Linkage analysis in X-linked ichthyosis (steroid sulfatase deficiency)

Summary Linkage analysis has been carried out in nine unrelated families segregating for X-linked ichthyosis (steroid sulfatase deficiency) using seven polymorphic DNA markers from the distal Xp. Close linkage was found between the disease locus and the loci DXS16, DXS89, and DXS143. In all families except one, Southern hybridization with the human steroid sulfatase cDNA and GMGX9 probes showed a deletion of corresponding loci in affected males. Three patients belonging to the same family had no evident deletion with either of the two above-mentioned probes. None of the other six DNA loci included in the linkage analysis were found to be deleted.     

Location of PHM/VIP mRNA in human gastrointestinal tract detected by in situ hybridization

The expression of the gene for vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) and peptide histidine methionine (PHM) in the human gastrointestinal tract was studied by in situ hybridization and Northern blotting for PHM/ VIP mRNA and immunocytochemistry using specific antisera against the bioactive peptides PHM and VIP. In the colon sigmoideum, antisera against all five putative processing products of the VIP precursor (prepro-VIP) were used, namely prepro-VIP 22–79, PHM, prepro-VIP 111–122, VIP and prepro-VIP 156–170. Furthermore, RNA extracted from various regions of the gastrointestinal tract was examined by Northern blots and hybridization to a VIP-cDNA probe. Throughout the gastrointestinal tract, PHM/VIP mRNA was found in neurons only. Using single-or double-staining methods, we demonstrated both PHM/VIP mRNA and the corresponding peptides PHM and VIP in the neurons. In the sigmoideum, the single-staining methods were extended to investigate whether the neurons simultaneously contained PHM/VIP mRNA and each of the five prepro-VIP-derived peptides. Only one major band of PHM/VIP mRNA (1.9 kb) was found by Northern blotting in the tissue of the gastrointestinal tract.     

Light and temperature interaction in the photocontrol of germination of seeds in Ludwigia octovalvis

Summary The germination response of seeds of Ludwigia octovalvis (Jacq.) (=Jussiaea suffruticosa L.; Raven, 1963), to continuous light and to various types of intermittent irradiations is determined at 25, 30, 35 and 40° at different light intensities. At 25 and 40° intermittent irradiations are an effective substitute for continuous ones, while at 30 and 35° no promotion of germination is observed in the intermittent irradiations tested, except if the dark interval between light pulses is reduced to 1 min. Previous results obtained in the photocontrol of germination in this species are confirmed and extended to a variety of light cycles and intensities, indicating that the response to temperature is bimodal unless light is supplied continuously with high intensity, and that germination depends on light intensity more markedly in the temperature region of minimum germination (30–35°). As germination in this species is controlled by the red far-red system, hypothesis to account for the temperature dependence are based on the interaction between temperature and the reactions in which phytochrome is involved.Abbreviations L light - D darkness     

A simple model of growth form-dependent recovery from disease in coral reef sponges, and implications for monitoring

For clonal organisms that can suffer high levels of partial mortality and still recover, the conditions that influence infection and development of disease (e.g., abiotic stressors, population density) may be very different from the conditions that influence recovery. Recovery from infectious disease may increase if an individual can mount a defense before infection spreads throughout its body. If pathogens spread within an organism from an initial infection point, growth form—in conjunction with size—can influence the amount of time before all the tissue is diseased, and recovery precluded. A simple model of pathogen progression within individual sponges predicts that species with massive growth forms will be most susceptible to being overwhelmed by pathogen infection, and branching species will be most likely to recover. These predictions may help to explain the seemingly contradictory observations that branching species had the greatest prevalence of disease, and massive species the greatest rate of loss, in a monitored coral reef community. Disease may be observed disproportionately frequently in the organisms that are most likely to recover, resulting in underestimation, by standard monitoring procedures, of the effect of disease on losses from the community.     

Einfluss von<Emphasis Type="Italic">Mucor racemosus</Emphasis> und<Emphasis Type="Italic">Ulocladium chartarum</Emphasis> auf ruminale Fermentationsvorgänge beim Rind (in vitro)

Using the long term rumen simulation technique RUSITEC a possible relationship between Mucor racemosus and Ulocladium chartarum and cerebrocortical necrosis (CCN) in cattle was investigated. In phase one only M. racemosus or U. chartarum and in phase two M. racemosus or U. chartarum in combination with thiamine were tested. The following differences between test groups and controlls could be noted: sVFA ?7,5%, cellulase activity +62,1%, protein concentration ?16,4%, thiamine ?11% (only phase two). Thus, although a clear influence of M. racemosus and U. chartarum on rumen fermentation could be shown, a relation to CCN was not detected.     

First experiences in application of RFLP analysis for carrier detection in preparation of prenatal diagnosis of hemophilia A in the GDR

The application of the intragenic probe F8 e16-19 of factor VIII gene is reported for carrier detection in preparation of prenatal diagnosis of hemophilia A in a family at risk. The proband's mother is heterozygous for the Bcl I polymorphism and prenatal diagnosis can be offered to this family.     

Plasmodesmenstudien

Ohne ZusammenfassungIn schwedischer Sprache wurde diese Untersuchung im Arkiv för Botanik, Bd. 5, Stockholm 1905, veröffentlicht.