Self-harm in laboratory-housed primates: where is the evidence that the Animal Welfare Act amendment has worked?

The 1985 amendment to the United States Animal Welfare Act (AWA) to promote psychological well being of primates in the laboratory represents an acknowledgment of an important welfare problem concerning nonhuman animals. How effective has this amendment been? Perhaps the best-known contributor to psychological distress in primates in the laboratory is nonsocial housing; yet, available analyses suggest that little progress has been made in avoiding single-caging of these animals. Another way to assess psychological well being is to examine rates of self-abusive behavior in laboratory primates. If the AWA has been effective, then post-AWA self-harm rates might be lower than pre-AWA rates. However, when we attempted to determine those rates from published studies, data were too sparse to allow a rigorous statistical analysis; of 139 studies reporting primate self-harming behavior, only 9 contained data allowing estimation of self-harming behavior rates. We conclude that the current system of laboratory animal care and record keeping is inadequate to properly assess AWA impacts on primate psychological well being and that more is required to ensure the psychological well being of primates.     

Phosphoinositol kinase from germinating mung bean seeds

Phosphoinositol kinase (adenosine triphosphate-inositolmonophosphate phospho—tranferase) has been isolated from cotyledons; about 300-fold purification has been achieved, with a recovery of 11%. The enzyme has a pH optimum at 7·4. It can mediate phosphorylation of lower inositol phosphates to their corresponding higher homologues, ATP being the phosphate donor. ATP can be replaced partially by UTP and PEP. The enzyme requires divalent cations for the reaction. Mn²⁺ has been found to be twice as effective as Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺ being inhibitory. Phosphoinositol kinase has been found to be different from inositol kinase.     

The Organization for Disaster in British Columbia

Plans are being formulated for organizing an Emergency Health Service in British Columbia. The same organization that is being created to deal with civilian casualties after an enemy attack should, it is felt, be able to assist in major natural disasters. Such an organization will have to remain ready but inactive for long periods; therefore the responsibility for planning, organizing and directing this service has been given to the Health Branch, Provincial Department of Health Services and Hospital Insurance.A committee has been struck to advise the Health Branch, and a Director and a Health Supplies Officer have been appointed. Agreement has been reached as to who is to be assigned to work in the Emergency Health Service in the event of a nuclear attack, and sites have been selected for the stockpiling of medical equipment.The Province has been divided into zones, and Emergency Health Service Directors have been appointed for each zone. Their duties include, among many others, organizing Advanced Treatment Centres and Emergency Hospitals, and developing an Emergency Public Health Service, an Emergency Blood Transfusion Laboratory and a Mortuary Service.     

Clinical progress in genome-editing technology and in vivo delivery techniques

There is wide interest in applying genome-editing tools to prevent, treat, and cure a variety of diseases. Since the discovery of the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein (Cas) systems, these techniques have been used in combination with different delivery systems to create highly efficacious treatment options. Each delivery system has its own advantages and disadvantages and is being used for various applications. With the large number of gene-editing applications being studied but very few being brought into the clinic, we review current progress in the field, specifically where genome editing has been applied in vivo and in the clinic, and identify current challenges and areas of future growth.     

Candidate gene identification approach: progress and challenges

Although it has been widely applied in identification of genes responsible for biomedically, economically, or even evolutionarily important complex and quantitative traits, traditional candidate gene approach is largely limited by its reliance on the priori knowledge about the physiological, biochemical or functional aspects of possible candidates. Such limitation results in a fatal information bottleneck, which has apparently become an obstacle for further applications of traditional candidate gene approach on many occasions. While the identification of candidate genes involved in genetic traits of specific interest remains a challenge, significant progress in this subject has been achieved in the last few years. Several strategies have been developed, or being developed, to break the barrier of information bottleneck. Recently, being a new developing method of candidate gene approach, digital candidate gene approach (DigiCGA) has emerged and been primarily applied to identify potential candidate genes in some studies. This review summarizes the progress, application software, online tools, and challenges related to this approach.     

