光照和冷藏时间对青藏高原东缘三种灌木种子萌发的影响

研究了青藏高原东缘3种灌木种子(山梅花Philadelphus incanus、高山绣线菊Spiraea alpina和南川绣线菊S.rosthornii)经过0、40、80和160 d 5℃冷藏后,在5℃/25℃、12h/12 h光/暗培养下的萌发特性以及室温干储120 d后在白光、黑暗、红光、蓝光和12 h/12 h白光/黑暗(变光)5个水平,10℃/25℃变温培养下的萌发特性。结果表明:冷藏时间对3种灌木种子的萌发率和萌发速率均有极显著的影响,冷藏能提高山梅花和南川绣线菊种子的萌发能力,而不利于高山绣线菊种子的萌发;光照对山梅花种子萌发率有极显著的影响,红光和白光/黑暗培养下的萌发率最高,萌发速率最快,黑暗和蓝光培养条件下的种子萌发率最低,萌发速率最慢;光照对南川绣线菊种子萌发率和萌发速率有显著影响,白光、红光、蓝光、白光/黑暗培养下种子的萌发率均在80%以上,明显高于黑暗条件下,但红光下种子的萌发速率最快,蓝光下的萌发速率最慢;不同光照下高山绣线菊种子萌发率没有差异,均在93%以上,但红光和黑暗条件下种子的萌发速率最快,蓝光下的萌发速率最慢。本实验结果表明,冷藏作为一种打破种子休眠的常用手段,其作用因种而异;红光作为萌发的促动因子,其对各物种作用较为一致。     

青藏高原东缘11种小檗属(Berberis)植物种子萌发特性

在实验室条件下研究了青藏高原东缘11种小檗属(Berberis)植物的种子萌发特性,并分析了种子萌发能力与种子大小和海拔之间的关系。结果表明,11种植物中,仅有5种植物(金花小檗、匙叶小檗、锥花小檗、鲜黄小檗和刺黄花)种子萌发率超过50%,其中金花小檗最高(86.7%);有2种植物(巴东小檗、华西小檗)种子始终没有萌发,其余4种植物种子萌发率均在10%以下;种子萌发开始时间均在10d以后,匙叶小檗种子萌发的持续时间最长(40d)。11种植物种子萌发率、萌发速率、萌发持续时间与种子大小均呈显著负相关,而萌发开始时间与种子大小之间具有显著的正相关关系。萌发率、萌发速率、萌发持续时间与海拔均有较弱的正关联,萌发开始时间与海拔有较弱的负关联。     

光质及种子大小对普洱地区14种植物种子萌发的影响

以普洱地区14种常见植物种子为材料,在实验室条件下研究了其在白光、黑暗、红光和蓝光条件下的萌发特性,并分析了种子大小与萌发率、萌发速率、萌发开始时间的关系。结果表明:光质对四方蒿、沙针、尖子木、藿香蓟种子萌发率和萌发速率均有显著影响(P0.05)。光质对大叶斑鸠菊、云南山枇花、臭灵丹、车桑子、光萼猪屎豆、葫芦茶、云南地桃花、西南宿苞豆、岗柃、中国宿苞豆10个物种的种子萌发率和萌发速率均没有显著影响(P0.05),以上物种中除中国宿苞豆外,其他物种种子萌发率均在20%以下,处于休眠状态。四方蒿种子在白光(89.9%)和红光(84.7%)下萌发率最高,红光下种子萌发最快(4.93),蓝光下种子萌发开始时间最晚(11.3 d);沙针种子在白光下萌发率最高(80.4%)、萌发速率最快(2.71),在黑暗和蓝光下萌发率较低(43.9%和38%)、萌发速率最慢(0.73和0.85),白光、红光下萌发开始最早(11 d),黑暗条件下萌发开始最晚(21.7 d);尖子木种子萌发率在白光、黑暗、蓝光下均在86%以上,而红光下仅32%且萌发速率最慢(1.29),在蓝光下萌发开始时间最晚(13 d);藿香蓟种子萌发率和萌发速率在红光下最高(分别为71.3%和6.46),黑暗条件下最低(分别为42.5%和2.62);大叶斑鸠菊萌发开始时间在黑暗条件下最早(6 d),其次是白光下(7 d),蓝光和红光下较晚,分别为8 d和7.7 d。14个物种种子的萌发率与种子大小间均有显著负相关关系;种子萌发速率、萌发开始时间与种子大小间也有负相关关系,但不显著;种子大小与萌发率、萌发速率和萌发开始时间的关系不会随着光质的变化而发生变化。     

