腹毛目纤毛虫皮膜演化的一种特殊形式--卵圆急纤虫无性二分裂期间的形态发生学

对海洋纤毛虫卵圆急纤虫无性分裂过程中的形态发生做了跟踪观察,结果表明,该种的皮膜演化表现了一系列在腹毛目种类中所罕见的特征:1)新老口围带有一临时性汇联为一的阶段;2)左右缘棘毛原基分步出现,即明显的不同步现象;3)大核的改组在细胞分裂开始前即已完成;4)本种后仔虫之棘毛原基的分化既非独立发生又非来自于老结构的反分化,而是紧靠口原基的一侧向外分衍并极可能是孤立地发展而成;5)老的波动膜在形态发生过程中亦无反分化现象,而呈独特的半原基模式.     

腹毛目纤毛虫皮膜演化的一种特殊形式—卵圆急纤虫无性二分裂期间的形态发

对海洋纤毛虫卵圆急纤虫无性分裂过程中的形态发生了做了跟踪观察,结果表明,该种的皮膜演化表现了一系列在腹毛目种类中所罕见的特征;１．新老口围带有一临时性汇联为一的阶段;２．左右缘棘毛原基分步出现,即明显的不同步现象;３．大核的改组在细胞分裂开始前即已完成;４．本种后仔虫之棘毛原基的分化既非独立发生又非来自于老结构的反分化,而是紧靠口原基的一侧向外分衍并极可能是孤立地发展而成;５．老的波动膜在形态发生     

海洋纤毛虫黄色伪角毛虫无性生殖期间的形态发生

利用蛋白银染色技术研究了海洋纤毛虫———黄色伪角毛虫Pseudokeronopsisflava (Cohn ,186 6 )Wirns berger,Larsen&Uhlig ,1987无性生殖期间的细胞发生学。其主要特征为 :1)前仔虫口原基以独立发生的方式出现并独特地形成于口前庭右侧的皮层深处 ,由其对老口围带进行完全的更新 ;2 )老口器不参与新口器的形成 ,完全被吸收 ;3)前仔虫的额 -腹 -横棘毛原基同样为独立发生 ,老结构可能不参加其随后的发育 ;4 )后仔虫的口原基、波动膜原基及额 -腹 -横棘毛原基均来自最初排列无序的毛基粒发生场 ;5 )背触毛及缘棘毛的更新发生在老的结构中 ,并向前后延伸取代老结构 ;6 )在整个发生过程中 ,无大核融合现象。文中同时对该种所表现的发生学特征及系统学意义做了探讨     

卡龙游仆虫无性生殖期间的形态发生学研究：原生动物,纤毛虫

卡龙游仆虫为海洋中自由生纤毛虫,利用银染法对该种二分裂期间的形态发生学进行了初步的研究,其主要过程为：１．伴随大核改组带的出现和ＤＮＡ复制开始,口原基发生于老口围 方皮膜下一龛腔内,后由前至后组装成围口小膜而演化为后ＡＺＭ。老口围带及口侧膜在原位被被前仔虫继承;２．体棘毛场首先出现两组棘毛原基,其随后各自独立演化成９根前、后仔虫的额－腹－横棘毛;３．缘棘毛原基也为独立发生,初为单一,后断裂为二并分     

变藓棘毛虫的形态学重描述及细胞发生学研究

通过活体观察和蛋白银染色法对采自青岛沙滩半咸水的变藓棘毛虫Sterkiella histriomuscorum(纤毛门, 腹毛目)进行了形态学及细胞发生学研究。该种群形态学与前人报道的土壤及淡水种群基本一致: 虫体近长椭圆形, 活体大小约(100-160) m (40-75) m; 无皮层颗粒; 2938片口小膜; 额棘毛3根; 额腹棘毛4根; 口后腹棘毛3根; 横前腹棘毛2根; 横棘毛3-5根; 左右缘棘毛列分别由17-23、20-24根棘毛组成; 6列背触毛; 2枚大核。其主要发生学特征如下: (1)老口围带完全保留, 老波动膜解体重建; 后仔虫口原基独立发生; (2)额腹横棘毛为5原基次级发生式, 部分原基来自老棘毛解体, 以2:3:3:4:4方式分化为新棘毛; (3)缘棘毛原基产生于老结构中, 并向两极延伸逐渐形成前后仔虫的新结构; (4)背触毛发生为典型Oxytricha模式; (5)大核在发生过程中完全融合。研究对首次在半咸水生境中发现的变藓棘毛虫种群进行了活体形态学和纤毛图式描述, 补充了显微照片、性状统计数据及发生过程的细节信息。       

