A Simple Evaluation of Soil Quality of Waterlogged Purple Paddy Soils with Different Productivities

Evaluation of soil quality can be crucial for designing efficient farming systems and ensuring sustainable agriculture. The present study aimed at evaluating the quality of waterlogged purple paddy soils with different productivities in Sichuan Basin. The approach involved comprehensive analyses of soil physical and chemical properties, as well as enzyme activities and microbial community structure measured by phospholipid fatty acid analysis (PLFA). A total of 36 soil samples were collected from four typical locations, with 12 samples representing high productivity purple paddy soil (HPPS), medium productivity purple paddy soil (MPPS) and low productivity purple paddy soil (LPPS), respectively. Most measured soil properties showed significant differences (P ≤ 0.05) among HPPS, MPPS and LPPS. Pearson correlation analysis and principal component analysis were used to identify appropriate soil quality indicators. A minimum data set (MDS) including total nitrogen (TN), available phosphorus (AP), acid phosphatase (ACP), total bacteria (TB) and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi was established and accounted for 82.1% of the quality variation among soils. A soil quality index (SQI) was developed based on the MDS method, whilst HPPS, MPPS and LPPS received mean SQI scores of 0.725, 0.536 and 0.425, respectively, with a ranking of HPPS > MPPS > LPPS. HPPS showed relatively good soil quality characterized by optimal nutrient availability, enzymatic and microbial activities, but the opposite was true of LPPS. Low levels of TN, AP and soil microbial activities were considered to be the major constraints limiting the productivity in LPPS. All soil samples collected were rich in available N, K, Si and Zn, but deficient in available P, which may be the major constraint for the studied regions. Managers in our study area should employ more appropriate management in the LPPS to improve its rice productivity, and particularly to any potential limiting factor.     

Limitations of chromosome classification by multicolor karyotyping

Multicolor karyotyping technologies, such as spectral karyotyping (SKY) (Schr?ck et al.1996; Liyanage et al. 1996) and multiplex (M-) FISH (Speicher et al. 1996), have proved to be extremely useful in prenatal, postnatal, and cancer cytogenetics. However, these technologies have inherent limitations that, in certain situations, may result in chromosomal misclassification. In this report, we present nine cases, which fall into five categories, in which multicolor karyotyping has produced erroneous interpretations. Most errors appear to have a similar mechanistic basis.     

Cardiovascular actions of central neuromedin U in conscious rats

Neuromedin U (NMU) is a brain-gut peptide, which peripherally stimulates smooth muscle, increases of blood pressure, alters ion transport in the gut, controls local blood flow, and regulates adrenocortical function. Although intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) administration of NMU is known to decrease food intake and body weight, little is known about its effect on other physiological functions. We examined the effects of i.c.v. administration of NMU on mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), and plasma norepinephrine in conscious rats. Neuromedin U (0.05 and 0.5 nmol) provoked an increase in MAP (93.8 +/- 0.5 to 123.5 +/- 1.7 and 94.7 +/- 0.8 to 132.7 +/- 3.0 mm Hg, respectively) and HR (334.9 +/- 6.0 to 494.1 +/- 6.9 and 346.3 +/- 3.3 to 475.1 +/- 8.9 beats/min, respectively). In contrast, plasma norepinephrine increased only with a high dose of neuromedin U. Intravenously administered NMU (0.5 nmol) elicited a small and short lasting increase in MAP, compared to that by i.c.v. NMU. These results indicate that central neuromedin U regulates sympathetic nervous system activity and affects cardiovascular function.     

A simple method for the detection of neurologic disorders associated with CAG repeat expansion using PCR-microtiter plate hybridization

A new screening method was developed for the detection of CAG expanded alleles in patients with hereditary ataxia using polymerase chain reaction-based microtiter plate hybridization (PCR-MPH). The system can be applied to detect pathologic alleles by hybridization with the immobilized (CAG)48 repeat probe derived from the unrelated gene 'ERDA1' except for the CAG repeats. We examined 10 individuals with SCA3, 10 with Huntington disease and 30 normal controls (31 controls for SCA3) using this method. The results showed that a clear discrimination was possible in all cases. We suggest that this system be made available for mass screening of patients with hereditary ataxia disorders. This report is the first to demonstrate that a PCR-MPH system can be successfully applied to DNA size differentiation in addition to base pair mismatches. Also, our design of the probe is unique in that the probe motif stem from the unrelated gene sequence and not from the synthetic oligonucleotides.     

