Search

In order to investigate the effect of fertilization on soil fungal community of Phyllostachys violascens stand, we characterized the abundance and community structure of soil fungi using the methods of terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP) and real-time quantitative PCR. The experimental treatments included blank control (CK), chemical fertilizer (CF), organic manure (M), mixture of chemical fertilizer and organic manure (CFM) and mixture of chemical fertilizer and organic manure plus mulching (CFMM). The results showed that fungal community structure and diversity were markedly affected by different fertilization regimes. In 0-20 cm soil layer, CF and CFMM treatments resulted in a significant reduction of Shannon and evenness indices. Soil fungi under CK, M, CFMM treatments in 0-20 cm soil layer and CK, CF, CFMM treatments in 20-40 cm soil layer formed independent community structures. Soil fungal abundance showed significantly positive correlation with the concentrations of soil total nitrogen, ammonium nitrogen and nitrate nitrogen. Organic matter, ammonium nitrogen, available phosphorus and available nitrogen concentrations were the main factors that influenced the variation of fungal community composition. The above findings indicated that 0-20 cm and 20-40 cm soil layers had different characteristics in response to different fertilization regimes under P. violascens stand. The soil fungal community in the 0-20 cm layer was mainly affected by soil organic matter, while that in the 20-40 cm layer was sensitive to the input of chemical fertilizer. The effect of fertilization on the diversity of fungal community mainly occurred in the 0-20 cm soil layer.

In order to elucidate the effects of intensive management on soil carbon pool, nitrogen pool, enzyme activities in Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys pubescens) plantations, we collected soil samples from the soil surface (0-20 cm) and subsurface (20-40 cm) layers in the adjacent Moso bamboo plantations with extensive and intensive managements in Sankou Township, Lin'an City, Zhejiang Province. We determined different forms of C, N and soil invertase, urease, catalase and acid phosphatase activities. The results showed that long-term intensive management of Moso bamboo plantations significantly decreased the content and storage of soil organic carbon (SOC), with the SOC storage in the soil surface and subsurface layers decreased by 13.2% and 18.0%, respectively. After 15 years' intensive management of Masoo bamboo plantations, the contents of soil water soluble carbon (WSOC), hot water soluble carbon (HWSOC), microbial carbon (MBC) and readily oxidizable carbon (ROC) were significantly decreased in the soil surface and subsurface layers. The soil N storage in the soil surface and subsurface layers in intensively managed Moso bamboo plantations increased by 50.8% and 36.6%, respectively. Intensive management significantly increased the contents of nitrate-N (NO 3 - -N) and ammonium-N (NH 4 + -N), but decreased the contents of water-soluble nitrogen (WSON) and microbial biomass nitrogen (MBN). After 15 years' intensive management of Masoo bamboo plantations, the soil invertase, urease, catalase and acid phosphatase activities in the soil surface layer were significantly decreased, the soil acid phosphatase activity in the soil subsurface layer were significantly decreased, and other enzyme activities in the soil subsurface layer did not change. In conclusion, long-term intensive management led to a significant decline of soil organic carbon storage, soil labile carbon and microbial activity in Moso bamboo plantations. Therefore, we should consider the use of organic fertilizer in the intensive mana-gement process for the sustainable management of Moso bamboo plantations in the future.

