SQSTM1/p62 is a prognostic molecular marker and potential therapeutic target for pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours.

BACKGROUND: There have been few studies on the role of autophagy in pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (PNETs). SQSTM1/p62 (also called Sequestosome 1) is a potential autophagy regulator, and its biological roles and clinical significance in PNETs remain poorly understood. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical significance of SQSTM1/p62 in human PNET specimens and to evaluate its potential value as a therapeutic target by studying its biological function in PNET cell lines. METHODS: SQSTM1/p62 protein expression was assessed in 106 PNET patient specimens by immunohistochemistry, and the relationship between SQSTM1/p62 protein expression and the clinicopathological features of PNETs in patients was analysed. The proliferation, invasion and apoptosis of SQSTM1/p62-knockdown QGP-1 and INS-1 cells were assessed by the MTT assay, a Transwell assay and flow cytometry. Cell autophagy was assessed by western blotting and mCherry-GFP-LC3B. RESULTS: The protein expression of SQSTM1/p62 in PNET patient specimens was significantly correlated with tumour recurrence (p = 0.005) and worse prognosis (log rank p = 0.020). Downregulation of the SQSTM1/p62 gene inhibited tumour cell proliferation and migration and induced PNET cell death. Downregulation of SQSTM1/p62 activated autophagy in PNET cell lines but blocked autophagic flow. Knockdown of the SQSTM1/p62 gene inhibited mTOR phosphorylation. CONCLUSION: The SQSTM1/P62 protein could be an independent prognostic marker for PNET patients. Downregulating SQSTM1/P62 can inhibit PNET progression, inhibit mTOR phosphorylation and block autophagic flow.

First report of Cladosporium tenuissimum causing leaf spot of Arachis hypogaea in China.

Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.), one of the most important oilseed crops in tropical and subtropical regions of the world (Kumar and Kirti 2011), is widely cultivated for its high protein and oil content in seeds. In August 2019, about 30% of A. hypogaea plants were found infected by leaf spot in the peanut-growing regions of Shandong Province, China. Disease symptoms appeared as the irregular and brown necrotic lesions on leaves that were 0.5 to 5.0 mm in diam. Twenty symptomatic plants were randomly sampled from peanut planting areas in Weihai and Yantai City. Small pieces (3 mm2) were cut from lesions, dipped in a 0.5% NaClO for 10 min, rinsed three times with sterilized distilled water, dried, placed onto potato-dextrose agar (PDA), and incubated in the dark at 25°C for 10 days. Three typical Cladosporium-like strains were isolated from diseased leaves of peanut. The colonies were grey to olivaceous green, reverse olivaceous black and woolly. The conidiophores were solitary, macronematous, unbranched or branched, straight or flexuous, cylindrical, slightly swollen at the apex, smooth. Conidiogenous cells were integrated, terminal and intercalary, with numerous loci on nodulose swelling. Ramoconidia were cylindrical, oblong, fusiform, 8.0 to 19.5×2.0 to 4.5 µm, aseptate or 1 septum, pale brown. Conidia were catenate, in densely branched chains, ellipsoid, ovoid, limoniform, aseptate, 4.0 to 11.5×2.5 to 5.5 µm, smooth, with conspicuous hila. The conidia easily break off from the chains. The morphological characteristics of these isolates matched the descriptions of Cladosporium tenuissimum (Bensch et al. 2010). For the molecular identification, the partial actin (act) and translation elongation factor 1-alpha (tef1) genes were amplified and sequenced using the respective primers ACT-512F/ACT-783R and EF1-728F/EF1-986R (Carbone and Kohn 1999). The representative sequences, deposited in GenBank (act: OL332701, OL332702 and OL332703; tef1: OL322090, OL322091 and OL322092), exhibited 99.6% and 100% identical to C. tenuissimum ex-type isolate CBS 125995 (HM148687 and HM148442). Phylogenetic analysis was done by Neighbor-Joining (NJ) analysis based on act+tef1 sequences. These three isolates were identified as C. tenuissimum by morphological and molecular characteristics. Pathogenicity of each C. tenuissimum isolate was tested on peanut in the greenhouse at 28°C with 75% relative humidity. Twenty plants of A. hypogaea were inoculated with the conidial suspension (1.0 × 105 conidia/ml) on the leaf surface. Ten plants were mock inoculated with sterile water as controls. Within 2 weeks, inoculated plants exhibited dark necrotic lesions on leaves which were similar to the symptoms observed in the field, while the mock inoculated plants remained symptomless. The fungal pathogen which was reisolated from inoculated rather than mock inoculated leaf tissues was identical to the original pathogen on the basis of morphological and molecular analysis, confirming Koch's postulates. To our knowledge, this is the first report of leaf spot caused by C. tenuissimum on peanut in China. The C. tenuissimum infection poses a serious threat by reducing the yield and quality of peanut in Shandong Province. This research is especially valuable to enhance epidemiological studies and implement effective control strategies.

