Prevalence and identity of coccidia in pen-raised wild turkeys

One hundred nineteen pen-raised wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) from 12 locations in nine states in the United States were examined for coccidia by sugar flotation of intestinal contents and mucosa or by subinoculating the contents into uninfected domestic turkeys. Seventy-eight (66%) of the turkeys were positive for coccidia. There were no differences in the frequency of coccidia among adult, sub-adult or juvenile turkeys. More females (75%) were infected than males (48%). The species of coccidia from 30 of the turkeys were identified based on microscopic examination of oocysts, fresh scrapings, stained sections and inoculations of bobwhites (Colinus virginianus). The frequency of each species was Eimeria meleagrimitis (97%), E. gallopavonis (47%), E. meleagridis (27%), E. dispersa (17%), E. innocua-E. subrotunda (13%), E. adenoeides (7%) and an undescribed species (3%). Of the 30 turkeys in which the species of coccidia was determined, 30% had a single species infection, 40% had two species, 20% had three species and 10% had four species.     

Enzymatic Protein Carboxyl Methylation in Rat Posterior Pituitary: Neurophysins in Rapid-Turnover Pool Determine Methyl Accepting Capacity

In vitro stimulation of intact rat posterior pituitary by either veratridine or K+ depolarization results in the concomitant release of neurophysins and in a decrease (70-80%) in their carboxyl methylation as measured either with L-[methyl-3H]methionine in the intact lobes after stimulation or in their homogenates with [methyl-3H]S-adenosyl-L-methionine and purified protein carboxyl methyltransferase. A similar reduction in neurophysin methylation (60%) was observed when the arrival of newly synthesized neurophysins at the posterior pituitary was blocked by colchicine. Experimental data indicate that the reduction in neurophysin content of the lobes after 12 h of colchicine treatment (less than 7%) or after in vitro stimulation (about 10%) cannot account for the marked reduction in neurophysin methylation. The results suggest that the granule pool characterized by rapid turnover of neurophysins probably represents the major source of methyl acceptor proteins in the lobe. In spite of the marked reduction in neurophysin methyl accepting capacity observed after stimulation, there was no parallel increase in methyl accepting capacity of the released neurophysins. We propose that a neurophysin subfraction that might be associated with the membrane of releasable granules participates in the methylation reaction in situ.     

Liver glutathione S-transferase polymorphism in Japanese and its pharmacogenetic importance

Summary A total of 168 autopsy liver extracts from Japanese individuals were examined for the glutathione S-transferase (GST) isozymes by means of starch gel electrophoresis. The gene frequencies of GST1^*1, GST1^*2, and GST1^*0 in Japanese were 0.252, 0.057, and 0.691, respectively. GST1^*3 was detected as a rare variant allele. The incidence of GST1 0 in 41 liver biopsy samples from patients suffering from various liver diseases was investigated using polyacrylamide gel isoelectric focusing. The GST1 0 phenotype was found more frequently in livers with hepatitis and carcinoma than in control livers. The isozymes coded by different GST loci were partially purified and characterized to study their biochemical properties. The apparent Km values with 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB) as substrate for the isozymes at the GST1, GST2, GST3, and GST4 loci were 604, 1345, 776 and 591 M, respectively.     

Cloning and expression of a functional fucose-specific lectin from an orange peel mushroom, Aleuria aurantia

Aleuria aurantia lectin (AAL) shows sugar-binding specificity for L-fucose. A λgt11 expression library was constructed from A. aurantia poly(A) RNA and screened with a polyclonal antiserum directed against AAL. An immunopositive clone carrying 1.3-kb EcoRI fragment was obtained. The fragment encoded AAL, but lacked a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the two amino-terminal amino acids. The 5′-terminal part of the fragment was replaced with a chemically synthesized DNA fragment and inserted into an expression vector to yield a plasmid pKA-1. Escherichia coli carrying pKA-1 expressed functional AAL and the recombinant AAL showed the same immunological properties as those of natural AAL.     

Structural adaptations of the femur and humerus to arboreal and terrestrial environments in three species of macaque

One reason to measure cross-sectional structural properties of primate long bones is to define mechanically relevant complexes of traits that describe the adaptation of bone to different biomechanical environments. This can be effectively accomplished when congeneric species having different postural and locomotor behaviors are compared. This paper compares the cross-sectional geometry of the femur and humerus in three behaviorally different macaque species as a basis for defining such patterns. Cross-sectional moments of inertia in the standard anatomical planes were calculated at five locations along the diaphyses of the femur and humerus in Macaca fascicularis, M. nemestrina, and M. mulatta. The data suggest that the "barrel-shaped" femur is associated with behaviors for which long limbs and small body size are an asset. This may be associated with, but is not restricted to, leaping behaviors. The data also suggest that structural rigidity of the femur and humerus is greater per unit body weight in primates that spend significant amounts of time in terrestrial environments than in those that are more restricted to climbing in arboreal environments.     

