Kontinuierliche Atmungsmessungen an Azotobacter chroococcum Beij. in Montmorillonit unter chronischer Röntgenbestrahlung

Zusammenfassung An zwei Stämmen Azotobacter chroococcum Beij. wurden in Montmorillonit als Bodenmodell Atmungsmessungen unter Röntgenbestrahlung durchgeführt. Durch die Bestrahlung wurde bei beiden Stämmen die Atmungsintensität erniedrigt. Aus dem Beginn der Atmungsdepression nach Einsetzen der Bestrahlung lassen sich Rückschlüsse auf die Strahlenresistenz der verschiedenen Stämme ziehen. Die Strahlenresistenz der beiden untersuchten Bakterien-Stämme war im Montmorillonit im Vergleich zu Suspensionen wesentlich erhöht.     

Die ChlorococcalenDictyochloris undDictyochloropsis nov. gen.

Zusammenfassung Es wird eine atmophytische Chlorococcale neu beschrieben, die unter anderem durch den Bau ihres Chromatophors merkwürdig ist. Sie bildet im Freiland manchmal an der Membran eigenartige Körper unbekannter Natur. — Zur Kenntnis vonDictyochloris werden ergänzende Beobachtungen mitgeteilt.     

Resolution des VIII. Internationalen Pflanzenschutzkongresses

Abstract

In Anbetracht der weitreichenden Bedeutung des VIII. Internationalen Pflanzenschutzkongresses, der in der Zeit vom 22. bis 26. August 1975 in Moskau stattfand, hält es die Redaktion für erforderlich, die anläßlich des Kongresses verabschiedete Resolution im Wortlaut wiederzugeben.     

Botrydina — keine Symbiose einer Alge mit einem Moosprotonema

Zusammenfassung In Bestätigung älterer AngabenActons ergibt sich, daßBotrydina vulgaris eine Halbflechte, d. h. die regelmäßige Verbindung einer Chlorophycee mit einem steril bleibenden Eumyzeten, nicht aber, zufolge neuerer Angaben, mit dem Protonema des LaubmoosesGeorgia pellucida ist.Es bestehen zwingende Gründe, die ausschließen, daß es zweierleiBotrydina gibt und daß etwa die Pflanzen, die zu der Auffassung der Symbiose zwischen. Alge und Protonema führten, von den hier untersuchten abwichen (Anastomosenbildung in dem vermeintlichen Protonema, völlige Übereinstimmung der morphologischen und anatomischen Verhältnisse). Beweisend für die Pilznatur des Myzels, mit dem dieBotrydina-Kugeln zusammenhängen, ist, abgesehen von der allgemeinen Morphologie und dem Verhalten bei der Umspinnung, die Bildung von Anastomosen. Daß die pseudoparenchymatische Rinde vonBotrydina samt dem freien Myzel nicht das Protonema vonGeorgia sein kann, ergibt sich außerdem eindeutig aus den Bauunterschieden der Zellkerne beider, ferner aus dem Fehlen bzw. Vorhandensein von Zellulose in den Membranen und von Stärkekörnern und vermutlich Leukoplasten im Plasma sowie aus sonstigen Anzeichen.     

Über die Variabilität von Stephanodiscus hantzschii GRUN

A new variety, striatior, of the diatom Stephanodiscus hantzschii Grun. (S.h.) with denser striae was described (Kalbe 1971). The legality of S.h. var. pusillus is confirmed by specimens from freshwaters of the north of Mecklenburg. The species S.h. probably consists in this region of several races with different peaks of valve diameter variation. The planctonic mass changing of S.h. and its forms in the three rivers Warnow, Malchiner Peene and Neukalener Peene and in the Lake Kummerow is represented. The differences of the average valve sizes in these waters are remarkable. Var. pusillus Grun. appears to be a benthic mass form, too. High cell numbers and high cell volume sums are not developing ever simultaneously. Var. pusillus is not a suitable form for evaluating the saprobiological status, for it is adaptable to different ecological conditions. The species S.h. itself is a beta- to alphamesosaprobic organism, being able to produce high cell numbers within this range of saprobity.      

Half a century of Scots pine forest ecosystem monitoring reveals long‐term effects of atmospheric deposition and climate change

