Internal carbon dioxide and ethylene levels in ripening tomato fruit attached to or detached from the plant

The carbon dioxide and ethylene concentrations in tomato fruit ( Lycopersicon esculentum cv. Castelmart) and their stage of ripeness (characteristic external color changes) were periodically measured in fruit attached to and detached from the plant. An external collection apparatus was attached to the surface of individual tomato fruit to permit non-destructive sampling of internal gases. The concentration of carbon dioxide and ethylene in the collection apparatus reached 95% of the concentration in the fruit after 8 h. Gas samples were collected every 24 h. A characteristic climacteric surge in carbon dioxide (2-fold) and ethylene (10-fold) concentration occurred coincident with ripening of detached tomato fruit. Fruit attached to the plant exhibited a climacteric rise in ethylene (20-fold) concentration during ripening, but only a linear increase in carbon dioxide concentration. The carbon dioxide concentration increases in attached fruit during ripening, but the increase is a continuation of the linear increase seen in both attached and detached fruit before ripening and does not exhibit the characteristic pattern normally associated with ripening climacteric fruit. In tomato fruit, it appears that a respiratory climacteric per se, which has been considered intrinsic to the ripening of certain fruit, may not be necessary for the ripening of "climacteric" fruit at all, but instead may be an artifact of using harvested fruit.     

Do tomatoes on the plant behave as climacteric fruits?

I considered the possibility that changes in fruit photosynthesis obscure the occurrence of the climacteric rise in respiration in tomato fruits attached to the plant. Internal CO₂ and ethylene concentrations in tomatoes ( Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. cv. OH 7814) were analyzed after direct sampling through polyethylene tubes implanted in the external pericarp. Fruits which were shaded with aluminium foil contained up to 60 ml 1⁻¹ CO₂, until the internal ethylene concentration exceeded 1 μl l⁻¹, when CO₂ concentration declined to below 40 ml l⁻¹; the CO₂ concentration in fruits exposed to light only occasionally exceeded 40 ml 1⁻¹. The internal CO₂ concentration of detached fruits first declined and then increased along with ethylene concentration, as expected for the climacteric. Detached green fruits under continuous low photosynthetic photon flux density (100 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹) contained almost no internal CO₂ and produced no CO₂. Changes in photosynthesis and an associated CO₂-generating system in green fruits are thought to obscure the climacteric rise in tomato fruits developing on the plant.     

雌激素与丹栀逍遥丸对更年期女性生殖内分泌系统及免疫功能的调节作用

目的:探究雌激素联合丹栀逍遥胶囊对更年期综合征妇女生殖内分泌系统及免疫功能的调节作用。方法:选取2014年5月至2014年9月我院收治的女性更年期综合症患者60例并将其随机分为两组,其中对照组给予雌激素替代等临床常规疗法;实验组在雌激素替代治疗基础上加用丹栀逍遥胶囊联合治疗。观察并比较两组患者生殖内分泌激素(E2、FSH、LH)水平、T淋巴细胞亚群(CD3+、CD4+、CD8+、CD4+/CD8+)比例以及IL-2活性的变化。结果:治疗后,两组血清E2、CD3+、CD4+、CD4+/CD8+水平及IL-2活性均较治疗前显著升高,而FSH、LH水平均明显低于治疗前,且实验组治疗后E2、CD3+、CD4+、CD4+/CD8+水平及IL-2活性显著高于对照组,FSH、LH水平均明显低于对照组,差异均有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:雌激素联合丹栀逍遥胶囊能更加有效调节女性更年期综合征患者生殖内分泌激素水平,提高免疫功能,值得临床推广。     

Activation of estrogen receptor-beta by a special extract of Rheum rhaponticum (ERr 731), its aglycones and structurally related compounds

The special extract ERr 731^® from the roots of Rheum rhaponticum is the major constituent of Phytoestrol^® N which is used for the treatment of climacteric symptoms in menopausal women. However, the molecular mode of action of ERr 731^® was unknown. For the first time, ERr 731^® and its aglycones trans-rhapontigenin and desoxyrhapontigenin were investigated with regard to the activation of the estrogen receptor- or estrogen receptor-β (ER, ERβ). The related hydroxystilbenes cis-rhapontigenin, resveratrol and piceatannol were studied as comparators. As controls, 17β-estradiol or the selective ER-(propylpyrazoltriol) or ERβ-agonists (diarylpropionitril) were used. Neither in ER-expressing yeast cells, in the ER-responsive Ishikawa cells, nor in human endometrial HEC-1B cells transiently transfected with the ER an activation of ER by ERr 731^® or the other single compounds was detected. Furthermore, an antiestrogenic effect was not observed. In contrast in human endometrial HEC-1B cells transiently transfected with the ERβ, 100 ng/ml ERr 731^® and the single compounds significantly induced the ERβ-coupled luciferase activity in a range comparable to 10⁻⁸ M 17β-estradiol. All effects were abolished with the pure ER antagonist ICI 182780, indicating an ER-specific effect. The ERβ agonistic activity by ERr 731^® could be of importance for its clinical use, as central functions relevant to climacteric complaints are proposed to be mediated via ERβ activation.     

