Effect of hyperthermia upon gamma-ray induced crossing-over in an excision repair deficient maleDrosophila melanogaster

Summary Hyperthermia of 1 h at 38°C did increase gamma-ray induced crossing-over in meiotic cells of male larvae and adults. However, there was considerably less effect of the heat treatment upon radiation induced crossing-over (a chromosome breakage event) in an excision repair mutanty mei-9 ^a.5 January 1987     

Recombination in the male housefly,Musca domestica

Summary Autosome II recombinations of up to 30.7% were found in male houseflies bearing a Y-chromosome translocation on autosome II. This is the highest recorded rate of recombination found in male houseflies, therefore indicating another possible source of genetic variation. The male crossover rates were related to map distances and resulted in an inaccurate estimate for one of the loci. Explanations are provided. Male crossing-over is related to cytogenetics of the Y-chromosome.     

Synaptonemal complexes in the ovaries ofGalleria mellonella

Résumé Dans les oocytes deGalleria mellonella, on a trouvé des complexes synaptonémaux, indiquant la présence de crossing-over dans cet organisme. Le complex synaptonémal s'est montré aussi dans un trophocyte, mais il semble être ici un phénomène accidentel.     

Effect of intercalating mutagens on crossing-over inDrosophila melanogaster females

Summary In order to evaluate the effect of several intercalating compounds on crossing-over inDrosophila melanogaster females, acridine orange, acriflavine, chloroquine, ethidium bromide and quinacrine were fed separately to larvae ofy ct f/+++ genotype. Our results show that acridine orange, acriflavine and ethidium bromide increase significantly the recombination frequency at thect-f region and support the view that, for intercalating agents, there is a relationship between clastogenic activity and female recombination induction.     

Chlorpyrifos (Dursban®) resistance inCulex pipiens pipiens L. from Southern France: Inheritance and linkage

Summary InCulex pipiens mosquitos from Southern France, resistance to the organophosphorus insecticide chlorpyrifos is due to the dominant allele (Chl ^R) of an autosomal gene. TheChl gene is localized between thea-Gpd andEst-2 loci at 26.8 and 5.8 units of crossing-over respectively.     

黑腹果蝇品系纯合体杂交后代翅型变异的遗传分析

目的探究实验室条件下果蝇杂交后代所表现出的基因连锁、互换与自由组合效应,计算白眼、卷刚毛、小翅基因座位间的距离,并探索可能的基因互作。方法将三隐性（白眼、卷刚毛、小翅）与残翅两种品系的果蝇进行杂交,并使F1代互交,对正反交的F2代进行表型数据统计分析。结果发现F2代出现新性状小皱翅,将其分为3种情况进行讨论,计算出了3个基因座位闻的距离。结论果蝇小翅和残翅基因互作产生了新性状小皱翅;在统计上它是一种“例外”新性状,而不是小翅或残翅范畴里的特情。     

A decrease in the estimated frequency of the extended HLA haplotype B18 CF130 DR3 DQw2 is common to non-insulin-dependent diabetes,juvenile rheumatoid arthritis,and Berger's disease

Extended HLA haplotypes frequencies were estimated from the HLA, C2, Bf and C4 phenotypes of 74 patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes (NIDD), 92 with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA), 44 with Berger's disease (BD), 83 with insulin-dependent diabetes (IDD), and 140 healthy controls. The extended HLA haplotype B18 CF130 DR3 DQw2, which is common (around 10% phenotype frequency) in healthy Spaniards and in other populations of paleo-North African origin, was found to be significantly less frequent in NIDD, JRA and BD, whereas its frequency was normal in IDD (although DR3 DQw2 haplotypes were increased in the latter disease). These data support the existence of a common HLA-linked pathogeneic mechanism in NIDD, JRA and BD, and point to a genetic difference between IDD and NIDD at the HLA level. This effect is readily detectable in our population because the uncommon BfF1 allele marks that haplotype instead of the more common BfS, which marks B8 CS01 DR3 DQw2 in other Caucasians. Our results support the hypothesis of strong selective pressures operating at the HLA level to preserve extended HLA haplotypes with advantageous gene sets from dilution by crossing-over. Imbalanced incomplete haplotypes may give rise to inappropriate T-cell repertoire selection in the thymus and/or antigen handling in the periphery, and be partly responsible for the pathogenesis of certain HLA-linked diseases (i.e. NIDD, JRA, and BD).     

