眼点拟微绿球藻对抗生素的敏感性及其无菌藻株的培养

研究了5种抗生素在不同浓度下对眼点拟微绿球藻(Nannochloropsis ocutala)生长的影响。结果表明:浓度为50μg·mL^-1时,氯霉素对眼点拟微绿球藻生长的抑制作用最明显,抑制率高达85.30%,2d和4d的Ic₅₀分别为293.64μg·mL^-1和67.69μg·mL^-1。其次为青霉素、硫酸庆大霉素和硫酸卡那霉素,4d的抑制率分别为8.95%、7.62%和3.84%,其中硫酸庆大霉素2d的Ic₅₀为316.40μg·mL^-1。链霉素对藻细胞生长的抑制作用最轻,抑制率仅为3%。按照抗生素对眼点拟微绿球藻生长抑制作用,由强到弱依次加入50μg·mL^-1青霉素,50μg·mL^-1硫酸庆大霉素,100μg·mL^-1硫酸卡那霉素和50μg·mL^-1链霉素,获得了无菌藻株。     

薄荷和罗勒提取物体外抗氧化及保肝活性研究

采用国际常用的ABTS和DPPH方法评价唇形科植物薄荷(Mentha haplocalyx) 和罗勒(Ocimum basilicum)水提物和乙醇提取物体外抗氧化活性,选用HepG2细胞,通过乙醇诱导损伤,构建体外酒精性肝损伤细胞模型,以细胞存活率评价薄荷和罗勒提取物的保肝效果。结果表明,DPPH自由基清除能力大小依次为薄荷醇提物、薄荷水提物、罗勒醇提物、罗勒水提物,半效应浓度(EC₅₀)分别为70.42 μg·mL^-1、75.77 μg·mL^-1、354.87 μg·mL^-1、451.53 μg·mL^-1。ABTS自由基清除能力大小依次为薄荷醇提物、罗勒醇提物、薄荷水提物、罗勒水提物,EC50值分别为9.04 μg·mL^-1、18.03 μg·mL^-1、22.18 μg·mL^-1、36.88 μg·mL^-1。薄荷提取物的抗氧化能力整体优于罗勒提取物,醇提物抗氧化能力优于水提物。酒精性肝损伤细胞活性检测表明,5、10、20、50 μg·mL^-1薄荷水提物、薄荷醇提物和罗勒水提物能剂量依赖性地提高乙醇诱导损伤的细胞存活率,具有一定的保肝活性。     

铁皮石斛化学成分及其抗氧化活性研究

采用硫酸-苯酚法、AlCl^₃比色法、酸性染料比色法测定铁皮石斛(Dendrobium officinale)花、叶、茎中多糖、黄酮、生物碱含量，通过DPPH和ABTS清除实验评价铁皮石斛花、叶、茎的水提物和乙醇提取物的体外抗氧化活性。结果表明，铁皮石斛不同部位的多糖含量茎>花>叶，黄酮含量花>叶>茎，生物碱在各个部位分布均较少。其中茎的多糖含量可达23.92%，花中黄酮含量可达1.847%。抗氧化能力评价表明，铁皮石斛花水提物、茎醇提物、花醇提物的DPPH自由基清除能力相对较好，半效应浓度(EC₅₀)分别为410.4 μg·mL^-1、454.1 μg·mL^-1、573.2 μg·mL^-1；铁皮石斛茎醇提物、花醇提物、花水提物ABTS自由基清除能力相对较好，半效应浓度(EC₅₀)分别为61.1 μg·mL^-1、62.2 μg·mL^-1、103.0 μg·mL^-1。铁皮石斛花的提取物抗氧化活性整体优于叶和茎，醇提物抗氧化能力优于水提物。     

