褪黑素对盐胁迫下香椿幼苗生长及离子吸收和光合作用的影响

以香椿幼苗为材料,采用水培法研究不同浓度褪黑素(0、50、100、200和400μmol/L)对盐(150 mmol/L NaCl)胁迫下香椿幼苗生长指标、矿质元素离子(Na~+、K~+、Ca~(2+)和Mg~(2+))含量、净光合速率(P_n)、蒸腾速率(T_r)、气孔导度(G_s)和胞间CO_2浓度(C_i)等光合作用指标的影响,以探究外源物质褪黑素对盐胁迫下香椿幼苗生长和生理的调控作用。结果表明:(1)在盐胁迫条件下,香椿幼苗的生长受到显著抑制,叶绿素含量和P_n显著降低,叶片和根系中Na~+含量比对照(CK)显著增加,而K~+、Mg~(2+)和Ca~(2+)含量以及离子含量的比值(K~+/Na~+、Mg~(2+)/Na~+和Ca~(2+)/Na~+)则明显下降,且丙二醛含量显著增加。(2)施加适宜浓度褪黑素能显著促进盐胁迫下香椿植株生长,降低其叶片和根系中Na~+含量,提高其K~+、Ca~(2+)、Mg~(2+)含量和离子含量比值以及叶片P_n、T_r、水分利用效率(WUE)和G_s和C_i,但却降低了气孔限制值(L_s)。(3)适宜浓度褪黑素使盐胁迫下香椿植株叶片的丙二醛积累明显下降,叶绿素含量显著上升。研究发现,外施适宜浓度的褪黑素能降低盐胁迫下香椿幼苗叶片和根系内Na~+浓度,增加K~+、Mg~(2+)和Ca~(2+)浓度,调控植物体内细胞的离子平衡状态,增强对营养元素的吸收,提高光合作用效率,从而提高香椿幼苗对盐胁迫的抗性,并以100μmol/L褪黑素处理的效果最佳。     

短期盐胁迫对苦苣菜幼苗叶片抗逆生理指标的影响

采用蛭石中浇灌Hoagland营养液的基质培养方法,以苗期苦苣菜为实验材料,设置5个NaCl处理浓度(0(CK)、66、133、200、250、300mmol·L~(-1)),分别在处理1、2、3d采集苦苣菜叶片,测定其Na~+、K~+、丙二醛(MDA)、可溶性糖,可溶性蛋白质及游离脯氨酸含量,以及超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD)和过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性,探讨短期盐胁迫下苦苣菜叶片生理指标的变化特征,为进一步研究野生物种的耐盐性及耐盐机制提供理论依据。结果表明:(1)盐胁迫1d和2d、NaCl浓度为66~200mmol·L~(-1)时,苦苣菜叶片Na~+含量无显著变化,K~+含量和K~+/Na~+较对照显著增大,并在200mmol·L~(-1) NaCl处理下达到最大值;盐胁迫3d时,叶片K~+含量与胁迫前2d的变化趋势相似,Na~+含量随盐浓度升高显著增大,K~+/Na~+除66mmol·L~(-1) NaCl处理外均随盐浓度升高而显著减小。(2)盐胁迫1~3d时,苦苣菜叶片可溶性蛋白质、可溶性糖含量均随盐浓度升高而先增后减,可溶性蛋白质含量在胁迫1~2d、可溶性糖在胁迫2~3d时均在200mmol·L~(-1) NaCl下达到最大值;游离脯氨酸含量在盐胁迫前2d时与可溶性蛋白质、可溶性糖的变化趋势相似,在胁迫3d时随盐浓度升高而显著增大且绝大部分与对照差异显著。(3)苦苣菜叶片SOD、POD、CAT活性在盐胁迫1~3d时均随盐浓度升高而先增后减;在胁迫1~2d时,3种酶活性均在250mmol·L~(-1) NaCl下达到最大值且所有盐浓度下均显著大于对照;在盐胁迫3d时,SOD、POD活性在200mmol·L~(-1) NaCl下达到最大值,CAT活性在133mmol·L~(-1) NaCl下达到最大值且除250、300mmol·L~(-1) NaCl外均与对照差异显著。研究发现,苦苣菜具有较强的耐盐性,能够在盐胁迫(66~300mmol·L~(-1))处理1~3d内进行一系列有效的生理调节,增强自身渗透调节能力及抗氧化能力,表现出较强的吸钾拒钠的特性,基本缓解了Na~+的毒害及渗透压力,但是NaCl浓度超过200mmol·L~(-1)后其渗透调节能力和抗氧化能力均显著降低。     