[Influence of Rainfall on the in situ Growth of Dominant Algae Species in Xiangxi River].

To understand the influence of rainfall on the in situ growth (in a culture cage) of dominant algae species in the Xiangxi River tributary of the Three Gorges Reservoir, culture experiments were carried out to measure the biomass of Microcystis aeruginosa, Chlorella vulgaris, and Chlorella aeruginosa before and after rainfall. The results showed that ① during the study period (October 4-18, 2017), there were significant differences in hydrodynamic conditions between the rainfall period and the non-rainfall period (ANOVA, P<0.05). Total Chl-a and the specific growth rate of the three main algae during rainfall period were significantly lower than during the non-rainfall period, which inhibited algae growth to some extent. The results of correlation analysis showed that the four hydrodynamic parameters characterizing vertical mixing had a highly significant negative correlation with the specific growth rate of the three dominant algae species. Meanwhile, the changes of shear force τ, the vertical turbulent viscosity coefficient Vr, and the vertical turbulent diffusion coefficient Vt were the key factors leading to the rapid decline of algae; ② the depth of the mixed layer was lower (1-2 m) before rainfall, but increased (>5 m) markedly after rainfall (October 10-18). At the same time, the concentration of Chl-a during the rainfall period was significantly lower than that during the non-rainfall period. The results of the correlation analysis showed that there was a highly significant positive correlation between the ratio of eutrophic depth to mixing depth (Zeu/Zmix) and the specific growth rate of the three dominant algae species. This indicated that the vertical disturbance of water was enhanced by rainfall, and mixing layer expanded continuously, which reduced the water temperature stratification and thus inhibited the growth and proliferation of algae; ③ there were significant differences in rainfall, water temperature, light intensity, total nitrogen, and dissolved total nitrogen between the rainfall period and non-rainfall period (ANOVA, P<0.05). Correlation analysis showed that changes in rainfall, water temperature, light intensity, total nitrogen, and dissolved total nitrogen caused by rainfall were the key environmental parameters affecting the in situ growth rate of three dominant algae.

[Effects of spraying paclobutrazol at different stages on physiological characteristics, yield and quality of peanut]. / 不同时期喷施多效唑对花生生理特性、产量和品质的影响.

