A mathematical framework for the study of morphogenetic development in the slime mold

A mathematical continuum model of the slime mold Dictyostelium discoideum in the morphogenetic development stage is presented, which represents the amoebae as a fluid with surface tension, acted upon by a body force due to the presence of a chemical attractant. Assuming that the amoebae at a given time are in quasi-equilibrium, and that the shape of the organism is prescribed, it is possible to calculate from the model plausible concentration and source-sink distributions that are consistent with the given shape. Typical observed shapes are accounted for by the presence of very large concentrations and concentration gradients of the chemical attractant at the top of the structure.     

Resistance of cultures of normal T cells to infection with murine type C viruses.

Long-term continuous cultures of normal T cells were established from C57BL/6 and BALB/c mice by using conditioned medium from concanavalin A-stimulated lymphocytes. The ability of various murine type C viruses to infect these normal T cell cultures was examined and compared with their ability to infect transformed T cells. All of the viruses examined, including a thymotropic radiation leukemia virus, were unable to infect and replicate in normal T cells but readily did so in transformed T cells.     

Genetic recombination of bacteriophage T7 in vivo studied by use of a simple physical assay.

A new physical method was developed to assay genetic recombination of phage T7 in vivo. The assay utilized T7 mutants that carry unique restriction sites and was based on the detection of a new restriction fragment generated by recombination. Using this assay, we reexamined the genetic requirements for recombination of T7 DNA. Our results were in total agreement with previous findings in that recombination required the products of genes 3 (endonuclease), 4 (primase), 5 (DNA polymerase), and 6 (exonuclease). Recombination was found to be independent of DNA ligase and DNA packaging and maturation functions.     

Alteration of plasmid DNA-mediated transformation and mutation induced by covalent binding of benzo[a]pyrene- 7,8-dihydrodiol-9,10-oxide in Escherichia coli

Plasmid-mediated transformation and mutagenesis induced by (±)-trans- benzo[a]pyrene-7,8-dihydrodiol-9,10-oxide (BP-DEI) in recipient Escherichia coli (E. coli) have been studied. Because plasmid DNA is used, the system is entirely free from direct toxic effects of BP-DEI on the recipient cells. Plasmid pK0482 DNA, which has two dominant genes, β-lactamase (amp-r) and galactokinase (galK) was modified with BP-DEI prior to its transformation of E. coli N99, AB1157, AB2463(recA^?) and AB1886(uvrA^?). Transformants were selected by ampicillin resistance and mutations were analyzed simultaneously by the altered expression of the galK gene. (1) Approx. 3 molecules of BP-DEI per molecule of pK0482 DNA decreased the transformation efficiency to 37% in AB1157 and the mutation frequency in this strain was proportional to the amount of BP-DEI covalently bound to pK0482 DNA. (2) In AB1886(uvrA^?) a 37% transformation efficiency was produced by only 1 molecule of BP-DEI per molecule of pK0482 DNA, and the mutation frequency in this strain was higher than in AB1157. (3) In AB2463(recA^?), the transformation efficiency was similar to that obtained with AB1157, but mutagenesis was clearly suppressed. (4) Polyacrylamide gel patterns of restriction digests of the pK0482 mutated at the galK gene were indistinguishable from those of the unmutated plasmid DNA.     

Direct and indirect measurements of Phloem turgor pressure in white ash

Direct determinations and indirect calculations of phloem turgor pressure were compared in white ash (Fraxinus americana L.). Direct measurements of trunk phloem turgor were made using a modified Hammel-type phloem needle connected to a pressure transducer. Turgor at the site of the direct measurements was calculated from the osmotic potential of the phloem sap and from the water potential of the xylem. It was assumed that the water potentials of the phloem and xylem were close to equilibrium at any one trunk location, at least under certain conditions. The water potential of the xylem was determined from the osmotic potential of xylem sap and from the xylem tension of previously bagged leaves, measured with a pressure chamber. The xylem tension of bagged leaves on a branch adjacent to the site of the direct measurements was considered equivalent to the xylem tension of the trunk at that point. While both the direct and indirect measurements of phloem turgor showed clear diurnal changes, the directly measured pressures were consistently lower than the calculated values. It is not clear at present whether the discrepancy between the two values lies primarily in the calculated or in the measured pressures, and thus, the results from both methods as described here must be regarded as estimates of true phloem turgor.     

Stabilization of rat liver lysosomes by new anti-inflammatory steroids in vitro

Steroid acid esters, synthesized by modifying the 17-ketol side chain of prednisolone, were tested for their in vitro ability to stabilize heavy mitochondrial lysosomes prepared from rat liver. Membrane stabilization was determined by assessing capability of steroids to decrease extrusion of the marker enzymes (acid phosphatase, beta-glucuronidase and aryl sulfatase) from lysosomes incubated in hypo-osmotic sucrose-Tris acetate buffer. Results indicated that prednisolone (1) significantly inhibited the lysosomal release of acid phosphatase as did the new anti-inflammatory steroid, methyl 20-dihydroprednisolonate. Methyl prednisolonate exhibited weak membrane stabilization capacities and 20-dihydroprednisolonic acid, a metabolic product of methyl 20-dihydroprednisolonate, showed virtually no membrane stabilization.     

Epidemic hemorrhagic fever in Hubei Province, The People's Republic of China: a clinical and serological study

Between July 1975 and April 1980, 71 patients were admitted to the Second Attached Hospital of Hubei Provincial Medical College in Wuchang with the diagnosis of epidemic hemorrhagic fever (EHF). The clinical course among these patients was similar to that described for patients with Korean hemorrhagic fever, and hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome of the U.S.S.R. The overall mortality was 11.2 percent. Sera obtained from some of these patients as well as from patients admitted to the First Attached Hospital of Hubei Provincial Medical College were tested against an antigen associated with Korean hemorrhagic fever and showed exceedingly high antibody titers. We conclude that EHF in Central China represents the same or a closely related disease process as Korean hemorrhagic fever.