Development of microsatellite markers for Dryobalanops aromatica (Dipterocarpaceae), a tropical emergent tree in Southeast Asia

Eight polymorphic microsatellite markers were developed in Dryobalanops aromatica, an emergent tree in tropical rain forests in Southeast Asia, using an enriched library method. For the assessment of microsatellite variation, 36 individuals from a natural population were analysed. The number of alleles per locus ranged from three to 16, with observed heterozygosity of 0.056–0.833 and expected heterozygosity of 0.054–0.882. These microsatellite markers will be useful for studies of population genetics, reproductive ecology and regeneration dynamics of D. aromatica.     

日本长期不同施肥稻田N2O和CH4排放特征及其环境影响

观测了75年长期连续不施肥、施硫酸铵、施熟制水稻秸秆与豆饼混合堆肥、施绿肥苜蓿4种处理下日本单季稻田温室气体N₂O和CH₄的排放特征及其环境影响.结果表明： 在水稻生长季节,不同处理间N₂O排放无显著差异,但CH₄排放差异显著;长期连续施用有机肥虽然没有增加N₂O排放却促进了CH₄排放.各系统排放N₂O和CH₄所产生的累积全球增温潜势（GWP）以绿肥处理最大（310.7 g CO₂e·m^-2）,熟制有机堆肥次之（151g CO₂e·m^-2）,硫酸铵处理最小（60.6 g CO₂e·m^-2）.稻田系统的GWP主要来自CH₄排放,控制和减少稻田系统CH₄排放是稻田温室气体减排的核心问题.长期连续施用熟制有机堆肥既能增加土壤有机质,改善地力,满足水稻高产,又能实现CH₄减排,是实践中值得推荐的水稻生产模式.     

The independent evolution of the metafemoral spring in Coleoptera

Abstract. The metafemoral spring (jumping organ) was known previously only from all Alticinae (Chrysomelidae), one genus of Bruchidae, and two species of Rhynchaeninae (Curculionidae). Here this spring is reported from three subfamilies, seven tribes and twenty-two genera of Curculionidae (three Rhychaeninae, one Erirhininae (Derelomini), and eighteen Ceutorhynchinae) and also from five genera of Buprestidae (four Agrilinae and one Trachyinae). Jumping in Hexapoda is discussed, specifically in the other jumping Coleopteran families that were examined for the presence of the spring (e.g. Melandryidae, Mordellidae, Scraptiidae, Eucinetidae, Limnichidae, Scirtidae and Anthribidae). The phylogenetic value of the metafemoral spring is still unclear; however, there are indications that it is useful in assessing relationships among weevil tribes. As in Alticinae, Curculionidae and Buprestidae have constant intra-generic spring morphology and inter-generic differences. The spring in Bruchidae, Curculionidae and Buprestidae has a simpler morphology than in the Alticinae, but still possesses the features necessary for jumping (metatibial extension). The metafemoral spring has apparently evolved independently in Alticinae, Bruchidae, Curculionidae and Buprestidae, and is an example of convergent evolution.     

Can Once Neuronally Differentiated Cells of Neural Retina Be Lentoidogenic in Cell Culture?*

Cells dissociated from neural retina of 3.5-day-old chick embryos transdifferentiated extensively into lens cells under the conditions of a cell culture for 3 to 4 weeks. In early satges of cell culture by about 10 days, cultures consisted of small round cells often with cytoplasmic processes(N-cells) and flattened epithelial cells (E-cells). Only N-cells were stained with a fluorescent dye Merocyanine 540. When cells harvested from early cultures were separated into two fractions by centrifugation in Percoll gradient, the specific activity of choline acetyltransferase was much higher in the fraction consisting mainly of N-cells than in other fraction mainly of E-cells. Continuous daily observations as well as cinematographic observations of living cultures indicate that lentoid bodies were often formed in the locations where clusters of N-cells had been found in early stages of culturing. The possibility of transdifferentiation of N-cell clusters into lentoid bodies is discussed.     

