水分胁迫与复水对地枫皮生理生态特性的影响

以岩溶特有药用植物地枫皮为材料,研究土壤水分胁迫及复水条件下,其叶片光合参数、叶绿素荧光参数及光合色素含量的变化特性,进而探讨其对水分胁迫的生理生态适应性。结果表明:停止供水10 d,水分胁迫地枫皮叶片的P_n(净光合速率)、C_i(胞间CO_2浓度)、G_s(气孔导度)和L_s(气孔限制值)均下降,气孔限制是P_n降低的主要原因;停止供水15 d,水分胁迫地枫皮叶片的P_n日变化呈逐渐下降趋势,上午9:30以后全天的P_n值均接近零,非气孔限制成为P_n下降的主要因素;而对照地枫皮叶片的P_n日变化呈"双峰型",中午P_n下降的主要原因依然是气孔限制。水分胁迫下,地枫皮叶片叶绿素含量降低和Chl_(a/b)升高,减少了叶片对光能的捕获,减轻了光合机构遭受光氧化的破坏,而Car/Chl_(a+b)升高增强了光保护能力。水分胁迫下,地枫皮叶片的初始荧光(F_o)显著增大,最大荧光(F_m)、光系统Ⅱ(PSⅡ)潜在活性(F_v/F_o)和最大光化学效率(F_v/F_m)均显著降低,表明水分胁迫对地枫皮叶片的PSⅡ反应中心和电子传递造成了一定的破坏,从而使其PSⅡ的潜在活性和最大光化学效率降低。复水5 d后,地枫皮的上述生理生态参数均能恢复到对照水平,表明其复水后的生理修复能力很强。     

施肥对银叶树幼苗生长及光合特性的影响

为探讨不同施肥水平对银叶树幼苗生长和光合作用的影响,该文以2年生实生幼苗为试验材料,设置对照CK(0 g·株~(-1))、N1(10 g·株~(-1))、N2(15 g·株~(-1))、N3(20 g·株~(-1))、N4(25 g·株~(-1))及N5(30 g·株~(-1)) 6个施肥水平的盆栽实验,经140 d施肥试验,研究了不同施肥水平下银叶树幼苗的生长量、生物量、叶片叶绿素含量、光合参数及叶绿素荧光参数的变化规律。结果表明:(1)银叶树幼苗生长指标(株高与地径)、生物量(叶、茎和根生物量)、叶片叶绿素含量[Chl a、Chl b、Chl(a+b)]、叶片净光合速率(P_n)、蒸腾速率(T_r)、气孔导度(G_s)、水分利用效率(WUE)、最大光化学效率(F_v/F_m)、实际光合效率(ΦPSⅡ)、表观光合量子传递效率(ETR)及光化学猝灭系数(q_P)随施肥量的增加呈先升后降的变化趋势,而胞间CO_2浓度(C_i)和非光化学猝灭参数(NPQ)则呈下降趋势。(2)幼苗叶绿素含量、根生物量及总生物量达到最大值的适宜施肥量为10 g·株~(-1),幼苗生长指标(株高与地径)、叶生物量及茎生物量达到最大值的适宜施肥量为20 g·株~(-1),而幼苗气体交换参数(P_n、T_r及G_s)、叶绿素荧光参数(F_v/F_m、ΦPSⅡ、ETR及q_P)达到最大值的适宜施肥量为30 g·株~(-1),银叶树幼苗生长指标、生物量、气体交换参数及叶绿素荧光参数对不同施肥水平的响应不一致。综上所述,适量施肥能够显著增加银叶树幼苗叶片叶绿素含量、气孔导度、光化学效率及电子传递速率,降低光能的热耗散,提高银叶树幼苗的光合能力,而过量施肥导致银叶树幼苗产生光抑制,光化学效率下降,不利于银叶树幼苗正常生长。     

