Effects of some extrinsic factors on the respiratory metabolism of the freshwater leech,poecilobdella viridis (blanchard): desiccation and temperature

The influence of desiccation and temperature on the respiratory metabolism of P. viridis have been investigated. There was a significant (p < 0.05) downfall in the respiratory rates as the period of desiccation increased, but for after 18 hours where it was enhanced significantly. The respiration augmented significantly (p < 0.03) when the temperature of the medium increased. Q₁₀ was significantly high at 32–28°C and was low between 35 and 32°C and 20–10°C Functional significance of these changes to the leeches in combating environmental hazards is briefly discussed.     

Seasonal change in the respiration of the dobsonfly larva, Protohermes grandis(Megaloptera: Corydalidae)

SUMMARY 1. Seasonal change in the respiration of the dobsonfly larva, Protohermes grandis ,was studied by measuring the oxygen consumption rate (resting metabolism) bimonthly for 2 years. The respiratory rate of the larva was significantly lower during the summer season when the stream temperature rose to 30°C.
2. Summer depression of respiration was confirmed by measuring the rate of carbon dioxide evolution. The mean value of the respiratory quotient was estimated to be 0.76 ± 0.05 SE. The larva is believed to conserve energy by this reduction in respiratory rate,
3. In other seasons, however, the larva maintained a higher respiratory rate and remained active even in the winter when the stream temperature decreased near to 0°C. In fact, significant growth in weight occurred from mid-October to late March.
4. This acclimation to temperature may enable the efficient allocation of energy during the long larval period (3 years) in streams which have large annual fluctuations in temperature.     

中性肽链内切酶(CD10)生理功能研究进展

中性肽内切酶(Neutral Endopeptidase,NEP),属于M13锌金属蛋白酶家族的一种Ⅱ型整合细胞膜糖蛋白,在许多组织中有广泛的表达。同时,NEP作为一种神经肽的降解酶,已经被发现广泛地存在于中枢神经系统以及外周各种组织中。NEP通过水解疏水性氨基酸侧链,使神经肽失活。而这些神经肽参与生命调节的多重代谢活动,对生命系统的正常有序运转有重要的作用。其中P物质为一种神经肽,是造血系统网络的成员之一,同时也可以诱发炎症反应,从而,NEP可以间接参与造血系统和呼吸系统的代谢活动。而心钠素是调节血压维护心肌功能的重要调节因子,NEP通过调节心钠素的浓度来调节血压,最终参与心血管系统的代谢。由于NEP具有广泛的组织特异性,决定了NEP在多个系统的调节中都具有重要意义。因此就NEP在造血系统,心血管系统和呼吸系统的功能做一综和评述。     

The effect of salinity on respiratory metabolism,survival and moulting in the first zoea of Macrobrachium amazonicum (Heller) (Crustacea,Palaemonidae)

Survival, duration of intermoult cycle and respiratory metabolism were evaluated as a function of salinity (0–35‰; 25° C) in early zoeae of the cinnamon shrimp, Macrobrachium amazonicum. Zoeae are extremely resistant to salinity, mortality occurring only in fresh and sea-water after several days. Moulting occurs in all salinities, longer cycles being recorded in 0 and 35‰ S. The metabolism-salinity curve is broadly U-shaped between 0 and 28‰ S but declines sharply in sea-water. Such physiological responses characterise the early zoeae as strongly euryhaline and typically estuarine. Data are discussed in relation to the degree of adaptation of the organism to the freshwater biotope and the position of the species within the generic pattern of adaptive radiation.     

