CYTOLOGIC AND EMBRYOLOGIC STUDIES ON APOMICTS DISCOVERED FROM MALE STERILITY LINE C1001 IN RICE (Oryza sativa L.)

Cytologic and embryologic studies on the reproductive pattern of male sterility line C1001 in rice (Oryza saliva L.) indicated that several types of apomixis were discovered in partial strains of male sterility line C1001 in rice. Under a fully separate condition, two possible apomixis embryogenesis ways in the ovules were observed: One way was that the embryo was initiated from the somatic cells of the ovules, and then pushed against the embryo sac to develop into a mature embryo. The other way was that the embryo was from the unfertilized egg cell or one of synergids, and then developed into a mature embryo in the form of haploid parthenogenesis without forming endosperm. Besides, the antipodal cells migrated in the embryo sac, and their cytoplasm became thin and vacuolated while mitosis was taking place, giving rise to a multicellular structure or a group of large cells each containing several nuclei. This paper also discusses the significance and patterns of apomixis in rice C1001.     

DETECTION AND QUANTITATION OF THREE PHYTOCHROMES IN UNIMBIBED SEEDS OF: Avena sativa L.

Three phytochrome apoproteins in unimbibed seeds of Avena saliva L. were identified with monoclonal antibodies directed to, and specific for, three oat phytochromes with monomeric molecular masses of 125, 124 and 123 kDa [Wang et al., 1991, Planta 184, 96–104]. All three phytochromes were readily detected in embryo-containing portions. Only trace amounts were found in endosperm tissue. Phytochrome photoreversibility was detected after concentration and partial purification of embryo extracts by fractionation with ammonium sulfate, indicating that at least one of these seed phytochromes had its chromophore prosthetic group bound to it. Immunoblot analyses were performed to quantitate each of the three phytochromes in unimbibed seeds. Quantitation of phytochromes in detergent-free extracts led to serious underestimates of phytochrome contents in the unimbibed seeds. In contrast, more than 93% of each of the three phytochromes in the unimbibed seeds was extracted when a modified sodium dodecyl sulfate sample buffer was used as the extraction medium. In such extracts, we measured per embryo 1.40 ± 0.12. 1.60 ± 0.05 and 6.13 ± 0.31 ng of 125–, 124– and 123-kDa phytochrome, respectively.     

红外光谱和拉曼光谱法分析玉米种子的成分

采用傅立叶红外光谱法(FTIR)及拉曼光谱分析了玉米种子不同部位的成分。实验表明,不同部位蛋白质、脂类和碳水化合物的特征吸收峰的相对强弱是不同的。玉米种子的胚中这3种物质的特征吸收峰强度较为均匀,差别不大。胚乳中脂类特征吸收峰最强,显示胚乳中脂类占据主导。白色的糊粉层则以碳水化合物为主。而外层黄色部位蛋白质和碳水化合物的吸收峰较强,脂类的吸收峰很小。拉曼光谱分析可以看到玉米种子的类胡萝卜素含量从黄色的外层到胚逐渐降低。     

Structural identification of SAR-943 metabolites generated by human liver microsomes in vitro using mass spectrometry in combination with analysis of fragmentation patterns

SAR-943 (32-deoxo rapamycin) is a proliferation signal inhibitor via interaction with the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). Most importantly, SAR-943 has improved chemical stability compared to rapamycin (sirolimus) and is currently under investigation as a drug coated on coronary stents. It was the goal of this study to identify the SAR-943 metabolites generated after incubation with human liver microsomes using high-resolution mass spectrometry (MS) and MS/iontrap (MS(n)) and comparison of fragmentation patterns of the metabolites with those of SAR-943 and other known rapamycin derivatives. Our study showed that SAR-943 is mainly hydroxylated and/or demethylated by human liver microsomes. The structures of the following metabolites were identified: O-demethylated metabolites: 39-O-desmethyl, 16-O-desmethyl and 27-O-desmethyl SAR-943; hydroxylated metabolites: hydroxy piperidine SAR-943, 11-hydroxy, 12-hydroxy, 14-hydroxy, 23-hydroxy, 24-hydroxy, 25-hydroxy, 46-hydroxy and 49-hydroxy SAR-943; didemethylated metabolites: 16,39-O-didesmethyl and 27,39-O-didesmethyl SAR-943; demethylated-hydroxylated metabolites: 39-O-desmethyl, 23- or 24-hydroxy and 39-O-desmethyl, hydroxy piperidine SAR-943 and dihydroxylated metabolites: 12-,23- or 24-dihydroxy SAR-943. In addition, several other demethylated-hydroxylated and dihydroxylated metabolites were detected. However, their exact structures could not be identified.     

