Electron microscope study of the atretic oocytes of the rat

Zusammenfassung Das Muster in den Calcitindividuen des Eischalenkalkes der Vögel-seine Entstehung wird kurz erläutert — kann durch Spalten, Verwachsungsnähte, Anordnung der Globularinklusionen ohne weiteres hervortreten, läßt sich aber auch durch bestimmte Eingriffe, z. B. Ätzen, verdeutlichen. Quer- und Flachschliffe der Eischale von Diomedea exulans (Albatros) zeigen im Bereich der Säulenlage ein ausgeprägtes Globularmuster:In den Primen der Inneren Säulenlage erscheinen am Querschliff die Inklusionen in Parallelstreifen, die schräg gegen die Schalenoberfläche verlaufen, wobei die Neigung von einem zum anderen Prisma wechselt. Jede Reihe dieses Streifenmusters setzt sich aus rhombischen Elementen zusammen, derart, daß das eine Paar der Rhombenseiten die Längsränder des Streifens liefert, das andere aber, schräg über ihn verlaufend, seine Elemente trennt. Die Girlandenzone der Inneren Säulenlage wird durch den genannten Neigungswechsel des — hier vergröberten — Streifenmusters erzeugt.In der Äußeren Säulenlage häufen sich die Globularinklusionen in rechteckigen oder rhombischen Feldern an, die innerhalb des gleichen Prismas parallel stehen. Die Felder sind durch schmale helle inklusionsfreie Raine getrennt, in denen Verwachsungsnähte sich zeigen können. Dieses Block- oder Rhombenmuster ist auch am Flachschliff sichtbar.Der Übergang vom Streifenmuster der Inneren zum Rhomben- oder Blockmuster der Äußeren Säulenlage vollzieht sich über eine die Elemente durchschneidende Schichtlinie hinweg, ohne Störung der optischen Einheitlichkeit des Prismas. So kann das gleiche Musterelement unterhalb der Schichtlinie das Streifen-, oberhalb derselben das Blockmuster darbieten. Sowohl bei den Inneren wie bei den Äußeren Säulenprismen erfolgt die seitliche Verfugung der Nachbarn unter dem Einfluß des Musters, was bei den Inneren Säulen zackigen, bei den Äußeren mehr glatten Grenzverlauf erzeugt. Oft brechen Musterelemente an den Prismengrenzen ab. Manche Prismen der Inneren Säulenlage erscheinen am Flachschliff rhombisch umrissen. Auch am hügeligen Relief der Schalenoberfläche treten Rhombengrenzen hervor.

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Summary The pattern in the calcite individues of the avian egg shell — its development is shortly explained — can appear by clefts, outgrowing sutures, arrangement of the globular inclusions, but also can be rendered conspicuous by certain treatments, e.g. etching. Transverse and tangential ground sections through the egg shell of Diomedea exulans (albatros) show in the column layer a characteristic globular pattern.In the prisms of the inner column layer the inclusions are arranged on transverse sections in parallel stripes, running obliquely against the shell surface, whereby its inclination changes from one to the other prism. Each row of this stripe pattern is composed by rhombic elements, so that one pair of the rhomb sides form the longitudinal edges of the elements but the other, obliquely cutting the stripes, separate the elements. The garland zone of the inner column layer is the expression of the alternating inclination in the stripe pattern — here more coarse.In the outer column layer the globular inclusions are accumulated in rectangular or rhombic areas parallel within the same prism. The elements of this block or rhomb pattern are separated by narrow light inclusion-free hiels, in which outgrowing sutures can appear; the pattern is also visible in tangential ground sections.The transition of the stripe pattern to the rhomb or block pattern happens on a stratification line — without disturbance of the the uniform extinction of the prism between crossed polars. Thereby the same pattern element can show under the stratification line the stripe pattern and above it the block pattern. In the inner as in the outer column prisms the lateral indentation of the neighbours is determined by the pattern, producing in the inner columns a pronged, in the outer a more smooth boundary. Often pattern elements break off at the prism boundaries. Some prisms of the inner column layer show a rhombic contour in tangential ground sections. Also on the hilly relievo of the shell surface rhombic limitation is observable.

