Serum lipocalin-2, cathepsin S and chemerin levels and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Several novel circulating adipokines are associated with insulin resistance and inflammation. Little information exists in NAFLD about three recently recognized adipokines lipocalin-2, cathepsin S and chemerin. To assess the relationship between serum lipocalin-2, cathepsin S and chemerin levels and the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver in Chinese subjects, we measured serum lipocalin-2, cathepsin S and chemerin levels in 903 Chinese subjects by ELISA. Among the study population, 436 patients are with B-mode ultrasound-proven NAFLD and 467 controls. Levels of lipocalin-2, but not cathepsin S and chemerin, were significantly elevated in NAFLD versus control [lipocalin-2, 89.67 ± 4.47 vs. 68.70 ± 3.65 ng/mL (p < 0.001)]. After stepwise linear regression analysis adjusting for potential cofounders, further revealed that serum lipocalcin-2 was an independent predictor of NAFLD in whole cohort (standardized β = 0.114, t = 2.347, p = 0.02). Lipocalin-2 levels correlated with insulin resistance (homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance) and inflammation (CRP) in whole cohorts and NAFLD, whereas cathepsin S and chemerin only correlated positively with insulin resistance and inflammation in whole cohorts. Our results indicated that circulating lipocalin-2, produced by adipocytes, are elevated and may contribute to the development of NAFLD. Serum lipocalin-2, which correlates with inflammation and insulin resistance, may have a direct pathogenic link to disease progression.     

UV-B radiation and phosphorus limitation interact to affect the growth,pigment content,and photosynthesis of the toxic cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa

In this study, Microcystis aeruginosa was cultivated in a P-limited and P-replete culture medium and exposed to artificial UV-B radiation to investigate the interactive effect of UV-B exposure and phosphorus limitation on this harmful alga. After 15 days, both UV-B exposure and phosphorus limitation led to a significant decline in pigment content (phycocyanin and carotene) and photosynthetic activity (F _v/F _m and ETR_max), and the impact was most pronounced when the two conditions were combined. Due to the interactive effect, P-limited M. aeruginosa under UV-B exposure exhibited the lowest cell density compared to the other treatments. These results suggest that phosphorus limitation increases the stress of UV-B radiation in Microcystis. In other words, high-level UV-B radiation has higher growth inhibitory on Microcystis in P-limited lakes than in P-replete lakes.     

Molecular Detection and Complete Genome Sequences of Tomato chlorosis virus Isolates from Infectious Outbreaks in China

Tomato chlorosis virus (ToCV) is a whitefly‐transmitted, phloem‐limited, bipartite Crinivirus. In 2012, severe interveinal symptoms characteristic of ToCV infections were observed in greenhouse tomato plants in the Shandong province of China. High levels of infestation by whiteflies (Bemisia tabaci), which transmit ToCV, were also observed on tomato plants in all the greenhouses investigated. The presence of ToCV was confirmed by specific RT‐PCR either in the sampled plants or in the whiteflies collected from the ventral surface of the leaves of diseased plants. The complete genomic nucleotide sequences (RNA1 and RNA2) of the Shandong isolate of ToCV (ToCV‐SDSG) were determined and analysed. ToCV‐SDSG RNA1 consisted of 8594 nucleotides encompassing four open reading frames (ORFs). ToCV‐SDSG RNA2 consisted of 8242 nucleotides encompassing nine ORFs. Phylogenetic analysis suggests that the Chinese ToCV‐SDSG isolate is most similar to the ToCV‐Florida isolate.     

Heterogeneity in ess transcriptional organization and variable contribution of the Ess/Type VII protein secretion system to virulence across closely related Staphylocccus aureus strains

The Type VII protein secretion system, found in Gram‐positive bacteria, secretes small proteins, containing a conserved W‐x‐G amino acid sequence motif, to the growth medium. Staphylococcus aureus has a conserved Type VII secretion system, termed Ess, which is dispensable for laboratory growth but required for virulence. In this study we show that there are unexpected differences in the organization of the ess gene cluster between closely related strains of S. aureus. We further show that in laboratory growth medium different strains of S. aureus secrete the EsxA and EsxC substrate proteins at different growth points, and that the Ess system in strain Newman is inactive under these conditions. Systematic deletion analysis in S. aureus RN6390 is consistent with the EsaA, EsaB, EssA, EssB, EssC and EsxA proteins comprising core components of the secretion machinery in this strain. Finally we demonstrate that the Ess secretion machinery of two S. aureus strains, RN6390 and COL, is important for nasal colonization and virulence in the murine lung pneumonia model. Surprisingly, however, the secretion system plays no role in the virulence of strain SA113 under the same conditions.     

