Modeling mate-finding behavior of the swarming polychaete,Nereis succinea,with TangoInSilico,a scientific orkflow-based simulation system for sexual searching

Summary

Pheromones can be used as attractants for the opposite sex in many environments; however, little is known about the search strategies employed in responding to pheromones in the marine environment. The spawning behavior of males of the polychaete Nereis succinea is known to be triggered at close range by a high concentration (>～10^?7 M) of pheromone, cysteine glutathione disulfide (CSSG), released by females. Since CSSG also causes acceleration of swimming and increased turning, in addition to eliciting ejaculation, we proposed the hypothesis that these behaviors elicited by low concentrations of pheromone can be used by males to find females. The current study develops a computer simulation model of male and female N. succinea behavior for testing whether male responses to low concentrations of CSSG can facilitate finding females. Video recording of female swimming behavior in the field showed spontaneous loops, spirals, and circles that have been incorporated into the model. The scientific workflow paradigm within which the computer model has been developed also incorporates a data provenance system to enable systematic replay and testing of responses to individual parameters. Output of the model shows complex turning behavior leading to successful mating encounters at concentrations as low as 3×10^?9 M CSSG. Behavior resembling the output of the model was recorded in field observations. Application of the model in the future will be used to determine what pheromone concentrations produce significant increases in the probability of mating encounters.     

Roles of rootstocks and scions in aluminum-tolerance of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Citrus</Emphasis>

Four scion-rootstock combination [i.e., X/X and X/SP, ‘Xuegan’ (Citrus sinensis) grafted on ‘Xugan’ and ‘Sour pummelo’ (Citrus grandis), respectively, and SP/X and SP/SP, ‘Sour pummelo’ grafted on ‘Xuegan’ and ‘Sour pummelo’, respectively] plants were treated for 18 weeks with 0 (?Al) or 1.2 mM AlCl₃·6H₂O (+Al). Thereafter, leaf, stem and root concentrations of phosphorus and aluminum (Al), leaf and root levels of organic acids (OAs), Al-induced release of OA anions (i.e., malate and citrate), photosynthesis and chlorophyll a fluorescence (OJIP) transients were measured. Al-induced decrease of photosynthesis and damage of photosynthetic electron transport chain were less pronounced in X/X and X/SP leaves than in SP/SP and SP/X leaves, which might be related with the higher Al-induced root efflux of OA anions and leaf P concentration. C. sinensis rootstock alleviated the influences of Al-toxicity on leaf photosynthetic electron transport chain by enhancing Al-induced release of root OA anions, hence lessening Al-induced photosynthesis inhibition in SP/X plants, while the reverse was the case for C. grandis rootstock in X/SP plants. In conclusion, the tolerance of grafted Citrus plants to Al depends on the scion as well as rootstock genotype, and the scion-rootstock interaction.     

鸢尾属1新变型——白花宽柱鸢尾

描述了鸢尾科鸢尾属宽柱鸢尾(Iris latistyla Y.T.Zhao)的1个新变型——白花宽柱鸢尾(I.latistyla Y.T.Zhao f.albifloraJ.Luo)。原变型的花被为蓝紫色,而新变型花被为白色。并对其潜在的药用研究价值进行了讨论。     

Boron deficiency decreases growth and photosynthesis, and increases starch and hexoses in leaves of citrus seedlings

Seedlings of sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) were fertilized for 14 weeks with boron (B)-free or B-sufficient (2.5 or 10muM H(3)BO(3)) nutrient solution every other day. Boron deficiency resulted in an overall inhibition of plant growth, with a reduction in root, stem and leaf dry weight (DW). Boron-starved leaves showed decreased CO(2) assimilation and stomatal conductance, but increased intercellular CO(2) concentrations. Activities of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco), NADP-glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (NADP-GAPDH) and stromal fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase (FBPase) were lower in B-deficient leaves than in controls. Contents of glucose, fructose and starch were increased in B-deficient leaves while sucrose was decreased. Boron-deficient leaves displayed higher or similar superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), monodehydroascorbate reductase (MDAR) and glutathione reductase (GR) activities, while dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR) and catalase (CAT) activities were lower. Expressed on a leaf area or protein basis, B-deficient leaves showed a higher ascorbate (AsA) concentration, but a similar AsA concentration on a DW basis. For reduced glutathione (GSH), we found a similar GSH concentration on a leaf area or protein basis and an even lower content on a DW basis. Superoxide anion (O(2)(-)) generation, malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration and electrolyte leakage were higher in B-deficient than in control leaves. In conclusion, CO(2) assimilation may be feedback-regulated by the excessive accumulation of starch and hexoses in B-deficient leaves via direct interference with chloroplast function and/or indirect repression of photosynthetic enzymes. Although B-deficient leaves remain high in activity of antioxidant enzymes, their antioxidant system as a whole does not provide sufficient protection from oxidative damage.     

