Gene amplification in oocytes of the rove beetle Creophilus maxillosus (Staphylinidae, Coleoptera-Polyphaga).

The extra-DNA body was found, for the first time, in oocytes of an insect with telotrophic ovary. Dispersion of this body is accompanied by an enormous increase of nuclear volume and production of multiple nucleoli. It is suggested that the extra-DNA contains a huge mass of nucleolus organizers.     

Persistence of body weight cycles in dormice maintained with a limited food supply

Summary Dormice kept under food restriction for several months continued to exhibit body weight cycles with characteristic periods of about 2 months, despite an impaired ability to attain the high body weight levels observed in ad libitum conditions. These results imply that the cycle is controlled by a mechanism whose properties are more consistent with an endogenous oscillator than with a sequence of stages, in which the relevant stages are defined by upper and lower body weight limits.I thank N. Mrosovsky, Michael Boshes and John D. Hallonquist for comments. This research was supported by a National Research Council of Canada grant to N. Mrosovsky.     

Vital Instability: Life and Free Will in Physics and Physiology, 1860–1880

During the period 1860–1880, a number of physicists and mathematicians, including Maxwell, Stewart, Cournot and Boussinesq, used theories formulated in terms of physics to argue that the mind, the soul or a vital principle could have an impact on the body. This paper shows that what was primarily at stake for these authors was a concern about the irreducibility of life and the mind to physics, and that their theories can be regarded primarily as reactions to the law of conservation of energy, which was used among others by Helmholtz and Du Bois-Reymond as an argument against the possibility of vital and mental causes in physiology. In light of this development, Maxwell, Stewart, Cournot and Boussinesq showed that it was still possible to argue for the irreducibility of life and the mind to physics, through an appeal to instability or indeterminism in physics: if the body is an unstable or physically indeterministic system, an immaterial principle can act through triggering or directing motions in the body, without violating the laws of physics.     

Evidence for inhibition of corpora allata activity in workers ofBombus terrestris by a pheromone from the queen's mandibular glands

Summary Queens ofBombus terrestris inhibit the activity of worker corpora allata by means of a pheromone which is produced in their mandibular glands. Exstirpated and homogenized glands as well as an extract of the queen's body surface show the same inhibitory effect as a living unmutilated queen. The pheromone remains on the body only for 1 day after the queen has been killed. The activity of the corpora allata of workers was determined volumetrically as well as by means of a juvenile hormone synthesis in vitro assay.Acknowledgment. The work was supported by the Netherlands Organisation for the advancement of pure research, ZWO.     

Persistence of body weight cycles in dormice maintained with a limited food supply.

Dormice kept under food restriction for several months continued to exhibit body weight cycles with characteristic periods of about 2 months, despite an impaired ability to attain the high body weight levels observed in ad libitum conditions. These results imply that the cycle is controlled by a mechanism whose properties are more consistent with asn endogenous oscillator than with a sequence of stages, in which the relevant stages are defined by upper and lower body weight limits.     

Persistence of infradian body weight cycles in castrated dormice (Glis glis)

Summary Male dormice were castrated at 2 phases of their infradian body weight cycles. No consistent changes were found in cycle period, amplitude, or absolute weights of the dormice following castration. Unlike other mammals, body weights of dormice appear unaffected by castration. Although both body weight and reproductive condition vary on an infradian basis, the changes in body weight appear to be programmed independently from changes in gonadal function.Acknowledgments. I would like to thank R. Melnyk, N. Mrosovsky, and J. D. Hallonquist for much helpful criticism and K. Lang and J. Kenyon for invaluable technical help. Research support was provided by a National Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada grant to N. Mrosovsky.     

