Megakaryocytes in rabbit pulmonary blood vessels

Semiserial sections of lung capillaries of seven rabbits were examined for megakaryocytes. Triads of serial sections of each lobe were examined, and megakaryocyte counts per cm2 were determined. Median megakaryocyte count was determined for each lobe. The lobal values were used to calculate the was determined for each lobe. The lobal values were used to calculate the median cell-counts for each experimental animal. Values of 0.16-0.64 megakaryocytes per cm2 were established as "normal".     

Nutrient distribution in an 8-year-oldPinus virginiana (Mill.) stand

Summary Half-sib progeny from ten selected Virginia pine trees were grown on two randomized blocks and harvested at age eight. The trees were divided into four components: foliage, branches, bolewood, and bolebark. The concentration of N, P, K, and Ca was determined for each component of each tree. The results were combined with dry matter distribution data to find the total content of each nutrient for each tree.Significant family effects were observed for Ca concentration in bolewood and Ca content in bolebark. Block effects were significant in many instances. An estimate of the total nutrient content of the above-ground portion of the stand was made for each block.     

Microhabitat associations of three species of Dryopoidea (Coleoptera) in an Ozark stream: a comparison of substrate, and simple and complex hydraulic characters

Microhabitat associations of adults and larvae of Stenelmis lateralis Sanderson, Optioservus sandersoni Collier (Coleoptera: Elmidae) and larvae of Psephenus herricki (DeKay) (Coleoptera: Psephenidae) were examined within riffles of an Ozark stream in Missouri. The invertebrate fauna was sampled from 150 quadrats, and each quadrat was characterized by a suite of substrate, simple hydraulic, and complex hydraulic variables. Larvae were assigned to size classes for analyses. MANOVAs were performed to determine if differences existed between sites of presence and absence for each of the three species separately. Subsequently, ANOVAs and Bonferroni sequential adjustments were performed to determine differences in each habitat variable that are related to presence or absence of each group. Multiple regression was performed to determine which habitat variables were important determinants of density for each taxon. Finally, discriminant function analyses were performed to determine the degree of overlap in microhabitat associations of each group. A clear distinction was seen between sites of occurrence and absence for P. herricki, and for larvae of each elmid species (MANOVAs). For P. herricki, current velocity and the complex hydraulic characteristics of Reynolds number and boundary Reynolds number were important in determining beetle presence. In contrast, substrate characteristics were major determinants of presence for larvae of O. sandersoni and S. lateralis. In general, the density of each of the three species was related to a different subset of abiotic variables. For each species, the most definitive microhabitat associations were seen in the early instars. Microhabitat associations for larvae of each elmid species were size class-specific. Inclusion of complex hydraulic characteristics along with substrate and simple hydraulic characteristics provided greater resolution of microhabitat associations.     

Glasshouse-based selection to identify agronomically adapted, uniform true potato seed (TPS) progenies

Twenty-five true potato seed progenies and five clonally maintained cultivars were grown in a glasshouse. Tubers of each clone of each progeny were grown in a field experiment. At harvest, one seed tuber was taken from each plant and field grown for a second year. After each experiment, the tubers from every plant were weighed and counted and their colour, shape, form (regularity) and skin finish assessed. Progeny means and variances for each character were calculated. There were significant differences between means for each character in all experiments, except mean yield in the glasshouse, variances for each character in both field experiments and tuber number variances and colour variances in the glasshouse. In general, Pearson's product-moment correlations between glasshouse and field assessments were moderate or poor (r ≤ 0.6) and inconsistent between experiments. Spearman's rank correlations between glasshouse and field assessments for progeny means were similar to the linear correlations, while those for variances were somewhat better. Rank correlation gave more consistent results between experiments. Ranking glasshouse means will allow some worthwhile progeny selection for tuber colour, shape and skin finish. It can be a useful screen for progenies with the highest levels of uniformity for all characters.     

Differences in seed longevity at the species level

Abstract Published seed storage data for 92 species derived from 13 localities were subjected to probit analysis to determine the half-viability period (P₅₀) for each sample. Estimates of half-viability period for each species averaged over all 13 localities were calculated using a least square means procedure applied to known values for the half-viability period for each species at each of its storage stations. The results reported here represent an initial step in the objective organization of seed longevity data.     

