Special Issue on ＂Metagenomics of Marine Environments＂

We are pleased to announce a special issue on ＂Metagenomics of Marine Environments＂ of the journal Genomics, Proteomics ＆ Bioinformatics （GPB）, aiming to provide a platform for high-quality papers focusing on the topic and we invite submissions for this special issue （to be published in August of 2015）.
With most microbes being difficult or impossible to culture, metagenomic approaches based on culture- independent genomic sequencing provide the first real insight of the magnitude and diversity of microbial life that remains largely uncharted. The first metagenomic study of surface water of the Sargasso Sea revealed roughly 1800 species of microbes found in these samples, with 150 new bacterial species and over 1.2 million new genes. The astounding number of genes found in these samples suggests that microbial life in the ocean is far more abundant and diverse than one would expect.     

Special Issue on ＂Biomarkers for Diseases＂

The journal Genomics Proteomics ＆ Bioinformatics （GPB） is now inviting submissions for a special issue （to be published in June of 2015） on the topic of ＂Biomarkers for Diseases＂.
As an emerging index, disease biomarkers have demonstrated the potential application in diagnosis and prognosis. The detection of the disease indicators at molecular level, DNA, RNA, protein or metabolites, could gain highly sensitive and specific signals that truly reflect the pathological changes and fully facilitate diagnostic analysis at early phase with invasive mode. Revolution of high-throughput techniques, such as genome-sequencing and mass spectrometers, greatly promotes the discovery and application of the disease biomarkers. The existing disease biomarkers have covered nearly all the macromolecular categories as well as their variants and modifications, including predisposing genetic variations （such as SNPs）, mutations, epigenetic modifications, miRNAs, splice isoforms, abnormal proteins and autoantibodies. Although some biomarkers have been adopted in clinical practice, there are still great needs for studies on identifying new ones, understanding the existing ones and applying the well-studied ones in practice.     

Conservation and behavior of Africa＇s ＂Big Five＂

We examine the conservation status of Africa＇s ＂Big Five＂： lion, leopard, buffalo, black and white rhinoceros and elephant, and the role of behavioral knowledge in their conservation. Efforts to conserve these flagship species consist of in situ conservation, captive breeding and reintroductions. With a few exceptions, we find limited evidence that knowledge of behavior informs conservation programs targeted at these species. For management in the wild, knowledge of infanticide and ranging can provide guidelines for realistic hunting quotas and corridors between protected areas, respectively. For ex situ and reintroduction programs, behavioral knowledge is chiefly focused on improved animal husbandry. Despite a formidable understanding of these species＇ behavior, the practicalities of using such knowledge may be diminished because exploitation of these species is so forceful and the bulk of efforts aimed at conserving these species （and indeed most other African species） are primarily in situ where behaviorally driven interventions are limited. Our comparative findings suggest that behavior has been of rather narrow use in the conservation of these flagship species [Current Zoology 60 （4）： 486--499, 2014].     

Comparative effects of insecticides with different mechanisms of action on Chrysoperla externa （Neuroptera＂ Chrysopidae）＂ Lethal,sublethal and dose-response effects

The comprehensive knowledge that the delayed systemic and reproduction side effects can be even more deleterious than acute toxicity, has caused a shift in focus toward sublethal effects assessment on physiology and behavior of beneficial insects. In this study, we assessed the risks posed by some insecticides with different mode of action through lethal and delayed systemic sublethal effects on the pupation, adult emergence, and repro- duction of the chrysopid Chrysoperla externa （Hagen, 1861; Neuroptera： Chrysopidae）, an important predator in pest biological control. The maximum field recommended dose （MFRD） and twice （2xMFRD） for chlorantraniliprole, tebufenozide, and pyriproxyfen were harmless to C. externa. In contrast, all the tested chitin synthesis inhibitors （CSIs） were highly detrimental to the predator, despite of their lack of acute lethal toxicity. There- fore, the safety assumed by using IGRs toward beneficial insects is not valid for chrysopids. Dose-response data showed that although all CSIs have a similar mechanism of action, the relative extent of toxicity may differ （novaluron 〉 lufenuron 〉 teflubenzuron）. For CSIs, the delayed systemic effects became obvious at adult emergence, where the predicted no observable effect dose （NOED） was 1/2 048 of the MFRD for novaluron （0.085 ng/insect）, and 1/256 of the MFRD for both lufenuron （0.25 ng/insect） and teflubenzuron （0.6 ng/insect）. Finally, this work emphasized the significance of performing toxicity risk assessments with an adequate posttreatment period to avoid underestimating the toxicities of insecticides, as the acute lethal toxicity assays may not provide accurate information regarding the long-range effects of hazardous compounds.     

