Mechanism of Effect of Lanthanum Nitrate on Vigor of Aged Rice Seeds

Ｓｅｅｄｓｅａｒｌｙｄｅｇｅｎｅｒａｔｅｄｏｒａｇｅｄｂｙｕｎ ｓｕｉｔａｂｌｅｃｕｌｔｉｖａｔｉｏｎｏｒｕｎｓｔｏｒａｇｅｔｅｃｈｎｉｑｕｅｓｍａｙｒｅｓｕｌｔｉｎｄｅｃｒｅａｓｉｎｇｏｆｓｅｅｄｖｉｇｏｒａｎｄｏｆｔｈｅｃｒｏｐｓｏｕｔｐｕｔ,ｅｓｐｅｃｉａｌｌｙｆｏｒｒｉｃｅ.Ｒａｒｅｅａｒｔｈｓａｃｃｅｌｅｒａｔｅｔｈｅｇｅｒｍｉｎａｔｉｏｎａｎｄｇｒｏｗｔｈｏｆｔｈｅｃｒｏｐｓ ,ｓｕｃｈａｓｒｉｃｅ ,ｗｈｅａｔ,ｂａｒｌｅｙ ,ｖｅｇ ｅｔａｂｌｅｓａｎｄｏｉｌｐｌａｎｔｓ[1～ 3] .Ｔｈｅｓｔ…     

稀土对水稻种子活力及抗重金属污染的影响

水稻种子经稀土元素La或Ce处理后,发芽势、发芽率、发芽指数、幼苗生长速度、活力指数都明显增加,田间的生长速度、产量甚至品质也显著提高,收获的籽粒中重金属Hg、Cd、Cr、Pb含量大幅降低,从而全面提高了种子活力。     

Effect of La3+ on seed germination and seedling growth of Salvia miltiorrhiza

The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of La³⁺ solution on seed germination and seedling growth of Salvia miltiorrhiza. Different concentrations of La³⁺ were used on seed by soaking treated to determine which concentration is the most suitable for the growth of S. miltiorrhiza. Results show that the low concentration of La³⁺ displays the promotion effect on S. miltiorrhiza seed germination rate and germination potential, and the promotion effect reaches the highest level when the concentration of La³⁺ solution is 30 mg/L, the germination index and vigor index are the highest in 20 mg/L, and it can also increase the contents of soluble sugar, soluble protein and chlorophyll. Meanwhile, the activity of antioxidant enzyme system (CAT and SOD) are improved, thus the photosynthesis and resistance of plant are enhanced. On the contrary, when the La³⁺ concentration is high, La³⁺ can inhibit plant growth. Thus La³⁺ displays the "homesis effect" on S. miltiorrhiza growth.     

Purification and characterization of a novel cysteine synthase isozyme from spinach hydrated seeds

A novel type of cysteine synthase (CSase, EC 4.2.99.8) isozyme, designated as CSase 1', was purified to homogeneity from hydrated spinach seeds. The enzyme had a molecular weight of 68,000 and consisted of two identical subunits of M(r), 34,000. The apparent K(m) for O-acetyl-L-serine was 8.33 mM and that for sulfide was 0.66 mM. The activity of CSase 1' was maintained when it was treated at 60 degrees C for 1 min. This novel enzyme was similar to CSases 1, 2, and 3 already purified from spinach leaves, in results of double immunodiffusion, molecular weight, subunit composition, K(m) values for O-acetyl-L-serine and sulfide, and heat stability. On the other hand, N-terminal amino acid sequence, effects of immunotitration, pH optimum, and effects of hydroxylamine on purified CSase 1' were different from those of the other CSases. Furthermore, it was found that CSases 2S and 3S isolated from hydrated spinach seeds were identical with the CSases 2 and 3 reported previously. It was also disclosed that CSases 1, 2, and 3 were localized in chloroplasts, cytosol, and mitochondria, respectively.     

Platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 expression modulates endothelial cell migration in vitro

Arabidopsis thaliana seeds imbibed for a short duration show phytochrome B (PhyB)-specific photo-induction of germination. Using this system, the relationship was determined between the amount of PhyB in seeds and photon energy required for PhyB-specific germination in two transgenic Arabidopsis lines transformed with either the Arabidopsis PhyB cDNA (ABO) or the rice PhyB cDNA (RBO). Immunochemical detection of PhyB apoprotein (PHYB) showed that the expression level of PHYB in ABO seeds was at least two times higher than that in the wild-type seeds, but in RBO seeds the PHYB level was indistinguishable from that in wild-type seeds. The photon fluence required for induction and photoreversible inhibition of germination was examined using the Okazaki large spectrograph. At the wavelengths of 400-710 nm, the ABO seeds required significantly less photon fluence than wild-type seeds for induction of germination, whereas the RBO seeds required similar fluence to wild-type seeds. A critical threshold wavelength for either induction or inhibition of germination of ABO seeds shifted towards the longer wavelengths relative to wild-type seeds. By assuming that PhyA and PhyB are similar in their photochemical parameters, amounts of Pfr at each wavelength were calculated. The photon fluence required for 50% germination was equivalent to the fluence generating a Pfr/Ptot ratio of 0.21-0.43 in wild-type seeds, and of 0.035-0.056 in ABO seeds. These results indicate that PhyB-specific seed germination is not strictly a function of the Pfr/Ptot ratio, but is probably a function of the absolute Pfr concentration.     

Efficacy of chlorine and calcinated calcium treatment of alfalfa seeds and sprouts to eliminate Salmonella

The efficacy of a 20,000 ppm calcium hypochlorite treatment of alfalfa seeds artificially contaminated with Salmonella was studied. Salmonella populations reached >7.0 log on sprouts grown from seeds artificially contaminated with Salmonella and then treated with 20,000 ppm Ca(OCl)(2). The efficacy of spray application of chlorine (100 ppm) to eliminate Salmonella during germination and growth of alfalfa was assessed. Alfalfa seed artificially contaminated with Salmonella was treated at germination, on day 2 or day 4, or for the duration of the growth period. Spray application of 100 ppm chlorine at germination, day 2, or day 4 of growth was minimally effective resulting in approximately a 0.5-log decrease in population of Salmonella. Treatment on each of the 4 days of growth reduced populations of Salmonella by only 1.5 log. Combined treatment of seeds with 20,000 ppm Ca(OCl)(2) and followed by 100 ppm chlorine or calcinated calcium during germination and sprout growth did not eliminate Salmonella.     

Effect of Nd^3＋ on Photosynthesis of Spinach

The effect of Nd^3 on the photosynthesis and the growth of spinach was studied. The results show that Nd^3 improves the growth of spinach and increases chlorophyll content and photosynthetic rate. UV-Vis spectrum indicates that the Soret band of chl-a in spinach with NdCl3 treatment is blue shifted by 2 nm, and the Q band is red shifted by 1 nm, and the ratio of Soret band intensity and Q band intensity increases. FT-IR spectra show that the peak of porphyrin ring in chl-a of spinach with NdCl3 treatment is widened, suggesting that the formation of Nd^3 -chl-a. Treated by NdCl3, the fluorescence emission peak of PSⅡ in spinach leaves is blue shifted by 12 nm and the intensity declines obviously, indicating that Nd^3 is bound to the PSⅡ protein-pigment complex and the electron transfer rate increases.     

稀土浸种对油菜种子萌发及种苗生长的生物效应

浓度低于（８００μｇ／ｍＬ）稀土可促进油菜种子萌发的启动。使用浓度为１００μｇ／ｍＬ,１２小时计数其发芽率为２５％,对照为１２％。但浓度高于１０００μｇ／ｍＬ时,会明显抑制萌发。处理浓度低于８００μｇ／ｍＬ时,稀土浸种对油菜种苗根系的生长有明显促进作用。表现为根长、根鲜重增加,根系活力和幼根内源激素—ＧＡｓ、ＩＡＡ含量都得到提高。幼苗子叶中叶绿素含量提高。高浓度（＞１０００μｇ／ｍＬ）对幼苗生长会有抑制作用,正常苗的百分比下降。     

Mapping of Tonoplast Intrinsic Proteins in Maturing and Germinating Arabidopsis Seeds Reveals Dual Localization of Embryonic TIPS to the Tonoplast and Plasma Membrane

We have mapped the expression of the tonoplast intrinsic protein (TIP) gene family members in Arabidopsis seeds by fluorescent protein tagging of their genomic sequences and confocal microscopy. Three isoforms (TIP1;1, TIP2;1,and TIP2;2) have distinct patterns of expression in maternal tissues (outer integument and placento-chalazal region). Two isoforms, TIP3;1 and the previously uncharacterized TIP3;2, are the only detectable TIPS in embryos during seed maturation and the early stages of seed germination. Throughout these developmental stages, both isoforms co-locate to the tonoplast of the protein storage vacuoles, but also appear to label the plasma membrane. Plasma membrane labeling is specific to TIP3;1 and TIP3;2, is independent of the position of the fluorescent protein tag, and appears to be specific to early seed maturation and early germination stages. We discuss these results in the context of the predicted distribution of aquaporins in Arabidopsis seeds.     

