Huntington's chorea. The Liège experience

The hereditary choreas are studied in Liège since twenty-five years. The records of psychiatric hospitals (ruled by the belgian law on confinement, 1850-1873), the archives of the "Etat-Civil" (since 1806) and the parochial registers (XVIIIth century) were tapped. From hundreds of choreic records, unquestionable or dubious, genealogical trees, sometimes stretching along nine generations were built up. About fifty pedigrees gather the patients of four Belgian provinces (out of nine). The oldest and undeniable document was written in 1793. With this wealth in hand, we are able to corroborate or invalidate diagnosis of Huntington's chorea put forward by today psychiatrists and neurologists. The diagnostic blunders were not uncommon and, sometimes, funny. The geneticist comes often too late, post mortem, through archives. When he intervenes in due time, his advice is usually not successful with young adults, uninstructed and in love. The frequency of the disease is estimated around 1 in 10.000 births. The disappearance of old pedigrees and the dawn of new ones can be predicted. Our followers will observe it and, perhaps, be able to measure the frequency of mutation.     

Effect of discothèque environment on epileptic children.

A free-field study of 22 epileptic children, selected on the basis of past electroencephalographic abnormality, identified a group who exhibited a significant increase in epileptiform discharge rate on electroencephalography in a discothèque environment (p less than 0.05). Laboratory investigations showed that these children were activated by a wide range of stimuli, including intermittent photic stimulation and exercise. The response to exercise was a good predictor of a child''s electroencephalographic response in a discothèque. The findings suggest that most epileptic children are not particularly vulnerable in a discothèque environment.     

Micropropagation of Araucaria excelsa R. Br. var. glauca Carrière from orthotropic stem explants

The objectives of the present work were in vitro propagation of Araucaria excelsa R. Br. var. glauca Carrière (Norfolk Island pine) with focus on the evaluation of the mean number of shoots per explant (MNS/E) and mean length of shoots per explants (MLS/E) produced by different parts of the orthotropic stem of A. excelsa R. Br. var. glauca in response to plant growth regulators. Norfolk Island pine axillary meristems responded very well to the 2-iso-pentenyl adenine (2iP) and thidiazuron (TDZ) levels. Explants taken from stem upper segments in the media containing 2iP had a higher MNS/E (3.47) and MLS/E (6.27 mm) in comparison to those taken from stem lower segments, which were 0.71 and 0.51 mm, respectively. Using 0.045 μM TDZ in the MS medium not only resulted in 4.60 MNS/E with 7.08 mm MLS/E but proliferated shoots showed a good performance as well. Investigating the best position of stem explant on mother plant as well as the best concentrations of growth regulators were performed which were useful for efficient micropropagation of this plant. Thirty three percent of explants were rooted in the MS medium containing 3 % sucrose, supplemented with 7.5 μM of both NAA and IBA for 2 weeks before transferring to a half strength MS medium without any growth regulator. Plantlets obtained were acclimatized and transferred to the greenhouse with less than 20 % mortality. This procedure considered the first successful report for regeneration and acclimatization of A. excelsa R. Br. var. glauca plantlet through main stem explants.     

Le collagène du byssus de Mytilus edulis L.

Résumé L'autoradiographie révèle, au niveau du pied, une incorporation massive et sélective de la ³H-Proline dans la glande blanche de Mytilus edulis. Cette étude a permis de suivre le processus qui mène de la synthèse de la sécrétion dans la partie basale des cellules jusqu'a son émission dans le sillon pédieux où elle participe à la formation du filament. La collagénase détruit la presque totalité du marquage, attestant ainsi la nature collagénique du produit sécrété. Les autres glandes pédieuses ainsi que la glande du byssus proprement dite, située à la base du pied, montrent une incorporation très faible, sans commune mesure avec celle de la glande blanche. Ceci démontre de façon définitive que le collagène présent dans le filament prend naissance dans cette glande et justifie la dénomination de glande du collagène. Des contrôles réalisés dans différentes régions (bords du manteau, manteau, branchies) montrent que l'injection du précurseur dans le bord palléal constitue une méthode satisfaisante pour marquer de façon relativement rapide et différentielle le collagène de la glande.

