Isolation of a highly pure archeocyte fraction from the fresh-water spongeEphydatia fluviatilis

Summary A pure archeocyte fraction was isolated from the fresh-water spongeEphydatia fluviatilis by density gradient centrifugation of dissociated cell suspensions. The nature and purity of the fraction were confirmed by electron microscopy.     

Fractionation of Hevea brasiliensis latex on ficoll density gradients

Fractionation of diluted Hevea brasiliensis latex on iso-osmotic Ficoll density gradients by sedimentation produces a sharp acid phosphatase-rich lutoid band at the density of ca1.04 g/cm³. Polyphenol oxidase (PPO) is not exclusively located in the Frey-Wyssling complexes as shown earlier by others; its distribution is variable. A complete separation of acid phosphatase and PPO activities can be obtained by flotation in a Ficoll density gradient. Ethephon stimulation of the tree reduces the acid phosphatase and PPO activities. A transient change in lutoid density soon after stimulation is observed. The occurrence of some new enzyme activities and their subcellular localization are reported.     

Isolation and characterization of the haemocytes of Calliphora vicina on density gradients of Ficoll

Discontinuous gradients of Ficoll have been used in an equilibrium density analysis of the haemocytes of Calliphora vicina. Using histochemical criteria, it was shown that the acid phosphatase-containing haemocytes decreased in mean density during larval life. Enzymatic analysis, and an analysis of the density distribution of labelled haemocytes at various times after an injection of [H³]-thymidine, provided evidence that a dense, replicating population of cells had been separated from a non-replicating acid phosphatase-containing population. The latter gained increasing amounts of the lysosomal enzymes acid phosphatase and protease as they aged.     

Incidence of leaf mining in different vegetation types across rainfall,canopy cover and latitudinal gradients

Abstract Leaf miners are insects whose larval stages live between layers of leaf epidermis, feeding on mesophyll and lower epidermis to create mine‐like cavities. Little is known about the ecology or distribution of leaf miners in Australia. We investigated the incidence of leaf miners in relation to aridity, vegetation types, host plant taxonomy, leaf traits, canopy cover and latitude. We surveyed leaf miners at 15 sites in NSW, eastern Australia, situated along a rainfall gradient from 300 to 1700 mm per annum and a latitudinal gradient of 28°S to 33°S, within four vegetation types (mallee, heath, woodland and rainforest). Leaf mining was recorded from 36 plant species, 89% of which had no previous record of mining. The proportion of mined plant species at each site varied, but there was no significant difference between vegetation types. Leaf mining presence was positively correlated with both total leaf length and leaf thickness. No significant correlations were found between the proportion of mined species at a site and rainfall, latitude or foliar projected cover. We conclude that leaf mining is a widespread type of insect herbivory whose distribution patterns are more likely to be influenced by biotic than abiotic factors.     

Distribution of different cell types within the rat thymus in the neonatal period of life

Summary This study attempted to define reciprocal positions of cell types within the thymus. Random or non-random contacts between specific cell types were analyzed by means of graph theory. For analysis, thymus blocks were sectioned serially and, then, thymus cells were categorized into types, based on morphological criteria. The distribution of individual cell types within the cortex, cortico-medullary zone and medulla was presented in form of a map. In the analysis, three types of epithelial cell, characteristic of each thymus zone, macrophages, Langerhans-like cells and lymphocytes were found in non-random relations to one another. Moreover, characteristic groups of cells associated with one another were also demonstrated.This study was supported by the Polish Academy of Sciences     

喀斯特关键带不同干扰梯度下土壤-岩石界面对土壤有机质水解酶活性的影响

土壤酶在土壤生态系统的物质循环和能量流动中具有重要作用,受土地利用方式影响强烈。喀斯特地区具有岩石出露面积广和土层浅薄不连续的特点,且随着人为干扰强度的增加而加剧。但是目前关于土壤碳氮循环酶活性对出露岩石(土壤-岩石界面)的响应受土地利用变化的影响的研究还较为薄弱。以贵州省喀斯特地区陈旗和天龙山流域为研究区域,探讨了原生林、次生林、弃耕地和耕地4种不同干扰梯度下土壤-岩石界面的土壤有机质水解酶活性的差异以及影响机制。研究结果表明:(1)当土地利用方式从森林转化为弃耕地或耕地后,土壤有机碳(SOC)、全氮(TN)、硝态氮(NO^-₃-N)、铵态氮(NH⁺₄-N)含量和SOC/TN随着人为干扰强度的增加呈现降低的趋势。在4种不同干扰强度的土地中,岩土界面的pH、SOC和NH⁺₄-N含量较高。(2)土壤酶活性在不同干扰梯度下土壤-岩石界面和非交界处有明显的分异。与碳循环有关的β-1,4-葡萄糖苷酶(βG)、β-1,4-木糖苷酶(βX)、纤维素二糖水解酶(CBH)和...     

