The impacts of Harmonia axyridis cues on foraging behavior of Aphidius gifuensis to Myzus persicae

This study investigated the effect of adult associated cues of the multicolored Asian ladybird Harmonia axyridis Pallas (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) on the foraging behavior of the aphid parasitoid, Aphidius gifuensis Ashmead (Hymenoptera: Aphididae) with three assays: 1) whole aphid leaf-disc with H. axyridis tracks; 2) aphid leaf-disc with only half contaminated with H. axyridis tracks; 3) aphid leaf-discs without H. axyridis tracks. Foraging behavior of A. gifuensis was recorded using the Observer® XT 11 and EthoVsion® XT 12. In addition, functional responses of A. gifuensis in patches with or without H. axyridis cues were also tested. Aphidius gifuensis females preferred oviposition in arenas where no adult tracks of H. axyridis were present. However, no significant difference between functional responses of A. gifuensis foraging in plants with and without H. axyridis cues was detected. Our study suggests that H. axyridis associated cues could influence the foraging behavior and activity of A. gifuensis under laboratory conditions. On the other hand, the foraging efficiency of A. gifuensis was not significantly affected by H. axyridis walking tracks in a single plant system. Aphidius gifuensis might exhibit flexible behavioral responses to predator associated cues. The risk of intraguild interactions and the possibility of mitigating such risks for parasitoids are important components for ultimately determining the compatibility of biological control agents.     

Evolution of antennules of cytheroidean ostracods (Crustacea)

Phylogenetic analysis and fossil records indicate that antennules with whip-like setae are the most plesiomorphic state in cytheroidean ostracods and that antennulae with claw-like setae are derived from antennulae with whip-like setae. Character distributions on the 18S rDNA molecular phylogenetic tree suggest that two phenotypic features of cytheroidean antennules (W/L ratio and claw-like/whip-like setae) have morphological plasticity. These features have evolved as an ethological adaptation rather than due to phylogenetic constraints such as the evolution of shell outline in cytheroideans. However, the species of the Leptocytheridae–Trachyleberididae clade generally have stout, robust antennules, indicating a phylogenetic constraint. The character state of setae (claw/whip) in cytheroidean ostracods is reflected more through their ethology than the W/L ratio of the antennules. On the basis of the present analysis and the fossil record, diversification in the morphology of the antennules seems to have occurred during the early Mesozoic.     

Functional imaging in radiation therapy planning for head and neck cancer

Functional imaging and its application to radiotherapy (RT) is a rapidly expanding field with new modalities and techniques constantly developing and evolving. As technologies improve, it will be important to pay attention to their implementation. This review describes the main achievements in the field of head and neck cancer (HNC) with particular remarks on the unsolved problems.     

Drove roads: Keystone structures that promote ant diversity in Mediterranean forest landscapes

Drove roads are the traditional corridors used by pastoralists for seasonal movements of livestock (transhumance). They cover a considerable land area in Mediterranean countries and, although they are an obvious source of landscape diversity, their influence on the diversity and composition of animal assemblages has not been documented. Ant communities were studied on four active drove roads, two in forests (submediterranean and conifer) and two in open environments (croplands and rangelands). They were compared with the respective matrix communities and their contribution to local species richness was evaluated. The effects were heavily dependent on the open or closed nature of the matrix. In forest environments, drove roads increased ant species richness at the local scale, acting as clear keystone structures. Their species richness and functional diversity were highest on the fine scale, species composition was different, and a slight edge effect in the matrix was detected. In contrast, drove roads had little or even a negative effect in open environment locations. We conclude that drove roads have a high conservation value for ants in Mediterranean forest environments, in addition to their importance as reservoirs of plant biodiversity and generators of ecological goods and services.     

