Lability in the responses of cells in the auditory cortex of squirrel monkeys to species-specific vocalizations

Summary The activity of 28 cells located mainly in the secondary auditory cortex (A II) of awake squirrel-monkeys, was extracellularly recorded for periods of up to 6 h. Seven different species-specific vocalizations, which were repeatedly presented to the monkey, were used as auditory stimuli. Twenty-six cells responded, at least once, to one or more vocalizations; 22 cells revealed some change in their response (pattern or strength) to at least one vocalization (change in response). Twenty-one cells exhibited a change in the number and/or type of vocalization to which they responded during the recording period (change in selectivity). At some time during the recording period all the responding cells exhibited a change in response and/or a change in selectivity (change in responsiveness). A change in response of a cell to a vocalization did not necessarily exclude a change in selectivity, associated with the same vocalization, later in time and vice-versa. A change in responsiveness to one vocalization was not necessarily correlated with changes in responsiveness to other vocalizations.     

Untersuchungen über den Kohlenhydratanteil der Serumfraktionen

Zusammenfassung Der Kohlenhydratanteil der Serumfraktionen ist in der ₂-Fraktion am höchsten, in der ₁-,- und-Globulinfraktion niedriger aber annähernd gleich und im Bereich der Albuminfraktion am niedrigsten.Die engsten Beziehungen zwischen dem Protein anteil und dem Kohlenhydratauteil ergeben sich für die -Globuline, sie sind weniger deutlich in der-und-Fraktion und am wenigsten ausgeprägt im Bereich der Albuminfraktion. Ein Vergleich des Protein-Kohlenhydratanteils der einzelnen Fraktionen zeigt, daß sich einerseits die -Globulinfraktionen sehr ähnlich verhalten, andererseits die ₁-,- und-Globulinfraktionen Gemeinsamkeiten aufweisen. Für die Albuminfraktion lassen sich keine Beziehungen zu anderen Fraktionen feststellen.Da die -Globuline ausgesprochene Glykoproteide sind, ist bei Veränderungen des Proteinanteils dieser Fraktionen eine entsprechende Änderung des Kohlenhydratanteils zu erwarten. Entsprechend dem niedrigeren Kohlenhydratanteil der übrigen Fraktionen, sind bei Veränderungen ihrer Proteinanteile nicht entsprechend gleichartige Veränderungen der Kohlenhydratanteile vorhanden, zumal noch andere Grundstoffe, beispielsweise Lipoide in der-Fraktion, hierin enthalten sind und bei Veränderungen eine Rolle spielen.Da das Albumin praktisch kohlenhydratfrei ist, in dessen Bereich aber weitere Globulinfraktionen mit der gleichen Wanderungsgeschwindigkeit nachweisbar sind und die Kohlenhydratfärbung positive Resultate liefert, ist mit dieser Färbung offenbar die Möglichkeit gegeben, in diesem Bereich sonst nicht darstellbare Globulinfraktionen zu erfassen.     

Genetic characterization of an α-specific gene responsible for sexual agglutinability in Saccharomyces cerevisiae: mapping and gene dose effect

Summary A recessive ag1 mutation leads to specific defect in sexual agglutinability specifically in cells of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The cryptopleurine resistance gene cry^R 1, closely linked to the mating type locus, was used to select / strains which emerged from / strains by mitotic nonreciprocal recombination, to genetically analyse ag1, since ag1 is expressed only in mating type. The ag1 gene was found to be linked to the centromere tightly, to met3 at 4.4 cM, and to ilv3 at 12 cM on chromosome X. Sexual agglutinability of cells was shown to be dependent on the dose of the AG1 gene, using / isogenic strains carrying AG1/AG1, AG1/ag1 or ag1/ag1. The sst2-1 mutation did not suppress the ag1 mutation. Based on these results, function of the AG1 gene is discussed.Abbreviations cM centimorgan - FDS first division segregation - NPD nonparental ditype - PD parental ditype - SDS second division segregation - TT tetratype     

Density heterogeneities of hepatitis C virus in human sera due to the binding of β-lipoproteins and immunoglobulins

