Assignment of the prealbumin (PALB) gene (familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy) to human chromosome region 18q11.2–q12.1

Summary The assignment of the human prealbumin (PALB) gene to chromosome region 18q11–q12.1 has been achieved using a human genomic probe in the study of human-mouse somatic cell hybrids and by in situ hybridization. Because familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy was reported previously to be due to a mutation in prealbumin, it can be inferred that the gene for this disorder also maps to 18q11.2–q12.1.     

Feeding behaviour of yearling and older hybrid grass carp

Hybrid grass carp resulting from the cross of a female grass carp, Ctenopharyngodon idella (Val.), and a male bighead carp, Hypophthalmichthys ( Aristichthys ) nobilis Rich., 12–18 months old ( c . 300 mm T.L.) were studied in a two-part experiment to determine feeding preference and total daily consumption fish^-1 on selected species of aquatic plants. Fish were maintained in circular pools with 6840·8 1 of water inside a temperature-controlled greenhouse. Preference tests were conducted at three temperature ranges; 25–28° C, 17–20° C and 12–15° C. Based on the time to complete consumption or the relative quantity consumed, the most preferred plant was Lemna gibba when in combination with six other species. Chara sp., Najas guadalupensis and Potamogeton peciinatus were readily consumed and considered to be of about equal preference. Ceratophyllum demersum and Myriophyllum brasiliense were least preferred. Hybrid grass carp generally consumed as much plant material species^-1 and in the same order of preference at the 12–15°C range as they did at 25–28° C. In the second part, mean daily consumption (g) fish^-1 at 25·7–31·0° C for five plant species tested separately was as follows: Chara sp. 369·8; Lemna gibba 178·2; Najas guadalupensis 172·6; Hydrilla verticillata 106·4 and Ceratophyllum demersum 8·8.     

Time-Lapse Cinemicrographic Studies of X-Irradiated HeLa S3 Cells: II. Cell Fusion

Analysis of time-lapse cinemicrographs of X-irradiated HeLa S3 cells has shown that the incidence of cell fusion was increased from 0.9% (following 1267 divisions) in control cells to an average of 22% (following 655 divisions) in cells irradiated with 500 rad doses of 220 kv X-rays. The incidence depended on the stage of the generation cycle at which the parent cells were irradiated. It was nearly constant in the first three postirradiation generations. Fusion occurred at all stages of the generation cycle, but preferentially during the first 20%. Cells undergoing fusion progressed more slowly through the generation cycle and had a higher probability of disintegrating than did irradiated cells that did not fuse. The occurrence of fusion was clonally distributed in the population. It took place only between sister (or closely related) cells. Protoplasmic bridges were often visible between sister cells prior to fusion. Giant cells arose only as a result of fusion. The incidence of multipolar divisions, though higher than in unirradiated cells, was only 5.5% in cultures irradiated with 500 rads. Fusion occurred following 85% of the multipolar divisions and was often followed by a multipolar division.     

Origin of the sarcosine molecules of actinomycins

1. Streptomyces V–187 produces on minimal medium a mixture composed mainly of actinomycin C₁ (actinomycin D) and actinomycin A₁ (actinomycin I). If sarcosine is added to the medium, the micro-organism produces, in addition to actinomycins C₁ and A₁, actinomycin F₈ (actinomycin II) and actinomycin F₉ (actinomycin (III), characterized by the substitution by sarcosine of one or both the proline molecules present in actinomycin C₁. 2. Exogenous sarcosine seems to be incorporated as such by Streptomyces V–187 only in the sarcosine molecule(s) that replace proline in the actinomycins of the F group, whereas, for the synthesis of the other sarcosine molecules, the amino acid is first demethylated to glycine. 3. The incorporation of sarcosine and glycine into actinomycin by Streptomyces antibioticus appears to follow a similar pattern, except that a portion of the methyl group produced in the degradation of sarcosine is utilized as a source of the methyl groups of the antibiotic. This explains the previously reported lack of cross-dilution between glycine and sarcosine observed in the incorporation of these amino acids into actinomycin.     

Cholinesterase Levels in Blood Plasma and Erythrocytes from Calves,Normal Delivering Cows and Cows Suffering from Parturient Paresis

Plasma cholinesterase (pChE) levels and erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase (eAChE) levels were studied in 6 cows before, during and after parturition (Group I), their calves (Group II), 38 cows suffering from parturient paresis (Group III) and 14 newly delivered non-paretic cows (Group IV). The mean of the pChE level in Group I was 1.5 μkat/1 ± 0.20 before parturition and decreased significantly (P ≦ 0.05) to 1.2 ukat/1 ± 0.16 after parturition. The eAChE level was before parturition ≅ 140 ukat/1 and decreased to ≅ 130 μkat/1 4–5 weeks after parturition. At birth the pChE level was 12.8 ukat/1 ± 5.9 in Group II. After 4 weeks the level had decreased to 2.3 ukat/1 ±0.3. In the bull calves the pChE level started to increase when they were 6 weeks old and reached a level of 5.7 μkat/1 ± 0.6 before slaughter at 6 months of age. The heifers did not show this increase. They had a level of around 2 μkat/1 throughout the investigation. The eAChE level at birth was 119 μkat/1 and increased slowly to a level of 145 μkat/1 at 6 months. No differences between the sexes were found. The cows suffering from parturient paresis had a pChE level of 1.80 μkat/1 ± 0.30 before treatment with calcium (Ca). The level decreased significantly (P ≦ 0.001) after Ca-infusion to a level of 1.67 ukat/1 ±0.29. Group IV had a pChE level of 1.65 μkat/1 ± 0.42 at parturition. Two to 4 months later the cows that had recovered from milk fever had a level of 1.61 μkat/1 ± 0.31 and the control cows 1.66 ukat/1 ± 0.48. No differences between the groups were found for the eAChE level. The findings show that parturition influences the pChE level in cows and that sex influences the pChE level in calves between 6 weeks to at least 6 months of age. Furthermore the elevated pChE level found in the cows suffering from parturient paresis before Ca infusion may be a further sign of a disturbance in the cholinergic system with a special preference to the neuromuscular junctions.     

Sex pheromone components of the leafroller moth Pandemis cerasana

Female-tip washings of the leafroller moth, Pandemis cerasana, were found to contain (E)-11-tetradecenyl acetate, (Z)-11-tetradecenyl acetate, (E)-11-tetradecenol, (Z)-11-tetradecenol and tetradecyl acetate, based on chemical analysis and electroantennogram tests. The relative amounts of these compounds in the gland were ca. 64:21:10:3:2 in the order named. Only (E)-11 and (Z)-11-tetradecenyl acetate were required for attraction of males to trap dispensed in the ratio 3:1, respectively.