Decay of hormone responsiveness in mouse melanoma cells in culture as a function of cell density

Cloudman S91 mouse melanoma cells lose their ability to demonstrate an MSH-induced increase in tyrosinase activity as cell density increases. This loss in hormone responsiveness occurs before confluency is reached and cannot be reversed by exposure of cells to increasing concentrations of MSH. The failure of high-density cultures to respond to MSH is apparently not the result of an inability of MSH to stimulate cAMP production, since either low- or high-density cultures exposed to MSH demonstrate equivalent increases in intracellular levels of cAMP. Further, neither theophylline (1mM), dibutyryl cyclic AMP (10(-4)M), or prostaglandin E1 (10(-6)M) is effective in stimulating tyrosinase activity in melanoma cells cultured at densities exceeding 6 X 10(4) cells/cm2. This finding suggests that the decay of hormone responsiveness occurs at a cellular site distal to cAMP production. The decrease in tyrosinase stimulation by MSH as cell density increases is also apparently not the result of an increase in activity of any soluble inhibitor of the enzyme, for cytosol preparations from high-density cultures (10(5) cells/cm2) fail to inhibit tyrosinase activity in cell homogenates from low-density cultures treated with MSH.     

Response of wheat to subsoil salinity and temporary water stress at different stages of the reproductive phase

To examine the effects of subsoil NaCl salinity in relation to water stress imposed at different growth stages, wheat was grown in a heavy texture clay soil (vertosol) under glasshouse conditions in polythene lined cylindrical PVC pots (100 cm long with 10.5 cm diameter) with very low salinity level (EC_e 1.0 dS/m; ESP 1.0 and Cl 30 mg/kg soil) in top 10 cm soil (10–20 cm pot zone) and low salinity level (EC_e 2.5 dS/m, ESP 5, and Cl 100 mg/kg soil) in top 10–20 cm soil (20–30 cm pot zone). The plants were exposed to three subsoil salinity levels in the 20–90 cm subsoil (30–100 cm pot zone) namely low salinity (EC_e: 2.5 dS/m, ESP: 5, Cl: 100 mg/kg soil), medium salinity (EC_e: 4.0 dS/m, ESP: 10, Cl: 400 mg/kg) and high salinity (EC_e: 11.5 dS/m, ESP: 20, Cl: 1950 mg/kg) in the subsoil (20–90 cm soil layer: 30–100 cm pot zone). Watering of plants was withheld for 20 days commencing at either early booting or anthesis or mid grain filling, and then resumed until maturity, and these treatments were compared with no water stress. Water stress commencing at anthesis stage had the most depressing effect on grain yield and water use efficiency of wheat followed by water stress at grain filling stage and early booting stage. High subsoil salinity reduced grain yield by 39.1, 24.3%, and 13.4% respectively in plants water-stressed around anthesis, early booting, and mid grain filling compared with 36.6% in well-watered plants. There was a significant reduction in root biomass, rooting depth, water uptake and water use efficiency of wheat with increasing subsoil salinity irrespective of water regimes. Plants at high subsoil salinity had 64% of their root biomass in the top 0–30 cm soil and there was a marked reduction in subsoil water uptake. Roots also penetrated below the non-saline surface into salinised subsoil and led to attain high concentration of Na and Cl and reduced Ca/Na and K/Na ratio of flag leaf at anthesis stage. Results suggest that high subsoil salinity affects root growth and water uptake, grain yield and water use efficiency even in well water plants. Water stress at anthesis stage had the most depressing effect on wheat.     

Further analysis of transcytosis of free polypeptides and polypeptide-coated nanobeads in rabbit nasal mucosa.

