[Responses of tree growth and intrinsic water-use efficiency of Robinia pseudoacacia to climate factors]. / åˆºæ§ç”Ÿé•¿å’Œå† åœ¨æ°´åˆ†åˆ©ç”¨æ•ˆçŽ‡å¯¹æ°”å€™å› å­çš„å“åº”.

We investigated tree growth in Robinia pseudoacacia plantations at Ansai in Shaanxi Province and at Ji-xian in Shanxi Province by comparing the tree-ring width, basal area increase (BAI), δ13C value, intrinsic water-use efficiency (iWUE), and stomatal regulation. We quantified the responses of tree growth and iWUE to climatic factors at each site. The tree-ring width at Ansai and Jixian decreased with stand age, whereas the BAI at Ansai increased, and that at Jixian decreased after the BAI peaked. The δ13C value and iWUE of trees at Jixian were higher than those at Ansai. The iWUE of trees at both sites was similar to the constant intercellular CO2 concentration/atmospheric CO2 concentration (Ci/Ca) scenario, indicating that the Ci of trees was elevated with increasing Ca, while the stomata remained open. The BAI at Ansai was significantly positively correlated with highest temperature in May, relative humidity in June, precipitation in August, relative humidity in September, and standardized precipitation evapotranspiration index (SPEI) in September and October of current year, but negatively correlated with temperature in June. The BAI at Jixian was significantly positively correlated with SPEI in June and July, and lowest temperature in October of current year. The iWUE of trees at Ansai was significantly positively correlated with relative humidity and precipitation in June of the current year, but negatively correlated with minimum temperature in May, relative humidity in June, and temperature and maximum temperature in July of current year. A significant positive correlation between iWUE of trees at Jixian and lowest temperature in June of current year was detected. At the annual scale, the BAI of trees at Ansai was positively correlated with precipitation and SPEI, but no significant relationship was observed for trees at Jixian. However, the iWUE of trees at both sites was significantly affected by precipitation. Path analysis showed that SPEI and minimum temperature had a direct effect on BAI and iWUE of trees at Ansai, whereas precipitation and average temperature indirectly affected BAI and iWUE through SPEI. The highest temperature had a direct effect on tree growth at Jixian, whereas precipitation, minimum temperature, and average temperature had direct effects on iWUE. These results suggested that SPEI was the main climatic factor that affected the growth of R. pseudoacacia, while Ci was an important physiological factor. Our results could provide reference for the protection and management of R. pseudoacacia plantations under climate change.

Salidroside suppresses proliferation and migration in prostate cancer via the PI3K/AKT pathway.

BACKGROUND: Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the most common malignancies in men. PCa is difficult to detect in its early stages, and most patients are diagnosed in the middle to late stages. At present, drug therapy for advanced PCa is still insufficient. Some patients develop drug resistance in the later stage of therapy, which leads to tumor recurrence, metastasis and even treatment failure. Therefore, it is crucial to find new and effective drugs to treat prostate cancer. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-cancer effect of salidroside, an active ingredient in a traditional Chinese herbal medicine, on PCa. METHODS: Two human PCa cell lines, PC3 and DU145, were cultured and treated with salidroside. Cell viability and proliferation ability were analyzed through CCK-8 and colony assays, and cell migration ability was detected by Transwell and Scratch assays. RT-PCR and WB were used to detected the expression levels of moleculars related to cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and AKT signaling pathway. Forthmore, we performed rescue experiments with agonist to verify the affected signaling pathway. RESULTS: Salidroside inhibited the proliferation, colony formation, and migration of PCa cells. Meanwhile, apoptosis of PCa cells was enhanced. Moreover, salidroside inhibited PI3K/AKT pathway in PCa cells. The treatment of AKT agonist 740Y-P abrogated the inhibitory effect of salidroside on the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrated that in PCa cells, salidroside inhibites proliferation and migration and promots apoptosis via inhibiting PI3K/AKT pathway.

[Simulation on photosynthetic light-responses of leaves of Quercus variabilis and Robinia pseudoacacia under different light conditions.] / ä¸åŒå ‰çŽ¯å¢ƒä¸‹æ “çš®æ Žå’Œåˆºæ§å¶ç‰‡å ‰åˆå ‰å“åº”æ¨¡æ‹Ÿ.

