Genetic diversity of phenazine- and pyoluteorin-producing pseudomonads isolated from green pepper rhizosphere

The genetic diversity among indigenous phenazine-1-carboxylic acid (PCA)-producing and pyoluteorin (Plt)-producing isolates of pseudomonads screened from green pepper rhizosphere was exploited in this study. A total of 48 bacterium isolates producing one or both of these antibiotics were screened from green pepper rhizosphere in diverse regions in China. Among these isolates, 45 could produce PCA, 3 could produce both PCA and Plt, and none could produce Plt only. Based on the restriction patterns of partial 16S and 16S-23S internal transcribed spacer (ITS) PCR fragments generated by enzyme HaeIII or HinfI, these isolates fell into 19 or 17 distinct groups respectively, indicating that there was a significant diversity among them. Polygenetic analysis of the partial 16S rDNA and 16S-23S ITS sequence from the representative in each group in the context of similar sequence from previously described bacterial species indicated that most isolates were closely related to the species of Pseudomonas fluorescens, P. putida, and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia. Some of these representatives of these isolates, then, are likely to be novel strains or species in these two genera. The GenBank accession numbers for DNA sequences of the partial 16S rDNA with ITS region in each isolate determined in this study were: GP30 DQ003219; GP127 DQ003220; GP83 DQ003221; GP42, DQ003222; GP59 DQ003223; GP50 DQ003224; GP36 DQ003225; GP110 DQ003226; GP26 DQ003227; GP37 DQ003228; GP60 DQ003229; GP31 DQ003230; GP57 DQ003231; GP75 DQ003232; GP115 DQ003233; GP65 DQ003234; GP32 DQ003235; GP76 DQ003236; GP78 DQ003237.     

Novel potent agonist [(pF)Phe4,Aib7,Aib11,Arg14,Lys15]N/OFQ-NH2 and antagonist [Nphe1,(pF)Phe4,Aib7,Aib11,Arg14,Lys15]N/OFQ-NH2 of nociceptin/orphanin FQ receptor

Two novel ligands for the nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) receptor (NOP), [(pF)Phe4,Aib7, Aib11,Arg14,Lys15]N/OFQ-NH2 (peptide-1) and [Nphe1,(pF)Phe4,Aib7,Aib11,Arg14,Lys15]N/OFQ-NH2 (peptide-2), have been generated by combining different modifications of N/OFQ sequence. In the present study, we investigated the actions of two analogues and compared them with those of N/OFQ in four assays. Peptide-1 mimicked N/OFQ effects in mouse vas deferens and mouse colon and showed similar maximal effects but higher potency relative to N/OFQ. The effects of peptide-1 were sensitive to NOP receptor selective antagonist ([Nphe1]N/OFQ(1-13)-NH2) but not to naloxone in vitro. Peptide-1 (25 pmol, i.c.v.) mimicked the pronociceptive action of N/OFQ (2.5 nmol, i.c.v.) in mouse tail withdrawal assay, displaying higher potency and longer lasting effects. In anesthetized rats, peptide-1 (1 nmol/kg, i.v.) produced a marked decrease in mean arterial pressure, which was comparable to that evoked by i.v. N/OFQ (100 nmol/kg). Peptide-2 did not produce any effect per se but antagonized N/OFQ actions in mouse vas deferens and mouse colon assays. Peptide-2 is active in vivo where it prevented the pronociceptive effect induced by 2.5 nmol N/OFQ i.c.v. in the mouse tail withdrawal assay. Furthermore, peptide-2 at 5 nmol produced alone a robust and long lasting antinociceptive effect. Moreover, peptide-2 (10 and 40 nmol/kg i.v.) didn't produce any effect per se but antagonized hypotensive actions produced by i.v. administration of N/OFQ. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that [(pF)Phe4,Aib7,Aib11, Arg14,Lys15]N/OFQ-NH2 behaves as a highly potent NOP receptor agonist which produces long lasting effects in vivo and [Nphe1,(pF)Phe4,Aib7,Aib11,Arg14,Lys15]N/OFQ-NH2 acts as a pure and competitive antagonist of the NOP receptor.     

