荔枝基因枪转化及其GUS瞬时表达研究

以幼胚来源的荔枝EC作为受体材料,采用基因枪轰击的方法将外源gus基因转入荔枝,并对不同条件下的GUS瞬时表达进行了详细研究。结果表明:在其它参数不变的条件下,轰击距离、真空度、可裂膜片压力、金粉用量、质粒DNA用量等理化参数显著影响GUS瞬时表达;渗透处理可显著促进GUS瞬时表达。因此,荔枝EC基因枪转化的适宜条件为在轰击距离6 cm、真空度84.66 k Pa、可裂膜片压力7 584.23 k Pa、轰击1次的情况下,每次轰击用1μg质粒DNA包裹600μg金粉对事先用0.25 mol/L前处理4 h的荔枝EC轰击,并在轰击后渗透处理20 h。另外,经50 mg/L潮霉素筛选得到荔枝抗性愈伤组织,并通过体胚发生途径获再生植株,且GUS染色显示获得了稳定表达GUS蛋白的细胞系和植株。     

小麦幼胚基因枪转化的影响因素研究

为了明确不同因素对小麦基因枪法转化效率的影响。用PDS-1000／He型基因棺将抑制叶片衰老基因Psag12-ipt转入小麦幼胚细胞，通过对报告基因GUS瞬时表达的检测，研究了金粉用量、质粒DNA用量及轰击次数对转化率的影响。结果表明，金粉用量在100-400μg范围内，时幼胚瞬时表达率影响不大，幼胚瞬时表达率在73．7%～85．0％之间，但随金粉用量的增加，细胞瞬时表迭率明显提高；质粒DNA用量以每枪2．0μg为最佳；轰击2枪幼胚和细胞瞬时表达率明显高于轰击1枪。     

提高小麦基因枪法转化效率的研究

为了提高小麦基因枪转化效率,对基因枪轰击参数的优化、受体材料的种植方式、载体类型的选择和受体基因型的筛选等进行了研究。结果表明,基因枪轰击时,金粉用量为每枪250μg、轰击距离为9cm、轰击压力为1 100psi、轰击次数为1时,小麦转化效率较高;受体材料种植于温室,且具备较高CO2浓度和温度,可以提高小麦转化效率;3种载体类型中,线性表达载体转化效率明显高于环状表达载体和双元表达载体;周麦19、郑麦7698和郑麦0943为再生能力强和转化效果好的受体品种。     

基于玉米自交系E28的农杆菌介导与基因枪转化体系的建立及比较

以玉米自交系E28的胚性愈伤组织为受体,分别利用农杆菌介导法和基因枪轰击法对携带有GUS基因和Bar基因的质粒进行转化,借助GUS基因的瞬时表达率和抗性愈伤组织比例建立体系,并对两种方法进行比较。农杆菌介导法以OD6000.6、浸染30 min、25℃共培养3 d、加入0.01%的silwet L-77为最佳参数;基因枪轰击法为4.5 MPa、11 cm轰击距离最佳参数。农杆菌介导法与基因枪轰击法的GUS瞬时表达率没有显著差异,基因枪法的抗性愈伤组织比例显著高于农杆菌介导法,基因枪轰击法较农杆菌介导法更有利于获得转基因后代。     

基因枪及其与农杆菌相结合的茶树外源基因转化条件优化

以GUS为报告基因,对基因枪介导的转化茶树愈伤的有关参数进行优化。比较了不同的预培养条件,含有PVP的培养基可提高转化频率。渗透处理不仅不能提高GUS的表达率,反而使愈伤再生困难。每枪DNA和钨粉的用量分别为0.25μg,125μg时,可得到较高的转化率。在轰击压力7MPa,射程5cm的条件下轰击一次,不论对GUS表达还是愈伤的再生都是较为适合的轰击条件。比较了农杆菌法(AGR),基因枪法(BOM)及农杆菌与基因枪结合(BTA,BPA和BOA)等方法对茶树遗传转化效率的影响。瞬间表达的结果及抗性愈伤筛选的结果都显示,农杆菌与基因枪结合使用比两种方法单独使用更有助于提高茶树转化的效率。     

