Changes in plasma electrolytes and their regulatory hormones during an acute exposure to heat. Human studies in a Finnish sauna

Plasma Na, K, Cl, Ca, P didn't or moderately be altered by exposure to acute heat in sauna bath (20 mn, 80 degrees C, relative humidity 15-20%). However, CO2T decreased, ARP, aldosterone, ACTH, PRL increased, and PTH wasn't modified.     

Immunologic effects of interleukin 2 in primary immunodeficiency diseases

Five children with primary deficiencies of T cell function were studied to assess the effects of highly purified exogenous Interleukin 2 (IL 2) on their in vitro T cell responses. The lymphocytes from one child with Nezelof's T cell deficiency demonstrated absence of endogenous IL 2 production and improved proliferative responses to mitogen or alloantigen in the presence of exogenous IL 2. Moreover, during in vitro mixed lymphocyte culture in the presence of exogenous IL 2, his lymphocytes were able to develop into cytotoxic effector cells. A second child with Nezelof's syndrome demonstrated a different type of defect. The lymphocytes from this child had less impairment of endogenous IL 2 production. Although IL 2 increased the proliferation of his cells in response to PHA, similar augmentation was not seen after stimulation with OKT3 or alloantigen. In cell-mediated cytotoxicity assays, after mixed lymphocyte culture, natural killer-like activity was strongly boosted in the cultures that contained IL 2, but T cell-mediated cytotoxicity was not. The lymphocytes from three patients with severe combined immunodeficiency did not show improved proliferative responses in the presence of IL 2. Thus, only one of the five patients demonstrated the combination of defective endogenous IL 2 production, but preservation of the ability to respond appropriately to exogenous IL 2. This child may therefore have suffered from a T cell defect pathophysiologically similar to that seen in nude or aged mice.     

Characterization of calf liver glucosidase I and its inhibition by basic sugar analogs

Glucosidase I, the enzyme catalyzing the first step of N-linked oligosaccharide processing, has been purified from calf liver crude membranes [H. Hettkamp, G. Legler, and E. Bause, (1984) Eur. J. Biochem. 142, 85-90]. Binding experiments with concanavalin A-Sepharose suggest that glucosidase I is a glycoprotein with high-mannose carbohydrate chain(s). The enzyme has a subunit molecular mass of approximately 83 kDa and specifically hydrolyzes the terminal alpha-1,2-linked glucose residue from the natural Glc3-Man9-GlcNAc2 oligosaccharide. Studies with a variety of substrates modified in the aglycon moiety suggest that the Glc2 branch rather than the more distant domains of the substrate molecule are important for binding and hydrolysis. Glucosidase I does not require metal ions for activity and is strongly inhibited by 1-deoxynojirimycin (dNM) and its N-alkyl derivatives. Ki values range from 0.07 microM for N-methyl-dNM to 1.0 microM for dNM, measured at the pH-optimum of enzyme activity. The pH dependence of inhibition indicates that the cationic form of the inhibitors is the active species. Comparison of the Ki for N-decanoyl-dNM (approximately 70 microM) with that of N-decyl-dNM (approximately 0.4 microM) suggests that electrostatic interactions at the catalytic site of the enzyme are important for inhibitor binding. 1-Deoxymannojirimycin, previously assumed to be a specific mannosidase inhibitor, as well as its N-methyl and N-5-carboxypentyl derivatives, inhibit glucosidase I with Ki values around 190, 17, and 100 microM, respectively. This apparent lack of specificity shows that in vivo experiments on N-glycoprotein processing as well as the interpretation of results with these mannosidase inhibitors may give misleading results when these compounds are used in the millimolar range.     

The role a botanical institute can play in the conservation of the terrestrial biodiversity in a developing country

The need to integratein situ conservation into the planning process is outlined, and the importance of vegetation survey to determine conservation priorities and to identify areas suitable forin situ conservation is stressed. A case is presented, drawing on experience gained in Zimbabwe, of how a botanical institute can become an integral part of biological conservation. The institute should consist of a herbarium, a botanical garden, a gene bank and a vegetation survey unit. The function of each section, how they interlink, and how they can be integrated are discussed.     

A recombination map of the human X-chromosome

Summary A family with 11 normal boys has been typed with DNA probes spanning the whole of the X-chromosome to observe directly the recombination events in 11 meioses from one female. This has (a) identified apparent recombination hot-spots on the X-chromosome; (b) shown the positions and numbers of cross-overs that have occurred in the p and q arms; (c) not shown any cross-overs in the centromeric region and (d) enabled the calculation of the genetic length of the X-chromosome.