EVALUATION OF EXTRACTS FROM BAMBOO FOR BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITY AGAINST CULEX PIPIENS PALLENS

Abstract The extracts from 7 species of bamboo were tested for larvicidal activity against Culex pipiens pallens . At the tested concentration, the extracts of selected bamboo had different degree of toxic effects on the fourth instar larvae of Culex pipiens pallens . Among them, the extracts of Pleioblastus juxianensis, Brachystachyum albostriatum, Phyllostachys platyglossa and Pleioblastus amarus were found to be effective with LC₅₀values at 24 h of 30.65 mg/L, 53.94 mg/L, 41.21 mg/L and 54.49 mg/L respectively, against Culex pipiens pallens larvae. The extract of Pleioblastus juxianensis by Soxhlet method showed stronger activity than the extract obtained by interval-shaking, the LC₅₀ of which were 30.65 mg/L and 48.34 mg/L, respectively. The diethyl ether extract of Pleioblastus juxianensis exhibited better larvicidal activity than the methanol extract and the petroleum ether extract. The results would help to provide the basis for the study of environment acceptable pesticide for mosquito control, and also help to comprehensively utilize the source of bamboo.     

Object-oriented graphical modeling of FMSs

Presented in the article is a method for constructing a graphical model of an FMS by using a new modeling tool called JR-net (Job Resource relation-net). JR-net is an object-oriented graphical tool for modeling automated manufacturing systems (AMSs), such as FMSs, FASs, and AS/RSs. As with the object-oriented modeling paradigm of Rumbaugh et al. (1991), the JR-net modeling framework supports the three stages of models: static layout model (object model); job flow model (functional model); and supervisory control model (dynamic model). In this article, the existing JR-net structure (Park 1992, Han et al., 1995) is extended further to make it a graphical tool for FMS modeling. Using the extended JR-net, a step-by-step procedure for constructing a graphical model of FMSs is presented. Also addressed are issues of classifying FMSs in terms of their generic functions and of utilizing the JR-net model of FMSs.     

Repair effect of thymine radical anion by echinocoside using pulse radiolysis

Repair activities of thymine radical anion by echinocoside, isolated from Pedicularis plicata. were studied using pulse radiolysis technique. The thymine radical anion was produced by the reaction of hydrated electron with thymine. Echinocoside. one of the polyphenols of phenylpropanoid glycoside, was added to the thymine aqueous solution saturated with N2. Kinetic analysis by transient absorption spectrum showed that thymine radical anion was formed at first, and then after several decades of microseconds of pulse radiolysis. the spectrum of thymine radical anion was changed to that of echinocoside radical anion. The evidence indicated that thymine radical anion was repaired through one-electron-transfer between the DNA base radical anion and echinocoside. The rate constant of electron transfer by echinocoside was 1.45× 109 dm3 · mol1 · s 1.     

Development of a selective pseudosubstrate-based peptide inhibitor of pp60c-src protein tyrosine kinase

Summary Using a combinatorial peptide library method, we identified YIYGSFK as an efficient and specific peptide substrate for pp60^c-src protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) [Lam et al., Int. J. Pept. Protein Res., 45 (1995) 587]. Employing YIYGSFK as a template, we synthesized and evaluated a series of pseudosubstrate-based inhibitors for pp60^c-src. We found that the efficiency of a given inhibitor was highly dependent on the specific tyrosine analog used at the phosphorylation site of the substrate. One of these pseudosubstrate inhibitors, YI(2-Nal)GSFK, selectively inhibited the kinase activity of pp60^c-src, with a K_i of 24 M. This peptide inhibitor exhibited selectivity for pp60^c-src as compared to other PTKs tested, such as c-Abl and Bcr-Abl. Our results suggest that selective inhibitors for a specific PTK can be developed when the structure of a specific and efficient small peptide substrate for this PTK can be used as a template for structure modification.Abbreviations 1-Nal l-1-naphthylalanine - 2-Nal l-2-naphthylalanine - BOP benzotriazolyl-N-oxy-tris(dimethylamino)-phosphonium hexafluorophosphate - BSA bovine serum albumin - cAPK cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase - DIEA diisopropylethylamine - EGFR epidermal growth factor receptor - Fmoc fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl - HOBt 1-hydroxybenzotriazole - MES 2-[N-morpholino]ethanesulfonic acid - PBS phosphate-buffered salts - pCl l-p-chlorophenylalanine - pF l-p-fluorophenylalanine - PTK protein tyrosine kinase - TLC thin-layer chromatography     

OBSERVATIONS ON A CHAMAESIPHONACEOIS ALGA (CYANOPHYCEAE) WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO EXOCYTE FORMATION1,2

A unicellular cyanophycean culture contaminant had features of both Geitleribactron Kom. and Cyanophanon Geitl. The cells were elongated, sheathless, mostly similar in diameter throughout their length, and attached polarly in rosettes or groups and produced only a single elongated exocyte (=exospore). Young cells were moderately elongated and resembled Geitleribactron. As cells aged, they greatly elongated and then resembled Cyanophanon. Some cells formed Y-shaped bifurcations, features of C. mirabile Geitl. and C. minus Geitl., but they lacked the basal sheath (pseudovagina) of C. mirabile. During exocyte formation, a thick and localized L-II wall layer protuberance extended the exocyte away from the parent cell. This terminal wall thickening then appeared to move to one side from subsequent and unequal cell wall growth. Cells sovnetimes bent abruptly, occasionally opposite a thickening in the L-II wall layer. Further studies in culture of putative Geitleribactron and Cyanophanon isolates are necessary to ascertain the breadth of their structural diversity and the identity of the present taxon.     

