Current status and future tendency of lake eutrophication in China

Current trophic status and trend of Chinese freshwater lakes were investigated in this study. The results showed that all lakes studied were commonly undergoing the eutrophication process, water quality decreased and lake’s ecosystem is being declined. Most of the urban lakes are facing serious eutrophication. Many medium-sized lakes are in metrophic or eutrophic status, some local water are even approaching the hypertrophic level. The famous five freshwater lakes in China have entered into eutrophication in the condition of higher nutrient load. Lake Taihu, Hongze and Caohu are already in eutrophic state. Eutrophic lakes are mainly distributed in the middle and lower reaches of Yangtze River and Yungui plateau. Lake eutrophication developed rapidly. Among the 34 lakes studied in 1970’s, most of lakes were in the mesotrophic status, mesotrophic water area accounted for 91.8%. With the nine year of 1978–1987 the area percentage of oligotrophic lakes decreased from 3.2% to 0.53%, and that of eutrophic lakes increased from 5.0% to 55.01%. Recent data showed 57.5% lakes were in eutrophic and hypertrophic status of the 40 surveyed lakes.

Eutrophic trend of Lake Taihu, Chaohu and Xuanwu in the region of the middle and lower reaches of Yangtze River was predicated using the ecological stress model. The results showed that in 2008 Lake Taihu, Chaohu and Xuanwu might be of eutrophication, eutrophication and hypertrophication, respectively if no control measurement is taken. Provided the pollution water treatment rate is 60% in 2030, approximately 30 billion ton pollution water would still be discharged directly in the lakes. Therefore, in 2030 the urban lakes in China might be eutrophication or hypertrophication, and most of the medium-sized lakes at the urban-rural fringe might be in eutrophication or hypertrophication. The famous five biggest freshwater lakes in China might be eutrophication if control countermeasures are taken as now.

Lake eutrophication has become a serious environmental problem in China. Based on the domestic and foreign experiences of the eutrophic control technologies, both nutrient pollution control and lake ecological restoration should be carried out and this may be the guidance for the eutrophic control of lakes in China.

     

染料木黄酮对大鼠体内N-羟乙酰神经氨酸含量的影响及其与唾液酸转移酶相互作用的探讨

本研究旨在研究染料木黄酮(Genistein,Gen)对大鼠体内N-羟乙酰神经氨酸(N-glycolylneuraminic acid,Neu5Gc)生物合成的影响。选取80只4周龄SD雄性大鼠,随机平均分为对照组和Gen组,分别灌胃5%的乙醇溶液和300 mg/(kg·d)的Gen溶液。利用荧光高效液相色谱(HPLC-FLD)检测大鼠后腿肌肉、肾脏、肝脏组织中Neu5Gc的含量,并采用Gen与唾液酸转移酶(Sialyltransferase,ST)分子对接,初步探讨了其抑制Neu5Gc合成的机理。结果表明:灌胃15 d时,后腿肌肉和肝脏组织中的Neu5Gc的含量分别降低了13.77%和15.45%,而肾脏组织中Neu5Gc的含量变化差异不显著;30 d时,在肌肉组织中未检出Neu5Gc,在肝脏组织中的Neu5Gc的含量降低了13.35%,肾脏组织中Neu5Gc的含量没有显著的变化;45 d时,在后腿肌肉、肾脏组织和肝脏组织中的Neu5Gc含量分别降低了32.65%、16.80%和32.78%;60d时,在后腿肌肉、肾脏组织和肝脏组织中Neu5Gc含量降低了12.72%、12.30%和11.42%。Gen与ST活性位点残基His319、Ser151、Gly293、Thr328形成氢键,且与残基His302、His301、Trp300、Ser271、Phe292、Thr328、Ser325、Ile274形成疏水作用。因此分子间弱相互作用是导致Gen抑制ST活性的主要原因。该研究结果为后续开展宰前降低红肉中Neu5Gc的方法提供了基础实验方法支撑。     

Sequence diversity of O-superfamily conopetides from Conus marmoreus native to Hainan

