在中国应用垂直波束雷达监测褐飞虱和其他水稻害虫迁飞的可行性

近年来,可用于昆虫迁飞研究且可自动运行的垂直波束雷达(vertical-looking radar,VLR)的发展使得对迁飞性害虫的周年长期自动监测成为可能。本文提供了我们对能否将这种雷达应用于中国的褐飞虱和其他水稻害虫的监测与预测体系以改善其综合治理的可行性研究结果。以往的研究已经表明,这些害虫一般在300—2000m高度迁飞;而我们根据褐飞虱的雷达和射有效截面的计算结果表明,目前使用的3．2cm波长的VLR对褐飞虱个体目标的最大可检测高度仅约240m;虽然建造一部8．8mm波长的VLR即可覆盖褐飞虱迁飞高度的绝大部分,但其造价和维护费用均过于昂贵。为此,一个更可行的解决方案是,以3．2cm波长的VLR作为包括大多数水稻害虫在内的个体较大的迁飞性害虫的监测工具。     

Diversity and Characterization of Sulfate-Reducing Bacteria in Groundwater at a Uranium Mill Tailings Site

Microbially mediated reduction and immobilization of U(VI) to U(IV) plays a role in both natural attenuation and accelerated bioremediation of uranium-contaminated sites. To realize bioremediation potential and accurately predict natural attenuation, it is important to first understand the microbial diversity of such sites. In this paper, the distribution of sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) in contaminated groundwater associated with a uranium mill tailings disposal site at Shiprock, N.Mex., was investigated. Two culture-independent analyses were employed: sequencing of clone libraries of PCR-amplified dissimilatory sulfite reductase (DSR) gene fragments and phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) biomarker analysis. A remarkable diversity among the DSR sequences was revealed, including sequences from δ-Proteobacteria, gram-positive organisms, and the Nitrospira division. PLFA analysis detected at least 52 different mid-chain-branched saturate PLFA and included a high proportion of 10me16:0. Desulfotomaculum and Desulfotomaculum-like sequences were the most dominant DSR genes detected. Those belonging to SRB within δ-Proteobacteria were mainly recovered from low-uranium (≤302 ppb) samples. One Desulfotomaculum-like sequence cluster overwhelmingly dominated high-U (>1,500 ppb) sites. Logistic regression showed a significant influence of uranium concentration over the dominance of this cluster of sequences (P = 0.0001). This strong association indicates that Desulfotomaculum has remarkable tolerance and adaptation to high levels of uranium and suggests the organism's possible involvement in natural attenuation of uranium. The in situ activity level of Desulfotomaculum in uranium-contaminated environments and its comparison to the activities of other SRB and other functional groups should be an important area for future research.     

Characterization of metal-resistant soil eubacteria by polymerase chain reaction--denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis with isolation of resistant strains.

Contamination of soils with heavy metal ions is a major problem on industrial and defense-related sites worldwide. The bioavailability and mobility of these contaminants is partially determined by the microbial biomass present at these sites. In this study, we have assessed the effect of the addition of a mixture of toxic metal salts on the prokaryotic community of microcosms consisting of sandy-loam soil using direct molecular analysis of the recoverable eubacterial 16S rDNA molecules by polymerase chain reaction--denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE) and limited phospholipid fatty acid analysis (PLFA). Addition of toxic metals (nonradioactive surrogates of Sr, Co, Cs, Cd) resulted in rapid (ca. 1 week) changes in the DGGE profile of the indigenous eubacterial community when compared with pristine controls. These changes were stable over the course of the experiment (8 weeks). No changes in the eubacterial population of control microcosms were detected. The major changes in community structure in metal-contaminated microcosms consisted of the appearance of four novel bands not detected in controls. Sequence analysis of these bands suggested that two organisms related to the genus Acinetobacter and two related to the genus Burkholderia carried a selective advantage over other indigenous eubacteria under heavy metal induced stress. The Burkholderia spp. were then cultured and further characterized using lipid analysis.     

Developments in terrestrial bacterial remediation of metals.

Recent advances in understanding the role and application of bacteria to the remediation of toxic metal and radionuclide contaminated terrestrial environments have come from several avenues. Novel species capable of mobilization and immobilization of metal ions have been discovered. Remediation of toxicity has been accelerated by nutrient amendment, the use of chelating agents and novel methods for phosphate amendment. Major advances in the use of natural and genetically engineered species for bioprotection and remediation of organic co-contaminants have been reported. Construction of wetland function continues to be developed for containment and decontamination of wastewaters.     