大鼠不同脑区突触体钙水平的年龄差异

本实验使用荧光指示剂Ｆｕｒａ－２与Ｔｂ~（３＋）,检测了不同年龄组大鼠的不同脑区（海马、皮层、间脑、小脑）突触体内游离钙与膜结合钙水平。结果显示,与青年对照组相比,老年大鼠大部分脑区（海马、皮层、间脑）突触体内游离钙水平显著增高,尤其是海马突触体内游离钙增高极为显著;其突触体膜结合钙水平表现为：海马、小脑两脑区明显升高,而皮层、间脑两脑区明显下降,呈现一种全脑范围内的钙水平失衡。提示动物的衰老与其脑内钙自体平衡失调有关。     

Cartilage production by rabbit articular chondrocytes on polyglycolic acid scaffolds in a closed bioreactor system

Rabbit articular chondrocytes were seeded onto three-dimensional polyglycolic acid (PGA) scaffolds and placed into a closed bioreactor system. After 4 weeks of growth, meshes were examined for cartilage formation. Gross examination revealed solid, glistening material that had the appearance of cartilaginous tissue. Histologic examination revealed cell growth and deposition of extracellular matrix throughout the mesh with a less dense central core. Alcian blue and Safranin 0 staining showed deposition of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs). Immunostaining showed positive reactivity for type II collagen and chondroitin sulfate and no reactivity for type I collagen. Biochemical analysis showed collagen and GAG values to be 15% and 25% dry weight, respectively. Our results indicate that this type of system compares well with those previously described and should be useful for producing cartilage for evaluation in a clinical setting. (c) 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Mechanisms of the actions of aromatase inhibitors 4-hydroxyandrostenedione, fadrozole, and aminoglutethimide on aromatase in JEG-3 cell culture

Selective inhibition of estrogen production with aromatase inhibitors has been found to be an effective strategy for breast cancer treatment. Most studies have focused on inhibitor screening and in vitro kinetic analysis of aromatase inhibition using placental microsomes. In order to determine the effects of different inhibitors on aromatase in the whole cell, we have utilized the human choriocarcinoma cell line, JEG-3 in culture to compare and study three classes of aromatase inhibitors, 4-hydroxyandrostenedione, fadrozole (CGS 16949A), and aminoglutethimide. Fadrozole is the most potent competitive inhibitor and aminoglutethimide is the least potent among the three. However, stimulation of aromatase activity was found to occur when JEG-3 cells were preincubated with aminoglutethimide. In contrast, 4-OHA and fadrozole caused sustained inhibition of aromatase activity in both JEG-3 cells and placental microsomes, which was not reversed even after the removal of the inhibitors. 4-OHA bound irreversibly to the active site of aromatase and caused inactivation of the enzyme which followed pseudo-first order kinetics. However, 4-OHA appears to be metabolized rapidly in JEG-3 cells. Sustained inhibition of aromatase induced by fadrozole occurs by a different mechanism. Although fadrozole bound tightly to aromatase at a site distinct from the steroid binding site, the inhibition of aromatase activity by fadrozole does not involve a reactive process. None of the inhibitors stimulated aromatase mRNA synthesis in JEG-3 cells during 8 h treatment. The stimulation of aromatase activity by AG appeared to be due to stabilization of aromatase protein. According to these results, 4-OHA and fadrozole would be expected to be more beneficial in the treatment of breast cancer patients than AG. The increase in aromatase activity by AG may counteract its therapeutic effect and might be partially responsible for relapse of breast cancer patients from this treatment.     

豫西黄土高原农作区鼠类群落动态：时空尺度格局的初步分析

本文分析了豫西农业生态系统中鼠类群落局部空间尺度的短期动态格局。在区域尺度上,该群落为棕色田鼠＋大仓鼠型,群落多样性与丰富度和均匀度都有显著的正相关,丰富度的作用大于均匀度的作用。由于资源分布的斑块性,群落优势种和次优势种对环境变异的季节性反应不同,故群落的时空格局具有明显的变化。在农田中,群落在秋季分化为棕色田鼠＋大仓鼠亚群落型和大仓鼠＋棕色田鼠型,后者的生境斑块为单一的玉米田和油葵田;在作物轮作的格局下,群落多样性与丰富度和均匀度都有显著的正相关。在果园中,无论果树树龄和季节的变化,棕色田鼠的多度总是大于大仓鼠,即群落格局是不变的,而群落多样性与丰富度和多度之间均无显著的相关性。然而,灌溉可使大仓鼠与棕色田鼠的数量关系发生逆转,因此灌溉不仅影响果园中鼠类群落格局的分化,而且也将影响到农田中的这种分化。在一年弃耕地中,群落格局从夏季开始由棕色田鼠＋大仓鼠亚群落型转化为大仓鼠＋棕色田鼠亚群落型;在第３年末演替结束时,多年生植物取代一年生植物成为优势种,大仓鼠＋棕色田鼠群落格局则趋于稳定。在此过程中,群落多样性和丰富度与均匀度均无显著的相关性。本研究结果还表明,异质性可导致农作区鼠类群落的多样性