Experimental studies on the respiratory rates of mites (Acari) from beech-woodland leaf litter

Summary Respiratory rates (oxygen consumption) of thirty-six species of mites from beech-woodland leaf-litter were measured at 10°C in a Cartesian Diver. The first published information on the respiratory rates of Prostigmata, and new information on the respiratory rates of adult and juvenile stages of Mesostigmata and Cryptostigmata are presented.The most important single variable influencing respiratory rate (for mites of a given size at a constant temperature) was activity; however, progressively increasing levels of activity increased not only the level of metabolism, but also the slopes of the regression lines of log₁₀ respiratory rate against log₁₀ weight, from a minimum of 0.54 in very inactive Cryptostigmata to a maximum of 1.03 in extremely active Prostigmata. The effect of activity on the metabolic cost of searching for prey in predatory mites is discussed.Respiratory rates per unit weight declined smoothly as a simple function of weight throughout the life-histories of two species of mite, but not in two others. Sexual differences and differences in the respiratory rates of gravid and nongravid females of several species were also demonstrated.Results are compared with previously published work on mite respiration. Some discrepancies are apparent between our data and that of other workers. Possible reasons for, and consequences of these discrepancies are discussed.     

Ventilatory accommodation of oxygen demand and respiratory water loss in kangaroos from mesic and arid environments, the eastern grey kangaroo (Macropus giganteus) and the red kangaroo (Macropus rufus)

We studied ventilation in kangaroos from mesic and arid environments, the eastern grey kangaroo (Macropus giganteus) and the red kangaroo (Macropus rufus), respectively, within the range of ambient temperatures (T(a)) from -5 degrees to 45 degrees C. At thermoneutral temperatures (Ta=25 degrees C), there were no differences between the species in respiratory frequency, tidal volume, total ventilation, or oxygen extraction. The ventilatory patterns of the kangaroos were markedly different from those predicted from the allometric equation derived for placentals. The kangaroos had low respiratory frequencies and higher tidal volumes, even when adjustment was made for their lower basal metabolism. At Ta>25 degrees C, ventilation was increased in the kangaroos to facilitate respiratory water loss, with percent oxygen extraction being markedly lowered. Ventilation was via the nares; the mouth was closed. Differences in ventilation between the two species occurred at higher temperatures, and at 45 degrees C were associated with differences in respiratory evaporative heat loss, with that of M. giganteus being higher. Panting in kangaroos occurred as a graded increase in respiratory frequency, during which tidal volume was lowered. When panting, the desert red kangaroo had larger tidal volumes and lower respiratory frequencies at equivalent T(a) than the eastern grey kangaroo, which generally inhabits mesic forests. The inference made from this pattern is that the red kangaroo has the potential to increase respiratory evaporative heat loss to a greater level.     

Effect of some extrinsic factors on the respiratory metabolism of the freshwater Leech,Poecilobdella viridis: Oxygen tension,pH and salt concentrations

The effect of oxygen tension, pH and salt concentrations on the respiratory metabolism of the freshwater leech, Poecilobdella viridis has been studied. The respiratory rate increased significantly (p < 0.05) with progressive elevation of the oxygen tension of the medium and decreased significantly (p < 0.05) in both acidic and alkaline media. The respiratory rate was enhanced significantly (p < 0.05) as the salt concentration of the medium increased. Functional significance of these trends to the leech in counteracting the environmental eddies is briefly discussed.     

肠呼吸抑制胁迫对大鳞副泥鳅呼吸代谢和抗氧化能力的影响

为研究肠呼吸抑制胁迫对气呼吸鱼类大鳞副泥鳅(Paramisgurnus dabryanus)的鳃和肠道呼吸代谢及抗氧化能力的影响,初步探究其生理反馈调节机制,本文选取大鳞副泥鳅成熟个体(n=60)进行肠呼吸抑制胁迫实验。分别对实验组(肠呼吸抑制,n=30)与空白对照组(n=30)的大鳞副泥鳅饲养驯化2周,测定其整体静止代谢率、呼吸频率、鳃和肠道各段的乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)、琥珀酸脱氢酶(SDH)、Na+/K+ATP酶(NKA)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)以及超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性。肠呼吸抑制胁迫下,实验组与对照组大鳞副泥鳅整体静止代谢率无显著差异(P0.05),而实验组大鳞副泥鳅鳃部呼吸频率显著加快(P0.05)。与对照组相比,实验组大鳞副泥鳅鳃部的琥珀酸脱氢酶活性显著升高(P0.05),而后肠琥珀酸脱氢酶和Na+/K+ATP酶显著降低(P0.05)。同时实验组大鳞副泥鳅后肠的乳酸脱氢酶活性显著升高(P0.05)。实验组和对照组之间,大鳞副泥鳅鳃和前中肠的过氧化氢酶以及超氧化物歧化酶酶活性无显著差异(P0.05),后肠则有显著性升高(P0.05)。当大鳞副泥鳅肠呼吸受到抑制时,会加强其鳃部有氧呼吸代谢,弥补肠呼吸缺失部分,满足机体生理需求,而气呼吸的后肠会有一定氧化应激反应。     

