Mutagenic action of acenaphthene on haploid and diploid cultures of Candida scottii

Acenaphthene used as vapour increases the frequency of morphological mutations as well as mutations yielding strains with a reduced activity of respiration in Candida scottii. The diploid culture has more mutants than the haploid culture. The frequency of mutants depends on the duration of acenaphthene action. Cells more resistant to the action of acenaphthene vapour are selected in the haploid culture when C. scottii cells are transferred many times into new wort drops. As a result, the frequency of mutations decreases. When the diploid culture is exposed to the action of acenaphthene vapour for a longer time, the frequency of mutations rises. Apparently, the diploid culture has a lower activity of reparation of premutational damages than the haploid culture and therefore the number of mutant cells increases.     

Activity of triadimefon vapour against Erysiphe graminis f. sp. hordei

A series of experiments from 1978 to 1983 investigated the activity of triadimefon vapour against barley powdery mildew (Erysiphe graminis f. sp. hordei). In early experiments there was a pronounced protectant action when the dry product was used as the vapour source, and this protection persisted after test seedlings had been removed from the vicinity of the vapour source. In a glasshouse, sprayed seedlings remained sources of active vapour for at least 6 wk after spraying. In later experiments, effects of triadimefon vapour were much smaller, probably because the pathogen had become less sensitive to the fungicide. The dry product was no longer an effective vapour source but infection of test seedlings was still decreased if they were exposed to vapour emanating from impregnated absorbent paper or sprayed seedlings, presumably because the effective surface areas were much greater. Possible benefits and problems that arise from vapour action in glasshouse and field experiments are discussed.     

An electrical analogue of evaporation from,and flow of water in plants

Summary The currents generated in the analogue circuit represent vapour loss from leaves, heat loss from leaves, and liquid flow in plant and soil. The plant and soil resistances are defined in such a way that they are consistent with the resistances to transport of vapour in the atmosphere and there is continuity of potential at the analogue liquid: air interface in the leaves. The action of the environment on plant water movement is treated as an application of Thévenin's theorem of electric circuits.     

The role of the mesophyll cell wall in leaf transpiration

Summary Evidence is presented which suggests that the mesophyll cell walls of cotton leaves may influence observed rates of transpiration.The net diffusive flux of water vapour, from the upper and lower surfaces of a leaf, was compared with the flux of nitrous oxide through a leaf and evidence obtained of an extra resistance in the water-vapour pathway associated with water transport in the mesophyll cell walls.This extra resistance appeared to be insignificant at low transpiration rates and in turgid leaves, but increased with transpiration rate and dehydration. The most likely explanation for its origin appeared to be a reduction in hydraulic conductivity across the internal cuticle which lines the outer surfaces of the mesophyll cell walls. In turn this served to reduce the relative vapour pressure at the sites of evaporation.The experiments were conducted under conditions where stomatal opening was induced by CO₂-free air. Under normal conditions stomatal closure would tend to reduce the development of this extra resistance. Even so, the results throw doubt on the validity of the long-standing assumption that the water-vapour pressure at the evaporation sites is equal to the saturation vapour pressure under all conditions.     

Vapour action of fungicides against powdery mildews

Certain fungicides prevented the growth of powdery mildews at distances extending several millimetres beyond the edge of localized deposits on leaves. Most of the materials also acted at a distance when separated from the leaf by glass cover-slips, indicating that the effect was due to the emission of vapour. In addition to sulphur and lime-sulphur, whose vapour action is already known, fungicides based on drazoxolon, oxythioquinox, binap-acryl, dinitro-octyl phenyl crotonates and a phthalimido-phosphonothionate were found to act in this way. Two systemic fungicides, griseofulvin and triamiphos, did not give a detectable vapour action. Tests were conducted mostly on open glasshouse benches. A draught from a fan shifted the zones of inhibition to one side of the deposits, but did not reduce their areas. Vapour effects were similar in extent on plants maintained at 18–25° C and at 27–32° C. Variation in the areas protected was studied in relation to the size and fungicide content of the deposits, to different powdery mildews, to time of incubation and to different types of formulation. Deposits applied to leaves by high- or low-volume sprays at concentrations used in the field gave significant protection at a distance. Vapour effects were demonstrated also on mildew conidia incubated on glass slides bearing a spot of fungicide, and on infected plants placed in beakers coated on the bottom with fungicide. Movement of fungicides in the gaseous state is discussed in relation to the control of foliage diseases in the field.     

