Host defense deficiency in newborn nonhuman primate lungs

We have investigated two major aspects of the pulmonary host defense mechanism--alveolar macrophage function as a "first line of bacterial defense" and induced neutrophil migration into the lung as a "back-up defense." Chemotactic and phagocytic/killing assays revealed a functional deficiency in the alveolar macrophages of newborn primates. Serial bronchoalveolar lavage investigations revealed diminished neutrophil migration into the newborn primate lung. The overall pulmonary host defense capability in newborn primates was deficient. The results of this investigation may have direct clinical relevance to the susceptibility of newborns to infections and pneumonia.     

Accumulation and subcellular distribution of cations in relation to the growth of potassium-deficient barley

Abstract Growth of barley (Hordeum vulgare L., cv. Georgie) was insensitive to soil K content above about 150 mg kg^?1, but at lower levels it declined. The reduction in yield was greater in soils containing approximately 10 mg Na kg^?1 than in soils with about 90 mg kg^?1 of Na. Growth was unaffected by changes in shoot K concentration above 75 mol m^?3, but declined at lower concentrations, and the decrease was less in plants grown in soils with high Na. Growth responses were not simply related to tissue K concentrations because plants grown in soils with extra Na had higher yields but lower K concentrations. When soil Na was low, plants accumulated Ca as tissue K declined, but when Na was provided this ion was accumulated. Plant Mg concentrations were generally low but increased as K decreased. The Ca and Mg were osmotically active. There were highly significant inverse linear relationships between yield and either the Ca or Mg concentrations in the shoots. X-ray microanalysis was used to examine the compartmentation of cations in leaves from barley plants (cv. Clipper) grown in nutrient solutions with high and low K concentrations. In plants grown with 2.5 mol m^?3 K, this was the major cation in both the cytoplasm and vacuole of mesophyll cells. However, in plants grown with 0.02 mol m^?3 K it declined to undetectable levels in the vacuole, although it was still detectable in the cytoplasm. In all plants, Ca was mainly located in epidermal cells. The implication of the results for explaining responses to K. in terms of compartmentation of solutes is discussed.     

水蒸汽蒸馏巴柑檬叶和果皮精油化学成分的研究

巴柑檬是我们第一次从国外引种成功的一种名贵香料植物。用色谱-质谱-计算机联用技术、毛细管气相色谱保留指数法和标准品叠加法分析了水蒸汽蒸馏巴柑檬叶和果皮精油的化学成分。从叶和果皮精油分离出来的220个和200个成分中,分别鉴定出48个和57个成分。鉴定组分的含量分别占叶和果皮精油的99.80％和98.54％。叶精油与果皮精油在化学成分方面的主要区别是叶油中萜烃化合物含量较低,而萜醇类化合物含量较高。     

Fine structure of cytoplasmic inclusions of some methylotrophic bacteria from plant surfaces

Five strains of pink-pigmented, facultatively methylotrophic bacteria (PPFM) isolated from plant surfaces and grown in different carbon sources, were fixed, embedded and sectioned for examination with the electron microscope. The strains studied represented the two mainsub-groups, those that can use carbohydrates and those that can not use carbohydrates as a sole carbon and energy source. All of the isolates examined, produced crystalloid inclusions, internal membranous vesicles and internal membranous sheets although the number of cells with inclusions, varied with the carbon source and specific strain. Polybetahydroxybutyrate and polyphosphate bodies were observed in all strains, with all carbon sources used for growing cells which includes methanol, formate and glycerol. Isolates that could use glucose accumulated polyglucoside granules but not when other carbon sources were provided. The relationship of these inclusions to growth conditions is discussed.     

