Measurement of proton relaxation rates in proteins

Summary Five different types of experiment are described which make it possible to measure various relaxation rates of selected protons in crowded spectra of macromolecules such as proteins: longitudinal spin-lattice relaxation rates =1/T₁, transverse relaxation rates =1/T₂ measured under conditions of free precession, transverse relaxation rates ¹ _LOCK=1/T₁ measured under conditions of spin-locking, and transverse relaxation rates ^DQC=1/T₂ ^DQC and ^ZQC=1/T₂ ^ZQC of double- and zero-quantum coherences. The surprisingly large discrepancy between the transverse rates ^t and ^t is discussed in detail. To separate overlapping proton signals, the experimental schemes involve one or several magnetization transfer steps, using a doubly selective homonuclear Hartmann-Hahn method. Numerous variants of the basic ideas can be conceived, depending on the extent of signal overlap and on the topology of the networks of scalar couplings. Applications are shown to H and H of Tyr²³, to H, H and H of Cys³⁰, and to H and H of Ala²⁴ in bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor (BPTI).     

The functional significance of synchronization of cortical potentials in humans

The dependence between the level and the topography of spatial synchronization of cortical potentials and the manifestation of motor reactions to light stimuli was studied in humans. To evaluate the spatial synchronization of potentials the correlation coefficients () were calculated between three points of the motor area and each of three occipital points of the cortex. The calculation was made using a computer with direct input of the potentials. At a definite level of the machine switched on a light stimulus and a mechanism recording the motor reaction. The experiments have shown that the higher the number of pair derivations giving a high value of , the more often movements are caused. Moreover it became apparent that the pattern of correlation ratios between the derivations depends on the motor reactions. In the case of movements a significant constancy of the ratios between individual derivations was found. It is shown that the spatial synchronization of potentials in the human cerebral cortex has a functional significance. However, this synchronization does not reflect the realization of movements but only the conditions required for them.Institute of Higher Nervous Activity and Neurophysiology, Academy of Sciences of the USSR, Moscow. Translated from Neirofiziologiya, Vol. 2, No. 2, pp. 166–172, March–April, 1970.     

Die Aktivit?tsperiodik bei V?geln mit und ohne dunklem Schlafkasten

Zusammenfassung In 2 Versuchsserien wurden Kohlmeisen(Parus major) und japanische Möwchen(Lonchura striata var.domestica) einzeln und schallisoliert gehalten. In der ersten Versuchsserie, in der alle Vögel einen dunklen Schlafkasten hatten, wurde der Einfluß der Beleuchtungsstärke auf die Periode () der Hüpfaktivität und auf das Verhältnis von Aktivitätszeit zu Ruhezeit ( : -Verhältnis) untersucht. Sowhol Kohlmeisen als auch japanische Möwchen folgen der Regel, daß mit wachsender Beleuchtungsstärke die Periode kürzer und das : -Verhältnis größer wird.In der 2. Serie wurde der Einfluß Ruhe im dunklen Schlafkasten auf die Periodenlänge und auf das : -Verhältnis untersucht. Es wurden die Messungen aus Bedingung 1 (der Vogel hat einen dunklen Schlafkasten zur Verfügung) mit den Messungen aus Bedingung 2 (der Vogel hat keinen oder einen hellen Schlafkasten zur Verfügung) verglichen. Das Ergebnis bei Kohlmeisen entspricht den Befunden bei konstantem Licht verschiedener Intensität. Unter Bedingung 1 ist länger und das : -Verhältnis kleiner als in Bedingung 2. Das Ausmaß der Änderung von nach Fortnahme des dunklen Kastens ist unabhängig von der Periodenlänge in Bedingung 1. Das Ausmaß der änderung von : ist unabhängig von a : in Bedingung 1, jedoch schwach negativ korreliert mit der Periodenlänge in Bedingung 1.Bei japanischen Möwchen entsprechen die Ergebnisse dieser Versuchsserie nicht der Regel für tagaktive Vögel. Mit Benützen des dunklen Schlafkastens ist kürzer als ohne den Schlafkasten. Ohne den Schlafkasten ist etwa 24 Std. Das : -Verhältnis ist in Bedingung 1 unter bestimmten Voraussetzungen kleiner als in Bedingung 2. Das Ausmaß der Änderung von nach Fortnahme des Kastens ist mit der dazugehörigen Periode in Bedingung 1 hochsignifikant korreliert (Regressionskoeffizient b=-1.01, Korrelationskoeffizient r=0.89). Ebenfalls ist das Ausmaß der Änderung von : nach Fortnahme des Kastens mit : aus Bedingung 1 korreliert; es scheint, als würde ein bevorzugtes : -Verhältnis von etwa 2.0 eingeregelt.Die Ergebnisse werden im Hinblick auf 4 Punkte diskutiert: 1) Das circadiane System arbeitet innerhalb eines engen Bereiches von - und : -Werten optimal. 2) Der Optimalbereich wird bevorzugt unter ungünstigen Bedingungen angestrebt. 3) Der Entzug des dunklen Schlafkastens belastet japanische Möwchen mehr als Kohlmeisen. 4) Bei japanischen Möwchen wird in Bedingung 1 durch fortplfanzungsphysiologischen Einfluß verkürzt.