野生酸枣光合及叶绿素荧光参数对土壤干旱胁迫的响应

为探究鲁中地区自然条件下野生酸枣光合生理参数对土壤逐渐干旱的响应机制,明确其与土壤水分的定量关系。该研究以2年生野生酸枣盆栽苗为实验材料,采用人工给水和自然耗水相结合法模拟自然条件下土壤干旱过程,分析野生酸枣叶片光合作用和荧光参数对土壤水分含量(RWC)的响应过程及其机制。结果表明:(1)野生酸枣叶片气体交换参数净光合速率(P_n)、蒸腾速率(T_r)、水分利用效率(WUE)均随着土壤含水量的增加表现出先升高后降低的趋势。当RWC38.5%时,P_n下降,而胞间二氧化碳浓度(Ci)上升,气孔限制值(L_s)下降,叶片光合速率下降主要是非气孔限制因素所致;当RWC在38.5%~65.1%范围内,野生酸枣P_n下降,伴随C_i、气孔导度(G_s)均降低,野生酸枣叶片光合速率下降处于气孔限制阶段。(2)通过P_n和WUE对土壤水分的阈值模拟,发现维持野生酸枣叶片具有较高光合生产力的土壤水分范围为46.0%~0.5%,维持其较高水分利用效率的水分范围为56.3%~73.9%。(3)在土壤逐渐干旱过程中(RWC范围为29.9%~86.5%),野生酸枣最大荧光(F_m)、PSⅡ最大光化学效率(F_v/F_m)、PSⅡ实际光化学效率(ΦPSⅡ)逐渐降低,初始荧光(Fo)显著升高,光化学猝灭(qP)先升高再降低,非光化学猝灭(NPQ)在过高(RWC83.7%)或过低(RWC38.5%)的土壤水分下呈现较高值,表现出热耗散增加。研究认为,野生酸枣叶片气体交换参数及叶绿素荧光参数对土壤水分均具有明显的阈值响应,阈值点的土壤相对含水量大约为38.5%,低于阈值时叶片光合速率由气孔限制转向非气孔限制,PSⅡ受到损伤,电子传递受阻,光合机构受到破坏。     

CO_2浓度升高对杉木幼苗生长及其光合特性和养分含量的影响

以杉木优良无性系‘洋061’幼苗为材料,设置常规CO_2浓度400μL·L~(-1)(对照组)和CO_2加富浓度800μL·L~(-1)(处理组)两个处理,研究CO_2浓度加富对杉木幼苗生长、根系形态特征、光合生理以及养分含量的影响,以明确杉木优良无性系对CO_2浓度升高的响应特征,为杉木苗木高效培育提供理论依据。结果表明:(1)CO_2加富能显著促进杉木幼苗生物量的积累和苗高的生长,并显著促进杉木根系生长,其根长、根系表面积、根系体积和根系直径分别较对照增加14.60%、28.26%、41.98%和14.70%。(2)CO_2加富能促进杉木叶片类胡萝卜素含量显著增加,使杉木叶片净光合速率(P_n)、胞间二氧化碳浓度(C_i)和水分利用效率(WUE)分别较对照显著提高51.03%、14.13%和151.20%,并使气孔导度(G_s)和蒸腾速率(T_r)分别显著下降58.72%和44.00%。(3)CO_2加富使杉木叶片最大荧光(F_m)、可变荧光(F_v)、PSⅡ潜在光化学效率(F_v/F_o)、PSⅡ实际光化学效率(Φ_(PSⅡ))和光化学淬灭系数(qP)分别较对照显著增加11.48%、11.25%、6.33%、20.38%和30.34%,且不同处理间差异显著,非光化学淬灭系数(NPQ)较对照显著下降21.90%(P0.05),但对初始荧光(F_o)和PSⅡ最大光化学效率(F_v/F_m)无显著影响(P0.05)。(4)CO_2加富处理显著增加植株钙元素的含量,并显著降低植株磷元素的含量。研究认为,短期CO_2加富处理可通过增加光合色素含量,提高叶片净光合速率和光能利用效率,进而增强叶片光合能力,同时促进根系生长,增强植物对养分吸收的能力,最终促进杉木幼苗的生长。     

