Biology and Evolution of Beneficial and Detrimental Viruses of Animals, Plants, and Fungi

Virtually every type of organism may serve as a host for viruses. In some hosts, virus presence may be considered beneficial to humans; in other hosts, viruses are considered detrimental. Examples of viruses that are considered beneficial to humans include those that are used for biological control of organisms that themselves are considered detrimental to humans, such as plant pathogenic fungi. Viruses are extremely variable in terms of morphology, structure, and genome organization. However, viruses that attack hosts from different kingdoms may be related, deriving from the same phylogeny. This paper summarizes some of the properties of three related families of viruses that attack hosts in different kingdoms: the animal-infecting Picornaviridae, the plant-infecting Potyviridae, and the fungus-infecting Hypoviridae. Properties of these viruses that set them apart from each other and factors that may affect their evolution are discussed.     

Glycosylation and lectins-examples of immunesurveillance and immune evasion

Cell surface proteins are posttranslationally modified by tightly regulated enzymes of glycosylation. Typical patterns of glycosylation may signal pathological situations to the immune system. Here, carbohydrate receptors on the surface of cells in the immune system are involved in regulation of effector cells. Moreover, some lectins are circulating in the plasma and take part in host defense. The code of carbohydrate modifications is impaired in malignant cells and yet they are not eliminated. In this review, we focus on recent experimental evidence for regulatory functions of lectins and carbohydrate derivatives in the immune system and tumours.     

Fine structure and functions of haemerythrocytes and leucocytes of Sipunculus nudus

The marine sipunculan worm, Sipunculus nudus Linné, possesses a voluminous coelomic cavity filled with a fluid containing different types of free cells. Most of them (more than 90%) are nucleated haemerythrocytes. They arise from free, small haemerythroblastic cells which are described in this report. Different kinds of leucocytes are also found in the coelomic fluid, particularly granulocytes which are phagocytic cells showing some similarities with vertebrate macrophages. These cells seem to arise from small hyalocytes, which are cells having morphological and physiological resemblances with vertebrate lymphocytes. It appears that the older granulocytes are progressively degranulated and give rise to large hyalocytes. Ciliary cells arising from small cells, very similar to small hyalocytes, have also been observed and it is supposed that they give rise to urn cells. Lastly, some of the biological functions of the free coelomic cells of the sipunculan worms are described.     

Distribution and Functions of Sterols and Sphingolipids

Sterols and sphingolipids are considered mainly eukaryotic lipids even though both are present in some prokaryotes, with sphingolipids being more widespread than sterols. Both sterols and sphingolipids differ in their structural features in vertebrates, plants, and fungi. Interestingly, some invertebrates cannot synthesize sterols de novo and seem to have a reduced dependence on sterols. Sphingolipids and sterols are found in the plasma membrane, but we do not have a clear picture of their precise intracellular localization. Advances in lipidomics and subcellular fractionation should help to improve this situation. Genetic approaches have provided insights into the diversity of sterol and sphingolipid functions in eukaryotes providing evidence that these two lipid classes function together. Intermediates in sphingolipid biosynthesis and degradation are involved in signaling pathways, whereas sterol structures are converted to hormones. Both lipids have been implicated in regulating membrane trafficking.Typical examples of eukaryotic lipids, sterols, and sphingolipids can both be found in membranes from simple unicellular fungi and protists to multicellular animals and plants. Their versatile use as structural elements but also as signaling molecules has probably played an important role during the evolution of this large and diverse group of organisms. There are also many eukaryotes that have lost the ability to synthesize sterols de novo including nematodes, insects, and marine invertebrates, which have to take up sterols with their diet. Sterol biosynthesis has also been reported in a number of bacteria. Sphingolipids are more widely spread among prokaryotes than sterols and also show a greater variety of structures among the different eukaryotes.In this short review we will first give an overview about the diversity of sterol and sphingolipid structures and their distribution in nature. Then we will discuss their subcellular distribution. A brief technical section will add some information on the separation and detection of these lipid molecules. Subsequently, we will summarize different genetic approaches to study the functions of sterols and sphingolipids, and finally, we will discuss the functional and possible physical interactions of the two lipid classes within the cell. Far from being comprehensive, we will focus only on a few interesting aspects and try to give new view points, which are less frequently discussed.     