In rabbit nasal mucosa, free polypeptides and polypeptide-coated nanospheres are actively absorbed by the M cells present in specialized areas of the epithelium. Because polypeptide-coated nanosphere transport was abolished in the presence of free polypeptides, free polypeptides and polypeptide-coated nanospheres are shown here to compete. Fluxes of polypeptide-coated nanospheres with 356, 490, and 548 nm diameters have been compared. BSA-coated beads were poorly transported, at the same rate, when bead diameters were 356 or 490 nm [net flux of approximately 2-2.5 x 10(6) nanospheres (nan). cm(-2) x h(-1)]; however, their net transport largely increased toward a value of 25 x 10(6) nan. cm(-2) x h(-1) at a diameter of 548 nm. Insulin-coated beads displayed a net flux that was significantly higher than BSA-coated beads but equally were transported at the same rate (net flux of approximately 8.0 x 10(6) nan. cm(-2) x h(-1)) at diameters of 356 or 490 nm; once again, their net flux significantly increased toward a value of 25 x 10(6) nan. cm(-2) x h(-1), if the bead diameter was 548 nm. Insulin plus anti-insulin IgG-coated 490-nm-diameter beads displayed a very high net flux, although not yet saturating (approximately 60 x 10(6) nan. cm(-2) x h(-1)); however, a significantly lower saturated net flux (once again approximately 25 x 10(6) nan. cm(-2) x h(-1)) was shown with 548-nm-diameter beads. In conclusion, 1) in the range of 356-490 nm diameter, net transport was independent of bead diameter and, conversely, largely dependent on the coating polypeptides, and 2) at 548 nm diameter, nanospheres tended to be transferred at similar rates independently of coating kind and the maximal net transport capacity of the mucosa was reduced. The suspension viscosity largely increased with 548-nm polypeptide-coated nanospheres; this fact is hypothetically proposed to be the cause of these events.     

基于Landsat系列数据的盐分指数和植被指数对土壤盐度变异性的响应分析——以新疆天山南北典型绿洲为例

基于不同地理区域,借助目前已有或者构建新的盐分和植被指数定量评估研究区的土壤盐度状况。但多数指数并未在盐渍化较为严重的中国新疆地区进行系统性对比分析。因此,以新疆阜北地区(采样数=37),玛纳斯河绿洲(采样数=68)和渭干河-库车河绿洲(采样数=38)为研究区,以灌区农田和盐渍地采样数据和Landsat TM/ETM+/OLI为数据源,利用线性模型和多个非线性模型(10个)测试上述指数(14个指数)和原始波段对于研究区土壤盐度的敏感性。结果显示,阜北地区基于遥感获取的扩展的增强型植被指数Extented Enhanced Vegetation Index(EEVI)在全样本和部分样本(盐渍化样本,土壤盐度0.3%)两种模式下(0—10cm),较其他指数和波段而言较为敏感。在全样本和部分样本(土壤饱和溶液电导率2ds/m)两种模式下,与玛纳斯流域各层土壤盐度最为敏感的为band 2,部分样本模式下土壤盐度变异性显著性探测最大下探深度为30cm。渭干河-库车河绿洲全样本模式下,最大土壤盐度变异性显著性探测深度为40cm,0—10cm和10—20cm深度表现最为敏感的是土壤盐分指数SI-T,20—40cm深度则为植被指数TGDVI。部分样本下(土壤饱和溶液电导率2ds/m),0—10cm深度最为敏感的为band5,10—20cm深度最为敏感的为TGDVI,20—40cm深度则为EEVI。其他指数因地理环境的差异性(气候,土壤盐分类型,土壤类型,采样时间),与土壤盐度之间并未达到显著性(sig=0.05或者0.01)的水平。以上结果只是初步结论,但也暗示其中的某些指数在本区具有一定土壤盐度的识别潜力。此外,由于土壤本身的复杂性,需要采集更多的样本以深入分析不同盐度等级下上述指数的具体表现。     

Thermal stability of dehydrophenylalanine-containing model peptides as probed by infrared spectroscopy: a case study of an alpha-helical and a 3(10)-helical peptide

The temperature-dependent secondary-structural changes in the two known helical model peptides Boc-Val-deltaPhe-Ala-Leu-Gly-OMe (1; alpha-helical) and Boc-Leu-Phe-Ala-deltaPhe-Leu-OMe (2; 3(10)-helical), which both comprise a single dehydrophenylalanine (deltaPhe) residue, were investigated by means of FT-IR spectroscopy (peptide film on KBr). Both the first-order and the better-resolved second-order derivative IR spectra of 1 and 2 were analyzed. The nu(NH) (3240-3340 cm(-1)), the Amide-I (1600-1700 cm(-1)), and the Amide-II (1510-1580 cm(-1)) regions of 1 and 2 showed significant differences in thermal-denaturation experiments (22 degrees --> 144 degrees), with the 3(10)-helical peptide (2) being considerably more stable. This observation was rationalized by different patterns and strengths of intramolecular H-bonds, and was qualitatively related to the different geometries of the peptides. Also, a fair degree of residual secondary-structural elements were found even in the 'denatured' states above 104 degrees (1) or 134 degrees (2).     