电感耦合等离子体原子发射光谱法测定紫斑牡丹胚乳和胚中矿物质元素

为了给离体体细胞胚的人工胚乳配制提供矿物质元素种类和数量方面的参考,用浓硝酸-高氯酸(4∶1)的混合溶液消解紫斑牡丹的胚乳和胚样品,采用电感耦合等离子体-原子发射光谱法(ICP-AES)测定了样品中的(K、Na、Ca、Mg、Fe、Cu、Zn、Mn、Li、Ni、B、Ag、Cd、Pb)14种矿物质元素含量。结果表明:各元素的校准曲线的回归系数在0.9990～0.9999之间,线性良好;方法精密度高,能多元素同时分析;紫斑牡丹胚乳和胚中均含有植物生长必需的K、Ca、Mg 3种大量元素,Fe、Mn、Cu、Zn、Ni、B 6种微量元素,1种有益元素Na,及Li和Pb,Ag、Cd则未被检测到。在被检测到的12种元素中,Mg、Zn、Mn、Fe、K、Na、Li与Ni 8种元素在胚乳中的含量低于胚中的含量,Ca、Cu、Pb与B在胚乳中的含量则高于胚中的含量。     

Quantitative determination of glucoraphanin in Brassica vegetables by micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography

Glucoraphanin, a glucosinolate, is found naturally in plants and is present in relatively high concentrations in broccoli. Glucosinolates have received much attention as studies have indicated that a diet rich in them may provide some protection from certain cancers. A micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC) method using sodium cholate as the micellar phase has been developed to quantify for glucoraphanin in broccoli (seeds and florets) and Brussels sprouts. The glucoraphanin peak elutes just under 5 min with a theoretical plate number of 380,000 per metre of capillary. The method is suitable for crude extracts of broccoli and Brussels sprouts. Glucoraphanin in broccoli seeds (1330 mg/100 g) broccoli florets (89 mg/100 g) and Brussels sprouts (3 mg/100 g) was determined and agreed with the data obtained by high performance liquid chromatography. The LODs were 10-100 times below the levels typically found in broccoli seeds (4 mg/100 g), broccoli florets (0.9 mg/100 g) and Brussels sprouts (0.1 mg/100 g).     

蓖麻内源防御肽的MALDI-MSI方法及溯源应用研究

国际范围内,蓖麻毒素、蓖麻籽粗提物以及蓖麻籽等均为蓖麻毒素信件的潜在来源,屡屡引发公共安全威胁.因此,蓖麻籽产地溯源至关重要.该研究选择高丰度、低毒性的蓖麻内源性防御肽(RCB),系统探讨优化了冷冻切片制备、基质喷雾等条件,首次建立了RCB 的基质辅助激光解吸电离-质谱成像(MALDI-MSI)方法.选择四川、山西为中...     

Impacts of PEG-6000 pretreatment for barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) seeds on the effect of their mature embryo in vitro culture and primary investigation on its physiological mechanism

In this paper, we studied polyetheneglycol (PEG) pretreatment effect on the mature embryo culture in vitro by using barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) seeds. Meanwhile, we analyzed and assayed its mineral element and endogenous hormone level. The experimental results were as follows: (1) PEG-6000 imbibition could obviously slow down the water timecourse absorbed by barley seeds; (2) 10% PEG-6000 treatment of barley seeds for 3 h had a positive effect on germination in vitro and callus induction of the barley seed mature embryos; (3) 10% PEG-6000 treatment inhibited soluble leakage from the seeds; (4) N leakage was mainly from the endosperms, Mn2+ leakage from embryos; (5) PEG-6000 treatment changed greatly the hormone level (ABA, IAA, GAs), which influenced the percentage of plantlets from the mature embryo callus. The results can provide some clues to scientific sowing of crop seeds, pretreatment for the purpose of uniform seedlings, and the explant response quality in plant tissue culture.     

