Actinidia chlorotic ringspot‐associated virus: a novel emaravirus infecting kiwifruit plants

By integrating next‐generation sequencing (NGS), bioinformatics, electron microscopy and conventional molecular biology tools, a new virus infecting kiwifruit vines has been identified and characterized. Being associated with double‐membrane‐bound bodies in infected tissues and having a genome composed of RNA segments, each one containing a single open reading frame in negative polarity, this virus shows the typical features of members of the genus Emaravirus. Five genomic RNA segments were identified. Additional molecular signatures in the viral RNAs and in the proteins they encode, together with data from phylogenetic analyses, support the proposal of creating a new species in the genus Emaravirus to classify the novel virus, which is tentatively named Actinidia chlorotic ringspot‐associated virus (AcCRaV). Bioassays showed that AcCRaV is mechanically transmissible to Nicotiana benthamiana plants which, in turn, may develop chlorotic spots and ringspots. Field surveys disclosed the presence of AcCRaV in four different species of kiwifruit vines in five different provinces of central and western China, and support the association of the novel virus with symptoms of leaf chlorotic ringspots in Actinidia. Data on the molecular features of small RNAs of 21–24 nucleotides, derived from AcCRaV RNAs targeted by host RNA silencing mechanisms, are also reported, and possible molecular pathways involved in their biogenesis are discussed.     

Caspase 3 activation and PARP cleavage in lymphocytes from newborn babies of diabetic mothers with unbalanced glycaemic control

Several epidemiological studies showed that gestational diabetes mellitus is the most frequent metabolic disorder of pregnancy, the pathogenesis of which has yet to be completely clarified. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence and processing of caspase 3 (Casp3) and poly(ADP‐ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP1) in cord blood lymphocytes as markers of apoptosis in relation to glycaemic control during intrauterine life. Our results showed a specific positive correlation between the levels of active Casp3 (17–19 kDa) and the inactive form of PARP1 (89 kDa) in lymphocytes isolated from newborn babies of diabetic women with unbalanced glycaemic control, with a direct correlation between the activation of casp3 and the inactivation of PARP1, that makes lymphocytes unresponsive towards lipopolysaccharide stimulation, highlighting an altered functional response. Besides more studies are required to fully correlate the activation of the apoptotic process during the intrauterine life with the foetal health later in life, our study indicates that a cord blood lymphocyte, an easily accessible source, is informative about the activation of apoptotic stimuli in circulating cells of newborn babies in relation to the glycaemic control reached by the mother during pregnancy. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Computer-aided gene design.

A computer program, which runs on MS-DOS personal computers, is described that assists in the design of synthetic genes coding for proteins. The goal of the program is the design of a gene which (i) contains as many unique restriction sites as possible and (ii) uses a specific codon usage. The gene designed according to the criteria above is (i) suitable for 'modular mutagenesis' experiments and (ii) optimized for expression. The program 'reverse-translates' protein sequences into degenerated DNA sequences, generates a map of potential restriction sites and locates sequence positions where unique restriction sites can be accommodated. The nucleic acid sequence is then 'refined' according to a specific codon usage to remove any degeneration. Unique restriction sites, if potentially present, can be 'forced' into the degenerated nucleic acid sequence by using 'priority codes' assigned to different restriction sequences.     

The value of harmful algal bloom predictions to the nearshore commercial shellfish fishery in the Gulf of Maine

In this study, we develop a framework for measuring the value of harmful algal bloom (HAB) predictions. The framework captures the effects of both private and public responses to HABs. Using data from the New England nearshore commercial shellfish fishery and impact estimates for a large-scale HAB event in 2005, we illustrate how the potential value of HAB forecasts may be estimated. The results of our study suggest that the long-term value of a HAB prediction and tracking system for the Gulf of Maine is sensitive to the frequency of HAB events, the accuracy of predictions, the choice of HAB impact measures, and the effectiveness of public and private responses.     

Improvement of γ-decalactone production by stimulating the import of ricinoleic acid and suppressing the degradation of γ-decalactone in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

A number of yeast species can transform ricinoleic acid into γ-decalactone, a high-value compound with fruity aroma, through β-oxidation. This study investigated the effect of l-carnitine on γ-decalactone production by Saccharomyces cerevisiae MF013 to increase the β-oxidation rate. Results showed that l-carnitine shortened the biotransformation period by approximately 10?h and increased γ-decalactone production by 19.5%. γ-Caprolactone, γ-octalactone, and γ-dodecalactone were separately added to the medium to prevent γ-decalactone degradation by yeast cells at the end of biotransformation. γ-Octalactone competitively inhibited γ-decalactone from binding to lactonase, resulting in an 11% increase in γ-decalactone production. This research proposed an effective approach to improve the γ-decalactone production rate, shorten the biotransformation period, and suppress the γ-decalactone degradation in S. cerevisiae.     

萘对川西亚高山森林土壤微生物量、丰度和磷脂脂肪酸的影响

萘作为土壤动物化学抑制剂已在土壤动物生态功能的研究中广泛使用,但其非目标效应使其应用仍存在很大的不确定性。为了解在亚高山森林土壤应用萘抑制土壤动物群落的非目标效应,以川西亚高山森林土壤为研究对象,采用微缩实验研究了土壤微生物生物量、丰度和磷脂脂肪酸对萘胁迫的短期响应。结果表明,萘处理和对照的土壤微生物生物量碳(MBC)、真菌丰度以及细菌、真菌、革兰氏阳性菌(G~+)和革兰氏阴性菌(G~-)PLFAs含量在整个培养期间表现为降低的变化趋势,二者的土壤微生物生物量碳和G~+PLFAs含量以培养52d最低,细菌、真菌和G~-PLFAs含量以培养的45d最低。萘处理和对照的微生物生物量氮(MBN)含量表现出先升高后降低的动态,微生物生物量碳氮比(MBC/MBN)则表现为相反趋势。对照的真菌/细菌PLFAs比值呈现先升高后降低的动态,以培养的17d最高,但萘处理的真菌/细菌PLFAs比值无明显变化规律;萘处理的G~+/G~-PLFAs比值表现为降低的变化趋势,对照的G~+/G~-PLFAs比值表现为先降低后升高的趋势。萘处理仅显著影响了G~+/G~-PLFAs比值,但萘处理和采样时间的交互作用显著影响MBC/MBN、细菌丰度、真菌/细菌丰度比以及细菌、真菌的PLFAs含量、真菌/细菌PLFAs比值、G~+/G~-PLFAs比值。萘作为土壤动物抑制剂对川西亚高山森林土壤微生物群落的非目标效应具有时间变异性。     

无血清无饲养层条件下培养小鼠胚胎干细胞

目的研究在无血清无饲养层条件下小鼠胚胎干细胞的培养方法,为最终建立无血清无饲养层培养系统打下基础。方法比较小鼠胚胎干细胞ES-S8株在无血清培养体系和有血清培养体系中的生长情况,分析ES-S8细胞克隆形成效率,测定其生长速度;然后在撤去血清和饲养层的条件下培养ES-S8细胞,进行AKP染色和表面标记物SSEA-1免疫荧光检测。结果ES-S8细胞在无血清培养条件下细胞生长速度减缓,克隆形成率降低,但AKP染色、SSEA-1免疫荧光均显阳性;在无血清无饲养层条件下ES-S8细胞培养仍能形成克隆,且AKP染色、SSEA-1免疫荧光均显阳性。结论研究表明ES-S8细胞能够在无血清无饲养层的培养条件下生长,保持其良好的未分化特性。