Action of transglucosidase from Aspergillus niger on maltoheptaose and [U-C]maltose

Oligosaccharides synthesized from a mixture of maltoheptaose and [U-¹³C]maltose with transglucosidase [EC 2.4.1.24] from Aspergillus niger were investigated. When the reaction mixture was incubated at 15 °C for 1 h, several types of oligosaccharides with DP (degree of polymerization) 2 to DP8 containing α-d-Glcp-(1→6)-maltoheptaose were detected by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and methylation analysis. Most of these compounds consisted of α-(1→4) linkages in the main chain and α-(1→6) linkages at the non-reducing ends. However, when the reaction mixture was incubated for 96 h, most of these products were converted into oligosaccharides with DP2 to DP5 consisting of only α-(1→6) linkages. These results suggested that A. niger transglucosidase rapidly transferred glucosyl residues to maltooligosaccharides, and gradually hydrolyzed both α-(1→4) linkages and α-(1→6) linkages at the non-reducing end, and transformed these into smaller molecules of mainly α-(1→6) linkages.     

Reproduction of varanid lizards (Reptilia: Squamata: Varanidae) at the Bronx Zoo

Captivity provides many opportunities for studying the reproductive biology of varanid lizards (Family: Varanidae; genus: Varanus). This article presents reproductive data for 12 varanid species maintained in captivity at the Bronx Zoo between 1977 and 2010. Five species, V. prasinus, V. beccarii, V. melinus, V. mertensi, and V. ornatus have successfully reproduced at the zoo, for which clutch, incubation, and hatchling data are presented, and compared with previously published values. Clutch, incubation, and hatchling measurements typically fell within the known ranges for each species, or represent minor range extensions. V. mertensi was the only species that reproduced seasonally (χ(2) = 9.061, P = 0.029). Five species multiclutched; individual V. mertensi and V. prasinus females produced as many as four clutches per year. The shortest intervals between successive clutches observed for V. kordensis (61 days), V. melinus (77 days), V. mertensi (51 days), and V. prasinus (68 days) represent the shortest known values for each species. Relative clutch mass (RCM) ranged from 0.187 to 0.437. A mean RCM of 0.370 ± 0.092 for V. prasinus is substantially higher than previously published values for the species. These results illustrate that when maintained under favorable conditions in captivity, some varanids are capable of remarkably high fecundities, rapid reproductive turnover rates, and sizeable maternal investments. Periodicals, Inc.     

Postoccupancy evaluation of staff,visitors, and three species of animals in a zoo setting

Postoccupancy evaluation (POE) was used to assess newly constructed zoo exhibits from the perspective of three user groups: zoo staff, zoo visitors, and the animals. Staff represents a generally understudied user group in zoo-based POEs. We asked staff to rate the animals' space, the visitors' space, and the staff's space at previous and new exhibits. We also compared zoo visitors' ratings of the animals' behavior and environments, overall exhibit impressions, and the time visitors spent viewing previous and new exhibits. Lastly, we compared activity and space use of a Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis), two red pandas (Ailurus fulgens), and one rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis) in their previous and new exhibits. Staff rated animal, visitor, and staff areas higher at the new exhibits compared to the previous exhibits. Visitors also rated several factors higher and spent more time at the new exhibits. The most naturalistic exhibit received the most favorable ratings in all categories and animal activity increased visitor stay time. We found that red pandas were less active in their new exhibit, and the Komodo dragon and rhino showed no difference in activity. The red pandas and the Komodo dragon used more available space in their new exhibits; however, we recommend using Electivity index to examine resource preferences for these species, whose enclosure use has been less studied than large mammals. We emphasize the importance of including staff in zoo-based POE, make other recommendations for future POE studies, and discuss various factors that could have influenced our results.     

Improved methods for automatic monitoring of contracting heart cells in culture

The present communication describes improved methods for isolating and plating beating heart cells from neonatal rats using collagenase and collagen-coated petri dishes. The amplitude and frequency of contraction are continuously and simultaneously measured under well defined conditions and during prolonged periods of time with a highly sensitive and thermostated instrument. Additions, e.g. drugs and toxic agents, are made through an accessory pump system that involves extensive dilution of the added compound with medium; aliquots of medium can be withdrawn for estimation of metabolites. The system described is reliable and relatively inexpensive and allows a more extensive use of isolated heart cells, especially in studies of heart functions where small changes in amplitude and frequency of beating during prolonged periods of time are important.     

