Ischemia-reperfusion injury following hepatic portal occlusion increases brain excitatory amino acids and NMDAR mRNA expression in rats

AIM: To explore the changes of excitatory amino acids and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) in brain undergoing ischemia-reperfusion injury following hepatic portal occlusion (HPO) in vivo.METHODS: The electrolytes and pH of portal vein blood,the content of Glu and Asp in brain,and the expression of NMDAR mRNA were studied with blood-gas analysis,HPLC and semi-quantitative RT-PCR method in two groups(HPO or sham),respectively.Three time points(6 h,12 h and 24h after reperfusion) were included.RESULTS: HPLC measure showed that the content of cortex Glu and Asp in group HPO elevated significantly after reperfusion compared with sham group, the peaks were at 6 h and 24 h ［Glu:(349±145) μg·g^-1wt,(456±203) μg·g^-1wt vs (238±24) μg·g^-1wt,(225±59) μg·g^-1wt;Asp:(134±50) μg·g^-1wt,(166±50) μg·g^-1wt vs (99±24) μg·g^-1wt,(71±20) μg·g^-1wt］.Moreover,semi-quantitative RT-PCR analysis discovered that the expression of NMDAR mRNA increased significantly ,the subunit NR1 mRNA was higher in reperfusion 6 h and last to 12 h（1.63±0.06 vs 1.18±0.05;1.73±0.06 vs 1.17±0.03）,the peak of NR2B mRNA was in 12 h (1.75±0.04 vs 1.18±0.05) ,but they did not further increase after reperfusion for 24 h.CONCLUSION: HPO increases the content of Glu and Asp and the expression of NMDAR in brain cortex.The Glu-NMDAR pathway plays a role in the mechanism for the brain injury after HPO.The products of IR injury might be the key factor to cause EAAs acumulation in synapse space.     

Porcine surfactant in treatment of LPS-induced early-stage acute lung injury in rats

AIM: To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of intratracheal instillation of porcine pulmonary surfactant (PPS) in rats with lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-induced early-stage ALI in this study.METHODS: SD rats weighing 200 g-300 g were randomly divided into 4 groups: LPS (1.5 mg·kg-1)+saline,LPS+PPS 100 mg·kg^-1,LPS+PPS 150 mg·kg^-1,LPS+PPS 200 mg·kg^-1.The PaO₂ and PaCO₂,as well as survival rate of rats were examined for 6 h after the start of PPS-instillation.Then,rats were killed and lungs were immediately removed for lung index (LI) and histological analysis.The bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was collected for measurement of total protein (TP) contents,TNF-α level and white blood cell(WBC) numbers.RESULTS: Significantly increased PaO₂,reduced mortality rate,decreased total protein and TNF-α contents in BAL,as well as lung index and meliorated histological appearance were observed in three PPS-treated groups compared with group given saline after LPS (P<0.05).The therapeutic effect in PPS150 and PPS200 groups was better than that in PPS100 group.CONCLUSION: Intratracheal PPS instillation provides protective effect on acute lung injury in rats induced by LPS.     

微孔草叶细胞冻害研究

针对微孔草常因低温环境而受到冻害,造成产量下降的问题,用电导法测其渗出液的电导率,计算渗出电解质百分率即细胞伤害率并配以Ｌｏｇｉｓｔｉｃ方程求其拐点温度及半致死温度的定量范围,以确定其抗寒能力。结果表明,微孔草叶组织在０．５ｈ低温处理的半致死温度是－１０．７９℃,１．０ｈ处理是－７．０１℃,１．５ｈ处理是－１．６８℃,由此认为,微孔草是中等抗寒植物,测量渗出液的电导率是一种定量估计冻害的好方法。     

Effect of Foliar Fertilizers on the Growth of Soybean Cultivars1

Foliar fertilizers (FF) applied at the reproductive growth stage was reported to increase soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.) yield in field trials. But yield increases have not been consistent. Field experiments were conducted on Calloway silt loam soil in 1981—1982 to determine the effect of two foliar fertilizer (FF) formulations, 16N + 4P + 4K + 1 S (Hanway) and 12 N + 4 P + 4 K + 0.5 S (Folian), and time of application, 0800- and 1900-h, on the growth of seven soybean cultivars from maturity groups V, VI, and VII. Foliar fertilizers were applied at a rate of 187 L/ha^?1 in water by a backpack CO₂ pressure sprayer at R5 to R6 growth stages. Foliar fertilizers caused no crop injury (leaf burn) when applied at 1900-h but caused moderate injury at 0800-h, which caused a yield reduction. The most significant crop injury was caused by Hanway formulation when applied at 0800-h. Yields were significantly reduced by FF in 1981 but not in 1982. Generally, Folian formulation treatments had higher yields than Hanway formulation treatments, but neither formulation increased yield above that of the untreated plants. The Bragg cultivar exhibited the least amount of crop injury and the most positive yield response to FF. Plant height, 100-seed weight and lodging rates were not adversely affected by the foliar applications. Due to the general lack of consistent yield increases or in some instances yield reduction from FF applications, the formulations used cannot be recommended for use by soybean producers.     