茯苓生物学研究和菌核栽培现状及展望

茯苓Wolfiporia cocos是我国药食两用的传统中药,本文对茯苓的分类地位、交配型、生活史、遗传育种、菌核栽培以及组学相关研究进展进行了总结,对有关专利进行了分析。以研究及生产现状为基础,分析了茯苓在基础生物学方面研究的不足、菌核栽培中存在的相关问题,重点分析了交配型研究、子实体诱导形成和生活史研究等重要方面,并对未来茯苓生物学研究和科学栽培进行了展望。     

Anatomical and molecular systematics of Asteliaceae and Hypoxidaceae

The astelioid group of asparagoid lilies (Lilianae - Asparagales) comprises Hypoxidaceae, Asteliaceae, Blandfordia and Lanaria. New information is presented on astelioid anatomy, together with a review of other systematic characters. These data are analysed in the context of recent evidence from rbc L nucleotide sequences that astelioids are related to orchids, and that astelioids and orchids (plus Alania and Borya ) form a clade that is sister to all other asparagoid taxa. Hypoxidaceae and Asteliaceae differ from each other in several respects, but there are certain characters linking the two families, notably branched hairs and mucilage canals, unusual characters in Lilianae. Family diagnoses are upheld, but the precise relationships of Blandfordia and Lanaria are still poorly supported within the astelioid clade.     

Regulation of cell proliferation and survival: Convergence of protein kinases and caspases

Intricate networks of protein kinases are intimately involved in the regulation of cellular events related to cell proliferation and survival. In addition to protein kinases, cells also contain networks of proteases including aspartic-acid directed caspases organized in cascades that play a major role in the regulation of cell survival through their involvement in the initiation and execution phases of apoptosis. Perturbations in regulatory protein kinase and caspase networks induce alterations in cell survival and frequently accompany transformation and tumorigenesis. Furthermore, recent studies have documented that caspases or their substrates are subject to phosphorylation in cells illustrating a potential convergence of protein kinase and caspase signaling pathways. Interestingly, a number of caspase substrates are protected from cleavage when they are phosphorylated at sites that are adjacent to caspase cleavage sites. While it is theoretically possible that many distinct protein kinases could protect proteins from caspase-mediated cleavage, protein kinase CK2 is of particular interest because acidic amino acids, including aspartic acid residues that are recognized by caspases, are its dominant specificity determinants.     

Genetic and biochemical mechanisms of ontogenetic and phylogenetic adaptation

Results of the scientific research of genetic mechanisms of ontogenetic and phylogenetic adaptation in the department of genetics and molecular biology of the Odessa national university (ONU) are summarized. The new concept of genetic adaptation and adaptive heterosis is proposed. The evidence are presented that not only selection of selectively valuable alleles of the structural genes of enzymes, but also of gene-modifiers of the gene products are involved in the adaptation of D. melanogaster populations to environmental conditions. As a result, the sets of coadaptation alleles--adaptation complexes of genes (ACG), which are specific to the selective factors, are formed in persons of the population.     

Effects of husbandry and management systems on physiology and behaviour of farmed and laboratory rabbits

The major issues regarding the welfare of both farmed and laboratory rabbits are reviewed, according to husbandry and management systems. The main stressors that can affect welfare and homeostatic responses in rabbits are also reviewed. An overview of the most widespread housing systems for both farmed and laboratory rabbits is presented. The main problems related to housing and management are identified, in particular those related to individual and group housing, space requirements and group size, as well as human-animal interaction. The effects of psychological and physical stressors on physiology and behaviour are illustrated through examples in various rearing conditions. Psychological stressors include social stress and fear, while physical stressors include environmental variables such as housing system and climatic factors, i.e. heat. Welfare indicators are identified that can be monitored to determine the effects of individual and environmental variables on the animals' possible coping strategies. Physiological indicators include the neuro-endocrine and psycho-neuro-immuno-endocrine measurements, while behavioural indicators include the behavioural repertoire and responses to behavioural tests. Some possible ways to enhance welfare are indicated, such as enrichment of the environment and improved handling procedures.     

