Potent histamine-releasing activity of atrahagin, a novel snake venom metalloproteinase

Poisonous snakebite wound is a popular disease worldwide. However, the pathogenesis remains unclear. In the present study, a novel metalloproteinase atrahagin in Chinese cobra (Naja atra) snake venom was purified, using heparin-sepharose followed by Super

Islet-1 is required for ventral neuron survival in Xenopus

Islet-1 is a LIM domain transcription factor involved in several processes of embryonic development. Xenopus Islet-1 (Xisl-1) has been shown to be crucial for proper heart development. Here we show that Xisl-1 and Xisl-2 are differentially expressed in th

A single amino acid defines cross-species reactivity of tree shrew (Tupaia belangeri) CD1d to human invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells

P>The non-classical major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecule CD1d presents lipid antigens to invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells, which are an important part of the innate immune system. CD1d/iNKT systems are highly conserved in evoluti

SEROLOGICAL SURVEY OF A CAPTIVE MACAQUE COLONY IN CHINA FOR ANTIBODIES TO SIMIAN TYPE-D RETROVIRUSES

Sera from 510 macaques consisting of Macaca mulatta, Macaca assamensis, Macaca fascicularis, Macaca nemestrina, and Macaca arctoides were investigated for antibodies to simian AIDS type D retrovirus (SRV) by ELISA and Western blot with viral antigens purified from supernatants of SRV-1 infected cell cultures. Of these monkeys, 104 were seropositive by ELISA; only 23 were confirmed by Western blot. The true positive reaction to SRV was found in 15 of 463 (3.2%) M. mulatta and eight of eleven (72.7%) M. assamensis.

Kilka population dynamics in the south of the Caspian Sea

Populations of kilka in the Caspian Sea have important role in the food chain. This study was conducted to determine population parameters of three species of kilka in the south of the Caspian Sea, during 2006-2007. Mean length was 102.4±9.7 mm for common kilka, 117.8±6.9 mm for anchovy and 119.5±10.9 mm for bigeye. The relationship between length and weight indicated the negative allometric growth in the all three species. Mean age for common kilka, anchovy and bigeye were 3.6, 4.6 and 4.6 years, respectively. Sex ratio (M:F) were 0.52:1 for anchovy, 0.60:1 for common kilka and 1.60:1 for bigeye. The value of growth coefficient (K) was the highest (0.321) for the common kilka, (0.267) for the bigeye, and the lowest for the anchovy kilka (0.245). Total mortality estimated from the descending of the catch curve using the age structure, Z=1.280 yr-1 for common kilka, Z=1.067 yr-1 for anchovy, and Z=1.015 yr-1 for bigeye. Natural mortality (M) were estimated using Pauly formula as M=0.622, M=0.537 and M=0.503 per year for common kilka, bigeye and anchovy, respectively. Value of fishing mortality (F) were estimated from Z and M, as F=0.658 for common kilka, F=0.564 for anchovy and F=0.478 for bigeye. The exploitation rate (E) were estimated E=0.514 for common kilka, E=0.528 for anchovy and E= 0.471 for bigeye. The estimate of MCY (Maximum Constant Yield) was calculated using the more reliable time series of commercial catch data from 2001-2007, which resulted in an estimate of MCY for the kilka fishery of 14100 tonnes.

Assessment of pelagic primary and secondary production in Sefidrud River estuary

Sefid-Rood River Estuary (SRE) is the most important riverine ecosystem in the south Caspian Sea along the Iranian coast lines. The aim of this study was to examine spatial and temporal variability in Phytoplankton and Zooplankton abundance and diversity in SRE. Variability of Chlorophyll a and inorganic nutrient concentration were determined during a year (November 2004– October 2005) in five sampling stations. Primary and secondry production were determined during a year. Total chlorophyll a concentration during the investigation ranged between zero to 22.8 μgl-1 and the highest levels were consistently recorded during summer and the lowest during winter with a annual mean concentration 4.48 μgl-1. Nutrient concentration was seasonally related to river flow with annual mean concentration: NO2 0.05±0.2 mgl-1, NO3 1.13±0.57 mgl-1, NH4 0.51±0.66 mgl-1, total phosphate 0.13±0.1mgl-1 and SiO2 5.68±1.91 mgl-1. Bacillariophytes, Cyanophytes, Chlorophytes, Pyrophytes and Euglenophytes were the dominant phytoplankton groups in this shallow and turbid estuary. The diversity and abundance of phytoplankton had a seasonal pattern while Diatomas and Chrysophytes were dominant throughout the year but Cyanophytes observed only during the summer. Zooplankton community structure was dominated by copepods which 68% of the total zooplankton. In the winter and summer seasons two increased in the number of zooplankton community and usually toward the sea had occurred. Zooplankton also showed a significant spatial and temporal variation. The high turbidity and temperature prime characteristics of SRE seem to be determining factors acting directly on phytoplankton and zooplankton temporal variability and nutrient fluctuations. Everywhere in this estuary nutrients appeared to be in excess of algal requirement and did not influence a phytoplankton and zooplankton composition. Also there was a positive correlation between chlorophyll a and temperature and a negative one with DIN and TP. Primary production determined in this estuary by dark and light butter method and G.P.P. 38.27±34.12 mgcm-2h-1 and N,PP 201.6±289.9 mgcm-2d-1. secondry production determined 15/128 mgc/m3/year. Everywhere in this estuary nutrients appeared to be in excess to algal requirement and did not influence in Chl. a and primary production. The most important factor influence on Chl. a was water temperature.