Ripening in papaya fruit is altered by ACC oxidase cosuppression

Papaya (Carica papaya) is a very important crop in many tropical countries but it is highly susceptible to parasitic diseases, physiological disorders, mechanical damage and fruit overripening. Here we report a study on ACC oxidase cosuppression and its effects on papaya fruit ripening. Papaya ACC oxidase was isolated using PCR and embriogenic cells transformed by biolistic using the CaMV 35S promoter to drive the expression of the PCR fragment in sense orientation. Fifty transgenic lines were recovered and 20 of those were grown under field conditions. Southern analysis showed incorporation of the transgene in different copy numbers in the papaya genome. Fruits were evaluated in terms of texture (firmness), colour development, respiration and ethylene production. A sharp reduction in ethylene and CO2 production was detected, whereas softening and colour development of the peel were also altered. Overall, transgenic fruits showed a delay in ripening rate. A reduction in mRNA level for ACC oxidase in transgenic fruit was clearly detectable by northern blot. More studies are necessary before this technology can be used to extend the shelf life of papaya fruit.     

How to evaluate the risk-benefit ratio of the low-dose hormone replacement therapy?

Since the results of the women health initiative study showing an overall negative risk-benefit ratio with 0.625 mg of conjugated estrogens plus 2.5 mg of medroxyprogesterone acetate, the use of the lowest effective dose of steroids in hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is recommended.

A low-dose regimen appears to induce less side effects such as breast tenderness or leg pain than do higher dose preparations.

The decrease in hot flashes with low-dose estrogens, range 60–70%, is less than the 80–90% reduction with standard dosing. But this mean that 60–70% of menopausal women do not need higher doses.

The same applies to bone preservation which is dose dependent: the number of non-respondant women will be higher than with standard doses. However, randomized double-blind, placebo controls trials have defined positive effects on bone of low doses of HRT with adequate calcium and Vitamin D in elderly women. The use of bone densitometry and of biochemical markers of bone turnover is mandatory in women using low or ultra-low-dose preparations.

In spite of the lack of trials conducted with low-dose HRT, this treatment seems to be safer:

• the plasma levels of estradiol are lower; as far as breast cancer risk is concerned, the decrease of this subrogate marker is considered as favourable;

• the increase in breast density is less pronounced;

• the nurses's health study found a dose relationship for stroke, with no increase in risk with low-dose of estrogens;

• the effects on subrogate markers of cardiovascular risk seem to be more favourable.

Beside the low-dose HRT, one must consider some other facts:

• the “critical window” theory: it is biologically plausible that HRT, if started early after the menopause can slow the progression of coronary atherosclerosis;

• the way of administration of HRT: some observational studies have shown no increase in the risk of venous thromboembolism risk among women treated with transdermal estrogens;

• the progestogen used: a French cohort study recently performed found no increase in breast cancer risk with the use of micronized progesterone meanwhile the increase in risk observed with other progestogens was similar to the findings of the WHI study.

In the future, it is conceivable that more comprehensive pharmacogenomic studies will lead to effective algorithms for individualizing the right dose of steroids to be used in HRT.     

