In vitro meristem cloning of Eucalyptus tereticornis Sm.

Rapid multiplication of axillary meristems and direct shoot development occurred from nodal explants of mature Eucalyptus tereticornis Sm. with 5.3 M NAA, 1.1 M IAA and 4.4 M BA in Murashige-Skoog medium. Repeated subcultures of the second generation shoot cultures into low cytokinin-auxin containing media (0.44–0.88 M BA+0.1 M NAA) yielded axillary microshoots in large numbers. Half-strength MS liquid medium with 4.9 M IBA, 5.5 M IAA and 5.3 M NAA for four days, half-strength semi-solid hormonefree MS medium with charcoal, and MS liquid medium without charcoal and hormones, in sequence, induced rooting of shoots in the dark. This system is suitable for the mass propagation of this difficult-to-root eucalypt.Abbreviations BA 6-benzyladenine - IAA indole-3-acetic acid - IBA -indole-3-butyric acid - 2-iP isopentyl adenine - Kn kinetin - MS Murashige-Skoog - NAA -naphthalene acetic acid - PVP polyvinylpyrrolidone     

Morphology and structural organization of spiracles in femaleArgas (Persicargas) walkerae (Acari: Argasidae)

Scanning electron microscopical investigations of fractures and corrosion casts of the spiracles from femaleA. walkerae ticks revealed a four-part structure, consisting of spiracular plate, ostium and macula forming the external closure, followed by the subostial space and the vestibulum of regulable volume, as well as the atrial chamber as the innermost part from which the main tracheal trunks originate. On the average, the spiracular plate was 158 m long and 188 m at the broadest width. It consisted of a thin, highly perforated external and a thick internal layer, which enclosed the interpedicellar space with numerous stout pedicels. In its posterior region, the spiracular plate was covered by the macula, which was up to 80 m in length and 110 m in width. The interpedicellar cavity opened into the subostial space measuring 95.5 m in length and 159.6m in width, which proceeded into the 112-m long vestibulum. The roof of the vestibulum was flexible and could be everted and inverted. Inverted, the roof formed a quadratic bulge with numerous deep cuticular folds, which confined the lumen of the vestibulum either partially or completely. In corrosion casts, the roof was everted to a length of up to 89.3 m. In the posterior part of the vestibulum, as well as in the initial fourth of the artrial chamber, numerous anvil-, cone-or drop-like cuticular projections were arranged in wedge-like fashion. The atrial chamber was almost spherical with a diameter of 138.4 m. Five main tracheal trunks of different luminal diameter as well as numerous channels opened into the atrial chamber.     

Male reproductive effect of arsenic in mice

Arsenic, a known human carcinogen, was given to mice via drinking water as sodium arsenite at a dose 53.39, 133.47, 266.95 and 533.90 mol l for 35 days. A decrease in the activity of 17 HSD along with increase in LDH, GT activity were observed at 533.90 mol l. The observed sperm count, motility and morphological abnormalities in sperm were similar to control at lower dose levels. However at 533.90 mol l a significant decrease in sperm count and motility along with increase in abnormal sperm were noticed. Significant accumulation of arsenic in testes and accessory sex organs may be attributed to the arsenic binding to the tissues or greater cellular uptake. No effects were observed on indices studied for reproductive effects at 53.39 mol l arsenic close to which human being are exposed through drinking water under the present set of experimental conditions.     

Copper but not iron limitation increases astaxanthin production by Phaffia rhodozyma in a chemically defined medium

The influence of copper (0–32 M) and iron (0–108 M) on growth and astaxanthin production by Phaffia rhodozyma was studied. Copper below 3.2 M increased the astaxanthin content of the cells (from 220 to 287 g g^–1) but at the expense of a slightly decreased growth (from 11.3 to 10.2 mg ml^–1). In contrast, iron below 1 M decreased both the growth and astaxanthin content of the cells. Using copper limitation instead of toxic respiratory inhibitors to improve astaxanthin production has obvious advantages from the product quality, environmental and process operation points of view.     

