Effects of adrenergic blockade on plasma catecholamine levels during adrenaline infusion.

Alpha and beta adrenergic blocking drugs were administered, either singly or in combination, prior to a 3hr adrenaline infusion (2 microgram kg body wt-1 min-1)), Animals were premediated with either phenoxybenzamine (1 mg kg body wt-1 min-1). Phenoxybenzamine did not affect circulating adrenaline levels, but propranolol, either alone or in combination with phenoxybenzamine, resulted in a significant reduction in plasma adrenaline levels when compared with the control unblocked situation of adrenaline infusion without premedication. The results provide a possible explanation for the protective effect of combined adrenergic blockade in shock situations.     

Isolation and Characterization of Suppressors of Two Escherichia Coli Dnag Mutations, Dnag2903 and Parb

The dnaG gene of Escherichia coli encodes the primase protein, which synthesizes a short pRNA that is essential for the initiation of both leading and lagging strand DNA synthesis. Two temperature-sensitive mutations in the 3'' end of the dnaG gene, dnaG2903 and parB, cause a defect in chromosome partitioning at the nonpermissive temperature 42°. We have characterized 24 cold-sensitive suppressor mutations of these two dnaG alleles. By genetic mapping and complementation, five different classes of suppressors have been assigned: sdgC, sdgD, sdgE, sdgG and sdgH. The genes responsible for suppression in four of the five classes have been determined. Four of the sdgC suppressor alleles are complemented by the dnaE gene, which encodes the enzymatic subunit of DNA polymerase III. The sdgE class are mutations in era, an essential GTPase of unknown function. The sdgG suppressor is likely a mutation in one of three genes: ubiC, ubiA or yjbI. The sdgH class affects rpsF, which encodes the ribosomal protein S6. Possible mechanisms of suppression by these different classes are discussed.     

Mycobacterial infection-induced miR-206 inhibits protective neutrophil recruitment via the CXCL12/CXCR4 signalling axis

Pathogenic mycobacteria actively dysregulate protective host immune signalling pathways during infection to drive the formation of permissive granuloma microenvironments. Dynamic regulation of host microRNA (miRNA) expression is a conserved feature of mycobacterial infections across host-pathogen pairings. Here we examine the role of miR-206 in the zebrafish model of Mycobacterium marinum infection, which allows investigation of the early stages of granuloma formation. We find miR-206 is upregulated following infection by pathogenic M. marinum and that antagomir-mediated knockdown of miR-206 is protective against infection. We observed striking upregulation of cxcl12a and cxcr4b in infected miR-206 knockdown zebrafish embryos and live imaging revealed enhanced recruitment of neutrophils to sites of infection. We used CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockdown of cxcl12a and cxcr4b expression and AMD3100 inhibition of Cxcr4 to show that the enhanced neutrophil response and reduced bacterial burden caused by miR-206 knockdown was dependent on the Cxcl12/Cxcr4 signalling axis. Together, our data illustrate a pathway through which pathogenic mycobacteria induce host miR-206 expression to suppress Cxcl12/Cxcr4 signalling and prevent protective neutrophil recruitment to granulomas.     

A model for suppression and dominance in trees

A new differential equation model for the growth of trees, involving structure/storage partitioning, is set up. The model, which is relatively simple, is shown to exhibit suppression and dominance effects. It also suggests a possible mechanism for the bimodal distributions of tree size which are observed in even-aged monoculture stands.     

Dynamic Coexistence of Sexual and Asexual Invasion Fronts in a System of Integro-Difference Equations

The role of long-range dispersal in the coexistence of sexual and asexual relatives in a population of hermaphrodite flowering plants is investigated. In these populations, growth and reproduction often occur during a sedentary stage that is then followed by dispersal of propagules. These two stages are clearly distinguishable and show strong seasonality. A modeling approach that accurately describes this kind of dynamics of mixed populations is a system of two nonlinear integro-difference equations. It is shown that this kind of model can accommodate coexistence of the two different reproductive types.     

WEIGHTS OF THE CARMINE BEE-EATER MEROPS NUBZCOZDES

A total of 912 Carmine Bee-eater Merops nubicoides weights were obtained at Beatrice, Rhodesia in November 1963, September 1964 and Novembels-pecember 1965. On average the birds weighed least in the early morning and most in the late evening. Some interesting peculiaritiee in the diurnal rhythm of weights are correlated with feeding activity and the feeding of young.
There was no clear correlation between air temperature and weight. It is suggested that an inverse correlation between temperature and weight is obscured by the fact that temperature has a direct effect on food supply and this in turn influences weights. Mean weights varied significantly with variation in food supply; one particular instance of the effect of a special food supply on weights is discussed in detail.
Birds were heavier in November (rainy season) than in September (dry season). It is suggested that food is not readily available in September and that this weight change is a response to improved food-supplies.
On average, the mean juvenile weight is 82% of the mean adult weight. The weights of five juveniles, known to be out of the nest for eight days or less, varied by as much as 56% of the lowest.