Blood pressure lability in the sympathectomized rat

Intra-aortic blood pressure (BP) was measured in conscious rats after early chronic destruction of the peripheral sympathetic nervous system (SNS) with guanethidine. In sympathectomized rats, the mean level of BP was not different from that of control rats but its variability was markedly increased. These results indicate that functional integrity of the SNS is of primary importance for the short-term control of BP but is not essential for its long-term maintenance.     

Influence des gousses d''arachide (Arachis Hypogea) et de l''alimentation imaginale sur l''ovogénèse, l''accouplement et la ponte chez la bruche Caryedon Serratus

Résumé L'activité reproductrice d'une souche de Caryedon serratus provenant de stocks d'arachide a été étudiée au Congo dans des conditions de température et d'hygrométrie simulant celles d'un grenier paysan ainsi qu'à la température constante de 30°C. L'ovogénèse est stimulée, quoique faiblement, par la présence de gousses de la plante hôte. La présence du mâle est sans effet sur l'ovogénèse. La présence de gousses d'arachide n'a pas d'influence sur la copulation; la femelle est généralement réceptive dès qu'un premier ovocyte est parvenu à maturité. La ponte est fortement stimulée par la présence d'une gousse d'arachide. La rétention ovocytaire est très faible chez les femelles inséminées, même en l'absence de gousse. On observe chez les femelles vierges une rétention des ovocytes dans les oviductes latéraux, qui s'accompagne apparemment d'une résorption partielle; environ un tiers des ufs est néanmoins émis. A 30°C, des femelles régulièrement nourries de pollen présentent une fécondité moyenne d'environ 650 ufs; le maximum observé est de 1457 ufs. La longévité moyenne de ces femelles est d'environ trois mois, mais certaines vivent près de six mois, en l'absence de toute diapause.

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Summary Reproductive activity in a strain of Caryedon serratus originating from groundnut stores was studied in Congo under humidity, temperature and daylength conditions similar to those prevailing in farmers' stores as well as at constant 30°C. Oogenesis was slightly stimulated in the presence of unshelled groundnuts. The presence of males did not affect oogenesis. Groundnuts had no effect on mating. Females usually became sexually receptive after a first oocyte had matured. Oviposition by virgin females was strongly stimulated by the presence of nuts. Oocyte retention was very low in inseminated females, even in the absence of groundnuts. Virgin females exhibited oocyte retention in lateral oviducts, apparently together with resorption. Egg chorions were occasionnally observed in the bursa copulatrix of old virgin females, but no proof is given of the existence of resorption mechanisms in that gland. About one third of the eggload was eventually laid. At 30°C, the fecundity of inseminated and regularly pollen-fed females was about 650 eggs. Maximum lifetime egg production was 1457. These females had a mean length of life of about three months, and some individuals survived almost six months, with no sign of diapause.

     

3-Amino-6-methoxy-9-(2-hydroxyethylamino) acridine: A new fluorescent dye to detect mycoplasma contamination in cell cultures

A new fluorescent acridine orange derivative, 3-amino-6-methoxy-9-(2-hydroxyethylamino) acridine (AMHA), has been applied to Hela cells in order to set up appropriate conditions for the detection of mycoplasma contaminations. Since AMHA staining reveals intensely fluorescent nuclei and slight fluorescent cytoplasm, we can visualize and localize mycoplasma contamination on each cell. In combination with a shortened Chen's staining method (1977), AMHA should allow a better detection of mycoplasma in animal cell cultures than the well established Hoechst dye.     

Detection of the gangliosideN-glycolyl-neuraminyl-lactosyl-ceramide by biotinylatedEscherichia coli K99 lectin

K99 lectin fromEscherichia coli was purified and biotinylated via its carboxyl groups using biocytin hydrazide and a water soluble carbodiimide. Biotinylation of two out of the nine carboxyl groups was sufficient to permit detection of the lectin by avidin and did not cause any loss of the haemagglutinating activity. It was demonstrated that the biotinylated K99 lectin retained other important properties of native K99 and that it will probably become a very sensitive detecting reagent. Indeed, it was able to bind to HeLa cells, as do intact bacteria carrying K99 fimbriae, and also to recognizeN-glycolyl-neuraminyl-lactosyl-ceramide in an overlay binding assay. Abbreviations: NeuAc,N-acetylneuraminic acid; NeuGc,N-glycolylneuraminic acid; PBS, phosphate buffered saline (0.9% NaCl containing 150mm sodium phosphate, pH 7.2); LPS, lipopolysaccharide; BCHZ, biocytin hydrazide; EDC, 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide; BSA, bovine serum albumin; SDS-PAGE, sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis; DMEM, Dulbecco's modified Eagle medium. For the gangliosides, trivial names and structures are given according to the recommendations in [43]. NeuAc2-3Gal1-4Glc1-1Cer (NeuAc-GM₃); NeuGc2-3Gal1-4Glc1-1Cer (NeuGc-GM₃); GalNAc1-4(NeuAc2-3)Gal1-4Glc1-1Cer (GM₂); NeuAc2-8NeuAc2-3Gal1-4Glc1-1Cer (GD3); Gal1-3GalNAc1-4(NeuAc2-3)Gal1-4Glc1-1Cer (GM₁); NeuAc2-3Gal1-3GalNAc1-4(NeuAc2-3)Gal1-4Glc1-1Cer (GD_1a); Gal1-3GalNAc1-4(NeuAc2-8NeuAc2-3)Gal1-4Gle1-1Cer (GD_1b); NeuAc2-3Gal1-3GalNAc1-4(NeuAc2-8NeuAc2-3) Gal1.-4Glc1-1Cer (GT_1b). NeuGc2-3Gal1-4GleNAc1-4Gal1-4Glc1-1Cer (NeuGc-SPG).     

Peptide-N 4-(N-acetylglucosaminyl)asparagine amidase (PNGase) activity could explain the occurrence of extracellular xylomannosides in a plant cell suspension

We have previously isolated mannoside and xylomannoside oligosaccharides with one or two terminal reducingN-acetylglucosamine residues from the extracellular medium of white campion (Silene alba) suspension culture. We have now demonstrated the presence of peptide-N ⁴-(N-acetylglucosaminyl)asparagine amidase (PNGase) activity in cell extracts as well in the culture medium that could explain the production of those compounds. An additional xylomannoside, (GlcNAc)Man₃(Xyl)GlcNAc(Fuc)GlcNAc, was characterized, and¹H- and¹³C-NMR assignments for the oligosaccharide Man₃(Xyl)GlcNAc(Fuc)GlcNAc were obtained using homonuclear and heteronuclear spectroscopy (COSY).Abbreviations Endo endo--N-acetylglucosaminidase - Fuc fucose - GlcNAc N-acetylglucosamine - Man mannose - NMR nuclear magnetic resonance - PNGase peptide-N ⁴-(N-acetylglucosaminyl)asparagine amidase - Xyl xylose