The full-length cDNAs of six new O-superfamily conotoxins (CTX) were cloned and sequenced from Conus marmoreus native to Hainan in China South Sea using RT-PCR and 3′-RACE. Six novel conotoxin precursors encoded by these cDNAs consist of three typical regions of signal, pro-peptide and mature peptide. All the six toxin regions share a common O-superfamily cysteine pattern (C-C-CC-C-C, with three disulfide bridges). The predicted precursors are composed of 73–88 amino acids, and the predicted mature peptides consist of 26–34 amino acids. Phylogenetic analysis of new conotoxins from C. marmoreus from the present study and published homologue T-superfamily sequences from other Conus species was performed systematically. Patterns of sequence divergence for three regions of signal, pro-region and mature peptides, as well as Cys codon usage define the major O-superfamily branches and suggest how these separate branches arose. Percent identities of the amino acid sequences of the signal region exhibited high conservation, whereas the sequences of the mature peptides ranged from almost identical to highly divergent between inter- and intra-species. Notably, the diversity of the pro-region was also high with intermediate divergence between that observed in signal and toxin regions. Amino acid sequences and their mode of action (target) of previously identified conotoxins from molluscivorous C. marmoreus for the known conotoxins classes are discussed in detail. The data presented are new and should pave the way for chemical synthesis of these unique conotoxins for to allow determination of the molecular targets of these peptides, and also to provide clues for a better understanding of the phylogeny of these peptides.     

产木质纤维素降解酶真菌的筛选及产酶特性

【背景】利用微生物处理秸秆引起研究者的广泛关注。【目的】筛选生长速度快、木质纤维素降解酶活性强的真菌菌株,用于植物秸秆降解和高效利用。【方法】从自然界采集的样品中分离纯化真菌菌株,利用PDA-愈创木酚和PDA-羧甲基纤维素钠平板初筛,再经过液体发酵检测漆酶酶活、羧甲基纤维素酶酶活及菌丝生长速率复筛目的菌株,通过内转录间隔区(internal transcribed spacer,ITS)测序法对目的菌株进行鉴定,对目的菌株产漆酶和羧甲基纤维素酶活力进行测定及酶学性质研究。【结果】从样品中分离纯化到18株真菌,通过初筛筛选出9株产木质纤维素降解酶真菌菌株,再经过复筛,筛选出一株产漆酶、羧甲基纤维素酶活力高、菌丝生长快的菌株M1,经过分子生物学鉴定M1为糙皮侧耳(Pleurotus ostreatus),其漆酶酶活为(243.59±1.11)U/mL,羧甲基纤维素酶酶活为(36.03±0.63) U/mL。在5 d的培养期内,菌丝生长速率为(9.43±0.32) mm/d。对菌株M1的发酵粗酶液的酶学性质进行了检测分析,结果表明,所产的漆酶在pH5.0-6.5相对酶活为90%以上,在pH ...     

土壤线虫群落对闽北森林植被恢复的响应

为了考察地上植物群落的演替与土壤线虫群落的相互关系, 作者对闽北退化常绿阔叶林不同恢复阶段的土壤线虫群落进行了为期一年的定位研究。研究表明, 线虫群落对植被不同恢复阶段有不同的响应, 各恢复阶段线虫数量差异显著(P<0.01), 从大到小依次为: 荒地(Wj)、天然阔叶林(Cc)、针阔混交林(Clc )、针叶林(Pm); 土壤线虫数量的季节波动明显, 属数与个体密度均体现为春季＞冬季＞秋季＞夏季, 而夏季极显著少于其他季节(P<0.01); 土壤线虫群落DG指数与丰富度指数从大到小依次为天然阔叶林、荒地、针阔混交林和针叶林。而多样性顺序却表现为: 荒地>天然阔叶林>针阔混交林>针叶林; 不同恢复阶段土壤根系生物量、土壤理化特征存在明显的空间变异, 并且线虫数量与根系生物量、土壤含水率、土壤孔隙度、土壤有机质、全氮以及速效磷具有显著正相关关系。因此, 植被恢复过程中土壤线虫群落结构分异及其动态是一个重要的生态响应过程, 能为进一步研究土壤生物在植被演替中的地位和作用以及土壤生物多样性保护提供基础数据。     

