Heat shock proteins do not provide thermoprotection to normal cellular protein synthesis, α-amylase mRNA and endoplasmic reticulum lamellae in barley aleurone layers

Heat shock in barley ( Hordeum vulgare L. cv. Himalaya) aleurone layers induces the synthesis of heat shock proteins (hsps) and suppresses the synthesis and secretion of α-amylase, the principal secretory protein. This is accompanied by the destabilization of α-amylase mRNA and a concomitant dissociation of ER lamellae. In the absence of heat shock α-amylase mRNA is extremely stable (Belanger et al. 1986. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 83: 1354–1358). In most organisms there is a direct correlation between the synthesis of hsps and thermotolerance. The ability of hsps to provide thermoprotection to secretory protein synthesis, α-amylase mRNA and ER lamellae was analyzed. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) of pulse-chased, [³⁵S]-methionine-labeled proteins revealed that the half-life of hsps in barley aleurone cells recovering from heat shock was approximately 12 h. Within approximately 6 h, there was a recovery of α-amylase mRNA and a reformation of ER lamellae. Heat shock protein synthesis was induced by either heat shock (40°C) or arsenite, the cells were allowed to recover for 8 h, then were re-exposed to heat shock. Results from SDS-PAGE showed that, despite the presence of hsps, α-amylase synthesis was suppressed. Northern blot hybridizations showed that α-amylase mRNA levels were reduced in heat-shocked tissues. Transmission electron microscopy demonstrated that ER lamellar structures were dissociated. The synthesis of hsps did not enable barley aleurone cells to sustain the synthesis of any proteins at lethal temperature. In contrast, similar conditions established thermotolerance and provided thermoprotection to protein synthesis in germinating barley embryos. Our findings suggest that the aleurone layer does not become thermotolerant following the induction of hsp synthesis.     

Interferometric investigation of near-membrane diffusion layers

This paper presents an interferometric method of the investigation of near-membrane diffusion layers. With the aid of this method a concrete investigation was made of such layers formed in the neighbourhood of a horizontally situated membrane which separates solutions of different concentrations. On the basis of interferograms obtained, a computer analysis of these interferograms is made. This permitted to obtain, among others, curves of the distribution of solution concentrations within these layers. These curves are next compared with curves made on the basis of equations given in the paper [16]. A satisfactory compatibility between the results of the experimental and theoretical investigations are obtained.     

Atomic Force Microscope Information on Pollen Exine Substructure in Nuphar

Images of individual exine units from the tectum of Nuphar luteum (L.) Sm. pollen were made using atomic force microscopy. These units were recorded as being 120 to 160 nm wide. Exine-units sectioned transversally were circular and had a central circular (core) zone 40 nm or more in diameter. Exine unit-structures in Nuphar have an outer (binder) substructure coiled around a core zone.     

How Molecules with Dipole Moments Enhance the Selectivity of Electrodes in Organic Solar Cells – A Combined Experimental and Theoretical Approach

Simple organic molecules with permanent dipole moments – amino acids and heterocycles – have been successfully employed in bulk‐heterojunction organic solar cells as interlayer between photoactive material and electron contact. A large increase of open‐circuit voltage and fill factor can be observed for four different polymers as donor material in the photoactive layer. A combination of current–voltage curves, scanning Kelvin‐probe atomic force microscopy, ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy, and electroluminescence measurements as well as numerical simulations are carried out to clarify in detail the underlying mechanisms. All results fully confirm the hypothesis that the main effect is an accumulation of electrons and a depletion of holes in the photoactive layer in the vicinity of the electron contact induced by a decrease of its effective work function. Further, density functional theory calculations and literature reports of the energy levels of the dipole molecules strongly suggest that the charge carriers tunnel through the thin dipole layer which does however not limit the current. This represents a versatile, simple, and cheap method to realize highly selective contacts which may also be beneficial for other types of solar cells and devices where contact selectivity is crucial.     

