Optimization of fermentation medium by a modified method of genetic algorithms

Summary During the study of mevinolin biosynthesis by Aspergillus terreus ATCC 20542, 10 different medium components were selected for medium optimization. A new optimization method based on genetic algorithms and inductive learning was used for experimental design. For better efficiency the method was supported by a model, constructed with machine learning method, to predict the productivity. In four generations of fermentation experiments the productivity increased nearly three times.     

Behavioural and physiological plasticity of gypsy moth larvae to host plant switching

Larvae of the gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar L. (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae), a generalist species, frequently encounter spatial and temporal variations in diet quality. Such variation favoured the evolution of high behavioural and physiological plasticity which, depending on forest stand composition, enables more or less successful exploitation of the environment. Even in mixed oak stands, a suitable habitat, interspecific and intraspecific host quality variation may provoke significant variation in gypsy moth performance and, consequently, defoliation severity. To elucidate the insufficiently explored relationship between gypsy moth and oaks (Fagaceae), we carried out reciprocal switches between Turkey oaks (Quercus cerris L.) and less nutritious Hungarian oaks (Quercus frainetto Ten.) (TH and HT groups), under controlled laboratory conditions, and compared larval performance between the switched larvae and larvae continuously fed on either Turkey oak (TT) or Hungarian oak (HH). We found that larval traits were most strongly affected by among‐tree variation in oak quality and identity of the host consumed during the fourth instar. Switching from Turkey to Hungarian oak (TH) led to a longer period of feeding, decrease of mass gain, growth, and consumption rate, lower efficiency of food use and nutrient conversion, and increase of protease and amylase activities. Larvae exposed to the reverse switch (HT) attained values of these traits characteristic for TT larvae. It appeared that the lower growth in the TH group than in the TT group was caused by both behavioural (consumption, pre‐ingestive) and metabolic (post‐digestive) effects from consuming oaks. Multivariate analyses of growth, consumption, and efficiency of food use revealed that early diet experience influenced the sensitivity of the most examined traits to less suitable Hungarian oaks, suggesting the development of behavioural and physiological adjustments. Our results indicate that lower risks of defoliation by gypsy moth might be expected in mixed stands with a higher proportion of Hungarian oak.     

Interaction of extravillous trophoblast galectin-1 and mucin(s)—Is there a functional relevance?

ABSTRACT

In the course of embryo implantation extensive interaction of the trophoblast with uterine tissue is crucial for adequate trophoblast invasion. This interaction is highly controlled, and it has been pointed out that a specific glycocode and changes in glycosylation may be important for successful implantation and maintenance of pregnancy. Both uterine and trophoblast cells have been shown to express cell surface glycoconjugates and sugar binding proteins, such as mucins (MUC) and galectins (gals). An increasing number of studies have investigated potential candidates interacting in this process. However, knowledge about the biochemical nature of the interactions and their importance for trophoblast cell function, and, consequently, for pregnancy outcome are still lacking. This review is aimed at deliberating the possibility that mucins, as heavily glycosylated proteins, might be among the functionally relevant galectin ligands in human trophoblast, based on both published data and our original research.     

Aminoacylation of Bisulphite-modified Yeast Tyrosine Transfer RNA

AS part of a search for the chemical rules underlying the recognition of a tRNA by its aminoacyl-tRNA ligase¹, we are examining the effect of C?U transitions on aminoacylation of tRNA. In this paper, we describe four well-characterized modifications of yeast tRNA^Tyr induced by reaction with bisulphite ions at pH 5.8. Three of the observed changes proved to be C-?U transitions produced by the series of reactions shown in Fig. 1 (refs. 2–5).     

Dedifferentiation of gland cells in hydra and further development of interstitial cells arising from them

Summary Asexual, non-budding hydras were treated in the 175000 solution of E 39 solubile (Bayer). They were feeding, growing and budding for six days. The interstitial cells found in the ectoderm at the moment of treatment differentiated into cnidoblasts during that period. The cells that happened to be in the gastroderm at that time, differentiated into interstitial cells which were not able to cross the mesoglea due to the E 39 activity. In the gastroderm a great number of cnids appeared.These observations support the hypothesis that in normal hydra the interstitial cells formed by the dedifferentiation of gland cells pass into the ectoderm. There they are transformed into cnidoblasts which pass into the mesoglea. Prom the gastroderm the cnidoblasts come into the ectoderm of the tentacles through endodermal cells and the coelenteric fluid.

