Changes with age in the absorption spectrum of chlorophyll α in a diatom

Summary Absorption spectra of a young and an old culture of the diatom Pheodactylum tricornutum were measured in thin layers between two opal glass sheets. The spectra at 24° and at -196°C were replotted to give equal areas from 730–625 m to allow direct comparison. At 24°C the spectrum for the difference between the two cultures had a negative component of 18 m half width centered at 675 m and a positive region of W_0.5=26 m near 700 m.The spectra at -196°C may be somewhat distorted by clumping of the cells during freezing but nevertheless the 16 day culture clearly showed a smaller proportion of Ca 670 to Ca 680. This older culture has a shoulder due to a 707 m component. The difference curve at -196°C shows the decrease of an unsymmetrical band peaking at 669 m and an increase at 695 m in addition to the 707 m component. Due to the possibility of distortion, the presence of an actual component at 695 is doubtful in these particular cultures.The room temperature spectrum in the chloropyhll a region for the 5 day culture can be closely fitted by a single probability curve at 675 m having a half-width of 31 m. The sum of two components, with widths more reasonable for chlorophylls, also matched the data well enough. These two probability curves, of 22 m half width, centered on 669 and 683.2 m and had a height ratio, h₆₆₉/h₆₈₃ of 1.18. In the 16 day culture the ratio for these bands changed to 1.11 and there was extra absorption around 700 m.Dedicated to Professor C. B. van Niel on the occasion of his 70th birthday     

Myosatellite cells associated with different muscle fibre types in the Atlantic hagfish (Myxine glutinosa,L.)

Summary The incidence of myosatellite cells associated with white and red muscle fibres of the parietal muscle and red fibres of the craniovelar muscle was estimated by quantitative electron microscopy in the Atlantic hagfish (Myxine glutinosa, L.). Myosatellite cell nuclei constitute 3, 11 and 23 % of the total number of nuclei inside the basal lamina of the three types of muscle fibres, respectively. However, the total number of nuclei is highest in white fibres, most of the nuclei belonging to striated muscle cells. Myosatellite cell profiles in transverse sections constitute 23, 41 and 61 % of the number of muscle fibre profiles of the three types, respectively. The intervals between adjacent myosatellite cells are 135 m in white fibres, 55 m in red parietal fibres, and only 25 m in craniovelar fibres. Since craniovelar fibres are also comparatively thin, myosatellite cells constitute a significant fraction of the volume inside the basal lamina in these fibres. The myosatellite cells are 30–50 m long and up to 5 m thick. Some myosatellite cells possess few organelles, whereas others appear to contain many free ribosomes, granular endoplasmic reticulum, prominent Golgi apparatus and lysosome-like bodies.This investigation was supported by the Norwegian Research Council for Science and the Humanities (NAVF grant No. C20.30–37). The authors are indebted to Jorunn Line Vaaland and Berit Branil for technical assistance, and to Dr. Finn Walvig, Biological Station, University of Oslo, Drøbak, for supplying the hagfish     

Saccharomyces cerevisiae 2-mum DNA. An analysis of the monomer and its multimers by electron microscopy.

Summary The non-tandem inverted duplication in the 2-m DNA of Saccharomyces cerevisiae has a length of 0.19 m and is located asymmetrically along the molecule. The majority of the dumb-bell structures that are formed upon denaturation and selfannealing of the 2-m monomer consists of the renatured inverted duplication sequences as double stranded stem and two single stranded loops of 0.67 m±0.06 m (S-loop) and 0.86 m±0.05 m (L-loop) length. Two additional size classes which comprised 5–10% of the measured molecules had contour lengths of around 1.7 m and 2.1 m. The smaller dumb-bells contained two S-loops and the larger dumb-bells contained two L-loops as was shown by heteroduplex mapping with an HindIII fragment from the L-loop. Two models which assume illegitimate or site specific recombination, are presented to explain the generation of double S-loop and double L-loop molecules. At least part of the 4-m and 6- circular molecules present in the yeast supercoiled DNA fraction are shown to be dimers and trimers of 2-m monomers, but often with inverted loop segments most probably due to intramolecular recombination between sequences of the inverted duplication.2-m DNA is used to indicate the supercoiled DNA fraction although in our measurements the average monomeric length is 1.9 mPart of this work has been presented at the Conference: The Genetics and Biogenesis of Chloroplasts and Mitochondria, Munich, August, 1976     

