中国皿蛛科——新纪录属及天山前延首蛛的重描述（蜘蛛目：皿蛛科）

本文记述我国皿蛛科一新纪录属:前延首蛛届Archaraeoncus Tanasevitch 1987,并对天山前延首蛛A.tianshanicus(Hu et Wu,1989)n.comb.重新作了描述,本种的雌蛛系首次发现。本文还对Araeoncus tianschanica Hu et Wu 1989原学名命名的原始拚缀作了改正。文中测量数据均以mm为单位。     

白腐真菌血红密孔菌漆酶复合酶预处理烟梗丝的响应面法优化

烟梗是烟草工业的重要副产物,也是宝贵的自然资源。本研究首先利用白腐菌漆酶对烟梗丝进行预处理,提升了添加烟梗丝的卷烟品质;然后分别以木质素、纤维素、半纤维素和果胶的降解率为响应值,采用Box-Behnken设计建立方程模型,对漆酶、纤维素酶、半纤维素酶和果胶酶组成的复合酶预处理烟梗丝条件进行了优化。结果表明：每100g烟梗丝加入30U漆酶,在料液比为35%、温度为30℃、酶解pH为5处理48h的条件下预处理的烟梗丝对提升卷烟品吸效果最佳,烟梗丝中木质素、纤维素、半纤维素和果胶的降解率分别为20.16%、15.10%、7.20%和12.40%;为获得与之相同的各组分降解率,响应面法优化漆酶复合酶最佳处理条件为：每100g烟梗丝加入漆酶14.72U、纤维素酶1.00U、半纤维素酶1.00U、果胶酶8.45U。验证发现烟梗丝各组分降解率实测值与理论值无显著性差异,且显微结构观察显示复合酶处理后的烟梗丝表面致密结构被破坏,孔洞数量明显增加。本研究获得的白腐菌漆酶预处理后的烟梗丝在卷烟中的添加能有效改善卷烟品质,且漆酶复合酶的使用大幅减少了漆酶的用量,降低了漆酶预处理烟梗丝的成本,为废弃烟梗生物质的资源化利用提供了重要依据。     

A new species and molecular phylogeny of Brazilian succulent Euphorbia sect. Brasilienses

A new species of Euphorbia sect. Brasilienses V.W. Steinm. & Dorsey is described. Euphorbia tetrangularis Hurbath & Cordeiro is endemic to the Serra de Montevidéu, a part of the Espinhaço Range located in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. It differs from other species within the section based on the following characters: 4-ribbed branches, green cyathia, and green cyathial glands with erect appendages. This new species would qualify as critically endangered (CR) according to IUCN criteria. An inferred phylogeny based on a combined dataset of nuclear (ITS1) and plastid regions (psbA-trnH, trnC-ycf6, matK, atpI-atpH, psbJ-petA, trnQ-rps16?×?1) confirms the monophyly of Euphorbia sect. Brasilienses and supports the recognition of E. tetrangularis. The phylogeny also suggests that this group probably underwent a recent radiation.     

Arsenic accumulation and thiol status in lichens exposed to As(V) in controlled conditions

Thalli of epiphytic lichen Hypogymnia physodes (L.) Nyl. and terricolous Cladonia furcata (Huds.) Schrad., collected from an area with background arsenic concentrations, were exposed to 0, 0.1, 1 and 10 μg mL⁻¹ arsenate (As(V)) solutions for 24 h. After exposure they were kept in the metabolically active state for 0, 24 and 48 h in a growth chamber. In the freeze dried samples glutathione (GSH), glutathione disulphide (GSSG), cysteine (Cys) and cystine were analysed and induction of phytochelatin (PC) synthesis measured by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography in combination with fluorescence detection or UV spectrometry. Total arsenic content in thalli was measured by instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA). In H. physodes, which contained higher amounts of arsenic compared to C. furcata, total glutathione content significantly decreased in samples exposed to 10 μg mL⁻¹ As(V), whereas in C. furcata a significant increase was observed. In both species PC synthesis was induced in thalli exposed to 10 μg mL⁻¹.     

