Message from the President of the Society

The circadian rhythm of locomotor activity of the field mouse Mus booduga was studied and single animal phase response curves (PRCs) (n = 8) were constructed for 15-min daylight pulses of 1000 lux intensity. The light pulses, presented at different phases of the circadian cycle, evoked advancing and delaying phase shifts (ΔPHs) depending on the circadian time (CT) of light pulse application. ΔPHs by light pulses applied at the same phase are strongly correlated with the animals' circadian period (τ). The results indicate a significant correlation between (i) τ and the area under the advance zone of the PRC (A) (r = +0.72, p > 0.05), (ii) τ and the area under the delay zone of the PRC (D) (r = -0.98, p > 0.00001), (iii) τ and the difference between the area under delay and advance zone of PRC (D-A) (r = -0.97, p > 0.00001), and (iv) between τ and ΔpHs (at various phases of the circadian cycle) and further suggest that the waveform and time course of PRC depend on the animals' endogenous period (τ). (Chronobiology International, 13(6), 401–409, 1996)     

Role of the Ca-pectates on the accumulation of heavy metals in the root apoplasm

In order to better understand the processes that regulate the accumulation in the apoplasm of heavy metals and their mobilization by the plant metabolites it is essential to study the mechanisms that regulate the interactions between metal ions and pectins. In such a context, the sorption of Cd(II), Zn(II), Cu(II) and Pb(II) from single and multi-metal solutions, by a Ca-polygalacturonate gel with a degree of esterification of 18.0 (PGAM₁) and 65.5% (PGAM₂) was studied in the 3.0–6.0 pH range in the presence of CaCl₂ 2.5 mM. The sorption of Cr(III) from single metal solution was also considered. The results show that the amount of each metal ion sorbed increases with increasing the initial metal ion concentration and pH. The data from the single metal solution tests show that at pH 6.0 the affinity of the metal ions towards the PGAM₁ matrix follows the order: Cr(III) > Cu(II) ? Pb(II) ? Zn(II) ? Cd(II). The simultaneous sorption of the bivalent metal ions by the PGAM₁ gels indicates that Pb(II) is selectively sorbed. The FT-IR spectra show that the carboxylate groups are mainly responsible for the metal ion coordination. The ability of PGAM₂ to accumulate Cr(III), Cu(II), and Pb(II) was lower than that found in the PGAM₁ systems whereas the sorption of Zn(II) and Cd(II) was negligible.     

Mixed municipal waste management in the Czech Republic from the point of view of the LCA method

Purpose  

This paper presents the results of a life-cycle assessment (LCA) study for integrated systems (IS) of mixed municipal waste (MMW) management in the Czech Republic. The seven IS categories assessed were: (a) incineration with slag recovery, (b) incineration without slag recovery, (c) landfills with incineration of the landfill gas by flaring, (d) landfills with recovery of the landfill gas, (e) mechanical–biological treatment (MBT) with aerobic treatment, (f) MBT biodrying with co-incineration of refuse-derived fuel, and (g) MBT biodrying with incineration of refuse-derived fuel from a monosource.     