Ferruginibacter profundus sp. nov., a novel member of the family Chitinophagaceae,isolated from freshwater sediment of a reservoir

A Gram-negative, aerobic, non-motile, and rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain DS48-5-3^T, was isolated from a 48 m sediment sample taken from Daechung Reservoir, Republic of Korea. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence studies showed a clear affiliation of this strain to the Bacteroidetes, notably most closely related to Ferruginibacter alkalilentus HU1-GD23^T, Ferruginibacter lapsinanis HU1-HG42^T and Ferruginibacter yonginensis HME8442^T, showing 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities to the type strains of these species of 95.2–96.4 % similarity. The predominant ubiquinone was identified as MK-7. The major fatty acids were identified as iso-C_15:0, iso-C_17:0 3-OH, and iso-C_15:1 G. The G+C content of the genomic DNA of strain DS48-5-3^T was determined to be 37.2 %. On the basis of polyphasic evidence, it is proposed that strain DS48-5-3^T should belong to a novel species, for which the name Ferruginibacter profundus sp. nov. (type strain DS48-5-3^T = KCTC 32478^T = JCM 19431^T), is proposed.     

Human Motor Neurons Generated from Neural Stem Cells Delay Clinical Onset and Prolong Life in ALS Mouse Model

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is the most common adult onset motor neuron disease. The etiology and pathogenic mechanisms of the disease remain unknown, and there is no effective treatment. Here we show that intrathecal transplantation of human motor neurons derived from neural stem cells (NSCs) in spinal cord of the SOD1G93A mouse ALS model delayed disease onset and extended life span of the animals. When HB1.F3.Olig2 (F3.Olig2) cells, stable immortalized human NSCs encoding the human Olig2 gene, were treated with sonic hedgehog (Shh) protein for 5–7 days, the cells expressed motor neuron cell type-specific phenotypes Hb9, Isl-1 and choline acetyltransferase (ChAT). These F3.Olig2-Shh human motor neurons were transplanted intrathecally in L5–L6 spinal cord of SOD1G93A mice, and at 4 weeks post-transplantation, transplanted F3.Olig2-Shh motor neurons expressing the neuronal phenotype markers NF, MAP2, Hb9, and ChAT were found in the ventral horn of the spinal cord. Onset of clinical signs in ALS mice with F3.Olig2-Shh motor neuron implants was delayed for 7 days and life span of animals was significantly extended by 20 days. Our results indicate that this treatment modality of intrathecal transplantation of human motor neurons derived from NSCs might be of value in the treatment of ALS patients without significant adverse effects.     

COMP-Angiopoietin1 Potentiates the Effects of Bone Morphogenic Protein-2 on Ischemic Necrosis of the Femoral Head in Rats

Angiogenesis is considered essential for proper bone regeneration. The purpose of this investigation was to determine if a combined therapy of bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) and cartilage oligomeric matrix protein angiopoietin-1 (COMP-Ang1) can potentiate the therapeutic effect of BMP-2 in a rat model of ischemic necrosis of the femoral head (INFH). INFH was surgically induced in the femoral head of rats, and the animals were divided into the following groups: 1) a sham-operated group (sham group), 2) a bovine serum albumin-injected group (BSA group), 3) a BMP-2-injected group (BMP-2 group), and 4) a COMP-Ang1 and BMP-2-injected group (COMP-Ang1 + BMP-2 group) (n = 20/group). Radiologic, histologic, and histomorphometric assessments were performed to assess femoral head morphology, vascular density, and bone resorption activity. Western blots and immunohistochemical staining were performed to evaluate production of BMP-related signaling proteins in C3H10T1/2 cells and tissues. Real-time RT-PCR was performed to investigate expression of the target integrin gene, and the effect of integrin on C3H10T1/2 cells was determined using a cell adhesion assay. Radiographs obtained six weeks after injection revealed better preservation of the architecture of the femoral head in the COMP-Ang1 + BMP-2 group compared with the BSA and BMP-2 groups. Histological findings indicated increased trabecular bone and vascularity and decreased osteoclast bone resorption activity in the COMP-Ang1 + BMP-2 group compared with those in the BSA and BMP-2 groups. The combination of COMP-Ang1 and BMP-2 increased phosphorylation of Smad1/3/5, p38, and Akt. Increased integrin α3 and β1 mRNA expression in the COMP-Ang1 + BMP-2 group promoted cell adhesion. These results suggest that COMP-Ang1 preserved the necrotic femoral head through the potentiation of BMP-2 signaling pathways and angiogenesis. Combination treatment with COMP-Ang1 and BMP-2 may be a clinically useful therapeutic application in INFH.     

