Comparison of Color and Body Condition Between Early and Late Breeding King Penguins

Early breeding is associated with greater reproductive success in many species. In king penguins, Aptenodytes patagonicus , laying extends for 6 mo. Early breeders may fledge a single chick at best, but late breeders virtually never fledge a chick. For early and late breeders, we compared colored ornaments known to be important in mate choice: yellow–orange feathers of the breast and auricular areas, and an ultraviolet and yellow–orange beak spot. Our purpose was to discern differences between males and females in this highly sexually monomorphic species, as well as to discern whether colored ornaments are more important for the more successful early breeders (aspects of color were hue, chroma, and brightness). For this, we weighed and measured 130 penguins. Early males had greater reflectance of ultraviolet color from the beak spot than did early females and late breeders of both sexes, and the early males were heavier and in better condition than late breeding males or females. Late breeding females were the yellowest in breast hue, a trait that has been linked to immunocompetence. Within pairs, males and females were significantly correlated in body mass, but only early in the breeding season. We concluded that early in the breeding season when reproductive success was greatest, potential mates were not only more similar in body mass, but also that females may have chosen males that had brighter beak spots and were in better body condition.     

Noninvasively measured immune responses reflect current parasite infections in a wild carnivore and are linked to longevity

Host immune defenses are important components of host–parasite interactions that affect the outcome of infection and may have fitness consequences for hosts when increased allocation of resources to immune responses undermines other essential life processes. Research on host–parasite interactions in large free‐ranging wild mammals is currently hampered by a lack of verified noninvasive assays. We successfully adapted existing assays to measure innate and adaptive immune responses produced by the gastrointestinal mucosa in spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta) feces, including enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs), to quantify fecal immunoglobulins (total IgA, total IgG) and total fecal O‐linked oligosaccharides (mucin). We investigated the effect of infection load by an energetically costly hookworm (Ancylostoma), parasite richness, host age, sex, year of sampling, and clan membership on immune responses and asked whether high investment in immune responses during early life affects longevity in individually known spotted hyenas in the Serengeti National Park, Tanzania. Fecal concentrations of IgA, IgG, and mucin increased with Ancylostoma egg load and were higher in juveniles than in adults. Females had higher mucin concentrations than males. Juvenile females had higher IgG concentrations than juvenile males, whereas adult females had lower IgG concentrations than adult males. High IgA concentrations during the first year of life were linked to reduced longevity after controlling for age at sampling and Ancylostoma egg load. Our study demonstrates that the use of noninvasive methods can increase knowledge on the complex relationship between gastrointestinal parasites and host local immune responses in wild large mammals and reveal fitness‐relevant effects of these responses.     

Biphasic mini-reactor for characterization of biocatalyst performance

Biphasic reaction media are extending the scope of technical biocatalysis. Thorough investigation of the factors affecting catalyst performance under these conditions is of key importance for the successful implementation of catalytic processes. Here, we present a reactor setup suitable for comprehensive systematic characterization and optimization of biocatalyzed reactions in biphasic systems with distinct phases. It is distinguished by small volumes allowing reproducible experimentation with minimum amounts of solvent and catalyst. The interfacial area is kept constant and independent stirring of both phases is allowed in order to minimize superimposing effects. Evaporation of low-volatile organic solvents is prevented by use of airtight construction. The broad applicability of this mini-reactor is demonstrated with regard to determination of mass transfer, enzyme productivity, and enzyme stability in both batch and continuous mode.     

A SURVEY OF THE VEGETATIVE SHOOT APICES IN THE FAMILY MALVACEAE

The present study compares the structure of the vegetative shoot apex in 40 species of the Malvaceae. There is a wide range of size, shape, and zonation within the apices of the family. Although many of the apices are domed, some are flat-topped and do not extend above the axil of the youngest leaf primordium. Also, most of the species investigated are recorded as having a more or less marked cytohistological zonation superimposed on the tunica-corpus configuration. The tunica is single-layered in a majority of species, but stratification of the upper corpus is common. In an effort to give a more accurate concept of apical structure and activity, the apex is described as the metrameristem and its derivatives: the flanking meristem, and the pith rib meristem or pith mother cells. The metrameristem, consisting of the tunica initials and the co pus initials, is the focal point of the study of the zoned apices. Data are presented for the measurements of the metrameristem, measurements of the apical dome, type of flanking meristem, origin of the pith, and growth habit of the plant. There appears to be a correlation between growth habit and the distinctness with which the metrameristem is marked off from the surrounding tissue. Most of the herbaceous species have an indistinctly marked metrameristem, whereas the shrubby trees and trees have a distinctly marked metrameristem. Zonation in shrubs and suffrutescent plants may be of either type.     

