The impact of gamma transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) on cognitive and memory processes in patients with mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer's disease: A literature review

BACKGROUND

Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS)-a noninvasive brain stimulation technique that modulates cortical oscillations through entrainment-has been demonstrated to alter oscillatory activity and enhance cognition in healthy adults. TACS is being explored as a tool to improve cognition and memory in patient populations with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer's disease (AD).

OBJECTIVE

To review the growing body of literature and current findings obtained from the application of tACS in patients with MCI or AD, highlighting the effects of gamma tACS on brain function, memory, and cognition. Evidence on the use of brain stimulation in animal models of AD is also discussed. Important parameters of stimulation are underscored for consideration in protocols that aim to apply tACS as a therapeutic tool in patients with MCI/AD.

FINDINGS

The application of gamma tACS has shown promising results in the improvement of cognitive and memory processes that are impacted in patients with MCI/AD. These data demonstrate the potential for tACS as an interventional stand-alone tool or alongside pharmacological and/or other behavioral interventions in MCI/AD.

CONCLUSIONS

While the use of tACS in MCI/AD has evidenced encouraging results, the effects of this stimulation technique on brain function and pathophysiology in MCI/AD remains to be fully determined. This review explores the literature and highlights the need for continued research on tACS as a tool to alter the course of the disease by reinstating oscillatory activity, improving cognitive and memory processing, delaying disease progression, and remediating cognitive abilities in patients with MCI/AD.

Cortical plasticity associated with Braille learning

Blind subjects who learn to read Braille must acquire the ability to extract spatial information from subtle tactile stimuli. In order to accomplish this, neuroplastic changes appear to take place. During Braille learning, the sensorimotor cortical area devoted to the representation of the reading finger enlarges. This enlargement follows a two-step process that can be demonstrated with transcranial magnetic stimulation mapping and suggests initial unmasking of existing connections and eventual establishment of more stable structural changes. In addition, Braille learning appears to be associated with the recruitment of parts of the occipital, formerly `visual', cortex (V1 and V2) for tactile information processing. In blind, proficient Braille readers, the occipital cortex can be shown not only to be associated with tactile Braille reading but also to be critical for reading accuracy. Recent studies suggest the possibility of applying non-invasive neurophysiological techniques to guide and improve functional outcomes of these plastic changes. Such interventions might provide a means of accelerating functional adjustment to blindness.

Simazine: Degradation by Corn Seedlings

The herbicide 2-chloro-4,6-bis(ethylamino)-s-triazine (simazine) is converted to 2-hydroxy-4,6-bis(ethylamino)-s-triazine (hydroxysimazine) in vivo by corn seedlings and in vitro by corn extracts. Hydroxysimazine is considered to be a detoxified form of the herbicide. In vitro conversion was produced by reacting simazine with either a cyclic hydroxamate (2,4-dihydroxy-3-keto-7-methoxy-1,4-benzoxazine) or its glucoside. The latter compounds may mediate at least some of the in vivo conversion in corn.

Hand response differences in a self-face identification task

Evidence has indicated that the right frontal cortex is preferentially involved in self-face recognition. To test this further, we employed a face identification task and examined hand response differences (N=10). Pictures of famous faces were combined with pictures of the participants' faces (self) and their co-workers' faces (familiar). These images were presented as a 'movie' in which one face transformed into another. Under the first instruction set, the movies began with either the participant's face or a co-worker's face, and the sequences gradually morphed into a famous face. When told to stop the movie when the face in the sequence became famous, a significantly later 'frame' was identified when the movies were composed of self-faces and the participants responded with their left hand. When the movies started with the famous faces and participants had to stop the movie when it became their own or their familiar co-worker's image (Instruction set 2), a significantly earlier frame was identified in the 'Self: Left hand' condition. The data suggest that participants are inclined to identify images as their own when the right hemisphere is preferentially accessed.

Tactile spatial resolution in blind braille readers

OBJECTIVE

To determine if blind people have heightened tactile spatial acuity.

BACKGROUND

Recently, studies using magnetic source imaging and somatosensory evoked potentials have shown that the cortical representation of the reading fingers of blind Braille readers is expanded compared to that of fingers of sighted subjects. Furthermore, the visual cortex is activated during certain tactile tasks in blind subjects but not sighted subjects. The authors hypothesized that the expanded cortical representation of fingers used in Braille reading may reflect an enhanced fidelity in the neural transmission of spatial details of a stimulus. If so, the quantitative limit of spatial acuity would be superior in blind people.

