Effect of melatonin on visceral fat deposition,lipid metabolism and hepatic lipo-metabolic gene expression in male rats

Melatonin (MT) influences lipid metabolism in animals; however, the mechanistic effect of melatonin on liver fat and abdominal adipose deposition requires further clarity. In order to study the effects of melatonin on lipid metabolism, and hepatic fat and abdominal adipose deposition in animals, twenty Sprague–Dawley (SD) rats of 6 weeks of age with similar bodyweight were randomly divided into two groups: control (CTL) and MT-treated (10 mg/kg/day). During a 60-day experiment, food intake and bodyweight were measured daily and weekly respectively. At the end of treatment, blood samples were collected to collect plasma to quantify hormones and metabolic indicators of lipid metabolism. In addition, organ and abdominal adipose depots including liver, and omental, perirenal, and epididymal fat were weighed. Liver tissue was sampled for sectioning, long-chain fatty acid (LCFA) quantification, and gene chip and Real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) analyses. The results showed that liver weight and index (ratio of liver weight to body weight) in MT group reduced by 20.69% and 9.63% respectively; omentum weight and index reduced by 59.88% and 54.93% respectively, and epididymal fat weight reduced by 45.34% (p = 0.049), relative to CTL. Plasma lipid indices, triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and total cholesterol (TC) with MT treatment decreased significantly compared with the control. Fat and 8 LCFA content in liver in MT group also decreased. Gene chip and qPCR demonstrated that there were 289 genes up-regulated and 293 genes down-regulated by MT. Further analysis found that the mRNA expression of lipolysis-related genes increased, while the mRNA expression of lipogenesis-related enzymes decreased (p < 0.05) with MT. This study concluded that melatonin greatly affected fat deposition, and hepatic LCFA supply and the expression of genes associated with lipogenesis and lipolysis.     

基于数字化植物表型平台（D3P）的田间小麦冠层光截获算法开发

冠层光截获能力是反映作物品种间差异的重要功能性状，高通量表型冠层光截获对提高作物改良效率具有重要意义。本研究以小麦为研究目标，利用数字化植物表型平台（D3P）模拟生成了100种冠层结构不同的小麦品种在5个生育期的三维冠层场景，记录了从原始冠层结构中提取的绿色叶面积指数（GAI）、平均倾角（AIA）和散射光截获率（FIPAR_dif）信息作为真实值,进一步利用上述三维小麦场景开展了虚拟的激光雷达（LiDAR）模拟实验，生成了对应的三维点云数据。基于模拟的点云数据提取了其高度分位数特征（H）和绿色分数特征（GF）。最后，利用人工神经网络（ANN）算法分别构建了从不同LiDAR点云特征（H、GF和H+GF）输入到FIPAR_dif、GAI和AIA的反演模型。结果表明，对于GAI、AIA和FIPAR_dif，预测精度从高到低对应的点云特征输入为GF+H > H > GF。由此可见，H特征对提高目标表型特性的估算精度起到了重要作用。输入GF + H特征，在中等测量噪音（10%）情况下，FIPAR_dif和GAI的估算均获得了满意精度，R²分别为0.95和0.98，而AIA的估算精度（R²=0.20）还有待进一步提升。本研究基于D3P模拟数据开展，算法的实际表现还有待通过田间数据进一步验证。尽管如此，本研究验证了D3P协助表型算法开发的能力，展示了高通量LiDAR数据在估算田间冠层光截获和冠层结构方面的较高潜力。     

柑桔黄龙病三种媒介昆虫的研究进展

柑桔木虱是传播世界毁灭性病害柑桔黄龙病的唯一虫媒,因此,科学合理防治柑桔木虱是治理柑桔黄龙病的关键措施之一。本文系统概述了柑桔上3种木虱的生物学特性、发生和扩散规律、与柑桔黄龙病的互作及传毒机制等方面的研究进展,以期为柑桔木虱的合理防治提供参考,为柑桔黄龙病的综合治理提供理论依据和借鉴。     

