Activity and kinetic properties of basal aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase during proliferation in the transformable C3H 10T12; CL8 cell line

Basal aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase (AHH) activity and its kinetic properties were studied as a function of proliferation in C3H mouse embryo 10T$\text{1}\text{2}$ CL8 cells. Activity was low in freshly plated cells, increased during exponential growth, peaked at confluency, and then declined. The apparent K_m-values for benzo[a]pyrene (BP) and NADPH were less in proliferating (approx. 0.37 μM BP, 3.3 nM NADPH) than in confluent cells (0.74–1.39 μM BP, 33.4–53.4 nM NADPH). Cells at different growth states responded differently to benz[a]anthracene (BA) and aminophylline, an inhibitor of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases. When cells were harvested at the mid log phase of growth, 12 h of exposure to aminophylline caused maximum induction, while 24 h of BA treatment were required. In contrast, at early confluence, 12 h of BA treatment gave the greatest levels of activity, while exposure to aminophylline did not induce AHH. In fact, decreases in activity were observed. These differences are indicative of different regulatory mechanisms for BA and aminophylline induction. They also suggest the regulation of basal AHH by cyclic nucleotides changes during growth. The exposure times giving maximum activity were used to determine the kinetic properties of BA-induced activity. As with basal AHH, the K_m-value for BP was less in log phase (0.2–0.4 μM BP) than in confluent cells (0.64–1.05 μM BP). Moreover, the K_m-values for BP and NADPH in control cultures at confluency (0.10–0.14 μM BP, 15.4–23.2 nM NADPH) were less than those for BA-treated cells (0.64 μM BP, 37.9–54.8 nM NADPH) under the same nutritional conditions. The finding that the K_m-value for BP is lower in rapidly dividing cells than in confluent cells may help to explain why proliferating cells are more susceptible to transforming agents.     

Aluminum stress on sorghum growth and nutrient relationships

Summary Sorghum plants were grown in the greenhouse in modified Steinberg nutrient solution containing ten Al rates (0 to 297 μM) and harvested 28 days after transplanting. Top and root dry weight were not affected by added Al up to 74 μM; but decreased sharply at concentration of 148 μM and greater. Aluminum concentrations in blade 1 (recently matured blade) and plants remained constant from 0 to 297 μM added Al. Root Al concentration increased as added Al increased. No correlation existed between top dry weight and Al concentration in blade 1 or in plant. Root Al concentration was related to top dry weight and root dry weight to estimate the Al critical toxicity level. The Al critical toxicity levle in the root was 54 mmol kg⁻¹ root dry weight basis for either top or root dry weight. In blade 1 Cu concentration negatively correlated with Al while Fe and P were positively correlated. In roots Ca, Mg, Mn and Fe concentrations were negatively correlated with Al while Zn, Cu, P, and K were positively correlated with Al concentration.     

Massive invasion of exotic Barbus barbus and introgressive hybridization with endemic Barbus plebejus in Northern Italy: where,how and why?

Biological invasions and introgressive hybridization are major drivers for the decline of native freshwater fish. However, the magnitude of the problem across a native species range, the mechanisms shaping introgression as well as invader's dispersal and the relative role of biological invasions in the light of multiple environmental stressors are rarely described. Here, we report extensive (N = 665) mtDNA sequence and (N = 692) microsatellite genotypic data of 32 Northern Adriatic sites aimed to unravel the invasion of the European Barbus barbus in Italy and the hybridization and decline of the endemic B. plebejus. We highlight an exceptionally fast breakthrough of B. barbus within the Po River basin, leading to widespread introgressive hybridization with the endemic B. plebejus within few generations. In contrast, adjacent drainage systems are still unaffected from B. barbus invasion. We show that barriers to migration are inefficient to halt the invasion process and that propagule pressure, and not environmental quality, is the major driver responsible for B. barbus success. Both introgressive hybridization and invader's dispersal are facilitated by ongoing fisheries management practices. Therefore, immediate changes in fisheries management (i.e. stocking and translocation measures) and a detailed conservation plan, focussed on remnant purebred B. plebejus populations, are urgently needed.     