毛尾刺虫无性生殖周期中的形态和形态发生

利用蛋白银染色法研究了毛尾刺虫的形态及无性生殖周期中的形态发生,其过程为：（１）后仔虫口原基出现在左缘棘毛内侧深层,其内的毛基体组装成整齐排列的小膜并分化成新ＡＺＭ１,ＡＺＭ２和口侧膜,（２）前仔虫口原基出现在老仔虫ＡＺＭ２之前方深处,其随后发育成前仔虫的ＡＺＭ２口侧膜及ＡＺＭ１的一部分,并更新老结构的ＡＺＭ１中第７－１１片小膜,（３）额腹横棘毛原基为５列,分别以３：３：２：２：３方式分化最终产出     

四核舍太虫的细胞发生学与Helix E10-1二级结构分析

利用蛋白银染色技术,观察和研究海洋游仆虫-四核舍太虫Certesia quadrinucleata(纤毛门,游仆目)二分裂期间的形态发生学。其主要特征如下:(1)老口围带完全被前仔虫继承;(2)后仔虫口原基独立产生于皮膜深层;(3)老口侧膜参与前仔虫口侧膜原基形成,前后仔虫的口侧膜原基均发生于细胞表面, 向前贡献出第一根额腹棘毛;(4)额-腹-横棘毛以初级5原基模式产生, 且以"3:3:3:3:3"的方式分化出新的棘毛;(5)背触毛与左缘棘毛原基均来自老结构, 无尾棘毛产生。研究首次给出了背面纤毛器的发生图示,为进一步探讨舍太虫的系统地位提供了一份补足性的发生学基础资料。游仆目纤毛虫的核糖体小亚基基因HelixE10-1区域二级结构一共存在9种模式, 该区域序列长度的变异性揭示了游仆目纤毛虫在进化中可能处于比较特殊的地位。       

小腔游仆虫形态学、个体发育与分子系统学研究

游仆类是纤毛虫中进化最为复杂和高等的一大类群,为了进一步探索和完善游仆类的多样性,本研究利用活体观察、蛋白银和银浸法染色技术对采自青岛小西湖的小腔游仆虫(Euplotes aediculatus)的形态学及细胞发生学进行了详尽的研究,并在完整的形态学及发生学研究基础上,测定了小腔游仆虫的核糖体小亚基基因(SSU r DNA)序列,通过序列比较和分子系统树构建等方法,对小腔游仆虫的系统地位进行了分析。结果表明:本种鉴别特征为9根额腹棘毛,5根横棘毛,2根缘棘毛,2根尾棘毛,8列背触毛,double-eurystomus型银线系。发生学特征包括:(1)后仔虫口原基在表皮下独立发生,前仔虫完全继承老口围带;(2)额–腹–横棘毛原基从左向右按照3:3:3:2:2的模式形成额腹棘毛和横棘毛;(3)前后仔虫最左侧额腹棘毛分别由独立产生的原基形成;(4)缘棘毛原基独立发生;(5)初级背触毛原基来自虫体中部老结构的反分化;(6)前后仔虫尾棘毛分别来自最右侧2列背触毛原基和老背触毛列末端;这些特征显示出游仆虫属个体发生模式的高度保守性。分子系统分析与形态学数据一致,即游仆虫属为单元发生,且小腔游仆虫与艾美游仆虫(Euplotes amieti)、阔口游仆虫(E.eurystomus)和伍氏游仆虫(E.woodruffi)聚在一起。     