比格犬黑皮质素受体3基因291位点突变与体重性状相关性的分析

分析比格犬MC3R基因突变与体重性状的关系。抽取112只比格犬血液,记录体重数据,然后提取DNA;采用PCR-RFLP技术对MC3R基因G291A位点进行分析,并克隆测序。测序结果表明,291位点表现为G、A二个等位基因和GG、GA及AA三种基因型;统计分析结果显示AA型犬与GG型犬体重比较差异显著（P〈0．05）。犬MC3R基因突变可致体重增加,可作为犬体重标记的候选基因。     

Regulation of sodium and body fluid homeostasis during development: Implications for the pathogenesis of hypertension

The spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) is an important animal model of human essential hypertension. During the first month of life, increased retention of sodium is present in the SHR which appears to be mediated by the renin-angiotensin system. The present review will discuss the role that increased activity of the renin-angiotensin system plays in sodium/body fluid regulation during early development. It is hypothesized that disordered regulation of sodium/body fluid homeostasis during this stage leads to pathological cardiovascular regulation in adulthood. Through an understanding of the relationship between sodium/body fluid balance in the young and cardiovascular function in the adult insights may be gained into both the pathological state of hypertension and the critical role played by early development in shaping homeostatic mechanisms in adulthood.     

Regulation of sodium and body fluid homeostasis during development: implications for the pathogenesis of hypertension.

The spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) is an important animal model of human essential hypertension. During the first month of life, increased retention of sodium is present in the SHR which appears to be mediated by the renin-angiotensin system. The present review will discuss the role that increased activity of the renin-angiotensin system plays in sodium/body fluid regulation during early development. It is hypothesized that disordered regulation of sodium/body fluid homeostasis during this stage leads to pathological cardiovascular regulation in adulthood. Through an understanding of the relationship between sodium/body fluid balance in the young and cardiovascular function in the adult insights may be gained into both the pathological state of hypertension and the critical role played by early development in shaping homeostatic mechanisms in adulthood.     

Molecular characterization and expression of the antimicrobial peptide defensin from the housefly (Musca domestica)

A 430-bp cDNA encoding the insect antimicrobial peptide defensin was cloned from the housefly, and designated Musca domestica defensin (Mdde). The open reading frame of the cDNA encoded a 92-amino acid peptide with an N-terminal signal sequence followed by a propeptide that is processed by cleavage to a 40-amino acid mature peptide. Northern analysis and in situ hybridization identified the corresponding mRNA in the fat body of bacterially challenged houseflies and in the epidermis of the body wall of naive and challenged houseflies. The Gram-negative bacterium (Escherichia coli) is a strong inducer of the gene. By RT-PCR, Mdde mRNA was also detected in naive and challenged insects. These findings suggest that the defensin gene is constitutively expressed in the epidermis of the housefly body wall. The predicted mature form of Mdde was expressed as a recombinant peptide in E. coli and Pichia pastoris. The recombinant Mdde expressed in Pichia was active against Gram-positive and some Gram-negative bacteria. Received 20 June 2006; received after revision 3 October 2006; accepted 30 October 2006     

Resting energy expenditure in patients with cirrhosis of the liver measured by indirect calorimetry,anthropometry and bioelectrical impedance analysis

Energy expenditure was investigated in 15 patients with liver cirrhosis and 20 healthy controls by three methods: indirect calorimetry, anthropometry using the Harris-Benedict equation and bioelectrical impedance analysis. The energy expenditure was expressed in kcal/day, kcal/kg BW/day (BW — body weight), kcal/kg LBM/day (LBM — lean body mass, derived by bioelectrical impedance analysis) or in kcal/m²/day. We did not find statistical differences between values of resting energy expenditure obtained in patients with cirrhosis of the liver and healthy controls whichever method we used. We also did not find statistical differences between values obtained by indirect calorimetry, anthropometry and bioelectrical impedance analysis. There was a significant correlation between indirect calorimetry and anthropometry in both groups. We found significant correlations between indirect calorimetry and anthropometry, and between indirect calorimetry and bioelectrical impedance analysis, in the control group only. We can conclude that (1) resting energy expenditure of patients with cirrhosis of the liver is not changed when compared with healthy controls, and (2) bioelectrical impedance is a useful method to calculate body composition from which energy expenditure is derived; however, it gives an appropriate result only in healthy people, and only approximate values in patients with cirrhosis.     

