Similarities and differences in the growth of the heart in situ and in transplants

Growth and ploidy of rat ventricular myocytes were studied during development in situ and in grafts (1 day old rat ventricle transplanted under kidney capsule of syngenic adult animals). Both in situ and in the transplants polyploidization occurred on days 4-14 of postnatal life, and the modal group of myocytes was represented by binucleate diploid (2c x 2) cells. Minor quantities of 4c, 4c x 2, 8c and 2c x 4 myocytes were detected as well. In ventricles of 14 and 28 days old rats and in the transplants of the corresponding age the portion of polyploid myocytes was 90-96% and 32-63% respectively. The intensity of postmitotic myocyte transplants was decreased as compared with in situ development, and cells that exit proliferation cycle did not grow until day 14. The data on thymidine label dilution suggest that diploid myocytes of the transplant can divide two or three times but the majority of labeled diploids divided only once. Labeled 2c x 2 myocytes originated from the first, and less frequently, the second cell generation or resulted from initial acytokinetic mitosis. Mononucleate tetraploids 4c originated from 2c x 2 and mostly from 2c cells. Octaploids were formed after 3d or 4th labeled mitosis. The conclusion about cardiac myocyte polyploidization as an intrinsic developmental program is supported, implying the programming of onset, mode, duration and termination of polyploidization and its prolongation during early postnatal life.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Differences in the concentration of erythrocytes and the hematocrit value in the blood in relation to the location of the vessels and the intensity of the blood flow

The experiments in adult rabbits revealed that in the blood flowing in cerebral veins the red cell concentration and hematocrit are much greater than in the veins of hind legs of the same animals. In blood samples taken from the heart these values are higher than in those taken from the hind leg, but usually lower than in blood samples taken from the brain. Under conditions of reduced cerebral blood flow (ischemia) the red cell concentration and hematocrit in the brain vessels decrease significantly as compared to the control conditions. Thus, the red cell distribution in arterial branching sequence is irregular, depending both on the localization of the vascular bed and the blood flow rate in it.     

Tremor characteristics in the norm and in the diagnosis and treatment of parkinsonism

With the aid of tensotremorography, a voluntary effort was recorded and characteristics of involuntary and voluntary components of the hands' isometrically recorded efforts were studied. The revealed frequency ranges of the oscillations spectral density's changes corroborate existence of two suprasegmental systems of movements control, the systems being related to voluntary control and a current control of the efforts maintaining or preserving a posture. Results of cross-correlation analysis of the hands' efforts maintained under conditions of a visual feedback are demonstrated in norm and in central disorders of the movement control system.     

国际植物基因组组织与计划概况及我国的应对策略

本文简要介绍了植物基因组领域主要的组织和计划,简单分析了国际植物基因组计划的特点和我国存在的问题,并初步提出我国的应对策略。     

Interactions in the Metabolism of Glutamate and the Branched-Chain Amino Acids and Ketoacids in the CNS

Glutamatergic neurotransmission entails a tonic loss of glutamate from nerve endings into the synapse. Replacement of neuronal glutamate is essential in order to avoid depletion of the internal pool. In brain this occurs primarily via the glutamate-glutamine cycle, which invokes astrocytic synthesis of glutamine and hydrolysis of this amino acid via neuronal phosphate-dependent glutaminase. This cycle maintains constancy of internal pools, but it does not provide a mechanism for inevitable losses of glutamate N from brain. Import of glutamine or glutamate from blood does not occur to any appreciable extent. However, the branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) cross the blood–brain barrier swiftly. The brain possesses abundant branched-chain amino acid transaminase activity which replenishes brain glutamate and also generates branched-chain ketoacids. It seems probable that the branched-chain amino acids and ketoacids participate in a “glutamate-BCAA cycle” which involves shuttling of branched-chain amino acids and ketoacids between astrocytes and neurons. This mechanism not only supports the synthesis of glutamate, it also may constitute a mechanism by which high (and potentially toxic) concentrations of glutamate can be avoided by the re-amination of branched-chain ketoacids.     

