冠层结构对梨叶片光合特性及果实品质的影响

冠层结构是影响果树生长发育及丰产优质的重要因素。该研究以20年生‘玉露香’梨大冠分层树形为对照(CK),以冠层整形修剪后的3、4和5个主枝的开心树形为处理(分别记为OCC_(3b)、OCC_(4b)和OCC_(5b)),测定了冠层截获的光合有效辐射、叶片的气体交换、叶绿素荧光和果实品质特性,探讨不同冠层结构内光环境的变化对梨树叶片光合特性及果实品质的影响,探讨果树的光合调控和结实规律,为西北黄土高原产区果树的标准化整形修剪提供理论依据。结果表明:(1)OCC_(3b)、OCC_(4b)和OCC_(5b)的冠层不同方位和不同时刻截获的光合有效辐射(PAR)均高于CK。与CK和OCC_(5b)相比,OCC_(3b)和OCC_(4b)叶片光响应的最大净光合速率(P_(nmax))和羧化效率(CE)显著提高。(2)在强光胁迫下,开心树形叶片光呼吸速率(P_r)占总光合速率(P_g)的比例(P_r/P_g)和非光化学淬灭(NPQ)中可恢复组分r(qE)提高,同时不可恢复组分r(qI)降低。(3)OCC_(3b)和OCC_(4b)比OCC_(5b)和CK的单果重、果面红晕面积、果皮花青苷含量、可溶性固形物含量和可溶性总糖含量均显著提高,而可滴定酸含量显著降低。(4)PAR与果面着色面积和果皮花青苷含量呈极显著正相关关系,P_(nmax)与单果重呈极显著正相关关系,而PAR和P_(nmax)均与可滴定酸呈极显著负相关关系。研究发现,OCC_(3b)和OCC_(4b)的梨树冠层内可截获更多的光能,叶片光合能力更强,遭遇强光胁迫时能够通过更高效的热耗散和光呼吸进行自我保护,而且开心形树冠结构还能显著提升果实品质。     

虎掌菌菌丝富硒培养的研究

为生产合适的硒源提供一种思路,以菌丝体生物量、含硒量、还原糖、氨态氮和蛋白质为指标,采用四因素三水平正交设计法优化虎掌菌的富硒发酵条件,探讨不同浓度的硒对虎掌菌固体培养菌丝生长和液体培养产生的生物组分的影响。结果表明,高浓度的硒抑制虎掌菌菌丝体生长;正交试验选择不同的衡量指标,由极差分析得出各因素的影响程度大小,结合证实试验得到以还原糖为指标的最优组合为葡萄糖6%(质量分数)、酵母浸膏3%(质量分数)、KH_2PO_4 0.1%(质量分数)、Na_2SeO_3 0.6 mmol/L,其菌丝体生物量和氨态氮含量较高。与对照相比,加硒后虎掌菌发酵液中氨态氮、还原糖和总糖含量显著增加(P0.05);当硒浓度为0.5 mmol/L时,氨态氮、还原糖和总糖含量均达到最高值。菌丝体生物量和可溶性蛋白质分别在硒浓度为0.2 mmol/L和0.4 mmol/L时达到最大值。虎掌菌富硒培养后,发酵液的营养成分含量会发生变化。     

B para-Bombay phenotype in China caused by homozygous mutation for site 328 G > A of FUT1 gene: a case report

The aim of this paper is to accurately identify a case of B para-Bombay and to analyze the genetic mutation. ABO and Lewis blood groups were identified by standard serological methods, and trace antigens on RBCs were detected by adsorption-elution test, while blood group substances in the saliva were detected by agglutination inhibition test. The ABO gene exons 6-7, FUT1 gene exon 4 and FUT2 gene exon 2 were directly sequenced. Serological results showed that there were B antigens on RBCs without H antigens, anti-A and anti-HI antibodies in serum, and B and H blood group substances in the saliva. The Lewis phenotype was Le (a-b+). According to gene sequencing analysis, ABO, FUT1 and FUT2 genotypes were B101/O02, h^328G/Ah3^28G/A and Se^357C/TSe^357C/T, respectively. This rare phenotype can be mislabeled as "O" if any of the detailed investigations are not performed. Therefore, in order to ensure the safety of blood transfusion, genetic and serological tests are necessary for the correct identification of difficult blood groups.     

