Typification of the Linnaean name Ononis crispa and the related O. zschackei (Fabaceae)

The typification of the Linnaean name Ononis crispa and the related O. zschackei (Fabaceae) is discussed. Original material for O. crispa was traced at LINN, but found to be heterogeneous. In addition, the illustration by Magnol cited in the protologue represents O. aragonensis. The name is lectotypified using a specimen at LINN to preserve the current usage of the name and to avoid any ambiguity in the interpretation of the lectotype, an epitype is selected. Since no original material is extant for the name O. zschackei, a neotype is designated from a specimen preserved at P and collected in Mallorca (Balearic Islands, Spain).     

Changes in glucose 1,6-bisphosphate content in rat skeletal muscle during contraction.

Glucose 1,6-bisphosphate, fructose 2,6-bisphosphate, glycogen, lactate and other glycolytic metabolites were measured in rat gastrocnemius muscle, which was electrically stimulated in situ via the sciatic nerve. Both the frequency and the duration of stimulation were varied to obtain different rates of glycolysis. There was no apparent relationship between fructose 2,6-bisphosphate content and lactate accumulation in contracting muscle. In contrast, glucose 1,6-bisphosphate content increased with lactate concentration during contraction. It is suggested that the increase in glucose 1,6-bisphosphate could play a role in phosphofructokinase stimulation and in the activation of the glycolytic flux during muscle contraction.     

Expression of folate-sensitive fragile sites in lymphocyte chromosomes

Summary The expression of folate-sensitive fragile sites (FS) was analyzed using MTX as a fragility inducer in seven normal subjects [four unrelated persons and three members of one family (father, mother, and son)]; a woman heterozygous for fra Xq27.3 with a 47,XXX karyotype; and her son, affected by the fra-X syndrome. The mean expression of chromosome lesions (CL) other than Xq27.3 was 70.1% (686CL in 978 metaphases), and the coincidence between CL and FS was 68.9%. We propose six new c-fra sites: bands 4q33 and 11q22 because they were found in two members of the same family; band 13q32 because it had a frequency of expression of 3% of metaphases; and bands 3p13, 8q21, and Xq21 because they were observed in four of the nine individuals studied.     

Chronic nonspherocytic hemolytic anemia (CNSHA) and glucose 6 phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency in a patient with familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy (FAP)

Summary A new glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) variant with severe erythrocytic G6PD deficiency and a unique pH optimum is described in a young patient with chronic nonspherocytic hemolytic anemia (CNSHA) and familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy (FAP). Chronic hemolysis was present in the absence of infections, oxidant drugs or ingestion of faba beans. Residual enzyme activity was about 2.6% and 63% of normal activity in erythrocytes and leucocytes, respectively. A molecular study using standard methods showed G6PD in the patient to have normal electrophoretic mobility (at pH 7.0, 8.0 and 8.8), normal apparent affinity for substrates (K_m, G6P and NADP) and a slightly abnormal utilization of substrate analogues (decreased deamino-NADP and increased 2-deoxyglucose-6-phosphate utilization). Heat stability was found to be markedly decreased (8% of residual activity after 20 min of incubation at 46°C) and a particular characteristic of this enzyme was a biphasic pH curve with a greatly increased activity at low pH. Although molecular characteristics of this variant closely resemble those of G6PD Bangkok and G6PD Duarte, it can be distinguished from these and all other previously reported variants by virtue of its unusual pH curve. Therefore the present variant has been designated G6PD Clinic to distinguish it from other G6PD variants previously described.     

Distribution, ecology, mode of reproduction and karyology of freshwater planarians (Platyhelminthes; Turbellaria; Tricladida) in the springs of the central Pyrenees

The distribution, reproductive modality and karyology of populations of freshwater planarians were studied together with physico-chemical variables m 149 springs in the central Pyrenees Diversity was limited to four species (Dugesia (Dugesia) subtentaculata, Polycelis felina. Crenobia alpina and Phagocata vitta), already known from streams and lakes Planarians were found rarely (only a third of springs contain them), m low-moderate abundance, and any single spring did not harbour more than one species The distribution of potential predators and preys among the springs sampled was fairly uniform So. we assume that whereas predation is unlikely to influence triclad distribution, the oligotrophic character of these habitats may explain, through food shortage and ensuing interspecific competition, the presence of a single species in each spring Besides interspecific competition, the distribution of each species can also be influenced by particular abiotic parameters Temperature and current velocity appeared to be the dominant factors, the first separating C alpina from the rest of species, and the second favouring the presence of P felina in a large set of springs These factors also seem to determine planarian distribution in streams and rivers Other environmental factors such as calcium bicarbonated water (for D subtentaculata) and preference for karst systems (for Phagocata vitta) are of importance Some peculiarities of distribution, like the scarcity of C alpina in reophile habitats and the thermal tolerance of Phagocata vitta, may be due both to competition from P felina and to historical factors in the former and to morphological (presence of pigment) and ecological (epigean habits) features m the latter, respectively Karyological analyses demonstrated triploidy in all populations of D subtentaculata. a polyploid origin for C alpina and the finding in Phagocata vitta of a new polyploid series leading to the highest chromosome number in turbellarians (14n = 238) Furthermore, the basic chromosome number of C alpina (n = 21) and Phagocata vitta (n = 17) differs from those found in northern European populations (n = 7 in both, respectively) This suggests that under the specific names C alpina and Phagocata vitta more than one species actually occurs, this being a problem for further studies Whereas polyploidy has often been related to living in cold, harsh habitats, asexual reproduction has been linked to environments where biotic stress is low The preeminence of asexual reproduction (by fissiparity) and polyploid forms in freshwater planarians inhabiting the unproductive, biotically unsaturated springs of the central Pyrenees adds new evidence to strengthen such links     

The metabolic environment of cancer

The tumor cell has a very distinctive metabolism. It acts as a metabolic trap for host nutrients thus taking vital compounds for the metabolism of the host. Depending on the particular tumor growing pattern, cancer cells use preferentially glucose or amino acids for their energetic or biosynthetic needs. Lipids, fatty acids in particular, can also be taken up by the tumor cell. In addition, it can also release some compounds into the host circulation which are not normally produced by the original cell before neoplastic transformation. Some of these compounds affect the metabolism of the host in an unfavorable way since they can oppose the host's metabolic responses, which sustain homeostasis. The final product is that the metabolic machinery of these cells allows them to grow continuously in an uncontrolled manner. The consequences of tumor invasion on the host's metabolism are varied. They have, however, one thing in common: the reduction of the metabolic efficiency of the host. Muscular protein depletion, increased gluconeogenesis, uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation constitute the main metabolic responses of the host as a result of tumor invasion. The net result of all these metabolic changes is profound energy imbalance which normally ends with cachexia and, eventually, death.