Chitin-bound protein of sarcophagid larvae: metabolism of covalently linked aromatic constituents

The borate-insoluble chitin-protein complex, CB-I, from prepupal sarcophagid larvae was cleaved with chymotrypsin and trifluoromethanesulfonic acid releasing a polypeptide fragment of Mr 68 000. The intact glycoprotein was blocked at the C terminus; the N-terminal sequence of Asp-Val-Ala-His-Tyr was not homologous with seven of the borate-soluble nonglycosylated structural proteins. Bityrosine was identified as a component of the primary chain, both half-residues occupied in peptide linkages. Sclerotization initiated a decline in bityrosine coincident with the addition of soluble proteins to the tanned matrix. The chitin-protein complex also included bound peroxidase, propolyphenol oxidase, and an o-diphenol subject to oxidation on activation of the zymogen. In the course of the oxidation N termini declined in accordance with the formation of 1,4 quinonoid cross-links.     

A Review of the Prevalence of Temporomandibular Dysfunction

The prevalence of five representative signs and symptoms of temporomandibular pain and dysfunction were evaluated with respect to the age of several different populations. For each of the five signs and symptoms (mouth opening, joint noises, presence of degenerative joint disease, subjectively reported symptoms, and pain on function) no increase was found in the older age group over the middle-age group. In one category (joint sounds), the prevalence decreased in the older age group when compared to the middle-age group. When asked by questionnaire if there was pain on function, the oldest age groups had the lowest proportion of positive responses. As a result of this information it is suggested that the prevalence of temporomandibular disorders diminishes in the elderly population, although not as much as the very few numbers of elderly actually seeking treatment for this disease would suggest.     

A novel polymorphism in the coding sequence of the human RET proto-oncogene

A novel polymorphism in the coding sequence of the human RET proto-oncogene is described. The RET proto-oncogene maps to chromosome 10q11.2, and is involved in multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN 2A, MEN 2B), familial medullary thyroid carcinoma and Hirschsprung's disease.     

Immunolabelling of cell surfaces of Arabidopsis thaliana roots following infection by Meloidogyne incognita (Nematoda)

Studies of the migration of second stage juveniles (JJ2) ofthe root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita in Arabidopsisroots were made at the cellular level using immunolabellingtechniques. A panel of antibodies that recognize epitopes presentin the plant extracellular matrix (JIMs) and the nematode cuticle(PC245) were used. The normal route for the juvenile (J2) hasbeen reconfirmed for both in vitro and in vivo conditions. Histologicalstudies show that, during migration towards the root meristem,juveniles (JJ2) sometimes break the physico-chemical barrierof the endodermis and establish close contact with the centralcylinder. Despite this, the juveniles continue their intercorticalmigration towards the root meristem. When the endodermis isbreached, hyperplasia and hypertrophy occur and a prematuregall is formed. Ultrastructural observations confirmed thatloosening of the middle lamella occurs during progress throughthe cortex. Differences in the patterns of labelling of healthyand infected roots were revealed when the antipolygalacturonicacid antibody, JIM5, was applied; epitopes recognized by thisantibody are mainly located on the triple junctions betweencells. Some of the antibodies used proved very useful in illustratingthe intercellular migration of JJ2 in the vascular cylinder,where they move in the vicinity of the protoxylem and futuremetaxylem cells. An envelope surrounding the nematodes, butlocated specifically on plant cell walls, was observed wheninfected rootsections were probed with PC245. This materialat this interface appears to be of nematode origin. Characterizationof the molecules involved is currently under investigation. Key words: Meloidogyne incognita, Arabidopsis thaliana, immunolabelling, JIM(s), migration     

Enhanced biosurfactant production by a mutant Bacillus subtilis strain

Summary Ultraviolet mutation of Bacillus subtilis ATCC 21332 yielded a stable mutant that produced over three times more of the biosurfactant, surfactin, than the parent strain. By protoplast fusing the mutant (Suf-1) with the marker strain, B. subtilis BGSC strain IA28, the mutation was located between argC4 and hisA1 on the genetic map.NRCC 30549     

Relative latency of responses of chemoreceptor afferents from aortic and carotid bodies

Discharges from aortic and carotid body chemoreceptor afferents were simultaneously recorded in 18 anesthetized cats to test the hypothesis that aortic chemoreceptors, because of their proximity to the heart, respond to changes in arterial blood gases before carotid chemoreceptors. We found that carotid chemoreceptor responses to the onset of hypoxia and hypercapnia, and to the intravenously administered excitatory drugs (cyanide, nicotine, and doxapram), preceded those of aortic chemoreceptors. Postulating that this unexpected result was due to differences in microcirculation and mass transport, we also investigated their relative speed of responses to changes in arterial blood pressure. The aortic chemoreceptors responded to decreases in arterial blood pressure before the carotid chemoreceptors, supporting the idea that the aortic body has microcirculatory impediments not generally present in the carotid body. These findings strengthened the concept that carotid bodies are more suited for monitoring blood gas changes due to respiration, whereas aortic bodies are for monitoring circulation.