在中国应用垂直波束雷达监测褐飞虱和其他水稻害虫迁飞的可行性

近年来,可用于昆虫迁飞研究且可自动运行的垂直波束雷达(vertical-looking radar,VLR)的发展使得对迁飞性害虫的周年长期自动监测成为可能。本文提供了我们对能否将这种雷达应用于中国的褐飞虱和其他水稻害虫的监测与预测体系以改善其综合治理的可行性研究结果。以往的研究已经表明,这些害虫一般在300—2000m高度迁飞;而我们根据褐飞虱的雷达和射有效截面的计算结果表明,目前使用的3．2cm波长的VLR对褐飞虱个体目标的最大可检测高度仅约240m;虽然建造一部8．8mm波长的VLR即可覆盖褐飞虱迁飞高度的绝大部分,但其造价和维护费用均过于昂贵。为此,一个更可行的解决方案是,以3．2cm波长的VLR作为包括大多数水稻害虫在内的个体较大的迁飞性害虫的监测工具。     

Contribution of sucrose synthase, ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase and starch synthase to starch synthesis in developing pea seeds

Using genetic variability existing amongst nine pea genotypes (Pisum sativum L.), the biochemical basis of sink strength in developing pea seeds was investigated. Sink strength was considered to be reflected by the rate of starch synthesis (RSS) in the embryo, and sink activity in the seed was reflected by the relative rate of starch synthesis (RRSS). These rates were compared to the activities of three enzymes of the starch biosynthetic pathway [sucrose synthase (Sus), ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase and starch synthase] at three developmental stages during seed filling (25, 50 and 75% of the dry seed weight). Complete sets of data collected during seed filling for the nine genotypes showed that, for all enzyme activities (expressed on a protein basis), only Sus in the embryo and seed coat was linearly and significantly correlated to RRSS. The contribution of the three enzyme activities to the variability in RSS and RRSS was evaluated by multiple regression analysis for the first two developmental stages. Only Sus activity in the embryo could explain, at least in part, the significant variability observed for both the RSS and the RRSS at each developmental stage. We conclude that Sus activity is a reliable marker of sink activity in developing pea seeds.     

感染球孢白僵菌后红火蚁体内蛋白质含量的变化

为了解球孢白僵菌Beauveria bassiana成功感染红火蚁Solenopsis invicta的生理生化机制, 本研究在室内条件下测定了经球孢白僵菌感染后红火蚁工蚁、蛹和幼蚁体内蛋白质含量的变化。结果表明: 红火蚁各虫态感染球孢白僵菌后体内蛋白质含量变化存在差异。在接种后12-72 h, 工蚁体内蛋白质含量在24 h时最高, 为47.12 mg/g, 显著低于对照的56.40 mg/g(P＜0.05), 此后呈下降趋势, 72 h时蛋白质含量下降至25.16 mg/g。幼蚁在接种36 h时体内蛋白质含量最高, 为24.13 mg/g, 此后呈下降趋势, 72 h时蛋白质含量为8.95 mg/g, 显著低于对照的24.80 mg/g。蛹感染球孢白僵菌后体内蛋白质含量一直呈下降趋势, 从12 h的36.57 mg/g降到72 h的10.42 mg/g, 与对照的38.61 mg/g相比差异显著(P＜0.05)。结果显示球孢白僵菌感染能显著降低红火蚁各虫态体内蛋白质含量。     

Sea urchin Hox genes: insights into the ancestral Hox cluster

We describe the Hox cluster in the radially symmetric sea urchin and compare our findings to what is known from clusters in bilaterally symmetric animals. Several Hox genes from the direct-developing sea urchin Heliocidaris erythrogramma are described. CHEF gel analysis shows that the Hox genes are clustered on a < or = 300 kilobase (kb) fragment of DNA, and only a single cluster is present, as in lower chordates and other nonvertebrate metazoans. Phylogenetic analyses of sea urchin, amphioxus, Drosophila, and selected vertebrate Hox genes confirm that the H. erythrogramma genes, and others previously cloned from other sea urchins, belong to anterior, central, and posterior groups. Despite their radial body plan and lack of cephalization, echinoderms retain at least one of the anterior group Hox genes, an orthologue of Hox3. The structure of the echinoderm Hox cluster suggests that the ancestral deuterostome had a Hox cluster more similar to the current chordate cluster than was expected Sea urchins have at least three Abd-B type genes, suggesting that Abd-B expansion began before the radiation of deuterostomes.      

