Autism-related dietary preferences mediate autism-gut microbiome associations

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Modelling the effects of climate change on the distribution and production of marine fishes: accounting for trophic interactions in a dynamic bioclimate envelope model

Climate change has already altered the distribution of marine fishes. Future predictions of fish distributions and catches based on bioclimate envelope models are available, but to date they have not considered interspecific interactions. We address this by combining the species‐based Dynamic Bioclimate Envelope Model (DBEM) with a size‐based trophic model. The new approach provides spatially and temporally resolved predictions of changes in species' size, abundance and catch potential that account for the effects of ecological interactions. Predicted latitudinal shifts are, on average, reduced by 20% when species interactions are incorporated, compared to DBEM predictions, with pelagic species showing the greatest reductions. Goodness‐of‐fit of biomass data from fish stock assessments in the North Atlantic between 1991 and 2003 is improved slightly by including species interactions. The differences between predictions from the two models may be relatively modest because, at the North Atlantic basin scale, (i) predators and competitors may respond to climate change together; (ii) existing parameterization of the DBEM might implicitly incorporate trophic interactions; and/or (iii) trophic interactions might not be the main driver of responses to climate. Future analyses using ecologically explicit models and data will improve understanding of the effects of inter‐specific interactions on responses to climate change, and better inform managers about plausible ecological and fishery consequences of a changing environment.     

Spectrum structures and biological functions of 8-mers in the human genome

The spectra of k-mer frequencies can reveal the structures and evolution of genome sequences. We confirmed that the trimodal spectrum of 8-mers in human genome sequences is distinguished only by CG2, CG1 and CG0 8-mer sets, containing 2,1 or 0 CpG, respectively. This phenomenon is called independent selection law. The three types of CG 8-mers were considered as different functional elements. We conjectured that (1) nucleosome binding motifs are mainly characterized by CG1 8-mers and (2) the core structural units of CpG island sequences are predominantly characterized by CG2 8-mers. To validate our conjectures, nucleosome occupied sequences and CGI sequences were extracted, then the sequence parameters were constructed through the information of the three CG 8-mer sets respectively. ROC analysis showed that CG1 8-mers are more preference in nucleosome occupied segments (AUC > 0.7) and CG2 8-mers are more preference in CGI sequences (AUC > 0.99). This validates our conjecture in principle.     

Absorption of the flavin dimers

The electronic absorption spectra of the flavomononucleotide (FMN) in aqueous solution and in glycerine-water solution with change of the dye concentration have been measured. The FMN dimer absorption spectrum, monomer absorption spectrum, dimerization constant K and molar fraction of the monomer were calculated. It was found that FMN dimerization constants in aqueous solution were K_a = 118.0 l/mol and in glycerine K_g = 20.5 l/mol. In the region of the monomer absorption band two dimer absorption bands appear, in accordance with the Kasha molecular exciton theory.     

Global patterns in fine root decomposition: climate,chemistry, mycorrhizal association and woodiness

Fine root decomposition constitutes a critical yet poorly understood flux of carbon and nutrients in terrestrial ecosystems. Here, we present the first large‐scale synthesis of species trait effects on the early stages of fine root decomposition at both global and local scales. Based on decomposition rates for 279 plant species across 105 studies and 176 sites, we found that mycorrhizal association and woodiness are the best categorical traits for predicting rates of fine root decomposition. Consistent positive effects of nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations and negative effects of lignin concentration emerged on decomposition rates within sites. Similar relationships were present across sites, along with positive effects of temperature and moisture. Calcium was not consistently related to decomposition rate at either scale. While the chemical drivers of fine root decomposition parallel those of leaf decomposition, our results indicate that the best plant functional groups for predicting fine root decomposition differ from those predicting leaf decomposition.     

Nuclear fast red‐based colorimetric sensors for sensitive and selective detection of Ag ions

The reduction of nuclear fast red (NFR) stain by sodium tetrahydroboron was catalyzed in the presence of silver ions (Ag⁺). The fluorescence properties of reduced NFR differed from that of NFR. The product showed fluorescence emission at 480 nm with excitation at 369 nm. Furthermore, the fluorescence intensity of the mixture increased strongly in the presence of Ag⁺ and Britton–Robinson buffer at pH 4.78. There was a good linear relationship between increased fluorescence intensity (ΔI) and Ag⁺ concentration in the range 5.0 × 10^?9 to 5.0 × 10^?8 M. The correlation coefficient was 0.998, and the detection limit (3σ/k) was 1.5 × 10^?9 M. The colour of the reaction system changed with variation in Ag⁺ concentration over a wide range. Based on the colour change, a visual semiquantitative detection method for recognition and sensing of Ag⁺ was developed for the range 1.0 × 10^?8 to 5.0 × 10^?4 M, with an indicator that was visible to the naked eye. Therefore, a sensitive, simple method for determination of Ag⁺ was developed. Optimum conditions for Ag⁺ detection, the effect of other ions and the analytical application of Ag⁺ detection of synthesized sample were investigated.     

