The effect of high temperature on kernel dimensions and the type and occurrence of kernel damage in rice

Rice (Oryza sativa L. cv. Calrose) growing at 27/22�C was either transferred to day/night temperatures ranging from 24/19 to 39/34�C 7days after heading and held at these temperatures until maturity, or transferred to a temperature of 36/31�C for 8 day periods at regular intervals commencing from heading. Kernel dimensions were measured directly and the types of kernel damage at maturity were characterized by direct viewing under the light microscope of intact and sectioned kernels, or by scanning electron microscopy of the exposed surface of kernels cut transversely with a razor blade. Kernel thickness was reduced most by high temperature treatments commencing 12 days after heading, but other kernel dimensions (length and width) were most sensitive to high temperature earlier in development. Sterility and pathenocarpy were most evident when temperature treatments commenced at heading (approximately 2 days before anthesis) and were greatest at the highest temperature (39/34�C). Abortive and opaque kernels were most evident when the high temperature commenced 4 days after heading and were also most numerous at the highest temperature tested. From observations on the morphology of the kernels it appears that temperatures above 27/22�C can interfere with the early stages of cell division and development in the endosperm. Chalky endosperm tissue occurred in several forms depending on both the temperature level and the timing of the temperature treatment. White-core kernels were only evident at a temperature of 27/22�C. White-back kernels were most numerous at 36/31�C and when the high temperature treatment commenced 16 days after heading. Milky-white kernels were found in all but the lowest temperature treatment (24/19�C), with a peak at 36/31�C and this type of damage was most evident when the high temperature treatment commenced 12 days after heading. Differences in endosperm cellular morphology were observed between the different types of damage, and in accord with other published data the chalky appearance was associated with the development of numerous air spaces between loosely packed starch granules and a change in light refraction.

Antitumor activity of a new platinum complex, oxalato (trans-l-1,2-diaminocyclohexane)platinum (II): new experimental data

Antitumor activity of a new platinum complex, oxalato (trans-l-1,2-diaminocyclohexane) platinum (II) (l-OHP), was studied. This water-soluble platinum complex showed a more prominent life-prolonging effect on a mouse leukemia L1210 than cisplatin (DDP). By an intermittent treatment schedule cured mice were observed at the optimal dose. In addition, a subline of L1210 having a 40-fold resistance to DDP (L1210/DDP) showed lack of cross-resistance to l-OHP both in vivo and in vitro. Especially in vivo l-OHP was more active against L1210/DDP than against the original L1210, and all mice were cured at doses of 6.25 and 3.12 mg/kg. l-OHP was also effective against several mouse tumors such as P388 leukemia, B16 melanoma, Lewis lung carcinoma, colon 26 and colon 38 adenocarcinomas, and M5076 fibrosarcoma, though its antitumor spectrum was somewhat different from that of DDP. The synthesis of both DNA and RNA in L1210 cells was inhibited by about 50% with exposure to 10 microM of l-OHP for 1 h, followed by postincubation in drug-free medium for 6-24 h, while only the inhibition of DNA synthesis was observed by DDP in the same experiment. If severe toxicity is not observed in preclinical study, l-OHP expected to be a new clinically active Pt complex.

Molecular cloning of the human histamine H2 receptor

We utilized the technique of polymerase chain reaction with oligonucleotide primers based upon the nucleotide sequence of the canine H2 histamine receptor gene which we recently isolated to clone its human homologue. Transfection of a construct of this gene in Colo-320 DM cells led to the expression of a receptor that bound to [methyl-3H] tiotidine and was linked to 3',5'cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) generation in response to histamine. Both cAMP generation and [methyl-3H] tiotidine binding were inhibited with the H2 histamine receptor selective antagonist cimetidine but not diphenhydramine or thioperamide which are, respectively, H1 and H3 histamine receptor antagonists. These data confirm that we have successfully cloned a novel gene encoding the human H2 histamine receptor.

Performance of the ATLAS trigger system in 2015

During 2015 the ATLAS experiment recorded [Formula: see text] of proton-proton collision data at a centre-of-mass energy of [Formula: see text]. The ATLAS trigger system is a crucial component of the experiment, responsible for selecting events of interest at a recording rate of approximately 1 kHz from up to 40 MHz of collisions. This paper presents a short overview of the changes to the trigger and data acquisition systems during the first long shutdown of the LHC and shows the performance of the trigger system and its components based on the 2015 proton-proton collision data.

