Academic literature on the topic 'Other biological sciences not elsewhere classified'

Alnus glutinosa (alder) is widespread in Europe and is an important component of biological diversity in natural forest ecosystems in the Baltic Region. In 2000, diseased trees of A. glutinosa exhibiting characteristically phytoplasmal disease symptoms of shoot proliferation and leaf yellowing were observed in Aukstaitija National Park, Lithuania. In other parts of Europe, alder is affected by a phytoplasmal disease known as alder yellows, which is characterized by symptoms that include yellowing and reduced leaf size, die-back of branches, and decline of trees (2,3). Proliferation of shoots has not been previously reported with this disease. An association between alder yellows and infection by a phytoplasma has been reported in A. glutinosa in Germany and Italy, and a phytoplasma has been found in A. glutinosa in France and Hungary (2,4). We examined symptomatic alder from Lithuania using nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) (1), primed by P1/P7 and followed by R16F2n/R16R2 (F2n/R2), for amplification of phytoplasmal ribosomal (r) DNA. The results indicated the presence of a phytoplasma, designated ALY-L, in the diseased alder. We classified the ALY-L phytoplasma through restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis of 16S rDNA. A 1.2-kbp fragment (F2n-R2 segment) of rDNA, amplified in PCR primed by F2n/R2, was analyzed using single endonuclease enzyme digestion with AluI, MseI, KpnI, HhaI, HaeIII, HpaI, HpaII, RsaI, HinfI, TaqI, Sau3AI, BfaI, and ThaI. On the basis of collective RFLP patterns, phytoplasma ALY-L was classified as a member of group 16SrV (group V, elm yellows group), subgroup C. The amplified 16S rDNA was cloned in Escherichia coli and sequenced, and the sequence was deposited in the GenBank data library (Accession No. AY028789). Nucleotide sequence alignment revealed that 16S rDNA from phytoplasma ALY-L shared 100% sequence similarity with 16S rDNA (GenBank Accession No. Y16387) from a phytoplasma associated with alder yellows (ALY) disease in Italy. The results support the conclusion that a strain of ALY phytoplasma is present in Lithuania. Phytoplasmas belonging to groups 16SrI (aster yellows phytoplasma group) and III (X-disease phytoplasma group) have been found in herbaceous plant species in Lithuania. This report records the first finding of a group V phytoplasma, and the first finding of a phytoplasma in a tree species in the eastern Baltic Region. These findings contribute knowledge about the diversity of phytoplasmas in the Baltic Region and the distribution of ALY phytoplasma in Europe. Apparently, A. glutinosa may be infected by the phytoplasma but not develop obvious disease symptoms, as has been reported elsewhere (3). Thus, it is possible that ALY-L phytoplasma is widespread, but as yet undetected, throughout the geographic range of alder in the Baltic Region. This possibility is supported by the finding of the monophagous leafhopper vector (Oncopsis alni) of ALY phytoplasma throughout Europe (cited in Maixner and Reinert [3]). Further research is needed to assess the impact of phytoplasmal infections such as those by ALY-related phytoplasma strains on trends in biological diversity in the natural forest ecosystems of the Baltic Region and elsewhere in Europe. References: (1) R. Jomantiene et al. Int. J. Syst. Bacteriol. 48:269, 1998. (2) W. Lederer and E. Seemüller. Eur. J. For. Pathol. 21:90, 1991. (3) M. Maixner and W. Reinert. Eur. J. Plant Pathol. 105:87, 1999. (4) R. Mäurer et al. Phytopathology 83:971, 1993.

