The effect of heat stress on tomato pollen characteristics is associated with changes in carbohydrate concentration in the developing anthers

Continuous exposure of tomato 'Trust' to high temperatures (day/night temperatures of 32/26 degrees C) markedly reduced the number of pollen grains per flower and decreased viability. The effect of heat stress on pollen viability was associated with alterations in carbohydrate metabolism in various parts of the anther during its development. Under control, favourable temperature conditions (28/22 degrees C), starch accumulated in the pollen grains, where it reached a maximum value 3 d before anthesis; it then diminished towards anthesis. During anther development, the concentration of total soluble sugars gradually increased in the anther walls and in the pollen grains (but not in the locular fluid), reaching a maximum at anthesis. Continuous exposure of the plants to high temperatures (32/26 degrees C) prevented the transient increase in starch concentration and led to decreases in the concentrations of soluble sugars in the anther walls and the pollen grains. In the locular fluid, however, a higher soluble sugar concentration was detected under the high-temperature regime throughout anther development. These results suggest that a major effect of heat stress on pollen development is a decrease in starch concentration 3 d before anthesis, which results in a decreased sugar concentration in the mature pollen grains. These events possibly contribute to the decreased pollen viability in tomato.     

The effect of stress concentration on bone remodeling: theoretical predictions

Theoretical predictions of internal bone remodeling around an elliptical hole are studied. The internal remodeling theory due to Cowin and Hegedus is employed. The bone is modeled as an initially homogeneous adaptive elastic plate with an elliptical hole under a superposed steady compressive load. It is shown that there will exist a final inhomogeneous remodeling distribution around the hole that will disappear away from the hole. The remodeling is such that the compressive stress concentration causes the bone structure to evolve to one of greater density and stiffer elastic coefficients. The speed of remodeling around the hole and its variation with respect to distance is investigated and discussed. It is shown that the rate of bone reinforcement in the area of compressive stress concentration is much higher than the rate of bone resorption in the area of existing tensile stress. Special cases of a circular hole and vertical and horizontal slots are studied and discussed.     

Evidence for the association of dystrophin with the transverse tubular system in skeletal muscle

Polyclonal antibodies to dystrophin (the protein product of the human Duchenne muscular dystrophy gene) were used to identify and characterize dystrophin in isolated triads from rabbit skeletal muscle. Anti-dystrophin antibodies recognize an approximately 400,000-Da protein in isolated triads or heavy microsomes from skeletal muscle. Treatment of heavy microsomes with buffers containing high salt or EDTA to remove peripheral or extrinsic membrane proteins does not remove dystrophin; however, treatment of intact triads with trypsin shows that dystrophin is extremely sensitive to mild proteolytic digestion. Isolation of junctional complexes from skeletal muscle triads indicates that dystrophin is tightly associated with the triadic junction. Fractionation of the triadic junction into junctional transverse tubular membranes and junctional sarcoplasmic reticulum membranes has shown that dystrophin is enriched in junctional transverse tubular membranes. Thus, our results suggest that dystrophin is a component of the triad junction which is exposed to the cytoplasm and embedded in or attached to the transverse tubular membrane.     

Effect of ACE inhibition on glomerular permselectivity and tubular albumin concentration in the renal ablation model

Despite the central role of tubular plasma proteins that characterize progressive kidney diseases, protein concentrations along the nephron in pathological conditions have not been quantified so far. We combined experimental techniques and theoretical analysis to estimate glomerular and tubular levels of albumin in the experimental model of 5/6 nephrectomy (Nx) in the rat, with or without angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition. We measured glomerular permselectivity by clearance of fluorescent Ficoll and albumin and used theoretical analysis to estimate tubular albumin. As expected, 5/6 Nx induced an elevation of the fractional clearance of the largest Ficoll molecules (radii >56 ?, P < 0.05), increasing the importance of the shunt pathway of the glomerular membrane and the albumin excretion rate (119 ± 41 vs. 0.6 ± 0.2 mg/24 h, P < 0.01). ACE inhibition normalized glomerular permselectivity and urinary albumin (0.5 ± 0.3 mg/24 h). Theoretical analysis indicates that with 5/6 Nx, an increased albumin filtration overcomes proximal tubule reabsorption, with a massive increase in average albumin concentration along the tubule, reaching the highest value of >2,500 μg/ml at the end of the collecting duct. ACE inhibition improved glomerular permselectivity, limiting albumin filtration under proximal tubule reabsorption capacity, with low albumin concentration along the entire nephron, averaging <13 μg/ml at the end of the collecting duct. These results reinforce our understanding of the mechanisms of renal disease progression and the effects of angiotensin II antagonism. They also suggest that evaluation of tubular protein concentration levels could help to identify patients at risk of kidney disease progression and to improve clinical management.     