METHODS

The authors employed a grating orientation discrimination task in which threshold performance is accounted for by the spatial resolution limits of the neural image evoked by a stimulus. The authors quantified the psychophysical limits of spatial acuity at the middle and index fingers of 15 blind Braille readers and 15 sighted control subjects.

RESULTS

The mean grating orientation threshold was significantly (p = 0.03) lower in the blind group (1.04 mm) compared to the sighted group (1.46 mm). The self-reported dominant reading finger in blind subjects had a mean grating orientation threshold of 0.80 mm, which was significantly better than other fingers tested. Thresholds at non-Braille reading fingers in blind subjects averaged 1.12 mm, which were also superior to sighted subjects' performances.

CONCLUSION

Superior tactile spatial acuity in blind Braille readers may represent an adaptive, behavioral correlate of cortical plasticity.

Trends in pediatric cardiac pacing

OBJECTIVE

To review retrospectively a 31-year experience with pediatric cardiac pacing at the University of Toronto, with an emphasis on the changing trends in pacemaker implantation in infants and children.

DATA SOURCE

Data were obtained from the pediatric pacemaker follow-up clinic at The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario or from the referring pediatric centre. Follow-up was normally continued until the death of the child or referral to an adult hospital at age 18 years.

PATIENT SELECTION

The study comprised 397 children (under 18 years of age) who underwent initial pacemaker implantation at The Hospital for Sick Children between January 1962 and December 31, 1992. Follow-up was 99% complete (five children lost) and ranged from one month to 32 years (mean 6.5 years).

DATA SYNTHESIS

The use of endocardial versus epicardial leads increased significantly over time (P < 0.001). In addition, significantly more children receiving pacemakers had sick sinus syndrome (P < 0.001). No difference in survival was found between children paced by endocardial versus epicardial leads or between children paced for sick sinus syndrome versus atrioventricular block. The frequency of exit block, by lifetable analysis, did not differ between children who received epicardial versus endocardial leads.

CONCLUSIONS

Guidelines for permanent pacemaker implantation in children continue to evolve as developments in lead technology alter trends in pediatric cardiac pacing.

Clinical correlation of the venom-specific IgG antibody level during maintenance venom immunotherapy

Allergen immunotherapy is associated with a significant increase of specific IgG antibodies that have been suggested as a mechanism of action and as a marker of efficacy for immunotherapy. The value of venom-specific IgG antibody determinations as a measure of clinical protection against sting anaphylaxis has been difficult to prove in individual patients. We performed 211 insect sting challenges in 109 patients over a 4-year period to determine the significance of venom IgG levels 3 micrograms/ml or lower. Systemic symptoms occurred in only 1.6% of those with venom IgG more than 3 micrograms/ml, but in 16% of those with less than 3 micrograms/ml IgG, and notably in 26% of patients with low venom IgG who had received less than 4 years of treatment. The venom IgG level had no predictive value in patients who had received more than 4 years of therapy. Honeybee sting data were inconclusive because of the small number of subjects. We conclude that low venom-specific IgG levels are associated with an elevated risk of treatment failure during the first 4 years of immunotherapy with yellow jacket or mixed vespid venoms.

Falling and postural deficits due to acute unilateral basal ganglia lesions

Nine patients presented with sudden falling events to one side while sitting, standing, or walking. All were initially unaware of their severe postural deficit, and five were obfuscated. The observed falls were a distinctly slow, tilting motion in a stereotypic lateral or diagonal trajectory, literally "like a falling log." The events occurred with eyes opened and were exacerbated with eye closure, but no patient had evidence of cerebellar, vestibular, or posterior column dysfunction or significant motor weakness. Unilateral basal ganglia hemorrhages or lacunar infarcts contralateral to the side of the fall were demonstrated by computed tomographic scans. The overall prognosis was favorable; eight of nine patients regained independent ambulation within 3 to 6 weeks. Our findings indicate that a distinct loss of postural balance arises contralaterally to unilateral pallidal-putaminal lesions.

