The frequency of the γ chain variant AγT in different populations,and its use in evaluating γ gene expression in association with thalassemia

Summary The occurrence of the ^AT chain (i.e. ^A75 Ile Thr) in different populations was evaluated through a study of 4250 cord blood samples and blood samples from more than 350 SS¹ patients. High frequencies were observed in Italy, Yugoslavia, Turkey, Holland, but also in Japan, Vietnam, and India. The chain is (nearly) absent in the Black population of Ghana and Kenya, and low frequencies were observed in China and Australian aborigines. Only a few adult SS patients (18 out of 357) were ^AT heterozygotes. The chromosomes with the ^AT globin gene were mapped through an evaluation of the presence of 10 different restriction sites. The ^AT chromosomes from different populations were closely related and had the same subhaplotypes of [--++-+] (Hinc II 5 to ; Xmn I 5 to ^G; Hind III in ^G and ^A; Hinc II in and 3 to ), quite different from the subhaplotypes seen for ^AT negative chromosomes.² This suggests a common ancestor which may have originated in Southern Europe. An evaluation of the chain production by both chromosomes in SS patients and -thalassemia heterozygotes was possible for subjects with an ^AT heterozygosity. It was concluded that in -thalassemia trait, the chain synthesis is directed for about two-thirds by the thalassemic chromosome and for about onethird by the normal chromosome; the contribution by the normal chromosome decreases with a decrease in total chain production.This is contribution #0890 of the Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, GA 30912, USA     

Triggering and predisposing factors in the “Red” decline syndrome of Norway spruce (Picea abies)

Summary Analysis of 62 mature Norway spruce (Picea abies provenance Viborg) trees growing in a Danish plantation was undertaken along with analysis of their nutrient contents (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, B and Na), in each of the three youngest needle age classes, from branches of four exposure directions near the tree top. The aim was to investigate if one among the studied possible predisposing factors was also a triggering factor in the 1989 outbreak of the Red Norway spruce decline in Denmark. Neither nutrient imbalance or deficiency, nor excessive N-deposition or salt-stress were indicated as triggering factors in 1989. The Red syndrome, noticeable for the bright red colour of the current-year needles, was found to be an extension of the European type Novel Decline. Red syndrome is similar to previously reported phenomena of top-dying and sub top-dying, in that it had fewer needle age classes and significantly higher contents of mobile cations (and Ca) in the younger needle classes. Tree ring analysis suggested that the Red syndrome was initiated in the early 1980s, when the trees experienced adverse climatic conditions. Because of this long-term development of the Red Norway spruce decline syndrome, it is concluded that a triggering factor is of minor importance relative to the multitude of predisposing factors.     

Die bursa- und schwanzstrukturen und ihre aberrationen bei den strongylina (Nematoda) morphologische studien zum problem der pluri-und paripotenzerscheinungen

