Growth and gas exchange response to water shortage of a maize crop on different soil types

The effect of water shortage on growth and gas exchange of maize grown on sandy soil (SS) and clay soil was studied. The lower soil water content in the SS during vegetative growth stages did not affect plant height, above-ground biomass, and leaf area index (LAI). LAI reduction was observed on the SS during the reproductive stage due to early leaf senescence. Canopy and leaf gas exchanges, measured by eddy correlation technique and by a portable photosynthetic system, respectively, were affected by water stress and a greater reduction in net photosynthetic rate (A _N) and stomatal conductance (g _s) was observed on SS. Chlorophyll and carotenoids content was not affected by water shortage in either condition. Results support two main conclusions: (1) leaf photosynthetic capacity was unaffected by water stress, and (2) maize effectively endured water shortage during the vegetative growth stage.     

Monoamine oxidase inhibitory properties of optical isomers and N-substituted derivatives of 4-methylthioamphetamine

(+/-)-4-Methylthioamphetamine (MTA) was resolved into its enantiomers, and a series of N-alkyl derivatives of the parent compound, as well as its alpha-ethyl analogue, were prepared. The monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitory properties of these substances were evaluated in vitro, using a crude rat brain mitochondrial suspension as the source of enzyme. All compounds produced a selective, reversible and concentration-related inhibition of MAO-A. (+)-MTA proved to be the most potent inhibitor studied, while all the other derivatives were less active than the parent compound, with (-)-MTA being about 18 times less potent than the (+) isomer. The analysis of structure-activity relationships indicates that the introduction of alkyl substituents on the amino group of MTA leads to a reduction in the potency of the derivatives as MAO-A inhibitors, an effect which increases with the size of the substituent.     

Global transcriptional response of pig brain and lung to natural infection by Pseudorabies virus

Background  

Pseudorabies virus (PRV) is an alphaherpesviruses whose native host is pig. PRV infection mainly causes signs of central nervous system disorder in young pigs, and respiratory system diseases in the adult.     

Variation in the ribosomal internal transcribed spacers (ITS1 and ITS2) among eight taxa of the Mimulus guttatus species complex

The internal transcribed spacer region (ITS1 and ITS2) of the 18S-25S nuclear ribosomal DNA sequence and the intervening 5.8S region were sequenced from three individuals in each of eight taxa of the Mimulus guttatus species complex. Three discrete variants, or "types," of ITS sequences were found, among which 30%-40% of sites differed, compared with 1%-2% within types. Dot plots indicate that these types were not related by conspicuous rearrangements or inversions. More than one ITS type was often found in the same taxon, and two of three ITS types span species boundaries, indicating their presence prior to speciation. These ITS sequences showed essentially no positional homology with the nearest sequenced relative, tomato. In contrast, the 5.8S region was relatively unvaried, with 8 of 162 sites varied in the sample among all eight taxa. The phylogeny inferred by the most common ITS sequence type, rooted by the two other ITS types, agreed with isozymes in showing the distinctness of M. nudatus, M. laciniatus, and M. tilingii from the other five taxa.      

T-helper 17-related cytokines and IgE antibodies during hepatitis A virus infection in children

We determined the serum IgE levels and T-helper (Th)17-related cytokines duringdistinct hepatitis A virus (HAV)-induced clinical courses in children. Asignificantly higher concentration of macrophage inflammatory protein 3α, interleukin(IL)-17E and IL-17F in HAV-infected children with intermediate liver injury comparedwith those with minor liver damage was found. A reduction in the IgE levels in thosepatients who showed the highest levels of IL-17F in the group of intermediate liverinjury was found. The data suggested that the Th17-related profile is associated withthe severity of HAV infection and might play a role on the modulation achieved by HAVduring allergies.     

Interaction of calmodulin with lactoferrin.

Calmodulin, as a major intracellular calcium-binding protein, regulates many Ca(2+)-dependent enzymes and plays an important role in a wide spectrum of cellular functions of the eukaryotes. Interaction between calmodulin and human lactoferrin, a 78 kDa protein with antibacterial properties, was found in the presence of Ca2+ using (i) a method for the detection of calmodulin binding proteins with biotinylated calmodulin, (ii) affinity chromatography on an agarose-calmodulin column with subsequent detection by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The binding of calmodulin to lactoferrin blocked the ability of lactoferrin to agglutinate Micrococcus lysodeikticus.     

小黄皮叶挥发油的化学成分

利用水蒸气蒸馏法提取小黄皮叶挥发油,运用毛细管气相色谱-质谱联用法对挥发油进行了分析,分离出40个峰,鉴定了其中的37种成分,所鉴定成分占挥发油总量的99.87%,其主要化学成分为单萜及倍半萜类化合物。