Interactions between the kernel N sink, grain yield and protein nutritional quality of maize

The isogenic opaque-2 (o2) and its normal counterpart of maize (Zea mays L.) hybrid ‘B14 × B37’ were used as a model system and grown under different levels of nitrogen fertility to test the importance of the kernel N sink (zein accumulation) relative to kernel osmotic potential, dry matter accumulation, grain yield and protein nutritional quality. Self-pollination and reciprocal crosses were made with seven o2 hybrids and their normal counterparts in order to determine the effect of the kernel N sink and/or vegetative characteristics on kernel dry weight accumulation. The results indicate that with a small supply of nitrogen, both normal and o2 kernels produced only small amounts of zein, and kernel weights and grain yields were comparable. As the level of nitrogen increased, zein accumulated preferentially in normal, but not in o2, and differences in kernel weight and grain yield between these two genotypes became greater. The reduction of dry matter accumulation in o2 kernels relative to normal kernels when grown under high N levels may result from the accumulation of free amino acids and their catabolic products in the kernel as a consequence of a small N sink. These osmotica contributed to a more negative osmotic potential which may favour water movement, but reduce solute movement into the kernel. Increased zein accumulation in normal kernels enhanced kernel weight and grain yield but reduced protein nutritional quality. The concentration of lysine and tryptophan as a percentage of protein decreased as the level of N fertiliser and kernel protein in the normal kernel increased. On the other hand, the o2 mutant failed to deposit additional N as zein; therefore, the concentration of these two essential amino acids remained constant regardless of N levels. However, when lysine and tryptophan were expressed on an area (kg ha^?1) basis, the amino acid yields of these two genotypes were comparable.     

A field theoretical comparison of FDTD and TLM

A field theoretical derivation of the three-dimensional TLM method with expanded node and of the three-dimensional TLM method with asymmetrical condensed node is given. In the derivation, the Method of Moments is applied to Maxwell's equations. The wave amplitudes are related to the tangential field components at the boundaries of the TLM cell. The same approach is applied to derive the FDTD method from Maxwell's equations. A complete dispersion analysis is given for the two TLM methods as well as for the FDTD method     

Evidence for lipid synthesis by the dihydroxyacetone phosphate pathway in rabbit lung subcellular fractions

Lipid synthesis by the lung requires a 3-carbon skeleton that can be provided by sn-glycerol-3-phosphate derived from glycolysis. This study investigated whether acylation of dihydroxyacetone-phosphate can serve as an alternate pathway for lung lipid synthesis. Rabbit lung microsomal and mitochondrial fractions were incubated with radiolabelled sn-glycerol-3-P and/or dihydroxyacetone-P. Palmitoyl CoA was used as acyl donor. The lipid fraction was subsequently isolated and radioactive incorporation was determined. Glycerol-3-P and dihydroxyacetone-P were both incorporated into the lipid fraction when each substrate was present alone. During incubation in the presence of equimolar concentrations of both substrates dihydroxyacetone-P accounted for 41 per cent of the total incorporation. These results show that acylation of dihydroxyacetone phosphate is a potential alternate to the glycerol-3-phosphate pathway for lung lipid synthesis.     

Self-instructional use of programmed creativity-training materials with gifted and regular students.

Investigated the effects of the self-instructional use of programmed creativity materials for gifted and regular students. Programmed creativity-training materials were used on an individualized basis. The Purdue Creativity Training Program was made available for self-instruction for 12 wks by half of the 648 4th-, 5th-, and 6th-grade students; the other students comprised the control groups. Pre- and posttests of creative thinking (5 subtests of the Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking) were administered. Experimental Ss attained significantly greater gains on verbal fluency. It is concluded that creative thinking abilities can be improved through self-instructional progammmed materials for gifted and regular students. (32 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Effects of alkaline on horny layer cellularity

Thirty patients with bronchogenic carcinoma were treated with an 8-week induction therapy consisting of cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, vincristine and VP 16-213 (NSC 141 540). Those who achieved objective remission of tumor stabilization were then placed on an intermittent treatment schedule with the same drugs. Of the 30 patients, 17 had an objective response, 5 remained without change, and 8 progressed. Responses were more frequent among anaplastic (13/19) than epidermoid or adenocarcinoma (4/11). The toxicity consisted mainly of leucopenia, thrombopenia, alopecia, nausea and vomiting. The implications of these findings in the planning of further chemotherapeutic programs are discussed.     

Interleukin-6 in multiple myeloma: correlation with disease activity and Ki-67 proliferation index

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is supposed to be a growth factor in multiple myeloma (MM). Applying a bioassay and a modified ELISA, we measured serum IL-6 values in 64 patients with overt MM, seven patients with smouldering myeloma (SMM), 57 patients with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) and 40 healthy volunteers as controls. IL-6 failed to discriminate between MGUS and MM, stage I, whereas comparison of MM, stage I and stage II/III (p = 0.0143), or comparison of stable disease/remission and progressive disease (p < 0.0001) revealed significant differences. Furthermore, we found significantly higher IL-6 values in overt MM compared to SMM (p = 0.0018). Using a Ki67/CD38 immunohistological double staining method we found a significant correlation between proliferation of bone marrow myeloma cells and serum IL-6 values in 15 patients (p = 0.005). These data demonstrate that IL-6 is a parameter of disease activity in MM and, beside its role in tumor biology, may become a valuable supplement to the established risk factors when selecting patients with unfavourable clinical course for more aggressive treatment modalities.