Association between the rs1050450 glutathione peroxidase-1 (C > T) gene variant and peripheral neuropathy in two independent samples of subjects with diabetes mellitus.

Glutathione peroxidase-1 (GPx-1) is an endogenous anti-oxidant enzyme. The T allele of the GPx-1 rs1050450 (C > T) gene variant is associated with reduced enzyme activity. Our aim was to examine the association between this gene variant and peripheral neuropathy in two cross-sectional samples of subjects with diabetes: (i) 773 Caucasian subjects were genotyped from the UCL Diabetes and Cardiovascular disease Study (UDACS) and (ii) 382 Caucasian subjects from the Ealing Diabetes Study (EDS). Peripheral neuropathy status (and oxidised-LDL [Ox-LDL:LDL] and plasma Total Ant-ioxidant Status [TAOS] in UDACS), were analysed in relation to genotype. We observed that: (i) In UDACS, the odds ratio (OR) for peripheral neuropathy in the T allele carriers compared to the CC genotype was 1.61 [1.10-2.28], p = 0.01. This remained significant after adjustment for other risk factors. Ox-LDL:LDL ratio was significantly elevated in T allele carriers (CC vs. CT/TT: 16.3 ± 2.4 v 18.0 ± 2.9 U/mmol LDL, p = 0.02). (ii) In EDS, the OR for peripheral neuropathy in the T allele carriers compared to the CC genotype was 1.95 [1.11-3.42], p = 0.02. This remained significant after adjustment for other risk factors. In conclusion, we observed a significant association between the T allele and peripheral neuropathy and LDL oxidation. This is the first paper to examine the rs1050450 variant in two samples of Caucasian subjects with diabetes. Prospective analysis of the gene variant is required in diabetic and healthy cohorts with measured plasma markers of oxidative stress to investigate the described association further.

Reduced expression of fukutin related protein in mice results in a model for fukutin related protein associated muscular dystrophies.

Mutations in fukutin related protein (FKRP) are responsible for a common group of muscular dystrophies ranging from adult onset limb girdle muscular dystrophies to severe congenital forms with associated structural brain involvement, including Muscle Eye Brain disease. A common feature of these disorders is the variable reduction in the glycosylation of skeletal muscle alpha-dystroglycan. In order to gain insight into the pathogenesis and clinical variability, we have generated two lines of mice, the first containing a missense mutation and a neomycin cassette, FKRP-Neo(Tyr307Asn) and the second containing the FKRP(Tyr307Asn) mutation alone. We have previously associated this missense mutation with a severe muscle-eye-brain phenotype in several families. Homozygote Fkrp-Neo(Tyr307Asn) mice die soon after birth and show a reduction in the laminin-binding epitope of alpha-dystroglycan in muscle, eye and brain, and have reduced levels of FKRP transcript. Homozygous Fkrp(Tyr307Asn) mice showed no discernible phenotype up to 6 months of age, contrary to the severe clinical course observed in patients with the same mutation. These results suggest the generation of a mouse model for FKRP related muscular dystrophy requires a knock-down rather than a knock-in strategy in order to give rise to a disease phenotype.

Elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide effects on soybean and sorghum gas exchange in conventional and no-tillage systems.

Increasing atmospheric CO(2) concentration has led to concerns about potential effects on production agriculture. In the fall of 1997, a study was initiated to compare the response of two crop management systems (conventional tillage and no-tillage) to elevated CO(2). The study used a split-plot design replicated three times with two management systems as main plots and two atmospheric CO(2) levels (ambient and twice ambient) as split plots using open-top chambers on a Decatur silt loam soil (clayey, kaolinitic, thermic Rhodic Paleudults). The conventional system was a grain sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench.] and soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] rotation with winter fallow and spring tillage practices. In the no-tillage system, sorghum and soybean were rotated, and three cover crops were used [crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum L.), sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea L.), and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)]. Over multiple growing seasons, the effect of management and CO(2) concentration on leaf-level gas exchange during row crop (soybean in 1999, 2001, and 2003; sorghum in 2000, 2002, and 2004) reproductive growth were evaluated. Treatment effects were fairly consistent across years. In general, higher photosynthetic rates were observed under CO(2) enrichment (more so with soybean) regardless of residue management practice. Elevated CO(2) led to decreases in stomatal conductance and transpiration, which resulted in increased water use efficiency. The effects of management system on gas exchange measurements were infrequently significant, as were interactions of CO(2) and management. These results suggest that better soil moisture conservation and high rates of photosynthesis can occur in both tillage systems in CO(2)-enriched environments during reproductive growth.