基因枪法获得玉米转基因植株的研究

采用基因枪轰击转化技术将含有抗除草剂chlorsulfuron基因AHAS的PCD220质粒导入玉米愈伤组织,并再生出具有抗该除草剂的转基因植株,同时研究了影响玉米基因枪转化效率的因素。基因枪轰击时,金粉用量、轰击次数及轰击距离对愈伤组织的转化率有较大影响。转化时,以金粉用量100 μg/枪、轰击2次、发射点与靶细胞的距离9 cm最合适。对所获得的转化植株进行PCR分析及Southern杂交鉴定,部分转化植株呈PCR阳性和明显的杂交信号,说明抗除草剂绿黄隆的基因AHAS已整合到玉米基因组当中,将转基因植株进行自交,获得了T₀代的种子。     

小麦成熟胚再生体系优化及优良受体基因型筛选

为了筛选出高再生能力的基因型,对成熟胚接种前处理、取胚方式和诱导培养基成分进行了优化,并利用优化的再生体系对196个黄淮麦区的小麦品种(系)进行了筛选。结果表明,接种前4℃浸种15h结合切割取胚是成熟胚的最佳诱导前预处理组合,Mg诱导培养基更利于成熟胚植株再生。筛选出分化率高于21.29%的优良基因型10个,其中小麦品种郑麦366及小麦新品系D白C23、Z50和56-10-7的分化率(分别为31.58%、36.78%、34.72%和29.38%)显著高于对照品种Bobwhite(23.98%),而洛阳8716、陕农N82(2)、阎麦8911、西农928、宁春23和临远207的分化率与Bobwhite无显著差异。所获得的高再生能力的小麦品种(系)可用于下一步的小麦成熟胚遗传转化研究。     

小麦遗传转化中潮霉素筛选体系的建立及应用

为建立小麦遗传转化中高效的潮霉素筛选体系,以小麦品种郑麦9023的幼胚愈伤组织为材料,探讨了潮霉素浓度、处理时间、恢复培养与否对愈伤组织分化和再生的影响,并对基因枪转化的郑麦9023、邯6172、龙麦30、龙麦31的愈伤组织进行了筛选。结果表明,对小麦幼胚愈伤组织基因枪遗传转化后的筛选以50mg·L-1潮霉素处理30d为宜;恢复培养不能提高筛选阶段愈伤组织的存活率和分化率,但能提高转化后期的成苗率。经过筛选发现郑麦9023抗性愈伤和T0代抗性植株根系及花器官中均有GUS基因的表达;4个小麦品种抗性植株中潮霉素磷酸转移酶基因(hpt)和候选基因PCR阳性率分别为78.95%和73.68%以上;龙麦30、龙麦31的T1代植株的候选基因PCR阳性率分别在33.33%和73.33%以上,T2代阳性率分别在71.43%和75.00%以上。     

小麦不同转基因受体材料的植株再生培养研究

为了确定适宜的小麦转基因受体材料,通过不同取材和预处理,发现小麦幼胚作为基因枪转化的受体材料,其愈伤组织形成与芽分化能力优于幼穗。幼胚在枪击前的预培养时间对愈伤组织抗轰击损伤和恢复生长能力都有明显影响,预培养2周的幼胚愈伤组织作为受体的再生率较高。在轰击前6h到轰击后18h用0.4mol·L-1甘露醇处理,能增加分化率。小麦基因型不同,基因转化与植株再生的效果也有明显差别,本研究中豫麦18-64是较理想的受体基因型。     

用基因枪法将小麦病程相关蛋白基因TαPR-1导入小麦的研究

为验证小麦病程相关蛋白基因TαPR-1的功能，利用gus基因瞬间表达技术对基因枪法转化小麦幼胚的两个重要参数金粉用量和轰击距离进行了优化。研究结果表明,金粉用量为250．0μg．轰击距离9cm的轰击参数最为理想，GUS瞬间表达率和平均蓝点数分别可达89．8％和33．7个。采用此轰击参数．将TαPR-1基因导入扬麦158幼胚．经3～5mg／L Bialaphos筛选获得49株抗性再生植株．经PCR、Southern杂交分析．其中2株为阳性植株．转化率为0．11％。对转基因小麦植株进行苗期离体叶段和田间成株白粉病接种鉴定．初步结果表明，转基因植株对白粉病抗性与对照相比无明显差别。     

