Surface charge engineering of Thermomyces lanuginosus lipase improves enzymatic activity and biodiesel synthesis

Objectives

This study was aimed at engineering charged residues on the surface of Thermomyces lanuginosus lipase (TLL) to obtain TLL variant with elevated performance for industrial applications.

Results

Site-directed mutagenesis of eight charged amino acids on the TLL surface were conducted and substitutions on the negatively charged residues D111, D158, D165, and E239 were identified with elevated specific activities and biodiesel yields. Synergistic effect was not discovered in the double mutants, D111E/D165E and D165E/E239R, when compared with the corresponding single mutants. One TLL mutant, D165E, was identified with increased specific activity (456.60 U/mg), catalytic efficiency (k_cat/K_m: 44.14 s^?1 mM^?1), the highest biodiesel conversion yield (93.56%), and comparable thermostability with that of the TLL.

Conclusions

Our study highlighted the importance of surface charge engineering in improving TLL activity and biodiesel production, and the resulting TLL mutant, D165E, is a promising candidate for biodiesel industry.

     

Phenology and carbohydrate content of heathers of southern origin grown in Scotland

Summary

Plants of Erica vagans, E. mackaiana and E. ciliaris from Spain or southern England were characterised by late flowering, tardy shoot extension, erect growth form and a susceptibility to winter damage when grown outdoors in Scotland. Although these characteristics are shared by plants of Calluna vulgaris, Erica cinerea and E. tetralix of similar provenance these latter species are known to be capable of producing forms suited to more severe climates. Differences in carbohydrate contents were not strongly related to origin although Erica ciliaris, E. vagans and E. erigena tended to accumulate relatively greater amounts of polysaccharides than the other species. Erica erigena combined early flowering with late and slow shoot extension and remained undamaged during winter.     

Ontogenetic shift in the trophic role of the invasive killer shrimp Dikerogammarus villosus: a stable isotope study

The introduction of the amphipod Dikerogammarus villosus in European fresh waters is to date recognized as a threat to the integrity of invaded communities. Predation by D. villosus on native benthic invertebrates is assumed as the key determinant of its ecological impact, yet available information describe the species as a primary consumer as well as a carnivore depending on local conditions. Here, we assessed the trophic position (TP) of D. villosus in Lake Trasimeno, a recently invaded lentic system in central Italy, using the CN isotopic signatures of individuals captured in winter spanning two orders of magnitude in body size. TP estimations were compared with those characterizing the native amphipod Echinogammarus veneris and other representative invertebrate predators. On average, D. villosus showed a trophic position higher than E. veneris, and comparable with that of odonate nymphs. An in-depth analysis revealed that large-sized individuals had a trophic position of 3.07, higher than odonates and close to that of the hirudinean predator Erpobdella octoculata, while small-sized specimens had a trophic position of 2.57, similar to that of E. veneris (2.41). These findings indicate that size-related ontogenetic shifts in dietary habits may per se vary the nature of the interaction between Dikerogammarus villosus and native invertebrates from competition to predation. Information collated from published isotopic studies corroborated the generality of our results. We conclude that intra-specific trophic flexibility may potentially amplify and make more multifaceted the impact of the species on other invertebrate species in invaded food webs.

     

Short Notes

Buntings on a Yorkshire farm, by D. Summers-Smith

The sex ratio of migrant Ruffs, by M. E. Greenhalgh

Cloaca pecking in the Dunnock, by R. F. Sanderson     

Appearance of Neoantigen in Mouse IgG1 Upon Reduction of Interchain Disulfide Bridges: Assessment of Local and General Conformational Rearrangements Using Monoclonal Antibody and Small-angle X-ray Scattering

Abstract

Mouse hybridoma antibody E5D2 reacting with murine mono- and polyclonal IgG1 has been produced. MonAb E5D2 recognizes the antigenic determinant (epitope) buried in intact IgG1 and expressed upon mild reduction of interchain S-S bridges. Neither H nor L chains alone maintain epitope E5D2. Reassociation of gamma 1 chains (H chains of IgG1) with L chains results in complete restoration of this antigenic determinant. The data strongly suggest that epitope E5D2 depends on the quaternary structure of IgG1. The epitope is also expressed by reduced F(ab)₂ fragment of IgG1 but is not connected with its antigen binding site. The likely localization of the epitope E5D2 is the interface between C_H and C_L domains. The second produced monAb F6C2 reacts with C_H1-C_L region of reduced mouse IgG2.

