Morphometric variation in nearly unstudied populations of the most studied mammal: The non-commensal house mouse (Mus musculus domesticus) in the Near East and Northern Africa

The phenotypic consequences in the house mouse (Mus musculus domesticus) of the transition from an ordinary field-dwelling rodent to a species that is dependent on human populations was studied by investigating the morphometric variation of non-commensal populations of M. m. domesticus from Syria, Jordan, SW Iran, and Libya and comparing them with that of conspecific commensal populations from Eastern Turkey, Greece, and Bulgaria. Commensal populations of M. musculus musculus from the Czech Republic were used as an outgroup. About 849 adult specimens of M. musculus were analysed by multivariate procedures based on standard molar, skull and body measurements. As expected, there was considerable variation among the studied populations and a good correspondence between morphometric and geographic distances. The resulting morphometric tree was consistent with the hypothesis that the original radiation of M. m. domesticus took place somewhere in the Near East. Commensal populations of M. m. domesticus form a single derived branch. Specimens originating from four different sites in eastern Syria showed the greatest similarity to one another and possessed relatively bigger molars than the other studied populations. Commensal populations were characterised by longer tails when compared to non-commensal populations, which suggests an adaptation for living in a more three-dimensionally heterogeneous environment for commensal populations.     

Some Problems in the Assay Method of HMG-CoA Reductase Activity in Sweet Potato in the Presence of Other HMG-CoA Utilizing Enzymes

In addition to HMG-CoA reductase, another HMG-CoA utilizing enzyme is present in the Mt fraction of sweet potato root tissue and its activity interferes with the assay to HMG-CoA reductase activity.     

Cytological aspects of in vitro androgenesis in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) using fluorescent microscopy

Summary Two winter wheat genotypes (Diószegi 200 and Mv 15) were compared for their in vitro androgenic capacity. On average, the induction frequency of embryogenic structures was 71.7% in Diószegi 200 and only 4.3% in Mv 15. The haploid induction ability of the two genotypes differed considerably, with Diószegi 200 being much higher. The difference in the in vitro inductability of the microspores may result from genetic differences which are manifested in the survival rate of the microspores during the culture period and their adaptability to in vitro conditions. Special DNA fluorochrornes were suitable for studying the different pathways of in vitro androgenesis. Our data indicate that the repeated equal divisions of the microspore nucleus might lead to pollen embryo formation, and subsequent divisions of the vegetative portion of the pollen grain after the first asymmetric microspore mitosis can result in pollen callus formation.     

The effect of indole-3-acetylaspartic acid on adventitious root formation on bean cuttings

The influence of indole-3-acetylaspartic acid (IAAsp) on rooting of stem cuttings from bean plants (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) of different ages, cultivated at different temperatures (17°, 21° and 25°C) was studied and compared to that of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). At a concentration of 10^–4 M, IAAsp only nonsignificantly stimulated adventitious root formation, approximately to the same level as IAA in all treatments. IAAsp at 5×10^–4 M further enhanced rooting, by up 200% of control values, with little influence of temperature conditions and stock plant age. This concentration of IAA usually stimulated rooting more than the conjugate. The largest differences between the effects of IAAsp and IAA occured at the highest cultivation temperature of 25°C where stock plant age also influenced the response. The number of roots produced in comparison with the control, was enhanced from 350% on cuttings from the youngest plants to more than 600% on cuttings from the oldest. In contrast to the conjugate, 5×10^–4 M IAA induced hypocotyl swelling and injury of the epidermis at the base of cuttings, in all treatments.     

Cholinesterase activity in some species of theAllium genus

In partly purified protein complexes obtained from 22 species of theAllium genus and 6 cultivars ofAllium cepa the activity of cholinesterases was detected and measured using the method of Ellman et al. The degree of its inhibition with 10^-4 M neostigmine was also tested. It was found that the activity of cholinesterase differed in individual species up to two hundred times, while the differences in the inhibitory activity of 10^-4 M neostigmine occurred only in a few cases. Individual sections and cultivars could not be characterized on the basis of the differences in the activities of the cholinesterases. Of all the sections that ofPhyllodolon shows the highest average activity. In the case of the tested cultivars distinctly the lowest activity was observed in cv. Kastická. The values of the enzymatic activity measured by Ellman’s method in this plant material include the activity of specific and unspecific cholinesterases and the part uninhibitable by neostigmine.     