Structural investigations of the galactan of the snail Lymnaea stagnalis

A galactan, isolated from the spawn of the snail Lymnaea stagnalis, contained d-galactose and 0.9% of nitrogen, but neither l-galactose nor phosphate groups. The [α]_D²⁰ values of the galactan and its first Smith-degradation product were +19.5° and +20°, respectively. During each of two consecutive Smith-degradations of the galactan, 1 mol of periodate was consumed and 0.45 mol of formic acid was liberated per mol of “anhydrogalactose” unit. Methylation analyses of the galactan and its first Smith-degradation product yielded equal proportions of 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-methyl- and 2,4-di-O-methyl-galactose. Only small quantities of 2,4,6- (4.9 mol%) and 2,3,4-tri-O-methylgalactose (0.7 mol%) were formed from the galactan, whereas the first Smith-degraded product gave 15.6 and 20.4 mol%, respectively. The product of the second Smith-degradation disintegrated and the following oligosaccharides were identified: β-d-Gal-(1→1)-l-Gro, β-d-Gal-(1→3)-β-d-Gal-(1→1)-l-Gro, β-d-Gal-(1→6)-β-d-Gal-(1→1)-l-Gro, β-d-Gal-(1→6)-d-Gal-β-d-Gal-(1→3)-β-d-Gal-(1→1)-l-Gro, β-d-Gal-(1→3)-[β-d-Gal-(1→6)]-β-d-Gal-(1→1)-l-Gro, β-d-Gal-(1→3)-β-d-Gal-(1→6)-β-d-Gal-(1→1)-l-Gro, and β-d-Gal-(1→3)-β-d-Gal-(1→3)-β-d-Gal-(1→1)-l-Gro. Thus, the galactan is highly branched with the backbone containing sequences of either exclusively (1→6)-linked or of more or less regularly alternating (1→3)- and (1→6)-linked units. The side chains vary in length and in the degree of branching. In immunoprecipitin studies, a high degree of species-specificity was seen when various snail galactans were tested with the antiserum to the Lymnaea stagnalis galactan.     

Control of the activity of plant plasma membrane MgATPase by the viscosity of the aqueous phase

The activity of plant plasma membrane (PM) MgATPase (EC 3. 6. 1. 35) was studied in PM vesicles purified from spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. Drabant) roots, winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. Martonvásári-8) roots, and soybean (Glycine max L. cv. Williams) hypocotyls by aqueous polymer two-phase partitioning. MgATPase from spring wheat roots was assayed at 23°C (a) in the absence and presence of Triton X-100, (b) in the presence of either 1 mM or 3 mM MgATP^2?, and in the presence of increasing concentration of sucrose from 10 mM upto 1. 2 M. Activity of MgATPase in PM vesicles from winter wheat roots was measured at 21°C at sucrose concentrations of 15 mM–1. 1 M in the presence of 3 mM MgATP^2? and absence of Triton X-100 only. MgATPase activity from soybean hypocotyls was studied (a) in the absence and presence of Triton X-100, (b) both at 21 and 31°C, in the presence of 3 mM MgATP^2? and varying concentrations of sucrose between 10 mM and 1. 1 M. In all cases, independently of the assay conditions and the source of PM, the MgATPase activity decreased with increasing sucrose concentration. Latency of the MgATPase activity depended only slightly on the concentration of sucrose. The Q₁₀ value for the MgATPase activity from soybean hypocotyls (and thereby the Arrhenius activation energy of the enzymatic reaction) was independent of the sucrose concentration and of the presence of Triton X-100. At optimal assay conditions, the ATP-hydrolyzing activity of plant PM MgATPase (v) was inversely proportional to the m-th power of the viscosity of aqueous phase (η) as predicted by the modified Kramers'theory of enzymatic catalysis: v ∝ (1/η)^m, where m is an empirical parameter between 0 and 1. For the activity of MgATPase in the three species studied, m varied between 0. 5 and 1. 1 in good agreement with the theory. We thus conclude that (a) the activity of integral membrane enzyme-proteins may be controlled not only by the property(ies) of the membrane lipid phase but also by the viscosity of the aqueous phase in the vicinity of such enzymes, and (b) the determination of vesicle sidedness based on enzyme latency may need a minor revision. Our interpretation is in agreement with the molecular dynamics approach of enzymatic catalysis worked out for soluble enzymes.     

Banding patterns of the chromosomes of man and the chimpanzee

Summary A comparison of the banding patterns of the chromosomes of man (Homo sapiens) and the chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) using G (Giemsa) and Q (quinacrine) banding techniques shows that the differences between the karyotypes of the two species are the result of a few simple structural rearrangements, which include one centric fusion, five pericentric inversions, one paracentric inversion and the absence of one secondary constriction.

