Application of urease inhibitor improves protein composition and bread‐baking quality of urea fertilized winter wheat

Background: Nitrogen losses is an economic problem for wheat production and a high risk to the environment. Therefore, improved N fertilizer management is a key to increasing the N efficiency and minimizing N losses. To increase N efficiency, enhanced fertilizers such as urea combined with urease inhibitor can be used. Aims: The aim of present study was to evaluate the effects of different N forms on grain storage protein subunits in winter wheat and to examine whether the observed changes correlate with parameters of baking quality. Methods: The investigation was performed over two consecutive years at two locations in Germany. Protein subunits were analyzed by SDS‐PAGE. Results: Protein concentrations were similarly increased after fertilization with ammonium nitrate and urea + urease inhibitor. Analysis of the individual storage protein fractions indicated that both fertilizers specifically enhanced ω‐gliadins and HMW glutenins, but the effect was more pronounced in the ammonium nitrate treatment. Application of urea + urease inhibitor had greater influence on the protein composition and resulted in higher specific baking volume as well as the best fresh keeping ability, in comparison with urea treatment. Conclusion: Considering that the urea + urease inhibitor treatment resulted in almost comparable improvements of NUE and baking quality, with the additional benefit of reduced N losses in combination with easy handling, urea + urease inhibitor can be recommended as a viable alternative to both urea alone and ammonium nitrate treatments. This opens up an opportunity for the reduction of N loss in wheat production when use of urea is preferred.     

Role of cytokeratin 8 on changes of intestinal epithelial permeability induced by corticotropin-releasing factor

AIM: To investigate the role of cytokeratin 8 (CK8) on the change of intercellular permeability of intestinal epithelial cells induced by corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF). METHODS: The expression levels of CRF receptor 1 (CRFR1) and CRFR2 on human colon adenocarcinoma HT29 cell surface were determined by immunofluorescence staining. After treatment with 100 nmol/L CRF for 72 h, the translocation of FITC-labelled dextran was measured in a Transwell chamber. The structural changes of tight junctions were observed under transmission electron microscope. The expression levels of CK8, and tight junction proteins ZO-1 and occludin were determined by Western blot. The activity of protein kinase C (PKC) was detected by ELISA. Furthermore, the effects of CRF on intestinal epithelial permeability were examined in CK8-silencing HT29 cells, which were constructed by infection with sh-CK8 lentivirus. RESULTS: CRF treatment increased the permeability of FITC-labelled dextran (P<0.05), caused the opening of tight junctions, and induced increased fluorescence intensity of CK8. The expression levels of occludin and ZO-1 were down-regulated (P<0.05). PKC activity was decreased at 1 h after CRF treatment (P<0.05). CRF-induced increase in the permeability and down-regulation of occludin were not blocked by CK8 silencing. Nevertheless,CK8 silencing blocked the effects of CRF regarding the decrease in the expression levels of ZO-1 and the increase in PKC activity (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: CK8 may be involved in CRF-induced increase in intestinal epithelial permeability by inhibiting the activity of PKC, and there may be other signaling pathways involved.     

黄河三角洲不同土地利用类型土壤微观结构特征

黄河三角洲不同土地利用类型盐碱土微观结构的研究,对认识该地区盐碱土的工程性质和对滨海盐碱地治理具有重要意义。该研究结合粒度分析(particle size distribution,PSD)、X射线衍射(X-ray diffraction,XRD)、压汞(mercury intrusion porosimetry,MIP)和扫描电镜(scanning electron microscopy,SEM)方法,对3种不同土地利用类型盐碱土的微观结构进行定量分析,旨在揭示其微观特性,为黄河三角洲盐碱地治理提供微观理论依据。结果表明:不同土地利用类型下的土壤黏粒含量表现大小依次为农田、滩地、草地,而土壤孔隙度大小依次为草地、滩地、农田;农田、草地与滩地盐碱土矿物成分中,石英、方解石和钠长石等原生矿物占绝对优势,仅含少量黏土矿物,且农田黏土矿物含量远大于草地与滩地;草地与滩地盐碱土孔隙特征类似,两者在0.1≤孔隙直径<10μm范围内小孔隙与微孔隙占有绝对优势,而农田盐碱土以孔隙直径在<2μm范围内的微孔隙与超微孔隙为主。农田盐碱土由致密片状、扁平状结构与微裂隙构成,骨架颗粒间由黏土矿物胶结;草地盐碱土由紧密镶嵌的块状颗粒和架空孔隙构成,骨架颗粒间无胶结;滩地盐碱土由紧密堆积的粒状颗粒和粒间孔隙构成,骨架颗粒间无胶结。研究成果可提高对黄河三角洲不同土地利用类型盐碱土微观结构的认识,为滨海盐碱地的治理、利用和开发提供了微观尺度上的依据。     

