Mapping of the Glycoprotein 330 (Gp330) Gene to Mouse Chromosome 2

Glycoprotein 330 (Gp330) is a member of the low-density lipoprotein receptor gene family that is expressed in the kidney. We have mapped the Gp330 gene to mouse chromosome 2, 4.5 cM proximal to Acra, in an interspecific backcross of (C57BL/6J × Mus spretus) F1 × C57BL/6J.     

Evaluation of Biological and Chemical Treatments for Control of Crown Gall on Young Apple Trees in the Kootenay Valley of British Columbia

Field trials at Creston in 1988, 1989, and 1990 on silty loam soil naturally infested with Agrobacterium tumefaciens showed that Agrobacterium radiobacter strain K84 did not control crown gall on young Antonovka apple trees when apphed as a root-dip treatment. Copper oxychloride applied as a root-dip treatment at 2.5 and 5.0 g ai/1 and sewage sludge applied at 260 g per tree as broadcast were effective in reducing crown gall infection but these treatments were toxic to young apple trees in 1989. Lower rates of copper oxychloride, 0.3, 0.6 and 0.9 g ai/1, and sewage sludge at 130 g per tree, did not control crown gall in the 1990 field trial. The biological treatment with the strain AB8 of Bacillus subtilis applied as a root-dip effectively controlled crown gall and was not phytotoxic to young Antonovka apple trees. These results suggest that strain AB8 of B. subtilis has the potential to control crown gall on young apple trees under field conditions.     

Synaptic repression at crayfish neuromuscular junctions. II. Evidence for calcium involvement

The inability of synaptic junctions to generate normalsized postsynaptic potentials under normal physiological conditions was studied at crayfish neuromuscular synapses. Synaptic repression in the superficial flexor muscle system of the crayfish was induced by surgery: the nerve was cut in the middle of the target field, and the lateral muscle fibers were removed. After this surgery, the remaining medial synapses were unable to generate normal-sized junction potentials (jp) over the medial muscle population. In an attempt to study the mechanism underlying this response, we varied the extracellular calcium concentration of the Ringers solution bathing the preparation, in both repressed and control animals, while monitoring the size of the same junction potential. The junction potential generated by the spontaneous activity of the nerve increased in size with increasing calcium concentrations in control animals, but failed to do so in repressed animals, that is, changes in external calcium concentrations did not affect repressed synapses. However, in the presence of the calcium ionophore A23187, control and repressed synapses both show an increase in the junction potential sizes they generate. Our data suggest that calcium is involved in the mechanisms that underlie synaptic repression in this crustacean neuromuscular system. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

THE ORGANIZATION AND INNERVATION OF THE LUMINESCENT ORGAN IN A FIREFLY, PHOTURIS PENNSYLVANICA (COLEOPTERA)

The organization of the luminescent organ of an adult firefly has been studied with the electron microscope, and particular attention has been given to the disposition of nerve terminals within the organ. The cytological structure of the cells of the tracheal system, the peripheral and terminal axons, the photocytes and the cells of the dorsal ("reflecting") layer is described. Previous observations on the peripheral course of nerve branches alongside the tracheal trunks at the level of the dorsal layer and photocyte epithelium have been confirmed, and specialised nerve endings containing axoplasmic components structurally identical with "synaptic vesicles" and "neurosecretory droplets" have been identified, not in association with the surface of the photocytes, but lying between the apposed surfaces of two components of the tracheal epithelium: the tracheal end-cell and the tracheolar cell. These cytological findings are discussed in terms of available biochemical and physiological evidence concerning the mechanism of light emission in the firefly, especially with respect to the possible role of chemical "transmitter" action in triggering a response in a luminescent effector system.     

INNERVATION OF THE FIBRILLAR FLIGHT MUSCLE OF AN INSECT: TENEBRIO MOLITOR (COLEOPTERA)

The structure of peripheral nerves, and the organization of the myoneural junctions in flight muscle fibers of a beetle is described. The uniaxonal presynaptic nerve branches display the "tunicated" structure reported in the case of other insect nerves and the relationship between the axon and the lemnoblast folds is discussed. The synapsing nerve terminal shows many similarities with that of central and peripheral junctions of other insects and of vertebrates (e.g., the intra-axonal synaptic vesicles) but certain important differences have been noted between this region in Tenebrio flight muscle and in other insect muscles. Firstly, the axon discards the lemnoblast before the junction is established and the axon effects a circumferential synapse with the plasma membrane of the fiber, which alone shows the increased thickness often observed in both pre- and postsynaptic elements. Secondly, in addition to the synaptic vesicles within the axon are present, in the immediately adjacent sarcoplasm, great numbers of larger postsynaptic vesicles which, it is tentatively suggested, may represent the sites of storage of the enzymatic destroyer of the activating substance similarly quantized within the intra-axonal vesicles. The spatial relationship between the peripherally located junctions and the portion of the fiber plasma membrane internalized as circumtracheolar sheaths is considered, and the possible significance of this with respect to impulse conduction is discussed briefly.     

