Embryology of Swertia (Gentianaceae) relative to taxonomy

The embryological features of three species of Swertia (s.l.) - S. erythrosticta, S. franchetiana, and S. tetraptera were characterized, and the observations were used, together with previously gathered data on other species, to evaluate a recently proposed polyphyly, based on molecular data, of Swertia s.l. Comparisons of species within the genus showed that they have diversified embryologically, and there are significant between-species differences. Notable features that vary between species include the number of cell layers that form the anther locule wall, the construction of the wall of the mature anther, tapetum origin, the cell number in mature pollen grains, the structure of the fused margins of the two carpels, the ovule numbers in placental cross-sections, the shape of the mature embryo sac, the degree of ovule curvature, antipodal variation and the presence of a hypostase, and seed appendages. They share characters that are widely distributed in the tribe Gentianeae, such as a dicotyledonous type of anther wall formation, a glandular tapetum with uninucleate cells, simultaneous cytokinesis following the meiosis of the microsporocytes, tetrahedral microspore tetrads, superior, bicarpellary and unilocular ovaries, unitegmic and tenuinucellar ovules, Polygonum-type megagametophytes, progamous fertilization, nuclear endosperm, and Solanad-type embryogeny. The presence of variation in embryological characters amongst the species of Swertia s.l. strongly supports the view that Swertia s.l. is not a monophyletic group. Frasera is better separated from Swertia s.l. as an independent genus, and is only distantly related to Swertia s. s. judging from the numerous differences in embryology. Swertia tetraptera is very closely related to Halenia, as they show identical embryology. (C) 2007 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2007, 155, 383-400.

Effects of azadirachtin on six inorganic cation distributions in Ostrinia furnacalis (G.)

Azadirachtin (Az), as a botanical insecticide, is relatively safe and biodegradable. It affects a wide vaariety of biological processes, including the reduction of feeding, suspension of molting, death of larvae and pupae, and sterility of emerged adults in a dose-dependent manner. However, the mode of action of this toxin remains obscure. By using ion chromatography, we analyzed changes in six inorganic cation (Li+, Na+, NH4+, K+, Mg2+, and Ca2+) distributions of the whole body and hemolymph in Ostrinia furnacalis (G.) after exposure to sublethal doses of Az. The results showed that Az dramatically interfered with Na+, NH4+, K+, Mg2+, and Ca2+ distributions in hemolymph of O. furnacalis (G.) and concentrations of these five cations dramatically increased. However, in the whole body, the levels of K+, Mg2+, and Ca2+ significantly, decreased after exposure to Az, except that Na+ and NH4+ remained constant. Li+ was undetected in both the control and treated groups in the whole body and hemolymph. It is suggested that Az exerts its insecticidal effects on O. furnacalis (G.) by interfering with the inorganic cation distributions related to ion channels.

Effects of azadirachtin on hemolymph protein expression in Ostrinia furnacalis (Lepidoptera : Crambidae)

The botanical insecticide azadirachtin affects a variety of biological processes. Our early work indicated that protein level and type are significantly influenced by azadirachtin in pupae of Osttiniafumacalis (Guenee) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) because a correlation exists between protein content and azadiraebtin concentration. By use of proteomic techniques, we analyzed changes in hemolymph protein expression of 48-h-old pupae in O. furnacalis induced by azadirachtin treatment. After feeding by third instars on an artificial diet containing 10 ppm azadirachtin until pupation, 48-b-old pupae were collected, and hemolymph protein samples were prepared. They were separated by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and six proteins were significantly affected by azadiracbtin treatment compared with an untreated control. Two of these proteins were identified by database searching with peptide mass fingerprinting by using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ time-of-flight mass spectrometry after in-gel trypsin digestion. They belong to the insect apolipophorin-III and phospboribosyltransferase family, respectively. These two proteins may function on lipid metabolism in insect hemolymph. Furthermore, fat body is the center of synthesis and secretion of hemolymph proteins. We suggest that the azadirachtin exerts its insecticidal effects on the fat body of O. furnacalis by interfering with protein expression related to hemolymph lipid metabolism.

