Thrombospondin-1 binds to ApoER2 and VLDL receptor and functions in postnatal neuronal migration

Apolipoprotein E receptor 2 (ApoER2), very low-density lipoprotein receptor (VLDLR), and Dab1 are the main components of the Reelin signalling cascade. Reelin is the sole ligand defined so far in signalling through this pathway. Postnatal migration of neuronal precursors from the subventricular zone (SVZ) to the olfactory bulb (OB), however, depends on ApoER2 and Dab1, but functions independently of Reelin. Here, we show that thrombospondin-1 (THBS-1) is a novel physiological ligand for ApoER2 and VLDLR. THBS-1 is present in the SVZ and along the entire rostral migratory stream (RMS). It binds to ApoER2 and VLDLR and induces phosphorylation of Dab1. In contrast to Reelin, it does not induce Dab1 degradation or Akt phosphorylation, but stabilizes neuronal precursor chains derived from subventricular explants. Lack of THBS-1 results in anatomical abnormalities of the RMS and leads to a reduction of postnatal neuronal precursors entering the OB.     

Studies on Ephemerella ignita (Poda) in a chalk stream in Southern England

The nymphs ofEphemerella ignita occurred in all months except October in the Bere Stream at Bere Heath, a small chalk stream in Southern England. Peak densities of 1,498 m^–2 and 753 m^–2 were recorded in May by two sampling methods used simultaneously. The seasonal patterns of growth and abundance are compared with the findings of other authors. A maximum biomass of 0.82 g m^–2 preserved dry weight is compared with figures for two of the most common invertebrate groups present; the Simuliidae and Oligochaeta.     

Soil seed banks of two montane riparian areas: implications for restoration

Understanding the role of seed banks can be important for designing restoration projects. Using the seedling emergence method, we investigated the soil seed banks of two montane, deciduous riparian forest ecosystems of southeastern Arizona. We contrasted the seed banks and extant vegetation of Ramsey Canyon, which is the site of riparian restoration activities, with that of Garden Canyon, which has been less affected by human land uses. Fewer plant species were found at Ramsey Canyon than Garden Canyon, for both the seed bank and extant vegetation, and the vegetation at Ramsey Canyon (seed bank and extant) had consistently drier wetland indicator scores. As well, vegetation patterns within sampling zones (channel margins and adjacent riparian forests) differed between canyons. At Garden Canyon channel margins, the seed bank and extant vegetation had relatively high similarity, with herbaceous wetland perennial species dominating. Extant vegetation in the floodplain riparian forest zone at Garden Canyon had a drier wetland indicator score than the seed bank, suggesting that the floodplains are storing seeds dispersed from wetter fluvial surfaces. Vegetation patterns for Ramsey Canyon channel margins were similar to those for Garden Canyon floodplains. Vegetation patterns in the Ramsey Canyon riparian forest zone were indicative of non-flooded conditions with an abundance of upland species in the soil seed bank and extant vegetation. Channel geomorphology measurements indicated that much of the riparian forest zone at Ramsey Canyon is functionally a terrace, a condition that may be a legacy of channel erosion from historic land uses. Steep, erodible channel slopes may contribute to the low seed bank germinant density at Ramsey Canyon channel margins, and narrower flood-prone area may explain the greater terrestrialization of the vegetation in both sampling zones. We recommend testing the use of donor soils from more diverse stream reaches to restore biodiversity levels at Ramsey Canyon, following restoration activities such as channel-widening. Seed banks from Garden Canyon, for example, although predominantly consisting of herbaceous perennials, would supply species with a range of moisture tolerances, life spans, and growth forms. We also recommend that restorationists take care not to harm seed banks exposed during removal of introduced species; at Ramsey Canyon, soil seed banks were equally diverse in areas with high and low cover of the introduced Vinca major (a legacy of Ramsey Canyon land use).     

The importance of bacterivorous protists in the decomposition of stream leaf litter

1. Allochthonous organic matter, in the form of senesced leaves, is a major source of carbon supporting detrital food webs. While studies have documented the role of bacteria and fungi in the decomposition of leaf litter, little information is available regarding the role of protists in the decomposition process. 2. We tested the hypothesis that the presence of stream‐dwelling bacterivorous protists leads to an increased rate of leaf decomposition through grazing pressure on bacteria. We isolated live protists from decomposing leaves collected in a stream in Northern Virginia, U.S.A. (Goose Creek) and established laboratory cultures of common bacterivorous protists. 3. Recently senesced leaves from the field were used in laboratory microcosm experiments to determine if the rate of litter decomposition differed between four treatments: bacteria only, bacteria + flagellates, bacteria + flagellates + ciliates, autoclaved stream water (control). We determined the dry weight of leaf remaining, bacterial abundance, flagellate abundance and ciliate abundance for each replicate on days 0, 7, 14, 30, 60 and 120. 4. The rate of leaf decomposition was significantly higher in treatments with protists than without and bacterial abundance declined in protist treatments compared with bacteria only treatment. Weight loss in the presence of flagellates was three to four times higher when protists were present compared with treatments with bacteria alone. These results provide experimental evidence that protists could play a significant role in the detrital processes of streams.     

