刺激杏仁基底外侧核对外侧缰核神经元单位放电的影响

用玻璃微电极细胞外记录大鼠外侧缰核(LHN)神经元的单位放电。共记录了110个神经元。其中痛兴奋神经元(LHPE)75个;痛抑制神经元(LHPI)11个;广动力型神经元2个;无反应神经元17个;此外还有5个对躯体与内脏伤害性刺激反应不同的神经元。电刺激杏仁基底外侧核(以下简称杏仁核,AMG)对LHPE和LHPI的自发放电主要产生抑制作用,分别占总数的81.1％和72.7％,并抑制其对伤害性刺激的反应;对无反应神经元和广动力型神经元无明显影响。AMG内微量注射吗啡能抑制LHPE的伤害性刺激反应,但对其自发放电无明显影响。微量注射纳洛酮则可增加LHPE的自发放电频率,并加强其对伤害性刺激的反应。注射纳洛酮还可以取消电针对LHPE的伤害性刺激反应的抑制作用。     

人体单臂间歇运动对发汗调定点的影响

本工作系在微小气候相对恒定条件下,对10名健康男青年每人进行四项实验。实验 Ⅰ 为测定双侧腿足浸入43℃水中,诱发左前臂屈侧显现定量汗点时的口腔温度(舌下)阈值,作为发汗调定点参考值(ToSSP);实验 Ⅱ 为 Ⅰ 附加右臂间歇轻负荷运动(77W)时测定 ToSSP,部分对象还记录了皮肤电反应;实验 Ⅲ、Ⅳ 为 Ⅰ、Ⅱ 均附加4.5m/s 气流(22—25℃)直吹头面部,再分别测定 ToSSP。实验 Ⅰ 与 Ⅱ 同体对照22人次,Ⅲ 与 Ⅳ 同体对照24人次。结果表明,实验 Ⅱ、Ⅳ 的 ToSSP 均值及其潜伏期均值分别较 Ⅰ、Ⅲ 者降低(P<0.01)或缩短(P<0.001);Ⅰ、Ⅱ间的 ToSSP 均值差、潜伏期均值差,分别与 Ⅲ、Ⅳ 之间者无显著差异(P>0.2);Ⅱ、Ⅳ 的ToSSP 均值各与其实验开始前的口温均值亦无明显差异(P>0.5)。此结果支持运动时体温调定点下降的论点,并提示在研究体温调定点活动时,以 ToSSP 为指标较用发汗速率为优越,因 ToSSP 不为许多干扰因素所影响。     

Local and systemic changes in gene expression induced in tomato plants by wounding and by elicitor treatment

Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. cv. Moneymaker) plants have been wounded to induce the accumulation of proteinase-inhibitor proteins (PI proteins) at the local site of injury and systemically in unwounded tissues. To determine the range of genes affected in the wound-response, polysomal mRNA has been isolated from the damaged leaves and from systemically responding leaves over a time-course of 2, 4, 10 and 24 h after wounding. Changes in the pattern of ³⁵S-translation products indicate that the events that occur at the local wound-site are different from those that occur systemically, both with respect to the number of genes that are regulated and the timing of their regulation. In order to compare the effects of wounding and an endogenous systemic signal generated at the wound-site with those of elicitor (proteinase-inhibitor-inducing factor, PIIF) treatment of excised plants, polysomal mRNA has also been isolated from leaves of plants over a time-course of 2, 4, 10 and 24 h after PIIF-treatment. Changes in the pattern of ³⁵S-translation products indicates that the events induced by PIIF resemble those induced by mechanical injury, rather than those induced by the endogenous systemic signal.Abbreviations IFF isoelectric focussing - PI proteins proteinase inhibitor proteins - PIIF proteinase-inhibitor-inducing factor - ssRubisco small subunit of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase     

Predicted and realized grain yield responses to full-sib family selection in CIMMYT maize (Zea mays L.) populations

