中国兰科羊耳蒜属新记录种——岩生羊耳蒜及其独特的珠芽繁殖方式

报道了中国兰科(Orchidaceae)羊耳蒜属(Liparis Rich.)植物一新记录种——岩生羊耳蒜(Liparis petraea),并提供了其形态描述及彩色图片,凭证标本保存于广西植物研究所标本馆(IBK)。岩生羊耳蒜与见血青(L.nervosa)在形态上相近,但前者叶银灰绿色,叶面平展,唇瓣基部胼胝体为短圆柱状突起,植株通常具珠芽而易与后者区分。岩生羊耳蒜居群内个体呈聚集式分布,并与其具有的珠芽繁殖方式相关。     

Numerical simulation of the effect of superparamagnetic nanoparticles on microwave rewarming of cryopreserved tissues

In this study, the microwave rewarming process of cryopreserved samples with embedded superparamagnetic (SPM) nanoparticles was numerically simulated. The Finite Element Method (FEM) was used to calculate the coupling of the electromagnetic field and the temperature field in a microwave rewarming system composed of a cylindrical resonant cavity, an antenna source, and a frozen sample phantom with temperature-dependent properties. The heat generated by the sample and the nanoparticles inside the electromagnetic field of the microwave cavity was calculated. The dielectric properties of the biological tissues were approximated using the Debye model, which is applicable at different temperatures. The numerical results showed that, during the rewarming process of the sample phantom without nanoparticles, the rewarming rate was 29.45 °C/min and the maximum temperature gradient in the sample was 3.58 °C/mm. If nanoparticles were embedded in the sample, and the cavity power was unchanged, the rewarming rate was 47.76 °C/min and the maximum temperature gradient in the sample was 1.64 °C/mm. In the presence of SPM nanoparticles, the rewarming rate and the maximum temperature gradient were able to reach 20.73 °C/min and 0.68 °C/mm at the end of the rewarming under the optimized cavity power setting, respectively. The ability to change these temperature behaviors may prevent devitrification and would greatly diminish thermal stress during the rewarming process. The results indicate that the rewarming rate and the uniformity of temperature distribution are increased by nanoparticles. This could be because nanoparticles generated heat in the sample homogeneously and the time-dependent parameters of the sample improved after nanoparticles were homogeneously embedded within it. We were thus able to estimate the positive effect of SPM nanoparticles on microwave rewarming of cryopreserved samples.     

A modified version of the digestion–ligation cloning method for more efficient molecular cloning

Here we describe a modified version of the digestion–ligation approach for efficient molecular cloning. In comparison with the original method, the modified method has the additional steps of gel purification and a second ligation after the first ligation of the linearized vector and DNA insert. During this process, the efficiency and reproducibility could be significantly improved for both stick-end cloning and blunt-end cloning. As an improvement of the very important molecular cloning technique, this method may find a wide range of applications in bioscience and biotechnology.     

A new lectin with highly potent antihepatoma and antisarcoma activities from the oyster mushroom Pleurotus ostreatus

A dimeric lectin, composed of subunits with a molecular weight of 40 and 41 kDa, respectively, and demonstrating similarity in N-terminal sequence to each other and to Aleuria aurantia lectin, was isolated from fresh fruiting bodies of the edible mushroom Pleurotus ostreatus. The lectin was unadsorbed on DEAE-cellulose in 10 mmol/L phosphate buffer (pH 7.5), subsequently adsorbed on CM-cellulose in 10 mmol/L NH(4)OAc (pH 5.4), and came off in the first peak from a Superose 12 column during fast protein liquid chromatography. The lectin was acid-labile, alkali-labile, and heat-labile. Its hemagglutinating activity was sensitive to inhibition by CaCl(2), MgCl(2), MnCL(2) and FeCl(3) and potentiation by AlCl(3). Melibiose, lactose, d-galactose, alpha-methyl-d-galactopyranoside, N-acetylneuraminic acid, raffinose, and inulin were capable of inhibiting its hemagglutinating activity, with melibiose being the most potent. The lectin exerted potent antitumor activity in mice bearing sarcoma S-180 and hepatoma H-22. Survival in these mice was prolonged and body weight increase reduced after lectin treatment.     

Iodine Nutrition and Thyroid Function in Pregnant Women Exposed to Different Iodine Sources

Determination of the public health concern about magnesium (Mg) in health and disease has been confounded by the lack of a practical measure of status. This has resulted in a lack of consistency in associating Mg deficiency with specific pathological conditions. Some attempts at associating Mg with a chronic disease have used the Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) as a status assessment measure. Use of current DRIs for Mg is problematic because recent evidence suggests that they should be updated and based on body weight. An evidence-based suggested Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) and Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for a 70-kg individual is 175 and 250 mg/day, respectively. However, numerous dietary and physiological factors can affect the need for Mg and thus affect the use of the current or suggested new DRIs to assess Mg status. Calcium intakes above normal requirements can decrease Mg balance and exacerbate signs of Mg deficiency. Mg deficiency apparently occurs often in obesity because of increased need to counteract the inflammatory stress induced by adipose tissue dysfunction. Deficiency in anti-oxidant nutrients such as vitamin E and selenium can exacerbate a response to low dietary Mg indicated by increased oxidative stress which can lead to chronic disease. Dietary modifiers of Mg absorption and excretion affect balance and thus the need for Mg. Factors decreasing Mg balance include low dietary protein and non-fermentable fiber, while factors that can increase balance include fructose and fermentable fiber and fructose-containing oligosaccharides. Use of the DRIs to assess the Mg status of a population or group needs to consider their physiological characteristics and dietary habits and be aware that the DRIs may need updating. The DRIs only can be considered a component of a toolbox that presently includes serum Mg concentration and the daily urinary Mg excretion to assess the Mg status of an individual.

     

Regulation of gamete release in the economic brown seaweed <Emphasis Type="Italic">Hizikia fusiforme</Emphasis> (Phaeophyta)

Gamete release is an essential event in artificial seeding of the economic brown seaweed, Hizikia fusiforme. Mass egg release occurred in the dark, with few eggs being discharged in the light. Release of eggs was elicited with eight practical salinity units (one PSU ≡ 1 g sea salts l⁻¹) and was inhibited by salinity levels >32 PSU. Egg release was optimal at 23 °C, and was decreased by 72% in agitated seawater compared to unstirred seawater. Inhibitors of photosynthesis and ions channels suppressed egg release, indicating that this process was physiologically associated with photosynthetic activity and ion transport.     

Design,synthesis and binding affinity of 3'-fluoro analogues of Cl-IB-MECA as adenosine A3 receptor ligands

Several 3'-fluoro analogues, 1a, 1b, and 1c of selective and potent adenosine A(3) receptor agonist, Cl-IB-MECA were synthesized from D-xylose via highly regioselective opening of lyxo-epoxides, 8a and 8b with fluoride anion. Compared to the high binding affinity of Cl-IB-MECA to the A(3) adenosine receptor, the corresponding 3'-fluoro derivative showed remarkably decreased binding affinity, indicating that 3'-hydroxyl group acts as hydrogen bonding acceptor, not hydrogen bonding donor like fluorine atom in binding to the A(3) adenosine receptor.