城市绿地可达性和居民福祉关系研究综述

城市绿地为居民提供了丰富的生态系统服务,有助于提高居民的生活质量,促进居民身心健康,因此对居民人类福祉和城市可持续性具有重要意义。对国内外围绕绿地可达性及其与居民福祉的关系开展的研究进行了梳理和归纳,总结了绿地可达性的常用计算方法,梳理了绿地可达性与居民使用绿地、居民健康以及居民社会经济水平的关系研究,归纳了绿地供给和居民需求评价研究。综述发现,绿地可达性估算的主要方法包括行政或统计单元计算法、最小邻近距离法、服务区法和引力模型法;绿地可达性对居民健康的正面影响已得到广泛证实;但是在多数城市中绿地在空间上(尤其是城区-郊区梯度上)的分布都存在较大差异;一些研究发现社会经济水平低的居民绿地可达性更低,但这种关系在其他地区不一定成立。对未来的绿地可达性相关研究方向进行了展望,包括:更全面地量化绿地内部生物多样性、景观格局等特征,并分析其对居民福祉的影响;对公园以外其他类型的绿地与健康以外的人类福祉的关系进行更广泛的探讨,并在不同地区开展实证研究,以便对比不同社会经济文化背景下,绿地与居民福祉关系的差异;进一步开展基于多时相绿地格局和人群队列的纵向研究,探讨绿地与居民福祉的动态关系,以及社会经济过程对其的影响,从而更好地服务于城市规划和管理。     

Uptake of testosterone by tissues of human fetal prostatic rudiments

The common and specific uptake of 3H-testosterone (3H-T) by tissues of urogenital sinus (UGS) and bladder (BL) in human 10-12 weeks fetuses was studied. The values of common and specific 3H-T uptake in UGS were significantly higher than those in BL. A high specific uptake of labeled hormone was also detected in UGS mesenchyme separated from epithelium. The authors did not reveal any sexual dimorphism of 3H-T uptake by UGS tissues.     

城市绿地供需的差异与联系研究进展

作为连接城市绿地与居民需求的重要概念,绿地供需是城市绿地研究和规划决策的重要内容。识别城市绿地供给与需求的区别和关联,有助于城市绿地合理配置、人类福祉提升和城市的可持续发展。本文梳理2016—2020年城市绿地供需研究的主要议题和研究模式,探讨不同议题的差异与联系,并对未来城市绿地供需关系研究提出建议。综述发现,多数研究从供给或需求一方面开展研究,较少将城市供给与需求研究结合一起分析。供给方面主要关注绿地时空分布特征与生态系统服务供给,需求方面侧重于研究居民对绿地的主观偏好与行为。绿地供给、需求的研究对象、研究尺度与研究指标存在较大差异,是二者难以建立联系的主要因素。今后的研究应注重绿地供需匹配的情况。基于主观偏好/客观指标的绿地供需整合研究,是城市绿地供需关系研究的重要方向。     

城市绿地微生物及其对城市化的响应

城市绿地微生物的稳定性是城市绿地发挥其重要生态系统功能的重要因素。人类世时代的快速城市化会改变城市绿地土壤理化性质、输入新兴污染物、加剧微生物生态系统潜在风险、改变微生物群落多样性及生态系统功能多样性,深远地影响了城市绿地的生态系统服务功能。本文综述了城市绿地微生物的特征,以及城市化进程对城市绿地微生物组（包括土壤、植物叶际和空气）、抗生素抗性基因、病原微生物和稀有物种群落的影响。与自然微生物相比,城市绿地微生物普遍具有较高的异质性,受人类活动影响大。同时,抗生素抗性基因水平以及人类致病菌数量则显著增加,体现了城市化对城市绿地生态系统健康和功能的扰动。今后研究中应更加关注城市化对于城市绿地微生物的影响,为其对人群健康影响风险评价提供可靠理论支持。     

Characterization of fetal urogenital sinus-induced prostatic hyperplasia in the mouse: time course, hormonal requirement, age dependency, and responsiveness of various adult organs to growth induction by fetal urogenital sinus tissues

