红松人工林优势木竞争指数影响因子

在温带湿润气候区东段不同立地条件下的红松人工林内设置面积为600 m~2(20 m×30 m)的70块矩形固定样地。在每个样地内,选取5颗最高且长势较好的优势木作为研究的对象木,用Voronoi图确定优势木相应的竞争木,测定每一块样地内优势木与竞争木之间的距离。采用Hegyi单木竞争指数模型,分析优势木在不同样地水平上的种内竞争强度,探讨林分生长因子、地形因子、土壤养分因子对优势木竞争指数的影响,并对这3类因子与优势木竞争指数进行相应的拟合和相关性分析。结果表明：红松人工林优势木竞争强度随着优势木胸径的增大而变小,并且两者之间的关系服从幂函数;红松优势木的竞争指数与其树高、胸径、冠幅呈极显著的相关关系(P<0.01);坡向、坡位、海拔对竞争指数影响极显著(P<0.01);红松人工林优势木竞争指数的大小与土壤氮磷钾含量均呈极显著的相关关系(P<0.01);pH值对优势木竞争指数的影响不显著。当红松人工林优势木平均胸径达到45cm,优势木平均树高和冠幅大于周围竞争木时,其对周围资源的利用程度增大,林木会发生自然稀疏现象,其所受的竞争压力减小。红松喜光性强,对水分的要求高,...     

A multiple gene complex on rice chromosome 4 is involved in durable resistance to rice blast

Quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for resistance to rice blast offer a potential source of durable disease resistance in rice. However, few QTLs have been validated in progeny testing, on account of their small phenotypic effects. To understand the genetic basis for QTL-mediated resistance to blast, we dissected a resistance QTL, qBR4-2, using advanced backcross progeny derived from a chromosome segment substitution line in which a 30- to 34-Mb region of chromosome 4 from the resistant cultivar Owarihatamochi was substituted into the genetic background of the highly susceptible Aichiasahi. The analysis resolved qBR4-2 into three loci, designated qBR4-2a, qBR4-2b, and qBR4-2c. The sequences of qBR4-2a and qBR4-2b, which lie 181 kb apart from each other and measure, 113 and 32 kb, respectively, appear to encode proteins with a putative nucleotide-binding site (NBS) and leucine-rich repeats (LRRs). Sequence analysis of the donor allele of qBR4-2a, the region with the largest effect among the three, revealed sequence variations in the NBS-LRR region. The effect of qBR4-2c was smallest among the three, but its combination with the donor alleles of qBR4-2a and qBR4-2b significantly enhanced blast resistance. qBR4-2 comprises three tightly linked QTLs that control blast resistance in a complex manner, and thus gene pyramiding or haplotype selection is the recommended strategy for improving QTL-mediated resistance to blast disease through the use of this chromosomal region.     

Understanding how morphogens work

In this article, we describe the mechanisms by which morphogens in the Xenopus embryo exert their long-range effects. Our results are consistent with the idea that signalling molecules such as activin and the nodal-related proteins traverse responding tissue not by transcytosis or by cytonemes but by movement through the extracellular space. We suggest, however, that additional experiments, involving real-time imaging of morphogens, are required for a real understanding of what influences signalling range and the shape of a morphogen gradient.     

Determination of amobarbital and phenobarbital in serum by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry with addition of formic acid to the solvent

A rapid and accurate method for quantification of amobarbital and phenobarbital was developed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) without derivatization. Though the compounds measured without derivatization showed low sensitivity because of adsorption, addition of 3% formic acid to the solvent improved the sensitivity for the analytes. Taking account of matrix effect, solid-phase and liquid-liquid extraction from serum were examined. The correlation coefficients of the calibration curves were 0.9995 or better, and the accuracy and precision of intraday and interday assays were in line with Food and Drug Administration (FDA) criteria.     

Detection of Fomitiporia torreyae and Fulviformes umbrinellus by multiplex loop‐mediated isothermal amplification (mLAMP) for diagnosis of Japanese pear dwarf

Japanese pear dwarf, caused by the fungi Fomitiporia torreyae or Fulviformes umbrinellus, is one of the most important diseases affecting Japanese pear (Pyrus pyrifolia var. culta). To diagnose this disease, a multiplex loop‐mediated isothermal amplification (mLAMP) reaction using primer sets designed from the rDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences of F. torreyae and F. umbrinellus was developed. The optimal conditions for simultaneous detection of the two pathogens were investigated. The best results were obtained at a reaction temperature of 65°C and a primer ratio of 1:1.5 (F. torreyae : F. umbrinellus). Fluorescently labelled mLAMP amplicons were precipitated using polyethyleneimine. As a result, multiplex detection was enabled by the fluorescent colour of precipitate under ultraviolet light. The detection limit of mLAMP was 100 fg of genomic DNA, which was 10 times more sensitive than the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. The mLAMP assay was applied to Japanese pear trunk samples from Aichi Prefecture, Japan, and the results were compared with those obtained using PCR. As a result, mLAMP was observed to be effective for the specific detection of F. torreyae or F. umbrinellus.     

