Isolation of a ribosome-inactivating and abortifacient protein from seeds of Luffa acutangula

A glycoprotein with a molecular weight of 28,000 as estimated by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was isolated from seeds of Luffa acutangula using a procedure that involved acetone precipitation, ion exchange chromatography on CM Sepharose CL-6B and gel filtration on Sephadex G-50. In immunodiffusion studies it was found to be immunologically distinct from abortifacient proteins isolated from other members of the Cucurbitaceae family including Momordica charantia, Momordica cochinchinensis, Trichosanthes kirilowii and Trichosanthes cucumeroides. There were some differences in amino acid composition among the proteins although there was a gross similarity. The protein from L. acutangula was capable of inducing mid-term abortion in mice and inhibiting protein synthesis in a cell-free system.     

守瓜属甲虫的取食行为与寄主植物葫芦素种类的关系

黄足黄守瓜和黄足黑守瓜是两个非常相似的守瓜属甲虫,但它们对寄主的选择性和取食行为却完全不同.黄足黄守瓜先用口器在黄瓜或南瓜叶面划圈,然后取食圈内叶组织,但却不取食丝瓜、苦瓜和西瓜,而黄足黑守瓜则只取食丝瓜,且不发生划圈取食行为.研究表明,这两种甲虫的寄主选择性及取食行为与瓜类作物合成的葫芦素种类显著相关.黄瓜和南瓜在黄足黄守瓜取食后能诱导合成抑制取食的葫芦素Ⅰ,使得黄守瓜只能先划圈阻断葫芦素Ⅰ在叶面的迁移才能取食圈内叶组织.而苦瓜和西瓜本身就合成抑制取食的葫芦素D,使得甲虫不选择这两种瓜类作物取食.丝瓜则合成刺激甲虫取食的葫芦素B和E,使得黑守瓜能直接取食.本研究表明,守瓜属甲虫对寄主植物合成的特定次生物质的味觉响应机制在其寄主选择和取食行为方面起着重要作用.     

B型烟粉虱羧酸酯酶对6种寄主植物时间响应的初步研究

通过连续测定饲养在6种寄主植物(黄瓜、苦瓜、水瓜、木瓜、薄荷、金银花)上的B型烟粉虱Bemisia tabaci羧酸酯酶的比活力,探索其随时间变化的趋势。结果显示,测定的6种寄主植物上烟粉虱羧酸酯酶的活性数据,随着时间推移呈开口向上的抛物线倾向,且时间段内各种寄主植物上烟粉虱羧酸酯酶活性的变化节律趋于一致,此结果强烈地暗示B型烟粉虱羧酸酯酶的活性变化除寄主植物外,与时间相关,分析认为这可能是寄主植物的次生物质浓度存在季节变化的原因。     

On the Identity of Yinshania albiflora

The author examined the type of Cochlearia acutangula O.E.Schulz, G. Giraldi 2423, and found that Yinshania albiflora is conspecific with the former. Therefore the reduction of Yinshania albiflora(=Yinshania acutangula var. albiflo-ra) to Yinshania acutangula as a synonym is made.     

福建红树林植物丛枝菌根侵染研究

2010年5月和12月,对福建沿海3个红树林生长区(洛阳江、九龙江口、漳江口)的红树林植物丛枝菌根（AM）侵染状况进行研究。结果表明：（1）红树林生长区中6种植物根内均发现AMF侵染结构,其中桐花树、秋茄、鱼藤和芦苇的丛枝为Arum（疆南星）型;（2）6种植物的丛枝菌根侵染率差异较大,老鼠簕的侵染率最高,鱼藤最低;（3）桐花树和秋茄的丛枝菌根侵染率呈显著差异,而其在不同生长区之间无差异;（4）桐花树和秋茄的丛枝菌根侵染率在不同时间呈显著差异,而钝草的丛枝菌根侵染率在不同时间的差异不显著。     

