Grassland ecosystems in China: review of current knowledge and research advancement

Grasslands are the dominant landscape in China, accounting for 40% of the national land area. Research concerning China's grassland ecosystems can be chronologically summarized into four periods: (i) pre-1950s, preliminary research and survey of grassland vegetation and plant species by Russians, Japanese and Western Europeans, (ii) 1950-1975, exploration and survey of vegetation, soils and topography as part of natural resource inventory programmes by regional and national institutions mainly led by the Chinese Academy of Sciences, (iii) 1976-1995, establishment of field stations for long-term ecological monitoring and studies of ecosystem processes, (iv) 1996-present, comprehensive studies of community dynamics and ecosystem function integrating multi-scale and multidisciplinary approaches and experimental manipulations.Major findings of scientific significance in China's grassland ecosystem research include: (i) improved knowledge on succession and biogeochemistry of the semi-arid and temperate grassland ecosystems, (ii) elucidation of life-history strategies and diapause characteristics of the native grasshopper species as one of the key grassland pests, and (iii) development of effective management strategies for controlling rodent pests in grassland ecosystems. Opportunities exist for using the natural grasslands in northern China as a model system to test ecosystem theories that so far have proven a challenge to ecologists worldwide.     

西双版纳热带雨林凋落叶分解过程Ⅱ.微生物与线虫的群落动态

通过野外试验与室内模拟相结合,对西双版纳热带雨林生态系统混合凋落叶分解过程中微生物和线虫种群动态变化进行了系统研究。野外试验采用网袋法（即1mm和100μm网眼网袋,分别限制大型土壤动物和螨类的进入）,室内试验采用灭菌一接种法,以观测不同生物组成条件下线虫和微生物对凋落叶的分解作用。结果表明,伴随分解进程,微生物基本呼吸速率不断下降且与分解进程正相关。利用底物诱导呼吸法测定微生物生物量以及细菌、真菌生物量的变化表明,微生物在凋落叶分解过程中的演替遵循一定的路线。当土壤动物参与分解时,由于捕食压力的存在,微生物一般按照“双峰”型路线变化,并存在明显的生物演替现象,在这个过程中微生物对C的利用效率也不断提高;当不存在这种捕食压力时,微生物表现为“单峰-递减”式发展模式,生物量由强到弱变化,微生物对C的利用效率持续下降。土壤动物在凋落叶分解过程中表现为“单峰”型变化动态,与微生物量“双峰”动态形成互补,捕食者与被捕食者之间是一种“捕食-激发”作用下的种群消长关系,这种关系的强烈程度与捕食压力有关。“双峰”发展路线在一定程度上加速了凋落叶的分解进程。     

基于Visual C#语言的DICOM标准医学图像的显示和实现

介绍DICOM3.0医学图像文件的格式和C#语言的特点,首次利用Visual C#语言对该标准的图像进行显示和处理,能够直接读取DICOM格式原始图像数据,并可批量转换成BMP等格式进行处理,此项工作可为医学图像处理研究及相关医学图像软件开发奠定基础。     

Different evolutionary fates of recently integrated human and chimpanzee LINE-1 retrotransposons

The long interspersed element-1 (LINE-1 or L1) is a highly successful retrotransposon in mammals. L1 elements have continued to actively propagate subsequent to the human–chimpanzee divergence,  6 million years ago, resulting in species-specific inserts. Here, we report a detailed characterization of chimpanzee-specific L1 subfamily diversity and a comparison with their human-specific counterparts. Our results indicate that L1 elements have experienced different evolutionary fates in humans and chimpanzees within the past  6 million years. Although the species-specific L1 copy numbers are on the same order in both species (1200–2000 copies), the number of retrotransposition-competent elements appears to be much higher in the human genome than in the chimpanzee genome. Also, while human L1 subfamilies belong to the same lineage, we identified two lineages of recently integrated L1 subfamilies in the chimpanzee genome. The two lineages seem to have coexisted for several million years, but only one shows evidence of expansion within the past three million years. These differential evolutionary paths may be the result of random variation, or the product of competition between L1 subfamily lineages. Our results suggest that the coexistence of several L1 subfamily lineages within a species may be resolved in a very short evolutionary period of time, perhaps in just a few million years. Therefore, the chimpanzee genome constitutes an excellent model in which to analyze the evolutionary dynamics of L1 retrotransposons.     