Genetic Mapping of Laminaria japonica and L. Iongissima Using Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism Markers in a ＂Two-Way Pseudo- Testcross＂ Strategy

With a ＂two-way pseudo-testcross＂ mapping strategy, we applied the amplified fragment length polymorphism （AFLP） markers to construct two moderate density genetic linkage maps for Laminaria. The linkage maps were generated from the 60 progenies of the F1 cross family （Laminaria iongissima Aresch. × L. Japonica Miyabe） with twenty pairs of primer combinations. Of the 333 polymorphic loci scored in 60 progenies, 173 segregated in a 1：1 ratio, corresponding to DNA polymorphisms heterozygous in a single parent, and the other 58 loci existing in both parents followed a 3：1 Mendelian segregation ratio. Among the loci with 1：1 segregating ratios, 79 loci were ordered in 14 linkage groups （648.6 cM） of the paternal map, and 72 loci were ordered in 14 linkage groups （601.9 cM） of the maternal map. The average density of loci was approximately 1 per 8 cM. To Investigate the homologies between two parental maps, we used 58 loci segregated 3：1 for further analysis, and deduced one homologous linkage group. The linkage data developed in these maps will be useful for detecting loci-controlling commercially important traits for Laminaria.     

Morphological and molecular characterization of Alternaria isolates on fruits of Pyrus bretschneideri Rehd. ＂Ya Li＂

A total of 123 Alternaria isolates were obtained from roting fruits of Pyrus bretschneideri ＂Ya Li＂ collected in Hebei Province, China. The isolates, according to morphological characteristics of conidia and sporulation patterns, were segregated into four groups： A. alternata group, A. tenuissima group, A. yaliinficiens group and Alternaria sp. group. Molecular characteristics of part of the isolates were determined using random amplified polymorphism DNA （RAPD） analysis. Based on cluster analysis of RAPD data, large- and small-spored Alternaria spp. were evidently distinguished, and the small-spored species can form five clusters that fundamentally paralleled the morphological groupings.     

Erwinia carotovora ssp. carotovora Infection Induced ＂Defense Lignin＂ Accumulation and Lignin Biosynthetic Gene Expression in Chinese Cabbage （Brassica rapa L. ssp. pekinensis）

Erwinia carotovora subsp, carotovora （Ecc） infects and causes soft rot disease in hundreds of crop species including vegetables, flowers and fruits. Lignin biosynthesis has been implicated in defensive reactions to injury and pathogen infection in plants. In this work, variations of lignin content and gene expression in the molecular interaction between Chinese cabbage and Ecc were investigated. H2O2 accumulation and peroxidase activity were detected by 3, 3＇- Dimethoxybenzidine staining at mocked and Ecc-inoculated sites of Chinese cabbage leafstalks. Klason lignin content in inoculated plants increased by about 7.84%, 40.37%, and 43.13% more than that of the mocked site at 12, 24 and 72 h after inoculation, respectively. Gas chromatography detected more p-coumaryl （H） and less coniferyl （G） and sinapyl （S） monolignins in leafstalks of Chinese cabbage. All three monomers increased in Ecc-infected leafstalks, and the Ecc-induced ＂defense lignin＂ were composed of more G and H monolignins, and less S monolignin. After searching the expressed sequence tags （EST） data of Chinese cabbage, 12 genes putatively encoding enzymes involved in lignin biosynthesis were selected to study their expression. All of these genes could be induced by mock inoculation and Ecc infection, while the gene expression lasted for several more hours in the infected samples than in mocked and untreated plants. Our results indicated that ＂defense lignin＂ was different from the developmental lignin in composition; G and S monolignins were significantly induced in plants in response to the soft rot Ecc; thus, lignin biosynthesis was differentially regulated and played a role in plant response to the soft rot Ecc.     

Cloning and Expression of Low Molecular Weight Glutenin Genes from the Chinese Elite Wheat Cultivar ＂Xiaoyan 54＂

The low molecular weight （LMW） glutenln subunlts account for 40% of wheat gluten protein content by mass and these proteins are considered to significantly affect dough quality characteristics. Five new full-length LMW glutenln genes （designated LMW-5, LMW-7, LMW-42, LMW-58, and LMW-34） were isolated from the Chinese elite wheat cultivar ＂Xlaoyan 54＂ by PCR amplification of genomlc DNA using a pair of degenerate primers designed from the conserved sequences of the N- and C-terminal regions of published LMW glutenln genes. Deduced amino acid sequence analysis showed that LMW-5 belongs to the LMW-i type genes and that the other four belong to LMW-m type genes. Sequence comparisons revealed that point mutations occasionally occurred in signal peptide and N-terminus domains and often existed in domain III and domain V. Small insertions and deletions are represented in the repetitive domain. There is a stop codon after amino acid position 110 In the repetitive domain of LMW.34, indicating that It is a pseudogene. The other four genes have complete open reading frames and the putative mature regions of these genes were subcloned Into pET-30a expression vector and successfully expressed in Escherlchla coll. Protein sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamlde gel electro- phoresls analysis showed that all proteins expressed in E. coil by the four genes could be related to B-group LMW glutenln subunits of wheat.     