盐旱交叉胁迫对柽柳幼苗渗透调节物质含量的影响

以2年生柽柳幼苗为试验材料,采用盆栽模拟试验研究不同盐分和干旱胁迫对其叶片中渗透调节物质的影响,以探讨柽柳幼苗对盐旱交叉胁迫的适应性.结果表明:(1)随盐旱胁迫的不断加剧,幼苗叶片中可溶性糖含量呈先升高后降低的趋势,且中度和重度盐旱胁迫下均显著高于对照(CK).(2)幼苗叶片中脯氨酸含量在不同盐旱胁迫下均呈逐渐上升趋势,但在重度盐分和中度、重度干旱交叉胁迫下显著高于CK.(3)幼苗叶片中Na+、Cl含量在不同干旱胁迫下,随盐胁迫的加剧呈不同的变化规律,盐旱胁迫的各个处理水平下均显著高于CK,而K+、Ca2+、SO42-含量在轻度和重度干旱胁迫下随盐胁迫增强不断降低.(4)在中度盐旱胁迫下,K+、Ca2+含量与CK无明显差异.研究表明,柽柳幼苗中渗透调节物质在其抗旱耐盐性方面具有积极的调节作用;柽柳幼苗在盐旱胁迫下表现出一定的交叉适应性,适度的干旱胁迫能增强柽柳幼苗对盐分胁迫的耐受能力.     

CO2加富对盐胁迫下黄瓜幼苗叶片光合特性及活性氧代谢的影响

以‘津优35号’黄瓜(Cucumis sativus L.)水培苗为试材,采用裂区设计,主区因素为CO_2浓度处理,设大气CO_2浓度(Symbol{B@400μmol/mol)和CO_2加富[(800±40)μmol/mol]2个CO_2浓度水平,裂区因素为盐胁迫处理,用NaCl模拟盐胁迫,设对照(0 mmol/L NaCl)、盐胁迫(80 mmol/L NaCl)2个盐分水平,研究了CO_2加富对盐胁迫下黄瓜幼苗生长、光合特性及活性氧代谢的影响。结果表明:盐胁迫显著抑制黄瓜幼苗的生长,并降低了叶绿素含量、ETR、Φ_(PSII)、核酮糖-1,5-二磷酸羧化酶(RuBPCase)活性及净光合速率;盐胁迫增加了丙二醛及活性氧的累积,与此同时也提高了脯氨酸含量及超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性,但降低了过氧化物酶(POD)活性。CO_2加富显著提高了盐胁迫下黄瓜幼苗的株高、茎粗、叶面积及地上部鲜重,降低了叶绿素a、叶绿素b、类胡萝卜素及叶绿素(a+b)含量,但显著提高了净光合速率和RuBPCase活性,同时降低了气孔导度及蒸腾速率,并且使其具有较高的表观电子传递速率及PSII实际光化学效率;CO_2加富显著提高了盐胁迫下黄瓜幼苗叶片脯氨酸含量及SOD、POD、CAT活性,丙二醛、过氧化氢含量和超氧阴离子产生速率显著降低。综上所述,CO_2加富可通过提高幼苗叶片净光合速率、脯氨酸含量及抗氧化酶活性,降低蒸腾速率、减少丙二醛含量及活性氧的积累,从而缓解盐胁迫对黄瓜植株造成的伤害。     

