Prunus necrotic ringspot virus isolates in stone fruit germplasm accessions and cultivars in Israel

Prunus necrotic ringspot virus (PNRSV) was detected in almonds, plum and apricot germplasm accessions and local almond cultivars in Israel. PNRSV was widespread both in wild and cultivated almond trees and uncommon in wild apricots and plums. The possible variation among the PNRSV isolates was initially evaluated by restriction analysis of PCR products representing the CP gene with the endonuclease RsaI and followed by nucleotide sequence analysis of selected isolates. It was concluded that all 13 isolates belong to group PV96, the largest cluster of PNRSV isolates, described previously. Two PNRSV isolates, one from a plum accession and one from an almond cultivar, were found to be distinct members of group PV96 with unique nucleotide modifications not found in other documented isolates of this virus. However, no PNRSV isolate typical to a specific host and/or to the Middle East region could be identified. This study expands the body of data on variability of PNRSV isolates and highlights the importance of assessing the virus status of germplasm collections by applying reliable diagnostic and differentiating methods.     

Comparison of the Levels of Bacterial Diversity in Freshwater,Intertidal Wetland,and Marine Sediments by Using Millions of Illumina Tags

Sediment, a special realm in aquatic environments, has high microbial diversity. While there are numerous reports about the microbial community in marine sediment, freshwater and intertidal sediment communities have been overlooked. The present study determined millions of Illumina reads for a comparison of bacterial communities in freshwater, intertidal wetland, and marine sediments along Pearl River, China, using a technically consistent approach. Our results show that both taxon richness and evenness were the highest in freshwater sediment, medium in intertidal sediment, and lowest in marine sediment. The high number of sequences allowed the determination of a wide variety of bacterial lineages in all sediments for reliable statistical analyses. Principal component analysis showed that the three types of communities could be well separated from phylum to operational taxonomy unit (OTU) levels, and the OTUs from abundant to rare showed satisfactory resolutions. Statistical analysis (LEfSe) demonstrated that the freshwater sediment was enriched with Acidobacteria, Nitrospira, Verrucomicrobia, Alphaproteobacteria, and Betaproteobacteria. The intertidal sediment had a unique community with diverse primary producers (such as Chloroflexi, Bacillariophyta, Gammaproteobacteria, and Epsilonproteobacteria) as well as saprophytic microbes (such as Actinomycetales, Bacteroidetes, and Firmicutes). The marine sediment had a higher abundance of Gammaproteobacteria and Deltaproteobacteria, which were mainly involved in sulfate reduction in anaerobic conditions. These results are helpful for a systematic understanding of bacterial communities in natural sediment environments.     

栅藻对水环境中镍的累积效应与机理分析

对不同Scenedesmus品种的藻细胞从含镍水溶液 (10mg/L)中累积金属镍的能力进行了分析 ,结果表明 :藻细胞对镍的生物累积量表现出明显的品种差异性。ScenedesmusquadricaudaFACHB 4 4和ScenedesmusquadricaudaFACHB 5 0 6表现出很强的累积能力 (累积量达到 5～ 6mgNi /g干重 ) ,而Scenedesmussp .FACHB 4 16和Scenedesmussp .FACHB 4 89在相同条件对金属镍累积量要少得多 (1～ 1.5mgNi /g干重 )。这种差异可能与不同品种藻细胞间的形态结构和生理特性是相关的。对S .quadricaudaFACHB 4 4重金属抗性和累积能力进一步的分析表明 ,S .quadricaudaFACHB 4 4用于含镍重金属废水处理是非常有效的 ,在高浓度 (10 0mg/L)的镍溶液中 ,藻细胞的最大累积量能达到 (2 6 .7mgNi/g干重 )。对该藻细胞镍累积动力学分析发现 :藻细胞对镍的生物累积包括一个快速的被动吸附过程 (5min ,结合 70 %的镍 )和一个缓慢的耗能累积过程 (2～ 3h时间内的累积量占总量的 2 0 %～ 30 % )。与其他藻类相比 ,S .quadricaudaFACHB 4 4对水溶液中镍的耗能累积量明显高于其他藻类。透射电子显微镜(TEM)和X射线能谱 (EDX)分析结果均表明 ,藻细胞耗能累积的镍主要集中在原生质体中 ,尤以淀粉粒和染色质中为多。     

Revealing the algicidal characteristics of Maribacter dokdonensis: An investigation into bacterial strain P4 isolated from Karenia mikimotoi bloom water