Biochemical changes in Pinus pinea seeds. III. The effect of growth substances and steroidal hormones on nucleic acids

The effects of exogenous growth factors (indolacetic acid, gibberellic acid and kinetin and steroidal hormones (estrone, estradiol and testosterone on the germination pattern of Pinus pinea seeds were studied. Nucleic acids metabolism during the stages before germination, has also been investigated. Seeds sown in the presence of all these substances, showed a higher growth rate and a higher germination degree than their respective controls; kinetin and estradiol were the most active factors. The level of total nucleic acids was studied in seeds after one day soaking and on the 1rst, 3rd, 5th, and 7th day after sowing. Megagametophytes contained a higher amount of acids when growth factors and steroidal hormones were present, specially after one day soaking. In embryos; after the 3rd day, a similar result was obtained. The RNA fraction increased the most.     

A new method for seed oil body purification and examination of oil body integrity following germination

Plant seeds store triacylglycerols as energy sources for germination and postgerminative growth of seedlings. The triacylglycerols are preserved in small, discrete, intracellular organelles called oil bodies. A new method was developed to purify seed oil bodies. The method included extraction, flotation by centrifugation, detergent washing, ionic elution, treatment with a chaotropic agent, and integrity testing by use of hexane. These processes subsequently removed non-specifically associated or trapped proteins within the oil bodies. Oil bodies purified by this method maintained their integrity and displayed electrostatic repulsion and steric hindrance on their surface. Compared with the previous procedure, this method allowed higher purification of oil bodies, as demonstrated by SDS-PAGE using five species of oilseeds. Oil bodies purified from sesame were further analyzed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and revealed two potential oleosin isoforms. The integrity of oil bodies in germinating sesame seedlings was examined by hexane extraction. Our results indicated that consumption of triacylglycerols reduced gradually the total amount of oil bodies in seedlings, whereas no alteration was observed in the integrity of remaining oil bodies. This observation implies that oil bodies in germinating seeds are not degraded simultaneously. It is suggested that glyoxisomes, with the assistance of mitochondria, fuse and digest oil bodies one at a time, while the remaining oil bodies are preserved intact during the whole period of germination.     

Daytime melatonin administration in elderly good and poor sleepers: effects on core body temperature and sleep latency

Melatonin has been shown to have hypnotic and hypothermic effects in young adults and has been proposed as treatment for insomnia. However, the hypnotic and thermoregulatory effects of melatonin remain to be simultaneously investigated for aged good and poor sleepers. The aim of this study was to explore the short-term effects of exogenous oral daytime melatonin on core body temperature, sleep latency, and subjective vigor and affect in aged women. Twelve sleep maintenance insomniacs and 10 good sleeping postmenopausal female subjects [mean (SD) age = 65.2 (7.4) years] participated in a double-blind, crossover study in which they received a capsule containing either melatonin (5 mg) or a placebo at 1400 hours. Continuous core body temperature and hourly multiple sleep latency tests (MSLT) were collected from 1100-2030 hours. Self-reported estimates of global vigor (sleepiness) and affect were collected prior to each MSLT using visual analog scales. Comparison of good and poor sleepers failed to reveal any significant differences in core body temperature, sleep latency, or subjective vigor and affect. However, for both groups combined, melatonin administration [absolute postadministration mean (SEM) = 36.9 (0.05) degrees C] significantly lowered core body temperature compared with placebo [37.1 (0.05) degrees C]. Similarly, melatonin administration significantly reduced latency to stage 1 (SOL1) and stage 2 (SOL2) [absolute postadministration mean SOL1 = 20.1 (1.7) and SOL2 = 20.7 (1.6) minutes] compared with placebo [SOL1 = 24.3 (1.2) and SOL2 = 25.2 (1.1) minutes]. Treatment had no significant effect on either vigor or affect. Overall, our results suggest that although short-term exogenous oral daytime melatonin has significant hypothermic and hypnotic effects in aged women, the size of the effects is modest.     

