Photosynthetic activity and population dynamics of Amoebobacter purpureus in a meromictic saline lake

Abstract A dense population of the purple sulfur bacterium Amoebobacter purpureus in the chemocline of meromictic Mahoney Lake (British Columbia, Canada) underwent consistent changes in biomass over a two year study period. The integrated amount of bacteriochlorophyll reached maxima in August and declined markedly during early fall. Bacteriochlorophyll was only weakly correlated with the light intensity and water temperature in the chemocline. In the summer, bacterial photosynthesis was limited by sulfide availability. During this period the intracellular sulfur concentration of A. purpureus cells decreased. A minimum concentration was measured at the top of the bacterial layer in August, when specific photosynthetic rates of A. purpureus indicated that only 14% of the cells were photosynthetically active. With the exception of a time period between August and September, the specific growth rates calculated from CO₂ fixation rates of A. purpureus were similar to growth rates calculated from actual biomass changes in the bacterial layer. Between August and September 86% of the A. purpureus biomass disappeared from the chemocline and were deposited on the littoral sediment of Mahoney Lake or degraded within the mixolimnion. This rise of cells to the lake surface was not mediated by an increase in the specific gas vesicle content which remained constant between April and November. The upwelling phenomenon was related to the low sulfur content of A. purpureus cells and a low resistance of surface water layers against vertical mixing by wind.     

Dielectric properties of human blood and erythrocytes at radio frequencies (0.2–10 MHz); dependence on cell volume fraction and medium composition

The dielectric properties of human erythrocytes (red blood cells) suspended in whole blood and in isotonic media at various volume fractions (haematocrits) have been studied in the frequency range 0.2–10 MHz, in which the so-called-dispersion due to the Maxwell-Wagner effect is known to occur. The capacitance and conductance at 25 °C were measured by an instrument interfaced to a computer. The rectangular sample cavity (1 ml volume) contained four pure gold electrode pins, and the sample could be circulated by a roller pump. The frequency-dependence of the permittivity and conductivity were fitted by non-linear least squares regression. Corrections were applied for non-linearity in the dielectric increment at high haematocrit, and for electrode polarisation when diluting the blood in saline. Data were interpreted in terms of a simple equivalent resistor-capacitor circuit. From the measured haematological values the specific membrane capacitance (C_m) and the conductivities internal and external to the cells (_i and _o respectively) were estimated. The conductivities behaved in a predictable manner with a mean of 0.458 S · m^–1 (s.d. ± 0.044) for _i, whereas the value of C_m (and indeed the actual capacitance of the suspension) was dependent on the amount of plasma present. Hence, in stationary normal (anticoagulated) whole blood samples, C_m was as high as 2.98 F · cm^–2 (s.d. ± 0.40), in contrast to about 0.9 F · cm^–2 in blood diluted more than two-fold (to less than 20% hct) in isotonic media. The high value remained when the diluent was plasma. The C_m value returned to a high value when washed erythrocytes were reconstituted with plasma, provided that this was present at above a critical or threshold concentration of about 30 vol % in the medium, irrespective of the haematocrit in the range studied (15–44%). The C_m remained low in serum. When added to washed cells in saline, purified fibrinogen had no effect. However, high C_m values were obtained by fibrinogen supplementation to serum and diluted plasma. Applying moderate flow to whole blood approximately halved its high C_m value in an exponential manner with flow rate, whilst the C_m of washed cells (31–67% hct) slightly increased, and converged to the value for whole blood under flow. We interpret the highapparent C_m value in stationary samples to be a result of rapid cell aggregation in the presence of plasma, where rouleaux formation takes place before visible sedimentation sets in.     

植酸钠对黑曲霉柠檬酸发酵产酸的促进效应

研究了植酸钠对黑曲霉柠檬酸发酵产酸的促进效应。在葡萄糖全合成培养基中添加１％的植酸钠,可使产酸比对照提高２．４倍;在薯粉、玉米粉等天然培养基中添加１％植酸钠,柠檬酸产量分别提高１．７倍和１．３倍。酶活性测定分析表明,植酸钠对柠檬酸代谢途径中的几种关键酶的活性有影响。     

Effect of β-alanyl-L-histidinato zinc on differentiation of osteoblastic MC3T3-El cells: Increases in alkaline phosphatase activity and protein concentration