Immunocytochemical study of YB-1 nuclear distribution in different cell types

In the present work we studied the distribution of YB-1 in the nuclei of mouse hepatocytes, early embryos and human skin fibroblasts with the use of light and electron microscopy. To reveal YB-1, we applied rat polyclonal antibody against the C-terminal fragment of YB-1 molecule and rabbit polyclonal antibody against full-length YB-1 molecule. YB-1 distribution patterns varied significantly in different cell types. YB-1 was found to be colocalized with RNA polymerase I in mouse hepatocytes and embryos. Besides, YB-1 was revealed in a population of Cajal bodies in 2-cell mouse embryos but not in other cells studied.     

不同优势树种菌根类型差异对土壤胞外酶活性的影响

土壤酶作为微生物代谢指标,在森林生态系统土壤碳和养分循环过程中发挥着重要作用,是土壤质量的重要指标。针对不同优势树种的内生菌根(AM)和外生菌根(ECM)所占比例差异,设置4种菌根类型比例梯度(即林分中ECM树种所占比例为<25%、25%—50%、50%—75%、>75%),分析4种林分中土壤水解酶[β-葡糖苷酶(BG)、β-N-乙酰氨基葡萄糖苷酶(NAG)、亮氨酸氨基肽酶(LAP)、酸性磷酸酶(AP)]和过氧化物酶(PER)活性差异,运用方差分析和多重比较分析方法,探究水解酶和氧化酶沿菌根类型梯度的变化规律及原因。结果表明：(1)lnBG和ln(NAG+LAP)与lnAP的回归斜率小于1,且AP远大于BG和NAG+LAP,这表明森林土壤微生物受磷(P)限制更严重,随着林分中ECM优势树种的增加,微生物受碳(C)和P限制的状况得到缓解;(2)土壤有机碳(SOC)随着ECM树种占比的增加而增加,ECM森林比AM森林表现出更高的全氮(TN)和全磷(TP)含量;(3)随着林分中ECM树种占比的增加,BG、AP和NAG+LAP呈逐渐显著增加的趋势(P<0.05);但氧化酶活性...     

Directed cell migration on fibronectin gradients: effect of gradient slope

The migration of human microvascular endothelial cells (hMEC) was measured on a range of fibronectin gradient slopes. hMEC drift speed increased with increasing gradient slope with no concurrent change in cellular persistence time or random cell speed. The frequency of discrete cellular motion in the gradient direction increased with gradient slope. Morphological polarization of cells on the gradients is also characterized and correlated with cellular drift speed. These experiments present the first demonstration of cellular response to changing haptotactic gradient slope using an in vitro system for the quantitative study of cell migration.     

Analysis of directional cell migration on defined FN gradients: role of intracellular signaling molecules

Directional cell migration on extracellular matrix (ECM) plays important roles in embryonic development and adult organisms. To study the mechanisms and signaling pathways involved in the regulation of directional cell migration, we created defined fibronectin (FN) gradients by using microfluidic systems. We found that fibroblasts exhibited haptotaxis towards higher FN concentration on the gradient. Furthermore, the net movements in the direction of FN gradients correlated with the increase in the slope of the gradient although the overall rate of migration was not correlated. Consistent with previous observations on the uniformly coated surface, local higher FN concentration led to reduced migration rate due to increased spreading. Upon transfection of N-WASP or activated Cdc42, but not FAK or Grb7, the cells showed increased directional migration. However, transfection of FAK, but not the other signaling molecules, led to an increase in the persistence of directional cell migration, which is dependent on the slope of the gradient as well as FAK interaction with PI3K. Together, these studies reveal some novel properties of directional cell migration on defined FN gradient and suggested a role for FAK signaling and N-WASP and Cdc42 in the differential regulation of the persistence and rate of directional cell migration.     

