Cultivation Density of Toona ciliate

ln order to discuss the optimum seedling density of Toona ciliate, different seedling densities were studied. The results showed that seeding height and basal diameter decreased and quality of the seedlings declined with the increase of seedling density. The reasonable density of seedlings is key to cultivate high-quality seedlings and achieve the best seedling efficiency. The optimum density was 30 plants/m2 for the first class seedlings of biennial seedlings, and the optimum density of l and ll seedlings for production afforestation was 40 plants/m2.

Fluorescent Features of Germline Cysts of Fruit Fly (Drosophila melanogaster) after Fixation and Staining

[Objective] In order to provide firsthand information for the development of fluorescent histology,the paper studied the fluorescent features of ovarioles and germline cysts of fruit fly after common fixation and staining. [Method] With ovaries of Drosophila melanogaster as materials,after fixation with Bouin＇s fluid,the ovaries were sectioned and stained with HE,haematoxylin or eosin,respectively. The specimens were observed and photographed under fluorescent microscope in bright field,and fluorescent fields after excitation with green,blue and UV light,respectively. [Result] After staining by three methods,germ cells and somatic cells emitted different colors of fluorescence after excitation by different lights; lipids,nucleic acids and proteins in cells could also emit their special fluorescence. [Conclusion] Conventional dyes could give different fluorescence characteristics to germ cells and somatic cells,which can also give special fluorescence characteristics to different cellular components. Thus,the fluorescence histology will provide broad prospect for more convenient study on different cell types and cellular components.

Study on Fermentation Conditions of Pycnoporus sanguineus

[Objective] The purpose was to study the optimum conditions of Pycnoporus sanguineus for producing ligninase. [Method] A strain of lignindegrading white-rot fungus was selected from 5 strains of collected fungi and its ligninase production and the optimum conditions for producing ligninolytic enzyme were measured. [Result] It could produce two kinds of ligninase with good thermal stability. Different temperatures, carbon sources, nitrogen sources, acidities, as well as the additions of surfactant had distinct influence on the development of lignin-degrading enzymes of the fungus. The optimum condition was drawn out：38℃, pH = 4.5, 10.0 g/L glucose, 1.0 g/L tartaric acid ammonium. [Conclusion] The aim of research was to provide a basis for lignin degradation in practical production.

Purification method of rohitukine from the stem bark of Dysoxylum binectariferum

To develop a simple and rapid purification method of rohitukine from the stem bark of Dysoxylum binectariferum. A L9 （34） orthogonal test was designed to optimize the extraction condition. Rohitukine in the plant extract was purified by using solvent-solvent partition and cation exchange resion （CER）. Five different types of packing materials, including XAD-2 resin, polyamide, Sephadex LH-20, ODS and CER, were compared and CER showed the best capacity for rohitukine separation. The purification procedure was optimized as follows： the plant material powder was extracted with 70% ethanol （v/m = 60） by ultrasonic agitation for 60 min, then the 70% ethanol extract was dissolved in aqueous solution （pH 1, adjusted with 0.5 mol/L HCl） and extracted with equal volume of n-butanol. The aqueous layer was retained and the pH was adjusted to 10 with 25% aqueous ammonia and a solventsolvent partition was performed with equal volume of n-butanol. The obtained n-butanol extract was dissolved in aqueous solution （pH 1, adjusted with 0.5 mol/L HCl）, and purified by a CER column eluting with H2O and 70% ethanol （pH 10, adjusted with 25% aqueous ammonia）, successively. Rohitukine existed in 70% ethanol eluate, with a purity up to 53.3%. The method developed in this study provides a simple and rapid approach for the preparation of rohitukine from the stem bark ofD. binectariferum.

Storage dynamics of fallen trees in a mixed broadleaved and Korean pine forest

A study of the storage dynamics in the mixed broadleaved and Korean pine forests was carried out in the Changbai Mountains, Jilin Province, P. R. China. The modifying law of fallen trees was the storage dynamics of the existing fallen trees and the annual input in the mixed broadleaved and Korean pine forest. The current storage of fallen trees was 16.25 t昲m-2 in the initially, but after 100 years, 85% of the storage in dry weight was decomposed, and little material was left after 300 years. The average annual input of fallen trees was 0.6 t昲m-2and it increased with time to 31.0 t昲m-2after 200 years, which was maintained until the climax community ended. The total storage of fallen trees increased in the early stage. The decomposition of fallen trees eventually reached equilibrium with storage being identical with the annual input of fallen trees.