A new species of Saussurea (Asteraceae) from Tibet and its systematic position based on ITS sequence analysis

A new species of Saussurea, S. erecta S. W Liu, J. T Pan A J. Q. Liu sp. nov., is described from Tibet. It resembles S. kingii but may be distinguished by having distinct stems and glabrous achenes. Saussurea kingii was placed in sect. Pseudoeriocoryne of subgen. Eriocoryne; this section was circumscribed by acaulescence and an inflorescence with congested capitula surrounded by a rosette of leaves. The discovery of S. erecta with distinct stems, cauline leaves and corymbose capitula blurred the delimitation of sect. Pseudoeriocoryne and suggested that the section may be polyphyletic. Both the close relationship and the significant difference between S. erecta and S. kingii were confirmed by analyses of nrDNA ITS sequences. The resulting phylogenies based on ITS data further suggest that Saussurea sect. Pseudoeriocoryne, as traditionally defined, does not constitute a monophyletic group. The rapid radiation and speciation of Saussurea in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, as inferred from ITS phylogeny, are discussed. (c) 2005 The Linnean Society of London.

Uniformity of karyotypes in Ligularia (Asteraceae : Senecioneae), a highly diversified genus of the eastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau highlands and adjacent areas

Ligularia, a highly diversified genus in the eastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and adjacent areas, was chosen as a suitable subject in which to study speciation patterns in this 'hot spot' area at the chromosomal level. Chromosome numbers and karyotypes were studied in 23 populations of 14 species, most of which are endemic to this area. The basic number x = 29 was confirmed for all species. Ligularia virgaurea was found to have diploid and triploid cytotypes, 2n = 58 and 87. Other species are only diploid, with 2n = 58. The karyotypes of all populations within any species, and all species spanning most sections and covering most of the morphological range in Ligularia, are very similar to each other, belonging to type 2A according to Stebbin's classification. This karyotype was also found in its close allies, e.g. Cremanthodium, Ligulariopsis, Parasenecio, and Sinacalia. Aneuploid reduction of chromosome number from 2n = 60 to 58 and karyotypic variation was found in Ligularia and its allies. Such a chromosomal pattern with few polyploids infers that variation of karyotype structure at the diploid level seems to be the predominant feature of chromosomal evolution in this group and sympatric speciation via hybridization and polyploidization has played a minor role in its species diversity. (C) 2004 The Linnean Society of London

Metagentiana, a new genus of Gentianaceae

The evidence from cross morphology, floral anatomy, chromosomes, palynology, and embryology all indicates that sect. Stenogyne is discordant within the genus Gentiana and is as distinct from the other sections of Gentiana as are other genera, such as Tripterospermum and Crawfurdia. In light of these characters, sect. Stenogyne is removed from Gentiana and given generic rank as the new genus Metagentiana. It is more related to Tripterospermum and Crawfurdia than to Gentiana, though it is more primitive than the first two genera. Together with Tripterospermum and Crawfurdia the new genus forms a monophyletic group, which is the sister group to the genus Gentiana. Fourteen new combinations required at specific rank are proposed.

Molecular evidence for the sister relationship of the eastern Asia-North American intercontinental species pair in the Podophyllum group (Berberidaceae)