Increased Intramuscular Adipose Tissue Is Related to Increased Capillarization in Older Adults.

BACKGROUND: High levels of intramuscular adipose tissue and low levels of capillarization are both predicative of low muscle and mobility function in older adults, however little is known about their relationship. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship of intramuscular adipose tissue and capillarization in older adults. SETTING: An outpatient medical center. PARTICIPANTS: Forty-seven sedentary adults (age 59.9 ± 1.0 years, BMI 32.0 ± 0.7 kg/m2, VO2max 22.4 ± 0.7 ml/kg/min); Measurements: All participants underwent CT scans to determine intramuscular adipose tissue and muscle biopsies to determine capillarization in the mid-thigh. A step-wise hierarchical linear regression analysis was used to examine the contributions of age, sex, race, body mass index, 2-hour postprandial glucose, VO2max, and muscle capillarization, to the variability in intramuscular adipose tissue. RESULTS: The predictors as a group accounted for 38.1% of the variance in intramuscular adipose tissue, with body mass index and capillarization each significantly contributing to the final model (P<0.001). The part correlation of body mass index with intramuscular adipose tissue was r = 0.47, and the part correlation of capillarization with intramuscular adipose tissue was r = 0.39, indicating that body mass index and capillarization explained 22.1%, and 15.2% of the variance in intramuscular adipose tissue. CONCLUSIONS: While increased muscle capillarization is typically thought of as a positive development, in some clinical conditions, such as tendinopathies, an increase in capillarization is part of the pathological process related to expansion of the extracellular matrix and fibrosis. This may also be an explanation for the surprising finding that high capillarization is related to high levels of intramuscular adipose tissue. Future studies are necessary to determine the relationship of changes in both capillarization and intramuscular adipose tissue after interventions, such as exercise.

Temporal Effects of Sleeve Gastrectomy on Glucose-Insulin Homeostasis and Incretin Hormone Response at 1 and 6 Months.

BACKGROUND: Bariatric surgery is an effective treatment for morbid obesity and glycaemic dysfunction. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the work was to examine both the static and dynamic changes of glucose-insulin homeostasis and incretin hormone response following sleeve gastrectomy (SG) in a sample of 55 participants preoperatively and 1 month and 6 months postoperatively. The focus was on a sample of patients with impaired glucose tolerance and type 2 diabetes (T2D). SETTING: Morriston Hospital, UK. METHODS: Prospective study comprising of 55 participants with impaired glucose homeostasis and T2D undergoing SG (mean body mass index [BMI] 50.4 kg/m2, mean glycated haemoglobin [A1C] 7.4%). Serial measurements of glucose, insulin, C-peptide, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic hormone (GIP) were performed during oral glucose tolerance testing preoperatively and 1 and 6 months postoperatively. Areas under the curve (AUC) were examined at 30, 60, and 120 min. RESULTS: We observed significant improvements in measures of obesity, as well as static and dynamic measures of glucose, insulin, C-peptide and HOMA. Furthermore, significant increases in GLP-1 response as early as 6 months postoperatively were also seen. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, no study has examined the detailed dynamic changes in glucose and insulin homeostasis in this number of participants undergoing SG in relation to incretin hormones GIP and GLP-1. This current study supports the role of SG for the treatment of obesity-related glucose dysregulation.

