Dynamics of brain rhythmic and evoked potentials

In this study, the simultaneously recorded and selectively averaged evoked potentials in some of the structures of the auditory pathway (acoustical cortex, medial geniculate nucleus, inferior colliculus), in the reticular formation and the hippocampus of the awake cat as well as the simultaneous amplitude frequency characteristics of these structures are given. The power spectral density functions computed from the simultaneously recorded spontaneous activity of these structures are also presented. Using these results, the following analyses are accomplished: (1) determination of the dynamics of potentials simultaneously obtained from various brain structures, in order to evaluate the common features of their system characteristics; (2) determination of the relationship (or interactions) between rhythmic activity and evoked potentials of the brain, and (3) elaboration of a working hypothesis for the dynamics of potentials of the brain. Some suggestions and comments are also made for investigators working toward theories or dynamic models of signal transmission in the brain.     

Purification and Characterization of Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase from Rat Small Intestine

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) was purified from rat small intestine with 19.2% yield and had a specific activity of 53.8 units per miligram protein. The pH optimum was determined to be 8.1. The purified rat small intestinal G6PD gave one activity, one protein band on native PAGE. The observation of one band on SDS/PAGE with an Mr of 48 kDa and a specific activity lower than expected may suggest the proteolytically affected enzyme or different form of G6PD in the rat small intestine. The activation energy, activation enthalpy, Q10, and optimum temperature from Arrhenius plot for the rat small intestinal G6PD were found to be 8.52 kcal/mol, 7.90 kcal/mol, 1.59, and 38 degrees C, respectively. The Km values for G6P and NADP+ were 70.1 +/- 20.8 and 23.2 +/- 7.6 microM, respectively. Double-reciprocal plots of 1/Vm versus 1/G6P (at constant [NADP+]) and of 1/Vm versus 1/NADP+ at constant [G6P]) intersected at the same point on the 1/Vm axis to give Vm = 53.8 U/mg protein.     

Intrafusal myosin heavy chain expression of human masseter and biceps muscles at young age shows fundamental similarities but also marked differences

Muscle spindles are skeletal muscle mechanoreceptors that provide proprioceptive information to the central nervous system. The human adult masseter muscle has greater number, larger and more complex muscle spindles than the adult biceps. For a better knowledge of muscle diversity and physiological properties, this study examined the myosin heavy chain (MyHC) expression of muscle spindle intrafusal fibres in the human young masseter and young biceps muscles by using a panel of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against different MyHC isoforms. Eight MyHC isoforms were detected in both muscles-slow-tonic, I, IIa, IIx, foetal, embryonic, α-cardiac and an isoform not previously reported in intrafusal fibres, termed IIx′. Individual fibres co-expressed 2–6 isoforms. MyHC-slow tonic separated bag₁, AS-bag₁ and bag₂ fibres from chain fibres. Typically, bag fibres also expressed MyHC-I and α-cardiac, whereas chain fibres expressed IIa and foetal. In the young masseter 98 % of bag₁ showed MyHC-α cardiac versus 30 % in the young biceps, 35 % of bag₂ showed MyHC-IIx′ versus none in biceps, 17 % of the chain fibres showed MyHC-I versus 61 % in the biceps. In conclusion, the result showed fundamental similarities in intrafusal MyHC expression between young masseter and biceps, but also marked differences implying muscle-specific proprioceptive control, probably related to diverse evolutionary and developmental origins. Finding of similarities in MyHC expression between young and adult masseter and biceps muscle spindles, respectively, in accordance with previously reported similarities in mATPase fibre type composition suggest early maturation of muscle spindles, preceding extrafusal fibres in growth and maturation.     

A cryptic invasion within an invasion and widespread introgression in the European water frog complex: consequences of uncontrolled commercial trade and weak international legislation

In Western Europe, many pond owners introduce amphibians for ornamental purposes. Although indigenous amphibians are legally protected in most European countries, retailers are circumventing national and international legislation by selling exotic nonprotected sibling species. We investigated to what extent non‐native species of the European water frog complex (genus Pelophylax) have become established in Belgium, using morphological, mitochondrial and nuclear genetic markers. A survey of 87 sampling sites showed the presence of non‐native water frogs at 47 locations, mostly Marsh frogs (Pelophylax ridibundus). Surprisingly, at least 19% of all these locations also harboured individuals with mitochondrial haplotypes characteristic of Anatolian water frogs (Pelophylax cf. bedriagae). Nuclear genotyping indicated widespread hybridization and introgression between P. ridibundus and P. cf. bedriagae. In addition, water frogs of Turkish origin obtained through a licensed retailer, also contained P. ridibundus and P. cf. bedriagae, with identical haplotypes to the wild Belgian populations. Although P. ridibundus might have invaded Belgium by natural range expansion from neighbouring countries, our results suggest that its invasion was at least partly enhanced by commercial trade, with origins as far as the Middle East. Also the invasion and rapid spread of Anatolian lineages, masked by their high morphological similarity to P. ridibundus, is likely the result of unregulated commercial trade. We expect that Anatolian frogs will further invade the exotic as well as the native range of P. ridibundus and other Pelophylax species elsewhere in Western and Central Europe, with risks of large‐scale hybridization and introgression.     