CGRP inhibits osteoprotegerin production in human osteoblast-like cells via cAMP/PKA-dependent pathway

The osteoprotegerin (OPG)/receptor activator of nuclear factor-B ligand (RANKL)/receptor activator of nuclear factor-B (RANK) system was evaluated as a potential target of CGRP anabolic activity on bone. Primary cultures of human osteoblast-like cells (hOB) express calcitonin receptor-like receptor (CLR) and receptor activity modifying protein 1, and, because CGRP stimulates cAMP (one of the modulators of OPG production in osteoblasts), it was investigated whether it affects OPG secretion and expression in hOB. CGRP treatment of hOB (10^–11 M–10^–7 M) dose-dependently inhibited OPG secretion with an EC₅₀ of 1.08 x 10^–10 M, and also decreased its expression. This action was blocked by the antagonist CGRP_8–37. Forskolin, a stimulator of cAMP production, and dibutyryl cAMP also reduced the production of OPG. CGRP (10^–8 M) enhanced protein kinase A (PKA) activity in hOB, and hOB exposure to the PKA inhibitor, H89 (2 x 10^–6 M), abolished the inhibitory effect of CGRP on OPG secretion. Conditioned media from CGRP-treated hOB increased the number of multinucleated tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase-positive cells and the secretion of cathepsin K in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells compared with the conditioned media of untreated hOB. These results show that the cAMP/PKA pathway is involved in the CGRP inhibition of OPG mRNA and protein secretion in hOB and that this effect favors osteoclastogenesis. CGRP could thus modulate the balance between osteoblast and osteoclast activity, participating in the fine tuning of all of the bone remodeling phases necessary for the subsequent anabolic effect. receptor-activity-modifying proteins; protein kinase A; osteoclast; cathepsin K     

Landscape and weather determinants of prey availability: implications for the Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni

Spatial and temporal variation in prey abundance have been shown to impact the time of breeding and breeding success of birds. Understanding the ecological requirements of preferred prey can help develop management measures to improve food supply for target species. For the colonial Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni, mole crickets Gryllotalpa spp. are one of the most important prey items during the mate‐feeding period. Lesser Kestrel colonies with higher mole cricket consumption had earlier egg‐laying dates, suggesting that differences between individuals in the time of breeding could be caused by differences in the diet. Moreover, the mean number of mole crickets in pellets was significantly correlated with clutch size (in one of the studied years) and egg volume. Thus, the impact of environmental variables and land use on mole crickets is likely to be relevant to Lesser Kestrel conservation. Weekly consumption of mole crickets was higher following an increase in either precipitation or minimum temperature values. Furthermore, mole cricket consumption was higher in colonies surrounded by higher quality soils and in wetter areas and years. Predicted probability of mole cricket occurrence in surveyed watercourse margins suggested a positive relationship between soil penetrability and mole cricket occurrence. Among variables that might be the target of management, the presence of riparian vegetation positively influenced the occurrence of mole crickets, whilst tillage and sowing of streambeds were revealed as the most important threats. We suggest that the maintenance of native vegetation in the margins of watercourses could improve soil resilience to erosion, increase water retention, soil penetrability and fertility, and provide a food supply and shelter for mole crickets. Overall, the implementation of such recommendations is likely to benefit other farmland species known to consume mole crickets, including several endangered species.     

Pharmacological characterization of the ghrelin receptor mediating its inhibitory action on inflammatory pain in rats

