Heterotrophic and autotrophic nitrification in two acid pasture soils

Laboratory incubation experiments, using ¹⁵N-labeling techniques and simple analytical models, were conducted to measure heterotrophic and autotrophic nitrification rates in two acid soils (pH 4.8-5.3; 1/5 in H₂O) with high organic carbon contents (6.2-6.8% in top 5 cm soil). The soils were from pastures located near Maindample and Ruffy in the Northeast Victoria, Australia. Gross rates of N mineralization, nitrification and immobilization were measured. The gross rates of autotrophic nitrification were 0.157 and 0.119 μg N g⁻¹ h⁻¹ and heterotrophic nitrification rates were 0.036 and 0.009 μg N g⁻¹ h⁻¹ for the Maindample and Ruffy soils, respectively. Heterotrophic nitrification accounted for 19% and 7% of the total nitrification in the Maindample and Ruffy soils, respectively. The heterotrophic nitrifiers used organic N compounds and no as the substrate for nitrification.     

N tracing models with a Monte Carlo optimization procedure provide new insights on gross N transformations in soils

¹⁵N tracing studies in combination with analyses via process-based models are the current “state-of-the-art” technique to quantify gross nitrogen (N) transformation rates in soils. A crucial component of this technique is the optimization algorithm which primarily decides how many model parameters can simultaneously be estimated. Recently, we published a Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) method which has the potential to simultaneously estimate large number of parameters in ¹⁵N tracing models [Müller et al., 2007. Estimation of parameters in complex ¹⁵N tracing models by Monte Carlo sampling. Soil Biology & Biochemistry 39, 715-726].Here, we present the results of a reanalysis of datasets by Kirkham and Bartholomew [1954. Equations for following nutrient transformations in soil, utilizing tracer data. Soil Science Society of America Proceedings 18, 33-34], Myrold and Tiedje [1986. Simultaneous estimation of several nitrogen cycle rates using ¹⁵N: theory and application. Soil Biology & Biochemistry 18, 559-568] and Watson et al. [2000. Overestimation of gross N transformation rates in grassland soils due to non-uniform exploitation of applied and native pools. Soil Biology & Biochemistry 32, 2019-2030] using the MCMC technique. Analytical solutions such as the ones derived by Kirkham and Bartholomew [1954. Equations for following nutrient transformations in soil, utilizing tracer data. Soil Science Society of America Proceedings 18, 33-34] result in gross rates without uncertainties. We show that the analysis of the same data sets with the MCMC method provides standard deviations for gross N transformations. The standard deviations are further reduced if realistic data uncertainties are considered. Reanalyzing data by Myrold and Tiedje [1986. Simultaneous estimation of several nitrogen cycle rates using ¹⁵N: theory and application. Soil Biology & Biochemistry 18, 559-568] (Capac soil) resulted in a model fit similar to the one of the original analysis but with more precise estimates of gross N transformations. In addition, our analysis showed that small N transformations such as heterotrophic nitrification, which was neglected in the original analysis, could be quantified for this soil. Watson et al. [2000. Overestimation of gross N transformation rates in grassland soils due to non-uniform exploitation of applied and native pools. Soil Biology & Biochemistry 32, 2019-2030] provided evidence of a non-uniform exploitation of applied and native N that led to an overestimation of gross N transformations. Reanalyzing the data (CENIT soil, low N application) with the Müller et al. [2007. Estimation of parameters in complex ¹⁵N tracing models by Monte Carlo sampling. Soil Biology & Biochemistry 39, 715-726] model where 1587-si1.gif"> oxidation was set to Michaelis-Menten kinetics resulted in a satisfactory fit between modeled and observed data, indicating that the observed artifact by Watson et al. [2000. Overestimation of gross N transformation rates in grassland soils due to non-uniform exploitation of applied and native pools. Soil Biology & Biochemistry 32, 2019-2030] was mainly due to inappropriate kinetic settings. Our study shows that the combination of a MCMC method with ¹⁵N tracing models is able to consider more complex and possibly more realistic models and kinetic settings to estimate gross N transformation rates and thus overcomes restriction of previous ¹⁵N tracing techniques.     

