母源基因Gdf9、Zar1、Mater和Dnmt1mRNA在绵羊卵母细胞和早期胚胎中的表达

为探讨母源基因在绵羊卵母细胞和胚胎发育过程中的表达模式,运用Real-time PCR技术研究4种母源基因:Gdf9(生长分化因子9)、Zar1(合子阻泄因子)、Mater(胚胎必要的母体抗原)及Dnmt1(DNA甲基化转移酶1)的mRNAs在绵羊GV期卵母细胞,24h成熟卵母细胞,2-细胞、4-细胞、8-细胞、16-细胞胚胎以及囊胚中的含量变化情况。结果表明:在GV期卵中Zar1、Mater、Gdf9以及Dnmt1m RNA相对含量最高(P<0.05);从2-细胞胚胎开始,4种基因的mRNA相对含量显著降低(P<0.05),各基因mRNA的含量在不同发育阶段的卵母细胞和胚胎中存在动态变化,这对卵子生长和胚胎发育有重要意义。     

Inorganic and organic carbon dynamics in forested soils developed on contrasting geology in Slovenia—a stable isotope approach

Purpose

Soil carbon dynamics were studied at four different forest stands developed on bedrocks with contrasting geology in Slovenia: one plot on magmatic granodiorite bedrock (IG), two plots on carbonate bedrock in the karstic-dinaric area (CC and CD), and one situated on Pleistocene coalluvial terraces (FGS).

Materials and methods

Throughfall (TF) and soil water were collected monthly at each location from June to November during 2005–2007. In soil water, the following parameters were determined: T, pH, total alkalinity, concentrations of Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺, dissolved organic carbon (DOC), and Cl^? as well as δ¹³C_DIC. On the other hand, in TF, only the Cl^? content was measured. Soil and plant samples were also collected at forest stands, and stable isotope measurements were performed in soil and plant organic carbon and total nitrogen and in carbonate rocks. The obtained data were used to calculate the dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) and DOC fluxes. Statistic analyses were carried out to compare sites of different lithologies, at different spatial and temporal scales.

Results and discussion

Decomposition of soil organic matter (SOM) controlled by the climate can explain the ¹³C and ¹⁵?N enrichment in SOM at CC, CD, and FGS, while the soil microbial biomass makes an important contribution to the SOM at IG. The loss of DOC at a soil depth of 5 cm was estimated at 1 mol m^?2 year^?1 and shows no significant differences among the study sites. The DOC fluxes were mainly controlled by physical factors, most notably sorption dynamics, and microbial–DOC relationships. The pH and pCO₂ of the soil solution controlled the DIC fluxes according to carbonate equilibrium reactions. An increased exchange between DIC and atmospheric air was observed for samples from non-carbonate subsoils (IG and FGS). In addition, higher δ¹³C_DIC values up to ?19.4?‰ in the shallow soil water were recorded during the summer as a consequence of isotopic fractionation induced by molecular diffusion of soil CO₂. The δ¹³C_DIC values also suggest that half of the DIC derives from soil CO₂ indicating that 2 to 5 mol m^?2 year^?1 of carbon is lost in the form of dissolved inorganic carbon at CC and CD after carbonate dissolution.

Conclusions

Major difference in soil carbon dynamics between the four forest ecosystems is a result of the combined influence of bedrock geology, soil texture, and the sources of SOM. Water flux was a critical parameter in quantifying carbon depletion rates in dissolved organic and inorganic carbon forms.

     

Characterisation of agricultural drainage ditch sediments along the phosphorus transfer continuum in two contrasting headwater catchments

Purpose

This study investigated the phosphorus (P) source, mobilisation and transport potential of ditch bed sediments as well as surrounding field and bank soils in two agricultural headwater catchments with contrasting soil drainage capacities. This information is important for discerning the potential for ditches to attenuate or augment transfers of P from upstream sources and thus for developing appropriate management strategies for these features.

