Hemodynamics mechanisms of changes in the right atrial pressure following intravenous injection of the depressor drugs

Changes of the right atrial pressure, superior and inferior vena cava flows, right ventricular myocardial contractility (first derivate of right ventricular pressure, dP/dt max) following i.v. injection of acetylcholine, histamine and isoproterenol, were studied in acute experiments on anaesthetized mongrel cats with artificial lung ventilation and opened chest. The right atrial pressure in those cases could be increased (I group of animals) or decreased (II group). In maximal shifts of right atrial pressure following acetylcholine injection, the superior vena cava flow increased but the inferior vena cava flow decreased in equal proportion. When the right ventricular myocardial contractility decreased more than the right atrial pressure was augmented, and when the cardiac negative inotropic effect was weak, the right atrial pressure was reduced. After histamine injection in both groups of animals, right ventricular myocardial contractility was increased on the same level, and changes of the inferior vena cava flow were insignificant. The right atrial pressure was elevated following greater increase of superior vena cava flow. Isoproterenol caused the positive cardiac inotropic effect and augmenting of the superior vena cava flow in both groups of animals. The right atrial pressure was elevated if the inferior vena cava flow increased and, on the other hand, when the inferior vena cava flow decreased the right atrial pressure was reduced. Thus different maximal changes of the right atrial pressure following i.v. injection of acetylcholine, histamine and isoproterenol could be explained by different hemodynamic mechanisms of the interaction between superior and inferior vena cava flow shifts and changes of the right ventricular myocardial contractility.     

Removal of multiple nitrogenous wastes by Aspergillus niger in a continuous fixed-slab reactor

A biofilter reactor, to which is attached a large variety of microorganisms, can be employed to treat circulating water in an intensive aquaculture system. Some nitrogen-containing wastes, such as ammonium and nitrite, are toxic to the aquatic organisms. The removal rates of the nitrogenous wastes are regarded as indices for the efficiency of treatment by biofilters. In this study, a fungus that was characterized as being able to remediate multiple nitrogenous wastes was identified as Aspergillus niger NBG5. In a continuous fixed-slab reactor, the heterotrophic fungus utilized ammonium, nitrite, protein, and glucose simultaneously. The fungus assimilated ammonium, nitrite and protein at rates of 0.247, 0.07 and 0.096 g-N/g-cell/day, respectively, at 22 degrees C. The remediation rates of ammonium nitrogenous wastes decreased by a factor of eight at 35 degrees C, while the specific growth rates slightly increased. For nitrogenous wastes, ammonium was a preferred substrate but its rate of consumption declined significantly as temperature increased. The nitrogen consumption rates were inconsistent with the cell yields at high temperature. Further analysis of consumption ratios of C/N revealed that cells grew predominantly from the carbon at high temperature. The A. niger NBG5 consumed glucose rapidly at specific rates of 2-2.5 g-C/g-cell/day at 35 degrees C in the presence of ammonium and nitrite; while sluggish consumption of glucose was observed in the protein substrate. The protein could serve as an alternative carbon source. Further ANOVA statistical analysis with P < 0.05 revealed no significant effects of temperature on the specific growth rates of A. niger on the SG-NH4 and milk-protein substrates, whereas significant effects on the C/N ratio at culture temperatures higher than 25 degrees C were observed. These findings indicated that the carbon utilization rate increased with high temperature, whereas nitrogen utilization increased as temperature declined. A suitable operational temperature was suggested, depending upon the amount of waste contents of C/N. A high temperature stimulates the use of carbon waste, while a low temperature favors remediation of all nitrogenous wastes.     

Biogas plant slurry as an alternative to chemical fertilizers

The effectiveness of biogas plant slurry in combination with chemical fertilizers was studied for the production of various crops. Replacement of nitrogenous fertilizer with slurry decreased the yields of major crops, i.e. wheat, bajra, jawar and mustard. Application of slurry to replace half the nitrogenous fertilizer gave better yields in vegetable crops while replacement of the total nitrogenous fertilizer gave better yields in fodder crops.     