亚热带杉木林土壤有机碳及其活性组分对氮磷添加的响应

通过野外氮、磷添加,分析N₀(0 kg N·hm^-2·a^-1)、N₁(50 kg N·hm^-2·a^-1)、N₂(100 kg N·hm^-2·a^-1)、P(50 kg P·hm^-2·a^-1)、N₁P和N₂P等6种处理3年后对亚热带杉木人工林土壤有机碳(SOC)、颗粒有机碳(POC)和水溶性有机碳(WSOC)的影响.结果表明:氮、磷添加对0～20 cm土层SOC含量无显著影响.磷添加显著降低0～5 cm土层POC含量,与无磷处理相比,加磷处理POC含量降低26.1%.WSOC含量对氮、磷添加的响应主要表现在0～5 cm土层,低水平氮添加和磷添加显著提高WSOC含量.在0～5 cm土层,氮添加对POC/SOC值无显著影响,而与无磷添加相比,POC/SOC值在磷添加处理下显著降低15.9%.在5～10和10～20 cm土层,氮、磷添加处理对POC/SOC值无显著影响.在亚热带地区,森林土壤碳稳定性主要受磷含量的调控,短期磷添加易导致表层土壤活性有机碳分解,增加土壤碳稳定性.     

灌溉施肥水平对盐渍化农田水盐分布及玉米产量的影响

水资源缺乏和过量施肥影响着干旱半干旱盐渍化地区农业的发展.研究不同灌溉和施肥量对土壤水盐分布和青贮玉米产量的影响,可为该区确定适宜的灌溉和施肥量提供依据.试验于2015和2016年在大同盆地的盐渍化农田进行,设3种灌溉水平:土壤水分上限分别为田间持水率(θ_f)的100%(W₁)、90%(W₂)和80%(W₃),根据各处理灌溉前的土壤平均实际含水率计算灌水量;2015年设4种施肥水平:900(F₁)、750(F₂)、600(F₃)和450 kg·hm^-2(F₄),2016年设F₁、F₂和F₃共3种.试验用化肥为缓释复合肥,总养分含量48%,其中N:P₂O₅:K₂O的比例为30:12:6.结果表明: 土壤表层电导率随施肥量的增加而增大,施肥水平对平均电导率(EC)和含水率的影响在0～10 cm土层显著,与F₁相比,F₂的0～10 cm土层平均EC在2015年和2016年分别降低25.6%～42.7%和6.4%～7.7%.20～80 cm土层的水分含量随施肥量的增加而降低,与F₁相比,2015年F₂、F₃和F₄处理20～80 cm土层平均土壤含水率分别增加5.9%、16.7%和16.7%,2016年F₂和F₃分别增加13.3%和16.7%.产量在两年中均表现为F₁和F₂高于F₃和F₄,W₃低于W₁和W₂; F₁和F₂的产量差异不明显;与W₁相比,W₂的产量减少低于15 %.因此,施复合肥600～750 kg·hm^-2(氮肥含量180～270 kg·hm^-2),且灌溉水平为W₁和W₂时,可以保证该地区盐渍化土壤种植玉米获得较高的产量,并且不会造成根系层的盐分积累.     

Stimulation of Cloudman melanoma tyrosinase activity occurs predominantly in G2 phase of the cell cycle

A widely accepted notion is that an increasing cellular cyclic AMP (cAMP) concentration is prerequisite for increasing tyrosinase activity and melanin synthesis and for regulating proliferation of pigment cells. alpha-Melanocyte stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) increases cAMP and tyrosinase activity in Cloudman melanoma cells. Prostaglandins (PGs) E1 and E2 increase melanoma cell tyrosinase activity and inhibit proliferation. Both PGs, but not alpha-MSH, block the progression of Cloudman melanoma cells from G2 phase of the cell cycle into M or G1. Only PGE1 and not PGE2 causes an elevation of cellular cAMP concentrations. The adenylate cyclase inhibitor 2',5'-dideoxyadenosine (DDA) at 5 x 10(-4) M effectively blocks the increased cAMP synthesis by cells treated with 10 micrograms/ml PGE1. The addition of DDA, however, enhances the melanogenic response of melanoma cells to 10 micrograms/ml PGE1 or PGE2, 10(-7) M alpha-MSH, 10(-4) M isobutylmethylxanthine, 10(-4) M dibutyryl cyclic AMP. DDA also augments the effects of PGE1 or PGE2 on the melanoma cell cycle. Moreover, when DDA is added concomitantly with alpha-MSH, more cells are recruited into G2 than observed in untreated controls. Neither alpha-MSH nor DDA alone has any effect on the cell cycle. These findings undermine the role of cAMP in the melanogenic process and suggest that blocking melanoma cells in G2 may be required for the remarkable stimulation of tyrosinase activity observed with PGE1 or PGE2 alone or in combination with DDA. The observed block in G2 may be essential for the synthesis of sufficient mRNA, which is required for stimulation of tyrosinase activity.     

