Genotypic Variation in Maize Shoot Biomass at Different Stages of Development

A diallel cross from nine early-maturing lines of maize was grown in northern Germany during 1981 and 1982 in order to study the genotypic variation of shoot biomass at early and late stages of development. Inbred lines had been chosen from breeding programmes for early and medium early cultivars. Nevertheless, the date of maturity varied between them which can have some influence on the correlation between plant parameters. Plants were harvested at the fourth and sixth leaf stages, at anthesis and at maturity. S.c.a. effects were highly significant for traits during the vegetative stage. G.c.a. effects were highly significant for traits of the mature plant including grain yield components. The ratio of g.c.a. to s.c.a. effects for shoot biomass was dominated throughout the growing season by s.c.a. effects. Hybrids from the diallel cross had a superior growth rate until the fourth leaf stage; thereafter, relative growth rates of lines and hybrids were similar for the average of both groups until maturity. The correlation of g.c.a. effects and s.c.a. effects between shoot biomass throughout the season revealed that no significant relationship existed between early and late stages. G.c.a. and s.c.a. effects for grain yield components, with the exception of hundred kernel weight, were negatively correlated with shoot biomass at an early stage while correlation was positive at maturity. This would probably make it a difficult task to improve shoot growth and grain yield components simultaneously through the season.     

国外农业产业化经营组织模式分析

本文对各国的农业产业化经营组织进行对比分析,把国外农业产业化经营组织模式分为4种类型:合同制、农业合作制、农工商综合体和联营体。对该4种类型的概念、特点及其适应条件进行了分析和论述。     

紫花苜蓿MsMBF 1c基因在拟南芥中 表达提高转基因植株的耐热性

高温能危害植物的生长发育,是限制紫花苜蓿在南方地区推广的主要非生物胁迫因素之一。从“中苜1号”紫花苜蓿品种克隆获得紫花苜蓿多桥蛋白1c(Medicago sativa Multi protein Bridging Factors 1c, MsMBF1c)全长编码序列,发现紫花苜蓿MsMBF1c蛋白与拟南芥AtMBF1c蛋白同源相似性高达72%。分析MsMBF1c在根、茎、叶、花和果实等不同组织中,以及在高温、干旱以及高温和干旱组合胁迫条件下的表达模式,发现该基因在不同组织中的表达强度依次为花>根>叶>茎>果实;MsMBF1c显著受高温、干旱以及高温和干旱组合诱导,分别被上调4.21、2.15和4.59倍。构建pBI121-35S: MsMBF1c过量表达载体并转入模式植物拟南芥(wild type, WT),在T₃代获得卡那抗性不分离的过量表达株系(over expression, OE);利用OE与Atmbf1c突变体(mutant, MUT)杂交的方法获得互补株系(complementary, COM),并通过PCR与qRT-PCR的方法进行分子和表达验证。平行比较OE、COM、MUT以及WT等不同拟南芥株系在高温胁迫后的种子发芽率和幼苗存活率,在正常情况下,OE、COM、MUT以及WT拟南芥株系种子的发芽率没有显著差异(97.6%~100.0%),高温胁迫后,WT发芽率下降到71.7%,MUT发芽率下降到66.0%,显著低于WT(P<0.05);而COM与3个独立的OE株系的发芽率达79.3%~87.0%,显著高于WT(P<0.05)。在幼苗耐热试验中,OE、COM、MUT以及WT株系的存活率在正常条件下差异不显著,高温胁迫后,WT幼苗存活率下降到16.7%,MUT下降到10.0%,显著低于WT(P<0.05);而COM与3个独立的OE株系存活率下降到40.0%~76.7%,显著高于WT(P<0.05)。利用real-time PCR方法,分析HSFA1a、HSFA2、HSFA3、HSFB1、WRKY25、WRKY18、DREB2a等耐热调节关键基因在OE、MUT和WT拟南芥株系的相对表达情况,在正常条件下,HSFA2、WRKY18与DREB2a在MUT株系中的表达显著低于WT(0.33~0.47)。而在OE株系中,除HSFA1a外,HSFA2、HSFA3、HSFB1、WRKY25、WRKY18、DREB2a的表达相对WT株系都有不同程度上调,幅度为1.74~3.80。高温胁迫后,与WT相比,HSFA2、HSFA3、HSFB1、WRKY18与DREB2a在MUT株系中的表达中被显著下调,在OE株系中,只有WRKY18显著高于WT外,其余基因的表达在OE与WT株系中差异不显著。综合分析,MsMBF1c是一个功能比较保守的耐热调节基因,过量表达MsMBF1c能够互补拟南芥mbf1c突变体耐热缺失表型,并能够增强拟南芥在种子萌发与幼苗生长阶段的耐热性。MsMBF1c可能与AtMBF1c一样,与其他耐热调节关键基因互作调节植物耐热性。     