AlA对冬小麦不同粒位籽粒灌浆影响的动态模拟及特征分析

以百农矮抗58为材料,采用大田试验的方法,研究了在始穗期喷施不同浓度(10mg/L、30 mg、50 mg/L)的5-氨基乙酰戊酸(5-Aminolevulinic acid,ALA)对冬小麦不同粒位籽粒灌浆特性的影响.应用Richards方程对10～50 mg/L ALA处理下冬小麦3个粒位(第Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ粒位)的籽粒灌浆过程进行了模拟.建立在Richards方程基础上的籽粒生长分析显示:与对照相比,10～50 mg/L ALA处理使第Ⅰ和第Ⅲ粒位的千粒重分别增加了1.3～2.4g、3.4～4.7,较对照差异显著,第Ⅱ粒位的粒重与对照差异不显著;10～50 mg/L ALA处理使冬小麦3个粒位籽粒的平均灌浆速率和最大灌浆速率增大,灌浆活跃持续期延长,到达最大灌浆速率的时间提前.阶段灌浆特征参数的比较表明,在籽粒灌浆的渐增期,10～50 mg/L ALA处理使冬小麦3个粒位籽粒的平均灌浆速率增加,灌浆持续期缩短;在籽粒灌浆的快增期,使3个粒位籽粒的平均灌浆速率增加,灌浆持续期延长.在籽粒灌浆的缓增期,使强势粒(第Ⅰ、第Ⅱ粒位)的平均灌浆速率减小,灌浆持续期延长,但使弱势粒(第Ⅲ粒位)的平均灌浆速率增加,灌浆持续期延长.表明在灌浆的前期和中期,10～50 mg/L ALA处理可促进各粒位籽粒提早启动灌浆,并提高其灌浆速率,在灌浆后期减弱了强势粒对弱势粒籽粒灌浆充实的优势,从而有利于弱势粒的灌浆充实.从总体上讲,10～50 mg/L ALA对弱势粒(第Ⅲ粒位)粒重的影响程度大于强势粒(第Ⅰ和第Ⅱ粒位),其中30 mg/L ALA促进籽粒增重的效果最明显.     

不同供水条件对小麦强、弱势籽粒中淀粉粒度分布的影响

以3个淀粉含量不同的冬小麦品种山农12、鲁麦21和济南17为材料,设灌溉和旱作2种栽培处理,对不同水分条件下小麦强、弱势籽粒中淀粉粒的体积、数目和表面积的分布特征进行了研究.结果表明,小麦强、弱势籽粒均含有A(＞9.8 μm)、B(2.0～9.8 μm)、C(＜2.0 μm)3种类型的淀粉粒,但不同类型淀粉粒的分布状况存在明显差异.在强势籽粒中,淀粉粒的体积和表面积分布均表现为三峰分布,而弱势籽粒中淀粉粒的体积和表面积分布则表现为双峰分布.与弱势粒相比较,强势粒中C型淀粉粒(＜2.0 μm)的体积百分比为7.25%～9.31%,表面积百分比为34.88%～41.51%,而弱势粒的体积和表面积百分比分别为5.33%～6.40%和26.31%～33.54%.强、弱势籽粒中＜0.6 μm和0.6～2.0 μm范围内的淀粉粒数目存在明显差异,强势粒为1.86%～6.13%和83.77%～87.77%,而弱势粒为25.72%～37.42%和52.77%～58.48%.与灌溉栽培相比较,旱作栽培条件下籽粒中B、C型淀粉粒体积和表面积百分比显著增加,而A型淀粉粒体积和表面积显著减少;弱势粒中＜0.6 μm的淀粉粒数目显著增加,强势籽粒中淀粉粒的数目无显著变化.与弱势粒相比较,强势粒中的蛋白质含量较高,C型淀粉粒的体积和表面积所占比例较大,而强势粒中的淀粉含量较低,且A、B型淀粉粒比例也较小.与灌溉栽培相比较,旱作栽培条件下强、弱势籽粒中B、C型淀粉粒体积和表面积百分比增加,蛋白质含量也显著增加,淀粉含量降低.表明水分亏缺能提高籽粒中B、C型淀粉粒体积和表面积百分比及蛋白质含量.     