A cephalometric, tomographic, and dental cast evaluation of Fränkel therapy

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the skeletal, dental, and condylar positional changes induced by Fränkel FR-2 therapy. The pre- and posttreatment cephalometric, tomographic, and dental cast records of 25 consecutively treated cases were evaluated. Results showed little Class II skeletal correction with no headgear-type restraining effect on the maxilla or mandibular growth stimulation noted. Significant amounts of maxillary incisor retraction and mandibular incisor proclination were observed. The maxillary intermolar width along with the mandibular intercanine and intermolar widths were significantly increased during treatment. No significant changes in condylar position were found during Fränkel therapy and only a small increase in mandibular plane angle was noted.

Survival improvement in coccidioidal meningitis by high-dose intrathecal amphotericin B

Eleven patients with coccidioidal meningitis were treated with high individual doses (1.0 to 1.5 mg) of intrathecal amphotericin B mixed with 25 to 50 mg of hydrocortisone in an attempt to reach a dose of 12 mg per month for at least two consecutive months. Patients received a mean intrathecal dose of amphotericin B of 82 mg (range, 40 to 157 mg) and 2.4 g intravenously (range, 1.0 to 3.5 g). No deaths related to disease or treatment occurred, and overall survival was 91% during an average follow-up period of 75 months (range, 30 to 137 months). Comparative analysis with eight well-known series in the literature reveals that our survival rate and follow-up time are significantly greater than the more recent series (1977-1981). Rank correlation and linear regression showed that the mean intrathecal dose of amphotericin B used in all series corresponds well with mean survival time. Our clinical results and analysis of the literature suggest that intrathecal amphotericin B administered at a high dose rate of 0.75 mg (or greater) three times per week promptly reaching 20 mg and a total surpassing 40 mg is associated with significantly enhanced survival rates.

Nature and Amount of Auxin in Algae : IAA from Extracts of Caulerpa paspaloides (Siphonales)

Evidence for the occurrence of indole 3-acetic acid in Caulerpa paspaloides extracts was obtained by bioassay, by high-performance liquid chromatography with an electrochemical detector, and by capillary gas chromatography combined with mass spectrometry. The amount of indole 3-acetic acid present was estimated to be about 1 milligram per kilogram fresh weight, with an error limit of one order of magnitude. This is in the range reported from angiosperms.

Effects of gibberellic Acid on endogenous indole-3-acetic Acid and indoleacetyl aspartic Acid levels in a dwarf pea

Two-week-old dwarf peas (Pisum sativum cv Little Marvel) were sprayed with gibberellic acid (GA(3)), and after 3 or 4 days the upper stem and young leaf samples were analyzed for indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and indole-3-acetyl aspartic acid by an isotope dilution high performance liquid chromatography method. GA(3) increased IAA levels as much as 8-fold and decreased indole-3-acetyl aspartic acid levels.

Evidence for compartmentalization of conjugates of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid in soybean callus tissue

Soybean Glycine max L. Merrill var. Amsoy 71 root callus tissue labeled with [1-(14)C]2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) which was subsequently incubated for 24 hours in the absence of 2,4-D, released considerable amounts of label into the media. These results led to an examination of the efflux of 2,4-D and 2,4-D metabolites during a 6-hour time period. Fifty% of the free 2,4-D was lost in 15 minutes and 99% in 6 hours. After 6 hours, only about 48% of the ether-soluble fraction (mainly the glutamic and aspartic conjugates) and about 33% of the aqueous-soluble fraction (mainly hydroxylated glycosides) effluxed from the tissue. Neutral red efflux from stained callus tissue was enhanced only 5% above the control by treatment with 7.5% dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) and 50% with 20% DMSO. Similar soybean callus tissue preincubated with [1-(14)C]2,4-D and subsequently incubated with H(2)O, 7.5% DMSO, and 20% DMSO was examined for efflux of (14)C label. DMSO similarly enhanced the efflux of the ether and aqueous soluble conjugates.DMSO concentrations of less than 10% did not damage the vacuolar membranes which also has been reported with cultured tobacco cells (Delmer 1979 Plant Physiol 64: 623-629). From these data, it seems that the 2,4-D metabolites are located in a compartment of the cell and presumably the vacuole.

