Prevention of Cancer-by Agents that Suppress Oxygen Radical Formation

The prevention of cancer by agents in our diet has led to the concept that oxygen radicals are a necessary component of a variety of human cancers including breast, colon and prostatic cancer. These cancers are putatively promoted by estradiol, bile acids and androgens. Epidemiological studies have shown that these cancers are suppressed in vegetarian populations. Vegetable components that may be responsible for this cancer prevention are Vitamin A, retinoids and protease inhibitors (PIS). These agents have been shown to suppress the formation of hydrogen peroxide in promoter-induced neutrophils. They also have been shown to block two-stage carcinogenesis and breast cancer when fed to animals. PIS also suppress experimentally-induced colon cancer and spontaneous liver cancer. Moreover, a new series of cancer-preventive agents, Sarcophytols (isolated by Fujiki and co-workers), are capable of suppressing two-stage carcinogenesis, breast and colon cancers in rodents when given in low concentrations. Sarcophytols were also active suppressors of H₂O₂ formation of 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced neutrophils. These observations point to an essential role of oxygen radicals in carcinogenesis. Suppression of the oxygen radical response of neutrophils in relation to cancer preventive agents is a facile assay of these important substances. The mechanism of action of oxygen radicals in promoting carcinogenesis is a multiple one. including: (1) activation of oncogenes, (2) modification of DNA bases, and (3) formation of single-strand breaks leading to poly(ADP)ribose polymerase activation.     

Effect of Adding Branched-chain Amino Acids to a Nicotinic Acid-free,Low-protein Diet on the Conversion Ratio of Tryptophan to Nicotinamide in Rats

The effects of adding branched-chain amino acids to a nicotinic acid-free, low-protein diet on the conversion of tryptophan to nicotinamide were investigated in rats. The conversion ratio [urinary excretion of nicotinamide and its metabolites (μmol/day) × 100/tryptophan intake during urine collection (μmol/day)] was significantly lower in the groups fed with the 3% Leu-, Val-, or Ile-added diet than in the group fed with the control diet. Namely, the inhibition of this conversion was observed not only by the addition of Leu, but also by the addition of Val or Ile. The addition of Ile and/or Val to the Leu-added diet did not antagonize the Leu effect.     

Consequences of defaunation for a tropical tree community

Hunting affects a considerably greater area of the tropical forest biome than deforestation and logging combined. Often even large remote protected areas are depleted of a substantial proportion of their vertebrate fauna. However, understanding of the long‐term ecological consequences of defaunation in tropical forests remains poor. Using tree census data from a large‐scale plot monitored over a 15‐year period since the approximate onset of intense hunting, we provide a comprehensive assessment of the immediate consequences of defaunation for a tropical tree community. Our data strongly suggest that over‐hunting has engendered pervasive changes in tree population spatial structure and dynamics, leading to a consistent decline in local tree diversity over time. However, we do not find any support for suggestions that over‐hunting reduces above‐ground biomass or biomass accumulation rate in this forest. To maintain critical ecosystem processes in tropical forests increased efforts are required to protect and restore wildlife populations.     

广州市公园耐湿草本植物及其造景应用

选择广州市具有较长的自然式缓坡驳岸,且植物养护管理良好的6个公园为研究对象,调查其耐湿草本植物种类及其景观应用情况,分析广州公园耐湿草本植物造景的特点与存在的问题。研究表明,在调查区域内共记录有耐湿草本植物77种（含变种、变型和品种）,隶属26科52属,其中一年生草本26种,多年生草本50种,蕨类1种;常用的耐湿草本植物以低矮型和中型草本为主。广州公园的耐湿草本植物应用于水边造景有以下四个特点：①色彩调和,展现水乡风光;②线条变化,增添湿地趣味;③适地适草,体现热带特色;④自然种植,创造观景效果。广州公园建设宜考虑适当增加地带性的多年生耐湿草本植物种类。     

基于信息熵的我国日降水量随机性和时空差异性

我国日降水过程呈现明显的随机性与时空差异性,如何准确认识其时空变化规律对洪涝灾害防治等实际工作的影响具有重要意义.本文基于1961—2013年全国520个气象站点的日降水数据,选用信息熵指标研究我国日降水量的随机性.结果表明:研究期间,我国东南地区日降水量的随机性大于西北地区,且不同等级日降水量随机性的空间分布存在差异,小雨(降雨量0.1~10 mm,P_0)等级日降水量随机性较大,差异不明显,中雨(10~25 mm,P₁₀)、大雨(25~50 mm,P₂₅)等级日降水量随机性最大,差异明显,暴雨及以上(≥50 mm,P₅₀)等级日降水量随机性最小,差异最明显.整体上,日降水的信息熵值呈上升趋势,表明全球气候变化下我国大部分地区日降水量的随机性增大,尤其表现为极端暴雨发生的频次明显增大.日降水信息熵的空间分布及其变化趋势可以很好地综合反映我国日降水量随机性的空间分布格局,可为洪涝灾害防治、农业规划布局、生态环境规划等提供科学依据.     

