Ultrastructure of trichoblasts in the red alga Osmundea spectabilis var. spectabilis (Rhodomelaceae,Ceramiales)

The apex of the tetrasporangial branches of Osmundea spectabilis var. spectabilis (= Laurencia spectabilis var. spectabilis) exhibits cavities in which tufts of multicellular trichoblasts occur. Trichoblast development in Osmundea spectabilis var. spectabilis begins with the differentiation of an epidermal cell within the crypt. This cell differentiates into a trichoblast mother cell (TMC). The TMC divides to form a two-celled incipient trichoblast. Successive periclinal divisions of the apical cell of the young trichoblast result in the formation of a multicellular developing trichoblast. With the exception of the apical cell all trichoblast cells are at the same developmental stage. They possess a large nucleus, abundant plastids with peripheral and some internal thylakoids and dictyosomes. Daughter chloroplasts result from one constriction or multiple fission of a single chloroplast. Dictyosomal cisternae and mucilage sacs contribute material to wall formation. Each differentiating trichoblast cell is surrounded by a bi-layered wall. The outer wall layer represents the trichoblast mother cell wall and the inner wall layer is the trichoblast cell wall. Mature trichoblast cells have thin walls, probably as a consequence of mucilage extrusion, the most likely function of trichoblasts in Osmundea.     

秦岭南坡油松-锐齿槲栎混交林群落不同层次多样性特征及环境解释

在秦岭山脉南坡陕西省境内设置11个样地进行实地调查,从植物物种组成、多样性指数差异以及多样性指数沿环境梯度排序等方面对该区域油松-锐齿槲栎天然混交林的群落总体以及乔木层、灌木层、草本层的各自4个α多样性指数（Patrick丰富度指数、Simpson优势度指数、Shannon-Wiener多样性指数、Pielou均匀度指数）特征进行分析,以揭示该群落多样性特征及其与环境因素的关系。结果显示：（1）11个样地共记录维管束植物112种,隶属于45科77属,分布较广的物种有蔷薇科、菊科、百合科、松科、禾本科和忍冬科。（2）研究区群落中建群种锐齿槲栎和油松的优势地位突出,乔木层伴生种稀少,平均仅为4.8种,多样性水平较低;灌木层物种组成丰富,平均11.4种;草本层次之,平均9种。（3）单因素方差分析表明,该群落不同层次的多样性指数之间均存在极显著差异（P<0.01）;LSD多重比较及多样性指数变化趋势分析表明,群落多样性水平表现为总体>灌木层>草本层>乔木层。（4）CCA法将群落不同层次多样性指数沿地形因子和土壤养分等12项环境指标梯度的分布划分为界线明显的3个区域,即Ⅰ区（中等浓度土壤磷素和有机质制约区）、Ⅱ区（非环境因子制约区）和Ⅲ区（高浓度土壤磷素制约区）;群落总体多样性主要受灌木层影响,同时也受乔木层均匀度影响,但环境因子对乔木层多样性基本无限制性作用。（5）土壤速效磷、全磷和有机质是造成研究区群落不同层次多样性差异的主要因素,海拔、坡向等地形因子对群落多样性影响不大,可能是由于土壤养分的直接影响削弱了地形因子的间接性生态作用。研究表明：保持中等水平的土壤速效磷（3.775±1.529 mg·kg^-1）和有机质含量［（4.079±1.001）%］,并通过合理补植松栎幼树和伐除枯死木等抚育手段提高乔木层均匀度是维持秦岭南坡油松-锐齿槲栎混交林群落生物多样性的有效措施。     

硬毛地笋化学成分研究

采用各种色谱对硬毛地笋(Lycopus lucidus Turcz.var.hirtus Regel)的化学成分进行分离,通过理化性质和波谱分析进行结构鉴定。从硬毛地笋全草甲醇提取物中分离鉴定了9个化合物:β-胡萝卜素(1),7,3’,4’-三羟基黄酮(2),β-谷甾醇(3),3’,4’,5-三羟基-3,7-二甲氧基黄酮(4),α-香树脂醇(5),β-香树脂醇(6),24-羟基-乌苏-12-烯-28-酸(7),β-胡萝卜苷(8),24-甲基-5α-胆甾-7,22-二烯-6α-醇-3β-O-葡萄糖苷(9)。化合物4,7和9为首次从该科植物中分离得到,化合物1～9均为首次从硬毛地笋中分离得到。     

