Stability Performance of Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry-Phenotyped Kernel Minerals Concentration and Grain Yield in Maize in Different Agro-Climatic Zones

Deficiency of iron and zinc causes micronutrient malnutrition or hidden hunger, which severely affects ~25% of global population. Genetic biofortification of maize has emerged as cost effective and sustainable approach in addressing malnourishment of iron and zinc deficiency. Therefore, understanding the genetic variation and stability of kernel micronutrients and grain yield of the maize inbreds is a prerequisite in breeding micronutrient-rich high yielding hybrids to alleviate micronutrient malnutrition. We report here, the genetic variability and stability of the kernel micronutrients concentration and grain yield in a set of 50 maize inbred panel selected from the national and the international centres that were raised at six different maize growing regions of India. Phenotyping of kernels using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) revealed considerable variability for kernel minerals concentration (iron: 18.88 to 47.65 mg kg^–1; zinc: 5.41 to 30.85 mg kg^–1; manganese: 3.30 to17.73 mg kg^–1; copper: 0.53 to 5.48 mg kg^–1) and grain yield (826.6 to 5413 kg ha^–1). Significant positive correlation was observed between kernel iron and zinc within (r = 0.37 to r = 0.52, p < 0.05) and across locations (r = 0.44, p < 0.01). Variance components of the additive main effects and multiplicative interactions (AMMI) model showed significant genotype and genotype × environment interaction for kernel minerals concentration and grain yield. Most of the variation was contributed by genotype main effect for kernel iron (39.6%), manganese (41.34%) and copper (41.12%), and environment main effects for both kernel zinc (40.5%) and grain yield (37.0%). Genotype main effect plus genotype-by-environment interaction (GGE) biplot identified several mega environments for kernel minerals and grain yield. Comparison of stability parameters revealed AMMI stability value (ASV) as the better representative of the AMMI stability parameters. Dynamic stability parameter GGE distance (GGED) showed strong and positive correlation with both mean kernel concentrations and grain yield. Inbreds (CM-501, SKV-775, HUZM-185) identified from the present investigation will be useful in developing micronutrient-rich as well as stable maize hybrids without compromising grain yield.     

原子荧光和电感耦合等离子体质谱法在硒形态分析中的应用

硒是人体必需的微量元素之一,具有抗肿瘤、防衰老、防辐射和增强机体免疫力等多种功能。近年来,随着人们生活水平的不断提高,各种各样的富硒产品及富硒保健品走进了我们的生活,硒的形态测定越来越受到人们广泛的关注。本文对目前主要检测硒形态的两种方法—原子荧光法(AFS)和电感耦合等离子质体谱法(ICP-MS)在食品、水果蔬菜、富硒保健品、生物样品等方面的应用进行了综述。     

Mass Fractions of 52 Trace Elements and Zinc/Trace Element Content Ratios in Intact Human Prostates Investigated by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry

Contents of 52 trace elements in intact prostate of 64 apparently healthy 13?C60-year-old men (mean age 36.5?years) were investigated by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Mean values (M ± S????) for mass fraction (in milligrams per kilogram, on dry-weight basis) of trace elements were as follows: Ag 0.041?±?0.005, Al 36?±?4, Au 0.0039?±?0.0007, B 0.97?±?0.13, Be 0.00099?±?0.00006, Bi 0.021?±?0.008, Br 29?±?3, Cd 0.78?±?0.09, Ce 0.028?±?0.004, Co 0.035?±?0.003, Cs 0.034?±?0.003, Dy 0.0031?±?0.0005, Er 0.0018?±?0.0004, Gd 0.0030?±?0.0005, Hg 0.046?±?0.006, Ho 0.00056?±?0.00008, La 0.074?±?0.015, Li 0.040?±?0.004, Mn 1.53?±?0.09, Mo 0.30?±?0.03, Nb 0.0051?±?0.0009, Nd 0.013?±?0.002, Ni 4.3?±?0.7, Pb 1.8?±?0.4, Pr 0.0033?±?0.0004, Rb 15.9?±?0.6, Sb 0.040?±?0.005, Se 0.73?±?0.03, Sm 0.0027?±?0.0004, Sn 0.25?±?0.05, Tb 0.00043?±?0.00009, Th 0.0024?±?0.0005, Tl 0.0014?±?0.0001, Tm 0.00030?±?0.00006, U 0.0049?±?0.0014, Y 0.019?±?0.003, Yb 0.0015?±?0.0002, Zn 782?±?97, and Zr 0.044?±?0.009, respectively. The upper limit of mean contents of As, Cr, Eu, Ga, Hf, Ir, Lu, Pd, Pt, Re, Ta, and Ti were the following: As ??0.018, Cr ??0.64, Eu ??0.0006, Ga ??0.08, Hf ??0.02, Ir ??0.0004, Lu ??0.00028, Pd ??0.007, Pt ??0.0009, Re ??0.0015, Ta ??0.005, and Ti ??2.6. In all prostate samples, the content of Te was under detection limit (<0.003). Additionally, ratios of the Zn content to other trace element contents as well as correlations between Zn and trace elements were calculated. Our data indicate that the human prostate accumulates such trace elements as Al, Au, B, Br, Cd, Cr, Ga, Li, Mn, Ni, Pb, U, and Zn. No special relationship between Zn and other trace elements was found.     

The Effect of Age and Gender on 59 Trace-Element Contents in Human Rib Bone Investigated by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry

The effect of age and gender on 59 trace-element contents in rib bone of 80 apparently healthy 15–55-year-old women (n?=?38) and men (n?=?42) was investigated by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Mean values (M?±?SΕΜ) for the mass fraction (milligrams per kilogram, on dry-weight basis) of Ba, Bi, Cd, Ce, Cu, Dy, Er, Gd, La, Li, Mn, Mo, Nd, Pb, Pr, Rb, Sm, Sr, Tb, Tl, U, Yb, and Zn for both female and male taken together were: Ba 2.5?±?0.2, Bi 0.015?±?0.002, Cd 0.044?±?0.005, Ce 0.029?±?0.002, Cu 1.05?±?0.06, Dy 0.0020?±?0.0003, Er 0.0011?±?0.0002, Gd 0.0015?±?0.0001, La 0.020?±?0.002, Li 0.040?±?0.002, Mn 0.354?±?0.004, Mo 0.052?±?0.006, Nd 0.011?±?0.001, Pb 2.24?±?0.14, Pr 0.0032?±?0.0004, Rb 1.51?±?0.06, Sm 0.0014?±?0.0001, Sr 291?±?20, Tb 0.00041?±?0.00005, Tl 0.00050?±?0.00003, U 0.0013?±?0.0001, Yb 0.00072?±?0.00007, and Zn 92.8?±?1.5, respectively. The upper limit of mean contents of Ag, Al, B, Be, Br, Cr, Cs, Hg, Ho, Lu, Ni, Sb, Te, Th, Ti, Tm, and Y were: Ag?≤?0.011, Al?≤?7.2, B?≤?0.65, Be?≤?0.0032, Br?≤?3.9, Cr?≤?0.25, Cs?≤?0.0077, Hg?≤?0.018, Ho?≤?0.00053, Lu?≤?0.00024, Ni?≤?1.05, Sb?≤?0.0096, Te?≤?0.0057, Th?≤?0.0030, Ti?≤?2.8, Tm?≤?0.00006, and Y?≤?0.0047, respectively. In all bone samples, the contents of As, Au, Co, Eu, Ga, Hf, Ir, Nb, Pd, Pt, Re, Rh, Sc, Se, Sn, Ta, V, W, and Zr were under detection limits. The Ce, Dy, Er, Gd, La, Nd, Pr, Sm, Tb, and Yb contents increase with age. Higher Sr mass fraction is typical of female rib as compared to those in male bone.     

