Segmental pattern of development of the hindbrain and spinal cord of the zebrafish embryo

In the ventral hindbrain and spinal cord of zebrafish embryos, the first neurones that can be identified appear as single cells or small clusters of cells, distributed periodically at intervals equal to the length of a somite. In the hindbrain, a series of neuromeres of corresponding length is present, and the earliest neurones are located in the centres of each neuromere. Young neurones within both the hindbrain and spinal cord were identified in live embryos using Nomarski optics, and histochemically by labelling for acetylcholinesterase activity and expression of an antigen recognized by the monoclonal antibody zn-1. Among them are individually identified hindbrain reticulospinal neurones and spinal motoneurones. These observations suggest that early development in these regions of the CNS reflects a common segmental pattern. Subsequently, as more neurones differentiate, the initially similar patterning of the cells in these two regions diverges. A continuous longitudinal column of developing neurones appears in the spinal cord, whereas an alternating series of large and small clusters of neurones is present in the hindbrain.     

Long-term effects of hydropower installations and associated river regulation on River Shannon eel populations: mitigation and management

The Shannon, Ireland’s largest river, is used for hydroelectricity generation since 1929. Subsequently, the Electricity Supply Board assumed responsibility for management of its eel stocks, due to the impact of the hydro-dam on recruitment to the commercial fishery. In order to negate a decline in juvenile recruitment resulting from the installation of hydroelectric facilities, management was focused on stocking lakes with elvers and fingerling eels. These were trapped at the hydropower facilities and in estuarine tributaries during their up-stream migrations. Due to the decline of natural recruitment in more recent times, attempts have also been made to develop an estuarine glass eel fishery. Stock levels are then monitored through annual surveys of the population trends of juvenile (glass eel, elver), growing phase (yellow eel) and downstream migrating pre-spawners (silver eels). Survey results and fishery management programmes are reviewed in this article. In addition to the long-term effects the hydroelectric facilities have had on the stock levels, there is also an annual effect on the migratory patterns of downstream migratory silver eels. In the lower reaches of the river system flow rates are regulated by the hydroelectric stations. We review previous work that had highlighted the importance of flow in determining the timing of the silver eels migrations, and assess the relationship between flow and migration in more detail through the use of hydroacoustic and telemetric studies. Current research on seaward migrating silver eel populations, suggests that spawner escapement rates can most effectively be increased by trapping migrating eels at fishing weirs located up-stream of the power station and transporting them towards the estuary. Guest editors: R. L. Welcomme & G. Marmulla Hydropower, Flood Control and Water Abstraction: Implications for Fish and Fisheries     

天蓝色链霉菌分化调控基因scrX的功能研究

克隆天蓝色链霉菌中一个新基因scrX并进行了序列分析, 利用基因破坏策略进行了该基因的功能研究. 结果表明, scrX基因由660个碱基组成, 编码产物是一个220个氨基酸残基的蛋白质;该基因含有3个在链霉菌中的稀有密码子--AAA, AAA和ATA, 是典型的在翻译水平上受到严紧调控的分化调控基因. 氨基酸序列同源性比较结果表明, scrX编码蛋白属于原核生物转录调控蛋白IclR家族.基因功能研究结果揭示, scrX基因在天蓝色链霉菌孢子形成中可能起正调控作用.     

Entwicklungsmechanisehe Studien an panaschierten Pelargonien

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