海南省红树林区大型底栖动物多样性的初步研究

为了解海南省红树林区的大型底栖动物群落结构及多样性现状,2009年6月对海南省7个主要红树林区进行大型底栖动物调查,采用Shannon-Wiener多样性指数(H′)、Pielous种类均匀度(J′)、 Berger-Parker优势度指数(Y)、多样性阈值(Dv)等进行种类多样性评价。结果表明,调查所采获的大型底栖动物共56种,以软体动物和甲壳类动物为主。红树林区大型底栖动物平均生物量137.67 g/m2,平均栖息密度为307.64个/m2。H′甚高,在1.94～3.41,J′在0.52～0.90,Dv达到1.01～3.07,种类多样性基本处于非常丰富和较好的水平。     

西沙监控区浮游植物生态现状

2007年4月对中国西沙群岛的5个生态监控区,即永兴岛、石岛、西沙洲、赵述岛和北岛的浮游生物和水质进行采样调查。结果表明:5个生态监控区浮游植物的种类为50属117种,第1优势种为红海束毛藻(Trichodesmium erythraeum);浮游植物的平均密度为2.08×104ind/m3,范围为4.42×104～0.85×104ind/m3。多样性指数、丰富度指数一般,均匀度指数低。目前西沙生态监控区浮游植物没有受到人为输送含N、P和Si的化合物影响,P是浮游植物的主要限制因子。     

转基因玉米对田间节肢动物群落多样性的影响研究

以转基因抗虫玉米C0030.3.5和对照品系DBN318为材料,2016～2017连续两年采用直接观察法、地面陷阱法、黄板诱虫法对春、夏玉米田的节肢动物进行调查,对相关参数进行差异显著性检验,比较两类玉米田节肢动物群落之间的差异。结果表明,2016年春、夏玉米田转基因抗虫玉米C0030.3.5 3种调查法的田间节肢动物群落丰富度S、Simpson优势集中性指数D、Shannon-Wiener多样性指数H′、均匀性指数J等群落多样性参数与对照品系DBN318相比无显著差异。2017年的结果与2016年基本一致,相关性达0.98。从种植季节分析,不管哪个季节的转基因抗虫品种C0030.3.5,3种调查法的S、D、H′、J与对照品系DBN318相比,不同品种间群落多样性参数均无显著差异。结果表明,转基因抗虫玉米C0030.3.5对田间节肢动物群落多样性无显著影响。     

松墨天牛对马尾松林节肢动物群落数量分布的影响

分析了松墨天牛（Monochamus alternatusHope）对马尾松（Pinus massonianaLamb.）林分节肢动物群落的影响。结果表明：随松墨天牛危害程度加重,马尾松林分中节肢动物的物种数和个体数明显下降,其捕食性、植食性功能群种类和个体数及寄生性天敌个体数明显减少;松墨天牛危害对灌木草本层节肢动物种类和数量影响最大,在重度危害林分中,灌木草本层的节肢动物多样性指数H′和优势集中性指数J均显著低于轻度危害林分中的指数;受松墨天牛危害后,林分中稳定性指数S1/S2和N1/N2显著下降,马尾松林分中节肢动物的多样性和稳定性及其天敌对害虫的制约潜能显著降低。     

文昌市八门湾红树林区植物群落特征调查

根椐文昌市八门湾红树林区自然条件和植被分布特征,设置研究样地对该区植物群落特征进行调查,研究不同区域红树林的多样性特征,并对八门湾红树林群落不同乔木树种重要值进行计算。结果显示：八门湾红树林区共有植物28科42属48种,其中乔木层共有植物17科24属29种,重要值前5位的树种是黄瑾、海莲、榄李、正红树、木果楝;灌木层共有植物3科3属3种,包括东风橘、马樱丹、鹊肾树;草本层共有植物11科16属16种,主要有卤蕨、夜香牛、老鼠簕、海芋、金腰箭、菊三七等。不同区域红树林物种多样性存在较大差异,半红树林区香浓-维纳指数、丰富度均大于其它3个红树林区。八门湾红树林区树种组成丰富、结构复杂,但受多种干扰因素的影响,群落多样性分布不均。建议通过加强人工防护,使群落多样性更加丰富。     

茶树根际固氮微生物群落组成及生态位

根据生态学原理和方法,对茶树根固氮微生物组成及生态位研究表明：茶树根际固氮微生物大致可分为3大类10个种类,个体数量丰富;从时间生态位宽度指数和多样性指数测定到,6,8月分根际固氮微生物种类、个体数量多,生长发育旺盛,固氮作用最大,对土壤氮贡献也最大,从空间生态痊宽度指数B和多样性指数H测定得到,0－20cm土层H′、B值大于20－40cm土层的H′、B;从时间、空间二维生态位宽度测定得到,一年四季茶园根际固氮微生物的优势种为梭状固氮菌、芽孢杆菌、真菌类、杆状固氮菌4种。     

