New Gene Crt(Curly Roots) Controlling Pea (Pisum sativum L.) Root Development

Using ethyl methane sulfonate (EMS) treatment of the seeds ofline SGE, a new mutant of pea (Pisum sativum L.) with alterationsin root development was obtained. The mutant phenotype dependson the density of the growth substrate: on sand (a high densitysubstrate) the mutant forms a small compact curly root systemwhereas on vermiculite (a low density substrate) differencesbetween the root systems of the mutant and wild type plantsare less pronounced. Genetic analysis revealed that the mutantcarries a mutation in a new pea gene designedcrt (curly roots).Gene crt has been localized in pea linkage group V. The mutantline named SGEcrt showed increased sensitivity to exogenousauxin and an increased concentration of endogenous indole-3-aceticacid (IAA) in comparison with the wild type line SGE. Copyright2000 Annals of Botany Company Pisum sativum L., root development, garden pea mutant, curly roots, auxin, environmental stimulus response     

Effect of specific antibodies on active immunity development in those inoculated with an antirabies vaccine

The study of the effect of gamma globulin introduced in different doses (0.5 and 0.25 ml/mg) in combination with Fermi rabies vaccine (observations on humans were made) and with cerebral rabies vaccine inactivated by UV irradiation (in animal experiments) demonstrated that the injection of the higher doses of gamma globulin resulted in lower geometrical mean of antibody titers. Therefore, in combined administration of rabies vaccine and gamma globulin for postexposure rabies prevention it is advisable to reduce the dose of gamma globulin by one-half.     

Characteristics of the structural organization of the phylogenetically new fields in the human neocortex

The myeloarchitectonics of the specific human fields 40, 39, 37c, 37b of neocortex and also fields 17 and 19 which are the cortex end of visual analyzer has been studied with the help of neurohistological and quantitative methods. According to the character of the fibrous bundles, their diameter, the quantity of the fibrous in them and the diameter of the fibrous gradual changes from field 17 to field 19 and further to field 39 have been shown. It is an evidence of the succession between phylogenetically older and younger fields of the cortex. The peculiarities of the field quantitative myeloarchitectonics differing in the function and genesis are marked by heterochronous growth of these fields square in the process of evolution.     

Hypothermic effect on mice of a 1-10 kD fraction of the small intestine of the hibernating suslik Citellus undulatus during hypoxia and hypercapnia

Studies have been made on a possibility of inducing a prolonged hypothermia by injections to albino mice of a fraction with a molecular mass 1-10 KD isolated from the small intestine of hibernating ground squirrels. Specific conditions for the onset of hibernation (hypoxia, hypercapnia, temperature) were simulated. Exposure of mice to hypoxia and hypercapnia for 2 hours in combination with injection of the mentioned fraction extended hypothermic condition in animals up to 24-36 hours as compared to 2-3 hours after sole injection of the fraction. After the injection of 5-OT under the same conditions, the prolonged hypothermia was less stable.     

A non-enzymatic method of preparing isolated hepatocytes: assessment of their morpho-functional activity

A method for isolating hepatocytes using the two-step liver perfusion by chelate-containing solutions is described. The hepatocytes obtained are highly inactive for the trypan blue staining test, (not less than 90%), ATP content, the rate of endogenic respiration and its stimulation by succinate, a degree of xenobiotic oxidation.     

Study of trimethoprim sensitivity in strains of Yersinia pestis isolated from various natural foci of plague

The effect of exogenic addition of purines and pyrimidines on trimethoprim sensitivity was studied in 134 vaccinal and virulent strains of the plague causative agent isolated at various periods in 12 natural plague foci. 74 strains proved to be sensitive to low concentrations of trimethoprim in the cultivation media irrespective of the presence or absence of thymine or thymidine in them. In this respect the strains differed from many other bacterial species which in the presence of thymidine or thymine were resistant to high concentrations of trimethoprim. 60 natural arginine deficient strains of the plague causative agent from Transcaucasia and Mongolia showed high levels of resistance to trimethoprim on media with thymine or thymidine. The possible mechanism of the plague microbe sensitivity to trimethoprim in the presence of thymine or thymidine is discussed with an account of the literature and original data.     

Expression in Escherichia coli of DNA coding for human tumor necrosis factor

The variants of expression in Escherichia coli of artificial DNA coding for human tumor necrosis factor, an important immune modulator with selective cytotoxic action on a number of transformed cell lines have been described. The DNA was placed under control of either phage M13 promoter of gene for main coat protein or tandem of pair of E. coli tryptophane promoters. It has been shown that E. coli cells harbouring plasmids described with artificial TNF gene provide good level of protein biosynthesis. The protein has been purified by anion exchange chromatography near to homogeneity and used for preparation of monoclonals. As result three hybridomas effectively produced high affinity monoclonal anti-TNF antibodies have been obtained and characterized.     

Characteristics of dynamic postural reactions in the locust hindleg

Summary The use of the locust (Schistocerca americana) hindleg in postural control was examined in animals that stood on a repeatedly swayed vertical substrate. Myograms were recorded from leg muscles and the angle of the femoro-tibial joint was monitored photographically. Two discrete strategies were observed,; in compensatory reactions the hindleg was held in place, while in flexion reactions, the leg was moved, most often to complete flexion of the femoro-tibial joint. Tightly coupled, rhythmic bursting occurred in the flexor and levator muscles of the leg during compensatory reactions. Bursting was initiated repeatedly when the substrate was being pulled away from the animal. Bursting was correlated with subsequent decreases in the rate of change of the femorotibial joint angle. Compensatory and flexion reactions occurred preferentially in different ranges of joint angles: most often, compensatory reactions occurred in the midrange, while flexion reactions were elicited in the extremes of joint angle. These differences may be due to the mechanical advantages of the tibial muscles and the leg may be moved to full flexion because of a locking mechanism of the flexor muscle tendon. These reactions are compared with known reflexes of hindleg proprioceptors and contrasted with similar responses of vertebrates.     

Age-related changes of the somatotrophs of the domestic fowl Gallus gallus

Summary The ultrastructure of the somatotrophs of the caudal pituitary of the domestic fowl was studied quantitatively. Two age groups of male chickens were compared: 4–6 weeks and 24–30 weeks post-hatching. With age, somatotrophs decreased from about 40% to about 30% of the pituitary cell population. Their volume density decreased similarly. Mean volume of a somatotroph was the same in young and adult animals. Because the granule volume density of the somatotrophs was unchanged, but the somatotroph volume density of the gland declined, the granule volume density of the caudal pituitary gland dropped in parallel with that of the somatotrophs. Thus the volume of the gland comprised of somatotroph granules fell about 32%: from 6.57% to 4.45%. This lowered pool of stored hormone may be linked to the lowered circulating levels of growth hormone found in older animals by other investigators.The granule volume density of the somatotrophs was unchanged but the numerical density approximately doubled; thus the mean granule size decreased by 47% with age. The relationship of the size reduction of the granules to the lowered plasma growth hormone levels is not understood at present.Supported in part by Hatch and State funds from the New Jersey State Agricultural Experimental Station and NSF grants PCM 8,0227,27 and PCM 8,302197.