高温和湿度对转Bt基因棉叶片Bt蛋白表达的影响

以来源于美国的转Bt基因棉DP410B(常规种)和岱杂1号(杂交种)以及来源于中国的转Bt基因棉泗抗1号(常规种)和泗抗3号(杂交种)为材料,研究高温(37℃)条件下,大气湿度(50％、70％、90％)变化对Bt蛋白表达的影响.结果表明:高温条件下,盛蕾期,温湿度对4个供试品种Bt蛋白表达均无显著影响;盛花期,与对照(温度25 ～ 30℃,湿度60％ ～70％)相比,常规种在50％湿度时叶片Bt蛋白含量显著降低2.6％ ～3.0％;盛铃期,DP410B、泗抗1号和泗抗3号的Bt蛋白含量在50％湿度处理下比对照显著降低3.3％ ～5.8％.4个转Bt基因棉品种中,DP410B和岱杂1号的Bt蛋白含量最高,而泗抗1号最低.     

CO_2超临界萃取葛渣中葛根素的研究

采用正交试验法优化CO2超临界提取葛渣中葛根素的工艺研究。在单因素试验的基础上,选择萃取投料量、萃取温度、萃取压力、萃取时间四个因素,进行L9(34)正交试验设计,评估了这些因素对葛根素提取率的影响。实验结果表明最佳工艺参数为投料量50 g,萃取温度55℃,萃取压力16 MPa,萃取时间90 min。在此条件下,葛渣中葛根素的萃取率为82.5%。     

大豆杂优豆1号及双亲的光合特性分析

以夏大豆杂交种杂优豆1号及亲本(W931A和WR016)为材料,进行了光合速率(Pn)、蒸腾速率(Tr)、气孔导度(Gs)、胞间CO2值、水分利用效率(WUE)、光补偿点(LCP)、光饱和点(LSP)、光合势等光合特性的测定,以探究杂优豆1号光合特性方面的杂种优势规律,为大豆的高光效育种提供理论指导。结果表明:杂优豆1号的净光合速率日变化呈现单峰曲线,在8:00时净光合速率显著高于W931A和WR016;杂优豆1号与亲本相比具有较低的光补偿点和较高的光饱和点,从而说明杂优豆1号较强利用强光和弱光的能力;从群体光合势分析,杂优豆1号的叶面积指数和光合势在盛花期、结荚期、鼓粒期3个不同时期都显著高于W931A和WR016,从盛花期到结荚期、结荚期到鼓粒期叶面积指数和光合势都呈现逐渐上升的趋势。杂优豆1号较强的光利用能力、较高的叶面积指数和光合势有利于产量的提高。     

PEG模拟的水分胁迫条件下2种辣椒相关生理指标的变化

聚乙二醇(PEG)作为渗透调节剂可用于进行水分胁迫实验。研究了5个不同浓度梯度的PEG溶液中,博辣6号和甜杂1号辣椒苗的光合速率、根系活力、叶片水势、脯氨酸含量等生理指标的变化,探究水分胁迫对这2种辣椒苗的影响。结果表明,随着PEG浓度的升高,博辣6号的脯氨酸含量、叶片水势、净光合速率、蒸腾速率和气孔导度下降的幅度大于甜杂1号,而根系活力下降幅度小于甜杂1号。     

起垄栽培对土壤理化性质、粉葛生物量及其重金属镉富集的影响

为研究新余地区镉污染稻田治理方法,筛选稻田替代种植经济作物,以赣葛1号为试验材料,设置2种栽培方式(平作、垄作),分析起垄栽培对土壤理化性质、镉含量、粉葛葛根产量、生物量及其对重金属镉富集的影响。结果表明,与平作栽培相比,垄作栽培增加了粉葛块根产量(13.96%)和地上部生物量(7.02%)。垄作栽培增加了土壤pH、有机质、阳离子交换量、全镉和有效态镉含量,增幅分别为7.34%、11.48%、0.97%、16.67%和8.00%。垄作栽培还提高了粉葛块根、葛渣、葛头和叶片中镉含量,分别增加了67.74%、52.24%、20.51%和5.43%,但减轻了葛粉、主藤和侧枝中镉含量,分别降低了20.00%、10.13%和3.54%。粉葛不同部位中镉含量表现为:侧枝>主藤>葛头>叶片>块根。综上,起垄栽培可改善土壤环境,提高粉葛产量和生物量,但有增加土壤和粉葛中镉含量的风险。     