The DD2R gene expression level in the corpus allatum affects the fitness of female Drosophila melanogaster

The effect of tissue-specific suppression of the dopamine D2-like receptor gene (DD2R) in the corpus allatum (CA), the gland that synthesizes juvenile hormone (JH) on the Drosophila melanogaster resistance to heat stress has been studied. A decreased expression of the DD2R gene in the CA has been found to substantially decrease the heat stress resistance of adult transgenic female, but not male, D. melanogaster compared to the control group, this phenomenon being weakly pronounced in juvenile flies. The effect of DD2R activation on the D. melanogaster reproductive function has been estimated. It has been shown that treatment of D. melanogaster with a synthetic specific agonist of DD2R decreases the fertility, the effect being considerably stronger in adult flies than in juvenile ones. It is concluded that the change in the number of DD2Rs in CA or their activation decreases the fitness of Drosophila.     

Halophytic crops for cultivation at seawater salinity

Summary Several hundred halophytes from salt marshes and salt deserts of the world have been evaluated in our laboratory at various degrees of intensity, and a few have been selected for development as crops. The development of the cultivars and the basic biology of the plants is being studied in Delaware in the United States. Agronomic testing, feeding trials, and development of the best agronomic practices are taking place in the saline desert at the American University in Cairo research station in Sadat City. Our present efforts focus primarily on three forages, one grain, and one vegetable.Sporobolus virginicus cultivars for both hay and pasture are being tested. ADistichlis spicata cultivar for hay has been identified, andSpartina patens is being evaluated as a hay as well. Although we do not yet have the data for a full year's growth in Egypt, forage yields of these various cultivars, when harvested as hay crops, range to 6.9 or more tons per acre, depending on the salinity and other environmental conditions, and the crude protein content as indicated by the nitrogen content ranges from 6 to 10%. Cultivars having the most useful agronomic qualities have been identified and are being increased in quantity. The grain cropKosteletzkya virginica is a perennial, producing a seed which resembles millet; its whole seeds contain approximately 25% protein and 15% oil. The yields of one of our better cultivars are about 1460 kg/ha (1300 lb/acre) when grown under 25 salinity. The vegetableAtriplex triangularis (similar to spinach) has been under mass selection for four years; a cultivar has been identified and seed is now being increased for this species.     

DNA vaccines: ready for prime time?

Since the discovery, over a decade and a half ago, that genetically engineered DNA can be delivered in vaccine form and elicit an immune response, there has been much progress in understanding the basic biology of this platform. A large amount of data has been generated in preclinical model systems, and more sustained cellular responses and more consistent antibody responses are being observed in the clinic. Four DNA vaccine products have recently been approved, all in the area of veterinary medicine. These results suggest a productive future for this technology as more optimized constructs, better trial designs and improved platforms are being brought into the clinic.     

Interaction of glycogen synthase of rabbit skeletal muscles with flavin mononucleotide

The effect of flavin mononucleotide (FMN) on the activity of the I- and D-forms of rabbit skeletal muscle glycogen synthase has been studied for the first time. FMN has been shown to inhibit in a noncompetitive fashion the both forms of the enzyme, the D-form being more sensitive to the effect of the inhibitor. It has been shown also that glycogen synthase has three different sites involved in the interaction with inhibitors, namely, and active site, an adenyl nucleotide binding site and a FMN binding site. FMN binding has been shown to occur mostly via the isoalloxasine ring.     

Cordyceps: a traditional Chinese medicine and another fungal therapeutic biofactory?

Traditional Chinese medicines (TCM) are growing in popularity. However, are they effective? Cordyceps is not studied as systematically for bioactivity as another TCM, Ganoderma. Cordyceps is fascinating per se, especially because of the pathogenic lifestyle on Lepidopteron insects. The combination of the fungus and dead insect has been used as a TCM for centuries. However, the natural fungus has been harvested to the extent that it is an endangered species. The effectiveness has been attributed to the Chinese philosophical concept of Yin and Yang and can this be compatible with scientific philosophy? A vast literature exists, some of which is scientific, although others are popular myth, and even hype. Cordyceps sinensis is the most explored species followed by Cordyceps militaris. However, taxonomic concepts were confused until a recent revision, with undefined material being used that cannot be verified. Holomorphism is relevant and contamination might account for some of the activity. The role of the insect has been ignored. Some of the analytical methodologies are poor. Data on the "old" compound cordycepin are still being published: ergosterol and related compounds are reported despite being universal to fungi. There is too much work on crude extracts rather than pure compounds with water and methanol solvents being over-represented in this respect (although methanol is an effective solvent). Excessive speculation exists as to the curative properties. However, there are some excellent pharmacological data and relating to apoptosis. For example, some preparations are active against cancers or diabetes which should be fully investigated. Polysaccharides and secondary metabolites are of particular interest. The use of genuine anamorphic forms in bioreactors is encouraged.     

