真菌反硝化过程及其驱动的N2O产生机制研究进展

真菌反硝化过程的发现打破了反硝化过程只发生在原核生物中的传统认识,是对全球微生物氮循环过程的重要补充。真菌参与的反硝化过程由于缺乏N_2O还原酶,其终产物为具有强辐射效应的温室气体N_2O。真菌在环境中分布广泛,生物量巨大,故真菌反硝化作用对全球N_2O释放通量的贡献是不容忽视的。近年来许多研究表明,真菌反硝化过程是自然环境中N_2O产生的重要途径。本文对反硝化真菌的发现、多样性及分布、产生N_2O的机制和活性测定方法等几个方面进行综述,并对未来的研究提出展望。     

根瘤菌对广金钱草种子萌发及幼苗生长的影响

为探求促进广金钱草萌发及生长的有效途径,该文使用不同浓度的费氏中华根瘤菌、放射型根瘤菌以及田菁茎瘤固氮根瘤菌菌液分别浸染广金钱草种子,以蒸馏水浸泡种子为空白处理,研究其对广金钱草种子萌发指标(发芽率、发芽势、发芽指数、活力指数)的影响,并在温室培养40、60、80 d后分别测定广金钱草幼苗的生长指标(叶片数、分枝数、株高)及部分生理指标(叶绿素含量、含氮量)的变化。结果表明:(1)在1×10⁷ CFU·mL^-1浓度条件下,三种菌液浸种均获得最大萌发指标,其中田菁茎瘤固氮根瘤菌实验组效果最显著,发芽率、发芽势、发芽指数和活力指数高于对照组16.00%、9.33%、9.51和41.34%。(2)除田菁茎瘤固氮根瘤菌实验组外,其余实验组的广金钱草幼苗叶片数、分枝数及株高均低于对照组。(3)放射型根瘤菌实验组和田菁茎瘤固氮根瘤菌实验组幼苗叶绿素含量相比对照组分别增加1.47%和7.47%,含氮量分别增加0.57%和5.17%。综上所述,三种根瘤菌菌液浸种均可在不同程度上提高广金钱草种子的发芽能力和植株生长期的叶绿素和含氮量,其中田菁茎瘤固氮根瘤菌具有最大正向影响,可有效提高种子萌发能力并促进植株生长。该研究可为不同地区广金钱草的种植和栽培提供技术指导,为开发田菁茎瘤固氮根瘤菌作为植物促生长菌剂提供理论支持。     

不同CO2浓度变化下干旱对冬小麦叶面积指数的影响差异

叶面积指数是作物生长状况的一个重要表征参数,也是研究陆地生态系统的一个重要的参数.当今世界温室气体排放逐年上升,气候变暖趋势明显,对气候变化敏感的农业将受到影响.在全球变化的背景下,采用农业技术转移决策支持系统(DSSAT)系统,通过在黄淮海平原典型站点模拟3种CO2浓度条件下冬小麦在水分充足和水分亏缺2种情境下的生长过程,分析不同CO2浓度下水分亏缺对冬小麦叶面积指数的影响差异.研究发现,CO2浓度升高对叶面积指数增长有促进作用,且在干旱情况下对叶面积指数的正效应比湿润情况下更为明显,在CO2浓度倍增条件下,发生水分亏缺的作物叶面积指数数倍增长.研究结论有助于分析CO2浓度变化对农作物生长过程的影响,为农田水分管理提供依据,又为估算叶面积指数提出了一种模型的方法.     

广西武鸣县种子植物区系研究

为了解广西武鸣县野生种子植物区系特征, 对其野生种子植物资源进行调查。结果表明,广西武鸣县有野生种子植物2 542种,隶属于184科898属,以被子植物占优势,裸子植物贫乏。从科属组成上看,以大科、单种属和寡种属为主体。科、属和种分布区类型丰富,含典型的热带亚热带成分,兼具温带成分,呈热带至亚热带过渡性质。与邻近地区比较,武鸣县植物多样性比较丰富,植物区系成分与广西横县最相近。因此,武鸣县种子植物多样性丰富、热带性质明显、地理成分多样、起源古老,同时聚集了一些特有植物和珍稀濒危植物,体现出北部湾植物区系的特征。     

Operando Visualization of Morphological Dynamics in All‐Solid‐State Batteries

All‐solid‐state batteries (SSBs) are considered as attractive options for next‐generation energy storage owing to the favorable properties (unit transference number and thermal stabilities) of solid electrolytes. However, there are also serious concerns about mechanical deformation of solid electrolytes leading to the degradation of the battery performance. Therefore, understanding the mechanism underlying the electromechanical properties in SSBs is essentially important. Here, 3D and time‐resolved measurements of an all‐solid‐state cell using synchrotron radiation X‐ray tomographic microscopy are shown. The gradient of the electrochemical reaction and the morphological evolution in the composite layer can be clearly observed. Volume expansion/compression of the active material (Sn) is strongly oriented along the thickness of the electrode. While this results in significant deformation (cracking) in the solid electrolyte region, organized cracking patterns depending on the particle size and their arrangements is also found. This study based on operando visualization therefore opens the door toward rational design of particles and electrode morphology for all‐solid‐state batteries.     

