Factors influencing seasonal and monthly changes in the group size of chital or axis deer in southern India

Chital or axis deer (Axis axis) form fluid groups that change in size temporally and in relation to habitat. Predictions of hypotheses relating animal density, rainfall, habitat structure, and breeding seasonality, to changes in chital group size were assessed simultaneously using multiple regression models of monthly data collected over a 2 yr period in Guindy National Park, in southern India. Over 2,700 detections of chital groups were made during four seasons in three habitats (forest, scrubland and grassland). In scrubland and grassland, chital group size was positively related to animal density, which increased with rainfall. This suggests that in these habitats, chital density increases in relation to food availability, and group sizes increase due to higher encounter rate and fusion of groups. The density of chital in forest was inversely related to rainfall, but positively to the number of fruiting tree species and availability of fallen litter, their forage in this habitat. There was little change in mean group size in the forest, although chital density more than doubled during the dry season and summer. Dispersion of food items or the closed nature of the forest may preclude formation of larger groups. At low densities, group sizes in all three habitats were similar. Group sizes increased with chital density in scrubland and grassland, but more rapidly in the latter—leading to a positive relationship between openness and mean group size at higher densities. It is not clear, however, that this relationship is solely because of the influence of habitat structure. The rutting index (monthly percentage of adult males in hard antler) was positively related to mean group size in forest and scrubland, probably reflecting the increase in group size due to solitary males joining with females during the rut. The fission-fusion system of group formation in chital is thus interactively influenced by several factors. Aspects that need further study, such as interannual variability, are highlighted.     

Wnt Pathway Activation Increases Hypoxia Tolerance during Development

Adaptation to hypoxia, defined as a condition of inadequate oxygen supply, has enabled humans to successfully colonize high altitude regions. The mechanisms attempted by organisms to cope with short-term hypoxia include increased ATP production via anaerobic respiration and stabilization of Hypoxia Inducible Factor 1α (HIF-1α). However, less is known about the means through which populations adapt to chronic hypoxia during the process of development within a life time or over generations. Here we show that signaling via the highly conserved Wnt pathway impacts the ability of Drosophila melanogaster to complete its life cycle under hypoxia. We identify this pathway through analyses of genome sequencing and gene expression of a Drosophila melanogaster population adapted over >180 generations to tolerate a concentration of 3.5–4% O₂ in air. We then show that genetic activation of the Wnt canonical pathway leads to increased rates of adult eclosion in low O₂. Our results indicate that a previously unsuspected major developmental pathway, Wnt, plays a significant role in hypoxia tolerance.     

Immobilization of amyloglucosidase on polystyrene anion exchangeresin II. Kinetics and stabilities

Summary Amyloglucosidase (exo-1, 4- -D-glucosidase, EC 3.2.1.3), was coupled to glutaraldehyde activated Indion 48-R (a cross-linked macroporous anion exchanger) by Schiff base reaction. Immobilization brought about a marginal increase in the apparent K_m. The bound enzyme exhibited increased stability towards urea and metal ions, but was less stable in the presence of guanidine hydrochloride. Immobilized amyloglucosidase could be stored at 4°C (in wet state) for 6–8 months without any apparent loss of activity.     

Subcellular Compartmentation of Opioid Receptors: Modulation by Enkephalin and Alkaloids

Abstract: A subclone of NG108–15 neuroblastoma-glioma hybrid cells was used to study the intracellular distribution of opioid receptors. Subcellular organelles were separated on self-generating Percoll-sucrose gradients and the enzymes β-glucuronidase, galactosyltransferase, 5′-nucleotidase, and glucose-6-phosphatase were used as markers to localize the various structures. Analysis of the receptor distribution from untreated cells shows that the plasma membranes contained the highest receptor density, but a significant portion of the opioid binding sites was unevenly distributed between the lysosomes, microsomes, and Golgi elements. The enzyme markers indicated that appearance of opioid receptors in these intracellular structures does not result merely from contamination with plasma membranes. About 11% of the receptors appeared in a fraction lighter than plasma membranes. The antilysosomal agent chloroquine altered the intracellular compartmentation of the receptors, possibly by blocking their translocation in the cells. Leu-enkephalin induced time-dependent loss of receptors from all four intracellular compartments examined, but a kinetic analysis showed that the rate of receptor loss in these fractions was not identical. Thus, the percent of receptors appearing in the lysosomal fraction that could still bind [³H]-D-Ala²D-Leu⁵-enkephalin in vitro was increased on treatment with Leu-enkephalin. As an additional approach to follow the intracellular fate of the receptors, cells were labeled with [³H]diprenorphine, chased with various unlabeled opiates, and the distribution of ³H-ligand-receptors in the cells was monitored. Leu-enkephalin and etorphine altered the distribution of receptor-bound [³H]diprenorphine between the plasma membranes, lysosomes, and Golgi elements, whereas morphine had no such effect. The study sheds light on the role of intracellular structures in the metabolism of opioid receptors in untreated and opioid-treated cells.     

