Physiology and pharmacology of acetylcholinergic responses of interneurons in the antennal lobes of the mothManduca sexta

1. Neurons in the antennal lobe (AL) of the moth Manduca sexta respond to the application, via pressure injection into the neuropil, of acetylcholine (ACh). When synaptic transmission is not blocked, both excitatory (Fig. 2) and inhibitory (Fig. 3) responses are seen. 2. Responses to ACh appear to be receptor-mediated, as they are associated with an increase in input conductance (Figs. 2B and 3B) and are dose-dependent (Fig. 2 C). 3. All neurons responsive to ACh are also excited by nicotine. Responses to nicotine are stronger and more prolonged than responses to ACh (Fig. 4C). No responses are observed to the muscarinic agonist, oxotremorine (Fig. 4 B). 4. Curare blocks responses of AL neurons to applied ACh, while atropine and dexetimide are only weakly effective at reducing ACh responses (Figs. 5 and 6). 5. Curare is also more effective than atropine or dexetimide at reducing synaptically-mediated responses of AL neurons (Fig. 7). 6. In one AL neuron, bicuculline methiodide (BMI) blocked the IPSP produced by electrical stimulation of the antennal nerve, but it did not reduce the inhibitory response to application of ACh (Fig. 8).     

Alternating d(GA)n DNA sequences form antiparallel stranded homoduplexes stabilized by the formation of G.A base pairs.

Alternating d(GA)n DNA sequences form antiparallel stranded homoduplexes which are stabilized by the formation of G.A pairs. Three base pairings are known to occur between adenine and guanine: AH+ (anti).G(syn), A(anti).G(anti) and A(syn).G(anti). Protonation of the adenine residues is not involved in the stabilization of this structure, since it is observed at any pH value from 8.3 to 4.5; at pH < or = 4.0 antiparallel stranded d(GA.GA) DNA is destabilized. The results reported in this paper strongly suggest that antiparallel stranded d(GA.GA) homoduplexes are stabilized by the formation of alternating A(anti).G(anti) and G(anti).A(syn) pairs. In this structure, all guanine residues are in the anti conformation with their N7 position freely accessible to DMS methylation. On the other hand, adenines in one strand adopt the anti conformation, with their N7 position also free for reaction, while those of the opposite strand are in the syn conformation, with their N7 position hydrogen bonded to the guanine N1 group of the opposite strand. A regular right-handed helix can be generated using alternating G(anti).A(syn) and A(anti).G(anti) pairs.     

庐山蛾类区系研究

庐山,地处中亚热带北沿,北纬29.35°,东经115.59°,属亚热带东部季风区域。庐山襟江带湖,雨量充沛,植物种类繁多,种子植物有1800余种,隶属158科642属。因此,庐山蛾类也较丰富。笔者于1975年5月开始,对庐山蛾类进行了调查,共鉴定出蛾类455种。现将庐山蛾类区系报告如下。 区系分析 庐山蛾类已鉴定出32科340届455种。区系情况如表。 从表可以看出:     

Sequence directed flexibility of DNA and the role of cross-strand hydrogen bonds

Persistence length and torsional rigidity for different B-DNA sequences have been calculated by analysing crystal structure database. The values of these parameters for mixed sequence DNA are in good agreement with those estimated by others. Persistence lengths for the homopolymeric sequences, namely poly(dA).poly(dT) and poly(dG).poly(dC), are significantly large compared to those of others as expected from the inability of these sequences to form nucleosome under normal conditions. The heteropolymeric sequences poly(dA-dC).poly(dG-dT) and poly(dG-dC).poly(dG-dC), on the other hand, have smaller persistence lengths. This implies larger flexibility of the d(AC).d(GT), d(CA).d(TG), d(GC).d(GC) and d(CG).d(CG) doublets, some of which constitute the genetic disease forming triplet repeats d(CTG).d(CAG) and d(CGG).d(CCG). Thus it is expected that these triplet repeat sequences are also flexible and wrap around the histone octamer efficiently. Persistence length calculations also indicate larger flexibility for these triplet repeat sequences. Furthermore, our computations reveal that the rigidity of a given DNA sequence is controlled by its ability to form cross-strand bifurcated hydrogen bonds between the successive base pairs. Molecular orbital calculations suggest that these hydrogen bonds are generally extended with bond lengths around 3A.     