Biological Properties of d-Amino Acid Conjugates of 2,4-D

Some d-amino acid (glutamic acid, valine, or leucine) conjugates of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) at 10(-5) molar, stimulated elongation of Avena sativa L. var Mariner coleoptile sections and growth of soybean (Glycine max. L. var Amsoy) tissue as much as did the l-amino acid conjugates at 10(-6) molar. The d-methionine conjugate did not stimulate growth of soybean root callus tissue but did stimulate Avena elongation. The d-aspartic acid conjugate did not stimulate elongation of Avena coleoptiles but did stimulate growth of root callus tissue.Pretreatment of root callus tissue with 100 micromolar 2,4-D-(d) -or (l) glutamic acid for 18 hours prior to incubation for 6 hours in [1-(14)C]2,4-D resulted in a greater uptake of [1-(14)C]2,4-D than did pretreatment with 2,4-d. Qualitatively the metabolites were similar in all preincubation treatments. Preincubation with 2,4-D-(d)-glutamic acid also resulted in larger free [(14)C]2,4-D pool and a significant increase in water-soluble conjugates when compared with 2,4-D, or 2,4-D-(l)-glutamic acid preincubations.

Advances in pesticide metabolite identification through the use of plant tissue cultures

Plant tissue cultures are powerful tools for metabolism studies. Culture conditions can be selected which mimic conditions of whole plants or conditions can be employed to mass-produce selected metabolites such as aglycons or conjugates. Culture variables that affect metabolism are medium composition, age of tissue cultures, concentration of test chemical, and the source of plant tissue. The type of culture, such as suspension cultures, callus tissue cultures, differentiated tissue or organ cultures will also influence the type of metabolites obtained. Ease of standardizing conditions makes tissue culture suitable to comparatively examine metabolism in different plant species and strains and in different plant parts such as tissues derived from leaves and roots. Recent advances with plant tissue cultures involve studies of the mechanism of action or selectivity of growth regulators and herbicides, and the use of resistant strains to investigate mechanisms of biological detoxification.

Metabolism of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid in 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid-resistant soybean callus tissue

Three 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) -resistant root callus tissue lines of Glycine max L. Merrill var. Acme were derived by culturing callus tissue 2 to 6 months on 40 milligrams per liter 2,4-D and designated 40R, 40B, and 40C. Tissue line 40R had a lower level of 2,4-D uptake in 2-week-old tissue which disappeared in 3.5-week-old tissue and less free 2,4-D following incubation for 24 hours with [1-(14)C]2,4-D. This tissue line accumulated more hydroxylated glycosides of 2,4-D than did nonresistant tissue. Tissue line 40B showed no difference in uptake of 2,4-D when compared to nonresistant tissue but it did contain less free 2,4-D and more hydroxylated glycosides. The metabolism of 2,4-D in the 40C tissue line did not differ significantly from nonresistant tissue although uptake was less. The 40R line reverted to the same 2,4-D sensitivity as Acme root callus following six transfers on 10 micromolar naphthaleneacetic acid medium. The altered 2,4-D uptake and metabolism characteristic of 40R were also lost. The levels of amino acid conjugates of 2,4-D in the resistant root callus tissue lines were either lower or not significantly different from the Acme tissue lines. Therefore, variations in uptake and metabolism of 2,4-D do not wholly explain the resistance of the derived tissue lines, and perhaps modification of the active site or compartmentation is involved.

CT of the lumbosacral spine: importance of tomographic planes parallel to vertebral end plate

An experimental computer program capable of reformatting stored display data from a CT scanner into true cross-sectional images of the spine has been clinically tested over a 1 year period. With this program, tomographic planes exactly parallel to the vertebral end plate can be imaged at the lumbosacral level even in patients who are markedly rotated or have scoliotic deformities. The reformatted image planes are tilted in the dorsoventral and mediolateral directions to compensate for lordosis or scoliosis. The reformatting can also produce images in coronal and sagittal planes on axes other than true horizontal or vertical. The program has been used in the examination of 269 spines and has been found to be valuable in demonstrating the spinal canal and the intervertebral foramina.