Modification of transduction mechanisms in the frog's olfactory mucosa using a thiol reagent as olfactory stimulus

The effects of the thiol-specific reagent N-ethylmaleimide (NEM)used in the vapour phase have been tested on the olfactory epitheliumof the frog when recording the electro-olfactogram (EOG) andspike activity from single receptor cells. The reagent was deliveredalone or mixed with the odorant isoamyl acetate. At low concentrationthe reagent induced slow potentials resembling simple EOGs.At higher concentrations (20% of the saturated vapour) threenegative and one positive slow components were observed in theresponse. A complex relationship was found between the amplitudeof the slow potential and the concentration of the reagent.Repeated stimulations at high concentration caused the suppressionof the negative voltage transients and the development of thepositive component. NEM vapour elicited spike discharges insome of the recorded units, with the responses resembling thoseevoked by usual odorants. After long-lasting stimulations (30 sec) with NEM, the receptorsfailed to respond to both reagent and odorant. This suppressionof response could be partly prevented by exposing the olfactoryepithelium to the odorant vapour before and during the exposureto the reagent (protection). The results indicate that NEM acts on the olfactory epitheliumin several ways, including an odorant-like action on olfactoryreceptor sites. An effect on the supporting cells is also suggested.Hypotheses for explaining the protection mechanism are considered.     

A SIMPLE METHOD FOR TESTING THE TOXICITY OF VOLATILE ANTISEPTICS TO WOOD-ROTTING FUNGI

Methods used for determining toxicity of volatile compounds to fungi are reviewed and a simple laboratory method for carrying out such tests is described.
Results from this type of test may be applicable in practice where the mycelium of the fungus is freely exposed to the action of the vapour, but if it is desired to sterilize infected wood of any appreciable thickness, information about the penetration of the vapour across the grain of the wood and of its sorption by the wood must be obtained before any treating schedule can be drawn up.     

A METHOD FOR MEASURING THE NARCOTIC ACTION OF CHEMICALS USING THE GRAIN WEEVIL, CALANDRA GRANARIA

A method of measuring narcotic potency is described. Grain weevils ( Calandra granaria ) are exposed to the narcotic vapour in 2l. round-bottomed flasks illuminated from the bottom, and narcotic potency measured as number of grain weevils so affected as to be unable to climb the glass walls. Some common anaesthetics have been examined as an illustration of this method. Results are fitted by the probit plane
Y= A + b ₁ log α+ b ₂ log t ,
where Y = a function of the number of insects affected (probit); α= the thermodynamic concentration of the narcotic vapour; t = time of exposure of insects to the narcotic vapour. The values of the coefficients b ₁ and b₂ are discussed in relation to the biological action of the narcotic vapours.     

Influence of nitric oxide on agonist-mediated calcium mobilization in platelets

Recent studies have characterized endothelium-derived relaxing factor as nitric oxide. It appears to exert its effect by elevating intracellular levels of cyclic GMP. In this study we confirm that nitric oxide is a potent inhibitor of agonist-induced irreversible aggregation. At the concentrations tested nitric oxide effectively blocked thrombin-stimulated mobilization of cytosolic-free calcium in Fura 2-loaded platelets. In addition, nitric oxide prevented the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate-stimulated calcium rise in cytosolic calcium in saponin-permeabilized Fura 2-loaded platelets. Similar to the action of adenylate cyclase stimulators, nitric oxide facilitated lowering of calcium levels raised by the action of agonists. The specific mechanism by which it exerts its effect on intracellular levels of calcium is not clear.     

