Patterns of mobilization of calcium,magnesium, and phosphorus by embryonic yellow-headed blackbirds(Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus)

Summary Embryonic blackbirds(Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus) obtain most of their calcium from the eggshell (85 90%), but all of their phosphorus comes from reserves in the yolk (80–85%) and albumen (15–20%). Approximately equal amounts of magnesium are supplied by the eggshell, the yolk, and the albumen. Yolk is depleted of magnesium and phosphorus during embryogenesis, but excess calcium absorbed from the eggeshell is stored in the yolk. Consequently reserves of calcium in the yolk actually increase 8-fold during embryonic development. Our results reveal that altricial birds manifest patterns of mobilization and deposition of calcium and other elements similar to those described for precocial species. Evolution of altriciality from precocity evidently did not entail major changes in how embryonic birds meet the challenge of obtaining the calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus required for development.     

Gas exchange and resource-use patterns along a Mediterranean successional gradient

Abstract. Gas exchange, leaf-nitrogen concentration and water potential were measured in early and late spring in early successional herbaceous plants occurring after cutting and after fire, and in mature woody species from the Mediterranean climax community Quercetum ilicis in central Italy. Net photosynthesis peaked in early spring in all species studied when values for temperature and light were lower but leaf-nitrogen content was higher as compared to late spring, suggesting that nitrogen more than energy input controlled photosynt-hetic rates. Herbaceous pioneer species occurring after cutting showed higher field photo synthetic capacity than evergreen climax trees and shrubs. By contrast, net photosynthesis of herbaceous species occurring in a persistent stage after fire, was in the same range as that of climax trees. This evidence suggests that carbon-gaining appears to be partly related to the dynamic stage of succession and not solely to the growth form.     

Hydroclimatic drivers of the growth of riparian cottonwoods at the prairie margin: River flows,river regulation and the Pacific Decadal Oscillation

Cottonwoods, riparian poplars, are facultative phreatophytes and can obtain water from shallow soil moisture originating from rainfall, or from the deeper capillary fringe above the alluvial water table that is recharged by river water infiltration. The correspondence between cottonwood growth and river flows should reveal the dependency upon alluvial groundwater and subsequently, the vulnerability to reduced river flows. To explore this association, we analyzed historic growth patterns of plains cottonwoods (Populus deltoides) along the Red Deer River (RDR), which is at the northwestern limit of the North American Great Plains. We developed chronologies of yearly radial increments (RI) and basal area increments (BAI) and explored correspondences with the environmental records from the past century. In this semi-arid region, the RI or BAI were not correlated with local precipitation while negative correlation with growth season temperature (T) (r = −0.37, p < 0.01) could reflect reduced growth with hot summers. There was correlation between growth and annual river discharge (Q, and particularly log Q that approximates river stage) and this increased with two year averaging (r = 0.51, p < 0.01), reflecting carry-over in the watershed hydrology and in the ecophysiological response. There was correspondence with the Pacific Decadal Oscillation index (PDO, r = −0.45, p < 0.01), which provides multi-decade transitions that influence Rocky Mountain headwater precipitation and other weather characteristics, and river flows. The combination of Q, PDO and T provided the strongest multiple regression model, accounting for 44% of the historic growth variation (52% correspondence for 1953–2013). The RDR was dammed in 1983, enabling winter flow augmentation, but summer flows were sustained and cottonwood growth and the streamflow correspondence persisted. This indicates that it is the pattern of dam operation and not damming per se that determines the fate of established riparian cottonwoods downstream. This study revealed that these cottonwoods are phreatophytic and dependent upon alluvial groundwater that is recharged from the river. This provides a research strategy to determine whether riparian woodlands along other regulated rivers are similarly groundwater-dependent and could be vulnerable to river flow reductions from excessive water withdrawal for irrigation or other uses, or with climate change.     

Receptor tyrosine kinase activation: From the ligand perspective

Receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) are single-span transmembrane receptors in which relatively conserved intracellular kinase domains are coupled to divergent extracellular modules. The extracellular domains initiate receptor signaling upon binding to either soluble or membrane-embedded ligands. The diversity of extracellular domain structures allows for coupling of many unique signaling inputs to intracellular tyrosine phosphorylation. The combinatorial power of this receptor system is further increased by the fact that multiple ligands can typically interact with the same receptor. Such ligands often act as biased agonists and initiate distinct signaling responses via activation of the same receptor. Mechanisms behind such biased agonism are largely unknown for RTKs, especially at the level of receptor–ligand complex structure. Using recent progress in understanding the structures of active RTK signaling units, we discuss selected mechanisms by which ligands couple receptor activation to distinct signaling outputs.     

