Triggering and predisposing factors in the “Red” decline syndrome of Norway spruce (Picea abies)

Summary Analysis of 62 mature Norway spruce (Picea abies provenance Viborg) trees growing in a Danish plantation was undertaken along with analysis of their nutrient contents (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, B and Na), in each of the three youngest needle age classes, from branches of four exposure directions near the tree top. The aim was to investigate if one among the studied possible predisposing factors was also a triggering factor in the 1989 outbreak of the Red Norway spruce decline in Denmark. Neither nutrient imbalance or deficiency, nor excessive N-deposition or salt-stress were indicated as triggering factors in 1989. The Red syndrome, noticeable for the bright red colour of the current-year needles, was found to be an extension of the European type Novel Decline. Red syndrome is similar to previously reported phenomena of top-dying and sub top-dying, in that it had fewer needle age classes and significantly higher contents of mobile cations (and Ca) in the younger needle classes. Tree ring analysis suggested that the Red syndrome was initiated in the early 1980s, when the trees experienced adverse climatic conditions. Because of this long-term development of the Red Norway spruce decline syndrome, it is concluded that a triggering factor is of minor importance relative to the multitude of predisposing factors.     

Presence of hybridizing DNA sequences homologous to bovine acidic and basicβ-crystallins in all classes of vertebrates

Summary The eye lens-crystallins in cow and chicken are encoded by a family of at least six genes. In order to assess the distribution of the corresponding genes among other vertebrates we hybridized -crystallin sequences (A2, A3/A1, A4, B1, B2, B3), isolated from a bovine lens cDNA library, to Southern blots on whichEcoR1-digested chromosomal DNA was blotted from different vertebrate species. These included human, chimpanzee, calf, rat, pigeon, duck, monitor lizard, toad, trout, and lamprey. Positive hybridization signals were found in the representatives of virtually all classes of vertebrates. The basic B-crystallins gave hybridization signals in more species than the acidic A ones. In monitor lizard and toad the weakest hybridization signals for basic crystallin probes were found. For acidic crystallin probes the distribution pattern was more simple; among cold-blooded vertebrates a signal for A2 was found in trout and lamprey, for A4 in trout, and for A3/A1 only in toad. The results demonstrate that the duplications leading to the -crystallin gene family occurred before or during the earliest stages of vertebrate evolution.     

Effect of phosphate and adenine nucleotides on the rate of labeling of functional groups at the catalytic site of F1-ATPase

The effect of inorganic phosphate, ADP, ATP, and their analogues on the rate of labeling of F₁-ATPase by 7-chloro-4-nitrobenzo-2-oxa-1,3-diazole (NBD-Cl) and phenylglyoxal have been investigated. Analysis of the kinetic data indicate that the labeled functional groups of the essential tyrosine and arginine residues respectively are both located at the catalytic site of F₁. The active phenolic group of tyrosine is located closer to the bound inorganic phosphate or the -phosphate group than the - and -phosphate groups of the bound ATP at the catalytic site, whereas the guanidinium group of arginine is located closer to the - and -phosphate groups of the bound ATP than to its -phosphate group or the bound inorganic phosphate. The kinetically deduced dissociation constants are 1.3 mM and 210 µM for the inorganic phosphate and ADP respectively bound to this catalytic site. Labeling the essential tyrosine residue by NDB-Cl has been found to facilitate subsequent labeling of the essential arginine residue by phenylglyoxal.Abbreviations NBD-Cl 7-chloro-4-nitrobenzo-2-oxa-1,3-diazole (this compound has been named 4-chloro-7-nitro-benzofurazan and abbreviated NBf-Cl elsewhere) - DTT dithiothreitol - EDTA ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid - P_i inorganic phosphate - PEP phosphoenolpyruvate - ADPCP ,-methylene-adenosine 5-triphosphate - AMPCP ,-methylene-adenosine 5-diphosphate - Hepes N-2-hydroxyethylpiperazine-N-2-ethanesulfonic acid - Tris 2-amino-2(hydroxymethyl)-1,3-propanediol     