The effect of -alany-L-histidinato zinc (AHZ) on bone cell function was investigated in osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells. Cells were cultured for 3 days at 37°C in a CO₂ incubator in plastic dishes containing -modified minimum essential medium supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum. After the cultures, the medium was exchanged for that containing 0.1% bovine serum albumin plus AHZ (10^–7–10^–5 M) or other reagents, and the cells were cultured further for appropriate periods of time. The presence of AHZ (10^–7–10^–5 M) produced a remarkable increase of alkaline phosphatase activity and protein concentration in osteoblastic cells. Thus increases were seen with the prolonged cultivation (12–21 days). With the culture of 1, 3 and 12 days, the effect of AHZ (10^–6 M) to increase alkaline phosphatase activity and protein concentration was more intensive than the effect of zinc sulfate, (10^–6 M). The AHZ effects were completely abolished by the presence of cycloheximide (10^–6 M), indicating that AHZ stimulates protein synthesis in the cells. The present study suggests that AHZ has a stimulatory effect on cell differentiation, and that this effect is partly involved on protein synthesis in osteoblastic cells.     

Complex ecological models with simple dynamics: From individuals to populations

The aim of this work is to study complex ecological models exhibiting simple dynamics. We consider large scale systems which can be decomposed into weakly coupled subsystems. Perturbation Theory is used in order to get a reduced set of differential equations governing slow time varying global variables. As examples, we study the influence of the individual behaviour of animals in competition and predator-prey models. The animals are assumed to do many activities all day long such as searching for food of different types. The degree of competition as well as the predation pressure are dependent upon these activities. Preys are more vulnerable when doing some activities during which they are very exposed to predators attacks rather than for others during which they are hidden. We study the effect of a change in the average individual behaviour of the animals on interspecific relationships. Computer simulations of the whole sets of equations are compared to simulations of the reduced sets of equations.     

Acclimation of photosynthesis to increasing atmospheric CO2: The gas exchange perspective

The nature of photosynthetic acclimation to elevated CO₂ is evaluated from the results of over 40 studies focusing on the effect of long-term CO₂ enrichment on the short-term response of photosynthesis to intercellular CO₂ (the A/C_i response). The effect of CO₂ enrichment on the A/C_i response was dependent on growth conditions, with plants grown in small pots (< 5 L) or low nutrients usually exhibiting a reduction of A at a given C_i, while plants grown without nutrient deficiency in large pots or in the field tended to exhibit either little reduction or an enhancement of A at a given C_i following a doubling or tripling of atmospheric CO₂ during growth. Using theoretical interpretations of A/C_i curves to assess acclimation, it was found that when pot size or nutrient deficiency was not a factor, changes in the shape of A/C_i curves which are indicative of a reallocation of resources within the photosynthetic apparatus typically were not observed. Long-term CO₂ enrichment usually had little effect or increased the value of A at all C_i. However, a minority of species grown at elevated CO₂ exhibited gas exchange responses indicative of a reduced amount of Rubisco and an enhanced capacity to metabolize photosynthetic products. This type of response was considered beneficial because it enhanced both photosynthetic capacity at high CO₂ and reduced resource investment in excessive Rubisco capacity. The ratio of intercellular to ambient CO₂ (the C_i/C_a ratio) was used to evaluate stomatal acclimation. Except under water and humidity stress, C_i/C_a exhibited no consistent change in a variety of C₃ species, indicating no stomatal acclimation. Under drought or humidity stress, C_i/C_a declined in high-CO₂ grown plants, indicating stomata will become more conservative during stress episodes in future high CO₂ environments.Abbreviations A net CO₂ assimilation rate - C_i (C_a) intercellular (ambient) partial pressure of CO₂ - operational C_i intercellular partial pressure of CO₂ at a given ambient partial pressure of CO₂ - g_s stomatal conductance - normal CO₂ current atmospheric mole fraction of CO₂ (330 to 355 mol mol^–1) - Rubisco ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase     

