Plagiochila virginica A.Evans rather than P. dubia Lindenb. & Gottsche occurs in Macaronesia; placement in sect. Contiguae Carl is supported by ITS sequences of nuclear ribosomal DNA

 Plagiochila dubia Lindenb. & Gottsche is reduced to a synonym of the Neotropical P. patula (Sw.) Lindenb. Specimens from the Canary Islands and Madeira proved to belong to the eastern North American P. virginica A.Evans, new to Europe. Phylogenetic analyses of the internal transcribed spacer regions (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2) of nuclear ribosomal DNA of ten Plagiochila species produced four independent lineages that are well supported by all bootstrap analyses (maximum likelihood, maximum parsimony, and distance). These lineages correspond with the Plagiochila sections Arrectae, Contiguae, Cucullatae and Glaucescentes. Spruce's “Ramiflorae” and “Cauliflorae” may no longer be regarded as monophyletic units of Plagiochila. Received August 19, 2001 Accepted October 11, 2001     

中国蓼属(蓼科)三新种

描述了中国新疆蓼科Polygonaceae蓼属萹蓄组Polygonum section Polygonum 3新种。乌鲁木齐萹蓄P. urumqiense F. Z. Li, Y. T. Hou &; F. J. Lu在体态上与萹蓄P. aviculare L.很相近, 但花在枝上部叶腋簇生成穗状花序, 雄蕊5–6枚, 瘦果两型, 长果表面密具不规则排列的小点, 易于区别。塔城萹蓄P. tachengense F. Z. Li, Y. T. Hou &; F. J. Lu在枝上部的花不形成总状花序, 雄蕊8枚, 瘦果表面具成行的小点等方面与萹蓄近缘, 其区别在于3–6花仅簇生于枝上部叶腋, 叶片条状披针形, 背面主、侧脉极其隆起, 托叶鞘较长, 约达1.1 cm, 具15–20条纵脉; 又因其茎直立, 花簇生于枝上部叶腋而与展枝萹蓄P. patulum M. Bieb.相近, 其区别在于叶背面中脉和侧脉极其隆起, 托叶鞘较长, 达1.1 cm, 具15–20条纵脉, 枝上部的叶不渐小, 花在枝上部叶腋簇生, 不形成总状花序, 瘦果表面具成行的小点。石河子萹蓄Polygonum shiheziense F. Z. Li, Y. T. Hou &; F. J. Lu茎直立, 花3–6朵簇生于枝上部叶腋, 雄蕊8枚, 瘦果表面光滑, 略具光泽, 与帚萹蓄P. argyrocoleon Steud. ex Kunze相近, 区别在于叶背面中脉和侧脉极其隆起, 托叶鞘长, 达1.1 cm, 具15–20条纵脉, 花在枝上部叶腋簇生, 不形成总状花序; 同时在体态上又与塔城萹蓄十分相近, 但其枝上部的叶逐渐变小,瘦果表面光滑, 略具光泽,易于区别。对3个新种及其近缘种的花粉形态、叶表皮特征和瘦果微形态进行了光镜和扫描电镜比较观察。     

Testicular testosterone concentration and in vitro response to HCG in normal and in testosterone immunized rabbits.

The testosterone concentration, the in vitro response to HCG and the percentage Leydig cells in testes of normal and of testosterone-3-BSA immunized rabbits were determined. Following immunization all three parameters increased in the same order of magnitude (1.8-2.6fold). The results indicate that active immunization with testosterone has no deleterious effects on the endocrine capacity of the Leydig cells. The observed functional and morpholigical alterations of the testes are due solely to increased trophic hormone secretion from the pituitary caused by antibody binding of circulating androgens. The basic testosterone concentration in the testes of the control rabbits were in the range of values reported for other species.     

