Age estimation in rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) based on mandibular dimensions

A new technique has been developed for estimating age in rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) that is based on mandibular measurements and has several advantages over presently available techniques. First, the new technique is relatively quick and inexpensive because a single measurement or radiograph suffices to produce an age estimate. Second, mandibular growth represents a more continuous phenomenon than either epiphyseal union or dental eruption; therefore, age estimates may be made throughout the period of growth without significant gaps in the process. Finally, the new technique may be used on incomplete or even fragmentary skeletal material because it requires that only a portion of the mandible be preserved. The new technique produces age estimates with a prediction error of ±5.08 months in males and ±7.29 months in females. These errors are only slightly higher than those found previously for dental eruption or epiphyseal union data.     

Sampling for Explosives-Residues at Fort Greely,Alaska

Fort Greely, Alaska has an extensive complex of weapon training and testing areas located on lands withdrawn from the public domain under the Military Lands Withdrawal Act (PL106-65). The Army has pledged to implement a program to identify possible munitions contamination. Because of the large size (344,165,000 m²) of the high hazard impact areas, characterization of these constituents will be difficult. We used an authoritative sampling design to find locations most likely to contain explosives-residues on three impact areas. We focused our sampling on surface soils and collected multi-increment and discrete samples at locations of known firing events and from areas on the range that had craters, pieces of munitions, targets, or a designation as a firing point. In the two impact areas used primarily by the Army, RDX was the most frequently detected explosive. In the impact area that was also used by the Air Force, TNT was the most frequently detected explosive. Where detected, the explosives concentrations generally were low (<0.05 mg/kg) except in soils near low-order detonations, where the explosive-filler was in contact with the soil surface. These low-order detonations potentially can serve as localized sources for groundwater contamination if positioned in recharge areas.     

Biosynthesis of glyantrypine by Aspergillus clavatus

The biosynthesis of glyantrypine from radiolabelled amino acid precursors has been shown experimentally to involve anthranilic acid, tryptophan and glycine. Low values for percentage incorporation of radiolabel into glyantrypine were partly influenced by a complex array of other novel alkaloids shown by the radiolabelling experiments to be related to glyantrypine. Interpretation of radiolabel incorporation from [14C-carboxyl]-anthranilic acid into microbial metabolites seen to contain an anthranilyl moiety in various biosynthetic arrangements is discussed. The possibility of diversion of anthranilic acid from the kynurenine pathway to glyantrypine biosynthesis is recognised.     

Host plant recognition in monophagous weevils: specificity in feeding responses of Ceutorhynchus constrictus and the variable effect of sinigrin

Host plant relations of the monophagous weevil Ceutorhynchus constrictus Marsh. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Ceutorhynchinae) feeding on garlic mustard, Alliaria petiolata (Bieb.) Cavara & Grande (Cruciferae) were studied in the laboratory. Most other crucifers were rejected in choice tests using garlic mustard as a reference plant, but Brassica nigra, Sinapis alba and Thlaspi arvense were as acceptable as the host plant. Flowering plants of Descurainia sophia were acceptable while young plants of this species were not. The most important feeding stimulants in extracts of garlic mustard were uncharged, water soluble compounds. The most abundant glucosinolate in garlic mustard, sinigrin, was a feeding stimulant, too. However, the feeding stimulatory activity of sinigrin was only expressed in the presence of still unidentified uncharged compounds from garlic mustard leaves. Host plant relations in monophagous crucifer-feeding insects is discussed in relation to the distinctness of glucosinolate patterns found in their host plants.