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Zusammenfassung Ein Vergleich der Bandenmuster der Chromosomen des Menschen (Homo sapiens) und des Schimpansen (Pan troglodytes) bei Anwendung der G(Giemsa)- und Q(Quinacrin)-Bandentechnik zeigt, daß die Unterschiede zwischen den Karyotypen beider Species das Ergebnis einiger weniger einfacher Umstrukturierungen sind, nämlich einer zentrischen Fusion, 5 perizentrischen Inversionen, einer parazentrischen Inversion und des Fehlens einer sekundären Konstriktion.

     

On the problem of the origin of Pogonophora

A number of embryological features of the Pogonophora suggest that they could not derive from the Polychaeta and are closely related to Deuterostomia. These are: (1) traces of spiral cleavage that sharply differ the from cleavage of polychaetes in the prospective value of blastomeres; (2) enterocoelic formation of mesoderm; (3) the larva most closely resembles Balanoglossus that has just completed metamorphosis; proto-, meso-, and metasoma of pogonophoran larva correspond (or are homologous) to the proboscis, collar, and trunk of Balanoglossus respectively; while the telosoma can be regarded as an organ appearing late in phylogenesis that serves to burrow into the bottom; (4) larvae of Siboglinum have a transitory mouth located, as it is the case in Enteropneusta, between proto-and mesosoma, very far from the posterior end, where there is closed blastopore; therefore, the former can be considered as a secondary mouth; (5) the asymmetrical development of the anterior pair of coeloms in Pogonophora, Echinodermata, and Amphioxus allows finding homologies between organs developing from these coeloms.     

Asymmetries of the long bones of the limbs and of the clavicles in Indian Lorises

Eighteen adult skeletons ofLoris tardigradus lydekkerianus (4 males and 4 females) andNycticebus coucang (6 males and 4 females) have been studied for the asymmetries in the long bones of the limbs and of the clavicles. The bones of the upper extremity are longer in the right inLoris andNycticebus. Asymmetry favours the right side more inLoris than inNycticebus regarding the thigh bone and the total length of the lower extremity. Lorises do not essentially differ from the other primates including man, regarding the asymmetries of the lower extremities as they do in regard to the asymmetries of the upper extremities.Averages of the percentage asymmetries are higher in females than in males. Cases of symmetry are rarer in clavicles (0%) than in the other bones of the upper and lower extremities ofLoris andNycticebus but they do favour radius inNycticebus (45%) alone. There are no significant sex differences in the 2 series in the distribution of the asymmetries.The average of the degrees in which the lengths of the corresponding limb bones are unequal on the 2 sides of the body are approximately the same inLoris (0.78),Hylobatidae (0.70) and the great apes (0.72) with regard to the upper extremities. In the lower extremities, however, these degrees including those in man (0.63) and the macaque (0.61), excepting inHylobatidae (0.86) are practically the same as inNycticebus (0.61) while much higher than those inLoris (0.43).This investigation forms a part of the main research programme based on the anatomical and metrical data, on the Indian Lorises, conducted under the aegis of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi, during the years 1962–65.This paper was presented before the section of Anthropology and Archaeology of the Indian Science Congress Association at its 54th annual session held at Hyderabad in January 3–9, 1967.     

Characterization of cationic liposomes. Influence of the bilayer composition on the kinetics of the liposome breakdown

The cationic large unilamellar mixed liposomes from 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-phosphatidylcholine (POPC) and didodecyldimethylammonium bromide (DDAB) or dioctadecyldimethylammonium bromide (DODAB) were prepared. The influence of the addition of Triton X-100 (TX-100) or octaethylene glycol mono-n-dodecylether (C₁₂E₈) on the membrane integrity was investigated turbidimetrically. The stability of the liposomal systems was estimated by monitoring fluorimetrically at 25 °C the rate of spontaneous and surfactant-induced release of entrapped 5(6)-carboxyfluorescein (CF). In order to evaluate the interaction of the cationic DODAB guest with the host POPC membrane, the main phase transition temperatures (T_m) were determined by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy (EPR). All the results obtained show that the presence of DODAB and DDAB stabilizes the POPC liposomes. The extent of stabilization depends on the concentration and nature of the cationic guest.     