Materials and methods

Phosphorus sources were characterised using the Mehlich3-P, water-soluble P and total P tests. Phosphorus mobilisation potential was characterised using the Mehlich3-AL/P, Mehlich3-Ca/P and DESPRAL P tests. Phosphorus transport potential was characterised using data collected on the presence/absence of surface water in ditches during field surveys and downstream turbidity data.

Results and discussion

Ditch sediments had similar P source contents (Mehlich3-P, water-soluble P and total P) to the surrounding field soils and higher P contents than bank soils. However, calcium contents of sediments in the poorly drained catchment reflected the deep sub-soils rather than the surrounding field and bank soils. Mehlich3-Al/P and Mehlich3-Ca/P contents of ditch sediments in the well (non-calcareous) and poorly (calcareous) drained catchments respectively indicated potential for P retention (above thresholds of 11.7 and 74, respectively). However, sediments were less aggregated than field soils and may mobilise more particulate P (PP) during rain events. Nevertheless, the majority of surveyed ditches dried out from March to September 2011; thus, their potential to mobilise PP may be less important than their capacity to attenuate soluble and PP during this time.

Conclusions

In these and similar catchments, soluble P attenuation and particulate P mobilisation should be maximised and minimised, respectively, for example, by cleaning out the sediments before they become saturated with P and encouraging vegetation growth on ditch beds. This study also highlighted the influence of deep sub-soils on soluble P retention in ditches and thus the utility of characterising soils below depths normally included in soil classifications.

     

Free-Living Plant-Parasitic Nematodes do not Affect the Efficiency of Seed Tuber Fungicide Treatment against <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rhizoctonia solani</Emphasis>

Stem canker on germinating potato sprouts is often caused by seed-borne inoculum of the fungus Rhizoctonia solani. However, high amounts of free-living plant-parasitic nematodes have been found in field patches of potato plants with stem canker. Fungicide treatment of the seed tubers can be used to avoid stem canker caused by seed-borne inoculum but it is unknown if nematodes can affect this. To investigate whether free-living plant-parasitic nematodes, the root-lesion nematode Pratylenchus penetrans or a combination of several plant-parasitic nematode genera in a full nematode community, may have a negative effect on the fungicide seed treatment, a pot experiment with seed tubers inoculated with R. solani, half of which were treated with fungicides, was performed. The seed-borne inoculum caused severe damage to the plants, while no fungal damages were observed on the fungicide treated plants. This shows that the nematodes did not affect the fungicide treatment. The probability of black scurf decreased in treatments with a full nematode community, which may be due to the action of fungal-feeding nematodes.     

Effects of two dietary protein levels on energy balance and digestive capacity of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Octopus maya</Emphasis>

Octopus maya is a carnivorous species and protein is the main energy source. During the present study, two different dietary protein levels (40 and 60% CP) were offered to octopuses as specifically designed artificial diets, to determine protein needs and the effects on metabolism. Frozen crab (Callinectes spp.) was used as control. Results obtained demonstrated that crab remains as one of the best diets for O. maya. The artificial diet with 60% CP produced a low but positive growth rate, and at times, a physiological response similar to that observed in octopuses fed crabs. The present results show the capacity of O. maya juveniles to adjust their digestive enzymes to different types of food and protein level, and this appears to be well correlated with octopus growth. General proteases and trypsin from the pancreas were well correlated with growth rates. A low activity was observed in octopuses fed 40% PC diet (negative growth rate), while a high activity was present in octopuses fed 60% CP diet and crabs (low and high growth rate, respectively). In contrast, these same enzymes were inducted in the salivary glands of octopuses fed with the diet that promoted weight loss (40% CP diet), while a reduced activity was observed in octopuses fed crabs. Energy budget indicates that the animals ingested more than 1,000 kJ week⁻¹ kg⁻¹; with such energy, octopuses should satisfy their physiological demands such as was observed when animals were fed crab (I = 1,300 kJ week⁻¹ kg⁻¹; P = 834 kJ week⁻¹ kg⁻¹). However, a very low digested energy was observed in octopuses the fed artificial diets, indicating that these could have a factor that limits digestibility.     