基于T-RFLP技术的不同水位梯度植物根际细菌群落多样性特征分析

为了解水位梯度控制下不同湿地植物根际细菌群落多样性,以北京市奥林匹克公园植物氧化塘人工湿地为例,采用末端限制性片段长度多态性(T-RFLP)技术结合ANOVA分析,比较了水位梯度控制下三棱草、芦苇、香蒲、睡莲4种植物根际细菌群落的多样性。研究结果显示:随着水位梯度加深,根际细菌群落多样性呈现减少趋势,HhaⅠ、MspⅠ、RsaⅠ3种不同酶切所得结果一致,且综合3种酶切的PAT比对中RFs组合数量随水位梯度加深也呈相应变化趋势。进一步分析发现,随水位梯度加深植物根际可培养细菌RFs数量变化较显著。不同水位梯度下各植物根际细菌群落中差异显著的菌群为Beta变形杆菌纲,水位梯度加深可能导致不同生态型植物根际泌氧能力降低,进而影响植物根际好氧细菌生存,从而出现三棱草根际属水平菌群丰富度最高,其次为芦苇、香蒲,最少为睡莲。各植物根际细菌群落的优势属多数为变形杆菌门,是脱氮除磷的功能性菌门,其中产碱杆菌属和黄杆菌属为四种植物根际细菌的共同优势属,在碳氮循环中起重要作用。     

广州地区荷木夜间树干液流补水的影响因子及其对蒸腾的贡献

明确树木夜间水分补充现象有助于提高总蒸腾量和冠层气孔导度估算的精确度,进一步认识冠层蒸腾与树干液流之间存在的时滞关系.本研究采用热消散探针法测定了广州地区的荷木树干液流密度,同步监测了主要的环境因子,从不同时间尺度分析了树干夜间液流的水分补充现象.结果表明：与白天相比,荷木夜间液流密度较小,旱季变化幅度比湿季大;夜间水分补充的时间段主要在前半夜(18:00-22:00);年内各季节夜间水分补充量之间没有显著差异,与环境因子之间的偏相关关系不显著,但与胸径、树高、冠幅、树干生物量、冠层生物量的回归曲线拟合很好,表明树形特征和生物量能更好地解释夜间补水的变化;各季节夜间水分补充量对总蒸腾量的贡献有显著差异,旱季明显高于湿季.     

A screening for the presence of four different crystal protein gene types in 25 Bacillus thuringiensis strains

25 different strains of Bacillus thuringiensis, belonging to 18 different serotypes were screened by Southern hybridization analysis for the presence of nucleotide sequences of four different gene types coding for crystal proteins showing different insecticidal spectra. Many but not all strains showed sequences homologous to any of the probes used. Homology with sequences of the gene type present in strain kurstaki HD1 occurred in all positive strains, whereas the other gene types were much less abundant. Sequences homologous to those of gene type VI, coding for a Spodoptera-specific crystal protein, appeared only in strains of serotypes aizawai and entomocidus.     

Efficiency of cloned embryo production using different types of cell donor and electric fusion strengths in goats

The type of somatic cell used as a cell donor and the electric field strength (EFS) applied for membrane fusion of the reconstructed oocytes are the two important aspects that need to be standardized for somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT). In the present study two somatic cells types, namely fibroblast cell grown from ear tissue biopsies of Barbari female goats and cumulus cells were used as somatic donor cells. For fusion of oocyte reconstructed membranes following somatic cell transfer, a dc current of 3 electrical field strength (EFS), i.e., 1.0–1.5; 2.0–2.5; 3 and above 3, were applied. When cumulus cells were used as a nuclear donor, a maximum fusion rate of (55.4 ± 3.9%) was obtained by applying 2.0–2.5 kV/cm dc current. The fusion rate obtained was significantly (P < 0.05) higher than all the other EFSs treatments of cumulus, as well as fibroblast cell types. The maximum fusion rate (31.9 ± 2.4%) for the fibroblast cell line was observed when an EFS of 2.0–2.5 kV/cm was applied. It could be concluded that the difference in membrane surface properties between the cumulus and fibroblast cell may contribute to the higher fusion rate obtained in cumulus cells for cloned embryo production.     

Monoclonal antibody production: viability improvement of RC1 hybridoma cell in different types of bioreactor

The study was done to improve the viability of the RC1 hybridoma cell in order to produce more amount of monoclonal antibody (mAb). By using the optimized media, the cell had been cultured in two bioreactor systems which were the MiniPerm and Stirred Tank bioreactor (ST bioreactor), and the results were compared to the one obtained by using the T-Flask bioreactor which was used as a standard. The results showed that the ST bioreactor was able to improve the viability of the cell to the value of 91.8% which was a little bit better than the one obtained by the MiniPerm bioreactor (88.6%) and far better than that of achieved by the T-Flask bioreactor (76.4%). This was well correlated with the good growth performance of the cell in the ST bioreactor with the specific growth rate (μ) value of 0.0289 h⁻¹ followed by MiniPerm bioreactor with the value of 0.0243 h⁻¹ and then the T-Flask with the value of 0.0151 h⁻¹. The low value of doubling time (t _d ) obtained in the ST bioreactor (24 h) compared to the one obtained in the MiniPerm (29 h) and T-Flask bioreactor (46 h) had also contributed to the higher value of cell viability. As a result a higher concentration of mAb was able to be produced by the ST bioreactor (0.42 g l⁻¹) compared to that of the MiniPerm (0.37 g l⁻¹) and T-Flask bioreactor (0.23 g l⁻¹).     

