Production and properties of ∝-mannosidase from aspergillus sp.

Summary Aspergillus sp NCIM 508 produced 22 U/L of extracellular -mannosidase activity in a medium containing 8 % brewer's yeast cells. The optimum period and pH range for maximum production of the enzyme were 7 days and 4.0–6.0, respectively. The optimum pH and temperature for enzyme activity were 6.0 and 50°C, respectively. The enzyme was stable for 24 h at 28°C, in the pH range 6.0–7.0. The enzyme retained 100 and 65 % of its original activity after heating for 15 min at 45 and 55°C, respectively. The Km and V_max for p-nitrophenyl--D- mannoside (PNPM) were 71M and 7.5 × 10^–2 moles/min/mg, respectively. The enzyme was strongly inhibited by 1 mM Hg⁺⁺ and Cu⁺⁺ and partially by Co.⁺⁺ (NCL Communication No.; 5780)     

Transients in toad skin: Short circuit current and ionic fluxes related to inner sodium substitution by monovalent cations

Summary When the Na electrochemical potential difference across the skin (_Na) is altered by perturbing the transmembrane electrical potential difference or the external Na concentration, effects on transport and associated oxygen consumption can be described by the formalism of linear nonequilibrium thermodynamics (Vieira, Caplan & Essig, 1972,J. Gen. Physiol. 59:77; Danisi & Lacaz-Vieira, 1974,J. Gen. Physiol. 64:372; Procópio and Lacaz-Vieira, 1977,J. Membrane Biol. 35:219). We now show that with modifications of _Na by substitution of Li or choline for Na in the inner bathing solution, this formalism is no longer applicable. Inner Na by K substitution ((Na×K) _i ) causes profound alterations in short-circuit current (SCC),J _Na ⁱⁿ , K efflux (J _K ^eff ) and PD. SCC drops transiently after (Na×K) _i in Cl and in SO₄ media, increasing subsequently. In Cl medium, following the initial transient, there is a late decline in SCC toward a steady state. The rate of SCC decline in Cl medium is more pronounced than that observed in SO₄ medium. (Na×K) _i causes a transient increase inJ _Na ⁱⁿ with a peak synchronous to the minimum in SCC, both in Cl and in SO₄ media. This was interpreted as due to depolarization of the inner membrane. In SO₄ medium, following the peak observed after (Na×K) _i J _Na ⁱⁿ drops, to increase again toward a steady state in which SCC andJ _Na ⁱⁿ are not statistically different, resembling the control condition before (Na×K) _i . In Cl medium, however, theJ _Na ⁱⁿ steady state is approximately 100% higher than SCC. This difference is due to an important K efflux (J _K ^eff ), which builds up progressively after the substitution. The apparent K permeability [J _K ^eff /(K _i )] is of comparable magnitude in Cl and in SO₄ media before (Na×K) _i , the apparent K permeability increases one order of magnitude as compared to the control condition before the ionic substitution. In Cl medium, the high levels ofJ _Na ⁱⁿ and ofJ _K ^eff observed in the steady state after (Na×K) _i were interpreted as being a consequence of cell swelling. SCC and PD follow very different temporal patterns after (Na×K) _i which are characterized by transients in SCC and a simple fall in PD. Reasons for these differences are discussed.     

Functional similarities of AeEα Ia molecules as determined by analysis with T-cell clones

Recognition of A_eE Ia antigens at the functional level was investigated using T-cell clones. The reactivities of an alloreactive and an antigen-reactive clone, both of which recognized A_eE Ia molecules, were compared on a panel of stimulator/antigen-presenting cells of various genotypes. The two clones recognized all tested A _e ^b E ^x Ia molecules, where x is a haplotype capable of expressing an Ia.7-bearing E polypeptide. Ia antigen recognition by either clone could be inhibited by the monoclonal antibody Y-17, which recognizes a combinatorial serologic determinant on certain A_eE molecules. There were no differences in the recognition of Ia by the alloreactive versus the antigen-reactive clone, suggesting that Ia antigens are recognized by the two clones in a fundamentally similar way. The recognition of these various Ia molecules by the two cloned T-cell lines provides evidence that the E polypeptides from H-2 haplotypes k, d, r, and u are functionally indistinguishable.Abreviations MHC major histocompatibility complex - Mb myoglobin - MLR mixed leukocyte reaction - PBS phosphate buffered saline - APC antigen presenting cell - KLH keyhole limpet hemocyanin - GAT poly (glut⁶⁰ alai³⁰ tyr¹⁰)n - (TG)-A—L poly (L-tyr, L-glu)-poly (D, L-ala)—poly L-lys - GLPhe poly (glu⁵⁵ lys³⁶ phe⁹)n     

