Effects of CuDIPS and tween 80 on SJL/J tumorigenesis

Plasma copper and zinc levels were measured in SJL/J mice, an inbred strain characterized by a high, spontaneous incidence of reticulum cell sarcoma (RCS). The changes with age in mean concentrations of these metals were consistent with a physiological response that is required for remission of neoplasia. Treatment of SJL/J mice with a copper complex, Cu(II)(3,4-diisopropylsalicylate)₂ (Cu 3,5-DIPS), dissolved in a 10% Tween 80-saline solution revealed a decrease in survival and decline in the incidence of RCS at 52 wk of age. The toxic effects of Cu 3,5-DIPS therapy appeared to be related to the intraperitoneal route of administration and to extracellular deposition of collagen. The inhibitory effect on tumor development was not related to Cu 3,5-DIPS. Rather, Tween 80 was found to be the factor of importance.     

Three-dimensional structure of a regular surface layer from Pseudomonas acidovorans

The regular surface layer of Pseudomonas acidovorans was investigated by computer processing of a series of tilted view electron micrographs, and a reconstruction of the three-dimensional structure was obtained. The pattern is tetragonal and consists of massive identical subunits, block-like in face-view, which interlock loosely in a simple cobblestone pattern. The square unit cell has a lattice constant of 11 nm. The surface layer pattern of P. acidovorans appears to be more dependent on the underlying membrane for maintaining its integrity than those so far studied in other bacteria.     

Teleonomical optimization of a fractal model of the pulmonary arterial bed

Modeling the pulmonary arterial tree (PAT) is considered here as an optimal synthesis problem. Firstly, a class of candidate models is specified: the three-dimensional symmetric dichotomous fractal trees of elastic tubes described by Womersley's equations. Secondly, the parameters are shown to be constrained by interactions of PAT with the rest of the body; these constraints are used to limit the volume of the parametric space to which attention will be directed in the synthesis step. Thirdly, a teleonomical hypothesis is proposed: a naturally selected PAT must have a minimal input impedance under conditions keeping total arterial volume and distensibility as small as possible. This hypothesis is translated in mathematical terms and the resulting cost-function minimized in the limited parametric volume. The optimal model has parameter values and an impedance spectrum corresponding satisfactorily with real data. Moreover this model gives a clear picture of the internal hemodynamic behavior of PAT as an impedance matching device.     

Behavior of lactating rats in a dual-chambered maternity cage

Videotape sampling of behavior in a dual-chambered apparatus indicates that the continuous monitoring of the amount of time a mother spends in the cage with its litter can be taken as a valid reflection of maternal behavior. Nursing is the principal behavior of lactating females while in the compartment with their litters; lying still, consummatory behavior, and activity occur with greater frequency in the cage away from the litter. Both the time that mothers spend with their litters and nursing behavior displayed a 24-hr rhythm with crest values occurring during the period of light.     

不同年龄大鼠主动脉壁凝集素组织化学的图像分析研究

本文利用凝集素组织化学的方法,结合应用ＩＢＡＳ图像分析系统对不同年龄（１０天,６个月及２年）大鼠主动脉壁的凝集素受体进行研究。在所采用的六种生物素化凝集素中（ＣｏｎＡ、ＲＣＡＩ、ＵＥＡ－Ｉ、ＰＮＡ、ＳＢＡ及ＷＧＡ）,ＣｏｎＡ、ＲＣＡ－Ｉ及ＷＧＡ在大鼠主动脉壁呈阳性反应,它们在各年龄组大鼠主动脉壁内膜及外膜均表现出强阳性反应,而在中膜反应较弱。ＵＥＡ－Ｉ、ＰＮＡ和ＳＢＡ表现出无明显反应。此外,三种阳性反应凝集素在主动脉壁的反应产物随增龄而减少,图像分析结果显示其灰度值随增龄的变化趋势是逐渐增加。上述结果提示,大鼠主动脉壁含α－Ｄ－Ｍａｎｎｏｓｅ、β－ＤＧａｌａｃｔｏｓｅ、ｓｉａｌｉｃａｃｉｄ或Ｎ－ａｃｅｔｙｌ－Ｄ－Ｇｌｕｃｏｓａｍｉｎｅ残基的糖复合物含量随增龄而减少,可能使ＬＤＬ易于通透而致脂质在动脉壁沉积,加速脂纹病变的形成,从而易于导致动脉粥样硬化。     

Immunocytochemical Quantification of Tyrosine Hydroxylase at a Cellular Level in the Mesencephalon of Control Subjects and Patients with Parkinson's and Alzheimer's Disease

Abstract: Parkinson's disease is characterized by massive degeneration of the melanized dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. The functional capacity of the surviving nigral neurons is affected, as indicated by the subnormal levels of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) mRNA in these neurons and the presence in the parkinsonian mesencephalon of melanized neurons lacking TH immunoreactivity. This is apparently in contradiction with the known overactivity of dopamine synthesis and release that occurs in the remaining dopaminergic terminals. To test the ability of the surviving neurons to express TH protein, a semiquantitative immunocytochemical method was developed. The relative amounts of TH were estimated with a computer-assisted image analysis system in the dopaminergic neurons of representative mesencephalic sections of control and parkinsonian brains and for comparison in brains from patients with Alzheimer's disease. In control brains, the mean TH content per neuron differed from one subject to another and between the different dopaminergic cell groups of the mesencephalon in the same subject. Within a given dopaminergic region, the level of TH was variable among neurons. In patients with Parkinson's disease, the ratio of TH protein content per neuron in the substantia nigra by reference to that of the central gray substance was reduced. In patients with Alzheimer's disease, the amount of TH was selectively reduced in the remaining dopaminergic neurons of the ventral tegmental area, a region characterized by a loss in dopaminergic neurons. The decrease in cellular TH content might therefore be related to the presence of the neurodegenerative process in the area considered. In patients with Parkinson's disease, the incapacity of the surviving neurons to express normal TH levels may reduce the efficiency of the hyperactivity mechanisms that develop in the remaining striatal dopaminergic terminals.