收获期对BNS杂交小麦面粉和馒头品质的影响

以BNS低温敏感雄性不育系衍生的3个杂交种为材料,设置5月27日、5月31日和6月4日3个收获期,分析了不同收获时期对小麦面筋含量、面团流变学特性、淀粉糊化特性以及馒头加工品质的影响.结果表明: 收获时期对BNS杂交小麦的面粉白度、蛋白质和干湿面筋含量均有一定影响.最佳收获期因品种而异,百杂1号和百杂2号的最佳收获期为5月27日,百杂3号的最佳收获期为6月4日,此时期收获的小麦面粉品质最好,馒头综合评分和口感也均最好.其中百杂2号于5月27日收获的小麦同时适合馒头和面条的加工.     

两个苜蓿品种营养器官解剖结构特征比较

为了明确具有极强抗虫特性的‘草原4号紫花苜蓿’(Medicago sativa L.‘Caoyuan No.4’) 营养器官的解剖特征,该研究选择具有抗蓟马特性较强的‘草原2号杂花苜蓿’(Medicago varia Martin.‘Caoyuan No.2’)为对照,采用显微镜观察比较两品种的根、茎、叶解剖结构特征,为揭示‘草原4号紫花苜蓿’ 抗蓟马特性提供理论依据。结果显示：(1)‘草原4号紫花苜蓿’根部解剖结构的皮层薄壁细胞厚度、内皮层厚度、形成层厚度、木质部厚度和木射线宽度等5个指标均极显著高于(P＜0.01)‘草原2号杂花苜蓿’,其中木射线宽度(159.37 μm)是‘草原2号杂花苜蓿’的1.82倍。(2)‘草原4号紫花苜蓿’的茎部厚角组织厚度(21.4 μm)极显著高于‘草原2号杂花苜蓿’(P＜0.01),而韧皮部宽度、髓直径却均极显著低于‘草原2号杂花苜蓿’(P＜0.01)。(3)‘草原4号紫花苜蓿’叶片解剖构造的7个指标均极显著高于‘草原2号杂花苜蓿’(P＜0.01),其中栅栏组织层数(2～3层)极明显地高于‘草原2号杂花苜蓿’(1~2层)。研究表明,‘草原4号紫花苜蓿’的组织结构特征具有明显的抗虫特征,且其组织的抗虫特征比‘草原2号杂花苜蓿’更为突出。     

杂交小麦‘西杂一号’种子纯度鉴定的研究

以杂种小麦新品种‘西杂一号’及其亲本为试验材料,利用A-PAGE和RAPD技术,对其进行了研究与分析.A-PAGE分析表明,亲本西农Fp-1和西农Mp-1有4条醇溶蛋白差异带,并在‘西杂一号’中表现出3对互补条带.从128个具有多态性随机引物中筛选出1个扩增带稳定、清晰且为双亲互补型的特征引物.并将这两种方法对‘西杂一号’种子纯度鉴定的结果与田间鉴定相比较,结果表明两种方法都可以用于杂种小麦杂交种及其亲本种子纯度的鉴定.     

杂交小麦'西杂一号'种子纯度鉴定的研究

以杂种小麦新品种‘西杂一号＇及其亲本为试验材料,利用A-PAGE和RAPD技术,对其进行了研究与分析.A-PAGE分析表明,亲本西农Fp-1和西农Mp-1有4条醇溶蛋白差异带,并在‘西杂一号＇中表现出3对互补条带.从128个具有多态性随机引物中筛选出1个扩增带稳定、清晰且为双亲互补型的特征引物.并将这两种方法对‘西杂一号＇种子纯度鉴定的结果与田间鉴定相比较,结果表明两种方法都可以用于杂种小麦杂交种及其亲本种子纯度的鉴定.     

