Appearance of granules in the Purkinje cells of dehydrated toads (Bufo arenarum Hensel)

Summary Seven days of dehydration produce alterations in the Purkinje cells of the toad, Bufo arenarum Hensel. Aldehyde-fuchsin-positive granules appear in the cytoplasm of the cells and at the same time modifications take place in cytoplasmatic and nuclear ribonucleoproteins. These modifications consist of an increase in nucleolar volume and appearance of a nuclear cap, polarized towards the granules.This study was aided by a grant of the Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Técnicas of Argentina.     

Seasonal variation of carrageenans in tetrasporic,cystocarpic and ‘sterile’ stages of Gigartina skottsbergii S. et G. (Rhodophyta,Gigartinales)

Cystocarpic and sterile plants of Gigartina skottsbergii produce -carrageenans, while tetrasporophytes produce -carrageenans. No seasonal variation in the carrageenan yields in the three stages was evident. Yields were clearly higher in cystocarpic (34.1–64.7%) and sterile samples (32.3–71.8%) than in tetrasporic plants (10.1–34.0%). Chemical characteristics of the polysaccharides for any stage are the same throughout the year.The authors are Research Members of the Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Argentina.The authors are Research Members of the Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Argentina.     

A proposito del llamado micetoma maduro-micosico del pulmon

Conclusiones Se efectúa el estudio de 5 observaciones del llamado Micetoma maduromicósico de pulmón en sus aspectos, histopatológico, micológico y clínico.Todas ellas pertenecen a mujeres y configuraron el cuadro de cavidad bronquial empastada, anotando el predominio de su localización en el lóbulo superior izquierdo.Se señala la uniformidad de los caracteres morfológicos que presenta la masa miceliana llamada grano en todos los casos estudiados, en los cuales no fué posible individualizar la existencia de órganos de fructificación que permitiéran una clasificación, cuando más no fuera, genérica del hongo observado.Se critica la aplicación del término Micetoma para éstos casos con igual criterio que el clásico, que supone una enfermedad micótica primitiva, razón por la cual se prefiere hablar de cavidad con contenido micótico o maduromicótico.En el único caso que se logró cultivar al hongo parásito, el estudio micológico del mismo permitió aislar una especie del GéneroAspergillua con caracteres morfológicos sumamente atípicos.

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Summary The author presents the study of five observations of the so-called Maduromycosis-mycetoma of the lungs in their clinical, histopathologic and mycologic aspects.The pathologic features in all these cases have been found in bronchial cavities of women, situated in the upper lobe of the lung. A compact mycelial mass, the grain, filled up these cavities.In one of the five cases a fungus was cultivated which was classified as belonging to the GenusAspergillus Michelii, with abnormal and atypical features.Short criticism is presented about the concept Maduromycosis mycetoma of the lung, applied by authors designating this process.

     

On the presence of conspicuous electron dense bodies in the pinealocytes of the pig

Summary The pinealocytes of the pig contain a large number of aldehydefuchsin positive granules. In order to determine their nature an ultrastructural study was carried out. Numerous bodies having a maximal diameter of about 1,600 nm were found. These elements showed a great variety of internal structure, ranging from a homogeneous content and amorphous dense aggregates to lamellate bodies. Although only a few of them displayed a positive reaction for acid phosphatase, their morphological appearance strongly suggests that they belong to the lysosomal system.Aided in part by a grant from the Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Técnicas de la República ArgentinaAssociate Professor of Embryology and Histology and Member of the Investigator Career of the CONICETProfessor and Chairman of Histology and Member of the Investigator Career of the CONICETCenter sponsored by the Universidad Nacional de La Plata and the Comisión de Investigaciones Cientificas de la Provincia de Buenos Aires     

Regeneration of pea (Pisum sativum L. cv. Century) plants by in vitro culture of immature leaflets

