Mechanisms of collective cell movement lacking a leading or free front edge in vivo

Collective cell movement is one of the strategies for achieving the complex shapes of tissues and organs. In this process, multiple cells within a group held together by cell–cell adhesion acquire mobility and move together in the same direction. In some well-studied models of collective cell movement, the mobility depends strongly on traction generated at the leading edge by cells located at the front. However, recent advances in live-imaging techniques have led to the discovery of other types of collective cell movement lacking a leading edge or even a free edge at the front, in a diverse array of morphological events, including tubule elongation, epithelial sheet extension, and tissue rotation. We herein review some of the developmental events that are organized by collective cell movement and attempt to elucidate the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms, which include membrane protrusions, guidance cues, cell intercalation, and planer cell polarity, or chirality pathways.     

Enzymatic characterization of nine endoparasite species of small ermine moths (Yponomeutidae)

Summary Eight hymenopterous and 1 dipterous species, all endoparasitic in eggs, larvae, or pupae of small ermine moths (Yponomeuta) were investigated for their allozyme variation at 3–29 loci. The mean heterozygosity level of the hymenopterous species is one-third of that of the dipterous species. Zymogram patterns of the parasite larvae do not interfere with those of the host.     

Demonstration of testosterone secretion by testicular tissue of hypophysectomized boar as affected by HCG in organ culture]

Boar Leydig cells undergo a strong atrophy from 1 to 3 months after hypophysectomy but can be reactivated by the gonadotropin HCG in organ culture conditions. This reactivation which appeared at histological and ultrastructural level was evidenced by the capacity of testicular tissue to synthesize testosterone as judged by radioimmunoassay. Both synthesis in the tissue and release into the medium increased according the incubation time with HCG; the adjonction of 17 alpha-OH-pregneolone to culture medium led to increase the intra and extra-tissular concentration of testosterone.     

Somatic chromosomes of black-headed oriole,Oriolus xanthornus (Linn.): A probable case of translocation heterozygosity

Summary 2n=80. There are 7 pairs of macrochromosomes in the male karyotype. In 2 females, besides the sex chromosomes, chromosome 3 and the largest microchromosome are unpaired and there is an additional large unpaired macrochromosome. This aberrant karyotype is best interpreted in terms of a reciprocal translocation heterozygosity, in all likelihood, at the population level.Acknowledgment. We thank Prof. U.S. Srivastava, Zoology Department, Allahabad University, for providing facilities. Financial assistance from CSIR, India in the form of a Senior Research Fellowship to one of us (H.A.A.) is thankfully acknowledged.     

Morphological and biochemical effects of ethylene on Tulips

Summary Tulip bulbs treated with ethylene at various concentrations, at different stages of development and during various lengths of time, exhibited various morphological abnormalities: open bud, stamen blasting, abnormal number of floral parts, increased number of second-year bulbs. These morphological changes were paralleled by rapid variations in the contents of proteins and RNAs, and a slow, yet noticeable, increase of the DNA content of flower buds.     

Lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase activity in carbohydrate-induced hypertriglyceridemia in mice. An immunofluorescent method for identification of isolated thyrotropic cells

Summary Feeding to mice of both basal as well as high sucrose diet led to increased levels of plasma triglycerides, which was associated with increased lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase activity. Although males had significantly higher LCAT activity than females in all the dietary groups, sex difference in the plasma triglycerides was observed in high sucrose group only. Increase in plasma triglycerides in experimental groups was associated with an increase in LCAT activity.     

Lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase activity in carbohydrate-induced hypertriglyceridemia in mice

Feeding to mice of both basal as well as high sucrose diet led to increased levels of plasma triglycerides, which was associated with increased lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase activity. Although males had significantly higher LCAT activity than females in all the dietary groups, sex difference in the plasma triglycerides was observed in high sucrose group only. Increase in plasma triglycerides in experimental groups was associated with an increase in LCAT activity.     

