The cosmid CSSM25 assigns syntenic group U2 to bovine Chromosome 9 and is localized to ovine Chromosome 8

The cosmid-derived microsatellite CSSM 25 has previously been shown to map to bovine syntenic group U2 by link-age and hybrid somatic cell analysis. We have mapped the cosmid by fluorescent in situ hybridization to bovine Chromosome (Chr) 9q17-21 and ovine Chr 8q17-21 and hence assign U2 to Chr 9 in cattle. Bovine Chr 9 and ovine Chr 8 show strong banding pattern homology, and the localization of CSSM 25 to the same region confirms the strong conservation of gene locations on these chromosomes.     

Secretion of neurophysins by the ovary in sheep

Measurements of venoarterial concentration differences across the ovary in anesthetized sheep have demonstrated that the ovary secretes ovine neurophysin I/II (oNP I/II) and that this process is stimulated by the prostaglandin F2 alpha analogue, cloprostenol. A parallel increase in the secretion of oxytocin (OT) was observed in response to cloprostenol, and the mean molar ratio of oNP I/II to OT secreted was 1.2. There was no detectable ovarian secretion of oNP III. Secretion of oNP I/II and OT was absent after hysterectomy. The data support other evidence indicating that the corpus luteum synthesizes OT, and confirm that the neurophysin associated with OT in the sheep is oNP I/II.     

The fluorinated anesthetic halothane as a potential NMR biologic probe

Fluorinated anesthetics such as halothane preferentially partition into hydrophobic environments such as cell membranes. The 19F-NMR spectrum of halothane in a rat adenocarcinoma (with known altered lipid metabolism and membrane composition) shows an altered chemical shift pattern compared to the anesthetic in normal tissue. In eight tumor samples examined, the 19F-NMR spectra exhibit two distinct resonances, compared to a single resonance observed in normal tissues. This is explained by an enhanced or altered hydrophobic component in the tumor tissue giving rise to two discrete halothane environments. Another fluorinated anesthetic, isoflurane, shows similar behavior in distinguishing normal from diseased tissue. Given the large chemical shift range of fluorine and the inherent sensitivity of this nucleus, 19F-NMR spectra of fluorinated anesthetics can also be used to follow anesthetic degradation by the liver. The ability of fluorinated anesthetics to discriminate tissues and to monitor metabolic processes is potentially useful for in vivo 19F-NMR surface coil and imaging studies.     

Metabolite fluxes across the inner membrane of plant mitochondria — inhibition by phthalonic acid

Transport and oxidation-reduction of citrate, 2-oxoglutarate and oxaloacetate by mitochondria isolated from thermogenic (Arum maculatum, Sauromatum guttatum spadices), green leaf (Pisum sativum) or etiolated (Phaseolus aureus, Helianthus tuberosus) plant tissues was found to be inhibited by phthalonic acid. No inhibition was found for NADH oxidation, glutamate, succinate or glycine transport and oxidation and malate transport. The much greater sensitivity of citrate oxidation to phthalonate inhibition compared with that of 2-oxoglutarate indicated that different carriers were involved, neither of which appeared to be rate-limiting for oxidation. Fluxes of oxaloacetate, and their sensitivity to phthalonate, indicated that this keto acid may use either the same carrier as 2-oxoglutarate or an oxaloacetate-specific carrier.Abbreviation PTA phthalonic acid     

Growth,graviresponsiveness and abscisic-acid content of Zea mays seedlings treated with Fluridone

Ten-d-old seedlings of Zea mays L. cv. Tx 5855 treated with 1-methyl-3-phenyl-5-(3-[trifluoromethyl]phenyl)-4-(1H)-pyridinone (Fluridone) were analyzed for abscisic acid (ABA) content using high-performance liquid chromatography with an analysis sensitivity of 2.5 ng ABA g^-1 fresh weight (FW). Seedlings were divided into three portions: leaves, detipped roots, and root tips (terminal 1.5 mm). Control plants (water treatment only; no Fluridone) were characterized by the following amounts of ABA: leaves, 0.114±0.024 (standard deviation) g ABA g^-1 FW; detipped roots, 0.260±0.039±g ABA g^-1 FW; root tips, no ABA detected. We did not detect any ABA in tissues of Fluridone-treated plants. Primary roots of treated and untreated seedlings were strongly graviresponsive, with no significant differences between the curvatures or the growth rates of primary roots of Fluridone-treated and control seedlings. These results indicate that 1) Fluridone completely inhibits ABA synthesis, and 2) ABA is not necessary for positive gravitropism by primary roots of Zea mays.Abbreviations ABA abscisic acid - Fluridone 1-methyl-3-phenyl-5-(3-[trifluoromethyl]phenyl)-4-(1H)-pyridinone - FW fresh weight - SD standard deviation     

