A possible discrepancy between the exposed and the whole population depending on range-size and trap-spacing in vole populations

Population Ecology - From a field study for the vole population (Clethrionomys rufocanus) in Hokkaido in the late summer of 1965, it has been proved that the range length may decrease from 25 to 18...     

Inheritance of mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase: genotyping in Chinese,Japanese and South Korean families reveals dominance of the mutant allele

Summary Genotyping of mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH I) was performed in enzymatically amplified DNA of 20 Chinese, Japanese and South Korean families (85 individuals) and in 113 unrelated persons by employing allele-specific oligonucleotide probes and dot blot hybridization. Genotyping individuals with phenotypic deficiency of ALDH I activity always showed the presence of at least one mutant allele. The data are compatible with a model assuming dominant inheritance of the mutant allele, which we have previously suggested on the basis of a population study.     

Threat calls in alliance formation by members of a captive group of Japanese monkeys

The vocal behavior of threat calls was investigated in a captive group of Japanese monkeys (Macaca fuscata fuscata). The vocalizations were heard most often when they undertook winner-support during triadic agonistic interactions. The likelihood of call emission in support of the winner was affected by the attributes of the participants, and not by the types of agonistic behavior. The calls were emitted by intermediate ranking animals frequently in support of high ranking animals and in support of females. The calling behavior of winner-supporters appears to advertise the partner and distant group members of their support for reciprocation in the near future.     

Synthesis of 3 beta,16 beta,19-trihydroxyandrost-5-en-17-one and 16 beta,19-dihydroxyandrost-4-ene-3,17-dione and their 19-oxo derivatives

3 beta,16 beta,19-Trihydroxyandrost-5-en-17-one (12) was synthesized from 5 alpha-bromo-3 beta-acetoxy-6 beta,19-epoxyandrostan-17-one (2) through acetoxylation at C-16 beta of the enol acetate 4 with lead tetraacetate and reductive cleavage of the epoxide ring with zinc dust yielding the 3 beta,16 beta-diacetoxy-19-hydroxy steroid 11, followed by hydrolysis of the acetoxy groups with sulfuric acid. Jones oxidation of compound 11 followed by the acid hydrolysis gave the 19-oxo steroid 15. 5 alpha-Bromo-3 beta-hydroxy-16 beta-acetoxy-6 beta,19-epoxyandrostan-17-one (8), obtained by selective hydrolysis of the 3-formate 5 with ammonium hydroxide, was oxidized with Jones reagent to afford the 3-oxo steroid 16, which was converted into the 19-hydroxy derivative 17 by treatment with zinc dust. 16 beta,19-Dihydroxyandrost-4-ene-3,17-dione (18) and its 19-oxo derivative 21 were obtained from compound 17 through a similar reaction sequence.     

Effects of fractionated x-irradiation on the Ly-6--Ril-1--Pol-5 region

Our laboratory has focused on defining, localizing, and understanding the mode of action of genes involved in fractionated x-irradiation (FXI) leukemia in susceptible and resistant mouse strains. We have described the genetic and molecular evidence suggesting the existence of multiple independent loci involved in FXI-induced leukemogenesis. These studies indicated that one of these, Ril-1, a locus on the distal portion of chromosome 15, is the major locus influencing susceptibility to the disease. Our data unequivocally place Ril-1 in the gene complex Ly-6--Ril-1--Sis--H-30--Pol-5. Ril-1 appears to be closest to Ly-6 and Sis. We report that in FXI-induced leukemias there are hypomethylation changes in the Ly-6 region as compared to normal thymocytes. In contrast, Sis was found to be hypermethylated and not expressed. In addition, we have noted DNA rearrangements in the Ly-6--Pol-5 region in the majority of tumors examined using the Ly-6 and spleen focus-forming virus (SFFLV) molecular probes. Increased expression of Ly-6 and other surface markers encoded in this region has been noted in FXI-induced thymomas. Address correspondence and offprint request to: N. M. B. Amari.     

