How does size and isolation affect patches of steppe-like vegetation on slumping hills in Transylvania,Romania?

The region of Southern Transylvania in Romania contains large expanses of species-rich grassland and mixed farmland. Within these landscapes, clusters of small, steep-sided slumping hills support mosaics of herbaceous vegetation caused by the heterogeneity in temperature and water supply and maintained by mowing or grazing. These are of conservation interest not only for the high species density, but also the relict steppe-like vegetation types especially found on their south-facing slopes. Usually surrounded by more intensively used mesic grassland, these hills can be considered patches of species-rich grassland vegetation. We therefore surveyed the vascular plants in 10 m² plots on the south- and north-facing slopes of 50 hills in 12 clusters in order to investigate the influence of their size and isolation on the species richness and composition of the vegetation. We found that larger hills had higher plot-scale species richness, a greater proportion of competitive species and a lower proportion of species of steppe-like vegetation, but only on their south-facing slopes where the conditions are more extreme. Both large and small hills should be considered as important habitats and potential sources of propagules for plant communities in the surrounding areas.     

Temperature affects the partitioning of absorbed light energy in freshwater phytoplankton

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Anatomical Grading for Metabolic Activity of Brown Adipose Tissue

Background

Recent advances in obesity research suggest that BAT activity, or absence thereof, may be an important factor in the growing epidemic of obesity and its manifold complications. It is thus important to assess larger populations for BAT-activating and deactivating factors. ¹⁸FDG-PET/CT is the standard method to detect and quantify metabolic BAT activity, however, the manual measurement is not suitable for large studies due to its time-consuming nature and poor reproducibility across different software and devices.

Methodology/Main Findings

In a retrospective study, 1060 consecutive scans of 1031 patients receiving a diagnostic ¹⁸FDG-PET/CT were examined for the presence of active BAT. Patients were classified according to a 3-tier system (supraclavicular, mediastinal, infradiaphragmatic) depending on the anatomical location of their active BAT depots, with the most caudal location being the decisive factor. The metabolic parameters (maximum activity, total volume and total glycolysis) were measured on a standard PET/CT workstation. Mean age of the population was 60±14.6y. 41.61% of patients were female. Metabolically active BAT was found in 53 patients (5.1%). Female, younger and leaner patients tended to have more active BAT, higher metabolic activity and more caudally active BAT. In total, 15 patients showed only supraclavicular, 27 additional mediastinal, and 11 infradiaphragmal activity. Interestingly, the activation of BAT always followed a cranio-caudal gradient. This anatomical pattern correlated with age and BMI as well as with all metabolic parameters, including maximum and total glycolysis (p<0.001).

Conclusion

Based on our data we propose a simple method to grade or quantify the degree of BAT amount/activity in patients based on the most caudally activated depot. As new modalities for BAT visualization may arise in the future, this system would allow direct comparability with other modalities, in contrary to the PET-metrics, which are restricted to ¹⁸FDG-PET/CT.     

Biologically significant conformation of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae alpha-factor

The conformation of the tridecapeptide alpha-factor of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae was examined in both solution and in the presence of lipid vesicles. CD, differential scanning calorimetry, and phosphorus nmr all indicate that this mating pheromone interacts with lipid vesicles. In both aqueous and organic solution the alpha-factor is a flexible molecule that exhibits features of a type II beta-turn spanning the center of the peptide. Two-dimensional Nuclear Overhauser enhancement spectroscopy gives evidence that the beta-turn is stabilized on interaction of the peptide with lipid vesicles. Our current belief is that the beta-turn may play an important role in the biologically active conformation of the alpha-factor.     

A comparative study of morphometric measurements of nucleoli in uveal melanomas from electron micrographs and plastic-embedded and paraffin-embedded sections

Morphometric measurements of nucleoli were done on uveal melanomas from surviving and nonsurviving patients. The melanomas were embedded in paraffin and plastic, and measurement data from Papanicolaou-stained paraffin-embedded sections, toluidine blue-stained plastic-embedded sections and scanning transmission electron micrographs (STEM) of plastic-embedded sections were compared. The results showed that one parameter, the coefficient of variation (CV) of nucleolar area, correctly classified 80% of the cases as to survival when plastic-embedded material was used and 70% of the cases when paraffin-embedded material or STEM micrographs were used. The inverse standard deviation of the nucleolar area was a better predictor of outcome than was the CV of nucleolar area only in the paraffin-embedded sections. The nucleolar measurements were most easily and rapidly performed in the plastic-embedded sections.     

Influence of sialic acid on the binding activity of estrogen receptors

The influence of sialidase and sialyltransferase on the binding of 3H-estradiol to estrogen receptors in baboon uterus was investigated to ascertain if sialylation was involved. Specific binding capacity increased approximately 37% in the presence of sialidase, although Kd values essentially remained unchanged. 3H-Estradiol binding was correlated with free sialic acid in the presence of either sialidase or sialyltransferase. As sialidase concentrations were increased, 3H-estradiol binding and free sialic acid concentration increased linearly (r = 0.937, p less than 0.001). Incubation of 22 x 10(-5) U sialidase with its inhibitor, 2,3-dehydro-2-deoxy-N-acetylneuraminic acid, decreased binding capacity and sialic acid concentration (r = 0.929, p less than 0.001). Although a decrease in binding capacity and free sialic acid concentration was observed in the presence of increasing amounts of sialyltransferase, a positive correlation was found between these two parameters (r = 0.839, p less than 0.035). A negative trend that was statistically insignificant was observed between binding capacity and sialic acid concentration when 2 x 10(-4) U sialyltransferase was incubated with the inhibitor, acetylsalicylic acid (r = -0.571, p = 0.195). The sialic acid concentration increased, while the 3H-estradiol binding capacity decreased. Collectively, these results show that both sialidase and sialyltransferase affect the binding of estradiol to its receptor in opposite directions. We suggest that biological activities of estrogen receptors in target cells may be regulated by the extent of sialylation of the receptor molecule itself. This posttranslational alteration may represent a new type of control mechanism for estrogen action.     