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Zusammenfassung Ceutorhynchus constrictus Marsh. (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Ceutorhynchinae) ist ein monophager Rüsselkäfer, der an Knoblauchhederich frisst. Das Wirtswahl-Verhalten dieses Käfers ist im Labor untersucht worden. Die meisten Crucifiren waren im Wahlversuche nicht akzeptiert, wenn Knoblauchhederich als Vergleichspflanze vorhanden war. Von Brassica nigra, Sinapis alba, und Thlaspi arvense wurden im Vergleich gleiche Mengen verzehrt wie von der Wirtspflanze. Blühende Descurainia sophia Pflanzen wurden, im Gegensatz zu Jungpflanzen der gleichen Art, angenommen. Die wichtichsten Phagostimulanten in Extrakten von Knoblauchhederich-Blättern waren ungeladene, wasserlösliche Substanzen. Das häufigste Glukosinolat im Knoblauchhederich, Sinigrin, war auch ein Phagostimulant. Doch war die phagostimulierende Wirkung von Sinigrin nur in Kombinationen mit noch nicht identifizierten, ungeladenen Substanzen aus Knoblauchhederich-Blätter nachweisbar. Wirtspfanzen-Beziehungen von monophagen Insekten werden diskutiert im Zusammenhang mit der Eigenart des Glukosinolat-Inhaltes ihrer Wirtspflanzen.

     

Variation in host susceptibility among and within populations ofPlantago lanceolata L. infected by the fungusPhomopsis subordinaria (Desm.) Trav.

Summary Susceptibility toPhomopsis stalk disease ofPlantago lanceolata genotypes, sampled in three different populations with a variable degree of infection by the fungusPhomopsis subordinaria, was determined under greenhouse conditions. Susceptibility of the host varied within, but not among populations. No relationship between the intensity of the disease in the field and the mean susceptibility of the host genotypes sampled at those locations could be established. Host susceptibility appeared to be composed of the host genotypes sampled at those locations could be established. Host susceptibility appeared to be composed of different (uncorrelated) plant characteristics. Determining whether host genotypes are highly or slightly susceptible can only be achieved by field trials, where the plants are exposed to the whole set of disease inducing factors. The relevance of host susceptibility to the intensity of disease in the field is discussed in relation to the variation in pathogenicity of the fungus and the variation in environmental factors prevailing inP. lanceolata populations underP. subordinaria pathogen pressure. Grassland Species Research Group Number 123     

Production and Characterization of Monoclonal Antibodies to Wall-Localized Peroxidases from Corn Seedlings

A library of 22 hybridomas, which make antibodies to soluble wall antigens from the coleoptiles and primary leaves of etiolated corn (Zea mays L.) seedlings, was raised and cloned three times by limit dilution to assure monoclonal growth and stability. Two of these hybridomas made immunoglobulin G antibodies, designated mWP3 and mWP19, which both effectively immunoprecipitated peroxidase activity from crude and partially purified preparations of wall peroxidases. Direct peroxidase-binding assays revealed that both antibodies bound enzymes with peroxidase activity. As judged by immunoblot analyses, mWP3 recognized a M_r 98,000 wall peroxidase with an isoelectric point near 4.2, and mWP19 recognized a M_r 58,000 wall peroxidase. Immunogold localization studies showed both peroxidases are predominately in cell walls.     

