A new species of Bradyidius (Copepoda, Calanoida) from the Gulf of Carpentaria, Australia

A new species of copepod belonging to the family Aetideidae,Bradyidius slyliformis sp. nov. is described and figured. Therelationship of this species to the other 12 members of thegenus is discussed. ¹Present address: 121 Jalan Athinahapan Dua, Taman Tun Dr Ismail,60000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia     

Characterization of the purified multifunctional cellulase component of Penicillium funiculosum

Summary The endoglucanase component (CMCase I) ofPenicillium funiculosum cellulase was purified to apparent homogeneity by ultrafiltration and gel chromatography. It consists of a single polypeptide chain with a molecular weight of 56000 and is a glycoprotein. Viscometric and end-product analysis revealed the randomness of enzyme action. Multifunctional characteristic of CMCase I was studied with various carbohydrate substrates.NCL Communication No.: 4307     

Temperature regulation in a burrow-nesting tropical seabird,the Wedge-tailed Shearwater (Puffinus pacificus)

Summary At low air temperatures (2.3–13.9°C), Wedge-tailed Shearwaters (Puffinus pacificus) shivered and their oxygen consumption increased to as much as 283% of the mean value (0.77 ml O₂/g·h) within the thermoneutral zone of air temperature (23–34°C). The minimal thermal conductance of the tissues and plumage was similar to the value predicted from the body mass (320.5 g). The oxygen consumption of the birds within their thermoneutral zone was lower than predictions based on body mass. At elevated air temperatures, the shearwaters panted at respiratory frequencies as high as 260 respirations/min; maximal respiratory frequencies were not invoked until the birds had become hyperthermic. During exposure to a hot environment, the oxygen consumption of the birds increased and in most instances the shearwaters were not able to lose heat equivalent to their concurrent metabolic heat production.Symbols and abbreviations BMR basal metabolic rate - C _total total thermal conductance - f respiratory frequency - TEWL total evaporative water loss - T _st stomach temperature - T _re rectal temperature     

ARAGONITE CRYSTALS IN SPIROGYRA SP. (CHLOROPHYTA)

Intracellular crystals of aragonite have been identified by selected area electron diffraction (SAED) in a species of the freshwater filamentous alga Spirogyra from the Thames River, Ontario, Canada. The crystals are 2 to 24 μm in diameter, and characterized by a unique cross-shaped morphology, in which needle-like, or prismatic outgrowths develop from a common axis. Crystals may be dispersed throughout filaments, but tend to cluster as aggregates towards the centre .     

The multicomponent analysis of estrogens in urine by ion exchange chromatography and GC-MS--I. Quantitation of estrogens after initial hydrolysis of conjugates

A method for the multicomponent analysis of estrogens in urine after initial hydrolysis of the conjugates is described. Following protection of the carbonyl functions by ethoximation, estrogen conjugates were extracted on Sep-Pak C18 cartridges and purified on the acetate form of DEAE-Sephadex. The samples were subsequently hydrolysed by Helix pomatia juice and the hydrolysate was purified on the acetate form of QAE-Sephadex. Estrogens with vicinal cis-hydroxyls and diphenolic compounds were fractionated on the borate and bicarbonate form of QAE-Sephadex, respectively. Neutral steroids were removed by the free base form of DEAE-Sephadex after which estrogens were separated into two groups using Lipidex 5000 in a straight phase system. Following trimethylsilyl ether derivatization estrogens were analysed by selected ion monitoring (SIM). The method allows the quantitation of all the important estrogen metabolites including catechol estrogens. It is precise, accurate and sensitive permitting the quantitation of estrogens in urine of males and non-pregnant females.     

The probability with which EMS-initiated mutagenic lesions generate mutations in CHO cells

In this note we distinguish between multiple mutations affecting a given locus which are generated at separate error-prone lesions and multiple independent mutations generated at a single error-prone lesion. We describe a basis for determining the probability with which the latter class of mutations occurs based on the mutant fraction in the progeny and determine an average probability of 0.6 mutations/replication/mutagenic site for those EMS-modified sites which are mutagenic for G6PDH activity in CHO cells.     

