An elongated segment of DNA observed between two human α globin genes

Summary Detailed restriction enzyme analysis of the DNA from a Chinese female showed that one of her chromosomes had a >17.5 kb deletion of DNA, including the , 2, and 1 globin genes, which is present in many Southeast Asians with an -thalassemia-1 chromosome. Her normal chromosome had the expected cluster of -like globin genes (5----2-1-3), but the segment of DNA between the two globin genes was elongated by some 0.5–0.7 kb. Analyses of various restriction sites suggested that this normal variant of the human globin gene complex is due to a crossover between a normal chromosome with () and a chromosome with an -thalassemia-2 (–^3.7) and an -21-hybrid gene.     

Secondary structural changes in the intact and the disulfide bridges cleaved beta-lactoglobulin A and B in solutions of urea, guanidine hydrochloride, and sodium dodecyl sulfate

The relative proportions of -helix, -sheet, and unordered form in -lactoglobulin A and B were examined in solutions of urea, guanidine, and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). In the curve-fitting method of circular dichroism (CD) spectra, the reference spectra of the corresponding structures determined by Chen et al. (1974) were modified essentially according to the secondary structure of -lactoglobulin B predicted by Creamer et al. (1983), i.e., that the protein has 17% -helix and 41% -sheet. The two variants showed no appreciable difference in structural changes. The reduction of disulfide bridges in the proteins increased -sheet up to 48% but did not affect the -helical proportion. The -helical proportions of nonreduced -lactoglobulin A and B were not affected below 2 M guanidine or below 3 M urea, but those of the reduced proteins began to decrease in much lower concentrations of these denaturants. By contrast, the -helical proportions of the nonreduced and reduced proteins increased to 40–44% in SDS. The -sheet proportions of both nonreduced and reduced proteins, which remained unaffected even in 6 M guanidine and 9 M urea, decreased to 24–25% in SDS.     

Interchange-trisomics in barley

Observations on morphology, sterility and cytology of some interchangetrisomics obtained from the progeny of radiation induced interchangeheterozygotes in a 6-rowed barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) var. K₁₂ are described. The different interchange trisomics show distinct phenotypic expression and have been classified as bushy, slender, robust, semi-erect and pseudonormal on the basis of their gross morphology, leaf characteristics, awn and spike lengths. All interchange trisomics show pollen and ovule sterility which varies between plants. Meiotic behaviour is described. The five different interchange trisomics appear to have different extra chromosomes.     

Gene expression profiling during thymus ontogeny and its association with TCRVβ8.1-Dβ2.1 rearrangements of inbred mouse strains

The V(D)J recombination of TCR and in early developing T-cells is a highly modulated phenomenon initiated and completed by recombinase complex (RAG-1 and RAG-2), and regulated by other gene products such as interleukins. To further evaluate the association of several other gene products with the evolution of TCRV8.1 V(D)J rearrangements in vivo, the mRNA expression levels of seven interleukins, three cytokines, receptors TCRV8.1 and IL-2R, MHC-I/MHC-II, RAG-1/RAG-2 and retroviral superantigen MMTV(SW) were measured by RT-PCR during the fetal development of the thymus of three inbred mouse strains (Balb-c, C57Bl/6 and CBA/J). Clustering using the Tree View software, was used to organize these genes based on similarity of expression patterns. Each strain displayed a different expression profile during thymus ontogeny.During the late developmental stage the most evident association was the kinetics of MMTV(SW) retrovirus, IL-2R and IL-7 overexpression with reduction of TCRV8.1-D2.1 rearrangement in the thymus of CBA/J mice. These data suggest a susceptibility of this strain to expression of MMTV(SW) upon reduction of the rearranged TCRV8.1-D2.1 segment in developing thymocytes, with parallel IL-7 overexpression.     

Modelling of predator–prey trophic interactions. Part I: two trophic levels

A class of lumped parameter models to describe the local dynamics in a controlled environment of a two-trophic chain is considered. The class is characterized by a trophic function (functional response of predator to the abundance of prey) depending on the ratio of prey biomass x and a linear function of predator biomass y: f(qx/[(1-)k+y]), where q is the efficiency of the predation process, k is a reference biomass, and (01) specifies the predation model. The trophic function is defined only by some properties determining its shape. A stability analysis of the models has been performed by taking the parameters q and as bifurcation parameters: the regions in the (,q) plane of existence and stability of nonnegative equilibrium states and limit cycles are determined. This analysis shows that the behaviour of the models is qualitatively similar for 0<1 (in particular the null state is always a saddle point), while the value =1 gives rise to some kind of structural instability of the system (in particular the null state becomes an attractor for sufficiently high predation efficiency).     