秦岭火地塘林区不同海拔森林土壤NO通量

选取秦岭火地塘林区不同海拔(1 560~2 160 m)的有代表性的5个森林样地,从2014年10月到2015年10月对其土壤NO通量采用静态箱—氮氧化物分析仪法进行1 a的监测。结果表明,土壤NO排放主要集中在植物生长季(2015年5月—2015年9月),但整个观测期NO排放保持在较低水平。在非生长季(2014年10月—2015年4月),大部分样地的NO排放先减少后增加,而且监测有NO吸收。不同海拔NO年排放总量分别为2 160m红桦林0.06 kg·ha~(-2)·a~(-1),2 040 m青杄林0.08 kg·ha~(-2)·a~(-1),1 963 m华山松林0.02 kg·ha~(-2)·a~(-1),1 585 m油松林0.11 kg·ha~(-2)·a~(-1),1 560 m锐齿栎林0.19 kg·ha~(-2)·a~(-1)。除华山松外,NO年排放总量随海拔的升高而减少。不同海拔5个样地土壤NO通量均与地温显著相关(P0.05)。华山松林土壤NO排放与土壤孔隙充水率呈负相关(P0.05)。油松林土壤NO排放与土壤铵态氮质量分数负相关(P0.05)。除油松林外,各样地的土壤孔隙充水率都低于60%,可以推断,硝化反应是本地区NO的重要生成源,但受到降雨和土壤有机质等理化性质的影响又伴随有反硝化过程。     

Nitrogen Fertilizer Management Practices to Reduce N<Subscript>2</Subscript>O Emissions from Irrigated Processing Potato in Manitoba

Nitrogen fertilizer practices affect nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from agricultural soils. The “4R” nutrient stewardship framework of using N fertilizer at the right rate, right source, right placement and right time can reduce N₂O emissions while maintaining or improving yield of field crops, but understanding of how the various factors affect N₂O emissions from irrigated processing potato is lacking. We examined the effects of selected 4R practices on emissions, using results from two irrigated processing potato studies each conducted in 2011 and 2012 in Manitoba, Canada. Experiment 1 examined combinations of source (urea, ESN), placement (pre-plant incorporation [PPI], banding), and rate (100 and 200 kg N ha^-1) on a clay loam soil. Experiment 2 examined timing and source treatment combinations (urea PPI, ESN PPI, urea split, urea split/fertigation) on a loamy fine sandy soil. For Experiment 1, use of ESN at 200 kg ha^-1 did not reduce area-, yield- and applied fertilizer N- based N₂O emissions compared to urea at 200 kg ha^-1, irrespective of placement. Emissions from pre-plant banding ESN at 200 kg ha^?1, however, were 32% lower than from PPI ESN. For Experiment 2, compared to single pre-plant urea application, fertigation simulated by in-season application of urea ammonium nitrate (UAN) gave lower area-, yield- and applied fertilizer N- based emissions. Split urea ( \( \raisebox{1ex}{$2$}\!\left/ \!\raisebox{-1ex}{$3$}\right. \) pre-plant, \( \raisebox{1ex}{$1$}\!\left/ \!\raisebox{-1ex}{$3$}\right. \) hilling) also reduced area- and yield- based N₂O emissions compared to single pre-plant urea application. Emissions were generally lower at the site with loamy fine sandy soil than the site with clay loam soil. These results demonstrate that combinations of “4R” practices rather than source alone are best to achieve reductions in N₂O emissions from irrigated potato production.     