Signet-ring cell carcinoma of the prostate gland (SRCCP) an uncommon and aggressive malignant tumour of the prostate gland which is characterized by histopathology examination features of compression of the nucleus into the form of a crescent by a large cytoplasmic vacuole. SRCCPs that have so far been reported have been either (a) primary tumours, metastatic tumours with the primary tumour elsewhere with the gastro-intestinal tract being the site of the primary tumour but the primary tumour could originate elsewhere, and additionally some reported SRCCPs have been classified as carcinoma of unknown primary. SRCCP could be a pure tumour or a tumour that is contemporaneously associated with other types of tumour including various variants of adenocarcinoma. SRCCP can manifest in various ways including: Incidental finding following prostatectomy that has been undertaken for a presumed benign prostatic hyperplasia, lower urinary tract symptoms, visible and non-visible haematuria, raised levels of serum PSA but some SRCCPs have been diagnosed with normal / low levels of serum PSA, there may be a history of dyspepsia in cases of metastatic signet-ring cell carcinoma in association with contemporaneous primary signet-ring cell carcinoma of the stomach or there may be a past history of surgical treatment for signet-ring cell carcinoma of the gastrointestinal tract, or bleeding from the gastrointestinal tract in cases of upper gastrointestinal tract and rectal bleeding as well as change in bowel habit for primary tumours of the anorectal region, retention of urine, and rarely a rectal mass in the case of SRCCP with an anorectal primary tumour. In order to exclude a primary signet ring cell carcinoma elsewhere, a detailed past medical history is required as well as radiology imaging including contrast – enhanced computed tomography (CECT) scan and contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (CEMRI) scan as well as upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and colonoscopy to exclude a primary lesion within the gastrointestinal tract. Diagnosis of SRCCP requires utilization of the histopathology and immunohistochemistry examination features of prostate biopsy, prostatic chips obtained from trans-urethral resection of prostate specimen or radical prostatectomy specimen. SRCCPs upon immunohistochemistry staining studies tend to show tumour that tend to exhibit positive staining for the following tumour markers as follows: PSA – positive staining for PSA has been variable in some studies, AE1/AE3, CAM 5.2, Ki-67 with a mean of 8%, PAS-diastase, Mucicarmine (50%), Alcian blue (60%), Alpha-methyl-acyl coenzyme A racemase (P504S), and Cytokeratin 5/6. SRCCPs also tend to exhibit negative staining for: Bcl2 (rare positive), and CEA (80%). Traditionally the treatment of Primary Signet-Ring Cell Carcinoma of the Prostate Gland has tended to be similar to the treatment of the traditional adenocarcinoma of the prostate gland which does include: hormonal treatment, radiotherapy, and surgery. Nevertheless, considering that primary SRCCPs and metastatic SRCCPs that have been reported in the literature have generally tended to be associated with an aggressive biological behaviour, even though there is no consensus opinion on the treatment of the disease it would be strongly recommended that these tumours that tend to be associated with rapid progress of the disease and poor survival there is an urgent need to treat all these tumours with aggressive surgery including radical prostatectomy plus adjuvant therapies including: radical radiotherapy, combination chemotherapy, selective prostatic angiography and super-selective embolization of the artery feeding the tumour including intra-arterial infusion of chemotherapy agents directly to the tumour, radiofrequency ablation of the tumour as well as irreversible electroporation of the tumour which should form part of a global multicentre study of various treatment options. With regard to metastatic signet-ring cell carcinomas of the prostate gland with a contemporaneous primary tumour elsewhere the primary tumour should also be treated by radical and complete excision of the primary tumour plus radical surgery and aggressive adjuvant therapy. Considering that SRCCPs have tendered not to respond well to available chemotherapy agents, there is need for urologists, oncologists, and pharmacotherapy research workers to identify new chemotherapy medicaments that would more effectively and safely destroy signet-ring cell tumours in order to improve upon the prognosis.

Abstract The giant armadillo (Priodontes maximus) is the largest living armadillo. This naturally rare and poorly known species is endemic to South America and classified as “Vulnerable” by the IUCN. Here we explored aspects of the spatial ecology of P. maximus in Midwestern Brazil to gain insights on its ecology and biology to support conservation efforts. In 8 years, we identified 50 individuals of P. maximus and monitored 23 of them using telemetry methods. To characterize site fidelity and home range, we fitted individual continuous-time movement models and estimated Autocorrelated Kernel Density Estimates. We built a Structural Equation Model to evaluate how home-range area and daily displacement are related to each other, to sampling effort, and to individual characteristics. We estimated home-range overlap between pairs of different sexes using a bias-corrected Bhattacharyya coefficient. Finally, we formulated a canonical density estimation formula to characterize minimum population density. We gathered a total of 12,168 locations of P. maximus. The best-fitted movement models indicated site fidelity for all individuals and a median adult home-range area of 2,518 ha. Median adult daily displacement was 1,651 m. Home-range area scales positively with daily displacement and daily displacement scales positively with body mass. Median home-range overlap between pairs was low (4%) and adult females presented exclusive home ranges among themselves. Median minimum density was 7.65 individuals per 100 km2 (CI = 5.68–10.19 ind/100 km2). Our results are congruent with characterizing P. maximus as a generally asocial species, most likely promiscuous/polygynous, that establishes large, long-term home ranges, which grants the population a naturally low density. Spatial patterns and biological characteristics obtained in this study can be used to guide future conservation strategies for P. maximus in the Pantanal wetlands and elsewhere.

