The activation of glycogen synthase in hepatocytes from rats with a glycogen storage disorder (gsd/gsd)

A rapid high resolution method of purification of the Trp-containing S100 proteins (S100a, S100a′) and of the S100b protein has been developed. The principle of this method is based on the fact that S100b protein becomes highly hydrophobic upon Zn²⁺ binding, whereas S100a and S100a′ are not affected. On an affinity chromatography of phenyl—Sepharose column, S100b is selectively bound in presence of zinc, whereas the Trp-containing S100 patients are quickly eluted. The S100b protein is further eluted with a buffer containing EDTA.     

Biological Time-Related Changes in Tolerance of Male Mice to Hypoxia—II. Orcadian Rhythm of Lysosomal Susceptibility to Hypoxia

Circadian variations of mouse liver, brain and heart lysosomal susceptibility to hypoxia were investigated. Lysosomal disruption during hypoxia was estimated on the basis of the following measurements: changes in percentage free activity of β-galactosidase and acid phosphatase, tissue loss of both lysosomal enzymes and accumulation of serum β-galactosidase. When exposure to hypoxia took place at the end of the rest phase or at the beginning of the active phase, it was accompanied by maximum increase of percent free activity. This, presumably represents a diffusion of enzymes from lysosomes due to altered membrane permeability. However, hypoxia when occurring during the second part of the active phase and first part of the rest phase resulted in tissues loss of lysosomal enzymes and accumulation of serum lysosomal enzymes. This is believed to represent the release of lysosomal enzymes in bulk from damaged or ruptured lysosomal membranes.     

The evaluation of inorganic phosphate species in salt water lake sediments

Abstract

Surface sediments drawn from 10 shallow bays have been subjected to selective extraction in order to sub-divide the total P content into sub-categories such as water soluble P, Ca-P, Al-P and Fe-P. The reagents selected were similar to systems used in soil analysis, but evaluation of the procedures showed that the species values varied with time of extraction, weight of sediment taken, volume of extradant and chemical nature of the sediment. In water extractions, the P levels appeared to be determined by saturation with a sparingly soluble salt, while in acidic media P extract levels peaked (using different experimental conditions) due to loss of extracted P as a new phase (e.g. CaHPO₄) or through re-adsorption on other components.

The optimum conditions for P speciation in sediments must be determined from a series of preliminary studies because each of the five sediments studied in detail displayed individual characteristic behaviour.     

The lability of zinc humate species

Abstract

At low pH, interaction between zinc(II) ions and humic acids yields sparingly soluble surface complexes; in alkaline conditions there are soluble complexes which differ in stability, stoichiometry and lability. The distribution of zinc between ‘fixed’, ‘non-labile’ and ‘labile’ complex forms at different pH values has been evaluated by equilibrating Zn-loaded humic acid (20 to 300 nmol μmol^?1) with ion exchange resins of different types (and counter ion forms). Analysis of the supernatant aqueous phase determined the non-labile soluble zinc content (at the equilibrium pH); the ‘labile’ fraction value was found by back-extracting the washed resins into 0.05 M EDTA (pH 7). When the system pH was <6, about 5% was released as a soluble non-labile complex and the majority of the Zn remained firmly fixed to the solid phase. Above pH 6, the substrate dissolved and the percentage present as non-labile species increased from 5 to 70% as the pH changed from 5 to 8.5. Around pH 7, the labile content peaked at around 90%, but this fraction value dropped to ?20% at pH 8.5 (due in part to a lower affinity of zinc for the functional groups on the resin involved). The type of synthetic exchanger used controlled both the system pH and the degree of complex dissociation. The distribution pattern was also influenced by the amount of Zn(II) sorbed on the substrate, the initial weight of humic acid present, and the mixing time (dissolution of the solid phase was slow in acid media). While the ratio of fixed to soluble forms could control migration of the metal ion in environmental systems, it is the labile content which is more likely to be ‘available’ to living matter.     

新疆中天山汗吉尕组Helenifore robustum放射虫动物群及其年代地层学意义

汗吉尕组是新疆中天山温泉小区中泥盆统的一个地层单元,为海相碎屑岩夹火山碎屑岩沉积。过去在灰岩团块和灰岩砾石中发现较为丰富的中泥盆世珊瑚和腕足类化石。这次,我们在该组上部地层硅质岩透镜体中首次发现晚泥盆世弗拉晚期的放射虫Helenifore robustum动物群。对于温泉地区该组地层的时代归属,我们认为:由于已发现的中泥盆世珊瑚、腕足类化石主要产于灰岩砾石或外来块体中,因此,这些化石的时代并不代表该组形成的时代;而产于硅质岩透镜体中的晚泥盆世弗拉晚期的放射虫化石很可能代表该组的年代。全文共描述放射虫5属11种,归属3目4科。     

