Genetic mapping of maize streak virus resistance from the Mascarene source. II. Resistance in line CIRAD390 and stability across germplasm

The streak disease has a major effect on maize in sub-Saharan Africa. Various genetic factors for resistance to the virus have been identified and mapped in several populations; these factors derive from different sources of resistance. We have focused on the Réunion island source and have recently identified several factors in the D211 line. A second very resistant line, CIRAD390, was crossed to the same susceptible parent, B73. The linkage map comprised 124 RFLP markers, of which 79 were common with the D211×B73 map. A row-column design was used to evaluate the resistance to maize streak virus (MSV) of 191 F_2:3 families under artificial infestation at two locations: Harare (Zimbabwe) and in Réunion island. Weekly ratings of resistance were taken and disease incidence and severity calculated. QTL analyses were conducted for each scoring date and for the integration over time of the disease scores, of incidence, and of severity. Heritability estimates (71–98%) were as high as for the D211×B73 population. Eight QTLs were detected on chromosomes 1, 2, 3, 5 (two QTLs), 6, 8, and 10. The chr1-QTL explained the highest proportion of phenotypic variation, about 45%. The QTLs on chromosomes 1, 2, and 10 were located in the same chromosomal bin as QTLs for MSV resistance in the D211×B73 population. In a simultaneous fit, QTLs explained together 43–67% of the phenotypic variation. The QTLs on chromosomes 3, 5, and 6 appeared to be specific for one or the other component of the resistance. For the chr3-QTL, resistance was contributed by the susceptible parent. There were significant QTL × environment interactions for some of the variables studied, but QTLs were stable in the two environments. They also appeared to be stable over time. Global gene action ranged from partial dominance to overdominance, except for disease severity. Some additional putative QTLs were also detected. The major QTL on chromosome 1 seemed to be common to the other sources of resistance, namely Tzi4, a tolerant line from IITA, and CML202 from CIMMYT. However, the distribution of the other QTLs within the genome revealed differences in Réunion germplasm and across these other resistance sources. This diversity is of great importance when considering the durability of the resistance. Received: 15 June 1998 / Accepted: 30 January 1999     

Morphological and mechanical characterisation of the hindwing nodus from the Libellulidae family of dragonfly (Indonesia)

In this communication, the morphologies and mechanical characteristics of nodi from the hindwings of seven Indonesian Libellulidae dragonfly species are identified. Geometrical analyses reveal that in all species, the shape of dorsal face resilin is relatively long and thin while ventral face resilin covers a greater surface area than dorsal face resilin, and is shaped like a hook. Finite element analyses reveal that the magnitude of strain energy may differ considerably between species, even though the locations of highest strain energy are usually the same. Importantly, a correlation is found to exist between the mechanical forces that build up in the resilin, the face under investigation (dorsal or ventral) and the elongational shape factor of the resilin.     

Generation of a Brassica oleracea composite RFLP map: linkage arrangements among various populations and evolutionary implications

Summary A composite linkage map of Brassica oleracea was developed from maps of four different populations, derived from 108 DNA, isozyme and morphological loci covering over 747 centimorgans in 11 linkage groups. Of these linkage groups, 8 were assigned to their respective chromosomes by alignment with gene synteny groups of B. oleracea. Distortions in segregation ratios increased with the level of divergence of the parents and were attributed to differentiation of parental chromosomes. Comparison of the individual maps demonstrates that the B. oleracea genome undergoes frequent chromosomal rearrangement, even at the subspecies level. Small inversions were the most frequent form of aberration followed by translocations. The former type of aberration could occur without a noticeable effect on meiotic behavior of chromosomes or on pollen fertility. The obvious deduction from the composite map is that a large fraction of the B. oleracea genome is duplicated, falling into three classes: randomly dispersed, linked-gene families, and blocks duplicated in non-homologous chromosomes. The genealogy of chromosomes sharing duplicated segments was formulated and indicates that B. oleracea is a secondary polyploid species derived from ancestral genome(s) of fewer chromosomes.     

Environmental Performance Index at the Provincial Level for China 2006–2011

In recent years, China has experienced rapid economic development and thousands of people escaped from poverty. However, this high-speed development has also led to increased pressure on the environment. Although the Chinese government has focused on solving environmental problems for the past few decades, it appears to have had little effect. Environmental performance evaluation (EPE) is a quantifiable environmental management tool that can evaluate environmental protection effects and provide guidance to improve government efficiency. We use EPE to evaluate China’s environmental performance at the provincial level between 2006 and 2011. In this study, the theme framework and driver force-pressure-state-impact-response (DPSIR) framework models are used to build the composite index (CI) for environmental performance. This index includes 39 indicators in four categories that were selected based on data that can be acquired from China’s Statistical Bureau. The results indicate that the environmental performance index (EPI) of 30 provincial administrative regions (PARs) from 2006 to 2011 ranges from 44.12 (Shanxi, 2006) to 80.87 (Beijing, 2010), from poor to good, respectively. To help develop more effective policies to improve China’s regional environmental performance, cluster analysis (CLA) is applied to divide the 30 PARs into 3 sub-regions. Recommendations for improving the environmental performance of different sub-regions are made to help guide the Chinese government to adjust environmental governance approaches to local conditions.     