Incorporating evolutionary processes into conservation planning using species distribution data: a case study with the western Mediterranean herpetofauna

Aim To incorporate evolutionary processes into conservation planning using species distribution patterns and environmental gradients as surrogates for genetic diversity. Location Western Mediterranean Basin. Methods Distributions of 154 herpetological species were predicted using maximum entropy models, and groups of significantly co‐occurring species (biotic elements) were identified. Environmental gradients were characterized for the complete area and for the area covered by each biotic element, by performing a principal component analysis on the data matrix composed of nine environmental variables. The first two principal component analysis axes were classified into four categories each, and those categories were combined with each other resulting in an environmental classification with 16 categories. To identify priority conservation areas, biotic elements and environmental categories were used as surrogates for the neutral and adaptive components of genetic diversity, respectively. Priority areas for conservation were identified under three scenarios: (1) setting targets for species only; (2) setting targets for species and for each environmental category of the overall area; and (3) setting targets for each species and for each environmental category within each biotic element. Results Nine biotic elements were identified – four for the amphibians and five for the reptiles. Priority areas identified in the three scenarios were similar in terms of amount of area selected, but exhibited low spatial agreement. Main conclusions Prioritization exercises that integrate surrogates for evolutionary processes can deliver spatial priorities that are fairly different to those where only species representation is considered. While new methods are emerging to incorporate molecular data in conservation prioritization, it is unlikely to be enough data for enough taxa for this to be feasible in many regions. We develop an approach using surrogates for both the neutral and adaptive components of genetic diversity that may enhance biodiversity persistence and representation when molecular data are not available or geographically comprehensive.     

Rates of change in width and length-width ratios of the diaphyses of the hand

The minimum width and the length of each diaphysis of the hand were measured on serial radiographs of 20 boys and 20 girls. These radiographs were taken close to each birthday at ages from 3 to 13 years inclusive. The corresponding length-width ratios were calculated from these parameters. The b values (indicating rates of change) were calculated for width and length-width ratio in each diaphysis in each child. Communality indices (mean r between b values) were calculated for individual diaphyses. These communality indices reflect the associations between each diaphysis and all the other diaphyses of the hand in their rates of change in width and length-width ratio. The sex differences were not statistically significant for mean b values but they were significant for the communality indices for width (boys higher) and length-width ratio (girls higher). Statistically significant neighborhood effects were present in communality indices for widths within rays for the girls and for ratios within rays for both sexes. There were statistically significant marginal effects in communality indices for widths in the girls within rows and for length-width ratios in the boys within rays.     

Reciprocity in play,grooming, and proximity in sibling and nonsibling young rhesus monkeys

Play, grooming, and proximity, and the degree to which these were reciprocated between pairs, were studied in immature sibling and nonsibling rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta)in four established captive groups over two seasons. “Interaction reciprocity” and “partner reciprocity” were assessed for each dyad for each of the three behaviors. In play, interaction reciprocity was based on the ratio between the play initiations by each dyad member,in grooming on the ratio between the grooming durations by each dyad member, and in proximity on the relative responsibility for proximity maintenance. Two or three most frequent (top) partners for each behavior were found for each individual. If two monkeys were among each other’s top partners, they were said to be reciprocal partners. Monkeys played with nonsiblings as much as with siblings but spent more time grooming and in proximity with siblings than with nonsiblings. Same-age nonsiblings (peers) were more frequent partners than other nonsiblings for each behavior. Siblings’ grooming interactions were more reciprocal than those of nonsiblings. There was no such effect for play and proximity. All-male dyads tended to be more reciprocal in play interactions, and all-female dyads tended to be more reciprocal in grooming interactions. In play, but not in grooming or proximity, the interaction reciprocity of reciprocal partners was higher than that of nonreciprocal dyads. It is argued that the three behaviors have similar roles in infant’s social development but they differ in the expression of this role. Hence the reciprocity patterns vary with the behavior.     

