滇西北森林郁闭度估测模型——基于全球生态系统动力学调查多波束激光雷达数据

探究全球生态系统动力学调查(GEDI)多波束激光雷达数据估测区域森林郁闭度(FCC)的潜力,对于评估森林生态系统状态和林分环境具有重要作用。选取滇西北典型生态脆弱区香格里拉为研究区,以GEDI波形数据为信息源,提取46245个有林地光斑参数,使用经验贝叶斯克里金法(EBK)获取光斑参数在研究区未知空间的连续分布,结合54块实测样地数据,采用支持向量机的递归特征消除法(SVM-RFE)、随机森林(RF)和Pearson分析分别优选特征变量,基于贝叶斯优化(BO)随机森林回归模型(BO-RFR)、贝叶斯优化梯度回归模型(BO-GBRT)和偏最小二乘法(PLSR)研建森林郁闭度最佳估测模型。结果表明:(1)EBK法预测精度高,估测结果可靠,R²:0.20-0.92,RMSE:0.004-2812.912,MAE:0.003-1996.258,MRE:0.007-4.423;(2)基于不同特征优选方法筛选的特征变量和数量略有差异,SVM-RFE 法优选出6个参数(cover、pai、sensitivity、rv_a1、rv_a4、rg_a4)的平均交叉验证精度达0.84,RF法以贡献度5%为阈值筛选出5个参数(cover、pai、pgap_theta_error、modis_treecover、modis_nonvegetated),Pearson法以相关性大于0.3且在0.01水平显著优选出5个参数(cover、pai、rv_a5、rg_a5、pgap_theta_error);(3)不同特征变量优选方法筛选的建模参数研建估测模型精度差异性较大,以SVM-RFE和RF方法优选参数构建估测模型的精度更佳,SVM-RFE方法优选参数研建估测模型精度变化相对稳定,以 RF方法中的BO-GBRT模型为最佳FCC估测模型(R²=0.85、RMSE=0.069,P=86.5%);(4)采用BO-GBRT模型估测研究区森林郁闭度和空间制图,与GEDI pai参数预测的FCC具有较高空间相关性达0.53,FCC均值分别为0.58、0.61,主要分布在0.4-0.7,分别占比65.45%、51.79%。研究区森林郁闭度主要处于中度郁闭,北部区域主要为高度郁闭区,与研究区植被覆盖度的空间分布具有一致性,说明使用GEDI数据估测森林郁闭度的方法具有可行性、结果具有可靠性。研究为使用GEDI数据高效、及时、低成本估测大空间尺度的森林水平结构参数的相关研究奠定了基础。     

气候变化背景下全球陆地干湿变化研究综述

气候变化背景下,全球水循环加剧,出现了大气变干与植被变绿等陆地干湿变化趋势的解耦现象,旱区面积变化也存在争议。为回答上述问题,在梳理常见干湿指标变化趋势与驱动因素的基础上,根据指标变化方向对其进行归类,然后从机理角度解析影响不同指标趋势耦合或解耦的关键要素,并提出未来干湿变化研究展望。结果表明,气候变化背景下,饱和水汽压差、干燥度指数和土壤水分指标显著变干,植被绿度和生产力显著变湿(增加),降水、径流、陆地水储量和其他复合指标区域分异明显、但整体趋势不显著。二氧化碳浓度增加、气温升高和土地利用变化是导致不同指标趋势分异的重要因素,不同指标的趋势分异也解释了旱区面积评估在不同维度上的差异。未来研究中应开展干湿变化的综合评估,其综合性主要体现在以下四个方面：1)关注大气-生态-水文多维度评估;2)解析自然与人类双重压力下,不同维度要素间的关联、互馈过程,及其对系统干湿演变的促进、限制与调节作用;3)重视干湿演变程中的极端灾害事件和空间上以旱区为代表的气候变化敏感性区域;4)构建以脆弱性评估与适应性治理为核心的气候变化应对路径。     

植物功能性状对土壤保持的影响研究述评

植被对土壤保持具有重要的影响,但是从植物功能性状的角度总结评述植被对土壤保持影响的研究并不多见。总结评述了植物地上功能性状、地下功能性状对土壤保持功能的影响以及植物地上、地下功能性状的关系,认为:(1)植被地上部分功能性状对土壤保持的作用主要体现在对溅蚀、面蚀的影响及间接改变土壤理化性质等方面,其功能性状指标主要包括叶面积、叶长、叶宽、枝数、植被高度等;(2)植被地下部分功能性状对土壤保持的作用主要体现在固持土壤、提高土壤抗剪切强度、提高土壤抗侵蚀能力、增强土壤渗透性,植物根系固持土壤与根系抗拉能力密切相关,植物根系土壤的物理和水文性质,与细根比例、根长密度、根表面积等性状密切相关;(3)可以通过植物地上部分功能性状间接反映地下部分功能性状,但是现有研究多为定性认识;(4)在植物功能性状对土壤保持的研究中亟待加强植被地上地下功能性状的长期定位监测,深化植被功能性状尤其是根系特征与土壤保持的作用机理,加强植被地上部分、地下部分功能性状的定量表达,建立植被功能性状与土壤保持功能的定量关系,实现植被功能性状与土壤保持功能特征的动态链接。     

