Further cytogenetic analyses of the Croatian triploid shallot “Ljutika” (Allium cepa var.viviparum, Alliaceae) and its comparison with the Indian triploid “Pran”

Feulgen and silver-stained karyotypes and meiosis of two triploid viviparous onion forms (Allium cepa var.viviparum), the Croatian Ljutika and the Indian Pran, were comparatively analyzed. The results of chromosome measurements show that Ljutika and Pran are karyologically not identical, although significant similarities were found in the morphology of their chromosomes. Five geographically distant clones of Ljutika showed good agreement in the number and gross morphology of the chromosomes and in the number and position of NORs and interphase nucleoli. Heterotrivalents were predominant in meiosis of Ljutika but a relatively high frequency of higher multivalents together with univalents and bivalents were also observed. The relationship between Ljutika and Pran and their possible origin are discussed.     

Flora Palinologica Italiana,Sezione Aeropalinologica: S 205 -Pinus pinea L. (Pinaceae)

Summary According to the program Palynological Italian Flora, Aeropalynological section, the pollen morphological card ofPinus pinea L. is presented. The study is carried out on pollen coming from three Italian localities and regards fresh and acetolyzed pollen. For each sample, measurements are carried out on 30 fresh pollen grains in glicerol jelly with fuchsin and on 30 acetolyzed pollen grains in water/glicerol (1/1); general observations regard 1000 fresh and 1000 acetolyzed pollen grains/sample. Some observations on the main differences between fresh and acetolyzed pollen are mentioned.

---

Riassunto Nell'ambito della Flora Palinologica Italiana, Sezione Aeropalinologica, è presentata la scheda morfopalinologica diPinus pinea L. nella versione su polline fresco e polline acetolizzato, su tre campioni di diversa provenienza. Vengono notate le principali differenze tra polline fresco e polline acetolizzato.

     

Memorization and delayed expression of regulatory messages in plants

Plantlets of Bidens pilosus L., considered to be basically symmetrical, can be lateralized (A/B) by being administered a symmetry-breaking signal such as puncturing one of the plant cotyledons. The induced asymmetry remains latent as long as the plants have not been made permissive, i.e. as long as the plant apex is left functioning. When the apex has been removed (plant decapitation), the latent asymmetry is expressed by one of the cotyledonary buds (a/b) statistically beginning to elongate before the other. The interval of time between delivering the symmetry-breaking signal and making the plant permissive is the memorization-time, t. Memorization can be quantified by using a precedence index, q, the values of which range from 0 (no detectable asymmetry with regard to bud growth) to ±1 (bud growth perfectly asymmetric in favour of either bud b or a). Even for memorization times, t, up to 14 d, q-values up to 0.4 (or even larger) are observed. Various experimental characteristics (e.g. light, temperature, presence or absence of the root system) but not the plant age can affect the q-values, at the moment when the treatments are performed, at least in the range of 6 to 25 d. Combining several puncturing treatments either increases or decreases the q-values, depending on the nature of these treatments and the time-intervals, t, between them. Symmetrically removing both cotyledons in the minutes following the puncturing of one of them does not significantly alter the results, which means that the symmetry-breaking message is rapidly transported and memorized within the plant. Non-traumatic asymmetrical treatments (droplets of saline solutions, light-gradients) can also act as symmetry-breaking signals and be memorized. Plants other than Bidens are likely to possess similar memorization ability, although the q-values observed up to now have not been very large.     

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.     

Observations on the fine structure of the cercaria of Notocotylus attenuatus and formation of the cyst wall of the metacercaria

Summary The dorsal tegument of the mature cercaria of Notocotylus attenuatus is a syncytial, cytoplasmic layer, containing two types of secretory granule which are identifiable ultrastructurally. The type 1 secretory bodies are electron lucid, whereas most type 2 granules have a banded appearance. The ventral tegument contains granules which are secreted from the type 3 cells; the type 3 granules are membrane bound, electron dense, and consist of both an amorphous and a finely striated zone. The type 4 cells mainly contain cigar-shaped granules consisting of an amorphous core surrounded by concentric striations. The granules exhibit structural variability in shape and content. The type 4 cells undergo a cellular migration to the tegument during encystment. The structure of the posterior-lateral glands and mode of secretion of the granules are described. Possible functions of microtubules are discussed for each cell type. Details of some secretory processes involved in the formation of the hemispherical cyst wall are described. The layers of the cyst wall may be related to the granular contents of the various parenchymal cells of the cercaria. The tegument of the metacercaria originates primarily from the cytoplasm of the type 1, type 2, type 3 and type 4 cells.     