Converting natural forests to plantations significantly affects the characteristics of soil organic carbon (C) pools, due to the changes of vegetation cover and management practices. In this paper, to investigate the effects of conversion from evergreen broad-leaved forest (EBF) to Chinese chestnut plantation (CP) on soil organic C pool, the soils from surface (0-20 cm) and subsurface (20-40 cm) layers were sampled from the above two forests (the CP was converted from the EBF and had been intensively managed for 10 years) in Lin'an City, Zhejiang Province. The soil orga-nic C storage, labile organic C pools, and other basic soil properties were determined. The chemical composition of soil organic C was determined by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) technique. Results showed that the soil organic C storage, water soluble organic C (WSOC), hot water soluble organic C (HWSOC), microbial biomass C (MBC) and readily oxidizable C (ROC) concentrations in the surface layer decreased by 19.7%, 34.4%, 25.8%, 30.4% and 25.2%, respectively, after the conversion from EBF to CP. Such values for the subsurface layers decreased by 13.5%, 38.4%, 19.8%, 34.1% and 22.2%, respectively. The O-alkyl C content, aromatic C content and aromaticity of soil organic C in the surface layer decreased signi-ficantly by the land-use conversion, while alkyl C content, carbonyl C content and alkyl C to O-alkyl C (A/O-A) ratio increased signi-ficantly. The O-alkyl C content of soil organic C in the subsurface layer decreased significantly by the land-use conversion, alkyl C content and A/O-A ratio increased significantly, and aromatic C content, carbonyl C content and aromaticity of soil organic C were not changed. In conclusion, conve-rting EBF to CP and subsequent intensive management significantly decreased the soil organic C sto-rage and labile C pool contents and altered the chemical composition of soil organic C.

Objective: To establish a neonatal pig model of hemolytic jaundice., Methods: Twelve seven-day-old purebred Yorkshire pigs were randomly divided into an experimental group and a control group (n=6 each). Immunization of New Zealand white rabbits was used to prepare rabbit anti-porcine red blood cell antibodies, and rabbit anti-porcine red blood cell serum was separated. The neonatal pigs in the experimental group were given an intravenous injection of rabbit anti-porcine red blood cell serum (5 mL), and those in the control group were given an intravenous injection of normal saline (5 mL). Venous blood samples were collected every 6 hours for routine blood test and liver function evaluation., Results: The experimental group had a significantly higher serum bilirubin level than the control group at 18 hours after the injection of rabbit anti-porcine red blood cell serum (64±30 μmol/L vs 20±4 μmol/L; P<0.05). In the experimental group, the serum bilirubin level reached the peak at 48 hours (275±31 μmol/L), and decreased significantly at 96 hours after the injection (95±17 μmol/L), but all significantly higher than that in the control group (P<0.05). At 18 hours after the injection, the experimental group had a significantly lower red blood cell (RBC) count than the control group [(4.58±0.32)×10(12)/L vs (5.09±0.44)×10(12)/L; P<0.05]; at 24 hours, the experimental group showed further reductions in RBC count and hemoglobin level and had significantly lower RBC count and hemoglobin level than the control group [RBC: (4.21±0.24)×10(12)/L vs (5.11±0.39)×10(12)/L, P<0.05; hemoglobin: 87±3 g vs 97±6 g, P<0.05]. The differences in RBC count and hemoglobin level between the two groups were largest at 36-48 hours., Conclusions: The neonatal pig model of hemolytic jaundice simulates the pathological process of human hemolytic jaundice well and provides good biological and material bases for further investigation of neonatal hemolysis.

To investigate variation of soil fungal community in response to invasion of Phyllostachys edulis into native broadleaf forest, we characterized the community structure and the abundance of fungi in soil under bamboo (BB), mixture forest of bamboo and broadleaf (MF) and broadleaf forest (BL) using terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP) and real-time quantitative PCR. The results showed that the most obvious difference in the soil fungal community structure was observed between the BB and BF stands, followed by that between the MF and BL. Shannon index and evenness index of soil fungi were higher in the MF than in the BB and BL. pH and NH4+-N content were the most important environmental gradients on the distribution of fungal community under BB, while NO3(-)-N content significantly affected the distribution of the fungal community under BL. The abundance of fungi in BL was significantly higher than that in BB and MF, and the fungi abundance showed a negative correlation with soil pH but a positive correlation with NO3(-)-N content. These results implied that heterotrophic nitrification driven by fungi could occur in soil of BL, and this process might be changed by the bamboo invasion.