A critique of the utility of the prediction of protein secondary structure

The Chou-Fasman predictive algorithm for determining the secondary structure of proteins from the primary sequence is reviewed. Many examples of its use are presented which illustrate its wide applicability, such as predicting (a) regions with the potential for conformational change, (b) sequences which are capable of assuming several conformations in different environments, (c) effects of single amino acid mutations, (d) amino acid replacements in synthesis of peptides to bring about a change in conformation, (e) guide to the synthesis of polypeptides with definitive secondary structure,e.g. signal sequences, (f) conformational homologues from varying sequences and (g) the amino acid requirements for amphiphilicα-helical peptides.     

Effects of the anion transport inhibitor,SITS, on the proximal straight tubule of the rabbit perfusedin vitro

Summary Conventional microelectrodes were used to study the effects of SITS (4-acetamido-4-isothiocyanostilbene-2,2-disulfonate) on the basolateral membrane potentialVbl of the superficial proximal straight tubule (PST) of the rabbit kidney perfusedin vitro. Addition of 0.1mm SITS to the bathing solution resulted in a slow and irreversible hyperpolarization ofVbl from –42.5±1.17 (37) mV to –77.3±0.83 (52) mV. The new steady-state potential was reached in 10 to 15 min and was accompanied by visible cell swelling. Associated with thisVbl hyperpolarization was: 1) an increased steady-state depolarization (from 6.2±0.77 (17) mV to 25.7±0.83 (29) mV) in response to increasing bath potassium concentration from 5 to 16.7mm (HK); 2) a decreased transient depolarization (from 19.8±1.88 (8) mV to 0.43±0.37 (8) mV) in response to decreasing bath bicarbonate concentration from 22 to 6.6mm at constant bath pH (L-HCO₃); and 3) inhibition of a depolarizing overshoot and a decreased steady-state depolarization (from 35.9±1.84 (12) mV to 4.7±1.37 (13) mV) in response to reducing bath sodium concentration from 144 to zero (0-Na). Sodium, chloride and NMDG (N-methyl-d-glucamine) were used as the substituting ions, respectively. These results are consistent with the presence of a coupled sodium-bicarbonate carrier in the basolateral membrane which is electrogenic and SITS inhibitable. Comparison of the time course of SITS effects on these ion-substitution responses suggests that the inhibition of the bicarbonate exit pathway(s) is the primary event and that the changes inVbl and in the steady-stateVbl responses to HK and 0-Na are secondary events which may be related to changes in intracellular composition and/or basolateral membrane properties.     

Dioptrics of the facet lenses in the dorsal rim area of the cricket Gryllus bimaculatus

1. The optics of the corneal facet lenses from the dorsal rim area (DRA) and from the dorso-lateral areas (DA) of the compound eye of the cricket Gryllus bimaculatus were studied.
2. The DRA of the cricket eye contains quite normally shaped facet lenses. The diameter of the facet lens in the DA is 2-fold larger compared to that in the DRA. The radius of curvature of the front surface is distinctly less in the DA facet lenses, as the surface of the facet lenses in the DRA are virtually flat.
3. The averaged axial refractive index of the facet lenses of Gryllus bimaculatus, measured by interference microscopy, was 1.496 ± 0.008 (n = 42) in the DRA and 1.469 ± 0.004 (n = 39) in the DA. The geometrical thickness of the lenses was calculated to be 77 ± 3 μm (n = 42) in the DRA and 56 ± 1 μm (n = 39) in the DA.
4. Analysis of the diffraction pattern obtained with a point light source revealed distinct focusing properties of both the DRA and the DA facet lenses; striking Airy-like diffraction patterns were obtained in both cases.
5. Focal distances measured directly at the backfocal plane were 40 ± 8 μm (n = 84) in the DRA of all the animals studied, and 60–90 μm (n = 62) in DA depending on the animal. Analysis of the diffraction of the point light source yielded very similar focal distances: 40 ± 5 μm (n = 10) in DRA and 81 ± 8 μm (n = 11) in DA. In the DRA, focal distance of the facet lenses was smaller than the cone length, 58 ± 3 μm (n = 9) while in the DA the focal distance matched the effective cone length, 71 ± 5 μm (n = 16).

