Isoenzymatic variability in seeds of some spanish common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L. Leguminosae): Relation to their domestication centers

Phaseolus vulgaris is an important crop species. The cultivated common bean derives from wild forms in two independent domestication centers in Mesoamerica and South America. We report a study of electrophoretic patterns of seven isoenzymatic systems in 29 samples of P. vulgaris seeds. Nineteen of them are from northern Spain, four are from Mesoamerican and six are South American forms. The isoenzymatic activity of esterases, cytochrome c oxidase, acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, alcohol dehydrogenase, shikimate dehydrogenase and glutamate oxaloacetic transaminase were studied. On the basis of electrophoretic patterns of seed isoenzymes, four groups can be recognized using clustering procedures (UPGMA). Comparing this biochemical information with previous morpho-agronomic studies, the possible primary domestication centers of the cultivars are discussed.     

rpl32-trnL片段在柳穿鱼不同地理居群遗传多样性分析中的应用

为了探究柳穿鱼（Linaria vulgaris）不同地理居群的遗传多样性,利用叶绿体DNA的rpl32-trnL片段对包含62个个体的4个柳穿鱼地理居群遗传多样性进行了研究。结果显示：柳穿鱼4个居群中共检测到15种单倍型和76个变异位点,总遗传多样性较高（H_d=0.878,π=0.003 88,K=2.994）,遗传变异主要存在于居群内（51.49%）,隶属于柳穿鱼虫媒异交繁殖策略的遗传特征;不同地区柳穿鱼居群间遗传分化大（0.466 14）,居群间基因交流水平较低（0.29）;遗传分化程度与地理距离存在中等程度相关性但不显著（R² = 0.36,P > 0.05）。中性检验显示除合水居群（HS）在进化过程中经历过瓶颈效应（Fu and Li’s D=-2.450 49,P<0.05）外,其他居群进化过程符合分子进化的中性理论。本研究结果不仅揭示了繁殖策略、地理隔离及生境干扰等因素塑造我国北方柳穿鱼居群遗传多样性和遗传结构特征,而且也为今后柳穿鱼资源保护策略的选择提供了理论依据。     

N-Deacetylation and depolymerization reactions of chitin/chitosan: Influence of the source of chitin

The deacetylation and depolymerization reactions of chitin/chitosan from three crustacean species (Paralomis granulosa, Lithodes antarcticus and Palinurus vulgaris) were evaluated under the same conditions. The average molecular weight and the mole fraction of N-acetylated units were the parameters studied in the resulting chitosans. During the N-deacetylation process P. granulosa, L. antarcticus and P. vulgaris follow a pseudo-first order kinetics and their apparent rate constants are very similar. However, the degradation rate of chitosan in the first 45 min of this process is higher for P. vulgaris. The depolymerization process follows a pseudo-first order kinetics for the three species, but in the first 9 min P. vulgaris shows a slightly lower depolymerization rate. Hence, depending on the ash contents, crystallinity and the physicochemical characteristics of chitin from these sources, the obtained chitosans show different qualities.     

Drought stress induced changes in some organic substances in nodules and other plant parts of two potential legumes differing in salt tolerance

A greenhouse experiment was conducted to assess the effect of water stress on growth and metabolic changes in nodules and other plant parts of two leguminous species, Phaseolus vulgaris and Sesbania aculeata, with the major objective that nodules play a vital role in drought tolerance. Imposition of water deficit conditions for 45 days to 15-day-old plants of P. vulgaris and S. aculeata reduced shoot mass and nodule mass of both species, but the reduction was more pronounced in P. vulgaris than in S. aculeata. Nitrate reductase (NR) activity was reduced more in the leaves and nodules of P. vulgaris than in S. aculeata. Soluble proteins in the nodules of S. aculeata were more decreased as compared to that in P. vulgaris. Free amino acids increased in all parts of both species due to water deficit, but a higher increase was observed in leaf and nodules of P. vulgaris than in S. aculeata. Osmoprotectants such as proline and glycine betaine increased more in the nodules and other parts of S. aculeata under drought stress. In conclusion, S. aculeata (salt tolerant) showed a higher degree of drought tolerance than P. vulgaris (salt sensitive). Drought tolerance of S. aculeata was found to be associated with a smaller reduction in number and mass of root nodules, a high activity of nitrate reductase in leaves and nodules, high accumulation of free proline in roots and nodules, and high glycine betaine content in nodules.     

