In situ observation of a cell adhesion and metabolism using surface infrared spectroscopy

In this study, we report on an in situ monitoring system of living cultured cells using infrared absorption spectroscopy in the geometry of multiple internal reflections (MIR-IRAS). In order to observe living cultured cells, the temperature in the sample chamber of a FT-IR spectrometer was maintained at 37 °C and a humidified gas mixture containing 5% CO₂ was introduced into the sample chamber. Human breast cell line MCF-7 cultured on Si MIR prisms were placed in the sample chamber and infrared spectra of MCF-7 cells were collected for 5 h. It was found that the adhesion and metabolism of MCF-7 cells could be monitored by the absorption intensity of amide-II protein band (1,545 cm⁻¹) and also by the absorption intensities of CH _x bands (2,700–3,100 cm⁻¹). These results suggest that our system is useful for a nondestructive and non-label monitoring of cell viability. Our method based on infrared absorption spectroscopy has a potential for bioscreening application.     

Aerial Surveys for Estimating Wild Turkey Abundance in the Texas Rolling Plains

Abstract: Aerial surveys have been used to estimate abundance of several wild bird species including wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo). We used inflatable turkey decoys at 3 study sites in the Texas Rolling Plains to simulate Rio Grande wild turkey (M. g. intermedia) flocks. We evaluated detectability of flocks and errors in counting flock size during fixed-wing (Cessna 172) aerial surveys using logistic and linear regression models. Flock detectability was primarily influenced by flock size and vegetative cover, and errors in counting flock size were primarily influenced by size of flocks. We conducted computer simulations to evaluate the accuracy and precision of fixed-wing aerial surveys and examined power to detect trends in population change. Our simulations suggested abundance estimates from fixed-wing aerial surveys may be underestimated by 10-15% (2.0-4.8% CV). Power analyses suggested that fixed-wing aerial surveys can provide sufficient power (>0.80) to detect a population change of 10-25% over a 4-5-year period. We concluded fixed-wing aerial surveys are feasible on ecoregion scales.     

太空诱变玉米核不育材料花粉败育的细胞学观察(简报)

玉米是最早利用雄性不育系生产杂交种的作物之一。在玉米T型细胞质雄性不育杂交种遭受毁灭性病害侵袭之后,科学家认识到利用细胞质雄性不育制种存在潜在的遗传脆弱性,从此试图通过多种途径来创造新的雄性不育．并对雄性不育材料的遗传多样性进行研究。空间诱变育种是80年代于我国发展起来的新技术,在农作物品种改良和种质创新上已初见成效。[第一段]     

挂榜山小鲵早期胚胎发育初步观察

2005年1～2月,在Nikon体视镜下对挂榜山小鲵的早期胚胎发育过程进行了观察,对不同发育时期进行了数码拍照。根据胚胎发育的外部形态及典型特征将挂榜山小鲵早期胚胎发育过程分为21个时期。在水温6．5～10℃的条件下,受精卵历时1134h孵化出膜,初孵幼鲵全长约16．50mm。     

Die Schalenbildung bei Difflugia oviformis (Rhizopoda,Testacea)

Zusammenfassung Die Schale von Difflugia oviformis ist aus Idiosomen zusammengefügt, d.h. kieseligen Elementen, die in verschiedener Anzahl, Gestalt und Größe in der Zelle vorgefertigt werden. Xenosomen, etwa Quarzkörnchen oder Glassplitter, werden nur gelegentlich in die Idiosomenschicht eingebaut. Die Zellteilung beginnt mit der Morphogenese einer neuen Schale für einen der beiden Abkömmlinge. Eine cytoplasmatische Knospe quillt aus der Öffnung des alten Gehäuses. Die Idiosomen für die neue Schalenwand tauchen nach und nach aus dieser Knospe auf. Die Oberfläche der jungen Anlage erscheint zunächst wellig — die Bauelemente sind in mehreren diskontinuierlichen Lagen gestaffelt, wird jedoch gegen Ende der Morphogenese glatt, wenn die Idiosomen auf eine einzige, kontinuierliche Lage verteilt und in einem Zufalls-Mosaik miteinander verkittet sind.

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Test formation in Difflugia oviformis (rhizopoda, testacea)

Summary The test of Difflugia oviformis is composed of idiosomes, i.e. silicious elements, prefabricated within the cell in various shapes and sizes. Xenosomes, such as grains of quartz, are only occasionally incorporated into the mono-layer of idiosomes. Cell division begins with the morphogenesis of a new test for one of the two offsprings. A cytoplasmic bud protrudes from the aperture of the shell. The elements for the construction of the thecal wall emerge successively from this anlage. The surface of the early anlage first appears to be wrinkled or undulated—the elements being distributed in several discontinuous layers—but becomes smooth towards the end of morphogenesis, as soon as the idiosomes are arranged and glued together in a random mosaic pattern to form a single, continuous stratum.