Effect of nitric oxide on expression of apoptotic genes and HSP70 in drosophila

Data on involvement of nitric oxide in apoptosis are contradictory. The balance between anti- and proapoptotic activities of nitric oxide depends on many factors, including its concentration in a tissue and interactions with other regulators of apoptosis. This paper describes the results of a series of experiments on the effect of nitric oxide donors and inhibitors as well as dNOS1 and dNOS4 transgenes on the apoptosis on drosophila Lobe ^RSV mutant strain and wild-type strain Oregon R. It has been shown that a high nitric oxide content in cells is able to inhibit antiapoptotic effect of HSP70 and stimulate apoptosis, possibly, via the grim-mediated apoptotic pathway. Moreover, long-term action of a high nitric oxide concentration during the entire development more efficiently stimulates the proapoptotic genes as compared with short-term action of this agent.     

INSECTICIDAL-ACTION STUDIES WITH BISDIMETHYL-AMINO FLUOROPHOSPHINE OXIDE CONTAINING 32PHOSPHORUS

The absorption of the systemic insecticide bisdimethylamino fluorophosphine oxide containing ³²P by plants has been studied, and where possible comparisons have been made with bisdimethylaminophosphonous anhydride.
The radio-oxide is absorbed by the roots of a broad-bean plant from culture solutions. The level of radioactivity in the plant increases as the solution is absorbed and is higher in the washed roots than in the rest of the plant. The radioactivity of the remaining culture solution decreases as more of it is taken up by the plants showing that the roots selectively absorb the oxide from solution. In this latter respect it differs from the anhydride which is selectively rejected at similar rates of transpiration. The material is absorbed more slowly by plants growing in soil than in sand.
An appreciable part of the oxide absorbed by the roots is given off as vapour by the leaves. The transpired material can be collected and shown to be radioactive and systemically insecticidal. Aphids feeding on treated plants contain radioactive material.
The oxide is less lipoid soluble than the anhydride and does not penetrate as readily into the leaves of the broad bean. Since it is also lost by vaporization from the plants only small amounts are translocated following leaf applications to beans, cabbages and hops.     

THE SYSTEMIC INSECTICIDAL ACTION OF SODIUM FLUOROACETATE AND OF THREE PHOSPHORUS COMPOUNDS ON THE EGGS AND LARVAE OF PIERIS BRASSICAE L.

Four compounds, bis dimethylaminophosphonous anhydride ( anhydride ), bis (dimethylamino)fluorophosphine oxide ( oxide ), diethyl paranitrophenyl phosphate ( E 600) and sodium fluoroacetate ( acetate ), previously shown to have systemic insecticidal activity against aphids, have now been tested against the eggs and larvae of Pieris brassicae L.
The anhydride proved to have very little toxic action on Pieris , but the other three compounds showed both contact toxicity and systemic insecticidal action when taken up by the roots of cabbage plants from solution and from soil. The acetate, but more especially the E600, also showed systemic action following application to the leaves.
In all cases the order of decreasing toxicity was E600 > acetate > oxide > anhydride. E600 is the only compound which is outstandingly toxic to Pieris eggs and larvae. It has the added interest that when watered on to the roots of cabbage plants it kills larvae in egg batches on the leaves. Death takes place at the stage when the larvae are biting through the shells. The oxide and acetate proved to be surprisingly innocuous.
Unless it is felt to be too poisonous E600 is worthy of consideration as an insecticide against Pieris eggs and larvae, since it is highly effective as a contact insecticide and also has some systemic action.     

Unraveling the biological significance of nitric oxide

Independent investigations into the biochemical changes and cytostatic properties induced in immunostimulated macrophages and studies involving the identity and mechanism of action of endothelium-derived relaxing factor led to the finding of a new metabolic pathway which converts L-arginine to nitric oxide and citrulline. The pathway has since been reported in a number of additional cell types including cells in the central nervous system (CNS). In the endothelium and CNS nitric oxide is acting as a signaling agent with the evidence supporting activation of the enzyme guanylate cyclase in the target cell. Nitric oxide is toxic and evidence supports a cytostatic/cytotoxic function as the primary action of macrophage-derived nitric oxide.     

