盐胁迫对菘蓝幼苗生长和抗性生理的影响

以“定蓝1号”为试验材料,采用不同浓度NaCl溶液(0,30,60,90,120和150 mmol·L^-1)对菘蓝幼苗进行处理,胁迫14 d后测定了其生长指标、生物量积累、叶片相对含水量、根系活力、根质膜透性、渗透调节物质含量以及抗氧化酶活性等指标,分析不同程度盐胁迫对菘蓝幼苗生长和抗性生理的影响。结果表明:NaCl胁迫对菘蓝幼苗株高和根长都有抑制作用,对根和叶的物质积累也有显著影响,并随浓度的递增呈降低的趋势;菘蓝幼苗叶片相对含水量和根系活力均随NaCl浓度的增加呈现下降趋势,而根质膜透性、叶片脯氨酸含量则呈升高趋势;丙二醛(MDA)含量、组织自动氧化速率(RAD)、过氧化物酶(POD)活性和超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性都随NaCl浓度的增加呈先升高后降低的趋势。但当NaCl浓度低于90 mmol·L^-1时,菘蓝幼苗的生长没有受到盐胁迫的明显抑制,根系活力降低不明显,脯氨酸、丙二醛含量和保护酶活性也未显著升高,说明菘蓝幼苗对低浓度盐环境具有一定的耐受性。     

人工改造野生大豆GsDREB2基因对植物耐盐和耐渗透胁迫能力的影响

DREB (dehydration responsive element binding protein)转录因子是一个干旱应答元件的结合蛋白,它能特异结合启动子中含有DRE/CRT顺式元件,激活逆境诱导基因的表达,调控植物对干旱、低温、高盐、高温等胁迫的耐逆性。大量研究表明DREB转录因子在信号传导、作用机理及基因表达方面存在复杂性。为了野生大豆来源GsDREB2基因能更有效地发挥功能,人工突变该基因的负向调节结构域(negative regulatory domain, NRD,140~204),经改造命名为GsDREB2-mNRD。在酵母中比较全长基因(FLDREB2)和GsDREB2-mNRD转录激活和与DRE元件结合的能力,并验证GsDREB2-mNRD核定位情况。分别将FLDREB2和GsDREB2-mNRD转化拟南芥,通过拟南芥幼苗期盐胁迫和渗透胁迫试验,比较GsDREB2-mNRD和FLDREB2在提高植物耐盐和渗透胁迫方面的差异。结果表明,GsDREB2基因内部存在着负向调节结构域(NRD),抑制了GsDREB2转录激活功能和DRE元件结合的特性;经改造的GsDREB2基因依然能定位在细胞核;超量表达GsDREB2-mNRD基因的拟南芥耐盐和渗透胁迫能力明显强于非转基因对照,也高于FLDREB2基因超表达的拟南芥;野生大豆来源的GsDREB2基因NRD结构域的缺失可增强该基因在植物耐盐、渗透胁迫等逆境胁迫下的功能。     

Effects of the sodium‐glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor velagliflozin,a new drug with therapeutic potential to treat diabetes in cats

Sodium‐glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors are used in the treatment of human diabetics. They increase glucose excretion and correct hyperglycemia. We examined the investigational SGLT2 inhibitor velagliflozin in two groups of six neutered adult obese cats (equal gender distribution). Placebo (Pl) or drug (D; 1 mg/kg) was administered for 35 days. Routine blood examinations, fructosamine, beta‐hydroxybutyrate (BHB), nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA), glucagon, adiponectin, and leptin were measured before and after treatment, also water intake, and urinary electrolytes, glucose, and volume. Indirect calorimetry, an intravenous glucose tolerance test (IVGTT; 0.8 g/kg) and insulin tolerance test (IVITT) were conducted. All cats tolerated treatment well. Significant changes with D included a decrease in the respiratory exchange ratio, an increase in cholesterol, a small increase in albumin, and a rise in BHB and NEFA. Glucose clearance was unaltered, although less insulin was secreted during the IVGTT (p = .056) suggesting improved insulin sensitivity. IVITT was unchanged. Treatment did not affect glucagon, leptin, or adiponectin. Water intake, urine output, urinary glucose excretion, and the glucose/creatinine ratio but not urinary electrolytes were significantly higher post‐D. We conclude that velagliflozin is a promising drug, which increases urinary glucose excretion in cats and could thereby be beneficial for the treatment of hyperglycemia.     

