The Mechanism,Thermodynamic and Kinetic Characteristics of the Microbial Reduction of Goethite Mediated by Anthraquinone-2-Sulfonate

The microbial reduction process of goethite by Shewanella decolorationis S12 was evaluated. The results showed the electron shuttle, anthraquinone-2-sulfonate (AQS), could enhance the microbial reduction. The thermodynamic and kinetic characteristics of goethite reduction by microorganisms were influenced by AQS, concentrations of iron oxide, and electron donor. Transformation between oxidized and reduced species of the electron shuttle during the microbial reduction could be newly noticed. Two interactive steps, biotic and abiotic, were involved in the microbial reduction of Fe (III) oxide mediated by electron shuttle.     

兴安落叶松针叶解剖结构变化及其光合能力对气候变化的适应性

叶片易受环境因子影响,其形态解剖结构特征不但与叶片的生理功能密切相关,而且反映树木对环境变化的响应和适应。叶片结构的改变势必会改变树木的生理功能。同一树种长期生长在异质环境条件下,经过自然选择和适应,会在形态和生理特性等方面产生变异,形成特定的地理种群。另外,母体所经受的环境胁迫也会影响到其子代的生长、发育和生理等特征。因此,了解植物叶片形态结构对环境变化的响应与适应是探索植物对环境变化的响应适应机制的基础。兴安落叶松(Larix gmelinii Rupr.)是我国北方森林的优势树种,主要分布在我国东北地区,但日益加剧的气候变化可能会改变其现有的分布区。为了区分叶片对气候变化的可塑性和适应性,本研究采用同质园法比较测定了6个不同气候条件下的兴安落叶松种源的32年生树木的针叶解剖结构和光合生理相关因子,利用石蜡切片方法分析了针叶的解剖结构特征、光合能力（Pmax-a）、水分利用效率（WUE）之间的关系及其对气候变化的适应性。结果表明：表皮细胞厚度、叶肉细胞厚度、传输组织厚度、维管束厚度、内皮层厚度以及叶片总厚度均存在显著的种源间差异（P < 0.05）。叶肉细胞厚度与Pmax-a、气孔导度和WUE之间均存在显著的正相关关系（P < 0.05）。叶肉细胞厚度、表皮细胞厚度、叶片总厚度以及叶肉细胞厚度和表皮细胞厚度在叶片总厚度中所占比例均与种源地的干燥度指数（即年蒸发量与年降水量之比）呈正线性关系。这些结果说明：不同种源兴安落叶松针叶解剖结构因对种源原地气候条件的长期适应而产生显著的差异,从而引起其针叶光合作用、水分利用等生理功能发生相应的变化,从而有利于该树种在气候变化的情景下得以生存和繁衍。     

厌氧铁氧化菌研究进展

厌氧铁氧化菌(AFOM)是微生物学、地质学和环境学领域的重大发现.研究AFOM对于认识铁地质层形成,促进铁、氮、碳等元素的地球生物化学循环,丰富微生物学内容,开发厌氧铁氧化工艺,以及探索原始地球环境和外星生命现象,均有重要意义.本文综述了AFOM的研究进展,介绍了AFOM的存在生境,探讨了AFOM的物种多样性及其营养特性和代谢特性,阐述了AFOM在地质学、微生物学和环境学领域的潜在作用,并展望了AFOM在新物种发掘、代谢机理揭示以及开发应用等方面的研究方向.     

尤溪天然米槠林植物碳氮磷的化学计量特征及其分配格局

以福建尤溪的天然米槠[Castanopsis carlesii(Hemsl.) Hayata]林乔木层、灌木层和草本层的26个主要优势种为研究对象,分析了植物不同器官的C、N和P含量及其比值的差异及相关性,并对不同器官C、N和P含量在不同层次间的分布特征进行了研究.结果显示:同一器官中均为C平均含量最高、P平均含量最低;其中,叶片中C、N和P含量分别为344.95 ～ 486.15、6.26 ～ 19.50和0.18 ～0.62 mg·g-1,C/N、C/P和N/P比分别为22.52 ～61.21、696.64～2 589.72和11.38 ～58.94;根系中的C、N和P含量分别为277.95 ～458.30、1.41 ～12.73和0.13 ～0.44mg·g-1,C/N、C/P和N/P比分别为34.63 ～296.17、731.45 ～3 372.69和8.81 ～34.41;乔木层和灌木层植物枝条中C、N和P含量分别为407.75 ～473.75、3.10 ～7.39和0.09～0.61 mg·g-1,C/N、C/P和N/P比分别为57.43 ～148.15、776.64～5 054.44和7.05 ～48.11;乔木层植物树干中的C、N和P含量分别为432.56 ～463.32、2.67 ～6.35和0.16 ～0.31 mg·g-1,C/N、C/P和N/P比分别为68.12 ～167.73、1 494.58 ～2 860.63和11.35 ～29.06.乔木层植物的不同器官按C含量由高至低依次排序为叶片、枝条、树干、根系,按N和P含量由高至低依次排序为叶片、枝条、根系、树干;灌木层植物的C含量在枝条中最高、根系中最低,N和P含量在叶片中最高、枝条中最低;而草本层植物地上部分的C、N和P含量均高于地下部分.除根系中的N含量与P含量呈极显著正相关外,同一器官的C、N和P含量间均无显著相关性,但与C/N、C/P和N/P比值间大多有极显著的相关性.不同器官的C、N和P含量也因植物所处层次的不同而异,其中乔木层植物叶片中均最高、草本层植物叶片中均最低;乔木层植物全株的C含量最高、N含量最低,草本层植物全株的N含量最高、C含量最低,各层植物全株的P含量比较接近.研究结果表明:尤溪天然米槠林内植物叶片的C、N和P含量均偏低,P缺乏很可能是限制该林分植物生产力的最重要元素.     

