Identifying and Characterizing a Novel Peritrophic Matrix Protein (MdPM-17) Associated With Antibacterial Response From the Housefly,Musca domestica (Diptera: Muscidae)

Peritrophic matrix/membrane (PM) critically prevents the midgut of insects from external invasion by microbes. The proteins in the peritrophic membrane are its major structural components. Additionally, they determine the formation and function of this membrane. However, the role of PM proteins in immune regulation is unclear. Herein, we isolated a novel PM protein (MdPM-17) from Musca domestica larvae. Further, the function of MdPM-17 in regulating host innate immunity was identified. Results showed that the cDNA of MdPM-17 full is 635 bp in length. Moreover, it consists of a 477-bp open reading frame encoding 158 amino acid residues. These amino acid residues are composed of two Chitin-binding type-2 domain (ChtBD2) and 19 amino acids as a signal peptide. Moreover, tissue distribution analysis indicates that MdPM-17 was enriched expressed in midgut, and moderate levels in the fat body, foregut, and malpighian tubule. Notably, MdPM-17 recombinant protein showed high chitin-binding capacity, thus belongs to the Class III PM protein group. MdPM-17 protein silencing via RNA interference resulted in the expression of antimicrobial peptide (defensin, cecropins, and diptericin) genes, and this occurred after oral inoculation with exogenous microbes Escherichia coli (Enterobacteriales:Enterobacteriaceae), Staphylococcus aureus (Bacillales:Staphylococcaceae), and Candida albicans (Endomycetales:Saccharomycetaceae)). Therefore, all the antimicrobial peptide (AMP) gene expression levels are high in MdPM-17-depleted larvae during microbial infection compared to controls. Consequently, these findings indicate that MdPM-17 protein is associated with the antibacterial response from the housefly.     

Genetic bases of source-,sink-,and yield-related traits revealed by genome-wide association study in Xian rice

The source-sink relationship determines the ultimate grain yield.We investigated the genetic basis of the relationship between source and sink and yield potential in rice.In two environments,we identified quantitative trait loci(QTL)associated with sink capacity(total spikelet number per panicle and thousand-grain weight),source leaf(flag leaf length,flag leaf width and flag leaf area),source-sink relationship(total spikelet number to flag leaf area ratio)and yield-related traits(filled grain number per panicle,panicle number per plant,grain yield per plant,biomass per plant,and harvest index)by genome-wide association analysis using 272 Xian(indica)accessions.The panel showed substantial variation for all traits in the two environments and revealed complex phenotypic correlations.A total of 70 QTL influencing the 11 traits were identified using 469,377 high-quality SNP markers.Five QTL were detected consistently in four chromosomal regions in both environments.Five QTL clusters simultaneously affected source,sink,source–sink relationship,and grain yield traits,probably explaining the genetic basis of significant correlations of grain yield with source and sink traits.We selected 24 candidate genes in the four consistent QTL regions by identifying linkage disequilibrium(LD)blocks associated with significant SNPs and performing haplotype analysis.The genes included one cloned gene(NOG1)and three newly identified QTL(qHI6,qTGW7,and qFLA8).These results provide a theoretical basis for high-yield rice breeding by increasing and balancing source–sink relationships using marker-assisted selection.     

Habitat associations of the Threatened pugnose minnow (Opsopoeodus emiliae) at the northern edge of the species range

Pugnose minnow (Opsopoeodus emiliae) is a small, reclusive species that is widespread in North America, but is one of the rarest fishes in Canada, found in less than 12 known localities in southwestern Ontario. In contrast to most pugnose minnow populations across the global range, Canadian populations are primarily found in turbid systems, potentially indicating persistence in suboptimal conditions. We used data from a multi-gear species and habitat survey in the Canard River, Ontario, a system dominated by agricultural inputs and the best-known capture site of the species in Canada, to parameterise multi-gear occupancy models for understanding the relationship between pugnose minnow occupancy and microhabitat features, including the role of turbidity. Almost 300 pugnose minnow were captured, representing the largest single collection of the species in Canadian history. The best occupancy model indicated that the probability of pugnose minnow occupancy was highest in the deepest sites with the lowest water clarity (i.e. high turbidity); however, competing models suggested that occupancy was highest at sites with wild celery (Vallisneria americana) and higher water clarity, signifying that habitats with low turbidity may be utilised if sufficient physical cover exists. Together, our results suggest that Canadian pugnose minnow populations occupy and potentially favour turbid conditions, possibly to avoid visual predators in clearer habitats. It remains uncertain whether this abiotic association represents a long-term, viable, local adaptation or whether persistence of pugnose minnow in the Canard River is at risk unless significant water quality improvements can be made.     