Characterization of Food Physical Properties by the Mastication Parameters Measured by Electromyography of the Jaw-Closing Muscles and Mandibular Kinematics in Young Adults

The relationship between the physical properties of solid food and the masticatory parameters is clarified. Eight solid foods of varying physical properties were chosen. Electromyography of the jaw-closing muscles and mandibular kinematics in eleven young subjects were recorded. The masticatory parameters were derived from the recorded data for the entire mastication process, for the first bite, and in the early, middle, and late stages of mastication. After calculating values relative to the mean value for each subject, nine parameters representing each group were chosen through a cluster analysis. Three principal components were extracted, each of them related to the masticatory time and cycle, minimum jaw opening at the early stage of mastication, and masticatory force. The principal component scores for each food were different, except for one combination in which the physical properties under large and extra-large deformations were similar, despite different breaking properties or small deformation properties. The masticatory parameters did not correlate with the physical properties of food measured for small deformation.     

Characterization of food physical properties by the mastication parameters measured by electromyography of the jaw-closing muscles and mandibular kinematics in young adults

The relationship between the physical properties of solid food and the masticatory parameters is clarified. Eight solid foods of varying physical properties were chosen. Electromyography of the jaw-closing muscles and mandibular kinematics in eleven young subjects were recorded. The masticatory parameters were derived from the recorded data for the entire mastication process, for the first bite, and in the early, middle, and late stages of mastication. After calculating values relative to the mean value for each subject, nine parameters representing each group were chosen through a cluster analysis. Three principal components were extracted, each of them related to the masticatory time and cycle, minimum jaw opening at the early stage of mastication, and masticatory force. The principal component scores for each food were different, except for one combination in which the physical properties under large and extra-large deformations were similar, despite different breaking properties or small deformation properties. The masticatory parameters did not correlate with the physical properties of food measured for small deformation.     

Mapping RFLP Loci in Maize Using B-a Translocations

Plants hypoploid for specific segments of each of the maize (Zea mays L.) chromosomes were generated using 24 different B-A translocations. Plants carrying each of the B-A translocations were crossed as male parents to inbreds, and sibling progeny hypoploid or not hypoploid for specific chromosomal segments were recovered. Genomic DNAs from the parents, hypoploid progeny, and nonhypoploid (euploid or hyperploid) progeny for each of these B-A translocations were digested with restriction enzymes, electrophoresed in agarose gels, blotted onto reusable nylon membranes, and probed with nick-translated, cloned DNA fragments which had been mapped previously by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis to the chromosome involved in the B-A translocation. The chromosomal segment on our RFLP map which was uncovered by each of the B-A translocations was determined. This work unequivocally identified the short and long arms of each chromosome on this map, and it also identified the region on each chromosome which contains the centromere. Because the breakpoints of the B-a translocations were previously known on the cytological and the conventional genetic maps, this study also allowed this RFLP map to be more highly correlated with these maps.     

Use of stream order and biological indices to assess water quality in the Osage and Black river basins of Missouri

Significant variations in four biological measures of water quality with stream order and river basin were demonstrated for streams of the Black and Osage river basins of Missouri. Water quality criteria specific for each order and basin were then developed.Benthic macroinvertebrates from springs and stream orders 3–8 in the two river basins were sampled quarterly for one year with riffle nets and artificial substrate samplers. A total of 548 samples were taken at 137 stations. The average annual macroinvertebrate density, index of diversity, number of taxa, and number of mayfly and stonefly taxa were determined for each station. These measures showed significant differences (p < 0.05) across stream order within and between the two river basins. Total taxa, total mayfly and stonefly taxa, and diversity were highest in orders 4 and 5 with decreased values in lower and higher stream orders. Maximum organism densities occurred in intermediate order streams. These differences were attributed to the succession of physical changes from headwaters to mouth within each river and to the unique geomorphology of each catchment basin.Water quality criteria based on three of the four measures described above (with 95% confidence limits) were established for each stream order in each river basin. Criteria for the Osage River basin were then used to identify three streams in the basin affected by environmental disturbances (stream impoundment, channelization and sewage discharge). The use of order- and basin-specific criteria assures that the biological differences between streams caused by environmental disturbance can be distinguished from the natural biological differences between streams of different orders and drainages.     