Summary The maize (Zea mays L.) improvement program of the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) develops broad-based maize populations and, until recently, improved all of them through full-sib family selection with international testing. The purpose of this study was to estimate the genetic and genetic × environment variance components for ten of those populations and to measure expected yield improvement from full-sib selection. Mean yield ranged from 3.35–6.81 t ha^–1. For five populations the average yield in the last cycle was higher than in the initial cycles. Several populations showed no improvement or yielded less in the final cycle of selection, either because selection intensity was low or because strong selection pressure was applied simultaneously for several traits. Variation resulting from differences among family means within cycles and from interaction between families and locations within cycles were significant in all populations and cycles. Results indicate that variability among full-sib families was maintained throughout the cycles for all populations. The large _ge ² / _g ² ratio shown by most populations suggests that yield response per cycle could be maximized if the environments in which progenies are tested were subdivided and classified into similar subsets. The proportion of the predicted response realized in improved yield varied for each population.Journal Paper No. 8640, Nebraska Agric. Res. Div. Project No. 12-159. Research was supported in part by USAID/USDA/ CSRS Research Grant No. 86-CRSR-2-2789     

Acute phase response to recombinant interleukin-6 and macrophage- and fibroblast-derived crude cytokine preparations in primary cultures of mouse hepatocytes

A number of acute phase proteins were determined by electroimmunoassay in media from CBA mouse hepatocytes cultured for 2 days with human recombinant IFN beta 2/IL-6, as well as with conditioned media from LPS-stimulated rat macrophages, and of murine L fibroblasts. It was found that human recombinant IL-6 caused three-fold increase in secretion of fibrinogen, while haptoglobin, complement C3 and transferrin were increased respectively, to 168 per cent, 151 per cent, and 145 per cent of the control. DEX(10(-7) M) in DMEM supplemented with 5 per cent FCS, enhanced the IL-6 effect on the three positive acute phase proteins. IL-6 elevated haptoglobin mRNA in mouse hepatocytes to a degree comparable with the concentration of the protein in the culture medium. The effect of conditioned media from murine fibroblasts and peritoneal rat macrophages was generally similar to that of recombinant IL-6. However, both natural preparations of the cytokines caused decrease in albumin and alpha-1-proteinase inhibitor secretion.     

Splenic outer periarterial lymphoid sheath (PALS): An immunoproliferative microenvironment constituted by antigen-laden marginal metallophils and ED2-positive macrophages in the rat

Summary In an attempt to reveal the role of antigen-laden marginal metallophil (MM) and other macrophages in the intrasplenic immune response of a specific B-cell lineage to a thymus-independent type-2 antigen (Ficoll conjugated with fluorescein isothiocyanate), simultaneous immuno-histological observations of the involved cells were performed in the rat. By newly established methods of double or triple immunostainings, time-kinetics of the following parameters were studied and compared: (1) the antigen, (2) the specific antibody-forming cells (AFC) directed to the fluorescein-isothiocyanate determinant, (3) proliferating cells labeled with 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine (BrdU), and (4) macrophage subpopulations recognized by monoclonal antibodies (ED2 and ED3). The antigen localized stably not only in the marginal-zone macrophages but also in the MM except around the follicular area. The increase of BrdU-positive cells was observed from day 2 up to day 4 after antigen injection mostly in the periphery of the periarterial lymphoid sheath (outer PALS), which indicated antigen-induced proliferation. As a novel finding, the majority of AFC, both BrdU-positive and -negative, were either closely associated with the antigen-laden MM, or forming cell clusters with ED2-positive macrophages in the outer PALS. In contrast, there were very few AFC in juxtaposition to antigen-free MM in the follicular area or the antigen-laden marginal zone macrophages. The results led to the proposal of a hypothesis that the antigen-laden MM together with ED2-positive macrophages constitute an immunoproliferative microenvironment for the plasmacellular reaction by accumulating the antigen-specific B-cell lineage and promoting these cells to differentiate into the AFC and to proliferate in the outer PALS.Abbreviations AFC specific antibody-forming cells - BrdU 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine - Fic-F FITC-conjugated Ficoll - FITC fluorescein isothiocyanate - HRP horseradish peroxidase - MM marginal metallophils - MZ marginal zone - PALS periarterial lymphoid sheath - PBS phosphate-buffered saline - TI2 thymus-independent type-2     

Z-linked inheritance of male olfactory response to sex pheromone components in two species of tortricid moths, Ctenopseustis obliquana and Ctenopseustis sp.