贮藏保鲜中SO2伤害对红提葡萄香气组分的影响

采用固相微萃取技术及气相-质谱联用技术对不同SO2漂白伤害程度的红提果实进行香气成分的提取与鉴定,以探讨SO2漂白伤害对贮藏葡萄果实中香气组分的影响.结果表明,果实经漂白伤害后其具有芳香气味的气体所占比重明显下降,主要成分醇类化合物下降最多,而具有刺激难闻气味的酸类化合物所占比重明显上升;此外,4-萜烯醇、正己醇、月桂醇、松油醇、芳樟醇、橙花醇、乙酸萜烯酯及青叶醛等具有葡萄特征性香味的化合物在香气中所占比例明显下降或消失,而异辛醇、1-辛烯-3-醇、壬酸、辛酸、正癸酸、乙酸、己酸、2,6-二叔丁基对甲酚及2-丁基-5-(2-甲基丙基)-噻吩等具有臭味或刺激性气味的化合物出现或所占比重上升.说明,SO2伤害对红提果实香气的影响主要表现为香味化合物所占比重的减少或消失及异味化合物的产生.     

中华绒螯蟹在不同pH值环境下的氮排泄

研究不同pH值环境对中华绒螯蟹（Eriocheir sinensis）氮排泄的影响。本研究采用直接浸浴法测定中华绒螯蟹在pH值4．5，6．0，7．5，9．0和10．5条件下的氮排泄。结果表明，在pH值9．0及其以下时，氨氮排泄无显著变化，当pH值升高到10．5时，氨氮排泄急剧下降，其排泄过程具有不连续性；亚硝酸氮、尿素氮和有机氮的排泄随pH值的升高而增加；硝酸氮的排泄同亚硝酸氮类似，但在pH值10．5时，呈下降状态；总氮的排泄随pH值升高而降低。在pH值4．5时，中华绒螯蟹的氨氮排泄量占总氮排泄量的91．0％，随着pH值上升，氨氮占总氮排泄的比例下降，而包括有机氮在内的其它形式的含氮化合物的排泄比例上升。因此．我们认为当环境pH值在9．0以下的范围波动时，不会对中华绒螯蟹的氨氮排泄带来不利影响，但过高的pH值可能会阻碍氮排泄。     

不同酶对草鱼蛋白功能特性及风味成分的影响

通过蛋白酶对草鱼进行酶解,对其酶解产物的功能特性和酶解液的风味成分进行研究。结果显示,风味蛋白酶、胰蛋白酶酶解产物的溶解性、热稳定性均优于胃蛋白酶酶解产物(P0.05)。经酶处理后鱼肉酶解液鲜甜味氨基酸占比增加,苦味氨基酸占比减少;利用SPME-GC-MS共检测出83种挥发性成分,以醛酮类和醇类为主,酶解处理后醇类的相对含量显著减少,醛酮类的相对含量则显著增加,酶解液具有独特风味。经胰蛋白酶、风味蛋白酶酶解后的草鱼肉酶解产物及酶解液均可作为食品基料应用于加工中。     

Growth characteristics and endosperm structure of superior and inferior spikelets of indica rice under high-temperature stress

Heat stress severely reduces rice yield and quality; however, differences between the superior, early-flowering and inferior, later-flowering spikelets of indica rice in response to high-temperature stress during grain filling remain unclear. This study investigated the effects of high temperature (HT, 33.6/20.7 °C day/night) on growth, endosperm structure, and hormone and polyamine content of superior and inferior spikelets of heat-sensitive (SG-1) and heat-tolerant (HHZ) indica cultivars. The HT decreased fertilization rate, caused earlier grain filling, and reduced duration of grain filling, thus resulting in decreased grain mass and a poor endosperm structure. In addition, soluble sugar and sucrose content increased, and starch synthesis decreased by HT at the early stage of grain filling. The HT increased polyamine [spermidine (Spd) and spermine (Spm)] and abscisic acid (ABA) content, but reduced zeatin (Z) + zeatin riboside (ZR) and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) content in the grains. Such effects were more apparent in the inferior than superior spikelets; however, the inferior spikelets of SG-1 were more affected than those of HHZ. At the middle grain filling stage, HT produced little difference between the two cultivars. Our results suggest that the poor development of inferior spikelets of SG-1 under the HT could be attributed, at least in part, to the changed content and ratios of free polyamines [putrescine (Put), Spd, and Spm] and phytohormones (Z+ZR, IAA, and ABA) and the conversion efficiency of sucrose into starch.     