中国灌木生态系统的干旱化趋势及其对植被生长的影响

大量研究表明,21世纪全球气温将持续升高,干旱将不断加剧,具有超强抗旱能力的灌木在未来的区域乃至全球生态系统过程中将会发挥越来越重要的作用。灌木在我国有着广泛的分布,其总面积超过了我国陆地面积的20%。本研究旨在通过计算中国灌木生态系统的标准化降水蒸散指数(Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index, SPEI)来分析其干旱变化趋势及其对灌木生态系统植被生长的影响。结果显示,中国灌木生态系统的SPEI在1961—2013年间总体上呈显著地下降趋势,但其趋势在1992年发生了显著变化,这表明中国灌木生态系统正在持续地干旱化,并且在最近二十几年干旱化加剧。我们还分析了不同灌木生态系统EVI(Enhanced Vegetation Index, EVI)对SPEI变化的响应,结果显示不同的灌木生态系统类型对SPEI变化的响应不同。夏季,高寒荒漠灌木半灌木、温带荒漠灌木半灌木和温带落叶灌木EVI与SPEI变化显著正相关,而亚高山常绿灌木和亚热带常绿灌木EVI则与SPEI的变化显著负相关。温带落叶灌木EVI与春季SPEI变化显著正相关,但却与秋季和冬季的SPEI显著负相关。此外,亚热带常绿灌木EVI还与春季SPEI变化显著正相关。从空间上来看,北方的灌木生态系统比南方的灌木生态系统对干旱的变化更加敏感,同时,南方湿润地区的灌木在生态系统尺度也体现了较强的抗旱能力。在全球持续干旱化的大背景下,研究灌木生态系统EVI对干旱变化的响应将有助于对区域生态系统过程变化的理解。     

响应面法优化丁酸缩水甘油酯的酶法拆分工艺

在已有的酶法拆分丁酸缩水甘油酯单因素试验最适条件的基础上, 采用Plackett-Burrman设计在影响酶法拆分的6个因素中, 有效筛选出主效因素: 底物浓度、酶用量和温度。在此基础上, 再利用响应面分析法(RSM)对以上三个显著因子的最佳水平范围进行研究, 通过对二次多项回归方程求解得知, 酶法拆分最适条件为: 底物浓度0.499 mol/L、酶用量30.23 mg/(g底物)和温度29.68oC; 并结合单因素最适条件: pH 7.6; 时间4 h; 转速150 r/min进行酶促拆分实验, 得到R-酯的对映体过量值为93.28%。对比优化之前的单因素试验最适条件的结果, 最大对映体过量值84.65%, 有了显著的提高, 证明RSM法优化酶法拆分丁酸缩水甘油酯工艺是可行的。     

Suprabasal desmoglein 3 expression in the epidermis of transgenic mice results in hyperproliferation and abnormal differentiation

The desmoglein 1 (Dsg1) and desmocollin 1 (Dsc1) isoforms of the desmosomal cadherins are expressed in the suprabasal layers of epidermis, whereas Dsg3 and Dsc3 are more strongly expressed basally. This differential expression may have a function in epidermal morphogenesis and/or may regulate the proliferation and differentiation of keratinocytes. To test this hypothesis, we changed the expression pattern by overexpressing human Dsg3 under the control of the keratin 1 (K1) promoter in the suprabasal epidermis of transgenic mice. From around 12 weeks of age, the mice exhibited flaking of the skin accompanied by epidermal pustules and thinning of the hair. Histological analysis of affected areas revealed acanthosis, hypergranulosis, hyperkeratosis, localized parakeratosis, and abnormal hair follicles. This phenotype has some features in common with human ichthyosiform diseases. Electron microscopy revealed a mild epidermal spongiosis. Suprabasally, desmosomes showed incorporation of the exogenous protein by immunogold labeling but were normal in structure. The epidermis was hyperproliferative, and differentiation was abnormal, demonstrated by expression of K14 in the suprabasal layer, restriction of K1, and strong induction of K6 and K16. The changes resembled those found in previous studies in which growth factors, cytokines, and integrins had been overexpressed in epidermis. Thus our data strongly support the view that Dsg3 contributes to the regulation of epidermal differentiation. Our results contrast markedly with those recently obtained by expressing Dsg3 in epidermis under the involucrin promoter. Possible reasons for this difference are considered in this paper.     