我国新担子菌类补遗

在研究甘肃、四川、云南的担子菌类时发现如下４新种：云南地红菇（ＭａｃｏｗａｎｉｔｅｓｙｕｎｎａｎｅｎｓｉｓＺａｎｇ）,属红菇科（Ｒｕｓｕｌａｃｅａｅ）,地红菇属（ＭａｃｏｗａｎｉｔｅｓＫａｌｃｈｂｒ．）系我国新记录;松针锈耳（ＣｒｅｐｉｄｏｔｕｓｐｉｎｉｃｏｌａＺａｎｇ）绣耳科（Ｃｒｅｐｉｄｏｔａｃｅａｅ）;蛇盖条孢牛肝菌（ＢｏｌｅｔｅｌｕｓｓｅｒｐｅｎｔｉｐｉｌｅｕｓＺａｎｇｅｔＹｕａｎ）,属松塔牛肝菌［疣孢牛肝菌科］（Ｓｔｒｏｂｉｌｏｍｙｃｏｔａｃｅａｅ）;喜杉绒盖牛肝菌（ＸｅｒｏｃｏｍｕｓｐｉｃｅｉｃｏｌａＺａｎｇｅｔＹｕａｎ）,属牛肝菌科（Ｂｏｌｅｔａｃｅａｅ）;长柄灰包（ＬｙｃｏｐｅｒｄｏｎｌｏｎｇｉｓｔｉｐｕｍＺａｎｇｅｔＹｕａｎ）,属灰包科（Ｌｙｃｏｐｅｒｄａｃｅａｅ）。     

Visualization of mitochondrial respiratory function using cytochrome c oxidase/succinate dehydrogenase (COX/SDH) double-labeling histochemistry

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) defects are an important cause of disease and may underlie aging and aging-related alterations (1,2). The mitochondrial theory of aging suggests a role for mtDNA mutations, which can alter bioenergetics homeostasis and cellular function, in the aging process (3). A wealth of evidence has been compiled in support of this theory (1,4), an example being the mtDNA mutator mouse (5); however, the precise role of mtDNA damage in aging is not entirely understood (6,7). Observing the activity of respiratory enzymes is a straightforward approach for investigating mitochondrial dysfunction. Complex IV, or cytochrome c oxidase (COX), is essential for mitochondrial function. The catalytic subunits of COX are encoded by mtDNA and are essential for assembly of the complex (Figure 1). Thus, proper synthesis and function are largely based on mtDNA integrity (2). Although other respiratory complexes could be investigated, Complexes IV and II are the most amenable to histochemical examination (8,9). Complex II, or succinate dehydrogenase (SDH), is entirely encoded by nuclear DNA (Figure 1), and its activity is typically not affected by impaired mtDNA, although an increase might indicate mitochondrial biogenesis (10-12). The impaired mtDNA observed in mitochondrial diseases, aging, and age-related diseases often leads to the presence of cells with low or absent COX activity (2,12-14). Although COX and SDH activities can be investigated individually, the sequential double-labeling method (15,16) has proved to be advantageous in locating cells with mitochondrial dysfunction (12,17-21). Many of the optimal constitutions of the assay have been determined, such as substrate concentration, electron acceptors/donors, intermediate electron carriers, influence of pH, and reaction time (9,22,23). 3,3'-diaminobenzidine (DAB) is an effective and reliable electron donor (22). In cells with functioning COX, the brown indamine polymer product will localize in mitochondrial cristae and saturate cells (22). Those cells with dysfunctional COX will therefore not be saturated by the DAB product, allowing for the visualization of SDH activity by reduction of nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT), an electron acceptor, to a blue formazan end product (9,24). Cytochrome c and sodium succinate substrates are added to normalize endogenous levels between control and diseased/mutant tissues (9). Catalase is added as a precaution to avoid possible contaminating reactions from peroxidase activity (9,22). Phenazine methosulfate (PMS), an intermediate electron carrier, is used in conjunction with sodium azide, a respiratory chain inhibitor, to increase the formation of the final reaction products (9,25). Despite this information, some critical details affecting the result of this seemly straightforward assay, in addition to specificity controls and advances in the technique, have not yet been presented.     