Neuroprotective effect of Capsicum annuum var. abbreviatum against hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative stress in HT22 hippocampus cells

ABSTRACT

Phenolic compounds isolated from pepper (Capsicum annum) have been demonstrated to have neuroprotective effects, whereas the physiological properties of Capsicum annuum var. abbreviatum (CAA) have not been studied. Thus, we investigate the chemical composition and neuroprotective activity of CAA extract (CAAE) in HT22 hippocampus cells against H₂O₂-induced neurotoxicity. CAAE treatment resulted in a significant protection of H₂O₂-exposed HT22, this protection ultimately occurred through an inhibition of MDA and ROS levels and an induction of SOD activity. Furthermore, CAAE treatment reduced H₂0₂-induced apoptosis though decreasing the expression of pro-apoptotic factors (Bax, cytochrome c, and cleaved caspases-3) while increasing the expression of the anti-apoptotic factors (Bcl-2), as well as the accumulation of nucleus-Nrf2-mediated HO-1 signaling. Interestingly, CAAE has a high concentration of unique phenolic compositions (chlrogenic acid, tangeretin, etc.) than other capsicum annum extracts. Altogether, these findings suggest that CAAE can be a useful natural resource for alleviating neurodegenerative diseases.     

A morphometric analysis of Scottish Athyrium distentifolium: a contribution to the BAP

Summary

A morphologically distinct variety of Athyrium distentifolium called A. distentifolium var. flexile has been found only in Scotland. Research was undertaken for aUK Biodiversity Action Plan. To confirm that this taxon has a definitely recognisable morphology, a morphometric analysis was used on the range of characters used to define this variety. It showed that it can be clearly differentiated.     

Phenolic Compounds and Antioxidant Activity of Different Organs of Potentilla fruticosa L. from Two Main Production Areas of China

This report compared the phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity of the leaves, flowers, and stems of Potentilla fruticosa L. collected from two main production areas of P. R. China (Taibai Mountains and the Qinghai Huzhu Northern Mountains). The results indicated that there were significant differences in the phenol contents and antioxidant activities among the different organs and between the two productions. High‐performance liquid‐chromatography analysis indicated that hyperoside, (+)‐catechin, ellagic acid, and rutin were the primary compounds in leaves and flowers; for stems, the content of six phenolic compounds, from two productions, were the lowest. The 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picryl hydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2‐azino‐bis(3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulfonic acid) di‐ammonium salt (ABTS), ferric reducing power (FRAP), lipid peroxidation assays, and microbial test system (MTS) were used to evaluate the antioxidant activity. The results demonstrated that the leaves from two productions exhibited powerful antioxidant activity than other organs, which did not significantly differ from that of the positive control (rutin), followed by the flowers and stems. The correlation between the content of phytochemicals and the antioxidant activities of different organs showed that the total phenol, tannin, hyperoside, and (+)‐catechin contents may influence the antioxidant activity, and these compounds can be used as markers for the quality control of P. fruticosa.     

Analysis of temperature‐mediated changes in the wine yeast Saccharomyces bayanus var uvarum. An oenological study of how the protein content influences wine quality

Saccharomyces bayanus var. uvarum plays an important role in the fermentation of red wine from the D.O. Ribera del Duero. This is due to the special organoleptic taste that this yeast gives the wines and their ability to ferment at low temperature. To determine the molecular factors involved in the fermentation process at low temperature, a differential proteomic approach was performed by using 2D‐DIGE, comparing, qualitatively and quantitatively, the profiles obtained at 13 and 25°C. A total of 152 protein spots were identified. We detected proteins upregulated at 13°C that were shown to be related to temperature stress, the production of aromatic compounds involved in the metabolism of amino acids, and the production of fusel alcohols and their derivatives, each of which is directly related to the quality of the wines. To check the temperature effects, an aromatic analysis by GC–MS was performed. The proteomic and “aromatomic” results are discussed in relation to the oenological properties of S. bayanus var. uvarum.     