Pathways for Electron Tunneling in Cytochrome c Oxidase

Warburg showed in 1929 that the photochemical action spectrum for CO dissociation from cytochrome c oxidase is that of a heme protein. Keilin had shown that cytochrome a does not react with oxygen, so he did not accept Warburg's view until 1939, when he discovered cytochrome a ₃. The dinuclear cytochrome a ₃-Cu_B unit was found by EPR in 1967, whereas the dinuclear nature of the Cu_A site was not universally accepted until oxidase crystal structures were published in 1995. There are negative redox interactions between cytochrome a and the other redox sites in the oxidase, so that the reduction potential of a particular site depends on the redox states of the other sites. Calculated electron-tunneling pathways for internal electron transfer in the oxidase indicate that the coupling-limited rates are 9×10⁵ (Cu _A a) and 7×10⁶ s^–1 (a a ₃); these calculations are in reasonable agreement with experimental rates, after corrections are made for driving force and reorganization energy. The best Cu_A-a pathway starts from the ligand His204 and not from the bridging sulfur of Cys196, and an efficient a-a ₃ path involves the heme ligands His378 and His376 as well as the intervening Phe377 residue. All direct paths from Cu_A to a ₃ are poor, indicating that direct Cu_A a ₃ electron transfer is much slower than the Cu_A a reaction. The pathways model suggests a means for gating the electron flow in redox-linked proton pumps.     

Photoinhibition of photosynthesis in intact kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa) leaves: Changes in susceptibility to photoinhibition and recovery during the growth season

Kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa (A. Chev.) C.F. Liang et A.R. Ferguson) plants grown in an outdoor enclosure were exposed to the natural conditions of temperature and photon flux density (PFD) over the growing season (October to May). Temperatures ranged from 14 to 21° C while the mean monthly maximum PFD varied from 1000 to 1700 mol · m^–2 · s^–1, although the peak PFDs exceeded 2100 mol · m^–2 · s^–1. At intervals, the daily variation in chlorophyll fluorescence at 692 nm and 77K and the photon yield of O₂ evolution in attached leaves was monitored. Similarly, the susceptibility of intact leaves to a standard photoinhibitory treatment of 20° C and a PFD of 2000 mol · m^–2 · s^–1 and the ability to recover at 25° C and 20 mol · m^–2 · s^–2 was followed through the season. On a few occasions, plants were transferred either to or from a shade enclosure to assess the suceptibility to natural photoinhibition and the capacity for recovery. There were minor though significant changes in early-morning fluorescence emission and photon yield throughout the growing season. The initial fluorescence, F_o, and the maximum fluorescence, F_m, were, however, significantly and persistently different from that in shade-grown kiwifruit leaves, indicative of chronic photoinhibition occurring in the sun leaves. In spring and autumn, kiwifruit leaves were photoinhibited through the day whereas in summer, when the PFDs were highest, no photoinhibition occurred. However, there was apparently no non-radiative energy dissipation occurring then also, indicating that the kiwifruit leaves appeared to fully utilize the available excitation energy. Nevertheless, the propensity for kiwifruit leaves to be susceptible to photoinhibition remained high throughout the season. The cause of a discrepancy between the severe photoinhibition under controlled conditions and the lack of photoinhibition under comparable, natural conditions remains uncertain. Recovery from photoinhibition, by contrast, varied over the season and was maximal in summer and declined markedly in autumn. Transfer of shade-grown plants to full sun had a catastrophic effect on the fluorescence characteristics of the leaf and photon yield. Within 3 d the variable fluorescence, F_v, and the photon yield were reduced by 80 and 40%, respectively, and this effect persisted for at least 20 d. The restoration of fluorescence characteristics on transfer of sun leaves to shade, however, was very slow and not complete within 15 d.Abbreviations and Symbols F_o, F_m, F_v initial, maximum, variable fluorescence - F_i F_v at t = 0 - F F_v at t = - PFD photon flux density - PSII photosystem II - leaf absorptance ratio - (_a photon yield of O₂ evolution (absorbed basis) - _{i a} at t = 0 - _a at t = We thank Miss Linda Muir and Amanda Yeates for their technical assistance in this study.     

