A protein fraction from aged garlic extract enhances cytotoxicity and proliferation of human lymphocytes mediated by interleukin-2 and concanavalin A

Fraction 4 (F4), a protein fraction isolated from aged garlic extract, enhanced cytotoxicity of human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) against both naturalkiller (NK)-sensitive K562 and NK-resistant M14 cell lines. Although F4 treatment alone increased cytotoxicity, the effect was more remarkable when F4 was administered together with suboptimal doses of interleukin-2 (IL-2); combination treatment of 5 g/ml F4 plus 10 U/ml IL-2 for 72 h generated lymphokine-activated killer activity equivalent to that produced by 100 U/ml IL-2 alone against M14. F4 enhanced IL-2-induced proliferation and IL-2 receptor (Tac) expression of PBL without significant increase of IL-2 production. The enhancement of cytotoxicity both by F4 alone and by F4 plus IL-2 was abolished by anti-IL-2 antibody. F4 also enhanced concanavalin-A(ConA)-induced proliferation of PBL. Radiolabeled-ConA binding assays revealed that F4 treatment greatly augmented the affinity and slightly increased the number of ConA binding sites in PBL. F4 also enhanced ConA-induced IL-2 receptor (Tac) expression and IL-2 production of PBL. Anti-IL-2 antibody inhibited the effect of F4 on ConA-induced proliferation. These data suggest that IL-2 is involved in augmentative effects of F4. Our results indicate that F4 is a very efficient immunopotentiator and may be used for immunotherapy.     

Impacts of iron on phosphate starvation-induced root hair growth in Arabidopsis

In Arabidopsis, phosphate starvation (-Pi)-induced responses of primary root and lateral root growth are documented to be correlated with ambient iron (Fe) status. However, whether and how Fe participates in -Pi-induced root hair growth (RHG) remains unclear. Here, responses of RHG to different Fe concentrations under Pi sufficiency/deficiency were verified. Generally, distinct dosage effects of Fe on RHG appeared at both Pi levels, due to the generation of reactive oxygen species. Following analyses using auxin mutants and the phr1 mutant revealed that auxin and the central regulator PHR1 are required for Fe-triggered RHG under −Pi. A further proteomic study indicated that processes of vesicle trafficking and auxin synthesis and transport were affected by Fe under −Pi, which were subsequently validated by using a vesicle trafficking inhibitor, brefeldin A, and an auxin reporter, R2D2. Moreover, vesicle trafficking-mediated recycling of PIN2, an auxin efflux transporter, was notably affected by Fe under -Pi. Correspondingly, root hairs of pin2 mutant displayed attenuated responses to Fe under -Pi. Together, we propose that Fe affects auxin signalling probably by modulating vesicle trafficking, chiefly the PIN2 recycling, which might work jointly with PHR1 on modulating -Pi-induced RHG.     

青天葵的人工栽培技术研究

本文报道青天葵的栽培研究结果。采用较大的种苗种植可获得较大的种茎;选用大中种茎,适当密植,在60—70%的荫蔽度条件下产量较高;适当推迟收获期,不但产量高,而且形成的球茎较大,有利于青天蔡的繁殖和生长。     

晋北典型针叶人工林叶功能性状特征及其与土壤因子的关系

为了解释植物叶片的资源分配特征及其与土壤因子间的适应策略,该研究以黄土高原东北缘山西省大同市新荣区油松、樟子松人工纯林及其柠条混交林为对象,采用样方法采集样木树冠中部生长良好的轮生枝中东西南北4个方向的枝条,并在每个枝条上选择里、中、外3处有代表性的当年生叶和多年生叶;采用 “S”形采样法在每个样方内选取9个取样点,用土钻采集各样点0～20 cm土壤样品;测定分析不同造林模式下油松、樟子松异龄叶功能性状特征、土壤理化性质以及二者的关系,为人工林培育及经营提供理论支撑。结果表明：(1)不同造林模式下油松及樟子松叶功能性状的差异集中在化学计量之间;随着叶龄增长,油松、樟子松均表现出干物质含量上升,氮磷含量下降的特征。(2)土壤全磷、全氮含量分别是油松当年及多年生叶的主要解释因子,土壤全磷与当年生叶碳氮比、有机碳、碳磷比均呈显著正相关关系,与全氮、叶面积及叶干物质含量呈显著负相关关系,土壤全氮与多年生叶全磷含量呈正相关关系,与叶有机碳、碳磷比、碳氮比则呈显著负相关关系。(3)樟子松当年生叶功能性状的关键土壤因子是土壤容重、全磷含量,其与叶碳氮磷的比值、干物质含量、碳含量呈正相关关系,而与氮磷含量呈负相关关系;多年生叶功能性状的关键土壤因子是土壤容重、含水量、pH,其与叶氮磷含量呈正相关关系,与碳含量、干物质含量、比叶面积等呈负相关关系。(4)油松及樟子松纯林的叶功能性状更易向关键土壤因子含量更高的方向偏移,说明与柠条混交可有效分异叶片生长对主要土壤因子的集中需求,但混交造林模式下林木长势有所衰弱;结合研究区资源匮乏现状,林木种植密度较大,竞争加剧了生存压力导致林木生长受限。     

ARK2 stabilizes the plus-end of microtubules and promotes microtubule bundling in Arabidopsis

