Effects of microclimate,litter type,and mesh size on leaf litter decomposition along an elevation gradient in the Wuyi Mountains,China

Litter decomposition is an important ecosystem process regulated by both biotic factors (e.g., decomposers and litter types) and abiotic factors (e.g., temperature and moisture). This study examined the regulatory effects of soil fauna and microclimate on decomposition of two substrates (Castanopsis carlesii and Pinus taiwanensis) along an elevation gradient in four ecosystems of zonal vegetation types in southeastern China: evergreen broadleaf forest (EVB), coniferous forest (COF), dwarf forest (DWF), and alpine meadow (ALM). Our objective was to identify the mechanisms by which microclimate, substrate, and fauna control litter decomposition, especially where variations in ecosystem structure and environment are markedly shown across an elevation gradient. The hypotheses were as follows: (1) litter decomposition within the same litter type would decrease across the elevation gradient, (2) litter decomposition would be lower in poorer nutrient quality substrate across the four sites, and (3) litter dynamics, influenced by strong interactions among ecosystem type, litter type, and decomposers, would vary by elevation gradient due to microclimate effects (i.e., temperature and moisture). The decomposition rates of C. carlesii were significantly higher than those of P. taiwanensis at EVB, COF, and DWF sites; however, they were not significantly different at the ALM site. Low elevation forests possessed a microclimate (warm and humid) that favors decomposer activities and also appeared to possess a decomposer community adapted to consuming large amounts of leaf litter, as indicated by the rapid leaf litter loss. Litter decomposition in micro-mesh bags proceeded more slowly compared to litter in meso-mesh and macro-mesh litterbags across the elevation gradient, indicating that restricting some detritivore access to litter reduced litter mass loss. We suggest that microclimate and faunal contributions to plant litter decomposition differ markedly across the ecosystems in the Wuyi Mountains.     

异育银鲫GABA A受体γ2亚基全长克隆及生物信息学分析

近年来GABA A受体亚基特异性在药物筛选、研发过程中的应用得到广泛地关注,其中有关α1、β2和γ2三种功能性亚基的研究最为深入。异育银鲫因其良好的生长、繁殖优势,在国内得到广泛养殖。采用RACE法克隆得到了异育银鲫GABA A受体γ2亚基基因全长cDNA,并进行了生物信息学分析。该基因长2 763 bp,其中CDS区长1437 bp,可编码477个氨基酸的前体蛋白。预测蛋白分子量55.3 k D,理论等电点9.13。异育银鲫体内GABA A受体γ2亚基氨基酸序列N端存在1个长度为35个氨基酸的信号肽,4个长度分别为23、20、23和23个氨基酸的跨膜区,3个N-糖基结合位点和2个O-糖基化位点,1个特异性结构域,其氨基酸序列具有明显的氯离子门控通道家族特征。氨基酸序列与其他物种氨基酸序列的同源性都在89%以上,表明该蛋白属于GABA A受体亚基家族。系统进化树表明异育银鲫与斑马鱼聚为一支,亲缘关系最近。     

NADPH缺陷型Corynebacterium glutamicum重组菌株的构建及其性能分析

[目的]改造谷氨酸棒杆菌(Corynebacterium glutamicum)中NADPH合成途径,阻断胞内NADPH的合成,获得1株NADPH营养缺陷型菌株。[方法]通过失活L-赖氨酸高产菌C. glutamicum Lys-χ中葡萄糖-6-磷酸脱氢酶(Zwf)和苹果酸酶(MalE)并将NADP~+依赖型异柠檬酸脱氢酶(NADP~+-Icdcg)替换成变形链球菌(Streptococcus mutans)中的NAD~+-Icdsm,阻断胞内NADPH的合成。随后结合辅因子工程,引入大肠杆菌(Escherichia coli)中膜结合吡啶核苷酸转氢酶(PntAB)并通过不同强度启动子控制PntAB的表达水平。最后,分析不同重组菌中胞内氧化还原水平和L-赖氨酸生产强度的变化。[结果]重组菌C.glutamicum Lys-χΔZMI_(Cg)::I_(Sm)(即Lys-x1)胞内检测不到NADPH,为1株NADPH营养缺陷型菌株。该重组菌只在以葡萄糖酸为碳源的基础培养基中生长和积累L-赖氨酸,而以葡萄糖、丙酮酸、α-酮戊二酸和草酰乙酸为碳源时无法生长。此外,表达E.coli中的PntAB可回补重组菌Lys-χ1胞内NADPH的水平,但由于不同强度启动子控制PntAB表达水平不同,重组菌胞内NADPH水平也不同,并影响L-赖氨酸的生产强度。[结论]重组菌Lys-χ1可作为有效的底盘细胞,用于考察不同的NADPH再生策略,获得不同胞内NADPH水平的重组菌株,为进一步阐明NADPH调控微生物细胞生理代谢功能的机制提供研究基础。     