RNAi介导的GdHsp60和GdHsp70基因沉默对沙葱萤叶甲幼虫抗寒性的影响

【目的】本研究旨在比较不同RNAi方法对沙葱萤叶甲Galeruca daurica幼虫热激蛋白基因(GdHsp60和GdHsp70)的沉默效率,以选择一种可高效降低靶基因表达水平的研究方法,明确这两个热激蛋白在沙葱萤叶甲幼虫抗寒性中的作用。【方法】分别通过饲喂法和显微注射法进行RNAi沉默沙葱萤叶甲1和2龄幼虫的GdHsp60和GdHsp70,采用qPCR检测GdHsp60和GdHsp70的沉默效率;通过显微注射法分别 对GdHsp60和GdHsp70进行RNAi后24 h,用热电偶法测定沙葱萤叶甲2龄幼虫过冷却点和结冰点,生物测定沙葱萤叶甲2龄幼虫暴露于不同低温条件下(-6~-14℃) 2 h的半致死温度(Ltemp₅₀)以及在-5℃低温条件下处理不同时间后的半致死时间(Ltime₅₀)。【结果】用饲喂法和显微注射法进行RNAi均可以降低GdHsp60和GdHsp70的表达水平,但显微注射法的沉默效率更高。与对照组(显微注射dsGFP)相比,沙葱萤叶甲2龄幼虫分别显微注射dsGdHsp60和dsGdHsp70 24 h后,GdHsp60和GdHsp70的表达水平均降至最低,分别降低了84.15%和92.38%。在沙葱萤叶甲2龄幼虫中,显微注射dsGdHsp60 24 h后其过冷却点、结冰点、Ltemp₅₀及Ltime₅₀值分别-10.56±0.42℃,-7.66±0.56℃,-8.33℃和49.25 h,显微注射dsGdHsp70 24 h后其过冷却点、结冰点、Ltemp₅₀及Ltime₅₀值分别为-9.08±0.23℃,-6.09±0.28℃, -8.20℃和52.21 h,而对照组的分别为-14.71±0.11℃,-13.94±0.09℃,-10.63℃和87.13 h。与对 照组(显微注射dsGFP)相比,在沙葱萤叶甲2龄幼虫分别显微注射dsGdHsp60和dsGdHsp70 24 h后过冷却点 、结冰点和Ltemp₅₀显著上升,而Ltime50值显著缩短。【结论】显微注射法可作为沙葱萤叶甲Hsp相关基 因RNAi的主要干扰方法;沉默GdHsp60和GdHsp70基因均会显著降低了沙葱萤叶甲幼虫的抗寒能力。     

黄海夏季虾类群落结构及其与环境因子的关系

根据2014年8月在黄海进行的渔业资源和环境综合调查数据,应用相对重要性指数、生物多样性指数和多元统计分析等方法对黄海夏季虾类群落结构及其与环境因子的关系进行了研究.结果表明： 本次调查共捕获虾类20种,隶属于3目10科16属.各调查站点虾类相对资源丰度为13～45047 g·h^-1,平均资源丰度为6838 g·h^-1.优势种为脊腹褐虾,常见种为中华安乐虾,偶见种为戴氏赤虾、葛氏长臂虾、口虾蛄.各站点多样性指数(H)变化范围为0.007～1.538,平均值为0.391;丰富度指数(D)变化范围为0.101～1.138,平均值为0.374;均匀度指数(J)变化范围为0.006～0.947,平均值为0.298.等级聚类分析(Cluster)与非度量多维标度分析(MDS)表明,调查范围基本以45 m等深线为界将所有站点分成两个组群：冷水团组群(Ⅰ)和沿岸组群(Ⅱ),ANOSIM分析表明两组群差异极显著.BIOENV分析表明,影响黄海夏季虾类群落空间结构的最主要环境因子是底层水温与底层盐度.黄海夏季虾类群落以冷水团组群占绝对优势,黄海冷水团对黄海夏季虾类群落的分布格局具有决定性的影响.     

平果喀斯特山地不同植物群落的土壤质量评价

了解喀斯特山地的土壤环境质量,对其植被恢复和石漠化治理有着重要意义。基于群落土壤肥力分析,采用典范对应分析(CCA)和因子分析相结合的方法,定量评价了广西平果喀斯特山地灌丛、灌木、仪花和蚬木群落的土壤质量。结果表明:土壤物理结构随植被恢复得到改善,土壤容重下降、孔隙增多、持水能力增强。土壤p H值以灌丛最高,仪花和蚬木林的土壤有机质、全氮和碱解氮含量明显高于灌丛和灌木,灌丛、灌木的土壤全磷、全钾和速效钾含量则显著高于次生乔木林;土壤速效磷和交换性钙含量差异不显著。CCA可以有效筛选土壤质量评价指标,土壤质量综合评价分值的大小顺序为:仪花林(0.41)蚬木林(0.27)灌丛(-0.20)灌木林(-0.44)。导致灌丛和灌木林土壤质量较低的原因主要与群落生产力低、土壤有机质等养分积累少有关。     

Loss of Core 1-derived O-Glycans Decreases Breast Cancer Development in Mice

Mucin-type core 1-derived O-glycans, one of the major types of O-glycans, are highly expressed in mammary gland epithelium. Abnormal O-glycans such as Tn antigen are found in over 90% of breast cancers; however, the in vivo role of these aberrant O-glycans in the etiology of breast cancer is unclear. We generated mice with mammary epithelial specific deletion of core 1-derived O-glycans. By crossing with two spontaneous mouse breast cancer models, we determined that loss of core 1-derived O-glycans delays the onset and progression of breast cancer development. Deficiency of core 1 O-glycosylation impaired the localization of Muc1, a major O-glycoprotein, on the apical surfaces of mammary epithelium. Signaling mediated by Muc1, which is critical for breast cancer development, was also defective in the absence of core 1 O-glycans. This study reveals an unexpected role of core 1-derived O-glycans in breast cancer development in mice.     

植物叶绿素缺失突变体分子机制研究进展

植物叶绿素缺失突变体在自然界中广泛存在,是研究叶绿素形成和叶绿体发育等代谢途径的良好材料.该文主要从分子层面上阐述了叶绿素缺失突变体产生的原因,如叶绿素合成受阻、叶绿体光合蛋白合成或输入受阻、叶绿体RNA转录物未被编辑、过量光损伤和卟啉循环各物质之间的相互抑制,并归纳了近年来鉴定出来的一些叶绿素缺失突变基因,简要介绍了叶绿素和叶绿体之间的关系以及叶绿素缺失突变体的应用.