Large old trees increase growth under shifting climatic constraints: Aligning tree longevity and individual growth dynamics in primary mountain spruce forests

In a world of accelerating changes in environmental conditions driving tree growth, tradeoffs between tree growth rate and longevity could curtail the abundance of large old trees (LOTs), with potentially dire consequences for biodiversity and carbon storage. However, the influence of tree-level tradeoffs on forest structure at landscape scales will also depend on disturbances, which shape tree size and age distribution, and on whether LOTs can benefit from improved growing conditions due to climate warming. We analyzed temporal and spatial variation in radial growth patterns from ~5000 Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] H. Karst) live and dead trees from the Western Carpathian primary spruce forest stands. We applied mixed-linear modeling to quantify the importance of LOT growth histories and stand dynamics (i.e., competition and disturbance factors) on lifespan. Finally, we assessed regional synchronization in radial growth variability over the 20th century, and modeled the effects of stand dynamics and climate on LOTs recent growth trends. Tree age varied considerably among forest stands, implying an important role of disturbance as an age constraint. Slow juvenile growth and longer period of suppressed growth prolonged tree lifespan, while increasing disturbance severity and shorter time since last disturbance decreased it. The highest age was not achieved only by trees with continuous slow growth, but those with slow juvenile growth followed by subsequent growth releases. Growth trend analysis demonstrated an increase in absolute growth rates in response to climate warming, with late summer temperatures driving the recent growth trend. Contrary to our expectation that LOTs would eventually exhibit declining growth rates, the oldest LOTs (>400 years) continuously increase growth throughout their lives, indicating a high phenotypic plasticity of LOTs for increasing biomass, and a strong carbon sink role of primary spruce forests under rising temperatures, intensifying droughts, and increasing bark beetle outbreaks.     

Naegleria: A Research Partner For Cell and Developmental Biology1

ABSTRACT. Organisms in the genus Naegleria offer special opportunities for research in contemporary biology. the dramatic cell differentiation from amebae to flagellates is unique among eukaryotes in the rapidity, synchrony, reproducibility, homogeneity, and accessibility of a major phenotypic change. Environmental signals initiate a progressive signal transduction pathway in which genes are turned on, including those for several calcium-binding proteins, and newly synthesized proteins become localized in newly assembled organelles, including the centriole-like basal bodies, with the overall consequence that the cell changes its shape, motility, and behavior. This essay reviews research opportunities for which Naegleria excels, as well as interesting aspects of its biology that provide challenges for future investigations. Because these organisms alternate between two major eukaryotic motility forms, their phylogenetic position is also provocative. Although there are hints that Naegleria is capable of sexual reproduction in nature, mating has not yet been observed in the laboratory. In order to fully exploit the opportunities offered by this wonderful experimental system we are working to develop means to do genetic manipulation, in particular via DNA-mediated transformation.     

Identification of a novel mechanism for LFA-1 organization during NK cytolytic response

The elimination of transformed and viral infected cells by natural killer (NK) cells requires a specialized junction between NK and target cells, denominated immunological synapse (IS). After initial recognition, the IS enables the directed secretion of lytic granules content into the susceptible target cell. The lymphocyte function-associated antigen (LFA)-1 regulates NK effector function by enabling NK-IS assembly and maturation. The pathways underlying LFA-1 accumulation at the IS in NK cells remained uncharacterized. A kinase anchoring protein 350 (AKAP350) is a centrosome/Golgi-associated protein, which, in T cells, participates in LFA-1 activation by mechanisms that have not been elucidated. We first evaluated AKAP350 participation in NK cytolytic activity. Our results showed that the decrease in AKAP350 levels by RNA interference (AKAP350KD) inhibited NK-YTS cytolytic activity, without affecting conjugate formation. The impairment of NK effector function in AKAP350KD cells correlated with decreased LFA-1 clustering and defective IS maturation. AKAP350KD cells that were exclusively activated via LFA-1 showed impaired LFA-1 organization and deficient lytic granule translocation as well. In NK AKAP350KD cells, activation signaling through Vav1 was preserved up to 10 min of interaction with target cells, but significantly decreased afterwards. Experiments in YTS and in ex vivo NK cells identified an intracellular pool of LFA-1, which partially associated with the Golgi apparatus and, upon NK activation, redistributed to the IS in an AKAP350-dependent manner. The analysis of Golgi organization indicated that the decrease in AKAP350 expression led to the disruption of the Golgi integrity in NK cells. Alteration of Golgi function by BFA treatment or AKAP350 delocalization from this organelle also led to impaired LFA-1 localization at the IS. Therefore, this study characterizes AKAP350 participation in the modulation of NK effector function, revealing the existence of a Golgi-dependent trafficking pathway for LFA-1, which is relevant for LFA-1 organization at NK-lytic IS.     