Decreased activities of ubiquinol:ferricytochrome c oxidoreductase (complex III) and ferrocytochrome c:oxygen oxidoreductase (complex IV) in liver mitochondria from rats with hydroxycobalamin[c-lactam]-induced methylmalonic aciduria.

Rats treated with hydroxycobalamin[c-lactam] (HCCL), a cobalamin analogue that induces methylmalonic aciduria, have increased hepatic mitochondrial content and increased oxidative metabolism of pyruvate and palmitate per hepatocyte. The present studies were undertaken to characterize oxidative metabolism in isolated liver mitochondria from rats treated with HCCL. After 5-6 weeks, state 3 oxidation rates for diverse substrates are reduced in mitochondria from HCCL-treated rats. Similar reductions of mitochondrial oxidation rates are obtained with dinitrophenol-uncoupled mitochondria excluding defective phosphorylation as a cause for the observed decrease in mitochondrial oxidation. The activities of mitochondrial oxidases are reduced in HCCL-treated rats and demonstrate a defect in complex IV. Investigation of the complexes of the respiratory chain reveals a 32% decrease of ubiquinol:ferricytochrome c oxidoreductase (complex III) activity and a 72% decrease of ferrocytochrome c:oxygen oxidoreductase (complex IV) activity in mitochondria from 5-6-week HCCL-treated rats as compared with controls. Liver mitochondria from HCCL-treated rats also demonstrate decreased cytochrome content per mg of mitochondrial protein (25% decrease of cytochrome b and 52% decrease of cytochrome a + a3 as compared with control rats). The HCCL-treated rat represents an animal model for the study of the consequences of respiratory chain defects in liver mitochondria.     

Microplankton respiration (ETS) in two areas of the Northern Adriatic (Mediterranean Sea)

Respiratory rates in two areas of the North Adriatic Sea were studied in the context of a PRISMA II Project, with the aim of quantifying the oxidative processes occurring in the frontal system caused by strong riverine discharge. In the northern area, higher respiratory rates and seasonal variations occurred with respect to the southern area. On average, respiratory activity sustained the oxidation of 66.9 nM C h(-1) inside the front and 24.4 nM C h(-1) outside the front. In conclusion, organic matter oxidation inside the front resulted 2.7 times higher than outside the front. Oxidative metabolism in the Northern Adriatic Sea appears mainly governed by river inputs.     

Stereoselective metabolism of dexrazoxane (ICRF-187) and levrazoxane (ICRF-186)

A chiral HPLC method has been developed to separate razoxane (ICRF-159) in blood plasma into its enantiomers dexrazoxane (ICRF-187) and levrazoxane (ICRF-186). Dexrazoxane is clinically used as a doxorubicin cardioprotective agent and little is known of its in vivo metabolism. After intravenous administration of 20 mg/kg of razoxane to rats, the razoxane was eliminated from the plasma with a half-time of approximately 20 min. The levrazoxane:dexrazoxane ratio continuously increased with time to a value of 1.5 at 150 min, indicating that dexrazoxane is metabolized faster than levrazoxane. These results, confirmed with studies on liver supernatants, are consistent with the hypothesis that dihydropyrimidine amidohydrolase in the liver and kidney is responsible for the preferential metabolism of dexrazoxane in the rat compared to levrazoxane. It is possible that on a dose-per-dose basis marginally higher therapeutic levels of levrazoxane might be achieved in the heart tissue for a longer time compared to dexrazoxane due to dihydropyrimidine amidohydrolase-based metabolism in the liver and kidney. However, given the relatively small difference in elimination of the two enantiomers, it would be difficult to predict from this study whether or not dexrazoxane or levrazoxane might be more efficacious in reducing cardiotoxicity.     