The effect of particle morphology and concentration on the directly measured yield stress in filamentous suspensions

The influence of concentration (mass and volume fraction) and particle morphology on the yielding properties of filamentous broths ofAspergillus niger and Strepto-myces levoris was investigated using the rotating vane technique and compared with those of pulp suspensions. Two methods were applied to determine the volume fraction of the cells growing in filamentous form: the measurement of interstitial volume using a high molecular weight dye or dextran, and the measurement of dewatered broth filter cake volume by displacement using a pycnometer. The latter method provided the most reliable results. Cell concentrations ranging from 3 to 20 g dw/L, with corresponding volume fractions between 0.005 and 0.05, were obtained with broths generated in stirred tank and shake flask fermentations. The yield stress values obtained using the vane technique (0.1 相似文献   

Interaction of melittin with model membranes: effect on the size and permeability of liposomes

The influence of melittin, a monomer devoid of the phospholipase activity, on the size and permeability of liposomes from egg lecithin (PC), dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC) and dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) has been investigated by the methods of fluorescence spectroscopy, quasi-elastic light scattering and freeze-fracture electron microscopy. While studying calcein release from liposomes under the influence of melittin it has been shown that binding of melittin with a bilayer is a fast process which depends on the concentration lipid: protein (Ri) ratio as well as on the phase state of the lipid. The lipids being in the liquid-crystalline forms (PC and DMPC) are characterized by a more rapid release of the dye-stuff from liposomes than DPPC vesicles being in gel state with the same Ri. Under the influence of different melittin concentrations heterogeneity of the system and its medium hydrodynamic size of particles at first increases (100 less than or equal to Ri less than 500) due to their fusion and then these parameters decrease to the initial values.     

The effect of an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor on arteriosclerotic nanoplaque formation and size in a biosensor model

Proteoheparan sulfate can be adsorbed to a methylated silica surface in a monomolecular layer via its transmembrane hydrophobic protein core domain. Due to electrostatic repulsion, its anionic glycosaminoglycan side chains are stretched out into the blood substitute solution, thereby representing a receptor site for specific lipoprotein binding through basic amino acid-rich residues within their apolipoproteins. The binding process was studied by ellipsometric techniques. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) was found to deposit strongly at the proteoheparan sulfate-coated surface, particularly in the presence of Ca(2+), apparently through complex formation 'proteoglycan-LDL-calcium'. This ternary complex build-up may be interpreted as arteriosclerotic nanoplaque formation on the molecular level responsible for the arteriosclerotic primary lesion. HDL bound to heparan sulfate proteoglycan protected against LDL deposition and completely suppressed calcification of the proteoglycan-lipoprotein complex. In addition, HDL was able to decelerate the ternary complex deposition and to disrupt newly formed nanoplaques. Therefore, HDL attached to its proteoglycan receptor sites is thought to raise a multidomain barrier, selection and control motif for transmembrane and paracellular lipoprotein uptake into the arterial wall. The molecular arteriosclerosis model was tested on its reliability in a biosensor application in order to unveil possible acute pleiotropic effects of the lipid lowering drug fluvastatin. The very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL)/intermediate-density lipoprotein (IDL)/LDL and VLDL/IDL/LDL/HDL plasma fractions from a high-risk patient with dyslipoproteinemia and type 2 diabetes mellitus showed beginning arteriosclerotic nanoplaque formation already at a normal blood Ca(2+) concentration, with a strong increase at higher Ca(2+) concentrations. Nanoplaque formation and size of the HDL-containing lipid fraction remained well below that of the LDL-containing lipid fraction. Fluvastatin, whether applied acutely to the patient (one single 80 mg slow release matrix tablet) or in a 2-months medication regimen, markedly slowed down this process of ternary aggregational nanoplaque build-up and substantially inhibited nanoplaque size development at all Ca(2+) concentrations used. The acute action resulted without any significant change in lipid concentrations of the patient. Furthermore, after nanoplaque generation, fluvastatin, similar to HDL, was able to reduce nanoplaque formation and size. These immediate effects of fluvastatin have to be taken into consideration while interpreting the clinical outcome of long-term studies.     