Total flavonoid content in varieties of Calendula officinalis L. originating from different countries and cultivated in Estonia

Total flavonoid contents in the inflorescences of different varieties of Calendula officinalis L. were investigated. The commercial seeds (20 samples) of varieties of C. officinalis originating from eight European countries were cultivated in home gardens in two different counties of Estonia. Total flavonoid contents, determined spectrophotometrically (λ = 370 nm), varied from each other by more than three times (0.21-0.68%) in the investigated varieties. The variety with the highest flavonoid content was 'Kablouna', produced by the Finnish company Siemen (0.68%). Other varieties with high flavonoid content, such as 'Touch of Red' produced by the Latvian company Kurzemes Seklas (0.55%), 'Golden Emperor' produced by the Finnish company Suvipiha (0.50%), 'Pomyk' from Poland (0.50%), etc., may also be preferred for cultivation as natural sources, as they are also rich in flavonoids. The amount of total flavonoids depends on the variety and/or the place and time of cultivation. There appeared to be no conclusive relationship between the total flavonoid content and the colour of ligulate and tubular florets of C. officinalis.     

Investigation of polysulfone film on high-performance anode with stabilized electrolyte/electrode interface for lithium batteries

Lithium metal has been considered to be the most promising anode material for the new generation of energy-storage system.However,challenges still stand in protecting lithium metal from spontaneous reactions with electrolytes and preventing the dendritic propagation,both of which would lead to undesirable decrease in Coulombic efficiency.Polysulfone(PSf)membrane with high rigidity and free-volume cavities of approximately 0.3 nm was employed to provide a stable interface on the surface of anodic electrode.The isotropic channels were constructed by the interconnected and uniformly distributed free volumes in the polymer matrix,and were expected to be swelled by solvent molecules and anions of lithium salt and to allow Li~+ions to pass through onto the electrode surface.As a result,dendrite-free morphology of deposited lithium was observed.The stabilized interface arose from the PSf film was verified by the promoted performances of Cu|Li cells and steady voltage polarization of Li|Li cells.The full cell with PSf coated anode exhibited excellent cyclability(85% capacity retention rate over 400 cycles at 1C)and an outstanding rate capability(117 m Ah g~(-1) at 5C).The beneficial performances were further verified by the EIS results.This work provides a new strategic idea to settle the dendritic problems of Li metal anodes.     

基于不同前驱体制备的硬碳负极材料的储锂性能

以聚丙烯腈、石油沥青和花生壳为前驱体,在1200℃下碳化制备三种不同的硬碳材料.通过扫描电子显微、X射线衍射、氮气吸附/脱附测试和拉曼光谱等方法探究不同前驱体所制备的硬碳材料的表面形貌和物相结构.通过恒流充放电测试考察了这三种硬碳负极材料的电化学性能.结果表明,花生壳基硬碳的初始放电比容量最高,但首圈库仑效率最低,石油...     

Characterization of Plant Seeds by Phosphorus-31 Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy

Plant seeds accumulate and store phosphorus for the initial growth of seedlings. Phosphorus speciation by ³¹P nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy of NaOH–EDTA seed extracts showed that P was mainly present in organic forms such as phytate and α- and β-glycerophosphate in poppy, sesame, mustard, fennel, and cumin seeds. The inorganic P forms present included orthophosphate and pyrophosphate. The highest concentration of orthophosphate was found in NaOH–EDTA extracts of fennel seeds (41.7%) and the lowest in mustard (9.3%) and sesame seeds (6.9%). For the organic P forms, the highest concentration of phytate was found in mustard seeds (85.2%) and the lowest in fennel seeds (43.3%). Other organic P forms detected were α- and β-glycerophosphate ranging from 1.2 to 5.1% and 0.7 to 2.1%, respectively. Pyrophosphate was detected in trace amounts only in fennel (0.7%) and poppy seeds (0.5%). The only orthophosphate diester observed was in sesame seeds at a low concentration (0.7%), while phosphonates and polyphosphates were not present in any seeds. Phytate was the most dominant P form in all seeds except for fennel and cumin, which contained the lowest phytate concentration but the highest orthophosphate and glycerophosphate concentrations. These results suggest that P transferred from the plant vegetative parts to the developing seeds during maturation is converted to phytate (organic P) in addition to being stored as orthophosphate (inorganic P).     