Metabolism of 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid (2,4-D) in Soybean Root Callus : EVIDENCE FOR THE CONVERSION OF 2,4-D AMINO ACID CONJUGATES TO FREE 2,4-D

An auxin-requiring soybean root callus metabolized [1-(14)C]-2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) to diethyl ether-soluble amino acid conjugates and water-soluble metabolites. The uptake in tissue varied with incubation time, concentration, and amount of tissue. Uptake was essentially complete (80%) after a 24-hour incubation and the percentage of free 2,4-D in the tissue fell to its lowest point at this time. At later times, the percentage of free 2,4-D increased and the percentage of amino acid conjugates decreased, whereas the percentage of water-soluble metabolites increased only slightly. Similar trends were seen if the tissue was incubated for 24 hours in radioactive 2,4-D, followed by incubation in media without 2,4-D for 24 hours. Inclusion of nonlabeled 2,4-D during the 24-hour chase period did not reduce amino acid conjugate disappearance but did reduce the percentage of free [1-(14)C]2,4-D. Thus, an external supply of 2,4-D does not directly prevent amino acid conjugate metabolism in this tissue. It is concluded that 2,4-D amino acid conjugates were actively metabolized by this tissue to free 2,4-D and water-soluble metabolites.

Comparative metabolism of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid in cotyledon and leaf callus from two varieties of soybean

Only quantitative differences were observed in the metabolism of [1-(14)C]2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) by soybean cotyledon callus as influenced by variety (Acme and Amsoy), source of tissue (cotyledon, leaf and root) and age. All tissues metabolized 2,4-D to water-soluble (glycosides) and ether-soluble (primarily amino acid conjugates) metabolites.In young (3- to 4-week-old) Amsoy cotyledon or leaf callus tissue the free 2,4-D increased proportionately with the external 2,4-D concentration while in older (6- to 8-week-old) tissue the amino acid conjugates increased in this manner. Thus, in the older Amsoy tissue apparent regulation of the internal 2,4-D level (1.5-3.5 nmoles per gram fresh weight) was observed. In 3- or 6-week-old Acme cotyledon callus 2,4-D accumulated with an increase in the external 2,4-D concentration with no evidence for regulation of internal 2,4-D levels.

Purification and characterization of agrocin 84

A procedure for the rapid purification of milligram quantities of agrocin 84, a bacteriocin-like compound produced by Agrobacterium radiobacter strain K-84, has been developed. This procedure, which employs charcoal adsorption, ion-exchange, sieving chromatography, and continuous-flow electrophoresis, can yield agrocin 84 which is 65% pure on a dry weight basis. The purest preparations were strongly ultraviolet absorbing, with a maximum at 264 nm (epsilon 7.0/264 = 22,675 cm2 - M-1) and a minimum at 227 nm (ratio of 264 to 227 nm, 6.00). As has been reported, agrocin 84 contains an unusual phosphoramidate or 6-N-acyl linkage to adenine. Adenine, glucose, and phosphate are present in a 1:1:2 molar ratio. The molecular weight was estimated to be 1,350.

Paraneoplastic vasculitis of nerve: a remote effect of cancer

The development of mononeuritis multiplex brought three men to medical attention weeks to months prior to the diagnosis of a malignancy. In each case, sural nerve biopsy exhibited active wallerian degeneration with vasculitis. Two of the men died and at autopsy were found to have clinically unrecognized oat cell carcinoma and carcinomatous sensory neuropathy with brainstem encephalitis. The third patient is still alive but was found to have a lymphoma and has subsequently developed a liposarcoma. The vasculitis in all 3 cases seems limited mainly to the peripheral nervous system. Mononeuritis multiplex due to vasculitis may represent a new remote effect of cancer on the nervous system.

Metabolism of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid in soybean root callus and differentiated soybean root cultures as a function of concentration and tissue age

The metabolism of [1-(14)C]2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) in soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merrill var. Amsoy) root callus and in differentiated soybean root cultures was investigated as a function of pesticide concentration and age of tissue. The chronological age of the tissue was found to be correlated with the mitotic index which reached a peak at 2 weeks and then declined. The metabolism of 2,4-D changed with age of the root callus tissue. The amount of free 2,4-D found in 3-week-old root callus tissue rapidly increased as the concentration of 2,4-D in the medium was increased from 10(-6) to 10(-5) molar, whereas the low level of aqueous (glycosides) and ether soluble metabolites (2,4-D amino acid conjugates) increased slowly. With 9-week-old root callus tissue, the amount of free 2,4-D remained at a relatively low, constant level (saturation level) as the concentration of 2,4-D in the medium increased. Under these conditions the aqueous metabolites increased only slightly but the ether fraction (2,4-D amino acid conjugates) rapidly increased. Thus, the older root callus tissue appeared to regulate the level of free 2,4-D at about 4 nanomoles per gram by converting any excess 2,4-D into amino acid conjugates.In 3-week-old, differentiated root cultures the metabolism of 2,4-D closely paralleled the metabolism found in the older 9-week-old callus tissue. The saturation level of free 2,4-D found in this tissue was only about 1 to 2 nanomoles per gram.

