Starch content of freeze-dried anthers and α-amylase activity of their extracts as criteria that dry-stored bulbs (Tulipa gesneriana, L.) cultivar ‘Apeldoorn’ have been exposed to 5°C

Starch and sucrose were estimated selectively in freeze-dried anthers from tulip bulbs pre-cooled at 5°C for 12 weeks and from a control batch maintained at 17°C. α-Amylase activity in anther extracts was also estimated. Based on data from our own trials (1981, 1982 and 1983) and from 18 batches from typical bulb-producing regions in The Netherlands (year 1983), sucrose was discarded as indicator. The following tentative criteria are proposed for detecting whether dry bulbs cultivar ‘Apeldoorn’ have been exposed to 5°C: starch content of freeze-dried anthers should exceed 10% and specific activity of α-amylase should be below 0.16 (arbitrary unit per mg protein). These criteria are not indicative of the duration of the 5°C period.     

Isolation and partial characterization of a pectic polysaccharide from the fruit pulp of Spondias cytherea and its effect on peritoneal macrophage activation

The total carbohydrate content of the intact pulp of Spondias cytherea was 41%. Polysaccharides were obtained via hot aqueous extraction after defatting with organic solvents. The aqueous extract was treated with excess ethanol to form a precipitate, which was then solubilized in water. The material precipitated upon acidification when HCl was removed. The resulting supernatant fraction was submitted to freeze-thawing treatment yielding a soluble fraction (sFTS). This fraction had Ara, Rha, Gal and GalA in its structure as determined by GC-MS. 13C NMR analysis showed signals assigned to alpha-L-Araf, beta-D-Galp, alpha-D-GalpA and alpha-L-Rhap units, in addition to galacturonic acid units, which were present also as methyl ester. These results suggest a type I rhamnogalacturonan with arabinogalactan branches. Cell eliciting activity in a dose-depending pattern was observed in vitro on peritoneal macrophages treated with sFTS.     

Integration of environmental, agronomic, and economic aspects of fertilizer management

Nitrogen fertilization is a substantial source of nitrogen-containing trace gases that have both regional and global consequences. In the intensive wheat systems of Mexico, typical fertilization practices lead to extremely high fluxes of nitrous oxide (N2O) and nitric oxide (NO). In experiments, lower rates of nitrogen fertilizer, applied later in the crop cycle, reduced the loss of nitrogen without affecting yield and grain quality. Economic analyses projected this alternative practice to save 12 to 17 percent of after-tax profits. A knowledge-intensive approach to fertilizer management can substitute for higher levels of inputs, saving farmers money and reducing environmental costs.     

GONG Observations of Solar Surface Flows

Doppler velocity observations obtained by the Global Oscillation Network Group (GONG) instruments directly measure the nearly steady flows in the solar photosphere. The sun's differential rotation is accurately determined from single observations. The rotation profile with respect to latitude agrees well with previous measures, but it also shows a slight north-south asymmetry. Rotation profiles averaged over 27-day rotations of the sun reveal the torsional oscillation signal-weak, jetlike features, with amplitudes of 5 meters per second, that are associated with the sunspot latitude activity belts. A meridional circulation with a poleward flow of about 20 meters per second is also evident. Several characteristics of the surface flows suggest the presence of large convection cells.     

新疆南疆籽棉超高产机理研究

为探寻新疆南疆地区籽棉9000 kg·hm-2超高产机理以及相关的指标,对南疆地区生态条件下超高产田、高产田、中高产田进行了调查研究与数据采集。研究发现:要获得超高产,首先要有良好的基础地力,有机质含量超10 g·kg-1,种植密度18×104~21×104株·hm-2为宜;其次,塑造良好株型,株高65~75 cm,茎粗接近10 mm,果枝9~10台,棉铃空间分布均匀,纵向上、中、下果枝棉铃比例3.2∶4.7∶2.1,横向第一、二果节比例7∶3,初花至盛铃LAI、SPAD、Pn一直维持较高水平,盛铃前后达到最大,后期下降缓慢;最后,氮磷钾分配上,前期差异不大,进入花铃期生殖生长明显增强,蕾花铃氮磷钾比例明显增大,一直维持到见絮,超高产处理的蕾花铃干物质量比例明显高于其它处理8%以上,见絮时蕾花铃干物质量达到了6 402 kg·hm-2。以指标数据作参考,塑造良好株型,协调棉铃空间分布,维持较高较长的光合速率,减缓LAI、SPAD下降速度,促进生殖生长,合理养分分配,便能实现产量目标。     

Characterization of conventional and plasmacytoid dendritic cells in swine secondary lymphoid organs and blood

Dendritic cells (DCs) act as antigen presenting cells that bridge innate and adaptive immune systems with the unique capacity to initiate primary T-cell responses and efficiently stimulate memory responses. In pig, little information is available about these cells in secondary lymphoid organs, the place where T cell activation usually occurs. As increased knowledge on DC is a necessary prerequisite to further understand their role in response to microbial infection or in protection after vaccination, we investigated the DC types that would be present in tonsil, spleen and non-subcutaneous lymph nodes in the steady state. One population was composed of CD172a(+)CD11R1(+)CD1(+/-)CD80/86(+/-) cells and would correspond to conventional DCs (cDC), while the other one was composed of CD172a(+)CD4(+)CD1(+/-)CD80/86(+/-) cells and would correspond to plasmacytoid DCs (pDC). These subsets were also detected in blood but spleen was the tissue with the higher frequency of such DCs. In lymphoid organs, most of cDC and pDC were in an immature status, as revealed by the low percentage of cells expressing the co-stimulatory molecule CD80/86. However, expression of that marker by 5% of DCs in organs and up to 15% in blood, together with lower expression of CD1a and expression of CD208, would indicate a partial activation and/or semi-maturation. Interestingly, 8% of tonsil pDC and 15% of blood pDC were shown to secrete IFN-alpha, while 18-20% of cDC expressed TNF-alpha in these tissues. Both cell types also expressed IL-12 and IL-10 in the steady state. Measurements of IFN-alpha, TNF-alpha, IL-12 and IL-10 levels in serum confirmed their production within immune homeostasis, whereas IL-6, IL-18 and IFN-gamma could not be detected. Altogether, these data complete knowledge on porcine immune system cells and will be a useful tool for further in vivo studies on porcine DC role in peripheral tolerance induction and in immune responses to pathogens.