Understanding cellular and molecular mechanisms of pathogenesis of diabetic tendinopathy

There is accumulating evidence of an increased incidence of tendon disorders in people with diabetes mellitus. Diabetic tendinopathy is an important cause of chronic pain, restricted activity, and even tendon rupture in individuals. Tenocytes and tendon stem/progenitor cells (TSPCs) are the dominant cellular components associated with tendon homeostasis, maintenance, remodeling, and repair. Some previous studies have shown alterations in tenocytes and TSPCs in high glucose or diabetic conditions that might cause structural and functional variations in diabetic tendons and even accelerate the development and progression of diabetic tendinopathy. In this review, the biomechanical properties and histopathological changes in diabetic tendons are described. Then, the cellular and molecular alterations in both tenocytes and TSPCs are summarized, and the underlying mechanisms involved are also analyzed. A better understanding of the underlying cellular and molecular pathogenesis of diabetic tendinopathy would provide new insight for the exploration and development of effective therapeutics.     

Current and future uses of skeletal stem cells for bone regeneration

The postnatal skeleton undergoes growth, modeling, and remodeling. The human skeleton is a composite of diverse tissue types, including bone, cartilage, fat, fibroblasts, nerves, blood vessels, and hematopoietic cells. Fracture nonunion and bone defects are among the most challenging clinical problems in orthopedic trauma. The incidence of nonunion or bone defects following fractures is increasing. Stem and progenitor cells mediate homeostasis and regeneration in postnatal tissue, including bone tissue. As multipotent stem cells, skeletal stem cells (SSCs) have a strong effect on the growth, differentiation, and repair of bone regeneration. In recent years, a number of important studies have characterized the hierarchy, differential potential, and bone formation of SSCs. Here, we describe studies on and applications of SSCs and/or mesenchymal stem cells for bone regeneration.     

Whole‐genome resequencing reveals the pleistocene temporal dynamics of Branchiostoma belcheri and Branchiostoma floridae populations

Global climatic fluctuations governed the ancestral demographic histories of species and contributed to place the current population status into a more extensive ecological and evolutionary context. Genetic variations will leave unambiguous signatures in the patterns of intraspecific genetic variation in extant species since the genome of each individual is an imperfect mosaic of the ancestral genomes. Here, we report the genome sequences of 20 Branchiostoma individuals by whole‐genome resequencing strategy. We detected over 140 million genomic variations for each Branchiostoma individual. In particular, we applied the pairwise sequentially Markovian coalescent (PSMC) method to estimate the trajectories of changes in the effective population size (N_e) of Branchiostoma population during the Pleistocene. We evaluated the threshold of sequencing depth for proper inference of demographic histories using PSMC was ≥25×. The PSMC results highlight the role of historical global climatic fluctuations in the long‐term population dynamics of Branchiostoma. The inferred ancestral N_e of the Branchiostoma belcheri populations from Zhanjiang and Xiamen (China) seawaters was different in amplitude before the first (mutation rate = 3 × 10^?9) or third glaciation (mutation rate = 9 × 10^?9) of the Pleistocene, indicating that the two populations most probably started to evolve in isolation in their respective seas after the first or third glaciation of the Pleistocene. A pronounced population bottleneck coinciding with the last glacial maximum was observed in all Branchiostoma individuals, followed by a population expansion occurred during the late Pleistocene. Species that have experienced long‐term declines may be especially vulnerable to recent anthropogenic activities. Recently, the industrial pollution and the exploitation of sea sand have destroyed the harmonious living environment of amphioxus species. In the future, we need to protect the habitat of Branchiostoma and make full use of these detected genetic variations to facilitate the functional study of Branchiostoma for adaptation to local environments.     

