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Biomedical subjects

R R Stewart

Publications and source records attributed to R R Stewart.

48 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

The expression of antigens by embryonic neurons and glia in segmental ganglia of the leech Haemopis marmorata.

Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) raised against adult leech nervous systems were screened on embryos of the leech Haemopis marmorata in order to determine when in development specific antigens are first expressed and the order in which they are expressed by different cells or tissues. Three of the mAbs produced by Zipser and McKay (Zipser, B., and R. McKay (1981) Nature 289: 549-554) were screened: Lan3-1, Lan3-5, and Lan3-6. Each mAb shows a different pattern of labeling in the adult leech nerve cord (Zipser, B. (1982) J. Neurosci. 2: 1453-1464). The embryonic stages studied were from 5 days after egg deposition to 30 days (emergence from the cocoon). The pattern of labeling was assayed in whole mounts using horseradish peroxidase-conjugated second antibodies. The principal results are as follows. (1) Antigens recognized by Lan3-5 are first expressed by the glia of the roots of the anterior segmental ganglia at 6 to 7 days, several days later by the interganglionic connective glia, and near the end of embryonic development by ganglionic neurons. An anterior to posterior temporal gradient is observed in the expression of these antigens. In addition, Lan3-5 also labels the protonephridia and nephridia from early development onward. (2) Antigens recognized by Lan3-6 are first expressed by a pair of neurons in each segmental ganglion and later in development by additional neurons. By the time of emergence, however, only about half of the neurons that label in the adult have done so, implying that some neurons express these antigens postembryonically. Labeling with Lan3-6 is first seen in neuronal somata and only later in neuronal processes. (3) Antigens recognized by Lan3-1 and expressed by segmentally specific neurons in ganglia 5 and 6 are not detectable during embryonic development, but are so at early postembryonic stages. Thus, these three mAbs provide an approach to study different aspects of the development of the leech nervous system, specifically the relation between glial and neuronal differentiation and the genesis of segmentally specific phenotypes.

Animals↗

Stability and Synthesis of Phospholipids during Desiccation and Rehydration of a Desiccation-Tolerant and a Desiccation-Intolerant Moss.

The fatty acid composition of the phospholipids from the desiccation-tolerant moss Tortula ruralis (Hedw.) Gaertn, Meyer and Scherb and the desiccation-intolerant moss Cratoneuron filicinum has been determined. No changes in composition occur in either moss as a consequence of rapid drying, but, after slow drying, there is a decline in some unsaturated fatty acids. Upon rehydration of T. ruralis after slow drying, these acids decline further; however, within 105 minutes, they regain the same levels as those in undesiccated controls. A smaller and more transient decline occurs after rapid desiccation. Most phospholipid unsaturated fatty acids decrease during rehydration of C. filicinum, and their levels are not recovered. After both rapid and slow drying of T. ruralis, acetate and glycerol are incorporated into the phospholipid fraction, although de novo synthesis, alone, might not account for the increase in unsaturated fatty acids upon rehydration. Very little acetate or glycerol is incorporated during rehydration of C. filicinum. Loss of unsaturated fatty acids from the phospholipids of T. ruralis does not appear to be associated with increased lipoxygenase activity. Furthermore, there is little correlation between the extent of peroxidation of fatty acids due to desiccation and changes in the phospholipid fraction.

Journal Article↗

Protein synthesis and phospholipids in soybean axes in response to imbibitional chilling.

The responses of two cultivars of soybean (Merr.) to a chilling treatment (4 C for first hour of imbibition) were compared. The germination of cv. Biloxi was unaffected by the treatment, while the germination of cv. Fiskeby was reduced. The phospholipid fatty acids of dry axes of the two cultivars were very similar, and, thus, could not be correlated with their responses to chilling. The fatty acid composition of chilling-tolerant Biloxi did not change over a subsequent 23-hour warm incubation, but there was a marked reduction in the unsaturated fatty acids of chilling-sensitive Fiskeby after 12 hours, which may be a symptom of deterioration. Protein synthesis in both cultivars was reduced by the chilling treatment. Redrying of Biloxi axes up to 18 hours after the onset of imbibition had no effect on their germination upon rehydration. Germination of Fiskeby axes was reduced by redrying after 8 hours of imbibition. After 7 months of dry storage of intact seeds, the sensitivity of the axes to chilling was retested. Biloxi axes had become chilling-sensitive, while the germination of Fiskeby axes was reduced to zero by the chilling treatment. A hypothesis is presented that imbibitional chilling sensitivity is an indication of reduced vigor, axes with a high vigor can tolerate the stress, while those without cannot.

