Glyphosate resistance of molecularly identified Conyza albida and Conyza bonariensis populations

In the initial screening, 18 out of 32 Conyza albida and 7 out of 28 Conyza bonariensis populations, sampled from main perennial crop regions of central and southern Greece, were found to be resistant to glyphosate. The level of resistance determined in dose–response experiments with representative populations of the two species was found to range from 7.7 to 37.3 for C. albida and from 3.4 to 7.8 for C. bonariensis. The comparison of the resistant and susceptible C. albida and C. bonariensis EPSPS gene sequences indicated that possess single nucleotide changes compared to Conyza canadensis EPSPS gene, but none of these changes is located at the position 106 that has been reported to confer resistance to glyphosate. Finally, the cpDNA sequence comparison analysis used for the most resistant population of each species and the respective susceptible counterparts was found to be a reliable tool for discrimination of conventionally classified C. albida and C. bonariensis plants that are morphologically similar. This is the first report for molecular identification of Conyza species.     

Association between urinary vascular endothelial growth factor excretion and chronic kidney disease in hyperthyroid cats

Many hyperthyroid cats develop azotaemic chronic kidney disease (aCKD) following treatment, which has led to the hypothesis that hyperthyroidism might be detrimental to renal function. Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) activation occurs in hyperthyroidism, which could cause peri-tubular hypoxia, tubular damage and the development of aCKD. Urinary vascular endothelial growth factor:creatinine ratio (VEGFCR) is postulated to be a marker of tubular hypoxia. VEGFCR was correlated with plasma renin activity (PRA) and compared between hyperthyroid cats that did and did not develop aCKD following treatment (pre-azotaemic and non-azotaemic groups respectively). PRA was positively correlated with VEGFCR (r_s = 0.382; P = 0.028); however, pre-azotaemic hyperthyroid cats had significantly lower VEGFCR than non-azotaemic cats at baseline (median 122.3 fg/g versus 167.0 fg/g; P < 0.001). RAAS activation in hyperthyroidism is associated with increased VEGFCR; however, increased VEGFCR was not correlated with the development of aCKD. Therefore, tubular hypoxia may not be a mechanism for renal damage in hyperthyroid cats.     

Propofol attenuates LPS-induced tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6 and nitric oxide expression in canine peripheral blood mononuclear cells possibly through down-regulation of nuclear factor (NF)-κB activation

Sepsis is a major cause of mortality in intensive care medicine. Propofol, an intravenous general anesthetic, has been suggested to have anti-inflammatory properties and able to prevent sepsis induced by Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria by down-regulating the gene expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines. However, propofol’s anti-inflammatory effects upon canine peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) have not yet been clarified. Here, we isolate canine PBMCs and investigate the effects of propofol on the gene expressions of both lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and upon the production of nitric oxide (NO). Through real-time quantitative PCR and the Griess reagent system, we found that non-cytotoxic levels of propofol significantly inhibited the release of NO and IL-6 and TNF-α gene expression in LPS-induced canine PBMCs. Western blotting revealed that LPS does significantly increase the expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) protein in canine PBMCs, while pretreatment with propofol significantly decreases the LPS-induced iNOS protein expression. Propofol, at concentration of 25 µM and 50 µM, also significantly inhibited the LPS-induced nuclear translocation of nuclear factor (NF)-κB p65 protein in canine PBMCs. This diminished TNF-α, IL-6 and iNOS expression, and NO production was in parallel to the respective decreased NF-κB p65 protein nuclear translocation in the LPS-activated canine PBMCs pretreated with 25 µM and 50 µM propofol. This suggests that non-cytotoxic levels of propofol pretreatment can down-regulate LPS-induced inflammatory responses in canine PBMCs, possibly by inhibiting the nuclear translocation of the NF-κB p65 protein.     

贮藏时间与蒙药黄芩对紫花苜蓿草颗粒维生素和化学成分的影响

为有效保全苜蓿草颗粒贮藏过程中维生素及营养品质,本研究以紫花苜蓿草颗粒为研究材料,研究贮藏时间(0,60,120,180,240 d,冷冻240 d)与蒙药黄芩(0%,0.5%,1.0%,1.5%)对其维生素含量和营养品质的影响。结果表明：在贮藏过程中,与其他添加量相比,添加1.5%黄芩有利于保存苜蓿草颗粒维生素B5、维生素C和α-维生素E含量。贮藏60 d及以上显著降低了苜蓿草颗粒维生素B1、维生素B3、维生素C和维生素E含量;贮藏120 d时苜蓿草颗粒DM含量趋于稳定;苜蓿草颗粒贮藏180 d后其CP含量显著降低;贮藏0～180 d期间,随着贮藏时间的延长,苜蓿草颗粒NDF和ADF含量显著升高。与常温贮藏240 d相比,冷冻贮藏相同时间有利于保存苜蓿草颗粒中维生素B1、维生素B5、α-维生素E和OM含量,显著降低DM、NDF和ADF含量。因此,1.5%黄芩添加剂有利于保存苜蓿草颗粒维生素含量,且常温贮藏时间不宜超过60天。     

