Preparation of isolated liver endothelial cells and Kupffer cells in high yield by means of an enterotoxin

A new method for preparing non-parenchymal rat liver cells (NPC) is described. The liver cell suspension, prepared by perfusing the liver with collagenase, was treated with enterotoxin from Clostridium perfringens for 15 min. The enterotoxin made the parenchymal cells leaky, and these cells could be separated from the NPC by centrifugation in a solution containing Nycodenz (20%, w/v). During the centrifugation, the NPC floated, while the parenchymal cells sedimented. The yield of NPC per liver (200 g rat) was about 250 X 10(6) cells. The NPC were further separated into endothelial cells, Kupffer cells and stellate cells by centrifugal elutriation. This method was particularly useful for preparing endothelial cells in high yield (100 X 10(6) cells per liver). Intravenously injected formaldehyde-treated albumin was selectively taken up by the endothelial cells. Isolated endothelial cells in suspension as well as in surface culture maintained their ability to endocytose this ligand.     

Lipid composition of the peripheral nerves in malnutrition: an experimental study in young rhesus monkeys

An experimental model of protein calorie malnutrition (PCM) was created in young rhesus monkeys. Ulnar and tibial nerves from six monkeys with PCM, six rehabilitated and 12 control monkeys were studied for lipid composition and activity of myelin marker enzyme. Total lipids, myelin marker lipids and activity of myelin marker enzyme, 2', 3'-cyclic nucleotide 3' - phosphohydrolase were decreased, while esterified cholesterol and free fatty acids were increased in PCM as compared to controls. There was partial recovery in myelin marker lipids and complete restoration of other lipids on nutritional rehabilitation.     

Intragroup agonistic behavior in captive groups of the common marmosetCallithrix jacchus jacchus

Agonistic behavior was observed in five captive groups of the monogamous monkey Callithrix jacchus jacchus,which normally produces twin offspring every 5 months. Fighting is first recorded when twins are aged 5–10 months. These “twin fights” determine differences in status between combatants that can be detected 5 months later. From what is known of the social behavior of the species, it is postulated that an individual’s twin is its most serious rival and that early fighting is advantageous because injury is minimal while the animal retains its milk dentition. In contrast to twin fights, aggression between same-sex juveniles and adults does not involve long fights and probably serves to reinforce preexisting differences in status. It often results in forcing a group member to the periphery, and therefore, its main function may be to drive mature, same-sexed individuals out of the group. Apart from the relationship between twins, status within the family group is age related and not normally determined by aggression.     

Catalase activity and isozyme pattern of the metalloenzyme system, superoxide dismutase, as a function of leaf development during growth of Pisum sativum L. plants

The catalase activity and the isozyme pattern of the metalloenzyme system superoxide dismutase (SOD) have been determined in pea ( Pisum sativum L., cv, Lincoln) leaves of different ages (apical, middle and lower), during several stages of plant development. Pea seedlings were grown in full nutrient solution in a phytotron. Catalase activity was determined polarographically, and superoxide dismutase isozymes (Mn-SOD, Cu, Zn-SOD I and Cu, Zn-SOD II) were separated by acrylamide gel electrophoresis and their relative amounts quantified by densitonietry. The results indicate that the relative amounts of SOD isozymes are slightly different in leaves of different ages during plant growth and, interestingly, each molecular form of SOD shows a clearly distinct pattern during plant development. These changes in the relative percentages of SOD isozymes could be due to the induction of the distinct molecular forms of SOD by the metals Mn, Cu and Zn, translocated to the different leaves as a result of plant development. The relative percentage of the Mn-SOD isozyme showed a similar pattern to that of catalase activity, suggesting a possible link between these two metalloenzymes at subcellular level, both cooperating to remove the toxic effects of O^-₂ and H₂O₂.
An additional conclusion is that before a certain metalloenzyme can be used as a marker to assess the plant micronutrient status, it is essential to have a detalled study of its activity pattern in leaves of different age during plant development.     

Trypanosoma brucei: Maintenance of concentrated suspensions of bloodstream trypomastigotes in vitro using continuous dialysis for measurement of endocytosis

A continuous dialysis technique capable of maintaining concentrated suspensions of bloodstream Trypanosoma brucei (up to 4 × 10⁸/ml) at 25 C for 2 hr without loss of viability has been developed in order to measure endocytosis under controlled conditions in vitro. Using this technique, the kinetics and mechanism of uptake of the metabolically inert macromolecule, ¹²⁵I-labelled polyvinylpyrrolidone (¹²⁵I-PVP), have been investigated. Binding to the plasma membrane and the rate of uptake of ¹²⁵I-PVP from the extracellular medium by the trypanosome are both decreased by the addition of unlabelled PVP and human serum albumin. A mechanism for uptake of ¹²⁵I-PVP by a combination of fluid-phase and adsorptive endocytosis from the flagellar pocket of the trypanosome is proposed. In the presence of serum albumin and unlabelled PVP, endocytosis of ¹²⁵I-PVP occurs in the fluid phase only, with endocytic indices of 14.5 ± 0.9 and 54.1 ± 11.3 nl/hr/mg protein in vitro at 25 C and in vivo at 37 C, respectively.     

