Rebuilding the relationship between people and nature: the Satoyama Initiative

The satoyama landscape is a traditional Japanese rural land-use system that represents a balanced relationship between human beings and nature, thereby sustaining a variety of ecosystem services, including the diversity of secondary natural environments. Overuse of the satoyama, as occurred during the Edo and early Meiji periods, as well as underuse as seen in the wake of the fuel and fertilizer revolutions of the 1960s, destroy this balance and hence the sustainability of this system. The Satoyama Initiative is an effort to rebuild a healthy relationship between nature and people who respect the traditional knowledge embodied in the satoyama system, and to explore new shared management systems (“new” commons) in which various actors, including corporations, participate in working toward the combined goals of a low-carbon, resource-circulating, nature-harmonious society. In the interests of furthering cooperation with developing nations, it is important that this initiative pay heed to the need for improved agricultural, forestry, and livestock industry productivity that harmonizes with the natural environment, and to the improvement of human well-being and the reduction of poverty.     

西藏故如甲木墓地人群牙齿磨耗和食物结构的关系

西藏阿里故如甲木墓地位于阿里地区噶尔县,是迄今为止阿里地区发现的规模最大、埋葬最集中的古代墓葬群。2012-2014年由中国社会科学院考古研究所和西藏自治区文物保护研究所联合开展发掘工作,发现并清理了11座墓葬,其中8座墓葬的时代略早,约为公元3-4世纪。另外3座为公元7-9世纪的吐蕃时期墓葬。本文对时代略早的8座故如甲木墓地出土的人骨进行了牙齿磨耗的观察,计算了每颗牙齿的平均磨耗等级以及前后部牙齿的磨耗差别指数,并选择了7组不同时代、不同地点、不同生业类型的古代人群进行了比较分析。结果表明,故如甲木的古代人群牙齿磨耗与畜牧业人群的磨耗接近,这也符合故如甲木当时的生业类型,即以牧业为主,辅以青稞和谷物的种植栽培。从牙齿磨耗推测故如甲木的人群在食物结构中有足够的动物性食物,这与碳氮同位素的食物结构分析结果也是一致的。     

Functional capacity of the cardiovascular system of elderly people as estimated by heart rate variability

With the aid of mathematical and spectral analysis of the heart rate (HR) wave structure in a dynamic interval tachogram (TG) in elderly subjects, it has been shown that a stable sinus rhythm is typical of the majority of the indigenous population of the rural areas of the North aged 78–97 years and migrants living in the city of Vorkuta aged 60–88 years. The total RR-interval spectrum power (800 ± 98 ms²) in the TGs of the native population is shifted to the very low frequency band (VLF, 52%), which indicates predomination of the humoral-metabolic HR regulation level. The reaction to orthostatic load in elderly subjects is characterized by a significant increase in the total spectrum power, which indicates changes in the autonomic balance of regulation of the wave structure of the HR variability. A low total spectrum power (609 ± 104 ms²) with a predominance of low frequency (LF) waves in the TGs of the migrants at rest reflects the activity of the sympathetic component of HR regulation. The reduction of the parasympathetic regulation and the growth of the sympathetic activity during an active orthostatic test in the migrants is a predictor of cardiovascular diseases. In individual TGs of recipients with HR disorders, the orthostatic test (the redistribution of blood flow in the main vessels) results in a decrease in the number of extrasystoles due to the specific features of the baroreflex regulation mechanisms of the cardiovascular system. The HR variability has been shown to be an indicator of the functional capacity of the cardiovascular system in elderly subjects.     

The relationship between ram breeding capacity and flock fertility

The effect of breeding capacity of rams on flock fertility was studied by exposing each of 15 rams to 1 of 15 flocks of 200 naturally-cycling ewes for 17 days. Five of the rams were arbitrarily designated as being of high breeding capacity (mean+/-SEM = 14.7+/-0.5 services in 2 3-hour pen breeding tests); five rams were designated as being of medium capacity (7.3 +/- 0.2); and the remaining five were designated as being of low breeding capacity (1.7 +/- 0.5). Breeding capacity was shown to be positively correlated with the number of services during flock mating, to the number of ewes mated and to insemination success. Breeding capacity as measured in a pen test of shorter duration (1 hour) was shown to be similarly related to flock fertility. Further, the number of services during flock mating was also positively correlated with the number of ewes mated and impregnated, as well as to the number of fetuses conceived and to insemination success. Breeding frequency of the ram is, therefore, closely related to flock fertility, but breeding capacity, as measured in the present study, is only a moderately accurate indicator of breeding frequency.     

