Agricultural property,matrimonial structures,and reproductive behaviour of the Guedmiwa Berbers (Azegour Valley,Marrakech, Morocco)

This study concerns the Guedmiwa Berber population living in the Azegour Valley, at an altitude of 2000m on the northern slopes of the western range of the Haut-Atlas mountains. The reproductive behaviour of 506 Guedmiwa Berber families shows a rather elevated fertility which seems influenced at the same time by the socio-familial organisation and by the economic resources at the disposition of the family.     

Theropithecus atlanticus (Thomas, 1884) (Primates: Cercopithecidae) from the late Pliocene of Ahl al Oughlam, Casablanca, Morocco

The site of Ahl al Oughlam near Casablanca, Morocco, dated to ca. 2·5 Ma, has yielded a good sample of Theropithecus atlanticus (Thomas, 1884), a North African late Pliocene species previously known only by its holotype, a lower molar from Algeria. Theropithecus atlanticus, which can now be much better defined, is clearly distinct from other species of the genus, which is thus more diverse than previously thought. The mandible of T. atlanticus has a very characteristic deep and long post-molar sulcus and a deep and well excavated supra-lateral triangular depression of the ramus, with a sharp postero-inferior ridge. The upper and lower canines are rather large but low. The male P₃is very wide, with well developed posterior crests; the P₄is rounded, with a large talonid and weak notches and clefts. Median lingual notches of the lower molars form an acute angle. Although our incomplete knowledge of T. atlanticus precludes a detailed phylogenetic analysis, we suggest that it arose by clado-genesis from the T. darti–T. oswaldi lineage; it is replaced by the latter species in the Pleistocene.Le gisement de Ahl al Oughlam près de Casablanca (Maroc), daté d'environ 2,5 Ma, a livré une belle collection deTheropithecus atlanticus (Thomas, 1884), espèce du Pliocène supérieur nord-africain qui n'était jusque là connue que par son holotype, une molaire inférieure d'Algérie. T. atlanticus, qui peut maintenant être bien mieux défini, se distingue bien des autres espèces du genre, dont la diversité est ainsi accrue. La mandibule de T. atlanticus est très caractéristique par son espace rétro-molaire vaste et profond, et sa dépression supra-latérale de la branche montante également très profonde, avec un rebord inférieur aigu. Les canines supérieures et inférieures sont grosses mais basses. La P₃mâle est très large, avec des crêtes postérieures très développées; la P₄est arrondie, avec un grand talonide et des sillons peu profonds. Sur les molaires inférieures, le débouché de la vallée médiane forme un angle aigu. Bien que notre connaissance imparfaite de T. atlanticus interdise une analyse phylétique détaillée, nous suggérons une dérivation par cladogenèse à partir de la lignée T. darti–T. oswaldi; cette dernière espèce le remplace au Pléistocène.     

奶牛和肉牛6个STR基因座遗传多态性研究

利用PCR技术和复合电泳银染技术检测奶牛和肉牛BM2113、BM1862、BMc701、BM2934、TGLA122、BM720等6个STR基因座的多态性分布,并计算该6个基因座的基因频率(P_i)、个体鉴别力(DP)、杂合度(H)、多态信息含量(PIC)、和非父排除概率(PE)。结果显示:6个STR基因座的基因型分布符合Hardy-Weinberg平衡,奶牛中6个STR基因座中BM2113基因座的DP、H和PIC最高,TGLA122基因座的PE最高。6个STR基因座的累积个体鉴别力(CDP)为0.99997,累积非父排除能力(CPE)为0.98827。肉牛中6个STR基因座中BM1862基因座的DP、H、PIC、PE都是最高,6个STR基因座的累积个体鉴别力(CDP)为0.99999,累积非父排除能力(CPE)为0.99578。结果表明,6个STR基因座可用于牛的遗传连锁分析、个体识别和亲子鉴定等研究领域。     

Relationship between Breathlessness and Anxiety in Asthma and Bronchitis: A Comparative Study

Two personality testing forms, the Eysenck Personality Inventory Form A and the Cattell Self Analysis Form, were completed on 471 hospital patients who fell within the general diagnostic range of asthma, bronchitis, or both. Respiratory diagnoses were based on the standard M.R.C. questionary. All categories of patients showed a tendency towards neuroticism, anxiety, and introversion, and the scores were slightly higher for bronchitics than for asthmatics. Neuroticism and anxiety increased with increasing respiratory disability. Variations in these scores with age of onset of symptoms and length of history were small.     