Harmful algal blooms (HABs) are a global environmental concern, causing significant economic losses in fisheries and posing risks to human health. Algicidal bacteria have been suggested as a potential solution to control HABs, but their algicidal efficacy is influenced by various factors. This study aimed to characterize a novel algicidal bacterium, Maribacter dokdonensis (P4), isolated from a Karenia mikimotoi (Hong Kong strain, KMHK) HAB and assess the impact of P4 and KMHK's doses, growth phase, and algicidal mode and the axenicity of KMHK on P4's algicidal effect. Our results demonstrated that the algicidal effect of P4 was dose-dependent, with the highest efficacy at a dose of 25% v/v. The study also determined that P4's algicidal effect was indirect, with the P4 culture and the supernatant, but not the bacterial cells, showing significant effects. The algicidal efficacy was higher when both P4 and KMHK were in the stationary phase. Furthermore, the P4 culture at the log phase could effectively kill KMHK cells at the stationary phase, with higher algicidal efficacy in the bacterial culture than that of the supernatant alone. Interestingly, P4's algicidal efficacy was significantly higher when co-culturing with xenic KMHK (~90% efficacy at day 1) than that with the axenic KMHK (~50% efficacy at day 1), suggesting the presence of other bacteria could regulate P4's algicidal effect. The bacterial strain P4 also exhibited remarkable algicidal efficacy on four other dinoflagellate species, particularly the armored species. These results provide valuable insights into the algicidal effect of M. dokdonensis on K. mikimotoi and on their interactions.     

Selenium addition alters mercury uptake,bioavailability in the rhizosphere and root anatomy of rice (Oryza sativa)

Background and Aims

Mercury (Hg) is an extremely toxic pollutant, especially in the form of methylmercury (MeHg), whereas selenium (Se) is an essential trace element in the human diet. This study aimed to ascertain whether addition of Se can produce rice with enriched Se and lowered Hg content when growing in Hg-contaminated paddy fields and, if so, to determine the possible mechanisms behind these effects.

Methods

Two cultivars of rice (Oryza sativa, japonica and indica) were grown in either hydroponic solutions or soil rhizobags with different Se and Hg treatments. Concentrations of total Hg, MeHg and Se were determined in the roots, shoots and brown rice, together with Hg uptake kinetics and Hg bioavailability in the soil. Root anatonmy was also studied.

Key Results

The high Se treatment (5 μg g^–1) significantly increased brown rice yield by 48 % and total Se content by 2·8-fold, and decreased total Hg and MeHg by 47 and 55 %, respectively, compared with the control treatments. The high Se treatment also markedly reduced ‘water-soluble’ Hg and MeHg concentrations in the rhizosphere soil, decreased the uptake capacity of Hg by roots and enhanced the development of apoplastic barriers in the root endodermis.

Conclusions

Addition of Se to Hg-contaminated soil can help produce brown rice that is simultaneously enriched in Se and contains less total Hg and MeHg. The lowered accumulation of total Hg and MeHg appears to be the result of reduced bioavailability of Hg and production of MeHg in the rhizosphere, suppression of uptake of Hg into the root cells and an enhancement of the development of apoplastic barriers in the endodermis of the roots.     

栅藻对水环境中镍的累积效应与机理分析

对不同 Scenedesmus 品种的藻细胞从含镍水溶液(10mg/L)中累积金属镍的能力进行了分析,结果表明:藻细胞对镍的生物累积量表现出明显的品种差异性. Scenedesmus quadricauda FACHB 44 和 Scenedesmus quadricauda FACHB 506 表现出很强的累积能力(累积量达到5～6 mg Ni /g干重),而 Scenedesmus sp. FACHB 416 和 Scenedesmus sp. FACHB 489在相同条件对金属镍累积量要少得多(1～1.5 mg Ni /g干重).这种差异可能与不同品种藻细胞间的形态结构和生理特性是相关的.对 S. quadricauda FACHB 44 重金属抗性和累积能力进一步的分析表明, S. quadricauda FACHB 44用于含镍重金属废水处理是非常有效的,在高浓度(100 mg/L)的镍溶液中,藻细胞的最大累积量能达到(26.7 mg Ni/g 干重).对该藻细胞镍累积动力学分析发现:藻细胞对镍的生物累积包括一个快速的被动吸附过程(5 min, 结合70%的镍)和一个缓慢的耗能累积过程(2～3 h时间内的累积量占总量的20%～30%).与其他藻类相比, S. quadricauda FACHB 44对水溶液中镍的耗能累积量明显高于其他藻类.透射电子显微镜(TEM)和X射线能谱(EDX)分析结果均表明,藻细胞耗能累积的镍主要集中在原生质体中,尤以淀粉粒和染色质中为多.     

