A framework for classifying subsistence production types of Nepal

This paper defines a four-tiered, hierarchical system for classifying subsistence production types in Nepal and uses the system to describe the subsistence communities of central Nepal. The system first divides Nepal into a grid of homogenous parts or cells, second, it divides, the cells into ridge-valley slope sequences, third, defines production types for the ridge-valley slope sequences, and, finally, distinguishes local variants of the production types. After describing these tiers, I apply these categories to the northern portions of the central and western development regions where I have done research. I then define how representatives of Nepal as a whole are the production types defined for the central and western development regions. Finally, the paper locates some completed studies within its framework.     

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.     

Large scale preparation of PA-oligosaccharides from glycoproteins using an improved extraction method

We have developed a new method for the large scale preparation of pyridylaminated (PA-) oligosaccharides from glycoproteins. Phenol/chloroform extration was adapted for the removal of protein and excess 2-aminopyridine, improving the efficiency of preparation. From a 2.5 g sample of human apo-transferrin, 25–30 mol of agalacto biantennary PA-oligosaccharide could be obtained. By increasing the concentration of PA-oligosaccharide substrate, we were able to detect a very low level ofN-acetylglucosaminlytransferase IV activity in CHO cell extracts.Abbreviations PA 2-aminopyridine - SDS sodium dodecyl sulfate - GlcNAc N-acetylglucosamine - GnT N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase - Gn,Gn-bi-PA GlcNAc1-2Man1-3(GlcNAc1-2Man1-6)Man1-4GlcNAc1-4GlcNAc-2-aminopyridine - Gn,Gn,Gn-tri-PA GlcNAc1-2(GlcNAc1-4)Man1-3(GlcNAc1-2Man1-6)Man1-4GlcNAc1-4GlcNAc-2-aminopyridine - Gn,Gn,Gn-trí-PA GlcNAc1-2Man1-3({GlcNAc1-2(GlcNAc1-6)Man1-6})Man1-4GlcNac1-4GlcNAc-2-aminopyridine - Gn,(Gn),Gn-bi-PA GlcNAc1-2Man1-3(GlcNAc1-4)(GlcNAc1-2Man1-6)Man1-4GlcNAc1-4GlcNAc-2-aminopyridine     

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.     

Tumor cytotoxicity of human monocyte membrane-bound interleukin-1α induced by synergistic actions of interferon-γ and synthetic acyltripeptide,FK-565

Summary Human blood monocytes were isolated by counter-flow centrifugal elutriation from healthy donors and these noncytotoxic monocytes were rendered tumoricidal to allogeneic melanoma (A375) cells by activation with a synthetic acyltripeptide (FK-565), as assessed by measuring release of [¹²⁵I]iododeoxyuridine in 72 h. When monocytes were treated with FK-565 for 16 h, and then fixed with paraformaldehyde, they showed cytotoxicity to A375 melanoma cells. The fixed-monocyte-mediated cytotoxicity to A375 cells was induced by the synergistic actions of FK-565 and recombinant interferon- (rIFN-), but not other cytokines [rIFN-A, rIFN-, tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin (IL)-2, -3 and -6]. For synergistic activation of monocytes with induction of a membrane-associated antitumor monokine, the monocytes had to be incubated first with rIFN- and then with FK-565. FK-565 also acted synergistically with rIFN- to stimulate monocytes to produce membrane-associated IL-1 activity, which induced C3H/HeJ thymocyte blastogenesis in response to phytohemagglutinin P. The tumoricidal and thymocytestimulating activities of the fixed monocytes were almost completely inhibited by a specific anti-(IL-1) antiserum, but not by a specific anti-(IL-1) antiserum or monoclonal anti-TNF antibody. These results suggest that membrane-associated IL-1 of human blood monocytes can be induced by two activation signals (rIFN- then FK-565) at their suboptimal concentrations.Abbreviations IL interleukin - IFN interferon - TNF tumor necrosis factor     

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 polypeptide structure and assembly of Ly-2/3 heterodimers