普通菜豆抗菜豆象性状的全基因组关联分析

普通菜豆(Phaseolus vulgaris)具有丰富的营养价值, 菜豆象(Acanthoscelides obtectus)是危害菜豆的主要害虫, 利用抗虫种质资源防治菜豆象是最安全且经济有效的方法。该研究利用改良的室内人工接虫方法, 对625份普通菜豆种质资源进行2次菜豆象抗性重复鉴定, 筛选出2份抗性稳定且种子受害率均在10%以下的高抗种质。利用种子受害率和蛀孔总数的表型数据, 基于3 767 432个SNP标记进行全基因组关联分析, 鉴定出15个与种子受害率相关的显著关联遗传位点, 8个与蛀孔总数相关的显著关联位点, 解释了4.54%-5.56%的表型变异。在候选位点筛选出包括编码蛋白酶抑制剂、凝集素和过氧化物酶等在内的20个与抗虫防御相关的候选基因。     

Efficiency of ammonia and phosphorus removal from a colombian agroindustrial wastewater by the microalgae Chlorella vulgaris and Scenedesmus dimorphus

The ammonia and phosphorus removal efficiencies of the microalgae Chlorella vulgaris and Scenedesmus dimorphus, during biotreatment of secondary effluent from an agroindustrial wastewater of a dairy industry and pig farming, were evaluated. The microalgae were isolated from a wastewater stabilization pond near Santafé de Bogotá, Colombia. Batch cultures were made using both species in 4-1 cylindrical glass bioreactors each containing 2l of culture. Chlorella vulgaris was also cultivated on wastewater in a triangular bioreactor. Three 216-h experimental cycles were run for each microalga and in each bioreactor. In the cylindrical bioreactor, S. dimorphus was more efficient in removing ammonia than C. vulgaris. However, the final efficiency of both microalgae at the end of each cycle was similar. Both microalgae removed phosphorus from the wastewater to the same extent in a cylindrical bioreactor. Using C. vulgaris, the triangular bioreactor was superior for removing ammonia and the cylindrical bioreactor was superior for removing phosphorus. This study shows the potential of using these microalgae to reduce the environmental pollution of heavily contaminated agroindustrial waters currently disposed of untreated into the waterways and streams of tropical Colombia.     

Detection of Hydroxyl Radical in Intact Cells of Chlorella Vulgaris

Using ESR with 5,5-dimethyl-l-pyrroline N-oxide (DMPO) as a spin-trapping reagent, we measured the levels of free radical species generated from living cells of Chlorella vulgaris var. vulgails (IAM C-534). To investigate the production of free radicals in the living Chlorella vulgaris cells, the influence of DMPO toward the intact cells of the Chlorella vulgaris using the O₂ evolution rate was first studied as a guide. Since the 0₂ evolution rate was not changed by DMPO, it was judged that DMPO has no toxicity toward the intact cells of Chlorella vulgaris.

Only hydroxyl radicals (-OH) were detected as the DMPO-OH adduct in the suspension of intact cells of Chlorella vulgaris irradiated with visible light. Moreover, since production of -OH was inhibited by some hydroxyl radical scavengers such as KI and ethanol, production of -OH was proved to be due to hydroxyl radicals. It was also clear that the intensity of OH increased with increasing irradiation intensity of visible light. Therefore, it was suggested that -OH might be one of the photoinhibition factors of the intact Chlorella vulgaris cells in severe light conditions.     

果肉和埋土深度对新疆野杏种子萌发与幼苗生长的影响

为探明新疆野杏（Armeniaca vulgaris）种子萌发与幼苗生长对果肉和埋土深度的响应,以期为新疆野杏的天然更新与实生苗培育提供理论参考。通过2种果皮结构（有果肉和无果肉）的种子在不同埋土深度（地表至18.0 cm的14个梯度）对新疆野杏种子萌发和幼苗生长进行研究,旨在揭示果皮结构和埋土深度对新疆野杏种子萌发与成苗能力的影响。结果表明：果肉和埋土深度显著影响野杏种子的萌发、幼苗生长与质量（P<0.05）。埋土深度<3.0 cm不利于成苗,埋土深度>6.0 cm时,萌发能力与幼苗生长量随埋土深度的增加而降低,3.0~6.0 cm为适宜埋土深度。无果肉种子萌发优于有果肉种子,萌发率、萌发指数、成苗率、活力指数分别增长了37.18%、3.88%、37.18%、26.59%,幼苗高、基径、叶片数量、根冠比、幼苗质量指数分别增长了36.99%、7.48%、68.69%、20.61%、14.29%,其萌发能力与幼苗生长量显著高于有果肉种子（P<0.05）。有无果肉种子的萌发和幼苗生长指标与埋土深度呈显著负相关（P<0.05）。研究结果表明,无果肉处理对新疆野杏种子萌发和幼苗生长具有一定的促进作用,在埋土深度为3.0~6.0 cm时,新疆野杏种子萌发整齐性高。     

