The genomic sequence of the accidental pathogen Legionella pneumophila

We present the genomic sequence of Legionella pneumophila, the bacterial agent of Legionnaires' disease, a potentially fatal pneumonia acquired from aerosolized contaminated fresh water. The genome includes a 45-kilobase pair element that can exist in chromosomal and episomal forms, selective expansions of important gene families, genes for unexpected metabolic pathways, and previously unknown candidate virulence determinants. We highlight the genes that may account for Legionella's ability to survive in protozoa, mammalian macrophages, and inhospitable environmental niches and that may define new therapeutic targets.     

Fast readout of object identity from macaque inferior temporal cortex

Understanding the brain computations leading to object recognition requires quantitative characterization of the information represented in inferior temporal (IT) cortex. We used a biologically plausible, classifier-based readout technique to investigate the neural coding of selectivity and invariance at the IT population level. The activity of small neuronal populations (approximately 100 randomly selected cells) over very short time intervals (as small as 12.5 milliseconds) contained unexpectedly accurate and robust information about both object "identity" and "category." This information generalized over a range of object positions and scales, even for novel objects. Coarse information about position and scale could also be read out from the same population.     

Dietary Fucoxanthin Increases Metabolic Rate and Upregulated mRNA Expressions of the PGC-1alpha Network,Mitochondrial Biogenesis and Fusion Genes in White Adipose Tissues of Mice

The mechanism for how fucoxanthin (FX) suppressed adipose accumulation is unclear. We aim to investigate the effects of FX on metabolic rate and expressions of genes related to thermogenesis, mitochondria biogenesis and homeostasis. Using a 2 × 2 factorial design, four groups of mice were respectively fed a high sucrose (50% sucrose) or a high-fat diet (23% butter + 7% soybean oil) supplemented with or without 0.2% FX. FX significantly increased oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production and reduced white adipose tissue (WAT) mass. The mRNA expressions of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α), cell death-inducing DFFA-like effecter a (CIDEA), PPARα, PPARγ, estrogen-related receptor α (ERRα), β3-adrenergic receptor (β3-AR) and deiodinase 2 (Dio2) were significantly upregulated in inguinal WAT (iWAT) and epididymal WAT (eWAT) by FX. Mitochondrial biogenic genes, nuclear respiratory factor 1 (NRF1) and NRF2, were increased in eWAT by FX. Noticeably, FX upregulated genes of mitochondrial fusion, mitofusin 1 (Mfn1), Mfn2 and optic atrophy 1 (OPA1), but not mitochondrial fission, Fission 1, in both iWAT and eWAT. In conclusion, dietary FX enhanced the metabolic rate and lowered adipose mass irrespective of the diet. These were associated with upregulated genes of the PGC-1α network and mitochondrial fusion in eWAT and iWAT.     

A Therapeutic Potential for Marine Skeletal Proteins in Bone Regeneration

A vital ingredient for engineering bone tissue, in the culture dish, is the use of recombinant matrix and growth proteins to help accelerate the growth of cultivated tissues into clinically acceptable quantities. The skeletal organic matrices of calcifying marine invertebrates are an untouched potential source of such growth inducing proteins. They have the advantage of being ready-made and retain the native state of the original protein. Striking evidence shows that skeleton building bone morphogenic protein-2/4 (BMP) and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) exist within various marine invertebrates such as, corals. Best practice mariculture and the latest innovations in long-term marine invertebrate cell cultivation can be implemented to ensure that these proteins are produced sustainably and supplied continuously. This also guarantees that coral reef habitats are not damaged during the collection of specimens. Potential proteins for bone repair, either extracted from the skeleton or derived from cultivated tissues, can be identified, evaluated and retrieved using chromatography, cell assays and proteomic methods. Due to the current evidence for bone matrix protein analogues in marine invertebrates, together with the methods established for their production and retrieval there is a genuine prospect that they can be used to regenerate living bone for potential clinical use.     

Haemoglobin in normal and neoplastic canine mammary glands

Four types of globins for oxygen transport are known in vertebrates, and the haemoglobin is responsible for carrying oxygen in blood. In this study, we found that haemoglobin was also expressed in canine mammary glands. Samples were taken from 26 malignant mammary tumors, 16 normal mammary glands and 10 other normal tissues. Sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), immunoblotting and mass spectrometry were used to investigate haemoglobin in mammary tissues. The results indicated that normal canine mammary glands expressed high levels of haemoglobin protein as shown by Coomassie blue staining. The identity of haemoglobin was confirmed by immunoblotting and mass spectrometry, and the mass spectrometry data revealed that both alpha-haemoglobin and beta-haemoglobin were expressed. Relative to normal mammary glands, the levels of haemoglobin expression in mammary tumors were lower. Our results also indicated that the haemoglobin was endogenously produced in mammary gland tissues and was not derived from the erythroid cells.     