Mild reduction of mature, thymic Ly-2/3 heterodimers of M _r 67 000 resulted in dissociation into three individual polypeptide chains, , , and , of respective M _r values 38000, 35000, and 30000. The and chains were both immunoprecipitated by a monoclonal antibody directed to the Ly-2.1 epitope whereas the Ly-3.1 antibody bound only the chain. The possibility that the and chains of each heterodimer established their interchain links within a labile precursor protein in which a and segments were fused was considered but discounted by the finding that in mice heterozygous for both Ly-2 and Ly-3 loci, the Ly-2 product of one chromosome was not exclusively joined to Ly-3 structures coded by the same chromosome. By utilizing ionic detergents which selectively alter the charge of intrinsic membrane proteins, both Ly-2 and Ly-3 polypeptides were shown to have membrane insertion sites. It is suggested that as a consequence of their likely synthesis on membrane-bound polysomes, newly synthesized Ly-2 and Ly-3 structures accumulate within the same subcellular compartment — the membranes of the rough endoplasmic reticulum. Their elevated concentration within this space may facilitate a low affinity binding interaction between Ly-2 and Ly-3 which is later stabilized by interchain disulfide bond formation.Abbreviations used in this paper BSA bovine serum albumin - DOC sodium deoxycholate - DTT dithiothreitol - HA hemagglutinin - HTAB hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide - RER rough endoplasmic reticulum - SDS-PAGE sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis - TX100 Triton X-100     

Histochemical investigations on the human fetal subcommissural organ

Summary A histochemical and ultrastructural study was carried out on subcommissura organs from 42 human embryos and fetuses in order to characterize some large granulesTypical granules make their appearance in the rostral hypendymal region of the subcommissural organ (SCO) in fetuses of about 50 mm CRL. Although they appear in other SCO-regions later, the highest number of granules is always located towards the pineal gland.Typical granules are of spherical shape with a diameter of about 2 microns. The various histochemical reactions reveal a reactivity which differentiates the shell of the granules from the granule interior. Nucleoproteins are present in the shell together with phospholipids and/or lipoproteins. The interior of the granules can contain different materials such as glycogen or lipid or neurosecretory substance. Ultrastructural observations show that a granule consists of whorls of endoplasmic reticulum sparsely studded with ribosomes surrounding an interior containing either lipid or lipoprotein inclusions, large amounts of glycogen or simply cytoplasm.It is suggested that the concentric lamellar organelle (CLO) is a morphological entity that might be involved in secretory processes rather than being the secretory granules themselves.This work was supported by a grant from Statens almindelige Videnskabsfond, Copenhagen.     

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.     

Colorectal cancer diagnosis by a direct leukocyte migration test using a panel of tumour extracts

Summary In a direct leukocyte migration test, peripheral blood leukocytes were pulsed with a high dose (2.5 and 0.5 mg/ml) of 3 M KCl extracts from 5 different colorectal tumours as well as with one 3 M KCl extract of normal colonic mucosa. Patients showing a pathological migration index (0.80 and 1.17), with 3 or more out of 5 tumour extracts, were considered as positives.With this test mode 93% (55/59) of patients with colorectal carcinomas were reactive, irrespective of the tumour stage, while only 7% (2/27) of patients with non-malignant colorectal diseases showed a positive reaction. Patients with malignant and non-malignant diseases of other organs were reactive in 2–3% of cases. No positive reactivity was observed with leukocytes from 37 healthy volunteers. Pulsing leukocytes with the normal colonic mucosal extract, a pathological migration index was found in about 20% of colorectal cancer patients, but not in healthy volunteers.Evaluating 10 single tumour extracts individually, reactivity of cancer patients' leukocytes ranged from 65–89% of tests, the difference being not statistically significant. Leukocytes from healthy volunteers showed a pathological migration index with the different extracts in 0–6% of tests.With the leukocyte migration test we could not differentiate between tumours of the colon, sigma or rectum. Patients bearing tumours in any part of the large bowel showed pathological leukocyte migration with extracts of colon-, sigma- and rectum tumours. When the cross-reactivity study was extended to tumours of the gastrointestinal tract, it was found that patients with colorectal tumours were reactive, in a high percentage of tests, with extracts of gastric tumours, but gastric as well as oesophageal and pancreatic cancer patients' leukocytes only reacted occasionally with colorectal tumour extracts.In the follow-up study, a positive reactivity was still found 10–14 days after surgery in 27/31 patients. After more than 2 months, the frequency of positive reactivity decreased to 10/70 cases. Patients with local recurrence or metastases exhibited positive reactivity in 6/7 cases.Abbreviations LMT leukocyte migration test - LM leukocyte migration - LMI leukocyte migration inhibition - LME leukocyte migration enhancement - MI migration index     

Die bursa- und schwanzstrukturen und ihre aberrationen bei den strongylina (Nematoda) morphologische studien zum problem der pluri-und paripotenzerscheinungen