Journal Article↗

Lipid peroxidation associated with accelerated aging of soybean axes.

Soybean seeds age rapidly during storage at high temperature and high relative humidity. The axes of such aged seeds contain high levels of malondialdehyde, a product of the peroxidation of unsaturated fatty acids. The levels of linoleic (18:2) and linolenic (18:3) acids in a polar lipid (phospholipid) fraction decrease during aging and more dramatically during postaging deterioration. None of these changes occurred in seeds that have been stored at high temperature but low relative humidity. No superoxide dismutase activity was detected in any nonimbibed seed. In viable seeds, activity was detectable 1.5 hours after the onset of imbibition, but none was found in aged seeds up to 5 hours. It is suggested that aging leads to peroxidative changes to lipids and that these could contribute to loss of viability.

Journal Article↗

Effect of Temperature on the Short Chain Fatty Acid-induced Inhibition of Lettuce Seed Germination.

In lettuce, Lactuca sativa short chain fatty acids (C(6) - C(9)) vary in their effectiveness as inhibitors of germination according to temperature; the higher the temperature, the greater the inhibition. A linear relationship exists between temperature and the dose causing half-maximal germination. Nonanoic (C(9)) acid is the most effective.When extrapolated to the abscissa, really zero concentration of acid, the regression lines intercept at 36.8 C +/- 2.6 C. It may be that at this temperature the whole membrane becomes fluid without acid being present but with acid there was complete fluidizing at lower temperatures the degree of fluidity being determined by the amount and type of acid present. This speculation distinguishes between the fluidizing of the bulk lipids and the character of the lipid layer that may be around certain key membrane proteins.

Journal Article↗

Evidence for two adenine derivative receptors in rat ileum which are not involved in the nonadrenergic, noncholinergic response.

The receptors mediating inhibition of the rat ileum by adenosine and adenine nucleotides were studied. ATP and ADP were more potent than AMP or adeonsine. Theophylline antagonized the effects of adenosine and AMP but not those of ATP or ADP. Preparations desensitized to ATP or ADP were still inhibited by adenosine and vice versa. The nonadrenergic, noncholinergic inhibition produced by field stimulation or nicotine was not attenuated by the presence of theophylline or desensitization to ATP. These data indicate that more than one adenine derivative receptor is present in rat ileum and that ATP and adenosine are unlikely candidates for the unknown transmitter.

Adenine↗

Capture myopathy in a moose.

Of 18 moose captured by dart immobilization from a helicopter, 1 became recumbent after release. Blood samples were collected at the time of capture and on the following 2 days. Serum creatine phosphokinase and glutamic-oxalacetic transaminase activities increased, and serum potassium concentrations decreased. Necropsy revealed extensive myopathy.

Animals↗

Cytomegalic inclusion disease: intrauterine sonographic diagnosis using findings involving the brain.

Two second-trimester cases and one third-trimester case of intrauterine cytomegalic inclusion disease (CID) are presented, each having a different intracranial sonographic presentation. The findings are correlated with radiographic studies and the known pathophysiology. Sonographic evidence of intrauterine cerebral necrosis or calcification should alert one to the possibility of CID, particularly if other signs of in utero infection are present. A pattern of bilateral periventricular calcifications, which may be preceded by hypoechoic periventricular ringlike zones, seems to be specific for intrauterine CID. However, CID also may result in widespread cerebral destruction. If the sonographic study produces an uncertain diagnosis, sonography can still aid in the prenatal diagnosis of CID by guiding percutaneous umbilical cord blood sampling for serology or by directing amniocentesis for cytomegalovirus culture. The ability of sonography to demonstrate specific characteristics of CID in utero enables prenatal diagnosis of this disease.

Adult↗