Mineral composition of some traditional Mexican teas

Teas of plant origin traditionally consumed by the Mountain Pima of Chihuahua, Mexico, were analyzed for mineral nutritional content. Fe, Cu, Zn, Ca, and Mg composition was determined for native teas made from shoots ofTagetes lucida, T. filifolia, Elytraria imbricata, andHolodiscus dumosus, and from root xylem ofCeanothus depressus andPhaseolus ritensis. Native uses of these teas are also described.     

Studies on natural repellents against potato tuber moth (Phthorimaea operculella Zeller) in country stores

Summary The effects of the leaves of five plant species, one from each of the generaAmbrosia, Anemone, Eupatorium, Eucalyptus andLantana, on potato tuber moth were investigated under indigenous storage conditions at the Central Potato Research Station, Shillong (1800 m above sea level). Their action was compared with that of a biological insecticide (spores ofBacillus thuringiensis), a chemical insecticide (carbaryl), and an untreated control. The data collected after six months storage on tuber damage, sprout damage and the rotting indicated that the leaves ofLantana aculeata provided most protection to the tubers, reducing damage from over 70% in the check to below 5%, and sprout damage from over 45% to below 3%. Next best wasEucalyptus globulus followed byB. thuringiensis. They may be used on tubers stored for table use or for seed as they had no adverse effect on germination or on the yield of a subsequent crop.     

Comparative Assessment of the Efficacy of Various Nitrogen Fertilizers

Summary

The efficiency of N fertilizers is usually poor; often less than 50% of the applied N is taken up by the crop. This review focuses on various N fertilizers with respect to the significance of different N loss pathways, namely (i) ammonia volatilization, (ii) dinitrogen and nitrogen oxide emissions, and (iii) nitrate leaching. Further, the significance of biological N immobilization, ammonium fixation and, finally, the impact of nitrate vs. ammonium uptake on crop yield are also discussed. The reviewed literature shows that N fertilizers may differ markedly in their susceptibility to losses. There is, however, considerable scope to improve N efficiency of each N source by proper N management practices.     

Redox Status and Neuro Inflammation Indexes in Cerebellum and Motor Cortex of Wistar Rats Supplemented with Natural Sources of Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Astaxanthin: Fish Oil,Krill Oil,and Algal Biomass

Health authorities worldwide have consistently recommended the regular consumption of marine fishes and seafood to preserve memory, sustain cognitive functions, and prevent neurodegenerative processes in humans. Shrimp, crabs, lobster, and salmon are of particular interest in the human diet due to their substantial provision of omega-3 fatty acids (n-3/PUFAs) and the antioxidant carotenoid astaxanthin (ASTA). However, the optimal ratio between these nutraceuticals in natural sources is apparently the key factor for maximum protection against most neuro-motor disorders. Therefore, we aimed here to investigate the effects of a long-term supplementation with (n-3)/PUFAs-rich fish oil, ASTA-rich algal biomass, the combination of them, or krill oil (a natural combination of both nutrients) on baseline redox balance and neuro-inflammation indexes in cerebellum and motor cortex of Wistar rats. Significant changes in redox metabolism were only observed upon ASTA supplementation, which reinforce its antioxidant properties with a putative mitochondrial-centered action in rat brain. Krill oil imposed mild astrocyte activation in motor cortex of Wistar rats, although no redox or inflammatory index was concomitantly altered. In summary, there is no experimental evidence that krill oil, fish oil, oralgal biomass (minor variation), drastically change the baseline oxidative conditions or the neuro-inflammatory scenario in neuromotor-associated rat brain regions.     

