The protease associated (PA) domain in ScpA from Streptococcus pyogenes plays a role in substrate recruitment

Annually, over 18 million disease cases and half a million deaths worldwide are estimated to be caused by Group A Streptococcus. ScpA (or C5a peptidase) is a well characterised member of the cell enveleope protease family, which possess a S8 subtilisin-like catalytic domain and a shared multi-domain architecture. ScpA cleaves complement factors C5a and C3a, impairing the function of these critical anaphylatoxins and disrupts complement-mediated innate immunity. Although the high resolution structure of ScpA is known, the details of how it recognises its substrate are only just emerging. Previous studies have identified a distant exosite on the 2nd fibronectin domain that plays an important role in recruitment via an interaction with the substrate core. Here, using a combination of solution NMR spectroscopy, mutagenesis with functional assays and computational approaches we identify a second exosite within the protease-associated (PA) domain. We propose a model in which the PA domain assists optimal delivery of the substrate's C terminus to the active site for cleavage.     

Environmental regulation of photosynthetic metabolism in the amphibious sedge Eleocharis baldwinii and comparisons with related species

The amphibious leafless sedge, Eleocharis baldwinii, expresses C₄ characteristics in the terrestrial form and intermediate characteristics between C₃ and C₄ photosynthesis in the submerged form. This study examined the immunocytochemical localization of C₃ and C₄ enzymes in culms of the two forms to elucidate the regulatory mechanism of photosynthetic metabolism and compared the activities and amounts of C₃ and C₄ enzymes with those in other Eleocharis species, E. vivipara and E. retroflexa, which show C₄ characteristics on land but C₃ and C₄ characteristics under water. The terrestrial form of E. baldwinii exhibited a C₄‐like pattern of enzyme localization. The submerged form exhibited a modified anatomy with well‐developed mesophyll cells and small Kranz cells. The C₄ enzyme levels declined conspicuously in outer mesophyll cells adjacent to the epidermis, whereas Rubisco levels increased throughout the mesophyll in the submerged form. These results suggest that intermediate photosynthesis between C₃ and C₄ photosynthesis in the submerged form results from the predominant operation of the C₃ pathway in the outer mesophyll cells and the C₄ pathway in both the inner mesophyll and Kranz cells. Differences in the degree of C₄ expression in terrestrial forms of Eleocharis species may cause the differences in the expression of photosynthetic modes under water.     

Generation of an antibody with a designed specificity difference for protein C and activated protein C

Rabbit polyclonal antibodies to a synthetic peptide, NH₂-Asp-Thr-Asn-Gln-Val-Asp-Gln-Lys-Asp-Gln-Leu-Asp-Phe-Arg-CONH₂ (APep), have been produced. This sequence is identical to that contained in the tetradecapeptide released from bovine protein C (PC) as a result of its conversion to its activated form (APC), except that Phe₁₃ replaced the normal Pro₁₃, in order to discourage cross-reactivity of antibodies to the carboxylterminal portion of APep with PC. The antibody pool obtained reacted with PC and showed virtually no cross-reactivity toward either APC or several typical plasma proteins. This general approach should serve well as a means of production of antibodies with a designed specificity capable of distinguishing between forms of the same protein that arise by release of peptide material.     

Impact of long-term nitrogen addition on carbon stocks in trees and soils in northern Europe

The aim of this study was to quantify the effects of fertiliser N on C stocks in trees (stems, stumps, branches, needles, and coarse roots) and soils (organic layer +0–10 cm mineral soil) by analysing data from 15 long-term (14–30 years) experiments in Picea abies and Pinus sylvestris stands in Sweden and Finland. Low application rates (30–50 kg N ha⁻¹ year⁻¹) were always more efficient per unit of N than high application rates (50–200 kg N ha⁻¹ year⁻¹). Addition of a cumulative amount of N of 600–1800 kg N ha⁻¹ resulted in a mean increase in tree and soil C stock of 25 and 11 kg (C sequestered) kg⁻¹ (N added) (“N-use efficiency”), respectively. The corresponding estimates for NPK addition were 38 and 11 kg (C) kg⁻¹ (N). N-use efficiency for C sequestration in trees strongly depended on soil N status and increased from close to zero at C/N 25 in the humus layer up to 40 kg (C) kg⁻¹ (N) at C/N 35 and decreased again to about 20 kg (C) kg⁻¹ (N) at C/N 50 when N only was added. In contrast, addition of NPK resulted in high (40–50 kg (C) kg⁻¹ (N)) N-use efficiency also at N-rich (C/N 25) sites. The great difference in N-use efficiency between addition of NPK and N at N-rich sites reflects a limitation of P and K for tree growth at these sites. N-use efficiency for soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration was, on average, 3–4 times lower than for tree C sequestration. However, SOC sequestration was about twice as high at P. abies as at P. sylvestris sites and averaged 13 and 7 kg (C) kg⁻¹ (N), respectively. The strong relation between N-use efficiency and humus C/N ratio was used to evaluate the impact of N deposition on C sequestration. The data imply that the 10 kg N ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ higher deposition in southern Sweden than in northern Sweden for a whole century should have resulted in 2.0 ± 1.0 (95% confidence interval) kg m⁻² more tree C and 1.3 ± 0.5 kg m⁻² more SOC at P. abies sites in the south than in the north for a 100-year period. These estimates are consistent with differences between south and north in tree C and SOC found by other studies, and 70–80% of the difference in SOC can be explained by different N deposition.     