冠突伪尾柱虫的腹皮层纤毛器微管胞器及其形态发生

应用荧光紫杉醇直接荧光标记和抗α-微管蛋白抗体免疫荧光标记方法,显示冠突伪尾柱虫腹皮层纤毛器微管胞器由口围带、波动膜、额腹横棘毛和左右缘棘毛等纤毛器微管、纤毛器基部附属微管等组成。口围带基部含小膜托架及与托架相联系的肋壁微管,其中领部小膜托架间由"∧"形微管相联接;额腹横棘毛基部含前纵微管束、后纵微管束、横微管束和周围微管束,其微管在不同棘毛基部的发达程度不一,其中两列中腹棘毛基部微管紧密联系成一条粗绳索样结构,且左、右中腹棘毛基部的横微管束定向相反;左、右缘棘毛基部含前纵微管束、后纵微管束和横微管束,其中横微管束不发达。与目前已知的腹毛目纤毛虫例如贻贝棘尾虫、魏氏拟尾柱虫的纤毛器基部微管相比较,冠突伪尾柱虫腹皮层纤毛器基部微管除具有腹毛目纤毛虫纤毛器基部微管的基本特征外,也具有一些特殊的组成模式。皮层纤毛器微管形态发生中,前仔虫口围带并非全部是由老口围带更新而来的,其老口围带只有翻领部发生更新,且翻领部与领部接续处有一小段老的翻领部小膜保留,领部的小膜保留,结果其领部小膜、接续处保留的小膜与更新的翻领部小膜三部分共同组成前仔虫的新口围带。在后仔虫口原基发生的位置,其邻近的老横棘毛没有变化,此时老的横棘毛或许能起到"参照点"或定位作用;各类纤毛器发生、分化过程中,处于非原基区的老额棘毛、横棘毛及左右缘棘毛在较长时间内均未见明显的变化。它们可能是在新结构形成时仍然起到运动作用继而逐渐失去功能而退化瓦解的。     

急纤虫Tachysoma pellionella无性生殖周期中核器和纤毛器的演化

应用能同时显示纤毛虫的皮膜结构及核器的蛋白银染色方法,研究了急纤虫Tachysoma pellionella的形态及其无性生殖周期中核器和纤毛器的发育演化过程。其中的形态发生过程是:(1)大核改组带出现后,在口围带(AZM)和腹棘毛VC4、VC5之间形成一条细线,于细线中发生许多成群的毛基体,逐渐演变成为后AZM原基区。最终,原基区颗粒组装成一片片整齐排列的小膜,它们构成为新AZM。老AZM也伴随着由基部向前更新,(2)在额棘毛FC5-FC8和腹棘毛VCl-VC3全部瓦解时紧接着产生前、后波动膜原基和新棘毛原基区,并发生波动膜的分化,棘毛的分化、移动和定位过程;(3)左、右缘棘毛原基的发育形式相同,但右缘棘毛原基的发育稍早。在右缘棘毛列中的第2(或第3)根和约第16根棘毛、左缘棘毛列的第1根和约第17根棘毛开始,随老棘毛基部的瓦解,于老棘毛基部位置各产生前、后两部分新缘棘毛原基,左、右每部分原基各占据了约六个老棘毛基部位置后分别朝所在的老棘毛列的外侧、内侧向后伸展开来;(4)在第1—3列背触毛中分别于每列之前、后两部分的中部范围产生前、后第1—3列新原基,每列原基向其两端伸展替代老背触毛列,它们后来成为前、后仔虫的相应的第1—3列新背触毛。接着在前,后各第3列背触毛原基后端发生前、后第4列原基,并稍偏向第3列原     

Alterations of trace elements (Zn, Se, Cu, Fe) and related metalloenzymes in rabbit blood after severe trauma