亚热带季雨林植物罗伞气体交换对光质的反应

亚热带季雨林林下阴生植物罗伞(Ardisia quinquegona)叶片的气体交换速率(PN.μmol.m~(-2),s~(-1))随光强(PFD,μmol,m~(-2),s~(-1))增高而增大。在光强低于80μmol,m~(-2),s~(-1),PN=29.21PFD×10~(-3)+0.36。在光强150μmol,m~(-2),s~(-1)对出现气体交换的光饱和现象。在低光强下,气孔传导率(G,m mol,m~(-2),s~(-1)与光强(m mol,m~(-2),s~(-1)的关系为G=265.6 PFD+4.6。在低光强下。开阔地的阳生灌木桃金娘(Rhodmyrtus tomentosa)的气体交换速率和气孔传导率与光强关系曲线的直线部分斜率皆较罗伞的低,在红光上,罗伞叶片气体交换速率(μmol,m~(-2),s~(-1)与光强(μmol,m~(-2),s~(-1)的关系为PN=32.4 PFD×10~(-3)-0.04。气孔传导率(m mol,m~(-2),s~(-1)与光强(m mol,m~(-2),s~(-1)的关系为G=339.08 PFD+7.37。同时气体交换速率的饱和红光光强亦较白光的高。在蓝光光强低时,气体交换速率(μmol,m~(-2),s~(-1))与光强(μmol,m~(-2),s~(-1))的关系为PN=13.54 PFD×10~(-3)—0.17,而气孔传导率(m mol,m~(-2),s~(-1))与光强(mμmol,m~(-2),s~(-1))的关系为G=80.5 PFD+4.35。在低的蓝光下,体交换速率和气孔传导率与光强关系曲线的直线部分斜率显著较在白光和红光下的低。罗伞叶片气体交换对红光的反应敏感。     

根环境供氧状况对盐胁迫下棉花幼苗光合及离子吸收的影响

以溶液培养的棉花(Gossypium hirsutum L.)幼苗为材料,测定了不同盐胁迫程度和不同根环境供氧状况条件下棉花幼苗的叶片气体交换参数、叶绿素荧光参数和植株的Na~+、K~+离子含量等的变化,以探索根环境供氧状况对盐胁迫下棉花光合作用和离子吸收的影响。结果表明,盐胁迫和根环境供氧不足均导致净光合速率下降。在处理后的前期,盐胁迫对棉花叶片光合作用的不利影响大于供氧不足(不通气)的影响,而后期根环境供氧不足的不利影响快速增大,并逐渐超过盐胁迫的影响。在低浓度盐胁迫和根环境不通气处理的初期,棉花叶片光合速率下降的主要原因是气孔因素(气孔关闭或部分关闭引起的CO_2供应不足);随着盐胁迫程度的增大和胁迫持续时间的延长,光合速率下降的原因逐渐转变为非气孔因素(光合系统损伤引起的光合能力下降)。相同程度盐胁迫下,根环境通气处理的棉花叶片的净光合速率和PSⅡ最大光化学效率等均显著高于根环境不通气处理的,说明根环境供氧不足加重了盐胁迫对光合作用的不利影响。对棉花植株各器官离子积累量的测定、分析发现,盐胁迫导致了棉花根系拒Na~+、吸K~+的能力和选择性运输K~+的能力降低,使棉花根系和叶片的Na~+含量增多、K~+含量减少、[Na~+]/[K~+]比值升高;而根环境通气则可显著提高盐胁迫下根系的拒Na~+、吸K~+能力和根系向叶片选择性运输K~+的能力,降低根系和叶片的[Na~+]/[K~+]比值。试验还发现,根系K~+、Na~+含量受盐胁迫的影响较大,而叶片K~+、Na~+含量受根环境通气状况的影响更大一些。综合分析可见,盐胁迫和根环境供氧不足均可导致棉花叶片光合速率下降、光合机构损伤以及离子平衡失调,而根环境通气可以缓解盐胁迫对棉花叶片光合作用的不利影响、增加根系和叶片对K~+的选择吸收和积累、降低[Na~+]/[K~+]比值,从而增强棉花植株对盐胁迫的适应性和抵抗力。     

