A synopsis of the family Lissocarpaceae

A species erroneously described as aDiospyros is here transferred toLissocarpa, asL. tetramera (Rusby) P. E. Berry. This gives a total of five species currently recognized in Lissocarpaceae. A key to the species and a discussion of the individual taxa are presented.     

Seed germination,seedling inoculation and establishment ofAlnus spp. in containers in greenhouse trials

Methods for production of containerized seedlings ofAlnus species were developed which permit nitrogen-fixing nodules to form on the root systems prior to outplanting, in order to provide an early nitrogen input during seedling establishment. The methods are based on procedures for inoculating root systems with suspensions ofFrankia (Actinomycetales), applied either directly in the container cell as a soil drench at the time of seeding, or as a root dip for seedlings transplanted into the containers. Germination of dried, stored seed was enhanced by light and by presoaking for 16 h in water. Pretreatments to overcome seed dormancy or to eliminate fungal pathogens did not further enhance germination. Some loss of seedlings was recorded in the early stages of growth shortly after germination, which is a factor in calculating projected seedling yield. Nodulation and seedling growth were evaluated in terms of growth media characteristics. Seedlings performed well in peat-vermiculite, at soil pH between 5.5 and 8.0.     

Intracellular mitochondrial membrane potential as an indicator of hepatocyte energy metabolism: further evidence for thermodynamic control of metabolism

The lipophilic triphenylmethylphosphonium cation (TPMP+) has been employed to measure delta psi m, the electrical potential across the inner membrane of the mitochondria of intact hepatocytes. The present studies have examined the validity of this technique in hepatocytes exposed to graded concentrations of inhibitors of mitochondrial energy transduction. Under these conditions, TPMP+ uptake allows a reliable measure of delta psi m in intracellular mitochondria, provided that the ratio [TPMP+]i/[TPMP+]e is greater than 50:1 and that at the end of the incubation more than 80% of the hepatocytes exclude Trypan blue. Hepatocytes, staining with Trypan blue, incubated in the presence of Ca2+, do not concentrate TPMP+. The relationships between delta psi m and two other indicators of cellular energy state, delta GPc and Eh, or between delta psi m and J0, were examined in hepatocytes from fasted rats by titration with graded concentrations of inhibitors of mitochondrial energy transduction. Linear relationships were generally observed between delta psi m and delta GPc, Eh or J0 over the delta psi m range of 120-160 mV, except in the presence of carboxyatractyloside or oligomycin, where delta psi m remained constant. Both the magnitude and the direction of the slope of the observed relationships depended upon the nature of the inhibitor. Hepatocytes from fasted rats synthesized glucose from lactate or fructose, and urea from ammonia, at rates which were generally linear functions of the magnitude of delta psi m, except in the presence of oligomycin or carboxyatractyloside. Linear relationships were also observed between delta psi m and the rate of formation of lactate in cells incubated with fructose and in hepatocytes from fed rats. The linear property of these force-flow relationships is taken as evidence for the operation of thermodynamic regulatory mechanisms within hepatocytes.     

Lung protein leaks in ventilated lambs: effects of gestational age

To study the protein permeability properties of the ventilated premature lung, we delivered groups of eight lambs at 122 and 135 days gestational age and ventilated the lambs equivalently. The lambs at 122 days gestational age had been treated with natural sheep surfactant at birth, and both groups of lambs had similar pH and blood gas values to 3 h of age. Three groups of lambs at 146 days gestational age also were studied for comparison; four lambs were ventilated to normalized PCO2 values, four lambs were ventilated equivalently to the premature lambs with supplemental CO2 used to normalize PCO2 values, and four lambs were treated with natural surfactant and ventilated similarly to the preterm lambs. The percent recovery into an alveolar wash and lung tissue of 131I-albumin given by intravascular injection and of 125I-albumin given into the airways was measured in each animal after killing at 3 h of age. Full-term lambs had a small bidirectional leak of albumin to and from the alveoli and lung tissue. The recovery of intravascular 131I-albumin in the alveolar wash was 5.8- and 4.1-fold higher in lambs at 122 and 135 days gestational age, respectively, than in full-term lambs. The loss of 125I-albumin from the airways and alveoli also increased as gestational age decreased. The bidirectional flux of albumin to and from the alveoli increased as gestational age decreased in the prematurely delivered and ventilated lambs.     