Effects of excess selenomethionine on selenium status indicators in pregnant long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis)

Forty pregnant long-tailed macaques were treated daily for 30 d with 0, 25, 150 or 300 μg selenium as L-selenomethionine/kg body weight. Erythrocyte and plasma selenium and glutathione peroxidase specific activities, hair and fecal selenium, and urinary selenium excretion were increased by and were linearly related to L-selenomethionine dose. Hair selenium was most sensitive to L-selenomethionine dose, with an 84-fold increase in the 300 μg selenium/(kg-d) group relative to controls (r=0.917). Daily urinary selenium excretion (80-fold,r=0.958), plasma selenium (22-fold,r=0.885), erythrocyte selenium (24-fold,r=0.920), and fecal selenium (18-fold,r=0.911) also responded strongly to L-selenomethionine. Erythrocyte and plasma glutathione peroxidase specific activities increased 154% and 69% over controls, respectively. Toxicity was associated with erythrocyte selenium >2.3 μg/mL, plasma selenium >2.8 μg/mL, and hair selenium >27 μg/g. Plasma, erythrocyte, and hair selenium concentrations may be useful for monitoring and preventing the toxicity of L-selenomethionine administered to humans in cancer chemoprevention trials.     

Interleukin 2 production in iron-deficient children

The relationship between iron status and capacity for IL-2 production by lymphocytes was assessed in 81 children from 6 mo to 3 yr of age selected at random from a population with low socioeconomic status, undergoing free systematic examination in four children's health centers in the Paris area. Iron deficiency was defined by the existence of at least two abnormal values among the three indicators of iron status: serum ferritin level ≤12 μg/L, transferrin saturation <12%, and erythrocyte protoporphyrin concentration >3 μg/g hemoglobin. According to this definition, 53 children were classified as iron deficient and 28 as iron sufficient. No differences were observed between the iron-deficient and iron-sufficient groups in terms of the IL-2 concentration without stimulation by PHA. IL-2 production by lymphocytes stimulated with PHA, as well as the stimulation index (ratio of IL-2 concentration following stimulation by PHA to that of IL-2 concentration without stimulation by PHA) were significantly lower in iron-deficient children. The reduction in IL-2 production by activated lymphocytes observed in our study of iron-deficient children may be responsible for impairments in immunity found by other authors, particularly in cell-mediated immunity.     

Cross-sectional growth of young Shipibo Indian children in eastern Peru

This paper reports measurements of weight and recumbent length for a cross-sectional sample of 149 Shipibo infants and children between birth and 35.99 months of age from eight villages in the Peruvian Amazon Basin. The Shipibo are an Amerindian population experiencing a period of local environmental disruption and rapid cultural change. Compared with the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) references values, Shipibo children are smaller and shorter than American children. The differences are least at birth. Deficits in linear growth begin between 3 and 6 months of age and continue through 35.99 months of age. Weight-for-length ratios are generally adequate compared to the NCHS values in all age groups. This pattern of growth is similar to that reported for non-Amerindians in many developing countries and is assumed to represent a pattern of growth under mild-to-moderate undernutrition. High infant mortality rates suggest that an interaction of suboptimal nutrition and infectious diseases is contributing to the pattern of growth retardation seen; however, genetic differences cannot yet be discounted.     

用胃壁标本评估中国狍和欧洲狍(Capreolus capreolus)的营养状况(英文)

通过测量12只中国狍(Capreolus capreolus bedfordi)瘤胃壁粘膜标本,作者测定了12只狍胃壁粘膜的表面扩张系数(SEF)。结果表明,中国狍胃壁粘膜的表面扩张系数与德国和波兰狍基本一致,说明中国狍的营养状况和生境的食物条件良好。     

Bibionids (Diptera: Bibionidae) in agricultural land: a review of damage, benefits, natural enemies and control

Records of crop damage caused by Bibionidae are reviewed together with evidence for their beneficial activities, natural enemies and control methods. Bibionids are sporadic and infrequent pests. Although grass and cereals are most vulnerable, a wide range of crops is attacked. Damage is most severe after grass or when plants are under stress. The presence of organic matter during oviposition increases the likelihood of damaging populations. Many natural enemies exist but their impact on adult or larval populations has not been quantified. Given the pattern of attacks and lack of approved insecticides, cultural control methods are more appropriate than chemical. The role of adult bibionids in pollination and of larvae involved in soil processes could be of greater importance than any damage caused by the group.