Daily growth increments in otoliths of wild-caught honmoroko Gnathopogon caerulescens

Otolith growth increments in wild-caught alizarin complex one (ALC)-marked honmoroko Gnathopogon caerulescens were examined to verify the veracity of the age determination method in cyprinids. ALC-marked G. caerulescens recaptured from their natural environment had lapilli increment counts outside the ALC ring mark that had formed on a daily basis during the juvenile stage. This apparently being the first direct evidence of daily periodicity of otolith increment formation in wild-caught cyprinids.     

The omnivorous triggerfish Melichthys niger is a functional herbivore on an isolated Atlantic oceanic island

This study evaluated the functional role of the highly generalist omnivore Melichthys niger in the remote St. Peter and St Paul's Archipelago (SPSPA), Brazil, where grazing herbivorous fishes are very scarce. We analysed patterns of distribution from zero to 30 m deep during three time intervals during the day and sampled different aspects of their feeding behaviour, including diel feeding rate, feeding substrate and diet. The density of M. niger increased with depth (26–30 m) and decreased by the end of the day. Although M. niger did not present a typical herbivore diel feeding pattern, they targeted the epilithic algal matrix as their primary feeding substrate, ingesting predominantly algae and detritus. The characteristic Caulerpa racemosa var. peltata from SPSPA was ingested only as detached fronds. We suggest that in the isolated SPSPA, the single species M. niger may perform a unique role as a link between benthic primary production and higher levels. Further studies on the trophic ecology of omnivorous species are necessary to better understand their roles in a reef system, especially in impoverished areas where they are likely to play a crucial role.     

Effects of Pro1266Leu mutation on structure and function of glycoprotein Ib binding domain of von Willebrand factor

Glycoprotein Ibα (GpIbα) binding ability of A1 domain of von Willebrand factor (vWF) facilitates platelet adhesion that plays a crucial role in maintaining hemostasis and thrombosis at the site of vascular damage. There are both “loss as well as gain of function” mutations observed in this domain. Naturally occurring “gain of function” mutations leave self-activating impacts on the A1 domain which turns the normal binding to characteristic constitutive binding with GPIbα. These “gain of function” mutations are associated with the von Willebrand disease type 2B. In recent years, studies focused on understanding the mechanism and conformational patterns attached to these phenomena have been conducted, but the conformational pathways leading to such binding patterns are poorly understood as of now. To obtain a microscopic picture of such events for the better understanding of pathways, we used molecular dynamics (MD) simulations along with principal component analysis and normal mode analysis to study the effects of Pro1266Leu (Pro503Leu in structural context) mutation on the structure and function of A1 domain of vWF. MD simulations have provided atomic-level details of intermolecular motions as a function of time to understand the dynamic behavior of A1 domain of vWF. Comparative analysis of the trajectories obtained from MD simulations of both the wild type and Pro503Leu mutant suggesting appreciable conformational changes in the structure of mutant which might provide a basis for assuming the “gain of function” effects of these mutations on the A1 domain of vWF, resulting in the constitutive binding with GpIbα.     