Mouse prostatic hyperplasia can be induced experimentally by the direct implantation of fetal urogenital sinus (UGS) or its mesenchyme (UGM) tissue in situ. This study characterized the time course, the requirement of sex steroids, and the optimal ages of donor and host tissues necessary to induce the maximal overgrowth of the adult mouse prostate gland in this model system. To test the potential uses of these fetal inductors as general growth-promoting substances for other adult organs, we have also tested directly the activity of fetal UGS in several non-UGS-derived adult organs. These results were compared with the growth-promoting effect achieved by fetal UGM in order to gain further insight into the relative contribution of UGS/UGM in the overall growth responses. Peak DNA synthesis in the implanted prostate occurred at three time periods-Days 4, 7-16, and 35. At Day 4, DNA synthesis may have reflected tissue repair following surgical trauma, but the DNA synthesis on Days 7-16 and 35 is attributable to growth of the chimeric (enlarged) prostate gland. Initiation and maintenance of hyperplasia required testicular androgens. Exogenous testosterone propionate (175 micrograms/day) did not induce additional prostatic overgrowth in intact, sexually mature hosts, but promoted additional overgrowth in immature and pubertal hosts. Exogenous estrogen (17 beta-estradiol dipropionate, 20 micrograms/day) inhibited fetal UGS-induced prostatic overgrowth by inhibiting the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis. UGS derived from fetuses of Days 14, 16, or 18 of gestation had similar growth-inductive capability in intact adult hosts, but this capability was restricted soon after birth.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Endocrine disrupter bisphenol A increases in situ estrogen production in the mouse urogenital sinus

The balance between androgens and estrogens is very important in the development of the prostate, and even small changes in estrogen levels, including those of estrogen-mimicking chemicals, can lead to serious changes. Bisphenol A (BPA), an endocrine-disrupting chemical, is a well-known, ubiquitous, estrogenic chemical. To investigate the effects of fetal exposure to low-dose BPA on the development of the prostate, we examined alterations of the in situ sex steroid hormonal environment in the mouse urogenital sinus (UGS). In the BPA-treated UGS, estradiol (E(2)) levels and CYP19A1 (cytochrome P450 aromatase) activity were significantly increased compared with those of the untreated and diethylstilbestrol (DES)-treated UGS. The mRNAs of steroidogenic enzymes, Cyp19a1 and Cyp11a1, and the sex-determining gene, Nr5a1, were up-regulated specifically in the BPA-treated group. The up-regulation of mRNAs was observed in the mesenchymal component of the UGS as well as in the cerebellum, heart, kidney, and ovary but not in the testis. The number of aromatase-expressing mesenchymal cells in the BPA-treated UGS was approximately twice that in the untreated and DES-treated UGS. The up-regulation of Esrrg mRNA was observed in organs for which mRNAs of steroidogenic enzymes were also up-regulated. We demonstrate here that fetal exposure to low-dose BPA has the unique action of increasing in situ E(2) levels and CYP19A1 (aromatase) activity in the mouse UGS. Our data suggest that BPA might interact with in situ steroidogenesis by altering tissue components, such as the accumulation of aromatase-expressing mesenchymal cells, in particular organs.     

城市绿地土壤健康质量问题与对策

城市绿地土壤质量是保障绿化植物健康生长的基础,也是保障绿地为城市及其居民提供健康生态系统服务和城市可持续发展的重要基础。目前在提升城市绿地土壤质量方面,主要关注了肥力质量和环境质量方面的问题,对健康质量方面的问题还较少关注。本文综述了土壤健康质量的概念、内涵及其评价指标,总结了城市绿地土壤健康质量所面临的主要问题和挑战,提出了提升城市绿地土壤健康质量的途径和策略,展望了今后有关城市绿地土壤健康质量的研究方向。旨在引起人们对城市绿地土壤质量,特别是城市绿地土壤健康质量的重视,以充分认识到全面提升城市绿地土壤质量、为城市可持续发展和生态城市建设提供有力支撑的重要意义。     

A microbiological study of an underground gas storage in the process of gas extraction