A field enclosure apparatus for measuring crop photosynthesis

The field enclosure is a transparent box covering a soil area of 1.5 m². It is a semi-closed system in which concentrations of water vapour and carbon dioxide are maintained constant: the required rate of input of carbon dioxide being a measure of the photosynthesis rate, and the rate of condensation of water, on cooling coils, a measure of transpiration. The air within the enclosure is circulated rapidly by fans to decrease concentration gradients, and under steady radiation inputs the air temperature is controlled to ±0.5 °C. Both photosynthesis and transpiration rates are corrected for air exchange with the surroundings, as measured through the injection of the inert gas, nitrous oxide.     

Nitric oxide block of outward-rectifying K+ channels indicates direct control by protein nitrosylation in guard cells

Recent work has indicated that nitric oxide (NO) and its synthesis are important elements of signal cascades in plant pathogen defense and are a prerequisite for drought and abscisic acid responses in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) and Vicia faba guard cells. Nonetheless, its mechanism(s) of action has not been well defined. NO regulates inward-rectifying K+ channels of Vicia guard cells through its action on Ca2+ release from intercellular Ca2+ stores, but alternative pathways are indicated for its action on the outward-rectifying K+ channels (I(K,out)), which are Ca2+ insensitive. We report here that NO affects I(K,out) when NO is elevated above approximately 10 to 20 nm. NO action on I(K,out) was consistent with oxidative stress and was suppressed by several reducing agents, the most effective being British anti-Lewisite (2,3-dimercapto-1-propanol). The effect of NO on the K+ channel was mimicked by phenylarsine oxide, an oxidizing agent that cross-links vicinal thiols. Neither intracellular pH buffering nor the phosphotyrosine kinase antagonist genistein affected NO action on I(K,out), indicating that changes in cytosolic pH and tyrosine phosphorylation are unlikely to contribute to NO or phenylarsine oxide action in this instance. Instead, our results strongly suggest that NO directly modifies the K+ channel or a closely associated regulatory protein, probably by nitrosylation of cysteine sulfhydryl groups.     

Factors influencing the fluorescence spectra of the formaldehyde-induced reaction product of 5-hydroxytryptamine

Summary Fluorescence excitation and emission spectra of the formaldehyde-induced fluorophore of 5-hydroxytryptamine in a Sephadex model have been examined following exposure to hydrochloric acid or ammonia vapour. Exposure to hydrochloric acid vapour produced excitation spectra with broad maxima centred around 400 nm, whilst exposure to ammonia vapour intensified the maximum normally seen at approximately 450 nm relative to that seen at 400 nm. The emission maximum was generally broad and poorly defined following exposure to hydrochloric acid vapour; exposure to ammonia vapour had little effect on its location. Exposure of the formaldehyde-induced fluorophore in models containing 5-hydroxytryptamine to 300 nm irradiation caused a substantial shift in the position of the emission maximum; a concomitant increase in the fluorescence intensity was also observed. When the fluorescence present in duodenal enterochromaffin cells was examined after similar treatments, a number of differences in the response of the fluorophore were noted.     

The responses of stomata and leaf gas exchange to vapour pressure deficits and soil water content

Summary The responses of photosynthesis, transpiration and leaf conductance to changes in vapour pressure deficit were followed in well-watered plants of the herbaceous species, Helianthus annuus, Helianthus nuttallii, Pisum sativum and Vigna unguiculata, and in the woody species having either sclerophyllous leaves, Arbutus unedo, Nerium oleander and Pistacia vera, or mesomorphic leaves, Corylus avellana, Gossypium hirsutum and Prunus dulcis. When the vapour pressure deficit of the air around a single leaf in a cuvette was varied from 10 to 30 Pa kPa^-1 in 5 Pa kPa^-1 steps, while holding the remainder of the plant at a vapour presure deficit of 10 Pa kPa^-1, the leaf conductance and net photosynthetic rate of the leaf decreased in all species. The rate of transpiration increased initially with increase in vapour pressure deficit in all species, but in several species a maximum transpiration rate was observed at 20 to 25 Pa kPa^-1. Concurrent measurements of the leaf water potential by in situ psychrometry showed that an increase in the vapour pressure deficit decreased the leaf water potential in all species. The decrease was greatest in woody species, and least in herbaceous species. When the vapour pressure deficit around the remainder of the plant was increased while the leaf in the cuvette was exposed to a low and constant vapour pressure deficit, similar responses in both degree and magnitude in the rates of transpiration and leaf conductance were observed in the remainder of the plant as those occurring when the vapour pressure deficit around the single leaf was varied. Increasing the external vapour pressure deficit lowered the water potential of the leaf in the cuvette in the woody species and induced a decrease in leaf conductance in some, but not all, speies. The decrease in leaf conductance with decreasing water potential was greater in the woody species when the vapour pressure deficit was increased than when it remained low and constant, indicating that changing the leaf-to-air vapour pressure difference had a direct effect on the stomata in these species. The low hydraulic resistance and maintenance of a high leaf water potential precluded such an analysis in the herbaceous species. We conclude that at least in the woody species studied, an increase in the vapour pressure deficit around a leaf will decrease leaf gas exchange through a direct effect on the leaf epidermis and sometimes additionally through a lowering of the mesophyll water potential.     

