Spatio-temporal distribution of fatty acid-binding protein 6 (fabp6) gene transcripts in the developing and adult zebrafish (Danio rerio)

We have determined the structure of the fatty acid-binding protein 6 (fabp6) gene and the tissue-specific distribution of its transcripts in embryos, larvae and adult zebrafish (Danio rerio). Like most members of the vertebrate FABP multigene family, the zebrafish fabp6 gene contains four exons separated by three introns. The coding region of the gene and expressed sequence tags code for a polypeptide of 131 amino acids (14 kDa, pI 6.59). The putative zebrafish Fabp6 protein shared greatest sequence identity with human FABP6 (55.3%) compared to other orthologous mammalian FABPs and paralogous zebrafish Fabps. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the zebrafish Fabp6 formed a distinct clade with the mammalian FABP6s. The zebrafish fabp6 gene was assigned to linkage group (chromosome) 21 by radiation hybrid mapping. Conserved gene synteny was evident between the zebrafish fabp6 gene on chromosome 21 and the FABP6/Fabp6 genes on human chromosome 5, rat chromosome 10 and mouse chromosome 11. Zebrafish fabp6 transcripts were first detected in the distal region of the intestine of embryos at 72 h postfertilization. This spatial distribution remained constant to 7-day-old larvae, the last stage assayed during larval development. In adult zebrafish, fabp6 transcripts were detected by RT-PCR in RNA extracted from liver, heart, intestine, ovary and kidney (most likely adrenal tissue), but not in RNA from skin, brain, gill, eye or muscle. In situ hybridization of a fabp6 riboprobe to adult zebrafish sections revealed intense hybridization signals in the adrenal homolog of the kidney and the distal region of the intestine, and to a lesser extent in ovary and liver, a transcript distribution that is similar, but not identical, to that seen for the mammalian FABP6/Fabp6 gene. © 2008 The Authors.

Trace element abundances and Sr and Nd isotope compositions in bulk sediments from DSDP Legs 6 and 20

Rare earth element and Nd isotopic data for ten representative samples of Lower Cretaceous to Miocene pelagic sediments from the western Pacific indicate a wide range of compositions for sediments being subducted beneath the Mariana and Volcano arcs. All samples are enriched in light rare earth elements and show negative Eu and Ce anomalies. The values of e-Nd range from +0.6 to -7.3. These data are used to calculate the Bulk Western Pacific Sediment (BWPS), which is characterized by low Sr/Nd (10), Ba/La (13), and e-Nd (-5.2) and high 87Sr/86Sr (0.7078) compared to that of Mariana and Volcano arc lavas. This composite sediment is used to refine a mixing model for the origin of Mariana and Volcano arc melts. Some lavas from the northern Mariana Arc have Ba/La higher than that of BWPS, which indicates that a third component is required. The high Ba/La in the mantle source for these lavas is interpreted to result from multiple episodes of fluid fractionation. The mixing model indicates that a minor amount of sediment and a low proportion of metasomatic fluid fluxes the mantle source at a late stage when the subarc mantle is already highly metasomatized. This model also suggests that the mantle source for arc melts is affected more by metasomatic fluids than by melting or bulk mixing of sediments.

Expected values for pedometer-determined physical activity in older populations

The purpose of this review is to update expected values for pedometer-determined physical activity in free-living healthy older populations. A search of the literature published since 2001 began with a keyword (pedometer, "step counter," "step activity monitor" or "accelerometer AND steps/day") search of PubMed, Cumulative Index to Nursing & Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), SportDiscus, and PsychInfo. An iterative process was then undertaken to abstract and verify studies of pedometer-determined physical activity (captured in terms of steps taken; distance only was not accepted) in free-living adult populations described as ≥ 50 years of age (studies that included samples which spanned this threshold were not included unless they provided at least some appropriately age-stratified data) and not specifically recruited based on any chronic disease or disability. We identified 28 studies representing at least 1,343 males and 3,098 females ranging in age from 50–94 years. Eighteen (or 64%) of the studies clearly identified using a Yamax pedometer model. Monitoring frames ranged from 3 days to 1 year; the modal length of time was 7 days (17 studies, or 61%). Mean pedometer-determined physical activity ranged from 2,015 steps/day to 8,938 steps/day. In those studies reporting such data, consistent patterns emerged: males generally took more steps/day than similarly aged females, steps/day decreased across study-specific age groupings, and BMI-defined normal weight individuals took more steps/day than overweight/obese older adults. The range of 2,000–9,000 steps/day likely reflects the true variability of physical activity behaviors in older populations. More explicit patterns, for example sex- and age-specific relationships, remain to be informed by future research endeavors.