To investigate the status of the trace elements (TEs) and related metalloenzymes activities in the injury and repair process after severe trauma, we established a rabbit model of severe trauma whose Injury Severity Score (ISS) was 22. Concentrations of blood selenium (Se) and serum copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), and ferritin were measured on D0 (before injury), and day (D) 1, D2, D3, D6, D9, D14, D21, D28 after trauma, respectively. The activities of glutathione peroxidase (GPx), Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn-SOD), myeloperoxidase (MPO), the contents of lipid peroxidation product malondialdehyde (MDA) and serum biochemical profile were detected synchronously. In addition, the morphologic changes of major organs were observed at different time intervals. Results showed that blood Se and serum Zn, Fe contents decreased significantly within 2 weeks after injury. Serum Cu concentration was significantly reduced on D1 but normalized quickly. Serum ferritin level increased during the first week while following an obvious decrease thereafter. The blood GPx activity dropped markedly from D1 to D6, the serum Cu/Zn-SOD activity decreased on D1 and then increased significantly within 2 weeks, and the blood MPO-positive stained cells increased within a week after trauma and followed by a decrease from D14 to D21. The serum MDA increased significantly on D6. Seven of 34 rabbits died in 4-6 days after injury. Biochemistry values and pathological features revealed these rabbits died of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS). Our experiment suggested that the circulating TEs status is dramatically modified in response to trauma, which might be a factor in MODS.     

Metabolic pathways from 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 to 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3-26,23-lactone. Stereo-retained and stereo-selective lactonization

The present study was carried out in order to elucidate the metabolic pathway from 1 alpha,25-(OH)2D3 to 1 alpha,25-(OH)2D3-26,23-lactone. For that purpose, we stereospecifically synthesized the vitamin D3 derivatives 1 alpha,23(S),25-(OH)3D3, 1 alpha,23(S),25(R),26-tetrahydroxyvitamin D3, and 23(S),25(R)-1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3-lactol. The in vitro metabolism of these compounds was examined in kidney homogenates and intestinal mucosa homogenates from 1 alpha,25-(OH)2D3-supplemented chicks. The naturally occurring 23(S),25(R)-1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3-26,23-lactone was produced (in increasing amounts) from 1 alpha,25-(OH)2D3, 1 alpha,25(R),26-(OH)3D3, 1 alpha,23(S),25-(OH),D3, 1 alpha,23(S),25(R),26-(OH)4D3, and 23(S),25(R)-1 alpha,25-(OH)2D3-26,23-lactol. These results indicated that there are two possible metabolic pathways from 1 alpha,25-(OH)2D3 to 1 alpha,23(S),25(R),26-(OH)4D3: the major one is by way of 1 alpha,23(S),25-(OH)3D3 and the minor one is by way of 1 alpha,25(R),26-(OH)3D3. 1 alpha,23(S),25(R),26-Tetrahydroxyvitamin D3 is further metabolized to 23(S),25(R)-1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3-26,23-lactone via 23(S),25(R)-1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3-26,23-lactol. In the course of our studies, a new biosynthetic vitamin D3 metabolite was isolated in pure form. This metabolite was identified as 23(S),25(R)-1 alpha,25-(OH)2D3-26,23-lactol by UV spectrophotometry and mass spectrometry. Furthermore, we establish in this report that the lactonization of 1 alpha,23,25,26-(OH)4D3 and 1 alpha,25-(OH)2D3-26,23-lactol occurs in a stereo-retained and stereo-selective fashion.     

Babesia moshkovskii (Schurenkova, 1938) Laird and Lari, 1957; from the prairie falcon, Falco mexicanus, in Wyoming; with comments on other parasites found in this host.

Babesia moshkovskiiwas found in the blood of 6 of 30 downy (D) Prairie Falcons and in none of 5 adults (A) from Wyoming. Intestinal parasites included Neodiplostomum (C) spathula (A,3), Cladotaenia globifera, (A,1), Physaloptera sp., (A,1), and Serratospiculum amaculatum, (a,4). ornithodorus concanensis, (D,3), Thrassis francisi, (D,1), Opisocrostis sp., (D.1), Degeeriella rufa, (D,2), Simulium (E.) canonicola (D,2), and an unidentified hippoboscid fly, (D,2) were external parasites. It is considered that the soft tick, O. concanensis, is the most likely vector of the hematozoon. The morphological forms of B.moshkovskii are described and discussed. This is the first report of an avian babesoid on this continent.     

