Direction of locomotion in clones of non-neoplastic fibroblasts and their neoplastic derivatives

The locomotion of cloned mouse fibroblasts, non-neoplastic and their spontaneously transformed neoplastic derivatives was compared by means of cinephotomicrography. The spontaneous transformants grow as invasive transplantable sarcomas, whereas the non-neoplastic fail to grow as tumors, and do not show the diagnostic characteristics of neoplastic cells in culture; these include certain morphologic alterations, growth in soft agar, and susceptibility to killing by activated macrophages. The non-neoplastic cells tended to maintain the same direction of locomotion in sequential 2.5 h periods, whereas the neoplastic cells did not. Thus, cells in all non-neoplastic lines exhibited a “persisten” walk while cells from the neoplastic lines had a random pattern of locomotion. No relationship between cell density and randomness of locomotion was observed, and the non-neoplastic cells appeared to grow as rapidly as the neoplastic cells. However, the neoplastic cells had higher rates of locomotion possibly associated with their invasive potential in vivo. The deficient amount of lamellar cytoplasm in the neoplastic cells and the high migration rate may account for their random pattern of locomotion.     

Identification of metabolites of phenylacetic acid in rat brain by plasma desorption mass spectrometry

Mass spectra of acyl hydroxamates may be obtained directly, without prior derivatization or gas chromatography, by the new technique of plasma desorption mass spectrometry. Authentic alkyl and aryl hydroxamates showed the expected protonated molecular ions when isobutane was used as the carrier gas. Advantage was taken of this novel technique to identify phenylacetyl-CoA and phenylbutyric acid in brain extracts obtained from young rats after a loading dose of phenylacetic acid. The formation of these metabolic products lends strong support to our suggestion that brain dysfunction induced by phenylacetic acid in experimental phenylketonuria may be due to decreased availability of CoA and acetyl-CoA in the rapidly developing brain.     

A tailed primers protocol to identify the association of eNOS gene variable number of tandem repeats polymorphism with ischemic stroke in Chinese Han population by capillary electrophoresis

Endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) plays an important role in mediating endothelium-dependent vasodilatation and antithrombotic action and is thus involved in the development of ischemic stroke (IS). Controversial results regarding the association of eNOS gene variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) polymorphism with IS have been reported by conventional PCR-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis methods. We aimed to identify any common association of eNOS gene VNTR polymorphism with IS in Chinese Han population by capillary electrophoresis (CE). The VNTR polymorphism of 27 bp within the eNOS intron-4 was determined by CE with specially designed tailed primers in Chinese Han patients with IS (n = 457) and matched elderly controls without IS (n = 457). Significant differences in BMI, WHR, hypertension, diabetes, smoking, TG, HDL, LDL, LDL, and FBG were observed between cases and controls. The distributions of eNOS VNTR polymorphism were not significantly associated with IS after adjustment for cardiovascular risk factors (OR = 1.18, 95% CI: 0.82–1.69). This finding was consistent with the further meta-analysis in Asians. The meta-analysis in Americans demonstrated that 4a/4b + 4a/4a genotype was significantly associated with IS risk with an OR of 1.54 (95% CI, 1.09–2.17) compared with the 4b/4b genotype. Our data suggests that BMI, WHR, hypertension, diabetes, smoking, TG, LDL, and FBG may increase the risk of IS. However, eNOS VNTR polymorphism may be not an independent major contributor for IS in Chinese Han population. The VNTR polymorphism might be associated with IS in Americans based on meta-analysis.     

SOME CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SPERM ATTRACTANT FROM OEDOGONIUM CARDIACUM1

A bioassay for the sperm attractant from Oedogonium cardiacum was developed. The attractant was confirmed to be highly water soluble, destroyed by heating to 100 C and by dilute acid or alkali. It was fractionated by gel filtration with the attractant accompanied by yellow pigments. It has it molecular weight between 500 and about 1500, based on gel filtration, ultrafiltration, and dialysis. Freezing changes this to both larger and smaller molecules. It appears to have cationic groups. A paper chromatographic separation was found that divided the pigment into at least 3 major bands, one of which was closely associated with the attractant. An absorption spectrum of this pigment showed 1 peak in the visible spectrum at 417 mμ and 3 well-defined peaks in the ultraviolet region. The lack of a peak at 280 mμ indicates the attractant is not a polypeptide.     

Effects of Spearfishing on Reef Fish Populations in a Multi-Use Conservation Area

Although spearfishing is a popular method of capturing fish, its ecological effects on fish populations are poorly understood, which makes it difficult to assess the legitimacy and desirability of spearfishing in multi-use marine reserves. Recent management changes within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park (GBRMP) fortuitously created a unique scenario by which to quantify the effects of spearfishing on fish populations. As such, we employed underwater visual surveys and a before-after-control-impact experimental design to investigate the effects of spearfishing on the density and size structure of target and non-target fishes in a multi-use conservation park zone (CPZ) within the GBRMP. Three years after spearfishing was first allowed in the CPZ, there was a 54% reduction in density and a 27% reduction in mean size of coral trout (Plectropomus spp.), the primary target species. These changes were attributed to spearfishing because benthic habitat characteristics and the density of non-target fishes were stable through time, and the density and mean size of coral trout in a nearby control zone (where spearfishing was prohibited) remained unchanged. We conclude that spearfishing, like other forms of fishing, can have rapid and substantial negative effects on target fish populations. Careful management of spearfishing is therefore needed to ensure that conservation obligations are achieved and that fishery resources are harvested sustainably. This is particularly important both for the GBRMP, due to its extraordinarily high conservation value and world heritage status, and for tropical island nations where people depend on spearfishing for food and income. To minimize the effects of spearfishing on target species and to enhance protection of functionally important fishes (herbivores), we recommend that fishery managers adjust output controls such as size- and catch-limits, rather than prohibit spearfishing altogether. This will preserve the cultural and social importance of spearfishing in coastal communities where it is practised.     

Promoter regions of the ExtA extensin gene from Brassica napus control activation in response to wounding and tensile stress

Plant Molecular Biology -