Photoinhibition in the Antarctic moss Grimmia antarctici Card when exposed to cycles of freezing and thawing

Freezing and thawing of the endemic moss species Grimmia antarctici Card, caused photoinhibition. When snow cover was removed from moss in the field, resulting in exposure to fluctuating temperatures and light conditions, photoinhibition, measured as a reduction in the ratio of variable to maximum chlorophyll a fluorescence (F_v/F_m), was observed. The extent of photoinhibition was highly variable and appeared to be reversible during periods of warmer temperatures. A series of controlled laboratory studies found that the light conditions that prevail between freezing and thawing events influenced the recovery from photoinhibition observed during freezing and thawing, with low light conditions facilitating the greatest rates of recovery. After four cycles of freezing and thawing, recovery from photoinhibition in hydrated moss was achieved within 12 h of transfer to 5°C and 15 μmol quanta m^?2 s^?1. These results favour the hypothesis that photoinhibition observed during freezing represents a protective process involving the down-regulation of photo-system II when photosynthetic carbon assimilation is limited by low temperatures.     

Sex ratio and sex expression in an urban population of the silver moss,Bryum argenteum Hedw.

ABSTRACT

Introduction. A well-supported pattern among dioicous bryophytes is male rarity. However, few assessments of bryophyte sex ratios have been made across environmental gradients to assess the role of environment in shaping population sex ratios.

Methods. We systematically surveyed 200 shoots from a 20?m² urban population of Bryum argenteum, and regenerated each shoot apex until sex expression occurred (up to 315 days).

Key results. Female shoots outnumbered male shoots 132 to 68, giving a sex ratio of 1.94♀: 1♂. The female bias was found in two transects in higher light environments but not in the third transect, which had a lower light level and an equal sex ratio. Female shoots took longer than male shoots to reach gametangial induction (122 vs. 60 days) and longer to produce 5 inflorescences (120 vs. 80 days). Male shoots produced an average of 10× the total number of inflorescences compared to female shoots (34 vs. 3.5 inflorescences). Despite producing more inflorescences, male plants also produced more regenerant shoots, thus contradicting the prediction that a higher prefertilisation reproductive effort in males trades off with vegetative proliferation. Female plants harboured significantly more associated microbes than male plants.

Conclusions. Our results support the role of light in influencing sex ratios in this species, suggest that trade-offs between reproduction and vegetative growth may not be strong for males, and indicate a potential role of a sex-specific microbiome in influencing sex ratios.     

苔藓和凋落物对祁连山青海云杉林土壤呼吸的影响

于2012—2014年生长季在青海云杉林下开展了地表覆盖物(苔藓和凋落物)对林下土壤呼吸速率影响的研究。采用LI8100土壤碳通量自动测量系统对苔藓覆盖、凋落物覆盖和裸土(去除地表覆盖物)的土壤呼吸进行观测,对比分析林下3种覆盖处理下的土壤呼吸差异。结果表明:苔藓覆盖土壤、凋落物覆盖土壤和裸土土壤的呼吸速率年均值分别为(3.88±0.26)μmol m~(-2)s~(-1),(3.31±0.19)μmol m~(-2)s~(-1),(2.28±0.31)μmol m~(-2)s~(-1),三者之间具有极显著差异,3组处理的地表相对湿度、土壤含水量、土壤温度和地表温度间均没有显著差异,但苔藓组和凋落物组的土壤温度分别比裸土组高8.13%和10.24%;3组处理的土壤呼吸速率均与温度呈显著指数相关性(0.53≤R~2≤0.91),且与土壤温度的相关性更高;苔藓覆盖、凋落物覆盖土壤呼吸的温度敏感性(Q_(10))分别为5.47,3.67,均高于裸土土壤呼吸的Q_(10)(2.23);裸土土壤呼吸与土壤含水量(VWC)呈高斯函数关系,VWC=34%是临界值,苔藓覆盖、凋落物覆盖土壤的呼吸速率与土壤含水量均呈线性负相关关系;苔藓和凋落物对裸土土壤呼吸的月均贡献率分别为29.33%和24.06%,可见,苔藓和凋落物在青海云杉林生态系统呼吸中起重要作用。     

