Different intrafusal fiber composition of spindles in sheep and pig extraocular muscles

Summary Histochemical profiles of intrafusal fibers have been examined in muscle spindles of extraocular muscles of sheep and pig. Results show that in the sheep the intrafusal content presents, in addition to chain fibers, at least one bag₁ and one bag₂ fiber, whereas in the pig almost all the spindles are bag₁-fiber spindles.Acknowledgment. This study was supported by grants from C.N.R. and M.P.I.     

Neuromuscular spindles in bovine foetuses with hereditary muscle fiber hyperplasia

Summary In cattle with genetic hyperplasia of skeletal muscle fibers, foetuses have an increased number of intrafusal muscle fibers in their neuromuscular spindles.     

Expression of alpha-cardiac myosin heavy chain in mammalian skeletal muscle.

We have investigated the reactivity of different human, rat and cat muscles to a monoclonal antibody directed against human alpha-cardiac myosin heavy chain. We have found that special fiber subpopulations of human masseter and extraocular muscles, as well as the bag fibers of human, rat and cat muscle spindles, were reactive to this antibody, indicating that these fibers expressed alpha-cardiac myosin heavy chain or a closely related isoform. This isomyosin was present in the spindle bag fibers at early fetal stages, whereas its expression in masseter and extraocular muscle fibers was not detected during the first 22 weeks of gestation. Our results add to the list of muscle proteins which are expressed in locations or at developmental stages other than those initially described, suggesting that a revision of the present nomenclature of the subgroups of myosin heavy chains might be considered in the future.     

Ultrastructure of muscle spindles in C57BL/6J dy2J/dy2J dystrophic mice.

The sensory organs of skeletal muscles, the muscle spindles, were examined using electron microscopy in dy2J/dy2J dystrophic mice. Despite widespread damage to the extrafusal (skeletomotor) fibres the intrafusal (spindle) fibres appeared normal and seemed resistant to the aetiological factors for murine dystrophy.     

Expression of alpha-cardiac myosin heavy chain in mammalian skeletal muscle

We have investigated the reactivity of different human, rat and cat muscles to a monoclonal antibody directed against human -cardiac myosin heavy chain. We have found that special fiber subpopulations of human massetr and extraocular muscles, as well as the bag fibers of human, rat and cat muscle spindles, were reactive to this antibody, indicating that these fibers expressed -cardiac myosin heavy chain or a closely related isoform. This isomyosin was present in the spindle bag fibers at early fetal stages, whereas its expression in masseter and extraocular muscle fibers was not detected during the first 22 weeks of gestation. Our results add to the list of muscle proteins which are expressed in locations or at developmental stages other than those initially described, suggesting that a revision of the present nomenclature of the subgroups of myosin heavy chains might be considered in the future.     

Ultrastructure of muscle spindles in C57BL/6Jdy 2J/dy 2J dystrophic mice

Summary The sensory organs of skeletal muscles, the muscle spindles, were examined using electron microscopy indy ^2J/dy ^2J dystrophic mice. Despite widespread damage to the extrafusal (skeletomotor) fibres the intrafusal (spindle) fibres appeared normal and seemed resistant to the aetiological factors for murine dystrophy.This work was supported by grants from the Medical Research Council and the Science Research Council of Great Britain.     

Potassium currents in cardiac cells

The kinetic properties of the inwardly rectifying K current and the transient outward current in cardiac cells were investigated. In sheep Purkinje fibers superfused with Na-free K-free solution, time-dependent changes in the conductance of the inward rectifier are described. In patch clamp experiments the inward rectifier inactivates during hyperpolarization, as can be seen by a decrease in the open state probability. Using whole cell clamp on ventricular myocytes it is demonstrated that the inactivation during hyperpolarization is due to blocking of the channel by external Na, Mg and Ca. The channels responsible for the transient outward current in cow, sheep and rabbit Purkinje fibers are identified using single channel recording. It is demonstrated that in all three preparations the channels are K-selective. The channel in cow Purkinje cells has a large conductance and is regulated by voltage and internal Ca concentration. The channels identified in the sheep and rabbit cells have a much smaller conductance.     

Frequencygrams due to the stimulation of dynamic gamma axons exerting type II effects]

Frequencygrams are graphs giving indirect information on the contraction of intrafusal muscle fibres. Frequencygrams of Cat spindle primary endings (flexor hallucis longus, soleus and peroneus brevis muscles) were recorded during repetitive stimulation of dynamic gamma axons exerting type II effects. The features of these frequencygrams (periodic increments whose frequency is equal to that of the stimulation and "driving") show that they can be ascribed to a relatively strong and fast intrafusal contraction. Two interpretations are considered.     