Relationship between antimycobacterial activities of rifampicin, rifabutin and KRM-1648 and rpoB mutations of Mycobacterium tuberculosis

We compared the in-vitro antimycobacterial activities of rifabutin and KRM-1648, two rifamycin derivatives, with that of rifampicin against 163 strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. We also evaluated the correlation between the level of resistance to rifampicin, rifabutin and KRM-1648 and genetic alterations in the rpoB gene. All 82 strains susceptible to rifampicin or resistant to rifampicin with MICs < or = 16 mg/L were susceptible to rifabutin and KRM-1648 with MICs < or = 1 mg/L. Seventy-six of 81 strains resistant to rifampicin with MICs > or = 32 mg/L were resistant to both rifabutin and KRM-1648, but with lower MICs than those of rifampicin. KRM-1648 showed more potent antimycobacterial activity than rifabutin against organisms with low MICs (< or = 1 mg/L), while rifabutin was more active than KRM-1648 against organisms with high MICs (> or = 2 mg/L). A total of 96 genetic alterations around the 69 bp core region of the rpoB gene were detected in 92 strains. Alterations at codons 515, 521 and 533 in the rpoB gene did not influence the susceptibility to rifampicin, rifabutin and KRM-1648. Point mutations at codons 516 and 529, deletion at codon 518 and insertion at codon 514 influenced the susceptibility to rifampicin but not that to rifabutin or KRM-1648. With the exception of one strain, all alterations at codon 513 and 531 correlated with resistance to the three test drugs. The resistant phenotype of strains with an alteration at codon 526 depended on the type of amino acid substitution. Our results suggest that analysis of genetic alterations in the rpoB gene might be useful not only for predicting rifampicin susceptibility, but also for deciding when to use rifabutin for treating tuberculosis. Further studies may be required to determine the usefulness of KRM-1648.

Relationship between rifampin MICs for and rpoB mutations of Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains isolated in Japan

We analyzed the relationship between rifampin MICs and rpoB mutations of 40 clinical isolates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. A point mutation in either codon 516, 526, or 531 was found in 13 strains requiring MICs of > or = 64 micrograms/ml, while 21 strains requiring MICs of < or = 1 microgram/ml showed no alteration in these codons. However, 3 of these 21 strains contained a point mutation in either codon 515 or 533. Of the other six strains requiring MICs between 2 and 32 micrograms/ml, three contained a point mutation in codon 516 or 526, while no alteration was detected in the other three. Our results indicate that the sequencing analysis of a 69-bp fragment in the rpoB gene is useful in predicting rifampin-resistant phenotypes.

Chemical composition of cholinergic synaptic vesicles from Torpedo marmorata based on improved purification

Cholinergic synaptic vesicles from the electric organ of Torpedo marmorata have been purified to a constant composition and a higher transmitter content than previously reported. By optimising the extraction conditions and using a two-step purification on discontinuous and continuous sucrose density gradients, 10-fold higher acetylcholine and ATP values per weight of protein were obtained. The purity of the vesicle preparation was confirmed by electronmicroscopy, absence of marker enzymes, behaviour in density gradient centrifugation, as well as by a specific and reproducible protein composition. Vesicles contain 6.9 mumol acetylcholine and 1.0 mumol ATP per mg protein. The lipid/protein ratio of 3.5 (w/w) indicates a lipid-rich membrane. The value suggests the absence of a proteinaceous core. Upon dodecylsulphate gel electrophoresis a distinct protein pattern is obtained with components ranging from 20000 to 160000 in molecular weight. Vesiculin, reported earlier to be a low-molecular-weight vesicle protein, is not detected. One of the major bands comigrates with muscle actin from the same animal. Further characterisation of this protein by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis suggested that it is an actin-like polypeptide. Evidence for a specific association of this actin-like protein with vesicles and its possible involvement in the neurosecretory process is discussed.

Enolase antigen, mannan antigen, Cand-Tec antigen, and beta-glucan in patients with candidemia

We compared the specificities and sensitivities of four tests used for the serodiagnosis of candidemia in 39 patients with candidemia, including 10 patients with superficial Candida colonization, 10 patients with deep mycosis, and 20 healthy subjects. The results obtained by the dot immunoblotting assay for detecting the enolase antigen (48 kDa) were compared with those of assays for detecting mannan antigen, heat-labile antigen (a threshold titer of four times), and beta-glucan (> or = 60 pg/ml). Enolase antigen was detected in 28 (71.8%) patients with candidemia, while 30 (76.9%), 10 (25.6%), and 27 (84.4%) patients were positive for the heat-labile antigen by the Cand-Tec assay, the mannan antigen by the Pastorex Candida assay, and beta-glucan by the limulus test, respectively. Ten patients with superficial Candida colonization, 5 patients with invasive pulmonary aspergillosis, 5 patients with cryptococcosis, and 20 healthy subjects were negative for both enolase antigen and mannan antigen. Two patients with superficial Candida colonization, one patient with invasive pulmonary aspergillosis, and two patients with cryptococcosis were positive by the Cand-Tec assay. The beta-glucan concentration was more than 60 pg/ml in all patients with invasive pulmonary aspergillosis; however, it was less than 10 pg/ml in all patients with cryptococcosis. The specificity of enolase antigen in the serodiagnosis of candidemia was 100%, but the sensitivity was 71.8%. The specificity and sensitivity of Cand-Tec, the assay for mannan antigen, and the assay for beta-glucan were 76.9 and 87.5%, 25.6 and 100%, and 84.4 and 87.5%, respectively. Our results demonstrated that antigen detection tests are useful for the diagnosis of candidemia; however, none is satisfactory for the serodiagnosis of candidemia. We suggest that a combination of two assays may increase the accuracy of diagnosis of candidiasis.