海南东寨港国家级自然保护区及其周边陆域植物资源与植被调查研究

东寨港国家级自然保护区及其周边陆域植被类型复杂多样,除在保护区内分布有中国典型的红树林群落外,在保护区外分布有种类多样、结构复杂的农村周边自然、半自然森林植被及多样化的人工植被。该区域现有植物种类940种,其中红树林植物28种;在非红树林植物中,有国家I级保护植物1种,国家II级保护植物3种,省级保护植物7种,其中3个省级保护植物为野生分布。该地区的植被类型和植物种类资源具有极高的观赏价值和植物生态多样性保护价值,从更大的尺度上开展东寨港国家级自然保护区及其周边区域陆域植物生态调查研究,更全面地展示该地区的植物资源,对加强东寨港国家级自然保护区与过渡地带陆域植物生态的协同保护,从而更好地保护红树林生态系统的安全具有重要意义。      

海南不同降雨量地区桉树人工林与天然林及其他经济林分植被多样性差异研究

为探究降雨量和林分类型差异对植被多样性的影响,选取海南省年降雨量明显差异的3个地区设置植被多样性研究试验。经过2014—2019年连续5 a的调查发现,试验区天然林中现存植物种类共计45科58属61种,桉树人工林中有26科37属39种,芒果人工林、马占相思人工林、橡胶人工林由于频繁的人为经营管理,其植被多样性相对较低;不同降雨量地区天然林的物种多样性指数差异显著(P<0.05),桉树人工林则差异不显著;天然林和桉树人工林物种丰富度指数(R)随降雨量的增加而增加,天然林乔木层、灌木层的Shannon-Wiener多样性指数(H)、Simpson多样性指数(D)、Pielou均匀度指数(J_sw)随着降雨量增加而减小,草本层则与之相反;桉树人工林灌木层、草本层的Shannon-Wiener多样性指数、Simpson多样性指数、Pielou均匀度指数则随降雨量增加而增加;物种多样性指数的时间动态变化在天然林和桉树人工林灌木层和草本层波动明显,乔木层的变化则较为平稳。通过分析表明,降雨量是造成地区物种多样性差异的主要原因,与天然林相比,桉树人工林乔木层生态位的缺失是造...     

八门湾红树林土壤可培养真菌的多样性分析

以文昌市八门湾红树林海莲林区和海漆林区土壤样品作为研究对象,采用稀释平板分离法对土壤样品中的真菌进行了分离,通过形态学观察和ITS-rDNA序列分析对分离得到的真菌进行鉴定,通过生态学指数统计分析,研究了红树林土壤可培养真菌的优势类群及多样性,共分离到真菌206株,包括21个属和无孢类群.两种生境土壤中真菌的主要优势类群是青霉属(Penicillium)、曲霉属(Apergillus)和木霉属(Trichoderma);Shannon-Wiener多样性指数(H’)为1.688～2.281、Pielou均匀度指数(JSW)为0.745～0.864、Margalef丰富度指数(DMA)为1.755～3.415;相似性系数分析结果显示不同土壤样品间真菌种属组成相似性系数(Cs)在0.545～0.737,表明土壤可培养真菌种属组成存在空间上的差异;分离得到的菌株中DF12098和HF12701与Genbank中已经报道的基因序列相似性分别为93％和97％,具有进一步研究的价值,以确定是否是新的微生物菌种资源.     

涕灭威对大豆田土壤线虫生物多样性的影响

利用涕灭威处理大豆田,研究土壤线虫群落结构和生物多样性的变化,共鉴定出7目12科17属的土壤线虫,其中植物寄生线虫是大豆根际土壤线虫的优势营养类群,短体属Pratylenchus,茎属Ditylenchus,小杆属Rhabditis和矛线属Dorylaimus是线虫优势属.与对照相比,除开花期因气候干旱外,涕灭威处理在大豆的各个生育期均抑制了土壤线虫总数和各营养类群的群体数量增长,尤其对植物寄生线虫抑制程度更为显著.应用多样性指数H′、成熟度指数MI、均匀度指数J′、丰富度指数SR、优势度指数1和植物寄生线虫成熟度指数PPI分析比较了处理区和对照区土壤线虫生物多样性变化规律,结果显示涕灭威处理显著降低了大豆田土壤线虫的多样性、增加了线虫的优势度指数,各生态指数较好地反映了涕灭威对大豆田土壤线虫生物多样性的干扰作用.     

