Influence of chlorophyll concentrations on the reliability of measurements with an oxygen electrode when studying photosynthetic efficiency in bioassays using microalgae

Euglena gracilis and Chlamydomonas reinhardtii were used as model organisms to establish the best conditions for studying photosynthetic efficiency using the Light Pipette – experimental system, which enables sensitive detection of changes in oxygen evolution/consumption and an easy collection and digitalisation of data. Chlorophyll concentrations of 0.005, 0.025, 0.050 and 0.075 mgmL^-1 were investigated using different light regimes. Cultures of E. gracilis at the same chlorophyll concentration absorbed more light(measured at 580 μmol m^-2 s^-1) than those of C. reinhardtii. Cell density had a considerable effect on the reliability of measurements. Chlorophyll concentrations between 0.025 mg_Chl ml^-1 and 0.050 mg_Chlml^-1 can be recommended when applying the Light Pipette system in bioassays using microalgae. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

AN ANALYSIS OF LEAF ELONGATION IN XANTHIUM PENSYLVANICUM PRESENTED IN RELATIVE ELEMENTAL RATES

Maksymowych , Roman . (Villanova U., Villanova, Pa.) An analysis of leaf elongation in Xanthium pensylvanicum presented in relative elemental rates . Amer. Jour. Bot. 49(1): 7–13. Illus. 1962.—Xanthium plants were grown vegetatively, and leaves, whose developmental stages were specified by a previously described leaf plastochron index (L.P.I.), were marked with India ink along the midrib and photographed during 3 successive days. The relative elemental rates of elongation, d(dX/dpl)/dX were estimated during the whole course of development. The pattern of elongation was not constant but was changing with increasing plastochron age of the leaf. The elements of a young leaf of L.P.I. 0.75 elongated with a constant relative rate. In older leaves, the d(dX/dpl)/dX values were progressively declining toward the tip of the lamina. After L.P.I. 6.3 the only increment in length was due to the elongation of the elements of the petiole. The pattern of growth distribution is discussed in terms of relative elemental rates with respect to cell division and cell elongation in various portions of the lamina and is correlated with the basipetal trend of tissue differentiation in the developing Xanthium leaf.     

Mg2+ inhibition of Na2+-stimulated Ca2+ release from brain mitochondria

Magnesium has been shown to modulate the Na+-stimulated release of Ca2+ (Na/Ca exchange) from brain mitochondria. The presence of 5 mM MgCl2 extramitochondrially inhibits the Na/Ca exchange as much as 70%. Additionally, Na+-stimulated Ca2+ release is enhanced by the presence of divalent chelators, this stimulation also being inhibited by the addition of excess Mg2+. The inhibitory effect of Mg2+ and the enhancement by chelating agents were both reversible. Heart mitochondria exhibit a similar enhancement of Na/Ca exchange by chelators and inhibition by MgCl2, though not as pronounced.     

The cementless artificial hip cup--implant components with reliable long-term stability?

A hip joint simulator was developed to analyse the mechanism of loosening of cementless artificial hip cups. The machine induces vibrating motions and asymmetrical tilt shock loadings of the artificial cup. On measuring the primary stability of threaded cups, the simulation tests performed on pelvis substitute models, and animal and human acetabula failed to show any loosening of threaded cups fixed in place with a screw-in torque of more than 10 Nm. Instable cups became loose all the sooner, the lower the preload between the cup and femoral head. This demonstrates the importance of both the screw-in torque of the cup and the training status of the periarticular muscles.     

Autumn phytoplankton assemblages in temperate lakes of different eutrophication level in the middle part of Sweden

Phytoplankton assemblages were studied during autumn 1998 in oligo-, meso- and eutrophic lakes in central Sweden (62°54'N). Differences in phytoplankton assemblages have been detected both in space and time. In eutrophic lakes coccoid Chlorophyceae dominated quantitatively during September and October. Diatoms were the most diverse group in all types of lakes in September and in meso- and oligotrophic lakes in October. In November Cryptophyceae became the most abundant group in all lakes. The total richness of species decreased in the meso- and oligotrophic environments in November compared to September and October, whilst in the eutrophic environment it remained almost unchanged. Cluster analyses, using both presence-absence and presence-absence in combination with abundance matrices, showed similar results and a good resolution between the lakes of different eutrophication conditions. We conclude that the phytoplankton assemblages of the lakes studied depended on the trophic conditions and thus they can be used for resolution between different eutrophication levels.