Reaction mechanism of surfactant‐sensitized chemiluminescence of bis(2,4,6‐trichlorophyenyl) oxalate and hydrogen peroxide induced by gold nanoparticles

The chemiluminescence (CL) of bis(2,4,6‐trichlorophyenyl) oxalate with hydrogen peroxide in the present of cationic surfactant and gold nanoparticles was studied. The CL emission was obviously enhanced in the presence of surfactant at a suitable concentration, with a synergetic catalysis effect exhibited. Different sizes of gold nanoparticles (15 and 50 nm) showed different effects on CL intensity. Mechanisms of the CL reaction and sensitization effect are discussed. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Developmentally regulated antigen associated with calcium crystals in tobacco anthers

We have found and characterized an antigen associated with crystal-containing cells in the stomium and connective tissue of the anthers of Nicotiana tabacum L. (tobacco). The antigen, defined by the monoclonal antibody NtF-8B1, localizes to subcellular regions surrounding the crystals. At the light-microscope level, the antigen is detectable just after the first appearance of crystals in the connective tissue of the anther, and at approximately the same time as the appearance of crystals in the stomium. The antigen is not detectable on a Western blot, and gave inconclusive results on a test of periodate sensitivity. It is not the crystals themselves, nor is the presence of the crystals required for antibody recognition. The antigen is sensitive to heat and protease treatment, indicating that it is a protein. The antigen is not tightly membrane-bound, in spite of its localization closely surrounding the crystals. Chemical tests indicate that the druse crystals in the stomium are calcium oxalate.Abbreviations ELISA enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay - FITC fluorescein isothiocyanate This research was supported by a National Science Foundation postdoctoral fellowship to B.L.H., by National Science Foundation grants DMB-87-15799 and to W.E.F. BSR-88-18035, and by U.S. Department of Agriculture grant GAM-89-01056. The authors thank Phillip T. Evans (Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, USA), Wilma L. Lingle, Harry T. Horner, Jr. (Iowa State University), and A. Jack Fowler, Jr., for advice and helpful discussions.     

光呼吸代谢物乙醇酸、乙醛酸和草酸对烟草叶片硝酸还原的影响

乙醇酸、乙醛酸和草酸能明显促进烟草(Nicotiana rustica)叶片在黑暗中的硝酸还原,光呼吸抑制剂a-羟基吡啶甲烷磺酸能消除前二者的促进作用而不能完全消除草酸的作用。草酸+NAD~+能显著促进离体的硝酸还原。烟叶提取液加入草酸和NAD~+后生成NADH和CO_2认为活体内由乙醛酸氧化生成的草酸是经脱氢生成NADH供硝酸还原之用。未能证明在烟叶内存在乙醇酸脱氨酶,因此排除由乙醇酸直接脱氢以还原硝酸的可能。     

Chromium oxalate: A new spin label broadening agent for use with thylakoids

Potassium tris(oxalato)chromate(III) trihydrate (chromium oxalate) has been shown to be a more useful broadening agent than potassium ferricyanide for the spin label 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-N-oxy-4-amine (Tempamine) in thylakoid suspensions. Our data show that chromium oxalate is less permeable than ferricyanide, does not inhibit thylakoid electron transport or photophosphorylation, and is not photoreduced by thylakoids.     

Calcium Oxalate Crystal Formation and Growth in Two Legume Species as Altered by Strontium

Young plants of Phaseolus and Canavalia were grown in nutrient solutions where calcium had been partially or totally replaced by either strontium or sodium. The deleterious effect of this replacement on growth and development was greater with strontium than with sodium. As the calcium content of the nutrient solution was decreased fewer calcium oxalate crystals were formed in leaf tissues. There were fewer crystals formed when calcium was replaced by strontium than by sodium. Changes in solubility characteristics of the crystals indicated that they had incorporated strontium.     

Permanent Stained Preparations of Synovial Fluid for Detection of Calcium Compounds Using Alizarin Red S

Permanent preparations of air dried synovial fluids were prepared by staining calcium compounds with alizarin red S stain; each slide was coverslipped with Permount. Variables studied were: (a) concentration of the solution of alizarin red S, (b) pH of staining solution, (c) time of incubation in staining solution and aqueous and ethanolic content of staining solution. The staining effect of each solution was tested on calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate, calcium oxalate, apatite and monosodium urate (MSU). Of all the solutions, best results were obtained with 0.25% alizarin red S in 50% ethanol at pH 7.0 for 30 min. With this solution, the calcium-containing compounds were well stained. MSU did not stain and still preserved negative birefringence on polarizaton. Fixation of smears with ethanol served a double purpose: It fixed the slides without dissolving or removing MSU or the calcium compounds, yet it did dissolve five corticosteroids commonly used for intra-articular injection which may interfere with interpretation of compensated polarized light microscopy of synovial fluids.     

