Effect of ACTH on the zona reticularis of the rat adrenal cortex: An ultrastructural stereologic study

Summary The effects of ACTH on the rat adrenalzona reticularis were investigated by stereologic methods. It was found that thezona reticularis cell responsiveness to ACTH is similar to that of thezona fasciculata elements. This excludes that thezona reticularis of the adult rat can only function as the site of destruction of worn-out elements migrating from the adrenal outer zones.Acknowledgment. We wish to thank Mr.G. Gottardo for his skilled technical assistance. This work was partly supported by a contract with the CNR No. C.T.73.00663.04.     

Studies on the thyroid in transgenic mice expressing the genes for human and bovine growth hormone

Summary The thyroid glands of transgenic mice (TM) expressing the genes for human (h) and bovine (b) growth hormone (GH) were studied. The percentages of larger follicles inhGH TM of either sex were significantly greater than in the corresponding normal littermates, and follicles ranging up to 350 m in diameter were present in malehGH TM. In contrast, thyroid follicles were only slightly enlarged in malebGH TM, and were unchanged in femalebGH TM. The serum concentrations of T4 were significantly decreased in malebGH TM and not altered in the other groups. Serum concentrations of T3 were slightly, but significantly increased in femalehGH TM and femalebGH TM, but were unaffected in male TM of either type. Since the principal difference between these foreign GHs in rodents is the additional lactogenic activity of human GH, these results may indicate that the effects of prolactin can influence the development of the thyroid.     

Cellulase genes from the parabasalian symbiont <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudotrichonympha grassii</Emphasis> in the hindgut of the wood-feeding termite <Emphasis Type="Italic">Coptotermes formosanus</Emphasis>

Cellulase genes of Pseudotrichonympha grassii (Hypermastigida: Eucomonymphidae), the symbiotic flagellate in the hindgut of the wood-feeding termite Coptotermes formosanus, were isolated and characterized. The nucleotide sequences of the major cellulase component in the hindgut of C. formosanus were determined based on its N-terminal amino acid sequence. The five isolated nucleotide sequences (PgCBH-homos) had an open reading frame of 1350 bp showing similarity to catalytic domains of glycoside hydrolase family (GHF) 7 members, and primary structure comparison with GHF7 members whose tertiary structures are well-characterized revealed the overall similarity between PgCBH-homo and the catalytic domain of a processive cellulase Cel7A (formerly CBHI) from the aerobic fungus Trichoderma reesei. Functional expression of PgCBH-homos in Escherichia coli, using the carboxymethylcellulose-Congo red assay, demonstrated the actual cellulolytic activity of PgCBH-homo. RT-PCR showed that PgCBH-homos were expressed, from the three flagellates in the hindgut, specifically in P. grassii. Received 10 July 2002; accepted 26 July 2002 RID="*" ID="*"Corresponding author.     

Intrapopulational genetic variation in the hybridization betweenDrosophila melanogaster females andD. simulans males

Summary Intrapopulational variation on interspecific crossing ability betweenD. melanogaster andD. simulans has been measured. When themelanogaster females andsimulans males were crossed, hybridization ranged from 3 to 34%, the female component of variation being more important than the male component. This point is discussed in relation with the role played by each sex in sexual isolation.     

Dopamine and octopamine in whole body extracts of the bulb mite

Summary Using high performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection, whole body extracts of the bulb mite,Rhizoglyphus echinopus (Fumouze and Robin), were found to contain the biogenic amines dopamine and octopamine at concentrations of 4.3±0.6 and 2.3±1.4 ng g^–1 wet weight, respectively. Adrenaline, noradrenaline, tyramine,N-methyldopamine,N-acetyldopamine, and 5-hydroxytryptamine, if present, were below the limits of detectability. This is the initial demonstration of the presence of octopamine in a mite species.     

On the specific attraction of the males of the six-toothed spruce bark beetle,Pityogenes chalcographus (L.) to a mixture of synthetic pheromones of the eight-toothed spruce bark beetle,Ips typographus (L.) (Coleoptera,Scolytidae)

Summary Traps containing a mixture of attractants forIps typographus also caught other species of bark beetles. The numbers ofPityogenes chalcographus, Pityogenes conjunctus, andTrypodendron lineatum were too high to be interpreted as accidental captures. The males of the polygamousP. chalcographus were specifically attracted, indicating that theI. typographus pheromone or one of its components acts as a kairomone and primary attractant for the pioneering males ofP. chalcographus.     

The effect of X-rays and EMS on the behavior of the transposing element,TE98, inDrosophila melanogaster

Summary The sensitivity of TE98 (carryingw ^+R andrst ⁺) to X-rays does not differ significantly from the mutability ofcurled andkarmoisin loci. In addition no spontaneous mutants of TE98 were recovered, indicating its extreme stability. On the effect of EMS nowhite mutants were found supporting the view that thew ⁺ gene of TE98 is duplicated.     

