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.     

Cellular Quantification of Tyrosine Hydroxylase in the Rat Brain by Immunoautoradiography

Abstract: We developed a rapid and sensitive radioimmunohistochemical method for the quantification of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) at both the anatomical and cellular level. Coronal tissue sections from fresh-frozen rat brains were incubated in the presence of a TH monoclonal antibody. The reaction was revealed with a ³⁵S-labeled secondary antibody. TH content was quantified in catecholaminergic brain areas by measuring optical density on autoradiographic films or silver grain density on autoradiographic emulsion-coated sections. Regional TH concentrations determined in the locus ceruleus (LC), substantia nigra pars compacta (SNC), and ventral tegmental area (VTA) were significantly increased by 45% after reserpine treatment in the LC but unchanged in the SNC and VTA. Microscopic examination of TH radioimmunolabeling showed a heavy accumulation of silver grains over catecholaminergic cell bodies. In the LC, grain density per cell was heterogeneous and higher in the ventral than in the dorsal part of the structure. After reserpine treatment, TH levels were significantly increased (57%) in the neurons of the LC but not in those of the SNC or VTA. The data support the validity of this radioimmunohistochemical method as a tool for quantifying TH protein at the cellular level and they confirm that TH protein content is differentially regulated in noradrenergic and dopaminergic neurons in response to reserpine.     

A child with a 21-ring chromosome, 45,XX,21-/46,XX,21r investigated with the banding technique

Summary Chromosomal analysis of lymphocytes and fibroblasts in a slightly retarded 7-month-old female infant with some minor malformations showed a mosaicism 45,XX,G-/46,XX,Gr. The ring chromosome was identified as No. 21 by banding technique.

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Zusammenfassung Chromosomenuntersuchungen an Lymphocyten und Fibroblasten bei einem 7 Monate alten Mädchen mit leichter statomotorischer Entwicklungsverzögerung und degenerativen Stigmata zeigten ein Mosaik 45,XX,G-/46,XX,Gr. Durch die Bandentechnik mit Trypsinbehandlung konnte das Ringchromosom als Nr.21 identifiziert werden.

     

Anammox Bacterial Diversity in Various Aquatic Ecosystems Based on the Detection of Hydrazine Oxidase Genes (<Emphasis Type="Italic">hzoA</Emphasis>/<Emphasis Type="Italic">hzoB</Emphasis>)

Anammox bacteria belonging to the phylum Planctomycetes are responsible for N removal through NH₄⁺ oxidation coupled with NO₂⁻ reduction. Microbial diversity and ecology of anammox bacteria have not yet been fully revealed due to limitations of 16S rRNA analysis. The hydrazine oxidase gene in cluster 1 (hereafter hzoA/hzoB) was suggested as a proper genetic marker due to its high expression and ubiquitous presence in anammox bacteria. We conducted a comparative analysis of 16S rRNA and hzoA/hzoB genes to reveal anammox bacterial diversity and distribution in various aquatic environments. Phylogenetic analyses of 16S rRNA and hzoA/hzoB genes showed the dominance of Scalindua organisms in marine ecosystems, but there was no congruence of 16S rRNA and hzoA/hzoB gene phylogenies among the freshwater anammox bacteria associated with Brocadia sp., Jettenia sp., and Anammoxoglobus sp. Higher diversity of anammox bacteria was revealed based on hzoA/hzoB genes than 16S rRNA genes in the examined environments. Multiple regression analysis showed that salinity had significant influence on differential distribution and diversity of anammox bacteria in different ecosystems. Thus, molecular detection and resulting phylogeny of the hzoA/hzoB gene generated a better understanding of anammox bacterial diversity and their ecological distribution in various aquatic ecosystems.     

Bacterial Diversity of the Broadbalk ‘Classical’ Winter Wheat Experiment in Relation to Long-Term Fertilizer Inputs

With more than 160 years of contrasting fertilizer regimes, the Broadbalk winter wheat experiment represents a unique experimental resource for studying the effects of long-term fertilizer application on microbial population diversity. Using DGGE and clone library analysis, we report here on eubacterial species diversity (16S rRNA gene) and diversity within two sets of gene products associated with microbial N acquisition: NifH (nitrogen fixation) and AmtB (ammonium transport). Comparisons were made within and between soils treated with mineral N fertilizer, farmyard manure or receiving no fertilizer. Analysis of 16S rRNA gene DGGE profiles showed no clear patterns to qualitatively distinguish bacterial community structure between the three different treatments (P > 0.05), with all samples containing a range of eubacterial taxa similar to those that are characteristic of soil bacteria reported elsewhere. Intra-plot heterogeneity was high and of a similar magnitude to that between treatments. This lack of qualitative between plot differences was echoed in the representative sequences of 16S rRNA, nifH, and amtB genes in the various samples. Taken together, both phylogenetic and functional gene analyses showed bacterial communities in the Broadbalk-trial soil were very stable and relatively non-responsive to long-term management of balanced fertilizer inputs.