ULTRASTRUCTURE OF SWARMERS IN THE LAMINARIALES (PHAEOPHYCEAE). I. ZOOSPORES1

Zoospores of 17 species in 14 genera of Laminariales, collected in the northeast Pacific Ocean, were studied by electron microscopy. These zoospores are unique in the brown algae in lacking both an eyespot in the single chloroplast and any associated swelling at the base of the shorter, posterior flagellum. Spores of all species examined possess a distal whiplash portion on the longer, mastigoneme-bearing anterior flagellum. This appendage may sometimes be as long as the mastigoneme-bearing portion of the flagellum, but it is only seldom preserved in the preparations for electron microscopy. A microtubular cytoskeleton is probably responsible for maintaining the shape of the spore. It consists of a short band of about 10 microtubules between the two basal bodies, scattered tubules converging at the anterior of the spore, a band of 7–9 tubules directed anteriorly from the anterior basal body, and a band directed posteriorly from the posterior basal body. These anterior and posterior bands may form one continuous band looping around the periphery of the spore. Variation with possible taxonomic significance was found in the ultrastructure of vesicles which apparently contain adhesive material, and which are extruded through the plasmalemma when the zoospores settle.     

ULTRASTRUCTURE OF SWARMERS IN THE LAMINARIALES (PHAEOPHYCEAE). II. SPERM1

The ultrastructure of sperm from 13 species in 11 genera of Laminariales collected in the northeast Pacific Ocean is unique in the brown algae. The sperm are elongate, and possess a nucleus, several mitochondria and two or three chloroplasts, but no eyespot. The anterior flagellum bears mastigonemes on the proximal half of its length; a distal “whiplash” portion lacks mastigonemes and is an extension of only the two central singlet microtubules of the axoneme. A peculiar feature of these sperm is the posterior flagellum, which is longer than the anterior flagellum and tapers distally as the doublet microtubules become singlets and decrease in number. This feature contrasts with the laminarialean zoospore, which possesses a short posterior flagellum with the usual “9 + 2” axoneme. The structure of these sperm differs from that reported for Chorda, the sperm of which resembles a primitive brown algal zoospore. The facts support the concept that Chorda is the most primitive member of the Laminariales.     

The effects of a post-transcriptional modification on the function of tRNALys isoaccepting species in translation

Isoacceptors of rabbit liver tRNALys which preferentially translate the codon AAG were compared for their function in several aspects of translation. As shown in other laboratories, Lys-tRNALys1,2 are two isoacceptors which differ from each other by a single base pair and are fully modified with N6-threonyl-adenosine adjacent to the anticodon. Lys-tRNALys4, which occurs commonly in rapidly dividing mammalian cells and tissues, is hypomodified at several bases and contains a precursor of N6-threonyl-adenosine next to its anticodon. These isoacceptors were incubated in cell-free protein synthesizing systems which contain rabbit globin mRNA. (Lys-tRNALys3 which translates AAA was also included.) The resulting globin was isolated and digested with trypsin, and the relative incorporation of lysine from Lys-tRNALys1,2 and from Lys-tRNALys4 into lysine-containing sites in the globin peptides as determined. Lys-tRNALys1,2 and Lys-tRNALys4 translate AAG preferentially, but Lys-tRNALys4 wobbles more than the former and translates AAA codons more efficiently. Overall, Lys-tRNALys1,2 is preferred in globin synthesis by about 30% compared to Lys-tRNALys4, and with one exception, the incorporation of lysine into the individual AAG lysine-containing sites in globin occurs more efficiently from Lys-tRNALys1,2. There is, however, considerable variation from site to site in the relative efficiencies of the Lys-tRNAs in incorporation.     