Studies on natural repellents against potato tuber moth (Phthorimaea operculella Zeller) in country stores

Summary The effects of the leaves of five plant species, one from each of the generaAmbrosia, Anemone, Eupatorium, Eucalyptus andLantana, on potato tuber moth were investigated under indigenous storage conditions at the Central Potato Research Station, Shillong (1800 m above sea level). Their action was compared with that of a biological insecticide (spores ofBacillus thuringiensis), a chemical insecticide (carbaryl), and an untreated control. The data collected after six months storage on tuber damage, sprout damage and the rotting indicated that the leaves ofLantana aculeata provided most protection to the tubers, reducing damage from over 70% in the check to below 5%, and sprout damage from over 45% to below 3%. Next best wasEucalyptus globulus followed byB. thuringiensis. They may be used on tubers stored for table use or for seed as they had no adverse effect on germination or on the yield of a subsequent crop.     

Comparative Assessment of the Efficacy of Various Nitrogen Fertilizers

Summary

The efficiency of N fertilizers is usually poor; often less than 50% of the applied N is taken up by the crop. This review focuses on various N fertilizers with respect to the significance of different N loss pathways, namely (i) ammonia volatilization, (ii) dinitrogen and nitrogen oxide emissions, and (iii) nitrate leaching. Further, the significance of biological N immobilization, ammonium fixation and, finally, the impact of nitrate vs. ammonium uptake on crop yield are also discussed. The reviewed literature shows that N fertilizers may differ markedly in their susceptibility to losses. There is, however, considerable scope to improve N efficiency of each N source by proper N management practices.     

In vitro antimicrobial activity of different accessions ofSolanum commersonii Dun. from Uruguay

Summary The in vitro antimicrobial activity of extracts from accessions ofSolanum commersonii Dun. collected in the south of Uruguay was investigated against five microorganisms including the pathogenRalstonia solanacearum. A total of 30 extracts corresponding to organic and aqueous extracts were studied. Interestingly, most of the positive results for growth inhibition were againstR. solanacearum. The extracts were also analyzed for the presence of glycoalkaloids and lectins. Six of the ten aqueous extracts showed lectin presence and a wide variation in the type and amounts of glycoalkaloids, was found. Results indicate that there is no clear relationship between the antimicrobial activity against the five microorganisms screened and the presence or amounts of lectins and glycoalkaloids, traditionally regarded as possible antimicrobial metabolites in theSolanum genus, which indicates the presence of as yet unidentified antimicrobial compounds.     

Novel food and non-food uses for sorghum and millets

Sorghum and millets have considerable potential in foods and beverages. As they are gluten-free they are suitable for coeliacs. Sorghum is also a potentially important source of nutraceuticals such antioxidant phenolics and cholesterol-lowering waxes. Cakes, cookies, pasta, a parboiled rice-like product and snack foods have been successfully produced from sorghum and, in some cases, millets. Wheat-free sorghum or millet bread remains the main challenge. Additives such as native and pre-gelatinised starches, hydrocolloids, fat, egg and rye pentosans improve bread quality. However, specific volumes are lower than those for wheat bread or gluten-free breads based on pure starches, and in many cases, breads tend to stale faster. Lager and stout beers with sorghum are brewed commercially. Sorghum's high-starch gelatinisation temperature and low beta-amylase activity remain problems with regard to complete substitution of barley malt with sorghum malt . The role of the sorghum endosperm matrix protein and cell wall components in limiting extract is a research focus. Brewing with millets is still at an experimental stage. Sorghum could be important for bioethanol and other bio-industrial products. Bioethanol research has focused on improving the economics of the process through cultivar selection, method development for low-quality grain and pre-processing to recover valuable by-products. Potential by-products such as the kafirin prolamin proteins and the pericarp wax have potential as bioplastic films and coatings for foods, primarily due to their hydrophobicity.     

Extreme resistance to infection by potato virus X in genotypes of wild tuber-bearingSolanum species

Summary Clones derived from thirty-one different accessions (nineteen of Argentine origin) belonging to eightSolanum species were screened for resistance to infection by potato virus X strain cp (PVX cp) by mechanical inoculation of plantlets that had been micropropagated in vitro. Estimates of PVX multiplication obtained by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay and slot blot nucleic acid hybridization allowed the identification of resistant clones derived from five accessions belonging toS. commersonii S. oplocense, S. sparsipilum andS. tuberosum andigena. Resistant genotypes supported PVX concentrations 5 to 15 times smaller than did the susceptible control cultivar Spunta. Graft inoculation test confirmed the presence of extreme resistance similar to that conferred by the ‘immunity’ gene X¹ (also called RX_act).     

