Stress-free state of the red blood cell membrane and the deformation of its skeleton

The response of a red blood cell (RBC) to deformation depends on its membrane, a composite of a lipid bilayer and a skeleton, which is a closed, twodimensional network of spectrin tetramers as its bonds. The deformation of the skeleton and its lateral redistribution are studied in terms of the RBC resting state for a fixed geometry of the RBC, partially aspirated into a micropipette. The geometry of the RBC skeleton in its initial state is taken to be either two concentric circles, a references biconcave shape or a sphere. It is assumed that in its initial state the skeleton is distributed laterally in a homogeneous manner with its bonds either unstressed, presenting its stress-free state, or prestressed. The lateral distribution was calculated using a variational calculation. It was assumed that the spectrin tetramer bonds exhibit a linear elasticity. The results showed a significant effect of the initial skeleton geometry on its lateral distribution in the deformed state. The proposed model is used to analyze the measurements of skeleton extension ratios by the method of applying two modes of RBC micropipette aspiration.     

State‐dependent cooperation in burying beetles: parents adjust their contribution towards care based on both their own and their partner's size

Handicapping experiments on species with biparental care show that a focal parent increases its contribution when its partner is handicapped. Such results are interpreted as evidence for negotiation, whereby each parent adjusts its amount of care to that of its partner. However, it is currently unclear whether the focal parent responds to a change in its handicapped partner's behaviour or state. To address this gap, we conducted an experiment on the burying beetle Nicrophorus vespilloides where we first generated different‐sized males and females by varying the duration of larval development. We then used a 2 × 2 factorial design in which a small or large male was paired with a small or large female. Small females provided less direct care (food provisioning and interactions with larvae) than large females, and both males and females provided less direct care when paired with a small partner. Thus, the focal parent adjusted its contribution towards care based on both its own state and that of its partner. There was also evidence for negotiation between the two parents as the focal parent adjusted its contribution based on the amount of care by its partner. However, there was no evidence that negotiation accounted for how the focal parent responded to its partner's size. Our results have important implications for our understanding of biparental cooperation as they show that each parent adjusts its contribution not only based on the amount of care provided by its partner but also based on its own state and its partner's state.     

High-frequency P element loss in Drosophila is homolog dependent

P transposable elements in Drosophila melanogaster can undergo precise loss at a rate exceeding 13% per generation. The process is similar to gene conversion in its requirement for a homolog that is wild type at the insertion site and in its reduced frequency when pairing between the homologs is inhibited. However, it differs from classical gene conversion by its high frequency, its requirement for P transposase, its unidirectionality, and its occurrence in somatic and premeiotic cells. Our results suggest a model of P element transposition in which jumps occur by a "cut-and-paste" mechanism but are followed by double-strand gap repair to restore the P element at the donor site. The results also suggest a technique for site-directed mutagenesis in Drosophila.     

Phylogeny and life cycle of the zoonotic pathogen Vibrio vulnificus

Vibrio vulnificus is a zoonotic pathogen able to cause diseases in humans and fish that occasionally result in sepsis and death. Most reviews about this pathogen (including those related to its ecology) are clearly biased towards its role as a human pathogen, emphasizing its relationship with oysters as its main reservoir, the role of the known virulence factors as well as the clinic and the epidemiology of the human disease. This review tries to give to the reader a wider vision of the biology of this pathogen covering aspects related to its phylogeny and evolution and filling the gaps in our understanding of the general strategies that V. vulnificus uses to survive outside and inside its two main hosts, the human and the eel, and how its response to specific environmental parameters determines its survival, its death, or the triggering of an infectious process.     