Evaluation of NMR spectral data of urine in conjunction with measured clinical chemistry and histopathology parameters to assess the effects of liver and kidney toxicants

Single low and high doses of several compounds with known renal toxic effects (para-aminophenol, puromycin aminonucleoside, sodium chromate, and hexachlorobutadiene,) or known liver toxic effects (galactosamine, allyl alcohol, and thioacetamide) were administered to male Wistar rats in groups of 4 or 8 for each compound. Predose urine samples (Day 0) and samples from post-dosing (Days 1–4) were collected for each rat and monitored by 1D ¹H NMR. Principal component analysis (PCA) of the NMR spectra was used to investigate differences between dose levels for each compound individually. The findings from PCA at both dose levels for each compound were examined in the context of the corresponding clinical chemistry and pathology data collected during the study. The PCA clustering of NMR spectra from rats dosed with each individual compound were shown to be associated with the measured levels of creatinine, BUN, AST, ALT and histopathology findings. Finally, scaled-to-maximum, aligned, and reduced trajectories (SMART) analysis was applied to compare the temporal metabolic trajectories obtained for each animal at each dose level of the administered compounds. By day 4, the SMART trajectories for allyl alcohol and hexachlorobutadiene had returned to predose levels indicating a recovery response, however, the high dose SMART trajectories for para-aminophenol, puromycin aminonucleoside, sodium chromate, and galactosamine did not appear to return to predose levels indicating a prolonged toxic effect.     

Biology of three species of the Meccus phyllosomus complex (Hemiptera: Reduviidae: Triatominae) fed on blood of hens and rabbits

Aspects related to hatching, life time, number of blood meals to molt, mortality, feeding time and postfeed defecation delay for each instar of Meccus phyllosomus, M. mazzottii, and M. bassolsae, life-cycle were evaluated and compared in two cohorts of each of those three species, fed on hens or rabbits. No significant (p > 0.05) differences were recorded among cohorts fed on hens respect to cohorts fed on rabbits in M. phyllosomus and M. mazzottii and the average time of hatching was 21.5 days for cohorts fed on hens and 22.5 for cohorts fed on rabbits. Average egg-to-adult development times were no significant (p > 0.05) different between both cohorts of M. phyllosomus and M. mazzotti, independent of the blood meal source. The average span in days for each instar fed on hens was not significantly different to the average span for each instar fed on rabbits, when comparisons were made by species. The number of blood meals at each nymphal instar varied from 1 to 6 in both cohorts of each species. The mortality rates were higher on older nymphs, in both cohorts of M. phyllosomus and M. bassolsae, whereas they were higher on first instar nymphs on M. mazzottii. Mean feeding time was no significant (p > 0.05) different in triatomines fed on hens or fed on rabbits, when each species were compared separately. A similar number of nymphs of each cohort, completed the cycle. Defecation delay was no significant (p > 0.05) different when cohorts fed on hens and fed on rabbits were compared by species. Most of the studied parameters showed no significant (p > 0.05) differences among those cohorts fed on hens and for fed on rabbits, which could mean a high degree of association of those species with birds as much as mammals, under wild conditions, increasing their capacity to colonize human dwellings.     

Additive incidence of developmental malformation for Xenopus embryos exposed to a mixture of ten aliphatic carboxylic acids.

A modified FETAX (Frog Embryo Teratogenesis Assay: Xenopus) protocol was used to assess the joint action of ten aliphatic carboxylic acids on Xenopus embryo development. Stock solutions of each acid alone, made up at twice the EC50 of the individual acids, were prepared for testing alone and in a mixture with an equal volume of each acid stock solution. For each treatment, five concentrations and a control dish, each with 25 embryos, were tested for 96 h, with solution renewal every 24 h. The embryos were then fixed and evaluated for gross malformations. For each dish, the number and types of malformations were recorded. An EC50 was calculated for each acid alone and this value was defined as 1.0 toxic unit (TU) for malformation induced by the acid. An EC50 was also calculated for the mixture. The concentration of each acid at the mixture EC50 and the TU values corresponding to these concentrations were then determined. A TU value of 0.990 (0.923-1.060) was obtained for the mixture by adding the TU values for each acid in the mixture. This represents a concentration additive rate of malformation. Microcephaly, TU = 1.09 (1.01-1.18), was the primary malformation, but did not completely account for the response. The concentration additive rate of malformation indicates that all ten acids are likely to induce malformation in Xenopus embryos in a similar manner. Quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) analysis revealed developmental malformation induced by the acids was highly correlated (r2 = 0.979) with hydrophobicity and molar refractivity (r2 = 0.949). The approach has potential application in determining compounds that induce developmental malformations in a similar manner, when metabolism and pharmacokinetic factors are considered.     

