Adoptions expérimentales de larves entre des fourmis de genres différents (II):Myrmica laevinodis Nylander etAnergates atratulus Schenck

Résumé Nous avons fait élever des larves d'Anergates atratulus par des ouvrières deMyrmica laevinodis à 22°C. Pour y parvenir, il n'est pas utile de faire hivernerensemble les larves d'Anergates et les ouvrières deMyrmica. La présence de larves autochtones n'empêche pas lesMyrmica d'élever des larves d'Anergates. Dans toutes les expériences lesMyrmica ont été soumises au fridavant de recevoir des larves d'Anergates. Aucune reine deMyrmica n'a été utilisée dans ces expériences.Sur les 64 larves d'Anergates que nous avons utilisées, 38 se sont transformées en imagos. C'est au début de l'adoption et au moment des métamorphoses que périrent la plupart des 26Anergates perdus. Les femelles vécurent en général 2 ou 3 jours et cherchèrent très tôt à quitter le nid natal. Les mâles vécurent 2 à 3 semaines.

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Summary Larvae ofAnergates atratulus were experimentally reared by workers ofMyrmica laevinodis, at 22°C. An overwintering of both larvae ofAnergates and workers ofMyrmica is not necessary for the success of that experiment. The presence of larvae ofMyrmica does not keep theMyrmica from rearing larvae ofAnergates. The workers ofMyrmica have been cooled, in all the experiments, before receiving larvae ofAnergates. No queen ofMyrmica have been used in that experiments.38 of the 64 larvae ofAnergates used became imagos. Most of the 26 lostAnergates died at the beginning of the adoption and during the metamorphosis. The females lived generally 2 or 3 days and tried, very early, to leave their native nest. The males lived 2 or 3 weeks.

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Anergates atratulus Myrmica laevinodis, 22 . bmecme Anergates Myrmica. Myrmica Anergates. Myrmica Anergates. Myrmica . 64 Anergates , 38 . 26 Anergates 2 3 . 2 3 .

     

Synthesis of Gal-β-(1→4)-GlcNAc-β-(1→6)-[Gal-β- (1→3)]-GalNAc-α-OBn oligosaccharides bearing O-methyl or O-sulfo groups at C-3 of the Gal residue: specific acceptors for Gal: 3-O-sulfotransferases

Our recent studies have revealed the existence of two distinct Gal: 3-O-sulfotransferases capable of acting on the C-3 position of galactose in a Core 2 branched structure, e.g., Gal14GlcNAc16(Gal13)GalNac1OBenzyl as acceptor to give 3-O-sulfoGal14GlcNAc13(Gal13)GalNAc1OB 20 and Gal14GlcNAc16(3-O-sulfoGal13)GalNAc1OB 23. We herein report the synthesis of these two compounds and also that of other modified analogs that are highly specific acceptors for the two sulfotransferases. Appropriately protected 1-thio-glycosides 7, 8, and 10 were employed as glycosyl donors for the synthesis of our target compounds.     

Meiotic studies ofElymus nutans andE. jacquemontii (Poaceae,Triticeae) and their hybrids withPseudoroegneria spicata and seventeenElymus species

Hybridizations ofElymus nutans andE. jacquemontii were carried out with one species ofPseudoroegneria (S genome), and 20Elymus species, each containing either of the SH, SY, SYH, or SYW genomes. Chromosome configurations were analysed at metaphase I of the two target taxa and their interspecific hybrids. It is concluded that (i)E. nutans is an allohexaploid containing the SYH genomes, andE. jacquemontii is an allotetraploid having the SY genomes; (ii) the genomic affinity is associated with the geographic distance between the species studied; (iii) minor genomic structural rearrangements have occurred within the hexaploid taxon ofE. nutans.     

Polygonal inequalities as a key to neuronic equations

Neuronic or decision equations, first proposed as a mathematical model of neural activity, have shown, after their exact, compact solution was found, typical behaviours that make them natural tools for General Systems studies. It is shown here that their mathematical investigation is remarkably furthered by generalizing the triangular inequality to polygonal ones. These permit the immediate computation of the tensorial expansion of linearly separable boolean functions, and exhibit clearly the connection between their continuous and discontinuous aspects.     