Enamel thickness,microstructure and development in Afropithecus turkanensis

Afropithecus turkanensis, a 17-17.5 million year old large-bodied hominoid from Kenya, has previously been reported to be the oldest known thick-enamelled Miocene ape. Most investigations of enamel thickness in Miocene apes have been limited to opportunistic or destructive studies of small samples. Recently, more comprehensive studies of enamel thickness and microstructure in Proconsul, Lufengpithecus, and Dryopithecus, as well as extant apes and fossil humans, have provided information on rates and patterns of dental development, including crown formation time, and have begun to provide a comparative context for interpretation of the evolution of these characters throughout the past 20 million years of hominoid evolution. In this study, enamel thickness and aspects of the enamel microstructure in two A. turkanensis second molars were quantified and provide insight into rates of enamel apposition, numbers of cells actively secreting enamel, and the time required to form regions of the crown. The average value for relative enamel thickness in the two molars is 21.4, which is a lower value than a previous analysis of this species, but which is still relatively thick compared to extant apes. This value is similar to those of several Miocene hominoids, a fossil hominid, and modern humans. Certain aspects of the enamel microstructure are similar to Proconsul nyanzae, Dryopithecus laietanus, Lufengpithecus lufengensis, Graecopithecus freybergi and Pongo pygmaeus, while other features differ from extant and fossil hominoids. Crown formation times for the two teeth are 2.4-2.6 years and 2.9-3.1 years respectively. These times are similar to a number of extant and fossil hominoids, some of which appear to show additional developmental similarities, including thick enamel. Although thick enamel may be formed through several developmental pathways, most Miocene hominoids and fossil hominids with relatively thick enamel are characterized by a relatively long period of cuspal enamel formation and a rapid rate of enamel secretion throughout the whole cusp, but a shorter total crown formation time than thinner-enamelled extant apes.     

Beliefs About Weight Gain and Attitudes Toward Relapse in a Sample of Women and Men with Obesity

Objective : The purpose of this study was to examine beliefs regarding reasons for weight gain, likely responses to weight loss relapse, notions of reasonable weight loss, and correlations between beliefs and attitudes in a large nonclinical sample of men and women with obesity. Research Methods and Procedures : Participants were 3,394 white women (n= 1,674) and men (n = 1,720) with obesity who had responded to a survey about body image and eating behaviors conducted by Consumer Reports magazine. Results : Women and men indicated that the most important reasons for their weight gain were lack of exercise and enjoying eating; the least important reason was a need to avoid social or sexual situations. Both groups reported that their most likely response to relapse is to start watching food intake, whereas their least likely response is to ask a friend, spouse, or family member for help. Women rated depression, stress, low self-esteem, and need to avoid situations as more important reasons for their weight gain than did men, and women were more likely to feel terrible and regain as a response to relapse. There was no relationship between an individual's beliefs about weight gain, responses to relapse, or notions of reasonable weight loss. Discussion : Implications of these findings for the treatment of obesity are discussed.     

抑制性整合野细胞的对比度响应函数研究

采用细胞外记录的方法,在单独刺激经典感受野(classical receptive field,CRF)或同时刺激CRF和感受野外区域(extra-receptive field,ERF)的情况下,测量了猫初级视觉皮层细胞的对比度响应函数。当刺激所用的中心和外周运动光栅的参数一致时,与仅刺激CRF相比,强的ERF抑制使对比度响应函数动态区增加,响应增益和对比度增益降低。当中心和外周光栅的方位相差90度时,与方位参数一致的情况相比,大部分细胞的ERF抑制减弱,对比度响应函数的动态区减小,对比度增益和响应增益增加;少数细胞的ERF对CRF的作用从抑制变为易化,其对比度响应函数的动态区与只刺激CRF相比还要小,而对比度增益和响应增益还要大。揭示了初级视觉皮层细胞的抑制型整合野在CRF和ERF图像的方位及对比度差异检测中的作用机制。     

