Monomorphic Region of the Serotonin Transporter Promoter Gene in New World Monkeys

Genetic variation in the human serotonin system has long been studied because of its functional consequences and links to various neuropsychiatric and behavior‐related disorders. Among non‐human primates, the common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) and tufted capuchins monkeys (Cebus apella) are becoming increasingly used as models to study the effects of genes, environments, and their interaction on physiology and complex behavior. In order to investigate the independent functions of and potential interactions between serotonin‐related genes, anxiety and neuropsychiatric disorders, we analyzed the presence and variability of the serotonin transporter gene‐linked polymorphic region (5‐HTTLPR) in marmoset and capuchin monkeys. By PCR and using heterologous primers from the human sequence, we amplified and then sequenced the corresponding 5‐HTT region in marmosets and capuchins. The resulting data revealed the presence of a tandem repeat sequence similar to that described in humans, but unlike humans and other Old World primates, no variable length alleles were detected in these New World monkeys, suggesting that if serotonin transporter is involved in modulating behavior in these animals it does so through different molecular mechanisms. Am. J. Primatol. 74:1028‐1034, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Ecology and conservation of common bottlenose dolphins Tursiops truncatus in the Mediterranean Sea

• 1 Bottlenose dolphins Tursiops truncatus are amongst the best‐known cetaceans. In the Mediterranean Sea, however, modern field studies of cetaceans did not start until the late 1980s. Bottlenose dolphins have been studied only in relatively small portions of the basin, and wide areas remain largely unexplored.
• 2 This paper reviews the ecology, behaviour, interactions with fisheries and conservation status of Mediterranean bottlenose dolphins, and identifies threats likely to have affected them in historical and recent times.
• 3 Whilst intentional killing was probably the most important cause of mortality until the 1960s, important ongoing threats include incidental mortality in fishing gear and the reduced availability of key prey caused by overfishing and environmental degradation throughout the region. Additional potential or likely threats include the toxic effects of xenobiotic chemicals, epizootic outbreaks, direct disturbance from boating and shipping, noise, and the consequences of climate change.
• 4 The flexible social organization and opportunistic diet and behaviour of bottlenose dolphins may allow them to withstand at least some of the effects of overfishing and habitat degradation. However, dolphin abundance is thought to have declined considerably in the region and management measures are needed to prevent further decline.
• 5 Management strategies that could benefit bottlenose dolphins, such as sustainable fishing, curbing marine pollution and protecting biodiversity, are already embedded in legislation and treaties. Compliance with those existing commitments and obligations should be given high priority.

     

Killing in the Pliocene: shark attack on a dolphin from Italy

Abstract: Shark bite marks, including striae, sulci and abrasions, in a well‐preserved fossil dolphin skeleton referred to Astadelphis gastaldii (Cetacea, Delphinidae) from Pliocene sediments of Piedmont (northern Italy), are described in detail. The exceptional combination of a fossil dolphin having a significant part of the skeleton preserved and a large number of bite marks on the bones represents one of the few detailed documentations of shark attack in the past. Most bite marks have been referred to a shark about 4 m long with unserrated teeth, belonging to Cosmopolitodus hastalis, on the basis of their shape and their general disposition on the dolphin skeleton. According to our hypothesis, the shark attacked the dolphin with an initial mortal bite to the abdomen from the rear and right, in a similar way as observed for the living white shark when attacking pinnipeds. A second, less strong, bite was given on the dorsal area when the dolphin, mortally injured, probably rolled to the left. The shark probably released the prey, dead or dying, and other sharks or fishes probably scavenged the torn body of the dolphin.     

The mental health clinic: a new model

The role of psychiatrists into public mental health clinics has been hampered by a perceived restriction of the psychiatrist''s role to prescribing and sign-ing forms, limiting opportunities to engage in the kind of integrated care that attracted many physicians to this specialty. We propose a revision of the current model in a direction that maximizes the expertise of this specialist as well as other clinicians in the health care team. The basic unit would consist of a psychiatrist (with adequate background both in psychopharmacology and psychotherapy), an internist and four clinical psychotherapists, who may provide evidence-based treatment after the initial evaluation of the psychiatrist. Its functioning would emphasize repeated assessments, sequential combi-nation of treatments, and close coordination of team members. Re-invigorating the role of the psychiatrist in the context of a team in which role assign-ments are clear could result in better outcomes and enhanced recruitment of psychiatrists into the public sector.     

