Conversions of Microbial Products in Relation to Oxygen Supply in Inosine Fermentation

On the basis of the ratio (cell’s respiration rate/maximum oxygen demand of cells, r_{a b}/K_rM) as a new criterion of oxygen supply, symptoms of oxygen deficiency was described in inosine fermentation. Conversions of the products were observed to occur in relation to the extent of oxygen deficiency. When oxygen demand of the cells was satisfied (r_{a b}/K_rM = 1.0), the cells accumulated exclusively inosine. Under limited oxygen supply at the value of r_{a b}/K_rM 0.5~0.9, on the other hand, inosine formation was inhibited and acetoin was the predominant product. When oxygen supply was limited more strictly at the value of r_{a b}/K_rM smaller than 0.3, the cells excreted 2,3-butyleneglycol as the main product.     

NATURAL SELECTION ON THERMOGENIC CAPACITY OF HIGH-ALTITUDE DEER MICE

Adaptive explanations that rely on physiological arguments are common, but tests of hypotheses about the significance of whole-animal physiological performance (e.g., aerobic capacities) are rare. We studied phenotypic selection on the thermogenic capacity (i.e., maximal rate of oxygen consumption [VO₂max] elicited via cold exposure) of high-altitude (~3800 m) deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus). A high VO₂max equates to a high capacity for heat production and should favor survival in the cold environments prevalent at high altitude. Strong directional selection favored high VO₂max, at least in one year. The selection for increased VO₂max is consistent with predictions derived from incorporating our physiological data into a biophysical model. During another year, we found weak evidence of selection for decreased body mass. Nonlinear selection was not significant for any of the selection episodes we studied. The strong directional selection for VO₂max that we observed suggests that—given ample genetic variation—aerobic metabolism and perhaps endothermy may have evolved rapidly on the geological time scale.     

Release of fossil methane from mineral soil particles, and its implication for estimation of methane oxidation in a mineral subsoil

In a preliminary experiment we found that methane evolved from a sandy subsoil during aerobic incubation of shaken soil slurries. In the study presented here the methane was found to be released from the sand particles by mechanical weathering, caused by the grinding effect of the shaking. Large amounts of gas (about 0.5 ml gas g^–1 soil) were extracted by intense grinding of the soil in gas tight serum vials. Methane was the main hydrocarbon in the emitted gas, but also a considerable amount of ethane was present, as well as minor amounts of heavier hydrocarbons (up to C₆). The ¹³C-values of the emitted methane and ethane were –33 and –29 , respectively. Together these results demonstrate a thermogenic origin of the gas. This paper also reports the results of an incubation experiment where possible methane oxidation was looked for. If a possible release of methane is not accounted for, methane oxidation may be overlooked, as illustrated in this paper. Methane consumption was detected only in soil from 40 cm, in contrast to soil sampled at 100 cm and deeper where a slight production was measured. When methane oxidation was inhibited by dimethyl-ether, a significant release of methane was seen. The release was probably caused by chemical weathering. When this methane release was taken into account, methane oxidation was found to be present at all measured depths (40 to 200 cm). Fertilization with urea inhibited the methane oxidation at 40 cm but not at deeper layers. It is hypothesized that ammonia oxidizing bacteria were the main methane oxidizers in this mineral subsoil (deeper than 1 m), and that oxidation of methane might be a survival mechanism for ammonia oxidizers in ammonia limited environments.     

Effects of floral thermogenesis on pollen function in Asian skunk cabbage Symplocarpus renifolius

The effects of temperature on pollen germination and pollen tube growth rate were measured in vitro in thermogenic skunk cabbage, Symplocarpus renifolius Schott ex Tzvelev, and related to floral temperatures in the field. This species has physiologically thermoregulatory spadices that maintain temperatures near 23°C, even in sub-freezing air. Tests at 8, 13, 18, 23, 28 and 33°C showed sharp optima at 23°C for both variables, and practically no development at 8°C. Thermogenesis is therefore a requirement for fertilization in early spring. The narrow temperature tolerance is probably related to a long period of evolution in flowers that thermoregulate within a narrow range.     