基于CNV区域网络识别神经胶质瘤的重要功能区域

目的：基于基因拷贝数变异（CNV）区域网络识别神经胶质瘤的重要功能区域。方法：运用独特的计算样本的共相关性值的方法,使CNV数据与基因数据产生联系;基于蛋白质互作关系,在CNV区域与基因之间搭建桥梁,构建CNV区域网络;分析网络拓扑性质,识别出神经胶质瘤的重要功能CNV区域。结果：本文共识别出了11个与神经胶质瘤相关的候选重要功能CNV区域,通过功能注释和通路分析,确认了识别到的区域与神经胶质瘤有重要联系。结论：通过基因与表型之间的联系,利用已知表型基因在同源、功能、互作、结构域上的特征将CNV区域与基因联系起来,通过基因的功能可以了解到CNV区域的功能,对于疾病的预测和诊断有重要的意义。     

枯草芽孢杆菌微生态制剂发酵研究进展

微生态制剂是饲用抗生素的绿色有效替代品。枯草芽孢杆菌在逆境中可形成抗逆性强的芽孢,在生产和应用过程中保持高活性,是一种高效的微生态制剂菌种。提高枯草芽孢杆菌活菌数及芽孢率是保证微生态制剂产品质量的关键。本文综述了枯草芽孢杆菌芽孢形成的分子生物学机制及影响芽孢形成的重要因素,进一步比较枯草芽孢杆菌微生态制剂不同发酵方式的特点,重点阐述了提高枯草芽孢杆菌有效生物量的工艺优化,最后介绍了枯草芽孢杆菌微生态制剂的应用,并对将来研究思路进行了讨论。     

好氧反硝化生物脱氮技术的研究进展

好氧反硝化生物脱氮技术自提出以来,凭借能实现同步硝化反硝化、节省基建投资及运行费用等诸多优点,受到国内外环境领域学者的广泛关注。本文首先总结了近年来好氧反硝化菌种的筛选分离情况,以及环境因子对好氧反硝化菌脱氮效能的影响,包括溶解氧(dissolved oxygen,DO)、碳氮比(C/N)、温度等。然后深入探讨了好氧反硝化生物脱氮技术的原理,好氧反硝化过程中的关键功能基因及酶,同时介绍了分子生物技术在好氧反硝化研究过程中的应用,以及好氧反硝化生物脱氮技术在实际应用方面的研究现状。最后,基于目前的研究瓶颈问题,对未来好氧反硝化生物脱氮技术的研究方向提出了科学展望。     

烟叶陈化过程可培养微生物的生态功能

【背景】烟叶陈化涉及多方面因素的相互作用。【目的】研究烟叶表面可培养微生物群落结构、功能和化学成分之间的联系。【方法】以储存于贵阳库、坛厂库、茅台库的烟叶为研究对象,分别对不同陈化时间的烟叶样品进行微生物分离,采用rDNA条形码技术对微生物优势菌株进行物种鉴定,利用FAPROTAX和FUNGuild数据库分别对细菌和真菌进行功能注释,并结合主要化学成分进行相关分析。【结果】243个烟叶样品中共分离到189株优势细菌菌株和229株优势真菌菌株,其中细菌以芽孢杆菌属(Bacillus)为优势种群,真菌以曲霉属(Aspergillus)和青霉属(Penicillium)为优势种群。随着陈化时间的延长,优势种群和优势功能类群比例逐渐降低,主要化学成分与微生物群落变化呈显著相关关系。【结论】微生物功能群通过结构变化推动烟叶陈化进程,同时陈化过程中主要化学成分的变化影响了微生物群落的组成与功能。     

污水处理过程中微生物群落多样性及其对环境因子响应的研究进展

污水生物处理系统的性能和稳定性与微生物群落结构和动态密切相关。通过深入了解活性污泥中微生物群落结构及其影响因素,有助于提高污水厂污染物的去除效果。在不同污水活性污泥处理系统中细菌群落主要以变形菌、绿弯菌、放线菌、厚壁菌和拟杆菌为功能菌群;活性污泥中寄居的大多数真菌来自于子囊菌门,还有少量担子菌门;古菌以产甲烷菌为主;而病毒中分布最广的噬菌体和致病性病毒是最主要的关注点。本文通过对相关文献分析及总结,综述了进水组成、不同处理工艺、参数(理化参数和运行参数)、地理位置和气候条件等环境因子对活性污泥中细菌、真菌、古菌以及病毒群落组成的影响,尽可能全面地介绍污水厂微生物群落多样性及其对环境因子的响应。同时,对未来研究方向进行探讨,以期能够为活性污泥中功能微生物的应用及调控提供理论和应用基础。