‘Becoming a species by becoming a pest’ or how two maize pests of the genus Ostrinia possibly evolved through parallel ecological speciation events

New agricultural pest species attacking introduced crops may evolve from pre‐existing local herbivores by ecological speciation, thereby becoming a species by becoming a pest. We compare the evolutionary pathways by which two maize pests (the Asian and the European corn borers, ACB and ECB) in the genus Ostrinia (Lepidoptera, Crambidae) probably diverged from an ancestral species close to the current Adzuki bean borer (ABB). We typed larval Ostrinia populations collected on maize and dicotyledons across China and eastern Siberia, at microsatellite and mitochondrial loci. We found only two clusters: one on maize (as expected) and a single one on dicotyledons despite differences in male mid‐tibia morphology, suggesting that all individuals from dicotyledons belonged to the ABB. We found evidence for migrants and hybrids on both host plant types. Hybrids suggest that field reproductive isolation is incomplete between ACB and ABB. Interestingly, a few individuals with an ‘ABB‐like’ microsatellite profile collected on dicotyledons had ‘ACB’ mtDNA rather than ‘ABB‐like’ mtDNA, whereas the reverse was never found on maize. This suggests asymmetrical gene flow directed from the ACB towards the ABB. Hybrids and backcrosses in all directions were obtained in no‐choice tests. In laboratory conditions, they survived as well as parental strain individuals. In Xinjiang, we found ACB and ECB in sympatry, but no hybrids. Altogether, our results suggest that reproductive isolation between ACB and ABB is incomplete and mostly prezygotic. This points to ecological speciation as a possible evolutionary scenario, as previously found for ECB and ABB in Europe.     

Overexpression of Camellia sinensis H1 histone gene confers abiotic stress tolerance in transgenic tobacco

Key message

Overexpression of CsHis in tobacco promoted chromatin condensation, but did not affect the phenotype. It also conferred tolerance to low-temperature, high-salinity, ABA, drought and oxidative stress in transgenic tobacco.

Abstract

H1 histone, as a major structural protein of higher-order chromatin, is associated with stress responses in plants. Here, we describe the functions of the Camellia sinensis H1 Histone gene (CsHis) to illustrate its roles in plant responses to stresses. Subcellular localization and prokaryotic expression assays showed that the CsHis protein is localized in the nucleus, and its molecular size is approximately 22.5 kD. The expression levels of CsHis in C. sinensis leaves under various conditions were investigated by qRT-PCR, and the results indicated that CsHis was strongly induced by various abiotic stresses such as low-temperature, high-salinity, ABA, drought and oxidative stress. Overexpression of CsHis in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) promoted chromatin condensation, while there were almost no changes in the growth and development of transgenic tobacco plants. Phylogenetic analysis showed that CsHis belongs to the H1C and H1D variants of H1 histones, which are stress-induced variants and not the key variants required for growth and development. Stress tolerance analysis indicated that the transgenic tobacco plants exhibited higher tolerance than the WT plants upon exposure to various abiotic stresses; the transgenic plants displayed reduced wilting and senescence and exhibited greater net photosynthetic rate (Pn), stomatal conductance (Gs) and maximal photochemical efficiency (Fv/Fm) values. All the above results suggest that CsHis is a stress-induced gene and that its overexpression improves the tolerance to various abiotic stresses in the transgenic tobacco plants, possibly through the maintenance of photosynthetic efficiency.     

横山水库浮游动物群落结构特征及水质评价

为了解横山水库浮游动物群落结构特征及水质状况,于2012年5月(春)、7月(夏)、10月(秋)及2013年1月(冬)对该水库的浮游动物及主要水质理化指标进行了调查分析,利用生物多样性指数法和综合营养状态指数法评价其水质状况。结果共鉴定浮游动物100种(原生动物47种、轮虫36种、枝角类12种、桡足类5种)。春夏秋季种类组成主要以轮虫和原生动物为主,枝角类与桡足类种类较少;冬季各种类均很少。优势种为王氏似铃壳虫(Tintinnopsis wangi)、淡水简筒虫(Tintinnidium fluviatile)、球形沙壳虫(Difflugia globulosa)、湖生累枝虫(Epistylis lacustris)、裂痕龟纹轮虫(Anuraeopsis fissa)、针簇多肢轮虫(Polyarthra trigla)、裂足臂尾轮虫(Brachionus diversicornis)和等刺异尾轮虫(Trichocerca similis),季节更替明显。浮游动物年均丰度为1460 ind./L,变化范围17—3164 ind./L;年均生物量为1.252 mg/L,变化范围0.042—2.732 mg/L;香农多样性指数(H')、均匀度指数(J)及丰富度指数(D)年均值分别为2.06、0.68及1.30;全年综合营养状态指数值范围33.36—44.15。CCA分析表明,温度及pH等环境因子与浮游动物群落结构具有明显相关性。水质总体评价显示,横山水库水质处中污染状态、水体处中营养水平,基本符合国家Ⅱ类水的水质标准,但作为饮用水水源地,其水质还需进一步加强管理与调控。     

基于温度-伤害度关系分析酿酒葡萄根系及芽抗寒性

采用差热分析系统(DTA)对8个主栽酿酒葡萄品种的芽和根系进行低温放热分析(LTE),建立各品种芽、根系韧皮部及木质部的温度-伤害度(LT-I)回归方程,评估不同品种的根系及芽抗寒性.结果表明： 8个品种的根系韧皮部伤害度50%的温度从高到低为马瑟兰>品丽珠>赤霞珠>小芒森>霞多丽>蛇龙珠>贵人香>熊岳白;不同品种木质部伤害度50%的温度从高到低为马瑟兰>霞多丽>赤霞珠>小芒森>品丽珠>蛇龙珠>贵人香>熊岳白;芽伤害度50%的温度从高到低为赤霞珠>小芒森>蛇龙珠>品丽珠>霞多丽>贵人香>马瑟兰>熊岳白.利用模糊隶属函数值法综合评价根系及芽的抗寒性,马瑟兰根系的抗寒性最差,熊岳白根系的抗寒性最好;赤霞珠、品丽珠、小芒森和蛇龙珠芽的抗寒性最差,贵人香和熊岳白芽的抗寒性最好.