Characterization and antioxidant activity of an exopolysaccharide produced by Leuconostoc pseudomesenteroides JF17 from juçara fruits (Euterpe edulis Martius)

Juçara palm tree is considered an important species in the Atlantic forest ecosystem and the exploitation of its fruits is a main sustainable strategy adopted to its maintenance. Among several microorganisms in the juçara fruits, were found lactic acid bacteria (LAB) highly capable of synthesizing exopolysaccharides (EPS). Thus, the EPS synthesized by Leuconostoc pseudomesenteroides JF17 was characterized according to its chemical structure, physicochemical properties and antioxidant activity. HPLC analysis showed that the EPS consisted of a homopolysaccharide composed of glucose units, FT-IR spectroscopy revealed a dextran, confirmed by ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectra which showed the composition of the polysaccharide, d-glucose units bound by α-(1→6). The EPS showed high water retention capacity, 507.812 ± 47.471 %, and may be related to the porous structure revealed by SEM images. Thermal analysis indicated that the EPS had excellent thermal stability with degradation temperature of 320.8 °C and melting point at 279.81 °C, with the enthalpy of 106.557 J/g. The EPS also presented sequestration ability on different free radicals tested, indicating high antioxidant activity. The results suggest that L. pseudomesenteroides JF17 might be widely used in the production of dextran which has potential qualities for applications in the food industry.     

ABC转运蛋白及其在合成生物学中的应用

ABC转运蛋白(ATP-binding cassette transporter,ABC transporter)作为一种超大膜转运蛋白家族,在大多数生物体中发挥着重要作用。文中从结构特征、转运机制以及生理功能等方面论述了ABC转运蛋白的研究进展,进而着重综述了近些年来ABC转运蛋白在合成生物学领域中的应用,并为今后进一步的研究提出了展望,希望为扩展其应用提供指导。     

小麦倒春寒研究现状与进展

由于全球气候变暖,近年来小麦低温灾害事件频发,尤其是拔节-孕穗期的倒春寒灾害已成为制约小麦产量和品质的重要因素之一。本文综述了小麦倒春寒灾害的发生特点(鉴定与分级、时空特征),倒春寒对小麦生理特性(叶片、茎秆、穗部、根系)和产量、质量的影响,总结了抗倒春寒小麦育种、倒春寒危害的分子生物学机制及灾害的监测预警与风险评估等方面的研究进展,并从小麦抗倒春寒遗传基础、倒春寒危害小麦评价体系和防控技术体系等方面进行了展望,以期为抗倒春寒小麦品种的遗传改良和栽培调控新措施的建立提供理论依据。     

盐胁迫下解钾菌对枸杞幼苗的促生效应

以‘宁杞1号’枸杞为研究对象,采用单因素随机区组试验设计,研究不添加NaCl和菌剂(CK)、100 mmol·L^-1 NaCl胁迫(NaCl)、100 mmol·L^-1 NaCl胁迫下添加解钾菌KSBGY01单菌液(NaCl-M1)、KSBGY02单菌液(NaCl-M2)及其混合菌液(NaCl-M3)对枸杞幼苗叶片叶绿素、多酚、超氧阴离子(O₂^-·)、过氧化氢(H₂O₂)和可溶性糖含量、抗氧化物酶和蔗糖代谢酶活性的影响,以探索解钾菌对盐胁迫下枸杞生理生化特性的影响。结果表明: 盐胁迫下解钾菌能够提高枸杞叶片类黄酮(FLAV)、荧光激发比花青素相对指数(FERARI)、花青素(ANTH-RB)和氮素平衡指数(NBI-G),降低O₂^-·和H₂O₂含量,增加可溶性糖含量及过氧化氢酶(CAT)、蔗糖磷酸合成酶(SPS)、蔗糖合成酶(SS)和转化酶(INV)活性。不同处理间比较,NaCl-M2处理中枸杞叶片ANTH-RB值、NBI-G值、可溶性糖含量及CAT、SPS、SS和INV活性最高;NaCl-M3处理中枸杞叶片叶绿素含量、FLAV和FERARI值最高;NaCl-M1处理中枸杞叶片超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性最高;不添加解钾菌的NaCl处理中枸杞叶片谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)活性最高;CK处理中枸杞叶片过氧化物酶(POD)活性最高。对枸杞幼苗14项生理生化指标进行灰色系统关联度分析表明,盐胁迫条件下添加解钾菌处理的枸杞生理生化指标加权关联度均高于CK和NaCl处理,其中NaCl-M2处理的加权关联度最高。因此,添加KSBGY02单菌液更有利于缓解盐胁迫对枸杞幼苗的影响。     

热风干燥温度对荷叶离褶伞干燥特性及挥发性风味物质的影响

为探究不同热风干燥温度对荷叶离褶伞干燥特性及挥发性风味物质的影响。本研究比较了8种常见干燥动力学模型对荷叶离褶伞干燥过程拟合的适用性,采用GC-IMS技术,对不同干燥温度处理下荷叶离褶伞的挥发性风味物质进行测定。结果表明：荷叶离褶伞热风干燥为典型的降速干燥,Midilli-Kucuk模型可以较好地描述其热风干燥过程（R²>0.99791,RMSE<0.0152,χ²<2.31×10^-4）;温度对荷叶离褶伞风味物质影响显著,在5个干燥温度处理下的荷叶离褶伞中共鉴定到47种挥发性风味物质,包括醛类13种、酮类8种、醇类13种、酯类5种和其他类8种。随着干燥温度升高（55-75℃）,醛类物质相对含量呈下降趋势,而醇类、酮类以及其他物质（乙酸等）略有上升趋势。     