Factors affecting direct organogenesis from flower explants of Allium giganteum

A novel method is described for the propagation of Allium giganteum Regel using direct organogenesis resulting in multiple shoot structures formed on mature flower buds or ovaries. A two step induction and differentiation procedure, similar to that described earlier in onion, was tested. Flowers were inoculated on the induction medium for 6 days and extracted ovaries were placed on the differentiation medium. Optimal formation of multiple shoot structures was obtained using modified BDS medium containing 50 g l^–1 sucrose solidified by a mixture of agar/gellan-gum, with 8.88 M benzylaminopurine (BA) and 9.05 M 2,4 dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) in induction medium and 9.08 M tidiazuron (TDZ) in the differentiation medium. Five plant sources obtained from different European retailers of ornamental bulbs were tested separately. All tested genotypes produced multiple organogenic structures, although induction percentages clustered in two distinctive groups. Shoots formed tended to become dormant, and attempts to improve their growth and rooting included treatment with fluridone. Dormancy was partly broken when shoots were briefly dipped in 1 M fluridone. Genetic analysis of plant sources using random amplified polymorphic DNA method showed that 5 retailers actually distribute only two different clones, one of them more and the other less responsive to shoot organogensis.     

The relation of proton motive force,adenylate energy charge and phosphorylation potential to the specific growth rate and efficiency of energy transduction inBacillus licheniformis under aerobic growth conditions

The magnitude of the proton motive force (p) and its constituents, the electrical () and chemical potential (-ZpH), were established for chemostat cultures of a protease-producing, relaxed (rel ^–) variant and a not protease-producing, stringent (rel ⁺) variant of an industrial strain ofBacillus licheniformis (respectively referred to as the A- and the B-type). For both types, an inverse relation of p with the specific growth rate was found. The calculated intracellular pH (pH_in) was not constant but inversely related to . This change in pH_in might be related to regulatory functions of metabolism but a regulatory role for pH_in itself could not be envisaged. Measurement of the adenylate energy charge (EC) showed a direct relation with for glucose-limited chemostat cultures; in nitrogen-limited chemostat cultures, the EC showed an approximately constant value at low and an increased value at higher . For both limitations, the ATP/ADP ratio was directly related to .The phosphorylation potential (G'p) was invariant with . From the values for G'p and p, a variable H⁺/ATP-stoichiometry was inferred: H⁺/ATP=1.83+0.52µ, so that at a given H⁺/O-ratio of four (4), the apparent P/O-ratio (inferred from regression analysis) showed a decline of 2.16 to 1.87 for =0 to _max (we discuss how more than half of this decline will be independent of any change in internal cell-volume). We propose that the constancy of G'p and the decrease in the efficiency of energy-conservation (P/O-value) with increasing are a way in which the cells try to cope with an apparent less than perfect coordination between anabolism and catabolism to keep up the highest possible with a minimum loss of growth-efficiency. Protease production in nitrogen-limited cultures as compared to glucose-limited cultures, and the difference between the A- and B-type, could not be explained by a different energy-status of the cells.Abbreviations CCCP carbonylcyanide-p-trichloromethoxyphenylhydrazone - DW dry weight of biomass - F Faraday's constant, 96.6 J/(mV × mol) - Fo chemostat outflow-rate (ml/h) - FCCP carbonylcyanide-p-trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone - G'p phosphorylation potential, the Gibbs energy change for ATP-synthesis from ADP and P_i - G'⁰p standard Gibbs energy change at specified conditions - H⁺/ATP number of protons translocated through - ATP synthase in synthesis of one ATP - H⁺/O protons translocated during transfer of 2 electrons from substrate to oxygen - specific growth rate (1/h) - _H+ transmembrane electrochemical proton potential, J/mol - M_b molar weight (147.6 g/mol) of bacteria with general cell formula C_6.0H_10.8O_3.0N_1.2 - pH_out,in extracellular, intracellular pH - P_i (intracellular) inorganic phosphate - p proton motive force, mV - pH transmembrane pH-difference - transmembrane electrical potential, mV - P/O number of ADP phosphorylated to ATP upon reduction of one O^2– to H₂O by two electrons transferred through the electron transfer chain - P/O (H⁺/O) × (H⁺/ATP)^–1 - P/O_F, P/O_N P/O with the two electrons donated by resp. (NADH + H⁺) and FADH - q specific rate of consumption or production (mol/g DW × h) - rel ⁺,rel ^– stringent, relaxed genotype - R universal gas constant, 8.36 J/(mol × degree) - T absolute temperature - TPMP⁺ triphenylmethylphosphonium ion - TPP⁺ tetraphenyl phosphonium ion - Y growth yield, g DW/mol - Z conversion constant=61.8 mV for 310 K (37 °C) - ZpH transmembrane proton potential or chemical potential, mV     

Clonal propagation of Callistemon by tissue culture techniques

Callus development in Callistemon viminalis was readily achieved when axillary buds derived from nodal tissue were placed in a medium containing macro- and micro-nutrients, sucrose (0.06 M), inositol (300 M), nicotinic acid (20 M), pyridoxine hydrochloride (3 M), thiamine hydrochloride (2 M), riboflavin (10 M), cytokinins (5 M) and auxins (0.1 M). The presence of benzylaminopurine (5 M) and p-chlorophenoxyacetic acid (0.1 M) promoted the most vigorous callus development and sprout formation. Rooting of nodal material was rare but occurred readily following the transference of sprouts developed on callus to a basal medium containing sucrose and salts. Root initiation was stimulated, however, by the presence of auxins. Chlorophenoxyacetic acid while stimulating root initiation repressed root growth. Indole butyric acid stimulated both root initiation and shoot growth at concentrations of 0.005 to 0.1 M. The treatment of choice for rooting and shoot growth was the addition of indole butyric acid at a concentration of 0.01 M.     