Dynamic changes (from April 2013 to March 2014) in soil respiration components were investigated by Li-8100 in the Moso bamboo plantation in Lin' an City, Zhejiang Province. Results showed that the average annual values for the soil total respiration rate, heterotrophic respiration rate, and autotrophic respiration rate in the Moso bamboo plantation were 2.93, 1.92 and 1.01 imol CO2 . m-2 . s-1, respectively. The soil respiration rate and its components exhibited strongly a seasonal dynamic pattern. The maximum appeared in July 2013, and the minimum appeared in January 2014. The annual cumulative CO2 emissions through soil respiration, heterotrophic respiration, and autotrophic respiration were 37.25, 24.61 and 12.64 t CO2 . hm-2 . a-1, respectively. The soil respiration and its components showed a close relation with soil temperature of 5 cm depth, and the corresponding Q10, values at 5 cm depth were 2.05, 1.95 and 2.34, respectively. Both the soil respiration and heterotrophic respiration were correlated to soil water soluble organic C (WSOC) content, but no significant relationship between autotrophic respiration and WSOC was observed. There were no significant relationships between soil respiration components and soil moisture content or microbial biomass C. The seasonal changes in soil respiration components in the Moso bamboo plantation were predominantly controlled by the soil temperature, and the soil WSOC content was an important environmental factor controlling total soil respiration and soil heterotrophic respiration.

Soil CO2 effluxes in natural broad-leaved forest and the conversed Chinese fir plantation in Linglong Mountains Scenic of Zhejiang Province were evaluated by using static closed chamber and gas chromatography method. The results showed that soil CO2 efflux showed consistent seasonal dynamics in natural broad-leaved forest and Chinese fir plantation, with the maximums observed in summer and autumn, the minimums in winter and spring. Soil CO2 effluxes were 20.0-111.3 and 4.1-118.6 mg C . m-2 . h-1 in natural broad-leaved forest and Chinese fir plantation, respectively. The cumulative soil CO2 emission of natural broad-leaved forest (16.46 t CO2 . hm-2 . a-1) was significantly higher than that of Chinese fir plantation (11.99 t CO2 . hm-2 . a-1). Soil moisture did not affect soil CO2 efflux. There was a significant relationship between soil CO2 efflux and soil temperature at 5 cm depth. There was no significant relationship between soil CO2 efflux of natural broad-leaved forest and water soluble organic carbon content, while water soluble organic carbon content affected significantly soil CO2 efflux in Chinese fir plantation. Converting the natural broad-leaved forest to Chinese fir plantation reduced soil CO2 efflux significantly but improved the sensitivity of soil respiration to environmental factors.

Effect of biochar addition on soil CO2 efflux in a typical Chinese chestnut (Castanea mollissima) plantation in Lin'an, Zhejiang Province, China was investigated from July 2012 to July 2013 by the static closed chamber-GC technique. Soil temperature, soil moisture, WSOC and MBC concentrations were determined as well. Results showed that soil CO2 efflux exhibited a strong sea- sonal pattern. Compared with the control (without biochar application), the biochar treatment increased the soil CO2 efflux only in the first month since application, and then the effect diminished thereafter. There were no significant differences in the annual cumulative value of soil CO2 efflux between the biochar and control treatments. The annual mean value in soil MBC concentration (362 mg · kg(-1)) in the biochar treatment was higher than that (322 mg · kg(-1)) in the control. However, no significant difference in the soil WSOC concentration was found between the biochar and control treatments. Strong exponential relationships between soil temperature and soil CO2 efflux were observed regardless of the treatment and soil layer. The apparent temperature sensitivity (Q10) of soil CO2 efflux in the biochar treatment was higher than that in the control. Soil CO2 efflux was related to soil WSOC concentration but not with soil MBC or moisture content. To conclude, the application of bamboo leaf biochar did not affect the annual cumulative CO2 emission in the Chinese chestnut plantation but increased the Q10, and the CO2 efflux was predominantly controlled by the soil temperature and soil WSOC level.