Prospective relationships between physical activity and optimism in young and mid-aged women

BACKGROUND: There is growing evidence that regular physical activity (PA) reduces the risk of poor mental health. Less research has focused on the relationship between PA and positive wellbeing. The study aims were to assess the prospective associations between PA and optimism, in both young and mid-aged women. METHODS: 9688 young women (born 1973-1978) completed self-report surveys in 2000 (age 22 to 27), 2003, 2006, and 2009; and 11,226 mid-aged women (born 1946-1951) completed surveys in 2001 (age 50-55) 2004, 2007, and 2010, as part of the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health. Generalized estimating equation models (with 3-year time lag) were used to examine the relationship between PA and optimism in both cohorts. RESULTS: In both cohorts, women reporting higher levels of PA had greater odds of reporting higher optimism over the 9-year period, (young, OR = 5.04, 95% CI: 3.85-6.59; mid-age, OR = 5.77, 95% CI: 4.76-7.00) than women who reported no PA. Odds were attenuated in adjusted models, with depression accounting for a large amount of this attenuation (young, OR = 2.00, 95% CI: 1.57-2.55; mid-age, OR = 1.64 95% CI: 1.38-1.94). CONCLUSIONS: Physical activity can promote optimism in young and mid-aged women over time, even after accounting for the negative effects of other psychosocial indicators such as depression.

ESR studies of X-irradiated strontium mixed calcium tartrate crystals

The electron spin resonance spectra of X-ray irradiated single crystals of strontium doped calcium tartrate tetrahydrate (CST) with molecular formula Ca0.88Sr0.12C4H4O6.4H(2)O grown in gels has been investigated. Only one species of free radical but with two magnetically unequivalent sites was observed at room temperature. The free radical was found to be the result of the splitting of a C-II bond adjacent to both the hydroxyl and carboxyl groups. The a factor was found to be slightly anisotropic. Couplings with two H nuclei, believed to be the proton of the OH group attached directly to the unsaturated asymmetric carbon atom and the proton attached directly to the: other asymmetric carbon atom of the molecule were observed. The principal g-values were found to be 2.0030, 2.0017, 2.0027. The principal elements of the nuclear coupling are 7.45, 6.59, 4.28 and 8.56, 7.22, 18.71 G, respectively. The radical was found to be very stable. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

经典流体的计算机模拟试验——蒙特卡洛法和分子动力学法

<正> 物质是由分子、原子组成的。尽管我们往往在不考虑分子、原子的微观运动情况下,照样可以把握物质的宏观运动。如流体力学的基本方程,虽然不涉及流体本身是由什么组成,但我们仍然可以成功地运用它去解决实际问题。但最终要深刻认识宏观规律或进一步发现新规律,从物质的微观结构出发去探求其宏观运动规律,无疑是一个根本性的重要途径。正是由于这个原因,《流体力学年鉴》的主编在1980年特约G.E.Uhlenbeck写了一篇文章,专门论述了流体力学与统计物理学间的关系。然而,从微观角度研究物质

第十四届国际材料强度大会简介

2006年6月5—9日，第十四届国际材料强度大会（14th International Conferenceon the Strength of Materials，IC-SMA14）在西安古都新世界大酒店举行，会议正式代表322人（其中境外代表200多人），这是该系列国际材料强度大会第一次在中国举办．大会由中国国家自然科学基金委员会、国家教育部、中国材料研究学会、西安交通大学、中国科学院沈阳金属研究所和西安市科技局等单位共同支持．大会主席为J．L．Martin教授，会议组织委员会主席由西安交通大学的孙军教授与中国科学院金属研究所的李守新研究员共同担任．

GABA release by hippocampal astrocytes

10 p.

A comunidade de anuros do folhiço da Serra das Torres, sul do Espírito Santo, no sudeste do Brasil: A sazonalidade afeta os parâmetros da comunidade?