An Adipose Tissue Atlas: An Image-Guided Identification of Human-like BAT and Beige Depots in Rodents

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极大螺旋藻多糖IPⅡA、IPⅡB的理化特性及抗肿瘤活性研究

极大螺旋藻（Ｓｐｉｒｕｌｉｎａｍａｘｉｍａ）经碱性热水抽提,酶解和Ｓｅｖａｇ法结合脱蛋白,醇沉淀得胞内多糖ＩＰⅠ．ＩＰⅠ经ＤＥ－５２和ＤＥＡＥ－ＳｅｐｈａｄｅｘＡ－２５柱层析得到组分多糖ＩＰⅡＡ和ＩＰⅡＢ,糖含量分别为７４．９％和６８．４％,ＩＰⅡＡ分子量为１．３×１０６,ＩＰⅡＢ分子量为５．０×１０５．以完全酸水解、薄层层析、气相层析、红外光谱、核磁共振氢谱对二者进行化学结构分析,证明均为酸性杂多糖;ＩＰⅡＡ糖苷键为α型,ＩＰⅡＢ中同时存在α和β型糖苷键．离体条件下,ＩＰⅠ与血癌细胞ＨＬ６０和Ｕ９３７分别共同培养,半固体琼脂培养法检测,结果表明,ＩＰⅠ对二者的作用具有选择性,同时ＩＰⅠ的促进和抑制作用均表现出一般药物所具有的剂量效应．     

Beetle pollination and flowering rhythm ofAnnona spp. (Annonaceae) in Brazil

Dynastid scarab beetles are the main or exclusive pollinators ofAnnona spp. with large flowers and wide floral chambers. These nocturnal beetles are attracted by the characteristic odours which are caused by measurable temperature elevation of the flowers up to 10°C or even 15°C above the ambient air temperature. TheAnnona spp. investigated showed different floral rhythms varying from one to three days. The elaborate and wellcoordinated flowering processes, along with floral heating and olfactorial attraction of the night-activeCyclocephala spp., result in a very precise and effective pollination. The floral chamber provides alimentation for the beetles in the form of nutritious food-tissues and pollen and offers a mating place and a well developed shelter against predation and environmental changes. A staggered flowering period and an alternative attraction of different beetle species seems to be more a device for diminishing competition between the cooccurringAnnona spp. than a hybridization barrier.     

盐城海滨湿地盐沼植被及农作物下土壤酶活性特征

在盐城海滨湿地盐沼植被和农田内采集土壤样品,测定了4种土壤酶(脲酶、转化酶、过氧化氢酶和碱性磷酸酶)的活性,分析了盐沼植被、农作物及土壤理化因子对土壤酶活性的影响。结果表明:由海滨湿地滩涂围垦形成的各类农田其土壤酶活性较高,且均高于湿地盐沼植被;湿地盐沼植被下4种土壤酶活性均高于无植被生长的光滩,且不同类型植被间土壤酶活性差异显著;4种酶的活性大小总体表现为大豆(Glycine max)地棉花(Gossypium hirsutum)地玉米(Zea mays)地互花米草(Spartina alterniflora)滩白茅(Imperata cylindrica var.major)滩碱蓬(Suaeda salsa)滩光滩。相关分析表明,4种土壤酶之间及其与土壤有机碳、全氮均表现出显著正相关,而与土壤盐分、pH值之间存在显著负相关。海滨湿地盐沼植被的发育扩展不仅增加了土壤中的养分含量,也提高了土壤酶活性。     

NADH Oxidation by Mitochondria from the Thermogenic Plant Arum orientale

The enzyme content of the mitochondrial respiratory chain was investigated in the heat-producing plant Arum orientale. It is shown that mitochondria isolated from thermogenic tissues of this plant (with respect to non-thermogenic tissues of A. orientale or to Zea mays) demonstrate significantly elevated levels of activities of two non-coupled NADH dehydrogenases oxidizing intramitochondrial and cytoplasmic NADH pools. It is postulated that operation of a completely non-coupled respiratory chain consisting of non-coupled NADH:quinone oxidoreductases and cyanide-resistant alternative quinol-oxidase is the main mechanism of heat production in thermogenic plants.