Potential of dry fractionation of wheat bran for the development of food ingredients,part II: Electrostatic separation of particles

Wheat bran is a composite material made of several layers, such as pericarp, testa and aleurone. It could be fractionated into purified fractions, which might either be used as food ingredients, or serve as a starting material for extraction of bioactive compounds. The aim of this work was to evaluate the potential of using electrostatic separation as a way to obtain purified fractions from wheat bran. Ultrafine-ground bran obtained either by cryogenic grinding or by grinding at ambient temperature was used as starting material. The ultrafine bran was then charged by tribo-electrification and introduced in a chamber containing two high voltage electrodes, where bran particles were separated depending on their acquired charge, allowing positively and negatively charged fractions to be collected separately. The particle size distribution, microstructure and biochemical composition of the obtained fractions were studied. The charge of the particles was influenced by their biochemical composition: particles rich in highly branched and cross-linked arabinoxylans (pericarp) were separated from particles rich in β-glucan, ferulic acid and para-coumaric acid (aleurone cell walls). The testa and the intracellular compounds from aleurone were not highly charged, neither positively nor negatively. The most positively charged fraction represented 34% of the initial bran, and contained 62% of the ferulic acid present in the initial bran. The yield of the separation process was good (5.4% loss), and could be further increased.     

Pharmacokinetics of Marine-Derived Drugs

Marine organisms represent an excellent source of innovative compounds that have the potential for the development of new drugs. The pharmacokinetics of marine drugs has attracted increasing interest in recent decades due to its effective and potential contribution to the selection of rational dosage recommendations and the optimal use of the therapeutic arsenal. In general, pharmacokinetics studies how drugs change after administration via the processes of absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME). This review provides a summary of the pharmacokinetics studies of marine-derived active compounds, with a particular focus on their ADME. The pharmacokinetics of compounds derived from algae, crustaceans, sea cucumber, fungus, sea urchins, sponges, mollusks, tunicate, and bryozoan is discussed, and the pharmacokinetics data in human experiments are analyzed. In-depth characterization using pharmacokinetics is useful for obtaining information for understanding the molecular basis of pharmacological activity, for correct doses and treatment schemes selection, and for more effective drug application. Thus, an increase in pharmacokinetic research on marine-derived compounds is expected in the near future.     

In vitro antimicrobial activity of different accessions ofSolanum commersonii Dun. from Uruguay

Summary The in vitro antimicrobial activity of extracts from accessions ofSolanum commersonii Dun. collected in the south of Uruguay was investigated against five microorganisms including the pathogenRalstonia solanacearum. A total of 30 extracts corresponding to organic and aqueous extracts were studied. Interestingly, most of the positive results for growth inhibition were againstR. solanacearum. The extracts were also analyzed for the presence of glycoalkaloids and lectins. Six of the ten aqueous extracts showed lectin presence and a wide variation in the type and amounts of glycoalkaloids, was found. Results indicate that there is no clear relationship between the antimicrobial activity against the five microorganisms screened and the presence or amounts of lectins and glycoalkaloids, traditionally regarded as possible antimicrobial metabolites in theSolanum genus, which indicates the presence of as yet unidentified antimicrobial compounds.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pulque</Emphasis>, An Alcoholic Drink from Rural Mexico,Contains Phytase. Its <Emphasis Type="Italic">in vitro</Emphasis> Effects on Corn Tortilla

Pulque is made by fermenting the agave sap or aguamiel of Agave atrovirens with a whole array of microorganisms present in the environment including several lactic acid bacteria and yeasts such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Ascorbic acid was determined in pulque and aguamiel, respectively. Phytase activity in lees, liquid and freeze-dried pulque was assayed by measuring the appearance of phosphate from phytate by a colorimetric method likewise phosphate from phytate present in fresh corn tortilla was measured after in vitro incubation with pulque. Iron, zinc, calcium, magnesium and selenium contents were measured in pulque and corn tortilla as well as in nixtamalized corn flour (NCF), the latter is used to make instant tortilla, since corn provides most of the energy as well as most of the phytate in the Mexican rural diet. Pulque showed phytase activity but much less ascorbic acid and iron than previously reported; additionally, phytase in pulque hydrolyzed most of phytate’s corn tortilla. Lees, which is mostly made of pulque’s microbiota, significantly accumulated iron and zinc but no selenium. NCF was fortified with iron by the manufacturers but poorly blended. There were significant differences on selenium content between tortillas samples, apparently some soils in central Mexico are selenium deficient. Moderate pulque intake appears to increase the bioavailability of iron and zinc bound by phytate in corn.