芒草种植对土壤细菌群落结构和功能的影响

芒草作为第二代能源植物的代表,其生长过程中根际土壤细菌群落的结构与功能尚不清楚.本研究以种植5年的芒草(湘杂芒1号)为研究对象,选取裸地作为对照,采用16S rRNA基因Miseq测序技术研究其细菌群落组成,同时采用PICRUSt功能预测分析其功能.结果表明: 芒草根际细菌由变形菌门、酸杆菌门、放线菌门、绿弯菌门、拟杆菌门和芽单胞菌门等23个门、231个属的细菌组成,表现出群落组成的丰富性.细菌群落分析表明,种植湘杂芒1号改变了根际细菌群落结构,其细菌群落多样性低于裸地对照.PICRUSt功能预测分析表明,湘杂芒1号根际细菌主要涉及氨基酸运输和代谢、细胞壁/细胞膜/膜结构的生物合成、信号转导机制等24个基因功能家族,表现出功能上的丰富性,并有22个基因功能家族预测基因相对丰度高于裸地,表明种植湘杂芒1号提高了根际细菌功能.对氮、磷循环相关基因进行分析表明,种植湘杂芒1号改变了土壤氮、磷代谢能力.     

Increased cAMP as a positive inotropic factor for mammalian skeletal muscle in vitro

To test the hypothesis that an increased cAMP concentration improves skeletal muscle force development, we stimulated mouse soleus and extensor digitorum longus (EDL) in the presence of isoproterenol (1 x 10(-5) mol.L-1), a beta-adrenergic agonist, or N6,2'-O-dibutyryladenosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate (dcAMP) (1 x 10(-3) mol.L-1), a membrane-permeable cAMP analogue. Drugs used in the challenges were dissolved in Krebs-Henseleit bicarbonate buffer (Krebs) at 27 degrees C and gassed with 95% O2 - 5% CO2. Stimulation at 50 impulses.s-1 for 0.5 s produced an isometric tetanic contraction. Over 25 min of contractions at 0.6 contractions.min-1, developed force increased significantly with the addition of isoproterenol (soleus, 2.5% +/- 1.1%; EDL, 13.8% +/- 2.0%) or dcAMP (soleus, 2.3% +/- 0.5%; EDL, 10.9% +/- 1.9%) as compared with vehicle controls (cont) with Krebs added (soleus, 0.0% +/- 0.2%; EDL, -2.5% +/- 0.7%). To investigate the role of Ca2+ availability, we amplified or attenuated sarcolemmal L-type Ca2+ channels with Bay K 8644 (Bay K) (5.6 x 10(-6) mol.L-1) or diltiazem hydrochloride (dilt) (10(-4) mol.L-1), respectively. Ca2+ release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum was increased with caffeine (2 x 10(-3) mol.L-1) or decreased with dantrolene sodium (dant) (4.2 x 10(-7) mol.L-1). With Ca2+availability modified, dcAMP addition in soleus significantly increased force development above control (cont, 2.3% +/- 0.4%; Bay K, 4.0% +/- 1.0%; dilt, 52.3% +/- 3.6%; caffeine, 2.3% +/- 0.7%; dant, 6.0% +/- 2.0%; dilt + dant, 55.0% +/- 23.0%). In EDL, the addition of dcAMP also increased force development above control (cont, 13.7% +/- 1.9%; Bay K, 17.0% +/- 4.0%; dilt, 170.0% +/- 40.0%; caffeine, 23.0% +/- 4.0%; dant, 72.0% +/- 10.0%; dilt + dant, 54.0% +/- 14.0%). Thus, a positive inotropic effect of cAMP existed in both fast- and slow-twitch mammalian skeletal muscle with both normal and altered Ca2+ flux into the sarcoplasm.     

Transgenic overexpression of cardiac A(1) adenosine receptors mimics ischemic preconditioning