Effects of heavy metals on ultrastructure and HSP70s induction in the aquatic moss Leptodictyum riparium Hedw

The effects of heavy metals, both toxic (Pb, Cd) and essential (Cu, Zn) on the ultrastructure and the induction of Heat Shock Protein 70 (HSP70) have been studied in the aquatic moss Leptodictyum riparium Hedw. In vitro cultured L. riparium was treated with different heavy metals, both toxic, as cadmium or lead; and essential microelements such as Copper or Zinc concentrations ranging from 10(-3) to 10(-6) M to investigate both ultrastructural damage and HSP induction. TEM observations showed that sub-lethal concentrations of heavy metals caused only slight changes, largely localized in the chloroplasts. Among all the heavy metals tested, cadmium caused the most severe modifications. Heavy metals caused the decrease of the soluble protein content and the enhancement of proteins reacting versus HSP70 antibodies, suggesting that molecular chaperons might be involved in the resistance to toxic effects of lead, cadmium, copper and zinc. Therefore, the induction of HSP70 in L. riparium would confer a higher resistance to pollutants under stressful conditions lethal for other mosses and higher plant species. These results suggest that the moss L. riparium can tolerate heavy metals stress without incurring severe cellular/subcellular damage. Therefore it can be used as a useful indicator of heavy metals accumulation.     

干旱半干旱地区生物结皮层藓类植物氨基酸和营养物质组成特征及适应性分析

通过对生长在干旱-半干旱地区的藓类体内的氨基酸组成及含量变化、营养元素含量变化和可溶性糖含量变化及藓类结皮土壤相应营养元素含量变化的分析,以揭示藓类的营养组成特征及对环境的适应性机制。研究样地选择在内蒙古鄂尔多斯高原的典型草原区和宁夏腾格里沙漠南缘的草原化荒漠区。通过实验,从藓类植物体内检测出17种氨基酸,表明其体内的氨基酸组成大部分与高等植物相同,其中天门冬氨酸、谷氨酸、丙氨酸、亮氨酸和精氨酸的含量最高,约占总氨基酸的50%。脯氨酸含量在所有氨基酸中处于较低水平,平均只占氨基酸总量的3.12%。草原化荒漠区与典型草原区分布真藓平均总氨基酸含量均大于土生对齿藓,两地区间真藓有10种氨基酸(包括脯氨酸)含量有显著性均数差异(p<0.05),而土生对齿藓只有脯氨酸有显著性差异(p<0.05)。赖氨酸、精氨酸含量在两个地区各种藓类体内有相对稳定的含量,没有显著差异,而脯氨酸的含量在同一地区没有显著的差异,但在不同地区却有显著性差异。藓类体内营养元素显著高于结皮层土壤,表明苔藓植物有很强的元素富集能力,其中N含量最高,P含量最低。不同种类植物体内营养元素Ca、Mg、K的含量存在差异,表明藓类植物对金属营养元素有很强的选择吸收能力。元素相对利用能力(植物/土壤),K最大,P最小,Ca、Mg因种类不同存在差异。N/P比率在草原化荒漠区分别为真藓10.25,刺叶赤藓13.59,土生对齿藓15.78;在典型草原区分别为真藓11.91,土生对齿藓10.55,盐土藓11.37,可知N、P在干旱区不是藓类植物生长的限制因子。元素之间的相关分析表明N和P,Ca和Mg明显相关(p<0.05),而K和Ca、Mg之间则显著负相关(p<0.01),表明K和Ca、Mg之间存在制约关系。可溶性糖和脯氨酸含量分析表明,随降雨量增加二者含量明显呈现递减趋势,说明脯氨酸、可溶性糖的含量与苔藓植物的抗旱性有一定的关系。     

