Travelling wave solutions of diffusive Lotka-Volterra equations

We establish the existence of travelling wave solutions for two reaction diffusion systems based on the Lotka-Volterra model for predator and prey interactions. For simplicity, we consider only 1 space dimension. The waves are of transition front type, analogous to the travelling wave solutions discussed by Fisher and Kolmogorov et al. for a scalar reaction diffusion equation. The waves discussed here are not necessarily monotone. For any speed c there is a travelling wave solution of transition front type. For one of the systems discussed here, there is a distinguished speed c^* dividing the waves into two types, waves of speed c < c^* being one type, waves of speed c ? c^* being of the other type. We present numerical evidence that for this system the wave of speed c^* is stable, and that c^* is an asymptotic speed of propagation in some sense. For the other system, waves of all speeds are in some sense stable. The proof of existence uses a shooting argument and a Lyapunov function. We also discuss some possible biological implications of the existence of these waves.     

The action of iontophoretically applied L-glutamate on an insect visceral muscle

1) lontophoretic application of L-glutamate was employed to study the distribution of glutamate receptors in the superior longitudinal (SL) muscles of the locust (Locusta migratoria) hindgut, in which spontaneous activity was inhibited using normal saline containing 5 mM MgCl_2. 2) Junctional glutamate potentials with a rise time of 50–100 ms (peak) and a decay time of 250–400 ms were recorded at localized sites using ejection pulses in the range 5–10 nC. Most active sites were found in interfiber clefts and were spaced at about 250–300 μm intervals. 3) Desensitization of glutamate receptors occurred using ejection frequencies > 0.2 Hz. Desensitization could be irreversibly blocked using the lectin concanavalin A. 4) Depolarizing (D-) and biphasic depolarizing/hyperpofarizing (DH -) extrajunctional glutamate potentials were observed using ejection pulses > 15 nC. 5) δ-Philanthotoxin (δ-PTX) at concentrations > 0.3 Uml^?1 inhibited junctional glutamate potentials in a dose-dependent manner, 50% inhibition was achieved using 0.45 Uml^?1 δ-PTX. 6) Subthreshold concentrations of proctolin (up to 5 × 10^?10M) had no visible effect on glutamate potentials, suggesting that proctolin possibly does not act by modulating glutamate activity. 7) It is proposed that glutamate plays a transmitter role in SL muscles, while the role of proctolin is still unclear.     

Malalignment of the shoulder after stroke.

One hundred and ten consecutive patients (51 men, 59 women) admitted to a stroke unit were studied for radiographic changes at the shoulder on the affected side. Malalignment was found in 51 (46%) patients, of whom 37 (72.5%) had changes on the initial x-ray film and a further 14 (27.5) developed malalignment over the following 12 months. These findings indicate that malalignment of the shoulder is common in the early stages of a stroke and may be missed unless radiographs are taken with the patient erect and the arm unsupported. Malalignment may lead to delay and limitation in restoration of function. The consequences of malalignment can be prevented by correct handling, positioning, and full passive movement of the shoulder from the onset of the stroke.     

Primary structure of bovine complement activation fragment C4a, the third anaphylatoxin. Purification and complete amino acid sequence

Purification of C4a from heat-activated bovine plasma by elution from CM-Sephadex C-50 at pH 7.4 and gel filtration on Sephadex G-50 gives a 20% yield of pure C4a. The complete amino acid sequence of bovine C4a has been determined by automatic sequencer degradation of CNBr and enzymic fragments, and by carboxypeptidase digestion. The 77-residue bovine sequence shows 12 differences from the human sequence with five of these differences occurring in the C-terminal 11 residues. The sequence of C4a confirms earlier suggestions of homology with C3a and C5a: the three sequences show an almost equal number of identities with each other. The six cysteine residues of the 'disulphide knot' are conserved as well as seven other residues including the C-terminal arginine.     

Effect of naloxone on perceived exertion and exercise capacity during maximal cycle ergometry.

We assessed the effects of naloxone, an opioid antagonist, on exercise capacity in 13 men and 5 women (mean age = 30.1 yr, range = 21-35 yr) during a 25 W/min incremental cycle ergometer test to exhaustion on different days during familiarization trial and then after 30 mg (iv bolus) of naloxone or placebo (Pl) in a double-blind, crossover design. Minute ventilation (Ve), O(2) consumption (Vo(2)), CO(2) production, and heart rate (HR) were monitored. Perceived exertion rating (0-10 scale) and venous samples for lactate were obtained each minute. Lactate and ventilatory thresholds were derived from lactate and gas-exchange data. Blood pressure was obtained before exercise, 5 min postinfusion, at maximum exercise, and 5 min postexercise. There were no control-Pl differences. The naloxone trial demonstrated decreased exercise time (96% Pl; P < 0.01), total cumulative work (96% Pl; P < 0.002), peak Vo(2) (94% Pl; P < 0.02), and HR (96% Pl; P < 0.01). Other variables were unchanged. HR and Ve were the same at the final common workload, but perceived exertion was higher (8.1 +/- 0.5 vs. 7.1 +/- 0.5) after naloxone than Pl (P < 0.01). The threshold for effort perception amplification occurred at approximately 60 +/- 4% of Pl peak Vo(2). Thus we conclude that peak work capacity was limited by perceived exertion, which can be attenuated by endogenous opioids rather than by physiological limits.     

