Combining focused identification of germplasm and core collection strategies to identify genebank accessions for central European soybean breeding

Environmental adaptation of crops is essential for reliable agricultural production and an important breeding objective. Genebanks provide genetic variation for the improvement of modern varieties, but the selection of suitable germplasm is frequently impeded by incomplete phenotypic data. We address this bottleneck by combining a Focused Identification of Germplasm Strategy (FIGS) with core collection methodology to select soybean (Glycine max) germplasm for Central European breeding from a collection of >17,000 accessions. By focussing on adaptation to high-latitude cold regions, we selected an “environmental precore” of 3,663 accessions using environmental data and compared the Donor opulation of Environments (DPE) in Asia and the Target Population of Environments (TPE) in Central Europe in the present and 2070. Using single nucleotide polymorphisms, we reduced the precore into two diverse core collections of 183 and 366 accessions to serve as diversity panels for evaluation in the TPE. Genetic differentiation between precore and non-precore accessions revealed genomic regions that control maturity, and novel candidate loci for environmental adaptation, demonstrating the potential of diversity panels for studying adaptation. Objective-driven core collections have the potential to increase germplasm utilization for abiotic adaptation by breeding for a rapidly changing climate, or de novo adaptation of crops to expand cultivation ranges.     

Honokiol: A non-adipogenic PPARγ agonist from nature

Background

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) agonists are clinically used to counteract hyperglycemia. However, so far experienced unwanted side effects, such as weight gain, promote the search for new PPARγ activators.

Methods

We used a combination of in silico, in vitro, cell-based and in vivo models to identify and validate natural products as promising leads for partial novel PPARγ agonists.

Results

The natural product honokiol from the traditional Chinese herbal drug Magnolia bark was in silico predicted to bind into the PPARγ ligand binding pocket as dimer. Honokiol indeed directly bound to purified PPARγ ligand-binding domain (LBD) and acted as partial agonist in a PPARγ-mediated luciferase reporter assay. Honokiol was then directly compared to the clinically used full agonist pioglitazone with regard to stimulation of glucose uptake in adipocytes as well as adipogenic differentiation in 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes and mouse embryonic fibroblasts. While honokiol stimulated basal glucose uptake to a similar extent as pioglitazone, it did not induce adipogenesis in contrast to pioglitazone. In diabetic KKAy mice oral application of honokiol prevented hyperglycemia and suppressed weight gain.

Conclusion

We identified honokiol as a partial non-adipogenic PPARγ agonist in vitro which prevented hyperglycemia and weight gain in vivo.

General significance

This observed activity profile suggests honokiol as promising new pharmaceutical lead or dietary supplement to combat metabolic disease, and provides a molecular explanation for the use of Magnolia in traditional medicine.     

Establishment and characterization of an epithelial cell line from thymus of Catla catla (Hamilton, 1822)

A cell line, CTE, derived from catla (Catla catla) thymus has been established by explant method and subcultured for more than 70 passages over a period of 400 days. The cell line has been maintained in L-15 (Leibovitz) medium supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum. CTE cell line consists of homogeneous population of epithelial-like cells and grows optimally at 28 °C. Karyotype analysis revealed that the modal chromosome number of CTE cells was 50. Partial amplification, sequencing and alignment of fragments of two mitochondrial genes 16S rRNA and COI confirmed that CTE cell line originated from catla. Significant green fluorescent signals were observed when the cell line was transfected with phrGFP II-N mammalian expression vector, indicating its potential utility for transgenic and genetic manipulation studies. The CTE cells showed strong positivity for cytokeratin, indicating that cell line was epithelial in nature. The flow cytometric analysis of cell line revealed a higher number of cells in S-phase at 48 h, suggesting a high growth rate. The extracellular products of Vibrio cholerae MTCC 3904 were toxic to the CTE cells. This cell line was not susceptible to fish betanodavirus, the causative agent of viral nervous necrosis in a large variety of marine fish.     

