Speedy grass stomata: emerging molecular and evolutionary features

No abstract available

catena-Poly[nickel(II)-bis­(μ-2-amino­ethane­sulfonato-κ3 N,O:O′;κ3 O:N,O′)]

In the title polymeric complex, [Ni(C2H6NO3S)2]n, the NiII ion occupies a special position on an inversion centre and displays a slightly distorted octa­hedral coordination geometry, being linked to four sulfonate O atoms and to two N atoms of the taurine ligands. The sulfonate groups doubly bridge symmetry-related NiII centers, forming polymeric chains along the a axis

Influences of DMP on the Fertilization Process and Subsequent Embryogenesis of Abalone (Haliotis diversicolor supertexta) by Gametes Exposure

Di-methyl phthalate (DMP), a typical endocrine disrupting chemical (EDC), is ubiquitously distributed in aquatic environments; yet studies regarding its impact on gametes and the resulting effects on embryogenesis in marine gastropods are relatively scarce. In this study, the influences of DMP on the gametes and subsequent developmental process of abalone (Haliotis diversicolor supertexta, a representative marine benthic gastropod) were assessed. Newborn abalone eggs and sperm were exposed separately to different DMP concentrations (1, 10 or 100 ppb) for 60 min. At the end-point of exposure, the DMP-treated eggs and sperm were collected for analysis of their ultra-structures, ATPase activities and total lipid levels, and the fertilized gametes (embryos) were collected to monitor related reproductive parameters (fertilization rate, abnormal development rate and hatching success rate). Treatment with DMP did not significantly alter the structure or total lipid content of eggs at any of the doses tested. Hatching failures and morphological abnormalities were only observed with the highest dose of DMP (100 ppb). However, DMP exposure did suppress sperm ATPase activities and affect the morphological character of their mitochondria. DMP-treated sperm exhibited dose-dependent decreases in fertilization efficiency, morphogenesis and hatchability. Relatively obvious toxicological effects were observed when both sperm and eggs were exposed to DMP. Furthermore, RT-PCR results indicate that treatment of gametes with DMP changed the expression patterns of physiologically-regulated genes (cyp3a, 17β-HSD-11 and 17β-HSD-12) in subsequent embryogenesis. Taken together, this study proofed that pre-fertilization exposure of abalone eggs, sperm or both to DMP adversely affects the fertilization process and subsequent embryogenesis

Critical Dimension for Stable Self-gravitating Stars in AdS

We study the self-gravitating stars with a linear equation of state, $P=a \rho$, in AdS space, where $a$ is a constant parameter. There exists a critical dimension, beyond which the stars are always stable with any central energy density; below which there exists a maximal mass configuration for a certain central energy density and when the central energy density continues to increase, the configuration becomes unstable. We find that the critical dimension depends on the parameter $a$, it runs from $d=11.1429$ to 10.1291 as $a$ varies from $a=0$ to 1. The lowest integer dimension for a dynamically stable self-gravitating configuration should be $d=12$ for any $a \in [0,1]$ rather than $d=11$, the latter is the case of self-gravitating radiation configurations in AdS space.Comment: Revtex, 11 pages with 7 eps figure

A Note on Self-gravitating Radiation in AdS Spacetime

In this paper we investigate the equilibrium self-gravitating radiation in higher dimensional, plane symmetric anti-de Sitter space. We find that there exist essential differences from the spherically symmetric case: In each dimension ($d\geq 4$), there are maximal mass (density), maximal entropy (density) and maximal temperature configurations, they do not appear at the same central energy density; the oscillation behavior appearing in the spherically symmetric case, does not happen in this case; and the mass (density), as a function of the central energy density, increases first and reaches its maximum at a certain central energy density and then decreases monotonically in $4\le d \le 7$, while in $d \geq 8$, besides the maximum, the mass (density) of the equilibrium configuration has a minimum: the mass (density) first increases and reaches its maximum, then decreases to its minimum and then increases to its asymptotic value monotonically. The reason causing the difference is discussed.Comment: Revtex, 13 pages with 8 eps figures, to appear in PRD; v2: typos corrected and the version in PR

Study on wind resistance coefficient of double split wire arrangement

Shape coefficients of a single traverse and twin branch lines are examined through wind tunnel experiments and numerical simulations under different angle of attacks and wind speeds. It was found that the shape coefficient at angle of attack equaling to 0 is obviously smaller than the others. And the effects of Reynolds number are also large. The numerical results give difference between cases reaching 20 %, however, the experimental ones only 1.17 %. It is because that the initial condition of CFD is idealized but the wind tunnel experiment is closer to the reality

The changes and its significance of Th17 and Treg cells and related cytokines in patients with tuberculosis pleurisy

BACKGROUND: Tuberculous pleurisy is a kind of tuberculosis, it is well known that Th1 lymphocytes play a key role in the treatment of tuberculosis infection. However, latest studies show that Th17 lymphocyte may also play an important role tuberculosis infection. There is close relationship between Treg and Thl7 cells, and changes in the number or the function of the two kinds of cells may lead to diseases. The current researches on Thl7 and Treg cells maily focus on autoimmune diseases, however, reports about their role in tuberculosis are limited. In this study, we investigate the function of th17 and Treg cells and the above cytokines in the pathogenesis of tuberculosis pleurisy; by determining the expression of Th17 and Treg cells in peripheral CD4 T cells and the related cytokines in patients with tuberculous compared with healthy people. RESULTS: Th17 cells in patients were higher than that in the Healthy control group, expression of Treg cells in patients were lower than that in the healthy group; IL-17, IL-23 levels in peripheral blood and hydrothorax from the patients were higher than that in the healthy group; IL-17, IL-23 and IL-6 levels in hydrothorax were higher than that in peripheral blood. There was no difference in IL-6 level in peripheral blood between the patients and healthy control; TGF- β level in peripheral blood from the healthy group was higher than that in peripheral blood and hydrothorax from the patients. And there were no differences in TGF- β level between peripheral blood and hydrothorax. Th17 cells were negatively correlated with Treg cells ,but were positive correlation with IL-17, IL-23, IL-6 levels in peripheral blood; TGF- β level was positive correlation with Treg cells in the peripheral blood, but no correlation with Th17 cells. CONCLUSION: Th17 and Treg cells may be involved in the immune pathological mechanism of tuberculous pleurisy and changes of related cytokines may be involved in the differentiation of Th17 and Treg cells and inflammatory response. Thus, Th17 and Treg cells and related cytokines may be important immunopathogenesis for tuberculous pleurisy

Synthesis of A Spacer-Armed Disulfated Tetrasaccharide of SB1a, A Carbohydrate Hapten Associated with Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma

A disulfated tetrasaccharide fragment with a spacer arm of human hepatocellular carcinoma carbohydrate antigen SB1a, namely, 2-aminoethyl 3-O-sulfo-β-d-galactopyranosyl-(1→3)-2-acetamido-2-deoxy-β-d-galactopyranosyl-(1→4)-3-O-sulfo-β-d-galactopyranosyl-(1→4)-β-d-glucopyranoside was synthesized via a [2+1+1] block building mode. In the last coupling step toward the trisaccharide acceptor 8, benzoyl protected galactosyl bromide donor 14 was found to be much more reactive than the acetyl-protected donors. A disulfated tetrasaccharide fragment with a spacer arm of human hepatocellular carcinoma carbohydrate antigen SB1a was synthesized via a [2+1+1] block building mode