Orientalidine and isothebaine from cell cultures of Papaver bracteatum

Orientalidine, isothebaine and sanguinarine were isolated from callus cultures of Papaver bracteatum when grown on M & S medium with various horm     

Isozyme variation among and within North Atlantic species of Papaver sect. Meconella (Papaveraceae) and taxonomic implications

The high-ploid species Papaver dahlianum , P. lapponicum , P. laestadianum and P. radicatum were compared by means of enzyme electrophoresis. The diploid P. alpinum from the Alps and garden material of the assumed diploid P. croceum from Asia were also included. The results are compared with those of previous morphological and cytological investigations. Generally, only small differences were found among the species. The maintenance of 13 subspecies of P. radicatum as published from the Nordic area was not supported. The octoploid P. laestadianum was nearly identical to the decaploid P. radicatum and inclusion in P. radicatum is justified. The octoploid P. lapponicum was also very similar to P. radicatum and inclusion of it in the latter should be considered. The most distinct of the taxa was the decaploid P. dahlianum , and the maintenance of two subspecies, ssp. polare and ssp. dahlianum can be defended. A hybrid origin of P. radicatum (10x) from P. lapponicum (8x) and P. alpinum (2x), and of P. dahlianum (10x) from P. lapponicum and P. croceum (2x) has been proposed, but a more likely explanation might be that P. dahlianum , P. radicatum and P. lapponicum have all arisen by polyploidization from closely related diploids without hybridization.  © 2003 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2003, 143 , 255−269.     

Long-distance dispersal vs vicariance: the origin and genetic diversity of alpine plants in the Spanish Sierra Nevada

Here, we investigated the origin and genetic diversity of four alpine plant species co-occurring in the Spanish Sierra Nevada and other high mountains in south-western Europe by analysis of amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLPs). In Kernera saxatilis, Silene rupestris and Gentiana alpina we found intraspecific phylogroups corresponding to mountain regions as predicted by the vicariance hypothesis. Moreover, genetic distances between Sierra Nevada and Pyrenees populations were always higher than those between populations from the Pyrenees and the south-western Alps/Massif Central. This suggests successive disruption of gene exchange between mountain ranges as postglacial climatic warming proceeded from south to north. In Papaver alpinum, our data indicate that a central Pyrenean population arose via long-distance dispersal from the Sierra Nevada, and that vicariant separation events between the Sierra Nevada and the Pyrenees and between the Pyrenees and the south-western Alps occurred simultaneously. Overall, Sierra Nevada populations of all species investigated here preserve unexpectedly high (or not exceptionally reduced) genetic diversity. This testifies to the important influence of long-term isolation, i.e. vicariance, on genetic diversity through fostering the accumulation of new mutations and/or the fixation of ancestral ones.     

Regeneration in cultures of Papaver bracteatum as influenced by growth hormones and temperature

Callus was induced on Papaver bracteatum Lindl. seedlings inoculated on Murashige & Skoog (1962) medium supplemented with -naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) (1.0 mg 1^-1) and benzylamine purine (BA) (0.5 mg 1^-1). Subculture resulted in excellent callus proliferation but no organogenesis. Shoots were regenerated in cultures grown on MS medium containing NAA (1.0 mg 1^–1), BA (0.5 mg 1^–1) and casein hyrdrolyzate (2.0 mg 1^-1). The shoots developed into plantlets after 8 weeks of culture, and were induced to root on 1/2 MS without the addition of growth regulators. The rooted plantlets were transferred to soil after hardening.MS at full strength was found inhibitory for callus induction and proliferation, but 1/2 MS was suitable. Similarly callus growth was very slow at 25°C but increased when the temperature was lowered to 15°C as did bud initiation.Abbreviations BA benzylamine purine - IAA indoleacetic acid - K kinetin (6-furfurylamino purine) - NAA -naphthalene acetic acid - 2,4-d 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid     

UV－B辐射增强对长白山五种藓类植物生长的影响

对生长在中国长白山的5种藓类植物——垂枝藓、拟垂枝藓、塔藓、星塔藓和高山金发藓分别以辐射强度为0.2(自然光照,对照)、3.0(紫外线中等辐射强度)和6.0kJ.m-2.d-1(高剂量辐射强度)的UV-B照射40d后,测定其株高、生物量及叶绿素含量.结果表明:中等和高强度的UV-B辐射使拟垂枝藓和塔藓的株高、生物量和叶绿素含量分别下降了32.3%、62.4%、81.3%和21.4%、59.4%、62.8%,其相对生长速率均为负值;高剂量UV-B辐射处理下垂枝藓的生物量稍有上升,而高山金发藓地下部分的生物量增加1倍,但叶绿素含量变化不明显.高山金发藓和垂枝藓抵抗UV-B辐射的能力较强,拟垂枝藓和塔藓对UV-B辐射较敏感.     