Adenosine A2A receptors modify motor function in MPTP-treated common marmosets

Both adenosine A1 and A2 receptor populations are located in the striatum and can modify locomotor activity, and they may form a therapeutic target for Parkinson's disease (PD). Administration of the selective adenosine A2A antagonist (E)-1,3-diethyl-8-(3,4-dimethoxystyryl)-7-methyl-3,7-dihydro-1H-pu rine-2,6-dione (KW-6002) to MPTP-treated common marmosets increased locomotor activity. In contrast, administration of the selective A1 receptor antagonist 1,3-dipropyl-8-cyclopentylxantine (DPCPX) had no effect on locomotion. Administration of the adenosine A2A receptor agonist 2-[p-[2-(2-aminoethylamino) carbonylethyl] phenethyl amino]-5'-N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine (APEC) dose dependently suppressed basal locomotor activity. A minimally effective dose of APEC (0.62 mg/kg, i.p) completely reversed the increase in locomotor activity produced by administration of KW-6002. The adenosine A2A receptor appears to be an important target for the treatment of basal ganglia disorders, particularly PD.

Relation of conformation to antitumor activity of platinum(II) complexes of 1,2-cyclohexanediamine and 2-(aminomethyl)cyclohexylamine isomers against leukemia P388

The antitumor activity of various platinum(II) complexes of 1,2-cyclohexanediamine and 2-(aminomethyl)cyclohexylamine isomers against leukemia P388 was evaluated by means of the platinum analogue study protocol recommended by the National Cancer Institute. For the former complexes, trans isomers are more efficacious than the corresponding cis isomers. For the latter complexes, cis isomers seem to be somewhat more active than trans isomers. 2-(Aminomethyl)cyclohexylamine platinum complexes exhibited higher activity than 1,2-cyclohexanediamine complexes in this tumor system. These findings encouraged us to determine the structural differences between 1,2-cyclohexanediamine and 2-(aminomethyl)cyclohexylamine complexes. Their structures of platinum complexes were elucidated from circular dichroism and 13C NMR spectral analyses, and it has been concluded that the cyclohexane ring of cis-1,2-cyclohexanediamine is nearly perpendicular to the chelate ring, while both rings of trans-1,2-cyclohexanediamine and trans-2-(aminomethyl)cyclohexylamine complexes lie in a common plane. The structure of cis-2-(aminomethyl)cyclohexylamine complexes is flexible, and the cyclohexane ring is not perpendicular to the chelate ring. The coplanarity of trans isomers and the flexibility of cis-2-(aminomethyl)cyclohexylamine complexes allow them easy approach to the target DNA. However, the perpendicular ring of cis-1,2-cyclohexanediamine complexes would prevent their interactions with dna molecules due to the steric hindrance.

Mechanism of NKT cell activation by intranasal coadministration of alpha-galactosylceramide, which can induce cross-protection against influenza viruses

In a nasal vaccine against influenza, the activation of natural killer T (NKT) cells by intranasal coadministration of alpha-galactosylceramide (alpha-GalCer) can potently enhance protective immune responses. The results of this study show that the NKT cell-activated nasal vaccine can induce an effective cross-protection against different strains of influenza virus, including H5 type. To analyze the mechanism of NKT cell activation by this nasal vaccine, we prepared fluorescence-labeled alpha-GalCer by which we detect a direct interaction between NKT cells and alpha-GalCer-stored dendritic cells in nasal mucosa-associated tissues. Accordingly, although very few NKT cells exist at mucosa, the nasal vaccination induced a localized increase in NKT cell population, which is partly dependent on CXCL16/CXCR6. Furthermore, we found that NKT cell activation stimulates mucosal IgA production by a mechanism that is dependent on interleukin (IL)-4 production. These results strengthen the basis of nasal vaccination via NKT cell activation, which can induce immune cross-protection.

Muon reconstruction performance of the ATLAS detector in proton-proton collision data at [Formula: see text]=13 TeV

This article documents the performance of the ATLAS muon identification and reconstruction using the LHC dataset recorded at [Formula: see text] TeV in 2015. Using a large sample of [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] decays from 3.2 fb[Formula: see text] of pp collision data, measurements of the reconstruction efficiency, as well as of the momentum scale and resolution, are presented and compared to Monte Carlo simulations. The reconstruction efficiency is measured to be close to [Formula: see text] over most of the covered phase space ([Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] GeV). The isolation efficiency varies between 93 and [Formula: see text] depending on the selection applied and on the momentum of the muon. Both efficiencies are well reproduced in simulation. In the central region of the detector, the momentum resolution is measured to be [Formula: see text] ([Formula: see text]) for muons from [Formula: see text] ([Formula: see text]) decays, and the momentum scale is known with an uncertainty of [Formula: see text]. In the region [Formula: see text], the [Formula: see text] resolution for muons from [Formula: see text] decays is [Formula: see text] while the precision of the momentum scale for low-[Formula: see text] muons from [Formula: see text] decays is about [Formula: see text].