云南特有螺类光肋螺蛳主要生物学特征研究

光肋螺蛳（Margarya mansugi）是仅分布于云南省的特有螺类。受过度捕捞、栖息环境破坏等人为因素影响,光肋螺蛳自然种群急剧萎缩,目前已被世界自然保护联盟列为极危物种。由于光肋螺蛳的研究资料匮乏,其生物学特征尚未被完全掌握,制约了光肋螺蛳保护对策的制定。为此,通过室内人工驯养观察,记述了光肋螺蛳的形态、活动习性、食性、生长和繁殖等主要生物学特征。光肋螺蛳壳质厚且坚硬,呈长圆锥形,褐色,角质厣,螺壳一般有5~6个螺层,体螺层有4条环肋,雌螺体型一般比同龄雄螺大;喜栖息在水体底层,夜晚活动频率明显高于白天;主要以藻类为食,成螺经驯化可摄食人工配合饲料;仔螺、幼螺和成螺的生长速度顺次降低;性成熟时间需要两年以上,卵胎生,终年生产,一般在白天交配,交配时间7~10 h,分批产仔,每次产仔1~2只,观察到的一只雌螺分9批产仔,共产仔螺14只。从受精到仔螺产出需85 d以上。本研究可为光肋螺蛳基础生物学研究积累资料,同时也可为高原湖泊特有螺类的人工驯养繁育提供参考。     

Interspecific allometry for sexual shape dimorphism: Macroevolution of multivariate sexual phenotypes with application to Rensch's rule

Allometric trends in the degree of sexual dimorphism with body size have long fascinated evolutionary biologists. Many male-biased clades display more prominent sexual dimorphism in larger taxa (Rensch's rule), with most examples documenting this pattern for body size dimorphism. Although sexual dimorphism in traits other than body size is equally functionally relevant, characterizing allometric patterns of sexual dimorphism in such traits is hampered by lack of an analytical framework that can accommodate multivariate phenotypes. In this article, we derive a multivariate equivalency for investigating trends in sexual dimorphism—relative to overall body size—across taxa and provide a generalized test to determine whether such allometric patterns correspond with Rensch's rule. For univariate linear traits such as body size, our approach yields equivalent results to those from standard procedures, but our test is also capable of detecting trends in multivariate datasets such as shape. Computer simulations reveal that the method displays appropriate statistical properties, and an empirical example in Mediterranean lizards provides the first demonstration of Rensch's rule in a multivariate phenotype (head shape). Our generalized procedure substantially extends the analytical toolkit for investigating macroevolutionary patterns of sexual dimorphism and seeking a better understanding of the processes that underlie them.     

暗黑菌(Atribacteria)的环境分布和功能特征

暗黑菌门包括OP9和JS1两大分支,成员大多为未培养微生物,在自然环境中广泛分布,并且在部分环境如厌氧海洋沉积物、地热环境以及油藏中为优势微生物。基于基因组信息的研究表明,暗黑菌为严格的厌氧微生物,同时具有降解糖类、小分子酸、短链正构烷烃的能力,在地球碳循环过程中可能扮演着重要的角色。然而,由于缺乏相应代表性的纯培养菌株,对于暗黑菌的生理生化功能推测仍有待验证。文章概述了暗黑菌的发现及发展历史,分析了其环境分布和多样性,简述了目前提出的三种代谢方式,提出了未来暗黑菌的研究发展方向。     

Three new synonyms of Macromitrium microstomum (Hook. & Grev.) Schwägr. (Bryophyta,Orthotrichaceae), with comments on its morphological variations

Macromitrium filicaule Müll.Hal., M. pacificum var. brevisetum Thér. and M. subnitidum Müll.Hal are placed in synonymy with Macromitrium microstomum (Hook. & Grev.) Schwägr. The morphological variations of M. microstomum branch leaves, perichaetial leaves and capsules are illustrated by digital images.     

A new method for post Genome-Wide Association Study (GWAS) analysis of colorectal cancer in Taiwan

Recently, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) located in specific loci or genes have been identified associated with susceptibility to colorectal cancer (CRC) in Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS). However, in different ethnicities and regions, the genetic variations and the environmental factors can widely vary. Therefore, here we propose a post-GWAS analysis method to investigate the CRC susceptibility SNPs in Taiwan by conducting a replication analysis and bioinformatics analysis. One hundred and forty-four significant SNPs from published GWAS results were collected by a literature survey, and two hundred and eighteen CRC samples and 385 normal samples were collected for post-GWAS analysis. Finally, twenty-six significant SNPs were identified and reported as associated with susceptibility to colorectal cancer, other cancers, obesity, and celiac disease in a previous GWAS study. Functional analysis results of 26 SNPs indicate that most biological processes identified are involved in regulating immune responses and apoptosis. In addition, an efficient prediction model was constructed by applying Jackknife feature selection and ANOVA testing. As compared to another risk prediction model of CRC for European Caucasians population, which performs 0.616 of AUC by using 54 SNPs, the proposed model shows good performance in predicting CRC risk within the Taiwanese population, i.e., 0.724 AUC by using 16 SNPs. We believe that the proposed risk prediction model is highly promising for predicting CRC risk within the Taiwanese population. In addition, the functional analysis results could be helpful to explore the potential associated regulatory mechanisms that may be involved in CRC development.