Cell-wall lysing enzymes and products of cell-wall digestion elicit ethylene in citrus

Ethylene production was induced in Valencia oranges [ Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbcck] by injection of the fungal enzyme mixture Pectolyase ( Aspergillus japonicus ) which contains pectolytic enzymes into the peel. The mixture also stimulated production of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC). Cycloheximide partially inhibited the Pectolyase-induced ethylene response. Pectin fragments, resulting from partial acid hydrolysis or Pectolyase digestion, caused an increase in ethylene production when injected into the peel of intact orange fruits. Pectic fragments produced by fungal enzymes are known to be elicitors of phytoalexins and in this study are shown to elicit ethylene in citurs.     

An automated method for the analysis of ‘particulate’ carbon and nitrogen in natural waters

A method is described for the measurement of the carbon and nitrogen content of particulate material in natural waters. Particulate material is separated by filtration through GF/C filters. The dried filter is encapsulated in silver foil using a purpose made press. Analysis is carried out using high temperature combustion with thermal conductivity detection of emission gasses. Analytical performance characteristics obtained with both standards and natural materials are given.     

Golgi apparatus mediated polysaccharide secretion by outer root cap cells of Zea mays

Summary In the outer cap cells of roots of Zea mays, secretion is accompanied by hypertrophy of dictyosome cisternae with formation of large secretory vesicles. Vesicle contents are subsequently released from the protoplast by fusion of the vesicle membrane with the plasma membrane. The secreted material, a highly hydrated polysaccharide, was localized intracellularly by the periodic acid-Schiff reaction. Under appropriate conditions, the product moves outward through the cell wall after discharge from the protoplast, and appears as a droplet adhering to the root tip. Under conditions where the secretory product accumulates at the inner wall surfaces, no external droplet is formed.The secretory activity has an active phase that is sensitive to metabolic inhibitors and influenced by temperature (Q₁₀>2), and a passive phase that is independent of temperature, insensitive to metabolic inhibitors but sensitive to osmotic agents. The active phase is characterized by a temperature-independent periodicity (3 hours). Sucrose supplied to the growth medium increases the amount of polysaccharide secreted. Polysaccharide synthesis, segregation into vesicles, and discharge from the protoplast are assumed to require active metabolism; the step involving extrusion of polysaccharide through the cell wall region appears to be a passive process influenced by the degree of hydration of the polysaccharide and by cell turgor.Purdue University Agricultural Experiment Station Journal Paper No. 2967; Charles F. Kettering Research Laboratory Contribution No. 261.     

Stereochemical and positional specificity of the lipase/acyltransferase produced by Aeromonas hydrophila.

Aeromonas species secrete a glycerophospholipid-cholesterol acyltransferase (GCAT) which shares many properties with mammalian plasma lecithin-cholesterol acetyltransferase (LCAT). We have studied the stereochemical and positional specificity of GCAT against a variety of lipid substrates using NMR spectroscopy as well as other assay methods. The results show that both the primary and secondary acyl ester bonds of L-phosphatidylcholine can be hydrolyzed but only the sn-2 fatty acid can be transferred to cholesterol. The enzyme has an absolute requirement for the L configuration at the sn-2 position of phosphatidylcholine. The secondary ester bond of D-phosphatidylcholine cannot be hydrolyzed, and this lipid is not a substrate for acyl transfer. In contrast to the phospholipases, but similar to LCAT, the enzyme does not interact stereochemically with the phosphorus of phosphatidylcholine. In fact, the phosphorus is not required for enzyme activity, as GCAT will also hydrolyze monolayers of diglyceride, although at much lower rates.     

Using patient and general practice characteristics to explain variations in cervical smear uptake rates.

