Temporal patterns of breeding and recruitment in Nerophis lumbriciformis(Pisces; Syngnathidae) related to seawater temperatures

The breeding season of Nerophis lumbriciformis , a cold water pipefish, was positively correlated with seawater temperatures <15·5° C, whilst recruitment occurred at the end of the upwelling season, when seawater temperature attained its maximum values. The observed alterations in seawater temperatures, with steady year‐round increases, and the consequent alteration of the upwelling regime, may have dramatic consequences in the maintenance of N. lumbriciformis populations, by reducing the breeding period and simultaneously contributing to the transport of pelagic larvae northwards due to specific sea currents that occur outside the upwelling season.     

Vocal Coordination of Group Movement by Green Woodhoopoes (Phoeniculus purpureus)

Communication signals are used by many species to maintain group cohesion when moving over larger areas. Groups of green woodhoopoes (Phoeniculus purpureus) generally move around their territory as a close‐knit unit. Dominant individuals were more likely than subordinates to initiate movement to a new foraging site, but there was no intersexual difference. Dominants were also more likely than subordinates to be followed immediately. Vocalizations were shown to play an important role in mobilization: in the thick forests inhabited by woodhoopoes, visual cues to coordinate movement are likely to be less successful. When responding to the rallying call of a neighboring group, dominants and subordinates were equally likely to lead, as were males and females. As other group members followed immediately on most of these occasions, vocalizations were less important in this context than when moving to a new foraging site.     

Wiring diagrams of MAPK regulation by MEKK1, 2, and 3.

Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways are activated by a plethora of stimuli. The literature is filled with papers describing the activation of different MAPKs by almost any stimulus or insult imaginable to cells. In this review, we use signal transduction wiring diagrams to illustrate putative upstream regulators for the MAPK kinase kinases, MEKK1, 2, and 3. Targeted gene disruption of MEKK1, 2, or 3 defined phenotypes for each MEKK associated with loss of specific MAPK regulation. Genetic analysis of MEKK function clearly defines specific components of the wiring diagram that require MEKK1, 2, or 3 for physiological responses. We propose that signal transduction network wiring diagrams are valuable tools for hypothesis building and filtering physiologically relevant phenotypic responses from less connected protein relations in the regulation of MAPK pathways.     

Transplantation and its biology: from fantasy to routine.

The replacement of diseased organs and tissues by the healthy ones of others has been a unique milestone in modern medicine. For centuries, transplantation remained a theme of fantasy in literature and the arts. Within the past five decades, however, it has developed from a few isolated attempts to salvage occasional individuals with end-stage organ failure to a routine treatment for many patients. In parallel with the progressive improvements in clinical results has come an explosion in immunology, transplantation biology, immunogenetics, cell and molecular biology, pharmacology, and other relevant biosciences, with knowledge burgeoning at a rate not dreamed of by the original pioneers. Indeed, there have been few other instances in modern medicine in which so many scientific disciplines have contributed in concert toward understanding and treating such a complex clinical problem as the failure of vital organs. The field has been a dramatic example of evolution from an imagined process to an accepted form of therapy.     

Reproductive performance of four aphidophagous ladybirds on cowpea aphid, Aphis craccivora Koch

Abstract:  This study investigated prey consumption, egg production, percent progeny loss, reproductive, pre- and post-reproductive periods, reproductive time ratio, reproductive rate and bioconversion efficiency of four aphidophagous ladybirds, viz. Cheilomenes sexmaculata (Fabricius), Coccinella septempunctata Linnaeus, Coccinella transversalis Fabricius and Propylea dissecta (Mulsant) on Dolichos lablab Linnaeus infested with cowpea aphid, Aphis craccivora Koch. C. sexmaculata had the highest bioconversion efficiency, reproductive rate and reproductive time ratio followed in rank order by P. dissecta , C. transversalis and C. septempunctata . This study indicates that C. sexmaculata has a narrow ecological relationship with A. craccivora . The increased allocation of resources to reproduction as indicated through a high reproductive time ratio and high bioconversion efficiency of C. sexmaculata and P. dissecta suggest that they may be better adapted to compete for this prey with larger species like C. transversalis and C. septempunctata .