Callus induction and plantlet regeneration in ornamental Alocasia micholitziana

Callus induction from petiole explants has been achieved in Alocasia micholitziana `Green Velvet'. The highest percentage (71%) of explants inducing callus was obtained on MS medium supplemented with 0.5 M 2,4-D and 0.5 M kinetin in the dark after 4 months of culture. Shoots were regenerated at the highest frequency of 33.3% under light condition when 0.5 M BA was added to MS medium with the average of 7.8±2.3 shoots per callus explant. The callus-derived shoots rooted on hormone free MS medium and within 4 weeks the plantlets were ready for acclimatization. The regenerated plants appeared morphologically similar to mother plants.     

Optimization of an electroporation procedure for Kluyveromyces lactis transformation

Summary An electroporation method using a Bio-Rad Gene Pulser has been optimized for introducing heterologous DNA into Kluyveromyces lactis yeasts. The plasmid pCR1, derived from a native Kluyveromyces plasmid, was used to transform K. lactis. This plasmid produces a wheat -amylase and contains both the biosynthetic marker URAA and G418 resistance genes. Transformation was optimal at 4500 V/cm, 25 F, and with 0.2 g plasmid DNA. Transformation efficiencies in the range 10⁴–10⁵ transformants/10⁷ cells/g DNA were obtained.     

Saccharomyces cerevisiae 2-mum DNA. An analysis of the monomer and its multimers by electron microscopy.

Summary The non-tandem inverted duplication in the 2-m DNA of Saccharomyces cerevisiae has a length of 0.19 m and is located asymmetrically along the molecule. The majority of the dumb-bell structures that are formed upon denaturation and selfannealing of the 2-m monomer consists of the renatured inverted duplication sequences as double stranded stem and two single stranded loops of 0.67 m±0.06 m (S-loop) and 0.86 m±0.05 m (L-loop) length. Two additional size classes which comprised 5–10% of the measured molecules had contour lengths of around 1.7 m and 2.1 m. The smaller dumb-bells contained two S-loops and the larger dumb-bells contained two L-loops as was shown by heteroduplex mapping with an HindIII fragment from the L-loop. Two models which assume illegitimate or site specific recombination, are presented to explain the generation of double S-loop and double L-loop molecules. At least part of the 4-m and 6- circular molecules present in the yeast supercoiled DNA fraction are shown to be dimers and trimers of 2-m monomers, but often with inverted loop segments most probably due to intramolecular recombination between sequences of the inverted duplication.2-m DNA is used to indicate the supercoiled DNA fraction although in our measurements the average monomeric length is 1.9 mPart of this work has been presented at the Conference: The Genetics and Biogenesis of Chloroplasts and Mitochondria, Munich, August, 1976     

Micropropagation of candelilla,Euphorbia antisyphilitica Zucc

Axillary shoot proliferation was induced in vitro from shoot explants of greenhouse grown candellila (Euphorbia antisyphilitica Zucc). Optimum shoot proliferation was obtained by supplementing a modified Murashige and Skoog [7] medium with 0.13 M naphthalene-acetic acid and 4.44 M 6-benzylaminopurine. Rooting occurred on 100% of shoots transferred to a medium containing half strength salts supplemented with 0.49 M indole-3-butyric acid. Fully rooted plants were transferred to potting soil and established under greenhouse conditions without special acclimatization techniques.     