罗汉果疱叶丛枝病的病原及其在某些寄主上的症状反应

葫芦科的罗汉果(Siraitia grosvenori(Swingle)Jeffrey)感染一种系统性的黄化型病害。 通过两次超薄切片的电镜观察:在病茎和病叶脉的韧皮组织中的薄壁细胞和伴胞中,发现有类菌质体(MLO),同时在重复的电镜观察中,在上述组织的薄壁细胞内,还发现风轮状的病毒(Virus)内含体。在健株的上述组织中。没有发现MLO和风轮状内含体。 在用三种不同接种方法(媒介昆虫、叶擦和汁液重创摩擦)进行的生物学测定的结果表明:罗汉果疱叶丛枝病有广泛的寄生范围,其症状特点:在常用的鉴定病毒的常规寄主上,最终均呈现黄化症状,没有系统性或局部性的斑点反应。其中在葫芦科的某些植物上的症状,基本上与罗汉果的症状相近似:初期明脉或脉间褪绿,继之出现疱状斑驳叶,叶片扭卷畸形,后期黄化。在茄科的供试植物上,症状特点:初期多为脉间褪绿,随之株形矮化,叶片变小。豆科上的症状:既有明脉,也有脉间褪绿,叶片呈现细长扭曲,变小并丛生。十字花科的症状特点是褪绿斑驳叶,株形矮化,叶片变小。     

Allozymic, morphological, and phenological diversity in cultivatedLuffa acutangula (Cucurbitaceae) from China, Laos, and Nepal, and Allozyme Divergence betweenL. acutangula andL. Aegyptiaca

The immature fruits of domesticated Luffa acutangula (L.) Roxb. are a common vegetable in Asia and India. To learn more about traditional cultivars, accessions were collected from southern Yunnan Province of China, northern Laos, and southeastern Nepal, and assessed for various parameters of genetic diversity. The size and shape of the fruits and seeds varied considerably. A form that we found cultivated only in Nepal bore clusters of small fruits that are produced by hermaphrodite flowers. Plants produced male flowers first, and the first node to bear flowers varied from the second to the twenty-seventh. Twenty-nine allozyme loci were assayed. Within L. acutangula one allozyme locus was polymorphic. Luffa acutangula andL. aegyptiaca are fixed for different alleles at nine loci, indicating that they are completely reproductively isolated from each other.     

Stomatal frequency responses in hardwood-swamp vegetation from Florida during a 60-year continuous CO2 increase

In a stomatal frequency analysis of leaf remains of Quercus nigra, Acer rubrum, Myrica cerifera, Ilex cassine, and Osmunda regalis that were preserved in precisely dated peat deposits of north-central Florida, the stomatal index decreased as a response to an atmospheric CO(2) increase from 310 ppmv to 370 ppmv over the past 60 years. The observations indicate that CO(2) responsiveness may occur in different canopy levels of hardwood-swamp vegetation. Apart from common woody plants, long-lived ferns of the undergrowth appear to be affected by CO(2) changes. Response rates are most pronounced in M. cerifera, I. cassine, and O. regalis. The potential of these species for quantifying past atmospheric CO(2) levels is assessed by a combined analysis of the well-dated buried leaf record and herbarium material collected during the past century. Leaf remains of the widely occurring species M. cerifera and I. cassine are concluded to be highly suitable for CO(2) reconstructions, by which the application range of the stomatal frequency proxy is extended into the warm-temperate to subtropical realm of North America.     

The Lepidoptera fauna associated with Calluna vulgaris: effects of plant architecture on abundance and diversity

Abstract .1. The effects of plant architecture on the Lepidoptera assemblage associated with heather Calluna vulgaris were studied at four locations in northern England and southern Scotland in 1992 and 1993. The study areas were Calluna vulgaris – Vaccinium myrtillus heaths, where management by rotational burning had created a mosaic of stands of different-aged Calluna . Lepidoptera were sampled in the larval stage.
2. Larval abundance was considered in relation to Calluna age, height, cover, green shoot density, and flower density. For most study areas and species, multiple regression selected Calluna height as the variable that explained most variation in larval density, although the explanatory variables were intercorrelated.
3. After compensating for the effects of different study locations, the slope of the regression between the logarithm of larval density and the logarithm of Calluna height was common to the macrolepidoptera, microlepidoptera, geometrid, and noctuid larval groups.
4. There was a significant progressive increase in larval diversity with increase in Calluna height, due to the presence of uncommon moth species in the samples from taller Calluna, and a change in the contribution of common species to the community in different height zones.
5. The significance of these results is discussed in relation to other heathland invertebrate studies and management practices.     

