Betaine distribution in the Malvaceae

Aerial parts of 26 taxa, distributed in 18 genera and all 5 tribes of the Malvaceae have been examined for the presence of betaines. Glycinebetaine was obtained in high yield (0.5-4.6%, dry weight) from all the plants studied, except Abelmoschus moschatus, in extracts of which glycinebetaine was not detected. Trigonelline was recorded for 16 of the plants tested, but the yields were low (0.005-0.07%, dry weight). Roots and flowers of a few of the species were also examined for betaines. The same compounds as those found in the aerial parts were usually detected, but the glycinebetaine contents of the roots and flowers were considerably lower.     

Differential spatial and temporal expression of two type III intermediate filament proteins in olfactory receptor neurons

Olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs) do not express the typical neuronal intermediate filament proteins (IFPs), the neurofilament triplet proteins. Immunocytochemical evidence shows that ORNs coexpress vimentin and peripherin but distribute them differently. Specifically, ORNs contain vimentin in dendrites, cell bodies, and axons, but not in terminals in glomeruli; peripherin is present in axons, but excluded from dendrites, cell bodies, and terminal glomeruli. In adult rats, ORN axon fascicles are variably stained with antisera for peripherin; in juvenile rats, staining of fascicles is uniform. Staining with antibody to vimentin is uniform in both adult and juvenile ORN axon fascicles. The unusual pattern of IFP expression and intracellular sorting may have implications for the unique plastic and regenerative capacities of these neurons.     

Lunularic acid and related compounds in liverworts,algae and Hydrangea

Lunularic acid and lunularin were detected in 76 species of hepatics, but not in any of the Anthrocerotales or Algae examined. Lunularic acid, lunularin, 3,4′-dihydroxystilbene and a glycoside of lunularic acid were also identified in extracts of Hydrangea macrophylla roots, together with hydrangenol, hydrangeic acid and their glucosides.     

Effect of lunularic acid analogues on liverwort growth and IAA oxidation

The growth inhibitory activity of lunularic acid and a number of analogues has been examined in liverwort gemmaling and cress root growth tests. Lunularic acid was no more active than a wide range of similar compounds and no clear correlation between structure and activity was observed. The effects of these compounds, and of liverwort extracts, on in vitro IAA-oxidase activity was also examined.     

Varietal differences in sodium uptake in barley cultivars exposed to soil salinity or salt spray

Barley varieties are known to differ in the extent of Na⁺ andCl^– accumulation in leaves when grown in saline soil orhydroponic culture. In particular, the cv. Chevron accumulatesmore Na⁺ than the more salt-tolerant cv. CM67, and has lowerleaf K⁺ concentrations. When salt was applied as a spray tothe leaves, CM67 accumulated more Na+ than Chevron, and theselection Sinis 27 (from a landrace collected on the Sinis Peninsulaof Sardinia) accumulated more Na⁺ than Sinis 28. In some casesleaf K⁺ concentrations decreased in response to high concentrationsof salt sprayed on to the leaves. Accumulation of Na⁺ was greaterin the 4th leaf than in the flag leaf. Added CaCI₂ had oppositeeffects when added to the salt applied to the soil or to thesaline spray. In the soil, CaCI₂ reduced Na⁺ uptake; appliedto the leaf it increased Na⁺ uptake. Pre-wetting the leavesbefore the salt spray, or washing the leaves with non-salinewater 1 h after the salt spray, reduced the uptake of Na⁺ andCl^–. It is clear that tolerance to salt applied as saltspray or in the soil are different characteristics. Key words: Barley, salt, foliar uptake, calcium     

Bone marrow hypoplasia associated with estrus in ferrets

Bone marrow hypoplasia was characterized in a group of female ferrets during prolonged estrus. All ferrets exhibited hematological changes characteristic of various degrees of bone marrow hypoplasia. Hematological findings included initial thrombocytosis and leukocytosis followed by thrombocytopenia, leukopenia and anemia. Platelet counts below 50,000/microliters were observed in 55% of the ferrets. Hemorrhagic anemia due to thrombocytopenia was the most common cause of death and the mortality rate was 40%. Histopathological findings included bone marrow hypoplasia affecting all cell lines and decreased splenic extramedullary hematopoiesis.     

Salmon poisoning disease in juvenile coyotes: clinical evaluation and infectivity of metacercariae and rickettsiae

Clinical salmon poisoning disease (SPD), and survival of Neorickettsia helminthoeca and metacercariae of Nanophyetus salmincola in fish were evaluated experimentally in 12-wk-old coyotes (Canis latrans) to determine the potential of SPD for biological control of coyotes. Coyotes readily ate fish that contained metacercariae and rickettsiae. They developed diarrhea, anorexia and lethargy within 7 days after feeding. Infected coyotes lost 58% of their body weight when compared to uninfected controls. They died or became moribund and were euthanatized within 17 days after feeding. Rickettsiae were present in the macrophages of lymph nodes of all affected coyotes. Clinical disease occurred in coyotes fed fresh fish, but not in coyotes fed fish stored at 4 C for greater than or equal to 30 days or at -20 C for 14 days. Metacercariae in fish were viable after 60 days at 4 C. These trematodes developed in coyotes, but clinical SPD did not occur. This indicated survival of metacercariae, but not rickettsiae. Metacercariae were not viable after 14 days at -20 C.