Jaw morphology and ontogeny in five species of Ophryotrocha

Detailed scanning electron microscopy of jaws within the genus Ophryotrocha (Dorvilleidae, Annelida) was performed on 871 jaw parts. The investigations resulted in new understandings of the ontogeny and jaw morphology and have systematic implications for the family. Five species in the genus (Ophryotrocha alborana, O. diadema, O. gracilis, O. hartmanni, and O. labronica pacifica) were kept in culture, and the development of the jaws was studied by sampling throughout their life history. Ophryotrocha species have mandibular plates that remain the same throughout ontogeny, whereas the posterior shafts elongate. Both mandibular plate morphology and shaft ontogeny have species‐specific distinctions. In Ophryotrocha, the maxillae can be assigned to three to four distinct types, which are replaced by moulting. The maxillary morphology and developmental stages at which moults occur are species specific, although with broad intervals. A redefinition is given for some of the basic jaw elements, and new homologies are proposed for structures that are also present across other dorvilleid taxa. J. Morphol. 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Cytochemical colocalization and quantitation of phenotypic and genotypic characteristics in individual bacterial cells.

The widely accepted view that most bacterial species have yet to be cultivated in vitro has gained support from recent ribosomal DNA-based environmental studies. To enable elucidation of the phenotypes of organisms recognized solely by molecular genetic techniques, we developed and evaluated cytochemical methods which colocalize phenotypic properties with in situ rRNA probe hybridization signals. Application of these methods to artificial mixtures of Pseudomonas putida and Escherichia coli or Vibrio vulnificus showed that biochemical properties, such as the cytochrome oxidase reaction and specific substrate-enhanced tetrazolium salt reduction, can be assigned to cells identified by signals from determinative fluorescent rRNA probe binding. By doing the reactions directly on the stage of an inverted microscope and monitoring reaction product formation with a charge-coupled device video camera, it was possible to determine the kinetics of oxidizable substrate utilization in single cells. Analysis of digitized images permitted quantitative study of the relationship between rRNA signal strength and the rate of tetrazolium salt reduction. The approach used in this study opens up new opportunities to investigate the biochemistry, physiology, and behavior of both culturable and nonculturable bacteria in their natural environments.     

Adenylic acid - rich sequences in influenza virus RNA.

Some influenza virus complementary RNA (cRNA) from infected chick cells is polyadenylated as judged by oligo(dT)-cellulose chromatography. However, none of the virion RNA or the vRNA synthesised in infected cells contain poly(A) sequences. cRNA containing poly(A) sequences was further characterised by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and under the conditions used only some size classes of cRNA were polyadenylated.     

An intraspecific gene duplication polymorphism of the urate oxidase gene of Drosophila virilis: a genetic and molecular analysis

Nineteen strains of Drosophila virilis from diverse geographic locations were examined by genetic and molecular analyses, revealing (a) 12 strains with a single copy of the urate oxidase (UO) gene per haploid genome and (b) 7 strains with a tandem duplication of the UO locus. The D. virilis strains with the UO duplication appear to have identical restriction maps of this region, implying either a single origin for the duplication or several similar events occurring at a hot spot. On the basis of the location of the duplication breakpoints and the restriction sites flanking these breakpoints, this duplication probably arose through nonhomologous recombination involving either a breakage and rejoining event or replication slippage. because documented cases of intraspecific gene duplication polymorphism are rare, the D. virilis UO duplication will be useful in identifying the molecular event giving rise to a gene duplication.      

7th SOSORT consensus paper: conservative treatment of idiopathic & Scheuermann's kyphosis

Abstract

Thoracic hyperkyphosis is a frequent problem and can impact greatly on patient's quality of life during adolescence. This condition can be idiopathic or secondary to Scheuermann disease, a disease disturbing vertebral growth. To date, there is no sound scientific data available on the management of this condition. Some studies discuss the effects of bracing, however no guidelines, protocols or indication's of treatment for this condition were found. The aim of this paper was to develop and verify the consensus on managing thoracic hyperkyphosis patients treated with braces and/or physiotherapy.

Methods

The Delphi process was utilised in four steps gradually modified according to the results of a set of recommendations: we involved the SOSORT Board twice, then all SOSORT members twice, with a Pre-Meeting Questionnaire (PMQ), and during a Consensus Session at the SOSORT Lyon Meeting with a Meeting Questionnaire (MQ).

Results

There was an unanimous agreement on the general efficacy of bracing and physiotherapy for this condition. Most experts suggested the use of 4-5 point bracing systems, however there was some controversy with regards to physiotherapeutic aims and modalities.

Conclusion

The SOSORT panel of experts suggest the use of rigid braces and physiotherapy to correct thoracic hyperkyphosis during adolescence. The evaluation of specific braces and physiotherapy techniques has been recommended.