BackgroundThe diet of the koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) is comprised almost exclusively of foliage from the genusEucalyptus(family Myrtaceae).Eucalyptusproduces a wide variety of potentially toxic plant secondary metabolites which have evolved as chemical defences against herbivory. The koala is classified as an obligate dietary specialist, and although dietary specialisation is rare in mammalian herbivores, it has been found elsewhere to promote a highly-conserved but low-diversity gut microbiome. The gut microbes of dietary specialists have been found sometimes to enhance tolerance of dietary PSMs, facilitating competition-free access to food. Although the koala and its gut microbes have evolved together to utilise a low nutrient, potentially toxic diet, their gut microbiome has not previously been assessed in conjunction with diet quality. Thus, linking the two may provide new insights in to the ability of the koala to extract nutrients and detoxify their potentially toxic diet.MethodThe 16S rRNA gene was used to characterise the composition and diversity of faecal bacterial communities from a wild koala population (n = 32) comprising individuals that predominately eat either one of two different food species, one the strongly preferred and relatively nutritious speciesEucalyptus viminalis, the other comprising the less preferred and less digestible speciesEucalyptus obliqua.ResultsAlpha diversity indices indicated consistently and significantly lower diversity and richness in koalas eatingE. viminalis. Assessment of beta diversity using both weighted and unweighted UniFrac matrices indicated that diet was a strong driver of both microbial community structure, and of microbial presence/absence across the combined koala population and when assessed independently. Further, principal coordinates analysis based on both the weighted and unweighted UniFrac matrices for the combined and separated populations, also revealed a separation linked to diet. During our analysis of the OTU tables we also detected a strong association between microbial community composition and host diet. We found that the phyla Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes were co-dominant in all faecal microbiomes, with Cyanobacteria also co-dominant in some individuals; however, theE. viminalisdiet produced communities dominated by the generaParabacteroidesand/orBacteroides, whereas theE. obliqua-associated diets were dominated by unidentified genera from the family Ruminococcaceae.DiscussionWe show that diet differences, even those caused by differential consumption of the foliage of two species from the same plant genus, can profoundly affect the gut microbiome of a specialist folivorous mammal, even amongst individuals in the same population. We identify key microbiota associated with each diet type and predict functions within the microbial community based on 80 previously identifiedParabacteroidesand Ruminococcaceae genomes.

This article offers an approach through administrative and cultural history to the problems associated with gathering and processing data for the Spanish national census of 1920, and by implication for earlier Spanish censuses. It focuses on the Basque province of Guipúzcoa, making use of correspondence between the central statistical office in Madrid, the provincial jefe de estadística and the localities, and of reports on three problematic towns within the province. The issues that emerge regarding ‘undercounting’, the definition of administrative boundaries and the classification of demographic characteristics are set in the wider context of census-taking practices and problems elsewhere in Spain and in other cultures.

A total of 155 species and 75 genera were found at marine sediments in Sydney region (Australia) and are described using light microscopy: 117 species at Port Botany, 111 species at Kogarah Bay, 94 species at Woolooware Bay, 126 species at Quibray Bay, 74 species at Avoca beach, 48 species at Watsons Bay. The records include accounts of 15 unidentified taxa and two new taxa: Eoramonas jungensis sp. nov. (Eoramonas gen. nov.), Protaspa flexibilis sp. nov. Most flagellates described here have been found at other locations worldwide, but many species not reported from any other locations. I am unable to assess if these species are endemic because of the lack of intensive studies elsewhere. However, these results suggest that the flagellate communities from Botany Bay are distinctive.

Abstract“Precision agriculture” was a favorite buzzword in agricultural discussions in the 1990s. Proponents of precision agriculture note its promises are twofold: economic benefits for the producer and environmental benefits for society. These benefits are to be achieved by improving the efficiency of input use, based on data obtained with global positioning systems (GPS) and geographic information systems (GIS) technologies. Although fulfillment of these promises has been mixed to date, it appears that “precision agriculture” will continue in the agriculture vernacular into the 21st century. In this article, we propose another sense of the term, and argue that precision agriculture, or at least long strides in that direction, is possible short of these highly complex methods and capital investments, through integrated crop management (ICM). As practiced by the producer and/or provided by independent crop consultants, ICM is one alternative to providing information-intensive management on the farm, and has proven efficiency of input use. That is, the promise of economic and environmental benefits holds true in a manner that makes it possible for any producer to implement “precision agriculture.” Using data from users and nonusers of independent crop consultants implementing ICM, this study reveals that several economic and environmental benefits are gained from the information and management recommendations provided by consultants. Pest and nutrient management recommendations have led to decreases in pesticide and commercial fertilizer use. For the majority of users, these input reductions have resulted in an increase in profits since hiring a consultant. Users attributed changes in total cost of production to their consultant's effectiveness, and some reported receiving double or greater return for every dollar invested in consultant services. The results confirm the important role that Iowa's independent crop consultants could play in agricultural production and environmental protection through their promotion of ICM activities. However, the scarcity of consultants in Iowa, and possibly elsewhere, presents a challenge within the industry. Addressing this issue may help in contributing to rural development, economic benefit for the producer, and environmental benefit for all of society.