Observations on the fine structure of the cercaria of Notocotylus attenuatus and formation of the cyst wall of the metacercaria

Summary The dorsal tegument of the mature cercaria of Notocotylus attenuatus is a syncytial, cytoplasmic layer, containing two types of secretory granule which are identifiable ultrastructurally. The type 1 secretory bodies are electron lucid, whereas most type 2 granules have a banded appearance. The ventral tegument contains granules which are secreted from the type 3 cells; the type 3 granules are membrane bound, electron dense, and consist of both an amorphous and a finely striated zone. The type 4 cells mainly contain cigar-shaped granules consisting of an amorphous core surrounded by concentric striations. The granules exhibit structural variability in shape and content. The type 4 cells undergo a cellular migration to the tegument during encystment. The structure of the posterior-lateral glands and mode of secretion of the granules are described. Possible functions of microtubules are discussed for each cell type. Details of some secretory processes involved in the formation of the hemispherical cyst wall are described. The layers of the cyst wall may be related to the granular contents of the various parenchymal cells of the cercaria. The tegument of the metacercaria originates primarily from the cytoplasm of the type 1, type 2, type 3 and type 4 cells.     

Expression of a chimeric stilbene synthase gene in transgenic wheat lines

A chimeric stilbene synthase (sts)gene was transferred into wheat. Stilbene synthases play a role in the defence against fungal diseases in some plant species (e.g. groundnut or grapevine) by producing stilbenetype phytoalexins like resveratrol. Resveratrol is also claimed to have positive effects to human health. Embryogenic scutellar calli derived from immature embryos of the two commercial German spring wheat cultivars Combi and Hanno were used as target tissue for cotransformation by microprojectile delivery. The selectable marker/reporter gene constructs contained the bargene either driven by the ubiquitinpromoter from maize (pAHC 25, also containing the uidAgene driven by the ubiquitinpromoter), or by the actinpromoter (pDM 302) from rice. The cotransferred plasmid pStil 2 consisted of a grapevine stscoding region driven by the ubiquitin promoter. Eight transgenic Combi and one Hanno T_Oplant were obtained and, except one Combi T_Oplant, found to be cotransformants due to the integration of both the stsgene and the selectable marker or reporter genes. Expression of the stsgene was proven by RTPCR, and, for the first time, by detection of the stilbene synthase product resveratrol by HPLC and mass spectrometry. The stsgene was expressed in four of the seven transgenic Combi T_{_o}plants. Two of the respective T₁progenies segregated in a Mendelian manner were still expressing the gene. Investigations into methylation of the stsgene showed that in three nonexpressing progenies inactivation was paralleled by methylation.     

Defective remethylation of homocysteine is related to decreased synthesis of coenzymes B2 in thyroidectomized rats

Summary. We investigated the influence of hypothyroidism on homocysteine metabolism in rats, focusing on a hypothetical deficient synthesis of FAD by riboflavin kinases. Animals were allocated in control group (n=7), thyroidectomized rats (n=6), rats with diet deficient in vitamin B2, B9, B12, choline and methionine (n=7), thyroidectomized rats with deficient diet (n=9). Homocysteine was decreased in operated rats (2.6±1.01 vs. 4.05±1.0mol/L, P=0.02) and increased in deficient diet rats (29.56±4.52 vs. 4.05±1.0mol/L, P=0.001), when compared to control group. Erythrocyte-Glutathione-Reductase-Activation-Coefficient (index of FAD deficiency) was increased in thyroidectomized or deficient diet rats (P=0.004 for both). Methylenetetrahydrofolate-reductase and methionine-synthase activities were decreased in thyroidectomized rats but not in those subjected to deficient diet. Cystathionine--synthase was increased only in operated rats. Taken together, these results showed a defective re-methylation in surgical hypothyroidism, which was due in part to a defective synthesis of vitamin B2 coenzymes. This defective pathway was overcompensated by the increased Cystathionine--synthase activity.     