IL-15过表达对猪骨骼肌细胞成肌分化的影响

【目的】研究肌肉因子IL-15（interleukin 15）对猪骨骼肌成肌细胞增殖与凋亡的影响,为进一步研究IL-15在动物肌肉品质调控和骨骼肌疾病治疗提供依据。【方法】构建IL-15过表达慢病毒载体GV-492-IL-15,体外无菌分离培养猪骨骼肌卫星细胞,诱导分化,并通过免疫荧光染色进行成肌细胞验证。将成肌细胞转染IL-15过表达重组慢病毒载体,试验分别设置空白对照组（Control）、转染阴性对照病毒组（IL-15-）和转染GV-492-IL-15（IL-15+）慢病毒试验组（n=3）。培养72 h后,收集细胞和培养上清液。分别采用实时定量PCR（qRT-PCR）和Western Blot技术分析目的基因和蛋白的表达情况,采用ELISA试剂盒分析培养液中IL-15含量,采用CCK-8试剂盒分析成肌细胞活力,采用流式细胞术分析细胞周期和细胞凋亡,采用Western Blot技术检测与细胞凋亡密切相关的caspase-3蛋白表达水平的变化。【结果】（1）经鉴定后的质粒转染293T细胞,细胞内可观察到明显的绿色荧光,经Western Blot检测,可以观察到20 kD附近处有特征条带;（2）分离培养的猪骨骼肌卫星细胞呈梭形或纺锤形,诱导后可分化为呈管状的成肌细胞。将分化后的成肌细胞,进行α-SMA单克隆抗体免疫荧光染色,视野中90%的细胞呈阳性反应,胞浆染成红色,表明细胞为骨骼肌成肌细胞。（3）转染GV-492-IL-15慢病毒后,与对照细胞组相比,成肌细胞内IL-15 mRNA和蛋白相对表达量均极显著升高（P<0.001）,但培养液中IL-15蛋白水平变化不大（P>0.05）。CCK-8结果显示,过表达IL-15可增强细胞的增殖能力（P<0.05）。与对照组相比,转染GV-492-IL-15慢病毒的细胞早期凋亡率差异不显著（P>0.05）,但细胞晚期凋亡率显著下降（P<0.05）。与对照组相比,转染慢病毒组细胞中caspase-3蛋白有下降的趋势,但差异不显著（P>0.05）。此外,转染IL-15过表达慢病毒可使G1期细胞比例显著下降,S期和G2/M期细胞比例显著升高（P<0.05）。【结论】在正常生理条件下,IL-15是定位在细胞内并发挥作用的,IL-15过表达对猪骨骼肌成肌细胞早期凋亡没有显著影响,但可以抑制其晚期凋亡,并促进细胞增殖。这一研究将为IL-15正向调控猪骨骼肌肌肉品质和治疗相关肌肉疾病提供技术和理论依据。     

Fecal carriage of multi-drug resistant and extended spectrum β-lactamases producing E. coli in household pigeons,Bangladesh

Antibiotic resistance and ESBL constitute a risk to human and animal health. Birds residing close to humans could mirror the spectrum of human associated antibiotic resistance. Household pigeons were screened in Bangladesh to shed light on human associated, as well as, environmental antibiotic resistance. Escherichia coli from pigeons (n = 150) were tested against 11 antibiotics. 89% E. coli isolates were resistant to one or more critically important human antibiotics like ampicillin, cefadroxil, mecillinam, ciprofloxacin, gentamicin and tigecycline. No carbapenamase-producers were detected and the lower ESBL prevalence (5%) in pigeons. ESBL-producing E. coli isolates had bla_CTX-M-15 genes. Pigeons shared some bacterial clones and had bird associated sequence types like E. coli ST1408. Fecal carriage of bacteria resistance of critically important human antibiotics, together with examples of shared genotypes among pigeons, indicate the human-birds and bird to bird transmissions are important in the epidemiology of antibiotic resistance.     

