Fatty acid binding proteins in the three types of rat skeletal muscle

By means of Sephadex G-50 column chromatography, a Mr 12,000 fatty acid binding protein (FABP) was found to be present in all three types of skeletal muscle. FABP concentrations in muscle cytosols (105,000g supernatant) were fiber type specific with binding levels (expressed as pmole [14C]oleate bound/mg protein) of 70 +/- 7 in fast-twitch white (FTW) (heart FABP = 469 +/- 33). Cytosols from all three fiber types cross-reacted with antibody to pure heart FABP on Ouchterlony immunodiffusion analysis. FABP content, determined by radial immunodiffusion, followed the same pattern in the muscle types as that in the binding assay. The values (in micrograms/mg protein) were 3.3 +/- 0.1 in FTW, 17.0 +/- 0.4 in FTR, and 31.7 +/- 1.4 in STR fibers (heart = 55). Disc gel electrophoresis revealed a protein band in each fiber type that had migration identical to that of pure heart FABP and was proportional to the amounts determined by Sephadex G-50 chromatography and immunoassay. In addition, Western blots of tissue cytosols, using antibody to heart FABP, detected single protein bands identical in size to pure heart FABP in all three types of skeletal muscle. These results show the presence of a FABP in all skeletal muscle types with an immunologic and electrophoretic characterization identical to that of heart FABP.     

Recovery of murine lens epithelial cells from single and fractionated doses of X rays and neutrons

Subpopulations of mouse lens epithelial cells, differing in proliferative status, were irradiated with either X rays or fission spectrum neutrons given singly or in four weekly fractions. After various times, epithelia were mitogenically stimulated by wounding and DNA synthesis responses were determined by incorporation of [3H]thymidine. At 1 h following both X and neutron irradiations, significant suppression of the wound response after single doses and a sparing effect of fractionation were evident in both the mitotically quiescent and the slowly proliferating subpopulations. At 1 week following single or fractionated doses of both radiations, recovery was evident in both subpopulations. By 4 weeks, the quiescent subpopulation showed significant recovery after both single and fractionated doses of X rays or neutrons. In contrast, a marked decreased ability to respond after neutron irradiation and, in addition, a significant enhancement effect of neutron fractionation were observed for the slowly proliferating subpopulation. Per gray, neutrons were about 7.5 times more effective than X rays as a single dose and 25 times more effective in four equal fractions. The shift from an initial sparing to a final enhancing effect of neutron fractionation for the slowly proliferating subpopulation has importance for understanding divergent early and late radiation responses following dose fractionation.     

Stimulation of ciliary beat frequency by autonomic agonists: in vivo

beta 2-Adrenergic bronchodilator and muscarinic cholinergic bronchoconstrictor agonists both stimulate ciliary activity in vitro. To test the hypothesis that increases in autonomic activity would result in increases in ciliary beat frequency (CBF) in vivo, a correlation analysis heterodyne laser light-scattering system was developed and validated to measure the stimulating effects of sympathomimetic and parasympathomimetic agonists on tracheal CBF in intact, anesthetized beagles. The mean baseline CBF from 42 studies of 274 measurements in 9 (5 male and 4 female) adult beagles was 6.6 +/- 1.1 Hz. The stimulating effects of a beta 2-adrenergic agonist, fenoterol, and a muscarinic cholinergic agonist, methacholine, on CBF were studied on four and eight beagles, respectively. The studies were randomized and blinded. Aerosolized 10(-5) M fenoterol stimulated the CBF from the base line of 6.8 +/- 2.5 to 32.0 +/- 17.9 Hz in four dogs. Aerosolized methacholine stimulated the CBF from the base line of 5.8 +/- 0.7 to 9.4 +/- 3.0 Hz for 10(-8) M, and to 12.6 +/- 3.1 Hz for 10(-6) M in eight dogs. These are the first data obtained in intact animals that demonstrate CBF in the lower respiratory tract is regulated by autonomic agonists.     

The effects of low levels of chloramphenicol and methotrexate on somatic embryogenesis inCitrus

Summary The effects of the antibiotics methotrexate and chloramphenicol on somatic embryogenesis inCitrus were evaluated. Relatively low levels (0.1 to 1.0 μg/ml) of these antibiotics did not inhibit embryo production from undeveloped ovules of ‘Key’ lime [C. aurantifolia) (Christm.) Swing.]. Surprisingly, both antibiotics induced the formation of embryogenic callus in these cultures. This is usually a rare event in cultures of undevelopedCitrus ovules, and ‘Key’ lime is especially recalcitrant. The effects of these antibiotics on embryogenic callus appeared to be limited to the induction stage, because there was no consistent effect, either stimulatory or inhibitory, on established, lines of embryogenic callus. Florida Agricultural Experiment Station Journal Series No. 8958. This research was supported in part by a grant to Moore and Cline from the Competitive Grants Office of the SEA, USDA (85-CRCR-1-1623).     