Neural induction and patterning in the mouse in the absence of the node and its derivatives

The signals which induce vertebrate neural tissue and pattern it along the anterior-posterior (A-P) axis have been proposed to emanate from Spemann's organizer, which in mammals is a structure termed the node. However, mouse embryos mutant for HNF3 beta lack a morphological node and node derivatives yet undergo neural induction. Gene expression domains occur at their normal A-P axial positions along the mutant neural tubes in an apparently normal temporal manner, including the most anterior and posterior markers. This neural patterning occurs in the absence of expression of known organizer genes, including the neural inducers chordin and noggin. Other potential signaling centers in gastrulating mutant embryos appear to express their normal constellation of putative secreted factors, consistent with the possibility that neural-inducing and -patterning signals emanate from elsewhere or at an earlier time. Nevertheless, we find that the node and the anterior primitive streak, from which the node derives, are direct sources of neural-inducing signals, as judged by expression of the early midbrain marker Engrailed, in explant-recombination experiments. Similar experiments showed the neural-inducing activity in HNF3 beta mutants to be diffusely distributed. Our results indicate that the mammalian organizer is capable of neural induction and patterning of the neural plate, but that maintenance of an organizer-like signaling center is not necessary for either process.     

Corticotrophic cells in the rostral zone of the pars intermedia and in the adjacent neurohypophysis of the rat and mouse

Summary In the mouse, the rostral zone of the pars intermedia is almost exclusively composed of typical corticotrophic cells. They are located around and even within the neural stalk, at the level of transition between stalk and neural lobe. In the rat, the corticotrophic cells of the rostral zone are found in scattered islets among the MSH producing cells, and also in the neural lobe. In both the rat and mouse, these cells are in direct contact with various types of nerve terminals. Synaptoid contacts with aminergic and neurosecretory nerve fibers are observed. Furthermore they are also closely related to the hypophysial portal vessels. Following adrenalectomy, the cells located in the neurohypophysis always react more intensely than tose in the rostral zone. The functional significance of these corticotrophic cells which are subject to both humoral and neural regulation remains as yet hypothetical. Their participation in neurogenic stress response seems probable.     

Variation in the sizes of eggs and oncospheres and the numbers and distributions of testes in the tapeworm, Hymenolepis diminuta

Four "strains" of Hymenolepis diminuta were examined for morphological variation. These included the ARME "strain" (currently maintained at the University of Keele, U.K.), the OSU "strain" (currently maintained at The Ohio State University) and the TOR (or UT) "strain" (currently maintained at the University of Toronto), all of which were derived from the parental RICE "strain," and the ANU "strain" (currently maintained at the Australian National University). Additionally, 2 separate "clonal" populations (populations derived from single cysticercoids) from both the OSU and ANU "strains" were examined. All "strains" and "clones" were maintained under identical conditions using Tenebrio molitor and male Sprague-Dawley rats as the intermediate and definitive hosts, respectively. The lengths and widths of eggs and larvae (oncospheres) passed in the hosts' feces, and the numbers and distributions of testes in proglottids were quantified and the data analyzed. Although analyses of the lengths and widths of eggs and larvae demonstrated significant differences among some "strains" and "clones," a discriminate analysis of the data indicated these parameters to be of questionable taxonomic significance. The eggs of all "strains" and "clones" consisted of 2 distinct populations differing in density and size but not infectivity; the relative proportions of eggs in the 2 populations were not determined. Considering all possible numbers and distributions of testes, 17 variations were seen in the strobilae of tapeworms. Analyses of the data demonstrated that the "strains" and "clones" could be differentiated clearly using only the frequencies of the 1p2a (1 poral and 2 aporal testes) or 1p3a distribution, or the frequencies of proglottids containing 3 or 4 testes; all other variations failed to clearly differentiate or group the various "strains" and "clones."(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Age and local changes in the architectonics of the lymphatic bed of the wall of the jejunum and ileum in normal rabbits

Age and local changes of the lymphatic bed have been studied in the jejunum and ileum preparations obtained from 100 rabbits. The architectonics of the bed is stated to undergo some age and local changes. In fetuses and two-week-old rabbits, chyle sinuses are narrow and all flow into the capillaries of the tela submucosa. In one-month-old animals, the mucosal capillary network is developing and the chyle sinuses flow into it. In six--ten-month-old rabbits, intestinal bed is already formed, the chyle sinuses are wide. Aged changes are represented by a considerably rarefied networks, decrease in the chyle sinuses caliber, deformation of the sinus, capillary and vessel walls. In the jejunum, unlike the ileum, the chyle sinuses are of larger size and have more complex architectonics in the capillary networks of the mucosa and tela submucosa.     

