Variations in the method of the division of the hypoglossal canal in Sienese skulls of known age and sex

In 300 Sienese skulls of known age and sex (146 male and 154 female) 6 modes of expression of bipartition of the hypoglossal canal were studied on the basis of a new scheme of notation that takes into account gradually increasing intensity. The analysis of data, including also the traditional method of notation confirms the criticisms expressed by various authors on the loss of information when the variability of this trait is neglected, especially with reference to age-dependent changes (hyperostotic effects).     

The Alu I-induced bands in metaphase chromosomes of orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus)

Summary Restriction endonucleases have been recently proved to be active on fixed chromosomes, thus they are useful in chromatin structure studies. Within this class of enzymes, Alu I is able to detect the presence and localization of highly repetitive DNA sequences in human and in other mammalian and dipteran species. In this paper the pattern obtained on fixed metaphase chromosomes of orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus) by Alu I digestion and Giemsa staining is shown. The results are discussed in the light of the distribution, in this species, of the I–IV human satellite DNAs. It is also suggested that in Pongo some highly repetitive sequences, different from the major human satellites, are present.     

Morphogenesis of Newcastle Disease Virus in Chorioallantoic Membrane

Chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane, infected with the Blacksburg strain of Newcastle disease virus, was examined with an electron microscope to investigate the sequence of viral-induced host cell alterations. These were evident mostly in the endodermal epithelial cells lining the allantoic sac and were divided arbitrarily into three stages. Stage 1 was characterized by commencement of cell hypertrophy and hyperplasia and presence of fewer cytoplasmic inclusion bodies normally found in the cells; in stage 2, juxtanuclear nucleocapsid-glycogen aggregates appeared, and there were increased numbers of microvilli; stage 3 was characterized by increased cytoplasmic density and evidence of viral assembly and release. The morphological features of viral assembly and the virion are also described.     

Substructure of membranes in cultivated chick embryo fibroblasts

Summary Electron microscope examination of the plasma membrane of chick embryo fibroblasts cultured in vitro revealed the presence of a single osmiophilic layer about 90 Å thick and a substructure composed of ovoid sub-units associated with an amorphous component. These ovoid sub-units measured approximately 112 Å along the major axis and 75 Å along the minor axis and were composed of a central core, approximately 30 Å by 60 Å, surrounded by a peripheral component.Examination of other membranous components of these cells revealed a similar ovoid subunit structure in a single layered membrane. Differences in thickness and in the sizes of ovoid sub-units were seen in these membranes. The ergastoplasmic membranes, the outer nuclear membranes, the outer mitochondrial and the Golgi membranes were found to be the thinnest.These varied in thickness from approximately 75 Å to 80 Å. The thickest membranes seen were the inner nuclear membranes. These were approximately 100 Å thick. The dimensions of the ovoid sub-units corresponded with differences in the thickness of the various membranes. These findings support the concept of a particulate substructure of cell membranes.This work was aided by Research Grant PH 5593 from the National Science Foundation. Some of the equipment used was purchased with funds from the National Institutes of Health Grant 2TI GM 326. I wish to thank Dr. Robert M. Dougherty from the Department of Microbiology who grew and supplied me with the chick embryo fibroblast cultures used in these studies, and Mrs. Ursula Feller fer her technical assistance.     

Purine metabolism: determination of adenyl deaminase in human lymphocytes

Adenylic acid (AMP) deaminase is a "catabolic enzyme" involved in nucleotide degradation, transforming AMP into inosinic acid (IMP). We present a simple method for the determination of the enzyme activity, which combines high sensitivity with requirement of low quantities of lymphocytes. Human lymphocytes were isolated with a Lymphocyte Separation Medium from FLOW and sonicated. After centrifugation at 2,000 rpm x 10 min and treatment with Norit A, the cells were incubated at 37 degrees C with ATP 0.8 mM and 14C-AMP 0.1 mM (specific activity 12 microCi/mumole) in potassium phosphate 100 mM (pH 7.4). 14C-IMP and 14C-AMP were separated through HPLC by an isocratic elution, with 20 mM KH2PO4 (pH 5.5) at a 1.5 ml/min flow rate. Identification of the nucleotides was carried out through retention time, coelution with internal standards: their evaluation by determining the radioactivity of the collected peaks. The enzyme activity is decreased in patients affected by CLL: the decrease is evident only when data are referred to the single cells and not when they are referred to the protein.     