Whither Zoos? An Inescapable Question

ABSTRACT

As a founding coeditor of the Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science and a member of the International Advisory Committee of the Center for Zoo Animal Welfare and Ethics (CZAWE), I welcome this opportunity to publish for the third time (see earlier issues Volume 16, Number 4 [2013] and Volume 18, Supplement [2015]) selected proceedings from the Fourth Global Animal Welfare Congress of the Detroit Zoological Society’s CZAWE. I have the honor of presenting a brief overview of the congress, entitled “Zoos and Aquariums as Welfare Centers: Ethical Dimensions and Global Commitment,” which was held May 3, 2017, through May 6, 2017.     

中国近代“国家公园”思想研究

近年,随着国土自然和文化资源保护意识的成熟,有关“国家公园”概念内涵、建设标准、运营体制等问题的讨论日益激烈。中国的“国家公园”思想可追溯至近代。本文考证了近代报刊、报告和书籍等史料,厘清了近代“国家公园”思想“传播—引介—转译”的演进历程及分期特征。结合境外（美国、英国、日本等）的实证案例和境内（太湖、庐山等）的早期构想,分析了近代“国家公园”中国化的认知与实践。以期追溯“国家公园”的发展源头,梳理其发展脉络,给现今的讨论提供历史参考和判断依据。     

强台风后厦门园林乔木损失与恢复情况调查研究

以华侨大学厦门校区园林乔木受强台风“莫兰蒂”（2016年9月15日）侵袭为研究案例。通过灾后现场调研,统计出校园28种主要乔木在风灾中的受损情况,并分别在风灾过后4个月和9个月时调查树木的恢复进度。研究台风强度、树种差异、种植环境、管理维护等因素对树木风灾损失和灾后恢复的影响。最后,从灾前预防、灾后恢复2方面探讨了应对台风侵袭的策略。     

杭州城北体育公园夏季小气候温湿效应研究

以杭州城北体育公园为研究对象,采用实地测量法对夏季小气候进行研究,对比与分析公园内外小气候的温湿效应,为今后体育公园的规划与后期管理提供参考意见。结果表明：在夏季高温炎热的天气里,公园内的温度明显低于公园外的温度,且相对湿度高于公园外的相对湿度,公园内外一天中最大温差为6.2°C,平均温差1.5°C;最大相对湿度相差17.8%,平均相对湿度相差5.1%。各个测试点对比后发现,相对距离与空气温度的差异性显著,体育公园的小气候对公园外部降温作用辐射范围大约为0.9km。公园内的温湿度变化相对于公园外更稳定,且空气温度与相对距离成正相关并达到极显著水平,因此杭州城北体育公园对周边的城市环境具有明显的降温增湿作用。     

Post‐GWAS in Psychiatric Genetics: A Developmental Perspective on the “Other” Next Steps

As psychiatric genetics enters an era where gene identification is finally yielding robust, replicable genetic associations and polygenic risk scores, it is important to consider next steps and delineate how that knowledge will be applied to ultimately ameliorate suffering associated with substance use and psychiatric disorders. Much of the post‐genome‐wide association study discussion has focused on the potential of genetic information to elucidate the underlying biology and use this information for the development of more effective pharmaceutical treatments. In this review we focus on additional areas of research that should follow gene identification. By taking genetic findings into longitudinal, developmental studies, we can map the pathways by which genetic risk manifests across development, elucidating the early behavioral manifestations of risk, and studying how various environments and interventions moderate that risk across developmental stages. The delineation of risk across development will advance our understanding of mechanism, sex differences and risk and resilience processes in different racial/ethnic groups. Here, we review how the extant twin study literature can be used to guide these efforts. Together, these new lines of research will enable us to develop more informed, tailored prevention and intervention efforts.