Economic impact from unrestricted spread of potato cyst nematodes in australia.

ABSTRACT Potato cyst nematodes (PCN) (Globodera spp.) are quarantine pests with serious potential economic consequences. Recent new detections in Australia, Canada, and the United States have focussed attention on the consequences of spread and economic justifications for alternative responses. Here, a full assessment of the economic impact of PCN spread from a small initial incursion is presented. Models linking spread, population growth, and economic impact are combined to estimate costs of spread without restriction in Australia. Because the characteristics of the Australian PCN populations are currently unknown, the known ranges of parameters were used to obtain cost scenarios, an approach which makes the model predictions applicable generally. Our analysis indicates that mean annual costs associated with spread of PCN would increase rapidly initially, associated with increased testing. Costs would then increase more slowly to peak at over AUD$20 million per year approximately 10 years into the future. Afterward, this annual cost would decrease slightly due to discounting factors. Mean annual costs over 20 years were $18.7 million, with a 90% confidence interval between AUD$11.9 million and AUD$27.0 million. Thus, cumulative losses to Australian agriculture over 20 years may exceed $370 million without action to prevent spread of PCN and entry to new areas.

Brief communication: gender and sex: vive la difference.

The distinction prevalent in the social sciences between the terms sex and gender is a useful one and ought to be preserved. Sex refers to the anatomical or chromosomal categories of male and female. Gender refers to socially constructed roles that are related to sex distinctions. Use of these terms as synonyms is becoming increasingly frequent in physical anthropology, especially among bioarchaeologists and primatologists. A failure to make the distinction between gender and sex is analytically incapacitating in a field such as physical anthropology, whose strength lies in the integration of biological and cultural information.

Skeletal evidence for child abuse: a physical anthropological perspective.

Analysis of the skeletal remains of abused children can prove challenging for forensic pathologists and radiographers who are inexperienced in the direct examination of bones. In such cases, radiographically invisible skeletal lesions that document a history of trauma can often be identified by a physical anthropologist with appropriate osteological experience. This is illustrated by cases in which skeletal remains of four murdered children and a mentally handicapped adult produced evidence of antemortem trauma and perimortem injuries that was critical in developing murder cases against the assailants. In these cases, well-healed areas of subperiosteal new bone formation were identified that were below the threshold of radiographic detection. Such injuries provide strong evidence for a history of physical abuse.

Effects of freezing, thawing, and storing human liver microsomes on cytochrome P450 activity.

The stability of cytochrome P450 enzymes, cytochrome b5, and NADPH-cytochrome c reductase was examined in (A) human liver samples frozen in liquid nitrogen and stored at -80 degrees C, (B) human liver microsomes suspended in 250 mM sucrose and stored at -80 degrees C, and (C) human liver microsomes subjected to as many as 10 cycles of thawing and freezing. In study A, microsomes from five human livers were prepared from fresh (unfrozen) tissue and from tissue that was stored frozen at -80 degrees C for 1, 2, 4, or 6 months. The apparent concentration of cytochromes P450 and b5 and the activity of NADPH-cytochrome c reductase decreased 20-40% as a result of freezing the liver, regardless of whether the liver was stored for 1 or 6 months. Similar decreases were observed in the activities of cytochrome P450 enzymes belonging to several gene families, namely CYP1A2 (7-ethoxyresorufin O-dealkylation and caffeine N3-demethylation), CYP2A6 (coumarin 7-hydroxylation), CYP2C9 (tolbutamide methylhydroxylation), CYP2C19 (S-mephenytoin 4'- hydroxylation), CYP2D6 (dextromethorphan O-de-methylation), CYP2E1 (chlorzoxazone 6-hydroxylation), CYP3A4solidus5 (testosterone 6beta-hydroxylation), and CYP4A9solidus11 (lauric acid 12-hydroxylation). Freezing human liver did not convert cytochrome P450 to its inactive form, cytochrome P420, but it increased the contamination of liver microsomes with hemoglobin or other heme-containing proteins, which resulted in a uniform decrease in the specific activity of cytochromes P450 and b5 and in the specific activity of all P450 enzymes. In study B, the concentration of cytochromes P450 and b5, the activity of NADPH-cytochrome c reductase, and the activity of individual cytochrome P450 enzymes were determined in 10 samples of human liver microsomes stored at -80 degrees C for approximately 0, 1, or 2 years. The sample-to-sample variation in the concentration and activity of cytochrome P450, cytochrome b5, and NADPH-cytochrome c reductase was nominally affected by long-term storage of human liver microsomes at -80 degrees C, indicating there was no differential loss of cytochrome P450 activity, cytochrome b5 concentration, or NADPH-cytochrome c reductase activity. In study C, microsomes from a pool of human livers were subjected to 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, or 10 cycles of freezing at -80 degrees C followed by thawing at room temperature. Freezing/thawing liver microsomes for up to 10 cycles did not convert cytochrome P450 to P420, nor did it cause significant loss of CYP1A2, CYP2A6, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2D6, CYP2E1, CYP3A4/5, or CYP4A9/11 activity. Overall, these results suggest that our current methods for storing and processing human liver are well suited to preserving microsomal P450 enzyme activity.

