Morphology and function of the Golgi apparatus

The polymorphism of the dictyosomes in the root meristeme ofFagopyrum is connected with their various functions in secretory processes and cell differentiation. The dictyosomes containing vesicular dilatations of the cisternae, which in this object occur more frequently than in others, probably participate in a similar way as the Golgi apparatus of the animal cell in the formation of lysozomes, in the formation of elements belonging to the group of dense bodies analogical lysozomes. These bodies are present in large numbers in the cytoplasm of cells, containing dictyosomes with vesicular dilatations. The other forms of the dictyosomes reveal indications of their participation in the production of the carbohydrate material of the cell walls, like most dictyosomes of other plant objects. However, no fusion of the Golgi vesicles with the plasmalemma was observed. According to their morphological appearance the typical forms of dictyosomes were classified on the basis of their relationship to secretory processes. Simultaneously the morphology and function of the Golgi apparatus was compared in the animal and plant cell. Several morphological varieties of the dictyosomes of plant cells, observed after the action of pathogenic factors and the effect of the fixation procedures, were also noticed in small quantities in the cells of the investigated objects.     

第Ⅷ凝血因子基因内限制性片段长度多态性(RFLP)的研究及其在甲型血友病基因连锁分析中的应用

本文系统地研究了广东地区汉族人群中FⅧ:C基因内BclⅠ,XbaⅠ和BgⅡ位点RFLP的基因频率。多态性位点BclⅠ,XbaⅠ及BglⅠ的切点阳性率分别为63.5%、43.5%和100%。对Bcll和Xbal多态性切点连锁情况研究显示,19.5%的Bcll切点阳性纯合子为Xbal切点杂合子,证明联合应用此两位点RFLP可以把甲型血友病基因连锁分析的有效率提高到65.9%。用RFLP连锁分析对两例甲型血友病家系中的女性进行了致病基因携带者检测,对另一例家系进行了基因产前诊断。     

Stand microclimate and physiological activity of tree leaves in an oak-hornbeam forest

Summary In an uneven-aged, multi-species oak-hornbeam forest at Báb, SW Slovakia (former IBP Forest Research Site), a series of micrometeorological and ecophysiological measurements started in 1985. The aims of the work are to improve understanding of physiological processes (photosynthesis, respiration, and transpiration) of adult trees and stand microclimate, to collect data for simulation of the canopy (stand) photosynthesis and for ecological synthesis of the functioning of the forest ecosystem. In this paper, photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), air temperature (AT) and relative humidity (RH), wind speed (WS), and CO₂ concentration ([CO₂]) in and above the forest are characterized for the fully leaved season, using diurnal courses, vertical profiles and isodiagrams (isopleths). Approximately 50% of incident PAR was absorbed by the upper 4–5 m layer of leaves and only approximately 5% or less penetrated to the forest floor. Vertical gradients of AT and RH were generally low, but large differences in diurnal ranges of AT and RH were observed between vertical levels. The upper leaf canopy greatly reduced WS, and at a height of about 14 m above the ground it was close to zero. The highest diurnal [CO₂] maximum and variations occurred at 1 m above the ground, and the lowest above the forest. In good light conditions in the forest, the entire leaf canopy (overstorey and understorey canopy) is a large sink of CO₂. At night the forest stand is a source of CO₂, the largest internal source being the soil and forest floor.     

MHC-like molecules in some nonmammalian vertebrates can be detected by some cross-reactive xenoantisera

Rabbit antisera raised to human and chicken MHC molecules were used to immunoprecipitate cross-reactive molecules from biosynthetically and cell surface-labeled spleen and/or blood cells of representative vertebrate species. Five major points emerged: 1) There were many nonspecific cross-reactions using these techniques, so various criteria were developed to distinguish these from true MHC-like molecules. 2) Only very small subpopulations of immunogen-specific antibodies cross-reacted with MHC-like molecules in other nonmammalian species. These subpopulations were different for each species and even within a species, sometimes being so limited as to behave like alloantisera. This led to a very scattered pattern of true cross-reactions that sometimes failed to reflect the properties of the bulk antibody population. 3) Antisera containing antibodies to class II beta- and class I alpha-chains cross-reacted better and more widely than those to B-G, class II alpha and, in general, beta 2-microglobulin. 4) Some cross-reactive antibodies were clearly directed to epitopes on the surface of the mature heterodimers, but many seemed to recognize nonlinear cryptic determinants, presumably in the contact regions between the chains. These latter antibodies recognized biosynthetic intermediates and also a variety of unusual cell surface MHC-like molecules present in reptile and amphibian, but absent in the mammal and chicken cells tested. These included E homodimers whose relationship to chicken B-G molecules is unknown. 5) MHC-like molecules were identified in a bird, three reptiles, and two amphibians, but no molecules with the expected properties were found with these reagents in any of the fish tested.     

Plastid transformation in greening scales of the onion bulb (Allium cepa,Alliaceae)

The greening of the upper part of the outerAllium cepa L. bulb scales, in particular along the vascular regions, is limited to the hypodermal cells in which typical leucoplasts are transformed to normal and functional chloroplasts. This process is light dependent and cannot afterwards be reversed or modified by darkness. The changes in fine structure are described and briefly discussed.Dedicated to Prof. DrLothar Geitler on the occasion of his 90th birthday and 55 years after the publication of his Grundriß der Cytologie.     

Preparation of lipid emulsions by pressure extrusion

Lipid emulsions consisting of a surface monolayer of phospholipid enclosing a core of neutral lipids have been prepared by repeated extrusion through polycarbonate filters of defined pore size. Particle size, as measured by photon correlation spectroscopy, decreases on successive passes through a 100 nm filter, reaching a near constant value (130-150 nm) after 4 passes. A corresponding decrease in the standard deviation of the particle size distribution occurs during this process. The recovery of lipids, especially of cholesterol and cholesterol ester, is improved if the emulsion is sonicated before extrusion through filters. [31P]-NMR and fluorescence techniques are used to confirm that the resulting structures are emulsions rather than lipid bilayers.     

Effect of prolonged high salt intake on atrial natriuretic factor's kinetics in rats

Plasma atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) paradoxically decreases after 5 weeks (but not after 3 weeks) of 8% NaCl intake in normotensive rats. As this phenomenon remains unaccounted for by changes in ANF production, we studied the disappearance of [125I]ANF(99-126) from the circulation as an alternative explanation of plasma ANF decline. Following 5 weeks (but not 3 weeks) of an 8% NaCl diet, plasma concentrations of [125I]ANF were significantly decreased and metabolic clearance rate and volume of distribution were increased compared to control rats fed a 0.8% NaCl diet. By studying [125I]ANF tissue uptake we noted significantly greater peptide uptake after 5 weeks (but not after 3 weeks) of high salt consumption in several tissues. We hypothesize that prolonged (at least 5 weeks) 8% NaCl ingestion increases the density and/or affinity of ANF binding sites. These changes may be responsible for the previously observed decline in plasma ANF concentrations after a prolonged high salt intake.