NaCl胁迫对高丛越橘幼苗生长和光合生理特性的影响

以2年生北高丛越橘‘蓝丰’幼苗为材料,采用温室盆栽法研究了不同浓度(0、50、100、150和200mmol·L~(-1))NaCl胁迫处理50d对其生长、光合作用和叶绿素荧光特性的影响,以鉴定高丛越橘的耐盐性,为盐碱地区的越橘引种、栽培提供理论依据。结果显示:(1)越橘幼苗地上部鲜质量和地下部鲜质量在50mmol·L~(-1) NaCl处理下与对照无显著差异,当超过100mmol·L~(-1) NaCl时均显著降低;地上部干质量、地下部干质量、总干质量在低于100mmol·L~(-1) NaCl处理下与对照无显著差异,当超过150mmol·L~(-1) NaCl时均显著降低;在不同浓度NaCl处理下,根冠比与对照均无明显差异。(2)越橘幼苗叶片Chl a、Chl b和总Chl含量在低于100mmol·L~(-1) NaCl处理下与对照无显著差异,当超过150mmol·L~(-1) NaCl时均明显降低。(3)越橘叶片净光合速率(Pn)、蒸腾速率(Tr)和气孔导度(Gs)在50mmol·L~(-1) NaCl处理下与对照无显著差异,在超过100mmol·L~(-1) NaCl时均明显下降;在200mmol·L~(-1) NaCl处理下胞间CO2浓度(Ci)、气孔限制值(Ls)明显下降;不同浓度NaCl处理下水分利用效率(WUE)无明显差异;(4)暗适应下最大荧光(Fm)、最大光化学效率(Fv/Fm)、潜在光化学效率(Fv/F0)、PSⅡ光量子产量(ΦPSⅡ)、光合电子传递速率(ETR)、光化学猝灭系数(qP)在低于150mmol·L~(-1) NaCl处理下与对照无显著差异,在200mmol·L~(-1) NaCl时均明显下降。研究表明,越橘幼苗具有一定的耐盐能力,能够忍受100mmol·L~(-1)NaCl胁迫,但在高NaCl浓度胁迫下,气孔限制因素是导致Pn下降的主要原因,此外叶片光合机构受损、叶绿素含量显著减少以及光合电子传递受阻而产生的光抑制,也会导致Pn的下降和生物量的降低。     

接种AMF对弱光环境及盐胁迫下甜瓜光合特性的影响

以甜瓜(Cucumis melo L.)品种"中蜜3号"为试材,摩西球囊霉菌(Glmous mosseae,GM)为供试菌种,采用温室盆栽试验研究了丛枝菌根真菌(Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi,AMF)对弱光及盐胁迫下甜瓜幼苗叶绿素含量、光合气体交换参数、叶绿素荧光参数和光响应曲线的影响。结果表明:弱光及盐胁迫下接种AMF可显著增强甜瓜幼苗叶绿素含量、净光合速率(P_n)、光合电子传递速率(ETR)、水分利用率(WUE)和气孔限制因子(L_s);气孔导度(G_s)、蒸腾速率(T_r)、胞间CO_2浓度(C_i)则随胁迫时间延长不断增强;光化学猝灭系数(qP)与实际光化学效率(Φ_(PSⅡ))变化趋势基本一致且均显著高于未接菌处理;接种AMF显著增强了最大光化学效率(F_v/F_m),但处理之间差异不显著;并进一步提高了宿主的最大羧化速率(A_(max))、光饱和点(LSP)和表观量子效率(AQE),降低了光补偿点(LCP)和暗呼吸速率(R_d)。研究发现,AMF可通过改善叶绿素荧光、气体交换参数和光响应参数来减轻弱光及盐胁迫对植株造成的伤害,从而提高甜瓜对弱光及盐胁迫的耐性。     

观赏山楂耐热性及其叶片光合与叶绿素荧光特性研究

以引自国内外的15种观赏山楂苗木为材料,于上海夏季自然高温下对其叶片光合气体交换参数及叶绿素荧光参数进行测定,并观察它们的田间耐热性,以揭示其耐热的光合生理机制.结果显示,4种山楂表现出较强耐热性,6种较耐热,而5种耐热性较差;15种山楂叶片净光合速率(P_n)、蒸腾速率(T_r)、气孔导度(G_s)、瞬时水分利用效率(WUE)的种间差异显著(P<0.05),且耐热性强的品种P_n、T_r、G_s、WUE值较高,高温下能够维持较高的光合固碳水平;各品种山楂叶片的PSⅡ最大光能转换效率F_v/F_m、电子传递效率ΦPSⅡ和光能捕获效率F_v'/F_m'差异显著,耐热性强品种F_v/F_m保持在0.8以上,且ΦPSⅡ值与F_v'/F_m'较高.研究表明,观赏山楂主要通过加大气孔蒸腾散热、降低叶表面温度以及维持较高光能电子传递与转化效率来减轻高温对光合机构伤害,以维持植株正常光合作用;山楂叶片PSⅡ原初光能转换效率及潜在活性与其耐热性密切相关,F_v/F_m值可作为山楂耐热性鉴定指标.     