Immunocytochemical detection of 28000-MW calcium-binding protein in horizontal cells of the rat retina

Summary Horizontal cells of rat retina were labeled intensely by a specific antibody to cerebellar calcium-binding protein. The amacrine cells stained very weakly. The presence of calcium-binding protein in horizontal cells could be of interest for the understanding of the feedback action of these cells on photoreceptors.Abbreviations used CaBP calcium-binding protein - DAB 3,3-diaminobenzidine - PAP unlabelled antibody peroxidase-antiperoxidase immunocytochemical complex On leave from the Department of Physiology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada     

Neuronal Activation Regulates the Expression of Opioid Receptors: Possible Role of Glial-Derived Factors and Voltage-Dependent Ion Channels

The previous observation that a continuous chemical depolarization of aggregating rat brain cells with KCl alters the expression of opioid receptors was examined in more detail. In contrast to its significant and converse effect on forebrain and hindbrain cells cultured in serum-containing medium, KCl had only a small and transient effect in serum-free cultures of both types. The basal receptor density in serum-free cultures was similar to the receptor density in KCl-treated serum-containing cultures, but medium conditioned by glial cells restored partially the effect of KCl in serum-free cultures. The effect of KCl in serum-containing forebrain cultures was enhanced by the voltage-dependent calcium channel blocker verapamil, and magnesium and cadmium had a similar, though smaller, effect. The sodium channel activator veratridine had a profound and dose-dependent inhibitory effect on the expression of the receptors in forebrain and hindbrain cultures, and tetrodotoxin blocked the veratridine effect. Information about the selectivity of the effect of neuronal activation on the various opioid receptor subtypes was obtained with the neuroblastoma X glioma hybrid M8 cells that possess only delta type opioid receptors. A Scatchard analysis of [3H]etorphine binding to these cells has shown that depolarization increased the Bmax, but had little, if any, effect on the affinity (KD) of the ligand to the receptors. The significance of depolarization and voltage-dependent sodium and calcium channels on the expression of different opioid receptor subtypes is discussed.     

Extraction of non-timber forest products in the Forests of Biligiri Rangan Hills,India. 3. Productivity,extraction and prospects of sustainable harvest of amla phyllanthus emblica, (Euphorbiaceae)

Sustainable extraction of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) depends upon harvesting a small fraction of the total productivity. Over-exploitation can lead to a loss of biodiversity, but a low level of extraction, without value addition at the point of origin, is usually not economically feasible for extractors. Extraction and productivity levels per unit area for most non-timber forest products are unknown, nor do we have much information about value addition at various points in the marketing channels. Here we determine extraction and productivity levels for Amla trees (Phyllanthus emblica), which yield fruits that are used for a wide variety of purposes in preparation of various foods, beverages and medicines. We also present preliminary data on the price appreciation of the fruit for one of the processed products. We have determined that the current level of extraction, 60-80% of all fruits at the population level, may have a negative effect on new recruitment. We present a model for value addition that has the potential to enhance income and reduce the level of extraction. This model is currently being implemented by the Soliga community with the assistance of a non-governmental organization.     

Mutational analysis of nucleoside diphosphate kinase from Pseudomonas aeruginosa: characterization of critical amino acid residues involved in exopolysaccharide alginate synthesis.

We report the utilization of site-directed and random mutagenesis procedures in the gene encoding nucleoside diphosphate kinase (ndk) from Pseudomonas aeruginosa in order to examine the role of Ndk in the production of alginate by this organism. Cellular levels of the 16-kDa form of the Ndk enzyme are greatly reduced in P. aeruginosa 8830 with a knockout mutation in the algR2 gene (8830R2::Cm); this strain is also defective in the production of the exopolysaccharide alginate. In this study, we isolated four mutations in ndk (Ala-14-->Pro [Ala14Pro], Gly21Val, His117Gln, and Ala125Arg) which resulted in the loss of Ndk biochemical activity; hyperexpression of any of these four mutant genes did not restore alginate production to 8830R2::Cm. We identified six additional amino acid residues (Ser-43, Ala-56, Ser-69, Glu-80, Gly-91, and Asp-135) whose alteration resulted in the inability of Ndk to complement alginate production. After hyperproduction in 8830R2::Cm, it was determined that each of these six mutant Ndks was biochemically active. However, in four cases, the in vivo levels of Ndk were reduced, which consequently affected the growth of 8830R2::Cm in the presence of Tween 20. Two mutant Ndk proteins which could not complement the alginate synthesis defect in 8830R2::Cm were not affected in any characteristic examined in the present study. All of the mutant Ndks characterized which were still biochemically active formed membrane complexes with Pk, resulting in GTP synthesis. Two of the four Ndk activity mutants (His117Gln and Ala125Arg) identified were capable of being truncated to 12 kDa and formed a membrane complex with Pk; however, the complexes formed were inactive for GTP synthesis. The other two Ndk activity mutants could be truncated to 12 kDa but were not detected in membrane fractions. These results further our understanding of the role of Ndk in alginate synthesis and identify amino acid residues in Ndk which have not previously been studied as critical to this process.     

Evaluating second year cropping on jhum fallows in Mizoram,north-eastern India—Phytomass dynamics and primary productivity

Cropping on jhum fallows in north-eartern India is predominantly done for one year in a jhum cycle. If second year cropping is done, expanse of the forest land required for slashing and burning could be reduced significantly. We tested this hypothesis in a young (6 yr) and an old (20 yr) jhum fallow. We also evaluated if the productivity during second year cropping could be alleviated by auxiliary measures such as tilling the soil or application of fertilizers (chemical or farm-yard manure or both in combination). The results demonstrate that the ecosystem productivity (total dry matter production) and economic yield (rice grain production) decline with shortening of jhum cycle. Second year cropping causes a further decline in ecosystem productivity in old jhum field, but not in young jhum field. Economic yield from second year cropping in its traditional form (without any fertilizer treatment) is not much lower than that in the first year, and can be improved further by manuring the soil. Tilling of soil improves neither ecosystem productivity nor economic yield. Different fertilization treatments respond differently; while inorganic manuring enhances ecosystem productivity, a combination of inorganic and organic manuring improves economic yield