Effect of larval density and host species on preimaginal development of Bactrocera tau (Diptera: Tephritidae)

The fruit fly, Bactrocera tau (Walker) (Diptera: Tephritidae), is an important pest of fruit and vegetable crops. In this study, host preference of B. tau females and the effects of host species and larval density on larval survival, pupal weight, adult emergence, and developmental duration were investigated on cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.), sponge gourd (Luffa cylindrical L. (Roem)), bitter gourd [Momordica charantia (Cucurbitaceae) L.], guava [Psidium guajava (Myrtaceae) L.], and tangerine [Citrus reticulata (Rutaceae) (Blanco)]. The results showed that females preferred to cucumber over other host species. Larval feeding experience affected subsequent host oviposition preference of adult females. Host species and initial larval density affected certain aspects of the biology of B. tau. Larval density negatively affected insect performance. Survival rates at low densities were significantly higher than that at high densities. Total developmental duration reduced at high larval densities. Cucumber was more suitable to larval growth. Larvae on cucumber grew faster and the puparia were heavier than that on other host species. Larval survival, pupation rate and adult emergence were higher on cucumber compared with those in other host species. Oviposition preference of adult females was correlated with performance of their offspring.     

Linking leaf chlorophyll fluorescence properties to physiological responses for detection of salt and drought stress in coastal plant species

Effects of salinity and drought on physiology and chlorophyll fluorescence were used to evaluate stress in two coastal plants, Myrica cerifera (L.) and Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steud. Drought and salinity stress were induced and measurements of stomatal conductance, photosynthesis, xylem pressure potential (psi) and fluorescence were conducted following treatment. The onset of stress began at 2 g l(-1) for M. cerifera, and 5 g l(-1) for P. australis, as seen by significant decreases in physiological measurements. Despite the physiological effects of salinity, there was no significant difference in dark-adapted fluorescence (F(v)/F(m), where F(m) is the maximal fluorescence in dark-adapted leaves) for either species at any salinity level. Significant decreases in the light-adapted measurement Delta F/F'(m) (F'(m) is maximal fluorescence in light-adapted leaves) occurred at 10 g l(-1) in M. cerifera and P. australis, days before visible stress was evident. The quantum yield of xanthophyll-regulated thermal energy dissipation (Phi(NPQ), where NPQ is non-photochemical quenching of chlorophyll fluorescence) increased with decreasing Delta F/F'(m). Drought studies showed similar results, with significant decreases in physiological measurements occurring by day 2 in M. cerifera and day 4 in P. australis. Differences in Delta F/F'(m) were seen by day 5 for both species, whereas F(v)/F(m) showed no indication of stress, despite apparent visible signs. Xanthophyll-cycle-dependent energy dissipation may be the underlying mechanism in protecting photosystem II from excess energy in salinity- and drought-treated plants.     

Influence of physico-chemical traits of bitter gourd, Momordica charantia L. on larval density and resistance to melon fruit fly, Bactrocera cucurbitae (Coquillett)

Abstract:  Melon fruit fly, Bactrocera cucurbitae (Coquillett) is one of the most important pests of bitter gourd, Momordica charantia L. Because of the difficulties associated with chemical control of this pest, it is important to identify the traits associated with resistance and their influence on pest multiplication. There were significant differences in test genotypes for fruit infestation and larval density/fruit. The wild accessions, IC 256185, IC 248256, IC 213311, IC 248282, IC 256110 and IC 248281 were identified as resistance sources to melon fruit fly. There was a significant and positive correlation ( r  = 0.96) between percentage fruit infestation and larval density/fruit. Percentage fruit infestation and larval density/fruit were positively correlated with depth of ribs, flesh thickness, fruit diameter and fruit length, and negatively associated with fruit toughness. Flesh thickness and fruit diameter explained 93.0% of the total variation for fruit fly infestation, and flesh thickness and fruit length explained 76.3% of the variation for larval density/fruit. Ascorbic acid, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, protein, reducing sugars, non-reducing sugars and total sugars were negatively correlated, while the moisture content showed a positive association with fruit fly infestation and larval density/fruit. Moisture, potassium and reducing sugar content explained 97.4% of the total variation in fruit infestation, while moisture, phosphorus, protein, reducing and total sugars explained 85.7% variation for larval density/fruit.     