Protective effect of ecdysterone on H9c2 cells against oxidative stress

AIM: To investigate the effect of ecdysterone (EDS) on H9c2 cardiomyocytes after oxidative stress. METHODS: H9c2 cells were cultured in vitro and divided into control group, high dose (2 μmol/L) of EDS group, middle dose (1.5 μmol/L) of EDS group, low dose (1 μmol/L) of EDS group, and H₂O₂ group. H9c2 cardiomyocytes in H₂O₂ group and high, middle and low doses of EDS groups were exposed to H₂O₂ for 6 h to establish the model of oxidative stress. The viability of the H9c2 cells was detected by CCK-8 assay. The apoptosis of H9c2 cells was analyzed by flow cytometry. The levels of lactate dehydogenase (LDH) and creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) in the culture medium, and the levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the H9c2 cells were measured by colorimetry. The generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the mitochondrial membrane potential were evaluated by flow cytometry and confocal laser scanning microscopy. The protein levels of Bax, Bcl-2 and cleaved caspase-3 in the H9c2 cells were determined by Western blot. RESULTS: Ecdysterone at the selected concentrations had no effect on the viability of H9c2 cells. Compared with control group, the levels of LDH, CK-MB, ROS and MDA, and the apoptotic rates of the H9c2 cells were significantly increased after treated with H₂O₂, but were decreased by EDS treatment in a dose-dependent manner. The levels of SOD and mitochondrial membrane potential of the H9c2 cells in H₂O₂ group were reduced significantly compared with control group, but high, middle and low doses of EDS treatments up-regulated the levels of SOD and mitochondrial membrane potential in H₂O₂-treated H9c2 cells. The protein levels of Bax and cleaved caspase-3 in the H9c2 cells in H₂O₂ group showed significant elevation in comparison with control group, and the protein expression of Bcl-2 declined in H₂O₂ group compared with control group, but high, middle and low doses of ecdysterone treatments down-regulated the protein levels of Bax, cleaved caspase-3 and up-regulated the expression of Bcl-2 in H₂O₂-treated H9c2 cells. CONCLUSION: Ecdysterone attenuates the effect of H₂O₂-induced oxidative stress on H9c2 cardiomyocytes. The mechanism may be involved in scavenging oxidative stress products, increasing antioxidant enzyme activity and improving mitochondrial function.     

Molecular update on cystic echinococcosis in cattle and water buffaloes of southern Italy

Cystic echinococcosis (CE)--caused by the larval stage (hydatid cyst) of the cestode Echinococcus granulosus--is one of the most widespread zoonoses of veterinary and medical importance. Molecular techniques have allowed the identification of 10 different genotypes (G1-G10) of the parasite. The present paper is an update regarding the E. granulosus genotypes infecting water buffaloes and cattle bred in the Campania region of southern Italy. The molecular study was performed on 30 hydatid cysts (11 from water buffaloes and 19 from cattle). Two different mitochondrial DNA genes, namely the cytochrome c oxidase subunits 1 and the 12S ribosomal DNA (12S rDNA) were used as genetic markers. Three different genotypes of E. granulosus were unequivocally identified, i.e. the G1 (common sheep), G2 (Tasmanian sheep) and G3 (buffalo) genotypes, as well as some G1 and G2 variants. It should be noted that the present study demonstrated for the first time: (i) the presence of the G2 genotype in water buffaloes from a Mediterranean area; and (ii) the fact that the analysed portion of the 12S rDNA gene can not discriminate between the G2 and G3 genotypes of E. granulosus. The finding of the G1, G2 and G3 genotypes in large ruminants from southern Italy is of epidemiological relevance and immediate public health importance because of their recognized infectivity in humans.     

