A catalog of bird specimens associated with Prince Maximilian of Wied-Neuwied and potential type material in the natural history collection in Wiesbaden

Bird specimens collected by 19^th century explorer and ornithologist Prince Maximilian of Wied-Neuwied form one of the foundation collections of the American Museum of Natural History in New York. However, parts of his collection remained in Germany and came to the Museum Wiesbaden. Since Wied described numerous new species without designating types, some of these specimens might be type material. Here we present a catalog of the 30 Wiesbaden specimens associated with him and discuss their potential type status. We conclude that 17 individuals in 11 species are potential type specimens that should be considered in future taxonomic work.     

A new semi-automated instrument to improve the fine needle aspiration procedure during breast lesion cell sampling

A large and increasing number of women in the western world will at some point during their life be investigated morphologically for some type of breast lesion. Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA) is one morphological method which is considered to be the fastest, cheapest and the most patient-friendly approach. However, the frequency of conclusive samples using this method varies and is often too low, especially when performed by unexperienced operators. In this study we have developed and tested a new semi-automated instrument (“CytoTest”) designed for FNA which is intended to improve the efficacy of the technique by increasing the percentage of conclusive samples. A total of 443 consecutive aspiration procedures on palpable breast lesions were performed to compare this new “CytoTest” equipment with the standard protocol using the same type of needles. We conclude that by increasing the extent and frequency of the reciprocatory motions used by an experienced sampling operator as well as enhancing the ejection pressure, the cellular yield can be increased almost three folded compared to the standard protocol. For cases with high amounts of non-diagnostic material (such as blood or cystic fluid) which were discarded, up to four times more sample could be obtained. Furthermore, the frequency of sparse samples under 1 mg was halved with use of the “CytoTest”.     

ADP-ribosylation in isolated nuclei of Physarum polycephalum.

ADP-ribosylation of histones and non-histone nuclear proteins was studied in isolated nuclei during the naturally synchronous cell cycle of Physarum polycephalum. Aside from ADP-ribosyltransferase (ADPRT) itself, histones and high mobility group-like proteins are the main acceptors for ADP-ribose. The majority of these ADP-ribose residues is NH2OH-labile. ADP-ribosylation of the nuclear proteins is periodic during the cell cycle with maximum incorporation in early to mid G2-phase. In activity gels two enzyme forms with Mr of 115,000 and 75,000 can be identified. Both enzyme forms are present at a constant ratio of 3:1 during the cell cycle. The higher molecular mass form cannot be converted in vitro to the low molecular mass form, excluding an artificial degradation during isolation of nuclei. The ADPRT forms were purified and separated by h.p.l.c. The low molecular mass form is inhibited by different ADPRT inhibitors to a stronger extent and is the main acceptor for auto-ADP-ribosylation. The high molecular mass form is only moderately auto-ADP-ribosylated.     

Enhancement of epidermal growth factor receptor expression on glioma cells by recombinant tumor necrosis factor α

Summary Recombinant tumor necrosis factor (rTNF; optimal dose 1000 U/ml) significantly increased the density of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF-R) in three of four glioma cell lines in culture as determined by binding analysis of anti-EGF-R monoclonal antibody (mAb) 425. Since enhancement of EGF-R expression by rTNF- was inhibited when cells were treated with the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide, the effects of rTNF may be protein-synthesis-dependent. The dose of rTNF that was optimal for up-regulation of EGF-R on glioma cells did not inhibit the growth of these cells.¹²⁵I-labeled mAb 425 lysed glioma cells in culture following its internalization into the cells. After glioma cells had been treated with rTNF, the growth-inhibitory effects of the mAb were significantly enhanced, probably a reflection of the increase in EGF-R density on the tumor cell surfaces. The rTNF effects were specific to the EGF-R and did not affect unrelated glioma-associated antigens. In our previous clinical trials,¹²⁵I-labeled mAb 425 showed immunotherapeutic effects in glioma patients. The present study provides the basis for considerations of combined immunotherapy of glioma patients with¹²⁵I-labeled mAb 425 and rTNF.     

Identification of novel genes specifically expressed in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii zygotes

The maturation of zygotes formed by the fusion of two gametes is the essential part of the diploid phase of the Chlamydomonas reinhardtii sexual life cycle and results in mature zygotes competent to germinate. To understand the molecular mechanisms underlying zygote maturation and the attainment of competence for germination we isolated genomic clones representing three different genes that are specifically expressed in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii zygotes. Accumulation of the RNAs started more than 24 h after mating, setting these genes apart from genes expressed in young zygotes [9]. Upon light-induced germination of zygotes, the mRNAs disappeared. The patterns of RNA accumulation and disappearance were gene-specific and suggested a function of these genes in maturation and/or in initial steps of germination.     

Two dimensional single-strand conformation polymorphism analysis: a useful tool for the detection of mutations in long DNA fragments.

A new two-dimensional gel system for the analysis of single strand conformational polymorphisms has been developed to identify point mutations, deletions and insertions in long DNA fragments (e.g. 2.7 kb) generated by the polymerase chain reaction. In this procedure, such DNA fragments are first restricted with frequent-cutter enzymes. The resulting small fragments are then separated in the first dimension according to their size by electrophoresis under denaturing conditions; these single stranded DNA fragments are subsequently fractionated in the second dimension by electrophoresis on a non denaturing slab gel based on their fold-back conformation which is completely sequence-dependent. The method was tested on three previously characterized pH 4.5 resistant mutants of HRV14 and was then used to determine changes in three further mutants.     

Mathematical modelling of primary production in Green Bay (Lake Michigan,USA), a phosphorus-and light-limited system

Application of mathematical models in the design and evaluation of lake restoration programmes must include due consideration of three basic concepts of model development; 1) that the model framework is appropriately matched to the intended management use, 2) that selection of the proper degree of model complexity is fundamental to the achievement of model credibility and 3) that field and laboratory studies must be designed and interpreted with the aid of the model to insure development of a comprehensive, integrated tool.These concepts are demonstrated for the case of lake restoration efforts in Green Bay (Lake Michigan, USA). Striking gradients in water quality (transparency, algal standing crop, hypolimnetic oxygen depletion) and trophic state occur along the major axis of the bay in response to phosphorus loaded from the Fox River. A simple model for gross primary production is developed to permit calculation of the relative importance of internal carbon production to the total organic carbon budget of the bay. Primary production varies from high rates over a limited photic depth in the turbid, phosphorus-rich waters of the eutrophic portions of the bay to low rates over an extensive photic depth in the transparent, phosphoruspoor reaches of the oligotrophic regions. Internal production accounts for approximately 90% of the total organic carbon loaded to the system over the summer growing season. Water quality management strategies must address the stimulation of primary production by phosphorus loaded from the Fox River in any attempt to lower the standing crop of nuisance algae, improve water clarity, and reduce rates of hypolimnetic oxygen depletion in Green Bay.     

Evidence that Escherichia coli virus T1 induces a DNA methyltransferase

DNA of Escherichia coli virus T1 is resistant to MboI cleavage and appears to be heavily methylated. Analysis of methylation by the isoschizomeric restriction enzymes Sau3AI and DpnI revealed that recognition sites for E. coli DNA adenine methylase (dam methylase) are methylated. The same methylation pattern was found for virus T1 DNA grown on an E. coli dam host, indicating a T1-specific DNA methyltransferase.