A quick preparative method for electron microscopy observations of delicate objects using alginate embedding medium.

A quick, safe method has been devised for embedding small or fragile specimens and keeping delicate structures intact. Cells or organisms to be embedded are placed in a viscous sodium alginate solution (1-2%), which is then polymerized in 100 mM calcium chloride. The resulting gel is easily dehydrated, embedded in resin and sectioned for electron microscopy. This method, the alginate gel portion of which was originally developed for the immobilization of Euglena, allows direct observation of each element of the specimens in micrographs. If desired, the alginate can be removed after sectioning by sequestration of calcium in a 20 mM solution of sodium citrate or a 10 mM solution of EGTA. Cells and organelles in the sections respond normally to standard staining procedures.

Efficiency transfer and coincidence summing corrections for gamma-ray spectrometry

ETNA (Efficiency Transfer for Nuclide Activity measurements) is a new computer program providing both detector efficiency transfer for various types of sources for coaxial source-detector geometries and coincidence summing corrections. This program, available for use on PCs, has a direct link to the computerised database NUCLEIDE in order to automatically import the necessary radionuclide decay data. The specific features and facilities are outlined and examples are given.

Structural changes induced by NaCl in companion and transfer cells of Medicago sativa blades.

Medicago sativa var. Gabes is a perennial glycophyte that develops new shoots even in high salinity (150 mM NaCl). In the upper exporting leaves, K(+) is high and Na(+) is low by comparison with the lower leaves, where Na(+) accumulation induces chlorosis after 4 weeks of NaCl treatment. By secondary ion mass spectroscopy, a low Na(+)/K(+) ratio was detected in the phloem complex of blade veins in these lower leaves. By transmission electron microscopy, the ultrastructural features were observed in the phloem complex. In the upper leaves of both control and NaCl-treated plants, companion cells in minor veins were found to be transfer cells. These cells may well be involved in the intravenous recycling of ions and in Na(+) flowing out of exporting leaves. Under the effect of NaCl, companion cells in the main veins develop transfer cell features, which may favor the rate of assimilate transport from exporting leaves toward meristems, allowing the positive balance necessary for the survival in salt conditions. These features no longer assist the lower leaves when transfer cells are necrotized in both minor and main veins of NaCl-treated plants. As transfer cells are the only degenerating phloem constituent, our observations emphasize their role in controlling nutrient (in particular, Na(+)) fluxes associated with the stress response.