Ultrastructural aspects of the mandibular gland of Melipona bicolor Lepeletier, 1836 (Hymenoptera: Apidae, Meliponi) in the castes

The mandibular gland in Melipona bicolor workers and queens was studied by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. There is no difference in the gland anatomy between the castes, but the transmission electron microscopy showed variation of the cellular ultrastructure according to the secretory phase of the gland in both castes. Smooth endoplasmic reticulum was abundant in the secretory cells of physogastric queens, indicating that these cells produce lipid secretion that is stored in granules with multi-lamellar bodies. Mitochondrial variations during the cell secretory cycle indicates their participation in the lipid synthesis. After secretion, release in the reservoir lumen through the collecting canals, the secretory cells contain many myelinic bodies, indicative of cellular regression.     

Variations of the antioxidant system during development of the cold-tolerant beetle, Tenebrio molitor

Data relating to the peculiarities of antioxidant enzyme activities, glutathione (GSH) level and lipid peroxidation (LP) intermediates specific to at each ontogenic stage of Tenebrio molitor are presented. Metamorphosis is accompanied by a shift of prooxidant-antioxidant balance towards oxidative processes, since pupae have the highest levels of lipid peroxidation intermediates. Cold acclimation (4 degree C) can promote oxidative stress at the cold sensitive developmental stage--imagoes, which enhance their levels of diene conjugates and ketodienes after a 2-week cold acclimation. This enhancement is accompanied by an increase in catalase (CAT) activity. GSH levels undergo no changes in imagoes after cold acclimation. Neither larval nor pupal T. molitor show significant changes in LP product contents after cold acclimation. Chilling results in a significant increase in CAT activities in pupae, but not in larvae. GSH levels are reduced both in larvae and pupae after cold exposure. However, cold acclimation does not affect superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in any of the developmental stages of T. molitor.     

Storaged products and presence of acid phosphatase in fat body cells at pre-pupal worker stage of Apis mellifera Linnaeus, 1758 (Hymenoptera, Apidae)

Fat body cells or throphocytes of individuals during beginning of pupation (pre-pupae) of Apis mellifera were collected and studied by routine and cytochemical preparations for transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results showed that the trophocytes present large reserves of lipids, proteins, and glycogen. Imidazole osmium treatment revealed that lipids are deposited as droplets in the cytoplasm and also within protein granules. Thiery's reaction showed the presence of glycogen inside protein granules. An acid phosphatase reaction was performed to verify the role of this enzyme in the mobilization of stored reserves during metamorphosis. Positive reaction for acid phosphatase was detected at larger protein granules, at the periphery of the large lipid droplets, and free in the cytoplasm. The contents of protein, lipid and glycogen are stored in the trophocytes at larval phase to be used during metamorphosis. The acid phosphatase present in the products stored might be responsible for their metabolization, while acid phosphatase free in cytoplasm might actuates in the trophocytes histolysis that occurs during metamorphosis for energy production.     

Biochemistry and physiology of overwintering in the mature larva of the pine needle gall midge,Thecodiplosis japonensis (Diptera: cecidomyiidae) in Korea

The pine needle gall midge, Thecodiplosis japonensis, overwinters in the soil as a third instar mature larva. The metabolic and physiological compensations and adjustments during its overwintering and acclimation were studied. Field-sampled larvae in 1997/98 winter showed a significant increase in whole-body trehalose by January (5.71 +/- 0.09 vs. 9.41 +/- 0.42 mg/g wet weight) along with a more significant decrease in whole-body glycogen (16.25 +/- 0.18 vs. 5.65 +/- 0.45 mg/g wet weight). Afterwards, there was a partial reconversion of trehalose to glycogen. Moreover, trace amounts of glycerol and steady content of glucose as potential cryoprotectants were found during the overwintering period. Temperature acclimation of field-sampled larvae affects interconversion between trehalose and glycogen. Trehalose accumulation does not affect the larval supercooling capacity. The mean supercooling point of the larvae remained nearly constant at about -20 degree he winter and was unchanged after temperature acclimation. Low temperature survival experiment suggested that the larvae adopt a freeze-avoiding strategy for overwintering.     

