Chromosomal location of α-amylase structural genes in rye (Secale cereale L.)

Summary Rye (Secale cereale L.) -amylase isozymes are controlled by at least four loci located on the 5R (three) and 7R (one) chromosomes. In the case of Imperial and King II cultivars, two of the three 5R chromosome loci could be specifically located on the 5Rl chromosome arm; the other one was located on the 5RS. The locus of 7R chromosome was located on the 7RL chromosome arm of Imperial rye.     

Limitations of the ‘direct linear plot’ in evaluation of drug-protein binding parameters

Summary The applicability of the direct linear plot is compared with that of the Scatchard plot for the estimation of protein binding parameters. Only, if one class of binding sites exists in the system tested, binding parameters may be estimated by use of the direct linear plot. On the other hand the Scatchard plot also provides estimates in systems with more that one class of binding sites.     

Glycoprotein biosynthesis in splenic cells. Purification of a microsomal galactosyl-transferase

Summary One part of the microsomal galactosyl-transferase activity of splenic cells of rats can by solubilized by the action of Triton X-100 and Tween 20. Its purification on a Sephadex G-200 column and by electrophoresis on a polyacrylamide gel leads to a solution of high specific enzymic activity.This work has benefited from the help of the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, the Direction des Recherches et Moyens d'Essais, the Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, the Fondation pour la Recherche Médicale Française the Délégation Générale à la Recherche Scientifique et Technique and the Université de Lyon (UER Lyon-Sud et Biologie Humaine).     

Einfluss des luftelektrischen Feldes auf das Haut-Potential vonRana esculenta

Summary The potential across the skin ofRana esculenta was remarkably reduced under Faraday conditions in comparison to animals kept under normal conditions. A pulsating electric field (10 Hz) practically abolished this effect.     

Influence du rang de ponte dans la transmission du caractèreatrophie gonadique chezDrosophila melanogaster

Summary Gonadal atrophy (atrophie gonadique, ag) is a hereditary character of variable expression and penetrance inDrosophila melanogaster, the penetrance of which varies with temperature but also with the rank order of eggs produced. It is shown that early zygotes are more often affected than late zygotes who not only, but also transmit the character more efficiently to their offspring.     

The ‘Spitzenkörper’, centre of the reducing power in the growing hyphal apices of two septomycetous fungi

Summary Redox dyes, such as methylene blue and neutral red, are stably reduced to their leucobase in the Spritzenkörper of the growing hyphal tips ofNeurospora crassa andMonilia fructigena.We acknowledge the support of the Fonds National Suisse de la Recherche Scientifique and thank both Mrs Ton-That for her electron micrograph and Miss E. Herz for her technical help.     

Structural differences of cone ‘oil-droplets’ in the light and dark adapted retina ofPoecilia reticulata P.

Summary The vast majority of oil-droplets in the dark and light-adapted retinal twin-cones ofPoecilia reticulata is of the matrix-type. In bright light (day light+overhead strip light) there occurs in some regions a very pronounced numerical change from matrix to cristate-type, whereas other regions remain unaffected. The functional significance of these differences is discussed.     

On the stability of cognitive processes

Summary An empirical and mathematical model for self-organization is proposed, based on elemental properties, on unique interaction and on the combination of hierarchical elements. In the model, higher elements are stabilized by the cognitive (strong) interaction of subelements, disregarding intermediate elements. This is called elementary reductionism and is illustrated by the sequence quarks-elementary particles-atoms-molecules-cells-organisms-societies. Optimal dynamic interaction of nonidentical elements is called cognitive stability. This is compared with thermodynamic equilibrium. The principal differences are outlined.     

Etude immunochimique et électrophorétique de la conidiation deNeurospora crassa

Summary The antigens and soluble proteins ofNeurospora crassa wild-type and its conidiation deficient mutant amyc were analyzed by immunoelectrophoresis and acrylamide gel electrophoresis respectively. Comparison of the patterns of the soluble proteins of the 2 strains, obtained with both techniques, showed an alteration of antigens and proteins in the mutant. A specific antigenic protein present in the wild-type, presumably in connection with conidiation, was also found in the mutant amyc when it was induced to form conidia.     

Etude de l'hydrolyse et des propriétés toxiques vis-à-vis des mitochondries de maïs Texas,d'un insecticide,le méthomyl ou S-méthyl-N [(méthylcarbamoy)oxyl] thioacétimidate

Summary Methomyl, or S-methyl-N [(methylcarbamoyl)oxy] thioacetimidate, a common insecticide, has been found to be a specific poison of mitochondria of corn with Texas cytoplasm. Its hydrolysis under very mild acidic conditions affords thiomethyl methylthiosulphonate, which strongly inhibits the activity of CmST and N mitochondria of corn.     

The role of repair in radiobiology

Summary Apart from cancer and mutation induction, radiobiological effects on mammals are mostly attributable to cell death, defined as loss of proliferative capacity. Survival curves relate retention of that capacity to radiation dose, and often manifest a quasi-threshold (shoulder). The shoulder is attributable to an initial mechanism of repair (Q-repair) which is gradually depleted as dose increases. Another form of repair, which is not depleted (P-repair), increases the dose required to deliver an average of one lethal event per cell (dose D₀). Neither form of repair can unambiguously be linked with repair of defects in isolated DNA. An important initial lesion may well be disruption of the complex structural relationship between the DNA, nuclear membrane and associated proteins. One form of P-repair may be restoration of that structural relationship.     