5′-AMP hydrolysis by suspensions and homogenates of pancreatic islet cells from normal and cortisone-treated rats

Summary Suspensions of endocrine pancreas cells were prepared by shaking collagenase-isolated rat islets of Langerhans in calcium-free buffer. When incubated with 1.0 mM substrate at pH 7.4, the cells split,P _i from 5-AMP at a rate of 87 nmol/h per g DNA, and from-glycerophosphate at a rate of 25 nmol/h per g DNAK _m for 5 AMP was about 54 M. Adenosine or theophylline inhibited the 5-AMP hydrolysis. Homogenization of the cells increased the activity toward 5-AMP by 23% and that toward-glycerophosphate by 115%. Injecting rats with cortisone had no effect on the 5-AMP hydrolysis by whole cells but significantly increased the activity in cell homogenates; the intracellular activity toward 5-AMP was more than doubled by the cortisone treatment. Staining whole islet cells for 5-AMP-splitting activity resulted in a demarcation of the cell periphery in control rats. Cells from cortisone-treated rats showed heavier deposits of reaction product, and their cell periphery did not stand out as clearly. It is suggested that 5-nucleotidase is largely an ectoenzyme in normal rat islet cells. The cells also contain an as yet unidentified intracellular phosphatase that seems to be solely responsible for the increased hydrolysis of 5-AMP in cortisone-treated rats.     

Endogenous phosphorylation of rat brain synaptosomal plasma membranes in vitro: Some methodological aspects

The time course of endogenous phosphorylation in vitro of total or separted synaptic plasma membrane proteins (SPM) has been correlated with that of hydrolysis of the phosphate donor (ATP) in the incubation medium. The ATP/SPM ratio in the medium was varied. In a low-ratio medium (7.5 M ATP; 2.2 g SPM/l) a complete hydrolysis of ATP occurred almost instantaneously as was measured by the release of free phosphate in and the disappearance of ATP from the medium. As a consequence, only a very short peak of phosphorylation, followed by dephosphorylation was observed. However, when higher ATP/SPM ratios were used (200 M ATP; 0.4 g SPM/l and 500 M ATP; 0.4 g SPM/l), the incorporation of phosphate into SPM proteins was linear for 20 sec, and the maximum level of phosphate incorporation was increased. Similar results were obtained after separation of³²P-labeled phosphoproteins by slab gel electrophoresis. However, analysis of the autoradiographs obtained fromone SPM preparation under different ATP/SPM ratios revealed dependence of phosphorylation of individual protein bands on the conditions used.     

Cytoplasmic effects on the tissue culture response of callus from winter wheat mature embryos

A simple and reliable method was established for the maintenance of a permanent stock of several Medicago truncatula genotypes selected from a general seed stock by their in vitro culture amenability and embryogenic capacity. In the first step, multiple shoots were induced from the cotyledon axillary meristem meristem of pre-germinated seeds in Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with cytokinins (9.3 M zeatin, 22.2 M benzylaminopurine or 4.5 M thidiazuron). In the second step, the induced shoots were allowed to develop in growth-regulator-free medium. Benzylaminopurine at 22.2 M supported the best combination of shoot quality and number of shoots produced. Rooting of microshoots depended on the cytokinin used for shoot induction and was faster for zeatin-treated shoots. In this work a propagation system was devised where the addition of growth regulators was restricted to the induction phase therefore reducing the risks of epigenetic and somaclonal variation.     

Effect of Halothane in Cortical Cell Cultures Exposed to N-Methyl-D-Aspartate

In vivo studies have shown potent protection by volatile anesthetic agents against cerebral ischemic insults. Volatile agents have also been shown to antagonize glutamatergic neurotransmission at the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor. This study examined the potential for halothane to reduce neuronal excitotoxic lesions caused by NMDA. Fetal rat cortical cell cultures were allowed to mature 13–16 d. Culture wells (n = 13–16) were treated with 0 mM – 3.96 mM halothane in the presence/absence of 30 M NMDA. Additional cultures were exposed to 30 M NMDA in the presence/absence of 10 M MK-801 or 10 ACEA 1021. Cellular lethality was assessed by measurement of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) 24 hrs later. A maximal effect of halothane was observed at 0.70 mM (2.1 vol%) wherein a 36% reduction in NMDA-stimulated LDH release occurred relative to untreated controls. Both MK-801 and ACEA 1021 caused complete inhibition of NMDA-stimulated LDH release. These data confirm that halothane has modulatory effects at the NMDA receptor but potency of this drug is less than that of specific antagonists of either glutamate or glycine. These findings suggest that halothane protection in vivo can be partially explained by anti-excitotoxic properties although other mechanisms of action are probably also important.     