---

The collagen of the byssus in Mytilus edulis L.II. Autoradiographic study on the incorporation of ³H-Proline

Summary Autoradiographic studies reveal a strong specific incorporation of ³H-Proline in the white gland in the foot of Mytilus edulis. The author could trace the radioactive secretory product from its synthesis in the basal part of the cells down to its outflow into the pedial groove where it takes part in the formation of the filament. Purified collagenase takes out radioactivity from the sections. This observation confirms the collagenous nature of the secretion.The other foot-glands as well as the main byssus gland located at the base of the foot show but a very weak labelling not comparable with that of the white gland. This clearly evidences that the collagen occuring in the filament originates from the latter. The white gland may be properly called: collagen gland.Control sections through different parts of the body (mantle-edge, mantle, gills) confirm that our injection technique of the precursor into the palleal margin is a suitable method for a rather quick and specific labelling of the glandular collagen.

Cette note fait partie d'un travail pour l'obtention d'une thèse de doctorat.     

Fabularia roselli N. Sp. et Pseudolacazina N. Gen., Foraminifères de l'Eocène moyen du Nord-Est de l'Espagne

Pseudolacazina (type-species P. hottingeri) n.gen. is a porcellaneous foraminifer intermediate of Lacazina and Fabularia. A new species, Fabularia roselli, is also described from the same Biarritzian sediments of the Southern Pyrenees.     

Reproductibilité interobservateur d'un tympanomètre portatif,le MicroTymp.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the interobserver reliability of tympanograms obtained with the MicroTymp, a portable tympanometer. SETTING: Family medicine teaching unit in a tertiary care hospital. PATIENTS: Thirty-three patients who presented to the ear, nose and throat clinic in August 1990 for an ear problem. INTERVENTION: Three residents in family medicine independently attempted to record with the MicroTymp one tympanogram for the 66 ears. We excluded the results for seven ears for which tympanograms could not be obtained. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Using objective criteria, two family physicians and two residents in family medicine independently classified the 177 tympanograms into five categories (normal, possible effusion, possible perforation, possible tympano-ossicular dysfunction and unclassifiable). Reliability was estimated by means of the kappa (kappa) coefficient on 161 tympanograms from 59 ears for which the interpretation of the three tympanograms agreed. MAIN RESULTS: The interpretation of the three tympanograms agreed for 34 of the 59 ears (0.58) (kappa = 0.52, 95% confidence limits 0.45 and 0.59). There was no significant difference in interobserver reliability between pairs of observers or between symptomatic and asymptomatic ears. CONCLUSIONS: The interobserver reliability of the MicroTymp is moderate. The tympanograms obtained with the instrument should be interpreted in the context of the clinical findings.     

Étude des Amines Biogènes de Glycera convoluta K. (Annélide Polychète)

Résumé L'étude par la méthode histochimique de fluorescence de Falck, du ganglion cérébroïde ét de la chaine nerveuse ventrale de Glycera convoluta K. a permis la mise en évidence de péricaryons et de fibres présentant une fluorescence jaune et verte. La nature et le métabolisme des amines mises en évidence histochimiquement ont été étudiées par des techniques biochimiques. La présence d'adrénaline et de 5-hydroxytryptamine a pu être établie avec certitude. Deux autres amines identifiées chromatographiquement comme étant de la dopamine et de la noradrénaline présentent cependant des caractéristiques spectrofluorimétriques légèrement différentes de ces deux substances.La rétention de la noradrénaline et de la dopamine étudiée par des techniques radiochimiques s'est montrée plus longue que dans le canal déférent du Rat. Les composants lipidiques, protéolipidiques et protéiques étudiés chromatographiquement sont apparus assez différents de ceux rencontrés chez les Mammifères.Des données récentes ont montré l'importance de l'arrangement spatial des groupements fonctionnels dans la molécule du médiateur par rapport à la (ou aux) protéine (s) lors de la fixation de la noradrénaline dans les fibres adrénergiques des Mammifères. Aussi peut on estimer que les différences observées entre les caractéres spectrofluorimétriques des catécholamines de G. convoluta et du Rat pourraient tenir plus à la forme de capture et de stockage des amines qu'à une différence profonde de leur nature chimique.