Improved milk production through PG–PL system by provision of in‐house shelter management in lactating Murrah buffaloes during winter season

Comprehensive information on the role of β‐casein and plasminogen–plasmin (PG–PL) system in milk secretion of Murrah buffaloes during winter season is lacking, although effects of cold stress can be ameliorated to an extent by altering microclimate at farm level. Hence, this study was aimed to determine the changes in productivity along with PG–PL system of milk, plasma hormones and metabolites of buffaloes during winter (December–January) season under two different management systems. Average minimum temperature and wind chill index during this season were 7.02 and 12.74 °C respectively. Buffaloes were divided in two groups of six animals each: control and treatment, where treatment group animals were placed in‐house with floor bedding of paddy straw and the control group animals in loose housing system without straw bedding. Physiological responses were recorded, and milk and blood samples were collected at weekly intervals for six‐week experimental period. Under in‐house management system, buffaloes experienced better comfort by alleviating environmental stress as their physiological responses such as respiration rate and pulse rate were significantly reduced (p < 0.01) as compared to the control, which subsequently resulted higher milk yield by 9.92% (p < 0.05). Analysis of milk samples revealed higher concentration of plasminogen (10.6 vs. 8.05 μg/ml; p < 0.01) and β‐casein (p < 0.05), and lower plasmin level (0.299 vs. 0.321 μg/ml; p < 0.05) in buffaloes under treatment group. It was also found that plasma cortisol, glucose and non‐esterified fatty acids levels were higher (p < 0.01) in control group as compared to the treatment animals by 13.6%, 8.14% and 12.6% respectively. However, milk composition, growth hormone, epinephrine and norepinephrine level in plasma were similar in both the groups. Hence, it may be concluded that provision of in‐house shelter management with floor bedding of paddy straw during winter was effective to minimize environmental stress and improved milk production through manipulation of PG–PL system in buffaloes.     

Differential Cl−/Salt Tolerance and NaCl‐Induced Alternations of Tissue and Cellular Ion Fluxes in Glycine max,Glycine soja and their Hybrid Seedlings

The salt‐sensitive Glycine max N23674 cultivar, the salt‐born Glycine soja BB52 population, and their hybrid 4076 strain (F₅) selected for salt tolerance generation by generation were used as the experimental materials in this study. First, the effects of NaCl stress on seed germination, tissue damage, and time‐course ionic absorption and transportation were compared. When qualitatively compared with seed germination appearance in culture dishes, and tissue damages on roots or leaves of seedlings, or quantitatively compared with the relative salt injury rate, the inhibition on N23674 was all the most remarkable. After the exposure of 140 mm NaCl for 1 h, 4 h, 8 h, 12 h, 2 days and 4 days, the content of Cl^? gradually increased in the roots and leaves of seedlings of BB52, 4076 and 23674. Interestingly, the extents of the Cl^? rise in roots of the three experimental soybean materials were BB52 > 4076 > N23674, whereas those in leaves were just on the contrary. Secondly, by using the scanning ion‐selective electrode technique (SIET), fluxes of Na⁺ and Cl^? in roots and protoplasts isolated from roots and leaves were also investigated among the three experimental soybean materials. After 140 mm NaCl stress for 2, 4 and 6 days, and when compared with N23674, slighter net Cl^? influxes were observed in root tissue and protoplasts of roots and leaves of BB52 and 4076 seedlings, especially at the cellular protoplast level. The results indicate that with regard to the ionic effect of NaCl stress, Cl^? was the main determinant salt ion for salt tolerance in G. soja, G. max and their hybrid, and the difference in their Cl^?/salt tolerance is mainly attributed to the capacity of Cl^? restriction to the plant above‐ground parts such as leaves.     

