Genome‐wide association study identifies variation of glucosidase being linked to natural variation of the maximal quantum yield of photosystem II

The maximum quantum yield of photosystem II (as reflected by variable to maximum chlorophyll a fluorescence, F_v/F_m) is regarded as one of the most important photosynthetic parameters. The genetic basis underlying natural variation in F_v/F_m, which shows low level of variations in plants under non‐stress conditions, is not easy to be exploited using the conventional gene cloning approaches. Thus, in order to answer this question, we have followed another strategy: we used genome‐wide association study (GWAS) and transgenic analysis in a rice mini‐core collection. We report here that four single‐nucleotide polymorphisms, located in the promoter region of β‐glucosidase 5 (BGlu‐5), are associated with observed variation in F_v/F_m. Indeed, our transgenic analysis showed a good correlation between BGlu‐5 and F_v/F_m. Thus, our work demonstrates the feasibility of using GWAS to study natural variation in F_v/F_m, suggesting that cis‐element polymorphism, affecting the BGlu‐5 expression level, may, indirectly, contribute to F_v/F_m variation in rice through the gibberellin signaling pathway. Further research is needed to understand the mechanism of our novel observation.     

Non-invasive estimation of root zone soil moisture from coarse root reflections in ground-penetrating radar images

Plant and Soil - Root zone soil moisture is an important component in water cycling through the soil-plant-atmosphere continuum. However, its measurement in the field remains a challenge,...     

Nurse effects mediated by acid-tolerance of target species and arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization in an acid soil

Plant and Soil - During the process of domestication of herbaceous seed-producing perennial crops, selection for high yield induces a shift in the resource-use strategy from conservative to...     

Ligularia dalaolingensis sp. nov. (Asteraceae–Senecioneae) from central China

Ligularia dalaolingensis, a new species from Hubei and Hunan, China, is described and illustrated. It belongs to L. sect. Ligularia ser. Speciosae on the basis of its palmate leaf venation, racemose synflorescence and pappus which is slightly shorter than the tube of the tubular corolla. In the series, its closest relatives are assumed to be L. fischeri and L. stenocephala. From L. fischeri, L. dalaolingensis is readily distinguished by smaller basal leaves, shorter synflorescence, narrower involucres and fewer phyllaries and florets; from L. stenocephala, L. dalaolingensis differs by smaller basal leaves, shorter synflorescence as well as broader bracts. A diagnostic key to Chinese species of L. ser. Speciosae with broadly ovate, ovate or ovate‐lanceolate bracts is provided.     

Mussaenda yunnanensis sp. nov. (Rubiaceae), a new functionally dioecious species from Yunnan,China

Mussaenda yunnanensis, a new dioecious species of Rubiaceae from Yunnan Province, China, is described and illustrated. The new species can be recognized by its slender stem, congested‐cymose inflorescences and long corolla tubes. Differences between M. yunnanensis and two morphologically similar species (M. pubescens and M. antiloga) are presented. We also provide a key to all dioecious species of Mussaenda in China. The delimitation of the new species is further supported by molecular phylogenetic analyses based on eight plastid loci.     

大型浅水湖泊鄱阳湖湿地微生物的研究现状

鄱阳湖是我国第一大淡水湖泊,同时也是一个典型的季节性通江浅水湖泊,独特的水文特征和多样的湿地景观类型形成了复杂多样的微生物群落。本文综述了鄱阳湖水文节律、营养盐及重金属含量对湖泊微生物群落组成的影响,以及水位高程和湿地围垦对鄱阳湖湿地土壤微生物分布特征的影响,同时还探讨了未来湖泊湿地微生物的研究方向和鄱阳湖所拥有的独特研究条件,以期为未来湖泊微生物研究提供重要参考。     

青少年痤疮面部皮肤微生物群落结构变化

【背景】青少年痤疮是一种最常见的慢性炎症性损容性皮肤病,与痤疮丙酸杆菌的异常增殖有关。【目的】探究痤疮皮损区与附近无明显皮损区微生物组成与健康对照的差异,为从微生态角度防治痤疮提供理论基础。【方法】利用细菌16S rRNA基因V1-V2区和真菌TIS1高通量测序技术分析北京地区16岁青少年面部痤疮皮肤细菌和真菌群落结构,将痤疮皮损区与附近无明显皮损区微生物组成与健康组进行比较,寻找差异菌群。【结果】痤疮患者面部皮损区与附近无明显皮损区细菌多样性(Shannon指数)较健康对照组显著性降低(P0.001),主要与丙酸杆菌(痤疮丙酸杆菌)和葡萄球菌(表皮葡萄球菌PM221)显著性上升相关,而痤疮皮损区与附近未明显皮损区细菌组成无显著性差异。痤疮患者皮损区与附近无明显皮损区较健康对照组真菌丰富度(Chao1指数)显著性上升(P0.05),与限制性马拉色菌的显著上升相关。【结论】面部皮肤微生物变化与青少年痤疮的发生相关。本研究为从微生物角度防治痤疮提供理论依据。     

基于国际专利数据的真菌黑色素创新发展趋势分析

【背景】黑色素具有抗肿瘤、抗辐射等多种生物活性,在生产和生活中具有巨大的应用潜力,通过真菌生产是获取黑色素的一条重要途径,它与动植物相比具有更短的生产周期和更高的产量,并且易于实现商业应用。【目的】揭示真菌黑色素的生产及应用发展情况和创新趋势,为致力于真菌黑色素产业的科研人员和企业提供参考。【方法】基于Inco Pat科技创新情报平台,通过对全球真菌黑色素相关专利进行检索统计,从专利涉及的菌株、专利技术构成、申请人专利价值等多维度对真菌黑色素相关专利进行深入分析。【结果】真菌黑色素在生产制备领域申请专利数量最多(50.56%),作为化工染料和化妆品原料应用的专利申请数量最少(13.48%),涉及的真菌菌属主要有层孔菌属、短梗霉属、木耳属、纤孔菌属、粒毛盘菌属、灵芝属和曲霉属。目前真菌黑色素专利技术申请的热点领域主要在C12 (微生物发酵、培养基、突变或遗传工程)类和A61 (医学)类,并且在未来一段时间内,C12和A61将继续作为热点技术申请领域。中国申请的真菌黑色素专利数量最多,但拥有的高价值专利比例较低,较国外仍具有一定差距。【结论】我国科研人员需要加强在医药和化工领域核心专利技术的创新应用与海外布局,增强与企业的合作研发和技术转移,以抢占真菌黑色素在这些领域的应用市场,并推动真菌黑色素相关专利向高质量发展。