Injury to potato leaves exposed to subzero temperatures in the absence of freezing

Electrolyte leakage was measured in hardened and nonhardened leaves of three potato species, Solanum tuberosum L., S. acaule Bitt. and S. commersonii Dun., and one interspecific cross, Alaska Frostless (S. acaule x S. tuberosum) when exposed to various subzero temperatures. The leaves were undercooled (no ice present) from 0°C to -12.5°C for 45 min and to-4°C for up to 10 d. Regardless of the degree of undercooling no injury was observed in any of the potatoes, hardened or nonhardened, for up to 12 h. After 5 d, however, electrolyte leakage was observed in hardened S. tuberosum, S. acaule and S. commersonii, and in nonhardened Alaska Frostless. After 10 d exposure all potatoes, hardened and nonhardened, showed a significant amount of electrolyte leakage as compared to their controls kept at 0°C for 10 d.Scientific Journal Series Paper No. 13842 of the Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station, St. Paul, Minn     

Cytological analysis on the distribution and origin of the alien chromosome pair conferring blue aleurone color in several European common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) strains

Summary Meiotic chromosome pairing and Giemsa C-banding analyses in crosses of several European blue-grained wheat strains with Chinese Spring double ditelosomic and other aneuploid lines showed that Triticum aestivum Blaukorn strains Berlin, Probstdorf, Tschermak, and Weihenstephan are chromosome substitutions, in which the complete wheat chromosome 4A pair is replaced, whereas the strains Brünn and Moskau are 4B substitutions. The alien chromosome pair in all of these strains is an A genome chromosome (4A) from diploid Triticum monococcum or T. boeoticum not present in common tetraploid and hexaploid cultivated wheats. The Blaukorn strain Weihenstephan W 70a86 possesses, in addition to a rye chromosome pair 5R compensating for the loss of part of chromosome 5D, a 4A/5DL translocation replacing chromosome pair 4B of wheat.     

Effect of androgens on histochemical fibre type

Summary The temporal muscles of the guinea pig show a sexual differentiation reflected in their histochemical enzyme pattern. Using histochemical methods for mitochondrial (SDH, -GPDH), and glycolytic enzymes (phosphorylase, LDH) it could be shown, that in adult animals the male muscle is a white muscle with marked activity of glycolytic enzymes, the female muscle a red muscle displaying high activity of mitochondrial enzymes. This differential enzyme pattern can be converted by the application of testosterone to the female type during the postnatal development. The male sex hormone thus affects the histochemical enzyme pattern of the muscle, converting the red, female into a white, male muscle in the female guinea pig.     

Pompholyx of the nail organ and the true onychomycosis

Pompholyx is one clinical form of the endoparasitic-hematogenous skin eruptions. It is characterized by sago-grain-like, deeply embedded blisters or pustules within the normal, primarily non-inflamed skin, localized to the palms, soles, fingers, toes and interdigital webs, and in the nail organ. The blisters may be located in the nail wall causing paronychia, and/or beneath the nail plate causing onychia. The discussion of the etiology and pathogenesis of the pompholyx of the nail organ is inseparable from pompholyx at other sites (e.g. palms and soles), since they are identical. Hence, the term pompholyx should replace such misleading terms as infectious eczematoid dermatitis, id eruption, of the hand and/or feet, dermato- or epidermophytosis, dyshidrosis, and the vernacular athlete's foot. Even though hyphomycetes (true pathogens and common molds) of many sorts may be detected in the roof of the blisters, particularly on the feet, and scrapings of detritus from the nails, they have no role in the etiology or pathogenesis of this condition. Due to an universal infection immunity pompholyx is not infectious or transmissible. True onychomycosis is clinically and pathogenetically an entirely different condition. The purpose of this paper is to clarify the fundamental differences in etiology and pathogenesis between the two conditions.     