Isolation and identification of 1 alpha,25-dihydroxy-24-oxovitamin D3, 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 26,23-lactone, and 1 alpha,24(S),25-trihydroxyvitamin D3: in vivo metabolites of 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3

Three new in vivo metabolites of 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 were isolated from the serum of dogs given large doses (two doses of 1.5 mg/dog) of 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3. The metabolites were isolated and purified by methanol-chloroform extraction and a series of chromatographic procedures. By cochromatography on a high-performance liquid chromatograph, ultraviolet absorption spectrophotometry, mass spectrometry, Fourier-transform infrared spectrophotometry, and specific chemical reactions, the metabolites were identified as 1 alpha,25-dihydroxy-24- oxovitamin D3, 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 26,23-lactone, and 1 alpha,24(S),25-trihydroxyvitamin D3. According to these procedures, the total amounts of the isolated metabolites were as follows: 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, 23.6 micrograms; 1 alpha,25-dihydroxy-24- oxovitamin D3, 1.8 micrograms; 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 26,23-lactone, 9.2 micrograms; 1 alpha,24(R),25-trihydroxyvitamin D3, 15.4 micrograms; 1 alpha,24(S),25-trihydroxyvitamin D3, 1.0 microgram. With recovery corrections, the serum levels of each metabolite were approximately 49 ng/mL for 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, 3.7 ng/mL for 1 alpha,25-dihydroxy-24- oxovitamin D3, 19 ng/mL for 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 26,23-lactone, 32 ng/mL for 1 alpha,24(R),25-trihydroxyvitamin D3, and 2.1 ng/mL for 1 alpha,24(S),25-trihydroxyvitamin D3.     

Effects of alpha lipoic acid,ascorbic acid-6-palmitate,and fish oil on the glutathione,malonaldehyde, and fatty acids levels in erythrocytes of streptozotocin induced diabetic male rats

In this research, it has been aimed to evaluate the improvement effects of alpha lipoic acid (ALA), ascorbic acid-6-palmitate (AA6P), fish oil (FO), and their combination (COM) on some biochemical properties in erythrocytes of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic male rats. According to experimental results, glutathione (GSH) level in erythrocytes decreased in diabetes (P < 0.01), D + ALA, and D + AA6P groups (P < 0.001). Malonaldehyde (MA) level increased in diabetes (P < 0.05), D + FO, and D + COM groups (P < 0.001), but its level in D + AA6P and D + ALA groups was lower in diabetes group (P < 0.01). Total lipid level in diabetes and diabetes plus antioxidant administered groups were higher than control. Total cholesterol level was high in diabetes and D + ALA groups (P < 0.05), but its level reduced in D + FO compared to control and diabetes groups, P < 0.05, < 0.001, respectively. Total triglyceride (TTG) level was high in the D + ALA (P < 0.05) and D + COM (P < 0.001) groups. In contrast, TTG level in blood of diabetes group was higher than diabetes plus antioxidant and FO administered groups (P < 0.001). According to gas chromatography analysis results, while the palmitic acid raised in diabetes group (P < 0.05), stearic acid in D + FO, D + ALA, and diabetes groups was lower than control (P < 0.05), oleic acid reduced in D + COM and D + FO groups, but its level raised in D + AA6P and D + ALA groups (P < 0.01). As the linoleic acid (LA) elevated in ALA + D, D + AA6P, and diabetes groups, linolenic acid level in diabetes, D + AA6P, and D + FO groups was lower than control (P < 0.001). Arachidonic acid (AA) decreased in D + ALA, D+ AA6P, and diabetes groups (P < 0.01), but its level in D + COM and D + FO was higher than control (P < 0.05). Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) increased in D + AA6P and D + COM (P < 0.05). While the total saturated fatty acid level raised in diabetes group, its level reduced in D + ALA and D + FO groups (P < 0.05). In contrast, total unsaturated fatty acid level in D + ALA and D + FO groups was higher than control (P < 0.05). In conclusion, present data have confirmed that the combination of the ALA, AA6P, and FO have improvement effects on the recycling of GSSG to reduced GSH in erythrocytes of diabetic rats, and in addition to this, oxidative stress was suppressed by ALA and AA6P, and unsaturated fatty acid degree was raised by the effects of ALA and FO.     

