Effects of different molecular weights of chitosan on methane production and bacterial community structure in vitro

As a new feed additive, chitosan has been shown in recent years to have a certain role in reducing methane emissions from the gastrointestinal tracts of ruminants. However, the effects of chitosan with different molecular weights on rumen fermentation, methane production and bacterial community structure are not yet clear. A basal diet without chitosan served as the control(CTL), and the treatment diets were supplemented with chitosan with different molecular weights: 1 000(1K), 3 000(3K), 5 000(5K), 50 000(5W) and 200 000(20W) dry matter(DM). Six fermentation units per treatment were established. Gas chromatography was used to measure the concentrations of methane, H_2 and volatile fatty acids(VFAs). The bacterial 16S rRNA genes were sequenced with an Illumina MiSeq platform and analysed to reveal the relative abundances of bacterial community taxa. The results showed that the propionate proportion was significantly increased by the addition of chitosan with different molecular weights(P0.05), while methane production and the acetate proportion were significantly decreased(P0.05). The relative abundances of Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group and Prevotellaceae_UCG_003 were significantly increased in the 3K chitosan group compared with the CTL group, whereas the relative abundance of Ruminococcaceae_NK4A214_group was significantly decreased(P0.05). Correlation analyses of the relative abundances of the bacterial genera showed that Prevotella was positively related to propionate production(P0.05). In conclusion, 3K chitosan could reduce methane production by replacing fibrolytic bacteria(Firmicutes and Fibrobacteres) with amylolytic bacteria(Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria) in the bacterial community structure.     

Screening of Human CYP1A2 and CYP3A4 Inhibitors from Seaweed In Silico and In Vitro

Phenolic compounds and carotenoids are potential inhibitors of cytochrome P450s. Sixteen known compounds, phenolic compounds and carotenoids from seaweed were examined for potential inhibitory capacity against CYP1A2 and CYP3A4 in silico and in vitro. Morin, quercetin, and fucoxanthin inhibited the enzyme activity of CYP1A2 and CYP3A4 in a dose-dependent manner. The IC₅₀ values of morin, quercetin, and fucoxanthin were 41.8, 22.5, and 30.3 μM for CYP1A2 and 86.6, 16.1, and 24.4 μM for CYP3A4, respectively. Siphonaxanthin and hesperidin did not show any significant effect on CYP1A2, but they slightly inhibited CYP3A4 activity at high concentrations. In silico modeling of CYP’s binding site revealed that the potential inhibitors bound in the cavity located above the distal surface of the heme prosthetic group through the 2a or 2f channel of CYPs. This study presents an approach for quickly predicting CYP inhibitory activity and shows the potential interactions of compounds and CYPs through in silico modeling.     

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.     

渭河流域生态功能区划

以渭河流域为研究对象,根据流域生态环境现状,建立合理的指标体系,结合GIS与RS技术对研究区进行区划,并针对各功能区的主导生态功能或主要生态问题制定相应生态环境保护与建设重点。结果表明:渭河流域可被划分为7个生态功能区:①防旱抗旱区;②农业种植区;③牧业发展区;④水源涵养区;⑤防风固沙区;⑥植被保护区;⑦土壤侵蚀控制区。本研究为区域有效开发利用资源,合理制定生态环境保护措施提供科学依据。     

生物炭对Bt Cry1Ac蛋白抗紫外能力影响

为了研究生物炭对紫外线的防护作用,以豆壳烧制的生物炭作为载体,研究生物炭对Bt Cry1Ac蛋白的吸附行为以及生物炭对Cry1Ac蛋白的紫外保护作用。使用扫描电子显微镜、透射电子显微镜、X-射线粉末衍射以及傅立叶红外光谱等手段对生物炭的形貌和结构进行表征。结果表明,生物炭是典型的多孔结构材料,表面具有丰富的官能团。Cry1Ac蛋白与生物炭吸附平衡时间为50 min,最合适的吸附浓度比（生物炭：蛋白）为1：100,二者吸附符合准二级动力学模型和Langmuir模型。在UVB紫外照射4 h后,生物炭与Cry1Ac蛋白复合物对棉铃虫的生物活性是单纯蛋白的4.93倍,显示生物炭具有较好的紫外抵抗效果。研究结果初步表明,制备得到的生物炭能够显著提高Cry1Ac蛋白的抗紫外能力,为后续研发耐受紫外线的农药剂型提供新材料。     

离子交换纤维对麦田土壤铅污染的修复效果

为探讨土壤Pb污染的治理方法,通过盆栽试验,比较了离子交换纤维的两种不同放置方式(分层放置与混匀放置)对麦田土壤Pb污染的修复效果。结果表明,在土壤1 000 mg·kg~(-1) Pb污染水平下,Pb污染处理(T1:Pb胁迫;T2:Pb+在土壤中分三层放置纤维;T3:Pb+在土壤中混匀剪碎的纤维)的土壤pH值、总有机碳含量较对照(CK:未添加Pb和离子交换纤维)有所降低。在小麦成熟期,T2、T3处理下土壤和植株各部位的Pb含量均低于T1处理,其中T3处理变化显著;T2、T3处理中纤维吸附的Pb含量则分别达到115.01和128.26 mg·kg~(-1)。T2、T3处理的Pb富集系数低于T1处理及CK。由此说明,离子交换纤维能够有效吸附土壤中的Pb,降低Pb从土壤向植株的转运能力,且离子交换纤维混匀放置方式的修复效果较好。     

蚜虫共生细菌多重PCR检测体系的建立

蚜虫中具有多种共生菌,使用常规PCR对它们进行检测,耗时耗力,而多重PCR可以更加高效地进行多种细菌的检测。沃尔巴克氏菌Wolbachia pipientis、杀雄菌属共生菌Arsenophonus和蚜虫U型共生菌Regiella insecticola是蚜虫中常见的3种共生菌。本研究针对沃尔巴克氏菌、杀雄菌属共生菌和蚜虫U型共生菌,分别选择以wsp基因、yaeT基因和gltA基因作为靶标,进行了多重PCR引物的设计和扩增体系的优化。结果显示,本研究建立的多重PCR体系在检测3种蚜虫常见共生菌时,具有较高的扩增特异性、准确性和直观性及较高的检测灵敏度,共生菌的最低检测浓度为104拷贝/μL,远低于共生菌在蚜虫1龄若虫总DNA中的浓度(108拷贝/μL),可以完全满足蚜虫共生菌检测工作的需要。     

基于生态足迹成分法的太子山国家森林公园旅游承载力研究

运用生态足迹成分法,基于太子山国家森林公园旅游统计数据和实地调查数据,计算了该森林公园的旅游生态足迹、旅游生态承载力以及旅游可持续发展度。结果显示:2018年太子山森林公园总旅游生态足迹为1 013.36 hm~2,总旅游生态承载力为10 738.99 hm~2,总旅游生态盈余为9 725.63 hm~2,旅游可持续发展度为0.09,表明该森林公园处于生态盈余和可持续发展的理想状态。