Response of seedlings of different tree species to elevated CO_2 in Changbai Mountain

Eco-physiological responses of seedlings of eight species, Pinus koraiensis, Picea koraiensis, Larix olgensis, Populus ussuriensis, Betula platyphylla, Tilia amurensis, Traxinus mandshurica and Acer mono from broadleaved/Korean pine forest, to elevated CO2 were studied by using open-top chambers under natural sunlight in Changbai Mountain, China in two growing seasons (1998-1999). Two concentrations of CO2 were designed: elevated CO2 (700 祄olmol-1) and ambient CO2 (400 祄olmol-1). The study results showed that the height growth of the tree seedlings grown at elevated CO2 increased by about 10%-40% compared to those grown at ambient CO2. And the water using efficiency of seedlings also followed the same tendency. However, the responses of seedlings in transpiration and chlorophyll content to elevated CO2 varied with tree species. The broad-leaf tree species were more sensitive to the elevated CO2 than conifer tree species. All seedlings showed a photosynthetic acclimation to long-term elevated CO2.

Tissue differential expression of lycopene β-cyclase gene in papaya

Carotene pigments in flowers and fruits are distinct features related to fitness advantages such as attracting insects forpollination and birds for seed dispersal.In papaya,the flesh color of the fruit is considered a quality trait that correlateswith nutritional value and is linked to shelf-life of the fruit.To elucidate the carotenoid biosynthesis pathway in papaya,we took a candidate gene approach to clone the lycopene β-cyclase gene,LCY-B.A papaya LCY-B ortholog,cpLCY-B,was successfully identified from both cDNA and bacterial artificial chromosome(BAC)libraries and complete genomicsequence was obtained from the positive BAC including the promoter region.This cpLCY-B shared 80% amino acididentity with citrus LCY-B.However,full genomic sequences from both yellow- and red-fleshed papaya were identical.Quantitative real-time PCR(qPCR)revealed similar levels of expression at six different maturing stages of fruits forboth yellow-and red-fleshed genotypes.Further expression analyses of cpLCY-B showed that its expression levels wereseven- and three-fold higher in leaves and,respectively,flowers than in fruits,suggesting that cpLCY-B is down-regulatedduring the fruit ripening process.

“红楼梦是镜花缘”——金克木对《红楼梦》的解读

金克木先生是博通群学的智慧型学者。他常以《红楼梦》为例,在其论著中研讨读书方法、探讨小说艺术,形成了大量的解读《红楼梦》及红学的评说。金先生虽非红学家,但这些论述颇具《红楼梦》研究的经典性与红学史的价值。金先生在撰写和评点《旧巢痕》时,《红楼梦》又是他艺术的源泉。我们总结、考察他对《红楼梦》的解读与运用,不仅有益于红学研究,亦有益于加深我们对金克木学术方法及成果特色的理解。

Study on Extraction and Conversion Annatto （Bixa orellana L.） Color into Norbixin to Prepare Food Grade Water-Soluble Norbixin Powder

Response surface methodology was used in this research to optimize the technical parameters of the extraction and conversion color compound in armatto seeds into norbixin. Parameters affected the extraction efficiency and norbixin recovery yield were solvent concentration, rate of solvent/seed, incubation time, and incubation temperature. The optimization results including： concentration of ethanol is 51.82°; concentration of NaOH is 0.52 M; ratio of solvent/seed is 7.1/1; incubation time is 33.12 minutes, incubation temperature is 58.6℃, and the rate of 36% HCl/color solution is 0.5/5 （v/v）.

Analysis and Assessment of Agrimonia Pilosa Ledeb from Different Sources Using FT-IR Spectroscopy

To get the IR spectrums of Agrimonia Pilosa Ledeb （APL） from China and Japan areas, and to fend out the characters of IR spectrums through the content of different chemical constituents, to provide a fast and effective analysis method monitor the inherent qualities of traditional Chinese medicine-APL. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy （FT-IR） was applied to detect sample of APL from Ofina and Japan areas. This study showed that the IR spectra of APL from China and Japan areas have their unique IR fingerprint features. The contents of tannin and calcitum phosphate in APL from China is different APL from Japan. So FF-IR is a very quick, effective and well repetitive method for monitoring and distinguishing the traditional Chinese medicine.