Small-angle X-ray scattering experiments have demonstrated pronounced decrease of the radius of gyration of reduced IgG1 as compared to the intact one. This indicates general conformational changes of IgG1 molecule following mild reduction of Fab region S-S groups. Epitope E5D2 is the first quaternary antigenic subclass specific determinant described for C the region of mouse IgG. Thus, serologic expression of epitope E5D2 reveals precise conformational perturbations of small area near reduced S-S bridges while small-angle scattering demonstrates accompanying general transformation of IgG structure.     

Some Aspects of the Ecology and Biology of Some Small Mammal Fleas from Yorkshire

The Invertebrates R. MCNEILL ALEXANDER 561 pp. London: Cambridge University Press, 1979. £28.00/£7.95. ISBNs 0 521 22120 X/29361 8 Reviewed by Andrew C. Campbell

Lecture Notes on Invertebrate Zoology Second edition M. S. LAVERACK and J. DANDO 194 pp. Oxford: Blackwell Scientific, 1979. £5.50. ISBN 0 632 00325 1 Reviewed by Andrew C. Campbell

An Illustrated Guide to River Phytoplankton H. BELCHER and E. SWALE 64 pp. London: Institute of Terrestrial Ecology/HMSO, 1979. £1.50. ISBN 0 11 886602 8 Reviewed by J. W. G. Lund

The Cell as a Habitat 286 pp. London: The Royal Society, 1979. £8.50. ISBN 0 85403 113 8 H. V. Wyatt

Cell Motility Integrated Themes in Biology H. STEBBINGS and J. S. HYAMS 192 pp. Harlow, Essex: Longman, 1979. £4.95. ISBN 0 582 44380 6 Reviewed by K. R. Tyler

Concepts in Cell Biochemistry W. K. STEPHENSON 221 pp. Chichester, Sussex: John Wiley, 1978. £5.00. ISBN 0 471 03390 1 Reviewed by D. A. Kennedy

The Kindly Fruits of the Earth G. E. HUTCHINSON 264 pp. London: Yale University Press, 1979. £13.35. ISBN 0 300 02272 7 Reviewed by W. H. Dowdeswell

Brain, Behaviour and Evolution D. A. OAKLEY and H. C. PLOTKIN (Ed.) 237 pp. Andover, Hants: Methuen, 1979. £9.00/£4.95. ISBNs 0 416 71260 6/71270 3 Reviewed by W. H. Dowdeswell

Introduction to Evolution F. A. RACLE 162 pp. Hemel Hempstead, Herts: Prentice/Hall, 1979. £5.80. ISBN 0 13 382869 0 Reviewed by J. A. Dawes

Tissues and Organs: a text-atlas of scanning electron microscopy R. G. KESSEL and R. H. KARDON 317 pp. San Francisco and Reading: W. H. Freeman, 1979. £18.90/£7.00. ISBNs 0 7167 0091 3/0090 5 Reviewed by A. W. Robards

The Cycling Female A. LEIN 135 pp. Reading: W. H. Freeman, 1979. £6.30/£2.90. ISBNs 0 7167 1039 0/1038 2 D. J. Reid

Ecology and Evolution of Animal Behaviour Second edition R. A. WALLACE 284 pp. Hemel Hempstead, Herts: Prentice/Hall, 1979. £7.10. ISBN 0 87620 272 5 Reviewed by Ursula Bowen

Man Against Disease MUIR GRAY 192 pp. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1979. £2.50. ISBN 0 19 289127 8 Reviewed by H. V. Wyatt

Pollen and Allergy Studies in Biology, No. 107 R. BRUCE KNOX 60 pp. London: Edward Arnold, 1979. £1.75. ISBN 0 7131 2736 8 Reviewed by D. Brookes

Principles of Animal Physiology Second edition J. A. WILSON 890pp. London: Collier Macmillan, 1979. £16.45. ISBN 0 02 428360 6 Reviewed by K. R. Tyler

Morphogenesis of the Vertebrates Fourth edition T. W. TORREY and A. FEDUCCIA 570 pp. Chichester, Sussex: John Wiley, 1979. £11.60. ISBN 0 471 03232 8 Reviewed by F. E. G. Cox

Lizards—A Study in Thermoregulation Studies in Biology, No. 109 R. A. AVERY 56 pp. London: Edward Arnold, 1979. £1.80. ISBN 0 7131 2745 7 Reviewed by Gillian E. Standring