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Circadian activity rhythms of birds with and without a dark nest box

Summary Perch-hopping activity of Great tits(Parus major) and Bengales finches(Lonchura striata domestica), housed individually in soundproof boxes, was studied in two series of experiments. In the first series all birds had access to a dark nest box, in which they retired during their subjective night. In this experiment the effect of light intensity on the freerunning circadian activity rhythm was investigated. Both Great tits and Bengalese finches obey the circadian rule by responding to an increase in light intensity with shortening the circadian period () and with an increase of the ratio of activity time and rest time ( : ).In the second series of experiments the influence of sleeping in the dark nest box on both circadian period and : -ratio was studied. The results of two experimental conditions — without and with access to a dark nest box — were compared. In the Great tits, the results are in agreement with the effect of light intensity: when a dark nestbox is available, is longer and the : -ratio is smaller than in the absence of a nest box. The magnitude of the change in free-running period after removal of the nest box is independent of the original value of ; the amount of change : -ratio is likewise independent of the original : -ratio, but is weakly correlated to the original .InLonchura striata var. domestica, removal of the dark nest box leads to a lenghtening of the free-running period to about 24 hours; the : -ratio is smaller in the presence of a dark nestbox, if certain other conditions are fulfilled. The magnitude of the change in after removal of the nest box is highly correlated to the original free-running period (r=-0.89) in such a way that, without nest box, the period approaches a value of 24 hours. Also, the amount of change in : -ratio due to nest box removal is negatively correlated to the original : -ratio. A probably preferred : -ratio of 2.0 is adopted.These results are discussed in the view of 4 points: 1) The circadian system operates at its optimum within a narrow range of - and : -values. 2) This optimal range is especially adopted when conditions become adverse. 3) Removal of the dark nest box results in a more stressful situation for Bengalese finches than for Great tits. 4) In the Bengalese finches, is shortened in the presence of a nest box due to effects on reproductive physiology.

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Herrn Prof. Dr. JürgenAschoff zum 60. Geburtstag gewidemt.     

Assortative mating and the genetic correlation

Summary The effect of assortative mating on the genetic correlation between traits X and Y is considered. Assortation on trait X changes the magnitude of the genetic correlation but not its sign. There are two situations depending on the signs of the correlation between mates () and of the random mating genetic correlation (): 1) if sign () = sign (), then >, where is the genetic correlation at equilibrium after continued assortation, and 2) if sign () = sign (), then < . However, negative assortative mating is virtually powerless to alter the magnitude of the genetic correlation. The consequences of a mixed assortation model, e.g., high milk production females mated to fast growing males and lesser productive females mated to slower growing sires, were also studied. Mixed positive assortation always increases the genetic correlation, but negative assortation decreases it. The implications of assortative mating on correlated responses to selection and on the equilibrium covariances between relatives for pairs of traits are discussed.     