Lipid profile of rat myelin subfractions

Myelin from adult rat brains was separated on a discontinuous sucrose gradient into three subfractions. Analysis of light, heavy and membrane fraction lipid classes was performed by HPTLC and densitometry while fatty acid composition was determinated by GLC. The more interesting results observed are: i) the membrane fraction resembles in its lipid and fatty acid composition other cell membranes (particulary oligodentrocytes); ii) light and heavy myelin are quite similar between them but the former has a higher content of sphingomyelin, a lower hydroxy/nohhydroxy cerebrosides ratio and a lower content of monoenoic fatty acids than the heavy subfraction. The results obtained could explain the different structures observed in each myelin subfraction since fatty acid composition, hydroxy fatty acids, sphingomyelin and cholesterol play a key role in the stability and structure of membranes.     

Primary structure of the hemoglobin beta-chain of rose-ringed parakeet (Psittacula krameri)

The primary structure of Rose-ringed Parakeet hemoglobin -chain was established, completing the analysis of this hemoglobin. Comparisons with other avian -chains show variations smaller than those for the corresponding -chains. There are 11 amino acid exchanges in relationship to the only other characterized psittaciform -chain, and a total of 35 positions are affected by differences among all avian -chains analyzed (versus 61 for the -chains). At three positions, the Psittacula -chain has residues unique to this species. Three ₁₁ contacts are modified, by substitutions at positions 51, 116, and 125.     

Die Angioarchitektonik der Dura mater encephali

Zusammenfassung Die kleinen und kleinsten Arterien des Stratum periostale der menschlichen Pachymeninx sind durch wechselnd starke Schlängelungen gekennzeichnet. Sie zeigen stellenweise einen mäanderähnlichen Verlauf und Knäuel-Bildungen. Entsprechende Arterien finden sich auch in der Dura von Huhn und Kaninchen.Mögliche Entstehungsursache, charakteristische Verteilung und funktionelle Bedeutung der Spiralarterien der menschlichen Pachymeninx werden diskutiert.Wiss. Assistent am planmä¿igen Extraordinariat für Anatomie.     

Evidence for the direct involvement ofβ-hemolysin inAeromonas hydrophila enteropathogenicity

Culture filtrates of 19 of 21 (90%) -hemolytic isolates ofAeromonas hydrophila caused fluid accumulation in permanently ligated rabbit ileal loops, whereas no fluid was accumulated with filtrates of eight non--hemolytic isolates. Antiserum to purified -hemolysin neutralized the ileal loop activity of culture filtrates from four of four -hemolytic isolates, and treatment at 56°C for 10 min eliminated the loop activity of six additional isolates. These results support the conclusion that -hemolysin alone causes significant changes in intestinal permeability and that it is a more common pathogenic mechanism than the heat-stable cytotonic enterotoxin. Electrophoretic and serological assays showed evidence for production of only one species of -hemolysin byA. hydrophila.     

Production of a novel syrup containing neofructo-oligosaccharides by the cells of Penicillium citrinum

A novel syrup containing neofructo-oligosaccharides was produced from sucrose (Brix 70) by whole cells of Penicillium citrinum. The efficiency of fructo-oligosaccharides production was more than 55% and those of the main carbohydrate components, 1-kestose (Fruf 21Fruf 21 Glc), nystose (Fruf 21Fruf 21 Fruf 21 Glc) and neokestose (Fruf 26 Glc12 Fruf), were 22, 14 and 11%, respectively.     

Modulation of natural killer activity by thymosin alpha 1 and interferon

Summary A single injection of -interferon (-IFN) (30 000 units/mouse), a major biological modifier of natural killer (NK) cytolytic activity, strongly stimulated NK activity in normal mice, as expected, while the same treatment did not statistically alter the NK response in cyclophosphamide (CY)-suppressed animals.We investigated the possibility of thymosin ₁ cooperating with -IFN in boosting NK activity in CY-suppressed animals.The results show that treatment with thymosin ₁ (200 g/kg) for 4 days, followed by a single injection of -IFN 24 h before testing, strongly restored NK activity in CY-suppressed mice. Thymosin ₁ was, moreover, able to accelerate the recovery rate of NK activity in bone marrow reconstituted murine chimeras.Taken together the data support the concept that the synergic effect between thymosin ₁ and -IFN could be the result of effects on differentiation of the NK lineage at different levels.     