Characterization of two beta-tubulin genes from Geotrichum candidum.

Summary The -tubulin genes G1 and G2 from the phytopathogenic hemiascomycete Geotrichum candidum were found to be highly diverged in amino acid sequence from those of other filamentous fungi. G1 and G2 were also divergent from each other, with the coding regions sharing only 66% nucleotide sequence homology and 64% amino acid identity. However, the proteins shared 82% similarity and only 25 of the 161 non-identical amino acid substitutions were non-conservative. The organization of G1 is similar to other fungal -tubulin genes, but G2 has several unusual features; it has 2 amino acid additions in the N-terminal 40 residues and must employ an uncommon 5 splice junction sequence in preference to an overlapping perfect consensus. The amino acid change found to confer benomyl resistance in Neurospora crassa was also present in G2. G1 has four introns which are located similarly to those of -tubulin genes in other fungi. G2, however, has a single intron in a unique location. Translational fusions employing the 5 non-coding regions of the two Geotrichum -tubulin genes were made with the hygromycin phosphotransferase gene and shown to function in Schizosaccharomyces pombe and Trichoderma hamatum. However, G. candidum could not be transformed with these or other tested plasmids commonly used for fungal transformation.     

Protocol-dependence of equivalent circuit parameters of toad urinary bladder

Summary Determinations of current-voltage relationships are widely employed in the characterization of epithelial sodium transport. In order to determine the protocol dependence of transport parameters in the toad urinary bladder, studies were carried out in the presence and absence of amiloride, an inhibitor of active sodium transport. With symmetric positive and negative perturbations of the transepithelial electrical potential difference (0±100 mV) for 30 sec, the amiloride-sensitive current-voltage (i ^a -) relationship was near linear over the range –75+100 mV, indicating constancy of the conductance ^a and the apparent electromotive force E _Na, lumped parameters of the standard electrical equivalent circuit model of the active transport system. With a reverse protocol (±1000 mV) or 15 min perturbations thei ^a - relationships were highly nonlinear. Nonlinearity reflected voltage dependence of parameters: perturbations that increased active transport decreased E _Na and increased ^a, as evaluated from 10 sec perturbations of ; slowing of active transport produced the converse changes. These effects are usefully analyzed in both quasi-steady states and true steady states by means of a detailed equivalent circuit incorporating the significant ionic currents across each plasma membrane. Precise understanding of the significance of ^a and E _Na will require characterization of the partial ionic conductances on perturbation of .     

Induction,polarity and spatial control of cytokinesis in some abnormal subsidiary cell mother cells ofZea mays

Summary Cytokinesis in the subsidiary cell mother cells (SMCs) ofZea mays leaves grown in the presence of 5 mM of caffeine solution is usually partially inhibited. A continuous wall strip, resembling a portion of the subsidiary cell (SC) wall, is laid down in the preprophase microtubule band (PMB) cortical zone. Sometimes, the incomplete SC (SC) wall grows centripetally in the absence of a phragmoplast and the gap becomes smaller or closes. The SC nucleus escapes through the SC wall gap into the larger SMC compartment and may fuse with the other nucleus.The aberrant SMCs (a-SMCs) pass through another division cycle, reattempting to produce a SC. A typical PMB is found in the SC space, in the site of the previous PMB. Moreover, in some preprophase SMCs, the cytoplasm adjacent to the SC wall is traversed by a small number of microtubules. The preprophase nuclei are partly or totally separated from the PMB by the perforated SC wall and may lie far from the latter.Usually, one mitotic spindle is assembled. The cycling paired polarized nuclei appear to synchronize and their chromosomes line up together on a single metaphase plate. Although the mitotic spindle axis is diversely oriented, one of its poles tends to be stabilized in the proximity of the SC wall gap. These divisions separate abnormal cells. Most or all the cell plate edges fuse with wall regions far from the PMB cortical zone. However, when some of them approach the SC wall strips, they are attracted and intersect their rims. In rare occasions the cell plate, invading the SC space is guided by the PMB cortical zone to create a SC-like curved wall portion, in absence of a daughter nucleus.Observations show that the cell plate arrangement in redividing aberrant SMCs is not subjected to a strict spatial control. The disorder of polarization sequence generated by the SC wall ring and especially the perturbation of the spatial (and functional?) relationship between PMB-PMB cortical zone and the nucleus—mitotic spindle is a causal factor of the variable cell plate arrangements.     

