Estimation of rat brain acetylcholine I. Effect of time lapse between killing and freezing of the brain

Zusammenfassung Es wird nachgewiesen, dass die Zeitspanne, die für die Extraktion von Acetylcholin gebraucht wird, auf seine quantitative Bestimmung entscheidend ist.     

The non-exponential decay pattern of the weak luminescence from seedling ofCicer arietinum L. stimulated by pulsating electric fields

Our experiments have shown that the response of etiolated seedlings ofCicer arietinum L. to an externally applied pulsating electric field involves a weak luminescence, the intensity of which follows a non-exponential decay pattern.Acknowledgment. It is our pleasure to acknowledge the useful discussions we had with Dr S. K. Srivastava of the Mathematics Department and Dr M. K. Parida of the Physics Department of NEHU, Shillong. We also appreciate the interest shown by Prof. R. K. Mishra, former director of I.S.O.S. & B., in this work.     

Mating competitiveness and fertility of thiotepa-sterilized flies

Summary In the present investigation, an attempt has been made to study the mating competitiveness and fertility of males as well as females ofDacus dorsalis Hendel (Diptera: Tephritidae) treated topically with thiotepa. In the mixed population, treated flies of either sex were found to be sexually more vigorous than untreated flies. However when the mating competitiveness of either sex was determined separately using various methods, treated males were found not to differ significantly in sexual competitiveness from untreated flies. Receptivity of treated and untreated females to males was also studied by the single choice method. Thiotepa-treated and untreated females were found to be equally receptive to males.     

Effect of sectioning the prothoracic gland nerves in the larva of the lemon-butterfly,Papilio demoleus L

Summary Sectioning the nerves innervating the prothoracic glands of the larva of the lemon-butterfly has no effect on the development and metamorphosis of the insect. The results are discussed in the light of the known facts.We wish to acknowledge the financial support from the Atomic Energy Commission, Bombay, and the working facilities provided by Prof. M. S. Kanungo, Head of the Department.     

Changes in the free amino acid pattern of haemolymph of the common indian scorpionPalamnaeus bengalensis during moulting

Summary Haemolymph ofPalamnaeus bengalensis contains normally 12 and during moulting up to 15 free amino acids, being in maximal number at the end of ecdysis. Aminoacidaemia is most pronounced during the pharate stage. Tyrosine appeared for tanning of the cuticle. Taurine and methionine were not present.Acknowledgment. The author is thankful to Dr.S. C. Shrivastava for valuable guidance and State C.S.I.R. (U.P.) for funds.     

Autoradiographic studies on RNA synthesis and transport in the salivary gland of Lygaeus sp. (Hemiptera-Lygaeidae)

Autoradiographic studies using 3H-uridine in the salivary gland of adult Lygaeus sp. were carried out. The gland cell nuclei, particularly the multiple nucleoli, are the sites of incorporation of the label exhibiting RNA synthesis. The labelled molecules (RNA) are transported to the cell cytoplasm and then into the gland lumen in which no turnover of the radioactivity is observed.     

Tetrasomy and quadruple trisomy in pea

Summary Two off-type plants, morphologically distinguishable from each other and from their respective sister euploid, were isolated in the M₃ generation of pea interchange heterozygotes. Pollen sterility was very high, ranging from 63.0 to 90.0%. Cytologically one of them was tetrasomic (2n+2=16) and the other one was quadruple trisomic (2n+1+1+1+1=18). In the tetrasomic plant 1IV+6II was the most frequent (46.7%) chromosome configuration, while cells with 4III+3II were predominant (40.0% cells) in the quadruple trisomic plant.Financial assistance of C.S.I.R., New Delhi, India is acknowledged.     

Toxic substances produced byFusarium. X. Concerning the malformation disease of mango

Summary Accumulation of mangiferin and degraded carotenoids, in response toFusarium moniliforme infection, has been suggested to be responsible for the malformation disease ofMangifera indica L. (Anacardiaceae).Acknowledgments. The authors are indebted to the University Grants Commission, New Delhi, for financial assistance to carry out this project.     

Histochemical localization of cholinesterases in the neural tissue of the pineal in the rhesus monkey

Summary The neural tissue of the monkey pineal contains both acetyl and butyryl cholinesterases. Acetylcholinesterase was localized in the cisternae of the nuclear membrane, rough endoplasmic reticulum, on the plasma membrane of the neurones, and on the axolemma of both non-myelinated and myelinated fibres. The enzyme was not found in the axosomatic or axo-dendritic synapses. It is therefore suggested that the pineal neurones have a cholinergic function rather than a cholinoceptive one.This study was supported by the WHO.