Abstract Knowledge of Late Permian biodiversity patterns, following the end-Guadalupian crisis, is still in its infancy, since most recent studies have focused on the end-Permian biotic crisis. The palynological record of southern Africa, however, reveals major climatic changes during the Late Permian. Here we report new palynological data from eastern Tete Province of Mozambique, documenting the change from cool to warm temperate climates during the Lopingian. This prominent climate signal was also detected recently in other depositional environments elsewhere in southern Africa, and thus enables interregional temporal correlations.

Two populations between the German malting variety Alexis and the Australian malting variety Sloop were constructed, mapped, phenotyped, and subjected to quantitative trait loci analysis. One population consisted of 153 F4-derived recombinant inbred lines and the other of 111 doubled haploid lines. This paper describes 18 field and laboratory experiments conducted with the populations and summarises the traits mapped and analysed. The genetic basis of 5 traits (malt extract, resistance to leaf rust, resistance to powdery mildew, early flowering, plant stature) important to Australian efforts to improve malting barley varieties was elucidated. Detailed maps for these populations are shown in this paper, while a consensus map incorporating these maps and further experiments on the populations are described elsewhere in this issue.

In cultivation mutualisms, farming animals prepare fields for cultivars, enhance their growth and harvest them. For example, in terrestrial ecosystems, plant–herbivore cultivation mutualisms arose between humans and their crops only relatively recently. We discovered an obligate cultivation mutualism between a damselfish and an alga in a coral reef ecosystem. The damselfish, Stegastes nigricans , manages algal farms through territorial defence against the invading grazers and through weeding of unpalatable algae. As a result, the algal farms of S. nigricans are dominated by one species, Polysiphonia sp. We performed an exhaustive survey of algal assemblages inside and outside the territories of five damselfish species around the Ryukyu Islands, Japan, using molecular and morphological characteristics. Polysiphonia sp. 1 grew exclusively inside the farms of S. nigricans , and never elsewhere. Since only Polysiphonia sp. 1 is harvested and consumed by the damselfish as a staple food, this interdependent relationship is an obligate cultivation mutualism. This is the first record of an obligate plant–herbivore cultivation mutualism in a marine ecosystem. Our data also suggest that three other Polysiphonia species are facultatively mutual with, commensal with, or parasitic on other damselfish species.

The use of lipid profiles from the immobilised alga Selenastrum capricornuizim was investigated as a potential indicator of heavy metal pollution in freshwater environments. The toxicity of Cu", Zn 2 and Cd2t on algal growth was determined and the effective concentration inhibiting specific growth rate by 50 % (EC5 0) for each metal was found to be 124 pM Cu, 20 pM Zn and 5.7 pM Cd respectively. The Cu 24 EC50 value for immobilised cells was also shown to be 124 j.tM, suggesting that Cu exhibits similar toxic effects on growth in both free and immobilised cells. Studies of the effects of temperature and heavy metal exposure (Cu21, Zn 2 and Cd2 +) on S. caprzcornutum demonstrated that these factors altered the fatty acid and free sterol composition of free algal cells in batch culture. A shift in temperature from 25°C to 10°C led to an increase in the relative proportion of oleate and decrease in linoleate and parinate (18:4), together with a significant increase in the composition of ergostenol. Exposure to heavy metal ions led to an increase in oleate (with all three metals) and altered relative proportions of linoleate and parinate (changes being metal specific). Metal ion treatment also increased a22 desaturation of chondrillasterol. This characteristic lipid signature when S. capricornutum was exposed to heavy metal ions was significantly different from changes associated with other environmental factors. These changes in lipid composition upon heavy metal treatment were also observed during exposure of S. capricornuiwn to lower metal concentrations typically found in polluted environments. Studies of cells immobilised within alginate beads showed that gel confinement significantly affected the biochemistry and physiology of algal cells, with a reduction in growth rate and final cells numbers. Scanning electron microscopy demonstrated that growth was mainly limited to the bead periphery. Immobilisation altered the lipid of composition of cells as a consequence of alterations in membrane fluidity and membrane disruption. The Cu uptake from solution was greater in immobilised cells than free cells, thus gel confinement did not confer any protection to cells. The characteristic and significant changes within the lipid composition of free cells with Cu treatment were similarly observed in immobilised cells but were only apparent at 124 pM Cu. Thus lipid profiles, especially sterol composition of immobilised algal cells, may potentially be utilised as sensitive and novel indicators of heavy metal pollution in freshwater environments.

