中国东北典型森林生态系统植物叶片的非结构性碳水化合物研究

植物叶片的非结构性碳水化合物(NSC)不仅可以反应植物的碳供应状况,也能反应植物对外界环境的适应策略。利用传统的蒽酮比色法测定了东北3个典型森林生态系统(呼中、凉水和长白山)242种常见植物叶片的非结构碳水化合物,探讨了温带主要森林植物叶片NSC沿纬度梯度的变化趋势及其在物种-生活型-群落间的分布规律。实验结果表明:3个典型森林生态系统植物叶片可溶性糖、淀粉和NSC含量均呈偏正态分布,多数物种的含量偏中低水平;242种植物叶片可溶性糖、淀粉和NSC的平均含量分别为63.31、65.66和128.96 mg/g。在所调查的森林生态系统中,叶片可溶性糖、淀粉和NSC含量在不同生活型中表现各异。此外,乔木植物叶片的可溶性糖、淀粉和NSC含量从北到南呈递增趋势,呼中最低,凉水次之,长白山最高。乔木淀粉含量均表现为落叶树种大于常绿树种,可溶性糖和NSC含量变化趋势复杂。研究结果不仅为阐明东北主要森林生态系统植被碳代谢和生长适应对策提供数据基础,而且对理解植物对未来气候变化的响应机理提供数据支撑。     

海南岛热带低地雨林老龄林木本植物幼苗的功能性状分析

运用功能性状的研究方法能有效地利用植物的生理、形态和生活史等特征, 揭示性状对物种共存的影响。以往有关热带林的群落生态学分析中, 基本上都是以胸径(DBH) ≥ 1 cm 以上的个体为对象, 而对 DBH < 1 cm的幼苗很少关注。该文以海南岛典型的热带低地雨林老龄林内幼苗多度最大的16个物种的幼苗为研究对象, 详细测定了4种功能性状: 比叶面积( SLA)、叶干物质比例(LMF)、比茎密度(SSD)和茎干物质比例(SMF), 分析了这些性状之间及其与幼苗高度的关系。结果表明: SLA和LMF随幼苗高度增加而显著减小, SSD和SMF随幼苗高度增加而显著增加; 幼苗功能性状在不同的生长阶段均达到显著差异; 乔木和灌木幼苗的各功能性状均无显著差异, 藤本植物幼苗的各功能性状与前两种生长型植物有显著差异; 乔木、灌木通过低的SLA、LMF和高的SMF来适应热带低地老龄林的林下低光环境, 藤本植物则通过相反的策略实现在老龄林中的共存; 幼苗通过调节各功能性状之间的权衡来适应环境。     

Physical and catalytic properties of a peroxidase derived from cytochrome c

Except for its redox properties, cytochrome c is an inert protein. However, dissociation of the bond between methionine-80 and the heme iron converts the cytochrome into a peroxidase. Dissociation is accomplished by subjecting the cytochrome to various conditions, including proteolysis and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)-mediated oxidation. In affected cells of various neurological diseases, including Parkinson's disease, cytochrome c is released from the mitochondrial membrane and enters the cytosol. In the cytosol cytochrome c is exposed to cellular proteases and to H₂O₂ produced by dysfunctional mitochondria and activated microglial cells. These could promote the formation of the peroxidase form of cytochrome c. In this study we investigated the catalytic and cytolytic properties of the peroxidase form of cytochrome c. These properties are qualitatively similar to those of other heme-containing peroxidases. Dopamine as well as sulfhydryl group-containing metabolites, including reduced glutathione and coenzyme A, are readily oxidized in the presence of H₂O₂. This peroxidase also has cytolytic properties similar to myeloperoxidase, lactoperoxidase, and horseradish peroxidase. Cytolysis is inhibited by various reducing agents, including dopamine. Our data show that the peroxidase form of cytochrome c has catalytic and cytolytic properties that could account for at least some of the damage that leads to neuronal death in the parkinsonian brain.     

Synthesis of GN8 derivatives and evaluation of their antiprion activity in TSE-infected cells

A series of GN8 derivatives were synthesized from various diamines, carboxylic acid derivatives, and nitrogen nucleophiles, and their antiprion activity was tested in TSE-infected mouse neuronal cells. We found that two ethylenediamine units, hydrophobic substituents on the nitrogen atoms, and the diphenylmethane scaffold were essential structural features responsible for the activity. Seven derivatives bearing substituents at the benzylic position exhibited an improved antiprion activity with the IC₅₀ values of 0.51-0.83 μM. Conformational analysis of model compounds suggested that the introduction of the substituent at the benzylic position restricted the conformational variability of the diphenylmethane unit.     

