Electrophoretic profiling and immunocytochemical detection of pectins and arabinogalactan proteins in olive pollen during germination and pollen tube growth

Background and Aims

Cell wall pectins and arabinogalactan proteins (AGPs) are important for pollen tube growth. The aim of this work was to study the temporal and spatial dynamics of these compounds in olive pollen during germination.

Methods

Immunoblot profiling analyses combined with confocal and transmission electron microscopy immunocytochemical detection techniques were carried out using four anti-pectin (JIM7, JIM5, LM5 and LM6) and two anti-AGP (JIM13 and JIM14) monoclonal antibodies.

Key Results

Pectin and AGP levels increased during olive pollen in vitro germination. (1 → 4)-β-d-Galactans localized in the cytoplasm of the vegetative cell, the pollen wall and the apertural intine. After the pollen tube emerged, galactans localized in the pollen tube wall, particularly at the tip, and formed a collar-like structure around the germinative aperture. (1 → 5)-α-l-Arabinans were mainly present in the pollen tube cell wall, forming characteristic ring-shaped deposits at regular intervals in the sub-apical zone. As expected, the pollen tube wall was rich in highly esterified pectic compounds at the apex, while the cell wall mainly contained de-esterified pectins in the shank. The wall of the generative cell was specifically labelled with arabinans, highly methyl-esterified homogalacturonans and JIM13 epitopes. In addition, the extracellular material that coated the outer exine layer was rich in arabinans, de-esterified pectins and JIM13 epitopes.

Conclusions

Pectins and AGPs are newly synthesized in the pollen tube during pollen germination. The synthesis and secretion of these compounds are temporally and spatially regulated. Galactans might provide mechanical stability to the pollen tube, reinforcing those regions that are particularly sensitive to tension stress (the pollen tube–pollen grain joint site) and mechanical damage (the tip). Arabinans and AGPs might be important in recognition and adhesion phenomena of the pollen tube and the stylar transmitting cells, as well as the egg and sperm cells.     

Bacterial diversity in biofilms formed on condenser tube surfaces in a nuclear power plant

To elucidate the bacterial diversity in biofilms formed on a condenser tube from a nuclear power plant, 16S rRNA gene sequences were examined using a PCR-cloning-sequencing approach. Twelve operational taxonomic units were retrieved in the clone library, and the estimated species richness was low (13.2). Most of the clones (94.7%) were affiliated with α-Proteobacteria; Planctomycetes and γ-Proteobacteria were much rarer. Interestingly, except for one clone belonging to Pseudoalteromonas, most of the sequences displayed sequence similarities <97% of those of the closest type strains. Based on 16S rRNA phylogenetic analysis, most bacteria were assigned to novel taxa above the species level. The low species richness and unusual bacterial composition may be attributable to selective pressure from chlorine in the cooling water. To prevent or control bacterial biofilms in cooling circuits, additional studies of the physiology and ecology of these species will be essential.     

The influence of the progamic phase for fruiting in the apple tree

Final fruit production is the result of a number of processes, over which several environmental circumstances interact. But it is often difficult to disentangle the part played by each of these factors in the final crop. The aim of this work is to evaluate the influence of the progamic phase for fruiting in the apple tree. For this purpose we track back the process that goes from flower to fruit, identifying the inflection points where the final crop is reduced. We evaluate early versus late fruit development, pollination versus non‐pollination, and the effect of the progamic phase that goes from pollination to fertilization. From flowers to fruits 15 weeks elapsed, but the final fruit set settled 8 weeks after flowering, and the main flower–fruit drop occurred 3–4 weeks after flowering. Differences between dropped fruits and those that remained in the tree emerged earlier, and the onset of fruiting started 7 days after pollination. This time was coincident with the time lapse of the progamic phase. These results show that fruiting gets established well ahead of cropping, but also that the progamic phase is the main determinant of the final fruit set in apple trees.     

COMPACT DISC REVIEW

ABSTRACT

In previous studies, calling sites of two species of burrowing frogs Eupsophus in southern Chile have been shown to amplify conspecific vocalizations generated externally, thus providing a means to enhance the reception of neighbour's vocalizations in breeding aggregations. In the current study the amplification of vocalizations of Eusophus roseus was investigated to explore the extent of sound enhancement reported previously for two congeneric species. Advertisement calls broadcast through a loudspeaker placed in the vicinity of a burrow, monitored with small microphones, are amplified by up to 14 dB inside cavities relative to outside. The fundamental resonant frequency of burrows, measured with broadcast noise and pure tones, ranges from 345–1335 Hz; however it is not correlated with burrow length. The spectra of incoming calls are altered inside burrows by predominantly increasing the amplitude of lower relative to higher harmonics. The call amplification effect inside burrows of E. roseus parallels the effect reported previously for two congeneric species and reinforces the suggestion that sound enhancement inside calling sites has a widespread effect on signal reception by burrowing animals.     

Pollen size strongly correlates with stigma depth among Pedicularis species

Darwin proposed that pollen size should be positively correlated with stigma depth rather than style length among species given that pollen tubes first enter the stigma autotrophically, then grow through the style heterotrophically. However, studies often show a positive relationship between pollen size and style length.Five floral traits were observed to be correlated among42 bumblebee-pollinated Pedicularis species(Orobanchaceae) in which stigmas are distinct from styles. The phylogenetic independent contrast analysis revealed that pollen grain volume was more strongly correlated with stigma depth than with style length, consistent with Darwin's functional hypothesis between pollen size and stigma depth.     

管状胃代食管术与全胃代食管术治疗食管癌的安全性与有效性对比

目的:对比管状胃代食管术与全胃代食管术治疗食管癌的安全性与有效性。方法:2005年1月到2015年2月选择我院收治的100例食管癌患者,根据随机数字表法分为治疗组与对照组各50例,所有患者都行食管癌切除术,同时对照组给予全胃代食管手术,治疗组给予管状胃代食管术,对两组患者围手术指标、并发症及生活质量状况进行观察比较。结果:所有患者完成手术,治疗组的手术时间、术中出血量、术后住院时间、术后胃肠减压时间及术后闭式引流时间都明显少于对照组(P0.05)。治疗组术后3个月反流性食管炎、胃排空障碍、胸胃综合征、吻合口狭窄、吻合口瘘等并发症发生情况明显少于对照组(P0.05),日常生活、一般状况、治疗相关症状、社会影响、情感活动评分都明显高于对照组(P0.05)。结论:相对于全胃代食管术,管状胃代食管术在治疗食管癌患者中的应用具有更好的安全性与有效性,值得进一步临床研究与推广。