Effect of feeding boxes on the behavior of stereotyping amur tigers (Panthera tigris altaica) in the Zurich Zoo,Zurich, Switzerland

The stereotyped pacing shown by the two Amur tigers in the Zurich Zoo was hypothesized as being caused by permanently frustrated appetitive foraging behavior. Several electrically controlled feeding boxes were installed and access to each box was possible only twice a day for 15 min at semi‐random times. The boxes had to be opened actively by the tigers. Two trials were carried out: one with solitary confinement, and one with paired confinement. During box feeding, the female's stereotyped pacing was significantly reduced from 16% (solitary confinement, conventional feeding) and 7% (paired confinement, conventional feeding) to 1% (solitary confinement) and less than 0.01% (paired confinement) of the daily observed time. The female's sleeping increased significantly in both solitary and paired confinement. The male only showed a significant reduction in stereotyped pacing behavior when kept with the female (conventional feeding: 10%; box feeding: <0.01% of the daily observed time). On days with a box‐feeding regime in paired confinement, the male spent 25% (83 min) of the observed time with active behavior at the feeding boxes. The results support the hypothesis that permanently frustrated appetitive foraging behavior causes stereotyped pacing in adult tigers. Zoo Biol 21:573–584, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Predicted impact of exotic vines on an endangered ecological community under future climate change

Potential interactions between climate change and exotic plant invasions may affect areas of high conservation value, such as land set aside for the protection of endangered species or ecological communities. We investigated this issue in eastern Australia using species distribution models for five exotic vines under climate regimes for 2020 and 2050. We examined how projected changes in the distribution of climatically suitable habitat may coincide with the remaining remnants of an endangered ecological community—littoral rainforests—in this region. The number of known infestations of each weed in tropical, subtropical and temperate areas was used to assess the likelihood of further expansion into areas projected to provide suitable habitat under future conditions. Littoral rainforest reserves were consistently predicted to provide bioclimatically suitable habitat for the five vines examined under both current and future climate scenarios. We explore the consequences and potential strategies for managing exotic plant invasions in these protected areas in the coming decades.     

Allometric analysis of the morphometric pulmonary diffusing capacity in dogs

The lung volume, the morphometrically determined alveolar and capillary surface area, and the capillary volume of 27 dogs (weight 2.65–57 kg) all were linearly correlated with body weight. The thickness of the air-blood barrier increased only slightly with increasing body size. The structural diffusing capacity, containing these parameters, was used to estimate the gas exchange capabilities of the lung and was also found to scale in direct proportion to body size. This coincides with reports on physiologically estimated diffusing capacity but is obviously different from the interspecies slope for metabolism which scales to the 3/4 power of body weight.     

Endorphin mediated increase in pain threshold induced by long-lasting exercise in rats

Rats were trained to run spontaneously, without stress, in running wheels. The running activity increased gradually and could reach a plateau of 7 km/night after 3–4 weeks. During the first hour of running in the dark phase the squeak threshold increased significantly and remained high in the morning. The degree of increased threshold was correlated to the amount of running activity. The squeak threshold declined during the following 6 hours of inactivity. A rapid decrease in threshold occurred after naloxone (1–2 mg/kg i.p.). It is suggested that long-lasting muscle exercise (e.g. jogging), acupuncture, and low frequency electrical stimulation of afferent nerve fibres produce discharges in muscle afferents which influence central endorphin mechanics giving analgetic effects.     

Functional asymmetry of the F0 motor in bacterial ATP synthases

F₁F₀ ATP synthases use the electrochemical potential of H⁺ or Na⁺ across biological membranes to synthesize ATP by a rotary mechanism. In bacteria, the enzymes can act in reverse as ATP-driven ion pumps creating the indispensable membrane potential. Here, we demonstrate that the F₀ parts of a Na⁺- and H⁺-dependent enzyme display major asymmetries with respect to their mode of operation, reflected by the requirement of ∼100 times higher Na⁺ or H⁺ concentrations for the synthesis compared with the hydrolysis of ATP. A similar asymmetry is observed during ion transport through isolated F₀ parts, indicating different affinities for the binding sites in the a/c interface. Together with further data, we propose a model that provides a rationale for a differential usage of membrane potential and ion gradient during ATP synthesis as observed experimentally. The functional asymmetry might also reflect an important property of the ATP synthesis mechanism in vivo . In Escherichia coli , we observed respiratory chain-driven ATP production at pH 7–8, while P -site pH values < 6.5 were required for ATP synthesis in vitro . This discrepancy is discussed with respect to the hypothesis that during respiration lateral proton diffusion could lead to significant acidification at the membrane surface.     

A Search for Discrete Cholinergic Nuclei in the Human Ventral Forebrain

Abstract: Slices cut from five frozen human brains were dissected into 2-mm cubes and assayed for choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) activity and protein content. A pattern of enrichment of ChAT activity was found ventral to the anterior commissure; this finding is consistent with the location of the enzyme in the cells of the nucleus basalis of Meynert. The region beneath the anterior commissure was the only place a discrete enrichment of activity could be found, and the precise topography of the enrichment was somewhat variable from brain to brain. The results are discussed in the light of recent knowledge concerning the source of the cortical cholinergic innervation.