Characterization of the effectors required for stable inheritance of Streptococcus pyogenes pSM19035-derived plasmids in Bacillus subtilis

The low-copy-number and broad-host-range pSM19035-derived plasmid pBT233 is stably inherited in Bacillus subtilis cells. Two distinct regions, segA and segB, enhance the segregational stability of the plasmid. Both regions function in a replicon-independent manner. The maximization of random plasmid segregation is accomplished by the recombination proficiency of the host or the presence of the pBT233 segA region. The segA region contains two open reading frames (or) [ and ]. Inactivation or deletion of or results in SegA^– plasmids. Better than random segregation requires an active segB region. The segB region contains two ors (or and or). Inactivation of either of the orfs does not lead to an increase in cell death, but or^– plasmids are randomly segregated. These results suggest that pBT233 stabilization relies on a complex system involving resolution of plasmid oligomers (segA) and on the function(s) encoded by the segB region.     

Structural studies of the glycopeptides of B-chain of cinnamomin – a type II ribosome-inactivating protein by nuclear magnetic resonance

Cinnamomin is a plant type II ribosome-inactivating protein (RIP) isolated from the seeds of Cinnamomum camphora. It consists of two nonidentical polypeptide chains (A- and B-chain) held together through one disulfide linkage. Its A- and B-chain contain 0.3% and 3.9% sugars respectively. The B-chain of cinnamomin was digested by pronase E and then the liberated glycopeptides were separated from non-glycopeptides by gel filtration chromatography on a Bio-Gel P-4 column. Three crude glycopeptides were obtained by continuing chromatography over anion-exchange resin (AG1-X2) in the buffer of 2% pyridine-acetic acid (pH 8.3) with a polygradient elution system. Through further purification by the gel filtration chromatography and HPLC, three major glycopeptides, GP1, GP2 and GP3 were obtained. Mainly by two-dimensional Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) including TOCSY, DQF-COSY, NOESY, HMQC and HMBC, their primary structures were analyzed as: Man1,3Man1,6(Man1,3)(Xyl1,2)Man1,4GlcNAc1,4GlcNAc1-(Gly-)Asn-Asn-Thr(GP1), Man1,6(Man1,3)(Xyl1,2)Man1,4GlcNAc1,4(Fuc1,3)GlcNAc1-Asn-Ala-Thr(GP2),Man1,6(Man1,3)Man1,6(Man1,2 Man1,3)Man1,4GlcNAc1,4GlcNAc1-(Ala-)Asn-Gly-Thr(GP3).     

Histochemical studies on the distribution of β-glucuronidase and succinic dehydrogenase in young and old spinal ganglion cells of the rat

Summary The present study compares the distribution of -glucuronidase and succinic dehydrogenase in young and old spinal ganglion cells of rat. In young cells there are indications of cyclic activity of these enzymes, i.e., in some stages there are perinuclear concentrations of the enzymes, at other times -glucuronidase and succinic dehydrogenase are uniformly distributed throughout the cytoplasm. These stages have been discussed with the identical distribution of mitochondria. However, in old spinal ganglion cells both -glucuronidase and succinic dehydrogenase become mainly concentrated in the pigment areas, suggesting thereby their possible role in the production of pigment, through the medium of the mitochondria.     

