Shoot P status regulates cluster-root growth and citrate exudation in Lupinus albus grown with a divided root system

The present study was carried out to investigate whether the P concentration in the roots or the shoots controls the growth and citrate exudation of cluster roots in white lupin (Lupinus albus L). Foliar P application indicated that low P concentration in the shoots enhanced cluster‐root growth and citrate‐exudation rate more so than low P concentration in the roots. In the split‐root study, the P concentration in the shoots increased with increased P supply (1, 25 or 75 mmol m^?3 P), to the ‘privileged’ root halves. Roots ‘deprived’ of P invariably had the same low P concentrations, whereas those in the ‘privileged’ roots increased with increasing P supply (1, 25 or 75 mmol m^?3 P). Nevertheless, the proportion of the total root mass allocated to cluster roots, and the citrate‐exudation rates from the root halves were always similar on both root halves, irrespective of P supply, and decreased with increasing shoot P concentrations. Peak citrate exudation rates from developing cluster roots were significantly faster from cluster roots on the ‘deprived’ root halves when the ‘privileged’ half was exposed to 1 mmol m^?3 P as compared with 25 or 75 mmol m^?3 P. The possibility that changes in the concentrations of P fractions in the root halves influenced cluster‐root growth and citrate exudation was discounted, because there were no significant differences in insoluble organic P, ester‐P and inorganic P among all ‘deprived’ root halves. The results indicate that cluster‐root proportions and citrate exudation rates were regulated systemically by the P status of the shoot, and that P concentrations in the roots had little influence on growth and citrate exudation of cluster roots in L. albus.     

Secretory hairs in Gentiana and allied genera (Gentianaceae, subtribe Gentianinae) from the Iberian Peninsula

Eleven species from six different sections of the genus Gentiana , as well as one species each of genera Gentianella (G. campestris), Gentianopsis (G. ciliata), Comastoma (C. tenellum) and Swertia (S. perennis) have been studied by light microscopy for the presence of hairs in floral as well as in vegetative parts. Hairs are produced in the calyx and vegetative leaves of all of them, and also in the corollae of the last three species. They fall into two different types: those found in the corolla of Gentianopsis ciliata are non-secretory, while in the rest of the species studied, and also in the calyx and leaves of G. ciliata , they produce a mucilaginous secretion. Calycine and foliar hairs are always produced in the adaxial epidermis at the base of the foliar organ, and are considered as mucilage secreting colleters. The presence of colleters in vegetative organs has not been adequately considered in previous taxonomic accounts, in spite of their presumed significance.     

华北落叶松夜间树干液流特征及生长季补水格局

在宁夏六盘山北侧半干旱区的叠叠沟小流域,采用热扩散探针法在2011年生长季监测了华北落叶松(Larix principisrupprechtii)人工林的树干液流速率,分析了夜间树干液流和补水量的变化特征及与气象、土壤水分等环境因子的关系.结果表明:树干液流速率日变化表现为典型的单峰宽峰曲线,且整个生长季均存在微弱的夜间液流,一般表现为逐渐减小,特别是在晴天,且晴天的变幅显著大于雨天.除生长季中期雨天夜间液流平均速率显著高于晴天,生长季初期及末期雨天与晴天的差异并不显著.生长季内,夜间树干补水总量为11.03 mm,占总蒸腾量的7.22％;5月份的树干补水量最大(4.19mm),其他月份的树干补水量明显减小,在0.9-1.7mm的范围波动.但不同月份间的补水贡献率存在明显差异,表现为生长季末期(9、10月)＞初期(5月)＞中期(6-8月).相关分析表明,日补水量与各气象因子关系不大,仅与降水量显著正相关(P＜0.05),与土壤含水率、日间蒸腾量、日蒸腾总量极显著正相关(P＜0.01).夜间补水的月蒸腾贡献率与月均土壤含水率、月均气温、月均日间蒸腾量、月总蒸腾量等显著相关(P＜0.05);而夜间补水的日蒸腾贡献率与日最高气温、日均气温、日间蒸腾量、日均饱和水汽压差、日总蒸腾量、日均太阳辐射强度、日最低气温、日均空气相对湿度、日降水量、土壤含水率等极显著相关(P＜0.01),经逐步回归分析建立了日补水量蒸腾贡献率与环境因子的多元线性模型.     

卵泡刺激素受体短肽的表达及纯化

目的:表达人卵泡刺激素受体(follicle-stimulating hormone receptor,FSHR)N端第18-34氨基酸片段.方法:将FSHR N端第18-34氨基酸片段克隆p-pGEX4T-1中,构建成重组质粒pGEX4T-1-FSHRN(18-34位氨基酸).将该重组质粒转化E.coli BL21后,IPTG诱导其表达,经亲和层析进行分离纯化,western blot鉴定.结果:克隆成功,并表达FSHRN端第18-34氨基酸片段,所表达的融合蛋白中60%为可溶性蛋白.结论:成功克隆、表达、纯化了人FSHRN端第18-34氨基酸片段,为后续动物免疫试验提供抗原.     

