Covert LdMNPV detected in Lymantria dispar larvae during a survey of potential hosts for DekiNPV production

Dendrolimus kikuchii nucleopolyhedrovirus (DekiNPV) is a biological control agent used to control the populations of D. kikuchii, which is a pest of variety of conifers, including Pinus kesiya, Pinus fenzeliana, Cedrus deodara, and Keteleeria evelyniana. However, D. kikuchii cannot be artificially reared which restricts the production and utilization of DekiNPV. In this study, the infectivity and replication of DekiNPV was demonstrated in Spodoptera frugiperda cell lines (sf9), Clostera anachoreta cell line (CAF-clan II), and Lymantria dispar (L.) to identify suitable alternative hosts for the production of DekiNPV. We also investigated the ability of DekiNPV to trigger the conversion of covert infections to overt infections. Results showed the absence of DekiNPV in the two cell lines and in L. dispar. However, polymerase chain reaction results indicated that L. dispar larvae harbored covert infection that could not be triggered by DekiNPV.     

Gait deficits in liver disease: Hepatic encephalopathy and hepatic myelopathy

In this issue, the unusual clinical presentation of a horse diagnosed is described with severe liver cirrhosis and hepatic encephalopathy. The horse initially presented for thoracic and pelvic limb ataxia and weakness, and signs of forebrain disease were not apparent until later in the disease process. The typical pathology of central nervous system disease associated with liver disease is related to encephalopathy and forebrain disease; however, the spinal cord is occasionally also involved. Hepatic myelopathy is a rare syndrome usually associated with surgical or acquired portosystemic shunts, liver cirrhosis and/or portal hypertension in man. Where a gliopathy is the most prominent pathological feature seen in hepatic encephalopathy, in hepatic myelopathy the most remarkable feature is demyelination of the corticospinal tracts of the distal cervical and thoracic spinal cord with occasional axon loss. The clinical signs of hepatic myelopathy are spastic paresis/paralysis with normal sensory findings and preserved sphincter function. The prognosis for hepatic myelopathy is generally poor. In summary, in severe liver disease, motor deficits can occur secondary to the encephalopathy, but motor deficits can also occur as a result of spinal cord pathology such as seen in hepatic myelopathy. In examination of horses with myelopathies, liver disease as a cause of myelopathy should be included in our list of differentials.     

尤溪的珍稀树种

本文报导了尤溪的珍稀树种22种,为保护植物资源提供基础资料,珍稀树种共分5级,其中1—3级是按“中国重点保护植物”规定的分级标准确定的,4—5级是根据该树种在尤溪特有的或珍稀的程度而定。     

DIFFERENTIAL RESPONSE OF TWO OLIVE CULTIVARS TO EXCESS MANGANESE

The response of three-month-old rooted cuttings of the olive cultivars ‘Picual’ and ‘Koroneiki’ grown in black plastic bags containing perlite as a substrate to excess manganese (Mn) (640 μM) was studied. The rooted cuttings were irrigated with 50% modified Hoagland nutrient solution. At the end of the experimental period, which lasted 130 days, the total fresh and dry weights, as well as the shoot elongation of ‘Picual’ plants were significantly reduced under excess Mn (640 μM), compared to the control plants (2 μM), whereas the growth of ‘Koroneiki’ plants was similar in both Mn treatments. The tolerance index, which is derived from the ratios between the plant growth data of different treatments and the control one, of ‘Picual’ plants to excess Mn was about half of this of ‘Koroneiki’ plants. In both cultivars, the concentrations of Mn in various plant parts (root, basal stem, top stem, basal leaves, top leaves) were significantly increased as Mn concentration in the nutrient solution increased. Furthermore, in the 640 μM Mn treatment, 2 to 2.5-fold greater Mn concentrations were recorded in almost all plant parts of ‘Koroneiki’, than those of ‘Picual’. Similar results were recorded with regard to the total Mn content per plant (‘Koroneiki’ absorbed much more Mn from the nutrient solution than ‘Picual’). On the other hand, excess Mn negatively affected the absorption of iron (Fe), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), phosphorus (P), zinc (Zn), and boron (B), depending on the olive cultivar. In both cultivars, while the Mn use efficiency was significantly decreased under excess Mn conditions, the nutrient use efficiencies of P, Ca, and Fe were significantly increased, compared to the control plants (2 μM Mn). It was also found that excess Mn resulted in a significant increase of stomatal conductance and transpiration rate of both cultivars, whereas the photosynthetic rate was significantly increased only in ‘Koroneiki’. In ‘Picual’, similar photosynthetic rates were recorded in both Mn treatments. The measurement of the various chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, F_v/F_m and F_v/F₀ ratios, revealed that the functional integrity of photosystem II (PSII) of photosynthesis was not affected due to excess Mn, irrespectively of the cultivar. In conclusion, although ‘Koroneiki’ tissues had much higher Mn concentrations than those of ‘Picual’, the parameters related to the growth and photosynthetic performance of plants indicates that the internal tolerance of ‘Koroneiki’ tissues to excess Mn was higher than this of ‘Picual’.     