First Announcement of and Call for Papers for ＂Forum on Genetics Progress and Human Health＂

＂Forum on Genetics Progress and Human Health＂ will be held at Yunnan University in Kunming, Yunnan Province, China, in November, 2007. The forum focuses on the current progress and future directions in all major aspects of human genetics and medical genetics. The submitted papers written in English will be considered for publication in Journal of Genetics and Genomics after peer-review and papers in Chinese in Hereditas （Beijing）. Papers in the following areas are encouraged for submission and outstanding papers will be selected for oral presentation in the forum.     

First Announcement of and Call for Papers for ＂Forum on Genetics Progress and Human Health＂

＂Forum on Genetics Progress and Human Health＂ will be held at Yunnan University in Kunming, Yunnan Province, China, in November, 2007. The forum focuses on the current progress and future directions in all major aspects of human genetics and medical genetics. The submitted papers written in English will be considered for publication in Journal of Genetics and Genomics after peer-review and papers in Chinese in Hereditas （Beijing）. Papers＇ in the following areas are encouraged for submission and outstanding papers will be selected for oral presentation in the forum.     

Corrigendum to ＂The Mechanics and Trajectory Control in Locust Jumping＂ [Journal of Bionic Engineering, 2013, 10, 194-200]

This communication gives the corrigendum to the paper ＂The Mechanics and Trajectory Control in Locust Jumping＂, Journal of Bionic Engineering, 2013, 10, 194-200. doi： 10.1016/S1672-6529（13）60215-2     

Clay preference and particle transport behavior of Formosan subterranean termites （Isoptera： Rhinotermitidae）＂ A laboratory study

Although preference and utilization of clay have been studied in many higher termites, little attention has been paid to lower termites, especially subterranean termites. The Formosan subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki, can modify its habitat by using clay to fill tree cavities. Here, the biological significance of clay on C. formosanus was investigated. Choice tests showed that significantly more termites aggre- gated in chambers where clay blocks were provided, regardless of colony group, observation period, or nutritional condition （fed or starved）. No-choice tests showed that clay had no observable effect on survivorship, live or dry biomass, water content, and tunneling activity after 33-35 d. However, clay appeared to significantly decrease filter paper consumption （dry weight loss）. Active particle （sand, paper, and clay） transport behavior was observed in both choice and no-choice tests. When present, clay was preferentially spread on the substrate, attached to the smooth surfaces of the containers, and used to line sand tunnels. Mechanisms and potential application of clay attraction are discussed.     

＂Unconventional＂ Neutralizing Activity of Antibodies Against HIV

Neutralizing antibodies are recognized to be one of the essential elements of the adaptive immune response that must be induced by an effective vaccine against HIV. However,only a limited number of antibodies have been identified to neutralize a broad range of primary isolates of HIV-1 and attempts to induce such antibodies by immunization were unsuccessful. The difficulties to generate such antibodies are mainly due to intrinsic properties of HIV-1 envelope spikes,such as high sequence diversity,heavy glycosylation,and inducible and transient nature of certain epitopes. In vitro neutralizing antibodies are identified using "conventional" neutralization assay which uses phytohe-magglutinin (PHA)-stimulated human PBMCs as target cells. Thus,in essence the assay evaluates HIV-1 replication in CD4 T cells. Recently,several laboratories including us demonstrated that some monoclonal antibodies and HIV-1-specific polyclonal IgG purified from patient sera,although they do not have neutralizing activity when tested by the "conventional" neutralization assay,do exhibit potent and broad neutralizing activity in "unconventional" ways. The neutralizing activity of these antibodies and IgG fractions is acquired through post-translational modifications,through opsonization of virus particles into macrophages and immature dendritic cells (iDCs),or through expression of antibodies on the surface of HIV-1-susceptible cells. This review will focus on recent findings of this area and point out their potential applications in the development of preventive strategies against HIV.     