Comparison of the physiological responses of Phaseolus vulgaris and Vigna unguiculata cultivars when submitted to drought conditions

Three cultivars differing in their susceptibility to water stress were compared—Phaseolus vulgaris cv. Carioca (susceptible), Vigna unguiculata cv. IT83D (intermediately tolerant) and V. unguiculata cv. EPACE-1 (tolerant)—during an imposed water stress treatment. Variation in leaf gas exchange (i.e. assimilation and stomatal conductance) and leaf relative water content in response to progressive substrate water depletion were investigated. To verify the extent of the injury caused by the drought treatment, leaf gas exchange was measured after rehydration. In the three cultivars, stomatal conductance declined before leaf relative water content was affected. P. vulgaris showed the largest decrease in the rate of stomatal conductance with decreasing substrate water content compared to both V. unguiculata cultivars. Photosynthetic assimilation rates were largely dependent on stomatal aperture, but there was evidence of the participation of non-stomatal factors in the reduction of CO₂ fixation. The response of leaf gas exchange parameters to severe water stress conditions differed significantly between P. vulgaris and V. unguiculata cultivars. After rehydration, cultivars can be characterised according to the degree of injury induced by the drought treatment: V. unguiculata cv. EPACE-1 as the least affected, V. unguiculata cv. IT83D slightly affected and P. vulgaris cv. Carioca strongly affected. Similar ranking was obtained with experiments previously performed at a cellular and subcellular level. Our results confirm the utility of physiological parameters as early screening tools for drought resistance in bean cultivars.     

Evaluation of Active Oxygen Effect on Photosynthesis of Chlorella vulgaris

The relationship between O₂ and an active oxygen scavenging system in Chlorella vulgaris var.vulgaris (IAM C-534) was investigated. When Chlorella vulgaris was exposed to 2% O₂, only traces of active oxygen scavenging enzymes were found. When the Chlorella vulgaris was treated with 20% or 50% O₂, it was shown that the level of enzyme activity increased as the O₂ concentration increased. An increase in enzyme activity was not found in any specific enzyme but in all of the enzymes, but the level of glutathione and ascorbate remained the same in all the cases. In addition, the photosynthetic efficiency also decreased as the concentration of O₂ was increased. These results suggest that an O₂ enriched environment can lead to an increase in the production of active oxygen species such as O_bullet2 and H₂O₂ and to a decrease in the photosynthetic efficiency in Chlorella vulgaris. The hydroxyl radical (^bulletOH) was detected directly in the Chlorella vulgaris suspension with a spin trapping reagent. It was also clear that the increase in the ^bulletOH intensity as the visible light intensity increased was unrelated to the O₂ concentration. It was suggested that the conditions for producing ^bulletOH and the other active oxygen species were different, and that two types of oxygen stress should exist in the Chlorella vulgaris.     

A rapid method for determination of Proteus vulgaris with a piezoelectric quartz crystal sensor coated with a thin liquid film

A rapid method for microorganism detection using a piezoelectric quartz crystal sensor (PQC) coated with a thin liquid culture medium film was developed and applied to detect the cell number of Proteus vulgaris. This method employed the viscosity and density response of PQC and utilized the coagulation of gelatine medium solution in which the microorganisms had grown to determine the microorganism indirectly. Three time points (TT₁, DT, TT₂) were obtained from the coagulation curve and were found to be in good linear relationship with the logarithm of the initial number of P. vulgaris in the range 1·3 × 10²−1·3 × 10⁵ cells/ml. The detection was rapid and accurate because the coagulation of the thin liquid culture medium film was quick and the time points in the response curve were sharp and so were easy to determine accurately. The detection time was less than 4 h and only a micro sample was needed. A 5 h preincubation was needed before detection. Some experimental conditions are discussed in detail.     

Host-related genetic differentiation in the anther smut fungus Microbotryum violaceum in sympatric, parapatric and allopatric populations of two host species Silene latifolia and S. dioica

We investigated genetic diversity in West European populations of the fungal pathogen Microbotryum violaceum in sympatric, parapatric and allopatric populations of the host species Silene latifolia and S. dioica, using four polymorphic microsatellite loci. In allopatric host populations, the fungus was highly differentiated by host species, exhibiting high values of F(ST) and R(ST), and revealed clear and distinct host races. In sympatric and parapatric populations we found significant population differentiation as well, except for one sympatric population in which the two host species grew truly intermingled. The mean number of alleles per locus for isolates from each of the host species was significantly higher in sympatric/parapatric than in allopatric populations. This suggests that either gene flow between host races in sympatry, or in case of less neutral loci, selection in a more heterogeneous host environment can increase the level of genetic variation in each of the demes. The observed pattern of host-related genetic differentiation among these geographically spread populations suggest a long-term divergence between these host races. In sympatric host populations, both host races presumably come in secondary contact, and host-specific alleles are exchanged depending on the amount of fungal gene flow.     

