No evidence for linkage of autosomal dominant proximal spinal muscular atrophies to chromosome 5q markers

Summary Two recent articles have reported the linkage of a gene for recessive spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) on the chromosome region 5q11.2–13.3. Our data show no linkage of the dominantly inherited forms of SMA to this chromosome region.     

Age at menopause of Tamang women tea-labourers of Jalpaiguri district,West Bengal,India

The Tamang women tea-labouren of Jalpaiguri district show no significant difference in age at menopause among their three «migration status» groups, viz., MO, M1 and M2+. The mean age at menopause is 47.3±4.26 and the median age is 47.68 years. A significant difference occurs between the observed mean age at menopause and 45 years, which is generally taken to be the menopausal age by convention. These Tamang women seem to be similar to other hill women in respect of age at menopause.     

Expectancy effects on relaxation instructions: Physiological and self-report indices

Two sessions of relaxation instructions were administered under high and low expectancy conditions. Fifty-four college students scoring high on a self-report measure of anxiety served as subjects. Live and taped abbreviated progressive muscle relaxation instructions and a self-relaxation condition were equally effective in reducing within-session self-report and physiological indices of anxiety. High expectancy instructions led to greater reductions in heart rate than did low expectancy instructions. Factors controlling anxiety reduction during relaxation therapies are discussed.This experiment was submitted by the first author in partial fulfillment for a master of science degree at VPI and SU. The authors would like to thank Jean Sales and Dan Fones for their help in this investigation. The First author is now at Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore. The second author is currently at the Department of Neurology, University of Wisconsin-Madison.     

Age-related changes of the somatotrophs of the domestic fowl Gallus gallus

Summary The ultrastructure of the somatotrophs of the caudal pituitary of the domestic fowl was studied quantitatively. Two age groups of male chickens were compared: 4–6 weeks and 24–30 weeks post-hatching. With age, somatotrophs decreased from about 40% to about 30% of the pituitary cell population. Their volume density decreased similarly. Mean volume of a somatotroph was the same in young and adult animals. Because the granule volume density of the somatotrophs was unchanged, but the somatotroph volume density of the gland declined, the granule volume density of the caudal pituitary gland dropped in parallel with that of the somatotrophs. Thus the volume of the gland comprised of somatotroph granules fell about 32%: from 6.57% to 4.45%. This lowered pool of stored hormone may be linked to the lowered circulating levels of growth hormone found in older animals by other investigators.The granule volume density of the somatotrophs was unchanged but the numerical density approximately doubled; thus the mean granule size decreased by 47% with age. The relationship of the size reduction of the granules to the lowered plasma growth hormone levels is not understood at present.Supported in part by Hatch and State funds from the New Jersey State Agricultural Experimental Station and NSF grants PCM 8,0227,27 and PCM 8,302197.     

Functional aspects of the postovulatory follicle in the ovary of the African catfish,Clarias gariepinus,after induced ovulation

Summary In captive African catfish, Clarias gariepinus, ovulation was induced with human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) 4 I.U./g body weight to study the function of postovulatory follicles (POFs). Ultrastructural and enzyme-histochemical data indicate that, apart from special theca cells, the granulosa of relative young POFs (i.e., from 16 h and 28 h after HCG-injection) is capable of producing steroids. Possible functions of the synthesized steroids are discussed. Histological comparison of POFs from stripped and from unstripped fish, as well as histochemical investigation of the contents of ovulated ova and granulosa of POFs at 48 h after HCG-injection, showed that the latter structure is involved in phagocytosis of the disintegrating ovulated eggs. The polysaccharide-lipid-protein material, initially taken up by heterophagolysosomes of the granulosa cells, subsequently undergoes fatty degeneration. The granulosa cells of the POFs showed strong acid phosphatase activity and abundant granular endoplasmic reticulum from 16 h after HCG-injection onward; heterophagolysosomes appeared at 32 h. These results indicate that after ovulation the phagocytotic function of the granulosa develops progressively. Autophagolysosomes, responsible for the final disintegration of POFs, become increasingly evident in the granulosa cells with increasing time after ovulation.     

Implementation of periodic acid-thiosemicarbazide-silver proteinate staining for ultrastructural assessment of muscle glycogen utilization during exercise

Summary Distribution of glycogen particles in semithin and ultrathin sections of biopsy samples from human muscles subjected to either short- or long-term running were investigated using PAS and Periodic Acid-ThioSemiCarbazide-Silver Proteinate (PA-TSC-SP) staining methods. Glycogen particles were predominantly found immediately under the sarcolemma or aligned along the myofibrillar Iband. After long-term exhaustive exercise type-1 fibers with a few or no glycogen particles in the core of the fibers were frequently observed. The subsarcolemmal glycogen stores of these depleted type-1 fibers were about three times as large as after exhaustive short-time exercise. Another indication of utilization of subsarcolemmal glycogen stores during anaerobic exercise was that many particles displayed a pale, rudimentary shape. This observation suggests fragmental metabolization of glycogen. Thus, depending on type of exercise and type of fiber differential and sequential glycogen utilization patterns can be observed.     

