Differences in cellulose digestive systems among castes in two termite lineages

Abstract.  Termites (Isoptera) are eusocial insects and express polyphenism. Soldiers have specialized morphology for colony defense, but their feeding activity is dependent on other colony members. To determine differences in cellulose degradation between soldier and worker termites, enzymatic activity and cellulase gene expression, as well digestive tract histology, are examined in two phylogenetically distant species. In Hodotermopsis sjostesti (family Termopsidae) , endo-β-1,4-glucanase activity is identified in the salivary glands, whereas β-glucosidase activity is identified in salivary glands and hindgut. The relative expression levels of endo-β-1,4-glucanase genes in soldiers are significantly lower than in workers. Thin sections of salivary gland of workers and soldiers are different in H. sjostedti . In Nasutitermes takasagoensis (family Termitidae), the endo-β-1,4-glucanase activity is restricted to the midgut in four tested castes (i.e. three types of workers and soldier). Examination of activity per termite reveals the highest activity in minor workers and the lowest activity in major workers and soldiers. The β-glucosidase activity is also concentrated on the midgut in all four castes. The relative expression level of the endo-β-1,4-glucanase gene does not correspond with its activity in the midgut. In thin sections prepared from N. takasagoensis , the folds and pulvillus in the gizzards, and cuticle structure of soldiers are less developed compared with the other three worker castes. The differences in digestive system among termite castes in terms of caste development in each species are discussed.     

矮牵牛花红色素的研究

研究了矮牵牛花红色素的提取方法,并对色素的性质和稳定性进行了测试。结果表明：0．1mol／L HCI对矮牵牛花红色素的浸出效果最佳;矮牵牛化色素在酸性条件下较为稳定,在碱性溶液中不稳定,并生成不可逆的黄色;同时还讨论了温度、光照、溶剂及Vc对色素稳定性的影响。     

磷模型在千岛湖水体污染预测中的应用研究

运用国际上通用的多个经验统计磷模型预测千岛湖目前的磷浓度水平,其中第6个模型最适合用于千岛湖的预测预报．利用该模型预测了磷负荷量分别减少1/4、1/2、3/4情况下,千岛湖水体中总磷浓度的响应．同时针对千岛湖营养水平控制的短、长期目标,利用模型计算出了所允许的总磷负荷量及入湖磷浓度．     

盐胁迫下小麦体细胞杂种与亲本小麦幼苗的生长量和Na+、K+含量比较

对小麦体细胞杂种F6株系Ⅰ-1-3和其亲本小麦济南177的幼苗在不同NaC1浓度处理6d时的生长量和Na^ 、K^ 含量进行了比较。结果表明：盐胁迫下杂种的生长量明显高于亲本小麦。随着盐浓度的增加,杂种和亲本的叶、茎和根中Na^ 含量均增加,但杂种叶与茎的Na^ 含量显著低于亲本,而根的却高于亲本,这可能提示杂种根部液泡较亲本有较强的储Na^ 功能。受盐胁迫的杂种叶与茎中K^ 含量显著高于亲本,K^ ／Na^ 比值高。杂种的Na^ 净积累速率也高于亲本。可见杂种比亲本小麦有更强的耐盐性。     

Microstructure of the linguliformean brachiopod Linnarssonia from the Lower Cambrian of Sichuan, China

Acrotretoids, one of the oldest brachiopod groups, are abundant in the Lower Cambrian Jiulaodong Formation. The shell of Linnarssonia sp. is composed of two layers: a primary layer and a columnar secondary layer. The primary layer is mostly exfoliated, resulting in exposure of the openings to the central canal of the columns. Filae are seen on the surface of the columnar layer, indicating that the columnar secondary layer has influenced changes in ornament on the shell surface. The larval shell has only very weak ripples; the post-larval shell has obvious concentric ribs. Small pits of variable shape cover almost the entire shell surface. The secondary layer is composed of several columnar laminations, each of which comprises both the upper and lower laminae and the cylindrical columns between them. On the inner side of shell the thin columnar laminations increase. The new microstructural data show that two shell layers are developed in Early Cambrian acrotretoid brachiopods; the columnar lamination may be a primitive feature of the microstructural development of the Brachiopoda and may help establish the affinity between different stem-group brachiopods.     