不同水平的青贮饲料对饲喂稻草秸秆奶牛瘤胃微生物数量和微生物蛋白合成的影响

本试验的目的是确定饲粮中青贮银合欢添加水平对奶牛瘤胃微生物种群、氮平衡和微生物蛋白合成的影响。试验采用4×4拉丁方设计,选择12头初始体重为163±16 kg、带有瘤胃瘘管的奶牛,随机分为4个组,每组3个重复,每个重复1头牛。基础日粮以100%的水稻秸秆为原料,处理组分别用30%、60%和100%的青贮银合欢替代水稻秸秆,奶牛自由采食水稻秸秆和青贮银合欢,每天按照体重的0.2%补充浓缩料。结果表明,用60%青贮银合欢替代水稻秸秆组奶牛瘤胃微生物群,尤其是纤维素分解菌、蛋白分解菌和厌氧真菌的数量显著增加(P<0.05),各组对淀粉分解菌群无显著影响(P>0.05)。原生动物种群数量随日粮青贮银合欢添加水平的增加呈线性下降(P<0.05)(P<0.05)。此外,氮平衡和微生物蛋白合成均随着日粮青贮银合欢添加水平的升高而升高(P<0.05),其中以60%青贮银合欢组最高。结论:在本试验基础上,用60%青贮银合欢替代水稻秸秆可以显著提高奶牛体内的微生物数量和微生物蛋白的合成。     

施氮量对柳枝稷叶片叶绿素荧光特性及干物质积累的影响

研究施氮量对柳枝稷叶绿素荧光特性及干物质积累的影响,对提高盐碱地柳枝稷光能利用效率及生物质产量具有重要意义。在宁夏银北地区采用大田试验,以Cave-in-Rock品种柳枝稷为供试材料,在无氮添加(0 kg·hm^-2,N₀)、施低氮(60 kg·hm^-2,N₆₀)、中氮(120 kg·hm^-2,N₁₂₀)和高氮(240 kg·hm^-2,N₂₄₀)共4个施肥水平下,比较了开花期和成熟期柳枝稷叶片叶绿素荧光参数和干物质积累动态变化,采用灰色关联度分析法对柳枝稷叶片叶绿素荧光参数与干物质积累量进行研究。结果表明:与N₀相比,在N₆₀、N₁₂₀和N₂₄₀处理下柳枝稷开花期和成熟期叶片PSⅡ最大光化学效率(F_v/F_m)、PSⅡ实际光化学量子效率(Φ_PSⅡ)、潜在活性(F_v/F_o)、光化学猝灭系数(qP)、非光化学猝灭系数(NPQ)和干物质积累量均显著性提高,在N₂₄₀处理下达到峰值,而热耗散量子比率(F_o/F_m)显著性降低。在柳枝稷开花期,随着施氮量的增加,柳枝稷叶片PSⅡ潜在活性(F_v/F_o)显现出先上升后逐渐下降的总趋势。在N₁₂₀处理下柳枝稷叶片PSⅡ潜在活性(F_v/F_o)最大,为3.13,较N₀处理显著提高了16.26%。柳枝稷干物质积累量随着生育时期的推进和施氮量的增加,均有不同程度的提高,其中在开花期至成熟期,干物质积累缓慢,在灌浆期达到最大,成熟后期略有降低。柳枝稷成熟期干物质积累量在N₂₄₀处理下最高,每穴干物质积累达378.13 g,较N₀、N₆₀和N₁₂₀处理显著提高了24.33%、20.09%和7.24%。灰色关联度分析结果表明,在本试验条件范围内,N₂₄₀处理下加权关联度与理想施肥水平的关联度最大,有利于促进PSⅡ的光化学活性,从而提高柳枝稷干物质积累量。     

