Biochemical Changes in Freshwater Prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii During Larval Development

Abstract.— Quantitative changes in the protein, lipid and carbohydrate were studied in the early larval stages of developing freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii reared under fed and starved conditions to understand the relative importance of these nutrients in energy metabolism of the growing larvae. Larvae obtained from several females were stocked into three 250-L tanks at a density of 30 larvae/L. The feeding regime consisted of newly hatched Artemia nauplii. Protein was always the major organic constituent followed by lipids and then carbohydrates of both fed and starved larvae. Protein levels of both fed and starved larvae increased during development, suggesting an important role in morphogenesis. The decline of lipid during the larval growth that was more rapid for starved larvae, suggests a probable utilization of lipid as the major metabolic source of energy. Carbohydrates formed less than 5 and 2.4% of the larval dry weight of fed and starved larvae, respectively, suggesting their limited role in larval metabolism.     

Preliminary study of plasma vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) during low- and high-dose radiation therapy of dogs with spontaneous tumors

High plasma vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) concentrations are associated with radiation resistance and poor prognosis. After an exposure to ionizing radiation in cell culture an early phase and a late phase of increased VEGF have been documented. The activation was dependent on the radiation dose. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to measure baseline plasma VEGF and changes in VEGF over the course of fractionated radiation therapy in dogs with spontaneous tumors. Dogs with tumors had a significantly higher pretreatment plasma VEGF than did dogs without tumors. Immediately after irradiation no increased plasma VEGF was observed. Over the course of radiation therapy there was an increased plasma VEGF in dogs treated with low doses per fraction/high total dose, whereas plasma VEGF remained stable in dogs irradiated with high doses per fraction/low total dose. The regulatory mechanisms are very complex, and therefore the value of plasma VEGF measurements as an indirect marker of angiogenesis induced by radiotherapy is limited.     

Principals of construction in the forepaw and hindpaw of the domestic cat (Felis catus). III: Musculature

With regard to muscular mass and inner structure, the muscles of the forepaw and hindpaw of the domestic cat are grouped functionally, compared and evaluated. A high degree of functional adaptation is present in these muscles, for example in the passive locomotion apparatus of the paws. The domestic cat is not a 'running animal' like other domestic mammals. Also, in domestication it has preserved a strongly individual way of life and has remained a quick, ambushing hunter and climber on the run. Hence its forepaw is a flexible guiding and gripping apparatus, while its hindpaw provides stability for sprinting and non-skid pushing. The partly re-interpreted functions of the muscles are described and listed in four tables.     

Phylogeny,form and function of canine teeth in the horse

The canine teeth of the horse developed phylogenically from the simple, pointed, short-rooted tooth form of the leaf eating, in pairs living, Eocene horse Hyracotherium and served up to the Oligocene as a means of defense (self preservation). In the Miocene the living conditions of the Merychippus changed and they took to eating grass and adopted as a new behavior the life in a herd. The canine teeth possibly played an important role in fights for social ranking; they changed from a crown form to knife-like shape. In the Pliohippus the canine tooth usually remained in male horses and since the Pliocene, it contributed to the fights between stallions, to ensure that the offspring only came from the strongest animals (preservation of the species). Form and construction of the canine tooth are described and discussed in detail under the above mentioned phylogenic and ethologic aspects.     

The origin and function of the enamel cup, infundibulum dentis, on the incisors of the horse

The enamel cups of equids originated phylogenetically through several phases in Oligocene and Miocene horses, which readjusted from hard to soft leaf food and from double nutrition (leaves and grass) to a pure grass intake. This has been proved experimentally. The resulting construction of the incisor is continually changed on its occlusal surface by erosion according to the pattern of the enamel crests. Referring to the whole incisor tooth, this results in an equid life cycle in which the good grip of the occlusal surface and the efficiency of ingestion favours the young, sexually mature horses, which are at the best age for food intake.     

Principles of construction in the fore- and hindpaw of the domestic cat (Felis catus). 2. Articulations

According to form and range of mobility the joints of the cat's paw (articulationes manus et pedis) are adjusted to two basic functions: as far as they are used for walking in the different gaits they show components in the sagittal plane that particularly correspond to the digitigrade dog. With regard to cat-specific behaviour, i.e. climbing and catching, specific characteristics of the joints for movements in the R-plane (rotation) and A-plane (abduction/adduction) can be distinguished. For this reason highly specialized types of articulations occur in cat's paw that are unique compared to other mammals and that mostly have not been described yet. In this context, like in the skeleton (see first communication), function-adapted divergences can also be found between the joints of the forepaw and hindpaw of the cat.     

The claw of the domestic cat (Felis catus)--analysis of its shape

The feline claws in the forepaw and hind paw are very different in shape. An objective method of comparison will be described. The differences in function and the factors with regard to the shape are discussed.     

中国南部热带植物区系的特点与亲缘

中国南部热带植物区系主要以云南南部、广西西南部和海南热带植物区系为代表 .该文简要分析了它们植物区系的组成特征和地理成分 ,比较研究了云南南部和海南热带植物区系与东南亚的马来半岛和文莱热带植物区系的关系 ,得出以下结论 :(1)中国南部植物区系主要由热带植物区系成分组成 ,热带分布的科和属分别占总科和属数的 6 0 %和 80 %多 ,在热带分布属中 ,又具体以热带亚洲成分占优势 ,显示该植物区系是热带性质的植物区系 ,具有热带亚洲亲缘 ;(2 )中国南部热带植物区系中多于 70 %的科和多于 5 0 %的属与马来西亚植物区系共有 ,并且其优势科中大多数也为马来西亚植物区系的优势科 ,意味着在植物区系分区上它属于热带亚洲或印度 马来西亚植物区系的一部分 ;(3)由于位于东南亚热带北缘 ,中国南部热带植物区系中以边缘热带成分为主 ,是印度 马来西亚植物区系的热带北缘类型 ;(4)中国南部植物区系的热带亚洲亲缘可以从东南亚的地质演化历史解释     

Glass transition and water effects on sucrose inversion by invertase in a lactose-sucrose system

Enzymatic changes are often detrimental to quality of low-moisture foods. In the present study, effects of glass transition and water on sucrose inversion in a lactose-sucrose food model were investigated. Amorphous samples were produced by freeze-drying lactose-sucrose (2:1)-invertase (20 mg invertase/49.4 g of carbohydrate) dissolved in distilled water. Sorption isotherms were determined gravimetrically at 24 degrees C. Sucrose hydrolysis was determined by monitoring glucose content using a test kit and the amounts of fructose, glucose, and sucrose using HPLC. The glass transition temperatures, T(g), at various water contents were measured using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The BET and the GAB sorption models were fitted to experimental data up to a(w) 0.444 and 0.538, respectively. Water sorption and DSC results suggested time-dependent crystallization of sugars at a(w) 0.444 and above. Significant sucrose hydrolysis occurred only above T(g), concomitantly with crystallization. Sucrose hydrolysis and crystallization were not likely in glassy materials.