氧化苦参碱对人宫颈癌SiHa细胞株增殖及凋亡的影响

目的研究氧化苦参碱对体外人宫颈癌SiHa细胞株增殖活性及凋亡的影响。方法对人宫颈癌SiHa细胞株进行体外培养,经氧化苦参碱处理的细胞组为实验组,未经处理组为对照组。采用MTT细胞存活实验检测氧化苦参碱对入宫颈鳞癌SiHa细胞的增殖影响,并计算IC50;倒置相差显微镜下观察不同浓度的氧化苦参碱作用48h后SiHa细胞的形态改变;Hoechst33258染色法和Western blot法检测氧化苦参碱对SiHa细胞核及凋亡相关蛋白(P53、Bax及Bcl-2)表达水平的影响。结果 MTT结果显示氧化苦参碱剂量-时间依耐性抑制人宫颈癌SiHa细胞的体外增殖(P0.05),计算24 h、48 h和72 h的IC50分别为(1 028.41±3.57)μg/ml、(701.72±6.01)μg/ml和(406.88±2.15)μg/ml;氧化苦参碱处理48 h后,SiHa细胞的形态特征及数目发生显著变化,且随氧化苦参碱浓度的增加而愈加明显;Hoechst33258染色证实氧化苦参碱处理后SiHa细胞发生凋亡,可见典型的凋亡特征;Western blot结果证实氧化苦参碱(700μg/ml、1 600μg/ml)处理48 h后,和对照组比较,药物处理组细胞凋亡周期蛋白P53、Bax表达上调(P0.05),而Bcl-2表达下调(P0.05),Bax/Bcl-2的比率明显增加(P0.05)。结论氧化苦参碱可抑制体外人宫颈癌SiHa细胞的体外增殖活性发挥其抗肿瘤作用,其作用机制可能诱导SiHa细胞的凋亡有关。     

Selection for class II Mhc heterozygosity by parasites in subterranean mole rats.

Mhc organization and polymorphism have previously been studied in the four chromosomal species of the Spalax ehrenbergi superspecies in Israel, serologically, and at the DNA, RFLP and sequence levels of class I and class II genes. Here we demonstrate that the observed heterozygosity of Mhc class II genes P alpha 1 with 11 alleles, and Q beta, with at least 14 alleles, is positively and significantly correlated with infectivities of ectoparasites (gamasid mites) and endoparasites (helminths). Mhc heterozygosity is highest in the most infected area, which is in the most humid-warm region of the superspecies range, or where two zoogeographic regions overlap. We conclude that the evolutionary forces responsible for the Mhc class II two-gene polymorphisms include selection for increased heterozygosity as a defense strategy against ecto- and endoparasite infections.     

Enzyme variability in local populations ofDrosophila species

Summary Dimeric acid phosphatases are coded by allelic variants of a single autosomal gene. Esterases have revealed allelic as well as non-allelic polymorphism. Allelic frequencies and proportion of heterozygosity at the polymorphic loci have been described.     

Ordnungsprinzipien der Kristallwelt

Summary The author discusses the governing principles for the world of crystals, and sketches the development of the conception of crystal. The morphological investigations of mineralogists have led, by way of critical ordering and intuition, to principles and laws which make the spatial structure (Raumgitterstruktur) of crystalline material necessary. This working hypothesis was later confirmed by new experimental methods. The author points out the numerous analogies to other natural systems.     

Selection for class IIMhc heterozygosity by parasites in subterranean mole rats

Mhc organization and polymorphism have previously been studied²⁶ in the four chromosomal species of theSpalax ehrenbergi superspecies in Israel, serologically, and at the DNA, RFLP and sequence levels of class I and class II genes. Here we demonstrate that the observed heterozygosity ofMhc class II genesP₁ with 11 alleles, andQ, with at least 14 alleles, is positively and significantly correlated with infectivities of ectoparasites (gamasid mites)¹⁷ and endoparasites (helminths)¹⁸.Mhc heterozygosity is highest in the most infected area, which is in the most humid-warm region of the superspecies range, or where two zoogeographic regions overlap. We conclude that the evolutionary forces responsible for theMhc class II two-gene polymorphisms include selection for increased heterozygosity as a defense strategy against ecto- and endoparasite infections.     

Modulation of signal transduction through the cellular prion protein is linked to its incorporation in lipid rafts

Because expressed at a significant level at the membrane of human T cells, we made the hypothesis that the cellular prion protein (PrP^c) could behave as a receptor, and be responsible for signal transduction. PrP^c engagement by specific antibodies was observed to induce an increase in cytosolic calcium concentration and led to enhanced activity of Src protein tyrosine kinases. Antibodies to CD4 and CD59 did not influence calcium fluxes or signaling. The effect was maximal after the formation of a network involving avidin and biotinylated antibody to PrP^c and was inhibited after raft disruption. PrP^c localization was not restricted to rafts in resting cells but engagement was a prerequisite for signaling induction, with concomitant PrP^c recruitment into rafts. These results suggest a role for PrP^c in signaling pathways, and show that lateral redistribution of the protein into rafts is important for subsequent signal transduction.Received 22 July 2004; received after revision 10 September 2004; accepted 7 October 2004     

Microclimatic origin of inhaled air affects olfactory navigation of homing pigeons

Earlier experiments led to the conclusion that homing pigeons are able to deduce positional information from atmospheric odours they perceive at the site of release. Here we show that this ability is significantly reduced, if the inhaled air does not originate from the free airspace in an open landscape but from a close-to-the-ground level of a forest or a maize field.     

