Cytologic variants of γδ T cell lymphoma in cattle

Two cytologic variants of γδ T cell lymphoma are described. Case 1 represented a giant cell variant found in a 5-year-old Holstein cow, which had large tumor masses in the pelvic cavity. This variant consisted of very large lymphoid cells with round to oval nuclei, medium-sized nucleoli and abundant cytoplasm. Case 2 was an aborted 7-month-old female Holstein fetus, which represented an immature cell variant. Most of the neoplastic lesions were located in the skin and pleural and peritoneal submesothelial tissues. The neoplastic tissues were composed of homogeneous growth of lymphoma cells characterized by inconspicuous nucleoli and finely dispersed chromatin. Both cases demonstrated CD3, CD8 and WC1 immunoreactivity. The current study revealed that there are 4 cytologic variants (common, giant cell, hypergranular and immature cell) in bovine γδ T cell lymphomas.     

Improved multiple rapid immunofilter paper assay to detect three viruses of cucumber simultaneously

We improved a multiple rapid immunofilter paper assay (multi-RIPA) to simultaneously detect three major viruses of cucumber, Cucumber mosaic virus, Melon yellow spot virus and Zucchini yellow mosaic virus. When we increased the concentration of bovine serum albumin (BSA) in the extraction buffer, a positive band for each virus developed in the multi-RIPA, regardless of the order that the three sensitized white latex particles were immobilized on the strip. The increase in BSA concentration also strengthened the sensitivity of each RIPA. In addition, using a mixture of commercially available, red and blue, sensitized latex solutions as a tracer, purple bands could be produced on the strips. Because each virus yielded an unique color for a positive reaction, the three viruses were easy to distinguish.     

Structural requirements of strigolactones for germination induction of Striga gesnerioides seeds

Strigolactones are highly potent germination stimulants for seeds of the parasitic weeds Striga and Orobanche spp. 4-Hydroxy-GR24 and 4-acetoxy-GR24 were prepared and their abilities to induce seed germination of Striga gesnerioides evaluated. Optically active (8bR,2'R)-isomers induced germination, although the racemic diastereomers were inactive. In contrast, the stereoisomer of GR24 with the same configuration induced negligible germination. Some stereoisomers of GR24 and its analogues acted as effective antagonists for induction of seed germination by cowpea root exudates. These results suggest that both an oxygenated substituent at C-4 and the configuration of the tricyclic lactone and the D-ring are essential structural requirements for induction of germination in S. gesnerioides seeds.     

Aboveground biomass response to increasing nitrogen deposition on grassland on the northern Loess Plateau of China

Abstract

The fragile ecosystem of China's Loess Plateau is being exposed to increasing atmospheric nitrogen deposition but little information about the response of the region's natural vegetation is currently available. We studied the responses of aboveground biomass (AGB) to simulated nitrogen deposition in a field experiment conducted on natural grassland on sunny and shady slopes. Three levels of simulated nitrogen deposition were applied, and two treatments with phosphorus were included to test for secondary phosphorus limitation. For the same level of nitrogen deposition, grass generally grew better on the shady slope than on the sunny slope. Compared to a control treatment with no additional nitrogen, we found: (1) the 2.5 g N m^?2 yr^?1 treatment significantly increased biomass only on the sunny slope; (2) the total AGB increased significantly in the 5 g N m^?2 yr^?1 treatment on both the shady slope (by 31%) and the sunny slope (by 25%); and (3) for 10 g N m^?2 yr^?1, AGB was also significantly increased, however, phosphorus limitation became more apparent, and soil nitrate N levels increased significantly, suggesting nitrogen saturation and the potential for nitrate pollution. The AGB of Stipa bungeana (the dominant grass) was significantly increased by nitrogen, but not by phosphorus. The biomass of the second dominant species Lespedeza davurica Schindl., was not affected by increased nitrogen but addition of phosphorus had some positive impact. Therefore, nitrogen deposition was proven to have effects on plant growth in our study area on the Loess Plateau of China, but high level of nitrogen deposition would result in P limitation. Furthermore, increasing nitrogen deposition is likely to induce diversity change.     

