Growth Rings of Roots in Perennial Forbs in Duolun Grassland, Inner Mongolia, China

Annual growth rings of roots in perennial forbs have been used in studies of climate change and the ecology of grasslands. However, little has been done in this aspect of research in China. In this study, we report the characteristics of growth rings in the main roots of 13 herb species sampled in Duolun of the Inner Mongolia grassland in northern China. The results show that around two thirds of the species possess clearly demarcated annual rings in the root xylem. Some species of the same genera show different patterns in anatomical structure of the root xylem. Standardized annual ring widths of three species, Potentilla anserine L., Cymbaria dahurica L. and Lespedeza daurica （Laxm.） Schindh, show a common linear trend, indicating a continued favorable growth condition in the sampling sites. Our results provide evidence that growth rings in roots of some perennial forbs in the Inner Mongolia grassland can serve as a new and useful indicator of past changes in the grassland environment.     

Effect of mammogenic hormones on the expression of dFGF7, FGF10 and their receptor in mouse mammary gland

To investigate the regulation of estrogen, progesterone and prolactin stimulating the development of mammary gland, the Kunming mice were used as experimental animals in this study.Through the ex-periment in vitro, the effect of mammogenic hormones were systematically investigated on expression of FGF7 and FGF10 and their receptor in different periods.The results are as follows:in mammary glands of mice, 17 beta-estradiol increased the expression of FGF7;progesterone did not affect the expression of FGF7;prolactin up-regulated the expression of FGF7 significantly in pregnancy and lac-tation.17 beta-estradiol increased the expression of FGF10;progesterone and prolactin reduced the expression of FGF10 significantly in virgin;prolactin significantly increased the expression of FGF10 in pregnancy.When 17 beta-estradiol in the body was in relatively high proportion, it would lower the ex-pression of KGFR;while 17 beta-estradiol in the body was in relatively low proportion, it would increase the expression of KGFR.Low concentration of progesterone increased the expression of KGFR and high progesterone did not affect the expression of KGFR.Prolactin increased the expression of KGFR significantly in pregnancy and lactation.     

Characteristics of serial cross-sections of hairs of the Japanese monkey (Macaca fuscata fuscata)

The characteristics of serial cross-sections of hairs collected from an adult male Japanese monkey were investigated. Cross-sections were made of five to eight pieces per hair. The shapes of the cross-sections were elliptical or rounded on the whole. The fibre indices of the sections ranged from 83 to 100. In particular, those of proximal (basal) sections were close to 100. The hair diameter was 86.4 μ at maximum and 27.2 μ at minimum. A tendency was observed for the longer hairs to have thicker diameters. The changes in thickness along the fibre shaft were slightly different in relation to hair length. The thickest point was at around the middle of the fibre in the intermediate hair, somewhat towards the top of the central part in the long hair, and somewhat towards the base in the short hair. The hair of the Japanese monkey, however, was considered to be scanty in changes along the fibre shaft in comparison with many other animals. Medullae could scarcely be seen in the short hair and in the terminal and proximal sections of all hairs. Their shapes in cross-section were not uniform and rough at the margins. The fibre-medulla indices were generally less than 30 and smaller than those of many other mammals. Pigmentary granules were observed in all sections examined. The granules were black-grey in sections of the black-grey coloured part and yellow in the yellowish sections. They were dense in distal sections and scarce in sections close to the base. The cross-sectional appearance of the thickest part of the long hair was considered to be useful for hair identification, since it was good in pigmentation and medullation and relatively small fibre index.     

Novel Kdr mutations (K964R and A943V) in pyrethroid‐resistant populations of Triatoma mazzottii and Triatoma longipennis from Mexico and detoxifying enzymes

Although having five different ways of transmission the vector-borne is the principal way of transmission of Chagas disease, which involves insects of the subfamily Triatominae (Hemiptera: Reduviidae). Nineteen of the 31 species that occur in Mexico are associated with humans, and all are capable of transmitting the disease. Pyrethroids are the insecticides recommended for the control of these vectors in Mexico. We determined the susceptibility to the pyrethroids dcltamethrin and permethrin of peridomestic populations of Triatoma mazzottii Usinger and two populations of Triatoma longipetmis Usinger in comparison with a reference strain for each species. Bioassays were performed for the determination of the LD50 for both field populations and reference strains. A maximum of 27 fold resistance to deltamethrin was observed in T. mazzottii, meanwhile, for permethrin, T. longipennis from Jalisco show the highest value of 3.19 fold. There was significantly increased activity of esterases in field populations in comparison with their corresponding reference strain. The results of the search of kdr mutations related to the resistance to deltamethrin and permethrin in the evaluated species show the presence of mutations in the field populations, as is the case with individuals of T. mazzottii, for which the mutation was found A943V, and for the two populations of T. longipennis included in this study, we report the presence of the kdr mutation K964R. Evaluation of the various mechanisms involved in resistance to pyrethroids in triatomines from Mexico could guide us to the real justification for insecticide resistance monitoring.     

