Gene transfection of the HuLy-m2 (Leu-9) antigen into mouse L cells

Human DNA was transfected into mouse L cells and tk⁺ HuLy-m2⁺ (= CD7⁺) transfectants isolated after growth in hypoxanthine, aminopterin, thymidine medium and repeated cloning. After several cycles of transfection, > 90% of HuLy-m2⁺ L cells could be detected, by rosetting and by cytofluorography, which showed the transfectants to have a density of CD7 two to five times that found on peripheral blood lymphocytes. Despite this, the 37 kd CD7⁺ dimer could only be identified with difficulty using cell-surface radioiodination and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis techniques. An antiserum was produced (C3H anti-HuLy-m2⁺ L cells) which, after absorption, was shown to react with HuLy-m2 antigens present on human thymocytes and lymphocytes and on CD7⁺ transfected L cells.Abbreviations BSA bovine serum albumin - DME Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium - EDTA ethylenediamine-tetraacetate - HAT hypoxanthine, aminopterin, thymidine - HSV herpes simplex virus - PBL peripheral blood lymphocyte - PBS phosphate-buffered saline - RFC rosette-forming cell - SDS-PAGE sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis - tk thymidine kinase     

The biological properties of bovine parathyroid hormone (1–41), a fragment generated from the native hormone by human leukocytes

Native bovine parathyroid hormone (bPTH) was found to be readily cleaved with human leukocyte elastase to yield the fragments bPTH(1–41) and bPTH(42–84). These were then isolated by reverse-phase HPLC and characterised by gas-phase sequencing and amino acid analysis. The biological activities of these fragments were assessed in an adenylate cyclase bioassay using the rat osteosarcoma cell line UMR106. bPTH(1–41) was found to have approximately twice the molar potency of the native hormone from which it was derived, bPTH(42–84) had no biological activity and did not modulate the adenylate cyclase response to these cells to the native hormone. The possible physiological significance of these observations is discussed.     

Big Moose Basin: simulation of response to acidic deposition

The ILWAS model has been enhanced for application to multiple-lake hydrologic basins. This version of the model has been applied to the Big Moose basin, which includes Big Moose Lake and its tributary streams, lakes, and watersheds. The basin, as defined, includes an area of 96 km², with over 20 lakes and ponds, and 70 km of streams. Hydrologic and chemical calibrations have been made using data from seven sampling stations. When total atmospheric sulfur loading to the basin is halved, the model predicts, after four years of simulation, a decreasing sulfate concentration and to a lesser extent a rising alkalinity at Big Moose Lake outlet. At the end of four years, the results show an increase in pH of 0.1 to 0.5 pH units depending upon season.     

Assimilatory reduction of trimethylamine N-oxide in the yeast Sporopachydermia cereana

Summary Washed microsomal preparations (100 000 xg sediment) from the yeast Sporopachydermia cereana that had been grown on trimethylamine N-oxide as sole nitrogen source catalysed the NAD(P)H-dependent reduction of trimethylamine N-oxide to trimethylamine. Under anaerobic conditions, this was the sole reaction product, but under aerobic conditions only small amounts of trimethylamine accumulated, most being further metabolized to methylamine and formaldehyde (no detectable dimenthylamine accumulated due to its rapid turnover). In the absence of NAD(P)H, no formation of amines or formaldehyde from trimethylamine N-oxide was detected. The trimethylamine N-oxide reductase activity was inhibited by quinacrine, Cu²⁺ ions, triethylamine N-oxide (apparent K _i 0.43 mM) and dimethyl sulphoxide (K _i 0.94 mM). Chlorate and nitrate failed to inhibit the enzyme. The K _m for trimethylamine N-oxide was 29 M. Triethylamine N-oxide was also reduced by the microsomal preparation with the formation of acetaldehyde, and this reduction was sensitive to the same inhibitors as trimethylamine N-oxide, suggesting that both amine oxides are metabolized by the same enzyme(s). It is concluded that trimethylamine N-oxide is metabolized in this yeast via an NAD(P)H-dependent reductase.Abbreviations TMAO triemthylamine N-oxide     

Semiquantitative estimates of Al and other cations in the leaf tissues of some Al-accumulating species using electron probe microanalysis

Electron probe microanalysis of transverse sections was used to provide semiquantitative estimates of Al and other cations in the leaf tissues of some Al-accumulating plants of the cerrado vegetation of central Brazil. Concentrations of Al were generally higher than those of other cations in the phloem elements of these plants growing on dystrophic as well as fertile acid soils. When one of the Al-accumulating species,Vochysia thyrsoidea, was grown in a calcareous soil, the concentration of Al in the phloem elements of leaves was lower than that of Ca and K though the cotyledons showed higher concentrations of Al than those of other cations.     

Populationsanteile und H?henverbreitung einj?hriger M?nnchen beim Hausrotschwanz (Phoenicurus ochruros) im Waldviertel, Nieder?sterreich

Zuammenfassung Im niederösterreichischen Waldviertel (200–700 m üNN) stieg der relative Anteil einjähriger von 17,9 auf 50% aller revierverteidigenden Hausrotschwanz- mit zunehmender Meereshöhe. Die Zunahme betrifft vor allem einjährige dercairei-Morphe, während dieparadoxus-Morphe in geringerer Anzahl und gleichförmiger als in allen Höhenbereichen auftrat.

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The portion of first-year males in breeding populations of Black Redstarts (Phoenicurus ochruros) and their altitudinal distribution in the Waldviertel, Lower Austria

Summary In 1986, between April 13 and July 5, breeding territories of male Black Redstarts were mapped in Lower Austria (200–700 m NN), with regard to their age (first-year or older) and the plumage types of first-year (femalelike or adult malelike). Due to a greater percentage of femalelike subadult (cairei-type) in higher altitudes, the proportion of first-year was found to increase from 17,9 per cent at 200–300 m to 50 per cent above 600 m. On the contrary adultlike first-year (paradoxus-type) are evenly distributed in smaller numbers over the whole altitudinal range.

     

Postmortem Changes in Rat Brain: Studies on Membrane-Bound Enzymes and Receptors

The relationship between the stability of potential neurochemical markers and autolysis time was studied at 4 degrees C and 25 degrees C using postmortem brain samples from two rat strains. In general, qualitatively similar results were obtained with either N/Nih or Sprague-Dawley rats; however, quantitative differences were often observed, particularly in regard to benzodiazepine receptor changes. For every enzyme activity or binding property examined, no significant change was found when brains were kept at 4 degrees C for up to 72 h prior to freezing at -70 degrees C. Na,K-ATPase and low-affinity Ca-ATPase activities were also stable in brains kept at 25 degrees C for up to 72 h. Mg-ATPase activity was reduced in brains kept at 25 degrees C for 24 and 48 h. [3H]Guanidinoethylmercaptosuccinic acid [( 3H]GEMSA) binding to enkephalin convertase in the cytosol was not significantly changed in brains kept at 25 degrees C; however, a small increase was seen for [3H]GEMSA binding to the membrane fraction at 24, but not 48 and 72 h postmortem. [3H]Quinuclidinyl benzilate [( 3H]QNB) binding to muscarinic cholinergic receptors decreased in brains kept at 25 degrees C for 72 h. Opioid receptor binding also decreased in brains kept at 25 degrees C. Using [3H]2-D-alanine-5-D-leucine enkephalin to label delta opioid receptors, a statistically significant decrease in binding was observed as early as 6 h postmortem, and was completely abolished after 72 h at 25 degrees C. In contrast, [3H]naloxone binding was unchanged after 24 h at 25 degrees C, but was decreased after 48 and 72 h.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)