Retention of low-fitness genotypes over six decades of admixture between native and introduced tiger salamanders

Background  

Introductions of non-native tiger salamanders into the range of California tiger salamanders have provided a rare opportunity to study the early stages of secondary contact and hybridization. We produced first- and second-generation hybrid salamanders in the lab and measured viability among these early-generation hybrid crosses to determine the strength of the initial barrier to gene exchange. We also created contemporary-generation hybrids in the lab and evaluated the extent to which selection has affected fitness over approximately 20 generations of admixture. Additionally, we examined the inheritance of quantitative phenotypic variation to better understand how evolution has progressed since secondary contact.     

Specificity and non-specificity of synaptic connections within mammalian visual cortex

It is clear from reviewing the findings of our own studies and those of others that the cerebral cortex has combined two very different strategies of organisation. Firstly it has a strictly defined genetically determined substrate of specific neurons classes, specific rules for which kinds of cells interconnect, a laminar architecture where efferent and afferent relays and interlaminar links are predetermined. But, as well, a second strategy allows great developmental lability in the precise spatial patterns of intralaminar circuits of the excitatory neurons and in the actual weights of excitatory and inhibitory synapses that are contributed to each neuron. This second strategy presumably allows the cortex to be tailor-made to the early experience of each individual and, as well, allow for lability of responses to different conditions of stimulation and adjustment of the system to compensate to some degree for injuries affecting afferents and circuitry in the adult system.     

Seed Germination and Seedling Growth in Sopubia delphinifolia - a Hemi-root Parasite: Germination Requirements

Requirements for seed germination (emergence of radicle) andseedling formation (emergence of both radicle and cotyledons)of a hemi-root parasite Sopubia delphinifolia were studied inthe absence of any host stimulus, in Petri dish and asepticcultures. Both water washing in trickling tap water as wellas cold treatment were effective in inducing/stimulating germinationand seedling formation in the light. Although ethrel, an ethylenereleasing compound, stimulated radicle emergence it inhibitedthe emergence of the cotyledons. Light was found to be essentialfor germination; none of the growth substances could replacethe light requirement. Light responses seem to be mediated throughthe phytochrome system. The results indicate that the emergenceof the radicle, its further growth into the root and the emergenceof cotyledons are controlled by different factors. Sopubia delphinifolia, hemi-root parasite, seed germination requirements, pretreatment, seedling formation     

Inhibitory effect of the flavonoid silymarin on the erythrocyte hemolysis induced by phenylhydrazine

The flavonoid silymarin, which is used as a therapeutical agent in the treatment of liver diseases, can inhibit the hemolysis and lipid peroxidation induced by phenylhydrazine on erythrocytes obtained from rats treated with the flavonoid. This effect is ascribed to the antioxidant properties as a free radical scavenger exhibited by the flavonoid. Silymarin failed to inhibit the glutathione depletion induced by phenylhydrazine on erythrocytes. It is proposed that the flavonoid acts at the membrane level of the cell avoiding the lipid peroxidative and fluidizing effect of phenylhydrazine.     

In vitro assessment of the toxicity of metal compounds

A review of in vitro mutagenesis assessment of metal compounds in mammalian and nonmammalian test systems has been compiled. Prokaryotic assays are ineffective or inconsistent in their detection of most metals as mutagens, with the notable exception of hexavalent chromium. Mammalian assay systems appear to be similarly inappropriate for the screening of metal compounds based upon the limited number of studies that have employed those compounds having known carcinogenic activity. Although of limited value as screening tests for the detection of potentially carcinogenic metal compounds, the well-characterized in vitro mutagenesis systems may prove to be of significant value as a means to elucidate mechanisms of metal genotoxicity.     

ATP synthase from bovine mitochondria: sequences of imported precursors of oligomycin sensitivity conferral protein, factor 6, and adenosinetriphosphatase inhibitor protein

Oligomycin sensitivity conferral protein (OSCP), factor 6 (F6), and ATPase inhibitor protein are all components of the ATP synthase complex of bovine mitochondria. They are encoded in nuclear DNA. Complementary DNA clones encoding the precursors of these proteins have been isolated from a bovine library by using mixtures of synthetic oligonucleotides as hybridization probes, and their DNA sequences have been determined. The deduced protein sequences show that the OSCP, F6, and inhibitor proteins have N-terminal presequences of 23, 32, and 25 amino acids, respectively. These presequences are not present in the mature proteins. It is assumed that they serve to direct the proteins into the mitochondrial matrix. The cDNA clones have also been employed as hybridization probes to investigate the genetic complexity of the three proteins in cows and humans. These experiments indicate that the bovine and human inhibitor and bovine F6 proteins are encoded by single genes but suggest the possibility of the presence in both species of more than one gene (or pseudogenes) for the OSCP.