On the density of intracellular water

The density of individualArtemia cysts has been determined by sedimentation velocity measurements at unit gravity. Dried cyst (< 0.02 g H₂O/g dry weight) densities, _s were obtained by successive sedimentation in two nonpenetrating organic solvents. This removes geometric terms from the equation relating density to sedimentation velocity. Hydrated cysts ( 1.68 g H₂O/g dry weight) were sedimented in 0.0750 m NaCl to obtain their density ( _c). Values of _s, _c, and their ratios were found to be independent of cyst volume; therefore, the weight fraction of water in hydrated cysts is very nearly the same in cysts of greatly different size. It can be concluded that measurement of the water content of large populations of these cysts accurately reflects the water content of individual cysts, a point which has been assumed in previous work on this system. If _s does not change appreciably when dried cysts are fully hydrated then the density of their water, _w, can be calculated to be 1.022 g/cm³ (±0.0011 ). That value is significantly higher than the density of pure water and is very close to estimates of _w in skeletal muscle and amphibian oocytes obtained by others. However, the assumption that _s is independent of hydration is open to serious criticism, for all these studies. Consequently, conclusions and interpretations derived from such measurements must be considered to be tentative and uncertain.     

Plasma Membrane Ubiquinone Controls Ceramide Production and Prevents Cell Death Induced by Serum Withdrawal

Serum provides cultured cells with survival factors required to maintain growth. Its withdrawal induces the development of programmed cell death. HL-60 cells were sensitive to serum removal, and an increase of lipid peroxidation and apoptosis was observed. Long-term treatment with ethidium bromide induced the mitochondria-deficient °HL-60 cell line. These cells were surprisingly more resistant to serum removal, displaying fewer apoptotic cells and lower lipid peroxidation. HL-60 cells contained less ubiquinone at the plasma membrane than °HL-60 cells. Both cell types increased plasma membrane ubiquinone in response to serum removal, although this increase was much higher in ° cells. Addition of ubiquinone to both cell cultures in the absence of serum improved cell survival with decreasing lipid peroxidation and apoptosis. Ceramide was accumulated after serum removal in HL-60 but not in °HL-60 cells, and exogenous ubiquinone reduced this accumulation. These results demonstrate a relationship between ubiquinone levels in the plasma membrane and the induction of serum withdrawal induced apoptosis, and ceramide accumulation. Thus, ubiquinone, which is a central component of the plasma membrane electron transport system, can represent a first level of protection against oxidative damage caused by serum withdrawal.     

Detection of specific DNA sequences in yeast by colony hybridization

Summary A procedure is described for the detection of specific DNA sequences in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. This method allows a rapid screening of a large number of yeast colonies. The yeast cells of each colony, grown on nitrocellulose filters, are converted, in situ, to protoplasts by snail enzyme, and are then lysed and their DNAs are denatured and fixed on the filter. The presence of the specific DNA sequence is detected directly on the filter by hybridization with a radioactive cRNA.We have used successfully this technique to detect the presence or the absence of specific mt DNA sequences, in ⁺, ^- and ⁰ strains, and to detect the presence or the absence of the 2 m DNA sequences in different strains.     

Identification of Slow Motions in the Reduced Recombinant High-potential Iron Sulfur Protein I (HiPIP I) from Ectothiorhodospira Halophila via 15N Rotating-frame NMR Relaxation Measurements

Rotating-frame 15N relaxation rate (R1) NMR experiments have been performed in order to study the dynamic behavior of the reduced recombinant high-potential iron-sulfur protein iso I (HiPIP I) from Ectothiorhodospira halophila, in the s to ms time range. Measurements of R1 were performed as a function of the effective spin-lock magnetic field amplitude by using both on and off-resonance radio frequency irradiation. The two data sets provided consistent results and were fit globally in order to identify possible exchange processes in an external loop of the reduced HiPIP I. The loop consists of residues 43-45 and the correlation time of the exchange process was determined to be 50 ± 8 s for the backbone nitrogen of Gln 44.     