The role of posttranslational modification in moonlighting glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase structure and function

Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) is a moonlighting protein exhibiting distinct activities apart from its classical role in glycolysis. Regulation of its moonlighting functions and its subcellular localization may be dependent on its posttranslational modification (PTM). The latter include its phosphorylation, which is required for its role in intermembrane trafficking, synaptic transmission and cancer survival; nitrosylation, which is required for its function in apoptosis, heme metabolism and the immune response; acetylation which is necessary for its modulation of apoptotic gene regulation; and N-acetylglucosamine modification which may induce changes in GAPDH oligomeric structure. These findings suggest a structure function relationship between GAPDH posttranslational modification and its diverse moonlighting activities.

     

Structure-function studies of cholera toxin and its A and B protomers. Modification of tryptophan residues

The tryptophan residues on cholera toxin and its A and B protomers have been modified by reaction with 2-nitrophenylsulfenyl chloride and 2,4-dinitrophenylsulfenyl chloride. Modification of the tryptophan residues of cholera toxin results in complete loss of toxicity measured in a skin permeability assay. Modification of cholera toxin and its B protomer results in the complete loss of binding activity toward membrane receptors, the ganglioside galactosyl-N-acetylgalactosaminyl-[N-acetylneuraminyl]-galactosylceramide (GM1), and the oligosaccharide moiety of the ganglioside GM1. Modification of cholera toxin and its A protomer results in a complete loss of the ADP-ribosylation activity exhibited by their native counterparts. Modification of the A protomer results in no apparent change in its physical properties by sedimentation velocity in the ultracentrifuge or by gel filtration chromatography. Modification of the B protomer, either directly or when it remains a component part of the holo toxin structure, results in a change in its sedimentation value and its elution from gel filtration columns. The changes are compatible with a conversion of the B protomer from a pentameric moiety in aqueous solvents to its existence as a monomer unit, i.e. to the individual polypeptide chains comprising the native B pentamer. Thiolysis of the 2,4-dinitrophenylsulfenyl chloride derivative of the B protomer reaggregates the individual-polypeptide chains but does not return its ability to interact with GM1.     

The making of ethology: The association for the Study of Animal Behaviour, 1936–1986

The paper reviews the history of the Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour in its 50th anniversary year. Having discussed the founding of the Institute for the Study of Animal Behaviour in 1936, the paper establishes its principal aims, follows its fortunes before and during the war, traces its role in the expansion and institutionalization of ethology in Britainbetween 1945 and 1950, and summarizes its transformation into a flourishing scientific society in the 1950s and 1960s. It is concluded that the history of the Association is, to a striking extent, a microcosm of the making of ethology as a successful scientific discipline.     

大蒜不同品种蒜薹发育的解剖学研究

通过形态观测和石蜡切片法,比较了2个大蒜品种的蒜薹发育和解剖结构。结果表明：（1）“陇县火蒜”比“改良蒜”蒜薹的表皮细胞形状规则,排列致密;角质层较薄;（2）“陇县火蒜”比“改良蒜”蒜薹表面的气孔数量少,但开张度大;分泌细胞出现早、体积大、数量多;维管束数量少、直径小;（3）“陇县火蒜”蒜薹髓细胞卫多边形,髓细胞间隙率小,而“改良蒜”蒜薹的髓细胞呈椭圆形,髓细胞间隙率大。     

A facile method for the preparation of deuterium labeled salvinorin A: synthesis of [2,2,2-2H3]-salvinorin A

Salvinorin A is a novel hallucinogen isolated from the widely available leaves of Salvia divinorum. Based on its mechanism of action, salvinorin A has shown potential as a stimulant abuse therapeutic. However, there are no methods for the detection of salvinorin A or its metabolites in biological fluids. In order to begin developing salvinorin A as a potential therapeutic, an understanding of its metabolism is needed. Here, a straightforward synthesis of a deuterium labeled analog of salvinorin A and its utility as an internal standard for the detection of salvinorin A and its metabolites in biological fluids by LC-MS is described.     

