Zooplankton feeding ecology: bacterivory by metazoan microzooplankton

Bacterivory by the rotifer Brachionus plicatilis Müller, nauplii and copepodites of the copepods Centropages Krøyer sp. and Acartia tonsa Dana, and the tintinnid Favella panamensis Kofoid & Campbell was examined using fluorescently labelled bacteria (FLB) and epifluorescence microscopy. FLB were < 1 μm in diameter, and were offered at environmental concentrations (1.47−9.08 × 10⁶ cells·ml⁻¹). FLB were visible within rotifers, nauplii, copepodites, and tintinnids, confirming ingestion. Rotifer clearance rates (32–418 μl·animal⁻¹·h⁻¹) exhibited no relation with FLB concentration. In some cases rates of clearance of FLB by rotifers were different with alternative phytoplankton food (Nanochloris Naumann sp.) than in replicates with FLB alone, whereas in other cases presence of alternative food exhibited no clear effects on rates of ingestion of FLB. Clearance rates for all six naupliar stages of A. tonsa nauplii (0–320 μl·animal⁻¹·h⁻¹) were stage-related, with higher rates by NIII-VI nauplii than NI-II nauplii. Nauplii had higher rates of clearance of FLB in the absence of alternative phytoplankton food (Isochrysis Parke sp.). Clearance rates of FLB by a single stage of Centropages sp. nauplii, A. tonsa CI copepodites and F. panamensis (each obtained at only a single food concentration of either 1.5 or 5.0 × 10⁶ cells·ml⁻¹) were within the range of 85–142 μl·animal⁻¹·h⁻¹. These ranges were similar to those of rotifers and A. tonsa nauplii. This is the first report of FLB ingestion by metazoan marine microzooplankton. Although rotifers and ciliates might be expected to ingest small particles such as FLB using ciliary induced feeding currents, the means by which nauplii and copepodites eat FLB is less clear. We propose that they may “eat” bacteria as they “drink” to osmoregulate.     

Effect of growth hormone and γ-aminobutyric acid on Brachionus plicatilis (Rotifera) reproduction at low food or high ammonia levels

Growth hormone (GH, 0.0025 and 0.025 I.U. ml⁻¹) and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA, 50 μg ml⁻¹) enhance rotifer population growth in batch cultures. In order to further understand the mechanism of their actions, we conducted experiments culturing isolated females at low food and high free ammonia levels. At an optimum food level of 7×10⁶ Nannochloropsis oculata cells ml⁻¹ or at low free ammonia level of 2.4 μg ml⁻¹, the F₁ offspring of rotifers treated with GH at 0.0025 I.U. ml⁻¹ had significantly higher population growth rate (r) and net reproduction rate (Ro), and shorter generation time than untreated rotifers. At a lower food level of 7×10⁵ cells ml⁻¹ or at high free ammonia level of 3.1 μg ml⁻¹, rotifers treated with GABA at 50 μg ml⁻¹ had significantly higher r and Ro, and shorter generation time. These results indicate that GABA is effective in enhancing rotifer reproduction when rotifers are cultured under stress whereas GH enhances rotifer reproduction when culture conditions are optimal. Significant effects were also observed in F¹ and F² generations which were not treated with hormones. These data may be useful for treating rotifer mass cultures to mitigate the effects of stress caused by high population densities.     

Brown tide alga, Aureococcus anophagefferens, can affect growth but not survivorship of Mercenaria mercenaria larvae

