Dehydroisoandrosterone prevention of autoimmune disease in NZB/W F1 mice: lack of an effect on associated immunological abnormalities

The effect of dietary dehydroisoandrosterone (DHA) on several immunological abnormalities associated with the development of systemic lupus erythematosus in New Zealand Black/New Zealand White F1 (NZB/W) female mice was examined. Despite the extraordinary benefits in prolonged survival and decreased synthesis of antibodies to double-stranded DNA obtained by adding DHA (0.4% w/v) to the diet fed to these mice (Lucas et al. (1985) J. Clin. Invest. 75, 2091-2093), remarkably small changes in the chemistry and function of the immune system were detected. DHA prevented the increases in spleen mass and in peritoneal cell number which occur with age in NZB/W female mice, but did not prevent the development of hypergammaglobulinemia. DHA did not affect peritoneal macrophage functions as measured by the phagocytosis of opsonized and non-opsonized sheep erythrocytes, or the zymosan-stimulated release of PGE2, 6-ketoPGF1 alpha, TXB2 and LTC4. In spleen, DHA delayed the loss of T-cell mitogenic responses until 5.5 months of age, but did not alter the spleen lymphocyte population.     

Limnology of naturally acidic,oligotrophic dune lakes in subtropical Australia,including chlorophyll — phosphorus relationships

This study provides the most comprehensive physico-chemical and phytoplankton data yet available for Australian dune lakes, which are among the world's most naturally acidic and oligotrophic freshwaters. Seasonal and spatial variations were examined in Blue Lagoon and Lake Freshwater, two ‘water-table window’ lakes in south-east Queensland. Like other dune lakes, they are acidic (minimum pH 4.20 and 4.55, respectively), polymictic water bodies with low concentrations of marine-derived major ions and almost undetectable levels of trace metals. While linmologically similar in winter, during spring-summer Lake Freshwater has significantly higher levels of chlorophyll-a, total phosphorus (TP) and turbidity than Blue Lagoon and other dune lakes, indicating seasonal mesotrophy. The key nutrient is TP, which has recently increased to a maximum of 17 μ· l⁻¹, due either to inputs from recreational sources, or to the death and decomposition of littoral vegetation resulting from falling water levels over the last decade. Inorganic nitrogen, though present only in small amounts, does not appear to limit the eutrophication process because of a shift in phytoplankton dominance from the usual desmids and dinoflagellates to N₂-fixing blue-green algae. A chlorophyll - TP linear regression derived for dune lakes indicates that at TP < 20 μg · l⁻¹ chlorophyll ‘yield’ is higher than in other lake types represented by regressions from the literature. This may be due to a more efficient utilization of the limited available phosphorus by dune lake algae which have adapted to the naturally oligotrophic environment. The implications of these findings for lake management are discussed.     

Assignment of cathepsin E (CTSE) to human chromosome region 1q31 by in situ hybridization and analysis of somatic cell hybrids

A full length cathepsin E (CTSE) cDNA clone was used to assign the corresponding gene to human chromosome region 1q31 by in situ hybridization. Southern blot analysis of DNA from three independent human x rodent somatic cell hybrids containing X;1 translocations confirmed the assignment of the CTSE gene to the distal region of the long arm of chromosome 1.     

Chlamydosporol,a new metabolite from Fusarium chlamydosporum

Extracts of rice on which an isolate of Fusarium chlamydosporum had been cultured were toxic to brine shrimps. The toxic fraction was purified by flash chromatography to give two compounds which were identified by UV, IR, NMR and mass spectroscopy at the 6 and 6 isomers of 5-hydroxy-4-methoxy-6, 8a-dimethyl-6,7-dihydro-2H,8aH-pyrano[2,3-b]pyran-2-one. These lactones for which the name chlamydosporol is proposed have not been reported previously. When tested in brine shrimp and HeLa cell assays, the LC₅₀ concentration for a mixture of the isomers was approximately 400 g/ml in both systems.     