The studies on neurogenesis indufced by brain injury in adult ring dove

It was the first time demonstrated by us that the number of newborn neurons was increased after making lesion in forebrain of adult ring dove(Streptopelia risoria) by means of autoradiography and imunohistochemistry,Neurogensis in the adult avian is restricted to the telencephalon.In doves with bilateral electrolytic lesion of nucleus ectostriatum(E),the mean mumber of proliferating cells in the lateral ventricular zone(LVZ) and newborn neurons in the forebrain increased by 1.95 times and 2.38 times respectively as compared with that in intact doves.The most remarkable incresase of neurogenesis induced by nucleus ectostriatum lesions was found at the anteriorposterior level 3(L3),where the lesion site was located.These results showed that the electrolytic brain lesion al tered the distribution pattern of proliferating cells in the LVZ and resulted in increase of the number of newborn neureons in the non-VZ areas of forebrain.The changes in number and distribution pattern of proliferating cells in LVZ and newbon neurons in forebrain may be dependent on site of lesion.Studies on the relationship between proliferating cells in LVZ and newly generated neurons in non-VZ aresa may help to understand the mechanism of brain plasticity and development.     

Cytoskeletal changes in diseases of the nervous system

The neuronal cytoskeleton not only provides the structural backbone of neurons, but also plays a fundamental role in maintaining neuronal functions. Dysregulation of neuronal architecture is evident in both injury and diseases of the central nervous system. These changes often result in the disruption of protein trafficking, loss of synapses and the death of neurons, ultimately impacting on signal transmission and manifesting in the disease phenotype. Furthermore, mutations in cytoskeletal proteins have been implicated in numerous diseases and, in some cases, identified as the cause of the disease, highlighting the critical role of the cytoskeleton in disease pathology. This review focuses on the role of cytoskeletal proteins in the pathology of mental disorders, neurodegenerative diseases and motor function deficits. In particular, we illustrate how cytoskeletal proteins can be directly linked to disease pathology and progression.     

西藏土壤中铜含量及分布

Cu content in soils sampled from different sites in Tibet was analyzed.The results showed that the average Cu content of soils was 19.6mg穔g^-1,lower than the average content in China.The content of Cu was distributed in Tibet with a total of gradually decreasing from the southeast to the northwest,which was consistent with the direction of change in the zonal successions of soil in Tibet.The variation of the content of Cu in the soils developed from different soil parent materials in Tibet was very remarkable,and the content of Cu in the soil developed from shale was greatly higher than that in the soil developed from other soil parent material.     

Fragmentation Effects on Diversity of Wasp Community and Its Impact on Fig／Fig Wasp Interaction in Ficus racemosa L.

Habitat fragmentation usually results in alteration of species composition or biological communities. However, little is known about the effect of habitat fragmentation on the fig/fig wasp system.In this study, we compared the structure of a fig wasp community and the interaction between figs and fig wasps of Ficus racemosa L. in a primary forest, a locally fragmented forest and a highly fragmented forest.Our results show that, in the highly fragmented forest, the proportion of pollinator wasps is lower and the proportion of non-pollinator wasps is higher compared with the primary forest and locally fragmented forest. The proportion of fruits without pollinator wasps in mature fruits is also greatly increased in the highly fragmented forest. The proportion of galls in all female flowers increases in the highly fragmented forest, whereas the proportion of viable seeds does not change considerably. The disruption of groups of fig trees results in a decrease in pollinator wasps and even might result in the extinction of pollinator wasps in some extreme cases, which may transform the reciprocal interaction between figs and fig wasps into a parasite/host system. Such an effect may lead to the local extinction of this keystone plant resource of rain forests in the process of evolution, and thereby, may change the structure and function of the tropical rain forest.     

理解运动行为抑制调控的新视角：乙酰胆碱门控氯离子通道受体

Acetylcholine, the first identified neurotransmitter, plays crucial roles in various brain functions. One well-known case is its involvement as an activating neurotransmitter in the regulation of locomotion. However, its inhibitory regulatory role, particularly in locomotion, remains poorly understood. In a study conducted by Polat et al., the authors investigated the inhibitory role of acetylcholine in locomotion in C. elegans. In this organism, the acetylcholine-gated chloride channel receptor consists of four subunits. The authors thoroughly examined the loss-of-function of each subunit in movement regulation. Interestingly, the mutant worms were still capable of performing various movements such as forward, backward crawling, and turning, suggesting that the overall movement was not significantly affected. However, quantitative behavior analysis revealed subtle yet significant differences in the timing and postures of the movement in these mutants. Furthermore, the authors employed optogenetics to stimulate a specific neuron involved in backward crawling and demonstrated that the loss-of-function of the receptors in individual neurons affects the transitioning between locomotion modes. This work provides evidence for the inhibitory regulatory role of acetylcholine in locomotion. The loss-of-function of acetylcholine-gated chloride channel receptors likely disrupts the balance of neuronal and circuit physiology, thereby affecting the regulation of locomotion. Moreover, this study highlights the powerful role of quantitative behavior analysis in discovering and understanding more sophisticated functions of neural circuits.     

Brachyptera Group. Sp.32. C. Brachyptera. Sp.33. C.c RUFA. Sp.34. C. Troglodytes. Sp.35. C. Fulvicapilla.

A part from considerations as to where it is best wedged into the linear sequence, the brachyptera group is defined in general terms as a compact group of four small or very small species which resemble one another in many important specific characters and the other thirty-six species classified here as Cisticola in so many ways of form, coloration and behaviour as to make them best understood by classifying them also under that generic name.