Flagellin/TLR5 signalling activates renal collecting duct cells and facilitates invasion and cellular translocation of uropathogenic Escherichia coli

Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) colonizing kidneys is the main cause of acute pyelonephritis. TLR5 that senses flagellin was shown to be highly expressed in the bladder and to participate in host defence against flagellated UPEC, although its role in kidneys still remains elusive. Here we show that TLR5 is expressed in renal medullary collecting duct (MCD) cells, which represent a preferential site of UPEC adhesion. Flagellin, like lipopolysaccharide, stimulated the production of the chemoattractant chemokines CXCL1 and CXCL2, and subsequent migration capacity of neutrophils in cultured wild‐type (WT) and Tlr4^?/? MCDs, but not in Tlr5^?/? MCDs. UPEC can translocate across intact MCD layers without altering tight junctions. Strikingly, the invasion capacity and transcellular translocation of the UPEC strain HT7 were significantly lower in Tlr5^?/? than in WT MCDs. The non‐motile HT7ΔfliC mutant lacking flagellin also exhibited much lower translocation capacities than the HT7 isolates. Finally, Tlr5^?/? kidneys exhibited less infiltrating neutrophils than WT kidneys one day after the transurethral inoculation of HT7, and greater delayed renal bacterial loads in the day 4 post‐infected Tlr5^?/? kidneys. Overall, these findings indicate that the epithelial TLR5 participates to renal antibacterial defence, but paradoxically favours the translocation of UPEC across intact MCD cell layers.     

Relationship of stigma behaviors and breeding system in three Mazus (Phrymaceae) species with bilobed stigma

Sensitive stigma has been recognized to facilitate outcrossing. We hypothesized that species with different levels of sensitivity might have corresponding differences in components of their breeding system. In this study, three Mazus species with bilobed stigmas were used to test the hypothesis. We explored stigma behaviors of the species in reaction time, recovery time, permanent closing time, and the minimum pollen load causing permanent closure. We investigated floral traits, pollinator type and behavior, pollination intensity, and natural schedule of pollen deposition on stigma. Moreover, we evaluated the mating system of the species by checking seed set after controlled pollination treatments, namely, natural flowers with open pollination, enclosed flowers without pollination, and enclosed flowers with self and outcross hand pollination. Results indicated that stigma of M. pumilus (N. L. Burman) Steenis was not sensitive, whereas stigmas of M. miquelii Makino and M. stachydifolius (Turcz.) Maxim. closed and reopened quickly in response to pollination. Accordingly, hand pollination treatments revealed that seed set of self-spontaneous pollination in M. pumilus was similar to the other treatments. For M. miquelii, outcross pollen resulted in significantly higher seed set than self-pollen.Mazus stachydifolius was self-incompatible. Additionally, the corresponding characteristics in other components of the breeding system for each species were found. Our study indicated that the sensitivity of bilobed stigma might be linked with floral traits and the mating system in a given species. Sensitive stigma should be regarded as an evolutionary mechanism for enhancement of outcrossing.     

猕猴单次及多次注射重组人白介素—11后的药代动力学及外周血小板计数变化

研究猕猴单次或多次静脉注射(iv)和皮下注射(sc)rhIL-11后药代动力学及周边血小板计数变化。ELISA法检测血清rhIL-11浓度,血细胞计数仪计数血小板。iv和sc注射50～400μg     

Roving females and patient males: a new perspective on the mating strategies of chimpanzees

Mating strategies are sets of decisions aimed at maximizing reproductive success. For male animals, the fundamental problem that these strategies address is attaining mating access to females in a manner that maximizes their chances of achieving paternity. For chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes), despite substantial interest in mating strategies, very little attention has been paid to the most fundamental problem that mating strategies need to solve: finding mates. Only a single model, Dunbar's general model of male mating strategies, exists to explain mate‐searching behaviour in chimpanzees. Under this model, males in most populations are regarded as pursuing a ‘roving’ strategy: searching for and sequestering fertile females who are essentially passive with respect to mate searching. The roving mating strategy is an assumption deeply embedded in the way chimpanzee behaviour is considered; it is implicit in the conventional model for chimpanzee social structure, which posits that male ranging functions both to monitor female reproductive state and to ward these females from other groups of males through collective territoriality: essentially, ranging as mating effort. This perspective is, however, increasingly at odds with observations of chimpanzee behaviour. Herein, I review the logic and evidence for the roving‐male mating strategy and propose a novel alternative, a theoretical framework in which roving is a strategy pursued by female chimpanzees in order to engage successfully in promiscuous mating. Males, unable to thwart this female strategy, instead maximise the number of reproductive opportunities encountered by focusing their behaviour on countering threats to health, fertility and reproductive career. Their prolonged grooming bouts are seen, in consequence, as functioning to mitigate the negative impacts of socially induced physiological stress. In this new framework, the roving‐male strategy becomes, at best, a ‘best of a bad job’ alternative for low‐ranking males when faced with high levels of competition for mating access. Male chimpanzees do not search for mates, but for one another, for food, and, at times, for rivals in other communities. To the extent that female promiscuity functions to counter infanticide risk, mate searching by female chimpanzees—and any associated costs—can be seen as an unavoidable consequence of male sexual coercion. This novel framework is a better fit to the available data than is the conventional account. This review highlights the desperate need for additional work in an area of chimpanzee biology that has been somewhat neglected, perhaps in part because assumptions of roving males have remained unquestioned for too long. It also highlights the need, across taxa, to revisit and revise theory, and to test old assumptions, when faced with contrary data.     

