Fatty-acid synthesis in lactating-goat mammary gland. 1. Medium-chain fatty-acid synthesis.

Tissue slices from lactating goat-mammary gland synthesized short (C4:0 and C6:0), medium (C8:0 and C10:0) and long-chain (C12:0 to C16:0) fatty acids in proportions similar to that found in goat milk fat. In contrast, the particle-free supernatant fraction and the purified fatty acid synthetase from this tissue synthesized predominantly short-chain and long-chain fatty acids. Terminating acyl-thioesterases of low molecular weight could not be detected in the particle-free supernatant. Addition of the microsomal fraction to the particle-free supernatant induced the synthesis of medium-chain fatty acids in proportions which were similar to those found in goat milk fat.     

Stable carbon and oxygen isotopes in human tooth enamel: Identifying breastfeeding and weaning in prehistory. Am. J. Phys. Anthropol. 106: 1–18.

ERRATUM: Wright LE and Schwarcz HP (1998) Stable Carbon and Oxygen Isotopes in Human Tooth Enamel: Identifying Breastfeeding and Weaning in Prehistory. Am. J. Phys. Anthropol. 106: 1–18. Isotopic ratios were incorrectly printed as percentages (%) rather than units permil (‰). Wherever “breast feeding” and “breast fed” occur, the words should be combined into “breastfeeding” and “breastfed” respectively. The correct information on isotopic ratios is the following: p. 1, Abstract: all % signs should be “‰”; p. 2, column two, last line: “… δ¹³C values¹, have been …”; p. 2, Footnote 1 should read: “Isotope ratios of carbon and oxygen are expressed in δ notation as follows, δ = [(R_sample/R_standard) − 1] × 1000, where R = ¹³C/¹²C for δ¹³C, and R = ¹⁸O/¹⁶O for δ¹⁸O, and are in units permil, ‰.”; p. 3, column two: all % signs should be “‰”, except for the 23rd line from the bottom, which reads: “… provided 95% of water intake by all infants …”; p. 5: all % signs should be “‰”; p. 6, column one: 8th and 9th line from bottom should be “… mean deviations were 0.029‰ for δ¹³C and 0.024‰ for δ¹⁸O …”; p. 6, column one: 2nd line from bottom should be “… only 0.208‰ for δ¹³C and only 0.091‰ for δ¹⁸O …”; p. 6, column two: top line: “… of 0.5‰ in δ¹³C and 0.2‰ in δ¹⁸O …”; p. 8, 9 and 10: all % signs should be “‰”; p. 11, column two: 7th line from top: “… the lipids are 4-6‰ lighter …”; p. 12, 13 and 14: all % signs should be “‰.”     

Algae in cytologic smears.

OBJECTIVE: To desmonstrate the presence of algae in smears and establish their significance. STUDY DESIGN: Microscopic examination of smears stained by the Papanicolaou technique. RESULTS: We found 12 different species of algae, clustered in three categories: Cyanophita (blue algae), Chrysophyta (yellow algae) and Chlorophyta (green algae). CONCLUSION: Algae in smears are infrequently observed, with few bibliographic references. Their presence is due to intrinsic or extrinsic contamination. They may be confused with other structures, such as fungi, Charcott crystals or adenocarcinoma cells.     

Diagnostic DNA-flow- vs. -image-cytometry in effusion cytology.

AIMS: To determine the sensitivity and specificity of flow- and image-cytometry for the detection of DNA-aneuploidy as a marker for malignant cells in effusions. METHODS: 200 effusions (80 tumor cell-positive, 74 negative and 46 cytologically equivocal) were stained with DAPI-SR for DNA-flow- and with Feulgen-Pararosaniline for -image-cytometry. They were measured using a PAS-flow-cytometer and an AutoCyte-QUIC-DNA-workstation according to the ESACP consensus reports for DNA-flow- and -image-cytometry, respectively [7,23,29,49]. RESULTS: Sensitivity of DNA-aneuploidy for the identification of malignant cells was 32.1% for DNA-flow- and 75.0% for -image-cytometry, specificity of -euploidy in benign cells was 100.0% for both methods. Positive predictive value of DNA-aneuploidy for the identification of malignant cells was 100.0% for both techniques, negative predictive value of DNA-euploidy was 48.6% for DNA-flow- and 72.0% for -image-cytometry. CONCLUSIONS: Searching for DNA-aneuploidy as a diagnostic marker for neoplastic cells in serous effusions image-cytometry revealed superior sensitivity as compared with monoparametric flow cytometry.     

