THE UPTAKE OF [3H]CHOLINE BY SNAIL (HELIX POMATIA) NERVOUS TISSUE IN VITRO

Abstract— When suboesophageal ganglia of the snail Helix comalia were incubated at 25°C in a medium containing [³H]choline, tissue: medium ratios of about 14:1 were obtained after 20 min incubation, and only 15°, of the accumulated choline was metabolized to form [³H]acetylcholine. The uptake of [³H]choline showed saturation kinetics and was dependent upon temperature and sodium ions. Kinetic analysis suggested the existence of a high affinity uptake process (K_m= 1.7 μM, V_max= 0.21 nmol/g/min) and a low affinity process (K_m= 100 μM, V_max= 1.2 nmol/g/min). The high affinity uptake differed from the low affinity system in that it was sensitive to various metabolic inhibitors and was competitively inhibited by low concentrations of hemicholinium- and acetylcholine. Neither uptake system was greatly influenced by the absence of calcium, potassium or magnesium ions or by the presence of low concentrations of 5-HT, dopamine. tetrabenazine, chlorpromazine, decamethonium, nalaxone or imipramine. The high affinity uptake process may be important in supplying choline for the biosynthesis of acetylcholine in cholinergic neurons.     

THE UPTAKE OF BIOGENIC MONOAMINES BY THE ISOLATED AURICLE OF THE SNAIL (HELIX POMATIA)

—The uptake of [³H]5HT, [³H]dopamine, [³H]noradrenaline and [³H]octopamine into the auricle of Helix pomatia was studied. When tissues were incubated at 25°C in media containing radioactive amines, tissue:medium ratios of about 49:1, 14:1 and 5:1 for 5-HT, dopamine, noradrenaline, and octopamine respectively were obtained after a 20–30 min incubation time. Tissues incubated at 25°C in media containing radioactive amines for 20–30 mins showed that almost all (96%) the radioactivity was present as unchanged [³H]5-HT, [³H]dopamine, [³H]octopamine or [³H]noradrenaline. The high tissue:medium ratios for 5-HT and dopamine, but not for noradrenaline and octopamine, showed saturation kinetics which were dependent upon temperature and sodium ions. From the Lineweaver–Burk plots, two uptake mechanisms for 5-HT at 25°C were resolved; the high affinity uptake process having a K_m1 value of 6.0 ± 10^?8m and a V_m1 value of 0.115 nmol/g/min while the lower affinity process had a K_m2 value of 1.04 ± 10^?6m and a V_m2 value of 0.66nmol/g/min. At 0°C a single uptake mechanism for 5-HT occurred which gave a K_m value of 5.02 ± 10^?8m and a V_m value of 0.0165 nmol/g/min. In the case of dopamine, the Lineweaver–Burk plot at 25°C showed a single uptake process with values for K_m and V_m of 1.55 ± 10^?7m and 0.086 nmol/g/min respectively. This process did not function at 0°C. The effect of various agents and ions upon the accumulation processes for all amines was also studied, and the data indicate that the same neurons probably accumulate more than one amine type. It is concluded that 5-HT and dopamine uptake in the auricle is a mechanism for inactivating these substances at 25°C and that an uptake mechanism for 5-HT also functions at 0°C. The results are discussed from the point of view of 5-HT's being the cardioexcitatory substance in the snail heart.     

A COMPARISON OF SOME ASPECTS OF THE PHYSIOLOGY AND METABOLISM OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM OF THE LOCUST SCHISTOCERCA GREGARIA IN VITRO WITH THOSE IN VIVO

Abstract— Studies were made on isolated ganglia of the locust in a modified O₂ electrode. The basic requirements of a suitable incubation medium were determined and found to include saturation of the medium with 100% O₂, and 10m m -glucose as energy source. The effects of incubation in vitro were determined for a number of biochemical characteristics including O₂ uptake and the concentrations of Arg P, ATP, ADP, glycogen, glucose, lactate and pyruvate. Action potentials were recorded from a major nerve both in vivo and in vitro. On the basis of these biochemical and physiological studies, it was concluded that the tissue functions well in vitro. Some comparisons were made between the metabolic characteristics found in the locust nervous system, and those of mammalian tissue. The locust ganglia were found to have a rate of O₂ uptake much higher than comparable mammalian tissue, and to contain a considerable reserve of glycogen. The low ratio of lactate/pyruvate suggests a more aerobic metabolism than is the case in mammalian brain.     

5-HYDROXYTRYPTAMINE, HISTAMINE AND N-ACETYLHISTAMINE IN THE NERVOUS SYSTEM OF DOSIDICUS GIGAS

Abstract— The optic ganglia, cerebral ganglia and mantle nerve of the squid Dosidicus gigas were examined for possible amines. Histamine was detected in all three tissues. The optic ganglia were also found to contain 5-HT and N -acetylhistamine, an infrequently found derivative of histamine.     

