植物病原物的群体遗传学

品种单一化、生产密集型和一年多茬的现代农业特点导致病原物呈现出进化速度加快、致病力增强及流行风险增大趋势。深入研究病原物群体遗传学对认识病害的流行、有效选育和使用抗性品种乃至控制病害具有重要意义。文章阐述了植物病原物群体遗传学的研究目标和内容、突变、基因迁移、基因重组、随机遗传漂变和自然选择5大遗传机制在植物病原物进化过程中的作用,以及目前植物病原物群体遗传学研究的现状。     

Long term oviposition preference and larval performance of Schizomyia macrocapillata (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) on larger shoots of its host plant Bauhinia brevipes (Fabaceae)

The Plant Vigor Hypothesis (PVH) proposes that natural selection on female oviposition choice results from higher fitness of larvae on more vigorous and larger plant modules. For six consecutive years we tested the PVH predictions by investigating the effect of shoot size of Bauhinia brevipes (Fabaceae) on the oviposition preference and offspring survival of the gall-midge Schizomyia macrocapillata (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae). Additionally, we analyzed the effects of bottom-up and top-down mortality forces on the system. The hypersensitive reaction (bottom-up effect) accounted for more than 90% larval mortality of S. macrocapillata, making available few galls to be found and killed by natural enemies (top-down effect). Smaller shoots were always more abundant while longer shoots were rare. Nevertheless, the percent number of galls induced by S. macrocapillata was up to 10-fold greater on the largest shoots, corroborating the preference prediction of the PVH. Schizomyia macrocapillata should use over-exploit larger shoots to maximize the preference for, and consequently increase the performance on these shoots. Our results partially support the performance prediction of the PVH: (1) the observed survival was higher than expected on longer shoots, and (2) the ratio of survival per shoot was positively related with shoot length only in 2 years. Thus, we found a link between female preference and larval performance on large-sized shoots, at least in some years. The gall-midge attack pattern in this study might be an evolved response to maximize the female preference and increased larval performance on longer shoots of the host plant.     

Aerodynamic advantages of upside down take-off for aerial dispersal in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tetranychus</Emphasis> spider mites

Aerial dispersal may be important for redistribution of spider mites into new habitats. Evidence for behavioral control of aerial take-off has been well documented for Tetranychus urticae Koch. Before aerial dispersal they exhibit the aerial take-off posture that involves lifting the forelegs upright and raising the forebody. However, whether the aerial take-off posture functions to increase drag has remained unclear. The objectives of this study were to clarify: (i) aerodynamic effects of the aerial take-off posture; and (ii) actual aerial take-off behavior in T. urticae. To evaluate the aerodynamic forces experienced by grounded spider mites in different postures, we constructed three-dimensional models of T. urticae, exhibiting the aerial take-off posture and the normal posture, using computer graphics. We found that the aerial take-off posture was effective in receiving greater rearward forces from wind rather than upward forces. As a result, aerial take-off from a horizontal platform is unlikely. Instead, inverted departure surfaces, e.g., lower leaf surfaces, with inclines are likely to be effective sites for take-off. Laboratory experiments and field observations indicated that the mites preferentially adopted such a position for orientation and take-off. Our findings provided a rationale for the take-off behavior of Tetranychus spider mites.     

Host-guest properties of the trinuclear arene-ruthenium cluster cation [H3Ru3(C6H6)(C6Me6)2(O)]

The trinuclear arene-ruthenium cluster cation [H₃Ru₃(C₆H₆)(C₆Me₆)₂(O)]⁺, containing a μ₃-oxo cap and three arene ligands that span a hydrophobic pocket above the metal skeleton, has been crystallised as tetrafluoroborate salt in the presence of various guest molecules. The host-guest complexes have been characterised by single-crystal X-ray structure analysis. With chloroform as the guest molecule, a CHCl₃ molecule sits perfectly in the hydrophobic pocket, the hydrogen atom being encapsulated inside the cavity. When dioxane is added during the crystallisation process, the cluster forms infinite chains which are connected by a complex network of hydrogen bonds involving the μ₃-oxo ligand, water and dioxane molecules. Interestingly, in the presence of phenol, a water molecule is hydrogen-bonded between the μ₃-oxo ligand and the phenol molecule, forming a one-dimensional μ₃-O ? H₂O ? HO hydrogen-bonded chain. Finally, with benzoic acid, a head-to-tail host-guest chain is obtained, the phenyl ring being incorporated in the hydrophobic pocket, while the acid group is hydrogen-bonded to the μ₃-oxo ligand.     