Mechanical and biochemical characterization of the contraction elicited by a calcium-independent myosin light chain kinase in chemically skinned smooth muscle

The contraction induced by a Ca2+-independent myosin light chain kinase (MLCK-) was characterized in terms of isometric force (Fo), immediate elastic recoil (SE), unloaded shortening velocity (Vus), shortening under a constant load and ATPase activity of chemically skinned smooth muscle preparations. These parameters were compared to those measured in a Ca2+ -induced contraction to assess the nature of cross bridge interaction in the MLCK-induced contraction. Fo developed in chicken gizzard fibers as well as SE were similar in contractions elicited by either agent. Vus in the contraction induced by MLCK-(0.36 mg/ml) was similar though averaged 39.3 +/- 8.9% less than Vus induced by Ca2+ (1.6 X 10(-6) M) in the control fibers. Addition of Ca2+ (1.6 X 10(-6) M) to a contraction induced by MLCK-resulted in small increases in both Fo and Vus. Shortening under a constant load was similar for both types of contractions. The contraction induced by MLCK-was accompanied by an increased rate of ATP hydrolysis. The MLCK-induced contraction is thus kinetically similar though not identical to a contraction induced by Ca2+. We conclude that with respect to actin-myosin interaction, MLCK-and Ca2+ -induced contractions are similar.     

Changes in the cardiac glutathione status after ischemia and reperfusion

In the isolated and perfused rabbit heart ischemia induced a rapid decline of contractility, associated with a reduction of the content of tissue GSH with no significant changes in GSSG. Reperfusion induced a small recovery of contractility, a substantial release of total glutathione and a further decrease in the content of tissue GSH with a significant increase of tissue GSSG. Glutathione reductase and glutathione peroxidase activities were not affected by ischemia and reperfusion. This study suggests a possible role for glutathione in the determination of functional damage induced by myocardial ischemia and reperfusion.     

Changes in the cardiac glutathione status after ischemia and reperfusion

Summary In the isolated and perfused rabbit heart ischemia induced a rapid decline of contractility, associated with a reduction of the content of tissue GSH with no significant changes in GSSG. Reperfusion induced a small recovery of contractility, a substantial release of total glutathione and a further decrease in the content of tissue GSH with a significant increase of tissue GSSG. Glutathione reductase and glutathione peroxidase activities were not affected by ischemia and reperfusion. This study suggests a possible role for glutathione in the determination of functional damage induced by myocardial ischemia and reperfusion.This study was supported by a grant from Ministero Pubblica Istruzione and CNR Rome (no 8202331.56).     

Stimulation of sporulation ofClostridium perfringens by papaverine

Summary Papaverine induced sporulation inClostridium perfringens, strains FD-1 and PS52; growth was markedly slowed under these conditions. Papaverine induced sporulation in the presence of glucose, a sporulation repressor, although increasing glucose concentrations overcame the papaverine effect. Papaverine induced sporulation of strain FD-1 more effectively than did theophylline.The author wishes to thank Mrs P.A. Thompson for excellent technical assistance.     

Effects of some GABAergic agents on quinine-induced seizures in mice

The effects of some GABAergic agents on seizures induced by quinine were studied in mice. Muscimol, AOAA, DABA and baclofen significantly protected mice against quinine-induced convulsions. Bicuculline effectively enhanced quinine-induced convulsions, and significantly attenuated the protective effects of muscimol, AOAA and DABA against convulsions induced by quinine. Diazepam and phenobarbitone significantly protected mice against convulsions induced by quinine. However, phenytoin did not affect quinine-induced seizures to any significant degree. These results indicate that the convulsant effect of quinine may be due to a disturbance in the status of the GABAergic system.     

Effects of some GABAergic agents on quinine-induced seizures in mice.

The effects of some GABAergic agents on seizures induced by quinine were studied in mice. Muscimol, AOAA, DABA and baclofen significantly protected mice against quinine-induced convulsions. Bicuculline effectively enhanced quinine-induced convulsions, and significantly attenuated the protective effects of muscimol, AOAA and DABA against convulsions induced by quinine. Diazepam and phenobarbitone significantly protected mice against convulsions induced by quinine. However, phenytoin did not affect quinine-induced seizures to any significant degree. These results indicate that the convulsant effect of quinine may be due to a disturbance in the status of the GABAergic system.     