Heterogeneities in the density of hepatitis C virus RNA-carrying material (HCV-RNA-CM) found in human sera (1.03–1.20 g/cm³) are attributed to the binding of low-density lipoproteins and/or of IgG. In some sera HCV-RNA-CM seems to be nearly totally bound to -lipoproteins and cannot be precipitated by anti-IgG (); in others more than 95% of HCV-RNA-CM is bound to IgG and cannot be precipitated by anti--lipoprotein. Furthermore, there are sera from which HCV-RNA-CM can be completely be precipitated by either anti--lipoprotein or anti-IgG (), pointing to a binding of the two serum proteins to the same HCV-RNA-CM. There are other sera from which HCV-RNA-CM can be partially precipitated by the one or the other antiserum, leaving behind fractions, which are bound to -lipoprotein or to IgG. HCV-RNA-CM cannot be precipitated from some sera either by anti--lipoprotein or by anti-IgG ().     

Prostate specific antigen and prostate specific acid phosphatase in adenocarcinoma of Skene's paraurethral glands and ducts

An autopsy case of adenocarcinoma of Skene's paraurethral gland co-incident with renal cell carcinoma is described. The adenocarcinoma showed distinct prostate specific antigen and prostate specific acid phosphatase pointing to the equivalence between the male prostate and Skene's paraurethral glands and ducts. Skene's gland are the homologue of the prostate in females and tumours arising from them are immunohistochemically similar to male prostate carcinoma.In the title and text the authors used the official term of Nomina Anatomica paraurethral (Skene's) glands and ducts. Nevertheless recently published data on cross-antigenicity between the male prostate and Skene's glands and the newly discovered exocrine and neuroendocrine parameters of the prostate homologue in the female, comparable with the male prostate (Zaviai 1987), support the use of the same term — the prostate — for prostatic tissue in both sexes (Zaviai 1987, Zaviai et al. 1985). The designations female prostate homologue or female prostate equivalent are a compromise between terms the female prostate and Skene's paraurethral glands.     

Three-dimensional reconstruction of transmitter-identified central neurons by “en bloc” immunofluorescence histochemistry and confocal scanning microscopy

Summary A new method for three-dimensional reconstruction of transmitter-identified neurons is presented which involves en bloc immunofluorescence histochemistry and confocal scanning microscopy. The technique was applied to different types of neurons in the rat brain and lamprey spinal cord. Thick sections or tissue blocs (50–200 m thick) were incubated with antisera against neuropeptides or monoaminergic markers, followed by fluorescent secondary antibodies. Three-dimensional reconstructions were obtained by scanning the preparations in sequential focal planes with a thin laser beam, while sampling the emitted light in each focal plane. The method is convenient and can be applied to a wide variety of neuron types. The reconstructions obtained are accurate since the optical serial sections of the specimen are perfectly aligned, and optic disturbances such as halo phenomena do not occur.     

Ultrasonography gives directly but noninvasively elastic characteristic of human tendon in vivo

To obtain an insight into tendon elasticity during human movement, a real-time ultrasonography was applied to the contracting tibialis anterior muscle. The insertion point of fascicles onto the aponeurosis was clearly visualized, and its position relative to a fixed marker on the skin moved proximally (1) according to the increasing dorsiflexion force (F) with a fixed ankle joint. Notably, the 1 – F relationship in the tendon was found to be quadratic in nature (F = c1²; c=1.48 2.24, r=0.985 0.992, n=9) as has been reported in the isolated tendon, although the F – 1 curves were slightly underestimated in comparison with the stiffness constant estimated from tendon architecture. This underestimation might be caused by changes in the height of the foot arch with the application of force.     

Binding of human fibrinogen and its polypeptide chains to group B streptococci

Of 51 group-B streptococcal cultures, 20 bound¹²⁵I-labelled human fibrinogen. In contrast to the streptococci of groups A, C and G, the group-B streptococci interacted more with the, -chain of fibrinogen than with whole fibrinogen. None of the streptococcal cultures reacted with-chain. The fibrinogen-negative group-B streptococci still bound the, -chain. The binding of¹²⁵I-labelled,, -chain could be inhibited by unlabelled fibrinogen with fibrinogen-positive, but not with fibrinogen-negative streptococci of group B.     

