A comparison of plasma prolactin levels in young female Long-Evans and Holtzman rats as measured by Nb2 lymphoma bioassay and radioimmunoassay

This study was conducted to determine the plasma levels of prolactin in prepubertal and young, postpubertal, proestrus rats of mammary tumor-susceptible (Sprague-Dawley) and tumor-resistant (Long-Evans) strains using a sensitive bioassay-Nb2 lymphoma cell replication. Prepubertal Long-Evans rats had significantly higher levels of prolactin than did Holtzman Sprague-Dawley rats of the same age. Likewise, Long-Evans rats secreted significantly more prolactin into the blood on the afternoon and evening of proestrus than did Holtzman rats. Finally, ovariectomized Long-Evans rats released more prolactin into the blood at 1 day, but not at 8 or 15 days, of treatment with diethylstilbestrol. Prolactin levels determined by conventional radioimmunoassay and by bioassay were similar except on the afternoon of proestrus, when, in both strains of rats, the bioassay to radioimmunoassay ratio increased significantly above 1.0 during the late evening. In addition, the ratio was significantly less than 1.0 in the early and late afternoon in the Holtzman rats, but not Long-Evans rats. These data indicate that a strain of rats that is resistant to experimentally induced mammary cancer has higher prolactin levels in the blood than does a strain that is susceptible to mammary cancer at a time when mammary gland growth is rapid. Furthermore, there are times during the proestrus prolactin surge when the bioassay yielded higher and lower values of prolactin than radioimmunoassay of the same samples, suggesting functional heterogeneity of prolactin that may impact on mammary gland or other target tissue function.     

The use of microcomputers for the quantitation of light intensity patterns using digitized video signals

We have developed an inexpensive yet versatile microcomputer-basedsystem for quantitating light intensity levels in autoradiographs.This system employs a standard video camera interfaced to ananalog-to-digital convertor. A program has been written forthis system which can measure intensities within a defined regionof an autoradiograph, permitting an easy and accurate quantitationof spots or bands of irregular shape. Received on June 18, 1985; accepted on September 3, 1985     

Correlation of H2O2 production and liver catalase during riboflavin deficiency and repletion in mammals

A substantial decrease in liver peroxisomal catalase was found during riboflavin deficiency in rats. This decrease is greater than that found among other hemoproteins and seems to follow decrease in flavin-dependent peroxisomal oxidases. This is not due to a general depression of peroxisomal enzymes, since Cu-dependent urate oxidase activity was not changed. Furthermore, the level of catalase activity as well as flavin-dependent oxidases was restored by riboflavin repletion. These results suggest that hydrogen peroxide, the substrate for catalase produced by several flavoprotein oxidases, induces catalase in mammals as has been indicated for certain bacteria.     

Hybrid genes in the analysis of transformation conditions: II. Transient expression vs stable transformation—analysis of parameters influencing gene expression levels and transformation efficiency

Reports on direct gene transfer have dealt with either the obtention of stable transformants and transgenic plants, or described the use of reporter genes to analyse different aspects of gene expression in plant protoplasts and conditions for their use in transient gene expression assays.
In this paper we present comparisons between several transformation techniques, show species-specific differences in efficiencies of stable transformants and in the levels of transient gene expression, and report on the identification of major parameters responsible for DNA uptake as judged from transient chloramphenicol acetyl transferase (CAT) expression levels and from efficiencies of transformation based on kanamycin-resistance. The described procedures have been simplified, optimized and standardized and should allow routine use with a great variety of plant species.     

Lung and chest wall mechanics in rabbits during high-frequency body-surface oscillation

In eight anesthetized and tracheotomized rabbits, we studied the transfer impedances of the respiratory system during normocapnic ventilation by high-frequency body-surface oscillation from 3 to 15 Hz. The total respiratory impedance was partitioned into pulmonary and chest wall impedances to characterize the oscillatory mechanical properties of each component. The pulmonary and chest wall resistances were not frequency dependent in the 3- to 15-Hz range. The mean pulmonary resistance was 13.8 +/- 3.2 (SD) cmH2O.l-1.s, although the mean chest wall resistance was 8.6 +/- 2.0 cmH2O.l-1.s. The pulmonary elastance and inertance were 0.247 +/- 0.095 cmH2O/ml and 0.103 +/- 0.033 cmH2O.l-1.s2, respectively. The chest wall elastance and inertance were 0.533 +/- 0.136 cmH2O/ml and 0.041 +/- 0.063 cmH2O.l-1.s2, respectively. With a linear mechanical behavior, the transpulmonary pressure oscillations required to ventilate these tracheotomized animals were at their minimal value at 3 Hz. As the ventilatory frequency was increased beyond 6-9 Hz, both the minute ventilation necessary to maintain normocapnia and the pulmonary impedance increased. These data suggest that ventilation by body-surface oscillation is better suited for relatively moderate frequencies in rabbits with normal lungs.     