三种环境激素对四种海洋微藻的急性毒性效应研究

近年来,海洋环境激素污染日益严重,为了考察环境激素对海洋微藻的生物毒性效应,进而评估其对海洋生态系统的影响,该实验研究了三氯卡班、邻苯二甲酸二丁酯、三丁基氯化锡三种环境激素对海洋小球藻(Chlorella sp.)、眼点拟微绿球藻(Nannochloropsis ocutala)、球形棕囊藻(Phaeocystis globosa)和东海原甲藻(Prorocentrum donghaiense )4种海洋微藻的急性毒性效应。结果表明,三种环境激素均可显著抑制该4种微藻的生长。三氯卡班对4种微藻的96 h-EC₅₀分别为108.19 μg·L^-1、63.21 μg·L^-1、60.73 μg·L^-1和57.58 μg·L^-1;邻苯二甲酸二丁酯对4种微藻的96 h-EC₅₀分别为1.42 mg·L^-1、1.02 mg·L^-1、1.47 mg·L^-1 和1.21 mg·L^-1;三丁基氯化锡对4种微藻的96 h-EC₅₀分别为3.5 μg·L^-1、4.36 μg·L^-1、0.6 μg·L^-1和0.6 μg·L^-1。三种环境激素对四种海洋微藻的毒性强弱顺序为三丁基氯化锡>三氯卡班>邻苯二甲酸二丁酯。     

Hg2+浓度和藻类食物密度对多刺裸腹溞生命表统计学参数的影响

为了比较不同食物密度下污染物浓度对受试生物的慢性毒性,以多刺裸腹溞作为受试生物,研究了斜生栅藻密度较低(0.5×106 cells·mL^-1)、中等(1.0×10⁶ cells·mL^-1)和较高(2.0×10⁶ cells·mL^-1)条件下,不同Hg²⁺浓度(0、0.4、1.1、1.8、2.5、3.2和3.9 μg·L^-1)对多刺裸腹溞生命表统计学参数的影响.结果表明: 在较低和较高的食物密度下,一定浓度的Hg²⁺对多刺裸腹溞的存活、生殖乃至种群增长具有不利的影响;但中等食物密度下其不利影响消失.与对照相比,较低食物密度下,0.4~2.5和3.9 μg·L^-1的Hg²⁺显著缩短了多刺裸腹溞的生命期望,0.4、1.1、2.5和3.9 μg·L^-1的Hg²⁺显著缩短了世代时间,1.1、2.5和3.9 μg·L^-1的Hg²⁺显著降低了净生殖率,3.9 μg·L^-1的Hg²⁺显著降低了总生殖率.在较高的食物密度下,1.1 μg·L^-1的Hg²⁺显著降低了多刺裸腹溞的种群内禀增长率;3.9 μg·L^-1的Hg²⁺显著降低了多刺裸腹溞的生命期望和净生殖率.但在中等食物密度下,3.2 μg·L^-1的Hg²⁺显著延长了多刺裸腹溞的生命期望.在较低的食物密度下,Hg²⁺浓度与多刺裸腹溞的生命期望、世代时间和总生殖率之间均具有显著的剂量-效应关系;但在中等和较高的食物密度下,Hg²⁺浓度与多刺裸腹溞的生命表统计学参数间均无显著的剂量-效应关系.     

