Molecular phylogenetics of Stenodermatini bat genera: congruence of data from nuclear and mitochondrial DNA

Within the tribe Stenodermatini the systematics of the complex of species allied with the genus Artibeus has generated several alternative phylogenetic hypotheses. The most recent treatment recognized four genera (Artibeus, Dermanura, Enchisthenes, and Koopmania) and suggested that the most recent common ancestor of these four genera would include the common ancestor of all other currently recognized Stenodermatini genera except Sturnira. To test this hypothesis, we examined an EcoRI-defined nuclear satellite DNA repeat and 402 bp of DNA sequence variation from the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene. Phylogenetic conclusions based on Southern blot analyses, in situ hybridization, and mitochondrial DNA sequence data indicate that Enchisthenes is not closely related to Dermanura, Artibeus, or Koopmania and that Dermanura, Artibeus, and Koopmania shared a common ancestor after diverging from the remainder of the Stenodermatini. If our conclusions are correct, then justification for recognizing Dermanura and Koopmania as generically distinct from Artibeus must be based on the magnitude of difference that distinguishes each rather than on the conclusion that to place them as congeneric with Artibeus creates a paraphyletic taxon.      

GROWTH RESPONSE OF SALMONELLA SPP. TO CYCLOHEXIMIDE AMENDMENT IN MEDIA

The present study was designed to evaluate cycloheximide as a potential media amendment to prevent fungal overgrowth on selective media for salmonellae enumeration. The objectives were to determine the effect of cycloheximide on Salmonella spp growth rates and to determine the effect of cycloheximide addition on Salmonella enumeration in selective media. The bacteria tested included two strains of Salmonella typhimurium (NO/NA and LT2) and one strain of Salmonella arizonae. All strains were grown in tryptic soy broth containing cycloheximide to determine the effect of cycloheximide on bacterial specific growth rates. The growth rate of all strains grown in tryptic soy broth were not significantly influenced by addition of cycloheximide at concentrations up to 1,000 mg/L. Growth rates of S. typhimurium NO/NA in minimal media were significantly decreased by addition of cycloheximide aerobically (300 mg/L) and anaerobically (600 mg/L). However, S. typhimurium NO/NA populations on brilliant green agar, MacConkey agar, and from selenite cysteine broth and tetrathionate broth were not affected by cycloheximide additions at concentrations up to 1,000 mg/L. Cycloheximide has potential as a fungistat additive for salmonellae selective media.     

Capacité caulogène de cellules de cal issues des couches cellulaires minces de type épidermique de ramifications florales de Nicotiana tabacum cv. Wise. 38 Par

Bud formation capacity of callus formed from thin epidermal cell loyers excised from floral branches of Nicotiana tabacum cv. Wise. 38. Subepidermal cells of thin tissue pieces with a few cell layers were capable of forming eitber buds, roots, (lowers or non-organ ogenetic callus. To determine wheiher this calltjs is able to dirferentiate into organs, we transferred it to media inducing eitber flowers, or buds, or roots. In this paper, we study ibe capacity of lbe callus to form buds. In 50% of the cases, the explants (being maintained for I day to 2 years in callus media) can still express the capacity to form buds. This percentage increased with increased agar concentration of the culture media. At the histological level, non-organogenetic callus is characterized by the absence of tracheid differentiation, whereas in the organogenetic callus, iracheids were induced after their transfer into a ‘Bud medium’ and indicate an organogenetic differentiation pattern.     

Short pulse of 1080 improves the survival of brown kiwi chicks in an area subjected to long-term stoat trapping

Many mainland populations of kiwi are declining because stoats (Mustela erminea) kill most of their chicks. Stoats are often trapped during conservation programmes, but the long-term effectiveness of trapping has not been measured. During continuous trapping of mammalian predators in the 9800?ha Whangarei Kiwi Sanctuary, the survival of brown kiwi (Apteryx mantelli) chicks declined over time. Following the use of sodium fluoroacetate (1080) to kill rats (Rattus spp.) and possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) and likely secondary poisoning of stoats, chick survival at Riponui increased from 5% to 56%, and the 62% chick survival at Rarewarewa was better than the 20% recorded in a trapped-only area nearby. We suggest that untrappable stoats accumulate in areas subjected to continuous predator trapping. Conservation managers should build into their long-term pest control programmes a periodic pulse of an alternative tool to kill pests that, for whatever reason, actively avoid the primary control tool.     

The role of mast cells and macrophages in amiodarone induced pulmonary fibrosis and the possible attenuating role of atorvastatin

Amiodarone (AM) is an effective anti-arrhythmic drug. We investigated the role of mast cells and macrophages on AM induced pulmonary fibrosis and the action of atorvastatin on this fibrosis. Rats were allocated into four groups; negative control (1), positive control (2), 30 mg/kg body weight/day AM (3) and AM + 10 mg/kg/day atorvastatin (4). Lungs were harvested and prepared for histology and immunohistochemistry. Hematoxylin and eosin stained sections of group 3 exhibited disorganized lung architecture. We found cellular debris in the lumen of both intrapulmonary bronchi and bronchioles with partial disruption of the thickened epithelial lining and mononuclear cellular infiltration into the lamina propria. We also observed thickening of the epithelial lining and the smooth muscle layer. Congested, dilated and thickened blood capillaries and thickened inter-alveolar septa were observed with mononuclear cellular infiltrates in the lung of group 3. Most alveoli were collapsed, but some dilated ones were detected. In some alveoli, type ?? pneumocytes were increased, while type I cells were decreased. We observed significant increases in the amount of collagen in the thickened inter-alveolar septa, around bronchioles and around blood capillaries in sections from group 3. We found a significant increase in mast cells and alveolar macrophages in group 3 compared to group 1. Mast cells and macrophages appear to play important roles in AM induced pulmonary fibrosis. Atorvastatin appears to attenuate this condition.     

甲基纤维素辐射降解及工艺研究

介绍了^60Co γ－射线对甲基纤维素的辐射降解作用,初步研究了辐射剂量、剂量率对甲基纤维素粘的影响。评价了甲基纤维素辐照后的贮存稳定性,并对辐射降解工艺进行了探讨。     

γ射线辐照灭菌剂量的模糊优化

γ射线辐照灭菌处理的关键性技术是辐照剂量的优化和确定。通过对照射后的SPF试验动物饲料的理化、微生物和感官指标的分析,提出γ辐照灭菌处理的模糊综合质量评价方法,进而实现对辐照剂量的模糊优化。     

EFFECT OF ASSESSORS EXPERTISE LEVEL ON EFFICIENCY OF WARM-UP FOR TRIANGLE TESTS

The effect of warm-up on performance for repeated triangle tests is studied according to assessors' expertise level for both triangle test strategy and the pair of products to compare. Three experiments performed with orange flavored soft drinks show that the effect of warm-up depends on the assessors' expertise: (1) naive assessors do not increase their performance with warm-up; (2) assessors with a moderate practice of both triangle tests and the pair of products improve their performance with warm-up; (3) assessors with a moderate practice of triangle tests, but not familiar with the pair of products, improve their performance with warm-up too; and (4) assessors highly experienced for both triangle tests and products do not improve their performance with warm-up. These results support the idea that the positive effect of warm-up is due to an attentional process: Warm-up seems to help assessors focusing their attention on the dimension on which the two products are actually different and ignoring the other dimensions. Thus, results show that assessors are able to learn the difference between the two products and to learn to focus their attention on this difference at any time. They also suggest that prior knowledge of the triangle test scheme is required to benefit from warm-up.