Why the aristocrats were ‘heavy’ or how ethnopsychology legitimized inequality among the Tlingit

Conclusion Even a cursory look at the ethnographic literature on other Northwest Coast societies reveals some striking similarities with the Tlingit way of conceptualizing aristocrats as special persons. Thus the Kwakiutl referred to their chiefs as real or complete people, who were heavier than commoners. The Coast Tsimshian called their highest aristocrats real or ripe persons, in contrast to the low-ranking ones, who were described as unhealed or green. The Coast Tshimshian also referred to their chiefs as strong, heavy, and solid like a rock. The neighboring Gitksan contrasted the chiefs, described as people who were good and clean and stayed put, with the commoners, who were said to be dirty, ignorant, and always moving around. Because spirits of the dead liked to return to persons who were clean and showed respect by giving away wealth and feasts, there was considerable moral and practical pressure on the aristocrats to remain pure, train knowledgeable and clean heirs, and continue potlatching. Finally, among the Haida, rank was tied to a wider system of symbolic classification, associating aspects of food, space, clothing, ritual pollution and the ethic of industry with attributes of seniority.While some of the symbolic associations of aristocratic status are culture specific, others are present in several, if not all, of the NWC cultures. What we need is a comparative symbology of aristocratic status, which would combine the reanalysis of the existing ethnographic data with the introduction of some new materials that can still be obtained in the field. Such work would be the best tribute to Irving Goldman himself and to our common illustrious ancestors—Franz Boas and Marcel Mauss.Sergei Kan is Professor of Anthropology at Dartmouth College.     

Abscission and thinning of young fruit and thier regulation by plant hormones and bioregulators

Natural abscission of young fruit and its regulation by plant hormones isconsidered and compared to the generally accepted model of senescencetriggered abscission of, for example, leaves or mature fruit. It isconcluded that abscission of young fruit cannot be explained by this model.Alternatively, it is suggested that the senescence triggered initial step inthe classical abscission model should be replaced by a correlativelytriggered step. Polar basipetal IAA transport with its autostimulation andautoinhibition components is the main regulating signal in this correlativeacting system and replaces ethylene as the initial driving force from thesenescence triggered model.Results supporting this model are presented and tested against existingresults from the literature. Finally, this hypothesis is tested as a possibleexplanation of the mode of action of some thinning chemicals orbioregulators. It is speculated how a thinning chemical should be designedto function in a more reliable way, at least as far as its interference with the endogenous hormone system is concerned.     

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.     

Somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration in wild cotton (Gossypium klotzschianum)

A simple and efficient method for high frequency somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration from hypocotyl-derived cultures and suspension cultures of Gossypium klotzschianum Anderss, a wild, diploid species of cotton is described here. Embryogenic cultures were induced from hypocotyl sections on MSB medium with 0.9 M 2,4-D and 2.32 M kinetin. MSB medium containing 0.045 M 2,4-D, 0.93 M kinetin, 2.46 M IBA promoted embryogenic culture proliferation and embryo development. Suspension cultures with 0.23 M 2,4-D and 0.93 M kinetin also produced many embryos. Somatic embryos cultured on MSB medium with PGRs produced secondary embryos, and embryos developed into normal plantlets on PGR-free MSB medium. Regenerated plantlets were transferred onto the quarter-strength MSB medium with 0.5% active charcoal to avoid recallusing. Hypocotyls were better than cotyledons for culture induction and plant regeneration. 2,4-D and kinetin were essential for culture induction and maintenance.     

