Physiological interactions and development synchronisations between non-diapausing Ostrinia nubilalis larvae and the tachinid parasitoid Pseudoperichaeta nigrolineata

The physiological relationships between Ostrinia nubilalis Hübner and its tachinid parasitoid Pseudoperichaeta nigrolineata Walker are described under abiotic conditions which induce development of the host without diapause. The parasitoid lowers the larval growth of the host: the maximal weight attained by the parasitized larvae represented only 78% of that of healthy ones. The duration of the last larval host instar increased to 10.4 days in parasitized O. nubilalis compared to 8.0 days in unparasitized ones. The influence of the host on the parasitoid development was studied experimentally after parasitization of O. nubilalis larvae of instars 2 to 5. When the second larval instar of the host is parasitized, the overall duration of parasitoid larval development lasts twice as long as when the fifth instar is parasitized. The best yield of parasitoid pupariae (50%) is obtained when parasitization occurs in instar 3. We show that good synchronisation exists between the larval development of the host and its parasitoid. There are four phases of parasitoid development which would appear to require a signal from the host: the start of the growth of newly hatched parasitoid larvae and the 3rd to 4th instar ecdysis of the host; the first moulting of the parasitoid and the 4th to 5th instar ecdysis of the host; the growth resumption of the parasitoid instar II (weight about 1 mg) and the small rise of the ecdysteroid level in the middle of host instar 5; and in all probability, the second parasitoid moulting and the larval-pupal apolysis of the host.

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Résumé Les relations physiologiques entre O. nubilalis et le tachinidae P. nigrolineata ont été étudiées dans des conditions abiotiques telles que l'hôte présente un développement sans diapause. Le parasitoïde ralentit la prise de poids de l'hôte: le poids maximal des chenilles parasitées ne représente que 78% de celui des chenilles saines. Seule la durée du 5ème stade est significativement plus longue chez les chenilles parasitées que chez les saines (10,4 contre 8,0 jours). L'influence de l'hôte sur le développement du parasitoïde à été expérimentée en parasitant des stades 2 à 5 d'O. nubilalis. Lorsque l'infestation a lieu au stade 2, le développement larvaire complet du parasitoî de dure deux fois plus longtemps que lorsque l'infestation a lieu au stade 5. Le meilleur rendement en pupes (50%) est obtenu lorsque l'infestation a lieu au stade 3. Il a été montré qu'il existe une bonne synchronisation entre le développement de l'hôte et de son parasitoî de. Il y a 4 phases physiologiques du développement larvaire de P. nigrolineata qui semblent nécessiter un signal provenant de l'hôte pour être dépassées. Ainsi peuvent être mis en relation: — le début de la croissance de la larve néonate du parasitoî de et l'ecdysis 3/4 de l'hôte; — la première mue du parasitoïde et l'ecdysis 4/5 de l'hôte; — la reprise de la croissance du stade II du parasitoïde, vers un poids de 1 mg et la remontée des taux d'ecdystéroïdes au milieu du stade 5 de l'hôte. et probablement, — la seconde mue du parasitoïde et l'apolyse nymphale de l'hôte. Les expérimentations vont se poursuivre pour déterminer les facteurs en cause. Ces phénomènes de synchronisation seront aussi étudiés dans le cas de la diapause de l'hôte.

     

Evolutionary relationship between Enterobacteriaceae: comparison of the ATP synthases (F1F0) of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae

The ATP synthase complex of Klebsiella pneumoniae (KF₁F₀) has been purified and characterized. SDS-gel electrophoresis of the purified F₁F₀ complexes revealed an identical subunit pattern for E. coli (EF₁F₀) and K. pneumoniae. Antibodies raised against EF₁ complex and purified EF₀ subunits recognized the corresponding polypeptides of EF₁F₀ and KF₁F₀ in immunoblot analysis. Protease digestion of the individual subunits generated an identical cleavage pattern for subunits , , , , a, and c of both enzymes. Only for subunit different cleavage products were obtained. The isolated subunit c of both organisms showed only a slight deviation in the amino acid composition. These data suggest that extensive homologies exist in primary and secondary structure of both ATP synthase complexes reflecting a close phylogenetic relationship between the two enterobacteric tribes.Abbreviations ACMA 9-amino-6-chloro-2-methoxyacridine - DCCD N,N-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide - FITC fluorescein isothiocyanate - SDS sodium dodecyl sulfate - TTFB 4,5,6,7-tetrachloro-2-trifluoromethylbenzimidazole     