The role of A(1) adenosine receptors (A(1)AR) in ischemic preconditioning was investigated in isolated crystalloid-perfused wild-type and transgenic mouse hearts with increased A(1)AR. The effect of preconditioning on postischemic myocardial function, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, and infarct size was examined. Functional recovery was greater in transgenic versus wild-type hearts (44.8 +/- 3.4% baseline vs. 25.6 +/- 1.7%). Preconditioning improved functional recovery in wild-type hearts from 25.6 +/- 1.7% to 37.4 +/- 2.2% but did not change recovery in transgenic hearts (44.8 +/- 3.4% vs. 44.5 +/- 3.9%). In isovolumically contracting hearts, pretreatment with selective A(1) receptor antagonist 1, 3-dipropyl-8-cyclopentylxanthine attenuated the improved functional recovery in both wild-type preconditioned (74.2 +/- 7.3% baseline rate of pressure development over time untreated vs. 29.7 +/- 7.3% treated) and transgenic hearts (84.1 +/- 12.8% untreated vs. 42.1 +/- 6.8% treated). Preconditioning wild-type hearts reduced LDH release (from 7,012 +/- 1,451 to 1,691 +/- 1,256 U. l(-1). g(-1). min(-1)) and infarct size (from 62.6 +/- 5.1% to 32.3 +/- 11.5%). Preconditioning did not affect LDH release or infarct size in hearts overexpressing A(1)AR. Compared with wild-type hearts, A(1)AR overexpression markedly reduced LDH release (from 7,012 +/- 1,451 to 917 +/- 1,123 U. l(-1). g(-1). min(-1)) and infarct size (from 62.6 +/- 5.1% to 6.5 +/- 2.1%). These data demonstrate that murine preconditioning involves endogenous activation of A(1)AR. The beneficial effects of preconditioning and A(1)AR overexpression are not additive. Taken with the observation that A(1)AR blockade equally eliminates the functional protection resulting from both preconditioning and transgenic A(1)AR overexpression, we conclude that the two interventions affect cardioprotection via common mechanisms or pathways.     

Blocking nonspecific adsorption of native food-borne microorganisms by immunomagnetic beads with iota-carrageenan

We present herein the partitioning characteristics of anti-Salmonella and anti-Escherichia coli O157 immunomagnetic beads (IMB) with respect to the nonspecific adsorption of several nontarget food-borne organisms with and without an assortment of well-known blocking agents, such as casein, which have been shown to be useful in other immunochemical applications. We found several common food-borne organisms that strongly interacted with both types of IMB, especially with anti-Salmonella form (av DeltaG0=-20 +/- 4 kJ mol(-1)) even in the presence of casein [1% (w/v): DeltaG0=-18 +/- 3 kJ mol(-1); DeltaDeltaG0 approximately -2 kJ mol(-1)]. However, when one of the most problematic organisms (a native K12-like E. coli isolate; DeltaG0=-19 +/- 2 kJ mol(-1)) was tested for nonspecific binding in the presence of iota-carrageenan (0.03-0.05%), there was an average decline of ca. 90% in the equilibrium capture efficiency xi (DeltaG0=-11 +/- 4 kJ mol(-1); DeltaDeltaG0 approximately -8 kJ mol(-1)). Other anionic polysaccharides (0.1% kappa-carrageenan and polygalacturonic acid) had no significant effect (av DeltaG0=-19 +/- 1 kJ mol(-1); DeltaDeltaG0 approximately 0 kJ mol(-1)). Varying iota-carrageenan from 0% to 0.02% resulted in xi significantly diminishing from 0.69 (e.g., 69% of the cells captured; DeltaG0=-19 +/- 3 kJ mol(-1)) to 0.05 (DeltaG0=-11 +/- 2 kJ mol(-1); DeltaDeltaG0 approximately -9 kJ mol(-1)) at about 0.03% iota-carrageenan where xi leveled off. An optimum blocking ability was achieved with 0.04% iota-carrageenan suspended in 100 mM phosphate buffer. We also demonstrated that the utilization of iota-carrageenan as a blocking agent causes no great loss in the IMBs capture efficiency with respect to the capture of its target organisms, various salmonellae.     

籼稻转反义蜡质基因后代的直链淀粉含量测定和纯系选育

通过根癌农杆菌介导将反义蜡质基因导入籼型雄性不育保持系龙特甫B中,获得30个PCR检测为阳性的转基因植株,其中,28个为Southern检测阳性。T1种子直链淀粉含量测定结果表明,有21个转基因植株比龙特甫B明显下降,下降幅度为3％-13％,并在部分转基因植株的种子中观察到蜡质状籽粒;对6个转基因植株进行了不同世代的直链淀粉含量测定,在L3和L5的T4代中,选择到直链淀粉含量分别为15．9％和8．4％的纯合株系,经凝胶电泳测定,WX蛋白量明显降低,并与直链淀粉含量下降表现一致。以L3-1-1-1(15．9％)和L5-8-2-1(8．4％)纯合株系为亲本,分别与龙特甫A进行成对杂交和回交,并测定了F1和B1F1种子直链淀粉含量,以L3-1-1-1作亲本的F1为21．4％,B1F1为17．1％;以L5-8-2-1作亲本的F1为13．6％,B1F1为9．3％,结果表明：在不育系的转育过程中,以中低直链淀粉含量的转基因纯合株系为亲本,能有效降低F1和B1F1的种子直链淀粉含量。     

