Pollen morphology and its evolutionary significance in Hemerocallis (Liliaceae)

Pollen morphology of 10 species of Hemerocallis was investigated with LM and SEM. In addition to pollen with reticulate sexine, a new verrucate sexine pattern is found in three Chinese endemic species, H. plicata, H. forrestii and H. nana . Between the two typical sexine patterns, there are transitional variants. Also, a new pollen shape, boat-shaped-elliptic, is observed exclusively in H. nana , besides-oblong shape in other species. Phylogenetically, the common reticulate sexine pattern would be more primitive than the verrucate one. The typical reticulate sexine pattern would be basic, from which transitional variants would have derived and finally led to the typical verrucate pattern. Similarly, the common boat-shaped-oblong pollen would be more primitive than the -elliptic one, from which the latter would have derived during phylogenetic development.     

No evidence for MHC‐based mate choice in wild giant pandas

Major histocompatibility complex genes (MHC), a gene cluster that controls the immune response to parasites, are regarded as an important determinant of mate choice. However, MHC‐based mate choice studies are especially rare for endangered animals. The giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca), a flagship species, has suffered habitat loss and fragmentation. We investigated the genetic variation of three MHC class II loci, including DRB1, DQA1, and DQA2, for 19 mating‐pairs and 11 parent‐pairs of wild giant pandas based on long‐term field behavior observations and genetic samples. We tested four hypotheses of mate choice based on this MHC variation. We found no supporting evidence for the MHC‐based heterosis, genetic diversity, genetic compatibility and “good gene” hypotheses. These results suggest that giant pandas may not use MHC‐based signals to select mating partners, probably because limited mating opportunities or female‐biased natal dispersal restricts selection for MHC‐based mate choice, acknowledging the caveat of the small sample size often encountered in endangered animal studies. Our study provides insight into the mate choice mechanisms of wild giant pandas and highlights the need to increase the connectivity and facilitate dispersal among fragmented populations and habitats.     

阔叶红松林不同演替阶段灌木器官的N、P分配特征

氮（N）、磷（P）是植物生长发育重要的限制元素,N、P以及N、P间的关系是化学计量学研究的重要内容。植物不同器官对N、P的需求存在差异,因此N、P的分配与权衡对植物的生长发育起到重要的调节作用。为了探究阔叶红松（Pinus koraiensis）林不同演替阶段主要灌木器官的N、P化学计量特征及其分配格局,了解灌木的养分限制因子及其分配策略,在黑龙江凉水国家级自然保护区的阔叶红松林四个演替阶段——白桦（Betula platyphylla）次生林、阔叶混交林、针阔混交林和阔叶红松林内,选取主要灌木种,分析了叶片、枝条、茎干和根的N、P化学计量特征以及异速生长关系。结果发现：灌木不同器官之间的N、P含量差异显著,其中叶的N、P含量均为最高,茎干的N、P含量均为最低。所有器官中,叶的N ： P最高,为7.59;根的N ： P最低,为5.47。灌木叶、茎干、根之间的N ： P存在显著差异,而茎干、根与枝条之间的N ： P没有显著差异。阔叶红松林不同演替阶段对灌木同一器官N、P化学计量的影响不同,灌木叶片的N含量在不同演替中具有显著差异,其他器官的差异不显著;不同演替阶段灌木器官的P含量均无显著差异。在不同演替阶段中各器官的N ： P均小于14,说明N元素是阔叶红松林各演替阶段灌木生长的限制因子,而P对灌木的生长没有起到限制作用。研究表明在不同演替阶段中,N、P的异速生长关系普遍存在于灌木器官中,呈现显著的正相关关系;整体上各器官之间的斜率没有显著差异,说明灌木采取保守分配策略,以此来适应环境和满足自身生长发育的需要。     

Studies of Mycorrhizal Fungi of Chinese Orchids and Their Role in Orchid Conservation in China—A Review