Z-line structural diversity in frog single muscle fiber in the passive state

The structural changes of the Z-line between small square net (ss) and basket weave (bw) cross-sectional patterns were examined using intact single fibers and mechanically skinned fibers in the passive state to determine if the pattern is related to the sarcomere length (SL) and if the pattern undergoes a reversible transition in low- and high-osmotic medium.Frog single fibers were isolated from the anterior tibial muscle in Ringer's solution. Entirely or partially skinned single fibers were prepared in relaxing solution (also called low-osmotic medium).The high osmotic medium contained 10% polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) in relaxing solution.The sarcomere length (SL) of each fiber was measured directly by use of a laser beam or indirectly from electron micrographs with use of a correction factor. The ss and bw forms in cross sections were quantified by analysis of electron micrographs. The results show that the structural change of Z-line occurs around bw 2.3–2.4m ss (n = 25) and bw 3.1–3.2m ss (n = 13) in intact single fibers and skinned fibers, respectively. With the quick freeze-freeze substitution method, an intact single fiber with a SL of 2.35m showed almost 100% of ss form. The structural transition in cross section was also confirmed in four partially skinned fibers, where patterns went from mostly ss form (intact portion) to mostly bw form (skinned portion) at the SL between 2.40 to 3.20m.The reversibility of the change between ss and bw was proved by using low- and high-osmotic medium. The transition and reversion of cross-sectional patterns both occur in the passive state.     

Distribution of neurons with set- and movement-related activity before hand and foot movements in the premotor cortex of rhesus monkeys

Summary Neuronal activity was studied in the premotor cortex (PM) of two rhesus monkeys, each of which performed both forelimb and hindlimb movements. On each trial, the monkey received a visual instruction stimulus (IS) that indicated whether a foot or a hand movement would be rewarded on that trial. After a delay period, during which the monkey withheld an overt movement, a visual trigger stimulus (TS) was presented to indicate that the monkey should execute a movement. Of 572 task-related neurons recorded in PM, 149 neurons showed set-related activity, defined as a significant increase or decrease in discharge rate throughout most of the instructed delay period, and 299 neurons showed movement-related activity, defined as a significant change in discharge rate between the TS and movement onset. Both setand movement-related activity were subdivided into three patterns: activity modulation 1) before a foot movement only (foot neurons); 2) before a hand movement only (hand neurons); and 3) before both foot and hand movements (mixed neurons). The distribution of set-related neurons mostly overlapped with that of movement-related neurons, although set-related neurons were located in more restricted regions than movement-related neurons. Foot neurons with setand movementrelated activity were distributed near the superior precentral sulcus. Hand neurons were mainly located lateral to the foot neurons with some overlap. The results indicate that most PM setand movement-related neurons contribute, respectively, to the preparation for and execution of specific limb movements, as opposed to movement per se. Further, the differential distribution of neurons with activity related to hindlimb vs. forelimb movement supports previous indications that PM is topographically organized.     

Effect of severe stress on theβ-lipoprotein content of blood serum and of some organs

Summary Subjection of rats to violent stresses causes appreciable changes in the -lipoprotein contents of their serum and of some of their organs. Violent acute stresses (hypoxia, scalding, immersion in cold water) cause rises in the -lipoprotein levels of the serum and the liver. Acidosis developing following application of some of the stressful factors is regularly associated with a fall in the content of liver and serum -lipoproteins.Application of violent stresses either does not affect the -lipoprotein contents of the brain and the heart, or it raises them.(Presented by Member AMN SSSR S. V. Anichkov) Translated from Byulleten Éksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny Vol. 56, No. 7, pp. 56–60, July, 1963     

Interspecific genetic complementation analysis of human and sheep fibroblasts withβ-galactosidase deficiency