Metamorphosis in the Cirripedia Rhizocephala and the homology of the kentrogon and trichogon

The Rhizocephala are considered to be monophyletic due to several synapomorphies in the ontogeny of the cndoparasitic phase. The various types of metamorphosis described in the Rhizocephala are discussed and compared to metamorphosis in the Cirripedia Thoracica and Acrothoracica. In males and females of the suborder Kentrogonida. the cyprid settles and metamorphoses into a new instar, in males the trichogen and in females the infective kentrogon. The kentrogon goes through yet another. incomplete moult associated with the development of the stylet. Within the three kentrogonidan families. the Iernaeodiscid-peltogastrid type of kentrogon differs from the sacculinid type in the mode of attachment to the host. in the complexity of internal anatomy. in the position and penetration of the stylet, and in whether or not the cyprid carapace must be shed prior to penetration of the stylet. In the Akentrogonida metamorphosis never results in a new instar. Where observed (Clistosaccidae and Thompsoniidae). both male and female cyprids settle and penetrate into their substrate (female parasite or new host) with one of the antennules. Using the antennule as a syringe. male cyprids inject spermatogonia while female cyprids injects embryonic cells developing into an endoparasite. By comparison with metamorphosis in the Cirripedia Thoracica and Acrothoracica it is concluded that the presence of a metamorphic moult leading to a post-cyprid instar is plesiomorphic and that the trichogon and kentrogon are homologous with the first metamorphosed juvenile in these outgroups. The abbreviated ontogeny in the Akentrogonida without metamorphic moult and post-cyprid larval instars is considered apomorphic. This contradicts the long-held supposition that the Akentrogonida are the most‘primitive’Rhizocephala and dovetails with new information that this suborder contains many advanced traits. Within the Kentrogonida. the lernacodiseid-peltogastrid type of kentrogon is considered more plesiomorphic than the sacculinid type, which resembles the clistosaccidthompsoniid type in having the antennules involved in the penetration process. The homologization of the kentrogon with a juvenile barnacle indicates that presence of a kentrogon is plesiomorphic within the Rhizocephala and that the Kentrogonida is paraphyletic.     

Cytochemical study of the DNA and histone in the tissues of the lily anther in the course of microsporo- and gametogenesis]

The DNA and histone content in the microsporocytes, microspores, generative and vegetative cells of the pollen grain of Lilium candidum L., as well as in the anther wall tissues, was estimated by double wavelength cytophotometry. The lack of histone, as compared with DNA content, was demonstrated in the microsporocytes at the late premeiotic interphase and early meiotic prophase, as well as in the young microspores and anther wall tissues. The analysis of hydrolysis curves suggests the increase of non-condensed chromatin during endothelial cell differentiation.     

Progesterone and corticosteroids in the initiation of lactation in the sow

The concentration of lactose in the mammary secretion from individual glands of two sows increased significantly (P less than 0.01) between 0 and 24 h after parturition. In six sows studied during the perinatal period there was a negative correlation (r = -0.80; P less than 0.02) at parturition between the concentration of progesterone in the blood and the concentration of lactose in the mammary secretion. Furthermore, the increase in concentration of lactose in the mammary secretion after parturition was related to the timing of the decline of plasma progesterone to low levels. The results indicate that the initiation of lactation occurs within 24 h of parturition in most sows, and the results are consistent with the hypothesis that progesterone withdrawal acts as the 'trigger'. Neither the changes in corticosteroid binding globulin nor the changes in total corticosteroids were temporally related to the initiation of lactation. However, a circadian rhythm was observed for total corticosteroids in the blood of three out of nine lactating and pregnant sows, whereas no circadian rhythm was observed in progesterone of the four pregnant sows. The results are discussed in relation to the disease complex mastitis-metritis-agalactia.     