A study of mitochondrial DNA D-loop mutations and p53 status in nonmelanoma skin cancer.

BACKGROUND: Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) displacement-loop (D-loop) mutations have previously demonstrated potential as smoking-induced biomarkers in oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Additionally, they have been observed in SCC and basal cell carcinoma of nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC). However, they have not been examined in the SCC precursor lesions, Bowen disease or actinic keratosis. OBJECTIVES: Here, we present a novel study of mtDNA D-loop mutations in these two precursors, a rare keratoacanthoma and NMSC (all tumours not related to smoking). METHODS: We used a polymerase chain reaction and direct sequencing approach. Furthermore, as the tumour suppressor protein p53 has been reported as having a novel role in maintaining mitochondrial genetic stability, we assessed p53 status using immunohistochemistry, evaluating potential association with the presence of mtDNA mutations. RESULTS: Of 36 tumours, nine (25%) exhibited mutations in the D-loop. In total, 13 base substitutions were observed across all patients: seven (53.8%) were A : T to G : C; two (15.4%) were G : C to T : A; two (15.4%) were G : C to A : T and two (15.4%) were G : C to C : G. Four of the 13 (30.8%) base substitutions were observed at nucleotide 146. We observed abnormal p53 accumulation in over half of the samples analysed (55.5%), suggesting it to be a major part of the carcinogenic process of NMSC; however; there was no association between p53 positivity and the presence of mtDNA mutations (P = 0.47). CONCLUSIONS: It is unlikely that alteration in p53 status is a contributing factor to mtDNA mutagenesis.

One hundred questions of importance to the conservation of global biological diversity.

We identified 100 scientific questions that, if answered, would have the greatest impact on conservation practice and policy. Representatives from 21 international organizations, regional sections and working groups of the Society for Conservation Biology, and 12 academics, from all continents except Antarctica, compiled 2291 questions of relevance to conservation of biological diversity worldwide. The questions were gathered from 761 individuals through workshops, email requests, and discussions. Voting by email to short-list questions, followed by a 2-day workshop, was used to derive the final list of 100 questions. Most of the final questions were derived through a process of modification and combination as the workshop progressed. The questions are divided into 12 sections: ecosystem functions and services, climate change, technological change, protected areas, ecosystem management and restoration, terrestrial ecosystems, marine ecosystems, freshwater ecosystems, species management, organizational systems and processes, societal context and change, and impacts of conservation interventions. We anticipate that these questions will help identify new directions for researchers and assist funders in directing funds.

Acyl-ghrelin mediated lipid retention and inflammation in obesity-related Type 2 diabetes.

Acyl-ghrelin has various peripheral effects including the potential role in mediating cellular lipid removal and macrophage polarization. Previous reports are contradictory as to how glycaemia and acyl-ghrelin mediates lipid retention and inflammation within individuals with Type 2 diabetes (T2D). Our aim was to explore acyl-ghrelin levels and ghrelin expression in relation to lipid and inflammatory markers within an ex vivo human model, biopsied visceral adipose tissue. Results indicated that acyl-ghrelin was associated with a decline in key lipid homeostasis genes ABCG1 and LXRß expression. Within T2D there was also a down regulation of these genes which was independent of acyl-ghrelin levels. Circulatory pro-inflammatory markers (IL-6 and TNFα) had no association with ghrelin expression nor circulating acyl-ghrelin levels. Anti-inflammatory marker (IL-10) and total antioxidant status (TAOS%) were positively associated with ghrelin expression across samples from all groups combined (total sample cohort) and specifically within the obesity sample cohorts. Data supported the hypothesis that hyperglycaemia and acyl-ghrelin have a regulatory role in lipid retention. Furthermore, that both acyl- and desacyl-ghrelin is responsible for a protective inflammatory response; however this response is diminished in T2D.

Effects of elevated atmospheric CO2 on invasive plants: comparison of purple and yellow nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus L. and C. esculentus L.).