B----Z DNA conformational changes induced by a family of dinuclear bis(platinum) complexes.

The reactions of bis(platinum) complexes of general formula [(PtClm(NH3)3-m)2(NH2(CH2)nNH2)]2(2-m)+ were studied with poly(dG-dC).poly(dG-dC), poly(dG-m5dC).poly(dG-m5dC) and poly(dG).poly(dC). When m = 0 (Complexes II, n = 2,4) the complexes are saturated 4+ cations capable only of electrostatic interactions with the polynucleotide. Where m = 1 the complexes contain two monodentate platinum coordination spheres with the chloride trans to the diamine bridge (Complexes I, n = 2,4, 1,1/t,t). Complexes I give CD spectra characteristic of a 'Z-like' conformation upon reaction with poly(dG-dC).poly(dG-dC) and poly(dG-m5dC).poly(dG-m5dC) but not poly(dG).poly(dC). The B----Z transition appears independent of interplatinum diamine chain length. As little as 1 bis(platinum) complex per 25-30 base pairs is sufficient to observe the Z-like spectrum. Covalent binding is however not a prerequisite for Z-DNA formation because the polyvalent cations II are also very effective in inducing the B----Z transition in either poly(dG-dC).poly(dG-dC) or poly (dG-m5dC).poly(dG-m5dC). In these cases, the concentrations of II required are significantly lower than analogous monomeric agents such as [Co(NH3)6]3+. The possible biological consequences of the Z-DNA induction by bis(platinum) complexes are discussed.     

Genetic Separation of the Inosinic Acid Cyclohydrolase-Transformylase Complex of Salmonella typhimurium

Genetic and enzymatic analyses were made with the purH mutants of Salmonella typhimurium. These mutants are purine auxotrophs which are deficient in the conversion of phosphoribosyl-aminoimidazolecarboxamide (AIC) to inosine-5'-monophosphate (IMP). Two steps are required for this process: phosphoribosyl-AIC transformylase (EC 2.1.2.3) and IMP cyclohydrolase (EC 3.5.4.10). Genetic analysis identified two complementation groups, I and II, and a third group of noncomplementing mutants (I-II). Mutations in gene I lead to complete loss of transformylase activity and no loss of cyclohydrolase activity if the mutation is of the missense type, but partial loss if it is of the chain-terminating type (nonsense or frameshift). Gene II mutants are all of the missense type and show normal transformylase activity but no cyclohydrolase activity. The noncomplementing mutants (I-II) are all of the chain-terminating type and are completely deficient in both activities. The results are explained and discussed in terms of subunit interactions of a stable enzyme complex.     

