A novel approach to studying the effects of temperature on soil biogeochemistry using a thermal gradient bar

The temperature dependence of chemical reaction rates and microbial metabolism mean that temperature is a key factor regulating soil trace gas emissions and hydrochemistry. Here we evaluated a novel approach for studying the thermal response of soils, by examining the effects of temperature on gas emissions and hydrochemistry in (a) peat and (b) soil from a Sitka spruce plantation. A thermal gradient was applied along an aluminium bar, allowing soil to be incubated contemporaneously from 2 to 18 °C. The approach demonstrated clear differences in the biogeochemical responses of the two soil types to warming. The peat showed no significant emission of CH₄ at temperatures below 6 °C, while above 6 °C, a marked increase in the rate of release was apparent up to 15 °C (Q₁₀ = 2.5) with emissions being similar between 15 and 18 °C. Conversely, CH₄ emissions from the forest soil did not respond to warming. Nitrate availability in the peat decreased by 90% between 2 and 18 °C (P < 0.01), whereas concentrations in the forest soil did not respond. Sulphate availability in the peat decreased significantly with warming (60%, P < 0.01), while the forest soil showed the opposite response (a 30% increase, P < 0.01). Conventionally, thermal responses are studied by incubating individual soil samples at different temperatures, involving lengthy preparation and facilities to incubate samples at different temperatures simultaneously. Data collected on a given thermal response is usually limited and thus interpolated or extrapolated. The thermal gradient method overcomes these problems, is simple and flexible, and can be adapted for a wide range of sample types (not confined to soil). Such apparatus may prove useful in the optimization of management practices to mitigate the effects of climate change, as thermal responses will differ depending on land use and soil type.     

Development of Immune Response to Experimental Bovine Trichophyton vervucosum Infection

