Seasonal changes, life cycle, and production of a psychrophilic chironomid (Propsilocerus akamusi) in a Chinese Lake

Seasonal changes, life cycle, and production of a psychrophilic Chironomidae species, Propsilacerus akamusi (Tokunage), were studied in eutrophic Lake Donghu. The P akamusi population was characterized by a single annual reproduction period during late November to December, and the larval growth mainly occurred in winter. Most of P akamusi were univoltine, while some of them came to emergence in two years or more. The average density and biomass were 318.9 ind./m(2) and 0.57 g dry weight /m(2) during January 1998 to June 2000, respectively, but these values did not include any summer measurement,; since the larvae aestivated in the deep sediment layer and could not be sampled routinely in summer. The annual production of P akamusi was 2.73g dry weight/m(2), and the corresponding production/biomass ratio was 4.60.

Life history and production of Sphaerium lacustre (Mollusca : Sphaeriidae) in a shallow subtropical Chinese lake

A fingernail clam, Sphaerium lacustre, was studied in subtropical Lake Donghu from June 1999 to May 2000. The S. lacustre population was characterized by a single annual reproduction period starting in March and ending in October; the population comprised three size groups, of which the 1999 cohort was dominant. The annual average density and biomass were 100.2 ind./m(2) and 12.11 g/m(2), respectively The annual production was 43.02 wet weight g/m(2), and the corresponding annual production/biomass ratio was 3.55.

Growth and production of free-living heterotrophic nanoflagellates in a eutrophic lake - Lake Donghu, Wuhan, China

In situ growth of heterotrophic nanoflagellates (HNF) in Lake Donghu, a eutrophic shallow lake in mainland China, was studied from January 1999 to March 2000 using a modified Weisse protocol. The study results indicated that the growth rates of HNF showed pronounced seasonal variation (-0.37-1.25 d(-1)), reaching the maximum during spring to early summer. When the water temperature was higher than 25.5 degreesC, HNF growth was inversely proportional to water temperature. There was an effect by bacterial abundance and autotrophic picoplankton on HNF growth that depended on location. HNF biomass was the highest in late spring, and the HNF production ranged from -2.25 to 35.45 mg l(-1) d(-1) with mean of 3.17 mg l(-1) d(-1). When considered in the context of biomass and production data for zooplankton in Lake Donghu, it was evident that HNF contributed significantly to the total zooplankton production in Lake Donghu. These in situ studies indicate that temperature and food supply are the major determinants of HNF abundance and productivity.

L-shell x-ray yields and production cross sections of Zr and Mo bombarded by slow highly charged Ar16+ ions

The L-shell x-ray yields of Zr and Mo bombarded by slow Ar16+ ions are measured. The energy of the Ar16+ ions ranges from about 150keV to 350keV. The L-shell x-ray production cross sections of Zr and Mo are extracted from these yields data. The explanation of these experimental results is in the framework of the adiabatic directionization and the binding energy modified BEA approximation. We consider, in the slow asymmetric collisions such as Ar and Mo/Zr, the transient united atoms (UA) are formed during the ion-surface interaction and the direct-ionization is the main mechanism for the inner-shell vacancy production. Generally, the theoretical results are in good agreement with the experimental data.

Spatial variability in biomass and production of heterotrophic bacteria in the East China Sea and the Yellow Sea

The distributions of heterotrophic bacterial abundance and production were investigated in the East China Sea and the Yellow Sea during the autumn of 2000 and spring of 2001. Bacterial abundance varied in the range 3.2-15.7 (averaging 5.7) x 10(5) and 2.3-13.6 (averaging 6.2) x 10(5) cells cm(-3) in the spring and autumn, respectively. During autumn, bacterial production (BP) (0.27-7.77 mg C m(-3) day(-1)) was on average 3 fold that in spring (0.001-2.04 mg C m(-3) day(-1)). Bacterial average turnover rate (ratio of bacterial production:bacterial biomass, mu=0.21 day(-1)) in autumn was 3 times as high as in spring (0.07 day(-1)). The ratio of integrated bacterial biomass to integrated phytoplankton biomass in the euphotic zone ranged from 4 to 101% (averaging 35%) in spring and 24 to 556% (averaging 121%) in autumn. The results indicate that the distributions of heterotrophic bacteria were controlled generally by temperature in spring and additionally by substrate supply in autumn. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