Distribution,habitat disturbance and pollination of the endangered orchid Broughtonia cubensis (Epidendrae: Laeliinae)

The geographical distribution, population structure and pollination ecology are key aspects in the conservation and management of rare orchids. Here, we address these aspects and the main threats affecting the endangered Cuban orchid Broughtonia cubensis. This rewardless orchid is self‐compatible, but pollinator dependent. However, seed production can be negatively affected by insect‐mediated selfing. Three species of small bee (genera Ceratina and Lasioglossum) act as pollinators. As in the case of other nectarless orchids, we detected two species of plant producing large amounts of nectar in the area, the floral morphology of which closely resembles that of B. cubensis. The simultaneous flowering of these species could positively affect the reproductive success of B. cubensis. Nonetheless, the fitness of this orchid in natural conditions is low, possibly related to strong pollen limitation. To the problems arising from reduced fitness is added the fact that its historical distribution range has been greatly reduced in recent years. Throughout this study, we have detected dramatic reductions in the population sizes, in some cases as a result of human plundering, but also as a consequence of hurricanes. Based on the results of this study, we propose some guidelines to manage and conserve this orchid. © 2013 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2013, 172 , 345–357.     

Production of phenolics and the emission of volatile organic compounds by perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.)/Neotyphodium lolii association as a response to infection by Fusarium poae

Grasses very often form symbiotic associations with Neotyphodium/Epichloë endophytic fungi. These endophytes often allow the host grass to be protected from different pathogens. However, there is little known about the mechanisms of such endophyte influence on the host. Thus, the purpose of this research was to examine the effect of the N. lolii endophyte on the total production of phenolic compounds, VOCs emission and the resistance of three perennial ryegrass genotypes infected by pathogenic Fusarium poae. Analyses of total phenolics content were performed in control (not inoculated) and inoculated plants after 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 days (DAI) and for VOCs after 0, 3, 6 and 12 DAI. The presence of endophytes significantly reduced the disease index in two of the three genotypes relative to that in E−. Plants infected by N. lolii exhibited higher production of phenolics relative to the E− plants. The highest amounts of phenolics were observed on the second and sixth DAI. Genotype Nl22 showed the strongest effect of the endophyte on the production of phenolics, which increased by over 61%. Both the endophyte infected and non-infected plants emitted most abundantly two GLVs ((Z)-3-hexenal, (Z)-3-hexen-1-yl acetate), three terpenes (linalool, (Z)-ocimene, β-caryophyllene) and three shikimic acid pathway derivatives (benzyl acetate, indole, and methyl salicylate). The endophyte presence and the intervals of VOCs detection were a highly significant source of variation for all emitted volatiles (P < 0.001). The genotype of the perennial ryegrass significantly affected only the emission of methyl salicylate (P < 0.05) and β-caryophyllene (P < 0.05). Most of the VOCs ((Z)-3-hexen-1-yl acetate, (Z)-3-hexenal, linalool and methyl salicylate) reached their highest levels of emission on the sixth DAI, when averaged over genotypes and endophyte status. The results highlight the role of Neotyphodium spp. in the mediation of quadro-trophic interactions among plants, symbiotic endophytes, invertebrate herbivores and plant pathogenic fungi. Our results also confirm the fact that symbiotic plants can activate a defense reaction faster than non-symbiotic plants after a pathogen attack. Thus, N. lolii can be involved in the defense of perennial ryegrass against pathogens and potentially could be central to the host plants’ protection.     

利用表型数据构建陆地棉核心种质

以5963份陆地棉种质资源为材料,根据品种主要突变性状和品种类型分组成11组群,在分组的基础上利用21个表型性状,用非加权类平均聚类分析法,构建了281份陆地棉核心种质,占全部种质资源总量的4.71%。利用不同性状的均值t测验、方差F测验、变异系数、多样性指数t检验、均值、极差、表型方差、变异系数、均值差异百分率、方差差异百分率、极差符合率、变异系数变化率、主成分分析等参数进行核心种质代表性检验和评价。结果表明,所构建的陆地棉核心种质可以代表全部种质的遗传多样性。     