The use of a fuel containing Chlorella vulgaris in a diesel engine

There is a need for sustainable fuels for diesel engines and fuels containing particles will function as a fuel in diesel engines. Some microalgae such as Chlorella vulgaris are unicellular and 5–10 μm in size, which is suitable for combining in an emulsion fuel. An emulsion consisting of transesterified rapeseed oil, a surfactant and a slurry of C. vulgaris was used as a fuel in an unmodified single cylinder diesel engine. The fuel consumption and emissions of this fuel was determined and although the carbon monoxide levels were higher the NO_x emission was lower than that of diesel.     

Strongylus asini (Nematoda, Strongyloidea): Genetic relationships with other strongylus species determined by ribosomal DNA

Genomic DNA was isolated from adult Strongylus asini collected from zebra. The second ribosomal transcribed spacer (ITS-2) was amplified and sequenced using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based techniques. The DNA sequence was compared with previously published data for 3 related Strongylus species. A PCR-linked restriction fragment length polymorphism method allowed the 4 species to be differentiated unequivocally. The ITS-2 sequence of S. asini was found to be more similar to those of S. edentatus (87.1%) and S. equinus (95.3%) than to that of S. vulgaris (73.9%). This result confirms that S. asini and S. vulgaris represent separate species and supports the retention of the 4 species within 1 genus.     

Two multiplex sets of eight and five microsatellite markers for the European corn borer,Ostrinia nubilalis Hübner (Lepidoptera: Crambidae)

Primer sequence and polymorphism data are presented for 13 microsatellite loci isolated from the European corn borer moth, Ostrinia nubilalis, as part of a project to construct a linkage map for the two pheromone strains. Experimental conditions are described for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) multiplexing, which allows genotyping in two electrophoresis runs of eight and five markers each. In a sample of 27 individuals coming from one European locality, the number of alleles per locus ranged from one to 12, and gene diversity from 0 to 0.859. Seven loci showed a deficit of heterozygotes. Eleven loci cross‐amplify in the related Ostrinia furnacalis.     

光和水分胁迫对臭柏实生幼苗光化学效率及色素组成的影响

为探明毛乌素沙地3年生臭柏(Sabina vulgaris)实生苗在不同光照和水分条件下的光抑制响应机制,研究了各处理臭柏实生苗的最大光化学效率(F_v/F_m)及叶绿素(Chla+Chlb)和叶黄素(A+V+Z)含量,分析了其叶绿素循环和叶黄素循环的变化规律。结果表明,77%透光区通过减少Chlb含量,升高Chla/Chlb,避免光能过剩;同时,增加A+V+Z及热散逸色素(A+Z)含量、提高(A+V+Z)/(Chla+Chlb)和(A+V)/(A+V+Z)值,耗散过剩光能,避免光破坏。25%透光区的叶绿素和叶黄素循环机制随着水分条件的变化迅速发生改变。10%透光区通过增加Chlb含量,降低Chla/Chlb,捕捉更多的光能,几乎不存在光抑制。毛乌素臭柏实生幼苗能够适应不同的光照和水分条件,在恶劣的沙漠中完成天然更新,形成独特的群落景观,与叶绿素循环和叶黄素循环有着密切的关系。     

Cloning, sequencing, and expression of the meso-diaminopimelate dehydrogenase gene from Bacillus sphaericus

The gene encoding the meso-diaminopimelate dehydrogenase of Bacillus sphaericus was cloned into E. coli cells and its complete DNA sequence was determined. The meso-diaminopimelate dehydrogenase gene consisted of 978 nucleotides and encoded 326 amino acid residues corresponding to the subunit of the dimeric enzyme. The amino acid sequence deduced from the nucleotide sequence of the enzyme gene of B. sphaericus showed 50% identity with those of the enzymes from Corynebacterium glutamicum and Brevibacterium flavum. The enzyme gene from B. sphaericus was highly expressed in E. coli cells. We purified the enzyme to homogeneity from a transformant with 76% recovery. The N-terminal amino acid of both the enzyme from B. sphaericus and the transformant were serine, indicating that the N-terminal methionine is removed by post-translational modification in B. sphaericus and E. coli cells.     