Expression patterns of genes encoding carbohydrate-metabolizing enzymes and their relationship to grain filling in rice (Oryza sativa L.): comparison of caryopses located at different positions in a panicle

In rice, caryopses located at the base of the panicle have a lower growth rate than those at the tip of the panicle. The former and latter types of caryopses are called inferior and superior caryopses, respectively. Taking the different growth rate into consideration, sugar status and the expression of genes encoding carbohydrate-metabolizing enzymes in inferior caryopses were compared with those in superior caryopses. During the first 5 d after flowering, superior caryopses elongated rapidly, but inferior caryopses did not. At this phase, inferior caryopses had a low ratio of hexose to sucrose, high activity of acid invertase and the absence of the expression of the genes encoding the above enzymes except for two isoforms of cell wall invertase, OsCIN4 and INV1, in comparison with superior caryopses. At the start of caryopsis elongation in both superior and inferior caryopses, the hexose/sucrose ratio increased accompanied by gene expression of vacuolar invertase (INV3), sucrose synthase (RSus1) and ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase (AGP-L2: D50317). Furthermore, the genes related to endospermal starch accumulation were expressed highly with the decrease in the hexose/sucrose ratio after its peak. Based on the comparison of superior and inferior caryopses, the possible mechanism of grain filling in rice is discussed.     

热风干燥温度对荷叶离褶伞干燥特性及挥发性风味物质的影响

为探究不同热风干燥温度对荷叶离褶伞干燥特性及挥发性风味物质的影响。本研究比较了8种常见干燥动力学模型对荷叶离褶伞干燥过程拟合的适用性,采用GC-IMS技术,对不同干燥温度处理下荷叶离褶伞的挥发性风味物质进行测定。结果表明：荷叶离褶伞热风干燥为典型的降速干燥,Midilli-Kucuk模型可以较好地描述其热风干燥过程（R²>0.99791,RMSE<0.0152,χ²<2.31×10^-4）;温度对荷叶离褶伞风味物质影响显著,在5个干燥温度处理下的荷叶离褶伞中共鉴定到47种挥发性风味物质,包括醛类13种、酮类8种、醇类13种、酯类5种和其他类8种。随着干燥温度升高（55-75℃）,醛类物质相对含量呈下降趋势,而醇类、酮类以及其他物质（乙酸等）略有上升趋势。     

Design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of tricyclic heterocycle-tetraamine conjugates as potent NMDA channel blockers

We have developed a new class of N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) channel blockers having a conjugate structure that consists of a nitrogenous heterocyclic head and a tetraamine tail. Among them, dihydrodibenzazepine-homospermine conjugate (8) exhibited potent antagonistic activity at NR1/NR2A or NR1/NR2B NMDA subtype receptors compared with the lead compound, AQ343 (1), or memantine, as well as weak cytotoxicity. Its superior biological profiles compared with known compounds point to its potential use as therapeutic agents for neurological disorders.     

Studies on Proteolysis in Stored Muscle

Changes in the nonprotein nitrogenous compounds produced from rabbit skeletal muscle (L. dorsi) by proteolysis were investigated.

The value of trichloroacetic acid soluble nitrogen, ninhydrin positive materials and phenol reagent positive materials increased during storage at low and high temperature. Changes in bound and free amino acid contents produced by proteolysis during storage were assayed by amino acid analyzer. Most of free amino acids except taurine increased remarkably. Amounts of asparatic acid, glutamic acid, glycine, β-alanine and histidine were increased after hydrolysis as compared with those before hydrolysis.

By using five kinds of Dowex 50 columns, changes in the distributive patterns of the nonprotein nitrogenous compounds were also studied.     

