Studies on the basidial formation by Sclerotium rolfsii sacc. VIII. Abortive basidial formation on media

Summary It appears from the results reported above that in some isolates abortive basidia could be obtained on inorganic nitrogen compounds containing ammonium salts, on some of the vegetable extracts particularlyS. sapindus andR. sativus and on hormones specially — alpha-N-acetic acid and trichloro-phenoxy-2-4-5 acetic acid. As suggested earlier, it is likely that if some modifications are incorporated in the basal medium or by changing the quantities of this basal medium or by changing the quantities of the compounds it might be possible to formulate a suitable medium which would induce easy basidial formation byS. rolfsii isolates.     

Effect of antibiotics on the formation of specific antibodies.

Immune response to staphylococcal haemolysin and Haemophilus influenzae capsular antigen administered simultaneously with antibiotics was studied in rabbits. In addition to specific humoral antibodies, the quantitative values of IgG, IgA, IgM and C'3 complement were determined. Statistically significant deficiency of immune response was observed in all cases in animals which were given the antigen with the antibiotic in comparison with the controls which were immunized by the antigen alone. Statistically significant differences were also observed in the levels of immunoglobulins (mainly IgG and IgM) in animals which were given antigens simultaneously with antibiotics in comparison with animals which were given antibiotics alone.     

Kinetic studies on the formation of intermolecular triple helices.

We have used DNase I footprinting to examine the association kinetics of GA-, GT- and CT-containing oligonucleotides with the target sequence (GGA)5GG. (CCT)5CC. These reactions are slow yielding bimolecular association rate constants between 50 and 2000 M-1s-1. We find that GT-containing oligonucleotides bind much faster than GA- or CT-containing third strands. In each case the observed rate constants are faster at the centre than at the edges of the target site. Although several explanations can be offered for this observation, it is consistent with a model in which triplex formation at this repetitive site is achieved via intermediate complexes in which the third strand is not properly aligned with its target and which subsequently migrate to the correct position.     

Follicle formation in the embryonic chick thyroid. III. Initiation of follicle formation

It has been proposed that the follicular spaces in the thyroid form by either the coalescence of intracellular droplets or by separation of cell apices by secretion into the extracellular space. On the basis of examination of thyroid primordia in early chick embryos this study provides evidence that in the chick, at least, follicle formation conforms to the second model. The first indications of change in the chick thyroid is the appearance of interdigitations of the cell apices. These interdigitations form microvilli as the two surfaces become separated and the follicular space is established. Vesicles with two types of contents can be identified in proximity with the cell surface during follicle formation, but it is not clear if either the dense particulate or the more electron-lucid materials that they contain actually enter the follicular space. Neither removal of the pituitary gland by decapitation nor inhibition of collagen synthesis and a concomitant failure of the invasion of capsular mesenchyme prevents the initiation of normal follicle formation.     

Effects of fibronectin on hydroxyapatite formation.

There is increasing evidence that noncollagenous matrix proteins initiate bone mineralization in vivo. Fibronectin, which is present during the early phases of mineralization, may contribute to this process in bone tissues. In this context, the mineralization potential of fibronectin was tested in an agarose gel precipitation system and a metastable calcium phosphate solution. The protein inhibited the precipitation of calcium phosphate crystals in solution but had no apparent effect in gel. Conversely, fibronectin stimulated crystal formation when apatite powder was used to seed crystal growth in gel. Although these results in vitro do not clearly indicate that fibronectin is involved in the mineralization process, they are consistent with in vivo events. Free fibronectin (e.g. in biological fluids) could inhibit crystal growth but might also activate the mineralization process when absorbed on apatite powder in a bone environment and areas of ectopic mineralization.