Strongly exciton-coupled BChle chromophore system in the chlorosomal antenna of intact cells of the green bacteriumChlorobium phaeovibrioides: A spectral hole burning study

Spectral hole burning studies of intact cells of the green bacteriumChlorobium phaeovibrioides have proven that the Q_y-absorption system of antenna bacteriochlorophylle (BChle) should be interpreted in terms of the delocalized exciton level structure of an aggregate. For the first time the 0-0 band of the lowest exciton state of BChle aggregates has been directly detected as the lowest energy inhomogeneously broadened band (FWHM 100 cm^–1; position of maximum, at 739 nm) of the near-infrared BChle band in the 1.8 K excitation spectrum (FWHM=750 cm^–1; position of maximum, at 715 nm). The comparative analysis of the hole spectra, measured for the three species of BChlc- ande-containing green bacteria, has shown that the 0-0 transition bands of the lowest exciton state of BChlc ande aggregates display fundamentally similar spectral features: (1) the magnitude of inhomogeneous broadening of these bands is about 100 cm^–1; (2) at the wavelength of the maximum of each band, the amplitude of the preburnt excitation spectrum makes up 20% of the maximum amplitude of the spectrum; (3) the spectral position of each band coincides with the spectral position of the longest wavelength band of the circular dichroism spectrum; (4) the width of these bands is 2.3-times less than that of monomeric BChl in vitro.     

Effect of dichlorophenolindophenol, dichlorophenolindophenol-sulfonate, and cytochromec on redox capacity and simultaneous net H+/K+ fluxes in aeroponically grown seedling roots of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.): New evidence for a plasma membrane CN−-resistant redox chain

Summary Excised roots from axenically grown sunflower seedlings reduced or oxidized exogenously added 2,6-dichlorophenolindophenol (DCIP), DCIP-sulfonate (DCIP-S), and cytochromec, and affected simultaneous H⁺/K⁺ net fluxes. Experiments were performed with nonpretreated living and CN^–-pretreated poisoned roots (control and CN^–-roots). CN^–-roots showed no H⁺/K⁺ net flux activity but still affected the redox state of the compounds tested. The hydrophobic electron acceptor DCIP decreased the rate of H⁺ efflux in control roots with extension of the maximum rate and optimal pH ranges, then the total net H⁺ efflux (H⁺) equalled that of the roots without DCIP. The simultaneously measured K⁺ influx rate was first inhibited, then inverted into efflux, and finally influx recovered to low rates. This effect could not be due to uptake of the negatively charged DCIP, but due to the lower H⁺ efflux and the transmembrane electron efflux caused by DCIP, which would depolarize the membrane and open outward K⁺ channels. The different H⁺ efflux kinetics characteristics, together with the small but significant DCIP reduction by CN^–-roots were taken as evidence that an alternative CN^–-resistant redox chain in the plasma membrane was involved in DCIP reduction. The hydrophilic electron acceptor DCIP-S enhanced both H⁺ and K⁺ flux rates by control roots. DCIP-S was not reduced, but slightly oxidized by control roots, after a lag, while CN^–-roots did not significantly oxidize or reduce DCIP-S. Perhaps the hydrophobic DCIP could have access to and drain electrons from an intermediate carrier deep inside the membrane, to which the hydrophilic DCIP-S could not penetrate. Also cytochromec enhanced H⁺ and K⁺, consistent with the involvement of the CN^–-resistant redox chain. Control roots did not reduce but oxidize cytochromec after a 15 min lag, and CN^–-roots doubled the rate of cytochromec oxidation without any lag. NADH in the medium spontaneously reduced cytochromec, but control or CN^–-roots oxidized cytochromec, despite of the presence of NADH. In this case CN^–-roots were less efficient, while control roots doubled the rate of cytochromec oxidation by CN^–-roots, after a 10 min lag in which cytochromec was reduced at the same rate as the medium plus NADH did. CN^–-roots seemed to have a fully activated CN^–-resistant branch. The described effects on K⁺ flux were consistent with the current hypothesis that redox compounds changed the electric membrane potential (de- or hyperpolarization), which induces the opening of voltage-gated in- or outward K⁺ channels.Abbreviations Cyt c cytochromec - DCIP 2,6-dichlorophenolindophenol - DCIP-S 2,6-dichlorophenolindophenol 3-sulfonate - HCF(III) hexacyanoferrate (III) - PM plasma membrane - SHAM salicylhydroxamic acid - VH⁺ and VK⁺ H⁺ efflux and K⁺ influx rates - H⁺ and K⁺ total H⁺ efflux and K⁺ influx at the end of the experiment - H⁺ and K⁺ buffering power of the titrated medium     

Chloride transport across the integumentary epithelium ofManduca sexta (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae)