Photosynthesis can reflect the responses of plants to environmental changes. In this study, photosynthetic light-response curves were measured by the Li-6400XT photosynthetic system in Quercus variabilis and Robinia pseudoacacia plantations in Xiaolangdi Forest Ecosystem Research Station. Photosynthetic light-response curves were fitted by Ye model. The differences of photosynthetic parameters between inner and margin forests were examined. Stomatal conductance (gs) light-response curve were fitted using the mechanism model of gs coupled with a modified model of light-response of photosynthesis. The light-response characteristics of gs were investigated. Net photosynthetic rates (Pn) of Q. variabilis in the inner forest was higher than that in the margin. The initial light efficiency (Α) was 12.4% more in the inner forest than that in the margin in July and August when photosynthetically active radiation was less than 200 Μmol·m-2·s-1. The ability to capture and utilize weak light of Q. variabilis leaves in the inner forest was obviously higher than that in the margin. When photosynthetically active radiation was higher than 200 Μmol·m-2·s-1, Pn of Q. variabilis leaves in the margin forest was larger than that in the inner. Under weak light conditions (0-200 Μmol·m-2·s-1), Pn of R. pseudoacacia in the inner forest was higher than that in the margin. Pn of R. pseudoacacia in the inner forest was less than that in the margin when light intensity was higher than 200 Μmol·m-2·s-1. The dark respiration rate (Rd) and light compensation point (Ic) in the inner forest were 50.0% and 42.8% lower than those in the margin. The less Rd and Ic of the inner forest could reduce carbon loss and adapt to low photosynthetic rate. The stomatal conductance light-response of R. pseudoacacia in the inner forest significantly differed from that in the margin. The leaves of Q. variabilis and R. pseudoacacia had strong adaptability to the changes of light condition. The values of maximum net photosynthetic rate (Pn max) and Α of Q. variabilis leaves were mainly controlled by gs, and Rd and Ic were primarily affected by air temperature. Pn max and Α of R. pseudoacacia leaves had significant positive correlation with air temperature. The Ic and the light saturation point (Is) were remarkably correlated with leaf saturation vapor pressure deficit.

[Simulation on photosynthetic-CO2 response of Quercus variabilis and Robinia pseudoacacia in the southern foot of the Taihang Mountain, China.] / å¤ªè¡Œå±±å—éº“æ “çš®æ Žå’Œåˆºæ§å ‰åˆä½œç”¨-CO2响应模拟.

In this study, leaf photosynthetic CO2-response curves of Quercus variabilis and Robinia pseudoacacia were measured using a Li-6400XT photosynthetic measurement system in the southern foot of the Taihang Mountain, China. The rectangular hyperbola model (RH), nonrectangular hyperbola model (NRH) andYe model (YZP) were used to fit photosynthetic-CO2 response curves and compare photosynthetic parameters, including the maximum net photosynthetic rate (Amax), the initial carboxylation rate (η), light respiration rate (Rp), CO2 compensation point (CCP) and CO2 saturation point (CSP). Compared with the NRH and YZP models, Amax, η, Rp and CCP obtained by the RH model were higher, and were 59.8%, 128.6%, 133.4% and 19.8% higher than the measured values. The accuracy of the RH model was lower and its relative error was higher than that of the NRH and YZP models.Compared with the RH and YZP models, Amax fitted by the NRH model was higher, and was 11.1% higher than the measured value. η, Rp and CCP fitted by the NRH model were closer to the measured values. CO2 saturation phenomenon of photosynthesis could be simulated by the YZP model, and Amax and CSP were fitted well. Amax, Rp and CCP in the shaded leaves of Q. variabilis were 31.3%, 5.2% and 14.3% lower than those in the sunlit leaves. Amax, Rp and CCP in shaded leaves of R. pseudoacacia were 23.5%, 11.0% and 5.4% more than those in the sunlit leaves. η in the shaded leaves of Q. variabilis and R. pseudoacacia were 6.9% and 7.0% higher than those in the sunlit leaves, respectively. Rp and CCP of R. pseudoacacia leaves had linear relationships with temperature (T) and photosynthetic active radiation (PAR), and η had a significant relationship with stomatal conductance (gs). η of Q. variabilis leaves was linearly correlated with PAR and gs, and CCP was affected by T and relative humidity. Amax of Q. variabilis leaves had significant positive linear relationships with RH and gs.

Selection for a Zinc-Finger Protein Contributes to Seed Oil Increase during Soybean Domestication.