Assessment of heavy metal contamination and Hg-resistant bacteria in surface water from different regions of Delhi,India

The present study aims to monitor the surface water quality of different regions in Delhi (India). With many physical and chemical properties, all samples had a high load of pollution in which Najafgarh drain (Nd) exhibited maximum and laboratory tap water (Ltw) minimum contamination. Water samples contained notable amounts of heavy metals including Cr, Cd, As, Cu, Pb and Hg. A total of 88 Hg-resistant bacteria were isolated from all the regions except Ltw. Among all the samples, the density of Hg-resistant bacteria was highest in sample of Nd and their morphotype heterogeneity was highest in sample collected from river Yamuna nearby Kashmiri gate (Kg). Different strains showed different patterns of resistance to different heavy metals and antibiotics. Multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) indices were high in two samples, the highest reported in a sample taken from river Yamuna nearby Majnu ka tila (Mkt) (0.34). The 12.5% and 24.45% isolates showed β- and α-hemolytic natures, respectively that might be of pathogenic concern. In this account, high concentrations of heavy metals and their resistant bacteria in surface water have severely damaged the quality of water and their resources and produced high risk to the associated life forms.     

Effects of spring and autumn fires on the composition of Chionochloa rigida tussock grassland,New Zealand

Two areas of Chionochloa rigida tussock grassland on Flagstaff Hill were burnt in autumn and spring 1976, respectively. Plant species cover and frequency were recorded in 1977 and 1985. Initially, plant cover and frequency were lower, and the area of bare ground was greater, on the autumn burnt site. After nine years, cover and frequency values were similar for most species, and bare ground was rare, on both sites. Over this period, recovery in size of indigenous tussock-forming physiognomic dominants resulted in suppression of intertussock sub-shrubs, herbs and grasses that were initially favoured by reduction of competition after fire. Plant species most tolerant of fire have features that protect the meristem, for instance an underground perennating organ or dense tillering.     

培土栽培对麻竹笋品质的影响机理研究

为了评价不同栽培模式对麻竹笋品质影响,提高竹林经济效益,采用培土栽培和不培土栽培两种方式,通过研究麻竹笋外观形态、营养物质、呈味物质及氨基酸含量,分析了不同培土栽培对麻竹笋品质的影响。结果表明:(1)培土栽培的麻竹笋个体重量、基茎、长度及可食率较不培土栽培竹笋分别显著提高了28.09%、12.76%、19.61%、23.53%,箨壁厚度显著降低了46.43%。(2)培土栽培的麻竹笋灰分、蛋白质、脂肪及淀粉含量较不培土栽培竹笋分别显著下降了10.08%、12.77%、26.09%、48.84%,而还原糖、可溶性糖、水分及维生素C含量均不同程度增加。(3)培土栽培的麻竹笋单宁、草酸、纤维素、木质素含量较不培土栽培竹笋分别下降26.32%、20.26%、39.12%、25.47%。(4)培土栽培的麻竹笋氨基酸总量较不培土栽培竹笋显著增加了26.08%,其中的苦味、芳香类和鲜味氨基酸含量占比均下降,但甜味氨基酸占比则显著上升。研究发现,培土栽培可以改善麻竹笋外观形态,同时增加竹笋甜味、减少粗糙度和酸涩味,从而使竹笋品质得到明显提升。     

Tree form in a mixed dipterocarp forest in Indonesian Borneo

The form of tropical trees was studied with reference to the production structure of the component individuals of a tropical rain forest stand in Sebulu, East Kalimantan in Indonesian Borneo, since the production structure as a physical or bio-economical basis of tree form still remains obscure in tropical rain forests. The pipe model theory successfully explained the crown shapes of different trees, and its parameter, designated as specific pipe length, suggested an increase in the cost of leaf mass growth with an increase in crown size. A mathematical model consisting of exponential functions of aboveground height was applied for describing stem form, and its properties were examined through changes in its coefficients and by adopting an assumption of the geometrical similarity of individual stem form as a criterion for comparing differences in stem form among individual trees. Furthermore, the cost of buttersses was discussed using the relation between bole- and buttress weight calculated from the mathematical model.     

色季拉山不同腐解等级华山松倒木上的苔藓植物组合

倒木是森林生态系统维持健康和更新的重要组成部分, 在倒木不同腐解阶段, 倒木上定植的苔藓植物组合的差异尚不清楚。为深入探讨倒木上苔藓植物组合变化规律及其影响因素, 该文对西藏色季拉山同一地点不同腐解程度的4株华山松(Pinus armandii)倒木上的苔藓植物进行了样方调查和数据分析。结果表明: 4株倒木上40个样方共有苔藓植物22科52种, 其中藓类13科38种, 苔类9科14种; 以恒有优势种为特征进行划分, 共得到14个物种组合。随着倒木腐解程度加大以及周围环境的不断改变, 生长其上的苔藓植物物种多样性逐渐增加, 但组合数量和苔藓总盖度却呈现先增大后减小的趋势。苔藓物种由耐旱性强的丛生型藓类, 如木灵藓科、白发藓科, 逐渐演替为喜阴湿环境、快速生长的垫状或毯状藓类, 如提灯藓科、羽藓科和青藓科。倒木苔藓植物组合空间结构复杂程度逐渐增大。倒木是多种苔藓植物选择的重要生长基质, 其上苔藓植物受倒木的腐解程度、水分和光照等条件的影响而发生相应的物种组合变化。