Seed oil triglyceride profiling of thirty-two hybrid grape varieties

Triglyceride profile of seed oil samples from 32 hybrid grape varieties not studied before was investigated. A new method for the analysis of triacylglycerols (TAGs) has been developed based on the direct infusion in the electrospray ionization (ESI) source and employing tetrahydrofuran/methanol/water (85:10:5 v|v|v) as solvent; the formation of [M?+?Na](+) ions in high yield has been observed. TAGs were identified by ESI-tandem mass spectrometry analysis, and the matrix-assisted-laser-desorption-ionization and time-of-flight profile of samples was determined. Six were the principal TAGs identified in seed oil: trilinolein (LLL) was the most abundant (43%), followed by dilinoleoyl-oleoylglycerol (LOL, 23%), and dilinoleoyl-palmitoylglycerol (LPL, 15%). Compounds present in lower concentration were LSL and LOO (11%), LOP (6%), and LSP (2%). Compared with seed oils produced from V. Vinifera grapes, some significant differences in the relative abundances of TAGs were found, in particular hybrid grape seed oils showed higher LOL and lower LPL content, respectively. Among the samples studied, a particularly high content of LLL (rich in unsaturated fatty acids) was found in seed oils from two red varieties. Copyright ? 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Optical detection of pores in adipocyte membrane

Structures that can be interpreted as cytoplasm droplets leaking through the membrane are experimentally detected on the membranes of adipocytes using optical digital microscopy. The effect of an aqueous alcohol solution of brilliant green on the amount and sizes of structures is studied. It is demonstrated that the optical irradiation of the adipocytes that are sensitized with the aid of the brilliant green leads to an increase in the amount of structures (pores) after the irradiation. The experimental results confirm the existence of an earlier-proposed effect of photochemical action on the sensitized cells of adipose tissue that involves additional formation of pores in the membrane of the sensitized cell under selective optical irradiation. The proposed method for the detection of micropores in the membrane of adipose tissue based on the detection of the cytoplasm droplets leaking from the cell can be considered as a method for the optical detection of nanosized pores.     

取代效应对脂滴检测NAPBr染料分子的双光子吸收和激发态性质影响的理论探究

双光子荧光染料分子在生物医学成像中具有广阔的应用前景,但取代效应对分子结构以及光物理性质影响的探求相对匮乏. 本文设计并研究了一系列脂滴检测染料分子,分析了分子的光学性质以及无辐射跃迁等. 通过分子内弱相互作用和电子- 空穴布居分析,阐述了其内在机理. 结果表明,所研究的分子均具有优良的光物理性能、高效荧光量子产量、大的斯托克斯位移以及显著的双光子吸收截面等. 本工作合理地解释了实验现象并阐述了取代效应对脂滴检测NAPBr染料分子的双光子吸收和激发态性质的影响,这为设计新型的高效有机分子提供了理论指导.     

Ultrastructural studies of the mandibular glands of the minima, media and soldier ants of Atta sexdens rubropilosa (Forel 1908) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

The mandibular glands of Hymenoptera are structures associated with the mandibles and constitute part of the salivary glands system. Histological studies in workers of Atta sexdens rubropilosa revealed that this gland contains two portions: a secretory and a storage portion or reservoir. Both portions are connected by means of canaliculi. The object of the present work was the study of the ultratructure of the mandibular glands of minima, media and soldier ant of A. s. rubropilosa by TEM techniques. The glands, in the three castes studied, possess a reservoir, constituted by a simple pavementous epithelium surrounded by the cuticular intima and the secretory portion is constituted by cells of rounded shape. The secretory cells, mainly of minima and soldier, were rich in smooth endoplasmic reticulum. The media worker and soldier presented a large number of mitochondria, of varying shape. Well-developed Golgi complexes were also present in the soldiers. The secretory cells in minima, media and soldier were provided with collecting intracellular canaliculi, which were linked to the reservoir through the extracellular portion. The cytoplasm of the canaliculi-forming cell was poor in organelles. In the individuals of the three castes of A. s. rubropilosa, the presence of lipid secretion granules suggested, beyond the other functions, also a possible pheromonal action. The different roles executed by the different insect castes are directly dependent on the glandular products and, consequently, on the secretory cellular characteristics.     

