Behavior of hydroxyproline in the rat lung following exposure to surface dust and industrial ashes

There was analysed, by means of biochemical examinations, the behaviour of hydroxyproline level in the lungs of experimental animals exposed to the action of soil dusts and electroenergetic ashes. 44 female white rats of Wistar strain were used in the experiment. The animals were administered intratracheally 0.2 ml dusts and electroenergetic ashes suspension. After decapitation, prepared material was taken from the left lung. Hydroxyproline determinations were performed according to Prokop's und Undenfried's method modified by Tomaszewski and Hanzlik. 9 months after the administration of the dusts, the contents of hydroxyproline slightly differed from the levels observed in control group.     

Die papierchromatographische Bestimmung der einzelnen Säure- und Zuckerarten als Grundlage für die Auslese auf Wohlgeschmack bei Obst,Beerenobst und Gemüse

Ohne ZusammenfassungMit 24 TextabbildungenDiese Arbeiten wurden mit Unterstützung der Deutschen Forschungsgemeinschaft durchgeführt.     

Purification and primary structure of pro-aldosterone secretion inhibitory factor from bovine adrenal chromaffin cells

This report documents the purification and the complete primary structure of bovine aldosterone secretion inhibitory factor precursor (pro-ASIF). ASIF-(1-103) contains at position 69-103 of its carboxy-terminal end the formely identified 35-amino acid biologically active form, hence confirming the endogenous character of ASIF in the adrenal medulla. Compared to atrial natriuretic factor (ANF)-related peptide precursors, bovine ASIF displays 65% homology at the carboxy-terminal while the remaining amino-terminal part shows much more variability. Bovine pro-ASIF exhibits 73% homology with porcine pro-brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), a situation reminiscent of the relationship of pro-ANF in various species. When ANF- and BNP-related COOH-termini of bovine, porcine, human, rat, and chicken are compared, it appears that bovine ASIF and porcine BNP are closely related and belong to the same family which however appears to be much more heterogenous than the ANF-related family. These results strongly suggest that bovine ASIF is encoded by a precursor gene similar to the gene of BNP but different from the one encoding ANF.     

Die Mauser der junnge Raub-V?gel und der Uebergang ihres Jugendkleides in das ausgef?rbte

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

Effects of acorn abundance on density dependence in a Japanese wood mouse (Apodemus speciosus) population

We analysed the effects of Quercus crispula acorn abundance on the density dependence of the large Japanese wood mouse Apodemus speciosus using time series data (1992–2007). The data were obtained in a forest in northern Hokkaido, Japan, by live-trapping rodents and directly counting acorns on the ground. Acorn abundance in one year clearly influenced the abundance of wood mice in the following year in all models examined based on the Gompertz and Ricker model; in addition, the abundance of wood mice had effects on the population. Acorn abundance influenced the strength of density dependence (intraspecific competition) of the wood mouse population. When the abundance of acorns was high, density dependence was relaxed, and as a result the equilibrium density at which the population growth rate decreased to zero became higher. Those effects of acorn abundance were regarded as a nonlinear perturbation effect (sensu Royama 1992). The nonlinearity of density dependence was also detected; higher densities had stronger effects on population growth rates. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Veränderungen des Zuckergehaltes von Erdbeeren und Früchten anderer Beerenobstarten nach Lagerung bei tiefen Temperaturen

Ohne ZusammenfassungMit 2 TextabbildungenDiese Arbeit wurde mit Unterstützung der Deutschen Forschungsgemeinschaft durchgeführt.     

Early onset of reproductive senescence in domestic sheep Ovis aries

A central theme in life history theory is to determine how reproduction varies with age in iteroparous organisms. Evidence of ageing and senescence, defined as the progressive loss of function accompanied by decreased performance with age, remains poorly documented for large herbivores, in particular as it relates to reproduction. Analyses of body weight of 87 532 domestic sheep lambs demonstrates that onset of reproductive senescence in ewes occurs already at 5 and 6 years of age when measured, respectively, as lamb weight and litter size produced. This provides convincing evidence of early onset of reproductive senescence in this highly domesticated sheep breed. As this is earlier than indicated for other Ovis species as well as for the Soay sheep, an ancient and lightly domesticated sheep, we hypothesize that there may be a cost of selection for large litter size in mammalian herbivores.     

Seedling establishment of Acacia tortilis and Hyphaene compressa in the Turkwel riverine forest, Kenya

This study reports on the spatial and temporal patterns of seedling establishment in the Turkwel riverine forest, Kenya. Seedlings of the dominant tree species Acacia tortilis and Hyphaene compressa were mapped and monitored to assess the underlying causes of seedling recruitment and mortality. The broad‐scale distribution of A. tortilis was not correlated with any environmental variables, while H. compressa seedlings were confined to flood‐exposed sites in the arid downstream section of the floodplain. One year of monitoring showed that seedling recruitment of A. tortilis was evoked by prolonged rainfall, while seedling mortality was caused by desiccation, browsing and trampling. In contrast, seedling recruitment and mortality of H. compressa was largely unaffected by rainfall and livestock, probably due to the high moisture requirements of seeds and the tolerance of seedlings to disturbance. There were no effects of soils, light, or seedling density on the establishment of A. tortilis and H. compressa seedlings. This study demonstrates the importance of parallel mapping and monitoring of riverine seedlings in order to understand patterns and processes of forest regeneration in arid and semi‐arid floodplains.