Can sieve-element plastids in Panicum maximum (Poaceae) leaves act in the blockage of injured sieve-tube elements?

The ultrastructural features and the plastid changes caused by sample preparation were studied in sieve elements of Panicum maximum leaves. Samples of expanded leaves, taken near the ligule region, were fixed and processed by common light and transmission electron microscopy methods. In mature sieve-tube elements, the protoplast is electron-translucent and plastids are the most frequent organelles. Mitochondria and smooth endoplasmic reticulum segments are also visible and occupy a parietal position within the cell. The plastids are globular and show electron-dense proteinaceous inclusions in the stroma. The protein crystals are predominantly cuneate, but thin crystalloids and amorphous and/or filamentous proteins also occur. The presence of intact plastids plus others in different phases of plastid envelope rupture were interpreted as evidence that this rupture is a normal event in response to injury. This plastid envelope rupture is possibly activated by the release of pressure in the sieve-tube element. After plastid membrane vesiculation, the stroma and the protein crystals are dispersed within the sieve-element ground cytoplasm. The vesicles originating from the plastid envelope move to one cell pole, while protein crystalloids move to the opposite pole and agglomerate in the sieve-plate region. Our findings indicate that these protein crystalloids, which deposit in the sieve plate, may act in sieve-plate pores occlusion, preventing the release of phloem sap, similar to the role of P-protein in dicotyledons. (c) 2008 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

Using Efinol (R) L during transportation of marbled hatchetfish, Carnegiella strigata (Gunther)

The objective of this experiment was to test the efficacy of a probiotic (Efinol (R) L) during transportation of marbled hatchetfish, Carnegiella strigata. Wild specimens were captured from a small stream and transported for 24 h in plastic fish boxes with a probiotic (10 mg L-1) and probiotic-free water. The boxes were sampled at 3. 12 and 24 h of transport. At the end of the experiment, the survival rate was close to.100%) in both treatments. Dissolved oxygen diminished with time in both treatments, but the probiotic group had significantly higher levels. Conductivity. pH and ammonia increased significantly during the transport. demonstrating higher levels in the probiotic-free group. Fish from both treatments presented very high net Na+ and K+ effluxes after 3 h of transport. At 24 h, net K+ effluxes in fish of the probiotic treatment reached values close to zero and a significantly lower Na+ efflux was observed. Cortisol levels in both treatments at 3 and 12 h were significantly higher than that in control samples. Higher body cortisol levels were observed in the probiotic-frec group than that in the probiotic group at 3 and 12 h. The results demonstrate that addition of a probiotic during fish transport improves water quality and leads to fish presenting a lower stress response intensity.

Benefits of using the probiotic Efinol((R))L during transportation of cardinal tetra, Paracheirodon axelrodi (Schultz), in the Amazon

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Mitigating stress effects during transportation of matrinxã(Brycon amazonicus Günther, 1869; Characidae) through the application of calcium sulfate

This study verified the effects of CaSO4 on physiological responses of the tropical fish matrinxãBrycon amazonicus(200.2 ± 51.1 g) in water containing CaSO4 after a 4-h transportation at concentrations of: 0, 75, 150, and 300 mg L-1. Blood samples were collected prior to transportation (initial levels), immediately after packaging, at arrival, and 24 h and 96 h after transportation (recovery). Cortisol levels increased after ackaging (118.2 ± 14.2 ng ml-1), and decreased slightly after transportation in water containing CaSO4 (106.8 ± 14.1), but remained higher than initial levels (21.0 ± 2.6 ng ml)1). Fish kept at 150 mg L-1 CaSO4 reached the pre-transportation levels at 24 h of recovery. Blood glucose increased after transportation in all treatments (8.2 ± 0.2 mmol L-1) and declined after full recovery to values below initial levels (4.8 ± 0.1 mmol L-1). Chloride levels did not change in CaSO4 treatments; serum sodium concentrations decreased after packaging and after transportation. Serum calcium levels did not differ among treatments, but decreased after packaging and increased at 96 h of recovery. Hematocrit and the number of red blood cells were higher in all treatments after packaging and arrival, except in fish exposed to 300 mg L-1 CaSO4. Mean corpuscular volume increased in 75 mg L-1 CaSO4, which reached the higher VCM after transportation. Hemoglobin levels increased only after transportation, regardless of calcium sulfate levels. Handling before transportation and transportation itself were both stressful to fish; calcium sulfate at concentrations tested in the present work had a moderate influence in the reduction of stress responses. © 2009 Blackwell Verlag, Berlin.

The role of alcohol, marijuana and other drugs in the accidents of injured drivers. [Revised edition].

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Washington, D.C.

A Digest of regulations governing the transportation of poultry and products under the Poultry Products Inspection Act /

Cover title.

Transportation of oil

Mode of access: Internet.

Detailed exhibits of the physical property and intangible values of the South Chicago City Railway Company as of February 1, A.D. 1908; accompanying the valuation report submitted to the Committee on Local Transportation of the Chicago City Council,

"March, 1908."

S. 839, the High-Speed Rail Development Act of 1993, and current initiatives in high-speed ground transportation : hearing before the Subcommittee on Surface Transportation of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, United States Senate, One Hundred Third Congress, first session, May 20, 1993.

Shipping list no.: 93-0522-P.

Programs for ensuring the safe transportation of hazardous material need improvement. Report by the Comptroller General of the United States.

Mode of access: Internet.