Novel chitin/nanosilica composite scaffolds for bone tissue engineering applications

Biopolymers like chitin are widely investigated as scaffolds in bone tissue engineering. Its properties like biocompatibility, biodegradability, non-toxicity, wound healing ability, antibacterial activity, hemostatic property, etc., are widely known. However, these materials are not much bioactive. Addition of material like silica can improve the bioactivity and biocompatibility of chitin. In this work, chitin composite scaffolds containing nanosilica were prepared using chitin hydrogel and their bioactivity, swelling ability and cytotoxicity was analyzed in vitro. These scaffolds were found to be bioactive in simulated body fluid (SBF) and biocompatible when tested with MG 63 cell line. These results suggest that chitin/nanosilica composite scaffolds can be useful for bone tissue engineering applications.     

甲壳素/海藻酸钠-纳米羟基磷灰石多孔复合支架材料的实验研究(英文)

目的:制备性能优良的复合支架一直是骨组织工程学研究的重点和难点。比较分析甲壳素对复合支架材料的孔隙率、含水量、降解率及生物力学特性的影响。方法:将甲壳素溶液与海藻酸钠溶液充分混合,然后将一定质量的羟基磷灰石加入混合液。根据甲壳素溶液在混合液中的质量分数不同分为两组:sca1(0%chitin)、sca2(50%chitin)。扫描电镜下观察材料的表面结构以及检测材料的孔径。测量并计算出复合支架材料的孔隙率、降解率、含水量以及生物力学性能。结果:两组支架材料均表现为多孔隙结构,平均孔径大小分别为:121.2±12.6μm、213.3±27.3μm。孔隙率分别为:(90.53±1.62)%、(87.73±1.22)%,统计学分析显示,两组材料孔隙率的差异比较有统计学意义(P0.05)。两组支架材料第6周的降解率分别(:59.12±1.93)%、(22.91±0.953)%,统计学分析显示,两组材料降解率的差异比较有统计学意义(P0.05)。两组含水量分别为:(95.52±1.17)%、(90.42±0.85)%,统计学分析显示,两组材料含水量的差异比较有统计学意义(P0.05)。第二组生物力学特性显著提高。结论:从本实验的实验数据可以看出,甲壳素可以增大材料的孔径,提高材料的降解稳定性,提高材料的生物力学强度。因此,甲壳素在骨组织工程领域具有重要的研究价值,同时为今后的进一步实验提供一定的实验依据。关键词:甲壳素;海藻酸钠;纳米羟基磷灰石;复合支架材料;组织工程     

Assessment of conditions affecting <Emphasis Type="Italic">Agrobacterium</Emphasis> <Emphasis Type="Italic">rhizogenes</Emphasis>-mediated transformation of soybean

Agrobacterium rhizogenes-mediated transformation has become a powerful tool for studying gene function and root biology due to its quick and simple methodology. This transformation method is particularly suitable for those plants, including legumes, whose transformation using Agrobacterium tumefaciens has been challenging. Although there are some reports on A. rhizogenes-mediated transformation of legumes to produce ‘composite’ plants, conditions influencing A. rhizogenes-mediated transformation of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] have not been yet fully investigated. To better understand A. rhizogenes-mediated root transformation in soybean, we have evaluated the impact of genotype, plant age for infection, bacterial inoculating concentration, inoculation temperature, and other factors on transformation of soybean. The results have shown that there are significant differences among soybean genotypes in their susceptibility to A. rhizogenes. Soybean cv. Zigongdongdou is the most susceptible to A. rhizogenes strain K599 among 10 genotypes tested. The effects of seedling age have been evaluated, and 1-day-old plantlets are found to be optimal for hairy root induction. There are no significant differences in hairy root induction for bacterial suspension from OD₆₀₀ = 0.2 to OD₆₀₀ = 1.2. Under 16 h photoperiod, hairy roots can be induced both at 23°C/20°C and 28°C/25°C, but not at 33°C/30°C as day/night temperature regimes. Using this transformation protocol, almost 100% of the composite plants formed hairy roots within 2 weeks, and based on GUS histochemical analysis, 94.2% transformation frequency is obtained. Transgene integration has been also confirmed by Southern blot analysis. D. Cao and W. Hou contributed equally to this work.