苹果属无融合生殖SERKs基因家族的克隆和表达分析

本研究利用同源克隆法以苹果属平邑甜茶和杂种后代叶片为试验材料,克隆得到4个SERK基因家族片段,并分析了SERKs家族基因在平邑甜茶和杂种后代不同器官和组织中的表达情况。研究结果表明:分离获得的4个SERK基因家族片段的氨基酸序列与模式植物拟南芥、烟草等植物的同源性均在84%以上,同时与其他物种的氨基酸序列进行Blast比对都具有较高的同源性;RT-PCR定量分析结果表明SERK1、SERK2、SERK3、SERK4基因主要在生殖器官中表达。因此,推测SERKs基因在平邑甜茶和杂种后代生殖发育过程中起着重要的调控作用。本研究结果为进一步揭示无融合生殖的发生机理奠定了基础。     

Nodule-specific expression of Rhizobium meliloti symbiotic promoters P1 and P2 in chickpea-Rhizobium sp. symbiosis

Developmentally specific expression of Rhizobium spp. genes involved in symbiotic N₂ fixation is known to operate through cascade regulation of various nif and fix operons. Fusion constructs of lacZ under symbiotic promoters P1 (for nifHDK operon) and P2 (for fixABCX operon) of Rhizobium meliloti were mobilized into Rhizobium spp. (Cicer) strains Rcd301 and RCR13. The assays for -galactosidase activity to monitor the expression of lacZ under these promoters was performed in host backgrounds of Escherichia coli, R. meliloti, and Rhizobium spp. (Cicer). The enzyme assays indicated significant levels of expression from P1 and P2 promoters in chickpea rhizobia, specifically in symbiotic cells from nodules. However, as in R. meliloti, these promoters did not induce strong expression in free-living cells of Rhizobium spp. (Cicer). This indicates functional homology of R. meliloti promoters in rhizobium spp. (Cicer). Functional cross-reactivity of trans regulatory factors like NtrA, NtrC, and NifA between these rhizobia seems evident from the nodule-specific expression of P1 and P2 cis elements.     

Changes in colostrum of Murrah buffaloes after calving

Colostrum samples were collected from 8 Murrah buffaloes on days 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 after calving. Levels of IgG averaged 54.0 mg/ml at calving, then decreased significantly (P < 0.01). IgA and IgM on day 1 were 3.22 mg/ml and 5.22 mg/ml, respectively; both decreased during the first five days after calving. Values of IgA and IgM were higher than those reported in cows. SCC values, which were high at calving (500 000 per ml), reduced significantly (P < 0.01) on day 2, then decreased slightly until day 5 (180 000 per ml). At calving, macrophages were the most prominent cells in buffalo colostrum, followed by lymphocytes and neutrophils. Phagocytic activity was 23% at calving and reduced significantly (P < 0.01) to 14% on day 5. Phagocytic index was highest in the first colostrum, and then decreased non-significantly.     

Prevalence and risk factors of Coxiella burnetii seropositivity in Danish beef and dairy cattle at slaughter adjusted for test uncertainty

Antibodies to Coxiella burnetii have been found in the Danish dairy cattle population with high levels of herd and within herd seroprevalences. However, the prevalence of antibodies to C. burnetii in Danish beef cattle remains unknown. The objectives of this study were to (1) estimate the prevalence and (2) identify risk factors associated with C. burnetii seropositivity in Danish beef and dairy cattle based on sampling at slaughter.     

Comparison of three enzyme-linked immunosorbant assays with the indirect immunofluorescent antibody test for the diagnosis of canine infection with Ehrlichia canis