To explore the optimum stage of spraying with paclobutrazol (PBZ) for different peanut cultivars under high yield condition, we investigated the effects of spraying PBZ at different stages on chlorophyll content, root activity, protective enzymes, nitrogen and carbon metabolism enzymes of leaves, pod yield and kernel quality of peanut, with Huayu 20 and Huayu 25 as materials. The results showed that spraying PBZ at different stages increased root activity, chlorophyll content, SOD, POD, CAT, SS, SPS, PEPC activities and decreased the MDA content, NR, GS, GDH and GOGAT activities for pod setting stage of two cultivars. These results suggested that the effects would be more obvious at earlier spray time. For HY25, the most significant effects of spraying PBZ on those parameters of pod filling stage could be obtained when the main stem height was 25 cm. For HY20, spraying PBZ when the main stem height was 25 cm decreased the activities of protective enzymes. Earlier spraying time to HY20 would lead to early senescence, lower chlorophyll content, root activity and carbon metabolism enzyme activity. For HY20, the most significant effects of spraying PBZ on those parameters of pod filling stage could be obtained when the main stem height was 30 cm. Our results indicated that PBZ treatments at the optimum stage could improve pod yield and economic coefficient of both cultivars and enhance the fat content and the relative content of oleic acid and the O/L. Under high yield condition, the optimum stage of spraying PBZ was 25 cm height of the main stem for HY25 and 30 cm for HY20.

Isaria cicadae conidia possess antiproliferative and inducing apoptosis properties in gynaecological carcinoma cells.

Isaria cicadae is an entomogenous fungus that has been used as a traditional Chinese medicinal materials to treat different diseases, including cancer. However, Isaria cicadae conidia for inhibitory activity against breast cancer cells growth are still not systematically studied. The present aim was to elucidate the phytochemical composition of Isaria cicadae conidia and to explore relevant anti-cancer potential in gynaecological carcinoma MCF-7 and Hela cells. Isaria cicadae conidia were identified by UPLC-ESI-Q-TOF-MS: high performance liquid chromatography-electrospray/quadrupole time of flight tandem mass spectrometry technology. Eight main compounds were identified which are nucleosides, cordycepic acid, cordycepin, beauvericin and myriocin by MS fragmentation ions. The nuclear morphology indicated the typical characteristics of apoptosis by Hoechst staining. Annexin V/PI staining revealed that the number of apoptotic cells was increased by Isaria cicadae conidia treatment. Furthermore, Isaria cicadae conidia also induced the caspase-mediated mitochondrial apoptosis pathway. The findings suggest that the full-scale active ingredients highlight the significance of Isaria cicadae conidia as potential anti-cancer agent in China.

[Succession Pattern of Phytoplankton of Daning River in the Three Gorges Reservoir and Its Driving Factors].

To elucidate succession pattern of phytoplankton in the Daning River and its driving factors, multivariate statistical analysis was conducted. By using the monitoring data in different seasons of Daning river during April 2012 to January 2013, this paper analyzed the succession pattern of phytoplankton in the Daning River and its driving factors in typical tributaries of river-style reservoirs. According to the characteristics of water level, the operational period of the TGR was classified into following four stages:stage Ⅰ (pre-November-April), stage Ⅱ (May-July), stage Ⅲ (July-September) and stage Ⅳ (September-November). ① The results indicated that the values of Chlorophyll-a concentrations and algal density showed similar seasonal variations, with the highest values occurring in stage Ⅲ, followed by stages Ⅳ, Ⅱ and Ⅰ. Succession of C-R-S growth strategies was the same generally:CR-R type dominated in stage Ⅰ, CS, CR/CS and R-CR dominated in stage Ⅱ, Ⅲ and Ⅳ, respectively. ② The mean values of Margalef index and Pielou index in stage Ⅳ and Ⅲ were significantly greater than those in stage Ⅱ and Ⅰ; the value of Shannon-waver index showed that the highest value in stage Ⅲ, followed in a descending order by stage Ⅰ,Ⅱ and Ⅳ; the successional rate had the highest value in stage Ⅳ, followed in descending order by stage Ⅲ, Ⅰ and Ⅱ. ③ The results of Correlation analysis suggested that no significant relationships were observed between the environmental parameters and phytoplankton abundance in stage Ⅰ. The results indicated that relative water column stability(RWCS), index of feasible energy for phytoplankton (Et) and index of feasible energy (Ef*) were key regulatory factors for phytoplankton community in stage Ⅰ. The results indicated that Et, Ef* and total phosphorus (TP) were key regulatory factors for phytoplankton abundance in stage Ⅱ. The results of the redundancy analysis (RDA) suggested that RWCS, TP and the ratio of euphotic depth[Deu(λPAR)] to mixing depth (Dmix)[Deu(λPAR)/Dmix] were key regulatory factors for phytoplankton community composition in stage Ⅱ. The results indicated that Ef* and TP were key regulatory factors for phytoplankton abundance in stage Ⅲ. The results of the RDA suggested that[Deu(λPAR)/Dmix],Et, Ef* and TP were key regulatory factors for phytoplankton community composition in stage Ⅲ. The results indicated that TP was key regulatory factor for phytoplankton abundance in stage Ⅳ. The results of the RDA suggested that[Deu(λPAR)/Dmix] was key regulatory factor for phytoplankton community composition in stage Ⅳ.