China has over 1,200 species of native orchids in nearly 173 genera. About one fourth of native species are of horticultural merit. Some species are of Chinese medicinal value. In fact, the demand on orchid species with high Chinese medicinal values such as Gastrodia elata, Dendrobium offcinale, along with demands on species of cultural importance, such as those in the genus of Cymbidium, is a major factor causing wild populations to diminish and in some cases, drive wild populations to the brink of extinction. These market demands have also driven studies on the role of mycorrhizal fungi in orchid seed germination, seedling and adult growth, and reproduction. Most of these mycorrhizal studies of Chinese orchids, however, are published in Chinese, some in medical journals, and thus overlooked by the mainstream orchid mycorrhizal publications. Yet some of these studies contained interesting discoveries on the nature of the mycorrhizal relationships between orchids and fungi. We present a review of some of these neglected publications. The most important discovery comes from the mycorrhizal studies on G. elata, in which the researchers concluded that those fungi species required to stimulate seed germination are different from those that facilitate the growth of G. elata beyond seedling stages. In addition, presence of the mycorrhizal fungi associated with vegetative growth of post-seedling G. elata hindered the germination of seeds. These phenomena were unreported prior to these studies. Furthermore, orchid mycorrhizal studies in China differ from the mainstream orchid studies in that many epiphytic species (in the genus of Dendrobium, as medicinal herbs) were investigated as well as terrestrial orchids (mostly in the genus Cymbidium, as traditional horticultural species). The different responses between epiphytic and terrestrial orchid seeds to fungi derived from roots suggest that epiphytic orchids may have a more general mycorrhizal relationship with fungi than do terrestrial orchid species during the seed germination stage. To date, orchid mycorrhizal research in China has had a strongly commercial purpose. We suggest that this continuing research on orchid mycorrhizal relationships are a solid foundation for further research that includes more rare and endangered taxa, and more in-situ studies to assist conservation and restoration of the endangered orchids. Knowledge on the identities and roles of mycorrhizal fungi of orchids holds one of the keys to successful restoration and sustainable use of Chinese orchids.     

In vitro inhibition of translation initiation by N,N'-diarylureas--potential anti-cancer agents

Symmetrical N,N'-diarylureas: 1,3-bis(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-, 1,3-bis[4-chloro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]- and 1,3-bis[3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]urea, were identified as potent activators of the eIF2α kinase heme regulated inhibitor. They reduce the abundance of the eIF2·GTP·tRNA(i)(Met) ternary complex and inhibit cancer cell proliferation. An optimization process was undertaken to improve their solubility while preserving their biological activity. Non-symmetrical hybrid ureas were generated by combining one of the hydrophobic phenyl moieties present in the symmetrical ureas with the polar 3-hydroxy-tolyl moiety. O-alkylation of the later added potentially solubilizing charge bearing groups. The new non-symmetrical N,N'-diarylureas were characterized by ternary complex reporter gene and cell proliferation assays, demonstrating good bioactivities. A representative sample of these compounds potently induced phosphorylation of eIF2α and expression of CHOP at the protein and mRNA levels. These inhibitors of translation initiation may become leads for the development of potent, non-toxic, and target specific anti-cancer agents.     

Identification of isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 as a potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for non-small cell lung cancer by proteomic analysis

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death in the world. To explore tumor biomarkers for clinical application, two-dimensional fluorescence difference gel electrophoresis and subsequent MALDI-TOF/TOF mass spectrometry were performed to identify proteins differentially expressed in 12 pairs of lung squamous cell tumors and their corresponding normal tissues. A total of 28 nonredundant proteins were identified with significant alteration in lung tumors. The up-regulation of isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1), superoxide dismutase 2, 14-3-3ε, and receptor of activated protein kinase C1 and the down-regulation of peroxiredoxin 2 in tumors were validated by RT-PCR and Western blot analysis in independent 15 pairs of samples. Increased IDH1 expression was further verified by the immunohistochemical study in extended 73 squamous cell carcinoma and 64 adenocarcinoma clinical samples. A correlation between IDH1 expression and poor overall survival of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients was observed. Furthermore, ELISA analysis showed that the plasma level of IDH1 was significantly elevated in NSCLC patients compared with benign lung disease patients and healthy individuals. In addition, knockdown of IDH1 by RNA interference suppressed the proliferation of NSCLC cell line and decreased the growth of xenograft tumors in vivo. These observations suggested that IDH1, as a protein promoting tumor growth, could be used as a plasma biomarker for diagnosis and a histochemical biomarker for prognosis prediction of NSCLC.     