丛毛垂叶榕种子萌发的光敏感性及其生态意义

以丛毛垂叶榕（Ficns benjamina L．var．nuda）种子为实验材料,研究了温度、光照、植物激素（GA3、6-BA、乙烯）和含氮化合物（硝普钠、亚硝酸盐和硝酸盐）对种子萌发的影响,讨论了光在丛毛垂叶榕种子萌发中的生态意义。在交替光照下（14h光照,10h黑暗,12μmol m^-2s^-1）,种子在15℃、20℃、25℃、30℃、35℃、40℃和30℃,20℃下的最终萌发率分别为87．5％、100％、100％、100％、98％、89％和100％;种子的平均萌发时间分别为34．7d、16．3d、5．6d、4．8d、6．4d、9d和6．3d。黑暗条件下,种子在15℃、20℃、25℃、30℃、35℃、40℃和30℃／20℃下萌发35d,种子的萌发率为零;添加交替光照后,种子迅速萌发。0．5～20μmol m^-2s^-1的光照强度显著地增加种子的最终萌发率,不同的光照强度对种子的最终萌发率没有明显的影响,但影响种子的萌发速率。在24h光暗周期下,种子的最终萌发率随着光期长度的增加而显著提高。在连续光照下处理24h、36h和48h后能够促进种子在随后的连续黑暗中萌发。不同浓度的GA3、6-BA、乙烯、硝普钠、NaNO3和NaNO2处理不能代替光照在黑暗条件下促进种子萌发,添加交替光照后,种子迅速获得萌发能力。丛毛垂叶榕种子的上述萌发行为与其长期适应热带雨林的生境密切相关。     

薄毛海绵杜鹃结实和萌发特性随环境的变化

选择青藏高原东南林线地区优势植物薄毛海绵杜鹃为对象,研究薄毛海绵杜鹃结实特性和萌发特性随海拔(4183—4673 m)、坡度、坡向等环境梯度的变化规律。对比了不同环境条件下薄毛海绵杜鹃果实的长、宽、重量、单果种子数、种子千粒重等结实特性;并测试了不同环境所产种子的萌发对温度和光照的响应。结果表明:(1)在高海拔低温胁迫环境下,薄毛海绵杜鹃的生殖投入加大,果实大且质量重,种子数量多但质量轻;(2)坡向是影响单果种子数量的主要环境因子,阴坡单果种子数显著大于阳坡,生活在阴坡的薄毛海绵杜鹃的繁衍能力更强;(3)较高和较低土壤湿度都会影响薄毛海绵杜鹃的种子质量,中等土壤湿度(28.3%—32.5%)薄毛海绵杜鹃种子萌发能力最强;(4)薄毛海绵杜鹃的种子是需光性种子,在黑暗条件下几乎不萌发;(5)在光照条件下,温度对种子萌发率和萌发速率有显著影响,高温(25/5℃)有助于提高萌发率并促使萌发进程显著提前。研究揭示了不同海拔薄毛海绵杜鹃结实和萌发特性与环境之间的关系,为薄毛海绵杜鹃的种质资源保护和气候变化背景下藏东南林线动态预测提供了基础资料。     