Recent research suggests a role for ghrelin in the modulation of inflammatory disorders. However, the type of ghrelin receptor (GHS-R) involved in both the anti-inflammatory and anti-hyperalgesic actions of ghrelin remains to be characterized. In this study, we examined whether the inhibitory effect of ghrelin in the development of hyperalgesia and edema induced by intraplantar carrageenan administration depends on an interaction with GHS-R1a. Both central (1 nmol/rat, i.c.v.) and peripheral (40 nmol/kg, i.p.) administration of the selective GHS-R1a agonist EP1572 had no effect on carrageenan-induced hyperalgesia measured by Randall–Selitto test and paw edema. Furthermore, pre-treatment with the selective GHS-R1a antagonist, d-lys³-GHRP-6 (3 nmol/rat, i.c.v.) failed to prevent the anti-hyperalgesic and anti-inflammatory effects exerted by central ghrelin administration (1 nmol/rat), thus indicating that the type 1a GHS-R is not involved in these peptide activities. Accordingly, both central (1 and 2 nmol/rat, i.c.v.) and peripheral (40 and 80 nmol/kg, i.p.) administration of desacyl-ghrelin (DAG), which did not bind GHS-R1a, induced a significant reduction of the hyperalgesic and edematous activities of carrageenan. In conclusion, we have shown for the first time that DAG shares with ghrelin an inhibitory role in the development of hyperalgesia, as well as the paw edema induced by carrageenan and that a ghrelin receptor different from type 1a is involved in the anti-inflammatory activities of the peptide.     

Exoskeleton anchoring to tendon cells and muscles in molting isopod crustaceans

Specialized mechanical connection between exoskeleton and underlying muscles in arthropods is a complex network of interconnected matrix constituents, junctions and associated cytoskeletal elements, which provides prominent mechanical attachment of the epidermis to the cuticle and transmits muscle tensions to the exoskeleton. This linkage involves anchoring of the complex extracellular matrix composing the cuticle to the apical membrane of tendon cells and linking of tendon cells to muscles basally. The ultrastructural arhitecture of these attachment complexes during molting is an important issue in relation to integument integrity maintenance in the course of cuticle replacement and in relation to movement ability. The aim of this work was to determine the ultrastructural organization of exoskeleton - muscles attachment complexes in the molting terrestrial isopod crustaceans, in the stage when integumental epithelium is covered by both, the newly forming cuticle and the old detached cuticle. We show that the old exoskeleton is extensively mechanically connected to the underlying epithelium in the regions of muscle attachment sites by massive arrays of fibers in adult premolt Ligia italica and in prehatching embryos and premolt marsupial mancas of Porcellio scaber. Fibers expand from the tendon cells, traverse the new cuticle and ecdysal space and protrude into the distal layers of the detached cuticle. They likely serve as final anchoring sites before exuviation and may be involved in animal movements in this stage. Tendon cells in the prehatching embryo and in marsupial mancas display a substantial apicobasally oriented transcellular arrays of microtubules, evidently engaged in myotendinous junctions and in apical anchoring of the cuticular matrix. The structural framework of musculoskeletal linkage is basically established in described intramarsupial developmental stages, suggesting its involvement in animal motility within the marsupium.     

Early intervention in psychosis: concepts,evidence and future directions

The rise of the early intervention paradigm in psychotic disorders represents a maturing of the therapeutic approach in psychiatry, as it embraces practical preventive strategies which are firmly established in mainstream health care. Early intervention means better access and systematic early delivery of existing and incremental improvements in knowledge rather than necessarily requiring dramatic and elusive breakthroughs. A clinical staging model has proven useful and may have wider utility in psychiatry. The earliest clinical stages of psychotic disorder are non-specific and multidimensional and overlap phenotypically with the initial stages of other disorders. This implies that treatment should proceed in a stepwise fashion depending upon safety, response and progression. Withholding treatment until severe and less reversible symptomatic and functional impairment have become entrenched represents a failure of care. While early intervention in psychosis has developed strongly in recent years, many countries have made no progress at all, and others have achieved only sparse coverage. The reform process has been substantially evidence-based, arguably more so than other system reforms in mental health. However, while evidence is necessary, it is insufficient. It is also a by-product as well as a catalyst of reform. In early psychosis, we have also seen the evidence-based paradigm misused to frustrate overdue reform. Mental disorders are the chronic diseases of the young, with their onset and maximum impact in late adolescence and early adult life. A broader focus for early intervention would solve many of the second order issues raised by the early psychosis reform process, such as diagnostic uncertainty despite a clear-cut need for care, stigma and engagement, and should be more effective in mobilizing community support. Early intervention represents a vital and challenging project for early adopters in global psychiatry to consider.