Impact of hypoosmotic challenges on spongy architecture of the cytoplasm of the giant marine alga Valonia utricularis

Summary. The ultrastructure of the several micrometers thick cytoplasmic layer of the giant marine alga Valonia utricularis displays characteristics which are apparently linked with the capability of this alga to regulate turgor pressure. Transmission and scanning electron microscopy of cells prefixed in different ways, including a protocol that allows prefixation of the alga in a turgescent state, revealed a highly dendritic network of cytoplasmic strands connecting and enveloping the chloroplasts and the nuclei. Innumerable vacuolar entities are embedded in the network, giving the cytoplasm a spongy appearance. Vacuolar perfusion of turgor-pressure-clamped cells with prefixation solution containing tannic acid presented evidence that these vacuolar entities together with the huge central vacuole form a large unstirred continuum. In contrast to the tonoplast, the plasmalemma followed smoothly the lining of the cell wall, even at the numerous cell wall ingrowths. Sucrose, but not polyethylene glycol 6000, induced chloroplast clustering. Acute hypoosmotic treatment (established by reduction of external NaCl or by replacement of part of the external NaCl by equivalent osmotic concentrations of sucrose or polyethylene glycol 6000) resulted in a local relocation of the chloroplasts and cytoplasm towards the central vacuole. This effect did not occur when the relatively low reflection coefficients of these two osmolytes were taken into account. The increase in spacing between the spongy cytoplasm and the plasmalemma by chloroplast relocation (viewed by confocal laser scanning microscopy) was associated with a speckled appearance of the affected surface area under the light microscope. As indicated by electron microscopy, hypoosmotically induced chloroplast relocation resulted from disproportionate swelling of the vacuolar entities located close to the plasmalemma. The cytoskeleton in the cytoplasm and the mucopolysaccharide network in the central vacuole apparently resisted swelling of these compartments. This finding has the important consequence that relevant hydrostatic pressure gradients can be built up throughout the entire multifolded vacuolar space. This gradient could represent the trigger for turgor pressure regulation which is manifested electrically first in the tonoplast.Correspondence and reprints: Lehrstuhl für Biotechnologie, Biozentrum, Am Hubland, 97074 Würzburg, Federal Republic of Germany.     

Water use and feeding patterns of the marsupial western grey kangaroo (Macropus fuliginosus melanops) grazing at the edge of its range in arid Australia,as compared with the dominant local livestock,the Merino sheep (Ovis aries)

Western grey kangaroos (Macropus fuliginosus melanops) are large, foregut fermenting herbivores common to Australia's southern woodlands and shrublands, but they extend well into semiarid habitats at the north-eastern edge of their range. At this range boundary, western grey kangaroos occupy open chenopod (saltbush) shrubland, along with Australia's other large native kangaroos, as well as with extensive pastoral stock, primarily the wool-breed merino sheep. In this habitat, within a large naturally vegetated enclosure (16 ha), western grey kangaroos grazing sympatrically with merino sheep spent much of the day resting under shade trees, and fed mainly during the evening and early morning, mainly on grasses and flat-leaved chenopods. On this diet, western grey kangaroos had water turnovers similar to those of red kangaroos, at 1.1 L d⁻¹. Sheep, however, used 7.7 L of water each day. Thus, although the sheep were twice the average body mass of kangaroos, the sheep used more than seven times as much water. This level of water use by sheep was almost half that previously reported for sheep at the same site feeding mainly on salt-laden chenopods (ca. 12 L d⁻¹), but was consistent with other studies showing lower water usage by sheep feeding on trees and low-salt shrubs; foregut (rumen) contents of our sheep comprised 35% tree browse. Overall, our data do not support suggestions that western grey kangaroos are limited mainly by water at this arid range-boundary. Notably, the western grey kangaroos’ feeding behaviours were consistent with those of other arid-zone kangaroos, highlighting distinctive differences in the ecological physiology of the foregut fermenting kangaroos and the ruminant sheep.     

三种植被恢复树种的冠层气孔导度特征及其对环境因子的敏感性

应用Granier热消散探针,长期监测华南地区荷木、大叶相思和柠檬桉林不同径级样树的树干液流,结合同步观测的气象数据,求算冠层气孔导度(g_c),并分析其对环境因子的响应方式及敏感性.结果表明: 不同季节荷木林日间平均g_c显著高于大叶相思和柠檬桉(P<0.05)（除3月外）.在干季和湿季,g_c与光合有效辐射(PAR)呈现对数正相关关系(P<0.001),湿季g_c对PAR响应比干季更敏感.g_c与水汽压亏缺(VPD)在干湿季均呈现对数负相关关系(P<0.001),同样在湿季表现出更高的敏感性.湿季g_c与VPD的偏相关系数高于干季,VPD对气孔行为的调控作用在湿季更为明显.随着土壤含水量的降低,g_c对VPD的敏感性下降,荷木和柠檬桉林下降的幅度大于大叶相思林,荷木和柠檬桉林下降的幅度相当.通过综合分析g_c对环境因子(PAR和VPD)的敏感性及其对土壤含水量变化的响应规律,发现乡土树种荷木作为植被恢复树种比外来引种的大叶相思和柠檬桉更为适宜.     