Hg2+浓度和藻类食物密度对多刺裸腹溞生命表统计学参数的影响

为了比较不同食物密度下污染物浓度对受试生物的慢性毒性,以多刺裸腹溞作为受试生物,研究了斜生栅藻密度较低(0.5×106 cells·mL^-1)、中等(1.0×10⁶ cells·mL^-1)和较高(2.0×10⁶ cells·mL^-1)条件下,不同Hg²⁺浓度(0、0.4、1.1、1.8、2.5、3.2和3.9 μg·L^-1)对多刺裸腹溞生命表统计学参数的影响.结果表明: 在较低和较高的食物密度下,一定浓度的Hg²⁺对多刺裸腹溞的存活、生殖乃至种群增长具有不利的影响;但中等食物密度下其不利影响消失.与对照相比,较低食物密度下,0.4~2.5和3.9 μg·L^-1的Hg²⁺显著缩短了多刺裸腹溞的生命期望,0.4、1.1、2.5和3.9 μg·L^-1的Hg²⁺显著缩短了世代时间,1.1、2.5和3.9 μg·L^-1的Hg²⁺显著降低了净生殖率,3.9 μg·L^-1的Hg²⁺显著降低了总生殖率.在较高的食物密度下,1.1 μg·L^-1的Hg²⁺显著降低了多刺裸腹溞的种群内禀增长率;3.9 μg·L^-1的Hg²⁺显著降低了多刺裸腹溞的生命期望和净生殖率.但在中等食物密度下,3.2 μg·L^-1的Hg²⁺显著延长了多刺裸腹溞的生命期望.在较低的食物密度下,Hg²⁺浓度与多刺裸腹溞的生命期望、世代时间和总生殖率之间均具有显著的剂量-效应关系;但在中等和较高的食物密度下,Hg²⁺浓度与多刺裸腹溞的生命表统计学参数间均无显著的剂量-效应关系.     

龙须菜海藻场构建及其对水环境因子的影响

2010年2月～2010年5月,在汕头南澳岛海域,通过设计不同的主绳间距和苗绳间距研究了龙须菜(Gracilaria lemaneifomis)海藻场的构建模式及其对养殖附近海域环境的影响。结果表明,在不同的筏式养殖密度中,主绳间距在0.3～0.4m,苗绳间距在0.1～0.2m之间,龙须菜的生长速率较高。龙须菜海藻场构建后,养殖海域的无机氮(IN)平均值为133.40±15.18μg·L^-1,对照海域的无机氮平均值为153.81±11.97μg·L^-1,养殖海域显著低于对照海域(p<0.05);养殖海域的无机磷(IP)平均值为13.16±1.38μg·L^-1,对照海域的平均值为15.55±1.05μg·L^-1,养殖海域的显著低于对照海域的(p<0.05)。养殖海域叶绿素(Chl-a)的平均值为1.86±0.23mg·m^-3,对照海域的平均值为2.44±0.30mg·m^-3,养殖海域显著低于对照海域(p<0.05);养殖海域的透明度平均值为1.76±0.09m,对照海域的透明度为1.41±0.15m,养殖海域显著高于对照海域(p<0.05):养殖海域的溶解氧(DO)平均值为9.55±0.46mg·L^-1,对照海域的平均值为8.90±0.37mg·L^-1,养殖海域显著高于对照海域(p<0.05)。研究表明,构建龙须菜海藻场可以显著增加海水中DO浓度,抑制微藻生长繁殖,吸收水体营养盐,改善水质质量。     

氢化物—原子荧光光谱法联合测定水中的砷和汞

本文利用氢化物原子荧光光谱法(HG-AFS)联合测定水中的砷和汞,对灯电流、原子化器高度、载气流量、干扰离子、酸介质以及酸度等一系列测定条件进行了研究。实验结果表明:该法具有操作简单、快速,干扰少、灵活度高等优点,在最优测定条件下,本法砷、汞检出限分别为0.07μg·L^-1和0.009μg·L^-1,线性范围为0～80.0μg·L^-1及0～8.00μg·L^-1。     

闽南常见榕属汤料植物提取物的斑马鱼急性毒性研究

利用斑马鱼模型评价闽南常见桑科榕属草药粗叶榕(Ficus hirta)、天仙果(F. erecta var. beecheyana)、薜荔(F. pumila)、变叶榕(F. variolosa)不同药用部位水提取物及醇提取物的急性毒性。实验给药浓度分别为200 μg·mL^-1、 100 μg·mL^-1，记录给药后48 h、96 h鱼的死亡率，并采用体视显微镜观察斑马鱼胚胎畸形率和胚胎发育情况。结果表明，上述桑科榕属植物根、茎、叶、果等不同药用部位的水提取物在200 μg·mL^-1剂量下是低毒或无毒的，对斑马鱼胚胎无不良影响，反而具有促进胚胎生长的作用，但高剂量醇提取物对斑马鱼胚胎发育有一定的负面影响，粗叶榕叶，天仙果茎、叶及变叶榕叶导致斑马鱼胚胎尾部畸形，薜荔叶、果醇提取物处理出现明显心包水肿现象。上述药材作为传统的汤料材料使用是安全无毒的，但用作药酒原料使用时应注意使用剂量。     