The Ultrastructure of the Alkaloidal Vesicles of Papaver somniferum latex

Papaver somniferum latex contains abundant small vesicles. Theirultrastructure was studied in tissue sections from adult plantsand in sections of sequential fractions of centrifuged latex.The vesicles were found to exist in two forms, the first witha smooth but progressively granulated outer membrane and thesecond, probably derived from the first, with adherent ‘cap-like’structures which in the heavier centrifuged fractions possesseda zonally-ordered interior. These vesicle fractions were active in synthesizing morphineand the name ‘alkaloidal vesicle’ is proposed forthem. Papaver somniferum latex also contains an organelle whichwas found to resemble a complex organelle present in the latexof Hevea brasiliensis. Its function is not yet known.     

Relationships between the close congeners Anthoxanthum odoratum and A. alpinum (Poaceae, Pooideae) assessed by morphological and molecular methods

Anthoxanthum alpinum Löve & Löve has been described as a diploid perennial distributed in northern Eurasia and the high mountains of central and eastern Europe. Difficulties in finding reliable morphological differences between this taxon and the widespread tetraploid Anthoxanthum odoratum L. have resulted in taxonomists treating them as conspecific, despite the cytological differentiation. The purpose of this study was to use different approaches to assess the relationships between close congeners, such as the pair A. odoratum / A. alpinum . Macromorphological, micromorphological, and molecular data were gathered and analysed for 14 populations representing both taxa from Scandinavia and the Iberian Peninsula. Different cluster analyses were performed to study the relatedness between individuals and populations. Subsequently, a principal components analysis was computed on the basis of macromorphological quantitative traits, and principal coordinates analysis was used to analyse qualitative, micromorphological, and random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD) data. An analysis of molecular variance was applied to the molecular data, and the genetic differentiation between samples was measured using the F _ST estimator. The results showed that the geographical origin was more important than the ploidy level in explaining the relatedness between specimens and populations. Moreover, a strong correlation was found between the micromorphological traits and environmental parameters. The results of the analyses do not support the assignment of a specific taxonomic rank to A. alpinum .  © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2008, 156 , 237–252.     

Aspects of reproduction in Cerastium alpinum on calcic and ultramafic soils in Central Norway

Cerastium alpinum is one of several species of Caryophyllaceae able to grow on soils of deviating chemical composition, including ultramafic soils. To compare mating systems between plants growing on calcic and ultramafic soils, pollination experiments were performed in one ultramafic and four calcic sites in Central Norway. Two populations on calcic soils were classified as ssp. lanatum and two as ssp. alpinum . The results suggest that C. alpinum is a highly self compatible mixed mater with a large proportion of facilitated selfing. Plants on different soils showed no significant difference in mating system. However, relative seed set and number of initial ovules differed. The population on ultramafic soil produced a significantly lower number of initial ovules than those on calcic soils. Relative seed set was also lower on ultramafic soil. The difference in number of initiated ovules, along with known differences in various morphological traits, i.e. plants on ultramafic soils display a more dwarfed stature, suggest that plants on ultramafic soils allocate more resources to survival than to reproduction and growth compared to plants on calcic soils. In addition, on calcic soils a higher relative seed set was found in ssp. lanatum than in ssp. alpinum , probably caused by habitat differences between the investigated populations rather than by genetic differences between the two taxa. The obvious success of C. alpinum on ultramafic soils may partly be ascribed to easy establishment in this scarcely vegetated habitat.     

Photoperiod Sensitivity during Flower Development of Opium Poppy (Papaver somniferum L.)