Biosynthesis of paf-acether. XVI. Acetyltransferase specificity determines composition of paf-acether molecular species in human polymorphonuclear neutrophils.

In human neutrophils, the velocity of the lyso paf-acether:acetyl-CoA acetyltransferase reaction was almost 2-fold higher in the presence of lyso paf-acether bearing a 16:0 alkyl chain at the sn-1 position of glycerol than in that of its 18:0 analog. The paf-acether produced from an equimolar mixture of the two substrates was a 5:1 mixture, respectively, of the 16:0 and 18:0 species. The ratio of 16:0/18:0 lyso paf-acether in microsomal fractions, as analyzed by gas chromatography, was close to 1, whereas the paf-acether formed in these fractions from endogenous phospholipids was nearly exclusively of the 16:0 form. We conclude that acetyltransferase possesses a higher affinity for 16:0 than for 18:0 lyso-PAF and thus might control the molecular composition of paf-acether synthesized by stimulated human polymorphonuclear neutrophils.     

Six newSalmonella types,isolated in ghana (S. volta,S. agona,S. wa,S. techimani,S. mampong andS. tafo)

Summary Six newSalmonella types isolated in Ghana are described.S. volta, 11: 4: 1,z₁₃, z₂₈ was isolated from a swine;S.agona 4,12: fgs:—,S.wa, 16: b: 1,5S.technimani, 28: c: z₆ andS.tafo, 1, 4 12, 27: z₃₅: 1,7 were isolated from cattle;S.mampong, 13,22: z₃₅: 1,6, was isolated from a lizzard.     

The aspartimide problem in Fmoc-based SPPS. Part II.

The sequence dependence of base-catalysed aspartmide formation during Fmoc-based SPPS was systematically studied employing the peptide models H-Val-Lys-Asp-Xaa-Tyr-Ile-OH. The extent of formation of aspartimide and related by-products was determined by RP-HPLC. Considerable amounts of by-products were formed in the case of Xaa = Asp(OtBu), Arg(Pbf), Asn(Mtt), Cys(Acm) and unprotected Thr. Aspartimide formation could be diminished by incorporation of Asp(OMpe) or by employing milder methods for Fmoc cleavage, e.g. hexamethyleneimine/N-methylpyrrolidine/HOBt/NMP/DMSO 4:50:4:71:71 (v/v/w/v/v).     

Changes of membrane phospholipid composition of human erythrocytes in hyperlipidemias. II. Increases in distinct molecular species of phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylcholine containing arachidonic acid.

The molecular species composition of red blood cell diacyl-phosphatidylcholine (PC), diacyl-phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) and alkenylacyl-PE (plasmalogen PE) has been analyzed in normolipidemic and hyperlipidemic donors. In all three phospholipid subclasses the percentages of the species 16:0/20:4 were increased in hyperlipidemic patients. In diacyl-PE, 18:1/20:4 was also elevated. No changes were observed in the other quantitatively important molecular species containing arachidonic acid at sn-2, namely 18:0/20:4. The rise in 16:0/20:4 in diacyl-PC and diacyl-PE of hyperlipidemic donors was accompanied by a fall in molecular species with linoleic acid (18:2) at sn-2 (in particular 18:1/18:2). In alkenylacyl-PE the elevation of 16:0/20:4 was compensated by a decrease in species with docosatetraenoic acid (22:4) at sn-2 in particular by a fall in 16:0/22:4. Among all donors, the percentages of 16:0/20:4 in diacyl-PC and PE were positively associated with plasma total cholesterol levels. The changes in molecular species composition of PC and PE in hyperlipidemia are expected to alter the function of erythrocyte membrane transport proteins and--if present also in other cell types--to affect eicosanoid metabolism.     

Paramyosin in invertebrate muscles. II. Content in relation to structure and function

By quantitative sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, paramyosin:myosin heavy chain molecular ratios were calculated for three molluscan muscles:Aequipecten striated adductor, Mercenaria opaque adductor, and Mytilus anterior byssus retractor; and four arthropodan muscles:Limulus telson, Homarus slow claw. Balanus scutal depressor, and Lethocerus air tube retractor. These ratios correlate positively with both thick filament dimensions and maximum active tension development in these tissues. The role of paramyosin in these muscles is discussed with respect to the following characteristics: force development, "catch," and extreme reversible changes in length.     