Since the collapse of populations of northern quahogs (hard clam), Mercenaria mercenaria, in Long Island bays, brown tide blooms have been proposed to pose a barrier to recovery. We tested whether the brown tide alga, Aureococcus anophagefferens, affects survivorship, development or growth in the larvae of M. mercenaria. There was no effect of A. anophagefferens (clone CCMP1708) on survivorship of hard clam larvae, even at bloom concentrations. Under most experimental conditions, larvae fed a mixed diet of Isochrysis galbana (T-Iso) and A. anophagefferens or a single species diet of A. anophagefferens, developed faster than those fed a single species diet of Isochrysis. A mixed diet of I. galbana and A. anophagefferens either had no effect on larval growth, or produced enhanced growth at moderate cell densities (8 × 10⁴ cells ml⁻¹ of A. anophagefferens). Similarly, moderate cell densities of a single food diet of A. anophagefferens (1.6 × 10⁵ cells ml⁻¹) generally had no effect on the growth of larvae. When fed bloom concentrations (10⁶ cells ml⁻¹) of A. anophagefferens, larvae developed faster, but growth was reduced, compared to those fed an equal biovolume of Isochrysis. Larvae fed slow growing or near stationary phase cultures of A. anophagefferens experienced reduced growth and slowed development. These data suggest a qualitative difference between slow or stationary phase and fast growing cultures of the brown tide alga. They also suggest that impacts of A. anophagefferens, when present, are likely to be due to the nutritional quality of this alga as a food source for hard clam larvae, which could have a lasting legacy through ontogeny. Additional studies are needed to test whether our findings apply to more recently isolated strains of A. anophagefferens.     

An in vitro Cr release assay for Ascaris suum infective larvae

This report describes the use of ⁵¹Cr release as a measure of the viability of Ascaris suum inefective larvae after treatment with sodium hypochlorite or kalafungin. Inefective larvae of A. suum were treated with varying dilutions of these compounds and percent ⁵¹Cr release and percent visual larval damage were recorded. An 8% solution of sodium hypochlorite released >90% of the ⁵¹Cr and produced >90% visual larval damage. Kalafungin released >32% ⁵¹Cr and produced >60% visual larval damage at a concentration of 1 μg·ml⁻¹. The results demonstrate that both assays are equal indicators of the viability of A. suum infective larvae when the cytotoxic agent is sodium hypochlorite. Kalafungin, an inhibitor of mitochondrial function, is detected more efficiently using percent visual larval damage when compared to ⁵¹Cr release.     

The effect of diamphenethide on protein synthesis by the liver fluke, Fasciola hepatica

The effect of the deacetylated (amine) metabolite of diamphenethide (DAMD, 10 μg ml⁻¹) on the uptake and incorporation by adult Fasciola hepatica of radioactively labelled precursors of DNA, RNA and protein synthesis ([³H]thymidine, [³H]uridine and [³H] leucine, respectively) was measured by liquid scintillation counting. Comparison was made between the effects of DAMD and those of specific inhibitors of DNA, RNA and protein synthesis, namely, 5-fluorouracil, cordycepin and cycloheximide, respectively. DAMD caused a significant decrease in the overall uptake and incorporation of [³H]uridine by F. hepatica, decreased the incorporation of [³H] leucine and also caused a significant decrease in the overall protein content of the flukes. The effect of DAMD was similar to that of cycloheximide (1 × 10⁻³M), a potent inhibitor of protein synthesis, which also caused a significant decrease in the incorporation of [³H] leucine by the fluke and a decrease in the overall protein content of the fluke. Cordycepin (100 μg ml⁻¹) caused a significant decrease in the protein content of the fluke, but had no effect on the uptake or incorporation of [³H]uridine. 5-Fluorouracil (1 × 10⁻⁴ ) did not affect the uptake or incorporation of [³H]thymidine, nor did it decrease the protein content of the fluke. The results indicate that DAMD inhibits protein synthesis by F. hepatica, possibly by inhibiting RNA synthesis. The results are also consistent with previous morphological investigations involving DAMD.     

Studies on composition and stability of a large membered bacterial consortium degrading phenol

A ten member microbial consortium (AS) consisting of eight phenol-degrading and two non-phenol-degrading strains of bacteria was developed and maintained in a fed-batch reactor by feeding 500 mg l⁻¹ phenol for four years at 28 ± 3 °C. The consortium could degrade 99% of 500 mg l⁻¹ phenol after 24 hours incubation with a biomass increase of 2.6 × 10⁷ to 4 × 10¹² CFU ml⁻¹. Characterization of the members revealed that it consisted of 4 principal genera, Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Rhodococcus, Streptomyces and an unidentified bacterium. Phenol degradation by the mixed culture and Bacillus subtilis, an isolate from the consortium was compared using a range of phenol concentrations (400 to 700 mg l⁻¹) and by mixing with either 160 mg l⁻¹ glucose or 50 mg l⁻¹ of 2,4-dichlorophenol in the medium. Simultaneous utilization of unrelated mixed substrates (glucose/2,4-dichlorophenol) by the consortium and Bacillus subtilis, indicated the diauxic growth pattern of the organisms. A unique characteristic of the members of the consortia was their ability to oxidize chloro aromatic compounds via meta pathway and methyl aromatic compounds via ortho cleavage pathway. The ability of a large membered microbial consortia to maintain its stability with respect to its composition and effectiveness in phenol degradation indicated its suitability for bioremediation applications.     