The numbers of microorganisms belonging to ecologically significant groups and the rates of terminal microbial processes of sulfate reduction and methanogenesis were determined in the liquid phase of an underground gas storage (UGS) in the period of gas extraction. The total number of microorganisms in water samples from the operation and injection wells reached 2.1 x 10(6) cells/ml. Aerobic organotrophs (including hydrocarbon- and oil-oxidizing ones) and various anaerobic microorganisms (fermenting bacteria, methanogens, acetogens, sulfate-, nitrate-, and iron-reducing bacteria) were constituent parts of the community. The radioisotopic method showed that, in all the UGS units, the terminal stages of organic matter decomposition included sulfate reduction and methanogenesis, with the maximal rate of these processes recorded in the aqueous phase of above-ground technological equipment which the gas enters from the operation wells. A comparative analysis by these parameters of different anaerobic ecotopes, including natural hydrocarbon fields, allows us to assess the rate of these processes in the UGS as high throughout the annual cycle of its operation. The data obtained indicate the existence in the UGS of a bacterial community that is unique in its diversity and metabolic capacities and able to make a certain contribution to the geochemistry of organic and inorganic compounds in the natural and technogenic ecosystem of the UGS and thus influence the industrial gas composition.     

Is urban green space per capita a valuable target to achieve cities’ sustainability goals? Romania as a case study

Urban green infrastructure is considered to be a key element in improving quality of life and creating an appropriate framework for sustainable cities. The most used quantitative indicator to assess urban green infrastructure is urban green space (UGS) per capita. This papeŕs aim is to analyze whether UGS is a valuable target to achieve cities’ sustainability goals. We used Romania as a case study, which should meet the target of 26 m² of UGS per inhabitants in all cities. Aerial images were used to extract the surface of the UGS categories for a sample of 38 cities in Romania. We compared our data with three other databases (National Institute of Statistics, Environmental Protection Agencies and Urban Atlas) to check for differences. To understand the contribution of geographic and socio-economic factors to the dynamic of the UGS per capita in Romania’s cities, we used a multiple linear regression. To identify differences between cities in terms of their proportions of UGS, multiple correspondence analysis was performed. We found significant differences between the surface of UGS reported by the administrative offices and that resulting from the spatial analysis. The process of reporting UGS data currently has methodological and perspective shortcomings. Moreover, the density of the built-up space, the proximity to major transport infrastructure, the cities’ founding period and the geomorphology criteria are important predictors for the UGS. The target of 26 m² of green area per inhabitant in all Romanian cities is not feasible and it should consider the cities’ characteristics, if you want to achieve sustainability goals. Urban green planning should focus more on the development of urban green infrastructure models that are adapted to each type of urban area.     

A microbiological study of an underground gas storage in the process of gas extraction

The numbers of microorganisms belonging to ecologically significant groups and the rates of terminal microbial processes of sulfate reduction and methanogenesis were determined in the liquid phase of an underground gas storage (UGS) in the period of gas extraction. The total number of microorganisms in water samples from the operation and injection wells reached 2.1 × 10⁶ cells/ml. Aerobic organotrophs (including hydrocarbon-and oil-oxidizing ones) and various anaerobic microorganisms (fermenting bacteria, methanogens, acetogens, sulfate-, nitrate-, and iron-reducing bacteria) were constituent parts of the community. The radioisotopic method showed that, in all the UGS units, the terminal stages of organic matter decomposition included sulfate reduction and methanogenesis, with the maximal rate of these processes recorded in the aqueous phase of above-ground technological equipment which the gas enters from the operation wells. A comparative analysis by these parameters of different anaerobic ecotopes, including natural hydrocarbon fields, allows us to assess the rate of these processes in the UGS as high throughout the annual cycle of its operation. The data obtained indicate the existence in the UGS of a bacterial community that is unique in its diversity and metabolic capacities and able to make a certain contribution to the geochemistry of organic and inorganic compounds in the natural and technogenic ecosystem of the UGS and thus influence the industrial gas composition.     

The pineal gland, but not melatonin, is associated with the termination of seasonal testicular activity in an annual reproductive cycle in roseringed parakeet Psittacula krameri