Sub-Cellular Distribution of Zinc in Different Vegetative Organs and Their Contribution to Grains Zinc Accumulation in Rice Under Different Nitrogen and Zinc Supply

Journal of Plant Growth Regulation - Zinc is an important micronutrient for the growth and development of human body and plants. Proper use of nitrogen fertilizer and foliar application of Zn have...     

Fulvic Acid,Brassinolide, and Uniconazole Mediated Regulation of Morphological and Physiological Traits in Maize Seedlings Under Water Stress

Water stress is one of the most important factors limiting sustainable crop production. Therefore, the effects of the plant growth regulators (PGRs) fulvic acid (FA), brassinolide (BR), and uniconazole (Uni) on seedling growth and physiology of two maize (Zea mays L.) varieties were evaluated under???0.7 MPa water stress induced by polyethylene glycol-6000. Under drought stress, the PGRs promoted seedling growth, altered the root-to-shoot ratio, and significantly increased root biomass, length, surface area, diameter, and volume. In addition, depending on the PGR, net photosynthesis rate, SPAD value (indicating chlorophyll content), and water use efficiency increased significantly, under drought stress, whereas transpiration rate decreased. The PGRs also significantly increased antioxidant enzyme activities and significantly decreased malondialdehyde accumulation in leaves and roots under drought stress. Zhengdan958 showed greater variation in physiological responses and stronger drought resistance than Xundan20. In alleviating drought stress in maize seedlings, FA had the greatest effects on shoot growth and leaf physiology; Uni exerted its effects by regulating root structure, and BR effects were intermediate. Under drought stress, the three PGRs increased maize seedling growth, which reduced drought stress-induced damage and improved plant ability to resist the adversity. Based on a comprehensive analysis of physiological indices of drought resistance, Uni is recommended as the best PGR to improve maize seedlings resistance to drought.

     

N-Heterocyclic Carbene-Palladium Polymers Network: Recyclable Pre-catalyst for Effective Suzuki–Miyaura Coupling Reaction in Water

Rational design of high-efficiency N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) palladium catalyst is of great importance to modern organic synthesis, especially in chemical and pharmaceutical industries. Herein, we fabricate a polymer network containing N-heterocyclic carbene palladium (PNNHC-Pd) catalytic active sites via an immobilization process. The N-heterocyclic carbene palladium can serve as a promising linkage of polymer network as well as an effective catalytic active site owing to its structural preference and strong σ-donating ability with palladium species. The results display that N-heterocyclic carbene palladium disperses homogeneously in polymer network, thus rendering PNNHC-Pd excellent catalytic activity, high stability and superior reusability in palladium-catalyzed Suzuki–Miyaura coupling reaction in aqueous medium. This work provides a new insight into the development of heterogenization of homogeneous catalysts based on polymer network.     

Research Progress on Anti-Inflammatory Mechanisms of Black Ginseng

In recent years, black ginseng, a new type of processed ginseng product, has attracted the attention of scholars globally. Ginsenoside and ginseng polysaccharide, the main active substances of black ginseng, have been shown to carry curative effects for many diseases. This article focuses on the mechanism of their action in anti-inflammatory response, which is mainly divided into three aspects: activation of immune cells to exert immune regulatory response; participation in inflammatory response-related pathways and regulation of the expression level of inflammatory factors; effect on the metabolic activity of intestinal flora. This study identifies active anti-inflammatory components and an action mechanism of black ginseng showing multi-component, multi-target, and multi-channel characteristics, providing ideas and a basis for a follow-up in-depth study of its specific mechanism.     

Effect of cellulases on spontaneous fusion of maize protoplasts

Summary The effect of protoplast-isolating enzymes on spontaneous fusion of maize protoplasts (Zea mays L. cv. Black Mexican Sweet) was investigated using a convenient ethidium bromide nuclear staining procedure. After 2–2.5 hour digestion in an enzyme solution containing 1% Cellulysin, 0.5% Rhozyme, and 0.02% Pectolyase Y-23, 50–75% of the protoplasts contained multiple nuclei. The cellulase Cellulysin was identified as the factor causing the spontaneous protoplast fusion; when Cellulysin was replaced by CELF cellulase, most protoplasts were uninucleate. Calcium and other components in the enzyme solution did not affect spontaneous fusion. Cellulysin also increased the percentage of multinucleate protoplasts from rice and asparagus suspensions. Presence of multiple nuclei might affect genetic manipulations involving protoplasts.