Zusammenfassung In der Einleitung ist das Ziel der Arbeit in den wesentlichsten Punkten herausgestellt.Die Bursastrukturen (Bursavelum und Rippen bzw. Papillen) der parasitischen Strongylina lassen sich von den entsprechenden Bildungen der freilebenden Rhabditina, vor allem der Gattung Rhabditis, ableiten und in ihren Einzelgliedern homologisieren.Die im Laufe der Phylogenie bei den Strongylina auftretenden strukturellen Transformationen lassen sich auf einige wenige, relativ einfache morphogenetische Grundvorgänge zurückführen, die da sind: Wachstumsallometrien, Materialkompensationen, Organverschmelzungen und Spaltungen (Fissationen), Rudimentationen und ähnliche Vorgänge.Innerhalb der Strongylina Bursa ist ein Gefälle der Wachstumsgradienten feststellbar, das sich vom Zentrum der Bursa sowohl nach distal als auch proximalwärts abschwdcht. Zunehmende Förderung der zentral gelegenen Organe (Rippen) führt zu entsprechender Reduktion der peripheren Bursastrukturen, was vor allem im terminalen Schwanzabschnitt auffällt und zur Ausbildung des oft nur noch als Rudiment vorhandenen Dorsalrippenkomplexes führt. Letzterer entspricht in seiner Gesamtheit der Schwanzspitze der peloderen Rhabditiden mit den Papillen 9 und 10.Die bei Rhabditis moist getrennten Papillen 7 und 8 sind bei allen Strongylina zu einer Rippe (Externodorsal-Rippe) verschmolzen, die jedoch in manchen Aberrationen durch Abspaltung eines akzessorischen Astes ihre wahre Natur (als Verschmelzungsprodukt) zu erkennen gibt (Atavismus).Da dieselben Transformationsvorgänge innerhalb der Strongylina mehrfach unabhängig voneinander wirksam geworden sind, treten bestimmte Strukturformen als Parallelbildungen in verschiedenen phylogenetischen Union auf (polytope Entstehung).Zahlreich untersuchte Bildungsabweichungen (Aberrationen), deren Bedeutung für die Morphologie kurz umrissen wird, erschöpfen sich in den gleichen strukturellen Transformationstypen, die auch bei der Evolution der verschiedenen Union der Strongylina nachweisbar sind. Die Aberrationen führen daher häufig zu Atavismen oder zu Parallelvariationen (homologe Variationen").Die Zahl der Umwandlungsmbglichkeiten (Potenzen) der Bursastrukturen innerhalb der Strongylina ist beschränkt (Paripotenz im Sinne Haeckers). Bestimmte Arten (und Entwicklungshnien) haben jeweils nur bestimmte Potenzen realisiert. Andere können jedoch latent (virtuell) im Kryptotypus vorhanden sein, ohne normalerweise in Erscheinung. zu treten. In bestimmten Aberrationen können sie jedoch plötzlich realisiert werden, so ihr latentes Vorhandensein demonstrierend (Pluripotenz).Wie lange bestimmte Potenzen in einer Gruppe erhalten bleiben konnen, verdeutlichen auch die Schwanzhocker weiblicher Nematoden, als zum Bauplan der Nematoden gehbrende Bildungen. Die Potenz zur Ausbildung dieser Strukturen kommt offensichtlich sehr vielen Nematoden-Arten zu, wird jedoch nur in relativ wenigen Fällen, aber innerhalb der verschiedenen Gruppen bald hier, bald dort (disjunkte Verbreitung), realisiert. Es handelt sich bei den Schwanzhöckern um rudimentäre Organe, die bei keiner Nematoden-Art mehr voll ausgebildet erhalten sind. Ihre Rudimentation beruht zum Teil auf Materialentzug, als Folge von Unkonstruktionen der Schwanzregion, wobei die Adultstadien zuerst betroffen werden (Aphanisie nach Sewertzoff).Bei den in Chiropteren parasitierenden Strongylacanthinae haben sich Schwanzhöcker noch bei allen Arten erhalten, was ein offensichtlich archaisches Merkmal darstellt. Bei anderen Nematoden, denen sie nur im Larvalstadium zukommen, treten sie wohl durch Fötalisation in seltenen Fällen auch bei den adulten Stadien wieder auf.Alle speziellen Bursaformen der Strongylina lassen sich durch relativ wenige und einfache Transformationsvorgänge aus einem durch Abstraktion gewonnenen diagrammatischen Typus ableiten (Prinzip der variablen Proportionen" nach Troll).Die typisierten Umwandlungsvorgänge decken sich weitgehend mit den von Remane allgemein gefaßten strukturellen Typen der Realmutationen. Da sie bei den beobachteten Aberrationen, deren Entstehung auf dem Wege über Realmutationen sehr wahrscheinlich ist, in homologer Weise auftreten, kann das innerhalb der Strongylina zu beobachtende Evolutionsphänomen auf Realmutationen zurückgeführt warden.Obwohl sich die untersuchten strukturellen Transformationen in dem systematisch relativ wait gefaßten Rahmen einer Unterordnung abspielen (transspezifische Evolution nach Rensch), handelt es sich bei der von uns bevorzugten Terminologie (nach Woltereck und Remane), unter Berücksichtigung des Charakters der Umwandlungen, doch nur um Vorgänge, die in den Bereich der Mikroevolution fallen.     

