Zinc biofortification of maize (Zea mays L.): Status and challenges

Zn deficiency is one of the leading health problems in children and women of developing countries. Different interventions could be used to overcome malnutrition, but biofortification is most impactful, convenient, sustainable and acceptable intervention. Maize is one of the major crops grown and consumed in the regions with prevalent Zn malnutrition; therefore, this is suitable target for Zn biofortification. Zn biofortification of maize could be achieved through agronomic and genetic approaches. Discussion of agronomic approaches with genetic approaches is prerequisite because soils in developing countries are deficit of Zn and availability of Zn in soils is mandatory for estimating the genetic responses of maize genotypes through genetic approaches. Seed priming, foliar and soil applications are agronomic tools for biofortification, but solo and combined applications of these treatments have different effects on Zn enrichment. Genetic approaches include the increase of Zn bioavailability or increase of kernel Zn concentration. Zn bioavailability could be increased by reducing the anti‐nutritional factors or by increasing the bioavailability enhancers. Kernel Zn concentration could be improved through hybridization and selections, whereas genetically engineered attempts for improving Zn uptake from soil, loading in xylem, remobilization in grains and sequestration in endosperm can further improve the kernel Zn concentration. Key challenges associated with dissemination of Zn biofortified maize are also under discussion in this draft. Current review emphasized all of above‐mentioned contents to provide roadmap for the development of Zn biofortified maize genotypes to curb the global Zn malnutrition.     

Effect of Kechuanning on airway remodeling and protein level of p-ERK1/2 in lung tissues of asthmatic rats induced by virus

AIM:To investigate the effect of Kechuanning on airway remodeling and the protein level of p-ERK1/2 in lung tissues of asthmatic rats induced by virus. METHODS:The asthmatic rat model induced by respiratory syncytial virus was established. The experimental rats were divided into normal group, asthma model group, low dose (0.33 mL/kg), middle dose (3.0 mL/kg) and high dose (10 mL/kg) of Kechuanning groups, and PD98059 (3 mg/kg) group. The airway responsiveness of the rats was measured by animal ventilator. The pathological changes of the lung tissues were observed by HE staining. PAS staining and Masson staining were used to observe goblet epithelial cells metaplasia and airway collagen deposition. The expression of matrix metalloproteinases-9 (MMP-9) and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) in the lung tissues of the rats was detected by immunohistochemical staining. The protein levels of ERK1/2 and p-ERK1/2 were determined by Western blot. RESULTS:Compared with model group, the airway responsiveness of the rats in middle dose and high dose of Kechuanning groups was significantly decreased (P<0.01), the injury of lung tissues was significantly decreased, the goblet epithelial cells metaplasia and airway collagen deposition were significantly reduced (P<0.01), and the expression of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 in the lung tissues was also significantly decreased (P<0.01). In addition, the protein level of p-ERK1/2 in high dose of Kechuanning group was significantly decreased compared with model group (P<0.01). CONCLUSION:Kechuanning may treat asthma by regulating the expression of p-ERK1/2 in the lung tissues and improving the airway remodeling symptoms of asthmatic rats induced by virus.     

鸡传染性贫血病毒VP1、VP2基因在杆状病毒表达系统中的表达

将鸡传染性贫血病毒M9905株VP1、VP2基因分别或同时克隆到杆状病毒转移载体pFastBacDUAL中，然后转化到DHIOBAC感受态细胞中与Bacmid杆状病毒穿梭载体进行转座重组，最后将重组子转染Sf9昆虫细胞，得到分别或同时含VP1、VP2基因的重组杆状病毒rBacVP1、rBacVP2及rBacVP1—2。PCR扩增结果证实VP1、VP2基因重组到杆状病毒基因组中；SDS-PAGE电泳分析和间接免疫荧光试验结果表明VP1、VP2基因在重组病毒中得到了表达。     

羊支原体性肺炎两标准株对抗菌药物敏感性的研究

本实验测定了环丙沙星、氧氟沙星、单诺沙星、红霉素、罗红霉素、泰勒菌素、泰妙菌素、四环素等8种药物对羊肺炎支原体两个标准株Y98和Y-goat的体外抑菌浓度以及红霉素与氧氟沙星、泰勒菌素对Y-goat和四环素与氧氟沙星、泰勒菌素对Y98的联合药敏作用。对羊肺炎支原体两个标准株对抗菌药物的敏感性进行了分析。     

Impact of postovulatory food deprivation on the ova transport, hormonal profiles and metabolic changes in sows.