[Vertical Stratification Characteristics of Dissolved Oxygen and Phytoplankton in Thousand-Island Lake and Their Influencing Factors].

According to the data collected from the five monitoring sites in front of the dam in Thousand-island Lake in September 2015, the vertical distribution characteristics of dissolved oxygen (DO), water temperature, pH, turbidity, conductivity and phytoplankton were analyzed. The influencing factors of special stratification of DO and vertical distribution of phytoplankton were also discussed. The results showed that:① The vertical distribution of DO presented "the surface is higher than the underlying" mode. DO ranged from 1.95 mg·L-1 to 8.25 mg·L-1 and the average concentration was 5.10 mg·L-1. Low-oxygen zones appeared between 12 m and 20 m and the minimum concentration was 1.95 mg·L-1 at 17 m. The concentration of DO maintained at a high level between 0 m and 12 m and the vertical variance was small. Sudden drop of DO occurred between 12 m and 20 m and there was an anoxic zone (<4.0 mg·L-1). The concentration of DO returned to normal level between 20 m and 38 m. Then it reduced under 38m as the water depth increased. The vertical distribution of pH showed the same trend with that of DO and their sudden change regions appeared in the same zone. ② Vertical phytoplankton biomass displayed significant difference. The phytoplankton biomass of S1, S2 and S3 presented:mid-layer > surface > bottom. But S4, S5 presented:bottom > surface > mid-layer. In addition, the depth between 20 m and 30 m was the best for the growth of phytoplankton. ③ The correlation analysis showed that DO and water temperature in the thermocline were significantly correlative. The range and degree of low-oxygen zones in Thousand-island Lake was determined by physical processes like thermal stratification of water and direct or indirect effects of the plankton. Phytoplankton and DO, pH showed significant negative correlation. The phytoplankton was mainly influenced by turbulent mixing and DO stratification in the surface layer while it was mainly influenced by light intensity at the bottom.

[Effects of exogenous Ca2+ on growth and development, physiology and yield of peanut under salt stress]. / 盐胁迫下外源Ca2+对花生生长发育、生理及产量的影响.

Huayu 22, one of the peanut (Arachis hypogaea) cultivars, was used as material in this study. Peanuts, which grew under normal conditions and 100 mmol·L-1 NaCl stress, were treated with 0, 6, 12 mmol·L-1 Ca(NO3)2 respectively to elucidate the effects of exogenous calcium on peanut salt tolerance. The effects of different Ca2+ concentrations on the physiological indices and yield of peanut during the whole growth period under salt stress were investigated in potted plants, with the aim to provide theoretical basis for the growth and production of peanut in saline soil. The results showed that, under salt stress, the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and chlorophyll content increased whereas the MDA content and electrolytes decreased when treated with different concentrations of exogenous calcium. Calcium also improved root activity, biomass, improved agronomic traits, and finally increased peanut yield. Among all the exogenous calcium treatments, the effect of 12 mmol·L-1 Ca2+ treatment was the most significant. These results indicated that exogenous calcium could alleviate the salt stress on peanut plants and enhance the yield of pods by enhancing the scavenging ability of active oxygen, maintaining the stability and integrity of cell membrane.