In vitro regeneration of plants from immature leaflets of 3 day-old pea (Pisum sativum L. cv. Century) seedlings was studied under defined nutritional, hormonal and environmental conditions. Immature leaflets isolated from the second and third apical leaves of aseptically germinated seeds were cultured on MS medium containing vitamins as in B5 medium, 3% sucrose, 0.8% agar and supplemented with 0.1, 1, and 10 M concentrations of naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) and 1 and 10 M levels of benzyladenine (BA) in various combinations. Shoot regeneration from the primary callus occurred within 45 to 90 days of culture in most of the hormone combinations. Although the number of calli producing shoots was maximal at 10 M levels of NAA and BA, multiple shoot regeneration was predominant at a combination of 0.1 M NAA and 10 M BA. Indoleacetic acid (IAA) and kinetin (K), both at 10 M, also induced shoot regeneration. No shoots were regenerated when 10 day-old leaflets were used as explants. Root production generally occurred on non-shoot regenerating calli. Roots were induced to differentiate by transferring the regenerated shoots onto half-strength B5 medium supplemented with 1 M NAA.NRCC # 19712Visiting Scientist, supported by a research fellowship from Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (Rep. Argentina). Permanent address: Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, IBONE, Casilla de Correos 209, Corrientes (3400), Argentina.     

Histochemical demonstration of cholesterol in embryonic chick gonads differentiated “in vitro”

Summary Gonads from six and seven day chick embryos were cultured with the common watch-glass technique using natural and synthetic media. The presence of cholesterol in these gonads was determined with the digitonine histochemical technique. A large number of the explanted gonads showed positive reactions with the same localization as previously observed in gonads differentiating in vivo. The possible interpretation of these results is discussed.This work was supported by a grant from the Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Técnicas of Argentina. Dr. Narbaitz holds a research position and Dr. Sabatini a fellowship of the same Institution.     

A principal components analysis of the phytoplankton from a pond in the Paraná River Valley,Argentina

A principal-component scheme was applied to a set of 10 physical, chemical, and biological attributes, measured in 42 samples collected from Los Matadores pond (May 1974–July 1975). The first three components account for 82.1% of the total variance in the data and represent the lotic influence (58.3% of the variance), the seasonal cycle (16.4%), and the degree of maturity (7.4%).The authors are members of the Carrera del Investigador Cientifico y Tecnologico, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas (CONICET), Argentina.     

Organismen als Holismen

Zusammenfassung Ziel der Abhandlung ist die Untersuchung der grundlegenden Prinzipien einer autonombiologischen Kausalität. Wenn die Biologie in autonomer Weise auf ihr gemässe Prinzipien gegründet werden soll —wie das die Physik in ihrer Sphäre auch durchgeführt hat —, dann muss das biologische Denken sich zunächst von einem Idol befreien, das ihr von der klassischen Physik aufgezwungen ist. Das ist der Begriff des Mechanismus, der bei seiner Schaffung gewiss von grossem Werte auch für die Biologie gewesen ist, der aber heute dem biologischen Denken grossen Schaden dadurch zufügt, dass er es in eine ihm völlig fremde Richtung zwängt.Die Organismen und alle ihre Organe von der einfachsten Zellorganelle bis zum komplexesten Organsystem sind aber keine Mechanismen sondern Holismen (Smuts). Es wird versucht, die wesentlichen Kriterien des Holismusprinzips zu bestimmen. Zunächst gilt für sie das Axiom von v.Ehrenfels, demzufolge jeder Holismus mehr ist als die Summe seiner Teile. Das wird im einzelnen genauer analysiert. Weiterhin gilt für Holismen das Kompensationsprinzip vonGoethe. Damit im Zusammenhang stehen die Prinzipien der spezifischen Energie vonJohannes Müller, das Prinzip vonRedi (Omne Vivum ex Vivo), das Prinzip vonVernadsky über die Konstanz der Biosphäre, das Prinzip der phylogenetischen Kompensationen und das Prinzip von der Ektropie der Biosphäre.Alle diese Prinzipien werden im einzelnen diskutiert und analysiert. In engstem Zusammenhang miteinander bilden sie ein autonomes Axiomengefüge für die Biologische Erkenntnis, durch welches wiederum die eigentümlich biologische Kausalität charakterisiert ist. Genau in diesem Sinne sind Holismen verae causae (Smuts).

