Relevance of Bt toxin interaction studies for environmental risk assessment of genetically modified crops

In recent years, different Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) toxin‐encoding genes have been combined or ‘stacked’ in genetically modified (GM) crops. Synergism between Bt proteins may occur and thereby increase the impact of the stacked GM event on nontarget invertebrates compared to plants expressing a single Bt gene. On the basis of bioassay data available for Bt toxins alone or in combination, we argue that the current knowledge of Bt protein interactions is of limited relevance in environmental risk assessment (ERA).     

The interaction of CuInS2/ZnS/TGA quantum dots with tyrosine kinase inhibitor and its application

The interactions between thioglycolic acid‐capped‐CuInS₂/ZnS quantum dots (CuInS₂/ZnS/TGA QDs) and tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) were investigated using fluorescence, ultraviolet–visible spectrometry and Fourier transform infrared spectrometry. The results indicated that the fluorescence intensity of CuInS₂/ZnS/TGA could be quenched by imatinib, dasatinib, nilotinib, gefitinib and erlotinib, which hinted that CuInS₂/ZnS/TGA QDs could be used in the detection of TKI in active pharmaceutical ingredients (API). Calibration curves showed good linear correlation and low detection limits. The average recovery was between 98 and 102%. Moreover, the nature of the fluorescence quenching mechanism of CuInS₂/ZnS/TGA QDs by TKI was discussed. A ground state complex was formed by hydrogen bonding between the carboxyl group of CuInS₂/ZnS/TGA QDs and the amino group of TKI. This led to an increase in non‐radiative transition and fluorescence quenching of CuInS₂/ZnS/TGA QDs. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

雪松不同部位中原花青素的含量测定及其清除DPPH自由基的活性

雪松(Cedrus deodara)是松科(Pianaceae)雪松属(Cedrus)树种的泛称,为广泛分布于喜马拉雅山脉的常绿树种,包括雪松(C.deodara)、黎巴嫩雪松(C.libani)、短叶雪松(C.brevifolia)和北非雪松(C.atlantica)等。雪松的针叶药用历史悠久,主要化学成分为黄酮类、苯丙素类、有机酸类、三萜类、甾体类、多糖及针叶胶等,具有抗肿瘤、抗氧化、改善记忆、抗菌及抗病毒等多种功效。为了测定雪松不同部位中原花青素的含量,并考察其清除DPPH自由基活性的能力,该研究以Fe3+离子为催化剂,用正丁醇-盐酸法分别测定雪松松针、花序、小枝、木质部、树皮中原花青素的含量,并对不同部位提取液清除DPPH自由基的能力进行测定。结果表明:松针、花序、木质部、树皮、小枝中原花青素的含量分别为12.93%、12.93%、6.41%、12.00%、3.37%,在质量浓度(以生药计)为0.8 mg·m L-1时,其对DPPH自由基的清除率均达到或接近90%。该研究结果提示雪松各个部位的原花青素含量丰富,其提取液的体外抗氧化活性很高,这为雪松的进一步开发利用提供了很好的参考价值。     

Virulence of Beauveria brongniartii and B. bassiana against Schizonycha affinis white grubs and adults (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae)

Two endemic scarab pests, Schizonycha affinis Boheman and Hypopholis sommeri Burmeister (Coleoptera: Melolonthinae) have increased in prevalence in the sugarcane producing regions of the KwaZulu‐Natal Midlands, South Africa. The crop losses associated with their feeding, the failure of chemical insecticides applied for their control, and the recent discovery of Beauveria brongniartii (Sacc.) Petch (Ascomycota: Cordycipitaceae) epizootics on these pests, have generated interest in the development of a mycoinsecticide targeting adults and larvae of these species. Previous research, using microsatellite markers, identified low levels of genetic diversity among isolates of B. brongniartii collected from two field sites where epizootics occurred. The virulence of 21 of these closely related B. brongniartii isolates and two isolates of Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin was evaluated. Bioassays were conducted against adults and larvae of S. affinis, and adult Tenebrio molitor (L.) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) as a surrogate test insect. The closely related B. brongniartii isolates varied significantly in their virulence towards both S. affinis (50.1–95% mortality) and T. molitor (39–74% mortality), with a number of these not highly virulent against either of these insect species. Those isolates sharing a haplotype did not vary in virulence. Adults of S. affinis were more susceptible than larvae to isolates of B. brongniartii. The median lethal concentration (LC₅₀) required to kill half the adult S. affinis test insects was 7.65 × 10⁶ conidia per millilitre. Schizonycha affinis second instar larvae had a median survival time of 17.5 days when exposed to some B. brongniartii isolates; however, third instars survived significantly longer with a median of 21 days. Third instars exposed to the highest concentration of B. brongniartii isolate HHWG1 survived for a median time of 15 days. Bioassays supported the finding that genetically closely related isolates may vary in their virulence, even if they were obtained from the same field epizootics.     

Chiral resolution,determination of absolute configuration,and biological evaluation of (1,2-benzothiazin-4-yl)acetic acid enantiomers as aldose reductase inhibitors

Abstract

A novel series of (1,2-benzothiazin-4-yl)acetic acid enantiomers was prepared by chiral resolution, and their absolute configurations were determined using the PGME method. The biological evaluation of the racemate and single enantiomers has shown a remarkable difference for the aldose reductase inhibitory activity and selectivity. The (R)-(?)-enantiomer exhibited the strongest aldose reductase activity with an IC₅₀ value of 0.120?μM, which was 35 times more active than the S-(+)-enantiomer. Thus, the stereocenter at the C4 position of this scaffold was shown to have a major impact on the activity and selectivity.     

Intermediate filaments as effectors of differentiation

After the initial discovery of intermediate filament (IF)–forming proteins in 1968, a decade would elapse before they were revealed to comprise a diverse group of proteins which undergo tissue-, developmental stage-, differentiation-, and context-dependent regulation. Our appreciation for just how large (n = 70), conserved, complex, and dynamic IF genes and proteins are became even sharper upon completion of the human genome project. While there has been extraordinary progress in understanding the multimodal roles of IFs in cells and tissues, even revealing them as direct causative agents in a broad array of human genetic disorders, the link between individual IFs and cell differentiation has remained elusive. Here, we review evidence that demonstrates a role for IFs in lineage determination, cell differentiation, and tissue homeostasis. A major theme in this review is the function of IFs as sensors and transducers of mechanical forces, intersecting microenvironmental cues and fundamental processes through cellular redox balance.     

森林转基因林木抽样策略的研究

转基因技术加快了林木遗传改良的进程。由于转基因林木存在潜在的生态风险,有必要对森林中转基因林木的分布等情况进行监测。基于无人机(unmanned aerial vehicles,UAV)获取的森林平面影像,提出了真实地形下森林转基因林木抽样监测的策略。首先根据检验参数来确定需要抽样的样本数,然后改进了两种算法分别进行不规则区域内常规的和有孔洞情况下的均匀抽样。与之前的抽样方法相比,本方法提供了更好的抽样准确性和均匀性,更适应森林区域的实际情况。