The Effect of Methionine Sulphoximine on the Absorption of Ammonium by Maize and Barley Roots over Short Periods

Pre-treating intact, ammonium-grown plants of maize and barleywith the glutamine synthetase inhibitor, L-methionine sulphoximine(MSO), increased subsequent accumulation of ¹³N or ¹⁵N fromlabelled ammonium very markedly—up to 8-fold in extremecases. The phenonemon could not be satisfactorily explainedin terms of an effect of MSO on the cation-exchange propertiesof the root free space, because neither potassium (⁸⁶Rb⁺) norsodium absorption was enhanced by MSO pretreatment, and rapidabsorption of ammonium continued for too long in relation tothe likely free-space content of a monovalent cation. Instead,the response is seen as a consequence of the enlargement ofthe cytoplasmic and vacuolar ammonium pools that occurs whenammonium assimilation is inhibited by MSO. The results, whichincluded comparisons between short-term and longer-term ratesof ammonium absorption, provide tentative evidence of rapidfluxes of ammonium through the plasma membrane. Key words: Cytoplasm, vacuole, flux, transport     

In vivo antiplasmodial activity of 11(13)-dehydroivaxillin from Carpesium ceruum

The whole plants of Carpesium genus are used in traditional medicine as anti-pyretic, analgesic and vermifugic, including a topical application for sores and inflammation. A previous study on Carpesium genus suggested that the antiplasmodial activity against Plasmodium falciparum was due to the existence of 11(13)- dehydroivaxillin (DDV) from EtOAc extracts of C. ceruum (Compositae). Here, the antimalarial activity of DDV was evaluated against Plasmodium berghei in mice. The LD₅₀ of the compound was determined as 51.2 mg/kg, while doses of 124 mg/kg and above were found to be lethal to mice. DDV (2, 5, 10 mg/kg/day) exhibited a significant blood schizontocidal activity in 4-day early infection, repository evaluation and in an established infection with a significant mean survival time comparable to that of the standard drug, chloroquine, 5 mg/kg/day. DDV possesses a promising antiplasmodial activity, which can be exploited in malaria therapy.     

A molecular analysis of the Gelechiidae (Lepidoptera,Gelechioidea) with an interpretative grouping of its taxa

We re‐examine the higher level phylogeny and evolutionary affinities of the family Gelechiidae (Lepidoptera: Gelechioidea) based on DNA sequence data for one mitochondrial gene (cytochrome c oxidase subunit I) and seven nuclear genes (Elongation Factor‐1α, wingless, Ribosomal protein S5, Isocitrate dehydrogenase, Cytosolic malate dehydrogenase, Glyceraldehyde‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase and Carbamoylphosphate synthase domain protein). Fifty‐two taxa representing nearly all established subfamilies and tribes of Gelechiidae, and about 10% of described gelechiid genera, in addition to five outgroup taxa were sequenced. Data matrices (6157 bp total) were analysed under model‐based evolutionary methods (Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian Inference), resulting in novel high‐level phylogenetic interrelationships. The best supported cladogram divided the Gelechiidae into six distinct clades corresponding to the subfamilies Anacampsinae, Dichomeridinae, Apatetrinae, Thiotrichinae, Anomologinae and Gelechiinae (+ Physoptilinae, which were not available for study). The results suggest the following adjustments in gelechiid interrelationships: Brachmini is nested within Dichomeridinae; Anarsiini is the sister group of Chelariini; Pexicopiinae is the sister group of Apatetrinae, here suggested to be treated as a tribe Pexicopiini of Apatetrinae. A new subfamily Thiotrichinae ( subfam.n. ) is proposed on the basis of the resurrected genus Thiotricha Meyrick ( gen.rev. ), which includes Macrenches Meyrick, Palumbina Rondani and Polyhymno Chambers. Gelechiidae display a wide array of life‐history strategies, but the diversity in patterns of larval mode of life has direct phylogenetic correlation only below subfamily level, suggesting multiple origins and/or frequent reversals for traits such as external or internal feeding and leaf mining within the family.     

Preventative Effect of an Herbal Preparation (HemoHIM) on Development of Airway Inflammation in Mice via Modulation of Th1/2 Cells Differentiation

HemoHIM, an herbal preparation of three edible herbs (Angelica gigas Nakai, Cnidium officinale Makino, Paeonia japonica Miyabe) is known to increase the Th1 immune response as well as reduce the allergic response in human mast cells. Here, our goal was to determine whether or not HemoHIM could induce Th1 cell differentiation as well as inhibit the development of airway inflammation. To study Th1/Th2 cell differentiation, naive CD4⁺ T cells isolated from C57BL/6 mouse spleens were cultured with or without HemoHIM. To examine airway inflammation, C57BL/6 mice were fed HemoHIM for 4 weeks before sensitization and provocation with ovalbumin (OVA). In an in vitro experiment, naive CD4⁺ T cells displayed increased Th1 (IFN-γ⁺ cell) as well as decreased Th2 (IL-4⁺ cell) differentiation in a HemoHIM concentration-dependent manner. Furthermore, in an airway inflammation mice model, eosinophil numbers in BALF, serum levels of OVA-specific IgE and IgG1, and cytokine (IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13) levels in BALF and the supernatant of splenocytes all decreased upon HemoHIM (100 mg/kg body weight) pretreatment (4 weeks). These results show that HemoHIM attenuated allergic airway inflammation in the mouse model through regulation of the Th1/Th2 balance.     

Culdoscopy

Cul-de-sac puncture for introduction of a culdoscope is easily made with the patient in the knee-chest position. With the use of the instrument, the pelvic organs can be viewed clearly. Culdoscopic examination of 45 patients was carried out. In all cases in which laparotomy was done after the examination, the culdoscopic observations and diagnosis were confirmed. In no case in which tubal pregnancy was present, was the diagnosis missed in culdoscopic examination. Patients were only slightly uncomfortable after the examination. There was no evidence of pelvic peritonitis in any patient, and no pregnant patient aborted as a result of the procedure.