The role of the pineal gland and its hormone melatonin in the regulation of annual testicular events was investigated for the first time in a psittacine bird, the roseringed parakeet (Psittacula krameri). Accordingly, the testicular responsiveness of the birds was evaluated following surgical pinealectomy with or without the exogenous administration of melatonin and the experimental manipulations of the endogenous levels of melatonin through exposing the birds to continuous illumination. An identical schedule was followed during the four reproductive phases, each characterizing a distinct testicular status in the annual cycle, namely, the phases of gametogenic quiescence (preparatory phase), seasonal recovery of gametogenesis (progressive phase), seasonal initiation of sperm formation (pre-breeding phase), and peak gametogenic activity (breeding phase). In each reproductive phase, the birds were subjected to various experimental conditions, and the effects were studied comparing the testicular conditions in the respective control birds. The study included germ cell profiles of the seminiferous tubules, the activities of steroidogenic enzymes 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17β-HSD), and Δ⁵3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (Δ⁵3β- HSD) in the testis, and the serum levels of testosterone and melatonin. An analysis of the data reveals that the pineal gland and its hormone melatonin may play an inhibitory role in the development of the testis until the attainment of the seasonal peak in the annual reproductive cycle. However, in all probability, the termination of the seasonal activity of the testis or the initiation of testicular regression in the annual reproductive cycle appears to be the function of the pineal gland, but not of melatonin.     

The Pineal Gland,but Not Melatonin,Is Associated with the Termination of Seasonal Testicular Activity in an Annual Reproductive Cycle in Roseringed Parakeet Psittacula krameri

The role of the pineal gland and its hormone melatonin in the regulation of annual testicular events was investigated for the first time in a psittacine bird, the roseringed parakeet (Psittacula krameri). Accordingly, the testicular responsiveness of the birds was evaluated following surgical pinealectomy with or without the exogenous administration of melatonin and the experimental manipulations of the endogenous levels of melatonin through exposing the birds to continuous illumination. An identical schedule was followed during the four reproductive phases, each characterizing a distinct testicular status in the annual cycle, namely, the phases of gametogenic quiescence (preparatory phase), seasonal recovery of gametogenesis (progressive phase), seasonal initiation of sperm formation (pre‐breeding phase), and peak gametogenic activity (breeding phase). In each reproductive phase, the birds were subjected to various experimental conditions, and the effects were studied comparing the testicular conditions in the respective control birds. The study included germ cell profiles of the seminiferous tubules, the activities of steroidogenic enzymes 17β‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17β‐HSD), and Δ⁵3β‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (Δ⁵3β‐ HSD) in the testis, and the serum levels of testosterone and melatonin. An analysis of the data reveals that the pineal gland and its hormone melatonin may play an inhibitory role in the development of the testis until the attainment of the seasonal peak in the annual reproductive cycle. However, in all probability, the termination of the seasonal activity of the testis or the initiation of testicular regression in the annual reproductive cycle appears to be the function of the pineal gland, but not of melatonin.     

Sex specific retinoic acid signaling is required for the initiation of urogenital sinus bud development

The mammalian urogenital sinus (UGS) develops in a sex specific manner, giving rise to the prostate in the male and the sinus vagina in the embryonic female. Androgens, produced by the embryonic testis, have been shown to be crucial to this process. In this study we show that retinoic acid signaling is required for the initial stages of bud development from the male UGS. Enzymes involved in retinoic acid synthesis are expressed in the UGS mesenchyme in a sex specific manner and addition of ligand to female tissue is able to induce prostate-like bud formation in the absence of androgens, albeit at reduced potency. Functional studies in mouse organ cultures that faithfully reproduce the initiation of prostate development indicate that one of the roles of retinoic acid signaling in the male is to inhibit the expression of Inhba, which encodes the βA subunit of Activin, in the UGS mesenchyme. Through in vivo genetic analysis and culture studies we show that inhibition of Activin signaling in the female UGS leads to a similar phenotype to that of retinoic acid treatment, namely bud formation in the absence of androgens. Our data also reveals that both androgens and retinoic acid have extra independent roles to that of repressing Activin signaling in the development of the prostate during fetal stages. This study identifies a novel role for retinoic acid as a mesenchymal factor that acts together with androgens to determine the position and initiation of bud development in the male UGS epithelia.     

FGF-10 plays an essential role in the growth of the fetal prostate

Induction and branching morphogenesis of the prostate are dependent on androgens, which act via the mesenchyme to induce prostatic epithelial development. One mechanism by which the mesenchyme may regulate the epithelium is through secreted growth factors such as FGF-10. We have examined the male reproductive tract of FGF-10(-/-) mice, and at birth, most of the male secondary sex organs were absent or atrophic, including the prostate, seminal vesicle, bulbourethral gland, and caudal ductus deferens. Rudimentary prostatic buds were occasionally observed in the prostatic anlagen, the urogenital sinus (UGS) of FGF-10(-/-) mice. FGF-10(-/-) testes produced sufficient androgens to induce prostatic development in control UGS organ cultures. Prostatic rudiments from FGF-10(-/-) mice transplanted into intact male hosts grew very little, but showed some signs of prostatic differentiation. In cultures of UGS, the FGF-10 null phenotype was partially reversed by the addition of FGF-10 and testosterone, resulting in the formation of prostatic buds. FGF-10 alone did not stimulate prostatic bud formation in control or FGF-10(-/-) UGS. Thus, FGF-10 appears to act as a growth factor which is required for development of the prostate and several other accessory sex organs.     