不同倍性小麦对盐胁迫的适应性差异

为了揭示不同倍性小麦适应盐胁迫的差异,该研究以人工合成六倍体(AABBDD)小麦及其四倍体(AABB)小麦(Triticum turgidum)和二倍体(DD)节节麦(Aegilops tauschii)亲本为材料,研究了不同浓度NaCl(0、200 mmol·L~(-1))胁迫处理下小麦幼苗K~+、Na~+含量以及K~+/Na~+的变化规律,以及不同浓度(0、50、100、200 mmol·L~(-1))盐胁迫对超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)和过氧化物酶(POD)活性、丙二醛(MDA)含量、脯氨酸含量、可溶性蛋白和可溶性糖含量的影响规律。结果表明:四倍体表现出显著的高Na~+低K~+以及较低的K~+/Na~+,二倍体表现出显著的低Na~+高K~+和较高的K~+/Na~+,NaCl胁迫时离子含量变化大,对盐胁迫的适应性更强,六倍体在积累K~+的能力上也有一定的优势。低浓度(50~100 mmol·L~(-1))盐胁迫使3种倍性材料的丙二醛含量和抗氧化酶活性升高。四倍体在累积渗透调节物质和调节抗氧化酶活性的能力上显著强于二倍体和六倍体,六倍体在POD活性以及积累脯氨酸和可溶性蛋白的能力上也具有一定的优势。根据研究结果推测,含有DD染色体组的二倍体节节麦主要通过调节K~+/Na~+来适应盐胁迫,而含有AABB染色体组的四倍体小麦主要通过调节抗氧化酶的活性累积渗透调节物质来适应盐胁迫,作为二倍体和四倍体远缘杂种的人工合成六倍体小麦则表现出了综合的耐盐适应性机制,相较于两亲本具有更加广泛耐盐适应性。     

外源茉莉酸甲酯对盐胁迫下小桐子幼苗渗透调节和脯氨酸代谢的影响

以小桐子幼苗为材料,采用人工气候箱内水培试验,设置不同浓度(0、20、40、60、80、100μmol·L^(-1))茉莉酸甲酯(MeJA)和150 mmol·L^(-1)NaCl胁迫处理,分析不同处理条件下小桐子幼苗叶片的组织活力、MDA含量、水势、含水量和叶片渗透调节物质脯氨酸、甜菜碱和可溶性糖的含量,以及脯氨酸代谢关键酶P5CS、OAT和甜菜碱合成关键酶BADH活性和相关基因表达水平,探讨外源茉莉酸甲酯对盐胁迫下小桐子幼苗渗透调节能力的影响及其机制。结果表明:(1)外源MeJA处理可提高盐胁迫下小桐子幼苗叶片的组织活力和叶片含水量,降低小桐子幼苗叶片的MDA含量和水势,且60μmol·L^(-1)浓度处理效果最佳。(2)外源MeJA处理可提高盐胁迫下小桐子幼苗叶片的脯氨酸、甜菜碱和可溶性糖的含量,且60μmol·L^(-1)MeJA处理显著提高了盐胁迫下小桐子幼苗内源茉莉酸、脯氨酸和甜菜碱的含量。(3)60μmol·L^(-1)MeJA也提高了盐胁迫下小桐子BADH、P5CS和OAT的活性,并上调了JcBADH、JcP5CS、JcOAT基因的表达水平,但MeJA降低了脯氨酸降解酶ProDH的活性,下调了JcProDH基因的表达。研究发现,在盐胁迫条件下,外源MeJA通过活化脯氨酸生物合成的谷氨酸和鸟氨酸途径,尤其是鸟氨酸途径,以及抑制脯氨酸降解途径来促进小桐子幼苗脯氨酸的积累,同时MeJA也激活了幼苗体内甜菜碱的生物合成过程,从而强化了盐胁迫下幼苗的渗透调节作用和耐盐性,表明MeJA诱导的渗透调节在小桐子耐盐性形成过程中发挥着重要作用。     

盐胁迫下外源脯氨酸和丙二醛对冰叶松叶菊愈伤组织中离子和脯氨酸含量的影响

盐胁迫下外源脯氨酸明显促进冰叶松叶菊愈伤组织中Ca~(2+)、Na~+和K~+及脯氨酸的积累。低浓度丙二醛(MDA)对Na~+、K~+和Ca~(2+)的积累略有促进,而高浓度MDA则有抑制作用。无NaCl时,MDA对细胞中脯氨酸的积累有促进,而在NaCl胁迫下则有抑制作用。     

