Development of the circadian clock in the German cockroach, Blattella germanica

The cell distribution and immunoreactivity (ir) against period (PER), pigment dispersing factor (PDF) and corazonin (CRZ), were compared between adults and nymphs in the central nervous system of the German cockroach. Although PER-ir cells in the optic lobes (OL) were expressed in the nymphs from the first instar, the links between major clock cells became more elaborated after second/third instar. A circadian rhythm of locomotion was initiated at the fourth/fifth instar. The results suggest that the clock was running from hatching, but the control network needed more time to develop. In addition, the putative downstream regulators, PDF-ir and CRZ-ir, are co-localized in various regions of the brain, indicating potential output routes of the circadian clock. CRZ-ir cells with typical morphology of neurosecretory cells in the dorsolateral protocerebrum send out three neural fibers to reach the ipsilateral corpora cardiaca (CC), the antennal lobe and two hemispheres of the protocerebrum. Based on co-localization with some PER-ir/PDF-ir cells, the CRZ-ir cells have the potential to serve as a bridge between circadian neural signals and endocrine regulation. Based on PDF's role in the regulation of locomotion, our results support the finding that the locomotor circadian rhythm is possibly controlled by a hormonal route.     

Induction of PER1 mRNA expression in immortalized gonadotropes by gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH): Involvement of protein kinase C and MAP kinase signaling

The initiation and maintenance of reproductive function in mammals is critically dependent on the pulsatile secretion of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH). This peptide drives the pulsatile release of FSH and LH from the pituitary pars distalis via signaling pathways that are activated by the type I GnRH receptor (GnRH-R). Recently, a microarray analysis study reported that a number of genes, including mPer1, are induced by GnRH in immortalized gonadotrope cells. In view of these data, we have begun to analyze in detail the signaling pathways mediating the action of GnRH on mPer1 expression in these cells. Using quantitative real-time polymprose cho read (PCR), we could confirm that exposure of immortalized gonadotropes (LβT2 cells) to the GnRH analog, buserelin, markedly induces mPer1 (but not mPer2) expression. Consistent with GnRH receptor signaling via the protein kinase (PK)-C pathway, exposure of the cells to phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate rapidly elevates both mPer1 and LHβ subunit mRNA levels, while pharmacological inhibition of PKC prevents the mPer1 and LHβ response to buserelin. As GnRH is known to regulate gonadotropin synthesis via activation of p42/44 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways, we then examined the involvement of this pathway in regulating mPer1 expression in gonadotropes. Our data reveal that GnRH-induced mPer1 expression is blocked following acute exposure to a MAPK kinase inhibitor. Although the involvement of this signaling mechanism in the regulation of mPer1 is known in neurons, e.g., in the suprachiasmatic nuclei, the induction of mPer1 in gonadotropes represents a novel mechanism of GnRH signaling, whose functional significance is still under investigation.     

武汉地区克氏原螯虾繁殖期的研究

为探究武汉地区克氏原螯虾(Procambarus clarkii)繁殖期的问题,采用石蜡切片的方法,对武汉地区自然群体中克氏原螯虾雌雄成体的生殖腺进行了周年观察研究。结果表明,武汉地区成年克氏原螯虾的卵母细胞发育不同步,在4~5月以及9~10月的卵巢中都有大量成熟期的卵子,同时也含有少量卵黄发生前期或初期的卵母细胞。6~7月和11月都可见产后恢复期的卵巢,内含少量未产出的正在退化的过熟卵和一些卵黄发生前期或初期的卵母细胞。精巢发育的年周期变化没有卵巢变化的那么明显,但也可以看到,在4~6月和9~10月,含精子细胞和精子的精小管的比例大大增加,而在其他时期,含精原细胞和精母细胞的精小管比例较多。这些结果提示,武汉地区克氏原螯虾一年有两个繁殖高峰期,一个在4~5月,另一个在9~10月。     

The Circadian Protein Period2 Suppresses mTORC1 Activity via Recruiting Tsc1 to mTORC1 Complex

