The research presented herein provides information on coelomocyte (leukocyte) collection, function and immunotoxicity from polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) in the earthworm Lumbricus terrestris. Research was undertaken as part of an overall goal to develop a well-documented and scientifically valid non-mammalian surrogate immunoassay with the earthworm Lumbricus terrestris to assess immunotoxic potential of xenobiotics. The principal objectives were to: (1) Develop an extrusion model for analyzing immunotoxicity of xenobiotics; (2) determine if coelomocytes can be collected repeatedly without obvious harm to the earthworm or change in immune response of the coelomocytes harvested and (3) validate the response sensitivity profiles of a panel of biomarkers {differential and total cell counts, erythrocyte rosette (ER) and secretory rosette (SR) formation with, and phagocytosis of antigenic rabbit red blood cells} in earthworms after acute exposure to a known mammalian and L. terrestris immunotoxin, the PCB Aroclor 1254.

The effects of moderate workload exercise at different pedal rates on circulatory and respiratory parameters were studied. Five subjects performed seven discontinuous constant-load cycle ergometer tests of 30 minutes duration at pedal rates of 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 and 100 rpm. Oxygen uptake and carbon dioxide production were determined by standard open circuit spirometry, while heart rate was recorded by electrocardiograph. The CO₂ rebreathing procedure was administered during the exercise bout in order to determine cardiac output. Blood pressure was determined for each test, and total peripheral resistance was calculated. The findings indicate that progressive increases in pedal frequency during discontinuous constant-load cycle ergometry produce progressive increases in cardiovascular, respiratory and metabolic responses and a decrease in gross exercise mechanical efficiency. The results indicate that oxygen uptake, cardiac output, heart rate, ventilation and arterial-venous oxygen difference increases curvilinearly as pedal rate increases, possibly as a result of increases in recruitment of muscle fibers and/or muscle groups. These findings suggest that circulatory and respiratory responses are due to "central command" which sets the basic efferent response pattern. However, this effector pattern is modulated by afferent input originating from the legs during progressive increases in pedal rate.

Research estimated toxicity of refuse-derived fuel fly ash (RDF-FA) on two earthworms species, Lumbricus terrestris and Eisenia foetida. Specific objectives were to: (1) Compare their 14-day LC50s under light and dark conditions; (2) separate toxicity due to osmotic, pH and physical factors from that of heavy metal contaminants; (3) compare relative differences of artificial soil and commercial soil as exposure media for evaluating toxicity to earthworms. The 14-d LC50s for L. terrestris in dark and light were 57.0 and 48.34 % RDF-FA, and 59.25 and 41.00 % RDF-FA for E. foetida using artificial soil. All of the toxicity resulted from heavy metals within the RDF-FA. Using L. terrestris, the LC50s for artificial soil and commercial soil were 52.30 and 64.34%.

Members of a guild of cursorial spiders (Pardosa spp. and Alopecosa spp.) spatially segregated among five discrete habitats, from a streamside cobble habitat grading laterally along a successional gradient to the leaf litter zone of a transition or climax riparian forest. Seasonal activity peaked in midsummer for all guild members. Spiders were active diurnally earlier in the streamside habitats, and levels of activity were positively correlated with light intensity. Guild members Pardosa tristis and Pardosa uncata were most different in habitat selection and periods of diurnal activity. Males and females of all guild species differed in their distribution among habitats and over months of collection. Measures of guild species diversity and evenness were variable between habitats, and were largely influenced by the relatively high abundance of one or two guild species, particularly in the streamside habitats.

Concurrent outdoor aquatic 1950 L microcosm and 0.04 ha mesocosm experiments with bluegill sunfish evaluated the ecological impact of cyfluthrin. Cyfluthrin effects were not observed on mesocosm bluegill; a slight decrease in growth was observed in the microcosm bluegill. Otolith weight to length relationships between bluegill size-classes from microcosms, local streams, and a fish hatchery revealed no differences. Our results indicated bluegill predation impacts were slight on benthic invertebrates. Extensive predation on emerging insects was observed. Microcosm bluegill impacts on zooplankton populations followed expected predation effects, resulting in larger populations of smaller taxa. Bluegill functioned as "keystone" predators for microcosm taxa and improved taxa richness for benthic colonizing invertebrates and zooplankton.