Salt-induced changes in protein composition in light-grown callus of Mesembryanthemum crystallinum

The halophyte Mesembryanthemum crystallinum (ice plant) has been suggested as a model for salt-tolerance in higher plants. To investigate salt-induced changes in polypeptide patterns at the cellular level, a light-grown callus of M. crystallinum with substantial chlorophyll content, was established and the effect of NaCl on the composition of phenol-extracted protein was examined by SDS- and 2D-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE). SDS-PAGE showed the accumulation of five polypeptides with estimated molecular masses of 40, 34, 32, 29 and 14 kDa was enhanced by the addition of 200 m M NaCl to the culture media. The addition of ABA (10 μ M ) or mannitol (400 m M ) did not elicit the same degree of accumulation of these salt-specific proteins. These polypeptides were classified into two groups according to their course of induction: early responsive (40, 34, 29 kDa) and late-responsive (32, 14 kDa) proteins. In addition, two polypeptides (20, 18 kDa) were transiently accumulated during salt treatment. Further separation of soluble proteins by 2-D gel electrophoresis, either isoelectric focusing (IEF) or non-equilibrium pH-gradient electrophoresis (NEPHGE) followed by SDS-PAGE, showed more alterations in accumulation of polypeptides by NaCl than 1-D gel electrophoresis. Overall, levels of more than 30% of basic polypeptides, detected by NEPHGE/SDS-PAGE, were altered by 200 m M NaCl treatment, while only 10% of neutral and acidic polypeptides, detected by IEF/SDS-PAGE, were changed. The enhanced expression of these proteins by salt in cultured cells is most likely related to the cellular responses to salinity, and not to the mechanism of CAM induction in this facultative halophyte.     

Nanographene-based tyrosinase biosensor for rapid detection of bisphenol A

Hydrophilic nanographene (NGP) prepared by ball milling of graphite was used as the support to construct a novel tyrosinase biosensor for determination of bisphenol A (BPA). The performances of the nanographene-based tyrosinase biosensor were systematically compared with those of multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) modified tyrosinase biosensors. The results indicated that the nanographene-based tyrosinase biosensor provided significant advantages over MWNTs-based tyrosinase biosensor in term of response, repeatability, background current and limit of detection (LOD), which could be attributed to its larger specific surface area and unique hierarchical tyrosinase-NGP nanostructures. The nanographene-based tyrosinase biosensor displayed superior analytical performance over a linear range from 100 nmol L(-1) to 2000 nmol L(-1), with LOD of 33 nmol L(-1) and sensitivity of 3108.4 mA cm(-2)M(-1). The biosensor was further used for detecting BPA (leaching from different vessels) in tap water, and the accuracy of the results was validated by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The nanographene-based tyrosinase biosensor proved to be a promising and reliable tool for rapid detection of BPA leached from polycarbonate plastic products and for on-site rapid analysis of emergency pollution affairs of BPA.     

营养杯对长喙田菁在铅锌尾矿上的生长、固氮和重金属积累的影响

设置移栽时营养杯的有无及其大小作试验,研究长喙田菁在乐昌铅锌矿强酸化尾矿上的生长、固氮和积累重金属情况。结果表明,强酸性(pH<3)是限制植物定植的主要因素,在pH=5-7情况下,长喙田菁能在该尾矿库中定植、生长和固氮,表现出良好的适应性。未带营养杯移栽的长喙田菁在尾矿上生长84d,其株高117cm、茎基部直径1.35cm、单株生物量(干物质)20.2g、单位面积生物量(干物质)2828kghm-2、氮素积累量40kghm-2;带营养杯移栽的上述各指标分别达到140-144cm、1.59-1.68cm、36.6-38.8g、5124-5432kghm-2和77-107kghm-2,均显著高于未带营养杯处理的。长喙田菁根部铅、锌、铜、镉含量均最高,其次为茎,叶中最低;长喙田菁的4种重金属积累量为锌(186-221mgkg-1)>铅(96-145mgkg-1)>铜(17-30mgkg-1)>镉(3-4mgkg-1)。带营养杯移栽能有效提高长喙田菁的产量和氮积累量,且明显降低其体内的重金属含量。试验证明长喙田菁是较理想的铅锌矿尾矿废弃地植被重建的先锋植物。     

