Regulation of expression of carbon-assimilating enzymes by nitrogen in maize leaf

We have utilized the cellular differentiation gradient of the developed, youngest leaf to examine the regulation by nitrogen of levels of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPCase), pyruvate orthophosphate dikinase (PPDK), and ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase in maize (Zea mays L.). The protein whose level regulated most preferentially by N availability was PEPCase, followed by PPDK, and the changes in level occurred most conspicuously at the photosynthetically maturing cells. Pulse and pulse-chase experiments to analyze photosynthetic fixation of [¹⁴C]CO₂ indicate that maize leaf primarily exploited a C₄-mode of photosynthetic fixation of carbon dioxide even under a selective reduction in levels of these proteins. The effects of N on the synthesis of these proteins and the accumulation of corresponding mRNAs during recovery from a deficiency were examined by pulse and pulse-chase labeling with [³⁵S]Met and by hybridization, respectively. The rate of turnover of PPDK was substantially higher than that of the other proteins. Results also showed that the reduced accumulation of PEPCase, as well as PPDK, under N deficiency could largely be accounted for a reduced level of synthesis of protein with a concomitant reduction in level of their mRNAs. This indicates that the N-dependent selective accumulation of these enzymes is primarily a consequence of level of its mRNAs.     

Studies on the salinity and desiccation tolerances of Helice tridens and Helice japonica (Decapoda: Grapsidae)

In the Shigenobu River Estuary (33 ° 48′ 18″ N, 132 ° 41′ 10″ E), Matsuyama (Japan), Helice tridens inhabits the mid-intertidal zone to the limit of the high tide, while H. japonica is found around the mid-intertidal zone. In addition, H. japonica is distributed further downstream than H. tridens. These differences suggest that H. japonica has a lower salinity and desiccation tolerance than H. tridens. Laboratory experiments on salinity tolerance confirmed the higher tolerance of H. tridens compared to H. japonica. Helice tridens survived at least a week under fresh water conditions, whereas most of the H. japonica died. Helice tridens was shown to be more able to tolerate desiccation than H. japonica, through behavioral, not physiological, adaptation to dry conditions. The present results demonstrate a stronger adaptation of H. tridens to semi-terrestrial and/or freshwater environments than H. japonica. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

From fence-and-fine to participatory conservation: mechanisms of transformation in conservation governance at the Gunung Halimun-Salak National Park,Indonesia

This paper addresses the transformation of forest bureaucracy, which has occurred in accordance with a national policy shift from “fence-and-fine” to “participatory” conservation, and its impact on resource users at Gunung Halimun-Salak National Park in Indonesia and analyzes causal relationships between this transformation and its outcome. The research suggests that the mode of conservation governance was transformed through the implementation of new ways of communication and interaction, learning processes and perceptional and behavioral changes. The result of this analysis indicates that while the dominant discourse of participatory conservation assumes a primary importance of satisfying local economic needs for conservation, what should be emphasized is the process of trust-building and learning between frontline staff and local resource users without which the durability of a conservation institution is questionable. The analysis also reveals both challenges and limitations of a trust-building approach: while the approach effectively functions to halt forest degradation, it might not lead to the rehabilitation of forest ecosystem.     

Genetic relationship of Sardinella lemuru from lombok strait with fish rich in omega-3 fatty acid

Lombok Strait has abundance of Sardine, Sardinella lemuru, which contains such high amount of omega-3 fatty acid (omega-3). However, the genetic relationship of S. lemuru with other commercial fish rich in omega-3 has not been widely studied yet. Studies on genetic proximity of S. lemuru with the other marine fish using 12S rRNA gene is very important in order to obtain genetic information of the Sardine to develop an appropriate strategy for future conservation of the fish in Lombok Strait. The aim of this study was to find out the genetic relationship of Sardinella lemuru living in Lombok Strait with the economically valuable fish and its correlation with omega-3 production. Sardinella lemuru were collected from Lombok Strait, the phylogenetic tree was done based on 12S rRNA gene through a neighbor-joining method to identify the relationship of Sardines and fish rich in omega-3 fatty acid. The phylogenetic tree showed that Sardinella lemuru is similar to Sardinella aurita and has a close similarity with Sardinella maderensis. However, the relationship did not correspond to omega-3 production. Based on the results of the study, it is suggested that the production of omega-3 is not specifically based on the proximity of the species, but it is more associated with conserved domain of Δ6-desaturase. Nevertheless, detailed mechanisms still need to be elucidated.     

deltaC Values in Maize Leaf Correlate with Phosphoenolpyruvate Carboxylase Levels

Values of δ¹³C and levels of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase and ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase were analyzed in segments from the fourth leaf of young maize (Zea mays L.) plants. The δ¹³C values became significantly more negative from the base to the tip of the leaves. Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase levels and ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase levels both increased from the base to the tip. The principal effect of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase levels or δ¹³C should arise through its effect on the carboxylation/diffusion balance in the mesophyll. In this case, δ¹³C values should become more negative as phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase levels increase, unless there are offsetting changes in stomatal aperture. The principal effect of ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase on δ¹³C should occur through its effect on the extent of leakage of CO₂ from the bundle sheath cells. In this case, δ¹³C values should become more positive as ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase levels increase. Accordingly, the variation in δ¹³C values seen in maize leaves appears to be the result of variations in the level of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase.     

