Integrated species delimitation and conservation implications of an endangered weevil Pachyrhynchus sonani (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in Green and Orchid Islands of Taiwan

Oceanic islands are productive habitats for generating new species and high endemism, which is primarily due to their geographical isolation, smaller population sizes and local adaptation. However, the short divergence times and subtle morphological or ecological divergence of insular organisms may obscure species identity, so the cryptic endemism on islands may be underestimated. The endangered weevil Pachyrhynchus sonani Kôno (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Entiminae: Pachyrhynchini) is endemic to Green Island and Orchid Island of the Taiwan‐Luzon Archipelago and displays widespread variation in coloration and host range, thus raising questions regarding its species boundaries and degree of cryptic diversity. We tested the species boundaries of P. sonani using an integrated approach that combined morphological (body size and shape, genital shape, coloration and cuticular scale), genetic (four genes and restriction site‐associated DNA sequencing, RAD‐seq) and ecological (host range and distribution) diversity. The results indicated that all the morphological datasets for male P. sonani, except for the colour spectrum, reveal overlapping but statistically significant differences between islands. In contrast, the morphology of the female P. sonani showed minimum divergence between island populations. The populations of P. sonani on the two islands were significantly different in their host ranges, and the genetic clustering and phylogenies of P. sonani established two valid evolutionary species. Integrated species delimitation combining morphological, molecular and ecological characters supported two distinct species of P. sonani from Green Island and Orchid Island. The Green Island population was described as P. jitanasaius sp.n. Chen & Lin, and it is recommended that its threatened conservation status be recognized. Our findings suggest that the inter‐island speciation of endemic organisms inhabiting both islands may be more common than previously thought, and they highlight the possibility that the cryptic diversity of small oceanic islands may still be largely underestimated.     

Development of sensitive esterase assays based on alpha-cyano-containing esters.

A novel approach is reported for the development of fluorogenic esterase reporters using alpha-cyano-containing esters as substrates. After ester hydrolysis, the released alcohol, a cyanohydrin, rapidly eliminates HCN to yield the corresponding aldehyde resulting in strong fluorescence. The pi conjugation of the resulting aldehyde also greatly enhances UV absorption and red shifts fluorescence emission relative to a corresponding alcohol or phenol. Two substrates, R/S-acetic acid cyano-(6-methoxynaphthalen-2-yl)-methyl ester (compound I) and trans/cis-3-(2,2-dichlorovinyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylic acid R/S-cyano-(6-methoxynaphthalen-2-yl)-methyl ester (compound II), were synthesized and evaluated as substrates. Such alpha-cyano substrates possess very low background fluorescence and are more stable under enzyme assay conditions than phenolic substrates due to the aliphatic cyano group. The higher molar absorbtivity and quantum yield of the aldehyde, along with its larger Stokes' shift combined with the increased stability and lower background signal of the cyanohydrin substrate, increases the utility and sensitivity of the resulting assays over current methods. Moreover, compound II showed high selectivity to pyrethroid-cleaving esterases and may provide a direct tool to monitor pyrethroid resistance in insects.     

Nerve growth factor and neuronal cell death

The regulation of neuronal cell death by the neuronotrophic factor, nerve growth factor (NGF), has been described during neural development and following injury to the nervous system. Also, reduced NGF activity has been reported for the aged NGF-responsive neurons of the sympathetic nervous system and cholinergic regions of the central nervous system (CNS) in aged rodents and man. Although there is some knowledge of the molecular structure of the NGF and its receptor, less is known as to the mechanism of action of NGF. Here, a possible role for NGF in the regulation of oxidant--antioxidant balance is discussed as part of a molecular explanation for the known effects of NGF on neuronal survival during development, after injury, and in the aged CNS.     

蛋白和酯酶电泳在根霉鉴定上的应用

对根霉(Rhizopus)属的十个种或变种共二十四株菌的菌体可溶性蛋白和酯酶同工酶进行了电泳的研究得到对这个属分类上更多的依据.在严格控制培养,提取和电泳条件的情况下,同一株菌不同批次所得菌体蛋白电泳图谱有较好的重复性.在相同的条件下,每个种的根霉有各自特征性蛋白图谱,种内不同菌株的蛋白图谱和酯酶酶谱基本相同.特别是形态特征明显、分类地位明确的种,种内各株的图谱也较一致,如R. stolonifer;与R.circinans.在确定新变种R. delemar var. latoapicalis时,电泳图谱与R.delemar var.delema:有明显不同,起到了佐证作用.因此认为,蛋白图谱与酯酶酶谱相辅相成,在根霉种的分类中是一有效的辅助手段.     