长白山北坡不同土壤N2O和CH4排放的初步研究

用箱法技术原位测定了长白山北坡不同土壤(苔原土、生草森林土、棕色针叶林土和暗棕色森林土)6-8月间的N₂O和CH₄排放。结果表明,这些土壤既是N₂O的源,又同时是CH₄的汇。N₂O通量变化于6.17-12.33μg·m^-2·h^-3之间(平均9.37μg·m^-2·h^-1),CH₄通量为-85.63—7.58μg·m^-2·h^-1(平均-41.45μg·m^-3·h^-1),并观察到在N₂O排放和CH₄吸收之间有着相互消长关系。实验室培养实验表明,最大反硝化作用活性存在于土壤上层(0-6cm);不同土壤的反硝化作用活性明显不同。山地暗棕色森林土的CH₄吸收作用也主要发生在土壤的上层(0-12cm).     

Supercritical fluid extraction of drugs in drug addict hair

Opiates were extracted from sixteen hair samples of drug addicts using a supercritical fluid extraction method with supercritical carbon dioxide and a modifier solution of methanol-triethylamine-water (2:2:1, v/v). The concentrations, as determined by GC-MS, ranged from 1.22 to 21.73 (mean 7.60 ng/mg), 0.17 to 1.54 (mean 0.69 ng/mg) and 0.15 to 14.09 ng/mg hair (mean 3.78 ng/mg) for codeine, morphine and 6-monoacetylmorphine, respectively. The reproducibility of the total procedure had a relative standard deviation of 13%, 17% and 14% for codeine, morphine and 6-monoacetylmorphine, respectively. By this method, concentrations of 0.3, 0.2 and 0.1 ng/mg hair for codeine, morphine and 6-monoacetylmorphine, respectively, could be detected. Relative extraction recoveries were 61%, 53% and 96% for codeine, morphine and 6-monoacetylmorphine, respectively.     

Is tilting behaviour at low swimming speeds unique to negatively buoyant fish? Observations on steelhead trout,Oncorhynchus mykiss,and bluegill,Lepomis macrochirus

When swimming at low speeds, steelhead trout and bluegill sunfish tilted the body at an angle to the mean swimming direction. Trout swam using continuous body/caudal fin undulation, with a positive (head-up) tilt angle ( 0 , degrees) that decreased with swimming speed ( u , cm s⁻¹) according to: 0 =(164±96).u^{(−1.14±0.41)} (regression coefficients; mean±2 s.e. ). Bluegill swimming gaits were more diverse and negative (head down) tilt angles were usual. Tilt angle was −3·0 ± 0.9° in pectoral fin swimming at speeds of approximately 0.2–1.7 body length s⁻¹ (Ls⁻¹; 3–24 cm s⁻¹), −4.5 ±2.6° during pectoral fin plus body/caudal fin swimming at 1·2–1·7 L s⁻¹ (17–24cm s⁻¹), and −5.0± 1.0° during continuous body/caudal fin swimming at 1.6 and 2.5 L s⁻¹ (22 and 35cm s⁻¹). At higher speeds, bluegill used burst-and-coast swimming for which the tilt angle was 0.1±0.6°. These observations suggest that tilting is a general phenomenon of low speed swimming at which stabilizers lose their effectiveness. Tilting is interpreted as an active compensatory mechanism associated with increased drag and concomitant increased propulsor velocities to provide better stabilizing forces. Increased drag associated with trimming also explains the well-known observation that the relationship between tail-beat frequency and swimming speed does not pass through the origin. Energy dissipated because of the drag increases at low swimming speeds is presumably smaller than that which would occur with unstable swimming.     

