PHARMACOGENETICS,RACE AND GLOBAL INJUSTICE1

This paper discusses the link between pharmacogenetics and race, and the global justice issues that the introduction of pharmacogenetics in pharmaceutical research and clinical practice will raise. First, it briefly outlines the likely impact of pharmacogenetics on pharmaceutical research and clinical practice within the next five to ten years and then explores the link between pharmacogenetic traits and ‘race’. It is shown that any link between apparent race and pharmacogenetics is problematic and that race cannot be used as a proxy for pharmacogenetic knowledge. The final section considers the implications of the development of pharmacogenetics for health care systems in low‐ and middle‐income countries.     

Use of terrestrial invertebrates for biodiversity monitoring in Australian rangelands,with particular reference to ants

Abstract Taken literally, the aim of biodiversity monitoring is to track changes in the biological integrity of ecosystems. Given the overwhelmingly dominant contribution of invertebrates to biodiversity, no biodiversity monitoring programme can be considered credible if invertebrates are not addressed effectively. Here we review the use of terrestrial invertebrates, with a particular focus on ants, as bioindicators in Australia in the context of monitoring biodiversity in Australia's rangelands. Ant monitoring systems in Australia were initially developed for assessing restoration success following mining, and have since been applied to a wide range of other land‐use situations, including grazing impacts in rangelands. The use of ants as bioindicators in Australia is supported by an extensive portfolio of studies of the responses of ant communities to disturbance, as well as by a global model of ant community dynamics based on functional groups in relation to environmental stress and disturbance. Available data from mining studies suggest that ants reflect changes in other invertebrate groups, but this remains largely undocumented in rangelands. The feasibility of using ants as indicators in land management remains a key issue, given the large numbers of taxonomically challenging specimens in samples, and a lack of invertebrate expertise within most land‐management agencies. However, recent work has shown that major efficiencies can be achieved by simplifying the ant sorting process, and such efficiencies can actually enhance rather than compromise indicator performance.     

Vulnerability of Domestic Sheep to Lynx Depredation in Relation to Roe Deer Density

Abstract The Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) causes large loss of free-ranging domestic sheep in Norway. We tested whether the observed higher kill rates by male lynx than female lynx were related to an association between the availability of the main natural prey, as measured by roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) habitat suitability, presence of sheep, and habitat selection of male and female lynx. We found that lynx selected areas with high roe deer suitability during summer and winter. Moreover, during summer, compared to male lynx, females had greater selection for roe deer areas and a stronger avoidance for sheep grazing areas, which suggests that previously observed differences in kill rates between male and female lynx can be attributed to sex-specific habitat use during summer. The connection between lynx habitat use and roe deer also was reflected in a positive relationship between the roe deer suitability of a sheep grazing area and the total loss of lambs, which suggests that livestock, rather than being actively selected, are mainly killed by lynx incidentally when encountered during other lynx activities (e.g., searching for natural prey species). Therefore, any management practice that separates lynx and sheep, such as concentrating livestock into small patches or less preferred habitats, may reduce depredation.     

Red-Shouldered Hawk Occupancy Surveys in Central Minnesota,USA

ABSTRACT Forest-dwelling raptors are often difficult to detect because many species occur at low density or are secretive. Broadcasting conspecific vocalizations can increase the probability of detecting forest-dwelling raptors and has been shown to be an effective method for locating raptors and assessing their relative abundance. Recent advances in statistical techniques based on presence—absence data use probabilistic arguments to derive probability of detection when it is < 1 and to provide a model and likelihood-based method for estimating proportion of sites occupied. We used these maximum-likelihood models with data from red-shouldered hawk (Buteo lineatus) call-broadcast surveys conducted in central Minnesota, USA, in 1994–1995 and 2004–2005. Our objectives were to obtain estimates of occupancy and detection probability 1) over multiple sampling seasons (yr), 2) incorporating within-season time-specific detection probabilities, 3) with call type and breeding stage included as covariates in models of probability of detection, and 4) with different sampling strategies. We visited individual survey locations 2–9 times per year, and estimates of both probability of detection (range = 0.28-0.54) and site occupancy (range = 0.81-0.97) varied among years. Detection probability was affected by inclusion of a within-season time-specific covariate, call type, and breeding stage. In 2004 and 2005 we used survey results to assess the effect that number of sample locations, double sampling, and discontinued sampling had on parameter estimates. We found that estimates of probability of detection and proportion of sites occupied were similar across different sampling strategies, and we suggest ways to reduce sampling effort in a monitoring program.     

Endogenous Growth Substances in Normal and Dwarf Mutants of Cortland and Golden Delicious Apple Shoots

Endogenous growth substances in the shoots of dwarf mutants of Cortland (Cortland 65–6 and Cortland 65–7) and Golden Delicious (Golden Auvil Spur and Yellow Spur) were investigated in relation to dwarfism. The shoots were extracted at three stages of growth, namely: 1) rapid elongation growth, 2) formation of terminal bud, and 3) cessation of cambial growth. The growth substances were partially separated by thin layer chromatography and bioassayed using the Avena first internode and Lepidium seed germination tests. Shoot extracts from the normal Cortland and Golden Delicious plants contained higher levels of auxins at all stages of growth than those from dwarf mutants. Growth-promoting activity was found in two zones on chromatograms developed with isopropanol: ammonia: water (10:1:1 v/v/v):R_f 0.4 to 0.5 and R_f 0.8 to 0.9. The Lepidium seed germination test showed the presence of a highly inhibitory zone between R_f 0.3 and 0.4 in the extracts of dwarf and normal plants. However, the peak of germination inhibition activity was sharp for dwarf mutants and less for extracts of normal growing plants at 3 stages of growth. The inhibitory substance(s) was further purified on TLC plates by successive separations in different solvent systems. Two substances which inhibited the Lepidium seed germination were found, one close to the R_f value of synthetic abscisic acid and the other appeared to be similar to xanthoxin in R_f value, biological activity and UV absorption spectra.     

Propagation of Hedera helix: Influence of irradiance to stock plants, length of internode and topophysis of cutting

Abstract Stock plants of Hedera helix cv. Pittsburgh were grown in controlled environment rooms at four different irradiances (light intensities) 10, 22, 37 or 46 W m^-2 PAR (photosynthetically active radiation). The root formation on single internode cuttings from these stock plants was observed in relation to length of the internodes and the position on the vine (topophysis). The analysis indicated that the root number was primarily dependent on internode length which in turn was dependent on irradiance to stock plants and topophysis. The irradiance of 37 W m^-2 PAR was optimal for internode length and root number and the basal internode was the one which produced the greatest number of roots.