国内外蝗害治理技术现状与展望

本文首先概述了国内外蝗虫发生与为害的态势,总结了现阶段我国蝗虫发生与为害的主要特点:即农田飞蝗暴发频繁而且严重,草原土蝗的发生时常造成严重的经济损失,而且侵入城市干扰市民生活,我国与周边国家之间蝗虫过境迁移频繁,使用化学农药污染环境和农产品;分析了国内外蝗虫防治对策与技术的发展现状,重点介绍了应急防治和可持续治理对策、...     

Genetics and epigenetics of aging and longevity

Evolutionary theories of aging predict the existence of certain genes that provide selective advantage early in life with adverse effect on lifespan later in life (antagonistic pleiotropy theory) or longevity insurance genes (disposable soma theory). Indeed, the study of human and animal genetics is gradually identifying new genes that increase lifespan when overexpressed or mutated: gerontogenes. Furthermore, genetic and epigenetic mechanisms are being identified that have a positive effect on longevity. The gerontogenes are classified as lifespan regulators, mediators, effectors, housekeeping genes, genes involved in mitochondrial function, and genes regulating cellular senescence and apoptosis. In this review we demonstrate that the majority of the genes as well as genetic and epigenetic mechanisms that are involved in regulation of longevity are highly interconnected and related to stress response.     

Costs of locomotion and vertic dynamics of cephalopods and fish

The world's oceans are three-dimensional habitats that support high diversity and biomass. Because the densities of most of the constituents of life are greater than that of seawater, planktonic and pelagic organisms had to evolve a host of mechanisms to occupy the third dimension. Some microscopic organisms survive at the surface by dividing rapidly in vertically well mixed zones, but most organisms, small and large, have antisinking strategies and structures that maintain vertical position and mobility. All of these mechanisms have energetic costs, ranging from the "foregone metabolic benefits" and increased drag of storing high-energy, low-density lipids to direct energy consumption for dynamic lift. Defining the niches in the mesopelagic zone, understanding evolution, and applying such ecological concepts as optimal foraging require good estimates of these costs. The extreme cases above are reasonably well quantified in fishes, but the energetic costs of dynamic physiological mechanisms like swim bladders are not; nor are the costs of maintaining vertical position for the chief invertebrate competitors, the cephalopods. This article evaluates a matrix of buoyancy mechanisms in different circumstances, including vacuum systems and ammonium storage, based on new data on the metabolic cost of creating buoyancy in Sepia officinalis.     

Application of biotechnology for the diagnosis and control of ticks and tick-borne diseases

Current and potential applications of biotechnology to detect and control anaplasmosis, bovine babesiosis, cowdriosis, and theileriosis are examined in the light of dramatic advances in molecular biology. Vaccines and the diagnostic use of nucleic acid probes, restriction fragment length polymorphisms, and monoclonal antibodies are discussed in detail, as are novel genetic methods for increasing the resistance of livestock to disease. Strategies are suggested for using molecular and non-molecular approaches in integrated programmes for controlling haemoparasitic diseases of livestock.     

Dispersion and oxidative stability of O/W emulsions and oxidation of microencapsulated oil

Oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions are among the dispersion systems commonly used in food, and these emulsions are in thermodynamically unstable or metastable states. In this paper, various methods for preparing O/W emulsions are outlined. Since the commodity value of food is impaired by the destabilization of O/W emulsions, experimental and theoretical approaches to assess the stability of O/W emulsions are overviewed, and factors affecting the dispersion stability of emulsions are discussed based on the DLVO theory and the concept of the stability factor. The oxidation of lipids in O/W emulsions is unhealthy and gives rise to unpleasant odors. Factors affecting the autoxidation of lipids are discussed, and theoretical models are used to demonstrate that a reduction of the oil droplet size suppresses or retards autoxidation. Microencapsulated lipids or oils exhibit distinct features in the oxidation process. Models that explain these features are described. It is demonstrated that a reduction in the oil droplet size is also effective for suppressing or retarding the oxidation of microencapsulated oils.     

