A cDNA from grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.), which shows homology to AGAMOUS and SHATTERPROOF,is not only expressed in flowers but also throughout berry development

An AGAMOUS/SHATTERPROOF homologue (Vvmads1) was isolated from grapevine by differential display between berry and leaf mRNA. The predicted protein sequence of the full-length clone shows a high degree of homology to PLENA (77% identity) and to SHP1 and SHP2 (75% and 74% identity respectively), and is grouped with AGAMOUS/PLENA homologues when the conserved MADS and K domains are compared. Vvmads1 is expressed only in the later stages of flower development and throughout berry development, although expression is reduced after ripening commenced. When Vvmads1 was over-expressed in tobacco, the resulting plants display altered morphologies in the outer two floral whorls. In the most extreme cases, the inner whorls were surrounded by a carpelloid structure created by the modified sepals. Within these sepals were petals which had been split into sections and which were attached at the base of the flower by structures with the appearance of filaments. The results of this study suggest that Vvmads1 has a regulatory role in flower development before fertilisation and a role in fruit development after fertilisation.     

新疆昆仑雪菊水提物对小鼠肠道菌群的调节作用

目的 研究新疆昆仑雪菊水提物对小鼠肠道菌群的影响。方法 C57BL/6小鼠,雄性,8周龄,40只,分为4个组（每组10只）：高、中、低三个剂量组和空白对照组,给药14 d,收集给药前后小鼠粪样,16S rDNA实时荧光定量PCR法测定粪样中肠杆菌、肠球菌、乳杆菌和产气荚膜梭菌水平。结果 与空白对照组比较,中剂量组小鼠肠道粪样中乳杆菌显著增多（t=‒2.503,P<0.05）,低剂量组与高剂量组变化不显著;与空白对照组比较,其他组小鼠肠道中肠杆菌属、肠球菌属和产气荚膜梭菌水平均无显著变化。结论 参照《保健食品检验与评价技术规范—2003版》之“调节肠道菌群作用检验方法”,新疆昆仑雪菊水提物对小鼠肠道菌群具有一定的调节作用。     

Tree size and flowering intensity as affected by nitrogen fertilization in non-bearing orange trees grown under Mediterranean conditions

A field experiment was conducted in the South of Portugal with young (0-3 years old) non-bearing ‘Lane Late’ orange trees. Five nitrogen (N) rates were used in a randomised block design with three replicates. The 180 g N tree⁻¹ over three years led to the greatest canopy width (176 cm) and volume (2,697 dm³). The greatest rate applied (720 g N tree⁻¹ in the three years) led to the largest flower yield. Nitrogen concentration in the flowers significantly increased with fertilizer N, and also with the flowering period up to the 23^rd day, declining thereafter. Flower yield was strongly correlated (r = 0.99, p < 0.001) with flower N concentration. Nutrient composition of flowers and of mature leaves from the spring flush was compared. Significant correlations were found for N (r = 0.47, p <0.01), P (r = -0.49, p <0.01), K (r = 0.44, p <0.05) and Ca (r = 0.87, p <0.001), suggesting that flowers can be used as a tool to diagnose the nutritional status of trees. Canonical analysis (with N treatment as dummy-variables) showed strong relationships between canopy width and N, which were greater at the larger rates of fertilizer application, and strong and inverse relationships between K and Mg, also with the greatest N rates.     

The Amino Acid Content in Gamma-irradiated Rice†

High phosphate accumulating bacteria were isolated by autoradiography. One isoate, Arthrobacter globiformis PAB-6 accumulated phosphate intracellularly at 20% of dry cell mass in a simple synthetic medium. This amount was 3~7 times higher than type cultures examined. Almost no phosphate was released into the medium after cessation of growth. Fifty percent of total intracellular phosphate was fractionated as nucleic acids, while 20% each was recovered from cold PCA soluble fractions and polyphosphate fractions. The large content of nucleic acids in this bacterium appeared due to increased RNA content, specifically 4 S RNA fraction.     

唐菖蒲周年供花研究初报

本文报道唐菖蒲花期调节试验的结果,表明采用自然栽培、控制栽培及促成栽培等综合措施是实现唐菖蒲周年供花的有效途径     

CaMADS1, a MADS box gene expressed in the carpel of hazelnut

Hazelnut (Corylus avellana L.) is a species of economic interest that shows a peculiar floral biology. Unlike most of the angiosperms, which produce ovules during floral development such that they are ready for pollen at anthesis, hazelnut ovary development is delayed and triggered by compatible pollination. In order to elucidate the mechanisms regulating this unusual process and the role of the MADS box genes in ovary development, a cDNA library from pollinated styles of hazelnut was screened with a mixture of MADS box genes from different plant species. CaMADS1 (Corylus avellana MADS box), a floral-specific MADS box gene, was isolated, and characterized as belonging to the sub-family of the AGAMOUS genes. Northern blot, RT-PCR analyses and in situ hybridization experiments show a precise correlation between ovary development and CaMADS1 expression, indicating a role of this MADS box gene in the processes of floral organogenesis.     

Functional homogenization of flower visitor communities with urbanization

Land‐use intensification and resulting habitat loss are put forward as the main causes of flower visitor decline. However, the impact of urbanization, the prime driver of land‐use intensification in Europe, is poorly studied. In particular, our understanding of whether and how it affects the composition and functioning of flower visitor assemblages is scant, yet required to cope with increasing urbanization worldwide. Here, we use a nation‐wide dataset of plant‐flower visitor (Coleoptera, Diptera, Hymenoptera, Lepidoptera) interactions sampled by citizen scientists following a standardized protocol to assess macroecological changes in richness and composition of flower visitor communities with urbanization. We measured the community composition by quantifying the relative occurrence of generalist and specialist flower visitors based on their specialisation on flowering plant families. We show that urbanization is associated with reduced flower visitor richness and a shift in community composition toward generalist insects, indicating a modification of the functional composition of communities. These results suggest that urbanization affects not only the richness of flower visitor assemblages but may also cause their large‐scale functional homogenization. Future research should focus on designing measures to reconcile urban development with flower visitor conservation.     

河南芝麻授粉昆虫初步调查

为了清楚了解芝麻花授粉昆虫种类、昆虫的授粉规律和授粉时间,2009年对河南省平舆县高杨店乡的13个样点芝麻花授粉昆虫进行调查,采集到授粉昆虫标本65份.经过整理鉴定,芝麻花授粉昆虫共计5目14科25种.其中,蜜蜂占授粉昆虫的92%,是大田芝麻主要的授粉昆虫.蜜蜂授粉出勤高峰出现在8:00～8:50和18:00～18:50.     

通过原位反转录研究MADS盒基因M79的时空表达模式

通过设计可以引发特定mRNA进行转录的特异引物,采用了一种新的原位反转录的方法检测mRNA,这种原位反转录的方法是把原位杂交和反转录进行有机结合的结果,其实用性能和关键步骤都已进行优化。研究表明,只要设立合适的对照原位反转录方法, 检测mRNA的灵敏度高、假阴性和假阳性率低。用这种方法对一个属于AGL2亚组的水稻(Oryza sativa L.)的MADS-盒基因M79的表达进行了分析,结果表明,在水稻从营养到生殖的各个发育阶段,M79均有表达,与平行进行的传统原位杂交的方法得到的结果类似。相对而言,原位反转录法耗时短、容易操作,可以成为一种可靠的原位定位mRNA的基本技术。