Ribosome biogenesis: nonrandom addition of structural proteins to 50S subunits

Assemblage of structural proteins into 50S subunits was examined in Escherichia coli recovering fromt chloramphenicol treatment. Cells previously labeled with H3-leucine for three generations were incuibated for 30 minutes with chloramnlphenicol. Proteins synthesized during the initial 5 minuites of recovery from chlorarmphenicol treatmnent were labeled with C(14)-leucine. Marked variation in the ratios of C(14)- to H(3)-leucine in ribosomal protein occurred in cells that had been treated with chloramphenicol; luntreated cells displayed little variation. Thle resuilts sliggest that ribosomal proteins are assenmbled into 50S subunits in a nonrandom manner.     

Holocene--late pleistocene climatic ice core records from qinghai-tibetan plateau

Three ice cores to bedrock from the Dunde ice cap on the north-central Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau of China provide a detailed record of Holocene and Wisconsin-Würm late glacial stage (LGS) climate changes in the subtropics. The records reveal that LGS conditions were apparently colder, wetter, and dustier than Holocene conditions. The LGS part of the cores is characterized by more negative delta(18)O ratios, increased dust content, decreased soluble aerosol concentrations, and reduced ice crystal sizes than the Holocene part. These changes occurred rapidly approximately 10,000 years ago. In addition, the last 60 years were apparently one of the warmest periods in the entire record, equalling levels of the Holocene maximum between 6000 and 8000 years ago.     

Spurious,marked leukocytosis in 2 cats with Heinz body hemolytic anemia

Two domestic shorthair cats were presented with anorexia and dehydration following ingestion of caramelized onions. Shared key findings from a CBC (ADVIA 2120), serum biochemistry, and urinalysis included a spurious, marked leukocytosis with discordant basophil (BASO) channel and peroxidase channel WBC counts, normal manual leukocyte counts, mild, non-regenerative anemia with discrepancies between automated and manual reticulocyte counts, an abundance of large Heinz bodies (HBs), and highly irregular scattergrams. Case 1 also demonstrated a markedly elevated mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) and discrepancies between RBC hemoglobin indices. Spurious leukocyte results were confirmed through re-analysis of samples (including the acquisition of a new sample, use of an alternate analyzer (Sysmex XT-2000iV; Case 1 only), and evaluation of scattergrams and blood films (Cases 1 and 2). Repeatedly discrepant reticulocyte counts were also identified. In both cases, the erroneous BASO WBC counts, discrepancies in reticulocyte counts and RBC indices, and atypical scattergrams were interpreted to result from various effects of the HBs. These cases emphasize the importance of reviewing blood films, interpreting scattergrams, and the usefulness of duplicate methods for determining various measurands on hematology analyzers.     

Earth's free oscillations excited by the 26 December 2004 Sumatra-Andaman earthquake

At periods greater than 1000 seconds, Earth's seismic free oscillations have anomalously large amplitude when referenced to the Harvard Centroid Moment Tensor fault mechanism, which is estimated from 300- to 500-second surface waves. By using more realistic rupture models on a steeper fault derived from seismic body and surface waves, we approximated free oscillation amplitudes with a seismic moment (6.5 x 10(22) Newton.meters) that corresponds to a moment magnitude of 9.15. With a rupture duration of 600 seconds, the fault-rupture models represent seismic observations adequately but underpredict geodetic displacements that argue for slow fault motion beneath the Nicobar and Andaman islands.     

Effects of relative humidity and high temperature on spore germination and development of tomato powdery mildew (Leveillula taurica)

The effects of relative humidity (RH) and temperature on tomato powdery mildew (Leveillula taurica) were studied in controlled environments to define conditions that affect disease development in fresh market tomatoes in California. Gradients of RH (20–90%) at constant temperatures (20–30°C) were generated in single growth chambers to determine their effect on mildew development on mature tomato plants. Temperatures of 30°C and above were deleterious for spore germination, germ tube elongation, and disease development. Lesion growth and rate of disease progress were significantly higher at 20°C than at 25°C. Low RH levels (20–40%) reduced spore germination and lesion growth, accelerated host tissue death and reduced disease progress. Intermediate RH levels (50–70%) increased spore germination and optimized disease development, provided temperatures were maintained within favorable limits. High RH levels (80–90%) were favorable for spore germination but continued exposure to these conditions led to a limited lesion growth and disease progress. Short daily periods (two or three daily exposures of at least 2 h) of high temperatures (35°C) suppressed disease development by 70–92%.     

Reaction of potato clones and accessions ofSolanum spp. toVerticillium dahliae Kleb. and its toxin

Summary The reaction of 40 potato clones and six accessions ofSolanum spp. to wilt caused byVerticillium dahliae and to the acetone precipitate (AP) of the toxin produced by the pathogen in vitro was studied. There was a highly significant correlation between the wilt reaction of the clones in the glasshouse, the incidence and progress of wilt and severe wilt in the field, and the degree of colonization of stem apices byV. dahliae. Of the clones and accessions evaluated, NDA8694-3, Norgold Russet, BelRus, Superior, Russet Norkotah, Norland andS. demissum were the most susceptible, while A66107-51, A68113-4, Targhee, NDA843-3, Alpha, A7805-8, A7816-14, Russet Nugget,S. chacoense, S. sparsipilum, andS. tarijense were the most resistant to wilt. The reaction of genotypes to the AP ofV. dahliae toxin in an excised leaf bioassay was not correlated with their reaction to Verticillium wilt in the field or glasshouse. Idaho Agricultural Experiment Station Article No. 89741.