Effects of source of macronutrients and plant growth regulator concentrations on shoot proliferation of Cornus florida

Nodal stem segments of flowering dogwood (Cornus florida L.) were cultured on media containing seven different sources of macronutrients including full- and half-strength Murashige & Skoog (MS) macrosalts, N6, Anderson's (AND), Quoirin & Lepoivre's (LP), Nitsch & Nitsch (NIT), and Woody Plant Medium (WPM). All media contained MS micronutrients, Staba vitamins, 20 g l^-1 sucrose, and 6.5 g l^-1 Difco Bacto-agar, and were supplemented with 2.2 M 6-benzyladenine (BA) and 0.49 M indole-3-butyric acid (IBA). Following three subcultures, the best shoot proliferation was supported on media containing WPM macronutrients. To optimize the proliferation rate, shoots were cultured on WPM macronutrients supplemented with eight combinations of BA and IBA, and 3.3 M BA without IBA was determined to be the best.Abbreviations BA 6-benzyladenine - IBA indole-3-butyric acid     

Uptake and Retention of Selenite and Selenomethionine in cultured K-562 cells

The selenium uptake and retention have been studied in K-562 cells exposed to selenite or selenomethionine. In the uptake experiments the cells were exposed to two doses of selenite (5 or 50 M) or selenomethionine (10 or 50 M). In the retention study the cells were treated for 2 h with the above mentioned doses of the selenocompounds before being observed at different times. The selenium uptake in cells exposed to selenite 5 M began to saturate at 8 h, but increased again between 48 and 96 h. In cells exposed to selenite 50 M the selenium uptake never reached a maximum, however, at 48 and 96 h the cell viability decreased strongly. The two doses of selenite showed different retention patterns, with a relatively small cellular decrease of selenium after treatment with selenite 5 M compared to treatment with 50 M of selenite. The selenium uptake in cells exposed to selenomethionine 10 M or selenomethionine 50 M began to saturate at 24 h and 48 h, respectively. The retention patterns were similar for both selenomethionine doses with a continuous decrease of the selenium concentration during the whole observation period. The results indicated a more controlled uptake and retention pattern of selenomethionine compared to selenite.     

Axillary shoot induction and plant regeneration in Plantago ovata Forssk

Axillary shoot induction and plant regeneration were obtained in Plantago ovata. The optimum medium for inducing axillary shoots was Murashige & Skoog (MS) medium [5] supplemented with 4.6 M kinetin and 0.05 M NAA. Rooting of shoots was best on half-strength MS medium containing 5.0 M IBA and 0.05 M kinetin. The regenerated plants were similar to the control plants in karyotypic and phenotypic details.     

Oocysts of Isospora ernsti n. sp. and Isospora blagburni n. sp. (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from the black-capped bulbul,Pycnonotus xanthopygos

Oocysts of Isospora ernsti n. sp. and Isospora blagburni n. sp. are described from the black-capped bulbul Pycnonotus xanthopygos from Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago, Illinois. The bird came from southwestern Africa seven years earlier. I. ernsti oocysts are ellipsoidal to bluntly ovoid, 28–38 × 23–31m (mean 34 × 28 m) and have a single-layered oocyst wall. Micropyle, oocyst residuum and polar granules are absent. Sporocysts are elongate ovoid, 24–30 × 11–16 m (mean 27×13 m). Stieda and substiedal bodies and sporocyst residuum are present. I. blagburni oocysts are spherical to subspherical. 21–28 × 19–26 m (mean 25 × 23 m) and have a single oocyst wall. Sporocysts are ovoid and 17–23 × 10–13 m (mean 20 × 12 m). Stieda and substiedal bodies and sporocyst residuum are present.     

Plant regeneration through direct shoot bud formation from leaf cultures of Paphiopedilum orchids

Leaf explants of Paphiopedilum phiIippinense hybrids (hybrid PH59 and PH60) directly formed adventitious shoots from wound regions within 1 month, when cultured on modified Murashige and Skoog medium (1/2-strength macro- and full-strength micro-elements) free of plant growth regulator in darkness. The combinations of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid ((2,4-D) acid (0, 4.52 and 45.25 M) and 1-phenyl-3-(1,2,3-thiadiazol-5-yl)-urea (TDZ) (0, 0.45, 4.54 and 22.71 M) were used to test their effects on direct shoot bud formation from two types of explants (1.5-cm long intact leaf explants and 0.5-cm long leaf segment explants). In hybrid PH59, 4.54 M TDZ increased mean numbers of shoots per explant with leaf segment explants. In hybrid PH60, 4.52 M 2,4-D plus 0.45 M TDZ promoted direct shoot bud formation from leaf segment explants. In addition, three treatments (4.52 M 2,4-D, 22.71 M TDZ, 4.52 M 2,4-D plus 4.54 M TDZ) gave a higher response than control on mean numbers of shoots per explant with intact leaf explants. Healthy plantlets each with one to three roots were obtained from leaf-derived shoots after transfer onto a hormone-free medium for 22 months. These plantlets were acclimatized in a greenhouse and grew well with 100% survival rate.