Seed oil is a momentous agronomical trait of soybean (Glycine max) targeted by domestication in breeding. Although multiple oil-related genes have been uncovered, knowledge of the regulatory mechanism of seed oil biosynthesis is currently limited. We demonstrate that the seed-preferred gene GmZF351, encoding a tandem CCCH zinc finger protein, is selected during domestication. Further analysis shows that GmZF351 facilitates oil accumulation by directly activating WRINKLED1, BIOTIN CARBOXYL CARRIER PROTEIN2, 3-KETOACYL-ACYL CARRIER PROTEIN SYNTHASE III, DIACYLGLYCEROL O-ACYLTRANSFERASE1, and OLEOSIN2 in transgenic Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) seeds. Overexpression of GmZF351 in transgenic soybean also activates lipid biosynthesis genes, thereby accelerating seed oil accumulation. The ZF351 haplotype from the cultivated soybean group and the wild soybean (Glycine soja) subgroup III correlates well with high gene expression level, seed oil contents and promoter activity, suggesting that selection of GmZF351 expression leads to increased seed oil content in cultivated soybean. Our study provides novel insights into the regulatory mechanism for seed oil accumulation, and the manipulation of GmZF351 may have great potential in the improvement of oil production in soybean and other related crops.

[Effects of drought stress on growth and water use efficiency of two medicinal plants].

Growth characteristics, stable carbon isotope discrimination (Delta13C), water use efficiency (WUE), and their correlation of Cassia obtusifolia and Isatis indigotica were measured at three soil water levels, i. e., 30%, 50% and 75% of field water holding capacity (FWHC), and at three growth stages. The growth indices of the two medicinal plants at 75% of FWHC were higher than those at 30% and 50% of FWHC, suggesting that the two medicinal plants could obtain high production under sufficient moisture condition. The Delta13C(A) (aboveground biomass-based Delta13C) and Delta13C(T) (total biomass-based Delta13C) decreased, and the WUE(A) (aboveground biomass-based WUE) and WUE(T) (total biomass-based WUE) of C. obtusifolia and I. indigotica increased with the increasing degree of drought stress. The growth indices of the two medicinal plants had little difference in the different water treatments, which indicated that the two medicinal plants were insensitive to drought stress. Water use efficiency of I. indigotica had significant negative relationships with aboveground biomass and total biomass, while that of C. obtusifolia had a significant positive correlation with the root/shoot ratio.

[Soil quality assessment of Robinia psedudoacia plantations with various ages in the Grain-for-Green Program in hilly area of North China].

Abstract: Four land use types of cropland, abandoned cropland, 10-year-old and 43-year-old Robinia psedudoacia plantations in the Grain-for-Green Program in hilly area of North China were studied to investigate the effects of returning cropland to forestland on soil quality by using integrated soil quality index. The results showed that the nutrients of topsoil increased significantly with increasing tree age, and soil properties in 0-5 cm soil layer improved. Compared with the cropland, soil physical and chemical properties of the two R. psedudoacia plantations improved, and the soil microbial biomass C and N increased significantly. The integrated soil quality index decreased in order of 43-year-old R. psedudoacia plantation (0.542) > 10-year-old R. psedudoacia plantation (0. 536)> the abandoned cropland (0.499) > the cropland (0.498), suggesting the soil quality was improved during the conversion from cropland to forestland.

Suppression of experimental abdominal aortic aneurysms in the mice by treatment with Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb 761).

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb 761) is widely used to treat cerebral disorders. Clinical trials have demonstrated therapeutic benefits of EGb 761 in various vascular diseases. Because the potential pathophysiological mechanisms appear similar to those involved in aneurysmal degeneration, we postulated that EGb 761 might affect the development and progression of experimental abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). This study was aimed to investigate whether EGb 761 influences the development of experimental AAAs, and to explore the underlying mechanisms. MATERIAL AND METHODS: C57/BL6 mice underwent abluminal application of CaCl2 to the abdominal aorta followed by gavages with either 200mg/kg EGb 761 per day or vehicle. Six weeks after AAA induction, aortic tissue was excised for further examinations. RESULTS: EGb 761 treatment reduced the aneurysm size compared with vehicle-treated controls. EGb 761 had no effect on hemodynamics or macrophage infiltration in the aortic wall. However, nuclear factor κB protein levels were decreased in the aortas of EGb 761 treated animals. The increased ROS production, SOD and CAT activities, and mRNA expression of p47phox nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase were attenuated by EGb 761 treatment. Moreover, administration of EGb 761 preserved the destruction of the wavy morphology of the elastin during AAA formation. Zymographic activity of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 and MMP-2 was lowered in EGb 761 treated mice. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that treatment with EGb 761 in mice prevented the development of CaCl2-induced AAA. The possible mechanisms include decreased oxidative damage and inflammation, preservation of aortic wall architecture, and altered MMPs activities.

Soybean GmbZIP123 gene enhances lipid content in the seeds of transgenic Arabidopsis plants.

