First-Generation Forests Are Not Necessarily Worse than Long-Term Managed Forests for Lichens and Bryophytes

For biodiversity, natural afforestation is generally more favorable than plantation-based afforestation, but the difference may be less important if both methods fail to provide habitats for sensitive old-forest species. Given that some conditions, such as substrates, can be actively restored in new forests, their effect on biodiversity should be separated from dispersal limitation. We asked whether, and to what extent, lichen and bryophyte vegetation is impoverished on old-forest substrates in non-intensively afforested lands of the twentieth century compared with similar substrates in managed long-term forestlands. We measured the diversity and abundance of all lichens and bryophytes as well as the cover of human-sensitive (hemerophobic) species on large deciduous trees, logs, snags, and windthrows on 30 random 2-km transects in a 900-km² forest landscape in Estonia, hemiboreal Europe. Altogether, 235 species, including 39 hemerophobic species, were detected on 781 structural elements. New forests were not significantly worse than long-term forests in any of the cryptogam community characteristics, which was explained by the predominance of natural afforestation (many native tree species present), time for substrate development and cryptogam dispersal (most stands >40 years old), few cuttings in the new forests (only about 20% of stands thinned), and short distances to long-term forests (67% of substrates within 250 m). Under such conditions, afforested areas appeared to be as suitable as traditional managed forests both for developing multifunctional forestry and as starting points for habitat restoration for threatened species.     

Behavioural syndromes in Merriam's kangaroo rats (Dipodomys merriami): a test of competing hypotheses

Behavioural syndromes, correlations of behaviours conceptually analogous to personalities, have been a topic of recent attention due to their potential to explain trade-offs in behavioural responses, apparently maladaptive behaviour and limits to plasticity. Using Merriam's kangaroo rats (Dipodomys merriami), we assessed the explanatory power and generality of hypothesized syndrome structures derived from the literature and the natural history of the species. Several aspects of functionally distinct behavioural responses of D. merriami were quantified. Syndrome structures were compared using structural equation modelling and model selection procedures. A domain-general behavioural syndrome incorporating cross-functional relationships between measures of boldness, agonistic behaviour, flexibility and food hoarding best explained the data. This pattern suggests that D. merriami behaviours should not be viewed as discrete elements but as components of a multivariate landscape. Our results support arguments that a lack of independence between behaviours may be a general aspect of behavioural phenotypes and suggest that the ability of D. merriami's behaviour to respond to selection may be constrained by underlying connections.     

Reactivation of methionine synthase from Thermotoga maritima (TM0268) requires the downstream gene product TM0269

The crystal structure of the Thermotoga maritima gene product TM0269, determined as part of genome-wide structural coverage of T. maritima by the Joint Center for Structural Genomics, revealed structural homology with the fourth module of the cobalamin-dependent methionine synthase (MetH) from Escherichia coli, despite the lack of significant sequence homology. The gene specifying TM0269 lies in close proximity to another gene, TM0268, which shows sequence homology with the first three modules of E. coli MetH. The fourth module of E. coli MetH is required for reductive remethylation of the cob(II)alamin form of the cofactor and binds the methyl donor for this reactivation, S-adenosylmethionine (AdoMet). Measurements of the rates of methionine formation in the presence and absence of TM0269 and AdoMet demonstrate that both TM0269 and AdoMet are required for reactivation of the inactive cob(II)alamin form of TM0268. These activity measurements confirm the structure-based assignment of the function of the TM0269 gene product. In the presence of TM0269, AdoMet, and reductants, the measured activity of T. maritima MetH is maximal near 80 degrees C, where the specific activity of the purified protein is approximately 15% of that of E. coli methionine synthase (MetH) at 37 degrees C. Comparisons of the structures and sequences of TM0269 and the reactivation domain of E. coli MetH suggest that AdoMet may be bound somewhat differently by the homologous proteins. However, the conformation of a hairpin that is critical for cobalamin binding in E. coli MetH, which constitutes an essential structural element, is retained in the T. maritima reactivation protein despite striking divergence of the sequences.     

Crystal structure of the Haemophilus influenzae Hap adhesin reveals an intercellular oligomerization mechanism for bacterial aggregation

Bacterial biofilms are complex microbial communities that are common in nature and are being recognized increasingly as an important determinant of bacterial virulence. However, the structural determinants of bacterial aggregation and eventual biofilm formation have been poorly defined. In Gram‐negative bacteria, a major subgroup of extracellular proteins called self‐associating autotransporters (SAATs) can mediate cell–cell adhesion and facilitate biofilm formation. In this study, we used the Haemophilus influenzae Hap autotransporter as a prototype SAAT to understand how bacteria associate with each other. The crystal structure of the H. influenzae Hap_S passenger domain (harbouring the SAAT domain) was determined to 2.2 Å by X‐ray crystallography, revealing an unprecedented intercellular oligomerization mechanism for cell–cell interaction. The C‐terminal SAAT domain folds into a triangular‐prism‐like structure that can mediate Hap–Hap dimerization and higher degrees of multimerization through its F1–F2 edge and F2 face. The intercellular multimerization can give rise to massive buried surfaces that are required for overcoming the repulsive force between cells, leading to bacterial cell–cell interaction and formation of complex microcolonies.     