On the sufficiency of the velocity field for perception of heading

All models of self-motion from optical flow assume the instantaneous velocity field as input. We tested this assumption for human observers using random-dot displays that simulated translational and circular paths of movement by manipulating the lifetime and displacement of individual dots. For translational movement, observers were equally accurate in judging direction of heading from a velocity field with a two-frame dot life and a direction field in which the magnitudes of displacement were randomized while the radial pattern of directions was preserved, but at chance with a speed field in which the directions were randomized, preserving only magnitude. Accuracy declined with increasing noise in vector directions, but remained below 2.6° with a 90° noise envelope. Thus, the visual system uses the radial morphology of vector directions to determine translational heading and can tolerate large amounts of noise in this pattern. For circular movement, observers were equally accurate with a 2-frame velocity field, 3-frame acceleration displays, and 2-frame and 3-frame direction fields, consistent with the use of the pattern of vector directions to locate the center of rotation. The results indicate that successive independent velocity fields are sufficient for perception of translational and circular heading.     

Between fact and technique: The beginnings of hybridoma technology

Conclusion At several places in this paper we have made use of a well-known rhetorical device: an argument was made; a character —dubbed fictional reader — was then evoked who voiced some objections against that particular argument; and finally, we answered those objections, thus bringing to a close, at least temporarily, our argument. The use of this device raises a question: How is the presence of the fictional reader to be understood? Is it a mere rhetorical tool, or does this character designate some particular target? For instance, depending on the context, it could be seen as aimed at different straw men: traditionally minded sociologists, Whiggish historians, well-intentioned philosophers of science. Actually, none of these characters is behind the fictional reader. Rather, it refers, potentially, to any of the scientific actors (Milstein, Schwaber, Koprowski, Cohn, and so on) who inhabit our set of narratives. In other words, the fictional reader is an icon for the native reader/writer who simultaneously produces and questions the products of that particular literary activity known as scientific texts, by explicitly and implicitly raising the issue of the distinction between fact and technique.By following actors in their disputes about the novelty of K & M's contribution, it became apparent that it is not exactly clear which of the different elements of hybridoma technology should be regarded as novel. Was it the use of the P3 myeloma line? Was it the theoretical framework related to the notion of allelic exclusion? Was it ...? In each and every case, arguments can be made for or against the existence of a certain continuity or discontinuity with previous work. And in each case, the determination of novelty, as translated through the continuity/discontinuity issue, appeared to be hanging on the previous attribution of an epistemological status to the object that had allegedly been discovered: was it a fact or a technique?If one focuses on the relatively narrow network of immunogenetics, it could be argued that within that particular evidential context a series of facts had been established which, when transferred to other fields, such as the virological research being pursued in Koprowski's institute, were translated into a technique. However, as we have seen, even from an immunogenetic point of view the production of monoclonal antibodies can be viewed as being simultaneously a fact and a technique to establish that fact. Not only, as he himself noted,¹³⁹ was Milstein not seeking to develop a technique for the production of monoclonal antibodies when the original experiments were carried out, but the significance later imputed to those experiments was not immediately attributed to them. The paper was seen as one among other papers that used cell fusion techniques to dissect the genetic control of antibody diversity. Distinctions that now appear crucial (e.g.: were the fusion partners two myelomas or a myeloma and a spleen cell?) were easily overlooked. At some point, around 1977, the production of monoclonal antibodies became a goal in itself, no longer linked to the initial immunogenetic network. The transformation of [MILSTEIN 75] into the foundational event of hybridoma technology was thus achieved. This transformation did not flow naturally from the original experiments. Rather, it involved specific investments which mobilized the activity of a large number of other scientific and industrial actors.¹⁴⁰ A tentative generalization can be deduced from our case study. The dichotomy between fact and technique that underlines much of contemporary science studies seem to be fundamentally misconceived, insofar as the determination of what counts as a fact and what counts as a technique is not possible on a priori grounds. Historians and sociologists of science are confronted with a field of heterogeneous interventions where particular pieces of work are constituted as discrete entities and simultaneously attributed a technical or a factual identity. Novelty and innovation are precisely the result of such polymorphic attributional processes.     

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.     