In June 2011-June 2012, a fertilization experiment was conducted in a typical Castanea mollissima stand in Lin' an of Zhejiang Province, East China to study the effects of inorganic and organic fertilization on the soil CO2 flux and the relationships between the soil CO2 flux and environmental factors. Four treatments were installed, i. e., no fertilization (CK), inorganic fertilization (IF), organic fertilization (OF), half organic plus half inorganic fertilization (OIF). The soil CO2 emission rate was determined by the method of static closed chamber/GC technique, and the soil temperature, soil moisture content, and soil water-soluble organic carbon (WSOC) concentration were determined by routine methods. The soil CO2 emission exhibited a strong seasonal pattern, with the highest rate in July or August and the lowest rate in February. The annual accumulative soil CO2 emission in CK was 27.7 t CO2 x hm(-2) x a(-1), and that in treatments IF, OF, and OIF was 29.5%, 47.0%, and 50.7% higher than the CK, respectively. The soil WSOC concentration in treatment IF (105.1 mg kg(-1)) was significantly higher than that in CK (76.6 mg x kg(-1)), but was obviously lower than that in treatments OF (133.0 mg x kg(-1)) and OIF (121.2 mg x kg(-1)). The temperature sensitivity of respiration (Q10) in treatments CK, IF, OF, and OIF was 1.47, 1.75, 1.49, and 1.57, respectively. The soil CO2 emission rate had significant positive correlations with the soil temperature at the depth of 5 cm and the soil WSOC concentration, but no significant correlation with soil moisture content. The increase of the soil WSOC concentration caused by fertilization was probably one of the reasons for the increase of soil CO2 emission from the C. mollissima stand.

Objective: To study the effects of biological clock protein on circadian disorders in hypoxic-ischemic brain damage (HIBD) by examining levels of CLOCK and BMAL1 proteins in the pineal gland of neonatal rats., Methods: Seventy-two 7-day-old Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into sham-operated and HIBD groups. HIBD model was prepared according to the modified Levine method. Western blot analysis was used to measure the levels of CLOCK and BMAL1 in the pineal gland at 0, 2, 12, 24, 36 and 48 hours after operation., Results: Both CLOCK and BMAL levels in the pineal gland increased significantly 48 hours after HIBD compared with the sham-operated group (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in levels of CLOCK and BMAL proteins between the two groups at 0, 2, 12, 24 and 36 hours after operation (P>0.05)., Conclusions: Levels of CLOCK and BMAL1 proteins in the pineal gland of rats increase significantly 48 hours after HIBD, suggesting that both CLOCK and BMAL1 may be involved the regulatory mechanism of circadian disorders in rats with HIBD.

Based on the 1974-2008 forest fire and meteorological data in Tahe County of Great Xing' an Mountains region, and with the help of Canadian Forest Fire Weather Index System (CFFWIS), this paper qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed the dynamics of forest fire weather indices in the region. In 1974-2008, the mean annual fire occurrence in the region showed an increasing trend, and the increment in 2000-2008 was 72.2%, compared with that in 1974-1999. The fuel moisture codes, fire behavior indices, and fire severity indices in 1974-2008 had an overall increasing trend, which was more evident with time extended. In the future, the probability of forest fire occurrence in the region would be increasing, fuels would be getting drier, fire intensity would be increased, fire weather would be more serious, and fire control would be more difficult. Therefore, more efforts should be made to improve the capability of forest fire control, especially in summer. As a fundamental technique, prescribed burning should be applied to reduce the fuel load. From this doing, the probability of fire occurrence and the fire potential intensity could be reduced.

Aiming at the deficiencies in the researches about the probability distribution model for mixed forests tree measurement factors, a joint maximum entropy probability density function was put forward, based on the maximum entropy principle. This function had the characteristics of 1) each element of the function was linked to the maximum entropy function, and hence, could integrate the information about the probability distribution of measurement factors of main tree species in mixed forests, 2) the function had a probability expression of double-weight, being possible to reflect the characteristics of the complex structure of mixed forests, and accurately and completely reflect the probability distribution of tree measurement factors of mixed forests based on the fully use of the information about the probability distribution of measurement factors of main tree species in mixed forests, and 3) the joint maximum entropy probability density function was succinct in structure and excellent in performance. The model was applied and tested in two sampling plots in Tianmu Mountain Nature Reserve. The fitting precision (R2 = 0.9655) and testing accuracy (R2 = 0.9772) were both high, suggesting that this model could be used as a probability distribution model for mixed forests tree measurement factors, and provided a feasible method to fully understand the comprehensive structure of mixed forests.