Population genetic studies in the Balkans. I. Serum proteins

Within a study of the genetics of Southeastern European populations seven serum protein polymorphisms (AMY2, BF, C3, CP, GC, HPA, TF) were examined in three samples of Aromuns (Albania: the village of Andon Poci, province Gjirocaster, Republic of Macedonia: Stip region, Romania: the village Kogalniceanu, province Dobruja) and four reference samples (Albanians: Tirana, Romanians: Constanta and Ploiesti as well as Greeks (Northeastern Greece)). The Aromun samples from Albania and Romania form one separate cluster and the reference samples together with the Aromuns from Macedonia (Stip region) form a second one.     

Coordination of wingbeat and respiration in birds. II. "Fictive" flight.

To determine whether an interaction between central respiratory and locomotor networks may be involved in the observed coordination of wingbeat and respiratory rhythms during free flight in birds, we examined the relationship between wingbeat and respiratory activity in decerebrate Canada geese and Pekin ducks before and after paralysis. Locomotor activity was induced through electrical stimulation of brain stem locomotor regions. Respiratory frequency (fv) was monitored via pneumotachography and intercostal electromyogram recordings before paralysis and via intercostal and cranial nerve IX electroneurogram recordings after paralysis. Wingbeat frequency (fW) was monitored using pectoralis major electromyogram recordings before, and electroneurogram recordings after, paralysis. Respiratory and cardiovascular responses of decerebrate birds during active (nonparalyzed) and "fictive" (paralyzed) wing activity were qualitatively similar to those of a variety of vertebrate species to exercise. As seen during free flight, wingbeat and respiratory rhythms were always coordinated during electrically induced wing activity. Before paralysis during active wing flapping, coupling ratios (fW/fv) of 1:1, 2:1, 3:1, and 4:1 (wingbeats per breath) were observed. After paralysis, fW and fv remained coupled; however, 1:1 coordination predominated. All animals tested (n = 9) showed 1:1 coordination. Two animals also showed brief periods of 2:1 coupling. It is clear that locomotor and respiratory networks interact on a central level to produce a synchronized output. The observation that the coordination between fW and fv differs in paralyzed and nonparalyzed birds suggests that peripheral feedback is involved in the modulation of a centrally derived coordination.     

Pleurambus strongylus n. gen., n. sp. (Coleoptera: Belidae) in Dominican amber

A new genus and species of belid weevils, Pleurambus strongylus Poinar and Legalov, n. gen., n. sp. (Coleoptera: Belidae) in the tribe Allocorynini is described from Dominican amber. Belid fossils are quite rare and the new species is the first fossil member of the family from the Neotropics. This discovery suggests that belid diversity in Hispaniola during the Tertiary was higher than at present since no extant belids have been reported from the West Indies.http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:DF79FF39-634D-4BD7-AD0B-F5FB3BBE1081     

Succinapion telnovi n. gen. et n. sp. of the tribe Kalcapiini (Coleoptera: Brentidae: Apioninae) in Baltic amber

A new genus and species, Succinapion telnovi n. gen. et n. sp. (Coleoptera: Curculionoidea: Brentidae: Apioninae: Kalcapiini) is described and illustrated from Upper Eocene Baltic amber. The new genus is similar to the genus Melanapion Wagner, 1930 but differs from it in having femora ventrally with spine at distal 1/3, simple claws, a longer rostrum, elytra weakly widened towards apex, longer antennae and slightly narrower elytral striae.http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:2A95C49D-5589-4ACA-8A87-0DDF635BA25E     

Chronobiology in 1975.

