Nitrospira marina gen. nov. sp. nov.: a chemolithotrophic nitrite-oxidizing bacterium

A new chemolithotrophic nitrite-oxidizing bacterium, for which the name Nitrospira marina is proposed, was isolated from the Gulf of Maine. N. marina is a Gramnegative curved rod which may form spirals with 1 to 12 turns. Cells have a unique periplasmic space and lack intracytoplasmic membranes and carboxysomes. N. marina is an obligate chemolithotroph, but best growth is obtained in a mixotrophic medium. N. marina may be one of the most prevalent nitrite-oxidizing bacteria in some oceanic environments. Type strain is field with American Type Culture Collection (ATCC 43039).     

The conformational analysis of oligosaccharides by H-NMR and HSEA calculation

The application of 1H-nuclear Overhauser enhancement, 1H-spin-lattice-relaxation-time and 1H-chemical shift measurements for the assessment of the conformational preferences of oligosaccharides are briefly reviewed. It is demonstrated that additivity rules, for the correlation of the chemical shifts of similar hydrogen atoms in different oligosaccharides, can be useful in the conformational analysis of oligosaccharides when the differential chemical shifts are greater than 0.1 ppm. These often can be attributed to specific interunit deshielding of a hydrogen atom by an oxygen atom with which it is in strong nonbonded interaction. HSEA calculations are used to demonstrate that differential chemical shifts of less than 0.1 ppm can have origins that are not significant to the overall conformational preferences of the oligosaccharides which are being compared. Both shielding and deshielding effects can arise from a change in the orientation of a substituent group as the result of the introduction of a sugar on a neighboring unit. It is demonstrated that substituent groups, such as hydroxymethyl and acetamido groups, on occasions, should be treated in HSEA calculations as freely rotating about their linkage to a pyranose ring.     

Beiträge zur funktionellen Morphologie der Neurohypophyse

Zusammenfassung Beidseitige Adrenalektomie und Hypophysektomie führen bei der Ratte zu gleichartigen histologischen Veränderungen in der Zona externa infundibuli. In beiden Fällen treten in der normalerweise weitgehend goniorinegativen Zona externa infundibuli große Mengen gomoripositiver Granula auf. Sie scheinen Fasern anzugehören, die senkrecht zur Längsachse des Infundibulum verlaufen.Die Befunde werden als weiterer Hinweis dafür betrachtet, daß die gomoripositiven Substanzen der Zona externa infundibuli eine Bedeutung für die Steuerung der Nebennierenrindenfunktion haben.

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Studies on the functional morphology of the neurohypophysisII. Comparison of histological changes in the median eminence of the rat after bilateral adrenalectomy and hypophysectomy

Summary Bilateral adrenalectomy and hypophysectomy in the rat produce similar histological changes in the outer layer of the median eminence. In both cases, abundant gomoripositive granules are observed in the outer layer, which normally reacts gomorinegative. The gomoripositive granules seem to belong to fibres running vertically through the infundibulum.These findings are regarded as a further indication, that the gomoripositive substances of the outer layer of the median eminence play a significant role in controlling adrenocortical function.

     

The Complex Carbohydrate Structure Database

The Complex Carbohydrate Structure Database (CCSD) and CarbBank, an IBM PC/AT (or compatible) database management system, were created to provide an information system to meet the needs of people interested in carbohydrate science. The CCSD, which presently contains more than 2000 citations, is expected to double in size in the next two years and to include, soon thereafter, all of the published structures of carbohydrates larger than disaccharides.     

Purification of rat-liver microsomal UDP-glucuronyltransferase. Separation of two enzyme forms inducible by 3-methylcholanthrene or phenobarbital.