The olfactory response from male pheromone sensitive sensilla was investigated in the endemic New Zealand brownheaded leafrollers Ctenopseustis obliquana (Walker) and C. sp. ropeana (Lepidoptera, Tortricidae). The responses from 281 sensilla from the parental strains and from both the reciprocal crosses, including F₁, F₂ and maternal and paternal backcrosses were recorded, and statistically analysed using a multivariate analysis.In males of both the parental strains, a large amplitude cell responded to the main pheromone component of the conspecific female, in C. obliquana (Z)-8-tetradecenyl acetate (Z8-14:OAc) and in C. sp ropeana (Z)-5-tetradecenyl acetate (Z5-14:OAc). Both male types also possessed a small amplitude cell, which in C. obliquana responded weakly to Z5-14:OAc and tetradecyl acetate (14:OAc), and in C. sp ropeana responded to Z8-14:OAc. The responses from the different types of hybrid males were more variable than the responses from parental males. A main pattern could, however be seen, corresponding with the expected pattern in a sex-linked inheritance on the Z-chromosome of a C. sp ropeana type dominant genetic factor. The more pronounced variation in the hybrids could not be explained by this model, and might be due to the involvement of additional genes.

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Résumé Les réactions olfactives des sensilles mâles sensibles aux phéromones ont été examinées par enregistrement de l'extrémité de la sensille chez les tordeuses C. obliquana Walker et C. sp. ropeana. Les enregistrements ont porté sur 281 sensilles des lignées parentales et des croisements réciproques de F₁, F₂ et de croisements en retour maternel et paternel. Les résultats des enregistrements d'une sensille ont été soumis à une analyse en composantes principales.Chez les mâles de chaque lignée parentale un seul type physiologique de sensille a été découvert; une cellule répond par un pic grand au principal constituant de la phéromone femelle conspécifique. (Z)-8-acétate tétradécényl (Z8-14:OAc) pour C. obliquana, et (Z)-5-acétate tétradécényl (Z5-14:OAc) pour C. sp. ropeana. Une seconde type de cellule dans les sensilles des deux espèces de mâles présente un pic petit pour Z5-14:OAc et pour l'acétate tétradécyl (14:OAc) chez C. obliquana, et pour C. sp. ropeana au Z8-14:OAc. Les réponses des sensilles des différents types de mâles hybrides sont plus hétérogènes que celles des sensilles de leurs pères. Un schéma général pourrait cependant être décelé, correspondant au schéma prévu avec une hérédité d'un facteur dominant liée au sexe sur le chromosome Z de C. sp. ropeana. La variation plus accentuée chez les hybrides ne peut être expliquée par ce modèle, et pourrait impliquer des gènes additionnels.

     

High-dose mode of death in Tribolium

This study reports the first demonstration within a single insect genus (Tribolium) of both the acute, or lethal-midlethal, dose-independent pattern of mortality, and the hyperacute, dose-dependent pattern, after appropriate doses of ionizing radiation. This demonstration provides resolution of apparently contradictory reports of insect responses in terms of doses required to cause lethality and those based on survival time as a function of dose. A dose-dependent mortality pattern was elicited in adult Tribolium receiving high doses, viz., 300 Gy or greater; its time-course was complete in 10 days, before the dose-independent mortality began. Visual observations of heavily-irradiated Tribolium suggested neural and/or neuromuscular damage, as had been previously proposed by others for lethally-irradiated wasps, flies, and mosquitoes. Results of experiments using fractionated high doses supported the suggestion that the hyperacute or high-dose mode of death is the result of damage to nonproliferative tissues. Relative resistance of a strain to the hyperacute or high-dose mode of death is not necessarily correlated with resistance to the midlethal mode, which is believed to be the result of damage to the proliferative cells of the midgut.