Linear differentiation of cereal chromosomes

Summary The BSG test was used in a comparative study of the linear chromosome differentiation and the idiograms of T. Macha ssp. tubalicum v. letschchumicum Dek. et Men., T. georgicum Dek., T. timopheevi. Zhuk., T. carthlicum Nevski, T. dicoccum Schrank, v. rufum, T. durum Desf. v. Arnautka were compiled.The karyotype of each polyploid wheat species consists of two groups of chromosomes. The first is formed by ten pairs of constant chromosomes occurring almost in all species and the second by all the rest of the variable chromosomes that are either fully specific for the species in question or occur only in a few species. T. timopheevi largely differs from other species of polyploid wheats in the high level and specific localization of structural heterochromatin on chromosomes. The rols of introgression in wheat evolution and the necessity of establishing a General Cytological Nomenclature of Cereal Chromosomes are discussed.     

Constant-time NOESY: An aid in the analysis of protein NMR spectra

Summary A constant-time version of the homonuclear NOESY experiment (CT-NOESY) is described. The experiment yields simplified protein spectra, in which cross peaks arising from protons with zero or small couplings are differentiated from other cross peaks, thus partially overcoming the problem of signal overlap. In addition, the CT-NOESY spectrum provides information on the magnitude of³J_NH- and³J coupling' constants, and is thus useful to determine torsion angle constraints and to perform stereospecific assignments of CHH protons in the case of³J constants.     

Mode of uptake of sterol by Arthrobacter simplex

The mechanism of uptake of water-insoluble -sitosterol by a newly isolated strain of Arthrobacter simplex SS-7 was studied. The production of an extracellular sterol-pseudosolubilizing protein during growth of A. simplex on -sitosterol was demonstrated by isolating the factor from the cell-free supernatant and its subsequent purification by Sephadex G-150 column chromatography. The M _r of the purified sterol-pseudosolubilizing protein determined by SDS–PAGE was 19kDa. The rate of sterol pseudosolubilization (5.2×10^–3g l^–1h^–1) could not adequately account for the rate of sterol uptake (72×10^–3g l^–1h^–1) and the specific growth rate (56×10^–3 h^–1). However in the unfavourable growth condition, when the cells were treated with sodium azide at the level of 30–60% of MIC, the sterol pseudosolubilization accounted for nearly 74% of the total growth containing 96% free cells. Cellular adherence to substrate particles was found to play an active role in the normal growth of the strain on -sitosterol. Unlike sodium acetate-grown cells, whose surface activity was negligible (60mNm^–1), the sterol-grown cells had strong surface activity (40mNm^–1). The high lipid content and long chain fatty acids in the cell-wall of -sitosterol-grown cells probably contribute to the high sterol adherence activity of the cells.     

DNA sequence patterns in human,mouse, and rabbit immunoglobulin kappa-genes

Summary DNA sequences of the human, mouse, and rabbit immunoglobulin kappa-gene (J-C regions) are compared with respect to various DNA patterns, including dyad symmetry pairings, runs of nucleotides, repeat clusters, and repeats that occur with unusually high frequency. The significant dyad symmetry pairings within each of the sequences emphasize the two control-enhancer elements of the J₅-C intron. Dyad symmetry pairs between the J-C region and a number of kappa variable (V)-gene domains suggest differences in the affinities between the V and J segments. It is the consensus heptamer rather than the consensus nonamer that embodies the longest V-J dyad symmetry combinations. In the rabbit there are long runs and repeat clusters of the sequences that identify regions of high duplication; these regions are absent in the human and mouse sequences. High-frequency oligonucleotides feature the consensus nonamer 5 to the J segments, especially in the mouse sequence.     