Ontogenic development of peptide hormones in the mammalian fetal pancreas

The ontogeny of insulin, glucagon, PP and somatostatin in the mammalian fetal pancreas has been examined in recent years largely by immunocytochemistry and in some instances by radioimmunoassay. Complete ontogenic data are available only for the rat, human, pig and sheep. Figure 3 compares the time of appearance of the endocrine cell-types within the fetal pancreas when the periods of gestation of the four species are converted to a uniform scale. The striking ontogenic difference in the rat probably reflects the immaturity of the rodent fetus at birth compared with the human, pig and sheep. In the fetal pancreas, differences in cell number of glucagon and PP cells in the dorsal and ventral lobes become apparent from an early gestational period. Factors responsible for the functional and structural maturation of the fetal pancreatic endocrine cells and the processes involved in pancreatic organogenesis are poorly understood. Studies in these areas would have clinical implications since it may be possible in the future to employ agents for selective replication of fetal beta-cells for transplantation in patients with Type I diabetes, bearing in mind that such cells must have the capacity to respond to normal stimuli and repressors when transplanted. The presence of the other islet cell-types may be obligatory for these appropriate responses. This would require a more complete knowledge of those factors which produce the normal selectivity of the four hormonal cell-types.     

Ontogenic development of peptide hormones in the mammalian fetal pancreas

Summary The ontogeny of insulin, glucagon, PP and somatostatin in the mammalian fetal pancreas has been examined in recent years largely by immunocytochemistry and in some instances by radioimmunoassay. Complete ontogenic data are available only for the rat, human pig and sheep. Figure 3 compares the time of appearance of the endocrine cell-types within the fetal pancreas when the periods of gestation of the four species are converted to a uniform scale. The striking ontogenic difference in the rat probably reflects the immaturity of the rodent fetus at birth compared with the human, pig and sheep. In the fetal pancreas, differences in cell number of glucagon and PP cells in the dorsal and ventral lobes become apparent from an early gestational period. Factors responsible for the functional and structural maturation of the fetal pancreatic endocrine cells and the processes involved in pancreatic organogenesis are poorly understood. Studies in these areas would have clinical implications since it may be possible in the future to employ agents for selective replication of fetal -cells for transplantation in patients with Type I diabetes, bearing in mind that such cells must have the capacity to respond to normal stimuli and repressors when transplanted. The presence of the other islet cell-types may be obligatory for these appropriate responses. This would require a more complete knowledge of those factors which produce the normal selectivity of the four hormonal cell-types.     

Characterization of ovarian follicular fluids of sheep, pigs and cows using proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy

Proton NMR spectra were produced for Graafian follicular fluids obtained by aspiration from sheep, pig and cow ovaries. The following low molecular mass, non-protein-bound metabolites were detected at concentrations exceeding 0.1 mM: acetate, alanine, creatinine/creatine, glycine, D-3-hydroxybutyrate, lactate, valine. Glucose was difficult to quantify and N-acetyl sugars gave a broad resonance at 2.06 ppm, presumably representing side-chains of glycoproteins. Ethanol was detected at up to millimolar concentrations in some specimens, though the physiological significance of this finding was not clear. The concentrations of all metabolites were comparable to those of plasma. These results have therefore shown that NMR spectroscopy is useful for gaining a broad and semiquantitative impression of the more abundant metabolites in the fluids of preovulatory Graafian follicles.     

Characterization of ovarian follicular fluids of sheep,pigs and cows using proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy

Summary Proton NMR spectra were produced for Graafian follicular fluids obtained by aspiration from sheep, pig and cow ovaries. The following low molecular mass, non-protein-bound metabolites were detected at concentrations exceeding 0.1 mM: acetate, alanine, creatinine/creatine, glycine, D-3-hydroxybutyrate, lactate, valine. Glucose was difficult to quantify and N-acetyl sugars gave a broad resonance at 2.06 ppm, presumably representing side-chains of glycoproteins. Ethanol was detected at up to millimolar concentrations in some specimens, though the physiological significance of this finding was not clear. The concentrations of all metabolites were comparable to those of plasma. These results have therefore shown that NMR spectroscopy is useful for gaining a broad and semiquantitative impression of the more abundant metabolites in the fluids of preovulatory Graafian follicles.     

Der elektrophysiologische Nachweis der propriozeptiven Muskelafferenz und des monosynaptischen Reflexbogens der inneren Kehlkopfmuskeln

Summary On excitation of the superior laryngeal nerve and the recurrent nerve with single square wave shocks in patients undergoing total exstirpation of the larynx for cancer, a reflex potential can be recorded from the vocal muscle. This potential shows the criteria characteristic of the reflex potential arising on excitation of muscle spindles or the afferents of muscle spindles (la-fibres) in limb muscles. The pathway of afferent fibres is for the main part via the sup. lar. nerve but there seems to be an indication of a small part of afferents in the recurrent nerve also.     

The elegans of spindle assembly

The Caenorhabditis elegans one-cell embryo is a powerful system in which to study microtubule organization because this large cell assembles both meiotic and mitotic spindles within the same cytoplasm over the course of 1 h in a stereotypical manner. The fertilized oocyte assembles two consecutive acentrosomal meiotic spindles that function to reduce the replicated maternal diploid set of chromosomes to a single-copy haploid set. The resulting maternal DNA then unites with the paternal DNA to form a zygotic diploid complement, around which a centrosome-based mitotic spindle forms. The early C. elegans embryo is amenable to live-cell imaging and electron tomography, permitting a detailed structural comparison of the meiotic and mitotic modes of spindle assembly.     