Comparative growth,cross stress resistance,transcriptomics of Streptococcus pyogenes cultured under low shear modeled microgravity and normal gravity

Streptococcus pyogenes is commonly found on pharynx, mouth and rarely on skin, lower gastrointestinal tract. It is a potential pathogen causing tonsillitis, pneumonia, endocarditis. The present study was undertaken to study the effects of low shear modeled microgravity on growth, morphology, antibiotic resistance, cross-stress resistance to various stresses and alteration in gene expression of S. pyogenes. The growth analysis performed using UV–Visible spectroscopy indicated decrease in growth of S. pyogenes under low shear modeled microgravity. Morphological analysis by Bio-transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Bio-scanning electron microscopy (SEM) did not reveal much difference between normal and low shear modeled microgravity grown S. pyogenes. The sensitivity of S. pyogenes to antibiotics ampicillin, penicillin, streptomycin, kanamycin, hygromycin, rifampicin indicates that the bacterium is resistant to hygromycin. Further S. pyogenes cultured under low shear modeled microgravity was found to be more sensitive to ampicillin and rifampicin as compared with normal gravity grown S. pyogenes. The bacteria were tested for the acid, osmotic, temperature and oxidative cross stress resistances. The gene expression of S. pyogenes under low shear modeled microgravity analyzed by microarray revealed upregulation of 26 genes and down regulation of 22 genes by a fold change of 1.5.     

模拟阴天对南美白对虾养殖水体理化及其生长指标的影响

为探索阴天对南美白对虾(Penaeus vannamei Boon)养殖水体理化及其生长指标的影响, 实验采用黑色遮荫网模拟阴天弱光环境对南美白对虾进行遮荫实验, 设置遮荫组与对照组各5个平行, 实验周期7周。遮荫组采用黑色遮荫网交替性遮荫, 即第1、第3、第5、第7周遮荫, 第2、第4、第6周曝光, 对照组正常养殖。结果显示: 遮荫组与对照组的pH、DO、Chl. a、 -N、NH₃-N、 -N、 -N及 -P的浓度在遮荫处理下具有显著性差异(P<0.05), Chl. a、 -N及 -P的浓度具有明显的波动性, 表现为遮荫时Chl. a的浓度极显著降低(P<0.01), -N、 -P的浓度极显著升高(P<0.01); 曝光时遮荫组Chl. a的浓度较遮荫时升高, -N的浓度极显著降低(P<0.01), -P浓度的增长幅度降低, 此时遮荫组与对照组Chl. a、 -N及 -P的浓度无显著差异。 -N的浓度在实验前5周, 遮荫组高于对照组, 第6、7周对照组高于遮荫组。 -N浓度在整个实验周期中则是遮荫组高于对照组。南美白对虾生长指标结果显示: 两个组生长指标具有显著性差异。研究表明: 妨害南美白对虾生长的主要是NH₃-N, 然后是 -N; 藻类可间接促进南美白对虾生长。遮荫处理抑制藻类吸收养殖水体中的有毒离子、恶化南美白对虾的生长环境并危害对虾的生存、生长。     

A comparison of the Schumacher with other functions for describing growth in pigs

This study was undertaken to introduce the Schumacher equation and compare it with established functions for describing growth in pigs. The relationship between live weight (LW) and cumulative feed intake was also investigated. A database was constructed from three independent trials in which LW, age and intake were measured from birth to 937 days. Three growth functions were used for analysis of growth versus age: Gompertz, Schumacher and Weibull; and the Richards and monomolecular equations were used for analysis of cumulative feed intake versus LW. The growth functions have different points of inflexion. Liveweight at inflexion is W_f/e for the Gompertz, where W_f is the final weight, W_f/e² for the Schumacher, and W_f − (W_f − W₀) exp[−(n − 1)/n] for the Weibull, where W₀ is initial body weight and n is a shape parameter. Meta-analysis of the data using mixed model and nonlinear regression procedures was conducted to identify the most appropriate growth function. Functions were compared using F-tests or Bayesian Information Criteria, which give a value based on best fit and number of parameters in the model. The three equations were fitted to five individual pig growth profiles and to the composite data. Although the Weibull had a lower residual mean square, it did not significantly improve the fit compared to the simpler models and appears to be over-parameterised. The results suggest that model selection should be based on the type and amount of data available for analysis. Residuals plot showed that Schumacher and Weibull better predict the initial growth phase, however, all models showed largest magnitude of residuals towards the end of the growth profile. The monomolecular equation was most appropriate for describing LW against cumulative feed intake and may be used to formulate diets based on the efficiency of conversion of feed to LW at various stages of the animal's life span.     