Algesia and local responses induced by neurokinin A and substance P in human skin and temporal muscle

Neurokinin A (NKA), substance P (SP) and the two peptides combined (SP + NKA) were injected intracutaneously on the forearm and into the temporal muscle of healthy volunteers. Pain intensity, cutaneous wheal and flare responses and tenderness of the temporal muscle were quantitated. SP but not NKA induced cutaneous pain. This relates the algesic effect of SP to the specific N-terminal amino acid sequence of the peptide, not shared by NKA. NKA, however, potentiated the algesic effect of SP as SP + NKA induced a significantly prolonged cutaneous pain sensation. Both peptides induced wheals, but only SP induced flare. These results confirm previous studies relating wheal formation to the identical C-terminal amino acid sequence of the two peptides and flare reaction to the N-terminal part of SP. Injections into the temporal muscle did not cause pain or tenderness.     

Somatic characteristics of an Australian population of Oreochromis mossambicus (Pisces: Cichlidae)

Synopsis The Oreochromis mossambicus population of North Pine Dam, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia was studied over three years, from 1985 to 1988. Basic somatic data were obtained and characteristic values of condition factor, sex ratio, gonosomatic index and the relationships between total and standard lengths, and length and weight, were calculated. Standard length is proportional to total length by the formula SL = –0.321 + 0.799 TL. Weight is related to length by the isometric formula W = aL³. Condition factor values spanned the range 0.0254 to 0.0563, with an average of 0.04078 for males and 0.03877 for females. The sex ratio is 1: 1 until maturity is reached (21 cm SL), at which time the catch rate of the sexes varies due to divergent habitat selection behaviour. Average values of gonosomatic index, considered in relation to maturity classification, are similar to those obtained from other populations, however maximum values are generally much lower, at 0.47 for males and 3.62 for females. These characteristic values are compared, with varying degrees of concordance, with those for populations of this species in other countries.     

一个描述多种产量-密度关系的经验模型

本文提出一个新的关于产量-密度关系的经验模型,该模型具有以下主要特点。(1) 能描述低密度下不存在种内干扰的产量-密度的直线关系;(2) 能描述从直线型、渐近无极限型、渐近极限型到变型抛物型等多种产量密度类型;(3)参数具有显著的生态学意义。 对温室和田间试验中种内干扰与产量密度关系的实例研究结果表明,该模型能很好地描述在不同程度的种内干扰下所产生的多种类型的产量-密度关系。     

Occurrence of rye (Secale cereale) 350-family DNA sequences inAgropyron and otherTriticeae

Evidence is presented that in the R and P genomes (Secale cereale andAgropyron cristatum, respectively) of theTriticeae there exist closely related 350-family DNA sequences in the terminal heterochromatin. This observation is compared to the relationships between these two genomes derived from a comparison of theNor and5 S DNA loci as well as the available data on morphological characters, chromosome pairing, and isozyme studies. It is concluded that the R and P genomes are not closely related and that the common presence of very similar 350-family DNA sequences reflects the parallel amplification of this family of DNA sequences.     

重楼属植物的化学数量分类学研究

重楼属植物是重要的药用植物。从1938年起,国内外科学家对它们的化学成分和药用价值已经进行了40多年的研究。我所从重楼属植物中分离鉴定了16个不同的甾体皂甙。本文利用高压液相色谱对重楼属植物甾体皂甙的定性和定量分析结果,根据L. B. Thien, W. H. Heimermann, R. T. Holman植物化学成分间的数量关系计算公式,对14种重楼的三组甾体皂甙含量进行计算,得出这14种重楼化学成分之间的数量关系,并画出数量关系图。     