Phosphatase activities of the aquatic moss <Emphasis Type="Italic">Warnstorfia fluitans</Emphasis> (Hedw.) Loeske from an acidic stream in North-East England

A study was made of the aquatic environment, tissue nutrient composition and surface phosphatase activities of the aquatic moss Warnstorfia fluitans in Brandon Pithouse Stream, a small acidic stream in N-E England. The water, which originates from an underground spring, had been pH 2.6 for at least 30 years, but about 3.9 during the present study. The moss was by far the most abundant phototroph during all this period. Seasonal changes in aqueous nitrogen and phosphorus fractions were measured over a 2-year period near the source. Most of the filtrable N and P were at times organic, but the very high N:P ratio (even if organic N is excluded) suggests that only organic phosphate is likely to be important for the moss. There was a high peak in organic phosphate in late spring in both study years. Surface phosphomonoesterase (PMEase) and phosphodiesterase (PDEase) activities were highly correlated in the field and in axenic culture, though there were some differences in response to environmental factors. Axenic material showed higher PMEase and PDEase activities when grown with organic P than with inorganic P. Although the data suggest that internal P content is an important factor influencing phosphatase activities, PDEase activity was especially marked when the moss was grown with the diester, DNA, as P source, indicating that at least one of its surface phosphatases can also respond directly to the environment. Handling editor: S. M. Thomaz     

长白山源头溪流河床凋落物的分布特征及季节动态

在北方寒冷区,凋落物于秋季大量输入溪流,是水生生物越冬生存的关键.河床凋落物的堆积和组成会直接影响凋落叶分解等关键生态过程,但目前国内关于北方地区溪流河床凋落物分布特征的研究匮乏.在长白山地区一条源头溪流,采用原位取样的方法,探究了溪流河床凋落物的分布特征及季节动态.结果表明:深潭型凋落物斑块的堆积面积和水深显著大于浅...     

Geomorphology and fish assemblages in a Piedmont river basin, U.S.A.

1. We investigated linkages between fishes and fluvial geomorphology in 31 wadeable streams in the Etowah River basin in northern Georgia, U.S.A. Streams were stratified into three catchment sizes of approximately 15, 50 and 100 km², and fishes and geomorphology were sampled at the reach scale (i.e. 20–40 times stream width). 2. Non‐metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) identified 85% of the among‐site variation in fish assemblage structure and identified strong patterns in species composition across sites. Assemblages shifted from domination by centrarchids, and other pool species that spawn in fine sediments and have generalised food preferences, to darter‐cyprinid‐redhorse sucker complexes that inhabit riffles and runs, feed primarily on invertebrates, and spawn on coarser stream beds. 3. Richness and density were correlated with basin area, a measure of stream size, but species composition was best predicted (i.e. |r| between 0.60–0.82) by reach‐level geomorphic variables (stream slope, bed texture, bed mobility and tractive force) that were unrelated to stream size. Stream slope was the dominant factor controlling stream habitat. Low slope streams had smaller bed particles, more fines in riffles, lower tractive force and greater bed mobility compared with high slope streams. 4. Our results contrast with the ‘River Continuum Concept’ which argues that stream assemblages vary predictably along stream size gradients. Our findings support the ‘Process Domains Concept’, which argues that local‐scale geomorphic processes determine the stream habitat and disturbance regimes that influence stream communities.     

Microhabitat and morphometric variation of two Chaetophoracean (Chaetophorales, Chlorophyta) species in tropical streams of southeastern Brazil

Two populations of Chaetophora elegans (Roth) C. Agardh and two of Stigeoclonium helveticum Vischer were investigated for microhabitat characteristics and morphological variation in streams of São Paulo State, southeastern Brazil. Different patterns of microhabitat distribution were found between species investigated. Populations of C, elegans were distributed under relatively narrow microhabitat conditions (high irradiance, low depth, moderate to high current velocity, rocky substrata and lower values of niche width) and showing little morphometric variation (colony diameter, main axis cell size, and apical branch number), Stigeoclonium helveticum occurred under more diverse microhabitat conditions, revealed by lack of significant difference between sampling units with and without the alga and wider niche width, but also exhibited relatively narrow morphometric variation (plant length, main axis cell and ateral branch cell sizes). The narrow microhabitat conditions and smaller niche width of C. elegans can explain its low abundance (percentage cover) in streams from the area studied as well as in other regions of São Paulo State, In contrast, the wider variation of microhabitat conditions and the higher niche widths of S. helveticum suggest that this green alga is able to grow in a high number of stream ecosystems in the region investigated, ranging from undisturbed to highly disturbed habitats. Thus. the results suggest that S. helveticum is a generalist species.     

血流感中的病原菌分布及耐药性分析

目的了解血流感染中的病原菌种类、分布及耐药性,为临床合理选用抗菌药物提供依据。方法按照无菌操作方法采集疑为血流感染患者的血液标本进行血培养,采用美国BD公司PHOENIX-100全自动细菌鉴定药敏系统进行细菌鉴定及药敏试验,并对结果进行统计分析。结果共检出1080株病原菌,其中革兰阴性杆菌630株（占58．3％）,革兰阳性球菌428株（占39．6％）,真菌22株（占2．1％）。药敏结果显示：革兰阳性球菌对万古霉素、利奈唑胺敏感率最高,对青霉素、红霉素、头孢菌素等耐药率较高。革兰阴性杆菌对碳青霉烯类、哌拉西林／他唑巴坦、头孢哌酮／舒巴坦敏感率较高,对青霉素类、头孢菌素类和喹诺酮类耐药率较高。结论引起血流感染的病原菌分布复杂,耐药率较高,临床应提高血培养送检率,根据药敏结果合理选用抗菌药物,以减少多重耐药菌的发生和传播。