Effects of vegetation and weather on trap catches of Glossina fuscipes fuscipes near Lake Victoria, Kenya

Glossina fuscipes fuscipes Newstead was sampled in isolated thickets and forest patches near Lake Victoria, Kenya using unbaited biconical traps, between March 1992 and June 1993. Traps set at 1 m from the forest edge caught 3.3 times as many males and 5 times as many females as those set inside or 10 m away. The corresponding figures at 1 m from the edge of thicket were about 1.43 and 1.64 times, respectively. Hourly catches of males and females were positively correlated with temperature, light intensity and host (monitor lizard) prevalence, and negatively correlated with relative humidity. Light intensity and temperature were the most important variables affecting the catches of each sex. The results are discussed in relation to control and monitoring of G. f. fuscipes using traps.     

2009至2015年度辽宁省锦州市流感样病例和病原学特征分析

了解辽宁省锦州市2009至2015年度流感流行特征及优势毒株的分布情况,为流感的预警和防治提供依据。统计锦州市2009至2015年度流感样病例(ILI)监测数据及病原学结果,分析ILI百分比(ILI%)、病毒分离率及各亚型的变化规律。共监测ILI 51 277例,ILI%为2.28%,主要集中于0～15岁年龄段,占56.72%;采集8 254份ILI咽拭子标本,其中阳性467份,病毒分离率为5.66%,其中新甲型H1N1型192份、季节性H3型186份、B型Yamagata系37份、B 型Victoria系52份。2009年和2013年以新甲型H1N1(55.73%,83.33%)为主,2011年以BY (74.42%)为主,其他年份以季节性H3型为流感优势毒株,BV在人群中流行趋势减弱,新甲型H1N1、BY在人群中偶有检出。2010至2015年各月份ILI%均显著低于2009年,提示2009年后流感病毒活动相对稳定;ILI%与病毒分离率呈正相关(r_s＝0.347;P＝0.039),ILI%的变化能够较好地反映当地流感病毒的活动情况。新甲型H1N1型、季节性H3型、B型混合存在,季节性H1型消失。     

Feeding behaviour of Aphis craccivora (Koch) on cowpea cultivars with different levels of aphid resistance

The feeding activity of Aphis craccivora (Koch) was monitored on cowpea plants of aphid-susceptible (Vita 7) and aphid-resistant (TVu 801) cultivars, using an AC electronic feeding monitoring system. Waveforms corresponding to salivation, phloem ingestion and non-phloem ingestion were observed. Aphids probing on the resistant cultivar showed a significantly reduced ingestion of phloem sap compared with those aphids which fed on the susceptible cultivar. The insect also made more brief and repeated probes on TVu 801. In addition, the duration of non-probing activities and non-phloem ingestion was shorter on the susceptible than on the resistant cultivar.     

Blood glucose monitor: an alternative off-line method to measure glucose concentration during fermentations with <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trichoderma reesei</Emphasis>

Two home, blood-glucose monitoring meters, OneTouch Ultra and Ascensia Contour, were used to determine the glucose concentration during fermentations of Trichoderma reesei in both flasks and bioreactors. The results, when compared to those given by the 3,5-dinitrosalicylic acid reducing sugar assay, HPLC and YSI 2700 SELECT Biochemistry analyzer, showed that the glucose meters are a quick, reliable and economical alternative method for frequent glucose concentration measurement during fermentation. For T. reesei fermentations, the OneTouch meter was the more suitable     

性诱剂监测吉林省水稻二化螟成虫动态及发生世代研究

1998～1999年在吉林省用性诱剂水盆监测二化螟雄蛾季节动态和发生世代,结果发现,1998年长春市越冬代成虫始见期在5月电旬,柳河县在5月底左右,长春市成虫终见期。1998和1999年分别为9月下旬和上旬。可见长春市二化螟成虫伞季活动朔可能长达4个月,而1个世代的历期约为2个月。1999年长春市出现两个相距55天的明显蛾峰,表明存在相当高的二代转化率,从而有助于改变该地二化螟常年只发生1代的传统观点。