Implication of Triticum searsii as the B-genome donor to wheat using DNA hybridizations

In vitro DNA:DNA hybridizations and hydroxyapatite thermal chromatography were employed to help identify the species ancestral to the B genome of the polyploid wheats. We hybridized 3H-Triticum aestivum DNA to the unlabeled DNAs of T. urartu, T. speltoides, T. sharonensis, T. bicorne, T. longissimum, and T. searsii, 3H-Labeled DNA of T. urartu was hybridized with the DNA of a synthetic tetraploid. AADD. The heteroduplex thermal stabilities indicated that T. searsii was most closely related to T. aestivum (ABD) and that the genome of T. urartu was more closely related to the A genome than the B genome. The degree of reassociation which may have occurred between the six diploid species and the D genome of T. aestivum was evaluated by hybridizing 3H-T. tauschii DNA with the DNAs of the diploids. The results indicated that T. urartu had the least sequence homology to T. tauschii, the D-genome donor lending additional support to the conclusion that T. urartu is related to the A genome. Thus, it is highly probable that T. searsii is the B-genome donor to the polyploid wheats or a major chromosome donor if the B genome is, in fact, polyphyletic in origin.     

Termination of early gestation with vaginal prostaglandin F2α tablets

The abortifacient activity of prostaglandin F_2α was investigated by placing one or two 50 mg tablets of prostaglandin F_2α in THAM salt into the vagina of nine women less than 4 weeks pregnant at intervals of 2 to 4 hours for a 24 hour period. Serum levels of HCG, estradiol (E₂), progesterone and 17α-hydroxyprogesterone were measured by radioimmunoassay prior to starting therapy and at frequent intervals thereafter for 48 hours. All but two patients had significant side-effects, mainly diarrhea and vomiting, indicating that systemic absorption took place. Although bleeding was induced in 8 of 9 women, only 3 had complete abortions. A D&C was performed on all patients 48 hours after starting therapy. A significant fall in HCG levels was noted only in the patients who aborted. Only 3 of the 9 women had significant changes in steroid levels. A fall in progesterone and 17α-hydroxyprogesterone occurred in the 3 women who aborted and took place following the fall in HCG. Estradiol levels remained in the same range in all subjects. These findings indicate that prostaglandin F_2α when administered in this vehicle and this dosage is relatively ineffective as an abortifacient. When effective, its action would appear to be due to contractions of uterine muscle and not secondarily to luteolysis.     

Comparison by Gas-Liquid Chromatography of the Fatty Acids of Mycobacterium avium and Some Other Nonphotochromogenic Mycobacteria

Fifty-eight strains of nonphotochromogenic mycobacteria representing nine different serotypes were studied, including 38 strains of Mycobacterium avium and 20 strains of Battey bacilli. The lipids were extracted from whole cells, saponified with potassium hydroxide, and esterified with diazomethane. The fatty-acid profiles determined by gas-liquid chromatography included saturated fatty acids ranging from C(8) to C(24), plus some unsaturated analogues and a branched-chain acid. No consistent differences in the fatty-acid profiles were observed between strains of M. avium and Battey bacilli. Quantitative differences in the means (significant at P < 0.01) were observed in the relative amounts of 14:0, 16:1, 18:0, 18:1, and a branched-chain acid among strains of the same serotype. We were unable to differentiate the fatty-acid profiles of recently isolated strains or those maintained in culture for more than 2 years.     

Electrical Properties and Ultrastructure of Mycoplasma Membranes

Mycoplasma, in particular species laidlawii and gallisepticum, are found to have a very small, low frequency conductivity as would be predicted by the dielectric model for bacteria and their apparent lack of cell wall structure. Membrane capacitance values for the two organisms are both about 0.9 μF/cm², although electron micrographs show that the membrane of M. gallisepticum is 20-40 A thicker than that of M. laidlawii.     

Variations des activités peroxydasique et phénoloxydasique au cours de la croissance de Coleus blumei Benth. var. Automne

Summary The specific peroxidase (1.11.1.7) and phenoloxidase (1.10.3.1) activities are quantitatively measured during the life of Coleus, from germination until flowering. In most organs investigated, the peroxidase activity increases rapidly with growth while the phenoloxidase activity remains low. The latter activity is higher in root apices than in more differentiated regions of roots. From the results obtained it may be concluded that the phenoloxidase activity accompanies cellular proliferation. It is suggested that the peroxidase activity plays an indirect role in root initiation through its role in cellular differentiation.

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Extrait d'une thèse de doctorat soutenue à la Faculté des Sciences de l'Université de Liège.     

Comparative Zone Electrophoresis of Enzymes of Pseudomonas solanacearum and Pseudomonas cepacia

The technique of starch-gel electrophoresis with specific staining for a series of enzymes was used to compare 21 Pseudomonas strains representing both P. cepacia and P. solanacearum. These experiments produced no evidence for close similarity of the two species. Twelve strains of P. solanacearum were compared by means of data obtained from nine different enzymes, and the data indicate that these strains belong in two biotypes. Except for the assignment of two strains, these groups are the same as the two major groups previously derived from nutritional properties and from deoxyribonucleic acid hybridization experiments. Eleven enzymes were available for comparisons of the P. cepacia strains. Eight of these strains form a homogeneous group, but the last strain, number 249, differs considerably from the other representatives of the species.