Relationship of indole-3-butyric acid and adventitious rooting in M.26 apple (Malus Pumila mill.) shoots cultured in vitro

The role of indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) in adventitious root formation was studied by analyzing the uptake and subsequent metabolism of IBA in shoots of M.26 apple (Malus pumila Mill.) rootstock grown in vitro. Roots were induced by exposing shoots to 4 M IBA and [³H]IBA for 5 days in the dark and then transferring them to plant growth regulator (PGR)-free medium in the light until roots formed. Approximately 50% of the total radioactivity applied was taken up from the agar medium by the shoots during the 5-day incubation period in IBA. Indole-3-butyric acid metabolism was studied by extraction and high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) separation of [³H]IBA and metabolites from the basal sections of treated shoots. The major [³H]IBA metabolite co-eluted with authentic [¹⁴C]indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) suggesting that IBA was converted to IAA in the shoots. The proportion of newly synthesized IAA present as conjugates was higher at the end of the 5-day IBA treatment period than after 13 days in PGR-free medium. There appeared to be no conjugation of IBA at any time.     

Fine needle aspiration cytology of primary soft tissue tumors. Morphologic analysis of the most frequent types.

We reviewed 98 cases of fine needle aspiration of soft tissue tumors with histologic confirmation performed during an eight-year period and propose a working morphologic classification based on the most prominent cytologic features. Six main tumor groups are recognized: myxoid, round cells, spindle cells, pleomorphic cells, polygonal cells and well differentiated. We believe that this classification allows recognition of the most common soft tissue tumors while helping with the differential diagnosis of other neoplasia, primary or secondary, with similar morphology and a similar presentation.     

Effect of immune system imagery on secretory IgA

This study was an investigation of the effects of physiologically-oriented mental imagery on immune functioning. College students with normal medical histories were randomly selected to one of three groups. Subjects in Group 1 participated in short educational training on the production of secretory immunoglobulin A. They were then tested on salivary IgA, skin temperature, and the Profile of Mood States (POMS) before and after listening to a 17-minute tape of imagery instructions with specially composed background entrainment music designed to enhance imagery. Subjects in Group 2 (placebo controls) listened to the same music but received nor formal training on the immune system. Group 3 acted as a control and subjects were tested before and after 17 minutes of no activity. Treatment groups listened to their tapes at home on a bi-daily basis for six weeks All groups were again tested at Weeks 3 and 6. Secretory IgA was analyzed using standard radial immunodiffusion techniques. Repeated measures analyses of variance with planned orthogonal contrasts were used to evaluate the data. Significant overall increases (p<0.05) were found between pre- and posttests for all three trials. Groups 1 and 2 combined (treatment groups) yielded significantly greater increases in sIgA over Group 3 (control) for all three trials. Group 1 (imagery) was significantly higher than Group 2 (music) in antibody production for Trials 2 and 3. Symptomatology, recorded by subjects at Weeks 3 and 6, was significantly lower for three symptoms (rapid heartbeat, breathing difficulty, and jaw clenching), favoring both treatment groups over the control group.     

Photodynamic and non-photodynamic action of several porphyrins on the activity of some heme-enzymes

The action of porphyrins, uroporphyrin I and III (URO I and URO III), pentacarboxylic porphyrin I (PENTA I), coproporphyrin I and III (COPRO I and COPRO III), protoporphyrin IX (PROTO IX) and mesoporphyrin (MESO), on the activity of human erythrocytes delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase, porphobilinogenase, deaminase and uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase in the dark and under UV light was investigated. Both photoinactivation and light-independent inactivation was found in all four enzymes using URO I as sensitizer. URO III had a similar action as URO I on porphobilinogenase and deaminase and PROTO IX exerted equal effect as URO I on delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase and uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase. Photodynamic efficiency of the porphyrins was dependent on their molecular structure. Selective photodecomposition of enzymes by URO I, greater specificity of tumor uptake by URO I and enhanced porphyrin synthesis by tumors from delta-aminolevulic acid, with predominant formation of URO I, underline the possibility of using URO I in detection of malignant cells and photodynamic therapy.     