Glycinebetaine Improves Chilling Tolerance in Hybrid Maize

Plant growth and development is hampered by various environmental stresses including chilling. We investigated the possibility of improving chilling tolerance in hybrid maize by glycinebetaine (GB) seed treatments. Maize hybrid (Hycorn 8288) seeds were soaked in 50, 100 and 150 mg l^?1 (p.p.m.) aerated solution of GB for 24 h and were dried back. Treated and untreated seeds were sown at 27 °C (optimal temperature) and at 15 °C (chilling stress) under controlled conditions. Germination and seedling growth was significantly hindered under chilling stress. Moreover, chilling stress significantly reduced the starch metabolism and relative water contents (RWC), and increased the membrane electrolyte leakage. However, activities of antioxidants (catalase, superoxide dismutase and ascorbate peroxidase) were increased under stress conditions. Seed treatments with GB improved the germination rate, root and shoot length, seedling fresh and dry weights, leaf and root scores, RWC, soluble sugars, α‐amylase activity and antioxidants significantly compared with untreated seeds under optimal and stress conditions. Induction of chilling tolerance was attributed to maintenance of high tissue water contents, reduced membrane electrolyte leakage, and higher antioxidant activities and carbohydrate metabolism. Seed treatment with 100 mg l^?1 GB was the best treatment for improving the performance of hybrid maize under normal and stress conditions compared with control and other levels used.     

除草剂残留对亚麻的影响及预防措施

长残效除草剂大面积施用及超量施用,对后茬作物亚麻造成严重危害,已成为影响我国北方亚麻主产区产业发展的重要因素。本文阐述了亚麻受药害原因及症状表现,列举了对后茬亚麻有影响的除草剂种类并提出了预防措施。     

暖冬对皖北地区小麦生育前期若干指标的影响

研究了暖冬对皖北地区小麦生育前期若干指标的影响.结果表明,暖冬导致生育前期旺长,形成过多的茎蘖数、较大的群体叶面积及较高的干物质积累量;暖冬使小麦生育进程提前,麦苗抗冻性降低,遭遇低温时易遭受冻害,废弃物含量增加.     

Low Temperature Effects during Seed Filling on Chickpea Genotypes (Cicer arietinum L.): Probing Mechanisms affecting Seed Reserves and Yield

Chickpea is sensitive to cold conditions (<15 °C), particularly at its reproductive phase and consequently it experiences significant decrease in the seed yield. The information about the effects of cold stress on chickpea during the seed filling phase is lacking. Moreover, the underlying metabolic reasons associated with the low temperature injury are largely unknown in the crop. Hence, the present study was undertaken with the objectives: (i) to find out the possible mechanisms leading to low temperature damage during the seed filling and (ii) to investigate the relative response of the microcarpa (Desi) and the macrocarpa (Kabuli) chickpea types along with elucidation of the possible mechanisms governing the differential cold sensitivity at this stage. At the time of initiation of the seed filling (pod size ∼1 cm), a set of plants growing under warm conditions of the glasshouse (temperature: 17/28 ± 2 °C as average night and day temperature) was subjected to cold conditions of the field (2.3/11.7 ± 2 °C as average night and day temperature), while another set was maintained under warm conditions (control). The chilling conditions resulted in the increase in electrolyte leakage, the loss of chlorophyll, the decrease in sucrose content and the reduction in water status in leaves, which occurred to a greater extent in the macrocarpa type than in the microcarpa type. The total plant weight decreased to the same level in both the chickpea types, whereas the rate and duration of the seed filling, seed size, seed weight, pods per plant and harvest index decreased greatly in the macrocarpa type. The stressed seeds of both the chickpea types experienced marked reduction in the accumulation of starch, proteins, fats, crude fibre, protein fractions (albumins, globulins, prolamins and glutelins) with a larger decrease in the macrocarpa type. The accumulation of sucrose and the activity levels of the enzymes like starch synthase, sucrose synthase and invertase decreased significantly in the seeds because of the chilling, indicating impairment in sucrose import. Minerals such as calcium, phosphorous and iron as well as several amino acids (phenylalanine, tyrosine, threonine, tryptophan, valine and histidine) were lowered significantly in the stressed seeds. These components were limited to a higher extent in the macrocarpa type indicating higher cold sensitivity of this type.     

A comparison of the response of different citrus fruit cultivars to storage temperature

A comparison was made of the response to storage temperatures (0–17°C) of grapefruit ‘Shamouti’ and ‘Valencia’ oranges, and lemon fruit. There was no chilling injury (CI) and the incidence of rot was relatively low at 12°C or higher for all cultivars. At low storage temperatures, however, pitting and subsequent rot development in grapefruit and in ‘Shamouti’ and ‘Valencia’ oranges were highest at 6°C, while in lemon the incidence of these disorders rose with the decrease in storage temperature, and was highest at 2°C. Grapefruit and ‘Shamouti’ oranges exhibited the highest susceptibility to CI, lemon showed an intermediate susceptibility, and ‘Valencia’ orange a very low one. In grapefruit, severe peel pittings that developed in cold storage were covered by mold rots during cold storage and shelf-life, but in ‘Valencia’ and particularly in ‘Shamouti’ oranges the incidence of decay during cold storage was low. During shelf-life, a pronounced CI-induced increase in the incidence of mold rots was evident. This breakdown during shelf-life may be associated with microscopic peel injuries which are formed during cold storage and covered by mold rots during shelf-life. Increased susceptibility of the cultivar to CI could be correlated with an increase in ethanol content at low temperatures.