Effects of 5-aminolevulinic acid treatment on photosynthesis of strawberry

Effects of root treatment with 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) on leaf photosynthesis in strawberry (Fragaria ananassa Duch.) plants were investigated by rapid chlorophyll fluorescence and modulated 820 nm reflection using 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethyl urea (DCMU) and methyl viologen (MV). Our results showed that ALA treatments increased the net photosynthetic rate and decreased the intercelluar CO₂ concentration in strawberry leaves. Under DCMU treatment, trapping energy for Q_A reduction per PSII reaction center increased greatly, indicating DCMU inhibited electron transfer from Q_A ^?. The maximum photochemical efficiency of PSII (F_v/F_m) decreased under the DCMU treatment, while a higher F_v/F_m remained in the ALA-pretreated plants. Not only the parameters related to a photochemical phase, but also that one related to a heat phase remained lower after the ALA pretreatment, compared to the sole DCMU treatment. The MV treatment decreased PSI photochemical capacity. The results of modulated 820 nm reflection analysis showed that DCMU and MV treatments had low re-reduction of P700 and plastocyanin (PSI). However, the strawberry leaf discs pretreated with ALA exhibited high re-reduction of PSI under DCMU and MV treatments. The results of this study suggest that the improvement of photosynthesis by ALA in strawberry was not only related to PSII, but also to PSI and electron transfer chain.     

Performance of an anaerobic membrane bioreactor in which granular sludge and dynamic filtration are integrated

To alleviate the fouling of a filter, simple substrates, dynamic filtration, and granular sludge were applied in an anaerobic membrane bioreactor (AnMBR). The results showed that under a transmembrane pressure < 20 kPa, the filter flux ranged between 15 and 20 l (m^?2 h)^?1 for a period of 30 days. The flux was higher than the typical flux of AnMBRs with conventional membranes and most current dynamic filters. In addition, the low cost of the filter avoided the need for a higher flux. Moreover, a stable granular sludge bed, which consumed all volatile fatty acids, was maintained. A compact fouling/filtration layer formed on the filter, which contributed to low effluent chemical oxygen demand concentrations and turbidity. In addition, substrate scarcity in the filtration zone resulted in the evolution of diverse bacteria on the filter.     

Pterostilbene Attenuates Early Brain Injury Following Subarachnoid Hemorrhage via Inhibition of the NLRP3 Inflammasome and Nox2-Related Oxidative Stress

Pterostilbene (PTE), one of the polyphenols present in plants such as blueberries and grapes, has been suggested to have various effects, such as anti-oxidation, anti-apoptosis, and anti-cancer effects. Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is a severe neurological event known for its high morbidity and mortality. Recently, early brain injury (EBI) has been reported to play a significant role in the prognosis of patients with SAH. The present study aimed to investigate whether PTE could attenuate EBI after SAH was induced in C57BL/6 J mice. We also studied possible underlying mechanisms. After PTE treatment, the neurological score and brain water content of the mice were assessed. Oxidative stress and neuronal injury were also evaluated. Nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome activity was assessed using western blot analysis. Our results indicated that PTE treatment reduces the SAH grade, neurological score, and brain water content following SAH. PTE treatment also reduced NLRP3 inflammasome activation. PTE alleviated the oxidative stress following SAH as evidenced by the dihydroethidium staining, superoxide dismutase activity, malondialdehyde content, 3-nitrotyrosie and 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine levels, and gp91^phox and 4-hydroxynonenal expression levels. Additionally, PTE treatment reduced neuronal apoptosis. In conclusion, our study suggests that PTE attenuates EBI following SAH possibly via the inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome and Nox2-related oxidative stress.     

Changes of soil organic and inorganic carbon in relation to grassland degradation in Northern Tibet

The effect of livestock grazing on grassland degradation and the resulting impact on soil carbon concentration is an important factor in carbon estimation. We addressed this issue using field observations and laboratory analysis of samples from Tibetan grassland. Based on the field measurements, we investigated the soil organic carbon (SOC) and soil inorganic carbon (SIC) under two contrasting degradation states: lightly or non-degraded grasslands (LDG) and heavily degraded grasslands (HDG). We assessed their relationships with environmental factors using data collected from 99 sites across Northern Tibet during 2011–2012. Data were analyzed using a linear mixed-effects model and one-way ANOVA. The results showed that: (1) SOC concentration decreased and SIC concentration increased following grassland degradation, especially at soil depths in the range of 0–10 cm (P < 0.05); (2) the major environmental factors affecting SOC and SIC were soil pH and plant biomass; (3) spatially, the SOC density increased with the mean annual temperature and mean annual precipitation, whereas SIC exhibited the opposite trend; (4) the SOC density increased at first and then decreased with increasing grazing intensity, with an opposite trend in SIC; and (5) soil carbon storage in this region was 0.14 Pg smaller in the HDG than in the LDG. This study suggests that grassland degradation can significantly affect the vertical distribution and storage of SOC and SIC. The carbon sequestration capacity of the top 100 cm of soil in Northern Tibet was estimated as 0.14 Pg.     

