Timing of propagule release significantly alters the deposition area of resulting aerial dispersal

Aim The aim of this study is to determine whether changes to the seasonal and circadian timing of propagule release can a have a significant effect on the area covered by resulting aerial dispersal. Location Western Australia. Methods Using the atmospheric pollution model (TAPM), an existing meso‐scale dispersal model, a range of release patterns was simulated and the resulting deposition compared. Comparisons were based on observations of deposition patterns and the calculated area of deposition. Results Small changes to the timing of propagule release were shown to significantly impact on the area experiencing deposition from the resulting aerial dispersal. Main conclusions Simulations performed in this study show that, for small propagules, changes to the timing of release can lead to alternate, clearly differentiable dispersal events. Small changes in both the seasonal and circadian patterns of release can have significant effects on the area that experiences deposition during the resulting dispersal event. This effect is particularly important at the landscape scale and when there is a need to quantify individual dispersal events. Predictive modelling of aerial dispersal needs to be undertaken with an understanding of the manner in which biological and environmental factors that affect the timing of propagule release can influence results. Results presented highlight the need to characterize the epidemiology of pathogenic organisms of importance to biosecurity as much as possible before they arrive.     

Investigation and treatment of amenorrhoea resulting in normal fertility.

A simple scheme of investigation and treatment to restore fertility in amenorrhoeic women is described. Fifty-nine patients with amenorrhoea not due to primary ovarian failure were treated variously as appropriate, mainly with clomiphene (25), bromocriptine (15), or human menopausal gonadotrophins (12), and six by diet to increase their weight. All ovulated, and by the end of the study 55 (93%) had conceived, 42 (71%) had delivered at least one surviving child, and five others (8%) were pregnant and awaiting delivery. Conception rates were 49% within two cycles of treatment and 66% within three cycles; using life-table method to standardise the cumulative conception rates by correcting for patients who did not continue as long as others in the study, the expected conception rate was 79% in six cycles, 94% in 12 cycles, and 98% after 16 cycles. The multiple pregnancy rate was 13% and abortion rate 22%. Delivery rate (for a viable baby) were 48% within 11 months of starting treatment and 53% within one year; expected rates were 76% in 18 months and 97% in two years. The results show that a relatively simple scheme of classifying amenorrhoeic disorders endocrinologically followed by treatment directed at inducing ovulation allows amenorrhoeic women without primary ovarian failure to achieve conception and delivery rates equal to those in normal women.     

RAF2 is a RuBisCO assembly factor in Arabidopsis thaliana

Ribulose‐1,5‐bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RuBisCO) catalyzes the reaction between gaseous carbon dioxide (CO₂) and ribulose‐1,5‐bisphosphate. Although it is one of the most studied enzymes, the assembly mechanisms of the large hexadecameric RuBisCO is still emerging. In bacteria and in the C4 plant Zea mays, a protein with distant homology to p terin‐4α‐c arbinolamine d ehydratase (PCD) has recently been shown to be involved in RuBisCO assembly. However, studies of the homologous PCD‐like protein (RAF2, RuBisCO assembly factor 2) in the C3 plant Arabidopsis thaliana (A. thaliana) have so far focused on its role in hormone and stress signaling. We investigated whether A. thalianaRAF2 is also involved in RuBisCO assembly. We localized RAF2 to the soluble chloroplast stroma and demonstrated that raf2 A. thaliana mutant plants display a severe pale green phenotype with reduced levels of stromal RuBisCO. We concluded that the RAF2 protein is probably involved in RuBisCO assembly in the C3 plant A. thaliana.     

Post‐GWAS in Psychiatric Genetics: A Developmental Perspective on the “Other” Next Steps

As psychiatric genetics enters an era where gene identification is finally yielding robust, replicable genetic associations and polygenic risk scores, it is important to consider next steps and delineate how that knowledge will be applied to ultimately ameliorate suffering associated with substance use and psychiatric disorders. Much of the post‐genome‐wide association study discussion has focused on the potential of genetic information to elucidate the underlying biology and use this information for the development of more effective pharmaceutical treatments. In this review we focus on additional areas of research that should follow gene identification. By taking genetic findings into longitudinal, developmental studies, we can map the pathways by which genetic risk manifests across development, elucidating the early behavioral manifestations of risk, and studying how various environments and interventions moderate that risk across developmental stages. The delineation of risk across development will advance our understanding of mechanism, sex differences and risk and resilience processes in different racial/ethnic groups. Here, we review how the extant twin study literature can be used to guide these efforts. Together, these new lines of research will enable us to develop more informed, tailored prevention and intervention efforts.     

The substrate specificity of the enzyme Endo-α-N-acetyl-D-galactosaminidase from Diplococcus pneumonia

The substrate specificity of the enzyme endo-α-N-acetyl-D-galactosaminidase from Diplococcus pneumonia was re-examined using bovine submaxillary mucin and remodelled antifreeze glycoprotein as substrates. Incubation with desialylated bovine submaxillary mucin, which contains six O-linked core types, indicated that the disaccharide Galβ1-3GalNAc, which is present in very small amount, was the only glycan released, while the disaccharide GlcNAcβ1-3GalNAc, which is the major structure present, and other disaccharides, were not released. To test whether the core disaccharide Galβ1-3GalNAc with sialic acid linked α2-3 to the Gal or linked α2-6 to the GalNAc was released, the enzyme was incubated with remodelled antifreeze glycoprotein containing (1) [3H]NeuAcα2-3Galβ1-3GalNAc and (2) Galβ1-3[[14C]NeuAcα2-6]GalNAc as substrates. No NeuAc-containing trisaccharide was released. These results serve to clarify the doubts of many researchers regarding the activity of this enzyme on some newly-described core types and on sialylated substrates. This revised version was published online in November 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

The role of anthropogenic influences in a mixed-conifer forest mortality episode

Abstract. Anthropogenic influences on recent tree mortality in mid-montane mixed conifer forests of southern California, USA, and northern Baja California, Mexico, were investigated. The Pinus jeffreyi-Abies concolor phase of the mixed-conifer montane community was sampled at three sites, characterized by: (1) low levels of air pollution and long-term fire suppression (Holcomb Valley in the San Bernardino Mountains, California); (2) chronic, severe air pollution and long-term fire suppression (Barton Flats in the San Bernardino Mountains, California); and (3) little air pollution and no fire suppression (La Corona Arriba in the Sierra San Pedro Martir in Baja California, Mexico). Similar percentages of dead standing trees, around 14 %, were found at both San Bernardino sites, but a comparatively low level, 4 %, was found in the Mexican forest. Anthropogenic effects, in particular fire suppression, may play an important role in enhancing the impact of natural stresses on the dynamics of mixed conifer forests.     

Extraktion von Ochratoxin A aus geröstetem Kaffee Mittels Accelerated Solvent Extraction (ASE)

Accelerated solvent extraction (ASE) is an alternative sample extraction procedure for ochratoxin A in roasted coffee. ASE results are comparable to that of the modified Koch method, but required less sample preparation time. Furthermore, ASE gave higher quantitative values than other methods reported for extraction of ochratoxin A. In the end less harmful water could be used for extraction.