[Influence of Periodic Temperature Disturbance on the Succession of Algal Community Structure].

In order to study the mechanism of the habitat disturbance of reservoir on algae blooms, some interior control experiments about the feature of algal diversity and the succession of community structure under different temperature disturbance cycle but the same amplitude condition were conducted, based on the intermediate disturbance hypothesis and combined with algal community habitat selection theory and ecological functional groups of algae. The results showed that:① the intermediate disturbance would accelerate the growth of algae and increase their diversity. Under the gradient of the intermediate disturbance group Δ22℃/48h, the diversity of phytoplankton was the highest, and the biomass reached the maximum, however, without absolute dominant algal species. While in the high frequency disturbance group Δ22℃/24h the biodiversity was relatively lower, but the algae biomass was reduced. ② the periodical change of temperature had obvious influence on the succession of the phytoplankton community, and the dominant species also presented certain differences. The succession of the algal advantageous function group followed the basic rule of X1(Chlorella)→J(Scenedesmus)→S1(Phormidium) or X2 (Chlamydomonas), and the community structure also presented a trend that the C/CR type algae took advantage and the superiority was gradually replaced by R type algae. When the high temperature disturbance was frequent, the R type algae (S1) was distinctly ascendant. During the experiment, the community structure was given priority to the C/R strategy algae with no or low disturbance. However, the coexistence of algae with different growth strategies was evident in group Δ22℃/48h. Meanwhile, the S strategy algae (L0) resistant to high temperature stress began to emerge.

[Effects of calcium fertilizer application on peanut growth, physiological characteristics, yield and quality under drought stress].

An experiment was carried out to study the effects of different rates of calcium application on peanut growth, physiological characteristics, yield and quality under drought stress at pegging stage and pod setting stage in pool cultivation with rainproof, using variety 606 as experimental material. The results showed that applying Ca fertilizer under drought stress could promote peanut growth, increase the chlorophyll content, leaf photosynthetic rate and the root vitality, increase the recovery ability of peanut during rewatering after drought stress, alleviate the impact of drought stress on peanut. Applying Ca fertilizer under drought stress increased pod and kernel yields because of the increase of kernel rate and pod number per plant. It also increased the fat and protein contents of peanut kernel, and improved peanut kernel quality under drought stress. It was suggested that 300 kg · hm(-2) Ca application is the best choice to alleviate the impact of drought stress on peanut.

[Effects of single-seed sowing on canopy microenvironment, photosynthetic characteristics and pod yield of peanut (Arachis hypogaca)].

The large-seed peanut cultivar of Huayu 22 was used to study the differences of canopy microenvironment, photosynthetic characteristics, and pod yield at three single-seed sowing densities, i.e., 225000 (S1), 195000 (S2) and 165000 (S3) holes per hectare, in field experiments. The results showed that the canopy light transmittance, canopy air temperature and canopy CO2concentration all increased at these three single-seed sowing densities compared with those of double-seed sowing pattern (150000 holes per hectare), while the canopy humidity decreased. It seemed that single-seed sowing was helpful to improve microenvironment and the growth of peanut, especially at late growth stage. Meanwhile, the photosynthetic pigment contents and the net photosynthetic rate of peanut under single-seed sowing, especially in S2 and S3, were remarkably higher than those under traditional double-seed sowing. S2 had the optimum population size with an equal distribution of individuals, which reduced the contradiction between individuals and population, optimized the canopy microenvironment, enhanced the photosynthetic characteristics, and increased the synthesis and accumulation of photosynthetic products to maximize the yield production of peanut.

[Differences in seed kernel quality and related enzyme activities of different quality type peanut cultivars].

