Seed germination,seedling inoculation and establishment ofAlnus spp. in containers in greenhouse trials

Methods for production of containerized seedlings ofAlnus species were developed which permit nitrogen-fixing nodules to form on the root systems prior to outplanting, in order to provide an early nitrogen input during seedling establishment. The methods are based on procedures for inoculating root systems with suspensions ofFrankia (Actinomycetales), applied either directly in the container cell as a soil drench at the time of seeding, or as a root dip for seedlings transplanted into the containers. Germination of dried, stored seed was enhanced by light and by presoaking for 16 h in water. Pretreatments to overcome seed dormancy or to eliminate fungal pathogens did not further enhance germination. Some loss of seedlings was recorded in the early stages of growth shortly after germination, which is a factor in calculating projected seedling yield. Nodulation and seedling growth were evaluated in terms of growth media characteristics. Seedlings performed well in peat-vermiculite, at soil pH between 5.5 and 8.0.     

Stimulation of the hexose-monophosphate pentose pathway by delta 1-pyrroline-5-carboxylic acid in human fibroblasts.

L-pyrroline-5-carboxylic acid, an intermediate in the interconversions of glutamic acid, ornithine and proline, is a potent stimulator of the hexose-monophosphate pentose pathway in cultured human fibroblasts. These studies suggest that pyrroline-5-carboxylate reductase, which catalyzes the conversion of pyrroline-5-carboxylate to proline coupled with the oxidation of NADPH, provides the NADP for the observed activation of the hexose-monophosphate pentose pathway.     

Presence of haemocyte-like cells in coccinellid reflex blood

Abstract.  Contrary to current assumptions, the reflex blood of two-spot ladybirds, Adalia bipunctata , and seven-spot ladybirds, Coccinella septempunctata , contains haemocyte-like cells. Furthermore, DNA can be extracted and amplified from coccinellid reflex blood, confirming the presence of haemocyte-like cells and demonstrating a nondestructive method of DNA extraction.     

Assay methodology for prednisolone, prednisolone acetate and prednisolone sodium phosphate in rabbit aqueous humor and ocular physiological solutions

Prednisolone, prednisolone acetate and prednisolone sodium phosphate are glucocorticoids used for ocular, anti-inflammatory therapy. A reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic assay using ultraviolet detection has been developed that affords baseline resolution of the above analytes in balanced salt solutions and rabbit aqueous humor. The drugs can be quantified at 0.025–0.05 μg/ml in the above matrices; 6α-methylprednisolone is used as the internal standard. Both esters of prednisolone are vulnerable to chemical and enzymatic hydrolysis giving prednisolone. Analysis of aqueous humor samples shows prednisolone acetate penetrating/metabolizing primarly to prednisolone; prednisolone sodium phosphate penetrates the cornea giving the ester and alcohol.     

Palisade mesophyll cell expansion during leaf development in Zinnia elegans (Asteraceae)

Temporal and spatial patterns of palisade mesophyll cell expansion in Zinnia elegans were characterized as a basis for developing a suspension culture model for mesophyll cell expansion. Our objectives were to 1) identify the leaf regions from which cells in various stages of expansion could be selectively isolated for culture, and 2) develop a basis for comparison of rate and extent of mesophyll cell expansion in culture with that in the leaf. Palisade mesophyll cells were isolated from expanding leaves by gentle physical maceration without the use of enzymes. Isolated cells from leaves in different stages of expansion were then measured by computer image analysis. Analysis of size frequency distributions showed that unexpanded cells can be isolated from the entire blade of small leaves or the basal regions of partially expanded leaves. Fully expanded cells can be obtained from the apical and middle regions of partially expanded leaves. Within the leaf, Zinnia mesophyll cells expanded from about 400 μm² to about 2.300 μm² at an estimated rate of 160 μm² d^-1. The percent increase in cell length exceeded the percent increase in cell width. Expansion of mesophyll cells continued for 6–8 d after epidermal expansion ceased. This difference in the timing of cell expansion in epidermal and mesophyll cells indicates that different regulatory factors may be operating in these adjacent tissues and underscores the importance of investigating the regulation of mesophyll cell expansion at the cellular level.     

Sympathetic and sensory innervation of the urinary tract in young adult and aged rats: a semi-quantitative histochemical and immunohistochemical study

Summary The sympathetic innervation of the urinary tract of young adult (4 months) and aged (24+ months) rats has been examined by glyoxylic acid-induced fluorescence for the detection of noradrenaline and by immunofluorescence using antisera against tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and neuropeptide Y (NPY). Immunostaining for calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), known to be present in pelvic sensory nerves, was also performed. Semi-quantitative estimations of nerve densities were made of noradrenergic and peptidergic fibres innervating the smooth musculature of the ureter, bladder and urethra, and of the urinary tract vasculature. In the aged rats the overall patterns of innervation remained unchanged. However, with the exception of the vesical vasculature, the density of noradrenergic innervation decreased as did the intensity of histofluorescence. A similar pattern of results was observed by TH and NPY immunofluorescence. The results present evidence for a diminution in the sympathetic control of the urinary tract in aged rats. The pattern and density of CGRP-immunoreactive nerves was unchanged in the aged animals suggesting that pelvic visceral sensory innervation is more resistant to the effects of advancing age.     

Skeletal asymmetry and hand preference during termite fishing by gombe chimpanzees

Skeletons of chimpanzees with recorded life stories allow assessment of the potential relationships among hard tissue features and expressed behaviors. We analyze bone size, weight, and mineralization to assess osteological characters for identification of laterality of expressed behaviors involving the upper body. Results show that associations are not yet clearly defined.     

Interrelationships among fluorometric analyses of spermatozoal function, classical semen quality parameters and the fertility of frozen-thawed bovine spermatozoa

Cryopreserved spermatozoa from 8 bulls were used to examine the interrelationships among flow cytometric spermatozoal quality assessments and classical semen quality parameters and nonreturn rate estimates of fertility. The integrity of the sperm cell membrane and the functional capacity of the mitochondria were quantified by flow cytometry after concurrent staining with carboxydimethylfluorescein diacetate (CDMFDA), propidium iodide (PI), and rhodamine 123 (R123). For each sample a total of 10,000 stained spermatozoa were simultaneously quantified for the intensity of their green and red fluorescence. Three straws from each bull were each examined initially and following incubation at 37 degrees C for 3 hours to assess the rate of senescence. The proportion of spermatozoa retaining membrane integrity and having functional mitochondria, as determined by CDMFDA and R123 staining, were compared with classical semen quality assessments (sperm motility, acrosomal status, cellular and head morphology, presence of vacuoles/craters and cytoplasmic droplets) and with fertility (nonreturn to estrus rates). For individual ejaculates nonreturn rates, the range was from 61.8 to 78.8%, whereas the cumulative rates of several ejaculates for each bull ranged from 71.3 to 83.5%. The proportion of spermatozoa with functional membranes and mitochondria were positively correlated with the percentage of spermatozoa with normal morphology (r=0.82; P=0.01) and motility after 4 hours of incubation (r=0.78; P=0.02), but not with the estimates of fertility. The actual number of spermatozoa per straw staining with CDMFDA and R123 after 4 hours of incubation at 37 degrees C was correlated with the percentage of spermatozoa with normal morphology (r=0.73; P=0.04). Multiple regression equations indicated that combinations of semen quality measurements could be useful in estimating fertilizing potential.