Heterologous expression, purification, and properties of human cytochrome P450 27C1

Cytochrome P450 (P450) 27C1 is one of the "orphan" P450 enzymes without a known biological function. A human P450 27C1 cDNA with a nucleotide sequence modified for Escherichia coli usage was prepared and modified at the N-terminus, based on the expected mitochondrial localization. A derivative with residues 3-60 deleted was expressed at a level of 1350nmol/L E. coli culture and had the characteristic P450 spectra. The identity of the expressed protein was confirmed by mass spectrometry of proteolytic fragments. The purified P450 was in the low-spin iron state, and the spin equilibrium was not perturbed by any of the potential substrates vitamin D(3), 1alpha- or 25-hydroxy vitamin D(3), or cholesterol. P450s 27A1 and 27B1 are known to catalyze the 25-hydroxylation of vitamin D(3) and the 1alpha-hydroxylation of 25-hydroxy vitamin D(3), respectively. In the presence of recombinant human adrenodoxin and adrenodoxin reductase, recombinant P450 27C1 did not catalyze the oxidation of vitamin D(3), 1alpha- or 25-hydroxy vitamin D(3), or cholesterol at detectable rates. P450 27C1 mRNA was determined to be expressed in liver, kidney, pancreas, and several other human tissues.     

饲料脂肪水平对杂交鲟幼鱼生长、饲料消化率、抗氧化水平和肌肉脂肪酸组成的影响

研究旨在探究饲料中不同脂肪水平对西伯利亚杂交鲟(Acipenser baerii Brandt ♀ × A. schrenckii Brandt ♂)幼鱼生长、饲料消化率、血清生化指标及肌肉脂肪酸组成的影响。以鱼油为脂肪源, 配制4种脂肪水平分别为5%(D05)、10%(D10)、15%(D15)和20%(D20)的等氮饲料。选用初始体重为(152.83±0.67) g的杂交鲟, 随机分为4组, 每组3个重复, 每个重复25尾鱼。养殖周期为12周。结果显示, 饲料中不同脂肪水平对杂交鲟的生长性能有显著影响(P<0.05)。其中, D15组杂交鲟幼鱼的末均重(FBW)、增重率(WGR)和特定生长率(SGR)显著高于D05、D10和D20组(P<0.05), 饲料效率(FE)显著高于D05和D10组(P<0.05)。随着饲料中脂肪含量的增加, 杂交鲟幼鱼脏体比(VSI)、肝体比(HSI)及肌肉、肝脏中的脂肪含量显著上升(P<0.05)。饲料中不同脂肪水平对干物质(ADC_d)、蛋白质(ADC_p)表观消化率无显著影响(P>0.05)。D10、D15和D20组脂肪表观消化率(ADC_f)显著高于D05组(P<0.05)。D15组能量表观消化率在各组中最高, 显著高于D05和D10组(P<0.05)。随着饲料中脂肪水平的增加, 血清超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、总抗氧化能力(T-AOC)和髓过氧化物酶(MPO)的活性均显著升高, 谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)活性显著下降(P<0.05)。此外, 肝功能指标谷丙转氨酶(ALT)、谷草转氨酶(AST)、碱性磷酸酶(ALP)和乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)的活性也随饲料中脂肪水平的升高呈递增趋势(P<0.05)。肌肉中的各脂肪酸含量与饲料中脂肪酸含量呈显著的线性正相关(R2>0.90, P<0.05)。综合各指标因素判断, 西伯利亚杂交鲟幼鱼饲料中适宜的脂肪水平为15%, P/E为23.54 mg/kJ。     