Identification of the New Pathogen (Stemphylium lycopersici) Causing Leaf Spot on Pepino (Solanum muricatum)

Pepino (Solanum muricatum var. pepino) plants were found affected by an extensive leaf spot caused by plant pathogenic fungi during a survey in the Cameron highlands, Pahang state, Malaysia. Symptomatic leaf samples were collected from infected pepino plants and cultivated on PDA medium, and the pathogen was isolated and purified; then, consequently, all isolates were identified as Stemphylium lycopersici on the basis of their cultural and morphological characteristics and combined sequences of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and glyceraldehyde‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase (gpd) regions. A pathogenicity assay on detached leaves further confirmed that S. lycopersici causes leaf spot disease. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of S. lycopersici causing leaf spot on pepino in Malaysia and worldwide.     

NaCl胁迫对醋栗番茄、樱桃番茄和番茄幼苗生长、叶片气体交换和离子平衡的影响

以醋栗番茄( Solanum pimpinellifolium Linn.)、樱桃番茄品种‘秦皇贵妃红’( S. lycopersicum var. cerasiforme‘Qinhuangguifeihong’)和番茄品种‘浙粉202’(S. lycopersicum‘Zhefen 202’)幼苗为材料,研究了0(对照)、100、200 mmol·L-1 NaCl胁迫对其生长、叶片气体交换参数和离子平衡的影响。结果表明：在100和200 mmol·L-1 NaCl胁迫下,‘秦皇贵妃红’和‘浙粉202’幼苗单株总干质量的降幅较大,醋栗番茄的降幅较小。 NaCl胁迫明显增加醋栗番茄幼苗的根冠比,但不同胁迫条件下‘秦皇贵妃红’和‘浙粉202’幼苗的根冠比差异不显著。与对照相比,在100 mmol·L-1 NaCl胁迫下,醋栗番茄幼苗叶片的净光合速率( Pn)、胞间CO2浓度( Ci)和蒸腾速率( Tr)的降幅明显低于‘秦皇贵妃红’和‘浙粉202’,而醋栗番茄幼苗叶片气孔导度(Gs)的降幅明显高于后二者;在200 mmol·L-1 NaCl胁迫下,三者叶片Pn、Gs、Ci和Tr值的降幅接近。在100和200 mmol·L-1 NaCl胁迫下,醋栗番茄、‘秦皇贵妃红’和‘浙粉202’幼苗叶片的水分利用效率和气孔限制值均较各自对照显著升高,其中‘秦皇贵妃红’的增幅最大。在100和200 mmol·L-1 NaCl胁迫下,醋栗番茄、‘秦皇贵妃红’和‘浙粉202’幼苗根、茎和叶中Na+含量均较各自对照显著升高,而K+含量和K+/Na+比总体上较各自对照显著降低。与对照相比,经不同浓度NaCl处理后醋栗番茄幼苗根、茎和叶的Na+含量增幅以及K+含量降幅在供试3种植物中均最小,而其不同部位的K+/ Na+比总体上较高。上述研究结果表明：醋栗番茄的耐盐性较强,‘秦皇贵妃红’次之,‘浙粉202’较弱。 NaCl胁迫显著抑制‘秦皇贵妃红’和‘浙粉202’幼苗根的生长,但显著促进醋栗番茄幼苗根的生长,使其维持较强的耐盐性,且NaCl胁迫下醋栗番茄对Na+的吸收和运输减少,以维持体内的离子平衡及较强的光合作用。     

甘肃扁蓿豆属(豆科)一新变种——天祝扁蓿豆

该文描述了甘肃东祁连山发现的豆科( Leguminosae)扁蓿豆属( Melilotoides)一新变种———天祝扁蓿豆(Melilotoides ruthenica var. tianhzhuensis C. L. Xu )。该变种植株节间(3~18 mm)短于原变种(30~65 mm);叶片小于原变种;小叶宽卵形或倒卵形;花冠外部(背部)和内部(腹部)均为黄色,且不带紫色和条纹。上述特征与原变种明显不同,易于区别。