Componental analysis of the ocellar electroretinogram of the locust, Schistocerca gregaria

Ruck's componental analysis of the ocellar electroretinogram (ERG) has been reappraised using techniques of signal averaging and waveform subtraction. Components (1), (3), and (4) can readily be isolated in the locust ocellus but component (2) as recorded in the locust ocellus is probably an artefact. Component (1), produced by the receptor cells, only contributes significantly to the total ERG at higher light intensities and it is this contribution which changes most with the degree of light and dark adaptation employed in these experiments. Component (3), the response of the second-order neurones, indicates that the majority of second-order neurones hyperpolarize on illumination of the ocellus. Component (4), the afferent activity of the second-order cells, indicates that more than one afferent axon is involved in the production of off spikes in the locust ocellus.     

SPINAL CORD LIPIDS AND MYELIN COMPOSITION IN BORDER DISEASE (HYPOMYELINOGENESIS CONGENITA) OF LAMBS

Spinal cords from clinically affected newborn lambs, each with muscular spasms (‘shaking’) and a ‘hairy’ birth coat, were found to be deficient in DNA and to contain less myelin and various lipid components, suggesting retarded CNS development equivalent to about 124 days conceptual age. Cerebrosides were notably deficient in whole cord and isolated myelin and contained more saturated and less unsaturated fatty acids than normal. The rate of cerebroside synthesis assayed in vitro was enhanced and taken with the very low tissue concentrations this indicated faster cerebroside turnover and a less stable myelin in the spinal cords of lambs affected with Border Disease. Marked decreases in plasmalogen concentrations, the redistribution of phospholipid fractions, the presence of about 8 per cent cholesterol in the esterified form and the characteristic fatty acid composition of these esters strongly suggest that degeneration is concomitant with myelin immaturity. Hypocupraemia, low concentrations of copper in the cerebrum and increased concentrations in spinal cord myelin are additional features of the clinical disease. The latter result may be related to myelin immaturity.     

Role for protein kinase C in the modulation of glomerular PGE2 production by angiotensin II

Angiotensin II increased PGE2 release from superfused glomeruli, and stimulated labeled inositol phosphate production. 12-O-Tetradecanoyl phorbol -13-acetate (TPA, 10(-7) M), which stimulates protein kinase C activity in soluble fractions of glomerular homogenates, suppressed angiotensin II actions on inositol phosphate production and PGE2. By contrast, 4a phorbol 12,13 di-decanoate and phorbol had no effect on protein kinase C activity or angiotensin II induced increases in inositol phosphate or PGE2. 1-(5-Isoquinolinyl)-2-methylpiperazine (H-7), which inhibits protein kinase C activity in soluble fractions of glomerular homogenates, prevented TPA induced suppression of angiotensin II actions on inositol phosphate production and PGE2. Moreover H-7 prolonged the time course of angiotensin II induced inositol phosphate production and enhanced angiotensin II actions on glomerular PGE2 production. The results support a role for inositol phospholipid hydrolysis through the phospholipase C pathway in the mediation of angiotensin II actions on PGE2 in glomeruli and are consistent with negative modulation of these actions by protein kinase C.     

Detection of insecticide resistance in the German cockroach (Dictyoptera: Blattellidae) with glue-toxin traps.

Glue that contained an insecticide was evaluated for its ability to yield useful toxicological data for German cockroaches, Blattella germanica (L.). Toxicities of three classes of insecticides were evaluated by topical applications (LD50) and exposure to insecticide-impregnated glue (LC50). Cockroaches that were resistant to topical insecticide applications were also resistant to the glue formulation. Reliability was greatest when mortality was scored 40 to 48 h after the cockroaches were placed on the glue. This method should be adaptable for insecticide resistance monitoring of German cockroaches.