Possible Involvement of ERK 1/2 in UVA‐Induced Melanogenesis in Cultured Normal Human Epidermal Melanocytes

UV‐induced melanogenesis is a well known physiological response of human skin exposed to solar radiation; however, the signaling molecules involved in the stimulation of melanogenesis in melanocytes following UV exposure remain unclear. In this study we induced melanogenesis in vitro in normal human epidermal melanocytes using a single irradiation with UVA at 1 kJ/m² and examined the potential involvement of mitogen‐activated protein kinases (MAPK) as UVA‐responsive signaling molecules in those cells. UVA irradiation did not affect the proliferation of melanocytes, but it did increase tyrosinase mRNA expression, which reached a maximum level 4 hr after UVA irradiation. The amount of tyrosinase protein, as quantitated by immunoblotting, was also increased at 24 hr following UVA irradiation. Among the MAPK examined, extracellular signal‐related kinase (ERK) 1/2 was phosphorylated within 15 min of UVA irradiation, but no such phosphorylation was observed for c‐Jun N‐terminal kinases (JNK) or p38. Accordingly, the activity of ERK1/2 was also increased shortly after UVA irradiation. These responses of ERK1/2 to UVA irradiation were markedly inhibited when cells were pre‐treated with N‐acetyl‐l ‐cysteine, an antioxidant, or with suramin, a tyrosine kinase receptor inhibitor. The formation of (6‐4)photoproducts or cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers was not detected in cellular DNA after UVA irradiation. These findings suggest that a single UVA irradiation‐induced melanogenesis is associated with the activation of ERK1/2 by upstream signals that originate from reactive oxygen species or from activated tyrosine kinase receptors, but not from damaged DNA.     

Quantitation and Visualization of Ultraviolet‐Induced DNA Damage Using Specific Antibodies: Application to Pigment Cell Biology

The major types of DNA damage induced by sunlight in the skin are DNA photoproducts, such as cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs), (6‐4)photoproducts (6‐4PPs) and Dewar isomers of 6‐4PPs. A sensitive method for quantitating and visualizing each type of DNA photoproduct induced by biologically relevant doses of ultraviolet (UV) or sunlight is essential to characterize DNA photoproducts and their biological effects. We have established monoclonal antibodies specific for CPDs, 6‐4PPs or Dewar isomers. Those antibodies allow one to quantitate photoproducts in DNA purified from cultured cells or from the skin epidermis using an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. One can also use those specific antibodies with in situ laser cytometry to visualize and measure DNA photoproducts in cultured cells or in the skin, using indirect immunofluorescence and a laser‐scanning confocal microscope. This latter method allows us to reconstruct three‐dimensional images of nuclei containing DNA photoproducts and to simultaneously examine DNA photoproducts and histology in multilayered epidermis. Using those techniques, one can determine the induction and repair of these three distinct types of DNA photoproducts in cultured cells and in the skin exposed to sublethal or suberythematous doses of UV or solar simulated radiation. As examples of the utility of these techniques and antibodies, we describe the DNA repair kinetics following irradiation of human cell nuclei and the photoprotective effect of melanin against DNA photoproducts in cultured pigmented cells and in human epidermis.     

穗醛栗叶片中黄酮类物质的研究

本试验以小浆果类果树穗醋栗（黑、红、白）的叶片为试材,利用分光光度法。测定了三种穗醋栗叶（鲜样、干样）中总黄酮的含量及不同提取次数下总黄酮的浸提率,确定了最佳提取次数。结果表明：白穗醋栗叶片中总黄酮含量最高,鲜样785．10mg/100g,干样189.01mg/100g;红穗醋栗叶片次之,鲜样393.22mg／100g,干样1597.73mg／100g;黑穗醋栗叶片中总黄酮含量相对较少,鲜样151.59mg/100g,干样265.03mg/100g。三种穗醋栗叶片浸提三次,总黄酮的浸提率可达到97％以上。此外,利用定性试验（颜色反应）并和标准品芦丁的试验做比较,初步确定三种穗醋栗叶片所含的黄酮类化合物主要是黄酮和黄酮醇两类。     

南方沿海地区城市水土流失类型及特征—以珠海市三灶区为例

通过野外实地考察结合遥感技术手段开展珠海市三灶区城市水土流失重点调查。三灶区水土流失类型以人为侵蚀为主,主要是由开发平台建设、取土采石和修筑公路造成,侵蚀类型复杂多样,多沿交通道路两侧以及城市建成区周遍地带分布,侵蚀模数相差很大,最大侵蚀模数和最小侵蚀模数之间相差3个数量级,充分反映了城市水土流失的特点。     

南方沿海地区城市水土流失类型及特征——以珠海市三灶区为例

通过野外实地考察结合遥感技术手段开展珠海市三灶区城市水土流失重点调查。三灶区水土流失类型以人为侵蚀为主 ,主要是由于开发平台建设、取土采石和修筑公路造成 ,侵蚀类型复杂多样 ,多沿交通道路两侧以及城市建成区周遍地带分布 ,侵蚀模数相差很大 ,最大侵蚀模数和最小侵蚀模数之间相差 3个数量级 ,充分反映了城市水土流失的特点。