---

Biogenic amine study of Glycera convoluta K. (annelida, polychaeta)

Summary The supra-oesophageal ganglion and ventral nerve cord of Glycera convoluta K. were studied with the fluorescence method of Falck. Many perikarya and fibers show a green and yellow fluorescence. The nature and metabolism of the observed biogenic amines were studied by biochemical methods. Epinephrine and 5-hydroxytryptamine were certainly present. Two other amines show chromatographic characters of dopamine and norepinephrine, but exhibit a slight difference in their fluorimetric spectra with these two catecholamines.Radiochemical methods have shown that the retention of norepinephrine and dopamine is longer in the ventral nerve cord of G. convoluta than in the vas deferens of the rat.The lipids, proteolipids and proteins of G. convoluta were different from those found in mammals as demonstrated by chromatographic analysis.Recent findings have shown the importance of the spatial arrangement of active groups in the molecule of transmitter for its retention by the protein matrix in the adrenergic fibers of mammals. The differences found by spectrofluorimetry and by measurements of the time of retention between catecholamines of rat and G. convoluta can be explained by differences in the nature of the protein matrix or by the spatial arrangement of active groups in the transmitter molecule.

Nos remerciements vont à Mme L. Desgroux-Lelièvre et à M.B. Lesbats, pour la collaboration qu'ils nous ont apportée dans la réalisation de ce travail, ainsi qu'au personnel de la Station Biologique de Roscoff qui nous a aimablement fourni les animaux utilisés.     

Beltrania penzig : B. magnoliae sp. nov., avec clé d'identification des espèces

Beltrania Penzig : B. magnoliae sp. nov., with a taxonomic key to species. Beltrania magnoliae sp. nov., from decaying leaves of Magnolia gradiflora L. (Magnoliaceae) from south-west of France, is described in vivo and in vitro. It can be distinguished by having one kind of setae, straight sparsely verrucose, conidiophores often branched from the base, separating cells not observed in vivo. A taxonomic key to species in the genus is proposed.     

Toxinogenèse in vitro d'Aspergillus du groupe fumigatus. Production de fumitoxines

A new class of mycotoxins has been characterized from a strain of Aspergillus fumigatus: the fumitoxins A, B, C and D. The in vitro production of these metabolites is studied. Fumitoxins are common in cultures extracts of most strains of A. fumigatus. They are not detected from A. fischeri. Variations of the levels of these products during the incubation of cultures, and also by using different media, are noted. At all events, the toxicity of crude extracts of the mould, for the chick embryo, is equal to the one of the fumitoxins.

     

Les rythmes endogènes des mouvements foliaires chez Mimosa pudica L.

Abstract

Endogenous Rhythms in Mimosa pudica L. Leaf Movements.

The rhythmic movements performed by the leaves of the “Sensitive plant”, Mimosa pudica L., observed by time lapse photography, result of periodical turgor variations taking place in the parenchymatous cells of specialized motor organs. These turgor variations are associated with membrane permeability changes and ionic movements. These leaf movements allow to specify the temporal organization of this plant. Statistical analysis of observed periodicities in leaf movement shows that, in alternating conditions of light and dark (L/D:14/10) three distinct rhythms exist: a circadian rhythm synchronized by the photoperiodic cycle (τ = 24 hrs), and two ultradian rhythms with mean period values 3.8 hrs and 0.5 hrs respectively. In constant conditions from germination (L/L), the leaf behavior is strongly modified, but the three period values are found again (mean period values of 25.1 hrs, 3.5 hrs and 0.6 hrs respectively). The occurence of many rhythms with various periods taking place in the same organ is discussed in reference to observations effected on other biological subjects. Then, it appears that the period value within 2 and 4 hrs may be considered as a characteristic one in plants.     