Micropropagation of Frazinus angustifolia from mature and juvenile plant material

Micropropagation of Fraxinus angustifolia Vahl has been successfully achieved both from mature and juvenile plant material using shoot tip and nodal explants. Several basal media supplemented with benzyladenine (BA) and indolebutyric acid (IBA) were tested for shoot proliferation. The most new explants per mature explant (5.3) was obtained on DKW medium plus 4.4 M BA+0.98 M IBA. The most new explants per juvenile explant (5.6) was produced on QL medium plus 8.9 M BA+0.49 M IBA. Rooting was achieved on WPM supplemented with 0.98–4.9 M IBA. Rooted plantlets were transferred to soil and acclimatized with 85% survival.Abbreviations BA benzyladenine - IBA indolebutyric acid - NAA 1-naphthaleneacetic acid     

Zur Feinstruktur der Elektrozeptorepidermis der Mormyridae (Teleostei,Pisces)

Zusammenfassung Die schwachelektrischen Mormyridae haben eine dreischichtige Epidermis, deren innere Schicht aus nur etwa 0,22 m dicken sechseckigen Zellen von ca. 60 m Durchmesser besteht. Die etwa 2 m dicken, linsenförmigen Kerne von 7,6 m Durchmesser liegen am Zellrand. Die Zellen sind zu Säulen aufgeschichtet. Ihr Rand ist ausgezackt und dort, wo er die Säulengrenze erreicht, auf etwa 0,34 m verdickt. In der Nähe der Säulengrenzen sind die Zellen über Desmosomen mit den Nachbarn in der eigenen und in der angrenzenden Säule verbunden. Diese Epidermisschicht ist auf die Körperpartien beschränkt, in denen auch Elektrorezeptoren ausgebildet sind.Die beiden anderen Epidermisschichten haben den üblichen Aufbau einer Fischepidermis, abgesehen vom Fehlen der Becherzellen.

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Ultrastructure of the electroceptor epidermis of the Mormyridae (Teleostei, Pisces)

Summary The weakly electric fish of the family Mormyridae have a three layered epidermis, with a medium layer consisting of hexagonal cells of only 0.22 m in thickness and about 60 m in diameter. The lens-shaped nuclei are about 2 m thick and 7.6 m in diameter and are situated near the border of the cells. The cells are piled up to hexagonal columns. Their margin is serrate and where it reaches the boundary of the column, it has a thickness of about 0.34 m. Close to the boundaries of the columns, the cells are linked to their neighbours within the column and of the adjoining column by desmosomes. This layer of the epidermis is confined to those regions of the body surface which also contain electroreceptors.The other layers of the epidermis have a structure as usual in fish, except for the lack of goblet cells.

     

Location of ethylene production in cotton flowers and dehiscing fruits

Summary Over half of the ethylene produced by 1-day-old cotton flowers came from the combined stigma, style, and stamens. These tissues produced 0.0050 l/flower·h compared to 0.0024 and 0.0010 l/flower·h produced by the petals and ovary, respectively. Walls of dehiscing cotton fruits produced 0.052 l ethylene/fruit·h. This was approximately 50% more than seeds plus fiber which produced 0.033 l/fruit·h.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">In vitro</Emphasis> regeneration of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Perilla frutescens</Emphasis> from hypocotyl and cotyledon explants

Organogenetic buds were induced from hypocotyl and cotyledon explants of oil crop Perilla frutescens in Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 5.7 M indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and 8.9 – 13.3 M 6-benzylaminopurine (BA). Shoots were rooted on MS medium with 2.9 M IAA and 1.4 M gibberellic acid (GA3) and the regenerated plants flowered and set seeds normally.     