The ultrastructure of infective larvae (L3) of Wuchereria bancrofti after treatment with diethylcarbamazine

Although the large use of diethylcarbamazine (DEC), as the major anti-filaricide drug, its mechanism of action remains a matter of controversy. Several authors defend the hypothesis that DEC has no direct effect on nematodes. This study demonstrated that infective larvae (L3) of Wuchereria bancrofti treated in vitro with DEC presented several behaviour and morphological changes. The first alteration produced by treatment for 2 h with 3, 5, 10 microg/ml of DEC was the reduction of motility. Larvae treated with 5, 10 microg/ml DEC showed severely affected organelles, formation of several vacuoles, mainly in neurocytes and in the muscle cells, and dissolution of cytoplasm. Some larvae showed extreme cellular disorganization with abundance of large and dense mitochondria and numerous large vacuoles containing residual organelles. Lamellar bodies, probably related to an assembly of hipodermal membranes, were also observed in some damaged larvae. Thus, undoubtedly in vitro treatment with concentrations of DEC similar to therapeutic conditions, which are 1-5 microg/ml (Hawking, 1979), had a direct effect on infective larvae of W. bancrofti by causing, primarily neuromuscular alterations with subsequent damage to organelles.     

Effect of Mannosylerythritol lipid-A on light scattering of AOT/D<Subscript>2</Subscript>O/Octane

The light scattering technique is used for the study of interaction of Mannosylerythritol lipid-A on AOT/D₂O/Octane. The collective diffusion of AOT/D₂O droplets soluble in Octane mixed with lipid is founded from a correlation function of light scattering. We focus on the variation of the dynamic behavior of droplets as a function of the lipid concentrations and the size of droplets. The increase of concentration of Mannosylerythritol lipid-A on microemulsion decreases the dynamic of droplets. The SAXS experiment shows the size and the interaction of the droplets change by increase of Mannosylerythritol lipid-A concentration. A hard sphere model can describe the interaction of lipid with AOT/D₂O droplets.     

Cold resistance in the lesser mealworm Alphitobius diaperinus (Panzer) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)

We have investigated cold resistance, measured by the supercooling point (SCP) temperature, in life stages of the lesser mealworm, Alphitobius diaperinus (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), collected in Brittany poultry houses. Mean SCP values drastically increased during the insect ontogeny: egg (-26.1 C), first instar larvae (-21.6 C), last instar larvae (-15.5 C), pupae (-11.6 C), teneral adults (-12.0 C) and mature adults (-13.1 C). Nymphal metamorphosis and adult maturation did not promote substantial decrease of freezing resistance. The SCP values reflect the physiological states of the developmental stages especially the absence of ice nucleating agents: (i) lower SCP values in egg and unfed newly-emerged larvae I (i.e. -25.1 C), (ii) higher SCP values in fed larvae (i.e. -14.7 C), pupae and adults most likely due to the presence of ice nucleation sites in the gut. A tropical species, A. diaperinus, seems not to use its potential cold hardiness even in winter to remain in this warm habitat in temperate regions.     

