KIN‐4/MAST kinase promotes PTEN‐mediated longevity of Caenorhabditis elegans via binding through a PDZ domain

PDZ domain‐containing proteins (PDZ proteins) act as scaffolds for protein–protein interactions and are crucial for a variety of signal transduction processes. However, the role of PDZ proteins in organismal lifespan and aging remains poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate that KIN‐4, a PDZ domain‐containing microtubule‐associated serine‐threonine (MAST) protein kinase, is a key longevity factor acting through binding PTEN phosphatase in Caenorhabditis elegans. Through a targeted genetic screen for PDZ proteins, we find that kin‐4 is required for the long lifespan of daf‐2/insulin/IGF‐1 receptor mutants. We then show that neurons are crucial tissues for the longevity‐promoting role of kin‐4. We find that the PDZ domain of KIN‐4 binds PTEN, a key factor for the longevity of daf‐2 mutants. Moreover, the interaction between KIN‐4 and PTEN is essential for the extended lifespan of daf‐2 mutants. As many aspects of lifespan regulation in C. elegans are evolutionarily conserved, MAST family kinases may regulate aging and/or age‐related diseases in mammals through their interaction with PTEN.     

The structure and luminescence properties of Mn2+/Eu2+/Er3+‐doped MgO‐Ga2O3‐SiO2 glasses and glass‐ceramics

The MgO–Ga₂O₃–SiO₂ glasses and glass‐ceramics samples doped with Eu²⁺/Mn²⁺/Er³⁺ and heated in reductive atmosphere were prepared by the sol–gel method. The structure, morphology and the luminescence properties were studied using X‐ray diffraction, high‐resolution transmission electron microscope, fluorescence spectra, and up‐conversion emission. The luminescence characteristics of doped ions could be influenced by temperature and matrix component. The characteristic emission of Mn²⁺, Eu²⁺ and Er³⁺ were seen and the energy transfer efficiency from Eu²⁺ to Mn²⁺ was enhanced as Mn²⁺ concentration was increased. In addition, the two‐photon process was determined for the Er³⁺‐doped samples.     

High‐Voltage Photogeneration Exclusively via Aggregation‐Induced Triplet States in a Heavy‐Atom‐Free Nonplanar Organic Semiconductor

The electron–hole recombination kinetics of organic photovoltaics (OPVs) are known to be sensitive to the relative energies of triplet and charge‐transfer (CT) states. Yet, the role of exciton spin in systems having CT states above 1.7 eV—like those in near‐ultraviolet‐harvesting OPVs—has largely not been investigated. Here, aggregation‐induced room‐temperature intersystem crossing (ISC) to facilitate exciton harvesting in OPVs having CT states as high as 2.3 eV and open‐circuit voltages exceeding 1.6 V is reported. Triplet excimers from energy‐band splitting result in ultrafast CT and charge separation with nonradiative energy losses of <250 meV, suggesting that a 0.1 eV driving force is sufficient for charge separation, with entropic gain via CT state delocalization being the main driver for exciton dissociation and generation of free charges. This finding can inform engineering of next‐generation active materials and films for near‐ultraviolet OPVs with open‐circuit voltages exceeding 2 V. Contrary to general belief, this work reveals that exclusive and efficient ISC need not require heavy‐atom‐containing active materials. Molecular aggregation through thin‐film processing provides an alternative route to accessing 100% triplet states on photoexcitation.     

Seasonal distribution of increased precipitation in maternal environments influences offspring performance of Potentilla tanacetifolia in a temperate steppe ecosystem

Aims Precipitation is predicted to increase in arid and semiarid regions under climate change, with greater changes in intra- and inter-annual distribution in the future. As a major limiting factor in these regions, changes in precipitation undoubtedly influence plant growth and productivity. However, how the temporal shifts in precipitation will impact plant populations are uncertain.     

CO2加富对盐胁迫下黄瓜幼苗叶片光合特性及活性氧代谢的影响

以‘津优35号’黄瓜(Cucumis sativus L.)水培苗为试材,采用裂区设计,主区因素为CO_2浓度处理,设大气CO_2浓度(Symbol{B@400μmol/mol)和CO_2加富[(800±40)μmol/mol]2个CO_2浓度水平,裂区因素为盐胁迫处理,用NaCl模拟盐胁迫,设对照(0 mmol/L NaCl)、盐胁迫(80 mmol/L NaCl)2个盐分水平,研究了CO_2加富对盐胁迫下黄瓜幼苗生长、光合特性及活性氧代谢的影响。结果表明:盐胁迫显著抑制黄瓜幼苗的生长,并降低了叶绿素含量、ETR、Φ_(PSII)、核酮糖-1,5-二磷酸羧化酶(RuBPCase)活性及净光合速率;盐胁迫增加了丙二醛及活性氧的累积,与此同时也提高了脯氨酸含量及超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性,但降低了过氧化物酶(POD)活性。CO_2加富显著提高了盐胁迫下黄瓜幼苗的株高、茎粗、叶面积及地上部鲜重,降低了叶绿素a、叶绿素b、类胡萝卜素及叶绿素(a+b)含量,但显著提高了净光合速率和RuBPCase活性,同时降低了气孔导度及蒸腾速率,并且使其具有较高的表观电子传递速率及PSII实际光化学效率;CO_2加富显著提高了盐胁迫下黄瓜幼苗叶片脯氨酸含量及SOD、POD、CAT活性,丙二醛、过氧化氢含量和超氧阴离子产生速率显著降低。综上所述,CO_2加富可通过提高幼苗叶片净光合速率、脯氨酸含量及抗氧化酶活性,降低蒸腾速率、减少丙二醛含量及活性氧的积累,从而缓解盐胁迫对黄瓜植株造成的伤害。     