A novel receptor on allograft (H-2d)-induced macrophage (H-2b) toward an allogeneic major histocompatibility complex class I molecule, H-2Dd, in mice

The generation of knockout mice demonstrated that noncytotoxic CD4(+), but not cytotoxic CD8(+), T cells were essential for the rejection of skin or organ allografts. Earlier we reported that allograftinduced macrophages (AIM) in mice lysed allografts with H-2 haplotype specificity, implying screening of grafts by AIM. Here, we isolated a cDNA clone encoding a novel receptor on AIM (H-2D(b)) for an allogeneic major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecule, H-2D(d), by using H-2D(d) tetramer and a monoclonal antibody (mAb; R15) specific for AIM. The cDNA (1,181-bp) encoded a 342-amino acid polypeptide with a calculated molecular mass of 45 kDa and was found to be expressed on AIM, but not on resident macrophages or other cells, infiltrating into the rejection site. HEK293T cells transfected with this cDNA reacted with R15 mAb and H-2D(d), but not H-2L(d), H-2K(d), H-2D(b), H-2K(b), H-2D(k), or H-2K(k), molecules; and the H-2D(d) binding was suppressed by the addition of R15 or anti-H-2D(d) mAb. AIM yielded a specific saturation isotherm in the presence of increasing concentrations of H-2D(d), but not H-2D(b) or H-2D(k), molecules. The dissociation constant of AIM toward H-2D(d) tetramers was 1.9 x 10(-9) M ; and the binding was completely inhibited by the addition of R15 or anti-H-2D(d) mAb. These results reveal that a novel receptor for an allogeneic H-2D(d) molecule was induced on effector macrophages responsible for allograft (H-2(d)) rejection in H-2(b) mice.     

Effects of octopamine on reproduction, juvenile hormone metabolism, dopamine, and 20-hydroxyecdysone contents in Drosophila

The effect of an experimentally increased octopamine content (feeding flies with OA) on the levels of juvenile hormone (JH) degradation, dopamine (DA), and 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) contents, oogenesis, and fecundity of wild type Drosophila flies has been studied. OA feeding of the flies was found to (1) cause a considerable decrease in JH degradation in females, but not males, of D. melanogaster and D. virilis; (2) have no effect on DA content in D. melanogaster and D. virilis; (3) increase 20E contents in D. virilis females; (4) decrease to a large extent the number of vitellogenic (stages 8-10) and mature (stage 14) oocytes in D. virilis; and (5) decrease the fecundity of D. melanogaster and D. virilis. A possible mechanism of action of OA as a neurohormone on the reproductive function of Drosophila is discussed.     

Atropine, diazepam, and physostigmine: thermoregulatory effects in the heat-stressed rat

We have previously reported that administration of atropine (A) to unrestrained, sedentary, heat-stressed rats resulted in a dose-dependent increase in heating rate (rate of rise of core temperature, degree C/min). Additionally, we have demonstrated that the decrements in treadmill endurance and increments in heating rate of physostigmine (PH)-treated running rats can both be restored to control levels by pretreating the animals with A and diazepam (D). Our objective in the present work was to determine if the administration of D + PH to A-treated unrestrained, sedentary, heat-stressed rats (N = 16/group, 510-530 g) could improve their thermal tolerance. The following drugs were administered singly (at 10 min intervals) via lateral tail vein: vehicle-control (C), A (200 micrograms/kg), D (500 micrograms/kg), and PH (200 micrograms/kg). After drug administration, the rats were heat-stressed (Tamb = 41.5 degrees C) until a core temperature of 42.6 degrees C was attained when they were removed to a 26 degrees C chamber. The heating rates (degrees C/min) and tolerance times (min) of the respective groups were: C- 0.02, 235; A- 0.08, 58; A D- 0.06, 94; and A + D + PH- 0.04, 143. Administration of D with A significantly decreased heating rate, and D + PH more than doubled the thermal tolerance of A-treated rats. Thus, the combination of A + D + PH not only restores PH-induced performance and thermoregulatory decrements of rats exercised in a moderate environment, but also reduces A-induced heat intolerance.