Endogenous opiates: 1999

This paper is the twenty-second installment of the annual review of research concerning the opiate system. It summarizes papers published during 1999 that studied the behavioral effects of the opiate peptides and antagonists, excluding the purely analgesic effects, although stress-induced analgesia is included. The specific topics covered this year include stress; tolerance and dependence; learning, memory, and reward; eating and drinking; alcohol and other drugs of abuse; sexual activity, pregnancy, and development; mental illness and mood; seizures and other neurologic disorders; electrical-related activity; general activity and locomotion; gastrointestinal, renal, and hepatic function; cardiovascular responses; respiration and thermoregulation; and immunologic responses.     

辽宁省高等植物多样性编目

为给辽宁植物多样性保护提供本底数据, 更准确地评价植物濒危及保护等级, 以及更好地给农学、林学、生态学、系统学等研究提供可靠的基础性数据, 本文首次将几代人在辽宁境内发现的高等植物进行汇总、编目, 包括苔藓植物和维管束植物。苔藓植物根据正式发表的文献和中国科学院沈阳应用生态研究所东北生物标本馆(IFP)馆藏采自辽宁省全域的苔藓植物标本编制。维管束植物主要根据5个方面的信息整理: 作者多年野外调查的一手资料、文献、同行交流、公众提供信息、标本等。编目内容包括辽宁省高等植物总名录、辽宁省栽培植物名录、辽宁省外来植物名录、辽宁省仅有栽培植物的科属目录、辽宁省仅有外来植物的科属目录; 编目中涉及的物种均有科属地位、中文名、拉丁名、生境、产地(县级), 总名录中附有每个物种的信息凭证, 包括标本信息、文献信息或照片依据。本编目共计收录植物254科1,176属3,241种73亚种447变种119变型。其中, 苔藓植物为辽宁地区首次披露名录信息, 计83科205属491种4亚种7变种(含藓类52科156属373种1亚种5变种, 苔类29科46属114种3亚种2变种, 角苔类2科3属4种)。维管束植物虽非首次披露名录信息, 但与以往发布的维管束植物名录相比, 本次收录的种类数最多, 计171科971属2,750种69亚种440变种119变型(含石松类植物2科3属13种, 蕨类植物17科39属83种2亚种7变种, 裸子植物5科19属47种1亚种13变种2变型, 被子植物147科910属2,607种66亚种420变种117变型)。经统计, 辽宁省所有苔藓植物均为本土野生植物。维管束植物中, 野生植物计149科741属2,077种62亚种378变种93变型(含石松类植物2科3属13种, 蕨类植物17科39属83种2亚种7变种, 裸子植物4科8属12种6变种1变型, 被子植物145科133属1,969种60亚种365变种92变型), 栽培植物计104科390属673种7亚种62变种26变型(含裸子植物5科17属35种1亚种7变种1变型, 被子植物99科373属638种6亚种55变种25变型); 本土植物计158科796属2,235种65亚种421变种116变型(含石松类植物2科3属13种, 蕨类植物17科39属83种2亚种7变种, 裸子植物5科14属29种12变种2变型, 被子植物134科740属2,110种63亚种402变种114变型), 外来植物计88科316属515种4亚种19变种3变型(含裸子植物3科10属18种1亚种1变种, 被子植物85科306属497种3亚种18变种3变型)。本编目仅是辽宁省高等植物的阶段性汇总, 尚需要根据野外工作的拓展和研究工作的深入不断完善。     

Endogenous opiates: 1998

This paper is the twenty-first installment of our annual review of research concerning the opiate system. It summarizes papers published during 1998 that studied the behavioral effects of the opiate peptides and antagonists, excluding the purely analgesic effects, although stress-induced analgesia is included. The specific topics covered this year include stress; tolerance and dependence; eating and drinking; alcohol; gastrointestinal, renal, and hepatic function; mental illness and mood; learning, memory, and reward; cardiovascular responses; respiration and thermoregulation; seizures and other neurologic disorders; electrical-related activity; general activity and locomotion; sex, pregnancy, and development; immunologic responses; and other behaviors.     