     

A smelling trip into the past: the influence of synthetic materials on the history of perfumery

Contemporary perfumery has its roots in the work of the past, and many of the perfumes from this time have long since disappeared. What follows is a short account of some of the most famous perfumes from the past which have been inspired by the novel synthetic materials of the time. These important creations include, ‘Fougère Royale’ by Houbigant (1884) containing coumarin ( 1 ), ‘Jicky’ by Guerlain (1889) containing vanillin ( 2 ) and linalool ( 3 ), ‘Vera Violetta’ by Roger & Gallet (1892) containing α‐ and β‐ionone ( 4 and 5 , resp.), ‘Trèfle Incarnat’ by Piver (1898) containing isoamyl salicylate ( 6 ), ‘La Rose Jacqueminot’ of Coty (1904) containing Rhodinol ( 7 ), ‘Après l'Ondée’ by Guerlain (1906) containing para‐anisaldehyde ( 8 ), ‘Quelques Fleurs’ by Houbigant (1912) containing hydroxycitronellal ( 9 ), ‘N°5’ by Chanel (1921) containing the aldehydes C‐10 ( 10 ), C‐110 ( 11 ), and C‐12 ( 12 ), ‘Nuit De Noël’ by Caron (1922) containing 6‐isobutylquinoline ( 14 ), and ‘Femme’ by Rochas (1944) containing the so‐called ‘aldehyde C‐14’ ( 15 , γ‐undecalactone). The Osmotheque, the International Conservatory of Perfumes, was launched in 1990 and is regarded as a primary source of knowledge for the history of perfumery. Its vocation is to compile an amazing collection of 1700 perfumes (400 of them almost forgotten fragrances) – jewels of perfumery.     