Zusammenfassung In der Einleitung ist das Ziel der Arbeit in den wesentlichsten Punkten herausgestellt.Die Bursastrukturen (Bursavelum und Rippen bzw. Papillen) der parasitischen Strongylina lassen sich von den entsprechenden Bildungen der freilebenden Rhabditina, vor allem der Gattung Rhabditis, ableiten und in ihren Einzelgliedern homologisieren.Die im Laufe der Phylogenie bei den Strongylina auftretenden strukturellen Transformationen lassen sich auf einige wenige, relativ einfache morphogenetische Grundvorgänge zurückführen, die da sind: Wachstumsallometrien, Materialkompensationen, Organverschmelzungen und Spaltungen (Fissationen), Rudimentationen und ähnliche Vorgänge.Innerhalb der Strongylina Bursa ist ein Gefälle der Wachstumsgradienten feststellbar, das sich vom Zentrum der Bursa sowohl nach distal als auch proximalwärts abschwdcht. Zunehmende Förderung der zentral gelegenen Organe (Rippen) führt zu entsprechender Reduktion der peripheren Bursastrukturen, was vor allem im terminalen Schwanzabschnitt auffällt und zur Ausbildung des oft nur noch als Rudiment vorhandenen Dorsalrippenkomplexes führt. Letzterer entspricht in seiner Gesamtheit der Schwanzspitze der peloderen Rhabditiden mit den Papillen 9 und 10.Die bei Rhabditis moist getrennten Papillen 7 und 8 sind bei allen Strongylina zu einer Rippe (Externodorsal-Rippe) verschmolzen, die jedoch in manchen Aberrationen durch Abspaltung eines akzessorischen Astes ihre wahre Natur (als Verschmelzungsprodukt) zu erkennen gibt (Atavismus).Da dieselben Transformationsvorgänge innerhalb der Strongylina mehrfach unabhängig voneinander wirksam geworden sind, treten bestimmte Strukturformen als Parallelbildungen in verschiedenen phylogenetischen Union auf (polytope Entstehung).Zahlreich untersuchte Bildungsabweichungen (Aberrationen), deren Bedeutung für die Morphologie kurz umrissen wird, erschöpfen sich in den gleichen strukturellen Transformationstypen, die auch bei der Evolution der verschiedenen Union der Strongylina nachweisbar sind. Die Aberrationen führen daher häufig zu Atavismen oder zu Parallelvariationen (homologe Variationen").Die Zahl der Umwandlungsmbglichkeiten (Potenzen) der Bursastrukturen innerhalb der Strongylina ist beschränkt (Paripotenz im Sinne Haeckers). Bestimmte Arten (und Entwicklungshnien) haben jeweils nur bestimmte Potenzen realisiert. Andere können jedoch latent (virtuell) im Kryptotypus vorhanden sein, ohne normalerweise in Erscheinung. zu treten. In bestimmten Aberrationen können sie jedoch plötzlich realisiert werden, so ihr latentes Vorhandensein demonstrierend (Pluripotenz).Wie lange bestimmte Potenzen in einer Gruppe erhalten bleiben konnen, verdeutlichen auch die Schwanzhocker weiblicher Nematoden, als zum Bauplan der Nematoden gehbrende Bildungen. Die Potenz zur Ausbildung dieser Strukturen kommt offensichtlich sehr vielen Nematoden-Arten zu, wird jedoch nur in relativ wenigen Fällen, aber innerhalb der verschiedenen Gruppen bald hier, bald dort (disjunkte Verbreitung), realisiert. Es handelt sich bei den Schwanzhöckern um rudimentäre Organe, die bei keiner Nematoden-Art mehr voll ausgebildet erhalten sind. Ihre Rudimentation beruht zum Teil auf Materialentzug, als Folge von Unkonstruktionen der Schwanzregion, wobei die Adultstadien zuerst betroffen werden (Aphanisie nach Sewertzoff).Bei den in Chiropteren parasitierenden Strongylacanthinae haben sich Schwanzhöcker noch bei allen Arten erhalten, was ein offensichtlich archaisches Merkmal darstellt. Bei anderen Nematoden, denen sie nur im Larvalstadium zukommen, treten sie wohl durch Fötalisation in seltenen Fällen auch bei den adulten Stadien wieder auf.Alle speziellen Bursaformen der Strongylina lassen sich durch relativ wenige und einfache Transformationsvorgänge aus einem durch Abstraktion gewonnenen diagrammatischen Typus ableiten (Prinzip der variablen Proportionen" nach Troll).Die typisierten Umwandlungsvorgänge decken sich weitgehend mit den von Remane allgemein gefaßten strukturellen Typen der Realmutationen. Da sie bei den beobachteten Aberrationen, deren Entstehung auf dem Wege über Realmutationen sehr wahrscheinlich ist, in homologer Weise auftreten, kann das innerhalb der Strongylina zu beobachtende Evolutionsphänomen auf Realmutationen zurückgeführt warden.Obwohl sich die untersuchten strukturellen Transformationen in dem systematisch relativ wait gefaßten Rahmen einer Unterordnung abspielen (transspezifische Evolution nach Rensch), handelt es sich bei der von uns bevorzugten Terminologie (nach Woltereck und Remane), unter Berücksichtigung des Charakters der Umwandlungen, doch nur um Vorgänge, die in den Bereich der Mikroevolution fallen.     