Mechanobiology of neural development

As the brain develops, proliferating cells organize into structures, differentiate, migrate, extrude long processes, and connect with other cells. These biological processes produce mechanical forces that further shape cellular dynamics and organ patterning. A major unanswered question in developmental biology is how the mechanical forces produced during development are detected and transduced by cells to impact biochemical and genetic programs of development. This gap in knowledge stems from a lack of understanding of the molecular players of cellular mechanics and an absence of techniques for measuring and manipulating mechanical forces in tissue. In this review article, we examine recent advances that are beginning to clear these bottlenecks and highlight results from new approaches that reveal the role of mechanical forces in neurodevelopmental processes.     

Influence of gait speed on free vertical moment during walking

Free vertical moment (FVM) of ground reaction is recognized to be a meaningful indicator of torsional stress on the lower limbs when walking. The purpose of this study was to examine whether and how gait speed influences the FVM when walking. Fourteen young healthy adults performed a series of overground walking trials at three different speeds: low, preferred and fast. FVM was measured during the stance phase of the dominant leg using a force platform embedded in a 10 m-long walkway. Transverse plane kinematic parameters of the foot and pelvis were measured using a motion capture system. Results showed a significant decrease in peak abduction FVM (i.e., resisting internal foot rotation) and an increase in peak adduction FVM (i.e., resisting external foot rotation), together with an increase in gait speed. Concomitantly, we observed a decrease in the foot progression angle and an increase in the peak pelvis rotation velocity in the transverse plane with an increase in gait speed. A significant positive correlation was found between the pelvis rotation velocity and the peak adduction moment, suggesting that pelvis rotation influences the magnitude of adduction FVM. Furthermore, we also found significant correlations between the peak adduction FVM and both the step length and frequency, indicating that the alterations in FVM may be ascribed to changes in these two key variables of gait speed. These speed-related changes in FVM should be considered when this parameter is used in gait assessment, particularly when used as an index for rehabilitation and injury prevention.     

The Strength of Mechanical Forces Determines the Differentiation of Alveolar Epithelial Cells

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Mfd Dynamically Regulates Transcription via a Release and Catch-Up Mechanism

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洞庭湖流域生态安全状态变化及其驱动力分析

通过构建由状态子系统、压力子系统和响应子系统组成的洞庭湖流域生态安全评价系统,重点研究了该流域的生态安全变化趋势,并采用因子分析方法探究其驱动力。结果表明,1949年以来,流域生态安全变化表现出如下特征:系统状态指数明显下降,波动性和阶段性显著;系统压力指数1990年后呈下降趋势;系统响应指数一直呈增长趋势;生态安全度自1990年以来开始稳步上升。因子分析表明,流域生态风险是自然和人为因素叠加的结果,农民人均收入增加、农业人口占总人口比例减少、单位面积土地产值和单位土地面积生态建设投入增加,是促进流域生态安全度提高的决定性因素。同时,本文提出了提高流域生态安全度的相关对策。     

Unveiling the morphogenetic code: A new path at the intersection of physical energies and chemical signaling

In this editorial, we discuss the remarkable role of physical energies in the control of cell signaling networks and in the specification of the architectural plan of both somatic and stem cells. In particular, we focus on the biological relevance of bioelectricity in the pattern control that orchestrates both developmental and regenerative pathways. To this end, the narrative starts from the dawn of the first studies on animal electricity, reconsidering the pioneer work of Harold Saxton Burr in the light of the current achievements. We finally discuss the most recent evidence showing that bioelectric signaling is an essential component of the informational processes that control pattern specification during embryogenesis, regeneration, or even malignant transformation. We conclude that there is now mounting evidence for the existence of a Morphogenetic Code, and that deciphering this code may lead to unprecedented opportunities for the development of novel paradigms of cure in regenerative and precision medicine.