Two desmid taxa newly recorded for the British Isles

Summary

A detailed survey of the desmid flora of the area covered by the parish of Assynt, West Sutherland is currently being made by the author. During the course of the study so far, a number of either rare or hitherto unrecorded desmids for the British Isles has been found. Two such desmids are now described.     

The management and restoration of damaged blanket bog in the north of Scotland

Summary

The blanket bogs of Caithness and Sutherland are the finest examples of their type in the world. Restricted to a few parts of the world where cool, oceanic climatic conditions prevail, Britain holds approximately 13% of the total global resource of blanket bog, of which the bogs of Caithness and Sutherland form the largest and most intact area. In recent times, extensive areas of the peatlands of Caithness and Sutherland have been damaged – principally through drainage and forestry. In 1994, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) purchased Forsinard Estate in the heart of the peatlands as part of a EU LIFE funded project on blanket bog conservation. In partnership with Scottish Natural Heritage and Caithness and Sutherland Enterprise, this four year RSPB led project promoted a number of initiatives on awareness raising and ecotourism as well as a range of practical demonstrations on restoring damaged blanket bog. More recently, a follow up LIFE Peatlands Project was launched in 2001 where RSPB extended the partnership to include SNH, Forest Enterprise, Plantlife and the Forestry Commission. This paper gives an over-view of the partnership approach to the management and restoration of damaged blanket bog in Caithness and Sutherland.     

A study of hybrids between betula pubescens Ehrh. and Betula nana L. from Sutherland—an integrated approach

Summary

Ben Loyal, Sutherland is one of the two sites in Britain where hybrids between Betula pubescens Ehrh. and Betula nana L. have been reported. In view of the confused taxonomic state of the genus Betula, populations in the area were surveyed for distinguishing characteristics of both parents and possible hybrids. Individual plants were investigated by an integration of morphological, biochemical and cytological techniques. The approach and results are considered significant in the wider context of taxonomic study in the genus Betula.     

Closterium anguineum spec. nov. (Zygnemaphyceae), a new desmid from Sutherland

Summary

A new species of the genus Closterium possessing true girdle bands, a striated wall and distinctive apical features has been found in a disused water-filled quarry on A'Mhoine, northern Sutherland, Scotland.     

Observations on desmids from Scotland,Shetland, Cumbria and the English Midlands

Summary

Samples from bogs and lochs collected in the parish of Assynt, south — west Sutherland; loch and pool samples from Shetland; tarn samples from Cumbria and a small pool in Oadby, Leicestershire, have been examined. New desmid varieties and formae, some rare desmids and interesting observations on common desmids can be reported.     

Scottish-breeding Greenshanks Tringa nebularia do not migrate far

ABSTRACT

Capsule: Scottish-breeding Greenshanks Tringa nebularia migrate largely to Ireland.

Aims: To describe the migration timings and determine the non-breeding areas (staging and wintering areas) of Scottish-breeding Greenshanks.

Methods: Breeding adult Greenshanks were marked with geolocators and/or unique permutations of colour-rings in Sutherland, northern Scotland. Sightings of the colour-ringed birds and data from geolocators on recaptured birds provided information on the migrations and locations of the non-breeding areas.

Results: Scottish-breeding Greenshanks spent the winter mainly in Ireland, with the range also including Wales, southern England and western France. Departure from the breeding grounds, as determined by the geolocators, took place in June and July; the median date for the last day in the breeding area was 16 July. Arrival on the breeding grounds took place in March and April; the median date for the first day back in the breeding area was 7 April. Some birds fed at an estuary close to their territories prior to breeding. There was fidelity to wintering areas, both within and between years. Short-term staging took place during both the southward and northward migrations for some birds, and one bird used the same staging area in different autumns. Members of one pair had separate wintering areas.

Conclusions: Scottish-breeding Greenshanks have a short migration, largely to the coasts of Ireland. The migrations involved short-term staging for some birds.     

Scotlands threatened mires and mosses: Policies to protect the peatlands of caithness and sutherland

Summary

Scottish peatlands have suffered loss and damage for centuries through cutting for fuel and agricultural and forestry practices. The ombrogenous blanket mires of Caithness and Sutherland (the ‘Flow Country’) are of international importance for the range and quality of their peatland types and vegetation, and their breeding bird populations. Loss of this habitat in the last decade, due to rapid expansion of forestry, caused great concern which was expressed by voluntary and statutory nature conservation organizations and the national media. Government at both national and local levels responded with changes in forestry policies, protection of large areas of peatland and by a land-use strategy which divides the area into four forestry policy zones.     

