The Distribution of Protein and Non-structural Carbohydrate in Five Oat Varieties during Plant Growth and Grain Development

Two European and three North American spring oat varieties,selected for their variation in grain protein percentage, weregrown in a field experiment. Plants were sampled at regularintervals during growth and development, separated into grainand straw where appropriate, and analysed for protein and non-structuralcarbohydrate. Grain protein content increased throughout grain filling andvarietal differences were apparent during development and atmaturity. Grain non-structural carbohydrate also increased duringdevelopment but varietal differences were distinct only at maturitywhen the high-protein varieties were lower in grain non-structuralcarbohydrate. The ratio of protein to non-structural carbohydratein the grain was higher in the high protein varieties throughoutmost of the grain filling period and at maturity but there wereno varietal differences in total protein plus non-structuralcarbohydrate per grain. The protein and carbohydrate contentsof the straw declined during grain filling and although therewas varietal variation in the rate and degree of loss whichmay be associated with grain protein content, there was no indicationthat high protein was associated with a reduction in carbohydrateremobilisation.     

Occurrence of Glycoside Hydrolases in Plant Pathogenic and Related Bacteria

One hundred and twenty-eight isolates representing 37 species and six genera of plant pathogenic and related bacteria were tested for the presence of /3–galactosidase, glucosidase. β-glucosidase and β-xylosidase; using nitrophenyl glycopyranosides as substrates. Agrobacterium tumefaciens, Corynebacterium flaccumfaciens, C. michiganense. Flavobacterium pectinovorum and Pseudomonas maltophilia showed activity on all of the four substrates. Xanthomonas albilineans and three nomenspecies of the X. campestris group had little or no o-glucosidase activity but all other tests with Xanthomonas spp . were positive. None of the fluorescen; pseudomonads examined possessed β-galactosidase but P. stizolobii, P. andropogonis and P. rubrisubalbicans , among the non-fluorescent pseudomonads showed activity.     

Brittle stars (Echinodermata: Ophiuroidea) from La Réunion and the systematic position of Ophiocanops Koehler, 1922

The ophiuroid fauna of La Réunion, Indian Ocean, is still incompletely known. We report 13 different species from coral reefs, including five new records and a probably undescribed species of Amphioplus , which increases the number of ophiuroids known from La Réunion to 25. The most important find consists of three individuals of a previously unknown representative of the genus Ophiocanops . Originally placed in Ophiomyxidae, its systematic position has long been debated, with some authors advocating a placement with the otherwise extinct Palaeozoic Oegophiurida, based on the absence of several skeletal characters. The new species, O. multispina sp. nov. , shows intermediate characters between its previously only known congener, O. fugiens , and the ophiomyxid Renetheo felli . The three species appear to represent a line of taxa with progressively reduced skeleton instead of an ancient condition. We propose to transfer Ophiocanops back to the Ophiomyxidae, to synonymize Renetheo with Ophiocanops , and to invalidate the Ophiocanopidae, for which there is no autapomorphy-based support. © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2008, 153 , 545–560.     

Immunity to Babesia bigemina in Experimentally Infected Cattle

Two groups of 5 and 6 Babesia bigemina“vaccine donor” animals of which 8 had been splenectomized were challenged 6 and 12 months respectively after they had lost their carrier state. All animals of the former, and 3 of the latter group survived; the remaining 3 animals succumbed to the challenge and died. It was concluded that premunity to B. bigemina is followed by sterile immunity which lasts for at least 6 months. Thereafter it fades gradually with time, depending on the immune response of the host, but can last for at least 12 months. Six splenectomized animals, which had lost their infectivity after treatment of their initial B. bigemina parasitemia at the rapidly rising phase with 1 mg/kg Berenil, died on challenge. It was concluded that a minimum period of contact between host and parasite is required for the acquisition of immunity to B. bigemina. Capillary tube agglutination titers were generally higher in the protected than in the unprotected animals. They remained fairly high for a long period after animals had lost their carrier state, which indicated the sensitivity of the CA test but rendered it unreliable for the detection of carrier animals.     

Research in general practice: a survey of incentives and disincentives for research participation

Background Recruitment rates of general practitioners (GPs) to do research vary widely. This may be related to the ability of a study to incorporate incentives for GPs and minimise barriers to participation.Method A convenience sample of 30 GPs, ten each from the Sydney intervention and control groups Ageing in General Practice ‘Detection and Management of Dementia’ project (GP project) and 10 GPs who had refused participation, were recruited to determine incentives and barriers to participating in research. GPs completed the 11-item ‘Meeting the challenges of research in general practice: general practitioner questionnaire’ (GP survey) between months 15 and 24 of the GP project, and received brief qualitative interviews from a research GP to clarify responses where possible.Results The most important incentives the 30 GPs gave for participating in the project were a desire to update knowledge (endorsed by 70%), to help patients (70%), and altruism (60%). Lack of time (43%) was the main barrier. GPs also commented on excessive paperwork and an inadequate explanation of research.Conclusions While a desire to update knowledge and help patients as well as altruism were incentives, time burden was the primary barrier and was likely related to extensive paperwork. Future recruitment may be improved by minimising time burden, making studies simpler with online data entry, offering remuneration and using a GP recruiter.     

Systematic notes on some British Ascophora (Bryozoa: Cheilostomata)

A review of the British ascophoran cheilostomes has revealed several instances of synonymic confusion, and necessitated the introduction of two new generic names. Porelloides gen. nov. is instituted for two species formerly included in Porella , with P. laevis (Fleming) as type species, and Phaceostachys gen. nov. is introduced for Lepralia spinifera Johnson. Smittoidea amplissima sp. nov. was hitherto not distinguished from Smittina landsborovii (Johnston). Porella minuta (Norman), reported from localities as far afield as the western Mediterranean and the Canadian Arctic, is shown to comprise two species, and the northern records are here attributed to P. alba Nordgaard. Exharella labiosa (Busk) and E. klugei sp. nov. (=E. ventricosa var. peristomata Kluge) are redescribed, and E. laqueata and E. abyssicola are discussed. The case for retaining Cellepora Linnaeus is argued and Lepralia quincuncialis Norman is referred to Buskea Heller.     

Revision of diplectanid monogeneans (Monopisthocotylea, Diplectanidae) in sillaginid fishes, with a description of a new species of Monoplectanum

Five species of diplectanids are described or redescribed on the basis of sclerotised parts, from a survey of 26 species of Sillaginidae in the Indo-west Pacific. Diplectanum sillagonum Tripathi is widespread, and is recorded on Sillago sihama from tropical Australia north to Hong Kong and west to India, as well as on S. vincenti (in India) and S. attenuata (Persian Gulf). Diplectanum blairense Gupta & Khanna infects S. sihama and S. indica and is sympatric with D. sillagonum over some of its range (Hong Kong to India and south to Bali). Diplectanum flagritubus Nagibina is synonymised with D. blairense. Diplectanum puriense Tripathi is redescribed from S. chondropus in western Thailand, but was not found on specimens of its type host, Sillaginopsis panijus from the Bay of Bengal. Monoplectanum youngi sp. n. is described from Sillago analis, S. ciliata, S. sihama, S. parvisquamis, S. lutea and S. attenuata and is more widespread than D. sillagonum , extending into subtropical waters in Australia. Monoplectanum australe Young infects S. maculata and S. burrus , and appears to be endemic to Australia. The diagnosis of Monoplectanum , until now monotypic, is emended, the genus is unlikely to contain more new species on sillaginid fishes, and its two species probably share a common ancestor with D. blairense. Parasitological evidence favours a close relationship between Sillaginidae and Sciaenidae.