Expression of multidrug resistance (mdr) gene(s) in primary lymphoid organs of chicken immune system during embryonic development

The presence of a multidrug resistance (MDR) related protein, P-170, in normal and pathological lymphoid cells has been described. The present report evaluates the expression of themdr 1 gene by using the reverse Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) on cells obtained from the thymus and bursa of chicken embryos starting from day 12 until hatching. Results show that the thymic cells are positive from day 12 to the end of the observation period. In contrast,mdr mRNA was detected in the bursa from day 14 to day 17 of embryonic life. Possible relationships between the expression ofmdr and the development of T and B lymphocytes are discussed.     

Regional changes of acetylcholine and choline acetylase activity in the guinea-pig's brain after scopolamine

Riassunto La scopolamina riduce la acetilcolina totale nella corteccia cerebrale, bulbo olfattorio, nucleo caudato, ma non nel talamo e cervelletto. La attività colinacetilasica aumenta nelle zone dove si manifesta la riduzione di neurormone. Ciò suggerisce che la scopolamina stimoli soprattutto strutture colinergiche telencefaliche.     

A micro-technique for performing reactions with volatile reagents

Zusammenfassung Es wird eine einfache mikroanalytische Technik zur Ausführung von Reaktionen mit flüchtigen Reagenzien beschrieben.     

Cysteamin-N-essigsäure,ein neuer Strahlenschutzstoff

Summary The preparation of cysteamine-N-acetic acid, a new X-ray protecting substance, is described and some pharmacological properties are given.     

AGPAT2 is mutated in congenital generalized lipodystrophy linked to chromosome 9q34

Congenital generalized lipodystrophy is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by marked paucity of adipose tissue, extreme insulin resistance, hypertriglyceridemia, hepatic steatosis and early onset of diabetes. We report several different mutations of the gene (AGPAT2) encoding 1-acylglycerol-3-phosphate O-acyltransferase 2 in 20 affected individuals from 11 pedigrees of diverse ethnicities showing linkage to chromosome 9q34. The AGPAT2 enzyme catalyzes the acylation of lysophosphatidic acid to form phosphatidic acid, a key intermediate in the biosynthesis of triacylglycerol and glycerophospholipids. AGPAT2 mRNA is highly expressed in adipose tissue. We conclude that mutations in AGPAT2 may cause congenital generalized lipodystrophy by inhibiting triacylglycerol synthesis and storage in adipocytes.     

Centromeric heterochromatin in the karyotype of the male Greater Kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros)

Summary The chromosomes of a male Kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros) have been studied by C-banding and H³ thymidine labelling. It is suggested that heterochromatin may have accumulated on the 14th pair of autosomes before its translocation to the Y-chromosome.     

Trace elements in human hair

Zusammenfassung Es werden Korrelationen zwischen dem Spurelementgehalt des menschlichen Haares und verschiedenen physiologischen und pathologischen Faktoren hergestellt.     

The occurrence of an intermediate didelphid karyotype in the short-tailed opossum (GenusMonodelphis)

Resumen Se han estudiado los cromosomas de dos especies de didélfidos del géneroMonodelphis: M. brevicaudata palliolata del norte de Venezuela yM. dimidiata de la Prov. de Buenos Aires, Argentina. Ambas especies tienen un cariotipo muy similar, compuesto de 18 cromosomas. Este cariotipo es intermedio entre el que presentanCaluromys yMarmosa (2n=14) y el deDidelphis, Philander yLutreolina (2n=22). Se postula la fisión céntrica en dos pares de submetacentricos del primer tipo, para explicar el origen del cariotipo deMonodelphis.