Evaluation of Cold Tolerance in NERICAs Compared with Japanese Standard Rice Varieties at the Reproductive Stage

New Rice for Africa (NERICA) is a general name for interspecific rice varieties derived from a cross between the high‐yielding Asian rice (Oryza sativa L.) between locally adapted African rice (Oryza glaberrima Steud.). Eight NERICAs were evaluated for cold tolerance (CT) at the reproductive stage and compared with their O. sativa parents and three Japanese standard rice varieties over 3 years. Cold tolerance was evaluated based on the filled grain ratio (FGR) after cold water irrigation. The FGR was greatly reduced by cold water irrigation. NERICA 1, 2 and 7 had higher FGR (51.9–57.9 %), while NERICA 6, 15 and 16 had lower FGR (6.2–14.5 %). NERICA 1, 2 and 7 were less affected by cold stress, with a 31 % mean reduction in FGR, while NERICA 6, 15 and 16 were greatly affected, with their FGRs being reduced by more than 80 %. NERICA 3 and 4 were moderately affected by cold stress, with about 45 % reduction rate in FGR. FGR significantly influenced the grain weights of the varieties with strong positive correlations (r = 0.83–0.91; P < 0.001), and thus, similar trends in grain weights were observed. Grain weights were reduced by 61.7–96.4 % under cold stress. NERICA 1, 2 and 7 showed significantly better performance than NERICA 3 and 4, while NERICA 6, 15 and 16 performed poorly under cold water irrigation. The Japanese varieties Koshihikari (very tolerant) and Ozora (moderately tolerant) were more affected by cold water irrigation than NERICA 1, 2 and 7. On the basis of the mean reduction rate (%) in FGR under cold stress, the varieties were classified as follows: NERICA 1, 2 and 7 as tolerant; NERICA 3 and 4 as moderately tolerant; and NERICA 6, 15 and 16 as susceptible to cold stress. However, NERICA 7 grain yields were lower under cold stress due to both greatly reduced number of panicles per plant and number of spikelets per panicle. Therefore, NERICA 1 and 2 are suitable candidates for production in the highland regions of East Africa and should be promoted for production.     

两个宁夏枸杞品种的耐渗透胁迫和耐盐特征比较

以宁夏枸杞(Lycium barbarum)中的两个品种扁果枸杞和宁杞0702为材料,对比二者在渗透胁迫、盐处理以及渗透胁迫和盐处理互作条件下的生长特征、叶组织含水量以及各器官Na~+、K~+积累量分析。结果表明,与对照相比,-0.5 MPa渗透胁迫下,扁果枸杞和宁杞0702的生长均受到抑制,其鲜重分别降低了34%和38%,根长分别降低了32%和17%;与对照相比,50mmol·L~(-1) NaCl使扁果枸杞幼苗的鲜重显著增加了38%(P0.05),干重、株高和根长均不受影响,但宁杞0702幼苗鲜重、干重、株高和根长分别显著降低了27%、34%、44%和14%(P0.05);渗透胁迫~+盐处理下,扁果枸杞幼苗与对照组差异不显著(P0.05),而宁杞0702幼苗的鲜重、干重、株高和根长分别显著降低了37%、28%、44%和13%。与对照相比,渗透胁迫下,扁果枸杞叶组织含水量维持稳定,而宁杞0702显著降低了12%(P0.05);在盐处理下,扁果枸杞和宁杞0702叶组织含水量分别显著增加了25%和18%(P0.05),在渗透胁迫~+盐处理下二者均维持稳定。在扁果枸杞中,鲜重和叶组织含水量与叶、茎中Na~+浓度呈极显著正相关(P0.01),而在宁杞0702中,鲜重仅与叶中的K~+浓度极显著正相关(P0.01),与茎中的Na~+则呈显著负相关(P0.05),叶组织含水量则与各器官中的Na~+、K~+浓度均不相关。与对照相比,扁果枸杞在渗透胁迫和盐处理下ST值分别显著增加了84%和43%(P0.05),而宁杞0702则分别显著降低了63%和47%(P0.05)。上述结果表明,扁果枸杞能通过体内积累适量的Na~+,调控体内Na~+、K~+平衡,改善体内的水分状况,维持其正常的生长,具有盐生植物的特点;宁杞0702则不具备这些特征。     

