Intraspecific variation of spectral sensitivity in threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) from different photic regimes

To examine the influence of the spectral characteristics of underwater light on spectral sensitivity of the ON and OFF visual pathways, compound action potential recordings were made from retinal ganglion cells of threespine stickleback from different photic regimes. In fish from a red-shifted photic regime (P₅₀ 680 nm for downwelling light at 1m), peak sensitivity of both the ON and OFF pathways was limited to long wavelength light (_max 600–620). In contrast, the ON pathway of fish from a comparatively blue-shifted (P₅₀ 566 nm) photic regime exhibited sensitivity to medium (_max 540–560) and long (_max 600 nm) wavelengths, while the OFF pathway exhibited peak sensitivity to only medium (_max 540 nm) wavelength light. In a third population, where the the ambient light is moderately red-shifted (P₅₀ 629 nm), the ON pathway once again exhibited only a long wavelength sensitivity peak at 620 nm, while the OFF pathway exhibited sensitivity to both medium (_max 560 nm) and long (_max 600–620 nm) wavelength light. These findings suggest that the photic environment plays an integral role in shaping spectral sensitivity of the ON and OFF pathways.     

Genetic control of chalcone isomerase activity in anthers of Petunia hybrida

The gene Po in pollen of Petunia hybrida Vilm. controls a discrete step in flavonoid biosynthesis. In recessive genotypes, naringenin-chalcone (4, 2,4,6-tetrahydroxychalcone) is accumulated, whereas, under the influence of the wild-type allele flavonols and anthocyanins are formed. Enzymic investigations on anthers of four genetically defined lines with different pollen colouration revealed a clear correlation between accumulation of naringenin-chalcone and deficiency of chalcone isomerase (EC 5.5.1.6). The results allow the conclusion that chalcone is the first product of the flavanone synthase reaction in anthers of Petunia hybrida and that chalcone isomerase is essential for the formation of flavonols and anthocyanins. These results were similar to those previously obtained with Callistephus chinensis (L.) Nees.Abbreviations EGME ethylen glycol monomethyl ether - MeOH methanol - CI chalcone isomerase - HOAc acetic acid - TLC thinlayer chromatography     

Differential response of DPI-modified cardiac Na+ channels to antiarrhythmic drugs: No flicker blockade by lidocaine

Summary Elementary Na⁺ currents were recorded in cell attached patches from short-time cultured neonatal cardiocytes in order to test the hypothesis whether the open state of DPI-modified, noninactivating cardiac Na⁺ channels is basically sensitive to blocking drug molecules such as antiarrhythmics.Lidocaine (300 mol/liter) effectively reduced the open probability of cardiac Na⁺ channels and, at a stimulation rate of 1 Hz, depressed the reconstructed macroscopic peak I _Na to 40+ 3.5% of the predrug value. The same drug concentration failed to influence DPI-modified Na⁺ channels. Their open state proved almost insensitive to lidocaine. _open decreased only slightly to 85 ±2%. Still more importantly, the number of transitions between the conducting and a nonconducting configuration did not increase. At –40 mV, lidocaine may interfere with the open state with an association rate constant of 1.3×10⁵ mol^–1sec^–1 which is about two orders of magnitude smaller than the rate constant obtained with propafenone or prajmalium. Moreover, propafenone (10–20 mol/liter) or prajmalium (30 mol/liter) led to a tremendous increase in the number of transitions between the open and a nonconducting configuration. Lidocaine also failed to evoke a fast flicker blockade with reaction kinetics in the microsecond range.It is concluded that DPI-modified cardiac Na⁺ channels discriminate between lidocaine and other antiarrhythmic drugs. As a tentative explanation, this might be indicative for multiple binding sites for those drugs in cardiac Na⁺ channels.This work was supported by a grant from the Deutsche Forschungs-gemeinschagt (Ko 778/2–3), Bonn.     

The Exact Distribution of the Anderson-Kannemann Statistic

The Anderson-Kannemann test is a rank test for treatment effects in a randomized block design with K treatments and N blocks. In this paper, an algorithm for computing the exact distribution of the Anderson-Kannemann test statistic under the null hypothesis is deduced. Then, the exact distribution is compared with the asymptotic χ²-distribution, and it is shown that the exact distribution is approximated fairly well by the asymptotic distribution. Tables of the exact distribution are given for K = 3, N = 3(1)15; K = 4, N = 3(1)11; K = 5, N = 3(1)7; and K = 6, N = 3(1)5.     