Distribution of C3 and C4 grasses along an altitudinal gradient in Central Argentina

The distribution pattern of C₃ and C₄ grasses was studied in eight sites located between 350 m and 2100 m along an altitudinal gradient in Central Argentina. Of 139 taxa fifty-nine are C₃ and eighty C₄. Species of the C₃ tribes (Stipeae, Poeae, Meliceae, Aveneae, Bromeae and Triticeae) and C₃ Paniceae species increase in number at higher elevations; only one C₃ species was found below 650 m. C₄ Aristideae, Pappophoreae, Eragrostideae, Cynodonteae, Andropogoneae and Paniceae increase at lower altitudes. The floristic crossover point is at about 1500 m; the ground cover cross-over point is at about 1000 m. Analysis of the relationships between % C₄ species along the gradient and nine climatic and environmental variables showed the highest correlation with July mean temperature, but all temperature variables show highly significant correlations with % C₄. Correlation with annual rainfall is lower but also significant. These results are consistent with previous research showing the relative importance of C₄ grasses as temperature increases. C₃ species make a high contribution to relative grass coverage below the C₃/C₄ floristic crossover point but are rare below 1000 m.     

酪酸梭菌对艰难梭菌感染的防治研究

目的:观察酪酸梭菌对艰难梭菌感染的防治效果.方法:用艰难梭菌产毒株人工感染BALB/C小鼠,感染前后分别用酪酸梭菌进行预防与治疗,并检测盲肠内容物细胞毒性和进行肠黏膜病理观察.结果:酪酸梭菌不能预防艰难梭菌的感染,但在艰难梭菌感染后则能明显降低艰难梭菌的产毒力和盲肠黏膜的病理损伤.结论:酪酸梭菌对小鼠艰难梭菌感染有明显的治疗作用.     

Flavanone derivatives from Macaranga tanarius

A new flavanone, epoxynymphaeol C (1), was isolated from the acetone extract of the leaves of Macaranga tanarius, together with two known compounds, nymphaeols B (2) and C (3). The structure of the new compound was determined by NMR and mass spectral data. Chemotaxonomic significance for the presence of the flavanone derivatives in M. tanarius is discussed.     

河西走廊中段绿洲退化土地退耕种植苜蓿的固碳效应

土地利用变化和耕作管理是人类影响陆地生态系统碳过程一个重要方面.对河西走廊中段张掖绿洲退化土地退耕种植苜蓿5a后土壤性状的分析表明, 49个退耕苜蓿地土壤与相邻未退耕农田土壤配对样本的比较,退耕苜蓿地0～15cm土层土壤粒级组成和容重并未发生显著变化,但土壤pH平均提高了0.11个单位,电导率降低34.8%,土壤有机碳(SOC)和全氮(全N)含量较对照农田土壤平均提高18.5%和9.3%,活性有机碳(labile C)增加53.3%.SOC含量受海拔高度和土壤粒粉粒含量的影响,退耕后SOC和全N的增加幅度沙壤土高于粉壤土,而labile C的增加幅度沙壤土低于粉壤土.退耕苜蓿地0～15cm土层SOC和全N储量较农田土壤分别增加2.84Mg hm~(-2)和0.21Mg hm~(-2),土壤C、N的固存率平均为0.57Mg hm~(-2)a~(-1)和0.04 Mg hm~(-2)a~(-1),表明退化土地由1年生作物向多年生牧草的转变有显著的固碳效应和潜力.活性有机碳的变化较总有机碳的变化更为显著,表明活性有机碳对土地利用变化的响应更为敏感.     

