Ribbon shaped histone H4 aggregates

The self-association process of histone H4 molecules into large aggregates is highly cooperative at an ionic strength of 0.03. Carefully prepared aggregates at this ionic strength are ribbon-shaped and take the form of right-handed helices. These ribbons have a uniform width of 20.5nm. The overall diameter of the “cylinder” formed by the helix is ca. 19.5nm, the average pitch of the helices 20nm, and the mean contour length 720nm. The thickness of the ribbon is less than 3nm.     

Effect of ethylene on DNA synthesis in potato tuber discs

The effect of ethylene on DNA synthesis in potato tuber discsinduced by cutting was examined. Continuous presence of ethylenein the ambient atmosphere of the slices lowered the rate ofinduced DNA synthesis by about 50%, but did not alter the timecourse pattern of development of DNA synthesis. RNA and proteinsyntheses were not affected. The inhibitory effect on DNA synthesiswas observed at as low as 0.01 µl/liter and was due tothe specific action of ethylene, not to a non-specific actionof gaseous hydrocarbons. Ethylene also decreased the numberof cells which could synthesize DNA. The results of ethylenetreatment of various durations at various times after cuttingindicate that a process prerequisite for DNA synthesis and susceptibleto ethylene action starts at about 6 hr after cutting and continuesfor only a limited period. (Received July 5, 1976; )     

Crossed inhibition as revealed by cross-correlogram between bilateral homonymous motor unit spikes in man.

Neuromuscular unit (NMU) spikes activated during the tonic vibration reflex (TVR) in man were studied by means of the cross-correlogram test. Those NMUs which preferredly fired at some definite interval with good correlation with vibration were called "locked" spikes. The amount above zero correlation level seen in the cross-correlogram was expressed as ipsilateral "excitatory frequency", Ef. TVR contraction of the ipsilateral quadriceps femoris muscle was stimulated by voluntary contraction of the contralateral quadriceps femoris. I. Cross-correlogram test of the contralateral voluntary NMU spikes with ipsilateral vibration revealed "contralateral inhibitory modulation". Such inhibitory modulation was observed in 24% of the contralateral NMUs during voluntary tracking contraction with visual feed-back and in 22% of NMUs during blind simulated contraction without visual feed-back. The "subtracted" amount, i.e., contralateral inhibitory modulation, was also expressed as the contralateral "inhibitory frequency", If, which was calculated from the indentations of the cross-correlogram. 2. When varied vibratory frequency was applied to the muscle both Ef and If attained their maximum value around an "optimal frequency" of vibration, i.e., 80-95 HZ. 3. The ratio Ef/If was proposed as the reciprocal co-activation ratio which was fairly independent of the change of vibratory frequency. An average value of Ef/If ratio was calculated at 2.2 +/- 0.9 from 19 experiments.     

Observations of Microsporum canis with cryoscanning and scanning electron microscopy

The observations of Microsporum canis with cryoscanning and scanning electron microscopy without fixation and dehydration were reported. In the former an almost native state was observed through showing some fuzzy outlines due to frost; in the latter it was shown that marked shrinkage and distortion had occured. There were many granules on the surface of the macroconidia though their function is uncertain.     

Microsomal hexose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase in injured liver.

Hexose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (H6PD) in rat liver microsomes was clearly differentiated kinetically, immunologically and electrophoretically from glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) localized in liver supernatants. Although the soluble G6PD activity increased upon liver injuries induced by CCl4 and thioacetamide, the H6PD activity decreased markedly 1-2 days following administrations of these hepatotoxins. The specific activity of H6PD remained fairly constant under other experimental conditions where the levels of the soluble G6PD activity increased.     