The filtration apparatus of Cladocera: Filter mesh-sizes and their implications on food selectivity

Summary The filtering apparatus of eleven Cladoceran species was studied. The distances between the setulae, which act as filters, were measured. Among adult individuals, they vary from 0.2 m in Diaphanosoma brachyurum to 4.7 m in Sida crystallina. Species can be grouped according to the mesh-sizes, as fine mesh filter-feeders: Diaphanosoma brachyurum, Ceriodaphnia quadrangula, Chydorus sphaericus, Daphnia cucullata and Daphnia magna; medium mesh filter-feeders: Daphnia galeata, D. hyalina. D. pulicaria, Bosmina coregoni, and coarse mesh filter-feeders: Holopedium gibberum and Sida crystallina. In Daphnia hyalina, the distances between setulae increase from 0.3–0.4 m in small juveniles, to 0.8–2.0 m in adults. In Daphnia magna, the mesh-size of the filter does not increase significantly with growth. There is good evidence that the relative abundance of the filter-feeding types varies with the trophic state of the lake. In oligotrophic lakes the coarse mesh filter-feeders usually dominate throughout the year. The seasonal succession of zooplankton species in eutrophic lakes can be interpreted as a succession of feeding types; during winter coarse mesh filter-feeders dominate, while fine mesh filter-feeders are most abundant during summer phytoplankton blooms. Our results support the hypothesis that the species composition of filter-feeding zooplankton is strongly influenced by the amount of suspended bacteria which are available as food only for filter-feeding species with fine meshes.     

Endogenous phosphorylation of rat brain synaptosomal plasma membranes in vitro: Some methodological aspects

The time course of endogenous phosphorylation in vitro of total or separted synaptic plasma membrane proteins (SPM) has been correlated with that of hydrolysis of the phosphate donor (ATP) in the incubation medium. The ATP/SPM ratio in the medium was varied. In a low-ratio medium (7.5 M ATP; 2.2 g SPM/l) a complete hydrolysis of ATP occurred almost instantaneously as was measured by the release of free phosphate in and the disappearance of ATP from the medium. As a consequence, only a very short peak of phosphorylation, followed by dephosphorylation was observed. However, when higher ATP/SPM ratios were used (200 M ATP; 0.4 g SPM/l and 500 M ATP; 0.4 g SPM/l), the incorporation of phosphate into SPM proteins was linear for 20 sec, and the maximum level of phosphate incorporation was increased. Similar results were obtained after separation of³²P-labeled phosphoproteins by slab gel electrophoresis. However, analysis of the autoradiographs obtained fromone SPM preparation under different ATP/SPM ratios revealed dependence of phosphorylation of individual protein bands on the conditions used.     

The Biogeochemical Cycle of Methane in the Coastal Zone and Littoral of the Kandalaksha Bay of the White Sea

Microbiological and biogeochemical investigations of the processes of methane production (MP) and methane oxidation (MO) in the coastal waters and littoral of the Kandalaksha Bay of the White Sea were carried out. The studies were conducted in the coastal zones and in the water areas of the Kandalaksha Preserve, Moscow State University White Sea Biological Station, and the Zoological Institute (RAS) biological station in August 1999, 2000, and 2001 and in March 2001. The rate of CO₂ assimilation in the shallow and littoral sediments was 35–27800 g C/(dm³ day) in summer and 32.8–88.9 g C/(dm³ day) in winter. The maximal rates of MP were observed in the littoral sediments in the zone of macrophyte decomposition, in local depressions, and in the estuary of a freshwater creek (up to 113 l/(dm³ day)). The maximal level of MO was observed in the shallow estuarine sediments (up to 2450 l/(dm³ day)). During the winter season, at the temperature of –0.5 to 0.5°C, the MP rate in the littoral sediments was 0.02–0.3 l/(dm³ day), while the MO rate was 0.06–0.7 l/(dm³ day). The isotopic data obtained indicate that the C_org of the mats and of the upper sediment layers is enriched with the heavy ¹³C isotope by 1–4 as compared to the C_org of the suspension. A striking difference was found between the levels of methane emission by the typical littoral microlandscapes. In fine sediments, the average emission was 675 l CH₄/(m² day); in stormy discharge stretch sediments, it was 1670 l CH₄/(m² day); and under stones and in silted pits, 1370 l CH₄/(m²day). The calculation, performed with consideration of the microlandscape areas with a high production, allowed the CH₄ production of 1 km² of the littoral to be estimated as 192–300 l CH₄/(km² day).     

