Functional pleiotropy and mating system evolution in plants: frequency-independent mating

Mutations that alter the morphology of floral displays (e.g., flower size) or plant development can change multiple functions simultaneously, such as pollen export and selfing rate. Given the effect of these various traits on fitness, pleiotropy may alter the evolution of both mating systems and floral displays, two characters with high diversity among angiosperms. The influence of viability selection on mating system evolution has not been studied theoretically. We model plant mating system evolution when a single locus simultaneously affects the selfing rate, pollen export, and viability. We assume frequency-independent mating, so our model characterizes prior selfing. Pleiotropy between increased viability and selfing rate reduces opportunities for the evolution of pure outcrossing, can favor complete selfing despite high inbreeding depression, and notably, can cause the evolution of mixed mating despite very high inbreeding depression. These results highlight the importance of pleiotropy for mating system evolution and suggest that selection by nonpollinating agents may help explain mixed mating, particularly in species with very high inbreeding depression.     

Effects of handling regime and sex on changes in cortisol, thyroid hormones and body mass in fasting grey seal pups

Survival of seal pups may be affected by their ability to respond appropriately to stress. Chronic stress can adversely affect secretion of cortisol and thyroid hormones, which contribute to the control of fuel utilisation. Repeated handling could disrupt the endocrine response to stress and/or negatively impact upon mass changes during fasting. Here we investigated the effects of handling regime on cortisol and thyroid hormone levels, and body mass changes, in fasting male and female grey seal pups (Halichoerus grypus). Females had higher thyroid hormone levels than males throughout fasting and showed a reduction in cortisol midway through the fast that was not seen in males. This may reflect sex-specific fuel allocation or development. Neither handling frequency nor cumulative contact time affected plasma cortisol or thyroid hormone levels, the rate of increase in cortisol over the first five minutes of physical contact or the pattern of mass loss during fasting in either sex. The endocrine response to stress and the control of energy balance in grey seal pups appear to be robust to repeated, short periods of handling. Our results suggest that routine handling should have no additional impact on these animals than general disturbance caused by researchers moving around the colony.     

高阶混合中立型差分方程的振动性质

研究了一类高阶混合中立型差分方程的振动性质,得到了这类差分方程的振动判据.     

385例女性阴道混合感染的临床分析

目的 通过对阴道分泌物进行微生态菌群检查,细菌、真菌培养鉴定及生殖道支原体检测,全面评估女性阴道混合感染的微生态状况,为临床诊断治疗提供适宜的依据.方法 2011年1月至201 1年8月,取在甘肃省妇幼保健院就诊的385例阴道炎患者阴道分泌物,革兰染色后油镜下观察阴道菌群,采用生化快速检测技术进行阴道微生态功能测定,同时进行细菌、真菌培养鉴定及解脲脲原体和人型支原体检测.结果 在385例患者中,单一感染90例(23.4％),混合感染154例(40.0％),菌群失调141例(36.6％).其中需氧菌阴道炎(AV)20例(5.2％)、细菌性阴道病( BV)27例(7.0％)、外阴阴道假丝酵母菌病(VVC)18例(4.7％)、生殖道支原体感染(MP) 25例(6.5％)、AV+BV+ VVC 18例(4.7％)、AV+ BV+ MP 72例(18.7％)、AV+ MP 18例(4.7％)、VVC+ MP 9例(2.3％)、AV+ TV 1例(0.25％).结论 阴道炎是妇科常见感染性疾病,混合感染和微生态失衡为其主要原因.客观评价阴道感染,及时、全面、有效的诊治是治疗阴道炎的关键.     

In vitro maturation of canine oocytes co-cultured with bovine and canine granulosa cell monolayers

The present study investigated the effects of bovine granulosa cell monolayers (BGML) and canine granulosa cell monolayers (CGML) on nuclear maturation of canine oocytes with and without cumulus cells. Cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) or cumulus-free oocytes were cultured in Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium (DMEM, control group), DMEM with BGML (BGML group), or DMEM with CGML (CGML group) for 72 h at 38.5 °C in 5% CO₂, 5% O_2, and 90% N₂. All media were supplemented with 10% of FCS, 50 ng/mL of EGF, 2 μg/mL of estradiol-17β, 0.1 IU/mL of hCG, 0.1 IU/mL of FSH, 0.25 mM of pyruvic acid, 100 μM of β-mercaptoethanol, 100 IU/mL of penicillin, and 100 μg/mL of streptomycin. In cumulus-enclosed oocytes retrieved from ovaries at estrus and/or diestrus, the highest percentage of M-II oocytes (P < 0.05) was present in the BGML group (27.0%) compared with the CGML group (7.9%) and the control group (3.5%). In cumulus-free oocytes collected from ovaries at estrus and/or diestrus, the proportions of M-II oocytes co-cultured with the CGML were low (3.0%) and similar (P > 0.05) to proportions achieved with control (3.0%). However, the presence of BGML improved (P < 0.05) the ability of denuded oocytes to develop into M-II (10.2%). The BGML group had the highest overall meiotic resumption (P < 0.05), and least oocyte degeneration (P < 0.05) among experimental groups. In conclusion, BGML had a positive impact on the in vitro maturation system, as well as meiotic resumption of canine oocytes.     