Summary Moulting fluid ofManduca sexta contains high concentrations of potassium and bicarbonate (100 mM) and low concentrations of chloride (5 mM). This fluid begins to disappear from the exuvial space approximately 9–10 h before the actual shedding of the integument. During this time, the integument can be isolated in an Ussing cell and electrical properties measured in vitro. In a normal 32 mM KHCO₃ saline, potential difference (PD) is around 10 mV, exuvial side positive, and short-circuit current (SCC) is 15–20 A cm^–2. Substitution of chloride slightly reduces both PD and SCC, although resistance does not change significantly. Measurement of chloride transport in the absence of K⁺ indicates that 100% of the SCC can be accounted for by the net chloride flux (2 A cm^–2). TheK _m andJ _max for transepithelial chloride transport are 14 mM and 0.1 Eq cm^–2 h^–1. Bilateral potassium addition stimulates chloride transport, doubling net chloride flux as potassium concentration increases from 2 to 5 mM. Chloride net flux is not inhibited by the presence of furosemide (1 mM), nor in HCO ₃ ^– -free saline by thiocyanate (1 or 10 mM) or acetazolamide (0.1 mM), but is inhibited by 100% N₂. The pattern of chloride transport inM. sexta is similar to that previously reported for the rectum of locusts. As chloride is normally at low concentrations in the moulting fluid, it is suggested that this transport system acts to maintain low intracellular concentrations which may be necessary for enzymatic functions in the epidermal cells and has little importance in fluid transport.Abbreviations PD potential difference - PPI pharate pupal integument - SCC short circuit current In the time since this research was performed, A.M. Jungreis passed away. He will be missed by his friends and colleagues     

Mechanism of interaction of the cyanine dye DiS−C3-(5) with renal brush-border vesicles

Summary The equilibrium binding mechanism and kinetics of binding of diS–C₃-(5) (3,3-dipropylthiodicarbocyanine iodide) to rabbit renal brush-border membrane vesicles (BBMV) were examined using steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence, and fluorescence stopped-flow methods. In aqueous solution, diS–C₃-(5) exists as a monomer at concentrations <5 m with fluorescence emission peak at 670 nm (excitation 622 nm), anisotropyr=0.102, and lifetime =1.2 nsec (23°C). Upon addition of increasing BBMV (voltage clamped to 0 mV using K⁺/valinomycin), the 670 nm emission peak decreases, corresponding to formation of a nonfluorescent membrane dimer, and subsequently a new emission peak at 695 nm increases, corresponding to membrane monomer. Dynamic depolarization studies show that aqueous diS–C₃-(5) rotation is unhindered with a rotational rateR=0.57 nsec^–1 while membrane monomer is hindered with steady-state anisotropyr=0.190, lifetime =2.1 nsec,R=0.58 nsec^–1 and limiting anisotropyr =0.11. Based on equilibrium fluorescence titrations, the membrane monomer-dimer (M-D) dissociation constant,K _d=[M]²/[D][BBMV], is 0.0013, where BBMV is expressed as membrane phospholipid concentration. Three distinct kinetic processes are identified by stopped-flow experiments in which BBMV are mixed with diS–C₃-(5). There is rapid binding of diS–C₃-(5) to the membrane to form bound monomer with a 6-msec exponential time constant. The membrane monomer at the membrane outer surface then aggregates to form bound dimer at the outer surface with a concentration independent time constant of 30 msec. The overall dimerization reaction probably consists of a rate-limiting reorientation process (30 msec) followed by a rapid dimerization which occurs on a nanosecond time scale. Finally, there is a 0.8 to 1 sec translocation of membrane dimer between symmetric sites at the inner and outer membrane surfaces. The translocation reaction is the step which is probably sensitive to changes in transmembrane electrical potential.     

A mathematical model for solid state fermentation in tray bioreactors

A simple mathematical model for the interaction of mass transport with biochemical reaction in solid state fermentations (SSF) in static tray type bioreactors under isothermal conditions has been developed. The analysis has enabled scientific explanations to a number of practical observations, through the concept of critical substrate bed thickness. The model will be most useful in the prediction of the concentration gradients as also in efficient design of these bioreactors.List of Symbols C g/cm³ Oxygen concentration in the bed - C _g g/cm³ Atmospheric oxygen concentration - C ^* Dimensionless oxygen concentration, C/C _g - D _e cm²/h Effective diffusivity - H cm Bed thickness or height - H _c cm Critical bed thickness or height - H _m cm Maximum height of zone of zero oxygen concentration - p _i mg/(g · h) Productivity (Eq. 13) - R g/(cm³ · h) Biochemical reaction rate - t h Fermentation time - t ^* Dimensionless time, D _e t/H² - X mg/cm³ Biomass concentration - X _max mg/cm³ Maximum biomass concentration - y Dimensionless thickness or height, (y = z/H) - y cm Thickness of zone of zero oxygen concentration (Eq. 12) - Y Yield coefficient - z cm Bed thickness or height along tray axis - Bed void fraction - _max h^–1 Specific growth rate - Thiele modulus      

