Genetic map of coliphage 186 from a novel use of marker rescue frequencies

Summary A genetic map of phage 186 has been constructed, using the frequency of marker rescue from 186 mutant prophages for genes to the left of att, and int promoted recombination for genes to its right. At the left end of the genome lie 7 genes involved in the formation of the phage head, followed to the right by the lysis gene P, a gene (O) of unknown function, and a group of 11 genes involved in the formation of the phage tail. Gene B, the late control gene, lies to the right of this group but to the left of the phage attachment site. To the right of the att site lie the non-essential genes (cI and cII) involved in lysogen formation and the gene (A) required for 186 DNA synthesis.     

Dichloran-rose bengal medium for enumeration and isolation of molds from foods.

Overgrowth by spreading molds such as Rhizopus and Mucor species is a problem with fungal enumeration media used for foods. Thirty-one antifungal compounds were surveyed for their ability to selectively inhibit such fungi while allowing growth of mycotoxigenic molds and other species of significance in food spoilage. Dichloran (2,6 dichloro-4-nitroaniline) restricted growth of Rhizopus stolonifer while allowing satisfactory growth of the other test molds. Three Rhizopus and Mucor species were encountered that were not inhibited by dichloran; these were controlled by the addition of rose bengal. The optimal medium, designated DRBC, contained 2 micrograms of dichloran and 25 micrograms of rose bengal per ml. DRBC, in pure culture tests and with food samples, restricted the colony size of spreading molds and recovered a wider range of species in higher numbers than other enumeration media.     

Enhancement by dietary clofibrate of peroxisomal palmityl-CoA oxidase in kidney and small intestine of albino mice and liver of genetically lean and obese mice

Using density gradient fractionation palmityl-CoA oxidase was localised in the peroxisomes of kidney and small intestine of albino mice. Dietary clofibrate treatment for 14 days resulted in significant increases in palmityl-CoA oxidase of kidney and small intestine of albino mice and liver of genetically lean and obese mice, and was accompanied in the latter by a proliferation of hepatic peroxisomes.     

Genetic characterization of twelve P2-186 hybrid bacteriophages

Summary The extent of the parental phage contributions to each of twelve P2-186 hybrid coliphage has been determined by marker rescue.     

Effects of sodium and potassium chlorides on the growth and accumulation of mineral ions by Cyperus involucratus Rottb.

The response of the large emergent aquatic plant Cyperus involucratus Rottb. to NaCl and KCl salinities was studied under glasshouse conditions. Growth was not affected greatly by 50 mM NaCl or 100 mM KCl, but plants treated with 100 mM NaCl or 200 mM KCl were stunted and showed symptoms of salt toxicity. NaCl salinity was more detrimental than KCl, and Cl was more damaging to plant growth than K, but less damaging than Na. Salinity had no effect on plant succulence. NaCl and KCl treatments caused a decrease in concentrations of Ca and Mg in plant tissue, and NaCl-stressed plants accumulated nitrate-N. Na was largely excluded from leaves, whereas K was not. Concentrations up to 4% Cl, 8% K and 2.3% Na (dry wt. basis) were recorded in above-ground plant organs. C. involucratus is potentially a useful plant for inclusion in aquatic plant filters to treat wastewaters, and harvestable parts of the plant (culms and leaves) had over 60% of the total plant K, Na and Cl. The results are discussed with respect to the use of C. involucratus in systems for wastewater reclamation.     

Long-Term Spatiotemporal Dynamics and Factors Associated with Trends in Bare-Nosed Wombats

Geographically widespread species present challenges for conservation assessment. We used long-term spotlight surveys to assess spatiotemporal dynamics of bare-nosed wombats (Vombatus ursinus), encompassing 34 years of surveys for the Tasmanian mainland sub-species (V. u. tasmaniensis, 1985–2018) and 25 years for the Flinders Island sub-species (V. u. ursinus, 1994–2018). Wombat populations increased on the Tasmanian mainland by 2.59 times and on Flinders Island by 3.51 times ( = 1.05 and 1.1 times increase/yr, respectively). At smaller spatial scales on mainland Tasmania, increases in wombat counts generally occurred within meteorological regions and regional zones, except for the Central North (West Tamar) region where a decrease in wombats is linked to a sarcoptic mange disease epizootic. We used generalized additive models to assess relationships between variables and wombat counts. The most supported variables at the mainland Tasmania scale were (in order of importance) year, positive associations with time-lagged minimum temperature, Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii) counts, and moonlight, and a negative association with time-lagged rainfall. Among meteorological regions, variables associated with wombat counts exhibited some heterogeneity, with temperature and rainfall the most frequently associated variables. Our long-term, large-scale, and ecologically diverse analysis of bare-nosed wombats supports spotlight monitoring as a valuable, relatively simple, and affordable survey method in Tasmania and beyond. © 2021 The Wildlife Society.     

Effects of a Ficoll-agarose system on early division and development of mesophyll protoplasts of winter oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.)

A method is described for regenerating callus from mesophyll protoplasts of a winter variety of Brassica napus. The method combines the use of Ficoll in an initial liquid medium, enhancing early protoplast division and cell colony formation, with a transfer to an agarose system after 10 days culture to give rapid microcalli formation. Further transfers resulted in callus regeneration and the initiation of organogenesis.