UHRF2 commissions the completion of DNA demethylation through allosteric activation by 5hmC and K33-linked ubiquitination of XRCC1

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Capsaicin protects mice from community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus pneumonia

Background

α-toxin is one of the major virulence factors secreted by most Staphylococcus aureus strains, which played a central role in the pathogenesis of S. aureus pneumonia. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of capsaicin on the production of α-toxin by community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) strain USA 300 and to further assess its performance in the treatment of CA-MRSA pneumonia in a mouse model.

Methodology/Principal Findings

The in vitro effects of capsaicin on α-toxin production by S. aureus USA 300 were determined using hemolysis, western blot, and real-time RT-PCR assays. The influence of capsaicin on the α-toxin-mediated injury of human alveolar epithelial cells was determined using viability and cytotoxicity assays. Mice were infected intranasally with S. aureus USA300; the in vivo protective effects of capsaicin against S. aureus pneumonia were assessed by monitoring the mortality, histopathological changes and cytokine levels. Low concentrations of capsaicin substantially decreased the production of α-toxin by S. aureus USA 300 without affecting the bacterial viability. The addition of capsaicin prevented α-toxin-mediated human alveolar cell (A549) injury in co-culture with S. aureus. Furthermore, the in vivo experiments indicated that capsaicin protected mice from CA-MRSA pneumonia caused by strain USA 300.

Conclusions/Significance

Capsaicin inhibits the production of α-toxin by CA-MRSA strain USA 300 in vitro and protects mice from CA-MRSA pneumonia in vivo. However, the results need further confirmation with other CA-MRSA lineages. This study supports the views of anti-virulence as a new antibacterial approach for chemotherapy.     

Inverse association of plasma level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol with intracerebral hemorrhage

This study aimed to investigate whether plasma levels of HDL cholesterol (HDL-C) were associated with the risk of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Plasma HDL-C was determined via enzymatic methods, and ICH was ascertained via medical history, physical examination, and brain imaging (computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging). The multivariable logistic regression model was used to calculate the odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of ICH according to levels of plasma cholesterol. A total of 170 patients with ICH were identified from 6,046 participants. After adjustment for conventional cardiovascular risk factors, the OR was 2.06 (95% CI, 1.25-3.12; P < 0.01) for participants in the first tertile of HDL-C levels (<1.38 mmol/l) and 1.13 (95% CI, 0.72-1.78; P = 0.59) for participants in the second tertile (1.38-1.64 mmol/l), compared with participants in the third tertile (∩≥1.65 mmol/l). Subgroup analysis indicated that the detrimental effects of HDL-C were more significant in men and lean participants than in their corresponding controls, independent of hypertension. The results presented herein indicate that low plasma HDL-C (<1.38 mmol/l) may be associated with risk of ICH.     

Abscisic acid receptors: past, present and future

Jin-Gui Chen (Corresponding author) Abscisic acid (ABA) is the key plant stress hormone. Consistent with the earlier studies in support of the presence of both membrane- and cytoplasm-localized ABA receptors, recent studies have identified multiple ABA receptors located in various subcellular locations. These include a chloroplast envelope-localized receptor (the H subunit of Chloroplast Mg(2+) -chelatase/ABA Receptor), two plasma membrane-localized receptors (G-protein Coupled Receptor 2 and GPCR-type G proteins), and one cytosol/nucleus-localized Pyrabactin Resistant (PYR)/PYR-Like (PYL)/Regulatory Component of ABA Receptor 1 (RCAR). Although the downstream molecular events for most of the identified ABA receptors are currently unknown, one of them, PYR/PYL/RCAR was found to directly bind and regulate the activity of a long-known central regulator of ABA signaling, the A-group protein phosphatase 2C (PP2C). Together with the Sucrose Non-fermentation Kinase Subfamily 2 (SnRK2s) protein kinases, a central signaling complex (ABA-PYR-PP2Cs-SnRK2s) that is responsible for ABA signal perception and transduction is supported by abundant genetic, physiological, biochemical and structural evidence. The identification of multiple ABA receptors has advanced our understanding of ABA signal perception and transduction while adding an extra layer of complexity.