Teeth eruption in children with normal occlusion and malocclusion

The aim of this study was to assess the differences in eruption of permanent teeth (C, P1, P2 and M2) in a group of children with and without malocclusion. A sample of 1758 children (921 boys and 837 girls), aged 8-13 was randomly selected. The subjects were grouped by chronological age (11 groups) and by presence of malocclusion. Statistically significant differences were found for both, upper and lower canines in the age group 11 (p<0.01). Statistically significant difference was found in the age group 8.5 for upper first (p<0.05), upper second premolars (p<0.01) in the age group 10, and the lower second premolars in the age group 11 (p<0.05). Premature loss of deciduous teeth caused early eruption of succedaneus permanent teeth, possibly leading to development of a malocclusion.     

Effect of storage conditions on virulence of Fusarium avenaceum and Alternaria alternata on apple fruits

To overcome difficulty in phytopathogenic fungi control during storage of apple fruits, the effect of different storage conditions on the occurrence and development of Fusarium avenaceum and Alternaria alternata infections on apple cultivar “Cripps Pink” was investigated during and after storage. Inhibitory effects of wild oregano essential oil on apple fruit rots caused by F. avenaceum and A. alternata were also tested as possible rot control measure. Artificially inoculated apple fruits were kept in cold storage with normal (NA) and controlled (CA) atmosphere for 95 days and at room temperature only. The obtained results indicated that different storage conditions significantly affect necrosis development on apple fruits caused by F. avenaceum and A. alternata after storage, as well as during shelf life.     

Glucose infusion partially attenuates glucose production and increases uptake during intense exercise

Glucose infusioncan prevent the increase in glucose production (R_a) andincrease glucose uptake (R_d) during exercise of moderate intensity. We postulated that 1)because in postabsorptive intense exercise (>80% maximalO₂ uptake) the eightfold increasein R_a may be mediated by catecholamines rather than byglucagon and insulin, exogenous glucose infusion would not prevent theR_a increment, and 2)such infusion would cause greater R_d. Fit young men were exercised at >85% maximal O₂uptake for 14 min in the postabsorptive state [controls (Con),n = 12] or atminute 210 of a 285-min glucose infusion. In seven subjects, the infusion was constant(CI; 4 mg · kg¹ · min¹),and in seven subjects it was varied (VI) to mimic the exercise R_a response in Con. Although glucose suppressedR_a to zero (with glycemia ~6 mM and insulin ~150 pM),an endogenous R_a response to exercise occurred, to peakincrements two-thirds those in Con, in both CI and VI. Glucagon wasunchanged, and very small increases in the glucagon-to-insulin ratiooccurred in all three groups. Catecholamine responses were similar inall three groups, and correlation coefficients of R_a withplasma norepinephrine and epinephrine were significant in all. In allCI and VI, R_d at rest was 2× Con, increased earlierin exercise, and was higher for the 1 h of recovery with glucoseinfusion. Thus the R_a response was only partly attenuated,and the catecholamines are likely to be the regulators. This suggeststhat an acute endogenous R_a rise is possible even in thepostprandial state. Furthermore, the fact that more circulating glucoseis used by muscle during exercise and early recovery suggests thatmuscle glycogen is spared.

     