Soybean is one of most important oil crops and a significant increase in lipid content in soybean seeds would facilitate vegetable oil production in the world. Although the pathways for lipid biosynthesis in higher plants have been uncovered, our understanding of regulatory mechanism controlling lipid accumulation is still limited. In this study, we identified 87 transcription factor genes with a higher abundance at the stage of lipid accumulation in soybean seeds. One of these genes, GmbZIP123, was selected to further study its function in regulation of lipid accumulation. Overexpression of GmbZIP123 enhanced lipid content in the seeds of transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana plants. The GmbZIP123 transgene promoted expression of two sucrose transporter genes (SUC1 and SUC5) and three cell-wall invertase genes (cwINV1, cwINV3, and cwINV6) by binding directly to the promoters of these genes. Consistently, the cell-wall invertase activity and sugar translocation were all enhanced in siliques of GmbZIP123 transgenic plants. Higher levels of glucose, fructose, and sucrose were also found in seeds of GmbZIP123 transgenic plants. These results suggest that GmbZIP123 may participate in regulation of lipid accumulation in soybean seeds by controlling sugar transport into seeds from photoautotrophic tissues. This study provides novel insights into the regulatory mechanism for lipid accumulation in seeds and may facilitate improvements in oil production in soybean and other oil crops through genetic manipulation of the GmbZIP123 gene.

An R2R3-type transcription factor gene AtMYB59 regulates root growth and cell cycle progression in Arabidopsis.

MYB proteins play important roles in eukaryotic organisms. In plants, the R1R2R3-type MYB proteins function in cell cycle control. However, whether the R2R3-type MYB protein is also involved in the cell division process remains unknown. Here, we report that an R2R3-type transcription factor gene, AtMYB59, is involved in the regulation of cell cycle progression and root growth. The AtMYB59 protein is localized in the nuclei of onion epidermal cells and has transactivation activity. Expression of AtMYB59 in yeast cells suppresses cell proliferation, and the transformants have more nuclei and higher aneuploid DNA content with longer cells. Mutation in the conserved domain of AtMYB59 abolishes its effects on yeast cell growth. In synchronized Arabidopsis cell suspensions, the AtMYB59 gene is specifically expressed in the S phase during cell cycle progression. Expression and promoter-GUS analysis reveals that the AtMYB59 gene is abundantly expressed in roots. Transgenic plants overexpressing AtMYB59 have shorter roots compared with wild-type plants (Arabidopsis accession Col-0), and around half of the mitotic cells in root tips are at metaphase. Conversely, the null mutant myb59-1 has longer roots and fewer mitotic cells at metaphase than Col, suggesting that AtMYB59 may inhibit root growth by extending the metaphase of mitotic cells. AtMYB59 regulates many downstream genes, including the CYCB1;1 gene, probably through binding to MYB-responsive elements. These results support a role for AtMYB59 in cell cycle regulation and plant root growth.

Temporal evolution of spinal cord infarction in an in vivo experimental study of canine models characterized by diffusion-weighted imaging.

PURPOSE: To determine the temporal evolution of diffusion abnormalities of in vivo experimental spinal cord infarction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Guided by a digital subtract angiography (DSA) monitor, an agent of 1:1 match of lipiodol and diatrizoate meglumine was injected into bilateral T9-11 intercostal arteries of six dogs to embolize the spinal branches of intercostal arteries and establish the canine spinal cord infarction models. The progression of experimental spinal cord infarction was followed by dynamic MRI, including diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) on a 1.5 Tesla MR system from one hour to 168 hours postembolization. Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values were calculated and analyzed. At the end of the MRI experiments, the spinal cords of the animals were fixed for histology. RESULTS: A total of six experimental models were successfully established. In all cases, DWI images showed slight hyperintensity within one hour postembolization, whereas only four cases presented slight hyperintensity on T2-weighted images. ADC values of spinal cord infarction lesions decreased rapidly at early stage (several hours to 24 hours) and then increased gradually. CONCLUSION: The temporal evolution of diffusion abnormality of experimental spinal cord infarction may help us better understand various DWI signals in the process of spinal cord infarction.

