Dolphin Shows and Interaction Programs: Benefits for Conservation Education?

Dolphin shows and dolphin interaction programs are two types of education programs within zoological institutions used to educate visitors about dolphins and the marine environment. The current study examined the short‐ and long‐term effects of these programs on visitors' conservation‐related knowledge, attitude, and behavior. Participants of both dolphin shows and interaction programs demonstrated a significant short‐term increase in knowledge, attitudes, and behavioral intentions. Three months following the experience, participants of both dolphin shows and interaction programs retained the knowledge learned during their experience and reported engaging in more conservation‐related behaviors. Additionally, the number of dolphin shows attended in the past was a significant predictor of recent conservation‐related behavior suggesting that repetition of these types of experiences may be important in inspiring people to conservation action. These results suggest that both dolphin shows and dolphin interaction programs can be an important part of a conservation education program for visitors of zoological facilities. Zoo Biol. 32:45‐53, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

现生微生物群落形态研究及其对解释埃迪卡拉生物群化石属性的启示

通过对常见微生物种类进行纯培养获得多种微生物菌落形态,并将其与埃迪卡拉生物群化石形态进行对比研究,发现：1）盘状化石Aspidella与圆盘形菌落的轮廓和放射状分布的小脊具有相似性;2）“rangeomorphs”分支状化石与具有次级分支结构的菌落具有某些相似性;3）五边形似棘皮动物化石Arkaruaadami与五边形菌落较为相似;4）两侧对称类化石Kimberella与圆盘形边缘具放射状脊的菌落的表面形态非常相似;5）盘状化石Az—bumaresbrunsae与圆盘形表面具辐射状脊的菌落的轮廓和表面纹饰分布极为相似。以上对比结果表明部分埃迪卡拉生物群化石与微生物菌落形态具有一定的相似性。本研究为埃迪卡拉生物群化石生物属性的解译提供了新思路。     

Mate choice and male behaviour following castration and replacement of testosterone in mallards (Anas platyrhynchos)

Male sexual behaviour was controlled by castration and testosterone replacement. The first experiment shows that, within a group of similarly coloured and castrated male mallards, females preferred males treated with testosterone. The second experiment shows that a testosterone-treated male was always preferred by the females, irrespective of plumage colour, in a choice between a wild and a white mallard drake. The results shows that testosterone dependent male cues is important in mate choice in the mallard duck.     

兴安落叶松－泥炭藓沼泽泥炭中微量元素含量及其变化规律

研究结果表明,兴安落叶松－泥炭藓沼泽泥炭中有５种微量元素对植物生长影响较大,其含量顺序为Ｍｎ＞Ｚｎ＞Ｂ＞Ｃｕ＞Ｃｏ这些元素在泥炭层中的分布具有明显的时空变化规律．     

Organic matrix in biocrystals in the Mytilus galloprovincialis shell. Scanning microscopy

The Authors have investigated the structural property of organic shell matrix from Mytilus galloprovincialis by scanning microscopy. The microscopic investigation shows differences between matrix from nacreous layer or argonite and matrix from outer layer or calcite. The first shows a "cavernous" surface; the other instead shows a "smooth" surface. The Authors conclude that probably these differences may influence the different crystallographic arrangement of biocrystals.     

The Cuticle, Epidermis and Stomatal Ontogeny of Casuarina equisetifolia Forst

The cuticle, epidermis and stomatal ontogeny of Casuarina equisetifoliaForst. is described. The cuticle shows well marked impressionsof the epidermal cells and stomata. The epidermis of leaf andstem shows transversely oriented, tetracytic, mesoperigenousstomata with two lateral mesogene subsidiaries and two polarperigene neighbouring cells. Although the epidermal structureof Casuarina shows a good deal of resemblance with that of theBennettitales, it may not indicate any phylogenetic relationshipssince there are important differences in the structure and reproductionof the plants of these two groups.     

Optimisation of freezing conditions for bovine spermatozoa

The use of a programmable forced vapour biological freezer to optimise freezing conditions for bovine semen is described. The results showed that for most bulls, optimisation is possible, including bulls whose semen shows poor survival with conventional freezing methods. The importance of inducing ice crystallisation before any significant degree of supercooling occurs is also demonstrated, as the majority of sperm are lost in this region of the freezing curve. Comparison with static vapour freezing shows enhanced post thaw sperm survival, particularly with bulls whose semen shows poor survival using conventional freezing methods.     

