Cyclic AMP, the hyperresponsiveness factor from hog kidney

The isolation and identification of a material present in the plasma of hypertensive dogs and hypertensive human patients has been under study since 1972. The earliest experiments in relation to this work, noted that plasma from hypertensive dogs cause a hyperresponse to norepinephrine when both were administered by way of the vein. Employing a rat assay system that consisted of an anesthetized rat with polyethylene catheters in the vein for giving norepinephrine and the test fractions and a catheter in the artery for blood pressure monitoring, fractions from hog kidney were tested for hyperresponsiveness activity. The active material is very comparable to cyclic AMP in molecular weight, ultraviolet spectrum, paper chromatography, Enzyme hydrolysis and activity in the anesthetized rat system. This evidence indicates that the hyperresponsiveness factor of renal origin is cyclic AMP.     

Behavioral responses of Diabrotica adults to plant-derived semiochemicals encapsulated in a starch borate matrix

The concept of encapsulating semiochemicals into a starch matrix is being studied for potential use in corn rootworm (CRW) management programs. During 1987, experiments were conducted to determine: 1) If volatile plant-derived Diabrotica spp. attractants could be encapsulated in a starch borate matrix (SBM), and 2) If various SBM-semiochemical formulations would attract Diabrotica species over time in field corn. Chemical analyses of fresh SBM formulations indicated that indole, estragole, veratrole, phenylacetaldehyde, and trans-anethole were not retained during formulation but trans-cinnamaldehyde, Beta-ionone, 1,2,4,-trimethoxybenzene, eugenol and isugenol were successfully encapsulated. Encapsulated semiochemical formulations were made into 20 mesh granules, placed in Pherocon ® 1C traps that were tied to corn plants, and sampled for CRW adults every 4 days from 11 July to 8 September. Field data indicated that encapsulated semiochemicals were retained in the SBM for varying lengths of time and were released at rates attractive to CRW adults. A two-component mixture of trans-cinnamaldehyde and 1,2,4-trimethoxybenzene was the most effective formulation tested; however, no formulation was effective during corn silking and pollination. Although seasonal variation in CRW response could limit the usefulness of some plant-derived semiochemicals, the starch matrix concept may be useful as a delivery system for semiochemicals and may have potential as a tool that could be used in the development of new more biorational CRW management programs.

---

Résumé Le programme expérimental de 1987 était destiné à déterminer: 1) si les substances dérivées de végétaux et attractives pour Diabrotica pouvaient être encapsulées dans de l'amidon additionné d'acide borique; 2) si différentes formules attireraient les différentes espèces de Diabrotica dans un champ de maïs.L'indol, l'estragol, le vératrol, le phénylacétaldéhyde et le trans-anéthol n'ont pas été retenus, tandis que le trans-cinnamaldéhyde, la \-ionone, le 1,2,4-triméthobenzène, l'eugénol et l'isugénol ont été encapsulés avec succès dans des pièges attachés à des pieds de maïs (les détails techniques sont fournis). Les pièges ont été relevés tous les 4 jours du 11 juillet au 8 septembre. Les résultats montrent que les substances allélochimiques sont conservées dans la capsule pendant des durées variables et libérées à des concentrations attractives pour les Diabrotica adultes. Un mélange de trans-cinnamaldéhyde et de 1,2,4,-triméthoxybenzène a été la formule la plus efficace, à l'exception des périodes de formation des barbes et du pollen, où aucune formule n'a été attractive. Bien que la variation saisonnière des réactions de Diabrotica limite l'utilisation des substances allélochimiques d'origine végétale, la capsule d'amidon peut être employée pour libérer des substances allélochimiques et constitue un outil potentiel pour la mise au point d'une méthode plus rationnelle de lutte contre Diabrotica.

     

Description of Dolichodorus cobbi n. sp. (Nematoda: Dolichodoridae) with Description of Dolichodorus cobbi n. sp. (Nematoda: Dolichodoridae) with Morphometrics and Lectotype Designation of D. heterocephalus Cobb, 1914

Dolichodorus cobbi n. sp. is described and illustrated from soil around roots of "woods" on the Stanley Farm, Scott County, Arkansas. This species is distinguishable from others of the genus by its short tail projection. It is most closely related to D. marylandicus but differs in having a short tail projection, longer stylet, greater body length, larger c value, and also in position of excretory pore. A limited number of Cobb''s original specimens and drawings of D. heterocephalus were examined. A lectotype and paralectotype were designated to establish the taxonomic base for the genus. Cobb''s original modified labeled drawing of D. heterocephalus is also included. Morphometric data on D. heterocephalus from the type locality and several other populations are given. Some variations in female tail shape, body length, and stylet length were noted.     