Photoperiod is a major factor in flower development of the opiumpoppy (Papaver somniferum L. ‘album DC’) which isa long-day plant. Predicting time to flower in field-grown opiumpoppy requires knowledge of which stages of growth are sensitiveto photoperiod and how the rate of flower development is influencedby photoperiod. The objective of this work was to determinewhen poppy plants first become sensitive to photoperiod andhow long photoperiod continues to influence the time to firstflower under consistent temperature conditions. Plants weregrown in artificially-lit growth chambers with either a 16-hphotoperiod (highly flower inductive) or a 9-h photoperiod (non-inductive).Plants were transferred at 1 to 3-d intervals from a 16- toa 9-h photoperiod andvice versa . All chambers were maintainedat a 12-h thermoperiod of 25/20 °C. Poppy plants becamesensitive to photoperiod 4 d after emergence and required aminimum of four inductive cycles (short dark periods) beforethe plant flowered. Additional inductive cycles, up to a maximumof nine, hastened flowering. After 13 inductive cycles, floweringtime was no longer influenced by photoperiod. These resultsindicate that the interval between emergence and first flowercan be divided into four phases: (1) a photoperiod-insensitivejuvenile phase (JP); (2) a photoperiod-sensitive inductive phase(PSP); (3) a photoperiod-sensitive post-inductive phase (PSPP);and (4) a photoperiod-insensitive post-inductive phase (PIPP).The minimum durations of these phases forPapaver somniferum‘album DC’ under the conditions of our experimentwere determined as 4 d, 4 d, 9 d, and 14 d, respectively. Anthesis; days to flowering; flower bud; opium poppy; Papaver somniferum L.; photoperiod; photoperiod sensitivity; predicting time to flowering; transfer     

Biosystematics of Draba cuneifolia and D. platycarpa (cruciferae) with emphasis on volatile and flavonoid constituents

Brittonia - Droba platycarpa Torrey & Gray has been frequently treated as a variety ofD. cuneijolia Nutt. ex Torrey & Gray, but our data indicate that it is sufficiently distinct...     

Identification of the Hydroxyl Radical and Other Reactive Oxygen Species in Human Neutrophil Granulocytes Exposed to a Fragment of the Amyloid Beta Peptide

A fragment of the amyloid beta protein, &#103 A(25-35), was investigated for its effect on production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in human neutrophil granulocytes. The formation and identification of ROS were examined by using a 2',7'-dichlorofluorescin (DCF) fluorescence assay, a luminol chemiluminescence assay, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy with DEPMPO as a spin trap, and hydroxylation of 4-hydroxybenzoate (4-HBA). The DCF assay showed that &#103 A(25-35) stimulated formation of ROS in a concentration and time dependent manner. The inverted peptide, &#103 A(35-25), gave no response. Also, luminol-amplified chemiluminescence was stimulated by &#103 A(25-35). Incubation with diethyldithiocarbamate (a superoxide dimustase inhibitor) and salicylhydroxamate (SHA; a myeloperoxidase inhibitor) reduced the chemiluminescence. This indicates that hypochlorous acid (HOCl) is formed after exposure to &#103 A(25-35). The EPR spectra indicated a concentration dependent formation of superoxide ( O 2 &#148 &#109 ) - and hydroxyl ( &#148 OH)- radicals. Hydroxylation of 4-HBA to 3,4,-dihydroxybenzoate confirmed production of &#148 OH. This response was attenuated by SHA, indicating involvement of HOCl in formation of &#148 OH. The DCF fluorescence was inhibited with U0126 (an extracellular signal regulated protein kinase (ERK) inhibitor). Further analysis with western blot confirmed phosphorylation of ERK1/2 after exposure to &#103 A(25-35). The phospholipase A 2 (PLA 2 ) inhibitor 7,7-dimethyl-(5Z,8Z)-eicosadienoic acid, and diphenyleneiodonium, which inhibits the NADPH oxidase, also led to a reduction of the DCF fluorescence. The present findings indicate that &#103 A(25-35) stimulates the NADPH oxidase by activating the ERK pathway and PLA 2 . Production of O 2 &#148 &#109 can lead to HOCl and further formation of &#148 OH, which both have a cytotoxic potential.     