干旱胁迫对黑果枸杞幼苗光合特性的影响

以当年生黑果枸杞幼苗为试验材料,通过称重控水的方法设置对照(土壤含水量为32.96%~35.35%)、轻度干旱胁迫(土壤含水量为21.18%~22.32%)、中度干旱胁迫(土壤含水量为12.20%~13.82%)和重度干旱胁迫(土壤含水量为7.89%~8.73%)4个水分梯度,研究了干旱胁迫对黑果枸杞叶片光合色素、光合特性、叶绿素荧光特性的影响,以揭示黑果枸杞对干旱胁迫的适应能力和适应机制。结果显示:(1)随着干旱胁迫强度的增加,黑果枸杞幼苗叶片叶绿素含量、类胡萝卜素含量均呈显著下降趋势。(2)黑果枸杞幼苗叶片净光合速率(P_n)、蒸腾速率(T_r)、气孔导度(G_s)在中度和重度干旱胁迫下显著下降;其胞间CO_2浓度(C_i)、水分利用效率(WUE)随干旱胁迫强度的增加而逐渐增加,而气孔限制值(L_s)随干旱胁迫强度的增加而逐渐降低。(3)随着土壤含水量的降低,黑果枸杞幼苗叶片初始荧光(F_0)和非光化学猝灭系数(q_N)逐渐增加,而其最大荧光(F_m)、PSⅡ最大光化学效率(F_v/F_m)、实际光化学效率(Ф_(PSⅡ))和光化学猝灭系数(q_P)均逐渐降低。研究表明,在干旱胁迫条件下,黑果枸杞叶片过多的能量以热的形式被耗散,反应中心开放程度降低,从而避免PSⅡ反应中心受到损伤,表现出一定的耐旱性;黑果枸杞生长所允许的最大土壤水分亏缺为7.89%,维持黑果枸杞具有较高的WUE和P_n的土壤水分阈值为12.20%~13.82%。     

干旱胁迫对两种油桐幼苗生长、气体交换及叶绿素荧光参数的影响

为了探究干旱胁迫对两种油桐(三年桐和千年桐)幼苗光合生理特性的变化及响应,采用盆栽试验,研究不同水分处理(正常供水、轻度干旱、中度干旱、重度干旱)对油桐幼苗生长、叶片气体交换及叶绿素荧光参数的影响。结果表明:与对照相比,轻度干旱胁迫对两种油桐生长、气体交换及叶绿素荧光参数无明显影响(P0.05);中度干旱及重度干旱使两种油桐的叶绿素SPAD值、生长量、净光合速率(P_n)、气孔导度(G_s)、蒸腾速率(T_r)、气孔限制值(L_s)、最大净光合速率(P_(nmax))、光饱和点(LSP)、表观量子效率(AQY)、暗呼吸速率(R_d)、最大光化学效率(F_v/F_m)、实际光化学量子效率(Φ_(PSⅡ))、电子传递速率(ETR)及光化学猝灭系数(q_P)显著下降(P0.05),且在重度干旱胁迫下迅速下降,胞间CO_2浓度(C_i)、水分利用效率(WUE)、光补偿点(LCP)、初始荧光(F_o)、非光化学猝灭系数(NPQ)显著升高(P0.05);中度干旱胁迫下油桐幼苗P_n的降低是由气孔因素及光合机构活性降低的非气孔因素共同引起的,而重度干旱胁迫下光合作用的下降主要是由光合机构活性降低的非气孔因素引起的。三年桐的光合机构活性及光合效率高于千年桐,对干旱胁迫的适应性较千年桐强。     

干旱胁迫下转ClNAC9基因露地菊品种‘纽9717’叶片光合及叶绿素荧光特性的比较

对干旱胁迫0~15 d露地菊(Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat.)品种‘纽9717’(‘Niu 9717’)野生型和3个转ClNAC9基因株系(ClNAC9-5、ClNAC9-6和ClNAC9-13株系)叶片的叶绿素含量、光合参数和叶绿素荧光参数进行了比较和分析。结果表明:干旱胁迫0~15 d,野生型和3个转ClNAC9基因株系叶片中叶绿素含量总体上呈先升高后降低的变化趋势。与干旱胁迫0 d相比较,除初始荧光(F_o)和非光化学淬灭系数(qN)外,干旱胁迫15 d时3个转ClNAC9基因株系叶片的叶绿素含量、净光合速率(Pn)、气孔导度(Gs)、蒸腾速率(Tr)、水分利用效率(WUE)、最大荧光(F_m)、可变荧光(F_v)、PSⅡ最大光化学效率(F_v/F_m)、PSⅡ潜在光化学活性(F_v/F_o)和光化学淬灭系数(qP)的降幅均小于野生型。总体上看,干旱胁迫15 d,3个转ClNAC9基因株系叶片的叶绿素含量、Pn、Gs、Tr、WUE、F_m、F_v、F_v/F_m、F_v/F_o、qP和qN值显著高于野生型,而F_o值显著低于野生型。研究结果显示:将ClNAC9基因转入露地菊品种‘纽9717’可以增强该品种对干旱胁迫的耐受性,其中,ClNAC9-5和ClNAC9-6株系对干旱胁迫的耐受性较强,ClNAC9-13株系对干旱胁迫的耐受性较弱,但均强于野生型。     