Evidence of nitric oxide and angiotensin II regulation of circulation and cutaneous drinking in Bufo marinus

The nitric oxide synthase inhibitor N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME) increased vascular resistance (VR) 10% above baseline of 3.08+/-0.08 (n=11) mmHg/mL/min at 10 mg/kg and 20% above 3.05+/-0.08 (n=9) at 50 mg/kg in anesthetized toads (Bufo marinus). Blood pressure was unaffected by either dose of L-NAME. Blood flow decreased at the higher dose of L-NAME. L-arginine (300 mg/kg) reversed the effects of L-NAME on VR and blood flow in toads treated with 10 mg/kg but not with 50 mg/kg. Injection of 50 mg/kg L-NAME into empty-bladder toads produced a 10% decrease in water uptake, J(v), resulting in a J(v) of 1,267+/-11 cm(3)/cm(2)/s x 10(-7) (n=9) compared to 1,385+/-12 (n=8) for controls. Injection of 10 microg/kg angiotensin II (ANG II) increased J(v) 15% across the pelvic patch (J(v), cm(3)/cm(2)/s x 10(-7)), resulting in a J(v) of 1,723+/-12 cm(3)/cm(2)/s x 10(-7) (n=8) compared to 1,471+/-12 (n=8) for controls. It is hypothesized that during cutaneous drinking blood flow into the capillary bed of the pelvic patch is regulated by nitric oxide and ANG II.     

Relationships of weight and height with age in hybrid Holstein-Friesian/Guzera females

Serial data on live weights, height at withers and the weight/height ratio of 263 cows (3 to 9 years old) and 196 heifers (2 to 5 years old) were studied. The animals were of six red and white Holstein-Friesian (HF)/Guzera crosses (1/4, 1/2, 5/8, 3/4, 7/8 and > or = 31/32 HF-expected gene fraction). Separate analyses were performed for cows and heifers using the Proc Mixed of the SAS package. Models included the fixed effects of farm, season, reproductive and lactation status, two-factor interactions, quadratic regressions on age and age x crossbred group interaction, as continuous co-variables and regressions on the HF gene fraction and on breed heterozygosity, plus the animal random effect. Only heifer growth in height and weight/height was linear with age. In all three traits in both categories the individual additive-dominance model explained the variation between crossbred groups. The breed additive difference was not significant (P > 0.05) for cow and heifer live weight and for heifer weight/age ratio. Heterosis was significant for all traits except height of cows. Linear and quadratic regression coefficients for cows, were, respectively, for live weight, 35.20 +/- 5.23 kg/year and -1.54 +/- 0.43 kg/year2, for withers height, 2.49 +/- 0.29 cm/year and -0.15 +/- 0.02 cm/year2 and for weight/height, 0.22 +/- 0.04 kg/cm/year and -0.01 +/- 0.003 kg/cm/year2. Corresponding values for heifers were, for live weight, 153.46 +/- 37.06 kg/year and -15.69 +/- 4.91 kg/year2, while only linear coefficients applied to withers height (1.63 +/- 0.43 cm/year) and weight/height (0.16 +/- 0.03 kg/cm/year).     