Effects of temperature and fertilization on nitrogen cycling and community composition of an urban lawn

We examined the influence of temperature and management practices on the nitrogen (N) cycling of turfgrass, the largest irrigated crop in the United States. We measured nitrous oxide (N₂O) fluxes, and plant and soil N content and isotopic composition with a manipulative experiment of temperature and fertilizer application. Infrared lamps were used to increase surface temperature by 3.5±1.3 °C on average and control and heated plots were split into high and low fertilizer treatments. The N₂O fluxes increased following fertilizer application and were also directly related to soil moisture. There was a positive effect of warming on N₂O fluxes. Soils in the heated plots were enriched in nitrogen isotope ratio ( δ ¹⁵N) relative to control plots, consistent with greater gaseous losses of N. For all treatments, C₄ plant C/N ratio was negatively correlated with plant δ ¹⁵N, suggesting that low leaf N was associated with the use of isotopically depleted N sources such as mineralized organic matter. A significant and unexpected result was a large, rapid increase in the proportion of C₄ plants in the heated plots relative to control plots, as measured by the carbon isotope ratio ( δ ¹³C) of total harvested aboveground biomass. The C₄ plant biomass was dominated by crabgrass, a common weed in C₃ fescue lawns. Our results suggest that an increase in temperature caused by climate change as well as the urban heat island effect may result in increases in N₂O emissions from fertilized urban lawns. In addition, warming may exacerbate weed invasions, which may require more intensive management, e.g. herbicide application, to manage species composition.     

Butanolides from Methanolic Extract of Litsea glutinosa

Phytochemical investigations of a MeOH extract obtained from the heartwoods of the Litsea glutinosa (Lauraceae) led to the isolation and characterization of four new butenolides, (3R,4S,5S)‐2‐hexadecyl‐3‐hydroxy‐4‐methylbutanolide 1 , litsealactone C ( 2 ), and litsealactone D ( 4 ), litsealactone G ( 5 ), and a new benzoic acid derivative named eusmoside C ( 3 ). The structures of these compounds were elucidated on the basis of spectral studies.     

嗜热毛壳菌多糖单加氧酶的氧化特性及协同作用

以嗜热毛壳菌Chaetomium thermophilum多糖单加氧酶CtPMO1为研究对象,利用薄层层析色谱法(TLC)、高效液相色谱-示差折光检测法(HPLC-RID)和飞行时间质谱(MALDI-TOF-MS)检测CtPMO1的酶活性,并根据定点突变的原理,将CtPMO1第1位的组氨酸(His1)和第166位的谷氨酰胺(Gln166)突变为H1A、Q166A和Q166E,研究两个突变位点是否参与CtPMO1的氧化作用;另外,采用3,5-二硝基水杨酸(DNS)法检测CtPMO1与纤维素酶(EGⅡ、BGLⅠ和CBHⅠ)的协同效应。研究发现CtPMO1在温度为50 ℃、pH为5.0的条件下降解磷酸膨胀纤维素(PASC),其酶解产物中不仅存在纤维二糖至纤维五糖,还存在C1氧化寡糖和C4氧化寡糖;此外,发现突变酶H1A完全丧失了酶活,Q166A丧失了C1和C4氧化活性,而Q166E保留了部分C1氧化活性;通过对CtPMO1与纤维素酶协同作用的探究,发现利用CtPMO1预处理磷酸膨胀纤维素(PASC),分别添加EGⅡ、BGLⅠ和CBHⅠ,使还原糖产量分别提高2.10倍、2.08倍和2.16倍,协同度分别是1.022、0.799和0.875。研究结果表明CtPMO1对底物具有C1和C4氧化的功能,其反应的最适温度为50 ℃、最适pH为5.0;CtPMO1活性中心氨基酸His1和平坦表面氨基酸Gln166均是关键性位点;CtPMO1预处理PASC,使纤维素酶的降解效率发生不同程度的提高。     

Flexibility of the furanose ring in nucleic acids: a compilation of crystal data

A compilation of crystal structure data on deoxyribo- and ribonucleosides and their higher derivatives is presented. The aim of this paper is to highlight the flexibility of deoxyribose and ribose rings. So far, the conformational parameters of nucleic acids constituents of ribose and deoxyribose have not been analysed separately. This paper aims to correlate the conformational parameters with the nature and puckering of the sugar. Deoxyribose puckering occurs in the C2′ endo region while ribose puckering is observed both in the C3′ endo and C2′ endo regions. A few endocyclic and exocyclic bond angles depend on the puckering and the nature of the sugar. The majority of structures have an anti conformation about the glycosyl bond. There appears to be a puckering dependence on the torsion angle about the C4′C5′ bonds. Such stereochemical information is useful in model building studies of polynucleotides and nucleic acids.     

