Pre‐copulation intervals,copulation frequencies,and initial progeny sex ratios in two biotypes of whitefly,Bemisia tabaci

The whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) is a species complex, and its systematic classification requires controlled crossing experiments among its genetic groups. Accurate information on pre‐copulation intervals, copulation frequencies, and initial frequency of egg fertilization of newly emerged adults is critical for designing procedures for collecting the virgin adults necessary for these experiments. In the literature, considerable variation is reported between B. tabaci populations, with respect to the length of the pre‐copulation interval and the initial frequency of egg fertilization. Here, we used a video‐recording method to observe continuously the copulation behaviour of the Mediterranean/Asia Minor/Africa (B biotype) and the Asia II (ZHJ1 biotype) groups of B. tabaci. We also recorded the initial frequency of egg fertilization, as determined by the sex of the progeny. When adults were caged in female–male pairs on leaves of cotton plants, the earliest copulation events occurred 2–6 h after emergence; at 12 h after emergence 56–84% of the females had copulated at least once, and nearly all (92–100%) had copulated at least once by 36 h after emergence. Both females and males copulated repeatedly. Approximately 80 and 20% of copulation events occurred during the photophase and scotophase, respectively. By 72 h post‐emergence, the females of the B and ZHJ1 biotypes had copulated on average 6.1 and 3.9 times, respectively. When adults were caged in groups on plants 1–13 h after emergence, 30–35% of the eggs deposited during this period were fertilized, and approximately 90% of females were fertilized by the end of the 13 h. Although timing of copulation differed in detail between the two genetic groups, the results demonstrate that B. tabaci adults can start to copulate as early as 2–6 h post‐emergence and the majority of females can become fertilized on the day that they emerge.     

A rapid extraction method for detecting aflatoxin producing isolates

A rapid extraction method for screening aflatoxin producing potential ofAspergillus flavus group isolates is described. The method is performed using a moist wheat medium with ca. five infected grains extracted with 2 mL of chloroform, and using thin layer chromatography. This method was proved with 95A. flavus isolates from animal feeds.     

Association of viral and plasmid DNA with the nuclear matrix during productive infection

The association of simian virus 40 (SV40) DNA or plasmid DNA in subcellular fractions from either infected or transfected cells was examined. In lytically infected cells, approx. 25% of viral specific DNA during the infection cycle was retained in nuclei after washing with low ionic strength buffer and 1% Triton X-100. Viral replicating DNA found in the nuclear matrix was capable of performing limited DNA synthesis by the endogenous DNA polymerase in vitro. Viral DNA synthesized in vitro hybridized preferentially to SV40 Hind-III B and C fragments which are in proximity to the origin of replication. In plasmid-transfected COS-7 cells (SV40-transformed cells), the amount of plasmid DNA found in the nuclear matrix was related to its replication efficiency in cells. More than 80% of the plasmid DNA was tightly associated with subnuclear structures. Little or no plasmid DNA was found in the cytoplasmic fraction. The results suggest that, in extrachromosomal model systems, the association of DNA with nuclear matrix is important for the regulation of DNA replication.     

Production of enterotoxin A by supposedly nonenterotoxigenic Staphylococcus aureus strains

The production of staphylococcal enterotoxins A (SEA) and B (SEB) was studied by inoculating six well-defined staphylococcal collection strains into cow's, goat's, or sheep's milk (individually or as a 50% mixture of cow's + goat's or cow's + sheep's), into brain heart infusion, and into a medium generally used to enhance the synthesis of enterotoxins (3+3 medium). Four of the strains used are considered to be SEB producers, another is considered an SEA producer, and the remaining strain is nonenterotoxigenic but produces large quantities of staphylococcal protein A. Staphylococcal protein A masked the results in most cases. Only one strain secreted exclusively SEB, while the other three SEB producers synthesized SEA in different amounts. We conclude that enterotoxin production depends on the natural substrate and may differ from the results obtained when the strain is grown on cellophane over agar to determine its toxigenicity.     

Citric acid production by Aspergillus niger immobilized on polyurethane foam

Summary Citric acid was produced using Aspergillus niger immobilized on polyurethane foam in a bubble column reactor. Most of the adsorbed cells remained on the support and, as a result, high oxygen tension was maintained during the reactor operation. However, uncontrolled growth of the pellets made continuous reactor operation difficult. The citric acid productivity obtained from 15 vol.% foam particles containing immobilized cells was 0.135 g/l per hour. This productivity of immobilized cells was almost the same as that of free cells. The oxygen level dropped to half saturation in 5 days in the immobilized cell culture in contrast to 2 days in the free cell culture.     

Sliding controller design for a nonlinear fermentation system

The design of a sliding controller for a continuous fermentation process is presented. The results obtained by simulation have proved the control scheme to be very robust. Regulation of substrate concentration at its optimal value has been achieved even though process parameters change their nominal values. Chattering effects are decreased by introducing a minor modification of the control variable around the sliding surface.     

ΔF508 frequency and associated haplotypes near the cystic fibrosis locus in the Yugoslav population

Summary Chromosomes from 19 unrelated Southern Yugoslav families in which cystic fibrosis (CF) occurs were analysed for the presence of the ΔF508 mutation, using polymerase chain reaction amplification followed by dot blot and polyacrylamide gel analysis. Of the 38 CF chromosomes, 15 (39.5%) carry the ΔF508 deletion. Restriction fragment length polymorphism haplotypes for KM19/PstI, XV2c/TaqI and J3.11/PstI marker loci were determined and are compared for a total of 34 N and 37 CF chromosomes.     

国产磨芋属的染色体核型报道(1)

本文报道了磨芋属(Amorphophallus Blume)六个种的染色体数目和核型,其中5个种属于首次报道。其核型公式如下: 1.滇磨芋 K(2n)=2x=26=26m.2.磨芋 K(2n)=2x=26=26m.3.攸落磨芋K(2n)=2x=26=22m(2SAT)+4sm.(2SAT).4.西盟磨芋 K(2n)=2x=26=20m+4sm+2st.5.勐海磨芋 K(2n)=2x=26=22m+4sm.6.白磨芋 K(2n)=2x=26=20m(2SAT)+6sm。