Field and climate‐based model for predicting the density of host‐seeking nymphal Ixodes scapularis,an important vector of tick‐borne disease agents in the eastern United States

Aim Ixodes scapularis is the most important vector of human tick‐borne pathogens in the United States, which include the agents of Lyme disease, human babesiosis and human anaplasmosis, among others. The density of host‐seeking I. scapularis nymphs is an important component of human risk for acquiring Borrelia burgdorferi, the aetiological agent of Lyme disease. In this study we used climate and field sampling data to generate a predictive map of the density of host‐seeking I. scapularis nymphs that can be used by the public, physicians and public health agencies to assist with the diagnosis and reporting of disease, and to better target disease prevention and control efforts. Location Eastern United States of America. Methods We sampled host‐seeking I. scapularis nymphs in 304 locations uniformly distributed east of the 100th meridian between 2004 and 2006. Between May and September, 1000 m² were drag sampled three to six times per site. We developed a zero‐inflated negative binomial model to predict the density of host‐seeking I. scapularis nymphs based on altitude, interpolated weather station and remotely sensed data. Results Variables that had the strongest relationship with nymphal density were altitude, monthly mean vapour pressure deficit and spatial autocorrelation. Forest fragmentation and soil texture were not predictive. The best‐fit model identified two main foci – the north‐east and upper Midwest – and predicted the presence and absence of I. scapularis nymphs with 82% accuracy, with 89% sensitivity and 82% specificity. Areas of concordance and discordance with previous studies were discussed. Areas with high predicted but low observed densities of host‐seeking nymphs were identified as potential expansion fronts. Main conclusions This model is unique in its extensive and unbiased field sampling effort, allowing for an accurate delineation of the density of host‐seeking I. scapularis nymphs, an important component of human risk of infection for B. burgdorferi and other I. scapularis‐borne pathogens.     

Combination treatment of elevated UVB radiation,CO2 and temperature has little effect on silver birch (Betula pendula) growth and phytochemistry

Elevations of carbon dioxide, temperature and ultraviolet‐B (UBV) radiation in the growth environment may have a high impact on the accumulation of carbon in plants, and the different factors may work in opposite directions or induce additive effects. To detect the changes in the growth and phytochemistry of silver birch (Betula pendula) seedlings, six genotypes were exposed to combinations of ambient or elevated levels of CO₂, temperature and UVB radiation in top‐closed chambers for 7 weeks. The genotypes were relatively similar in their responses, and no significant interactive effects of three‐level climate factors on the measured parameters were observed. Elevated UVB had no effect on growth, nor did it alter plant responses to CO₂ and/or temperature in combined treatments. Growth in all plant parts increased under elevated CO₂, and height and stem biomass increased under elevated temperature. Increased carbon distribution to biomass did not reduce its allocation to phytochemicals: condensed tannins, most flavonols and phenolic acids accumulated under elevated CO₂ and elevated UVB, but this effect disappeared under elevated temperature. Leaf nitrogen content decreased under elevated CO₂. We conclude that, as a result of high genetic variability in phytochemicals, B. pendula seedlings have potential to adapt to the tested environmental changes. The induction in protective flavonoids under UVB radiation together with the positive impact of elevated CO₂ and temperature mitigates possible UVB stress effects, and thus atmospheric CO₂ concentration and temperature are the climate change factors that will dictate the establishment and success of birch at higher altitudes in the future.     

