The effects of pH and NaCl concentration on the structure of β-casein from buffalo milk.

In the present study, we aimed to investigate the effects of pH and sodium chloride (NaCl) concentration on the structure of β-casein (β-CN) purified from buffalo milk using circular dichroism (CD), intrinsic tryptophan, and anilino-8-naphthalene sulfonate (ANS) fluorescence spectroscopy. We found that NaCl concentration played a critical role in the stability of the secondary structure of β-CN. The CD negative peak had a redshift as the NaCl concentration was increased and accompanied by a decrease of β-sheet content and an increase of α-helix content.

Formal total synthesis of salvianolic acid N.

An efficient synthetic pathway for the total synthesis of salvianolic acid N has been reported. The key reaction steps, the Wittig reaction for Z-stereoselectivity and an intramolecular cyclization for a seven membered ring skeleton, have been optimized to improve the synthetic feasibility and provide the best conditions in terms of yield. Moreover, a notable reaction is the reaction of the deprotected allylic group with Pd catalyst.

2-Chloro-5-fluoro-6-methyl-N-o-tolyl-pyrimidin-4-amine.

In the title compound, C12H11ClFN3, the benzene ring forms a dihedral angle of 72.43 (5)° with the pyrimidine ring. In the crystal, N-H⋯N hydrogen bonds link the mol-ecules into a chain running along the c axis.

Does the onset of sexual maturation terminate the expression of migratory behaviour in moths? A study of the oriental armyworm, Mythimna separata.

It is generally accepted that in most insects adults are sexually immature when they initiate migration and that migratory behaviour terminates with the onset of sexual maturation. However, a few studies examining the mating status of field collected moths have suggested that sexually mature individuals may continue migrating, but in these cases it was impossible to completely eliminate the possibility that the mated females captured came from local, non-migrant populations. In this study we examined the ovarian development of Mythimna separata females captured using a vertical pointing searchlight trap on Beihuang Island in the Bohai Gulf, China, a site >40km from land.

Modified female calling behaviour in Cry1Ac-resistant Helicoverpa armigera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).

Background: The resistance risk in Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) to transgenic cotton that expresses Cry1Ac from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) has raised concerns about the sustainable deployment of Bt cotton. Mating behaviour between resistant and susceptible individuals is an important factor that affects resistance evolution of the insect. The female calling behaviours of the Cry1Ac-resistant strain and its susceptible control were compared in the laboratory to understand the difference in mating biology.

[The migration and differentiation of subventricular zone neural stem cells transplanted into the adult striatum].

Adeno-associated virus vectors (type2) containing the marker gene--green fluorescent protein (AAV2-GFP) were used to transduce subventricular zone neural stem cells (NSCs). NSCs labelled by gene product--GFP were transplanted into adult Sprague-Dawley rat striatum. The animals were allowed to survive for 45 days, 90 days and 120 days before they were perfused.

Effect of change in an inhibitory neurotransmitter of the myenteric plexus on the pathogenetic mechanism of irritable bowel syndrome subgroups in rat models.

Objective: In order to investigate the effect of change in an inhibitory neurotransmitter of the myenteric plexus on irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) subgroups, the amounts of nitric oxide (NO) in constipation-predominant (C-IBS) and diarrhea-predominant (D-IBS) IBS models in rats were studied.

Methods: The D-IBS model was created in rats by intracolonic instillation of acetic acid and by restraint stress. The D-IBS control group underwent intracolonic instillation with saline instead.

Molecular cloning and bacterial expression of pheromone binding protein in the antennae of Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner).

A cDNA clone coding for pheromone binding protein was isolated from the antennae of Helicoverpa armigera by RT-PCR and (5'/3')-RACE technique. The full-length of H. armigera pheromone binding protein (HarmPBP) was 952 bp, possessing 162 amino acid residues including a signal peptide of 20 amino acids.