Cloning and sequence analysis of the lipase and lipase chaperone-encoding genes from Acinetobacter calcoaceticus RAG-1, and redefinition of a Proteobacterial lipase family and an analogous lipase chaperone family

The genes encoding the lipase (LipA) and lipase chaperone (LipB) from Acinetobacter calcoaceticus RAG-1 were cloned and sequenced. The genes were isolated from a genomic DNA library by complementation of a lipase-deficient transposon mutant of the same strain. Transposon insertion in this mutant and three others was mapped to a single site in the chaperone gene. The deduced amino acid (aa) sequences for the lipase and its chaperone were found to encode mature proteins of 313 aa (32.5 kDa) and 347 aa (38.6 kDa), respectively. The lipase contained a putative leader sequence, as well as the conserved Ser, His, and Asp residues which are known to function as the catalytic triad in other lipases. A possible trans-membrane hydrophobic helix was identified in the N-terminal region of the chaperone. Phylogenetic comparisons showed that LipA, together with the lipases of A. calcoaceticus BD413, Vibrio cholerae El Tor, and Proteus vulgaris K80, were members of a previously described family of Pseudomonas and Burkholderia lipases. This new family, which we redefine as the Group I Proteobacterial lipases, was subdivided into four subfamilies on the basis of overall sequence homology and conservation of residues which are unique to the subfamilies. LipB, moreover, was found to be a member of an analogous family of lipase chaperones. We propose that the lipases produced by P. fluorescens and Serratia marcescens, which comprise a second sequence family, be referred to as the Group II Proteobacterial lipases. Evidence is provided to support the hypothesis that both the Group I and Group II families have evolved from a combination of common descent and lateral gene transfer.     

Genetics of two colonies of Glossina pallidipes originating from allopatric populations in Kenya

Abstract Two large colonies, originating from allopatric populations of Glossina pallidipes Austen, in the Shimba Hills and Nguruman, Kenya, which differ biologically and with respect to vectorial competence, were compared at fourteen enzyme loci using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The colonies had similar levels of genetic diversity with approximately half of the loci being polymorphic, an average of 1.6-1.7 alleles per locus, and a mean heterozygosity per locus of approximately 18.4%. However, the colonies differed significantly in allele frequencies at the loci for phosphoglucomutase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, xanthine oxidase, octanol dehydrogenase and phosphoglucose isomerase. The results were compared with earlier studies on this species and no evidence was found for selection of specific alleles during establishment or maintenance of colonies of G.pallidipes , nor were specific chromosomes, or marker genes, associated with the biological differences between the two colonies.     

小型湖泊水生植物栽培对轮虫群落结构的影响

为了解水生植物栽培对水环境及轮虫群落结构的影响,于2015年10月至2016年9月,对广州市暨南大学校园两个小型湖泊——明湖和南湖进行了周年调查.明湖无水生植物生长,南湖3—10月有水生植物轮叶黑藻生长,其中6—9月为植物旺盛生长时期.调查发现: 两湖共记录轮虫50种,分属于23个属,其中臂尾轮属、异尾轮属和腔轮属种类较多,均有8种.明湖记录轮虫32种,南湖记录39种. 明湖优势种主要有广布多肢轮虫、暗小异尾轮虫和微型多突轮虫;南湖优势种主要有螺形龟甲轮虫、爱德里亚狭甲轮虫和囊形腔轮虫.明湖轮虫丰度在2015年10月最高,达到3790 ind·L^-1,2016年3月最低,为854 ind·L^-1.南湖轮虫丰度在2015年11月最高,达到3555 ind·L^-1,2016年1月最低,为977 ind·L^-1.相似性分析表明,明湖与南湖水体轮虫群落结构差异显著,其中螺形龟甲轮虫为两湖群落结构差异贡献率最高的物种,其次为广布多肢轮虫.冗余分析表明,明湖轮虫群落结构主要受总磷、叶绿素a、水温的影响;南湖水生植物旺盛生长期,轮虫群落结构受总磷、温度、叶绿素a、深度的影响较大,优势种为底栖的无棘鳞冠轮虫、爱德里亚狭甲轮虫和囊形腔轮虫;水生植物开始生长时期主要受总氮和透明度的影响,优势种为浮游的广布多肢轮虫和等棘异尾轮虫;而无水生植物生长期主要受pH和溶解氧的影响较大,优势种亦为浮游性种,广布多肢轮虫、裂痕龟纹轮虫等.水生植物生长可有效降低N、P营养盐浓度,改善水质,增加空间异质性,支持更多轮虫种类生存,对水域生态系统的稳定具有重要作用.