Genetic and clonal diversity for Myrica cerifera along a spatiotemporal island chronosequence

Changes in genetic diversity and clonal structure were investigated along a spatiotemporal island chronosequence for the shrub Myrica cerifera. On our study site, Hog Island, Virginia, USA, island movement creates a sequence of dune ridges and intervening swales along an east-west axis of the island that produces an age-structured geomorphology. This substrate-mediated age structure, called the chronosequence, superimposes itself upon cohorts of M. cerifera that colonize behind nascent dune ridges as they are formed. This chronosequence allowed comparisons of levels of genetic diversity and clonal structure among different aged cohorts of M. cerifera. We observed little change in allelic diversity along the chronosequence and no evidence for heterosis, although there was moderate change in genotypic diversity. The spatial distribution of individuals within 10 plots established along three transects intersecting the island chronosequence identified a nonrandom spatial distribution of individuals in all cohorts, with increasing aggregation of above-ground stems into multistemmed clusters in the older sites. This aggregation of individuals did not correspond to a significant increase in clonal growth with cohort age, nor was there significant spatial genetic autocorrelation within any of the plots.     

On the Type of the Genus Yinshania (Cruciferae)

When the genus Yinshania Ma et Y. Z. Zhao was published, it had only a single species, Y. albiflora Ma et Y. Z. Zhao which was indicated as the type of the genus (Acta Phytotax. Sin. 1979). Y. Z. Zhao 155. was indicated as the type specimen of Y. albiflora. It is adequate to cite Y. albiflora Ma et Y. Z. Zhao as the type of genus Yinshania Ma et Y. Z. Zhao. In a revision (Acta Phytotax. Sin. 25(3): 204-219, 1987) Y. H. Zhang made a combintion, Yinshania acutangula (O. E. Schulz) Y. H. Zhang (=Cochlearia acutangula O. E. Schulz) and reduced Yinshania albiflora Ma et Y. Z. Zhao as a variety of Y. acutangula,i. e. Y. acutangula var. albiflora (Ma et Y. Z. Zhao) Y. H. Zhang. She is uncorrect, however, when she cited Y. acutangula (O. E. Schulz) Y. H . Zhang as the type of the genus Yinshania Ma et Y. Z. Zhao. It should be cited as follows: Yinshania Ma et Y. Z. Zhao Typus generis: Yinshania albiflora Ma et Y. Z. Zhao (=Yinshania acutangula(O. E. Schulz) Y. H. Zhang var. albiflora (Ma et Y. Z. Zhao) Y. H. Zhang)     

苦瓜种子蛋白及其抑菌作用

SDS-PAGE分析表明,苦瓜种子含有多种蛋白组分,其中57kD和49kD蛋白可能由多个或多种亚基以二硫键结合形成。苦瓜种子蛋白对真菌和细菌有显著抑制效应。     

Detection and semi-quantification of Strongylus vulgaris DNA in equine faeces by real-time quantitative PCR

Strongylus vulgaris is an important strongyle nematode with high pathogenic potential infecting horses world-wide. Several decades of intensive anthelmintic use has virtually eliminated clinical disease caused by S. vulgaris, but has also caused high levels of anthelmintic resistance in equine small strongyle (cyathostomin) nematodes. Recommendations aimed at limiting the development of anthelmintic resistance by reducing treatment intensity raises a simultaneous demand for reliable and accurate diagnostic tools for detecting important parasitic pathogens. Presently, the only means available to differentiate among strongyle species in a faecal sample is by identifying individual L3 larvae following a two week coproculture procedure. The aim of the present study is to overcome this diagnostic obstacle by developing a fluorescence-based quantitative PCR assay capable of identifying S. vulgaris eggs in faecal samples from horses. Species-specific primers and a TaqMan probe were designed by alignment of published ribosomal DNA sequences of the second internal transcribed spacer of cyathostomin and Strongylus spp. nematodes. The assay was tested for specificity and optimized using genomic DNA extracted from identified male worms of Strongylus and cyathostomin species. In addition, eggs were collected from adult female worms and used to evaluate the quantitative potential of the assay. Statistically significant linear relationships were found between egg numbers and cycle of threshold (Ct) values. PCR results were unaffected by the presence of cyathostomin DNA in the sample and there was no indication of PCR inhibition by faecal sources. A field evaluation on faecal samples obtained from four Danish horse farms revealed a good agreement with the traditional larval culture (kappa-value=0.78), but with a significantly higher performance of the PCR assay. An association between Ct values and S. vulgaris larval counts was statistically significant. The present assay can reliably and semi-quantitatively detect minute quantities of S. vulgaris eggs in faecal samples.     