Selective type IV phosphodiesterase inhibitors as antiasthmatic agents. The syntheses and biological activities of 3-(cyclopentyloxy)-4-methoxybenzamides and analogues.

The syntheses and biological activities of a number of benzamide derivatives, designed from rolipram, which are selective inhibitors of cyclic AMP-specific phosphodiesterase (PDE IV), are described. The effects of changes to the alkoxy groups, amide linkage, and benzamide N-phenyl ring on the inhibition of the cytosolic PDE IV from pig aorta have been investigated. As a result, some highly potent and selective PDE IV inhibitors have been identified. The most potent compounds have been further evaluated for their inhibitory potencies against PDE IV obtained from and superoxide O2- generation from guinea pig eosinophils in vitro. Selected compounds have also been examined for their activities in inhibiting histamine-induced bronchospasm in anaesthetized guinea pigs. 3-(Cyclopentyloxy)-N-(3,5-dichloro-4-pyridyl)-4-methoxybenzamide (15j) showed exceptional potency in all tests and may have therapeutic potential in the treatment of asthma.

Synthesis and biological activity of trans(+-)-N-methyl-2-(3-pyridyl)-2-tetrahydrothiopyrancarbothioamide 1-oxide (RP 49356) and analogues: a new class of potassium channel opener.

The synthesis and biological activity of trans-(+-)-N-methyl-2-(3-pyridyl)-2-tetrahydrothiopyrancarbothioamid+ ++ e 1-oxide (8a, RP 49356) and analogues is reported. These compounds constitute a new structural class of K(+)-channel opener. The effects of changes in pyridyl group, thioamide, and thiane ring on in vitro K(+)-channel opening reactivity are discussed. A 3-pyridyl or 3-quinolyl group, a small N-alkyl thioamide function, and a thiane oxide ring, in which the sulfoxide is in a trans relationship to the thioamide, are preferred for activity. Selected compounds were tested intravenously in the normotensive anaesthetized rat for hypotensive effects, and the activities reflect their in vitro K(+)-channel opening activity. This led to further evaluation of compound 8a and the selection of the (-)-enantiomer 8b (RP 52891) for development as an antihypertensive and antianginal agent.

Congenital syphilis in the past: slaves at Newton Plantation, Barbados, West Indies.

Hutchinson's incisors and Moon's molars are specific lesions of congenital syphilis. The extensive but fragmentary clinical literature on these conditions describes reduced dimensions and thin enamel in the permanent incisors and first molars, crowding and infolding of the first molar cusps, notching of the upper incisors, and apical hypoplasias of the permanent canines. A Barbados slave cemetery (ca. 1660-1820 AD) includes three individuals with these features, suggesting a frequency at birth of congenital syphilis in the population approaching 10%. These three cases show triple the frequency of all hypoplasias and more than seven times the frequency of pitting hypoplasia present in the remainder of the series. The recognizable congenital syphilis cases account for much of the remarkably high frequency of hypoplasias in the series as a whole. We infer that syphilis contributed substantially to morbidity, infant mortality, and infertility in this population. Presence or absence of congenital syphilis may account for much of the variability in health and mortality seen among nineteenth century African-American populations.

