The Clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa) is a medium-sized highly arboreal cat. This study compares the structure of the digital, metacarpal and metatarsal pads of the manus and pes in N. nebulosa to that of the domestic cat (Felis catus). Covered by a stratified squamous cornified epithelium, the pads have a supple deposit of subepidermal fat that is partitioned by collagen fibers and extensively anchored to the muscle tendon sheaths. In both animals, a pes metatarsal pad suspensory ligament originates from the Mm. flexores digitorum profundi tendon and forms 3-4 small branches that project through the dermal fat layer and attach to the pad epidermis. In the cat manus, four tendons of equal size extend from the M. flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS) to form the manica flexoria in digits 2-4 from which extends a metacarpal pad suspensory ligament (MPSL) on digits 2 and 5 that extends into the tela subcutanea and epidermis. On digits 3 and 4 MPSL extends directly from the FDS tendon itself. In contrast, manus FDS tendons 1 and 5 in N. nebulosa were thin and either project directly to the tela subcutanea (tendon 1) or connect with the manica flexoria forming a metacarpal pad suspensory ligament (tendon 5). Tendons 2-4 connect with the manica flexoria from which MPSL project into the tela subcutanea and epidermis. In both species, the suspensory ligaments may serve to contract the pad to conform to the under lying substrate, thus enhancing the animal's ability to grip branches while climbing.

We have identified and studied a posttranscriptional mechanism of lactate dehydrogenase A (LDH) subunit gene expression at the level of mRNA stability. Using the well differentiated rat C6 glioma cell line as a model system, the effects of activators of the protein kinase A and C pathways on the half-life of LDH A mRNA were measured by two independent methods: 1) by the RNA synthesis inhibitor-chase method using actinomycin D, and 2) by analysis of decay of LDH A [3H]mRNA in [3H]uridine-labeled cells. By each method, the half-life of relatively short-lived LDH A mRNA was increased 5- to 7-fold in 8- (4-chloro-phenylthio) cAMP or forskolin-treated and about 3-fold in 12-0-tetradecanoylphorbol-13- acetate (TPA) or dioctanoylglycerol-treated cells. Forskolin acted synergistically with TPA to prolong LDH A mRNA half-life from 55 min to more than 20 h. The relatively rapid basal decay rate of LDH A mRNA was also considerably slowed in the presence of the protein phosphatase inhibitor okadaic acid, suggesting a functional role for protein phosphorylation in the stabilization process. In glioma cells stably transformed with a protein kinase A catalytic subunit expression vector, overexpression of the catalytic subunit stabilized LDH mRNA to the degree seen in forskolin-treated cells. In cells transfected with a protein kinase A inhibitor-expression vector, cAMP-mediated stabilization of LDH A mRNA half-life was prevented. Furthermore, both staurosporin and 3- [1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-indol-3-yl]-3-(indol- 3-yl)- maleimide, inhibitors of protein kinase C, prevented the TPA-induced stabilization of LDH A mRNA. We conclude from the experimental data that the protein kinase A and C signal pathways play an active functional role in regulating LDH A mRNA stability and act cooperatively to achieve LDH A mRNA stability regulation.

Oocyte cumulus complexes (OCC) were isolated from antral follicles of proestrous hamsters prior to the luteinizing hormone (LH)/follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) surge and then incubated from 4 to 24 h at 37 degrees C. Under these conditions approximately 89% of the oocytes exhibited metaphase plates (11% were in the dictyate stage) and addition of LH (200 ng/ml ovine NIH-LH-S20) did not significantly alter the percentage of oocyte maturation. Approximately 50% of the OCC incubated for 24 h with 6 mM 8-bromo-cyclic quanine 3':5' monophosphate (8-Br-cGMP) were prevented from maturing beyond the dictyate stage. OCC incubated with 6 mM 8-bromo-cyclic adenosine 3':5' monophosphate (8-Br-cAMP) were also prevented from maturing (59.5% 8-Br-cAMP) in vitro. LH (200 ng/ml) was able to overcome the 8-Br-cAMP-induced inhibition of oocyte maturation in OCC. It also produced a decrease in 8-Br-cGMP mediated inhibition which was more pronounced when the dosage of LH was increased to 10 microgram/ml. 8-Br-cGMP prevented oocyte maturation in a dose and time dependent manner. Only 8-Br-cAMP prevented maturation (approximately 60% inhibition) of denuded oocytes in vitro. Denuded oocytes incubated with and without 8-Br-cGMP exhibited no inhibited of maturation. These results indicate that 8-Br-cGMP may exert its inhibitory effects through the cumulus cells. On the other hand, cAMP appears to directly inhibit oocyte maturation.

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The clouded leopard (N. nebulosa) is an endangered felid native to Southeast Asia. It is considered to be the largest and most acrobatic of the arboreal cats. To date, published studies have focused on cranial morphology, particularly osteology and dentition. This study describes the hip and thigh morphology of N. nebulosa and compares it to the domestic cat (F. catus). A number of statistically significant differences were observed between N. nebulosa and F. catus that were primarily associated with muscle attachment surface areas rather than differences in overall morphology. F. catus had proportionally larger attachment areas for Mm. gluteus profundus, tensor fasciae latae, and biceps femoris, while N. nebulosa had larger attachment areas for Mm. gluteus medius, rectus femoris, and semitendinosus. By comparison, surface area analysis of nonfelid species (C. latrans and V. vulpes) showed more differences when compared to felids demonstrating that this analytical technique is useful for differentiating closely-related species from more distant ones. These results suggest that muscle map area analysis may be useful for comparing phylogenetic relationships between and within groups of different species and may also suggest variations in locomotor habits.

Summary. Cyclic GMP, cAMP and total DNA levels were determined in whole hamster ovaries on each day of the 4-day cycle. Pro-oestrous ovaries were removed during the time of the preovulatory LH surge (confirmed by RIA). Cyclic AMP levels (pmol/mg DNA) were highest during pro-oestrus (1268\m=.\0\ m=+-\139 (s.e.m.)) and lowest during dioestrus 2 (266\m=.\9\ m=+-\22). Cyclic GMP (pmol/mg DNA) levels were highest at dioestrus 2 (87\m=.\2\ m=+-\19) and lowest during oestrus (11\m=.\9\ m=+-\2). Similar patterns were obtained with total pmol/4 ovaries. However expressed, there was an inverse correlation of cAMP and cGMP at dioestrus 2 (P < 0\m=.\02) and pro-oestrus (P < 0\m=.\001). Cyclic GMP was inversely correlated with total DNA levels (P < 0\m=.\02) at oestrus and dioestrus 2.

An outreach program has been developed at the Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Illinois University (NIU), that offers an intensive short course in human gross anatomy to high school students and their teachers. Prior to the short course, the high school teachers attend a laboratory orientation, view the facilities, and then develop a syllabus suitable for the class needs. When the students arrive, they spend between 1 and 2 days rotating through five different work stations. Using their syllabus, they identify and learn the function of various structures on human cadavers and models. Evaluation and content testing of 143 students demonstrated a significant degree of enthusiasm and retention of the syllabus material at the end of the course. All teachers who participated in the program indicated that they wish to return the following year and new groups have already applied to attend. The results of the program demonstrate ways that universities can generate excitement about science and learning at the high school level.