The “Bantu Clinic”: A Genealogy of the African Patient as Object and Effect of South African Clinical Medicine, 1930–1990

This paper is about power, medicine andthe identity of the African as a patient of westernmedicine. From a conventional perspective and asencoded in the current quest for wholeness thatcharacterises South African biomedical discourse, theAfrican patient – like any other patient – has alwaysexisted as an authentic and subjectified being, whosetrue attributes and experiences have been denied bythe mechanistic, reductionistic and ethnocentricpractices of clinical medicine. Against this liberalhumanist perspective on the body as ontologicallyindependent of power, this paper offers a Foucaultianreading of the African patient as – like any otherpatient – contingent upon the force relations immanentwithin and relayed through the clinical practices ofbiomedicine. A quintessential form of disciplinarymicro-power, these fabricate the most intimaterecesses of the human body as manageable objects ofmedical knowledge and social consciousness to makepossible the great control strategies of repression,segmentation and liberation that are the usual focusof conventional investigations into the place andfunction of medicine in society. Since the 1930s whenthe African body first emerged as a discrete object ofa secular clinical knowledge, these have repeatedlytransformed the attributes and identity of the Africanpatient, and the paper traces this archaeology ofSouth African clinical perception from then until the1990s to show how its quest for wholeness is not anend point of discovery or liberation, but merelyanother ephemeral crystallization of socio-medicalknowledge in a constantly changing force field ofdisciplinary power.     

Morphological development and gibberellin production by different strains of Gibberella fujikuroi in shake flasks and bioreactor

Strain H-984 of G. fujikuroi grown for 38h in a shake flask with medium containing 20g glucose l^–1, 3g yeast extract l^–1, 2.5g NH4NO3 l^–1, 0.5g KH2PO4 l^–1, 0.1g MgSO4 l^–1, 1g CaCO₃ l^–1, and inoculated into a bioreactor with medium containing 60g glucose l^–1; 1g NH_4Cl l^–1; 3g KH2PO4 l^–1 and 1.5g MgSO₄ l^–1 produced 1100mg gibberellic acid l–1.     

Inhibition of axonal transport in vitro in frog sciatic nerves by chlorpromazine and lidocaine

Summary The effects of chlorpromazine hydrochloride (CPZ HCl) and prochlorperazin-metansulfonate (PCPZ) on the fast axonal transport of labelled proteins were examined in vitro in a peripheral frog nerve.A 0.1 mM concentration of CPZ HCl and PCPZ reduced the amount of transported proteins by more than 50 per cent. An almost complete block was obtained with a 0.5 mM concentration of these two drugs. The lower concentration hardly affected the protein synthesis. The transport inhibiting effect of 0.1 mM of the drugs was reversible but not that of the higher concentration.The number of microtubuli was strongly decreased and the number of filaments increased at the transport inhibiting concentrations. The ultrastructural changes induced by 0.1 mM of the phenothiazine tranquilizer were largely reversible. The local anesthetics lidocaine (18.3 mM) and tetracaine (3.3 mM) both caused similar changes, i.e. a reduction in the number of microtubuli. No ultrastructural effects were observed after treatment with 1 mM ouabain. These three drugs are known to block the axonal flow in the present system at the above mentioned concentrations.The biochemical and ultrastructural results are discussed in relation to those induced by other drugs affecting axonal transport.The present work was supported by grants from Statens Naturvetenskapliga Forskningsråd (No. 2535-8), C.-B. Nathorsts Vetenskapliga och Allmännyttiga Stiftelser, the Swedish Medical Research Council (B73-12X-2543-05B), H. Hierta's Stiftelse and W. och M. Lundgrens Stiftelse. Thanks are due to Mrs B. Egnér, Mrs E. Fjällstedt, Mrs. E. Norström and Mrs U. Svedin for expert technical assistance.     

Relationships of Agropyron intermedium chromosomes determined by chromosome pairing and alcohol dehydrogenase isozymes in common wheat background

Summary The relationships of Agropyron intermedium chromosomes in two wheat-Agropyron addition series were determined. Chromosome pairing behaviour revealed that the alien chromosome in lines TAF-2 and L7 of Vilmorin-A. intermedium set are homologous to the alien chromosomes in lines P and C of the Caribo-A. intermedium set respectively. Localization of alcohol dehydrogenase isozyme genes in Vilmorin-Agropyron addition line L4 and in Caribo-Agropyron line O indicated relationships with wheat chromosomes of homoeologous group 4.     