WNT5A selectively inhibits mouse ventral prostate development

The establishment of prostatic budding patterns occurs early in prostate development but mechanisms responsible for this event are poorly understood. We investigated the role of WNT5A in patterning prostatic buds as they emerge from the fetal mouse urogenital sinus (UGS). Wnt5a mRNA was expressed in UGS mesenchyme during budding and was focally up-regulated as buds emerged from the anterior, dorsolateral, and ventral UGS regions. We observed abnormal UGS morphology and prostatic bud patterns in Wnt5a null male fetuses, demonstrated that prostatic bud number was decreased by recombinant mouse WNT5A protein during wild type UGS morphogenesis in vitro, and showed that ventral prostate development was selectively impaired when these WNT5A-treated UGSs were grafted under under kidney capsules of immunodeficient mice and grown for 28 d. Moreover, a WNT5A inhibitory antibody, added to UGS organ culture media, rescued prostatic budding from inhibition by a ventral prostatic bud inhibitor, 2,3,8,7-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin, and restored ventral prostate morphogenesis when these tissues were grafted under immunodeficient mouse kidney capsules and grown for 28 d. These results suggest that WNT5A participates in prostatic bud patterning by restricting mouse ventral prostate development.     

The role of the pineal gland in the photoperiodic control of bird song frequency and repertoire in the house sparrow, Passer domesticus

Temperate zone birds are highly seasonal in many aspects of their physiology. In mammals, but not in birds, the pineal gland is an important component regulating seasonal patterns of primary gonadal functions. Pineal melatonin in birds instead affects seasonal changes in brain song control structures, suggesting the pineal gland regulates seasonal song behavior. The present study tests the hypothesis that the pineal gland transduces photoperiodic information to the control of seasonal song behavior to synchronize this important behavior to the appropriate phenology. House sparrows, Passer domesticus, expressed a rich array of vocalizations ranging from calls to multisyllabic songs and motifs of songs that varied under a regimen of different photoperiodic conditions that were simulated at different times of year. Control (SHAM) birds exhibited increases in song behavior when they were experimentally transferred from short days, simulating winter, to equinoctial and long days, simulating summer, and decreased vocalization when they were transferred back to short days. When maintained in long days for longer periods, the birds became reproductively photorefractory as measured by the yellowing of the birds' bills; however, song behavior persisted in the SHAM birds, suggesting a dissociation of reproduction from the song functions. Pinealectomized (PINX) birds expressed larger, more rapid increases in daily vocal rate and song repertoire size than did the SHAM birds during the long summer days. These increases gradually declined upon the extension of the long days and did not respond to the transfer to short days as was observed in the SHAM birds, suggesting that the pineal gland conveys photoperiodic information to the vocal control system, which in turn regulates song behavior.     

A microbiological study of an underground gas storage in the process of gas injection

The liquid phase of different units of an underground gas storage (UGS) in the period of gas injection was studied with respect to its hydrochemical composition and characterized microbiologically. The presence of viable aerobic and anaerobic bacteria was revealed in the UGS stratal and associated waters. An important source of microorganisms and biogenic elements in the ecosystem studied is water and various technogenic admixtures contained in trace amounts in the gas entering from the gas main in the period of gas injection into the storage. Owing to this fact, the bacterial functional diversity, number, and activity are maximal in the system of gas treatment and purification and considerably lower in the observation well zone. At the terminal stages, the anaerobic transformation of organic matter in the UGS aqueous media occurs via sulfate reduction and methanogenesis; exceptionally high rates of these processes (up to 4.9 x 10(5) ng S(2-)l(-1) day(-1) and 2.8 x 10(6) nl CH4 l(-1) day(-1), respectively) were recorded for above-ground technological equipment.