OBJECTIVES--To produce practice and patient variables for general practices from census and family health services authority data, and to determine the importance of these variables in explaining variation in cervical smear uptake rates between practices. DESIGN--Population based study examining variations in cervical smear uptake rates among 126 general practices using routine data. SETTING--Merton, Sutton, and Wandsworth Family Health Services Authority, which covers parts of inner and outer London. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE--Percentage of women aged 25-64 years registered with a general practitioner who had undergone a cervical smear test during the five and a half years preceding 31 March 1992. RESULTS--Cervical smear uptake rates varied from 16.5% to 94.1%. The estimated percentage of practice population from ethnic minority groups correlated negatively with uptake rates (r = -0.42), as did variables associated with social deprivation such as overcrowding (r = -0.42), not owning a car (r = -0.41), and unemployment (r = -0.40). Percentage of practice population under 5 years of age correlated positively with uptake rate (r = 0.42). Rates were higher in practices with a female partner than in those without (66.6% v 49.1%; difference 17.5% (95% confidence interval 10.5% to 24.5%)), and in computerised than in non-computerised practices (64.5% v 50.5%; 14.0% (6.4% to 21.6%)). Rates were higher in larger practices. In a stepwise multiple regression model that explained 52% of variation, five factors were significant predictors of uptake rates: presence of a female partner; children under 5; overcrowding; number of women aged 35-44 as percentage of all women aged 25-64; change of address in past year. CONCLUSIONS--Over half of variation in cervical smear uptake rates can be explained by patient and practice variables derived from census and family health services authority data; these variables may have a role in explaining variations in performance of general practices and in producing adjusted measures of practice performance. Practices with a female partner had substantially higher uptake rates.     

Growth and monoterpene production by transformed shoot cultures of Mentha citrata and Mentha piperita in flasks and fermenters

This paper reports studies on the growth and biosynthesis of monoterpenes by transformed shoot cultures of Mentha citrata and Mentha piperita, originally developed 5 years ago and since maintained by regular subculturing. Throughout this time, the M. citrata culture has stably maintained production of an oil closely resembling that of the parent plant in which linalool and linalyl acetate are the predominant components. However, M. piperita, which initially showed a divergence from the parent plant in producing significant amounts of menthofuran in addition to the characteristic oil components menthol and menthone, has now been found to produce pulegone and menthofuran as the major components. The cultures were subjected to different environmental conditions of varying periods of light and temperature in an attempt to restore menthol and menthone production. Increased illumination reduced the yields of pulegone and menthofuran but did not stimulate the production of either menthol or menthone, which remained only at trace levels (below 0.2 g/g fresh weight). Cultures of M. citrata were, however, stimulated by increased illumination, and produced more linalool and linalyl acetate. Shoot cultures of M. citrata and M. piperita were grown in 14–1 fermenters for up to 60 dys during which the biomass increased from approximately 100 g to 2.5 kg and 3.5 kg respectively. Both cultures rapidly consumed sucrose with a concomitant release of glucose, and the uptake of inorganic ions was similar except that M. citrata consumed far less Na+ during the fermentation. The total yields of monoterpenes from the fermentations were 1.16 g (M. piperita) and 0.18 g (M. citrata). *** DIRECT SUPPORT *** AG903062 00005     

General practitioners' perceptions of the tolerability of antidepressant drugs: a comparison of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and tricyclic antidepressants.

OBJECTIVE: To examine inceptions and discontinuations of antidepressants in general practice. DESIGN: An observational study analysing data from an ongoing cross sectional postal survey. Every three months a representative sample of 250 doctors recorded prescribing activity for four weeks. This provided 4000 general practitioner weeks of recording per year. SETTING: A representative panel of general practitioners in England, Wales, and Scotland. SUBJECTS: Patients who began a new course of an antidepressant or had their treatment stopped or changed by the general practitioner between 1 July 1990 and 30 June 1995. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Numbers of patients prescribed a new course of antidepressant; numbers discontinuing treatment; the ratio of antidepressant discontinuations to antidepressant inceptions; reasons for discontinuation; proportion of switches to another antidepressant. RESULTS: There were 13,619 inceptions and 3934 discontinuations of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and tricyclic antidepressants during the study. The number of newly prescribed courses of antidepressants increased by 116%, mostly due to an increase in prescribing of serotonin reuptake inhibitors. The ratio of total discontinuations to inceptions was significantly lower for serotonin reuptake inhibitors (22%) than for tricyclic antidepressants (33%). Differences persisted when controlled for age and sex of patients and severity of depression. However, there was more switching away from selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors when they failed (72%) than from tricyclic antidepressants (58%). CONCLUSIONS: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are less likely than tricyclic antidepressants to be discontinued. A prospective study is needed in general practice to assess the implications of differences in discontinuation rates and switches on clinical and economic outcomes.