Immune response in human subjects at high altitude

Levels of immunoglobulins were determined in persons exposed to high altitude. The individuals studied included high altitude natives, sea level residents at high altitude for 2 years, and recent arrivals at high altitude. Increased IgG and IgA levels were found in high altitude natives and sea level residents at high altitude for 2 years when compared with sea level residents. In recent arrivals marked increase of IgG and IgG levels and slight rise in IgM was seen. Recent arrivals who suffered from high altitude pulmonary oedema showed marked elevation of IgG, IgM, and IgA. Immunoglobulin responses to both primary and secondary TAB inoculation were of a higher magnitude and more sustained at high altitude than at sea level.     

The role of homoeologous group 1 chromosomes in the control of rRNA genes in wheat

The presence of rRNA genes on homoeologous chromosomes 1A, 1B, and 1D of hexaploid wheat was investigated by rRNA/DNA hybridization, using DNA purified from aneuploid and substitution line derivatives of the variety Chinese Spring. Doubling the number of 1B chromosomes increased the number of rRNA genes by 31–49% but deleting the 1B chromosomes decreased the number by only 15–23%. This suggests that changes may occur in rRNA gene multiplicity at other nucleolar organizer sites to partially compensate for a deficiency of rRNA genes. There was no unequivocal evidence of rRNA genes on Chinese Spring chromosome 1A or 1D, but other varieties were shown to have rRNA genes on chromosome 1A. These results are consistent with the cytological observations that chromosomes 1A and 1B but not 1D possess nucleolar organizers.     

On the carrying behaviour of basic South American primates

InCallithrix, Saguinus, Aotus, andCallicebus other group members than the mother participate in infant care. Differences among these species are obvious in respect to the time of being off any caregiver, and in respect to the carrying position (Aotus andCallicebus). Alloparental care, a basic behaviour pattern in these species, has evolved from the parking behaviour of the prosimians. The infants are «parked» at other group members.     

Translation of pure feather keratin mRNA in a wheat embryo cell-free system

Highly purified feather keratin mRNA, prepared by dissociation of mRNP particles in Na dodecyl sulphate, was translated in a wheat embryo cell-free system with similar efficiency to rabbit globin mRNA and RNA purified from cucumber mosaic virus. The only detectable products of translation of the keratin mRNA were keratin chains, which were identical to native keratin chains as judged by several different criteria. These results support previous conclusions that the keratin mRNA can be obtained in a pure state.     

Species ofIchneumonidae [Hym.], parasites of some lepidopterous pests of lucerne in Romania

Eleven species ofIchneumonidae were identified as parasites of lepidopterous pests of lucerne. All of the parasitized Lepidoptera are new host records for theseIchneumonidae andDiadegma variegata Szépl. is a species of parasite new to Romania.     

Effects of cordycepin,hydroxyurea and cycloheximide on histone mRNA synthesis in synchronized HeLa cells

The effects of cordycepin, hydroxyurea and cycloheximide on the synthesis of histone mRNA in synchronized HeLa cells were studied by quantitating the RNA, using translation in a rabbit reticulocyte cell-free system. It was found that biologically active histone mRNA is synthesized in the presence of cordycepin. This result strengthens the findings by others that histone mRNA does not contain poly(A). Hydroxyurea and cycloheximide, when used at concentrations that inhibit cellular DNA synthesis, had different effects on histone messenger activity. While polyribosomal messenger activity rapidly declined after addition of hydroxyurea it was not impaired by cycloheximide. These results might help to elucidate regulatory mechanisms involved in the coupled synthesis of DNA and histones in HeLa cells.     

MiR-199a is overexpressed in plasma of type 2 diabetes patients which contributes to type 2 diabetes by targeting GLUT4

Decreased GLUT4 expression and impaired GLUT4 cell membrane translocation are involved in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) pathogenesis so the factors impacting GLUT4 expression may be associated with T2DM. In this study, we identified four miRNAs: miR-31, miR-93, miR-146a, and miR-199a which suppress GLUT4 expression in HEK293T cells. Subsequently, we determined expression of these four miRNAs in plasma samples of T2DM patients, T2DM susceptible individuals, and healthy controls and found miR-199a was overexpressed in patients’ plasma compared with healthy control. Because the miR-199a binding site in GLUT4 3′UTR is highly conserved among vertebrates, we detected the glucose uptake in rat L6 myoblast cells through gain- and loss-of-function of miR-199a. We found that miR-199a can repress glucose uptake in L6 cells, which was rescued by GLUT4 overexpression. These results indicate that T2DM patients may have a high level miR-199a that reduce GLUT4 expression and contribute to the insulin resistance. Hence, miR-199a may be a novel biomarker for risk estimation and classification in T2DM patients.     

The dynamics of the formation of virus-neutralizing,complement-fixing and immunofluorescent antibodies to the rabies virus in guinea pigs

The aim of the present work was to establish the dynamics of the formation of virus-neutralizing (VN), complement-fixing (CF) and immunofluorescent (IF) antibodies in guinea pig antisera or fractions (IgM, IgG, 7S γ-2 7S γ-1 and F-fraction) obtained by gel filtration on a G-200 Sephadex column, or by chromatography on DEAE cellulose. It was shown that (I) there exists a correlation between the development and titres of VN and IF antibodies. This correlation was observed in both whole serum and its fractions IgG, 7S γ-2 and 7S γ-1 during the whole experimental period. (2) The formation of CF antibodies, followed a different pattern in comparison with VN and IF antibodies. (3) VN, IF and CF antibodies were found to be bound to the IgG fraction, and most of the activity was found in subfraction 7S γ-2. The subfraction 7S γ-1 possessed approximately one half of the activity of fraction 7S γ-2 as regards VN and IF antibodies, and almost no activity of CF antibodies. (4) Both VN and CF antibodies, present in the IgM fraction, reached the maximum in the second blood sample, i.e. 14 days after the first dose of virulent virus. In the further course of the antibody response in guinea pigs, the curve of VN, IF and CF antibodies showed a reversed trend in the whole serum rather than in the IgM fraction.