Five small heat shock protein genes from Chilo suppressalis: characteristics of gene, genomic organization, structural analysis, and transcription profiles

Small heat shock proteins (sHSPs) are the most diverse but also the most poorly known family of molecular chaperones, and they play essential roles in various biological processes. The striped stem borer, Chilo suppressalis (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), is one of the most serious pests of rice, causing extensive damage and yield loss. In this study, we isolated and characterized five members of the sHSPs family—Cshsp19.8, Cshsp21.4, Cshsp21.5, Cshsp21.7a, and Cshsp21.7b—from C. suppressalis. The cDNAs of these genes encoded proteins of 177, 187, 191, 191, and 191 amino acids with isoelectric points of 7.0, 5.6, 6.1, 6.3, and 6.3, respectively. While Cshsp19.8, Cshsp21.5, and Cshsp21.7b had no introns, Cshsp21.4 and Cshsp21.7a contained one and two introns, respectively. Structural analysis indicated that all five Cshsps possessed conserved arginine and a V/IXI/V motif, which is related to hydrophobic characteristics of sHSPs. The five heat shock proteins can be classified into two main groups: an orthologous type (Cshsp21.4 and Cshsp21.7a) and a species-specific type (Cshsp19.8, Cshsp21.5, and Cshsp21.7b). Real-time quantitative PCR analyses revealed that Cshsp19.8, Cshsp21.5, Cshsp21.7a, and Cshsp21.7b all exhibited their highest expression levels within Malpighian tubules or the hindgut, while such levels were found in the head for Cshsp21.4. The expression of Csshsps at different developmental stages revealed that the mRNA levels of Cshsp19.8, Cshsp21.4, Cshsp21.5, and Cshsp21.7b peaked in adults, whereas the highest level of Cshsp21.7a was observed in first instar larvae. Cshsp19.8 and Cshsp21.7b were both upregulated dramatically by heat and cold, and Cshsp21.5 could be induced by cold stress. Neither Cshsp21.4 nor Cshsp21.7a responded to heat or cold. These results demonstrated that different Csshsps play distinctive roles in the regulation of the physiological activities in C. suppressalis.     

Diploid hybrid origin of Hippophaë gyantsensis (Elaeagnaceae) in the western Qinghai–Tibet Plateau

Homoploid hybrid speciation, the origin of a hybrid species without change in chromosome number, is currently considered to be a rare form of speciation. In the present study, we examined the phylogenetic origin of Hippophaë gyantsensis, a diploid species occurring in the western Qinghai–Tibet Plateau. Some of its morphological and molecular traits suggest a close relationship to H. rhamnoides ssp. yunnanensis while others indicate H. neurocarpa. We conducted phylogenetic analyses of sequence data of two maternally inherited chloroplast (cp) DNA fragments and the bi‐parentally inherited nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) from 17 populations of H. gyantsensis, 15 populations of H. rhamnoides ssp. yunnanensis and 27 populations of H. neurocarpa across their distributional ranges, and modelled the niche differentiation of the three taxa. Multiple lines of evidence suggested that H. gyantsensis is a morphologically stable, genetically independent and ecologically distinct species. The inconsistent phylogenetic placements of the H. gyantsensis clade that comprised the dominant cpDNA haplotypes and ITS ribotypes suggested a probable diploid hybrid origin from multiple crosses between H. rhamnoides ssp. yunnanensis and H. neurocarpa. This tentative hypothesis is more parsimonious than alternative explanations according to the data available, although more evidence based on further testing is needed.