Sterols of the pine processionary caterpillar; effects of diflubenzuron (Dimilin®)

Summary Cholesterol in pine processionary caterpillars (Thaumetopoea pityocampa Schiff.; Lepidoptera is produced mainly from -sitosterol present in their food (pine needles); it can also be synthesized from acetic acid. This synthesis is stimulated by the insecticide Dimilin but inhibited by the antibiotic tetracycline.This work has been partly realized at the Institut de Chimie des Substances naturelles of CNRS. Thanks to the amiability of Mr Michel Barbier.     

Changes in binding of JH-III in hemolymph of adult femaleLocusta migratoria

Summary Hemolymph from adult femaleLocusta migratoria migratorioides was analyzed for binding of juvenile hormone III (JH-III) after allatectomy and transection of thenervus corporis allati 1 (NCA-I). These operations did not affect the apparent dissociation constant of the binding (Kd=3.3 10^–8 M). The concentration of binding sites exhibited fluctuations in relation to age and type of operation: an increased concentration of binding sites in females with disconnected corpora allata and a decreased concentration in allatectomized females. The changes in concentration of binding sites was not due to differences in water content or hemolymph volume in operated animals. The hemolymph protein concentration was reduced after NCA-I transection and even more after allatectomy. However, variations in protein concentration did not correlate with changes in concentration of JH-III binding sites. The changes in binding site concentration were related to changes in JH-titer.     

Rapid effects of insulin on cyclic GMP location in an intact protozoan

We studied rapid changes in location of cyclic GMP inTetrahymena pyriformis. Insulin caused cGMP localization in cilia and near the plasma membrane (0.5–1 min). Later (1–5 min) cGMP localization was diffuse in cytoplasm with perinuclear accentuation. Inactive insulin analogs did not elicit these changes.     

Genomic sources of regulatory variation in cis and in trans

Regulatory variation results from genetic changes with both cis and trans acting effects on gene expression. Here I describe the types of genetic variants that alter cis and trans regulation and discuss differences in the potential for cis and trans changes among different classes of genes. I argue that the molecular function of the protein encoded by each gene and how the gene is wired into the genomic regulatory network may influence its propensity for cis and trans regulatory changes.Received 15 February 2005; received after revision 12 April 2005; accepted 26 April 2005     

Vegetation structure and primary production in acidified lakes in southwestern Sweden

Summary Research during the last two decades has clearly pointed out that dramatic ecosystem changes have occured in lakes due to deposition of acid substances and decreased pH. Today a large number of lakes and running waters in Scandinavia are suffering biological damage with disappearing fish populations, overgrowth of the bottom by mosses and filamentous algae, reduced invertebrate fauna, increased transparency etc.—Of all documented biological changes the effect on macrophyte succession, in particular that ofSphagnum, is the most striking effect. Along with the growth of filamentous algae, these changes have brought about major shifts in the composition of the primary producers. The biomass in one lake was estimated to be 6.5 t (dry wt) corresponding to about 24 g m^–2, the relevant proportions being 52% forSphagnum, 34% forLobelia and 15% forIsoetes. Percentage production in the whole lake is 54% forSphagnum, 29% forLobelia and 17% forIsoetes, which gives an estimated production of 2.9 t yr^–1 or 9 g m^–2 yr^–1.Sphagnum is a recent flora element and its occurrence is related to the acidification of the lakes. The investigations also show that the growth ofLobelia is reduced in acid lakes compared to other oligotrophic lakes due to shading by the benthic mat of filamentous algae, detritus andSphagnum debris.—One can conclude that there are several quantitative and qualitative changes in the macrophyte community which are related to acidification. One can also conclude that liming of lakes cause elimination ofSphagnum and some increase in the production ofIsoetids.     

‘Waldsterben’, part IV (continuing series)

Summary Peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activities, and ascorbic acid content, were measured in both intercellular fluid and cell material of current and 1-year-old needles of Norway spruce saplings treated with ozone, ambient air and activated carbon-filtered air in outdoor fumigation chambers. Ethylene evolution was also compared. Plants from carbon-filtered air treatments had significantly lower enzyme activities and higher ascorbic acid content. These changes were more marked in intercellular fluid than in cell material. Significant changes were noted at ozone levels typical of ambient air quality in a typical urban area. These results suggest the need for simultaneous screening of several biochemical markers as a way of overcoming the lack of specificity of any single marker for the identification of a perturbation by a particular stress, such as ozone.Acknowledgments. This work was supported in part by Grant Number 4849-0.85 (NFP 14) from the Swiss National Fund of Scientific Research. We thank Dr. F. Cupelin and Dr. J. Cl. Landry from the Service d'Ecotoxicologie, Genève, who provided the facilities for the monitoring of ozone levels. We also thank A. Mesrobian, A. Rossier and D. Voluntaru for technical assistance. Du Pont de Nemours International is gratefully acknowledged for the gift of TEDLAR (polyvinyl fluoride film) to build up the fumigation chambers.     