玉米大斑病菌StSNF1的基因组定位、蛋白质结构预测及表达分析

为了明确StSNF1在玉米大斑病菌基因组中的位置,解析该基因编码蛋白的结构特征,探究该基因在侵染寄主的不同时期、分生孢子萌发侵染过程中以及不同碳源培养下的表达情况。结果表明,该基因ID号为008026214,全长3 046 bp,位于scaffold_17负链的97 793-100 838位置。StSNF1与玉米圆斑病菌SNF1同源关系较近,由877个氨基酸残基编码而成。StSNF1蛋白具有氮端的蛋白激酶结构域、氮端的碳代谢产物去阻遏蛋白激酶结构域和碳端的激酶相关结构域。在蛋白激酶结构域内,具有ATP结合位点和丝氨酸/苏氨酸活性位点。Real-time PCR结果表明,StSNF1在侵染后期高表达,72 h表达量最高;StSNF1在分生孢子萌发24 h时(即侵入丝形成时期)表达量最高;StSNF1在蔗糖为单一碳源的培养基中表达量最高,果胶培养基次之。综上所述,StSNF1与侵染寄主和碳源利用密切相关,在侵染后期发挥作用,利用寄主细胞内的非发酵型碳源进行次级侵染。     

西藏查吾拉地区不同性别牦牛产肉性能和肉营养成分的比较

为了研究性别对查吾拉地区牦牛的产肉性能及肉营养成分的影响,随机选取8岁健康的查吾拉牦牛10头,公母各半,对不同组别间牦牛进行屠宰试验比较肉营养品质的差异。结果表明,母牦牛屠宰率、净肉率、胴体率、骨肉比均高于公牦牛,但无统计学差异。肉营养成分分析结果显示,母牦牛肉中维生素A、E、B₁₂、半胱氨酸、组氨酸、精氨酸、钙、硒、脂肪酸含量高于公牦牛(P<0.05)。研究结果表明,查吾拉牦牛富含较高的营养成分,可为人类提供优质健康的动物蛋白,具备作为优质牦牛肉源生产的潜力。相比较,母牦牛肉优于公牦牛。     

Phenotypic and allelic variation for wort protein Z in Australian and Canadian barleys

Protein Z is a major component in beer foam. Two-dimensional electrophoresis was used to analyze wort proteins of two Australian (Buloke and Commander) and two Canadian (CDC Meredith and Bentley) varieties. The Canadian barley contained more abundant proteins from MW 40–45 kDa (pI 5 to 7). These proteins were identified as either protein Z4 or protein Z7 using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry. Full-length gene of protein Z4 and Z7 were sequenced from Canadian and Australian barleys. Sequence differences were identified in the coding region and upstream regions of the two genes, resulting in protein sequence and expression variations. Molecular markers were designed according to the indels in the upstream regions of protein Z4 and Z7 genes. These markers were highly correlated to wort protein Z content in Canadian and Australian varieties. The Canadian barleys contained ‘high level’ genotypes for protein Z4 and Z7 while most Australian barleys had ‘low level’ genotypes for protein Z4, Z7 or both. The markers identified in this study provide a valuable tool for the selection of protein Z alleles in marker-assisted breeding. Total protein Z content was assessed using different steeping conditions, and increasing air-rest time increased protein Z content in 15 varieties.     

Effect of germination time and temperature on the functionality and protein solubility of sorghum flour

Sorghum was germinated for different time (12, 24, 36 and 48 h) at different temperatures (25, 30 and 35 °C) and the changes in their nutritional and functional properties of germinated sorghum flour were assessed and compared with native sorghum flour. Germination inversely affects the crude protein, fat, fibre and ash content. A decrease in water absorption and swelling power and increase in oil absorption capacity was observed due to enzymatic starch modification as the germination duration progressed. Germination of sorghum increased the gel consistency while paste clarity was decreased as compared to native flour. Proteins were modified by action of enzymes during higher germination time and temperature conditions, which results in significantly higher protein solubility of germinated sorghum flour, which also result in enhancing the foaming and emulsifying properties of the flour. Lowest % synersis value and least gelation concentrations were observed in native sorghum has, which increased during germination and were highest in sorghum germinated for 48 h at 35 °C. Germination in overall can be used as low cost natural bio-processing technique for the preparation of modified flour with enhanced function properties without chemical modification or genetic engineering.     