Electron impact ionization studies with the amino acid valine in the gas phase and (hydrated) in helium droplets

Here we report electron impact ionization studies with the amino acid valine in different environments, i.e., (i) isolated in the gas phase, (ii) embedded in superfluid helium droplets and (iii) co-embedded with water in superfluid helium droplets. Mass spectra are presented for all three environments for which changes in the fragmentation pattern of valine upon ionization are investigated. Comparison is made with previous electron impact ionization and photoionization studies with valine in the gas phase which confirms the fragile nature of this amino acid. Embedding valine in cold superfluid helium droplets leads to the formation of highly abundant protonated valine clusters. Co-embedding water with valine in helium droplets reduces fragmentation of valine.     

Morphology,distribution and abundance of antennal sensilla in three stink bug species (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae)

The neotropical stink bugs, Euschistus heros, Piezodorus guildinii and Edessa meditabunda, are important pests of soybean and other crops throughout Central America and in South America from Northern Argentina to Brazil. Mate finding and host plant location in these species depend largely on their chemical communication, and semiochemicals are important mediators of these behaviors. In this study scanning electron microscopy was used to examine the external morphology, distribution and abundance of antennal sensilla on males, females and 5th instar nymphs of these species. Nine morphologically different sensilla types were found: trichod sensilla, type 1 and 2 (ST1 and ST2), long and short basiconic sensilla (SB1, SB2, and SB3), slit-tipped and knob-shaped basiconic sensilla, long chaetic sensilla (Sch) and coeloconic sensilla (Sco). Differences were detected in the abundance and arrangement of the sensilla over the antennal segments in individuals of the same species and among the species studied. The Sch, Sco and the slit-tipped and knob-shaped basiconic sensilla accounted for the major difference in sensilla types among the species. The ST1 was the most abundant type and was restricted to the flagellum. The pedicel of E. heros differs from the pedicels of P. guildinii and E. meditabunda mainly by the absence of Sch. There was a sexual dimorphism in ST1, SB1 and SB2, and this may be an indicative of their roles in detection of male-produced sex pheromone and odors derived from the host plants. The SB2 was lacking in the antennal tip of both sexes and 5th instar nymphs, but was abundant on the second flagellar segment of females of the three species. The same types of sensilla were found on 5th instar nymphs, but always in significantly lower numbers. The morphology and putative functions of each sensilla were compared and discussed.     

On the strong field dependence and nonlinear response to gadolinium contrast agent of proton transverse relaxation rates in dairy cream

Dairy cream, as a suspension of lipid droplets in water, is a potentially useful magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) phantom material and an interesting material for studying fundamental relaxation mechanisms. Here we report a strong increase in the transverse relaxation rates with field strength for both the water and lipid protons in dairy cream. Also, studies at 4.7 T reveal a nonlinear response of transverse relaxation rates with increasing concentration of a common gadolinium (Gd)-based contrast agent, including an initial decrease of water relaxation rates as measured with Hahn spin echoes at the lower Gd concentrations. The results are treated within the framework of a model in which the magnetic susceptibility difference between the lipid droplets and the aqueous phase plays the prominent role for transverse relaxation. Second-order polynomial fits of the water proton transverse relaxation rate dependence on field strength and on Gd concentration at 4.7 T provided experimental parameters from which model parameters are extracted and compared with expectations available from the literature.     

Monte Carlo模拟空间各向异性势向列相液晶微滴

基于分子两体势,用Monte Carlo方法计算向列相液晶微滴.两体势基于格点模型,是空间各向异性的且依赖于液晶的弹性常数.假定向列相液晶微滴具有自由表面,引入切向内禀强度定量描写表面引发的分子内禀易取向的强弱.通过各向异性势的两种方案,在低温下计算切向内禀强度和二阶序参数在微滴内不同区域的变化,与Lebwohl-Lasher模型作对比分析.结果表明:只有一种方案在微滴表面产生内禀易取向,且内禀强度值的大小与K₃₃/K₁₁值有关;空间不完整的向列相液晶使得微滴由内层到外层有序度越来越低.     