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Résumé Les résultats de nombreuses études des réactions des insectes adultes de différents groupes à l'irradiation s'opposent quant à l'importance de la dose provoquant la létalité et quant aux modalités de la mort. Les diptères et les guèpes impliquent des doses très élevées,-des centaines de Gy-, ne présentent aucune période caractérisant la mort par irradiation, et décèdent de plus en plus tôt avec l'augmentation des doses. Beaucoup d'autres insectes succombent à des doses (milétalelétale) beaucoup plus faibles,-de quelques Gy à des dizaines-, et quelle que soit la dose meurent au bout d'un temps voisin.Au cours de cette étude, nous avons pu observer que ces deux types de mortalité peuvent être provoqués chez le même genre d'insecte (Tribolium), avec des doses convenables d'irradiation . Un syndrôme caractéristique a été provoqué avec des doses très élevées, de 300 Gy ou plus,-à ces doses la mort est obtenue en 10 jours après l'irradiation. L'absence de syndrôme caractéristique se produit avec des doses inférieures ou égales à 80 Gy; la mort a lieu alors entre 10 et 16 jours en fonction de la dose.Les différences entre les deux types de décès indiquent deux processus de mort par irradiation. La manifestation d'une désorientation et d'une perte de coordination motrice chez les Tribolium fortement irradiés suggère des altérations neurales et/ou neuromusculaires comme cause/s de ce type de mort provoquée par des doses élevées. L'implication de tissus sans prolifération a été confortée par les résultats d'expériences utilisant de hautes doses fractionnées. Le type de mort milétal est considéré après de nombreuses observations indépendantes, comme le résultat d'atteintes à la prolifération des cellules de l'intestin moyen.Les données contradictoires sur les réactions des insectes aux irradiations proviennent d'abord de l'absence de connaissances sur le lieu des dégâts. Les diptères sont connus maintenant, après différentes études, comme perdant complètement l'aptitude au renouvellement cellulaire, et présentent ainsi un type de mort avec dose élevée. Beaucoup d'autres insectes adultes ont un renouvellement cellulaire de l'intestin moyen limité, et ainsi présentent le type de mort milétal. Le type de mort, dit haute dose, peut être induit dans cette dernière catégorie d'insectes par une irradiation suffisamment forte, et, dans le cas du Tribolium le déroulement de la mort se produit alors de deux façons bien distinctes.

     

Herbicide effects on planktonic systems of different complexity

Bioassays of different complexity were compared with respect to their capability to predict the environmental impact of the herbicide atrazine in aquatic systems. Acute toxicity tests with Daphnia did not yield meaningful results. Sublethal tests with Daphnia (feeding inhibition, reduction of growth and reproduction) were more sensitive, but effective concentrations of atrazine were still rather high (2 mg/L). A relatively complicated artificial food chain system that incorporated direct and indirect effects on Daphnia yielded significant reduction of daphnid population growth at 0.1 mg/L. Enclosure experiments with natural communities were by far the most sensitive tools. Community responses could be measured at concentrations as low as 1 µg/L and 0.1 µg atrazine/L. At the lowest concentration, however, communities recovered after three weeks. We conclude that in complex systems indirect effects can be more important than direct effects, so that, contrary to the conditions in simple tests, non-target organisms may be the better indicators of herbicide stress to natural communities.     

Impact of salt adaptation on esterified fatty acids and cytochrome oxidase in plasma and thylakoid membranes from the cyanobacterium Anacystis nidulans

During adaptation of photoautotrophically growing fresh water cyanobacterium Anacystis nidulans to high salinity the cells showed a pronounced increase of proton-sodium antiporter activity, and of cytochrome c oxidase in isolated and purified plasma membrane. At the same time the concentrations of plasma membrane-bound EDTA-resistant copper and iron (determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry) rose proportionately, accompanied by an increase in whole cell respiration. In plasma membranes from salt adapted cells lipid/protein ratios were markedly higher than in control cells, levels of esterified saturated and long-chain fatty acids being significantly higher than the respective levels of unsaturated and short-chain fatty acids which explains the higher lipid-phase transition temperatures derived from Arrhenius plots. Immunoblotting of the membrane proteins with antisera raised against the cytochrome c oxidases from Paracoccus denitrificans and A. nidulans gave two cross-reacting bands with apparent molecular weights around 50000 and 30000 (subunits I and II, respectively) which were more pronounced in plasma membranes from salt adapted cells when compared to control cells. The protein pattern of plasma membranes from salt adapted cells also showed the appearance of bands at apparent molecular weights of 44000–48000 and 54000–56000 which might stem from the proton/sodium-antiporter in this membrane.Abbreviations CM cytoplasmic or plasma membrane - ICM intracytoplasmic or thylakoid membrane - cyt cytochrome - DCCD N,N-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide - Hepes N-2-hydroxyethylpiperazine-N-2-ethanesulfonate - ICP-AES inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry - SDS-PAGE sodium dodecylsulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis - EPR electron paramagnetic resonance spectrometry