A novel approach to studying the effects of temperature on soil biogeochemistry using a thermal gradient bar

The temperature dependence of chemical reaction rates and microbial metabolism mean that temperature is a key factor regulating soil trace gas emissions and hydrochemistry. Here we evaluated a novel approach for studying the thermal response of soils, by examining the effects of temperature on gas emissions and hydrochemistry in (a) peat and (b) soil from a Sitka spruce plantation. A thermal gradient was applied along an aluminium bar, allowing soil to be incubated contemporaneously from 2 to 18 °C. The approach demonstrated clear differences in the biogeochemical responses of the two soil types to warming. The peat showed no significant emission of CH₄ at temperatures below 6 °C, while above 6 °C, a marked increase in the rate of release was apparent up to 15 °C (Q₁₀ = 2.5) with emissions being similar between 15 and 18 °C. Conversely, CH₄ emissions from the forest soil did not respond to warming. Nitrate availability in the peat decreased by 90% between 2 and 18 °C (P < 0.01), whereas concentrations in the forest soil did not respond. Sulphate availability in the peat decreased significantly with warming (60%, P < 0.01), while the forest soil showed the opposite response (a 30% increase, P < 0.01). Conventionally, thermal responses are studied by incubating individual soil samples at different temperatures, involving lengthy preparation and facilities to incubate samples at different temperatures simultaneously. Data collected on a given thermal response is usually limited and thus interpolated or extrapolated. The thermal gradient method overcomes these problems, is simple and flexible, and can be adapted for a wide range of sample types (not confined to soil). Such apparatus may prove useful in the optimization of management practices to mitigate the effects of climate change, as thermal responses will differ depending on land use and soil type.     

Development of Immune Response to Experimental Bovine Trichophyton vervucosum Infection

Abstract— Cell mediated and humoral immune responses to experimental Trichophyton verrucosum infection were assessed by sequential cutaneous biopsies, antibody assessments and microscopic monitoring of fungal presence. Histopathologic examination showed the accrual of lymphocytes and other inflammatory cells in the dermis of infected sites. Immunoperoxidase staining of frozen sections with monoclonal antibody preparations revealed an influx of macrophages, BoCD4+ and B0CD8+ lymphocytes and γδ T cells from the 5th day to the 33rd day of infection. A moderate influx of B cells was observed. Protein G-colloidal gold staining revealed the presence of immunoglobulins in the dermis and superficial epidermal layers. Trichophyton specific serum antibodies appeared between days 33 and 55. Microscopic assessment of infected tissues revealed an increase in T, verrucosum elements (mycelium and ectothrix spores) from days 19 to 55. Fungal elements in infected areas did not decrease until after both humoral and cell mediated elements of the immune response were established. These responses imply a combination of cell mediated and humoral events were associated with T. verrucosum immunity and clearance in the calf. Résumé— Le réponse immunitaire humorale et cellulaire a une infection expérimentale àT. verrucosum a été appréciée par des biospsies cutanées successives, des dosages d'anticorps et la recherche microscopique de champignons. L'examen histopathologique a montré un afflux de lymphocytes et d'autres cellules inflammatoires dane le derme des sites infectés. Les marquages en immunopéroxydase par un anticorps monoclonal de coupes congelées a montré un influx de macrophages, lymphocytes BoCD4+ et BoCD8+ et des cellules T γδ, du 5e au 33e jour de l'infection. Un marquage par une protéine G—or colloidal a révélé d'immunogolglobulines dans le derme et les couches supéerficielles de l'épiderme. Les anticorps spécifiques de Trichophyton sont apparus entre 33 et 55 jours. L'examen microscopique des tissus infectés a révélé une augmentation du nombre d'éléments de T. verrucosum (mycelium et spores ectothrix) du 19e au 55e jours. Les éléments fongiques dans les zones infectées n'ont pas diminué avant que les réponses humorales et cellulaires ne solent établies. Ces résponses impliquent qu'une coopération des réponses humorales et cellulaires étaient associées dans l'immunité et la défense contre T. verrucosum. Zusammenfassung— Die zellvermittelten und humoralen Immunantworten auf die experimentelle Infektion mit T. verrucosum wurden durch eine Serie von Hautbiopsien, Antikörperuntersuchungen und mikroskopischer Untersuchung auf das Vorhandensein von Pilzen ausgewertet. Die histopathologische Untersuchung zeigte eine Ansammlung von Lymphozyten und anderen Entzündungszellen in der Dermis der infizierten Stellen. Die Immunperoxidasefärbung der Gefrierschnitte mit monoklonalen Antikörperzubereitungen zeigte einen Influx von Makrophagen, BoCd4-und BoCD8-Lymphozyten und gamma-delta-T-Zellen vom 5. bis zum 33. Tag der Infektion. Es wurde auch ein mäßiger Influx von B-Zellen beobachtet. Die Protein-G-kolloidale Goldfärbung zeigte die Anwesenheit von Immunglobulinen in der Dermis und den oberflächlichen epidermalen Schichten. Trichophyton-spezifische Serumantikörper traten zwischen Tag 33 und 55 auf. Die mikroskopische Untersuchung infizierter Gewebe zeigte eine Zunahme von T. verrucosum-Bestandteilen (Myzel und exktothrixe Sporen) vom Tag 19 bis 55. Pilzteile in infizierten Bereichen verminderten sich weder, nachdem humorale, noch nachdem zellvermittelte Elemente der Immunantwort auftraten. Diese Reaktionen deuten an, daß eine Kombination von zellvermittelten und humoralen Vorgängen im Zusammenhang mit T. verrucosum-Immumtät und Abheilung beim Kalb vorliegt. Resumen Por medio de biposias cutáneas secuenciales, medida de anticuerpos y exámen microscópico de presencia de hongos, se estudió la respuesta inmunitaria de tipo humoral y celular producida por la infección experimental con T. verrucosum. El exámen histopatológico reveló la presencia de agregación de linfocitos y otras células inflamatorias procedentes de la dermis de los puntos infectados. La tintura por medio de inmunoperoxidasa de las secciones congeladas, con preparaciones monoclonales de anticuerpos, demostró un aflujo de macrófagos BoCD4 + y BoCD8 + linfocitos y linfocitos, Tαδ, desde el quinto hasta el día 33 la infección. También se observó un aflugo moderado de linfocitos B. La tintura aúrica de proteina coloidal G reveló la presencia de inmunoglobulinas en al dermis y capas superficiales de la epidermis. Los anticuerpos específicos para la especie Trichophyton aparecieron entre los días 33 y 55. El exámen microscópico de los tejidos afectados demostró un incremento, de los elementos füngicos T. verrucosum (micelio y esporas exótricas) desde los días 19 al 55. Los elementos fúngicos en áreas infectadas no disminuyeron hasta después del establecimiento de ambos tipos de respuesta inmunitaria, humoral y celular. Estas respuestas implican que la combinación de ciertos fenómenos de inmunidad celular y humoral, están relacionados con la desaparición y la inmunidad de la infección producia por T. verrucosum en el ternero.     