狼毒种子萌发特性与种群更新机制的研究

研究了采集于植株上的和收集于土壤种子库的狼毒(Stellera chamaejasme)种子在不同温度、光照和5种预处理(即破裂种皮、去除种皮、98％H2SO4浸种5min、0．2％KNO3浸种24h、10℃低温保存1周)条件下的萌发力。结果表明,狼毒种子萌发率较低,25℃恒温、黑暗条件下萌发率为13％,较适宜的萌发温度为30℃恒温或10～30℃变温,破裂种皮和去除种皮萌发率显著提高,25℃恒温、光暗交替条件下萌发率分别为49％和47％,浓硫酸浸种5min处理萌发率可达到32％,KON3浸种和10℃低温保存两个处理对促进狼毒种子萌发效果不明显,狼毒种子萌发对光照条件不敏感,种子硬实性是导致狼毒种子萌发率较低的主要原因,取自土壤种子库内的狼毒种子萌发率高于当年采集的种子,在自然条件下,并非每年都有狼毒种子萌发长成幼苗,种群更新时机是随机的或周期性的。     

不同培养条件对孔雀草种子发芽的影响

孔雀草种子在3种光照、5个温度梯度处理条件下萌发,筛选种子萌发最佳条件。结果表明:在光照和黑暗条件下,孔雀草种子萌发率无显著差异;低温和高温都不适宜种子萌发,以30℃条件为最佳,胚根饱满,整齐,生命力旺盛。     

胡杨种子萌发对温光条件和盐旱胁迫的响应特征

以胡杨(Populus euphratica)种子为材料,分别设置光照(连续光照、12h光照/12h黑暗、连续黑暗)温度(10/15℃、15/20℃、20/25℃、25/30℃、30/35℃和35/40℃)试验、PEG6000渗透胁迫(0、-0.1、-0.2、-0.4、-0.6、-0.8、-1.0、-1.2、-1.4和-1.6MPa)试验和NaCl胁迫(0、0.05、0.10、0.20、0.30、0.40、0.60和0.80mol/L)试验,考察室内种子萌发对温度、光照和盐旱胁迫的敏感性,揭示胡杨种子萌发阶段对生境资源的适应策略。结果显示:(1)胡杨种子在温度(10℃/15℃~35℃/40℃)与连续光照、连续黑暗和12h光照/12h黑暗组合处理条件下均能萌发,且最终种子萌发率均能达到77%以上;3种光照条件下,种子萌发的最适温度范围均为25℃/30℃~30℃/35℃,在该温度范围种子萌发表现出快速、集中的特点,且3种光照条件对种子萌发的影响无显著差异。(2)胡杨种子可以在-1.4~0 MPa渗透势溶液中萌发,而在-1.0~0 MPa间最终萌发率均达到90%以上,且相互之间无显著差异;但当渗透势低于-0.4 MPa时胡杨种子萌发进程和萌发速率受到显著影响,当溶液渗透势低于-1.2 MPa时种子萌发受到显著抑制。(3)胡杨种子可以在0~0.80mol/L NaCl溶液中萌发,而最终萌发率、萌发速率均随着NaCl溶液浓度的增高逐渐降低,但在0~0.20mol/L范围内无显著差异;当NaCl溶液浓度大于0.20mol/L时,种子最终萌发率、种子萌发进程和萌发速率均受到显著抑制,萌发高峰期逐渐向后推移。研究结果表明,胡杨种子萌发时温度比较宽泛,对光照无严格要求,适宜温度下萌发快速集中,且萌发时对盐旱胁迫具有一定程度的忍耐性。这些特性有助于胡杨种子充分利用有限的水分条件而快速完成萌发,是胡杨种子萌发对干旱荒漠地区干旱少雨环境的一种生态适应策略。     