Characterisation of the polysaccharide produced by Acetobacter xylinum strain CR1/4 by light scattering and atomic force microscopy

The molecular weight of the extracellular polysaccharide (CR1/4) produced by Acetobacter xylinum strain CR1/4 has been shown to be dependent upon growth conditions. Under normal growth conditions a high molecular weight polysaccharide (>1×10⁶ Da) is produced. Maintaining the pH at 5 results in an order of magnitude increase in the total yield of polysaccharide, but also an order of magnitude decrease in molecular weight. Analysis of the CR1/4 polysaccharides by the techniques of atomic force microscopy and static light scattering suggests that they are double helices. In solution the molecules behave as stiff coils with a Kuhn statistical segment length of 325 nm.     

Relationships between larval nutritional experience, larval growth rates, juvenile growth rates, and juvenile feeding rates in the prosobranch gastropod Crepidula fornicata

Planktonic larvae experiencing short periods of starvation or reduced food supply often grow and develop more slowly, have poor survival, fail to metamorphose, metamorphose at smaller sizes, or grow slowly as juveniles. In this study, we examined the impact of short periods of food limitation at various stages of larval development on larval and juvenile growth in Crepidula fornicata. In addition, we considered whether juveniles that were stressed as larvae grew poorly because of reduced rates of food collection due to impaired gill function. For 5 experiments, larvae were either starved for several days beginning within 12 h of hatching or were starved for the same number of days following 1 or more days of feeding at full ration (cells of the naked flagellate Isochrysis galbana, clone T-ISO, at 18×10⁴ cells ml⁻¹). In one experiment, larvae were transferred for 2 or 4 days to seawater with extremely low phytoplankton concentration (1×10⁴ cells ml⁻¹). In all experiments, larvae were returned to full ration following treatment. Control larvae were fed full ration from hatching to metamorphosis. When larvae reached shell lengths of about 900 μm they were induced to metamorphose and then reared individually at full ration in glass bowls, with phytoplankton suspension replenished daily. Larval and juvenile growth rates were determined by measuring changes in shell length (longest dimension) over time. Juvenile feeding rates were determined by monitoring changes in phytoplankton concentration over 2–3 h at the end of the growth rate determinations. In general, larval growth rates for the first 2 days after the resumption of feeding were inversely proportional to the length of time that larvae were starved. However, larval growth rates ultimately recovered to control levels in most treatments. Starving the larvae caused a significant reduction in initial juvenile growth rates (first 3–4 days post-metamorphosis) in most experiments even when larval growth rates had recovered to control levels prior to metamorphosis. Juvenile growth rates were not significantly reduced when larvae were subjected to reduced food availability (1×10⁴ cells ml⁻¹), even for treatments in which larval growth rates were compromised. Mean weight-specific filtration rates for juveniles were significantly reduced (p<0.05) following larval feeding experience in only one or possibly 2 of the 4 experiments conducted. Our data suggest that although larvae of C. fornicata may fully recover from early nutritional stress, the resulting juveniles may exhibit poor initial growth due to impaired gill function, reduced digestive capability, or reduced assimilation efficiency.     