Rates of apparent photosynthesis,respiration and dry matter accumulation in maize canopies

The rates of canopy apparent photosynthesis (P_C) and canopy respiration (R_c) were studied during vegetation season in two erectophile and two planophile hybrids of maize (Zea mays L.) grown at two canopy densities [7.5 plants m^-2 (HD) and 4.5 plants m^-2 (LD)]. Large differences in P_C, R_c, R_C/P_C, leaf area index (LAI), dry matter accumulation and grain yield were found among hybrids and plant densities. Variations in P_C and R_C were associated mainly with changes in LAI. There was also found change in P_C per unit LAI with time. The average R_C/P_C was 28.9 % for all treatments throughout the vegetation season. P_C and R_C per unit dry matter were higher in LD than in HD and decreased throughout the measurement period. The HD stand had higher P_C and yield in hybrids with erectophile foliage, whereas LD stand had higher P_C after male tetrad and got higher yield in hybrids with planophile foliage. Only R_C in hybrids of the two foliage types was higher under HD than under LD throughout the vegetation period.     

食蚜绒螨对棉花苗蚜的控制作用研究

通过2年的田间调查和小区试验发现:(1)食蚜绒螨与被寄生的棉蚜有翅蚜和无翅蚜在时间—数量分布上具相似性。(2)棉蚜带螨率结果说明,50％有翅蚜可被迁入初期杀死,可使大部分棉蚜繁殖力下降或不能生殖;(3)棉田播种前施肥、浅翻,对食蚜绒螨的发生量不具明显影响;(4)食蚜螨在棉田期其他棉蚜天敌缺少的情况下,填补了此期控蚜天敌时间生态位的空缺,成为棉田生态系统中不可缺少的一员。     

Identification and characterization of NARROW AND ROLLED LEAF 1, a novel gene regulating leaf morphology and plant architecture in rice

Leaf morphology is an important agronomic trait in rice breeding. We isolated three allelic mutants of NARROW AND ROLLED LEAF 1 (nrl1) which showed phenotypes of reduced leaf width and semi-rolled leaves and different degrees of dwarfism. Microscopic analysis indicated that the nrl1-1 mutant had fewer longitudinal veins and smaller adaxial bulliform cells compared with the wild-type. The NRL1 gene was mapped to the chromosome 12 and encodes the cellulose synthase-like protein D4 (OsCslD4). Sequence analyses revealed single base substitutions in the three allelic mutants. Genetic complementation and over-expression of the OsCslD4 gene confirmed the identity of NRL1. The gene was expressed in all tested organs of rice at the heading stage and expression level was higher in vigorously growing organs, such as roots, sheaths and panicles than in elsewhere. In the mutant leaves, however, the expression level was lower than that in the wild-type. We conclude that OsCslD4 encoded by NRL1 plays a critical role in leaf morphogenesis and vegetative development in rice.     

家畜高繁殖力性状遗传机制的研究进展

家畜繁殖力是一个对畜牧生产有重要影响的数量性状,文章从基因组和mRNA表达两个水平综述了家畜高繁殖力性状遗传机理的研究进展。这些研究成果表明,家畜高繁殖力受许多基因影响,而该性状的形成是多个基因共同表达与相互作用的一个综合结果。两种水平的研究都取得了很大的进展,但同基因组水平的研究相比,mRNA表达水平的研究仅关注在某一时期某一组织表达的基因,从mRNA表达水平进行研究能够找到对性状形成有直接贡献的基因。现在的研究多采用基因组水平和mRNA表达水平,随着科学技术研究的发展,还会为这一性状提供新的研究方法,但将来更有效的研究方法可能是多个水平综合进行的。     

hESC Expansion and Stemness Are Independent of Connexin Forty-Three-Mediated Intercellular Communication between hESCs and hASC Feeder Cells

Background

Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) are a promising and powerful source of cells for applications in regenerative medicine, tissue engineering, cell-based therapies, and drug discovery. Many researchers have employed conventional culture techniques using feeder cells to expand hESCs in significant numbers, although feeder-free culture techniques have recently been developed. In regard to stem cell expansion, gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) is thought to play an important role in hESC survival and differentiation. Indeed, it has been reported that hESC-hESC communication through connexin 43 (Cx43, one of the major gap junctional proteins) is crucial for the maintenance of hESC stemness during expansion. However, the role of GJIC between hESCs and feeder cells is unclear and has not yet been reported.