Increase in membrane conductance by adrenaline in parotid acinar cells.

It is shown that excitation of the alpha- or beta-adrenoceptors in mouse parotid acinar cells causes a marked reduction of surface cell membrane resistance. The alpha-adrenoceptor induced membrane effect is an increase in K conductance. The beta-adrenoceptor induced membrane effect does not seem to be mediated by cyclic AMP.     

Activation of the electrogenic Na-pump of cardiac muscle fibres by ACh in K-free solutions.

The ionic mechanism of the membrane outward current (ACh-current) of bullfrog atrium muscle, induced by acetylcholine in K-free solution, was analyzed by a voltage-clamp experiment. The results suggested that the ACh-current was induced not only by an increase in K-conductance but also by an activation of the electrogenic Na-pump.     

Experimentally induced otitis and audiogenic seizure in the mouse

Summary Audiogenic seizures can be induced in genetically non-susceptible 17-day-old mice (Rb/3 strain) with various results. Priming only induced 9% of seizures, auditory insulation 3,8%, while experimental otitis leads to 79%. The hypothesis concerning disuse supersensitivity subsequent to acoustic deprivation was not confirmed by the experiment. However, modification of acoustic transmission at middle ear lever induced by otitis, or ear physical damage during the maturation period, exposes the upper nervous centers to intense stimulation to which the reaction is a recruiting response.     

Mechanical and biochemical characterization of the contraction elicited by a calcium-independent myosin light chain kinase in chemically skinned smooth muscle

Summary The contraction induced by a Ca²⁺-independent myosin light chain kinase (MLCK-) was characterized in terms of isometric force (F_o), immediate elastic recoil (SE), unloaded shortening velocity (V_us), shortening under a constant load and ATPase activity of chemically skinned smooth muscle preparations. These parameters were compared to those measured in a Ca²⁺-induced contraction to assess the nature of cross bridge interaction in the MLCK-induced contraction. F_o developed in chicken gizzard fibers as well as SE were similar in contractions elicited by either agent. V_us in the contraction induced by MLCK-(0.36 mg/ml) was similar though averaged 39.3±8.9% less than V_us induced by Ca²⁺ (1.6x10^–6M) in the control fibers. Addition of Ca²⁺ (1.6x10^–6M) to a contraction induced by MLCK-resulted in small increases in both F_o and V_us. Shortening under a constant load was similar for both types of contractions. The contraction induced by MLCK-was accompanied by an increased rate of ATP hydrolysis. The MLCK-induced contraction is thus kinetically similar though not identical to a contraction induced by Ca²⁺. We conclude that with respect to actin-myosin interaction, MLCK- and Ca²⁺-induced contractions are similar.     

A rapid method of following the spontaneous regression of experimental leukemias

Summary Transplantation of virus and chemically induced leukemias from C3H/He-mgxAKR/F₁ hybrid mice into C3H/He-mg males induced leukemias in the latter, which was followed by a spontaneous regression of the disease within a few days. The regression of leukemia could easily be followed by measuring the changes in the pyruvate kinase activity of para-aortic lymph node cells.     

Activation of the electrogenic Na-pump of cardiac muscle fibres by ACh in K-free solutions

Summary The ionic mechanism of the membrane outward current (ACh-current) of bullfrog atrium muscle, induced by acetylcholine in K-free solution, was analyzed by a voltage-clamp experiment. The results suggested that the ACh-current was induced not only by an increase in K-conductance but also by an activation of the electrogenic Na-pump.Acknowledgment. This work was supported by a grant (257037) from the Ministry of Education of Japan.     

Analogies between "fraction P" with immunosuppressive properties in pregnant females and a protein fraction induced by estradiol treatment in the amphibian Salamandra salamandra L

A "fraction P" analogue possessing immunosuppressive properties during pregnancy in the Salamandra, can be induced by treating males and females with oestradiol. Both fractions possess the same physiochemical characteristics, and equally react against a Rabbit immune serum anti "fraction P" of pregnant Salamandra. But the proteic fraction induced by hormonal treatment does immunosuppressive properties.