Heat balance modelling

The only way to describe the effects of the thermal environment on the human body completely is to do it by means of an energy balance equation. In such an equation all relevant meteorological parameters, behavioral characteristics (activity and clothing) and body measurements can be considered. Using Fanger's comfort equation and the models MEMI and IMEM as examples, the problems of energy balancing and ways of solving them are described. The value of energy balance models is documented by examples from the field of application.     

Timed bromocriptine administration reduces body fat stores in obese subjects and hyperglycemia in type II diabetics

Obese postmenopausal female volunteers were given timed daily oral dosages of bromocriptine, and tested for reduction of body fat stores. This dopamine agonist has been shown to reset circadian rhythms that are altered in obese animals and to reduce body fat levels in several animal models. The participants were instructed not to alter their existing exercise and eating behavior during treatment. Skinfold measurements were taken on 33 subjects as indices of body fat. The measurements (e.g., suprailiac) were reduced after six weeks by about 25%, which represents a reduction of 11.7% of the total body fat. These dramatic decreases in body fat, which are equivalent to that produced by severe caloric restriction, were accompanied by more modest reductions of body weight (2.5%), indicating a possible conservation of protein that is usually lost as a consequence of such caloric restriction. The effects of bromocriptine treatment on body fat and hyperglycemia were also examined in non-insulin dependent diabetics being treated with oral hypoglycemics (7 subjects) or insulin (7 subjects). Total body fat was reduced by 10.7% and 5.1% in diabetics on oral hypoglycemics and insulin, respectively, without any significant reductions in body weight.Hyperglycemia was reduced in most of the 15 diabetic subjects treated leading to euglycemia and even cessation of hypoglycemic drugs in 3 of the 7 subjects during 4–8 weeks of bromocriptine treatment. These findings support the hypothesis that obesity and type II diabetes may be treated effectively with bromocriptine when administered at the proper times and dosages.This is a process patented by Louisiana State University and licensed to Ergo, Inc., Newport, Rhode island. A. H. Meier and A. H. Cincotta have financial interest in the process.     

Timed bromocriptine administration reduces body fat stores in obese subjects and hyperglycemia in type II diabetics.

Obese postmenopausal female volunteers were given timed daily oral dosages of bromocriptine, and tested for reduction of body fat stores. This dopamine agonist has been shown to reset circadian rhythms that are altered in obese animals and to reduce body fat levels in several animal models. The participants were instructed not to alter their existing exercise and eating behavior during treatment. Skinfold measurements were taken on 33 subjects as indices of body fat. The measurements (e.g., suprailiac) were reduced after six weeks by about 25%, which represents a reduction of 11.7% of the total body fat. These dramatic decreases in body fat, which are equivalent to that produced by severe caloric restriction, were accompanied by more modest reductions of body weight (2.5%), indicating a possible conservation of protein that is usually lost as a consequence of such caloric restriction. The effects of bromocriptine treatment on body fat and hyperglycemia were also examined in non-insulin dependent diabetics being treated with oral hypoglycemics (7 subjects) or insulin (7 subjects). Total body fat was reduced by 10.7% and 5.1% in diabetics on oral hypoglycemics and insulin, respectively, without any significant reductions in body weight. Hyperglycemia was reduced in most of the 15 diabetic subjects treated leading to euglycemia and even cessation of hypoglycemic drugs in 3 of the 7 subjects during 4-8 weeks of bromocriptine treatment. These findings support the hypothesis that obesity and type II diabetes may be treated effectively with bromocriptine when administered at the proper times and dosages.     

