Plant development in the absence of epiphytic microorganisms

Microorganisms (bacteria, fungi) are common residents of the roots, stems and leaves of higher plants. In order to explore the dependency of plant development on the presence of epiphytic microorganisms, the achenes (seeds) of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) were sterilized and germinated under aseptic conditions. The sterility of the seedlings was determined with the agar impression method. In seedlings from non-sterile seeds (control) that were likewise raised in a germ-free environment, all plant organs investigated (stem, cotyledons and primary leaves) were contaminated with bacteria. Hypocotyl elongation was not affected by epiphytic microorganisms. However, the growth rates of the cotyledons and primary leaves were higher in sterile seedlings compared with the control. The implications of this differential inhibition of organ development by epiphytic bacteria that are transmitted via the outer surface of the seed coat are discussed. We conclude that epiphytes in the above-ground phytosphere are not necessary for the development of the sunflower seedling.     

A routine method for storing lymphocytes for repeated isolation of DNA

A protocol for easy storage and later expansion of lymphocyte populations is given. Compared with methods using transformed cell lines, the method has a number of advantages for repeated production of cells for the isolation of DNA in amounts sufficient for use in diagnostic DNA technology.     

京津冀大气污染传输通道区大气污染时空格局研究

客观理解京津冀大气污染传输通道城市（“2+26”城市）空气污染时空格局对于区域大气污染联合防治具有重要意义.本研究采用遥感数据反演的PM_2.5浓度产品，利用趋势分析法和重心分析法，揭示了京津冀城市大气污染传输通道区2000~2015年大气污染时空格局演化特征.结果表明：（1）区域PM_2.5平均浓度整体呈现出太行山脉区域较低，太行山脉以东较高的格局，城镇地区明显高于周边地区.（2）2000~2015年区域PM_2.5年均浓度总体呈增加趋势，主要表现在2000~2007年，呈显著增加趋势的面积占全区的88.48%，之后呈稳定状态.（3）区域PM_2.5污染重心位于衡水、邢台和德州3市交界处，区域北部大气污染较严重.本研究可为京津冀及周边地区大气污染防治政策制定和措施实施提供参考与支持.     

First observation of different diffusion coefficients for two conformers in a neat liquid

 Self-diffusion coefficients were studied for the highly polar liquid N-methylformamide at pressures up to 200 MPa between the melting pressure curves and 420 K by the spin-echo method. N-Methylformamide exists as a mixture of two conformers in the neat liquid. These conformers have large differences at lower temperatures in their dynamic and structural properties. The self-diffusion coefficient of the cis-conformer being 17% lower than that of the trans-conformer at the same T and p. This is the first observation of such an effect. The experimental study is supported by Monte Carlo (MC) calculations which show that the first neighbors around a cis conformer are arranged differently than in an all trans liquid. The difference leads in the simulations to a much lower dielectric constant for the trans-cis mixture and might also explain the retardation of diffusion for the cis conformer. Received: 15 November 1999 / Accepted in revised form: 28 February 2000     

Prenatal diagnosis in two cases of de novo complex balanced chromosomal rearrangements. Three-year follow-up in one case

We report two cases of apparently balanced complex de novo chromosomal rearrangements (BCCR) detected prenatally at 17 weeks and 10 weeks of gestation, respectively. Chromosomes were studied using GTG-banding and fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH). In one case four chromosomes and in the other case three chromosomes were involved in the rearrangements. One of the pregnancies was terminated and no external or internal abnormalities were detected at autopsy. The other pregnancy continued to term. Level III ultrasound examination showed no abnormalities. The child is now 3 years old and has neither congenital anomalies nor evidence of delayed psychomotor development.