Isolation of Pasteurella haemolytica from tonsillar biopsies of Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep

Isolations of Pasteurella haemolytica were compared from tonsillar biopsies versus nasal passages for 29 free-ranging Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis canadensis) from central Idaho. Overall, P. haemolytica was isolated from 11 (38%) of 29 sheep. Two (18%) of the 11 positive samples were from only nasal passages compared to eight (73%) from tonsillar biopsies. Pasteurella haemolytica biotype T was isolated from tonsils of nine sheep and from nasal biopsies. Pasteurella haemolytica biotype T was isolated from tonsils of nine sheep and from nasal passages of only one sheep. Two sheep were positive for P. haemolytica biotype A from nasal passages. Culturing tonsillar biopsies as compared to nasal swab samples was a more reliable technique in detecting P. haemolytica, especially biotype T, in bighorn sheep.     

Somatic hybridization between selected Lycopersicon and Solanum species

Summary Mesophyll protoplasts of an interspecific Lycopersicon esculentum Mill, (tomato) x Lycopersicon pennellii hybrid plant (EP) were fused with callus-derived protoplasts of Solanum lycopersicoides Dun. using a modified PEG/DMSO procedure. The EP plant was previously transformed by Agrobacterium tumefaciens which carried the NPTII and nopaline synthase genes. Protoplasts were plated at 10⁵/ml in modified KM medium and 16 days post-fusion 25 ug/ml kanamycin was added to the culture medium. During shoot regeneration, 212 morphologically similar putative somatic hybrids were delineated visually from kanamycin resistant EP's. Forty-eight shoots, randomly selected among the 212, were further verified as somatic hybrids by their leaf phosphoglucoisomerase heterodimer isozyme pattern. However, the resulting plants were virtually pollen sterile. In a second fusion, mesophyll protoplasts of Solanum melongena (eggplant) were fused with EP callus-derived protoplasts. Using the same fusion and culture procedure, only two dark green calli were visually selected among the pale green parental EP and verified as somatic cell hybrids by several isozyme patterns. These two calli have produced only leaf primordia in one and half years on regeneration medium.Abbreviations ABA abscisic acid - BAP 6 benzylaminopurine - 2,4-D 2,4 dichlorophenoxy acetic acid - DMSO dimethyl sulfoxide - GA₃ gibberellic acid - GOT glutamate oxaloacetate - IAA indoleacetic acid - IBA indolebutyric acid - IDH isocitrate dehydrogenase - MDH malate dehydrogenase - MES morpholinoethane-sulfonic acid - PEG polyethylene glycol - 6-PGDH 6 phosphogluconate dehydrogenase - PGI phosphoglucoisomerase     

Light intensity as a factor in the regulation of the density of symbiotic zooxanthellae in Aiptasia tagetes (Coelenterata, Anthozoa)

Experiments designed to investigate the effect of different levels of illumination on the density of symbiotic zooxanthellae in the anemone Aiptasia tagetes (Duch. & Mich.) are described.
The anemones are found to regulate the densities of their zooxanthella populations to fixed levels which are dependent upon ambient light intensity.
Regulation is continuous and results from the interaction of increase in algal numbers, growth of host tissues, population of new host tissues by symbionts and extrusion of zooxanthellae by the host.
The nature of the process by which zooxanthellae are selected for extrusion is discussed and a scheme is outlined indicating the pathways through which the level of the algal population in Aiptasia , and other coelenterates, is believed to be controlled.     

Proteolysis of specific porcine zona pellucida glycoproteins by boar acrosin

The morphologic and biochemical effects on the structure and constituent glycoproteins of the zona pellucida (ZP) by a specific sperm enzyme, acrosin, and a nonsperm enzyme, trypsin, have been evaluated. Intact porcine ZP matricies, exposed to either acrosin or trypsin, were analyzed microscopically. Changes in specific glycoproteins were monitored by high-resolution two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2D-PAGE) and the silver-based color stain, GELCODE. Although these enzymes did not alter the macroscopic properties of the ZP matrix, the 2D-PAGE ZP protein patterns were markedly altered. The high molecular weight glycoprotein families (II and III) were sensitive to proteolytic digestion, whereas the major glycoprotein family (I) of the porcine zona was only partially proteolyzed by acrosin and trypsin. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that acrosin had unique substrate specificity compared to that of trypsin, since the ZP peptide patterns were found to be different. These studies are the first to demonstrate which integral glycoproteins of the native porcine ZP matrix are specifically proteolyzed by acrosin from the homologous species and that this proteolysis occurs without the dissolution of the native porcine matrix.