深圳香荚兰,首次发现于华南深圳的兰科新种

对兰科新种深圳香荚兰Vanilla shenzhenicaZ．J．Liu＆S．C．Chen作了描述与绘图。此新种为深圳发现的第一个兰科新种,与台湾香荚兰V。somai Hayata有亲缘关系。但是,本新种花序具4花,花较大,不完全开放;唇瓣不裂,紫红色,基部与蕊柱合生长度达3/4,刷状附属物位于唇盘的上部,甚易区别于台湾香荚兰。     

中国五加科植物的分类学研究: 罗伞属和鹅掌柴属的新种和新异名

在编写《Flora of China》五加科Araliaceae时,发现两个新种,即拟榕叶罗伞Brassaiopsis pseudoficifolia Lowry＆C．B．Shang和光华鹅掌柴Scheffiera zhuana Lowry＆C．B．Shang。前者与榕叶罗伞B.ficifolia Dunn很相似,其区别在于,叶裂片数目较多,花序上具较多的伞形花序,花序轴具刺,主要分布于云南,广西偶见。后者与白花鹅掌柴S．leucantha R．Vig．相似,其区别在于,子房心皮数目较多,果时具明显的萼缘,花盘扁平,叶质地较薄,局限分布于西藏墨脱县。同时发现越南产的Brassaiopsis gaussenii Bui和中国产的细序鹅掌柴Scheffiera tenuis H．L．Li、球序鹅掌S.glomerulata H．L．Li均不能成立,处理为异名。     

Flow Cytometric Determination of Genome Size in some Old World Lupinus Species (Fabaceae)

Abstract: Genome size determinations using propidium iodide flow cytometry were conducted in Lupinus anatolicus, L. pilosus, L. luteus, L. hispanicus ssp. hispanicus and L. hispanicus ssp. hispa-nicus × L. luteus (a complex hybridization product ofL. hispanicus ssp. hispanicus and L. luteus ). Using Glycine max "Ceresia" (1C = 1.134pg) and an accession of L. pilosus (1C = 0.649pg) as internal standards the following 1C values were obtained: L. anatolicus: 0.606 pg; L. pilosus: 0.620–0.678 pg; L. luteus: 1.173 pg; L. hispanicus: 1.043 pg; L. hispanicus ssp. hispanicus × L luteus: 1.036 pg. Lupinus anatolicus is a newly described taxon with smooth seeds whose genome is approximately as small as the smallest genomes measured in the related L. pilosus , a taxon with rough seeds. The genomes in the related smooth-seeded taxa L. luteus, L. hispanicus and L. hispanicus ssp. hispanicus × L. luteus are considerably larger. There is a 1.13-fold difference between L. luteus (crop) and L. hispanicus (wild). The genome size of L. hispanicus ssp. hispanicus × L. luteus , however, is not intermediate, it is close to L. hispanicus .     

Evidence for plasmid-associated crystal toxin production in Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. israelensis

Three crystalliferous (Cry⁺) strains of Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. israelensis (serotype 14) that produce parasporal protein crystals toxic to dipteran larvae and several acrystalliferous (Cry^?) mutants, either induced or spontaneously derived from a single Cry⁺ parent, were examined for the presence of covalently closed circular (CCC) DNA in attempts to correlate toxin production with the presence of a specific plasmid. The plasmid profiles of both Cry⁺ and Cry^? variants were analyzed by both a cleared lysate- and a modified Eckhardt lysateelectrophoresis technique. All of the Cry^? mutants derived from the Cry⁺ parental strain had lost a 4.0- to 4.4-megadalton (Mdal) plasmid. Bioassay data confirmed loss of toxin production by the Cry^? variants. All three Cry⁺ strains, including the parent of the Cry^? strains, contained CCC plasmids DNAs of the following approximate molecular weights: 4.0 to 4.4, 5.2 to 6.0, and 11.4 to 13.0 Mdal. One Cry⁺ strain contained an additional CCC plasmid of 6.7 to 7.2 Mdal. The plasmid patterns for several Cry^? derivatives differed in other respects from the pattern for their parent strain. The various Cry⁺ and Cry^? strains could be distinguished either by phenotypical differences in antibiotic sensitivity, crystal production, and toxicity, or by differences in their plasmid profiles.     

The flight and landing of tsetse (Glossina) in response to components of host odour in the field

ABSTRACT. Studies were conducted in Zimbabwe of the responses of Glossina morsitans morsitans Westwood and Glossina pallidipes Austen to various host odours using either arrangements of electrocuting nets or visual observations. Tsetse flying upwind in a plume of carbon dioxide, acetone and octenol turned downwind upon flying into a plume of acetone or octenol, but did not turn upon flying into a plume of carbon dioxide. They also turned in response to a transient decline in odour concentration. Tsetse landed on the ground in the vicinity of a source of natural odour or artificial odour containing carbon dioxide but not at sources of acetone or octenol only. The proportion of female G.pallidipes caught at a source of natural odour (37%) was significantly different from that caught at a source of synthetic odour (17%). Resting tsetse stimulated by natural odour took off sooner than non-stimulated flies and had a strong upwind bias in the direction of take off. Tsetse stimulated with artificial odour did not take off sooner than non-stimulated flies. It is suggested that there is an unidentified components) of ox odour that activates resting tsetse.     