Modelling of predator–prey trophic interactions. Part I: two trophic levels

A class of lumped parameter models to describe the local dynamics in a controlled environment of a two-trophic chain is considered. The class is characterized by a trophic function (functional response of predator to the abundance of prey) depending on the ratio of prey biomass x and a linear function of predator biomass y: f(qx/[(1-)k+y]), where q is the efficiency of the predation process, k is a reference biomass, and (01) specifies the predation model. The trophic function is defined only by some properties determining its shape. A stability analysis of the models has been performed by taking the parameters q and as bifurcation parameters: the regions in the (,q) plane of existence and stability of nonnegative equilibrium states and limit cycles are determined. This analysis shows that the behaviour of the models is qualitatively similar for 0<1 (in particular the null state is always a saddle point), while the value =1 gives rise to some kind of structural instability of the system (in particular the null state becomes an attractor for sufficiently high predation efficiency).     

Globally asymptotic properties of proliferating cell populations

This paper presents a general model for the cell division cycle in a population of cells. Three hypotheses are used: (1) There is a substance (mitogen) produced by cells which is necessary for mitosis; (2) The probability of mitosis is a function of mitogen levels; and (3) At mitosis each daughter cell receives exactly one-half of the mitogen present in the mother cell. With these hypotheses we derive expressions for the and curves, the distributions of mitogen and cell cycle times, and the correlation coefficients between mother-daughter (_md) and sister-sister (_ss) cell cycle times.The distribution of mitogen levels is shown to be given by the solution to an integral equation, and under very mild assumptions we prove that this distribution is globally asymptotically stable. We further show that the limiting logarithmic slopes of (t) and (t) are equal and constant, and that _md0 while _ss0. These results are in accord with the experimental results in many different cell lines. Further, the transition probability model of the cell cycle is shown to be a simple special case of the model presented here.     

Alternative pathway activities in aged potato tuber slices measured by three methods

To find a simple and reliable oxygen electrode-based method to estimate the values of alternative pathway activity (V _alt) and its contribution to total respiration V _alt/V _t) in aged potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) tuber slices, we compared conventional hydroxamate-inhibiting method, improved hydroxamate-inhibiting method with 2,6-dichlorophenol indophenol (DCPIP), and the oxygen isotope discrimination (OID) method. The values of V _alt and V _alt/V _t obtained with an improved hydroxamate-inhibiting method with DCPIP in 12-h- and 24-h-aged slices were about twice higher than those with the conventional hydroxamate-inhibiting method. Only a relatively small difference in the values of V _alt and V _alt/V _t obtained by the OID method and the improved hydroxamate-inhibiting method with DCPIP in 12-h and 24-h-aged slices was observed. These results indicated that the improved hydroxamate-inhibiting method with DCPIP could be considered as a new, simple, and reliable technique for the noninvasive assay of the AP activity.From Fiziologiya Rastenii, Vol. 52, No. 2, 2005, pp. 311–315.Original English Text Copyright © 2005 by Hou, Zhou, Kong, Liang, Zhang.This article was submitted by the authors in English.This revised version was published online in April 2005 with a corrected cover date.     

Polygynie des Trauerschn?ppers(Ficedula hypoleuca) am Westrand seines Areals in Mitteleuropa

Zusammenfassung 1974–1983 waren in einem mit 600 künstlichen Nisthöhlen ausgestatteten Lärchen-Versuchsforst (52.27 N, 7.15 E) bei Lingen/Emsland beim Trauerschnäpper 20,7% der nachweislich mit einem polygamen verpaart. Neben 51 Bigynie-Fällen konnte auch 4mal Trigynie nachgewiesen werden. mit Polygamie-Nachweis waren im Mittel älter als die übrigen (2,71 bzw. 2,18 Jahre). Polygame hatten im Durchschnitt längere Flügel und ein größeres Gewicht als ohne Polygamie-Nachweis, was als Folge der unterschiedlichen Altersstruktur zu deuten ist. Brutkästen der Bigamisten waren im Mittel 258 m voneinander entfernt (Maximum 750 m). Bei Bruten ohne Nachweis eines fütternden lag die Anzahl ausgeflogener Junge (im Mittel 2,9) gesichert unter dem Bruterfolg von zwei anderen Gruppen (fütterndes bei einer Brut festgestellt 4,7; fütterndes bei 2–3 Bruten festgestellt 4,5). Zwischen den Schlüpfterminen von Bigamisten-Bruten lagen 1–16 Tage. Das Durchschnittsalter der in den jeweils früheren Bruten betrug 2,67, in den jeweils späteren Bruten 1,67 Jahre.