Microtubule dynamics and organization are important for plant cell morphogenesis and development. The microtubule-based motor protein kinesins are mainly responsible for the transport of some organelles and vesicles, although several have also been shown to regulate microtubule organization. The ARMADILLO REPEAT KINESIN (ARK) family is a plant-specific motor protein subfamily that consists of three members (ARK1, ARK2, and ARK3) in Arabidopsis thaliana. ARK2 has been shown to participate in root epidermal cell morphogenesis. However, whether and how ARK2 associates with microtubules needs further elucidation. Here, we demonstrated that ARK2 co-localizes with microtubules and facilitates microtubule bundling in vitro and in vivo. Pharmacological assays and microtubule dynamics analyses indicated that ARK2 stabilizes cortical microtubules. Live-cell imaging revealed that ARK2 moves along cortical microtubules in a processive mode and localizes both at the plus-end and the sidewall of microtubules. ARK2 therefore tracks and stabilizes the growing plus-ends of microtubules, which facilitates the formation of parallel microtubule bundles.     

Dose dependent accretion of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in cardiac membranes of rats fed egg yolk powder enriched in DHA.

We tested the hypothesis that enrichment of the diet with docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) enriched egg yolk powder could modify specifically the (n-3) fatty acids content of rat plasma, red blood cells and heart membranes. Dose-dependent effect of DHA was studied in rats supplemented during 4 weeks. Three groups of adult male rats, DHA10, DHA35 and DHA60 (n = 5 each), had their diet supplemented with 10 mg, 35 mg or 60 mg DHA/kg body weight/day, respectively. Fatty acid composition of membranes and plasma lipids were determined. A significant dose-dependent increase in DHA was observed in all three types of samples. Arachidonic acid (AA) levels did not change in heart and red blood cell membranes whereas it increased significantly in plasma with the DHA35 diet. These results contrast with that previously reported for fish oil supplementation where a decrease in AA levels was reported. Hence, DHA enriched egg yolk supplementation leads to a specific accretion of DHA without competition on AA status.     

人体β-珠蛋白基因5’旁侧调控元件与不同发育时期调控因子的相互作用

人β-珠蛋白基因主要在成年期的骨髓中表达,在胎儿肝,成年肝和K 562细胞中则处于关闭状态。凝胶电泳阻抑法分析发现,在人胎儿肝,成年肝及K 562细胞的核蛋白抽提物中存在着不同的与β-珠蛋白基因5'旁侧调控元件(-372到-194 bp)相结合的红系组织特异性的调控因子。竟争试验的结果表明,成年肝和K 562细胞中的调控因子与β-珠蛋白基因5'旁侧调控元件相互作用的方式具有一定的相似性,这两种细胞的调控因子既结合于负调控区(NCR 2)也结合于正调控区,说明两种细胞中β-珠蛋白基因的关闭机制可能是相似的。胎儿肝的核蛋白因子只结合于负调控区,推测在胎儿期存在独特的关闭机制。     

羊角椒辣味物质成份分析

用紫外光谱法、红外光谱法和高效液相色谱法分析羊角椒中辣味物质纯度与组成,表明辣味物质由辣椒素、二氢辣椒素和降二氢辣椒素组成。     

Effects of UV-B on flavonoids, ferulic acid, growth and photosynthesis in barley primary leaves

Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) was grown with UV-B (280–320 nm) at levels simulating 25 nr 5% ozone depletion on the date of the summer solstice al 40°N latitude, with UV-A (320–400 nm), or with no supplemental irradiation. In plant growth chambers providing 300 μmol m^?2 s^?1 photosynthetically active radiation (PAR). UV-B-grown leaves elongated more slowly than controls but reached the same final length 1 day later. Leal specific fresh weight (mass leaf area^?1) was significantly increased by UV-B after the 7th day of growth. IV-B did not significantly affect leaf area, fresh weight, dry weight, total chlorophylls, total carotenoids or photosynthetic quantum efficiency. CO₂ assimilation was decreased by UV-B only at internal CO₂ levels above 250 μl l^?1. By the 8th day of growth, UV-B increased flavonoid (saponarin and lutonarin) accumulation in both the lower epidermis and the mesophyll: about 40% of the saponarin and 20% of the lutonarin were in the lower epidermis under all experimental conditions. Glasshouse conditions proved too variable for reproducible determination of growth and photosynthesis but were reliable for determining developmental changes in flavonoid (saponarin and lutonarin) accumulation and provided up to 800 μmol m^?2 s^?1 PAR. In the glasshouse UV-B-grown leaves had more flavonoids than controls al all stages from 5 to 30 days after planting: ca 509 more saponarin and 100% more lutonarin. Levels of soluble (vacuolar) ferulic acid esters were similar under all conditions on day 5. and on day 20 or later, but were significantly higher in UV-B-grown plants on days 10 and 15. UV-B decreased insoluble (cell-wall-bound) ferulic acid esters on a whole leaf basis but significantly increased this fraction in the lower epidermis. UV-A had no significant effects on growth, photosynthesis or ferulic acid, but it slightly increased flavonoid accumulation. The results are discussed in terms of secondary phenolics as a tissue-specific, developmentally regulated adaptive response to UV-B.     

云南普通马矮型马蛋白多态性及其品种分化关系

本文运用蛋白电泳技术对来自云南省文山州马关县和麻栗坡县的２１匹普通马和１４匹矮型马进行了分析。共分析遗传座位４４个,其中有１０个座位检测到多态性。根据分子钟假说和相应的公式,推算两者的分歧时间约为１８．５万年。