Glucuronidation reactions catalysed by rat liver microsomal UDP-glucuronyltransferase are differentially inducible by 3-methylcholanthrene and phenobarbital. To elucidate the molecular basis of this functional heterogeneity the enzyme was purified from livers of rats pretreated with the inducing agents. Using cholate solubilization, chromatography on Bio-Gel A-1.5m and on DEAE-cellulose in the presence of the nonionic detergent Brij 58, two enzyme forms could be separated. Both forms were subsequently purified to apparent homogeneity by affinity chromatography on UDP-hexanolamine Sepharose 4B, 3-Methylcholanthrene-inducible enzyme activity towards 1-naphthol, 4-nitrophenol, 3-hydroxybenzo(a)pyrene and N-hydroxy-2-naphthylamine copurified with one enzyme form (enzyme 1). In contrast phenobarbital-inducible enzyme activity towards morphine, chloramphenicol and 4-hydroxybiphenyl was associated with the other enzyme fraction (enzyme 2). Sodium dodecylsulfate/polyacrylamide gels showed similar molecular weights of 54000 for enzyme 1 and 56000 for enzyme 2. The results suggest the presence of at least two forms of UDP-glucuronyltransferase in rat liver. Factors affecting enzyme activity in purified and membrane-bound states are discussed.     

Jagdgebiet und Ern?hrung der Rohrweihe (Circus aeruginosus) in Schleswig-Holstein

Zusammenfassung Die Ausdehnung des Jagdgebietes der Rohrweihe hängt neben dem Beuteangebot und der Struktur des Gebietes vom Stadium und der Größe der Brut ab. Die Jagdgebietsgröße, ermittelt in einem Mäusejahr an 5 Paaren zur Brutzeit, schwankte zwischen 300–900 ha.1973–1975 wurden an 36 Rohrweihenhorsten 1202 Beutereste gesammelt und ausgewertet. Jagdweise, Beutebehandlung sowie das Auswerten der Beuteaufsammlung werden beschrieben. 58 Wirbeltierarten wurden festgestellt. Der prozentuale Anteil von Säugern und Vögeln an der Beute war in den einzelnen Jahren recht unterschiedlich, während der Anteil der Vögel während zweier Jahre 81 bzw. 75% betrug, sank er in einem Mäusejahr auf ca. 20%. Reptilien, Amphibien und Fische sowie Aas und Vogeleier waren im Untersuchungsgebiet von untergeordneter Bedeutung.Die Frage wird diskutiert, ob Rohrweihen, abgesehen von ihrer angeborenen Vorliebe für Vogeleier, als Nahrungs-Spezialisten zu bezeichnen sind. Ferner werden Hinweise aufgezeigt, die auf große Effizienz beim Nahrungserwerb schließen lassen.

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Hunting-area and food of the marsh-harrier (Cirus aeruginosus) in Schleswig-Holstein

Summary The hunting-area of five pairs of the Marsh-harrier during the breeding season has been investigated in a year with a graduation of field voles (Microtus arvalis). The area varied between 300 and 900 ha per pair. The size of the area was influenced by food availability, the structure of the countryside, clutch size and the growth of the nestlings.From 1973 to 1975, 1202 prey remnants and pellets were collected from 36 nests. The hunting and feeding behaviour of the birds are described. 58 species of vertebrates were identified. The percentage of mammals and birds in the prey was very different in each year. The proportion of birds during two years was 81% and 75% respectively. In a year with a small mammal gradation it decreased to 20%. Other vertebrates (reptiles, amphibians and fishes), carrion, and bird eggs were of minor importance in the study area.The question is discussed whether marsh-harriers tend to a genuine food specialisation, except for their innate preference for bird eggs. Furthermore hints are given concerning the great efficiency of predation.

     

Intermediate filaments regulate astrocyte motility.

Intermediate filaments (IFs) compose, together with actin filaments and microtubules, the cytoskeleton and they exhibit a remarkable but still enigmatic cell-type specificity. In a number of cell types, IFs seem to be instrumental in the maintenance of the mechanical integrity of cells and tissues. The function of IFs in astrocytes has so far remained elusive. We have recently reported that glial scar formation following brain or spinal cord injury is impaired in mice deficient in glial fibrillary acidic protein and vimentin. These mice lack IFs in reactive astrocytes that are normally pivotal in the wound repair process. Here we show that reactive astrocytes devoid of IFs exhibit clear morphological changes and profound defects in cell motility thereby revealing a novel function for IFs.