Carbon and water fluxes in ecologically vulnerable areas in China

Ecologic vulnerable areas (EVAs) are the regions where ecosystems are fragile and vulnerable to suffer from degradation with external disturbances, e.g. environmental changes and human activities (Feng et al. 2022; Wang et al. 2019). EVAs in China are widely distributed and account for more than 55% China’s land area (Ministry of Ecology and Environment of the People’s Republic of China 2008). The ecosystem in EVAs, chartered with low stability, weak resistance and high vulnerability, has been experiencing significant degradation owing to the impacts of global climate change and human activities (Bai et al. 2018; Chen et al. 2021; Yu et al. 2022). The EVAs in China are not only the most serious areas of environmental degradation, but also the most poverty-stricken regions (Wang et al. 2019). Harsh environmental condition (drought, low temperature and strong radiation) and limited resource supply (water, soil nutrients, etc.) constrain the vegetation productivity and ecosystem services of EVAs (Li et al. 2021). Climate change adds new challenges with warmer temperatures, changing rainfall regime and increasing frequency of extreme events (drought, heat wave, storms, etc.), which make it is more difficult to predict the changes of ecosystem processes and functions in future scenarios (Piao et al. 2020; Reid et al. 2014). Carbon and water fluxes are the core ecosystem processes, which is linked to diverse ecosystem services (Lian et al. 2021). Therefore, clarifying the variations and controls of ecosystem carbon and water fluxes is an effective approach to clarifying how ecosystem respond to global change in EVAs (Baldocchi 2020). As the only technique can directly measure the carbon, water and energy fluxes between vegetation and atmosphere, eddy covariance technique has been considered as a standard method for flux observations (Chen et al. 2020). By integrating long-term, eddy covariance measurements over time and space, researches are able to assess ecosystem metabolism at different time scales (hours to decades) (Forzieri et al. 2020; Han et al. 2020; Jung et al. 2017). Eddy covariance measurements also produce information on how ecosystem respond to the changes in climate, which is useful for assessing ecosystem carbon sequestration (Hu et al. 2018), water and energy balance (Forzieri et al. 2020), resource use efficiency (Liu et al. 2019) and ecosystem feedback to climate change (Huang et al. 2019; Piao et al. 2020; Yue et al. 2020). Long-term flux measurements are also vital for detecting the responses of ecosystem functions to extreme events, optimizing and validating models on regional and global scales (Baldocchi 2020). Combining with remote sensing and ecosystem modeling techniques, scientists can upscale and evaluate the functional relations between carbon and water fluxes with environmental variables at high resolution and across diverse spatial/temporal scales (Niu et al. 2017; Xia et al. 2020).     

The family and subfamily classification and New Zealand genera of Pythidae and Scraptiidae (Coleoptera)

ABSTRACT. The family Pythidae is defined on adult and larval characters to include the subfamilies Pythinae and PllipalPlnae. Trachelostenidae stat.n. is excluded. Relationships of Pythidae, Boridae, Trictenotomidae and SalPlngidae (s.l.) are analysed. Strong resemblances between some PllipalPlnae and Pyrochroidae appear to have arisen through convergent evolution. Adults and larvae of the New Zealand genera Techmessa, Techmessodes and Exocalopus are described. In Scraptiidae, adults of the New Zealand genera Nothotelus and Phytilea , and the larva of Nothotelus , are described. Type data are given for all described New Zealand species of these families. The following new synonymies are established: PllipalPlnae (Abdullah, 1964)=Techmessinae Paulus, 1971. Exocalopus pectinatus Broun, 1893= nitidiceps Broun, 1910. Techmessa concolor Bates, 1874= attenuata Broun, 1893= rugicollis Broun, 1910= unicolor Paulus, 1971. Techmessa telephoroides Bates, 1874= varians Broun, 1893. Techmessodes Plcticornis (Broun, 1880)= distans (Sharp, 1882). Techmessodes versicolor Broun, 1893= cephalotes Broun, 1910. The following genera are reassigned to the families indicated: Ischyomius to Trictenotomidae (from Pythidae or Melandryidae). Phytilea to Scraptiidae (from Oedemeridae or Anthicidae). Pseudananca to Aderidae (from Oedemeridae). Scraptogetus (= Metasclera ) to Aderidae (from Scraptiidae, Oedemeridae or Anthicidae).     

Conformational changes induced in DNA by the in vitro reaction with the mutagenic amine: 3-N,N-acetoxyacetylamino-4,6-dimethyldipyrido (1,2-a: 3', 2'-d) imidazole.