气候变化背景下松嫩平原玉米灌溉需水量估算及预测

开展农作物需水规律研究对于干旱半干旱区域旱作物节水灌溉和水分管理实践具有重要意义。以松嫩平原玉米为研究对象,研究玉米生育期需水量规律及灌溉需水量。结果表明:(1)历史时期和未来气候变化情景下,松嫩平原玉米全生育期和L~(mid)时段灌溉需水量等值线沿西南—东北方向递减,其中全生育期和L~(mid)时段2000s灌溉需水量临界等势线(灌溉需水量为0的等势线)分别比1970s北移70.2km和53.4km,全生育期和L~(mid)时段2040s灌溉需水量临界等势线分别比2010s北移30.9km和55.2km。(2)历史时期和气候变化情景下玉米全生育期灌溉需水量随年代呈波动增加趋势,其中前者以29.1mm/(10a)速度增加,后者以17.5mm/(10a)速度增加。(3)未来温度和降雨量变化对玉米需水量的贡献率为波动上升趋势,与1970s相比,2000s温度和降雨量变化对玉米需水量的贡献率为22.1%,增加6.8亿m~3灌溉水量;2040s温度和降雨量变化对玉米需水量的贡献率为38.3%,增加12.6亿m~3灌溉水量。     

A catalogue of Burmite inclusions

Burmite (Burmese amber) from the Hukawng Valley in northern Myanmar is a remarkable valuable and obviously the most important amber for studying terrestrial diversity in the mid-Cretaceous.The diversity of Burmite inclusions is very high and many new taxa were found,including new order,new family/subfamily,and new genus.Till the end of 2016,14 phyla,21 classes,65 orders,279 families,515 genera and 643 species of organisms are recorded,which are summized and complied in this catalogue.Among them,587 species are arthropods.In addtion,the specimens which can not be identified into species are also listed in the paper.The information on type specimens,other materials,host and deposition of types are provided.     

Five new genera of the subfamily Psilodercinae (Araneae:Ochyroceratidae) from Southeast Asia

Five new genera of the spider family Ochyroceratidae with remarkable palpal and epigynal characters are described:Luzonacera Li & Li,gen.nov.,Qiongocera Li & Li,gen.nov.,Relictocera Li & Li,gen.nov.,Sinoderces Li & Li,gen.nov.,and Thaiderces Li & Li,gen.nov.Six new species are described based on specimens collected in China,Philippines,Vietnam,and Thailand:Luzonacera chang Li & Li,sp.nov.,Luzonacera duan Li & Li,sp.nov.,Qiongocera hongjunensis Li & Li,sp.nov.,Relictocera qiyi Li & Li,sp.nov.,Sinoderces nawanensis Li & Li,sp.nov.,and Thaidercesjian Li & Li,sp.nov.In addition,two Psiloderces species are transferred to other genera:Sinoderces exilis (Wang & Li,2013) comb.nov.and Thaiderces vulgaris (Deeleman-Reinhold,1995) comb.nov.All type specimens are deposited in the Institute of Zoology,Chinese Academy of Sciences (IZCAS) in Beijing.     

Design,synthesis, and biological activity of novel tetrahydropyrazolopyridone derivatives as FXa inhibitors with potent anticoagulant activity

A series of novel tetrahydropyrazolopyridone derivatives containing 1,3,4-triazole, triazolylmethyl, and partially saturated heterocyclic moieties as P2 binding element was designed, synthesized, and evaluated in vitro for anticoagulant activity in human and rabbit plasma. All compounds showed moderate to significant potency, and compounds 15b, 15c, 20b, 20c, and 22b were further examined for their inhibitory activity against human FXa in vitro. While compounds 15c and 22b were tested for rat venous thrombosis in vivo. The most promising compound 15c, with an IC₅₀ (FXa) value of 0.14 μM and 98% inhibition rate, warranted further investigation as an FXa inhibitor.     

家蚕蜕皮液蛋白质双向电泳及质谱分析

蜕皮液是存在于新旧表皮之间的一层液体,在昆虫蜕皮和变态发育的过程中发挥了重要的作用。为进一步探究家蚕蜕皮液的功能,利用双向电泳技术对家蚕预蛹期及羽化前期的蜕皮液的蛋白质进行了分析,结果表明,预蛹期及羽化前期的蜕皮液中分别可以检测出超过200个蛋白点,它们主要分布在等电点4-9、分子量10-180 kDa之间。利用MALDI TOF/TOF对羽化前期蜕皮液的42个蛋白点进行了鉴定分析,结果表明34个蛋白点成功得到了鉴定,它们主要包括载脂蛋白类、蛋白酶与蛋白酶抑制剂、免疫相关蛋白、几丁质结合蛋白等,部分蛋白在预蛹期的蜕皮液和羽化前的蜕皮液之间存在明显的差异表达。为了进一步验证蛋白质组分析的结果,对其中1个差异表达明显的蛋白质Apolipoprotein D进行了进一步的分析,Q-PCR的结果表明,该蛋白主要在化蛹第1–4天存在高表达,其在羽化前蜕皮液中的高度累积暗示了它可能参与了家蚕羽化变态的过程。以上研究结果进一步丰富了人们对蜕皮液蛋白质的认识,为深入研究蜕皮液蛋白质的功能提供了一些参考。