A spectrum of rhythms with several frequencies importantly characterizes not only the central nervous system but also the neuroendocrines and endocrines, other structures and organs, beyond the level of the cell to subcellular structures; it has a wide bearing since chronobiologic methods and facts relate to both basic research and its bearing on major problems of our day. Perhaps most important, computer analysis of data series allows study of temporal structure, progressive and rhythmic variations in life processes and in their responses to environment and drugs. By such methods coupled to modern data collection and/or self-measurement, chronobiology is particularly promising in the following areas, cited as illustrative rather than comprehensive examples: 1. Work hygiene: optimization of work schedules by adjustment of regular schedules and in particular of shift-work to the individuals' physical and mental rhythms. Experimentally, differences in manner of schedule change can account for the difference between the life span shortening and lengthening. 2. Population control: improved methods for detecting the neural as well as neurohormonal regulation of ovulatory cycles should aid efficient family planning by the recognition of a spectrum of rhythms and its synchronization with socio-ecologic factors acting, perhaps, via olfactory and/or other sensory modalities; 3. Nutrition: optimizing the utilization of ever scarcer food supplies and also the benefit from both oral and parenteral medications by meal timing; 4. Education: providing a do-it-yourself system for monitoring individual health in the context of secondary and adult education and as the basis for preventive health care; and, in another context, taking individual mental rhythms as well as morningness-eveningness into account in teaching and learning; 5. Health care: Any risk, e.g., from blood pressure rhythm alteration (perhaps preceding by years intermittent labile elevation) will be detected earlier and more efficiently by multiple measurements readily obtained by autorhythmometry. Results of such an endeavor provide at any one time indices that can be compared with an individualized rhythmometric reference standard as well as peer group rhythm parameters. The rhythm-determined average is more reliable than the single measurement. Other individualized characteristics of a rhythm, such as measures of extent of change or timing of change, may constitute an early warning signal and could be monitored by self-measured or preferably automatically-collected data. Timely and timed treatment can then be sought to prevent, in the case of blood pressure, elevation and consequent debilitating disease such as coronary infarction and stroke. 6. Therapy: One can strive toward the more specific correction of any pathogenic rhythm alteration when such can be recognized by modern methods of data collection and data analysis...     

Extrachromosomal inheritance in Schizosaccharomyces pombe. I. Evidence for an extrakaryotically inherited mutation conferring resistance to antimycin.

In crosses of [ANTr8] with auxotrophic strains, resistance to antimycin segregates almost 50:50 in random spore analysis with a slight preponderance for the sensitivity allele. Tetrad analysis, however, shows all possible types of tetrads (2:2; 3:1; 1:3; 4:0; 0:4 resistant versus sensitive) with an excess of 2:2 segregations and sectoring of colonies on antimycin medium indicating an extrachromosomal mode of inheritance. The overall ratio of resistant versus sensitive spores is the same as compared with random spore data. Using a mutant blocked in meiosis (mei 1) mitotic segregation of stable diploids is achieved, leading to a ratio of 20% resistant to 80% sensitive clones. Possible reasons for the bias in transmission of the resistance determinant is discussed.     

Variation in breast cancer surgery in Ontario.

OBJECTIVES: To analyse the extent of variation by county and hospital in the use of breast-conserving surgery in the initial management of breast cancer and to assess some factors that might explain the observed variation. DESIGN: Population-based retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Ontario. PATIENTS: All women with breast cancer newly diagnosed from Jan. 1, 1989, to Dec. 31, 1991. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Proportion of women undergoing unilateral breast cancer surgery who had breast-conserving surgery in each hospital and county. RESULTS: Of the 14,570 women with newly diagnosed breast cancer 12,815 (88.0%) underwent unilateral breast cancer surgery. The mean proportion of breast-conserving procedures by county was 52% and ranged from 11% to 84%. The proportion of breast-conserving procedures in individual hospitals with one or more cases of breast cancer per month ranged from 6% to 84%. The variations in the rates between hospitals was greater than that expected by chance alone (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: There was marked variation at the hospital and county level in the use of breast-conserving surgery in the initial management of breast cancer. This variation was strongly associated with the hospital where the surgery was performed.     

Four newSalmonella types (S. gambaga,S. kumasi,S. pramiso andS. ashanti) isolated in Ghana

Summary Four newSalmonella types isolated in Ghana are described.S.gambaga, 21; z35: enz15,S.kumasi, 30;z10: enz15, andS.pramiso, 3,10;c: 1,7 were isolated from reptiles,S. ashanti, 28; b: 1,6 was isolated from a rat.     

Sex determination in Actinidia. 1. Sex-linked markers and progeny sex ratio in diploid A. chinensis

 First results from two strategies aimed at elucidating the genetics of sex in the dioecious genus Actinidia Lindl. (Actinidiaceae) support the hypothesis that sex-determining genes are localized in a pair of chromosomes which, although cytologically indistinguishable, function like an XX/XY system with male heterogamety. A. chinensis Planch., a close relative of the kiwifruit [A. deliciosa (A. Chev.) CF Liang et AR Ferguson], has diploid and tetraploid races. Bulk segregant analysis to find sex-linked markers revealed two markers whose inheritance patterns in three diploid families showed X and Y linkage and indicated that the male is the heterogametic sex. Some recombination between the markers and the sex-determining loci was also demonstrated. Sex ratios in 12 progenies from controlled crosses varied around 1:1, as expected for an XX/XY system. Received: 20 December 1995 / Revision accepted: 24 April 1997