Sex ratios under asymmetrical local mate competition in the parasitoid wasp Nasonia vitripennis

Sex ratio theory has proved remarkably useful in testing theadaptive nature of animal behavior. A particularly productivearea in this respect is Hamilton's theory of local mate competition(LMC), which has been extended in numerous directions to includegreater biological realism, allowing more detailed tests inspecific organisms. We have presented one such extension, termedasymmetrical LMC, which occurs when egg laying by females ona patch is asynchronous, and emerging males do not disperse,resulting in the extent of LMC on a patch varying over time.Our aim here is to test whether the parasitoid wasp Nasoniavitripennis responds to variation in the degree of asymmetricalLMC. Specifically, we show that females adjust their offspringsex ratios in response to (1) variation in the amount of asynchronyin emergence between broods on a patch and (2) the number andproportion of previously parasitized hosts on the patch. Ourresults provide qualitative support for the predictions of theory,suggesting new levels of complexity in the sex ratio behaviorof this much-studied organism. However, our results do not alwaysprovide quantitative support for theory, suggesting furthercomplexities that must be clarified.     

Noni as an anxiolytic and sedative: A mechanism involving its gamma-aminobutyric acidergic effects

Noni (Morinda citrifolia) is increasing in worldwide popularity as a food or dietary supplement with versatile health benefits. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Noni fruit on anxiety symptoms in vitro. To this end, a competitive GABAa receptor-binding assay was developed. Our preliminary study indicates that the methanol crude extract of Noni fruit showed significant affinity to the gamma-aminobutyric acid A (GABAa) inhibitory neurotransmitter receptors, and displayed 75% binding inhibition of the agonist radioligand [3H] muscimol at a concentration of 100 microg/ml. Further experiments demonstrated that the MeOH extract, and its BuOH and H2O partitions, exhibited IC50 values of 22.8, 27.2, and 17.1 microg/ml, respectively, in the GABAa-binding assay. Experimental results with Noni fruit indicate the presence of competitive ligand(s), which may bind to the GABAa receptor as an agonist, and thus induce its anxiolytic and sedative effects. The study provides an in vitro rationale for one of Noni's versatile and traditional uses. In addition, an HPLC fingerprint profile of the methanolic extract of Noni fruit has been established for quality control purpose.     

Interaction of calmodulin with the particulate fraction of cardiac muscle

Tritiated calmodulin (T-CM) was bound to the EGTA-treated particulate fraction of cardiac muscle in a calcium-dependent manner with half-maximal binding occurring between 0.8 to 1.2 microM calcium. Binding exhibited high specificity at an optimum pH of 7.4-7.6. An excess of parvalbumin and other globular proteins did not displace T-CM. The Kd for the interaction was 2.5 +/- 0.83 microM. Binding was trypsin-sensitive, inhibited by high ionic strength and was heat inactivated at a midpoint of 48 - 50 degrees C. Competitive displacement of T-CM occurred with unlabeled troponin C and calmodulin over the same concentration range. The first-order rate constant of T-CM dissociation was 3.27 min-1. Calcium-dependent binding of T-CM was inhibited equally by both mepacrine and trifluoperazine with 50 percent inhibition occurring at 70 microM.     

Comparison of most probable number and pour plate procedures for isolation and enumeration of sulphite-reducing Clostridium spores and group D faecal streptococci from oysters

A comparative study of methods to enumerate sulphite-reducing Clostridium spores and Group D faecal streptococci in oysters demonstrated that pour plate solid agar techniques gave higher counts than liquid broth most probable number procedures. Reinforced clostridial broth with supplements to detect sulphite reduction was compared with pour plates of egg yolk-free tryptose sulphite cycloserine agar incubated at 37 degrees C for 24 h. Azide dextrose broth was compared with pour plates using Slanetz and Bartley (SB) agar or KF-streptococcus agar at 37 degrees C. Most probable number procedures used for both groups of organisms gave excessive numbers of improbable tube combinations. For enumeration of Group D faecal streptococci, a pour plate technique using SB agar incubated at 37 degrees C for 48 h is recommended.