小鼠超数排卵优化试验方案研究

探讨建立一种适合贵州地区、高效、稳定的小鼠超数排卵优化方案。在饲养环境相同的基础上,对激素(PMSG, hCG)不同的剂量组合、注射间隔时间、小鼠周龄等影响因素进行了相关研究。试验结果表明:(1)平均采胚数量组间、平均异常胚组间与平均可用胚组间差异显著(p<0.05),注射10 IU的激素剂量组合获得受精卵最多,且异常胚最少,效果最佳。(2)第1、第2、第3组平均采胚数量组间差异显著(p<0.05),第1组与第2组平均可用胚组间差异不显著(p>0.05),但第1、2组与第3组差异显著(p<0.05),异常胚组间差异不显著(p>0.05),选择4周龄超排效果最佳。(3)第1、第2、第3组平均采胚数量、平均可用胚组间差异显著(p<0.05),平均异常胚组间差异不显著(p>0.05),PMSG,hCG间隔注射时间为48 h为最佳。     

GSTP1 Ile105Val Polymorphism and Prostate Cancer Risk: Evidence from a Meta-Analysis

Background

Glutathione S-transferase P1 (GSTP1) is thought to be involved in the detoxification of reactive carcinogen metabolites. Numerous epidemiological studies have evaluated the association of GSTP1 Ile105Val polymorphism with the risk of prostate cancer. However, the results remain inconclusive. To derive a more precise estimation, a meta-analysis was performed.

Methodology/Principal Findings

A comprehensive search was conducted to identify the eligible studies. We used odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to assess the strength of the relationship. The overall association was not significant (Val/Val vs. Ile/Ile OR = 1.06, 95% CI = 0.90–1.25, P = 0.50; Val/Val vs. Val/Ile+Ile/Ile: OR = 1.07, 95% CI = 0.91–1.25, P = 0.44). In subgroup analyses by ethnicity and prostate cancer grade, the similar results were observed. However, in stratified analysis by clinical stage, we found a significant association with low-stage prostate cancer (Val/Val vs. Ile/Ile: OR = 2.70, 95% CI = 1.73–4.22, P<0.001; Val/Val vs. Val/Ile+Ile/Ile: OR = 2.14, 95% CI = 1.38–3.33, P = 0.001). Moreover, there was no statistically significant evidence of multiplicative interactions neither between the GSTP1 Ile105Val polymorphism and GSTM1, nor between smoking status and GSTP1 on prostate cancer risk.

Conclusions

This meta-analysis showed that GSTP1 Ile105Val polymorphism might not be significantly associated with overall prostate cancer risk. Further stratified analyses showed a significant association with low-stage prostate cancer.     

附子多糖FI的分离纯化及部分理化性质研究

白附片经热水抽提、Sevag法脱蛋白、乙醇沉淀、DEAE- C32柱层析分离 ,再通过 Sephadex G- 2 0 0柱层析进一步纯化 ,得到一种纯白色粉末状多糖 ,糖含量为 97% ,平均分子量为 2 .6× 10 5,熔点为 2 70℃。经完全酸水解、薄层层析、红外光谱分析 ,证明为葡聚糖。     

The use of BeWo cells as an in vitro model for placental iron transport

BeWo cells are a placental cell line that has been widely used as an in vitro model for the placenta. The b30 subclone of these cells can be grown on permeable membranes in bicameral chambers to form confluent cell layers, enabling rates of both nutrient uptake into the cells from the apical surface and efflux from the basolateral membrane to be determined. The aim of this study was to evaluate structural and functional properties of confluent b30 BeWo cell layers grown in bicameral chambers, focusing on the potential application for studying receptor-mediated uptake and transport of transferrin (Tf)-bound iron (Fe-Tf). While it proved extremely difficult to establish and maintain an intact BeWo cell monolayer, it was possible to grow the cells to a confluent multilayer. Iron, applied as Fe-Tf, was rapidly transported across this cell layer; 9.3 +/- 0.5% of the total dose was transported after 8 h, equivalent to 38.8 +/- 2.1 pmol.cm(-2).h(-1). Transfer of Tf across the cell layer was much more limited; 2.4 +/- 0.2% of the total dose was transported after 8 h, equivalent to 5.0 +/- 0.4 pmol.cm(-2).h(-1). Compartmental modeling of these data suggested that iron was transported across the cell layer predominantly, if not exclusively, via a transcellular route, whereas Tf taken up into the cells was predominantly recycled back to the apical compartment. The results suggest that these cells are very efficient at transporting iron and, under carefully controlled conditions, can be a valuable tool for the study of iron transport in the placenta.     

5—氟尿苷的微生物转化

5 氟尿苷 (简称ＦＵＲ)是抗肿瘤核苷药物脱氧氟尿苷 (Ｆｌｏｘｕｒｉｄｉｎｅ ,简称ＤＦＵＲ)的合成中间体。脱氧氟尿苷是一种抗代谢类抗肿瘤药 ,在体内可以部分转化为氟尿嘧啶 (简称ＦＵ) ,二者具有相似的作用途径和抗肿瘤谱。与ＦＵ相比 ,由于ＤＦＵＲ的抗肿瘤活性高且毒副反应小 ,主要用于治疗晚期结直肠癌和各种类型肝癌。在国内 ,采用化学法合成的ＤＦＵＲ业已进入临床研究阶段[1]采用化学合成法生产ＤＦＵＲ时 ,由于反应过程中需将碱基或核糖残基的部分基团进行保护 ,而且产物为多种核苷异构体和其它副产品的混合物 ,需要进一步分离 ,…