Mysterious bio-duck sound attributed to the Antarctic minke whale (Balaenoptera bonaerensis)

For decades, the bio-duck sound has been recorded in the Southern Ocean, but the animal producing it has remained a mystery. Heard mainly during austral winter in the Southern Ocean, this ubiquitous sound has been recorded in Antarctic waters and contemporaneously off the Australian west coast. Here, we present conclusive evidence that the bio-duck sound is produced by Antarctic minke whales (Balaenoptera bonaerensis). We analysed data from multi-sensor acoustic recording tags that included intense bio-duck sounds as well as singular downsweeps that have previously been attributed to this species. This finding allows the interpretation of a wealth of long-term acoustic recordings for this previously acoustically concealed species, which will improve our understanding of the distribution, abundance and behaviour of Antarctic minke whales. This is critical information for a species that inhabits a difficult to access sea-ice environment that is changing rapidly in some regions and has been the subject of contentious lethal sampling efforts and ongoing international legal action.     

Post-transcriptional regulation in higher eukaryotes: the role of the reporter gene in controlling expression

We have investigated whether reporter genes influence cytoplasmic regulation of gene expression in tobacco and Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. Two genes, uidA encoding beta-glucuronidase (GUS) from Escherichia coli and Luc, encoding firefly luciferase (LUC), were used to analyze the ability of a cap, polyadenylated tail, and the 5'- and 3'-untranslated regions (UTR) from tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) to regulate expression. The regulation associated with the 5' cap structure and the TMV 5'-UTR, both of which enhance translational efficiency, was reporter gene-independent. The poly(A) tail and the TMV 3'-UTR, which is functionally equivalent to a poly(A) tail, increase translational efficiency as well as mRNA stability. The regulation associated with these 3' ends was highly reporter gene-dependent; their effect on GUS expression was almost an order of magnitude greater than that on LUC expression. In tobacco, the tenfold reporter gene effect on poly(A) tail or TMV 3'-UTR function could not be explained by a differential impact on mRNA stability; GUS and LUC mRNA half-life increased only twofold when either the poly(A) tail or TMV 3'-UTR was present. In CHO cells, however, GUS mRNA was stabilized to a greater extent by a poly(A) tail or the TMV 3'-UTR than was LUC mRNA.     

Free bone graft reconstruction of irradiated facial tissue: experimental effects of basic fibroblast growth factor stimulation

A study was undertaken to evaluate the potential utility of basic fibroblast growth factor in the induction of angiogenesis and osseous healing in bone previously exposed to high doses of irradiation. Thirty New Zealand rabbits were evaluated by introducing basic fibroblast growth factor into irradiated mandibular resection sites either prior to or simultaneous with reconstruction by corticocancellous autografts harvested from the ilium. The fate of the free bone grafts was then evaluated at 90 days postoperatively by microangiographic, histologic, and fluorochrome bone-labeling techniques. Sequestration, necrosis, and failure to heal to recipient osseous margins was observed both clinically and histologically in all nontreated irradiated graft sites as well as those receiving simultaneous angiogenic stimulation at the time of graft placement. No fluorescent activity was seen in these graft groups. In the recipient sites pretreated with basic fibroblast growth factor prior to placement of the graft, healing and reestablishment of mandibular contour occurred in nearly 50 percent of the animals. Active bone formation was evident at cortical margins adjacent to the recipient sites but was absent in the more central cancellous regions of the grafts.     

Determination of the number of endothelial cells in culture using an acid phosphatase assay

A simple assay is described in which small numbers of endothelial cells in culture can be determined by measuring acid phosphatase activity. After removal of the growth medium from cells grown in 96-well culture plates, the cells are lysed in buffer containing the detergent Triton X-100 and the phosphatase substrate p-nitrophenyl phosphate. After 2 h at 37 degrees C, the reaction is stopped with sodium hydroxide, and color development is determined using a rapid multiwell plate reader. The assay detects 100 to 10,000 cells per well. The assay has been used to determine growth curves for endothelial cells in the presence and absence of endothelial cell growth factor from bovine hypothalamus and to monitor fractions during purification of the growth factor. Minor modifications in the assay allow it to be fully automated.     

Independence of progesterone-induced facilitation and inhibition of lordosis behavior in ovariectomized guinea pigs

In ovariectomized Hartley guinea pigs, 15 μg progesterone was shown to facilitate lordosis in 48% of animals when administered 36 hr after a 3.3 μg injection of estradiol benzoate. This dose of progesterone also inhibited lordosis behavior in 65% of animals administered an additional 0.6 mg progesterone at 60 hr. Significant inhibition of lordosis response to the 0.6 mg progesterone existed among animals in which lordosis was not facilitated by the initial 15 μg dose of progesterone. These results show that progesterone-induced inhibition can occur without prior facilitation of lordosis as tested by the manual stimulation technique.     

Combination of u.v.-B. and ozone reduces pollen tube growth more than either stress alone

The rate of in vitro Nicotiana tabacum L. “Bel-W3” pollen tube growth was reduced 62 and 44%, respectively, when pollen tubes were exposed to 120 ppb ozone (O₃) for 3 hr or 300 μW/cm² ultraviolet-B (u.v.-B) radiation for 30 min. Petunia hybrida Vilm. “White Cascade” pollen tube growth was reduced 34 and 59%, respectively, upon exposure to O₃ or u.v.-B at the above doses. The combination of u.v.-B at 300 μW/cm² for 30 min, followed by O₃ at 120 ppb for 3 hr, reduced pollen tube growth by 79% for “Bel-W3” and 75% for “White Cascade”. The effect appeared to be additive, implying that different target areas may be affected by the two stressors. In the Northeast, plants are exposed to both u.v.-B and O₃ during the normal growing season. This may result in an unexpectedly higher stress on the reproductive system than had been previously suspected based on these two stressors acting individually.     

Colonization and deterioration processes in Roman mortars by cyanobacteria,algae and lichens

The mortars covering some walls of the Roman city of Baelo Claudia (Cadiz, Spain) support an abundant colonization of cyanobacteria, algae and lichens. The distribution of these organisms is closely related to microclimatic parameters. Furthermore, the development, specific composition and biomass of algal cryptoendolithic communities are related to the wall orientation. The effect of these communities on mortar deterioration is discussed.     

Biological diversity and cultural heritage

In this paper some examples of the development of communities of microorganisms and plants on historic buildings and montiments are shown. When the building stones differ from the surrounding natural substrata, an increase in the biological diversity of the area is produced. In some cases, monuments can come to constitute a true refuge for a few species when the natural habitat is threatened. It is suggested that biological diversity, when it does not represent a threat for the cultural heritage, should be considered worthy of preservation.