The role of humoral factors in the regression of leukemia in chickens as measured by in vitro colony formation

Leukemic myeloblasts induced by avian myeloblastosis virus in the chicken formed small compact (type II) colonies in semi-solid agar medium. Normal yolk sac cells from 12-day old embryos formed large diffuse (type I) colonies under the same conditions. Type I colony formation (but not type II) was strictly dependent upon the presence in the medium of a colony stimulating factor (CSF) present in fresh chicken serum or conditioned medium. Serum CSF levels were determined for normal, leukemic, and birds which had spontaneously regressed from myeloblastic leukemia. When type I colony formation was used as the assay, serum CSF levels of leukemic birds were found to be significantly lower than levels in either normal or regressed birds. When the same sera were tested for their ability to induce type II colonies, leukemic birds demonstrated a significantly higher CSF level than either normal or regressed sera. Regressed chickens had serum CSF levels similar to normal birds.     

Some effects of Maleic Hydrazide and other mutagens on the nucleus of a Dinoflagellate

Summary Maleic hydrazide was found to cause a considerable suppression of mitosis in the DinoflagellateProrocentrum micans. No evidence was obtained to suggest that it caused any chromosome aberrations of the type that are produced in higher plants. Trial experiments with some other substances are reported, again no chromosome aberrations were found.     

The ultrastructure of Chroomonas mesostigmatica Butcher (Cryptophyceae)

Summary The detailed fine structure of a pigmented marine member of the Cryptophyceae is reported for the first time. The flagella are similar to those of other cryptomonads which have been studied but the root system is probably less complicated. The ejectosomes (trichocysts) have the typical structure but are present in fewer numbers than in many other members of the class. The chloroplasts contain numerous lamellae each composed of two rather dense thylakoids. A single large pyrenoid is attached to a chloroplast and on a short spur beyond this is the centrally placed eyespot. The chloroplasts, pyrenoid and eyespot are all enclosed by an endoplasmic reticulum sheath and starch grains are laid down between this sheath and the chloroplasts. The interphase nucleus is irregular in shape but has the typical eucaryotic appearance. At the anterior end of the cell are numerous coated vesicles which may have an excretory function. The fine structure of Chroomonas is discussed in relation to the ultrastructure of other algae.

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Zusammenfassung Zum ersten Male wird der Feinbau einer Cryptomonadacee des Meers in seinen Einzelheiten geschildert. Die Geißeln gleichen denen der anderen, bisher untersuchten Cryptomonaden; nur die Art der Einfügung ist vielleicht etwas einfacher. Die Ejectosomen (Trichocysten) haben die übliche Struktur, sind aber weniger zahlreich als bei den anderen Mitgliedern der Familie und Klasse. Die Chromatophoren enthalten zahlreiche Lamellen, deren jede aus zwei ziemlich dichten Thylakoiden zusammengesetzt ist. Ein einzelnes pyrenoid sitzt an den Chromatophoren. Ein zentraler Augenfleck ist an einem kurzen Fortsatz derselben befestigt. Chromatophoren, Pyrenoid und Augenfleck sind gemeinsam von einer endoplasmatischen netzigen Hülle (endoplasmatisches Reticulum) umhüllt. Zwischen dieser Hülle und den Chromatophoren werden Stärkekörner abgelagert. Der Zellkern ist in der Interphase unregelmäßig gestaltet. Er hat das übliche Aussehen der eukaryotischen Lebewesen. Am Vorderende sind zahlreiche umhüllte Bläschen, die wohl Abscheidungsorganellen sind. Der Feinbau von Chroomonas wird mit dem anderer Algen verglichen.

     

Environmental drivers of variability in the movement ecology of turkey vultures (Cathartes aura) in North and South America

Variation is key to the adaptability of species and their ability to survive changes to the Earth''s climate and habitats. Plasticity in movement strategies allows a species to better track spatial dynamics of habitat quality. We describe the mechanisms that shape the movement of a long-distance migrant bird (turkey vulture, Cathartes aura) across two continents using satellite tracking coupled with remote-sensing science. Using nearly 10 years of data from 24 satellite-tracked vultures in four distinct populations, we describe an enormous amount of variation in their movement patterns. We related vulture movement to environmental conditions and found important correlations explaining how far they need to move to find food (indexed by the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) and how fast they can move based on the prevalence of thermals and temperature. We conclude that the extensive variability in the movement ecology of turkey vultures, facilitated by their energetically efficient thermal soaring, suggests that this species is likely to do well across periods of modest climate change. The large scale and sample sizes needed for such analysis in a widespread migrant emphasizes the need for integrated and collaborative efforts to obtain tracking data and for policies, tools and open datasets to encourage such collaborations and data sharing.     

International Society for Reef Studies (ISRS)

International Society for Reef Studies (ISRS)     

International Society for Reef Studies (ISRS)

International Society for Reef Studies (ISRS)     

First step in managing bulimia nervosa: controlled trial of therapeutic manual.

OBJECTIVE--To test the short term efficacy of a self directed treatment manual for bulimia nervosa. DESIGN--Randomised controlled trial of the manual against cognitive behavioural therapy and a waiting list. SETTING--Tertiary referral centre. SUBJECTS--81 consecutive referrals presenting with bulimia nervosa or atypical bulimia nervosa. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES--Frequency of binge eating, vomiting, and other behaviours to control weight as well as abstinence from these behaviours. RESULTS--Cognitive behavioural treatment produced a significant reduction in the frequency of binge eating, vomiting, and other behaviours to control weight. The manual significantly reduced frequency of binge eating and weight control behaviours other than vomiting, and there was no change in the group on the waiting list. Full remission was achieved in five (24%) of the group assigned to cognitive behavioural treatment, nine (22%) of the group who used the manual, and two (11%) of the group on the waiting list. CONCLUSIONS--A self directed treatment manual may be a useful first intervention in the treatment of bulimia nervosa.