黄土丘陵区植被与地形特征对土壤和土壤微生物生物量生态化学计量特征的影响

研究黄土丘陵区植被与地形特征对土壤和土壤微生物生物量生态化学计量特征影响有助于深入理解黄土丘陵区不同植被带下土壤和土壤微生物相互作用及养分循环规律.选择黄土丘陵区延河流域3个植被区(森林区、森林草原区、草原区)和5种地形部位(阴/阳沟坡、阴/阳梁峁坡、峁顶)的土壤作为研究对象,利用生态化学计量学理论研究植被和地形对土壤和土壤微生物生物量生态化学计量特征的影响.结果表明: 土壤及土壤微生物生物量碳、氮、磷含量在不同地形之间的差别主要表现在沟坡位置和阴坡高于其他坡位和阳坡.植被类型的变化对两个土层(0～10、10～20 cm)土壤和土壤微生物生物量碳、氮、磷的影响均达到显著水平,坡向对表层(0～10 cm)土壤和土壤微生物生物量碳、氮、磷的影响强于坡位,而在10～20 cm土层,坡位对土壤和土壤微生物生物量碳、氮、磷影响更显著.植被类型显著影响土壤C∶N、C∶P、N∶P和土壤微生物生物量C∶N、C∶P,坡向和坡位仅影响土壤C∶P和N∶P,植被类型的变化是影响土壤C∶N的主要因素.同时,植被类型对土壤养分和微生物生物量碳、氮、磷含量及其生态化学计量特征的影响大于地形因子.标准化主轴分析结果表明,黄土丘陵区不同植被带土壤微生物具有内稳性,特别在草原带,土壤微生物生物量生态化学计量学特征具有更加严格的约束比例.在黄土丘陵区,土壤微生物生物量N∶P或许可以作为判断养分限制的另一个有力工具,若将土壤微生物生物量N∶P与植物叶片N∶P配合使用可能有助于我们更加精确地判断黄土丘陵区的土壤养分限制情况.     

Benchmarking the Activity,Stability, and Inherent Electrochemistry of Amorphous Molybdenum Sulfide for Hydrogen Production

Anodically electrodeposited amorphous molybdenum sulfide (AE‐MoS_x) has attracted significant attention as a non‐noble metal electrocatalyst for its high activity toward the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). The [Mo₃S₁₃]^2? polymer‐based structure confers a high density of exposed sulfur moieties, widely regarded as the HER active sites. However, their intrinsic complexity conceals full understanding of their exact role in HER catalysis, hampering their full potential for water splitting applications. In this report, a unifying approach is adopted accounting for modifications in the inherent electrochemistry (EC), HER mechanism, and surface species to maximize the AE‐MoS_x electroactivity over a broad pH region (0–10). Dramatic enhancements in HER performance by selective electrochemical cycling within reductive (overpotential shift, η_HER ≈ ?350 mV) and electro‐oxidative windows (η_HER ≈ ?290 mV) are accompanied by highly stable performance in mildly acidic electrolytes. Joint analysis of X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Raman, and EC experiments corroborate the key role of bridging and terminal S ligands as active site generators at low pH, and reveal molybdenum oxysulfides (Mo⁵⁺O_xS_y) to be the most active HER moiety in AE‐MoS_x in mildly acidic‐to‐neutral environments. These findings will be extremely beneficial for future tailoring of MoS_x materials and their implementation in commercial electrolyzer technologies.     

似鮈属鱼类遗传多样性的RAPD分析及种的划分问题

似属PseudogobioBleeker隶属鲤形目Cypriniformes、鲤科Cyprinidae的鲤亚科Gobioninae。       

An eukaryotic translation initiation factor,AteIF5A‐2, affects cadmium accumulation and sensitivity in Arabidopsis

Cadmium (Cd) is one of the most toxic elements and can be accumulated in plants easily; meanwhile, eIF5A is a highly conserved protein in all eukaryotic organisms. The present work tried to investigate whether eIF5A is involved in Cd accumulation and sensitivity in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana L.) by comparing the wild‐type Columbia‐0 (Col‐0) with a knockdown mutant of AteIF5A‐2, fbr12‐3 under Cd stress conditions. The results showed that the mutant fbr12‐3 accumulated more Cd in roots and shoots and had significantly lower chlorophyll content, shorter root length, and smaller biomass, suggesting that downregulation of AteIF5A‐2 makes the mutant more Cd sensitive. Real‐time polymerase chain reaction revealed that the expressions of metal transporters involved in Cd uptake and translocation including IRT1, ZIP1, AtNramp3, and AtHMA4 were significantly increased but the expressions of PCS1 and PCS2 related to Cd detoxification were decreased notably in fbr12‐3 compared with Col‐0. As a result, an increase in MDA and H₂O₂ content but decrease in root trolox, glutathione and proline content under Cd stress was observed, indicating that a severer oxidative stress occurs in the mutant. All these results demonstrated for the first time that AteIF5A influences Cd sensitivity by affecting Cd uptake, accumulation, and detoxification in Arabidopsis.