Comparative evaluation of macrophage stimulation and depression on tumor growth and macrophage content and function in mice

Summary In a syngeneic murine adenocarcinoma model, the administration of glucan, an RE stimulant, inhibited tumor growth and increased tumor macrophage populations. Conversely, the administration of methyl palmitate, an RE depressant, potentiated tumor growth and decreased the number of tumor macrophages. Glucan and methyl palmitate also produced diverse alterations in serum lysozyme levels that reflected their contrasting influences on RE functional status, thus supporting the role of serum lysozyme as an index of macrophage function. The diverse results produced by macrophage stimulation or depression in regard to tumor growth, tumor macrophage population, and serum lysozyme concentration indicate that a relationship may exist between macrophage functional activity and host resistance to neoplasia.     

Waterborne transmission ofCampylobacter enteritis

Campylobacter jejuni is an important cause of human diarrheal disease throughout the world and likeSalmonella enteritidis, has a large animal reservoir which includes most of man's domestic animals. Until recently, it has been difficult to trace the chain of transmission from animals to man because of inadequate environmental sampling techniques and means to distinguish strains. Recent improvements in these techniques have made environmental studies more feasible in 2 water-related out-breaks.In 1 study,C. jejuni was found to be an important cause of sporadic, summertime diarrheal disease among hikers in national wilderness areas of Wyoming. In this setting, illness was significantly associated with drinking untreated surface water. SubsequentlyC. jejuni was isolated from surface water, including mountian streams, and from animals in the area. Some of the environmental isolates were serotypically identical to strains isolated from humans.A second study occurred as a result of an outbreak of Campylobacter enteritis in a community in northern Illinois which was epidemiologically associated with the community water system.Campylobacter jejuni was isolated from several surface water sources and from the implicated water system. These studies demonstrate that environmental isolation ofC. jejuni is now possible and may add to our understanding of disease transmission.     

Histochemical characteristics of spontaneous and chemically induced hepatocellular neoplasms in mice and the development of neoplasms with gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase activity during phenobarbital exposure

Summary The histochemical characteristics of spontaneous hepatocellular neoplasms in mice of both sexes were examined and compared with those of hepatocellular neoplasms induced in female mice by administration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon carcinogens as initiators with or without subsequent phenobarbitone treatment. Controls treated with phenobarbitone alone were also included. Spontaneous neoplasms in the livers of mice rendered siderotic by subcutaneous iron injection were deficient in cellular accumulation of stainable iron. Glucose-6-phosphatase activity was deficient in the majority of spontaneous and induced neoplasms. ATPase activity was increased in about half of spontaneous and carcinogen-induced neoplasms but all induced neoplasms in mice treated with phenobarbitone showed deficient activity. -Glutamyltransferase activity was present in very few of the spontaneous neoplasms or in the neoplasms induced in the absence of phenobarbitone administration. However, all induced neoplasms in the mice receiving phenobarbitone showed some degree of -glutamyltransferase activity together with deficient glucose-6-phosphatase and ATPase activities. It is concluded that the histochemical characteristics of spontaneous or induced mouse hepatocellular neoplasms are variable and may be influenced by the inducing factors.     

Diurnal patterns of testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, estradiol, and cortisol in serum of rhesus males: Relationship to sexual behavior in aging males

This study was carried out to determine differences between old and young rhesus males in levels and diurnal patterns of testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, cortisol, and estradiol, and to determine correlations between these hormones and sexual behavior of the old males. Blood was drawn from old (n = 9) and young (n = 9) rhesus males over 5 consecutive days at 0900, 1300, and 2100 hr. The two groups of males did not differ in mean serum levels of testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, or estradiol at any time. Although the old and young did not differ in cortisol levels at 0900 and 1300 hr, the cortisol levels at 2100 hr were lower in the old males. Diurnal variations in testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, and cortisol were comparable in old and young males. Mean serum levels of estradiol were significantly higher at 0900 hr than at 1300 hr in the old males, whereas in the young males estradiol levels did not differ with time of day. There was a significant positive correlation between testosterone and yawning rate, and cortisol levels were correlated positively with rate of contacting, rate of mounting, and percentage of tests with erections. The decline in sexual performance of old rhesus males cannot be attributed to changes in the levels or diurnal patterns of testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, or estradiol, but lower cortisol levels in old males may contribute to the decline in sexual behavior.