Airborne Pollen Grains in Zonguldak,Turkey,2001-2002

The variation in airborne pollen concentration of the Zonguldak region, Turkey was studied for two consecutive years 2001-2002 using a Durham sampler. During this period, a total of 61 304 pollen grains belonging to 43 taxa were recorded. Of these 43 taxa, 26 belonged to arboreal and 17 to nonarboreal plants. The main pollen types were Pinaceae, Populus, Carpinus, Betula, Corylus, Fagus orientalis,Castanea sativa, Alnus glutinosa, Quercus, Cupressaceae, Chenopodiaceae and Gramineae, representing 96.7% of the pollen spectrum. Pollen concentration reached the highest level in March.     

Cyclic Purine Mononucleotides: Induction of Gibberellin Biosynthesis in Barley Endosperm

The de novo synthesis of α-amylase in barley endosperm and isolated aleurone layers is induced by 3′,5′-cyclic purine mononucleotides and gibberellic acid. The induction of α-amylase by cyclic purine mononucleotides is prevented by 2,4-DNP, inhibitors of RNA and protein syntheses, CCC, AMO-1618 and phosfon. The induction of α-amylase formation by 3′,5′-cyclic purine mononucleotides, but not by gibberellic acid, is also blocked by inhibitors of DNA synthesis. Extracts from cyclic AMP-treated endosperm halves exhibit a characteristic gibberellin-like activity which is detectable within 12 hours from the addition of the cyclic AMP. On paper chromatograms this gibberellin-like activity is located at the Rf typical for GA₃. Its formation is prevented by inhibitors of DNA synthesis, CCC and AMO-1618. Glucose inhibits the formation of α-amylase induced by gibberellic acid. Glucose has no effect on the cAMP-induced gibberellin biosynthesis. The evidence shows that the cyclic purine mononucleotides induce DNA synthesis, which results in gibberellin biosynthesis, which in turn activates the synthesis of α-amylase.     

Kinship and Behavior in Primates

Kinship and Behavior in Primates. Bernard Chapais and Carol M. Berman, eds. Oxford University Press, 2004. 507 pp.