Muscle synergies underlying sit-to-stand tasks in elderly people and their relationship with kinetic characteristics

BackgroundPhysiological evidence suggests that the nervous system controls motion by using a low-dimensional synergy organization for muscle activation. Because the muscle activation produces joint torques, kinetic changes accompanying aging can be related to changes in muscle synergies.ObjectivesWe explored the effects of aging on muscle synergies underlying sit-to-stand tasks, and examined their relationships with kinetic characteristics.MethodsFour younger and three older adults performed the sit-to-stand task at two speeds. Subsequently, we extracted the muscle synergies used to perform these tasks. Hierarchical cluster analysis was used to classify these synergies. We also calculated kinetic variables to compare the groups.ResultsThree independent muscle synergies generally appeared in each subject. The spatial structure of these synergies was similar across age groups. The change in motion speed affected only the temporal structure of these synergies. However, subject-specific muscle synergies and kinetic variables existed.ConclusionsOur results suggest common muscle synergies underlying the sit-to-stand task in both young and elderly adults. People may actively change only the temporal structure of each muscle synergy. The precise subject-specific structuring of each muscle synergy may incorporate knowledge of the musculoskeletal kinetics.     

Associations between aortic calcification and components of body composition in elderly men

Objective: To investigate associations among body composition, cardiovascular risk factors, and atherosclerosis in middle‐aged and elderly men for the identification of potential pathogenic links. Research Methods and Procedures: The study included 168 white men 44 to 86 years old. Severity of aortic calcification (AC) was graded on lateral radiographs, and body fat and lean mass were measured by DXA. Information on demographic and lifestyle characteristics also was gathered. Results: A strong and independent inverse association was found between AC and peripheral lean mass (PLM), even after adjusting for age and BMI (p < 0.05). Independently of the influence of PLM, AC was directly correlated with truncal fat mass (p < 0.05). Furthermore, AC was inversely associated with tertiles of the free androgen index (p < 0.05). In a multiple regression model, age and serum cholesterol (p < 0.01) contributed directly, and truncal fat mass tended also to contribute directly (p = 0.09), whereas PLM contributed borderline inversely (p = 0.06) to the variation of AC (R = 0.635, p < 0.0001). Discussion: Severity of AC is strongly dependent on age and further modulated by an array of traditional cardiovascular risk factors. Sarcopenia and truncal fat mass are reciprocal correlates of atherosclerosis of borderline statistical significance in multivariate models. To clarify whether sarcopenia is an atherogenic risk factor or rather a parallel consequence of low‐grade inflammation also promoting atherogenic trends, further longitudinal studies in larger sample sizes of men and women are needed.     

Glycolipid-cholesterol monolayers: towards a better understanding of the interaction between the membrane components

In this work, the interaction between a synthetic analog of archaeal lipids and cholesterol was studied using Langmuir technique. The lipid, β-Mal(3)O(C(16+4))(2), contained phytanyl chains attached via two ether bonds to the sn-2 carbon of the glycerol backbone. The preliminary studies showed that monolayers formed with the pure lipid have a liquid-like character; here, a hypothesis that admixing cholesterol to β-Mal(3)O(C(16+4))(2) could confer a higher rigidity on the films was tested. To check this proposal, two-dimensional miscibility of cholesterol and β-Mal(3)O(C(16+4))(2) in monomolecular films was studied using surface pressure and surface potential measurements, as well as Brewster angle microscopy and polarization-modulation infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy. The stability of the monomolecular films was evaluated based on thermodynamics of mixing of cholesterol and β-Mal(3)O(C(16+4))(2). Atomic level information concerning the orientation of molecules and the degree of hydration of polar headgroups was obtained from molecular dynamics simulations.     