Synchronization of estrus in embryo transfer recipients after using a combination of PRID or CIDR-B plus PGF2alpha

The use of CIDR-B or PRID in combination with prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha) for synchronizing estrus in embryo transfer recipients was evaluated in 2 experiments. In Experiment 1, virgin heifers (n=263) were synchronized using either a PRID (including estradiol benzoate capsule) or a CIDR-B in a combined program in which devices were inserted on Day 1, an injection of prostaglandin was given on Day 6, and devices were withdrawn on Day 7. The interval from device removal to the onset of estrus was significantly shorter for CIDR-B than for PRID-treated animals (50.44 vs 55.50 hours; P<0.003). The CIDR-B treatment resulted in a similar degree of synchrony to the PRID treatment (74.0 vs 70.4%; P=0.68). InExperiment 2, cows (n=95) and heifers (n=93) were allocated at random to be synchronized using a PRID (excluding estradiol benzoate capsule) plus PGF2alpha or a CIDR-B device plus PGF2alpha. The devices were inserted on Day 1, an injection of prostaglandin was given on Day 10 and the devices were removed on Day 12. Estrus was observed earlier following the CIDR-B treatment (43.50 vs 47.04 hours; P=0.01), but the degree of synchrony was similar (76.2 vs 76.3%; P>0.10) for the CIDR-B and PRID-treated animals. In both experiments, there were no significant differences in the proportions of animals observed in estrus, selected as embryo transfer recipients, or which achieved pregnancy consequent on embryo transfer between those synchronized using CIDR-B or PRID regimens. We conclude that the CIDR-B is a suitable device for synchronizing estrus in embryo transfer recipients.     

Interactions between the atmosphere and terrestrial ecosystems: influence on weather and climate

This paper overviews the short-term (biophysical) and long-term (out to around 100 year timescales; biogeochemical and biogeographical) influences of the land surface on weather and climate. From our review of the literature, the evidence is convincing that terrestrial ecosystem dynamics on these timescales significantly influence atmospheric processes. In studies of past and possible future climate change, terrestrial ecosystem dynamics are as important as changes in atmospheric dynamics and composition, ocean circulation, ice sheet extent, and orbit perturbations.     

The 40-kDa Fc gamma receptor (FcRII) on human neutrophils is essential for the IgG-induced respiratory burst and IgG-induced phagocytosis

Neutrophils express two types of receptor for the Fc region of IgG, FcRII and FcRIII. Per neutrophil, 10,000 to 20,000 molecules of FcRII (40 kDa) and 100,000 to 200,000 molecules of FcRIII (50 to 80 kDa) are expressed. Via these receptors, neutrophils bind IgG complexes that contain more than one IgG molecule. This binding activates functional processes, such as the respiratory burst and phagocytosis. We studied the contribution of FcRII and FcRIII in the activation of these processes, using well-defined complexes (both large and small) in combination with mAb against FcRII and FcRIII. Small (dimeric) IgG complexes appeared to bind via FcRIII. However, binding to FcRIII alone, when FcRII is blocked by an anti-FcRII mAb, did not induce a respiratory burst. Induction of the respiratory burst by a large immune complex, such as Staphylococcus aureus Wood opsonized with IgG antibodies, was mediated by binding to FcRII, because it was blocked by an anti-FcRII mAb but not by an anti-FcRIII mAb. This indicates that these IgG-opsonized bacteria can cross-link FcRII and activate the cells without the need to adhere to the FcRIII. The respiratory burst induced by IgG-latex was not inhibited by an anti-FcRII mAb, because the avidity for FcRII of IgG-latex, a particle of the same size as a Staphylococcus but with a two to three times higher IgG content, is increased by its simultaneous binding to FcRIII. This enhanced avidity results in removal of anti-FcRII mAb from the FcRII by IgG-latex. This increased avidity of large complexes for FcRII, created by concurrent binding to FcRIII, is not necessary for activation of human neutrophils, because neutrophils from patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria, with about 10% of the normal FcRIII expression, showed a normal metabolic response upon addition of IgG-latex. Phagocytosis of IgG-opsonized 14C-labeled S. aureus Wood was inhibited equally well by anti-FcRII mAb and by anti-FcRII in combination with anti-FcRIII mAb. Thus, FcRII is not only essential for the IgG-induced activation of the NADPH oxidase system, but also for the IgG-induced phagocytosis.     

Association of mast cells with lung function in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Background

Surfactant protein D (SP-D), an innate immune molecule, plays an important protective role during airway inflammation. Deficiency of this molecule induces emphysematous changes in murine lungs, but its significance in human COPD remains unclear.

