Phosphate Compounds in Vertebrate Red Blood Cells

This review brings together and discusses the significance ofexisting information about water-soluble (small molecule) organicphosphate constituents of red blood cells in different vertebratespecies, with emphasis on 2,3 diphosphoglycerate (DPG), inositolpentaphosphate (IP₅) ATP and guanosine triphosphate (GTP), compoundswhich may play an important role in respiratory physiology bymodifying the affinity of hemoglobin for oxygen. Results onthe distribution and concentration of these compounds in redcells of vertebrate animals can be summarized as follows 1)DPG High in mammals (except cats and ruminants) Absent in crocodilianssquamata and fishes. High briefly in the bird embryo absentin adult. High briefly in turtle embryo low in juvenile lowto absent in adult 2 IP₅. High in birds. Absent in mammals,crocodilians squamata and fishes (with the exception of Arapaimagigas). Low in turtles 3 ATP Intermediate in mammals. High inbirds and turtles. Very high in squamata Intermediate to veryhigh in fishes. Low in crocodilians 4) GTP Very low in mammalsbirds, reptiles and amphibians (except for small pool in Ranatadpole). Low to very high in fishes.     

Novel strategies for assessing and managing the risks posed by invasive alien species to global crop production and biodiversity

International actions to combat the threat posed by invasive alien species (IAS) to crops and biodiversity have intensified in recent years. The formulation of 15 guiding principles on IAS by the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) stimulated the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) to review its role in protecting biodiversity. IPPC standards now demonstrate clearly that the risks posed by any organism that is directly or indirectly injurious to cultivated or uncultivated plants can be assessed and managed under the IPPC. Since the IPPC, unlike the CBD, constitutes an international legal instrument recognised by the World Trade Organization, greater protection from the introduction of IAS is now available. However, phytosanitary measures can only be enacted if they can be justified by risk analysis and we outline some novel strategies to improve the assessment and management of the risks posed by IAS, highlighting some of the key challenges which remain.