两湖平原六个湖泊水生植物多样性的比较研究

为了揭示人为干扰对淡水湖泊水生植物多样性的影响 ,本文采用断面法 ,应用全球定位系统 (GPS)技术与地理信息系统 (GIS)技术 ,比较研究了所受干扰强度各不相同的两湖平原的白莲湖、海口湖 (轻度干扰 )、长湖、西凉湖 (较强度干扰 )、大通湖与武山湖 (重度干扰 )水生植物多样性的现状及其 2 0年来的变化 ,并探讨了人为干扰强度与植物多样性丰富程度及丧失程度间的关系。主要结论是 (1) 2 0 0 1年白莲湖、海口湖、长湖、西凉湖、大通湖与武山湖各分布有水生植物 6 9、 6 7、 98、 77、 5 6和 38种 ,6个湖泊各有水生植物群丛类型 14、 14、 14、 13、 6和 0个 ,植被覆盖率分别为 10 0 %、 96 18%、 6 5 32 %、 6 1 18%、10 6 0 %和 0 % ,全湖平均单位面积生物量分别是 2 2 31g m2 、 2 718g m2 、 1816g m2 、 14 71g m2 、2 5 6g m2 和 0g m2 。 (2 ) 2 0年来 ,6个湖泊各有 1、 1、 6、 7、 9和 2 9种水生植物消失 ,消失的水生植物群丛类型数目分别是 1、 1、 4、 4、 5和 6个 ,水生植被覆盖率分别下降了0 %、 3 82 %、 32 85 %、 37 80 %、 5 9 4 0 %和 91 0 0 %。 (3)多样性丰富程度的现状是白莲湖、海口湖 >长湖、西凉湖 >大通湖、武山湖 ,丰富程度与所受干扰强度成负相关关系 ;多样性丧失程度与所     

Polymorphism of Pseudocholinesterase in Torpedo marmorata Tissues: Comparative Study of the Catalytic and Molecular Properties of this Enzyme with Acetylcholinesterase

We report the existence, in Torpedo marmorata tissues, of a cholinesterase species (sensitive to 10(-5) M eserine) that differs from acetylcholinesterase (AChE, EC 3.1.1.7) in several respects: (a) The enzyme hydrolyzes butyrylthiocholine (BuSCh) at about 30% of the rate at which it hydrolyzes acetylthiocholine (AcSCh), whereas Torpedo AChE does not show any activity on BuSCh. (b) It is not inhibited by 10(-5) M BW 284C51, but rapidly inactivated by 10(-8) M diisopropylfluorophosphonate. (c) It does not exhibit inhibition by excess substrate up to 5 X 10(-3) M AcSCh. (d) It does not cross-react with anti-AChE antibodies raised against purified Torpedo AChE. This enzyme is obviously homologous to the "nonspecific" or pseudocholinesterase (pseudo-ChE, EC 3.1.1.8) that exists in other species, although it is closer to "true" AChE than classic pseudo-ChE in several respects. Thus, it shows the highest Vmax with acetyl-, and not propionyl- or butyrylthiocholine, and it is not specifically sensitive to ethopropazine. Pseudo-ChE is apparently absent from the electric organs, but represents the only cholinesterase species in the heart ventricle. Pseudo-ChE and AChE coexist in the spinal cord and in blood plasma, where they contribute to AcSCh hydrolysis in comparable proportions. Pseudo-ChE exists in several molecular forms, including collagen-tailed forms, which can be considered as homologous to those of AChE. In the heart the major component of pseudo-ChE appears to be a soluble monomeric form (G1). This form is inactivated by Triton X-100 within days.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

MICB基因多态性与乳腺癌的易感关联性研究

目的:研究海南汉族人群MICB等位基因的多态性与乳腺癌易感性之间的关联性。方法:采用PCRSSP(PCR sequence-specific primers)和PCR-SBT(PCR sequence-based typing)方法对样本MICB等位基因的多态性进行检测。结果:乳腺癌患者中检出14种MICB等位基因;和对照组相比较,MICB*002和MICB*014等位基因在乳腺癌患者组分布频率较少,MICB*002和MICB*014等位基因可能对乳腺癌不易感(MICB*002:OR=0.31,95%CI:0.19-0.51,Pc0.05;MICB*014:OR=0.32,95%CI:0.17-0.60,Pc0.05)。MICB*016和MICB*003等位基因在乳腺癌患者组分布较多;MICB*016和MICB*003等位基因可能对乳腺癌易感(MICB*016:OR=10.68,95%CI:2.52-45.28,Pc0.05;MICB*003:OR=3.57,95%CI:1.34-9.49,Pc0.05);MICB*002/002和MICB*014/014基因型可能对乳腺癌不易感(MICB*002/002:OR=0.12,95%CI:0.04-0.36,Pc0.05;MICB*014/014:OR=0.30,95%CI:0.10-0.89,Pc0.05)。结论:MICB等位基因的多态性与乳腺癌的易感性之间存在关联性。     