贺兰山西坡不同海拔梯度土壤氨基糖积累特征

为探明旱区山地不同海拔梯度土壤氨基糖积累特征,明确氨基糖对土壤有机碳库的贡献以及影响因素。以2021年8月在贺兰山西坡不同海拔(1848-2940 m)采集的土壤为研究对象,分析土壤理化性质、微生物群落结构、氨基糖含量、氨基糖对土壤有机碳贡献变化特征以及引起该变化的驱动因素。结果表明:沿海拔梯度上升,土壤理化性质表现出显著差异,土壤含水率、有机碳、全氮表现为升高趋势,pH和容重表现为降低趋势,全磷无明显变化规律。沿海拔梯度上升,土壤真菌、细菌、放线菌以及丛枝菌根真菌磷脂脂肪酸(Phospholipid fatty acids,PLFAs)含量表现为先增加后减少的趋势,在中海拔区域(2110-2360 m)微生物PLFAs含量更高。沿海拔梯度上升,总氨基糖含量和氨基糖单体(氨基葡萄糖、氨基半乳糖、胞壁酸和氨基甘露糖)分别表现为持续增加和先减少后增加的变化趋势,并且总氨基糖和氨基糖单体含量均在最高海拔达到峰值,中海拔区域真菌和细菌残体碳对土壤有机碳的贡献率均小于高海拔(2707-2940 m)和低海拔(1848-1910 m),且在不同海拔梯度上真菌残体碳对土壤有机碳贡献率占据主导地位。方差分解结果显示,土壤理化性质和微生物PLFAs含量共同解释了土壤氨基糖含量及对有机碳贡献率的55.2%,其中土壤理化性质解释变异的52.9%,微生物PLFAs含量解释变异的26.9%,冗余分析同步验证土壤理化性质是影响氨基糖及氨基糖对土壤有机碳贡献率的主要因素。本研究结果揭示了贺兰山西坡微生物驱动土壤有机碳存储与转化机制,可为进一步研究旱区山地微生物残体对土壤有机碳的贡献提供理论依据。     

Control of leaf cell elongation in barley. Generation rates of osmotic pressure and turgor, and growth-associated water potential gradients

In a previous study on the effects of N-supply on leaf cell elongation, the spatial distribution of relative cell elongation rates (RCER), epidermal cell turgor, osmotic pressure (OP) and water potential (Ψ) along the elongation zone of the third leaf of barley was determined (W. Fricke et al. 1997, Planta 202: 522–530). The results suggested that in plants receiving N at fixed relative addition rates (N-supply limitation of growth), cell elongation was rate-limited by the rate of solute provision, whereas in plants growing on complete nutrient solution containing excessive amounts of N (N-demand limitation), cell elongation was rate-limited by the rate of water supply or wall yielding. In the present paper, these suggestions were tested further. The generation rates of cell OP, turgor and Ψ along the elongation zone were calculated by applying the continuity equation of fluid dynamics to the previous data. To allow a more conclusive interpretation of results, anatomical data were collected and bulk solute concentrations determined. The rate of OP generation generally exceeded the rate of turgor generation. As a result, negative values of cell Ψ were created, particularly in demand-limited plants. These plants showed highest RCER along the elongation zone and a Ψ gradient of at least −0.15 MPa between water source (xylem) and expanding epidermal cells. The latter was similar to a theoretically predicted value (−0.18 MPa). Highest rates of OP generation were observed in demand-limited plants, with a maximum rate of 0.112 MPa · h⁻¹ at 16–20 mm from the leaf base. This was almost twice the rate in N-supply-limited plants and implied that the cells in the leaf elongation zone were capable of importing (or synthesising) every minute almost 1 mM of osmolytes. Potassium, Cl⁻ and NO₃ ⁻ were the main inorganic osmolytes (only determined for demand-limited plants). Their concentrations suggest that, unlike the situation in fully expanded epidermal cells, sugars are used to generate OP and turgor. Anatomical data revealed that the zone of lateral cell expansion extended distally beyond the zone of cell elongation. It is concluded that leaf cell expansion in barley relies on high rates of water and solute supply, rates that may not be sustainable during periods of sufficient N-supply (limitation by water supply: Ψ gradients) or limiting N-supply (limitation by solute provision: reduced OP-generation rates). To minimise the possibility of growth limitation by water and osmolyte provision, longitudinal and lateral cell expansion peak at different locations along the growth zone. Received: 15 October 1997 / Accepted: 12 March 1998     