Physicochemical characterization of an acetan variant secreted by Acetobacter xylinum strain CR1/4

Chemical mutagenesis has been used to produce mutants of Acetobacter xylinum NRRL B42 that are cellulose-negative and that produce variants of the acetan structure deficient in the side-chain sugar residues. The product of A. xylinum strain CR1/4 has been shown to possess a tetrasaccharide repeat unit with the side chain terminating in glucuronic acid. X-ray diffraction studies of oriented fibres suggest that the polysaccharide CR1/4 forms a fivefold helix with a pitch of 4.8 nm. Light-scattering studies on CR1/4 solutions suggest a molecular weight of 1.2 × 10⁶ with radii of gyration values of 86 nm (aqueous solution) and 67 nm (0.1 NaCl solution). The magnitude of the measured radii of gyration and the shape of the Holtzer plots suggest that CR1/4 can be described as a stiff coil. Preliminary differential scanning calorimetry data show melting behaviour consistent with order-disorder transitions of a charged helical structure. Rheological studies have revealed new synergistic interactions of CR1/4 with locus bean gum. Comparative studies of acetan and CR1/4 show that decreasing the length of the side chain enhances the solution viscosity.     

Kinetic studies on 1:1 electron transfer reactions involving blue copper proteins : 8. Reactions of plastocyanin and azurin with cytochrome c and high potential iron-sulfur protein

Rate constants determined by the stopped-flow method for four protein-protein reactions at 25°C, pH's in the range 5.8–7.5. I = 0.10 M (NaCI), are as follows: cytochrome c(II) with plastocyanin, PCu(II). 1.5 × 10⁶ M⁻¹ sec⁻¹, pH 7.6; high-potential iron-sulfur protein (Hipip) with PCu(II), 3.7 × 10⁵ M⁻¹sec⁻¹. pH 5.8; cytochrome c(II) with azurin, ACu(ll). 6.4 × 10³ M⁻¹sec⁻¹, pH 6.1; Hipip with ACu(II), 2.2 × 10⁵ M⁻¹sec⁻¹, pH 5.8. Activation parameters have been determined for all four reactions; they indicate higher enthalpy requirements and less negative entropy requirements for the PCu(II) as opposed to ACu(II) reactions. Equilibrium constants K for association prior to electron transfer are < 150 M⁻¹ for the cytochrome c(II) reduction of PCu(II) (estimated charges 8 + and 9-,respectively), and < 300 M⁻¹ for the other reactions, indicating no favorable interactions. Rate constants have been analyzed in terms of the simple Marcus theory, which has previously given an excellent fit to thirteen protein-protein reactions considered by Wherland and Pecht. No similar correlation exists in the present studies, and calculated rate constants differ by orders of magnitude from experimentally determined values.     

Determination of bacterial cell number and cell volume by means of flow cytometry, transmission electron microscopy, and epifluorescence microscopy

Comparative measurements of bacterial total counts and volumes of flow cytometry (FCM), transmission electron (TEM), and epifluorescence microscopy (EFM), were undertaken during a four week mesocosm experiment. Total counts of bacteria measured by TEM, EFM, and FCM were in the range of 1 · 10⁶−6 cells ml⁻¹, 1 · 10⁶−3 · 10¹⁶ cells ml⁻¹, and 5 · 10⁵ cells ml⁻¹ respectively. The mean volume of the bacterial community, measured by means of EFM and TEM, increased from 0.12–0.15 μm³ at the start of the experiment to 0.39–0.53 μm³ at the end. Generally, there was good agreement between the two methods and regression analyses gave r = 0.87 (p < < 0.01) for cell volume and r = 0.97 (p < < 0.01) for cell number. DAPI stained bacteria with volumes less than 0.2 μm³ were not detected by flow cytometry and these were generally an order of magnitude lower than counts made by TEM and EFM. For samples where the mean bacterial cell volume was longer than 0.3 μm³, all three methods were in agreement both with respect to counts and volume estimates.     

Structure, physical, chemical and photophysical properties of Pt(bph) (CO)2, where bph is the biphenyl dianion