Hypoliquorreic headache and pneumocephalus caused by thoraco-subarachnoid fistula

One month after having a right upper lobectomy to remove a squamous cell carcinoma, a 43-year-old man presented with a 4-day history of postural headache, worsened by standing and relieved by lying. Skull films showed prominent ventricular pneumocephalus. Iophendylate myelography was unrewarding, but isotope cisternography revealed a CSF fistula at the T4 level, extending into the thoracic cavity. Thoracoplastic removal of the first four ribs successfully prevented air passage and the patient had a rapid uneventful recovery.

Metabolism of Indole-3-acetic Acid: IV. Biological Properties of Amino Acid Conjugates

The biological activity of 20 l-alpha-amino acid conjugates of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) to stimulate cell elongation of Avena sativa coleoptile sections and to stimulate growth of soybean cotyledon tissue cultures has been examined at concentrations of 10(-4) to 10(-7)m. In the Avena coleoptile test, most of the amino acid conjugates stimulated elongation. Several of the conjugates stimulated as much elongation as IAA but their half-maximum concentrations tended to be higher. Some of the more active conjugates were alanine, glycine, lysine, serine, aspartic acid, cystine, cysteine, methionine, and glutamic acid.In the soybean cotyledon tissue culture test, all of the l-alpha-amino acid conjugates of IAA stimulated growth except for the phenylalanine, histidine, and arginine conjugates. Most of the conjugates produced responses at least as great as that caused by IAA. Conjugates with half-maximum concentrations lower than IAA included cysteine, cystine, methionine, and alanine. These conjugates exceed the IAA-induced callus growth at all tested concentrations. Other conjugates significantly better than IAA at 10(-6)m were serine, glycine, leucine, proline, and threonine.

Metabolism of Indole-3-Acetic Acid: III. Identification of Metabolites Isolated from Crown Gall Callus Tissue

The metabolism of labeled indole-3-acetic acid (IAA-2-(14)C) was investigated in Parthenocissus tricuspidata crown gall callus tissue. After 48 hours incubation, 85 to 90% of the supplied IAA was taken up by the tissue, and of that taken up, about 45% was conjugated with five amino acids. The conjugates found were aspartic and glutamic acid (minor ones) as well as glycine, alanine, and valine (major ones). The last four are being reported for the first time as metabolites of IAA. These conjugates were identified through their chromatographic properties, hydrolysis products, and their mass spectra. The possible significance of these amino acid conjugates is discussed.

Metabolism of Indole-3-Acetic Acid: II. Oxindole Pathway in Parthenocissus tricuspidata Crown-Gall Tissue Cultures

An indoleacetic acid oxidase preparation from an acetone powder of Parthenocissus tricuspidata crown-gall tissue has been examined. An intermediate in the reaction is 3-hydroxymethyloxindole and nonenzymic conversion of it to 3-methyleneoxindole was observed. Neither reaction mixtures nor 3-methyleneoxindole have any auxin-like activity in Avena or wheat coleoptile bioassays. In vivo studies show that although 53% decarboxylation of indoleacetic acid was observed in 48 hours, only a small amount of 3-methyloxindole could be recovered from the medium. The other decarboxylated products remain to be identified but are not 3-hydroxymethyloxindole or 3-methyleneoxindole.

Indoleacetic Acid synthesis in soybean cotyledon callus tissue

Growth of an auxin-requiring soybean cotyledon callus tissue (Glycine max L., Merr. var. Acme) was promoted by tryptophan, tryptamine, indole, indoleacetamide and, to a very slight degree, anthranilic acid. When tryptophan-3-(14)C was supplied in the growth medium, labeled indoleacetic acid (IAA) was found in both the tissue and the medium. Medium, from which the cells had been removed, was also found to convert labeled tryptophan to IAA. Soybean callus contained 0.044 mumole/g free tryptophan, but this is apparently not available for conversion to IAA. These results suggest that while exogenously supplied trytophan could elevate a specific internal pool where IAA synthesis occurs some of the growth on a tryptophan medium can be accounted for by external conversion.

