Inorganic nitrogen processing and assimilation in a forested wetland

Feeding selectivity by five epilithic, case-building trichopteran species from a first-order stream was examined using laboratory experiments. Larvae had the choice of three food types: periphyton and detritus from the stream, and nettle broth as an artificial food source. Food type influenced the microdistribution of these species. Larvae were able to distinguish between different food types and showed species-specific responses to the various types of food. Drusus annulatus, Micrasema longulum and Apatania fimbriata favoured periphyton, while Agapetus fuscipes and Silo pallipes showed no preference for periphyton over detritus. Four of the five species examined (Apatania fimbriata was the exception) tended to avoid nettle broth. The complexity of foraging behaviour was illustrated by M. longulum. Given a choice between detritus, periphyton and periphyton with the addition of moss, they clearly preferred the latter food type, scraping mostly on the epiphytic algae. Proportions of a given species selecting periphyton were correlated with percentage areas of algae in the gut contents of that species in the field. D. annulatus, M. longulum and A. fimbriata showed the greatest preference for periphyton, and consumed the highest proportions of algae in the field. A. fuscipes and S. pallipes often selected detritus, and these species had the lowest proportions of algae, and the highest proportions of detritus, in their guts.     

Effects of genetic and environmental host plant variation on the susceptibility of two noctuids toBacillus thuringiensis

TwoApium graveolens var.rapaceum (L.) cultivars that differ in their suitability for the survival and growth ofSpodoptera exigua (Hübner) andTrichoplusia ni (Hübner) were used to examine the effect of genetic and seasonal environmental variation in host plant suitability on the efficacy ofBacillus thuringiensis subsp.kurstaki (Berliner). The effects of host plant genotype andB. thuringiensis were generally independent, so thatB. thuringiensis efficacy was greatest on the resistant host plant cultivar. Host plant suitability varied within growing season for both insect species but, while host plant suitability decreased with increasing plant age forT. ni, the response ofS. exigua to plant age was not as clear. Within season variation in host plant suitability affectedB. thuringiensis efficacy and the interaction betweenB. thuringiensis and host plant cultivar forS. exigua but not forT. ni. Soluble protein and Folin-Denis phenolic concentrations of host plant tissue were not correlated with changes in host plant suitability to either insect species.     

HOST SPECIFICITY IN THE RED ALGAL PARASITES BOSTRYCHIOCOLAX AUSTRALIS AND DAWSONIOCOLAX BOSTRYCHIAE (CHOREOCOLACACEAE,RHODOPHYTA)1

The determinants of host specificity, which are poorly understood in red algal parasites, were studied in the red algal parasites Bostrychiocolax australis Zuccarello et West and Dawsoniocolax bostrychiae (Joly et Yamaguishi-Tomita) Joly et Yamaguishi-Tomita. Culture studies were performed to determine host range, sites of host resistance, and genetics of transmission of resistance. Both species parasitize Bostrychia radicans (Montagne) Montagne, whereas Bostrychiocolax australis also parasitizes Bostrychia moritziana (Sonder ex Kützing) J. Agardh and Stictosiphonia kelanensis (Grunow ex Post) R. J. King et Puttock. Isolates of B. radicans resistant to both parasites were found worldwide, often within the same population as susceptible isolates. On resistant Bostrychia species and isolates, specificity was manifested at three stages: 1) host penetration, in which the spore germ peg failed to penetrate the host cuticle/wall; 2) parasite–host cell fusion, in which the fusion cell died and the parasite died; and 3) growth, in which parasites grew but soon died; parasites rarely reproduced and infections did not continue in culture. Resistance to parasite infection was usually transmitted as a dominant trait and did not segregate as a single locus during meiosis. In certain crosses, transmission of resistance was non-mendelian.     

Some improvements in the quality of NAA procedures and the reliability of the results

After considering the need for quality control in NAA, the concept of quality in NAA procedures themselves is discussed, and some important factors identified. Two approaches to improve quality are then described in more detail. The first concerns the unique ability of NAA using different isotopic reactions and different modes (INAA/RNAA) to provide independent data sets in the same laboratory, thus allowing internal validation or crosschecking. The second discusses the need for chemical yield measurements in RNAA and the advantages of the radioisotopic tracer technique. Some recent advances and further possibilities for this use of tracers are listed.     

Diet ofColobus polykomos on Tiwai Island: Selection of food in relation to its seasonal abundance and nutritional quality

A group of Colobus polykomosat Tiwai, Sierra Leone, demonstrated seasonal flexibility in its diet, with seeds, young leaves, and mature leaves each dominating the diet at different times. Comparison of food consumption with phenological data indicates that seeds are eaten whenever available and are preferred to other foods, while young leaves are preferred to mature leaves. Colobus polykomosalso prefer liane to tree leaves, despite the relatively high quality of mature tree foliage at the Tiwai site. Analysis of protein, fiber, and energy values of foods selected and items available, but not eaten, suggests that preference is related to protein and energy maximization. Leguminous plants, especially Papilionaceae and Mimosaceae, are highlighted as important food sources for C. polykomos;seeds and leaves from these families have a high nitrogen content, and the protein content of leguminous seeds often equals or exceeds that found in leaves. It is predicted, therefore, that colobines living in habitats with a high density of legumes will feed heavily on seeds, subject to constraints such as seasonal availability. Where suitable leguminous species are less common, a mixture of fruits, seeds, and young or mature leaves or both is likely to be selected. The results of this and other recent studies of colobines do not support the notion that colobines are specialist folivores.     

