Summer habitat use and selection by female Sage Grouse ( Centrocercus urophasianus ) in Oregon

Cover types and vegetative characteristics (e.g., grasses, forbs, shrubs) used by female Sage Grouse ( Centrocercus urophasianus ) during summer were compared with available habitat on two study areas in southeastern Oregon. Broodless hens, which constituted 114 of the 125 (91%) radio-marked hens studied, selected big ( Artemisia tridentata ) subspp.) and low sagebrush ( A. arbuscular ) cover types at both study areas. At Hart Mountain, broodless hens did not select specific vegetative characteristics within cover types. However, at Jackass Creek, forb cover was greater ( P = .004) at broodless hen sites than at random locations. Differences in habitat use by broodless hens between study areas were associated with differences in forb availability. Broodless hens used a greater diversity of cover types than hens with broods. Broodless hens gathered in flocks and remained separate from but near hens with broods during early summer. By early July broodless hens moved to meadows while hens with broods remained in upland habitats.     

Differential responses to nitrogen form and concentration for Oryzopsis hymenoides and Elymus lanceolatus

In a greenhouse experiment, effects of nitrogen form and concentration on productivity and dry matter allocation differed between two species native to semiarid ecosystems of the Great Basin. Aboveground production of green surface area and of dry matter were consistently enhanced by increased nitrogen for the rhizomatous grass Elymus lanceolatus , but not for the bunchgrass Oryzopsis hymenoides . These differences were likely due to inherently low growth rates of O. hymenoides . Aboveground dry matter allocation also differed between the two species. O. hymenoides had more leaves per tiller with increased nitrogen, whereas leaf size but not number increased for E. lanceolatus . Furthermore, increases in tiller density with increased nitrogen for E. lanceolatus were almost three times greater than those for O. hymenoides . E. lanceolatus , but not O. hymenoides , was sensitive to the form of nitrogen supplied to the plants. When NH 4 -N was the only form of nitrogen supplied, high concentrations of NH 4 -N inhibited aboveground production of E. lanceolatus .     

Gene polymorphism in Netherton and common atopic disease.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) and asthma are characterized by IgE-mediated atopic (allergic) responses to common proteins (allergens), many of which are proteinases. Loci influencing atopy have been localized to a number of chromosomal regions, including the chromosome 5q31 cytokine cluster. Netherton disease is a rare recessive skin disorder in which atopy is a universal accompaniment. The gene underlying Netherton disease (SPINK5) encodes a 15-domain serine proteinase inhibitor (LEKTI) which is expressed in epithelial and mucosal surfaces and in the thymus. We have identified six coding polymorphisms in SPINK5 (Table 1) and found that a Glu420-->Lys variant shows significant association with atopy and AD in two independent panels of families. Our results implicate a previously unrecognized pathway for the development of common allergic illnesses.     

A method to collect cervical smears from small breeds of monkeys.

A simple method is described to collect cervical smears and to have a clear view of cervix for small breed of monkeys. This method was found useful to collect adequate cytology smears with good preservation of cellular morphology.     

GABAergic inhibition of neurons in the ventral tegmental area.

Stimulation of the nucleus accumbens evokes a potent inhibition in neurons of the ventral tegmental area. GABA is likely to act as a transmitter in this descending inhibitory system.     

Lipoprotein lipase activator deficiency in very low density lipoproteins in rat nephrotic syndrome.

Marked urinary loss of lipoprotein lipase activator in experimental rat nephrotic syndrome may be partly responsible for its deficiency in plasma very low density lipoproteins.     

Retinoids, a new class of compounds with prophylactic and therapeutic activities in oncology and dermatology.

A review of recent investigations in the retinoid field is presented. Retinoic acid exerts a prophylactic and a therapeutic effect on chemically induced benign and malignant epithelial tumors in mice. In clinical studies positive therapeutic results have been obtained in patients with preneoplastic and neoplastic epithelial lesions. However, treatment with retinoic acid is limited by serious side effects (hypervitaminosis A syndrome). Therefore, the synthesis of analogs of retinoic acid (retinoids) possessing a more favorable therapeutic ratio has been initiated. Among a large series of synthesized compounds, certain aromatic analogs proved to have a particularly favorable therapeutic ratio. The structure-activity relationship of the most active retinoids is discussed including some biological data concerning prophylaxis and therapy of epithelial tumors. The total synthesis of retinoids according to various building schemes is discussed in detail. Methods for the synthesis of the cyclic end group, of the polyene chain component, and of the full retinoid skeleton are described. Metabolic studies of retinoic acid and of the most active retinoid, as well as the synthesis of some isolated metabolites are outlined. Suggestions concerning the mechanism of action of retinoids are made. Some clinical results on the treatment of acne, psoriasis and precancerous conditions are reported.     

Glutathione peroxidase in dried blood spots.

A new procedure utilizing dried blood spots was developed for detecting glutathione peroxidase deficiency. Samples from a known patient with a partial defect and from rats with an induced deficiency were distinguished from respective control groups by their longer defluorescence endpoints. Samples from 100 patients with anemia and 2 phenyl-ketonuric infants on low-protein diets contained glutathione peroxidase activity similar to that in 82 controls, when screened for the enzyme defect by the new procedure.     

Effects of the antiprotease Trasylol on peripheral blood leucocytes.

Binding of the antiprotease Trasylol to human peripheral blood lymphocytes and polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMNs) was demonstrated at the ultrastructural level using an indirect immunoperoxidase technique. This also revealed endocytosis of membrane bound Trasylol by PMNs. Trasylol inhibited PHA- and ConA-induced lymphocyte stimulation, and was cytotoxic to unstimulated cells.