血清TRAF-6、MCP-1、sTREM-1、IL-33水平与脓毒症严重程度及与合并急性肾损伤关系的临床分析

目的:探讨脓毒症患者血清肿瘤坏死因子受体相关因子(Tumor necrosis factor receptor-related factor,TRAF)-6、单核细胞趋化蛋白(Monocyte chemotactic protein,MCP)-1、可溶性髓样细胞触发受体(Soluble myeloid cell trigger receptor,s TREM)-1、白介素(Interleukin,IL)-33水平的变化及与病情严重程度及合并急性肾损伤(acute kidney injury, AKI)的相关性。方法:选择2014年2月到2018年7月在我医院ICU病房进行诊治的脓毒症患者145例,分析脓毒症相关性急性肾损伤(sepsis-associated AKI,SAKI)的发生情况,比较SAKI和非SAKI患者血清TRAF-6、MCP-1、s TREM-1、IL-33水平,采用Pearson相关分析血清TRAF-6、MCP-1、s TREM-1、IL-33含量与APACHEⅡ评分、SOFA评分的相关性,多因素logistic回归分析脓毒症患者发生SAKI的影响因素。结果:在145例患者中,发生SAKI者69例,发生率为47.6%。SAKI组患者的年龄、性别、原发病、白细胞(white blood cell,WBC)计数、C反应蛋白(C reactive protein,CRP)、降钙素原(procalcitonin,PCT)、体重指数、BUN、Scr与eGFR值与非SAKI组患者对比差异均无统计学意义(P0.05)。SAKI组患者APACHEⅡ评分、SOFA评分血清TRAF-6、MCP-1、s TREM-1、IL-33含水平含量均显著高于非SAKI组患者(P0.05)。Pearson相关性分析显示血清TRAF-6、MCP-1、s TREM-1、IL-33水平与SAKI患者的急性生理和慢性健康Ⅱ(acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II,APACHEⅡ)评分、序贯多器官功能障碍(sequential organ failure assessment,SOFA)评分均呈显著正相关性(P0.05)。logistic回归分析显示血清TRAF-6、MCP-1、s TREM-1、IL-33水平升高均为影响SAKI发生的独立危险因素(P0.05)。结论:血清TRAF-6、MCP-1、s TREM-1、IL-33水平与脓毒症严重程度显著相关,可能作为诊断和治疗SAKI的参考指标及干预靶点。     

古尔班通古特沙漠南缘草本层对积雪变化的响应

草本层是古尔班通古特沙漠植物群落下层层片的构建者, 冬季积雪提供了其生长发育所需要的主要水分, 积雪的增加或减少对草本植物数量和生物量会产生显著的影响。该研究利用人工增减积雪的方法, 在古尔班通古特沙漠南缘设置了5个不同厚度的积雪处理: 0积雪、50%积雪、100%积雪、150%积雪和200%积雪, 其中100%积雪为自然积雪。采用1 m × 1 m的样方, 对草本层片的物种数、盖度、密度、高度进行了调查, 还采用收获法测定了草本层片的地上生物量和优势种小花荆芥(Nepeta micrantha)的单株地上生物量。对研究区内13个科29种草本植物的研究表明: 1)单位面积出土幼苗数量跟积雪厚度呈显著正相关关系, 草本层片的盖度、密度对积雪的变化响应显著, 随着积雪增加, 草本层片的密度和盖度呈递增趋势, 而草本层片的平均高度呈递减趋势, 但不同积雪处理间的物种数和总地上生物量没有显著差异; 2)积雪厚度与优势种的株高和地上生物量呈显著负相关关系, 积雪的增加导致优势种的单株生物量和株高显著降低; 3)积雪厚度的变化主要影响了草本层片植物种子萌发的数量, 但对物种数量没有显著影响。这表明: 虽然积雪是草本植物的主要水分来源之一, 但荒漠植物群落的草本植物对积雪的变化具有很强的缓冲能力, 即使积雪很少, 草本层片的物种构成也不会发生显著变化, 草本层片的净初级生产力也保持相对稳定。     

南方红豆杉响应不同传粉式样的结实表现

采用开花前雌株短枝套袋隔离传粉、花期人工授粉、风媒传粉 对照 及其传粉障碍等几种传粉式样 ,比较不同传粉 授粉 方式对南方红豆杉 Taxus chinensis var.mairei 结实的影响 ;在风媒传粉条件下 ,研究了南方红豆杉不同种植行向、树冠不同方位、上下内外不同层面的结实表现 .结果表明 :南方红豆杉存在孤雌生殖现象 ,平均单枝结实率为 2 8.7% ,与风媒传粉相比较 ,存在极显著差异 P<0 .0 1 ;人工授粉能显著提高结实率 P<0 .0 5 2 0 .7% ;2～ 3月份开花期 ,江汉平原盛行东北风 ,在风媒传粉条件下 ,东西向种植的南方红豆杉有更多的授粉机会 ,其结实情况极显著优于南北向种植的 P<0 .0 1 ;东西向种植的南方红豆杉树冠果实的空间分布 ,受传粉条件包括风向、冠层方位及距传粉源的距离、冠层内外上下层次等因素的影响 ,方位间的结实量按东南西北方位依次为 :2 30 .375粒、185 .6 2 5粒、12 8.813粒、10 5 .4 38粒 ,呈递减趋势 ,冠外层结实量普通高于冠内层 ,树冠东向下外层结实量最高 4 16 .75粒 ,北向下内层最低 2 2 .0 0粒 .     