MICB基因多态性与肺癌的易感关联性研究

目的:研究海南汉族人群MICB等位基因的多态性与肺癌易感性之间的关联性。方法:采用PCR-SSP(PCR sequence-specific primers)和PCR-SBT(PCR sequence-based typing)方法对样本MICB等位基因的多态性进行检测。结果:肺癌患者中检出14种MICB等位基因;和对照组相比较,MICB*00502等位基因在肺癌患者组分布频率较少(43.5%vs 57.8%),MICB*016等位基因在肺癌患者组分布较多(5.9%vs 0.6%);MICB*016等位基因可能对肺癌易感(OR=11.19,95%CI:2.59-48.24,Pc0.05);MICB*00502等位基因可能对肺癌不易感(MICB*00502:OR=0.56,95%CI:0.42-0.76,Pc0.05)。结论:MICB等位基因的多态性与肺癌的易感性之间存在关联性。     

Comparative studies of thermoregulatory and osmoregulatory behaviour and physiology of five species of sandgrouse (Aves: Pterocliidae) in Morocco

In Morocco, Pterocles alchata and orientalis prefer steppe habitats, while coronatus, senegallus and lichtensteini prefer deserts, so that these species groups are largely allopatric under normal climatic conditions. Both habitats impose extreme thermal conditions (air temperatures up to 55°C) on these diurnally active birds which characteristically nest in the open. Sandgrouse minimize environmental and metabolic heat loads by concentrating vigorous activity into the cooler parts of the day, by remaining inactive when the sun is high, and (exceptionally among the bird species studied) by increasing thermal insulation when ambient temperatures exceed body temperatures. Water conservation is achieved by delaying evaporative heat dispersal mechanisms (gular fluttering and gaping, but not panting) until air temperatures reach 50°C, and probably also by a renal-colonic system adapted to oliguria and salt retention. Desert and steppe study sites had permanent and comparatively fresh water supplies, but appeared to be salt deficient. Morning drinking flights in alchata and orientalis showed evidence of a "feed forward" response enabling increasing numbers of birds to drink earlier in the day in anticipation of hotter conditions later. P. coronatus, senegallus and lichtensteini breast feathers are adapted for water transport (we have no data for alchata and orientalis ), and show specializations in keratin-water interactions (not seen in Melopsittacus undulatus or C. coturnix ) enabling more rapid feather water uptake.     

Market Integration, Livelihood Transitions and Environmental Change in Areas of Low Agricultural Productivity: A Case Study from Morocco

Rural areas of the developing world have become increasingly integrated into the world economy through both production and consumption during the last decades. This growing integration shapes the development of communities and influences their relationship to the natural environment. Where livelihoods are constrained by resource limitations and the productivity of labor in farm activities is low, it may result in a shift to nonfarm activities, which may under some conditions improve wellbeing and relieve pressure on natural resources. The possibility of such a “win-win” development pathway has important implications for development and environmental policy. In this article we use original qualitative and quantitative data to examine environmental and social changes during the last half century in a rural area of Morocco, seeking evidence of such a pathway. While our case study supports the hypothesis that nonfarm diversification in a context of resource scarcity allowed people to improve their material living conditions, the effects of economic integration and nonfarm diversification on the environment were mixed.     

湖南汉族人群MICB等位基因多态性与白血病的相关性研究

目的:研究湖南汉族人群MICB等位基因的多态性与白血病的相关性。方法:MICB等位基因分型用PCR-SSP和PCR-SBT的方法。结果:白血病患者中有13种MICB等位基因被检测出,其中MICB*005:02/010基因频率较对照组显著偏低(OR=0.416,P<0.05)。不同类别白血病之间MICB等位基因多态性没有显著差异。结论:MICB*005:02/010等位基因可能与白血病的保护相关。