Possible involvement of the phloem sealing system in the acceptance of a plant as host by an aphid

Possible reasons for the rejection of some lines ofTriticum monococcum (Tm44 and Tm46) by the aphidSitobion avenae were explored. In allT. monococcum lines studied, whether unfavourable (non-host/resistant plant) or favourable (host/susceptible plant), the concentrations of hydroxamic acids, a family of aphid-resistance factors in cereals, were significantly lower than the levels in the favourable host-plantTriticum aestivum cv. Therefore, hydroxamic acids did not account for the host/non-host patterns observed. Phloem sap was collected by stylectomy from young seedlings of favourable and unfavourable plants. In non-aphid-resistant genotypes, the success in stylectomy, the proportion of amputated stylets resulting in long (>1 min) exudations, the average duration of exudation, and the final volume of sap exuded, were higher than in the aphid-resistant genotypes. It is concluded that aphid interference with the phloem sealing system of the plant is a likely mechanism of rejection ofT. monococcum lines Tm44 and Tm46 as hosts byS. avenae.     

Photoreactivable sectors and the systematics of the genusPichia

Zusammenfassung Es wird der Beweis erbracht, dass photoreaktivierungsfähige Sektoren von Zellen einen zusätzlichen Affinitätsparameter zwischer Hefen der GattungenHansenula undPichia bilden und vielleicht wertvolle Daten für die endgültige Erschliessung der intragenerischen Phylogenie derPichia liefern.

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These studies were aided in part by a contract No. AT (11-1)-1772 with the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission.     

Detection of toxic metabolites in the hemolymph ofBeauveria bassiana infectedSpodoptera exigua larvae

Highly active metabolites have been detected in the hemolymph of the lepidopteranSpodoptera exigua infected with the mycopathogen,Beauveria bassiana. A combination of phenyl sepharose and CM ion exchange chromatography was utilized to extract the active metabolites from infected hemolymph samples. The active in vivo metabolites, having a molecular mass greater than 10 KDa, were thermolabile and were inactivated by proteinase K. These metabolites were characterized by their ability to disrupt metamorphosis, killing treated larvae at the wandering or pupal stage. Additionally, injection ofS. exigua larvae with active samples caused a reduction in the number of filopodial-producing hemocytes. The biological activities and biochemical properties suggest that novel compounds are produced duringB. bassiana mycosis.     

The origin of the brown frogs with 2n=24 chromosomes

Late replication and C-banding analyses of somatic metaphase chromosomes were attempted on three species of brown frogs with 2n=26 chromosomes (Rana japonica, R. tsushimensis andR. temporaria), and three with 2n=24 chromosomes (R. ornativentris, R. dybowskii andR. chensinensis), which are distributed in the Palearctic region. The late replication banding patterns were highly conserved in these species. Four chromosome inversions were demonstrated inR. ornativentris, two inR. dybowskii and two inR. tsushimensis. From a detailed comparison of late replication and C-banding patterns between the 2n=26 and the 2n=24 species, it was found that an end-to-end fusion of two small chromosomes (nos 11 and 13) in an ancestral 2n=26 species may have produced the medium-sized no. 6 chromosome of the 2n=24 species.     

Karyotypic races of the common shrew (Sorex araneus L.) from northern Poland

Summary Karyotypic races of the common shrew which differed with respect to the combinations of chromosome arms in certain 2-armed autosomes were distinguished in Poland. Two eastern races with the arm combinationik, and one western race with the arm combinationhi in the third pair of autosomes were established. In the contact area of these chromosomal forms, the fourth karyotypic race with the arm combinationhk was found.I wish to express my gratitude to my wife, A.M. Wójcik, M. Sc., for her help in catching the animals and making chromosome preparations. I must also offer my thanks to Dr J. Zima for giving me access to his as yet unpublished data, and to Prof. Z. Pucek and Dr S. Fedyk for reading the first draft of this paper.     

Effect of the juvenoid methoprene on the hemolymph composition of the cabbage maggotDelia radicum (Diptera: Anthomyiidae)

Summary Treatment of post-feeding larvae of the cabbage maggotDelia radicum with methoprene did not affect the capacity of the insect to pupate, but suppressed eclosion to the adult stage. The concentration of hemolymph trehalose was significantly decreased by methoprene treatment, although hemolymph protein and amino nitrogen levels were unaffected.19 December 1986The authors are grateful to D. C. Read of the Research Centre, Agriculture Canada, Charlottetown, P.E.I., Canada for supplying eggs ofD. radicum for the stock colony. TheD. radicum colony was maintained at the Agriculture Canada Research Station, St. John's West, Newfoundland, Canada. The sample of methoprene was donated by Zoecon Corp., Palo Alto, California, U.S.A. This research was supported by a grant from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (Operating grant A6679).     

Intergeneric interactions betweenEimeria separata (Apicomplexa) andNippostrongylus brasiliensis (Nematoda) in the rat

Summary Ova production inNippostrongylus brasiliensis infected rats was significantly greater than in rats singly infected with the helminth whenEimeria separata infections were introduced 4, 6 and 11 days postinoculation withN. brasiliensis. Patent periods were unaltered during concurrent infections. These results suggest that the presence ofE. separata affects helminth fecundity but does not increaseN. brasiliensis longevity as has been shown withE. nieschulzi.This study was supported by NIH MB RS Grant RRO8012-8.     