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Contenido El presente ensayo tiene por fin supremo la investigación de los principios basicos de una autónoma causalidad biologica. Si se quiere fundar la Biologia en sus propios principios autónomos —como se lo ha hecho también con la Fisica misma —, entonces será primeramente necesario que la Biologia se delibera de una ideologia completamente extraña para ella, la cual la Fisica clásica le ha transferido. Esto es el concepto del mecanismo, que en su origin ha sido de gran valor también para la Biologia, pero que hoydia produce enorme daño a la Biologia.Los organismos y todos sus órganos de la mas simple organela celular hasta el mas complicado sistema de órganos sin embargo de ninguna manera no son mecanismos sino al contrario holismos (Smuts). Ahora se ensaya de determinar los criterios esenciales del principio del holismo. Primero es valido para los holismos el axioma de v.Ehrenfels que dice que cada Organismo representa más que la suma de sus partes. Además vale para holismos el principio de la compensación deGoethe. Con esto están relacionados los principios de la energia especifica deJuan Müller, el axioma deRedi (Omne Vivum ex Vivo), el principio deVernadsky acerca de la constancia de la biósfera, el principio de las compensaciones filogenéticas y el principio de la ectropia de la biósfera.Todos los mencionados principios y axiomas serán discutidos y analizados en sus particularidades. En su conjunto representan ellos un sistema de axiomas autónomos para el conocimiento biológico, el cual como tal caracteriza también la asi llamada causalidad biologica. Precisamente en tal sentido son los holismos verae causae (Smuts).

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Diese Abhandlung ist Herrn Prof. Dr. v.Buddenbrock in Verehrung zum 70. Geburtstag dargebracht.     

Investigacion preliminar de la accion inhibitoria in vitro de los antibioticos frente a las algas del genero Prototheca

Resumen Se investigó la posible acción inhibitoria in vitro de antibióticos en disco sobre algas microscópicas, potencialmente patógenas para el hombre, del Género Prototheca y la especie P. wickerhamii.Se utilizó el método de disco-placa en medio de Agar de Saboureaud.Resultaron como inhibidores in vitro: Amikacina, Colistina, Dibekacina, Framicetina, Gentamicina, Kanamicina, Lividomicina, Neomicina, Polimixina, Paromomicina, Ribostamicina, Sisomicina y Tobramicina.Se destaca el interés del estudio de sensibilidad a estas drogas ante un caso de Protothecosis humana.

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We investigated the possible inhibitory action in vitro by antibiotic containing discs against microscopic alga that are potential human pathogens of the genus Prototheca especially P. wickerhamii.The results indicated that inhibitors in vitro included amicacin, colistin, dibecacin, framicetin, gentamycin, kanamycin, lividomycin, neomycin, polymyxin, paromomycin, ribostamycin, sisomycin and tobramycin.We emphasize the interest in the effectiveness at these drugs in a case of human protothecosis.

     

Expression of a chimeric stilbene synthase gene in transgenic wheat lines

A chimeric stilbene synthase (sts)gene was transferred into wheat. Stilbene synthases play a role in the defence against fungal diseases in some plant species (e.g. groundnut or grapevine) by producing stilbenetype phytoalexins like resveratrol. Resveratrol is also claimed to have positive effects to human health. Embryogenic scutellar calli derived from immature embryos of the two commercial German spring wheat cultivars Combi and Hanno were used as target tissue for cotransformation by microprojectile delivery. The selectable marker/reporter gene constructs contained the bargene either driven by the ubiquitinpromoter from maize (pAHC 25, also containing the uidAgene driven by the ubiquitinpromoter), or by the actinpromoter (pDM 302) from rice. The cotransferred plasmid pStil 2 consisted of a grapevine stscoding region driven by the ubiquitin promoter. Eight transgenic Combi and one Hanno T_Oplant were obtained and, except one Combi T_Oplant, found to be cotransformants due to the integration of both the stsgene and the selectable marker or reporter genes. Expression of the stsgene was proven by RTPCR, and, for the first time, by detection of the stilbene synthase product resveratrol by HPLC and mass spectrometry. The stsgene was expressed in four of the seven transgenic Combi T_{_o}plants. Two of the respective T₁progenies segregated in a Mendelian manner were still expressing the gene. Investigations into methylation of the stsgene showed that in three nonexpressing progenies inactivation was paralleled by methylation.     