菲菊头蝠回声定位声波频率的性二态有利于性别识别

许多动物的叫声频率呈现性二态现象。蝙蝠夜间活动,主要利用声音信号导航空间、追踪猎物、传递交流信息。本研究选择成体菲菊头蝠作为研究对象,检验回声定位声波频率性二态是否有利于性别识别。研究发现,菲菊头蝠回声定位声波频率参数具有显著性别差异。播放白噪音、雄性回声定位声波及雌性回声定位声波期间,实验个体的反应叫声数量依次递减。播放白噪音、雌性回声定位声波及雄性回声定位声波后,实验个体的反应叫声数量依次递增。白噪音诱导反应叫声强度高于回声定位声波诱导反应叫声强度。研究结果表明,菲菊头蝠回声定位声波的频率参数编码发声者性别信息,有利于种群内部的性别识别。本研究暗示,回声定位声波可能在蝙蝠配偶选择中扮演一定作用。     

不同林龄油茶人工林土壤酶化学计量及其影响因素

土壤酶化学计量比是揭示微生物生长代谢过程及评价土壤养分资源限制状况的重要指标。油茶是中国南方主要的木本油料作物,近年来愈来愈受关注,但鲜有从生态化学计量学的角度深入理解人工经济林的土壤微生物养分限制状况。本文以亚热带地区不同林龄油茶人工林土壤为研究对象,采用时空互代法在区域尺度上随机选取32个不同林龄油茶人工林并将其分为四个林龄组(9年幼龄林;9—20年近熟林;21—60年成熟林; 60年过熟林),通过测定土壤碳(C)、氮(N)、磷(P)转化酶活性(β-葡糖苷酶(BG)、α-纤维素酶(CBH)、β-乙酰葡糖胺糖苷酶(NAG)、亮氨酸氨基肽酶(LAP)、酸性磷酸酶(AP))及土壤理化因子,探讨不同林龄油茶人工林土壤C、N、P转化酶化学计量特征及其与土壤理化因子的关系。结果表明:五种C、N、P转化酶活性均有随林龄增大而增加的趋势,且AP活性显著高于其它四种酶活性。相关分析结果表明,五种土壤C、N、P转化酶活性均与土壤有机碳和总氮显著相关,与土壤总磷和速效磷含量不相关。土壤酶化学计量比ln(CBH+BG)∶ln(NAG+LAP)、ln(CBH+BG)∶ln(AP)和ln(NAG+LAP)∶ln(AP)均随林龄增大而一定程度增加。亚热带区油茶人工林土壤酶C∶N∶P化学计量比为1∶1∶1.5,这与全球生态系统土壤酶C∶N∶P化学计量比1∶1∶1相偏离,表明亚热带地区油茶人工林土壤微生物生长受磷素限制。冗余分析(RDA)进一步揭示土壤有机碳含量是影响土壤酶活性和酶化学计量比的主要因子。因此,在油茶人工林经营管理中应考虑磷和外源碳的投入,提高土壤微生物酶活性,缓解油茶人工林生态系统的磷限制。研究结果可为亚热带区油茶人工林土壤养分管理和可持续利用提供基础理论支撑。     

畜禽中药-益生菌复合微生态制剂的研究进展

畜禽中药-益生菌复合微生态制剂是指采用现代发酵技术将益生菌与中药联合发酵,发挥两者的协同作用,以提高畜禽免疫功能、保护畜禽健康的一种新型动物微生态制剂。文中通过调研近几年关于益生菌及中药微生态制剂等方面的文献,综述了畜禽中药-益生菌复合微生态制剂的产生背景及菌种特点,并重点阐述了畜禽中药-益生菌复合微生态制剂的作用机制、在畜禽养殖中的应用及存在问题与建议,以期为畜禽中药-益生菌复合微生态制剂的深入研究提供参考和依据。     

辣木叶乙醇提取物对非酒精性脂肪肝小鼠 模型血脂和氧化应激影响的研究

该研究以低剂量(5 mg·kg~(-1))、中剂量(30 mg·kg~(-1))和高剂量(60 mg·kg~(-1))的辣木叶乙醇提取物(EE-MO)干预高脂饮食诱导的非酒精性脂肪肝(NAFLD)小鼠动物模型。结果表明:(1)高剂量的EE-MO显著降低NAFLD小鼠的体重和肝湿重; EE-MO剂量依赖性地降低NAFLD小鼠血清TC、TG、HDL-C和LDLC含量;高剂量的EE-MO除降低上述生化指标外,还显著降低血清中FFA含量。(2) HE和苏丹红Ⅲ染色发现,EE-MO处理后,模型组小鼠的肝脂肪病变和细胞损伤得到显著改善。(3) EE-MO对NAFLD小鼠模型的血脂代谢具有改善作用。(4)高脂饮食诱导小鼠肝脏和血清的ROS和MDA的含量,诱导SOD、POD和CAT活性增加,降低GSH-Px活性。(5)低剂量、中剂量和高剂量的EE-MO依赖性地降低NAFLD小鼠肝脏和血清的ROS和MDA的含量,缓解氧化胁迫。(6)低剂量的EE-MO对SOD、POD、CAT和GSH-Px酶活性无显著影响;中剂量和高剂量的EE-MO处理后,NAFLD小鼠的SOD、POD和CAT酶活性显著下降,GSH-Px活性显著增加; EE-MO可能通过GSH-Px抗氧化酶途径缓解NAFLD小鼠的氧化胁迫。