Effects of deflazacort and cortisone on cellular proliferation in the rat thymus

Deflazacort is a relatively new glucocorticoid with significant immunosuppressant activity and presumably fewer side effects. The present study was designed to compare the effects of deflazacort on the proliferative activity of thymus cells and thymolysis with the growth inhibition. We treated Long-Evans rats for nine days with cortisone (CORT, 5.0 mg/day), deflazacort (DFZ, 0.15 mg/day), and control vehicle (CTRL). Animals were sacrificed 1 hour after injection of bromodeoxyuridine (BrdUrd) on day 10. BrdUrd-labeled thymic cells were quantified without knowledge of treatment. A Labeling Index (LI), expressed as the number of BrdUrd BrdUrd-labeled cells per 100 total cells and the Numerical Density (ND), expressed as the total number of cells per 100 microm(2) were calculated. Treatment with either glucocorticoid resulted in a significant and equal decrease of thymus weight, indicating a marked reduction in total immunogenic tissue. A general alteration of thymic histological structure occurred in the CORT group. The LI was not different between CTRL and DFZ groups, 6.9 and 7.9% of cells were labeled respectively. In the CORT group, the LI was 2.5%. With respect to Numerical Density, the CTRL group had the greatest value (14.6 +/- 0.4 cells/100 microm(2)), with the DFZ (12.3 +/- 0.06 cells/100 microm(2)) and CORT groups being significantly lower (10.4 +/- 0.5 cells/100 microm(2)). Although regression analysis of thymus weight pointed to bioequivalence of the glucocorticoid dosages used, BrdUrd-labeling raised the possibility that the cells still present in the thymus of DFZ-treated animals retained, at least partially, their normal capacities for proliferation.     

Glucagon and insulin control of gluconeogenesis in the perfused isolated rat liver. Effects on cellular metabolite distribution.

The metabolic effects of glucagon and glucagon plus insulin on the isolated rat livers perfused with 10 mM sodium L-lactate as substrate were studied. Glucagon stimulated gluconeogenesis, ketogenesis and ureogenesis at the concentration used of 2.1 nM. The addition of insulin to give a glucagon-to-insulin ratio of 0.2 reversed all the glucagon effects. The glucagon enhancement of gluconeogenesis was accompanied by a rise in cytosolic and mitochondrial state of reduction of the NAD system and a fall in the [ATP]/[ADP] ratio. The analysis of the intermediary metabolite concentrations suggested, as possible sites of glucagon action, the steps between pyruvate and phosphoenolpyruvate as well as the reactions catalyzed by phosphofructokinase and/or fructose bisphosphatase. All the changes in metabolite contents were abolished when insulin was present. Glucagon increased the intramitochondrial concentration of all the metabolites, whose intracellular distribution was calculated. The finding of a significant rise in the calculated intramitochondrial concentration of oxaloacetate points to pyruvate carboxylation as an important site of glucagon interaction with the gluconeogenic pathway. A primary event in the glucagon action redistributing intracellular metabolites seems to be the mitochondrial entry of malate. The possibility is discussed that the changes in metabolite cellular distribution were brought about by the increased cellular state of reduction caused by the hormone.     

Haemocyanin oxygen binding and the physiological ecology of a range of talitroidean amphipods (Crustacea) II. Effect of freezing,inorganic ions,and urate on O2 binding in vitro