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Polygyny in the Pied Flycatcher (Ficedula hypoleuca) at the western border of its Central European range

Summary 1974–1983 in a study area of larch forest (52.27 N, 7.15 E), with 600 nestboxes, near Lingen/Emsland in western Lower Saxony, polygyny among Pied Flycatchers was identified as participation of in feeding at 2 or 3 nestboxes (bigyny or trigyny). 20.7% of were shown to be paired with a polygamous . Beside 51 cases of bigyny 4 cases of trigyny were identified. The incidence of polygyny was also considered in relation to the border situation of the study area. Proven polygamous were on average older than other (2.71 as compared to 2.18 years). On average polygamous had longer wings and greater bodyweight than without polygamous record, which is to be interpreted as a result of differing age structure. On average the mean distance between nestboxes of bigamists was 258 m (max. 750 m). In cases of broods without recorded feeding (generally this would occur in cases of secondary broods of polygamous in which the assisted only rarely or not at all) the number of reared young (on average 2.9) was significantly lower than the breeding success realised by 2 other groups ( recorded as assisting in rearing one brood only 4.7; recorded as assisting in rearing 2–3 broods 4.5). A period of 1–16 days (on average 7) elapsed between the hatching dates of broods of bigamists. The average age of in the earlier broods was 2.67 yrs, in the later broods 1.67 yrs.

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Gefördert mit Hilfe von Forschungsmitteln des Landes Niedersachsen.     

Site of synthesis of spinach chloroplast ribosomal proteins and formation of incomplete ribosomal particles in isolated chloroplasts

Chloroplast ribosomal proteins from spinach have been prepared in the presence of a protease inhibitor and some modifications have been introduced to the previous characterization of the 50S subunits (Mache et al., MGG, 177, 333, 1980): 33 ribosomal proteins are detected instead of 34. No change has been observed for the 30S subunits.Using a light-driven system of protein synthesis it is shown that up to ten ribosomal proteins of the 30S and eight proteins of the 50S subunits are made in the chloroplast.Newly synthesized ribosomal subunits have been analysed on CsCl gradients after sedimentation at equilibrium, allowing the separation of fully assembled subunits from incomplete ribosomal particles. Most of the newly made 50S subunits are fully assembled (=1.634). A small amount of incomplete 50S particles (=1.686) is detectable. Newly made 30S subunits (=1.598) and incomplete 30S particles (=1.691) are also observed. The ribosomal proteins of the incomplete 30S have been determined. They contain eight or nine of the 30S-proteins, seven of which are synthesized within the chloroplast. It is suggested that incomplete ribosomal particles resulted from a step in the assembly of ribosomal subunits.     

Mutants in yeast affecting ethidium bromide induced rho- formation and their effects on transmission and recombination of mitochondrial genes.

