THE DEVELOPMENT OF APOSPOROUS GAMETOPHYTES AND REGENERATED SPOROPHYTES FROM EPIDERMAL CELLS OF EXCISED FERN LEAVES: AN ANATOMICAL STUDY

Three different types of outgrowths develop from epidermal cells of excised juvenile leaves of Microgramma vacciniifolia: aposporous gametophytes, intermediates, and regenerated sporophytic plantlets. The gametophytes and intermediates arise from derivatives of epidermal cell divisions which are developed to the exterior of the leaf surface, whereas the sporophytic regenerants originate from derivatives produced by cell divisions to the interior of the leaf. Anatomical observations of excised leaves grown in vitro demonstrate that only the epidermal cells are stimulated to divide and give rise to the various types of outgrowths. Incorporation of tritiated thymidine by the nuclei of leaf epidermal cells gives further evidence for the metabolic activity of these cells.     

The psychologic consequences of exposure to high density pulsed electromagnetic energy

Five albino female rats which had been trained to run a maze were exposed to 3 nanosecond pulses of electromagnetic energy which had a density of 600,000 v/m². A disturbance of the ability of the animals to perform this recently learned task was observed.The effect was found to be reversible within a period of 30 min. Possible mechanisms by which the decision making strategy of the animals was temporarily disrupted are considered. The parallelism between the conditions of this experiment and those attending the exposure of animals to lightning bolts during electrical storms is pointed out.

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Zusammenfassung Fünf weibliche Albinoratten, die darauf trainiert waren, in einem Labyrinth zu laufen, wurden 3 Nanosekunden-Impulsen elektromagnetischer Energie ausgesetzt, die eine Energie von 600.000 v/m² hatten. Es wurde eine Störung der Fähigkeit der Tiere beobachtet, diese kürzlich gelernte Aufgabe zu bewältigen. Die Wirkung war innerhalb von 30 Min. reversibel. Die verschiedenen Mechanismen, durch die die Fähigkeit der Tiere, ihre Aufgabe zu lösen, zeitweise unterbunden wurde, werden diskutiert. Auf die Parallele zwischen den Bedingungen dieses Experiments und denen bei Entladungen während elektrischer Stürme wird hingewiesen.

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Resume On a exposé cinq femelles de rats albinos à des impulsions électromagnétiques de 3 manosecondes et d'une énergie de 600.000 v/m². Ces bêtes avaient au préalable été entraînées à se mouvoir dans un labyrinthe.On a alors pu constater que les bêtes ainsi exposées perdaient la faculté de se retrouver dans le labyrinthe. L'effet de l'exposition est cependant réversible après 30 minutes.On discute les divers mécanismes par lesquels la faculté qu'ont les bêtes d'effectuer certaines tâches est momentanément supprimée. On mentionne le parallélisme existant entre les conditions de ces expériences et celles que provoquent les décharges qui se produisent pendant les orages.

     

Spatial and temporal distribution of pheromone biosynthesis-activating neuropeptide in Helicoverpa (Heliothis) armigera using RIA and in vitro bioassay.

A [3H]-PBAN (pheromone biosynthesis-activating neuropeptide) analog was synthesized, and binding of the radioligand to a specific PBAN-antiserum was achieved. The inhibition of binding of the radioligand by unlabeled PBAN, several PBAN analogs, and other competitors was studied and a specific radio-immunoassay was developed. Using this radioimmunoassay we found PBAN-like immunoreactivity in methanol extracts of hemolymph and neural tissues from females. Higher levels of PBAN-like immunoreactivity in extracts of brain-suboesophageal ganglion complexes, corpora cardiaca, thoracic ganglia, and abdominal ganglia were observed during the 4-5th h scotophase when compared to the PBAN-like immunoactivity levels during the 6-11th h photophase. On the other hand, the concentrations of PBAN-like immunoreactivity, in the terminal abdominal ganglion were higher during the photophase relative to minimal levels observed during the scotophase, indicating an accumulation before the onset of pheromone production. These differences in concentrations of PBAN were also reflected in the stimulation of in vitro pheromone glands, whereby significant stimulations were obtained by scotophase and photophase brain extracts, scotophase thoracic ganglia extracts, and photophase terminal abdominal ganglia extracts. No detectable levels of PBAN were found in hemolymph extracts during the sampling periods.     