Exogenous polyamines improve rooting of hazel microshoots

A strong positive effect of polyamines on rooting of microshoots of adult hazel (Corylus avellana L., cv. Gironell) is described. The effect of polyamines, both in the root induction solution and in the actual rooting medium, was assessed in order to study the effect on the successive rooting phases. Polyamines improved rooting of indole-3-butyric acid-treated microshoots in a synergistic fashion, perhaps by favouring a better induction of roots, with an acceleration of the response (only half the time required for rooting compared to the control). When applied without indole-3-butyric acid, polyamines had only a limited positive effect on rooting, although longer exposure times and/or higher concentrations could increase their effect. Possible rapid uptake and translocation of polyamines in the xylem in our system is discussed. The results offer a new approach to enhance rooting ability of species that are normally difficult to root.Abbreviations BM basal medium - IAA indole-3-acetic acid - IBA indole-3-butyric acid - NAA 1-naphthaleneacetic acid - Put putrescine - Spd spermidine - Spm spermine     

Manganese reduction in the rhizosphere of mycorrhizal and nonmycorrhizal maize

The influence of rhizosphere microorganisms and vesicular-arbuscular (VA) mycorrhiza on manganese (Mn) uptake in maize (Zea mays L. cv. Tau) plants was studied in pot experiments under controlled environmental conditions. The plants were grown for 7 weeks in sterilized calcareous soil in pots having separate compartments for growth of roots and of VA mycorrhizal fungal hyphae. The soil was left either uninoculated (control) or prior to planting was inoculated with rhizosphere microorganisms only (MO-VA) or with rhizosphere microorganisms together with a VA mycorrhizal fungus [Glomus mosseae (Nicol and Gerd.) Gerdemann and Trappe] (MO+VA). Mycorrhiza treatment did not affect shoot dry weight, but root dry weight was slightly inhibited in the MO+VA and MO-VA treatments compared with the uninoculated control. Concentrations of Mn in shoots decreased in the order MO-VA > MO+VA > control. In the rhizosphere soil, the total microbial population was higher in mycorrhizal (MO+VA) than nonmycorrhizal (MO-VA) treatments, but the proportion of Mn-reducing microbial populations was fivefold higher in the nonmycorrhizal treatment, suggesting substantial qualitative changes in rhizosphere microbial populations upon root infection with the mycorrhizal fungi. The most important microbial group taking part in the reduction of Mn was fluorescent Pseudomonas. Mycorrhizal treatment decreased not only the number of Mn reducers but also the release of Mn-solubilizing root exudates, which were collected by percolation from maize plants cultivated in plastic tubes filled with gravel quartz sand. Compared with mycorrhizal plants, the root exudates of nonmycorrhizal plants had two fold higher capacity for reduction of Mn. Therefore, changes in both rhizosphere microbial population and root exudation are probably responsible for the lower acquisition of Mn in mycorrhizal plants.     

Analysis of effector T cells against the murine syngeneic tumor MethA in mice orally administered antitumor polysaccharide SPR-901

The growth of MethA tumor was significantly inhibited by oral administration of the -glucan SPR-901 in BALB/c (+/+) mice but not in nude mice. Mice treated orally with SPR-901 exhibited an augmentation of antigen-specific resistance against rechallenge with the tumor cells. The tumor-neutralizing activity of regional lymph node cells from MethA-bearing mice against the tumor was augmented by oral administration of SPR-901. The tumor-neutralizing activity of lymph node cells from SPR-901-treated mice mainly appeared in Lyt2+cells. Furthermore, lymphokine-activated killer activity of these cells was enhanced by administration of SPR-901. The antitumor effect of SPR-901 was abrogated in mice depleted of either L3T4+ or Lyt2+ cells, and in cyclosporin-A-treated mice. These results suggest that Lyt2+ cells are important effector cells in MethA-bearing mice orally adminstered SPR-901 and that functional exertion of both Lyt2+ and L3T4+T cells is necessary for the antitumor effect of orally administered SPR-901 in vivo.     

甜菜碱对呼吸酶的保护效应

以菠菜（Ｓｐｉｎａｃｉａ ｏｌｅｒａｃｅａ Ｌ．）叶片为材料,研究了不同浓度的甜菜碱和ＮａＣｌ对三羧酸循环、末端氧化和光呼吸的组成酶的活性的影响。与电解质ＮａＣｌ不同,高浓度的甜菜碱对这些酶的活性是非抑制性的,并对ＮａＣｌ的抑制作用有一定保护效应。甜菜碱是很好的有机渗透调节剂。这与甜菜碱在细胞质中起渗透调节作用,以及是无机渗透调节剂的配伍溶质的假设是一致的。