„Thyreoidektomiezellen“ im Hypophysenvorderlappen der Ratte nach Nebennierenblockade

Zusammenfassung Der Hypophysenvorderlappen der Ratte nach chemischer Nebennierenblockade durch Metopiron wird mit den Befunden nach Schilddrüsenblockade durch 5-jodo-2-thiouracil, sowie nach Adrenalektomie und Thyreoidektomie verglichen. Dabei zeigt sich, daß die wesentlichen morphokinetischen Reaktionen bei allen Eingriffen an den thyreotropen Elementen ablaufen, die bei Perameisensäure-Alcianblau-PAS-Reaktion blau dargestellt sind. Während nur die vollständige Thyreoidektomie zu einer Auslöschung granulierter Thyreotroper führt, kommt es nach chemischer Schilddrüsenblockade, nach Adrenalektomie und chemischer Nebennierenblockade nur zu einer mehr oder weniger partiellen Degranulierung. Nach längerer Behandlungsdauer treten beim Thyreo und Adrenostaticum wieder vermehrt granulareiche Zellen hervor.Der allen Eingriffen gemeinsame Zelltyp ist die Thyreoidektomiezelle. Nach chemischer Nebennierenblockade entwickelt sie sich in der gleichen Form, wie nach thyreostatischer Behandlung. Sie erweist sich damit als nicht spezifisch für Thyroxin-Mangelzustände bzw. für eine Überproduktion von TSH. Die Befunde sprechen vielmehr für die Produktion auch des ACTH in den Thyreotropen der Rattenhypophyse.     

Defective remethylation of homocysteine is related to decreased synthesis of coenzymes B2 in thyroidectomized rats

Summary. We investigated the influence of hypothyroidism on homocysteine metabolism in rats, focusing on a hypothetical deficient synthesis of FAD by riboflavin kinases. Animals were allocated in control group (n=7), thyroidectomized rats (n=6), rats with diet deficient in vitamin B2, B9, B12, choline and methionine (n=7), thyroidectomized rats with deficient diet (n=9). Homocysteine was decreased in operated rats (2.6±1.01 vs. 4.05±1.0mol/L, P=0.02) and increased in deficient diet rats (29.56±4.52 vs. 4.05±1.0mol/L, P=0.001), when compared to control group. Erythrocyte-Glutathione-Reductase-Activation-Coefficient (index of FAD deficiency) was increased in thyroidectomized or deficient diet rats (P=0.004 for both). Methylenetetrahydrofolate-reductase and methionine-synthase activities were decreased in thyroidectomized rats but not in those subjected to deficient diet. Cystathionine--synthase was increased only in operated rats. Taken together, these results showed a defective re-methylation in surgical hypothyroidism, which was due in part to a defective synthesis of vitamin B2 coenzymes. This defective pathway was overcompensated by the increased Cystathionine--synthase activity.     