Current status and future tendency of lake eutrophication in China

Current trophic status and trend of Chinese freshwater lakes were investigated in this study. The results showed that all lakes studied were commonly undergoing the eutrophica-tion process, water quality decreased and lake's ecosystem is being declined. Most of the urban lakes are facing serious eutrophication. Many medium-sized lakes are in metrophic or eutrophic status, some local water are even approaching the hypertrophic level. The famous five freshwater lakes in China have entered into eutrophication in the condition of higher nutrient load. Lake Taihu, Hongze and Caohu are already in eutrophic state. Eutrophic lakes are mainly distributed in the middle and lower reaches of Yangtze River and Yungui plateau. Lake eutrophication developed rapidly. Among the 34 lakes studied in 1970's, most of lakes were in the mesotrophic status, mesotrophic water area accounted for 91.8%. With the nine year of 1978-1987 the area percentage of oligotrophic lakes decreased from 3.2% to 0.53%, and that of eutrophic lakes increased from 5.0% to 55.01%. Recent data showed 57.5% lakes were in eutrophic and hyper trophic status of the 40 surveyed lakes. Eutrophic trend of Lake Taihu, Chaohu and Xuanwu in the region of the middle and lower reaches of Yangtze River was predicated using the ecological stress model. The results showed that in 2008 Lake Taihu, Chaohu and Xuanwu might be of eutrophication, eutrophication and hypertrophication, respectively if no control measurement is taken. Provided the pollution water treatment rate is 60% in 2030, approximately 30 billion ton pollution water would still be discharged directly in the lakes. Therefore, in 2030 the urban lakes in China might be eutrophication or hypertrophication, and most of the medium-sized lakes at the urban-rural fringe might be in eutrophication or hypertrophication. The famous five biggest freshwater lakes in China might be eutrophication if control countermeasures are taken as now. Lake eutrophication has become a serious environmental problem in China. Based on the domestic and foreign experiences of the eutrophic control technologies, both nutrient pollution control and lake ecological restoration should be carried out and this may be the guidance for the eutrophic control of lakes in China.     

峡谷型喀斯特不同生态系统的土壤微生物数量及生物量特征

采用样地调查与室内分析相结合的方法,研究了峡谷型喀斯特水田、旱地、草地、灌丛、人工林、次生林6种生态系统不同深度土壤微生物数量、微生物生物量特征及其分形关系。结果表明:峡谷型喀斯特不同生态系统的土壤微生物数量及组成不同,微生物数量均以次生林最高,旱地最低,其组成数量均为细菌放线菌真菌,细菌是土壤微生物的主要类群,数量多达26.66×105—71.64×105cfu/g,占全部微生物比例为87.00%—95.50%,其次为放线菌数量,为1.45×105—3.78×105cfu/g,所占比例为4.21%—12.39%,真菌数量最小,为0.07×105—0.23×105cfu/g,所占比例仅为0.24%—0.61%,不足1%。不同生态系统土壤微生物生物量碳(MBC)、氮(MBN)、磷(MBP)的含量不同,次生林MBC与MBN最高,人工林MBP最高,旱地MBC最低,草地MBN与MBP最低;各生态系统均为MBCMBNMBP。不同生态系统的MBC/SOC、MBN/TN、MBP/TP分别为0.44%—0.97%、2.13%—3.13%、1.46%—2.13%,差异不显著;MBC/MBN在3.06—6.54之间,其中次生林极显著高于其他生态系统,其他生态系统差异不显著。不同生态系统土壤微生物数量及生物量均随土层加深而减少,且具有良好分形关系,均达到了极显著水平(P0.01)。探讨土壤微生物活性为提高石灰土土壤肥力、促进喀斯特植被迅速恢复提供依据。     

Variants in exon 11 of MEF2A gene and coronary artery disease: evidence from a case-control study, systematic review, and meta-analysis

Background

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most common heart disease worldwide. Association of CAD with variants in the myocyte enhancer factor 2A (MEF2A) gene, the first identified CAD-causing gene, has attracted special attention but the results are controversial. We aimed to evaluate this genetic association via a case-control study and meta-analysis.

