Detection of femtomolar quantities of the ganglioside GM1 on thin-layer chromatography plates by native choleratoxin and labeled antisera

After separation of gangliosides by thin-layer chromatography, femtomolar quantities of G_M1 were detected by incubating the plate with native choleratoxin, followed by anticholeratoxin and species-specific labeled antiserum. Only stable reagents were involved when antiserum labeled with horseradish peroxidase was used. Native choleratoxin rather than iodinelabeled toxin ensured good reproducibility of the method.     

Relationships Between Animal Health Monitoring and the Risk Assessment Process

Risk assessment is part of the risk analysis process as it is used in veterinary medicine to estimate risks related to international trade and food safety. Data from monitoring and surveillance systems (MO&SS) are used throughout the risk assessment process for hazard identification, release assessment, exposure assessment and consequence assessment. As the quality of risk assessments depends to a large extent on the availability and quality of input data, there is a close relationship between MO&SS and risk assessment. In order to improve the quality of risk assessments, MO&SS should be designed according to minimum quality standards. Second, recent scientific developments on state-of-the-art design and analysis of surveys need to be translated into field applications and legislation. Finally, knowledge about the risk assessment process among MO&SS planners and managers should be promoted in order to assure high-quality data.     

Putative candidate genes for blood pressure control in the SHR.BN-RNO8 congenic substrains

The SHR-Lx congenic strain carrying a differential segment of chromosome 8 of BN and PD origin was recently shown to exhibit a significant decrease in blood pressure as compared to the SHR strain. There were two positional candidate genes for blood pressure control mapped to the differential segment: the rat kidney epithelial potassium channel gene (Kcnj1) and brain dopamine receptor 2 gene (Drd2). Bot these genes were separated into SHR.BN-RNO8 congenic substrains. In this communication, we are presenting the assignment of two further putative candidate genes, which might be involved in blood pressure control to the BN/PD differential segment of the SHR-Lx congenic strain. These are: the gene coding for smooth muscle cell specific protein 22 (Sm22) defined by the D8Mcw1 marker and neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor gene cluster, defined by the D8Bord1 marker. Moreover, the glutamate receptor gene Grik4 which also maps to the differential segment of the SHR-Lx should be taken into account. The genetic separation of all these putative candidate genes of blood pressure control is being performed by recombinations and subsequent selection using (SHR×SHR-Lx) intercross population.     

Inhibitory effects of HgCl2 on excitation-secretion coupling at the motor nerve terminal and excitation-contraction coupling in the muscle cell

Summary 1. Indirect and direct twitch (0.1-Hz) stimulation of the rat phrenic nerve-diaphragm disclosed that the inhibitory effect of HgCl₂, 3.7 × 10^–5 M, on the neuromuscular transmission and in the muscle cell, was accelerated by 10-sec periods of 50-Hz tetanic stimulation every 10 min. This activity-dependent enhancement suggested an inhibitory mechanism of HgCl₂ related to the development of fatigue, like membrane depolarization or decreased excitability, decreased availability of transmitter, or interference with the factors controlling excitation-secretion coupling of the nerve terminal, i.e. (Ca²⁺)₀ or (Ca²⁺)_i, and excitation-contraction coupling in the muscle cell, i.e., (Ca²⁺)_i.2. During both indirect and direct stimulation, HgCl₂-induced inhibition was enhanced markedly by pretreatment with caffeine, which releases Ca²⁺ from endoplasmic and sarcoplasmic reticulum in the nerve terminal and muscle cell, respectively. This caffeine-induced enhancement was completely antagonized by dantrolene, which inhibits the caffeine-induced release. However, dantrolene alone did not antagonize the HgCl₂-induced inhibition.3. Since caffeine depletes the intracellular Ca²⁺ stores of the smooth endoplasmic reticulum, HgCl₂ probably inhibits by binding to SH groups of transport proteins conveying the messenger function of (Ca²⁺)_i. In the muscle cell this leads to inhibition of contraction. In the nerve terminal, an additional enhancement of the HgCl₂-induced inhibition, by inhibiting reuptake of choline by TEA and tetanic stimulation, suggested that HgCl₂ inhibited a (Ca²⁺)_i signal necessary for this limiting factor in resynthesis of acetylcholine.4. The (Ca²⁺)₀ signal necessary for stimulus-induced release of acetylcholine was not affected by HgCl₂. Hyperpolarization in K⁺-free solution antagonized the inhibitory effect of HgCl₂ at indirect stimulation, and Ca²⁺-free solution enhanced the inhibitory effect at direct stimulation. K⁺ depolarization, membrane electric field increase with high Ca²⁺, membrane stabilization with lidocaine, and half-threshold stimulation, did not change the inhibitory effect of HgCl CH₃HgCl, 1.85 × 10^–5 M, disclosed a synergistic interaction with caffeine during direct, but not during indirect, stimulation.     

Additions to the lichen family Pannariaceae in Ecuador

Collections from high altitudes (3840–5100 m a.s.l.) have added several species to the Pannariaceae of Ecuador: Fuscopannaria praetermissa, Pannaria hookeri, Psoroma paleaceum and Psoroma tenue are new to the Andes, and phytogeographic consequences of these are discussed. The following new taxa are described: Parmeliella corallina P. M. Jørg. & Palice, Parmeliella psoromoides P. M. Jørg. & Palice, Psoroma cinnamomeum ssp. andinum P. M. Jørg. & Palice and Santessoniella macrospora P. M. Jørg. & Palice. They are part of a high‐andean element which is not well known and is indicative of a migration route between the polar regions. In addition, two species with associated cyanobacteria, as the primary or secondary symbiont, are reported for the first time from South America: Thelignya lignyota (Wahlenb.) P. M. Jørg. & Henssen and Pilophorus cereolus (Ach.) Th. Fr, both originating from the Northern Hemisphere.