     

The influence of externally applied organic substances on phloem translocation in detached maize leaves

Summary Solutions of organic substances show differing influences on the direction of phloem transport of ¹⁴C-labeled assimilates in predarkened maize leaf strips, when externally applied to one end of the strip. One group of substances pushes the assimilates away from the site of application. Examples of this group are 75 mM solutions of sucrose, trehalose, maltose, D-glucose, D-fructose, glucose-6-phosphate, raffinose and galactose. There is strong evidence that pushing substances are taken up from the apoplast and loaded into the phloem. Another group of substances attracts the assimilates, it seems to pull the assimilates in direction to the site of application. Examples of this second group are 75 mM solutions of arabinose, melibiose, myo-inositol, D-mannitol, polyethylene glycol 2000, and Na₂-EDTA (ethylene-diaminetetraacetate). The pulling substances obviously are not taken up into living cells. It is assumed that they accumulate in the apoplast and build up a water stress (water potential), which is counteracted by an increase of solute concentration in the parenchyma, thus creating a sink for assimilates. A third group of substances shows inert behaviour, having no perceptible influence on phloem transport, at least not, when applied as 75 mM solutions. At concentrations of more than 300 mM, inert substances tend to attract assimilates like those of the second group. Inert substances are xylose, sorbose, 2-deoxy-D-glucose, mannose and sorbitol.abbreviation EDTA ethylenediaminetetraacetate Supported by Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft     

The chromosomal locations and linkage relationships of the structural genes for the prolamin storage proteins (secalins) of rye

Summary Rye secalins are a polymorphic mixture of polypeptides which are classified into four major groups. Previous studies have shown that the structural genes for two of the groups (the -secalins and 40K -secalins) are located on the short arm of chromosome 1R and those for a third group (the high molecular weight secalins) on the long arm of the same chromosome. Analysis of F₂ grain from crosses between inbred lines of S. cereale shows that the structural genes for the -secalins (designated Sec 1) and the high molecular weight secalins (designated Sec 3) are loosely linked (40.8 ±3.76% recombination, 57.4 ± 11.30 cM). Analysis of wheat rye addition lines shows that the structural genes for the 75K -secalins are present on chromosome 2R. This locus is provisionally designated Sec 2. These genes are probably derived from those for the 40K -secalins by duplication, divergence and translocation. Analysis of secalin fractions from wild species of rye shows that all contain 75K -secalins, indicating that the duplication and divergence, if not the translocation, occurred before speciation of the genus.     

Adoptions expérimentales de larves entre des fourmis de genres différents (II):Myrmica laevinodis Nylander etAnergates atratulus Schenck

Résumé Nous avons fait élever des larves d'Anergates atratulus par des ouvrières deMyrmica laevinodis à 22°C. Pour y parvenir, il n'est pas utile de faire hivernerensemble les larves d'Anergates et les ouvrières deMyrmica. La présence de larves autochtones n'empêche pas lesMyrmica d'élever des larves d'Anergates. Dans toutes les expériences lesMyrmica ont été soumises au fridavant de recevoir des larves d'Anergates. Aucune reine deMyrmica n'a été utilisée dans ces expériences.Sur les 64 larves d'Anergates que nous avons utilisées, 38 se sont transformées en imagos. C'est au début de l'adoption et au moment des métamorphoses que périrent la plupart des 26Anergates perdus. Les femelles vécurent en général 2 ou 3 jours et cherchèrent très tôt à quitter le nid natal. Les mâles vécurent 2 à 3 semaines.

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Summary Larvae ofAnergates atratulus were experimentally reared by workers ofMyrmica laevinodis, at 22°C. An overwintering of both larvae ofAnergates and workers ofMyrmica is not necessary for the success of that experiment. The presence of larvae ofMyrmica does not keep theMyrmica from rearing larvae ofAnergates. The workers ofMyrmica have been cooled, in all the experiments, before receiving larvae ofAnergates. No queen ofMyrmica have been used in that experiments.38 of the 64 larvae ofAnergates used became imagos. Most of the 26 lostAnergates died at the beginning of the adoption and during the metamorphosis. The females lived generally 2 or 3 days and tried, very early, to leave their native nest. The males lived 2 or 3 weeks.

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Anergates atratulus Myrmica laevinodis, 22 . bmecme Anergates Myrmica. Myrmica Anergates. Myrmica Anergates. Myrmica . 64 Anergates , 38 . 26 Anergates 2 3 . 2 3 .

     

Binding of kynurenine to catecholamine

Summary Papiliochrome II is a pale yellow pigment of butterflies and consists of one molecule each ofL-kynurenine and N--alanyldopamine (NBAD). The aromatic amino nitrogen of kynurenine is bonded to the-carbon of NBAD. There are isomers IIa and IIb which show opposite circular dichroism. The-alanine contents of IIa and IIb were determined and the molar ratio of IIa to IIb has proved to be 1.17. The IIa and IIb were decomposed toL-kynurenine and N--alanylnorepinephrine (NBANE) by being heated in water at 80°C for 30 min. In both IIa and IIb, circular dichroism of the NBANE showed the same positive peak at 280 nm. The NBANE were further decomposed to-alanine and norepinephrine (NE) by being heated in 1 N HC1 at 100°C for 2 hr. The NE was submitted to enantioseparation and has proved to be a racemic mixture in both cases of IIa and IIb. These results are discussed in the light of the enzymic synthesis of IIa and IIb.     