Strong synergistic effects of gibberellins with the synthetic cytokinin N-(2-chloro-4-pyridyl)-N-phenylurea on parthenocarpic fruit set and some other fruit characteristics of apple

The induction of parthenocarpic fruit set was investigated using the apple cvs. Golden Delicious and Jonagold. The gibberellins GA₃, GA₄, GA₅ and GA₇ and the synthetic phenylurea-type cytokinin CPPU (N-(2-chloro-4-pyridyl)-N-phenylurea), were applied alone and in combination to unpollinated flowers at the end of petal fall. Gibberellins induced only a marginal final set of parthenocarpic fruits. CPPU sprays were more effective, particularly in the first year. When applied in combination, CPPU and gibberellins had a positive synergistic effect on parthenocarpic fruit set and fruit size, but a negative effect on flower induction the next year. After CPPU + GA sprays, percent fruit set was similar, or greater, compared to natural pollinated trees. The parthenocarpic fruits induced by CPPU + GA had an increased length to diameter ratio. CPPU stimulated, and GA₄ and GA₇ reduced, the russeting of the parthenocarpic fruits. The internal quality of the fruits was hardly affected, but Ca-deficiency symptoms occurred more frequently in parthenocarpic fruits.     

Endocytosis of 1,3-β-glucans by broad bean cells at the penetration site of the cowpea rust fungus (haploid stage)

Te penetration hypha of basidiospore-derived infection structures of the cowpea rust fungus (Uromyces vignae Barclay) in epidermal cells of the nonhost, broad bean (Vicia faba L.), was studied with the electron microscope after high-pressure freezing and freeze substitution. After fungal invasion of the epidermis, a plug in the penetration hypha separated the infection structures on the cuticle from the intraepidermal vesicle of the fungus. The plug and the fungal cell wall reacted with a polyclonal 1,3-β-glucan antibody. The plug in the haploid stage seems to have a task similar to the septum formed in the diploid stage of the fungus. Around the penetration hypha, the plant wall stained darkly and a papilla was deposited by the plant. In the papilla, 1,3-β-glucans were labelled by a monoclonal and a polyclonal antibody. In the infected epidermal cell, clathrin-coated pits, coated vesicles, partially coated reticula and multivesicular bodies were found. The contents of the coated pits, coated vesicles, partially coated reticula and multivesicular bodies bound to monoclonal and polyclonal 1,3-β-glucan antibodies. Accumulation and uptake of this paramural material into the plant cell by endocytosis is concentrated at the fungal penetration site. It may influence the host-parasite interaction.     

Overview of a quality assurance/quality control compliance program consistent with FDA regulations and policies for somatic cell and gene therapies: a four year experience

Somatic cell and gene therapy involve the application of biological technologies to an individual patient through the use of living cells which provide a therapeutic benefit (Aliski, 1991). Various forms of cellular and gene therapies are being developed and evaluated in an increasing number of clinical trials for congential and acquired disorders. The potential and progress of these therapeutic applications have resulted in an increasing effort by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to develop the regulatory framework under which these therapeutic approaches would insure safety and efficacy, the primary mandate of the FDA.Over five years ago Cellcor began to define the parameters, specifications, and conditions relevant to a Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) program that has evolved to insure safety and maximize the efficacy of applications of the company'sex vivo technology, autolymphocyte therapy. Autolymphocyte therapy is an outpatient form of somatic cell immunotherapy based upon the infusion of T cells that have been activatedex vivo using a combination of previously generated autologous cytokines and an anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody.We have been able to demonstrate the feasibility for the safe, controlled, and consistent preparation and delivery of a cellular therapy by application of relevant GMP regulations. This presentation reviews aspects of this program and chronicles our experience which at present amounts to over 4400 infusions for over 700 patients. This program provides a high degree of assurance that a cellular therapy program can be carried out in a multisite mode involving hundreds of patients through the strict adherence to cGMP as set forth in existing regulations. It would be prudent that developers of cellular andex vivo gene therapies establish a similar cell processing and QA/QC infrastructure at an early developmental stage to optimize safety and reproducibility and facilitate regulatory review.     

生态环境对川芎产、质量的影响

生态环境对川芎产、质量的影响丁德蓉,陈兴福,卢进,黄文秀,刘岁荣（四川省中医药研究院药物种植研究所,南川６４８４０８）ＩｎｆｌｕｅｎｃｅｏｆＥｃｏｅｎｖｉｒｏｎｍｅｎｔｏｎｔｈｅＹｉｅｌｄａｎｄＱｕａｌｉｔｙｏｆＬｉｇｕｓｔｉｃｕｍｃｈｕａｎｘｉｏｎ...     

植物激素与营养液配施对平菇产量和品质的影响

不同配比的ＧＡ＿３和ＫＴ与营养液配施,对平菇菌丝生长影响不同。ＧＡ＿３和ＫＴ的适当配比,能促进菌丝分枝生长,也能显著提高平菇子实体的产量和品质,但维生素Ｃ的含量有所下降。ＧＡ＿３和ＫＴ若与营养液配合施用,比单独施用更能发挥其促进作用。