Leydig cell function in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

Streptozotocin diabetic rats were infertile as a result of decreased Leydig cell function of the testes. The major changes found were: decreased number of Leydig cells and their spontaneous secretion of testosterone. No change in the receptors to LH on the Leydig cells was observed. LH was found to be obligatory for the regulation of Leydig cell function and fertility.     

In vitro inactivation of corpora allata of the bugOncopeltus fasciatus by precocene II

Summary Corpora allata fromOncopeltus fasciatus incubated in vitro in medium containing 10^–5.35 M (1 g/ml) of precocene II lose their ability to secrete juvenile hormone when reimplanted into last instar larvae.Acknowledgments. We thank Mr K. Dorn, Mrs L. Dolezal, Mrs V. Nötzli-Graf, Mr K.H. Trautmann and Mr A. Schuler for technical help, Dr W. Vogel and Dr A. Dübendorfer for valuable discussions.     

Does an inhibitor of mitochondrial adenylate kinase also affect oxidative phosphorylation?

Summary Adenylate kinase activity of intact mitochondria is strongly inhibited by Ap₅A, i.e.p ¹,p ⁵-Di (adenosine-5-) pentaphosphate, whereas oxidative phosphorylation is not affected. Therefore, Ap₅A is a useful tool to distinguish between oxidative and non oxidative ATP generating reactions.Acknowledgment. The generous support of Prof. Dr.Walther Lamprecht is gratefully acknowledged. J. L. thanks the Stipendienfonds des Verbandes der Chemische Industrie for a scholarship.     

Progress in the study of tectophysicochemistry

Tectophysicochemistry is a research area that deals with the interrelations between physical and chemical changes of crustal materials caused by tectonism. A given tectonic force may be resolved into two parts: homogeneous stress and differential stress. Homogeneous stress refers to isotopic pressure, which is superimposed on the original pressure and affects the equilibrium of various chemical reactions. It is also a factor that influences petrogenesis,metallogenesis and metamorphism. Differential stress is commonly produced when external forces act on a given solid body. It may cause deformation of crustal materials and generate various kinds of structural features. Tectophysicochemistry pays special attention to pressure, temperature and other physicochemical conditions produced or induced by tectonism and studies the influences of additional tectonic parameters on various chemical equilibria, so it gradually develops into an independent area of science.     

Holocene lake deposits of Bosten Lake, southern Xinjiang, China

A 9.25-m-long sediment core from Bosten Lake,Xinjiang, provides detailed information about changes in the water budget and biological acticity over the last 8400 cal-endar years. The chronology is constructed from six AMS radiocarbon dates on the terrestrial plant remains. Based onanalyses of TOC, CO3, detrital compounds and biogenic SiO2,lake level fluctuations and periods of remarkably-negative water budget appeared at 8.4-8.2 cal ka, 7.38-7.25 cal ka,5.7-5.5 cal ka, 3.7-3.4 cal ka and 3.3-2.9 cal ka, respec-tively. As they are in-phase with low lake levels at Sumxl Co and Bangong Co in western Tibet Plateau and with paleo-lakes in Inner Mongolia, a climate-induced change to some-what drier and warmer conditions is inferred. A further drop in lake level after 1320 AD of about 200 yr duration may heattributed to a negative water balance prior to the main phase of the Little Ice Age. Deep and stable lake phases of 1500 yr and 1800 yr duration at 7.2-5.7 cal ka and 5.5-3.7cal ka coincide with maximum moisture during the Holocene Megathermai in China. The long term trend towards aridity since about 4.3 cal ka can dearly be recognised. The reduced water budget of Bosten Lake from 640-1200 AD may be attributed to local effects.     

Effect of various stressors on the levels of lipid peroxide,antioxidants and Na+, K+-ATPase actrivity in rat brain

The level of malondialdehyde (MDA), an index of lipid peroxidation, and the antioxidants superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione (GSH), as well as the activity of Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase, were assessed in whole rat brain after immobilization, anemic hypoxia (NaNO₂) and 72 h starvation. The effect of these stressors on plasma glucose and corticosterone levels was also observed. Hypoxia and starvation stimulated the lipidj peroxide formation in braini as indicated by an increase in the level of MDA, being higher after starvation than hypoxia. Brain SOD activity was also increased in response to hypoxia and starvation while GSH content was only diminished ini hypoxia. However, neither MDA nor antioxidants were affected by immobilization. On the other hand, the activity of brain Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase was significantly increased by immobilization and hypoxia but decreased in starvation. A similar pattern of change was also observed in plasma glucose and corticosterone levels in response to these stressors. These results elucidate differences in the biochemical response of animals towards various types of stress, with increased lipid peroxide formation in hypoxia and starvation.     

高校图书馆知识管理浅谈

知识管理是知识经济时代的一种全新的管理思想。阐述了高校图书馆在对自身实施知识管理时应注意的环节、存在的问题以及所要避免陷入的几个误区，并对未来的知识管理进行了展望。     

城市定位与城镇群建设

城市是一个国家和民族对外开放的窗口、商品国际交换的平台，它决定着整个国家和地区的竞争力。文章对廊坊市城市发展的现状和廊坊市城镇群建设战略进行了论述，希望对我国其他城市的发展有一定的参考作用。     

世界文化和不可知论的政见——一个致力于跨文化融洽交流的计划

就世界文化课程内容的具体设置,及联合大学与传媒以更好地实现课程积极目标等诸问题进行探讨.通过多层次的论证强调指出人们始终持有相异或相冲突的宗教、哲学以及意识形态,尚没有一种普世真理足以使世间所有人心悦诚服.即便是广泛接受和运用中的科学知识,其发展亦受阻于人类本身的局限而不可确定.尽管科学在前沿问题研究上竞争激烈,也仍然无法回答和消除所有的问题和差异.因此,从全球或泛人类立场观之,人类现有的知识与理解能力具有不确定和不完整的特点,而这样的特点浸透在所有的具体文化信仰之中.认识到共同局限性的人们--尤其是政界的领导人--亟需摒弃极端的文化分离思想,以更宽容理解的心态思考和行动,这样才能避免不同民族及不同国家间的不断冲突和互相伤害.