Summary The effect of variations in [K], [Ca], [Mg], [NaCl], and [urate] on the in vitro O₂ binding properties of haemocyanin (Hc) from three talitroidean species, viz. the aquatic Apohyale pugettensis, the semi-terrestrial Megalorchestia californiana, and the semi-/euterrestrial Traskorchestia traskiana were studied. Freezing altered the cooperativity of Hc from A. pugettensis and M. californiana but not T. traskiana. Variations in [NaCl], [K], and [Mg] had no effect on cither O₂ affinity or cooperativity of the Hc except for A. pugettensis Hc where an increase in [Mg] resulted in an increase in both O₂ affinity and cooperativity. Increasing [Ca] or [urate] increased O₂ affinity of both A. pugettensis and M. californiana but not T. traskiana Hc. These effects were most marked in A. pugettensis. The results suggest a negative correlation between sensitivity to Hc effectors and the degree of terrestrial adaptation of a particular amphipod species.Abbreviations Hc haemocyanin - STR Stock traskorchestia ringer     

Effects of adrenalectomy and of adrenal hormones on the tissue distribution of 14 elements in the rat

The effects of adrenalectomy (ADY) and of replacement therapy using a mineralocorticoid, deoxycorticosterone (DOC) and a glucocorticoid, dexamethasone (DEX) on the tissue distribution of elements in the rat, were studied under semichronic conditions. The elements, Na, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, S, P, Rb, Sr, Mn, Cu, and Zn were determined in whole blood, plasma, brain liver, kidney, heart, skeletal muscle, spleen, thymus, and bone. Additionally Mo was determined in kidney and liver and Ba in bone. ADY modified concentrations of all elements tested. Small changes were observed for K, Mg, Ca, S, and P, whereas much larger changes were noted for Na, Rb, and Sr. Cu, Zn, and Fe were mainly modified in liver and kidney, organs involved in storage and/or elimination. The consequences of ADY were corrected fairly well by DEX for Mg, Mn, Ca, Cu, and Mo; by DOC for Na and K, and by the two corticoids for Zn, Fe, Sr, and Rb. This study revealed that corticoids, mainly glucocorticoids, play an important role in the plasma and tissue balance of elements. It is suggested that these results may have a pathological and clinical significance.     

Effect of freezing and thawing on the distribution of lysosomal hydrolases in leaves of Solanum tuberosum L.

Density-gradient ultracentrifugation techniques showed that freezing and thawing of potato leaves resulted in a change in the density of subcellular particles containing acid phosphatase and acid ribonuclease (RNase). Gel filtration experiments were used to characterise the molecular forms of the hydrolases associated with the various cell fractions. Freezing and thawing promoted a release of a portion of the complement of acid phosphatase and RNase from the lysosomes to the supernatant fluid fraction of cell homogenates. The freezing treatment appeared to activate latent lysosomal RNase.     

Effects of europium ions (Eu3+) on the distribution and related biological activities of elements in Lathyrus sativus L. roots

Scanning electron microscopic and energy-dispersive X-ray analyses were used to study the distributions of different types of elements in the epidermis, exodermis, endodermis, and vascular cylinder of the fracture face in the Lathyrus sativus L. roots in the presence or absence of Eu³⁺. Some index of the biological activity related to the elements binding with protein were determined also. The results showed that the tissular distributions of elements in the fracture face are different in the presence and absence of Eu³⁺. The atomic percentages of P, S, Ca, and Mn were influenced more than those of other elements. Eu³⁺ promoted the biological activities of various kinds of element. The one possible mechanism changing the biological activities was that the reaction of Eu³⁺ Eu²⁺ would influence the electron capture or transport in elements of binding protein. Another mechanism was that CaM-Ca²⁺ becoming CaM-Eu³⁺ through Eu³⁺ instead of Ca²⁺ would affect the biological activity of elements by regulating the Ca²⁺ level in the plant cell.     