Characterization of a Drosophila cDNA clone that encodes a 252-amino acid non-muscle tropomyosin isoform

We report here the isolation and DNA sequence of a cDNA clone encoding a 252-amino acid non-muscle or cytoskeletal tropomyosin (cTm) isoform from Drosophila. The Drosophila cTm shows considerable homology with vertebrate cTm throughout the middle portion of the molecule. The amino-terminal end of the molecule, however, shows less homology and contains five more amino acids than the equine platelet and human tropomyosins. There is also a proline at position 6 in the Drosophila protein. The carboxyl-terminal 27 amino acids also show little homology with vertebrate non-muscle tropomyosins. This is a region of the molecule that shows considerably diversity among other Drosophila tropomyosins and vertebrate tropomyosins. A comparison of the DNA sequence of the cTm cDNA and a previously reported muscle tropomyosin II cDNA sequence shows regions of identical DNA sequence alternating with regions of nonidentical sequence, suggesting that both mRNAs are produced by alternate splicing of the same gene.     

正常人各年龄组染色体着丝粒点(Cd)研究

本文运用本室改良的Cd-NOR银染技术对80例4个年龄组的正常中国人的Cd变化进行了较系统的研究, 结果表明:(1)正常人随年龄增加,Cd消失的频率、Cd变异及Cd-NOR融合频率也相应增加,特别是Ⅲ、Ⅳ组(中、老年组)增加的频率尤为显著;(2)首次对Cd消失的过程提出了独特的观点,即Cd消失首先表现为Cd变小, 随着变小程度的加大,最终导致Cd消失;(3)在本研究中首次观察到单个Cd的现象,作者认为是细胞分裂中期染色体着丝一分为二的延迟现象。各年龄组间单Cd出现频率无统计学差异,同一年龄组中,2号染色体和1号染色体上单Cd出现频率显著高于理论值;(4)随年龄增高,Cd各项观察值的增高在男性与女性间未见明显的差异。 Abstract:The Cd variation of human chromosome in four groups of different age has been investigated.The result shows that the frequencies of Cd disappearing,size variation and Cd-NOR fusion increased with the age rising,especially in the group of aged people.We suggest that the variation of Cd shows the size changes first,and then disappears completely.We also observed some cells in which a few chromosomes shows only a single Cd in centromeric region.Cd variation in different age groups has no significant difference between the male and the female.     

Cloning, sequence analysis and heterologous expression of the DNA adenine-(N(6)) methyltransferase from the human pathogen Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans

We cloned and sequenced the DNA adenine-N(6) methyltransferase gene of the human pathogen Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans (M.AacDAM). Restriction digestion shows that the enzyme methylates adenine in the sequence GATC. Expression of the enzyme in a DAM(-) background shows in vivo activity. A PSI-BLAST search revealed that M.AacDAM is most related to M.HindIV, M.EcoDAM, M.StyDAM, and M.SmaII. The ClustalW alignment shows highly conserved regions in the enzyme characteristic for type a MTases. Phylogenetic tree analysis shows a cluster of enzymes recognizing the sequence GATC, within a branch of orphan MTases harboring M.AacDAM. The cloning and sequencing of this first methyltransferase gene described for A. actinomycetemcomitans open the path for studies on the potential regulatory impact of DNA methylation on gene regulation and virulence in this organism.     

In vivo and in vitro evaluation for immunomodulatory activity of three marine animal extracts with reference to phagocytosis

The whole body ether extracts of a marine prawn Nematopaleamon tenuipes and two gastropods viz. Euchelus asper and Hemifusus pugilinus, obtained by Soxhlet extraction and cold percolation were tested for their effects on phagocytosis by in vitro (slide method) and by in vivo (carbon clearance) methods. Extract of E. asper exhibits immunostimulatory activity in vitro and immunosuppressant activity in vivo. The in vitro test for N. tenuipes and H. pugilinus shows biphasic activity, but the former shows immunostimulatory while the latter shows immunosuppresant activity in vivo test.     

Journal of Cellular Biochemistry: Volume 110, Number 3, June 1, 2010

The cover shows a schematic diagram of β‐Catenin activation by mechanical factors. The background shows osteoblast cells immunostained for β‐Catenin. Please see “Prospect” in this issue by Case and Rubin, pages 545–553.     

红光,远红光和植物激素对水稻幼苗生长及CAT,POX活性的影响

红光(R)和远红光(Fr)都抑制水稻胚芽的生长,但对胚芽鞘来说,红光抑制其生长,远红光表现出部分逆转效应。一定浓度单一生长素(IAA)促进水稻胚芽鞘的生长,而赤霉素(GA_3)与生长素作用相反。对于水稻的过氧化氢酶(CAT)、过氧化物酶(POX),红光促进两种酶的活性,远红光则表现出逆转效应。单一10~(-2)ppmIAA、10~(-2)ppmGA_3都促进其活性。照光时,在10~(-2)ppm IAA存在的条件下,红光表现为促进,远红光则表现为抑制;但在10~(-2)ppm GA_3存在的条件下,红光反而对两种酶的活性有抑制作用,远红光则表现为促进作用。     

Characterization of photophysical and base-mimicking properties of a novel fluorescent adenine analogue in DNA

