Tissue-specificity of maize sucrose synthase gene promoters in maize tissues after particle bombardment

The reporter gene encoding β-glucuronidase (GUS) driven by either of the two maize sucrose synthase gene (Sh1 and Sus 1) promoters was introduced and expressed in various maize tissues via particle bombardment. Transient gene expression was examined by histochemical assays. It was found that the two SS promoters directed differential GUS expression. In the developing kernel, the Sh1 promoter was active only in the upper and central parts of the endosperm. In contrast, strong GUS activity controlled by the Sus1 promoter was detected in various types of cells, including the aleurone cells, the subaleurone endosperm cells, the scutellar cells of the embryo and the pericarp cells. Both promoters showed similar expression patterns in vegetative tissues. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Selective modulation of P-glycoprotein activity by steroidal saponines from Paris polyphylla

Bio-guided fractionation of the roots of Paris polyphylla (Trilliaceae), based on inhibition of P-glycoprotein-mediated daunorubicin efflux in K562/R7 cell line, led to isolation and identification of the three saponins 3-O-Rha(1-->2)[Ara(1-->4)]Glc-pennogenine, gracillin and polyphyllin D, and the two ecdysteroids 20-hydroxyecdysone and pinnatasterone. These compounds were tested for multidrug reversion on P-glycoprotein (ABCB1) with both drug-selected and transfected cell lines, and also on Breast Cancer Resistance Protein (BCRP/ABCG2). By contrast to a weak efficiency on BCRP, the three saponins displayed significant effects as inhibitors of P-glycoprotein-mediated drug efflux.     

Cytotoxic prenylated flavonoids from Morus alba

A phytochemical fractionation of the methanol extract of the Morus alba leaves led to the isolation of eleven flavonoids (1–11). The structure of the new 3′-geranyl-3-prenyl-2′,4′,5,7-tetrahydroxyflavone (1) was elucidated by means of spectroscopic methods. The cytotoxicity of the isolated compounds against human cervical carcinoma HeLa, human breast carcinoma MCF-7, and human hepatocarcinoma Hep3B cells was evaluated. Of note, morusin (9) was the most potent with an IC₅₀ value of 0.64 μM against HeLa cells.     

Effects of Continuously Applied Vermicompost on Media Properties,Growth, Yield,and Fruit Quality of Two Tomato Varieties

In the first and second seasons, growth and yield of tomato were also influenced by different vermicompost (VC) rates and reused VC. Obviously, increasing VC proportion led to the augmentation of electrical conductivity (EC), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) in planting media in both seasons. However, in the first season, the nutrient absorbent ability of tomato was remarkably higher compared to those in the second season due to higher available nutrient in the media of the first season. This may influence the shoot dry weight as well as the yield of tomato in both seasons. In T4 treatment, the yield attained the highest value in the first season for both varieties with the values of 562.3 and 812.4 g/plant for small honey (V1) and graces (V2), respectively. In the second season, the N, P, K, Ca, and Mg in media significantly decreased compared to those in the first season (496.4 g/plant-V1 and 508.3 g/plant-V2). In comparison, the yields in the first season were higher those in second season by 13.2% and 59.8% for V1 and V2, respectively. However, in the second season, the maximum yield found in T5 (508.3 g/plant-V1 and 682.2 g/plant-V2) and declining by 10.6 and 19.1% compared to those in the first season for V1 and V2, respectively. This can be explained that amounts of nutrients from the media in the first season had supported the growth and development of tomato, resulting deficiency of nutrients in the media for the second season.     

Supplementations of dl‐Methionine and Methionine Dipeptide in Diets are Effective for the Development and Growth of Larvae and Juvenile Red Sea Bream,Pagrus major

Growth trials for larvae and juvenile red sea bream, Pagrus major, were conducted to elucidate the efficacy of two molecular forms of methionine; dl ‐methionine (dl ‐Met) and methionine dipeptide (Met‐Met). For the larvae experiment, five experimental diets were formulated and fed to fish (42 mg) for 30 days. A diet which has 15% soy protein isolate served as the control diet. Similarly, test diets supplemented with dl ‐Met and Met‐Met at 0.5%, which were either precoated by zein or intact, were also formulated. For the juvenile experiment, five experimental diets were formulated wherein the control diet contained 25% soy protein isolate. Test diets were supplemented with dl ‐Met and Met‐Met at 0.75%, which were either coated by carboxymethycellulose or intact and fed to juveniles (0.75 g) for 56 days. The results of two feeding trials showed both dl ‐Met and Met‐Met can be equally utilized by red sea bream larvae and juveniles. Coating the amino acid significantly improved both fish larval and juvenile growth performance. The development of digestive protease activity of larvae was significantly influenced by coating the amino acid, but the type of methionine was not a factor in changing the protease activity of larvae.     

Effects of dietary protein and lipid levels on growth,feed utilization and body composition in red‐tailed catfish juveniles (Hemibagrus wyckioides,Chaux & Fang 1949)

A feeding trial was conducted in a recycling water system during 10 weeks to determine the optimal protein to lipid ratio in Asian red‐tailed catfish (Hemibagrus wyckioides). Six diets of two protein levels (390 and 440 g kg^?1) with three lipid levels (60, 90 and 120 g kg^?1) were formulated. Fish (1.96 g) were fed six diets with four replicates to apparent satiation at a stocking density of 50 fish per tank (500 L). Faeces were collected in cultured tanks at the end of the feeding trial for digestibility measurement. Significantly, improved growth performances (P < 0.01) and higher feed utilization (P < 0.001) were observed in fish fed with higher lipid diets. However, higher protein diets did not significantly improve fish growth but they reduced FCR (P < 0.001) and protein efficiency ratio (P < 0.01). Higher lipid diets also resulted in significantly increased adipose‐somatic index, carcass fat and reduced moisture of the fish. The study revealed the protein sparing effect of dietary lipid in the catfish and highest growth performance was found by fish fed 390 g kg^?1 protein and 120 g kg^?1 lipid diet with P/E ratio of 20.48 mg protein kJ^?1. DP/DE ratio for maximal growth rate in diets was 21.48 mg protein kJ^?1.