Uptake of sewage derived nitrogen by<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Ulva rigida</Emphasis> (Chlorophyceae) in Bahía Nueva (Golfo Nuevo,Patagonia, Argentine)

Uptake kinetics of nitrogen derived from sewage–seawater mixtures (2.5–20% v/v effluent) were determined in the laboratory for Ulva rigida (Chlorophyceae) native from Bahía Nueva (Golfo Nuevo, Patagonia, Argentine). In terms of nitrogen concentration, experimental enrichment levels varied between 53.7 and 362.3M of ammonium and between 0.77 and 6.21M of nitrate+nitrite. Uptake rates were fitted to the Michaelis–Menten equation, with the following kinetic parameters: ammonium: V_max = 591.2molg^–1h^–1, K _s=262.3M, nitrate+nitrite: V _max=12.9molg^–1h^–1, K _s=3.5M). Both nutrients were taken up simultaneously, but ammonium incorporation was faster in all cases. The results show a high capability of Ulva rigida to remove sewage-derived nitrogen from culture media. In the field, most of the nitrogen provided by the effluent would be tied up in algal biomass, supporting low nitrogen levels found at a short distance away from the source.     

Genomic organization of human complement protein C8α and further examination of its linkage to C8β

Human C8 is one of five complement components (C5b, C6, C7, C8, C9) that interact to form the cytolytic C5b-9 complex on target membranes. It is composed of three nonidentical subunits (C8, C8, C8) encoded by separate genes. C8 and C8 are linked on chromosome 1p32, whereas C8 is located on 9q22.3-q32. In this study, overlapping genomic clones were isolated and used to decipher the organization of the human C8 gene. The gene contains at least 11 exons spanning 70kb of DNA. When compared to C6, C8 and C9, there is a remarkable similarity in genomic organization, consistent with amino acid sequence comparisons that suggest these proteins are ancestrally related. Regions of each protein that are structurally similar are encoded in exons of correspondingly similar lengths with highly conserved boundaries and phases. Availability of genomic sequence also facilitated a more detailed analysis of C8 and C8 linkage. Based on analysis of genomic digests with cDNA probes, the loci were previously reported to be physically linked (< 2.5kb) and in a 5- 3 orientation. In the present study, results obtained using exon-specific probes indicate the loci are not as closely linked as initially believed. Furthermore, they suggest that cDNA probes used earlier yielded misleading information because they encode exons that are distributed across large segments of genomic DNA.     

Concluding remarks

On the basis of symposium contributions onChlorella, Hibbertia, Eucalyptus, Ambrosia and on numerical approaches some fundamental problems of (bio)systematics, evolution, and taxonomic categories are discussed: Methods available for analysing affinities; conflicting evidence from phenetic, biochemical, cytogenetic and other analyses; further classification problems in cases of intermediacy, etc. While sibs of various levels and their natural hierarchy often can be objectively defined, this appears impossible for particular taxonomic levels itself (e. g. species). A single objective taxonomic system of organisms is unrealistic. Certain guiding lines for relative and practicable concepts of species and genus are proposed.Presented at the symposium Speciation and the Species Concept during the XIIth International Botanical Congress, Leningrad, July 8, 1975.     