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Zusammenfassung Asexuelle, knospenlose Hydren wurden mit einer Lösung von Bayer E 39 (175000), solubile behandelt. Einige Tiere wurden nach 4, 6, 10 und 24 Std fixiert, die übrigen nach 24 Std in das Aquariumwasser zurückversetzt. Diese Hydren wurden in Zeitabschnitten von 24 Std innerhalb von 8 Tagen fixiert.Im Verlauf der ersten 6 Tage fressen und wachsen alle Hydren und bilden Knospen. Am 7. Tag (bei einigen am 8. Tag) beginnt die Depression: Die Nahrungsaufnahme hört auf, die Polypen kontrahieren sich allmählich und ihre Tentakel verkürzen sich. Bis zum 16. Tag sind alle Hydren eingegangen. In den ersten Stunden nach der Behandlung (bis zu 10 Std) sind imEktoderm fast gar keine Veränderungen zu bemerken, imGastroderm kommt es jedoch zu Veränderungen in der Größe, Form und im Bau der zymogenen Zellen. Nach dem 1. Tag verschwinden die interstitiellen Zellen allmählich, aber die Cnidoblasten und die Cniden verbleiben vollzählig bis zum 7. Tag, dann aber nimmt die Zahl der Cnidoblasten ab. In geringerer Zahl bleiben jedoch die Cniden bis zum Lebensende erhalten. Die zymogenen Zellen dedifferenzieren sich zu interstitiellen Zellen, einige unter ihnen verwandeln sich in kleine kugelförmige, ausgesprochen basophile Zellen, welche sich an der Mesogloea ansammeln.Am Anfang, wenn E 39 noch nicht zu voller Wirkung gekommen ist, durchwandern interstitielle Zellen die Mesogloea und gliedern sich in das Ektoderm ein. Dieser Zellübergang nimmt allmählich ab, hört aber niemals vollkommen auf. Während dieser Zeit häufen sich immer mehr reife Cniden im Gastroderm an. Die Autoren sind der Meinung, daß es sich hierbei um Cniden handelt, die sich einerseits aus jenen Cnidoblasten entwickelt haben, die am Anfang der Behandlung aus dem Ektoderm in das Gastroderm eingewandert sind, andererseits von interstitiellen Zellen abstammen, die durch Dedifferenzierung aus zymogenen Zellen entstanden und im Gastroderm übriggeblieben sind. Sie entwickelten sich dort, weil sie infolge der Wirkung von E 39 weder durch die Mesogloea hindurchtreten, noch in die Tentakel einwandern konnten. Diese Prozesse werden in der Arbeit ausführlich diskutiert.Auf Grund dieser Beobachtungen nehmen die Autoren an, daß auch in der normalen Hydra die aus zymogenen Zellen entstandenen interstitiellen Zellen in das Ektoderm einwandern, wo sie sich teilen und zu Cnidoblasten ausdifferenzieren.Ein Teil dieser Cnidoblasten wandert durch die Mesogloea in das Gastroderm ein, aber aus dem Gastroderm mittels entodermaler Zellen und gastraler Flüssigkeit wieder aus und gelangt schließlich in das Ektoderm der Tentakel.

     

The variability of critical species ofLotus L. in Iran and in the neighbouring countries II

The paper deals with some problems of distribution and variability of the speciesL. angustissimus L.,L. halophilus Boiss. etSprun.,L. laricus Rech. fil.,Aellen etEsfandiari, L.,schimperi Steud.,L. compactus Chrtková-?ertová,L. garcinii DC.     

Das Gastroderm im Prozeß der Regeneration der Hydra

Zusammenfassung Es wurden Amputationen an Hydren in der hypostomalen Region durchgeführt. Das Material wurde in verschiedenen Zeitabschnitten fixiert (von 5 min bis 19 Std). Die Heilung der Wunde findet unter Mitwirkung aller entodermalen Zellen statt. Der Prozeß der Regeneration geht von zymogenen Zellen aus, welche sich zu Neoblasten entdifferenzieren. Diese wandeln sich durch Differentiation in ektodermale Zellelemente um. Das alte Ektoderm hat an der Bildung des jungen Ektoderms im Gebiete der Wunde keinen Anteil.Der Wandel des Entoderms im Verlaufe der Heilung der Wunde und der Regeneration wurde mit Hilfe histochemischer Methode zur Darstellung der sauren Phosphatase verfolgt. Es wurde die Annahme geäußert, daß die zymogenen Zellen auch bei der normalen Hydra das Ektoderm mit neuen Zellen versorgen.

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The gastroderm in the process of the regeneration of hydra

Summary The amputations of the hydra in the hypostomal region have been performed. The material has been fixed in various time intervals after the amputation (from 5 min to 19 hours).The healing of the wound is done with the participation of all endodermal cells, the regeneration process with the help of zymogenic cells which dedifferenciate into neoblasts, and the neoblasts develop into ectodermal cell elements by differentiation. The old ectoderm does not take part in forming the young ectoderm in the wound area.The participation of endoderm in healing the wound and in the regeneration has been stated by the method for the acid phosphatase. It is supposed that the zymogenic cells also in normal hydra supply the ectoderm with new cells.

     

The variability of critical species ofLotus L. in Iran and in the neighbouring countries I. the circle ofL. corniculatus L. andL. gebelia Vent.

The region of Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan and the neighbouring countries is important for some groups of the speciesLotus L., especially those of the circle ofL. corniculatus L. andL. gebelia Vent. The first group is represented by the speciesL. corniculatus L. with 4 subspecies (3 of which are important for this region), andL. tenuis Waldst. etKit. which here attains the eastern boundary of the continuous area of distribution, and by the eastern speciesL. krylovii Schischk. etSerg. andL. rechingeri Chrtková-?ertová. The second group is represented by the speciesL. gebelia Vent.,L. michauxianus Ser. in DC. andL. libanoticus Boiss. their areas of distribution covering mostly those regions. Most of the species show considerable variability within the species.