Endogenous opiates: 1992

This paper is the fifteenth installment of our annual review of research concerning the opiate system. It includes papers published during 1992 involving the behavioral, nonanalgesic, effects of the endogenous opiate peptides. The specific topics this year include stress; tolerance and dependence; eating; drinking; gastrointestinal and renal function; mental illness and mood; learning, memory, and reward; cardiovascular responses; respiration and thermoregulation; seizures and other neurological disorders; electrical-related activity; general activity and locomotion; sex, pregnancy, and development; immunological responses; and other behaviors.     

Endogenous opiates: 2000

This paper is the twenty-third installment of the annual review of research concerning the opiate system. It summarizes papers published during 2000 that studied the behavioral effects of the opiate peptides and antagonists, excluding the purely analgesic effects, although stress-induced analgesia is included. The specific topics covered this year include stress; tolerance and dependence; learning, memory, and reward; eating and drinking; alcohol and other drugs of abuse; sexual activity, pregnancy, and development; mental illness and mood; seizures and other neurological disorders; electrical-related activity; general activity and locomotion; gastrointestinal, renal, and hepatic function; cardiovascular responses; respiration and thermoregulation; and immunological responses.     

Recent advances in the study of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus replication and pathogenesis

It has now been over twenty years since a novel herpesviral genome was identified in Kaposi's sarcoma biopsies. Since then, the cumulative research effort by molecular biologists, virologists, clinicians, and epidemiologists alike has led to the extensive characterization of this tumor virus, Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus(KSHV; also known as human herpesvirus 8(HHV-8)), and its associated diseases. Here we review the current knowledge of KSHV biology and pathogenesis, with a particular emphasis on new and exciting advances in the field of epigenetics. We also discuss the development and practicality of various cell culture and animal model systems to study KSHV replication and pathogenesis.     

海蛎壳生物质资源再利用的研究进展*

海蛎是一种营养和医药价值较高的咸水双壳类动物,在世界各地被广泛养殖。海蛎壳副产品是一种天然生物质资源,由95%的碳酸钙和5%的有机基质组成。海蛎壳的多尺度、多层次“砖-泥”独特结构,使其具有良好的机械稳定性、生物相容性、可降解性和优异的吸附特性。首先,介绍了海蛎壳生物质的理化性质和天然独特微纳米结构,总结了海蛎壳在农业、工业、生物医药领域的研究现状,详细阐述了其在污水治理、土壤改良、天然抗菌剂(食品工业和生物医药)、骨组织工程、医药原料、生物填料、工业催化剂及分散载体、建筑工业填料、功能化涂料等领域的研究现状。其次,概述了利用生物转化技术将海蛎壳转化为生物能源、新型生物质材料等方面的研究进展。最后,展望了海蛎壳生物质资源及其衍生物未来在工业、农业、医药领域的潜在应用。     

Are gonadal steroids linked with orgasm perceptions and sexual assertiveness in women and men?

Past findings suggest links between orgasms and testosterone (T), as well as sexuality and estradiol (E), and we examined hormone–orgasm links in this study via two hypotheses (below). Participants were 86 women and 91 men who provided a saliva sample and completed a demographics questionnaire, the Orgasm Checklist (Mah and Binik, 2002), the Hurlbert (1991) Index of Sexual Assertiveness, and the Sexual Desire Inventory (Spector and Fremeth, 1996). Results supported the first hypothesis of correlations between T and positive orgasm experience in women, specifically with the relaxation, soothing, and peaceful items in both partnered and solitary orgasm contexts. Results also indicated correlations between E and flooding and spreading items in a solitary orgasm context. There were no associations between hormones and men's perceptions of their orgasm experiences. There was no support for the second hypothesis of associations between higher T and more sexual assertiveness. Post hoc analyses showed associations between E and women's sexual desire, and T and men's sexual desire. We discuss implications of these findings including that solitary vs. partnered orgasm experiences may differ, and suggest that T might be associated with perceptions of psychological experiences of orgasms, and E might be associated with perceptions of physical experiences of orgasms.     