Chemopreventive and renal protective effects for docosahexaenoic acid (DHA): implications of CRP and lipid peroxides

Background

The fish oil-derived ω-3 fatty acids, like docosahexanoic (DHA), claim a plethora of health benefits. We currently evaluated the antitumor effects of DHA, alone or in combination with cisplatin (CP) in the EAC solid tumor mice model, and monitored concomitant changes in serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), lipid peroxidation (measured as malondialdehyde; MDA) and leukocytic count (LC). Further, we verified the capacity of DHA to ameliorate the lethal, CP-induced nephrotoxicity in rats and the molecular mechanisms involved therein.

Results

EAC-bearing mice exhibited markedly elevated LC (2-fold), CRP (11-fold) and MDA levels (2.7-fold). DHA (125, 250 mg/kg) elicited significant, dose-dependent reductions in tumor size (38%, 79%; respectively), as well as in LC, CRP and MDA levels. These effects for CP were appreciably lower than those of DHA (250 mg/kg). Interestingly, DHA (125 mg/kg) markedly enhanced the chemopreventive effects of CP and boosted its ability to reduce serum CRP and MDA levels. Correlation studies revealed a high degree of positive association between tumor growth and each of CRP (r = 0.85) and leukocytosis (r = 0.89), thus attesting to a diagnostic/prognostic role for CRP. On the other hand, a single CP dose (10 mg/kg) induced nephrotoxicity in rats that was evidenced by proteinuria, deterioration of glomerular filtration rate (GFR, -4-fold), a rise in serum creatinine/urea levels (2–5-fold) after 4 days, and globally-induced animal fatalities after 7 days. Kidney-homogenates from CP-treated rats displayed significantly elevated MDA- and TNF-α-, but reduced GSH-, levels. Rats treated with DHA (250 mg/kg, but not 125 mg/kg) survived the lethal effects of CP, and showed a significant recovery of GFR; while their homogenates had markedly-reduced MDA- and TNF-α-, but -increased GSH-levels. Significant association was detected between creatinine level and those of MDA (r = 0.81), TNF-α ) r = 0.92) and GSH (r = -0.82); implying causal relationships.

Conclusion

DHA elicited prominent chemopreventive effects on its own, and appreciably augmented those of CP as well. The extent of tumor progression in various mouse groups was highly reflected by CRP levels (thus implying a diagnostic/prognostic role for CRP). Further, this study is the first to reveal that DHA can obliterate the lethal CP-induced nephrotoxicity and renal tissue injury. At the molecular level, DHA appears to act by reducing leukocytosis, systemic inflammation, and oxidative stress.     

Unusual pattern of bacterial ice nucleation gene evolution

Bacterial ice nucleation activity (INA+ phenotype) can be traced to the product of a single gene, ina. A remarkably sparse distribution of this phenotype within three bacterial genera indicates that the ina gene may have followed an unusual evolutionary path. Southern blot analyses, coupled with assays for ice-nucleating ability, revealed that within four bacterial species an ina gene is present in some strains but absent from others. Results of hybridization experiments using DNA fragments that flank the ina gene suggested that the genotypic dimorphism of ina may be anomalous. A phylogenetic analysis of 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequences from a total of 14 ina+ and ina- bacterial strains indicated that the ina+ bacteria are not monophyletic but instead phylogenetically interspersed among ina- bacteria. The relationships of ina+ bacteria inferred from ina sequence did not coincide with those inferred from the 16S data. These results suggest the possibility of horizontal transfer in the evolution of bacterial ina genes.      

Production and characterization of polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies against Aflatoxin B1 oxime-BSA in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay

From a single aflatoxin B₁ oxime — bovine serum albumin conjugate, polyclonal and monoclonal antibody preparations were produced. The four rabbit polyclonal antisera were specific for aflatoxin Bi in a microtitration plate enzyme — linked immunosorbent assay. The monoclonal antibodies showed a wide range of differing specificities, recognizing, for example, aflatoxins B₁, B₂, G₁ and G₂; B₁ and B₂; B₁ and G₁; and G₁ alone. No antibody preparations reacted with aflatoxin M₁. The significance of these results to the strategy of anti-aflatoxin antibody production for use in quantitative enzyme immunoassays is discussed.