Classification and nomenclature of endogenous retroviral sequences (ERVs): Problems and recommendations

The genomes of many species are crowded with repetitive mobile sequences. In the case of endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) there is, for various reasons, considerable confusion regarding names assigned to families/groups of ERVs as well as individual ERV loci. Human ERVs have been studied in greater detail, and naming of HERVs in the scientific literature is somewhat confusing not just to the outsider. Without guidelines, confusion for ERVs in other species will also probably increase if those ERVs are studied in greater detail. Based on previous experience, this review highlights some of the problems when naming and classifying ERVs, and provides some guidance for detecting and characterizing ERV sequences. Because of the close relationship between ERVs and exogenous retroviruses (XRVs) it is reasonable to reconcile their classification with that of XRVs. We here argue that classification should be based on a combination of similarity, structural features, (inferred) function, and previous nomenclature. Because the RepBase system is widely employed in genome annotation, RepBase designations should be considered in further taxonomic efforts. To lay a foundation for a phylogenetically based taxonomy, further analyses of ERVs in many hosts are needed. A dedicated, permanent, international consortium would best be suited to integrate and communicate our current and future knowledge on repetitive, mobile elements in general to the scientific community.     

Combined effect of ENSO and SAM on the population dynamics of the invasive yellowjacket wasp in central Chile

The population dynamics of the yellowjacket wasp (Vespula germanica Fabricus) in central Chile were analyzed for the first time. Using a simple Ricker logistic model and adding the effects of local weather variables (temperature and precipitation) and large-scale climate phenomena as El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and the Southern Annular Mode (SAM), we modeled the interannual fluctuations in nest density. The best model according to the Bayesian information criterion (BIC) included 1-year-lag negative feedback combined with the positive additive effects of ENSO and SAM. According to this model, yellowjacket nest density was favored by warm and dry winters, which probably influenced the survival of overwintering queens. Large-scale climatic variables [Southern Oscillation Index (SOI) and SAM] described the effect of exogenous factors in wasp fluctuations better than local weather variables did. Our results emphasize the usefulness of climate indices and simple theoretical-based models in insect ecological research.     

How to evaluate the risk-benefit ratio of the low-dose hormone replacement therapy?

Since the results of the women health initiative study showing an overall negative risk-benefit ratio with 0.625 mg of conjugated estrogens plus 2.5 mg of medroxyprogesterone acetate, the use of the lowest effective dose of steroids in hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is recommended.

A low-dose regimen appears to induce less side effects such as breast tenderness or leg pain than do higher dose preparations.

The decrease in hot flashes with low-dose estrogens, range 60–70%, is less than the 80–90% reduction with standard dosing. But this mean that 60–70% of menopausal women do not need higher doses.

The same applies to bone preservation which is dose dependent: the number of non-respondant women will be higher than with standard doses. However, randomized double-blind, placebo controls trials have defined positive effects on bone of low doses of HRT with adequate calcium and Vitamin D in elderly women. The use of bone densitometry and of biochemical markers of bone turnover is mandatory in women using low or ultra-low-dose preparations.

In spite of the lack of trials conducted with low-dose HRT, this treatment seems to be safer:

• the plasma levels of estradiol are lower; as far as breast cancer risk is concerned, the decrease of this subrogate marker is considered as favourable;

• the increase in breast density is less pronounced;

• the nurses's health study found a dose relationship for stroke, with no increase in risk with low-dose of estrogens;

• the effects on subrogate markers of cardiovascular risk seem to be more favourable.

Beside the low-dose HRT, one must consider some other facts:

• the “critical window” theory: it is biologically plausible that HRT, if started early after the menopause can slow the progression of coronary atherosclerosis;

• the way of administration of HRT: some observational studies have shown no increase in the risk of venous thromboembolism risk among women treated with transdermal estrogens;

• the progestogen used: a French cohort study recently performed found no increase in breast cancer risk with the use of micronized progesterone meanwhile the increase in risk observed with other progestogens was similar to the findings of the WHI study.

In the future, it is conceivable that more comprehensive pharmacogenomic studies will lead to effective algorithms for individualizing the right dose of steroids to be used in HRT.     

外源硒对大豆产量、植株氮磷含量及土壤酶活性的影响

利用盆栽试验,研究了不同浓度、不同价态外源se对大豆产量、N、P含量及与N、P代谢密切联系的土壤脲酶和磷酸酶活性的影响．结果表明,施用浓度为0．25和0．5μg·g^-1土的Se^4+和Se^6+后,大豆产量、含N量及土壤脲酶活性增加,大豆含P量和土壤磷酸酶活性降低．当Se^6+浓度为0．5μg·g^-1土时,大豆植株含N量与土壤脲酶活性呈极显著的抛物线相关关系;Se^6+浓度为0．25μg·g^-1土时,大豆植株含P量与土壤磷酸酶活性呈极显著的抛物线相关关系。Se^4+处理的大豆N、P含量和土壤脲酶和磷酸酶活性均无显著相关关系。     

