An improved method for bright-field imaging of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in plant roots

Easy observation methods to assess the colonization levels of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi in plant roots are crucial for studying the biology of AM symbiosis and for considering agricultural use. Many AM studies employ Trypan Blue (TB) coupled with lactic acid to stain AM fungal structures as bright-field images; however, TB staining can be difficult to use owing to its noxiousness and high viscosity. Here, we report the development of an easy method for visualizing AM fungal structures as bright-field images using 3,3′-diaminobenzidine (DAB). Wheat germ agglutinin (WGA)-conjugated horseradish peroxidase (HRP), which specifically targets N-acetylglucosamine polymers and detects AM fungal cell walls, penetrated the cortical layers of 10% potassium hydroxide (KOH)-treated soybean roots and stained AM fungal mycelia in the presence of DAB and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). Comparison between DAB and TB staining of soybean (Glycine max L.) roots suggested that the intactness of root systems and image contrast using DAB staining were superior. Background signals in stele observed by DAB staining were negligible as compared with those observed by WGA-fluorescein isothiocyanate staining. DAB staining, which combines the advantages of TB (easy bright-field imaging) and WGA-fluorophore (specific and high-quality) staining, provides a robust imaging method for macro- and micro-level analyses of AM roots and is applicable to at least six crops: soybean, onion (Alium cepa L.), potato (Solanum tuberosum L.), maize (Zea mays L.), rice (Oryza sativa L.), and sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.).     

Copper and zinc uptake by celery plants grown on acidic soil amended with biosolids

For trace elements, such as copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn), the bioavailability of these elements, Cu and Zn, in biosolids is important because both are essential elements and both are potential contaminants when biosolids are land applied. A greenhouse study was conducted in factorial experiment based on a completely randomized design (CRD) with four replications on a soil treated with four rates of Cu (0, 50, 100, and 150 mg/kg) and four rates of Zn (0, 150, 300, and 450 mg/kg) on celery plants to investigate the distribution and mobility of these elements as well as growth and antioxidant changes of celery. The results of antioxidant changes were inconclusive due to irregular changes with Zn and Cu applications. However, generally the results show that Cu did not affect superoxide dismutase (SOD) or peroxidase (POD) activities in most of the treatments. On the other hand, Zn stimulated SOD and POD activities in most of the treatments. The photosynthesis rate decreased with the applications of Cu and Zn at the rates above 100 and 300 mg/kg and increased in low Cu concentration (50 mg/kg) compared to S (soil without biosolid).     

Overproduction of reactive oxygen species involved in the pathogenicity of Fusarium in potato tubers

Differences in virulence between Fusarium sulphureum and Fusarium sambucinum were compared. Changes in reactive oxygen species production and metabolism in inoculated slices of potato tubers were also compared. The result showed that Fusarium infection induced significant production of ROS, lipid peroxidation and loss of cell membrane integrity, but low activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX). Compared to F. sambucinum, F. sulphureum led larger lesion diameters on potato tubers and slices. It resulted in more superoxide anion ($O_2^{-}$) and earlier peak of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), but lower activity of catalase (CAT) and APX, and accompanied with higher malondialdehyde (MDA) content and lower cell membrane integrity. These findings suggested that overproduction of ROS involved in the pathogenicity of Fusarium in potato tubers.     

聚乙二醇胁迫下不同苜蓿品种愈伤组织生理指标的变化

以聚乙二醇(PEG)作为渗透胁迫剂,对5个苜蓿Medicago sativa品种愈伤组织进行干旱胁迫.用生理生化方法对各品种愈伤组织的过氧化物酶(POD)活性、脯氨酸积累量、质膜相对透性3项抗旱性鉴定指标进行测定,各项结果趋于一致,其抗旱性强弱的顺序为:龙牧803、草原2号、中牧1号、龙牧80l、准格尔.同时,证明了POD活性、游离脯氨酸含量和质膜透性均可作为苜蓿抗旱性鉴定的生理指标.     

Dietary incorporation of feedstuffs naturally high in organic selenium for racing pigeons (Columba livia): effects on plasma antioxidant markers after a standardised simulation of a flying effort

Selenium is a trace element of importance for animal health. It is essential for adequate functioning of many enzymes such as, the antioxidant enzyme, glutathione peroxidase, which protects the cell against free radicals. A muscular effort induces a rise in reactive oxygen species production which, in turn, can generate an oxidative stress. Two groups of eight racing pigeons were fed respectively with a diet containing 30.3 (control group) and 195.3 (selenium group) μg selenium/kg diet. The pigeons were submitted to a standardised simulation of a flying effort during 2 h. Blood was taken before and after the effort to measure antioxidant markers and blood parameters related to muscle metabolism. Plasma selenium concentration and glutathione peroxidase activity were significantly higher in the selenium group. There were no significant differences for the other measured parameters. As a consequence of the effort, the pigeons of the selenium group showed a higher increase of glutathione peroxidase activity and a smaller increase of plasma lactate concentration. Variations because of the effort in the other markers were not significantly different between the two groups. It is concluded that the selenium status was improved with the feeding of feedstuffs high in Selenium.     

小兴安岭地区常见蚂蚁营养成分分析

为了更好地开发和利用东北林区丰富的蚂蚁资源,提供现实依据和理论基础,笔者对黑龙江省小兴安岭丰林保护区内2种常见蚁种（拟黑多刺蚁、赤蚁）体内营养成分进行分析测定,并对抗氧化物成分进行了比较。结果表明：拟黑多刺蚁与赤蚁均含有丰富的营养成分,粗蛋白质含量超过所有参比的畜禽类及鱼类食品,分别为62.4%、56.6%,经方差分析得知,两者差异性显著（P＜0.01）;维生素C含量分别为23.0、23.2 mg/g,差异性不显著（F=6.161;P＞0.05）;超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）含量分别为73.5、42.5 U/mL,SOD在拟黑多刺蚁体内含量比赤蚁体内含量高72.94%;过氧化物酶（POD）含量分别为7.1、4.7 U/mL,POD在拟黑多刺蚁体内含量比赤蚁体内含量高51.06%。因此,拟黑多刺蚁更适合做为蛋白质保健食品进行开发利用,2种蚂蚁体内抗氧化物成分高,可以做药业成分进行开发利用。     

国产决明属生理生化特性与系统分类的关系

以国产决明属（Cassia）4种植物为实验材料,采用愈创木酚法和聚丙烯酰胺垂直板凝胶电泳对其抗逆指标和过氧化物酶（POD）同工酶进行测定,分析其系统树与传统决明属系统分类之间的差异。结果表明：发芽1天的过氧化物酶活性和3天的MDA含量差异显著,可作为探讨其亲缘关系的指标之一。发现POD同工酶带12条,4种决明没有共同拥有的条带,决明属植物的特征性酶带主要分布在b区和a区。与传统分类不同,抗逆指标和同工酶分析结果都表明,槐叶决明（Cassia sophera）与豆茶决明（C. nomame）亲缘关系最近,翅荚决明（C. alata）次之,决明（C. tora）与其他种亲缘关系最远,属于另一支。     

Na2SO4盐胁迫对紫穗槐酶活性的影响

对紫穗槐幼苗进行不同浓度的Na2SO4处理,测定并分析了其幼苗叶中超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）、过氧化氢酶（CAT）及过氧化物酶（POD）活性的变化。结果表明：1）300 mmol/L的盐浓度是适宜紫穗槐生长的临界土壤盐浓度。2）紫穗槐幼苗体内活性氧的保护酶体系主要途径是由SOD催化超氧自由基,再由POD和CAT共同协作来清除SOD催化超氧自由基的产物。