Molecular mapping of quantitative trait loci for three kernel-related traits in maize using a double haploid population

Kernel size and kernel weight are important factors possibly involved in the determination of grain yield in maize, so identifying the genetic basis of kernel-related traits provides insights into the breeding of high-yield maize varieties. Kernel length (KL), kernel width (KW) and hundred kernel weight (HKW) were evaluated in three various planting conditions for the 240 field-grown double haploid (DH) lines derived from the single-cross hybrid Xianyu335. Variations in KL, KW and HKW were observed among DH lines, and all three traits showed a broad sense heritability of 76%. A total of 964 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from the MaizeSNP3072 chip was utilised to create a high-density genetic map of 1546.4 cM and to identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs). Using composite interval mapping, a total of five, seven and five QTLs have been mapped for KL, KW and HKW, respectively. qkl1-2 and qkl4-1 explained 17.8% and 14.2% of the phenotypic variation in KL, respectively, and the other three QTLs contributed 3.2–4.0%. The phenotypic variation explained (PVE) of seven QTLs responsible for KW ranged from 3.3 to 9.5%. Three QTLs for HKW, qhkw1, qhkw5 and qhkw10 each explained more than 10% of the phenotypic variation, and qhkw4 and qhkw9 accounted for 3.0% and 6.0%, respectively. Due to their detection in multiple planting environments, the loci mapped here appear to be potential targets for the improvement of maize grain yield.     

高糖通过诱导HT22细胞衰老和凋亡抑制细胞生长

目的探讨高糖(High glucose,HG)对小鼠海马神经元细胞HT22细胞的生长抑制作用,分析其是否通过HG诱导细胞衰老以及凋亡而实现。方法采用台盼蓝染色计数法检测细胞生长状况并绘制生长曲线,β-半乳糖苷酶(Senescence associated acidic-β-galactosidas,SA-β-Gal)染色法检测衰老的HT22细胞,Hoechst 33258染色法检测HT22细胞凋亡形态。结果(1)HG(13.5、27、40.5mg/ml,48h)能显著抑制HT22细胞生长(P0.05,P0.01);(2)HG(13.5、27、40.5mg/ml)处理48h可明显诱导SA-β-Gal染色阳性率增加(P0.001);(3)HG(13.5、27、40.5mg/ml,48h)能诱导HT22细胞发生凋亡(P0.001),且呈浓度依赖性。结论 HG可通过诱导HT22细胞衰老和凋亡而抑制HT22细胞生长。     

Life expectancy of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) infected by Ganoderma boninense in coastal soils,Malaysia: a case study

Ganoderma boninense basal stem rot poses a serious threat to the oil palm industry. The effects of external disease symptoms and coastal soils (Briah – Typic Endoaquepts, Jawa – Typic Sulfaquepts, and Selangor – Typic Humaquepts) on the life expectancy of the infected palms, from disease detection to death, were studied. Six-monthly censuses on disease classes for each palm were recorded between 2004 and 2012. Survival curves of disease symptoms and soil types were compared using Kaplan–Meier and log-rank methods, respectively. Ganoderma-infected palms in acid-sulphate (AS) and potential AS soils recorded lower life expectancy. Survival duration of infected palms with foliar symptoms was 12-months shorter. External factors, such as soil type may influence the survival of infected palms and soil types may pre-dispose oil palm to higher risk of Ganoderma infection. More effective Ganoderma management for palms planted on Coastal soils (with and without AS layer) have been proposed.     

A novel pH‐controlled hydrogen sulfide donor protects gastric mucosa from aspirin‐induced injury

Hydrogen sulphide (H₂S) serves as a vital gastric mucosal defence under acid condition. Non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are among widely prescribed medications with effects of antipyresis, analgesia and anti‐inflammation. However, their inappropriate use causes gastric lesions and endogenous H₂S deficiency. In this work, we reported the roles of a novel pH‐controlled H₂S donor (JK‐1) in NSAID‐related gastric lesions. We found that JK‐1 could release H₂S under mild acidic pH and increase solution pH value. Intragastrical administration of aspirin (ASP), one of NSAIDs, to mice elicited significant gastric lesions, evidenced by mucosal festering and bleeding. It also led to infiltration of inflammatory cells and resultant releases of IL‐6 and TNF‐α, as well as oxidative injury including myeloperoxidase (MPO) induction and GSH depletion. In addition, the ASP administration statistically inhibited H₂S generation in gastric mucosa, while up‐regulated cyclooxygenase (COX)‐2 and cystathionine gamma lyase (CSE) expression. Importantly, these adverse effects of ASP were prevented by the intragastrical pre‐administration of JK‐1. However, JK‐1 alone did not markedly alter the property of mouse stomachs. Furthermore, in vitro cellular experiments showed the exposure of gastric mucosal epithelial (GES‐1) cells to HClO, imitating MPO‐driven oxidative injury, decreased cell viability, increased apoptotic rate and damaged mitochondrial membrane potential, which were reversed by pre‐treatment with JK‐1. In conclusion, JK‐1 was proved to be an acid‐sensitive H₂S donor and could attenuate ASP‐related gastric lesions through reconstruction of endogenous gastric defence. This work indicates the possible treatment of adverse effects of NSAIDs with pH‐controlled H₂S donors in the future.     

