Chromosome and plasmid-encoded N-acyl homoserine lactones produced by Agrobacterium vitis wildtype and mutants that differ in their interactions with grape and tobacco

Agrobacterium vitis causes crown gall disease on grapevines. It also induces a specific necrosis on grape roots and a hypersensitive response (HR) on tobacco that are regulated by a complex quorum-sensing regulatory system. Strain F2/5 produces at least six N-acyl-homoserine lactones (AHLs) that function as signal molecules in quorum-sensing. The AHLs differ in acyl side chain length (8–16 carbons) as determined by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry. Mutant derivatives of F2/5 differ in ability to cause necrosis and the HR and show variable AHL profiles as determined by a thin-layer chromatography/biosensor assay. All wildtype A. vitis strains revealed the presence of long-chain AHLs regardless of tumorigenicity or ability to cause the HR. Whereas genes encoding long-chain AHLs are predicted to reside on the F2/5 chromosome, the determinants for short-chain AHLs were shown to be located on conjugal plasmids.     

Carbon and nitrogen budgets of nematodes in arable soil

Summary The amounts of C and N that pass through the nematode biomass in four cropping systems, barley without and with N fertilization, grass ley and lucerne, has been estimated. The nematodes were sampled at the field site of a Swedish integrated research project Ecology of Arable Land: The Role of Organisms in Nitrogen Cycling. The nematode biomass was lower (200 mg dry weight m^–2) in the annual (barley) than in the perennial (grass and lucerne, 350 mg dry weight m^–2) crops. For respiration, the nematodes used 4–71 O₂m^–2 year^–1 corresponding to C liberation of 1.3%–2.0% of the carbon input to the soil. A higher relative contribution by bacterial-feeding nematodes to the C and N fluxes and a higher turnover rate of the nematode biomass is an indication of more rapid nutrient circulation in the annual than in the perennial cropping systems.     

Effects of the plant alkaloid thaliblastine on non-cross-resistant and sensitive human leukemia cells in relation with reversal of acquired anthracycline resistance

Thaliblastine exhibits dose dependent cytotoxic effect on HL-60, HL-60/DOX, RHE and HD-MY-2 leukemia cells. Additionally, typical for apoptosis oligonucleosomal DNA fragmentation could be detected in leukemia cells treated with thaliblastine. Moreover, an MDR-phenotype reversing effect of thaliblastine was also identified.     

Suppression of ovulation in the rat by an orally active antagonist of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone

A synthetic antagonist of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone blocked ovulation in rats in a dose-dependent manner when given by gavage on the afternoon of proestrus. Ovulation was delayed for at least 1 day in all animals given 2 milligrams of antogonist and in some of the animals treated with 1 or 0.5 milligram. Oral administration of 2 milligrams also blocked the preovulatory surge of luteinizing hormone. This demonstration that antagonists of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone can have oral antiovulatory activity clearly enhances their therapeutic potential.     

Spectroscopic Observation of the Formyl Cation in a Condensed Phase

The formyl cation, HCO+, has long been believed to be an important intermediate in the chemistry of carbon monoxide (CO) in acidic environments, but its spectroscopic observation in solution has been elusive. This species was generated by the reaction of CO with the liquid superacid hydrofluoric acid-antimony pentafluoride (HF-SbF5) under pressure and was observed by nuclear magnetic resonance and infrared spectroscopy. Equilibria between CO in the gas phase, CO dissolved in HF-SbF5, the SbF5 adduct of formyl fluoride, and HCO+ associated with several equilibrating anions of the type [SbxF5x+1]- are proposed to describe the system.     

大豆品种香豆雌酚含量的分析

香豆雌酚是大豆生长过程中自然产生的化学物质,被认为可以治疗和预防一些人类依赖激素的疾病。为分析大豆品种中香豆雌酚含量,笔者利用高效液相色谱技术对来自中国、美国和日本的46个大豆品种香豆雌酚的含量进行测定分析。结果表明,不同品种中香豆雌酚的含量存在着较大差异,平均含量为0.587μg/g,其变幅在0.123~1.290μg/g之间。香豆雌酚含量的品种差异,为高含量资源的筛选及品种的选育提供依据。     

Pemphigus foliaceus-like drug reaction in a 3-month-old crossbreed dog treated for juvenile cellulitis

Two weeks after administration of routine vaccinations, a 3-month-old, male crossbreed dog developed cutaneous lesions that were clinically and histopathologically consistent with a diagnosis of juvenile cellulitis. The patient was treated with systemic antibacterial, antibacterial ophthalmic ointment and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Within 1 week, new skin lesions that were clinically, histopathologically and immunohistochemically consistent with pemphigus foliaceus developed. The latter completely resolved following drug withdrawal, suggesting a pemphigus foliaceus-like drug reaction. However, the initial lesions persisted and required glucocorticoid therapy to effect resolution. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first reported case of a puppy developing juvenile cellulitis followed by a pemphigus foliaceus-like reaction shortly thereafter, in response to drug therapy.