Is IMRT Superior or Inferior to 3DCRT in Radiotherapy for NSCLC? A Meta-Analysis

IntroductionThere are no adequate data to determine whether intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) is superior to three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT) in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This meta-analysis was conducted to compare the clinical outcomes of IMRT and 3DCRT in the treatment of NSCLC.MethodsNo exclusions were made based on types of study design. We performed a literature search in PubMed, EMBASE and the Cochrane library databases from their inceptions to April 30, 2015. The overall survival (OS) and relative risk (RR) of radiation pneumonitis and radiation oesophagitis were evaluated. Two authors independently assessed the methodological quality and extracted data. Publication bias was evaluated by funnel plot using Egger’s test results.ResultsFrom the literature search, 10 retrospective studies were collected, and of those, 5 (12,896 patients) were selected for OS analysis, 4 (981 patients) were selected for radiation pneumonitis analysis, and 4 (1339 patients) were selected for radiation oesophagitis analysis. Cox multivariate proportional hazards models revealed that 3DCRT and IMRT had similar OS (HR = 0.96, P = 0.477) but that IMRT reduced the incidence of grade 2 radiation pneumonitis (RR = 0.74, P = 0.009) and increased the incidence of grade 3 radiation oesophagitis (RR = 2.47, P = 0.000).ConclusionsOS of IMRT for NSCLC is not inferior to that of 3DCRT, but IMRT significantly reduces the risk of radiation pneumonitis and increases the risk of radiation oesophagitis compared to 3DCRT.     

A novel viral strategy for host factor recruitment: The co-opted proteasomal Rpn11 protein interaction hub in cooperation with subverted actin filaments are targeted to deliver cytosolic host factors for viral replication

Positive-strand (+)RNA viruses take advantage of the host cells by subverting a long list of host protein factors and transport vesicles and cellular organelles to build membranous viral replication organelles (VROs) that support robust RNA replication. How RNA viruses accomplish major recruitment tasks of a large number of cellular proteins are intensively studied. In case of tomato bushy stunt virus (TBSV), a single viral replication protein, named p33, carries out most of the recruitment duties. Yet, it is currently unknown how the viral p33 replication protein, which is membrane associated, is capable of the rapid and efficient recruitment of numerous cytosolic host proteins to facilitate the formation of large VROs. In this paper, we show that, TBSV p33 molecules do not recruit each cytosolic host factor one-by-one into VROs, but p33 targets a cytosolic protein interaction hub, namely Rpn11, which interacts with numerous other cytosolic proteins. The highly conserved Rpn11, called POH1 in humans, is the metalloprotease subunit of the proteasome, which couples deubiquitination and degradation of proteasome substrates. However, TBSV takes advantage of a noncanonical function of Rpn11 by exploiting Rpn11’s interaction with highly abundant cytosolic proteins and the actin network. We provide supporting evidence that the co-opted Rpn11 in coordination with the subverted actin network is used for delivering cytosolic proteins, such as glycolytic and fermentation enzymes, which are readily subverted into VROs to produce ATP locally in support of VRO formation, viral replicase complex assembly and viral RNA replication. Using several approaches, including knockdown of Rpn11 level, sequestering Rpn11 from the cytosol into the nucleus in plants or temperature-sensitive mutation in Rpn11 in yeast, we show the inhibition of recruitment of glycolytic and fermentation enzymes into VROs. The Rpn11-assisted recruitment of the cytosolic enzymes by p33, however, also requires the combined and coordinated role of the subverted actin network. Accordingly, stabilization of the actin filaments by expression of the Legionella VipA effector in yeast and plant, or via a mutation of ACT1 in yeast resulted in more efficient and rapid recruitment of Rpn11 and the selected glycolytic and fermentation enzymes into VROs. On the contrary, destruction of the actin filaments via expression of the Legionella RavK effector led to poor recruitment of Rpn11 and glycolytic and fermentation enzymes. Finally, we confirmed the key roles of Rpn11 and the actin filaments in situ ATP production within TBSV VROs via using a FRET-based ATP-biosensor. The novel emerging theme is that TBSV targets Rpn11 cytosolic protein interaction hub driven by the p33 replication protein and aided by the subverted actin filaments to deliver several co-opted cytosolic pro-viral factors for robust replication within VROs.     

Synthetic antibodies designed on natural sequence landscapes

We present a method for synthetic antibody library generation that combines the use of high-throughput immune repertoire analysis and a novel synthetic technology. The library design recapitulates positional amino acid frequencies observed in natural antibody repertoires. V-segment diversity in four heavy (V_H) and two kappa (V_κ) germlines was introduced based on the analysis of somatically hypermutated donor-derived repertoires. Complementarity-determining region 3 length and amino acid designs were based on aggregate frequencies of all V_H and V_κ sequences in the data set. The designed libraries were constructed through an adaptation of a novel gene synthesis technology that enables precise positional control of amino acid composition and incorporation frequencies. High-throughput pyrosequencing was used to monitor the fidelity of construction and characterize genetic diversity in the final 3.6 × 10¹⁰ transformants. The library exhibited Fab expression superior to currently reported synthetic approaches of equivalent diversity, with greater than 93% of clones observed to successfully display both a correctly folded heavy chain and a correctly folded light chain. Genetic diversity in the library was high, with 95% of 7.0 × 10⁵ clones sequenced observed only once. The obtained library diversity explores a comparable sequence space as the donor-derived natural repertoire and, at the same time, is able to access novel recombined diversity due to lack of segmental linkage. The successful isolation of low- and subnanomolar-affinity antibodies against a diverse panel of receptors, growth factors, enzymes, antigens from infectious reagents, and peptides confirms the functional viability of the design strategy.