Leptosphaeria maculans, the causal agent of blackleg disease of Brassicas.

The loculoascomycete Leptosphaeria maculans (anamorph: Phoma lingam) causes blackleg of Brassicas, including Brassica napus (canola or rapeseed). This fungus probably comprises several morphologically similar species; taxonomic relationships between them are being clarified and nomenclature is being revised. The pathotype ("A" group) responsible for major economic losses to canola has been studied in more detail than other members of this species complex and is the focus of this review. L. maculans is haploid, outcrossing, can be transformed, and has a genome size of about 34 Mb. Preliminary genetic and physical maps have been developed and three genes involved in host specificity have been mapped. As yet, few genes have been characterized. Chemical analysis of fungal secondary metabolites has aided understanding of taxonomic relationships and of the host-fungal interaction by the unraveling of pathways for detoxification of antimicrobial phytoalexins. Several phytotoxins (host and nonhost specific) have been identified and a complex pattern of regulation of their synthesis by fungal and host metabolites has been discovered.     

Brain and Mind

In the last few years great progress has been made in many fields of knowledge. Technology has moved forward with rapid strides, and with the appearance of self-regulating systems it has moved to a new stage. Significant progress has been achieved in physics and biology; new branches of medicine have been formulated and are being developed; and substantial changes have also been noted in a sphere of particular relevance and importance for each of us, in psychology, the science of man's mental life and the laws of his behavior.     

高温单孢菌属分类研究进展

自从Henssen于1957年建立高温单孢菌属至今,高温单孢菌属各菌种的分类地位一直处于不断的变化之中。近年来,随着该属一些种的重新分类以及新种的发现,高温单孢菌属的分类发生了很大的变化。这主要是由于分类手段已由传统的形态学分类方法向现代的多相分类方法过渡。介绍了自高温单孢菌属建立以来,该属分类的研究现状,认为高温单孢菌属在系统分类上尚需进一步的研究。     

Helpful amnesia: Neuroscience unravels the role of forgetting as a prerequisite for establishing new long‐term memories

As neuroscience has been analysing the mechanisms behind long‐term memory, it demonstrated that forgetting is crucial for being able to remember.

“To be able to forget means sanity,” explained American writer Jack London (The Star Rover) referring to our sometimes infuriating inability to recall past events. In fact, being able to remember everything ever said and done might drive even the strongest mind insane. It is through forgetting and letting go of memories that the brain is able to acquire fresh impressions and new experience to move on, instead of being mired in the past.The importance of forgetting also fits well into and has inspired research to understand the molecular and cognitive basis of long‐term memory and how all the components and processes fit together. This puzzle of what is being remembered and why has been a long‐standing challenge for neuroscience; while progress has been made identifying more of the mechanisms and some of the existential drivers of memory formation, it is only recently that work has begun analyzing how these interact in animal models, often focusing on how the brain “decides” which things to remember and which things to send into oblivion.

This puzzle of what is being remembered and why has been a long‐standing challenge for neuroscience…

As a result, the field now sees collaboration across disciplines, driven by the realization that different parts and processes all play a part in memory formation and long‐term consolidation. This has led to one tangible if still tentative conclusion about long‐term memory, namely that forgetting occurs through loss of retrieval capability rather than erasure. It would appear to confirm the observation attributed to German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche that “the existence of forgetting has never been proved: we only know that some things do not come to our mind when we want them to.”

The existence of forgetting has never been proved: we only know that some things do not come to our mind when we want them to.

     

Emerging niche clustering results from both competition and predation

Understanding species coexistence has been a central question in ecology for decades, and the notion that competing species need to differ in their ecological niche for stable coexistence has dominated. Recent theoretical and empirical work suggests differently. Species can also escape competitive exclusion by being similar, leading to clusters of species with similar traits. This theory has so far only been explored under competition. By combining mathematical and numerical analyses, we reveal that competition and predation are equally capable to promote clusters of similar species in prey–predator communities, their relative importance being modulated by resource availability. We further show that predation has a stabilizing effect on clustering patterns, making the clusters more diverse. Our results merge different ecological theories and bring new light to the emergent neutrality theory by adding the perspective of trophic interactions. These results open new perspectives to the study of trait distributions in ecological interaction networks.     