Graft formation in Solanum pennellii (Solanaceae)

Three phases of cohesion were observable during the development of compatible autografts in Solanum pennellii. Phase I cohesion 1) lasted 4–5 d after grafting, 2) was characterized by an average increase in tensile strength of 4 g breaking weight (BW) mm^–2 graft area (GA) d^–1, and 3) correlated positively with cellular interdigitation at the graft interface. The fresh weight of the scion increased by approximately 5% d^–1 during the first 2 d after grafting. Phase II cohesion occurred 5–15 d after grafting, during which time 1) the tensile strength of the graft union increased by 14 g BW mm^–2 GA d^–1, 2) vascular differentiation across the graft interface was completed, and 3) the fresh weight of the scion increased by 9% d^–1. Phase III cohesion occurred subsequent to 15 d after grafting, during which time 1) the tensile strength of the graft union leveled off at a value similar to that of an ungrafted internode, and 2) the fresh weight of the scion increased by 14% d^–1. These results are discussed relative to mechanisms underlying the formation of compatible grafts.     

The light microscopic demonstration of hydroperoxidase-positive Phi bodies and rods in leukocytes in acute myeloid leukemia

Summary Unique fusiform or spindle-shaped particles (Phi bodies) and rods with hydroperoxidase (catalase and/or peroxidase) activity are present in human granulocyte precursors only in acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). These newly recognized particles are much more numerous and prominent than Auer rods. They may be rapidly and readily identified using the microscope in marrow or peripheral blood films when the procedures recommended in this paper for fixation, incubation for hydroperoxidase demonstration in 3,3-diaminobenzidine (DAB)/H₂O₂ medium, copper salt treatment and counterstaining (optional) with the Papanicolaou method are employed. Films prepared in the same manner but treated with benzidine/H₂O₂ medium for myeloperoxidase did not reveal these particles.We believe that Phi bodies are pathognomonic of AML since they are almost invariably present in AML patients with active disease. Their presence serves to distinguish AML from acute lymphocytic leukemia and from chronic granulocytic leukemia in blast crisis. Since the particles disappear in disease remission and reappear upon relapse, the recommended procedure is not only useful in diagnosis but in guiding therapy.When a very rapid diagnosis is needed, it is not necessary to counterstain the preparations, but the nuclei, cytoplasm and plasmalemma can readily be observed in the granulocyte precursors when they are counterstained by the Papanicolaou method. This treatment does not diminish the clarity of the Phi bodies and rods which stain by virtue of their peroxidatic activity.This cytochemical diagnostic procedure should be considered for adoption by hematology laboratories.This investigation was supported by NIH research grants DE02668, CA11265, DE04730, and RR05333     

Effects of enkephalins on perfusion pressure in isolated hindlimb preparations

A series of studies were conducted to determine the effects of leucine-(leu-) enkephalin and methionine-(met-) enkephalin on perfusion pressure. These experiments utilized isolated perfused femoral arterial preparations in pentobarbital-anesthetized cats. The enkephalins were administered intraarterially into the femoral artery and changes in perfusion pressure recorded. Leu-enkephalin in doses of 1 μg to 320 μg produced significant dose-dependent decreases in perfusion pressure (4.0 ± 1.3% with 1 μg to 19.1 ± 2.1% with 320 μg). Similar declines in perfusion pressure (5.2 ± 2.4% with 1 μg to 21.7 ± 4.1% with 320 μg) were observed following the administration of met-enkephalin. Pretreatment with naloxone (3 mg/kg) antagonized the effects of both enkephalins. Diphenhydramine (2 mg/kg) effectively antagonized the leu-enkephalin elicited decline in perfusion pressure but blocked the effects of met-enkephalin only at lower agonist doses. Propranolol treatment (4 mg/kg) did not alter the pressure responses to either enkephalin. The results of the study show that intraarterially administered enkephalins exert a vasodilatory effect on vasculature in skeletal muscle which may be direct, indirect or both. The differential antagonism of the effects of the two enkephalins suggest that the two opioids act through different receptors or multiple receptors.