禁牧对锡林郭勒典型草原物种多样性的影响

为了研究禁牧对典型草原物种多样性的影响,对自由放牧和不同时间(1987、1997和2003年)禁牧的典型草原的物种组成进行了调查.结果表明:禁牧并未使典型草原的主要物种组成发生明显的改变,但使物种的相对重要性发生了明显变化,优势种的优势更加明显;同时,禁牧在一定的时间内可以提高典型草原的物种多样性,但随着禁牧时间的延长,典型草原的物种多样性和丰富度都表现出一种先上升后下降的趋势;在相同的禁牧或放牧条件下,水分条件较好的典型草原具有更高的物种多样性.可见,合理的禁牧时间与优越的水分条件有利于典型草原维持较高的物种多样性.典型草原物种多样性下降可能是人为干扰与干旱环境条件共同作用的结果.     

Noncanonical Transforming Growth Factor β (TGFβ) Signaling in Cranial Neural Crest Cells Causes Tongue Muscle Developmental Defects

Microglossia is a congenital birth defect in humans and adversely impacts quality of life. In vertebrates, tongue muscle derives from the cranial mesoderm, whereas tendons and connective tissues in the craniofacial region originate from cranial neural crest (CNC) cells. Loss of transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) type II receptor in CNC cells in mice (Tgfbr2^fl/fl;Wnt1-Cre) causes microglossia due to a failure of cell-cell communication between cranial mesoderm and CNC cells during tongue development. However, it is still unclear how TGFβ signaling in CNC cells regulates the fate of mesoderm-derived myoblasts during tongue development. Here we show that activation of the cytoplasmic and nuclear tyrosine kinase 1 (ABL1) cascade in Tgfbr2^fl/fl;Wnt1-Cre mice results in a failure of CNC-derived cell differentiation followed by a disruption of TGFβ-mediated induction of growth factors and reduction of myogenic cell proliferation and differentiation activities. Among the affected growth factors, the addition of fibroblast growth factor 4 (FGF4) and neutralizing antibody for follistatin (FST; an antagonist of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)) could most efficiently restore cell proliferation, differentiation, and organization of muscle cells in the tongue of Tgfbr2^fl/fl;Wnt1-Cre mice. Thus, our data indicate that CNC-derived fibroblasts regulate the fate of mesoderm-derived myoblasts through TGFβ-mediated regulation of FGF and BMP signaling during tongue development.     

Mapping QTL for climbing ability and component traits in common bean (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Phaseolus vulgaris</Emphasis> L.)

Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) varies in growth habit from aggressive climbing types to bush beans. Growth habit is determined by a combination of factors including determinate versus indeterminate growth, total plant height, degree of branching and internode length. Together these factors make up climbing ability. The objective of this research was to determine the quantitative trait loci (QTL) controlling climbing ability in a F_5:8 recombinant inbred line population derived from an inter-gene pool cross of an aggressive indeterminate climbing bean with type IV growth habit (G2333) by an indeterminate bush bean of type IIb growth habit (G19839). The population was planted in four randomized complete block design experiments across environments that varied in altitude (from 1,000 to 1,750 masl) and soil fertility (low versus high phosphorus). QTL were identified for plant height, internode length and number of branches per plant on a genetic map covering all common bean linkage groups with a total length of 1,175 cM. In addition a scale was developed to evaluate overall climbing ability and was also used to identify QTL. A total of 7 QTL were found for plant height, 9 for climbing ability, 6 for internode length and 1 for branch number. The largest number and most significant QTL were found on the lower half of linkage group B04 suggesting a major pleiotropic locus for growth habit traits at this location of the genome that is distinct from previously characterized genes which control plant morphology of the crop.