Die Hypokotylfarbe als Markierungsfaktor von Genomstufen der Zuckerrübe

Zusammenfassung In zunehmendem Maße werden anisoploideBeta-Rübensorten angebaut, deren zytologische Kontrolle zwecks Feststellung der Genomstufenprozentanteile recht arbeitszeitaufwendig ist. Übereinstimmend mit polnischen Autoren wurde festgestellt, daß die Hypokotylfarbe ein geeigneter Markierungsfaktor für die einzelnen Genomstufen darstellt. Kreuzt man tetraploide Pflanzen, die ein grünes Hypokotyl besitzen, mit diploiden Pflanzen, die ein rosa Hypokotyl aufweisen, so erhält man von dem tetraploiden Partner tetraploide grüne und triploide hellbraune, von dem diploiden Partner diploide rosa und triploide hellbraune Nachkommenschaften. Die in bezug auf die Hypokotylfarbe heterozygoten Pflanzen kann man demnach von den homozygot grünen und homozygot rosa Individuen unterscheiden. Die Kreuzung diploid grünxtetraploid rosa ist für diese Zwecke nicht brauchbar, da sich die triploiden Heterozygoten mit einem grünen und zwei rosa Allelen in der Hypokotylfarbe nicht deutlich von den homozygoten rosa Pflanzen abheben. Auf die Bedeutung dieser Markierungsmöglichkeit für bestimmte Forschungsprobleme, die Züchtung und die Saatgutkontrolle wird hingewiesen.     

The taxonomic significance of the trunk limbs of the chydoridae (Cladocera)

Summary The differences in the structure of the trunk limbs allow to outline three sections of Chydoridae (see table I and fig. 1), coinciding with the sections distinguished according to the structure of the head pores.

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Chydoridae (Cladocera)

Chydoridae (. ), , .

     

Is haemoglobin Gα Philadelphia linked to α-thalassaemia?

Summary The question, Is Hb G Philadelphia linked to -thalassaemia? was first posed because the abnormal haemoglobin is found in heterozygotes at a concentration greater than 25%, the proportion predicted from a 4 -chain gene model. Globin chain biosynthesis was studied in a West Indian family in which one parent had ⁺ thalassaemia and the other was heterozygous for the G Philadelphia chain gene. The former had a globin chain production ratio / well above 1, while the latter had a ratio significantly less than 1. One child of the marriage had inherited the ⁺ thallassaemia from one parent and the G Philadelphia chain gene from the other and showed the typical picture of /-thalassaemia (/ ratio slightly above normal). It is explained in the discussion that the evidence favours a close linkage of 2 -chain genes.     

Ultrastructure and behaviour of the spindle pole body of the aphid-pathogenic fungusErynia neoaphidis

Summary A detailed account of the ultrastructure and behaviour of the spindle pole body (SPB) of the entomophthoraceous fungusErynia neoaphidis is presented for the first time.The SPB consists of extranuclear (ENC) and intranuclear (INC) components. The ENC is a saucepan-shaped structure which lies in a pocket of the nuclear envelope. It is composed of a forked, fibrillar handle and a shallow, cylindrical pan. The pan has a wall of two layers, both of which are thickened with a regular periodicity so that they appear to be beaded. It is postulated that the pan is formed from rough endoplasmic reticulum and that it synthesizes the amorphous, electron-dense material coating the ENC.The INC is a saucer-shaped, electron-dense plaque in which the ends of the spindle microtubules terminate. During metaphase, a clear zone separates the INC from the nuclear envelope and persists until telophase. The roles of the amorphous, electron-dense material and the clear zone as well as the method of SPB replication are discussed.     

Average phase difference theory and 1∶1 phase entrainment in interlimb coordination

The dynamics of coupled biological oscillators can be modeled by averaging the effects of coupling over each oscillatory cycle so that the coupling depends on the phase difference between the two oscillators and not on their specific states. Average phase difference theory claims that mode locking phenomena can be predicted by the average effects of the coupling influences. As a starting point for both empirical and theoretical investigations, Rand et al. (1988) have proposed d/dt= — K sin ), with phase-locked solutions =arcsin( /K), where is the difference between the uncoupled frequencies and K is the coupling strength. Phase-locking was evaluated in three experiments using an interlimb coordination paradigm in which a person oscillates hand-held pendulums. was controlled through length differences in the left and right pendulums. The coupled frequency _c was varied by a metronome, and scaled to the eigenfrequency _v of the coupled system K was assumed to vary inversely with _c. The results indicate that: (1) and K contribute multiplicatively to (2) =0 or = regardless of K when =0; (3) 0 or regardless of when K is large (relative to ); (4) results (1) to (3) hold identically for both in phase and antiphase coordination. The results also indicate that the relevant frequency is _c/_v rather than _c. Discussion high-lighted the significance of confirming =arcsin(/K) for more general treatments of phase-locking, such as circle map dynamics, and for the 11 phase-entrainment which characterizes biological movement systems.     

