The performance of the global protected area system in capturing vertebrate geographic ranges

Given the heavy reliance placed on and investment in protected areas for biological conservation, there has been much debate as to how effective these are in representing biodiversity features within their boundaries. The majority of studies addressing this issue have been conducted on a regional or national basis, precluding a broad picture of patterns of representation at the species level. We present a global assessment of the representation of the terrestrial geographic ranges of complete taxonomic groups: all known extant amphibians, birds and mammals (20,736 species) within the current global system of protected areas. We conclude that it is necessary substantially to improve the levels of coverage of the geographic ranges of the majority of species, even the widespread ones. This is particularly true for rare species, which might be assumed to be foci for protected area systems. To improve on the low levels of coverage of vertebrate ranges attained by the existing areas, key regions should be targeted, but heavy reliance will also have to be placed on approaches to sustaining populations in the wider, unprotected landscape.     

Cytochemistry of the acute leukaemias

Summary The use of the Romanowsky staining technique, Sudan Black B, the periodic acid-Schiff reaction and methods for revealing peroxidase, acid and alkaline phosphatases and butyrate, acetate or chloroacetate esterases for identifying and discriminating subvarieties of acute leukaemia at the light microscope level is reviewed and the results of their application in a recent study of the first 720 cases admitted to the Medical Research Council's 8th Acute Myeloid Leukaemia trial summarized. The distribution of varieties of acute myeloid leukaemia and the relevance of age and cytochemical findings to clinical prognosis is presented. Identification of the predominant primitive cell—myeloblast, promyelocyte, monoblast, and others—appears to have little prognostic significance. In fact, the presence of periodic acid-Schiff positive erythroblasts is a bad prognostic sign.The association of certain cytochemical findings with the 15;17 translocation and acute promyelocytic leukaemia, especially the patterns of esterase positivity in Auer rods and the Sudan Black, peroxidase, periodic acid-Schiff and esterase findings characteristic of the 8;21 translocation are illustrated. Cytochemical features helpful in distinguishing acute megakaryoblastic leukaemia, notably the periodic acid-Schiff reaction, differential esterase reactivities and 5-nucleotidase, are discussed and illustrated.Brief reference is made to the cytochemical differentiation of lymphoblastic leukaemias. Details of a technical method for the demonstration of 5-nucleotidase are given.     

On-line measurement of gas-exchange conditions in fermentation processes

Gas-exchange conditions of C. ulilis cultures were analyzed by an on-line, real-time operating digital computer interfaced with a 250 liter, highly instrumented fermentor. Information obtained from the computer was correlated with wet chemical analytical data related to nucleic acid, protein, and ethyl alcohol production rates. Once the correlation was established, the computed gas-exchange data, especially the RQ which functions as an indicator of the cells physiological condition, could be used as a real-time process status indicator which follows or forecasts events during the fermentation. It was also found that electrical noises generted on the sensor-instrument level may handicap the interpretation of the meaning of computed process status indicators. Since “clear” data is considered as a prerequisite to follow the physiological conditions and perform control of environmental variables, a special computer program is necessary to filter the electric noises at the sensor-instrument level prior to the on-line, real-time data analysis for process status identification.     

Cytochemistry of yolk elements in the Amphioxus egg

Summary The Amphioxus egg develops compound yolk and lipid yolk, besides the cortical vacuoles described previously. The compound yolk elements consisting of carbohydrates, proteins, lipoproteins, and triglycerides originate within the ooplasmic masses that are constituted by the yolk nucleus substance and mitochondria. The lipid yolk elements, which are poorly developed, stain for phospholipids; the exact mode of their formation could not be determined. The behaviour and cytochemistry of organelles (yolk nucleus and mitochondria) have also been described.     

Cytochemistry of Phosphatases in Myxococcus xanthus

An Mg(2+)-dependent and a K(+)-stimulated adenosine triphosphatase were localized by cytochemistry at or near both surfaces of the cytoplasmic membrane of Myxococcus xanthus. An alkaline and an acid phosphatase resided at the external surface of the membrane or in the periplasm. All enzymes could be extracted from partially fixed cells with Mg(2+)-deficient buffers. Suboptimal external phosphate elicited dissociation of adenosine triphosphatase from the membrane but not that of the unspecific phosphatases. The dissociated enzymes migrated into the cytoplasm where they were associated mainly with cytoplasmic aggregates.     

Cytochemistry of membrane proteases

Summary Membrane proteases that are detectable by cytochemical means are the classified exopeptidases, aminopeptidases A and M (or N), -glutamyl transpeptidase (which also acts as transferase), dipeptidyl peptidase IV and the endopeptidase, enteropeptidase (also known as enterokinase). Not yet classified are the possible expeptidase, tripeptidyl peptidase and endopeptidases I (Ala-endopeptidase) and II (Arg-endopeptidase). All these membrane proteases can be investigated with either chromogenic or fluorogenic procedures using synthetic peptide substrates. The most useful substrates are 4-methoxy-2-naphthylamine amino acids and peptides for cytochemical localizations at the light and electron microscope levels, for cytophotometric quantification and the study of membrane protease isoenzymes after analytical isoelectric focusing. Amino acid or peptide derivatives of naphthylamine AS can be recommended for light microscopical localization and cytofluorometric quantification, and 7-amino-4-methylcoumarin and 7-amino-4-trifluoromethylcoumarin amino acids and peptides for the development of enzyme bands after isoelectric focusing. Cytochemistry reveals the heterogeneity in the distribution and species differences of membrane proteases in adult cells, tissues and organs and during development. It also reveals some common localizations, such as in small intestinal enterocytes and proximal tubule cells. The species and organ differences are substantiated and extended considerably by isoelectric focusing in combination with methods for the cytochemical detection of proteases. In addition, continuous cytophotometry or cytofluorometry (section and cultured cell biochemistry) allows the kinetic characteristics, initial reaction rates and maximum activities of all membrane proteases to be determined.The physiological functions of the endopeptidases and exopeptidases are still a matter of debate. However, from cytochemical inhibition studies with natural peptide substrates, e.g. peptide hormones, there is increasing evidence that the proteases detected with synthetic peptides play a decisive role in many physiological circumstances, e.g. in endocrine regulation mechanisms or the regulation of blood pressure. In this respect, capillary endothelium-linked surface membrane proteases may be especially important.     

Cytochemistry of mature angiosperm pollen

The problems involved in applying histochemical and cytochemical methods to mature angiosperm pollen for bright light and fluorescence microscopy are discussed. These methods can be used for general examination or to reveal particular structures or groups of substances. The main methods of testing pollen viability and germinability based on stains and semiquantitative methods are also reviewed. The main methods of staining and their applications are summarised.