同型半胱氨酸、超敏C反应蛋白与妊娠期高血压疾病的关系

目的：探讨血浆同型半胱氨酸（Hcy）及超敏C反应蛋白（hs—cRP）与妊娠期高血压疾病（HDP）的关系。方法：选择妊娠期高血压疾病患者104例作为实验组,包括妊娠期高血压53例、子痫前期轻度24例,子痫前期重度27例;并随机选取同期正常孕晚期孕妇60例做为对照组。测定血浆Hcy及hs-CRP水平。结果：实验组血浆Hcy、hs-CRP水平显著高于对照组,随着实验组病情加重．血浆Hcy、hs-CRP水平逐渐升高,与对照组相比差异有显著性（P〈0．05）。结论：妊娠期高血压病患者血浆Hcy和Hs-CRP水平随着病情发展不断升高,密切监测其变化,对妊娠期高血压疾病的预防、诊疗及动态监测有着重要的临床价值。     

Subtype-specific activation of estrogen receptors by a special extract of Rheum rhaponticum (ERr 731), its aglycones and structurally related compounds in U2OS human osteosarcoma cells

The special extract ERr 731 from the roots of Rheum rhaponticum is the major constituent of Phytoestrol N which is used for the alleviation of menopausal symptoms. Recently, we demonstrated that ERr 731 and its aglycones trans-rhapontigenin and desoxyrhapontigenin as single test substances do not activate the estrogen receptors-alpha (ERalpha) in human endometrial adenoarcinoma cells. However, these substances together with the structurally related hydroxystilbenes cis-rhapontigenin, resveratrol and piceatannol activated the ERbeta-dependent reporter gene activity. To investigate if these substance are tissue selective ER activators, ERr 731 and the single test substances were examined in bone-derived U2OS cells stably expressing ERalpha or transiently expressing ERbeta. In the ERalpha expressing U2OS cells, a weak, but statistically significant ERalpha-coupled luciferase activity was detected with ERr 731 and desoxyrhapontigenin which was 10-times lower than with 10(8) M 17 beta-estradiol. In the ERbeta test system, all test substances significantly induced the luciferase activity in a magnitude comparable to 17beta-estradiol. All effects were abolished with the pure ER antagonist ICI 182 780, indicating an ER-specific effect. Intracellular actions were also examined with the glycosylated ERr 731 constituents rhaponticin and desoxyrhaponticin. Treatment of U2OS cells with defined mixtures of both glycosides resulted in a reporter gene activity comparable to that of ERr 731, thereby providing evidence for the existence of cellular uptake mechanisms for glycosylated hydroxystilbenes. This report confirms the strong ERbeta-dependent activity of ERr 731 and provides evidence for a tissue selective ER agonistic activity by ERr 731 and its aglycones, as demonstrated by the activation of ERalpha in bone cells but not in endometrial cells.     

Pharmacogenetics of hormone replacement therapy for climacteric symptoms

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is highly effective for women suffering from climacteric symptoms, with occasionally severe side effects. To determine which women needs HRT for climacteric symptoms indeed, pharmacogenetical approach for HRT was performed. Under the condition of minimal HRT, 33 patients required HRT for more than 1 year and the remaining 156 did not. Three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in estrogen receptor α (ERα) gene and 3 SNPs and a microsatellite polymorphism in estrogen receptor β (ERβ) gene were analyzed using LightTyper and PCR. Homozygous for 18 CA repeats of D14S1026 (OR 8.00, 95% CI 2.56-25.02, P < 0.001) and rs1256049 (OR 6.35, 95% CI 2.38-16.92, P = 0.004) in ERβ associated with minimal HRT. In contrast, rs1271572 in 789 bp upstream region of ERβ (OR 0.30, 95% CI 0.14-0.65, P = 0.002) gene decreased HRT. rs2228480 in ERα gene also increased HRT. Tailored decisions can be expected on the future use of HRT referring genetic polymorphisms of individuals.     

戊酸雌二醇与坤宁安丸对更年期综合征女性激素水平及免疫功能的影响

目的:探讨戊酸雌二醇联合坤宁安丸对女性更年期综合征患者血清激素水平及免疫功能影响。方法:收集我院就诊或住院治疗的120例更年期综合征患者,随机分为实验组和对照组,每组60例。对照组患者给予戊酸雌二醇治疗,实验组患者在对照组基础上给予坤宁安丸治疗。分别于治疗前后对患者血清卵泡刺激素(FSH)、雌二醇(E2)、CD3~+、CD4~+、CD8~+水平及Kupperman评分、临床疗效进行检测并比较。结果:与治疗前相比,治疗后两组患者的FSH、CD8~+、KI评分水平均下降(P0.05),E2、CD3~+CD4~+水平均升高(P0.05);与对照组相比,实验组患者的FSH、CD8~+、KI评分水平较低(P0.05),E2、CD3~+、CD4~+水平较高,临床治疗总有效率较高(P0.05)。结论:戊酸雌二醇联合坤宁安丸能够升高更年期综合征患者血清E2水平,降低FSH水平,并提高患者的免疫功能,临床疗效较好。