In vitro induction of lymphocyte responsiveness by a Strongylus vulgaris-derived mitogen

Proliferation in vitro of peripheral blood lymphocytes both from horses infected with Strongylus vulgaris and from helminth-free ponies was observed in the presence of extracts of the fourth and fifth stage larvae and adults of S. vulgaris. In addition, S. vulgaris extracts induced transformation in cultures of peripheral blood lymphocytes from sheep and dogs and in mouse spleen cell cultures. Nylon wool non-adherent, T cell enriched fractions of lymphocytes from both mice and horses were stimulated by the S. vulgaris larval mitogen while no proliferation was observed in cultures containing nylon wool adherent, B cell enriched fractions. Macrophage co-operation appeared not to be necessary for S. vulgaris mitogen-induced transformation of spleen cells. The S. vulgaris mitogen stimulated a subpopulation of mouse spleen cells different from those responsive to PHA, Con A and LPS. These cells might be T helper cells since B cells were stimulated to proliferate in the presence of both T cells and S. vulgaris larval mitogen. In addition, the supernatant of in vitro cultured larvae of S. vulgaris induced slight, but significant transformation of equine peripheral blood lymphocytes. Therefore, it is possible that the S. vulgaris mitogen released by both viable parasites and degenerating larvae might induce T cell dependent production of immunoglobulin in vivo and account for the beta-globulinaemia, of which IgG(T) is a major component, in S vulgaris infected horses.     

Spatial/temporal variations in shrub thicket soil seed banks on an Atlantic Coast barrier island

Potential species replacement within low-diversity shrub thicket communities was investigated for a Virginia barrier island. Seed bank species composition was quantified in a glasshouse study using soil samples collected beneath closed Myrica cerifera thickets, as well as from thicket gaps. Samples were collected from productive and aging thickets, corresponding to differences in soil age. These data were compared to species presently occurring within the thickets and gaps. Seedbank species composition was not indicative of current community composition for either the intact thickets or the gaps. Seed banks resembled a more pioneer community. Thirteen families, 23 genera, and 25 species were identified from the seed bank beneath the M. cerifera thickets. Four species were woody. The within-gap seed bank included 19 families, 30 genera, and 34 species. Eight species were woody. The current community included 21 families, 33 genera, and 36 species beneath the intact thickets as well as within the thicket gaps. Eighteen species were woody. The species richness of gaps was more than three times that of intact thickets. For low-diversity shrub thickets, gaps enhance species richness.     

Development and characterization of polymorphic microsatellite markers in Momordica charantia (Cucurbitaceae)

? Premise of the study: Polymorphic microsatellite markers were developed for Momordica charantia L. to investigate the genetic diversity and population structure within and between M. charantia and its four related species (Cucurbita pepo L., Luffa cylindrical L., Lagenaria siceraria L., and Cucumis sativus L.). ? Methods and Results: Using the Fast Isolation by AFLP of Sequence COntaining Repeats (FIASCO) method, 16 polymorphic microsatellite loci were identified in 36 individuals of M. charantia. Across all the M. charantia samples, the number of alleles per locus ranged from three to eight. Seven primers successfully amplified in the four related species. ? Conclusions: These markers will be useful to study population ecology and population differentiation among M. charantia species and its related species.     

Inhibition of increases in blood glucose and serum neutral fat by Momordica charantia saponin fraction

Focusing on a functional component of Momordica charantia, saponin, we investigated its effects on serum glucose and neutral fat levels. Saponin was extracted as a butanol-soluble fraction (saponin fraction) from hot blast-dried Momordica charantia powder. The disaccharidase-inhibitory activity and the pancreatic lipase-inhibitory activity of the saponin fraction were measured, and in vivo sugar- and lipid-loading tests were performed. The saponin fraction inhibited disaccharidase activity and elevation of the blood glucose level after sucrose loading. The fraction also markedly inhibited pancreatic lipase activity and elevation of the serum neutral fat level after corn oil loading. Based on these findings, the main active component related to the anti-diabetic effect of Momordica charantia is present in the butanol fraction, and it may be saponin. The blood glucose and serum neutral fat-lowering effects of Momordica charantia were closely associated with its inhibitory activity against disaccharidase and pancreatic lipase.