Summary A series of mutants called ebi, less inducible by ethidium bromide than the parental strain for the ^+– mutation have been isolated after E.M.S. mutagenesis. Some of the ebi mutants also show an important accumulation of ^– cells, in the absence of ethidium bromide. Ebi mutations are nuclearly inherited as shown by meiotic segregation. The effects of these mutants on the transmission and recombination of mitochondrial genes among the diploid progeny of crosses have been studied. Some of the ebi mutants show a non coordinated transmission of the oli1 mitochondrial marker with respect to other mitochondrial markers unexpected for homosexual crosses. This bias which is independent from will be discussed in relation to the segregation and recombination. No significant decrease of the frequency of recombinants has been detected.Abbreviations E.B. Ethidium bromide - E.M.S. Ethyl méthane sulfonate - C^S/C^R Allelic forms of the rib 1 locus conferring chloramphenicol sensitivity/resistance - E^S/E^R Allelic forms of the rib 3 locus conferring erythromycine sensitivity/resistance - O^R/O^R Allelic forms of the oli 1 locus conferring oligomycin sensitivity/resistance - P^S/P^R Allelic forms of the par 1 locus conferring paromomycine sensitivity/resistance - D^S/D^R Allelic forms of the diu 1 or diu 2 loci conferring diuron sensitivity/resistance - C^S/C^R Allelic forms of the mitochondrial locus - ⁺ grande or respiratory competent cells - ^– petite or cytoplasmic respiratory deficient cells     

A model of associative memory in the brain

A model of associative memory for time varying spatial patterns is proposed and simulated on a digital computer. This is a network composed of many neuron-like elements, and shows an ability for associative memory similar to that of the brain.Suppose a number of sequences of spatial patterns are presented to this network, for example, 12345, ABC, and so on. Then, these patterns are memorized in the network. After that, if any part of one of these sequences, say 23, is presented to the circuit, the rest of the sequence, 45, is recalled following to it. It resembles to such a situation — if we hear a part of a melody which we have memorized in the past, the rest of the melody is recalled even after it is stopped half-way. Although the recalled patterns are not always 100% correct, they are not completely destroyed even if the presented patterns are imperfect.     

Localization of Transforming Growth Factor β in Association with Neuromuscular Junctions in Adult Human Muscle

Transforming growth factors- 1, 2, and 3 are known for their regulatory function in embryogenesis, fibrogenesis, and tissue repair of different cell types. A trophic function of TGF- subclasses for motoneurons has been shown in vitro. TGF- 1 is a potent survival factor for cultured embryonic rat motoneurons. In addition, TGF- 1 stimulates proliferation of rat Schwann cells. Recently, TGF- 2 has been reported to be associated with the subsynaptic nuclei of mature rat neuromuscular junctions. In this study, we investigated the expression of TGF- 1, 2, and 3 at neuromuscular junctions in skeletal muscle of 11 adults without neuromuscular disease. On muscle biopsies, neuromuscular junctions were depicted by acetylcholine esterase reaction and acetylcholine receptor antibodies. TGF- 1, 2, and 3 were stained immunohistochemically with monoclonal antibodies. Some muscle fibers showed low levels of inhomogeneous immunoreactivity for both TGF- 1 and TGF- 3. Intense immunoreactivity of TGF- 1 and 3 was shown at the postsynaptic area of neuromuscular junctions. TGF- 2 was expressed in the same subcellular distribution, but less strongly. In conclusion, the colocalization of TGF- with neuromuscular junctions may suggest a significant function in neuromuscular communication.     

Conservation and chromosomal localization of DNA satellites in balenopterid whales

DNA satellites were isolated from three balenopterid species, viz. the minke, sei, and fin whales. In each of them at least two DNA satellites were recognizable with buoyant densities in neutral CsCl of =1.702/1.703 and =1.710/1.711, respectively. cRNAs from each satellite group were used for filter and in situ hybridisations. Homo- and heterologous DNA-cRNA hybrids within each satellite group yielded virtually identical melting curve profiles showing conservation of at least a considerable part of the DNA satellite sequences. There was no evident sequence homology between the =1.702/1.703 and the =1.710/1.711 satellites by filter hybridisation. — The in situ hybridisation showed that in each species the =1.702/1.703 satellite was located in centromeric-paracentromeric C-bands in a few pairs, whereas the =1.710/1.711 satellite was located in terminal C-bands throughout the karyotypes. — The data on the whale DNA satellites indicate that the quantitative evolution of the satellite DNA sequences preceded species divergence of the balenopterids and that the satellite sequences have remained relatively unaltered since the divergence took place. The function of satellite DNA is considered to imply the introduction of both chromosomal and genic polymorphisms and thus being of great importance in speciation. Based upon these concepts a model is postulated for the function of satellite DNA. According to this model at meiotic pairing euchromatin-heterochromatin overlapping between homologous chromosomes is considered to be of a general occurrence. This overlapping is presumed to be accentuated by the size heteromorphism frequently observed between homologous heterochromatic segments (C-bands). In the region of such euchromatin-heterochromatin overlapping, crossing-over would be excluded. The overlapping is suggested to be rectified progressively in the chromosome arms, leaving unaffected crossing-over distant to the euchromatin-heterochromatin junctions. The consequence of this will be that genes in the proximity of the junctions are collectively inherited and selected, whereas genes distant to the heterochromatin will be independently assorted and selected.     

