Accumulation of Anthocyanins in Detached Leaves of Kalanchoë blossfeldiana: Relevance to the Effect of Methyl Jasmonate on This Process

Accumulation of anthocyanins in detached leaves and in excised stems of Kalanchoë blossfeldiana kept under natural light conditions in the presence or absence of methyl jasmonate (JA-Me) was investigated. When the abaxial surface of detached leaves was held lower than the adaxial surface (the normal or natural position) under natural light conditions, anthocyanins were not accumulated on the abaxial side of the leaves. In contrast, when the adaxial surface of detached leaves was held lower than the abaxial surface (inverted position), anthocyanins were highly accumulated on the abaxial side of the leaves. These phenomena were independent of the growth stage of K. blossfeldiana as well as photoperiod. Application of JA-Me in lanolin paste significantly inhibited anthocyanin accumulation induced on the abaxial side of detached leaves held in an inverted position in a dose-dependent manner. Anthocyanin accumulation in the excised stem in response to natural light was also significantly inhibited by JA-Me in lanolin paste. Possible mechanisms of anthocyanin accumulation on the abaxial side of detached K. blossfeldiana leaves held in an inverted position under natural light conditions and the inhibitory effect of JA-Me on this process are described. The accompanying changes in the content of primary metabolites and histological analyses were also described.

Equilibrium solubilization of diclofenac by aqueous solutions of the products of lanolin oxyethylenation

Systematic research has been conducted on the products of catalytic oxyethylenation of lanolin. The level of hydrophilic-lipophilic balance HLB and the amount of oxyethylene segments nTE in homologous series of products were determined by means of the 1HNMR method. Viscosity and spectrophotometry measurements were used to determine solubilization indices n/s/, the micellar partition coefficient K(m)w, and the solubility quotient i25(r) of diclofenac in aqueous solutions of surfactants. The determination of basic viscosity values enabled identification of the solubilization site of diclofenac molecules. For the purpose of application, the relationship between the amount of oxyethylene segments nTE and K(m)w of diclofenac determined in an equilibrium system was defined.

The effect of energy malnutrition in ruminants on experimental infection with Dermatophilus congolensis

The ability of malnourished and optimally fed animals to resist infection with D. congolensis was assessed by the dose-response to experimental inoculation. The severity of infection, as measured by scoring the lesions, was the same in both groups of lambs. However marked differences were seen between the two groups in the appearance of scabs and in the time taken for them to resolve. The malnourished animals had more persistent, chronic lesions compared with the more obvious, acute type lesions seen on the skin of the healthy controls. These results were probably related to the reduced rates of wool growth and lanolin production found in the malnourished lambs, which may reflect a reduction in the rate of cellular turnover in the skin of these animals.