Day-night variations in pro-oxidant reactions of hypothalamic,hepatic and pancreatic tissue in mice with spontaneous obesity (Neotomodon alstoni)

Objectives: The present work compares the pro-oxidant properties in hypothalamic, hepatic, and pancreatic tissue of spontaneously obese and lean Neotomodon alstoni during day and night. Methods: Lipid peroxidation from hypothalamus, liver, and pancreas from lean and obese mice were quantified by the two-thiobarbituric acid method. Lipid peroxidation in vivo was also determined by means of detection of conjugated dienes in lipid extracts. Results: Hypothalamic tissue from obese Neotomodon showed a notorious increase (nearly 700%) in the production of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) at day, either in basal as well as in an assay supplemented with Fe²⁺; the presence of conjugated dienes was also notably greater (76%) at day. Hypothalamus of lean mice presented an increase (170%) in assay supplemented with Fe²⁺. Hepatic tissue in obese mice showed diurnal increasing in TBARS + Fe²⁺ (34%) and in conjugated dienes (38%), while lean mice showed only a diurnal increase (45%) in TBARS + Fe²⁺. Pancreatic tissue from obese mice presented a diurnal increasing in basal TBARS (130%) but a decrease (72%) in TBARS + Fe²⁺. Presence of conjugated dienes was also decreased during the day in lean (60%) and in obese (40%) mice. Conclusions: In the obese Neotomodon, there is a larger day–night change in pro-oxidant status in the hypothalamus and in pancreas than the one observed in the liver, suggesting a differential equilibrium between oxidative reactions and antioxidant defenses in the different tissues during the day–night cycle.     

The optics of tsetse fly eyes in relation to their behaviour and ecology

Abstract The visual acuity of two species of tsetse flies, Glossina morsitans morsitans Westw. and Glossina pallidipes Aust., was investigated. Male G. morsitans eyes have an acute zone in the forward region, with large hexagonal lenses (mean minimum diameter, D=33, SE±0.7 μm), relatively small interommatidial angle (Δ(φ=1.08^o) and angular receptive field of individual ommatidia (Δp) of not less than 1.14^o. A narrow band of square lenses, with intermediate diameter and Δφ, merges with smaller hexagonal lenses in the periphery (24±0.7 μm), with relatively large interommatidial angle (Δφ=3.7^o) and small angular receptive field (Δp = c. 1.6^o). G.pallidipes eyes are similar, except that the lenses in the acute zone are larger than those of G.morsitans , in proportion to their larger body size. Female eyes are not significantly different from male eyes, except that they have a narrower region of binocular overlap (maximum for males = 24^o, for females = 18^o). The eye parameter (p=DΔφ) in the acute zone of male G.morsitans = 0.62, and in the peripheral zone = 1.56. These relatively high values are consistent with fast flight, visual detection of drift due to low wind speeds, mating chases and discrimination of cryptic host animals at high light intensities. The extended region of binocular overlap in males may serve as an early warning system of the approach of potential females. From our estimates, tsetse flies ought to be able to detect small objects against the sky c. 30 min before sunrise and after sunset, and to use their peripheral vision perhaps 15 min earlier and later than this.     

Gain-of-function nature of Cav1.4 L-type calcium channels alters firing properties of mouse retinal ganglion cells

Proper function of Cav1.4 L-type calcium channels is crucial for neurotransmitter release in the retina. Our understanding about how different levels of Cav1.4 channel activity affect retinal function is still limited. In the gain-of-function mouse model Cav1.4-IT we expected a reduction in the photoreceptor dynamic range but still transmission toward retinal ganglion cells. A fraction of Cav1.4-IT ganglion cells responded to light stimulation in multielectrode array recordings from whole-mounted retinas, but showed a significantly delayed response onset. Another significant number of cells showed higher activity in darkness. In addition to structural remodeling observed at the first retinal synapse of Cav1.4-IT mice the functional data suggested a loss of contrast enhancement, a fundamental feature of our visual system. In fact, Cav1.4-IT mouse retinas showed a decline in spatial response and changes in their contrast sensitivity profile. Photoreceptor degeneration was obvious from the nodular structure of cone axons and enlarged pedicles which partly moved toward the outer nuclear layer. Loss of photoreceptors was also expressed as reduced expression of proteins involved in chemical and electrical transmission, as such metabotropic glutamate receptor mGluR6 and the gap junction protein Connexin 36. Such gross changes in retinal structure and function could also explain the diminished visual performance of CSNB2 patients. The expression pattern of the plasma-membrane calcium ATPase 1 which participates in the maintenance of the intracellular calcium homeostasis in photoreceptors was changed in Cav1.4-IT mice. This might be part of a protection mechanism against increased calcium influx, as this is suggested for Cav1.4-IT channels.     

