Habitat variables associated with encounters of Hottentot Buttonquail Turnix hottentottus during flush surveys across the Fynbos biome

The Hottentot Buttonquail Turnix hottentotus is an endangered terrestrial turnicid and is endemic to the Fynbos biome, South Africa. Due to its secretive nature and apparent rarity almost nothing is known about the species, but its range has been subject to anthropogenic modification, invasion by alien plant species and is vulnerable to climate change. To model covariates associated with the presence of Hottentot Buttonquail we undertook flush surveys across the Fynbos biome, covering 275 km. Habitat variables at encounter sites were recorded in vegetation plots, as well as locations without encounters. There was a critical number of observers needed during a flush survey in order to account for buttonquail presence, with no encounters with less than five participants. After accounting for this, we found probability of encounters decreased with increasing time-since-fire. Probability of encounters were also negatively associated with increasing percentage grass and other vegetation cover. We also found no association between percentage cover of Restionaceae plants and encounter probability, considered previously to be the best indicator of Hottentot Buttonquail presence. This information will be of use to those interested in managing habitat for this species and should inform future conservation efforts.     

Effect of tryptophan and its metabolites on the conditioned reflex activity of the honeybee

The effect of tryptophane and its derivatives on the rate of elaboration and transformation of conditioned reflexes (CR) to odour, with alimentary reinforcement, was studied in wild bees under two conditions: free movement of the bee or its immobilization (stress situation), by means of genetic models (mutations, successive blocking stages of kynurenin path of tryptophane metabolism). It was shown that mutations eliciting accumulation of free tryptophane and serotonin in the hemolymph of the bees and creating a deficit of kynurenins accelerate the transformation of conditioned reflexes and aggravate the depression of conditioned activity usually elicited in wild bees by monotonous prolonged presentation of conditioned signal. The injections of tryptophane and serotonin (5 mg) produce the same action. Mutations, eliciting accumulation in the hemolymph of the kynurenins (kynurenin and 3-hydroxikynurenin) accelerate, in conditions of immobilization, the formation of conditioned reflexes and delay the process of their transformation, and also contribute to maintainance of a higher (in comparison with the norm) level of the conditioned activity under monotonous presentation of the signal. The same action is produced by the injection of 1 mcg kynurenin.     

Factors of activation and stabilization of DNA-methylases from Shigella sonnei 47 and Mycobacterium smegmatis butyricum cells

A comparative study of factors of activation and stabilization of individual DNA-methylases from two bacterial strains--Shigella sonnei 47 and Mycobacterium smegmatis butyricum--isolated by isoelectrofocusing in a pH gradient has been carried out. Storage of enzymes at +4 degrees C (pH 7.5) is accompanied by periodic changes in the methylating activity. No such changes are observed when the enzymes are stored at pI of the protein. In this case the methylases with alkaline or close to neutral values of pI remain stable over a period of at least two weeks, whereas acidic proteins are irreversibly inactivated by the end of a two-week period. A stabilizing effect of BSA on DNA-methylases of Sso 47 and Mbu strains has been demonstrated. A direct correlation between the stabilizing effect of BSA and the degree of enzyme purity has been established. Ca2+ appear to be a universal activator of methylases of the above strains; these cations produce a potent, although a short-term effect and can be used in the production of enzyme preparations with a high specific activity in DNA recombinant technology. Protease inhibitors do not exert any appreciable effect on the methylase activity upon storage. Storage at -20 degrees C and at neutral pH leads to complete inactivation of all DNA-methylases within 24 hours. In this case glycerol is fairly ineffective as a stabilizing agent.     

Blood–Brain Barrier Breakdown in Stress and Neurodegeneration: Biochemical Mechanisms and New Models for Translational Research

Biochemistry (Moscow) - Blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a structural and functional element of the neurovascular unit (NVU), which includes cells of neuronal, glial, and endothelial nature. The main...     

CRISPR adaptive immunity systems of prokaryotes

CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats) systems were found in the genomes of many eubacteria and the vast majority of archaea. Their unique feature is that CRISPR-mediated immunity is adaptive and can be programmed to protect cells against mobile genetic elements. The review describes the general principles of CRISPR-mediated immunity and characterizes the CRISPR systems of various microorganisms.     

The Role of non-NMDA-Receptors in the Process of Associative Learning in the Honeybee Apis mellifera

Pharmacological parameters of non-NMDA-receptors and their participation in the associative learning in the honeybee Apis mellifera L. have been studied using the method of conditional reflexes and pharmacological analysis. The effect of 1-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl, 4-isoxazolprpionate (AMPA), kainate, domoate, antagonist of AMPA-receptors NS-257 HCl and modulator of AMPA-receptors cyclothiazide was studied on retention of the elaborated conditional reflex in short- and long-term memory. It was shown that AMPA-receptors, but not kainate receptors, are involved in the process of formation of short-term memory and are characterized by pharmacological profile similar with that in molluscs. Coactivation of AMPA- and NMDA-receptors is considered as one of possible mechanisms of formation of short-term memory in the honeybee.