On the Structure and Intensity of Vortex in RF Inductively Coupled Argon Plasma

Numerical simulation of a specific technical RF inductively coupled argon plasma with three coils, discharge current in the range of J_coil = 100–250 A, and generator frequency 3 MHz is presented. The temperature, pressure, and velocity fields are obtained under different discharge currents and different flow rates of central gas. A reversed flow (vortex) is found between the injected cool gas and high-temperature plasma-forming gas. The formation mechanisms of such a vortex and the influence of the discharge current and flow rate of central gas on the vortex structure and intensity are studied. Special attention is paid to investigating two different kinds of vortex flow patterns—Benard and toroidal. A critical flow rate of central gas above which the flow pattern would transform from Benard to toroidal is determined and approximated as a function of the discharge current by theoretical calculations and numerical simulations. The maximum negative velocities along the axis in the vortex zone are also determined under different discharge currents and different flow rates of central gas.     

西南区玉米品种的产量性能及稳定性评价的秩次分析法

用秩次分析法分别对参加2003-2005年中国西南区玉米区域试验1组和2组的各品种进行产量性能和稳产性评价.结果表明,1组25个品种中中单808、渝单8号和遵玉8号表现高产且稳定性强,辽127和YA04273表现高产但稳定性中等.2组29个品种中DH3831、GM4095和鑫丰1号表现高产且稳定性强,承玉15、东4243、X1152A、DH3838、DH3632和奥试3202表现高产但稳定性中等.其中,中单808、渝单8号、遵玉8号、辽127、DH3831、东4243、X1152A、DH3838、DH3632和奥试3202这些品种分别在2004年和2005年通过国家审定,在实践上证明秩次分析法能客观、公正地对品种的产量性能和稳定性进行评价.建议用加权法计算品种秩次平均数和秩次方差的平均数、标准差和50%置信度的置信下限和置信上限.     

Novel Bioimaging Techniques of Metals by Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry for Diagnosis Of Fibrotic and Cirrhotic Liver Disorders

Background and Aims

Hereditary disorders associated with metal overload or unwanted toxic accumulation of heavy metals can lead to morbidity and mortality. Patients with hereditary hemochromatosis or Wilson disease for example may develop severe hepatic pathology including fibrosis, cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma. While relevant disease genes are identified and genetic testing is applicable, liver biopsy in combination with metal detecting techniques such as energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) is still applied for accurate diagnosis of metals. Vice versa, several metals are needed in trace amounts for carrying out vital functions and their deficiency due to rapid growth, pregnancy, excessive blood loss, and insufficient nutritional or digestive uptake results in organic and systemic shortcomings. Established in situ techniques, such as EDX-ray spectroscopy, are not sensitive enough to analyze trace metal distribution and the quantification of metal images is difficult.

Methods

In this study, we developed a quantitative biometal imaging technique of human liver tissue by laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) in order to compare the distribution of selected metals in cryo-sections of healthy and fibrotic/cirrhotic livers.

Results

Most of the metals are homogeneous distributed within the normal tissue, while they are redirected within fibrotic livers resulting in significant metal deposits. Moreover, total iron and copper concentrations in diseased liver were found about 3-5 times higher than in normal liver samples.

Conclusions

Biometal imaging via LA-ICP-MS is a sensitive innovative diagnostic tool that will impact clinical practice in identification and evaluation of hepatic metal disorders and to detect subtle metal variations during ongoing hepatic fibrogenesis.     

不同类型玉米籽粒的营养品质及其与籽粒质地的关系

测定普通玉米、爆裂玉米、糯玉米和甜玉米4种类型玉米籽粒不同发育时期的直链淀粉、支链淀粉、总淀粉、可溶性糖和蛋白的含量,分析这些营养物质与角质率的关系。结果表明：灌浆期间4种类型玉米的直链淀粉、支链淀粉和总淀粉含量呈上升趋势,总蛋白含量呈下降趋势,可溶性糖含量变化规律不明显。爆裂玉米的直链淀粉含量始终最高（4．7％-23．1％）,甜玉米（1．4％-4．6％）和糯玉米（2．3％-4．9％）的始终较低;甜玉米的支链淀粉含量一直最低（15．7％-35．5％）,除授粉10d以外,糯玉米的支链淀粉含量一直最高（65．5％-69．8％）;甜玉米总淀粉含量始终最低（17．1％36.1％）、总蛋白含量（15．2％-26．9％）和授粉30d后的可溶性糖含量最高（14．2％-17．6％）。高蛋白含量可能是爆裂玉米和甜玉米角质率高的原因,糯玉米的角质率低可能与支链淀粉含量高和蛋白积累少有关。     