Rearrangement of light harvesting bacteriochlorophyll homologues as a response of green sulfur bacteria to low light intensities

The pigment composition of two species of green-colored BChl c-containing green sulfur bacteria (Chlorobium limicola and C. chlorovibrioides) and two species of brown-colored BChl e-containing ones (C. phaeobacteroides and C. phaeovibrioides) incubated at different light intensities have been studied. All species responded to the reduction of light intensity from 50 to 1 Einstein(E) m^–2 s^–1 by an increase in the specific content of light harvesting pigments, bacteriochlorophylls and carotenoids. At critical light intensities (0.5 to 0.1 E m^–2 s^–1) only brown-colored chlorobia were able to grow, though at low specific rates (0.002 days^–1 mg prot^–1). High variations in the relative content of farnesyl-bacteriochlorophyll homologues were found, in particular BChl e ₁ and BChl e ₄, which were tentatively identified as [M, E] and [I, E] BChl_F e, respectively. The former was almost completely lost upon reduction of light intensity from 50 to 0.1 E m^–2 s^–1, whereas the latter increased from 7.2 to 38.4% and from 13.6 to 42.0% in C. phaeobacteroides and C. phaeovibrioides, respectively. This increase in the content of highly alkylated pigment molecules inside the chlorosomes of brown species is interpreted as a physiological mechanism to improve the efficiency of energy transfer towards the reaction center. This study provides some clues for understanding the physiological basis of the adaptation of brown species to extremely low light intensities.Abbreviations BChl bacteriochlorophyll - [M, E] BChl_F e 8-methyl, 12-ethyl BChl e, esterified with farnesol (F). Analogously: I - isobutyl - Pr propyl - Car carotenoids - Chlb chlorobactene - HPLC high performance liquid chromatography - Isr isorenieratene - LHP light harvesting pigments - PDA photodiode array detector - RC reaction center - RCH relative content of homologues     

Electrolytes control flows of water across the apical barrier in toad skin: The hydrosmotic salt effect

Summary The reversible dependence of skin osmotic water permeability (L _PD ) upon the ionic concentration of the outer bathing solution — which we have called hydrosmotic salt effect (HSE) — was studied in the isolated skin of the toadBufo marinus ictericus. The skin osmotic water flow (J _V ) was measured as a function of outer bathing solution osmolality (O _e ).L _PD , calculated as (J _v /) _P=0 (where and P are the osmotic and hydrostatic pressure differences across the skin, respectively) was constant whenO _e was altered with sucrose, a nonelectrolyte. In contrast,L _PD increased continuously in the hypotonic range asO _e was raised from zero (distilled water) with NaCl or KCl. The HSE could also be evoked in the condition of reversed osmotic volume flow, with the outer bathing medium made hypertonic with sucrose.Diffusional¹⁴C-sucrose permeability, measured in theJ _v =0 condition to prevent solvent drag of sucrose in the paracellular pathways, indicate that the hydrosmotic salt effect cannot be explained by assuming a paracellular permeability increase, due to tight junction opening, but might be interpreted as due to changes in the osmotic water permeability of the apical membranes of the most superficial cells of the epithelium.The hydrosmotic salt effect can be elicited in control skins and in vasopressin-stimulated skins, on top of the hormonal response.The time course of the hydrosmotic salt effect is substantially different from that of the hydrosmotic response to vasopressin. Its half-time is 4 to 5 times faster than that of vasopressin action, with individual values as short as 1.5 min.The time courses of the hydrosmotic salt-effect onset and reversibility are exponential, clearly contrasting with the typical sigmoidal shape of vasopressin onset and washout time courses.Based on time course data and on speed of response we postulate that the mechanism underlying the hydrosmotic salt effect is due to modifications of existing water pathways in the apical membrane, rather than to incorporation and removal of water permeability units in this structure.     

