Regulatory role of l-proline in fetal pig growth and intestinal epithelial cell proliferation

l-proline (Pro) is a precursor of ornithine, which is converted into polyamines via ornithine decarboxylase (ODC). Polyamines plays a key role in the proliferation of intestinal epithelial cells. The study investigated the effect of Pro on polyamine metabolism and cell proliferation on porcine enterocytes in vivo and in vitro. Twenty-four Huanjiang mini-pigs were randomly assigned into 1 of 3 groups and fed a basal diet that contained 0.77% alanine (Ala, iso-nitrogenous control), 1% Pro or 1% Pro + 0.0167% α-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) from d 15 to 70 of gestation. The fetal body weight and number of fetuses per litter were determined, and the small and large intestines were obtained on d 70 ± 1.78 of gestation. The in vitro study was performed in intestinal porcine epithelial (IPEC-J2) cells cultured in Dulbecco''s modified Eagle medium-high glucose (DMEM-H) containing 0 μmol/L Pro, 400 μmol/L Pro, or 400 μmol/L Pro + 10 mmol/L DFMO for 4 d. The results showed that maternal dietary supplementation with 1% Pro increased fetal weight; the protein and DNA concentrations of the fetal small intestine; and mRNA levels for potassium voltage-gated channel, shaker-related subfamily, member 1 (Kv1.1) in the fetal small and large intestines (P < 0.05). Supplementing Pro to either gilts or IPEC-J2 cells increased ODC protein abundances and polyamine concentrations in the fetal intestines and IPEC-J2 cells (P < 0.05). In comparison with the Pro group, the combined administration of Pro and DFMO reduced the expression of ODC protein and spermine concentration in the fetal intestine, as well as the concentrations of putrescine, spermidine and spermine in IPEC-J2 cells (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, the percentage of cells in the S-phase and the mRNA levels of proto-oncogenes c-fos and c-myc were increased in response to Pro supplementation, whereas depletion of cellular polyamines with DFMO increased tumor protein p53 (p53) mRNA levels (P < 0.05). Taken together, dietary supplementation with Pro improved fetal pig growth and intestinal epithelial cell proliferation via enhancing polyamine synthesis.     

How does water and salt stress affect the germination and initial growth of Brazilian soya bean cultivars?

The effects of water and salt stress on rate of germination and seedling growth were investigated under laboratory conditions in 46 soya bean genotypes from Central-West region of Brazil to verify how these stresses may limit crop establishment during the initial growth stage and also to identify the most tolerant genotypes to drought and salinity. Mild water and salt stresses were imposed by seed exposure to –0.20 MPa iso-osmotic solutions with polyethylene glycol—PEG 6000 (119.57 g/L) or NaCl (2.357 g/L) for 12 days at 25°C. The germination percentage, seedling length and seedling dry matter were measured, and then, salt or drought tolerance indexes were calculated. The “NS 5909 RG,” “NS 7000 IPRO,” “NS 7338IPRO,” “FPS Solimões RR,” “NS 5151 IPRO,” “SYN 13610 IPRO,” “LG 60177 IPRO,” “NS 6909 IPRO” and “BMX Desafio RR” were identified as the most drought-tolerant genotypes, whereas under salinity conditions, the genotypes “5D 615 RR,” “BMX Desafio RR,” “5D 6215 IPRO” and “BMX Ponta IPRO” were identified as tolerant. The “BMX Desafio RR” is the genotype most adapted to both stress conditions and, therefore, should be used under conditions of water shortage and excess salt in the soil at sowing time.     

Localization of amino acids in germinated rice grain: Gamma-aminobutyric acid and essential amino acids production approach

Germinated rice is popularly consumed for its high gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and bioactive compounds. Supporting information on how to germinate rice with high GABA content and essential amino acids is lacking. White and colored rough rice were germinated for 0, 24, 48, 72, 96, 120 and 144 h. GABA, GABA substrates and essential amino acids were also investigated using GC-MS and MALDI-MSI. GABA was more concentrated after germination and shifted into the coleoptile. High correlation was recorded between germination time and GABA (0.79–0.83, p ≤ 0.01) and glutamic acid (0.88–0.89, p ≤ 0.01). Highest rates of GABA and glutamic production were observed within 48 h of germination in both rice varieties (26.12 and 34.28 mg/100g) and reached maximum value at 96 h (31.36 and 38.75 mg/100g). Colored rice germination showed higher GABA, GABA substrates and deficient amino acids than white rice. GABA and essential amino acids drastically increased after germination, supporting the consumption of germinated rice as a functional food.     