Effect of a real and simulated weightlessness on characteristics of the static torsional otolith-cervical-ocular reflex

To determine the role of the support-proprioceptive factor in the functioning of the vestibular system, in particular the static torsional otolith-cervical-ocular reflex (OCOR), comparative OCOR studies with videooculography recording were performed after a 7-day "dry" horizontal immersion (16 immersion subjects) and after a prolonged (126 to 195 days) exposure to weightlessness (14 ISS cosmonauts). For the first time it was demonstrated that minimization of the support and propripceptive afferentation may results in an inversion or absence of the static torsional OCOR and the development of a positional nystagmus with an inverted reflex. A comparative OCOR data analysis of cosmonauts and immersion subjects has revealed similarity of responses. However, changes in OCOR after immersion were noted in only 60% of subjects, while after space fight, 90% of cosmonauts showed them. Post-flight changes were more frequent, marked and long-lasting.     

The influence of transverse tubular delays on the kinetics of charge movement in mammalian skeletal muscle

A model was developed to describe the kinetics of slow, voltage-dependent charge movement in the rat omohyoid muscle. To represent the electrically distributed nature of the transverse tubular system (t-system), we followed an approach similar to that described by Adrian and Peachey (1973 J. Physiol. [Lond.]. 235:103), and approximated the fiber with 12 concentric cylindrical shells. Incorporated into each shell were capacitative and conductive elements that represented the passive electrical properties of the t-system, and an element representing the mobile charge. The charge was assumed to obey a two-state scheme, in which the redistribution of charge is governed by a first-order reaction, and the rate constants linking the two states were assumed to depend on potential according to the constant field expression. The predictions of this "distributed two-state model" were compared with charge movements experimentally measured in individual fibers. For this comparison, first, the passive electrical parameters of the model were adjusted to fit the experimental linear capacity transient. Next, the Boltzmann expression was fitted to the steady state Q vs. V data of the fiber, thereby constraining the voltage dependence of the rate constants, but not their absolute magnitude. The absolute magnitude was determined by fitting the theory to an experimental charge movement at a single test potential, which in turn constrained the fits at all other test potentials. The distributed two-state model well described the rising and falling phases of ON, OFF, and stepped OFF charge movements at temperatures ranging from 3 to 25 degrees C. We thus conclude that tubular delays are sufficient to account for the rounded rising phase of experimental charge movements, and that it is unnecessary to postulate higher-order reaction schemes for the underlying charge redistribution.     

A model for evaluating the effect of son or daughter preference on population size

This paper develops a micro probabilistic model to describe the family extension process. The parameters are: the probability that a newborn is a boy (P), the number of desired boys (B), the number of desired girls (G), and the maximum possible number of children (N). This maximum is a stopping rule rather than a biological maximum. The variables are the ultimate number of boys and girls. According to this model, each couple determines B, G, and N, at the beginning of the reproductive period and continues to reproduce until at least B and at least G are achieved, or until the total number of children reaches N. The probability distribution of the ultimate number of boys and girls in the population is derived for this model. Simulation techniques are used to generate offspring. The results showed that the population size increases with the absolute differences, [B-G] for fixed N. They also suggested that son or daughter preference may be an important factor in fertility determinants, which may have important implications in population policies.     

