Seed germination,seedling inoculation and establishment ofAlnus spp. in containers in greenhouse trials

Methods for production of containerized seedlings ofAlnus species were developed which permit nitrogen-fixing nodules to form on the root systems prior to outplanting, in order to provide an early nitrogen input during seedling establishment. The methods are based on procedures for inoculating root systems with suspensions ofFrankia (Actinomycetales), applied either directly in the container cell as a soil drench at the time of seeding, or as a root dip for seedlings transplanted into the containers. Germination of dried, stored seed was enhanced by light and by presoaking for 16 h in water. Pretreatments to overcome seed dormancy or to eliminate fungal pathogens did not further enhance germination. Some loss of seedlings was recorded in the early stages of growth shortly after germination, which is a factor in calculating projected seedling yield. Nodulation and seedling growth were evaluated in terms of growth media characteristics. Seedlings performed well in peat-vermiculite, at soil pH between 5.5 and 8.0.     

Cultivation of Neisseria meningitidis serogroups A, B and C in a synthetic nutrient broth

The processes of the cultivation of N. meningitidis, serogroups A, B and C, in a liquid synthetic culture medium have been studied. Strictly group-specific biomass has been obtained. The maximum productivity at all stages of the batch cultivation of N. meningitidis strains 125 and 133 in this medium does not differ from that at similar stages of cultivation in modified Cohen-Wheller semisynthetic medium. In the serotype antigen preparations obtained from N. meningitidis strain 125 grown in the above-mentioned liquid synthetic culture medium basic polypeptides with a molecular weight of 33000, 36000 and 41000 D have been detected. Their presence in N. meningitidis cells is linked with the growth phase of the population.     

Effect of cortisol, its polymeric derivative and adenylate cyclase activators on the content of cyclic AMP in rat thymocytes

In has been shown that cortisol immobilized on polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP-GC) affects cyclic AMP production stimulated by adenosine and isoproterenol in rat thymocytes. This effect of PVP-GC is specific for cortisol: antiglucocorticoid progesterone (at a concentration of 10(-5) M) inhibited completely the action of PVP-GC on the intracellular cAMP level. It is suggested that cortisol effect on cAMP production is one of the mechanisms of glucocorticoid hormone action in target cells.     

Observations of rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri Richardson, infected with Cryptobia salmostica

Rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri , were experimentally infected with Cryptobia salmositica . The parasitaemia was associated with increases in the size of the spleen, liver and heart (% body weight). The splenomegaly was pronounced and was often 600-fold larger. The amounts of blood lactic acid and lactic dehydrogenase in the infected and control fish were similar. However, glycogen levels of the liver, heart and epaxial muscle declined. Liver glycogen levels were most affected and decreased to values which represented 20% of the control values. The pattern of the glycogen levels of the liver, heart and epaxial muscle declined to rise to normal values by day 56 post-inoculation. Thus, the glycogen levels both paralleled the acute parasitaemia and the subsequent partial recovery of the infected fish as they tolerated a low chronic parasitaemia.