To increase the diversity of fluorescent base analogues with improved properties, we here present the straightforward click-chemistry-based synthesis of a novel fluorescent adenine-analogue triazole adenine (A(T)) and its photophysical characterization inside DNA. A(T) shows promising properties compared to the widely used adenine analogue 2-aminopurine. Quantum yields reach >20% and >5% in single- and double-stranded DNA, respectively, and show dependence on neighbouring bases. Moreover, A(T) shows only a minor destabilization of DNA duplexes, comparable to 2-aminopurine, and circular dichroism investigations suggest that A(T) only causes minimal structural perturbations to normal B-DNA. Furthermore, we find that A(T) shows favourable base-pairing properties with thymine and more surprisingly also with normal adenine. In conclusion, A(T) shows strong potential as a new fluorescent adenine analogue for monitoring changes within its microenvironment in DNA.     

Properties of the Ribosome-Bound Peroxidase/IAA-oxidase of Cabbage Roots

The ribosomal fraction of cabbage roots contains IAA-oxidase and peroxidase activity. EDTA dissociates these enzymes from the ribosomal RNA. The IAA-oxidase of intact ribosomes shows allosteric, whereas that of EDTA disintegrated shows conventional kinetics. Gel electrophoresis separated three peroxidases from the ribosomal RNA.     

Ocular Correlates of Inborn Metabolic Defects

The eye provides unique opportunities for the detection, during life, of deposits of storage substances and other characteristic changes resulting from inborn metabolic defects. The cornea shows the macromolecular polysaccharides of Hurler''s disease, the cystine crystals in cystinosis, and the copper deposits of Wilson''s disease. The sclera shows characteristic pigmentation in alcaptonuria. The iris shows the lack of pigmentation in various types of albinism. The lens is cataractous in galactosemia and dislocated in homocystinuria. The vitreous is opacified in familial amyloidosis. The retina shows different and characteristic deposits with the diseases of Tay-Sachs, Niemann-Pick, metachromatic leukodystrophy, and Farber''s lipogranulomatosis. The retinal veins show pronounced tortuosity with Fabry''s disease. There is some evidence that optic neuropathy occurs in glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency. Curiously, few abnormalities in the eye have been described in subjects with the glycogen storage diseases.     

Kinetic and structural studies of the role of the active site residue Asp235 of human pyridoxal kinase

Pyridoxal kinase catalyzes the phosphorylation of pyridoxal (PL) to pyridoxal 5′-phosphate (PLP). A D235A variant shows 7-fold and 15-fold decreases in substrate affinity and activity, respectively. A D235N variant shows ∼2-fold decrease in both PL affinity and activity. The crystal structure of D235A (2.5 Å) shows bound ATP, PL and PLP, while D235N (2.3 Å) shows bound ATP and sulfate. These results document the role of Asp235 in PL kinase activity. The observation that the active site of PL kinase can accommodate both ATP and PLP suggests that formation of a ternary Enz·PLP·ATP complex could occur in the wild-type enzyme, consistent with severe MgATP substrate inhibition of PL kinase in the presence of PLP.     

The CD of two-chain coiled coils: experiments on tropomyosin and tropomyosin segments in the tyrosine/disulfide spectral region

CD experiments are reported for several coiled-coil species in the tyrosine/disulfide (approximately 250-350-nm) region. Intact noncross-linked tropomyosin (approximately 3 degrees C) shows a negative nonsymmetric band maximal at 280 nm. This spectrum is the sum over six tyrosines/chain, and has conformational significance, since it disappears on denaturation. Experiments on an excised coiled-coil segment, each of whose chains comprise residues 11-127 of the tropomyosin sequence and only one tyrosine (Y60), reveal that not all tyrosines are alike. The spectrum at 3 degrees C shows a small negative maximum at approximately 285 nm and a substantial, hitherto unknown, positive band at approximately 270 nm, the latter masked in the parent protein by the negative contribution from the other tyrosines. A noncross-linked coiled-coil segment comprising residues 142-281, in which Y60 is absent, shows no such positive band. This peculiarity of Y60 is confirmed by absorbance spectra, with the extinction coefficient of Y60 larger in benign media than the average of the other tyrosines. Intact (3 degrees C) C190 cross-linked tropomyosin is known to yield, besides tyrosine contributions, a positive maximum at approximately 300 nm. Subtracting the corresponding data for noncross-linked tropomyosin shows that the disulfide spectrum itself actually has two equal, partly resolved bands at, respectively, 250 and 280 nm. The existence of a chiral disulfide argues for a relatively rigid, perhaps strained, local coiled coil. A C190 cross-linked segment comprising residues 142-281 shows a chiral disulfide spectrum like tropomyosin's, but another segment, comprising residues 168-284, shows none; thus removal of residues 142-167 causes loss of chirality at C190, over 20 residues away. These spectra thus contain important information on the subtle local differences in coiled-coil structures.