The androgen-dependent rat prostate protein,probasin, is a heparin-binding protein that co-purifies with heparin-binding growth factor-1

Summary Rat prostate extracts contain an abundant 20–22 kilodalton heparin-binding protein with near identical chromatographic properties, but only 0.2–1% of the mitogenic activity, of bovine brain heparin-binding growth factor-1 (acidic fibroblast growth factor). Amino terminal amino acid sequence (met-met-thr-asp-lys-asn-leu-lys-lys-lys-ile-glu-gly-asn-trp-arg-thr-val-tyr-leu-ala-ala-ser-?-val-glu-lys-ile-asn-glu-gly-ser-pro) and immunochemical analysis revealed that the protein is identical to the androgen-dependent protein “probasin”. This work was supported in part by NCI grant CA37589 (W. L. M., J. W. C.) and the Medical Research Council of Canada (R. J. M.).     

Origin of plantlets and callus obtained from chile pepper anther cultures

Summary Androgenesis occurred from chile pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) anthers incubated in a continuous warm environment (29° C) with continuous light. Forty plantes and embryoids were retrieved from anther cultures and anllyzed for isozyme markers. Of these, 35 exhibited a single allele for markers suggesting microspore origin, while 5 were heterozygous indicating somatic tissue origin. Chromosome numbers were confirmed for 21 plantlets, of which 16 were haploid and 5 were diploid. However, two plants exhibited a single allele for an isozyme marker but possessed the diploid chromosome number, suggesting spontaneous doubling. Anther cultures also produced callus. Nearly 92% of the slow-growing calli sampled were heterozygous for the isozyme marker, suggesting somatic tissue origin. More than 46% of the fast-growing calli exhibited only one allele for the marker, indicating microspore origin. Callus did not regenerate plantlets. The occurrence of both heterozygous and homozygous diploid plantlets from pepper anther cultures has important implications for applied breeding programs.     

A simple,rapid protocol for adventitious shoot development from mature cotyledons of glycine max cv bragg

Mature soybean cotyledons (Maturity group VII) were cultured on modified MS containing 0–2.5 μM indole-butyric acid (IBA); 0–10 μM 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) and 0.7% agar. Embryonic axes of explants were removed prior to culture initiation and cultures were incubated at 24°C with 45–50 μE. s⁻¹.M⁻² of mixed irradiance with 16 h photoperiod. Shoot proliferation occurred at 0–2.5 μM IBA and 5–10 μM BAP, while in the presence of 2.5 μM IBA alone, only roots developed. Abnormal shoots were produced with 2.5 μM IBA and 5–7.5 μM thidiazuron. Adventitious shoot development started 7–14 d after culture initiation in the region where the embryonic axis was previously attached to the cotyledon and shoots were visible within 28 days. The presence of the embryonic axis inhibited shoot morphogenesis. The shoots were rooted on half strength MS inorganic salts plus vitamins, 2% sucrose, 0.5 μM NAA acid or 2.5–5 μM IBA, or 5–10 μM IAA, and 0.7% agar. Rooted plants were acclimatized under a mist in the greenhouse. This simple, rapid,in vitro adventitious shoot development protocol could be adapted for transformation/regeneration studies in soybean. Trade and company names are used in the publication solely to provide specific information. Mention of a trade or company name does not constitute a warranty or an endorsement by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to the exclusion of other products or organizations not mentioned.     

Behavioral treatment of isolated systolic hypertension in the elderly

Fifteen hypertensive patients were recruited from a geriatric medicine clinic for a research project designed to evaluate a Behavioral Stepped-Care treatment program of high blood pressure (HBP). All patients met the selection criteria of the Isolated Systolic Hypertension (ISH) in the Elderly (SHEP) clinical trial. During baseline, subjects recorded BP at home 9 times/day (3 times each, shortly after awakening, during the middle of the day, and within an hour of retiring) for 1 month and mailed that data to us daily. In addition, they came to the clinic weekly and had their BP recorded by a nurse. During treatment 1, systolic (SBP) feedback, they were trained to lower SBP at home using their sphygmomanometers. They also continued to monitor BP and to obtain weekly professional BP readings. During treatment 2 (relaxation), they were trained to relax; they followed the self-administration and data-collection protocol as in treatment 1. Each treatment phase lasted 3 months. Average monthly self-determined BP fell significantly from 166.4/85.8 (SBP/DBP) mm Hg during baseline to 153.3/81.2 by the end of the relaxation phase; average monthly professionally measured BP fell significantly, from 164.7/87.1 to 156.9/81.5. These findings show that a nurse-supervised, patient-administered behavioral treatment program of ISH can yield sustained, significant falls in BP.Ms. Pearce and Dr. Burton were supported in part by the Johns Hopkins Academic Nursing Home Award, PO, AG04402, from the National Institute on Aging. This material was presented in part at the annual meeting of the Gerontological Society of America, November 1988, San Francisco.