Conductance Ratios and Cellular Identity

Recent experimental evidence suggests that coordinated expression of ion channels plays a role in constraining neuronal electrical activity. In particular, each neuronal cell type of the crustacean stomatogastric ganglion exhibits a unique set of positive linear correlations between ionic membrane conductances. These data suggest a causal relationship between expressed conductance correlations and features of cellular identity, namely electrical activity type. To test this idea, we used an existing database of conductance-based model neurons. We partitioned this database based on various measures of intrinsic activity, to approximate distinctions between biological cell types. We then tested individual conductance pairs for linear dependence to identify correlations. Contrary to experimental evidence, in which all conductance correlations are positive, 32% of correlations seen in this database were negative relationships. In addition, 80% of correlations seen here involved at least one calcium conductance, which have been difficult to measure experimentally. Similar to experimental results, each activity type investigated had a unique combination of correlated conductances. Finally, we found that populations of models that conform to a specific conductance correlation have a higher likelihood of exhibiting a particular feature of electrical activity. We conclude that regulating conductance ratios can support proper electrical activity of a wide range of cell types, particularly when the identity of the cell is well-defined by one or two features of its activity. Furthermore, we predict that previously unseen negative correlations and correlations involving calcium conductances are biologically plausible.     

Fluctuations of grass pollen content in the atmosphere of East Perugia and meteorological correlations (year 1989)

Summary Gramineae pollination from a pollen monitoring station located in the eastern suburb of Perugia and meteorological correlations are reported. The data refers to the year 1989. Grass pollen peak pollination was from May to July; in this period the influence of relative humidity and of temperature on pollen concentration was very high. Phenological observations, to identify the time of maximum stamen extension in the most common genera in the area, are also reported. During the period of investigation the counts of pollen grains over four-hour periods showed a regular diurnal rhythm with peaks of concentration in the four-hour period 16.00–20.00. Aerosporological data and meteorological data related to four-hour periods were correlated following different criteria.     

A Spatially Explicit Model of Synchronization in Fiddler Crab Waving Displays

Fiddler crabs (Uca spp., Decapoda: Ocypodidae) are commonly found forming large aggregations in intertidal zones, where they perform rhythmic waving displays with their greatly enlarged claws. While performing these displays, fiddler crabs often synchronize their behavior with neighboring males, forming the only known synchronized visual courtship displays involving reflected light and moving body parts. Despite being one of the most conspicuous aspects of fiddler crab behavior, little is known about the mechanisms underlying synchronization of male displays. In this study we develop a spatially explicit model of fiddler crab waving displays using coupled logistic map equations. We explored two alternative models in which males either direct their attention at random angles or preferentially toward neighbors. Our results indicate that synchronization is possible over a fairly large region of parameter space. Moreover, our model was capable of generating local synchronization neighborhoods, as commonly observed in fiddler crabs under natural conditions.     

Osteoderm histology of the Pampatheriidae (Cingulata,Xenarthra, Mammalia): Implications for systematics,osteoderm growth,and biomechanical adaptation

Pampatheres are extinct, large‐bodied cingulates, which share morphological characters with both armadillos and glyptodonts but are considered to be more closely related to the latter. The osteoderm histology of six pampathere taxa was examined and compared to the histology of other cingulate osteoderms. This study investigates the development and functional adaptation of pampathere osteoderms as well as the phylogenetic relationships of the Pampatheriidae within the Cingulata. We found that pampathere osteoderms share a uniform histological organization based on a basic diploe‐like structure. After initial stages of intramembranous growth, metaplastic ossification, that is, the direct incorporation and mineralization of pre‐existing protein fibers, plays an important role in osteoderm development and provides information on various kinds of soft tissue otherwise not preserved. The latest stages of osteoderm growth are dominated by periosteal bone formation especially in the superficial cortex. Movable band osteoderms show regular arrangements of incorporated fibers that may increase the resistance of particularly weak areas against strain. The histological composition of pampathere osteoderms is plesiomorphic in its basic structure but shows a number of derived features. A unique array of Sharpey's fibers that are incorporated into the bone matrix at sutured osteoderm margins is interpreted as a synapomorphy of pampatheres. The arrangement of dermal fibers in the deep and superficial cortexes supports the close relationship between pampatheres and glyptodonts. J. Morphol., 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors: Inhibition of the tumor-associated isozymes IX and XII with polyfluorinated aromatic/heterocyclic sulfonamides

The tumor-associated transmembrane carbonic anhydrase (CA, EC 4.2.1.1) isozymes IX (CA IX) and XII (CA XII) are involved in acidification of hypoxic tumors, a process correlated with poor prognosis and clinical outcome of patients harboring such tumors. This process may be reversed by inhibiting these enzymes with potent sulfonamide/sulfamate inhibitors. A series of such aromatic/heterocyclic sulfonamides incorporating 2,3,5,6-tetrafluorobenzoyl-, 2,3,5,6-tetrafluoro- phenylsulfonyl- and pentafluorophenylureido moieties has been investigated for its interaction with the catalytic domain of the human isozymes hCA IX and hCA XII. Some of these compounds showed excellent inhibitory properties against both isozymes IX and XII, with several subnanomolar inhibitors detected for the first time. These sulfonamides may constitute valuable candidates for the development of novel antitumor therapies based on the inhibition of such tumor-associated CA isozymes.     

Influence of HLA genotype on birth weight of patients with Turner syndrome

Summary Growth failure starting before birth is a common characteristic in Turner syndrome, and its pathogenesis is still not completely explained. Experiments performed in mice and rats to test whether a genetic disparity between mothers and offspring and maternal immunological status have any influence on litter size have demonstrated that allogenic litters are significantly larger in size than genetically compatible ones. Studies in humans have given contrasting results, but some authors have found that heterozygosity at enzyme loci and in blood groups is positively correlated with intrauterine growth. HLA class I and II polymorphisms were defined in 53 patients with Turner syndrome and in their parents, and lymphocytotoxic antibody detection was performed in 36 mothers. These data were related to the patients' birth weight. The frequency of the HLA-B16 allele in patients with a birth weight > 10th centile was significantly higher in comparison with those < 10th centile. HLA antigen sharing was present in 43 couples (81.1%). Mean birth weight was 2934 ± 472 g in patients without HLA antigen parental sharing and 2721 ± 529 g in those whose parents shared HLA antigens. The mean birth weight of the 10 patients whose parents do not share HLA antigens was significantly higher than that of the patients with parental HLA–B+DR sharing (P < 0.05) and not significantly higher than in those patients with parental HLA sharing at other HLA loci. Patients whose parents shared B+DR antigens also had significantly smaller birth weights than those with B and A+B+DR sharing (P < 0.025 and P < 0.025). No significant difference in mean birth weight was found in relation to other parameters, such as mother-child histocompatibility, HLA homozygosity and lymphocytotoxic production in the mothers.     

Stimulation of gibberellin activity in winter wheat by metribuzin

Sublethal doses of metribuzin applied to wheat plants at the stage of ear emergence increased endogenous gibberellin levels in the ears. The activation of hormonal systems in connection with “chemical stress” is briefly discussed.