Phenotypic variation in the phosphotransferase activity of human red cell acid phosphatase (ACP1)

Summary Red cell acid phosphatase (ACP1) catalyses the transfer of phosphate from phosphate ester substrates to suitable acceptor alcohols such as methanol and glycerol. The rate of substrate turnover in the presence of acceptors is increased by the increment of the phosphotransferase reaction, thus allowing this activity to be measured. There is specificity with regard to acceptors: (a) polyols (e.g., glycerol) are better acceptors than the corresponding n-alcohols, and (b) polyol configuration and chain length determine acceptor activity. Ribitol was the most efficient acceptor found. Each of the three common ACP1 alleles is represented electrophoretically by two isozyme bands; the phosphotransferase activity of the anodal isozyme was found to be more than twice that of the cathodal isozyme. The extent of phosphotransferase activity is also genotype dependent. In the presence of 2M glycerol, the relative phosphotransferase efficiencies for the three homozygote types were: ACP1^*B=3.7, ACP1^*A=3.4, and ACP1^*C =2.5. This pattern of B>A>C is the same as found for the modulation of ACP1 by purines and folates.Publication no. 278 of the Forensic Science Group, School of Public Health, University of California     

Redescription of Heterodea zeae,the Corn Cyst Nematode,with SEM Observations

Heterodera zeae, the corn cyst nematode, is redescribed and illustrated with comparative details and measurements of females, cysts, and larvae from Maryland, USA; and India. Scanning electron micrographs o f specimens from the United States are also presented. Revised measurements for the larval stylet and new diadnostic characters, especially in the cyst cone, for H. zeae are given. The relationship of H. zeae to close species is discussed.     

Description of Thecavermiculatus andinus n.sp. (Meloidoderidae), a Round Cystoid Nematode from the Andes Mountains of Peru

Thecavermiculatus andinus n.sp. is described and illustrated from Oxalis tuberosa originally collected in the vicinity of Lake Titicaca high in the Andes mountains of southern Peru. This new species differs markedly front the other two species in the genus, especially in having a much greater female vulval-anal distance and annules with lined punctation on most of the female body with a lacelike pattern restricted to the posterior portion, particularly at the vulva and anus which do not protrude. Females are essentially spherical with protruding neck, white to yellowish in color, and can easily be mistaken for potato cyst nematodes. Among the dozen or more known weed and crop host plants are potato and eggplant. In order to accommodate this new species, the genus Thecavermieulatus is emended. A key to the species of this genus is presented.     

PRENATAL CARE—A Group Psychotherapeutic Approach

It has been well established that “normal” pregnancy gives rise to much anxiety whose source is variable. When not adequately dealt with, the anxiety may masquerade in the guise of physical symptoms such as fatigue, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, or, more often, as disquieting emotional counterparts, like irritability and depression.A study was undertaken in the outpatient obstetrical department at U.C.L.A. utilizing a group psychotherapeutic approach. The results helped the patients and offered training to staff in dealing with emotional problems of pregnancy. Patients were seen in groups of seven, twice a month for one-hour sessions. Participating in each group were an obstetrical resident, a psychiatric resident and a nurse. The subject material was not selected beforehand. Groups were similar in that the expected time of delivery of the patients was approximately the same. Results of the study suggested that the much needed emotional support may be supplied in this way with little to no additional time expenditure on the part of the physician or nurse.     

Site-specific mutants of oncomodulin. 1H NMR and optical stopped-flow studies of the effect on the metal binding properties of an Asp59----Glu59 substitution in the calcium-specific site

High resolution 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and optical stopped-flow techniques have been used to study the metal binding properties of a site-specific mutant of bacterial recombinant oncomodulin in which glutamate has replaced a liganding aspartate at position 59 in the CD calcium-binding site. In particular we have followed the replacement of calcium by lutetium in bacterial recombinant oncomodulin and D59E oncomodulin to provide a measure of the protein's preferences for metal ions of different ionic radii. The result of the Asp----Glu substitution is to make the mutant oncomodulin more similar to rat parvalbumin in terms of its relative CD- and EF-domain affinities for lutetium(III), that is to increase its affinity for metal ions with smaller ionic radii. This finding supports the original hypothesis that the presence of Asp at sequence position 59 is an important factor in the reduced preference of the CD site of oncomodulin for smaller metals such as magnesium (Williams, T. C., Corson, D. C., Sykes, B. D., and MacManus, J. P. (1987) J. Biol. Chem. 262, 6248-6256). However, our studies show that both the CD and the EF sites are affected by this single residue substitution suggesting that many factors play a role in the metal binding affinity and interaction between the two sites.