Vectorizing agrochemicals: enhancing bioavailability via carrier‐mediated transport

Systemicity of agrochemicals is an advantageous property for controlling phloem sucking insects, as well as pathogens and pests not accessible to contact products. After the penetration of the cuticle, the plasma membrane constitutes the main barrier to the entry of an agrochemical into the sap flow. The current strategy for developing systemic agrochemicals is to optimize the physicochemical properties of the molecules so that they can cross the plasma membrane by simple diffusion or ion trapping mechanisms. The main problem with current systemic compounds is that they move everywhere within the plant, and this non‐controlled mobility results in the contamination of the plant parts consumed by vertebrates and pollinators. To achieve the site‐targeted distribution of agrochemicals, a carrier‐mediated propesticide strategy is proposed in this review. After conjugating a non‐systemic agrochemical with a nutrient (α‐amino acids or sugars), the resulting conjugate may be actively transported across the plasma membrane by nutrient‐specific carriers. By applying this strategy, non‐systemic active ingredients are expected to be delivered into the target organs of young plants, thus avoiding or minimizing subsequent undesirable redistribution. The development of this innovative strategy presents many challenges, but opens up a wide range of exciting possibilities. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry     

长期试验土壤理化性质和微生物量的研究进展

通过分析、总结长期试验的研究进展,研究长期试验的特点、意义和研究内容,综述了长期试验对土壤理化性质、土壤微生物量的影响,有助于该学科研究的纵深发展与广泛利用.目前,长期试验通常采取2种方法,分别是“长期”和“定位”,其具有时间的长期性和气候的重复性等特点,能够克服各种生态因素差异对试验带来的影响和制约;其与土壤理化性状和微生物特性等关系密切,对研究农业生产有着重要的科学价值,为不同措施对土壤性质的影响提供研究场所.     

整建制全要素全链条农业面源污染综合防治的思考及实践

加强农业面源污染综合防治是加快推进中国农业发展全面绿色转型,实现乡村全面振兴的重要任务。近年来,在多方的共同努力下,中国生态环境改善取得了一定成效,但重点流域的农业面源污染问题仍然突出。该研究在分析中国农业面源污染现状的基础上,通过资料收集、现场调研、专家座谈等多种方式梳理和分析了农业面源污染综合防治在治理主体、投入要素、技术体系与产业链条方面的瓶颈,解析了整建制全要素全链条农业面源污染综合防治的内涵,阐述了国家农业绿色发展先行区浙江平湖在践行整建制全要素全链条农业面源污染综合防治方面的先进做法及应用效果。总结了典型案例在网格化健全污染综合防治“整建制”、特色化延伸综合防治“全链条”、以及全方位保障污染综合防治“全要素”三个方面开展的相关工作,以期为探索形成农业面源污染综合防治整体解决方案,示范带动农业发展全面绿色转型提供支撑。     

Serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid endothelin-1 concentrations as diagnostic biomarkers of canine idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Background: Diagnosis of canine idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is challenging. Endothelin‐1 (ET1) is a biomarker of IPF in humans, but whether ET1 can detect and differentiate IPF from other canine respiratory diseases is unknown. Objective: To evaluate whether measurement of the concentration of ET1 in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) can be used to distinguish canine IPF from chronic bronchitis (CB) and eosinophilic bronchopneumopathy (EBP). Animals: Twelve dogs with IPF, 10 dogs with CB, 6 dogs with EBP, 13 privately owned healthy West Highland White Terriers (WHWT), and 9 healthy Beagle dogs. Methods: Prospective, case control study. ET1 concentration was determined by ELISA in serum and in BALF. Results: No significant difference in serum ET1 concentration was detected between healthy Beagle dogs and WHWT. Serum ET1 concentration was higher in dogs with IPF (median interquartile range; 2.32 pg/mL, 2.05–3.38) than healthy Beagle dogs (1.28, 1.07–1.53; P < .001), healthy WHWT (1.56, 1.25–1.85; P < .001), dogs with EBP (0.94 0.68–1.01; P = .001), and dogs with CB (1.54 0.74–1.82; P = .005). BALF ET1 concentration was below the detection limit in healthy WHWT and in dogs with CB, whereas it was measurable in all dogs with IPF. A cut‐off serum concentration of 1.8 pg/mL had a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 81.2% for detection of IPF, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.818. Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Serum ET1 can differentiate dogs with IPF from dogs with EBP or CB. ET1 can be detected in BALF of dogs with IPF.