RAPD Profile Analysis of Betel Vine Cultivars

RAPD analysis in selected cultivars of Kapoori and Bangla betel vines (Piper betle L.) were carried out in order to ascertain the relatedness of the two to each other. On the basis of the data from 10 RAPD primers, it was found that the Kapoori cultivars were more heterogeneous (mean SI = 0.521) while the Bangla cultivars were mostly similar to each other (mean SI = 0.884). Within each type, the overall polymorphism of RAPD bands was more than 70 %. When RAPD band data for both types of cultivars were considered cumulatively, the two were clearly separated from each other. In fact only six bands out of a total of 60 bands were found to be common to cultivars of both types. Bands specific to only one of the two types have potential for developing betel vine cultivar-specific probes and SCAR-markers.     

云南松苗木生长与生物量的相关性及通径分析

为了解云南松苗木生长对生物量的影响程度和相对重要性,以采自云南省昆明市宜良县禄丰村林场种子培育的2年生云南松苗木为材料,对苗高、地径、主根长、侧根长、针叶长和侧根数6个生长性状及各组分生物量进行测定,运用相关性分析和逐步回归分析剔除了对生物量影响不大的性状,在此基础上采用通径分析方法研究了云南松苗木生长性状指标与生物量指标间的关系。结果表明：云南松苗木生长性状和生物量之间均呈现极显著的正相关关系。各生长性状对生物量均有直接或间接的正向效应,直接影响云南松苗木生物量的优势因素为地径和苗高,针叶长、侧根长和主根长对生物量的影响也起正向效应。各生长性状对生物量的直接效应均较大,而通过其他性状的间接效应均较小,其中侧根长通过其他性状对生物量产生的间接影响最大。依据相关性分析和通径分析,建立了云南松各组分生物量与生长性状之间的数学模型,可用于云南松苗期生物量的估测。     

Genetic distances estimated from DNA fingerprints in crosses of White Plymouth Rock chickens

Crosses were produced between two lines of White Plymouth Rock chickens, one of which had been selected for low 8-week body weight for 31 generations (L) and the other of which was a bantam population (B). The parental lines, reciprocal F1s, reciprocal F2s and all possible back-crosses to each parental line (total of 16 populations) were available for study. Blood was obtained from 10 females within each population. DNA was extracted from blood mixes (equal amounts of blood from each individual) for each population, and from blood samples of each individual in the two parental lines. Fourteen line-specific DNA fingerprint (DFP) bands (those bands present in one parental population, but not in the other parental population) were analysed (eight from line L and six from line B). Regression analyses were conducted to compare the known proportion of genomic contribution from each parental population with values based on relative band intensity obtained with a scanning densitometer. The resulting regression coefficient of 1.004 demonstrated that DFP analysis of relative band intensity is an effective method of estimating the relative proportion of genome contributed by parental populations.     

Leaf Photosynthetic Activity in Six Temperate Grass Varieties Grown in Contrasting Light and Temperature Environments

Three populations of each of Lolium perenne and Lolium multiflorumwere grown at four temperatures at each of three light intensities.Concurrent studies were made on the response of leaf photosyntheticactivity and leaf structure of newly-expanded leaves of 7-weekold seedlings of each of the populations to the contrastinggrowth environments. Photochemical efficiencies, leaf conductances, photorespirationconstants and apparent activation energies for photosynthesiswere calculated for each population in each of the twelve growthenvironments. Photosynthetic rates at light saturation were expressed on thebasis of leaf area, of leaf volume and of leaf mesophyll tissuevolume. Photosynthetic rates were also measured under differentassay conditions. By expressing photosynthetic rates on a leaf volume basis, variationbetween populations and growth environments resulting from leafstructural changes were partially removed.