The complex Pt(bph) (CO)₂ crystallizes in the space group Cmcm with a = 18.647(6), B = 9.566(2) and C = 6.4060(5) Å. The geometry of the molecule is slightly distorted from square planar with a Pt---C(CO) bond distance of 1.98(2) Å and a Pt---C(bph) bond distance of 2.04(2) Å. The Pt(bph)(CO)₂ complex serves as a precursor for the preparation of a wide variety of Pt(bph)X₂ complexes, where X = monodentate ligands such as acetonitrile, pyridine, etc., and X₂ = bidentate ligands such as bypyridine, 1,10-phenanthroline, etc. In the solid state, the complex exhibits a green color, but when ground with an alkali metal salt turns deep blue to purple. In CH₂Cl₂, the color disappears but optical transitions are observed at 271 nm (2.7 × 10⁴ M⁻¹ cm⁻¹), 303 nm (1.1 × 10⁴ M⁻¹ cm⁻¹) and 330 nm (5.5 × 10³ M⁻¹ cm⁻¹). The complex is a weak emitter exhibiting a structured spectrum in CH₂Cl₂ at r.t. with maxima located at 562 and 594 nm and an emission lifetime of 3.1 μs when excited at 337 nm.     

Plant regeneration from mesophyll protoplasts of Solanum commersonii dun

Somatic fusion of Solanum commersonii, a frost tolerant wild potato species not crossable with Solanum tuberosum, relies on the possibility to isolate and culture protoplasts. This study was conducted to determine whether protoplasts could be isolated and plants regenerated in three S. commersonii accessions. Shoot cultures for protoplast isolation were maintained on Murashige and Skoog medium. Mesophyll protoplasts were isolated and cultured using a protocol originally described for S. tuberosum with some modifications. Differences were evident among the three accessions for protoplast yield, plating efficiency and regeneration frequency. Protoplast yield ranged from 3.0 to 8.5 × 10⁶ protoplasts per g of fresh tissue. At 1–2 × 10⁴ protoplasts ml⁻¹, which was the optimal plating density, 10–20% of plated protoplasts gave multicellular colonies. Regeneration of shoots was observed in two accessions only, the maximum regeneration frequency being 66%. In one of these accessions the reduction of sucrose concentration in regeneration media improved the regeneration frequency from 14 to 35%. About three hundred plants were rooted in vitro and successfully transferred to soil.     

Feeding on dinoflagellates by intermediate and late stage crab zoeae raised in the laboratory and collected from the field

Hatching stage crab larvae will ingest algae, including non-toxic and toxic dinoflagellates. We determined that later zoeal stages, obtained from both laboratory-raised larvae and natural assemblages, also ingest dinoflagellates and we measured the effects of prey density, prior feeding history and time of exposure to prey on incidence of ingestion. Both stage 1 and later stage larvae exposed to algal prey were examined using epifluorescence for the presence of chl a. Both stage 1 and stage 3 laboratory-raised Cancer oregonensis (Dana) and Hemigrapsus nudus (Dana) ingested both the non-toxic dinoflagellate Prorocentrum micans Ehrenberg and the toxic Alexandrium andersoni Balech, with no difference between the stages. Both species showed higher ingestion of P. micans than A. andersoni. Ingestion of both prey types occurred at prey densities as low as 200 cell ml^− 1 in C. oregonensis and 50 cells ml^− 1 in H. nudus. Samples collected in summer, 2004, provided both stage 1 and late stage Lophopanopeus bellus (Stimpson); stage 1, intermediate, and late stage Fabia subquadrata Dana; and an unidentified porcellanid. Stage 1 L. bellus ingested both prey, while late stage zoeae did not, although the latter apparently were not actively feeding. F. subquadrata fed on both prey, with no difference between early and late larvae. Both stages ingested P. micans more readily than A. andersoni. First evidence of ingestion of P. micans at 600 cells ml^− 1 occurred after only 0.5 h, while it took 2 h for ingestion at 50 cells ml^− 1. The model of larval feeding involving both omnivory and prey discrimination described previously for the hatching stage is sustained throughout zoeal development and is, perhaps, an adaptation to an uncertain prey environment, one that trades opportunism for inefficiency.     