Growth-climate responses indicate shifts in the competitive ability of European beech and Norway spruce under recent climate warming in East-Central Europe

Long-term changes in climate substantially affect the tree growth and species distribution in Europe. In the presented study, the radial growth of Fagus sylvatica (L.) and Picea abies ((L.) Karst.) has been studied along an altitudinal gradient covering six vegetation formations characteristic for sub-montane, montane and high-montane conditions of the western Carpathians. Tree growth responses to temperature and precipitation changes have been analysed based on the sample of increment cores and standard dendroclimatic methods in two time periods, the reference period 1961–1990 and the recent period 1991–2012. The growth responses of spruce and beech to recent changes in climate were similar up to high-montane zones, where the beech shows significantly larger improvements of radial increments in comparison to spruce. The growth responses were mainly temperature driven. In the sub-montane area, the increased effect of precipitation in the recent period was overridden by the negative effects of warming, and the alleviated temperature limitation had an evidently supportive effect on tree growth in montane and high-montane areas. In the near future, the warming will likely cause decline in radial increments of beech and spruce in sub-montane areas due to expected landscape drying. At the same time, the improved competitive ability of beech in the high-montane zones suggests a shift in the leading edge of beech distribution into higher altitudes in East-Central Europe.     

早期分解中油松与阔叶树种凋落叶混合分解效应及其相互影响

以油松( Pinus tabuliformis Carrière)和5种阔叶树的凋落叶为对象,使用分解袋法在室内进行为期6个月的针阔混合分解实验,研究产生的混合分解效应、针阔凋落叶对彼此分解速率的影响及其可能产生机理。结果显示:(1)油松分别与红桦( Betula albo-sinensis Burk.)、灰楸( Catalpa fargesii Bur.)、太白杨( Populus purdomii Rehd.)凋落叶混合对分解速率均产生加性效应,但其中油松凋落叶分解受到显著促进,而阔叶凋落叶分解受到显著抑制。油松与杜仲( Eucommia ulmoides Oliver)凋落叶混合时两者分解速率均显著降低,油松与槭树( Acer tsinglingense Fang et Hsieh)凋落叶混合时两者分解速率均显著提高;(2)总体而言,在蔗糖酶、羧甲基纤维素酶和多酚氧化酶参与凋落叶分解的主要时期,红桦、灰楸、太白杨分别与油松凋落叶混合分解使土壤中这3种酶的活性较油松单独分解时显著提高,而较阔叶凋落叶单独分解时显著降低;油松与杜仲混合分解使这3种酶活性较两者单独分解时显著降低,而油松与槭树混合分解则产生相反效果。本研究结果表明,从凋落叶混合分解对物质循环影响的角度考虑,红桦、灰楸、太白杨和槭树可以用于油松纯林的混交改造,但应注意混交对阔叶树种分解的抑制;杜仲与油松凋落叶混合分解将会妨碍彼此养分循环,不宜混交改造。     

Effect of surface coverage of gold(111) electrode with cysteine on the chiral discrimination of DOPA

The enantioselectivity imparted to a gold electrode by modifying its surface with a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) of cysteine (Cys) was investigated for the electrochemical redox reaction of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA). A cyclic voltammetric study of the redox reaction revealed that the enantioselectivity was determined by the surface coverage of the gold electrode with Cys molecules. The electrode modified with approximately 1.8 x 10(14) Cys molecules cm(-2) exhibited enantioselectivity in the voltammogram for the oxidation and reduction of DOPA, while the voltammograms obtained by the electrodes with either more or less surface coverages did not exhibit significant enantioselectivity. It is suggested that the accessibility of DOPA to that area of the gold surface which is not blocked by Cys molecules at an optimum surface coverage, is required for the enantioselective redox reaction of DOPA to proceed.     

Self-assembled monolayer-based piezoelectric flow immunosensor for the determination of canine immunoglobulin

A simple, highly sensitive immunosensor for the direct determination of immunoglobulin (Ig) in canine serum based on a piezoelectric crystal accommodated in a flow-cell was developed and optimized. The new biosensor is also useful for discriminating between Ig subclasses present in canine serum by using specific monoclonal antibodies binding to the coated crystal. Various canine monoclonal anti-IgG were deposited onto the surface of the gold-coated crystal resonator using the self-assembly technique to form a receptor layer. The highly ordered self-assembled monolayers thus obtained provide a well-controlled surface structure and many advantages as regards sensing performance. The results obtained with the proposed immunosensor were compared with those provided by a protein A-based orientation-controlled immobilization method for the same monoclonal antibodies and also with direct physical adsorption of the antibodies. The crystal was accommodated in a flow-cell that was inserted into a buffer flowing stream in order to make resonant frequency measurements.