Generation of Monodisperse Micron‐Sized Droplets using Free Adjustable Signals

This paper describes the generation of small water droplets in the size range down to a few microns. Commercially available inkjet printing devices are not suitable for producing such droplets since they produce satellite droplets. Furthermore, standard drop‐on‐demand devices are normally restricted to the generation of droplets with the same size as the orifice diameter. Using a new and more sophisticated computer‐based signal generation system, smaller‐sized droplets can be generated from the same orifice. A key feature of the design is the generation of freely definable pulses. This enables the generation of acoustic modes within the fluid of the droplet generator, which leads to the generation of droplets without satellites. Only very few pulse forms enable the generation of suitable acoustic modes. Therefore, it is necessary to look for the specific pulse corresponding to the chosen droplet generator. Flexible pulse form generation appears to be more suitable than simple pulse forms for the generation of such droplets.     

组分混合磷脂球胶束化动力学

两亲性磷脂分子能够形成各种不同形态的胶束,其结构形成不仅依赖于磷脂分子结构和组成,还依赖于两亲性分子的自组装路径. 本工作采用粗粒化分子动力学方法模拟研究了二棕榈酰磷脂酰胆碱(DPPC)与十六烷基磷酸胆碱(HPC)混合磷脂球胶束化行为. 通过调节DPPC/HPC的组分比例和磷脂球尺寸,观察到多种不同胶束结构形成,例如：球形和非球形(扁平或长椭球)囊泡、盘形胶束、单环或双环胶束和蠕虫状胶束. 研究发现,由于原位胶束化作用,采用磷脂球作为初始态有利于形成囊泡和环形拓扑结构胶束. 模拟结果表明,结合初始态结构设定同时调节磷脂分子组成是一种有效调控磷脂胶束结构的方法.     

Endogenous lipase catalyzed transesterification of olive oil fats. The formation of isomeric and oligomeric triacyleglycerols

The role of lipase to catalyze hydrolysis and transesterification of triacylglycerols (TAGs) was evaluated in model systems as well as in virgin olive oil. Tandem mass spectrometry was applied in the identification of modified TAGs, ionized by electrospray, formed during the incubation of selected TAGs with mono and di carboxylic acids. The oligomerization of TAGs was observed in authentic olive oil samples and verified in model systems under catalysis exerted by lipase, whose presence in olive oil was already documented. The hydrolytic pathways taken under enzymatic treatment is balanced by the formation of TAG oligomers that should not alter the nutritional value of the aliment. Copyright ? 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

液滴外延下生长参数对InAs纳米结构形貌的影响

利用液滴外延法在GaAs(001)衬底表面制备InAs量子点,通过控制变量分别研究沉积速率、沉积量对In液滴在GaAs表面生长过程中的影响.使用原子力显微镜(Atomic Force Microscope, AFM)表征InAs纳米结构形貌,得出结论：(1)沉积速率主要通过影响In液滴成核率来控制液滴的密度,即随着沉积速率的增大,In原子在衬底表面的成核率增加,InAs量子点密度增加,实验符合生长动力学经典成核理论.(2)沉积量的改变主要影响液滴的熟化过程,即随着沉积量的增大,可参与生长的活跃的In原子增加,促进了液滴熟化,使得扩散坍塌的原子数量增加,导致在InAs纳米结构中出现多量子点现象.     

磷脂微滴囊泡化的介观模拟

发展了一种非显示溶剂的粗粒化三粒子磷脂模型,该模型明确反映磷脂分子的双尾结构．模型分别采用变形的MIE作用势和Harmonic作用势描述分子间非成键和分子内成键相互作用,粗粒化力场参数通过拟合DPPC双分子层的结构和力学性质获得．该粗粒化模型成功重现了磷脂分子从随机初始态到双分子层和从盘状结构到囊泡的形成过程．应用该模型系统研究了球形和柱形磷脂微滴囊泡化的过程,结果表明此模型能有效地模拟介观尺度下复杂磷脂囊泡的形成及演化．