Fitness of a translocation homozygote in cage experiments with the onion fly,Hylemya antiqua (meigen)

Summary In Hylemya antiqua, a stock homozygous for an autosomal reciprocal translocation was isolated using egg-hatch reduction and karyotype analysis. Sibling translocation homozygous (TT) and heterozygous (T+) females were compared in respect to egg production and longevity. In one full-sib (5 TT and 8 T+ females) significantly higher values for both parameters for T+ than for TT females were scored, in four others (a total of 35 TT and 28 T+ females) no significant differences were found. Cage experiments were started with populations composed of equal numbers of wild type flies (++) and translocation homozygotes. The frequencies of the different karyotypes in three successive, non-overlapping generations, did not suggest substantial differences in fitness between ++ and TT flies. Possible causes of a surplus of T+ individuals found in these experiments are discussed together with the usefulness of the translocation for genetic control of H. antiqua.     

The regulation of activity in populations of the terrestrial slugLimax maximus (Gastropoda; Limacidae)

The activity of the slug Limax maximus was studied in relation to weather. Three hundred-and-fifty-eight hourly observations of activity and weather were made on 21 nights from May until October, 1976. Factors causally important to molluscan activity were included in a step-down correlation-regression analysis of daily and seasonal behavior. The analysis was also performed using weather data from the previous hourly observation. Models using lag-weather did not explain as much variability as did concurrent weather. The regression models explained about 73% to 87% of the observed variation in activity. The most important factors included in the regression models were time of day (circadian rhythm), light intensity, changes in light intensity and surface temperature. Shelter temperature, temperature gradients, length of the night, and time of sunset were also included in some models. Age and hydration were shown to be key factors in other experiments. A model incorporating weather thresholds estimated from field data explained 83.06% of the variability in the activity of L. maximus over the season. The values predicted from the model did not differ significantly from those actually observed in the field (Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, p>0.50).     

不同规格中华绒螯蟹母本子代的生长特性比较

为研究中华绒螯蟹(Eriocheir sinensis)不同规格母本子代的生长发育,本实验在生态池塘中放置网箱养殖中华绒螯蟹,按照母本规格不同设置4个组,组A、B、C和D分别为母本体重(175.7±5.3)g、(150.4±5.8)g、(125.6±5.5)g和(100.2±5.9)g的子代,4组的父本体重无显著差异,每个组4个平行,每个平行雄蟹10只、雌蟹20只。每个网箱放养中华绒螯蟹大眼幼体500只,以水花生(Altemanthena philoxeroides)为隐蔽物,保持生长环境尽量相同且适宜生长。经过158 d的养殖,A、B、C和D组个体的体重从(6.0±0.5)mg分别增长到(7 599.8±954.8)mg、(6 232.7±638.7)mg、(6 112.4±854.6)mg、(5 316.0±745.3)mg,分别增长了1 266.6、1 038.8、1 018.7和886.0倍,且A组特定生长率显著高于D组(P0.05)。蜕壳11次成长为1龄蟹种后综合指标(体重、壳长、壳宽、体高)最好的是A组,A组显著好于B、C、D组(P0.05);次之为B、C组,再者是D组,B与C组差异不显著(P0.05),但均显著好于D组(P0.05)。B组成活率最高,分别比A、D、C组高1.4%、3.6%、4.6%;次之为A组,分别比D、C组高2.2%、3.2%;再者为D组,比C组高1.4%。综合研究表明,在1龄蟹种阶段,大规格母本后代生长性状表现出优于小规格母本后代的趋势。     

实验动物建筑设施相关产品研发-笼器具标准编制引发的思考

“江苏省实验动物笼器具系列标准制订”获中国实验动物学会科学技术二等奖,系列标准研究共包括八项：《实验动物笼器具塑料笼箱》、《实验动物笼器具金属笼箱》、《实验动物笼器具笼架》、《实验动物笼器具层流架》、《实验动物笼器具饮水瓶》、《实验动物笼器具独立通气笼盒（ IVC）系统》、《实验动物笼器具代谢笼》、《实验动物笼器具隔离器》.本文阐述了1）系列标准研究的背景;2）研究制订的过程,优势的先天条件,政府、专家、企业之间的联动配合,研究标准的创新意义;3）标准出台的效果,产业优势进一步扩大,社会效益明显.     

Solid state and solution structures of 2-halophenolate complexes of lithium

Solvent-free 2-halophenolate complexes of lithium, [LiOC₆H₄-2-X)]_n (X = F, Cl, Br), were synthesized by treating the corresponding 2-halophenols with n-butyllithium. ortho-Lithiation was avoided by cooling the reaction mixture to −78 °C and using n-hexane as solvent. Recrystallization from THF/n-hexane lead to tetrameric [Li(THF)(μ₃-OC₆H₄-2-X)]₄ (X = F, 1; X = Cl, 2; X = Br, 3), which was verified by X-ray crystallography for 1 and 2 and derived for 3 by the strong similarities in the ¹H, ¹³C and ⁷Li NMR data for 1, 2 and 3. Cubane structures were revealed for the Li₄O₄ core of 1 and 2. While complex salt 2 possesses only slight distortions within its cubane core, complex salt 1 has an unusual C_2v distortion towards a butterfly shape. Additionally, dimeric [Li(H₂O)₂(μ-OC₆H₄-2-Br)]₂ was obtained containing an extensive network of hydrogen bonding between water molecules. Upfield shifts in the ¹H NMR spectra for the coordinated THF molecules as well as ¹³C and ⁷Li NMR spectra are interpreted as indicating the tetrameric form observed in the X-ray crystal structure is preserved in solution.     