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抗心律失常药UK－68798对家兔心脏房室结区不同细胞的电生理作用

在离体家兔ＡＶＮ区标本上,用微电极技术研究了Ⅲ类抗心律失常新药ＵＫ－６８７９８对ＡＮ,Ｎ,ＮＨ,Ｈ４种细胞的电生理效应。浓度５×１０－９至５×１０－６ｍｏｌ／Ｌ的ＵＫ－６８７９８对４种细胞的动作电位幅值（ＡＰＡ）、静息膜电位（ＲＰ）皆无影响。对ＡＶＮ的自搏率有剂量依赖性减慢作用,但不改变Ａ－Ｈ传导时间。在５×１０－８－５×１０－６ｍｏｌ／Ｌ剂量范围,此药使动作电位时程（ＡＰＤ５０）和（ＡＰＤ９０）发生剂量依赖性延长。４种细胞中以Ｎ细胞的ＡＰＤ５０和ＡＰＤ９０延长百分率最高。各种细胞ＡＰＤ９０延长百分率的排列次序为Ｎ＜ＡＮ＜Ｈ＜ＮＨ,当浓度为５×１０－６ｍｏｌ／Ｌ时的延长百分率分别为９５±２６％（Ｎ）,７５±２２％（ＡＮ）,６３±２６％（Ｈ）,４６±２６％（ＮＨ）。在ＵＫ－６８７９８的作用下,４种细胞的有效不应期（ＥＲＰ）也发生剂量依赖性延长,但不存在像ＡＰＤ延长百分率那样的差别。此外,４种细胞ＥＲＰ所相当的复极化膜电位未受药物影响,从而避免了由于兴奋性恢复的不均一性,使ＡＶＮ区成为折返性心律失常的发源地．     

Comparative analysis of population characteristics of the brown planthopper,Nilaparvata lugens stål,between wet and dry rice cropping seasons in West Java,Indonesia

Population dynamics of the brown planthopper (BPH),Nilaparvata lugens Stål, were investigated in paddy fields in the coastal lowland of West Java, Indonesia, where rice is cultivated twice a year, in the wet and dry cropping seasons. Distinct differences in the basic features of population dynamics were detected between the two rice cropping seasons: (1) In the wet season, BPH populations multiplied rapidly in the period from initial to peak generation, reaching quite often the destructive level despite the low density of initial immigrants. However, in the dry season, the population growth rate and the peak population density were much lower than those in the wet season. The abundance of natural enemies such as arthropod predators played a major role in determining such a difference in seasonal population development. (2) The density at the peak generation or the occurrence of outbreaks in each field was predictable in the wet season with fairly high accuracy on the basis of the density at the initial or previous seasonal generations. In the dry season, however, the rate of population growth and the peak population density widely varied among the fields depending on the water status in each field. (3) Density-dependent processes to regulate the population density were detected in both cropping seasons. In the wet season, the regulatory processes were only detected in such high densities as cause the considerable deterioration of host plants, which suggested that the processes were largely attributable to intra-specific competition. In the dry season, however, the regulatory processes operated at a much lower density in the earlier stages of the crops. The results of an analysis of adult longevity or residence period suggested that the density-dependent dispersal of macropterous adults played an important role in stabilizing the population fluctuation among the fields in the early dry season.     

Nonlinear estimation and statistical testing of periods in nonsinusoidal longitudinal time series with unequidistant observations

The analysis of multiple components is often used to model biological variables that show nonsinusoidal predictable changes of known periods. In general, to anticipate the periods is not easy, and even in cases when we have some a priori information, it is advisable to have a statistical tool to test the chosen periods. In this work, we introduce a statistical procedure to estimate periods of longitudinal series by applying nonlinear regression techniques to the multiple sinusoidal model, as well as to the general linear model. Approximate inferences about the parameters of the model are carried out under the usual hypothesis of normality, independence, and constant variance of the errors. Confidence intervals (CIs) for each individual parameter, as well as for the amplitude-acrophase pair or for any other subgroup of parameters of interest, can be computed. As in the linear analysis of multiple components, it is possible to check the existence of rhythm by means of a zero-amplitude test. The method also allows statistical testing of several hypotheses related to the periods. For example, it is possible to test if the periods are equal to certain values of chronobiologic interest and to check if some components included in the model are harmonically related. On the other hand, when the fitted components have proximal periods, the method allows one to verify if they are modeling the same or different spectral peaks. The method, which was validated by a simulation study for a model of two components and is illustrated by an example of modeling the diastolic blood pressure of two subjects, represents a new step in the development of statistical procedures in chronobiology. (Chronobiology International, 18(2), 285-308, 2001)     