Effects of Break Crops on Yield and Grain Protein Concentration of Barley in a Boreal Climate

Rotation with dicotyledonous crops to break cereal monoculture has proven to be beneficial to successive cereals. In two fields where the soil had been subjected to prolonged, continuous cereal production, two 3-year rotation trials were established. In the first year, faba bean, turnip rape and barley were grown, as first crops, in large blocks and their residues tilled into the soil after harvest. In the following year, barley, buckwheat, caraway, faba bean, hemp and white lupin were sown, as second crops, in each block and incorporated either at flowering stage (except barley) or after harvest. In the third year, barley was grown in all plots and its yield and grain protein concentration were determined. Mineral N in the plough layer was determined two months after incorporation of crops and again before sowing barley in the following year. The effect of faba bean and turnip rape on improving barley yields and grain protein concentration was still detectable two years after they were grown. The yield response of barley was not sensitive to the growth stage of second crops when they were incorporated, but was to different second crops, showing clear benefits averaging 6-7% after white lupin, faba bean and hemp but no benefit from caraway or buckwheat. The effect of increased N in the plough layer derived from rotation crops on barley yields was minor. Incorporation of plants at flowering stage slightly increased third-year barley grain protein concentration but posed a great potential for N loss compared with incorporation of crop residues after harvest, showing the value of either delayed incorporation or using catch crops.     

残茬覆盖与耕作方式对夏玉米叶片衰老代谢和籽粒产量的影响

对小麦机械收获后残茬覆盖与不覆盖两种条件下免耕、翻耕和播种行深松3种土壤耕作方式的夏玉米开花后叶片衰老生理特性和籽粒产量进行了研究。结果表明,残茬覆盖和深松耕作的玉米叶片SOD和POD活性提高、MAD含量降低、叶绿素和可溶性蛋白质含量高、降解速度慢,维持了叶片后期较高的生理功能。最终开花后干物质生产量和玉米籽粒产量表现为：覆盖显著高于不覆盖,深松显著高于翻耕和免耕,残茬覆盖与深松结合效果最好。     

玉米幼苗根不同区段中ZmPIPs对短期水分胁迫及复水的转录响应

通过10% PEG-6000短期处理水培7～8 d的玉米(Zea mays L.)幼苗以及水分胁迫处理48 h后短期复水两个过程,用实时荧光定量PCR技术检测了水分胁迫及复水处理数小时后成熟根段和幼嫩根段中4种主要玉米质膜水通道蛋白(ZmPIPs)的mRNA相对含量变化,以研究环境水分条件变化对水通道蛋白表达的影响及其调节机制.结果显示:正常水分条件与胁迫48 h后根成熟区和幼根区段的4种ZmPIPs的mRNA含量变化均表现出明显的昼夜周期规律,成熟根段中ZmPIPs的mRNA相对含量峰值出现在白天中午,而幼嫩根段中则在中午左右最低.水分胁迫后数小时内根中ZmPIP2;5明显下调而其他ZmPIPs变化不大;复水后幼根区段4种ZmPIPs的mRNA相对含量均大幅上调,而根成熟区的ZmPIP1;2和ZmPIP2;5却下调.研究发现,玉米植株对环境水分条件适应后,根成熟区段和幼嫩区段中4种PIPs转录调节的昼夜日变化规律相反;短期水分胁迫及复水时其根不同区段中ZmPIPs也进行着差异性转录调节;推测玉米根不同区段的结构和功能差异可能是这些差异的形成原因之一.     