Uptake Kinetics of 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetate by Delftia acidovorans MC1 and Derivative Strains: Complex Characteristics in Response to pH and Growth Substrate

The present investigation showed that active processes were involved in the uptake of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetate (2,4-D) by Delftia acidovorans MC1. With 2,4-D-grown cells, uptake at pH 6.8 was highly affine and showed a complex pattern-forming intermediary plateau at 20–100 μM 2,4-D. The kinetics became increasingly sigmoidal with raising of the pH to 7.5 and 8.5, and complexity disappeared. The apparent maximum was obtained at around 400 μM 2,4-D at either pH, and amounted to 15–20 nmol/min*mg protein. Higher substrate concentrations resulted in significant inhibition. With cells grown on (RS)-2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)propionate, 2,4-D uptake increased significantly and reached 45 nmol/min*mg, hinting at induction of a specific carrier(s). The kinetic characteristics made it apparent that several proteins contribute to 2,4-D uptake in MC1. An open reading frame was detected which has similarity to genes encoding major facilitator superfamily (MFS) transporters. Mutant strains that lacked this gene showed altered kinetics with decreased affinity to 2,4-D at pH 6.8. A mutant with complete deficiency in phenoxyalkanoate utilization showed an almost linear uptake pattern hinting at sole diffusion. Cloning of tfdK encoding a specific transporter for 2,4-D resulted in an increased uptake rate and, above all, higher affinity at slightly alkaline conditions due to hyperbolic kinetics. The presence of carbonylcyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone led to the subsequent strong inhibition of 2,4-D uptake, suggesting proton symport as the likely active mechanism.     

Antitumor Lipopolysaccharide from Heptoseless Mutant of Proteus mirabilis

Studies on lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from the cells of Proteus mirabilis RMS-203 were focused upon reduction of lethal toxicity and of pyrogenicity by biological and chemical modification. A heptoseless mutant, strain N-434, was isolated by the use of phage resistancy as a tool. LPS from that heptoseless mutant was completely deficient in neutral sugars and mainly composed of 2-keto-deoxy-octonic acid (KDO), glucosamine and fatty acids. It revealed almost the same antitumor activity as LPS of the wild type but it was less toxic and less pyrogenic.

Hydroxylaminolysis and reduction with LiAlH₄ resulted in removal of fatty acids from LPS accompanied with decrease in lethal toxicity and antitumor acitivity but not in pyrogenicity.

Lipid A fractions showed almost the same antitumor activity as intact LPS but less lethality and less pyrogenicity.     