SIZE STRUCTURES OF MICROPLANKTON BIOMASS AND PRODUCTION IN JIAOZHOU BAY, CHINA

Seasonal investigations of size-fractionated biomass and production were carried out from February 1992 to May 1993 in Jiaozhou Bay, China. Microplankton assemblages were separated into three fractions: pico-(0.7-2 mu m), nano- (2-20 mu m) and netplankton (20-200 mu m). The biomass was measured as chlorophyll a (Chl a), particulate organic carbon (POC) and particulate organic nitrogen (PON). The production was determined by C-14 and N-15 tracer techniques. The seasonal patterns in biomass, though variable, were characterized by higher values in spring and lower values in autumn and summer (for Chl a only). The seasonal patterns in production, on the other hand, were more clear with higher values occurring in summer and spring, and lower values occurring in autumn and winter. Averaged over the whole study period, the respective proportions of total biomass accounted for by net-, nano- and picoplankton were 26, 45 and 29% for Chl a, 32, 33 and 35% for POC, and 26, 32 and 42% for PON. The contributions to total primary production by net-, nano- and picoplankton were 31, 35 and 34%, respectively. The respective proportions of total NH4+-N uptake accounted for by net-, nano- and picoplankton were 28, 33 and 39% in the daytime, and 10, 29 and 61% at night. The respective contributions to total NO3--N uptake by net-, nano- and picoplankton were 37, 40 and 23% in the daytime, and 13, 23 and 64% at night. Some comprehensive ratios, including C/N biomass ratio, Chl a/C ratio, C uptake/Chl a ratio, C:N uptake ratio and the f-ratio, were also calculated size separately, and their biological and ecological meanings are discussed.

Effects of solar ultraviolet radiation on the photochemical efficiency, photosynthetic pigments and biomass production of Spirulina platensis

Effects of solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) on Spirulina platensis were studied by investigating its photochemical efficiency, photosynthetic pigments and biomass production while exposed to full spectrum solar radiation or depleted of UVR for understanding how and to what extent UVR influences its photosynthetic physiology and production. It was found that UVR brought about an extra inhibition of photochemical efficiency by 26%-30%. The greatest inhibition of photochemical efficiency in S. platensis was observed at noontime, and then recovered to some extent in late afternoon no matter which treatment they were exposed to. The contents of chlorophyll a, phycocyanin and carotenoids increased during initial stage of the exposure, but decreased with elongated exposure. UVR decreased the biomass yield by about 6%. It indicated that filtering out UVR of solar radiation would raise the productivity of S. platensis, which is an important factor that should be considered in the production.

A new method of Laminaria japonica strain selection and sporeling raising by the use of gametophyte clones

One-celled female and male gametophytes of three Laminaria japonica strains were isolated, cultured and gametophyte clones were formed. A technique combining strain selection with sporeling raising by the use of these female and male gametophyte clones was studied. Experiments on 9 different crossing combinations was conducted in November of 1997 in Qingdao, P. R. China. The main economic characteristics, frond length and fresh weight, of sporophytes of different crossing combinations were measured. F-1 sporophytes of No. 2 showed a higher fresh weight and longer length, therefore, No. 2 (Wh860 + x Lid) was selected as a good combination. Its parental female and male gametophyte clones are being mass cultured for sporeling production. By this method, the time needed for strain selection was shortened from 5-6 to 2 years. As compared with the routine method of sporeling raising by the collection of zoospores, the time of sporeling raising of this method decrease by 50%, and the production cost is also reduced by 50%. It is believed that this method will be labour and time saving and a more economic way for strain selection and sporeling raising in L. japonica cultivation industry.

