Contribution to the knowledge of seed-beetles (Coleoptera,Chrysomelidae, Bruchinae) in Xinjiang,China

Nineteen species of seed-beetles belonging to the subfamily Bruchinae (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae) were collected in Xinjiang, China. Of these, the following four were new records for China: Bruchus affinis Frolich, 1799, Bruchus atomarius L., 1761, Bruchus loti Paykull, 1800 and Kytorhinus kergoati Delobel & Legalov, 2009. We provide an annotated checklist, illustrations and a key to the 19 species.     

Description of Ortheziolamameti tranfagliai new species (Hemiptera,Coccoidea, Ortheziidae) from India

This paper describes a new Ortheziolamameti species from the Oriental region (India), namely Ortheziolamameti tranfagliai Konczné Benedicty, sp. n. The examined material was extracted from forest litter from India, using Berlese funnels. With this new species the genus Ortheziolamameti now includes six species. An identification key and distribution map are provided.     

Different stocks of brook lamprey in Spain and their origin from Lampetra fluviatilis at two distinct times and places

Using the mitochondrial non‐coding region I, it was shown that the two Spanish Lampetra planeri populations (Cares–Deva and Olabidea–Ugarana) correspond to different genetic units. The Cares–Deva population is probably a recent offshoot of Lampetra fluviatilis, being the Olabidea–Ugarana population less diverse and of older origin.     

An Antibody against the C-Terminal Domain of PCSK9 Lowers LDL Cholesterol Levels In Vivo

Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) is associated with autosomal dominant hypercholesterolemia, a state of elevated levels of LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol. Autosomal dominant hypercholesterolemia can result in severe implications such as stroke and coronary heart disease. The inhibition of PCSK9 function by therapeutic antibodies that block interaction of PCSK9 with the epidermal growth factor-like repeat A domain of LDL receptor (LDLR) was shown to successfully lower LDL cholesterol levels in clinical studies. Here we present data on the identification, structural and biophysical characterization and in vitro and in vivo pharmacology of a PCSK9 antibody (mAb1). The X-ray structure shows that mAb1 binds the module 1 of the C-terminal domain (CTD) of PCSK9. It blocks access to an area bearing several naturally occurring gain-of-function and loss-of-function mutations. Although the antibody does not inhibit binding of PCSK9 to epidermal growth factor-like repeat A, it partially reverses PCSK9-induced reduction of the LDLR and LDL cholesterol uptake in a cellular assay. mAb1 is also effective in lowering serum levels of LDL cholesterol in cynomolgus monkeys in vivo. Complete loss of PCSK9 is associated with insufficient liver regeneration and increased risk of hepatitis C infections. Blocking of the CTD is sufficient to partially inhibit PCSK9 function. Antibodies binding the CTD of PCSK9 may thus be advantageous in patients that do not tolerate complete inhibition of PCSK9.     

Constitutive Nuclear Localization of an Alternatively Spliced Sirtuin-2 Isoform

Sirtuin-2 (SIRT2), the cytoplasmic member of the sirtuin family, has been implicated in the deacetylation of nuclear proteins. Although the enzyme has been reported to be located to the nucleus during G₂/M phase, its spectrum of targets suggests functions in the nucleus throughout the cell cycle. While a nucleocytoplasmic shuttling mechanism has been proposed for SIRT2, recent studies have indicated the presence of a constitutively nuclear isoform. Here we report the identification of a novel splice variant (isoform 5) of SIRT2 that lacks a nuclear export signal and encodes a predominantly nuclear isoform. This novel isoform 5 fails to show deacetylase activity using several assays, both in vitro and in vivo, and we are led to conclude that this isoform is catalytically inactive. Nevertheless, it retains the ability to interact with p300, a known interaction partner. Moreover, changes in intrinsic tryptophan fluorescence upon denaturation indicate that the protein is properly folded. These data, together with computational analyses, confirm the structural integrity of the catalytic domain. Our results suggest an activity-independent nuclear function of the novel isoform.     