突变肠杆菌株NRS-1中5个草甘膦逆境应答基因的克隆与功能研究

【目的】微生物对草甘膦的抗性受复杂的遗传体系调控,涉及靶基因和大量相关调控基因。对肠杆菌属细菌NRS-1突变菌株在高浓度草甘膦逆境下的5个重要差异表达基因进行功能研究,以期深入了解非靶标基因在抗草甘膦微生物的作用特点,为发掘优异基因资源,服务抗草甘膦转基因生物育种提供参考。【方法】NRS-1的差异表达基因可能在蛋白质合成、代谢、细胞膜等水平发挥作用,保护细胞免受高浓度草甘膦逆境,因此分别选取易位酶延伸因子fus A、丁二酸脱氢酶sdh A、胸苷磷酸化酶deo A、鸟氨酸氨甲酰转移酶arg F、周质蛋白osm Y进行克隆,采用大肠杆菌原核表达、转化拟南芥实验研究其功能,并通过细菌双杂及KEGG pathway分析基因间互作特点。【结果】在明确5个基因结构特点基础上,通过大肠杆菌原核表达及转基因拟南芥鉴定,发现这5个基因及草甘膦的靶基因5-烯醇式丙酮莽草酸-3-磷酸合成酶基因aro A对提高2种生物的草甘膦耐性均有不同程度的作用,其中arg F、deo A的抗性较好,与aro A相当,表明在应对草甘膦逆境时,芳香族、含有胸腺嘧啶氨基酸及精氨酸的合成代谢通路可能起重要作用;利用基因互作与KEGG分析发现5个基因与靶基因aro A间形成复杂的调控网络,但无直接的蛋白互作。【结论】NRS-1的5个差异表达基因对草甘膦逆境具有抗性,arg F、deo A优于其他3个基因,其与靶基因aro A间表现复杂的基因互作关系。     

丹酚酸A对大鼠脑缺血/再灌注损伤及抗氧化酶活性的影响

目的:探讨丹酚酸A对大鼠脑缺血/再灌注(cerebral ischemia/reperfusion,CI/R)损伤及抗氧化酶活性的影响。方法:采用大鼠脑中动脉闭塞(middle cerebral arteryocclusion,MCAO)2 h再灌注24 h模型。实验终末,检测脑梗死面积,脑水肿以及评价神经功能损伤,并进一步分析脑组织中三种抗氧化酶的活性水平。结果:与模型组相比,丹酚酸A组大鼠脑梗死面积显著减少(P0.05),水肿程度显著减轻(P0.05),神经功能学评分显著下降(P0.05)。模型组再灌注24 h后,SOD,GSH-PX及CAT活性显著下降(P0.05);丹酚酸A组SOD,GSH-PX及CAT活性则显著升高(P0.05)。结论:丹酚酸A对大鼠CI/R损伤具有保护作用,可能与CI/R损伤时的脑组织SOD,GSH-PX及CAT活性显著升高相关。     

Adiponectin 基因剔除LacZ基因敲入小鼠模型的建立

adiponectin是脂肪细胞特异分泌的一种活性蛋白质,具有增加胰岛素敏感性、抗炎及抗动脉硬化等活性.建立adiponectin基因剔除β-半乳糖苷酶基因(LacZ)敲入小鼠模型,可为整体动物水平研究adiponectin基因功能及其表达调控机制等提供理想工具.根据生物信息学方法获得adiponectin基因组序列,设计基因剔除及敲入策略,在adiponectin基因第2和第3号外显子剔除的同时,在其ATG和信号肽序列后顺接LacZ基因完整编码序列,构建完成了Adipo-LacZ-XpPNT基因剔除质粒.通过电穿孔将打靶质粒转入ES细胞,以G418和ganciclovir进行药物筛选,获得药物抗性的ES细胞克隆,PCR和DNA印迹鉴定出正确同源重组克隆.将同源重组的ES细胞克隆注入小鼠囊胚得到嵌合体小鼠,嵌合体小鼠与C57BL/6J小鼠交配产生杂合子小鼠,杂合子间交配获得adiponectin基因剔除LacZ基因敲入纯合子小鼠.经RT-PCR、RNA印迹和ELISA检测证实纯合子小鼠脂肪和血清中adiponectin基因表达呈阴性.RT-PCR、RNA印迹及蛋白质印迹检测发现,LacZ基因在突变小鼠脂肪组织中有特异性表达,其表达谱与内源性adiponectin基因的表达谱一致.但在脂肪组织及外周血中未能检测到LacZ活性,且血清中LacZ蛋白亦呈阴性.由此成功建立了adiponectin基因完全灭活及LacZ基因以内源性adiponectin基因表达谱表达的小鼠模型,为进一步研究该基因功能及其表达调控创造了有利条件.