Band gap fluorescence from individual single-walled carbon nanotubes

Fluorescence has been observed directly across the band gap of semiconducting carbon nanotubes. We obtained individual nanotubes, each encased in a cylindrical micelle, by ultrasonically agitating an aqueous dispersion of raw single-walled carbon nanotubes in sodium dodecyl sulfate and then centrifuging to remove tube bundles, ropes, and residual catalyst. Aggregation of nanotubes into bundles otherwise quenches the fluorescence through interactions with metallic tubes and substantially broadens the absorption spectra. At pH less than 5, the absorption and emission spectra of individual nanotubes show evidence of band gap-selective protonation of the side walls of the tube. This protonation is readily reversed by treatment with base or ultraviolet light.     

First report of the Q biotype ofBemisia tabaci in Japan by mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I sequence analysis

The recent upsurgence ofBemisia tabaci (Genn.) as an important insect pest and vector ofTomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) is directly linked to serious damage to tomato crops grown throughout Japan. The molecular genetic identification and phylogenetic relationships of 12B. tabaci populations collected from representative locations in Japan were determined based on the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (mtCOI) sequence. Phylogenetic analysis of the whitefly mtCOI sequence indicated that both the invasive B and Q biotypes now occur in Japan. The Q biotype was found at four locations: Mihara in Hiroshima, Nishigoshi in Kumamoto, Miyanojo and Okuchi in Kagoshima prefectures; the remaining eight collections were identified as the B biotype. This is the first report of the introduction of Q biotype in Japan. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting July 21, 2006.     

Genetic and physiological evidence for the production of N-acyl homoserine lactones by Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae and other fluorescent plant pathogenic Pseudomonas species

N-acyl homoserine lactones (AHLs) function as cell density (quorum) sensing signals and regulate diverse metabolic processes in several gram negative bacteria. We report that strains of Pseudomonas syringae pvs. syringae (Pss), tabaci and tomato as well as P. corrugata and P. savastanoi produce difussible AHLs that activate the lux operons of Vibrio fischeri or the tra::lacZ fusion of Agrobacterium tumefaciens. In Pss strain B3A, AHL production occurs in cell density dependent manner. Nucleotide sequence and genetic complementation data revealed the presence of ahlI_Pss, a luxI homolog within the Ahl⁺ DNA of Pss strain B3A. The DNA expresses in AHL-deficient strains of P. fluorescens and E. carotovora subsp. carotovora (Ecc), and restores extracellular enzyme production and pathogenicity in the Ecc strain. The derivatives of Pss strains B3A and 301D carrying chromosomal ahlI::lacZ do not produce AHL, but like their wild type parents, produce extracellular protease and the phytotoxin syringomycin as well as elicit the hypersensitive reaction in tobacco leaves. While these strains also produce a basal level of -galactosidase activity, the expression of ahlI::lacZ is substantially stimulated in the presence of multiple copies of the DNA or by the addition of cell-free spent cultures containing AHL. The activation of -galactosidase production occurs with spent cultures of some, but not all Pseudomonas strains which produce AHL as indicated by the Lux and tra::lacZ assays. Pss strains deficient in the global regulatory genes, gacA or lemA, produce very low levels of AHL. Since inactivation of ahlI_Pss eliminates AHL production and since Ahl⁺ Pseudomonas strains carry the homolog of ahlI_Pss, we conclude that ahlI_Pss specifies a key step in AHL biosynthesis and it has been conserved in many plant pathogenic pseudomonads.     

The physical appearance of the vulva in ureaplasma infected ewes

The vulvar labia of ewes naturally infected with ureaplasma were significantly more swollen and red than those of uninfected ewes. Similar changes were observed following experimental infection of previously uninfected ewes. These differences, although statistically significant, were not sufficiently marked to be useful in diagnosing infection by clinical examination.     

Effect of exposure to a country liquor (Toddy) during gestation on lipid metabolism in rats

The objective of this study was to determine theeffects of country liquor Toddy and its equivalentquantity of ethanol on lipid metabolism duringgestation in rats. Female rats weighing an average of125 g were exposed to Toddy (24.5 ml/body weight/day)and ethanol (0.52 ml/kg body weight/day) for 15 daysbefore conception and throughout gestation. On the19th day of gestation, altered liver function andhyperlipidemia was seen in both the treated groups.Altered liver function was evidenced by the increasedactivity of alcohol dehydrogenase, aldehydedehydrogenase, glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase oraspartate amino transferase (GOT), glutamic pyruvictransaminase or alanine amino transferase (GPT) andgamma glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT). Hyperlipidemiawas caused by increased biosynthesis and decreaseddegradation of lipids. The incorporation of ¹⁴Cacetate in lipids and activities of HMG CoA reductaseand lipogenic enzymes were elevated and activity ofLPL and bile acids contents were decreased. Toddytreated rats were more severely affected than thosereceiving an equivalent quantity of ethanol. Toddyseemed to potentiate the toxicity induced by alcoholindicating the role of the nonethanolic portion.Hepatic functions were also affected.     

Using 3D animations to teach intracellular signal transduction mechanisms: taking the arrows out of cells

Traditional methods of teaching intracellular biological processes and pathways use figures or flowcharts with the names of molecules linked with arrows. Many veterinary students, presented with such material, simply memorize the names or chemical structures of the molecules and are then likely to forget the material once the examination is completed. To address this problem, the authors designed, created, and field-tested new teaching media that incorporate realistic three-dimensional (3D) animations depicting the dynamic changes that occur in intracellular molecules during cellular activation. Testing found that veterinary students taught using traditional teaching media (e.g., lectures, handouts, textbooks) are proficient in memorizing the names and order of intracellular molecules but unable to appreciate the interactions between these elements or their spatial relationships within cells. In contrast, more than 90% of veterinary students taught using 3D animations not only recall the facts about the intracellular elements but also develop accurate mental images of the interactions among these molecules and their spatial relationships. These findings strongly suggest that the comprehension of complex biological processes by veterinary students can be enhanced by the use of dynamic 3D depictions of these processes in the classroom.