Bradykinin Stimulates Phosphoinositide Hydrolysis and Mobilization of Arachidonic Acid in Dorsal Root Ganglion Neurons

Cultures of fetal rat dorsal root ganglion neurons (7 days in culture) were prelabeled with myo-[3H]inositol or [3H]arachidonic acid for 24 h and stimulated with 10 microM bradykinin for time intervals of 5-300 s. The incubation was terminated by addition of 5% perchloric acid to extract inositol phosphates or organic solvent to extract lipids. Inositol phosphates were resolved by anion-exchange HPLC; lipids were resolved by TLC. Bradykinin stimulation resulted in a 10-fold increased accumulation of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) and inositol bisphosphate (IP2) (fivefold) by 5 s. The increase in IP3 was transient (half maximal by 1 min), whereas stimulated IP2 levels were sustained for several minutes. Even longer term increases were observed in inositol monophosphate. Stimulation also resulted in a threefold increase in arachidonic acid which was preceded by transient increases in diacylglycerol (twofold) and arachidonoyl-monoacylglycerol (threefold). The temporal lag in the accumulation of arachidonic acid with respect to diglyceride and monoglyceride suggested the involvement of di- and monoglyceride lipases in arachidonic acid mobilization. A role for phospholipase A2 is also possible, because pretreatment of cultures with quinacrine partially blocked arachidonic acid release. Bradykinin-stimulated arachidonic acid release was decreased in the presence of calcium channel blockers nifedipine or verapamil (50 microM), or EDTA (2.5 mM). The role of calcium was verified further in that accumulation of phosphatidic acid, diacylglycerol, and arachidonic acid was maximally stimulated by treatment with the calcium ionophore A23187 (20 microM).     

Determination of mercury in human serum and packed blood cells by neutron activation analysis

A method is described for the determination of mercury in human blood serum and packed blood cells employing neutron activation analysis. Great attention was devoted to the collection and manipulation of the samples. The accuracy and precision of the method were tested by analyzing biological reference materials and by comparing the concentrations measured in a number of serum samples to those obtained by another, independent technique (cold vapor atomic absorption spectrometry) in the same samples. The article reports the levels measured in blood serum and packed blood cells samples from 15 adult volunteers, as well as the figures determined in a “second-generation” biological reference material (freeze-dried human serum), prepared and conditioned at the University of Ghent.     

Ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase in algae: synthesis,enzymology and evolution

Studies demonstrating differences in chloroplast structure and biochemistry have been used to formulate hypotheses concerning the origin of algal plastids. Genetic and biochemical experiments indicate that significant variation occurs in ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase (Rubisco) when supertaxa of eukaryotic algae are compared. These differences include variations in the organelle location of the genes and their arrangement, mechanism of Rubisco synthesis, polypeptide immunological reactivity and sequence, as well as efficacy of substrate (ribulose bisphosphate and CO₂) binding and inhibitor (6-phosphogluconate) action. The structure-function relationships observed among chromophytic, rhodophytic, chlorophytic and prokaryotic Rubisco demonstrate that: (a) similarities among chromophytic and rhodophytic Rubisco exist in substrate/inhibitor binding and polypeptide sequence, (b) characteristic differences in enzyme kinetics and subunit polypeptide structure occur among chlorophytes, prokaryotes and chromophytes/rhodophytes, and (c) there is structural variability among chlorophytic plant small subunit polypeptides, in contrast to the conservation of this polypeptide in chromophytes and rhodophytes. Taxa-specific differences among algal Rubisco enzymes most likely reflect the evolutionary history of the plastid, the functional requirements of each polypeptide, and the consequences of encoding the large and small subunit genes in the same or different organelles.     

ALLOZYME DIVERSITY AND GENETIC IDENTITY IN SCHIEDEA AND ALSINIDENDRON (CARYOPHYLLACEAE: ALSINOIDEAE) IN THE HAWAIIAN ISLANDS

Genetic diversity of allozymes, genetic identity based on allozyme variability, and phylogenetic relationships were studied with respect to breeding system diversity, population size, and island age in 20 of the 29 species of Schiedea and Alsinidendron (Caryophyllaceae: Alsinoideae), a monophyletic lineage endemic to the Hawaiian Islands. Average levels of genetic variability in Schiedea and Alsinidendron were comparable to or higher than those found in other Hawaiian lineages for which equivalent data are available [Bidens, Tetramolopium, and the silversword alliance (Asteraceae: Madiinae)] and similar to average values for species of dicots. Allozyme variability was strongly dependent on breeding system, which varies widely in the Hawaiian Alsinoideae. Species with autogamous breeding systems showed very low variability, measured as the number of alleles per locus, percent polymorphic loci, and mean heterozygosity per locus. Outcrossing hermaphroditic and dimorphic species (those with gynodioecious, subdioecious, and dioecious breeding systems) showed significantly higher genetic variability. Small population size was associated with lower values for all measures of genetic variability. Nearly half of the species occurring in small populations are also autogamous; thus, both factors may have influenced levels of genetic variability in these species. Founder effect was apparent in one species (Schiedea adamantis), which occurs in a single large population, has a gynodioecious breeding system but a very low genetic variability. Island age appeared to have little effect on genetic variability. Slightly lower values of genetic variability for species occurring on Kaua'i and O'ahu result primarily from the occurrence of autogamous Alsinidendron species on those islands. Values for Nei's genetic identity for different species pairs were 0.201–0.942, a far greater range than in Bidens, the silversword alliance, and Tetramolopium. Using UPGMA clustering, there was only moderate support for relationships detected through cladistic analysis. Nei's unbiased genetic identity (I) was greatest among species with outcrossing breeding systems, which for the most part clustered together. Nei's genetic identities for self-fertilizing species were low, indicating that these species are less similar to one another and to outcrossing species, regardless of their affinities based on cladistic analysis. Parsimony analysis of allele frequency data supported two clades also found in phylogenetic analyses using morphological and molecular data. Clades recognized in parsimony analysis of allele frequencies were those lineages containing selfing species, indicating that conditions favoring fixation of alleles occurred in ancestral species. In contrast, maintenance of high genetic diversity in outcrossing species interferes with recognition of phylogenetic relationships using allozyme variability.     