Activation of fatty acids by non-glyoxysomal peroxisomes

Ethylene treatment (approx. 20 l ·1^-1 in air for 2 d) of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L. cv. Havana 425) plants markedly increases the endo--1,3-glucanase (EC 3.2.1.39) content of leaves. The antigenic form of the enzyme induced is the same one whose production is blocked by treating cultured cells with combinations of auxin (1.1 · 10^-5 M -naphthaleneacetic acid) and cytokinin (1.4 · 10^-6 M kinetin). Evidence is presented that cultured tobacco cells require ethylene for -1,3-glucanase accumulation: i) ethylene treatment increased the accumulation of \-1,3-glucanase in callus tissues >10 d after subculturing and in cell-suspension cultures; ii) callus tissues can produce ethylene; iii) conditions known to inhibit ethylene production (1 mM CoCl₂; 33° C treatment) or ethylene action (approx. 1.6 mmol · 1^-1 norbornadiene in air) inhibited -1,3-glucanase accumulation by callus tissues treated for 4 d following subculturing; and, these inhibitory effects were prevented by exogenous ethylene. Combinations of auxin and cytokinin blocked ethylene-induced accumulation of -1,3-glucanase by cell-suspension cultures. The results favor a model in which ethylene induces results favor a model in which ethylene induces 1,3-glucanase accumulation, and auxin and cytokinin inhibit this induction process.Abbreviations NAA -naphthaleneacetic acid - NDE norbornadiene     

The right ventricular working heart preparation

An isolated working rat heart preparation was modified to study right ventricular (RV) performance. All hearts were perfused with a Krebs-Henseleit bicarbonate buffer via a Langendorff column at 90 mm Hg. Right atrial filling (preload) was varied by raising a buffer reservoir from 5 cm below to 10 cm above the right atrium while pulmonary artery outflow resistance remained fixed. RV systolic pressure and the maximum rise and decrease in pressure development (+/- dP/dt) were measured via a catheter in the RV. Cardiac output was collected with a catheter placed in the pulmonary artery. One group of hearts, monitored at a fixed preload (0 cm H2O) for 2 hr, and another group of hearts, in which two ventricular function curves were performed, demonstrated the stability and reproducibility of the preparation. Additionally, the ability of this preparation to measure changes in inotropy was studied. A negative inotropic effect was measured after verapamil (5 X 10(-8) M) treatment. Positive dP/dt showed the greatest depression (30%) and was significantly lower at every preload. A positive inotropic effect was demonstrated by reducing the buffer Ca2+ concentration to 1.9 mM for the first work curve followed by an addition of Ca2+ (2.8 mM final concentration) or ouabain (5 X 10(-5) M) for the second work curve. Again, the greatest effect was found in the dP/dt measurements (elevated by 20 and 30%, respectively). Thus, this preparation manifests qualities similar to those used in studying the left ventricle and allows investigation of various cardiac diseases which may affect RV pump function.     

Genetic and biological analyses of a herpes simplex virus intertypic recombinant reduced specifically for neurovirulence.

RS6 is a herpes simplex virus intertypic recombinant derived from type 1 strain 17 syn+ and type 2 strain HG52. With a 50% lethal dose of about 10(5) PFU after intracerebral inoculation of mice, RS6 was approximately 100,000 times less neurovirulent than either of its wild-type parental viruses were. When compared with strains 17 syn+ and HG52, RS6 replicated intermediately in primary mouse embryo fibroblasts in vitro at 38.5 degrees C (mouse temperature) and to wild-type peak titers in mouse feet in vivo. In contrast, following intracranial inoculation of mice, RS6 replicated significantly less well than did either of its parental viruses in brains. The genetic defect(s) responsible for the reduced neurovirulence of RS6 was stable after in vitro and in vivo serial passage, was not manifested as temperature-sensitive plaquing in vitro, and did not affect thymidine kinase expression. These data indicate that RS6 has a genetic defect(s) specifically affecting its ability to replicate in the mouse brain. Using marker rescue technologies, we increased the neurovirulence of RS6 and localized one genetic determinant(s) involved with the reduced neurovirulence of this agent to 0.72 to 0.87 map units (and, tentatively, to 0.79 to 0.83 map units) of the herpes simplex virus genome. When coupled with the work suggesting that thymidine kinase expression is essential for efficient replication in nerve tissues and earlier reports from this laboratory and others, the results presented in this study indicate that more than one herpes simplex virus gene is involved with neurovirulence.     

Hynes pharyngoplasty revisited

The treatment of velopharyngeal incompetence remains unsatisfactory because the causes are many, as are the variations in anatomic and physiologic defects. Therefore, full assessment and investigation are essential in tailoring the surgery to the defect. A modified Hynes pharyngoplasty has been used in 40 patients, aged 4 to 52, over a 4-year period for velopharyngeal incompetence of varying etiologic causes. Speech was assessed before and at least 6 months after pharyngoplasty. At the same time, radiologic and, when possible, nasendoscopic investigations were undertaken. Thirty-eight patients had no or variable nasal escape (variable defined as achieving intermittent closure), whereas 33 had normal or slight hyponasal resonance. There was only one complication, an asymptomatic dehiscence of the "bucket handle" flap from the posterior wall. Thirteen patients had an assortment of side effects, none requiring surgical treatment. We believe that patients who are suitable for the described sphincter pharyngoplasty are those with slight or moderate nasal escape having a mobile palate with an anteroposterior gap of 5 mm or less.