Hendersonia acicola on pine needles infected by Lophodermella sulcigena

Hendersonia acicola normally infects only needles already infected, in July-August of their first year, by Lophodermella sulcigena. Secondary infection, by H. acicola, occurs at the base of the L. sulcigena lesion either in August-October of the first year (early secondary infection) or after fruiting of L. sulcigena in June-July of the second year (late secondary infection). Early secondary infection prevents fruiting of L. sulcigena. An intercellular matrix forms at the base of the L. sulcigena lesion in response to both early and late secondary infection and rapid tissue disorganisation and disintegration ensues. Secondary infection decreases with increase in height up the tree and often results in needle breakage.     

Pathogenicity of three Lophodermium species on Pinus sylvestris L.

The pathogenicity of Lophodermium pinastri, L. conigenum and L. seditiosum on 14-month old transplants was investigated in Scotland. While L. seditiosum was found to be a serious pathogen, L. conigenum and L. pinastri were not. Under outdoor conditions, L. seditiosum was found to kill needles five months after inoculation.     

Sources of inoculum of Lophodermium seditiosum on Pinus sylvestris1

A survey of the incidence of Lophodermium seditiosum, L. pinastri and L. conigenum in plantations of Pinus sylvestris in north-east Scotland showed that L. seditiosum predominated on fallen cones and on young needles which tell prematurely in early summer. L. pinastri predominated on old senescent needles which fell in autumn. The incidence of L. conigenum was low on fallen cones and needles and it is not thought that tins species could effectively replace L. seditiosum. It is concluded that the main source of L. seditiosum inoculum for infections in plantations and nearby nurseries is young infected fallen needles on which ascocarps form in late summer and autumn.     

Differential distribution and response to experimental sexual maturation of two forms of brain gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) in the European eel,Anguilla anguilla

Using specific radioimmunoassays for the two GnRH molecular forms present in the European eel, Anguilla anguilla, (mGnRH and cGnRH II), we compared their distributions in the pituitary and different parts of the brain of female silver eels, as well as the modifications of their levels in experimentally matured female eels (treated with carp pituitary extract). In control eels, mGnRH levels were higher than cGnRH II levels in the pituitary, olfactory lobes and telencephalon, di- and mesencephalon, while the opposite was found in the posterior part of the brain (met- and myelencephalon). Experimental sexual maturation of the gonads significantly increased mGnRH levels in the pituitary and anterior parts of the brain; such a positive effect was not observed on the low cGnRH II levels, which were, in contrast, reduced. These data indicate that the positive feedback of gonadal hormones on GnRH, that we previously demonstrated, would specifically affect the mGnRH form. The differential distribution and control of mGnRH and cGnRH II suggest that these two forms have different physiological roles in the eel. The large increase in mGnRH during sexual maturation suggests the prime implication of this form in the neuroendocrine control of reproduction.     

Remedies for pseudoreplication

Pseudoreplication is the failure of a statistical analysis to properly incorporate the true structure of randomness present in the data. It has been well documented and studied in the ecological literature but has received little attention in the fisheries literature. Avoiding pseudoreplication in analyses of fisheries data can be difficult due to the complexity of the statistical procedures required. However, recent developments in statistical methodology are decreasing the extent to which pseudoreplication has to be tolerated. Seven examples are given here, beginning with simple design-based remedies and progressing to more challenging examples including the model-based remedies of mixed-effects modelling, generalized linear mixed models, state-space models, and geostatistics.     

Possible misidentification of Bacteroides sp., probably B. ureolyticus as Taylorella equigenitalis: implications for the laboratory diagnosis of CEM.

A wild-type isolate with similar morphological and phenotypic properties to Taylorella equigenitalis, the causative bacterial agent of contagious equine metritis (CEM), was referred for molecular identification by PCR amplification of the 16S rRNA gene. A species-specific PCR failed to yield a product compatible with that of T. equigenitalis. The direct sequencing of the universal 16S rRNA PCR amplicon suggested the presence of a Bacteroides sp., probably Bacteroides ureolyticus, with no consequent effects on the movement and transportation of the animal. Adoption of such a molecular means of identification through sequencing may aid in the identification of the atypical forms of Taylorella equigenitalis, as recently described, as well as differentiating this species from Taylorella asinigenitalis.     

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone binding sites in human breast carcinoma

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogs can cause regression of hormone-dependent breast carcinomas. These effects are thought to be mediated through the inhibition of gonadotropic and steroid hormones. These analogs may also act directly on the tumor because they are effective in treating breast cancer in some postmenopausal women. The presence of specific binding sites for gonadotropin-releasing hormone was demonstrated in human breast carcinomas by means of a novel approach of ligand immunoblotting. The results indicate a possible mechanism by which the peptide has direct effects on this tissue. These binding proteins were not detectable in non-neoplastic breast tissue.     

Device Applications of Side-Chain Ferroelectric Liquid Crystalline Polymer Films

Side-chain ferroelectric liquid crystalline polymers are currently used in a number of applications, including displays and electrical sensors. Comparisons with existing technologies and materials indicate that relative to ceramics, such polymers have lower figures of merit but offer greater durability in sensor applications.     

Plant circadian clocks increase photosynthesis, growth, survival, and competitive advantage

Circadian clocks are believed to confer an advantage to plants, but the nature of that advantage has been unknown. We show that a substantial photosynthetic advantage is conferred by correct matching of the circadian clock period with that of the external light-dark cycle. In wild type and in long- and short-circadian period mutants of Arabidopsis thaliana, plants with a clock period matched to the environment contain more chlorophyll, fix more carbon, grow faster, and survive better than plants with circadian periods differing from their environment. This explains why plants gain advantage from circadian control.