耕作方式对紫色水稻土有机碳和微生物生物量碳的影响

以位于西南大学的农业部紫色土生态环境重点野外科学观测试验站始于1990年的长期定位试验田为对象,研究了冬水田平作(DP)、水旱轮作(SH)、垄作免耕(LM)及垄作翻耕(LF)等4种耕作方式对紫色水稻土有机碳(SOC)和微生物生物量碳(SMBC)的影响。结果表明,4种耕作方式下SOC和SMBC均呈现出在土壤剖面垂直递减趋势,翻耕栽培下其降低较均匀,而免耕栽培下其富集在表层土壤中。同一土层不同耕作方式间SOC和SMBC的差异在表层最大,随着土壤深度的增加,各处理之间的差异逐渐减小。在0—60 cm剖面中,SOC含量依次为:LM(17.6 g/kg)>DP(13.9 g/kg)>LF(12.5 g/kg)>SH(11.3 g/kg),SOC储量也依次为:LM(158.52 Mg C/hm2)>DP(106.74 Mg C/hm2)>LF(93.11 Mg C/hm2)>SH(88.59 Mg C/hm2),而SMBC含量则依次为:LM(259 mg/kg)>SH(213 mg/kg)>LF(160 mg/kg)>DP(144 mg/kg)。与其它3种耕作方式比较,LM处理显著提高SOC含量和储量以及SMBC含量。对土壤微生物商(SMBC/SOC)进行分析发现,耕作方式对SOC和SMBC的影响程度并不一致。SMBC与SOC、全氮、全磷、全硫、碱解氮、有效磷均呈现极显著正相关(P<0.01),与有效硫呈显著正相关(P<0.05);表明SMBC可以作为表征紫色水稻土土壤肥力的敏感因子。     

5''-S-(2-aminoethyl)-N6-(4-nitrobenzyl)-5''-thioadenosine (SAENTA), a novel ligand with high affinity for polypeptides associated with nucleoside transport. Partial purification of the nitrobenzylthioinosine-binding protein of pig erythrocytes by affinity chromatography.

Derivatives of N6-(4-aminobenzyl)adenosine (substituted at the aminobenzyl group) and 5'-linked derivatives of N6-(4-nitrobenzyl)adenosine (NBAdo) were evaluated as inhibitors of site-specific binding of [3H]nitrobenzylthioinosine (NBMPR) to pig erythrocyte membranes. Potent inhibitors were SAENTA [5'-S-(2-aminoethyl)-N6-(4-nitrobenzyl)-5'-thioadenosine] and acetyl-SAENTA (the 2-acetamidoethyl derivative of SAENTA). SAENTA was coupled to derivatized agarose-gel beads (Affi-Gel 10) to form an affinity matrix for chromatographic purification of NBMPR-binding polypeptides, which in pig erythrocytes are part of, or are associated with, the equilibrative nucleoside transporter. When pig erythrocyte membranes were solubilized with octyl glucoside (n-octyl beta-D-glucopyranoside) and applied to SAENTA-Affi-Gel 10 (SAENTA-AG10), polypeptides that migrated as a broad band on SDS/PAGE with an apparent molecular mass of 58-60 kDa were selectively retained by the affinity gel. These polypeptides were identified as components of the nucleoside transporter of pig erythrocytes by reactivity with a monoclonal antibody (mAb 11C4) that recognizes the NBMPR-binding protein of pig erythrocytes. Retention of the immunoreactive polypeptides by SAENTA-AG10 was blocked by NBAdo. The immunoreactive polypeptides were released from SAENTA-AG10 by elution under denaturing conditions with 1% SDS or by elution with detergent solutions containing competitive ligands (NBAdo or NBMPR). A 72-fold enrichment of the immunoreactive polypeptides was achieved by a single passage of solubilized, protein-depleted membranes through a column of SAENTA-AG10, followed by elution with detergent solutions containing NBAdo. These results demonstrate that polypeptide components of NBMPR-sensitive nucleoside-transport systems may be partly purified by affinity chromatography using gel media bearing SAENTA groups.     

咸水沟灌对棉田土壤水稳性团聚体稳定性的影响

探明咸水沟灌对土壤水稳性团聚体的影响对实现咸水资源安全高效利用具有重要意义。本研究在棉花长期定位咸水沟灌试验(始于2006年)的基础上,分析了不同矿化度(1、2、4、6、8、10 g·L^-1)咸水连续灌溉第10年和第15年棉田土壤盐分和水稳性团聚体稳定性的变化特征。结果表明: 沟底0~30 cm土层土壤盐分随灌溉水矿化度的升高而增加,其中6、8、10 g·L^-1灌水处理与1 g·L^-1处理间差异达显著水平;随着土层深度的增加,各处理土壤盐分逐渐增大。咸水沟灌有降低沟底土壤水稳性团聚体稳定性的趋势,当灌溉水矿化度≥6 g·L^-1时,水稳性大团聚体(>0.25 mm)质量分数、团聚体平均重量直径和几何平均直径显著降低,分形维数和平均重量比表面积显著增大;随着土层深度的增加,各处理土壤水稳性团聚体稳定性下降。连续多年咸水沟灌条件下,各处理棉田沟底0~30 cm土层土壤盐分和水稳性团聚体稳定性未随灌水年限的增加而逐年积累与恶化。在本研究灌溉制度下,采用≤4 g·L^-1咸水沟灌对试验区棉田土壤盐分和水稳性团聚体稳定性指标无显著影响。     