灯盏花成分专用型种源评价与鉴定

收集和鉴定了云南省和贵州省共46份灯盏花种质资源,筛选出适合生产不同药品的成分专用型种源,为专用型品种选育提供参考。利用HPLC测定了灯盏花种源10种活性成分含量,相关分析阐明各成分含量间的相关性,聚类分析对种质资源进行分类。结果表明：16份灯盏花种源灯盏乙素（scutellarin, SE）含量在2.5%以上,是培育灯盏花素专用型品种的优良材料,其中4份种源同时含有高含量（>1.0%）的双咖啡酰奎宁酸酯（dicaffeoylquinic acids, diCQAs）,是培育灯盏细辛专用型品种的优良材料;同时,筛选出8份总黄酮（total flavonoids, TFs）含量高于3.5%的种源,适合选育总黄酮专用品种。相关性分析表明,SE含量与diCQAs和TFs含量均显著正相关,是灯盏花品质育种的标志性成分。聚类分析将灯盏花种源分为三大类,除1个种源的SE含量和diCQAs含量接近（第Ⅲ类）外,其他种源SE均占总活性成分的60%以上,其中第Ⅰ类为高TFs型种源,TFs占到总活性成分的80%以上,diCQAs占总成分的15%以下;第Ⅱ类为高diCQAs型种源,diCQAs占总成分的16.9%~28.9%,TFs占到总活性成分的80%以下。该结果表明灯盏花种源活性成分组成存在多种类型,为专用型品种选育提供了可能,灯盏乙素含量可以作为专用型种源筛选的首要指标。     

黑沙蒿根系抗拉特性及其与化学成分的关联性

[目的] 探讨根系抗拉特性与主要化学成分含量的关联性，以期充实根系固土力学特性研究以及提供矿区生态恢复和植物保护的理论支持。[方法] 以神东矿区广泛分布的多年生灌木黑沙蒿（Artemisia ordosica）为研究对象，利用TY8000伺服式强力机，研究1~4 mm径级直根段、含侧根分支处根段抗拉材料的力学特性并测定各径级的纤维素、半纤维素和木质素，研究根系材料力学及其与化学成分的关联性。[结果] ①随着根系直径增加，黑沙蒿直根段、含侧根分支处根段抗拉力增加，而抗拉强度和杨氏模量减小，且抗拉力、抗拉强度和杨氏模量都与根系直径呈幂函数关系。②直根段、含侧根分支处根段化学成分含量差异显著（p<0.05），平均化学成分含量为：半纤维素（31.69%，32.18%） > 木质素（28.42%，25.30%） > 纤维素（15.50%，15.35%）。③随着根系直径增加，直根段纤维素含量减小，半纤维素和木质素含量增加，而含侧根分支处根段纤维素含量减小，半纤维素和木质素含量无变化。④直根段抗拉强度、杨氏模量与纤维素极显著正相关（p<0.01），与半纤维素、木质素极显著负相关（p<0.01）。含侧根分支处根段抗拉强度、杨氏模量与纤维素极显著正相关（p<0.01），与半纤维素、木质素无相关性。[结论] 黑沙蒿根系抗拉特性与化学成分表现出一定的相关性，且纤维素是影响灌木根系材料力学特性的主要化学组分。     

河套盐碱地不同利用方式土壤盐碱化特征差异分析

为研究河套平原盐碱地在不同利用方式对土壤盐碱化特征分布的影响,通过野外调查取样和室内分析相结合的方法,对5种土地利用方式下(林地、农用地、牧草地、改良地、盐荒地)不同深度土壤剖面形态特征、可溶盐含量、盐分离子组成、总碱度、pH、碱化度等指标的变化规律进行了系统研究。结果表明:不同利用方式土壤剖面土体结构、颜色、根系分布、石灰性反应及碱化层分布均有明显差异;土壤剖面的可溶性盐、阴阳离子分布因土地利用方式不同而存在差异,牧草地和林地土壤剖面可溶性盐呈"橄榄"型、盐荒地和改良地呈"表聚"型、农用地呈"底聚"型;土壤pH、碱化度和总碱度在剖面中的分布特征基本一致,呈"S"型;经不同利用方式土壤的盐化程度和碱化程度均有所下降,与盐荒地相比,农用地盐碱化指标下降的最为显著(P0.05),其中0—20 cm土壤全盐量降至0.88 g/kg,pH降至7.83,总碱度、ESP降至0.17 cmol/kg和12.54%,表明苏打盐碱地经农用后更有利于土壤脱盐化过程和脱碱化过程;土壤全盐量、Ca~(2+)、Mg~(2+)、SO_4~(2-)、总碱度、pH可作为控制区域盐碱化的主要因子。研究结果为阐明河套平原盐碱地的盐碱化过程及盐碱化土壤利用模式提供技术参考。