In vitro organogenesis and plant formation in Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek

In vitro organogenesis was achieved from calluses derived from cotyledon and hypocotyl explants of Vigna radiata on MS medium. Organogenic calluses were induced from both cotyledon and hypocotyl explants excised from 3-day-old seedlings on MS medium containing NAA (1.07 m and BA (2.22 m) and 2,4-D (0.90 m) and BA (2.22 m) combinations respectively. Regeneration of adventitious shoots from cotyledon derived callus was achieved when they were cultured on MS medium supplemented with NAA (1.07 m), BA (8.88 m) and 10% coconut water. Hypocotyl derived calluses produced adventitious shoots when cultured on MS medium fortified with BA (6.66 m), TDZ (2.5 m) and 10% coconut water. Addition of GA at 1.73 m favored maximum 3 elongation of shoots. Regenerated shoots produced prominent roots when transferred to half strength MS medium supplemented with 4.90 m IBA. Rooted plantlets, thus developed were hardened and successfully established in field. Among the different carbohydrates and media tested, 87.64 m sucrose and MS+B5 medium proved best for maximum production of shoots. This protocol produced an average of seven plants per hypocotyl derived callus and 15 plants per cotyledon derived callus over a period of 3 months.     

Uptake of a monoclonal antibody against CEA (Tumak 431/31) in a human colon tumor (Co-112) xenografted in the nude mouse

Summary A monoclonal antibody (Tumak) against carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) was injected into nude mice bearing a human colon carcinoma (Co-112). The tumor uptake was found to be dependent on the size of the tumors: relative uptake (percentage of the injected dose/gram tumor (% i. d./g) decreased for tumors with weights up to 1 g, although the absolute uptake (% i. d./tumor) still increased over the same weight range. In the constant region (1 g) mean relative tumor uptake was 4% i. d./g.The same tumor size dependence was found for the relative Tumak uptake in the other mouse organs studied (e.g., blood, liver, spleen and muscle). Consequently tumor/organ ratios were found to be independent of tumor size.Tumor uptake was also studied for various doses of Tumak (0.07–120 g) in tumors of 1 g. Evidence was found for a threshold dose of 0.1 g under which no serious tumor uptake appeared. From 1 to 120 g no further dependence of Tumak distribution on applied dose was found: the relative uptake of all organs remained the same but the absolute uptake increased with dose.     

Zur Frage des Zeipunktes einer Pr?gung auf die Heimatregion beim Halsbandschn?pper(Ficedula albicollis)

Zusammenfassung Junge Halsbandschnäpper wurden handaufgezogen, flogen im Flugkäfig aus und wurden dort selbständig. Darauf wurden sie 90 km nach Süden verfrachtet und in einem von dieser Art unbewohnten Gebiet freigelassen. Im nächsten Frühjahr siedelten sich mindestens 9 dort an, was 19% Rückkehrern entspricht, wenn die Hälfte der Vögel waren. kehrten in geringerer Zahl zurück und wurden nicht restlos erfaßt.Eine weitere Gruppe wurde erst vor Ende der Jugendmauser verfrachtet. Auch davon kehrten 18-19% der zurück. Ein Zeitraum von rund 2 Wochen vor dem Wegzug reichte also zur Prägung auf ein Gebiet als Heimat aus.Von einer dritten Gruppe von insgesamt 68 Schnäppern (= ca. 34 ), die erst nach Ende der Jugendmauser zur Wegzugzeit aufgelassen wurde, konnte später keiner nachgewiesen werden, auch nicht am Aufzuchtsort. Letzteres könnte an der Ungunst der örtlichen Verhältnisse liegen.Mit Unterstützung der Deutschen Forschungsgemeinschaft.     

Localisation par immunofluorescence des hormones corticotropes et mélanotropes dans l'hypophyse du rongeur Ellobius lutescens (Th)

Résumé Les réactions d'immunofluorescence induites par l'Ac. anti -(1–24) corticotropine nous ont permis d'identifier les cellules ACTH dans le lobe antérieur de l'hypophyse d'Ellobius lutescens; il s'agit de petites cellules de forme irrégulière, à fins prolongements cytoplasmiques aboutissant à des capillaires et entourant souvent d'autres cellules préhypophysaires; ces mêmes cellules réagissent également, mais d'une façon atténuée, avec l'Ac. anti -MSH. Ce dernier induit une réaction très forte au niveau de toutes les cellules de la pars intermedia, alors que seulement certaines d'entre elles réagissent intensément avec l'Ac. anti -(1–24) corticotropine. L'improbabilité de réactions croisées entre l'Ag. -MSH et l'Ac. -(1–24) corticotropine et vice-versa est discutée. Par ailleurs, seules les cellules de la pars intermedia réagissent avec l'Ac. anti -MSH.

