Regulation of beta-endorphin and ACTH in brain by estradiol

The effect of estradiol on the brain concentration of immunoreactive beta-endorphin (beta-EP) and C-terminal ACTH (CLIP) was studied in ovariectomized rats. Dopamine, a known inhibitor of pituitary intermediate lobe pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC), was examined as a possible mediator of the estradiol induced changes in brain POMC. Animals were treated for 1 or 3 weeks with either 1) saline; 2) silastic estradiol implants; or 3) estradiol implants plus haloperidol 1 mg/kg/day. After one week of treatment no significant change in hypothalamic beta-EP content was noted in any group compared to the control level of 4.13 +/- .33 (SEM) pmoles although in the neurointermediate lobe beta-EP increased from 566 +/- 72 to 942 +/- 73 pmoles after haloperidol (p less than .005). After 3 weeks, however, hypothalamic beta-EP decreased from 3.96 +/- .28 to 2.74 +/- .19 pmoles (p less than .005) and C-terminal ACTH decreased from 3.78 +/- .33 to 2.82 +/- .18 pmoles (p less than .02) in the estradiol treated rats. This estradiol induced decrease in the hypothalamic content of beta-EP and C-terminal ACTH was not blocked by haloperidol. We conclude that estradiol lowers the hypothalamic content of beta-EP and CLIP and that this effect does not appear to be mediated by dopamine.     

Effect of a low-frequency magnetic field on systemic arterial pressure in spontaneously hypertensive rats

The effect of low-frequency magnetic field (MF) on systemic blood pressure has been studied in chronic experiments on 21 spontaneously hypertensive rats. The animals' kidney area was exposed to MF (induction value 30T). Direct blood pressure measurements have revealed an antihypertensive effect.     

A possible virus cryptic in carnation

Small isometric virus-like particles were found in low concentration in apparently healthy carnations of the Mediterranean, miniature and Chinese type but not in eleven Sim cultivars tested. Most carnations containing these particles were from Italy but some were from France and the USA. The particles were not transmitted by grafting or by mechanical inoculation but were seed-transmitted to a large proportion of seedlings. Antisera to partially purified particles were obtained. The particles did not react with antisera to twenty-eight isometric plant viruses or virus-like particles but were serologically related to similar particles found in carnations in England, Holland and Israel. When negatively stained, the particles were isometric with a diameter of about 29 nm and a rounded rather than angular profile, but without clear substructure; some particles were penetrated by the stain. The particles remained intact in neutral sodium phosphotungstate. After isopycnic centrifugation in CsCl solution, preparations of particles formed a main band of mean density 1.377 g/ml and other fainter bands that varied in intensity and position in different preparations. In thin sections of carnations, no virus-like particles or cytological abnormalities were observed.     

Energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis of membrane-associated inclusions in hydrogenosomes isolated from Trichomonas vaginalis

Energy-dispersive X-ray microprobe analysis of electron-dense inclusions in hydrogenosomes isolated from the aerotolerant anaerobic protozoal human parasite Trichomonas vaginalis, Bushby strain, indicated the presence of high levels of Mg, P and Ca. This suggested that divalent cation (e.g. Ca2+ or Mg2+) accumulation by hydrogenosomes may be important in the regulation of intracellular ion concentrations.     

Differences in chemical composition of plants grown at constant relative growth rates with stable mineral nutrition

Summary Leaf chemistry of a willow clone (Salix aquatica Smith) differed significantly when grown at constant relative growth rates depending upon the relative availability of nutrients and light. Concentration of amino acids and nitrate were high in plants grown with a relative surplus of nutrients. Concentrations of starch, tannin, and lignin, on the other hand, were high in plants grown with a relative surplus of carbon. Photosynthetic rates, expressed per unit leaf area, were similar when plants were grown under high light conditions, regardless of nutrient availability. Dark respiration was much higher in plants supplied with abundant nutrients than in those with a more limited supply, reflecting differences in nitrogen concentration of the tissue. The experimental approach allows plants to be grown to a standard size with differing, but highly uniform chemistry. Plants grown in such a manner may provide good experimental material to evaluate interactions between herbivores or pathogens and their hosts.