深圳红树林区浮游植物时空变化与水质要素的关系

在探讨深圳福田红树林区浮游植物群落结构及种群数量变化规律的基础上,对红树林区不同水质环境中浮游植物时空变化进行了研究,初步分析主要水质因子与浮游植物密度时空变化的相关关系。分析表明,福田红树林区浮游植物有5门28属51种(含未知9种),以硅藻门种类为主,优势种为微小小环藻(Cyclotella caspia)和诺氏海链藻(Thalassiosira nordenskiöldi)等,蓝藻、绿藻能发展成为优势类群,优势种为小颤藻(Oscillatoria minima)和小球藻(Chlorella vulgaris)等。浮游植物种类组成季节变化明显,空间变化显著。浮游植物密度空间变化明显,季节差异不大。各季度的浮游植物密度较高,达到106cells·L^-1的级别。由于接纳生活污水、工业废水、养殖废水等陆源污水,5个站位的主要水质因子受污水排放影响明显,站位受陆源污水影响的顺序依次为:Ⅳ>Ⅱ>Ⅴ>Ⅰ>Ⅲ,污水排放进入红树林区的水域水质显著区别于完全海水水域。陆源污水输入对浮游植物密度时空变化造成显著影响,浮游植物密度与总氮浓度、盐度相关性较好,与总氮成显著负相关,与盐度成显著正相关。     

VPAC2在CHO细胞的表达及鉴定

PAC2是垂体腺苷酸环化酶激活多肽(Pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide,PACAP)和血管活性肠肽(vasoactive intestinal peptide,VIP)的共同受体,介导多种重要生物学功能。为获得稳定特异表达VPAC2的中国仓鼠卵巢(Chinesehamsterovary,CHO)细胞,将pcDNA-VPAC2表达载体转染CHO细胞,G418筛选转染阳性克隆,PACAP38标准品诱导阳性克隆细胞的胞内cAMP生成,筛选出对PACAP38最为敏感的阳性单克隆细胞株(VPAC2-CHO),运用RT-PCR、Westernblot和免疫荧光法检测VPAC2受体表达情况,利用VPAC2受体特异激动剂通过竞争性结合试验和促进胞内第二信使cAMP生成的活性检测实验证实,VPAC2-CHO特异表达有功能的VPAC2。Scatchard作图分析显示VPAC2-CHO的VPAC2受体密度为(1.1±0.2)pmol/mg膜蛋白,PACAP38与VPAC2的解离常数Kd值为(0.55±0.10)nmol/L。特异表达VPAC2受体细胞系的构建为深入研究该受体理化性质、生物学功能以及筛选、开发VPAC2受体新型特异激动剂和拮抗剂等研究奠定了基础。     

Iron plaque formation on wetland-plant roots accelerates removal of water-borne antibiotics

Plant and Soil - The effects of iron plaque on the removal of antibiotic or antifungal drugs, such as macrolides (MLs) and sorption mechanism are important for the selection of plants in...     

Interactions among Fe2+, S2-, and Zn2+ tolerance, root anatomy, and radial oxygen loss in mangrove plants

Root anatomy, radial oxygen loss (ROL), and tolerances to ferrous (Fe(2+)), sulphide (S(2-)), and zinc (Zn(2+)) ions were investigated in seedlings of eight species of mangrove, including three pioneer species, three rhizophoraceous and two landward semi-mangrove species. The results showed an interesting co-tolerance to Fe(2+), S(2-), and Zn(2+). The three rhizophoraceous species (Bruguiera gymnorrhiza, Kandelia obovata and Rhizophora stylosa), which possessed the thickest lignified exodermis and the 'tightest barrier' in ROL spatial pattern, consistently exhibited the highest tolerance to Fe(2+), S(2-), and Zn(2+). B. gymnorrhiza could directly reduce ROL by increasing lignification within the exodermis. Such an induced barrier to ROL is a probable defence response to prevent further invasion and spread of toxins within plants. The data also indicated that, in B. gymnorrhiza, Fe(2+) or S(2-), or both, induced a lignified exodermis that delayed the entry of Zn(2+) into the roots and thereby contributed to a higher tolerance to Zn(2+). This study provides new evidence of exclusive strategies of mangrove seedling roots in dealing with contaminations. The information is also important in the selection and cultivation of tolerant species for the bioremediation of contaminated waters or soils.