Seasonal Rhythm of Rooting of Salix atrocinerea cuttings

The response of rooting and the content of growth substances in Salix atrocinerea cuttings were studied every month throughout the whole year. To study the rooting response 100 cuttings were put into a rooting mist-propagator frame and the results were observed 30 days later. The hormone content was studied with the same type of cuttings by means of methanol extraction, fractionating into acid, basic and neutral substances and chromatographic analysis on paper and bioassays. Salix atrocinerea cuttings have three rooting phases: one very active in January, February, March and April with plentiful roots, not ramified, originating at the base of the cutting; a second lesser phase from May to August with numerous small and very ramified roots formed at a more ample area on the stalk. Both peaks are separated by a sharp fall in June. From September to December the third phase of rooting takes place. Response is practically nil and the few small roots formed are originated at the base of the stalk, again, as in the first phase. In the histograms a remarkable activity in the acid fraction at Rf = 0.30–0.50 was found and IAA was identified. The rooting capacity of these cuttings and the IAA content show some correlation but not exact enough to assert that the root response is governed by an optimum hormonal content. In Salix atrocinerea cuttings inhibitors are absent during the whole year which support the hypothesis that root formation might in some cases be influenced also by the presence or absence of inhibitory growth substances.     

Immunohistochemical Detection of DNA Replication in Mouse Uterine Cells by Bromodeoxyuridine Labeling of Wax- and Resin-Embedded Tissue Sections

TO apply the bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) labeling method using a monoclonal antibody to the study of cell proliferation in the mouse uterus, methods of fixation and embedding of tissues and of immunofluorescent staining were compared in terms of the rate of detection of labeled cells and specificity and stability of fluorescence obtained. BrdU was administered intravenously 2 hr before death and uterine blocks were embedded in polyester wax and Technovit resin after fixation in formalin and periodate-lysine-paraformaldehyde, respectively. The indirect method with anti-BrdU and fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) conjugated antimouse IgG antisera and the direct method with FITC conjugated anti-BrdU antibody were applied to both wax- and resin-embedded sections. Labeled and total cells were counted in luminal and glandular epithelia and stromata adjoining them. Counterstaining with hematoxylin for counting total cells produced intense fluorescence over the whole of resin sections and made counting of labeled cells impossible. On wax sections, on the other hand, the results were satisfactory, although the number of labeled cells detected was decreased slightly. In wax sections fluorescence due to nuclear incorporation of BrdU in the indirect method could be easily distinguished from the cytoplasmic or extracellular emission seen in some cells by its location and characteristic color. In resin sections, however, more careful observation was needed since the second antibody used in the indirect method cross-reacted with IgG in eosinophils and produced cyctoplasmic fluorescence of the same color. By the indirect method greater numbers of labeled cells were detected in wax sections than in resin sections. The difference was distinct in tissues with extensive cell proliferation. By the direct method the fluorescence obtained was weaker and apt to fade more quickly than that obtained by the indirect method; use of the direct method reduced the number of labeled cells detected in both wax- and resin-embedded sections.     

Ordovician (Dobrotivá Formation) ostracodes and trilobites from Ejpovice (Bohemia) and their relations to faunas of northern and western Europe

For the first time a complete ostracode and trilobite fauna is described from the Dobrovitá Formation (Ordovician) of Perunica. In contrast to the trilobite fauna the ostracode fauna evidences close relations to both Armorica and Baltica. The trilobite fauna comprises 11 species out of 11 genera, the ostracode fauna comprises 15 (5 new) species out of 15 (1 new) genera.