Optimal alignments in linear space

Space, not time, is often the limiting factor when computingoptimal sequence alignments, and a number of recent papers inthe biology literature have proposed space-saving strategies.However, a 1975 computer science paper by Hirschberg presenteda method that is superior to the new proposals, both in theoryand in practice. The goal of this paper is to give Hirschberg'sidea the visibility it deserves by developing a linear-spaceversion of Gotoh's algorithm, which accommodates affine gappenalties. A portable C-software package implementing this algorithmis available on the BIONET free of charge. Received on October 14, 1987; accepted on December 19, 1987     

Development of captive bongos (Tragelaphus eurycerus): Activity budgets and developmental milestones

The development of changes in visual orientation, posture, activity budgets, and behavioral milestones was examined in five bongo calves which were observed from birth to 4 or 6 months of age. The only significant change in the calves' visual orientation was an increase in orientation to food. Reclining declined significantly over weeks, while standing increased and moving did not change. Overall, stationary behaviors dominated the activity budget, but decreased significantly over the study. The category that included locomotion, object exploration, and auto-play did not change, while forage and rumination increased significantly. Contrary to expectation, the decline in suckling was not significant. Affiliative interactions with the dam decreased significantly during the study, but increases in affiliation with other bongos were not significant. Levels of agonistic behavior between the calves and their dams and other herd members were low throughout the study, and did not change significantly. One female calf achieved several developmental milestones later than the others. It is suggested that these differences may have been influenced by the dominance status of her dam. The results conform to the general developmental pattern of “hider” bovids. Bongos, however, show somewhat different patterns of social development than eland, which are reported to be more precocial in expression of aggressive and sexual behaviors. © 1992 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Localization of the amphotropic murine leukemia virus receptor gene to the pericentromeric region of human chromosome 8.

The host range of retroviruses is determined primarily by the presence of specific receptors on target cells which are recognized by the retroviral envelope glycoprotein. Somatic cell hybrids have been used to determine the chromosomal locations of several retroviral receptors in mice prior to their molecular cloning. Here we report that by using human-Chinese hamster somatic cell hybrids and a retroviral vector, we have mapped the receptor for the amphotropic murine leukemia virus to the pericentromeric region of human chromosome 8.     

Inhalational administration of cocaine in sheep

A pipe for administration of inhaled cocaine and its pyrolytic products in laboratory animals was developed and tested. In-vitro trials showed 30.0 +/- 5.2% (mean +/- SE) recovery of cocaine in solvent. Five non-pregnant ewes were instrumented with tracheal T-tubes and vascular catheters. After surgical recovery, ewes received three doses of cocaine (free base) in a randomized fashion; 2 mg/kg and 4 mg/kg both by inhalation, and 2 mg/kg intravenously. Arterial blood samples were collected and assayed for cocaine and its major metabolites by high performance liquid chromatography. Blood pressure and heart rate were continuously recorded. Cocaine administered by inhalation was eliminated with a half-life of 1.6 +/- 0.5 min (mean +/- SE) compared to 3.4 +/- 0.9 following intravenous administration (p less than 0.03). Likewise, clearance values were greater following inhalation, 5532 +/- 1756 ml/min/kg, than following intravenous administration, 163 +/- 20.6 ml/min/kg (p less than 0.04). Both routes of administration led to significant elevations in blood pressure, 7.5% increase after smoking vs 20% increase after intravenous administration. No correlation was found between inhalational dose of cocaine and peak plasma cocaine concentration.     

Calcium handling by platelets from normal and malignant hyperthermia-susceptible pigs

Platelets from normal and malignant hyperthermia (MH)-susceptible pigs were evaluated for differences in 45calcium uptake in the absence or presence of caffeine (2-16 mM), halothane (0.05-0.5%), or halothane and caffeine together. There were no statistically significant differences in basal or halothane-inhibited calcium uptake by platelets from either source. There was a small statistically significant difference in calcium uptake between platelets from normal and MH-susceptible pigs in the presence of 16 mM caffeine and 0.5% halothane. Calcium uptake by platelets from one pedigree of MH-susceptible pigs were stimulated in a concentration-dependent manner by caffeine. These data suggest that exposure of platelets to caffeine may have potential for identifying MH-susceptibility.