Some characteristics of the Humus in soil Types Part 1. Solubility of Humus

A study has been made on the solubility of humus in various salt solutions in different soil types. The locality, humus content, exchangeable ealcium content, and base exchange values of soils used are shown in Table 1.     

Studies on the volcanic ash soils in the environs of Mt. Daisen

The environs of Mt. Daisen, Tottori Prefecture, are generally mountainous or hilly, and apart rom small areas of alluvial and coastal flats there is little level ground. The volcanic ash soils derived from the quartz biotite hornblende andesitic ejecta occur on the gently undulating foot-hill and on the level ground with exception of alluvial flats. Considering the fact that these soils were formed from not only volcanic ash but the coarser materials, they may be properly called volcanogenous soils. The volcanic ejecta have been deposited on the soils from diluvial series, andesite, basalt, granite, and tertiary sedimentary rocks. It was recognized that in an eruption the large ejecta, such as fine porous pumiceous lapiili descended first, then the smaller Particles such as sands, and finally the smallest, as ashes. All of these deposits have been highly weathered, but the quartz and hornblende remain in a fresh state¹⁾. The author has studied some characteristics of these volcanic ash soils.     

Radioactivity of the granitic soils in the middle district of tottori prefecture

The greater part of the middle district of Tottori Prefecture is formed of biotite granite, hornblende andesite, augite andesite and hornblende andesitic volcanic detritus. The granite occurs in the region streching to the north-east from the border between both Tottori and Okayama Prefecture. In this granite area, there can be seen many dikes of aplite and micropegmatite. These granitic rocks, and the soils derived from them have higher radioactivity than other rocks and soils. In this district, there are radioactive hot springs-Sekigane, Misasa, Shikano and Hamamura, and, recently uranium ore was found at Ogamo and Ningyotoge. A study was made on the radioactivity of the soils derived from the granitic rocks, andesite and tertiary shale, of the ashes from plants grown on these soils, and on the extraction of thorium X in the soils.     

Problems in the methods of estimation of growth and maintenance respiration

According to Thornley, J.H.M. (Nature, 227, 304-305, 1970) and McCree, K.J. (Crop Sci., 14, 509-514, 1974), respiratory substances are used only for maintenance respiration when plants are exposed to the dark conditions for a long period of time (more than 2 d). The maintenance respiration is also affected by the nitrogen status in plant, because protein turnover is one of the major energy consumption sources under maintenance process. Therefore, to determine whether respiratory substances are used only for maintenance, ¹⁴C- [U] -sucrose or a mixture of ¹⁴C- [U] -amino acids was introduced to rice and soybean plants from the tip of leaf. Plants were grown under natural light conditions and under dark conditions for 4 d with 2 nitrogen levels (0.2 and 0.02 g N L^-1 soil). After the introduction of the ¹⁴C-compounds, the ¹⁴CO₂ respiratory rate was monitored during 24 h, then the ¹⁴C distribution to organic acids, free amino acids, proteins, sugars, and polysaccharides was analyzed. Following results were obtained.

1. When ¹⁴C-[U]-sucrose or a mixture of ¹⁴C-[U]-amino acids was introduced to the leaf of rice and soybean plants, the ¹⁴C release rate by respiration was not affected by the nitrogen and light treatments except when ¹⁴C-sucrose was introduced to soybean in the low N plot. The ¹⁴C release rate from the ¹⁴C-compounds introduced into leaf in the low N plot of soybean was higher in the dark treatment than in the natural light treatment.

2. ¹⁴C-distribution ratio after introduction of ¹⁴C-sucrose and a mixture of ¹⁴C-amino acids to the leaf was not significantly affected by the nitrogen treatment. When ¹⁴C-sucrose was introduced to rice leaf, the ¹⁴C-distribution ratio to sugars and proteins was higher and that to polysaccharides was lower in the natural light treatment than in the dark treatment. The ¹⁴C-distribution ratio was less aifected by the light or nitrogen treatment in case of soybean leaf.

3. Although it was assumed that maintenance metabolism was dominant in the lower leaf (counted from the bottom), the ¹⁴C-distribution ratio was similar to that of upper leaf.

