A large‐scale phylogeny of the lycophyte genus Selaginella (Selaginellaceae: Lycopodiopsida) based on plastid and nuclear loci

The lycophyte genus Selaginella alone constitutes the family Selaginellaceae, the largest of the lycophyte families. The genus is estimated to contain 700–800 species distributed on all continents except Antarctica, with highest species diversity in tropical and subtropical regions. The monophyly of Selaginella in this broad sense has rarely been doubted, whereas its intrageneric classification has been notoriously contentious. Previous molecular studies were based on very sparse sampling of Selaginella (up to 62 species) and often used DNA sequence data from one genome. In the present study, DNA sequences of one plastid (rbcL) and one nuclear (ITS) locus from 394 accessions representing approximately 200 species of Selaginella worldwide were used to infer a phylogeny using maximum likelihood, Bayesian inference and maximum parsimony methods. The study identifies strongly supported major clades and well resolves relationships among them. Major results include: (i) six deep‐level clades are discovered representing the deep splits of Selaginella; and (ii) 20 major clades representing 20 major evolutionary lineages are identified, which differ from one another in molecular, macro‐morphological, ecological and spore features, and/or geographical distribution.     

Dextranase from Arthrobacter oxydans KQ11-1 inhibits biofilm formation by polysaccharide hydrolysis

Dental plaque is a biofilm of water-soluble and water-insoluble polysaccharides, produced primarily by Streptococcus mutans. Dextranase can inhibit biofilm formation. Here, a dextranase gene from the marine microorganism Arthrobacter oxydans KQ11-1 is described, and cloned and expressed using E. coli DH5α competent cells. The recombinant enzyme was then purified and its properties were characterized. The optimal temperature and pH were determined to be 60°C and 6.5, respectively. High-performance liquid chromatography data show that the final hydrolysis products were glucose, maltose, maltotriose, and maltotetraose. Thus, dextranase can inhibit the adhesive ability of S. mutans. The minimum biofilm inhibition and reduction concentrations (MBIC₅₀ and MBRC₅₀) of dextranase were 2 U ml^?1 and 5 U ml^?1, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM) observations confirmed that dextranase inhibited biofilm formation and removed previously formed biofilms.     

火灾恢复年限对大兴安岭森林乔灌草多样性及优势种影响

林火是大兴安岭地区森林生态系统的重要影响因子,研究火灾对植物多样性和优势种多度长期影响,有助于火灾区域森林生态系统重建与管理。本研究以大兴安岭不同火烧年限（1~5、5~10、10~20、20~30、30~40和40~50年）48对配对样地（火烧样地与邻近未火烧对照样地）为研究对象,利用二者差值变化来探讨森林恢复年限对植物多样性指数影响,通过对乔灌草相对多度变化确认火灾恢复对优势种的影响。研究结果表明：（1）火烧与对照间乔木多样性和丰富度差值先降后升趋势,在10年左右最低,而恢复30~40年后与对照样地相当或更高。灌木与乔木变化趋势相似,但是变化趋势多达到统计学显著（P<0.05）,灌木Shannon-wiener多样性指数和丰富度差值随年限增加而线性上升。草本Simpson多样性指数随火烧年限增加而直线下降,但是均匀度与丰富度没有出现线性变化。（2）乔灌草优势种变化趋势为：乔木层白桦（Betula platyphylla）在火烧5~30年占比均超过30%,在30年后占比不超过15%,同时兴安落叶松（Larix gmelinii）在30~40年占比超过50%;灌木层在0~30年均是越桔（Vaccinium vitis-idaea）占比最大,30年之后变为榛子（Corylus heterophylla）,草本层5~30年均是小叶章（Deyeuxia angustifolia）占比最大,30年之后变为其他物种。对照样地乔木层主要是兴安落叶松,占比超过50%,灌木层主要是越桔（Vaccinium vitis-idaea）,草本层主要是小叶章（Deyeuxia angustifolia）。整体来看,乔木火后恢复需要更长的时间,而灌木和草本火后恢复更快。植物多样性及优势种变化是研究其对生态服务功能（如碳汇）影响的基础,我们研究结果为天保工程后续实施及科学管理大兴安岭森林生态系统提供数据支撑。     

跗骨窦入路切开复位内固定与外侧"L"形入路切开复位内固定治疗跟骨骨折的疗效比较研究

目的:比较跗骨窦入路切开复位内固定与外侧"L"形入路切开复位内固定治疗跟骨骨折的疗效。方法:选取2016年10月到2017年6月期间川北医学院附属医院收治的86例跟骨骨折患者,根据随机数字表法分为对照组和观察组,两组均为43例。对照组采用外侧"L"形入路切开复位内固定进行治疗,观察组采用跗骨窦入路切开复位内固定进行治疗。比较两组患者的手术时间、住院时间、骨折愈合时间、踝-后足功能优良率、视觉模拟评分法(VAS)、B?hler角、Gissane角和术后并发症发生率。结果:两组患者的手术时间和骨折愈合时间比较无统计学差异(P0.05),而观察组患者的住院时间短于对照组(P0.05)。观察组患者术后踝-后足功能优良率高于对照组(P0.05)。在术前和术后12个月时,两组患者的VAS评分、Gissane角、B?hler角比较无统计学差异(P0.05),术后12个月时两组患者的VAS评分均明显低于术前,B?hler角及Gissane角明显高于术前(P0.05)。观察组患者术后并发症发生率低于对照组(P0.05)。结论:跗骨窦入路和外侧"L"形入路切开复位内固定均可有效治疗跟骨骨折,但跗骨窦入路可更有效地改善踝-后足功能,且住院时间短、术后并发症发生率更低。