Mechanism of iron uptake by peanut plants : I. Fe reduction, chelate splitting, and release of phenolics

Iron deficiency in peanuts (Arachis hypogeae L.) caused an increase in release of caffeic acid, a higher rate of Fe^III reduction, and increased rates of both Fe^III chelate splitting and iron uptake.

Experiments on Fe^III reduction by phenolics (in vitro experiments) and by roots of Fe-deficient peanuts exclude the direct involvement of released phenolics in Fe^III reduction by roots: Fe^III reduction by phenolics had a pH optimum higher than 8.0 and was strongly dependent on the concentration and the stability of the supplied Fe^III chelates. In contrast, Fe^III reduction by roots of Fe-deficient peanuts had a pH optimum of about 5.0 and was less dependent on the stability of the supplied Fe^III chelates. Furthermore, the observed release of phenolics into nutrient solution would have to be at least 200 times higher to attain the reduction rates of roots of Fe-deficient peanuts. The results of these experiments support the idea of an enzymic reduction of Fe^III on the plasmalemma of cortical cells of roots.

     

The incorporation of selenium and alterations of macro- and trace element levels in individual blood cells following supplementation with sodium selenite and vitamin E

Significant alterations in the selenium content of erythrocytes, thrombocytes, and neutrophil granulocytes were observed following a daily supplementation of 200 μg Se + 100 mg vitamin E during a period of 2 months. The neutrophil granulocytes incorporated more selenium than the thrombocytes. The iron content of the thrombocytes decreased on selenium supplementation, while the opposite was noted for the neutrophil granulocytes. The glutathione peroxidase activity was not significantly changed during the period of observation.     

A chemiluminescent method for measurement of activated oxygen forms in biological fluids and homogenates

A chemiluminescent method for measuring the concentration of activated oxygen species (O₂² and H₂O₂) is described. Its main features are: high sensitivity (10^?9 M H₂O₂), its applicability to systems with high optical absorbance in the visible spectral region, a wide linear dynamic range, and the possibility for recording the kinetics of the processes, in which activated oxygen species are involved.     

Improved demonstration of exocytotic profiles in glomus cells of rat carotid body after perfusion with glutaraldehyde fixative containing a high concentration of potassium

Extensive secretion by exocytosis was demonstrated in the glomus (type I) cells of the adult rat after perfusion of carotid bodies with a potassium-rich (high K) glutaraldehyde fixative. Similar secretory profiles were very rare with a glutaraldehyde fixative containing a low concentration of potassium (low K). The increase in the incidence of exocytotic profiles in glomus cells with the high K fixative was highly significant, whereas no statistical difference could be observed in the incidence of coated pits with the different fixatives. Exocytotic profiles were characterized by the following features: (1) they predominated in non-synaptic regions, but were occasionally observed near synapses between two glomus cells; they were not observed near synapses between glomus cells and nerve terminals; (2) extruded electron-dense material associated with coating of the cell membrane was frequent; (3) different stages of dissolution of the extruded granule material was evident. The possible role of exocytosis as a mode of secretion in the glomus cells and the characteristics of the new high K-glutaraldehyde fixative are discussed.     

Les effets de recristallisation sur la paroi des Involutinidae (Foraminifères) triasiques

The different types of recrystallization which can be observed in the Triassic involutinids should be considered in the taxonomic treatment of this foraminiferal family. If the diagenetic modifications of the test are neglected the same form could be placed into different suborders. Our inclusion of the genusTriasina Majzon in the Involutinidae proposed earlier on purely morphologic grounds, seems to be supported by the fact that the same types of recrystallization exist inTrocholina, Involutina undTriasina.     

Book reviews

Ohne Zusammenfassung

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Book reviews

     

Mounting and receptive behavior in the ovariectomized female rat: Influence of estradiol,dihydrotestosterone, and genital anesthetization

Two experiments were performed with ovariectomized female rats in an attempt to determine whether estradiol and dihydrotestosterone work synergistically in the brain to activate mounting behavior. In Expt 1, performed in Göteborg, it was found that females treated daily with 2 μg estradiol benzoate (EB) combined with 500 μg dihydrotestosterone (DHT) displayed significantly more mounts with pelvic thrusting than other females treated with the oil vehicle, 500 μg DHT, or 2 μg EB. The behavior of rats receiving EB + DHT was indistinguishable from that of yet another group of females which received 200 μg testosterone propionate (TP). In Expt 2, performed in Rotterdam, it was found that ovariectomized female rats treated with either 200 μg TP or 2 μg EB + 200 μg dihydrotestosterone propionate (DHTP) mounted significantly more than females treated with 2 μg EB. Both clitoral size and the growth of cornified papillae on the glans clitoris were stimulated by the administration of TP or EB + DHTP. However, in no group was the frequency of mounting affected by anesthetization of the clitoris and external vagina with lidocaine paste. Lordosis quotients of females treated with EB + DHTP were significantly lower than in rats receiving either EB or TP, again regardless of whether or not the genital region was anesthetized. It is concluded that the effects of DHT on estradiol-induced mounting and receptivity most likely result from the action of this androgen on the brain, and not from the stimulatory effect which DHT may exert on genital sensory receptors.     

Peptides with NH2-terminal tryptophan in the adenohypophysis

Summary In the mammalian pituitary formaldehyde-ozone treatment induces strong fluorescence in the cells of the pars intermedia and moderate to strong fluorescence in numerous cells of the pars distalis. Maximum excitation is at 370–375 nm and maximum emission at 495–505 nm. The properties of the cellular fluorescence are indistinguishable from those of tryptamine or peptides with NH₂-terminal tryptophan. From chemical analysis such peptides seem to occur abundantly in the mammalian pituitary. The concentration of these peptides agrees very well with the number and fluorescence intensity of the cells in all species studied. Furthermore, the tryptophyl peptides in the various parts of the pig pituitary have a distribution quite parallel to that of the fluorescent cells. As we have failed to detect tryptamine in the pituitary, we conclude that the formaldehyde-ozone-induced fluorescence in the adenohypophysis reflects the presence of tryptophyl peptides.This study was supported by grants from the Swedish Medical Research Council (04X-1007; 04X-3764), the Ford Foundation, Harald and Greta Jeanssons stiftelse and Riksföreningen mot Cancer (660-K73-01X).For brevity occasionally referred to as tryptophyl peptides.