钾肥类型对菜心(菜薹)生长、细胞保护酶和内源激素的影响

为探讨钾肥类型对菜心(Brassica campestris L. ssp. chinensis var. utilis Tsen et Lee)的作用效应,研究了不同钾肥类型和水平对菜心生长、细胞保护酶和内源激素的影响。结果表明,氯化钾或硫酸钾处理可提高菜心叶片的POD 和CAT 活性、IAA 和GA₃ 含量,降低MDA 含量,提高菜薹产量。随着钾水平的提高,叶片IAA 和GA₃ 含量、POD 和CAT 活性以及菜薹质量明显提高,MDA 含量降低。当施钾90 kg hm^-2 时,叶片的GA₃ 和IAA 含量显著下降,而POD 活性和菜薹产量没有显著变化。在相同水平下,氯化钾与硫酸钾对植株生长、菜薹产量、叶片GA₃ 含量的影响不显著。当施钾0~90 kg hm^-2 时,氯化钾处理的叶片POD 活性显著高于硫酸钾处理;而施钾135~180 kg hm^-2 时,氯化钾处理的叶片POD 活性则显著低于硫酸钾处理。除了90 kg hm^-2 氯化钾处理的CAT 活性和45 kg hm^-2 氯化钾处理的MDA 含量低于硫酸钾处理以及90 kg hm^-2 和180 kg hm^-2 氯化钾处理的IAA 含量高于硫酸钾处理的外,相同水平氯化钾和硫酸钾处理的CAT 活性、MDA 含量和IAA 含量没有显著差异。可见,钾肥类型对菜心的活性氧代谢系统及内源激素含量有一定的影响,但氯化钾与硫酸钾对菜心的施用效果相当,生产上可采用氯化钾代替硫酸钾以节约肥料成本,K₂O 施用量以90 kg hm^-2 为宜。     

Low frequency electric and magnetic fields have different effects on the cell surface

There is a considerable controversy over the nature of weak electromagnetic-field effects in living organisms. Part of the controversy can be traced to a lack of understanding of whether electric or magnetic fields are involved in producing bioeffects. We find that both 60 Hz electric and magnetic fields alter the cell surface of Physarum polycephalum. Exposure to electric fields increases the negative charge on the cell surface while magnetic-field exposure decreases the hydrophobic character of the surface. These effects appear to be additive and independent of the waveform of the applied fields.     

Significance of the cytoskeleton for cytoplasmic organization and cell organelle dynamics in epithelial cells of fresh-water sponges

Summary The cytoskeleton in epithelial cells ofSpongilla lacustris is constructed of microtubules radiating from the nuclear region and terminating at the cell periphery as well as microfilaments forming a cortical layer beneath the plasma membrane and distinct fibers in the cytoplasmic matrix. Single frame analysis and in vivo labeling of mitochondria with Rh 123, endosomes or lysosomes with TRITC-BSA, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) with DiOC₆ (3) and dictyosomes with C₆-NBD-ceramide points to the microtubular system as a candidate for controlled cytoplasmic organization and active transport of these cell organelles. In epithelial cells with an intact microtubular system, mitochondria and endosomes or lysosomes show a regular shuttle movement between the nucleus and the cell periphery with a velocity of 1.3–1.4 m/s; the ER forms a more or less dynamic two-dimensional network in the entire cytoplasmic matrix, and dictyosomes are arranged in a ring-like manner around the nucleus. In epithelial cells treated with colchicine or colcemid, mitochondria and endosomes or lysosomes gather in the perinuclear region and become immobile; the ER accumulates near the cell center, whereas most dictyosomes distribute randomly over the whole cytoplasm. Transformation of the microfilament system with cytochalasin D has no influence on cell organelle distribution and dynamics but impedes cell locomotion and cell surface activities.Abbreviations BSA bovine serum albumin - C₆-NBD-ceramide 6-[(N-[7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazol-4-yl]amino)caproyl]sphingosine - DiOC₆(3) 3,3-dihydroxyloxacarbocyanine jodide - DMSO dimethylsulfoxide - EGTA ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid - GTX glycerol-Triton-X-100 - PBS phosphate buffered saline - PEG polyethylene glycol - PIPES 1,4-piperazine-N,N-bis-(2-ethanesulfomc) acid - Rh 123 rhodamine 123 - TRITC tetramethylrhodamine isothiocyanate