Feeding and egg production of the planktonic copepod Calanus sinicus in spring and autumn in the Yellow Sea, China

Shipboard incubations were conducted in spring (April) and autumn (October/November) 2006 to measure the feeding and egg production rates (EPR) of Calanus sinicus in the Yellow Sea, China. The ingestion rate (2.08-11.46 and 0.26-3.70 mu g C female(-1) day(-1) in spring and autumn, respectively) was positively correlated with microplankton carbon concentrations. In the northern part of the Yellow Sea, feeding on microplankton easily covers the respiratory and production requirements, whereas in the southern part in spring and in the frontal zone in autumn, C. sinicus must ingest alternative food sources. Low ingestion rates, no egg production and the dominance of the fifth copepodite (CV) stage indicated that C. sinicus was in quiescence inside the Yellow Sea Cold Bottom Water (YSCBW) area in autumn. Calanus sinicus ingested ciliates preferentially over other components of the microplankton. The EPR (0.16-12.6 eggs female(-1) day(-1) in spring and 11.4 eggs female(-1) day(-1) at only one station in autumn) increased with ciliate standing stock. Gross growth efficiency (GGE) was 13.4% (3-39%) in spring, which was correlated with the proportion of ciliates in the diet. These results indicate that ciliates have higher nutrient quality than other food items, but the low GGE indicates that the diet of C. sinicus is nutritionally incomplete.

Establishment of a normal medakafish spermatogonial cell line capable of sperm production in vitro

Spermatogonia are the male germ stem cells that continuously produce sperm for the next generation. Spermatogenesis is a complicated process that proceeds through mitotic phase of stem cell renewal and differentiation, meiotic phase, and postmeiotic phase of spermiogenesis. Full recapitulation of spermatogenesis in vitro has been impossible, as generation of normal spermatogonial stem cell lines without immortalization and production of motile sperm from these cells after long-term culture have not been achieved. Here we report the derivation of a normal spermatogonial cell line from a mature medakafish testis without immortalization. After 140 passages during 2 years of culture, this cell line retains stable but growth factor-dependent proliferation, a diploid karyotype, and the phenotype and gene expression pattern of spermatogonial stem cells. Furthermore, we show that this cell line can undergo meiosis and spermiogenesis to generate motile sperm. Therefore, the ability of continuous proliferation and sperm production in culture is an intrinsic property of medaka spermatogonial stem cells, and immortalization apparently is not necessary to derive male germ cell cultures. Our findings and cell line will offer a unique opportunity to study and recapitulate spermatogenesis in vitro and to develop approaches for germ-line transmission.

First report of the cyanotoxins cylindrospermopsin and deoxycylindrospermopsin from Raphidiopsis curvata (Cyantobacteria)

A strain of Raphidiopsis (Cyanobacteria) isolated from a fish pond in Wuhan, P. R. China was examined for its taxonomy and production of the alkaloidal hepatotoxins cylindrospermopsin (CYN) and deoxy-cylindrospermopsin (deoxy-CYN). Strain HB1 was identified as R. curvata Fritsch et Rich based on morphological examination of the laboratory culture. HB1 produced mainly deoxy-CYN at a concentration of 1.3 mg(.)g(-1) (dry ut cells) by HPLC and HPLC-MS/MS. CYN was also detected in trace amounts (0.56 mug(.)g(-1)). A mouse bioassay did not show lethal toxicity when tested at doses up to 1500 mg dry weight cells(.)kg(-1) body weight within 96 h, demonstrating that production of primarily deoxy CYN does not lead to significant mouse toxicity by strain BB I. The presence of deoxy-CYN and CYN in R curvata suggests that Raphidiopsis belongs to the Nostocaceae, but this requires confirmation by molecular systematic studies. Production of these cyanotoxins by Raphidiopsis adds another genus, in addition to Cylindrospemopsis, Aphanizomenon, and Umezakia, now known to produce this group of hepatotoxic cyanotoxins. This is also the first report from China of a CYN and deoxy-CYN producing cyanobacterium.

Experimental and field studies of Mesocyclops notius (Copepoda : Cyclopoida) from a subtropical Chinese lake, Lake Donghu