B lymphocyte receptors and polyphosphoinositide degradation

Resting B lymphocytes can be activated and induced to proliferate by antibodies against their antigen receptors (anti-lg). We demonstrate an early increase in the level of [3H]inositol trisphosphate in [3H]inositol-labeled murine B cells, which suggests breakdown of phosphatidylinositol bisphosphate by phospholipase C. In line with this, the level of [3H]1,2-diacylglycerol was also elevated after incubation of [3H]arachidonic-acid-labeled B cells with anti-Ig. Anti-lg also caused a rapid increase in the level of cytosolic Ca2+ in B cells. In contrast, two other polyclonal B cell activators, lipopolysaccharide and phorbol myristate acetate, failed to induce any of these effects. Our results suggest that anti-lg may induce B cell growth via phosphoinositide degradation and Ca2+ mobilization, and that phorbol myristate acetate, and possibly lipopolysaccharide, bypass these initial events.     

Reduction in headache patients' medical expenses associated with biofeedback and relaxation treatments

Comparisons are made of self-reported medical costs from a sample of headache patients who underwent various combinations of relaxation training and biofeedback training. The average costs for the 2 years prior to self-regulatory treatment were $955±480 (3 SEM) for 45 patients; for the 2 years after completing treatment the average costs were $52±28 (3 SEM) for patients. Within the limitations of the study, medical costs do seem to have been markedly reduced.This research was supported by a grant from NINCDS, NS-15235.     

Primary production data from the south-eastern Weddell Sea

Summary Phytoplankton production for three size classes (<20 m, 20–100 m, >100 m), total primary production and qualitative composition of phytoplankton populations were recorded from 18 stations in the south-eastern Weddell Sea in February/March 1983. Total primary production ranged between 80 and 1670 mg C m^-2 d^-1 with an average of 670 mg C m^-2 d^-1, nearly 70% of which was contributed by the <20 m size fraction (usually pennate and/or centric diatoms). Production of phytoplankton was in the higher range of values reported by other authors for the same region. Variations in primary production could not be attributed to composition of populations, ambient light levels or concentrations of macronutrients (N, P, Si). Phytoplankton populations had a higher diversity in the deeper parts of the Weddell Sea and coincided with different oceanographic situations. Three zones (along the shelf-ice edge from Atka Bay to Halley Bay, west of Halley Bay and off the Filchner/Rønne Ice Shelf) with different communities could be clearly distinguished.     

Differential distribution of3H dihydrotestosterone and3H estradiol nuclear binding sites in mouse male accessory sex organs

Summary The distribution of specific nuclear binding sites for androgens and estrogens in the male accessory sex organs of the mouse was assessed by autoradiography with³H dihydrotestosterone (³H DHT) and³H estradiol (³H E₂). With³H DHT nuclear labeling differed among the epithelia of the organs. It was high in seminal vesicle and ampullary gland, moderate in ventral prostate, urethral gland, prostatic excretory ducts and the ampulla ductus deferentis, low in dorsal prostate and low or absent in coagulation gland. With³H E₂, in contrast, epithelial nuclear labeling was high only in coagulation gland, moderate or low in seminal vesicle, low or absent in ventral and dorsal prostate and absent in ampullary gland and ampulla ductus deferentis. In the lamina propria of all organs nuclear labeling with³H DHT was generally moderate and existed only in some cells, with the highest number in the ampulla ductus deferentis. With³H E₂, nuclear labeling in the lamina propria showed a high intensity in all organs, except in ventral and dorsal prostate which remained unlabeled. Many labeled cells were found in the deferent duct and its ampulla, while in the other organs only a few cells showed nuclear labeling with³H E₂. In the smooth muscle sheath of all organs, some muscle cells were moderately labeled with³H DHT, but not with³H E₂. The results indicate the presence of nuclear receptors in male accessory sex organs for both dihydrotestosterone and estradiol. The differential patterns of³H DHT and³H E₂ nuclear uptake suggest differential sensitivities of the individual organs and their tissue compartments for androgens and estrogens. Supported by PHS grant NSO9914 to W.E.S. and Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft Dr94/4 to U.D. The work of Dr. Schleicher and his stay in Chapel Hill were additionally sponsored by Studienstiftung des Deutschen Volkes and Boehringer-Ingelheim Fonds