Ch-Schwellen der Uraninfärbbarkeit des Plasmas einiger Florideen

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

Osmotischer Druck und Ionengleichgewicht beim Blutegelmuskel

Zusammenfassung Es wurde das Verhalten des Blutegelrückenmuskels in Lösungen von verschiedenem osmotischen Druck und verschiedenem Ionengehalt untersucht. In reinen Zuckerlösungen sowie in reinen Kochsalzlösungen zeigt der Muskel einen von der Größe des osmotischen Druckes abhängigen Längszustand oder Tonus. Die Druck-Längenkurve zeigt in beiden Fällen einen Wendepunkt. Der in n/10-NaCl im Gleichgewicht befindliche Muskel erschlafft bei Herabsetzung des osmotischen Druckes bis zu einer Konzentration von n/20–n/30 und beginnt von da ab sich zu kontrahieren. In Na-freier Zuckerlösung liegt der Wendepunkt bei etwa molarer Konzentration, also bei etwa zehnmal so hohem osmotischen Druck. Erhöhung der Zuckerkonzentration führt zu Erschlaffung, Verminderung zu Kontraktion.Zusatz von Kalium zur NaCl-Lösung in einer die Isotonie nicht störenden Menge bewirkt eine wiederum von der Konzentration abhängige Längen- oder Tonusänderung, die gleichfalls einen Wendepunkt zeigt. Dieser liegt bei einer Konzentration von etwa n/250–n/200. Schwächere Konzentrationen bewirken eine Erschlaffung, stärkere eine Erhöhung des Muskeltonus. Kalzium wirkt in allen Konzentrationen erschlaffend. Es erscheint als Antagonist des Kaliums, wenn dieses kontrahierend wirkt, aber als Synergist, bei Kaliumkonzentrationen, die erschlaffend wirken.In O₂-reichem Medium bleibt die elektrische Reizbarkeit über 30 Stunden erhalten. Der Muskel zeigt ein großes Summationsvermögen, auch für einzeln unwirksame Reize. Die Erschlaffungsgeschwindigkeit steigt mit der Steilheit der Kontraktion. O₂-Mangel wirkt tonusvermindernd und erschlaffungsbeschleunigend. Hypotonie erhöht, Hypertonie vermindert die elektrische Reizbarkeit. Kalium hat wenig Einfluß, Kalzium erzeugt eine starke Herabsetzung der Reizbarkeit. Tonus und Reizkontraktion sind mithin von einander völlig unabhängige Erscheinungen.

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Summary The behaviour of the dorsal muscle of leech in solutions of different osmotic pressure and different ions has been investigated. In pure sugar solutions as well as in pure solutions of sodium chloride the permanent state of length (tonus) of the muscle depends on the osmotic pressure of the solution. The curve representing the relation between pressure and length reveals in both cases a turning point. The muscle beeing in equilibrium in n/10-NaCl solution relaxes with diminishing osmotic pressure untill a concentration of n/20–n/30 is reached. With further diminution starts a contraction.In sodium free sugar solutions the turning point lies at approximatly molar concentrations that is at osmotic pressure ten times higher. Increase of sugar concentration leads to relaxation and its diminution to a contraction.Addition of potassium to the NaCl solution without disturbing the isotonic condition produces also a change of the state of length or the tonus. This change too depends on the concentration and shows a turning point at a K-concentration of about n/250–n/200. Lower concentrations produce a relaxation and higher ones a contraction. Calcium has a relaxing effect in all concentrations. It is an antagonist of potassium as far as the latter one produces a contraction, but acts as its Synergist in K-concentrations leading to a relaxation.In a medium rich in oxygen the electrical excitability of the muscle may be preserved for more than 30 hours. The muscle shows a great power of summation even for single shocks not effective by itself. The velocity of relaxation increases with the steepness of the contraction. Lack of oxygen diminishes the tonus and accelerates the relaxation. Hypotonic solutions increase while hypertonic ones diminish the electrical excitability. Potassium has little influence whereas calcium produces a strong diminution of excitability.Therefore tonus and contractions by stimulation are entirely independent phenomena.

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Karl von Frisch zum 60. Geburtstag gewidmet.     

Polyploids and aneuploids of crepis capillaris produced by treatment with nitrous oxide

Summary When plants ofCrepis capillaris are treated with nitrous oxide of ten atmospheres pressure for four to six hours, at the time when the first or second zygotic divisions are passing in their pollinated flowers, a fair yield of polyploid and aneuploid plants is obtained in their progeny.     

Biotization of Arabidopsis thaliana with Pseudomonas putida and assessment of its positive effect on in vitro growth

Determination of the optimal inoculation method and concentration to use for plant-bacteria interaction studies is important in many cases, such as the phytoremediation of heavy metals and other toxic compounds in contaminated areas. The aim of this study was to compare different concentrations and times of inoculation of Pseudomonas putida with various growth stages of Arabidopsis thaliana in 14-d in vitro cultures. A significant beneficial impact of the bacterium was detected in the shoot length and root weight of seedlings. The highest shoot length and root fresh and dry weights were detected in 14-d and 2 × 10³ cfu mL⁻¹ inoculated samples. In addition, the increase in root weight could be visualized with crystal violet staining, as relatively more root hair and lateral root formation occurred in seedlings inoculated with moderate concentrations of bacteria, possibly due to the ability of P. putida to produce indole-acetic acid. Moreover, the highest photosynthetic pigment accumulation was obtained with the highest bacterial inoculum (2 × 10⁶ cfu mL⁻¹), which was tested in 0- or 3-d-old seedlings. Rhizospheric bacterial colonization was also visualized with GFP-labeled bacteria by confocal microscopy. These results showed that biotization of A. thaliana with P. putida KT2440 did not cause severe oxidative stress in seedlings, because H₂O₂ accumulation levels together with CAT and POX activities were not significantly induced. Therefore, this strain could be used for several applications based on plant-bacteria interactions.

     

Identification of copy number variants in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder: a study from Turkey

Molecular Biology Reports - Copy number variants (CNVs) play a key role in the etiology of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Therefore, recent guidelines recommend chromosomal microarrays (CMAs) as...