Transforming a set of biological flat file librariesto a fast access network

SRS (Sequence Retrieval System), an indexing system for flatfile libraries, provides fast access to individual library entriesvia retrie by keywords from rious data fields. SRS is now alsoable to build indices using cross–references that mostlibraries provide. Fifteen libraries of DNA and protein sequencesand structures have been selected. These libraries interactwith at least one other by means of cross–references.Indexing these cross–references allows a complete networkof libraries to be built. In the network an entry from one librarycan be linked in principle to every other library. If two librariesare not directly cross–referenced, the linkage can bemade with a succession of single links between neighbouring,cross–referenced libraries. A new operator has been addedto the query language of SRS for convenient specification oflinks amongst complete libraries or entry sets generated byprevious queries on particular libraries. All the informationin the network can now be used to retrieve an entry in a specificlibrary, e.g. the full information given in amino acid sequenceentries from SwissProt can now be used to retrieve related tertiarystructure entries from PDB. Furthermore, a search in a singlelibrary can be extended to a search in the complete librarynetwork, e.g. all entries in all databases pertaining to elastasecan be found.     

The cellular pathway of sucrose transport in developing cotyledons ofVicia faba L. andPhaseolus vulgaris L.: a physiological assessment

The cellular pathway of sugar uptake in developing cotyledons of Vicia faba L. and Phaseolus vulgaris L. seed was evaluated using a physiological approach. The cotyledon interface with the seed coat is characterised by a specialised dermal cell complex. In the case of Vicia faba cotyledons, the epidermal component of the dermal cell complex is composed of transfer cells. Sucrose is the major sugar presented to the outer surface of both cotyledons and it is taken up from the apoplasm unaltered. Estimated sucrose concentrations within the apparent free space of Vicia and Phaseolus cotyledons were 105 and 113 mM respectively. Rates of in-vitro uptake of [¹⁴C]sucrose by cotyledon segments or by whole cotyledons following physical removal or porter inactivation of the outer cells demonstrated that, for both Vicia and Phaseolus cotyledons, the dermal cell complexes are the most intense sites of sucrose uptake. Accumulation of [¹⁴C]sucrose in the storage parenchyma of whole cotyledons was directly affected by experimental manipulation of uptake by the outer cell layers and plasmolytic disruption of the interconnecting plasmodesmata. These findings indicated that sucrose accumulated by the dermal cell complexes is transported symplasmically to the storage parenchyma. Overall, it is concluded that the dermal cell complexes of the developing legume embryo, irrespective of the presence or absence of wall ingrowths, are the major sites for the uptake of sucrose released from the maternal tissues to the seed apoplasm. Thereafter, the accumulated sucrose is transported radially inward through the symplast to the storage parenchyma.Abbreviations AFS apparent free space - CF 5-(6)-carboxyfluorescein - CFDA 5-(6)-carboxyfluorescein diacetate - Mes 2-(N-morpholino)ethanesulfonic acid - PCMBS p-chloromercuribenzenesulfonic acid - SRG sulphorhodamine G The investigation was supported by funds from the Research Management Committee, The University of Newcastle and the Australian Research Council. One of us, R. McDonald, gratefully acknowledges the support of an Australian Postgraduate Research Award. We are grateful to Stella Savoury for preparing the photomicrographs.     

International study on Artemia. LIV. Morphological study of Artemia with emphasis to Old World strains. II. Parthenogenetic populations

Eleven morphometric and one meristic character in 15 parthenogeneticArtemia populations have been studied by using discriminant andcluster analysis as well as scanning electron microscopy.Discriminant analysis revealed five main groups of morphologicalpatterns: (i) the coastal Chinese populations together with apopulation from Kazakhstan, (ii) the inland Chinese salt lakepopulations, (iii) the Greek populations, (iv) one African populationfrom Namibia and (v) a Chinese population from Xuyu (Jiangsuprovince). Cluster analysis was not always in agreement withdiscriminant analysis and these results are discussed.     

Economic history of ostrich fern,Matteuccia struthiopteris,the edible fiddlehead

Although the ostrich fern, Matteuccia struthiopteris,is distributed throughout much of the Northern Hemisphere, its consumption as a spring vegetable has been largely restricted to the tables of the Maritime Provinces in Canada and neighboring Maine in the United States. However, in little more than a decade the demand has expanded beyond these traditional boundaries, due to the present availability of the frozen product. The heart of the industry is undoubtedly New Brunswick. The harvest of 200 t/yr is approximately 4 times that of Maine, and from an historical vantage the traditional use as a spring vegetable is with the New Brunswickers as well. In light of the present high demand for the product and the reports of localized overpicking, a review of the economic history, resource management and attempts at cultivation is presented.