Flexibility on the karyotype evolution in bitterlings (Pisces, Cyprinidae)

In bitterlings (Acheilognathinae) C- and Ag-banding karyotypes of 6 species-subspecies collected in China and South Korea were analyzed. The chromosomal constitution of 2n=46 (4SM+42ST) in Rhodeus atremius fangi was quite different from that of 2n=48 (8M+20SM+20ST) in other species-subspecies in Rhodeus. It was concluded from the analysis of banded chromosomes that the increase in number of ST during the karyotype change from 2n=48 to 2n=46 was achieved by a series of pericentric inversions from 24 M-SM to 24 ST, and the decrease in the diploid number was caused by an additional tandem fusion of 4 ST chromosomes, forming a new ST pair in the 2n=46 karyotype. The karyotype of Tanakia koreensis, T. signifer, and Acheilognathus macropterus is 2n=48 (8M+20SM+20ST), 2n=48 (8M+20SM+14–16ST+4–6 A), 2n=44 (14M+16SM+14ST), respectively. In R. ocellatus ocellatus, T. koreensis, T. signifer and A. macropterus, karyotype changes from 2n=48 to 2n=44 due to centric fusion and inversion have also been estimated. It was suggested that C-banding heterochromatin was greatly concerned with the karyotype evolution in bitterlings.     

Decay of γ particles in germinating zoospores of Blastocladiella emersonii

Summary The breakdown and disappearance of particles was followed by electron microscopy on synchronously germinating populations of B. emersonii zoospores. The sequence of morphological changes, unaffected by the method used to induce germination, was divided into four stages. Initially, the particle's surrounding unit membrane becomes amorphous and buds off vesicles that fuse with the plasma membrane. Simultaneously, ca. 80 m vesicles are visible either partially embedded in, or lying free along, the inner surface of the electron dense matrix. These small vesicles seem to originate from a newly detected membrane system in the electron dense matrix. In the next stage, particles characteristically adhere to various organelles, especially the nuclear cap. In subsequent stages the particles continue to decay by releasing 80 m vesicles from their matrices and by budding off vesicles from their surrounding membranes. Often, multivesicular bodies are formed when the 80 m vesicles become enclosed by the particle's budding outer membrane. In the final stage, the surrounding membranes of the different particles fuse and produce large vacuoles containing many of the electron dense matrices which, though by now partially fragmented, continue to release 80 m vesicles. The relationship of the above events to the formation of the cell wall is discussed.     

Synthesis of Gal-β-(1→4)-GlcNAc-β-(1→6)-[Gal-β- (1→3)]-GalNAc-α-OBn oligosaccharides bearing O-methyl or O-sulfo groups at C-3 of the Gal residue: specific acceptors for Gal: 3-O-sulfotransferases

Our recent studies have revealed the existence of two distinct Gal: 3-O-sulfotransferases capable of acting on the C-3 position of galactose in a Core 2 branched structure, e.g., Gal14GlcNAc16(Gal13)GalNac1OBenzyl as acceptor to give 3-O-sulfoGal14GlcNAc13(Gal13)GalNAc1OB 20 and Gal14GlcNAc16(3-O-sulfoGal13)GalNAc1OB 23. We herein report the synthesis of these two compounds and also that of other modified analogs that are highly specific acceptors for the two sulfotransferases. Appropriately protected 1-thio-glycosides 7, 8, and 10 were employed as glycosyl donors for the synthesis of our target compounds.     

A novel missense mutation in the thyroid hormone receptor β gene in a kindred with resistance to thyroid hormone

Direct sequencing of exon 9 of the thyroid hormone receptor (TR) gene in a kindred with resistance to thyroid hormone revealed a substitution of threonine for methionine in codon 313 in one allele resulting from a T to C transition. This is a novel missense mutation that resides in one of the two mutational hot-spot regions of the TR gene suggesting altered triiodothyronine binding to this mutant receptor.     