The inferiorly based rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap for reconstruction of recurrent pressure sores.

Eight neurologically impaired patients underwent reconstruction of chronic perineal and ischial pressure sores utilizing an inferiorly based rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap. Other local and regional flap options had been previously used or were not feasible. In six patients, healing was uncomplicated. One patient required local debridement and flap readvancement. The second involved minor separation of a suture line and healed by secondary intention. All donor sites were closed directly and healed by primary intention. There was no evidence of hernia formation, and no functional deficit was detected from removal of the rectus muscle in any of the patients. In conclusion, it was felt that the inferiorly based rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap should be considered a reconstructive option in dealing with perineal and ischial pressure sores. Furthermore, for reasons discussed, we found distinct advantages to using this flap in spinal cord injury patients.     

Effects of thioridazine on mechanical responses of human vas deferens induced by noradrenaline or potassium.

Thioridazine (0.1-10 mumol l-1) inhibited shortening of specimens of human vasa deferentia induced by noradrenaline (100 mumol l-1) or high extracellular potassium (136 mmol l-1). Thioridazine did not inhibit the lengthening response. In Ca(2+)-free media with EGTA (0.5 mmol l-1) similar results were obtained with responses to noradrenaline, but exposure to potassium elicited small contractions that were potentiated by thioridazine. Both shortening and lengthening responses to noradrenaline were antagonized by the alpha-adrenoceptor blockers prazosin (1-10 mumol l-1) and phentolamine (1-10 mumol l-1) and by the Ca2+ antagonists verapamil (10 mumol l-1) and diltiazem (10 mumol l-1). Responses to potassium were virtually abolished by the Ca2+ antagonists. These results show that thioridazine specifically inhibits longitudinal muscle of the human vas deferens and that its action cannot be entirely accounted for by a blockade of voltage-gated Ca2+ channels.     

Characterization of the T, L, I, S, M and P cell surface (immobilization) antigens of Tetrahymena thermophila: molecular weights, isoforms, and cross-reactivity of antisera.

In the ciliate protist Tetrahymena thermophila the L, H, T, I, S, M and P cell surface proteins (immobilization antigens) are expressed under different conditions of temperature (L, H, T), culture media (I, S), and mutant genotype (M, P). Immunoblot and autoradiographic studies using antisera to purified protein show that the molecular weights of these proteins range from 25,000 to 59,000. The H, T, S, M and P antigens are recognized as single polypeptides, whereas L, I, and one allelic form of T each appear to consist of a family of polypeptides. Although antisera are specific in immobilization and immunofluorescence assays of surface protein in living cells, cross-reactivity is seen with denatured protein on immunoblots. It is hypothesized that the surface protein genes are organized into families of evolutionarily related isoloci.     

Eicosanoid synthesis and Helicobacter pylori associated gastritis: increase in leukotriene C4 generation associated with H. pylori colonization.

The importance of pro-inflammatory leukotriene C4 in Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) associated gastritis in man is unknown. Fresh gastric biopsy specimens from 28 dyspeptic patients were obtained: 10 showed normal antral histology with no evidence of H. pylori, the remaining 18 patients exhibited histological gastritis and were H. pylori positive as assessed by histology, culture and urease test. Twelve of these 18 patients received 240 mg twice daily colloidal bismuth subcitrate for four weeks before re-endoscopy. Gastric biopsies from H. pylori positive patients were incubated under basal and Ca(2+)-ionophore mediated conditions: Radioimmunoassay analysis of the supernatant showed basal release of prostaglandin E2 and leukotriene C4 was slightly but not significantly elevated in H. pylori positive mucosa. However in H. pylori positive mucosa there was an 85% increase in leukotriene C4 synthesis when biopsies were incubated with ionophore, compared to only 13% increase in H. pylori negative mucosa (p less than 0.02). After eradication of H. pylori by colloidal bismuth subcitrate, there was a clearance of inflammatory cell infiltrate as assessed by histology and a significant reduction in ionophore-mediated leukotriene C4 formation compared with before treatment (p less than 0.02). These results suggest that H. pylori gastritis is associated with increased capacity to generate leukotriene C4, which may amplify the damaging effects of the bacteria on gastric mucosa.