Age related changes in weight and the concentrations of zinc and copper in the brain of the adult rat

Two groups of adult male rats aged 15 weeks and 49 weeks, 15 rats in each group, were analysed for the concentrations of the trace elements zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) in serum, liver, kidney, and five parts of the brain (cortex, corpus striatum, hippocampus, midbrain + medulla, and cerebellum). All organs increased in weight from 15 weeks to 49 weeks. In all parts of the brain, except for corpus striatum, there was a significant increase of the weights. The dry weight (% of wet) increased in all parts of the brain. In serum, the Zn and Cu concentrations increased from 15 weeks to 49 weeks. In the liver, both concentrations decreased and in the kidney the concentrations increased with increasing age. The Zn concentrations increased in cortex and corpus striatum and decreased in cerebellum and hippocampus. The Cu levels increased in all parts of the brain with the largest changes in corpus striatum. For rats aged 49 weeks, a significant correlation was found between the Cu concentrations of corpus striatum or midbrain + medulla and the fluid consumption. The findings of the present study reveal a dynamic age-related pattern of changes in the concentrations of Zn and Cu in different organs of the adult rat. This stresses the need of age-matching as an important control in experiment studies.     

Differences in the cyto- and angioarchitectonics of the ventral horns of the spinal cord in higher and lower vertebrates

When comparing structures of the ventral horns of the spinal cord in amphibia (Rana esculenta) and Carnivora (cat, dog), it has been stated that in the latter, together with increasing number of neurons their blood supply is improving. This is demonstrated as a growing density of the capillary network in the cerebral substance and increasing number of capillaries within 25 mcm around the neuronal bodies. Glial surrounding of the neurons changes considerably. Both in the amphibia and Carnivora astrocytes and oligodendrocytes play the role of neuronal satellites. But in the amphibia astrocytes as satellites occur much more often than oligodendrocytes. This is evidently connected with a low blood supply and with certain peculiarities of metabolic processes in the cerebral tissue.     

利用微型生物指示评价污水处理厂运行的研究进展

目前基于理化指标和出水水质来调控污水处理厂运行工况存在一定滞后性,且建立的控制策略不利于系统长期稳定地运行.活性污泥工艺运行状态对微型生物的种群结构具有显著影响,可利用微型生物种群结构来指示和评价污水处理厂运行,且有利于建立面向种群优化的控制系统.在介绍微型生物分类、鉴定、计数的基础上详细阐述了微型生物种群结构与污水处理厂运行状态的相关性与内在联系,力求为今后利用微型生物种群结构特性来指示,评价污水处理厂的运行奠定基础.并对此方面的研究方向进行了展望.     

Structure and function in bacteriorhodopsin: the role of the interhelical loops in the folding and stability of bacteriorhodopsin

Bacteriorhodopsin functions as a light-driven proton pump in Halobacterium salinarium. The functional protein consists of an apoprotein, bacterioopsin, with seven transmembrane alpha helices together with a covalently bound all-trans retinal chromophore. In order to study the role of the interhelical loop conformations in the structure and function of bacteriorhodopsin, we have constructed bacterioopsin genes where each loop is replaced, one at a time, by a peptide linker consisting of Gly-Gly-Ser- repeat sequences, which are believed to have flexible conformations. These mutant proteins have been expressed in Escherichia coli, purified and reconstituted with all-trans retinal in l-alpha-1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DMPC)/3-(3-cholamidopropyl)dimethylammonio-1-propane sulfonate (CHAPS)/SDS and l-alpha-1,2-dihexanoylphosphatidylcholine (DHPC)/DMPC/SDS micelles. Wild-type-like chromophore formation was observed in all the mutants containing single loop replacements. In the BC and FG mutants, an additional chromophore band with an absorption band at about 480 nm was observed, which was in equilibrium with the 550 nm, wild-type band. The position of the equilibrium depended on temperature, SDS and relative DMPC concentration. The proton pumping activity of all of the mutants was comparable to that of wild-type bR except for the BC and FG mutants, which had lower activity. All of the loop mutants were more sensitive to denaturation by SDS than the wild-type protein, except the mutant where the DE loop was replaced. These results suggest that a specific conformation of all the loops of bR, except the DE loop, contributes to bR stability and is required for the correct folding and function of the protein. An increase in the relative proportion of DHPC in DHPC/DMPC micelles, which reduces the micelle rigidity and alters the micelle shape, resulted in lower folding yields of all loop mutants except the BC and DE mutants. This effect of micelle rigidity on the bR folding yield correlated with a loss in stability of a partially folded, seven-transmembrane apoprotein intermediate state in SDS/DMPC/CHAPS micelles. The folding yield and stability of the apoprotein intermediate state both decreased for the loop mutants in the order WT approximately BC approximately DE>FG>AB>EF> or =CD, where the EF and CD loop mutants were the least stable.