秤锤树属(安息香科)的一个新异名

将怀化秤锤树Sinojackia oblongicarpa C. T. Chen & T. R. Cao处理为肉果秤锤树 Sinojackia sarcocarpa L. Q. Luo的新异名。     

14 C-acetate incorporation and nucleic acid synthesis in human lymphocytes stimulated by PHA and tuberculin in vitro

Studies on the timing of incorporation of labeled acetate in relationship to other cellular events in phytohemagglutinin (PHA)-treated lymphocytes have suggested that acetylation of nuclear histones may constitute an important regulatory mechanism for gene activation. In the present investigation, it was shown that PHA stimulation of lymphocytes from a tuberculin-positive patient caused an early increased incorporation of ¹⁴C-acetate prior to RNA and DNA synthesis. Lymphocytes from the same patient, however, repeatedly showed no increased incorporation of ¹⁴C-acetate following exposure to the sensitizing antigen, tuberculin (PPD), even though RNA and DNA synthesis were markedly stimulated. These results suggest that regulatory mechanisms of DNA template activity other than acetylation may be operative in sensitized lymphocytes responding to specific antigen. One possible explanation for the differences in ¹⁴C-acetate incorporation is that the increased uptake of acetate exhibited by PHA-treated cells is an effect related to nonspecific membrane changes caused by the PHA. If this is the case, then template regulation in PHA and antigen-stimulated lymphocytes may be achieved via similar but yet to be defined mechanisms.     

Control mechanisms of tanning in Corcyra cephalonica

Localisation of a prophenoloxidase in the cytoplasm of plasmatocytes was histochemically demonstrable in Corcyra cephalonica, by incubating the blood with different phenolic substrates. The activation of this latent enzyme was found to be controlled by a protein factor present in the cuticle. The haemolymph prophenoloxidase could be activated in vitro by prior incubation of the blood sample at 0°C. The treatment with NaCl, EDTA, or detergents did not cause any activation. The exposure of blood samples to gamma-rays, repeated freezing and thawing, or addition of the cuticular activator, brought about rapid disruption of the haemocytes causing a release of phenoloxidase and acceleration of melanization of the blood. The administration of α-ecdysone to the last instar larvae induced premature pupation and accentuated the activation of phenoloxidase without altering the level of enzyme activity. The possible regulatory mechanisms of tanning during the development of Corcyra have been discussed.     

Bovine babesiosis: Cattle protected in the field with a frozen vaccine containing Babesia bovis and Babesia bigemina cultured in vitro with a serum-free medium

An attenuated live vaccine containing Babesia bovis and B. bigemina cultured in vitro with a serum-free medium was assessed for its clinical protection conferred of naïve cattle, under natural tick-challenge in a high endemicity zone to Babesia spp. Three groups of six animals were treated as follows: group I (GI) received a vaccine derived from parasites cultured with a free-serum medium; group II (GII) were immunized with the standard vaccine, with parasites cultured in a medium supplemented with 40% (v/v) bovine serum; and a control group (GIII) inoculated with non-infected bovine erythrocytes. Inocula were administered by IM route. Experimental animals were kept during 23 days after vaccination in a cattle farm free of ticks and Babesia spp. Thereafter, cattle were moved to a high endemicity farm for natural exposure to Babesia spp. transmitted by Rhipicephalus microplus ticks. Protection against clinical babesiosis was observed in bovines belonging to GI (100%) and GII (83.33%), while the control animals (GIII) were not protected, and showed severe clinical signs, closely related to babesiosis, were observed for at least three consecutive days during the challenge. These were fever, anemia, which were measured simultaneously, and circulating parasites were detected by optic light microscopy. All cattle showed B. bovis and B. bigemina in stained blood films during the challenge; B. bovis antibody titers were higher than those to B. bigemina in GI and GII, and lower titers were determined in GIII. The protective capacity of the vaccine derived from B. bovis and B. bigemina cultured in vitro in a serum-free medium was demonstrated.     