Immunohistochemical localization of transforming growth factor-α and epidermal growth factor-receptor in the mesonephros and metanephros of the chicken

Summary Transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-) is a polypeptide related to epidermal growth factor (EGF). Both bind to EGF-receptor (EGF-R) to carry out their function in a variety of tissues and cell lines. Several studies have shown their presence in mammalian kidney, however, nothing has to date been stated concerning their existence in avian kidney. Expression of TGF- and EGF-R is reported here for the first time during the development of the chicken kidney. Using immunohistochemical techniques, we identified a TGF- (but not EGF) in mesonephric distal tubule cells from day 8 to day 20 of embryonic development and in metanephric distal tubule cells from day 14 of embryonic development to the adult. The histochemical characteristics of these cells and their histological localization suggest that they may be the principal cells of the distal tubules. Similarly, EGF-R was found in mesonephric proximal tubule cells from day 7 to day 18 of embryonic development and in metanephric proximal tubule cells from day 13 of embryonic development up to adult stages. The coexistence of both TGF- and EGF-R from the onset of development of mesonephros and metanephros supports their possible role in mechanisms of proliferation and differentiation of the cells of these organs.     

Longer coleoptiles improve emergence through crop residues to increase seedling number and biomass in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Crop residues protect soils from erosion, reduce soil water evaporation and increase soil organic matter. Yet management of stubbles for cropping can be difficult. Surface-retained residue can act as a mechanical barrier to slow emergence and reduce seedling biomass. Longer coleoptiles improve seedling emergence with deep sowing and may assist where stubble load is large. In a glasshouse study, six wheat and barley genotypes were sown at 30 and 50mm depth into pots containing pasteurised soil. Unweathered sorghum, canola and wheat stubble were added at 0, 3 and 6t/ha equivalents to the soil surface and pots watered above or below the stubble. Stubble species and watering regime had little effect on seedling growth. However, deeper sowing and increased stubble mass adversely affected most seedling characteristics particularly slowing seedling emergence and reducing tiller number to decrease plant biomass (environmental correlations (r_e) of –0.98** and 0.88**, respectively). Shorter coleoptile Rht-B1b wheats Banks and Janz, and barley Beecher emerged slower and abnormally with thicker stubble, and had more sterile tillers to reduce total tiller number and biomass. Deeper crowns for these genotypes also resulted in proportionally less biomass located above the stubble. The converse was true of long coleoptile Vigour 18, Halberd, and its Rht8 progeny, HM14bS which were less affected by stubble mass and sowing depth. In a corresponding field study, increasing wheat stubble mass from 0 to 3 and 6 t/ha delayed seedling emergence and decreased plant number to reduce biomass. Short coleoptile wheat genotypes Hartog and Janz emerged slower and produced less biomass at 3 and 6t/ha of stubble than long coleoptile wheat genotypes Halberd and HM14bS. Emergence of seedlings sown at 50mm depth with 6t/ha overlying stubble was similar to that sown at 120mm with no stubble, reflecting the similar impact of retained residues to deep sowing. Genetic variation for coleoptile length and availability of gibberellin-responsive dwarfing genes such as Rht8 will allow development of long coleoptile wheats for deep sowing or where stubble retention is practiced.     

Structural analyses of new tri- and tetrasaccharides produced from disaccharides by transglycosylation of purified Trichoderma viride β-glucosidase

A new -glucosidase was partially purified from Trichoderma viride cellulase. This -glucosidase catalyzed a transglycosylation reaction of cellobiose to give -D-Glc-(16)--D-Glc-(14)-D-Glc (1, yield: 18.8%) and -D-Glc-(16)--D-Glc-(16)--D-Glc-(14)-D-Glc (2, 3.7%), regioselectively. Furthermore, the enzyme regioselectively converted laminaribiose and gentiobiose into -D-Glc-(16)--D-Glc-(13)-D-Glc (3, 15.3%) and -D-Glc-(16)--D-Glc-(16)-D-Glc (4, 20.2%), respectively. The structures (1–4) of the products were determined by ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopies. This high regio- and stereoselectively of the -glucosidase could be applied for oligosaccharide synthesis.     