The relative amounts and identification of some 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid metabolites isolated from soybean cotyledon callus cultures

Soybean (Glycine max L.) cotyledon callus grown on radioactive 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D-1-(14)C) as an auxin produced 2,4-D metabolites, which qualitatively and quantitatively changed with time. Water soluble fractions from the tissue exhibited a steady increase in radioactivity during the course of 24 days. Following beta-glucosidase treatment, at least eight aglycones were obtained from the water soluble fraction of the tissue after 8 days. The metabolite, 4-hydroxy-2,5-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid was the most abundant aglycone during the entire 32 day growth period while 4-hydroxy-2,3-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid was detected as a minor metabolite. Radioactivity in the ether soluble acidic fractions reached a maximum of 82% of the total in the tissue after 2 days. The level then decreased to 44% by the end of 24 days. A total of seven ether soluble components were detected. In addition to 2,4-D glutamic acid, which was detected in high amounts after 24 hours, 2,4-D aspartic acid was found to be the most abundant ether soluble metabolite after longer time periods. Mass spectral data and a fragmentation pattern are presented for 2,4-D aspartic acid.

Indoleacetic Acid biosynthesis in Avena coleoptile tips and excised bean shoots

Avena coleoptiles did not elongate when incubated with tryptophan under sterile conditions. Indole, anthranilic acid, and tryptamine promoted elongation. Under the same conditions, the tissue converted tryptophan-(14)C to IAA-(14)C. More IAA-(14)C was produced from indole-(14)C than from tryptophan-(14)C; however, the free tryptophan content of the tissue was also greatly increased by the indole treatment. Tryptophan-(14)C was readily taken up by the tissue but was mainly incorporated into protein and did not increase the free tryptophan level. When bean shoots were labeled with tryptophan-(14)C or indole-(14)C, the label incorporation into IAA-(14)C was very nearly the same. In this tissue the free tryptophan level in the tryptophan-(14)C and indole-(14)C treatments was also about equal. These results suggest that failure of exogenously supplied tryptophan to promote the elongation of Avena coleoptiles is a result of its predominant incorporation into protein and consequent unavailability for conversion to IAA.

Light sensitivity of plastids and plastid pigments present in the albescent maize mutant

Dark grown albescent corn seedlings are deficient in colored carotenoids but accumulate phytoene, phytofluene and an unidentified substance in the carotenol fraction. They bleach upon exposure to bright light and appear albino. Seedlings grown under low level incandescent light are normal in appearance and contain almost as much colored carotenoid as control seedlings. The existing leaf tissue of seedlings grown under low level light does not bleach upon exposure to bright light. The enhanced carotenoid synthesis and stabilization of plastids is not affected by brief illumination with red light but requires several hours of low level incandescent light.

Isolation and morphology of temperature Agrobacterium tumefaciens bacteriophage

Zimmerer, Robert P. (The Pennsylvania State University, University Park), Robert H. Hamilton, and Christine Pootjes. Isolation and morphology of temperate Agrobacterium tumefaciens bacteriophage. J. Bacteriol. 92:746-750. 1966.-Lysogeny was detected in 14 strains of Agrobacterium tumefaciens among 130 bacterial strains tested with strain B-6 used as the host. Partial lysis was observed with 13 additional bacterial strains. Morphological studies of five strains showed that the phage had similar features. A typical phage (Lv-1) had a polyhedralshaped head, approximately 71 by 63 mmu, and a tail, approximately 211 mmu by 9.5 mmu. The phage nucleic acid was found to be deoxyribonucleic acid. The bacteriophage have been designated L (for lysogenic) followed by the bacterial strain designation in lower case letters.

Dieldrin: extraction of accumulations by root uptake

Certain forage crops can absorb and translocate the chlorinated hydrocarbon insecticide dieldrin from soil or sand. An extraction technique routinely used for analyses of residues does not quantitatively remove this internal chemical, but a method employing chloroform-methanol extraction leads to essentially quantitative recovery.

Intracellular Localization of Growth Hormones in Plants

Autoradiographic studies of Allium cernuum and Vicia faba root-tip cells treated with indoleacetic acidmethyl-C(14) or 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid-carboxyl-C(14) revealed nuclear and cytoplasmic labeling of the cells. The cytoplasmic labeling decreased with time after the removal of the labeled auxin, but nuclear and chromosomal labeling was retained for at least 120 hours.