The presumed pair relationships of intercontinental vicariad species in the Podophyllum group (Sinopodophyllum hexandrum vs. Podophyllum pelatum and Diphylleia grayi vs. D. cymosa) were recently, considered to be paraphyletic. In the present paper, the trnL-F and ITS gene sequences of the representatives were used to examine the sister relationships of these two vicariad species. A heuristic parsimony analysis based on the trnLF data identified Diphylleia as the basal clade of the other three genera, but provided poor resolution of their inter-relationships. High sequence divergence was found in the ITS data. ITS1 region, more variable but parsimonyuninformative. has no phylogenetic value, Sequence divergence of the ITS2 region provided abundant, phylogenetically informative variable characters. Analysis of ITS2 sequences confirmeda sister relationship between the presumable vicariad species, in spite of a low bootstrap support for Sinopodophyllum hexandrum vs. Podophyllum pelatum. The combined ITS2 and trnL-F data enforced a sister relationship between Sinopodophyllum hexandrum and Podophyllum pelatum with an elevated bootstrap support of 100%. Based on molecular phylogeny, the morphological evolution of this group was discussed. The self-pollination might have evolved from cross-fertilization two times in this group. The different pollination and seed dispersal systems of Sinopodophyllum hexandrum and Podophlyllum pelatum resulted from their adaptations to different ecological habitats. The divergence time of Sinopodophyllum hexandrum-Podophyllum pelatum is estimated to be 6.52+/-1.89 myr based on the ITS divergence. The divergence of this species pair predated or co-occurred with the recent uplift of the Himalayas 4-3 myr during the late Miocene and the formation of the alpine habitats. Sinopodophyllum hexandrum developed a host of specialized characters in its subsequent adaptation to the arid alpine surroundings. The present study confirmed the different patterns of species relationship between Asian-North American disjuncts. The isolation of plant elements between North America and eastern Asia must have been a gradual process, resulting in the different phylogenetic patterns and divergence times of the disjuncts.

Karyological studies on the Sino-Himalayan genus, Cremanthodium (Asteraceae : Senecioneae)

Twenty-two populations of seven species of Cremanthodium from high altitude regions of western China were observed karyologically. C. ellisii, C. microglossum, C. brunneo-pilosum, C. stenoglossum, C. discoideum and C. lineare all had the same chromosome number of 2n=58 whereas C. humile had 2n=60. All chromosome numbers of these species are documented here for the first time. The basic number of x=30 is new for this genus. The karyotypes of all species belong to 2A type according to Stebbins' asymmetry classification of karyotypes. Two basic chromosome numbers, x=30 and x=29 in Cremanthodium, correspond exactly to two branching patterns in this genus, sympodial versus monopodial. The systematic and taxonomic statuses of the sympodial species need further study. The karyomorphological data provide no support to the sectional subdivision in Cremanthodium. (C) 2001 The Linnean Society of London.

Karyomorphology of Biebersteinia Stephan (Geraniaceae) and its systematic and taxonomic significance

The systematic and taxonomic position of Biebersteinia Stephan has long been in dispute. The present paper describes for the first time the karyomorphology of two species in Biebersteinia Stephan. Both species commonly showed the interphase nuclei of the simple chromocenter type and the mitotic prophase chromosomes of the interstitial type. The karyotype formulae of both B. heterostemon and B. odora were 2n=10=2m(2sec)+8sm(2sec), belonging to the 3A type of Stebbins' classification. The karyotype of this genus is recorded for the first time. The basic chromosome numbers of four of the five known species of Biebersteinia have been recorded as x=5. The combination of resting nuclei of the simple chromocenter type, mitotic prophase chromosomes of the interstitial type, two pairs of chromosomes with four obvious secondary constrictions at the mitotic prophase and metaphase stages, and the peculiar 3A karyotype in Biebersteinia can be regarded as the karymorphological marker of this genus. The karyomorphological data presented here do not support the traditional grouping of this genus in Geraniaceae. The unique karyomorphology of Biebersteinia justifies its familiar or ordinal status, which is congruent with embryological, anatomical, chemical and molecular data. The systematic position of Biebersteinia needs further study.

