Contamination on sandflats and the decoupling of linked ecological functions

Benthic macrofauna can influence inputs and transformations of energy and matter in estuaries, affecting both the stocks of vital materials (e.g. carbon, oxygen) and the rates of key processes (e.g. organic matter decomposition, nutrient uptake). Although a number of studies have identified shifts in functional groups or biological traits in relation to anthropogenic stressors, there have been few field‐based assessments of changes in functioning associated with stress gradients. We used a comparative experimental approach to investigate functioning on two sandflats with differing exposures to urban contaminants. Apart from significant differences in sediment contaminant concentrations (43.2 ± 1.8 mg kg^?1 Zn and 15.6 ± 0.9 mg kg^?1 Pb at the Pollen site; 17.7 ± 0.7 mg kg^?1 Zn and 7.9 ± 0.9 mg kg^?1 Pb at the Waiheke site), the two sandflats were readily comparable: both had similar sediment grain size distributions and were dominated by the same macrofaunal species; and both were in non‐eutrophic New Zealand marine reserves with low ambient sediment organic matter content. To better understand the effects of contaminants on biologically mediated transformations of organic matter into inorganic nutrients, we manipulated sediment organic matter content and macrofaunal abundance in standardized treatments at each site. Fluxes of oxygen and ammonium, which are linked to key sandflat processes such as organic matter decomposition and benthic photosynthesis, were measured as response variables 1 week after the experimental manipulations. We predicted more efficient organic matter processing on the uncontaminated flat and thus expected to see elevated ammonium efflux in response to organic enrichment treatments at this site. Higher rates of benthic photosynthesis were predicted for plots with higher ammonium efflux, as ammonium is a readily utilizable form of limiting inorganic nitrogen. We documented significant positive relationships between ammonium uptake and benthic primary production on the uncontaminated flat, but weaker/insignificant relationships at the contaminated site. Our data were consistent with theories of increased variability and a decoupling of system processes with increasing amounts of stress.     

Antibiotic therapy of abscess of the lung and bronchiectasis

A clinical evaluation of phenylbutazone and Butapyrin(R) (a mixture of phenylbutazone and aminopyrine) was made in 409 patients who had a variety of rheumatic diseases. Preliminary European claims were substantiated.In gout a specific favorable effect was brought about by phenylbutazone alone. Effects equivalent to the previously reported favorable response to Butapyrin (Irgapyrin) were observed when its constituent phenylbutazone was used alone. The drug had a suppressive effect in a high percentage of patients with rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, arthritis with psoriasis and mixed arthritis (rheumatoid arthritis plus osteoarthritis). Favorable effect in peritendinitis of the shoulders, osteoporosis of the spine and acute lumbosacral strain also was noted. Toxicity resulted in discontinuance of medication in 10 per cent of patients with each drug. Manifestations of toxicity generally included fluid retention, nausea and rash, but there were several instances of transitory leukopenia and anemia. There was one instance of agranulocytosis with Butapyrin but none with phenylbutazone.dagger Aggravation of peptic ulcer occurred in ten patients with hemorrhage in two. Generally the toxicity was of a low order as compared with that of other drugs having an antirheumatic effect.     

Seasonal variation in septal spacing of Sepia officinalis and some Ordovician actinocerid nautiloids

Studies of cuttlebone of Sepia officinalis L. from the English Channel show a direct and linear correlation between ambient water temperature and septal spacing. The application of this observation to fossil shallow-water nautiloids and ammonoids is complicated by the equatorial habitat of many of these shells, their declining rate of chamber production through ontogeny and a paucity of large and complete specimens. But annual temperature variations are the most likely cause of variations in septal spacing a priori , temperature apparently being the prime determinant of feeding and growth rates of individuals at a particular ontogenetic stage. ▭ Nautiloids, annual growth, Ordovician , Sepia, English Channel.     

Steroidal Oestrogens and Adventitious Root Formation in Phaseolus Cuttings

Solutions of oestrone, oestrone-phosphate, oestrone-sulphate,oestradiol and oestradiol-sulphate in the concentration range10^–3 mol m^–3 to 10^–7 mol m^–3 had noobservable morphological or anatomical effects on adventitiousroot formation in Phaseolus vulgaris hypocotyl, epicotyl andprimary leaf cuttings. Oestradiol-sulphate and oestrone-sulphatetreatments at 0.1 mol m^–3 significantly inhibited rootingin hypocotyls, and the inhibition was almost complete in epicotylsand primary leaves. In the latter, anomalous development ofvascular tissues was noted. However, neither oestrone-phosphateat 0.1 mol m^–3 nor direct application of up to 100 µgof the oestrogens to apices or primary leaves of explants modifiedthe pattern of root formation. The results are discussed withreference to the distributive and metabolic fates of the appliedsubstances. Phaseolus vulgaris L., bean, adventitious roots, steroidal oestrogens, translocation