全缘叶绿绒蒿挥发性组分定量结构-色谱保留关系研究

提出顶点及顶点相互作用矢量的概念,并将该矢量用于复杂样本的分子结构表征。采用逐步回归结合统计检测对变量进行筛选后,再用多元线性回归建立了定量结构-色谱保留(QSRR)关系的7变量模型,模型的建模计算值复相关系数(R)为0.990,标准偏差(SD)为1.325;留一法(LOO)交互检验复相关系数(RCV)为0.983,标准偏差(SDCV)为1.696。结果表明该矢量具有较强的分子结构表达能力,模型具有良好的估计能力与稳定性。     

Suppression of herbivory by macroalgal density: a critical feedback on coral reefs?

Coral reefs globally are in decline, with some reefs undergoing phase shifts from coral-dominance to degraded states dominated by large fleshy macroalgae. These shifts have been underpinned by the overharvesting of herbivorous fishes and represent a fundamental change in the physical structure of these reefs. Although the physical structure provided by corals is regarded as a key feature that facilitates herbivore activity, the influence of the physical structure of macroalgal stands is largely unknown. Using transplanted Sargassum, the largest coral reef macroalga, we created habitat patches of predetermined macroalgal density (0.25-6.23 kg m(-2)). Remote video cameras revealed both grazing and browsing fishes avoided high density patches, preferring relatively open areas with low macroalgal cover. This behaviour may provide a positive feedback leading to the growth and persistence of macroalgal stands; increasing the stability of phase shifts to macroalgae.     

高相对分子质量裂褶多糖的制备与结构鉴定

以裂褶菌（Schizophyllum commune）发酵生产的培养物为研究对象,经过活性炭脱色、Sevag法脱杂蛋白、乙醇沉淀得粗多糖,再经Sephadex G-200柱层析分离纯化得裂褶多糖纯品.通过Sephadex G-200凝胶层析法测得其平均分子质量为436kDa;由气相色谱、红外光谱、高碘酸氧化、Smith降解、^13C核磁共振等方法表征其化学结构,推测其结构为具有（1→6）分支的β-〔1-3）-D-葡聚糖：其组成重复单元应该含有3个主链糖基和一个单糖分支,主链的取代发生在C-1和C-3之间,即为1→3糖苷键;分支发生在C-1和C-6之间,即为1→6糖苷键,其中分支点在主链糖基的C-6上.     

An update analysis of two polymorphisms in encoding ribonuclease L gene and prostate cancer risk: involving 13,372 cases and 11,953 controls

Encoding ribonuclease L (RNASEL) is a ubiquitously expressed latent endoribonuclease involved in the mediation of antiviral and pro-apoptotic activities of the interferon-inducible 2-5A system. Although the relationship between RNASEL gene polymorphisms and prostate cancer (PCa) risk has been widely reported, results were somewhat controversial and underpowered. Now, we performed an update analysis of 14 publications evaluating the association between RNASEL R462Q and D541E polymorphisms and PCa risk. We conducted a literature search of PubMed database to identify all eligible articles that examined the association of RNASEL R462Q and D541E polymorphisms with PCa. Odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated to assess these association. R462Q showed a significantly elevated effect on Africans (QQ vs. RR: OR = 2.50, 95% CI = 1.28–4.87, P_{heterogeneity} = 0.231). In addition, PCa men who contain 462Q genotype had a higher Gleason score ≥ 7 (OR = 1.16, 95% CI = 1.05–1.28, P_{heterogeneity} = 0.906). On the other hand, D541E was associated with increased total PCa. In the stratified analysis by race, there was also significantly increased PCa in Africans and Caucasians, as well as in sporadic PCa studies (OR = 1.09, 95% CI = 1.04–1.15, P_{heterogeneity} = 0.078). Our update analysis showed evidence that RNASEL R462Q and D541E polymorphisms were associated with PCa risk. Still more well-designed studies should be performed to clarify the role of these two polymorphisms in the development of PCa.     

PSA密度对前列腺癌病理结果的预测价值

目的:评估前列腺特异抗原密度(prostate specific antigen density,PASD)对前列腺癌根治术后不良病理结果的预测价值.方法:回顾性分析50例病理确诊为前列腺癌患者的临床资料,收集患者术前总前列腺特异抗原(total prostate specific antigen,tPSA)、PSAD及穿刺活检Gleason评分结果,比较在手术切缘阳性(positive surgical margins,PSM)、前列腺包膜外侵犯(extracapsular prostatic extension,EPE)、精囊入侵(seminal vesicle invasion,SVI)患者中以上各项指标的差异,对有统计学差异的因素行多元Logistic回归分析,筛选影响浸润的最主要因素,同时运用工作特征曲线(ROC曲线)比较各指标的预测价值.结果:PSM,EPE和SVI患者之间PSAD存在统计学差异,PSAD曲线下面积高于PSA与Gleason评分.多元Logistic回归分析结果表明,PSAD和Gleason评分对PSM和EPE有着统计学意义的预测价值,且PSAD和PSA与SVI有关.结论:PSAD可作为接受前列腺癌根治术的患者术后不良的预测指标.