Primary structure of two nonallelicβ-globin chains from DBA/2 mice

The amino acid sequences of the major and minor globin chains from DBA/2 mice have been determined. This information is of interest because DBA/2 mice are the strain of origin for most murine erythroleukemia lines. The primary structure of DBA/2 globins agrees completely with that predicted from the coding properties of BALB/c globin genes. This identity does not support a rapid evolutionary divergence in inbred mouse strains, at least at these loci in these strains.This work was supported in part by National Institutes of Health Grants AM26956, HL24908, and AM14923 and by the Department of Energy under Contract DE-AC05-840R21400 with Martin Marietta Systems. The SUNY Buffalo Sequencing Facility was supported by a grant from the James Cummings Foundation and National Institutes of Health Grants RR05400 and RR07066.     

Structural characterization of thermal prebiotic polypeptides

Summary Thermal polycondensation of amino-acids as a possible prebiotic path of chemical evolution of life has been critically examined.The polymeric materials studied by nmr methods have scarce resemblance to natural peptidic material because , and peptide bonds largely predominate over -peptide bonds.     

On age morphological changes of males of Chydoridae (Cladocera)

Summary Young and adult males of 11 species of Chydoridae are studied, their figures being published here (fig. 1–15). The necessity is stressed to distinguish young forms of males and gynandromorphic individuals.Pleuroxus balatonicus is considered to be described from the population ofPleuroxus unicatus having under Balaton Lake conditions retarded transformation of young males into adult form, and accordingly having unusually numerous young males. \qO\qs\qn\qo\qv\qn\qy\ye \qr\ye\qz\qu\ql\Qj\qt\qa\qt\qy 11 (. 1–15). . , Pleuroxus uncinatus , Pleuroxus balatonicus.     

Short- and long-term effects of ACTH on the adrenal zona glomerulosa of the rat

Summary Short-term ACTH treatment provoked a decrease in volume of the lipid-droplet compartment in rat zona glomerulosa cells, and a rise in plasma and intracellular concentrations of corticosterone and aldosterone. It enhanced activities of 3-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3HSD), 11-hydroxylase (11OH) and 18-hydroxylase (18OH). Long-term ACTH administration produced a hypertrophy of the zona glomerulosa and its parenchymal cells, a result of the increase in volume of the smooth endoplasmic reticulum and the mitochondrial compartment. The surface area per cell of mitochondrial inner membranes increased; the tubular cristae were transformed into a homogeneous population of vesicles. The plasma and intracellular concentrations of corticosterone further increased, whereas those of aldosterone fell below basal levels (the aldosterone-escape phenomenon). The activities of 3HSD and 11OH were enhanced, that of 180H decreased. Therefore, ACTH stimulates zona glomerulosa growth and transforms parenchymal elements into zona fasciculata celltypes. Cyanoketone nullified acute ACTH effects on plasma and intracellular concentrations of corticosterone and aldosterone, but did not affect the activities of 11OH and 18OH. Chronic ACTH treatment produced similar results, although 18OH activity was not suppressed. The mechanism underlying the aldosterone-escape phenomenon may thus involve a rise in the intracellular concentration of corticosterone, caused by the enhanced synthesis and activation of 3HSD and 11OH.     