光和不同打破种子休眠方法对紫茎泽兰种子萌发及幼苗状态的影响

紫茎泽兰是著名的外来入侵植物,作为入侵的第一步,发芽及其幼苗生长应该与其强入侵能力有关.基于此,通过不同光照强度处理和不同打破休眠方法的双因素实验,旨在探讨紫茎泽兰种子是否具有需光萌发特性以及低温、水杨酸、聚乙二醇,硝酸钾等常规打破休眠方法和光照如何共同影响其萌发、幼苗生长等问题.结果表明:在全光照条件下,不同处理的紫茎泽兰种子的萌发率均大于63％,铝箔纸覆盖的遮光条件(0.23％光照)萌发率均大于60％,而在完全黑暗条件下,其萌发率较低(均小于30％),这表明紫茎泽兰种子具有需光萌发的特性.有别于以往对其它植物种子的报道,低温处理、水杨酸处理、聚乙二醇处理和硝酸钾处理不能代替光照打破种子休眠,显示紫茎泽兰种子可能处于一种强迫休眠状态(种子静态).全光照与水杨酸处理、PEG处理对幼苗生长具有交互影响:黑暗下水杨酸处理浓度与幼苗生物量成正相关(P＜0.05),但全光照和加铝箔下不相关(P＞0.05);全光照下PEG处理浓度与根长显著正相关(P＜0.05),而加铝箔和黑暗下不相关(P＞0.05).紫茎泽兰种子需光萌发特征及其幼苗生长特点是人为破坏表土壤、深层土壤种子库地表化导致快速入侵的基础.结果也为通过引入适宜树种造林来控制光照因子对紫茎泽兰进行生态控制提供了理论依据.     

贵州毕节喀斯特地区优势植物种子萌发特性初步研究

对采自贵州毕节地区的11种植物的种子萌发特性进行了初步研究,结果表明：①盐肤木、火棘、化香、云贵金丝桃与白栎种子在4周之内能够萌发;除云贵鹅耳枥胚坏死之外（萌发实验前后对种子进行解剖）,其他5种植物的种子都未萌发,处于不同的休眠状态。②盐肤木、化香、云贵金丝桃的种子光照时的萌发率远高于黑暗时的萌发率,具有显著差异,尤其是云贵金丝桃,因此3种植物种子均属于喜光性种子;而火棘与白栎种子有无光照都可以萌发,而且萌发率没显著差异,因此属于光不敏感或光中性种子。③盐肤木、云贵金丝桃的种子在30℃较高温条件下萌发最好;白栎、火棘种子在15℃、20℃低温条件下萌发更好;化香种子萌发温度既不能低于20℃也不能高于25℃。④刺异叶花椒种子吸水率高达85%,胚包埋在胚乳之中非常微小、未分化,因此可以初步判定属于形态休眠或者形态生理休眠;而平枝荀子、西域旌节花、云南旌节花种子吸水率都在20%以上,胚长/种子长都超多1/2,并且胚已发育完全,应属于生理休眠;小果蔷薇种子吸水率约27%,胚长/种子长都达2/3,并且通过对种子的解剖发现胚还未发育,应属于形态生理休眠。     

Paramyxoviruses: different receptors - different mechanisms of fusion

Paramyxovirus-mediated membrane fusion usually requires an interaction between the viral-attachment and -fusion proteins. The mechanism by which this interaction regulates fusion differs between paramyxoviruses that bind to sialic acid-containing receptors and those that recognize specific proteins. The recently solved structure of the globular head of the measles virus hemagglutinin suggests that this difference might be related to the location of the receptor-binding sites on the attachment proteins of the two classes of paramyxoviruses.     

Papillomaviruses: different genes have different histories

Papillomaviruses (PVs) infect stratified squamous epithelia in vertebrates. Some PVs are associated with different types of cancer and with certain benign lesions. It has been assumed that PVs coevolved with their hosts. However, recently it has been shown that different regions of the genome have different evolutionary histories. The PV genome has a modular nature and appeared after the addition of pre-existent blocks. This order of appearance in the PV genome is evident today in the different evolutionary rates of the different genes, with new genes--E5, E6 and E7--diverging faster than old genes--E1, E2, L2 and L1. Here, we propose an evolutionary framework aiming to integrate genome evolution, PV biology and epidemiology of PV infections.     

