Sterilization of Plants for Phytoremediation Studies by Bleach Treatment

Bleach treatment of plants was studied as a simple alternative to axenic tissue cultures for demonstrating phytodegradation of aqueous and gas-phase environmental contaminants. Parrotfeather (Myriophyllum aquaticum), spinach (Spinacia oleracea), and wheat (Triticum aestivum) were exposed to 0.525% NaC10 solutions for 15 s, then rinsed in deionized water. Plate counts indicated that 97 to 100% of viable bacteria were removed from parrotfeather and spinach. Transformation rates for 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) by bleached and untreated parrotfeather were virtually identical. Similarly, treated and untreated spinach, wheat heads, and wheat leaves removed methyl bromide (MeBr) from air at the same rates. However, wheat root with attendant adhering soil was rendered inactive by bleach treatment. Parrotfeather roots examined by dissecting microscope and by electron microscope showed no significant damage caused by bleach treatment.     

Activation of superoxide production and differential exocytosis in polymorphonuclear leukocytes by cytochalasins A,B, C,D and E: Effects of various ions

All of the common cytochalasins activate superoxide anion release and exocytosis of β-N-acetylglucosaminidase and lysozyme from guinea-pig polymorphonuclear leukocytes (neutrophils) incubated in a buffered sucrose medium. Half-maximal activation of both processes is produced by approx. 2 μM cytochalasin A, C >μM cytochalasin B ? 4–5 μM cytochalasin D, E. While maximal rates of O₂^? release and extents of exocytosis require extracellular calcium (1–2 mM), replacing sucrose with monovalent cation chlorides is inhibitory to neutrophil activation by cytochalasins. Na⁺, K⁺ or choline inhibited either cytochalasin B- or E-stimulated O₂^? production with IC₅₀ values of 5–10 mM and inhibition occurs whether Cl^?, NO₃^? or SCN^? is the anion added with Na⁺ or K⁺. Release of β-N-acetylglucosaminidase in control or cytochalasin B-stimulated cells is inhibited by NaCl (IC₅₀ ≈ 10 mM), while cytochalasin E-stimulated exocytosis is reduced less and K⁺ or choline chloride are ineffective in inhibiting either cytochalasin B- or E-stimulated exocytosis. Release of β-glucuronidase, myeloperoxidase or acid phosphatase from neutrophils incubated in buffered sucrose is not stimulated by cytochalasin B. Stimulation of either O₂^? or β-N-acetylglucosaminidase release by low concentrations of cytochalasin A is followed by inhibition of each at higher concentrations. It appears that all cytochalasins can activate both NAD(P)H oxidase and selective degranulation of neutrophils incubated in salt-restricted media and that differential inhibition of these two processes by monovalent cations and/or anions is produced at some step(s) subsequent to cytochalasin interaction with the cell.     

Effect of iodide on estrogen-induced uterine peroxidase

Iodide administered in the drinking water for 5–7 days increased the activity of estradiol-induced uterine peroxidase in the immature rat. This effect was specific for iodide and could not be mimicked by chloride, bromide, thiocyanate, perchlorate or iodate. Sodium iodide also increased peroxidase activity in the parotid gland but had no effect on glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase in the uterus, thyroid or parotid even though estradiol produced a 2-fold increase in the activity of this enzyme in the uterus. ¹²⁵I was taken up more readily by the uterus than by muscle but this process was not influenced by prior treatment of the animals with estrogen. The in vitro effect of sulfhydryl reagents on uterine peroxidase was also investigated and proposals made for possible mechanisms of action of iodide on this enzyme in the intact animal.     

Passive irrigation and functional morphology of crustacean burrows in a tropical mangrove swamp

Flushing measurements and a resin cast of a burrow inhabited by Sesarma messa and Alpheus cf macklay were taken from a Rhizophoraspp. forest. The burrow had 9 openings and occupied a swamp surface area of 0.64 m². Passive irrigation of the burrow was investigated by recording change in conductivity of burrow water in a chamber 45 cm below the swamp surface during tidal inundation of the swamp. The chamber was completely flushed within approximately one hour, i.e. by a single tidal event. Burrow morphology was determined by means of resin casting. The investigated burrow was of discrete structure, with an overall depth of 1.2 m and a total volume of 68 l, i.e. ca. 9% of the volume of swamp soil. The below ground surface area of chambers and tunnels was 3.8 m². The mean and maximum chamber/tunnel diameter was 7 cm and 11 cm respectively. The soil in the close vicinity of the burrow was extensively penetrated by roots, and any two parts of the burrow were located no further than 20 cm away from each other. By reducing diffusion distances within the soil and by being well flushed, the burrows provide an efficient mechanism for removal of excess salt accumulated in the soil around mangrove roots due to exclusion.     

Global introductions of salmon and trout in the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Oncorhynchus</Emphasis>: 1870–2007

The purpose of this review is to provide a global perspective on Oncorhynchus salmonine introductions and put-and-take fisheries based on modern stocking programs, with special emphasis on freshwater ecosystems. We survey the global introductions of nine selected salmonines of the genus Oncorhynchus: golden trout, cutthroat trout, pink salmon, chum salmon, coho salmon, masu/cherry salmon, rainbow trout/steelhead, sockeye salmon/kokanee, and chinook salmon. The information is organized on a geographical basis by continent, and then by species and chronology. Two different objectives and associated definitions of ‘success’ for introductions are distinguished: (a) seed introduction: release of individuals with the purpose of creating a wild-reproducing, self-sustaining population; and (b) put-and-take introduction: release of individuals with the purpose of maintaining some level of wild population abundance, regardless of wild reproduction. We identify four major phenomena regarding global salmonine introductions: (1) general inadequacy of documentation regarding introductions; (2) a fundamental disconnect between management actions and ecological consequences of introductions; (3) the importance of global climate change on success of previous and future introductions; and (4) the significance of aquaculture as a key uncertainty in accidental introductions. We conclude this review with a recognition of the need to terminate ongoing stocking programs for introduced salmonines worldwide.     

Molecular heterogeneity of D-end products detected by anti-H-2.28 sera

Immunoprecipitation of NP-40 lysates of 125I-labeled lymph-node cells with different anti-H-2 sera and with anti-Qa-2 serum has shown that the BALB/cByA strain (H-2d, Qa-2-negative) expresses, besides H-2Ld, another molecule that is not detectable in the BALB/c-H-2dm2 strain. Electrophoresis in SDS polyacrylamide gels indicated that this molecule, provisionally designated Lq, has an apparent molecular weight of 41000 daltons, in contrast to approximately 49000 daltons for H-2Kd and H-2Ld, and 47000 daltons for H-2Dd molecules. The anti-Qa-2 serum precipitated from the Qa-2-positive strains BALB/cHeA but not from the Qa-2-negative strains BALB/cByA and BALB/c-H-2dm2 a protein that gave a very strong band corresponding to the molecular weight 41000 daltons in the gel electrophoresis. The biochemical characteristics of the Lq molecule are thus more similar to those of Qa-2 than of H-2 antigens.