Methodology/Principal Findings

We performed a case-control association study to investigate the relationship between variations in exon 11 of MEF2A gene and CAD in 1045 sporadic patients and 1008 controls enrolled angiographically among southern Chinese population, and then the data from this study were compared and discussed in a systematic review and meta-analysis with all available published studies on MEF2A gene and CAD. In total, eight variants were identified (21-bp deletion, CAG repeats, CCG repeats, a CCA deletion and four SNPs). No significant link was observed between the common (CAG)_n polymorphism and CAD, whereas the rare 21-bp deletion was detected only in five affected individuals. The meta-analysis of (CAG)_n polymorphism and CAD risk, including nine studies with 3801 CAD patients and 4020 controls, also provided no convincing evidence for the genetic association, even upon stratification by race (mainly Whites and Chinese). However, the 21-bp deletion was regarded as a potentially logical, albeit undetermined, candidate for CAD in the following systematic review.

Conclusions/Significance

Our findings failed to demonstrate a correlation between (CAG)_n polymorphism with CAD, however, we concluded that the rare 21-bp deletion might have a more compelling effect on CAD than the common (CAG)_n polymorphism, and MEF2A genetic variant might be a rare but specific cause of CAD/MI.     

Association of CTLA-4 gene polymorphisms with sporadic breast cancer risk and clinical features in Han women of Northeast China

Cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA-4) is an inhibitory molecule that plays a pivotal role in downregulating T-cell mediated immune responses. To determine the role of CTLA-4 in tumor immunity, and to validate previous results as well, we investigated four tag single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of CTLA-4 in a relatively large Chinese Han cohort from northeastern China. Genotypes were determined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) in 581 patients and 566 age-matched controls. Our data indicated that compared with the common genotype and allele of each SNP, the -1722 CC genotype and C allele showed an increased risk of breast cancer (P = 0.030, odds ratio (OR) = 1.457, 95% confidence internal (CI) 1.036-2.051; P = 0.024, OR = 1.214, 95% CI 1.026-1.436, respectively). The -1661 GG genotype and G allele were also associated with an increased risk of breast cancer (P = 0.018, OR = 1.396, 95% CI 1.058-1.843; P = 0.013, OR = 1.353, 95% CI 1.066-1.717, respectively). In the haplotype analysis, the CAAA haplotype showed a higher frequency in cases (P = 0.004), and this association remained significant after correcting the P value for multiple testing. Associations were shown between the SNPs of CTLA-4 and lymph node metastasis, estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) and P53 statuses. These results indicate that some SNPs in the CTLA-4 gene may affect the risk of breast cancer and show that some SNPs are associated with breast cancer characteristics in Han women in northeastern China.     

Endocrine organs of cardiovascular diseases: Gut microbiota

Gut microbiota (GM) is a collection of bacteria, fungi, archaea, viruses and protozoa, etc. They inhabit human intestines and play an essential role in human health and disease. Close information exchange between the intestinal microbes and the host performs a vital role in digestion, immune defence, nervous system regulation, especially metabolism, maintaining a delicate balance between itself and the human host. Studies have shown that the composition of GM and its metabolites are firmly related to the occurrence of various diseases. More and more researchers have demonstrated that the intestinal microbiota is a virtual ‘organ’ with endocrine function and the bioactive metabolites produced by it can affect the physiological role of the host. With deepening researches in recent years, clinical data indicated that the GM has a significant effect on the occurrence and development of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). This article systematically elaborated the relationship between metabolites of GM and its effects, the relationship between intestinal dysbacteriosis and cardiovascular risk factors, coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction, heart failure and hypertension and the possible pathogenic mechanisms. Regulating the GM is supposed to be a potential new therapeutic target for CVD.