The effect of pot size on growth and transpiration of maize and soybean during water deficit stress

Many experiments are conducted in greenhouses or growth chambers in which plants are grown in pots. Considerable research has shown that pots can have a limiting effect on overall plant growth. This research was undertaken to examine the effects of pot size specifically on transpiration response of maize (Zea mays L.) and soybean (Glycine max L.) plants undergoing water-deficit stress. Maize and soybean experiments were conducted similarly, but as separate experiments. Maize plants were grown in 2.3, 4.1, 9.1, and 16.2 l pots sealed to prevent water loss except by transpiration. For each pot size, plants were divided into two watering regimes, a well-watered control and a water-deficit regime. Water deficits were imposed by simply not rewatering the pots. Soybean was examined in a similar manner, but only the three larger pot sizes were used in the experiment. For both maize and soybean, and in both watering regimes, there was a significant reduction of shoot dry weight and total transpiration with decreasing pot size. However, there were no significant differences among pot sizes in the fraction of transpirable soil water (FTSW) point at which transpiration began to decline (FTSW0.31 for maize and 0.35 for soybean) or in the overall relationship of transpiration rate to soil water content in response to water deficits. These results indicated that, regardless of pot size or plant size, the overriding factor determining transpirational response to drought stress was soil water content.     

Alteration of the menstrual cycle in baboons placed on tethering devices and moved to individual housing--a stress model for a follicular phase defect

BACKGROUND: During an attempt to identify endocrine characteristics in the baboon that would more precisely predict ovulatory status for assisted reproductive techniques, we observed severe alterations in the menstrual cycle length upon introducing an environmental stress. This environmental stress involved moving animals from their baseline gang cage environment to individual indoor caging and placing them on a tethering apparatus. METHODS: Five adult female baboons were followed for changes in sex skin indicative of menstrual cycle timing and move from outdoor gang gages to individual indoor cages during the early follicular phase of their cycle. A tether device including a surgically implanted cannula was then installed to facilitate daily blood draws without sedation. Radioimmuonoassays were performed to monitor serum estradiol levels and lapraroscopic surveillance was used to confirm time of ovulation. RESULTS: Complete data sets were collected from four of the female baboons. In each case, a prolongation of the menstrual cycle was noted either during the cycle during which the females were moved to indoor caging or during the cycle immediately following the move. This prolongation was isolated to the follicular phase of the affected cycle. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that otherwise normal handling procedures, including movement to new caging, and/or installation of a tether device, can impart a stress effect on reproductively cycling adult female baboons, such that folliculogenesis is delayed.     

The effect of changes in the bulk dielectric constant on the DNA torsional properties

The effect of changes in the bulk dielectric constant on the DNA torsional properties was evaluated from plasmid circularization reactions. In these reactions, pUC18 previously linearized by EcoRI digestion was recircularized with T4 DNA ligase. The bulk dielectric constant of the reaction medium was decreased by the addition of different concentrations of neutral solutes: ethylene glycol, glycerol, sorbitol, and sucrose, or increased by the addition of glycine. The topoisomers generated by the ligase reaction were resolved by agarose-gel electrophoresis. The DNA twist energy parameter (kappa), which is an apparent torsional constant, was determined by linearization of the Gaussian topoisomers' distribution. It was observed that the twist energy parameter for the given solutes is almost linearly dependent on the bulk dielectric constant. In the reaction buffer, the twist energy parameter was determined to be 1100 +/- 100. By decreasing the dielectric constant to 74 with the addition of sorbitol, the value of the parameter reaches kappa = 900 +/- 100, whereas the addition of ethylene glycol leads to kappa = 400 +/- 50. Upon addition of glycine, which resulted in a dielectric constant equal to 91, the value of the twist energy parameter increased to kappa = 1750 +/- 100.     

