Arthropods associated with nests of Cacicus sp. and Psarocolius sp. (Passerida: Icteridae) in varzea forest near the meeting of the rivers Negro and Solimões (Central Amazonia,Brazil) at high water

We analysed the arthropod fauna from nine nests of Cacicus sp. and nine nests of Psarocolius sp. (Passerida: Icteridae), in the varzea forest of Central Amazonia, Brazil, during high water, establishing these nests as one of the probable refuges for several arthropods performing vertical migration during periods of flooding and high water, besides discussing the role of these arthropods in the nests. We also evaluate the effectiveness of the extraction of arthropods from nests using an apparatus based on the Berlese–Tullgren funnel. We obtained 15,128 arthropods from three subphyla, five classes and 16 orders. The nests were shown as complex ecosystems sheltering groups from different functional and trophic categories and revealed striking differences from those of terra firma, remarkably in Blattaria, Arachnida and Pseudoscorpiones. The increasing volume of the funnel and time of heat exposure was shown to be appropriate for extraction of the arthropods from the bulky nests of these birds.     

MiR-205 inhibits the invasion and migration of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma by modulating SMAD1 expression

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma （ESCC） is one of the most lethal cancers worldwide. In this study, we aimed to investigate the underlying mechanisms of metastasis inhibition by miR-205 in ESCC. In microRNA （miRNA） array and quantitative RT-PCR analyses, we found that the expression level of miR-205 was significantly lower in patients with lymph node metastasis compared with that in patients without lymph node metastasis. After transfection of miR-205 mimics or inhibitors into ESCC cell lines, a significant negative correlation was observed between the expression level of miR-205 and Smad 1. In luciferase reporter assays, we revealed that miR- 205 inhibited the expression of SMAD1 by targeting the 3＇ untranslated region （3＇-UTR） of SMAD1 mRNA in ESCC cells. Furthermore, our results showed that miR-205 sup- pressed the invasion and migration of ESCC cells, whereas Smadl increased their invasion and migration. Taken together, our study demonstrates that miR-205 functions as a suppressor of tumor metastasis by regulating SMAD1 expression through targeting the 3＇-UTR of SMAD1 mRNAin ESCC. Therefore, miR-205 may be a potential therapeutic target for miRNA-based therapy of ESCC.     

Nonlinear RCMC method for spaceborne/airborne forward-looking bistatic SAR

In the spaceborne/airborne forward-looking bistatic synthetic aperture radar (SA-FBSAR),due to the system platforms’ remarkable velocity difference and the forward-looking mode,the range cell migration (RCM) not only depends on the target’s twodimensional location,but also varies with the range location nonlinearly.And the nonlinearity is not just the slight deviation from the linear part,but exhibits evident nonlinear departure in the RCM trajectory.If the RCM is not properly corrected,nonlinear image distortions would occur.Based on the RCM model,a modified two-step RCM compensation (RCMC) method for SA-FBSAR is proposed.In this method,firstly the azimuth-dependent RCM is compensated by the scaling Fourier transform and the phase multiplication.And then the range-dependent RCM is removed through interpolation.The effectiveness of the proposed RCMC method is verified by the simulation results of both point scatterers and area targets.     

Extracellular matrix and neuronal movement

Summary During brain development, both neuronal migration and axon guidance are influenced by extracellular matrix molecules present in the environment of the migrating neuronal cell bodies and nerve fibers. Glial laminin is an extracellular matrix protein which these early brain cells preferentially attach to. Extracellular glycosaminoglycans are suggested to function in restricting neuronal cell bodies and axons from certain brain areas. Since laminin is deposited along the radial glial fibers and along the developing nerve pathways in punctate form, the punctate assemblies may be one of the key factors in routing the developing neurons in vivo. This review discusses the role of laminin in neuronal movement given the present concept of the extracellular matrix molecules and their proposed interactions.     

Spatiotemporal programs and genetics of orientation

Summary A number of migratory bird species have endogenous annual rhythms that regulate the entire annual cycle including the migratory portion. Moreover, captive migrants display inherited migratory activity; this could theoretically also be used by free-living migrants as a time-program for migration. Finally, this heritable migratory activity is oriented in a seasonally appropriate direction even in naive birds. These, characteristics should enable inexperienced migrants isolated from contact with experienced conspecifics to utilize a heritable vector-navigation program to migrate from the breeding grounds to the winter quarters. That is, migrants should reach goal areas they have never experienced by migrating in programmed directions, for as long a period as the genetically fixed time-program for migratory activity induces them to do so. The time-course of migration as established by trapping stations, theoretical influences of environmental variables on migratory programs, and also compensatory behavior and migratory backup measures, are discussed. The present evidence supports the view that a large number of migrants are essentially brought to their wintering areas by vector-navigation systems.     

Wind and orientation of migrating birds: A review

Summary Migratory flights are strongly affected by wind, and birds have developed many adaptations to cope with wind effects. By day, overland migrants at high altitudes may often allow crosswinds to drift their tracks laterally from the preferred heading. In contrast, many birds at low altitude adjust their headings to compensate for drift, and may overcompensate to allow for previous drift. The relative motion of landscape features is probably used to sense drift, at least by day. By night, some overland migrants compensate fully for drift but others do not; no pattern is obvious. Over the sea, compensation is rarely if ever total; wave patterns may allow partial compensation. Other adaptations can include reduction of drift by flying at times and/or altitudes without strong crosswinds. Some birds recognize the need to change course to allow for previous wind displacement, and reorient at least roughly toward the original route or destination. Some juveniles en route to previously-unvisited wintering grounds seem to have this ability, but corroboration is needed. Such reorientation may not require a true navigation ability. However, some birds have unexplained abilities to sense the wind while aloft.