PLASMA TRYPTOPHAN AND 5-HT METABOLISM IN THE CNS OF THE NEWBORN RAT

—The relationships between plasma tryptophan and 5-HT metabolism in the CNS were studied in newborn rats and compared with adults. Both the concentration of free tryptophan in plasma and that of the amino-acid in brain were much higher immediately after birth than later on. Drugs such as salicylate and chlordiazepoxide, which increased brain tryptophan concentrations in adults by displacing the plasma amino acid bound to serum albumin, were ineffective in newborn rats: most of the amino acid being already free in their plasma. The study of 5-HT metabolism in brain stem slices revealed that the affinity of the uptake process for tryptophan was higher in newborn than in adult animals, whereas the reverse situation was observed for the enzyme complex involved in 5-HT synthesis (lower apparent K_m in adults). In addition, the catabolism of newly synthesized 5-HT was more rapid in newborn than in adult tissues. Finally, the free state of tryptophan in plasma of newborn animals induced in brain both a high amino acid concentration and, in contrast to the situation observed in adults, a synthesis rate of 5-HT very near its maximal value.     

NERVOUS CONTROL OF OVULATION AND EJACULATION IN HELIX ASPERSA

The ovotestis duct transports male and female gametes from theovotestis, through the seminal vesicle, and into the fertilizationpouch-spermathecal complex. All these structures are innervatedby small branches of the intestinal nerve. Electrical stimulationof the nerve increased the rate at which gametes were transportedin the duct and caused autosperm to flow into the fertilizationpouch-spermathecal complex. These events were accompanied bystimulation-induced peristaltic contractions along the ductand activation of the cilia lining the interior of the duct.Acetylcholine and serotonin were identified as excitatory transmittersin this system, while FMRFamide was identified as a muscle relaxant.The nervous control of ejaculation may contribute to optimizingthe size of the ejaculate in a context of sperm competition,while the involvement of the nervous system in ovulation maystem from a requirement for sensory integration that is peculiarto the Stylommatophora. (Received 16 December 2004; accepted 31 March 2005)     

NATURAL SELECTION REDUCES ENERGY METABOLISM IN THE GARDEN SNAIL, HELIX ASPERSA (CORNU ASPERSUM)

Phenotypic selection is widely recognized as the primary cause of adaptive evolution in natural populations, a fact that has been documented frequently over the last few decades, mainly in morphological and life-history traits. The energetic definition of fitness predicts that natural selection will maximize the residual energy available for growth and reproduction, suggesting that energy metabolism could be a target of selection. To address this problem, we chose the garden snail, Helix aspersa ( Cornu aspersum ). We performed a seminatural experiment for measuring phenotypic selection on standard metabolic rate (SMR), the minimum cost of maintenance in ectotherm organisms. To discount selection on correlated traits, we included two additional whole-organism performance traits (mean speed and maximum force of dislodgement). We found a combination of linear (negative directional selection, β=−0.106 ± 0.06; P = 0.001) and quadratic (stabilizing selection, γ=−0.012 ± 0.033; P = 0.061) selection on SMR. Correlational selection was not significant for any possible pair of traits. This suggests that individuals with average-to-reduced SMRs were promoted by selection. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study showing significant directional selection on the obligatory cost of maintenance in an animal, providing support for the energetic definition of fitness.     

AN ULTRASTRUCTURAL STUDY OF SPERMATOZOA OF HELIX ASPERSA AND HELIX POMATIA (GASTROPODA, PULMONATA)

Spermatozoa of the pulmonates Helix aspersa Müller andH. pomatia Linnaeus are examined in detail using transmissionelectron microscopy (TEM). Important features such as the acrosome,perinuclear sheath, nucleus and terminal region of the midpieceare described for the first time. Also presented are the firstultrastructural observations on spermatozoa from spermatophoresin any pulmonate gastropod (H. aspersa). No morphological differencescould be found between sperm taken from spermatophores and thosewithin the hermaphrodite duct in H. aspersa. Spermatozoa ofH. aspersa and H. pomatia snow all the characteristics of euthyneuranspermatozoa, namely: a helically-keeled nucleus; distinctivearrangement of acrosomal components (apical vesicle, acrosomalpedestal), and extremely elongate midpiece (axoneme and glycogenhelix enclosed by matrix and paracrystalline layers). The spermnucleus of both species is short, and the midpiece also formsthe terminal portion of the spermatozoon (glycogen piece absent).The extraordinary positioning of the acrosome in H. aspersa—reflectedbackwards from the nuclear apex—is not observed in H.pomatia, though a perinuclear sheath (possibly another acrosomalcomponent) is present in sperm of both species. Helix spermatozoaare compared with other euthyneuran sperm and briefly discussedfrom the systematic viewpoint. Present address: Department of Zoology, St. Lucia, 4067, Brisbane,OLD, Australia (Received 23 May 1988; accepted 17 August 1988)     

重金属在食用菌中的富集及对其生长代谢的影响

本文报导食用菌对重金属的吸收积累性能及重金属对食用菌生长代谢的影响。从供试的香菇、凤尾菇、金针菇及木耳等食用菌研究表明:对Hg、Pb、As、Ni、Cd、Cu、Zn等重金属均有不同程度的富集作用,其中对Hg的富集是极显著的,但对Pb则不明显。从福建省食用菌生产点采样测定结果看,子实体中的重金属含量均不超标。上述重金属对食用菌生长均有不同程度的不良影响,尤其以Hg和As为突出。对产量影响的顺序以香菇最大、凤尾菇次之、金针菇较弱。重金属在一定范围内对香菇抗坏血酸氧化酶活性有激活作用,对纤维素酶有抑制作用。     