气候变化对中国大黄花虾脊兰及其传粉者适生区的影响

大黄花虾脊兰(Calanthe sieboldii)是典型的大陆与岛屿间间断分布的兰科物种, 适宜分布气候范围狭窄, 同时依赖特殊的传粉者传粉, 包括黄胸木蜂(Xylocopa appendiculata)、赤足木蜂(X. rufipes)和中华绒木蜂(X. chinensis)等3种木蜂属(Xylocopa)昆虫。本文通过R语言Biomod2程序包建立物种分布模型(SDM), 预测了2050年和2070年时大黄花虾脊兰及其传粉者在3种代表浓度路径(RCP2.6、RCP4.5与RCP8.5)下的分布格局, 以期为该濒危植物的保育提供参考。结果表明: 降水相关变量比温度相关变量对大黄花虾脊兰分布的平均解释率更高, 两者分别为25.4%和13.9%。当前大黄花虾脊兰适生区主要集中在华中和华东地区, 未来适生区的增减主要受到气候情景的影响, 其变化范围为-59.0%到34.7%, 并可能向更高海拔的地区移动; 未来木蜂适生区将净收缩16.4%-19.7%, 且主要向西北和东北移动; 因而两者共同分布的面积占大黄花虾脊兰适生区的比例未来相比当前的90.0%可能下降0.5%-11.4%, 表明大黄花虾脊兰分布可能受到未来气候变化和传粉者分布减少的双重影响, 因此对该物种或类似特化传粉的兰科植物进行保育时应当充分考虑传粉者因素。     

Glutathione reductase mediates drug resistance in glioblastoma cells by regulating redox homeostasis

Glutathione (GSH) and GSH‐related enzymes constitute the most important defense system that protects cells from free radical, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy attacks. In this study, we aim to explore the potential role and regulatory mechanism of the GSH redox cycle in drug resistance in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) cells. We found that temozolomide (TMZ)‐resistant glioma cells displayed lower levels of endogenous reactive oxygen species and higher levels of total antioxidant capacity and GSH than sensitive cells. Moreover, the expression of glutathione reductase (GSR), the key enzyme of the GSH redox cycle, was higher in TMZ‐resistant cells than in sensitive cells. Furthermore, silencing GSR in drug‐resistant cells improved the sensitivity of cells to TMZ or cisplatin. Conversely, the over‐expression of GSR in sensitive cells resulted in resistance to chemotherapy. In addition, the GSR enzyme partially prevented the oxidative stress caused by pro‐oxidant L‐buthionine ‐sulfoximine. The modulation of redox state by GSH or L‐buthionine –sulfoximine regulated GSR‐mediated drug resistance, suggesting that the action of GSR in drug resistance is associated with the modulation of redox homeostasis. Intriguingly, a trend toward shorter progress‐free survival was observed among GBM patients with high GSR expression. These results indicated that GSR is involved in mediating drug resistance and is a potential target for improving GBM treatment.

     

Study of Oxidative Stress in Human Lens Epithelial Cells Exposed to 1.8 GHz Radiofrequency Fields

Objectives

The aims of the present study were to determine oxidative stress and to explore possible reasons of reactive oxygen species (ROS) increase in human lens epithelial (HLE) B3 cells exposed to low intensity 1.8 GHz radiofrequency fields (RF).

Methods

The HLE B3 cells were divided into RF exposure and RF sham-exposure groups. The RF exposure intensity was at specific absorption rate (SAR) of 2, 3, or 4 W/kg. The ROS levels were measured by a fluorescent probe 2′7′-dichlorofluorescin diacetate (DCFH-DA) assay in the HLE B3 cells exposed to 1.8 GHz RF for 0.5, 1, and 1.5 h. Lipid peroxidation and cellular viability were detected by an MDA test and Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assays, respectively, in the HLE B3 cells exposed to 1.8 GHz RF for 6, 12, and 24 h, respectively. The mRNA expression of SOD1, SOD2, CAT, and GPx1 genes and the expression of SOD1, SOD2, CAT, and GPx1 proteins was measured by qRT-PCR and Western blot assays in the HLE B3 cells exposed to 1.8 GHz RF for 1 h.

Results

The ROS and MDA levels significantly increased (P<0.05) in the RF exposure group and that the cellular viability, mRNA expression of four genes, and expression of four proteins significantly decreased (P<0.05) compared with the RF sham-exposure group.

Conclusions

Oxidative stress is present in HLE B3 cells exposed to 1.8 GHz low-intensity RF and that the increased production of ROS may be related to down-regulation of four antioxidant enzyme genes induced by RF exposure.