Carcinoma is to Embryology as Mutation is to Genetics

Experiments are reviewed that indicate embryonic fields arecapable of regulating the neoplastic attributes of their closelyrelated carcinomas. In the case of blastocyst regulation ofembryonal carcinoma cells the reaction is mediated by contactof the cancer cells with trophectodermal cells in the presenceof blastocele fluid. In the case of regulation of melanoma,the reaction is mediated in the embryonic skin at the time normalmelanocytes migrate into it. A diffusible factor that inhibitscell division and seems to affect differentiation is involved.In the case of neuroblastoma, a degree of regulation is demonstrablein the neural crest migratory pathway, but the maximal effectis found in the adrenal, renal, and testicular primordia. Afactor inhibitory of mitosis for adenocarcinoma of the breastcan be demonstrated in the breast primordium. It is concludedthat there must be an embryonic field capable of regulatingevery kind of carcinoma: understanding of the phenomena maylead to a noncytotoxic cure for carcinoma, and through the useof cancer cells as probes of embryonic development to an understandingof embryonic induction.     

Representing "The World Boiled Down"

Museums are object-rich environments through which very diverse audiences move. When teams of scholars, museum educators, and exhibit designers translate research into museum exhibitions, what ways of seeing do they (un)intentionally encourage, challenge, or disrupt? When representing historic paradigms through museum media, what are the most effective ways to stimulate reflection and critique? These questions are raised in this review of the book 1001 Curious Things: Ye Olde Curiosity Shop and Native American Art and the Washington State History Museum exhibit of the same name.
The book and exhibit reviewed here invite us to peer through the windows of a Seattle curio shop to note particular aspects of early-20th-century Northwest Coast and Native Alaskan artifact trade. We learn how Ye Olde Curiosity Shop was a powerful mediator of public perception of indigenous peoples and an unexpected source of artifacts for notable ethnographic collections worldwide.     

Dietary use and conservation concern of edible wetland plants at indo-burma hotspot: a case study from northeast India

Background

The wetlands of the North East India fall among the global hotspots of biodiversity. However, they have received very little attention with relation to their intrinsic values to human kind; therefore their conservation is hardly addressed. These wetlands are critical for the sustenance of the tribal communities.

Methods

Field research was conducted during 2003 to 2006 in seven major wetlands of four districts of Manipur state, Northeast India (viz. Imphal-East, Imphal-West, Thoubal, and Bishnupur). A total of 224 wetland-plant-collectors were interviewed for the use and economics of species using semi-structured questionnaires and interview schedules. Imphal, Bishenpur and Thoubal markets were investigated in detail for influx and consumption pattern of these plants. The collectors were also inquired for medicinal use of wetland species. Nutritive values of 21 species were analyzed in laboratory. The vouchers were collected for all the species and deposited in the CSIR-NEIST (Formerly Regional Research Laboratory), Substation, Lamphelpat, Imphal, Manipur, India.

Results

We recorded 51 edible wetland species used by indigenous people for food and medicinal purposes. Thirty eight species had high medicinal values and used in the traditional system to treat over 22 diseases. At least 27 species were traded in three markets studied (i.e. Imphal, Thoubal and Bishenpur), involving an annual turnover of 113 tons of wetland edible plants and a gross revenue of Rs. 907, 770/- (US$1 = Rs. 45/-). The Imphal market alone supplies 60% of the total business. Eighty per cent of the above mentioned species are very often used by the community. The community has a general opinion that the availability of 45% species has depleted in recent times, 15 species need consideration for conservation while another 7 species deserved immediate protection measures. The nutrient analysis showed that these species contribute to the dietary balance of tribal communities.

Conclusions

Considering the importance of wild wetland plants in local sustenance, it is suggested to protect their habitats, develop domestication protocols of selected species, and build programs for the long-term management of wetland areas by involving local people. Some medicinal plants may also be used to develop into modern medicines.

     

The effect of host-plant quality on the survival of larvae and oviposition by adults of an ant-tended lycaenid butterfly, Jalmenus evagoras

Abstract.

• 1 Juveniles of the Australian lycaenid butterfly, Jalmenus evagorus (Donovan), secrete to ants a solution of sugars and amino acids, primarily serine. The attendant ants protect the larvae and pupae from parasites and predators.
• 2 The effect of caterpillar nutrition on the defence provided by ants was investigated. Potted food plants of Acacia decurrens were either given water containing nitrogenous fertilizer or were given water alone. Fertilized plants had a higher nitrogen content than unfertilized plants.
• 3 Fifth instar larvae of J.evagoras feeding on fertilized plants attracted a larger ant guard than those feeding on unfertilized plants. In the absence of caterpillars, ants were not differentially attracted to fertilized and unfertilized plants.
• 4 In the presence of ants, over a 10-day period, larvae on fertilized plants survived better than larvae on unfertilized plants. In the absence of ants larvae survived equally on fertilized and unfertilized plants. It is concluded that larvae on fertilized plants attracted a larger ant guard, and thereby survived better, than larvae on unfertilized plants.
• 5 Adult females of J. evagoras preferred to lay egg batches on fertiized, rather than unfertilized plants, but they did not lay larger egg batches.

     

The Feeding Ecology of Actinophrys sol (Sarcodina: Heliozoa) in Chesapeake Bay

The occurrence of Actinophrys sol, a planktonic heliozoan, in Chesapeake Bay was monitored over a four-year period (1988–1991). Actinophrys sol was widely-distributed throughout Chesapeake Bay and could exceed densities of 5,000 cells liter ^?1. It was most abundant during the warmer months. Feeding experiments were conducted with field populations of heliozoa using 1-μm fluorescent microspheres to label ciliate prey. Two ciliates, a small Strobilidium sp. (30 μ in diameter) and a Pleuronema sp. (45 μ length), were the primary ciliate-prey items in the water column when the experiments were conducted, although a wide range of ciliate taxa was ingested. Two other ciliates not present in situ, a Cyclidium sp. (20 μ length) and a Uronema sp. (40 μ length), were also labeled and added at various concentrations to field populations of plankton containing A. sol. Heliozoan ingestion rates on in situ prey at concentrations of 30 Strohilidium and one Pleuronema ml^?1 were 0.2 to 0.3 prey heliozoan^?1 hour^?1. Ingestion rates increased to a maximum of 1.2 prey heliozoan ^?1 hour^?1 with additions of 100 Uronema ml^?1. A mean clearance rate of 0.15 ml heliozoan^?1 day^?1 did not change with increasing prey abundance. The abundance and distribution of A. sol suggests that these sarcodines may exert strong grazing pressure on the planktonic ciliate populations of Chesapeake Bay at certain times of the year, and may be important in shaping the ciliate community composition and distribution.