小鼠隐藏管状线虫线粒体cox1基因的扩增及序列分析

对从试验小鼠体内分离的蛲虫样品PMZ1-5的线粒体细胞色素c氧化酶第I亚基（cox1）的部分基因（pcox1）进行PCR扩增、测序及序列分析,并与网上相关序列进行比对分析,研究其线粒体pcox1基因遗传变异情况。结果表明,获得pcox1有效序列373 bp,经序列比对分析,发现5个蛲虫样品之间的变异很小,只有1个碱基的差异,序列相似性为99.73%～100%,BLAST分析结果表明为隐藏管状线虫,与同属的Syphacia montana序列差异性为5.24%～5.68%。结果表明,隐藏管状线虫的pcox1序列种内变异很小,种间差异明显,本结果为进一步研究蛲虫的群体遗传学奠定了基础。     

牛巴贝斯虫GST-MSA-2c融合蛋白抗象间接ELISA检测方法的初步建立

以纯化的牛巴贝斯虫GST-MSA-2c融合蛋白作为检测抗原,通过优化ELISA反应条件,初步建立了检测牛巴贝斯虫血清特异性抗体的间接ELISA方法。方阵试验确定的GST-MSA-2C抗原的最适包被浓度为2.5μg／mL,血清最佳稀释倍数为20倍,ELISA阳性反应的临界值为OD450≥0.347,批内和批间重复试验的变异系数均小于10％。经对多例血清检测表明,所建ELSIA检测法重复性好、特异性强、灵敏度高。     

Potential novel markers to discriminate between active and latent tuberculosis infection in Chinese individuals

Latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) constitutes the main reservoir for reactivation tuberculosis. The finding of potential biomarkers for differentiating between TB and LTBI is very necessary. In this study, the immunological characteristics and potential diagnostic utility of Rv2029c, Rv2628 and Rv1813c proteins were assessed. These three proteins stimulated PBMCs from ELISPOT-positive LTBI subjects produced higher levels of IFN-γ in comparison with TB patients and ELISPOT-negative healthy subjects (p < 0.05). BCG vaccination and non-TB respiratory disease had little influence on the immunological responses of Rv2029c and Rv2628 proteins (p > 0.05). The LTBI diagnostic performance of Rv2029c was higher than Rv2628 and Rv1813c by ROC evaluation. But Rv2628 had much higher specificity than Rv2029c in active TB patients and uninfected healthy subjects. The IgG level against Rv1813c was higher in the TB group than in LTBI and uninfected healthy subjects (p < 0.05). These results suggest that T cell response to Rv2628 and antibody against Rv1813c might be applicable as biomarkers to distinguish TB from LTBI and uninfected individuals.     

t10,c12-CLA对猪皮下脂肪和背最长肌组织脂类代谢的影响

试验首先建立了30日龄猪皮下脂肪和背最长肌组织块体外培养体系,共设2个处理,处理1为阴性对照(添加0.1mmol/l牛血清白蛋白,BSA),处理2添加100μmol/l的t10,c12-CLA,每个处理设6个平行,接种时即加入BSA与t10,c12-CLA进行处理至第10d,试验结束后收集细胞保存备用。采用荧光定量PCR技术及试剂盒检测研究t10,c12-CLA对猪皮下和背最长肌脂肪代谢关键酶(FAS、ME、LPL、HSL)和激素(INSR、GHR)及甘油三酯(TG)合成的影响。结果表明:(1)100μmol/lt10,c12-CLA显著降低了猪皮下脂肪TG含量并提高了猪背最长肌的TG含量(P0.05);(2)100μmol/lt10,c12-CLA显著抑制了猪皮下脂肪FAS、INSR与背最长肌HSL和LPL的基因表达,促进了猪皮下脂肪HSL和背最长肌INSR的基因表达(P0.05);(3)本研究结果从脂肪代谢关键酶类与调控激素方面揭示了t10,c12-CLA对猪皮下和背最长肌组织脂肪代谢与沉积的差异性调控机制,进一步证实了t10,c12-CLA抑制猪皮下脂肪沉积同时提高肌内脂肪含量。     

SD大鼠和BALB/c小鼠PRND基因的克隆和序列分析

以睾丸总RNA为模板,运用RT-PCR方法扩增了SD大鼠和BALB/c小鼠的叠朊蛋白(PRND)基因,并将其克隆到pMD18-T载体中进行测序,运用生物信息学软件对这些序列进行了分析。结果表明获得的SD大鼠和BALB/c小鼠PRND基因的完整ORF片段,基因无内含子,分别编码178和179个氨基酸的前体蛋白。与GenBank登录的其他同品种鼠相应序列进行比较,SD大鼠发生了G187C点突变,相应地引起了G63R的氨基酸改变;BALB/c小鼠发生了G12T、C13G和C528T点突变,但只发生了L5V的氨基酸改变,其余均为同义置换。氨基酸一级结构分析显示2种PRND编码的Dopple蛋白均由氨基端的信号肽、中间的成熟蛋白和羧基端的GPI锚定结合区组成。二级结构预测表明,Dopple蛋白由3个α-螺旋和2个β-折叠片层组成。研究结果为进一步研究Dopple蛋白的结构、功能及其在传染性海绵状脑病发生发展中的作用提供了基础数据。