红树莓果酒的酿造工艺研究

中国盛产小浆果,但小浆果不容易保存且季节性强,因此附加值较低,为了提高小浆果的产品附加值,本试验研究了小浆果酒的发酵工艺,并探讨了解决出汁率低,果酒单宁含量过少所导致的货架期短、挥发酸高、不易澄清等问题。试验以小浆果红树莓为原料,经破碎、酶解、澄清、发酵、过滤等工艺,制得了发酵型红树莓果酒,经过单因素和正交试验优化发酵工艺,确定最佳的酿造工艺条件。结果表明,酶解过程采用25 g/kL EMACLAR果胶酶和25 g/kL EVZYM果胶酶低温酶解14 h,与传统方式对比,出汁率提高了10%;发酵过程,红树莓果汁初始糖度19%,利用VP5为酿酒酵母,接种量为10%,发酵温度22℃;发酵结束后使用树脂降酸,澄清过程使用30 g/100 L硅藻土、15 g/100 L明胶复合澄清的方式。在此工艺条件下得到的红树莓果酒酸度爽口,色泽清亮、均匀,有明显的树莓香气和纯正的发酵型香气。     

Crude garlic extract significantly inhibits replication of grapevine viruses

Efforts to control viral diseases of grapevine include the production of certified material and development of virus-resistant transgenic grapevines. However, effective antiviral agents, once the viruses have infected the plants, are still lacking. This study shows that a crude garlic extract has significant antiviral activity against grapevine viruses. Replication of grapevine leafroll-associated virus 2 (GLRaV-2) was obviously inhibited in grapevine cv. Cabernet Sauvignon calli treated with diluted (1:100) garlic extract. The relative RNA levels of GLRaV-2 and grapevine fleck virus (GFkV) in cv. Summer Black grapevine in in vitro-grown plantlets 10 days after treatment with diluted (1:100) garlic extract were about 22% and 20%, respectively, of that in controls. The viral RNA accumulation of GLRaV-2, GFkV, grapevine virus A (GVA), grapevine fanleaf virus (GFLV) and grapevine rupestris stem pitting-associated virus (GRSPaV) in field-grown grapevine cv. Centennial Seedless plants sprayed with diluted (1:100) garlic extract were about 31–40%, 26–38%, 18–31%, 17–42% and 15–18%, respectively, of that in controls. Moreover, the garlic extract treatment led to a significant decrease in viral RNA accumulation of GLRaV-3, GLRaV-2, GVA, GFkV, GFLV, GRSPaV and grapevine Pinot Gris virus in pot-grown grapevine cv. Shine Muscat plants, and viral disease symptoms in these plants were obviously attenuated. In addition, this extract significantly induced expression of pathogenesis-related protein genes and stimulated activity of antioxidant enzymes in grapevines. Taken together, these results indicate that the crude garlic extract acts as a significant inhibitor against a broad range of grapevine viruses.     

氮磷钾用量对小麦冠层不同层次光截获和干物质分配的影响

为明确不同氮、磷、钾用量对小麦冠层不同层次光截获和干物质分配的影响，以济麦22为供试材料，设置F0（不施肥）、F1（N 180 kg·hm^-2，P₂O₅ 75 kg·hm^-2，K₂O 60 kg·hm^-2）、F2（N 225 kg·hm^-2，P₂O₅ 120 kg·hm^-2，K₂O 105 kg·hm^-2）和F3（N 270 kg·hm^-2，P₂O₅ 165 kg·hm^-2，K₂O 105 kg·hm^-2）4个施肥量处理，比较分析开花后不同氮、磷、钾用量对小麦叶面积指数、冠层不同层次光截获特性和成熟期干物质分配的影响。结果表明，F1处理下叶面积指数显著高于F0处理，而与F2和F3处理间无显著差异；开花后15 d，F1处理下小麦冠层不同层次及总PAR截获率和截获量均显著高于F0处理，而与F2和F3处理间无显著差异。F1处理下成熟期干物质在小麦冠层不同层次营养器官中的分配量、籽粒中的分配量及总干物质积累量显著高于F0处理，而与F2和F3处理间无显著差异。成熟期干物质在小麦冠层不同层次营养器官和籽粒中的分配量以及总干物质积累量与冠层上层（顶部至株高2/3）、中层（株高2/3至株高1/3）和总PAR截获率均呈显著正相关。F1处理（N 180 kg·hm^-2，P₂O₅ 75 kg·hm^-2，K₂O 60 kg·hm^-2）为本试验条件下的最优处理。     