Protoplasmic streaming in the giant unicellular green algaAcetabularia mediterranea

Summary Protoplasmic Streaming inAcetabularia mediteranea has been studied by microcinematography in 1. germinating zygotes, 2. germlings before the differentiation of rhizoids and apices, 3. young cells with rhizoids and apices, 4. vegetative cells-several centimeters in length, 5. cells with a maximum sized cap, containing secondary nuclei, and 6. cells after cyst formation. Intracellular transport is found to occur at a network-system of thin filaments and at a different system of headed streaming bands. At the network of filaments chloroplasts are found to move at a velocity of 1–2 m/sec. Headed streaming bands move along the filaments and may lead without interruption from the rhizoid to the apex of the cell andvice versa. The front zone of the streaming bands is occupied by a leading cytoplasmic head-structure. Small vesicles, polyphosphate granula and secondary nuclei are the predominant moving structures in headed streaming bands. The velocity of these particles is found to be 3–11 m/sec. The filament system is found during all developmental stages. Headed streaming bands are undetectable in germinating zygotes and develop from small cytoplasmic droplets in germlings to broad heavily loaded bands in the huge vegetative cell.Transport of secondary nuclei by headed streaming bands is not observed during mitotic divisions and after cyst formation, though moving bands are still present for several weeks after cyst formation.     

Psychological changes associated with self-regulatory treatments of irritable bowel syndrome

The psychological side effects of self-regulatory treatment (a combination of relaxation, thermal biofeedback, and cognitive therapy) for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) were compared among 20 successfully treated patients, 12 unsuccessfully treated patients, and 9 patients who merely monitored symptoms for 12 weeks. Pretreatment and posttreatment scores on the Beck Depression Inventory, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and Psychosomatic Symptom Checklist were examined. Successfully treated patients had significant (p<.01) reductions on all measures and significantly greater reductions on depression and state anxiety than the symptom monitoring group. Interestingly, the failures also showed a significant (p=.027) reduction in trait anxiety and no significant increases on other measures.     

Studies on aneuploids of Petunia

Summary The seven possible primary trisomics of Petunia (2 n= 14) located in the progenies of triploid, hypertriploid and hypotriploid plants were distinguished from one another and from diploid on the basis of cytological and morphological criteria. They were provisionally named as Oval, Semi, Slender, Pseudonormal, Arrow, Narrow and Giant. In three of the trisomics, the extra chromosome was identified for the first time at pachytene stage. Postpachytene studies revealed no precise relationship between the length of extra chromosome and the frequency of multiple association.     

Experiments on the water budget of densely and sparsely needled spruces [Picea abies (L.) Karst.] in a declining stand

Summary The osmotic potentials of needles were compared from numerous trees that had been classified according to needle loss along an altitude profile. With the increasing degree of damage of the trees, the maximum and minimum values deviated more strongly above and below the common mean of all samples. The level of water content of the needles unequivocally reflected the vitality of the trees. Experiments covering a whole vegetation period were performed on a tree pair selected from a natural stand. They were designed to demonstrate differences in water balance between the healthy and damaged state of the trees. For the damaged tree, measurements of the water potentials of single needles showed a greater reduction of potential during the course of the day compared to the healthy tree. Recovery in the evenings was slower and often incomplete. The osmotic potentials of damaged and healthy shoots measured in individual needles also differed both predawn and especially after transpiration stress. Depending on weather and soil desiccation, the differences were more or less pronounced. In the damaged tree, the rises in potential after saturation of the twigs fell far short of the healthy tree. Reduction of water potential, osmotic potential and relative water content under comparable stress conditions suggest a reduced tolerance of drought by damaged trees. In the context of earlier experiments this result was ascribed to a lack of stomatal control, and long-term pollution effects were thus explained as a specific disturbance of hydroregulation.     

Identification of RFLP markers linked to the cereal cyst nematode resistance gene (Cre) in wheat

The cereal cyst nematode (CCN) (Heterodera avenae Woll.) is an economically damaging pest of wheat in many of the worlds cereal growing areas. The development of CCN-resistant cultivars may be accelerated by the use of molecular markers. The Cre gene of the wheat line AUS 10894 confers resistance to CCN. Using a pair of near-isogenic lines (NILs) that should differ only in a small chromosome segment containing the Cre locus, we screened 58 group-2 probes and found two (Tag605 and CDO588) that detect polymorphism between the NILs. Nulli-tetrasomic and ditelosomic lines confirmed that the restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) markers identified were derived from the long arm of wheat chromosome 2. Crosses between AUS 10894 and Spear and the NIL AP and its recurrent parent Prins were used to produce F₂ populations that gave the expected 31 segregation ratio for the resistance gene. Linkage analysis identified two RFLP markers flanking the resistance gene. Xglk605 and Xcdo588 mapped 7.3 cM (LOD=6.0) and 8.4 cM (LOD=6.7), respectively, from the Cre locus.     