O presente estudo trás informações acerca da comunidade de anfíbios anuros do folhiço nas florestas que compõem a região da Serra das Torres, sul do Espírito Santo, sudeste do Brasil. Foram utilizados métodos de parcelas 4 x 4 m para obter os primeiros dados de sazonalidade na composição, massa e densidade no estado do Espírito Santo. Amostragens de campo foram realizadas durante as estações seca e de chuvas, no período de junho de 2009 a dezembro de 2010. Foram registrados 348 indivíduos com média de 1,0 0,1 ind/parcela, em 14 espécies associadas ao folhiço do chão da floresta. As curvas de rarefação e do coletor apresentaram assíntotas tendendo a estabilizarem. A densidade de anuros na área estudada foi de 6,59 ind/100 m e a biomassa total 413,9 g. Brachycephalus didactylus foi a espécie com maior densidade (3,8 ind/100 m) e a maior abundância (100 indivíduos ou 40,6% da comunidade geral), entretanto, apresentou biomassa relativamente baixa (16,8 g) quando comparada às demais espécies como Haddadus binotatus (239,6 g ou 57,2% da biomassa total da comunidade). Não foi registrada nenhuma variação sazonal em relação à densidade ou biomassa na comunidade. A umidade relativa do ar e a profundidade do folhiço foram fatores ambientais significativos para a abundância de indivíduos, enquanto a temperatura e a presença de rochas ou árvores no interior das parcelas não foram importantes na estruturação da comunidade daquela área. Este estudo aumenta a distribuição geográfica de Brachycephalus didactylus, Zachaenus parvulus, Physalaemus crombiei, Ischnocnema cf. bolbodactyla, Ischnocnema gr. lactea e Leptodactylus cf. bokermanni.

Effects of stocking density on growth and production of GIFT (Oreochromis niloticus)

The study was carried out to assess the effects of stocking density on growth and production of GIFT for a period of 100 days. Three stocking densities were used 150, 200 and 250 fish/decimal; designated as treatment T1, T2 and T3 respectively having two replicates for each. Commercial pellet feeds were fed at the rate of 30% body weight up to first 10 days and then gradually it was readjusted to 22%, 18%, 15%, 12%, 10%, 8%, 6%, 5% and 4% respectively after every 10 days interval. The result showed that the fish in the treatment T1 stocked with the lowest stocking density (150 fish/dec) resulted in best individual weight gain (148.65g) followed by those in treatment T2 and T3 respectively. The specific growth rates (SGR) at every 10 days were ranged from 6.59 to 1.11 in different treatments during the experimental period. The food conversion ratio (FCR) values ranged between 1.82 to 2.03 with treatment T1 showing the lowest FCR. The survival rate ranged between 84 to 92%. Treatment T1 and treatment T2 showed significantly higher survival than Treatment T3. The fish production rate in treatment T1, T2 and T3 were 18.58, 23.87 and 26.78 kg/decimal respectively.

The distribution and concentration levels of trace metals in water and sediments of Lake Victoria, Kenya

The water and bottom sediments of Lake Victoria (Kenya) were analysed for A1, Fe, Mn, Zn, Pb, Cu, Cr and Cd. The total metal concentrations were determined and their mean variations and distributions discussed. The bottom lake waters showed higher concentration levels than the surface waters. The range of values (in mg/l) in the bottom and surface lake waters were as follows: Surface Waters: A1(0.08 - 3.98), Fe(0.09 - 4.01), Mn(0.02 - 0.10). Zn(0.01 -0.07), Pb(0.001- 0.007), Cu(not detected - 0.006), Cr(not detected - 0.004). Bottom Waters: A1(0.1 0 - 6.59), Fe(0.23 - 9.64), Mn(0.04 - 0.39), Zn(0.01- 0.08), Pb(0.002 - 0.009), Cu(not detected - 0.03). Cr(not detected -0.002). River mouths and shallow areas in the lake showed higher total metal concentrations than offshore deeper areas. Apart from natural metal levels, varied urban activities and wastes greatly contribute to the lake metal pollution as shown by high Pb and Zn levels in sediments, around Kisumu and Homa Bay areas. Other comparatively high values and variations could be attributed to the varied geological characteristics of the lake and its sediments. Compared to the established W.H.O (1984) drinking water standards manganese, aluminium and iron levels were above these limits whereas zinc, lead, chromium, copper and cadmium were below.