Methods

We collected bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from 20 subjects with varying degrees of COPD (8 former smokers and 12 current smokers) and 15 asymptomatic healthy control subjects (5 never smokers, 3 remote former smokers, and 7 current smokers). All subjects underwent a complete medical history and pulmonary function testing. SP-D was measured by Enzyme-Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay. Statistical analysis was performed using nonparametric methods and multivariable linear regression for control of confounding. The effect of corticosteroid treatment on SP-D synthesis was studied in vitro using an established model of isolated type II alveolar epithelial cell culture.

Results

Among former smokers, those with COPD had significantly lower SP-D levels than healthy subjects (median 502 and 1067 ng/mL, respectively, p = 0.01). In a multivariable linear regression model controlling for age, sex, race, and pack-years of tobacco, COPD was independently associated with lower SP-D levels (model coefficient -539, p = 0.04) and inhaled corticosteroid use was independently associated with higher SP-D levels (398, p = 0.046). To support the hypothesis that corticosteroids increase SP-D production we used type II alveolar epithelial cells isolated from adult rat lungs. These cells responded to dexamethasone treatment by a significant increase of SP-D mRNA (p = 0.041) and protein (p = 0.037) production after 4 days of culture.

Conclusion

Among former smokers, COPD is associated with lower levels of SP-D and inhaled corticosteroid use is associated with higher levels of SP-D in the lung. Dexamethasone induced SP-D mRNA and protein expression in isolated epithelial cells in vitro. Given the importance of this molecule as a modulator of innate immunity and inflammation in the lung, low levels may play a role in the pathogenesis and/or progression of COPD. Further, we speculate that inhaled steroids may induce SP-D expression and that this mechanism may contribute to their beneficial effects in COPD. Larger, prospective studies are warranted to further elucidate the role of surfactant protein D in modulating pulmonary inflammation and COPD pathogenesis.     

Temporal dynamics of acute isovolume bronchoconstriction in the rat

Bates, Jason H. T., Thomas F. Schuessler, Carrie Dolman, andDavid H. Eidelman. Temporal dynamics of acute isovolume bronchoconstriction in the rat. J. Appl.Physiol. 82(1): 55-62, 1997.The time course oflung impedance changes after intravenous injection of bronchial agonisthave produced significant insights into the mechanisms ofbronchoconstriction in the dog (J. H. T. Bates, A.-M. Lauzon, G. S. Dechman, G. N. Maksym, and T. F. Shuessler. J. Appl.Physiol. 76: 616-626, 1994). We studied the timecourse of acute induced bronchoconstriction in five anesthetizedparalyzed open-chest rats injected intravenously with a bolus ofmethacholine. For the 16 s immediately after injection, we held thelung volume constant while applying small-amplitude flow oscillationsat 1.48, 5.45, and 19.69 Hz simultaneously, which provided us withcontinuous estimates of lung resistance(RL) and elastance(EL) at eachfrequency. This procedure was repeated at initial lung inflationpressures of 0.2, 0.4, and 0.6 kPa. BothRL andEL increased progressively aftermethacholine administration; however, the rate of change ofEL increased dramatically asfrequency was increased, whereas RL remained relativelyindependent of frequency. We interpret these findings in terms of athree-compartment model of the rat lung, featuring two parallelalveolar compartments feeding into a central airway compartment. Modelsimulations support the notions that both central airway shunting andregional ventilation inhomogeneity developed to a significant degree inour constricted rats. We also found that the rates of increase in bothRL andEL were greatly enhanced as theinitial lung inflation pressure was reduced, in accord with the notionthat parenchymal tethering is an important mechanism limiting theextent to which airways can narrow when their smooth muscle isstimulated to contract.

     

Attention and the detectability of weak taste stimuli

Subjects detected weak solutions of sucrose or citric acid under conditions in which attention was directed toward one of the tastants or the other. Detection thresholds were measured using an adaptive, forced-choice procedure, with a three-down one-up rule, which computer simulations suggest should be more reliable than the popular two-down one-up rule. The thresholds were modestly but systematically lower for attended tastants than for unattended ones. Similar results have been reported in other sense modalities, including vision (greater sensitivity to stimuli presented to attended versus unattended spatial locations) and hearing (greater sensitivity to stimuli presented at attended versus unattended sound frequencies). Taken together, the findings are consistent with a general hypothesis regarding attention in sensory systems: gains or losses in detectability occur when a central attentional mechanism (or, conceivably, a preattentive mechanism) selectively and preferentially monitors signals arising from particular subsets of peripheral neural inputs.