Minor carotenoid components in the chloroplasts of higher plants

One-dimensional thin layer chromatography with microcrystallinecellulose was used for the separation of minor carotenoid componentsin spinach, parsley and Brassicachloroplasts. It was revealedthat chloroplasts of these plants contain two minor xanthophyllcomponents besides carotenes, lutein, violaxanthin and neoxanthin.These minor components, designated as xanthophyll–443and –439, were different in spectral properties from antheraxanthinand zeaxanthin which are known to be present in the chloroplastsof some higher plants, and evidence was obtained showing thatxanthophyll–439 has an epoxy group. Spectral propertiesof these xanthophylls in benzene, ethanol, H-hexane and carbondisulfide, as well as their contents relative to other carotenoids,are presented in this paper. ¹Postal address     

Far-infrared Bands of Amino-acid Residues with α-Helical and β-Form Conformations

INFRARED spectra in the far-infrared region are very sensitive to the conformational changes of polypeptide backbones^1–6. We have measured the infrared spectra of sequential polypeptides in the region from 700 to 200 cm^?1 and have found several far-infrared bands characteristic of component amino-acid residues with α-helical and β-form conformations.     

MAPPING CELL WALL POLYSACCHARIDES OF LIVING MICROBIAL CELLS USING ATOMIC FORCE MICROSCOPY

Functionalized atomic force microscope tips were used to sense specific forces of interaction between ligand—receptor pairs and to map the positions of polysaccharides on a living microbial cell surface. Gold-coated tips were functionalized with concanavalin A using a cross-linker with a spacer arm of 15.6Å. It was possible to measure the binding force between concanavalin A and mannan polymers on the yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) cell surface. This force ranged from 75 to 200pN. The shape of the force curve indicated that the polymers were pulled away from the cell surface for a fairly long distance that sometimes reached several hundred nanometres. The distribution of mannan on the cell surface was mapped by carrying out the force measurement in the force volume mode of atomic force microscopy (AFM). During the measurement, the maximum cantilever deflection after contact between the tip and the sample was kept constant at 10nm using trigger mode to keep the pressing force on the sample surface as gently as possible at a force of 180pN. This regime was used to minimize the non-specific adhesion between the tip and the cell surface. Specific molecular recognition events took place on specific areas of the cell surface that could be interpreted as reflecting a non-uniform distribution of mannan on the cell surface.     

DIFFERENTIATION AND TRANSDIFFERENTIATION IN VITRO OF NEURAL RETINA FROM MUTANT CHICKENS WITH HYPERPLASIC LENS EPITHELIUM1)

Mutant chickens, Hy-1 and Hy-2, show abnormalities in growth and differentiation of the lens epithelium. In this study, neural retinal cells (NR cells) from 3.5-day-old embryos of these mutants were cultured, and the differentiation in vitro was compared with the cells of the normal strain. Hy-1 cells in vitro were characterized by a delay in the first appearance of neuronal cells (N-cells) and by excessive production of this cell type at later stages. By contrast, the Hy-2 cells were indistinguishable from the normal cells in the early phase of culturing. In spite of the marked difference of Hy-1 NR cells in neuronal differentiation up to about 7 days in culture, the transdifferentiation of lens and pigmented cells occurred to a similar extent and with the same time schedule as cultures of normal cells. A number of lentoid bodies were formed by about 10 days. The relative composition of the three major classes of crystallins in transdifferentiated lens cells was almost identical between normal and Hy-1 strains. The results were discussed in comparison with the previous results of cell culture of NR of 8-day embryonic mutant chickens, and it was concluded that the process of transdifferentiation in cell culture is different between NR from 3.5-day-old and 8-day-old embryos.     

Studies of fluid exchanges between rat liver slices and simple media

1. The exchange of fluid between slices of rat liver and solutions of monosaccharides, disaccharides, and sodium chloride has been studied in relation to the temperature of incubation. The point of apparent isotonicity (P.A.I.) of the tissue was defined as the concentration of the solution in which the slices neither gained nor lost weight after immersion for a period of 10 minutes. 2. In solutions of glucose, the P.A.I. of the slices was significantly lower at 4°C. than at 20°C. but similar at 20°C. and 37°C. Upon immersion for 15 to 60 minutes in 0.66 molar glucose the slices always swelled more at 37°C. than at 20°C. In solutions of sucrose change in the temperature of incubation was without effect on the hydration of the tissues. 3. In solutions of sodium chloride, the P.A.I. and the content of water, chloride, and sodium plus potassium were lower at 37°C. than at 20°C. 4. These findings emphasize the role of translocation of solute in providing an osmotic gradient for the movement of water between the tissue slices and the media.