Über die Verwendung von künstlichen radioaktiven Isotopen zur Erzielung von lokalisierten biologischen Strahlenwirkungen

Summary Intratumoral injection of an artificial radioactive isotope (radiozinc), suspended in a solution of pectin: The author has previously reported on a method, which consists in the utilization of an artificial radioactive isotope for the production oflocalized biological radiation effects, by means of intraperitoneal injections of radiozinc (Zn⁶³) suspended in a suitably prepared solution of pectin. This procedure was applied to a small number of cases of cancer of the ovaries, with severe peritoneal extension, and yielded rather interesting therapeutic effects in these particularly bad conditions. Evidently this method can be applied also to malignant fumors of cavitary organs, such as the urinary bladder etc.The author investigated further, whether this procedure would also be suitable for interstitial radiotherapy, as previously presumed. Subcutaneous and intramuscular injections of the same suspension of radiozinc in pectin were thus performed on rabbits and were not followed by any diffusion of radioactivity outside the injected areas, as shown both by autoradiographs and controls of blood specimens with a counter. For the purpose of preliminary clinical investigation two cases of extended cancer of the uterine cervix recieved injections of 15 millicuries of radiozinc suspended in pectin within the tumor and its immediate surroundings (these cases were also submitted to the usual X-ray and radium-therapy). Specimens of blood and urine were checked with a counter and showed practically no radioactivity. Distinct fibrinous spots were observed a tew days later at the points of injection. This special form of interstitial radiotherapy will presumably gain some practical significance, as it offers the advantage that no foreign bodies have to be inserted in tissues as it is the case with radium needles and radon seeds, pectin being very well tolerated and resorbed by living tissues.     

Nekrobiotische Zellveränderungen in der Hypophyse des Bachneunauges (Lampetra planeri Bloch) als Folge von Pilzinfektionen

Summary In the adenohypophysis of brook lampreys (Lampetra planeri Bloch) necrobiotic cellular changes are described to develop as a result of infection of the animal bodies with parasitic fungi (Saprolegniaceae). These changes are restricted only on the mesoadenohypophysis. It is suggested that a cytotoxic substance released by the fungi has a selective destructive effect on a cell type which is localized in this lobe of the pituitary gland.     

Experimential evidence for endogenously programmed differential migration in the blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla)

Female hand-raised blackcaps (Sylvia atricapilla) held in constant conditions (except for simulated seasonal changes in photoperiod) showed significantly more, and significantly longer, autumnal migratory activity as well as significantly later initiation of spring migratory activity than males from the same population (including siblings) held under identical conditions.This research was supported by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation (Terrill) and the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (Berthold).     

Mortality effects of temperature changes in the United Kingdom

Temperature changes are known to affect the social and environmental determinants of health in various ways. Consequently, excess deaths as a result of extreme weather conditions may increase over the coming decades because of climate change. In this paper, the relationship between trends in mortality and trends in temperature change (as a proxy) is investigated using annual data and for specified (warm and cold) periods during the year in the UK. A thoughtful statistical analysis is implemented and a new stochastic, central mortality rate model is proposed. The new model encompasses the good features of the Lee and Carter (Journal of the American Statistical Association, 1992, 87: 659–671) model and its recent extensions, and for the very first time includes an exogenous factor which is a temperature‐related factor. The new model is shown to provide a significantly better‐fitting performance and more interpretable forecasts. An illustrative example of pricing a life insurance product is provided and discussed.     

Circadian rhythm in the subcommissural organ of the frog,Rana arvalis Nilsson,under natural conditions

Summary A circadian activity of SCO ependymal cells, judged by changes in the nuclear volume, has been found in juvenile frogs (Rana arvalis) under natural summer conditions. The nuclear volume reaches its maximum at 12.00 h and a minimum at 24.00 h. A significant increase in activity occurs between 06.00 and 09.00 h and a gradual decrease is observed from 12.00 to 24.00 h.     