金黄色葡萄球菌生物膜形成能力与耐药性关系的研究

目的 调查本地区分离金黄色葡萄球菌生物膜形成能力与耐药性之间的关系,为临床金黄色葡萄球菌的治疗及耐药性分析提供合理的依据.方法 对所分离的金葡菌进行药敏试验,采用刚果红平板法,定性检测生物膜粘附能力,探讨金葡菌的耐药性与生物膜形成之间的关系.结果 对50株金葡菌进行生物膜检测发现,15株为生物膜阳性,均检测为ica A基因阳性,35株生物膜阴性.生物膜阳性菌株对环丙沙星、左氧氟沙星、利福平及庆大霉素的耐药性显著高于生物膜阴性菌株,生物膜阳性菌的MRSA阳性率高达66.7％,显著高于生物膜阴性菌株,但均未发现对万古霉素和替考拉宁耐药的菌株.结论 本地区金葡菌生物膜阳性菌株比例较高,生物膜阳性株对抗菌药物的耐药性明显高于生物膜阴性株.     

Shoot regeneration and the relationship between organogenic capacity and endogenous hormonal contents in pumpkin

To induce multiple shoots from pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata Duch.), cotyledon explants excised from various ages of seedlings after in vitro germination were cultured on MS augmented with different concentrations of BA (0, 0.5, 1.0 or 2.0 mg l⁻¹). The highest frequency of shoot regeneration (63.7%) was observed from seven-day-old cotyledon explants cultured on MS containing 0.5 mg l⁻¹ BA. The frequency and duration of shoot formation showed close correlation with the donor seedling age. By contrast, BA supply was necessary to promote shoot formation but no differences were observed in relation to different concentrations. Multiple shoots elongated on MS supplemented with 0.1 mg l⁻¹ BA and 5–7 shoots per regenerated explant were recovered. Elongated shoots were rooted on MS, which was easier than that on 2/3MS, 1/2MS, or MS supplemented with 0.1 mg l⁻¹ NAA. The rooted shoots were then transferred to greenhouse where they grew and flowered normally. Quantitative analysis of endogenous auxin (IAA) and cytokinins (iPA and ZR) in initial cotyledon explants of different aged seedlings showed that the regeneration ability of cotyledon explants varied dependently on their endogenous iPA contents. This study therefore deduces that the various organogenic capabilities of cotyledon explants from pumpkin are the result of their endogenous hormonal contents.     

保护生物学中若干术语的理解和辨析(1)

保护生物学是近年来迅速发展的一门新兴交叉学科,准确理解其中的专业术语,不仅有助于推动学科的发展,而且有利于同行之间的交流,为此目的,讨论了该学科中的若干术语的含义.     

The relationship between dietary intake and the number of teeth in elderly Japanese subjects

Objective: This study used a precise weighing method to assess whether tooth loss was related to nutrient intake in elderly Japanese subjects. Material and methods: Fifty‐seven subjects aged 74 years were randomly selected from a longitudinal interdisciplinary study of ageing. Complete 3‐day food intake data were obtained by a precise weighing method. The dietary intakes of energy and nutrients were calculated based on the Standard Tables of Food Composition in Japan (5th ed.). A clinical evaluation of the number of teeth present was carried out. Multiple regression standardised coefficients for each nutrient was estimated based on a continuous scale adjusted for gender, smoking habits, and educational level. After dividing the subjects into two groups according to the number of teeth present (0–19, 20+), the difference in the intake of nutrients and the amount of food consumed per day was evaluated. Results: The number of teeth present had a significant relationship with the intake of several nutrients. In particular, total protein, animal protein, sodium, vitamin D, vitamin B₁, vitamin B₆, niacin, and pantothenic acid were significantly associated with the number of teeth present and with the two groups (0–19, 20+). The intake of vegetables and fish, shellfish, and their products was significantly lower among subjects with fewer teeth. Conclusion: This study suggests that there was a significant relationship between nutrient intake, such as minerals and vitamins from food, and tooth loss.     

