SGT1b is required for HopZ3-mediated suppression of the epiphytic growth of Pseudomonas syringae on N. benthamiana

Type III secreted effectors shape the potential of bacterial pathogens to cause disease on plants. Some effectors affect pathogen growth only in specific niches. For example, HopZ3 causes reduced epiphytic growth of Pseudomonas syringae strain B728a on Nicotiana benthamiana. This raises the question of whether genes important for effector-triggered disease resistance are needed for responses to effectors whose major effect is in the epiphytic niche. We report that SGT1b, a protein known to be important for defense activation, is essential for HopZ3-mediated suppression of PsyB728a epiphytic growth. SGT1b is required for HopZ3- and AvrB3-induced cell death in N. benthamiana plants that express the Pto resistance gene from tomato. We suggest that HopZ3 activates R gene mediated responses in N. benthamiana.     

Modelling multilocus selection in an individual‐based,spatially‐explicit landscape genetics framework

We implemented multilocus selection in a spatially‐explicit, individual‐based framework that enables multivariate environmental gradients to drive selection in many loci as a new module for the landscape genetics programs, CDPOP and CDMetaPOP. Our module simulates multilocus selection using a linear additive model, providing a flexible platform to evaluate a wide range of genotype‐environment associations. Importantly, the module allows simulation of selection in any number of loci under the influence of any number of environmental variables. We validated the module with individual‐based selection simulations under Wright‐Fisher assumptions. We then evaluated results for simulations under a simple landscape selection model. Next, we simulated individual‐based multilocus selection across a complex selection landscape with three loci linked to three different environmental variables. Finally, we demonstrated how the program can be used to simulate multilocus selection under varying selection strengths across different levels of gene flow in a landscape genetics framework. This new module provides a valuable addition to the study of landscape genetics, allowing for explicit evaluation of the contributions and interactions between gene flow and selection‐driven processes across complex, multivariate environmental and landscape conditions.     

Mixtures of Associating and Non-associating Chains on Activated Surfaces: A Monte Carlo Approach

Abstract

The behavior of mixtures of associating and non-associating chains confined in pores with activated surfaces is studied by means of molecular simulation. The fluid molecules are modeled as a chain of four tangent Lennard-Jones spheres. Some of the chains have an additional associating square-well site placed in an end sphere. The activated surfaces of the slit pore are modeled via an integrated Lennard-Jones (10-4-3) potential with specific association sites protruding from the surface. We present Gibbs ensemble Monte Carlo simulation results for the partitioning of mixtures of chains in the bulk and confined phases for this particular model. The chain-wall association governs the adsorption behavior of the system. The preferential adsorption of associating chains is seen to strongly depend on temperature and pore width. Selectivities obtained are in the range of those seen in experiments of alkane-alkanol mixtures.     

Potential of antimicrobial treatment of linear low-density polyethylene with poly((tert-butyl-amino)-methyl-styrene) to reduce biofilm formation in the food industry

Antimicrobial surfaces are one approach to prevent biofilms in the food industry. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of poly((tert-butyl-amino)-methyl-styrene) (poly(TBAMS)) incorporated into linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) on the formation of mono- and mixed-species biofilms. The biofilm on untreated and treated LLDPE was determined after 48 and 168 h. The comparison of the results indicated that the ability of Listeria monocytogenes to form biofilms was completely suppressed by poly(TBAMS) (Δ_168 h 3.2 log₁₀ cfu cm^?2) and colonization of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli was significantly delayed, but no effect on Pseudomonas fluorescens was observed. The results of dual-species biofilms showed complex interactions between the microorganisms, but comparable effects on the individual bacteria by poly(TBAMS) were identified. Antimicrobial treatment with poly(TBAMS) shows great potential to prevent biofilms on polymeric surfaces. However, a further development of the material is necessary to reduce the colonization of strong biofilm formers.     

亚热带常绿树种对不同粒径颗粒物的滞留能力

可吸入颗粒物和细颗粒物是大部分城市的首要污染物,对人体健康和环境都有重要影响;而城市植物能吸附大气颗粒物,进而有效降低大气颗粒物浓度。为了深入探究不同树种叶表面特征与自身滞尘效益之间的关系,该研究以浙江省三种常见城市绿化树种(青冈、冬青、红花檵木)为对象,采用重量法提取各样本在3个粒径上(8~100,2.5~8,0.45~2.5μm)的单位叶面积滞尘量(μg·cm~(-2)),并结合叶面积指数估测全株滞尘量。结果表明:三种供试植物叶片对颗粒物平均单位叶面积滞留量在30.4~63.7μg·cm~(-2)之间,而平均单木滞尘量每株在1.36-9.36 g之间。红花檵木因其叶表粗糙、具有绒毛等特征,对颗粒物(0.45~100μm)有最大的吸附能力(63.74±12.0μg·cm~(-2));对于大颗粒物(8~100μm)和细颗粒物(0.45~2.5μm),三种植物叶片均对其分别具有最大(40.9%~57.5%)、最小(15.6%~20.6%)的吸附能力;对于单木滞尘量,青冈因其具有较大叶面积指数等特征,对颗粒物总吸附效果更佳(每株9.36g)。该研究结果表明城市绿化树种对减缓大气颗粒物污染起到重要作用。     