水氮供应对夏棉产量、水氮利用及土壤硝态氮累积的影响

通过田间试验,研究了黄淮地区水氮供应对夏棉生长、产量及水氮利用效率的影响,探索在保证产量的同时提高水氮利用效率、减少农田水氮排放的管理模式.试验设置5个氮素水平(0、60、120、180、240 kg·hm^-2,分别记为N₀、N₁、N₂、N₃、N₄)和3个灌水水平(滴灌,灌水定额30、22.5、15 mm,分别记为I₁、I₂、I₃),使用裂区设计,主区为氮用量,裂区为灌水水平,共15个处理,3次重复.结果表明: 氮素和水分施用对夏棉生长和产量都有明显促进作用,但氮素影响更显著,是该地区调控夏棉生长和籽棉产量的主要因素.随着施氮量和灌水量的增加,花铃期生殖器官积累量、地上部干物质积累量和籽棉产量在开始阶段都逐步增加,当施氮量超过180 kg·hm^-2时,进一步增施氮肥会导致生殖器官积累量、地上部干物质积累量和籽棉产量减小.籽棉产量在N₃I₁处理达到最大,为4016 kg·hm^-2.增加施氮量能显著提高地上部总吸氮量和茎叶含氮量,但会降低氮肥偏生产力.灌溉水利用效率和田间水分利用效率分别在N₃I₃和N₃I₁处理最大,分别为5.40和1.24 kg·m^-3.随着施氮量的增加,土壤硝态氮含量明显增加,且硝态氮累积区域有下移趋势.综合考虑对地上部干物质积累、产量、水氮吸收利用及土壤硝态氮累积等的影响,N₃I₁处理可作为试验区夏季棉花生产的最优水氮管理方案.     

信息素介导的西方蜜蜂与狄斯瓦螨互作研究进展

狄斯瓦螨是一种严重危害西方蜜蜂的体外寄生螨,是世界养蜂业的最大威胁.人们广泛采用化学方法防治狄斯瓦螨,但易引起狄斯瓦螨的抗药性、蜜蜂中毒和蜂产品药物残留等问题.为此,人们尝试了多种蜂螨绿色防控技术.其中利用蜜蜂信息素防治狄斯瓦螨是一个重要的研究方向.研究表明,狄斯瓦螨能利用蜜蜂信息素识别处于不同发育阶段的寄主,并对特定时期的寄主表现出高度的选择性.近年来,多种能作用于狄斯瓦螨的蜜蜂信息素相继被报道.这些信息素包括成蜂、蛹和幼虫信息素.有的信息素对狄斯瓦螨表现出驱避作用,有的则表现出引诱作用.本文对这些信息素的种类、主要组成成分、对狄斯瓦螨的作用等进行了综述,旨在为今后的研究与应用提供参考.     

Self‐Powered Wireless Sensor Node Enabled by a Duck‐Shaped Triboelectric Nanogenerator for Harvesting Water Wave Energy

This paper presents a fully enclosed duck‐shaped triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) for effectively scavenging energy from random and low‐frequency water waves. The design of the TENG incorporates the freestanding rolling mode and the pitch motion of a duck‐shaped structure generated by incident waves. By investigating the material and structural features, a unit of the TENG device is successfully designed. Furthermore, a hybrid system is constructed using three units of the TENG device. The hybrid system achieves an instantaneous peak current of 65.5 µA with an instantaneous output power density of up to 1.366 W m^?2. Following the design, a fluid–solid interaction analysis is carried out on one duck‐shaped TENG to understand the dynamic behavior, mechanical efficiency, and stability of the device under various water wave conditions. In addition, the hybrid system is experimentally tested to enable a commercial wireless temperature sensor node. In summary, the unique duck‐shaped TENG shows a simple, cost‐effective, environmentally friendly, light‐weight, and highly stable system. The newly designed TENG is promising for building a network of generators to harvest existing blue energy in oceans, lakes, and rivers.     

退耕还林还草工程对陕北地区生态系统服务价值时空演变的影响

基于陕北地区1990、2000、2015年土地利用数据，运用单位面积生态系统价值当量因子法、格网法、探索性空间数据法（ESDA），分析了退耕还林还草工程实施前后生态系统服务价值（ESV）的空间分布和演化规律，探讨了退耕还林还草工程对ESV的影响。结果表明：（1）陕北地区退耕还林还草工程实施效果显著，工程实施后共有297066.15 hm2耕地转化为林地和草地，林草覆盖率由57.33%增长至60.50%。（2）退耕还林还草工程使得陕北地区ESV得到了显著提升。25年间陕北地区ESV共增加了32.82亿元，ESV在工程实施后比工程实施前多增加了5.93亿元，增长主要源于退耕引起林地和草地面积的增加。（3）ESV空间分布上呈显著的“南高北低”分布格局，并表现出正向的集聚性和依存性，ESV热点区和冷点区集聚效果明显，热点区集聚与林地、草地的空间分布相吻合，冷点区集聚与未利用地、耕地和建设用地的空间分布相吻合。（4）受退耕还林还草工程影响，陕北地区中部中等等级和次高ESV分布区域逐渐增大、次热点区空间集聚性逐渐增强，北部次低等级和低等级ESV分布区域逐渐减少、冷点区空间集聚性逐渐减弱。整体而言，陕北地区土地利用类型转移和ESV的增减变化与推行退耕还林还草工程在时间上相呼应、在空间上相匹配，退耕还林还草工程实施使得陕北地区生态环境得到了有效改善，ESV得到了显著提升。