8株优良大豆根瘤菌与不同地区27个大豆主栽品种的匹配性研究

大豆是我国重要的油料作物和高蛋白粮饲兼用作物,具有与根瘤菌共生固氮的能力。近十几年来,我国大豆品种更新快,导致大豆根瘤菌株与新品种匹配能力差、接种效果不明显。筛选与主栽大豆品种匹配性好、固氮效率高的广谱性优良菌株,可为针对性的施用大豆根瘤菌接种剂提供菌种资源和方案。选取本实验室前期分离保存的6个优良快生型大豆根瘤菌株和2个慢生型大豆根瘤菌株,在砂培盆栽条件下与不同地区的27个大豆主栽品种进行匹配试验。测定分析了植株地上部分生物量、高度、根瘤数量、根瘤生物量和根瘤固氮酶活指标。结果表明:不同大豆根瘤菌之间结瘤固氮能力存在极显著的差异;供试根瘤菌均能够与国内24个大豆品种结瘤,广谱性较好;植株地上部分高度、根瘤数量、根瘤生物量和根瘤固氮酶活与地上部分生物量呈显著相关;大部分接种根瘤菌后的植物生物量显著高于CK;HN01、GR3、HH29、HH103匹配性和固氮效率均不逊色于USDA110,具有在东北地区、黄淮海地区、长江流域、东南地区推广的潜能;从品种来看,中豆39、BD2、天隆1号与8株供试大豆根瘤菌的匹配接种表现出高生物量特点。此外,本文还筛选出大豆-大豆根瘤菌的表型最佳匹配组合中豆39-GR3,适合长江流域地区;同样筛选到东北地区、黄淮海地区、东南地区最佳匹配组合,分别是HN01-辽豆14、HN01-徐豆14、HN01-BD2。本文初步建立了优良根瘤菌与大豆主栽品种的匹配关系,为在田间试验中进一步筛选和应用这些优良菌株提供了材料和指导。     

利用荚果厚度模拟大豆鼓粒进程的研究

大豆籽粒发育可分为鼓粒期和籽粒归圆期,探究无损伤检测鼓粒进程的指标对大豆相关研究具有重要意义。本研究以青鲜819-4、冀豆17、鲁96150和V94-3971为试验材料,通过分期播种、连续测定标记花荚的荚果厚度,分期收获同日标记的大豆籽粒并进行发芽率测定,研究大豆鼓粒期荚果厚度变化。结果表明:1)鼓粒期鲜荚皮厚度基本保持恒定,因此荚果厚度可用于度量籽粒厚度的变化。荚果厚度(y)与开花后日数(x)的关系可以用二次函数(y=ax2+bx+c)进行有效模拟。利用模拟函数可以对大豆鼓粒始期、最大荚果厚度出现期、鼓粒持续期以及平均鼓粒速率等进行有效预测。荚果最大厚度可用作判定大豆籽粒开始具备发芽能力的外观指标。2)荚果厚度变化受材料特性和外界环境的共同影响。同一材料不同时期标记的花荚,荚果厚度增速趋势可能有差异,因此在大豆籽粒灌浆特性研究中,同日标记花荚是籽粒灌浆特性研究中一项必要的控制措施。3)不同材料鼓粒特性存在差异,选择鼓粒启动早、鼓粒速度快的大豆品种是可行的。荚果厚度有望成为研究大豆灌浆特性和适时早收的无损伤选择指标。     

大豆质核互作雄性不育系NJCMS1A与其保持系NJCMS1B的生理生化特性比较分析

以大豆质核互作雄性不育系NJCMS1A及其保持系NJCMS1B的花芽为试验材料,利用试剂盒法和紫外分光光度计测定分析了糖分含量(可溶性糖和淀粉)和总ATPase、蔗糖磷酸合成酶(SPS)、磷酸烯醇式丙酮酸羧激酶(PEPCK)、抗坏血酸氧化酶(AO)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)以及过氧化物酶(POD)等酶活性的变化情况。结果表明:相较于保持系NJCMS1B,总ATPase、PEPCK、AO和CAT活性在不育系NJCMS1A中显著下降;糖分含量、SPS和SOD活性在不育系NJCMS1A中下降水平不显著;POD活性在不育系NJCMS1A中显著上升。根据结果分析推测,与能量代谢或胁迫响应等相关的物质或酶活性在不育系NJCMS1A中的亏损现象可能是NJCMS1A花粉败育的主要原因。     