Stem flow chemistry of Picea glehnii,Abies sachalinensis and Alnus japonica and its effect on the peat pore water chemistry in an ombrogenous mire in Ochiishi,eastern Hokkaido,Japan

We investigated the chemical properties of stemflow of Picea glehnii,Abies sachalinensis and Alnus japonica as well as peat pore water chemistry,including the distance and depth profiles of pore water chemistry,in an ombrogenous mire.The effect of stemflow on the peat pore water chemistry was clear at the stem base in the peat forest in the mire,and the peat pore water around the stem base of a tree had its own chemical properties specific to each species.P.glehnii showed the highest concentration of salts both in stemflow and peat-pore water,whereas A.japonica showed the lowest concentrations;however,the gradient of the chemical environment from the stem base to outside of the canopy is formed.The peat pore water chemistry under the canopy was mainly controlled by the chemical processes diluted by the abundant peat pore water;the stemflow movement in the high water content of the peat was more slowly because of the flat topography（〈 1o）.This would be due to the fact that the chemicals in stemflow would be diluted by the abundant peat pore water.The spatial heterogeneity of chemical environment between microsites within forested peatland would be also contributed indirectly through the control of microorganism activity,and nutrient regeneration mediated the surface water and the stemflow of the dominant canopy trees.

Quantitative Analysis of Lignocellulosic Components of Non-Treated and Steam Exploded Barley, Canola, Oat and Wheat Straw Using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy

Rapid and cost effective quantification of lignocellulosic components （cellulose, hemicelluloses and lignin） of agricultural biomass （barley, canola, oat and wheat） is essential to determine the effect of various pre-treatments （such as steam explosion） on biomass used as feedstock for the biofuel industry. Fourier Transformed Infrared （FTIR） spectroscopy was considered as an option to achieve this objective. Regression equations having R2 values of 0.89, 0.99 and 0.98 were developed to predict the cellulose, hemicelluloses and lignin compounds of biomass, respectively. The average absolute difference in predicted and measured cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin in agricultural biomass was 7.5%, 2.5%, and 3.8%, respectively.

Brazilein inhibits neuronal inflammation induced by cerebral ischemia and oxygen-glucose deprivation through targeting NOD2 expression

Brazilein is reported to have immunosuppressive effect on cardiovascular and cerebral-vascular diseases. The essential roles of innate immunity in cerebral ischemia are increasingly identified, but no studies concerning the influence of brazilein on the innate immunity receptors have been reported. The present study was designed to investigate the regulation of NOD2 （Nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-containing protein 2） by brazilein for its protection of neuron in cerebral ischemia in vivo and oxygen-glucose deprivation in vitro. The results showed that brazilein could reverse the elevated expression of NOD2 and TNFa （tumor necrosis factor alpha） elicited by cerebral ischemia and reperfusion. This reduction could also be detected in normal mice and C 17.2 cells, indicating that this suppressive effect of brazilein was correlated with NOD2. The results from GFP reporter plasmid assay suggested brazilein inhibited NOD2 gene transcription. In conclusion, brazilein could attenuate NOD2 and TNFα expression in cerebral ischemia and NOD2 may be one possible target of brazilein for its immune suppressive effect in neuro-inflammation.

Toxic effects of Litsea elliptica Blume essential oil on red blood cells of Sprague-Dawley rats

Litsea elliptica Blume leaves have been traditionally used as medicinal herbs because of its antimutagenicity,chemopreventative and insecticidal properties. In this study,the toxic effects of L. elliptica essential oil against Sprague-Dawley rat’s red blood cells (RBCs) were evaluated. L. elliptica essential oil was given by oral gavage 5 times per week for 3 treated groups in the doses of 125,250,and 500 mg/(kg body weight),respectively,and the control group received distilled water. Full blood count,RBC osmotic fragility,RBC morphological changes,and RBC membrane lipid were analyzed 28 d after the treatment. Although L. elliptica essential oil administration had significantly different effects on hemoglobin (Hb),mean cell hemoglobin concentration (MCHC),mean cell volume (MCV),and mean cell hemoglobin (MCH) in the experimental groups as compared to the control group (P<0.05),the values were still within the normal range. L. elliptica induced morphological changes of RBC into the form of echinocyte. The percentage of echinocyte increased significantly among the treated groups in a dose-response manner (P<0.001). The concentrations of RBC membrane phospholipids and cholesterol of all treated groups were significantly lower than those of control group (P<0.001). However,the RBC membrane osmotic fragility and total proteins of RBC membrane findings did not differ significantly between control and treated groups (P>0.05). It is concluded that structural changes in the RBC membrane due to L. elliptica essential oil administration did not cause severe membrane damage.