Altered bacterial metabolism, not coenzyme Q content, is responsible for the lifespan extension in Caenorhabditis elegans fed an Escherichia coli diet lacking coenzyme Q

Coenzyme Q(n) is a fully substituted benzoquinone containing a polyisoprene tail of distinct numbers (n) of isoprene groups. Caenorhabditis elegans fed Escherichia coli devoid of Q(8) have a significant lifespan extension when compared to C. elegans fed a standard 'Q-replete'E. coli diet. Here we examine possible mechanisms for the lifespan extension caused by the Q-less E. coli diet. A bioassay for Q uptake shows that a water-soluble formulation of Q(10) is effectively taken up by both clk-1 mutant and wild-type nematodes, but does not reverse lifespan extension mediated by the Q-less E. coli diet, indicating that lifespan extension is not due to the absence of dietary Q per se. The enhanced longevity mediated by the Q-less E. coli diet cannot be attributed to dietary restriction, different Qn isoforms, reduced pathogenesis or slowed growth of the Q-less E. coli, and in fact requires E. coli viability. Q-less E. coli have defects in respiratory metabolism. C. elegans fed Q-replete E. coli mutants with similarly impaired respiratory metabolism due to defects in complex V also show a pronounced lifespan extension, although not as dramatic as those fed the respiratory deficient Q-less E. coli diet. The data suggest that feeding respiratory incompetent E. coli, whether Q-less or Q-replete, produces a robust life extension in wild-type C. elegans. We believe that the fermentation-based metabolism of the E. coli diet is an important parameter of C. elegans longevity.     

Effect of polyclonal, monoclonal, and recombinant (single-chain variable fragment) antibodies on in vitro morphology, growth, and metabolism of the phytopathogenic mollicute Spiroplasma citri

Antibodies are known to affect the morphology, growth, and metabolism of mollicutes and thus may serve as candidate molecules for a plantibody-based control strategy for plant-pathogenic spiroplasmas and phytoplasmas. Recombinant single-chain variable fragment (scFv) antibodies are easy to engineer and express in plants, but their inhibitory effects on mollicutes have never been evaluated and compared with those of polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies. We describe the morphology, growth, and glucose metabolism of Spiroplasma citri in the presence of polyclonal, monoclonal, and recombinant antibodies directed against the immunodominant membrane protein spiralin. We showed that the scFv antibodies had no effect on S. citri glucose metabolism but were as efficient as polyclonal antibodies in inhibiting S. citri growth in liquid medium. Inhibition of motility was also observed.     

Water deficit modulates growth,morphology, and the essential oil profile in Lippia alba L. (Verbenaceae) grown in vitro

Lippia alba (Miller) N.E. Brown is an aromatic plant species of great economic importance due to the medicinal properties of its essential oils, which provide stress relief, respiratory and gastrointestinal disease control, and anti-inflammatory and natural sedative effects. The plant is also effective in biological control against various pathogens and in food preservation. Water deficit is the most critical abiotic factor limiting plant growth and morpho-physiological development, as well as production of secondary metabolism compounds. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of water deficit on growth, photosynthesis, essential oil profile, and the expression of genes related to the biosynthesis of these compounds in L. alba grown in vitro. Nodal segments were cultured on medium supplemented with 0, 1, 2, and 3% (w/v) polyethylene glycol for 45 days. Water stress had a negative effect on primary metabolism indicators, such as growth, leaf area, and photosynthetic rate; but a positive effect on amino acid and total protein content. Similarly, secondary metabolism exhibited an increase in linalool but a reduction in germacrene levels under water deficit. These findings provide a deeper understanding of how water deficit affects primary and secondary metabolism in L. alba, showing the potential of this medicinal species to adapt to soils with low water availability, while still being able to grow and synthesize essential oils.

