Physical and chemical properties determine zebra mussel invasion success in lakes

To address the question whether the abundance of an invasive species can be explained by physical and chemical properties of the invaded ecosystems, we gathered density data of invasive zebra mussels and the physical and chemical data of ecosystems they invaded. We assembled published data from 55 European and 13 North American lakes and developed a model for zebra mussel density using a generalized additive model (GAM) approach. Our model revealed that the joint effect of surface area, total phosphorus and calcium concentrations explained 62% of the variation in Dreissena density. Our study indicates that large and less productive North American lakes can support larger local populations of zebra mussels. Our results suggest that the proliferation of an exotic species in an area can partially be explained by physical and chemical properties of the recipient environment.     

百日咳杆菌粘附素对猪源支气管败血波氏杆菌的保护性抗原的筛选

摘要：【目的】本研究通过百日咳杆菌黏附素(PRN)基因的分段克隆表达及其在BALB/c小鼠的主动和被动免疫保护试验筛选PRN中的保护性抗原肽。【方法和结果】利用大肠杆菌进行PRN的完整蛋白、N端和C端多肽及其RI和RII区域多肽（双拷贝）的表达,命名为GST-PRN、GST-PN、GST-PC、GST-2PRI和GST-2PRII。Western blot检测证实5种表达产物均具有良好的反应原性。在主动免疫保护试验中,5种表达产物均能诱导小鼠产生较高的PRN抗体水平;当使用3 LD50的支气管败血波氏杆菌     

Effects of combining <Emphasis Type="Italic">Beauveria bassiana</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Nosema pyrausta</Emphasis> on the mortality of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ostrinia nubilalis</Emphasis>

We tested the combined effect of the fungus Beauveria bassiana and the microsporidium Nosema pyrausta on the European corn borer larvae, Ostrinia nubilalis, in the laboratory. The first instar of O. nubilalis larvae was the most sensitive to the B. bassiana infection followed by the fifth, second, third, and fourth instar (LC₅₀s were 4.91, 6.67, 7.13, 9.15, and 6.51 × 10⁵ conidia/ml for the first to fifth instars, respectively). Mortality of each instar increases positively with concentration of conidia. When B. bassiana and N. pyrausta were used in combination, mortality increased significantly in all instars. Relative to the B. bassiana treatment alone, the B. bassiana + N. pyrausta treatment decreased the LC₅₀s by 42.16%, 37.63%, 21.60%, 27.11%, and 33.95% for the first to fifth instars, respectively. The combined effects of the two pathogens were mostly additive. However, at the two highest concentrations the pathogens interacted synergistically in the first and second instar. Individuals that survived the B. bassiana and B. bassiana + N. pyrausta treatments and developed into adults had significantly shorter lifespans and females oviposited fewer eggs than non-exposed insects. The effects on the longevity and the egg production were most pronounced at high concentration of B. bassiana conidia.     

CCR5 interactions with the variable 3 loop of gp120

The G-protein coupled receptor CCR5 functions pathologically as the primary co-receptor for macrophage tropic (R5) strains of HIV-1. The interactions responsible for co-receptor activity are unknown. Molecular-dynamics simulations of the extracellular and adjacent transmembrane domains of CCR5 were performed with explicit solvation utilizing a rhodopsin-based homology model. The functional unit of co-receptor binding was constructed via docking and molecular-dynamics simulation of CCR5 and the variable 3 loop of gp120, which is a dominant determinant of co-receptor utilization. The variable 3 loop was demonstrated to interact primarily with the amino terminus and the second extracellular loop of CCR5, providing novel structural information regarding the co-receptor-binding site. Alanine mutants that alter chemokine binding and co-receptor activity were examined. Molecular-dynamics simulations with and without the variable 3 loop of gp120 were able to rationalize the activities of these mutants successfully, providing support for the proposed model. Based on these results, the global complex of CCR5, gp120 including the V3 loop and CD4, was investigated. The utilization of computational analysis, in combination with molecular biological data, provides a powerful approach for understanding the use of CCR5 as a co-receptor by HIV-1.     