CHARACTERIZATION OF MICROBIALITE-FORMING CYANOBACTERIA IN A TROPICAL LAGOON: TIKEHAU ATOLL, TUAMOTU, FRENCH POLYNESIA

Natural populations of benthic cyanobacteria in the lagoon of Tikehau Atoll in French Polynesia were studied using a polyphasic approach that combined field observations, LM, culturing, and molecular sequencing. The approach assessed their phenotypic (morphotypic and ecological) and genotypic diversity. Partial sequences (approximately 450 bp long) of the PCR-amplified 16S rRNA gene were obtained from both natural and cultured populations using cyanobacteria-specific primers. The sequences obtained clustered into six separate phylogenetic clusters in relation to the complete set of 16S rRNA sequences available in public databases. Phylogenetic clustering correlated in many cases with some morphological characteristics. For example, Spirulina subsalsa could be identified to the morphospecies level using both molecular and microscopic approaches. Morphotypes identified as Symploca hydnoides (Kütz. ex Gomont) TK22, Phormidium sp. TK1, and P. laysanense (Lemmerman) TK14 formed a distinct cluster. The morphogenus Hydrocoleum (Blennothrix) clustered interestingly close to the morphologically similar, but planktonic, marine cyanobacterium Trichodesmium , suggesting a relationship. Other sequences belonging to morphotaxa with very narrow trichomes were found to be polyphyletic. Enrichment cultures, with inoculum obtained from field populations, were followed over a period of 18 months. Dominance in all cultures shifted over time in favor of a set of cyanobacterial strains with narrow trichomes, which were phenotypically and phylogenetically different from natural populations dominating the original samples. Sequences from strains enriched by cultivation clustered into two well-defined phylogenetic groups, possibly identifying new taxa. These clusters may represent a niche of opportunistic species, evolved to exploit short-term nutrient spikes in the environment.     

Temporal variability in abundance and biomass of ciliates and copepods in the eutrophicated part of Kaštela Bay (Middle Adriatic Sea)

Seasonal variations in abundance and carbon biomass of ciliated protozoa and micrometazoa were studied from May 1998 to November 1999 in the eutrophicated area of Katela Bay (Middle Adriatic Sea). Ciliates showed peaks in spring and autumn, primarily due to changes in the abundance and biomass of tintinnines, which participated in total ciliate abundance and biomass with 40.48 and 60.02%, respectively. The highest tintinnine density was 4,278 ind. l^–1, while their average biomass varied from 0.611 to 26.557 gC l^–1 . Maximal average density and biomass of non-loricates were 1,430 ind. l^–1 and 3.925 gC l^–1, respectively. The micrometazoa community was dominated by copepod nauplii, especially during the summer and autumn. The copepod biomass ranged between 3.47 and 26.75 gC l^–1 . High abundance and biomass values of the investigated zooplankton groups point to an important role of these organisms in the secondary production in the Bay, indicating that they may be (1) a crucial factor in controlling the populations of nano-/pico-phytoplankton and heterotrophic nanoflagellates, and (2) a significant prey for larger micrometazoans.     

Characterization of Exopolysaccharides Produced by Cyanobacteria Isolated from Polynesian Microbial Mats

Six cyanobacterial isolates recovered from Polynesian microbial mats, called “kopara,” were cultured using laboratory-closed photobioreactors and were shown to produce exopolymers as released and capsular exopolysaccharides (EPS). These polymers have been chemically characterized using colorimetric and elemental assays, infrared spectrometry, and gas chromatography. Both capsular and released EPS consisted of 7 to 10 different monosaccharides with neutral sugars predominating. Interestingly, four isolates exhibited sulfate contents ranging from 6% to 19%. On the basis of preliminary data, cyanobacteria from this unusual ecosystem appear to be an important source of novel EPS of a great interest in terms of their biological activities.     

Elektronenmikroskopisch-cytochemischer Nachweis der Cytochromoxydase in den Mitochondrien normaler Meerschweinchenepidermis

Zusammenfassung Es wurde die Verteilung der Cytochromoxydase in der Leber der Maus und in der Meerschweinchenepidermis untersucht. Das kontrastreiche Reaktionsprodukt liegt vorwiegend zwischen der äußeren und inneren Mitochondrienmembran, weniger zwischen den beiden Membranen der Cristae mitochondriales. Die histochemisch nachweisbare Verminderung der Aktivität dieses Enzyms in den höheren Schichten der Epidermis ist auf die ständige Reduktion der Zahl der Mitochondrien und ihrer Cristae zurückzuführen.

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Ultrastructural localization of cytochrome oxidase in the mitochondria of normal guinea pig epidermis

Summary Cytochrome oxidase activity is demonstrated in the mitochondria of liver of mouse and epidermis of guinea pig. The reaction product is found mainly between outer and inner mitochondrial membranes, seldom in intracristate spaces. The histochemically demonstrated decrease in the activity of this enzyme in the upper layers of the epidermis is in our opinion a result of the continual reduction in the number of mitochondria and cristae mitochondriales.

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Durchgeführt mit Unterstützung durch die Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft.

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Herrn Prof. Dr. W. Vogell, Universität Konstanz, danken wir sehr für die Durchsicht des Manuskriptes.