Evaluation of the Electromagnetic Shielding Effectiveness of Carbon-Based Screen Printed Polyester Fabrics

Electromagnetic shielding has a very emerging role in the textile applications. Screen-printing is a well-known, easy and cost effective process for textile printing. In this study, carbon black and graphite particles were used to impart electromagnetic shielding property to polyester fabric by screen printing technique. To this aim, printing pastes containing carbon materials were prepared with different binder concentrations. The electrical resistance, surface morphology, color coordinates and washing fastness properties of screen printed polyester fabrics were investigated. The washing durability of electromagnetic shielding effectiveness of carbon based printed fabrics as a function of binder concentration have also been studied. Electromagnetic shielding effectiveness was evaluated in the frequency ranges between 15-3000 MHz. The results showed that the electromagnetic shielding properties of fabric were affected by increased binder concentration. The most durable electromagnetic shielding effectiveness after washing process was obtained at highest binder concentration. The surface morphologies and color difference values of printed fabrics after washing process also provided a positive contribution.     

冰雪灾后广东杨东山十二度水保护区森林大型土壤动物功能类群

对冰雪灾害后杨东山十二度水省级自然保护区的森林大型土壤动物功能群和生态特性进行了调查。结果表明:在海拨700～1000m的常绿与落叶阔叶混交林中,膜翅目、鞘翅目昆虫为数量上的优势类群。从生物量来看,优势类群为蚯蚓、鞘翅目昆虫、双翅目和鳞翅目幼虫。将研究区的大型土壤动物划分为腐食性、植食性和捕食性动物3个功能类群,其中腐食性动物的生物量所占比例最大,而植食性动物的数量占优势,捕食性动物两者所占比例较小。     

<Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">d</Emphasis>-Cloprostenol enhances estrus synchronization in tropical hair sheep

To compare the effects of PGF2α (dinoprost tromethamine) and d-cloprostenol in a two-dose protocol for estrus synchronization in hair sheep during breeding season in Yucatán, México, two experiments were conducted. In experiment 1, 61 cyclic hair sheep were divided into two groups: G1 (control n?=?30), two doses of 50 μg of dinoprost tromethamine IM with 12 days between applications, and G2 (n?=?31), two doses of 50 μg of d-cloprostenol IM at the same time interval. For determination of progesterone levels, 16 ewes from each group were randomly selected. In experiment 2, 70 cyclic hair sheep were assigned at the same treatments (G1 and G2, n?=?35) and 48 h after the second application, the ewes in estrus were detected by two vasectomized rams. Sheep with detected estrus were inseminated, and 45 days after, pregnant animals were identified by ultrasonography. An exact Fisher’s test was performed for the analysis of ewes in estrus (experiments 1 and 2) and number of pregnant ewes (experiment 2); for the comparison of time between end of treatment-estrus presentation, a survival analysis was used. Duration of estrus in hours was analyzed using a generalized mixed model (GLM) ANOVA whereas plasma progesterone concentrations were analyzed by non-linear regression. There were significant differences (P?<?0.05) in the proportion of ewes in estrus upon treatments (G1, 57% vs G2, 87% and G1, 37.1% vs G2, 65.7% in experiments 1 and 2, respectively), and between the end of treatment-onset estrus interval (P?<?0.01), survival curves showed the highest number of sheep in estrus between 40 and 48 h (G1, 43.7?+?8.05 h vs G2, 42.9?+?6.7 h, experiment 1). There were no significant differences (P?>?0.05) in duration of estrus (G1, 42?+?6.1 h, vs G2, 41.1?+?11.2 h, experiment 1) and pregnancy in the ewes that presented estrus, and were inseminated (G1, 38.4% vs 52.1%, experiment 2). With regard to concentrations of progesterone, significant differences (P?<?0.01) were found between treatments, and progesterone levels before the second application of d-cloprostenol were higher. In consideration of the results, it can be concluded that in a two-dose protocol of a luteolytic agent, more ewes presented estrus in response to d-cloprostenol compared to dinoprost tromethamine with similar pregnancy rates.