Sulphate Uptake in Two Mutants of Chlorella vulgaris with High and Low Sulphur Amino Acid Content

Two mutants of Chlorella vulgaris characterized by higher and lower content of sulphur amino acids compared with the wild strain were assayed for the efficiency of the sulphate uptake mechanism. In both mutants uptake exhibited positive cooperation kinetics and was strongly stimulated by sulphate starvation. Stimulation was depressed by cysteine and to a higher extent by methionine. Mutations affected the uptake efficiency concordantly with the level of sulphur amino acids. Addition to the starved strains of sulphate or chromate reduced the induced transport to the lower values of the non-starved strains. Addition of cycloheximide during the induction period prevented a further enhancement of transport without depressing the attained rate in the low sulphur mutant; it was followed by a rapid fall to the non-induced rate in the high sulphur mutant.     

Localization of minor elements by EDS microanalysis in aragonitic sponges from the St. Cassian Beds, Italian Dolomites

The minor elements Sr, S, K, Mg, Fe, and Mn were detected by election microprobe EDS (electron dispersive spectrometer) in small regions of the skeletal tissue of the Triassic sponges Sestrostomella robusta (Zittel), Hartmanina involuta (Klipstein), Atrochetetes medius Cuif & Fischer, Ceratoporella sp., and Eudea polymorpha (Klipstein) from Alpe di Specie (St. Cassian Beds, Dolomites, Italy). Data were compared with analyses of the modern sponges Astrosclera willeyana Lister from the Mozambique Channel and Ceratoporella nicholsoni (Hickson) from the Bahamas. Sr content in Triassic sponges (mean value 9,300 ± 600 ppm) is similar to the Sr content of Recent samples (mean value 8,500 ± 1,500 ppm). This concentration of Sr shows very slight biochemical fractionation like oolitic aragonite. It is therefore possible to infer that the Triassic sea of the St. Cassian Beds had the same Sr/Ca ratio and equal aragonitic depositional conditions as those presently found in the Bahamas and the Channel of Mozambique, i.e. warm shallow waters. Generally, we did not observe a preferential distribution of minor elements with respect to structure. Only when a lower concentration in the center of spherules is observed does a preferential distribution pattern seem to exist. This could mean an initial stage of Sr leaking indicative of an incipient diagenetic process (excluding experimental errors or morphological effects). Excluding these exceptions, the Alpe di Specie spongial fauna is surely diagenetically unaltered. The Sr content shows that the micritic microstructure of Eudea polymorpha is not due to a diagenetic process either. The constant, clearly detectable occurrence of sulphur (mean value 1,000 ppm) was observed. In addition, the S content was found to be linearly correlated with the strontium content. Sulphur is probably of primary organic origin.     

Evaluation of UV-Induced Mutants of Chlorella vulgaris for Single Cell Protein I. The Screening Effect of Cycloheximide and 6-Methylpurine

Chlorella vulgaris was irradiated with UV doses allowing a 0.1 per cent survival. Dark recovery and photoreactivation were carried out either in the presence or in the absence of an inhibitor of protein synthesis. Faster growing and faster greening colonies were selected, and the amino acid composition of the mutant strains were evaluated. Higher growth and photosynthetic rates, higher chlorophyll content and lower respiration rate were shown by all mutants irrespective of the selection procedure. Selection against cycloheximide led to higher protein and RNA, but lower carotenoid content, whereas mutants selected against 6-methylpurine showed, in addition to a protein and carotenoid increase, a more favourable protein: RNA ratio.     

SOME SOURCES OF BIAS IN CONSUMER TESTING

Data sets from three studies were examined to determine the effects of brand identification and package design on consumer responses during product evaluation. In these studies, consumers evaluated products with or without brand identification, compared products in standardized conditions, and compared products in different package designs with different or identical product contents. Measurement of consumer responses for all studies was based on 9-point hedonic scale. The results of the study showed that consumers were less critical in their evaluation when the samples being assessed were identified by brand names. Brand identification and package design, when not concealed in the comparison of product contents, resulted in consumer response bias. Also, the popularity of a brand influenced consumer's perception of products.     

Serological relationships among Sophoreae, Thermopsideae and Genisteae (Fabaceae)

A comparison among 20 genera, representatives of Sophoreae, Thermopsideae and Genisteae based on the serological cross reactivity of the seed proteins, indicates: (a) Sophoreae are highly heterogeneous – there is little similarity among genera of the New World, genera of tropical austral Africa, and genera of temperate Eurasia; (b) Sophora and Maackia are strictly related both to Thermopsidae and to Genisteae; (c) Thermopsideae are not intermediate between Sophoreae and Genisteae; (d) Primitive Thermopsideae and Genisteae (Anagyris, Hesperolaburnum) are serologically related among themselves and to the Sophoreae; (e) derived herbaceous genera (Baptisia, Lupinus) are serologically divergent.