Prominent genetic structure across native and introduced ranges of Pluchea indica,a mangrove associate,as revealed by microsatellite markers

阔苞菊(Pluchea indica)是一种红树林伴生植物，以其在原产地的药用特性和部分引入地的入侵性而闻名。本研究旨在评估阔苞菊在其分布范围内遗传变异的地理分布，确定影响其遗传结构的因素，并利用这些信息对阔苞菊在原产地和引入地的保护和管理策略提出建议。 我们以来自阔苞菊原产地(亚洲)和引入地(美国)的31个种群共348个个体的15个核微卫星位点数据对阔苞菊的遗传多样性和种群结构进行了评估。在大尺度范围以及局部区域两种空间尺度上对阔苞菊遗传变异的空间格局进行了探讨，并验证了以下假说：地理距离和自然地理屏障将影响种群结构并在空间尺度上产生不同程度的分化。研究结果表明，与所研究区域内的其它红树林物种的遗传多样性参数相比， 我们发现阔苞菊在种群水平上具有相对较高的遗传多样性以及在物种水平上具有明显的遗传分化。大多数阔苞菊种群显示杂合子缺失， 这主要是由于近交和有限的基因流所导致。在较大空间尺度上进行的种群结构分析显示，该物种自然分布范围内存在两个主要遗传谱系，中国的种群与印度尼西亚、马来西亚、新加坡、泰国、柬埔寨和菲律宾的种群分别属于不同的谱系，而美国的种群可能来自于中国的谱系。 此外，在局部区域范围内也同样检测到种群之间的遗传分化。大部分阔苞菊种群所表现出的遗传瓶颈效应强调了其具有本地灭绝的风险。基于上述研究结果，我们建议采用原位保护策略对阔苞菊进行管理，并开展对优先保护种群的保护行动以维持遗传多样性。     

The functions and mechanisms of the protrusible upper jaws of two species of cyprinid fish

Photographs have been taken of Idus and Gobio feeding. Idus , a primitive cyprinid, protrudes its premaxillae very little when it opens its mouth to take in food, but closes the mouth by further protrusion of the premaxillae. This enables it to close its mouth while keeping its buccal cavity fully expanded. Gobio , a more advanced cyprinid, protrudes its premaxillae strongly as it opens its mouth and is thereby able to apply the mouth closely to a surface from which it is taking food. The mechanisms of the movements are described.     

The Role of the Principle of Object-relatedness in the Theory of Activity

The present state of the theory of activity (by which we mean the concept developed by Leont'ev and his school) undoubtedly deserves serious discussion. Such a discussion must not be reduced, as often happens, to a critique of this theory by representatives of other schools and currents in psychology that are based on different theoretical positions (i.e., to a criticism from without), on the one hand, or to an unconditional acceptance of all of its postulates by proponents of this theory, on the other. In my view, the kind of critique of this theory that is most relevant and acutely necessary in terms of both its prospects of development and the extent to which its perceptions accord with other psychological currents is of another sort, namely, a critique from within, by which I mean analysis of its own laws, of the internal logic of development of the theory, and of its internal contradictions, which define its present status and the dynamics of its development. Such an analysis should enable us to stimulate more effectively the internal mechanism of development and self-development of the theory of activity and ensure a transition from a period of stagnation that has produced nothing of note to a progressive evolution of its content and its explanatory power.     

Lazarillo, a neuronal lipocalin in grasshoppers with a role in axon guidance

In this report we present a review on the grasshopper lipocalin Lazarillo with special emphasis on how its molecular properties could account for its known function: the guidance of pioneer neurons during nervous system development. The expression and function of Lazarillo in a subset of developing neurons, its heavy glycosylation and its glycosylphosphatidylinositol linkage to the plasma membrane, make Lazarillo a unique member of the lipocalin family. We have built a model of the tertiary structure of Lazarillo in which we have studied the exposed surfaces in search for clues about ligand and protein interactions with Lazarillo. Our hypotheses about how this lipocalin can exert its function are discussed.     

Villin function in the organization of the actin cytoskeleton. Correlation of in vivo effects to its biochemical activities in vitro.