Simultaneous assay of cocaine, heroin and metabolites in hair, plasma, saliva and urine by gas chromatography—mass spectrometry

As part of an ongoing research program on the development of drug detection methodology, we developed an assay for the simultaneous measurement of cocaine, heroin and metabolites in plasma, saliva, urine and hair by solid-phase extraction (SPE) and gas chromatography—mass spectrometry (GC—MS). The analytes that could be measured by this assay were the following: anhydroecgonine methyl ester; ecgonine methyl ester; ecgonine ethyl ester; cocaine; cocaethylene; benzoylecgonine; cocaethylene; norcocaethylene; benzoylnorecgonine; codeine; morphine; norcodeine; 6-acetylmorphine; normorphine; and heroin. Liquid specimens were diluted, filtered and then extracted by SPE. Additional handling steps were necessary for the analysis of hair samples. An initial wash procedure was utilized to remove surface contaminants. Washed hair samples were extracted with methanol overnight at 40°C. Both wash and extract fractions were collected, evaporated and purified by SPE. All extracts were evaporated, derivatized with N,O-bis(trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide (BSTFA) with 1% trimethylchlorosilane (TMCS) and analyzed by GC—MS. The limit of detection (LOD) for cocaine, heroin and metabolites in biological specimens was approximately 1 ng/ml with the exception of norcodeine, normorphine and benzoylnorecgonine (LOD = 5 ng/ml). The LOD for cocaine, heroin and metabolites in hair was approximately 0.1 ng/mg of hair with the exception of norcodeine (LOD = 0.3 ng/mg) and normorphine and benzoylnorecgonine (LOD = 0.5 ng/mg). Coefficients of variation ranged from 3 to 26.5% in the hair assay. This assay has been successfully utilized in research on the disposition of cocaine, heroin and metabolites in hair, plasma, saliva and urine and in treatment studies.     

Morphine tolerance in mice changes response of heroin from mu to delta opioid receptors

Heroin produced antinociception in the tail flick test through mu receptors in the brain of ICR and CD-1 mice, a response inhibited by 3-O-methylnaltrexone. Tolerance to morphine was produced by subcutaneous morphine pellet implantation. By the third day, the heroin response was produced through delta opioid receptors. The response was inhibited by simultaneous intracerebroventricular (i.c. v.) administration of naltrindole, a delta opioid receptor antagonist. More specifically, delta1 rather than delta2 receptors were involved because 7-benzylidenenaltrexone, a delta1 receptor antagonist, inhibited but naltriben, a delta2 antagonist, did not. Also, antinociception produced by i.c.v. heroin was inhibited by intrathecal administration of bicuculline and picrotoxin consistent with the concept that delta1 receptors in the brain mediated the antinociceptive response through descending neuronal pathways to the spinal cord to activate GABAA and GABAB receptors rather than spinal alpha2-adrenergic and serotonergic receptors activated originally by the mu agonist action in naive mice. The mu response of 6-monoacetylmorphine, a metabolite of heroin, was changed by morphine pellet implantation to a delta2 response (inhibited by naltriben but not 7-benzylidenenaltrexone). The agonist action of morphine in these morphine-tolerant mice remained mu. Thus, the opioid receptor selectivity of heroin and 6-monoacetylmorphine in the brain is changed by production of tolerance to morphine. Such a change explains how morphine tolerant mice are not cross-tolerant to heroin.     

