Liver as a source of transformed cell growth factor

Isolated rat hepatocytes release an acidic glycoprotein(s) that can selectively promote the growth of transformed cells. This factor has a molecular weight of 60 000–70 000 D. Liver microsomal and cytosol fractions contain two species of stimulatory activity—44 000 and 3 500 D. Mitochondrial and nuclear fractions contain only the lower molecular weight factor.     

ECHOCARDIOGRAPHIC ABNORMALITIES OF THE MITRAL VALVE ASSOCIATED WITH A LARGE PERICARDIAL EFFUSION

Features of mitral stenosis and systolic anterior motion of the mitral valve were observed on the echocardiogram of a patient with a large posterior pericardial effusion. The abnormal findings disappeared with resolution of the fluid. Because pericardial effusion may result in the echocardiographic alteration of cardiac structures, repeat study is necessary after the effusion has cleared.     

Relative growth rates of limb muscles in the diprotodont marsupial, Setonix brachyurus

The fore- and hindlimb muscles of 12 Setonix brachyurus joeys, aged 5 to 175 days postpartum, and four adults were dissected out and weighed. Individual muscles and muscle groups were analysed for absolute and relative growth changes. From comprising almost 59% of the total limb musculature at birth the forelimb muscles finally constitute just over 9% in the adult; the hindlimb muscles start at just over 41% and end at almost 91%. In both limbs, the extensor actions predominate in the proximal limb segment because of their propulsive functions, whereas in the distal segment the flexor muscles tend to be the larger because of their shock-absorbing and spring functions. During growth of the fore-limb there is a relative increase in the size of latissimus dorsi and triceps brachii and a decrease in the distal segment muscles; in the hindlimb the gluteal and hamstring muscles increase at the expense of the distal segment muscles. Specializations for speed include long distal hindlimb segments and proximally located muscle bellies. The above findings reflect the adaptations and changing locomotor patterns from birth to adult in the Quokka.     

The action of the adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase inhibitor, 3-deazaadenosine,on phagocytic function of mouse macrophages and human monocytes

An inhibitor of adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase, 3-deazaadenosine, caused profound inhibition of phagocytosis of opsonized erythrocytes by mouse resident peritoneal macrophages $\text{in}\text{vitro}$. The inhibition was evident at concentrations as low as 2×10^?7M, and increased with increasing concentration and time of exposure to the analogue. It was not associated with detachment of the macrophage monolayers or with loss of cell viability. Although the inhibition was not reversible, progression of the functional impairment was interrupted by washing out the analogue. In striking contrast, phagocytic function of human blood monocytes was unaffected by 3-deazaadenosine.     

Internuclear Genetic Transfer in Dikaryons of SCHIZOPHYLLUM COMMUNE. II. Direct Recovery and Analysis of Recombinant Nuclei

The recessive gene, mound (mnd), allows the appearance of globose masses of compacted hyphae. Dikaryons of Schizophyllum commune that are heteroallelic for mnd [(mosaic dikaryons: (mnd + mnd(+))] have been successfully dedikaryotized in cholate-containing medium in order to recover the component nuclear types directly. The relative proportion of the two recovered monokaryotic types shows in all cases a marked deviation from 1:1. Hyphae from nonmound mycelial regions yield monokaryotic types identical to those originally used to form the dikaryons. In hyphae from mound-forming regions, however, homoallelism of the mnd allele has been demonstrated; the nuclear type that formerly contained the mnd(+) allele acquired a mnd allele.-The process of internuclear transfer or recombination is unaccompanied by the simultaneous alteration of any additional genetic markers carried by the recipient nucleus. The newly acquired mnd allele segregates in Mendelian fashion in subsequent outcrosses and appears to be chromosomally located. A novel process of somatic recombination, with several features distinct from classical parasexual mitotic recombination, appears to be in operation.     

Alternative routes for the genesis of kinetin: A synthetic intramolecular route from 2′-deoxyadenosine to kinetin

We have tested the possible genesis of kinetin from a 2′-deoxyadenylate unit of DNA by a chemical route involving a head-to-tail transfer of deoxyribose from the 9 to the 3 position of the adenine nucleus via a cyclonucleoside, with subsequent elimination of 1′- and 3′-polar groups and 3 → N⁶ intramolecular rearrangement leading to kinetin. We have also determined quantitatively the per cent conversions to 3-furfuryladenine and/or kinetin of the following under autoclaving conditions at 120°, pH 4, 2 atm, and 4 hr: (1) adenine/furfury alcohol; (2) adenine/2-deoxy-d-ribose; (3) 2′-deoxyadenosine; (4) 3-furfuryladenine; (5) 3,5′-(3′-O-diethylphosphoryl-2′-deoxya-denosine)-cyclonucleoside p-toluenesulfonate. The sequence of reactions involving cyclonucleoside formation and rearrangement has been shown to be a chemically feasible route by which kinetin can be formed, although it is not the only way this cytokinin can be generated.     

The vocal repertoire of chipmunks (Genus Eutamias) in California

A study of the vocalizations of chipmunks was conducted in the field and laboratory, utilizing sonagrams made from tape recordings, and observational data. Most observations were made on Eutamias townsendii, but interspecific variation in alarm calls was studied in all ten California species of Eutamias. The vocal repertoire of Eutamias includes several alarm calls: the chip, chuck, chippering, and in some species also the trill, and in others the whistle. Other calls include the agonistic chatter, courtship chatter, growl, and squeal. The chip is the most common call. There is consistent interspecific variation in structure and temporal arrangement of chips. Most of this variation correlates with body size.     

Measuring the unknown: An estimator and simulation study for assessing case reporting during epidemics

The fraction of cases reported, known as ‘reporting’, is a key performance indicator in an outbreak response, and an essential factor to consider when modelling epidemics and assessing their impact on populations. Unfortunately, its estimation is inherently difficult, as it relates to the part of an epidemic which is, by definition, not observed. We introduce a simple statistical method for estimating reporting, initially developed for the response to Ebola in Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), 2018–2020. This approach uses transmission chain data typically gathered through case investigation and contact tracing, and uses the proportion of investigated cases with a known, reported infector as a proxy for reporting. Using simulated epidemics, we study how this method performs for different outbreak sizes and reporting levels. Results suggest that our method has low bias, reasonable precision, and despite sub-optimal coverage, usually provides estimates within close range (5–10%) of the true value. Being fast and simple, this method could be useful for estimating reporting in real-time in settings where person-to-person transmission is the main driver of the epidemic, and where case investigation is routinely performed as part of surveillance and contact tracing activities.