槲皮素对人脑胶质瘤干细胞生物学行为及miR-29s家族的影响分析

目的探讨分析槲皮素对人脑胶质瘤干细胞（BGSCs）生物学行为及miR-29s家族的影响。 方法使用干细胞培养液对U87人脑胶质瘤细胞进行培养,采用CCK-8法检测槲皮素对BGSCs细胞增殖抑制率,采用流式细胞技术检测槲皮素对BGSCs细胞凋亡影响,并采用real-time PCR鉴定槲皮素对BGSCs细胞中miR-29a、miR-29b以及miR- 29c表达的影响。采用t检验以及方差分析进行统计学分析。 结果随着槲皮素浓度的增加,BGSCs细胞增殖抑制率增加24 h 0 μg/ml（0.00±0.12）%、10 μg/ml（1.36±0.38）%、20 μg/ml（15.33±3.01）%、40 μg/ ml（29.50±4.57）%、80 μg/ml（40.21±6.42）%、160 μg/ml（61.21±7.48）,F = 76.273,P < 0.05;48 h 0 μg/ml （0.09±0.05）%、10 μg/ml（9.84±2.17）%、20 μg/ml（28.57±3.84）%、40 μg/ ml（43.59±5.21）%、80 μg/ml（59.50±3.28）%、160 μg/ ml（70.21±9.48）%,F = 85.392,P < 0.05,且同浓度槲皮素作用48 h对BGSCs细胞增殖抑制率高于作用24 h（P < 0.05）。随着槲皮素浓度的升高,BGSCs细胞凋亡率升高[0 μg/ml（13.42±1.21）%、20 μg/ml（38.47±9.28）%、40 μg/ml（59.34±7.20）%、80 μg/ml（71.42±9.47）%,F = 57.493,P < 0.05]。不同浓度槲皮素处理BGSCs细胞后,可促进BGSCs细胞miR-29s家族miR- 29a/ b/ c相对表达量,且随着槲皮素浓度的增加,BGSCs细胞miR-29s家族相对表达量增加[miR-29a 0 μg/ml（1.04±0.08）、20 μg/ml（1.16±0.05）、40 μg/ml（1.30±0.10）、80 μg/ ml（1.41±0.09）,F = 19.281,P < 0.05;miR-29b 0 μg/ml（1.06±0.09）、20 μg/ml（1.13±0.05）、40 μg/ml（1.25±0.07）、80 μg/ml（1.30±0.09）,F = 13.427,P < 0.05;miR-29c 0 μg/ml（1.03±0.07）、20 μg/ml（1.15±0.03）、40 μg/ml（1.22±0.06）、80 μg/ml（1.31±0.08）,F = 14.502,P < 0.05]。 结论槲皮素可有效抑制人脑BGSCs增殖,促进人脑BGSCs凋亡,并促进人脑BGSCs中miR- 29s家族表达。     

Effect of Precursors on the Synthesis of Catecholamines and on Neurotransmission in the Superior Cervical Ganglion of the Rat

Abstract: Male Sprague-Dawley rats (325–350 g) were anesthetized with urethane (1.5 g/kg i.p.) and treated with physiological saline, Aspartame (APM; 552 μmol/kg), or tyrosine (Tyr; 552 μmol/kg). Ganglionic transmission and the synthesis of dopamine (DA) and norepinephrine (NE) were measured in the superior cervical ganglion (SCG) following electrical stimulation of the cervical sympathetic trunk (CST). When the CST was stimulated with single pulses, neither APM nor Tyr affected the synthesis of NE or DA. However, in response to low- (5 Hz, 20 s) and high- (20 Hz, 20 s) frequency pulses, the metabolism of DA was increased (p > 0.05), but to the same extent after saline, APM, or Tyr. In rats stimulated with similar low- and high-frequency pulses, the synthesis of NE was increased significantly (p > 0.05) after Tyr, but not after APM or saline. In saline-treated controls, ganglionic transmission was not changed in response to single pulses, or low- or high-frequency stimulation. However, after treatment with APM, ganglionic transmission was depressed significantly (p > 0.01) in response to high-frequency stimulation (single: 0.46 ± 0.09 mV; low: 0.39 ± 0.07 mV; high: 0.27 ± 0.07 mV). After treatment with Tyr, ganglionic transmission was depressed significantly (p > 0.05) in response to both low- and high-frequency stimulation (single: 0.44 ± 0.04 mV; low: 0.22 ±0.12 mV; high: 0.26 ± 0.07 mV). In the nonstimulated SCG, l-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (25 mg/kg) caused a rapid, significant (p > 0.01) increase in the synthesis and metabolism of DA, but not of NE. Treatment with nialamide (200 mg/kg i.p.) followed by electrical stimulation (15 Hz, 15 min) of the CST caused a significant (p > 0.05) increase of both NE and DA in the stimulated SCG. It is concluded that there are both similarities and differences in the regulation of the synthesis of NE and in the modulation of ganglionic transmission after the administration of the precursors APM and Tyr. The results indicate that caution is needed in comparing the neurochemical and neurophysiological effects of different catecholamine precursors.     