Biological basis for the management of ‘lugs negra’ (Sarcothalia crispata Gigartinales,Rhodophyta) in southern Chile

The present paper describes growth dynamics in a natural bed of the resource luga negra (Sarcothalia crispata) in Guapilinao, southern Chile (41°57 S, 73°31 W). This resource is currently harvested and exported as raw material for the production of carrageenan. Seasonal variation in biomass, frond size, density and phenology was determined by periodic sampling. Natural recruitment was evaluated on different substrata added to the field; at the same time, substrata were inoculated under greenhouse conditions. Results showed that luga negra has seasonal growth: biomass increased from a minimum in spring to a maximum in mid to late summer. On the other hand, density was minimal in winter (200 ind. m^–2) and increased to 2000 ind. m^–2 in late spring. Peak abundance of mature tetrasporic fronds occurred in late summer, whereas that of cystocarpic fronds occurred in winter. Recruitment began in summer and extended into winter. Survival on different substrata were compared. Gametophytes had better survival rates on clam shells and 5 mm rope while tetrasporophytes had the best survival rate on clam shells and secondarily on boulders.     

Trends in plant carbon concentration and plant demand for N throughout this century

 Atmospheric CO₂ concentration has increased by 25% over the preindustrial level. A parallel increase in C concentration and decreases in N concentration and δ¹³C of plants grown throughout this century have been observed in plant specimens stored in herbaria. We tested our previous results in a study of 12 more species collected in the western Mediterranean throughout this century (1920–1930, 1945–1955, and 1985–1990) and tree rings of Quercus pubescens from the same area. These changes were accompanied by apparent increases in condensed tannin concentration. A decreasing trend in δ¹⁵N both in herbarium material and tree rings was also found, indicating that ecosystems might cope with higher plant N demand by decreasing N losses and increasing N fixation and mineralization. These results may contribute to a better understanding of the effects of global change on carbon and nitrogen cycling. Received: 12 November 1995 / Accepted: 17 May 1996     

Colonization and deterioration processes in Roman mortars by cyanobacteria,algae and lichens

The mortars covering some walls of the Roman city of Baelo Claudia (Cadiz, Spain) support an abundant colonization of cyanobacteria, algae and lichens. The distribution of these organisms is closely related to microclimatic parameters. Furthermore, the development, specific composition and biomass of algal cryptoendolithic communities are related to the wall orientation. The effect of these communities on mortar deterioration is discussed.     

Construction of an Aspergillus nidulans multicopy transformant for the xlnB gene and its use in purifying the minor X24 xylanase

 Using recombinant DNA techniques, an Aspergillus nidulans multicopy transformant for the gene xlnB coding for the minor X₂₄ xylanase has been constructed. When grown on glucose as sole carbon source this transformant secretes 114 U of xylanase (mg protein)^-1. In this culture condition, X₂₄ is the only xylanase secreted and the predominant protein in the culture filtrate. This strategy has been used to purify the X₂₄ enzyme to homogeneity. The purified xylanase showed a single band on sodium dodecyl sulphate/ polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis with a molecular mass of 24 kDa and had an isoelectric point of approximately 3.5. The enzyme was a non-debranching endo-1,4-β-xylan xylanohydrolase highly specific for xylans and showed optimal activity at pH 5.5 and 52°C. The X₂₄ xylanase had a Michaelis constant, K _m, of 12.43 mg oat spelt xylan ml^-1 and a V _max of 1639 μmol min^-1 (mg protein)^-1. Received: 17 May 1995/Received last revision: 25 September 1995/Accepted: 29 September 1995     

Cornucoryphe schirmi n. gen. n. sp., an unusual conocoryphid trilobite from the Middle Cambrian of Spain

Cornucoryphe n. gen. from the Middle Cambrian of the Cantabrian Mountains and Aragón is a unicornianConocoryphe with pronounced alae.