Organ correlations inchenopodium rabrum l. shoots studied by Means of32P Distribution

21-day old plants ofChenopodium rubrum L. ecotype 374 were used. Organ relationships in the shoots were investigated by³²P distribution, which indicated different organ correlations in plants grown in continuous light and in plants treated with flower-inducing and non-inducing dark periods. Dark periods were associated with a low³²P distribution in young leaves and a high one in axillary buds. In the following light period the high³²P distribution in axillary buds continued whereas the³²P distribution in the leaves on the main axis increased and was similar to that in plants grown in continuous light. The high³²P distribution in axillary buds was brought about by both, flower-inducing and non-inducing dark treatments. Decapitation resulted in a high³²P distribution in buds, in continuous light an increased³²P distribution was also found in leaves. These effects were not fully cancelled by IAA application. The results are discussed with respect to an assumption that decrease of apical dominance represents a step in a sequence of events leading to flowering.     

The effect of soluble glucan derivates on spleen colony-forming units in sublethally irradiated mice

We examined the effects of 5 soluble derivatives of yeast glucan on the formation of exogenous (CFU-S) and endogenous (E-CFU) colony-forming units in the spleens of sublethally irradiated (⁶⁰Co, 6.5–7.0 Gy) mice of two inbred strains. For the estimation of CFU-S, glucans were administered intravenously either to donors or recipients of spleen cells 24 h prior to irradiation or removal of the spleen. The number of CFU-S was increased when both the donors and recipients were treated with glucan; the highest increase was obtained with glucans S, P and K. All glucan preparations increased significantly also the number of E-CFU even when administered 90 min after irradiation. There exist differences in the response to the stimulatory effect of glucans among individual mouse strains. Thus, for example, the stimulatory effect of glucan KM on the E-CFU number was significantly more pronounced in strain A/Ph than in strain C57B1/6.     

An efficient method for isolation of plasmid DNA from methylotrophic bacteria

A method, suitable for the isolation of closed circular plasmid DNA from methylotrophic bacteria is described. Improvement of cell lysis was achieved by butanol extraction of cells before application of the lytic agent. Using this method, cryptic plasmids of 7.8, 14, 36 and 200 kb were purified from soil-isolated methylotrophs.     

Effect of actinomycin D on viability,sporulation and nucleotide pool ofBacillus megaterium

A transient 7-fold rise of ppGpp concentration, 2-3-fold increase of pppGpp concentration and 50 % drop of the concentration of GTP inBacillus megaterium cells immediately after their transfer to the sporulation medium were observed. Actinomycin D, in concentrations inhibiting RNA synthesis by 95%, blocked the rise of the (p)ppGpp pool and caused an instant several-fold increase of the GTP level. When the cells were exposed to actinomycin D in the sporulation medium for a 1-h period (time 0–1 h, 1–2 h or 2.20–3.20-h), they were able to form colonies on nutrient agar after being kept, in addition for 1–2 h in the sporulation medium free of the antibiotic. The ability of sporulation was, however, markedly limited. The share of cells that could sporulate increased when the irreversible sporulation phase was reached.     

An immunochemical study of antigen expression in potato spindle tuber viroid (PSTV) - infected tomato leaves and calluses

A polyspecific antiserum against protein extracted from PSTV-infected tomato leaves was prepared and the IgGs were separated by affinity chromatography on a beaded cellulose adsorbent with an immobilized “healthy” antigen. The antibody not adsorbed entered into a preferential reaction with the antigen from PSTV-infected leaves as estimated by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The immunochemical reactions did not significantly exceed the control background, if antigens from tomato leaves infected with potato viruses X, Y and M were analyzed. By immunoblot technique we revealed, however, that several antigens not detected in healthy leaves appeared in the leaves infected either with PSTV or with viruses X and M. An accumulation of a major antigen having a molecular mass of about 70 kDa was observed in viroid-infected leaves only, suggesting the specificity for viroid infection. The antigen was found not to be an alkaline endoproteinase - the pathogenesis-related protein P-69. Some antigens with molecular masses approximately 38.0, 23.7 and 22 kDa, which occurred in PSTV-infected leaves and in healthy calluses, were not detectable in PSTV-infected calluses. No reaction exceeding the control level was observed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for antigens from silver nitrate-treated tomato leaves, although such leaves showed symptoms similar to that caused by viroids.     

Deletion of 13q in two patients with retinoblastoma,one probably due to 13q- mosaicism in the mother

Summary We examined the peripheral blood chromosomes of eight patients with retinoblastoma. In two of them an interstitial deletion of 13q was found. The breakpoints were determined as follows: case 1, 13q1221; case 2, 13q1231. In both cases, band 13q14 was deleted. In case 2 the lymphocytes of the mother showed the identical interstitial 13q deletion in 3 of 100 mitoses, thus raising the possibility of maternal origin of the 13q deletion in a child. In one patient, retinoblastoma was unilateral; in the other, bilateral. Both patients were mentally retarded.     

Beitrag zur Kenntnis der chemischen Zusammensetzung derPhragmiti-Magnocaricetea und derAgropyro-Rumicion-Arten

Zwanzig Pflanzen der KlassePhragmiti-Magnocaricetea (Kennarten der einzelnen pflanzen-soziologischen Einheiten) und des VerbandesAgropyro-Rumicion crispi wurden den chemischen Analysen unterzogen. Die Pflanzenproben wurden auf den Wiesen der Trockengebiete S-Mährens und der SW-Slowakei gesammelt, u. zw. aus den pflanzensoziologisch, definierbaren Einheiten (Assoziationen der VerbändePhragmition, Caricion gracilis, Caricion rostratae undAgropyro-Rumicion). Die Resultate wurden mit der chemischen Zusammensetzung der in anderen Gebieten vorkommenden Pflanzen verglichen. Es zeigten sich Zusammenhänge zwischen der genetisch bedingten chemischen Zusammensetzung bestimmter Artengruppen und den Eigenschaften des Substrats. In diesem Sinne gibt es allgemeine Unterschiede zwischen den VerbändenCaricion gracilis undCaricion rostratae. Die Arten desAgropyro-Rumicion zeigen im Durchschnitt engere Bindung an die Gesellschaften desCnidion-Verbandes als an dasCaricion gracilis.     

Additional data on complex inclusions evoked by wisteria vein mosaic virus in pea leaf cells

Large complex inclusions evoked by wisteria vein mosaic virus contain cylindrical inclusions, mostly pinwheels (and bundles) and rarely also scrolls and laminar inclusions. Bundles are often abutted to cell walls at plasmodesmata and show association with endoplasmic reticulum and cisternae. Virus aggregates are attached to cylindrical inclusions, various membranes and/or plasmalemma. Cytoplasm contains more or less disintegrated chloroplasts and mitochondria, abnormal membranes, many ribosomes, bounded vesicles with fibrillar contents, numerous and large microbodies, and membranous whorls. These phenomena are not specific.