Multiple realities of the Growth Triangle: Mapping knowledge and the politics of mapping

Abstract: The Singapore‐Indonesia‐Malaysia Growth Triangle has been applauded by the governments of the three nation states, economists and transnational corporations as an economic success. However, other stark realities are evident at the local level as well. The Growth Triangle is supplanting older cultural and economic geographies. This has given rise to struggles over rights to territories and resources. Of the three points in the triangle, it is the landscape of Riau‐Indonesia that has been transformed most dramatically. A comparative study of the cadastral maps of the administrators of the Growth Triangle versus the community maps of the indigenous peoples shows the differences in their perceived spatial ideas of Riau. It also highlights the different systems of knowledge as upheld by the administrators in contrast to that of the indigenous inhabitants. This comparative study brings to attention the issues of knowledge construction, mapping knowledge and the politics of mapping.     

谷子基本核型的研究

 我们对具有代表性的10个谷子品种进行了核型分析，综合这些核型特征提出了一个谷子基本核型模式图：K（2n）=2x=18=16m+2st（SAT）。这对解决细胞学图与传统的表示基因定位的遗传学图往往不甚符合的矛盾，是有参考价值的。     

梨眼天牛的生物学特性观察及其防治

梨眼天牛(Bacchisa Fortunei)在宁夏彭阳2 a发生1代,以老熟幼虫在枝条内越冬,以幼虫危害本质部、韧皮部.翌年4月上旬开始危害,5月下旬至6月上中旬成虫羽化、交配、产卵.幼虫孵化后在皮下取食危害.对该虫可采用捕捉成虫、刮除虫卵、用铁丝刺杀幼虫、虫道注药的方法防治.掌握了该害虫的生活史、生活习性、危害症状,为准确、有效防治提供了科学依据.     

Towards an integrative biology research: a case study on adaptive and evolutionary trends of Miscanthus populations in Taiwan

A program of research named Towards an Integrative Biology (TAIB) has recently been promoted by the International Union of Biological Sciences, involving multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary research. Studies of Miscanthus plants which emphasized the TAIB theme were undertaken. Miscanthus species are the most widely distributed and dominant species in Taiwan, growing everywhere from the coastal to mountainous areas, and from agricultural to polluted land. Particularly, the grasses grow well in habitats under environmental stresses. Physiological and genetic adaptations are fundamental mechanisms for these grasses' survival in stressful environments. Findings based on field measurements and laboratory analyses were able to elucidate some of the mechanisms of grasses adapted to stressful environments. Adaptive radiation occurred when most niches were open during the postglacial periods. Particularly, population discontinuity of the grasses was found on the Orchid and Green islets of Taiwan. Likewise, Miscanthus sinensis var. glaber and var. formosanus occupied lands from low to middle elevations of Taiwan, while Miscanthus transmorrisonensis appeared in the highlands above 2400 m. Phylogenetically, Miscanthus has evolved into various ecotypes, varieties and species in Taiwan as well as in other parts of Asia. The grass then evolved into Miscanthus floridulus , M. sinensis var. formosanus , Miscanthus flavidus , then to M. transmorrisonensis . Furthermore, the phylogeny of the Miscanthus sinensis complex of Taiwan was reconstructed by cladistic analysis on nucleotide sequences of nuclear ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacers (nrDNA ITS) region and atpB - rbc L non-coding spacer of the chloroplast DNA. Rooted at M . floridulus the monophyly of M . sineneis was significantly supported by molecular evidence. The origin of this complex could be dated to the last glacial withdrawal about 20 000 years ago.     

Smoke Water and Heat Shock Influence Germination of Shortgrass Prairie Species

Smoke or heat from fire can act as a cue that affects seed germination. We examined germination responses of 10 plant species (six forbs, two shrubs, two grasses) native to the southern High Plains in the United States, to smoke, heat, and their interaction in a laboratory experiment. Smoke treatments were applied by soaking seeds in 1∶5, 1∶10, or 1∶100 (v/v) Regen 2000® smoke solution for 20 h. Heat treatments were applied by placing seeds in an oven at 50°C or 80°C for 5 min. Nine species responded to smoke, heat, or both. Results showed that smoke can enhance, inhibit, or not affect seed germination. Germination capacities of Gutierrezia sarothrae (Pursh) Britton & Rusby and Astragalus crassicarpus Nutt. were promoted by 1∶5 and 1∶100 dilutions of smoke water, respectively; Coreopsis tinctoria Nutt., G. sarothrae, Salvia reflexa Hornem., Digitaria ciliaris (Retz.) Koeler, and Panicum virgatum L. were inhibited by high and/or moderate concentrations of smoke water either in germination percentage or in mean germination time. Germination percentage of Solanum elaeagnifolium Cav. increased following an 80°C heat treatment. Interaction effects between smoke and heat on germination also were detected. Smoke and heat treatments might be useful as management tools for promoting or suppressing specific target species of shortgrass prairie communities in future habitat management.