Waste not,want not: Microsatellites remain an economical and informative technology for conservation genetics

Comparisons of microsatellites and single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have found that SNPs outperform microsatellites in population genetic analyses, questioning the continued utility of microsatellites in population and landscape genetics. Yet, highly polymorphic markers may be of value in species that have reduced genetic variation. This study repeated previous analyses that used microsatellites with SNPs developed from ddRAD sequencing in the black‐capped vireo source‐sink system. SNPs provided greater resolution of genetic diversity, population differentiation, and migrant detection but could not reconstruct parentage relationships due to insufficient heterozygosities. The biological inferences made by both sets of markers were similar: asymmetrical gene flow from source sites to the remaining sink sites. With the landscape genetic analyses, we found different results between the two molecular markers, but associations of the top environmental features (riparian, open habitat, agriculture, and human development) with dispersal estimates were shared between marker types. Despite the higher precision of SNPs, we find that microsatellites effectively uncover population processes and patterns and are superior for parentage analyses in this species with reduced genetic diversity. This study illustrates the continued applicability and relevance of microsatellites in population genetic research.     

Nanostructured lipid carriers as semisolid topical delivery formulations for diflucortolone valerate

Context: Topical treatment of skin disease needs to be strategic to ensure high drug concentration in the skin with minimum systemic absorption.

Objective: The aim of this study was to produce semisolid nanostructured lipid carrier (NLC) formulations, for topical delivery of the corticosteroid drug, diflucortolone valerate (DFV), with minimum systemic absorption.

Method: NLC formulations were developed using a high shear homogenization combined with sonication, using Precirol® ATO5 or Tristearin® as the solid lipid, Capryol? or isopropyl myristate as the liquid lipid and Poloxamer® 407 as surfactant. The present study addresses the influence of different formulations composition as solid lipid, liquid lipid types and concentrations on the physicochemical properties and drug release profile from NLCs.

Results and discussion: DFV-loaded NLC formulations possessed average particle size ranging from 160.40?nm to 743.7?nm with narrow polydispersity index. The encapsulation efficiency was improved by adding the lipid-based surfactants (Labrasol® and Labrafil® M1944CS) to reach 68%. The drug release from the investigated NLC formulations showed a prolonged release up to 12?h. The dermatopharmacokinetic study revealed an improvement in drug deposition in the skin with the optimized DFV-loaded NLC formulation, in contrast to a commercial formulation.

Conclusion: NLC provides a promising nanocarrier system that work as reservoir for targeting topical delivery of DFV.     

GIS在描述某城区大气二氧化硫分布中的应用初探

应用地理信息系统（GIS）技术对1996年重庆市主城区大气二氧化硫分布进行了描述和分析。采用GIS的空间分析方法泰森多边形分析和区域插值对大气环境监测数据进行分析处理,避免了以点代面的缺陷,使大气污染物分布描述更为合理。     

Mechanical Properties of the Rhizome of Arundo donax L.

Abstract: The mechanical properties of rhizome segments of Arundo donax L. were studied in three dimensions: longitudinal (X), transverse-vertical (Y), transverse-horizontal (Z). Tensile, cyclic loading and torsional tests demonstrate that the distinct anisotropy found in the hollow stems is less pronounced in the rhizome. Morphological and anatomical examinations suggest that the mechanical anisotropy of the stem is caused by the arrangement parallel to the stem of the vascular bundles and sclerenchymatous fibres, embedded in lignified parenchyma. Anatomical inhomogeneity is less pronounced in the rhizome due to the short internode lengths, and predominance of nodal regions, where sclerenchymatous fibres form a complex three-dimensional arrangement embedded in unlignified starch-storing parenchyma. Cyclic loading experiments indicate viscoelastic behaviour of the rhizomatous tissues under tensile stress. Additionally, viscoelastic behaviour under torsional stress was studied. Mechanical behaviour of the rhizome under tension up to fracture is discussed with regard to the fracture surfaces, analysed by SEM.