Despite improved knowledge and advanced treatments of high-grade gliomas, the overall survival rate of glioma patients remains low due to the recurrences and locations of the tumour. Evidence shows that the existence of a subpopulation of cells - cancer stem cells (CSCs) may be the major obstacle in treating gliomas. CD133 and nestin have been suggested as the markers of CSCs and natural stem cells. The primary focus of this study was to identify CD133+/nestin+ stem-like cells and discover their association with multidrug resistance (MDR) related genes, i.e. multiple drug resistance I (mdrl) gene and anti-apoptotic gene (bcl-2) in human glioma compared to normal brain tissues and cell lines. Glioma and normal astrocyte cell lines have been employed for CD133 isolating purposes to characterise the association with MDR related genotype and phenotype. The chemosensitivity of the isolated CD 133 population was investigated using chemosensitivity assay. Meanwhile, a serum deprivation method was established in this study to enrich and select CD 133+ CSCs in a glioma (GOS-3) cell line. As a secondary focus of this project, the possibility of immortalisation enzyme hTERT being a discriminative masker between normal and cancer brain stem cells and the transcriptional correlation between cd133 and bmi-lIc-myc oncogenes were investigated. For the first time, findings of the current study demonstrated that 1) there was an evident increase of CD133 gene expression in glioma compared to normal brain tissues where the latter expressed low levels of CD133, P-gp and Bcl-2 than glioma tissues, with an exception of nestin expression, 2) serum deprivation enriched CD133 expression and demonstrated a direct coexpression between CD133 and drug resistance in GOS-3 cells, 3) hTERT may not be a discriminative marker for normal and cancer brain stem cells, 4) although there was a strong transcriptional association between bmil and cmyc, there was an inverse transcriptional association between these genes and cd133 in serum deprived glioma cells, suggesting that bmil may not be essential for the maintenance of glioma stem cells, and 5) CD133+ glioma and normal brain cells showed a significantly high resistance towards chemotherapeutic drugs compared to the autologous CD133- cells. In conclusion, an improved understanding of molecules contributing to the maintenance of CSCs may lead to a combined treatment, targeting both CSCs and their protective MDR phenotypes leading eventually to attractive strategies for the treatment of gliomas.

In the mammal, anaesthetics are known to act via two distinct mechanisms, either increasing inhibition via GABAA receptors (eg. Na-thiopentone) or decreasing excitation via NIvIDA receptors (eg. ketamine). The aim of this thesis is to investigate the effects of both increased inhibition and decreased excitation at the synaptic level within an invertebrate model system, something which cannot readily be done in vertebrate systems. This was achieved by carrying out experiments using both the above mentioned anaesthetics on the whole animal, isolated brain and cultured neurons. In invertebrates it has been shown that GABA and Glutamate can be both excitatory and inhibitory, and injection of GABA into Lymnaea has been shown to result in behavioural changes in feeding, locomotion, escape reactions, male mating and respiration. Injection of Na-thiopentone into the whole animal was carried out in this investigation, in order to establish the anaesthetic response of the animal model to this barbiturate. The presence of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors has been demonstrated in a respiratory interneuron (RPeD1) both electrophysiologically and via molecular techniques, however inmiunostaining has proved negative in RPeD1 and follower cells VD2/3 (unidirectional excitatory synapse) and VD4 (mutual inhibitory synapse). This suggests that these neurons are not themselves GABAergic, although this investigation shows the responses of these neurons to bath and direct application of GABA. Na-thiopentone did not reliably anaesthetise Lymnaea upon injection into the sole of the foot, suggesting that Na-thiopentone binds to proteins within the snail, andlor has a low affininty for the GABAA receptor in Lymnaea. Other anaesthetic studies using propofol and ketaniine have also demonstrated a lack of anaesthetic response. RPeD1 hyperpolarised and became quiescent in response to the application of high concentrations of GABA (10 3-104M), however at lower doses (1O 8-1O 5M), no effect was observed (p < 0.05). Under these conditions simultaneous recordings from VD4 showed hyperpolarisation in response to the application of GABA, whereas VD2 and VD3 exhibited excitatory responses. Presynaptic picoinjection of GABA also resulted in hyperpolarisation and quiescence in RJeD1, but the simultaneous response in VD3 was not observed. Postsynaptic application of GABA directly to 'VD2, and VD4 however, resulted in responses similar to those seen in the whole brain. VD2 and 3 also receive input 2, which hyperpolarises RPeD1 and elicits an excitatory EPSP in VD2 and 3 as this is similar to the response observed in this experiment it is possible that the effects of input 2 on RPeD1 and VD2 & 3 are mediated by GABA. As RPeDI does not stain positively for GABA and hyperpolarises in response to the drug, it seems unlikely that the postsynaptie effects are due to presynaptic release of GABA. RPeD1 has been shown to form reciprocal synapses with VD4 both in vivo and in vitro. When perfused with GABA (lmJ'i4), both cells hyperpolarised reversibly. The postsynaptic response could be due to the action of GABA presynaptically inhibiting RPeDI, or directly on postsynaptic GABA receptors. However VD4 forms connections with other cells in the brain such as input 3 which may also have resulted in this inhibitory response. RPeD1 would however have received a simultaneous excitatory input from this interneuron. Attempts were made to establish the nature of the RPeD1JVD4 synapse in these experiments, but no synapses were evident. These experiments therefore confirm the presence of GABA receptors in RPeD1 and suggest theft presence in VD2, and VD4. This investigation confirms the findings of previous studies, that injection and bath perfusion of barbiturates does not lead to responses in Lymnaea comparable to that of the mammal. In addition to it's main target site, ketamine (a frequently used intravenous anaesthetic) has also been shown to act at cholinergic receptors. The effects of ketamine on learning and memory and apoptosis in the mammalian CNS are well recognised. Within the Lymnaea CNS, VD4 and LPeD1 form a unidirectional excitatory cholinergic synapse, and this was chosen to investigate the effects of ketamine on excitatory synaptic transmission, short term potentiation and synapse formation in the invertebrate animal model. Ketamine decreased synaptic transmission between VD4 and LPeD1 in a concentration dependent manner, but did not significantly affect short term synaptic plasticity (pc0.05). While neurite outgrowth remained extensive, actual sprouting was diminished by all doses of ketamine. Cells exhibited extensive veiling, which was not present in control cells. Percentage chemical synapse formation was reduced by all doses of ketamine, and in some cases inappropriate inhibitory chemical synapses were formed. Furthermore acute, clinically relevant levels of ketamine reduce excitatory cholinergic transmission between VD4 and LPeD1, but short term plasticity is unaffected. Nerve regeneration was seriously compromised, and formation of appropriate chemical synapses greatly reduced. This data has serious implications for the clinical - use of ketamine, particularly in pregnant women, children or critical care patients where nerve regeneration and synapse formation are of great importance and long term exposure common practice. In conclusion, this work supports that of other studies which have showed that invertebrates appear to be relatively insensitive to barbiturates, whereas ketamine appears to effect excitation in a manner similar to that in the mammal.

