Cell free synthesis of some storage protein subunits by polyribosomes and RNA isolated from developing seeds of pea (Pisum sativum L.)

Polyribosomes which have template activity in the wheat germ system have been isolated from developing pea seeds. Some of the translation products have identical mobilities to the vicilin and legumin subunits by SDS-PAGE. Certain products were specifically immunoprecipitated with antisera prepared against purified vicilin and legumin fractions. Various RNA fractions including poly A-rich RNA have also been isolated from polyribosomes and shown to direct the synthesis of polyripeptides whose properties are similar to the storage protein subunits. The results are discussed in relationship to other investigations with seed storage protein biosynthesis in vitro.Abbreviations DTT dithiothreitol - SDS-PAGE SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis - TCA tricarboxylic acid     

Evaluation of antibody inhibition assays of melanoma antigens in sera to monitor tumor growth in melanoma patients

Summary It was reported previously that melanoma leukocyte-dependent antibody (LDA) in the sera of melanoma patients was inhibited by small-molecular-weight (small-mol.-wt.) glycoproteins which were similar to cell surface antigens identified in cell membrane extracts of melanoma cells. The present study was to determine whether measurement of the levels of these factors in sera may be a useful monitor of tumor growth in melanoma patients. Small-mol.-wt. fractions were obtained by gel filtration or membrane chromatography of acidified sera and tested for their ability to inhibit LDA in ⁵¹Cr release cytotoxic assays. A panel of LDA was used, consisting of three antisera from melanoma patients, which appeared relatively specific for melanoma, and three non-melanoma antisera against carcinoembryonic antigen, ₂ microglobulin, and fetal antigens. The results showed that in patients with melanoma, approximately 70% had melanoma LDA-inhibitory activity detected in the small-mol.-wt. fractions of their sera when these were tested against the panel of melanoma LDA. The specificity of the inhibitory activity for melanoma LDA was shown by failure of the serum fractions to inhibit non-melanoma LDA and by absence of inhibitory activity in equivalent serum fractions from non-melanoma carcinoma patients for melanoma LDA. The levels of melanoma LDA-inhibitory activity in the serum fractions appeared to correlate with tumor growth, as shown by clearance of the inhibitory activity after surgical removal of melanoma and reappearance in the serum of patients who subsequently developed recurrent melanoma. The 30% false-negative rate indicated that the assays could not be used to reliably exclude melanoma, but the close correlation with tumor growth and the low number of false-positive results suggested that in 70% of patients detection of these small-mol.-wt. antigens would be of value to detect recurrence from melanoma and to monitor the effectiveness of therapy.     

Arthopyrenia endobrya,spec. nov., eine hepaticole Flechte mit intrazellulärem Thallus aus Brasilien

Arthopyrenia endobrya from Southern Brazil is illustrated and described as a new species of lichens. The thallus is composed of filamentous green algae loosely surrounded by fungal hyphae. Both symbionts grow endophytically within the leaf cells of two species ofLejeuneaceae (Hepaticae). The algae and hyphae penetrate the cell walls of the host by means of fine perforations. The ascocarps develop between the leaves and perforate them with their apical region. The classification as a member of the genusArthopyrenia is preliminary.

     

Ethical issues and the family doctor

After noting several contemporary societal factors that contribute to increasing concern about bioethical issues in general, the author focuses on special problems that confront the general or family practitioner. These problems arise from the family physician's large number of potentially conflicting roles and relationships.     

Social Darwinism Lives! (Should it?)

Sociobiology has made a resurgence in recent years, but has become enmeshed in political controversy. Indeed, much of the work in sociobiology has been used to justify repressive or racist measures. It is argued that the unfortunate alliance of some sociobiologists and politicians is a poor basis for discrediting the field itself; that a science of sociobiology is possible and, if we seek to know the nature of our social heritage (if any!), needs be vigorously pursued.     

Beobachtungen zum postembryonalen Wachstum vonTrichodamon froesi Mello Leitao (Amblypygi,Arachnida)

Zusammenfassung Das positive allornetrische Wachstum von Pedipalpen und Laufbeinen vonT. froesi wird demonstriet. Die Zahl der Tibialdornen an der Tibia wird vom vierten Stadium an reduziert bis nur noch die Dornen übrigbleiben, die die terminale Greifschere bilden. Das 1. Beinpaar wächst isometrisch, und die Zahl der Fühlerbeinsegmente bleibt vom 2. Stadium an nahezu konstant. Es wird vorgeschlagen, die Damoniae Simon 1936 und Phrynichinae Simon 1892 in der Familie Phrynichidae zusammenzufassen.

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Postembryonic growth inTrichodamon froesi mello leitao (Amblypygi, Arachnida)

Summary Positive allometric growth of pedipalps and walking legs is demonstrated inT. froesi. From the fourth instar onward, the number of spines on the pedipalp tibia is reduced, and finally only those which participate in the formation of the pincers remain. The first legs grow isometrically, and the number of antenniform leg segments remains nearly constant from the second instar onward. It is suggested that the subfamilies Damoninae Simon 1936 and Phrynichinae Simon 1892 belong to a single family, the Phrynichidae.