Investigation of the mechanism of the methylmalonyl-CoA mutase reaction with the substrate analogue: ethylmalonyl-CoA.

1. Ethylmalonyl-CoA was found to be a substrate for methylmalonyl-CoA mutase from Propionibacterium shermanii, the product being mainly (2R)-methylsuccinyl-CoA along with some (2S)-diastereoisomer. 2. The relevant 1H-nuclear magnetic resonance signals of methylsuccinic acid and of its dimethyl ester were assigned to the diastereotopic methylene hydrogens using sterospecifically dideuterated specimens of known configuration. 3. [2(-2)H1]Ethylmalonyl-CoA was converted by methylmalonyl-CoA mutase in 2H2O mainly to (2R, 3S)-[3(-2)H1]methylsuccinyl-CoA. No dideuterated product was observed. 4. Starting from (1R)-[1(-2)H1]-ethathanol, (1S)-[1(-2)H1]ethanol and [2H6] ethanol the following deuterated specimens of ethylmalonic acid were synthesised and characterised: (3S)-[3(-2)H1], (3R)-[3(-2)H1] and [3(-2)H2, 4(-2)H3], respectively. 5. Conversion of (3S)-[3(-2)H1]-ethylmalonyl-CoA (70% 2H1 and 2% 2H2 species) on the mutase in water afforded mainly (2R)-[2(-2)H1]methylsuccinyl-CoA along with some (2S)-diastereoisomer. No deuterium loss was observed. 6. Methylmalonyl-CoA mutase converted (3R)-[3(-2)H1]ethylmalonyl-CoA (81% 2H1 and 2% 2H2 species) to the following methylsuccinyl-CoA species: 33% [3(-2)H1], the deuterium being in the threo position with respect to the methyl group; 21% [2(-2)H1]; 46% unlabelled. The ratio of the species with (2R) and (2S) configuration was about 60:40. 7. Reaction of [3(-2)H2, 4(-2)H3]ethylmalonyl-CoA (94.5% [2H5] species) with the mutase gave the following labelled methylsuccinyl-CoA species:53.4% [methyl-2H3, 2(-2)H1, 3(-2)H1], the 3-deuterium being in the threo position with respect to the methyl group; 37.6% [methyl-2H3, 2(-2)H1]; 5% [methyl(-2)H3, 2(-2)H1, 2(-2)H1, 3(-2)H1] the 3-deuterium being in erythro position with respect to the methyl group; 4% [methyl(-2)H3, 3(-2)H1]. The ratio of the species with (2R) and (2S) configuration was about 70:30. 8. Implications of these findings for the mechanism of the rearrangements catalysed by coenzyme B12 are discussed.     

Type 1 neuropeptide Y receptors and alpha1-adrenoceptors in the neural control of regional renal perfusion