Abstract— Cell mediated and humoral immune responses to experimental Trichophyton verrucosum infection were assessed by sequential cutaneous biopsies, antibody assessments and microscopic monitoring of fungal presence. Histopathologic examination showed the accrual of lymphocytes and other inflammatory cells in the dermis of infected sites. Immunoperoxidase staining of frozen sections with monoclonal antibody preparations revealed an influx of macrophages, BoCD4+ and B0CD8+ lymphocytes and γδ T cells from the 5th day to the 33rd day of infection. A moderate influx of B cells was observed. Protein G-colloidal gold staining revealed the presence of immunoglobulins in the dermis and superficial epidermal layers. Trichophyton specific serum antibodies appeared between days 33 and 55. Microscopic assessment of infected tissues revealed an increase in T, verrucosum elements (mycelium and ectothrix spores) from days 19 to 55. Fungal elements in infected areas did not decrease until after both humoral and cell mediated elements of the immune response were established. These responses imply a combination of cell mediated and humoral events were associated with T. verrucosum immunity and clearance in the calf. Résumé— Le réponse immunitaire humorale et cellulaire a une infection expérimentale àT. verrucosum a été appréciée par des biospsies cutanées successives, des dosages d'anticorps et la recherche microscopique de champignons. L'examen histopathologique a montré un afflux de lymphocytes et d'autres cellules inflammatoires dane le derme des sites infectés. Les marquages en immunopéroxydase par un anticorps monoclonal de coupes congelées a montré un influx de macrophages, lymphocytes BoCD4+ et BoCD8+ et des cellules T γδ, du 5e au 33e jour de l'infection. Un marquage par une protéine G—or colloidal a révélé d'immunogolglobulines dans le derme et les couches supéerficielles de l'épiderme. Les anticorps spécifiques de Trichophyton sont apparus entre 33 et 55 jours. L'examen microscopique des tissus infectés a révélé une augmentation du nombre d'éléments de T. verrucosum (mycelium et spores ectothrix) du 19e au 55e jours. Les éléments fongiques dans les zones infectées n'ont pas diminué avant que les réponses humorales et cellulaires ne solent établies. Ces résponses impliquent qu'une coopération des réponses humorales et cellulaires étaient associées dans l'immunité et la défense contre T. verrucosum. Zusammenfassung— Die zellvermittelten und humoralen Immunantworten auf die experimentelle Infektion mit T. verrucosum wurden durch eine Serie von Hautbiopsien, Antikörperuntersuchungen und mikroskopischer Untersuchung auf das Vorhandensein von Pilzen ausgewertet. Die histopathologische Untersuchung zeigte eine Ansammlung von Lymphozyten und anderen Entzündungszellen in der Dermis der infizierten Stellen. Die Immunperoxidasefärbung der Gefrierschnitte mit monoklonalen Antikörperzubereitungen zeigte einen Influx von Makrophagen, BoCd4-und BoCD8-Lymphozyten und gamma-delta-T-Zellen vom 5. bis zum 33. Tag der Infektion. Es wurde auch ein mäßiger Influx von B-Zellen beobachtet. Die Protein-G-kolloidale Goldfärbung zeigte die Anwesenheit von Immunglobulinen in der Dermis und den oberflächlichen epidermalen Schichten. Trichophyton-spezifische Serumantikörper traten zwischen Tag 33 und 55 auf. Die mikroskopische Untersuchung infizierter Gewebe zeigte eine Zunahme von T. verrucosum-Bestandteilen (Myzel und exktothrixe Sporen) vom Tag 19 bis 55. Pilzteile in infizierten Bereichen verminderten sich weder, nachdem humorale, noch nachdem zellvermittelte Elemente der Immunantwort auftraten. Diese Reaktionen deuten an, daß eine Kombination von zellvermittelten und humoralen Vorgängen im Zusammenhang mit T. verrucosum-Immumtät und Abheilung beim Kalb vorliegt. Resumen Por medio de biposias cutáneas secuenciales, medida de anticuerpos y exámen microscópico de presencia de hongos, se estudió la respuesta inmunitaria de tipo humoral y celular producida por la infección experimental con T. verrucosum. El exámen histopatológico reveló la presencia de agregación de linfocitos y otras células inflamatorias procedentes de la dermis de los puntos infectados. La tintura por medio de inmunoperoxidasa de las secciones congeladas, con preparaciones monoclonales de anticuerpos, demostró un aflujo de macrófagos BoCD4 + y BoCD8 + linfocitos y linfocitos, Tαδ, desde el quinto hasta el día 33 la infección. También se observó un aflugo moderado de linfocitos B. La tintura aúrica de proteina coloidal G reveló la presencia de inmunoglobulinas en al dermis y capas superficiales de la epidermis. Los anticuerpos específicos para la especie Trichophyton aparecieron entre los días 33 y 55. El exámen microscópico de los tejidos afectados demostró un incremento, de los elementos füngicos T. verrucosum (micelio y esporas exótricas) desde los días 19 al 55. Los elementos fúngicos en áreas infectadas no disminuyeron hasta después del establecimiento de ambos tipos de respuesta inmunitaria, humoral y celular. Estas respuestas implican que la combinación de ciertos fenómenos de inmunidad celular y humoral, están relacionados con la desaparición y la inmunidad de la infección producia por T. verrucosum en el ternero.     

Evaluation of host and bacterial gene modulation during Lawsonia intracellularis infection in immunocompetent C57BL/6 mouse model

BackgroundProliferative enteritis caused by Lawsonia intracellularis undermines the economic stability of the swine industry worldwide. The development of cost-effective animal models to study the pathophysiology of the disease will help develop strategies to counter this bacterium.ObjectivesThis study focused on establishing a model of gastrointestinal (GI) infection of L. intracellularis in C57BL/6 mice to evaluate the disease progression and lesions of proliferative enteropathy (PE) in murine GI tissue.MethodsWe assessed the murine mucosal and cell-mediated immune responses generated in response to inoculation with L. intracellularis.ResultsThe mice developed characteristic lesions of the disease and shed L. intracellularis in the feces following oral inoculation with 5 × l0⁷ bacteria. An increase in L. intracellularis 16s rRNA and groEL copies in the intestine of infected mice indicated intestinal dissemination of the bacteria. The C57BL/6 mice appeared capable of modulating humoral and cell-mediated immune responses to L. intracellularis infection. Notably, the expression of genes for the vitamin B12 receptor and for secreted and membrane-bound mucins were downregulated in L. intracellularis -infected mice. Furthermore, L. intracellularis colonization of the mouse intestine was confirmed by the immunohistochemistry and western blot analyses.ConclusionsThis is the first study demonstrating the contributions of bacterial chaperonin and host nutrient genes to PE using an immunocompetent mouse model. This mouse infection model may serve as a platform from which to study L. intracellularis infection and develop potential vaccination and therapeutic strategies to treat PE.     