Flexibility on the karyotype evolution in bitterlings (Pisces, Cyprinidae)

In bitterlings (Acheilognathinae) C- and Ag-banding karyotypes of 6 species-subspecies collected in China and South Korea were analyzed. The chromosomal constitution of 2n=46 (4SM+42ST) in Rhodeus atremius fangi was quite different from that of 2n=48 (8M+20SM+20ST) in other species-subspecies in Rhodeus. It was concluded from the analysis of banded chromosomes that the increase in number of ST during the karyotype change from 2n=48 to 2n=46 was achieved by a series of pericentric inversions from 24 M-SM to 24 ST, and the decrease in the diploid number was caused by an additional tandem fusion of 4 ST chromosomes, forming a new ST pair in the 2n=46 karyotype. The karyotype of Tanakia koreensis, T. signifer, and Acheilognathus macropterus is 2n=48 (8M+20SM+20ST), 2n=48 (8M+20SM+14–16ST+4–6 A), 2n=44 (14M+16SM+14ST), respectively. In R. ocellatus ocellatus, T. koreensis, T. signifer and A. macropterus, karyotype changes from 2n=48 to 2n=44 due to centric fusion and inversion have also been estimated. It was suggested that C-banding heterochromatin was greatly concerned with the karyotype evolution in bitterlings.     

Different ζ globin gene deletions among Black Americans

Summary Four types of chromosomes with a deletion between the human embryonic and globin genes were identified among 2.8% of 321 Black Americans from Georgia. Two deletions of approximately 11 kb which differed by about 300 bp occurred on chromosomes with or without a polymorphic Xba I site 5 to the globin gene [(X⁺) or (X^-)]. The deletions are identifiable in Xba I digests of genomic DNA using an or a globin gene probe which yield fragments of 23 kb from (X⁺)–^* chromosomes or 27 kb from (X^–)–^* chromosomes. Digestion with other enzymes and probing with both and probes gave fragments typical of the two globin gene deletions previously identified in Polynesians. Among Black Americans, these globin gene deletions have been found in combination with globin gene deletions in trans but not in cis. Homozygotes have not been found. Hematologic data on carriers of the globin gene deletions in association with Hb AS, SS, and SC suggest that these deletions have no effect on the function of the adult globin genes.     

Sialidase of swine influenza A viruses: variation of the recognition specificities for sialyl linkages and for the molecular species of sialic acid with the year of isolation

The sialidase of swine influenza A viruses of N1 and N2 subtypes, isolated from 1930 to 1992, was studied for substrate specificity with ganglio-series, lacto-series type II and GM3 gangliosides containing Neu5Ac2-3Gal, Neu5Gc2-3Gal and Neu5Ac2-6Gal linkages. All viral sialidases tested showed that the activity for hydrolysing substrates with Neu5Ac2-3Gal was higher than the activities with Neu5Gc2-3Gal and Neu5Ac2-6Gal linkages. When GM1b, GM3 and sialylparagloboside were used as substrates, the earliest strain (A/Wisconsin/15/30 H1N1, isolated in 1930) showed the activity ratio of Neu5Ac2-6Gal to Neu5Ac2-3Gal to be 0.13:0.2, and the ratio Neu5Gc2-3Gal/Neu5Ac2-3Gal to be 0.19:0.37, while those strains isolated from 1978 to 1992 exhibited ratios of 0.29:0.58 for Neu5Ac2-6Gal/Neu5Ac2-3Gal and 0.51:0.76 for Neu5Gc2-3Gal/Neu5Ac2-3Gal. The above results indicate that the substrate specificities of sialidases from swine influenza A viruses towards sialyl linkages and the molecular species of sialic acid are related to the year of isolation, i.e. strains isolated after 1978 exhibited higher activity towards Neu5Ac2-6Gal and Neu5Gc2-3Gal linkages when compared with strains isolated in an earlier year, 1930.Abbreviation Neu5Ac 5-N-acetylneuraminic acid - Neu5Gc 5-N-glycolyneuraminic acid - Gal d-galactose - Glc d-glucose - Cer Ceramide - II³(Neu5Ac)Lac Neu5Ac2-3Gal1-4Glc - GM3(Neu5Ac2-3Gal) Neu5Ac2-3Gal1-4Glc1-Cer - GM3(Neu5Gc2-3Gal) Neu5Gc2-3Gal1-4Glc1-Cer - GM1b(Neu5Ac2-3Gal) Neu5Ac2-3Gal1-3GalNac1-4Gal1-4Glc1-Cer - GMlb(Neu5Gc2-3Gal) Neu5Gc2-3Gal1-3GalNAc1-4Gal1-4Glc1-Cer - IV³(Neu5Ac)nLc4Cer Neu5Ac2-3Gal1-3GlcNAc1-4Gal1-4Glc1-Cer - IV³(Neu5Gc)nLc4Cer Neu5Gc2-3Gal1-3GlcNAc1-4Gal1-4Glc1-Cer - IV⁶(Neu5Ac)nLc4Cer Neu5Ac2-6Gal1-3GlcNAc1-4Gal1-4Glc1-Cer - TDC taurodeoxycholate.     