Endogenous opiates: 1997

This paper is the twentieth installment of our annual review of research concerning the opiate system. It summarizes papers published during 1997 that studied the behavioral effects of the opiate peptides and antagonists, excluding the purely analgesic effects, although stress-induced analgesia is included. The specific topics covered this year include stress; tolerance and dependence; eating and drinking; alcohol; gastrointestinal, renal, and hepatic function; mental illness and mood; learning, memory, and reward; cardiovascular responses; respiration and thermoregulation; seizures and other neurologic disorders; electrical-related activity; general activity and locomotion; sex, pregnancy, and development; immunologic responses; and other behaviors.     

Endogenous opiates: 1991

This paper is the fourteenth installment of our annual review of research concerning the opiate system. It includes papers published during 1991 involving the behavioral, nonanalgesic, effects of the endogenous opiate peptides. The specific topics this year include stress; tolerance and dependence; eating; drinking; gastrointestinal and renal function; mental illness and mood; learning, memory, and reward; cardiovascular responses; respiration and thermoregulation; seizures and other neurological disorders; electrical-related activity; general activity and locomotion; sex, pregnancy, and development; immunological responses; and other behaviors.     

Actin is Immunolocalized in the Nuclei and Chromosomes of Vicia faba

Meristematic cells of Vicia faba L. were labeled with rabbit anti-actin antibody and FITC-conjugated goat anti-rabbit lgG antibody and observed with fluorescence microscopy. Both the nuclei and chromosomes sent forth distinctive fluorescence, indicating that actin is present in the nuclei and chromosomes. Sections were reacted with the anti-actin antibody and protein A-colloidal gold and observed with transmission electron microscopy. Gold particles were found over the whole nuclei, and a lot of particles were concentrated in condensed chromatin areas and nucleoli, confirming the observations with the fluorescence microscopy. V. faba nuclei and chromosomes were treated with DNase Ⅰ and 2 mol/L NaC1, and DNA and histone-depleted nuclei and chromosomes were obtained. Indirect immunofluorescence tests showed that the DNA and histone-depleted nuclei and chromosomes reacted positively with the anti-actin antibody. These results demonstrated that actin exists not only in intact nuclei and chromosomes but also in DNA and histone-depleted nuclei and chromosomes of V. faba. In addition, the authors' results indicate that tropomyosin is present in the nuclei and chromosomes of V. faba. Presence of actin in nuclei and chromosomes as well as in DNA and histone-depleted nuclei and chromosomes of higher plants is discussed.     

Determination of endogenous hormones, sugars and mineral nutrition levels during the induction, initiation and differentiation stage and their effects on flower formation in olive

Olive (Olea europaea L.) is one of the most important crop plants grown in the Mediterranean region. Varying levels of hormones, sugars and mineral nutrient are thought to influence flower bud formation. The objective of this study was to evaluate the changes in endogenous sugar, mineral nutrition and hormone levels in leaf, node and fruit samples of Memecik olive during the induction, initiation and differentiation periods in on (bearing) and off (non-bearing) years. Leaf, node and fruit samples of mature 15-year-old Memecik olive were used. The samples were taken during the induction, initiation and differentiation periods of olive in on (2000) and off (2001) years. Sugar (glucose, fructose and sucrose), mineral nutrient (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn, Mn and Cu) and hormone [abscisic acid (ABA), indole acetic acid (IAA), gibberellic acid (GA₃, GA₄) and zeatin (Z)] levels were determined in on and off years. Hormone and sugar levels were measured by gas chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography. The K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu levels were quantified by an atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Nitrogen was determined by the Kjeldahl procedure, and P by a spectrophotometric method. The differences in any of the sugar concentrations, with the exception of fructose, were not significant in on and off years. Hormone levels, however, were significantly different in on and off years. Glucose had the highest concentrations in both years, followed by sucrose and fructose, respectively. The highest macro and micro element concentrations were found to be Ca and Fe, respectively. Thus, the results suggest that carbohydrates and mineral nutrients may not have a direct effect to induce flower initiation. However, high GA₃ level exhibited an inhibitory effect on floral formation during the induction and initiation periods. On the other hand, the high concentrations of GA₄, ABA and certain cytokinin levels may have a positive effect on flower formation in olive during the induction and initiation periods.     