微藻的药用、保健价值及研究开发现状(综述)

本文综述微藻中的各种药理活性物质及已投入市场的微藻产品的药用,保健价值,以及微藻保健与功能食品的研究开发现状。     

国内外菌物学研究热点和研究趋势分析——指导科研选题,助力科技创新

为了梳理和分析近些年国内外菌物学研究的整体状况、研究热点、发展脉络及研究趋势,本文分别以Web of Science核心数据集中20本菌物学SCI期刊的1 762篇文献、《菌物学报》近10年发表的1 347篇文章以及中国知网中2 128篇食用菌文献为研究对象,采用Citespace 5.0R7为数据分析工具,以关键词共现分析和文献共被引分析为主要研究方法,形成文献间引证与被引证的可视化知识网络。通过对可视化网络图谱的分析,揭示了近些年菌物学国内外的研究概况。分析结果表明,现今国际菌物学研究热点以医学真菌为主,并向生物合成、生物防治、内生真菌领域发展,国内菌物学研究以分类学、食用菌、内生真菌、次级代谢产物和漆酶为主要内容和研究热点。我们希望通过对菌物学文献的数据分析,帮助科学家及时掌握菌物学研究演变进程中具有重要作用的文献,捕捉研究热点,探测研究趋势,从而对学科研究动向做出合理判断,指导科学家未来科研选题。     

Structural and functional characteristics and properties of metzincins

In this review the main families of endopeptidases belonging to the clan of metzincins of zinc-dependent metal-loproteinases in organisms of wide evolutional range from bacteria to mammals are considered. The data on classification, physicochemical properties, substrate specificity, and structural features of this group of enzymes are given. The activation mechanisms of metzincins, the role of these proteins in organisms, and their participation in various physiological processes are discussed.     

Repair and Reconstruction of Telomeric and Subtelomeric Regions and Genesis of New Telomeres: Implications for Chromosome Evolution

DNA damage repair within telomeres are suppressed to maintain the integrity of linear chromosomes, but the accidental activation of repairs can lead to genome instability. This review develops the concept that mechanisms to repair DNA damage in telomeres contribute to genetic variability and karyotype evolution, rather than catastrophe. Spontaneous breaks in telomeres can be repaired by telomerase, but in some cases DNA repair pathways are activated, and can cause chromosomal rearrangements or fusions. The resultant changes can also affect subtelomeric regions that are adjacent to telomeres. Subtelomeres are actively involved in such chromosomal changes, and are therefore the most variable regions in the genome. The case of Caenorhabditis elegans in the context of changes of subtelomeric structures revealed by long-read sequencing is also discussed. Theoretical and methodological issues covered in this review will help to explore the mechanism of chromosome evolution by reconstruction of chromosomal ends in nature.     

糖-蛋白质相互作用在酶固定及蛋白质识别与分离中的应用

近些年来,糖-蛋白质相互作用的研究越来越受到研究人员的重视,它在生命过程中发挥着重要的作用,是生命体中信号传导、免疫应答、细胞黏附、病菌感染、受精、增殖、分化等许多细胞识别过程的基础。依据糖的类型不同对糖-蛋白质相互作用作了三个方面的应用总结:应用于酶的固定化,主要有壳聚糖,淀粉,琼脂糖,纤维素等多糖;应用于蛋白质的识别,主要是一些糖类芯片;应用于蛋白质的分离,主要有琼脂糖,肝素/硫酸类肝素,葡聚糖等。最后,对糖-蛋白质相互作用在生物化学领域的意义作了展望。     

Localization and organization of microfilaments and related proteins in normal and virus-transformed cells

The localization and organization of actin-like microfilaments in normal, SV-40 and adenovirus transformed cells are determined by the coordinated use of light optical, electron optical and biochemical techniques. In adenovirus-type 5 transformed hamster embryo cells, microfilament meshworks appear to be the predominant organizational form of cellular actin, while in normal hamster cells, microfilament bundles are prevalent. Differences between 3T3 and SV-40 transformed 3T3 cells are less apparent and may be related to the packing and intracellular distribution of microfilament bundles. Attempts at relating these ultrastructural changes in transformed cells to the images obtained following reaction with fluorescein-labelled myosin fragments and indirect immunofluorescence with smooth muscle myosin antibody are discussed. In several instances the fluorescence microscope images do not correspond to the ultrastructural observations. The results are discussed in terms of the possible relationships between alterations in cytoplasmic contractile elements and the abnormal behavior of transformed cells.