Mit Unterstützung durch die Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft; gefördert durch den Sonderforschungsbereich 53 Paläontologie unter besonderer Berücksichtigung der Palökologie, Tübingen. Technische Assistenz: Gudrun Monnier, Rosemarie Freund, Barbara Grunewald.     

Towards an urban marine ecology: characterizing the drivers,patterns and processes of marine ecosystems in coastal cities

Human population density within 100 km of the sea is approximately three times higher than the global average. People in this zone are concentrated in coastal cities that are hubs for transport and trade – which transform the marine environment. Here, we review the impacts of three interacting drivers of marine urbanization (resource exploitation, pollution pathways and ocean sprawl) and discuss key characteristics that are symptomatic of urban marine ecosystems. Current evidence suggests these systems comprise spatially heterogeneous mosaics with respect to artificial structures, pollutants and community composition, while also undergoing biotic homogenization over time. Urban marine ecosystem dynamics are often influenced by several commonly observed patterns and processes, including the loss of foundation species, changes in biodiversity and productivity, and the establishment of ruderal species, synanthropes and novel assemblages. We discuss potential urban acclimatization and adaptation among marine taxa, interactive effects of climate change and marine urbanization, and ecological engineering strategies for enhancing urban marine ecosystems. By assimilating research findings across disparate disciplines, we aim to build the groundwork for urban marine ecology – a nascent field; we also discuss research challenges and future directions for this new field as it advances and matures. Ultimately, all sides of coastal city design: architecture, urban planning and civil and municipal engineering, will need to prioritize the marine environment if negative effects of urbanization are to be minimized. In particular, planning strategies that account for the interactive effects of urban drivers and accommodate complex system dynamics could enhance the ecological and human functions of future urban marine ecosystems.     

Global assessment of coral bleaching and required rates of adaptation under climate change

Elevated ocean temperatures can cause coral bleaching, the loss of colour from reef‐building corals because of a breakdown of the symbiosis with the dinoflagellate Symbiodinium. Recent studies have warned that global climate change could increase the frequency of coral bleaching and threaten the long‐term viability of coral reefs. These assertions are based on projecting the coarse output from atmosphere–ocean general circulation models (GCMs) to the local conditions around representative coral reefs. Here, we conduct the first comprehensive global assessment of coral bleaching under climate change by adapting the NOAA Coral Reef Watch bleaching prediction method to the output of a low‐ and high‐climate sensitivity GCM. First, we develop and test algorithms for predicting mass coral bleaching with GCM‐resolution sea surface temperatures for thousands of coral reefs, using a global coral reef map and 1985–2002 bleaching prediction data. We then use the algorithms to determine the frequency of coral bleaching and required thermal adaptation by corals and their endosymbionts under two different emissions scenarios. The results indicate that bleaching could become an annual or biannual event for the vast majority of the world's coral reefs in the next 30–50 years without an increase in thermal tolerance of 0.2–1.0°C per decade. The geographic variability in required thermal adaptation found in each model and emissions scenario suggests that coral reefs in some regions, like Micronesia and western Polynesia, may be particularly vulnerable to climate change. Advances in modelling and monitoring will refine the forecast for individual reefs, but this assessment concludes that the global prognosis is unlikely to change without an accelerated effort to stabilize atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations.     

人工栽培铁皮石斛菌根的细胞学研究

从细胞学水平上研究了人工栽培铁皮石斛的菌根特征。结果表明:真菌与铁皮石斛根成功地形成了菌根,真菌菌丝穿透根被细胞,并在根被的某个细胞中定殖,然后经由外皮层的通道细胞进入皮层薄壁细胞;皮层薄壁细胞层正是真菌与植物体相互作用的活跃部位;真菌侵染大多数的皮层薄壁细胞,并不能侵染内皮层及中柱细胞,从而使根仍然保持生活力。     

猪瘟病毒感染性cDNA克隆的构建及其致病性

为了建立研究猪瘟病毒的技术平台,利用RT-PCR技术构建了猪瘟病毒中国石门株(Shimen)的全长有感染性cDNA克隆pT7SM。通过体外转录线性化的pT7SM并将转录的RNA转染至PK-15细胞中,获得了猪瘟病毒粒子。再用间接免疫荧光法测定了其生长曲线,通过电镜观察到重组病毒呈球形,具有囊膜结构。进一步把获得的猪瘟病毒粒子感染非免疫实验猪,结果子代病毒与石门株类似,对非免疫实验猪有强烈的致病性,证明该全长cDNA克隆可靠稳定,忠实地保留了石门株病毒的感染性和致病特征。由此为进一步探讨猪瘟病毒的致弱机制及病毒与机体相互作用的机制打下了良好的基础。