4个山羊品种GDF9、BMP15、FSHR基因的多态性分析

采用RFLP和SSCP 2种方法研究了生长分化因子9(GDF9)基因、骨形态发生蛋白15(BMP15)基因和促卵泡素受体(FSHR)基因在河北绒山羊、美姑黑山羊、承德黑山羊、河南槐山羊4个山羊品种中的多态性.结果显示,在4个山羊品种中未检测到GDF9的突变位点;BMP15基因出现1处突变位点(890 bp处,G→T),但未引起基因型改变;FSHR基因出现3种基因型HH、HK、KK,存在1处突变位点(1 568 bp处,C→G).河南槐山羊Hardy-Weinberg不平衡,且为中度多态.表明检测的FSHR基因在4个山羊品种中存在多态性.     

Carbon source and trophic position of pelagic fish in coastal waters of south-eastern Izu Peninsula,Japan, identified by stable isotope analysis

ABSTRACT:   It is important to clarify trophic dynamics in marine ecosystems for management of the fishing ground. Organic carbon sources and trophic position of pelagic fishes in the coastal waters of the south-eastern Izu Peninsula, Japan, were examined on the basis of carbon and nitrogen stable isotope distributions. The δ¹³C of the fishes was mostly distributed from −19 to −16‰ for nektonic fishes (13 species of adults and immatures) and planktonic fishes (10 species of larvae and juveniles), close to the δ¹³C values of particulate organic matter and planktonic decapods. These δ¹³C signatures for the inhabitants of the water column were in contrast with the high δ¹³C values (mainly −16 to −13‰) for demersal fishes of Scorpaeniformes and benthic polychaetes collected in the surf zone. These results indicate that nektonic and planktonic fishes depend on phytoplankton for carbon supply. The δ¹⁵N signatures suggest that the trophic position ranged 3.1–4.5 for the nektonic fishes and 2.9–3.7 for the planktonic fishes, premised on trophic level 3 for larval Japanese anchovy Engraulis japonicus . Thus, planktivorous fishes should be mainly assigned to trophic levels 3 and 4 in this area.     

嗜铁真菌 z-15对几种病原菌的抑制作用

为 z-15在植物病害防治上的应用提供参考,采用平板对峙法、发酵液抑菌法和抑制孢子萌发法测定嗜铁真菌 z-15对4种病原菌的影响。结果表明,z-15对4种病原菌均有不同程度的抑制作用,平板拮抗试验中,除西瓜枯萎病菌以外,对另3种病原菌的抑制率均超过20％,其发酵液对小麦根腐病菌（Bipo-laris sorokiniana ）的生长抑制效果较为显著,最高抑制率达50．9％;对西瓜枯萎病菌和水稻恶苗病菌孢子萌发亦有较好的抑制作用。     

荠菜CBF冷诱导途径多价载体的构建和烟草转化

为了研究荠菜CBF抗冷途径多基因共表达对转基因植株耐寒性的影响,通过同尾酶法将CbCBF、CbICE53、CbRCI35以及CbCOR15bP进行结合,构建了CbCOR15bP::CbICE53+pCaMV35S::CbCBF+pCaMV35S::CbRCI35多价植物表达载体并进行了烟草的转化,通过形态观察以及电解质渗透率和相对水含量这两个生理指标的测定显示,转基因植株在4℃和-4℃低温处理情况下,多基因共转化的转基因植株在电解质渗透率和相对水含量与野生型和空载对照之间的差异非常明显,转基因植株在低温下的抗寒冻能力也明显增强,说明CBF途径多基因共转化可以明显提高烟草的抗寒冻能力,此项研究具有一定的实际应用意义。     

Short-term competition between crop plants and soil microbes for inorganic N fertilizer