四种重楼属植物光合作用特征

Species of Paris (Trilliaceae) have often been used as medicinal plants. Because of excessive exploitation,in this regard the wild resource of Paris is almost exhausted. Some species of Paris were transplanted for use in photosynthesis research and for conservation purposes. In the present study, light and CO2 photosynthetic response curves were investigated in four Paris taxa: P.polyphylla var. yunnanensis and var. alba, P.mairei, and P.marmorata. Our results showed that P.marmorata had the highest maximum photosynthetic rate (Pmax; 8.6μmol·m-2·s-1), light saturation point (LSP; 827μmol·m-2·s-1), maximum electron transport rate (Jmax; 39.9mol·m-2·s-1), a relatively high maximum carboxylation rate (Vcmax; 28.9μmol·m-2·s-1) and carbon dioxide saturation point (Cisat; 726μmol·mol-1), but a lower light compensation point (LCP; 6.23μmol·m-2·s-1) and the lowest carbon dioxide compensation point (Г*; 20.7μmol·mol-1). This suggests that P.marmorata is well adapted to light and CO2; however it has a low ability to acclimate to environmental stress as indicated by low water use efficiency (WUE) in high light conditions. P.polyphylla var. yunnanensis had the highest light compensation point (LCP; 10.1μmol·m-2·s-1), carbon dioxide compensation point (Г*; 35.3μmol·mol-1), carbon dioxide saturation point (Cisat; 727μmol·mol-1), relatively high maximum photosynthetic rate (Pmax; 7.5μmol·m-2·s-1) and light saturation point (LSP; 728μmol·m-2·s-1), maximum light saturated electron transfer rate (Jmax; 37.7μmol·m-2·s-1), suggesting that it is suitable for conditions of higher light and CO2 concentration. This taxon can adapt to adverse conditions, as suggested by high WUE under increased CO2 concentration. In contrast, P.polyphylla var. alba exhibited a relatively lower apparent quantum yield (AQY; 0.037μmol·mol-1) and poorer growth performance than the other taxa. We suggest from our results that different light and water conditions are suitable for the growth of the different taxa. Photosynthesis assimilation efficiency and production can be increased by raising humidity for P.polyphylla var. yunnanensis and P.marmorata. To protect plants of P.polyphylla var. alba from strong sunshine, they should be shaded from March to mid June.     

Farm and management characteristics associated with boar taint

Pig farms in the Netherlands producing boars have different levels of boar taint prevalence, as assessed by sensory evaluation with the human nose at the slaughter line. With a questionnaire to 152 Dutch pig producers (response rate 59%), farm and management characteristics were identified that are potentially associated with farm-level boar taint prevalence. Lower farm-level boar taint prevalence was associated with a smaller group size, a smaller pen surface per boar, newer housing equipment, not practicing restricted feeding in the last period before delivery, a longer fasting period before slaughter, a higher stocking weight and a lower fraction of boars from purebred dam line sows or from Pietrain terminal boars. These characteristics can be used to develop farm-level intervention strategies to control boar taint. More research effort is needed to establish causal relationships.     

新生儿肺炎的临床表现及x线特征的探讨

目的：探讨新生儿肺炎（neonatal pneumonia,NP）的临床表现及x线特征,以提高对NP的临床认识。方法：选择2011年6月至2012年10月在我院确诊为NP的新生儿73例,均经x线检查,回顾性分析患儿的临床资料,总结并分析患儿的临床表现及x线特征。结果：NP患儿的临床症状主要表现为呼吸急促、发绀、咳嗽、吐沫、呛奶和三凹征,部分患儿体温正常;NP的x线影像表现具有多样性,以不同程度的支气管肺炎多见,主要表现为肺纹理增多增密,局部肺野透光度降低或透光度增强。结论：NP患儿的临床症状以呼吸急促、发绀、咳嗽、吐沫、呛奶和三凹征为主,x线检查可为NP的早期诊断提供重要的临床信息,临床医师应根据NP患儿的x线影像的多样性,密切结合患儿的临床症状,做出综合分析。     

A mutualistic interaction between the bacterium Pseudomonas asplenii and the harmful algal species Chattonella marina (Raphidophyceae)

Several studies on various Chattonella species have reported that bacteria may play an important role in Chattonella bloom initiation, however, no studies have described how these bacteria promote the growth of C. marina. The interaction between C. marina and bacteria was investigated for identification and characterization of potential growth-promoting bacteria. In preliminary tests, the growth promoting effect of Pseudomonas species (25 strains) was investigated and P. asplenii (≥2.27) was determined as a growth-promoting bacteria for both C. marina strains (CCMP 2049 and 2050). This bacterium exerted optimal growth-promoting effects on C. marina, causing an increase in the initial density of P. asplenii to approximately 1 × 10⁷ cells mL⁻¹, which was used as the initial density in this study. To determine whether the growth-promoting activity was direct or indirect, P. asplenii was incubated in the algal media and then a filtrate of this culture was added to both C. marina strains. The P. asplenii filtrate stimulated the growth of C. marina and maintained the growth-promoting effects after high temperature (121 °C for 20 min) and pressure (15 psi) treatment. Thus, P. asplenii is able to promote C. marina growth through the release of a heat-resistant substance, such as inorganic nutrients. A nutrient analysis indicated that this bacterium elevated the phosphate concentration. Interestingly, P. asplenii was unable to survive in phosphate-limited media but could grow in phosphate-limited media incubating C. marina. Moreover, this bacterium could secrete significantly more phosphate in the presence of C. marina (p < 0.0001). These results suggested that P. asplenii and C. marina may have a mutualistic interaction.