Changes in plasma testosterone, thyroxine and triiodothyronine in relation to sperm production and remex moult in domestic ganders

Changes in plasma testosterone (T), thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3), semen output and remex moult were studied in domestic ganders. A bimodal pattern in both plasma T and sperm concentration was observed during the annual cycle. Ganders started to produce semen at the end of January; maximum semen volume (0.32 +/- 0.04 ml) and sperm concentration (148 +/- 38 x 10(3)/mm3) were reached in March and a marked decrease was observed after mid-April, when the moult of the remiges began. Plasma T3 levels peaked in February (9.7 +/- 0.6 nmol.l-1) and this peak coincided with maximum T concentrations (9.8-10.4 nmol.l-1). Elevated levels of T4 were found from late February until mid-April (31.0-33.6 nmol.l-1). Plasma T concentration was low at all stages of remex moult and regrowth. Decreased T4 levels were found in ganders during remex regrowth from the "brush" to half of the full primary growth stage. Higher plasma T4 levels were found before and after this stage of the moult. A reverse pattern was observed for T3 concentrations.     

Structure and expression of cloned murine IFN-alpha genes

The mouse has an interferon-alpha (MuIFN-alpha) gene family containing at least four, and likely more than ten members. A segment of mouse chromosomal DNA and cDNAs encoding murine alpha IFNs have been cloned, and the sequence of two MuIFN-alpha DNAs determined. No intron was found in the chromosomal gene. The two coding sequences produced biologically active IFN when expressed in monkey cells under the control of an SV40 promoter, and in E.coli under the control of the ampicillinase promoter. MuIFN-alpha 1 had no detectable activity on human cells, while MuIFN-alpha 2 was 20% as active on human as on mouse cells.     

Crystal and molecular structure of (E)-5-(2-bromovinyl-2''-deoxyuridine)

(E)-5-(2-bromovinyl-2'-deoxyuridine) crystallizes in the space group P2(1) with a = 12.976(1), b = 4.800(1), c = 20.385(2) A, beta = 96.88(1) degrees, Z = (two molecules a and b in the asymmetric unit). The structure has been determined by the use of 2400 diffractometer reflexions and refined by least-squares to R of 0.053. Conformational features of both molecules a and b resemble those of thymidine. The ribofuranose rings assume the rare C(3')-exo form observed also in thymidine. Similarly, the torsion angles around the glycosidic bonds (mean = 40(1) and 56(1) degrees fall in the anti range. In each molecule the best plane of the 2-bromovinyl moiety is bent out of the least-squares plane of the pyrimidine base by 6 degrees, so that the positively charged C(8)-H(8) group can donate an intramolecular hydrogen bond to 0(4) atom. Eight strong and weak intermolecular hydrogen bridges are built up between the symmetry independent and related molecules forming a complicated three dimensional hydrogen bond network.     

Inhibition of protein synthesis directed by added viral and cellular messenger RNAs in extracts of interferon-treated Ehrlich ascites tumor cells. Location and dominance of the inhibitor(s)

Protein synthesis directed by exogenous (viral or cellular) messengers is impaired, but endogenous protein synthesis is not affected in an extract of interferon-treated Ehrlich ascites tumor cells (INT-extract). Protein synthesis directed by exogenous messengers is also impaired in a mixture of an INT-extract with an extract from control cells. This reveals that the impairment is due to one or more inhibitors in the INT-extract. The nondialyzability of the inhibitor(s) is probably an indication of large molecular size. In a not incubated INT-extract much of the inhibitory activity is in the high speed sediment fraction i.e., is presumably bound directly or indirectly to ribosomes. During incubation of the extract most of the inhibitory activity is released into the high speed supernatant fraction. The dose-response curve shows that in our conditions the translation of cellular messengers (from mouse L cells) is as sensitive to impairment by the inhibitor(s) as that of viral messengers (from reovirus or from encephalomyocarditis virus).     

