Factors influencing the fecundity of Moniliformis moniliformis (Acanthocephala): constant diet and varied dose

Aspects of the reproductive performance of Moniliformis moniliformis were investigated in rats allowed to feed ad libitum on a purified diet containing 1% (w/w) fructose as an energy source for the worms. The rats were infected with either 10, 20, 40 or 80 cystacanths each with the intention of investigating density-dependent effects on worm fecundity. The establishment of the worms in the gut was independent of dose, but survival, growth and reproductive performance generally were shown to be related to the infective dose given to the rats. The effects could not be related to the absolute numbers of worms present in the small intestine at post-mortem examination. In general, some unidentified regulatory process appeared to operate to create severe density-dependence in survival so that surviving parasites were not present in numbers expected to generate competition. Attainment of sexual maturity, growth and the production of mature eggs by worms from rats given doses of 80 cystacanths each were delayed compared with worms from rats given the other doses, but eventually the performance of the high-dose worms caught up. Worms attached more anteriorly in the small intestine grew bigger and produced more mature eggs. Possible mechanisms responsible for the observed effects are discussed.     

Are There Circadian Variations of Polymorphonuclear Phagocytosis in Man?

Eleven male subjects were investigated to detect a possible circadian rhythm of the polymorphonuclear phagocytosis. Both cell activity and serum opsonins were studied for numerical detection of granulocytes having ingested at least one particle and for the mean number of ingested particles per cell. No significant temporal differences (ANOVA and cosinor) were found.     

Sex pheromones in maleMelittobia parasitic wasps: Female response to conspecific and congeneric males of 3 species

Presented a choice between conspecific males and 2 congeneric males, virgin females ofMelittobia australica andM. digitata chose conspecific males disproportionately more often, whereasM. femorata females distributed themselves evenly among the choices. Empty tubes, provided as the fourth choice in the test apparatus, were entered much less often than tubes containing live males. Females of all species chose “wrong” males about equally frequently. These observations suggest that even non-conspecific males possess some degree of attractiveness to virgin females. Chemicals in the sex pheromone of the males are presumed to be the source of the males' attractancy. The incomplete species specificity is interpreted in light of the life history of this genus, and it is suggested that specific recognition cues operate primarily after the sexes come together. Supported by a grant from Kagoshima Prefecture in Japan under the exchange program of faculty members between Kagoshima University and the University of Georgia.     

Method of isolating conditionally-pathogenic Gram-negative microorganisms, agents of intrahospital infections, from air

The possibility of detecting Pseudomonas aeruginosa and other Gram-negative bacteria in the air of the burn department at the Institute of Surgery was studied. The investigation of large volumes of air (0.5-1 m3) in the wards and the corridor with the use of a new bacteriological aerosol sampler, model IIAB-5, resulted in the detection of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Besides, in a number of other rooms Klebsiella, Proteus, Citrobacter and Enterobacter were detected in the air. The possibility of the spread of Gram-negative opportunistic bacteria through the air in hospital conditions is discussed.     

The role of challenging incentives in feedback-assisted heart rate reduction for coronary-prone adult males

Three experiments were performed to study the influence of challenging incentives on feedback-assisted heart rate reduction for coronary-prone (Type A) and non-coronary-prone (Type B) males. In the first experiment, when subjects were given a competitive instructional set, Type As were significantly more successful relative to Type Bs in reducing their heart rate; with a noncompetitive set, Type Bs were significantly more successful than were Type As. In the second experiment, when told that heart rate reduction was a scarce ability, Type As reduced heart rate significantly better than did Type Bs; when told that heart rate reduction was a common ability, Type Bs achieved significantly greater heart rate reduction than did Type As. In the third experiment, when heart rate reduction was described as being instrumental to time-urgency (i.e., getting more done in less time), Type As reduced heart rate significantly bettern than did Type Bs; when heart rate reduction was described as being instrumental to relaxation, Type Bs were significantly better able to reduce heart rate. In all three studies, the incentives had no effect on heart rate when feedback was not provided. The results are discussed as support for the notion that Type A behavioral pattern characteristics can be exploited to reduce Type A symptoms. Implications for how coronary-prone individuals may be challenged to modify symptoms within the clinical setting are discussed.     

Aggregation of hemoglobin S modified by bifunctional imidoesters

Sickle hemoglobin (Hb S) was cross-linked by two types of bifunctional imidoesters, dimethyladipimidate (DMA) and dimethyl-3,3'-dithiobispropionimidate (DTBP). These modified hemoglobins were separated into monomer, dimer and polymer fractions by gel filtration. All of these modified hemoglobins showed extremely left-shifted oxygen equilibrium curves with no cooperativity. The stabilities of these hemoglobins were also decreased. The solubilities of these modified hemoglobins in high-phosphate buffers were lower than those of native Hb S. Studies on the kinetics of the aggregation of these modified hemoglobins showed that intracross-linked Hb S with DMA and DTBP (DMA- and DTBP-modified monomeric Hb S) still retained the capability of aggregation with a delay time, while intercross-linked Hb S with DMA and DTBP (DMA- and DTBP-modified oligomeric Hb S) aggregated without a delay time. When the kinetics of aggregation was measured for mixtures of modified and native deoxy-Hb S, DMA-modified monomeric deoxy-Hb S shortened the delay time prior to aggregation of native deoxy-Hb S. The other modified deoxy-Hb S did not affect the delay time, suggesting that these modified oligomeric hemoglobins neither participate in the formation of nuclei nor copolymerize with native deoxy-Hb S.