Composition of the medial and posterior articular nerves of the mouse knee joint

The number and the distribution of fiber size in the medial (MAN) and posterior (PAN) articular nerves of the mouse knee joint were studied by electron microscopy. The MAN contained 75 &#45 28 nerve fibers consisting of 63 &#45 24 unmyelinated and 12 &#45 6 myelinated fibers. The PAN was composed of 195 &#45 50 nerve fibers, namely 129 &#45 28 unmyelinated and 66 &#45 24 myelinated fibers. A skewed unimodal distribution of the unmyelinated nerve fiber diameters was seen in both nerves ranging from 0.1 to 1.2 &#119 m with a maximum between 0.3 and 0.6 &#119 m. The myelinated nerve fibers in the MAN ranged from 1 to 8 &#119 m with a peak between 2 and 5 &#119 m. In the PAN, their diameters ranged from 1 to 12 &#119 m with a clearly visible peak at 4-5 &#119 m and a plateau at 8-9 &#119 m that may represent a second maximum. These data show that the knee joint innervation of the mouse is comparable to those of the cat and rat concerning the types of nerve fibers and the composition of the two nerves. However, in relation to the much smaller area of tissue to be innervated the total number of primary afferents is considerable smaller in the mouse.     

In vitro propagation and assessment of genetic uniformity along with chemical characterization in Hildegardia populifolia (Roxb.) Schott & Endl.: a critically endangered medicinal tree

In Vitro Cellular & Developmental Biology - Plant - Hildegardia populifolia (Roxb.) Schott & Endl. is a critically endangered medicinal tree species which also provide high-quality...     

Synthesis of [3-14C]-2′-methylreticuline and its incorporation into alkaloid fractions of Papaver somniferum

[3-¹⁴C]-2′-Methylreticuline has been synthesized by standard methods. This modified opium alkaloid precursor is efficiently incorporated by aberrant biosynthesis into alkaloid fractions of Papaver somniferum, particularly into a highly purified codeine fraction.     

Microbial diversity and composition in different gut locations of hyperlipidemic mice receiving krill oil

Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology - Low-dose (LD, 100 mg kg−1 day−1), moderate-dose (MD, 200 mg kg−1 day−1), and...     

A novel property of hexokinase inhibition by Favipiravir and proposed advantages over Molnupiravir and 2 Deoxy d glucose in treating COVID-19

Biotechnology Letters - In the wake of SARS-CoV-2’s global spread, human activities from health to social...     

Non-contiguous finished genome sequence and description of Sulfurimonas hongkongensis sp. nov., a strictly anaerobic denitrifying,hydrogen- and sulfur-oxidizing chemolithoautotroph isolated from marine sediment

Here, we report a type strain AST-10 representing a novel species Sulfurimonas hongkongensis within Epsilonproteobacteria, which is involved in marine sedimentary sulfur oxidation and denitrification. Strain AST-10^T (= DSM 22096^T = JCM 18418^T) was isolated from the coastal sediment at the Kai Tak Approach Channel connected to Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong. It grew chemolithoautotrophically using thiosulfate, sulfide or hydrogen as the sole electron donor and nitrate as the electron acceptor under anoxic conditions. It was rod-shaped and grew at 15-35°C (optimum at 30°C), pH 6.5-8.5 (optimum at 7.0-7.5), and 10-60 g L^-1 NaCl (optimum at 30 g L^-1). Genome sequencing and annotation of strain AST-10^T showed a 2,302,023 bp genome size, with 34.9% GC content, 2,290 protein-coding genes, and 42 RNA genes, including 3 rRNA genes.     

Environmental effects on grass-endophyte associations in the harsh conditions of south Patagonia

Cool-season grasses are frequently infected by Neotyphodium endophytes and this association is often considered as a mutualistic symbiosis. We examined the incidence of Neotyphodium in populations of Bromus setifolius, Phleum alpinum and Poa spiciformis, native and wide-spread grasses from south Patagonia, Argentina. The incidence of 36 populations of Bromus setifolius was studied in association with climatic and soil variables. 31 populations of Ph. alpinum were sampled in five different plant communities. Seventeen populations of P. spiciformis were sampled in three different plant communities. The association between incidence and climatic variables in Ph. alpinum and between incidence and soil fertility in P. spiciformis was investigated. In B. setifolius endophyte incidence was positively correlated with annual average rainfall contrary to the results found in Ph. alpinum. All the populations of P. spiciformis were infected by endophytes and the incidence was associated with plant community. The Neotyphodium-grass interaction is variable in natural populations, supporting the increasing evidence that the Neotyphodium-host interaction depends, in many cases, on the environmental conditions. Field observations suggest that in detrimental low growth conditions the association is not favoured, leading to a decrease in the endophyte frequency of infection or even to the complete loss of the association.