Peptidergic regulation of the Limulus midgut

1. The morphology and innervation of the midgut (intestine) in the horseshoe crab, Limulus polyphemus was investigated. The organization of this tissue was examined with routine histology. Radioimmunoassay, immunohistochemistry and high performance liquid chromatography were employed to detect, localize and identify peptidergic innervation of the midgut. The actions of synthetic and native proctolin-like and FMRFamide-like peptides were compared on the isolated midgut preparation. 2. Levels of proctolin and FMRFamide were determined in extracts of Limulus midgut tissue using radioimmunoassay. High levels of proctolin-like immunoreactivity (69.5 +/- 11.3 ng/g) were detected, while levels of FMRFamide-like immunoreactivity (0.8 +/- 0.2 ng/g) were less. Proctolin levels were equally distributed, while the levels of FMRFamide-like immunoreactivity exhibited an anterior bias. 3. Proctolin- and FMRFamide-like immunoreactivities in the Limulus midgut were localized with immunohistochemistry. Proctolin- and FMRFamide-immunoreactive elements were detected in intestinal nerve branches and individual fibers running along the surface of the midgut in whole-mount preparations. In sectioned tissue, staining for these peptides was observed throughout the midgut, typically associated with muscle bands and fibers. Only a few immunoreactive cell bodies were observed. 4. Proctolin, and several FMRFamide-like peptides produced distinct and opposing actions on the isolated Limulus midgut preparation. Proctolin elicited contracture and rhythmic contractions of this tissue, while FMRFamide and N-terminally extended analogs of FLRFamide relaxed gut tension. FMRFamide-like peptides partially reversed the excitatory actions of proctolin. 5. Proctolin- and FMRFamide-like peptides in Limulus midgut extracts were partially characterized with high performance liquid chromatography. One peak of proctolin-like activity was detected on a linear gradient of 18 to 31.5% acetonitrile. The native proctolin-like peptide produced excitatory actions on the isolated midgut preparation which were indistinguishable from those produced by synthetic proctolin. Several peaks of FMRFamide-like bioactivity (Busycon radula protractor muscle assay) were detected with a linear gradient of 5 to 30% acetonitrile. Fractions from two distinct peaks produced FMRFamide-like inhibitory effects on the isolated Limulus midgut preparation. These findings suggest a role for proctolin-like and FMRFamide-like peptides as regulators of intestinal motility in Limulus.     

Novel DNA structures resulting from dTam3 excision in tobacco

A Tam3 two-element system has been designed by combining an immobilized Tam3 element with a non-autonomous dTam3 element inserted into the HPT gene. The phenotypic assay employed, restored hygromycin resistance, indicated thattrans-activation of the non-autonomous dTam3 element occurred. Molecular analyses of the excision sites revealed that the ends of the dTam3 element remain in the empty donor sites. The predominant consequence of this type of excision appears to be that excised fragments fail to re-integrate into the tobacco genome. Only one case of dTam3 re-integration could be detected. The ends of this element had been degraded upon integration into the tobacco genome. Either the altered structure of the Tam3 derivatives or tobacco host factors are influencing thetrans-activation of a dTam3 element, resulting in aberrant excision.     

The duplication in Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 1a spans at least 1100 kb on chromosome 17p11.2

Summary Recently, it has been shown that Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 1a (CMT1a) is linked with a duplication of a DNA segment that is detected by probe VAW409R3, and that is located on chromosome 17p11.2. Here, we show that this duplication also contains VAW412R3a, but not A10-41 and EW503. Accounting for the duplication in recombination analysis, we found recombinants between CMT1a and EW301 and EW502, but not with A10-41, VAW409R3, and VAW412R3. Using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis analysis, we estimated the minimal size of the duplicated region in CMT1a patients to be 1100 kb.     

Neuropeptides in free-living and parasitic flatworms (Platyhelminthes). An immunocytochemical study

The nervous systems of the turbellarians Microstomum lineare and Polycelis nigra and of the cestodes Diphyllobothrium dendriticum and Schistocephalus solidus were studied by means of the peroxidase-antiperoxidase (PAP) immunocytochemical method, with the use of antisera to the neuropeptides FMRF-amide, vasotocin, leu-enkephalin, met-enkephalin, neurotensin, somatostatin, and VIP, and to the bioamine serotonin. Anti-FMRF-amide positive perikarya and fibers occurred in all species, while the occurrence of the vertebrate brain-gut peptides and serotonin varied between the species. Anti-somatostatin and anti-VIP gave a negative result. Anti-FMRF-amide and anti-vasotocin positive immunoreactivity was found in the brain and gut of M. lineare, and in the CNS and the peripheral nerve net of the cestodes. We suggest that the brain-gut peptides of free-living flatworms act on the subtegumental region in the cestodes, which lack a gut but absorb their nutrients directly through the tegument.