Effect of NPV of the armywormMythimna (Pseudaletia) separata on the silkwormBombyx mori

Summary Nuclear polyhedrosis virus (NPV) material of the armywormMythimna (Pseudaletia) separata was administered in the form of PIBs and free virus rods to the larvae of silkwormBombyx mori. Routes used for administration were topical, intrahaemocoelic and oral. The larvae were treated with following concentrations: 10×10⁵ PIBs/L, 10×10⁶ PIBs/L, 10×10⁷ PIBs/L, 10×10⁸ PIBs/L. In all the 3 experiments, the larvae showed neither any signs and symptoms, nor mortality due to polyhedrosis. Thus it appears that the NPV ofM. (P.) separata is safe for the silkwormB. mori.Acknowledgments. We are grateful to the Karnatak University, Dharwad, for awarding UGC Junior Fellowship to S.G.D. and for financial assistance made available to S.B.M. We thank Professor M. Appaswamy Rao, Department of Zoology, for providing the necessary facilities. Our thanks are also due to Mr B. Chavannawar for supplying mulberry leaves and to the Government Silk Farm, Hindalaga, Belgaum, for providing silkworm eggs.     

Insect anti-juvenile hormone and juvenile hormone activity from plants in the genusNama

Summary The insect anti-juvenile hormones precocene I and II (7-methoxy-2,2-dimethyl-2H-1-benzopyran and 6,7-dimethoxy-2,2-dimethyl-2H-1-benzopyran) were identified in three of nineNama (Hydrophyllaceae) species. Precocene I occurred inN. lobbii while precocene II occurred inN. hispidum, N. lobbii andN. sandwicense. N. hispidum contained the highest concentration (ca 0.5% dry weight) of precocene II, which was found in the leaves, stems, seed capsules, corolla, glandular trichomes, and seeds. In addition to the anti-juvenile hormone, insect juvenile hormone activity was detected in the organosoluble extracts ofN. rothrockii andN. sandwicense. N. sandwicense is the first plant discovered to contain compounds with both anti- and juvenile hormone activity.     

New contribution to the study of chromosomes of the European Cryptocephalinae (Coleoptera,Chrysomelidae)

Summary The chromosomes of three species ofPachybrachis and nine ofCryptocephalus chrysomelids were analyzed. The male meiotic bivalent formula ofP. azureus Suffr.,P. catalonicus Burl. andP. petitpierrei Daccordi is 7^II+Xy_r.Cryptocephalus sexmaculatus Ol. andC. vittula Suffr. have 13^II+Xy_p,C. bipunctatus L. 14^II+Xy_r,C. ochroleucus Steph. andC. ocellatus Drap. 14^II+Xy_p,C. crassus 01. 15^II+Xy_r,C. sulphureus 01. 15^II+Xy_p, the same number as inC. fulvus Goeze with 2n=32 chromosomes, whileC. primarius Har. has 19^II+Xy_p. The modal chromosome number inCryptocephalus is 2n=30 (about 60% of spp.), and most species are characterized their small chromosomes. The low variation found in the karyotypes of Cryptocephalinae along with their possible interrelationships with allied chrysomelid subfamilies are also discussed.     

Visualization of the mitochondria ofToxoplasma gondii-infected mouse fibroblasts by the cationic permeant fluorescent dye rhodamine 123

Summary The mitochondria of living mouse fibroblasts infected withToxoplasma gondii were monitored with the cationic permeant fluorescent dye rhodamine 123. Fluorescence microscopy revealed that host cell mitochondria accumulated at the cytoplasmic surface of parasitophorous vacuoles and increased the dye uptake in the periparasitophorous vacuole asT. gondii multiplied.The author wishes gratefully to acknowledge the work of Miss Mayumi Kato and Mr. Isao Kimata in preparing the photographs. The publication cost was supported by a grant of the Ohyama Health Foundation.     

New tamjamine class alkaloids from the marine ascidianAtapozoa sp. and its nudibranch predators. Origin of the tambjamines inAtapozoa

Summary Two new tambjamine class alkaloids, possessing ichthyodeterrent properties, have been isolated from the organic extracts of the marine ascidianAtapozoa sp. and its nudibranch predators. The structure of the new metabolites were elucidated through interpretation of their physical and spectral data and by comparison with spectral data for related compounds. Microscopic examination ofAtapozoa considering the yellow color of the tambjamines suggested thatAtapozoa is capable of the de novo biosynthesis of these metabolites.     

The postpharyngeal glands and the cuticle of Formicidae contain the same characteristic hydrocarbons

Summary Comparison of the contents of the postpharyngeal gland and cuticular hydrocarbons of five species of ant have shown them to contain the same compounds and to be characteristic of the species. For four species (Formica selysi, Camponotus lateralis, Camponotus vagus andManica rubida), quantitative similarity was very close, but more divergent in the fifth (Myrmica rubra). Glands and cuticle ofM. rubra queens were shown to be closely similar to those of workers, except the glands of queens are larger, but the cuticle of larvae was different from that of adult cuticle and postpharyngeal glands.