At two forest sites in Germany (Pfaffenwinkel, Pustert) stocked with mature Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.), we investigated changes of topsoil chemistry during the recent 40 years by soil inventories conducted on replicated control plots of fertilization experiments, allowing a statistical analysis. Additionally, we monitored the nutritional status of both stands from 1964 until 2019 and quantified stand growth during the monitoring period by repeated stand inventories. Moreover, we monitored climate variables (air temperature and precipitation) and calculated annual climatic water balances from 1991 to 2019. Atmospheric nitrogen (N) and sulfur (S) deposition between 1964 and 2019 was estimated for the period 1969–2019 by combining annual deposition measurements conducted in 1985–1987 and 2004 with long‐term deposition records from long‐term forest monitoring stations. We investigated interrelations between topsoil chemistry, stand nutrition, stand growth, deposition, and climate trends. At both sites, the onset of the new millennium was a turning point of important biogeochemical processes. Topsoil acidification turned into re‐alkalinization, soil organic matter (SOM) accumulation stopped, and likely turned into SOM depletion. In the new millennium, topsoil stocks of S and plant‐available phosphorus (P) as well as S and P concentrations in Scots pine foliage decreased substantially; yet, age‐referenced stand growth remained at levels far above those expected from yield table data. Tree P and S nutrition as well as climate change (increased temperature and drought stress) have replaced soil acidification as major future challenges for both forests. Understanding of P and S cycling and water fluxes in forest ecosystems, and consideration of these issues in forest management is important for successfully tackling the new challenges. Our study illustrates the importance of long‐term forest monitoring to identify slow, but substantial changes of forest biogeochemistry driven by natural and anthropogenic global change.     

Analytical FcRn affinity chromatography for functional characterization of monoclonal antibodies

The neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) is important for the metabolic fate of IgG antibodies in vivo. Analysis of the interaction between FcRn and IgG in vitro might provide insight into the structural and functional integrity of therapeutic IgG that may affect pharmacokinetics (PK) in vivo. We developed a standardized pH gradient FcRn affinity liquid chromatography method with conditions closely resembling the physiological mechanism of interaction between IgG and FcRn. This method allows the separation of molecular IgG isoforms, degradation products and engineered molecules based on their affinity to FcRn. Human FcRn was immobilized on the column and a linear pH gradient from pH 5.5 to 8.8 was applied. FcRn chromatography was used in comparison to surface plasmon resonance to characterize different monoclonal IgG preparations, e.g., oxidized or aggregated species. Wild-type and engineered IgGs were compared in vitro by FcRn chromatography and in vivo by PK studies in huFcRn transgenic mice. Analytical FcRn chromatography allows differentiation of IgG samples and variants by peak pattern and retention time profile. The method can distinguish: 1) IgGs with different Fabs, 2) oxidized from native IgG, 3) aggregates from monomer and 4) antibodies with mutations in the Fc part from wild-type IgGs. Changes in the FcRn chromatographic behavior of mutant IgGs relative to the wild-type IgG correlate to changes in the PK profile in the FcRn transgenic mice. These results demonstrate that FcRn affinity chromatography is a useful new method for the assessment of IgG integrity.     

Cu2‐xS Surface Phases and Their Impact on the Electronic Structure of CuInS2 Thin Films – A Hidden Parameter in Solar Cell Optimization

The surface properties of CuInS₂ (CIS) thin‐film solar cell absorbers are investigated by a combination of electron and soft X‐ray spectroscopies. Spatially separated regions of varying colors are observed and identified to be dominated by either CuS or Cu₂S surface phases. After their removal by KCN etching, the samples cannot be distinguished by eye and the CIS surface is found to be Cu‐deficient in both regions. However, a significantly more pronounced off‐stoichiometry in the region initially covered by Cu₂S can be identified. In this region, the resulting surface band gap is also significantly larger than the E_g^Surf of the initially CuS‐terminated region. Such variations may represent a hidden parameter which, if overlooked, induces irreproducibility and thus prevents systematic optimization efforts.     

Porcine E. coli: Virulence-Associated Genes,Resistance Genes and Adhesion and Probiotic Activity Tested by a New Screening Method

We established an automated screening method to characterize adhesion of Escherichia coli to intestinal porcine epithelial cells (IPEC-J2) and their probiotic activity against infection by enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC). 104 intestinal E. coli isolates from domestic pigs were tested by PCR for the occurrence of virulence-associated genes, genes coding for resistances to antimicrobial agents and metals, and for phylogenetic origin by PCR. Adhesion rates and probiotic activity were examined for correlation with the presence of these genes. Finally, data were compared with those from 93 E. coli isolates from wild boars.Isolates from domestic pigs carried a broad variety of all tested genes and showed great diversity in gene patterns. Adhesions varied with a maximum of 18.3 or 24.2 mean bacteria adherence per epithelial cell after 2 or 6 hours respectively. Most isolates from domestic pigs and wild boars showed low adherence, with no correlation between adhesion/probiotic activity and E. coli genes or gene clusters. The gene sfa/foc, encoding for a subunit of F1C fimbriae did show a positive correlative association with adherence and probiotic activity; however E. coli isolates from wild boars with the sfa/foc gene showed less adhesion and probiotic activity than E. coli with the sfa/foc gene isolated from domestic pigs after 6 hour incubation.In conclusion, screening porcine E. coli for virulence associated genes genes, adhesion to intestinal epithelial cells, and probiotic activity revealed a single important adhesion factor, several probiotic candidates, and showed important differences between E. coli of domestic pigs and wild boars.