Variations of behavioural patterns during development in the water stick insect

Variations of associations between different behavioural patterns were analysed during post-embryonic development in the water stick insect,Ranatra linearis L. (Heteroptera: Nepidae). Behavioural patterns recorded were: quiescence, swimming, crawling, leg waving, body swaying, respiratory ascents breathing, respiratory descents, grooming and feeding activities (predatory attempts, foreleg movements, ingestion). A factorial analysis of correspondance stressed the contrast between the organization of larval behaviour and that of adult behaviour. No behavioural patterns were dropped from the repertoire during post-embryonic development ofRanatra linearis and no new patterns developed in adults outside the reproductive period. Larval behaviour was characterized by more frequent respiratory activities and grooming and adult behaviour was characterized by more frequent locomotory activities. At all larval stages grooming was associated with respiratory activities and crawling, but not with feeding activities.     

Liver and intestinal fatty acid binding proteins in control and TGFβ1 gene targeted deficient mice

The effect of transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF1) expression on fatty acid binding proteins was examined in control and two strains of gene targeted TGF1-deficient mice. Homozygous TGF1-deficient 129 × CF-1, expressing multifocal inflammatory syndrome, had 25% less liver fatty acid binding protein (L-FABP) when compared to control mice. The decrease in L-FABP expression was not due to multifocal inflammatory syndrome since homozygous TGF1-deficient/immunodeficient C3H mice on a SLID background had 36% lower liver L-FABP than controls. This effect was developmentally related and specific to liver, but not the proximal intestine, where L-FABP is also expressed. Finally, the proximal intestine also expresses intestinal-FABP (1-FABP) which decreased 3-fold in the TGF1-deficient/immunodeficient C3H mice only. Thus, TGF1 appears to regulate the expression of L-FABP and I-FABP in the liver and the proximal intestine, respectively.Abbreviations L-FABP liver fatty acid binding protein - I-FABP intestinal fatty acid binding protein - TGF1 transforming growth factor beta-1 - TNF- tumor necrosis factor- - MIP- macrophage inflammatory protein- - PMSF phenylmethyl sulfonyl fluoride - PBS phosphate buffered saline     

The sporophyte-gametophyte junction in the moss Acaulon muticum (Pottiaceae): EARLY STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT

The sporophyte-gametophyte junction in Acaulon muticum is composed of the sporophyte foot, the surrounding gametophyte vaginula, and an intervening placental space. At an early stage of development the foot has a large basal cell, characterized by extensive wall ingrowths beginning at the lowermost tip of the basal cell and extending along its tangential walls. Sporophyte cells in contact with the basal cell develop ingrowths on their outer tangential walls and on radial walls in contact with the basal cell. All sporophyte cells at this stage are characterized by numerous mitochondria, strands of endoplasmic reticulum, and dictyosomes, particularly in the cytoplasm adjacent to areas of extensive wall development. Plastids typically contain abundant starch reserves. As development proceeds, wall ingrowths become more extensive on all walls in the sporophyte foot but are never found on the upper wall of the basal cell in contact with the remainder of the sporophyte. Plastids in the foot contain fewer starch reserves later in development. Wall ingrowths are not visible in the cells of the gametophyte vaginula until well after extensive development has occurred in the sporophyte foot. Stacks or layers of endoplasmic reticulum are characteristic of the cells of the gametophyte vaginula, along with numerous mitochondria, dictyosomes, and well-developed plastids. Starch reserves typically are less abundant in cells of the gametophyte. The early development of extensive wall elaborations in the cells of the sporophyte foot, and particularly in the basal cell, may favor the rapid movement of water and nutrients from the gametophyte into the sporophyte at a time when rapid development in this minute, ephemeral moss is critical.     

BC,Ontario taking different routes in trying to lower drug costs

Changes to pharmacare programs in British Columbia and Ontario were compared during a recent Toronto conference on the business aspects of Canadian health care. The brunt of the changes in BC are being borne by pharmaceutical companies and prescribers, while in Ontario the new program affects those who receive free drugs from the province and People and groups that rely on private health insurance.     

Hand dominance and bilateral asymmetry in the structure of the second metacarpal

Bilateral asymmetry in the structure of the second metacarpal was examined in relation to functional hand dominance in a large, clinically nonselected, healthy population sample from the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging. Bilateral bone measurements were made from anteroposterior hand radiographs of a total of 992 individuals, 609 males and 383 females, with an age range of 19–94 years. Hand dominance was determined on the basis of personal impression. Total width and medullary width at the midshaft of the second metacarpal were measured to 0.05 mm using a Helios caliper. These two measurements were used to derive cortical thickness, cortical bone area, periosteal (total) area, medullary area, percent cortical area, and the second moment of area in the mediolateral plane. In both right and left-handed individuals, statistically significant side differences were found in the calculated bone areas and the second moment of area, with the dominant hand being larger. Cortical thickness did not show significant side-related differences for either handedness. These results show that functional handedness leads to periosteal and endosteal expansion of the second metacarpal cortex on the dominant side, increasing bone strength without increasing cortical thickness. This is the first time this pattern of asymmetry has been reported in left-handers as well as right-handers. Our results argue for the primacy of environmental (mechanical) effects in determining bilateral asymmetry of limb bone structural properties. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.