Parameters involved in the enhancement of monoclonal antibody targeting in vivo with recombinant interferon

Summary The effects of recombinant human leukocyte (clone A) interferon (rHu-IFN-A) were investigated on the expression of monoclonal antibody (MAb)-defined tumor antigens expressed on human mammary and colon carcinomas. The rHu-IFN-A treatment substantially increased the localization of radiolabeled MAb B6.2-F(ab)₂ to the transplantable Clouser human mammary carcinoma, as well as to the moderately differentiated human colon xenograft WiDr, when grown as s.c. tumors in athymic mice. In contrast, human tumor cell lines (i.e., LS174T, A375, etc.) that were unresponsive to the antigen-augmenting ability of rHu-IFN-A in vitro were also unresponsive in vivo, indicating a possible method of screening carcinoma cell populations for subsequent rHu-IFN-A adjuvant therapy prior to MAb administration. The method of delivery of rHu-IFN-A was also studied. The i.m. route resulted in a 3–4 h plasma half-life for rHu-IFN-A. The administration of rHu-IFN-A via an osmotic pump resulted in a stable circulating plasma titer of 400–800 antiviral units/ml for 7 days. Utilizing delivery of rHu-IFN-A by the constant infusion route, it was found that the increase in localization of ¹²⁵I-B6.2-F(ab)₂ was dependent on (1) the length of time of treatment and (2) the circulating plasma rHu-IFN-A levels. These results thus provide information useful for subsequent studies to determine the potential efficacy of adjuvant rHu-IFN-A treatment for MAb-targeted tumor diagnosis and treatment.     

Methodological problems in evolutionary biology III. Selection and levels of organization

Apparently factual disagreement on the level(s) at which selection operates often results from different interpretations of the term selection. Attempts to resolve terminological problems must come to grips with a dilemma: a narrow interpretation of selection may lead to a restricted view on evolution; a broader, less precise, definition may wrongly suggest that selection is the centre of a unified, integrated theory of evolution. Different concepts of selection, therefore, should carefully be kept apart.     

Development of high frequency multiple shoot formation in Persian clover (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Trifolium resupinatum</Emphasis> L.)

An efficient and reliable micropropagation system for Persian clover (Trifolium resupinatum L.) was developed using different explants and media. Node, hypocotyl and cotyledonary node explants were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with combinations of either 6-benzyladenine (BA) and indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) or BA, Kinetin (KIN) and IBA. Direct multiple shoots developed within 6weeks in all explants in most media tested. The best shoot multiplication capacity was obtained from cotyledonary node explants on MS medium containing 7.1M BA and 1M IBA or 14.1M BA and 1M IBA. Elongated shoots were rooted on either MS medium alone or combination with different concentrations of indole-3-butyric acid (IBA), indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and -naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA). High rooting was achieved in half strength MS medium containing 8M IBA.     

Inhibition of protein synthesis enhances the lytic effects of tumor necrosis factor α and interferon γ in cell lines derived from gynecological malignancies

Summary Few clinical responses have occurred in preliminary studies using the cytokines tumor necrosis factor (TNF) or interferon (IFN) in cancer patients. This may be related to the observation that many malignant cell lines are resistant to lysis by these cytokinesin vitro. Resistance to lysis by TNF or IFN in many cells is controlled by a protein-synthesis-dependent mechanism, such that when protein synthesis is inhibited cells become sensitive to lysis by these cytokines. Because there is some evidence that TNF and IFN act through different lytic mechanisms and are opposed by different resistance mechanisms, we treated a panel of eight cell lines, five derived from human cervical carcinomas (ME-180, MS751, SiHa, HT-3, and C-33A) and three derived from ovarian carcinomas (Caov-3, SK-OV-3, and NIH: OVCAR-3) with both TNF and IFN to determine whether such combination treatment might maximizein vitro cell lysis. Our results showed that pretreatment with IFN followed by exposure to TNF in the presence of protein synthesis inhibitors increased lysis of seven of the eight cell lines above that seen with either TNF or IFN and inhibitors of protein synthesis. Only the cell line C-33A was resistant to lysis by TNF and IFN, when exposed to these agents both alone and in combination with protein synthesis inhibitors. Clinically, combining the cytokines TNF and IFN with protein synthesis inhibitors may maximize thein vivo lytic effects of these cytokines.Supported by American Cancer Society Career Development Award 90-221     