The conformation of synthetic or natural DNAs modified in vitro by covalent binding of N-AcO-A-Glu-P-3 was investigated by fluorescence and circular dichroism. In all cases, substitution occurs mainly on the C8 of guanine residues. In modified poly(dG-dC).poly(dG-dC) or poly(dA-dC).poly(dG-dT) in B conformation, A-Glu-P-3 residues interact strongly with the bases whereas in Z conformation these residues are largely exposed to the solvent and interact weakly with the bases. A-Glu-P-3 and N-acetyl-2-aminofluorene (AAF) residues are equally efficient to induce the B-Z transition of poly(dG-dC).poly(dG-dC) and of poly(dA-dC).poly(dG-dT). Modifications of poly(dG).poly(dC) and calf thymus DNA indicate strong interactions between A-Glu-P-3 and the bases.     

Staphylococcal Enterotoxins B and C

Abstract

The staphylococcal enterotoxins (SEs) are a subgroup of related protein exotoxins in the pyrogenic toxin (PT) family produced by Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes (1). Like other members of the PT family, the SEs are superantigens and elaborate a set of biological activities linked to their ability to stimulate cells of the immune system (2). These activities contribute to their ability to induce toxic shock syndrome, immunosuppression, and probably other diseases (3). However, as is evident from the fact that they are designated as enterotoxins, the SEs are distinguishable from other members of the PT family by their ability to induce gastroenteritis when ingested. Hence, they are the causative agents in staphylococcal food poisoning (SFP), a very common form of food-associated gastroenteritis in the United States and worldwide (4).     

Pressure Controlled Ventilation to Induce Acute Lung Injury in Mice

Murine models are extensively used to investigate acute injuries of different organs systems (1-34). Acute lung injury (ALI), which occurs with prolonged mechanical ventilation, contributes to morbidity and mortality of critical illness, and studies on novel genetic or pharmacological targets are areas of intense investigation (1-3, 5, 8, 26, 30, 33-36). ALI is defined by the acute onset of the disease, which leads to non-cardiac pulmonary edema and subsequent impairment of pulmonary gas exchange (36). We have developed a murine model of ALI by using a pressure-controlled ventilation to induce ventilator-induced lung injury (2). For this purpose, C57BL/6 mice are anesthetized and a tracheotomy is performed followed by induction of ALI via mechanical ventilation. Mice are ventilated in a pressure-controlled setting with an inspiratory peak pressure of 45 mbar over 1 - 3 hours. As outcome parameters, pulmonary edema (wet-to-dry ratio), bronchoalveolar fluid albumin content, bronchoalveolar fluid and pulmonary tissue myeloperoxidase content and pulmonary gas exchange are assessed (2). Using this technique we could show that it sufficiently induces acute lung inflammation and can distinguish between different treatment groups or genotypes (1-3, 5). Therefore this technique may be helpful for researchers who pursue molecular mechanisms involved in ALI using a genetic approach in mice with gene-targeted deletion.     

Causal Characteristics for Ecoepidemiology

We suggest that there are six fundamental characteristics of causation: time order, co-occurrence, preceding causation, sufficiency, interaction, and alteration. The cause precedes the effect (time order). The cause co-occurs with the unaffected entity in space and time (co-occurrence). Causes and their effects are the result of a web of causation (preceding causation). The intensity, frequency, and duration of the cause are adequate and the susceptible entity can exhibit the type and magnitude of the effect (sufficiency). The cause effectively interacts with the entity in a way that induces the effect (interaction). And, the entity is changed by the interactions with the cause (alteration). In contrast to Hill's criteria, the causal characteristics are distinct from the: (1) evidence that is used to document causal characteristics, (2) sources of information used to develop the evidence, and (3) qualities used to evaluate evidence of causal characteristics and body of evidence for the causal relationship. Evidence of causal characteristics can form the basis for assessments of epidemiological studies and can structure an explanatory narrative that is causally relevant and substantive. Six core characteristics may be easier to organize, evaluate, communicate, and for decision-makers to assimilate, remember, and inspire action.     