Local distribution of the lycaenid butterfly,Jalmenus evagoras,in response to host ants and plants

Summary The caterpillars of Jalmenus evagoras are tended by ants as they feed upon Acacia trees. In the area of Brisbane, Australia, J. evagoras require ants of the Iridomyrmex anceps species group; predation and parasitism are so intense that larvae and pupae deprived of attendant ants cannot survive (Pierce 1983). We investigated the efficiency with which J. evagoras locate and exploit the host ant resource by sampling 737 quadrats in 30 sampling grids and six study sites containing appropriate host plants; ants were collected at baits located in the center of each quadrat. J. evagoras was found in all habitats where I. anceps cooccurred with host Acacia. Nine of the ten sampling grids which had three or more I. anceps/Acacia host quadrats also had colonies of J. evagoras present (or immediately adjacent), including sites as far as 35 km apart. Of 19 sampling grids on which host quadrats were rare (i.e., less than three quadrats), none had J. evagoras (P<0.001). Within sample grids, I. anceps was distributed indepedently from Acacia trees, suggesting that they are not dependent for their survival on either Acacia or on J. evagoras. Within montane pasture habitats, I. anceps and at least one other ground-dwelling Iridomyrmex species were distributed in mutually exclusive ant mosaic territories which were stable during a one month period. I. anceps did not colonize or tend pupae of J. evagoras experimentally placed in adjacent territories of a different, nontending species of Iridomyrmex, demonstrating the integrity of territory boundaries. Sampling of ants in Acacia trees revealed that, in the absence of J. evagoras, Iridomyrmex workers are not common above ground level, and that their numbers decline in larger trees (P=0.02). In I. anceps territories, eight of nine J. evagoras pupae placed in trees over 3.0 m tall were not found after 24 h whereas all ten controls placed in low trees were found and tended (P=0.00012). This may explain why J. evagoras tends to oviposit in trees less than 2.0 m tall. An alternative hypothesis, that smaller trees have higher content of total nitrogen, and are threfore more nutritious, was not supported. We conclude that the local distribution and host tree selection by J. evagoras is dependent upon the distribution, patchiness, and foraging behavior of the host ant, I. anceps, and its spatial overlap with a number of species of host Acacia.     

The purification and properties of a penicillinase whose synthesis is mediated by an R-factor in Escherichia coli

1. The penicillinase (beta-lactamase) from Escherichia coli strain TEM has been purified and its activity against a range of penicillin and cephalosporin derivatives measured. 2. The enzyme shows little resemblance to penicillinases from Bacillus cereus, Bacillus licheniformis and Staphylococcus aureus. 3. The molecular weight of the enzyme is 16700+/-5%, which is about half the value obtained for other penicillinases. 4. The enzyme is most similar in properties to a crude preparation of a penicillinase from Klebsiella (Aerobacter) aerogenes, but clearly different from crude enzyme preparations from other strains of E. coli. 5. Since penicillinase synthesis in E. coli strain TEM is mediated by an R-factor known to infect many other species of Enterobacteriaceae, the appearance of similar enzymes in other Gramnegative species is not surprising.     

Indirekte Regelmechanismen der Stoffwechselgröße von Fischen

Metabolic rate does not strictly follow changes of influencing parameters. O₂-consumption by fish is ordinarily said to be independent from O₂-pressure throughout a wide range. This constancy is probably the result of a regulation. The metabolic rate itself or an auxiliary mechanism “before” or “after” metabolism may be regulated. On the basis of vanDam's paper (1938) and our own experiments, the problem whether or not O₂-pressure in blood serves as a regulated auxiliary mechanism in order to maintain a certain metabolic constancy is discussed. The disadvantage of such a regulation would be the energy demand of increased ventilation and circulation as compensating mechanisms. In accordance with this assumption we have found a rise in O₂-consumption at a somewhat reduced O₂-pressure. Locomotory behaviour supports the constancy of metabolic rate; thus a contrary shift of the temperature preferendum after application of substances which influence metabolism has been found.