The adaptive significance of cultural behavior: Comments and reply

Summary Fundamentally, theoretically, there is only one process underlying genetic and cultural evolution: natural selection. Organism fitness-enhancement (adaptive significance) is one of its practical mechanisms; group formation and maintenance is another, often but not always through fitness-enhancement; and need-fulfillment is still another. If Durham can accept that formulation, and switch from organism-thinking to instruction-thinking (Cloak, 1975: 178), he will free himself from two handicaps: First, he can forget his worries about reductionism and determinism (1976a: 100, 101). Under this general theory of natural selection, cultural evolutionis biological evolution, continued by other (nongenetic) means. Second, he will spare himself the appearance of anthropomorphism, mentalism, and wishy-washiness attendant on his discussion of kinds of significance, other than adaptive significance, of cultural behaviors (1976a: 102–106, 115).     

Enzymes in cardenolide-accumulating shoot cultures of Digitalis purpurea L.

In contrast to undifferentiated cell suspension cultures of Digitalis lanata, photomixotrophic shoot cultures of Digitalis purpurea accumulate cardiac glycosides in substantial concentrations. They are used to investigate enzymes of the cardenolide pathway. All cardenolides are 5-configurated. The progesterone 5-reductase and the 3-hydroxysteroid-5-oxidoreductase are present in shoot cultures but not in undifferentiated cell cultures. These enzymes provide precursors for cardenolides, whereas the presence of the progesterone 5-reductase, also present in shoot cultures, is discussed with regard to its role in phytosterol biosynthesis and may be attributed to the general steroid pathway. The progesterone 5-reductase had an activity maximum during the early growth period seven days after onset of cultivation, whereas the corresponding progesterone 5-reductase activity was highest on day 11. The maximum cardenolide accumulation was after 24 days. The enzyme activities present in crude extracts from shoot cultures were characterized with regard to their requirements for NADPH and NADH, pH-optimum, temperature optimum, affinity to their substrates and their localization in the cell. The progesterone 5-reductase was purified 769-fold.Abbreviations DW dry weight - FW fresh weight - PVP polyvinylpyrrolidone     

Early development of the self-fertilizing mangrove killifish <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rivulus marmoratus</Emphasis> reared in the laboratory

The mangrove killifish Rivulus marmoratus was reared at 25°±1°C and 17ppt salinity from 0 to 100 days after hatching (DAH), and its early development was described by examining growth and morphometric parameters, meristic characters (vertebral and fin-ray counts), bone-cartilage development, and pigmentation. Growth was isometric for preanal length, head length, snout length, body depth, pectoral-fin length, dorsal-fin length, anal-fin length, and caudal-peduncle depth. Negative allometric growth was observed in eye diameter and gape size. Meristic counts (mean±SD) for vertebrae (34.2±0.4) and dorsal- (8.6±0.5), anal- (11.4±0.5), and caudal-fin rays (30.2±0.8) were complete at 0 DAH (n=5), whereas pectoral-fin rays and pelvic-fin rays were complete by 30 DAH (14.5±0.4, n=5) and 60 DAH (4.2±0.8, n=5). Full ossification of meristic elements proceeded in the following sequence: vertebrae (by 30 DAH), caudal-, dorsal-, and anal-fin rays (by 60 DAH), pectoral-fin rays (between 60 DAH and 100 DAH), and pelvic-fin rays (by 100 DAH). Both morphological characters and meristic counts indicate that this species can be considered to be a juvenile after 9.8mm in standard length (20 DAH).     