Prey analysis of four species of tropical orb-weaving spiders (Araneae: Araneidae) and a comparison with araneids of the temperate zone

Summary The actual prey in the orb webs of four araneid spiders (Nephila clavipes, Eriophora fuliginea, Argiope argentata, and A. savignyi) and the relative abundance of their potential prey (pitfall traps, yellow traps, and sweep-netting) was investigated over 1 year at different locations in Panama. The relative abundance of insects and spiders depends on seasonal fluctuations (Fig. 2) which are reflected by corresponding variations in the effectiveness of the webs. The main prey groups are Nematocera (50%–68%), winged Formicoidea (6%–15%) and Hymenoptera, Coleoptera, and Brachycera (4%–10% each) (Fig. 4-6). The remaining 10%–17% of the prey comes from up to 26 other groups (Table 2). Differences in prey size and prey composition between the spider species are small (Fig. 7). Most prey items are 1–2 mm long: only a few insects exceed 30 mm body length (Figs. 9–12). Relative to the available prey, some groups (e.g. Nematocera, Aphidoidea, Psocoptera) are caught selectively, while other groups (e.g. Heteroptera, Coleoptera, Brachycera, Orthoptera) are underrepresented in the prey spectrum and obviously avoid orb webs (Table 7). The differences in prey composition between araneids of the tropics and of the temperate zone are discussed (Table 8) and compared to those recorded in other studies (Table 9, 10). Most of these report large numbers of big prey items (Odonata, Lepidoptera, wasps/bees). It is pointed out that those studies do not take into account the total available prey in a spider's web but only that part which the spider selects from the web (mainly according to size). The importance of small prey items even for large spiders is explained and an obvious lack of niche partitioning among coexisting araneids is discussed (Table 11).     

广东省国家I级重点保护野生植物资源现状及保护策略

在查找史料的基础上,根据国家重点保护植物名录(第一批),确定了在广东有分布的仙湖苏铁、银杏、南方红豆杉、合柱金莲木、伯乐树、报春苣苔、水松、异形玉叶金花和台湾苏铁9种国家I级重点保护植物作为调查对象,在全省开展了较为全面的调查。结果只找到了前6种,植株数量合计为123468株。除仙湖苏铁和报春苣苔分布地点没有变化外,其他7种的分布地点丧失率在20%-100%之间。除南方红豆杉基本上属于正常种群外,其余8种分属于野外绝迹、濒临绝迹或濒危类物种,其资源状况堪忧。在对其资源现状进行详细分析的基础上,提出了相应的保护管理策略和发展措施。     

Electron microscope investigation of the evolutionary stages of the trophozoite of Didymophyes gigantea (Sporozoa, Gregarinida). III. The fine structure of the epicyte with emphasis on the contractile elements (author's transl)

The fine structure of the epicyte of D. gigantea was investigated. The motility of the gregarine and the contractile elements are described. Four essential types of movements can be observed in this gregarine: (1) rolling up and pendular movements, (2) locomotion by gliding forward, (3) cytoplasmic streaming (Fig. 1), (4) peristaltic contractions (Fig. 2) which seem to be accompanied by the contraction of annular myonemes (Fig. 2). The epicyte is formed by the folding of the parasitic cell wall which is made from three membranes (Figs. 3 and 4). At the top of each fold one can see apical struts between the outer and middle membrane and apical filaments under the inner membrane (Fig. 3). In addition, the epicytic folds are covered by a cell coat which is made from tubular structures (Fig. 5). At the base of the epicytic folds can be observed the basal lamina (Fig. 3) composed of very fine fibrillar material with an average thickness of 2.5 nm (Fig. 6). These fibrils are oriented in the longitudinal axis of the gregarine. Beneath the epicytic fold in the ectoplasm are found the annular myonemes with a width of up to 0.5 micrometers (Fig. 7). They are composed of many fine fibrils with an average thickness of 5 nm. In young trophozoites, the myonemes also contain microtubuli (Fig. 8). Between the epicytic folds, the cell wall is interrupted by three different types of vesicles: the vesicles with an electrondense content (Fig. 9), the three-membranous vesicles (Fig. 10), and the hose-shaped vesicles (Fig. 11). Glycerol-extraction of the parasites was performed in order to define the contractile structures. After extraction the annular myonemes are difficult to recognize (Fig. 13). When ATP is added, the gregarine does not contract but the myonemes reappear after 3 to 4 min (Fig. 14). Differences can also be observed in the myoneme structure using electron microscopy: After extraction, the myonemes are composed of a very limp fibrillar network (Fig. 15) which becomes very dense after the action of ATP (Fig. 16). Glycerol extraction does not disturb either the apical struts and apical filaments or the fibrils of the basal lamina (Figs. 15--17). In addition, cytoplasmic fibrillar structures appear after glycerol extraction (Figs. 15 and 16). The experimental and electron microscope results indicate that the motility of the gregarine depends upon four different systems: (1) the ectoplasmic annular myonemes, (2) the apical structures in the undulating epicytic folds, (3) the cytoplasmic fibrils, and (4) the basal lamina.     

