Boron uptake by the root cortex symplast of tomato and pea plants: evidence for low-boron-induced active transport.

The objective of this research was to test the hypothesis of the existence of an active boron (B) uptake into the cortical cells induced by low B supply. The uptake of B was characterised in two tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) genotypes: B-efficient FER and B-inefficient mutant T3238.

Where do I go from here: we've got enough seniors?

Objective: To identify recruitment and retention issues for allied health professionals at two rural health services.

Design: A qualitative study using semi-structured interviews was used to collect the data which were analysed using thematic analysis.

Setting: A regional public health service and a community health service in central eastern Victoria, Australia.

Deconvolution of fluorescence spectra: contribution to the structural analysis of complex molecules.

Fluorescence spectroscopy is a sensitive analytical tool in the studies of both simple and complex molecular structures. In complex molecules, however, determining the number and position of components may give a specific insight into the structure, complementary to the other analytical techniques. We applied log-normal model to analyze fluorescence of simple monofluorophore molecule.

Germanium-68 as an adequate tracer for silicon transport in plants. Characterization of silicon uptake in different crop species.

A basic problem in silicon (Si) uptake studies in biology is the lack of an appropriate radioactive isotope. Radioactive germanium-68 ((68)Ge) has been used previously as a Si tracer in biological materials, but its suitability for the study of Si transport in higher plants is still untested. In this study, we investigated (68)Ge-traced Si uptake by four crop species differing widely in uptake capacity for Si, including rice (Oryza sativa), barley (Hordeum vulgare), cucumber (Cucumis sativus), and tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum).

Lifetime prevalence and projected lifetime risk of DSM-IV disorders in Te Rau Hinengaro: the New Zealand Mental Health Survey.

Objective: To estimate the lifetime prevalence and projected lifetime risk at age 75 years of DSM-IV disorders in New Zealand.

Method: A nationwide face-to-face household survey carried out in 2003-2004. A fully structured diagnostic interview, the World Health Organization Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI 3.

Twelve-month and lifetime health service use in Te Rau Hinengaro: The New Zealand Mental Health Survey.

Objective: To estimate the 12 month and lifetime use of health services for mental health problems.

Method: A nationwide face-to-face household survey carried out in 2003-2004. A fully structured diagnostic interview, the World Health Organization Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI 3.

Component analysis of the fluorescence spectra of a lignin model compound.

In order to test whether lignin fluorescence originates from discrete fluorophores, fluorescence emission spectra of the lignin model dehydrogenative polymer (DHP) were analyzed by the band deconvolution method and time-resolved analysis of both the excitation and emission spectra. Two series of 22 fluorescence emission spectra of DHP in chloroform/methanol (3:1, v/v) solution, and as a solid suspension in water, were deconvoluted into three fluorescence and one Raman Gaussian components. Emission spectra were obtained by stepwise variation of the excitation wavelength from 360 to 465 nm.

New insights into the structural organization of the plant polymer lignin.

The organizational features of lignin structure and the mechanism of its synthesis have significant implications for the response of the plant to stress. It was unknown whether the enzymic formation of lignin in the cell wall is an uncontrolled process or finely regulated in time and space. In vitro scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), atomic force microscopies (AFM), near-field scanning optical microscopy (NSOM).

Fractal analysis of STM images of photochemical polymer of coniferyl alcohol.

Fractal analysis was applied to images of photochemical lignin polymer obtained using scanning tunneling microscope. We studied the polymer obtained in vitro by ionic mechanism through UV radiation--induced polymerization. The analysis showed the regularity of the lignin-like polymer at different levels of organization.

Fractal analysis of STM images of lignin polymer obtained by in vitro synthesis.

Lignin, the structural polymer of the plant cell walls, is produced by free radical polymerization of phenolic alcohols, catalyzed by different peroxidases. The mechanism and the structural organization of lignin in the cell have not been completely understood. In this study we applied fractal analysis to images of lignin polymer obtained using scanning tunneling microscope.

Changes in peroxidase activity and isoenzymes in spruce needles after exposure to different concentrations of cadmium.

We studied the guaiacol peroxidase activity, isoenzyme pattern and metal content in the needles of 2-year-old spruce grown on soils supplemented with cadmium concentrations from 1 to 21 mg kg(-1). Following exposure to cadmium, an initial increase and subsequent decrease in the activity of the soluble fraction was observed. A parallel change of their isoenzyme pattern occurred.

Spontaneous ultraweak bioluminescence in plants: origin, mechanisms and properties.

An analysis of theoretical knowledge and experimental results of ultraweak luminescence (UWL) is provided. The role of excited state of molecules and free radicals, formed in various biochemical reactions, in UWL is discussed. UWL of model reactions and in vivo systems are compared.

Shadows of the truth in patients with spinal pain: a review.

Objective: Spinal pain with or without referred pain is a major and costly health problem that can arise from many anatomical structures. Sophisticated diagnostic imaging devices cannot show some of these structures, and frequently imaging provides only a shadow of the truth. This review illustrates how symptoms may well have an organic cause that is not detectable by current methods of examination, including imaging.