An increase in the “inhibitor-β” content of detached wheat leaves following a period of wilting

Summary Wheat seedlings were grown under a 14-hour photoperiod and the first leaves excised at the end of the eighth dark period. The effect of treatments causing wilting on the inhibitor- content of such leaves was studied.When leaves were rapidly wilted (i.e. to a 6% fresh weight loss) and extracted immediately, the amount of inhibitor- per leaf was found to be the same as in fresh turgid leaves. However, when the leaves were maintained in a wilted condition in darkness for a period of 110 minutes, there was a marked increase in inhibitor- content.The greater the degree of wilting (i.e. up to about a 9% loss in fresh weight) the greater the eventual inhibitor- content. Moreover, the increment in inhibitor- was shown to be temperature dependent.The time lapse requirement and the temperature dependency of the inhibitor- formation suggest an enzymic conversion from a precursor.If a similar phenomenon occurs during the wilting of intact plants then the increase in this growth inhibitor might play a role in some of the physiological changes which accompany water stress.     

Abbau der 4-Chlorbenzoesäure durch eineArthrobacter-Species

Zusammenfassung EineArthrobacter-Species, die 4-Chlorobenzoesäure als einzige Kohlenstoffquelle verwerten kann, gibt beim Wachstum auf dieser Verbindung 4-Hydroxybenzoesäure und Protocatechusäure ins Medium ab. Der weiter Abbau des aromatischen Ringes erfolgt durch meta-Spaltung. Beim Wachstum derArthrobacter-Species auf Benzoesäure trit im Medium cis,cis-Muconsäure auf. In diesem Fallewird also der ortho-Weg eingeschlagen. Die Enzyme für beide Abbauwege sind induzierbar.

---

Degradation of 4-Chlorobenzoic acid by anArthrobacter species

AnArthrobacter sp. growing on 4-Chlorobenzoic acid as its sole source of carbon excretes 4-hydroxybenzoic acid and protocatechuic acid into the culture medium. Protocatechuic acid is further attacked by meta-cleavage. During growth of theArthrobacter sp. on benzoic acid cis-cis muconic acid can be isolated from the medium, suggesting the involvement of the ortho-cleavage pathway. The enzymes both for the meta- and the ortho-cleavage pathway are inducible.

Dem Andenken an Professor Bernhauer gewidmet     

Die Homologie des Perigons der Zingiberaceen Ein Beitrag zur Morphologie und Phylogenie des Monokotylen-Perigons

Nicolaia elatior is used as an example to demonstrate that the mucronate tepals ofZingiberaceae correspond to hypsophylls (bracts) consisting of a leaf sheath and a rudimentary Oberblatt (= leaf petiole + lamina) represented by the mucro. Evidence for this interpretation is furnished by all available criteria: leaf sequence (exhibiting a complete continuum of forms from foliage leaves over cata- and hypsophylls to the tepals), nervature, and ontogeny.The present conception is compared with the well-founded thesis ofLeinfellner that the perigone ofLiliaceae is derived from the androecium. The different morphological status of the perigone in both families is not regarded as the result of different phylogenetic origin, but as a manifestation of morphogenetic transgressions from one phyllome category to an adjacent one: In theLiliaceae the perigone is under a strong morphogenetic influence of the androecium, and therefore displays staminal characters, in theZingiberaceae it is under the dominating influence of the extrafloral region, and thus appears as a hypsophyllous structure. If this assumption of a morphologically oscillating perigone is correct, it will be fundamentally impossible to demonstrate unequivocally the phylogenetic origin of the monocotyledonous perigone.

Im wissenschaftlichen Werk Prof. Dr.Walter Leinfellners steht an erster Stelle die Morphologie der Blütenorgane. Als sein dankbarer Schüler möchte ich ihm aus Anlaß seines 70. Geburtstages die folgende Studie zu einem Thema zueignen, das ihn wie mich gleichermaßen angesprochen hat und schon Gegenstand der Forschungsarbeit des Jubilars war: die Homologie des Monokotylen-Perigons.