Differential decrease of the central beta-adrenergic receptor in the rat after subchronic infusion of desipramine and clenbuterol

The effect of subchronic infusion of desipramine, a norepinephrine uptake inhibitor, and clenbuterol, a beta-adrenergic agonist, on the central beta receptor of the rat was determined using in vitro [³H]dihydroalprenolol binding. Desipramine produced significant decreases of the receptor in neocortex and hippocampal formation, and clenbuterol effected such decreases in corpus striatum and cerebellum. Both drugs caused a marked decrease in the activity of isoproterenol-sensitive adenylate cyclase in neocortex. The alpha₂ receptor of neocortex and cerebellum was unchanged by either drug as assessed by in vitro$\text{[}{}^3\text{H}\text{]p-}\text{aminoclonidine}$ binding. The results are discussed in terms of the different mechanisms of action of desipramine and clenbuterol, and the efficacy of these two drugs in the treatment of depression.     

The effects of adrenalectomy on the sexual behaviour of castrated and intact BDF1 mice

Two experiments investigate the effects of adrenalectomy on the capacity of male mice of the BDF₁ genotype (C57B1/6Fa♀×DBA/2♂) to retain sexual behaviour following castration. Adrenalectomy is without effect and it is suggested that androgens can play no part in the maintenance of sexual behaviour in these castrates.     

Rat lymphocyte subsets: Cellular requirements for the generation of T-cell growth factor

In this study, the cells producing T-cell growth factor (TCGF) in the rat MLR were characterised with respect to the antigens defined by $\text{W}\text{3}\text{13}\text{,}\text{W}\text{3}\text{25}$, and OX8 monoclonal antibodies. Unfractionated lymphocytes and cells depleted of OX8 positive cells were found to be fully capable of producing TCGF, whereas lymphocytes depleted of $\text{W}\text{3}\text{13}\text{and}\text{W}\text{3}\text{25}$ positive cells had lost this ability. Parallel experiments demonstrated that cells selected by the fluorescence-activated cell sorter for the expression of $\text{W}\text{3}\text{13}\text{and}\text{W}\text{3}\text{25}$ defined antigens were potent producers of TCGF. Further studies suggested a functional role for the antigen defined by $\text{W}\text{3}\text{25}$ antibody because the addition of this antibody to a MLR abrogates TCGF production. These findings suggest that the important immunomodulatory functions of $\text{W}\text{3}\text{25}$ positive lymphocytes could be exercised via the synthesis of essential lymphokines.     

Applying a systematic conservation planning tool and ecological risk index for spatial prioritization and optimization of protected area networks in Iran

One of the key purposes of conservation selection strategies is to design a network of sites to support relevant biodiversity components and, therefore, decrease the risk of populations becoming isolated. To this end, it is important to be aware of the habitat locations of the target species and the threats of human activities, in order to identify areas of a high conservation priority. This paper takes the Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province (Iran) as a case study, to highlight a network optimization for six target species of conservation concern, including the Persian leopard, Panthera pardus Pocock, wild sheep, Ovis orientalis Gmelin and wild goat, Capra aegagrus Erxleben. To run the optimization, we first generated the following input data: we modelled suitable habitats, using the InVEST model (Integrated Valuation of Environmental Services and Tradeoffs) and simulated the ecological impact of road networks (Spatial Road Disturbance Index (SPROADI), Kernel Density Estimation (KDE) and the Landscape Ecological Risk Index (ERI)). A visual inspection of the input data revealed that a large percentage of the study area constitutes a suitable habitat for the target species, however, the disturbances caused by the road demonstrate that the central and north-eastern regions of the study area are significantly affected. Indeed, approximately 10% and 25% of the study area are in the high and medium risk categories, respectively. Optimization using Marxan, shows that the north-western and southern regions of the study area should be given high conservation priority, necessary for an efficient conservation network. Habitats located in the north-central region should act as stepping-stone areas or corridors between the isolated regions in the north-east and the well-connected areas in the north-west and south. Overall, the findings of the present study show that the current network of protected areas is not contradictory to that suggested by Marxan, but has deficiencies in terms of size and stepping-stones.     

“一带一路”对我国农业昆虫与害虫防治的影响及相应植保人才培养改革与探索

“一带一路”的实施，对我国农业昆虫与害虫防治的影响深远，既给动植物检疫带来了挑战，也带来了机遇，对迁飞性害虫的预测预报要求更加准确、顺畅，防控更加高效，新型害虫防控剂的研究与开发面临更多机遇，农药、植保器械的市场需求加大。农业昆虫与害虫防治学科属于植物保护学科，本文以植物保护专业为例，通过分析“一带一路”战略对我国植保学科发展的影响，提出相关教学改革建议和措施。建议从课程设置、小语种复合人才培养、植保国际班、跨文化交际等几个方面进行探索和实践，培养适合“一带一路”发展需要的植保类新型人才，促进我国和“一带一路”沿线国家植保领域的共同繁荣大发展。