Functional investigation of monoterpenes for improved understanding of the relationship between hosts and bark beetles

Spruce bark beetle (Ips typographus L.) is the most destructive insect pest of spruce forests in Eurasia. However, contact toxicity, in vivo metabolism, and ecological functions of host monoterpenes are poorly understood at the spruce tree–bark beetle–predator tritrophic level. Spruce monoterpenes including S-(–)-α-pinene, R-(+)-α-pinene, and myrcene showed contact toxicity to I. typographus, with LD₅₀ values ranging from 22–32 μg/mg. When topically treated with S-(–)-α-pinene or R-(+)-α-pinene, the amounts of volatile metabolites, including 4S-(–)-cis-verbenol, 4S-(+)-/4R-(–)-trans-verbenol, R-(+)-/S-(–)-verbenone and 1R-(–)-/1S-(+)-myrtenol, in the hindgut extracts of I. typographus varied significantly between sexes, and their quality (enantiomeric composition) varied significantly with the chirality of α-pinene. More importantly, S-(–)-α-pinene induced male adults to produce large amounts of 4S-(–)-cis-verbenol and S-(–)-verbenone. When topically treated with myrcene, the expected semiochemicals such as E-myrcenol, ipsenol and ipsdienol were not detected in the beetle hindguts, indicating that the pheromone biosynthetic system of I. typographus does not participate in the metabolism of host myrcene. In trap tests, S-(–)-α-pinene and R-(+)-α-pinene increased the catches of I. typographus and its predator Thanasimus substriatus in pheromone-baited traps, whereas myrcene exhibited a strong repellent (or inhibitory) effect on I. typographus but not on its predator. I. typographus seems to adopt different ecological strategies (e.g. avoidance to myrcene and preference for α-pinene) to adapt to and tolerate different host monoterpenes. Extensive investigation of these monoterpenes will help us understand their roles in manipulating the arms race between host trees and bark beetles, and potentially improve the efficacy of controlling I. typographus via the push-pull strategy using host kairomones.     

Muscle fatty acid oxidative capacity is a determinant of whole body fat oxidation in elderly people

In sedentary elderly people, a reduced muscle fatty acid oxidative capacity (MFOC) may explain a decrease in whole body fat oxidation. Eleven sedentary and seven regularly exercising subjects (65.6 +/- 4. 5 yr) were characterized for their aerobic fitness [maximal O(2) uptake (VO(2 max))/kg fat free mass (FFM)] and their habitual daily physical activity level [free-living daily energy expenditure divided by sleeping metabolic rate (DEE(FLC)/SMR)]. MFOC was determined by incubating homogenates of vastus lateralis muscle with [1-(14)C]palmitate. Whole body fat oxidation was measured by indirect calorimetry over 24 h. MFOC was 40.4 +/- 14.7 and 44.3 +/- 16.3 nmol palmitate. g wet tissue(-1). min(-1) in the sedentary and regularly exercising individuals, respectively (P = nonsignificant). MFOC was positively correlated with DEE(FLC)/SMR (r = 0.58, P < 0. 05) but not with VO(2 max)/kg FFM (r = 0.35, P = nonsignificant). MFOC was the main determinant of fat oxidation during all time periods including physical activity. Indeed, MFOC explained 19.7 and 30.5% of the variance in fat oxidation during walking and during the alert period, respectively (P < 0.05). Furthermore, MFOC explained 23.0% of the variance in fat oxidation over 24 h (P < 0.05). It was concluded that, in elderly people, MFOC may be influenced more by overall daily physical activity than by regular exercising. MFOC is a major determinant of whole body fat oxidation during physical activities and, consequently, over 24 h.     

Advances in understanding the relationship between the skull base and larynx with comments on the origins of speech

The position of upper respiratory structures, such as the larynx, has proven to be of great importance in determining an animal’s breathing, swallowing and vocalizing abilities. Studies on living mammals have also shown that the shape of the basicranium is related to the position of the larynx. This information has been of value in using the skull base as a means to reconstruct the upper respiratory tract of fossil hominids. Ongoing comparative and experimental studies of this region are adding new information on the mechanical relationship of the skull base to contiguous areas of the respiratory tract. For example, examination of the region in mammals disparate from humans, such as cetaceans, and experimental work on the region in rats, is adding new data on how the larynx and skull base may functionally interact.