Structure and function of trichornes in the shoot tip of Ardisia crispa (Thunb.) A.DC. (Myrsinaceae)

MILLER, I. M., GARDNER, I. C. & SCOTT, A., 1984. Structure and function of trichomes in the shoot tip of Ardisia crispa (Thunb.) A.DC. (Myrsinaceae). The trichomes in the shoot tip of the myrsinaceous leaf-nodulated species Ardisia crispa (Thunb.) A.DC. have been studied at the ultrastructural level. Two distinct kinds of trichomes are found. Small peltate scales arise from the abaxial protoderrn of the developing leaves. Multicellular stellate trichomes on the adaxial surface of young leaves are uniseriate, rotate and consist of up to eight multicellular arms radiating from a central stalk. The multicellular arms terminate distally in swollen club-shaped tips. The stellate trichomes secrete large quantities of carbohydrate-containing mucilage. Colonies of leaf nodule bacteria are found resident in this mucilage. The role of the peltate scales and the stellate trichomes n the maintenance of the cyclic leaf nodule symbiosis is discussed.     

DIAGNOSTIC SELF‐TESTING: AUTONOMOUS CHOICES AND RELATIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Diagnostic self‐testing devices are being developed for many illnesses, chronic diseases and infections. These will be used in hospitals, at point‐of‐care facilities and at home. Designed to allow earlier detection of diseases, self‐testing diagnostic devices may improve disease prevention, slow the progression of disease and facilitate better treatment outcomes. These devices have the potential to benefit both the individual and society by enabling individuals to take a more proactive role in the maintenance of their health and by helping society improve health and reduce health costs. However, the full implications of future home‐based diagnostic technology for individuals and society remain unclear due to their novelty. We argue that the development of diagnostic tools, especially for home use, will heighten a number of ethical challenges. This paper will explore some of the ethical implications of home‐based self‐testing diagnostic devices for the autonomous and relational dimensions of the person. This will be facilitated by examining the impact of diagnostic devices for individual autonomy, for the delivery of accurate diagnosis and for the personal significance of the information for the user. The latter will be examined using Charles Taylor's view of personhood and his emphasis on human agency and interpretation. While the ethical issues are not necessarily new, the development of home‐based self‐testing diagnostic devices will make issues regarding autonomy, accuracy of information and personal significance more and more demanding. This will be the case particularly when an individual's autonomous choices come into conflict with the person's relational responsibilities.     

Complex Formation Between Mushroom Tyrosinase and Manduca Dopachrome Isomerase

Melanin biosynthesis in animals is initiated by the ubiquitously present tyrosinase and is aided by dopachrome isomerase. We have characterized a novel dopachrome isomerase (decarboxylating) from the hemolymph of Manduca sexta that generates a new quinone methide intermediate during melanogenesis (Sugumaran, M. and Semensi, V. (1991) J. Biol. Chem. 266, 6073–6078). This enzyme has the ability to form a complex with mushroom tyrosinase as judged by a number of physicochemical studies. The isomerase exhibited a marked inhibitory effect on tyrosinase and tyrosinase reciprocated by inhibiting the isomerase. While the isomerase showed no activity toward preformed dopaminechrome, it readily influenced the stability of dopaminechrome generated in situ by tyrosinase. Moreover, mushroom tyrosinase, which lacked specific binding to Concanavalin A Sepharose column, after complexing with the isomerase exhibited binding to this column. The complex formation also affected the pi value as well as mobility on a size exclusion column of these enzymes. Enzymes executing sequential metabolic transformation are known to form complexes called metabolons. Based on these above studies, it is concluded that both the enzymes involved in insect melanogenic pathway—phenoloxidase and dopachrome isomerase—are able to form a metabolon complex.     

Transpiration-linked Short-circuit Currents in the Xylem of a Liana

An application of the methods of irreversible thermodynamicsto the fluxes in plant xylem is examined, and an expressionis derived for the electric current present when a length ofstem is short circuted. After examination of the electrode by-passingefficiency, bioelectricity in Cayratia clematidea (F. Muell.)Domin., maintained under conditions of adequate soil water,is shown to reflect changes in the transpiration rate. Pressuregradients and sap velocities in C. clematidea are estimatedfrom short-circuit current data. It is suggested that the experimentaltechnique described may be useful for continuous measurementsof sap flow or transpiration without disturbing the plant environment.