Mussel beds on different types of structures support different macroinvertebrate assemblages

Abstract Artificial structures, such as seawalls, pilings and pontoons, are common features of urban estuaries. They replace natural structures or add to the amount of hard substratum in an area and provide habitats for many fish and invertebrates. Previous work has concentrated on fish or on the invertebrates that occupy the primary substratum of artificial structures. Mussels often grow on different types of structures (pontoons, pilings, seawalls and natural reefs) and provide a secondary substratum for other organisms to inhabit. Counting and identifying organisms associated with mussel beds is traditionally done to species level, which is very time‐consuming. To save time, organisms in this study were identified to coarse levels of taxonomic resolution (a mix of taxa, such as class, order, family and genus), which showed similar patterns to those when particularly speciose and abundant groups were identified to species. This study tests hypotheses that the distribution and abundance of mobile and sessile organisms that inhabit mussel beds will differ among natural and various types of artificial structures. When the associated assemblages of mussel beds from different types of structures and from different locations were examined, assemblages varied according to the type of structure they inhabited and its location. Assemblages associated with mussels on pontoons differed consistently from those on other types of structures. Patterns in the assemblages were also consistent through time. These data show that the types and amounts of artificial structures added to an environment can affect the types, distribution and abundances of organisms living in biogenic habitats.     

Antimicrobial effect of different herbal plant extracts against different microbial population

This study evaluates the antimicrobial effects of ethanolic extract of five herbal plants; Guava (Psidium guajava), Sage (Salvia officinalis), Rhamnus (Ziziphusspina Christi), Mulberry (Morusalba L.), and Olive (Oleaeuropaea L) leaves against several microbial population representing Gram positive, Gram negative and Mollicutes; S. aureus, E. coli, Pasteurella multocida, B. cereus, Salmonella Enteritidis and M. gallisepticum using standard agar disc diffusion technique and minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC). Different extracts reveal variable results against the microorganism under study. All extracts have no antibacterial potency for Mycoplasma gallisepticum except Psidium guajava. The results of minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and Minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of the extracts against the six bacteria ranged from 625 to 5000 μg/ml. The used herbal extract could inhibit the selected microorganism under study with variable minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC).     

Gene therapy: different strategies for different applications

American Society of Gene Therapy: First Annual MeetingSeattle, Washington, USA, 28–31 May 1998     

Ras proteins: different signals from different locations

Ras signalling has classically been thought to occur exclusively at the inner surface of a relatively uniform plasma membrane. Recent studies have shown that Ras proteins interact dynamically with specific microdomains of the plasma membrane as well as with other internal cell membranes. These different membrane microenvironments modulate Ras signal output and highlight the complex interplay between Ras location and function.     

Hypothalamic control of energy balance: different peptides, different functions

Energy balance is maintained via a homeostatic system involving both the brain and the periphery. A key component of this system is the hypothalamus. Over the past two decades, major advances have been made in identifying an increasing number of peptides within the hypothalamus that contribute to the process of energy homeostasis. Under stable conditions, equilibrium exists between anabolic peptides that stimulate feeding behavior, as well as decrease energy expenditure and lipid utilization in favor of fat storage, and catabolic peptides that attenuate food intake, while stimulating sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activity and restricting fat deposition by increasing lipid metabolism. The equilibrium between these neuropeptides is dynamic in nature. It shifts across the day-night cycle and from day to day and also in response to dietary challenges as well as peripheral energy stores. These shifts occur in close relation to circulating levels of the hormones, leptin, insulin, ghrelin and corticosterone, and also the nutrients, glucose and lipids. These circulating factors together with neural processes are primary signals relaying information regarding the availability of fuels needed for current cellular demand, in addition to the level of stored fuels needed for long-term use. Together, these signals have profound impact on the expression and production of neuropeptides that, in turn, initiate the appropriate anabolic or catabolic responses for restoring equilibrium. In this review, we summarize the evidence obtained on nine peptides in the hypothalamus that have emerged as key players in this process. Data from behavioral, physiological, pharmacological and genetic studies are described and consolidated in an attempt to formulate a clear statement on the underlying function of each of these peptides and also on how they work together to create and maintain energy homeostasis.