Antiulcer agents, notably inhibitors of gastric acid secretion, have been the most successful category of drugs to be discovered in recent years; and moreover, there are currently four such agents in the world list of top 25 best selling drugs. Histamine H2 antagonists have been the number one selling pharmaceutical product for more than a decade and inhibitors of the parietal cell HIC-ATPase, so called "proton pump inhibitors" (PPI), look set to continue this success. The proposed study was designed to establish the relative efficacy and mechanisms of action of three novel agents using both in vitro and in vivo models. The three compounds namely AG-1749 (Lansoprazole), PD-136450 and transforming growth factor alpha (TGF(x) were studied to evaluate their antisecretory and antiulccr activities. Lansoprazole, the second PPI to be developed for clinical use, is a non-competitive inhibitor of the H1C-ATPase and has recently been launched in a number of countries. PD-136450 is a competitive antagonist of central and peripheral cholecystokinin-B (CCK-B) receptors (gastrin receptor) and it under clinical development as an anxiolytic but which has actions on the stomach and pancreas. Anxiolytic drug is otherwise known as anti-anxiety drugs, which are used to treat anxiety disorders, like depression, panic disorders, phobias and many personality disorders. TOFu is a polypeptide growth factor, which acts at the EGF receptor and displays potent mitogenic and antisecretory activity. The initial study deals with the comparison of the three compounds with omeprazole and ranitidine in terms of their ability to inhibit acid secretion and their activity in a range of experimental ulcer models. Potency, duration of action and activity against a range of stimulants of acid secretion (histamine, pentagastrin and basal) was determined in anaesthetized rat models by establishing dose-response relationships. The compounds represent a spectrum of activities in as much as lansoprazole is a potent, long acting inhibitor, PD-136450 is an orally active but selective inhibitor, while TOFu has a very short duration and is only active after parenteral administration. In a view to find out the mechanism of action of these drugs on gastric acid secretion, isolated gastric glands from rabbits were employed as an in vitro technique using radiolabeled 14C-aminopyrine as a marker. The results show that lansoprazole was the most potent antisecretory agent compared to other two drugs. The second phase of the study deals with the activity of the three compounds against gastric ulcers induced by acid hypersecretion, indomethacin and stress. This study enabled us to assess the extent to which antisecretory activity per se compared with other actions such as wound healing (TGFa) or anxiolytic activity (PD-136450) contribute to ulcer healing. As other workers already established that prostaglandins and nitric oxide are involved in the cytoprotective activity, the present study investigated the influence of prostaglandin and nitric oxide by using indomethacin and L-NAME pretreatment on the cytoprotective activity of lansoprazole, PD-136450 and TGFcz. Moreover, the three drugs were tested for their activities on the mucus and bicarbonate production in the stomach. It was found that lansoprazole and TGFc increased the gastric mucus secretion while PD-136450 did not show any change. Moreover it was evidenced from this study that the protective activity of PD-136450 is associated with the influence of bicarbonate secretion from the pancreas. In conclusion, the results of this study have indicated that lansoprazole, PD- 136450 and TGFct are potent antisecretory and antiulcer agents which have great therapeutic importance.