4. Nitrogen content of leaf was not different between rice and soybean in the high N treatment, unlike the ¹⁴C-distribution ratio. In rice, the nitrogen content of leaf was about twice as high in the high N treatment compared with the low N treatment, while the ¹⁴C-distribution ratio in leaf was stable regardless of nitrogen treatment.

Based on the above results, it is suggested that since the ¹⁴C-distribution ratio into each chemical component did not change regardless of light treatment, nitrogen treatment, or leaf age, It was impossible to separate respiration into two components, such as growth and maintenance respiration. The results also indicated that current photosynthates and storage substances were not used only for growth and maintenance, respectively.     

Beneficial effect of aluminum on growth of plants adapted to low pH soils

Plants in which growth was reduced by low and high Al applications were designated as Al-sensitive plant (Hordeum vulgare) and Al-medium tolerant plants (Leucaena leucocephala, Ischaemum barbatum, Stylosanthes guianensis, and Fagopyrum esculentum), respectively, while plants in which growth was not affected or was stimulated by Al application were designated as Al-tolerant plant (Brachiaria ruziziensis) and Al-stimulated plants (Melastoma malabathricum, Melaleuca cajuputi, Acacia mangium, Hydrangea macrophyila, Vaccinium macrocarpon, Polygonum sachalinense, and Oryza sativa), respectively. Plants tolerant to or stimulated by Al were further classified based on the criteria of Al accumulation: 1) Al-excluders such as M. cajuputi, A. mangium, L. leucocephala, I. barbatum, S. guianensis, and O. sativa, 2) Al root-accumulators such as V. màcrocarpon, B. ruziziensis, and P. sachalinense, and 3) Al-accumulators such as M. malabathricum, H. macrophylla, and F. esculentum. The growth and N, P, and K uptake in M. malabathricum, M. cajuputi, A. mangium, L. leucocephala, H. macrophylla, V. macrocarpon, I. barbatum, P. sachalinense, F. esculentum, and O. sativa were stimulated by Al application, especially P uptake, while in H. vulgare (Al-sensitive plant) they were reduced by Al application. Ca and Mg uptake of many plants was inhibited by Al application, while that of some plants adapted to low pH soils was not affected at all (Ca and Mg: M. cajuputi, H. macrophylla, V. macrocarpon, I. barbatum, and S. guianensis; Mg: B. ruziziensis and P. sachalinense). In M. malabathricum, the relationship between Al and Ca (or Mg) was antagonistic because the Ca and Mg contents decreased by Al application even though dry matter, N, P, and K accumulation was stimulated by Al application. Plants adapted to low pH soils grew poorly in the no-Al treatment. Since the effect of the pH on plant growth was less conspicuous than that of Al, growth stimulation by Al application was ascribed not only to the alleviation of H⁺ toxicity but also to the increase of root activity such as P uptake.     

Uptake,transport and assimilation of 15N-nitrate and 15N-ammonium in tea (Camellia sinensis L.) plants

¹⁵N studies were conducted using hydroponically grown tea (Camellia sinensis L.) plants to clarify the characteristics of uptake, transport and assimilation of nitrate and ammonium. From the culture solution containing 50 mg L^-1 N0₃-N and 50 mg L^-1 NH.-N, the uptake of NH₃-N after 24 h was twice as high as that of NO₃-N, while the uptake of N0₃-N from the culture solution containing 90 mg N0₃-N and 10 mg NH₃-N was twice that of NH₄-N. The presence of 0.4 mM Al had no significant effect on the N0₃-N and NH₄-N uptake from the culture solutions containing 50 mg L^-1 N0₃-N and 50 mg L^-1 NH₄-N, 90 mg L^-1 N0₃-N and 10 mg L^-1 NH₄-N or 99 mg L^-1 N0₃-N and 1 mg L^-1 NH₄-N. Transport of N0₃-derived N to young leaves was much more rapid than that of NH₄-derived NO₃ and NH₄-derived N was largely retained in the roots and lower stem. Young and mature shoots separated from the roots absorbed more N0₃-N than intact plants. Nitrate assimilation occurred in both, roots and young as well as mature leaves. Internal cycling of N0₃-derived Nand NH₄-derived N from one root part to another part was not appreciable after 28 h, suggesting that a longer of time is required for cycling in woody plants.