Contribution à íétude des Microphallidae (Trematoda). XLIX. Espèces d'oiseaux de Tasmanie. Création de Rhyncostophallus n. g.

Les auteurs décrivent et illustrent l'anatomie d'espèces de Microphallidés d'oiseaux Charadriiformes de Tasmanie (Australie). Rhyncostophallus insularegii n. g. n. sp., parasite de Charadrius ruficapillus, mesure 360 m avec une papille mâle sphérique de 39 m de diamètre; le genre est anatomiquement proche du genre Microphallus, à l'exception d'un appareil oral original évoquant un rhyncostome de Probolocoryphe. Microphallus pearsoni n. sp. de C. ruficapillus et Arenaria interpres, mesure 400–500 m avec une papille mâle musculeuse sans lobe accessoire basal, globuleuse, parfois déprimée en cupule, et d'un diamètre de 40 m égal à celui de la ventouse ventrale. Sont aussi mentionnés: (i) Microphallus pseudogonotylus (Chen, 1944) chez C. ruficapillus; (ii) Levinseniella (Levinseniella) howensis (Johnston, 1917) Pearson & Deblock, 1979 chez Arenaria interpres; (iii) L. (Monarrhenos) monodactyla Deblock & Pearson,1970 parasite de C. ruficapillus, dont la singularité morphologique de la ventouse orale est illustrée et comparée aux rhyncostomes de Probolocoryphe et de Rhyncostophallus.     

Vagococcus teuberi sp. nov., isolated from the Malian artisanal sour milk fènè

Ten bacterial isolates belonging to the genus Vagococcus were obtained from Malian sour milk fènè produced from spontaneously fermented cow milk. However, these isolates could not be assigned to a species upon initial comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis and were therefore further characterized. Rep-PCR fingerprinting of the isolates yielded four strain clusters represented by strains CG-21^T (=DSM 21459^T), 24CA, CM21 and 9H. Sequence identity of the 16S rRNA gene of DSM 21459^T to its closest relative species Vagococcus penaei was 97.9%. Among the four rep strain clusters, DSM 21459^T and 24CA shared highest 16S rRNA gene sequence identity of 99.6% while CM21 and 9H shared 98.6–98.8% with DSM 21459^T and V. penaei CD276^T. DSM 21459^T and 24CA were thus subjected to a polyphasic typing approach. The genome of DSM 21459^T featured a G + C content of 34.1 mol% for a 2.17-bp chromosome and a 15-kbp plasmid. Average nucleotide identity (ANI) of DSM 21459^T to Vagococcus fluvialis bH819, V. penaei CD276^T were 72.88%, 72.63%, respectively. DNA–DNA hybridization (DDH) similarities of strain DSM 21459^T to other Vagococcus species were <42.0%. ANI and DDH findings strongly supported the 16S rRNA gene phylogenetic tree delineations. The fatty acid patterns of DSM 21459^T was palmitic acid (C _16:0, 24.5%), oleic acid (C _18:1-ω9c, 32.8%), stearic acid (C _18:0, 18.9%). General physiological characterization of DSM 21459^T and 24CA were consistent with those of the genus Vagococcus. Strain DSM 21459^T and further strains are therefore considered to belong to a novel species, for which the nomenclature Vagococcus teuberi sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is named CG-21^T (=DSM 21459^T and LMG 24695^T).     