Contextualizing Images in Dreams and Daydreams

A contextualizing image (CI) is a powerful central image of a dream which appears to contextualize (provide a picture-context for) the dreamer's emotion. For instance, dreamers who have experienced any serious traumatic event sometimes dream, I was overwhelmed by a tidal wave. This appears to picture their feeling of terror and/or vulnerability.A scoring system for CIs is examined here and is applied to dreams and daydreams supplied by 40 students. Two raters scoring dreams on a blind basis showed good inter-rater reliability. Recent dreams were shown to have more as well as more intense CIs than recent daydreams; likewise, dreams that stand out had more intense CIs than daydreams that stand out. Students with thin boundaries had more and more intense CIs than students with thick boundaries in their recent dreams and nightmare, but not so clearly in dreams and nightmares that stand out. The emotions judged as contextualized by the powerful images tended towards fear/terror and helplessness/vulnerability in dreams (especially in dreams that stand out) whereas emotions contextualized by images in daydreams showed a wide range with no clusters.     

Genic variation in the deer mouse,Peromyscus maniculatus,in a small geographic area

Genic variation was examined with starch and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis at 14 loci in 12 populations of Peromyscus maniculatus nubiterrae from a small part of the Appalachians in eastern Tennessee and western North Carolina. Polymorphism was observed at eight loci with no significant correlations between frequency of common genotypes or alleles and altitude. Average individual heterozygosity (\-H) values were low for P. maniculatus whether using only slow evolving loci (mean = 3.0%) or both slow and fast evolving loci (mean = 4.9%). No significant correlation was present between altitude and \-H. Interlocality variation of \-H was as great in this study as previously reported for P. maniculatus over larger geographic areas. Rogers' coefficients of genetic similarity of paired combinations of populations based on slow evolving loci (range of 0.941 to 0.997) or based on slow and fast evolving loci (range of 0.858 to 0.974) showed all populations to be highly similar. Ranges of similarity values observed in the present study were as great as those previously reported for P. maniculatus over a larger geographic area.     

Ultrastructure of four types of striated muscle fibers in the atlantic hagfish (Myxine glutinosa,L.)

Summary Four types of striated muscle fibers with distinctive ultrastructure were defined in the Atlantic hagfish (Myxine glutinosa, L.): white, intermediate, and red fibers of m. parietalis, and red fibers of m. craniovelaris.White fibers are thick, contain very few mitochondria and fat vacuoles, and possess distinct and separate myofibrils with thin Z-disks and distinct M-lines. Intermediate fibers are thinner, possess largely similar myofibrils that often are even better separated due to a higher content of fat vacuoles and especially mitochondria and glycogen granules. Red fibers of m. parietalis contain large amounts of mitochondria, fat vacuoles, and glycogen granules. Their myofibrils possess M-lines, and although branching more, the myofibrils of red fibers conform with a Fibrillenstruktur pattern like those of white and intermediate fibers. Red fibers of m. craniovelaris are very thin, possess many smaller fat vacuoles, and large amounts of mitochondria and glycogen granules. The myofibrils are significantly thinner than in m. parietalis fibers, run as quite independent well separated units, possess thicker Z-disks, and lack M-lines. Large amounts of myosatellite cells are associated with these red fibers.Triads are located near A/I-junctions in all four fiber types and occur irregularly, the density of triads being different in the various fiber types.We are indebted to Dr. Finn Walvig, Biological Station, University of Oslo, Drøbak, for supply of hagfishes, and we also wish to thank Dr. Jan K. S. Jansen, Institute of Physiology, University of Oslo, for valuable suggestions during this study.     

β-Carotene producing mutants of Phaffia rhodozyma

Like other carotenoid-producing organisms, Phaffia rhodozyma, a red astaxanthin-producing yeast, is supposed to synthesize carotenoids by the following steps: formation of phytoene from geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate, dehydrogenation of phytoene to lycopene, cyclization of lycopene to -carotene and oxidation of the latter to astaxanthin. Mutagenic treatments generated in P. rhodozyma a wide diversity of colour variants ranging from white to dark red. The identification of the corresponding carotenoid compounds revealed the occurrence of -carotene-accumulating strains, phytoene-accumulating strains, and strains lacking any carotenoid compound. These classes of strains are likely to result from alterations in, respectively, the oxidation of -carotene, phytoene dehydrogenation and the phytoene synthetase step. Except for the cyclization of lycopene to -carotene, all the steps of carotenogenesis in P. rhodozyma are represented by the above mutants. Furthermore, astaxanthin-overproducing mutants were also selected; they are likely to be affected in some upstream step, and certainly before -carotene, as after an additional mutagenesis they generated oxidaseless strains that, in this case, overproduce -carotene. The latter strains appear very promising for biotechnological production of natural -carotene.     