Plasma cholesterol levels in free-ranging macaques compared with captive macaques and humans

Plasma total cholesterol in free-ranging Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata) on Koshima islet and in free-ranging long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis) at Pangandaran in Indonesia was found to occur at very low levels compared with captive macaques and humans. Although total cholesterol levels in captive macaques were lower than humans, differences in HDL cholesterol levels were only small. In both sexes of wild and captive Japanese macaques, total cholesterol levels decreased from birth through to young adulthood but then increased in adult females of the captive group. In contrast, the value for adult females of the wild troop remained at a low level. Low TCH levels in adult females of the wild Japanese macaque troop may be due to a low energy intake and may have caused a delay in the onset of sexual maturation. Plasma TCH levels increased with the addition of 0.1% dietary cholesterol over six weeks in captive long-tailed macaques. That the cholesterol value after six weeks was dependent on cholesterol levels prior to supplementation indicates that captive macaques are slightly saturated with cholesterol.     

Glutamine Induces the N-Dependent Accumulation of mRNAs Encoding Phosphoenolpyruvate Carboxylase and Carbonic Anhydrase in Detached Maize Leaf Tissue

We have used detached leaves to study the N-dependent control of expression of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC) and carbonic anhydrase (CA) genes in maize (Zea mays L. cv Golden Cross Bantam T51). Following supplementation with an N-source and zeatin, PEPC and CA mRNA levels increased in leaves detached from N-deficient maize plants. Addition of methionine sulfoximine (MSX), a specific inhibitor of glutamine synthetase, inhibited the nitrate-dependent increase of PEPC and CA mRNA but did not affect the glutamine-dependent increase of PEPC and CA mRNA levels. Glutamine levels in detached maize leaves treated with various N sources in the presence or absence of MSX correlated with the levels of PEPC and CA mRNA. We conclude that glutamine is the most likely effector for controlling the N-dependent expression of PEPC and CA in maize plants.     

A Bioplex Analysis of Cytokines and Chemokines in First Trimester Maternal Plasma to Screen for Predictors of Miscarriage

Background

We have previously shown in two independent cohorts that circulating first trimester Macrophage Inhibitory Cytokine-1 (MIC-1) levels are lower in women in early pregnancy who are destined to miscarriage. While promising, the diagnostic performance of measuring MIC-1 alone was not sufficient for it to be a useful predictive test for miscarriage. Besides MIC-1, there are other cytokines, as well as chemokines, involved in facilitating early pregnancy. We reasoned that screening these factors in maternal plasma could uncover other predictive markers of miscarriage.

Methods

This was a nested case control study, of 78 women from a prospective study of 462 attending the Early Pregnancy Assessment Unit in the first trimester (EPAU) with a threatened miscarriage; 34 of these subsequently miscarried (cases) and 44 went on to have a normal delivery (controls) Cytokines IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-10, and the chemokines, CXCL8, CCL2, CCL5, CCL7 and CX3CL1 were measured in plasma from our cohort.

Results

The cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10 and the chemokine CXCL8 were not detectable in first trimester plasma. The chemokines CCL2, CCL5, CCL7 and CX3CL1 were detectable in all samples but levels did not vary across 5–12 weeks of gestation among controls. Plasma levels of these chemokines were no different in the miscarriage cohort compared to controls.

Conclusion

The chemokines CCL2, CCL5, CCL7 and CX3CL1 were detectable in plasma during the first trimester while IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10 and CXCL8 were not. However, none of the cytokines and chemokines screened were different in maternal plasma in cases or controls. These therefore do not appear to have potential for application as predictive biomarkers of miscarriage.     

Variation in blood proteins and mitochondrial DNA within and between local populations of longtail macaques,Macaca fascicularis on the Island of Java, Indonesia

We examined 31 blood protein loci, and restriction fragment length profiles of a PCR product of mitochondrial DNA containing the D-loop region using five kinds of restriction endonucleases (HaeIII,HinfI,MboII,MspI, andSau3 AI) in order to quantify the level of genetic variation of longtail macaques,Macaca fascicularis. Samples were collected from nine social groups in five localities of West Java, Indonesia. The average heterozygosity per individual was 0.060 and 15.7% of the loci were polymorphic (P_poly) over all populations in the protein analysis. There was no mtDNA haplotype variation within either social groups or local populations. To the contrary, great diversity was observed among local populations. Both nuclear diversity (measured byNei's standard genetic distance) and mitochondrial diversity (measured by sequence divergence) showed a significantly positive correlation with geographic distance. There was no significant correlation between these two genetic markers, however. The genetic structure of the population was evaluated in terms of local inbreeding and temporal changes in allele frequency. Differences between nuclear and mitochondrial data are discussed in relation to gender specific migration and lineage sorting.