Systematic significance of mature embryo of bamboos

The mature embryo of seven species belonging to five genera of Indian bamboos is described. In all these the basic pattern of embryo organisation is same: the scutellar and coleoptilar bundles are not separated by an internode, the epiblast is absent, the lower portion of the scutellum and the coleorhiza are separated by a cleft and the margins of embryonic leaves overlap. The features unique to fleshy fruited bamboos are: presence of a massive scutellum, the juxtaposition of plumule and radicle and the occurrence of a bud in the axil of the coleoptile. The fleshy fruit bearing bamboos should be classified into one group, the tribeMelocanneae. Evidence is provided to recognise additional groups in the subfamilyBambusoideae.     

Taxonomic status of the species of the green algal genusNeochloris

Komárek has recently reviewed the various species assigned to the green algal genusNeochloris Starr (Chlorococcales, Chlorococcaceae) and removed those with uninucleate vegetative cells to a new genus,Ettlia. Watanabe & Floyd, unaware ofKomárek's work, also reviewed the species ofNeochloris and distributed them among three genera—Neochloris, Chlorococcopsis gen. nov., andParietochloris gen. nov.—on the basis of details of the covering of the zoospore and the arrangement of the basal bodies of the flagellar apparatus. This paper reconciles these two treatments and makes additional recommendations at the ranks of genus, family, order, and class.     

Analysis of twin of eyeless regulation during early embryogenesis in Drosophila melanogaster

The Drosophila Pax6 homolog twin of eyeless (toy) is so far the first zygotically expressed gene involved in eye morphogenesis in Drosophila. The study of its expression during embryogenesis is therefore informative of the initial events of eye development in Drosophila. We have analyzed how the initial expression domain of toy at cellular blastoderm is regulated. We show that the three maternal patterning systems active in the cephalic region (the anterior, terminal and dorsal-ventral systems) cooperate with zygotically activated gap genes to shape the initial expression domain of toy. Whereas Bicoid, Dorsal and Torso signaling synergistically act as activators, Hunchback, Knirps and Decapentaplegic act as repressors.     

Phylogeny of cardinalfishes (Teleostei: Gobiiformes: Apogonidae) and the evolution of visceral bioluminescence

The cardinalfishes (Apogonidae) are a diverse clade of small, mostly reef-dwelling fishes, for which a variety of morphological data have not yielded a consistent phylogeny. We use DNA sequence to hypothesize phylogenetic relationships within Apogonidae and among apogonids and other acanthomorph families, to examine patterns of evolution including the distribution of a visceral bioluminescence system. In conformance with previous studies, Apogonidae is placed in a clade with Pempheridae, Kurtidae, Leiognathidae, and Gobioidei. The apogonid genus Pseudamia is recovered outside the remainder of the family, not as sister to the superficially similar genus Gymnapogon. Species sampled from the Caribbean and Western Atlantic (Phaeoptyx, Astrapogon, and some Apogon species) form a clade, as do the larger-bodied Glossamia and Cheilodipterus. Incidence of visceral bioluminescence is found scattered throughout the phylogeny, independently for each group in which it is present. Examination of the fine structure of the visceral bioluminescence system through histology shows that light organs exhibit a range of morphologies, with some composed of complex masses of tubules (Siphamia, Pempheris, Parapriacanthus) and others lacking tubules but containing chambers formed by folds of the visceral epithelium (Acropoma, Archamia, Jaydia, and Rhabdamia). Light organs in Siphamia, Acropoma, Pempheris and Parapriacanthus are distinct from but connected to the gut; those in Archamia, Jaydia, and Rhabdamia are simply portions of the intestinal tract, and are little differentiated from the surrounding tissues. The presence or absence of symbiotic luminescent bacteria does not correlate with light organ structure; the tubular light organs of Siphamia and chambered tubes of Acropoma house bacteria, those in Pempheridae and the other Apogonidae do not.     