Effects of storage conditions on the stability and distribution of clinical trace elements in whole blood and plasma: Application of ICP-MS

BackgroundKnowledge of trace element stability during sample handling and preservation is a prerequisite to produce reliable test results in clinical trace element analysis.MethodAn alkaline dissolution method has been developed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry to quantify eighteen trace element concentrations: vanadium, chromium, manganese, cobalt, nickel, copper, zinc, arsenic, selenium, bromine, molybdenum, cadmium, antimony, iodine, mercury, thallium, lead, and bismuth in human blood, using a small sample volume of 0.1 mL. The study evaluated the comparative effects of storage conditions on the stability of nutritionally essential and non-essential elements in human blood and plasma samples stored at three different temperatures (4 °C, −20 °C and −80 °C) over a one-year period, and analysed at multiple time points. The distribution of these elements between whole blood and plasma and their distribution relationships are illustrated using blood samples from 66 adult donors in Queensland.ResultsThe refrigeration and freezing of blood and plasma specimens proved to be suitable storage conditions for many of the trace elements for periods up to six months, with essentially unchanged concentrations. Substantially consistent recoveries were obtained by preserving specimens at −20 °C for up to one year. Ultra-freezing of the specimens at −80 °C did not improve stability; but appeared to result in adsorption and/or precipitation of some elements, accompanied by a longer sample thawing time. A population sample study revealed significant differences between the blood and plasma concentrations of six essential elements and their relationships also varied significantly for different elements.ConclusionBlood and plasma specimens can be reliably stored at 4 °C for six months or kept frozen at −20 °C up to one year to obtain high quality test results of trace elements.     

样本量与研究范围变化对MaxEnt模型准确度的影响——以黑白仰鼻猴为例

MaxEnt模型是过去几年最为流行的物种分布预测模型之一。针对一些濒危物种、入侵种和模拟数据的研究表明,MaxEnt模型均能在小样本的分布数据下得到较准确的预测结果。此外,研究范围的变化也会影响MaxEnt模型的构建。 然而,基于动物的实际分布数据来评估MaxEnt模型的研究甚少。 我们以黑白仰鼻猴 (Rhinopithecus bieti)为例,以11个猴群的分布数据为训练数据（样本量从1到10个猴群）,在不同研究范围内构建MaxEnt模型,通过其它5个的猴群分布数据验证,分析样本量和研究范围变化对模型准确度产生的影响。 结果表明,随样本量和研究范围增大,MaxEnt模型准确度及稳定性都有增加。 此外,研究范围变化对模型准确度有一定影响。 应用Maxent进行物种分布预测时,训练数据应尽可能涵盖该物种可能出现的全部环境梯度。构建模型所需的背景数据点选择,应与建模使用的物种出现点形成有效对照。     

A histological and morphometric study on the tissue and cellular distribution of iron in carp Cyprinus carpio L. during chronic waterborne exposure

The effect of long-term (77 day) exposure of carp Cyprinus carpio to low concentrations of waterborne iron (1 mg Fe-dextran l⁻¹) on accumulation and cellular distribution of iron in the liver was assessed using Perl's staining and histological observations and morphometric measurements. Accumulation of iron in the liver occurred after 14 days of exposure, when the majority of the iron was found in the sinusoidal endothelium with lower amounts in the cytoplasm and nuclei of hepatocytes. Upon further treatment the iron was predominantly distributed in the cytoplasm of the hepatocytes either as granules or diffusive iron and in macrophages.     

微量元素对金银花绿原酸合成关键酶基因LjHCT和LjC3H1表达的影响研究

绿原酸是金银花（Lonicera japonica Thunb.）入药的主要化学成分,如何稳定和提高绿原酸的含量是近年来金银花研究的热点。本研究通过对金银花分别根施Fe、B和Mo3种微量元素,比较处理前、后金银花中微量元素与绿原酸含量的变化,并定量分析3种微量元素对金银花绿原酸合成关键酶基因LjHCT和LjC3H1表达的影响。研究结果显示,高浓度的Fe处理对LjHCT基因的表达有明显的抑制作用,而中、低浓度的Fe处理可以促进LjHCT基因的表达;随着B和Mo元素浓度的提高,LjHCT基因的表达量也逐渐增加。低浓度的Fe处理可以促进LjC3H1基因的表达,而高浓度的Fe处理对LjC3H1基因的表达具有抑制作用;B元素对LjC3H1基因表达无显著影响,而高浓度的Mo处理可以促进LjC3H1基因的表达。根施中、低浓度的Fe元素,中、高浓度的Mo和B元素后金银花绿原酸含量显著增加;而根施高浓度的Fe元素后金银花中绿原酸含量显著减少。研究结果表明微量元素Fe、B和Mo可通过调节绿原酸生物合成关键酶基因的表达从而有效促进绿原酸的形成和积累。本研究为人工定向调控金银花绿原酸含量、开发人工栽培金银花专用微量元素肥料提供了理论依据。     