A reappraisal of the hormonal regulation of larval fat body histolysis in femaleDrosophila melanogaster

The histolysis of larval fat body cells in adult femaleDrosophila melanogaster was examined in wild type and mutant animals. The fat body cells of wild type (Canton-S),apterous ^56f homozygotes,apterous ^78jts homozygotes and heterozygotes,apterous ⁴/+, ecdysoneless¹ homozygotes and heterozygotes all underwent histolysis normally during the 72 h following adult eclosion. Only in the case ofap ⁴/ap⁴ adults did the cells fail to histolyze normally. The fat body cells of both diapausing and non-diapausing wild type females underwent histolysis at the same rate. Attempts to demonstrate histolysis in vitro were unsuccessful, even in the presence of juvenile hormones (JHs), larval ring glands, or adult ovaries. In all strains other than theap ⁴ homozygotes, a significant proportion of larval fat body cells were dead at any time while theap ⁴/ap⁴ animals, almost all cells remained viable. It is postulated that fat body cell lysis following eclosion is not a JH-mediated event, but is elicited by an as yet unidentified factor(s), possibly originating in the ovary.     

Exchange of water between the harbor porpoise,Phocoena phocoena,and the environment

Summary During determination of total body water and net water turnover in the harbor porpoise,Phocoena phocoena, it was demonstrated that the porpoise exchanged water with an isosmotic environment by way of free diffusion and with hypo- or hyperosmotic environment by way of osmosis.     

Allometry of mammalian cellular oxygen consumption

In the 1930s, Max Kleiber and Samuel Brody established that the interspecies correlation between mammalian body mass and metabolic rate (αM^0.75) cannot be explained (solely) by whole body surface area (αM^0.66) to volume ratios. Metabolic considerations must also be taken into account. Decreases in the proportion of visceral organ mass to whole body mass can account for some of the whole body metabolic differences. However, superimposed upon these anatomical differences, the metabolism of tissues and cells has been demonstrated to decrease with increasing body mass. These decreases in oxygen consumption rates (with increasing body mass) in cells and tissues can be explained by a decrease in ATP turnover and mitochondrial density and an increase in mitochondrial functional efficiency (decrease in proton leak). The majority of the proton leak differences reflect differences in mitochondrial inner membrane surface area. Indeed, liver metabolism correlates directly with liver mitochondrial inner membrane surface area. Apart from being a significant contributor (~25 %) to basal metabolism, mitochondrial proton leak is a major factor determining the differences in basal metabolism between mammals of different body mass. Received 31 May 2000; received after revision 2 October 2000; accepted 14 November 2000     

Free intracellular and protein bound amino acids in tissues as affected by a mixedβ-adrenergic agonist

The administration of metaproterenol induced an increase in gastrocnemius muscle weight without change in body growth rate or tissue protein concentrations, while epididymal fat was reduced. This effect was accompanied by an enhancement in the levels of intracellular amino acids in muscle. By contrast, liver amino acids were unaffected by treatment with the mixed -adrenergic agonist.     

Hydra – ancient model with modern outfit

The control of growth and differentiation is a central question not only for developmental biologists but increasingly for medical research as well. The freshwater polyp hydra was one of the first organisms to be used as a model system for the study of this question. It was chosen because of its simple body plan and because it is made up of only seven to eight different cell types. Recent research has shown that despite their simple body plan, cnidarians already exhibit an impressive repertoire of molecular tools which are responsible for the control of growth and differentiation and amongst which peptides appear to play an important role. Received 25 April 2007; received after revision 31 July 2007; accepted 28 August 2007     

Röntgenbestrahlung und Hypothermie. Der Einfluss auf Körpergewicht,Hirngewicht, Kleinhirnentwicklung und Blutbild bei neugeborenen Hausmäusen

Summary New-born mice were X-rayed under extreme hypothermia in order to estimate the radioprotective effect of hypothermia on body weight, brain weight, development of cerebellum and the hematopoietic system. A protective effect was found in the rate of survival, in body and brain weight, in the cerebellum and in the number of erythrocytes. After hypothermia, the repair of damage in the cerebellum and the erythropoietic system starts earlier. The protected mature cerebellum shows an approximately normal status. Hypothermia does not prevent the initial decrease of lymphocytes caused by X-rays, and it produces a severe disturbance of hemoglobin content.