PIP: 2 anthropologists examined the teeth of 104 slaves buried between 1660 and 1820 who had worked on Newton Plantation in Barbados, West Indies, and were excavated between 1971 and 1973 to look for obvious evidence of congenital syphilis. 84 bodies still possessed either incisors or first molars in good enough shape for the anthropologists to examine. 3 young adult or adolescent slaves had dental lesions indicating congenital syphilis (Hutchinson's incisors and/or Moon's molars). These 3 cases had a frequency of all hypoplasias 3 times that of the remaining slaves and a frequency of 7.5 times of pitting hypoplasia. The frequency of congenital syphilis was at least 3%. Literature data indicate that congenital syphilis features are evident in 33% of cases; therefore, the frequency of congenital syphilis at birth was likely to be around 10%. None of the cases were less than 5 years old. Further, wear and cavity-related tooth loss eliminated evidence of congenital syphilis in people at least 30 years old. The anthropologists gathered that syphilis was responsible for sizeable illness, infant deaths, and infertility among these slaves. They also reviewed 3 dental studies of 3 US African American cemeteries. The individuals in 2 cemeteries had no evidence of congenital syphilis and were in relatively good health, while individuals from the postslavery period had evidence of congenital syphilis (5%). The researchers suggested that presence of absence of congenital syphilis may explain much of the variance in mortality and health noted among 19th century African American populations.

Specimens for teaching forensic pathology, odontology, and anthropology. I. Soft tissue.

A set of specimens has been collected, preserved, and organized specifically for the teaching of forensic pathology, odontology, and anthropology. Plastination of soft tissue, whole organs, bones, and teeth has proven valuable in preserving delicate, friable, and calcined specimens. The dry, odorless, biologically inert specimens are durable and resistant to damage caused by handling. Subtle features of soft tissue pathology are well preserved. Patterned injuries change due to shrinkage, but remain easily recognizable. Plastinated whole jaws are still readily identifiable from antemortem records. Radiographic density is essentially unchanged. Putrid and charred specimens become quite manageable.

Specimens for teaching forensic pathology, odontology, and anthropology. II. Teeth and bone.

A set of specimens has been collected, preserved, and organized specifically for the teaching of forensic pathology, odontology, and anthropology. Plastination of soft tissue, whole organs, bones, and teeth has proven valuable in preserving delicate, friable, and calcined specimens. The dry, odorless, biologically inert specimens are durable and resistant to damage caused by handling. Subtle features of soft tissue pathology are well preserved. Patterned injuries change due to shrinkage, but remain easily recognizable. Plastinated whole jaws are still readily identifiable from antemortem records. Radiograph density is essentially unchanged. Putrid and charred specimens become quite manageable.

Hydroperoxidase activity of lipoxygenase: a potential pathway for xenobiotic metabolism in the presence of linoleic acid.

The ability of hydroperoxidase activity of soybean lipoxygenase to co-oxidize xenobiotics was examined in the presence of linoleic acid. The guaiacol oxidation rate was proportional to the linoleic acid dioxygenation rate of the enzyme preparation. The tetraguaiacol formation was dependent upon the concentration of guaiacol, linoleic acid and the amount of enzyme. Boiled enzyme was devoid of activity suggesting enzymatic nature of the co-oxidation reaction. Besides guaiacol, benzidine, tetramethyl-p-phenylenediamine, dimethoxybenzidine, 2,2'-azinobis(3-ethyl-benzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid), p-phenylenediamine and tetramethylbenzidine were oxidized suggesting that the hydroperoxidase activity of lipoxygenase may be a potential pathway of xenobiotic oxidation.