Studies on reproductive strategies of Vitex negundo L. var. heterophylla (Franch.) Rehder (Lamiaceae) based on morphological characteristics and SSR markers

Vitex negundo L. var. heterophylla (Franch.) Rehder (Lamiaceae) is an important tree species for soil and water conservation, yet the reproductive ecology of this species remains to be elucidated. To investigate the reproductive traits of V. negundo var. heterophylla, the phenology, morphological characteristics (a suite of characters was assessed: floral morphology, nectar production, pollen viability, and stigma receptivity) and mating system of this species were systematically revealed for the first time in this study. Phenological observations, morphological measurements, and nectar production analysis were conducted during anthesis. Pollen viability and stigma receptivity at different flowering stages were measured by biochemical methods. Finally, genetic analysis based on SSR markers was used to reveal the mating system; outcrossing index and pollen‐ovule ratio were also calculated to help analysis. V. negundo var. heterophylla showed several obvious characteristics of outcrossing, such as abundant and attractive flowers, secreting nectar, and emitting scent. In addition, mechanisms such as homogamy and a short anther‐stigma distance that can promote self‐fertilization were also identified in this species. The coexistence of selfing and outcrossing characteristics demonstrates a predominantly outcrossed mixed mating system (outcrossing rate, t = 95%). The scientific information provided by this study may contribute to conservation of V. negundo var. heterophylla from a reproductive perspective.     

Rapamycin inhibits AR signaling pathway in prostate cancer by interacting with the FK1 domain of FKBP51

Reactivation of the androgen receptor signaling pathway in the emasculated environment is the main reason for the occurrence of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). The immunophilin FKBP51, as a co-chaperone protein, together with Hsp90 help the correct folding of AR. Rapamycin is a known small-molecule inhibitor of FKBP51, but its effect on the FKBP51/AR signaling pathway is not clear. In this study, the interaction mechanism between FKBP51 and rapamycin was investigated using steady-state fluorescence quenching, X-ray crystallization, MTT assay, and qRT-PCR. Steady-state fluorescence quenching assay showed that rapamycin could interact with FKBP51. The crystal of the rapamycin-FKBP51 complex indicated that rapamycin occupies the hydrophobic binding pocket of FK1 domain which is vital for AR activity. The residues involving rapamycin binding are mainly hydrophobic and may overlap with the AR interaction site. Further assays showed that rapamycin could inhibit the androgen-dependent growth of human prostate cancer cells by down-regulating the expression levels of AR activated downstream genes. Taken together, our study demonstrates that rapamycin suppresses AR signaling pathway by interfering with the interaction between AR and FKBP51. The results of this study not only can provide useful information about the interaction mechanism between rapamycin and FKBP51, but also can provide new clues for the treatment of prostate cancer and castration-resistant prostate cancer.     

Gualou Xiebai Banxia decoction ameliorates Poloxamer 407-induced hyperlipidemia

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Gualou Xiebai Banxia (GLXBBX) decoction is a well-known traditional Chinese herbal formula that was first discussed in the Synopsis of the Golden Chamber by Zhang Zhongjing in the Eastern Han Dynasty. In traditional Chinese medicine, GLXBBX is commonly prescribed to treat cardiovascular diseases, such as coronary heart disease and atherosclerosis.Objective: The present study aimed to examine GLXBBX’s preventative capacity and elucidate the potential molecular mechanism of Poloxamer 407 (P407)-induced hyperlipidemia in rats.Materials and methods: Both the control and model groups received pure water, and the test group also received a GLXBBX decoction. For each administration, 3 ml of the solution was administered orally. To establish hyperlipidemia, a solution mixed with 0.25 g/kg P407 dissolved in 0.9% normal saline was injected slowly into the abdominal cavity. At the end of the study, the rats’ plasma lipid levels were calculated using an automatic biochemical analyzer to evaluate the preventative capability of the GLXBBX decoction, and the serum and liver of the rats were collected.Results: The GLXBBX decoction significantly improved P407-induced hyperlipidemia, including increased plasma triglycerides (TGs), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) elevation, and lipid accumulation. Moreover, GLXBBX decoction treatment increased lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity and mRNA expression of LPL. Furthermore, GLXBBX significantly suppressed the mRNA expression of stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD1).Conclusion: GLXBBX significantly improved P407-induced hyperlipidemia, which may have been related to enhanced LPL activity, increased LPL mRNA expression, and decreased mRNA expression of SCD1.