Mature skeletal muscle fibres can be classified as type I, type IIa, type IIx or type IIb fibres according to the myosin heavy chain (MHC) isoform that they express. More broadly, type I fibres are classified as slow fibres and type IIa, IIx and IIb fibres as fast fibres. However, the phenotype of an adult skeletal muscle fibre is not fixed: it displays plasticity being capable of adapting to changing activity and loading levels by either transition towards a slower phenotype or transition towards a faster phenotype. Overall, the aims of these studies were to further investigate and define the signal transduction pathways implicated in the control of skeletal muscle fibre phenotype. The ability of a fast muscle to undergo a transition towards a slower phenotype in response to chronic low-frequency stimulation (CLFS) was assessed, via metabolic enzyme activity assays and NADH-TR staining, following blockade of the calcineurin signalling pathway. Metabolic enzyme assays and northern blots were employed to assess the changes in enzyme activities and MEC isoform expression levels following blockade of the calcineurin and ERK1/2 signalling pathways in primary cultures of rat myotubes. Differences in the levels of various signal transduction proteins/transcription factors between slow and fast muscle were investigated using western blotting. The nuclear translocation kinetics of NFAT and NF-κB in response to treatment with the calcium ionophore A23187 were investigated in L6 myotubes using immunocytochernistry. Calcineurin blockade using cyclosporin A failed to prevent a decrease in lactate dehydrogenase activity and an increase in NADH-TR staining intensity, both characteristics of a transition towards a slower phenotype, following CLFS of the fast rat tibialis anterior muscle. Blockade of the ERK1/2 pathway in primary cultures of rat myotubes using U0126 significantly decreased MHC Iβ mRNA levels and significantly increased MIHC IIx, MEC IIb and perinatal MHC mRNA levels. Calcineurin blockade significantly decreased MHC Iβ and embryonal mRNA levels and significantly increased MHC IIx mRNA levels. Calcineurin blockade also significantly increased the activities of lactate dehydrogenase and creatine kinase while ERK1/2 blockade significantly increased the activities of lactate dehydrogenase, creatine kinase, hexokinase, malate dehydrogenase and β-hydroxyacyl-CoA deydrogenase. ERK1/2 and NF-κB levels were found to be higher in slow muscle compared to fast muscle while calcineurin and p38α,β levels were higher in fast muscle compared to slow muscle. No nuclear translocation of NF-κB and only limited evidence for NFAT nuclear translocation was seen in L6 myotubes following treatment with A23187. Overall these studies further characterize the roles of the ERK1/2 and calcineurin pathways in the regulation of muscle phenotype suggesting that each pathway controls some, but not all, of the genes that are differentially expressed between slow and fast muscle fibres. Western blotting suggests further signal transduction protein/transcription factor targets, the functions of which may be explored in the future.

The purpose of this research is to the investigate the effectiveness of the Local Ischemic Compressiontreatment given to the patients who suffered from a cerebrovascular event, and present themusculoskeletal disorders characterized by the presence of trigger points, specifically regardingelliptical motor performance.There exist studies that demonstrate the kinematic characteristics of linear and elliptical movement inpeople with trigger points without neurological injury, however, these characteristics have not beendescribed in patients who have suffered a cerebrovascular event. Thus, this study is novel whenanalyzing the improper motor functioning in non-paretic upper limb movement control. These typesof patients have been approached from the perspective of neurological injury, and the musculoskeletalinjury that could have an impact on movement control has been neglected.This study provides new evidence on the motor performance of the non-paretic upper limb in peoplewho are suffering from musculoskeletal pain. The obtained results helped us to understand the motorfunctioning in the study sample and offers new insights based on the kinematic characteristics andpower law analysis of the movement performed.Analysis being carried out by considering the 2/3 power law, an empirical law which helps in studyingthe relationship between the tangential hand speed and the curvature of its trajectory during curvedmotion, is widely acknowledged to be an invariant of upper-limb movement. Therefore, the study isfocused on this law to interpret the effectiveness of the Local Ischemic Compression treatment givento the patients suffering with musculoskeletal injury resulting myofascial trigger points. The obtainedresults shows that power law is not much altered by the treatment which means that the ischemiccompression has only a peripherical effect (i.e., musculoskeletal system) and does not affect the motorprogramme of the human being (i.e., central nervous system). The one possible reason of having suchresults could be small sample size. Further research is suggested with large study sample.