盐度胁迫下缢蛏渗透压变化及V-ATPase H基因的表达分析

为研究V-ATPaseH基因在缢蛏(Sinonovaculaconstricta)盐度胁迫中的功能,以缢蛏成体为实验材料,将缢蛏置于5、15、20、25、35盐度水体中进行胁迫实验,测定了不同胁迫时间缢蛏的血清渗透压、V-ATPase活性变化,克隆了V-ATPase H基因的开放阅读框(ORF)全长序列,并分析其m RNA表达特征。结果显示,低盐组(盐度5和盐度15)和高盐组(盐度25和盐度35)缢蛏血清渗透压变化明显,与对照组(盐度20)有极显著差异(P <0.01)。随着时间的推移,实验组V-ATPase活力整体呈现先下降后上升的趋势,对照组(盐度20)无明显变化。V-ATPase H基因开放阅读框长度1 440 bp,编码479个氨基酸。q PCR结果显示,V-ATPase H基因在缢蛏鳃中的表达量极显著高于水管、外套膜、肾、肝胰腺、唇瓣、足6个组织(P <0.01);盐度胁迫下各个实验组V-ATPase H基因在鳃中的表达量持续上升,在24 h达到峰值,显著高于对照组(P <0.05)。实验结果表明,缢蛏V-ATPase H基因在盐度适应过程中主要在低盐和高盐...     

Calcium as a plant nutrient

Abstract. Calcium occurs as a relatively large, divalent ion which readily enters the apoplast and is bound in exchangeable form in cell walls and on the exterior surface of the plasmalemma. It occurs in only very low concentrations in the cytoplasm and chloroplasts and appears to have a limited role as an enzymatic cofactor. The soil solution usually provides an adequate supply of Ca to plants. The well known physiological disorders resulting from localized Ca deficiencies within the plant are thus attributable to poor Ca distribution rather than restriction in uptake. Calcium is moved largely in the xylem and only to a very limited extent in the phloem. The phloem/xylem ratio of the solute input can be particularly critical in organs which are naturally low in Ca, such as fruits and young leaves. Factors which influence the distribution of Ca such as humidity, root pressure, phytohormone activity, can also affect the occurrence of these disorders.     

床旁超声联合颅内血流监测预测心肺复苏患者颅内压升高的效果研究

摘要 目的：探讨床旁超声联合颅内血流监测预测心肺复苏患者颅内压升高的效果。方法：选择2020年1月至2022年12月在本院重症医学科行心肺复苏治疗的60例患者作为研究对象,于心肺复苏术后采用脑室测压导管测定颅内压,根据颅内压结果将患者分为颅内高压组和正常组。采用酶联免疫吸附法检测两组患者血清脑源性神经营养因子（BDNF）、中枢神经特异性蛋白（S100β）和神经元特异性烯醇化酶（NSE）水平。比较两组患者视神经鞘宽度（ONSD）、大脑中动脉搏动指数（MCA-PI）。采用Pearson分析颅内压、ONSD与MCA-PI之间的相关性。绘制受试者工作特征（ROC）曲线分析患者ONSD、MCA-PI对的心肺复苏术后颅内压升高的预测价值。结果：（1）60例心肺复苏患者中19例出现颅内压升高;（2）颅内高压组患者血清BDNF、S100β和NSE水平均显著高于正常组（P<0.05）;（3）颅内高压组患者ONSD和MCA-PI均显著高于正常组（P<0.05）;（4）心肺复苏患者ICP与ONSD、MCA-PI均呈显著正相关关系（r=0.872、0.848,P<0.05）。（5）ONSD和MCA-PI预测心肺复苏患者发生颅内压升高的AUC分别为0.875（95%CI：0.739~1.000）、0.841（95%CI：0.735~0.948）。ONSD预测心肺复苏患者颅内压升高的最佳截断值为≥5.69 mm,对应敏感度、特异度、约登指数、阳性预测值和阴性预测值分别为78.95%、100.00%、78.95%、100.00%和91.11%;MCA-PI预测心肺复苏患者颅内压升高的最佳截断值为≥0.945,对应敏感度、特异度、约登指数、阳性预测值和阴性预测值分别为78.95%、80.49%、59.44%、65.22%和89.19%。结论：床旁超声和颅内血流监测均无创安全,ONSD和MCA-PI都可以有效预测心内复苏患者颅内压升高,ONSD预测效能更佳。