The aim of this study was to compare three different enzyme-linked immunosorbant assays (recombinant major antigenic protein 2 (rMAP2)-ELISA, the Immunocomb (Biogal, Israel) and the Snap 3Dx assay (IDEXX Laboratories Inc., USA)) with the indirect immunofluorescent antibody test in detecting anti-Ehrlichia canis immunoglobulin-G (IgG) antibodies. Samples tested were collected from dogs suspected to be naturally infected with E. canis and from experimentally infected dogs.When qualitative results (positive/negative) were compared, there was an overall agreement of 81% (54/67) between the indirect immunofluorescence antibody (IFA) test and the rMAP2-ELISA. An overall agreement of 94% (63/67) was found between the IFA test and the Immunocomb, and an overall agreement of 91% (61/67) was found between the IFA test and the Snap 3Dx assay. In 50 of 67 (74.6%) samples tested, complete agreement in the qualitative results was found in all four tests. Sixteen of 17 samples with disagreement in the qualitative results were found to have IFA titers of 1:320 or less. The sensitivities and specificities of the tests were found to be 0.71 and 0.85 for the rMAP2-ELISA, 0.86 and 0.98 for the Immunocomb, and 0.71 and 1.00 for the Snap 3Dx assay.The tests performed in this study were found to be highly specific in detecting E. canis antibodies. Their sensitivity was found to be low with sera having IFA titers of < or =1:320, while high with sera having titers greater than 1:320. Repeating the serological tests 1-2 weeks after the first antibody assay may overcome the sensitivity problem with titers of < or =1:320.     

Composts Vary in Their Effect on Soil P Pools and P Uptake by Wheat

With diminishing world reserves of phosphorus (P) deposits and rising fertilizer prices, it is important to find alternate sources of P for crops. The aim of this research was to evaluate the effect of four different composts C1 (animal manure and straw), C2 (garden waste), C3 (wood chips and bark), and C4 (kitchen waste) on soil P pools and P uptake by wheat on 14, 28, and 72 days after compost application. The composts were applied as a 2.5 cm thick layer on the soil surface. During sampling, only the soil underlying compost was sampled. Soil pH and total organic carbon were not affected by the amendments. Soil respiration was significantly higher in compost-amended soils compared with the unamended soil except with C4 on day 72. Addition of composts increased plant growth, and P uptake being highest on day 72 with C1 and C4. With little effect on available P concentration on day 14, there was a conversion of organic P into inorganic P in the compost treatments suggesting net mineralization of organic P on day 28. On day 72, the concentrations of the less labile P forms were higher in the compost treatments compared with the unamended suggesting precipitation and fixation as well as synthesis of organic P. This study showed that mulching with composts having high available and total P concentrations can provide plants with P and also increase soil P concentrations which could reduce the fertilizer requirement for the following crop.     

Proteomics of muscle-specific beef color stability

The objective of the present study was to differentiate the sarcoplasmic proteome of color-stable (Longissimus lumborum; LL) and color-labile (Psoas major; PM) beef muscles. LL and PM muscles from seven beef carcasses (24 h post-mortem) were fabricated into 2.54 cm steaks, aerobically packaged, and assigned to refrigerated retail display for 9 days. LL steaks demonstrated greater (P < 0.05) color stability and lower (P < 0.05) lipid oxidation than PM steaks. Proteome analyses identified 16 differentially abundant proteins in LL and PM, including antioxidant proteins and chaperones. Proteins demonstrating positive correlation with redness (aldose reductase, creatine kinase, and β-enolase) and color stability (peroxiredoxin-2, peptide methionine sulfoxide reductase, and heat shock protein-27 kDa) were overabundant in LL, whereas the protein overabundant in PM (mitochondrial aconitase) exhibited negative correlation with redness. The color stability of LL could be attributed to the overabundance of antioxidant proteins and chaperones, and this finding suggests the necessity of developing muscle-specific processing strategies to improve beef color.     

10年生府竹丛生竹的离体无性繁殖

用10年生丛生竹的节片通过离体腋笋增殖和生根产生出府竹小苗。不同季节对无菌培养物的建立、腋芽发萌和初代培养的影响很大。3片丛生林中,无菌培养物的建立有差别,但腋芽发萌没有差别。用加有31.06uM BA和2.85um IAA的MS液体介质,最大的增值率为3.18;用加有20~25um IBA MS液体介质,离体生根率为66.7~77.8%。用不同的植物生长素,生根所用的天数也不同,而IBA液能在短期促进生根,仅仅为2-3周。成功炼苗后,在装有土壤、沙子和农家肥塑料袋里,离体繁殖的小苗成活率为90%,大约有2000株小苗用于野外栽植。