Life at High Altitude Studies in Biology, No. 112 D. HEATH and D. REID WILLIAMS 60 pp. London: Edward Arnold, 1979. £1.80. ISBN 0 7131 2754 6 Reviewed by C. G. Gayford

Seal Cull J. LISTER-KAYE 174 pp. Harmondsworth, Middx: Penguin Books, 1979. 95p. ISBN 0 14052 336 7 Seal Song B. DAVIES and E. PORTER 94 pp. Harmondsworth, Middx: Penguin Books, 1979. £2.50. ISBN 0 1400 4740 9 Reviewed by Ursula Bowen

Fieldwork Projects in Biology M. HINGLEY 170 pp. Poole, Dorset: Blandford Press, 1979. £4.95. ISBN 0 7137 0964 2 Reviewed by Malcolm Watson

Investigative Mycology R. F. SHARP 136 pp. London: Heinemann Educational, 1978. £5.00/£2.20. ISBNs 0 435 60750 2/60751 0 Reviewed by Avice M. Hall

Sexual Incompatibility in Plants Studies in Biology, No. 110 D. LEWIS 60 pp. London: Edward Arnold, 1979. £1.90. ISBN 0 7131 2747 3 Reviewed by David Skibinski

Introduction to the Principles and Practice of Soil Science R. E. WHITE 198 pp. Oxford: Blackwell Scientific, 1979. £8.50. ISBN 0 632 00052 X Reviewed by D. Payne

Bioscience Education in Developing Countries T. RAMASARMA et al. (Ed.) 230pp. Singapore: University of Singapore, 1979 $7.00 Reviewed by Colin Wood-Robinson

Ecology of African Mammals M. J. DELANY and D. C. D. HAPPOLD 434 pp. Harlow, Essex: Longman, 1979. £25.00. ISBN 0 582 44176 5 Reviewed by Colin Wood-Robinson

Modern Biology Made Simple R. BARRASS 304 pp. London: W. H. Allen, 1979. £3.50/£2.25. ISBNs 0491 02452 5/02462 2 Reviewed by John May

Life Science Physics J. W. KANE and M. M. STERNHELM 664 pp. Chichester, Sussex: John Wiley, 1978. £11.00. ISBN 0 471 03137 2 Reviewed by P. Burdett

Warwick Real Time Science Simulations Teacher's Handbook R. A. BEARE £3.00 Eleven biology booklets J. HEWITSON £1.00-1.75. Hatfield, Herts: Association for Science Education, 1978 Reviewed by M. E. Leveridge     

Die Ablaktions-Pfropfung,eine vielseitige Virusinfektionsmethode für Kartoffeln

Abstract

Roder, W.; Feyerabend, G.; Rogoll, H.: Landwirtschaftlicher Pflanzenschutz. 560 S., 217 Abb. Berlin: VEB Dt. Landwirtschaftsverlag, 1975. Reviewed by D. Spaar.

Libbert, E. (Hrsg.): Kompendium der allgemeinen Biologie. 1. Aufl. 474 S., 179 Abb., 12 Tab. Jena: VEB Gustav Fischer Verlag, 1976. Reviewed by J. Richter.

Kllinkowski, M.; Mühle, E.; Reinmuth, E.; Bochow, H.: Phytopathologie und Pflanzenschutz. 2., überarbeitete u. erweiterte Aufl. 3. Bd. 914 S., 523 Abb. Berlin: Akademie-Verlag, 1976. Reviewed by D. Spaar.

Börner, H.: Pflanzenkrankheiten und Pflanzenschutz. 2., überarb. Aufl., 419 S., 74 Abb. Stuttgart: Eugen Ulmer, 1975. Reviewed by W. Lehmann.     

Timing of breeding and primary moult of the Masked Weaver Ploceus velatus in the summer and winter rainfall regions of South Africa

Oschadleus, H.D., Underhill, G.D. & Underhill, L.G. 2000. Timing of breeding and primary moult of the Masked Weaver Ploceus velatus in the summer and winter rainfall regions of South Africa. Ostrich 71 (1 & 2): 91–94.

