A life table ofMogannia iwasakii (Homoptera: Cicadiidae) in sugarcane field of Okinawa

A preliminary life table of the sugarcane cicada, Mogannia iwasakii, which became a pest of sugarcane in Okinawa recently, was presented based on the results of field survey. Mortality rates during egg and later nymphal stages were low but a remarkable reduction of the number of individuals in a cohort took place at the 1st nymphal instar, mainly due to predation by ants. Ants also killed the cicada during and just after the final ecdysis and birds concentrated their feeding on adults. Prenatal mortality of adults was, however, low in the infested area, suggesting the ‘escape’ of cicadas from the pressure of predators. This espace is considered to be a factor responsible to the maintainance of outbreak for a long time. Increase in the acreage of ratton canes and wide-use of organochlorine insecticides during the 1960's were assumed to be the factors responsible to the initial increase of this species.     

Effects of high-temperature treatment on two essential light processes and an intervening dark process in photoinduced pileus primordium formation of a basidiomycete,Favolus arcularius

The photoinduced formation of pileus primordia inFavolus arcularius involves two essential light processes and an inserting dark process. The nature of these elementary proceses in epileate stipes was examined by the use of high temperature under a 1-h light-7-h dark-continuous light regimen. Epileate stipes were exposed to a temperature treatment of 37°C for 15 min after the beginning of pileus primordium formation, which disrupted the photomorphogenetic progress without any after-effects. When high temperature was applied in the first light process or the early phase of the dark process, it completely voided the established career. A temperature-sensitive key dark reaction may have occurred in the period of 0–2 h. When high temperature was applied during the late phase of the dark period, it caused only a delay in pileus primordium, formation, suggesting that the high temperature might only retard the progression of the dark morphogenetic reaction in this period. In addition, the early phase of the second light process was effectively disrupted by the use of high temperature, but sensitivity to high temperature gradually decreased with the progress of pileus differentiation.     

In vivo antileishmanial activity and chemical profile of polar extract from Selaginella sellowii

The polar hydroethanolic extract from Selaginella sellowii(SSPHE) has been previously proven active on intracellular amastigotes (in vitro test) and now was tested on hamsters infected with Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis (in vivo test). SSPHE suppressed a 100% of the parasite load in the infection site and draining lymph nodes at an intralesional dose of 50 mg/kg/day × 5, which was similar to the results observed in hamsters treated with N-methylglucamine antimonate (Sb) (28 mg/Kg/day × 5). When orally administered, SSPHE (50 mg/kg/day × 20) suppressed 99.2% of the parasite load in infected footpads, while Sb suppressed 98.5%. SSPHE also enhanced the release of nitric oxide through the intralesional route in comparison to Sb. The chemical fingerprint of SSPHE by high-performance liquid chromatography with diode-array detection and tandem mass spectrometry showed the presence of biflavonoids and high molecular weight phenylpropanoid glycosides. These compounds may have a synergistic action in vivo. Histopathological study revealed that the intralesional treatment with SSPHE induced an intense inflammatory infiltrate, composed mainly of mononuclear cells. The present findings reinforce the potential of this natural product as a source of future drug candidates for American cutaneous leishmaniasis.     

Synthesis of l-3, 4-Dihydroxyphenylalanine from l-Tyrosine by Microorganisms

l-3, 4-Dihydroxyphenylalanine can be synthesized efficiently from l-tyrosine under acidic conditions by Aspergillus oryzae and other fungi.     

Function of Tongue-Playing of Cattle in Association With Other Behavioral and Physiological Characteristics

To study the function of tongue-playing of cattle, this study observed 71 Japanese Black × Holstein steers after feeding in 2 repetitive experiments. The number of steers who performed tongue-playing did not differ among the 3 levels of environmentally enriched pens. Most (90.6%) performances of tongue-playing terminated within 20 min. Frequency of tongue-playing positively correlated with the frequency of resting (r = 0.25, p < .05). Frequency of eating was lower in tongue-playing steers (n = 40) than in non-tongue-playing steers (n = 31; p < .05). Frequencies of self-grooming (p < .05), ruminating (p < .05), and lying ruminating (p < .01) were higher in tongue-playing steers. Plasma dopamine concentration was lower in tongue-playing steers (p < .05). In conclusion, tongue-playing that lasts only for a short time after feeding was induced by behavioral features of steers who rest more and eat hay less at the same time as they perform grooming and ruminating.     

Gallyas-Schiff Stain for Senile Plaques

Gallyas technique was modified by a direct application of Schiff's reagent after physical development, resulting in distinctive staining of amyloid deposits in argyrophilic structures. With this modified method, senile plaques in Alzheimer's disease are clearer. This method is easy to perform and suitable for routine neuropathol-ogical examination.