Oriented thick and thin filaments in amoeba proteus

Actin and myosin filaments as a foundation of contractile systems are well established from ameba to man (3). Wolpert et al. (19) isolated by differential centrifugation from Amoeba proteus a motile fraction composed of filaments which moved upon the addition of ATP. Actin filaments are found in amebas (1, 12, 13) which react with vertebrate heavy meromyosin (HMM), forming arrowhead complexes as vertebrate actin (3, 9), and are prominent within the ectoplasmic tube where some of them are attached to the plasmalemma (1, 12). Thick and thin filaments possessing the morphological characteristics of myosin and actin have been obtained from isolated ameba cytoplasm (18, 19). In addition, there are filaments exhibiting ATPase activity in amebas which react with actin (12, 16, 17). However, giant ameba (Chaos-proteus) shapes are difficult to preserve, and the excellent contributions referred to above are limited by visible distortions occurring in the amebas (rounding up, pseudopods disappearing, and cellular organelles swelling) upon fixation. Achievement of normal ameboid shape in recent glycerination work (15) led us to attempt other electron microscope fixation techniques, resulting in a surprising preservation of A. proteus with a unique orientation of thick and thin filaments in the ectoplasmic region.     

Celestial orientation in bees: the use of spectral cues

Summary The spectral cues used in the bee's celestial compass are investigated by presenting bees dancing on a horizontal comb with unpolarized (or polarized) spectral stimuli. Where appropriate, the use of e-vector information is prevented by painting out the specialized dorsal margin of the bee's eye (POL area, Fig. 1). This area has been shown to mediate e-vector information (Fig. 3; Wehner 1982), whereas the remainder of the dorsal retina is sufficient for mediating spectral information (Fig. 4).Spectral cues are used by the bees to discriminate between sun and sky (Fig. 4). According to physical reality (Fig. 2), a long-wavelength stimulus is taken as the sun, whereas a short-wavelength stimulus is expected by the bee to lie anywhere within the antisolar half of the sky (Figs. 5 and 6). This is in accord with the bee's e-vector compass in which e-vectors are confined to the antisolar half of the sky (Fig. 9).In general, spectral cues do not provide precise compass information except when a full celestial colour gradient is available including the solar and the antisolar meridian (Figs. 7 and 8).     

A spectrophotometric asay for cellobiase

Chemical methods for measuring cellobiase activity are based on increased reducing capacity, following conversion of cellobiose into glucose (1–3). The chemical methods are time consuming, of low sensitivity, and nonspecific. Enzymic methods use glucose oxidase to estimate the amount of glucose liberated (4,5). Although more specific and sensitive, the enzymic methods are also time consuming. The two-step method requires two successive incubations, which take several hours (4). Although very sensitive, the one-step method requires 75 min for a preincubation, a highly purified glucose oxidase with negligible disaccharidase activity, and an absolutely glucose-free substrate (5). In the method for assaying cellobiase described in this paper, glucose is measured enzymically by formation of NADPH with a coupling system using yeast hexokinase, glucose-6-P dehydrogenase, and NADP, similar to previous methods involving TPN (6). The highly reproducible assay evaluated here requires only 15 min and all reagents and auxiliary enzymes of adequate quality are available commercially.