Timing of breeding and moult is analysed in the Masked Weaver Ploceus velatus. It is common throughout southern Africa, which is largely a summer rainfall area. This species expanded its range into the Western Cape, a winter rainfall region, in the twentieth century. The peak breeding period is one month earlier in the winter rainfall area (September to November) than in the summer rainfall area (October to December). The mean starting date of primary moult is one month earlier in the winter rainfall area (9 January) than in the summer rainfall area (15 February). The duration of primary moult is similar in both regions (74 days in the winter rainfall area and 80 days in the summer rainfall area).     

One More Reason to Get Arrested (in G1)

No Abstract Available

Key Words:

Restriction point, Cyclin D, Cyclin E, Retinoblastoma, Microtubules     

Besprechung

Abstract

Klinkowski, M.; Mühle, E.; Reinmuth, E.; Bochow, H.; Phytopathologie und Pflanzenschutz 2. Auflage, 820 S., 1. Band, 231 Abb., Berlin: Akademie-Verlag 1973. Reviewed by D. Spaar.

Israilskij, V. P. (Ed.): Rukovodstvo dlja izu?enia bakterialnych boleznei rastenij 3. Aufl. 343 S., 12 Abb., 12 Tab. Moskau: Kolos 1968. Reviewed by D. Spaar.

Vrånceanu, A. V.: Floarea-Soarelui 322 S., 80 Abb. Bucuresti: Editura Academiei Republicii Socialiste, Romania 1974. Reviewed by R. Fritzsche.

Birger, M. O.: Spravo?nik po mikrobiologiěeskim i virusologiěeskim metodam issledovanija. 2. Aufl. 456 S., 6 Abb., 82 Tab. Moskau: Medizin 1973. Reviewed by W. Ficke.

Verderevskaja, T.D.; Lemanova, N.B.; Abramenko, N. M. (Herausgeber): Virusnye bolesni plodovo-jagodnych kultur i vinograda v Moldavii. Band I, 180 S., 9 Abb., Ki?inev: Kartja moldovenjaské 1973. Reviewed by H. Kegler.

Verderevskaja, T. D.; Lemanova, N. B.; Abramenko, N. M. (Herausgeber): Virusnye bolezni plodovo-jagodnych kultur i vinograda v Moldavii. Band II, 144 S., 7 Abb. Ki?inev: Kartja moldovenjaské 1973. Reviewed by H. Kleinhempel.

Wyniger, R.: Insektenzucht. 368 S., 497 Abb. Stuttgart: Eugen Ulmer 1974. Reviewed by W. Lehmann.

Buchanan, R.E.; Gibbons, N. E. (Ed.): Bergey's Manual of Determinative Bacteriology. 8. Aufl., 1268 S., zahlr. Abb. Baltimore: Williams & Wilkins 1975. Reviewed by H. Kleinhempel.     

Contribution a l'etude des ceintures de vegetation d'une lagune continentale du nord de la tunisie (lac ischkeul)

For all stations, we established a sharing in space and time (according to abondance-dominance test) and we tried to represent the relative importance, by quadrats, for Angiosperms. We display the vegetal zonation in the side of the lagoon. The terrestrial species are distributed especially along the winter inundation fringe and the species of salty soils in the summer waterside fringe. In the intermediate zone are located species which can stand more water and more salinity.

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Laboratoire de Biologie Végétale, E.N.S., TUNIS     

Mate guarding in the Linnet Carduelis cannabina

Capsule?House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) populations in south Swedish farmland are not affected by supplemental winter feeding, irrespective of agricultural landscape type or presence of animal husbandry, although winter populations declined more in mixed farmland and when farms contained animal husbandry.

Aims?To investigate whether food limitation of House Sparrow population size during the winter varied spatially in relation to agricultural landscape intensification and farm management.

Methods?We experimentally increased the winter food supply for populations on farmsteads in replicated landscapes that differed in agricultural intensification (open plains versus mixed farming) and/or farm management (crop farming versus animal husbandry), and estimated possible differences in effects on winter population change.

Results?We found no effect of supplementary winter feeding on changes in House Sparrow population sizes over the winter, irrespective of agricultural landscape type or presence of animal husbandry at the farm. However, we found a significantly larger winter population decline in mixed farmland and when farms contained animal husbandry.

Conclusions?The results suggest that House Sparrow populations in south Swedish farmland are not primarily limited by winter food availability. Alternatively, supplemental winter feeding may augment interspecific competition or attracts predators, offsetting any positive effect on population change. However, the stronger population decline in landscapes in which more breeding resources may be available (animal husbandry farms, mixed farmland), suggests stronger intraspecific competition during the winter in line with the resource separation hypothesis.     