外源Ca2+对高温强光胁迫下滨梅幼苗的保护效应

以10 mmol/L CaCl2溶液处理滨梅幼苗叶片后,置于培养箱于(40±2)℃高温、光照强度(1 200±50)μmol·m-2·s-1下培养,定期测定有关生理生化指标,以探讨外源Ca2+对高温强光胁迫下滨梅幼苗的保护效应.结果显示:(1)与蒸馏水处理组相比,Ca2+处理使高温强光胁迫下滨梅幼苗叶片的脯氨酸含量显著升高,可溶性糖含量变化不明显,根系活力小幅降低;Ca2+处理有效抑制了高温强光下膜透性的加大,提高和保护了Ca2+-ATPase的活性.(2)采用Ca2+螯合剂EGTA或钙调素拮抗剂TFP对滨梅幼苗叶片同法处理并同条件胁迫时,与Ca2+处理相比,滨梅幼苗的脯氨酸、可溶性糖含量、Ca2+-ATPase活性和根系活力均明显下降,膜透性加大.研究表明,Ca2+处理能提高滨梅幼苗对高温强光的耐受性;Ca2+信号系统参与了胁迫过程中的渗透物质和Ca2+-ATPase活性等的调节.     

Y-chromosome Data and Tribal Affiliations of Allenopithecus and Miopithecus

The phylogeny of Old World monkeys has remained unresolved in part because of a lack of resolution in the Cercopithecinae. Competing morphological hypotheses have had Allen's swamp monkey (Allenopithecus nigroviridis) and the talapoins (Miopithecus spp.) as basal branches of either the tribe Cercopithecini or the tribe Papionini. Previous molecular analyses have not adequately addressed the issue. To better understand the evolutionary history of these primates, we sequenced and subjected to phylogenetic analysis 3.1 kb of 2 loci (TSPY and SRY) from the non-recombining portion of the Y-chromosome. Individuals from the genera Allenopithecus, Miopithecus, Erythrocebus, Chlorocebus, and Cercopithecus were surveyed and their sequences compared with those previously published for the Papionini and Colobinae. The results suggest Allenopithecus and Miopithecus are more closely related to the Cercopithecini than Papionini. Our data also support the hypothesis that within the Cercopithecini, Erythrocebus and Chlorocebus share a close evolutionary relationship, distinct from the other members of the tribe.     

Nystatin and killer toxin sensitivity of free and immobilizedSaccharomyces cerevisiae

The inhibitory effect of nystatin and killer toxin on the growth of free and covalently-immobilizedSaccharomyces cerevisiae cells was studied. The resistance of immobilized cells to both agents was accompanied by increased amounts of phospholipids and sterols. The possible relationship between these changes in the membrane composition and the transduction of a signal across the cytoplasmic membrane is discussed.     

The hernandez and fernandez genes of Drosophila specify eye and antenna

The formation of different structures in Drosophila depends on the combined activities of selector genes and signaling pathways. For instance, the antenna requires the selector gene homothorax, which distinguishes between the leg and the antenna and can specify distal antenna if expressed ectopically. Similarly, the eye is formed by a group of "eye-specifying" genes, among them eyeless, which can direct eye development ectopically. We report here the characterization of the hernandez and fernandez genes, expressed in the antennal and eye primordia of the eye-antenna imaginal disc. The predicted proteins encoded by these two genes have 27% common amino acids and include a Pipsqueak domain. Reduced expression of either hernandez or fernandez mildly affects antenna and eye development, while the inactivation of both genes partially transforms distal antenna into leg. Ectopic expression of either of the two genes results in two different phenotypes: it can form distal antenna, activating genes like homothorax, spineless, and spalt, and it can promote eye development and activates eyeless. Reciprocally, eyeless can induce hernandez and fernandez expression, and homothorax and spineless can activate both hernandez and fernandez when ectopically expressed. The formation of eye by these genes seems to require Notch signaling, since the induction of ectopic eyes and the activation of eyeless by the hernandez gene are suppressed when the Notch function is compromised. Our results show that the hernandez and fernandez genes are required for antennal and eye development and are also able to specify eye or antenna ectopically.     