An unusual case of a complex heterozygote presenting no taxonomical problem inChelidonium majus L. (Papaveraceae)

Summary Chelidonium majus shows a closed ring of 12 chromosomes at meiosis. The maintenance of this translocation heterozygosity is assured by a balanced combination of lethal alleles. The fertility is estimated to be 60–70%. In spite of its genetic system and its wide distribution, the genus is monospecific.     

Cellularity and composition of epididymal adipose tissue from cold-acclimatized rats.

Cold acclimatization induces morphological and compositional modifications of rat epididymal adipose tissue: a decrease in fat cell size, an increase of fat cell number per g of tissue, but no significant increase in total fat cell number in the tissue; finally, an increase in protein content and a decrease in triglyceride content.     

姜黄素诱导肝癌HepG2细胞凋亡及其对bcl-2及survivin蛋白表达的影响

目的 研究姜黄素对HepG2细胞凋亡的促进作用,并探讨其可能的的作用机制.方法 实验分为空白对照组、1 mg/ml、1.5mg/ml、2mg/ml的姜黄素处理组,MTT法检测不同浓度姜黄素对细胞增殖抑制情况;电镜观察细胞形态及其结构变化;流式细胞术检测凋亡率;Western blot检测各组作用24 h后细胞中bcl-...     

盐酸戊乙奎醚对大鼠感染性脑水肿AQP4表达的影响

目的：研究盐酸戊乙奎醚对感染性脑水肿保护作用的机制。方法：采用左颈内动脉注射脂多糖复制大鼠感染性脑水肿模型,将84只雄性SD大鼠随机分为对照组（C组）、水肿组（I组）、盐酸戊乙奎醚治疗组（P组）。检测6h、12h、24h、48h时各组大鼠脑组织含水量、病理形态;脑组织SOD活性、MDA含量;免疫组化法及RT—PCR法检测AQP4蛋白分布与AQP4mRNA含量。结果：（1）与C组相比,I组、P组脑含水量、MDA含量均升高,同时SOD活性、AQP4蛋白、AQP4mRNA表达均减少（P〈0．01）。与对应时间点P组相比,I组脑含水量、MDA含量均升高,同时SOD活性、AQP4蛋白、AQP4mRNA表达均减少,于24h达高峰,48h仍在较高水平（P〈0．01）。（2）脑组织光镜检查：I组大鼠脑组织损伤严重,P组损伤明显减轻。结论：盐酸戊乙奎醚能在一定程度上可减轻感染所致的脑组织损伤,上调AQP4表达,对脑水肿有一定治疗作用,其机制可能与抗氧化作用有关。     

Enhancement of fibronectin expression by herbimycin A

Herbimycin A specifically increased the level of fibronectin mRNA in Rous sarcoma virus-infected rat kidney cells, and the time course of fibronectin expression was found to be closely related to that of morphological change induced by herbimycin A.     

Effect of light on variations in blood testosterone in the ram: demonstration of a photosensitive phase in diurnal rhythm]

6 groups each of 5 adult rams were subjected in light controlled pens to a pretreatment of normal variations in daylength during May and June. Then one group followed the normal daylength and the other five different "skeleton photoperiods" of 8 hrs of light per day consisting of: 7 hrs continuous light (7 L) + 1 hr light (1 L) situated at different times of the dark period (D) according to groups. Blood samples were taken once each week and hourly during one 24 hr period in June, July and September. Peripheral plasma testosterone measured by radio-immunoassay was used as an index of testicular activity. There was increase in the level of testosterone resuting from a rise in the number of peak release during the 24 hrs. In the different light treatments tested, only the treatment (7L+9D+1L)+7D) stimulated testosterone secretion with the pattern of testosterone of this group being similar to that of the control group. This indicates that there exists a photosensitive phase at 16 to 17 hrs after the beginning of the principal light (the subjective dawn).