Correlated Responses in Two Traits when Selection is Practised on their Ratio

In many fields of application in plant breeding and crop science, ratios of two component traits X and Y are of interest (harvest index in cereals, leaf-to-stem ratio in forage legumes, height-to-diameter ratio in forest trees etc.). When selection is practised on the ratio X/Y of two traits X and Y, the experimenter may be interested in the resulting changes of both trait means. Based on improved approximations for the covariances between X and X/Y and between Y and X/Y and for the variance of X/Y the changes in the means of X and Y can be predicted by applying the regression approach from conventional selection theory. Explicit expressions for these correlated responses in X and Y when selection is practised on their ratio X/Y are derived and discussed. The different outcomes (decrease, zero change or increase) for the selection pressures on X and Y are characterized by phenotypic coefficients of variation of X and Y, phenotypic and genotypic correlations between X and Y and heritabilities of X and Y.     

多酚羧酸合成功能高分子材料研究(Ⅱ)——没食子酰化改性纤维素合成及其功能特性试验

以没食子酰基为功能基团,以改性纤维素为骨架合成功能高分子材料没食子酰化改性纤维素(没食子酰基-1,6-己二亚胺基-羟丙基-纤维素,CG):先将纤维素与环氧氯丙烷反应,然后依次接上己二胺桥链和三乙酰基没食子酰基,最后将没食子酰基脱去乙酰基得到目标产物。功能试验表明,1g产物能结合明胶49.5mg,并可再生使用。1g产物络合金属离子的能力:Fe3 53.4mg,Cu2 38.7mg,Hg2 46.5mg,Mn2 6.8mg,Zn2 27.9mg,Pb2 57.2mg。产物在稀酸、稀碱、稀醇和热水中具有稳定性。     

Evaluation of host and bacterial gene modulation during Lawsonia intracellularis infection in immunocompetent C57BL/6 mouse model

BackgroundProliferative enteritis caused by Lawsonia intracellularis undermines the economic stability of the swine industry worldwide. The development of cost-effective animal models to study the pathophysiology of the disease will help develop strategies to counter this bacterium.ObjectivesThis study focused on establishing a model of gastrointestinal (GI) infection of L. intracellularis in C57BL/6 mice to evaluate the disease progression and lesions of proliferative enteropathy (PE) in murine GI tissue.MethodsWe assessed the murine mucosal and cell-mediated immune responses generated in response to inoculation with L. intracellularis.ResultsThe mice developed characteristic lesions of the disease and shed L. intracellularis in the feces following oral inoculation with 5 × l0⁷ bacteria. An increase in L. intracellularis 16s rRNA and groEL copies in the intestine of infected mice indicated intestinal dissemination of the bacteria. The C57BL/6 mice appeared capable of modulating humoral and cell-mediated immune responses to L. intracellularis infection. Notably, the expression of genes for the vitamin B12 receptor and for secreted and membrane-bound mucins were downregulated in L. intracellularis -infected mice. Furthermore, L. intracellularis colonization of the mouse intestine was confirmed by the immunohistochemistry and western blot analyses.ConclusionsThis is the first study demonstrating the contributions of bacterial chaperonin and host nutrient genes to PE using an immunocompetent mouse model. This mouse infection model may serve as a platform from which to study L. intracellularis infection and develop potential vaccination and therapeutic strategies to treat PE.     