The cytology of phytophthora infestans

Summary Phytophthora infestans has three kinds of somatic nuclei: an oval shaped nucleus (approx. 3.1×2.7 ) which stains diffusely except for a crescent shaped Feulgen positive cap which stains intensely; a granular nucleus whose contents are organized into a fairly constant number of stained bodies, and, a deeply staining condensed nucleus. The capped nucleus is thought to be metabolic or resting and the granular nucleus is thought to be dividing as it is most commonly found in hyphal tips. Attenuated forms of all three kinds of nuclei are found.Nuclear division is mitotic and intranuclear. Eight—ten chromosomes are seen at metaphase.Sporangia have a mean of 6.3 nuclei which is constant for age and strain of culture. Sporangia become multinucleate as a result of nuclear migration and not by division in the developing sporangium. Zoospores are usually uninucleate.The nuclear cap is persistent throughout nuclear division when it also divides. It is associated with flagella production and nuclear migration and has some of the properties of a blepharoplast.     

High-resolution 2-dimensional protein mapping of “diploid” and “aneuploid” mammary adenocarcinomas

Summary Two-dimensional-electrophoretic analysis has been applied to non-neoplastic mammary epithelium from eight healthy women, tumor tissue from eight diploid mammary adenocarcinomas, and tumor tissue from eight aneuploid mammary adenocarcinomas. Compared with non-neoplastic mammary epithelium, a slight numerical net increase of the protein spots was detected in diploid tumors and a marked increase in aneuploid tumors. Two prominent spots were present in all 16 malignant tissues examined and absent in all eight non-neoplastic tissues (silver staining method).The results suggest that a difference in the composition of cellular proteins exists both between non-neoplastic mammary cells and malignant tumor cells, and between diploid and aneuploid tumors.In honour of Prof. P. von Duijn     

Production of cellulases and hemicellulases by an anaerobic mixed culture from lignocellulosic biomass

A comparison of different habitats, biogas plant, rumen fluid and sewage sludge, for cellulolytic organisms indicated sewage studge was the best source. Enrichment cultura gave a mixed culture which exhibited CMCase activity as well as extracellular Avicelase, xylanase, -glucosidase, -xylosidase activities and cell-bound -glucosidase, and -xylosidase production in a synthetic medium with eleven different cellulosic and lignocellulosic substrates. The activity of extracellular -glucosidase and -xylosidase production was significantly higher than endogenous activities. Hemicellulases were induced better than cellulases. The anzyme system was stable under aerobic conditions. Of the different lignocellulosic substrates, kallar grass was the best inducer of extracellular enzymes.

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Résumé La comparaison de différents habitats: digesteur méthanique, fluide du rumen ou boue de station d'épuration, pour leur contenu en organismes cellulolytiques, indiquent que la boue de station d'épuration est la meilleure source. Une culture par enrichissement a produit une culture mixte qui a exhibé aussi bien une activité CMCase que des activitiés extracellulaires avicelasique, xylanasique, -glucosidasique et -xylosidasique et qu'une production de -glucosidase et de -xylosidase liées à la cellule, dans un milieu synthétique et pour onze substrats cellulosiques et lignocellulosiques différents. L'activité de la -glucosidase extracellulaire et la production de -xylosidase sont significativement plus élevées que les activitiés endogènes. Les hemicellulases sont mieux induites que les cellulases. Le système enzymatique est stable dans des conditions aérobies. Parmi les divers substrats lignocellulosiques, l'herbe Kallar est le meilleur inducteur d'enzymes extracellufaires.