广东四片藻鞭毛器的亚微结构和囊壳的形成

本文详细研究了1种海生4条鞭毛的单胞绿藻——广东四片藻鞭毛器的亚微结构和囊壳的形成。4条鞭毛着生于细胞前端凹陷的基部,鞭毛表面覆盖2层鳞片;基体呈纵向平行的“Z”字形排列;具纹纤维连接内外径向排列的两个基体;4个片层状的卵形盘(或称半桥粒(halfdesmosome))微管和纤维物质构成的复合体将鞭毛器和根丝体固着在质膜和囊壳上。根丝体通过两束交叉的微管带与两个邻近的外侧基体相连接。这种连接方式与其它已研究过的四片藻是不同的。囊壳的形成开始于内膜系统,特别是高尔基体。纤维丛和电子密集颗粒在其中合成、修饰,同时由高尔基体衍生的小泡转移到原生质体表面特定的区域,然后经若干步骤接合成完整的囊壳。这个区域与蛋白核的位置相关,表明聚合星状颗粒酶是在蛋白核位点制造或释放的,同时分泌到细胞外。囊壳沿边生长组装与细胞质发育产生特征性的前端鞭毛凹陷同时发生。     

中国蒿属植物比较形态和解剖学研究——(Ⅰ)叶表皮结构

本文通过光学显微镜和扫描电镜,观察国产菊科蒿属2亚属7组30种代表植物成熟叶片的表皮细胞、气孔器、表皮毛的特征和气孔形状、气孔外拱盖及拱盖内缘、角质膜和蜡质纹饰。其中表皮细胞多角(边)形,大小不等,垂周壁平直、弓形,或者表皮细胞形状不规则,大小不等,垂周壁波浪状或波纹状。下表皮均有气孔器,上表皮有或无气孔器,气孔器类型有无规则型。无规则四细胞型、不等细胞型、十字型、横列型和平列型。大多数种类具多细胞单列毛。多细胞双列毛和腺毛仅发现在腺毛蒿组。这些微形态特征在组间存在着某些差异,具有一定的分类学和生态学意义。     

气压治疗仪联合那屈肝素预防剖宫产术后下肢静脉栓塞的临床研究

摘要 目的：探究气压治疗仪联合那屈肝素预防剖宫产术后下肢静脉栓塞（DVT）的临床效果。方法：选取2021年1月～2022年8月长沙市妇幼保健院收治的172例剖宫产孕妇,以随机数字表法按1:1比例分为联合组、常规组,各86例。常规组采用那屈肝素预治疗,联合组采用气压治疗仪联合那屈肝素治疗。比较两组DVT发生率;术前、术后5 d凝血功能指标[凝血酶时间（TT）、纤维蛋白原（FIB）、活化部分凝血活酶时间（APTT）、凝血酶原时间（PT）]、血液流变学指标[全血高切黏度、血浆黏度、全血低切黏度];术前、术后1 d、5 d大小腿腿围;术前、术后1 d、3 d、5 d疼痛视觉模拟量表（VAS）评分。结果：联合组DVT发生率3.49%较常规组11.63%低（P＜0.05）;术后5 d联合组PT、APTT、TT较常规组高,FIB较常规组低（P＜0.05）;术后5 d联合组全血高切黏度、血浆黏度、全血低切黏度较常规组低（P＜0.05）;术后1 d、5 d联合组大小腿腿围较常规组低（P＜0.05）;术后1 d、3 d、5 d联合组VAS评分较常规组低（P＜0.05）。结论：气压治疗仪联合那屈肝素能有效改善剖宫产产妇术后凝血功能及血液流变学,缓解下肢肿胀,减轻术后疼痛,减少DVT的发生。     

Reversible dissociation of the plant golgi apparatus by brefeldin A

Summary— The effects of the drug Brefeldin A, shown to block the translocation of proteins between the endoplasmic reticulum and the Golgi apparatus in animal cells, were studied on different plant cell systems. In suspension culture cells and root tissues, the Golgi aparatus was affected by Brefeldin A treatments resulting in distortion and dissociation of the Golgi stacks, coupled with appearance of numerous vesicles in the cytoplasm. This process was reversible. Therefore, Brefeldin A provides a powerful tool with which to study Golgi dynamics and function in plant as well as in animal cells.     

THE FLAGELLAR APPARATUS OF HYMENOMONAS CORONATA (PRYMNESIOPHYTA)1

The ultrastructure of Hymenomonas coronata Mills was reinvestigated to determine the microarchitecture of the flagellar apparatus. Cell morphology and flagellar apparatus structure are very similar to those of Pleurochrysis. Some important variations occur. First, a crystalline root (= compound root) is absent on microtubular root 1. Second, a two-stranded microtubular root emanates at a right angle from microtubular root 2. Third, a fibrous root emanates from the dorsal region between the basal bodies and extends to the cell's right, paralleling microtubular root 3. These similarities and variations in flagellar apparatus characters are discussed in reference to known variations in the Prymnesiophyta.