Infrared thermography and odour composition of the Amorphophallus gigas (Araceae) inflorescence: the cooling effect of the odorous liquid.

During the second blooming of a cultivated Amorphophallus gigas Teijsm and Binnend in the Botanical Gardens of the University of Tokyo, the surface temperature of the inflorescence was measured using an infrared camera. Contrary to studies of other species in the genus Amorphophallus, the surface of the inflorescence showed only very faint thermogenesis and had a lower temperature than that of the background. This cooling effect appeared to be due to a loss of heat through evaporation, which was caused by the secretion of a very large amount of odorous liquid. Chemical analysis revealed that the major components of this liquid were acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid and valeric acids. The composition of the odorous liquid was slightly different between the spathe surface and the sterile appendix. The major component(s) of the odorous material from the spathe was butyric acid, and from the sterile appendix was valeric acids. These components would play dual roles of adding the characteristic smell to the inflorescence and cooling the inflorescence.

Very close relationship of the chloroplast genomes among Saccharum species.

We recently determined the complete sequence of the sugarcane chloroplast genome. Here, we have used the information for a comprehensive phylogenetic analysis of the genus Saccharum, using all six species (13 accessions). The polymorphisms between sugarcane and maize in 26 chloroplast genome regions were used for the analysis. In 18 of the 26 regions (a total of 5,381 bp), we found 41 mutations involving 17 substitutions, three inversions, six insertion/deletion mutations, and 15 simple sequence repeat length polymorphisms. Based on these results, we calculated a phylogenetic tree of the genus Saccharum, in which all six species are clearly separated. By the analysis, (1) S. sinense and S. barberi, which have identical sequences, belong to the same clade, whereas the other four species, S. officinarum, S. robustum, S. edule, and S. spontaneum, form an independent clade; (2) S. spontaneum has a paraphyletic relationship with the other five species; and (3) no or very low intraspecific variation was observed in S. officinarum, S. robustum, S. sinense, S. barberi, and S. edule, whereas higher intraspecific variation was observed in S. spontaneum. Based on the number of nucleotide substitutions, the divergence time between S. officinarum and S. spontaneum, and between S. officinarum and maize were calculated to be about 730-780 thousand years ago and about 5.9 million years ago, respectively. These results suggest that the cytoplasm of Saccharum species are very closely related.

Molecular cloning and characterization of a cDNA for a novel ethylene receptor, NT-ERS1, of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.).

The cDNA encoding a novel member (NT-ERS1) of ethylene receptor family of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) was obtained by a combination of RT-PCR and 5'-/3'-RACE cloning. The cDNA was 2,092 nucleotides long and had an open reading frame of 1,911 bp encoding 637 amino acids. The deduced polypeptide lacked a response regulator domain, indicating that the ethylene receptor belongs to an ERS-group. The amino acid sequence was similar to respective members of the tobacco ethylene receptor family: 67.8% to NT-ETR1, 39.1% to NTHK1 and 31.1% to NTHK2. Comparison of amino acid sequence suggested that NT-ERS1 is the counterpart of Nr in the ethylene receptor family of tomato, which belongs to Solanaceae as does tobacco. Northern blot analysis showed that mRNA of NT-ERS1 was present in leaf, shoot and root tissues, and accumulated in leaves treated with exogenous ethylene. A mutated NT-ERS1 cDNA transgene, obtained by introducing one nucleotide substitution into NT-ETR1 cDNA, conferred ethylene insensitivity in tobacco plants, indicating that the translation product of the cDNA actually functioned in the plants.

[Phase II clinical study of RP56976 (docetaxel) in patients with carcinoma ovarii or carcinoma colli uteri].

An early phase II clinical study of RP56976 (docetaxel), a new semisynthetic agent, in patients with carcinoma ovarii or carcinoma colli uteri was undertaken by a cooperative study group of 23 institutes. Docetaxel was administered at an initial intravenous dose of 60 mg/m2 with dose-free intervals of 3-4 weeks, and its efficacy and safety were evaluated. Of the 47 patients with carcinoma ovarii enrolled, 44 patients were eligible and 36 patients completed the scheduled course of treatment. Of the 23 patients with carcinoma colli uteri enrolled, 20 patients were eligible and 15 patients completed the scheduled course of treatment. For antitumor efficacy in patients with carcinoma ovarii, 1 patient showed partial response (PR), 10 showed no changes (NC) (2 showed minor response (MR)), and 25 had progressive disease (PD). The overall response rate was 2.8% (1/36). Of patients with carcinoma colli uteri, 7 patients showed no changes (NC) (1 patient showed minor response (MR)), 8 patients had progressive disease (PD). Major adverse reactions included 64/65 (98.5%) leukopenia, 56/59 (94.9%) neutropenia, 40/60 (61.5%) decrease of hemoglobin, 12/64 (18.8%) thrombocytopenia, 30/65 (46.2%) anorexia, 23/65 (35.4%) nausea/vomiting, 37/65 (56.9%) alopecia, and 26/65 (40.0%) fatigue, all of which were mild.

[Pharmacokinetic study of piperacillin in the field of obstetrics and gynecology].

The following trial was conducted as a fundamental study in the application of piperacillin (PIPC) in the field of obstetrics and gynecology. A dose of 1 g was administered to 10 patients by intravenous injection and the concentrations of PIPC in the serum and the various tissues of the uterus were measured. This data was analyzed by the computer. 1. These concentrations were analyzed based on a two- or three-compartment model. We obtained the pharmacokinetic parameters and described the simulation curves. Correspondence was observed between the calculated and the actually determined concentrations. 2. PIPC was rapidly distributed to the tissues of the uterus and exhibited high concentrations. Transfer to these tissues correlated well with serum concentrations.