Distribution of N,P, K,Ca, Mg,S, Zn,Fe, Mn and Cu in groundnut

Summary Concentration of N, P, K, Ca, Mg and S in summer groundnut crop was higher than in kharif while Zn, Fe, Mn and Cu contents were higher in summer crop. Kernel's N, P and Zn; Leaflet's Ca and Mn; Stem's K and Fe; Root's S and Cu and Petiole's Mg contents were highest. Shell's N, P, K, Mg, S, Zn and Cu; Kernel's Ca, Fe and Mn contents were the least. N, P, K, S, Zn and Cu concentrations decreased linearly as the crop grew. Ca, Mg, Fe and Mn concentrations did not display any distinct pattern. Ca concentration was positively correlated with pod yield in both the seasons.     

Interrelationships between metabolic hormones,leptin and ghrelin,and oil-related contaminants in control of oxytocin and prostaglandin F release by feline ovaries

We examined the effects of metabolic hormones leptin and ghrelin, and the oil-related environmental contaminants toluene and xylene on the release of ovarian hormones by gravid and non-gravid cats, as well as the functional interrelationships between metabolic hormones and contaminants. Ovarian fragments of non-gravid cats were cultured with and without leptin and toluene. Next, ovarian fragments of either non-gravid or gravid animals were cultured with and without ghrelin and xylene. Oxytocin (OT) and prostaglandin F (PGF) release was measured using ELISA.We confirm ovarian OT and PGF production by feline ovary, demonstrate the involvement of leptin and ghrelin in controlling OT and PGF release, show the direct influence of toluene and xylene on feline ovarian secretory activity, indicate the ability of leptin and ghrelin to mimic and promote the main contaminant effects, demonstrate that oil-related contaminants can prevent and even invert the effects of leptin and ghrelin on the ovary, and suggest the gravidity-associated changes in ability of ghrelin to promote xylene action on PGF (but not to OT), but not in basic ovarian OT and PGF release and their response to ghrelin or xylene.     

Patterns of reproductive strategy parameters in some marine teleost fishes

The development of ideas and methods in the quantitative study of the patterns of growth, maturation and longevity in fish is reviewed. Earlier studies on length and age at maturity, von Bertalanffy growth formula parameters, natural mortality and maximum age for clupeiformes, pleuronectiformes, gadiformes and Sebastes spp. are up-dated and extended. The concept of the Growth-Maturity-Longevity (GML) plot is developed and applied. GML plots for the gadiformes and pleuronectiformes occupy the same two-dimensional space, but those for clupeiformes and Sebastes are located differently from them and from each other. The GML parameter suite for long-lived Sebastes spp. is similar to that of certain higher vertebrates of comparable longevity (minke whale and African elephant). It is suggested that the conventional distinction between the growth of fish being indeterminate and that for higher vertebrates determinate is inappropriate; the main difference is whether the approach to the characteristic maximum size is asymptotic , as in fish and some higher vertebrates, or abrupt as in others, including man.     

Labellar micromorphology of Bifrenariinae Dressler (Orchidaceae)

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The two closely related subtribes Bifrenariinae Dressler and Maxillariinae Benth. are easily distinguished on morphological grounds. Recently, however, molecular techniques have supported the inclusion of Bifrenariinae within a more broadly defined Maxillariinae. The present paper describes the diverse labellar micromorphology found amongst representatives of Bifrenariinae (Bifrenaria Lindl., Rudolfiella Hoehne, Teuscheria Garay and Xylobium Lindl.) and compares it with that found in Maxillaria Pabst & Dungs and Mormolyca Fenzl (Maxillariinae). METHODS: The labella of 35 specimens representing 22 species of Bifrenariinae were examined by means of light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy and their micromorphology compared with that of Maxillaria sensu stricto and Mormolyca spp. The labellar epidermis of representatives of Bifrenaria, Xylobium and Mormolyca was tested for protein, starch and lipids in order to ascertain whether this tissue is involved in the rewarding of pollinators. KEY RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The labella of Bifrenaria spp. and Mormolyca spp. are densely pubescent but those of Xylobium, Teuscheria and Rudolfiella are generally papillose. However, whereas the trichomes of Bifrenaria and Mormolyca are unicellular, those found in the other three genera are multicellular. Hitherto, no unicellular trichomes have been described for Maxillaria, although the labella of a number of species secrete a viscid substance or bear moniliform, pseudopollen-producing hairs. Moniliform hairs and secretory material also occur in certain species of Xylobium and Teuscheria and these genera, together with Maxillaria, are thought to be pollinated by stingless bees (Meliponini). Differences in the labellar micromorphology of Bifrenaria and Mormolyca are perhaps related to Euglossine- and/ or bumble bee-mediated pollination and pseudocopulation, respectively. Although Xylobium and Teuscheria share a number of labellar features with Maxillaria sensu stricto, this does not necessarily reflect taxonomic relationships but may be indicative of convergence in response to similar pollinator pressures.     

