Symmetry breaking and convergent extension in early chordate development

The initiation of axis, polarity, cell differentiation, and gastrulation in the very early chordate development is due to the breaking of radial symmetry. It is believed that this occurs by an external signal. We suggest instead spontaneous symmetry breaking through the agency of the Turing-Child field. Increased size or decreased diffusivity, both brought about by mitotic activity, cause the spontaneous loss of stability of the homogeneous state and the evolution of the metabolic pattern during development. The polar metabolic pattern is the cause of polar gene expression, polar morphogenesis (gastrulation), and polar mitotic activity. The Turing-Child theory explains not only the spontaneous formation of the invagination in gastrulation but also the coherent cell movement observed in convergence and extension during gastrulation and neurulation. The theory is demonstrated with respect to experimental observations on the early development of fish, amphibian, and the chick. The theory can explain a multitude of experimental details. For example, it explains the splayed polar progression of reduction in the fish blastoderm. Reduction starts on that side of the blastoderm margin, which will initiate invagination several hours later. It progresses toward the blastoderm center and somewhat laterally from this future "dorsal lip". This is precisely as predicted by a Turing-Child system in a circle. And for a fish like zebrafish with a blastoderm that is slightly oval, reduction is observed to progress along the long axis of the ellipse, which is what Turing-Child theory predicts. In general the shape and the chemical nature of the experimental patterns are the same as predicted by the Turing couple (cAMP, ATP). Embryological polarity and convergent extension are based on polar eigenfunction and saddle-shaped eigenfunction, respectively.     

Seed rafting as a dispersal strategy for eelgrass (Zostera marina)

Using observations, experiments and model simulations we investigate the possibility and range of long-distance dispersal by seed rafting in eelgrass, Zostera marina, at the Swedish west coast. A field experiment showed that the breaking strength of post-flowering rhipidia decreased significantly over a 30-day period, indicating that ontogenetic changes of the morphology facilitate dislodgement of the rhipidia at the optimal time for dispersal. We recorded positive buoyancy of detached post-flowering rhipidia for at least 26 days. Finally, we found evidence for sexual reproduction via seeds in the study area. These results, together with field measurements of wind-driven surface-transport velocity of rhipidia and wind data from 7 years, allowed us to model a dispersal potential of up to 150 km in one season along the Swedish west coast, which corresponds well with published estimates of dispersal potential from both observational and genetic studies. The results add to evidence that rafting of seeds on floating reproductive shoots is an important dispersal strategy for eelgrass, allowing for colonisation of new areas and for recolonisation after die-back events.     

黑麦6R染色体在小麦背景中的减数分裂行为

减数分裂既是高等生物染色体变异的敏感期,又是变异得以顺利传递给子代的关键期。以黑麦６Ｒ染色体为例,观察其在小麦背景中的减数分裂行为,先是发现６Ｒ抑制小麦同源染色体正常配对,造成单价体数量的增加;同时注意到６Ｒ与其部分同源的小麦染色体６Ｄ几乎不能发生配对。其次是观察到单价体在减数分裂期容易产生断裂的现象,特别是首次发现单价体碎裂,对进一步深入研究异源染色体臂间易位和小片段易位的形成具有借鉴价值。     

A Comparison of the Mechanical and Structural Properties of Fibrin Fibers with Other Protein Fibers

In the past few years a great deal of progress has been made in studying the mechanical and structural properties of biological protein fibers. Here, we compare and review the stiffness (Young’s modulus, E) and breaking strain (also called rupture strain or extensibility, ε_max) of numerous biological protein fibers in light of the recently reported mechanical properties of fibrin fibers. Emphasis is also placed on the structural features and molecular mechanisms that endow biological protein fibers with their respective mechanical properties. Generally, stiff biological protein fibers have a Young’s modulus on the order of a few Gigapascal and are not very extensible (ε_max < 20%). They also display a very regular arrangement of their monomeric units. Soft biological protein fibers have a Young’s modulus on the order of a few Megapascal and are very extensible (ε_max > 100%). These soft, extensible fibers employ a variety of molecular mechanisms, such as extending amorphous regions or unfolding protein domains, to accommodate large strains. We conclude our review by proposing a novel model of how fibrin fibers might achieve their extremely large extensibility, despite the regular arrangement of the monomeric fibrin units within a fiber. We propose that fibrin fibers accommodate large strains by two major mechanisms: (1) an α-helix to β-strand conversion of the coiled coils; (2) a partial unfolding of the globular C-terminal domain of the γ-chain. The senior authors R. R. Hantgan and S. T. Lord have contributed equally to this article.     

Face à une suspicion de cancer ou de récidive de cancer : pratiques,communication et difficultés des médecins nucléaires français

Nuclear imaging techniques have been occupying an increasingly large place in the study of potentially cancerous morphological abnormalities. A National French survey was conducted among members of the French Society of Nuclear Medicine (Société française de médecine nucléaire) to study the usual practices of nuclear medicine physicians regarding information and communication during the “pre-announcement” stage of a cancer diagnosis. Sixty-six doctors (with an average of 44.7 years of age and 16.3 years of experience) working in mainland France responded to the online survey between November 2013 and February 2014. Most physicians said that they were uncomfortable in this kind of situation. Half of the doctors interviewed faced that situation at least 5 times a month. Communication habits were varied: 20% of them adopted a systematic approach (chose ‘always’ or ‘never’ to communicate information regardless of the patients’ demands) and 80% adapted their approach to the situations and to the patients (communication ‘on case by case basis’ and ‘upon request’). The survey also showed that professionals have contrasting views on the relevance, interest and risks of informing patients about the results of the tests in this kind of situation. Our study shows that it is necessary to discuss the position of nuclear medicine physicians in the pre-announcement procedure set out in the French Cancer Plan so as to reduce the challenges facing them while at the same time organizing and defining their roles.     

