Protein diffusion in crowded electrolyte solutions

We report on a combined cold neutron backscattering and spin-echo study of the short-range and long-range nanosecond diffusion of the model globular protein bovine serum albumin (BSA) in aqueous solution as a function of protein concentration and NaCl salt concentration. Complementary small angle X-ray scattering data are used to obtain information on the correlations of the proteins in solution. Particular emphasis is put on the effect of crowding, i.e. conditions under which the proteins cannot be considered as objects independent of each other. We thus address the question at which concentration this crowding starts to influence the static and in particular also the dynamical behaviour. We also briefly discuss qualitatively which charge effects, i.e. effects due to the interplay of charged molecules in an electrolyte solution, may be anticipated. Both the issue of crowding as well as that of charge effects are particularly relevant for proteins and their function under physiological conditions, where the protein volume fraction can be up to approximately 40% and salt ions are ubiquitous. The interpretation of the data is put in the context of existing studies on related systems and of existing theoretical models.     

Accuracies in Po-210 determination for lead-210 dating

Various laboratory techniques have been utilized worldwide for measuring lead-210 in sub-recent deposits through its grand-daughter product polonium-210. Isotope dilution alpha spectrometry proved a suitable tool for absolute determination of lead-210 for the dating of aquatic deposits. Moreover, isotope dilution alpha spectrometry along with speciation experiments can be used to resolve depositional anomalies arising from supported lead-210/Ra-226 disequilibrium levels and unsupported lead-210 mobile fractions. Isotope dilution alpha spectrometry of sub-recent sediment and peat deposits has been critically evaluated for more than ten years. Our results show that type, size and composition of deposits analyzed as well as radiochemical procedures used, together with alpha counting techniques, are important factors influencing lead-210 determinations and tailing corrections using its granddaughter product polonium-210. Optimization of these parameters is of prime importance to achieve economic and accurate analyses, especially at low lead-210 concentrations and small sample sizes.     

Albino inflorescence proliferation of Dendrocalamus latiflorus

Summary Inflorescence proliferation is a plant tissue culture technique that, can be used to obtain in vitro inflorescences year-round without the intervening development of vegetative organs. In this study, we used albino mutant inflorescences of Dendrocalamus latiflorus as the original explant material to investigate, the effect of plant growth regulators on long-term inflorescence proliferation. The albino inflorescences proliferated on solidified Murashige and Skoog (MS) basal medium supplemented with thidiazuron (TDZ), and the optimal concentration for successful long-term inflorescence proliferation was 0.45 μM TDZ. A combination of α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) with 0.45 μM TDZ inhibited the inflorescence proliferation. Inflorescences cultured on a TDZ-free medium supplemented with 26.82 μM NAA rooted in 21 d, vegetative shoots formed by 42 d and, in one case, flowering occurred after 63 d. The auxins 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D, 4.52 μM) and pieloram (4.14 μM) induced shoot formation. The protocol described can be used to produce large numbers of mutant inflorescences within a relatively short period of time.     

The role a botanical institute can play in the conservation of the terrestrial biodiversity in a developing country

The need to integratein situ conservation into the planning process is outlined, and the importance of vegetation survey to determine conservation priorities and to identify areas suitable forin situ conservation is stressed. A case is presented, drawing on experience gained in Zimbabwe, of how a botanical institute can become an integral part of biological conservation. The institute should consist of a herbarium, a botanical garden, a gene bank and a vegetation survey unit. The function of each section, how they interlink, and how they can be integrated are discussed.     

Robust Selection of the Most Discriminative Variables in the Dichotomous Problem with Application to Some Respiratory Disease Data

A robust method for selection of variables with the greatest discriminatory power is presented in the paper. The method deals with the two groups of data problem. An application of the method to some respiratory disease data and comparisons with classical procedures are given, also.     

Macromolecular synthesis in organ cultures of neonatal rat lung

Organ cultures of newborn rat lungs synthesize and accumulate DNA, RNA, collagen and noncollagenous proteins almost at a linear rate for at least 5 days. During this period the synthesis of collagen consistently exceeds the synthesis of noncollagenous proteins in a pattern similar to neonatal lung growth in vivo. Although some morphological characteristics of lung architecture are distorted after culture, fundamental structural similarities to lungs growing in intact animals are retained. When these cultures are maintained in atmospheres rich in oxygen, increased collagen synthesis is observed, a response similar to that of lungs in intact animals exposed to high oxygen concentrations in vivo. Our studies suggest that lung organ cultures may be a suitable system for investigating the biochemical aspects of lung tissue-environmental interaction. These studies were supported in parts by NIH Grant HL-19668, a contract (68-03-2005) from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and grants from the California Lung Association.     

Fine structure of early human embryos frozen with 1,2 propanediol

Previous studies by a French group (Fertil Steril 44:645–651, 1985) have shown that two-to eight-cell human embryos can survive slow freeze-thawing with propanediol in a biological freezer. These embryos were assessed for morphological appearance by phase-contrast microscopy. We assessed the structure of 25 frozen-thawed one- to 12-cell embryos, obtained from our in vitro fertilization (IVF) and GIFT programmes, by phase-contrast and electron microscopy, using the same method of cryopreservation. One-fourth of the embryos examined had all cells intact, and more than one-half the embryos had over 50% of their cells well preserved. Some of these embryos had unequal blastomeres and cytoplasmic fragments. Ultrastructural assessment revealed good preservation of fine structure in the intact blastomeres of all embryos and maintenance of cell-to-cell contacts. Most cytoplasmic organelles, cell membranes, and nuclei were well preserved compared to nonfrozen controls. The cells that were cryoinjured showed varying degrees of disorganization of the cell membrane, cytosol, and cellular membranes, including swelling and disruption of the nuclear envelope. Disruption of the zona was somewhat rare. Small cytoplasmic fragments were less prone to cryoinjury than blastomeres. The use of propanediol for embryo cryopreservation seems to be feasible; frozen embryos with more than 50% cells intact have produced 10 pregnancies after embryo transfer (Fertil Steril 46:268–272, 1986). Replacement of 17 frozen embryos in seven patients has resulted in a twin pregnancy in Singapore. However, the effects of freezing on the mitotic spindles of embryonic cells need to be investigated further.     

Orchid seed sensitivity to nitrate reflects habitat preferences and soil nitrate content

• Orchids are distributed around the world, however, the factors shaping their specific distribution and habitat preferences are largely unknown. Moreover, many orchids are at risk of becoming threatened as landscapes change, sometimes declining without apparent reason. One important factor affecting plant distribution is nutrient levels in the environment. Nitrates can inhibit not only orchid growth and persistence, but also seed germination.
• We used in vitro axenic cultures to exactly determine the germination sensitivity of seven orchid species to nitrates and correlated this with soil properties of the natural sites and with the species’ habitat preferences.
• We found high variation in response to nitrate between species. Orchids from oligotrophic habitats were highly sensitive, while orchids from more eutrophic habitats were almost insensitive. Sensitivity to nitrate was also associated with soil parameters that indicated a higher nitrification rate.
• Our results indicate that nitrate can affect orchid distribution via direct inhibition of seed germination. Nitrate levels in soils are increasing rapidly due to intensification of agricultural processes and concurrent soil pollution, and we propose this increase could cause a decline in some orchid species.