Description of the neotype ofRepomucenus sagitta (Callionymidae) with comments on the species

The neotype ofRepomucenus sagitta is described. Specimens conspecific with the neotype from India, the Gulf of Thailand, the South China Sea, the Yellow Sea and Australia are described. Sexual characters, geographic variation, habitat and geographic distribution were noted.Repomucenus macdonaldi is a junior synonym ofR. sagitta as defined by the neotype.     

Mathematical modelling of the effect of sole elasticity distribution on pronation.

A coronal plane model of a distributed elastic sole has been proposed and analyzed with respect to the effects of different medial-lateral elasticity distribution on pronation under quasi-static conditions. The distributed model consists of an array of linear vertical line springs. Under minimum energy assumption, the behavior of the top surface of the interface under resultant force and moment loading was shown to be equivalent to that of a rigid-body mechanism under the same loading. The model was then combined with a rigid-link model of the lower limb. Expressions that describe the relationship of the interface aggregate parameters with pronation and the center of pressure were obtained. These expressions were confirmed by an experiment in which the elastic distribution in the interface was systematically varied and the pronation angle and the center of pressure measured. The model has the potential of being a useful analytical tool in the design of elastic soles in running shoes.     

The genes encoding the two carboxyltransferase subunits of Escherichia coli acetyl-CoA carboxylase.

We report characterization of the component proteins and molecular cloning of the genes encoding the two subunits of the carboxyltransferase component of the Escherichia coli acetyl-CoA carboxylase. Peptide mapping of the purified enzyme component indicates that the carboxyltransferase component is a complex of two nonidentical subunits, a 35-kDa alpha subunit and a 33-kDa beta subunit. The alpha subunit gene encodes a protein of 319 residues and is located immediately downstream of the polC gene (min 4.3 of the E. coli genetic map). The deduced amino acid composition, molecular mass, and amino acid sequence match those determined for the purified alpha subunit. Six sequenced internal peptides also match the deduced sequence. The amino-terminal sequence of the beta subunit was found within a previously identified open reading frame of unknown function called dedB and usg (min 50 of the E. coli genetic map) which encodes a protein of 304 residues. Comparative peptide mapping also indicates that the dedB/usg gene encodes the beta subunit. Moreover, the deduced molecular mass and amino acid composition of the dedB/usg-encoded protein closely match those determined for the beta subunit. The deduced amino acid sequences of alpha and beta subunits show marked sequence similarities to the COOH-terminal half and the NH2-terminal halves, respectively, of the rat propionyl-CoA carboxylase, a biotin-dependent carboxylase that catalyzes a similar carboxyltransferase reaction reaction. Several conserved regions which may function as CoA-binding sites are noted.     

Heterogeneity of high affinity uptake of L-glutamate and L-aspartate in the mammalian central nervous system.

Characteristics of high affinity uptake of L-glutamate are examined in order to evaluate the possible use of the uptake of [3H]L-glutamate, [3H]L-aspartate or any other suitable [3H]-labelled substrate as a marker for glutamatergic and aspartergic synapses in autoradiographic studies in the mammalian brain. Review of data on substrate specificity indicates the presence of at least two high affinity uptake systems specific for acidic amino acids in the central nervous tissue; one which takes up L-glutamate and L-aspartate and the other which is selective for L-glutamate only. Studies on ionic requirements, too, point to the existence of at least two distinct uptake systems with high affinity for L-glutamate. The Na(+)-dependent uptake system(s) handle(s) both L-glutamate and L-aspartate whereas the Na(+)-independent uptake system(s) show(s) selectivity for L-glutamate only. Available data do not favour the Na(+)-dependent binding of [3H]D-aspartate to thaw-mounted sections of frozen brain tissue as a suitable marker for glutamatergic/aspartergic synaptic nerve endings. However, there are reasons--such as the results of lesion studies and the existence of uptake sites which have a higher affinity for L-aspartate than for D-aspartate--to suggest that Na(+)-dependent binding of [3H]L-aspartate, rather than that of [3H]D-aspartate, should be further investigated as a possible marker for the glutamatergic/aspartergic synapses in the autoradiographic studies using sections of frozen brain.     

Analysis of styryl-based inhibitors of the lymphocyte tyrosine protein kinase p56lck.

Several styryl-based compounds were evaluated for their capacity to act as inhibitors of the non-receptor tyrosine protein kinase p56lck. Our results demonstrate that alpha-cyanocinnamamide compounds can inhibit both the in vitro tyrosine autophosphorylation of p56lck as well as p56lck phosphorylation of exogenous substrates. Compound 67B-83-A was found to inhibit p56lck protein kinase activity with a calculated IC50 of 7 to 10 microM. This compound did not significantly inhibit the tyrosine protein kinase activity of the epidermal growth factor receptor and was found to be a less effective tyrosine protein kinase inhibitor for other members of the src family of protein kinases.     

Promotive effect of chrysanthemic acids on adventitious root formation in some plants

Adventitious root formation in excised cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) cotyledons was significantly promoted by (±)-cis-chrysanthemic acid at 0.006–1.8 mM. The effect of (±)-cis-chrysanthemic acid on indole-3-acetic acid (IAA)-induced rooting was additive. Rooting in excised cucumber cotyledons was significantly promoted by several isomers of chrysanthemic acid and sodium (±)-cis-chrysanthemate at 0.18 mM. Rooting in mung bean (Phaseolus radiatus L.) hypocotyls was also stimulated by the sodium salt at 0.06–0.6 mM. Rooting of kidney bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) hypocotyls was also clearly enhanced by sodium (±)-cis-chrysanthemate at 0.18–6 mM.     

玉米未成熟胚乳愈伤组织和器官的发生及其倍性变化的初步研究

本试验在附加和不附加外源激素的MS培养基上,均得到了玉米未成熟胚乳愈伤组织。愈伤组织在附加外源激素的MS培养基上达到器官分化,获得了发育正常的和许多畸形的胚乳植株。所得到的愈伤组织细胞和植株根尖细胞染色体数目和倍性是不稳定的,二者有相同的趋向,其中有整倍体的细胞(2n=10,20,30,40,50),也有各种非整倍体的细胞(2n=5—49)。     

Characterization of potassium channels in pancreatic beta cells from ob/ob mice

The patch-clamp technique in the cell-attached mode was used to study the K channels present in the membrane of cultured pancreatic beta cells from ob/ob mice. Three types of K+ channels were regularly observed, with conductances of 64, 20 and 146 pS. The conduction and kinetic properties of the 64 pS channel were similar to those of the ATP-sensitive potassium channel from normal beta cells. Furthermore, glucose blocked the activity of this channel at the same concentrations as that reported for normal cells. The 20 pS and the 146 pS were insensitive to glucose. The latter K+ channel appears to be similar to the large conductance voltage-activated potassium channels described in normal rodent beta cells. Thus, potassium channels in ob/ob pancreatic beta cells in culture are in most respects normal. Other factors may account for the abnormal electrical response to glucose of ob/ob pancreatic islets, such as reversible impairment of their function in vivo or defects not related to potassium permeability.