Action of diethylstilbestrol on the NADH-dehydrogenase region of the respiratory chain

Diethylstilbestrol reversibly inhibits electron transfer in particle-bound mitochondrial NADH-dehydrogenase (Keilin-Hartree preparation) at a site located in the vicinity of, or superimposed on, the piericidin A- and rotenone-specific sites. At this site, diethylstilbestrol half-maximal inhibitory concentration varies from 0.2 μm (at 37 μm NADH) to 2.6 μm (at 180 μm or higher NADH concentrations). The postulated localization of the diethylstilbestrol site is supported by (a) the similar effects of the diethylstilbestrol, piericidin A, and rotenone on the kinetics of the NADH-induced changes of the 470–500-nm chromophore; (b) the lack of action of diethylstilbestrol on the NADH-ferricyanide reductase and the NADH-acetylpyridine-adenine dinucleotide transhydrogenase reactions; (c) the lack of action of diethylstilbestrol on the NADH-2,3-dimethoxy-2′-methyl-1,4-benzoquinone reaction at infinite concentration of UQ₀; (d) the similar inhibitions of the NADH-UQ₂ reaction and NADH-cytochrome b_k reaction; (e) the noncompetitive inhibition of the NADH-UQ₂ reaction; (f) the similar effects of diethylstilbestrol and rotenone on the kinetics of the NADH-UQ₀ reaction; and (g) the inhibition of the NADH-cytochrome b_k reaction, in contrast with the insensitivity of the succinate-cytochrome b_k reaction. The interaction of diethylstilbestrol with the NADH-dehydrogenase protein is supported by the summation of diethylstilbestrol, piericidin A, rotenone, and p-chloromercuribenzoate inhibitions. Diethylstilbestrol inhibition involves specific structural requirements as shown by the lesser (if any) inhibitory potency of hexestrol, diethylstilbestrol monomethyl ether, diethylstilbestrol dimethyl ether, and hexestrol dimethyl ether.     

Evolution of the biome of the Middle Siberian Trappean Plateau

The Middle Siberian volcanic plateau is characterized with respect to its paleoecological environments. In this area, volcanism commenced in the Severodvinian (Vishkilian) Age. The lower (tuffaceous) part of the plateau section (Lebedev deposits) was formed in the Vyatkian Age. Its middle (tufflava) part (Khungtukun deposits) is correlative with the Goudikeng Formation (interval of 65–111 m) in the Dalongkou type section of China and corresponds to the Quadrocladus pachyphyllus ... Echinolimnadia mattoxi Zone. The top of this sedimentary unit (111 m up from the base of the Goudikeng Formation) should be correlated with the base of the Otoceras Ecozone. The upper (lava) part of the plateau (Putorana deposits) corresponds to the interval of 111–210 m, belongs to the Elatocladus linearis ... Cornia vosini Ecozone, and is older than the Hindeodus parvus Zone, which is now considered as the basal unit of the Triassic marine sequences. The volcanic plateau section shows now evidence of any biotic crisis.     

Some Peculiarities of the Dynamics of the Immunoglobulin M Structure

Abstract

The isotropic mobility of separate regions of the intact molecule of immunoglobulin M (IgM) and its Fab and (Fc)₅ fragments was studied using spin-labeling of carbohydrate (2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-aminopiperidine-l-oxyl) and peptide (2,2,5,5-tetramethyl-3-dichloro-triazinylaminopyrrolidine-l-oxyl) moieties.

The spin-labeled oligosaccharide groups (OGs) in the Fab region are shown to have much more amplitude of anisotropic motion than those in the (Fc)₅ region. The spin label in the latter is evidently attached in the Cμ3 domain to one of its OGs which is probably stabilized by ionic contacts between terminal N-acetylneuraminic acid residue and the peptide moiety of the IgM molecule.

When the amount of the glycosidase-cleaved carbohydrate does not exceed 10–15%, most OGs affected are of the Fab region. Upon profound splitting (≥50%) the OGs of the (Fc)₅region are also affected; that results evidently in loosening the ionic contacts between the shortened OGs and the peptide moiety of IgM, and consequently in increasing mobility of the former.