Electron transfer in reaction centers of Rhodobacter sphaeroides and Rhodobacter capsulatus monitored by fluorescence of the bacteriochlorophyll dimer

Spectral and kinetic characteristics of fluorescence from isolated reaction centers of photosynthetic purple bacteria Rhodobacter sphaeroides and Rhodobacter capsulatus were measured at room temperature under rectangular shape of excitation at 810 nm. The kinetics of fluorescence at 915 nm reflected redox changes due to light and dark reactions in the donor and acceptor quinone complex of the reaction center as identified by absorption changes at 865 nm (bacteriochlorophyll dimer) and 450 nm (quinones) measured simultaneously with the fluorescence. Based on redox titration and gradual bleaching of the dimer, the yield of fluorescence from reaction centers could be separated into a time-dependent (originating from the dimer) and a constant part (coming from contaminating pigment (detached bacteriochlorin)). The origin was also confirmed by the corresponding excitation spectra of the 915 nm fluorescence. The ratio of yields of constant fluorescence over variable fluorescence was much smaller in Rhodobacter sphaeroides (0.15±0.1) than in Rhodobacter capsulatus (1.2±0.3). It was shown that the changes in fluorescence yield reflected the disappearance of the dimer and the quenching by the oxidized primary quinone. The redox changes of the secondary quinone did not have any influence on the yield but excess quinone in the solution quenched the (constant part of) fluorescence. The relative yields of fluorescence in different redox states of the reaction center were tabulated. The fluorescence of the dimer can be used as an effective tool in studies of redox reactions in reaction centers, an alternative to the measurements of absorption kinetics.Abbreviations Bchl bacteriochlorophyll - Bpheo bacteriopheophytin - D electron donor to P⁺ - P bacteriochlorophyll dimer - Q quinone acceptor - Q_A primary quinone acceptor - Q_B secondary quinone acceptor - RC reaction center protein - UQ₆ ubiquinone-30     

Calcium/Calmodulin-Stimulated Protein Kinase II Is Present in Primary Cultures of Cerebral Endothelial Cells

Abstract: Calcium/calmodulin-stimulated protein kinase II (CaMPK II). a major kinase in brain, has been established to play an important role in neurotransmitter release and organization of postsynaptic receptors, and it is known to be involved in long-term potentiation and memory. Less is known about the function of this enzyme in nonneural cells. Here we report on the production, presence, and phosphorylation of the α-subunit of CaM-PK II in primary cultures of cerebral endothelial cells. These results raise the possibility that α-CaM-PK II can act as one of the key enzymes of calcium-mediated intracellular signaling in the cerebral endothelial cells and suggest that α-CaM-PK II may participate in such basic cellular processes as permeability in physiological and pathological conditions.     

The role of reed management and habitat quality on brood parasitism and chick survival of the brood parasitic Common Cuckoo

Despite efforts on ecosystem restoration and management, biodiversity loss remains one of the major environmental concerns of our time. Beyond the focus on threatened species, animals that indicate regional biodiversity hotspots and population trends, such as brood parasites, should also be targeted by conservation actions. We studied how reed habitat quality and management influence brood parasitism rate and offspring survival in Common Cuckoos Cuculus canorus parasitizing nests of Great Reed Warblers Acrocephalus arundinaceus in six reed habitats in an intensive agricultural landscape. Data collected from 45 sites over 13 years showed that the brood parasitism rate was highest on large canals and was positively influenced by the availability of potential perches (Cuckoo vantage points) and the height where host nests were built. Cuckoo chick survival decreased with water depth and was not affected by other factors. Our results suggest that the habitat-dependent detectability of host nests was central in brood parasitism rate and that water level was central in Cuckoo chick survival. Our study shows that a maintenance of intermediate water levels is the most optimal for maintaining Cuckoo populations in intensive agricultural landscapes. Because brood parasites are excellent bioindicators as their presence predicts regional hotspots of taxonomic and functional diversity as well as population trends in bird communities, knowledge on their habitat requirements is relevant in management targeting diverse bird communities.