Hydroperoxidase activity of lipoxygenase: hydrogen peroxide-dependent oxidation of xenobiotics.

Since H2O2 is one of the major biologically available peroxides, its ability to support hydroperoxidase activity of highly purified soybean lipoxygenase was examined by monitoring co-oxidation of selected xenobiotics. All of the eight chemicals tested were found to be oxidized in the presence of H2O2. Tetramethylbenzidine oxidation was completely inhibited by the classical lipoxygenase inhibitor nordihydroguaiaretic acid. The reaction was enzymatic in nature and exhibited a acidic pH optimum. The data clearly indicate, for the first time, that H2O2 can efficiently replace fatty acid hydroperoxide in a xenobiotic oxidation reaction medicated by the hydroperoxidase activity of lipoxygenase.

Mössbauer spectroscopic studies of hemoglobin and its isolated subunits.

Samples of 90% enriched 57Fe hemoglobin and its isolated subunits have been prepared. Mössbauer spectroscopic measurements have been made on three such samples. Sample one contained contributions of oxyhemoglobin, deoxyhemoglobin, and carbonmonoxyhemoglobin. This sample was studied from a temperature of 90 K down to 230 mK. Measurements were also made at 4.2 K using a small applied magnetic field of 1.0 T. In general, the measured quadrupole splittings and isomer shifts for each component agreed with previous measurements on single component samples in the literature, and thus demonstrated that chemically enriched hemoglobin has not been altered. The second and third samples were isolated alpha and beta subunits, respectively. We have found measurable Mössbauer spectral differences between the HbO2 sites in the alpha subunit sample and the beta subunit sample. The measured Mössbauer spectral areas indicate that the iron ion has the largest mean-square displacement at the deoxy Hb sites as compared to that at the oxy- and carbonmonoxy Hb sites. The mean-square displacement at the HbO2 sites is the smallest.

Vertebral pathology in the afar australopithecines.

Ten vertebral elements from the AL-288 partial hominid skeleton and 11 elements from the AL-333 collection are described. The AL-288 column presents a marked kyphosis at the level of thoracic vertebrae 6 through 10, with pronounced new bone formation on the ventral surfaces of these vertebrae. These features, associated with narrowed disc space and minor osteophytosis, resemble Scheuermann disease in the human. Even though this diagnosis is consistent with a basically human, bipedal locomotor repertoire, the presence of Scheuermann disease suggests that lifting, climbing, or acrobatic activities may have been important in early hominids.

Health and differential survival in prehistoric populations: prenatal dental defects.

Linear hypoplasia of the deciduous teeth is rare in most human populations, but common where nutritional status is poor. Deciduous enamel hypoplasia, hypocalcification, and hypoplasia-related caries are described in Middle and Late Woodland skeletal series from the Lower Illinois Valley. Gross enamel defects that can be referred to pre-natal development are found in 83 of 170 children under six years of age at death. Circular caries secondary to hypoplasia is significantly more common in the Late Woodland series, reflecting the apparent higher cariogenicity of Late Woodland diets. There is a significant association between prenatal dental defects and bony evidence for anemia and infectious disease. Children with enamel defects show relatively higher weaning age mortality than those without. These relationships suggest that at least moderate levels of malnutrition existed in Illinois Woodland populations.

Breast cancer following multiple chest fluoroscopy: the Ontario experience.

The hypothesis, derived from experience in Nova Scotia, that artificial pneumothorax, requiring repeated fluoroscopy of the chest, is associated with an increased risk of subsequent breast cancer was tested in Ontario by means of a retrospective cancer patient/control study using record linkage. Sanatorium patients treated by artificial pneumothorax were estimated to have incurred a risk of breast cancer between two and three times as high as that of matched, contemporary sanatorium patients treated by other means. There was a tendency for the malignant disease to develop on the side of collapse, and there was evidence of a characteristic latent interval between exposure and onset.