A survey of the community of helminths in Emydura krefftii Gray in central and northern Queensland was undertaken. Then a detailed study of Sychnocotyle kholo Ferguson, Cribb and Smales, 1999, a newly described aspidogastrean parasite of E. krefftii, was conducted. The principal aim of this study was to examine the life history, fine morphology and phylogenetic relationships of this species. Specimens of Emydura krefftii were sampled from six coastal catchments from Cooktown to Bundaberg in northern and central Queensland. Concurrently data were collated on the community structure of helminths of E. krefftii. To examine the life history of S. kholo, molluscs were collected and examined for juvenile aspidogastreans from areas sampled for turtles and S. kholo eggs were collected from the faeces of collected turtles. The study of morphology of this helminth involved staining whole mounts and sections for light microscopy for gross morphology and examination of organ systems. Scanning electron microscopy was used to examine the outer surface of the worm in detail. For fine morphology of organs, transmission electron microscopy and confocal microscopy were applied. Finally characters were identified for a phylogenetic analysis and a data matrix was constructed and executed with Phylogenetic Analysis Using Parsimony (PAUP) software.

Mining for gold and copper was undertaken for nearly 100 years from 1882 at Mount Morgan in Central Queensland. Re -processing of. tailings ceased in the early 1990s and no

mining has been conducted since. The legacy of the historical mining practices is an open cut (threatening to overflow) and acid mine drainage (AMD) extending for a considerable distance along the -Dee River.

The first -18 km- of the river downstream- of- the mine, to its junction with Fletcher Creek, is severely impacted with pH consistently below 3.5. Water metal concentrations are many times higher than the water quality standards for freshwater biota. For example, the filtered mean concentrations of Al and Cu at 4 sites in this section of the river were 87.3 and 6.45 mg/L, respectively. Fish, molluscs and shrimp were absent and macroinvertebrate species richness was limited to only insects in this severely impacted region. Water quality of the river improves at the junction with Fletcher Creek and downstream the water quality is only severely impacted during periods of flow following rain events.

This study examined the biological impacts downstream of the mine including the response of biota to flows in the river. Whilst previous studies had investigated spatial variations in macroinvertebrate communities this study also examined temporal variation and response to flow. The metal content of fish and mussels from the river were determined for the first time.

Around the world, organisms are moved from one location to another, unintentionally or intentionally, through their own means of movement or by relocation by other organisms. The movements of these organisms pose risks to their new environments and the management of these risks are the focus of biosecurity. Marine ornamental organisms are a group of these relocated organisms, that are intentionally moved around the world for the purposes of being sold to hobbyists and public displays as part of the Global Marine Aquarium Trade (GMAT). The GMAT is a network of people and businesses that all play a part in the global supply chain for marine ornamental organisms. Australia’s role in this supply chain is typically that of an exporter; shipping native and endemic invertebrates and vertebrates out of the country; however, Australia also imports marine ornamental vertebrates from other countries for the Australian Marine Aquarium Trade. In the past, aspects of the Australian marine aquarium supply chain have been analysed for the purposes of the pre-border biosecurity risks, and to estimate the value of the marine aquarium trade in Australia, yet little is known about the post-border Australian marine ornamental supply chain, how the organisms move through the network of businesses and hobbyists, and the release and epidemiological biosecurity risks associated with their movements and potential release.

Contamination of aquatic environments by pollutants of emerging concern (PEC) creates new public health and environmental threats. Over the years, Africa has struggled to adequately treat wastewater before discharged into the environment. The situation is expected to be worsened by the more challenging to treat PEC like pharmaceuticals, endocrine disrupters, microplastics, surfactants, cyanotoxins, radioactive and flame retardants. Generally, the pollution of aquatic environments will have serious negative impacts on organisms that depend on the affected sources. Elsewhere, a number of research studies have reported the occurrence of these pollutants and in some cases exceeding the recommended levels. However, in Africa and other developing countries, a few studies have focused on PEC in aquatic resources. In this review, discussions are centered on the: (i) occurrence of PEC in African aquatic environments, (ii) potential risks to aquatic ecosystems and human health, and (iii) current chemical and biological monitoring techniques. There is need to include PEC in the research studies and routine environmental monitoring programmes particularly before the urban wastewater is discharged into the environment. Passive biomonitoring through using biomarkers like oxidative stress proteins and gonadal histopathology may be more informative and cheaper way of monitoring PEC than chemical analysis.