Differential induction of regulatory genes during mesoderm formation in Xenopus laevis embryos

Mesoderm development in Xenopus laevis depends on inductive cell interactions mediated by diffusible molecules. The mesoderm inducer activin is capable of redirecting the development of animal explants both morphologically and biochemically. We have studied the induction of four regulatory genes, Mix. 1, goosecoid (gsc), Xlim-1 and Xbra in such explants by activin, and the influence of other factors on this induction. Activin induction of gsc is strongly enhanced by dorsalization of the embryo by LiCl, while expression of the other genes is only slightly enhanced. The protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide (CHX) inhibits the activin-dependent induction of Xbra partially, while induction of Mix. 1 and Xlim- 1 is essentially unaffected. In contrast, gsc shows strong superinduction in the presence of activin and CHX, and can be induced in animal explants by CHX alone. Induction and superinduction by CHX have previously been observed for immediate early genes in a variety of systems, notably for the activation of c-fos expression by serum stimulation, but have not been reported in early amphibian embryos. © 1993Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Vertically stratified frugivore community composition and interaction frequency in a liana fruiting across forest strata

Vertical stratification is a key feature of tropical forests and structures plant–frugivore interactions. However, it is unclear whether vertical differences in plant-frugivore interactions are due to differences among strata in plant community composition or inherent preferences of frugivores for specific strata. To test this, we observed fruit removal of a diverse frugivore community on the liana Marcgravia longifolia in a Peruvian rain forest. Unlike most other plants, Marcgravia longifolia produces fruits across forest strata. This enabled us to study effects of vertical stratification on fruit removal without confounding effects of plant species and stratum. We found a high number of visits of a few frugivore species in the understorey and a low number of visits of many different frugivores in the canopy and midstorey. Whereas partial and opportunistic frugivores foraged across strata with differing frequencies, obligate frugivores were only found eating fruits in the higher strata. Avian frugivores foraging in the canopy were mainly large species with pointed wings, whereas under- and midstorey avian foragers were smaller with rounded wings. Our findings suggest a continuous shift in the frugivore community composition along the vertical gradient, from a few generalized frugivores in the understorey to a diverse set of specialized frugivores in the canopy. This shift in the frugivore community leads to correlated, reciprocal changes from specialized to generalized plant-frugivore interactions. Thus, we conclude that vertical niche differentiation between species in tropical forests persists even when food resources are available across strata. This highlights its role for promoting biodiversity and ecosystem functioning.     

Species composition,abundance and habitat association of non-volant small mammals in Gibe Sheleko National Park,southwestern Ethiopia

The objective of this study was to assess the species composition, abundance and habitat association of non-volant small mammals from grassland, Acacia woodland, farmland, riverine forest, bushland and wooded grassland habitats in Gibe Sheleko National Park, southwestern Ethiopia. Data were collected using 49 Sherman live traps in 70 × 70 m sized girds and visual observations from December 2018 to August 2020. A total of 937 small mammals belonging to 10 species were captured and directly identified. The identified small mammal species and their relative abundance include Arvicanthis niloticus (7.04%), Crocidura olivieri (1.92%), Grammomys dolichurus (3.84%), Lemniscomys striatus (10.25%), Mastomys awashensis (24.55%), Mastomys natalensis (33.83%), Mus tenellus (0.85%), Myomys fumatus (6.30%), Rattus rattus (4.70%) and Stenocephalemys albipes (6.72%). Hystrix cristata, Xerus rutilus and Tachyoryctes splendens were documented through observation. The highest number of species (6) was registered at farmland and wooded grassland followed by bushland and riverine forest (5) and Acacia woodland and grassland (4). Lemniscomys striatus, M. awashensis and M. natalensis were common in all habitats. More, 216 (23.05%) individuals were recorded in farmland, while the least, 111 (11.85%) were recorded in Acacia woodland. The study area has various topographical land settings additional study is needed using different traps.     

Agitation,aeration and perfusion modules for cell culture bioreactors

For an optimized bioreactor design which is adapted to the cultivation of sensitive animal cells different modular bioreactor components for gentle agitation, sufficient aeration and long-term perfusion were developed and investigated with respect to their suitability from laboratory to production scale. Aeration systems have been designed for both shear sensitive cells and cells which tolerate bubbles. The systems are based on either membranes for bubble-free aeration or stainless steel sparger systems. They were characterized by determination of their oxygen transfer capacity and optimized in cultivation processes of different cell lines under process conditions such as batch and perfusion mode.Different impellers for suspension cells and cells grown on carriers were investigated for their suitability to ensure homogeneous gentle mixing. A large pitch blade impeller as well as a novel 3-blade segment impeller are appropriate for homogeneous mixing at low shear rates. Especially with the 3-blade segment impeller fluid mechanical stress can be reduced at a given stirrer speed which is advantageous for the cultivation of cells attached to microcarriers or extremely shear sensitive suspension cells. However, our results indicate that shear sensitivity of animal cells has been generally overestimated.Continuous perfusion of both suspension cell cultures and cells cultivated on microcarriers could be successfully performed over extended periods of time using stainless steel spinfilters with appropriate pore sizes and systems based on microporous hydrophilic membranes. Spinfilters are suitable cell retention systems for technical scale bioreactors allowing continuous perfusion cultures of suspension cells (pore size 10 to 20 m) as well as anchorage dependent cells grown on microcarriers (pore size 75 m) over six weeks to 3 months.Applying the developed modules for agitation, aeration and perfusion process adapted bioreactor set-ups can be realized which ensure optimum growth and product formation conditions in order to maximize cell and product yields.     