Glycogen synthase kinase 3beta as a likely target for the action of lithium on circadian clocks

Although lithium is one of the most commonly used drugs in the prophylaxis and treatment of bipolar disorder, the mechanisms underlying its therapeutic action are still unclear. Together with its mood-stabilizing effects, lithium is also known to influence the circadian clocks of several organisms including man. Circadian rhythms are altered in patients with bipolar disorder, and it is believed that these rhythms may play an important role in disease mechanisms. It is therefore possible that some of the therapeutic actions of lithium may be related to its effect on circadian clocks. Identifying the targets for lithium's action on circadian clocks would therefore be important both for understanding the mechanisms of its therapeutic effect and also in further understanding disease mechanisms in bipolar disorders. Using Drosophila melanogaster as a model system, we show that long-term administration of lithium results in lengthening of the free-running period (τ) of circadian locomotor activity rhythm of flies in constant darkness (DD). This effect occurs at concentrations similar to the plasma levels of lithium used in the treatment of bipolar disorder. The lithium-treated flies also show reduced activity of one of the previously reported targets of lithium action, Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3β (GSK 3β). GSK 3β has been shown to be involved in the regulation of circadian clocks as the down regulation of this protein results in an elongation of τ. The τ elongation resembles the effect seen with lithium administration in a number of organisms including man, and taken together with the earlier observations our results suggest that lithium inhibits the activity of GSK 3β to produce its effect on circadian clocks.     

Continuity or colonization in Anglo‐Saxon England? Isotope evidence for mobility,subsistence practice,and status at West Heslerton

The adventus Saxonum is a crucial event in English protohistory. Scholars from a range of disciplines dispute the scale and demographic profile of the purported colonizing population. The 5th-7th century burial ground at West Heslerton, North Yorkshire, is one of the few Anglian cemeteries where an associated settlement site has been identified and subjected to extensive multidisciplinary postexcavation study. Skeletal and grave good evidence has been used to indicate the presence of Scandinavian settlers. A small, preliminary study using lead and strontium isotope analysis of tooth enamel, mineralized in early childhood, from Neolithic/Early Bronze Age (n = 8), Iron Age (n = 2), and Early Anglo-Saxon (n = 32) skeletons, was carried out to directly investigate this hypothesis. Results suggest that lead provides dissimilar types of information in different time periods. In post-Roman England, it appears to reflect the level of exposure to circulated anthropogenic rather than natural geological lead, thus being a cultural rather than geographical marker. Consequently, only strontium provides mobility evidence among the Anglian population, whereas both isotope systems do so in pre-Roman periods. Strontium data imply the presence of two groups: one of "local" and one of "nonlocal" origin, but more work is required to define the limits of local variation and identify immigrants with confidence. Correlations with traditional archaeological evidence are inconclusive. While the majority of juveniles and prehistoric individuals fall within the "local" group, both groups contain juveniles, and adults of both sexes. There is thus no clear support for the exclusively male, military-elite invasion model at this site.     

功能性双歧醋营养成分分析及保质期观察

目的分析双歧醋的营养成分及保质期观察。方法采用现代多种营养成分分析方法对双歧醋进行主要营养成分的分析测定。结果双歧醋营养丰富,含有多种微量元素,含有18种氨基酸,其中8种人体必需氨基酸含量占总量的42.5%,富含醋酸、乳酸等8种有机酸成分。结论双歧醋营养成分丰富,保质期长,作为一种功能性醋产品值得推广应用。