Interspecific somatic cell hybrids were analyzed by genetic complementation to determine if a lysosomal storage disease in sheep associated with deficiencies of -galactosidase and -neuraminidase was homologous with any of four -galactosidase-deficient human diseases. Fibroblasts from -glactosidase-deficient sheep, cats, and human patients were fused and assayed histochemically for -galactosidase, with 5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl -d-galactoside. We observed complementation in heterokaryons consisting of fibroblasts from -galactosidase-deficient sheep and fibroblasts from patients with galactosialidosis or mucolipidosis type II, but no complementation in heterokaryons consisting of fibroblasts from -galactosidase-deficient sheep and fibroblasts from human or feline GM₁, gangliosidosis (type I) or from human mucopolysaccharidosis type IVB fibroblasts. We conclude that the ovine disease is due to a mutation at the genetic locus homologous with that of GM₁, gangliosidosis and mucopolysaccharidosis type IVB, suggesting that the primary defect in the ovine disease is a mutation of the -galactosidase structural gene.     

Amygdalar inputs to ADH-secreting supraoptic neurones in rats

Summary Effects of amygdala stimulation on the discharge activity of antidromically identified supraoptic neurosecretory neurones were studied in male rats anaesthetized with urethane. Stimulation of the medial and the basal amygdala produced excitation or inhibition of discharge activity both in phasically firing (phasic) and in continuously firing (continuous) neurones. More phasic neurones were excited than were inhibited after medial amygdala stimulation. On the other hand, fewer continuous neurones were excited by stimulation of the either amygdala area than were inhibited. This difference of responsiveness between phasic and continuous neurones is statistically significant. Synaptic inputs to supraoptic neurosecretory neurones after amygdala stimulation were also observed in rats with a lesion of the stria terminalis. Supraoptic nucleus stimulation activated antidromically 14 of the 336 amygdala neurones tested. Since phasic neurones have been identified as ADH-secreting neurones, it is concluded that ADH-secreting neurones in the rat supraoptic nucleus receive predominantly excitatory synaptic inputs from the medial amygdala and these amygdalar synaptic inputs are mediated by pathways which are at least in part monosynaptic and are not included in the stria terminalis.Supported by the grants nos. 56440079, 56121007 and 56770057 from the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture, Japan     

Coronary blood flow in rats native to simulated high altitude and in rats exposed to it later in life

Summary In rats exposed to a simulated high altitude of 3500 m for their whole prenatal and postnatal life a severe cardiac hypertrophy develops. In rats born and first staying 5 weeks at sea level and then being exposed to simulated high altitude, only a unilateral right cardiac hypertrophy occurs. In both groups nutritional coronary blood flow was estimated in left ventricle, right ventricle, and septum and was compared with control animals of similar age. Coronary blood flow was measured at hypoxia in all groups. At first cardiac output was determined by the Fick principle, then⁸⁶Rb was applied and the animals were killed after 55 sec. Activity of⁸⁶Rb was measured in both cardiac ventricles and septum and the fractional uptake was calculated. According to Sapirstein (1956, 1958) the distribution of⁸⁶Rb follows the distribution of cardiac output and from both these data the nutritional blood flow to the parts of the heart may be estimated.Cardiac output was similar in rats exposed to simulated high altitude later in life (newcomers) and in control animals, but it was significantly lower in rats born in the low pressure chamber (natives).Fractions of cardiac output supplying cardiac ventricles and septum in rats from both hypoxic groups were significantly higher than in control animals. In the natives they were significantly higher than in the newcomers. The fractions of cardiac output in both newcomers and natives remained significantly higher than those of the control animals, also when calculated per gram of heart tissue.Nutritional coronary blood flow (in ml/min) was higher in both ventricles and septum of the newcomers and in the right ventricle of the natives, and lower in the septum of the natives, when compared with control animals. Coronary blood flow per gram of heart tissue (in ml/min·g) was significantly higher in all cardiac parts of the newcomers, but it was about the same in all cardiac parts of the natives when compared with controls.The importance of observed changes concerning myocardial tissue oxygenation is analyzed by using Krogh's cylindrical tissue model.Presented in part at the XXVIth International Congress of Physiological Sciences, New Delhi, India, October 20–26, 1974.     