磁处理水对家兔血脂影响的实验研究

目的：探讨饮用磁处理水时间的长短与降低家兔血脂的关系.方法：72只家兔平均分四组A组基础饲料组,饮自来水;B、C、D高脂饲料组,B组对照组饮自来水;C组治疗1组,30天后饮磁处理水,治疗30天后采耳血,分别测血清TC、TG、HDL-c、LDL-c水平.D组治疗2组,30天后饮磁处理水,治疗100天后采耳血,分别测血清TC、TG、HDL-c、LDL-c水平.结果：B组家兔血清TC、TG、HDL-c、LDL-c水平显著高于A组,（P〈0.01）;C组家兔TC、LDL-c水平显著低与B组（P〈0.01）;,但也显著高于A组（P〈0.01）;TG、HDL-c水平与B组相比无显著差异（P〉0.05）.D组家兔血清TC、TG、LDL-c水平与B组相比均有明显下降（P〈0.01）,与A组比较差异无显著性（P〉0.05）,而HDL-c水平与A组比较明显上升（P〈0.01）.结论：长期饮用磁处理水可以显著降低家兔血清高胆固醇含量,并恢复到正常状态.     

青藏高原灌丛土壤碳氮含量及其相关功能基因分布特征

在微生物的代谢活动下,土壤中有机态碳氮化合物矿化分解释放矿质养分和二氧化碳,深刻影响着自然生态系统土壤碳、氮等元素的循环转化、土壤的养分供应和有机质的更新,并对地上植被的演替和分布有极为重要的意义。青藏高原灌丛面积分布广泛,地形和气候条件复杂,但目前对灌丛分布地区土壤碳氮含量、矿化作用强度及其影响因素等的认识较少。研究结合土壤理化分析和高通量定量PCR(quantitative microbial element cycling, QMEC)技术研究了青藏高原喜马拉雅山-冈底斯山地区不同类型灌丛土壤碳氮含量、碳氮矿化速率和相关功能基因的分布特征及其与植被、气候和土壤因子间的耦联关系。结果表明,不同类型灌丛土壤的有机碳、全氮含量、CO₂释放速率、净氮矿化速率、碳氮矿化基因的丰度有显著差异。其中,位于青藏高原东南部的雪层杜鹃和香柏灌丛分布区土壤有机碳和全氮含量、CO₂释放速率、净氮矿化速率显著高于位于中西部的变色锦鸡儿、金露梅和砂生槐灌丛地区,并与年平均降雨量显著正相关。然而,碳、氮矿化基因丰度分布趋势与之相反,在雪层杜鹃和香柏灌丛分布区丰度显著...     

Organic carbon content and distribution in soils under different land uses in tropical and subtropical China

Tropical and subtropical China comprises a land area of about 215 Mha, but reports on its soil C storage and contents are limited. The objective of this study was to investigate the C density, stocks and distribution in soils of this region under different land uses by using soil species data from the Second National Soil Survey and the Vegetation Map of the People's Republic of China (1:4 M). It was estimated that there is a total of about 28.7±8.2 Pg organic C stored in the upper 1 m of soils of the entire region. Changes of C content (C) with depth (D) were observed following a relationship of C = (c + D)/ (a + bD), or C = 1/(a + bD). Of the various patterns of land uses in the region, soil C density was generally higher in the west than in the east, and while small differences were found in croplands, there were large variations in natural soils. In the west, the C density of meadow and herbaceous swamp soil was the highest (about 40 kg C/m²), followed by coniferous and broad-leaf forest soils (19.6 and 19.2 kg C/m², respectively). The C density of paddy, bush and coppice forest soils showed a density of 12.6 and 14.6 kg C/m², respectively. Upland and grass-savanah soils ranked the lowest (9.4 and 10.5 kg C/m², respectively). In the east, meadow and herbaceous swamp soil had the highest C density (25.2 kg C/m²), but differences in C density among soils under coniferous forest, broad-leaf forest, bush and coppice forest, and rice were small, varying from 10.2 to 11.4 kg C/m². The C density of upland soil (7.2 kg C/m²), appeared a little higher than that of grass-savanah soil (6.3 kg C/m²). For the various land uses in the region, the C density estimation is accompanied by relatively large variations.     