Agricultural systems that receive high amounts of inorganic nitrogen (N) fertilizer in the form of either ammonium (NH₄⁺), nitrate (NO₃⁻) or a combination thereof are expected to differ in soil N transformation rates and fates of NH₄⁺ and NO₃⁻. Using ¹⁵N tracer techniques this study examines how crop plants and soil microbes vary in their ability to take up and compete for fertilizer N on a short time scale (hours to days). Single plants of barley (Hordeum vulgare L. cv. Morex) were grown on two agricultural soils in microcosms which received either NH₄⁺, NO₃⁻ or NH₄NO₃. Within each fertilizer treatment traces of ¹⁵NH₄⁺ and ¹⁵NO₃⁻ were added separately. During 8 days of fertilization the fate of fertilizer ¹⁵N into plants, microbial biomass and inorganic soil N pools as well as changes in gross N transformation rates were investigated. One week after fertilization 45-80% of initially applied ¹⁵N was recovered in crop plants compared to only 1-10% in soil microbes, proving that plants were the strongest competitors for fertilizer N. In terms of N uptake soil microbes out-competed plants only during the first 4 h of N application independent of soil and fertilizer N form. Within one day microbial N uptake declined substantially, probably due to carbon limitation. In both soils, plants and soil microbes took up more NO₃⁻ than NH₄⁺ independent of initially applied N form. Surprisingly, no inhibitory effect of NH₄⁺ on the uptake and assimilation of nitrate in both, plants and microbes, was observed, probably because fast nitrification rates led to a swift depletion of the ammonium pool. Compared to plant and microbial NH₄⁺ uptake rates, gross nitrification rates were 3-75-fold higher, indicating that nitrifiers were the strongest competitors for NH₄⁺ in both soils. The rapid conversion of NH₄⁺ to NO₃⁻ and preferential use of NO₃⁻ by soil microbes suggest that in agricultural systems with high inorganic N fertilizer inputs the soil microbial community could adapt to high concentrations of NO₃⁻ and shift towards enhanced reliance on NO₃⁻ for their N supply.     

Interactions between residue placement and earthworm ecological strategy affect aggregate turnover and N2O dynamics in agricultural soil

Previous laboratory studies using epigeic and anecic earthworms have shown that earthworm activity can considerably increase nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from crop residues in soils. However, the universality of this effect across earthworm functional groups and its underlying mechanisms remain unclear. The aims of this study were (i) to determine whether earthworms with an endogeic strategy also affect N₂O emissions; (ii) to quantify possible interactions with epigeic earthworms; and (iii) to link these effects to earthworm-induced differences in selected soil properties. We initiated a 90-day ¹⁵N-tracer mesocosm study with the endogeic earthworm species Aporrectodea caliginosa (Savigny) and the epigeic species Lumbricus rubellus (Hoffmeister). ¹⁵N-labeled radish (Raphanus sativus cv. Adagio L.) residue was placed on top or incorporated into the loamy (Fluvaquent) soil. When residue was incorporated, only A. caliginosa significantly (p < 0.01) increased cumulative N₂O emissions from 1350 to 2223 μg N₂O-N kg⁻¹ soil, with a corresponding increase in the turnover rate of macroaggregates. When residue was applied on top, L. rubellus significantly (p < 0.001) increased emissions from 524 to 929 μg N₂O-N kg⁻¹, and a significant (p < 0.05) interaction between the two earthworm species increased emissions to 1397 μg N₂O-N kg⁻¹. These effects coincided with an 84% increase in incorporation of residue ¹⁵N into the microaggregate fraction by A. caliginosa (p = 0.003) and an 85% increase in incorporation into the macroaggregate fraction by L. rubellus (p = 0.018). Cumulative CO₂ fluxes were only significantly increased by earthworm activity (from 473.9 to 593.6 mg CO₂-C kg⁻¹ soil; p = 0.037) in the presence of L. rubellus when residue was applied on top. We conclude that earthworm-induced N₂O emissions reflect earthworm feeding strategies: epigeic earthworms can increase N₂O emissions when residue is applied on top; endogeic earthworms when residue is incorporated into the soil by humans (tillage) or by other earthworm species. The effects of residue placement and earthworm addition are accompanied by changes in aggregate and SOM turnover, possibly controlling carbon, nitrogen and oxygen availability and therefore denitrification. Our results contribute to understanding the important but intricate relations between (functional) soil biodiversity and the soil greenhouse gas balance. Further research should focus on elucidating the links between the observed changes in soil aggregation and controls on denitrification, including the microbial community.