Involvement of hormone processing in insulin-activated glucose transport by isolated cardiac myocytes.

Isolated muscle cells from adult rat heart were used to study the relationship between myocardial insulin processing and insulin action on 3-O-methylglucose transport at 37 degrees C. Internalization of the hormone as measured by determination of the non-dissociable fraction of cell-bound insulin increased linearly up to 10 min, reaching a plateau by 30-60 min at 3 nM-insulin. At this hormone concentration the onset of insulin action was found to be biphasic, with a rapid phase up to 8 min, followed by a much slower phase, reaching maximal insulin action by 30-60 min. Insulin internalization was totally blocked by phenylarsine oxide, whereas dansylcadaverine had no effect on this process. Initial insulin action (5 min) on glucose transport was not affected by chloroquine and dansylcadaverine, but was completely abolished by treatment of cardiocytes with phenylarsine oxide. This drug effect was partly prevented by the presence of 2,3-dimercaptopropanol. Under steady-state conditions (60 min), the stimulatory action of insulin was decreased by about 60% by both chloroquine and dansylcadaverine. This study, demonstrates that insulin action on cardiac glucose transport is mediated by processing of the hormone. The data suggest dual pathways of insulin action involving initial processing of hormone-receptor complexes and lysosomal degradation.     

The humic acid-induced changes in the root concentration of nitric oxide,IAA and ethylene do not explain the changes in root architecture caused by humic acid in cucumber

The increase in root growth is one of the major effects of humic substances, but the mechanisms involved in humic acid-mediated changes in root growth, morphology and architecture are poorly known. Probably, humic substances may act on plant development through an action on the hormonal balance within the plant, either directly or indirectly by affecting the root uptake of some nutrients. In this study we investigate in cucumber plants the effects of a purified sedimentary humic acid (PHA), without detectable concentrations of the main phytoregulators in its structure, on root architecture, and its relationships with the functional action of three phytoregulators, indole-acetic acid, ethylene and nitric oxide, which are also affected by the root application of this humic acid. The results obtained using inhibitors of auxin transport or action, inhibitors of ethylene biosynthesis or action, and a scavenger of nitric oxide indicate that the increase in the root concentration of these phytoregulators caused by the root application of PHA does not play an essential role in the expression of the main changes on root architecture caused by PHA in developed cucumber plants. Other factors, which could act in coordination or independently of those phytoregulators affected by PHA root application, must be involved in the whole action on this humic acid on root architecture in cucumber.     

Changes in the cytoarchitectonics of the rat thymus at different times after body exposure to dimethyl sulfate]

Change in cytoarchitectonics of the organ at different terms after the action of dimethylsulfate (DMS) vapour on the organism was studied by a morphometrical method in histological preparations of the thymus of albino Wistar rats. The thymus was found to intimately react to DMS. On the 1st day after treatment the lymphocytopoietic function was suppressed, the process of destruction of cells in the organs was intensified, the amount of macrophages and plasma cells was increased. Two weeks after cessation of the treatment the organs became activated: intensified cell proliferation and less disintegration of lymphocytes were noted. However no complete reestablishment of the cell ratio took place even 3 months after cessation of the treatment.