Letters

Formation of ‘ECHO’ Institute, by E. D. H. Johnson

Statistical analysis of data, by Jeremy Greenwood     

An Approach to the Development of Field Studies in Urban Areas

Integrated Science—The Wreake Valley Project D. TINBERGEN and P. THORBURN (Eds) Book 1, 120 pp., illustrated. £1.50. Book 2, 104 pp., illustrated. £1.75. Book 3, 136 pp., illustrated. £2.25. London: Edward Arnold, 1976. Reviewed by John May

Stirling Educational Monographs No. 1. Attitude Goals in Secondary School Science S. BROWN 77 pp. University of Stirling. 1976. £1.75. Reviewed by Clive Carré and Henry Crowther

No. 2. Innovations in Integrated Science in Scottish Secondary Schools S. BROWN, D. McINTYRE, E. DREVER and J. KERI DAVIES 89 pp. University of Stirling, 1976. £1.00. Reviewed by Tessa Carrick

Outline Studies in Biology 64 pp. each, illustrated. London: Chapman and Hall, 1976. £1.30 each. Biological Energy Conservation C. W. JONES Control of Enzyme Activity P. COHEN Metabolic Regulation R. M. DENTON and C. I. POGSON Reviewed by John H. Duffus

Population Genetics L. M. COOK Reviewed by T. J. Crawford

Cytogenetics of Man and other Animals A. McDERMOTT Reviewed by J. A. Beardmore

RNA Biosynthesis R. H. BURDON Protein Biosynthesis A. E. SMITH Reviewed by C. M. Bray

Basic Biology Course Books 3, 5, 8, and 9 London: Cambridge University Press, 1976.

Book 3 Dynamic Aspects of Cells M. A. TRIBE, I. TALLAN, M. R. ERAUT and R. K. SNOOK 119 pp., illustrated. £6.20 boards, £2.90 paper.

Book 5 Cell Membranes M. A. TRIBE, M. R. ERAUT and R. K. SNOOK 79 pp., illustrated. £5.00 boards, £2.50 paper. Super 8 mm film loop (Phagocytosis) £8.00.

Book 8 Metabolism and Mitochondria M. A. TRIBE, M. R. ERAUT and R. K. SNOOK 142 pp., illustrated. £8.00 boards, £3.50 paper. Filmstrip £3.50; cassette £3.80.

Book 9 Protein Synthesis M. A. TRIBE, I. TALLAN, M. R. ERAUT and R. K. SNOOK 103 pp., illustrated. £6.00 boards, £2.75 paper. Reviewed by Colin Stoneman

Population Cytogenetics Studies in Biology, No. 70 B.JOHN 76 pp., illustrated. London: Edward Arnold, 1976. £3.00 boards, £1.50 paper. Reviewed by J. A. Beardmore

Biology Colour Units Helpful and Harmful Organisms M. Sanderson Urban Ecology D. Gilman Co-ordination C. Morgan Movement D. Gray Each 24 pp, illustrated. London: Macdonald Educational, 1977. 75p each. Reviewed by John May

The Natural World : The Mitchell Beazley Joy of Knowledge Library J. MITCHELL (Ed.) 272 pp., illustrated. London: Mitchell Beazley, 1977. £12.50. Reviewed by P. J. Kelly

Human and Social Biology G. USHER 256 pp., illustrated. Plymouth, Devon: Macdonald and Evans, 1977. £1.95. Reviewed by A. Cornwell

Safeguards in the School Laboratory 28 pp., Hatfield, Herts: Association for Science Education, 1976. 35p. Reviewed by Tessa Carrick

A First Science Dictionary D. J. LUCAS, H. I. JAMES, and O. J. SIMPSON 208 pp. London: Edward Arnold, 1976. £1.95. Reviewed by John Feltwell

Introduction to Genetics Third Edition D. G. MACKEAN 42 pp., illustrated. London: John Murray, 1977. £1.40. Reviewed by Tessa Carrick

The Wash water storage feasibility study: a report on the ecological studies 36 pp., illustrated. London: Natural Environment Research Council. Publication series C No. 15, 1976. Free. Reviewed by John A. Barker

Higher Education Film Library Catalogue BRITISH UNIVERSITIES FILM COUNCIL London: BUFC, 1977. £1.00. Reviewed by John A. Barker