Rice caryopsis development I: Dynamic changes in different cell layers

Rice caryopsis as one of the most important food sources for humans has a complex structure that is composed of maternal tissues including the pericarp and testa and filial tissues including the endosperm and embryo. Although rice caryopsis studies have been conducted previously, a systematic characterization throughout the entire developmental process is still lacking. In this study, detailed morphological examinations of caryopses were made during the entire 30‐day developmental process. We observed some rapid changes in cell differentiation events and cataloged how cellular degeneration processes occurred in maternal tissues. The differentiations of tube cells and cross cells were achieved by 9 days after pollination (DAP). In the testa, the outer integument was degenerated by 3 DAP, while the outer layer of the inner integument degenerated by 7 DAP. In the nucellus, all tissues with the exception of the nucellar projection and the nucellar epidermis degenerated in the first 5 DAP. By 21 DAP, all maternal tissues, including vascular bundles, the nucellar projection and the nucellar epidermal cells were degenerated. In summary, this study provides a complete atlas of the dynamic changes in cell differentiation and degeneration for individual maternal cell layers of rice caryopsis.     

Daily cuticular growth layers and the teneral stage in adult insects: A review

This paper reviews the first twenty years of progress on the occurrence and applications of daily growth layers in cuticle and daily growth bands on muscle apodemes. The methods can be used for finding the age of an insect in the teneral stage of the adult instar, in either laboratory or field material. Existing as well as potential applications are summarized with reference to teneral development and biochemistry; physiology and behaviour; and ecology (including pest ecology).     

山明桐小孢子败育及与小孢子囊壁发育异常的关系

作者研究了山明桐(Paulownia sp.)小孢子败育及小孢子囊壁异常发育的过程,并探讨了两者之间的关系。结果表明:小孢子败育发生在减数分裂至单核小孢子期间。在小孢子有丝分裂前小孢子已全部敗育拚辈惴⒂斐V饕硐衷诒3只疚唇到饣虬虢到庾刺敝脸墒旎ㄒ┦逼凇R┦夷诒谙赴┓只鎏踝丛龊裣赴凇P℃咦幽冶诜⒂械恼庑┮斐O窒蟮氖抵适瞧湔7⒂瘫恢型就V?而以幼态保持至花药最后干缩。观察表明小孢子囊壁发育异常不是小孢子败育的原因,而可能是其结果。     

In vitro flower formation from thin epidermal cell layers of a partial somatic hybrid between Petunia hybrida (Hort.) and Nicotiana plumbaginifolia (Viv.)

In vitro flowers have been obtained by culturing thin epidermal cell layers of a partial somatic intergeneric hybrid. The phenotype of these flowers differs from that of flowers formed on seed-grown plants (in situ flowers) and from that of flowers of either parental line. In addition, modifications in the phenotype were observed when cultures were sustained for more than four months. Dimorphic leaves present in juvenile and adult stages of mother plants of Nicotiana plumbaginifolia and the somatic hybrid were formed on different ends of the thin epidermal cell layers. No anomalies were observed during microsporogenesis and in the meiotic and mitotic figures of the somatic hybrid, which resembled those of Nicotiana plumbaginifolia.     

Greatly Reduced Processing Temperature for a Solution‐Processed NiOx Buffer Layer in Polymer Solar Cells

By application of thermal annealing and UV ozone simultaneously, a solution‐processed NiO_x film can achieve a work function of approximately –5.1 eV at a temperature below 150 °C, which allows the processing of NiO_x that is compatible with fabrication of polymer solar cells (PSCs) on plastic substrates. The low processing temperature, which is greatly reduced from 250–400 °C to 150 °C, is attributed to the high concentration of NiOOH species on the film surface. This concentration will result in a large surface dipole and lead to increased work function. The pretreated NiO_x is demonstrated to be an efficient buffer layer in PSCs based on polymers with different highest occupied molecular orbital energy levels. Compared with conventional poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxy‐thiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate)‐buffered PSCs, the NiO_x‐buffered PSCs achieve similar or improved device performance as well as enhanced device stability.