Seasonal variation of nitrogenous compounds in the xylem sap of Citrus

Samples of tracheal sap of Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck cv. Washington Navel were taken from field trees throughout the year and the nitrogen composition of the sap was determined. The nitrogenous fraction of the sap was composed mainly of free amino acids (92–97% of total nitrogen) and nitrates throughout the year. Proline was the most abundant amino acid during almost the entire cycle, and its concentration was especially high during the autumn and winter period. Nevertheless, a significant part (40–60%) of the total organic nitrogen was transported as arginine. Total nitrogen as well as amino acids and nitrates were maximal at spring flush. At spring flush and summer flush there was also a diversification of α-amino nitrogen among different amino acids. During the spring flush, nitrates, asparagine and γ-aminobutyric acid in the xylem sap seemed to have a radicular origin, whereas glutamic acid and arginine were released from the surrounding parenchyma. The results suggest a metabolic transformation in the wood parenchyma of nitrogenous compounds coming from the roots (including reduction of nitrates) and a turnover of different nitrogen metabolites between the xylem and surrounding cells.     

Immunological properties of monoclonal antibodies specific for meningococcal polysaccharides: the protective capacity of IgM antibodies specific for polysaccharide group B

Two IgM monoclonal antibodies, MB32 and MB34 specific for meningococcal polysaccharide group B have been raised. Both were detectable by radioimmunoassay and agglutination, but only MB34 was effective in counter immunoelectrophoresis and complement fixation. MB34 was also far more potent than MB32 when tested for passive protection of mice infected with either Neisseria meningitidis group B or Escherichia coli K1. These data demonstrate that group B-specific antibodies do play a protective role in mice infected with these bacteria.     

Protein kinase from Mucor rouxii

Summary Cyclic AMP binding to Mucor rouxii protein kinase holoenzyme and free regulatory subunit was measured by the classical membrane filtration technique and by equilibrium dialysis. The results obtained demonstrate that the filtration method can be used without loss of any cyclic AMP binding site. Both methods unambiguously demonstrate that the number of molecules of cyclic AMP bound to the holoenzyme are half of those bound to the regulatory subunit. This result suggests that unshielding of new cyclic AMP binding sites occurs upon dissociation of the ternary complex holoenzyme-cyclic AMP.     

Lethal and Mutagenic Action of Black Light (325 to 400 nm) on Haemophilus influenzae in the Presence of Air

Near-ultraviolet (UV) light (325 to 400 nm), in the presence of air and the absence of exogenous photosensitizing compounds, is lethal and mutagenic for Haemophilus influenzae. The lethal effect is the same for both wild type and streptomycin-resistant mutants, indicating that the mutants are not selected by the irradiation. The inactivation and mutagenicity show a large shoulder, suggesting the existence of repair systems. Filters were used to eliminate the possibility of short-UV irradiation. The effective radiation is between 325 to 400 nm. The lethal and mutagenic effects are higher during mid and late log phase than during early log or stationary phase.     

Binding of β-lactam antibiotics to the exocellular dd-carboxypeptidase–transpeptidase of Streptomyces R39

Benzylpenicillin and cephaloridine reacted with the exocellular dd-carboxypeptidase–transpeptidase from Streptomyces R39 to form equimolar and inactive antibiotic–enzyme complexes. At saturation, the molar ratio of chromogenic cephalosporin 87-312 to enzyme was 1.3:1, but this discrepancy might be due to a lack of accuracy in the measurement of the antibiotic. Spectrophotometric studies showed that binding of cephaloridine and cephalosporin 87-312 to the enzyme caused opening of their β-lactam rings. Benzylpenicillin and cephalosporin 87-312 competed for the same site on the free enzyme, suggesting that binding of benzylpenicillin also resulted in the opening of its β-lactam ring. In Tris–NaCl–MgCl₂ buffer at pH7.7 and 37°C, the rate constants for the dissociation of the antibiotic–enzyme complexes were 2.8×10⁻⁶, 1.5×10⁻⁶ and 0.63×10⁻⁶s⁻¹ (half-lives 70, 130 and 300h) for benzylpenicillin, cephalosporin 87-312 and cephaloridine respectively. During the process, the protein underwent reactivation. The enzyme that was regenerated from its complex with benzylpenicillin was as sensitive to fresh benzylpenicillin as the native enzyme. With [¹⁴C]benzylpenicillin, the released radioactive compound was neither benzylpenicillin nor benzylpenicilloic acid. The Streptomyces R39 enzyme thus behaved as a β-lactam-antibiotic-destroying enzyme but did not function as a β-lactamase. Incubation at 37°C in 0.01m-phosphate buffer, pH7.0, and in the same buffer supplemented with sodium dodecyl sulphate caused a more rapid reversion of the [¹⁴C]benzylpenicillin–enzyme complex. The rate constants were 1.6×10⁻⁵s⁻¹ and 0.8×10⁻⁴s⁻¹ respectively. Under these conditions, however, there was no concomitant reactivation of the enzyme and the released radioactive compound(s) appeared not to be the same as before. The Streptomyces R39 enzyme and the exocellular dd-carboxypeptidase–transpeptidase from Streptomyces R61 appeared to differ from each other with regard to the topography of their penicillin-binding site.     

Flow through a Collapsible Tube: Experimental Analysis and Mathematical Model

Flow through thin-wall axisymmetric tubes has long been of interest to physiologists. Analysis is complicated by the fact that such tubes will collapse when the transmural pressure (internal minus external pressure) is near zero. Because of the absence of any body of related knowledge in other sciences or engineering, previous workers have directed their efforts towards experimental studies of flow in collapsible tubes. More recently, some attention has been given towards analytical studies. Results of an extensive series of experiments show that the significant system parameter is transmural pressure. The cross-sectional area of the tube depends upon the transmural pressure, and changes in cross-section in turn affect the flow geometry. Based on experimental studies, a lumped parameter system model is proposed for the collapsible tube. The mathematical model is simulated on a hybrid computer. Experimental data were used to define the functional relationship between cross-sectional area and transmural pressure as well as the relation between the energy loss coefficient and cross-sectional area. Computer results confirm the validity of the model for both steady and transient flow conditions.     

A strain of Holmes' ribgrass virus occurring in Yugoslavia

A virus having 300 nm long rod-shaped particles was isolated fromPlantago media L. in Yugoslavia. The virus was transmitted to 15 species of host plants the symptoms of which are described in detail. The symptoms corresponded to those that appeared after infection by the original Holmes' ribgrass virus (HRV). The investigated virus was compared both with the common strain of tobacco mosaic and the original Holmes' ribgrass viruses by means of serological tests. The agar double-diffusion tests showed that it is closely related to HRV and remotely related to the common strain of TMV. On the basis of these results we concluded that this virus represented a strain of the HRV. The investigations of the cell inclusions showed that our virus produced rounded plates instead of hexagonal prisms. Electron micrographs of ultrathin sectioned material demonstrated that these plates were formed by virus particles lying perpendicularly to the layers of the plates. The presence of plates also points to the fact that the investigated virus belongs to the HRV.