The aim of this study was to determine the contribution of neuropeptide Y (NPY) Y1 receptors in neurally mediated reductions in renal medullary perfusion. In pentobarbital sodium-anesthetized rabbits, electrical stimulation of the renal nerves (RNS, 0.5-16 Hz) decreased renal perfusion in a frequency-dependent manner. Under control conditions, 4 Hz reduced cortical and medullary perfusion by -85 +/- 3% and -43 +/- 7%, whereas 8 Hz reduced them by -93 +/- 2% and -73 +/- 4%, respectively. After Y1 receptor antagonism with BIBO3304TF (0.1 mg/kg plus 0.2 mg x kg x (-1) x h(-1)), RNS reduced perfusion less (by -65 +/- 9% and -12 +/- 8% at 4 Hz) x alpha1-Adrenoceptor antagonism with prazosin (0.2 mg/kg plus 0.2 mg kg(-1)h(-1)) also inhibited RNS-induced reductions in renal perfusion (-80 +/- 4% and -37 +/- 10% reductions in the cortex and medulla, respectively, at 8 Hz). When given after BIBO3304TF treatment, prazosin inhibited RNS-induced reductions in cortical and medullary perfusion more profoundly (-57 +/- 12% and -25 +/- 9% reductions, respectively, at 8 Hz) x Y1 receptor- and alpha1-adrenoceptor-blockade were confirmed by testing vascular responses to renal arterial NPY and phenylephrine boluses. NPY-positive immunolabeling was observed around interlobular arteries, afferent and efferent arterioles, and in the outer medulla. In conclusion, Y1 receptors and alpha1-adrenoceptors contribute to RNS-induced vasoconstriction in the vessels that control both cortical and medullary perfusion. Consistent with this, NPY immunostaining was associated with blood vessels that control perfusion in both regions. There also seems to be an interaction between Y1 receptors and alpha1-adrenoceptor-mediated neurotransmission in the control of renal perfusion.     

Aerial and aquatic respiration of the Australian desert goby, Chlamydogobius eremius

Physiological, anatomical and behavioural adaptations enable the Australian desert goby, Chlamydogobius eremius, to live in mound springs and temporary aquatic habitats surrounding the south-eastern rim of the Lake Eyre drainage basin in the harsh inland of Australia. This study describes the desert goby's respiratory and metabolic responses to hypoxic conditions and its use of buccal air bubbles for gas exchange at the water surface. Oxygen consumption for C. eremius is significantly higher in water than in air under normoxic and hypoxic conditions. In water, total oxygen consumption (V(O(2))) increases from normoxic conditions (253 microl g(-1) h(-1)) to 8% ambient O(2) concentration (377 microl g(-1) h(-1)), then decreases with increasing hypoxia of 4% O(2) (226 microl g(-1) h(-1)) and at 2% O(2) (123 microl g(-1) h(-1)). In air (fish were moist but out of water), V(O(2)) progressively decreases from normoxic conditions to hypoxic conditions (21% O(2), V(O(2)) is 169 microl g(-1) h(-1) to 39 microl g(-1) h(-1) at 2% O(2)). These data indicate oxygen-conforming patterns with increasing hypoxia both in air and in water below 8% O(2). In water, opercular movement rates remain unchanged with increasing hypoxia (139 min(-1) at 21% O(2), 154 min(-1) at 8%, 156 min(-1) at 4% and 167 min(-1) at 2%) but in air, opercular movement rates are significantly lower than in water, corresponding with the lower metabolic rate (71 min(-1) at 21% O(2), 53 min(-1) at 8%, 96 min(-1) at 4% and 64 min(-1) at 2%). Chlamydogobius eremius can use a buccal air bubble for aerial O(2) uptake, most probably in response to increased aquatic hypoxia. In air, C. eremius relies more on the buccal bubble as an oxygen source with increasing hypoxia up to an ambient O(2) of 4% (7.1% of V(O(2)) at 21% O(2); 14.5% at 8% O(2); and 27.1% at 4% O(2)), then when the available supply of O(2) is further reduced, it decreases (15% of V(O(2)) at 2% O(2)) and respiration across the skin again makes a higher relative contribution. The Australian desert goby has a higher metabolic rate in higher salinities (336 microl g(-1) h(-1) in 35 ppt, 426 microl g(-1) h(-1) in 70 ppt) than in freshwater (235 microl O(2) g(-1) h(-1)), presumably because of the increased metabolic cost of osmoregulation. There was no significant difference in V(O(2)) for fish in air that had come from varying salinities.     

