Isolation and initial characterization of human basement membrane collagens

Neutral solutions of pepsin extracted human collagens derived from glomeruli, kidney, aorta, lung, heart, bowel, spleen, skeletal muscle and skin were subjected to heat gelation at 37°C. Centrifugation of the gel provided two fractions: gelled pellet and non-gelled supernatant. Analysis of these two fractions by gel electrophoresis, molecular sieve and ion exchange chromatography, and amino acid and carbohydrate determinations indicated that the non-gelled supernatant contained a substantial enrichment of basement membrane like collagen. The initial characterization of lung derived basement membrane collagen indicated close similarities with those derived from glomeruli and whole kidney and differences with that obtained from the spleen.     

Prolactin increases the density of striatal dopamine receptors in normal and hypophysectomized male rats

Administration of prolactin to adult male rats, by s.c. injection, significantly increases the density of the striatal dopamine (DA) receptors, without altering the apparent affinity of the receptors for [³H]spiroperidol. Larger doses of prolactin are required to increase the density of the striatal DA receptors in hypophysectomized rates compared to normal rats. These results suggest that prolactin might be the common mediator of the increase in striatal DA receptor density produced by either estrogen or haloperidol administration. Monitoring and/or altering prolactin levels might be informative in neurologic or psychiatric disorders involving striatal DA neurotransmission.     

The influence of foraging benefits on association of cattle egrets (Bubulcus ibis) with cattle

Summary The degree of association between cattle egrets (Bubulcus ibis) and cattle was studied during one summer on Saint Catherines Island, Georgia, USA. Previous work by Grubb (1976) and others indicated that cattle egrets foraging with cattle require fewer steps and less time to catch prey than egrets foraging without cattle and single egrets catch prey at a higher rate than egrets foraging in groups of two or more with cattle. Accordingly, we predicted that when given a choice egrets should forage with cattle rather than alone, egrets should prefer to associate with standing rather than sitting cattle, and single egrets associated with cattle should be more common than expected by chance.In excess of two-thirds of the egrets accompanied cattle. Neither time of day nor month influenced the degree of association, but egrets in forest were more likely to be associated with cattle than egrets in pasture. Standing cattle were more likely to be accompanied by egrets than were sitting cattle. Single egrets occurred more frequently than expected by chance when accompanying standing cattle but not when associated with sitting cattle. Thus, cattle egrets usually distributed themselves among cattle in the way predicted by optimal foraging theory.We dedicate this paper to the memory of Michael D. Sabath     

Analysis of picogram quantities of indole-3-acetic acid by high performance liquid chromatography-fluorescence procedures

The use of spectrofluorimeter coupled to a reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography column permits selective detection of indole-3-acetic acid at the low picogram level. The value of the technique is demonstrated by the analysis of endogenous IAA in elongating shoots, xylem sap and callus of Douglas-fir. The data are also used to illustrate a procedure whereby the accuracy of chromatographic analyses can be verified within definable probability limits.Abbreviations GC-MS combined gas chromatography-mass spectrometry - HPLC high performance liquid chromatography - IAA indole-3-acetic acid - SEC steric exclusion chromatography - SICM selected ion current monitoring Technical Paper No. 5379 from the Oregon State University Agricultural Experiment Station     

Heterogeneity ofHLA defined in PLT: A cellular assay detects differences not seen using HLA-DRw serology

The primed lymphocyte typing test (PLT) is used to detect the gene products of theHLA-D region which are responsible for secondary restimulation of cells primed in MLC. Alternatively, products of theHLA-D region may be detected serologically using antisera directed against a subpopulation of lymphocytes; these are the so-called DRw determinants. The PLT was used to see if it were possible to detect heterogeneity within a given serologically defined group using a cellular test. As priming combinations, we used family members identical for one haplotype and differing in theHLA-A, B andC regions, but not theD region of the second haplotype. Our results indicated that it was possible to prime against this second haplotype and that the segregation of the difference followedHLA. Therefore, using a cellular test it was possible to detect differences among cells belonging to a given DRw group. This suggests that PLT can be a useful tool to identify those serological groups which are composed of heterogenous determinants. In addition, it points out the problem in using any one test to establish identity of theHLA-D region, especially for clinical purposes.     

Frost-weathering on Mars: Experimental evidence for peroxide formation

Summary A laboratory study of the interaction of H₂O frost with samples of the minerals olivine (Mg,Fe)₂SiO₄ and pyroxene (Mg,Fe)SiO₃ at –11°C to –22°C revealed that an acidic oxidant was produced. Exposure of the frost-treated minerals to liquid H₂O produced a sudden drop in pH and resulted in the production of copious O_2(g) (as much as ~ 10²⁰ molecules g^–1). Exposure of frost-treated samples to 5 ml of 0.1M HCOONa solution resulted in the rapid oxidation of up to 43% of the formate to CO_2(g). These reactions were qualitatively similar to the chemical activity observed during the active cycles of the Viking lander Gas Exchange and Labeled Release Biology experiments. Attempts to identify the oxidant by chemical indicators were inconclusive, but they tentatively suggested that chemisorbed hydrogen peroxide may have formed. The formation of chemisorbed peroxide could be explained as a byproduct of the chemical reduction of the mineral. The following model was proposed. H^c was incorporated into the mineral from surface frost. This would have left behind a residual of excess OH^– _(ads) (relative to surface H⁺). Electrons were then stripped from the surface OH^– _(ads) (due to the large repulsive potential between neighboring OH^– _(ads)) and incorporated into the crystal to restore charge balance and produce a chemical reduction of the mineral. The resultant surface hydroxyl radicals could then have combined to form the more stable chemisorbed hydrogen peroxide species. While the chemisorbed peroxide should be relatively stable at low temperatures, it should tend to decay to O_(ads) + H₂O_(g) at higher temperatures with an activation energy of 34 kcal mole^–1. This is consistent with the long-term storage and sterilization behavior of the Viking soil oxidants. It is possible that as little as 0.1–1% frost-weathered material in the Martian soil could have produced the unusual chemical activity that occurred during the Viking Gas Exchange and Labeled Release experiments.This paper contains the material given in invited presentations at the COSPAR Meeting, Innsbruck, Austria, 5–7 June 1978 and at the Second Conference on Simulation of Mars Surface Properties, NASA Ames Research Center, 17–18 August 1978     

X-Linked mental retardation with fragile X. a pedigree showing transmission by apparently unaffected males and partial expression in female carriers

Summary A large family is reported in which mental retardation associated with the fragile site at Xq28 was found. Three normal males seemed to have transmitted the trait through their daughters to affected grandchildren.A total of 19 family members were investigated cytogenetically. Mentally retarded males showed macroorchidism and the fragile X. Three mentally retarded females were found, with the fragile X in a high percentage of cells; in contrast, the obligate carriers showed no or only few cells with the fragile X.