Large scale preparation of PA-oligosaccharides from glycoproteins using an improved extraction method

We have developed a new method for the large scale preparation of pyridylaminated (PA-) oligosaccharides from glycoproteins. Phenol/chloroform extration was adapted for the removal of protein and excess 2-aminopyridine, improving the efficiency of preparation. From a 2.5 g sample of human apo-transferrin, 25–30 mol of agalacto biantennary PA-oligosaccharide could be obtained. By increasing the concentration of PA-oligosaccharide substrate, we were able to detect a very low level ofN-acetylglucosaminlytransferase IV activity in CHO cell extracts.Abbreviations PA 2-aminopyridine - SDS sodium dodecyl sulfate - GlcNAc N-acetylglucosamine - GnT N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase - Gn,Gn-bi-PA GlcNAc1-2Man1-3(GlcNAc1-2Man1-6)Man1-4GlcNAc1-4GlcNAc-2-aminopyridine - Gn,Gn,Gn-tri-PA GlcNAc1-2(GlcNAc1-4)Man1-3(GlcNAc1-2Man1-6)Man1-4GlcNAc1-4GlcNAc-2-aminopyridine - Gn,Gn,Gn-trí-PA GlcNAc1-2Man1-3({GlcNAc1-2(GlcNAc1-6)Man1-6})Man1-4GlcNac1-4GlcNAc-2-aminopyridine - Gn,(Gn),Gn-bi-PA GlcNAc1-2Man1-3(GlcNAc1-4)(GlcNAc1-2Man1-6)Man1-4GlcNAc1-4GlcNAc-2-aminopyridine     

We Do Not Dream of the 3 R's: Implications for the Nature of Dreaming Mentation

This report examines the extent to which dream recall involves the 3 R's (reading, writing, and arithmetic). Two separate studies were done. In the first study, two scorers rated, on a blind basis, a total of 456 written dream reports, available from five previous studies. There was perfect agreement between the two scorers. They agreed that there were no instances of reading, no instances of writing, and one instance of probable calculating in the 456 dreams. The second study was a questionnaire survey. Complete responses were obtained from 240 frequent dreamers (who reported remembering a mean of seven dreams per week). The study examined in two ways the frequency of the 3 R's in their recalled dreams. First, in answer to direct questions as to how frequently they dreamt about each activity, roughly 90% of the respondents reported that they never or hardly ever dreamt about each of four activities: reading, writing, typing, and calculating. In answers to other questions, this group reported spending a mean of six hours per day engaged in these activities. Second, responses as to the relative prominence of six activities (walking, writing, talking with friends, reading, sexual activity, typing) in dreaming versus waking produced two clear groupings of activities. Walking, talking with friends, and sexual activity were each rated almost as prominent in dreaming as in waking whereas the second group consisting of writing, reading, and typing were rated as far more prominent in waking than in dreaming. The two activity groups differed at p < .0001. Thus, the 3 R's appear to occur very infrequently in dreams. These findings are placed in a theoretical frame which suggests that dreaming (compared to waking) deals very little with serial activities characterized by input—rapid-processing—output in which the neural nets function in a feed-forward mode. Rather, dreaming may be characterized by relatively broad or loose connection making in which the nets function more in an autoassociative mode.