FTIR studies on the bond properties of the aspartyl phosphate moiety of the Ca2+ -ATPase

As part of our work to determine the bond properties of the aspartyl phosphate moiety of the Ca(2+)-ATPase (SERCA1a) phosphoenzymes, we analyzed Morse potentials of the bridging P-O bond as well as C=O bond strengths for the model compound acetyl phosphate and the two phosphoenzyme intermediates Ca(2)E1P and E2P. Reaction-induced infrared difference spectroscopy was used and a carbonyl band of E2P at 1708 cm(-1) in the presence of mM Mg(2+) was tentatively assigned to the carbonyl group of phosphorylated Asp(351) because of its sensitivity to divalent cations. This band is found at 1716 cm(-1) with mM Ca(2+), for Ca(2)E1P at 1717 cm(-1) with Mg(2+), and at 1719 cm(-1) with Ca(2+) and at 1718 cm(-1) for acetyl phosphate in the absence of divalent cations. The similar band positions indicate similar strengths of interaction of the carbonyl oxygen in acetyl phosphate and the two phosphoenzymes. Together with information on the P-O bond strengths, this implies that the bridging oxygen exerts stronger interactions in the phosphoenzymes than in acetyl phosphate.     

Myosin subfragment 1 has tertiary structural domains

Transient electrical birefringence measurements were made on skeletal muscle myosin subfragment 1 (S1) at 3.7 degrees C in 10 mM tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane-acetate and 0.10 mM MgCl2, pH 7.0. The specific birefringence for 4.5 microM S1 was determined from steady-state measurements to be (8.1 +/- 0.3) X 10(-7) (cm/statvolt)2. For electric fields in the range of 2.47-24.7 statvolts/cm, the alignment was due to a large permanent dipole moment for S1, estimated to be 8500 +/- 2000 D. The duration and the strength of the transient electric field was varied, and the temporal response of the decay of the birefringence signal was analyzed. The rate of rotational motion after the field was removed increased with increasing field strength for short (0.35-microseconds) pulses and decreased with increasing pulse lengths for all field strengths. The rate of decay from a steady-state birefringence signal was independent of field strength. A model of S1 structure is proposed, which is consistent with these data and most other data on S1 structure. In this model, S1 is composed of two tertiary structural domains that are connected by a flexible linkage with a substantial restoring force. The electric dipole moments on the two domains are arranged head to tail. The segmental movement of the domains is restricted to certain directions. The average conformation of the molecule is elongated, but it can be made more compact by the torque exerted by an electric field. The structural changes depend on the strength and duration of the pulse.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Foot currents and ankle SARs induced by dielectric heaters.

Data are presented on ankle-specific SARs and foot currents as a function of strengths of radio-frequency electromagnetic fields encountered by operators of dielectric heaters. The determination of foot currents was based on near-field exposures in which reactive coupling dominates, and which can result in substantial SARs in exposed workers. The operators were located less than one wavelength from--usually within one meter of--the dielectric heaters, which generated fields at frequencies from 6.5 to 65 MHz. At distances normally assumed by workers, maximal strengths of electric fields ranged from 10(4) to 2.4 x 10(6) V2/m2; maximal strengths of magnetic fields ranged from 5.0 x 10(-3) to 33.3 A2/m2. Currents through both feet to ground were measured while operators stood where they normally worked. Maximal currents ranged from 3 to 617 mA, rms. Nearly 27 percent of the dielectric heaters induced foot currents that exceeded the 200-mA limit that has been proposed for a new ANSI C95.1 standard. Twenty percent of the heaters induced foot currents that exceeded 350 mA. SARs in ankles were calculated from foot currents, and they approximated 5 W/kg at 100 mA, 29 W/kg at 250 mA, and 57 W/kg at 350 mA. The maximal SAR in the ankle was approximately 176 W/kg at 617 mA.