Adaptation and habituation of the vestibulo-ocular reflex in intact and inferior olive-lesioned rats

Summary The gain of the vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) of intact pigmented rats was adaptively modified by training protocols that created a visual-vestibular conflict. For training, head restrained animals were oscillated on a turntable in front of an optokinetic pattern projected onto a cylindrical wall. The optokinetic pattern either moved the same amplitude with the animal (in-phase: 0.05 Hz ± 20°/s) or opposite in direction (out-of-phase: turntable and pattern 0.05 Hz ± 10°/s each). VOR responses were tested in darkness before and after each 8 min training period for a duration of 40 min. During out-of-phase training the gain of compensatory eye movements measured in light was close to 2 from the beginning on and the VOR tested in darkness increased in gain progressively from 0.48 (±0.12) to 0.9 (±0.3; P < 0.05) in 5 out of 7 rats. Two rats did not adapt their VOR gain. Phase values decreased slightly by about 10°. During in-phase stimulation compensatory eye movements were almost completely suppressed (gain close to 0) from the beginning on and the VOR tested in darkness decreased gradually in gain from 0.62 (±0.17) to 0.13 (±0.1; P<0.001) in all 6 trained rats. Phase values decreased in parallel from 151° to 119° (P< 0.01). The effectiveness of the in-phase training paradigm in the absence of compensatory eye movements indicates that retinal image slip is the relevant signal for adaptation. In seven rats with histologically verified almost complete inferior olive (IO) lesions (chemically induced at least 45 days prior to training), out-of-phase and in-phase stimulation evoked compensatory eye movements with gains comparable to those in intact rats. VOR parameters measured in darkness were altered with respect to those of control rats. Gain differed extremely between individuals and phase lag re acceleration was in all IO-lesioned rats larger than in intact rats. The time constant of the VOR in response to table velocity steps was significantly longer (17 s ±4) than in intact rats (11 s ± 3). Training did not alter the gain of the VOR in 5 out of 7 IO-lesioned rats. One rat increased its gain during out-of-phase training in the first, but not during a second training session (and not during in-phase training) and another rat decreased its gain during in-phase training (but not during out-of-phase training). These changes in VOR gain might have occurred by chance rather than by learning. The absence of adaptation in IO-lesioned rats can be explained either by the absence of climbing fiber mediated slip signals in the cerebellar cortex or by lesion-induced secondary changes which result in a long-term reduction of the inhibitory efficacy of Purkinje-cells. In the absence of arousing stimuli VOR responses of intact rats exhibit a strong decrement during table oscillations in darkness. Between trials, with the rat at rest, response magnitude recovered spontaneously. Six out of 8 IO-lesioned rats expressed a very similar modification of their VOR gain. These results indicate that the neural mechanisms responsible for adaptive gain decrease during in-phase training and those responsible for a gain decrease during short-term habituation are different.     

Destabilization of herpes simplex virus type 1 virions by local anesthetics,alkaline pH,and calcium depletion

Summary The infectivity of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) was found to be markedly reduced by treating virions with the tertiary amine local anesthetics lidocaine, dibucaine and tetracaine. These treatments induced a characteristic shift in the buoyant density of the HSV-1 particles from a light to a heavy population. HSV-1 virions were unstable at alkaline pH, and alkali treatment caused the same shift in buoyant density. Ca²⁺ stabilized the light population. These results suggest that the physicochemical status of the HSV-1 envelope which is sensitive to the treatments described above plays an important role for the integrity of the virion.     

Vascular lesions in testes associated with male infertility in Cameroon

Summary Testicular biopsies in 40 of 41 infertile males with severe oligospermia in Cameroon presented massive subendothelial fibrinoid deposits in the small and medium sized vessels. Fibrinogen, complement and IgM were demonstrated in these deposits by immunofluorescence. Evidence strongly suggestive of parasitic testicular involvement was also observed in 2 cases.It is postulated that the fibrinoid deposits are the result of repeated formation and deposition of circulating immune complexes by reaction of antibodies with antigens. These antigens could be of various origins and in the cases described here they could be derived from living or dying parasites in the region. The accumulation and incorporation of the fibrinoid deposits may lead to vascular stenosis resulting in chronic ischaemia, tubular atrophy and fibrosis, and finally oligospermia.     