野黄桂的引种繁殖试验

野黄桂为常绿乔木,既是重要的药用和香料植物,也有观赏价值。原为野生,现已在中国科学院武汉植物研究所引种驯化成功,可以推广栽培。它的种子休眠的原因在胚的外部。这种休眠能被流水浸泡,GA和KN处理及冷层积打破。种子在3—5℃层积2—3个月,发芽率达85—89%。种子在15—30℃的温度中都可发芽,但最适发芽温度为20℃。种子应于采收后即播或及时层积至春播。当年生幼苗夏天应遮荫,冬季应防冻。它对气候和土壤的适应性较强,可塑性较大,在武汉地区生长发育良好。     

Germination uniformity of Fraxinus excelsior controlled by seed water content during cold treatment

The seeds of Fraxinus excelsior L. are dormant after harvest, since they need a period of chilling for germination. Moist treatment at 20°C for 2–3 months followed by stratification at 4°C for 7 months breaks dormancy. We observed that germination occurred during stratification and was spread over a period of 3 months. Germination at low temperature was temporarily inhibited by a moderate reduction of the seed water content initiated after the third month of stratification. This allowed the afterripening process to continue.
The following procedure was developed to suppress dormancy and to induce uniform germination:

• 1. 

  Imbibition of the seeds and moist treatment at 20°C for 2–3 months;
• 2. 

  stratification for 3 months;
• 3. 

  treatment at low temperature and low water potential for at least 4 months, this treatment should not exceed 6 months;
• 4. 

  complete rehydration of the seeds at 16°C.

     

Narcocorridos and newbie drug dealers: the changing image of the Mexican Narco on US television

As a Spanish-language broadcast programme based on a sympathetic Mexican character who also happens to be a drug kingpin, La Reina del Sur negotiates the perilous terrain of the European drug trade and an omnipresent hostility directed at Mexicans. As cable programmes with the industrial freedom to venture into spaces in between prosocial and antisocial, Weeds and Breaking Bad attempt to incorporate a more nuanced and culturally informed characterization of the Mexican drug dealer – one that notably impacts the relationship of the white protagonists to their new occupations as producers and dealers of illegal substances. These three series – produced independently of one another and distributed on three different networks – have crossed paths in a manner that can be revealed through the intricacies of a controversial and complex cultural artifact: the narcocorrido.     

蛋清破花粉壁的研究

花粉含有人类所需的各种营养成分,具有较高的营养和保健价值,因为花粉外壁含有油胡萝卜素和类胡萝卜素酯组成的物理,化学及酶稳定的花粉素,故影响对花粉的深加工,本文报道经长期研究的蛋清破花粉壁的方法,以微球菌（Ｍ．ｌｙ８ｓｏｄｅｉｋｔｉｃｕｓ）为对照,发现花粉外壁含有肽聚糖,不但为研究花粉破壁进行了提供了依据,而且能用于多种花粉产品的生产。     

Germination in Zostera japonica is determined by cold stratification, tidal elevation and sediment type

The effects of water temperature and bottom sediment type were studied on seed dormancy and germination of Zostera japonica Ascherson & Graebner in mesocosm. To test whether the germination rate is affected by cold stratification, seeds were divided into two groups: those exposed to cold (7 °C) and those left untreated (23–15 °C). Additionally, to mimic tidal variation, we used five tidal depth treatments for germination experiments in mesocosm. In mesocosm tanks, there was a wide range of daily fluctuating temperature at datum line +40 cm (17–25 °C), D.L. +20 cm (15 °C), and D.L. +0 cm (4–7 °C). In contrast, the maximum temperature range at D.L. −20 cm and −40 cm was narrow (5–6 °C). In the no cold stratification group, the maximum germination rates on sandy, muddy sand, and muddy bottom sediment were 3%, 11%, and 3%, respectively. In the cold stratification group (7 °C), the maximum germination rates were 40%, 53%, and 54%, respectively. First germination was observed 36 ± 0 days and 43 ± 6 days after the start of the germination experiment in the cold stratification group and the no cold stratification group, respectively. Bottom sediment type and tidal level did not affect seed germination in the both stratification group. Cold stratification strongly increases germination in all sediment types tested and under varying temperature regimes and at different tidal levels. We also tested whether seed germination is affected by daily fluctuations in temperature (10 °C constant, 15 °C/10 °C, and 20 °C/10 °C were compared) in an indoor incubator. Forty-two days after being sown, the maximum seedling emergence rates in the three groups were 3 ± 5%, 21 ± 7%, and 42 ± 26%, respectively. At 20 °C/10 °C, first germination was observed 11 days after the start of incubation, the germination rate rose sharply after 18 day of incubation, and then it leveled off after 32–42 days of incubation. In the no cold stratification group, seed germination was not observed in any of the three treatments. This finding suggests that the breaking of seed dormancy and germination of Z. japonica seeds are determined strongly by cold temperature and daily fluctuations of temperature, respectively.