Observations on the fine structure of the cercaria of Notocotylus attenuatus and formation of the cyst wall of the metacercaria

Summary The dorsal tegument of the mature cercaria of Notocotylus attenuatus is a syncytial, cytoplasmic layer, containing two types of secretory granule which are identifiable ultrastructurally. The type 1 secretory bodies are electron lucid, whereas most type 2 granules have a banded appearance. The ventral tegument contains granules which are secreted from the type 3 cells; the type 3 granules are membrane bound, electron dense, and consist of both an amorphous and a finely striated zone. The type 4 cells mainly contain cigar-shaped granules consisting of an amorphous core surrounded by concentric striations. The granules exhibit structural variability in shape and content. The type 4 cells undergo a cellular migration to the tegument during encystment. The structure of the posterior-lateral glands and mode of secretion of the granules are described. Possible functions of microtubules are discussed for each cell type. Details of some secretory processes involved in the formation of the hemispherical cyst wall are described. The layers of the cyst wall may be related to the granular contents of the various parenchymal cells of the cercaria. The tegument of the metacercaria originates primarily from the cytoplasm of the type 1, type 2, type 3 and type 4 cells.     

Expression of a chimeric stilbene synthase gene in transgenic wheat lines

A chimeric stilbene synthase (sts)gene was transferred into wheat. Stilbene synthases play a role in the defence against fungal diseases in some plant species (e.g. groundnut or grapevine) by producing stilbenetype phytoalexins like resveratrol. Resveratrol is also claimed to have positive effects to human health. Embryogenic scutellar calli derived from immature embryos of the two commercial German spring wheat cultivars Combi and Hanno were used as target tissue for cotransformation by microprojectile delivery. The selectable marker/reporter gene constructs contained the bargene either driven by the ubiquitinpromoter from maize (pAHC 25, also containing the uidAgene driven by the ubiquitinpromoter), or by the actinpromoter (pDM 302) from rice. The cotransferred plasmid pStil 2 consisted of a grapevine stscoding region driven by the ubiquitin promoter. Eight transgenic Combi and one Hanno T_Oplant were obtained and, except one Combi T_Oplant, found to be cotransformants due to the integration of both the stsgene and the selectable marker or reporter genes. Expression of the stsgene was proven by RTPCR, and, for the first time, by detection of the stilbene synthase product resveratrol by HPLC and mass spectrometry. The stsgene was expressed in four of the seven transgenic Combi T_{_o}plants. Two of the respective T₁progenies segregated in a Mendelian manner were still expressing the gene. Investigations into methylation of the stsgene showed that in three nonexpressing progenies inactivation was paralleled by methylation.     

Polygonal inequalities as a key to neuronic equations

Neuronic or decision equations, first proposed as a mathematical model of neural activity, have shown, after their exact, compact solution was found, typical behaviours that make them natural tools for General Systems studies. It is shown here that their mathematical investigation is remarkably furthered by generalizing the triangular inequality to polygonal ones. These permit the immediate computation of the tensorial expansion of linearly separable boolean functions, and exhibit clearly the connection between their continuous and discontinuous aspects.     

The Opioidergic System in the Combined Regulation of Pain and Immunity

Opioidergic mechanisms are involved in responses to nociceptive and antigenic stimuli at all levels and stages (from peripheral nociceptors to the cerebral cortex and from the precursors of immunocompetent cells to mature effector cells). In most experimental and clinical studies, opioid-mediated analgesia proved to be accompanied by immunosuppression. Opioid receptors of , , and types are involved in the mechanisms of combined regulation of pain and immunity, with and receptors suppressing the immune response and receptors enhancing it. By modifying the chemical structure of opioid ligands, it is possible to preserve the analgesic effect and avoid the development of immunosuppression. The opioidergic mechanisms are coupled with nonopioid peptidergic and nonpeptide systems of pain and immunity regulation.     

Meiotic studies ofElymus nutans andE. jacquemontii (Poaceae,Triticeae) and their hybrids withPseudoroegneria spicata and seventeenElymus species

Hybridizations ofElymus nutans andE. jacquemontii were carried out with one species ofPseudoroegneria (S genome), and 20Elymus species, each containing either of the SH, SY, SYH, or SYW genomes. Chromosome configurations were analysed at metaphase I of the two target taxa and their interspecific hybrids. It is concluded that (i)E. nutans is an allohexaploid containing the SYH genomes, andE. jacquemontii is an allotetraploid having the SY genomes; (ii) the genomic affinity is associated with the geographic distance between the species studied; (iii) minor genomic structural rearrangements have occurred within the hexaploid taxon ofE. nutans.     