不同肝血流阻断方式肝切除手术对原发性肝癌合并肝硬化患者肝功能及肠黏膜屏障的影响

目的:探讨肝切除手术运用Pringle法阻断、半肝血流阻断(HVC)后对原发性肝癌合并肝硬化患者肝功能及肠黏膜屏障的影响。方法:选取2016年4月～2019年9月期间我院收治的原发性肝癌合并肝硬化患者93例,根据随机数字表法将患者分为A组(n=46,Pringle法阻断)和B组(n=47,HVC),比较两组患者围术期指标、肝功能指标[谷丙转氨酶(ALT)、谷草转氨酶(AST)以及总胆红素(TBIL)]、肠黏膜屏障指标[D-乳酸,内毒素]及并发症发生情况。结果:两组阻断时间、术中失血量、手术时间比较无差异(P0.05);B组住院时间短于A组(P0.05)。两组术前、术后3 d、术后7 d ALT、AST、TBIL呈升高后降低趋势,且B组低于A组(P0.05)。两组患者术后并发症发生率比较无差异(P0.05)。两组术前、术后3 d、术后7dD-乳酸、内毒素呈升高后降低趋势,且B组低于A组(P0.05)。结论:与Pringle法阻断相比,原发性肝癌合并肝硬化患者在肝切除手术中运用HVC,可有效缩短住院时间,减轻肝功能及肠黏膜屏障损害,且不增加并发症发生率,临床应用价值较高。     

Mammalian egg coat modifications and the block to polyspermy

Fertilization by more than one sperm causes polyploidy, a condition that is generally lethal to the embryo in the majority of animal species. To prevent this occurrence, eggs have developed a series of mechanisms that block polyspermy at the level of the plasma membrane or their extracellular coat. In this review, we first introduce the mammalian egg coat, the zona pellucida (ZP), and summarize what is currently known about its composition, structure, and biological functions. We then describe how this specialized extracellular matrix is modified by the contents of cortical granules (CG), secretory organelles that are exocytosed by the egg after gamete fusion. This process releases proteases, glycosidases, lectins and zinc onto the ZP, resulting in a series of changes in the properties of the egg coat that are collectively referred to as hardening. By drawing parallels with comparable modifications of the vitelline envelope of nonmammalian eggs, we discuss how CG‐dependent modifications of the ZP are thought to contribute to the block to polyspermy. Moreover, we argue for the importance of obtaining more information on the architecture of the ZP, as well as systematically investigating the many facets of ZP hardening.     

Ion channels and signaling pathways used in the fast polyspermy block

Fertilization of an egg by multiple sperms, polyspermy, is lethal to most sexually reproducing species. To combat the entry of additional sperm into already fertilized eggs, organisms have developed various polyspermy blocks. One such barrier, the fast polyspermy block, uses a fertilization‐activated depolarization of the egg membrane to electrically inhibit supernumerary sperm from entering the egg. The fast block is commonly used by eggs of oviparous animals with external fertilization. In this review, we discuss the history of the fast block discovery, as well as general features shared by all organisms that use this polyspermy block. Given the diversity of habitats of external fertilizers, the fine details of the fast block‐signaling pathways differ drastically between species, including the identity of the depolarizing ions. We highlight the known molecular mediators of these signaling pathways in amphibians and echinoderms, with a fine focus on ion channels that signal these fertilization‐evoked depolarizations. We also discuss the investigation for a fast polyspermy block in mammals and teleost fish, and we outline potential fast block triggers. Since the first electrical recordings made on eggs in the 1950s, the fields of developmental biology and electrophysiology have substantially matured, and yet we are only now beginning to discern the intricate molecular mechanisms regulating the fast block to polyspermy.     

Physiological polyspermy: Selection of a sperm nucleus for the development of diploid genomes in amphibians

The union between a sperm and an egg nucleus in egg fertilization is necessary to mix genetic materials to create a new diploid genome for the next generation. In most animals, only one sperm is incorporated into the egg (monospermy), but several animals exhibit physiological polyspermy in which several sperms enter the egg during normal fertilization. However, only one sperm nucleus forms the zygote nucleus with the egg nucleus, even in a polyspermic egg. The cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in the selection of sperm nuclei in the egg cytoplasm have been well investigated in urodele amphibians. The principal sperm nucleus develops a larger sperm aster and contacts the egg nucleus to form a zygote nucleus, whereas other accessory sperm nuclei are unable to approach the egg nucleus. The diploid zygote nucleus induces cleavage and participates in embryonic development, whereas the accessory sperm nuclei undergo pyknosis and degenerate. We propose several models to account for the mechanisms of the selection of one sperm nucleus and the degeneration of accessory sperm nuclei. The roles of physiological polyspermy in animal reproduction are discussed by comparison with other polyspermic species.