Cyanobacteria Secondary Metabolites as Biotechnological Ingredients in Natural Anti-Aging Cosmetics: Potential to Overcome Hyperpigmentation,Loss of Skin Density and UV Radiation-Deleterious Effects

The loss of density and elasticity, the appearance of wrinkles and hyperpigmentation are among the first noticeable signs of skin aging. Beyond UV radiation and oxidative stress, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) assume a preponderant role in the process, since their deregulation results in the degradation of most extracellular matrix components. In this survey, four cyanobacteria strains were explored for their capacity to produce secondary metabolites with biotechnological potential for use in anti-aging formulations. Leptolyngbya boryana LEGE 15486 and Cephalothrix lacustris LEGE 15493 from freshwater ecosystems, and Leptolyngbya cf. ectocarpi LEGE 11479 and Nodosilinea nodulosa LEGE 06104 from marine habitats were sequentially extracted with acetone and water, and extracts were analyzed for their toxicity in cell lines with key roles in the skin context (HaCAT, 3T3L1, and hCMEC). The non-toxic extracts were chemically characterized in terms of proteins, carotenoids, phenols, and chlorophyll a, and their anti-aging potential was explored through their ability to scavenge the physiological free radical superoxide anion radical (O₂^•−), to reduce the activity of the MMPs elastase and hyaluronidase, to inhibit tyrosinase and thus avoid melanin production, and to block UV-B radiation (sun protection factor, SPF). Leptolyngbya species stood out for anti-aging purposes: L. boryana LEGE 15486 presented a remarkable SPF of 19 (at 200 µg/mL), being among the best species regarding O₂^•− scavenging, (IC₅₀ = 99.50 µg/mL) and also being able to inhibit tyrosinase (IC₂₅ = 784 µg/mL), proving to be promising against UV-induced skin-aging; L. ectocarpi LEGE 11479 was more efficient in inhibiting MMPs (hyaluronidase, IC₅₀ = 863 µg/mL; elastase, IC₅₀ = 391 µg/mL), thus being the choice to retard dermal density loss. Principal component analysis (PCA) of the data allowed the grouping of extracts into three groups, according to their chemical composition; the correlation of carotenoids and chlorophyll a with MMPs activity (p < 0.01), O₂^•− scavenging with phenolic compounds (p < 0.01), and phycocyanin and allophycocyanin with SPF, pointing to these compounds in particular as responsible for UV-B blockage. This original survey explores, for the first time, the biotechnological potential of these cyanobacteria strains in the field of skin aging, demonstrating the promising, innovative, and multifactorial nature of these microorganisms.     

Marine Pharmacology in 2009–2011: Marine Compounds with Antibacterial,Antidiabetic, Antifungal,Anti-Inflammatory,Antiprotozoal, Antituberculosis,and Antiviral Activities; Affecting the Immune and Nervous Systems,and other Miscellaneous Mechanisms of Action ?

The peer-reviewed marine pharmacology literature from 2009 to 2011 is presented in this review, following the format used in the 1998–2008 reviews of this series. The pharmacology of structurally-characterized compounds isolated from marine animals, algae, fungi and bacteria is discussed in a comprehensive manner. Antibacterial, antifungal, antiprotozoal, antituberculosis, and antiviral pharmacological activities were reported for 102 marine natural products. Additionally, 60 marine compounds were observed to affect the immune and nervous system as well as possess antidiabetic and anti-inflammatory effects. Finally, 68 marine metabolites were shown to interact with a variety of receptors and molecular targets, and thus will probably contribute to multiple pharmacological classes upon further mechanism of action studies. Marine pharmacology during 2009–2011 remained a global enterprise, with researchers from 35 countries, and the United States, contributing to the preclinical pharmacology of 262 marine compounds which are part of the preclinical pharmaceutical pipeline. Continued pharmacological research with marine natural products will contribute to enhance the marine pharmaceutical clinical pipeline, which in 2013 consisted of 17 marine natural products, analogs or derivatives targeting a limited number of disease categories.     

Recent Modifications of Chitosan for Adsorption Applications: A Critical and Systematic Review

Chitosan is considered to be one of the most promising and applicable materials in adsorption applications. The existence of amino and hydroxyl groups in its molecules contributes to many possible adsorption interactions between chitosan and pollutants (dyes, metals, ions, phenols, pharmaceuticals/drugs, pesticides, herbicides, etc.). These functional groups can help in establishing positions for modification. Based on the learning from previously published works in literature, researchers have achieved a modification of chitosan with a number of different functional groups. This work summarizes the published works of the last three years (2012–2014) regarding the modification reactions of chitosans (grafting, cross-linking, etc.) and their application to adsorption of different environmental pollutants (in liquid-phase).