Mechanisms and development of self–other distinction in dyads and groups

This opinion piece offers a commentary on the four papers that address the theme of the development of self and other understanding with a view to highlighting the important contribution of developmental research to understanding of mechanisms of social cognition. We discuss potential mechanisms linking self–other distinction and empathy, implications for grouping motor, affective and cognitive domains under a single mechanism, applications of these accounts for joint action and finally consider self–other distinction in group versus dyadic settings.     

Synthesis and intracellular transport of protein by the colleterial gland of the cecropia silkmoth

The tubular portion of the colleterial gland of the cecropia silkmoth secretes protein which labels extensively with glycine and appears as a single peak when separated by acrylamide gel electrophoresis. The radioactive peak does not stain with protein stains or absorb at 280 nm, but is dispersed by Pronase digestion. Synthesis of the peak is sensitive to inhibition by puromycin and cycloheximide but is not sensitive to actinomycin or chloramphenicol inhibition. Amino acid analysis revealed a composition of 30% glycine, 33% aspartic acid, and insignificant amounts of aromatic amino acids; the molecular weight was calculated to be 160,000. Autoradiographic analysis revealed that nearly all the glycine incorporated is transported from the mature secretory cells, and the half-time of secretion is calculated to be 3.4 hr. The possible use of this product as a marker for biochemical differentiation is discussed.     

Über das Invertierungsvermögen der Speicheldrüsen und des Mitteldarmes von Bienen verschiedenen Alters

Zusammenfassung Die gewonnenen Ergebnisse zeigen mit völliger Klarheit, daß die Schlunddrüse ein stark ausgesprochenes Invertierungsvermögen besitzt, das sich jedoch in hohem Grade, je nach dem Alter der Bienen ändert. Im Gegensatz zum Mitteldarm, der Invertase auszuscheiden beginnt von dem Augenblicke des Ausschlüpfens der jungen Biene, bedarf die Schlunddrüse eines gewissen Zeitraumes zu ihrer Entwicklung. Die von uns angestellten Versuche können indessen die Frage noch nicht endgültig entscheiden, in welchem Moment die Schlunddrüse zu funktionieren beginnt. Wir haben die Sekretionstätigkeit der Drüse an verhältnismäßig alten Bienen — von 10 Tagen an — beobachtet und die maximalen Ziffern der Zuckerinversion bei 30tägigen Bienen ermittelt. Hieraus lassen sich noch keine verallgemeinernden Schlüsse ziehen. Unsere Versuche begannen im August und dauerten bis Mitte September, fanden also am Ende der Saison statt. Das Versuchsvolk war schwach und die Zahl der jungen Bienen und der Brut gering (auf einem Rahmen). Als Beleg dazu genügt der Hinweis, daß die Bienen ihre Orientierungsausflüge im Alter von 18 Tagen unternahmen. Alle diese Faktoren könnten zweifellos das Tempo der Entwicklung des Organismus der Biene — und der Sehlunddrüse im besonderen — beeinflussen. Es ist sehr wahrscheinlich, daß eine Untersuchung über die Veränderung des Invertierungsvermögens der Schiunddrüsen von Bienen, die zu verschiedenen Zeiten der Frühlings- und Sommersaison ausgeschlüpft waren, auch eine verschiedene Schnelligkeit der Entwicklung der Drüse ergeben würde.Was die Brustdrüse anbetrifft, so geben unsere Versuche kein genügendes Material zur Beurteilung, welche Rolle sie im Kohlehydratstoffwechsel der Biene spielt. Nur eines steht fest, daß sie an der Invertierung des Zuckers in keinem Falle beteiligt ist.Der Mitteldarm scheint auch mit dem Alter der Biene sein Invertierungsvermögen zu steigern, wenn auch nicht in solchem Umfange als die Schlunddrüse.Die von uns gewonnenen Resultate erlauben, einige Schlüsse über mehrere Fragen der Bienenbiologie zu ziehen, wie z. B. die Frage über den Anteil der Schlunddrüse an der Futtersaftbereitung usw. Doch müssen solche spezielle Fragen an einer anderen Stelle ausführlich besprochen werden.Zum Schlusse sprechen wir Dr. Resnitschenko sowie Dr. Alpatov für die freundliche Hilfe bei der Ausführung der Arbeit unseren Dank aus.