微塑料对双酚A在鲤鱼肠道中累积及生长生理的影响

探明微塑料（MPs）对双酚A （BPA）在鱼类肠道中累积特征及鱼类生长生理的影响,本研究以黄河鲤鱼为模型生物,分析了0.5 μm聚苯乙烯微塑料（PS-MPs）与BPA联合作用下鲤鱼肠道中微塑料及BPA的累积特征、鲤鱼生长及其抗氧化酶活性,以及它们之间的响应关系。结果表明：联合处理下鲤鱼肠道中的PS-MPs含量随时间呈线性增加,且随投加的微塑料浓度增加而增加,而PS-MPs累积速率随时间呈先增加后减小趋势,其中在BPA+PS（L）处理（1 mg·L^-1 BPA+20 μg·L^-1 PS-MPs）下,0.25 d时鲤鱼肠道中PS-MPs累积速率达到峰值（373.81 μg·g^-1·d^-1）,BPA+PS（H）处理（1 mg·L^-1 BPA+100 μg·L^-1 PS-MPs）下,则是在0.125 d达到最高（644.00 μg·g^-1·d^-1）。与单一BPA暴露相比,联合暴露下鲤鱼肠道中BPA累积量增加,与BPA （1 mg·L^-1 BPA）处理相比,BPA+PS （L）和BPA+PS （H）处理下鲤鱼肠道中BPA含量分别提高了6.13%和9.74%,BPA累积速率分别增加了190.01%、373.80%。相较于对照处理,BPA处理和MPs与BPA联合处理均引起鲤鱼肠组织中超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）活性、过氧化氢酶（CAT）活性、还原型谷胱甘肽（GSH）含量、丙二醛（MDA）含量增加,使体质量下降幅度减缓,其中BPA、BPA+PS （L）和BPA+PS （H）处理下鲤鱼体质量（21 d）较对照处理分别下降1.22%、3.90%、4.33%。当微塑料投加量达到100 μg·mL^-1时,联合处理会增加鲤鱼肠道中SOD活性、CAT活性和GSH含量,抑制MDA产生,从而缓解MPs和BPA联合作用对鲤鱼造成的氧化损伤,并且减缓鲤鱼体质量下降。研究表明,微塑料的存在会增加双酚A在鲤鱼肠道中的累积,且两者联合作用对鲤鱼产生了协同毒理效应,导致鲤鱼生长速率减缓,体质量下降。     

发芽糙米的开发及其技术运用

近年,由于日本人饮食习惯的急速的西方化,过去较少见的癌症、心脏病、糖尿病等疾病日益激增。以附加功能性于大米为目的,2001年开发出了采用浸泡式工艺的发芽糙米,发芽糙米所含GABA对高血压及糖尿病等生活习惯病具有预防效果。通过将富含发芽糙米的功能性成分之一的GABA附加于免淘洗米,开发出功能性免淘洗米(免淘洗GABA米)。利用功能性液化液,制成具有降压等作用的免淘洗功能性包膜米。同时,利用发芽糙米等为功能性原料可开发一系列深加工产品。     

NaHCO3前处理对生物炭性质及其磷吸附能力的影响

为探究NaHCO₃前处理对不同种类生物炭性质及其磷吸附能力的影响,借助元素分析、光电子能谱、孔径分析、扫描电镜等手段对比处理前后秸秆、壳核及其他3类生物炭表面特性和孔结构的差异,基于吸附等温线和Freundlich与Dubinin-Radushkevich模型拟合,探讨生物炭性质控制磷吸附的机理。结果表明：NaHCO₃前处理总体提高了各类生物炭的比表面积和孔体积,增幅分别为2.70%～110.84%和1.42%～123.80%,提高其芳香性(C=C),H/C增幅为5.56%～29.41%,同时降低了极性官能团(C—O和C=O)含量,极性指数[(O+N)/C]降幅为13.18%～46.34%。原始生物炭的磷释放量范围为78.33～568.33 mg·kg^-1,NaHCO₃前处理显著增加各类生物炭对磷的吸附,使其表现出近似的磷吸附能力(Freundlich吸附系数K_F范围为119～254 mg^1-n·Lⁿ·kg^-1)...     

奶牛乳房炎相关功能基因组学与蛋白质组学研究进展

功能基因组学与蛋白质组学是在基因组和蛋白质整体水平上分析基因功能,研究技术包括差异显示反转录PCR、表达序列标签、基因表达系列分析、生物芯片、RNA干涉、生物信息学、二维凝胶电泳(2-DE)、质谱(MS)等.综述了功能基因组学和蛋白质组学及其研究技术在奶牛乳房炎相关的基因表达、抗性候选基因鉴定、病原微生物蛋白质组学、基因治疗、新诊断靶标筛选等的应用研究进展及展望.