HPLC method validation for measurement of sulforaphane level in broccoli by‐products

A simple and specific analytical method was developed and tested for the determination of sulforaphane in broccoli by‐products. The method includes the optimization of the conversion of glucoraphanin to sulforaphane, followed by purification of extracts using solid‐phase extraction and high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis. The response surface methodology was used to find optimum conditions for the preparation and purification procedure. Chromatographic conditions for reversed‐phase HPLC with UV photodiode array detection were as follows: column, Exil ODS C₁₈, 25 × 0.46 cm, 5 μm; column temperature, 36°C; mobile phase, a 30 : 70 (v/v) mixture of acetonitrile:water; flow rate, 0.6 mL/min. The detection wavelength was UV 202 nm. Under these conditions, excellent linearity was obtained (r² = 1), and the overall recovery was 97.5 and 98.1% for fresh florets and lyophilized florets, respectively. The precision results showed that the relative standard deviation of the repeatability for florets fresh and lyophilized was 3.0 and 4.0%, respectively. Sulforaphane contents were determined in the edible portion of fresh broccoli, and broccoli crop remains. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Cooling rate effect on the phase transitions in a polymer liquid crystal: DSC and real-time MAXS and WAXD experiments

The importance of the cooling rate for the structural transformations in a main-chain poly(hexamethylene-4,4′-bibenzoate) has been presented. Detailed analysis of the phase transitions, main structural parameters and their temperature changes has been performed by differential scanning calorimetry, real-time middle-angle X-ray scattering and wide-angle X-ray diffraction methods. The thermodynamic nature of the initial transformation into a smectic A phase has been discussed. The material in the smectic state is supposed to be organized in smectic domains. The crystallization from the smectic phase depends strongly on the kinetics. The crystallization inside the smectic domains results into different final structures determined by the cooling rate applied. At the highest cooling rates, only one crystalline form has been observed. Different possible modifications have been discussed for the case: either a γ-polymorphic form or still some mesophase of high order, as a frozen metastable state. There is a possibility that the phase might be also identified as a condis crystal. At decreasing cooling rates, a new crystalline form, named α∗, appears together with the first one. Lowering the cooling rate, the volume fraction of the α∗-polymorph gradually increases, at the expenses of the first form. The interesting feature of the new observed α∗-polymorph is that it has some similarities with α- and δ-phases of the same material. Contrary to the previous observations, no γ?α^∗ transformation has been observed neither during the course of single crystallization nor during the subsequent heating. A model describing the gradual transformation of the material during its temperature treatment has been proposed.     

Liriodenine alkaloid in Annona diversifolia during early development

Plants of the Annonaceae family produce a series of alkaloids, including liriodenine oxoaporphine. Its distribution in these primitive angiosperms suggests that it plays an important role, but very little is known about which plant organs it accumulates in, or in which developmental stages it is synthesised. Accordingly, liriodenine production was studied during the early stages of germination and seedling development in Annona diversifolia Saff. Liriodenine samples were obtained from the roots and were characterised on the basis of spectroscopic data. Quantification was done by HPLC in the organs and tissues of newly collected seeds, seeds following 1-, 2-, 5- and 10-day imbibitions, upon emergence of the radicle and at the seedling stage. According to our results, liriodenine could not have originated from the parent plant, nor during embryogenesis because it appears for the first time in the endosperm approximately 5 days after the start of imbibition. Therefore, its synthesis does not depend directly on photosynthesis. During the seedling stage it is found in the root and the stem but it is absent from the cotyledonary leaves and the first true leaves. Liriodenine biosynthesis begins during the early stages of development in the endosperm and seed radicles.     

Exploring odd-even effects of simple oligomer-like DRCNnT series: a study based on density functional theory/time-dependent density functional theory calculations

Odd-even effects of short-circuit current density and power conversion efficiency (PCE) are an interesting phenomenon in some organic solar cells. Although some explanations have been given, why they behave in such a way is still an open question. In the present work, we investigate a set of acceptor-donor-acceptor simple oligomer-like small molecules, named the DRCNnT (n = 5-9) series, to give an insight into this phenomenon because the solar cells based on them have high PCE (up to 10.08%) and show strong odd-even effects in experiments. By modeling the DRCNnT series and using density functional theory, we have studied the ground-state electronic structures of the DRCNnT (n = 5-9) series in condensed phase. The calculated results reproduce the experimental trends well. Furthermore, we find that the exciton-binding energies of the DRCNnT series may be one of the key parameters to explain this phenomenon because they also show odd-even effects. In addition, by studying the effects of alkyl branch and terminal group on odd-even effects of dipole moment, we find that eliminating one or two alkyl branches does not break the odd-even effects of dipole moments, but eliminating one or two terminal groups does. Finally, we conclude that removing one alkyl branch close to the terminal group of DRCN5T can decrease highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) energy (thus increasing open circuit voltage) and increase dipole moment (thus enhancing charge separation and short-circuit current). This could be a new and simple method to increase the PCE of DRCN5T-based solar cells.     

