The population and community structure of Hawaiian fringing-reef crustose Corallinaceae (Rhodophyta,Cryptonemiales)

Measurements of cover, relative density, and frequency are given for the major reefbuilders on the Waikiki fringing reef. Crustose coralline algae cover 39% of the reef surface and exceed all other organisms as the major builders and consolidators of reef materials. An unidentified coralline (melobesioid C) covers the greatest area (17 %), but Hydrollthon reinboldii (Weber-van Bosse & Foslie) Foslie (11 % cover) because of its thicker thalli and higher relative density (45 %) and frequency (68 %) values is the primary limestone former. Melobesioid C ranks second and Sporolithon erythraeum (Rothpletz) Kylin (6 % cover) third in relative importance. Porolithon onkodes (Heydrich) Foslie (3 % cover), although shown by its low density (4 %) and frequency (6 %) to have a comparatively restricted distribution, is more important than P. gardineri (Foslie) Foslie (2 % cover). P. onkodes maintains and provides the surf-resistant reef edge and is, therefore, of great ecological importance. Coelenterate corals cover less than 1 % of the total area and are relatively unimportant on the fringing reef. The hypothesis is developed that the high ratio (200 : 1) of crustose corallines to corals at Waikiki may be partly due to increases in eutrophication.Experimental evidence shows that P. onkodes can withstand intense illumination and is thereby unique among Hawaiian crustose Corallinaceae. Sporolithon erythraeum is more typical of other crustose corallines since it is physiologically adapted to low-light habitats.     

Sleep and blood pressure.

Direct arterial pressure was recorded continuously over 24 hours in 18 totally unrestricted people (six normotensives, four untreated hypertensives, and eight treated hypertensives). There was an almost equal fall of about 20% in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure during sleep in the three groups when compared with their waking pressures. This fall in pressure was greater than that observed previously in patients sleeping in a laboratory or hospital. Furthermore, it suggests that hypertensive subjects do not have a higher centrally-induced vasoactive component and that hypotensive drugs do not alter the pattern of blood pressure behaviour induced by sleep.     

Indolocarbazoles: potent, selective inhibitors of human cytomegalovirus replication.

In our search for new, safer anti-HCMV agents, we discovered that the natural product Arcyriaflavin A (la) was a potent inhibitor of HCMV replication in cell culture. A series of analogues (symmetrical indolocarbazoles) was synthesised to investigate structure activity relationships in this series against a range of herpes viruses (HCMV, VZV, HSV1, and 2). This identified a number of novel, selective and potent inhibitors of HCMV, 12,13-dihydro-2,10-difluoro-5H-indolo[2,3-a]pyrrolo[3,4-c]carbazol e-5,7-(6H)-dione (1d) being the best example (IC50=40 nM, therapeutic index > 1450). Compounds described in this series were generally poor inhibitors of protein kinase C betaII, and no correlation was found between the ability to inhibit HCMV and the enzyme PKC.     

Nonstructural proteins of herpes simplex virus. II. Major virus-specific DNa-binding protein

The major herpes simplex virus type 2 DNA-binding infected cell-specific polypeptides 11 and 12 have been purified to homogeneity from extracts of virus-infected cells. Monospecific antiserum to the purified protein has been made and used to examine virus temperature-sensitive mutants for defects in the synthesis of the protein and to probe virus DNA synthesis in isolated chromatin. The purified protein acted directly on a polydeoxyadenylic acid-polydeoxythymidylic acid helix, reducing its melting temperature. The results indicated that the protein functions in virus DNA synthesis.     

The Barrier Reef sediment apron: Tobacco Reef,Belize

Sedimentological and biological surveys of the back-reef sediment apron of Tobacco Reef, a continuous segment of the Belizean Barrier Reef, reveal five distinct biogeological zones: (1) coralline-coral-Dictyota pavement, (2) Turbinaria-Sargassum rubble, (3) Laurencia-Acanthophora sand and gravel, (4) bare sand and 95 Thalassia sand. These zones parallel the entire 9-km reef. The distribution of these zones is related to the spatial patterns of fish herbivory, the size of bottom sediments, and the stability of the substrate. Sedimentological and hydrodynamic studies indicate that most of the sediments in this area are transported from the reef crest and fore reef during periods of storm or hurricane activity and that their size distribution is largely the result of differential transport by high bottom-water velocities during those periods.     

Continuous Recording of Direct Arterial Pressure and Electrocardiogram in Unrestricted Man

A system has been devised which records direct arterial pressure, electrocardiogram, and other variables in man with no restriction of activity. The advantage of this system is that the record is on magnetic tape, and it is possible to replay the records at various speeds to analyse each beat or to produce an entire 24-hour record on a few feet of paper. A marker allows the timing of relevant events. Initial experience with this procedure indicates that is is safe and reliable.