Age-related decrease in 15-lipoxygenase contributes to reduced vasorelaxation in rabbit aorta

Rabbit 15-lipoxygenase-1 (15-LO-1) oxygenates arachidonic acid (AA) into 15-hydroperoxyeicosatetraenoic acid, which is then converted to the vasodilatory 15-hydroxy-11,12-epoxyeicosatrienoic acid (HEETA) and 11,12,15-trihydroxyeicosatrienoic acid (THETA). We studied the age-dependent expression of the 15-LO-1 in rabbit aorta and its effects on the synthesis of THETA, HEETA, and vasoactivity. Aortas of 1-wk-old rabbits express greater amounts of 15-LO-1 mRNA and protein compared with aortas of 4-, 8-, or 16-wk-old rabbits. The synthesis of THETA and HEETA in the rabbit aorta was also reduced with age. THETA synthesis was maximal in 1-wk-old aortas but decreased in aortas of 4- (42%), 8- (4%), and 16-wk-old (1%) rabbits. Similarly, THETA and HEETA synthesis decreased with age in mesenteric arteries from 1-, 4-, 8-, and 16-wk-old rabbits. The maximum vasorelaxation response to acetylcholine (10(-6) M) in the presence of indomethacin and nitro-l-arginine decreased in the order of 1 wk (64.5 +/- 6.9%), 4 wk (52.6 +/- 8.9%), 8 wk (53.0 +/- 9.4%), and 16 wk (33.3 +/- 6.6%). Similarly, the maximum relaxation to AA (3 x 10(-4) M) decreased with age in the order of 1 wk (60.4 +/- 8.9%), 4 wk (56.3 +/- 5.8%), 8 wk (41.8 +/- 12.3%), and 16 wk (28.9 +/- 1.6%). In contrast, the vasorelaxation to sodium nitroprusside was not significantly altered by age. These data indicate that aortic 15-LO-1 expression and activity are downregulated with aging in rabbits. This decrease is paralleled by the reduced synthesis of vasoactive THETA and HEETA and aortic relaxations to acetylcholine and AA.     

A Modified Nauta-Gygax Method for Human Brain and Spinal Cord

Relatively thick frozen sections of formalin-fixed human brains are treated subsequently with an equal-parts mixture of 1% oxalic acid and 1% hydroquinone for 30-60 min, 0.005% chromic acid for 10 min, 4% hydrobromic acid for 6 min, 1% phosphotungstic acid for 15 min, 0.05% potassium permanganate for 3-10 min, equal parts of 1% oxalic acid and 1% hydroquinone for 2-5 min. After thorough washing in distilled water, the sections are then soaked in 1.5% silver nitrate for 15-30 min, Laidlaw's ammoniacal silver carbonate for 2.5 min, and then reduced in the Nauta-Gygax reducer. The sections are washed and then passed through 1% sodium thiosulfate for 1-2 min; again washed, dehydrated, cleared and covered with synthetic resin.     

Quantitative comparison of PTH1R in breast cancer MCF7 and osteosarcoma SaOS-2 cell lines

The aim of the present study was to compare the classical parathyroid hormone/parathyroid hormone-related peptide (PTH/PTHrP) receptors in MCF7 breast cancer cells with SaOS-2 osteosarcoma cell line. Quantitative binding showed that (125)I-PTHrP-1-34(Tyr) binds with a single binding site in both cells. However (125)I-PTHrP-1-34(Tyr) has higher affinity binding in MCF7 (K(D) = 1.88 +/- 0.08 nM) than in SaOS-2 cells (K(D) = 4.4 +/- 0.185 nM). The competitive binding using 3.3 nM (125)I-PTHrP-1-34(Tyr) with increasing amounts (0.33-33 nM) of unlabelled human PTHrP-1-34, PTHrP-7-34, PTHrP-1-86 His(5)-PTHrP-1-36, His(5)-Phe(23)-PTHrP-1-36 or PTH-1-34 revealed different displacements. In SaOS-2 the PTHrP-7-34 and PTHrP-1-86 caused similar displacement compared with 73% by PTH-1-34 and 70% by PTHrP-1-34. However, in MCF7, PTHrP-7-34, PTHrP-1-86 and PTH-1-34 displaced by 54%, 72% and 67%, respectively, compared to 87% by PTHrP-1-34. The His(5)-Phe(23)-PTHrP-1-36 caused an increase in the K(D) from 2.0 +/- 0.03 nM to 2.75 +/- 0.045 nM in MCF7 cells, but had no significant effect in SaOS-2 cells. The PTH/PTHrP receptor in both cell lines revealed a single 85 KDa band with different intensity. Our results suggest that the PTH/PTHrP receptor in MCF7 cells has higher binding affinity for PTHrP than PTH compared to the receptor in SaOS-2 cells.