Association of glutathione S-transferase polymorphisms (GSTM1 and GSTT1) with primary open-angle glaucoma: An evidence-based meta-analysis

Studies investigating the associations between glutathione S-transferase (GST) genetic polymorphisms and primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) have reported controversial results. Therefore, a meta-analysis was performed to clarify the effects of GSTM1 and GSTT1 polymorphisms on POAG risk. Published literatures from PubMed, EMBASE, ISI Web of Science and CBM databases were retrieved. All studies evaluating the association between GSTM1/GSTT1 polymorphisms and POAG were included. Pooled odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated using fixed- or random-effects model. Eleven studies on GSTM1 (1339 cases and 1412 controls) and seven studies on GSTT1 (958 cases, 1003 controls) were included. Overall analysis showed that the association between GSTM1 and GSTT1 null genotype and POAG risk is not statistically significant. Subgroup analyses showed that the null genotype of GSTM1 increased the risk of POAG in Asians. In GSTM1–GSTT1 interaction analysis, individuals with dual null genotype were associated with a significantly increased risk of POAG when compared with the dual present genotype. In conclusion, the present meta-analysis suggested that GSTM1 null genotypes are associated with increased POAG risk in Asian populations but not in Caucasian and mixed populations. Dual null genotype of GSTM1/GSTT1 is associated with increased risk of POAG. Given the limited sample size, the finding on GST polymorphisms needs further investigation.     

Extracellular Signal-regulated Kinase 5 (ERK5) Mediates Prolactin-stimulated Adult Neurogenesis in the Subventricular Zone and Olfactory Bulb

Prolactin-stimulated adult neurogenesis in the subventricular zone (SVZ) and olfactory bulb (OB) mediates several reproductive behaviors including mating/pregnancy, dominant male pheromone preference in females, and paternal recognition of offspring. However, downstream signaling mechanisms underlying prolactin-induced adult neurogenesis are completely unknown. We report here for the first time that prolactin activates extracellular signal-regulated kinase 5 (ERK5), a MAP kinase that is specifically expressed in the neurogenic regions of the adult mouse brain. Knockdown of ERK5 by retroviral infection of shRNA attenuates prolactin-stimulated neurogenesis in SVZ-derived adult neural stem/progenitor cells (aNPCs). Inducible erk5 deletion in adult neural stem cells of transgenic mice inhibits neurogenesis in the SVZ and OB following prolactin infusion or mating/pregnancy. These results identify ERK5 as a novel and critical signaling mechanism underlying prolactin-induced adult neurogenesis.     

安徽新安江干流滩涂湿地草本植物区系及物种多样性

以新安江干流(安徽段)滩涂湿地草本植物群落为研究对象,探讨其区系组成及不同江段物种多样性的变化规律.结果表明:(1)该区共有草本被子植物48科、131属、194种(含种下分类单位);以禾本科(Gramineae)、莎草科(Cyperaceae)、菊科(Compositae)和蓼科(Polygonaceae)为优势科;以蓼属(Polygonum)、莎草属(Cyperus)、大戟属(Euphorbia)和蒿属(Artemisia)等为优势属,属的组成相对较为分散,寡种属和单种属占总属数的97.7％;(2)从分布区类型看,科以世界分布占明显优势(43.8％);属的分布区类型以泛热带分布最多(30.5％),其次是世界分布(26.0％),总体上热带成分略多于温带成分(57/40);表明该区草本植物区系地理成分较为复杂,分布区类型多样,具有热带、亚热带与暖温带的多重性质,但以亚热带性质为主;(3)各滩涂湿地植物群落的建群种、优势种及伴生种的种类等组成特征均存在一定差异,狗牙根(Cynodon dactylon)、双穗雀稗(Paspalum distichum)和假俭草(Eremochloa ophiuroides)等为滩涂湿地的主要优势种;江段干流不同流域滩涂湿地草本植物群落的α多样性的变化格局与丰富度指数的变化格局比较一致,总体上呈现逐渐减小的趋势,表现为上游＞中游＞下游;与之相反,植物群落的β多样性——相异性系数和Cody指数总体上呈现上升的格局.这种多样性格局的成因需要进一步分析和探讨.     