Conditioning of depressor responses evoked by single volleys in the aortic nerve

Summary Depressor responses evoked by single volleys in the aortic nerve are more facilitated by conditioning volleys exciting C fibers in the same aortic nerve than in the contralateral one. Conditioning volleys in A fibers do not facilitate the testing depressor responses.     

Interaction between bradykinin and voltage-sensitive sodium channels in myelinated nerve fibers

The effects of externally and internally applied bradykinin on the excitability of single myelinated nerve fibers were studied. External bradykinin (10 microM) slightly prolongs the action potential of a single myelinated nerve fiber; hence, when the fibers are stimulated by long-lasting pulses, this raises the frequency of repetitive firing in sensory fibers and evokes repetitive activity in motor fibers. Under voltage-clamp conditions, sodium channel inactivation is slowed, while sodium channel activation remains unaffected. Prolonged depolarization of the membrane leads to a maintained sodium current. The voltage dependence of the steady-state sodium current inactivation (h infinity) is shifted in the depolarized direction by approximately 10 mV. Internally applied bradykinin produces a frequency-dependent block of the sodium current. The phenomena described here imply that more than one site on the sodium channel is modified by bradykinin.     

Impulse propagation from the SA-node to the ventricles

Summary Normally the pacemaker of the mammalian heart is located in the sinus node. In the rabbit the sinus node can be subdivided into two regions, the center of the node where the impulse originates and the border zone through which the impulse is conducted towards the atrium. Conduction properties of both regions were investigated. It appeared that conduction velocity increases and refractoriness decreases when one goes from the nodal center towards the atrium. The tissue mass of the atrium is large in comparison to the sinus node and normally the resting membrane potential of atrial fibers is more negative than that of nodal fibers; consequently, a potential difference exists causing a current flow between both areas. Evidently this hyperpolarizing current flow depresses impulse formation in the border zone fibers which have better intrinsic pacemaker properties than fibers in the nodal center. If the impulse has reached the atrium it is conducted with a relatively high safety factor and will reach the AV node in principle without difficulty. The AV node, if deprived of sinus nodal dominance, develops spontaneous activity originating from the lower nodal fibers. Also in this structure, electrotonic depression by surrounding tissue causes deceleration of the pacemaker.     

Impulse propagation from the SA-node to the ventricles

Normally the pacemaker of the mammalian heart is located in the sinus node. In the rabbit the sinus node can be subdivided into two regions, the center of the node where the impulse originates and the border zone through which the impulse is conducted towards the atrium. Conduction properties of both regions were investigated. It appeared that conduction velocity increases and refractoriness decreases when one goes from the nodal center towards the atrium. The tissue mass of the atrium is large in comparison to the sinus node and normally the resting membrane potential of atrial fibers is more negative than that of nodal fibers; consequently, a potential difference exists causing a current flow between both areas. Evidently this hyperpolarizing current flow depresses impulse formation in the border zone fibers which have better intrinsic pacemaker properties than fibers in the nodal center. If the impulse has reached the atrium it is conducted with a relatively high safety factor and will reach the AV node in principle without difficulty. The AV node, if deprived of sinus nodal dominance, develops spontaneous activity originating from the lower nodal fibers. Also in this structure, electrotonic depression by surrounding tissue causes deceleration of the pacemaker.     

Characterization of a soluble form of dipeptidyl peptidase IV from pig liver

Soluble dipeptidyl peptidase IV (EC 3.4.14.5) was purified from the 100,000 X g supernatant fraction of pig liver homogenate. The purified enzyme had the same properties as, and immunological identity with, the membrane-bound enzyme which was described previously. However, the purified enzyme had a pattern of molecular heterogeneity different from the membrane-bound enzyme; this was shown by isoelectric focusing. Carbohydrate analysis revealed that the soluble enzyme contained glucose, which is not found in the membrane-bound one, and less fucose, mannose, and sialic acid than the latter. From these results, we conclude that the soluble form of dipeptidyl peptidase IV in pig liver is closely related to the membrane-bound enzyme, but is not simply a proteolytically solubilized product of it.     

有机/无机杂化材料与多功能纤维研究进展

有机/无机杂化材料能够实现有机高分子材料与无机材料在纳米或分子水平上的复合,在发挥各自组分特性的同时,体现出特有的协同效应,如新性能、多功能.该原理同样适用于有机/有机杂化体系.随着产业用纤维材料的不断发展,其应用领域也随之拓展,开发新型高分子材料,实现纤维的多功能化成为研究热点.根据纤维多功能化的发展需求,结合有机/无机杂化机理,在分子水平上设计构筑杂化功能材料,采用结构设计、界面构筑的方法建立杂化功能材料与成纤高聚物杂化体系.以成纤高分子的结构设计及凝聚态控制、纳米纤维和低维纳米材料的结构可控制备及其功能化复合为例,简要介绍了有机/无机杂化原理在纤维多功能化方面的研究进展,最后提出了多功能化有机/无机杂化纤维的展望.