Variations du volume et teneur en ADN des noyaux deScapsipedus marginatus Afz. et Br. (Orthoptère,Gryllide) au cours de l'embryogenèse

Résumé Le volume moyen des noyaux dans l'uf deScapsipedus marginatus passe de 3101 ³ au stade 4 de la segmentation, à 40,71 ³ dans l'embryon à l'éclosion, avec une diminution constante tout au long de l'embryogenèse.Le volume nucléaire des neuroblastes se caractérise par sa constance. Les pleuropodes présentent un accroissement de 190 à 561 ³, puis une diminution brutale peu avant l'éclosion.Les noyaux de l'amnios dérivent des noyaux de la périphérie de l'écusson embryonnaire. Après une légère augmentation au cours de l'anatrepsis, leur volume diminue jusqu'à la disparition de cette annexe.La séreuse se caractérise par un fort accroissement du volume nucléaire au cours des trois premiers jours d'incubation, puis une diminution rapide pendant sa disparition.Les vitellophages subissent un important accroissement de leur volume nucléaire qui demeure considérable en fin de vie embryonnaire.L'évaluation de la teneur en ADN des différents noyaux au stade 96 heures montre que ceux qui accroissent leur volume sont polyploïdes. L'amnios demeure diploïde ainsi que les neuroblastes.Le rapport établi entre accroissement nucléaire, polyploïdie et activité physiologique montre que l'amnios ne semble pas être le siège d'une activité sécrétrice.L'estimation de la teneur en ADN des noyaux deGryllus domesticus et deLocusta migratoria au même stade de développement donne des résultats analogues. Alors que les degrés de ploïdie trouvés chezGryllus sont les mêmes que chezScapsipedus, ceux deLocusta sont plus importants. Les vitellophages dépassent 128 C.

---

Volume variations and DNA content of the nuclei ofScapsipedus marginatus Afz. and Br. (Orthoptera, Gryllidae) during embryogenesis

Summary The average volume of the nuclei in the egg ofScapsipedus marginatus varies from 3101 ³ at the tetra-nucleate cleavage stage, to 40,7 ³ in the hatching embryo, with a constant decrease throughout development. The nuclear volume of neuroblasts remains constant; in the pleuropodia, it increases from 190 to 561 ³ and decreases rapidly before hatching.The nuclei of the amnion derive from peripheral nuclei of the germ disk. After a small increase during anatrepsis, their volume decreases until the degeneration of this membrane.The serosa shows a great nuclear volume increase during the first three days of incubation, then a rapid decrease during its disappearance. Yolk cells present an important increase of their nuclear volume which remains high.Estimation of DNA content of the different nuclei at about the 96 hour stage, shows that those whose volume increases are polyploid. Amnion nuclei remain diploid together with neuroblasts. The relation between nuclear increase, polyploidy and physiological functions shows that the amnion is not involved in a particular secretory activity.Estimation of DNA content of the nuclei ofGryllus domesticus andLocusta migratoria at the same developmental stage give comparable results. The degrees of polyploidy found inGryllus are the same as inScapsipedus. InLocusta they are higher, yolk cells attaining values up to 128 C.

     

Irradiations à faible énergie et biosynthèse d'amarantine chez des plantules d'Amarantus tricolor L. var. bicolor ruber Hort.

Summary It has been shown that indoleacetic acid (IAA) does not occur in developing grains of Hordeum vulgare L. (barley), but that an unidentified indolic compound does. This compound, designated A, was also found to be a product of the metabolism of exogenous IAA by barley. The expression of the gibberellic acid effect was delayed for at least 8 h if grains were imbibed in a solution of IAA, and during this time, the IAA was metabolised. The enzyme system involved could be peroxidase, which was active in the grains at all stages of their development and at maturity, and partially purified extracts of peroxidase were found to have considerable IAA oxidase activity.Abbreviations DMABA dimethyl aminobenzaldehyde - dMACA Dimethyl amino cinnamylaldehyde - GA gibberellic acid - IAA indole acetic acid