Cyclic AMP-resistant mutants of S49 mouse lymphoma cells hemizygous for expression of regulatory subunit of type I cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase

For use in studies of the functional organization of regulatory (R) subunit of type I cAMP-dependent protein kinase, 84 independent cyclic AMP-resistant mutants were isolated from sublines of S49 mouse lymphoma cells that are hemizygous for expression of the R subunit. Mutants were characterized by two-dimensional gel analysis of the R subunits, assays of kinase activation, and assays of cAMP-binding. All but eight of the mutants had kinases with increased apparentK _as for cAMP-dependent activation, and studies with site-selective cAMP analogs revealed considerable phenotypic diversity among these mutants. Forty-nine of the mutants had charge-shift lesions that mapped to regions of the R subunit polypeptide implicated in cAMP-binding. Twenty-five of the charge-shift mutants expressed only mutant R subunits, and the lesions in most of these isolates inhibited binding of cAMP to mutated cAMP-binding sites. The remainder of the charge-shift mutants expressed both mutant R subunit and R subunit with wild-type gel mobilities. The origin of these heterozygous mutants from parental hemizygous cells remains a puzzle.     

Selection and properties ofPseudomonas aeruginosa variants resistant to beta-lactam antibiotics

The relation between basal and inducible-lactamase production and resistance to-lactam compounds was studied in five clinicalPseudomonas aemginosa isolates and their corresponding resistant variants selected in the presence of either piperacillin, ceftazidime or aztreonam. In all wild-type strains enzyme levels were barely detectable in the uninduced state and most-lactams, including sulbactam and clavulanic acid, exhibited poor induction potency. Imipenem proved to be the most potent inducer in both these strains and their resistant variants. In the variants selected by either piperacillin or ceftazidime enzyme production amounted to 1.28 units/mg protein of the cell-free supernatants following the addition of-lactams as inducers. Additionally, these variants exhibited the phenomenon of non-specific induction, i.e. the increase of enzyme production by either a complex nutrient medium or by addition of vitamins. Enzyme production in the aztreonam-resistant variants was identical to that in the wild-type strains with a single exception, where the entire derepression of-lactamase production in one of the variants took place. Derepression of the chromosomally mediated enzyme affects the susceptibility to ureidopenicillins more than that to carboxy-penicillins and cephalosporins, whereas the-lactamase-independent resistance results in increased resistance to all-lactams with the single exception of imipenem.     

Differential secretion of TNF-α and IFN-γ by human peripheral blood-derived NK subsets and association with functional maturation

Natural killer cells can be separated into three major subsets (free, binder, and killer) based on their ability to bind and kill sensitive target cells. The nonbinder, nonkiller free cells are the most immature and can be activated to become binders and killers. Natural killer (NK) cells synthesize and secrete several cytokines that are intimately involved in NK activation. This study investigated the secretion of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-) and interferon-gamma (IFN-) by purified NK cells and NK subsets following activation by various stimuli. K562 target cells stimulated secretion of both TNF- and IFN- by both the binder and the killer subsets but not by the free subset. IFN- activated the secretion of IFN- only, whereas IL-2 activated the secretion of both TNF- and IFN- by the binder and killer subsets and secretion was augmented by the addition of K562 to the cultures. Phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) and ionophore stimulated TNF- and IFN- secretion in both the binder and the killer subsets, though IFN- secretion was more pronounced in the binder subset. Activation of TNF- and IFN- secretion was dependent on de novo protein synthesis. Analysis at the single-cell level demonstrated that the binder subset had the highest frequency of cells secreting IFN-. These results demonstrate that both the binder and the killer subsets can be activated to secrete TNF- and IFN-, whereas the free NK subset secretes little or no TNF- and IFN- following activation. These data suggest that the ability of NK cells to secrete TNF- and IFN- following activation correlates with the functional stage of maturation of NK cells.