Preparation and characterization of mucilage polysaccharide for biomedical applications

In the present investigation, the polysaccharide/mucilage from waste of Abelmoscus esculentus by modification in hot extraction using two different solvents (Acetone, Methanol) were extracted, characterized and further compared with seaweed polysaccharide for their potential applications. The percentage yield, emulsifying capacity and swelling index of this mucilage were determined. The macro algae and okra waste, gave high % yield (22.2% and 8.6% respectively) and good emulsifying capacity (EC% = 52.38% and 54.76% respectively) with acetone, compared to methanol (11.3% and 0.28%; EC% = 50%) (PH = 7) while swelling index was greater with methanol than acetone extracts respectively. The infrared (I.R.) spectrum of the samples was recorded to investigate the chemical structure of mucilage. Thermal analysis of the mucilage was done with TGA (Thermal Gravimetric Analyzer) and DSC (Differential Scanning Calorimeter) which showed both okra and algal polysaccharide were thermostable hydrogels.     

Ultrasonication of insulin-loaded microgel particles produced by internal gelation: Impact on particle's size and insulin bioactivity

Alginate-dextran sulfate (ADS) microgel has been used to protect insulin from gastrointestinal attack and as a carrier to promote insulin permeation through intestinal epithelium. The throughput of ADS submicron particles generation by emulsification/internal gelation is limited by its wide size distribution.     

Production of phenolics and the emission of volatile organic compounds by perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.)/Neotyphodium lolii association as a response to infection by Fusarium poae

Grasses very often form symbiotic associations with Neotyphodium/Epichloë endophytic fungi. These endophytes often allow the host grass to be protected from different pathogens. However, there is little known about the mechanisms of such endophyte influence on the host. Thus, the purpose of this research was to examine the effect of the N. lolii endophyte on the total production of phenolic compounds, VOCs emission and the resistance of three perennial ryegrass genotypes infected by pathogenic Fusarium poae. Analyses of total phenolics content were performed in control (not inoculated) and inoculated plants after 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 days (DAI) and for VOCs after 0, 3, 6 and 12 DAI. The presence of endophytes significantly reduced the disease index in two of the three genotypes relative to that in E−. Plants infected by N. lolii exhibited higher production of phenolics relative to the E− plants. The highest amounts of phenolics were observed on the second and sixth DAI. Genotype Nl22 showed the strongest effect of the endophyte on the production of phenolics, which increased by over 61%. Both the endophyte infected and non-infected plants emitted most abundantly two GLVs ((Z)-3-hexenal, (Z)-3-hexen-1-yl acetate), three terpenes (linalool, (Z)-ocimene, β-caryophyllene) and three shikimic acid pathway derivatives (benzyl acetate, indole, and methyl salicylate). The endophyte presence and the intervals of VOCs detection were a highly significant source of variation for all emitted volatiles (P < 0.001). The genotype of the perennial ryegrass significantly affected only the emission of methyl salicylate (P < 0.05) and β-caryophyllene (P < 0.05). Most of the VOCs ((Z)-3-hexen-1-yl acetate, (Z)-3-hexenal, linalool and methyl salicylate) reached their highest levels of emission on the sixth DAI, when averaged over genotypes and endophyte status. The results highlight the role of Neotyphodium spp. in the mediation of quadro-trophic interactions among plants, symbiotic endophytes, invertebrate herbivores and plant pathogenic fungi. Our results also confirm the fact that symbiotic plants can activate a defense reaction faster than non-symbiotic plants after a pathogen attack. Thus, N. lolii can be involved in the defense of perennial ryegrass against pathogens and potentially could be central to the host plants’ protection.     

4-Bicyclic heteroaryl-piperidine derivatives as potent,orally bioavailable Stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1 (SCD1) inhibitors. Part 1: Urea-based analogs

A new series of urea-based, 4-bicyclic heteroaryl-piperidine derivatives as potent SCD1 inhibitors is described. The structure–activity relationships focused on bicyclic heteroarenes and aminothiazole–urea portions are discussed. A trend of dose-dependent decrease in body weight gain in diet-induced obese (DIO) mice is also demonstrated.     