The mitochondrial genome of the plant bug Apolygus lucorum （Hemiptera： Miridae）＂ Presently known as the smallest in Heteroptera

The complete mitochondrial （mt） genome of the plant bug, Apolygus lucorum, an important cotton pest, has been sequenced and annotated in this study. The entire circular genome is 14 768 bp in size and represents the smallest in presently known heteropteran mt genomes. The mt genome is encoding for two ribosomal RNA （rRNA） genes, 22 transfer RNA （tRNA） genes, 13 protein coding genes and a control region, and the order, content, codon usage and base organization show similarity to a great extent to the hypothetical ancestral model. All protein coding genes use standard initiation codons ATN. Conventional stop codons TAA and TAG have been assigned to the most protein coding genes; however, COIII, ND4 and ND5 genes show incomplete terminator signal （T）. All tRNA genes possess the typical clover leaf structure, but the dihydrouridine arm of tRNAser（A6N） only forms a simple loop. Secondary structure models of rRNA genes are generally in accordance with the former models, although some differences exist in certain parts. Three intergenic spacers have never been found in sequenced mt genomes of Heteroptera. The phylogenetic study based on protein coding genes is largely congruent with previous phylogenetic work. Both Bayesian inference and maximum likelihood analyses highly support the sister relationship ofA. lucorum and Lygus lineolaris, and Miridae presents a sister position to Anthocoridae.     

A special issue on ＂Plant Molecular Biology＂

The use of molecular biology and genomics tools in plant biology research has greatly expanded our understandingof the molecular mechanisms that underlie plant development and physiology.The successful establishment of researchresources such as mutant populations has led to progress in a variety of fields,including plant reproductive develop-ment,signal transduction,hormone functions,defense responses and epigenetic control.In the future these advanceswill potentially facilitate crop improvement through molecular breeding.     

有丝分裂的＂分裂中期＂

有丝分裂的＂分裂中期＂叶华平（浙江农业大学植物保护系３１００２９）有丝分裂是高等生物的一种最普遍的细胞分裂方式。在现行的大、中学的教科书中，为了使学生能明确地了解整个有丝分裂过程和便于描述，一般根据核分裂的变化特征人为地把有丝分裂过程划分为４个时期：...     

中国11个维管束植物分类群名称原白中错误信息之更正

根据《国际藻类、菌物和植物命名法规》（深圳法规）条款9.2的要求,对中国11个维管束植物分类群名称原白中主模式指定的错误信息做了更正,这些名称是绒毛叶轮木（Holotype of Ostodes kuangii Y. T. Chang）、披针叶鹅耳枥（Holotype of Carpinus lancilimba Hu）、滇马蹄果（Holotype of Santiria yunnanensis Hu）、长尾观音座莲（Holotype of Angiopteris caudipinna Ching）、长萼黄芪（Holotype of Astragalus longicalyx C. C. Ni & P. C. Li）、越南油茶（Holotype of Camellia vietnamensis T. C. Huang ex Hu）、宽叶丛茎滇紫草（Holotype of Onosma waddellii f. latifolium W. T. Wang）、细齿堇菜（Holotype of Viola microdonta C. C. Chang）、糙叶毛蕨（Holotype of Cyclosorus scaberulus Ching）、两型叶乳源槭（Holotype of Acer chunii subsp. dimorphophyllum Fang）和南荻（Holotype of Miscanthus lutarioriparius L. Liu ex S. L.Chen & Renvoize）。这些名称的主模式标本均收藏在中国科学院植物研究所国家植物标本馆（PE）。     

Acta Genetica Sinica and HEREDITAS（Beijing）

Acta Genetica Sinica （Yichuan Xuebao） （IS SN 0379-4172） （CN 11-1914/R） and HEREDITAS （BeiJing）/ （Yichuan） （ISSN 0253-9772, CN11-1913/R） are sponsored by the Genetics Society of China, and the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology of Chinese Academy of Sciences,     

A New Isoflavonoid from Belamcanda chinensis （L.） DC.

A new isoflavonoid, 5, 6, 7, 3＇-terahydroxy-8, 4＇, 5＇-trimethoxyisoflavone （1）, along with 10 known isoflavonoids, namely 5, 6, 7, 4＇-tetrahydroxy-8-methoxyisoflavone （2）, irilone （3）, genistein （4）, tectorigenin （5）, irigenin （6）, irisflorentin （7）, dichotomitin （8）, dimethyltectorigenin （9）, iridin （10）, and tectoridin （11）, was isolated from the alcohol extract of the rhizomes of Belamcanda chinensis （L.） DC. The structures of these compounds were elucidated on the basis of results of spectroscopic analysis.