Synthesis of an Asymmetrically Substituted AZA Crown Ether as Metal and Amino Acid Binding Site in DNA Conjugates

Abstract

Crown ether 4 as a receptor core for protonated primary amines such as amino acids has been synthesized and incorporated into oligodeoxynucleotides as dangling ends.     

Histochemical observations on the crown skin of male baya: Lipids,lipase and phosphomonoesterases

Histochemical studies on localisation of lipids, lipase and phosphomonoeste-rases in the crown skin of male baya during non-breeding and breeding seasons were carried out. The results indicated a high turnover rate for lipid synthesis and its utilisation, increased acid and alkaline phosphatase activities in the crown skin of breeding male baya as compared to that in non-breeding season. It is surmised that crown skin of male baya becomes metabolically hyperactive during breeding season aiding processes such as cell growth and proliferation, keratinization and production of coloured feathers related to breeding.     

椭圆斜羽叶的解剖研究及斜羽叶的系统分类位置

本文根据对椭圆斜羽叶(Plagiozamites oblongifolius)钙质石化化石的研究,认为其主要特征如下:羽状复叶,叶肉无海绵组织和栅栏组织分化。羽片叶脉维管束外韧式,木质部外始式,与现代苏铁属叶脉特征相近。羽轴维管束为“U”形,外始式木质部、梯状纹孔管胞,与现代苏铁属的羽轴维管束相似。根据上述特征,目前可将斜羽叶属归入原始苏铁类植物。但是,如果斜羽叶的生殖器官同 Noeggerathia 一样,为异孢型孢子囊穗,则斜羽叶可能为一种与苏铁类起源有关的原裸子植物。     

Mass-spectrometric quantitation of cytokinins in tobacco crown-gall tumours induced by mutated octopine Ti plasmids of Agrobacterium tumefaciens

The levels of the major cytokinins, zeatin, zeatin riboside, zeatin riboside-5-monophosphate and zeatin-7-glucoside were measured in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) crown-gall tissues carrying insertion and deletion mutations in the T-DNA. Measurements were made by combined gas chromatography-mass spectrometry using selected ion monitoring with ¹⁵N- and ²H-labelled internal standards. The results demonstrate that, relative to wild-type tumour tissue, cytokinin levels are considerably elevated in tissues lacking functional T-DNA auxin-biosynthetic genes. From a detailed analysis of the major cytokinin metabolites it is concluded that a reduction in the extent of cytokinin degradation via N⁶-side-chain cleavage is an important factor leading to increased cytokinin levels in these tissues.Abbreviations IAA indole-3-acetic acid - SIM selected ion monitoring - Z zeatin - [7G]Z zeatin-7-glucoside - [9R]Z zeatin-9-riboside - [9R-5P]Z zeatin riboside-5-monophosphate     

On the systematic position of the family Gyrinidae (Coleoptera: Adephaga)

Various characters of adult and larval members of Adephaga and Cupedidae were analyzed, and suggest that Gyrinidae are the sister-group of the remaining Adephaga, and are not closely related to the remaining aquatic Adephaga. The aquatic families Noteridae, Amphizoidae, Hygrobiidae and Dytiscidae seem to form a well founded monophyletic unit. The following characters are considered as synapomorphies of Adephaga excluding Gyrinidae: bifurcate condition of the muscle (= M.) tentoriopraementalis inferior, reduction of hypopharynx, strongly developed prosternal process, reduction in size and specialized modification of the ventral sclerite of the mesothorax, strongly developed mesofurcal arms, a high mesopleural ridge, globular mesocoxae restricted to rotatory movements, invaginated sternum VIII (coxostemum), the strongly curved base of the median lobe of the aedeagus, which articulates with the parameres, the rotated position of the aedeagus in repose, fusion of the larval clypeolabrum with the frons and reduction of the larval lacinia. Mesal shifting of M. episterno-coxalis prothoracis, and the fusion of the apical portions of the malpighian tubules of either side are considered as synapomorphies of Adephaga excluding Rhysodidae and Gyrinidae. Lateral reduction of the meta “sternal” transverse ridge and the presence of the subcubital setal binding patch of the hind wing are considered as synapomorphic characters of Trachypachidae, Noteridae, Amphizoidae, Hygrobiidae and Dytiscidae. We postulate that the metacoxal fusion occurred independently in gyrmids and the common ancestor of Trachypachidae, Noteridae, Amphizoidae, Hygrobiidae and Dytiscidae. Consequently we consider this character state as another synapomorphy of Trachypachidae and Hydradephaga excluding Haliplidae and Gyrinidae. The following characters are considered as synapomorphies of Noteridae, Amphizoidae, Hygrobiidae and Dytiscidae: Loss of tactile setae on the head capsule, metafurcal origin on the intercoxal wall, expansion of the intercoxal wall, elongation of the subcubital setal binding patch, loss of Mm. furca-coxale anterior and posterior, reduction of the larval abdominal segments IX and X, and the shifting of the uropmphi onto the ventral side of segment VIII. Presence of M. tentorio-mandibularis and M. stipitopalpalis intemus are certainly primitive features of adult gyrinids but the distribution of these character states among most members of Adephaga is yet unclear. Chemical defence gland constituents point towards a very isolated position of Gyrinidae. The old age of the group, documented by a larva found in upper Permian deposits, may support the hypothesis of a sister-group relation-ship between Gyrinidae and the remainder of Adephaga.     