Proportionality of ELF electric field-induced growth inhibition to induced membrane potential inZea mays andVicia faba roots

Summary The postulate that 60-Hz electric field-induced bioeffect severity is proportional to induced transmembrane potential [ ] magnitude was tested and supported using a plant root model cell system. Statistically significant correlations were obtained upon regression of the relative rates of exposedVicia faba andZea mays root segment growth on the average (calculated) arising in those segments under specified 60 Hz field exposure conditions. The associated with the apparent threshold for growth inhibition was similar inZea andVicia roots (2.5 vs 2.4 mV, respectively). At greater than this threshold,Zea root growth declined by about 9% per mV, andVicia root growth by about 19% per mV induced potential.Abbreviations EF electric field - RGR relative growth rate - RSGR relative segmental growth rate - induced membrane potential - segmental-average induced membrane potential - VC _d region of root tip in which a complete, nascent vascular cylinder is first distinguishable in histological sections     

Intrinsic potential for high fetal hemoglobin production in a Druze family with β-thalassemia is due to an unlinked genetic determinant

Summary The mechanism for elevated production of fetal hemoglobin (Hb F) in a Druze patient with °-thalassemia intermedia was investigated. Heterozygous family members exhibited normal Hb F levels, suggesting that the increase in -gene expression in the propositus may be partly due to anemic stress. Erythroid progenitors of these family members cultured in vitro [burst forming units (erythroid); (BFUe)] showed elevated synthesis of Hb F, indicating the existence of a genetically determined intrinsic capacity for high Hb F production in this family. The propositus was found to be homozygous for a IVS2-position 1 mutation, on the background of Mediterranean haplotype I, which is not known to be linked to high Hb F production. Moreover, extensive molecular studies of the -globin gene cluster, including sequence analysis of the promoter regions of the -globin genes, did not reveal any cisacting mechanism that could account for the high Hb F production in the propositus. A young niece of the propositus with °-thalassemia major was recently discovered, who was homozygous for the same -globin allele and haplotype as the propositus. However, unlike her uncle, she does not have a high Hb F level and presents with a severe clinical course. Her inability to produce high Hb F suggests that the genetic determinant for increased -gene expression in the propositus is unlinked to the -globin gene cluster.     

Ultrastructure of pericytes in early stages of histamine-induced inflammation

Physiological and ultrastructural assessment of changes in the walls of venules in the rat cremaster muscle after administration of histamine indicates that pericytes have essential roles in the normal functioning of venules during inflammation. Fluorescein-labelled albumin was used to quantitate macromolecular leakage and to select suitable venules for ultrastructural analysis 4 and 7 minutes after addition of histamine. Pericytes were concentrated over endothelial cell junctions and gaps. At 4 minutes, when albumin leakage was becoming detectable, gaps between endothelial cells were observed in the venule wall. In 24 serially sectioned gaps, pericytes formed covers, with contact points to the endothelial cells along the sides of the gaps. At 7 minutes, when albumin leakage was maximal, gaps with pericyte covers were still evident, but more commonly observed were pericyte covers over closed endothelial cell junctions. Spaces between the innermost pericytes and endothelial cells were enlarged by an order of magnitude, from 95 nm in controls to 872 nm at 4 minutes and 958 nm at 7 minutes. Pericytes formed coverings or bridges over inclusions of extravasated cells, fluid, proteins, and the vascular label monastral blue. The data indicate that pericytes protect the endothelial lining of venules during histamine-induced inflammation by forming a cohesive covering across gaps.     

Summer feeding ecology of harp seals (Phoca groenlandica) in relation to arctic cod (Boreogadus saida) in the Canadian high arctic

Summary The diet and feeding behaviour of harp seals, Phoca groenlandica, was examined in two high arctic locations. Fish otoliths were used to evaluate dietary composition and aspects of the population dynamics of the major prey species, arctic cod, Boreogadus saida. Harp seals, primarily adults, arrive in the high arctic in mid to late June and depart by early October. Their migration is undertaken specifically for feeding. Harp seals feed intensively on arctic cod, often occurring in dense multispecies aggregations in late summer. The average weight of harp seal stomach contents was high; glutted individuals contained as much as 6% of their body weight in food. Although arctic cod declined in abundance between years, size of cod ingested was similar between areas and years, and overlapped completely with cod taken by other marine mammals. Age/size segregation of arctic cod may account for poor representation of fish <3 years old in the seal diet. Widespread reproductive failure of arctic cod could have a profound influence on the energy balance of adult harp seals since there does not appear to be an alternate food source of equivalent energy value and abundance in arctic waters. Increasing harp seal populations will likely result in increased competition with a host of arctic cod predators, particularly ringed seals.