Purple pigmentation in leaves of some tropical weed species

The photoacoustic spectroscopic studies of purple pigmented leaves revealed the occurrence of anthocyanins and betalains in some local weed species growing on soils with low moisture levels. The pigmentation intensities were higher in C₄ plants than in C₃ plants. An inverse correlation was observed between pigmentation intensities and soil moisture levels. This work is a part of the UNEP Research Project granted to Prof. D. O. Hall, UNEP Coordinator, Department of Plant Sciences, King’s College; London.     

Factors governing the production of juvenile Atlantic salmon in Scottish streams

Data are presented to show how the number and growth of juvenile salmon in streams in the Scottish Highlands are influenced by various physical (temperature, water chemistry, depth and velocity, type of substratum) and biotic (food resources, competition, recruitment) factors.     

Cultured astrocytes from a syncytium after maturation

The formation of functional gap junctions between astrocytes was investigated during differentiation of these cells in culture. Precursor cells of GFA (glial fibrillary acidic) protein-positive astrocytes were cultured in a chemically defined medium as a homogeneous population. These cells were rarely coupled to one neighbour, as revealed by electrical and dye coupling and never formed a large syncytium, as investigated by injection and spread of Lucifer Yellow. Differentiation with respect to GFA protein accumulation can be induced in these cells by culturing in horse serum-containing medium. The formation of functional junctions developed within 2 weeks in about 20% of the cells. Coupled cells formed a large syncytium. When the astrocytes were co-cultured with primary cerebellar cells (consisting predominantly of small neurons) after the switch to serum-containing medium the percentage of coupled astrocytes increased to about 65%. Again the coupled cells formed a large syncytium. Since no physical contact was possible between the astrocyte cultures and the primary cerebellar cells the stimulation of coupling had to be signalized by soluble factor(s).     

B cells in patients with X-linked agammaglobulinemia

X-linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA) has been described as a disorder in which pre-B cells fail to differentiate into B cells. However, a small number of B cells have been seen occasionally in patients with this disorder. Because the phenotype of these cells might be helpful in defining the site of the defect in XLA, immunofluorescent staining techniques were used to characterize the B cells that can be found in patients with XLA. Surface IgM-positive B cells could be detected in the peripheral circulation of all seven patients studied. These B cells constituted a very small percentage of the total lymphocytes (0.01 to 0.3% compared with 3.2 to 13.7% in controls) and differed in phenotype from control B cells. They were much more brightly stained for surface IgM (p less than 0.001) and less brightly stained for Ia (p less than 0.01). This phenotype is similar to that described for immature B cells in the mouse. Over 80% of the patients' B cells expressed surface IgD, and all expressed the B cell marker B1, but only 35% expressed the B cell marker B2. This B cell marker, which is the C3d receptor and the Epstein-Barr virus receptor, is expressed later in ontogeny than B1 and can be detected on over 80% of control B cells. All B cells expressed either kappa or lambda light chain. These findings indicate that the defect in differentiation of pre-B cells into B cells is not absolute in patients with XLA. The immature phenotype of the B cells additionally suggests that there may be a block in the maturation of B cells at more than one stage of differentiation in this disorder.     

On the toroidal condensed state of closed circular DNA

The influence of double helix torsional elasticity on the compaction and structure of circular DNA compact form is studied theoretically in the case when the compact (globular) form has torus shape. For closed circular DNA the topological invariant, the linking number, yields a strict connection between conformation of the double helix considered as unifilar homopolymer and elastic energy of torsional twisting. The contribution of torsional elasticity to the free energy of the toruslike globule is calculated. This contribution is shown to be proportional to the square of superhelical density. Allowance of the torsional elasticity decreases the equilibrium radius of the toruslike globule formed by circular DNA. Closure of linear DNA into a ring widens the stability range of the relatively short DNA compact form and tightens it for long DNA.     

Effets de la consanguinité sur des caractères morphologiques quantitatifs chez Culex pipiens autogenicus Roub.

The influence of inbreeding on several morphological characters as proboscis, wings, leg and palp segments was examined in strictly inbred lines of C. pipiens autogenicus, starting with females from a natural population. The results show the importance of ccological conditions, especially temperature, during larval development of the population. We report a progressive average size reduction from the second inbred generation. The length variability increases in practically all cases, depending on the degree of inbreeding, which is often more marked in certain organs. The symmetry regulation is strongly affected. We observe highly significant individual values in the highly inbred generations. The distribution values clearly mark a left/right disturbance. The progression of asymmetry as a function of the degree of inbreeding is more marked in certain organs in the two sexes. The results show the importance of the advantage of heterozygotes.     

The discrimination between Rb+ and K+ by Escherichia coli is changed after bacteriophage T7 infection

Rb+ and K+ have similar chemical properties. They share the uptake systems in Escherichia coli and can replace each other inside the cell. These common features led to experiments in which the radioactive isotope 86Rb was used to trace intracellular K+ fluxes. However, the E. coli pumps discriminate between these two ions and one should thus be cautious using 86Rb+ as a tracer for K+. We now report that T7 infection alters the degree of discrimination in such a way that changes of intracellular Rb+ do not reflect changes of K+. It has been observed that shortly after infection the 86Rb+ level was strongly reduced (Ponta, H., Altendorf, K.-H. and Schweiger, M. (1976) Mol. Gen. Genet. 149, 145-150). In contrast, determination of the K+ content showed no change directly after infection (Kuhn, A., Jütte, H. and Kellenberger, E. (1983) J. Virol. 47, 540-552). The efflux of 86Rb was only evident when Rb+ was used in trace amounts. In media conditions under which intracellular K+ was mainly replaced by Rb+, 86Rb+ efflux was not observed.