The activity of glutamic acid decarboxylase from intact wheat roots

Experiments with isolated wheat roots and with intact wheat plants showed that glutamic acid decarboxylase from the roots takes part in the transformation of substance in the medium and that its activity is influenced by the medium. Glutamic acid decarboxylase is thus a factor taking part in the formation of substances excreted by the plants roots.     

Chromosome numbers within the genusBolboschoenus in Central Europe

Two chromosome numbers n=54, n=55 were found inBolboschoenus plants studied from Central Europe (Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Poland) and coastal regions of Europe (the Netherlands, Sweden). The number n=55 is typical forB. maritimus subsp.maritimus with narrow fruits and mostly also forB. maritimus subsp.compactus; the number n=54 characterizesB. planiculmis auct. The morphological type ofB. maritimus subsp.maritimus with wide fruits represents a stable taxon occurring in freshwater habitats throughout Europe. Its variation in chromosome numbers (both n=54, n=55) indicates a possible hybrid origin, probably resulting from hybridization betweenB. maritimus subsp.maritimus with narrow fruits andB. planiculmis auct. Spontaneous hybridization betweenBolboschoenus taxa in the regions with mixed populations may explain the origin of the intermediate morphological and anatomical characters of plants from some localities and the deviations in chromosome numbers.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of some novel 4'-thio-L-ribonucleosides with modified nucleobase moieties

1,2,3,5-tetra-O-acetyl-4-thio-beta-L-ribofuranose (13) was synthesized by an improved five-step sequence starting from methyl alpha-D-lyxopyranoside. Compound 13 was then converted to the corresponding L-4'-thionucleosides 4-6 and 19 by a modified Vorbrüggen procedure. All of these nucleoside analogues were tested for their antitumour activity in vitro.     

Vegetation map of Europe: Current state

In the present contribution, a brief survey of the progress of work on the Vegetation map of Europe within the last two years is given. The most important tasks of this period were: 1) Continuing compilation and completion of the thirteen remaining sheets of the Map, scale 1∶2,500,000, 2) Elaboration of the explanatory text, 3) Compilation of a General vegetation map of Europe, scale 1:10,000,000.