Fluctuating asymmetry and sexual selection

Behavioral ecologists are being attracted to the study of within-individual morphological variability, manifested in random deviations from bilateral symmetry, as a means of ascertaining the stress susceptibility of developmental regulatory mechanisms. Several early successes Indicate that incorporating measures of symmetry into sexual-selection studies may help link individual sexual success to a basic component of viability - developmental stability.     

Inelastic neutron-scattering study of the proton transfer dynamics in polyglycine I at 20 K

Inelastic neutron-scattering (INS) spectra of three isotopic derivatives of polyglycine I (-COCH2NH-)n, (-COCD2NH-)n, and (-COCH2ND-)n at 20 K are presented from 30 to 4000 cm(-1). The band frequencies are compared to those observed in the infrared and Raman. Assignments in terms of group vibrations are proposed. These mostly resemble previous assignment schemes, except for the amide bands. The INS intensities reveal that the proton dynamics for the (N)H proton are totally different from those proposed previously. They are independent of the molecular frame and the valence bond approach is not consistent with observation. A phenomenological approach is proposed in terms of localized modes. The calculated intensities reveal that the (N)H stretching mode has two components at approximately 1377 and 1553 cm(-1). This is a dramatic change compared to all former assignments at approximately 3280 cm(-1) based on infrared and Raman data. These proton-dynamics are associated with a weakening of the NH bond due to the ionic character of the hydrogen bond (N(delta-)...H+...O(delta'-)) and proton transfer. The infrared and Raman spectra are re-examined and a new assignment scheme is proposed for the amide bands; the amide A and B bands are re-assigned to the overtones of the stretching modes. A symmetric double-minimum potential for the proton is consistent with all the observations.     

Heterogeneity of protein conformation in solution from the lifetime of tryptophan phosphorescence

The decay of Trp phosphorescence of proteins in fluid solutions was shown to provide a sensitive tool for probing the conformational homogeneity of these macromolecules in the millisecond to second time scale. Upon examination of 15 single Trp emitting proteins multiexponential decays were observed in 12 cases, a demonstration that the presence of slowly interconverting conformers in solution is more the norm rather than an exception. The amplitude of preexponential terms, from which the conformer equilibrium is derived, was found to be a sensitive function of solvent composition (buffer, pH, ionic strength and glycerol cosolvent), temperature, and complex formation with substrates and cofactors. In many cases, raising the temperature, a point is reached at which the decay becomes practically monoexponential, meaning that conformer interconversion rates have become commensurate with the triplet lifetime. Estimation of activation free energy barriers to interconversion shows that the large values of DeltaG* are rather similar among polypeptides and that the protein substates involved are sufficiently long-lived to display individual binding/catalytic properties.     

Lectin-induced deciduoma formation in the pseudopregnant rat

Decidual cell induction in the pseudopregnant rat was examined in this study using the lectin concanavalin A (ConA). The histochemical binding of the lectin to the uterine cell surface at the time of deciduomatic induction was also studied. ConA was found to induce significant deciduomata (decidual-like tissue) in the uterine horn when injected intraluminally on day 5 of pseudopregnancy (PSP). ConA-induced deciduomata appeared as a series of discrete nodules in the uterine horn, reminiscent of the anatomical appearance of normal embryo implantation sites. Deciduoma induction by ConA was greatly reduced by pre-absorption of the lectin with its competitive sugar. Lectin histochemistry revealed binding of ConA to the cell surface on day 5 of PSP. Pre-absorption of the lectin with its competitive sugar also significantly reduced surface binding of the lectin, and this finding may be correlated with the greatly reduced ability of the pre-absorbed lectin to induce deciduomata. Possible mechanisms for the induction of deciduomata by lectins are considered.     

Fine structural distinction between ganglia of the outer and inner submucosal plexus in porcine small intestine

Ultrastructural differences between ganglia of the plexus submucosus internus (Meissner; PSI) and plexus submucosus externus (Schabadasch; PSE) are described. Comparison revealed a different glia index (ratio glia per neuron) between the PSE (3:1) and the PSI (1:1), the arrangement of PSI neurons in compartments and the appearance of broad membrane-to-membrane appositions inside the compartments of the PSI. Structural and immunohistochemical differences between the two plexuses are discussed. In general, PSE neurons show a wider variety in size and shape than most of the PSI neurons.     

几种快速除去银染后银粒的方法

几种快速除去银染后银粒的方法银染技术应用于细胞遗传学的研究已有近百年的历史,近年来得到了更广泛的发展。它不仅能选择性地染核仁组织者（ＮＯＲＳ）、着丝点、中心体和联会复合体（ＳＣ）,而且还能显示核骨架、染色体轴（骨架）等结构。为了进一步研究银染的机理及...     

制作长骨标本、模型的简便方法

制作长骨标本、模型的简便方法挑选带有骨膜的较完整的牛的股骨,把附着在骨上的少量的肌肉和健等剔除干净。然后把骨平放在桌面上,用直尺、铅笔划出侧面的纵线和正面的横线（如Ａ：［３１）．而且纵线要和桌面平行,横线与桌面垂直。用几层软布把骨的下端包住夹在台钳内...     

Kinetics of leucrose formation from sucrose by dextransucrase

Leucrose formation from sucrose and fructose by dextransucrase is of practical interest. It has been investigated at different experimental conditions, including the influence of temperature on reaction rate and selectivity. Under appropriate conditions high product yield can be obtained. Furthermore, a model is presented that allows interpretation of the experimental data.     

Redox conditions for stimulation of in vitro folding and assembly of the glycoprotein hormone chorionic gonadotropin

The formation of native disulfide bonds during in vitro protein folding can be limiting in obtaining biologically active proteins. Thus, optimization of redox conditions can be critical in maximizing the yield of renatured, recombinant proteins. We have employed a folding model, that of the beta subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG- beta), to investigate in vitro oxidation conditions that facilitate the folding of this protein, and have compared the in vitro rates obtained with the rate of folding that has been observed in intact cells. Two steps in the folding pathway of hCG-beta were investigated: the rate-limiting events in the folding of this protein, and the assembly of hCG-beta with, hCG-alpha. The rates of these folding events were determined with and without protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) using two different types of redox reagents: cysteamine and its oxidized equivalent, cystamine, and reduced and oxidized glutathione. Rates of the rate-limiting folding events were twofold faster in cysteamine/cystamine redox buffers than in glutathione buffers in the absence of PDI. Optimal conditions for hCG-beta folding were attained in a 2 mM glutathione buffer, pH 7.4, that contained 1 mg/mL PDI and in 10muM cysteamine/cystamine, pH 8.7, without PDI. Under these conditions, the half-time of the ratelimiting folding event was 16 to 20 min and approached the rate observed in intact cells (4 to 5 min). Moreover, folding of the beta subunit under these conditions yields a functional protein, based on its ability to assemble with the alpha subunit. The rates of assembly of hCG-beta with hCG-alpha in the cysteamine/cystamine or glutathione/PDI redox buffers were comparable (t(1/2/sb> = 9 to 12 min)). These studies show that rates of folding and assembly events that involve disulfide bond formation can be optimized by a simple buffer system composed of cysteamine and cystamine. (c) 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.