Alexandrium catenella and Alexandrium minutum blooms in the Mediterranean Sea: Toward the identification of ecological niches

Annual recurrent blooms of the toxic dinoflagellates Alexandrium catenella and Alexandrium minutum were detected from 2000 to 2003 in harbours along the Catalan coast. The interrelation study between the occurrence of the blooms and specific external conditions at the study sites demonstrated that different factors are required for the bloom of each Alexandrium species. Concentrations higher than 10⁵ cells l⁻¹ of A. catenella were only detected in Tarragona harbour. These blooms were associated with water surface temperature between 21 and 25 °C and salinities of around 34 psu or higher than 37 psu. A. minutum appeared widely spread along the Catalan coast, though the most intensive and recurrent blooms of this species were observed in Arenys de Mar harbour. Concentrations of millions of cells per litre of A. minutum were associated with water temperatures below 14 °C and salinities of around 34–36 psu. A. minutum cell densities showed a positive significant correlation with NO₃ but a negative correlation with NH₄. On the other hand, A. catenella blooms dominated when both NO₃ and NH₄ levels were high. The prevailing inorganic nitrogen form (NO₃ vs. NH₄) could explain why these two species rarely coincide in the same harbours. Accumulation of cysts in the sediment was found to be an important potential factor for the recurrence of these species. The 4.3 × 10³ A. catenella cysts cm⁻³ of wet sediment in Tarragona harbour and the 3.02 × 10³ A. minutum cysts cm⁻³ of wet sediment in Vilanova harbour were the highest concentrations observed from the cyst study. Confined waters such as harbours play an important role as reservoirs for the accumulation of cysts and vegetative cells, which contributes to the expansion of these dinoflagellates in the region. However, the particular environmental conditions are also decisive factors of bloom intensity.     

Simultaneous determination of 5-fluorouracil and uracil by high-performance liquid chromatography using four serial columns

A sensitive assay was developed for the quantitation of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and uracil using liquid–liquid extraction (LLE) and HPLC with UV detection. Analyses were performed with four μBondapak C₁₈ columns connected in series using 20 mM acetic acid with 1% ACN as mobile phase. The calibration curves were linear across the range of 26–1000 ng ml⁻¹ (0.21–7.8 μM) for 5-FU and 1.0–14.0 μg ml⁻¹ (0.01–110 μM) for uracil. This assay has been implemented to determine the plasma concentrations for pharmacokinetic studies for 5-FU and uracil in conjunction with clinical trials.     

A method for direct harvest of bacterial cellulose filaments during continuous cultivation of Acetobacter xylinum

Continuous filamentation of bacterial cellulose (BC) was successfully achieved by using shallow pan for the incubation to regulate thickness of the BC gel produced by Acetobacter xylinum. The BC filament was harvested and prepared directly by picking up BC pellicles, the thin BC gel, and winding slowly from the surface of the culture medium passed through a preliminary bactericidal washing bath. The X-ray diffraction analysis and scanning electron microscopic observation of the BC filament thus obtained showed that the filament was smooth and the fairly good orientation of BC molecules.

The average tensile strength was 4.4 g denier⁻¹ for the filament prepared by hot alkaline treatment and subsequent washing with distilled water and dried under tension (Filament W): 3.4 g denier⁻¹ for washing with 10% aqueous ethylene glycol after alkaline treatment followed by drying under tension (Filament E) and 2.4 g denier⁻¹ for the treatment with 10% ethylene glycol after normal water-washing followed by drying under tension.     

The non-specific inhibition of enzymes by environmental pollutants: a study of a model system towards the development of electrochemical biosensor arrays

Previous research has shown that lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) was competitively inhibited by pentachlorophenol (PCP) and a modified assay produced a detection limit of 1 μM (270 μg l⁻¹). This work used spectrophotometric rate-determination but in order to move towards biosensor development the selected detection method was electrochemical. The linkage of LDH to lactate oxidase (LOD) provided the electroactive species, hydrogen peroxide. This could be monitored using a screen-printed carbon electrode (SPCE) incorporating the mediator, cobalt phthalocyanine, at a potential of +300 mV (vs. Ag/AgCl). A linked LDH/LOD system was optimised with respect to inhibition by PCP. It was found that the SPCE support material, PVC, acted to reduce inhibition, possibly by combining with PCP. A cellulose acetate membrane removed this effect. Inhibition of the system was greatest at enzyme activities of 5 U ml⁻¹ LDH and 0.8 U ml⁻¹ LOD in reactions containing 246 μM pyruvate and 7.5 μM NADPH. PCP detection limits were an EC₁₀ of 800 nM (213 μg l⁻¹) and a minimum inhibition detectable (MID) limit of 650 nM (173 μg l⁻¹). The inclusion of a third enzyme, glucose dehydrogenase (GDH), provided cofactor recycling to enable low concentrations of NADPH to be incorporated within the assay. NADPH was reduced from 7.5 to 2 μM. PCP detection limits were obtained for an assay containing 5 U ml⁻¹ LDH, 0.8 U ml⁻¹ LOD and 0.1 U ml⁻¹ GDH with 246 μM pyruvate, 400 mM glucose and 2 μM NADPH. The EC₁₀ limit was 150 nM (39.9 μg l⁻¹) and the MID was 100 nM (26.6 μg l⁻¹). The design of the inhibition assays discussed has significance as a model for other enzymes and moves forward the possibility of an electrochemical biosensor array for pollution monitoring.     