ATP-NAD kinase phosphorylates NAD to produce NADP by using ATP, whereas ATP-NADH kinase phosphorylates both NAD and NADH. Three NAD kinase homologues, namely, Utr1p, Pos5p and Utr1p, exist in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which were all confirmed as ATP-NADH kinases and found to be important to supply NADP(H) for yeast cells. In S. cerevisiae, fatty acid beta-oxidation is restricted to peroxisomes and peroxisomal NADPH is required for beta-oxidation of unsaturated fatty acids with the double bonds at even positions. Single and double gene disruption strains of NAD kinase genes, i.e., utr1, pos5, yef1, utr1yef1, utr1pos5 and yef1pos5 were constructed by PCR-targeting method. The utilization ability of these mutants for unsaturated fatty acids with the double bonds at even or uneven positions was examined, with wild type BY4742 as positive control cell, and fatty-acyl-CoA oxidase gene deletion mutant (fox1) and peroxisomal NADP-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase isoenzymes gene deletion mutant (idp3) as negative control cells. The results indicated that the NAD kinase homologues, especially Pos5p, were critical for supplying NADP and then NADPH in peroxisomal matrix. NADP, which was supplied mainly by Utr1p, Pos5p and Yef1p, particularly by Pos5p, was proposed to be able to transfer from outside of peroxisome into peroxisomal matrix and then converted to NADPH by Idp3p.

Three NAD kinase homologs, encoded by UTR1, POS5 and YEF1 genes, are found in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and proven to be important sources of NADPH for the cell. Pos5p, existing in the mitochondrial matrix, is critical for higher temperature endurance and mitochondrial functions, such as glycerol usability and arginine biosynthesis. Through constructing the high-copy expression plasmids of YEF1 and UTR1, which contained the green fluorescent protein reporter tag at their 3' terminus, and introducing them into POS5 gene deletion mutants (i.e. pos5, utr1pos5, yef1pos5 and utr1yef1pos5), the high-copy YEF1 and UTR1 plasmids carrying transformants for pos5 mutants were obtained. Their temperature sensitivity and growth phenotype on media with glycerol as the sole carbon source, or on media without arginine, were checked. Results showed the partial rescue of mitochondrial dysfunctions and temperature sensitivity of pos5 mutants by the high-copy YEF1 gene, and of glycerol growth defect and temperature sensitivity by the high-copy UTR1 gene, which confirmed the potential supplying ability of Yef1p and Utr1p for mitochondrial NADP(H) and implied the weak transport of NADP from cytosol to mitochondria. However, even through the green fluorescent protein reporter label, the subcellular localization of Yef1p and Utr1p in yeast cells could not be observed, which indicated the low expression level of these two NAD kinase homologs.

Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) represents a formidable food and waterborne diarrheal disease threat of global importance. The first step in ETEC pathogenesis is bacterial attachment to small-intestine epithelial cells via adhesive fimbriae, many of which are genetically related to the prototype colonization factor antigen I (CFA/I). The minor fimbrial subunit CfaE is required for initiation of CFA/I fimbrial assembly and mediates bacterial attachment to host cell-surface receptors. A donor-strand complemented variant of CfaE (dscCfaE) was expressed with a hexahistidine tag, purified to homogeneity and crystallized using the hanging-drop vapor-diffusion method. X-ray diffraction data sets were collected to 2.4 A resolution for both native and derivatized crystals and showed the symmetry of space group P6(2)22, with unit-cell parameters a = b = 142.9, c = 231.9 A. Initial phases were derived from the SIRAS approach and electron density showed two molecules in the crystallographic asymmetric unit. Sequence assignments were aided by anomalous signals from the selenium of an SeMet-derivatized crystal and from S atoms of a native crystal.