艾氏剂环氧化酶及细胞色素P-450对小菜蛾抗药性发展的影响

本文对室内长期饲养的小菜蛾(Plutella xylostella L.)敏感品系和田间采集的抗性种群体内的艾氏剂环氧化酶及细胞色素P-450进行了比较研究。结果证明,艾氏剂环氧化酶在感性和抗性小菜蛾间存在着量及质的差异。 抗性种群的艾氏剂环氧化酶的Vmax和Km值分别为感性品系的5.4倍和6.5倍。抗性种群的细胞色素P-450的含量是感性品系的1.1-1.3倍。艾氏剂环氧化酶在量上及质上的差异及细胞色素P-450含量的提高是导致小菜蛾抗药性发生与发展的重要机制之一。而且质的差异较之量的差异可能起着更为重要的作用,     

Population Ecology of the Eastern Box Turtle in a Fragmented Landscape

Abstract: In the mid-Atlantic region, urban sprawl and development have resulted in habitat alterations and fragmentation; however, the effects on eastern box turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina) populations are unclear. To investigate the status of eastern box turtle populations in a fragmented landscape, we used mark—recapture and radiotelemetry to estimate population density, sex ratio, age structure, and survival on 4 study areas with differing degrees of isolation and human disturbance in northern New Castle County, Delaware, USA. We estimated adult population densities ranging from 0.81 turtles/ha to 3.62 turtles/ha among our 4 study areas. Sex ratios were male-biased at 2 study areas and balanced at 2 study areas. Proportion of juveniles ranged from 0% to 31%. Estimated annual survival rate ranged from 0.813 to 0.977. Mortality of radiotagged and marked turtles was primarily due to natural causes, but mowing was the primary cause of human-induced mortality. We found evidence of population decline at one study area due to low survival and recruitment. Human disturbances, isolation, and habitat composition appear to have the greatest influence on the box turtle populations we studied. To minimize mortality from human disturbance, we suggest planting crops adjacent to forest habitat that require no mowing or mowing at a height ≥15 cm. (JOURNAL OF WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT 72(3):745–753; 2008)     

Mevalonate activating enzymes and phosphatases in higher plants

The pH optima of mevalonate kinase and phosphatases in green leaves, cotyledons and chloroplasts of French bean, and in green leaves and chloroplasts of maize, have been studied. Whereas in chloroplasts the pH optimum for mevalonate kinase is at pH 7·5 with little or no activity at pH 5·5, there is with leaf and cotyledon preparations appreciable activity at the lower pH. Under some circumstances isoelectric focusing studies have given fractions showing mevalonate kinase activity at only pH 7·5 or 5·5. Acid phosphatase and ATPase activity in preparations is maximal at pH 5·5 and is much reduced in the presence of high levels of phosphate. Other investigations reported concern the stability of mevalonate kinase and phosphatase activity at pH 5·5 and 7·5 on ageing of extracts, and the activity of mevalonate kinase on greening of etiolated French bean cotyledons. The influence of metal cofactors and fluoride on mevalonate kinase and phosphatase are reported.     

Trypanosoma congolense: mechanical removal of the surface coat in vitro

By shaking suspensions of Trypanosoma congolense in isotonic buffer the surface coat could be separated from the cell body. The release of radioactivity from trypanosomes, selectively labeled in the surface coat by diazoniobenzenesulfonate, was used to follow the kinetics of coat detachment. The proteins in the supernatants of shaken trypanosomes were analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate—polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The shaking conditions had to be carefully controlled to avoid complete rupture of trypanosomes. Otherwise the coat protein was rapidly degraded by endogenous proteases. The influence of several parameters on the yield of coat release and the degree of degradation of the coat protein was investigated, including the ratio of trypanosome suspension volume to shaking vessel volume, vessel surface, temperature, shaking frequency, and preincubation of the trypanosomes at 0 C. By combining these parameters an optimal scheme was developed which allowed the separation of more than 90% of the coat protein from T. congolense, the detached protein showing no degradation at all. These results could be confirmed by electron microscopy of shaken and unshaken trypanosomes.     

Leishmania mexicana: inhibition and stimulation of phagosome-lysosome fusion in infected macrophages

The polyanionic compound poly-d-glutamic acid was found to inhibit significantly the fusion of secondary lysosomes to phagosomes containing Leishmania mexicana mexicana amastigotes for at least 96 hr. This process was viewed both by dark-field vital fluorescence microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. In poly-d-glutamic acid-treated macrophages parasites multiplied at a significantly greater rate than in untreated macrophages. Conversely, the secondary amine chloroquine caused a marked reduction in parasite growth. When L. m. mexicana promastigotes were substituted for amastigotes these results were strikingly more pronounced.