Biological Control and Use of Adjuvants against Multiple Seeded Cocklebur (Xanthium strumarium) in Comparison with Several Other Cocklebur Types

Common cocklebur has several biotypes including multiple seeded cocklebur (MSC), NCC-TX, and NCC-MS. Alternaria helianthi applied at 2.5×10⁴ conidia mL^-1 in a 50% micro-emulsion of unrefined corn oil (MESUCO) or 0.2% Silwet L 77 caused 60-75% mortality on NCC-TX and MSC. Increasing the conidial concentration to 5×10⁴ mL^-1 increased mortality to 100% on MSC and NCC-TX, and 75% on NCC-MS. At 10×10⁴ conidia mL^-1, A. helianthi caused 100% mortality in all three biotypes. No mortality occurred in any biotype at inoculation rates of 2.5 and 5×10⁴ conidia mL^-1 when applied in water. Increasing the dew period from 0 to 12 h increased mortality from 0 to 100% on all three biotypes at a rate of 2.5×10⁴ conidia mL^-1 in Silwet and MESUCO. MSC appears to be the most sensitive biotype.     

Thermodynamics of the disproportionation of adenosine 5'-diphosphate to adenosine 5'-triphosphate and adenosine 5'-monophosphate, II. Experimental data

High-pressure liquid-chromatography and microcalorimetry have been used to determine equilibrium constants and enthalpies of reaction for the disproportionation reaction of adenosine 5′-diphosphate (ADP) to adenosine 5′-triphosphate (ATP) andadenosine 5′-monophosphate (AMP). Adenylate kinase was used to catalyze this reaction. The measurements were carried out over the temperature range 286 to 311 K, at ionic strengths varying from 0.06 to 0.33 mol kg⁻¹, over the pH range 6.04 to 8.87, and over the pMg range 2.22 to 7.16, where pMg = -log a(Mg²⁺). The equilibrium model developed by Goldberg and Tewari (see the previous paper in this issue) was used for the analysis of the measurements. Thus, for the reference reaction: 2 ADp³⁻ (ao) AMp²⁻ (ao)+ ATp⁻ (ao), K° = 0.225 ± 0.010, ΔG° = 3.70 +- 0.11 kJ mol ⁻¹, ΔH° = −1.5 ± 1. 5 kJ mol ⁻¹, °S ° = −17 ± 5 J mol⁻¹ K⁻¹, and ACP_p°≈ = −46 J mo1l⁻¹ K⁻¹ at 298.15 K and 0.1 MPa. These results and the thermodynamic parameters for the auxiliary equilibria in solution have been used to model the thermodynamics of the disproportionation reaction over a wide range of temperature, pH, ionic strength, and magnesium ion morality. Under approximately physiological conditions (311.15 K, pH 6.94, [Mg²⁺] = 1.35 × 10⁻³ mol kg⁻¹, and I = 0.23 mol kg⁻¹) the apparent equilibrium constant (K_A′ = m(ΣAMP)m(ΣATP)/[ m(ΣADP)]²) for the overall disproportionation reaction is equal to 0.93 ± 0.02. Thermodynamic data on the disproportionation reaction and literature values for this apparent equilibrium constant in human red blood cells are used to calculate a morality of 1.94 × 10⁻⁴ mol kg⁻¹ for free magnesium ion in human red blood cells. The results are also discussed in relation to thermochemical cycles and compared with data on the hydrolysis of the guanosine phosphates.