中国浙江合叶苔属(合叶苔科)一新种——毛茎合叶苔

描述了采自中国浙江九龙山的苔类植物一新种——毛茎合叶苔Scapania paraphyllia T.Cao,C．Gao,J．Sun＆B．R．Zuo。该新种与腋毛合叶苔S.bolanderiAust．相近,两种皆具带齿叶片和假鳞毛,但新种具如下特征可与腋毛合叶苔区别：（1）植物体小,通常红色;（2）假鳞毛多数,不分枝,不仅生于叶腋,茎上也有着生;（3）背脊为腹瓣长的1/4-1／3,背瓣为腹瓣大小1／2-1／3;（4）叶角质层表面粗糙,具粗瘤,直径达6-8μm。与另一个相似种sampliata Steph．相比,因新种具有粗糙的叶表面和假鳞毛等特征,也易于区别。     

中国云南象牙参属(姜科)一新种——苍山象牙参

描述了中国云南姜科Zingiberaceae一新种——苍山象才参Roscoea cangshanensisM．H．LUO,X．F．Gao＆H．H．Lin。该种与大理象牙参R．forrestii Cowley在体态上相近,但唇瓣深裂成2裂片,每个裂片再2裂,基部收缩成具白色条纹的柄,叶片较狭窄,（2-）7-24×1．5-2．5cm,叶片基部狭缩成叶柄状而不同。该新种叶片基部狭缩成叶柄状,唇瓣倒卵状楔形,长2．5-3．5cm,宽2．5-3．0cm,基部收缩成具白色条纹的柄,与长柄象牙参R．debilis Gagnep．相似,但苞片非管状,较短,长5-15mm,隐藏于叶鞘内,花冠管较长,10-12.5cm,唇瓣深裂成2裂片,每个裂片再2裂,可与后者明显区别。     

Trialkyltrioxanes in flower wax of some decorative roses

The polymeric form in which long-chain aliphatic aldehydes are present in rose flower waxes has been established as the 2,4,6-trialkyl 1,3,5-trioxane.     

Role of calcium in acetylcholine-induced desensitization in dog thyroid slices

Incubation of dog thyroid slices with 1 microM acetylcholine (ACH) for 3 h followed by a second 2-h incubation without it induces a diminution of stimulation of glucose oxidation by ACH during a third incubation of 45 min. Using a calcium-free medium during all incubations prevents the desensitization and reduces, but does not abolish, ACH stimulation of glucose oxidation. EGTA [ethylene glycol bis(beta-aminoethyl ether)-N,N'-tetraacetic acid] (2 mM) added to the calcium-free medium in all incubations prevents both refractoriness and stimulation of glucose oxidation induced by ACH. Calcium depletion during the first incubation only, achieved by using EGTA and a calcium-free medium, also prevents refractoriness but not the augmentation of glucose oxidation caused by ACH. Incubation of thyroid slices with 1 microM ionophore A23817 during the 3-h first incubation decreases the stimulation of glucose oxidation induced by its readdition or by 1 microM ACH added for the first time in the third incubation. Ionophore-induced desensitization is not related to a cholinergic muscarinic receptor effect. Initial incubation of dog thyroid slices with 1 microM ACH diminishes the subsequent stimulation of glucose oxidation by 0.5 microM ionophore. However, the ACH-induced desensitization to ionophore can be overcome by a 10-fold increase in the amount of ionophore in the third incubation. Ionophore (1 microM) in the first incubation also induces refractoriness to thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) (10 mU/ml)-stimulated glucose oxidation in the third incubation. In contrast, initial incubation of thyroid slices with TSH (25 mU/ml) does not affect the stimulation of glucose oxidation by 0.5 microM ionophore added during the third incubation. These results suggest that increased intracellular calcium plays a major role in, or even mediates, ACH-induced desensitization in the thyroid gland.     

广西唇柱苣苔属(苦苣苔科)一新变种——光华唇柱苣苔

记载了广西苦苣苔科Gesneriaceae一新变种——光华唇柱苣苔Chirita tribracteata、W．T.Wang var.zhuana Z．Y．Li,Q．Xing＆Y．B．Li。该变种与原变种不同在于叶大而厚,边缘具圆齿或牙齿,叶柄具宽翅,苞片宽倒卵形或倒披针形,有锯齿,花冠淡紫色,喉部具黄色纵纹。