基于MRF模型的油气储层属性随机建模方法研究

Stochastic reservoir modeling is a technique used in reservoir describing. Through this technique, multiple data sources with different scales can be integrated into the reservoir model and its uncertainty can be conveyed to researchers and supervisors. Stochastic reservoir modeling, for its digital models, its changeable scales, its honoring known information and data and its conveying uncertainty in models, provides a mathematical framework or platform for researchers to integrate multiple data sources and information with different scales into their prediction models. As a fresher method, stochastic reservoir modeling is on the upswing. Based on related works, this paper, starting with Markov property in reservoir, illustrates how to constitute spatial models for catalogued variables and continuum variables by use of Markov random fields. In order to explore reservoir properties, researchers should study the properties of rocks embedded in reservoirs. Apart from methods used in laboratories, geophysical means and subsequent interpretations may be the main sources for information and data used in petroleum exploration and exploitation. How to build a model for flow simulations based on incomplete information is to predict the spatial distributions of different reservoir variables. Considering data source, digital extent and methods, reservoir modeling can be catalogued into four sorts: reservoir sedimentology based method, reservoir seismic prediction, kriging and stochastic reservoir modeling. The application of Markov chain models in the analogue of sedimentary strata is introduced in the third of the paper. The concept of Markov chain model, N-step transition probability matrix, stationary distribution, the estimation of transition probability matrix, the testing of Markov property, 2 means for organizing sections-method based on equal intervals and based on rock facies, embedded Markov matrix, semi-Markov chain model, hidden Markov chain model, etc, are presented in this part. Based on 1-D Markov chain model, conditional 1-D Markov chain model is discussed in the fourth part. By extending 1-D Markov chain model to 2-D, 3-D situations, conditional 2-D, 3-D Markov chain models are presented. This part also discusses the estimation of vertical transition probability, lateral transition probability and the initialization of the top boundary. Corresponding digital models are used to specify, or testify related discussions. The fifth part, based on the fourth part and the application of MRF in image analysis, discusses MRF based method to simulate the spatial distribution of catalogued reservoir variables. In the part, the probability of a special catalogued variable mass, the definition of energy function for catalogued variable mass as a Markov random field, Strauss model, estimation of components in energy function are presented. Corresponding digital models are used to specify, or testify, related discussions. As for the simulation of the spatial distribution of continuum reservoir variables, the sixth part mainly explores 2 methods. The first is pure GMRF based method. Related contents include GMRF model and its neighborhood, parameters estimation, and MCMC iteration method. A digital example illustrates the corresponding method. The second is two-stage models method. Based on the results of catalogued variables distribution simulation, this method, taking GMRF as the prior distribution for continuum variables, taking the relationship between catalogued variables such as rock facies, continuum variables such as porosity, permeability, fluid saturation, can bring a series of stochastic images for the spatial distribution of continuum variables. Integrating multiple data sources into the reservoir model is one of the merits of stochastic reservoir modeling. After discussing how to model spatial distributions of catalogued reservoir variables, continuum reservoir variables, the paper explores how to combine conceptual depositional models, well logs, cores, seismic attributes production history.

Rapid authentication of ginseng species using microchip electrophoresis with laser-induced fluorescence detection

Ginseng is one of the most expensive Chinese herbal medicines and the effectiveness of ginseng depends strongly on its botanical sources and the use of different parts of the plants. In this study, a microchip electrophoresis method coupled with the polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-short tandem repeats (STR) technique was developed for rapid authentication of ginseng species. A low viscosity hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) solution was used as the sieving matrix for separation of the amplified STR fragments. The allele sizing of the amplified PCR products could be detected within 240 s or less. Good reproducibility and accuracy of the fragment size were obtained with the relative standard deviation for the allele sizes less than 1.0% (n = 11). At two microsatellite loci (CT 12, CA 33), American ginseng had a different allele pattern on the electropherograms compared with that of the Oriental ginseng. Moreover, cultivated and wild American ginseng can be distinguished on the basis of allele sizing. This work establishes the feasibility of fast genetic authentication of ginseng species by use of microchip electrophoresis.

Intelligent software for laboratory automation

Whelan, K. E. and King, R. D. (2004) Intelligent software for laboratory automation. Trends in Biotechnology 22 (9): 440-445

The Scientist Who Came in from the Cold: Heinz Barwich's Flight from the GDR

Maddrell, John, 'The Scientist Who Came in from the Cold: Heinz Barwich's Flight from the GDR', Intelligence and National Security (2005) 20(4) pp.608-630 RAE2008

Analiza specjacyjna arsenu w wodzie techniką wysokosprawnej chromatografii cieczowej połączonej ze spektrometrią mas z jonizacją w indukowanej plazmie

Wydział Chemii: Pracownia Analizy Spektroskopowej Pierwiastków

Farmacologia e terapêutica do fármaco Benfluorex

Projeto de Pós-Graduação/Dissertação apresentado à Universidade Fernando Pessoa como parte dos requisitos para obtenção do grau de Mestre em Ciências Farmacêuticas