北京西山地区大山雀与其它鸟类种群种间联结分析

引入2*2列联表联结指数法,用固定样带法月连续全天定位调查数据,以森林鸟类广布种山雀科大山雀(Parus major)为目标种,研究了北京西山地区该种与留鸟、夏候鸟、冬候鸟、旅鸟的种间联结关系,结合前人关于营巢行为、取食行为、生态位等方面成果分析了产生联结的原因,首次确立了鸟类群落种间联结的研究方法。结果表明： （1）用固定样带法月连续全天定位调查,引入2*2列联表以日尺度的定性数据检验与测定联结度,与月尺度的联结频率结合起来,分析鸟类群落的种间联结是可行的;鸟类群落的种间联结具有时间与空间尺度的双重属性,鸟类群落的种间联结度不仅是鸟类群落时空结构与格局的表征,同时,反映了鸟类群落的动态性,而且,鸟类群落的种间联结对栖息的植物群落具有依赖性与关联性。 （2）日尺度上,选择χ2统计量、PCC与PC指数相结合进行种间联结检验、测度,能充分反映鸟类群落的种间联结特征,但由于鸟类的居留、繁殖、迁移等季节动态性特征,种间联结度存有不确定性。 （3）月尺度上,鸟类总体种间联结8月份为显著负联结,其余各月为显著正联结;根据PCC联结度的月联结频率,可将鸟类划分为正联结组、正负联结均较弱组、负联结组;大山雀与留鸟、夏候鸟、冬候鸟、旅鸟等不同居留型的联结关系,随着种数的减少,显著联结种对、联结度、联结复杂程度呈递减趋势。大山雀与留鸟的联结：与鸦科鸟类呈明显正联结,与同科鸟类呈正负均等的弱联结并趋于负联结,与体型较大的雉、啄木鸟、乌鸦等鸟类呈负联结。大山雀与夏候鸟的联结：与杜鹃科四声杜鹃呈正联结,与同科的黄腹山雀、鹟科的白眉姬正负联结均较弱,与莺科的黄腰柳莺、鸫科的北红尾鸲等呈负联结。大山雀与冬候鸟的联结：与岩鹨科棕眉山岩鹨的正负联结均较弱,与鸫科的斑鸫、鹀科多种鸟类呈明显的负联结。大山雀与旅鸟的联结：与莺科鸟类由正负联结均较弱到明显的负联结。     

基于林业清查资料的桂西北植被碳空间分布及其变化特征

基于2005-2010年林业资源清查数据,采用材积源生物量法,运用地理信息系统技术,估算和分析了桂西北植被碳密度及其储量的空间分布及其变化。结果显示:(1) 研究区域从2005年到2010年呈现碳汇变化趋势,植被碳储量由4.19×10⁴t增加到4.27×10⁴t(增幅为1.84%),植被碳密度从29.04t/hm²增加到29.57 t/hm²。(2) 从治理措施、林种起源方式及林种类型来看,自然保护区的植被碳密度最大,超过40 t/hm²。2005-2010年,人工植苗、直播、飞播和萌生方式植被碳密度增加,退耕还林工程的植被碳密度均呈明显增长(增加3.00 t/hm²),所有林种碳密度都呈不同程度的增长。 (3)植被碳密度空间分布上,大致表现为西部高、中东部低,北部高、南部低。西部区植被碳密度均值超过40 t/hm²,中东部区植被碳密度均值低于25 t/hm²。植被碳密度变化在空间分布上表现为无论是非喀斯特区还是喀斯特区的植被碳密度都有增长趋势,其中有7个县市植被碳密度升级为更高等级。研究表明,随着退耕还林、生态移民等治理措施的实施,区域植被碳密度显著增加,生态环境好转。     

濒危鱼类稀有白甲鱼沅江种群与西江种群形态度量学性状的差异性

分别以采自沅江水系142例和西江水系92例稀有白甲鱼标本为材料,采用差异系数法、方差分析法、判别分析法和主成分分析法,研究了稀有白甲鱼沅江种群、西江种群包括10个可数性状和31个比例性状等形态度量学性状的差异性.方差分析表明,2个种群之间共有6个可数性状和27个比例性状存在着显著性差异(P＜0.05).判别分析筛选出了9个对区分2个种群贡献较大的比例性状,并建立了2个种群的判别函数式.主成分分析显示,稀有白甲鱼种群鱼体沿背腹轴、头尾轴分别有16和6个比例性状表现出了明显的变化,在尾部有2个比例性状差异明显.可见2个种群之间形态度量学性状已显示了明显的分化.这可能是两个种群长期隔离,在不同水系生态环境中产生了适应性进化的结果.然而,差异系数的计算结果表明,两个种群之间形态度量学性状的差异尚未达到亚种分化的水平.