Adenylate cyclase uncoupled beta-adrenergic receptors in salamander proximal tubules

The isolated perfused proximal tubule of the neotenic salamander Ambystoma tigrinum responds with either a hyperpolarization or depolarization of both the basolateral cell membrane and transepithelial potentials following the addition of 10(-5) M isoproterenol to the bath superfusate. Both responses were blocked by 10(-6) M propranolol but neither response was mimicked by 10(-4) M cAMP. beta-Adrenergic binding studies of individual microdissected proximal tubules using (-)-[3H]CGP-12177 as a hydrophyllic radioligand and (+/-)-timolol (0.1 mM) as the displacer drug revealed two distinct populations of proximal tubules possessing either low (KD = 153.8 nM; Bmax = 110.2 fM/mm) or high affinity (KD = 12.0 nM: Bmax = 3.9 fM/mm) binding characteristics. Competition studies indicated that the bound (-)-[3H]CGP-12177 behaved as a typical beta-adrenergic ligand, being displaced by (-)-isoproterenol but not by (+)-isoproterenol or (-)-phenylephrine. However, neither appeared to be coupled to the adenylate cyclase system. These data suggest the presence of functional beta-adrenergic receptors that do not appear to be coupled to the adenylate cyclase system.     

Dynamics and reactivity of HbXL99 alpha. A cross-linked hemoglobin derivative

Resonance Raman spectroscopy, transient absorption, and fluroescence techniques have been employed to investigate the structure and dynamics of the alpha-cross-linked hemoglobin derivative, HbXL99 alpha. The resonance Raman spectra of the deoxy form of HbXL99 alpha are identical to those of native NbA (VFe-His approximately 222 cm-1), which exhibit a T-state (low affinity) structure regardless of solvent conditions. The resonance Raman spectra of the transient heme photoproduct resulting from CO photolysis from HbXL99 alpha appear to have structures intermediate between deoxy-T and ligand-bound R structures (VFe-His approximately 222 cm-1). Time-resolved resonance Raman data of HbXL99 alpha-CO show that complete CO recombination occurs after approximately 5 ms, with only a small amount of the CO-bound species reforming within approximately 200 ns (geminate recombination). Transient absorption spectra of HbXL99 alpha-O2 indicate that the extent of sub-nanosecond geminate recombination of O2 is also reduced in the cross-linked derivative relative to native HbA. The decrease in tryptophan fluorescence of HbXL99 alpha upon oxygenation further indicates that tertiary structural changes at the alpha 1-beta 2 interface upon ligation are apparently reduced, but not eliminated in the cross-linked derivative relative to HbA.     

Localization of melanin synthesis within the pigment cell: Determination by a combination of electron microscopic autoradiography and topographic planimetry

Summary Localization of melanin synthesis within the pigment cells of the Cloudman S-91 mouse melanoma was determined by means of a combination of high resolution autoradiography and topographic planimetry. Initial melanin biosynthesis occurred predominantly in the endoplasmic reticulum and associated ribonucleoprotein particles of the melanocytes. By measuring a number of cell organelles and employing the index of relative specific localization it could be shown that the nucleus and mitochondria are of little or no importance in the process of melanogenesis.This investigation has been supported by the following research grants: CA 06548 CB, NIH, PHS and an Institutional Grant from the American Cancer Society (to H. M. H.); CA-05887, NIH, PHS (to A. S. Z.); M-00388 and NB-00782, NIH, PHS (to J. F. H.). One of us (H. M. H.) holds a Research Cancer Development Award (5-K 3-GM-2634) of the National Institute of General Medical Sciences, Public Health Service.We are grateful to Mr. Ronald Abler for his help with the topographic measurements; to Dr. Erhard Haus for help and advice; to Mr. J. Thornby and Mr. A. P. Basu for assistance with the statistical aspects of this study; and to Mrs. Lenore Mottaz, Miss Bernice Uittenbogaard, and Mrs. Judith Strong for careful technical assistance.