Production of hemoglobin C in the Moufflon (Ovis musimon pallas, 1811) and the Barbary sheep (Ammotragus lervia pallas, 1777) during experimental anemia: Amino acid composition of tryptic peptides from the βB and βC chains

A hemoglobin ^C chain has been detected in anemic Moufflon and in anemic Barbary sheep. Results of limited structural studies suggest that these ^C chains are closely related to the ^C chains which are produced in the domestic sheep and goat during experimental anemia and rather different from the ^C chain of certain nonanemic Barbary sheep. The structural variability among the chains of some nonanemic Caprini species is greater than that observed for the ^C chains of the same animals.This research was supported in part by United States Public Health Service Research grant HE-05168.     

Immortalized human endothelial cells have a decreased response to IL-1 secondary to an IL-1 receptor defective expression restored by corticosteroids

A human endothelial cell line is a convenient tool for exploring cell physiology and testing drugs and toxics. Several attempts have been made using SV40 to immortalize endothelial cells. We used human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) transformed with a construct made of promoter of the vimentin gene and SV40 Tag. The proliferation of immortalized vascular endothelial cells (IVEC), as measured by [methyl-³H]thymidine incorporation, was compared to that of HUVEC in the presence of endothelial cell growth factor and cytokines: tumor necrosis factor- (TNF-), interleukin-1 (IL-1) and interferon- (IFN-). Inhibition of [methyl-³H]thymidine incorporation by IL-1 was lower than that observed with HUVEC, while TNF- reduced the proliferation of IVEC and HUVEC to similar extents. Induction of intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM-1) and E-selectin by TNF-, measured by a radiometric technique, was similar in IVEC and HUVEC, while the induction of E-selectin by IL-1 on IVEC was limited and significantly different from that observed on HUVEC (p<0.001). The number of ¹²⁵I-IL-1 binding sites on IVEC is 3-fold less than on HUVEC and the IL-1 receptor number was reduced. Dexamethasone treatment of IVEC restored their reactivity to IL-1 and corrected the IL-1 binding and the receptor number. These results showed that the introduction of SV40 gene not only immortalized the cell but also altered IL-1 receptor expression. This alteration may be improved by addition of corticosteroids to the cell culture, which extends the possibility of using IVEC as a model of endothelial cells.     

Defective remethylation of homocysteine is related to decreased synthesis of coenzymes B2 in thyroidectomized rats

Summary. We investigated the influence of hypothyroidism on homocysteine metabolism in rats, focusing on a hypothetical deficient synthesis of FAD by riboflavin kinases. Animals were allocated in control group (n=7), thyroidectomized rats (n=6), rats with diet deficient in vitamin B2, B9, B12, choline and methionine (n=7), thyroidectomized rats with deficient diet (n=9). Homocysteine was decreased in operated rats (2.6±1.01 vs. 4.05±1.0mol/L, P=0.02) and increased in deficient diet rats (29.56±4.52 vs. 4.05±1.0mol/L, P=0.001), when compared to control group. Erythrocyte-Glutathione-Reductase-Activation-Coefficient (index of FAD deficiency) was increased in thyroidectomized or deficient diet rats (P=0.004 for both). Methylenetetrahydrofolate-reductase and methionine-synthase activities were decreased in thyroidectomized rats but not in those subjected to deficient diet. Cystathionine--synthase was increased only in operated rats. Taken together, these results showed a defective re-methylation in surgical hypothyroidism, which was due in part to a defective synthesis of vitamin B2 coenzymes. This defective pathway was overcompensated by the increased Cystathionine--synthase activity.     

Protocol-dependence of equivalent circuit parameters of toad urinary bladder

Summary Determinations of current-voltage relationships are widely employed in the characterization of epithelial sodium transport. In order to determine the protocol dependence of transport parameters in the toad urinary bladder, studies were carried out in the presence and absence of amiloride, an inhibitor of active sodium transport. With symmetric positive and negative perturbations of the transepithelial electrical potential difference (0±100 mV) for 30 sec, the amiloride-sensitive current-voltage (i ^a -) relationship was near linear over the range –75+100 mV, indicating constancy of the conductance ^a and the apparent electromotive force E _Na, lumped parameters of the standard electrical equivalent circuit model of the active transport system. With a reverse protocol (±1000 mV) or 15 min perturbations thei ^a - relationships were highly nonlinear. Nonlinearity reflected voltage dependence of parameters: perturbations that increased active transport decreased E _Na and increased ^a, as evaluated from 10 sec perturbations of ; slowing of active transport produced the converse changes. These effects are usefully analyzed in both quasi-steady states and true steady states by means of a detailed equivalent circuit incorporating the significant ionic currents across each plasma membrane. Precise understanding of the significance of ^a and E _Na will require characterization of the partial ionic conductances on perturbation of .