Ribosomal proteins S2, S6, S10, S14, S15 and S25 are localized on the surface of mammalian 40 S subunits and stabilize their conformation. A study with immobilized trypsin

Trypsin immobilized on collagen membranes has been used to digest accessible ribosomal proteins of rat liver 40 S subunits. Six proteins (S2, S6, S10, S14, S15 and S25) have been found to be highly exposed on the surface of 40 S particles. They appear to be in close physical contact and localized in the same region of the subunit, most likely protruding at its surface. Electric birefringence reveals that digestion of these proteins results in unfolding of subunits: the birefringence of 40 S particles becomes negative, like that of RNA, the relaxation time undergoes a 15-fold decrease and the mechanism of orientation is drastically modified.     

Evaluation of Propionibacterium acnes Isolates Using Contour-clamped Homogeneous Electric Field Gel Electrophoresis

Contour-clamped homogeneous electric field electrophoresis was performed to compare strains ofPropionibacterium acnes isolated from patients with chronic postoperative endophthalmitis. Propionibacterium acnes isolates were obtained from the vitreous humor of nine patients with chronic postoperative endophthalmitis following cataract surgery. In two of the patients, P. acnes isolates were also obtained from the aqueous humor as well as from the vitreous humor. Bacterial DNA was digested using Not I and Spe I restriction endonucleases. The DNA fragments were then subjected to contour-clamped homogeneous electric field electrophoresis and the DNA banding patterns were analysed. Eight nonidentical banding patterns were identified among the nine vitreous isolates of P. acnes. In each of the two cases from which aqueous and vitreous isolates were recovered from the same eye, the banding patterns were identical. Contour-clamped homogeneous electric field electrophoresis is a powerful method to distinguish P. acnes isolates based on DNA banding patterns and could be used in the epidemiological study of clinical processes caused by this organism.     

The effect of nutrient and water additions on elemental mobility through small tundra watersheds

The objective was to quantify elemental movement through small tundra watersheds as affected by nutrient and water additions. Nutrient (slow-release NPK fertilizer) and water additions were applied to small tundra watersheds along Imnavait Creek Northern Alaska. Suction lysimeters and weired watersheds were used to monitor elemental mobility. Elemental concentrations in undisturbed watersheds were similar to Hubbard Brook watersheds except for NO₃-N which was much higher and PO₄-P which was lower in the Hubbard Brook watersheds. The water addition treatment led to a significant increase in Ca, Mg, Na, Fe, Mn and SO₄ concentrations which was attributed to contamination originating from within the water distribution system. Increased elemental concentrations in the irrigated watersheds were found up to 85 m below the point of application. Ammonium and NO₃ originating from the fertilizer were detected 6 m below the application point within two weeks of application. The NH₄ and NO₃ concentrations remained above background levels for two field seasons following fertilization. Both the irrigation and fertilization studies show that disturbances in tundra ecosystems may spread far beyond the initially impacted area both with respect to time and space.     

Congenital Hypofibrinogenemia in Five Members of a Family

The bleeding tendency in five members of one family with fibrinogen levels ranging from 58 mg. % to 158 mg. % was mild and chiefly related to dental extractions. Abruptio placentae in one patient produced severe bleeding. Reports of menstrual bleeding patterns in patients with defects of hemostatic mechanisms suggest that normal platelets, vascular function and extrinsic and possibly intrinsic coagulation systems, except for fibrinogen, control menstrual blood loss. An autosomal dominant gene with variable penetrance may determine fibrinogen levels.