广西青藓科分类学修订

通过对采自广西24个县(市)的1 147份青藓科植物标本的逐一鉴定及相关文献的查阅,确认有广西青藓科植物11属、44种,其中包括广西青藓科植物新记录属1属,即拟异叶藓属(Pseudokindbergia),新记录种7种,分别为匐枝青藓(Brachythecium procumbens)、阔叶尖喙藓(Oxyrrhynchium latifolium)、泛生尖喙藓(O. vagans)、拟异叶藓(Pseudokindbergia dumosa)、华东细喙藓(Rhynchostegiella sinensis)、长肋拟青藓(Sciurohypnum populeum)和弯叶拟青藓(S. reflexum)。该文提供了修订后的广西青藓科植物名录,并对其中的新记录属、种的主要形态学识别特征、生境和地理分布等进行了详细描述。     

Host plants of someRhinanthoideae (Scrophulariaceae) of eastern North America

Twenty three species in 11 genera were examined in the field to determine hosts. OnlyStriga asiatica andSeymeria cassioides have a narrow host range being restricted to grasses and pines, respectively. These are the only species which cause pronounced and sometimes serious host damage. The other species attach to a great diversity of hosts.     

Evaluation of antiprotozoal and antimycobacterial activities of the resin glycosides and the other metabolites of Scrophularia cryptophila

Resin glycosides are secondary metabolites exclusive to the convolvulaceous plants. In this study, crypthophilic acids A–C (1–3), the first resin glycosides occurring in another family (Scrophulariaceae), and the other constituents of Scrophularia cryptophila were examined for in vitro antiprotozoal and antimycobacterial potentials. Except for crypthophilic acid B (2), all tested compounds exhibited growth-inhibitory effect against Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense, with l-tryptophan (6) and buddlejasaponin III (7) being the most potent ones (IC₅₀'s 4.1 and 9.7 μg/ml). In contrast, the activity towards Trypanosoma cruzi was poor, and only crypthophilic acid C (3), 6 and 7 were trypanocidal at concentrations above 40 μg/ml. With the exception of 2 and 6, all compounds were active against Leishmania donovani. Harpagide (4) and 3 emerged as the best leishmanicidal agents (IC₅₀'s 2.0 and 5.8 μg/ml). Only compounds 3, 6 and 7 showed antimalarial activity against Plasmodium falciparum with IC₅₀ values of 4.2, 16.6 and 22.4 μg/ml. Overall the best and broadest spectrum activity was presented by compounds 3 and 7, as they inhibited all four parasitic protozoa. None of the isolates had significant activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MICs >100 μg/ml) or were toxic towards mammalian (L6) cells. This is the first report of antiprotozoal activity for natural resin glycosides, as well as for harpagide (4), acetylharpagide (5), tryptophan (6) and buddlejasaponin III (7).     

Apoptotic Regulation of Caspase Activity

Intracellular cysteine aspartate-specific proteases (caspases) play both signaling and effector roles in realizing the program of cell death. Caspases function as proteolytic cascades unique for each cell type and signal triggering apoptosis. All parts of the proteolytic cascades are duplicated and controlled by feedback signals. Amplification cycles between pairs of caspases (the third and the sixth, the ninth and the third, the twelfth and the sixth, and others) help multiply the initial apoptotic signal. The presence of physiological inhibitors of apoptosis that directly interact with caspases creates a multilevel regulatory network of apoptosis in cell. The caspase proteolytic cascades are also regulated by sphingolipid secondary messengers, among them ceramide, sphingosine, and their phosphates. Moreover, an association of the caspase signaling with ubiquitin-dependent proteolysis is shown in cells. In particular, the use of extracellular activators and inhibitors of caspases allows irreversible activation of apoptosis in tumor cells or the prevention of apoptosis in cortical neurons under neurodegenerative diseases.     

The effect of cyanobacteria and azolla on the performance of rice under different levels of fertilizer nitrogen

Cyanobacteria and/or azolla were inoculated, with urea at 0, 72 or 144 kg N/ha, in plots in which azolla-free Indica rice var. IR 28 was grown. Productive tillers, yield and nitrogen contents of grain and straw positively responded to inoculation with cyanobacteria or azolla, even with fertilizer-N up to 144 kg N/ha. Inoculation improved colonization by cyanobacteria. Azolla were superior to the asymbiotic cyanobacteria in enhancing rice performance. Urea at a rate of 72 kg N/ha was found to support the best colonizations when applied with cyanobacteria or azolla or, to give maximum rice yields, both inoculants.