The structure of the (Fc)₅ region of IgM is labile; after detaching this moiety from the intact IgM molecule, its structure is stabilized, but one of its domains (Cμ3) becomes more mobile than it is in the intact IgM molecule; at the same time the amplitude of anisotropic motion of OG bound here is decreased. In the latter case, this decrease depends on the sequence of spin-labeling and fragmentation.

The most probable cause of stabilization of the (Fc)₅ fragment is the heating of IgM solution to 56°C during fragmentation with trypsin. At this temperature the τ value for the (Fc)₅ fragment is unusually low, equaling 23 ns.

The spin-labeling in the peptide part of IgM occurs mostly in the Fab region which is a rather rigid moiety as expected.     

Involvement of the neurointermediate lobe of the pituitary gland in the secretion of prolactin and luteinizing hormone in the rat

The relationship between prolactin (PRL) secretion and the neurointermediate lobe (NIL) of the pituitary gland was investigated. Plasma PRL concentrations in rats bearing anterior pituitaries autografted with or without the NIL to the renal capsule were elevated to equal extents at 1 through 6 weeks after surgery (p > 0.10). PRL levels in ovariectomized rats in which the NIL had been removed surgically (NIL-X) or only visualized (NIL-C) were 3–7 ng/ml 4, 7, and 28 days after surgery (p > 0.10); however, they were slightly higher in NIL-X $\text{vs.}$ NIL-C rats 14 days after surgery (p < 0.05). Plasma luteinizing hormone (LH) concentrations in NIL-C rats increased by 36% from 2 to 4 weeks after surgery (p < 0.05); this increase was not detected in NIL-X rats. PRL and LH surges were induced by estradiol implants in ovariectomized NIL-X and NIL-C rats; the profiles of the PRL surges were superimposable, although the magnitude of the LH surge was only 50% that in NIL-C rats (p < 0.05). These results cast doubt on the importance of the NIL in the regulation of PRL secretion either $\text{via}$ secreting hypophysiotropic hormones or $\text{via}$ conducting anterior pituitary hormones directly to the median eminence. However, the NIL may have a physiologically important role in the regulation of LH secretion.     

Kinetics of the effect of amiloride on the permeability of the apical membrane of rabbit descending colon to sodium

Summary The effects of the addition of graded concentrations of amiloride, (A) _m , to the mucosal bathing solution on the permeability of the apical membrane of rabbit descending colon to Na (P _Na ^m ) were determined when the Na activity in the mucosal bathing solution, (Na) _m , was 18, 32 or 100mm.P _Na ^m was obtained from current-voltage relations determined on tissues bathed with a high-K serosal solution before and after the addition of a maximally inhibitory concentration of amiloride to the mucosal solution as described by Turnheim et al. (Turnheim, K., Thompson, S.M., Schultz. S.G. 1983.J. Membrane Biol. 76:299–309).The results indicate that: (1) As demonstrated previously (Turnheim et al., 1983),P _Na ^m decreases with increasing (Na) _m . (2)P _Na ^m also decreases hyperbolically with increasing (A) _m . Kinetic analyses of the effect of amiloride onP _Na ^m are consistent with the conclusions that: (i) the stoichiometry between the interaction of amiloride with apical membrane receptors that results in a decrease inP _Na ^m is one-for-one; (ii) there is no evidence for cooperativity between amiloride and these binding sites; (iii) the value of (A) _m needed to halveP _Na ^m at a fixed (Na) _m is 0.6–1.0 m; and, (iv) this value is independent of (Na) _m over the fivefold range studied.These findings are consistent with the notion that the sites with which amiloride interacts to bring about closure of the channels through which Na crosses the apical membrane arekinetically distinct from the sites with which (Na) _m interacts to bring about closure (i.e., self-inhibition). In short, the effects of (Na) _m and (A) _m onP _Na ^m in this tissue appear to be independent and additive.