单增李斯特菌胎盘感染的体内外模型研究进展

单核细胞增生李斯特氏菌（Listeria monocytogenes）是重要的食源性致病菌,能引发人类的李斯特菌病,是全球公共卫生问题之一。该菌易感染孕妇,引起胎儿和新生儿的侵袭性李斯特菌病,严重威胁母婴健康。因此,建立有效的单增李斯特菌感染胎盘体内外模型,解析和探究单增李斯特菌经胎盘感染机制,是预防和控制单增李斯特菌感染母婴的关键所在。本文综述了可用于研究单增李斯特菌母婴感染的体内外胎盘模型,总结和讨论了各类模型的优势和局限性;并着重分析了体外三维胎盘屏障模型在单增李斯特菌感染方面的研究进展和未来研究方向。以期为深入解析该菌经胎盘感染的途径、发病机制提供支持,并为预防和控制母婴李斯特菌病提供科学参考。     

人为噪声对动物的非听觉影响

噪声在环境中广泛存在,城市化的迅速发展也使野生动物接触到人为噪声的机会增大。越来越多的证据表明,人为噪声在许多方面影响着人类的健康以及野生动物的生存。对这些研究进行总结发现,噪声会改变动物的生理状态,使其处在较高的应激水平,进而影响动物的抗氧化能力和免疫能力,甚至使雏鸟的端粒缩短。人为噪声的存在还会影响动物的学习和认知能力,干扰动物觅食、交流等行为。这些因素累积就可能会降低动物后代的存活率,改变物种丰度,对动物的生存造成威胁。对人为噪声带来的非听觉影响的研究,有助于更全面地了解噪声的潜在危害,采取更为积极的缓解应对措施。     

城市绿地动物声景的时空特征及其驱动因素

动物群落是构成城市绿地生态系统的关键要素,声景作为野生动物重要的生态信息,掌握其时空变化及其影响因素,对于指导城市绿地景观设计与生物多样性保护具有重要意义。本文以Web of Science数据库的核心合集2005–2022年收录的67篇研究文献为对象,综合梳理与分析了城市绿地动物声景的时空模式及其驱动因素。城市绿地动物声景在空间上表现出环境空间梯度和植被空间结构的差异,动物声音多样性随海拔、纬度、城市化程度的降低以及植被类型和高度的增加呈现升高趋势。时间尺度呈现出昼夜、季节和年度变化差异,表现为鸟类在黎明和黄昏合唱、昆虫和两栖动物在夜间鸣叫以及季节性和年度性发声规律等。影响城市动物声景模式的因素主要包括植被、环境、人为干扰和动物自身驱动等。动物声景作为当前声景生态学研究的热点之一,面临大时空尺度演变规律研究不足、动物声景分析有限等挑战,建议未来着重开展多时空尺度变化规律研究、创新动物声景分析方法、定量解析影响因素及其响应机制、建立全球动物声景数据库等。     

Propolis Enhances 5-Fluorouracil Mediated Antitumor Efficacy and Reduces Side Effects in Colorectal Cancer: An in Vitro and in Vivo Study

In this study, we investigated the combined treatment of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and Anatolian propolis extract (PE) on colorectal cancer (CRC)using in vitro and in vivo studies. We exposed luciferase-transfected (Lovo-Luc CRC) cells and healthy colon cells (CCD-18Co) to varying concentrations of 5-FU and PE to assess their genotoxic, apoptotic, and cytotoxic effects, as well as their intracellular reactive oxygen species (iROS) levels. We also developed a xenograft model in nude mice and evaluated the anti-tumor effects of PE and 5-FU using various methods. Our findings showed that the combination of PE and 5-FU had selectivity against cancer cells, particularly at higher doses, and enhanced the anti-tumor effectiveness of 5-FU against colon CRC. The results suggest that PE can reduce side effects and increase the effectiveness of 5-FU through iROS generation in a dose-dependent manner.     

A NEW PHYLOGENY FOR CHROMOPHYTE ALGAE USING 16S-LIKE RRNA SEQUENCES FROM MALLOMONAS PAPILLOSA (SYNUROPHYCEAE) AND TRIBONEMA AEQUALE (XANTHOPHYCEAE)1

The 16S-like ribosomal RNA genes from Mallomonas papillosa Harris et Bradley (Synurophyceae) and Tribonema aequale Pascher (Xanthophyceae) were sequenced and compared to those of other eukaryotes. Mallomonas is closely related to Ochromonas (Chrysophyceae) and supports the general hypothesis of a close phylogenetic relationship between the Synurophyceae and Chrysophyceae. Tribonema is specifically related to Costaria costata (C. A. Agardh) Saunders (Phaeophyceae) demonstrating an unexpected phylogenetic relationship between the Xanthophyceae and Phaeophyceae. Distance and parsimony analysis place these four chromophyte genera in a complex evolutionary assemblage that includes the Bacillariophyceae and Oomycetes but excludes the Dinophyceae. The close relationship between the chromophyte algae and the Öomycete fungi supports the hypothesis that protists with tripartite hairs form a natural assemblage.