Arctoa anderssonii Wich. (Dicranaceae), new to the British Isles

Abstract

Arctoa anderssonii Wich. is described as a species new to the British Isles with an account of its habitat on Ben Hope, a mountain in Sutherland, north-west Scotland. The differences between this species and Arctoa fulvella and A. hyperborea are specified.     

多层生物介质传感器的特性研究（英文）

目的 多层生物介质的生物传感器被广泛应用于各大领域,其检测特性对于传感器优劣的评估尤为重要。本文目的在于量化表征多层生物介质的电学特征。方法 基于生物电阻抗谱技术来探究多层生物介质的电化学阻抗谱特性,并结合保角映射的方法来量化表征多层生物介质,阐明其对阻抗的影响规律,继而为生物传感器的研制与开发提供理论基础。有效提取各生物介质层修饰后电阻抗参数(Z^*),从而量化表征多层生物介质层的电阻抗谱特性。结果 对多层模型进行了理论计算并构建了相关试验测试系统,研究结果表明,随着生物介质层的逐步修饰,检测区域电阻抗参数(Z^*)在f=0.1～50 MHz下持续上升,理论计算结果趋势与试验结果趋势较好吻合,论证了此理论计算方法的正确性。结论 本文证实了可根据生物电阻抗谱和保角映射方法量化表征多层生物介质的电阻抗谱特性,对生物传感器的研制与开发有一定的实用价值。     

Phytosociological investigations of a Pinus pinea L. forest in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (K. Maraş – Turkey)

In this study the phytosociological structures of Pinuspinea L. forests occuring in K. Mara province in theeastern-mediterranean region have been investigated. The vegetation of theresearch area has been studied according to the Braun-Blanquet (1932) methodanda Gastridio ventricosi-Pinetum pineaeassociation has been recognised.     

HETEROMORPHIC LIFE HISTORIES IN ARCTIC COCCOLITHOPHORIDS (PRYMNESIOPHYCEAE)1

During three visits to Disko Bay, West Greenland, we found four different types of prymnesiophyte flagellates with heterococcoliths from species of the genera Papposphaera Tangen and Pappomonas Manton and Oates in characteristic and consistent combinations with holococcoliths from species of the genera Turrisphaera Manton, Sutherland, and Oates and Trigonaspis Thomsen. We conclude that several taxa previously considered to be autonomous species are, in fact, part of life histories combining hetero- and holococcolithophorid forms in a manner somewhat similar to that known from studies of cultured strains of Coccolithus pelagicus (Wallich) Schiller and Crystallolithus hyalinus (Gaarder) Markali. Similarly, Calciarcus Manton, Sutherland and Oates and Wigwamma Manton, Sutherland and Oates also may be alternate phases of a coccolithophorid life history.     

Evaluating the diagnostic test accuracy of molecular xenomonitoring methods for characterising the community burden of Onchocerciasis

BackgroundMolecular xenomonitoring (MX), the detection of parasite nucleic acid in the vector population, is recommended for onchocerciasis surveillance in elimination settings. However, the sensitivity of MX for detecting onchocerciasis-positive communities has not previously been evaluated. MX may have additional applications for control programmes but its utility is restricted by a limited understanding of the relationship between MX results and human prevalence.MethodsWe conducted a systematic review of studies reporting the prevalence of Onchocerca volvulus DNA in wild-caught Simulium spp. flies (MX rate) and corresponding prevalence of microfilaria (mf) in humans. We evaluated the sensitivity of MX for detecting onchocerciasis-positive communities and describe the characteristics of studies with reduced sensitivity. We conducted a linear regression to evaluate the relationship between mf prevalence and MX rate.ResultsWe identified 15 relevant studies, with 13 studies comprising 34 study communities included in the quantitative analyses. Most communities were at advanced stages towards elimination and had no or extremely low human prevalence. MX detected positive flies in every study area with >1% mf prevalence, with the exception of one study conducted in the Venezuelan Amazonian focus. We identified a significant relationship between the two measurements, with mf prevalence accounting for half of the variation in MX rate (R² 0.50, p<0.001).ConclusionMX is sensitive to communities with ongoing onchocerciasis transmission. It has potential to predict human mf prevalence, but further data is required to understand this relationship, particularly from MX surveys conducted earlier in control programmes before transmission has been interrupted.     

Woodlarks Lullula arborea and landscape heterogeneity created by land abandonment

Capsule Fine‐grained landscape heterogeneity may be a major factor in the recent expansion of Woodlark populations.