Ultrastructures nerveuses dans le ventricule du c∄ur de Grenouille

Summary In the basal part of the ventricle of the heart ofR. esculenta axon and synapse show granules of catecholamine type. The fact is tentatively related with the phenomenon of ventricle escape.     

Über die PAS-Glykogen-Reaktion im Bereich der Ringbinden beiAmblystoma mexicanum Cope

Summary Glycogen substance, detected by the PAS-reaction in the so-called Ringbinden of the trunk musculature from the larval form ofAmblystoma mexicanum Cope, is described. The PAS-glycogen reaction in the myofibril complex of the common Ringbinde does not differ from that found in the normal one.     

Consideration on the effects of pollution at community and population level

Summary The effects of pollution at population level are considered in relation to demographic characteristics and overall to the birthrate. The direct and indirect effects of pollution on community structure is discussed. The influence of pollution may vary according to the food-chain structure; (as a consequence, the hazard ceteris paribus will be greater in freshwater communities than in marine ones). Relations between diversity and stability are discussed. In addition, the advantages and difficulties in using diversity and biotic indices for monitoring polluted water are taken into account.     

Generation of superoxide anions byChattonella antiqua: Possible causes for fish death caused by ‘Red Tide’

The generation of reactive free radicals byChattonella antiqua (Red Tide), which may be a causative factor in fish death, has been demonstrated by electron spin resonance spectroscopy and a microelectrode technique. Electrochemical detection indicates that superoxide anions are produced as a primary product, and undergo further reactions during diffusion in glycocalyx to produce hydrogen, hydroxy-, and carbon-centered radicals which are detected by ESR as secondary products. It is proposed that these reactive radicals are responsible for the destruction of the mucous membranes of fish on exposure to Red Tide.     

On the host-symbiont-cycle of a leafhopper (Euscelis plebejus) endosymbiosis

Summary In the host-symbiont-cycle ofEuscelis plebejus and its bacterial symbionts each of both symbionts (a and t) appears in an infection form during the intraovarial transmission (adult female) as well as during the entrance into the mycetocytes (embryo) and in a vegetative form during the remaining time of the cycle.This work was supported in part by a grant from the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft to ProfessorK. Sander, whom I thank for helpful discussions.     

A historical review of the problem of mitogenetic radiation

Summary The miracle of caryokinesis was the starting point that stimulated Alexander G. Gurwitsch to carry out his famous mitogenetic experiments in 1923. The results obtained confirmed his hypothesis of a weak radiation from cells, which is able to trigger the growth of other cells. Extensive experimental work within the first two decades after this discovery indicated that the problem of mitogenetic radiations is generally related to the biological significance of UV-radiation. Both energetic and informational aspects have to be considered, namely radiation effective in activating molecules, and that involved in arranging them into larger units.The molecular organization of biological structures is evidently governed by nonequilibrium conditions needing the uptake or emission of radiation. These concepts of A. G. Gurwitsch can be linked with modern approaches based on hypotheses of coherence in biology, synergetics and dissipative structures. However, the question of causal interrelationships between this part of non-equilibrium radiation and biological matter on different levels of evolution has to be solved now.     

Real-time models of morphogenetic processes

Summary Morphological transformations are often describable by simple series kinetic models,AB, ABC, etc., which allow assessment of the rates of interconversion of the distinguishable shapes or forms present and their probabilities of occurrence at various points in time, thus providing a means for kinetic comparisons with biochemical measurements of the molecular-level reactions that cause the transformations. When changes in cell morphology are followed turbidimetrically, the real-time progress curves can be simulated by fitting the data to a form of Beer's law for scattering by mixtures in which the species concentrations change with time in accordance with the chosen kinetic scheme. Because many even relatively large cells are mostly water, classical light scattering theory can be used to interpret the turbidimetric data in terms of simple geometrical models ofaverage cell size and shape suggested by microscopic examination. Two examples are briefly considered, the stimulus-induced changes in blood platelet shape and apparent size and their correlation with cytosolic-free calcium, and apparent swimming motion exhibited by neutrophils in suspension.What do you know about this business? the King said to Alice. Nothing, said Alice. Nothing whatever? persisted the King. Nothing whatever, said Alice. That's very important, the King said. Lewis Carroll (1865), in Alice's Adventures in Wonderland     

Potential juvenile hormone analogues containing piperidine ring: Synthesis and biological assay on insects

Summary Some compounds containing piperidine rings have been synthesized, and submitted to biological tests on insects for their hormonal activity on pupae ofTenebrio molitor L. andBombyx mori L. Some of them display a hormoneanalogue or toxic activity.The editors do not hold themselves responsible for the opinions expressed in the authors' brief reports. — Les auteurs sont seuls responsables des opinions exprimées dans ces brèves communications. — Für die Kurzmitteilungen ist ausschliesslich der Autor verantwortlich. — Per le brevi comunicazioni è responsabile solo l'autore. — . — Solo los autores son responsables de las opiniones expresadas en estas comunicationes breves.This research has been supported by the Italian National Research Council (CNR) special ad hoc program Fitofarmaci e Fitoregolatori, Subproject. 7.Acknowledgments. We thank Prof. G. Jommi for helpful discussions related to this and previous articles on the same subject.