Elektronenoptische Beobachtungen bei Speicherkrankheiten

Summary Ultrastructural changes in spleen and liver in a case ofMorbus Gaucher andNiemann-Pick are discussed.The results are: (1) The Ultrastructure shows a distinct differentiation between the two diseases. (2) It seems that storage begins in mitochondria. (3) In the case ofMorbus Niemann-Pick, all Mitochondria of storage cells show an abnormal ultrastructure (diminuation in size, increased osmiophilia, disorder in the arrangement of cristae and membranes).

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Die Arbeit erscheint ausführlich an anderer Stelle.     

Involvement of a surface concanavalin A-binding glycoprotein in the adhesion ofTrichomonas vaginalis to substrates

Summary Treatment ofTrichomonas vaginalis with EDTA removes their ability to adhere to glass surfaces and changes their affinity to Concanavalin A (ConA) by a different distribution of their surface structures. Filtrates of the EDTA-treatedTrichomonas passed through affinity chromatography columns (ConA bound to Sepharose 4B0 separate into 2 fractions, one fraction was bound to the ConA-Sepharose beads, the other was not. The Con A-bound fraction appears to be a glycoprotein which restores in a specific way the ability of the EDTA-treated protozoa to adhere to glass. We want to thank Dr.P. M. Comoglio for the donation of the FITC-labelled immunoglobulin fraction of anti-ConA rabbit antiserum. This work was supported by a grant from the Italian National Research Council (C.N.R.)     

Correlation between ovarian growth,vitellogenin titer,and yolk polypeptide pattern in the haemolymph ofCalliphora vicina

Summary During the first egg maturation cycle ofCalliphora vicina changes in the vitellogenin titer and yolk polypeptide pattern of the haemolymph are correlated with the intensity of follicular growth, and the rate of yolk deposition.Acknowledgments. Support from The Danish Natural Science Research Council (grant: 11-0423) and access to facilities at the laboratory of Dr Bente L. Hansen (Institute of Medical Microbiology) is gratefully acknowledged.     

Pathways of proton transfer in the light-driven pump bacteriorhodopsin

The mechanism of proton transport in the light-driven pump bacteriorhodopsin is beginning to be understood. Light causes the all-trans to 13-cis isomerization of the retinal chromophore. This sets off a sequential and directed series of transient decreases in the pK_a's of a) the retinal Schiff base, b) an extracellular proton release complex which includes asp-85, and c) a cytoplasmic proton uptake complex which includes asp-96. The timing of these pK changes during the photoreaction cycle causes sequential proton transfers which result in the net movement of a proton across the protein, from the cytoplasmic to the extracellular surface.     

Hematocrit and hemoglobin concentration in four chromosomal species and some isolated populations of actively speciating subterranean mole rats in Israel

Summary Hematocrit (HCT) and hemoglobin (Hb) concentration were measured in four chromosomal species and some peripherally semi-isolated and isolated populations of the mole rat superspeciesSpalax ehrenbergi in Israel. HCT was 52.0, 51.4, 50.9, and 47.8%, and Hb was 16.0, 16.6, 16.3, and 14.7 g/100 ml for 2n=52, 58, 54, and 60, respectively. The species 2n=60, which lives in arid habitats, had lower HCT and Hb than the other three species. HCT decreased as aridity increased between the species and within the species 2n=60. Changes in HCT probably reflect clinal changes in both soil permeability to gases and ambient temperature.     

Intrinsic control of rhabdom size and rhodopsin content in the crab compound eye by a circadian biological clock

Summary Under conditions of constant darkness, rhabdom volume and the amount of visual pigment chromophore show circadian changes in the compound eye of the crabHemigrapsus sanguineus. The present results indicate that an intrinsic circadian biological clock is involved in the control of the changes.     

Elemental sulphur (S<Subscript>8</Subscript>) in higher plants — biogenic or anthropogenic origin

In the course of investigating lipophilic air pollutants in the epicuticular wax ofPinus sylvestris L. needles, elemental sulphur, S₈, was found in all samples. An investigation was conducted to determined the origin of this substance. No correlation between the level of S₈ in the needles and human activities in the sampling area could be found, contrary to what would have been expected of an anthropogenic compound. The internal lipids ofP. sylvestris as well as the epicuticular wax of historical herbarium material and seedlings grown in clean, filtered air, and the epicuticular wax of several other species, both gymnosperms and angiosperms, also contained S₈. Quantitation of S₈ inP. sylvestris gave levels of 7.2±2.9 μg/g wax, 3.8±1.9 μg/g internal lipid and 0.43±0.17 μg/g total needle dry weight. Almost 0.1% of the total sulphur in pine needles is S₈, and approximately half of the total S₈ is found in the wax. The results suggest that S₈ is endogenous in many higher plants. A function for S₈ as part of an antifungal defence system is possible.