In vitro response of leaf tissues from Lolium multiflorum — a comparison with leaf segment position,leaf age and in vivo mitotic activity

Summary Immature gramineous leaves provide a convenient system for comparing the response of cells in culture with their state of differentiation. Callusing frequency is compared with leaf segment position, leaf age and in vivo mitotic activity in Lolium multiflorum. (1) In a succession of one millimeter sections from the immature leaf base, callus was formed from the first and second sections but not the third or subsequent sections. The frequency of those explants callusing decreased with distance from the base of the leaf and with leaf age (or leaf extension growth). (2) In vivo, the proportion of cells in mitosis declined from around 10–14% at the base of young leaves to zero at 5 mm from the base and beyond. Mitotic activity also declined in leaves as they aged, and dividing cells were not observed in leaves 30 days from initiation or older. (3) A high frequency of callus formation was associated with a high mitotic index in the explant. But for corresponding mitotic indices, cells further away from the leaf base were less responsive in culture. (4) It is proposed that cells are becoming differentiated even in highly meristematically active regions of the leaf and concomitantly losing their ability to respond in culture.     

水蒸汽蒸馏巴柑檬叶和果皮精油化学成分的研究

巴柑檬是我们第一次从国外引种成功的一种名贵香料植物。用色谱-质谱-计算机联用技术、毛细管气相色谱保留指数法和标准品叠加法分析了水蒸汽蒸馏巴柑檬叶和果皮精油的化学成分。从叶和果皮精油分离出来的220个和200个成分中,分别鉴定出48个和57个成分。鉴定组分的含量分别占叶和果皮精油的99.80％和98.54％。叶精油与果皮精油在化学成分方面的主要区别是叶油中萜烃化合物含量较低,而萜醇类化合物含量较高。     

Climate and the evolution of brachycephalization

Significant associations of cranial shape for 82 ethnic groups and seven climate variables are described. Variation among current populations is partially attributed to cold adaptation throughout the Pleistocene. Application of data files tabulated by the authors is described for a number of problems. Temporal distribution of 115 specimens indicates a geometric trend (CI = 76.7-1.96 log time X 10(3) ). Cranial indices are summarized within alternative taxonomic models and between climatic ecotypes. Evidence supports the hypothesis of cold adaptation among "Classic" Neandertals. Limitations of the thermodynamic model are discussed. It is probable that a decrease of the cranial index occurs from the Middle to Upper Paleolithic. During the Holocene, the index increases under all climatic conditions.     

Regulation of leaf senescence, grain-filling and yield of rice by kinetin and abscisic acid

Senescence of rice ( Oryza sativa L. cv. Jaya) leaves was regulated with kinetin and abscisic acid (ABA) sprays at the reproductive stage. The effect of such sprays on grain-filling and yield was analyzed. Spraying 100-day-old plants with kinetin solution (100 μg ml^-1) significantly delayed senescence as indicated by higher total chlorophyll and protein levels in the three uppermost leaves compared with the controls. In contrast, spraying with ABA (15 μg ml^-1) significantly promoted foliar senescence. The number of spikelets per panicle, number of panicles, percentage filled grains, panicle weight and grain yield per plant and the mobilization and harvest indices were significantly increased by kinetin treatment, while ABA decreased most of them. The possibility of increased grain-filling and thus, yield due to delayed foliar senescence by kinetin treatment and decreased grain-filling due to hastening of senescence by ABA is discussed.     

Dispersion and Distribution of Pratylenchus scribneri and Hoplolaimus galeatus in Soybean Fields

Examination of dispersional characteristics of Pratylenchus scribneri and Hoplolaimus galeatus indicated that there were patches within soybean fields in which both survival and reproduction wexe enhanced in spite of apparent homogeneity of soil type and topography. Treatment with carbofuran reduced the patchiness (or increased the dispersion) for H. galeatus while it had the opposite effect for P. scribneri. P. scribneri was less highly dispersed in conventional tillage plots than in the zero tillage plots. Populations from quadrats contained entirely within the patches could be described by the normal distribution (in the case of P. scribneri) or by the Poisson distribution (in the case of H. galeatus), while populations from quadrats contained entirely outside the patches could be described by the Poisson distribution for both nematodes. None of the distributions tested (Poisson, normal, negative binomial, Neyman''s) gave an adequate fit when populations from both inside and outside the patches were considered together. In all instances, log₁₀ and ln transformations reduced the goodness of fit of the data to all of the distributions tested. Even with logarithmic transformations, parametric statistics were not appropriate for analysis of data in most instances.     

