Isolation of microsatellite loci in the Capricorn silvereye,Zosterops lateralis chlorocephalus (Aves: Zosteropidae)

The Capricorn silvereye (Zosterops lateralis chlorocephalus) is ideally suited to investigating the genetic basis of body size evolution. We have isolated and characterized a set of microsatellite markers for this species. Seven out of 11 loci were polymorphic. The number of alleles detected ranged from two to five and observed heterozygosities between 0.12 and 0.67. One locus, ZL49, was found to be sex‐linked. This moderate level of diversity is consistent with that expected in an isolated, island population.     

Effect of change in particle number on pulmonary clearance of aerosolized 99mTc-DTPA

Pulmonary clearance (PCl) of inhaled aerosolized 99mTc-diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA) across the alveolocapillary membrane is diffusion limited. Therefore, if the mixing of the 99mTc-DTPA in the aqueous hypophase underlying surfactant is slow or incomplete or if there were no hypophase, an increase in the alveolar surface area occupied by 99mTc-DTPA particles would increase the absorption rate. The aim of this study was to examine whether there is an effect on PCl of changing the number of inhaled particles. The change in particle number was accomplished by a setup of four parallel jet nebulizers feeding a central delivery chamber of 400 cm3. We performed two kinds of experiments in eight healthy nonsmokers between 28 and 52 yr of age. In the first experiment, 99mTc-DTPA in saline was nebulized in one nebulizer, while saline was nebulized in the other three. In the second experiment the number of inhaled particles containing 99mTc-DTPA was increased by a factor of four by nebulizing 99mTc-DTPA in saline in all four nebulizers simultaneously. Increasing the number of inhaled 99mTc-DTPA particles caused an increase in PCl of 24.2% (P less than 0.01). We conclude that there is a slight but significant effect of changing the number of DTPA particles on PCl and that this is probably due to an uneven mixing of the 99mTc-DTPA in the aqueous hypophase underlying the surfactant lining and the alveoli.     

A simple, sensitive and reliable assay for serotonin and 5-HIAA in brain tissue using liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection

An extremely sensitive and simple method for simultaneously measuring both serotonin and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) has been developed using liquid chromatography (LC) and electrochemical detection. Assay conditions are described which resolve and measure as little as 22 picograms of serotonin and its deaminated metabolite in deproteinated brain samples.     

Ribonuclease III: new sense from nuisance.

RNases play an important role in the processing of precursor RNAs, creating the mature, functional RNAs. The ribonuclease III family currently is one of the most interesting families of endoribonucleases. Surprisingly, RNase III is involved in the maturation of almost every class of prokaryotic and eukaryotic RNA. We present an overview of the various substrates and their processing. RNase III contains one of the most prominent protein domains used in RNA-protein recognition, the double-stranded RNA binding domain (dsRBD). Progress in the understanding of this domain is summarized. Furthermore, RNase III only recently emerged as a key player in the new exciting biological field of RNA silencing, or RNA interference. The eukaryotic RNase III homologues which are likely involved in this process are compared with the other members of the RNase III family.     

Termination of pregnancy in cases of fetal death in utero by intravenous prostaglandin F2alpha.

Delivery was induced by an intravenous infusion of prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha) in gradually increasing doses in 30 consecutive cases of fetal death in utero after the 28th week of gestation. Twenty patients delivered during the first day of prostaglandin administration, 9 on the second day, and 1 patient not until the third day of infusion. It is concluded, that intravenous PGF2alpha appears to be superior to oxytocin in termination of pregnancy under these conditions.     

Infectivity,viability and effects of Paranosema locustae (Microsporidia) on juveniles of Dichroplus maculipennis (Orthoptera: Acrididae: Melanoplinae) under laboratory conditions

Infectivity and effects on host of a long-term stored aqueous suspension of Paranosema locustae on juveniles of Dichroplus maculipennis, a pest grasshopper in parts of the Pampas and Patagonia, were evaluated. Infections developed in 90–97.8% of treated individuals. Mortality increased with time, reaching highest values at 30–40 days post-inoculation (79.5–100%). Infected nymphs showed significantly slower development.