秦岭南坡油松-锐齿槲栎混交林群落不同层次多样性特征及环境解释

在秦岭山脉南坡陕西省境内设置11个样地进行实地调查,从植物物种组成、多样性指数差异以及多样性指数沿环境梯度排序等方面对该区域油松-锐齿槲栎天然混交林的群落总体以及乔木层、灌木层、草本层的各自4个α多样性指数（Patrick丰富度指数、Simpson优势度指数、Shannon-Wiener多样性指数、Pielou均匀度指数）特征进行分析,以揭示该群落多样性特征及其与环境因素的关系。结果显示：（1）11个样地共记录维管束植物112种,隶属于45科77属,分布较广的物种有蔷薇科、菊科、百合科、松科、禾本科和忍冬科。（2）研究区群落中建群种锐齿槲栎和油松的优势地位突出,乔木层伴生种稀少,平均仅为4.8种,多样性水平较低;灌木层物种组成丰富,平均11.4种;草本层次之,平均9种。（3）单因素方差分析表明,该群落不同层次的多样性指数之间均存在极显著差异（P<0.01）;LSD多重比较及多样性指数变化趋势分析表明,群落多样性水平表现为总体>灌木层>草本层>乔木层。（4）CCA法将群落不同层次多样性指数沿地形因子和土壤养分等12项环境指标梯度的分布划分为界线明显的3个区域,即Ⅰ区（中等浓度土壤磷素和有机质制约区）、Ⅱ区（非环境因子制约区）和Ⅲ区（高浓度土壤磷素制约区）;群落总体多样性主要受灌木层影响,同时也受乔木层均匀度影响,但环境因子对乔木层多样性基本无限制性作用。（5）土壤速效磷、全磷和有机质是造成研究区群落不同层次多样性差异的主要因素,海拔、坡向等地形因子对群落多样性影响不大,可能是由于土壤养分的直接影响削弱了地形因子的间接性生态作用。研究表明：保持中等水平的土壤速效磷（3.775±1.529 mg·kg^-1）和有机质含量［（4.079±1.001）%］,并通过合理补植松栎幼树和伐除枯死木等抚育手段提高乔木层均匀度是维持秦岭南坡油松-锐齿槲栎混交林群落生物多样性的有效措施。     

基于多种方法的景观格局动态变化综合分析——以辽宁省铁岭市为例

景观格局变化一直是景观生态学研究的核心问题之一,也是相关生态和环境过程研究的基础.本文应用3S技术,综合传统的空间统计分析、转移矩阵、景观指数和景观动态指数、Kappa指数系列,并引入模糊Kappa指数方法,以铁岭市2002-2011年间景观格局变化为例进行了综合研究.结果表明:铁岭市景观空间格局在研究时段内发生一定程度的变化.旱地面积大幅增加,水田面积明显减少,各景观类型之间均有相互转化.景观格局总体的变化趋势是形状趋于复杂、异质性增加、破碎化加剧,人为干扰的影响较明显.研究区域2002-2007年综合景观动态度指数明显高于2007-2011年,景观动态总体呈现放缓趋势.通过Kappa指数系列可知,研究时段内研究区景观变化由景观类型之间变化为主逐渐转变为各类斑块位置上的变化为主.应用多种方法进行综合分析更能全面有效地反映景观格局变化.     

土壤干旱胁迫对九头狮子草和圆苞金足草幼苗形态和生理特性的影响

采用称重控水法控制土壤相对含水量分别为(85.0±2.5)％(对照)、(67.5±2.5)％(轻度干旱)、(50.0±2.5)％(中度干旱)和(32.5±2.5)％(重度干旱),对土壤干旱胁迫条件下九头狮子草[Peristrophe japonica (Thunb.)Bremek.]和圆苞金足草(Goldfussia pentstemonoides Nees)2年生苗的植株形态及生理特性变化进行了研究.结果表明:经土壤干旱胁迫处理30 d后供试2种植物的外部形态均有一定变化,其中九头狮子草主要变化为叶片失绿、变薄且萎蔫、枝条下垂;圆苞金足草主要变化为茎干倒伏、叶片变软且叶柄低垂.随土壤干旱胁迫程度的增加,供试2种植物叶片的自然饱和亏、临界饱和亏、需水程度、束缚水含量、束缚水与自由水的含量比值、脯氨酸含量和可溶性糖含量均呈逐渐增加的趋势且均高于对照,而自由水含量、最高水势、最低水势和可溶性蛋白质含量均逐渐降低且总体上低于对照.总体上看,在重度干旱胁迫条件下供试2种植物各生理特性均与对照有极显著或显著差异,而在轻度或中度干旱胁迫条件下部分指标与对照无显著差异.供试2种植物各生理指标的变化幅度有明显差异,在同一干旱胁迫条件下九头狮子草叶片的自然饱和亏、需水程度、自由水含量、最高水势和最低水势的降幅、脯氨酸含量和可溶性蛋白质含量的降幅均高于圆苞金足草,其临界饱和亏、束缚水含量、束缚水与自由水的含量比值和可溶性糖含量均低于圆苞金足草.综合分析结果表明:供试2种植物对土壤干旱胁迫均具有一定的耐性,但圆苞金足草具有更强的抵御干旱的生理机制.     

High‐resolution prediction of leaf onset date in Japan in the 21st century under the IPCC A1B scenario

Reports indicate that leaf onset (leaf flush) of deciduous trees in cool‐temperate ecosystems is occurring earlier in the spring in response to global warming. In this study, we created two types of phenology models, one driven only by warmth (spring warming [SW] model) and another driven by both warmth and winter chilling (parallel chill [PC] model), to predict such phenomena in the Japanese Islands at high spatial resolution (500 m). We calibrated these models using leaf onset dates derived from satellite data (Terra/MODIS) and in situ temperature data derived from a dense network of ground stations Automated Meteorological Data Acquisition System. We ran the model using future climate predictions created by the Japanese Meteorological Agency's MRI‐AGCM3.1S model. In comparison to the first decade of the 2000s, our results predict that the date of leaf onset in the 2030s will advance by an average of 12 days under the SW model and 7 days under the PC model throughout the study area. The date of onset in the 2090s will advance by 26 days under the SW model and by 15 days under the PC model. The greatest impact will occur on Hokkaido (the northernmost island) and in the central mountains.