Analysis of viability and cell types of macroalgal protoplasts using flow cytometry

The ability to rapidly distinguish viable sub-populations of cells within populations of macroalgal protoplast isolations was demonstrated using flow cytometry. Viable protoplasts from Ulva sp. and Porphyra perforata J. Ag. were distinguished from non-viable protoplasts based on differential fluorescein accumulation. The identities of cortical and epidermal protoplasts from Macrocystis pyrifera (L.) C. Ag. were inferred based on light-scattering and chlorophyll a autofluorescence. Three cell types could be distinguished among protoplasts released from thalli of P. perforata based on chlorophyll a and phycoerythrin autofluorescence. Mixed protoplast populations of Ulva sp. and P. perforata were also discernable based on relative chlorophyll a and phycoerythrin autofluorescence. The ability to screen heterogenous protoplast populations rapidly, combined with the cell sorting capabilities of many flow cytometers, should prove valuable for seaweed biotechnology.     

Sex-related differences in first-stage impedance cardiographic variables

Impedance cardiography (ZCG), a noninvasive technique used to determine stroke volume and ventricular performance, is currently being utilized more extensively in psychophysiological research and may also prove a useful tool in the control of hypertension. To date, most studies employing ZCG have tested male subjects or patients. However, women and men differ on two important parameters used to calculate stroke volume: thoracic impedance (Zo), and the first derivative of change in impedance over time (dZ/dt_min). Examination of the clinical records of 19 females and 19 males, all nonmedicated, indicated that women had higher Zo levels (F(1, 36)=46.2,p<.0001) and higher dZ/dt_min levels (F(1, 36)=51.8, p<.0001), although calculated stroke volume indexes did not differ. A second sample of 10 women and 8 men, all healthy and nonmedicated, confirmed these findings. The differences in Zo are not due entirely to sex differences in height, weight, percent body fat, and subscapula skin-fold thickness, although these factors differ across sexes. It is important for researchers and clinicians utilizing ZCG with female subjects to be aware of these differences.     

Persistence and spread of a chloramphenicol resistance-mediating plasmid in antigenic types of Escherichia coli, pathogenic for piglets

All chloramphenicol-resistant Escherichia coli strains isolated from piglets in the State veterinary Serum Laboratory, Copenhagen, in 1974-1975 harbored plasmids of IncFII group with largely the same resistance markers. Two strains from 1978 carried plasmids with similar characters. Restriction enzyme analysis of DNA from these plasmids with restriction endonucleases EcoRI, BglII, and PstI shows that the Cm plasmids are extremely closely related; but the patterns obtained (particularly from PstI digests) enable the classification of the plasmids into groups. These bear a strong relation to time and place of isolation so that plasmids isolated on the same farm belong to the same group even when their host strains are of different antigenic types. It is concluded that these plasmids have evolved from a single plasmid.     

Aggressive behaviour of female prairie deer mice in laboratory populations

Prairie deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus bairdii), living in asymptotic laboratory populations established two years earlier, were observed for agonistic responses to conspecific intruders. In the first experiment, intruders of six age-sex classes were placed into 10 of the populations for 10 min. The sex of the intruder did not influence the behaviour of the residents, but juveniles elicited more aggression than did adults. A second experiment revealed that female residents were responsible for almost all of the attacks upon juveniles. Experiment 3, in which the responses of pairs of deer mice to juvenile intruders were recorded, demonstrated that the aggressiveness of a female was enhanced by the presence of a male. In the final experiment, females were observed to be highly aggressive during the first few days after giving birth. The aggressive behaviour of the female deer mouse may have greater significance for population dynamics than that of the male.     

Impulse pattern generation in a crayfish abdominal postural motoneuron

Journal of Comparative Physiology A - It is concluded that burst formation is endogenous to the motoneuron andnot strongly dependent on patterned presynaptic input.     

The hypothalamo-choroidal tract

Summary Light and electron microscopic examination of choroid plexuses from lateral ventricles of water-deprived and subcutaneously or intravenously vasopressin administered rats reveal morphologic changes typical for vasopressin responsive fluid transporting epithelia during hormonal stimulation. Ultrastructural changes noted in both dehydrated and vasopressin treated animals included: the frequent occurrence of choroidal dark cells, dilatation of the lateral and basal intercellular spaces, increased vacuolization of the apical cytoplasm, and a change in microvillar conformation from the normal clavate type to those with a filiform shape. On the basis of the ultrastructural changes observed it is proposed that the choroid plexus be regarded as a target tissue for vasopressin. These findings indicated that a vasopressinmediated transchoroidal cerebrospinal fluid absorption capability exists.Supported by U.S.P.H.S. Grant HD-08867This work submitted as partial requirement for the Master of Science degree in the Department of Anatomy, Colorado State University     

Metabolic interlock between the acetolactate synthase isoenzymes and lysine biosynthesis in Escherichia coli K-12

Summary Some of the strains containing mutations in the genes for the acetolactate synthase isoenzymes are temperature sensitive (ts). Suppression of the acetolactate synthase defect due to one of these mutations suppresses also the ts phenotype; moreover, a genetic cross shows that the two phenotypes cannot be dissociated.The ts phenotype is accompanied by a decreased efficiency of transduction with Pl phage. Observations at the light microscope show formation of abnormal cells. Under specific conditions diaminopimelate stimulates growth and restores normal transduction efficiency. The rate of diaminopimelate formed and excreted by non-growing cells decreases when an acetolactate synthase mutation is present.We give evidence that the ts phenotype is due to an increased formation of lysine from diaminopimelate; this causes a starvation for the latter and therefore cell wall abnormalities. In fact, even at the permissive temperature, the lysine pool is 8x increased in a strain with an acetolactate synthase defect, while a slight decrease in the diaminopimelate pool is observed. Moreover, introduction into a ts strain of a mutation in lysA (the gene coding for diaminopimelate decarboxylase) cures the ts phenotype. Finally among the temperature resistant revertants we found some lysine auxotrophs.     

Purification of rat liver monoamine oxidase by octyl glucoside extraction and reconstitution

Catalytically active isoenzymes of rat liver monoamine oxidase have been copurified from the outer mitochondrial membrane by a novel method involving repetitive solubilization with octyl-β-d-glucopyranoside followed by reconstitution into lipid vesicles. As analyzed using sodium dodecyl sulfate-gel electrophoresis, the purified enzyme migrates as a single band of protein of molecular weight 60,000. The preparation is capable of metabolizing 576 nmol serotonin and 777 nmol β-phenylethylamine/min/mg protein. Apparent K_m values and sensitivity to the inhibitor clorgyline are very similar for the purified and outer mitochondrial membrane-bound enzyme when determined with the substrates β-phenylethylamine, serotonin, and tyramine.