[Changes of expression of the P38 MAPK and caspase-3 in rat retinal ischemia-reperfusion model and the influence of Nimodipine].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the protective effects of L-type calcium blocker Nimodipine on retinal ischemia-reperfusion of rat and its affect on cell signal transduction system. METHOD: Ninety-five Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups randomly. Group A was normal (blank) control group and included 5 rats; Group B was retinal ischemia-reperfusion (experimental control) group which had 30 rats; Group C was retinal ischemia-reperfusion plus Nimodipine (experimental) group that included 30 rats; and group D was low-pressure irrigation (pseudo-operation) group that had 30 rats. The rat retinal ischemia-reperfusion model was prepared by elevate the pressure of anterior chamber to 110 mm Hg. Five rats were executed at 2, 6, 12, 24 and 72 hours after reperfusion. The specimens were embedded in paraffin, the expression of P38 MAPK and caspase-3 in the retina was evaluated by in situ hybridization and immunohistochemical studies on every time point, respectively. The results were analyzed by Metamorph software, take the average optical density (A) to perform statistical analyses. RESULTS: After retinal ischemia-reperfusion, the expression of P38 MAPK mRNA and caspase-3 were increased. The in situ hybridization signal of P38 was located in retinal ganglion cell layer and inner nuclear layer, there was only little expression in normal retina. In group B, P38 expression increased 6 hours after reperfusion, reached its peak after 12 hours, continued to 24 hour, decreased gradually after 72 hours. In group C, after Nimodipine medication, the expression trend of P38 was similar to group B, but the expression level was lower. Statistical analyze using average optical density as parameter indicated that the difference of expression of P38 MAPK at 6, 12, 24 and 72 hours was statistical significant (P < 0.05) between group B and C, group B and A, group C and A and D. The expression of caspase-3 was similar to that of P38. Two hours after reperfusion, there were scattering positive nucleus in inner nuclear layer; 6 hours later, positive nucleus were located in ganglion cell layer and inner nuclear layer, and reached its peak after 24 hours. In group C, the expression trend of caspase-3 was similar to that of group B, but had less positive cells and showed lighter staining. CONCLUSION: Both P38 MAPK and caspase-3 participate in signal transduction of retinal neurons during retinal ischemia-reperfusion. Nimodipine can protect the retina by means of down-regulate P38 MAPK and caspase-3 expression.

AtNAC2, a transcription factor downstream of ethylene and auxin signaling pathways, is involved in salt stress response and lateral root development.

An NAC-type transcription factor gene AtNAC2 was identified from Arabidopsis thaliana when expression patterns of the genes from a microarray analysis were examined. The AtNAC2 expression was induced by salt stress and this induction was reduced in magnitude in the transgenic Arabidopsis plants overexpressing tobacco ethylene receptor gene NTHK1. AtNAC2 is localized in the nucleus and has transcriptional activation activity. It can form a homodimer in yeast. AtNAC2 was highly expressed in roots and flowers, but less expressed in other organs examined. In addition to the salt induction, the AtNAC2 can also be induced by abscisic acid (ABA), ACC and NAA. The salt induction was enhanced in the ethylene overproducer mutant eto1-1, but suppressed in the ethylene-insensitive mutants etr1-1 and ein2-1, and in the auxin-insensitive mutant tir1-1when compared with that in wild-type plants. However, the salt induction of AtNAC2 was not significantly affected in the ABA-insensitive mutants abi2-1, abi3-1 and abi4-1. These results indicate that the salt response of AtNAC2 requires ethylene signaling and auxin signaling pathways but does not require ABI2, ABI3 and ABI4, intermediates of the ABA signaling pathway. Overexpression of AtNAC2 in transgenic Arabidopsis plants resulted in promotion of lateral root development. AtNAC2 also promoted or inhibited downstream gene expressions. These results indicate that AtNAC2 may be a transcription factor incorporating the environmental and endogenous stimuli into the process of plant lateral root development.

Genomic characterization of the S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase genes from soybean.

A full-length gene GmSAMDC1, encoding the S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase (SAMDC), a key enzyme involved in polyamine biosynthesis, was identified from soybean expressed sequence tags and was characterized. GmSAMDC1 encoded a peptide of 355 amino acids. When compared with other plant SAMDCs, the GmSAMDC1 protein had several highly conserved regions including a putative pro-enzyme cleavage site and a PEST sequence. The 5' leader sequence of the the GmSAMDC1 mRNA contained two additional open reading frames (ORFs), which may regulate the translational process. The genomic sequence of the GmSAMDC1 gene contained three introns in the 5' leader sequence, but no intron in the 3'-UTR or the main pro-enzyme ORF. A simple sequence repeat (SSR) was found in intron 2, and the GmSAMDC1 gene was mapped to linkage group D1 using this SSR. The genomic organization of the GmSAMDC1 gene in the subgenus Glycine and the subgenus Soja was found to be different by Southern-blot and PCR analysis. A pseudogene, GmSAMDC2, was also identified. This gene contained no intron and lost its two uORFs. Northern-blot analysis showed that the GmSAMDC1 gene expression was induced by salt, drought and cold, but not induced by wounding; suggesting that the gene was implicated in response to multiple-stress conditions.