木芙蓉上亚利桑那跳小蜂对扶桑绵粉蚧的寄生研究

扶桑绵粉蚧Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley是我国重要观赏和药用植物木芙蓉上的主要害虫之一,但迄今对其被优势天敌亚利桑那跳小蜂Aenasius arizonensis(Girault)（班氏跳小蜂A.bambawalei Hayat）的寄生情况了解甚少。为此,自2017年开始,在浙江兰溪西部的一个木芙蓉种植区开展了为期四年的调查,每年6—9月,分批从木芙蓉植株上采集3龄若虫及未产卵雌成虫,于室内观察寄生情况;并于其中两年观察了不同生境中的寄生情况,探讨了寄生季节变化的动态特征及相关影响因素、杂草促进寄生的途径以及增强该粉蚧自然控制的措施。结果表明,在前期（6—7月）寄生率总体上较低,其中两年最高分别仅有38%和32%,另外两年也很少发现被寄生个体,而且该时期寄生率年份间存在明显波动。而在后期（8—9月）,寄生率相对较高,且具有从8月上旬开始逐步上升这一显著特点。观察期间,最高寄生率均出现于各年份9月下旬,四年中分别为89%、62%、55%和13%,年份间差异十分明显。生境类型可对寄生水平产生较大影响,与木芙蓉地块内和杂草稀疏的田埂相比,杂草丛生的田埂上和路边区域中粉蚧被寄生率相对较高;另外,在毗邻田块的路边地段,9月上旬的寄生比例一定程度上高于距离木芙蓉地块较远的路边地段。本研究表明,木芙蓉上亚利桑那跳小蜂对扶桑绵粉蚧的控制作用随年份和季节剧烈变化,一些生境诸如杂草较多的地段有利于增强其控害作用。     

植物在生态旅游中的作用及其功能评价

通过调查分析,从植物的美学特点、植物的特殊用途、珍稀濒危植物、古树名木等方面来探讨植物在生态旅游中的作用;根据植物在生态旅游中的作用,建立了植物在生态旅游中的功能评价指标体系层次结构模型,并运用AHP方法确定了各指标的权重。     

早竹TB1同源基因的克隆和表达分析

竹笋的形成和生长发育过程涉及侧枝形态发生,探讨侧枝发育有关基因在竹笋发育过程中的作用,对于阐明竹笋发育基因调控机制有重要意义.利用禾本科TB1同源基因在序列上的保守性,在基因上游的非编码区设计简并引物,通过RT-PCR技术, 从早竹笋中克隆到一个1 296 bp的cDNA序列,该序列包含1个编码349个氨基酸的阅读框,在氨基酸水平上与玉米TB1相似性达64.7%,定名为PpTB1.序列分析比对表明,PpTB1基因的编码产物含有保守的SP区、TCP区和R区,属于基因家族的1个成员.进化分析进一步表明,竹子TB1相似基因是玉米TB1基因的同源基因,且竹子TB1同源基因的分歧时间介于水稻和现有其他TB1同源基因之间.RT-PCR分析表明,该基因在笋、叶片和花中均有表达.原位杂交分析表明,PpTB1在笋的侧芽中表达较多.研究表明,PpTB1很可能与禾本科其他植物的TB1同源基因相似,在竹笋发育过程中,参与侧枝的形成.另外,TB1同源基因也可能在竹子分类和进化研究上有重要价值.     

Biology,impact, and management of Echinochloa colona (L.) Link

Echinochloa colona (L.) Link. is one of the most problematic weeds across the world. It is an annual C₄ summer grass, native to tropical and subtropical Asia, emerged as a serious and persistent threat in 35 cropping systems in more than 60 countries. E. colona is reported as an important associated weed species in transplanted and direct-seeded rice. Diverse ecotypes, high seed production, short seed dormancy, rapid growth, competitive potential, allelopathic interaction, and resistance against several herbicides makes it a more adaptable and persistent challenge in various agro-ecosystems. Development of resistance to recommended or higher doses of numerous herbicides, including ametryn, atrazine, bispyribac-sodium, clefoxidym, cyhalofop-butyl, fenoxaprop-p-ethyl, glyphosate, metribuzin, propanil, and triazine, is a serious concern for the farming and scientific community. Crop infestation with resistant E. colona biotypes may ultimately increase the weed control cost. Unfortunately, investigations on seed dormancy release, genetic diversity, allelopathic interference, and competitive ability of this weed are inadequate in accomplishing its appropriate control in different environments. Therefore, a comprehensive review is presented here to gather the existing information, to pin point key findings, and to highlight the research gaps in the biology, interference, and management of E. colona. Different management options have been discussed in relation with eco-biology of this noxious weed. The potential research endeavours have also been highlighted in order to provide an insight of its existing scenario and to facilitate the future management strategies.     

典型乌龙茶产区氮素平衡状况及减排潜力研究

为探讨典型乌龙茶产区氮素平衡状况及温室气体减排潜力，基于2015-2017年在福建省安溪县和武夷山市茶园开展的355户农户调研数据和207个土壤数据，采用Boundary line方法，分析了典型乌龙茶产区的氮肥施用特征、氮素平衡状况以及温室气体减排潜力。结果表明：安溪县茶园平均氮肥投入量509.4 kg·hm^-2，主要来源于复合肥和尿素，全年氮盈余量479.1 kg·hm^-2；武夷山市茶园平均氮肥投入量218.1 kg·hm^-2，主要来源于复合肥，全年氮盈余量189.8 kg·hm^-2；氮素投入与氮养分盈余量之间具有极显著的正相关关系；随着氮素盈余量的增加，土壤全氮含量也随之增加，并且安溪茶园的土壤全氮含量比武夷山茶园更高；基于Boundary line方法，安溪县和武夷山市茶园的氮肥优化用量分别为411.3 kg·hm^-2和157.7 kg·hm^-2；通过优化氮肥投入和管理水平可分别实现安溪县和武夷山市茶园温室气体减排62.0%和68.0%。在安溪县和武夷山市乌龙茶产区中，氮肥施用严重过量，导致氮素盈余量和温室气体排放量较高，应通过优化氮肥用量达到减少氮素过量盈余和降低茶园温室气体排放的目的。