Relationships among xylem transport, biomechanics and storage in stems and roots of nine Rhamnaceae species of the California chaparral

Here, hypotheses about stem and root xylem structure and function were assessed by analyzing xylem in nine chaparral Rhamnaceae species. Traits characterizing xylem transport efficiency and safety, mechanical strength and storage were analyzed using linear regression, principal components analysis and phylogenetic independent contrasts (PICs). Stems showed a strong, positive correlation between xylem mechanical strength (xylem density and modulus of rupture) and xylem transport safety (resistance to cavitation and estimated vessel implosion resistance), and this was supported by PICs. Like stems, greater root cavitation resistance was correlated with greater vessel implosion resistance; however, unlike stems, root cavitation resistance was not correlated with xylem density and modulus of rupture. Also different from stems, roots displayed a trade-off between xylem transport safety from cavitation and xylem transport efficiency. Both stems and roots showed a trade-off between xylem transport safety and xylem storage of water and nutrients, respectively. Stems and roots differ in xylem structural and functional relationships, associated with differences in their local environment (air vs soil) and their primary functions.     

The molecular biology of matrix metalloproteinases and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases in inflammatory bowel diseases

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) are thought to be predominant proteases and protease inhibitors involved in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) through their ability to remodel the extracellular matrix (ECM) in response to inflammatory stimuli and by their immunomodulating effects. An imbalance between MMPs and TIMPs has been linked with acute and chronic inflammation and aberrant tissue remodeling, as seen in IBD. Moreover, recurrent phases of tissue destruction and subsequent tissue repair can cause serious complications in IBD patients such as fistulas and fibrosis. The aims of this review are (i) to summarize current literature on genetic association, mRNA, and protein expression studies with regard to MMPs and TIMPs in IBD patients and various animal models, including those with transgenic and knockout mice; (ii) to compare biochemical and molecular biological data in humans with those obtained in animal model studies and (iii) to critically evaluate and translate how this knowledge may be used in practical terms to understand better the pathophysiology and mechanisms operating in IBD and to apply this for improvement of clinical outcomes at diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic levels.     

Wnt impacts growth and differentiation in ex vivo liver development

The Wnt-beta-catenin pathway plays a role in liver growth and development. Here, we investigate the direct effect of Wnt-3A on ex vivo liver development. Livers from mouse embryos at day 10 were cultured in serum-free Wnt-3A-conditioned media alone or with HGF and insulin for 72 h and analyzed for histology, proliferation, apoptosis and lineage. Control cultures grown in serum-free conditions or Wnt-3A and sFRP-1 combination display loss of architecture and proliferation and increased apoptosis. In the presence of Wnt-3A, embryonic liver cultures show CK-19-positive cells (biliary phenotype) displaying proliferation, minimal apoptosis and duct-like histological arrangement. HGF and Wnt combination exhibited normal histology as seen in the presence of 10% serum displaying stem cells, hepatocytes and primitive bile ducts. HGF, insulin and Wnt combination provided no additional benefits rather had an overall deleterious effect. Thus, Wnt supports biliary differentiation by enhancing stem cell specification, hepatocyte trans-differentiation and promoting biliary survival. HGF and Wnt combination supports stem cells, hepatocytes and bile ducts. The addition of insulin to the combination of HGF and Wnt provided no growth or differentiation advantage. Our results indicate usefulness of Wnt and HGF in hepatocyte cultures and suggest their balance during normal liver development.