The feeding behaviour of a deep-sea holothurian, Stichopus tremulus (Gunnerus) based on in situ observations and experiments using a Remotely Operated Vehicle

Using a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) to deploy an in situ cage experiment incorporating fluorescent Luminophore particle tracers, the gut throughput time of the deposit feeding holothurian, Stichopus tremulus (Gunnerus) was determined as 23.73 h (S.D.±2.3). For a range of individuals examined at different depths (350-500 m) and locations, throughput times varied between 19 and 26 h irrespective of animal size or gut tract length. In situ video observations of feeding behaviour showed that this species uses fine oral papillae in a ‘sweeping’ motion to target particles on the seafloor. Following detection of a food source fine-branched digitate tentacles collect a large range of sediment fragments from the seabed. The main types of particles ingested include silica fragments (<20 >500 μm), pelagic foraminifera, benthic foraminifera, fine phytodetrital remains and occasional larger rock fragments (∼1 cm). Ingested sediment consisted mainly of very fine silica fragments (∼50 μm) accounting for over 50% of the total gut contents. Frame-by-frame video analysis revealed that the particle handling time (i.e. the time taken for a tentacle insertion and the subsequent collection of food) was found to be ∼54 s. Only 10 of the 20 feeding tentacles were simultaneously employed during feeding. Use of tentacles appeared to be in sequence, alternating between the reserve and active tentacles. Estimating the rate of movement over the seabed and the total effective capture area of each tentacle, the impact of this animal on the turnover and quality of surface sediment at this deepwater site is potentially substantial. The in situ experiments provided a significant improvement over previous methods used to investigate deep-sea deposit feeders and represent a useful concept for further in situ deep-sea research using an industrial ROV.     

Effect of space allowance and earthen flooring on behaviour of farmed blue foxes

This study sought to evaluate the effect of cage space and earthen flooring on the behaviour of individually caged, farmed blue foxes (Alopex lagopus). Three different cage sizes [80 cm long (CL80), 120 cm long (CL120), 240 cm long (CL240); each 105 cm wide×70 cm high] with wire-mesh flooring, and one two-level cage (CL240E) with both wire-mesh (240 cm long×105 cm wide×70 cm high) and earthen flooring (80 cm long×105 cm wide×70 cm high) were employed. Quantitative ethograms were obtained from ten males in each group by videotaping the animals for 144 h monthly from August through November. Altogether 30 different behaviours were described. These were rather similar in all study groups. Examples of behavioural differences included pacing around with a neighbour and the incidence of scratching, which both declined with increasing cage space. Only the foxes in the cage with an earthen flooring (CL240E) exhibited digging behaviour, which averaged 11 min/24 h. The wire-mesh section was distinctly preferred to the earthen-floor section for most behaviours. Foxes in all groups were at their most active from 0800 to 1600 hours. Total activity, including several separate behaviours, declined as winter approached. Locomotor and oral stereotypies were infrequent, and no significant differences were found between the various cage options. For several hours before feeding, the foxes showed increasing levels of stereotypies, but afterwards, stereotypies abruptly declined. Received in revised form: 28 March 2001 Electronic Publication     

The role of medium conditioning in the population dynamics of the housefly

The role of larval medium conditioning on the behavior of larvae and of ovipositing adults of the housefly, Musca domestica L., was investigated through behavioral preference tests. Larvae were strongly attracted to medium conditioned by themselves or other larvae, while adult females overwhelmingly oviposited in fresh medium. Medium conditioning occurs within a few hours after hatching of an egg cohort and is effective in preventing overcrowding of a single site by shutting off further oviposition within 24 hours after eggs are initially deposited. A model of medium conditioning optimizes density for developing larvae and could also provide for regulation of local larval populations.     

单、双枚椎间融合器在单节段腰椎后路融合术中的应用效果比较

目的:比较腰椎后路融合术(PLIF)单、双枚椎间融合器(Cage)的使用对远期疗效的影响。方法:回顾我院2004-2011年间164例因腰椎退变疾病行单节段PLIF患者的临床资料,按Cage数目将其分为单Cage组(114例)与双Cage组(50例)。获得其住院资料和术后2年以上临床与影像学随访资料并比较分析。结果:平均随访时间47.5个月。两组间的年龄、性别、术前JOA评分、术后随访时间的差别无显著性(P0.05),但单Cage组失血量更低(P0.05),但随访时相对椎间隙高度低于双Cage组(P0.05);而两组间JOA评分改善率、随访时JOA评分、优良率、手术耗时、住院天数、并发症发生率的差别无显著性(P0.05)。结论:PLIF中单、双Cage的使用均能获得满意的疗效与安全性,与双Cage相比,单Cage手术失血更少,但术后远期相对椎间隙高度更低,对于这类患者应加强随访并警惕断钉等并发症的发生。     

Energetics of clathrin basket assembly

A minimal thermodynamic model is used to study the in vitro equilibrium assembly of reconstituted clathrin baskets. The model contains parameters accounting for i) the combined bending and flexing rigidities of triskelion legs and hubs, ii) the intrinsic curvature of an isolated triskelion, and iii) the free energy changes associated with interactions between legs of neighboring triskelions. Analytical expressions for basket size distributions are derived, and published size distribution data (Zaremba S, Keen JH. J Cell Biol 1983;97: 1339–1347) are then used to provide estimates for net total basket assembly energies. Results suggest that energies involved in adding triskelions to partially formed clathrin lattices are small (of the order of kBT), in accord with the notion that lattice remodeling during basket formation occurs as a result of thermodynamic fluctuations. In addition, analysis of data showing the effects of assembly proteins (APs) on basket size indicates that the binding of APs increases the intrinsic curvature of an elemental triskelial subunit, the stabilizing energy of leg interactions, and the effective leg/hub rigidity. Values of effective triskelial rigidity determined in this investigation are similar to those estimated by previous analysis of shape fluctuations of isolated triskelia.