Somatic embryogenesis and regeneration of plants in the bamboo Dendrocalamus strictus

Somatic embryogenesis leading to plant regeneration has been achieved in the bamboo, Dendrocalamus strictus, by culturing seeds (caryopses) on B₅ basal medium supplemented with 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid. Callus cultures obtained from the embryonal end of the seeds differentiated chlorophyllous embryoids. On transfer to a germination medium (B₅ liquid, sucrose, indolebutyric acid, and -naphthaleneacetic acid) 40% of the embryoids developed into plantlets. Further development of the plantlets occured on B₅ liquid medium (half strength) + sucrose (1%) + IBA (5 × 10^–7M) + NAA (10^–7M).Abbreviations 2,4-D 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid - IBA Indolebutyric acid - NAA -naphthaleneacetic acid     

Active sulfate absorption in rabbit ileum: Dependence on sodium and chloride and effects of agents that alter chloride transport

Summary Unidirectional fluxes of³⁵SO₄ across and into rabbit ileal epithelium were measured under short-circuit conditions, mostly at a medium SO₄ concentration of 2.4mm. Unidirectional mucosa (m)-to-serosa (s) ands-to-m fluxes (J _ms,J _sm) were 0.456 and 0.067 moles hr^–1 cm^–2, respectively.J _ms was 2.7 times higher in distal ileum than in mid-jejunum. Ouabain abolished net SO₄ transport (J _net) by reducingJ _ms. Epinephrine, a stimulus of Cl absorption, had no effect on SO₄ fluxes. Theophylline, a stimulus of Cl secretion, reducedJ _ms without affectingJ _sm, causing a 33% reduction inJ _net. Other secretory stimuli (8-Br-cAMP, heat-stable enterotoxin, Ca-ionophore A23187) had similar effects. Replacement of all Cl with gluconate markedly reducedJ _net through both a decrease inJ _ms and an increase inJ _sm. The anion-exchange inhibitor, 4-acetoamido-4-isothiocyano-2,2-sulfonic acid stilbene (SITS), when added to the serosal side, reducedJ _ms by 94%, nearly abolishingJ _net. SITS also decreasedJ _sm by 75%. Mucosal SITS (50 m) was ineffective. 4,4-diisothiocyano-2,2-sulfonic acid stilbene (DIDS) had effects similar to SITS but was less potent. Measurements of initial rates of epithelial uptake from the luminal side (J _me) revealed the following: (1)J _me is a saturable function of medium concentration with aV _max of 0.94 moles hr^–1 cm^–2 and aK _1/2 of 1.3mm; (2) replacing all Na with choline abolishedJ _me; (3) replacing all Cl with gluconate increasedJ _me by 40%; (4) serosal SITS had no effect onJ _me; and (5) stimuli of Cl secretion had no effect onJ _me or increased it slightly. Determination of cell SO₄ with³⁵SO₄ indicated that, at steady-state, the average mucosal concentration is 1.1 mmoles per liter cell water, less than half the medium concentration. Cell SO₄ was increased to 3.0mm by adding SITS to the serosal side. Despite net transport rates greater than 1.4 Eq hr^–1 cm^–2, neither addition of SO₄ to the SO₄-free medium nor addition of SITS to SO₄-containing medium altered short-circuit current. The results suggest that (1) ileal SO₄ absorption consists of Na-coupled influx (symport) across the brush border and Cl-coupled efflux (antiport) across the basolateral membrane; (2) the overall process is electrically neutral; (3) the medium-to-cell Cl concentration difference may provide part of the driving force for net SO₄ absorption; and (4) since agents affecting Cl fluxes (both absorptive and secretory) have little effect on SO₄ fluxes, the mechanisms for their transcellular transports are under separate regulation.     

Turbulent breakage of protein precipitates in mechanically stirred bioreactors

Experimental data relating to the breakage of isoelectric Soya protein precipitates in a mechanically agitated bioreactor are provided and examined in the light of a proposed mechanistic model which relates the size of the maximum attainable aggregate diameter to the energy dissipation rate in the vessel. The analysis suggests that protein precipitation results in the formation of scale-invariant fractal aggregates with a dimensionality of 2.2. Comparing the fractal dimensionality of the protein precipitates with reported values based on computer simulation studies suggests that the aggregates undergo considerable restructuring during agitation.List of Symbols A Hamaker constant (J) - D impeller diameter (m) - d _p primary particle diameter (m) - d _f maximum aggregate diameter (m) - G shear rate (s^–1) - H ₀ separation distance between two primary particles (m) - k constant in Eq. (5) - K constant in Eq. (6) - N impeller speed (rpm or rps) - r radial position in an aggregate, measured from the centre (m) - t time of exposure to shear (mins) - T _e eddy period (s^–1) - v _f aggregate volume (m³) Greek Symbols aggregate dimensionality constant - energy dissipation rate (W/kg) - dynamic viscosity of particle-free liquid (kg/ms) - kinematic viscosity of particle-free liquid (m²/s) - collision probability (–) - _p aggregate density (kg/m³) - _p continuous phase density (kg/m³) - aggregate mechanical strength (N/m²) - shear stress (N/m²) - particle concentration in an aggregate (m³/m³) - (r) porosity at radial position, r     

Identification of C-banded chromosomes in meiosis of common wheat,Triticum aestivum L.