The rise in atmospheric CO(2) concentration coupled with its direct, often positive, effect on the growth of plants raises the question of the response of invasive plants to elevated atmospheric CO(2) levels. Response of two invasive weeds [purple nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus L.) and yellow nutsedge (Cyperus esculentus L.)] to CO(2) enrichment was tested. Plants were exposed to ambient (375 micromol mol(-1)) or elevated CO(2) (ambient + 200 micromol mol(-1)) for 71 d in open top chambers. Photosynthetic rate did not differ between CO(2) treatments for either species. Conductance was lower in purple nutsedge and tended to be lower in yellow nutsedge. Purple nutsedge had higher instantaneous water use efficiency; a similar trend was noted for yellow nutsedge. Purple nutsedge had greater leaf area, root length and numbers of tubers and tended to have more tillers under high CO(2). In yellow nutsedge, only tuber number increased under CO(2) enrichment. Leaf dry weight was greater for both species when grown under elevated CO(2). Only purple nutsedge made seed heads; CO(2) level did not change seed head dry weight. Root dry weight increased under the high CO(2) treatment for purple nutsedge only, but tuber dry weight increased for both. Total dry weight of both species increased at elevated CO(2). Purple nutsedge (under elevated CO(2)) tended to increase allocation belowground, which led to greater root-to-shoot ratio (R:S); R:S of yellow nutsedge was unaffected by CO(2) enrichment. Findings suggest both species, purple more than yellow nutsedge, may be more invasive in a future high-CO(2) world.

Free-air CO2 enrichment of sorghum: soil carbon and nitrogen dynamics.

The positive impact of elevated atmospheric CO(2) concentration on crop biomass production suggests more carbon inputs to soil. Further study on the effect of elevated CO(2) on soil carbon and nitrogen dynamics is key to understanding the potential for long-term carbon storage in soil. Soil samples (0- to 5-, 5- to 10-, and 10- to 20-cm depths) were collected after 2 yr of grain sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench.] production under two atmospheric CO(2) levels: (370 [ambient] and 550 muL L(-1) [free-air CO(2) enrichment; FACE]) and two water treatments (ample water and limited water) on a Trix clay loam (fine, loamy, mixed [calcareous], hyperthermic Typic Torrifluvents) at Maricopa, AZ. In addition to assessing treatment effects on soil organic C and total N, potential C and N mineralization and C turnover were determined in a 60-d laboratory incubation study. After 2 yr of FACE, soil C and N were significantly increased at all soil depths. Water regime had no effect on these measures. Increased total N in the soil was associated with reduced N mineralization under FACE. Results indicated that potential C turnover was reduced under water deficit conditions at the top soil depth. Carbon turnover was not affected under FACE, implying that the observed increase in soil C with elevated CO(2) may be stable relative to ambient CO(2) conditions. Results suggest that, over the short-term, a small increase in soil C storage could occur under elevated atmospheric CO(2) conditions in sorghum production systems with differing water regimes.

Effect of rosuvastatin on risk markers for venous thromboembolism in cancer.