Does “ring syndrome” exist? An analysis of 207 case reports on patients with a ring autosome

Summary Analysis of 207 case reports on patients with ring autosome showed that: (1) Forty patients, a fifth of the total, had extreme growth failure together with an otherwise almost-normal appearance, viz. no major malformation, no specific deletion syndrome, no or only a few unspecific minor anomalies. This phenotype may be regarded as the ring syndrome, a term proposed by Cote et al. (1981) since it is independent of what chromosome is involved. (2) Severe growth failure, the sole major physical abnormality in the ring syndrome, was seen significantly more often among patients with ring of larger chromosomes than among patients with a smaller ring, indicating that the greater the chromosome involved in ring formation, the higher is the probability of severe growth failure. (3) Larger ring chromosomes showed significantly more often instability than smaller rings, suggesting that there may be a correlation between ring instability and the size of the chromosome involved. (4) Growth failure was present in significantly more patients with a labile ring than with a stable ring, indicating that a correlation may exist between ring instability and growth failure. It is suggested that the ring syndrome observed in many cases with ring autosome may result from end-to-end fusion of chromosome ends, an event not involving deletion in the genetic sense. It is also suggested that the ring syndrome is caused by a continuous generation of secondary aneuploid cells with increased mortality, i.e. structural ring instability which seems to be a function of the size of the chromosome involved. Thus, formation of a ring chromosome in certain cases might be regarded as a structural mutation, i.e. an alteration in the structure of the genetic material per se, rather than a loss or gain of genetic dosages.     

An elongated segment of DNA observed between two human α globin genes

Summary Detailed restriction enzyme analysis of the DNA from a Chinese female showed that one of her chromosomes had a >17.5 kb deletion of DNA, including the , 2, and 1 globin genes, which is present in many Southeast Asians with an -thalassemia-1 chromosome. Her normal chromosome had the expected cluster of -like globin genes (5----2-1-3), but the segment of DNA between the two globin genes was elongated by some 0.5–0.7 kb. Analyses of various restriction sites suggested that this normal variant of the human globin gene complex is due to a crossover between a normal chromosome with () and a chromosome with an -thalassemia-2 (–^3.7) and an -21-hybrid gene.     

Metal Cations Defibrillize the Amyloid Beta-Protein Fibrils

Amyloid beta-protein (A) is the major constituent of amyloid fibrils composing -amyloid plaques and cerebrovascular amyloid in Alzheimer's disease (AD). We studied the effect of metal cations on preformed fibrils of synthetic A by Thioflavin T (ThT) fluorescence spectroscopy and electronmicroscopy (EM) in negative staining. The amount of cross beta-pleated sheet structure of A 1–40 fibrils was found to decrease by metal cations in a concentration-dependent manner as measured by ThT fluorescence spectroscopy. The order of defibrillization of A 1–40 fibrils by metal cations was: Ca²⁺ and Zn²⁺ (IC₅₀ = 100 M) > Mg²⁺ (IC₅₀ = 300 M) > Al³⁺ (IC₅₀ =1.1 mM). EM analysis in negative staining showed that A 1–40 fibrils in the absence of cations were organized in a fine network with a little or no amorphous material. The addition of Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, and Zn²⁺ to preformed A 1–40 fibrils defibrillized the fibrils or converted them into short rods or to amorphous material. Al³⁺ was less effective, and reduced the fibril network by about 80 % of that in the absence of any metal cation. Studies with A 1–42 showed that this peptide forms more dense network of fibrils as compared to A 1–40. Both ThT fluorescence spectroscopy and EM showed that similar to A 1–40, A 1–42 fibrils are also defibrillized in the presence of millimolar concentrations of Ca²⁺. These studies suggest that metal cations can defibrillize the fibrils of synthetic A.     

In vitro organogenesis of elephant apple (Feronia limonia)

Elephant apple (Feronia limonia L.). was micropropagated on MS medium containing 4.4 M benzyladenine and 4.6 M kinetin using cotyledon explants taken from in vitro-grown seedlings. Adventitious buds formed on the cotyledon developed into shoots that were rooted in half-strength MS medium containing 0.57 M indoleacetic acid and 0.49 M indolebutyric acid. Plants were successfully established in soil.Abbreviations BA 6-benzyladenine - IAA 3-indoleacetic acid - IBA 3-indolebutyric acid - MS Murashige & Skoog