Unusually high rates of metabolism of DHT in cytosols of the quail uropygial gland

The metabolism of DHT in the cytosol of the quail uropygial gland was found to be so high that the steroid was almost completely inactivated within 2 hours of incubation at 0 C. In these conditions, DHT cannot be used for the characterization of androgen receptors. By contrast, R 1881 and mibolerone, which are not metabolized, can be used as alternative ligands. Moreover, the extremely high metabolism of DHT questions the physiologic role of this steroid in the quail uropygial gland.     

Genetic structure of the population of Sicily.

Genetic heterogeneity within Sicily was investigated on the basis of ACP1, ADA, ESD, GLO1, PGD, PGM1, PGM2, SODA, ABO, and MN gene frequencies, and compared to those of other regions of Italy for which these same loci have been examined. Correspondence analysis revealed no differences within the island, at least at the provincial level, but showed genetic differentiation among Italian regions, distinctly clustering northern, central, and southern populations, respectively. These data indicate a close relationship between Sicily and southern Italy. In addition, the contribution of Middle Eastern populations to the gene pool of Sicily was evident.     

A simple and reliable turbidimetric and kinetic assay for alpha-amylase that is readily applied to culture supernatants and cell extracts

Summary A simple, reliable and sensitive assay for alpha-amylase activity is reported, together with its theoretical derivation, that overcomes many of the problems encountered with other assays, especially when attempting to assay alpha-amylase activity in crude cell extracts or culture supernatants. The method relies on the reduction in turbidity that occurs upon digestion of a starch suspension with alpha-amylase. The initial rate of decrease in turbidity is shown to be proportional to a wide range of enzyme concentrations, permitting a rapid spectrophotometric and kinetic determination of alpha-amylase activity.     

redD and actII-ORF4, pathway-specific regulatory genes for antibiotic production in Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2), are transcribed in vitro by an RNA polymerase holoenzyme containing sigma hrdD.

redD and actII-ORF4, regulatory genes required for synthesis of the antibiotics undecylprodigiosin and actinorhodin by Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2), were transcribed in vitro by an RNA polymerase holoenzyme containing sigma hrdD. Disruption of hrdD had no effect on antibiotic production, indicating that redD and actII-ORF4 are transcribed in vivo by at least one other RNA polymerase holoenzyme. These data provide the first experimental evidence that HrdD can function as a sigma factor.     

Form changes in the sea bass, Dicentrarchus labrax (Moronidae: Teleostei), after acclimation to freshwater: an analysis using shape coordinates

Synopsis Morphological changes in the sea bass, Dicentrarchus labrax (Perciformes: Moronidae), were investigated after an experimental acclimation trial to freshwater. The sea bass is an euryhaline species occurring in the Mediterranean and west Atlantic from 30° N to 55° N. Part of the offspring of a pool of breeders was acclimated to freshwater at 9 months of age while maintaining the original stock in marine water. The effect of acclimation to freshwater over the entire form of the fish was studied through geometric morphometrics (shape coordinates). Changes in the form were shown graphically as landmark displacements though age classes 7,12, 15, 19 and 24 months and were discussed in the light of integrated growth. A significantly faster growth in freshwater was detected. Shape coordinates analyzed through multivariate statistics show that significant differences in shape arise after acclimation to freshwater. Moreover, the uniform component of shape change reveals a major effect of stretching or compression perpendicular to the body axis which is common and conservative in both trials. Differences are discussed in terms of selection and ecophenotypism.