肠球菌DM891129菌株在试管内降胆固醇作用的研究

本试验从健康学龄儿童粪便中分离出69株肠球菌菌株,从中选育出一株在体外降低胆固醇作用较强,生长良好,生物学特征稳定的菌株—DM891129,经鉴定为屎链球菌(streptococcus faecium),提示人肠道中某些肠球菌菌株可能参与胆固醇的代谢。     

FIELD OBSERVATIONS ON FEEDING OF THE LAND SNAIL HELIX ASPERSA MULLER

Feeding of the land snail Helix aspersa (Müller) was observedat monthly intervals. Three natural populations in Galicia (NW-Spain)were studied. At two sites only a few plants constituted thebulk of the diet and in spring the snails' diet had the highestdiversity (H'). In the third population feeding and distributionof Helix aspersa (Müller) were observed in a small plotwith permanent patches of Urtica dioica. Nearly one half offeeding snails fed upon Urtica dioica. Most of the other observations wereon Mentha suaveolens, Ranunculus repens and Gramineae. The diversity ofthe snails' diet showed seasonal variation with the maximumin the autumn months. Comparison between the availability ofthe different plant species and their contribution to the snails'diet showed that the snails did not eat at random; Urtica dioicawas eaten much more than expected from its occurrence and grasseswere strongly under-represented in the snails' diet. Temporalchanges of availability were significantly correlated with the amountseaten in the case of Urtica, but not for the other food plants.The distribution of the snails in the plot was significantlycorrelated with that of Urtica. Chemical analyses of the foodplants revealed Urtica as the species with the higher protein,ash and calcium contents. The strong preference of Helix aspersafor Urtica dioica could be explained by the value of Urticaas food or by its suitability as habitat for the snails. The largestproportions of green material in the snails' diet occurred inthe spring and juveniles ate more green material than adultsin the three populations. (Received 16 March 1998; accepted 30 November 1998)     

噪声对鼠脑内5-羟色胺(5-HT)代谢的影响

本文分析了静适应和不同类型的噪声对615鼠和小白鼠脑内5-HT代谢的影响.静适应可引起大多数615鼠脑内5-HT代谢显著性下降15.1%和19.6%.连续脉冲噪声可使其脑内5-HT代谢显著性增高10.2%和22.5%.静适应和连续脉冲噪声对大多数小白鼠脑内5-HT的代谢无显著性影响.但是优势频率为125-250Hz的低频杂乱噪声和粉红噪声都可引起静适应小白鼠脑内5-HT代谢显著性增高,分别增高29.0-39.7%和28.0-32.7%.     

THE MEASUREMENT OF TRIGLYCERIDE IN BRAIN AND THE METABOLISM OF BRAIN TRIGLYCERIDE IN VITRO

Abstract—

• 1 Triglyceride has been isolated from brain by thin-layer chromatography and determined by absorption of the carbonyl group at 1740 cm^?1. The means of yields from whole mouse brain, whole rat brain, rat brain grey matter, rat brain stem, and incubated slices of rat brain cortex were 0.15–0.17 μmole/g tissue.
• 2 The distribution of fatty esters varied from preparation to preparation. Palmitate, stearate and oleate usually occurred in greatest amounts. Hydrolysis of a preparation of triglyceride from whole rat brain with pancreatic lipase indicated that palmitate was equally distributed between the α and β esters.
• 3 [1-¹⁴C]Acetate was rapidly incorporated into triglyceride of slices of incubated rat brain cortex. When the resulting triglyceride was hydrolysed with pancreatic lipase the distribution of radioactivity amongst the hydrolysis products was consistent with both the α and β esters of the triglyceride having been radioactively labelled.

     

SNAIL FARMING: A SURVEY OF BREEDING MANAGEMENT, HYGIENE AND PARASITISM OF THE GARDEN SNAIL, HELIX ASPERSA MULLER

Fifteen farms in 1984 and twenty in 1985 were investigated forbreeding management, hygiene and parasitism. Farm hygiene didnot seem to play an important role on the breeding performancesin our samples. Nematodes were the most frequent parasites:Alloionema appendiculatum were equally prevalent among juvenileand adult snails whereas Angiostoma aspersa and Nemhelix bakeriwere found mostly in reproductive adults. The presence of nematodes,assessed by coproculture, was negatively related to breedingperformances     

内毒素对人血小板聚集,释放的体外作用

大肠杆菌 O55B5内毒素在体外可抑制人血小板自发性聚集,并使血小板内 cAMP、钙调素明显增高,但对肾上腺素诱发的血小板聚集无作用,也不能引起血小板致密颗粒和α-颗粒的释放。此外还观察到内毒素组无血小板上清液中5-HT 含量减少。