Interactive Effects of Elevated CO2 Concentration and Irrigation on Photosynthetic Parameters and Yield of Maize in Northeast China

Maize is one of the major cultivated crops of China, having a central role in ensuring the food security of the country. There has been a significant increase in studies of maize under interactive effects of elevated CO₂ concentration ([CO₂]) and other factors, yet the interactive effects of elevated [CO₂] and increasing precipitation on maize has remained unclear. In this study, a manipulative experiment in Jinzhou, Liaoning province, Northeast China was performed so as to obtain reliable results concerning the later effects. The Open Top Chambers (OTCs) experiment was designed to control contrasting [CO₂] i.e., 390, 450 and 550 µmol·mol⁻¹, and the experiment with 15% increasing precipitation levels was also set based on the average monthly precipitation of 5–9 month from 1981 to 2010 and controlled by irrigation. Thus, six treatments, i.e. C₅₅₀W_+15%, C₅₅₀W₀, C₄₅₀W_+15%, C₄₅₀W₀, C₃₉₀W_+15% and C₃₉₀W₀ were included in this study. The results showed that the irrigation under elevated [CO₂] levels increased the leaf net photosynthetic rate (P _n) and intercellular CO₂ concentration (C _i) of maize. Similarly, the stomatal conductance (G _s) and transpiration rate (T _r) decreased with elevated [CO₂], but irrigation have a positive effect on increased of them at each [CO₂] level, resulting in the water use efficiency (WUE) higher in natural precipitation treatment than irrigation treatment at elevated [CO₂] levels. Irradiance-response parameters, e.g., maximum net photosynthetic rate (P _nmax) and light saturation points (LSP) were increased under elevated [CO₂] and irrigation, and dark respiration (R _d) was increased as well. The growth characteristics, e.g., plant height, leaf area and aboveground biomass were enhanced, resulting in an improved of yield and ear characteristics except axle diameter. The study concluded by reporting that, future elevated [CO₂] may favor to maize when coupled with increasing amount of precipitation in Northeast China.     

不同施肥灌水处理对不同小麦品种产量和品质的影响

在小麦生育期间降水47.9 mm的条件下,以3个小麦品种为试验材料,采用四因素三水平正交设计,研究了不同灌水和施肥处理对不同小麦品种子粒产量、蛋白质含量和沉降值的影响。结果表明,全生育期施氮量300 kg/hm2和225 kg/hm2的处理子粒产量和蛋白质含量差异不显著,但均显著高于150kg/hm2的处理。在中产条件下氮肥底施和追施比例以7∶3时产量最高。春季灌4水产量显著高于灌2水的处理,但与灌3水差异不显著,子粒蛋白质含量以灌2水时最高。供试品种中以京冬8号的产量、千粒重、容重最高,CA0206和核优1的蛋白质含量差异不显著,但均显著高于京冬8号。CA0206的沉降值显著高于另两个品种。以产量、品质和经济效益综合考虑,在本试验条件下,以春季灌3水、施氮量225 kg/hm2、底施和追施比例为7∶3的处理为宜,与超高产条件下氮素底施和追施比例5∶5的结果有明显的差异。     

不同氮素水平下施硫对高产小麦碳氮运转和产量的影响

在大田栽培条件下,以2个不同穗型的高产冬小麦品种为试验材料,在施240 kg·hm-2(N240)和330 kg·hm-2(N330)纯氮水平下,分别施纯硫60 kg·hm-2(S60)和0 kg·hm-2(S0),研究了施硫对小麦不同器官碳氮运转及其对籽粒产量和蛋白质产量的影响.结果显示:(1)2个供氮水平下,施硫(S60)均比对照(S0)增加了2个小麦品种的叶片、茎、鞘、颖壳和穗轴等营养器官花前贮藏干物质、氮素的运转量和运转率以及总运转量和总运转率,提高了转运干物质、氮素对籽粒重和籽粒氮素的贡献率,极显著提高了籽粒和蛋白质产量.(2)施硫对豫农949品种籽粒和蛋白质产量提高幅度显著高于兰考矮早八;与对照(S0)相比,豫农949的N240S60和N330S60处理使籽粒产量分别增加12.74%和16.41%,蛋白质产量分别增加16.84%和16.14%.结果表明,中氮和高氮水平下施硫均可明显促进高产小麦植株的C-N运转,提高植株对氮的吸收利用和碳物质的积累,从而增加籽粒产量,但不同品种间的施硫效应存在差异.