Thermally-assisted photodegradation of lignin by TiO_2/H_2O_2 under visible/near-infrared light irradiation

As a bio-recalcitrant organic pollutant in paper mill effluent, lignin is generally removed by an advanced oxidation process, such as a TiO2/H2O2 photocatalytic technique under irradiation with ultraviolet light, which only accounts for less than 5% of sunlight. Herein, we reported a TiO2/H2O2-based thermally-assisted photocatalytic process that allows lignin to be efficiently degraded under visible/near-infrared light at an elevated temperature. Adsorption of H2O2 on TiO2 nanoparticles and an increase of temperature facilitate the production and separation of charge carriers under near-infrared and visible light irradiation, accelerate carrier transfer at the TiO2-electrolyte interface and promote the production of hydroxyl radicals, A higher level of H2O2 addition results in an increased degradation rate of lignin,while the optimal temperature for the thermally-assisted photodegradation of lignin is 70℃. A charge carrier excitation and transfer process was proposed for the TiO2/H2O2, thermally-assisted photocatalytic process. This work describes a new method for the photodegradation of organic pollutants,such as residual lignin in paper mill effluent, using wide band gap semiconductors under visible and near-infrared light irradiation.

The granule characteristics of yam,sweet potato and tapioca starches determined by gravitational field-flow fractionation

To study the characteristics of tuber starchgranules,firstly,three kinds of common tuber starches were separated and characterized by gravitational field-flow fractionation(GrFFF)instrument,and the ratios of large and small starch granules A/B were calculated.Then,the liquid of peak A and peak B was collected and observed by scanning electron microscope(SEM)to verify the separation result of GrFFF.Secondly,the particle size distribution and crystal characteristics were characterized by particle size analyser,X-ray diffraction(X-ray)and fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FT-IR).Three kinds of tuber starches all had the bimodal distribution in GrFFF.Peak A contained large particles,and peak B contained small particles.For yam starch,the ratio of starch granules A/B was much higher than 1;for sweet potato starch the ratio was approximately equal to 1;for tapioca starch,the ratio was much lower than 1.Moreover,the starch granules of sweet potato and tapioca were both A-type crystallinity,while yam starch granules were C-type crystallinity.GrFFF could be used to characterize and separate large and small granules of tuber starches and estimate the ratio of starch granules A/B.Yam starch was suitable for the development of slowly digestible starch(one kind of functional food),which could delay the occurrence of metabolic syndrome,diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.Tapioca starch was suitable for plant capsules,which were safer than gelatin capsule and could prevent the"poison capsule"incident from happening.

How Does the Blue C Stock Vary in Restored and Degraded Wetlands Across Land Cover Mosaics? Evidences from Medinipur Coastal Plain, India

Coastal wetlands are of paramount importance as major reservoirs of blue carbon(C),playing a crucial role in providing nature-based solutions to mitigate climatic changes.This research aimed to analyse the dynamics of total blue C(TBC)and its components;viz.soil organic C(SOC),below ground C,and above ground C;as well how they are influenced by land use/land cover(LULC)categories and wetland situations.Subsequently,study were identified as one restored wetland and another degraded wetland in the Medinipur Coastal Plain,India.The LULC categories were analyzed using Pleiades 1A and 1B satellite imagery,corresponding to the restored and degraded wetland,respectively.The quantification of SOC was based on point-specific sample data collected from both wetlands(nr=250;nd=84).Above ground biomass(AGB)was appraised employing allometric relationships involving field-measured dendrometric variables.Below ground biomass values were calculated using indirect allometric equations that take into account the AGB values.Integrating all the components,TBC stock of the restored and degraded wetlands were estimated at 246710.91 Mg and 7865.49 Mg,respectively.In the restored wetland,dense mangrove and open mangrove exhibited higher concentrations of blue C components,while other LULC categories demonstrated moderate to low densities.In the degraded wetland,the open mangrove category rechigh densities of C pools,whereas herbaceous vegetation,bare earth and sand,and waterbody exhibited lower concentrations.The results portrayed significant disparities(P<0.05)in blue C pools among different LULC categories in both wetlands.Furthermore,it was evident that wetland type and LULC category had notable(P<0.001)impacts on TBC dynamics,both individually and in combination.Overall,this research may aid in effective management of coastal wetlands as blue C sinks,emphasizing their significance as essential elements of climate mitigation strategies.