Using Soil 13C to Detect the Historic Presence of Schizachyrium scoparium (Little Bluestem) Grasslands on Martha's Vineyard

Abstract We used differences in soil carbon δ¹³C values between forested sites and grasslands dominated by the C₄ grass Schizachyrium scoparium (little bluestem) to detect the presence of former grasslands in the historical landscape of the coastal sand plain of Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, U.S.A. Soil δ¹³C was measured at (1) sites with long‐term forest or grassland vegetation and (2) sites with known histories where forest vegetation invaded grassland and where forest converted to grassland. The δ¹³C of soil under long‐term grassland was –24.1‰ at 0 to 2 cm depth and –23.4‰ at 2 to 10 cm and was enriched by 3.4‰ and 2.8‰ compared with soil under long‐term forest. In forests that invaded grasslands dominated by S. scoparium, soil δ¹³C decreased as C derived from trees replaced C from S. scoparium. This decline occurred faster in surface soils and in the light soil organic matter fraction than in the mineral soil. In forests that converted to grasslands, soil δ¹³C increased and the rate of increase was similar in surface and mineral soil and in the different soil organic matter fractions. Rates of change indicated that soil δ¹³C could be used to detect changes in vegetation involving the presence or absence of S. scoparium during the last 150 years. Application of this model to a potential grassland restoration site on Martha's Vineyard where the landscape history was not known indicated that the site was previously unoccupied by S. scoparium during this time. The δ¹³C of surface mineral soil can be useful for detecting the presence of historic S. scoparium grasslands but only in the period well after European settlement of these coastal sand plain landscapes.     

Influence of nutrients,disturbances and site conditions on carbon stocks along a boreal forest transect in central Canada

The interacting influence of disturbances and nutrient dynamics on aboveground biomass, forest floor, and mineral soil C stocks was assessed as part of the Boreal Forest Transect Case Study in central Canada. This transect covers a range of forested biomes–-from transitional grasslands (aspen parkland) in the south, through boreal forests, and into the forested subarctic woodland in the north. The dominant forest vegetation species are aspen, jack pine and spruce. Disturbances influence biomass C stocks in boreal forests by determining its age-class structure, altering nutrient dynamics, and changing the total nutrient reserves of the stand. Nitrogen is generally the limiting nutrient in these systems, and N availability determines biomass C stocks by affecting the forest dynamics (growth rates and site carrying capacity) throughout the life cycle of a forest stand. At a given site, total and available soil N are determined both by biotic factors (such as vegetation type and associated detritus pools) and abiotic factors (such as N deposition, soil texture, and drainage). Increasing clay content, lower temperatures and reduced aeration are expected to lead to reduced N mineralization and, ultimately, lower N availability and reduced forest productivity. Forest floor and mineral soil C stocks vary with changing balances between complex sets of organic carbon inputs and outputs. The changes in forest floor and mineral soil C pools at a given site, however, are strongly related to the historical changes in biomass at that site. Changes in N availability alter the processes regulating both inputs and outputs of carbon to soil stocks. N availability in turn is shaped by past disturbance history, litter fall rate, site characteristics and climatic factors. Thus, understanding the life-cycle dynamics of C and N as determined by age-class structure (disturbances) is essential for quantifying past changes in forest level C stocks and for projecting their future change.     

A C群脑脊髓膜炎球菌多糖菌苗生产工艺与内毒素含量研究

A群及C群流脑多糖抗原用 10 0 0 0 0×g离心或不经超速离心处理 ,经用鲎试验法测定内毒素含量 ,2种工艺生产的A群及C群流脑多糖抗原的内毒素含量均很低。用未经超速离心处理的A群及C群流脑多糖抗原制成的A C群流脑多糖菌苗 ,经鲎试验法测定 ,内毒素含量也很低 ;经家兔升温法进行热原质试验 ,家兔体温未明显升高。证明A C群流脑多糖菌苗生产工艺不经 10 0 0 0 0×g离心去除内毒素步骤是可行的。所制备的流脑多糖抗原内毒素含量符合要求。