Autecological investigations on marine diatoms. 5:Coscinodiscus concinnus W. Smith andRhizosolenia setigera Brightwell

The cold oligo-eurytherm diatomsCoscinodiscus concinnus W. Smith andRhizosolenia setigera Brightwell were cultured to determine their best competitive position by growth. Comparison of their generation times with those of other diatoms indicate that they reach this position between 6°C and 12°C. Both species grew between –1.5°C and about 20°C. The experiments indicate thatC. concinnus flowerings are possible in a deep water column, during periods of high light intensities. The simultaneous death of species in the upper layer is also caused by high light intensities.C. concinnus appeared in two morphological forms; the normal voluminous form, and a flatter form with a few intercalary bands only, filled with large oil-droplets. The latter appeared at 0°C and below, and at the upper temperature limit for growth of about 19°C–20°C. The separation of nov. spec. fromC. concinnus based on the absence or presence of a hyaline area and intercalary bands as identification characteristics should be reconsidered.     

Nodulation of lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) in an acid soil: Effects of inoculum size and lime-pelleting

The effects of inoculum level and lime-pelleting were studied in an acid soil with respect to the nodulation and growth of lucerne (Medicago sativa cv Resis) and the population dynamics of Rhizobium meliloti. In small root-boxes (rhizotrons), the in-situ survival of inoculated rhizobia was studied in the micro-environment around the seed for a period of 12 days after sowing. During the initial 24 hours, a strong increase in rhizobial numbers was measured, concomitantly with the development of roots. As a result of lime-pelleting, rhizobial numbers were higher only at 3 days after sowing (P<0.05). Later, this difference diminished steadily. Addition of lime did not increase the adhesion of the rhizobia to the seedling tap root. Plant responses to inoculation were studied in pots. To obtain optimal nodulation, the soil had to be neutralized around the seed with lime and at least 10⁵ cells of R. meliloti were required. With more than 10⁵ rhizobia per seed, lime-pelleting increased the number of crown-nodulated seedlings from 24% to 77%. Higher numbers of rhizobia could not compensate the effect of lime. A strong correlation was found between crown nodulation, nitrogen content and dry weight of the shoots.     

Waterstriders (Gerris paludum F.) compensate for drift with a discontinuously working visual position servo

Waterstriders on ponds and creeks compensate for displacement caused by wind or water current with periodical jumps against the direction of drift. This behavior is mediated by visual stimuli.

The social position of male Barbary macaques (Macaca sylvanus) in a semifree-ranging population

A study was carried out on the social position of 12 subadult males of a semifreeranging Barbary macaque population during the non-mating season. The social position was measured in terms of spatial as well as interactive parameters. The subadult males had social contacts to members of nearly all other age-sex classes but showed clear preferences for same-sexed partners. Besides this differences were found between 5- and 6-year-old males with respect to their interaction profiles and the preference for special classes of interaction partners. The terms “peripheral-central” is discussed with reference to the social structures of macaque societies. The data of the present study indicate that the social position of subadult male Barbary macaques can not be described by one of these terms exclusively. The results are compared to other studies on Barbary macaques and other macaque species. It is concluded that in macaque societies subadult males are not obligatorily forced to live at the periphery or to abide. It is proposed not to postulate stiff social structures but to put more emphasis on the range of variation among macaque species.