The protective effect of chitin and chitosan against Vibrio alginolyticus in white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei

White shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei, which had been injected with chitin at 4, 6 and 8 microg g(-1) or chitosan at 2, 4 and 6 microg g(-1), were challenged with pathogen Vibrio alginolyticus at 2 x 10(6) colony-forming units (cfu) shrimp(-1) and then placed in seawater of 34 per thousand. The survival of shrimp that received chitin or chitosan at either dose was significantly higher than that of control shrimp after 1 day, and at the termination of the experiment (6 days after the challenge). In another experiment, the total haemocyte count (THC), phenoloxidase activity, respiratory burst, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and phagocytic activity to V. alginolyticus were measured when L. vannamei (10.4 +/- 0.7 g) were injected individually with chitin at 4 and 6 microg g(-1) or chitosan at 2 and 4 microg g(-1). L. vannamei received chitin at 6 microg g(-1) or chitosan at 2 and 4 microg g(-1) increased significantly its THC and respiratory burst after 2 days. L. vannamei received chitin at 6 microg g(-1) or chitosan at 2 and 4 microg g(-1) still maintained significantly higher phenoloxidase activity after 6 days. L. vannamei received chitin at 4 and 6 microg g(-1) or chitosan at 2 and 4 microg g(-1) increased its phagocytic activity against V. alginolyticus after 1 day, respectively. It is therefore concluded that L. vannamei that received chitin at 6 microg g(-1) or chitosan at 4 microg g(-1) or less increased its immune ability and resistance to V. alginolyticus infection.     

Influence of foraging behavior and host spatial distribution on the localized spread of the emerald ash borer, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Agrilus planipennis</Emphasis>

Management programs for invasive species are often developed at a regional or national level, but physical intervention generally takes place over relatively small areas occupied by newly founded, isolated populations. The ability to predict how local habitat variation affects the expansion of such newly founded populations is essential for efficiently targeting resources to slow the spread of an invasive species. We assembled a coupled map lattice model that simulates the local spread of newly founded colonies of the emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire), a devastating forest insect pest of ash (Fraxinus spp.) trees. Using this model, we investigated the spread of A. planipennis in environments with different Fraxinus spp. distributions, and explored the consequences of ovipositional foraging behavior on the local spread of A. planipennis. Simulations indicate that increased larval density, resulting from lower host tree density or higher initial population sizes, can increase the spread rate during the first few years after colonization by increasing a density-dependent developmental rate and via host resource depletion. Both the radial spread rate and population size were greatly influenced by ovipositional foraging behavior. Two known behaviors of ovipositing A. planipennis females, attraction towards areas with high ash tree density and attraction to stressed trees, had opposing effects on spread. Results from this model illustrate the significant influence of resource distribution and foraging behavior on localized spread, and the importance of these factors when formulating strategies to monitor and manage invasive pests.     

The RHD variants in Chinese population

The Rhesus (Rh) blood group system is the most important blood group system in hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN). In clinical transfusions, the D antigen in the Rh blood group system comes third, behind antigens A and B which from ABO blood group system. Over the past decade, molecular technologies have been used to investigate the RHD allele in different ethnic groups. This review first introduces the basic structure of RhD protein and coding genes, then focuses on D-negative, weak D, partial D, DEL, RhD_null variants reported in the Chinese population. To date, more than 460 RHD variants have been reported around the world, but less than 70 RHD variants have been reported in the Chinese population. Further research is needed to identify more RHD polymorphism and establish criteria for blood detection and transfusion guidelines for RHD variants. Only in this way can we better guarantee the safety of blood transfusion and prevent the occurrence of HDFN. With the accumulation of research and clinical data, we should be clearer which RHD variants are to be regarded as RhD negative and which need to be regarded as RhD positive.