应力对大段骨缺损修复影响的实验兔模型探讨

目的 建立用于研究应力对大段骨缺损修复作用的实验兔动物模型.方法 选用20只健康成年大耳白兔,随机分成两组,在右侧肱骨中下段制造13 mm的大段骨缺损后植入泡沫碳化硅人工骨,实验组选用具有固定和持续轴向加压双重作用的镍钛记忆合金接骨器,对照组选用同种材料和规格的仅有固定作用的接骨器,术后常规护理,待取材观察.结果 20只实验兔中,7只在苏醒后当天,10只术后1～3 d,3只术后4～7 d,出现植入体从植入部位脱出游离至皮下现象.结论 用于研究应力对大段骨缺损修复作用的实验兔动物模型未成功建立,镍钛记忆合金接骨器对兔肱骨大段骨缺损处人工骨的固定和持续加载,在实验兔肱骨难以实现.     

The effect of sample size and species characteristics on performance of different species distribution modeling methods

Species distribution models should provide conservation practioners with estimates of the spatial distributions of species requiring attention. These species are often rare and have limited known occurrences, posing challenges for creating accurate species distribution models. We tested four modeling methods (Bioclim, Domain, GARP, and Maxent) across 18 species with different levels of ecological specialization using six different sample size treatments and three different evaluation measures. Our assessment revealed that Maxent was the most capable of the four modeling methods in producing useful results with sample sizes as small as 5, 10 and 25 occurrences. The other methods compensated reasonably well (Domain and GARP) to poorly (Bioclim) when presented with datasets of small sample sizes. We show that multiple evaluation measures are necessary to determine accuracy of models produced with presence-only data. Further, we found that accuracy of models is greater for species with small geographic ranges and limited environmental tolerance, ecological characteristics of many rare species. Our results indicate that reasonable models can be made for some rare species, a result that should encourage conservationists to add distribution modeling to their toolbox.     

Influence of a transverse magnetic field on the characteristics of a dc gas discharge

The influence of a transverse magnetic field and the working-gas pressure on the rotation frequency of the current channel, as well as on the electric field in the positive column and the cathode voltage drop in a dc gas discharge, was studied experimentally. The working gases were pure hydrogen and hydrogen-methane, hydrogen-argon, and hydrogen-argon-methane mixtures. It is shown that a transverse (with respect to the discharge current) magnetic field stabilizes a normal glow discharge against a transition to an arc discharge at specific absorbed powers above 300 W/cm³. The cathode voltage drop and the electric field in the positive column are measured. It is shown that the electric field does not depend on the magnetic field strength, whereas the cathode voltage drop increases with increasing magnetic field. It is found that the rotation frequency of the current channel is a complicated function of the discharge parameters and attains 400 Hz.     

种子大小和干旱胁迫对辽东栎幼苗生长和生理特性的影响

在温室内遮阴条件下,设置80%、60%、40%和20%田间持水量(对照、轻度、中度和重度干旱)4个处理,研究种子大小和干旱胁迫对盆栽辽东栎幼苗生长和生理特性的影响。结果表明:大种子(3.05±0.38 g)幼苗的单株叶面积、总干质量和根冠比在所有处理均显著大于小种子(1.46±0.27 g)幼苗,前者的株高、基径、叶片数、比叶面积、相对生长率和净同化率等生长参数在轻度、中度和重度干旱处理均不同程度大于后者。大种子幼苗叶片过氧化物酶(POD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)和超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性均高于小种子幼苗,前者叶片丙二醛(MDA)、可溶性蛋白、游离脯氨酸含量和叶绿素总量在部分干旱处理显著大于后者。除根冠比外,其他生长参数均随干旱胁迫增强逐渐减小,重度干旱处理大、小种子幼苗总干质量分别比对照降低19.4%和20.0%。POD、CAT和SOD活性均随干旱胁迫增强先升后降,在中度干旱处理,大、小种子幼苗POD活性分别显著高于对照126.7%和142.1%,CAT活性分别显著高于对照170.0%和151.9%。在重度干旱处理,大、小种子幼苗MDA含量分别显著高于对照86.5%和68.9%。可...