Inhibition of exogenous NADH oxidation in plant mitochondria by chlorotetracycline in the presence of calcium ions

Chlorotetracycline inhibits the uncoupled oxidation of exogenous NADH by Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus L.) mitochondria extensively (over 80%) and rapidly (inhibition complete in 10 s) in the presence of added Ca²⁺. Half-maximal inhibition is observed at 15 μM chlorotetracycline in the presence of 2 mM Ca²⁺. The oxidation of succinate is only affected marginally by chlorotetracycline plus Ca²⁺. The inhibition of NADH oxidation and the fluorescence of CTC are well correlated. Mn²⁺ is the only other cation which shows an (increased) inhibition in the presence of chlorotetracycline. The inhibition by Ca²⁺ and chlorotetracycline disappears at acid pH, and the pH optimum in their presence is 6.4. The inhibition caused by other lipid-soluble Ca²⁺-chelators is not reversible or is enhanced by the addition of excess Ca²⁺. In contrast, inhibition caused by relatively water-soluble chelators is completely reversed by added Ca²⁺. It is suggested that a neutral 1:2 complex is formed between Ca²⁺ and chlorotetracycline which can substitute for Ca²⁺ bound at sites in the lipophilic phase of the inner mitochondrial membrane, which are essential for the activity of the external NADH dehydrogenase.     

Plant spacing effect on yield of cotton irrigated with saline waters

Summary The response of the cotton plant (Gossypium hirsutum L.) to 9.0 and 12.5 cm intra- and 75.0 and 96.5 cm inter-row spacing was studied under irrigation with saline water (5.5 dS/m, SAR 18). In general, the dry weight per plant matter, the leaf area, number of bolls and flowers, and yield per plant were all affected significantly by intra-row spacing but, not by inter-row spacing. However, on a unit area basis, they were affected only by the inter-row spacing. This indicates that competition between plants exists when intra-row spacing is reduced, whereas no significant competition occurs due to a decrease in the inter-row spacing. Although the effect of intra-row spacing on yield for a unit area was found to be not significant, the effect of inter-row spacing was significant. Yield in plots with the conventional spacing (96.5 cm between rows and 12.5 cm between plants in the row) was 4863 kg/ha, whereas the yield in plots with 75 cm between rows was about 23% higher (5974 kg/ha). The lint percentage and the plant height were not affected significantly by either intra- or inter-row spacings.Contribution from the Institute of Soils and Water, Agricultural Research Organization, The Volcani Center, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel. No.676-E, 1983 series.     

The distribution of Minuartia verna and Thlaspi alpestre in the British Isles in relation to 13 soil metals

The plant-communities from habitats of the metallophyte species Minuartia verna and Thlaspi alpestre (T. caerulescens) at sites disturbed and undisturbed by mining are described. Four communities were delineated by cluster and principal component analysis. Group 1 comprised species-poor communities on disturbed non-calcareous soils; group 2, relatively species-rich communities on disturbed calcareous soils; group 3, species-rich communities in the main on undisturbed calcareous soils. Group 4 consisted of species-rich communities with an alpine element, in damp habitats on base-rich soils derived from igneous rocks. Total and exchangeable elements As, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn were determined for the soils of these sites. Levels of soil Ca, Cd, Pb and Zn accounted for most of the variation along the first axis of the PCA and soil nutrient levels were probably the main predictor along the second.Abbreviations PCA Principal Component Analysis     

四川王朗自然保护区大熊猫主食竹——缺苞箭竹(Fargesia denudat)不同发育时期酯酶和α-淀粉酶同工酶的研究

通过聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳,对生长在亚高山地带的大熊猫主食竹的实生苗、成竹和开花竹中不同发生年龄鞭系,以及同一鞭系内一系列生长年龄竹株作了酯酶、α-淀粉酶同工酶的比较研究。结果表明,同一竹种的不同发生年龄鞭系之间叶酯酶电泳类型存在明显差异,而同一鞭系内α-淀粉酶同工酶的变化表现与竹株生长年龄有关。由此认为,上述同工酶系统可以用作竹类无性系发育分析的生理指标。     

在琼脂双向扩散中植物病毒非特异带的产生和消除

检测植物病毒,通常采用琼脂双向扩散、对流免疫电泳和酶联免疫吸附测定(ELIsA)等三种方法,而在研究一些植物病毒之间的亲缘关系方面,琼脂双向扩散则能提供其他方法所不能提供的免疫学图谱。我们在做琼脂双向扩散时发现,植物病毒的某些寄主与提纯病毒时所用磷酸盐缓冲液之间常能形成非特异带。本文报道非特异带的干扰现象及其消除方法。