The effect of ferrous sulphate on the yield and manganese uptake of oats on sandy soil fertilized with pyrolusite

Summary In pot experiments with oats on a sandy soil deficient in managanese and with an extremely low content of reducible managanese, the effect of 0.125 g reducible managanese in two pyrolusite fertilizers (-managanese dioxides) made in 1938 and 1955, respectively, was compared with the effect of 0.125 g water-soluble managanese as managanese sulphate.On soil to which no ferrous sulphate was added, the response to manganese added as Pyrolusite 1938 and Pyrolusite 1955 was of the same magnitude, but slightly less than the response to managanese added as managanese sulphate. The difference between the effect of pyrolusite and that of managanese sulphate was not, however, statistically significant.On soil to which ferrous sulphate had been added, a response was obtained to Pyrolusite 1938 twice as high, and to Pyrolusite 1955 three times as high as the response to manganese sulphate. These results support the suggestion² that the manganese effect of ferrous sulphate is due to its ability to reduce higher managanese oxides in the soil.Since soil dressed with ferrous sulphate gave a response to added Pyrolusite 1955 which was about 50 per cent higher than the response to Pyrolusite 1938, and since, furthermore, the same amount of reducible manganese and the same number of manganese atoms on the surface of the two fertilizers were involved, it is probable that the difference between the effects of the two pyrolusite fertilizers found under these circumstances is due to difference in their crystallinity.     

The structure of the incompatibility factors of Schizophyllum commune: Constitution of the three classes of B factors

Summary The B factors of Schizophyllum commune are of 3 classes: The high recombining class I has 7 alleles and 7 alleles; the low recombining classes are class II with 7 allels and probably 2 alleles and class III with probably 2 (or also 2) alleles and 7 allels. A fourth hypothetical class (-) was not found and either does not exist or is indistinguishable from class III by the tests employed. The and alleles differ from and by either (a) mutations affecting both mating specificity and recombination frequency, or (b) deletions involving most of the B region.The research was supported by a grant from the Atomic Energy Commission of the U.S. No. (30-1)-3875 and was performed at the Biological Laboratories, Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass., U.S.A.     

Slowly adapting stretch-receptor organs: Periodic stimulation with and without perturbations