Rapid in situ detection of alkaloids in plant tissue under ambient conditions using desorption electrospray ionization

Desorption electrospray ionization (DESI) mass spectrometry is applied to the in situ detection of alkaloids in the tissue of poison hemlock (Conium maculatum), jimsonweed (Datura stramonium) and deadly nightshade (Atropa belladonna). The experiment is carried out by electrospraying micro-droplets of solvent onto native or freshly-cut plant tissue surfaces. No sample preparation is required and the mass spectra are recorded under ambient conditions, in times of a few seconds. The impact of the sprayed droplets on the surface produces gaseous ions from organic compounds originally present in the plant tissue. The effects of operating parameters, including the electrospray high voltage, heated capillary temperature, the solvent infusion rate and the carrier gas pressure on analytical performance are evaluated and optimized. Different types of plant material are analyzed including seeds, stems, leaves, roots and flowers. All the previously reported alkaloids have been detected in C. maculatum, while fifteen out of nineteen known alkaloids for D. stramonium and the principal alkaloids of A. belladonna were also identified. All identifications were confirmed by tandem mass spectrometry. Results obtained show similar mass spectra, number of alkaloids, and signal intensities to those obtained when extraction and separation processes are performed prior to mass spectrometric analysis. Evidence is provided that DESI ionization occurs by both a gas-phase ionization process and by a droplet pick-up mechanism. Quantitative precision of DESI is compared with conventional electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (after sample workup) and the RSD values for the same set of 25 dicotyledonous C. maculatum seeds (one half of each seed analyzed by ESI and the other by DESI) are 9.8% and 5.2%, respectively.     

Comparison of fatty acid profile and antioxidant potential of extracts of seven Citrus rootstock seeds

The extracts of seven Citrus rootstock seeds have been compared regarding fatty acid profile and antioxidant potential. Sour orange (Citrus aurantium L.) was found to contain the highest oil amount (34%), while the Poncirus trifoliata cultivars contained the highest percentage of unsaturated fatty acids (84-87%). In addition, the antioxidant properties of the extracts from defatted seeds have been evaluated by measuring their radical scavenging activity against 2,2'-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl. The highest antioxidant activities were observed in the case of the acetone extract of sour orange and Citrumelo Swingle (76% and 75%, respectively), at a concentration of 0.17?mg?mL(-1). Moreover, the total phenolic content of the extracts, determined using the Folin-Ciocalteau reagent, was found to be correlated with the radical scavenging activity results. The acetone extracts of sour orange and Citrumelo Swingle exhibited the highest phenolic content [112.3 and 103.4?mg gallic acid equivalent?g(-1) dry sample weight, respectively].     

Rational Design of Ferroelectric 2D Perovskite for Improving the Efficiency of Flexible Perovskite Solar Cells Over 23 %

Despite the great progress of flexible perovskite solar cells (f-PSCs), it still faces several challenges during the homogeneous fabrication of high-quality perovskite thin films, and overcoming the insufficient exciton dissociation. To the ends, we rationally design the ferroelectric two-dimensional (2D) perovskite based on pyridine heterocyclic ring as the organic interlayer. We uncover that incorporation of the ferroelectric 2D material into 3D perovskite induces an increased built-in electric field (BEF), which enhances the exciton dissociation efficiency in the device. Moreover, the 2D seeds could assist the 3D crystallization by forming more homogeneous and highly-oriented perovskite crystals. As a result, an impressive power conversion efficiency (PCE) over 23 % has been achieved by the f-PSCs with outstanding ambient stability. Moreover, the piezo/ferroelectric 2D perovskite intrigues a decreased hole transport barriers at the ITO/perovskite interface under tensile stress, which opens new possibilities for developing highly-efficient f-PSCs.