The isolation and partial characterization of neutrophil chemotactic factors from Escherichia coli.

Heat-stable, chemotactically active peptides have been obtained from Escherichia coli culture filtrates. They range in size between 150 and 1500 daltons and are anionic at neutral pH. Free carboxyl groups but not free amino groups appear to be required for activity. The N-terminal group may be blocked. There do not appear to be internal aromatic or basic residues in the chemotactically active fractions. A highly purified, not completely characterized, fraction was found to contain aspartic acid, serine, glutamic acid, alanine, and glycine.     

Metabolism of the obligatory aerobic yeast Rhodotorula gracilis

Summary D-Glucose and D-xylose addition to not-growing Rhodotorula gracilis cells brings about alterations in pyruvate kinase and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase activities characteristic for glycolysis and gluconeogenesis, respectively.Abbreviations used PK Pyruvate kinase (EC 2.7.1.40) - PEPCK Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (EC 4.1.1.32) - PFK Phosphofructokinase (EC 2.7.1.11)     

Studies on the Developmental Cycle of Chlamydia trachomatis: Selective Inhibition by Hydroxyurea

Hydroxyurea, a potent inhibitor of deoxyribonucleic acid synthesis, inhibits the development of trachoma agent when applied at a concentration of 5 x 10(-2) M. At a lower concentration, 5 x 10(-4) M, hydroxyurea permits the development of the trachoma inclusion bodies and initial bodies, but arrests the formation of elementary bodies, the infectious entity of the agent. The inhibitory effect of 5 x 10(-4) M hydroxyurea is reversible and can be used to synchronize the development of the agent. The synthesis of deoxyribonucleic acid, ribonucleic acid, and proteins takes place in the initial bodies after the removal of the inhibitor.     

Vagal influence on respiratory and cardiac responses of coturnix quail to heat

Measurements of heart rate, respiratory rate, surface temperature (T_s) and rectal temperature (T_re) of mature Coturnix quail were continuously recorded for 30 min at 25° and 38°C environmental temperatures. T_s and T_re increased to a maximum level within 16 and 20 min after exposure to the 38°C environment. Thermal panting was initiated after a 1.3°C rise in rectal temperature and 12 min of exposure to 38°C. Heart rate decreased consistently during the first 20 min at 38°C, then remained at the decreased level. The increase in heart rate at 38°C following atropine injection (0.1 mg/100 g body weight) and subsequent bilateral vagotomy indicated that the decrease in heart rate is the result of an increase in vagal tone and that both efferent and afferent vagi are involved in the decreased heart rate.

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Zusammenfassung Herz- und Atemfrequenz, Oberflächen- und Rektaltemperatur erwachsener Wachteln wurden bei 25° und 38°C Raumtemperatur fortlaufend während 30 Min gemessen. T_s und T_re stiegen bei 38°C innerhalb 16–20 Min zu einem maximalen Wert an. Hecheln wurde nach 1,3°C Anstieg der T_re, 12 Min nach Exponierung bei 38°C gemessen. Die Herzfrequenz fiel gleichmässig während der ersten 20 Min bei 38°C und blieb auf diesem Niveau während der weiteren Expositionszeit. Der Anstieg der Herzfrequenz nach Injektion von Atropinsulfat (0,1 mg/100 g Kp.Gew.) und nachfolgender bilateraler Vagotomie zeigte, dass der Abfall der Herzfrequenz Folge eines erhöhten Vagotonus ist, und dass sowohl die afferenten als auch die efferenten Ä ste des Vagus beteiligt sind.

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Resume On a enregistré de façon continue durant 30 min la fréquence des pulsations et de la respiration ainsi que les températures cutanée (T_S) et rectale (T_re) de cailles adultes maintenues à des températures ambiantes de 25° et de 38°C. Les deux températures (T_s et T_re) augmentent durant 16 à 20 min après que les volailles aient été mises à 38°C, pour atteindre alors leur maximum. Les oiseaux commencent à haleter après que T_re ait augmenté de 1, 3°C, soit 12 min après le début de l'exposition à 38°C. La fréquence des pulsations diminue régulièrement durant les 20 premières minutes de l'exposition à 38°C et se maintient constante par la suite. La hausse de la fréquence des pulsations à 38°C consécutive à l'injection de sulfate d'atropine (0, 1 mg pour 100 g de poids du corps), suivie de vagotomie bilatérale, montre que la diminution observée de la dite fréquence est le résultat d'une augmentation du vagotonus et que les deux branches (afférente et efférente) du nerf vague y participant.

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Scientific Paper No. 3454. College of Agriculture, Washington State University, Pullman. Project 1915.This investigation was supported in part by funds for medical and biological research by State of Washington Initiative Measure No. 171 and the Graduate School Research Funds.