Fungal Deterioration of Barrier Concrete used in Nuclear Waste Disposal

Fungal biogeochemical activity over a long-term scale may have negative environmental consequences for the management of barrier materials used in nuclear waste disposal. Fungal deterioration of barrier concrete was studied in microcosms simulating a heterogeneous environment with an external source of nutrients for the fungi. Fungi successfully colonized barrier concrete, generally avoiding granite aggregates, and biochemically (by excretion of protons and ligands) and biomechanically deteriorated the concrete. Fungi dissolved the cement matrix leaching structural elements and accumulating them within the fungal biofilm and associated microenvironment. Oxalate-excreting Aspergillus niger formed abundant calcium oxalate crystals on the concrete and encrusting fungal hyphae.     

重寄生真菌盾壳霉pH信号通路中Pal相关基因的功能鉴定

【目的】研究pH信号通路(Pal)在重寄生真菌盾壳霉与寄主核盘菌互作过程中的作用。【方法】从盾壳霉全基因组信息中分析获得了6个Pal相关基因CmpalA、CmpalB、CmpalC、CmpalF、CmpalH和CmpalI的全编码序列和氨基酸序列,通过PEG介导的原生质转化技术获得了CmpalA、CmpalB、CmpalC、CmpalF和CmpalH等5个基因的敲除突变体,分析这些敲除突变体与野生型在菌落培养性状、重寄生能力、降解草酸能力、产生抗真菌物质能力等方面的差异。【结果】与野生型相比,在pH 6–8的条件下,5个Pal相关基因敲除突变体的菌丝生长受到显著抑制,这说明缺失Pal相关基因使盾壳霉对高pH值环境更加敏感。菌核重寄生试验发现5个Pal相关基因敲除突变体的重寄生能力均显著低于野生型。qRT-PCR试验结果表明,敲除Pal相关基因之后导致重寄生相关酶基因Cmch1、Cmg1和Cmsp1的表达量显著降低,而且pH信号通路下游的CmpacC基因的表达量也显著降低。Pal相关基因敲除突变体在pH 6条件下对草酸盐的降解能力显著高于野生型,同时这5个突变体在pH 8条件下产生抗真菌物质能力也显著高于野生型。【结论】pH信号通路相关基因的缺失影响盾壳霉对环境pH的响应。pH信号通路在盾壳霉与核盘菌互作中发挥重要作用,不仅影响盾壳霉的重寄生作用,而且还影响盾壳霉的草酸降解作用和抗真菌作用。     

Litho‐diagenetic implications of the calcium oxalate‐carbonate biogeochemical cycle in semiarid Calcretes,Nazareth, Israel

Microscopic observations of calcrete soil samples in semiarid environments from Israel reveal a particular vesicular microfabric. The calcrete horizon is indurated but highly porous and all the pores are coated with a gray layer (quasi‐coating) of secondary calcium carbonate. Two kinds of needles are found inside the pores: thin and regular needles (calcite), and filaments with very sharp spikes that are of fungal origin. Analysis of the proportions of C, O, and Ca were made with an E.D.S. microprobe connected with a scanning electron microscope to distinguish calcite (CaCO₃) from calcium oxalate (CaC₂O₄) and to differentiate inorganic from organic influences. Under biological control, calcium oxalate coexists with calcium carbonate; both contribute to rock diagenesis. In the pores, biological activity promotes a complex cycling of calcium leading to recementation of the matrix and further lithification. Thus, this kind of calcrete is due to geological evolution as much as to biochemical control.     

Biomineralization of Fungal Hyphae with Calcite (CaCO3) and Calcium Oxalate Mono- and Dihydrate in Carboniferous Limestone Microcosms

The formation of biogenic fabrics in limestone by two fungi, Serpula himantioides and a polymorphic fungal isolate from limestone identified as a Cephalotrichum (syn. Doratomyces) sp., was investigated. The fungal cultures were grown in laboratory microcosms consisting of Carboniferous limestone and after 21 d incubation at 25°C, biomineralization of fungal filaments was observed. Environmental electron scanning microscopy (ESEM) and X-ray micro-analysis (EDXA) of crystalline precipitates on the hyphae of S. himantioides demonstrated that the secondary crystals exhibited different crystalline forms but were similar in elemental composition to the original limestone. Powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) of crystalline precipitates showed they were composed of a mixture of calcite (CaCO ₃ ) and calcium oxalate monohydrate (CaC ₂ O ₄ · H ₂ O). Analysis of crystals precipitated on the hyphae of the limestone isolate, using ESEM and EDXA, showed that the crystals exhibited similar morphological characteristics and elemental composition to the original limestone. XRD showed that they were composed solely of calcite (CaCO ₃ ) or of calcite with some calcium oxalate dihydrate (CaC ₂ O ₄ · 2H ₂ O). These results provide direct experimental evidence for the precipitation of calcite (CaCO ₃ ) and also secondary mycogenic minerals, on fungal hyphae in low nutrient calcareous environments, and suggest that fungi may play a wider role in the biogeochemical carbon cycle than has previously been appreciated.