Ovule and seed anatomy ofCistaceae and relatedMalvanae

Ovule and especially seed anatomy of eight species ofCochlospermaceae, Bixaceae, Cistaceae, Monotoideae, Pakaraimaeoideae (two subfamilies ofDipterocarpaceae), andSarcolaenaceae were investigated. All representatives show a bixoid chalazal region in the seed as probable exclusive synapomorphy among angiosperms. The palisade layer of the exotegmen is curved inwards at its proximal end and forms a dome-shaped structure. A plug of hypostase tissue with an annulus/core structure fits into this dome. Moreover, two additional tissue types in the hypostase can be found in some representatives of the group. These and other micromorphological, wood anatomical, and floral morphological characters, indicate that the taxa form a monophyletic group close toMalvales s. str. The form of the starch grains in the endosperm is compared and is described for the first time forPakaraimaea (Dipterocarpaceae) andLeptolaena (Sarcolaenaceae). The position ofDiegodendron close toBixa and the presumably more distant positions ofMuntingia andNeuradaceae are discussed.     

Molecular identification and differentiation of Brevibacterium species and strains

Amplified ribosomal DNA restriction enzyme analysis (ARDRA), pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and ribotyping were used to differentiate among 24 strains of Brevibacterium linens, Brevibacterium casei and Brevibacterium epidermidis obtained from type culture collections or isolated from various smear ripened cheeses. ARDRA was applied to the 16S rDNA. B. linens was shown to be a quite heterogenic group with 2 to at least 4 copies of rrn operons per strain with aberrant nucleotide sequences. AccI gave genus specific restriction patterns and was used to separate Brevibacterium from Corynebacterium species. The expected species specificity of TaqI applied to B. linens type culture strains, but not to all strains isolated from cheese. By AvaI restriction, B. casei and B. linens were differentiated from B. epidermidis and the orange pigmented Arthrobacter casei, a new species of coryneform bacteria; by XmnI restriction, B. linens and B. epidermidis were differentiated from B. casei. One of 4 B. linens genotypes could not be distinguished from B. casei by this method. Here, the typical orange B. linens pigments were used for classification, which was confirmed by partial sequencing of the 16S rDNA.     

Theoretical Study of Antagonists and Inhibitors of Mammalian Adenosine Deaminase: I. Adenosine and Its Aza- and Deazaanalogues

Aza- and deazaanalogues of adenosine, including their 1-protonated forms (except for that of 1-deazaadenosine), were studied by computer computation to find a relationship between their molecular structures and substrate properties for the mammalian adenosine deaminase. The atomic charge distribution and maps of the electrostatic potential around their van der Waals molecular surface were calculated for these compounds using the ab initio STO-3G method. The conformational studies are carried out by the MM⁺ method of molecular mechanics. The mechanism that determines the substrate selectivity of mammalian adenosine deaminase is discussed.     

Origin and development of Tool-making behavior in Africa and Asia

Around two-and-a-half million years ago, some hominid populations in Africa began to modify stones and bones in a manner that can be recognized by prehistorians as artifacts, and, by definition, produced the earliest identifiable archaeological record. It is likely that earlier hominid groups also may have had relatively rich tool-using behavioral repertoires similar to that seen in modern chimpanzees (McGrew, 1992), such tools may have been made of perishable materials or minimally modified and thus difficult to identify. This review will focus on the earliest archaeological traces and the spread of hominids out of Africa and into Eurasia.     

Development and function of Pisolithus and Scleroderma ectomycorrhizas formed in vivo with Allocasuarina,Casuarina and Eucalyptus