Summary The C-banding pattern of nine meiotic chromosomes of common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) as described. In F₁s of crosses between monosomics of Chinese Spring and two Spanish wheat cultivars, univalent chromosomes were used to aid the recognition and analysis of the C-banding pattern for the individual chromosomes. The identification of one chromosome involved in one translocation in Chinese Spring x Pané 247 has been made through heterochromatin bands observed in the chromosomes involved in multivalents.     

Product inhibition during the feeding phasein fed-batch ethanol fermentation of sugar-cane blackstrap molasses

Summary The following equations represent the influence of the ethanol concentration (E) on the specific growth rate of the yeast cells () and on the specific production rate of ethanol () during the reactor filling phase in fed-batch fermentation of sugar-cane blackstrap molasses: = ₀ - k · E and v = v ₀ · K/(K +E) Nomenclature E ethanol concentration in the aqueous phase of the fermenting medium (g.L^–1) - E_m value of E when = 0 or = 0 (g.L^–1) - F medium feeding rate (L.h^–1) - k empirical constant (L.g^–1.h^–1) - K empirical constant (g.L^–1) - M_as mass of TRS added to the, reactor (g) - M_cs mass of consumed TRS (g) - M_e mass of ethanol in the aqueous phase of the fermenting medium (g) - M_s mass of TRS in the aqueous phase of the fermenting medium (g) - M_x mass of yeast cells (dry matter) in the fermenting medium (g) - r correlation coefficient - S TRS concentration in the aqueous phase of the fermenting medium (g.L^–1) - S_m TRS concentration of the feeding medium (g.L^–1) - t time (h) - T temperature (° C) - TRS total reducing sugars calculated as glucose - V volume of the fermenting medium (L) - V₀ volume of the inoculum (L) - X yeast cells concentration (dry matter) in the fermenting medium (g.L^–1) - filling-up time (h) - specific growth rate of the yeast cells (h^–1) - ₀ value of when E=0 - specific production rate of ethanol (h^–1) - ₀ value of when E=0 - density of the yeast cells (g.L^–1) - dry matter content of the yeast cells     

Analysis of gas exchange in seedlings of Acer saccharum: integration of field and laboratory studies

In the field, photosynthesis of Acer saccharum seedlings was rarely light saturated, even though light saturation occurs at about 100 mol quanta m^-2 s^-1 photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD). PPFD during more than 75% of the daylight period was 50 mol m^-2 s^-1 or less. At these low PPFD's there is a marked interaction of PPFD with the initial slope (CE) of the CO₂ response. At PPFD-saturation CE was 0.018 mol m^-2 s^-1/(l/l). The apparent quantum efficiency (incident PPFD) at saturating CO₂ was 0.05–0.08 mol/mol. and PPFD-saturated CO₂ exchange was 6–8 mol m^-2 s^-1. The ratio of internal CO₂ concentration to external (C _i /C _a ) was 0.7 to 0.8 except during sunflecks when it decreased to 0.5. The decrease in C _i /C _a during sunflecks was the result of the slow response of stomates to increased PPFD compared to the response of net photosynthesis. An empirical model, which included the above parameters was used to simulate the measured CO₂ exchange rate for portions of two days. Parameter values for the model were determined in experiments separate from the daily time courses being sumulated. Analysis of the field data, partly through the use of simulations, indicate that the elimination of sunflecks would reduce net carbon gain by 5–10%.List of symbols A measured photosynthetic rate under any set of conditions (mol m^-2 s^-1) - A _m (atm) measured photosynthetic rate at saturating PPFD, 350 l/l CO₂ and 21% (v/v) O₂ (mol m^-2 s^-1) - C constant in equation of Smith (1937, 1938) - C _a CO₂ concentration in the air (l/l) - C _i CO₂ concentration in the intercellular air space (l/l) - C _i ^/* C _i corrected for CO₂ compensation point, i.e., C _i -I ^*, (l/l) - CE initial slope of the CO₂ response of photosynthesis (mol m^-2 s^-1/(l/l)) - CEM CE at PPFD saturation - E transpiration rate (mmol m^-2 s^-1) - F predicted photosynthetic rate (mol m^-2 s^-1) - G leaf conductance to H₂O (mol m^-2 s^-1) - I photosynthetic photon flux density (mol m^-2 s^-1) - N number of data points - P _m predicted photosynthetic rate at saturating CO₂ and given PPFD (mol m^-2 s^-1) - P _ml predicted photosynthetic rate at saturating CO₂ and PPFD (mol m^-2 s^-1) - R _d residual respiratory rate (mol m^-2 s^-1) - T _a air temperature (°C) - T _l leaf temperature (°C) - V reaction velocity in equation of Smith (1937, 1938) - V _max saturated reaction velocity in equation of Smith (1937, 1938) - VPA vapor pressure of water in the air (mbar/bar) - VPD vapor pressure difference between leaf and air (mbar/bar) - X substrate concentration in equation of Smith (1937, 1938) - initial slope of the PPFD response of photosynthesis at saturating CO₂ (mol CO₂/mol quanta) - (atm) initial slope of the PPFD response of photosynthesis at 340 l/l CO₂ and 21% (v/v) O₂ (mol CO₂/mol quanta) - I ^* CO₂ compensation point after correction for residual respiration (l/l) - PPFD compensation point (mol m^-2 s^-1)     