Voltage dependence of Na/K pump current inXenopus oocytes

Summary Stage V and VI (Dumont, J.N., 1972.J. Morphol. 136:153–180) oocytes ofXenopus laevis were treated with collagenase to remove follicular cells and were placed in K-free solution for 2 to 4 days to elevate internal [Na]. Na/K pump activity was studied by restoring the eggs to normal 3mm K Barth's solution and measuring membrane current-voltage (I–V) relationships before and after the addition of 10 m dihydroouabain (DHO) using a two-microelectrode voltage clamp. Two pulse protocols were used to measure membraneI–V relationships, both allowing membrane currents to be determined twice at each of a series of membrane potentials: (i) a down-up-down sequence of 5 mV, 1-sec stair steps and (ii) a similar sequence of 1-sec voltage pulses but with consecutive pulses separated by 4-sec recovery periods at the holding potential (–40 mV). The resulting membraneI–V relationships determined both before and during exposure to DHO showed significant hysteresis between the first and second current measurements at each voltage. DHO difference curves also usually showed hysteresis indicating that DHO caused a change in a component of current that varied with time. Since, by definition, the steady-state Na/K pumpI–V relationship must be free of hysteresis, the presence of hysteresis in DHO differenceI–V curves can be used as a criterion for excluding such data from consideration as a valid measure of the Na/K pumpI–V relationship. DHO differenceI–V relationships that did not show hysteresis were sigmoid functions of membrane potential when measured in normal (90mm) external Na solution. The Na/K pump current magnitude saturated near 0 mV at a value of 1.0–1.5 A cm^–2, without evidence of negative slope conductance for potentials up to +55 mV. The Na/K pump current magnitude in Na-free external solution was approximately voltage independent. Since these forward-going Na/K pumpI–V relationships do not show a region of negative slope over the voltage range –110 to +55 mV, it is not necessary to postulate the existence of more than one voltage-dependent step in the reaction cycle of the forward-going Na/K pump.     

Serial studies of autologous antibody reactivity to squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck

Summary In previous studies we evaluated the incidence and specificity of autologous antibody reactivity against squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN). We were able to demonstrate that autologous antibody reactivity is present in native sera but was usually of too low a titer to allow further analysis. Dissociation of immune complexes by acidification and ultrafiltration of serum augmented autologous antibody reactivity in nine out of nine autologous systems tested. Native antibody and antibody derived from immune complexes produced by the host and reactive with autologous tumor cells may be directed against physiologically relevant antigens. Therefore, correlations of antibody titers with clinical course may provide insight into the nature of the host response to cancer. In the present analysis, serological studies of six patients with SCCHN were performed with serum samples obtained over many months. Results of serial serological assays were correlated to tumor progression and clinical course. Fluctuations in autologous antibody reactivity were noted over time. In four cases, rises in autologous antibody titers preceded the clinical diagnosis of recurrence by several months. Drops in autologous antibody reactivity were noted in two cases following surgery or radiation therapy. In two cases of long-term survivors, no correlation between antibody reactivity and clinical course was noted. Specificity analysis of the six autologous systems demonstrated reactivity against autologous and allogeneic SCCHN as well as melanoma cell lines. These sera did not react with glioma, neuroblastoma, renal cell, breast, bladder and colon carcinoma cell lines nor with fetal calf serum, pooled lymphocytes, red blood cells and platelets. Autologous serial serological studies may provide a means by which to evaluate the host/tumor relationship in patients with SCCHN.     

Growth and reproduction of the Nile perch,Lates niloticus,an introduced predator,in the Nyanza Gulf,Lake Victoria,East Africa

Synopsis Length-frequency data suggest Nile perch, Lates niloticus, from the Nyanza Gulf grew to a total length of 9 cm by age 118 days and 23 cm by age 287 days. A modified von Bertalanffy growth curve _t = 1.35·L(1-e^–K(t-t _o)) with the parameters L = 93.1, K = 0.272 and t_o = 0.046, is suggested to describe growth up to 5 years of age and the relationship _t = 1.35·(31.96 + 7.681t) for fish aged 6 years and above. Length-weight relationships were = 0.0234·-gt^2.74 for fish between 7 and 15.9 cm total length, = 0.0151·^2.94 for fish between 16 and 45.9 cm total length, and = 0.0023·^3.44 for fish between 46 and 120 cm total length. Male Nile perch first matured between 50 and 55 cm total length when they were probably 2 years old; female Nile perch first matured between 80 and 85 cm total length when they were probably 4 years old. Small males were common, large males were rare, with the reverse holding for females. Sex change, from male to female, is a possible explanation for this size dimorphism.