Biological and chemical evaluation of chick pea seed proteins as affected by germination, extraction and alpha-amylase treatment

The effects of germination, extraction (double extraction with 70% ethanol and water at isoelectric point) and alpha-amylase treatments of chick pea seed flours on crude protein, total carbohydrate, protein efficiency ratio (PER), biological value (BV), true digestibility (TD), net protein utilization (NPU), essential amino acid composition, in-vitro protein digestibility (IVPD) and actual amino acid indices (essential amino acid index or amino acid score) were evaluated. Crude protein content was increased (8-149%), while total carbohydrate was decreased (11-62%) by germination, extraction and alpha-amylase treatments. Alpha-amylase treatment was more efficient in reducing total carbohydrate and increasing the protein content than that of extraction treatment. The protein quality of chick pea flours as measured by PER, BV, TD, NPU, IVPD and corrected amino acid indices (actual amino acid indices x IVPD) was significantly improved by these treatments. The protein quality of germinated-alpha-amylase treatment was comparable with casein, while germinated-alpha-amylase treaded seeds appeared nutritionally superior to casein. The results indicate that the germinated-alpha-amylase and germinated-alpha-amylase-extracted treatments could be used successfully as a source of concentrated high quality protein for baby food production. The corrected amino acid indices gave better prediction of PER, BV, TD and NPU (r = 93 to 97) than actual amino acid indices (r = 45 to 71). PER was highly correlated with corrected amino acid score (r = 0.93). The PER could be predicted from the following simple regression equation: PER = -1.827 + 0.0561 x corrected amino acid score.     

Cerium relieving the inhibition of photosynthesis and growth of spinach caused by lead

Chloroplasts were isolated from spinach cultured in lead chloride-present, Ce3+-administered, cerium chloride-administered lead chloride-present Hoagland's media or that of Hoagland's media. The experimental study demonstrated the effects of cerium (Ce) on distribu-tion of light energy and photochemical activities of spinach chloroplast grown in lead (Pb)-present media. It was observed that Pb2+ signifi-cantly inhibited photosynthesis in spinach, including light absorption, energy transfer from LHCII to photosystem II, excitation energy dis-tribution from photosystem I to photosystem II, and transformation from light energy to electron energy and oxygen evolution of chloroplasts,and decreased spinach growth. However, Ce3+ treatment to pb2+-present chloroplasts could obviously improve light absorption and excitation energy distribution in both photosystems and increase activity of photochemical reaction and oxygen evolution of chloroplasts. The results suggested that Ce3+ under Pb2+ stress could maintain the stability of chloroplast membrane, and improve photosynthesis of spinach chloro-plast, thus promote spinach growth.     

硝酸铈对水稻种子活力和萌发期间酶活性的影响

用２．５～３０ｍｇ／ＬＣｅ（ＮＯ３）３浸泡水稻种子能明显提高稻种的活力，促进幼苗的生长。这与Ｃｅ提高稻种萌发期间的呼吸速率、增加淀粉酶、蛋白酶和脂肪酶等水解酶的活性有密切关系。其中用１０ｍｇ／Ｌ浓度的Ｃｅ（ＮＯ３）３浸种效果最好。当浓度超过５０ｍｇ／Ｌ时，种子的萌发、呼吸作用及三种酶的活性均受到抑制。     

Involvement of calcium in ACC-oxidase activity from Cicer arietinum seed embryonic axes

Both in vivo and in vitro ACC-oxidase activities as well as ethylene production from embryonic axes of chickpea seeds were strongly inhibited by EGTA, a selective extracellular Ca2+ ion chelator, indicating that the influx of Ca2+ is important for enzymatic activity. EGTA inhibition was restored by exogenous Ca2+. Treatments of embryonic axes with either Verapamil and LaCl3 (both Ca2+ channel blockers) or TMB-8 (an intracellular Ca2+ antagonist) provoked an inhibition of both ACC-oxidase activity and ethylene production. These results suggest an involvement of calcium fluxes and intracellular calcium levels in the activity of the last step of the ethylene biosynthetic pathway, which is, in turn, intimately correlated with germination of Cicer arietinum seeds.     