创新工程结硕果

中国科学院昆明动物研究所始建于1959年. 历经40余年的艰苦努力, 现已发展成为具有一定规模和特色、多学科相互交叉渗透的综合性动物学研究机构. 1999～2000年, 在中国科学院知识创新工程建设的推动下, 昆明动物研究所在科研目标凝练和学科建设、创新机制转换、队伍建设和人才培养, 科研成果转化, 创新文化与园区建设等方面都取得了长足的进展。

Investigation of self excited and acoustically forced combustion instabilities with laser diagnostics

Combustion oscillations in gas turbines can result in serious damage. One method used to predict such oscillations is to analyze the combustor acoustics using a simple linear model. Such a model requires a flame transfer function to describe the response of the heat release to flow perturbations inside the combustor. This paper reports on the application of Planar Laser Induced Fluorescence (PLIF) of OH radicals to analyze the response of a lean premixed flame to oncoming flow perturbations. Both self-excited oscillations and low amplitude forced oscillations at various frequencies are investigated in an atmospheric pressure model combustor rig. In order to visualize fluctuations of local fuel distribution, acetone-PLIF was also applied in non-reacting and acoustically forced flows at oscillation frequencies of 200 Hz and 510 Hz, respectively. OH-PLIF images were acquired over a range of operating parameters. The results presented in this paper originate from data sets acquired at fixed phase angles during the oscillation cycle. Comparative experiments in self excited and forced acoustic oscillations show that the flame and the combustion intensity develop similarly throughout the pressure cycle in both cases. Although the peak fluorescence intensities differ between self excited and the forced instabilities, there is a clear correspondence in the observed frequency and phase information from the two cases. This result encourages a comparison of the OH-PLIF and the acetone-PLIF results. Quantitative measurements of the equivalence ratio in specific areas of the measurement plane offer insight on the complex phenomena coupling acoustic perturbations, i.e. flow velocity fluctuations, to fluctuations in fuel distribution and combustion intensity, ultimately resulting in self excited combustion oscillations.

Evaluation of indigenous molluscicides in water against schistosomiasis vectors

Seven varieties of indigenous Phytolacca dodecwulra L'Herrit (Phytolaccaceae) were field-tried for molluscicidal potency. Varieties (U96) and (U95) collected from Kabarole and Kabale respectively were the most potent with LD90 equal to 2.54 and 6.46 mg.t-· respectively. Water bodies ranging between 4,770 and 347,510 Iitres in Kibimba rice fields were treated with up to 50mg.t-· Snails kills were monitored every three months and 92 - 100% mortality rates were realized. HPLC fingerprints revealed the two P. dodecandra varieties to contain highest concentration of the active principle, oleanoglycotoxin- A or lemmatoxin - A.

用H-Y抗体在宫内处理植入前鼠胚对后代性比的影响

该文以C57BL/6J鼠分2组进行实验。实验组45鼠,对照组20鼠,与同品系雄鼠交配后,在3日龄胚期,通过腹部手术对实验组雌鼠每侧子宫腔内注入未稀释的H-Y抗血清与豚鼠补体(二者以1:2混合)3μl。抗血清是由C57BL/6L雌鼠用同品系雄鼠的脾细胞以2.5×10~(7)个/只的剂量,每周免疫一次,共免疫7次后制备。对照组的处理操作与实验组相同,但每侧子宫腔内仅注入补体3μl,未注入抗体。实验组中有42只产仔247只(每窝平均6只),雌雄比为2.7(180/67)雌性占73%;对照组20只均产仔共163只(每窝平均8只),雌雄比为0.92(78/85),雌性仔鼠占48%。

湖泊蓝藻水华生态灾害形成机理及防治的基础研究

湖泊具有供水、渔业、旅游、维持区域生态系统平衡等功能,是支撑我国经济和社会发展的重要资源之一。但是近30年来,湖泊富营养化所导致的蓝藻水华频繁暴发,生态灾害事件频发,严重影响湖泊功能的发挥,制约区域经济可持续发展。针对国家在保障区域水安全和生态安全、保护人民健康及建设和谐社会等方面的重大需求,国家重点基础研究发展计划项目"湖泊蓝藻水华生态灾害形成机理及防治的基础研究"于2008年7月正式立项。项目拟解决的关键科学问题包括:①湖泊蓝藻水华主要衍生污染物的形成机理、迁移转化规律和毒理效应;②蓝藻水华导致湖泊生

网箱养殖对东湖沉积物有机质含量以及磷的酶促水解与吸附行为的影响

东湖养殖罗非鱼(Oreochromisniloticus)的网箱下沉积物中有机质和可酶解磷(PHP)含量以及碱性磷酸酶活性(APA)均显示增高,间隙水中的PHP较低,而APA与正磷酸盐的浓度均高,这种现象在垂直与水平两个尺度上均有体现,故由有机物的富集到正磷酸盐的剧增可能受控于酶学机制。Langmuir单分子等温度吸附模型的分析结果表明网箱下表层沉积物的最大吸附量明显较高,而吸附强度明显降低,此亦为正磷酸盐相应剧增的另一重要原因。不同深度间隙水中APA的动力学行为表现出明显的季节性。