Characterization of catecholamine uptake2 in isolated cardiac myocytes

Extraneuronal catecholamine uptake was investigated in isolated quiescent rat myocardial cells. By administration of (³H-)(–)noradrenaline concentration of 22 nmol/l up to 1000 mol/l the following data were obtained: (1) The K_M of the uptake process amounted to 260 mol/l, the V_max to 4.24 nmol/(10 min × mg Protein) corresponding to 179 nmol/(min × g_WWt)(WWT = Wet Weight). (2) The uptake was largely inhibited by the uptake₂-inhibitors corticosterone (100 mol/l), isoprenaline (IC so = 30.6 mol/l), and O-methylisoprenaline (IC₅₀ = 2.1 pmol/l), but not by the uptake₁-inhibitors cocaine (100 mol/l) and desipramine (10 mol/l). (3) The affinity-values K_M and IC₅₀ closely agreed with those already known, but the V_max-value was higher than those obtained in whole rat hearts by a factor of at least 1.79. This is caused presumably by the voltage dependence of the uptake mechanism and the resulting inhibition of uptake 2 during the periods of depolarisation in beating hearts of other studies.     

The effect of monoterpenes on astaxanthin production by a mutant ofPhaffia rhodozyma

Summary The total pigment and astaxanthin content ofPhaffia rhodozyma increased with increasing concentrations -pinene up to 500 l -pinene/l. Above this concentration the total pigment and astaxanthin content as well as the biomass production decreased. The addition of 500 l -pinene/l increased the total pigment content from 1652 g/g to 2201 g/g and the astaxanthin content from 1554 g/g to 1883 g/g. A sharp decrease in maximum specific growth rate occurred above 150 l -pinene/l.     

Activatory effect of regucalcin on GTPase activity in rat liver plasma membranes

The effect of regucalcin, a regulatory protein of Ca²⁺ signaling, on guanosine-5-triphosphatase (GTPase) activity in isolated rat liver plasma membranes was investigated. GTPase activity was significantly increased by the addition of Ca²⁺ (25–100 M) in the enzyme reaction mixture. Such an increase was not seen by other metals (Mg, Co, Zn, Cu, Ni, and Mn) with 50 M. The activatory effect of calcium (50 M) was significantly decreased by calmodulin (2.5 and 5 g/ml), indicating that it does not depend on calmodulin. The presence of regucalcin (0.1–0.5 M) in the enzyme reaction mixture caused a significant increase in GTPase activity. This increase was not significantly enhanced by calcium (50 M). GTPase activity was significantly increased by dithiothreitol (DTT; 5 mM), a protecting reagent of thiol (SH)-groups, while it was decreased by N-ethylmaleimide (NEM; 5 mM), a modifying reagent of SH-groups. The effect of calcium or regucalcin in increasing GTPase activity was not seen in the presence of NEM. Also, the activatory effect of calcium or regucalcin on GTPase was not seen in the presence of vanadate, an inhibitor of protein phosphorylation, which could inhibit GTPase activity. Moreover, the effect of regucalcin was not seen in the presence of digitonin (0.01%), a solubilizing reagent of membranous lipids, while the effect of calcium was not inhibited by digitonin. The present study demonstrates that regucalcin has an activatory effect on GTPase activity independently of Ca²⁺ in rat liver plasma membranes.     

Electron microscopic studies on the adenohypophysis of the White-Crowned sparrow,Zonotrichia leucophrys gambelii