Chlorophyll fluorescence characteristics throughout spring triticale development stages as affected by fertilization

Abstract

Little is known about the response of spring triticale (× Triticosecale Wittm.) chlorophyll fluorescence parameters (Fo – initial fluorescence intensity, Fm – maximal fluorescence, Fv/Fm – maximum quantum yield of photosystem II) to nitrogen fertilization. We investigated after-effects of basic (N₆₀P₆₀K₆₀ and N₁₂₀P₁₂₀K₁₂₀) and additional (N₃₀ and N₆₀) fertilization on chlorophyll fluorescence characteristics at four main phonological development stages of spring triticale under field conditions. Both additional nitrogen (N) rates soon after application induced short-acting stress on both basic fertilization backgrounds only in dry weather conditions. Initial fluorescence intensity exhibited direct relationship (R²=0.52) with an additional nitrogen rate only at the beginning of booting (BBCH 31) in dry 2008. The correlation of maximal fluorescence with additional nitrogen rate was significant during the whole experimental period. Maximum quantum yield of photosystem II directly correlated with both basic and additional nitrogen fertilization from flag leaf stage (BBCH 37) to completion of flowering (BBCH 69) in 2008. Initial fluorescence intensity decreased after spring triticale heading stage.     

Neoamphimedine circumvents metnase-enhanced DNA topoisomerase IIα activity through ATP-competitive inhibition

Type IIα DNA topoisomerase (TopoIIα) is among the most important clinical drug targets for the treatment of cancer. Recently, the DNA repair protein Metnase was shown to enhance TopoIIα activity and increase resistance to TopoIIα poisons. Using in vitro DNA decatenation assays we show that neoamphimedine potently inhibits TopoIIα-dependent DNA decatenation in the presence of Metnase. Cell proliferation assays demonstrate that neoamphimedine can inhibit Metnase-enhanced cell growth with an IC(50) of 0.5 μM. Additionally, we find that the apparent K(m) of TopoIIα for ATP increases linearly with higher concentrations of neoamphimedine, indicating ATP-competitive inhibition, which is substantiated by molecular modeling. These findings support the continued development of neoamphimedine as an anticancer agent, particularly in solid tumors that over-express Metnase.     

不同栽培密度对杂交水稻新组合Ⅱ优T16产量的影响

[目的]探索杂交水稻新组合Ⅱ优T16的产量增长潜力。[方法]研究不同海拨和栽培密度对杂交水稻Ⅱ优T16产量的影响,探讨Ⅱ优T16获得高产的最佳栽培密度。[结果]在海拨252 m的试验点,当栽培密度为19.5万窝/hm2时Ⅱ优T16产量最高,达11 587.5kg/hm2。在海拨756 m的试验点,当栽培密度为22.5万窝/hm2产量最高,达12 817.5 kg/hm2。[结论]铜仁地区Ⅱ优T16获得高产的最佳栽培密度为低海拨地区19.5万窝/hm2,中高海拨地区为22.5万窝/hm2。     

气温对杂交水稻Ⅱ优718结实率的影响分析

本文采用5个品种,6个播期的裂区试验设计,研究在自然高温和低温胁迫下Ⅱ优718的结实率表现。结果表明:①结实率的大小依次是:辐恢838>Ⅱ优838>辐恢718>Ⅱ优718>Ⅱ-32B;②结实率与产量的回归系数大小依次是:Ⅱ优718>辐恢838>Ⅱ优838>辐恢718>Ⅱ-32B;③抽穗前15 d的活动积温和有效积温对结实率的影响较小,而抽穗后的活动积温和有效积温对结实率的影响较大;④Ⅱ优718、Ⅱ优838在抽穗后都具有一定的耐高温性,且Ⅱ优718、Ⅱ优838的耐高温性主要来自于其父本;⑤辐恢718的耐高温性能比辐恢838好,Ⅱ优718、Ⅱ优838比3个亲本的耐高温性能都好;⑥各品种的耐低温性依次是:Ⅱ优838>辐恢838>Ⅱ优718>辐恢718>Ⅱ32B,且Ⅱ优718与Ⅱ优838两个品种的耐低温能力在同一水平上;⑦Ⅱ优718与Ⅱ优838的结实率受父本的影响均大于母本。     

Ⅱ优沈98分期播种试验小结

以Ⅱ优沈98为材料进行分期播种试验。结果表明,随着播种期推迟（每期间隔10d）,全生育期明显缩短,中稻每期缩短5d左右,连晚每期缩短3d左右;中稻不同播种期的产量及经济性状的影响差异不显著,连作晚稻随播种期的推迟,产量呈递减趋势,达极显著水平。温光反应特性与对照汕优63基本相同。     

杂交水稻京福1优527高产栽培试验研究

为进一步提高京福1优527的单产水平,挖掘其产量潜力,2007年在福建省三明地区进行种植密度、纯氮施用量、磷肥施用量、钾肥施用量4因素3水平正交试验,结果表明,每公顷基本苗21.74万株、施用纯氮150kg、施用磷肥90kg、施用钾肥150kg可实现较高的产量水平,与其它处理差异达显著。京福1优527高产栽培策略是合理密植,控制好基本苗数。一般中等肥力田基本苗以21.74万/hm2左右为宜,例如安排密植规格为20 cm×23 cm,每丛插1~2苗左右。同时通过合理施用氮、磷肥促使大穗,以达到高产目的。在中等肥力条件下,每公顷施用纯氮150kg、磷肥150kg可达到7.72t/hm2左右的产量水平。与此同时,配合施用钾肥和有机肥也是很必要的。