Basal internode elongation of rice as affected by light intensity and leaf area

Short basal internodes are important for lodging resistance of rice(Oryza sativa L.).Several canopy indices affect the elongation of basal internodes,but uncertainty as to the key factors determining elongation of basal internodes persists.The objectives of this study were(1)to identify key factors affecting the elongation of basal internodes and(2)to establish a quantitative relationship between basal internode length and canopy indices.An inbred rice cultivar,Yinjingruanzhan,was grown in two split-plot field experiments with three N rates(0,75,and 150 kg N ha−1 in early season and 0,90,and 180 kg N ha−1 in late season)as main plots,three seedling densities(16.7,75.0,and 187.5 seedlings m−2)as subplots,and three replications in the 2015 early and late seasons in Guangzhou,China.Light intensity at base of canopy(Lb),light quality as determined from red/far-red light ratio(R/FR),light transmission ratio(LTR),leaf area index(LAI),leaf N concentration(NLV)and final length of second internode(counted from soil surface upward)(FIL)were recorded.Higher N rate and seedling density resulted in significantly longer FIL.FIL was negatively correlated with Lb,LTR,and R/FR(P<0.01)and positively correlated with LAI(P<0.01),but not correlated with NLV(P>0.05).Stepwise linear regression analysis showed that FIL was strongly associated with Lb and LAI(R2=0.82).Heavy N application to pot-grown rice at the beginning of first internode elongation did not change FIL.We conclude that FIL is determined mainly by Lb and LAI at jointing stage.NLV has no direct effect on the elongation of basal internodes.N application indirectly affects FIL by changing LAI and light conditions in the rice canopy.Reducing LAI and improving canopy light transmission at jointing stage can shorten the basal internodes and increase the lodging resistance of rice.     

Comparing the behavioural thermoregulation response to heat stress by Atlantic salmon parr (Salmo salar) in two rivers

Climate change is expected to increase the frequency and magnitude of extreme thermal events in rivers. The Little Southwest Miramichi River (LSWM) and the Ouelle River (OR) are two Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) rivers located in eastern Canada, where in recent years, water temperatures have exceeded known thermal limits (~23°C). Once temperature surpasses this threshold, juvenile salmon exploit thermal heterogeneity to behaviourally thermoregulate, forming aggregations in coolwater refuges. This study aimed to determine whether the behavioural thermoregulation response is universal across rivers, arising from common thermal cues. We detailed the temperature and discharge patterns of two geographically distinct rivers from 2010 to 2012 and compared these with aggregation onset temperature. PIT telemetry and snorkelling were used to confirm the presence of aggregations. Mean daily maximum temperature in 2010 was significantly greater in the OR versus the LSWM (p = 0.005), but not in other years (p = 0.090–0.353). Aggregations occurred on 14 and 9 occasions in the OR and LSWM respectively. Temperature at onset of aggregation was significantly greater in the OR (T_onset = 28.3°C) than in the LSWM (T_onset = 27.3°C; p = 0.049). Logistic regression models varied by river and were able to predict the probability of aggregation based on the preceding number of hours >23°C (R² = 0.61 & 0.65; P₅₀ = 27.4°C & 28.9°C; in the OR and LSWM respectively). These results imply the preceding local thermal regime may influence behaviour and indicate a degree of phenotypic plasticity, illustrating a need for localised management strategies.