微塑料对双酚A在鲤鱼肠道中累积及生长生理的影响

探明微塑料（MPs）对双酚A （BPA）在鱼类肠道中累积特征及鱼类生长生理的影响,本研究以黄河鲤鱼为模型生物,分析了0.5 μm聚苯乙烯微塑料（PS-MPs）与BPA联合作用下鲤鱼肠道中微塑料及BPA的累积特征、鲤鱼生长及其抗氧化酶活性,以及它们之间的响应关系。结果表明：联合处理下鲤鱼肠道中的PS-MPs含量随时间呈线性增加,且随投加的微塑料浓度增加而增加,而PS-MPs累积速率随时间呈先增加后减小趋势,其中在BPA+PS（L）处理（1 mg·L^-1 BPA+20 μg·L^-1 PS-MPs）下,0.25 d时鲤鱼肠道中PS-MPs累积速率达到峰值（373.81 μg·g^-1·d^-1）,BPA+PS（H）处理（1 mg·L^-1 BPA+100 μg·L^-1 PS-MPs）下,则是在0.125 d达到最高（644.00 μg·g^-1·d^-1）。与单一BPA暴露相比,联合暴露下鲤鱼肠道中BPA累积量增加,与BPA （1 mg·L^-1 BPA）处理相比,BPA+PS （L）和BPA+PS （H）处理下鲤鱼肠道中BPA含量分别提高了6.13%和9.74%,BPA累积速率分别增加了190.01%、373.80%。相较于对照处理,BPA处理和MPs与BPA联合处理均引起鲤鱼肠组织中超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）活性、过氧化氢酶（CAT）活性、还原型谷胱甘肽（GSH）含量、丙二醛（MDA）含量增加,使体质量下降幅度减缓,其中BPA、BPA+PS （L）和BPA+PS （H）处理下鲤鱼体质量（21 d）较对照处理分别下降1.22%、3.90%、4.33%。当微塑料投加量达到100 μg·mL^-1时,联合处理会增加鲤鱼肠道中SOD活性、CAT活性和GSH含量,抑制MDA产生,从而缓解MPs和BPA联合作用对鲤鱼造成的氧化损伤,并且减缓鲤鱼体质量下降。研究表明,微塑料的存在会增加双酚A在鲤鱼肠道中的累积,且两者联合作用对鲤鱼产生了协同毒理效应,导致鲤鱼生长速率减缓,体质量下降。     

NaHCO3前处理对生物炭性质及其磷吸附能力的影响

为探究NaHCO₃前处理对不同种类生物炭性质及其磷吸附能力的影响,借助元素分析、光电子能谱、孔径分析、扫描电镜等手段对比处理前后秸秆、壳核及其他3类生物炭表面特性和孔结构的差异,基于吸附等温线和Freundlich与Dubinin-Radushkevich模型拟合,探讨生物炭性质控制磷吸附的机理。结果表明：NaHCO₃前处理总体提高了各类生物炭的比表面积和孔体积,增幅分别为2.70%～110.84%和1.42%～123.80%,提高其芳香性(C=C),H/C增幅为5.56%～29.41%,同时降低了极性官能团(C—O和C=O)含量,极性指数[(O+N)/C]降幅为13.18%～46.34%。原始生物炭的磷释放量范围为78.33～568.33 mg·kg^-1,NaHCO₃前处理显著增加各类生物炭对磷的吸附,使其表现出近似的磷吸附能力(Freundlich吸附系数K_F范围为119～254 mg^1-n·Lⁿ·kg^-1)...     