Biology: Principles and Issues WILLIAM C. SCHEFLER 370pp., illustrated. London: Addison-Wesley, 1976. £9.10. Reviewed by H. W. Grenville

Guide to Living Mammals J. E. WEBB, J. A. WALLWORK, and J. H. ELGOOD 152 pp., illustrated. London: Macmillan, 1977. £2.95. Reviewed by H. V. Wyatt

Applied Medical Microbiology J. G. COLLEE 121 pp., illustrated. Oxford: Blackwell Scientific, 1976. £2.80. Reviewed by G. E. Mathison

General Microbiology Fourth edition R. Y. STANIER, E. A. ADELBERG and J. L. INGRAHAM 871pp., illustrated. London: Macmillan, 1977. £15.00 boards, £7.95 paper. Reviewed by C. G. Gayford

Fundamentals of Mycology Second edition J. H. BURNETT 673 pp., illustrated. London: Edward Arnold, 1976. £27.50. Reviewed by B. W. Bainbridge

Metals and Metabolism D. A. PHIPPS 134 pp., London: Oxford University Press (Clarendon), 1976. £5.00 boards, £2.50 paper. Reviewed by C. M. Bray

Biochemical Systems Analysis M. A. SAVAGEAU 379 pp., illustrated. London: Addison-Wesley, 1976. £21.20 boards, £13.20 paper. Reviewed by J. H. Parish

The Biochemistry of the Tissues Second edition P. BANKS, W. BARTLEY, and L. M. BIRT 493 pp. Chichester, Sussex: John Wiley, 1976. £14.50 boards, £6.25 paper. Reviewed by John Feltwell

Genetics and Adaptation Studies in Biology, No. 69 E. B. FORD 58 pp., illustrated. London: Edward Arnold, 1976. £2.60 boards, £1.30 paper. Reviewed by R. A. E. Tilney-Bassett

The Comparative Endocrinology of the Invertebrates Second edition K. C. HIGHNAM and L. HILL 357 pp., illustrated. London: Edward Arnold, 1977. £16.00 boards, £8.50 paper. Reviewed by K. Simkiss

Muscles and Movement K. M. BACKHOUSE 48 pp., illustrated. London: Hart Davis, 1976. £1.75. Reviewed by Jackie Hardie

Herbicides: Physiology, Biochemistry, Ecology, Vol. 2 Second edition L. J. AUDUS (Ed.) 564 pp., illustrated. London: Academic Press, 1976. £17.50. Reviewed by Donald S. H. Drennan

Introduction to Ecology R. DAJOZ Translated by A. SOUTH 416 pp., Sevenoaks, Kent : Hodder and Stoughton, 1977. £7.50 boards, £4.45 paper. Reviewed by D. M. Keith-Lucas

Human Sex and Sexuality E. B. STEEN and J. H. PRICE 338 pp., illustrated. Chichester, Sussex: John Wiley, 1977. £7.00. Reviewed by Donald Reid

Rabies : The Facts C. KAPLAN (Ed.) 116 pp., illustrated. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1977. £1.95 (Also published in paperback by Corgi Books, London. 75p.) Reviewed by W. C. Noble

Introduction to Environmental Remote Sensing E. C. BARRETT and L. F. CURTIS 336 pp., illustrated. London: Chapman and Hall, 1976. £11.00 boards, £5.95 paper. Reviewed by Monical M. Cole

Light and Life L. O. BJÖRN 249 pp., illustrated. London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1976. £3.45 boards, £1.75 paper. Reviewed by John Feltwell     

Woodpigeon Columba palumbus movements in eastern England

Capsule Woodpigeons range over greater areas during winter than summer with winter dispersion greatest in the first two winters following fledging.

Aims To radiotrack Woodpigeons, to analyse the BTO ringing recoveries and to examine ranging behaviour.

Methods Movements of 19 adult and nine newly fledged Woodpigeons around a 1070-ha study site in eastern England were monitored by radiotracking. The BTO recovery data were analysed for birds ringed in arable areas of Britain during the period 1950 to 1999.

Results The mean 95% minimum convex polygons during the summer were 254 ha for adults and 294 ha for juveniles. These ranges increased to 628 ha for adults and 1283 ha for juveniles during winter. Although they left the study area over the winter, some radiotagged juveniles returned to their natal areas the following summer. Winter dispersion followed by a return to the natal area the following summer only occurred for the first two years of life.