Effect of amiloride,ouabain and Ba++ on the nonsteady-state Na−K pump flux and short-circuit current in isolated frog skin epithelia

Summary Effect of amiloride, ouabain, and Ba⁺⁺ on the nonsteady-state Na–K pump flux and short-circuit current in isolated frog skin epithelia.The active Na⁺ transport across isolated frog skin occurs in two steps: passive diffusion across the apical membrane of the cells followed by an active extrusion from the cells via the Na⁺–K⁺ pump at the basolateral membrane. In isolated epithelia with a very small Na⁺ efflux, the appearing Na⁺-flux in the basolateral solution is equal to the rate of the pump, whereas the short-circuit current (SCC) is equal to the active transepithelial Na⁺ transport. It was found that blocking the passive diffusion of Na⁺ across the apical membrane (addition of amiloride) resulted in an instantaneous inhibition of the SCC (the transepithelial Na⁺ transport, whereas the appearing flux (the rate of the Na⁺–K⁺ pump) decreased with a halftime of 1.9 min. Addition of the Na⁺–K⁺ pump inhibitor ouabain (0.1mm) resulted in a faster and bigger inhibition of the appearing flux than of the SCC. Thus, by simultaneous measurement of the SCC and the appearing Na⁺ flux one can elucidate whether an inhibitor exerts its effect by inhibiting the pump or by decreasing the passive permeability. Addition of the K⁺ channel inhibitor Ba⁺⁺, in a concentration which gave maximum inhibition of the SCC, had no effect on the appearing flux (the rate of the Na–K pump) in the first 2 min, although the inhibition of the SCC was already at its maximum.It is argued that in the short period, where the Ba⁺⁺-induced inhibition of SCC is at its maximum and the appearing flux in unchanged, the decrease in the SCC (SCC) is equal to the net K⁺ flux via the Na⁺–K⁺ pump, and the coupling ratio () of the Na⁺–K⁺ pump can be calculated from the following equation =SCC _t=0/SCC where SCC _t=0 is the steady-state SCC before the addition of Ba⁺⁺.     

Chemical composition of soil solutions extracted from New Zealand beech forests and West German beech and spruce forests

Concentrations of ions were measured in soil solutions from beech (Nothofagus) forests in remote areas of New Zealand and in solutions from beech (Fagus sylvatica) and Norway spruce (Picea abies) forests in North-East Bavaria, West Germany, to compare the chemistry of soil solutions which are unaffected by acid deposition (New Zealand) with those that are affected (West Germany). In New Zealand, soil solution SO₄ ^2– concentrations ranged between <2 and 58 mol L^–1, and NO₃ ^– concentrations ranged between <1 and 3 mol L^–1. In West Germany, SO₄ ^2– concentrations ranged between 80 and 700 mol L^–1, and NO₃ ^– concentrations at three of six sites ranged between 39 and 3750 mol L^–1, but was not detected at the remaining three sites. At all sites in New Zealand, and at sites where the soil base status was moderately high in West Germany, pH levels increased, and total Al (Al_t) and inorganic monomeric Al (Al_i) levels decreased rapidly with increasing soil depth. In contrast, at sites on soils of low base status in West Germany, pH levels increased only slightly, and Al levels did not decline with increasing soil depth.Under a high-elevation Norway spruce stand showing severe Mg deficiency and dieback symptoms in West Germany, soil solution Mg²⁺ levels ranged between 20 and 60 mol L^–, and were only half those under a healthy stand. Al_t and Al_i levels were substantially higher the healthy stand than under the unhealthy stand, indicating that Al toxicity was not the main cause of spruce decline.