Summary The pars distalis of the adenohypophysis of normal (78), thyroideotomized (6), adrenalectomized (6), and castrated (14) White-crowned Sparrows were observed with the electron microscope. Six types of glandular cells were identified and the ultrastructural characteristics of each have been described. To each has been assigned tentatively an endocrine function.STH cells are characterized by the presence of large, dense secretory granules ranging from 220–280 m, a poorly developed endoplasmic reticulum, and a fragmented Golgi apparatus; they occur only in the caudal lobe. They show no remarkable changes after adrenalectomy, castration, and thyroidectomy.Prolactin cells, whose identity is suggested by their responses to photostimulation and surgical experiments, are characterized by large, polymorphic, dense secretory granules; they have been found mainly in the cephalic lobe.ACTH cells, whose function is confirmed by their cytological responses to adrenalectomy, have a peculiar type of secretory granule (220 m) with high and low phases of electron density. They occur exclusively in the cephalic lobe and are transformed, after adrenalectomy to large, vacuolated adrenalectomy cells.TSH cells are so designated by their response to thyroidectomy. After thyroidectomy, they lose their specific fine secretory granules and are transformed into large, vacuolated thyroidectomy cells. We have found TSH cells and thyroidectomy cells only in the cephalic lobe.Two types considered to be gonadotropic cells from their responses to gonadectomy, occur in both the cephalic and caudal lobes. One of them contains spherical, dense secretory granules (180–220 m), prominent rough endoplasmic reticulum and a well developed Golgi apparatus; the other type contains dense secretory granules of variable size (150–350 m), a less extensively developed Golgi apparatus, and sac-like endoplasmic reticulum. Both types of gonadotropic cells show extreme enlargement and vacuolization after castration. However, they retain differences in appearance in the structure of cytoplasmic organelles and vacuolization.Dedicated to Professor Dr. H. Grau in honor of his 70th birthday.The investigation reported herein was supported by a research grant (HE 07240 NEUA) from the National Institutes of Health to Professor Vitums, by a research grant (5R01 NB 06187) from the National Institutes of Health to Professor Farner, and by a scientific research grant (No. 91049) from the Ministry of Education of Japan to Professor Mikami. The authors wish to thank Professor James R. King for his assistance in obtaining and maintaining the birds, and for his helpful advice concerning the experiments.     

Effects of Pb2+, Ni2+, Hg2+ and Se4+ on cultured cells. Analysis of uptake, toxicity and influence on radiosensitivity

Effects of Pb²⁺, Ni²⁺, Hg²⁺ and Se⁴⁺ on cultured human glioma U-343MG cells were investigated considering uptake, toxicity and, in combination with radiation, clonogenic cell survival. The cells were exposed to 0-100 m of the metals for a week before the evaluation. The tests showed a tendency to toxicity with 10 m nickel although not significant (P > 0.05). Selenium, lead and mercury exerted a significant toxicity (P < 0.05) at 2.5 m, 10 m and 1 m, respectively. To challenge the clonogenic cell survival capacity, the cells were irradiated with⁶⁰Co photons after being exposed to the highest nontoxic concentration of the different metals. The clonogenic cell survival tests, after irradiation, showed no significant change if the cells were exposed to 5 m nickel, 0.5 m selenium or 5 m lead compared with those not exposed. Mercury, 0.1 m, gave a relative reduction in survival compared with only irradiated cells of 58 ± 17%. Thus, only mercury affected the radiation-induced damage and/or repair. When exposed to the highest nontoxic concentrations of the different metals, the cultures did not display a significant uptake ratio (metal concentration ratio of exposed cells to control cells) of nickel (3.1 ± 3.3), only a small uptake ratio of selenium (4.0 ± 0.4), while there was a large uptake ratio of both lead (2.6 ± 1.7) x 10² and mercury (1.5 ± 0.2) x 10¹. The results indicated that nickel was neither especially toxic nor influenced the clonogenic cell survival after irradiation. Mercury was more toxic and also influenced the radiation sensitivity. Lead was taken up strongly but did not influence the radiation sensitivity. Selenium accumulated but gave no detectable effect on the radiation sensitivity.     

Multiple shoot-bud formation and plantlet regeneration on Castanea sativa Mill. seeds in culture

Primordial initiation and development of shoot-buds has been accomplished by using shoots derived from chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill) seedlings cultured with added 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP). Germination of chestnut seeds in the presence of BAP (4 – 40 M) stimulated varying numbers of shoot-buds in those areas of the main axis that were favorably altered. When excised single shoots from these treated seeds were subcultured on a fresh medium containing BAP (4 – 40 M) continual shoot production was observed. Bud growth and shoot elongation were stimulated by transferring cultures to a reduced concentration of BAP (2 M) plus indole-3-butyric acid (IBA 0.4 M). Plant regeneration occurred in the presence of IBA (0.8 M) after a preconditioning treatment in which naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA 50 M) and kinetin (k 2 M) were applied to the tissue culture shoots for 7 days in light.     