Modulation of volatile sulfur compounds by wine yeast

Sulfur compounds in wine can be a ‘double-edged sword’. On the one hand, certain sulfur-containing volatile compounds such as hydrogen sulfide, imparting a rotten egg-like aroma, can have a negative impact on the perceived quality of the wine, and on the other hand, some sulfur compounds such as 3-mercaptohexanol, imparting fruitiness, can have a positive impact on wine flavor and aroma. Furthermore, these compounds can become less or more attractive or repulsive depending on their absolute and relative concentrations. This presents an interesting challenge to the winemaker to modulate the concentrations of these quality-determining compounds in wine in accordance with consumer preferences. The wine yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae plays a central role in the production of volatile sulfur compounds. Through the sulfate reduction sequence pathway, the HS^- is formed, which can lead to the formation of hydrogen sulfide and various mercaptan compounds. Therefore, limiting the formation of the HS^- ion is an important target in metabolic engineering of wine yeast. The wine yeast is also responsible for the transformation of non-volatile sulfur precursors, present in the grape, to volatile, flavor-active thiol compounds. In particular, 4-mercapto-4-methylpentan-2-one, 3-mercaptohexanol, and 3-mercaptohexyl acetate are the most important volatile thiols adding fruitiness to wine. This paper briefly reviews the metabolic processes involved in the production of important volatile sulfur compounds and the latest strategies in the pursuit of developing wine yeast strains as tools to adjust wine aroma to market specifications.     

The urea cycle in the liver of arthritic rats

The urea cycle in the liver of adjuvant-induced arthritic rats was investigated using the isolated perfused liver. Urea production in livers from arthritic rats was decreased during substrate-free perfusion and also in the presence of the following substrates: alanine, alanine + ornithine, ammonia, ammonia + lactate, ammonia + pyruvate and glutamine but increased when arginine and citrulline + aspartate were the substrates. No differences were found with ammonia + aspartate, ammonia + aspartate + glutamate, aspartate, aspartate + glutamate and citrulline. Ammonia consumption was smaller in the arthritic condition when the substance was infused together with lactate or pyruvate but higher when the substance was simultaneously infused with aspartate or aspartate + glutamate. Glucose production tended to correlate with the smaller or higher rates of urea synthesis. Blood urea was higher in arthritic rats (+25.6%), but blood ammonia was lower (–32.2%). Critical for the synthesis of urea from various substrates in arthritic rats seems to be the availability of aspartate, whose production in the liver is probably limited by both the reduced gluconeogenesis and aminotransferase activities. This is indicated by urea synthesis which was never inferior in the arthritic condition when aspartate was exogenously supplied, being even higher when both aspartate and citrulline were simultaneously present. Possibly, the liver of arthritic rats has a different substrate supply of nitrogenous compounds. This could be in the form of different concentrations of aspartate or other aminoacids such as citrulline or arginine (from the kidneys) which allow higher rates of hepatic ureogenesis.     

Stimulation of the activity of horseradish peroxidase by nitrogenous compounds

A variety of nitrogenous compounds broaden the activity versus pH profile for the peroxidation of dianisidine catalyzed by horseradish peroxidase (HRP), but not by myeloperoxidase, chloroperoxidase, Escherichia coli hydroperoxidase I, methemoglobin, or microperoxidases. The peroxidation of dianisidine catalyzed by cytochrome c peroxidase was affected by the nitrogenous compounds, but to a lesser extent than was the action of HRP. The peroxidations of a variety of phenols by HRP exhibited broad activity versus pH profiles and were unaffected by the nitrogenous compounds. The energy of activation for the peroxidation of dianisidine by HRP was unaffected by changes of pH in the range 6.5-8.5 and was unchanged by the presence of the nitrogenous compounds. The nitrogenous compounds markedly increased Vm for the peroxidation of dianisidine by HRP, but did not change the slope of Lineweaver-Burk plots of kinetic data. These results are accommodated by a mechanism in which nitrogenous compounds hydrogen-bond to the distal histidine of HRP and in so doing raise its pK alpha. Since the acid form of the distal histidine is thought to facilitate peroxidations catalyzed by HRP by hydrogen bonding to the ferryl oxygen of compound II, raising its pK alpha broadens the activity versus pH profile for the peroxidation of anilino substrates, such as dianisidine. We propose that phenolic substrates hydrogen-bond directly to the ferryl oxygen, thus displacing the distal histidine and eliminating the possibility of being influenced by nitrogenous compounds.     