This paper reports experimental and field studies on the cyclopoid Mesocyclops notius from subtropical Lake Donghu close to the Yangtze river. Mesocyclops notius, a dominant crustacean Zooplankter throughout tropical Australia, was previously considered to be endemic to Australia, but recently, Mesocyclops leuckarti in Lake Donghu was re-identified as M. notius. Laboratory culture experiments were conducted to reveal the effect of temperature (15, 20, 25 and 30 degreesC) on the development, growth and reproduction of M. notius. Temperature was inversely related to development times of eggs, nauplii and copepodites, body length and physiological longevity of adults, and brood size. Body length and physiological longevity of females were greater than those of males at the same temperature. No reproduction took place at 15 degreesC. Production and seasonal cycles of M. notius during 1980-1982 were studied at two sampling stations of Lake Donghu. At the mid-lake station, the annual production and production/biomass (P/B) ratio of M. notius varied between 6.0 and 18.0 g dry wt m(-2) year(-1) and 74.6 and 95.5, respectively. Mesocyclops notius reached their highest density peaks in the warm months (July-October), with a maximum density of 1256 individuals l(-1) at a littoral site. No reproduction and recruitment by AL notius took place during the cold months (December March) when the temperature of the lake water was < 15 degreesC. Mesocyclops notius were more abundant at a littoral station than at a pelagic station, possibly due to different food availability. The higher male:female sex ratio of M. notius at the littoral station was most likely caused by size-selective fish predation on larger females.

Single molecule dynamics and statistical fluctuations of gene regulatory networks: A repressilator

The authors developed a time dependent method to study the single molecule dynamics of a simple gene regulatory network: a repressilator with three genes mutually repressing each other. They quantitatively characterize the time evolution dynamics of the repressilator. Furthermore, they study purely dynamical issues such as statistical fluctuations and noise evolution. They illustrated some important features of the biological network such as monostability, spirals, and limit cycle oscillation. Explicit time dependent Fano factors which describe noise evolution and show statistical fluctuations out of equilibrium can be significant and far from the Poisson distribution. They explore the phase space and the interrelationships among fluctuations, order, amplitude, and period of oscillations of the repressilators. The authors found that repressilators follow ordered limit cycle orbits and are more likely to appear in the lower fluctuating regions. The amplitude of the repressilators increases as the suppressing of the genes decreases and production of proteins increases. The oscillation period of the repressilators decreases as the suppressing of the genes decreases and production of proteins increases.

Construction of an attenuated Pseudomonas fluorescens strain and evaluation of its potential as a cross-protective vaccine

Ferric uptake regulator (Fur) is a global transcription regulator that is ubiquitous to Gram-negative bacteria and regulates diverse biological processes, including iron uptake, cellular metabolism, stress response, and production of virulence determinants. As a result, for many pathogenic bacteria, Fur plays a crucial role in the course of infection and disease development. In this study, the fur gene was cloned from a pathogenic Pseudomonas fluorescens strain, TSS, isolated from diseased Japanese flounder cultured in a local farm. TSS Fur can partially complement the defective phenotype of an Escherichia coli fur mutant. A TSS fur null mutant, TFM, was constructed. Compared to TSS, TFM exhibits reduced growth ability, aberrant production of outer membrane proteins, decreased resistance against host serum bactericidal activity, impaired ability to disseminate in host blood and tissues, and drastic attenuation in overall bacterial virulence in a Japanese flounder infection model. When used as a live vaccine administered via the injection, immersion, and oral routes, TFM affords high levels of protection upon Japanese flounder against not only P.fluorescens infection but also Aeromonas hydrophila infection. Furthermore, a plasmid, pJAQ, was constructed, which expresses the coding element of the Vibrio harveyi antigen AgaV-DegQ. TFM harboring pJAQ can secret AgaV-DegQ into the extracellular milieu. Vaccination of Japanese flounder with live TFM/pJAQ elicited strong immunoprotection against both V. harveyi and A. hydrophila infections. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Quantitative traits correlative analysis and growth comparison among different populations of bay scallop, Argopecten irradians

The shell traits and weight traits are measured in cultured populations of bay scallop, Argopecten irradians. The results of regression analysis show that the regression relationships for all the traits are significant (P < 0.01). The correlative coefficients between body weight, as well as tissue weight with shell length, shell height and shell width are significant (P < 0.05). But the correlative coefficients between the anterior and posterior auricle length with body weight as well as tissue weight are not significant (P > 0.05). The multiple regression equation is obtained to estimate live body weight and tissue weight. The above traits except anterior and posterior auricle length are used for the growth and production comparison among three cultured populations, Duncan's new multiple range procedure analysis shows that all the traits in the Lingshuiqiao (LSQ) population are much more significant than those of the other two populations (P < 0.01), and there is no significant difference between the Qipanmo (QPM) and Dalijia (DLJ) populations in all traits (P > 0.05). The results indicate that the LSQ population has a higher growth rate and is expected to be more productive than the other two populations.