夜温对番茄套管嫁接苗愈合的影响

以番茄砧木品种‘桂砧1号’和接穗品种‘中杂105’为试材,采用显微观察等方法研究了26℃昼温条件下,不同夜温(16℃、21℃、26℃)对番茄套管嫁接苗愈合速率及质量的影响。结果表明:(1)随着夜温的升高,嫁接苗接合部愈伤组织细胞增多,接合部直径增大;夜温26℃,嫁接后前5d愈伤组织细胞较多,与夜温16℃相比嫁接苗接合部直径提高了9.7%。(2)随着夜温的降低,嫁接苗接合部维管束连接及愈合进程加快,夜温16℃处理嫁接后第6天维管束已连接,较夜温21℃、26℃处理分别提前3d、6d,而且在第9天隔离层完全消失,较夜温21℃、26℃处理提前3d。(3)随着夜温的降低,嫁接苗木质部输导能力和砧/穗接合力提高,愈合质量提高;夜温16℃处理嫁接苗木质部输导能力比夜温21℃处理提高了12%~24%,砧/穗接合力提高了20%;同时也比夜温26℃处理嫁接成活率提高,木质部输导能力提高了19%~32%,砧/穗接合力提高了28%;根系长度、体积及平均直径也显著增加。可见,在昼温26℃的情况下,夜温16℃最有利于番茄嫁接苗的愈合,形成成活率高、质量优的壮苗。     

The effect of light intensity on the drift of young-of-the-year cyprinid fishes

Density, but not body size, of drifting young-of-the-year cyprinid fishes was negatively correlated with light intensity. As an ability to resist the water current develops gradually with size, the results support the view that drift in cyprinid fishes is a behavioural decision, triggered by light level, rather than passive displacement of visually disoriented fishes.     

Causes of Flowering of Long-Day Potato Species under Short-Day and Cold-Night Conditions

Flowering and tuber formation in high-mountain potato species Solanum sparsipilum Bitt., S. acaule Bitt., S. punae Juz., S. demissum Lindl., and a tuber crop Ullucus tuberosus Caldas. were investigated. All these species are characterized by absolute requirement of long day-length for flowering and short day-length for tuberization. Plants were grown under the following conditions: natural day-length with a photoperiod of 17 h or longer (treatment 1), short days with a photoperiod of 12 h and warm nights (15–20°C) (treatment 2), and short days with cold nights (5–6°C) (treatment 3). In the first treatment, plants produced flowers but no tubers. In the second treatment, plants produced tubers but no flowers. In the third treatment, plants produced both flowers and tubers. In leaves of S. acaule and U. tuberosus, the levels of gibberellins and ABA were determined. A high activity of gibberellins in the third treatment was similar to that in the first treatment, whereas high ABA activity in the third treatment was similar to that in the second treatment. It is supposed that cold nights retard the destruction of GA in plants during the dark period of diurnal cycle and ensure a permanently high level of gibberellins, which facilitates flowering of long-day species under short-day conditions. The high level of ABA is considered a plant response to short-day conditions, which is favorable for tuberization.     

光照下叶黄素循环与非辐射能量耗散的关系

离体玉米叶片在光照下叶黄素循环与非辐射能量耗散发生明显变化.随着光强提高,玉米黄质(Z)含量显著上升,单环氧玉米黄质(A)含量在中低光强时增加但在较强光照下略有降低,紫黄质(V)含量则呈下降趋势,但叶黄素循环组分库V+A+Z上升幅度不大;相同条件下非辐射能量耗散增强,表现为非光化学猝灭荧光参数(NPQ)明显上升,同时F_v/F_m下降.分析表明,(Z+0.5A)/(V+A+Z)与NPQ呈明显正相关,而与F_v/F_m呈显著负相关,(V+0.5A)/(V+A+Z)则与之相反.由此推测,离体条件下玉米叶片中Z的环氧化和V的脱环氧化明显与非辐射能量耗散和PSⅡ光能转化过程相关.     

The effects of continuous illumination on the function and structure of Micrasterias torreyi Bail. (Conjugatophyceae)

Abstract. The division rate of Micrasterias torreyi cells grown under continuous illumination first accelerated but soon slowed down, and the cells lost their ability to divide after about 1 month. During the treatment the cells became pale green, the pyrenoids became fewer in number and defects appeared in the chloroplasts. After 1 month, the cells also soon died, even when subjected to intermittent illumination. The most striking structural alterations were found in the chloroplasts: the starch granules lost their typical structure, the lamellae were damaged and numerous electron dense precipitates appeared in the chloroplasts. The precipitates were similar to those formed in cells treated with supraoptimal external calcium concentrations and X-ray microanalysis showed that the precipitates were rich in calcium in both cases. The results suggest that light controls and activates the Ca²⁺ uptake in the plasma membrane as well as in the chloroplast envelope, that the large sized chloroplasts of Micrasterias are effective in regulation of cytoplasmic Ca²⁺ concentration, and that the injuries caused by continuous illumination may be largely due to the accumulation of Ca²⁺ in the chloroplasts.     

影响人眼视觉质量的光学因素

人眼作为一种光学器官,存在着一些光学缺陷,从物理学的角度分析了小瞳孔的衍射效应、眼球光学系统的像差、瞳孔尺寸、照明度和光学散射等对人眼视觉质量的影响。重点分析了由眼球的屈光介质引入的光学像差对人眼视觉质量的影响。     

广州新垦越冬椋鸟夜栖集群现象

1研究区域 新垦地镇位于东经113.35,北纬22.36,为广州的最南端、珠江口前沿,濒临伶汀洋,三面环海.