Mapping and validation of the quantitative trait loci for leaf stay‐green‐associated parameters in maize

Functional stay‐green is generally regarded as a desirable trait of varieties in major crops including maize. In this study, we used an F_3:4 recombinant inbred line population with 165 lines from a cross between a stay‐green inbred line (Zheng58) and a model inbred line (B73) using 211 polymorphic simple sequence repeat markers to map quantitative trait loci for three stay‐green‐associated parameters, chlorophyll content, photosystem II photochemical efficiency and stay‐green area, at maturity stage, detected a total of 23 quantitative trait loci (QTL) on nine chromosomes. Single QTL explained 3.7–13.5% of the phenotypic variance. Additionally, we validated some important stay‐green QTL using a heterogeneous inbred family approach and found that the stay‐green‐associated parameters were significantly correlated with the plant yield. This study may contribute to a better insight into the regulatory mechanism behind leaf stay‐green in maize and a novel development of elite maize varieties with delayed leaf senescence through molecular marker‐assisted selection.     

Molecular and neuronal substrate for the selective attenuation of anxiety

Benzodiazepine tranquilizers are used in the treatment of anxiety disorders. To identify the molecular and neuronal target mediating the anxiolytic action of benzodiazepines, we generated and analyzed two mouse lines in which the alpha2 or alpha3 GABAA (gamma-aminobutyric acid type A) receptors, respectively, were rendered insensitive to diazepam by a knock-in point mutation. The anxiolytic action of diazepam was absent in mice with the alpha2(H101R) point mutation but present in mice with the alpha3(H126R) point mutation. These findings indicate that the anxiolytic effect of benzodiazepine drugs is mediated by alpha2 GABAA receptors, which are largely expressed in the limbic system, but not by alpha3 GABAA receptors, which predominate in the reticular activating system.     

Assessment of Error Sources in Measurements of Field pH: Effect of Operator Experience,Test Kit Differences,and Time-Of-Day

Various methods exist to measure soil pH, and while there is general agreement between the existing published laboratory and field-based methods, the latter are subject to uncertainties including test kit reliability, accuracy, precision, and environmental factors. The contribution of this study is to quantify three uncertainties that affect the conversion between field pH and laboratory pH measurements, namely operator experience, choice of test kit, and the time-of-day for measurement. Soil samples from western Victoria, representing the pH range 4.5–10.0, were used in a randomized complete block design with 10 assessors split into two groups representing experienced and inexperienced users. Statistical analysis of laboratory and field pH was based on using the Maximum Likelihood Functional Relationship (MLFR) to determine if there was any bias between the two methods. Significant differences were found between experienced and inexperienced users, and between test kits.     

Characterization and relative mineral quantification of male gametophytes of garlic chives (Allium tuberosum Rottler ex Sprengel)

Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution - Garlic chives (Allium tuberosum Rottler ex Sprengel) are an underutilized and neglected food crop of the Allium genus. For the future genetic development of...     

Lesch-Nyhan mutation: prenatal detection with amniotic fluid cells

Cells cultured from the amniotic fluid of a 22-week fetus in a heterozygote for the X-linked Lesch-Nyhan mutation, which results in neurological and developmental disorders, lacked sex chromatin and were unable to incorporate hypoxanthine. The diagnosis of a mutant male was confirmed upon birth of enzyme-deficient, hyperuricemic twin boys whose amniotic membrane cells failed to incorporate hypoxanthine.     

副猪嗜血杆菌病最新研究进展

副猪嗜血杆菌(HPS)是猪上呼吸道的一种常见病原菌。在一定的条件下,可引起猪的多发性浆膜炎和关节炎,给养猪业带来很大的损失。为了更加全面的了解该病原菌,论文就近年来副猪嗜血杆菌病的病原学、致病机理、临床诊断和防控等方面做简要的概述。     

Nutrient Uptake and Leaching from Soil Amended with Cattle Manure and Nitrapyrin

We investigated whether nitrification inhibitor nitrapyrin can reduce nutrient leaching and increase nutrient uptake by corn (Zea mays L.) in cattle manure amended soil. Amendments included non-amended check (CK), urea (Urea), REG (manure from cattle fed barley grain), and DDGS (manure from cattle fed 60% dried distillers grains with solubles), co-applied with or without nitrapyrin and leached or unleached with water. Nitrapyrin reduced (P < 0.01) leaching of nitrate by 56, 32, and 24% from DDGS, REG, and Urea treatments, respectively, and also reduced (P < 0.05) leaching of phosphate (58%), potassium (39%), calcium (39%), and magnesium (39%) from DDGS treatment. While nitrapyrin reduces the rate of ammonium conversion to nitrate, higher magnesium and phosphate levels in DDGS-amended soil favor struvite formation and reduce their leaching. Corn biomass and nutrient uptake were higher (P < 0.01) in DDGS and Urea than CK and REG treatments, but remained unaffected by nitrapyrin. The benefits of nitrapyrin should be further investigated under field conditions.

Abbreviations: DCD, dicyandiamide; DDGS, dried distillers grains with solubles; NI, nitrification inhibitor; TP, total P; TN, total N.     

Interspecific hybridization in Allium crops: status and prospectus

Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution - Alliums are essential crops in daily diet for their flavor and medicinal value, which are highly cross pollinated crops, prone to inbreeding, or continuous...     

中国槭属植物的分类和系统发育研究

槭属(Acer Linn.)是槭树科(Aceraceae)中物种形态高度分化和分类处理十分困难的一个属。该属的系统发育、属下分类系统以及部分种的系统位置仍未明确。测定了槭属11个组47种植物53份样品的nrDNA ITS和cpDNA序列(matk、rbcL、trnH-psbA和trnL-trnF),并从Gen Bank下载9个组14个种的35条序列,构建了中国分布槭属的分子系统发育树,并对槭属组下分类系统以及部分争议种的分类地位进行了验证。结果发现:前人将鸡爪槭组、小果槭组和全缘叶槭组中的羽脉槭系合并为一个组是合理的;(2)中国槭属有3条进化支系,其中鸡爪槭组、尖齿槭组、穗状槭组、蔹叶槭组和梣叶槭组处于一条进化支系,槭组、茶条槭组、扁果槭组、全缘叶槭组、三小叶槭组和五小叶槭组处于第2条进化支系,桐状槭组、大花槭组和坚果槭组处于第3条进化支系;(3)槭属的性别分化、花序类型、花序着生方式、单复叶类型以及单叶的分裂数可以作为槭属系统发育研究的重要形态指标;(4)通过ITS条形码构建的系统关系,滇藏槭与传统形态分类不相符合;(5)支持将橄榄槭修订为秀丽槭,而锐齿槭、羊角槭、多果槭和昌化槭等的系统位置仍需进一步探讨。