Post-prandial urine loss and its relation to ecology in brown long-eared (Plecotus auritus) and Daubenton's (Myotis daubentoni) bats (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae)

Urine loss, over the first 12 hours after feeding, was positively and linearly dependent on food consumption in water-denied, brown long-eared bats ( Plecotus auritus ) and also in water-denied and water-provided, Daubenton's bats ( Myotis daubentoni ). The slope of the relationship (food-dependent urine loss) (363 μ 1 g dry mass food⁻¹, S.D.=±70, n=19 ) was not significantly different between the two species but predicted urine loss at zero food consumption (food-independent urine loss) was significantly lower in P. auritus (0.048 μl.min⁻¹, S.D. =±0.015, n= 12) than in M. duubentoni (0.217 μl min⁻¹ S.D. =±0.040, n = 7 ). The same results were apparent if the data for M. daubentoni were restricted to water-deprived animals only. Of total urine loss, 46% occurred in the first hour after feeding in M. daubentoni compared with only 20% in P. auritus . We suggest that the differences between the two species in the pattern of postprandial urine loss reflect their relative association with open water when foraging and roosting in the wild. In the course of the water-denied experiment, M. duubentoni lost 15% of pre-fed body mass and showed signs of severe dehydration, while P. auritus only lost 6% and did not. However, urine loss only accounted for 8–10% of body mass loss. A water budget model for wild P. auritus in the summer was developed and suggested that if bats did not drink, approximately 19% of water loss would be attributable to faecal water loss, 18–20% to urine loss, and 59–62% of intake would be available to support evaporation and reproductive losses.     

Water-relation parameters of giant and normal cells of Capsicum annuum pericarp

Abstract. Measurements of the water-relation parameters of the giant subepidermal cells (volume, V = 0.119 to 1.658 mm³; = 0.53±0.35 mm³, SD, n = 23) and the smaller mesocarp parenchyma cells ( V = 0.10 to 0.79×10⁻³ mm³; = 0.36±0.27×10⁻³ mm³, SD, n = 6) of the inner pericarp surface of Capsicum annuum L. were made using the Jülich pressure probe. The volumetric elastic modulus ɛ for the large cells was between 1.5 and 27 MPa for a pressure range of 0.09 to 0.41 MPa. For the small cells ɛ was 0.1 to 0.6 MPa for a pressure range of 0.22 to 0.39 MPa. The turgor pressure P , the half-time of water exchange T _1/2, and the hydraulic conductivity L _p were as follows, with SD and number of replicates: large cells, P = 0.27±0.06 MPa (23), T _1/2=2.7±2.2 s (46), L _p=5.8±3.7 pm s⁻¹ Pa⁻ (46); small cells, P = 0.33±0.07 MPa (6), T _1/2= 33±10s (12), L _p=0.21±0.07 pm s⁻¹ Pa⁻¹ (12). The determination of these basic water-relation parameters is considered as a prerequisite for future ecotoxicological and phytopathological studies. The differences between the large and the small cells are discussed in relation to a desirable biophysical definition of succulence. Further, for the large cells a pressure and volume dependence of ɛ was demonstrated.     

Acute cross-tolerance to opioids in heroin delta-opioid-responding Swiss Webster mice

It is generally thought that the mu receptor actions of metabolites, 6-monoacetylmorphine (6MAM) and morphine, account for the pharmacological actions of heroin. However, upon intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) administration in Swiss Webster mice, heroin and 6MAM act on delta receptors while morphine acts on mu receptors. Swiss Webster mice made tolerant to subcutaneous (s.c.) morphine by morphine pellet were not cross-tolerant to s.c. heroin (at 20 min in the tail flick test). Now, opioids were given in combination, s.c. (6.5 h) and i.c.v. (3 h) preceding testing the challenging agonist i.c.v. (at 10 min in the tail flick test). The combination (s.c. + i.c.v.) morphine pretreatment induced tolerance to the mu action of morphine but no cross-tolerance to the delta action of heroin, 6MAM and DPDPE and explained why morphine pelleting did not produce cross-tolerance to s.c. heroin above. Heroin plus heroin produced tolerance to delta agonists but not to mu agonists. Surprisingly, all combinations of morphine with the delta agonists produced tolerance to morphine which now acted through delta receptors (inhibited by i.c.v. naltrindole), an unusual change in receptor selectivity for morphine.     