Growth of the malignant and nonmalignant human squamous cells in a protein-free defined medium

Summary A novel protein-free synthetic medium has been developed for the culture of human squamous cell carcinoma cells. This medium, designated PF86-1, supports the serial subcultivation of six out of nine human squamous cell carcinoma cell lines in a protein-free, chemically defined condition without the adapting culture from serum-containing conditions. These cell lines growing in PF86-1 exhibited nearly equal potency to grow in massive culture without noticeable changes in morphology but presented a significantly decreased level of colony forming efficiency when compared with the cells cultured in serum-containing media, suggesting the implication of some autocrine mechanism. Interestingly, this medium supported the growth of normal human squamous cells of oral mucosa and skin for more than 2 mo. in the primary explant culture in spite of high levels of calcium ion concentration, where the overgrowth of fibroblasts as contaminant was not observed. These results suggest that PF86-1 supports the growth of cells derived from epidermal tissues selectively and provides the same defined condition for growth of malignant and nonmalignant human squamous cells. It seems, therefore, that PF86-1 allows investigations on the products of squamous cell carcinoma cells or on the differences of growth mechanisms between normal and neoplastic human squamous cells.     

Three-Dimensional Labeling Program for Elucidation of the Geometric Properties of Biological Particles in Three-Dimensional Space

For all biological particles such as cells or cellular organelles, there are three-dimensional coordinates representing the centroid or center of gravity. These coordinates and other numerical parameters such as volume, fluorescence intensity, surface area, and shape are referred to in this paper as geometric properties, which may provide critical information for the clarification ofin situmechanisms of molecular and cellular functions in living organisms. We have established a method for the elucidation of these properties, designated the three-dimensional labeling program (3DLP). Algorithms of 3DLP are so simple that this method can be carried out through the use of software combinations in image analysis on a personal computer. To evaluate 3DLP, it was applied to a 32-cell-stage sea urchin embryo, double stained with FITC for cellular protein of blastomeres and propidium iodide for nuclear DNA. A stack of optical serial section images was obtained by confocal laser scanning microscopy. The method was found effective for determining geometric properties and should prove applicable to the study of many different kinds of biological particles in three-dimensional space.     

Promotion of Cocklebur Seed Germination by Allyl, Sulfur and Cyanogenic Compounds

The effects of allyl, sulfur and cyanogenic compounds on thegermination of upper cocklebur (Xanthium pennsylvanicum Wallr.)seeds were examined. Mercaptoethanol and methylmercaptan aswell as KCN, substrates for rßcyanoalanine synthase(CAS), and H₂S and thiocyanate, the products of the CAS catalyzingreaction, were effective in promoting germination, suggestingthe involvement of CAS in germination. Most of allyl compounds, especially allylthiourea, as well asethylene which activated CAS [Hasegawa et al. (1994) Physiol.Plant. 91: 141], promoted the germination in an abnormal typewhich occurred by the predominant growth of cotyledons as didC₂H₄ [Katoh and Esashi (1975) Plant Cell Physiol. 16: 687].However, they failed to activate CAS unlike ethylene, and toliberate free ethylene during an incubation period. It was thuspossible that an C₂H₄-like double bond within allyl compoundscan act to promote seed germination. (Received June 10, 1996; Accepted August 21, 1996)     

Extracellular Matrix Components Regulating Glandular Differentiation and the Formation of Basal Lamina of a Human Pancreatic Cancer Cell Line in Vitro

The interaction between the extracellular matrix and human tumor-cell clones S2-013 and S2-020, derived from a pancreatic cancer cell line (SUIT-2), was examined in vitro, using various cell differentiation-promoting matrices in two- and three-dimensional cultures. S2-013 cells (well-differentiated tubular adenocarcinoma in xenografts in nude mice) cultured in Matrigel formed glandular structures. Ultrastructural observation revealed a morphological polarity of cells and a distinct basal lamina. On the other hand, S2-020 cells (poorly differentiated tubular adenocarcinoma in xenografts) cultured in Matrigel formed neither glandular structures nor a basal lamina, but only cell aggregates. The morphology of these two sublines cultured in Matrigel expressed the histological degree of differentiation which they presented in nude mice. In contrast, in type I collagen gel, S2-013 cells formed glandular structures without a basal lamina, and in soft agar, they were able to form neither glandular structures nor a basal lamina. S2-020 cells cultured in type I collagen gel or soft agar formed the same simple cell aggregates as in Matrigel. Matrices used in a three-dimensional culture influenced the degree of differentiation in S2-013 cells but had no effect on the morphological differentiation in S2-020 cells. To detect the factors which induce basal lamina formation, S2-013 cells were cultured on a microporous membrane coated with extracellular matrix components such as laminin, type IV collagen, and fibronectin. S2-013 cells formed a basal lamina only on the laminin. These cell lines may be useful in investigating the mechanisms regulating the formation of glandular structures and basal lamina.