 过渡草地 (0.507 mg N kg^-1 d^-1) > 荒漠草地 (0.134 mg N kg^-1 d^-1);相反,温度敏感性却逐渐升高,温度敏感性与基质质量指数呈负相关。草地类型和水分对于土壤净氮矿化速率、硝化速率具有显著影响,且二者间具有显著的交互效应。包含温度和水分的双因素模型可很好地拟合土壤氮矿化速率的变化趋势(P < 0.0001),二者可共同解释土壤硝化速率92%-96%的变异。土壤氮矿化沿着草地演替呈现出很好的空间格局、并与温度和水分具有密切关系,为解释内蒙古草地空间分布格局提供了理论基础。