Essentials Statins lower venous thromboembolism risk in general but have not been studied in cancer patients. We completed a randomized trial of rosuvastatin vs. placebo among cancer patients on chemotherapy. Rosuvastatin did not significantly lower prothrombotic biomarkers including D-dimer. The role of statins in venous thrombosis prevention in cancer patients remains unknown. SUMMARY: Background Statin therapy is associated with lower risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) but has not been prospectively evaluated in patients with advanced cancer. Objectives We determined if statin administration in this high-risk population reduces the risk of VTE, based on established and emerging biomarkers. Patients/Methods This double-blind, crossover, randomized controlled trial among patients with advanced cancer receiving systemic therapy allocated participants to rosuvastatin 20 mg daily or placebo for 3-4 weeks prior to crossover to the alternative therapy, with a 3-5-week washout. D-dimer, C-reactive protein (CRP), soluble (s)P-selectin, factor VIII (FVIII), thrombin generation and exploratory biomarkers focusing on endogenous thrombin potential, including tissue factor (TF), activated factor IX (FIXa) and activated factor XI (FXIa), were measured at the start and end of both treatment periods. The primary outcome was change in D-dimer with rosuvastatin compared with placebo. Results Of 38 enrolled participants, 24 (63%) completed the study. Rosuvastatin did not cause statistically significant changes in D-dimer levels or any other biomarker. CRP levels decreased by 40%; 4.3 mg L-1 (95% confidence interval, -11.0 to +2.5 mg L-1 ) compared with placebo. In post-hoc analysis, participants who received rosuvastatin initially during their first line of treatment had a 13% decrease in D-dimer. Circulating TF, FIXa and FXIa were detected in 26%, 68% and 71% of cancer patients despite not being found in healthy individuals. Conclusions Rosuvastatin did not cause favorable changes in biomarkers of VTE risk in advanced cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. The role of statin therapy as thromboprophylaxis in the cancer population remains uncertain.

Ghrelin function in human obesity and type 2 diabetes: a concise review.

The 28 amino acid hormone, ghrelin, has been found to have various effects on metabolism. This review will focus on the pathways integrated into ghrelin's effect within the hypothalamus, pancreas and adipocytes. The identification of molecules and pathways that regulate ghrelin-mediated lipid retention could establish new mechanisms underlying cellular energy homeostasis. The impact of acyl-ghrelin on glucose metabolism and lipid homeostasis may allow for novel preventative or early intervention therapeutic strategies to treat obesity related type 2 diabetes and associated metabolic dysfunction.

Effects of elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide on biomass and carbon accumulation in a model regenerating longleaf pine community.

Plant species vary in response to atmospheric CO2 concentration due to differences in physiology, morphology, phenology, and symbiotic relationships. These differences make it very difficult to predict how plant communities will respond to elevated CO2. Such information is critical to furthering our understanding of community and ecosystem responses to global climate change. To determine how a simple plant community might respond to elevated CO2, a model regenerating longleaf pine community composed of five species was exposed to two CO2 regimes (ambient, 365 micromol mol(-1) and elevated, 720 micromol mol(-1)) for 3 yr. Total above- and belowground biomass was 70 and 49% greater, respectively, in CO2-enriched plots. Carbon (C) content followed a response pattern similar to biomass, resulting in a significant increase of 13.8 Mg C ha(-1) under elevated CO2. Responses of individual species, however, varied. Longleaf pine (Pinus palustris Mill.) was primarily responsible for the positive response to CO2 enrichment. Wiregrass (Aristida stricta Michx.), rattlebox (Crotalaria rotundifolia Walt. Ex Gmel.), and butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa L.) exhibited negative above- and belowground biomass responses to elevated CO2, while sand post oak (Quercus margaretta Ashe) did not differ significantly between CO2 treatments. As with pine, C content followed patterns similar to biomass. Elevated CO2 resulted in alterations in community structure. Longleaf pine comprised 88% of total biomass in CO2-enriched plots, but only 76% in ambient plots. In contrast, wiregrass, rattlebox, and butterfly weed comprised 19% in ambient CO2 plots, but only 8% under high CO2. Therefore, while longleaf pine may perform well in a high CO2 world, other members of this community may not compete as well, which could alter community function. Effects of elevated CO2 on plant communities are complex, dynamic, and difficult to predict, clearly demonstrating the need for more research in this important area of global change science.

Free-air carbon dioxide enrichment of soybean: influence of crop variety on residue decomposition.