The length of isolated slowly adapting stretch-receptor organs (SAO) from crayfish was submitted to approximately sinusoidal modulations of 0.030–0.800 mm at frequencies of about 0.2, 1.0 or 3.0 cps. Sines were imposed either by themselves (clean) or mixed with (perturbed by) fast irregular length fluctuations or jitter. The amplitude of the latter remained within a specified fraction of the modulation, usually two-thirds (or x0.66), though from one twentieth to twice (or x0.05–2.00) were explored. The afferent impulse discharge was recorded: rate over bins of about 1/10 of the period was plotted as function of ongoing time. Within stationary epochs, average cycles were analyzed primarily in terms of lengths and discharge intensities. Each point in the displays corresponded to a particular bin along the average cycle, the abscissa and the ordinate being the length and the corresponding discharge rate, respectively; points were numbered in the order of their generation. Similar displays were constructed for rate vs velocity, rate vs acceleration, and rate-change vs velocity. Experiments without jitter. The non-perturbed state. With 0.2 and 1.0 cps, the rate vs length display had a clockwise loop with a flat extension to the left. The SAO at its shortest did not discharge and remained silent for some time. As length augmented, it eventually started firing, reaching maximum rate while being stretched (lead) or at maximum length. While length decayed, the organ fired less, slowing down, stopping at a length greater than where it had started, and then remaining silent until the end of the cycle. With 3.0 cps, the display had a counterclockwise loop with a flat extension on the left. The SAO did not discharge at its shortest, and fired more during relaxation than during stretching, peaking when relaxing (lag) and stopping at a length greater than where it had started. Artificial introduction of time separations between length and rate converted displays into acceptably straight lines only in a few, usually 0.2 cps, cases. The rate vs length relation exhibited consistent departures from monotonic increase and from linearity: departures were large fractions of the overall swings involving flat extensions, leads, lags, saturation effects, asymmetric rate sensitivities, and locking (which was frequent with 1.0 or 3.0 cps and could conceivably be more common with faster modulations). Other experimental paradigms have demonstrated multivaiued steady-state-rate-length relations. The variability from cycle to cycle of the rate in a particular bin was high or low for bins with low or high rates, respectively. Rate vs velocity plots were counter-clockwise loops with a base upon the abscissae, higher rates when velocity was decaying than when augmenting, and maxima at non-negative velocities. Rate-change vs velocity plots showed shortening associated with either discharge, decreases or small changes, and lengthenings associated with discharge increases, greater when augmenting if at 0.2 cps or when decaying if at 3.0 cps. Rate vs stimulus acceleration plots were, for the three tested frequencies, counterclockwise loops with a base upon the abscissae and higher rates when acceleration was decaying than when augmenting, suggesting a particular role in sensing accelerations. The sensitivity to length was evaluated by comparing the rate-swings at each frequency using identical bin-widths and depths. This procedure is considered to be most meaningful physiologically. Sensitivity was contingent upon the bin-width: with small bins (30 and 120 ms) it was highest for 3.0 cps, with intermediate bins (160 ms) it was highest for 1.0 cps, and with larger bins it was practically uniform. Differences involved factors of under x1.7. Experiments with jitter. The perturbed state. Jitter changed radically the rate vs length displays, converting all of them into clockwise folium-like loops, which implied a shift from lag to lead at 3.0 cps. Introduction of appropriate lags brought points acceptably close to straight, positively sloped segments: this occurred often at 0.2 cps, sometimes at 1.0 cps, and exceptionally at 3.0 cps. Jitter altered the variability profile along the cycle, decreasing peak variability and not affecting or increasing the minimum; variability along the cycle was thus reduced and uniformed and identification of stimuli on the basis of discharges was improved. Jitter amplitude was an important issue. The larger ones, about the modulation size, increased the lowest bin-rates, particularly at 0.2 and 1.0 cps, and increased the peaks at 0.2 cps, decreasing them at 1.0 and 3.0 cps. The smaller jitter, about 1/10 of the modulation, affected the lowest rates little, but increased the peak rate at 0.2 cps, decreasing it at 1.0 and 3.0 cps; display shapes changed little. A qualitative model of the SAO involves subsystems with linear features, as well as rectification, stiction-like and saturation-like properties. Depending upon back-ground length, modulation depth, jitter and several other issues, the organ can perform frankly nonlinearly, piece-wise linearly or linearly. Within each context, a particular stimulus is of interest and can be referred to as the signal; others are not, and can be referred to as noise, acting as perturbations. Small, erratic perturbations influence strongly transduction of large steps or sines, simplifying and making it more proportionate. Large regular perturbations act upon small signals too, but their influence has been explored less extensively.Supported by grants from NIH and NSF     

Lipid profile of rat myelin subfractions

Myelin from adult rat brains was separated on a discontinuous sucrose gradient into three subfractions. Analysis of light, heavy and membrane fraction lipid classes was performed by HPTLC and densitometry while fatty acid composition was determinated by GLC. The more interesting results observed are: i) the membrane fraction resembles in its lipid and fatty acid composition other cell membranes (particulary oligodentrocytes); ii) light and heavy myelin are quite similar between them but the former has a higher content of sphingomyelin, a lower hydroxy/nohhydroxy cerebrosides ratio and a lower content of monoenoic fatty acids than the heavy subfraction. The results obtained could explain the different structures observed in each myelin subfraction since fatty acid composition, hydroxy fatty acids, sphingomyelin and cholesterol play a key role in the stability and structure of membranes.