C-MET在大鼠胰腺发育过程中的表达

目的:研究CMET在大鼠胰腺发育阶段的表达和细胞定位.方法:运用RT-PCR和WesternBlot技术分别检测C-MET在大鼠胰腺发育阶段的mRNA和蛋白表达水平;运用免疫组化和免疫荧光技术检测不同时期C-MET在胰腺的组织细胞学定位.结果:RT-PCR结果显示E18.5 C-METmRNA高表达.Western Blot结果显示其蛋白在P14,P21高表达,并存在两种亚型,分子量分别为190KD和170KD.免疫组化和免疫荧光结果显示在不同发育时期C-MET在胰岛B细胞和间充质细胞都有表达.结论:C-MET在大鼠胚胎发育后期及生后出现高表达,并表达于胰岛B细胞和间充质细胞,可能参与了胰岛形成、结构重塑和功能维持.     

UV-induced changes in phytoplankton cells and its effects on grazers

1. This review addresses the effects of UV-radiation on the morphology and biochemistry of phytoplankton and the potential effects on grazers.
2. UVA and UVB radiation inhibit the uptake of inorganic nutrients in phytoplankton. Reduced rates of ammonium and nitrate uptake in marine diatoms, and reduced uptake of phosphorus in freshwater flagellates are reported. The effects on cell stoichiometry are not settled.
3. UVA and UVB radiation promote increased cell volumes owing to a decoupling between the photosynthetic processes and cell division. Loss or inactivation of flagellae and loss of motility are also reported for a number of phytoplankton species.
4. UVA and UVB radiation may affect major biochemical constituents. Accumulation of intracellular, photosynthetic products (lipids or carbohydrates) is a common, although not unique, property of UV-stressed algae. Fatty acid (FA) profiles seem susceptible to UV radiation. A relative increase of short-chained, and a decrease in polyunsaturated FA (PUFA) are reported. The important membrane FA like eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20 : 5ω3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22 : 6ω3) seem particularly susceptible, owing to lipid peroxidation or reduced biosynthesis.
5. UV-related responses are highly dependent on taxonomy, cell-cycle stage, nutrient-limitation and the UV : PAR (photosynthetic active radiation)-ratio.
6. Nutrient deficiency, cell size, cell wall properties and FA can all have significant impacts on grazers. Thus the reported effects on cell morphology and biochemical constituents could have profound effects on grazers and energy transfer in aquatic foodwebs.     

Field and experimental evidence of the effect of Jenynsia multidentata, a small omnivorous–planktivorous fish, on the size distribution of zooplankton in subtropical lakes

1. Small cladocerans, copepod nauplii and rotifers often dominate the zooplankton community in tropical and subtropical lakes. This is probably because of high predation pressure by small omnivorous–planktivorous fish, but experimental evidence is scarce.
2. This study used two approaches to test the effect of the small omnivorous–planktivorous fish species Jenynsia multidentata , which is frequently abundant in (sub)tropical eutrophic lakes in South America, on the size distribution of zooplankton. In Lake Blanca (Uruguay), which lacks any piscivores, we sampled seasonally for both fish and zooplankton. We also conducted an outdoor mesocosm experiment with treatments containing or lacking J. multidentata .
3. Together, the empirical and experimental data suggest that J. multidentata predation plays an important role in modulating the size structure of the zooplankton community in subtropical lakes. In the absence of J. multidentata , stocked large-sized zooplankters like Daphnia obtusa were abundant in the experiments, while small-sized zooplankton dominated in the presence of fish, as they did in the lake itself from spring to the end of the season.     

Outcomes and moderators of a preventive school-based mental health intervention for children affected by war in Sri Lanka: a cluster randomized trial

We aimed to examine outcomes, moderators and mediators of a preventive school-based mental health intervention implemented by paraprofessionals in a war-affected setting in northern Sri Lanka. A cluster randomized trial was employed. Subsequent to screening 1,370 children in randomly selected schools, 399 children were assigned to an intervention (n=199) or waitlist control condition (n=200). The intervention consisted of 15 manualized sessions over 5 weeks of cognitive behavioral techniques and creative expressive elements. Assessments took place before, 1 week after, and 3 months after the intervention. Primary outcomes included post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depressive, and anxiety symptoms. No main effects on primary outcomes were identified. A main effect in favor of intervention for conduct problems was observed. This effect was stronger for younger children. Furthermore, we found intervention benefits for specific subgroups. Stronger effects were found for boys with regard to PTSD and anxiety symptoms, and for younger children on pro-social behavior. Moreover, we found stronger intervention effects on PTSD, anxiety, and function impairment for children experiencing lower levels of current war-related stressors. Girls in the intervention condition showed smaller reductions on PTSD symptoms than waitlisted girls. We conclude that preventive school-based psychosocial interventions in volatile areas characterized by ongoing war-related stressors may effectively improve indicators of psychological wellbeing and posttraumatic stress-related symptoms in some children. However, they may undermine natural recovery for others. Further research is necessary to examine how gender, age and current war-related experiences contribute to differential intervention effects.