典型黑土区侵蚀-沉积对土壤微生物数量空间分布的影响

研究土壤微生物群落对土壤侵蚀-沉积的响应可为农业生态系统功能提升提供重要指导.选择黑龙江省典型薄层黑土区宾县宾州河流域为研究区,分析土壤微生物数量的空间分布特征,并结合137Cs示踪方法估算土壤侵蚀模数,进一步分析坡面和流域尺度土壤侵蚀-沉积对土壤微生物数量的影响.结果表明:季节变化对土壤微生物数量的影响非常明显,夏季...     

地形对桂西南喀斯特山地森林地表植物多样性及分布格局的影响

利用协方差分析、曲线回归拟合及典范对应分析(CCA),研究了地形因子对桂西南喀斯特森林地表植物多样性及不同生长型地表植物分布格局的影响.结果表明： 共调查到152种地表植物,其中,蕨类植物37种、草本44种、藤本9种、灌木62种;协方差分析显示,海拔与地表植物个体数和丰富度显著相关,坡向对地表植物丰富度具有显著影响;地表植物的个体数和丰富度与海拔梯度存在显著的非线性相关性;CCA分析显示,坡向对蕨类植物的分布格局影响显著,坡度对草本、藤本和灌木的分布格局影响显著.蕨类植物对坡向引起的水热条件改变响应更为敏感,坡度对土壤水分、养分的作用大于高程,是影响本区域草本、藤本和灌木3种地表植物分布的主要地形因子.     

Additive and/or synergistic action (downregulation) of androgens and thyroid hormones on the cellular distribution and localization of a true tissue kallikrein, mK1, in the mouse submandibular gland.

We investigated the effects of 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone (DHT), 3,5,3'-triiodo-l-thyronine (T(3)), and dexamethasone (Dex) on the expression of mK1 in the granular convoluted tubule (GCT) cells of the submandibular gland (SMG) of hypophysectomized (Hypox) male mice by indirect enzyme-labeled antibody and immunogold antibody methods for light and electron microscopy. Hypox resulted in considerable atrophy of the GCT cells, which were always immunoreactive for mK1, and the cells were characterized by apical small dense secretory granules labeled with gold particles suggesting the presence of mK1, small Golgi apparatus, sparse rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER), and developed basal infoldings. Each of the hormones, DHT, T(3), and Dex, enhanced the GCT phenotype to various degrees in Hypox male mice. Both DHT alone and T(3) alone moderately inhibited mK1 synthesis by increasing the number of mK1-immunonegative GCT cells in Hypox males, but Dex alone had no inhibitory effect on mK1 synthesis. A significant trophic effect on GCT cells was induced by combined injection of DHT and T(3) or of all three hormones, and was reflected in the appearance of abundant large secretory granules, well-developed Golgi apparatus and RER, and reduced basal infoldings. Only a few such GCT cells were immunopositive for mK1, and the pattern of immunopositive and immunonegative cells very closely resembled the mosaic pattern seen in normal male GCTs. These findings suggested that the sexual dimorphism of mK1 expression and the morphological appearance of GCT cells can be induced by treatment with two hormones, DHT and T(3), but not by either of them alone. T(3) appears to have a permissive effect on committed GCT cells that results in downregulation of mK1 expression in these cells.