The Plant Host Can Affect the Encapsidation of Brome Mosaic Virus (BMV) RNA: BMV Virions Are Surprisingly Heterogeneous

Brome mosaic virus (BMV) packages its genomic and subgenomic RNAs into three separate viral particles. BMV purified from barley, wheat, and tobacco have distinct relative abundances of the encapsidated RNAs. We seek to identify the basis for the host-dependent differences in viral RNA encapsidation. Sequencing of the viral RNAs revealed recombination events in the 3′ untranslated region of RNA1 of BMV purified from barley and wheat, but not from tobacco. However, the relative amounts of the BMV RNAs that accumulated in barley and wheat are similar and RNA accumulation is not sufficient to account for the difference in RNA encapsidation. Virions purified from barley and wheat were found to differ in their isoelectric points, resistance to proteolysis, and contacts between the capsid residues and the RNA. Mass spectrometric analyses revealed that virions from the three hosts had different post-translational modifications that should impact the physiochemical properties of the virions. Another major source of variation in RNA encapsidation was due to the purification of BMV particles to homogeneity. Highly enriched BMV present in lysates had a surprising range of sizes, buoyant densities, and distinct relative amounts of encapsidated RNAs. These results show that the encapsidated BMV RNAs reflect a combination of host effects on the physiochemical properties of the viral capsids and the enrichment of a subset of virions. The previously unexpected heterogeneity in BMV should influence the timing of the infection and also the host innate immune responses.     

箱式气体交换观测系统及其在植物生态系统气体交换研究中的应用

基于箱式法构建的箱式气体交换观测系统是植物生态系统碳水循环研究的常用方法,其在土壤和植物组织尺度的气体交换研究中的作用尤为重要.本文根据箱式气体交换观测系统的气路结构,对闭路、半闭路、开路和半开路系统的原理和计算方法进行了详细总结;汇总了目前常用的商业箱式气体交换观测系统,并回顾了自制系统的研制和应用历程;最后简要探讨了箱式气体交换观测系统存在的问题及其改进方式.     

中国典型丘陵区人口密集乡村景观的土壤碳氮磷分布特征

基于IKONOS高分辨率(1 m)卫星遥感图,根据生态立地分层分类规则,评价了四川盆地、江南山地和华南山地等典型丘陵区人口密集的乡村景观结构对0～30 cm土壤有机碳(SOC)、全氮(TN)和全磷(TP)密度及储量的影响.结果表明：SOC密度的面积加权平均值为江南山地丘陵(2.72±0.76 kg·m^-2) > 华南山地丘陵(2.65±0.73 kg·m^-2)>四川盆地丘陵(2.15±0.57 kg·m^-2);TN密度的面积加权平均值为江南山地丘陵(0.28±0.06 kg·m^-2) >四川盆地丘陵(0.27±0.06 kg·m^-2) >华南山地丘陵(0.21±0.06 kg·m^-2);TP密度的面积加权平均值为四川盆地丘陵(0.19±0.04 kg·m^-2) >江南山地丘陵(0.11±0.03 kg·m^-2)>华南山地丘陵(0.08±0.04 kg·m^-2).四川盆地、江南山地和华南山地丘陵SOC、TN和TP储量最高的生态立地类型分别为小规模1年生旱地作物、两季水田和斜坡次生阔叶疏林.SOC和TN密度均以水田或林地最高,而以低覆盖度的挖掘地和山顶旱地最低,TP密度的分布较为复杂.细微尺度的生态立地水平分析可以较好地反映出丘陵区人口密集乡村景观地区的生态结构和SOC、TN、TP的分布情况.     

黄土丘陵区人工沙棘林水土保持作用机理及效益

沙棘是我国半干旱地区用于水土保持造林的主要生态经济型树种,在“三北”地区生态环境建设中发挥重要作用.对野外试验资料分析表明,7～10龄沙棘林冠年平均截留率为85%,6～10龄沙棘林地枯落物层单次可截留089mm降水;沙棘林通过改善土壤理化性质,具有提高土壤入渗和抗冲性能作用,其中土壤中毛根数量是决定土壤抗冲能力的主要指标.沙棘林的水土保持作用随林龄变化明显,幼林(2～3龄)阶段的作用很小,降水特性是决定林地产流产沙量的主要因素;成林(4～5龄)阶段,产流产沙量受降水和林分生长的共同影响;成林后(6～12龄)阶段,降水特性的影响很小,林地产流产沙量维持相对稳定,年径流深与侵蚀模数分别为03～34mm、0～675t·km^-2.幼林至成林(2～5龄)阶段,径流含沙量急剧减少,成林后(6～12龄)阶段,径流含沙量趋于稳定,含沙量变化在0～509kg·m^-3.