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Immunofluorescent localisation of corticotrophic and melanotrophic hormones in the pituitary gland of the rodent Ellobius lutescens (Th)

Summary Immunofluorescence induced by the antibody to -(1–24) corticotrophin has been used to identify the ACTH cells in the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland in Ellobius lutescens. The cells are small, irregular, with fine cytoplasmic extensions ending near capillaries and often encircling other anterior lobe cell types. They also react, although less strongly, with the antibody to -MSH. The latter antibody induced a marked reaction in all cells of the pars intermedia while only some of them reacted strongly with the antibody to -(1–24) corticotrophin. The unlikeliness of cross-reactions between the antigen -MSH and antibody to -(1–24) corticotrophin is discussed. Furthermore only the cells of the pars intermedia reacted with the antibody to -MSH.

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Abréviations ACTH hormone corticotrope - Ac. anticorps - Ag. antigène - Cell. cellules - C.M.C. fraction inactive de la purification d'ACTH porcine au stade 140 U/mg - C.R.F. fraction inactive de la purification d'ACTH porcine au stade 73 U/mg - Irrég. irrégulières - P.A.S. Periodic Acid-Schiff - P.A. Pars Anterior - P.I. Pars Intermedia     

Detection and partial characterization of two antigenically distinct β-amylases in developing kernels of wheat

A -amylase (EC 3.2.1.2) was identified in the outer pericarp (P) of developing seeds of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and compared with the well known -amylase which is synthesized during seed development in the starchy endosperm (E). The enzyme P already exists in the tissues before anthesis and vanishes at the time when E starts to accumulate. The isoelectric-focusing patterns of P and E are very similar. The relative molecular weight (M_r) of P is slightly higher than that of E (66 and 64.5 kDa, respectively). Both P and E exhibit common epitopes in addition to epitopes specific for each of them. The two enzymes were identified in small amounts in the green tissues of the developing seeds (inner pericarp and testa). No antigenic difference was detected between P and the -amylases of roots and leaves.Abbreviations P pericarp -amylase - E endosperm -amylase - IS1 anti--amylase immune serum - IS2 anti- and anti- amylase immune serum - IS3 anti- amylase immune serum - IEF isoelectric focusing - IgG immunoglobulin G The authors thank Dr. P. Ziegler (Universität Bayreuth, FRG) for stimulating discussion and for useful suggestions during the writing of the text. The authors thank Miss C. Mayer for her skillful technical assistance.     

5′-AMP hydrolysis by suspensions and homogenates of pancreatic islet cells from normal and cortisone-treated rats

Summary Suspensions of endocrine pancreas cells were prepared by shaking collagenase-isolated rat islets of Langerhans in calcium-free buffer. When incubated with 1.0 mM substrate at pH 7.4, the cells split,P _i from 5-AMP at a rate of 87 nmol/h per g DNA, and from-glycerophosphate at a rate of 25 nmol/h per g DNAK _m for 5 AMP was about 54 M. Adenosine or theophylline inhibited the 5-AMP hydrolysis. Homogenization of the cells increased the activity toward 5-AMP by 23% and that toward-glycerophosphate by 115%. Injecting rats with cortisone had no effect on the 5-AMP hydrolysis by whole cells but significantly increased the activity in cell homogenates; the intracellular activity toward 5-AMP was more than doubled by the cortisone treatment. Staining whole islet cells for 5-AMP-splitting activity resulted in a demarcation of the cell periphery in control rats. Cells from cortisone-treated rats showed heavier deposits of reaction product, and their cell periphery did not stand out as clearly. It is suggested that 5-nucleotidase is largely an ectoenzyme in normal rat islet cells. The cells also contain an as yet unidentified intracellular phosphatase that seems to be solely responsible for the increased hydrolysis of 5-AMP in cortisone-treated rats.     

Gene organization of chloroplast DNA from the broad bean Vicia faba

Summary Six protein genes have been mapped on broad bean chloroplast DNA by Southern hybridization using the tobacco chloroplast genes as probes. In broad bean chloroplast DNA, the genes for the and subunits of proton-translocating ATPase and the 32,000 dalton thylakoid membrane protein are located near the large subunit gene of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase. The gene for the subunit of proton-translocating ATPase is distantly located from the and genes. The gene for the ribosomal protein CS19 was found close to the ribosomal RNA operon. The gene organization of broad bean chloroplast DNA is therefore quite different from that of tobacco chloroplast DNA. The nucleotide sequence of the spacer region between the large subunit and the genes of the broad bean has been determined. Conserved sequences are found among the putative promoter regions of the chloroplast protein genes.