Quantitative and qualitative variations in the glycoproteins in the chick embryo brain

Sugar content was examined in soluble and insoluble glycoproteins extracted from the chick embryo brain at different developmental stages. The content of hexosamines and uronic acids in the soluble fraction is higher during the whole period examined. The difference between the two fractions reaches a maximum at the 15th day. The insoluble fraction shows the highest content of sialic acid and fucose in comparison with the soluble one, especially toward hatching. The sialic acid/fucose ratio shows a different pattern in the two fractions examined, particularly in the soluble glycoproteins. The patterns of sialic acid and fucose indicate that quantitative and qualitative developmental changes occur in the soluble and insoluble glycoproteins. All sugars examined show significant changes on the 15th day, suggesting that this stage may represent a critical period in the development of the chick embryo brain.     

Percent composition of fatty acids in Tigriopus fulvus from rocky pools on the Ligurian coast (Copepoda harpacticoida)

The study concerns the Tigriopus fulvus specimens fatty acid composition, sampled in Ligurian coast rockpools from September 1980 to June 1981. By the study of frequency distribution it was observed that the fatty acid found in greater quantity was the palmitic one, followed by the palmitoleic, the oleic and stearic acids. Short and long chain fatty acids are less frequent. Investigation about each fatty acid concentration shows that the seasonal trends between males and females are different and the trend of some fatty acids (e.g. linolenic and stearic acid) is characteristic.     

The Impact of a Shipboard Weight Control Program

DENNIS, KAREN E., KAREN W. PANE, BRENDA K. ADAMS, AND BING BING QI. The impact of a shipboard weight control program. Obes Res. 1999;7:60–67. Objective : The specific aim was to determine whether a multifaceted approach to weight loss and physical readiness could be implemented onboard a deployed combatant ship of the U.S. Navy. Research Methods and Procedures : Thirty-nine men (31±6 years old, mean±standard deviation) assigned to the USS ENTERPRISE (CVN 65) during a 6-month Mediterranean deployment who had failed their previous Physical Readiness Test due to excessive body weight (108±11 kg overweight) were randomly assigned to nutrition, cognitivebehavioral obesity treatment plus exercise or to the Navy's usual treatment (control), which is exercise alone. Results : Outcomes for the treatment group were significantly better than the controls, with 8.6±5.0 vs. 5.0±4.1 kg weight loss, 8% vs. 5% reduction in original body weight, and body fat loss of 7% vs. 5%. Triglycerides declined significantly greater in the treatment group than the controls (145 mg/dL to 109 mg/dL vs. 146 mg/dL to 145 mg/dL, p<0.05), whereas depression and eating behaviors significantly improved among treated men. Problematic environmental factors were the limited variety of heart healthy foods in the galley, short meal breaks, and long mess hall lines that led to eating snacks from vending machines and frequent port calls. Discussion : Although greater weight loss than would be expected of a Navy usual care group diluted the treatment effect, the treated men still fared significantly better. The physical readiness implication of this research has the potential to impact Navy health promotion programs and policy, the health and well-being of its personnel, and the Navy's ability to meet mission requirements.     

Enzymes of pyrimidine metabolism in the musculus complexus of the chick during development.

The pattern of cytidylate and uridylate phosphatase, uridine phosphorylase, cytidine and cytosine deaminase activities has been studied in M. complexus during chick development. The comparison of these enzyme activities with thigh muscles ones has shown that quantitative and temporal changes occur, in parallel with the unusual pre-natal and early post-natal development of M. complexus. The results suggest that during the first period of incubation, UMP might follow the anabolic pathway UMP-UTP, which leads to cytidine nucleotides, while approaching the hatching, the catabolic pathway should prevail. In addition, immediately after hatching, pyrimidine metabolism is especially supported by cytidine nucleotides.