Dietary supplementation with docosahexaenoic acid,but not with eicosapentaenoic acid,reduces host resistance to fungal infection in mice

The effect of dietary docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) on host resistance to Paracoccidioides brasiliensis infection was investigated. Mice fed palm oil supplemented with DHA showed reduced antifungal activity in the spleen and liver, as compared with mice fed palm oil or soybean oil without supplementation with DHA. Mice fed DHA-supplemented soybean oil also showed reduced antifungal activity in the liver, but the extent of reduction was less profound. This reduction in antifungal activity was not observed with EPA-supplemented palm or EPA-supplemented soybean oil. These results suggest that two factors, DHA and palm oil in combination, are involved in reducing the host resistance. DHA-enriched palm oil was also responsible for an increase in DHA concentration and a marked decrease in arachidonic acid content in the spleen and liver. However, this group did not show elevated spleen and liver phospholipid hydroperoxide levels compared with the other groups, excluding the possibility that the reduction in antifungal activity observed with DHA-enriched palm oil is due to acceleration of in vivo lipid peroxidation. Greater infection-induced increases in spleen and serum interferon-gamma concentrations were observed in mice fed DHA-enriched palm oil compared with the other groups.     

Structural study on the active site of porcine pepsin and Rhizopus chinensis acid protease. Spin labeling with diazoketone reagents

To investigate the active site structures of porcine pepsin and Rhizopus chinensis acid protease (RAP), spin label techniques were applied for these enzymes. Comparison of spin labeled porcine pepsin and RAP suggested that the active site cleft of porcine pepsin was narrower at the top, but wider at the bottom than that of RAP. Addition of pepstatin restricted the motion of the labeled nitroxide radicals. Under alkaline conditions, the enzymes changed their conformation discontinuously and irreversibly to open the active site clefts and to lose the binding ability for pepstatin. The denaturation points of both the enzymes were determined to be pH 6.2.     

Oligodendrocytes regulate formation of nodes of Ranvier via the recognition molecule OMgp

The molecular mechanisms underlying the involvement of oligodendrocytes in formation of the nodes of Ranvier (NORs) remain poorly understood. Here we show that oligodendrocyte-myelin glycoprotein (OMgp) aggregates specifically at NORs. Nodal location of OMgp does not occur along demyelinated axons of either Shiverer or proteolipid protein (PLP) transgenic mice. Over-expression of OMgp in OLN-93 cells facilitates process outgrowth. In transgenic mice in which expression of OMgp is down-regulated, myelin thickness declines, and lateral oligodendrocyte loops at the node-paranode junction are less compacted and even join together with the opposite loops, which leads to shortened nodal gaps. Notably, each of these structural abnormalities plus modest down-regulation of expression of Na(+) channel alpha subunit result in reduced conduction velocity in the spinal cords of the mutant mice. Thus, OMgp that is derived from glia has distinct roles in regulating nodal formation and function during CNS myelination.     

VEGFR1-Positive Macrophages Facilitate Liver Repair and Sinusoidal Reconstruction after Hepatic Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury

Liver repair after acute liver injury is characterized by hepatocyte proliferation, removal of necrotic tissue, and restoration of hepatocellular and hepatic microvascular architecture. Macrophage recruitment is essential for liver tissue repair and recovery from injury; however, the underlying mechanisms are unclear. Signaling through vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1 (VEGFR1) is suggested to play a role in macrophage migration and angiogenesis. The aim of the present study was to examine the role of VEGFR1 in liver repair and sinusoidal reconstruction after hepatic ischemia/reperfusion (I/R). VEGFR1 tyrosine kinase knockout mice (VEGFR1 TK^-/- mice) and wild-type (WT) mice were subjected to hepatic warm I/R, and the processes of liver repair and sinusoidal reconstruction were examined. Compared with WT mice, VEGFR1 TK^-/- mice exhibited delayed liver repair after hepatic I/R. VEGFR1-expressing macrophages recruited to the injured liver showed reduced expression of epidermal growth factor (EGF). VEGFR1 TK^-/- mice also showed evidence of sustained sinusoidal functional and structural damage, and reduced expression of pro-angiogenic factors. Treatment of VEGFR1 TK^-/- mice with EGF attenuated hepatoceullar and sinusoidal injury during hepatic I/R. VEGFR1 TK^-/- bone marrow (BM) chimeric mice showed impaired liver repair and sinusoidal reconstruction, and reduced recruitment of VEGFR1-expressing macrophages to the injured liver. VEGFR1-macrophages recruited to the liver during hepatic I/R contribute to liver repair and sinusoidal reconstruction. VEGFR1 activation is a potential therapeutic strategy for promoting liver repair and sinusoidal restoration after acute liver injury.