Application of Human‐Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (hiPSCs) to Study Synaptopathy of Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Synapses are the basic structural and functional units for information processing and storage in the brain. Their diverse properties and functions ultimately underlie the complexity of human behavior. Proper development and maintenance of synapses are essential for normal functioning of the nervous system. Disruption in synaptogenesis and the consequent alteration in synaptic function have been strongly implicated to cause neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) and schizophrenia (SCZ). The introduction of human‐induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) provides a new path to elucidate disease mechanisms and potential therapies. In this review, we will discuss the advantages and limitations of using hiPSC‐derived neurons to study synaptic disorders. Many mutations in genes encoding for proteins that regulate synaptogenesis have been identified in patients with ASDs and SCZ. We use Methyl‐CpG binding protein 2 (MECP2), SH3 and multiple ankyrin repeat domains 3 (SHANK3) and Disrupted in schizophrenia 1 (DISC1) as examples to illustrate the promise of using hiPSCs as cellular models to elucidate the mechanisms underlying disease‐related synaptopathy.     

大黄鱼主要致病菌拮抗菌株的分离鉴定、抑菌谱及安全性分析

大黄鱼是我国重要的海水养殖鱼类,随着大黄鱼养殖规模的扩大,病害也日益增多,其中细菌性疾病是造成大黄鱼疾病暴发、死亡的重要病原。近年来,哈维弧菌(Vibrio harveyi)、溶藻弧菌(Vibrio alginolyticus)、杀香鱼假单胞菌(Pseudomonas plecoglossicida)、鰤鱼诺卡菌(Nocardia seriolea)等细菌造成了大黄鱼养殖重大经济损失。为寻找大黄鱼主要致病菌的拮抗菌,用于大黄鱼细菌病的生态控制,作者对大黄鱼及周边环境进行了拮抗菌的分离和鉴定。以哈维弧菌、杀香鱼假单胞菌作为拮抗活性筛选指示菌,用纸片法(KB)、菌落接种法从大黄鱼体内、养殖池周边土壤、藻类、芦苇等筛选出具抗菌活性物质菌株10株;分离菌株用16S rDNA通用引物序列分析鉴定为芽孢杆菌(Bacillus sp.)、产碱杆菌(Alcaligenes sp.)、类芽孢杆菌(Paenibacillus sp.)、赖氨酸芽孢杆菌(Lysinibacillus sp.)、弧菌(Vibrio sp.)和异常球菌(Daenococcus sp.)等。对具较强抑菌活性的碱性杆菌NBPa-7(Alcaligenes faecalis)和芽孢杆菌NBlm-36(Bacillus amyloliquefaciens)进行了抑菌活性测定,结果表明NBPa-7对溶藻弧菌、杀香鱼假单胞菌有良好拮抗作用,抑菌直径分别为23.20 mm、12.00 mm;NBlm-36对创伤弧菌(Vibrio vulnificus)、哈维弧菌、嗜水气单胞菌(Aeromonas hydrophila)、大肠杆菌(Escherichia coli)及葡萄球菌(Staphylococcus sp.)有拮抗作用,抑菌直径为6.00 mm-14.00 mm。胞外抑菌产物对热、酸、碱有较好耐受性。将拮抗菌以1×108CFU/ind腹腔注射成年鼠、口喂新生鼠,48 h内未出现毒性和死亡,将拮抗菌以3×108CFU/ind腹腔注射大黄鱼,2周内未出现发病死亡,大黄鱼内脏未发生病变,白细胞未出现明显升高现象,初步表明拮抗菌株不具有致病力。     

印度犀牛角的化学成分分析

本文以印度犀牛角为主要研究对象,利用傅里叶变换红外光谱仪、X射线荧光光谱仪、全自动氨基酸分析仪分析其红外光谱、化学成分等特征,旨在为犀牛角替代品、人工合成品的研究提供部分基础数据。结果表明：红外光谱中氨基酸、磷脂酸、牛磺酸等相关的吸收峰明显;犀牛角主要的无机成分为CaO、Fe₂O₃、K₂O、ZnO、SiO₂等;氨基酸含量为481.01 mg/g,药用氨基酸含量丰富,氨基酸组成与标准蛋白的贴近度为0.74。结果表明犀牛角具有较高的营养价值。