Aim To determine the factors which may have led to the increase in Woodlark populations in the Mediterranean region.

Methods Woodlark habitat selection was determined using territory mapping in an area that had undergone widespread land abandonment during the past 50 years. Remote sensing data were used to study landscape changes within the study area between 1978 and 2003.

Results Most Woodlark territories included a combination of farmland and shrubland patches. These fulfilled the birds’ requirements for territorial display and for foraging. Land abandonment has increased the availability of open shrubland, the dominant land‐cover type selected by Woodlarks.

Conclusions Increased fine‐grained landscape heterogeneity following farm abandonment has created opportunities for habitat use by Woodlarks and may be a major factor in the Woodlark population expansion observed between 1978 and 2003.     

Excessive zinc in diet induces leptin resistance in Wistar rat through increased uptake of nutrients at intestinal level

ProjectThe ob gene has either been found to be mutant defective resulting in a deficiency of its product leptin or leptin has been found to be resistant to its receptors in obese human and rodents. The factors inducing leptin resistance have not been identified. Since excessive bioavailability of Zn has been implicated in obesity, we investigated if its excess in diet induces leptin resistance.ProcedureFor the investigations, three groups of Wistar rats were included in this study and they were fed on equicalories semi synthetic basal diet containing 20 mg, 40 mg or 80 mg Zn/kg diet for 120 days. There after they were sacrificed for hormonal status and intestinal investigations.ResultsThe data of this study revealed that the food intake, gain in body weight, serum leptin, glucose, insulin, cortisol increased with increased Zn concentration in diet. TEM study showed a positive correlation between Zn concentration in diet and number of microvilli/unit surface area of the mucosal epithelial cells of the intestine.ConclusionThe results of this study suggest that excessive bioavailability of Zn induces leptin resistance through increased uptake of nutrients at intestinal level, leading to the growth of the fat cells which aggravated the leptin synthesis and its release in the blood stream. In spite of its higher circulating level, it was unable to reduce the food intake and gain in body weight in Zn treated rats equivalent to the control group.     

Correcting Misperceptions about the History of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Castanea</Emphasis> Stands in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Satoyama</Emphasis> in Japan

Correcting Misperceptions about the History of Castanea Stands in Satoyama in Japan. Mistaken ideas about the naturalness of past and present landscapes are widespread in diverse cultures and in the scientific literature, and many of these ideas are only now being seriously challenged by current research (e.g., Erickson 2006; Fairhead and Leach 1996; Hall 1998; Ramankutty and Foley 1999; Willis et al. 2004). For example, the chestnut, Castanea crenata, has long been an important tree in Japanese culture, which has been cultivated, among other things, for its much loved edible nut and its valuable timber. Today, the widely-held view in Japan, which also appears in the scholarly and popular literature, is that in the past Castanea stands covered a large area throughout Japan, and these stands only disappeared because of economic development, especially in association with railway construction. Otaru, Hokkaido, is one of the places where people believe Castanea stands covered a large area and were deforested only recently. Local people in Otaru believe that the stand in Temiya Park has existed since the Jomon Period. For a more accurate historical perspective on Japanese forestation, we have performed pollen analysis to clarify the timing of the introduction of the Castanea tree into Otaru region and to reveal the history of this specific Castanea stand in Temiya Park. The results indicate that Castanea was first found in Otaru region 7100 B.P., but that it was not cultivated extensively until recently. Based on our study, and on data from this area dating to the late 19th century, we concluded instead that the Castanea stand we studied in Temiya Park, Otaru, was established after the mid-20th century. We believe the results of this study are applicable to Castanea stands in other parts of Japan as well.     

Identification of novel small molecule non-peptidomimetic inhibitor for prolyl oligopeptidase through in silico and in vitro approaches

Abstract

Prolyl oligopeptidase (POP) enzyme has been studied for various disorders, viz. Schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Depression, Inflammation, etc., for three decades, but no drug has passed through the clinical trials, possibly because of indigent pharmacokinetics. This might have been a result of similar structures of drug candidates. This study aimed at identifying novel small non-peptidomimetic inhibitors for POP enzyme that could serve as a lead for developing newer drugs. Structure-based virtual screening of molecules of MolMall database was conducted on the POP enzyme (PDB ID 3DDU) to identify potential hits. The hits identified were subjected to computational pharmacokinetic screening followed by molecular mechanics/generalized Born and surface area studies to estimate the binding free energy of the docked complexes. After that, nine hits were selected and tested for POP inhibitory activity, among which one compound MM 4 was found to be most potent with EC₅₀ of 100 µM. Compound MM 4 was further subjected to molecular dynamics simulations to study the overall stability of the ligand–protein complex. The compound interacted strongly with catalytic amino acid Arg643 by forming salt and water bridges; it also interacted well with amino acids Phe173, Arg252 and Met235. This study provides a lead molecule for further development of POP inhibitors.

Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma     

Synthesis,characterization and DNA binding and cleavage properties of ruthenium(II) complexes with various polypyridyls

Polypyridyl chlororuthenium(II) complexes have been synthesized and characterized. The binding mode of the complexes to DNA has been evaluated from the combined results of electronic absorption spectroscopy and viscosity measurement study. The results suggest that complexes 1, 2 and 3 bind to DNA via classical intercalation, electrostatic interaction and partial intercalation mode, respectively. Complex 2 shows less affinity for DNA. Cleavage of pUC19 DNA by complexes has been checked using gel electrophoresis. The data disclose that complex 1 has the highest cleaving ability.     

The Quality of Reports on Cervical Arterial Dissection following Cervical Spinal Manipulation

BackgroundCervical artery dissection (CAD) and stroke are serious harms that are sometimes associated with cervical spinal manipulation therapy (cSMT). Because of the relative rarity of these adverse events, studying them prospectively is challenging. As a result, systematic review of reports describing these events offers an important opportunity to better understand the relation between adverse events and cSMT. Of note, the quality of the case report literature in this area has not yet been assessed.Purpose1) To systematically collect and synthesize available reports of CAD that have been associated with cSMT in the literature and 2) assess the quality of these reports.MethodsA systematic review of the literature was conducted using several databases. All clinical study designs involving CADs associated with cSMT were eligible for inclusion. Included studies were screened by two independent reviewers for the presence/absence of 11 factors considered to be important in understanding the relation between CAD and cSMT.ResultsOverall, 43 articles reported 901 cases of CAD and 707 incidents of stroke reported to be associated with cSMT. The most common type of stroke reported was ischemic stroke (92%). Time-to-onset of symptoms was reported most frequently (95%). No single case included all 11 factors.ConclusionsThis study has demonstrated that the literature infrequently reports useful data toward understanding the association between cSMT, CADs and stroke. Improving the quality, completeness, and consistency of reporting adverse events may improve our understanding of this important relation.     

Non-invasive characterization of coronary artery atherosclerotic plaque using dual energy CT: Explanation in ex-vivo samples

PurposeIn this study non-calcified plaque composition is evaluated by Dual Energy CT (DECT). Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS) has been used to study the Plaque composition. An attempt has been made to explain the DECT results with EDS analysis.MethodsThirty-two ex-vivo human cadaver coronary artery samples were scanned by DECT and data was evaluated to calculate their effective atomic number and electron density (Z_eff & ρ_e) by inversion method. Result of DECT was compared with pathology to assess their differentiating capability. The EDS study was used to explain DECT outcome.ResultsDECT study was able to differentiate vulnerable plaque from stable with 87% accuracy (area under the curve (AUC):0.85 [95% confidence interval {CI}:0.73–0.98}] and Kappa Coefficient (KC):0.75 with respect to pathology. EDS revealed significant compositional difference in vulnerable and stable plaque at p < .05. The weight percentage of higher atomic number elements like F, Na, Mg, S, Si, P, Cl, K and Ca was found to be slightly more in vulnerable plaques as compared to a stable plaque. EDS also revealed a significantly increased weight percentage of nitrogen in stable plaques.ConclusionsThe EDS results were able to explain the outcomes of DECT study. This study conclusively explains the physics of DECT as a tool to assess the nature of non-calcified plaques as vulnerable and stable. The method proposed in this study allows for differentiation between vulnerable and stable plaque using DECT.     

SPECIES-SPECIFIC SOUNDS IN WATER BUGS OF THE GENUS MICRONECTA. PART 2, CHORUSING

ABSTRACT

Although chorusing behaviour has been reported previously in six species of corixid water bugs, including one European species of Micronecta, no analysis of chorusing has been published for Micronecta. Studies of a large pond in SE Australia show that chorusing occurred in the most common species of Micronecta in the study area, M. concordia. Pulse-trains synchronized with those of other individuals nearby were the predominant acoustic output of M. concordia males throughout the stridulating season, from mid-winter to mid-summer. At the start of the season, chorusing began with an exponential increase in the percentage of synchronized signals over a period of six days.