Methods for increasing sensitivity in immunoelectrophoresis

Résumé On décrit 2 modifications apportées à la méthode d'immunoélectrophorèse. L'une d'elles comprend l'électrophorèse dans 2 sens, aux pH divers, en milieu gélifié suivie par l'analyse immunologique, permettant une définition plus avantageuse. L'autre comprend l'électrophorèse sur un fil de rayonne ou d'acétate de cellulose suivie par l'analyse immunologique en milieu gélifié, permettant l'analyse des quantités d'antigène à partir de 3 µg.     

Increase in pituitary melanocyte-stimulating hormone activity of genetically obese (ob/ob) mice

Summary Melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH) activity was measured in the pituitaries of genetically obese and lean control mice using the frog skin bioassay. Obese mice pituitaries demonstrated very significantly elevated levels of biologically active MSH when compared to their lean littermates. These results support the hypothesis that the elevated levels of pituitary hormones found in obese mice possess true biological activity.     

Effect of calcium and temperature on histamine release from pig lung by compound 48/80

Zusammenfassung Es zeigt sich, dass die anaphylaktische Histaminausschüttung Calcium benötigt und bei neidriger Temperatur vollkommen gehemmt wird. Bei Zugabe der Substanz 48/80 erweist sich die dadurch hervorgerufene Histaminausschüttung als dosisabhängig und benötigt kein extrazelluläres Calcium. Die Reaktion wird bei niedriger Temperatur (4°C) nur teilweise gehemmt. Sie kann daher nicht als zweckmässiges Modell für das Studium der anaphylaktischen Histaminausschüttung der Lunge angesehen werden.

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This investigation was supported by United States Public Health Service Grants Nos. OH-00304 and HE-14179.     

Distribution, abundance, and genetic population structure of Wood River sculpin, Cottus leiopomus

The Wood River sculpin Cottus leiopomus is endemic to the Wood River Basin in central Idaho and is a nongame species of concern because of its limited distribution. However, status and genetic population structure, 2 factors often central to the conservation and management of species of concern, have not been assessed for this species. We used backpack electrofishers to survey streams that were small enough (i.e., a priori to contain, possibly contain, or not contain the sculpin, respectively. Native redband trout Oncorhynchus mykiss gairdneri were present at 21 study sites, including 18 of the 20 sites that contained Wood River sculpin. Sixty-one study sites (60%) were dry or had too little water to contain any fish. We estimated that a minimum of 1.36 million Wood River sculpin (≥20 mm total length) currently reside in the basin. The presence of Wood River sculpin was positively associated with stream width:depth ratio and percent cobble/boulder substrate and negatively associated with stream gradient. Mitochondrial DNA haplotype differences were observed between and within the 3 major river subbasins supporting sculpin, with the most striking differences observed between populations in the Camas Creek subbasin and the other 2 subbasins, among which no haplotypes were shared, suggesting relatively long-term isolation. Our results suggest that the Wood River sculpin remains relatively widespread and abundant within its endemic range, despite obvious changes in historical stream connectivity caused by irrigation diversions and other chronic habitat alterations.     

Effect of vitamin A deficiency on rat hepatic and colon epoxide hydrase.

Rat liver microsomes and homogenized mucosal linings prepared from vitamin A-supplemented and deficient male rats were used in metabolic studies of 7-3H-styrene oxide. The colon tissue in deficient animals exhibits a significantly higher value of Vmax than the same tissue from vitamin-supplemented animals. The implications of this finding in addition to our earlier observation 10 is discussed in relation to colon carcinoma.