Serial studies of autologous antibody reactivity to squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck

Summary In previous studies we evaluated the incidence and specificity of autologous antibody reactivity against squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN). We were able to demonstrate that autologous antibody reactivity is present in native sera but was usually of too low a titer to allow further analysis. Dissociation of immune complexes by acidification and ultrafiltration of serum augmented autologous antibody reactivity in nine out of nine autologous systems tested. Native antibody and antibody derived from immune complexes produced by the host and reactive with autologous tumor cells may be directed against physiologically relevant antigens. Therefore, correlations of antibody titers with clinical course may provide insight into the nature of the host response to cancer. In the present analysis, serological studies of six patients with SCCHN were performed with serum samples obtained over many months. Results of serial serological assays were correlated to tumor progression and clinical course. Fluctuations in autologous antibody reactivity were noted over time. In four cases, rises in autologous antibody titers preceded the clinical diagnosis of recurrence by several months. Drops in autologous antibody reactivity were noted in two cases following surgery or radiation therapy. In two cases of long-term survivors, no correlation between antibody reactivity and clinical course was noted. Specificity analysis of the six autologous systems demonstrated reactivity against autologous and allogeneic SCCHN as well as melanoma cell lines. These sera did not react with glioma, neuroblastoma, renal cell, breast, bladder and colon carcinoma cell lines nor with fetal calf serum, pooled lymphocytes, red blood cells and platelets. Autologous serial serological studies may provide a means by which to evaluate the host/tumor relationship in patients with SCCHN.     

中枢α受体在大鼠颈动脉窦反射中的调制作用

孤离大鼠左侧颈动脉窦,采用侧脑室(LCV)注射α_1受体阻断剂酚苄明(phenoxybenzam-ine PBZ,2μg/20μl)或α_2受体阻断剂育亨宾(yohimbine Y,2μg/20μl),以颈动脉窦内压(ISP)-平均动脉压(MAP)关系曲线及其有关参数为指标,研究和分析了中枢α受体对颈动脉窦反射的影响。将所得ISP和MAP经Logistic方程拟合,建立ISP-MAP关系曲线。结果如下:PBZ组,ISP-MAP关系曲线在高窦内压区明显上移;峰斜率、MAP变动范围明显减小;ISP-斜率关系曲线在15.96kPa处明显下移。Y组,ISP-MAP关系曲线在高窦内压区明显上移;峰斜率、MAP变动范围明显减小,阈压明显增大,ISP-斜率关系曲线在10.64、15.96kPa处明显下移。与PBZ组相比,Y组的峰斜率、MAP变动范围减小更明显。结果表明:中枢α_1或α_2受体阻断后,窦反射的敏感性明显降低,其中阻断α_2受体的作用尤为明显。     

脑室注射6-羟多巴胺对黄鼠冬眠入眠的影响

采用脑室内注射化学去交感药物6-羟多巴胺(6-OHDA)的方法,观察了人为地降低脑内去甲肾上腺素(NE)系统活动对达乌尔黄鼠入眠的影响。结果表明:脑室注射100-200μg6-OHDA使脑内NE含量减少50％以上,明显促进黄鼠入眠,平均入眠诱导期比自然冬眠动物明显缩短,整个冬眠季内冬眠时间延长,冬眠黄鼠仍具有正常的入眠觉醒周期。这些结果提示脑内NE系统活动水平降低是触发动物入眠的重要因素之一。     

桑树叶肉原生质体培养再生植株

近年来,木本植物原生质作诱导再生植株的研究越来越受到国内外学者关注。但在林木树种中,迄今成功的种类仍然不多,在文     

关于法氏囊内T细胞及腔淋巴细胞的研究

本实验表明,法氏囊内存在一个T淋巴细胞弥散渗透区(DIA),在初生雏鸡中开始形成,一月半发育完善,同样在ISE(滤泡间上皮)上皮层内亦存在少量的弥散T淋巴细胞,上述淋巴细胞与腔淋巴细胞,形态结构极为相似。酯酶活性反应均显示T细胞型。 另外初生雏鸡切除胸腺,不仅影响DIA的发育而且影响滤泡的发育。