Phenotypic Changes in Grain Sorghum Over the Last Five Decades

Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] is a drought‐tolerant crop, and its productivity in rain fed environments has increased since the 1950s. This increase is due to changes in agronomic practices and hybrid improvement. The objective of this study was to determine what aspects of grain sorghum morphology, physiology and water use have changed with hybrid improvement and might have contributed to this yield increase. A 2‐year greenhouse experiment was conducted with one hybrid from each of the past five decades. The hybrids were studied in well‐watered and pre‐ and post‐flowering water deficit conditions. Total water use, transpiration, stomatal conductance and photosynthesis were measured during the growing period. Biomass and biomass components were measured at harvest. There was no consistent change in the leaf physiological parameters resulting from hybrid advancement. In contrast, total water use increased in rate of 8.5 cm³ kg soil^?1 year^?1 from old to new hybrids in the well‐watered treatments. Root biomass also increased in rate of 0.2 g plant^?1 year^?1. Leaf biomass and panicle length also was greater for the newest compared with the older hybrids. Hybrid advancement was related to increase in panicle length but decrease in peduncle length. Results indicated that hybrid development programmes created hybrids with improved drought avoidance, due to better root density of newly released hybrids, or hybrids with better resource use which ultimately increased yield under rain fed conditions.     

Glycine max and Glycine soja are capable of cold acclimation

Soybean has been considered a cold intolerant species; based largely upon seed germination and soil emergent evaluations. This study reports a distinct acquisition of cold tolerance, in seedlings, following short acclimation periods. Diversity in cold responses was assessed in eight cultivars of Glycine max and six accessions of G. soja. All varieties of soybean significantly increased in freezing tolerance following acclimation. This study indicates soybean seedlings are indeed capable of sensing cold and acquiring cold tolerance. Germination rates after cold imbibition were negatively correlated with maturity group, but positively correlated with cold acclimation potential in G. soja. Seed fatty acid composition was varied between the species, with Glycine soja accessions containing about 2‐times more linolenic acid (18:3) than G. max. Furthermore, high levels of linoleic acid (18:2) in seeds were positively correlated with germination rates following cold imbibition in G. soja only. We suggest that domestication has not impacted the overall ability of soybean to cold acclimate at the seedling stage and that there is little variation within the domesticated species for ability to cold acclimate. Thus, this brief comparative study reduces the enthusiasm for the “wild” species as an additional source of genetic diversity for cold tolerance.     

Evaluation on Tolerance of Montmorillonite as a Mycotoxin Adsorbent

In order to study the tolerance dose of Kunming mice to montmorillonite as a mycotoxin adsorbent in diets,the experiment selected 60 healthy male Kunming mice with initial average body weight of (17±0.12)g,randomly divided them into 5 treatments with two replicates per group and 6 mice per replicate.Five experimental diets were added to 0 (control group),0.5%,1%,2% and 5% montmorillonite,respectively.After 30 days,the growth performance,nutrients apparent digestibility,serum biochemical indices and internal organization were tested to determine the tolerance dose of montmorillonite for Kunming mice.The results showed that the ADFI was significantly increased in 0.5% group (P< 0.05),while there were no significant differences in ADFI and ADG between 1% group and control group (P> 0.05),then the ADFI was significantly decreased with the increasing of montmorillonite supplemental level (P< 0.05).The ADG in 2% group had no significant difference when compared with the control group (P> 0.05),while significantly lower than that in 0.5% and 1% groups (P< 0.05).The apparent digestibility of DM,CP and EE showed no significant effect at any level of montmorillonite (P> 0.05).Serum ALT,AST activities and MDA content were gradually increased with the montmorillonite supplemental level increasing,and that in 1%,2% and 5% groups were significantly higher than that in control group (P< 0.05),but there were no significant differences between 0.5% group and control group (P> 0.05).Tissue sections showed that mice livers were damaged in varying degrees when the montmorillonite supplemental level was 5%.In conclusion,based on a comprehensive consideration of all indexes,it could be seen that the tolerance dose of the tested montmorillonite for Kunming mice was between 0.5% and 2% when mycotoxin contents in diets were in security range.