GS3, a major QTL for grain length and weight and minor QTL for grain width and thickness in rice, encodes a putative transmembrane protein

The GS3 locus located in the pericentromeric region of rice chromosome 3 has been frequently identified as a major QTL for both grain weight (a yield trait) and grain length (a quality trait) in the literature. Near isogenic lines of GS3 were developed by successive crossing and backcrossing Minghui 63 (large grain) with Chuan 7 (small grain), using Minghui 63 as the recurrent parent. Analysis of a random subpopulation of 201 individuals from the BC₃F₂ progeny confirmed that the GS3 locus explained 80–90% of the variation for grain weight and length in this population. In addition, this locus was resolved as a minor QTL for grain width and thickness. Using 1,384 individuals with recessive phenotype (large grain) from a total of 5,740 BC₃F₂ plants and 11 molecular markers based on sequence information, GS3 was mapped to a DNA fragment approximately 7.9 kb in length. A full-length cDNA corresponding to the target region was identified, which provided complete sequence information for the GS3 candidate. This gene consists of five exons and encodes 232 amino acids with a putative PEBP-like domain, a transmembrane region, a putative TNFR/NGFR family cysteine-rich domain and a VWFC module. Comparative sequencing analysis identified a nonsense mutation, shared among all the large-grain varieties tested in comparison with the small grain varieties, in the second exon of the putative GS3 gene. This mutation causes a 178-aa truncation in the C-terminus of the predicted protein, suggesting that GS3 may function as a negative regulator for grain size. Cloning of such a gene provided the opportunity for fully characterizing the regulatory mechanism and related processes during grain development.     

Large-scale recording of neurons by movable silicon probes in behaving rodents

A major challenge in neuroscience is linking behavior to the collective activity of neural assemblies. Understanding of input-output relationships of neurons and circuits requires methods with the spatial selectivity and temporal resolution appropriate for mechanistic analysis of neural ensembles in the behaving animal, i.e. recording of representatively large samples of isolated single neurons. Ensemble monitoring of neuronal activity has progressed remarkably in the past decade in both small and large-brained animals, including human subjects. Multiple-site recording with silicon-based devices are particularly effective because of their scalability, small volume and geometric design. Here, we describe methods for recording multiple single neurons and local field potential in behaving rodents, using commercially available micro-machined silicon probes with custom-made accessory components. There are two basic options for interfacing silicon probes to preamplifiers: printed circuit boards and flexible cables. Probe supplying companies (http://www.neuronexustech.com/; http://www.sbmicrosystems.com/; http://www.acreo.se/) usually provide the bonding service and deliver probes bonded to printed circuit boards or flexible cables. Here, we describe the implantation of a 4-shank, 32-site probe attached to flexible polyimide cable, and mounted on a movable microdrive. Each step of the probe preparation, microdrive construction and surgery is illustrated so that the end user can easily replicate the process.     

杏仁核点燃模型癫痫样放电传播途径研究

目的 :探讨杏仁核点燃模型癫痫样放电的传播途径。方法 :选择健康Wistar大鼠 3 0只以电刺激杏仁核的方式制作杏仁核点燃癫痫模型 ,于右侧杏仁核、左侧海马及右侧额叶皮质埋植电极记录脑电活动 ,观察电刺激杏仁核时在杏仁核、海马及额叶皮质出现癫痫样放电的潜伏期、最低刺激强度及癫痫样放电的持续时间。结果 :杏仁核出现癫痫样放电时 ,海马及皮质均未记录到癫痫样放电。而当杏仁核、海马及皮质三处出现癫痫样放电时的最低刺激强度依次增大 ,潜伏期依次延长 ,海马处癫痫样放电的持续时间最长。结论 :杏仁核点燃模型癫痫样放电可能由杏仁核经海马传至皮层 ,海马可能为癫痫样放电传播的重要结构     

九龙江河口浮游动物的群落结构和时空变动

2009年春(5月)、夏(8月)、秋(11月)在九龙江河口进行浮游动物采样调查,分析了九龙江河口浮游动物的种类组成、群落结构、丰度和生物量的时空变化。调查共发现浮游动物119种,其中,含桡足类(35种)和水母类(31种)是最主要的类群。主要优势种有火腿许水蚤(Schmackeria poplesia)、中华假磷虾(Pseudeuphausia sinica)、弗洲指突水母(Blackfordia virginica)、短尾类蚤状幼虫 (Zoea larvae)和长尾类幼虫 (Macrura larva)。其中,春季以火腿许水蚤、弗洲指突水母、中华假磷虾以主;夏季则以短尾类蚤状幼虫和长尾类幼虫为主;秋季则以火腿许水蚤和中华异水蚤(Acaritella sinensis)为主,季节变化明显。浮游动物丰度和生物量春季最高,平均值分别为3 377.8 ind/m³和3 209.4 mg/m³,秋季最低,但空间分布不均,从春季到秋季其密集中心从近海区逐渐转移到邻近河口区。与过去同期的调查资料相比,20年来九龙江河口浮游动物总丰度、优势种的组成和排序发生了显著的变化。本次浮游动物的总丰度平均值(以秋季为例)为历次调查最低,主要优势种也明显不同, 推测,浮游动物有朝着小型化发展的趋势。     

NOX4-Derived Reactive Oxygen Species Drive Apelin-13-Induced Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Proliferation via the ERK Pathway

Apelin is the endogenous ligand of the G-protein-coupled receptor, apelin–angiotensin receptor-like 1 (APJ). Vascular smooth muscle cells express both apelin and APJ, which are important regulatory factors in the cardiovascular system. Apelin-13 significantly stimulated vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation. However, little is known about the precise cellular mechanisms responsible for vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation induced by apelin-13. Here, we present novel data that indicate the key role of NADPH oxidase 4-derived reactive oxygen species in proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells treated with apelin-13. Apelin-13 stimulated reactive oxygen species production in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. Furthermore, DPI impaired apelin-13-induced reactive oxygen species generation and vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation. Apelin-13-treatment increased the expression of NADPH oxidase 4 in a dose-dependent manner. Down-regulation of NADPH oxidase 4 using siRNA prevented apelin-13-induced reactive oxygen species generation and vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation. An increase in reactive molecules can trigger the activation of ERK stress-sensitive signaling pathways. Additionally, siRNA-NOX4 and DPI reversed the phosphorylation of ERK induced by apelin-13. Apelin-13 induced vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation by NOX4-derived ROS via the ERK signaling pathway.     

