A human skeletal muscle cell line obtained from an adult donor.

A cell line (RCMH) in permanent culture was established from surgically removed adult normal human skeletal muscle by exposure to conditioned media obtained from thyroid cells. Cells proliferated indefinitely but displayed density inhibition of growth while maintaining some differentiated markers. Under certain incubation conditions, cells fused into myotube-like structures, with a concomitant increase in muscle specific proteins, such as human myoglobin, skeletal muscle myosin, desmin and dystrophin, as identified using immunocytochemical procedures. In addition, RCMH cells displayed high affinity receptors for alpha-bungarotoxin (Bmax = 0.7 pmol/mg protein, Kd = 1.5 nM) and dihydropyridines (Bmax = 0.3 pmol/mg protein, Kd = 0.5 nM for [3H]PN200-110); these values are comparable to those reported for muscle cells in primary culture. Patch-clamp studies showed the presence of 42 pS carbachol gated channels and of 5 pS calcium channels (current carried by barium); chloride and potassium channels were also seen. This new cell line appears to be a convenient model system to study skeletal muscle function.     

Chromosome Numbers in Three Asteraceae Tribes from Inner Mongolia (China), with Genome Size Data for Cardueae

Chromosome counts are reported for 15 species of the family Asteraceae from Inner Mongolia (People’s Republic of China). This study includes representatives of the tribes Anthemideae (Artemisia, Chrysanthemum, Filifolium, Hippolytia and Neopallasia), Astereae (Heteropappus) and Cardueae (Echinops and Olgaea). The significance of the chromosome counts is discussed for each species. Within the Anthemideae, chromosome counts for Hippolytia alashanensis (2n?=?36) and the tetraploid level of Artemisia eriopoda (2n?=?36) are reported for the first time. The chromosome number of Heteropappus altaicus (Astereae) agrees with previous reports of one (4x) of the two ploidy levels reported for this taxon. As a complement to the karyological data, genome size of the Cardueae representatives was assessed using flow cytometry. Within this tribe, Echinops gmelini (2n?=?26) and its sister taxon E. acantholepis (2n?=?14) show strongly divergent karyological patterns of difficult interpretation, whereas the count of E. przewalskyi (2n?=?32), assigned here for the first time, coincides with those of its close relatives. In Olgaea tangutica, the chromosome count (2n?=?24) and genome size (2C?=?3.01 pg) given here are the first reports for both the species and the genus.     

Cytochemical localization of K(+)-dependent p-nitrophenyl phosphatase and adenylate cyclase by using one-step method in human washed platelets.

Ultrastructural cytochemical localization of ouabain-sensitive, potassium dependent p-nitrophenyl phosphatase (K(+)-NPPase) of the Na(+)-/K(+)-ATPase complex and adenylate cyclase (cAMPase) activities, in washed inactivated human platelets, are described. The one-step lead-citrate method, under similar incubation conditions, was used to determine both activities. K(+)-NPPase appeared in both plasma membrane and the surface-connected canalicular system (SCCS) of the platelets. These data suggest a uniform distribution of the enzyme throughout membrane systems which are in contact with the external medium. cAMPase activity was strictly localized in tubules of the dense tubular system (DTS) when incubation medium contained prostaglandin E1, prostaglandin D2 or forskolin, at concentrations known to stimulate the enzyme in platelets that are intact. This fact and the inhibition of cytochemical reaction by thrombin confirm that the one-step lead-citrate method is a useful procedure in determining adenylate cyclase, abolishing the unfavorable conditions of previously reported methods.     

A comparative study of the myoelectric amplitude characteristics for weight-holding tasks.

This study was conducted to examine the effects of load, time, and gender on five amplitude measures of the myoelectric signal (MES) for 10 male and 10 female subjects engaged in upper extremity weight-holding tasks. The results indicated that: (1) measures of amplitude variability (e.g.: standard deviation) are more sensitive to changes in load and time than the full-wave rectified integral and root-mean square indices; (2) both load and time had a significant effect on MES indices, suggesting that amplitude measures may be used as a tool for evaluating the degree of muscular loading and fatigue; (3) females have higher muscular exertion values than males under the same experimental conditions, indicating that females are subjected to higher levels of stresses than males for the same amount of workload. The implications of the results are discussed.     

Polyploidy in Cupressaceae: Discovery of a new naturally occurring tetraploid,Xanthocyparis vietnamensis

While polyploidy (whole-genome multiplication) is generally considered rare in extant gymnosperms (with the exception of Ephedra, Ephedraceae), the occurrence of sporadic polyploid individuals belonging to various genera in the conifer family Cupressaceae has been reported in the literature. In addition, recent studies have revealed that polyploidy is not uncommon in the genus Juniperus (Cupressaceae), with tetraploid and hexaploid individuals reported in individuals collected from wild populations. Given these findings, we undertook a comprehensive screening of ploidy levels in 32 species belonging to the four genera that are phylogenetically closest to Juniperus (i.e.,Callitropsis, Hesperocyparis, Xanthocyparis, and Cupressus), referred to as the CaHXCu complex. In addition, we also determined the ploidy level of two accessions in the poorly studied tetraploid, Fitzroya cupressoides. Using flow cytometry together with published chromosome counts to assign ploidy levels, we show that all species of the CaHXCu complex are diploid except Xanthocyparis vietnamensis, which is tetraploid, with a genome size of 44.60 pg/2 C. This study opens up new opportunities for studying the impact and consequences of polyploidy on the evolution and adaptation of species in Cupressaceae.     

Social rhythm and other chronobiological findings in juvenile myoclonic epilepsy

We evaluated the correlation between chronobiological variables and characteristics of juvenile myoclonic epilepsy. Sample: 17 individuals epileptic outpatients and respective controls. Instruments: The Social Rhythm Metric for social zeitgebers, lux meter, and an ACT10^® thermistor for activity–rest rhythm, light exposure, and peripheral body temperature. Regularity scores showed an inverse correlation with age at disease onset (r = ?0.5; p < 0.05), but not with disease duration or stabilization time. A significant intergroup difference was recorded for mean diurnal peripheral temperature (p < 0.01) and activity amplitude (= 0.06). There was a correlation between activity and temperature means in both groups. These results underscore the relationship between epilepsy and the biological clock on a physiological level. Epilepsy, in turn, is influenced by the circadian rhythm, indicating the potential involvement of the body’s internal clock in the development of the disease or the seizure recurrence pattern.     

Sleep,daily activity rhythms and postpartum mood: A longitudinal study across the perinatal period

Women with a diagnosis of bipolar and major depressive disorders are at higher risk to develop postpartum depression. The primary objective of this longitudinal study was to determine whether daily activity rhythms and sleep parameters differ between women with and without a history of a mood disorder across the perinatal period. A secondary objective was to determine whether changes in these parameters were associated with postpartum mood. In total, 33 women were included in this study, 15 of which had a history of a mood disorder (high-risk group) and 18 who did not (low-risk group). Sleep and daily rhythms were assessed subjectively and objectively during the third trimester (≥26 weeks gestation) and again at 6–12 weeks postpartum. Mood was also assessed at both time points. Women in the high-risk group showed greater subjective daily rhythms and sleep disturbances across the perinatal period. Objective sleep efficiency was worse in the high-risk group in the postpartum period. Changes in both subjective daily rhythms and objective sleep efficiency were predictive of changes in depressive symptoms across the perinatal period. These findings encourage the development of preventative therapeutics to ensure circadian rhythm and sleep stability throughout the perinatal period.