Charles Darwin's theory of evolution: A review of our present understanding

The paper characterizes Darwin's theory, providing a synthesis of recent historical investigations in this area. Darwin's reading of Malthus led him to appreciate the importance of population pressures, and subsequently of natural selection, with the help of the wedge metaphor. But, in itself, natural selection did not furnish an adequate account of the origin of species, for which a principle of divergence was needed. Initially, Darwin attributed this to geographical isolation, but later, following his work on barnacles which underscored the significance of variation, and arising from his work on botanical arithmetic, he supposed that diversity allowed more places to be occupied in a given region. So isolation was not regarded as essential. Large regions with intense competition, and with ample variation spread by blending, would facilitate speciation. The notion of place was different from niche, and it is questioned whether Darwin's views on ecology were as modern as is commonly supposed. Two notions of struggle are found in Darwin's theory; and three notions of variation. Criticisms of his theory led him to emphasize the importance of variation over a range of forms. Hence the theory was populational rather than typological. The theory required a Lamarckian notion of inheritable changes initiated by the environment as a source of variation. Also, Darwin deployed a use/habit theory; and the notion of sexual selection. Selection normally acted at the level of the individual, though kin selection was possible. Group selection was hinted at for man. Darwin's thinking (and also the exposition of his theory) was generally guided by the domestic-organism analogy, which satisfied his methodological requirement of a vera causa principle.     

α-and β-Glycosidases in maize roots

Four glycosidases were analyzed in 10 mm apical segments prepared from growing roots (15 mm) of Zea mays L. The pH optima were found to be 5.8 for -glucosidase, 4.4 for -galactosidase, 6.4 for -glucosidase and 6.0 for -galactosidase. The -glucosidase showed 4-fold higher activity than the -galactosidase. The distribution of the -glucosidase activity was signifcantly different from that of the -galactosidase, -glucosidase and -galactosidase.Abbreviations -Glu -glucosidase - -Gal -galactosidase - -Glu -glucosidase - -Gal -galactosidase     

Reduced and oxidized glutathione contents in adult rat hepatocytes under various culture conditions

Reduced and oxidized glutathione contents of adult rat hepatocytes in pure culture and in co-culture with rat epithelial cells were measured under various medium conditions. To the standard medium fetal calf serum, nicotinamide, H₂SeO₃, dimethylsulphoxide or no supplements were added. For freshly isolated hepatocytes, intracellular contents of 24 ± 7 nmol reduced and 0.7 ± 0.2 nmol oxidized glutathione/mg cellular protein were obtained, respectively. In pure culture as well as in co-culture and regardless of th medium conditions involved, the protein content stays constant during the culture time with the exception of a decrease in protein content after 6 days of pure culture, caused by deterioration and loss of the hepatocytes. In both culture systems, an initial increase in intracellular reduced glutathione levels was observed, followed by a decrease and a quick normalisation in co-culture. On the contrary, in pure culture, the decrease was slower, but not transient and a stabilized situation was never reached. The various supplementations of the culture media had no significant effect on the intracellular reduced glutathione contents of both culture systems. As far as the intra- and the extracellular oxidized glutathione contents and the extracellular reduced form are concerned, these were only present in small amounts.Abbreviations BSA bovine serum albumin - DMSO medium supplemented with 2% dimethylsulphoxide - FCS- medium without fetal calf serum - FCS+ medium supplemented with 10% fetal calf serum - GSH reduced glutathione - GSSG oxidized glutathione - HPLC high performance liquid chromatography - MEM minimal essential medium - Nic medium supplemented with 25 mM nicotinamide - PBS phosphate buffered saline - Se medium supplemented with 0.1 µM selenium - st standard medium