An improved method for the determination of green and black tea polyphenols in biomatrices by high-performance liquid chromatography with coulometric array detection

Tea polyphenols are strong antioxidants and are believed to have beneficial health effects. However, the blood and tissue levels of these compounds are not well characterized because of a lack of suitable analytical methods for the biological resolution of these compounds. Previously, we developed methods for the analysis of three green tea catechins. Now we report an improved method for the measurement of the levels of the different catechins and theaflavins in biological fluids and tissues. The method includes digestion of the plasma, urine, or tissue samples with beta-d-glucuronidase and sulfatase, followed by extraction with ethyl acetate and subsequent separation by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The polyphenols are identified on the basis of their retention times, spectral analysis, and electrochemical behavior across an array of electrodes. In a single HPLC run, it is possible to determine the major catechins and theaflavins as well as some of the catechin metabolites. The detection limits for catechins and theaflavins are from 5 to 10 ng/ml of saliva, plasma, or urine.     

Long-term effect of mineral fertilizers and amendments on microbial dynamics in an alfisol of Western Himalayas

The microbial dynamics expressed in terms of culturable microbial populations i.e. bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes and Azotobacter were measured after 33 years of continuous application of mineral fertilizers and amendments to an acid alfisol. The bacterial, fungal and Azotobacter populations were maximum in plots treated with mineral fertilizers and FYM (100%NPK+FYM) while actinomycetes population was maximum in mineral fertilizes and lime treated plots (100%NPK+Lime). The bacterial population decreased and fungal population increased with increasing levels of NPK i.e. from 50% to 150%NPK. Bacillus species of bacteria and Gliocladium, Aspergillus and Rhizopus species of fungi were the main dominating culturable microorganisms in all the treatments. The FYM and lime amended plots sustained crop productivity and microbial populations at higher levels than rest of the mineral fertilizer treatments. The nitrogenous fertilizers alone had the most deleterious effect on crop productivity and the biological soil environment.     

Effects of nitrogen and sulphur fertilization on the digestibility and chemical composition of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.)

Summary Effects of increasing rates of nitrogen (N) and sulphur (S) fertilizers on the yield, digestibility, and composition of N, S, and amino acid of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) was studied in a pot experiment using an under-developed S-responsive (Harvey) and a developed non-S responsive (Gorge) soil. Ryegrass plants responded significantly to both N and S fertilization in Harvey soil, but only to N and not S in Gorge soil. Digestibility of the herbage was increased by N fertilization and S has no effect. Total N and S concentrations in herbage increased with increasing rates of N and S applied respectively, but decreased with each increment of S and N applied respectively. Total N: total S ratios were highest in high N low S treatments and were consistently decreased by S application, while N application shows the opposite effect. In severely S-deficientplants, unassimilated N accumulated mainly as non-protein N (NPN) (> 40 per cent total N), consisting largely of soluble N compounds (> 90 per cent NPN) such as asparagine/aspartic acid. Under S-sufficiency condition, high N fertilization resulted dominantly in glutamic acid.     

Predator selectivity alters the effect of dispersal on coexistence among apparent competitors

While the majority of studies on dispersal effects on patterns of coexistence among species in a metacommunity have focused on resource competitors, dispersal in systems with predator–prey interactions may provide very different results. Here, we use an analytical model to study the effect of dispersal rates on coexistence of two prey species sharing a predator (apparent competition), when the traits of that predator vary. Specifically, we explore the range in immigration rates where apparent competitors are able to coexist, and how that range changes with predator selectivity and efficiency. We find that if the inferior apparent competitor has a higher probability of being consumed, it will require less immigration to invade and to exclude the superior prey as the predator becomes more opportunistic. However, if the inferior apparent competitor has a lower probability of being consumed (and lower growth rates), higher immigration is required for the inferior prey to invade and exclude the superior prey as the predator becomes more opportunistic. We further find that the largest range of immigration rates where prey coexist occurs when predator selectivity is intermediate (i.e. they do not show much bias towards consuming one species or the other). Increasing predator efficiency generally reduces the immigration rates necessary for the inferior apparent competitor to invade and exclude the superior apparent competitor, but also reduces the range of immigration rates where the two apparent competitors can coexist. However, when the superior apparent competitor has a higher probability of being consumed, increased predator efficiency can increase the range of parameters where the species can coexist. Our results are consistent with some of the variation observed in the effect of dispersal on prey species richness in empirical systems with top predators.