Photoperiodism and morphogenesis of the protonema ofCeratodon purpureus (Hedw.) Brid

Summary Elongation ofCeratodon protonema is a long-day phenomenon. Branching is a short-day phenomenon. The two morphological systems are antagonists.     

Effects of mistletoe (Viscum album L.) extracts on cultured tumor cells

Summary Bacterially fermented mistletoe preparations (BFMP) were tested on rat hepatoma tissue culture (HTC) cells and human leukemia Molt 4 cells. A dose-dependent inhibition of the growth rate of the cells was observed. For both cell lines, cytostatic concentrations, expressed in weight of fresh plant, were 0.5 mg/ml culture medium for oak BFMP and 1 mg/ml for apple tree BFMP. However, the action of the two preparations was markedly different on each cell line. Non-viable HTC cells were not stained by trypan blue while non-viable Molt 4 cells were fully colored by this reagent. A lysis of cellular membranes of HTC cells was observed by electron microscopy. Furthermore, oak BFMP inhibited the growth of virus transformed 3T3-SV40 cells more than that of non-transformed 3T3 cells. In contrast to BFMP, non-fermented extracts and a purified mistletoe lectin showed a greater inhibition of the growth of Molt 4 cells than of HTC cells. Samples withdrawn at different times during fermentation gradually lost their inhibitory effect on the growth of Molt 4 cells while their action on HTC cells increased up to the 4th day of fermentation. These results are discussed in relation to the cytotoxic substances of mistletoe already characterized.The bacterially fermented mistletoe preparations, named BFMP in the text, were obtained from the Hiscia Institute, CH-4144 Arlesheim, Switzerland, under the name of Iscador. For oak BFMP, mistletoe was fromQuercus petraea Liebl. andQuercus robur L.; for apple tree BFMP fromMalus domestica Borkh.     

Effects of mistletoe (Viscum album L.) extracts on cultured tumor cells

Bacterially fermented mistletoe preparations (BFMP) were tested on rat hepatoma tissue culture (HTC) cells and human leukemia Molt 4 cells. A dose-dependent inhibition of the growth rate of the cells was observed. For both cell lines, cytostatic concentrations, expressed in weight of fresh plant, were 0.5 mg/ml culture medium for oak BFMP and 1 mg/ml for apple tree BFMP. However, the action of the two preparations was markedly different on each cell line. Non-viable HTC cells were not stained by trypan blue while non-viable Molt 4 cells were fully colored by this reagent. A lysis of cellular membranes of HTC cells was observed by electron microscopy. Furthermore, oak BFMP inhibited the growth of virus transformed 3T3-SV40 cells more than that of non-transformed 3T3 cells. In contrast to BFMP, non-fermented extracts and a purified mistletoe lectin showed a greater inhibition of the growth of Molt 4 cells than of HTC cells. Samples withdrawn at different times during fermentation gradually lost their inhibitory effect on the growth of Molt 4 cells while their action on HTC cells increased up to the 4th day of fermentation. These results are discussed in relation to the cytotoxic substances of mistletoe already characterized.     

Effect of certain environmental factors on the cerebral neurosecretory cells of American cockroachPeriplaneta americana (L.)

Summary Under illumination, the cerebral neurosecretory cells (NSC) ofPeriplaneta americana were found to be depleted of neurosecretory material (NSM). It is suggested that, due to prolonged exposure to illumination, the synthesis of NSM was checked. The NSC were found densely packed with NSM after keeping the insects in total darkness. Clumping of NSC and their axons was brought about by 15 days of starvation. Diet played no significant role in the neurosecretory activity.We are thankful to Mr Fakhruddin, Saifia Educational Society for providing research facilities.     

Variability in saffron (Crocus sativus L.)

Summary The discovery of new variants of saffron with increased number of stigmas has been reported, and the different possibilities underlying these variations are discussed. Due to sexual sterility of saffron, it is suggested that if the observed variations prove to be genetically determined, the clones which may be developed could increase yield and reduce the cost of saffron production in the future.Acknowledgments. This work was supported by a grant (600-4-54-1) from the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of Iran. The technical assistance of Mr M. Noori-Daloi and Mrs Z. Aghamohamadi is also appreciated.     

Dimethyl sulphoxide effect on division cells

Resumen Dimetil sulfóxido, potente antimetabolito, a distintas concentraciones altera significativamente la cinética de poblaciones meristemáticas radicales deAllium cepa L., produciendo un cuatro de alteraciones morfológicas y figuras mitóticas atípicas.     

Co-enzyme a content in the American cockroach (Periplaneta Americana L.) and the housefly (Musca domestica L.)

Riassunto Gli autori hanno dosato il CoA nei muscoli della coxa diPeriplaneta americana ed inMusca domestica in toto. Vengono messe in evidenza le differenze del contenuto in CoA dei muscoli bianchi e rossi della coxa di blatta. Viene inoltre messo in evidenza l'aumento progressivo del CoA, durante i primi 9 giorni di vita dell'adulto, inM. domestica.     

Non-specific esterases in females ofAedes aegypti (L.)

Zusammenfassung Unspezifische Esterasen wurden während des Adultlebens vonAedes aegypti (L.) quantitativ bestimmt und zwischen Weibchen von 2 Stämmen verglichen. Alterungist begleitet von einer Zunahme der Bänderzahl und einer Abnahme der Esterasenaktivität pro Weibchen; die relative Aktivität der einzelnen Esterasen-Isozyme bleibt aber mehr oder weniger konstant. Nach einem Blutmahl, dem Beginn eines neuen gonotrophen Zyklus, wurden auffällige Veränderungen im Bändermuster festgestellt. 4 Tage später, nach erfolgter Eiablage, ist dieses Muster wieder ähnlich wie vor der Blutaufnahme.     

Effects ofs-triazines on protein synthesis in leaves of peas (Pisum sativum L.) and sweet corn (Zea mays L.) and on the ultrastructure of pea cotyledons

Zusammenfassung Nachweis, dass die Blattbehandlung mit subletaler Konzentration von Simazin, Propazin, Igran und Prometon die Protein-Synthese bei Erbse und Mais vermehrt. Die Blattbehandlung mit Simazin zerstörte die Ultrastruktur des Samenlappens bei der Erbse.

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This study was supported by the Agriculture Research Service, USDA, Grant No. 12-14-100-9903, administered by the Human Nutrition Division, Beltsville, Maryland.     

Post-infection changes in sugar and organic acid contents of chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) and mango (Mangifera indica L.) leaves

Zusammenfassung Die Infektion der Blätter vonCapsicum annuum undMangifera indica mit den BlattpilzenCurvularia ovoidea beziehungsweiselunata hat zur Folge, dass die freien Zucker Saccharose, Glukose und Fruktose verschwinden und dass der Gehalt an organischen Säuren (Apfelsäure, Zitronensäure, Oxalsäure) vermindert wird.     

The growth of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) myosatellite cells in culture at two different temperatures

Temperature is known to affect fish growth, and in Atlantic salmon there is an influence on muscle cellularity. Primary muscle cell culture makes it possible to investigate direct effects of temperature on myogenic cells. Salmon myosatellite cells were cultured for the first time in this study. The cells were cultured at either 5°C or 11°C. Increased temperature led to an increase in differentiation rate and especially hypertrophic growth (Q₁₀=4.0). No nuclear proliferation was evident in the satellite cell population isolated at either temperature. This may be due to the presence of different subpopulations of myogenic cells at different developmental ages or the presence of indirect factors in vivo.