瘤胃降解粗纤维产甲烷的厌氧真菌与甲烷菌共培养物的分离鉴定

【目的】本试验从瘤胃中分离鉴定降解粗纤维产甲烷的厌氧真菌与甲烷菌共培养物,为深入探究甲烷菌对厌氧真菌代谢途径的影响及相关调节机制奠定基础。【方法】利用厌氧滚管技术从荷斯坦奶牛瘤胃内容物中分离厌氧真菌与甲烷菌共培养物,通过形态学观察和DAPI染色以及甲烷菌16S rRNA基因序列分析方法分别对厌氧真菌及甲烷菌进行鉴定。【结果】从荷斯坦奶牛瘤胃中共分离到28株厌氧真菌与甲烷菌共培养物。共培养物中的厌氧真菌均为单中心菌株,分别属于Piromyces,Neocallimastix和Caeomyces属,所占百分比为53.57%,42.86%及3.57%。甲烷菌16S rRNA基因序列分析结果表明,共培养物中的甲烷菌均为甲烷短杆菌。本研究共获得四种不同的厌氧真菌与甲烷菌组合,分别为Piromyces/类Methanobrevibacter olleyae菌株,Neocallimastix/类Methanobrevibacter olleyae菌株,Neocallimastix/类Methanobrevibacter thaueri菌株及Caecomyces/类Methanobrevibacter olleyae菌株,分别占总数的53.57%,39.29%,3.57%及3.57%。【结论】分离得到的28株厌氧真菌和甲烷菌共培养物中,占优势的为具有丰富丝状假根的厌氧真菌Piromyces和Neocallimastix以及类Methanobrevibacter olleyae属的甲烷短杆菌。本研究为进一步研究瘤胃内厌氧真菌与甲烷菌相互代谢关系奠定基础。     

放牧对小叶锦鸡儿种子产量的影响

锡林河流域草地灌木化表现为小叶锦鸡儿（Caragana microphylla）种群的扩张。为了研究放牧与小叶锦鸡儿种群扩张的关系, 从小叶锦鸡儿的种子产量和萌发入手, 分析放牧对小叶锦鸡儿生殖的直接影响（即放牧的直接影响）以及不同放牧处理下昆虫种群对小叶锦鸡儿生殖造成的影响（即放牧的间接影响）。通过比较不同处理下小叶锦鸡儿果荚的数量、种子产量以及昆虫对种子的取食, 发现放牧产生的直接影响和间接影响性质不同, 放牧的直接影响是不利于小叶锦鸡儿的繁殖,而其间接影响却对小叶锦鸡儿的繁殖有利, 且这两种影响在很大程度上会互相抵消。根据所得的研究结果可知在停止放牧之后的一段时间内, 小叶锦鸡儿种群扩张的可能性会增加, 因此在草地生态系统管理中应该注意这个问题。     

变性梯度凝胶电泳法研究断奶仔猪粪样细菌区系变化

利用PCR和DGGE技术分析了12头仔猪在断奶后其粪样细菌区系的变化。粪样细菌16S rDNA的V6～V8可变区经PCR扩增,扩增产物经DGGE电泳后再进行相似性分析。结果表明,仔猪断奶当天粪样 DGGE谱带少,同窝仔猪间图谱相似。断奶后,随着断奶时间的推移,每头仔猪的DGGE图谱带逐渐增多,变得复杂和多样,仔猪个体间DGGE图谱差异逐渐增大。仔猪是否同窝以及所采食日粮类型对DGGE图谱没有明显影响。相似性分析还表明,日粮中添加寡果糖的仔猪在断奶后第1周,其粪样微生物区系变化迅速,而后缓慢。     

Application of radiation hybrid in gene mapping

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阳离子诱导大叶藻叶绿体膜中激发能在PSⅡ和PSⅠ之间分配变化的机理(英文)

用Ｃａ２＋ 和胰酶处理大叶藻（Ｚｏｓｔｅｒａ ｍ ａｒｉｎａ）叶绿体膜研究了其类囊体膜多肽成分与Ｍｇ２＋ 诱导其Ｃｈｌａ荧光和类囊体膜表面电荷变化之间的相互关系,观察到：１．在正常的叶绿体膜中,Ｍｇ２＋ 诱导ＰＳⅡ荧光强度的增高与其诱导类囊体膜表面电荷密度的降低密切相关;２．用Ｃａ２＋ 处理这种叶绿体膜,除去类囊体膜表面的３２～３４ ｋＤ多肽对Ｍｇ２＋ 诱导的上述现象无影响;３．如果用胰酶消化Ｃａ２＋ 处理过的叶绿体膜,进一步除去膜表面的２６ ｋＤ多肽,Ｍｇ２＋诱导的这些现象则全部消失。这些实验结果清楚地表明,在大叶藻的叶绿体膜中,类囊体膜表面的２６ ｋＤ 多肽是阳离子诱导这两种相关现象的特异性作用部位。对阳离子调节激发能在ＰＳⅡ和ＰＳⅠ之间分配的机理进行了讨论