Effect of Drying on Unexposed Autoradiographic Emulsion in Relation to Background

Unexposed blanks prepared from Kodak AR 10 stripping film were dried by 3 methods: (1) fast, open drying with a fan for 25 min, (2) slow drying in a desiccator for 6 hr, and (3) very slow drying in a desiccator for 24 hr. The number of background grains depended on the mode of drying. Fast drying (method 1) gave 0.7 grain per 100 μ², slow drying (method 2) gave 0.33 grain; very slow drying (method 3), only 0.17 grain. The increase of background after fast drying is assumed to be caused by the rapid shrinkage of wet emulsion. This causes an increase in the intraemulsion pressure which, in turn, sensitizes the silver bromide crystals to cause an increase in the number of developable grains.     

The pectinolytic enzyme of Selenomonas ruminantium

A cell-bound pectinolytic enzyme was isolated from cells of Selenomonas ruminantium and purified about 360-fold. The optimum pH and temperature for enzyme activity was 7.0 and 40°. The enzyme degraded polymeric substrates by hydrolysis of digalacturonic acid units from the non-reducing end; the best substrate was nona-galacturonic acid. Unsaturated trigalacturonate was also degraded, but 30% slower than the saturated analogue. The enzyme was classified as a poly (1,4-aP-D-galactosiduronate) digalacturono-hydrolase; EC 3.2.1.82. Another enzyme, hydrolysing digalacturonic acid to monomers, was also produced in a very small amount by this organism.     

Effects of Solar Radiation on Photoorientation,Motility and Pigmentation in a Freshwater Cryptomonas

The effects of solar radiation on motility, photoorientation and pigmentation have been studied in a freshwater Cryptomonas species. The diaphototactic orientation performed by the cells is impaired within about 90 min of solar radiation. Likewise, the percentage of motile cells within the population and the average velocity of the swimming cells decreases within about the same exposure time. This effect is not due to a thermal stress but rather seems to be caused by the solar UV-B component, since decreasing short wavelength UV radiation by means of an artificial ozone filter or UV cut-off filters increased the tolerated exposure time. Solar radiation also bleached the photosynthetic pigments of the cells as shown by absorption difference spectra.     

Detection of Petunia Asteroid Mosaic, Carnation Ringspot and Tobacco Necrosis Viruses in Ditches and Drainage Canals in a Grapevine-Growing Area in West Germany

A number of virus isolates were obtained from ditches and drainage canals in the Palatinate grapevine-growing area (‘Rheinpfalz’) in West Germany. By means of the immunoelectron microscopical decoration and the agar gel double diffusion tests these isolates were identified as petunia asteroid mosaic virus, carnation ringspot virus and tobacco necrosis virus strain D, respectively.     

α1-Adrenergic Receptor Mediates Arachidonic Acid Release in Spinal Cord Neurons Independent of Inositol Phospholipid Turnover

The alpha 1-adrenergic receptor has been shown to mediate the release of arachidonic acid in FRTL5 thyroid cells and MDCK kidney cells. In primary cultures of spinal cord cells, norepinephrine stimulated release of arachidonic acid (from neurons only) and turnover of inositol phospholipids (from neurons and glia) via alpha 1-adrenergic receptors. These two responses were dissociated by treatment with phorbol ester and pertussis toxin, which inhibited production of inositol phosphates with no appreciable effect on release of arachidonic acid. Extracellular calcium was required for release of arachidonic acid, but not for production of inositol phosphates. The calcium channel blockers nifedipine and verapamil inhibited release of arachidonic acid only. However, 8-(N,N-diethylamino)octyl-3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoate (TMB-8), a compound that blocks intracellular calcium release, diminished production of inositol phosphates, but had little effect on release of arachidonic acid. These results suggest that alpha 1-adrenergic receptors couple to release of arachidonic acid in primary cultures of spinal cord cells by a mechanism independent of activation of phospholipase C, possibly via the activation of phospholipase A2.     

Supra-additive stimulation of adenylate cyclase activity by prostaglandin E2 andD-Ala2-met-enkephalinamide in the guinea-pig superior cervical ganglion: Role of Mg2+ ions

Agonists modulation of Mg²⁺-dependent adenylate cyclase activity has been studied in guinea-pig superior cervical ganglion crude membrane preparations. In the absence of receptors ligands, Mg²⁺ stimulates the enzyme in a concentration-dependent manner. The dose-activation curve shows heterogeneity and two components with higher and lower apparent affinity states, are extrapolated. In the presence ofD-Ala²-met-enkephalinamide only one component is present and the apparent affinity of the ganglionic adenylate cyclase system for the divalent cation as well as Vmax are inhibited. On the contrary, prostaglandin E₂ increases affinity and Vmax values of the lower and, to a lesser extent, of the higher Km component. When the two drugs are tested in combination, not only the inhibitory effect of the opiate is overcome, but a large increase of the apparent affinities and Vmax values for both components is obtained, suggesting the involvement of the Mg²⁺-regulated subunits of the adenylate cyclase system in the supra-additive stimulation mechanism of the enzyme.     

Predator avoidance behaviour in the buffy-headed marmoset,Callithrix flaviceps

The predator avoidance behaviour of a free-ranging group of buffy-headed marmosets,Callithrix flaviceps, was recorded in detail during the course of a long-term study of behavioural ecology at the Fazenda Montes Claros, southeastern Brazil. Four distinct patterns of predator avoidance behaviour, each with specific vocalisations, were recognised and are described here. The selection and use of sleeping sites by the study group are also described. An analysis of the records indicates that these small monkeys are generally most vulnerable to predation by aerial raptors. Variations in the frequency of alarm calls also indicate that the marmosets tend to be more vigilant at higher levels in the forest and when the leaf cover is less extensive. The implications of group size and social structure for both the evolution and the efficacy of the anti-predator behaviour of marmosets are also discussed.