Methodology/Principal Findings

This study therefore examined whether a direct Cx43-mediated interaction between hESCs and human adipose-derived stem cells (hASCs) influences the maintenance of hESC stemness. Over 10 passages, hESCs cultured on a layer of Cx43-downregulated hASC feeder cells showed normal morphology, proliferation (colony growth), and stemness, as assessed by alkaline phosphatase (AP), OCT4 (POU5F1-Human gene Nomenclature Database), SOX2, and NANOG expression.

Conclusions/Significance

These results demonstrate that Cx43-mediated GJIC between hESCs and hASC feeder cells is not an important factor for the conservation of hESC stemness and expansion.     

Multilocus typing of Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia duodenalis from non-human primates in China

Non-human primates (NHPs) are commonly infected with Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia duodenalis. However, molecular characterisation of these pathogens from NHPs remains scarce. In this study, 2,660 specimens from 26 NHP species in China were examined and characterised by PCR amplification of 18S rRNA, 70 kDa heat shock protein (hsp70) and 60 kDa glycoprotein (gp60) gene loci for Cryptosporidium; and 1,386 of the specimens by ssrRNA, triosephosphate isomerase (tpi) and glutamate dehydrogenase (gdh) gene loci for Giardia. Cryptosporidium was detected in 0.7% (19/2660) specimens of four NHP species including rhesus macaques (0.7%), cynomolgus monkeys (1.0%), slow lorises (10.0%) and Francois’ leaf monkeys (6.7%), belonging to Cryptosporidium hominis (14/19) and Cryptosporidium muris (5/19). Two C. hominis gp60 subtypes, IbA12G3 and IiA17 were observed. Based on the tpi locus, G. duodenalis was identified in 2.2% (30/1,386) of specimens including 2.1% in rhesus macaques, 33.3% in Japanese macaques, 16.7% in Assam macaques, 0.7% in white-headed langurs, 1.6% in cynomolgus monkeys and 16.7% in olive baboons. Sequence analysis of the three targets indicated that all of the Giardia-positive specimens belonged to the zoonotic assemblage B. Highest sequence polymorphism was observed at the tpi locus, including 11 subtypes: three known and eight new ones. Phylogenetic analysis of the subtypes showed that most of them were close to the so-called subtype BIV. Intragenotypic variations at the gdh locus revealed six types of sequences (three known and three new), all of which belonged to so-called subtype BIV. Three specimens had co-infection with C. hominis (IbA12G3) and G. duodenalis (BIV). The presence of zoonotic genotypes and subtypes of Cryptosporidium spp. and G. duodenalis in NHPs suggests that these animals can potentially contribute to the transmission of human cryptosporidiosis and giardiasis.     

Dissecting Solidago canadensis–soil feedback in its real invasion

The importance of plant–soil feedback (PSF) has long been recognized, but the current knowledge on PSF patterns and the related mechanisms mainly stems from laboratory experiments. We aimed at addressing PSF effects on community performance and their determinants using an invasive forb Solidago canadensis. To do so, we surveyed 81 pairs of invaded versus uninvaded plots, collected soil samples from these pairwise plots, and performed an experiment with microcosm plant communities. The magnitudes of conditioning soil abiotic properties and soil biotic properties by S. canadensis were similar, but the direction was opposite; altered abiotic and biotic properties influenced the production of subsequent S. canadensis communities and its abundance similarly. These processes shaped neutral S. canadensis–soil feedback effects at the community level. Additionally, the relative dominance of S. canadensis increased with its ability of competitive suppression in the absence and presence of S. canadensis–soil feedbacks, and S. canadensis‐induced decreases in native plant species did not alter soil properties directly. These findings provide a basis for understanding PSF effects and the related mechanisms in the field conditions and also highlight the importance of considering PSFs holistically.