In vivo interactions of acrylonitrile with macromolecules in rats

The irreversible binding of [2,3-14C]acrylonitrile (VCN) to proteins, RNA and DNA of various tissues of male Sprague-Dawley rats after a single oral dose of 46.5 mg/kg (0.5 LD50) has been studied. Proteins were isolated by chloroform-isoamyl alcohol-phenol extraction. RNA and DNA were separated by hydroxyapatite chromatography. Binding of VCN to proteins was extensive and was time dependent. Radioactivity in nucleic acids was registered in the liver and the target organs, stomach and brain. DNA alkylation, which increased by time, was significantly higher in the target organs, brain and stomach (119 and 81 pmol/mg, respectively, at 24 h) than that in the liver. The covalent binding indices for the liver, stomach and brain at 24 h after dosing were, 5.9, 51.9 and 65.3, respectively. These results suggest that VCN is able to act as a multipotent carcinogen by alkylation of DNA in the extrahepatic target tissues, stomach and brain.     

Genetic variability for esterase enzyme in Onobrychis species

Summary Understanding polymorphism at the enzyme level is basic to its use in population and genetic studies. However, no such information is available on the variability among different sainfoin (Onobrychis) species. Therefore, our objective was to study the existence of genetic polymorphism for esterase in 17 Onobrychis species and three cultivars of O. viciifolia Scop. Three regions of banding were observed in all the materials tested, with the number of bands varying from 0 to 3, 3 to 14, and 1 to 2 bands in each of these zones, which have been designated EST1, EST2, and EST3 respectively. All the materials studied had unique banding patterns, the only common feature being that all of them, except one species, had isozyme 1. Identification was possible only for four species (O. iberica, O. kachetica, O. transcaucasica, and O. bieberstenii) and one cultivar (Nova) based on the banding patterns. Large diversity was evident from the wide range of percent similarity values (0%–79%). Subsequent studies should be directed in using these isozyme banding patterns as markers to the desirable agronomic and quality traits of different germplasm lines.This work was supported by USDA Specific Cooperative Agreement No. 58-7MN1-8-143 from the Plant Stress and Water Conservation Unit, USDA-ARS, Lubbock, Texas. Joint contribution of the Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas and the USDA-ARS. TTU Journal no. T-4-302     

Further studies on the regulation of the Harderian glands of golden hamsters by the thyroid gland

Summary Long-term increased or decreased circulating levels of thyroid hormones significantly modify porphyrin concentrations and morphology in the Harderian glands of male and female hamsters. Administration of T₃ reduced porphyrin concentrations in females; this treatment or decreasing thyroid hormone levels with KClO₄ suppressed the post-castration rise of porphyrins in males. Hypophysectomy led to increased porphyrins in the Harderian glands of males; this rise was suppressed in hypophysectomized males by T₃ or T₄. In females, hypophysectomy reduced porphyrins which were further reduced by daily administration of T₃ or T₄. These modifications in the normal females were identical in castrated males. Mitotic activity in the Harderian glands of females was stimulated by KClO₄ and by hypophysectomy with or without exogenous T₃. In males, castration increased mitotic activity which was suppressed by T₃ and exacerbated by KClO₄. Increased mitotic activity seemingly follows loss of tissue mass. The data show that thyroid hormones act directly on the Harderian glands rather than indirectly through modification of TSH synthesis/release. Female type glands in males are a consequence of loss of gonadal androgens by castration, or by suppression or loss of thyroid hormones by hypophysectomy or by treatment with KClO₄. However, male type glands in females are the result of androgen treatment, and/or increased levels of thyroid hormones via reduced ambient temperatures or of photic input. We conclude that regulation of the Harderian gland appears to be different in the two sexes.Abbreviations T ₃ Triiodothyronine - T ₄ Thyroxine - TSH Thyroid Stimulating Hormone - KClO ₄ Potassium Perchlorate - h hours - ml milliliter - mg milligram - g gram - male - female - castrated male - AP hypophysectomized - CON Control - ALA delta aminole-vulenic acid - HG Harderian Gland     

西双版纳热带季节雨林植物种类多样性的一种研究方法

一、方法1.样地的选择样地分别选取热带干性季节雨林的典型代表——以箭毒木(Antiaris toxicaria)、龙果(Pouteria grandifolia)为标志的群落,以千果榄仁(Terminalia myriocarpa)、番龙眼     

红池坝地区草地红三叶草的空间分布型

植物种群的空间分布型是生物在特定的条件下形成的,它反映了植物种群个体的散布状态以及对环境的适应性和生境对植物影响的生态反映的生态学关系,是一条可以了解凭种类组成研究演替的研究途径 森下正明(Morisita,1959)提出了扩散指数Io(Morisita's index);美国的Lloyd,(1967)提出了平均拥挤度(Mean crowding,m)这个颇有兴趣