PLASMA VASOPRESSIN LEVELS AND WATER CONSERVATION IN FASTING, POSTWEANED NORTHERN ELEPHANT SEAL PUPS (MIROUNGA ANGUSTIROSTRIS)

Northern elephant seal pups ( Mirounga angustirostris ) use several physiological mechanisms to conserve water during their 8- 12-wk postweaning fast. Urine was analyzed from five animals and plasma from four of those animals was sampled serially throughout the postweaning period to quantify changes in urine concentrating ability and electrolyte homeostasis at various stages of the fast (Early = 1-4 wk, Mid = 4-7 wk, Late = 7-10 wk). Plasma osmolarities stayed relatively constant at 301.6 f 13.1 mOsm/kg. Urine osmolarities ranged from 1,053.5 ± 78.6 mOsm/kg (Early), to 1,585.0 ± 136.7 mOsm/kg after eight weeks, dropping to 1,214.3 ± 349.6 mOsm/kg (Late). Urine concentrations for Na⁺ and K⁺ early in the fast were 55.0 ± 14.6 mM and 180.8 ± 48.6 mM, respectively, declining to 8.2 ± 3.3 mM and 91.4 ± 29.0 mM later. Plasma vasopressin concentrations ranged from 34.8 ± 18.2 pg/ml (Early) to 4.8 ± 1.3 pg/ml (Late). The pups appear to conserve their body water by producing a concentrated urine, thus reducing urinary water loss. The significance of the antidiuretic role of vasopressin in the conservation of body water in these pups could not be conclusively determined from the results.     

Determination of opiates in urine by capillary electrophoresis

A method for the separation of a mixture of opiates comprising pholcodine, 6-monoacetylmorphine, morphine, heroin, codeine and dihydrocodeine by capillary electrophoresis using a running buffer of 100 mM disodium hydrogenphosphate at pH 6 is described. The characteristics of an analytical method based on this separation for the determination of these drugs following extraction from urine and using levallorphan as internal standard are reported. Detection limits in the region of 10 ng cm⁻³ are achieved when using electrokinetic injection. A comparison is made of the sensitivity and reproducibility of electrokinetic and hydrodynamic injection for these drugs. Data are presented to show the results obtained when the proposed method is applied to urine spiked with all the above opiates and also to urine from a subject following consumption of dihydrocodeine and pholcodine. The concentrations found are compared with those obtained by LC.     

Poikilothermic traits and thermoregulation in the Afrotropical social subterranean Mashona mole-rat (Cryptomys hottentotus darlingi) (Rodentia: Bathyergidae)

When acclaimated for two months at 26 C the social Mashona mole-rat Cryptomys hottentotus darlingi (±S.D.) resting metabolic rate (RMR) of 0·98±0.·14cm²O₂g _-1 h_-1 ( n =21), within a thermal neutral zone (TNZ) of 28 31·5 C ambient temperature (Ta). The body temperature (Tb) of the mole-rat is very low. 33·3±0·5 C, and remained stable between 25 31·5 C ( n =28). Above 33 C. Tb increased to a mean of 34·±0· C (n=28) (Ta range 33 39 C). Below Ta 25 C. Tb showed strong poikilothermic tendencies, with Tb dropping to a mean of 26·8±1·16 C. whereas above Ta25 C. Tb varied in a typically endothermic pattern. The conductance is high 0·19±0·03 cm² O_2g¹ C ¹ (n=28) at the lower limit of thermoneutrality. The mean RMR at 18 C (the lowest Ta tested) was 2·63 ± 0·55 cm³ O₂g ¹ h ¹ (n=7) which is 2·6 times that of the resting metabolic rate in the TNZ.