Hydraulic Parameters Measured in 1-Year-Old Twigs of some Mediterranean Species with Diffuse-Porous Wood: Changes in Hydraulic Conductivity and Their Possible Functional Significance

We report measurements of hydraulic conductivity of Vitis oinifera,Oleo europaea and Populus deltoides 1-year-old twigs. Singleserial internodes were tested for the volume flow rate whichwas related to: (a) the xylem tissue cross-sectional area, (b)the vessel lumina cross-sectional area and (c) the leaf surfacearea supplied by a given stem section. From this, whole xylemhydraulic conductivity (L_x), vessel lumina hydraulic conductivity(L_xv) and leaf specific conductivity (LSC) were calculated.All the three parameters turned out to be linearly related toeach other. This is kcause: (a) the leaf surface area (A₁) waslinearly related to xylem cross-sectional area (A_x and (b) theratio of the vessel lumina cross-sectional area (A_xv) to xylemcross-sectional area (A_x) was approximately constant along thetwigs. Moreover, the hydraulic conductivity of twig segmentswhere buds grow most actively (distal internodes in V. viniferaand proximal ones in O. europaea) was much lower than in therest of the twigs. A possible role played by these ‘constricted’twig regions is discussed. Key words: Changes, Hydraulic conductivity, Stem     

Isolation and characterization of microsatellites in a marine food fish species,golden trevally Gnathanodon specious

The first set of six polymorphic microsatellites was isolated from a partial genomic DNA library of an important marine food fish Gnathanodon specious, and was characterized in 28 unrelated individuals. The allele number ranged from three to 12 with an average of seven/locus; average expected heterozygosity was 0.57 ranging from 0.10 to 0.87, whereas the observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.11 to 0.96 (average: 0.57). All six markers conform to Hardy–Weinberg and linkage equilibria. These markers will be useful for accessing genetic population structure of wild populations and for selective breeding program in fish farms.     

尖叶木樨榄作砧木嫁接油橄榄的研究

本文就云南、四川两省采用尖叶木樨榄(Olea ferrugineaRoyle.)作砧木嫁接油橄榄(Olea europaea L.)二十余年的试验观察,报道尖叶木樨榄在我国的分布及其生物学特性,系统总结尖叶木樨榄作砧木对油橄榄生长发育及开花结实的影响。试验结果表明:尖叶木樨榄作砧木具有种子出苗率高,嫁接繁殖容易,提早油橄榄开花结实年龄,增强油橄榄对酸性红壤的适应性,增强油橄榄对干旱环境和对某些病害的抗性等优点。此砧木已在我国西南部油橄榄适生区应用于生产性栽培。     

人血浆亮脑啡肽样物质放射免疫测定法及其临床初步应用

本文报告了血浆亮脑啡肽样物质(LEK)的放射免疫测定法。用 TG-ECDI-LEK 背部皮内多点免疫家兔,获得高特异性的抗 LEK 血清,最小检出量5pg,多种肽类及吗啡、纳洛酮对此均无明显干扰。血浆迅速酸化及抑肽酶等能有效防止脑啡肽(EK)的降解。血浆 EK 可被 XAD-2树脂吸附和用水合甲醇洗脱。本法测定人血浆 LEK 为127.9±5.4pg/ml(m±S.E.M,n=61).作者观察到胰岛素低血糖休克后血浆 LEK 增加,嗜铬细胞瘤患者血 LEK 增加,提示肾上腺體质可能是它的来源之一。     

Cryptic sexual dichromatism occurs across multiple types of plumage in the Green-backed Tit Parus monticolus

Several recent studies have found instances of cryptic sexual dichromatism within avian taxa. Although this dichromatism has been found in plumage produced through a variety of proximate mechanisms, little is known about how dichromatism varies across these types of plumage within a single species. We used a reflectance spectrometer to measure colour within the Green-backed Tit Parus monticolus , a species which displays multiple types of pigment and structural colours. We found significant differences in spectral measurements corresponding to hue, chroma, and brightness between male and female carotenoid, melanin, structural white, grey and structural blue plumage. The only plumage that did not appear to show sexual dichromatism was the olive plumage of the back. These findings suggest that the mechanism(s) producing cryptic dichromatism in the Green-backed Tit are non-specific and act across multiple types of plumage, rather than within a single type, such as carotenoid-based or structurally produced.     

Application of atomic force microscopy and grating coupler for the characterization of biosensor surfaces

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) and an optical grating coupler system were used to improve the understanding of the biosensing layer on a Ta(2)O(5)-light-guiding surface. Exemplary, we investigated the immobilization of the protein avidin, the subsequent binding of biotinylated oligonucleotides and hybridization of a complementary 12-mer. The AFM measurements revealed the height of approximately 1.6 nm for a single avidin molecule, while the thickness of the avidin layer on the biosensor surface seemed to be 2.8-3.0 nm. This result lead to the conclusion that the protein was not forming a simple monolayer. However, the thickness of the avidin layer could not be determined directly, but only after shifting of protein by the tip of the AFM leading to grooves of 1 micro m(2) and approximately 3 nm depth. As the height of oxide particles forming the waveguide surface was also in the range of 1.5 nm, the depth of these grooves could also be a result of the deposition of proteins on top of the oxide particles. This was consistent with the increased roughness of the surface after protein binding. Thus, investigations with the grating coupler were used to determine quantitatively the amount of immobilized avidin. On a biotinylated surface the amount of immobilized avidin lead to the assumption of a complete monolayer, whereas simple adsorption proved to be less efficient. A binding ratio of 1:1.3 for avidin and a biotinylated oligonucleotide was achieved. Up to 83% of the bound single strand were accessible for a subsequent hybridization reaction with a 12-mer. These results supported the model of avidin being deposited mainly on top of the oxide particles leading to the picture of a 'rough' complete protein monolayer, which was postulated from the AFM investigations.