The ecological significance of toxic nectar

Although plant-herbivore and plant-pollinator interactions have traditionally been studied separately, many traits are simultaneously under selection by both herbivores and pollinators. For example, secondary compounds commonly associated with herbivore defense have been found in the nectar of many plant species, and many plants produce nectar that is toxic or repellent to some floral visitors. Although secondary compounds in nectar and toxic nectar are geographically and phylogenetically widespread, their ecological significance is poorly understood. Several hypotheses have been proposed for the possible functions of toxic nectar, including encouraging specialist pollinators, deterring nectar robbers, preventing microbial degradation of nectar, and altering pollinator behavior. All of these hypotheses rest on the assumption that the benefits of toxic nectar must outweigh possible costs; however, to date no study has demonstrated that toxic nectar provides fitness benefits for any plant. Therefore, in addition to these adaptive hypotheses, we should also consider the hypothesis that toxic nectar provides no benefits or is tolerably detrimental to plants, and occurs due to previous selection pressures or pleiotropic constraints. For example, secondary compounds may be transported into nectar as a consequence of their presence in phloem, rather than due to direct selection for toxic nectar. Experimental approaches are necessary to understand the role of toxic nectar in plant-animal interactions.     

Comparative incidence of reticuloendothelial tumors in C57BL mice after exposure to tritiated water

A total of 2,377 C 57 Bl/6M mice were assigned to control groups and experimental groups exposed to tritiated water administered as a pulse injection or in drinking water, at a dose of 1.0 microCi per injection or per ml of drinking water. Weanlings were observed for the duration of life span. Data analysis was based on two coefficient estimates (1) individual carcinogenic induction coefficient and (2) specific tumorigenic induction coefficient. The carcinogenic potency of tritium was found to be dual in nature in enhancing the absolute induction of lymphocytic lymphomas in both sexes as well as their relative induction in competition with reticulo-endothelial tumors of other types.     

The effects of thiamine inhibition on ruminal fermentation: a preliminary study

Inhibition of methanogenesis in ruminal cultures was attempted by hindering thiamine availability through its degradation by ‘polyphenols’ and competition for active sites on enzymes and transporters using thiamine structural analogs. Effects on fermentation were small and not consistently reversed by adding thiamine. Lack of major effects of the compounds evaluated could be due to intracellular synthesis of thiamine covering most requirements.     

Sedimentation in fluvial and lacustrine environments

Sedimentation in rivers is dominated by a complex set of physical processes, associated with the unidirectional flow of water. Variations in these processes give rise to different fluvial channel types, whose character can commonly be recognised in the ancient record. Chemical and biological processes are comparatively unimportant in fluvial sedimentation. In contrast, physical, chemical or biological processes can each dominate sedimentation in lakes. Physical (clastic) deposition dominates in high-latitude and mountain lakes (in which chemical and biological activity are low), and in lakes with high relief of the drainage basin and lake floor. Its variety reflects a range of processes influenced by river inflow, wave and current action, thermal and density effects. Economic benefits from the study of lake and river sedimentation include both resource and environmental aspects. An example is given of a mercury pollution study in a fluvial ecosystem. It shows that return to background levels can take place within a relatively short interval after cessation of pollutant input.     

Heme binding and polymerization by Plasmodium falciparum histidine rich protein II: influence of pH on activity and conformation.

The histidine rich protein II (HRPII) from Plasmodium falciparum has been implicated as a heme polymerase which detoxifies free heme by its polymerization to inactive hemozoin. Histidine-iron center coordination is the dominant mechanism of interaction between the amino acid and heme. The protein also contains aspartate allowing for ionic/coordination interactions between the carboxylate side chain and the heme metal center. The pH profile of heme binding and polymerization shows the possibility of these two types of binding sites being differentiated by pH. Circular dichroism studies of the protein show that pH and heme binding cause a change in conformation above pH 6 implying the involvement of His-His+ transitions. Heme binding at pHs above 6 perturbs HRPII conformation, causing an increase in helicity.