草莓对干旱胁迫生理及分子响应研究进展

干旱胁迫不仅会引起草莓大面积减产,还会直接影响果实的品质,已成为我国栽培品种草莓减产的主要非生物因子之一。本文主要综述干旱胁迫对草莓产量和品质、生理生化特性及部分基因表达的影响;此外,详细介绍了国内外在提高草莓干旱耐受性方面取得的研究进展和成果,以期为研究草莓耐旱机制和选育耐旱性优良的草莓新品种提供一定的参考依据和理论支持。     

富硒绞股蓝功能性茶冻的研制

绞股蓝是一种药食同源的草本植物,被誉为“南方人参”,兼备了较高的营养价值与药用价值,具有清热解毒、调节血糖血脂、改善记忆力、抗动脉硬化、抗心肌梗塞、预防癌症等功效。然而,目前绞股蓝相关产品仍以绞股蓝茶为主,存在味苦、浮沫多的弊端,成为绞股蓝推广销售的主要瓶颈问题。本论文以陕西安康所产富硒超微绞股蓝茶粉为主要原料,以魔芋葡甘聚糖、黄原胶、甜味剂等为辅料,以感官评价为主要指标,利用正交试验与Box-Benhnken设计-响应面法筛选出最优的富硒绞股蓝功能性茶冻配方工艺。相较于传统绞股蓝茶,所得产品(1)克服了绞股蓝茶味苦、浮沫多的弊端,丰富了绞股蓝茶产品形式;(2)茶冻状态突破了传统茶冲泡形式下功能成分利用率低的限制,极大提高了硒等功能活性物质的摄取率;(3)以膳食纤维-魔芋葡甘聚糖为成胶成分,既使产品具有细腻、弹爽的口感、透明均匀的色泽,同时赋予其调节肠道菌群、缓解便秘的功能特性,显著增强了产品的功能活性;(4)以甜味剂代替传统茶冻中的蔗糖, 更适于控糖人群和代谢综合症人群食用。该研究结果为绞股蓝基功能性产品的研制与推广提供了技术和理论借鉴。     

黄土丘陵区不同植被类型根际微生物群落功能多样性研究

为了解生态恢复过程中土壤微生物功能特征,采用Biolog-Eco微平板法分析了黄土丘陵区人工灌木(柠条 Caragana korshinskii、沙棘 Hippophaer rhamnoides)、人工草地(沙打旺 Astragalus adsurgens、柳枝稷 Panicum virgatum)和天然草地(阿尔泰狗哇花 Heteropappus altaicus、茵陈蒿 Artemisia capillaries)的根际微生物碳源代谢多样性特征。结果表明:柠条、阿尔泰狗哇花和茵陈蒿的根际微生物对糖类的代谢能力显著高于沙棘、沙打旺和柳枝稷;阿尔泰狗哇花和茵陈蒿对氨基酸类、酚酸类和聚合物类的代谢能力较高。茵陈蒿和阿尔泰狗哇花的微生物代谢功能多样性高于其他4种植物。柠条、阿尔泰狗哇花和茵陈蒿具有相似的根际微生物代谢功能。黄土丘陵区植被类型显著影响微生物群落碳源利用能力,天然草地根际微生物群落代谢功能多样性优于人工灌木和人工草地。     

响应面法优化黑桑椹黄酮超声波提取工艺

为优化黑桑椹总黄酮超声波提取工艺,以库尔勒市阿瓦提乡采摘园种植的黑桑椹果实为原料,在单因素试验结果的基础上,分别选取乙醇体积分数、提取温度、提取时间、液料比4 个因素开展Box-Behnken 中心组合试验,利用Design-Expert 8.06 软件对结果进行分析和优化。结果表明,黑桑椹中黄酮类物质的最佳提取工艺条件为：乙醇体积分数60%,提取温度70 ℃,超声时间40 min,液料比30∶1（mL/g）。在此工艺条件下,黑桑椹黄酮类物质提取量为9.565 mg/g。说明应用响应面法所得到的提取工艺参数可行性强、可靠性高。