Homozygotes for the autosomal dominant neoplasia syndrome (MEN1).

Families in which both parents are heterozygotes for the same autosomal dominant neoplasia syndrome are extremely unusual. Recently, we had the unique opportunity to evaluate three symptomatic siblings from the union between two unrelated individuals affected by multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1). When the three siblings and their parents and relatives were genotyped for 12 markers tightly linked to the MEN1 locus, at 11q13, two of the siblings were found to be homozygotes, and one a heterozygote, for MEN1. With regard to the MEN1 syndrome, no phenotypic differences were observed between the two homozygotes and the heterozygotes. However, the two homozygotes showed unexplained infertility, which was not the case for any of the heterozygotes. Thus, MEN1 appears to be a disease with complete dominance, and the presence of two MEN1 alleles with mutations of the type that occur constitutionally may be insufficient for tumor development.     

A scale-down two-compartment reactor with controlled substrate oscillations: Metabolic response of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Substrate concentration gradients are likely to appear during large scale fermentations. To study effects of such gradients on microorganisms, an aerated scale-down reactor system was constructed. It consists of a plug flow reactor (PFR) and a stirred tank reactor (STR), between which the medium is circulated. The PFR, which is an aerated static mixer reactor, was characterized with respect to plug flow behaviour and oxygen transfer. A Bodenstein number of 15–220, depending on residence time and aeration rate, and a k_La of 500–1130 h^–1, depending mainly on aeration rate, were obtained. The biological test system used, was aerobic ethanol production by Saccharomyces cerevisiae, due to sugar excess. The ethanol concentration profile and the yield of biomass were compared in two fed-batch fermentations. In the first case, the feeding point of molasses was located at the inlet of the PFR. This simulates location of the feeding point in the segregated part of a heterogeneous reactor, with local high sugar concentrations. In the second mode of operation, as a control with good mixing conditions, the PFR was disconnected from the STR, into which the substrate was fed. Differences were found: Up to 6% less biomass was produced and a larger amount of ethanol was formed in the two-compartment reactor system, due to the uneven sugar concentration distribution. This emphasizes the importance of the location of, and the mixing conditions at, the feeding point in a bioreactor.     

High prevalence of asthma in cross country skiers.

OBJECTIVES--To study the prevalence of asthma (asthma symptoms and bronchial hyperresponsiveness) in Swedish cross country skiers compared with non-skiers and monitor changes in symptoms and bronchial hyperresponsiveness during the year. DESIGN--Cross sectional study during the winter ski season and in the summer. SETTING--Six ski clubs for élite skiers (total 47) in two different areas of Sweden. SUBJECTS--42 élite cross country skiers and 29 non-skiing referents. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES--Bronchial responsiveness, asthma symptoms, and lung function. RESULTS--Bronchial responsiveness was significantly greater and asthma symptoms more prevalent in the skiers than in the referents. There was no difference in bronchial responsiveness within either group between winter and summer. 15 of the 42 skiers used antiasthmatic drugs regularly and 23 had a combination of asthma symptoms and hyperresponsive airways or physician diagnosed asthma, or both. Altogether 33 skiers had symptoms of asthma or bronchial hyperresponsiveness. One of the referents had symptoms of asthma and bronchial hyperresponsiveness, and none used antiasthmatic drugs regularly. CONCLUSIONS--Asthma, asthma-like symptoms, and bronchial hyperresponsiveness are much more common in cross country skiers than in the general population and non-skiers. Strenuous exercise at low temperatures entailing breathing large volumes of cold air is the most probable explanation of persistent asthma in skiers.     

GENETIC AND SOCIAL INHERITANCE OF BODY AND EGG SIZE IN THE BARNACLE GOOSE (BRANTA LEUCOPSIS)

We present heritability estimates for final size of body traits and egg size as well as phenotypic and genetic correlations between body and egg traits in a recently established population of the barnacle goose (Branta leucopsis) in the Baltic area. Body traits as well as egg size were heritable and, hence, could respond evolutionarily to phenotypic selection. Genetic correlations between body size traits were significantly positive and of similar magnitude or higher than the corresponding phenotypic correlations. Heritability estimates for tarsus length obtained from full-sib analyses were higher than those obtained from midoffspring-midparent regressions, and this indicates common environment effects on siblings. Heritabilities for tarsus length obtained from midoffspring-mother regressions were significantly higher than estimates from midoffspring-father regressions. The results suggest that this discrepancy is not caused by maternal effects through egg size, nor by extra-pair fertilizations, but by a socially inherited foraging site fidelity in females.     