Conclusion Although Woodpigeons are largely sedentary, the winter dispersion of juvenile birds will weaken any effect of localized winter shooting on the numbers of breeding birds in that area the following spring.     

Effects of ERK1/2 signal pathway on cardiomyocyte during glucose lowering

Objective: This study investigated whether the extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) signal pathway affects cardiomyocyte apoptosis and the expression of tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) at different glucose-lowering rates.

Methods: Cardiomyocytes of Wistar neonate rats were maintained in a medium supplemented with 25?mmol/L glucosamine for 72?h. Then the medium was changed to different concentrations of glucosamine, and all cells were divided into five groups. The survival rate of cardiomyocyte was measured using the Cell Counting Kit-8; cardiomyocyte apoptosis was measured using the flow cytometry instrument and laser confocal microscope; TNF-α was measured using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; and ERK1/2 protein and phosphorylation were measured using the Western blot. Cardiomyocyte apoptosis and TNF-α were measured again after adding U0126.

Results: As the glucose-lowering rate increased, the survival rate of cardiomyocytes increased in group B and decreased in groups C, D, and E. The TNF-α concentration increased in groups B, C, and D and decreased in group E. After 24?h, the apoptosis rate decreased in group B and increased in groups C, D, and E. The expression of p-ERK1/2 increased in groups B, D, and E, and was the lowest in group C. After adding U0126, the survival rate of cardiomyocyte in all groups increased and TNF-α concentration decreased.

Conclusions: The influence of glucose-lowering rate on cardiomyocyte apoptosis and TNF-α was caused by the p-ERK1/2 pathway. During the glucose-lowering course, the p-ERK1/2 pathway promoted cardiomyocyte apoptosis, and TNF-α secretion was related to not only osmotic pressure but also ERK1/2 signal pathway activation.     

Book Reviews

Lowery, G. H., Jr. The Mammals of Louisiana and its Adjacent Waters Louisiana State University Press 565 pp., $15.00, Reviewed by Paul F. Connor

Hutchins, Ross E. How Animals Survive (Finding-out books) New York: Parents' Magazine Press, 1974 64 pp., $4.59, Reviewed by Carl Gans

Macan, T.T. Ponds and Lakes New York: Crane, Russak & Company, Inc. 1974 148 pp., $10.50, Reviewed by Robert E. Knowlton

Kurtén, Bjorn The Age of Mammals New York: Columbia University Press, 1974 250 pp., $4.95, Paperback, Reviewed by Austin T. Hyde, Jr., M.D.

Friedman, Judi Jelly Jam Activity Book Chicago: Educational Methods, 1975 64 pp., $1.00, Reviewed by Rose Henninge     

Alcune caratteristiche strutturali dei cromosomi politenici del sospensore embrionale di Phaseolus coccineus in due momenti dell'embriogenesi

Abstract

Some features of polytene chromosomes of Phaseolus coccineus suspensor during two stages of early embryogenesis. – The distribution of DNA and RNA puffs in the whole genome of the giant cells of the Phaseolus coccineus embryo suspensor has been detected in two stages of embryo development. The collected data show that the chromosome regions showing the highest frequency of DNA puffs in both analysed stages are the following: i) band B (the fraction proximal to secondary constriction) of chromosome pair I and band E of chromosome pair V. When the two stages of development are however compared, it is seen that the % of DNA puffs in chromosome pair is at least double in suspensors dissected from the first stage of embryo development (86% in the first stage; 41% in the second stage). As to chromosome pair V band E organizes DNA puffs in 36% and in 50% of observed chromosomes in the first and second stage respectively; ii) band A of chromosome pair II, with a frequency of 52% (first stage) and 27% (second stage); iii) band E of chromosome pair VIII (27% in the first stage and 19% in the second stage). As far as the organization of RNA puffs is concerning it seems possible to outline the following values as the highest percentages:

a) First stage. chromosome b) Second stage. chromosome

I: band B 83% I: band B 91% VI: band E 55%

II: band A 70% II: band A 51% band G 50%

IV: band E 45% band C+D 59% VIII: band E 44%

V: band B+C 57% IV: band E 51% IX: band A 54%

band E 71% band G 51% band E 43%

VI: band E 53% band I 51% band F 53%

VIII: band E 43% V: band E 43%

IX: band E 42%

The differences observed between the two stages are discussed in relation to the function of the suspensor.