The quantitative analysis of chromosome pairing and chiasma formation based on the relative frequencies of M I configurations

Whilst reliable estimates of chiasma frequencies can usually not be obtained, the probability (b) of a chromosome arm to be bound by at least one chiasma can often be determined. In the absence of interference this probability equals (1–e ^–2), where 2 is the average chiasma frequency of the chromosome arm and the average crossover frequency or map length. In the presence of interference is shown to retain its genetic meaning as an additive metric that may describe the chromosome arm or other distinctive chromosome segment in terms of genetic recombination. It is a form of potential map length, comparable to, but numerically different from the regular map length. It is termed provisionally crossing-over potential.A chromosome with armsm andn with crossing-over potentials and will form ring bivalents with a frequency (1–e ^–2).(1–e ^–2); open bivalents with a frequency (1–e ^–2).e ^–2+(1–e ^–2).e ^–2; univalent pairs with a frequencye ^–2.e ^–2. Estimates of these frequencies yield equations from which and may be solved. In rye (Secale cereale) their ratio (q) is approximately two and differs from the mitotic arm length ratio of 1.4, indicating localization of chiasmata in the long arms.Graphs are given to show how, with constantq, the relation between the probabilitiesb _m andb _n of the two arms being bound changes with changing averageb.Data are presented on chiasma frequencies in M I, and compared with the frequencies expected in the absence of interference to give an impression of the degree of interference. Apparent fusion of chiasmata simulates interference.     

A combined micro-and semi-micro colorimetric determination of long-chain fatty acids from plant cutin

Summary Re-examination of the colorimetric fatty acid determination with copper nitrate, followed by complex formation with DIECA has shown that the method is not reliable if applied as described by Duncombe (1962, 1963): The Cu concentration is too high, the DIECA concentration much too low and the wavelength chosen (440 m) is suitable only for very low fatty acid concentrations.According to the results reported here the following alterations have to be adopted: The concentration of the copper nitrate solution should be 3%, a 0.5% solution of DIECA in butanol has to be used and measurements should be done at 492 m. The method described here offers the opportunity to determine fatty acid concentrations in the semi-micro range by measuring the filtered chloroform phase directly at 691 m, covering a range between 175 g/ml to 1.2 mg/ml. If the concentration turns out to be lower than 200 g F. A./ml, the same sample can be used for a micro-determination (up to 200 g/ml) at 492 m, after formation of the yellowish-brown complex by addition of 0.1 ml 0.5% butanolic DIECA solution to 1.0 ml of the chloroform phase.The method has been applied to determine the amount of free F. A. in cutin layers and cutin powder, revealing that the latter contains 5.6 times more free F. A. than the intact material. The free F. A. within the polymer seem to serve as interconnections for the main units of the cutin polylipid.     

Quantitative Veränderungen des Abscisinsäuregehaltes während der Fruchtentwicklung von Solanum lycopersicum L.

Summary The presence of abscisic acid (ABA) in methanol extracts from tomato fruits was determined by thinlayer chromatography, UV absorption, optical rotatory dispersion (ORD) and biological activity in different bioassays. In two growth periods (1968 and 1969), quantitative changes of the ABA content in growing fruits of the variety Moneymaker were measured by Milborrow's racemate dilution technique. The absolute content of ABA (g/l fruit) was increased during fruit development, reached a maximum, and then decreased in ripening fruits. The ABA concentration (g/kg) was also highest in unripe fruits and decreased during ripening. Similar results were obtained with the same variety and with the variety Haubners Vollendung by means of ORD and UV measurement only, without application of Milborrow's technique.     

Determination of copper, manganese and zinc in human liver

Autopsied liver tissue samples collected from 42 males and 31 females were analyzed for copper, manganese and zinc using atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). With the exception of two liver samples for which the copper levels were determined to be 74.8 and 104.0 g/g (dry weight), hepatic copper concentrations were found to range from 1.7 to 32.4 g/g with a mean concentration of 14.2 g/g and standard deviation of 7.0 g/g. Manganese concentrations (with the exception of one sample having 12.9 g/g) ranged from 0.22 to 4.6 g/g with a mean of 2.26 ± 1.00 g/g. Hepatic zinc levels averaged 118.3 ± 44.4 g/g and ranged from 38.5 to 231.3 g/g. There were no apparent trends for the levels of any metals versus age nor were there any differences in average hepatic metal concentrations for males and females. © Rapid Science 1998.