The effect of inoculating seedlings of Eucalyptus grandis, Allocasuarina littoralis and Casuarina equisetifolia with two isolates of Pisolithus and two isolates of Scleroderma from under eucalypts was examined in a glasshouse trial. Ectomycorrhizas formed extensively on Eucalyptus (23–46% fine roots ectomycorrhizal) and Allocasuarina (18–51% fine roots ectomycorrhizal). On Casuarina, the fungi were either unable to colonize the rhizosphere (one isolate of Pisolithus), or sheathed roots, resembling ectomycorrhizas, formed on 1–2% of the fine roots. Colonization of roots by one isolate of Scleroderma resulted in the death of Casuarina seedlings. Inoculation with fungi increased shoot dry weight by up to a factor of 32 (Eucalyptus), 4 (Allocasuarina) and 3 (Casuarina). Ectomycorrhizas formed in associations with Eucalyptus and Allocasuarina had fully differentiated mantles and Hartig nets in which the host and fungal cells were linked by an extensive fibrillar matrix. Sheathed roots in Casuarina lacked a Hartig net, and the epidermis showed a hypersensitive reaction resulting in wall thickening and cell death. The sheaths are described as mantles since the density and arrangement of the hyphae in the sheaths was similar to that in mantles of the eucalypt ectomycorrhizas. The intercellular carbohydrate matrix was not produced in the Casuarina mantle in association with Pisolithus, hence the mantle was not cemented to the root. These structures differ from poorly compatible associations described previously for Pisolithus and Eucalyptus. The anatomical data indicate that ectomycorrhizal assessment based on surface morphological features may be misleading in ecological studies because compatible and incompatible associations may not be distinguishable.     

Amino acids and sugars in nectar,and their putative evolutionary significance

Individual amino acids and sugars from flower nectar of 32 plant species with different pollination systems were quantified and compared. Data show that there is no correlation between sugar and amino acid concentration. Furthermore there is no correlation between composition and concentration of amino acids and evolutionary advancement, nor any direct relation with pollination systems. However, higher sugar concentrations are often linked with more advanced morphological characters. Nectars from pierced or damaged flowers or nectars contaminated with pollen exhibit modifications and increases in amino acid composition. The presence of proline probably indicates such pollen contamination. Most pollinating animals depend on flower nectar in their energetic requirements, yet innumerable alternative amino acid and protein sources exist. Future research has to consider the relationship between nutritional requirements of pollinating animals and dependence on flower nectars.Dedicated to Prof. Dr.L. van der Pijl, Den Haag, in honour of his 80th birthday.     

Cyclooxygenase inhibitory and antioxidant cyanidin glycosides in cherries and berries

Anthocyanins from tart cherries, Prunus cerasus L. (Rosaceae) cv. Balaton and Montmorency; sweet cherries, Prunus avium L. (Rosaceae); bilberries, Vaccinum myrtillus L. (Ericaceae); blackberries, Rubus sp. (Rosaceae); blueberries var. Jersey, Vaccinium corymbosum L. (Ericaceae); cranberries var. Early Black, Vaccinium macrocarpon Ait. (Ericaceae); elderberries, Sambucus canadensis (Caprifoliaceae); raspberries, Rubus idaeus (Rosaceae); and strawberries var. Honeoye, Fragaria x ananassa Duch. (Rosaceae), were investigated for cyclooxygenase inhibitory and antioxidant activities. The presence and levels of cyanidin-3-glucosylrutinoside 1 and cyanidin-3-rutinoside 2 were determined in the fruits using HPLC. The antioxidant activity of anthocyanins from cherries was comparable to the commercial antioxidants, tert-butylhydroquinone, butylated hydroxytoluene and butylated hydroxyanisole, and superior to vitamin E, at a test concentration of 125 microg/ml. Anthocyanins from raspberries and sweet cherries demonstrated 45% and 47% cyclooxygenase-I and cyclooxygenase-II inhibitory activities, respectively, when assayed at 125 microg/ml. The cyclooxygenase inhibitory activities of anthocyanins from these fruits were comparable to those of ibuprofen and naproxen at 10 microM concentrations. Anthocyanins 1 and 2 are present in both cherries and raspberry. The yields of pure anthocyanins 1 and 2 in 100 g Balaton and Montmorency tart cherries, sweet cherries and raspberries were 21, 16.5; 11, 5; 4.95, 21; and 4.65, 13.5 mg, respectively. Fresh blackberries and strawberries contained only anthocyanin 2 in yields of 24 and 22.5 mg/100 g, respectively. Anthocyanins 1 and 2 were not found in bilberries, blueberries, cranberries or elderberries.