The cellular regulation of acidification and intracellular ph (pHi) was studied in the integument of Rana pipiens, a model renal epithelium. Acidification was enhanced by : (1) chronic metabolic acidosis, (2) high salinity adaptation, and (3) ibuprofen treatment.

Using a rat model, the effects of a single dose or six to twelve months of daily oral administration of ethanol on the immune system were determined. The rats were challenged with sheep red blood cells after the various dosing periods to elicit an immune response. Immune system responsiveness was determined by means of white blood cell counts and differentials, antibody titers, and T-cell numbers. No deleterious effects of the ethanol on the immune response were seen, while the female alcohol-fed rats showed a significant increase in T-Cell numbers, white blood cell counts, and lymphocytes over the sham group.

The phylogenetics of eight species of the Peromyscus truei and P. boylii species groups from 15 populations were analyzed based on mitochondrial DNA sequence differentiation, using 13 hexanucleotide specific restriction enzymes. P. difficilis, P. nasutus, and P. attwateri were found to be members of the same clade. P. leucopus was not found to be closely related to any of the species of the boylii or truei species groups. Phylogenetic interpretations for the remaining species differed based on Wagner and Dollo parsimony analyses. P. true appears to be most closely related to P. gratus based on Wagner parsimony and the phenetic analysis, while the relationship of P. gratus to other species could not be resolved based on Dollo parsimony.

Translocation of a 17.1 kilobase region of the OCT plasmid encoding mercury resistance (mer) in Pseudomonas putida was shown to occur in a recombination-deficient host with plasmid PP1 serving as a recipient replicon. The frequency of transposition in Pseudomonas was estimated at 10^3 -10 -^2, but undetectable in Escherichia soli. ' DNA comprising all of mr as well as subregions there of were cloned and subjected to DNA sequence analysis. Like other transposons, mer was found to contain inverted repeat sequences at its termini. These were similar to, but not identical to the inverted repeat structures found in the prototypical mercury resistance transposon Tn501 from E. aeruginosa.

Objectives were to: (1) assess toxicity of polychlorinated biphenyls on Eisenia foetida, in terms of survival (LC5O/LD5O), and suppression of coelomocytes to form secretory (SR) and erythrocyte rosettes (ER) with, and to phagocytize rabbit erythrocytes; and (2) compare results with those of Lumbricus terrestris to assess relative sensitivities to PCB. Using 5-d filter paper contact exposure protocol, LC50 and LD50 were 30.4 cg/cm2 and 4450 cg/g dry mass, respectively. Nominal PCB exposure concentrations of 5.0 and 10.0 pg/cm2 resulted in tissue levels of 1389 and 2895 pg/g dry mass causing a significant reduction in SR formation by 18 and 52%, respectively. ER formation and phagocytosis were reduced significantly (52 and 61%) only at the higher tissue concentration. Compared to reported data on lethality and immunomodulation in L. terrestris, E. foetida appears to be more resistant.

The 96-hr LC50 of cyfluthrin in Pimephales promelas ata temperature of 23*C and a pH of 8 was 1.08 g/L. The toxicity of cyfluthrin was inversely related to temperature and pH. A temperature of 10*C and a pH of 6 significantly decreased the 96-hr LC50 to 0.009 gg/L. Likewise, sublethal exposures to cyfluthrin significantly affected the fathead minnow's ability to tolerate high and low temperatures. Cyfluthrin compromised the fathead minnow's lower temperature tolerance (CTMin) by 60C and the upper temperature tolerance (CTMax) by 20C. Although cyfluthrin may not be present in the environment in large amounts due to its physical and chemical properties, small concentrations ( g/L) may adversely affect fish populations.

Ten bacteria capable of growth on the metal-cyano complex, tetracyanonickelate (II) {K2 [Ni(CN)J } (TCN), supplied as the sole nitrogen source, were isolated. Seven isolates were identified as pseudomonads while the remaining three were classified as Klebsiella species. In addition to TCN, all isolates were able to utilize KCN although it was significantly more toxic. The degradation of TCN was most complete when supplied at growth-limiting concentrations, did not occur when ammonia was present, and resulted in the formation of nickel cyanide [Ni(CN)2] as a degradation product.

Six sites within the Denton and Hickory Creek watersheds were sampled over three years to assess the impact of seasonal intermittent stream conditions on the ichthyofauna. An integrated approach using field and laboratory techniques was employed to evaluate the responses of the fishes.