橡胶树白粉菌内源强启动子WY193的克隆及功能鉴定

橡胶树白粉菌(Oidium heveae Steinm.)是专性寄生的丝状真菌。目前,有关橡胶树白粉菌启动子的研究较为落后。启动子是调控基因表达重要的顺式作用元件,是分子生物学研究的热点。为了开发研究橡胶树白粉菌的内源启动子,为植物基因工程提供新的材料及从分子水平理解橡胶树白粉菌遗传组成与进化。本研究在橡胶树白粉菌HO-73基因组基础上,利用生物信息学在线软件PromoterScan预测得到一个疑似启动子,命名为WY193。采用qRT-PCR技术测定WY193调控GUS基因的表达量,其表达量明显高于阳性对照CaMV 35S(35S)启动子,为35S的8.34倍。WY193均能驱动GUS基因在双子叶植物烟草和火龙果,以及单子叶植物椰子和玉米中进行瞬时表达。因此,本研究得到的橡胶树白粉菌内源启动子WY193,其表达范围较广,效率高,具有较好的应用前景,丰富了橡胶树白粉菌内源启动子研究。     

Identification and verification of quantitative trait loci for eating and cooking quality of rice (Oryza sativa)

This study was conducted to identify new quantitative trait loci (QTLs) that have stable effects for eating and cooking quality (ECQ) of rice. Three recombinant inbred line populations of indica rice were each planted in two years. Three traits for ECQ, amylose content (AC), gel consistency (GC) and alkali spreading value (ASV), were measured for QTL analysis. A total of 13 QTLs were detected, including four for AC, six for ASV and three for GC. Two QTLs, qGC4 in the interval RM16252–RM335 on the short arm of chromosome 4 and qGC6.2 in the Alk region, were validated in a population derived from a residual heterozygote that was homozygous at the major locus Wx. In the absence of segregation at the Wx locus, qGC4 and qGC6.2 had additive effects of 2.46 and 8.18 mm, respectively, offering a potential for improving GC property of rice varieties. Comparison between qGC4 and previous results suggests that qGC4 is likely a new QTL for GC, providing a candidate for gene cloning and functional characterization.     

Mechanisms associated with tiller suppression under stagnant flooding in rice

Stagnant flooding (SF) during vegetative growth triggers stem elongation usually at the cost of tiller production in rice, reducing grain yield. To explore physiological mechanisms associated with tillering suppression under SF, three contrasting genotypes (Swarna and Swarna‐Sub1, both sensitive and IRRI154, tolerant) were evaluated under standing water depths of 0, 5, 30 and 50 cm. SF significantly suppressed tiller formation but increased plant height, root biomass, shoot elongation (ratio of plant height before and after flooding), leaf emergency and non‐structural carbohydrate (NSC) concentration (in root–shoot junction) in all genotypes at the early stage of development. Chlorophyll concentration in the upper leaves (upper most fully expanded leaf at top) was higher than in lower leaves (lowest green leaf at base), but decreased under SF in both. SF increased hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) at the early stage of treatment, with concomitant increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) production by stems and leaves. MDA concentration in root–shoot junction increased but delayed. Tiller number correlated negatively with plant height, shoot elongation, leaf emergency, MDA concentration in leaves and root–shoot junction, root biomass, and NSC concentration in the root–shoot junction. The results suggested existence of compensatory mechanisms between tiller growth and shoot elongation in rice for resilience under SF, where energy is mainly diverted for shoot elongation to escape flooding. The SF‐tolerant genotype produced less H₂O₂ and maintained energy balance for higher survival and better growth under stagnant flooding.     

8个樱花品种播种育苗技术研究

本文介绍了8个樱花品种的种子从储藏、催芽、播种到苗期管理的试验全过程,总结出一种简便易操作的樱花播种育苗技术,可供生产设施比较简陋的地方借鉴和参考。     

外源亚精胺对盐胁迫下甜菜生长及养分吸收的影响

为了探究外源亚精胺是否具有缓解甜菜盐害作用,采用霍兰营养液室内水培方法,测定了280mmol/L NaCl胁迫条件下,喷施0.25 mmol/L外源亚精胺后,耐盐‘T510’和盐敏感‘210’甜菜品系幼苗生长、生理及其体内N、P、K养分含量的变化情况。结果发现,盐胁迫下(Na处理),除MDA和P素含量升高外,两品系甜菜幼苗的叶片相对含水量、叶面积、叶绿素含量、幼苗生物量及N、K养分含量指标均明显降低;与Na处理比,喷施亚精胺的盐胁迫处理,除MDA和P素含量降低外,其它指标明显增加,两品系甜菜幼苗生长和养分吸收状况明显改善;外源亚精胺对耐盐‘T510’品系的调节作用大于‘210’品系。因此外源亚精胺能有效缓解盐胁迫对甜菜生长的伤害,对耐盐品系的调节效果更佳。