神农架川金丝猴栖息地森林群落的数量分类与排序

在神农架川金丝猴生境典型地段设立样方58块,根据样方资料对神农架川金丝猴栖息地的森林群落用组平均法分类和DCA排序.用组平均法将58块样地分为9个群系,依据《中国植被》的分类原则和系统将研究区植物群落划归为7个植被型.样地的DCA排序较好地揭示了该区森林群落的分布格局与环境梯度的关系;DCA第二轴明显地反映出森林群落的海拔梯度变化,沿DCA第二轴从右到左,海拔逐渐升高;第一轴表现了各植物群落或植物种所在环境的坡度、坡向,即水分和光照因素,沿第一轴从下到上,坡度渐缓、坡向渐向阳.其中海拔梯度是环境因子中对森林群落起决定性作用的因子.研究表明,巴山冷杉+糙皮桦-大齿槭+尾萼蔷薇-高原露珠草+星果草群系发育较好,高大树木占有较大的比例,是神农架川金丝猴最适宜栖息地.7个植被型物种丰富度指数在群落梯度上呈规律性波动.其中针叶林和针叶-阔叶混交林中,物种丰富度指数在群落梯度上的总体趋势表现为灌木层＞草木层＞乔木层;在常绿阔叶林和常绿-落叶阔叶混交林中,该趋势为灌木层＞乔木层＞草本层;在落叶阔叶林中,其丰富度指数的趋势为灌木层＞草本层和乔木层.不同植被类型川金丝猴食源植物种类在群落梯度上的变化趋势与物种丰富度指数相同,但地衣类植物作为川金丝猴冬季的重要食物只在针叶林和针叶-阔叶混交林中生长.本研究为制定栖息地保护计划,更好地保护神农架川金丝猴提供了科学理论依据.     

深圳南山区天然植物群落的聚类分析

运用组平均聚类法,以44个样方中80个种的重要值为数据,对深圳南山区天然植物群落进行聚类分析。根据聚类结果,南山区天然植物群落可划分为8个群系19个群丛,较全面地反映了群落的组成结构以及群落的生境,为南山区植物群落的保护和管理提供了科学依据。     

Low Plasma Leptin Concentration and Low Rates of Fat Oxidation in Weight‐Stable Post‐Obese Subjects

Objective: A low resting metabolic rate for a given body size and composition, a low rate of fat oxidation, low levels of physical activity, and low plasma leptin concentrations are all risk factors for body weight gain. The aim of the present investigation was to compare resting metabolic rate (RMR), respiratory quotient (RQ), levels of physical activity, and plasma leptin concentrations in eight post‐obese adults (2 males and 6 females; 48.9 ± 12.2 years; body mass index [BMI]: 24.5 ± 1.0 kg/m²; body fat 33 ± 5%; mean ± SD) who lost 27.1 ± 21.3 kg (16 to 79 kg) and had maintained this weight loss for ≥2 months (2 to 9 months) to eight age‐ and BMI‐matched control never‐obese subjects (1 male and 7 females; 49.1 ± 5.2 years; BMI 24.4 ± 1.0 kg/m²; body fat 33 ± 7%). Research Methods and Procedures: Following 3 days of weight maintenance diet (50% carbohydrate and 30% fat), RMR and RQ were measured after a 10‐hour fast using indirect calorimetry and plasma leptin concentrations were measured using radioimmunoassay. Levels of physical activity were estimated using an accelerometer over a 48‐hour period in free living conditions. Results: After adjustment for fat mass and fat‐free mass, post‐obese subjects had, compared with controls, similar levels of physical activity (4185 ± 205 vs. 4295 ± 204 counts) and similar RMR (1383 ± 268 vs. 1430 ± 104 kcal/day) but higher RQ (0.86 ± 0.04 vs. 0.81 ± 0.03, p < 0.05). Leptin concentration correlated positively with percent body fat (r = 0.57, p < 0.05) and, after adjusting for fat mass and fat‐free mass, was lower in post‐obese than in control subjects (4.5 ± 2.1 vs. 11.6 ± 7.9 ng/mL, p < 0.05). Discussion: The low fat oxidation and low plasma leptin concentrations observed in post‐obese individuals may, in part, explain their propensity to relapse.     

云南松半同胞家系初期子代测定

对收集的云南松（Ｐｉｎｕｓ　ｙｕｎｎａｎｅｎｓｉｓ）２９２个半同胞家系进行栽培试验,经方差分析知各家系子代间高生长有极显著差异,真正的优树占参试总数的２９．７％（广西）;树高广义遗传力为５８．０％,遗传增益为３８．８９％;同一林分内家系间高生长变异幅度小于林分之间的变异幅度。