Comparative study of the antitumor effect of two types of murine recombinant interferons, (β) and (γ), against B16-F10 melanoma

Summary A comparative study of the antitumor effect of murine recombinant interferon() Mu-rIFN() and murine recombinant interferon() Mu-rIFN() on B16-F10 melanoma was conducted. Administration of Mu-rIFN() i.p. into C57BL/6 mice on days 1 to 7 produced a higher suppressive effect than Mu-rIFN() both on the growth of s.c. implanted tumor and on the formation of artificial pulmonary metastasis. Pharmacokinetic study of Mu-rIFN() demonstrated that high plasma levels were retained for a long time. In clonogenic assay, Mu-rIFN() at 1000 units/ml showed about 80% inhibition of colonies of B16-F10 melanoma. However, Mu-rIFN() hardly inhibited the colonies, even at 1000 units/ml. Augmentation of natural killer (NK) cytotoxicity was much greater with Mu-rIFN() than Mu-rIFN(), whereas Mu-rIFN() enhanced the cytotoxicity of peritoneal macrophages more strongly than Mu-rIFN(). Injection of Mu-rIFN() i.p. 1 day before tumor challenge also inhibited the formation of pulmonary metastasis of B16-F10 melanoma. However, pretreatment of mice with carrageenan significantly suppressed the inhibitory effect of Mu-rIFN(). From these results, it is suggested that the inhibitory effect of Mu-rIFN() on the tumor growth and metastases of B16-F10 melanoma is mediated partly by direct antitumor effect and partly by the activation of macrophages, and that the augmentation of NK activity contributes mainly to the antitumor effect of Mu-rIFN().     

Charles Darwin's theory of evolution: A review of our present understanding

The paper characterizes Darwin's theory, providing a synthesis of recent historical investigations in this area. Darwin's reading of Malthus led him to appreciate the importance of population pressures, and subsequently of natural selection, with the help of the wedge metaphor. But, in itself, natural selection did not furnish an adequate account of the origin of species, for which a principle of divergence was needed. Initially, Darwin attributed this to geographical isolation, but later, following his work on barnacles which underscored the significance of variation, and arising from his work on botanical arithmetic, he supposed that diversity allowed more places to be occupied in a given region. So isolation was not regarded as essential. Large regions with intense competition, and with ample variation spread by blending, would facilitate speciation. The notion of place was different from niche, and it is questioned whether Darwin's views on ecology were as modern as is commonly supposed. Two notions of struggle are found in Darwin's theory; and three notions of variation. Criticisms of his theory led him to emphasize the importance of variation over a range of forms. Hence the theory was populational rather than typological. The theory required a Lamarckian notion of inheritable changes initiated by the environment as a source of variation. Also, Darwin deployed a use/habit theory; and the notion of sexual selection. Selection normally acted at the level of the individual, though kin selection was possible. Group selection was hinted at for man. Darwin's thinking (and also the exposition of his theory) was generally guided by the domestic-organism analogy, which satisfied his methodological requirement of a vera causa principle.