外源亚精胺对根际低氧胁迫下黄瓜幼苗光合作用的影响

采用营养液水培法,研究了低氧胁迫下亚精胺(Spd)对黄瓜幼苗净光合速率（P_n）、细胞间隙CO₂浓度（C_i）、气孔导度（G_s）、蒸腾速率（T_r）以及量子效率（Φ_c）和羧化效率（CE）的影响.结果表明,低氧胁迫下,黄瓜植株P_n呈下降趋势,处理10 d后达最低值,为同期对照的63.33%,而低氧胁迫的外源Spd处理10 d时P_n升高了1.25倍;C_i与P_n呈一定负相关性（R²=0.4730～0.7118）,G_s与T_r的变化幅度较大,低氧胁迫下有明显下降趋势,Spd处理后其值有所上升,两者呈显著相关（R²=0.7821～0.9458）,但与P_n的相关性不显著;低氧下Φ_c和CE比对照分别下降了63.01%和72.33%,而Spd处理后,Φ_c和CE值分别提高了23%和14%.表明在低氧胁迫下黄瓜幼苗的光合抑制主要是由非气孔限制所引起的,而外源Spd可通过对光系统的修饰减轻黄瓜幼苗的低氧胁迫伤害.     

外源茉莉酸诱导植物反应对小菜蛾生长发育的影响

Jasmonic acid (JA) is a naturally occurred growth regulator found in higher plants and a main signal molecule carrying information about injury. Its increased concentration in plants infested by herbivores can induce the wounded plants to produce defense responses which will affect herbivores. The application of exogenous JA to plants could imitate the effects of herbivores infestation. This study showed that applying exogenous JA on cabbage plants did not affect the survival of Plutella x vlostella larvae, but retarded their development and reduced the pupal weight and female fecundity.     

林可链霉菌黑色素生物合成基因的克隆与表达

以pIJ702的melCl－C2基因为探针杂交林可链霉菌（Streptomyceslincolnensis）78－11染色体DNA,呈现出3．2kb的BamHI片段和2．6kb的SphI片段等一系列阳性条带。构建了含3．0～3．5kbBamHI片段的林可链霉菌78-11基因文库,从中分离克隆了黑色素生物合成基因melCl和melC2,并测定了含有mel基因的重组子pRSB336插入片段的全部DNA顺序。3152bpBamHI片段含有5个开放阅读框架,其中melCl和melC2与链霉菌属三个种的相应基因具有较高的同源性。此外,林可链霉菌78－11的melC2基因产物与人和鼠的酪氨酸酶轻微同源,分别为17．3％和24．5％。种种迹象表明,melCl、melC2和orf3组成黑色素生物合成操纵子结构。为了进一步鉴定上述克隆的林可链霉菌78-11黑色素生物合成基因,构建了分别含有新霉素抗性基因启动子和正反方向mel基因的重组质粒pPZ518和pPZ519,并转化变铅青链霉菌TK23。随机挑选的12个pPZ518转化子在R2YE培养基上均能分泌淡褐色色素,而所有的pPZ519和pES1转化子则都呈白色。     

精子介导的转基因技术

精子介导的转基因技术是近十几年发展起来的一种新技术.从各个种的实验证明,精子有瞬间吸收外源DNA的能力.这一过程由一系列因子起重要调节作用.一种特异的DNA结合蛋白介导了外源DNA与精子的结合,同时精浆中存在一种因子起抑制两者结合的拮抗作用.CD4分子与外源基因的内化有关.内化的DNA可能与精子核支架结构(nuclear scaffold)结合,并整合或重排.但仍需要大量实验数据进一步证明是否产生真正可遗传的转基因后代,及如何提高转基因效率,以使这一方法得到普遍的推广及应用.     

Natural Estrogens in the Surface Water of Shenzhen and the Sewage Discharge of Hong Kong

Despite the fact that estrogens cause hormonal disturbances in aquatic organisms, few studies on the estrogen contamination in our surface waters have been conducted. This study was thus conducted (1) to investigate the level of estrogens in the surface waters in Shenzhen and (2) to examine the estrogen levels in the sewage discharges in Hong Kong. Total estrogens (estrone E1, estradiol E2, and estriol E3) in the samples taken from two reservoirs, five rivers, and thirty sampling locations of the seawater in Shenzhen were measured by using ELISA kits. The preliminary results have revealed that the level of estrogens in the surface waters of Shenzhen is generally higher than that in the similar water bodies in well-developed nations. Sewage could be the major source of the estrogen contamination in these waters. The total estrogens levels in the Xili and Shenzhen Reservoirs were in a range of 3–11 ng/L with a mean value of 7 ng/L, where that in four rivers in Shenzhen were found to be 47–90 ng/L and 60.25 ng/L, respectively. In the seawater near the sewage discharge points they were 260–300 ng/L and 287 ng/L, respectively. The estradiol levels in the influent and effluent of three sewage treatment works (STWs) in Hong Kong were also monitored. The activated sludge process used in these STWs removed more than 80% whereas the chemical coagulation processed used at the Stonecutters Island STW removed less estrogens. Biological treatment appears to play a significant role in removing estrogens from wastewater.