水分胁迫下几种药剂对早熟毛豆抗逆性的影响

试验筛选三十烷醇、油菜素内酯、爱多收、绿风95、黄腐酸盐等几种药剂对早熟毛豆进行喷施处理,测定其在水分胁迫下对其幼苗某些生长、生理指标的影响及抗性评价。结果表明,采用几种药剂处理后,与相应的对照相比可促进苗增高、扩大叶面积、增加干物质的积累、促进根系的生长、提高根系活力、抑制丙二醛增生、降低细胞膜透性和增加叶绿素含量、脯氨酸含量、细胞保护酶的活性等,增强毛豆幼苗对水分胁迫逆境的抵抗能力;在逐渐干旱胁迫下,5种药剂处理以油菜素内酯为最好;在持续淹水胁迫下,5种药剂处理以绿风95为最优。     

Meta-analysis of fungicide efficacy on soybean target spot and cost–benefit assessment

Target spot of soybean has spread in Brazil, the southeastern United States and Argentina in the last decade. A collaborative network of field Uniform Fungicide Trials (UFT) in Brazil was created in 2011 to study the target spot control efficacy of fungicides, including azoxystrobin + benzovindiflupyr (AZ_BF), carbendazim (CZM), fluxapyroxad + pyraclostrobin (FLUX_PYRA), epoxiconazole + FLUX_PYRA (EPO_FLUX_PYRA), mancozeb (MZB) and prothioconazole + trifloxystrobin (PROT_TRIF). Network meta-analysis was used to conduct a quantitative synthesis of UFT data collected from 2012 to 2016 and to evaluate the effects of disease pressure (DP, low ≤ 35% target spot severity in the nontreated control < high) and year of experiment on the overall mean efficacy and yield response to each of the tested fungicides. Based on mean percentage control of target spot severity, the tested fungicides fall into three efficacy groups (EG): high EG, FLUX_PYRA (76.2% control relative to the nontreated control) and EPO_FLUX_PYRA (75.7% control); intermediate EG, PROT_TRIF (66.5% control) and low EG, MZB (49.6% control), AZ_BF (46.7% control) and CZM (32.4% control). DP had a significant effect on yield response. At DP_Low, the highest response was due to PROT_TRIF (+342 kg ha⁻¹, +12.8%) and EPO_FLUX_PYRA (+295.5 kg ha⁻¹, +11.2%), whereas at DP_High, EPO_FLUX_PYRA and FLUX_PYRA outperformed the other treatments, with yield responses of 503 kg ha⁻¹ (+20.2%) and 469 kg ha⁻¹ (+19.1%), respectively. The probability of a positive return on fungicide investment ranged from 0.26 to 0.56 at DP_Low and from 0.34 to 0.66 at DP_High.     

The transition time from the juvenile phase to the adult phase differs in soybean cultivars ‘Enrei’ and ‘Peking’

Plants develop juvenile phase to adult phase in vegetative stage. Although soybean is a very important crop worldwide, there has been only one study of the juvenile–adult phase change. In this study, we determined that the juvenile–adult phase change occurred at different stages in two soybean cultivars that differ in their photosensitivity. Cultivar ‘Enrei’ (E1e2e3E4) is weakly photosensitive and cultivar ‘Peking’ (E1E2E3E4) is strongly photosensitive. In ‘Enrei’, the leaf size gradually increased at a constant leaf position regardless of the difference in day length. In ‘Peking’ plants transferred to short‐day conditions at several leaf development stages, leaf size gradually increased at different leaf positions. Expression of miR156 by ‘Enrei’ transferred to short‐day conditions had nearly the same pattern as that of ‘Enrei’ grown under long‐day conditions. In ‘Peking’, the expression of miR156 had different patterns in younger leaves of plants subjected to either a short‐day treatment or long‐day conditions. These results indicate that the E2 and E3 loci that regulate photosensitivity also regulate the expression of miR156 and the juvenile–adult phase change in soybean.     

大豆种子寄藏真菌致病性测定方法比较

寄藏真菌可侵染大豆种子,降低种子的萌芽及活力,影响种子的品质和商品等级。为探讨不同接种方法对寄藏真菌致病性的影响,在实验室条件下比较了种子接种法和植株接种法(切顶端接种法、伤口接种法、切茎接种法和下胚轴接种法)对寄藏真菌致病性的影响。结果表明:各方法中寄藏真菌均对大豆产生致病性,并能显著区分寄藏真菌间致病性差异。其中切顶端接种法相比其他3种植物接种方法更简单有效而准确,而种子接种法更适合在室内进行,且周期短,相比植株接种法方便快捷。