The induction of glutamine synthetase in cell aggregates of embryonic neural retina: correlations with differentation and multicellular organization

A rapid increase in the synthesis and accumulation of the enzyme glutamine synthetase (GS) in the neural retina of the chick embryo characterizes the functional differentiation and maturation of this tissue. A precocious increase of GS can be induced in the embryonic retina by hydrocortisone and related corticosteroids. This paper presents evidence that the responsiveness of neural retina cells to GS induction by the hormonal inducer is dependent on histotypic associations and organization. This was demonstrated, using retina from embryos of different ages, by comparing GS induction in cultures of intact retina tissue with that in aggregates of retina cells and in monolayer cultures of retina cells.     

Comparison of Media for Direct Isolation and Transport of Shigellae from Fecal Specimens

Xylose-lysine-deoxycholate (XLD) agar, SS agar, and MacConkey agar for isolating shigellae from fecal specimens were compared. XLD agar was superior to both SS agar and MacConkey agar for isolating Shigella sonnei, and both XLD and SS agar were superior to MacConkey agar for isolating S. flexneri. Direct plating of the fecal specimens in the field resulted in a greater yield of shigellae as compared to transporting specimens to the laboratory either in holding media or enrichment broth. Buffered glycerol saline was superior to other transport media evaluated, yielding 83% of shigella isolates when plated within 48 hr as compared to direct plating. The combination of XLD agar and SS agar is recommended for direct isolation of shigellae, and, whenever possible, these solid media should be taken to the bedside and inoculated directly.     

Influence of Incubation Temperature and Sodium Heptadecyl Sulfate (Tergitol No. 7) on the Isolation of Salmonellae from Pork Sausage

Cultures of 68 samples of fresh pork sausage purchased locally were incubated at 37 and 43 C, with and without Tergitol No. 7 (sodium heptadecyl sulfate) added to the tetrathionate-Brilliant Green enrichment broth. The results indicated an advantage in incubating the tetrathionate broth at 43 C rather than 37 C in attempting to isolate salmonellae from pork sausage. Without Tergitol, more samples were positive at 43 C than at 37 C, but with Tergitol there was no difference. The higher temperature suppressed the competing gram-negative bacteria and permitted Salmonella to grow in relatively pure culture, thus providing an advantage for isolating and identifying the organisms. Tergitol dispersed and emulsified the fat which improved the isolation of Salmonella when the cultures were incubated at 37 C but not at 43 C. Brilliant Green-sulfadiazine agar was superior to bismuth sulfite agar for isolating salmonellae from tetrathionate broth cultures of fresh pork sausage.     

Quantitative distribution and metabolism of auxin herbicides in roots

The internal concentrations of four auxin herbicides— 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, dicamba, picloram, and naphthaleneacetic acid—were measured in the roots of treated pea seedlings. Intact seedlings were immersed in solutions of labeled herbicides at concentrations sufficient to produce toxic symptoms (inhibition of elongation, radial enlargement, and lateral root proliferation). Measurements of volume and herbicide content of segments taken sequentially along the root showed that an acropetal concentration gradient of each herbicide was established within the root immediately following treatment. Although there was a net loss of herbicide in the following 24 hours, the gradient was maintained. Initially, the concentration of herbicide in the root tips exceeded that in the external medium.