小麦微核心种质γ射线辐射敏感性分析

以259个小麦微核心种质为材料进行剂量为0、100、150、250 Gy的60Coγ射线辐照处理,探讨小麦微核心种质的γ射线辐射敏感性分布,以及DNA损伤修复基因TaKu70和TaKu80对辐照的应答模式。结果表明,小麦微核心种质的苗高损伤率与γ射线辐照剂量间存在着3种函数关系:对数、线性、幂函数。以苗高损伤率为50%时的辐照剂量HD50作为主要的辐射敏感性分型指标,分别统计不同函数关系的微核心种质落入不同剂量区间的基因型个数,并依此将259份微核心种质分为敏感型(10)、较敏感型(96)、较钝感型(101)、钝感型(52)。对数函数关系中以敏感型和较敏感型为主,随着γ射线辐照剂量的增加TaKu70和TaKu80基因的相对表达量与对照相比总体升高,但变化不明显;线性函数关系中以较敏感型和较钝感型为主,TaKu70和TaKu80基因的相对表达量与对照相比总体升高,随剂量的增加而逐渐递增;幂函数关系中以较钝感型和钝感型为主,TaKu70和TaKu80基因的相对表达量与对照相比总体升高,但随剂量的增加呈现先增加后降低的趋势,一般相对表达量的峰值出现在150 Gy。     

管网雨水补给河道用水的人工湿地水质净化流程研究

中国北方部分地区水资源短缺,河道干涸,但夏季雨水资源潜力丰富。虽径流受到一定污染,但较于生活污水和工业废水,其污染程度更低,成分更简单。雨水通过低运行成本的人工湿地净化系统,可以实现较好的净化效果,满足河道景观需求和生态补水。城市管网雨水承载能力过重的城市边缘区,建设更新过程中进行雨污分流制度,更适于采用人工水质净化的方式将城市雨水管网中的雨水进行就近消纳,减轻城市雨水管网压力,并利用表面负荷率（ALR）来确定并校核人工湿地面积。在综合现在人工水质净化主流程预处理单元、人工湿地单元和消毒存储单元3个环节的基础上,以低运营成本、低管理成本、最优净水量为指向,引入物联网技术智能管控系统,行程具有能控制各级出水水质监测、多级管控、净水生态功能与游览景观功能相结合等多重优点的人工水质净化全流程,达到符合河道水质标准的净化效果。该流程为缓解北方城镇河道缺水现状、解决城市雨洪问题提供新思路。     

亲缘供者外周血红细胞参数对造血干细胞采集影响的经验分析

目的探讨亲缘供者外周血红细胞参数对COBE Spectra血细胞分离机的自动外周血干细胞采集程序（AutoPBSC程序）与单个核细胞采集程序（MNC程序）的影响及经验分析。 方法选取河北燕达陆道培医院2019年6月至2021年2月小红细胞亲缘供者31例45次采集为小红细胞组,选取同期非小红细胞亲缘供者51例60次采集为非小红细胞组,分别应用AutoPBSC程序和MNC程序,比较两组采集情况及采集产品相关指标。采用独立样本t检验和Mann-Whitney U检验分析2组计量资料的差异。 结果与小红细胞AutoPBSC程序组比较,小红细胞MNC程序组血小板（PLT）降低率[（25.88±15.83）﹪比（36.64±10.22）﹪]、采集效率[32.65﹪（23.60﹪,73.82﹪）比63.74﹪ （59.83﹪,68.55﹪）]、采集物体积[（158.83±34.39）比（222.91±63.9）mL]、MNC总数[（218.04±117.57）×10⁸/L比（350.24±127.64）×10⁸/L]、CD34⁺细胞总数[113.83×10⁶/L （79.25×10⁶/L,154.10×10⁶/L）比233.26×10⁶/L （177.18×10⁶/L,392.51×10⁶/L）]、MNC计数[（4.04±2.61）×10⁸/kg比（5.54±2.22）×10⁸/ kg]、CD34⁺计数[1.84×10⁶/kg （1.16×10⁶/kg,4.41×10⁶/kg）比3.64×10⁶/kg （2.49×10⁶/kg,6.37×10⁶/kg）]均升高,差异有统计学意义（P < 0.05）;与非小红细胞AutoPBSC程序组比较,非小红细胞组MNC程序组采集物体积[（162.83±51.74）比（242.56±43.25）mL]升高,差异有统计学意义（P < 0.05）。 结论对造血干细胞移植供者红细胞体积偏小时,应用MNC程序采集外周血造血干细胞,比应用AutoPBSC程序更有优势。