The effect of food deprivation on ova transport, hormonal profiles and metabolic changes was studied in 20 crossbred multiparous sows during their second oestrus after weaning. To determine the time of ovulation, transrectal ultrasonographic examination was performed. The sows were divided into 2 groups, one control group (C-group), which was fed according to Swedish standards, and one experimental group (E-group). The E-group sows were deprived of food from the first morning meal after ovulation until slaughter. Blood samples were collected every second hour from about 12 h before expected ovulation in the second oestrus after weaning until slaughter and were analysed for progesterone, prostaglandin F2 alpha-metabolite, insulin, glucose, free fatty acids and triglycerides. All sows were slaughtered approximately 48 h after ovulation and the genital tract was recovered. The isthmic part of the oviduct was divided into 3 equally long segments and flushed separately with phosphate buffered saline (PBS). Uterine horns were also flushed with PBS. A significantly greater number of ova were found in the first and second part of the isthmus in the E-group (p = 0.05) while in the C-group most of the ova were found in the third part of the isthmus or the uterus (p = 0.01). The level of prostaglandin F2 alpha-metabolite was significantly higher in the E-group compared with the C-group. The concentration of progesterone increased in both groups after ovulation but there were no significant differences between the groups. The other blood parameters showed that the food-deprived sows were in a catabolic state. The 48 h period of fasting results, directly or indirectly in an delayed ova transport, which may be due to a delayed relaxation in the smooth circular muscle layer of the isthmus.     

八种中草药体外抑制大肠杆菌的效果观察

选取马尾松、田基黄、艾草、雷公根、芭蕉芯、浮萍、野菊花、番石榴叶8种中草药，采用常规中草药药敏试验打孔法和试管法对猪大肠杆菌（K88）、大肠杆菌（0157）进行体外抑菌试验。结果显示，艾草、野菊花、番石榴叶对大肠杆菌呈高度敏感，其中艾草对大肠杆菌抑菌力最强；马尾松挥发油对大肠杆菌呈中度敏感；田基黄、雷公根、芭蕉芯、浮萍对大肠杆菌无抑菌作用。     

抗虫杂交棉F1、F2代纤维品质的比较研究

2003年,在山东尹庄、江苏扬州、安徽宿松、湖北荆州、湖南长沙、湖南南县、湖南澧县等7个地点,对包括对照中29在内8个组合的F1、F2代共计16个材料进行纤维品质的比较研究,结果表明:抗虫杂交棉F1和F2代间除纤维长度达到显著差异外,其他7项指标差异均无显著,但F2代纤维品质变异范围增大,劣质纤维比例增加,优良纤维比例减少,从而出现纤维品质的衰退。     

线粒体与细胞凋亡

细胞凋亡是一种由基因控制的细胞自杀性死亡过程,是机体维持自身稳定的一种基本生理机制。机体通过细胞凋亡清除损伤、衰老与突变的细胞,维持生理平衡。通过对细胞凋亡的研究发现,线粒体在调节细胞凋亡中发挥着关键作用。尤其是被称为细胞凋亡主开关的线粒体通透性改变孔(MitochondrionPermeabilitytransitionPore,MPTP),它是细胞色素C、Smac、AIF等凋亡诱导因子的主要来源。本文以MPTP的开放、细胞色素C、AIF在细胞凋亡中的作用以及Bcl-2家族对细胞凋亡的调控做一综述,以便广大读者能系统地了解线粒体在细胞凋亡中的作用。     

The Phytotoxicity of Various Graminicides in Durum Wheat in Greece

The effect of three herbicides, diclofop-methyl (DM), imazamethabenz-methyl (IM) and fenoxaprop-ethyl (FE), was investigated at the recommended rate (×) and double the recommended rate (2×) in a durum wheat crop. FE had the smallest effect on root system characteristics, while IM had the greatest effect. For all herbicides, the double rate treatment gave a greater statistical reduction than the single rate for root system characteristics. FE had the smallest effect on the activity of aerobic microorganisms, while DM gave the greatest reduction, 10 days after application, and all three herbicides reduced earthworm abundance. DM gave the smallest reduction in the number of tillers and in plant height, while the double rate of IM gave the greatest reduction. For all three herbicides, double the recommended rate resulted in a significant reduction in the weight of 1000 seeds, while no statistically significant deviations were noted at the recommended rate. Finally, the use of all three herbicides resulted in significantly lower statistical yields compared to the sample (control plot), although there were no significant statistical differences among them, for either recommended or double recommended rates.     

牛奶葡萄贮藏中SO_2伤害及调控措施研究

牛奶葡萄采后SO2双重释放装置辅以CT－1处理不但有效降低了药害发生率，而且提高了贮藏效果。在此基础上辅以采前喷布内含杀菌剂的壳多糖，牛奶葡萄可达到更佳贮藏效果，在1998年生长季发生全国性洪水灾害，田间带菌量剧增，各地葡萄贮藏效果极差情况下，参试的牛奶葡萄腐烂率只有1．6％，果梗鲜绿，褐变指数只有0．4％，药害率仅为1．0％，果肉亚硫酸盐残留仅为0．067 mg／kg。