Overview of otolaryngic allergy management. An eclectic and cost-effective approach

In this paper, we studied three species of prosimian primate (Propithecus diadema edwardsi, Eulemur fulvus rufus, and Eulemur rubriventer) from June-July 1995 at the Ranomafana National Park to answer three questions: 1) how they handle and process seeds, 2) how the physical properties of seeds influence seed handling and seed fate, and 3) whether handling and processing patterns influence seed dispersal. Seeds from five plant species were collected from feces and examined for external damage (punctures and scrapes), weighed, measured, and checked daily for germination. P. d. edwardsi masticated seeds into two or more pieces while feeding. Seed fragments were either dropped under the parent tree or chewed and swallowed; seeds never emerged as recognizable units in feces. In contrast, both Eulemur species either dropped or swallowed seeds whole while feeding. E. rubriventer passed seeds that were longer, wider, and heavier than seeds passed by E.f. rufus. Although seeds emerged as separate units when passed by both Eulemur species, 65 Protorhus sp. seeds were scraped and/or punctured prior to being swallowed. Based on physical property tests, Protorhus seeds were more susceptible to mastication than undamaged seeds from Eugenia sp., Cissus sp., and Chrysophyllum madagascariensis. H. madagascariensis seeds also were undamaged but had physical properties comparable to Protorhus and may avoid being masticated due to their small size (2-3 mm). All damaged seeds were moldy or rotten within 6 days, and only 15% of the undamaged seeds passed by E. rubriventer germinated. None of the seeds passed by E.f. rufus germinated. Eulemur species also rested in the same tree after feeding and defecated prior to a new feeding bout or before moving, so seeds were most likely to be dispersed under the parent tree. Consequently, we concluded that these primate species do not appear to serve as effective seed dispersers for these plant species at this time of year.     

Selenium-mediated differential response of beta-glucosidase and beta-galactosidase of germinating Trigonella foenum-graecum

Beta-glucosidase and beta-galactosidase activity profile tested in different seeds during 24 h germination revealed reasonably high levels of activity in Vigna radiata, Cicer arietinum, and Trigonella foenum-graecum. In all seeds tested, beta-galactosidase activity was, in general, higher than that of beta-glucosidase. T. foenum-graecum seedlings exhibited maximal total and specific activities for both the enzymes during 72 h germination. Se supplementation as Na2SeO3 up to 0.75 ppm was found to be beneficial to growth and revealed selective enhancement of beta-galactosidase activity by 40% at 0.5 ppm Se. The activities of both the enzymes drastically decreased at 1.0 ppm level of Se supplementation. On the contrary, addition of Na2SeO3 in vitro up to 1 ppm to the enzyme extracts did not influence these activities. Hydrolytic rates of beta-glucosidase in both control and Se-supplemented groups were enhanced by 20% with 0.05 M glycerol in the medium and 30% at 0.1 M glycerol. The rates were marginally higher in Se-supplemented seedlings than the controls, irrespective of added glycerol in the medium. In contrast, hydrolysis by beta-galactosidase showed a trend of decrease in Se-supplemented seedlings compared to the control, when glycerol was present in the medium. Addition of Se in vitro in the assay medium showed no difference in the hydrolytic rate by beta-galactosidase when compared to control, while the activity of beta-glucosidase declined by 50%. Se-grown seedlings showed an enhancement of transglucosidation rate by 40% in the presence of 0.1 M glycerol. The study reveals a differential response to Se among the beta-galactosidase and beta-glucosidase of T. foenum-graecum with increase in the levels of beta-galactosidase activity.     

Differential physical and psychological effects of exercise.

Evaluated the physical and psychological benefits of an 8-wk individualized exercise program for 83 adults (aged 22–75 yrs). The 49 Ss who completed the program differed from the 34 dropouts on preexercise data only on persistence (i.e., the pretest time spent in exercise), which indicated a possible motivational difference. Those who completed the program showed statistically significant improvements in terms of persistence, fitness, and physical self-concept and also showed reduced psychological tension (as measured by the Profile of Mood States). Persistence correlated significantly with vigor, and fitness correlated significantly with both vigor and physical self-concept. Analysis of Ss categorized by initial levels of fitness and stress showed that changes in stress following exercise occurred only for those who were below the mean of the sample both physically and psychologically prior to beginning the exercise program. Strategies to motivate those clients who may benefit most from therapeutic exercise programs as an adjunct to stress management are discussed. (49 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)