禄丰古猿地点的小哺乳动物化石

过去十年,在禄丰古猿地点作了多次的发掘和筛洗,采集到包括食虫类,翼手类,啮齿类和兔形类在内的一千余件标本,使这一小哺乳动物的化石组合从1979年首次报道的6种增加到了38种,成为我国南方新第三纪中期最丰富而有代表性的小哺乳动物群。材料的初步鉴定表明:动物群中有代表我国首次发现的化石科和属;并有相当数量与华北、印巴次大陆和欧洲有密切亲缘关系的类型;其地质时代属最晚中新世保德期,相当于欧洲陆相哺乳动物分期的土洛里期(Turolian)。     

猕猴桃属种间体细胞杂种

利用PEG融合方法,分别进行了中华猕猴桃(Actinidia chinensis var.chinensis)(2n=2x=58)子叶愈伤组织来源的原生质体与美味猕猴桃(A.deliciosa var.deiciosa)(2n=6x=174)子叶愈伤组织原生质体、以及狗枣猕猴桃(A.kolomikta)(2n=2x=58)叶肉原生质体种间原生质体融合。结果表明:中华猕猴桃与美味猕猴桃融合的1个克隆和中华猕猴桃与狗枣猕猴桃融合的4个克隆的RAPD谱带分别具有双亲特异的DNA谱带;经流式细胞仪分析,前者细胞核倍性推测为8倍体,后者细胞核为3倍体、4倍体和5倍体。初步鉴定这5个克隆是猕猴桃属种间体细胞杂种。     

Analysis of synonymous codon usage patterns in the genus Rhizobium

The codon usage patterns of rhizobia have received increasing attention. However, little information is available regarding the conserved features of the codon usage patterns in a typical rhizobial genus. The codon usage patterns of six completely sequenced strains belonging to the genus Rhizobium were analysed as model rhizobia in the present study. The relative neutrality plot showed that selection pressure played a role in codon usage in the genus Rhizobium. Spearman’s rank correlation analysis combined with correspondence analysis (COA) showed that the codon adaptation index and the effective number of codons (ENC) had strong correlation with the first axis of the COA, which indicated the important role of gene expression level and the ENC in the codon usage patterns in this genus. The relative synonymous codon usage of Cys codons had the strongest correlation with the second axis of the COA. Accordingly, the usage of Cys codons was another important factor that shaped the codon usage patterns in Rhizobium genomes and was a conserved feature of the genus. Moreover, the comparison of codon usage between highly and lowly expressed genes showed that 20 unique preferred codons were shared among Rhizobium genomes, revealing another conserved feature of the genus. This is the first report of the codon usage patterns in the genus Rhizobium.     

Medium‐Chain Oil Reduces Fat Mass and Down‐regulates Expression of Adipogenic Genes in Rats

Objective: To test the hypothesis that adipose tissue could be one of the primary targets through which medium‐chain fatty acids (MCFAs) exert their metabolic influence. Research Methods and Procedures: Sprague‐Dawley rats were fed a control high‐fat diet compared with an isocaloric diet rich in medium‐chain triglycerides (MCTs). We determined the effects of MCTs on body fat mass, plasma leptin and lipid levels, acyl chain composition of adipose triglycerides and phospholipids, adipose tissue lipoprotein lipase activity, and the expression of key adipogenic genes. Tissue triglyceride content was measured in heart and gastrocnemius muscle, and whole body insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance were also measured. The effects of MCFAs on lipoprotein lipase activity and adipogenic gene expression were also assessed in vitro using cultured adipose tissue explants or 3T3‐L1 adipocytes. Results: MCT‐fed animals had smaller fat pads, and they contained a considerable amount of MCFAs in both triglycerides and phospholipids. A number of key adipogenic genes were down‐regulated, including peroxisome proliferator activated receptor γ and CCAAT/enhancer binding protein α and their downstream metabolic target genes. We also found reduced adipose tissue lipoprotein lipase activity and improved insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance in MCT‐fed animals. Analogous effects of MCFAs on adipogenic genes were found in cultured rat adipose tissue explants and 3T3‐L1 adipocytes. Discussion: These results suggest that direct inhibitory effects of MCFAs on adiposity may play an important role in the regulation of body fat development.     

长白山暗针叶林苔藓枯落物层的降雨截留过程

对长白山北坡暗针叶林地面苔藓枯落物层 (苔藓植物和枯落叶交织而成的层状结构 )持水能力、截留降雨过程及动态变化进行了研究。结果表明苔藓枯落物层持水能力很强 ,最大持水量相当于 4 .8mm的降雨量 ,这个结果大于将苔藓与枯落物分开来测定的结果之和 ,说明成层结构能够提高持水能力。在一次降雨过程中对降雨截留过程的观测发现 :持水量刚开始随降雨增加而增加 ,到一定量时 ,降雨再增加 ,持水量反而缓慢下降。对持水动态变化一个月的观测 ,表明苔藓枯落物层水分蒸发较快 ,当长时间无雨时 ,持水量显著下降 ,当降雨再次发生时 ,持水量迅速回升 ,这种动态过程伴随着降雨的发生而不断往复。此外 ,在夜间苔藓枯落物层有吸收空气中水气的特点 ,吸收量受空气湿度的影响     

抗菌肽的研究进展

抗菌肽是一大类具有新型抗菌机理的抗生素,本文综述了抗菌肽的分类情况,抗菌肽的作用机制,以及部分正在开发的抗菌肽品种。     

原子力显微镜在微生物学领域的应用*

原子力显微镜是揭示微生物表面结构及其与功能相关性的一种新的有力的工具,它具有比传统电子显微镜更高的放大倍数和极高的分辨率,能对从原子到分子尺度的结构进行三维成像和测量,并且可以在生理条件下实时进行。因此,原子力显微镜越来越多地应用到微生物学的各个方面,并且取得了许多令人鼓舞的结果。