FA1 immunoreactivity in endocrine tumours and during development of the human fetal pancreas; negative correlation with glucagon expression

Fetal antigen 1 (FA1) is a glycoprotein containing six epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like repeats. It is closely similar to the protein translated from the human delta-like (dlk) cDNA and probably constitutes a proteolytically processed form of dlk. dlk is homologous to theDrosophila homeotic proteinsdelta andnotch and to the murine preadipocyte differentiation factor Pref-1. These proteins participate in determining cell fate choices during differentiation. We now report that FA1 immunoreactivity is present in a number of neuroectodermally derived tumours as well as in pancreatic endocrine tumours. A negative correlation between FA1 and glucagon immunoreactants in these tumours prompted a reexamination of FA1 immunoreactants during fetal pancreatic development. At the earliest stages of development, FA1 was expressed by most of the non-endocrine parenchymal cells and, with ensuing development, gradually disappeared from these cells and became restricted to insulin-producing beta cells. Throughout development FA1 was not detected in endocrine glucagon, somatostatin or pancreatic polypeptide cells. Moreover, developing insulin cells that coexpressed glucagon were negative for FA1. Thus, there was a negative correlation between FA1 and glucagon both in tumours and during development. These results, together with FA1/dlk's similarity with homeotic proteins, point to a role of FA1 in islet cell differentiation.     

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN A FLOWER GALL MIDGE PSEUDAS-PHONDYLIA SP. (DIPTERA: CECIDOMYIIDAE) AND ITS HOST PLANT ACTINIDIA VALVATA*

Abstract Kiwifruit plants, Actinidia sp., are native to subtropical China. The flower-bud gall of A. valvata, which is induced by an undescribed gall midge in the genus Pseud as phond ylia, is valued by the pharmaceutical industry. When studying the biology of the Actinid ia/Pseud as phond ylia interaction in Central-south China we found evidence suggesting that under certain circumstances the gall insect modifies the reproductive mode of the dioecious host plant. Surveys and field experiments in the National Hupingshan Natural Reserve showed a high frequency of galled trees. The density of galled trees varied among valleys and among trees within the valleys. In two valleys, 92% and 75%, respectively, of all trees were attacked, while in a third valley no trees were attacked. When infested, staminate tree only produced galls, whereas pistillate plants produced normal fruits as well as galls. Gall shape differed between male and female trees. Trees with galls tended to produce more fruits than treea without galls. We speculate that this is one of a few documented examples of an insect that induces androdioecy in an otherwise functionally dioecious plant.     

Influence of nitrate supply on concentrations and translocation of abscisic acid in barley (Hordeum vulgare)

Spring barley ( Hordeum vulgare L. cv. Golf) was grown at different nitrate supply rates, controlled by using the relative addition rate technique, in order to elucidate the relationship between nitrate-N supply and root and shoot levels of abscisic acid (ABA). The plants were maintained as (1) standard cultures where nitrate was supplied at relative addition rates (RAs) of 0.03, 0.09 and 0.18 day⁻¹, and (2) split-root cultures at RA 0.09 day⁻¹ but with the nitrate distributed between the two root parts in ratios of 100:0, 80:20 and 60:40. Time-dependent changes in root and shoot concentrations of ABA (determined by radioimmunoassay using a monoclonal antibody) were observed in both standard and split-root cultures during 12 days of acclimation to the different nitrate regimes. However, the ABA responses were similar at all nitrate supply rates. Further experiments were performed with split-root cultures where the distribution of nitrate between the two root parts was reversed from 80:20 to 20:80 so that short-term effects to local perturbations of nitrate supply could be studied without altering whole-plant N absorption. Transient increases in ABA concentrations (maximum of 25 to 40% after 3 to 4 h) were observed in both subroot parts, as well as in xylem sap and shoot tissue. By pruning the root system it was demonstrated that the change in ABA had its origin in the subroot part receiving the increased nitrate supply (i.e. switched from 20 to 80% of the total nitrate supply). The data indicate that ABA responses are easily transmitted between different organs, including transmission from one set of seminal roots to another via the shoot. The data do not provide any indication that long-term nitrate supplies or general nitrogen status of barley plants affect, or are otherwise related to, the average tissue ABA concentrations of roots and shoots.