     

Population metabolism of Nebria brevicollis (F.) (Coleoptera: Carabidae)

Summary The respiratory metabolism of all life stages of a predatory beetle was investigated. Measurements were made throughout the year in a continuously recording respirometer. The Warburg respirometer was used to examine the relationship between oxygen cosumption and temperature.Respiration was affected by several factors. No periodicity in respiration was observed during the 24 hour period. During the breeding season the males showed a significantly higher respiratory rate than the females. Temperature influence was slightly greater on Instar I and adults in a breeding condition. Laboratory data were adjusted to field rates by using field temperature data and the regressions obtained from respiratory measurements made at different temperatures. Population estimates per m² were low. The seasonal trend in population metabolism was related to temperature. Population density and population production did not follow temperature closely.Population metabolism totalled 1735.95 Joules/m², of which 55.0% was due to adults. The production/respiration ratio (P/R) was 1:1. Total annual energy flux through the beetle population was 3365.13 Joules/m². The larvae accounted for 65% of this total.     

The influence of temperature on respiration of diapausing pupae of Pieris brassicae (Lepidoptera)

The respiration of diapausing Pieris pupae has been measured at different temperatures between 5 and 35°C in animals maintained at 20°C, either 14 or 74 days after larvo-pupal ecdysis or at 5°C for 30 or 60 days.

The sudden transfer of animals from 5 to 15, 20, 25, 30, 35°C or from 20 to 30, 35°C results in a respiratory overshoot whose characteristics (duration, height, extra-respiration) depend on experimental conditions.

After a certain period of acclimation, overshoots are eliminated. The respiratory rate except for animals maintained during 74 days at 20°C can then be represented as an exponential function of temperature.

The Q₁₀ values change according to the treatment given to pupae.

The respiratory rate of male pupae is higher than that of female ones.

The following points are discussed:

1. 1.|The meaning of overshoots is analysed according to economy and metabolic homeostasis, showing the existence of acclimation.

2. 2.|Exponential curves which are not relevant to non-diapausing pupae or to the diapausing ones taken at larvo-pupal molting are characteristic of steady metabolism. These curves can be interpreted as the result of the temperature effect on a master respiratory reaction which would then be rate limiting.

3. 3.|Wintering leads to gradual and slow adaptation to cold temperatures which brings both a respiratory increase, a decrease of the Q₁₀ and of the activation energy of the master reaction.

Microscopic and submicroscopic anatomy of the parabronchi, air sacs, and respiratory space of the budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulatus)

The normal microscopic and submicroscopic structure of the lower respiratory tract of the budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulatus) is described and compared with other birds and mammals. Granular (type II) pneumocytes are confined to linings of air sacs, parabronchi, and their atria; however, their secretions (surfactant) cover the surfaces of the infundibula and respiratory space. Infundibula extend from the atria and give rise to the air capillaries, which branch and anastomose freely with those of adjacent infundibula and other parabronchi (interparabronchial septa are not found). Infundibula and the respiratory labyrinth are lined by a continuous epithelium of squamous pneumocytes, whose perikarya are concentrated in the infundibula and whose peripheral cytoplasm is markedly attenuated. The squamous pneumocytes of the respiratory labyrinth share a basal lamina with the blood capillaries that they envelop.     

Effect of Polyclonal, Monoclonal, and Recombinant (Single-Chain Variable Fragment) Antibodies on In Vitro Morphology, Growth, and Metabolism of the Phytopathogenic Mollicute Spiroplasma citri

Antibodies are known to affect the morphology, growth, and metabolism of mollicutes and thus may serve as candidate molecules for a plantibody-based control strategy for plant-pathogenic spiroplasmas and phytoplasmas. Recombinant single-chain variable fragment (scFv) antibodies are easy to engineer and express in plants, but their inhibitory effects on mollicutes have never been evaluated and compared with those of polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies. We describe the morphology, growth, and glucose metabolism of Spiroplasma citri in the presence of polyclonal, monoclonal, and recombinant antibodies directed against the immunodominant membrane protein spiralin. We showed that the scFv antibodies had no effect on S. citri glucose metabolism but were as efficient as polyclonal antibodies in inhibiting S. citri growth in liquid medium. Inhibition of motility was also observed.