Villin is an actin-binding protein of the intestinal brush border that bundles, nucleates, caps, and severs actin in a Ca(2+)-dependent manner in vitro. Villin induces the growth of microvilli in transfected cells, an activity that requires a carboxyl-terminally located KKEK motif. By combining cell transfection and biochemical assays, we show that the capacity of villin to induce growth of microvilli in cells correlates with its ability to bundle F-actin in vitro but not with its nucleating activity. In agreement with its importance for microfilament bundling in cells, the KKEK motif of the carboxyl-terminal F-actin-binding site is crucial for bundling in vitro. In addition, substitutions of basic residues in a second site, located in the amino-terminal portion of villin, impaired its activity in cells and reduced its binding to F-actin in the absence of Ca(2+) as well as its bundling and severing activities in vitro. Altogether, these findings suggest that villin participates in the organization and stabilization of the brush border core bundle but does not initiate its assembly by nucleation of actin filaments.     

Comparative aspects of the area postrema: fine-structural considerations help to determine its function

The area postrema is a circumventricular organ of the fourth ventricle of the mammalian brain. Although there are distinct gross anatomical differences in the appearance of this organ between "lower" mammals such as rodents and lagomorphs and "higher" mammals such as carnivores and primates, its fine structure is remarkably similar in all species studied. There are many suggestions in the literature for a specific function for this area of the brain, ranging from its being a chemoreceptive trigger zone for the emetic response to its being a regulatory nucleus for the sleep cycle. The present report describes some comparative studies on the ultrastructure of this organ. This information is discussed in relation to what is known about the neurochemistry of the area postrema and its connections with other brain regions and visceral structures. A suggestion is offered that our current knowledge of the area postrema is consistent with its performing many of its proposed functions in the context of a regulatory ("fine-tuning") center for many autonomic functions.     

Location of the bioactive pentacyclic triterpene ursolic acid in the membrane. A molecular dynamics study

Ursolic acid (URS), an ursane-representative bioactive pentacyclic triterpene, is a plant secondary metabolite presenting a great number of pharmacological beneficial properties. Due to the prominent hydrophobic character of URS and its high phospholipid/water partition coefficient, some of its possible effects on biological systems might be related to its capacity to interact with and locate into the membrane as well as interact specifically with its components. In this work, we have studied the location and orientation of URS in the membrane by molecular dynamics simulations. At the end of the simulation, URS locates near the surface in vicinity to the phospholipid headgroups but its orientation depends on lipid composition, its final average orientation being a nearly parallel one in POPC but a nearly perpendicular one in POPC/POPE/POPG/PSM/Chol. Furthermore, in the complex lipid system URS seems to interact specifically with POPE, PSM, and Chol excluding POPG from its surroundings, which could lead to phase separation and domain formation. The different disposition of URS in the membrane and its specific interaction with certain lipid types could lead to a significant perturbation of the membrane structure. The important pharmacological activities of URS would rely on the effects it exerts on the membrane structure in general and the existence of specific interactions with specific lipids in particular.     

葛的学名及其在美国的入侵教训

葛(Pueraria montana),豆科多年生藤本,原产东亚、南亚和东南亚,热带和温带广泛栽培并逸为野生;不仅学名多而混乱,而且已成为美国危害最严重的外来入侵种之一.考证了葛的学名并给出异名,同时介绍葛在美国从鼓励引入到大量栽培,最后被列入联邦危害植物并全面禁止的引种教训.     

葛的学名及其在美国的入侵教训(英文)

葛(Pueraria montana),豆科多年生藤本,原产东亚、南亚和东南亚,热带和温带广泛栽培并逸为野生;不仅学名多而混乱,而且已成为美国危害最严重的外来入侵种之一。考证了葛的学名并给出异名,同时介绍葛在美国从鼓励引入到大量栽培,最后被列入联邦危害植物并全面禁止的引种教训。