Multiple transgressions of Wallace's Line explain diversity of flightless Trigonopterus weevils on Bali

The fauna of Bali, situated immediately west of Wallace''s Line, is supposedly of recent Javanese origin and characterized by low levels of endemicity. In flightless Trigonopterus weevils, however, we find 100% endemism for the eight species here reported for Bali. Phylogeographic analyses show extensive in situ differentiation, including a local radiation of five species. A comprehensive molecular phylogeny and ancestral area reconstruction of Indo-Malayan–Melanesian species reveals a complex colonization pattern, where the three Balinese lineages all arrived from the East, i.e. all of them transgressed Wallace''s Line. Although East Java possesses a rich fauna of Trigonopterus, no exchange can be observed with Bali. We assert that the biogeographic picture of Bali has been dominated by the influx of mobile organisms from Java, but different relationships may be discovered when flightless invertebrates are studied. Our results highlight the importance of in-depth analyses of spatial patterns of biodiversity.     

Mangroves diversity and erosion mitigation performance in a low salinity soil area: case study of Vinh City,Vietnam

Wetlands Ecology and Management - This study aims to investigate the diversity of mangrove species and their soil erosion mitigation performance in Hung Hoa Mangrove Forest, Vinh City, Vietnam....     

Recognition of kin through characteristic body odors

The role of body odors (olfactory signatures) in human kin recognitionwas investigated in a series of experiments. In two-choice odordiscrimination tests, fathers, grandmothers and aunts reliablyidentified the odors of garments previously worn by their neonatalrelatives. Adult kin accurately discriminated between the odorsof their sibling, from whom they had been separated for a periodof 1 – 30 months, and a stranger of the same sex and age.Individuals apparently become rapidly familiarized with theodors of their relatives through direct exposure and may alsodetect a resemblance in the olfactory signatures of their closekin. Although body odors can be influenced by environmentalvariables (e.g. diet), unique olfactory signatures are quitelikely genetically mediated.     

A Pilot Feasibility Study of Neurofeedback for Children with Autism

Neurofeedback (NFB) is an emerging treatment for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This pilot study examined the feasibility of NFB for children with ASD. Ten children ages 7–12 with high functioning ASD and attention difficulties received a NFB attention training intervention. A standardized checklist captured feasibility, including focus during exercises and academic tasks, as well as off-task behaviors. Active behaviors and vocalizations were the most frequent off-task behaviors. Positive reinforcement and breaks including calm breathing exercises were the most common supports. Low motivation was associated with higher feasibility challenges, yet parental involvement and accommodations were helpful. This pilot study shows that it is feasible to conduct NFB sessions with children with high functioning autism and attention difficulties.     

Drug-DNA interactions: spectroscopic and footprinting studies of site and sequence specificity of elliptinium.

The binding of the antitumoral ellipticine derivative 2-methyl-9-hydroxyellipticinium acetate (elliptinium; NMHE) to DNA was analyzed by the combined use of DNase I footprinting and spectroscopic methods. Using two fragments of pBR322 DNA, five discrete NMHE binding sites of 5-7 protected base pairs (bp) were detected by footprinting at 4 degrees C on the analyzed regions. These corresponded to alternating pyrimidines and purines. The inactive derivative 2-methyl ellipticinium acetate L(NME) lacking a hydroxy group failed to demonstrate DNA protection even at low temperature. Ultraviolet-absorption and 1H-nmr analysis was performed using two autocomplementary octanucleotides d(TGACGTCA) (I) and d(ACTGCAGT) (II). The uv-absorption titrations resulted in an intercalative binding mode for NMHE in the oligomers. Analysis of the derived biphasic Scatchard plots yielded two binding sites corresponding to approximately 6-bp and 2-bp sizes and characterized by apparent association constants K1 approximately 10(8) M-1 and K2 approximately 10(6) M-1, respectively. The 1H-nmr analysis of exchangeable (imino) protons and nonexchangeable protons performed in the one- and two-dimensional modes confirmed the intercalation of NMHE, and further revealed the existence of multiple sites on DNA. Assuming that imino resonance line width concerned the sole kinetic effects, 10-ms order lifetimes were estimated for the drug-oligonucleotide complexes at 7 degrees C, pH 7, and 0.1 ionic strength. Finally, examination of every drug-DNA spectra in the light of the footprinting results indicated that there was a preference for binding of NMHE to the CpG (octamer I) and TpG (octamers I and II) steps.     

Investigation of the Gracilaria gracilis (Gracilariales,Rhodophyta) proteome response to nitrogen limitation

Inorganic nitrogen has been identified as the major growth‐limiting nutritional factor affecting Gracilaria gracilis populations in South Africa. Although the physiological mechanisms implemented by G. gracilis for adaption to low nitrogen environments have been investigated, little is known about the molecular mechanisms of these adaptions. This study provides the first investigation of G. gracilis proteome changes in response to nitrogen limitation and subsequent recovery. A differential proteomics approach employing two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis and liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry was used to investigate G. gracilis proteome changes in response to nitrogen limitation and recovery. The putative identity of 22 proteins that changed significantly (P < 0.05) in abundance in response to nitrogen limitation and recovery was determined. The identified proteins function in a range of biological processes including glycolysis, photosynthesis, ATP synthesis, galactose metabolism, protein‐refolding and biosynthesis, nitrogen metabolism and cytoskeleton remodeling. The identity of fructose 1,6 biphosphate (FBP) aldolase was confirmed by western blot analysis and the decreased abundance of FBP aldolase observed with two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis was validated by enzyme assays and western blots. The identification of key proteins and pathways involved in the G. gracilis nitrogen stress response provide a better understanding of G. gracilis proteome responses to varying degrees of nitrogen limitation and is the first step in the identification of biomarkers for monitoring the nitrogen status of cultivated G. gracilis populations.     

Plasma reactive oxygen metabolites and non-enzymatic antioxidant capacity are not affected by an acute increase of metabolic rate in zebra finches

Understanding the sources of variation in oxidative stress level is a challenging issue due to the implications of oxidative stress for late age diseases, longevity and life-history trade-offs. Reactive oxygen species that cause oxidative stress are mostly a by-product of energy metabolism and it is therefore often assumed that oxidative stress is proportional to energy consumption. In mammals, an increased metabolic rate induced by cold exposure generally increases oxidative stress. However, compared to mammals, birds generate fewer free radicals per ATP produced and hence it is not obvious that, in birds, a cold-induced increase of metabolic rate increase oxidative stress. We tested whether cold-induced increase in metabolic rate increased oxidative stress in zebra finches by exposing individuals to cold and warm overnight temperatures. We registered metabolic rate and plasma levels of non-enzymatic antioxidants and reactive oxygen metabolites (ROMs), a measure of oxidative damage. Metabolic rate was on average 88 % higher in cold compared to warm temperature, with females being stronger affected than males. However, temperature had no effect on plasma antioxidants or our measure of oxidative damage. Middle-age birds had higher levels of plasma antioxidants than younger and older birds, but age was unrelated to ROMs. Birds showed repeatability of plasma ROMs across temperatures but not of non-enzymatic antioxidants. In contrast to similar studies in mammals, our results do not show evidence of increased oxidative stress in plasma after an acute cold-induced increase of metabolic rate but research in more bird species is needed to assess the generality of this pattern.