Elevated atmospheric CO2 can result in larger plants returning greater amounts of residue to the soil. However, the effects of elevated CO2 on carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) cycling for different soybean varieties have not been examined. Aboveground residue of eight soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] varieties was collected from a field study where crops had been grown under two different atmospheric CO2 levels [370 micromol mol(-1) (ambient) and 550 micromol mol(-1) (free-air carbon dioxide enrichment, FACE)]. Senesced residue material was used in a 60-d laboratory incubation study to evaluate potential C and N mineralization. In addition to assessing the overall effects of CO2 level and variety, a few specific variety comparisons were also made. Across varieties, overall residue N concentration was increased by FACE, but residue C concentration was only slightly increased. Overall residue C to N ratio was lower under FACE and total mineralized N was increased by FACE, suggesting that increased N2 fixation impacted residue decomposition; total mineralized C was also slightly increased by FACE. Across CO2 levels, varietal differences were also observed with the oldest variety having the lowest residue N concentration and highest residue C to N ratio; mineralized N was lowest in the oldest variety, illustrating the influence of high residue C to N ratio. It appears (based on our few specific varietal comparisons) that the breeding selection process may have resulted in some varietal differences in residue quality which can result in increased N or C mineralization under elevated CO2 conditions. This limited number of varietal comparisons indicated that more work investigating varietal influences on soil C and N cycling under elevated CO2 conditions is required.

The Middlesex University rehabilitation robot.

This paper describes the development of an electrically powered wheelchair-mounted manipulator for use by severely disabled persons. A detailed review is given explaining the specification. It describes the construction of the device and its control architecture. The prototype robot used several gesture recognition and other input systems. The system has been tested on disabled and non-disabled users. They observed that it was easy to use but about 50% slower than comparable systems before design modifications were incorporated. The robot has a payload of greater than 1 kg with a maximum reach of 0.7-0.9 m.

Continuous versus pulse neutron induced gamma spectroscopy for soil carbon analysis.

Neutron induced gamma spectra analysis (NGA) provides a means of measuring carbon in large soil volumes without destructive sampling. Calibration of the NGA system must account for system background and the interference of other nuclei on the carbon peak at 4.43 MeV. Accounting for these factors produced measurements in agreement with theoretical considerations. The continuous NGA mode was twice as fast and just as accurate as the pulse mode, thus this mode was preferable for routine soil carbon analysis.

The pMTL nic- cloning vectors. I. Improved pUC polylinker regions to facilitate the use of sonicated DNA for nucleotide sequencing.

A series of nic- cloning vectors have been constructed analogous to the pUC plasmids but which are smaller in size and carry more extensive polylinker regions within the lacZ' gene. The vectors pMTL20 and pMTL21 carry six additional sites (AatII, MluI, NcoI, BglII, XhoI and StuI) to those present in pUC18 and pUC19, while pMTL22 and -23 possess eleven new cloning sites (ActII, MluI, NcoI, BglII, XhoI, StuI, NaeI, EcoRV, ClaI, NdeI and NruI). More importantly, the relative order of the restriction sites within the polylinker of these latter vectors has been totally rearranged, relative to pUC18 and pUC19, to facilitate the conversion of DNA fragments with incompatible ends to fragments with compatible termini. The availability of such DNA fragments is a crucial requirement when M13 templates are generated for dideoxy sequencing by the sonication procedure. Derivatives of these vectors have also been constructed which demonstrate improved segregational stability by incorporation of the pSC101 par locus. During the construction of these new vectors data were obtained which demonstrated that the pUC and pMTL plasmids contain a previously unreported single base pair difference within the RNA I/RNA II region (compared to pBR322) responsible for a three-fold increase in plasmid copy number. The pUC and pMTL plasmids were also shown to be functionally nic-, thus affording the lowest categorisation in genetic manipulation experiments.

Biochemical and biological properties of a recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator derived from the rat JMI-229 cell line.

Recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator (rt-PA), produced by expression of the genomic t-PA DNA from the JMI-229 cell line, which is of rat origin, in the host cell line, was purified to homogeneity. JMI-229 rt-PA was obtained essentially as a single chain molecule which was quantitatively converted to a two-chain moiety by treatment with plasmin. The plasminogen activating potential of single chain JMI-229 rt-PA was 5-fold lower than that of commercially available human rt-PA (Actilyse) in the absence of fibrin, but comparable in the presence of fibrin; it showed a concentration-dependent binding to fibrin, with a significantly more pronounced binding than Actilyse at low fibrin concentration (85 +/- 8% versus 20 +/- 7% at 0.025 mg/ml fibrin; p = 0.004). In human plasma in the absence of fibrin, the concentrations of both single chain and two-chain JMI-229 rt-PA required to induce 50% fibrinogen degradation in 2 h, were about 15-fold higher than those of Actilyse. Both single chain and two-chain forms of JMI-229 rt-PA and of Actilyse induced a similar time- and concentration-dependent lysis of a 125I-fibrin-labeled plasma clot immersed in human plasma, in the absence of significant systemic fibrinolytic activation. Equally effective concentrations (causing 50% clot lysis in 2 h) were 0.11 or 0.10 micrograms/ml for single chain or two-chain JMI-229 rt-PA, as compared to 0.11 or 0.15 micrograms/ml for single chain or two-chain Actilyse.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Multiple isomers of phosphatidyl inositol monophosphate and inositol bis- and trisphosphates from filamentous fungi.

The range of inositol phosphates and inositol phospholipids present in three filamentous fungi, Neurospora crassa, Fusarium graminearum and Phanerochaete chrysosporium has been investigated by HPLC analysis. The profiles obtained demonstrate that two isomers of phosphatidyl inositol monophosphate are present, and that an apparent complexity in the number of isomers of inositol bis- and trisphosphates is found in filamentous fungi that has not been observed in animal or plant cells.

Bionomics of Anopheles quadrimaculatus and Culex erraticus (Diptera: Culicidae) in the Falls Lake basin, North Carolina: seasonal changes in abundance and gonotrophic status, and host-feeding patterns.

Larval and adult Anopheles quadrimaculatus Say (sensu lato) and Culex erraticus (Dyar & Knab) were collected at Falls of the Neuse Lake (Falls Lake) in North Carolina from May 1985 to December 1986. Adult mosquitoes were aspirated weekly from shelters in woodlands adjacent to larval sampling sites. An. quadrimaculatus and Cx. erraticus comprised > 95% of the total number of mosquitoes collected. An. quadrimaculatus adults exhibited vernal and autumnal peaks of abundance during both years. Cx. erraticus adults exhibited several peaks of abundance in summer and early fall of both years. An. quadrimaculatus initiated blood feeding in May and April 1985 and 1986, respectively. Only unfed females were found in late fall and winter. Cx. erraticus initiated blood feeding earlier than An. quadrimaculatus. In 1985, approximately 25% of the females in the first collection in May contained a blood meal, whereas in 1986, approximately 10% of the females in the first collection in April were blood fed. Females of both species ceased blood feeding in late fall. Larvae were sampled on a weekly basis from lake edge, flood plain, and creek edge habitats. Generally, An. quadrimaculatus larvae were most abundant in lake edge and flood plain habitats, whereas Cx. erraticus larvae were most abundant in the creek edge habitat. The population dynamics of An. quadrimaculatus were associated with seasonal changes in the level of Falls Lake. In 1985 and 1986, the level of Falls Lake gradually declined from May to mid-August until heavy rainfall caused a 1-m rise in lake level. Populations of An. quadrimaculatus larvae and adults increased significantly following the rise in the level of Falls Lake. In contrast, the abundance of larval and adult Cx. erraticus decreased with rising lake levels in late August. Water level management should be an effective method for controlling populations of An. quadrimaculatus but not for Cx. erraticus. Blood-fed mosquitoes were tested to identify bloodmeal hosts using both capillary precipitin and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. An. quadrimaculatus (n = 941) predominantly (99%) fed on mammals, principally white-tailed deer and horses. Cx. erraticus (n = 348) exhibited an opportunistic host-feeding pattern; blood meals were taken from mammalian (49%), reptile or amphibian (20%), and avian (31%) hosts.