Principles of antibody therapy.

The success of monoclonal antibodies in clinical practice is dependent on good design. Finding a suitable target is the most important part as other properties of the antibody can be altered by genetic engineering. Antibodies that target lymphocyte antigens offer less toxic immunosuppressive treatment than currently available drugs and the first monoclonal antibody approved for human use is an immunosuppressive agent for treating rejection of renal transplants. Human trails of monoclonal antibodies to treat septic shock have been done and antibodies are also being developed to target common pathogens such as herpes simplex virus. Although monoclonal antibodies against cancer have been much heralded, their success has been limited by the poor access to the inside of tumours. Treatment of blood cancers has been more successful and a human antibody against B cell malignancies is being clinically tested. As knowledge about natural immune responses and antibody engineering increases many more monoclonals are likely to feature in clinical practice.     

Autopoiesis 40 years Later. A Review and a Reformulation

The concept of autopoiesis was proposed 40 years ago as a definition of a living being, with the aim of providing a unifying concept for biology. The concept has also been extended to the theory of knowledge and to different areas of the social and behavioral sciences. Given some ambiguities of the original definitions of autopoiesis, the concept has been criticized and has been interpreted in diverse and even contradictory ways, which has prevented its integration into the biological sciences where it originated. Here I present a critical review and conceptual analysis of the definition of autopoiesis, and propose a new definition that is more precise, clear, and concise than the original ones. I argue that the difficulty in understanding the term lies in its refined conceptual subtlety and not, as has been claimed by some authors, because it is a vacuous, trivial or very complex concept. I also relate the concept of autopoiesis to the concepts of closed systems, boundaries, homeostasis, self-reproduction, causal circularity, organization and multicellularity. I show that under my proposed definition the concept of a molecular autopoietic system is a good demarcation criterion of a living being, allowing its general integration into the biological sciences and enhancing its interdisciplinary use.     

Nanopore sequencing technology: research trends and applications

Nanopore sequencing is one of the most promising technologies being developed as a cheap and fast alternative to the conventional Sanger sequencing method. Protein or synthetic nanopores have been used to detect DNA or RNA molecules. Although none of the technologies to date has shown single-base resolution for de novo DNA sequencing, there have been several reports of alpha-hemolysin protein nanopores being used for basic DNA analyses, and various synthetic nanopores have been fabricated. This review will examine current nanopore sequencing technologies, including recent developments of new applications.     

红球菌属的分类及应用研究进展*

从Zopf于1891年建立红球菌属至今,红球菌属各种菌的分类地位一直处于不断的变化之中。近年来,随着一些种的重新分类以及新种的发现,红球菌属的分类发生了很大变化。这主要是由于分类手段已由传统的形态学分类方法向现代的多相分类法过渡。此外,由于红球菌能降解一些环境污染物,合成或转化形成一些有用的化合物,同时它的一些种对人、动物或植物都有影响。因此,红球菌也越来越为人们所关注。     

Molecular biology of human serum cholinesterase

More than 90% of the amino acid sequence of purified human serum cholinesterase has been determined in our laboratory. Purified enzyme was digested with several proteolytic enzymes; the resulting polypeptides were then separated, purified, and sequenced. Optimal sequence regions were identified and used as the basis for the synthesis of three 17-mer oligonucleotide probes. In addition, one long peptide of 58 amino acid residues was selected for construction of two unique sequence oligonucleotide probes of 39-mer and 53-mer; the peptide regions corresponding to the latter are six amino acids apart. The probes have been used to screen a human liver cDNA library and a human genomic library. Several positive clones to both types of probes have been identified. These are being characterized, and some of them have been or are now being sequenced. A high degree of homology in the amino acid sequence of the active center of human serum cholinesterase and that of acetylcholinesterase from the Torpedo fish has been noted. It appears that this region of cholinesterases has been conserved during evolution, and there may be an important, still unrecognized role for serum nonspecific cholinesterase in mammalian metabolism.