Taking high-protein peanut cultivar KB008, high-fat peanut cultivar Hual7 (H17), and high-oleic acid/linoleic acid (O/L) peanut cultivar Nongda818 as test materials, a field experiment was conducted in 2010 and 2011 to study the differences in the contents of protein, fat, and their components of the seed kernels, and the differences in the activities of the carbon and nitrogen metabolism enzymes related to the quality synthesis in the blades. As compared with that of H17 and Nongda818, the seed kernel of KB008 had significantly higher protein content but significantly lower soluble sugar content and O/L ratio, and the contents of the amino acid components, especially glutamic acid and lysine, in the seed kernel of KB008 were significantly higher. During the whole growth period, the activities of nitrate reductase (NR) , glutamine. synthetase (GS), glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH), glutamate synthase (GOGAT), and glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT) in the blades of the three cultivars were in the order of KB008>H17> Nongda818. At pod setting stage, the activities of PEPCase and RuBPCase in the blades of the three cultivars were ranked as KB008>H17> Nongda818. The higher PEPCase and RuBPCase activities of KB008 facilitated the protein synthesis and accumulation. The sucrose synthase (SS) activity in the blades was in the order of H17 > Nongda818 >KB008. The sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS) activity of KB008' s blades was significantly lower than that of the other two cultivars, while the SPS activity of H17' s blades was still higher even in the 60 days after anthesis, suggesting that the higher activities of SS and SPS in the blades were in favor of the fat formation in peanut seed kernel.

[Effects of paclobutrazol on the yield, quality, and related enzyme activities of different quality type peanut cultivars].

Selecting high-protein peanut cultivar KB008, high-fat cultivar Hual7, and high O/L cultivar Nongda818 as test materials, a field experiment was conducted in 2011 and 2012 to study the effects of foliar spraying paclobutrazol (PBZ) at late flowering stage on the kernel yield and quality and the activities of leaf carbon and nitrogen metabolism enzymes of the cultivars. Spraying PBZ increased the pod yield of the cultivars significantly via increasing the pod number per plant, decreasing the pod number per kilogram, and increasing the percentage of double kernel. Spraying PBZ also increased the kernel fat and soluble sugar contents but decreased the kernel protein content to varying degrees, and increased the O/L ratio of high-fat cultivar Hual7 significantly. PBZ increased the kernel fat content while decreased the kernel protein content of Nongda818 significantly, but had little effects on the kernel protein or fat content of the other two cultivars. Spraying PBZ decreased the leaf nitrate reductase activity of the three cultivars at their pod setting stage, and the leaf glutamine synthetase and glutamate dehydrogenase activities at pod setting and filling stages, with the largest decrement for Nongda818 and the smaller one for KB008 and H17. Spraying PBZ decreased the leaf glutamate oxaloacetic transaminase and glutamate pyruvate transaminase activities of the three cultivars at their pod setting and filling stages, illustrating that the decrease of the nitrogen metabolism enzyme activities after spraying PBZ was the main reason of the decreased kernel protein content of the cultivars. PBZ increased the leaf sucrose synthase and sucrose phosphate synthase activities at pod setting and filling stages, being significant for Nongda818. PBZ improved the leaf phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase and ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase activities of the three cultivars at their pod setting and filling stages, being most significant for Nongda818. It was suggested that the increase of the carbon metabolism enzyme activities was the physiological basis of the improvement of kernel fat content after spraying PBZ.

[Comparison of trophic status analysis of the Daning River within the Three Gorges Reservoir before and after experimental impoundment].

We evaluated 4-year data set to assess the trophic state and limiting factors of the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR) during the experimental impounding period (September 2005 to September 2007) and the normal operating period (September 2008 to September 2010). The results indicated that there had been appeared new characteristics in spatial and temporal distribution of trophic state indices after impoundment. The trophic state indices (TSI(TP)) showed increased trend after the TGR impoundment during the study area, but TSI(TN) and TSI(SD) had no significant changes after the TGR impoundment. The values of TSI(CHL) showed increased trend after the TGR impoundment in S1, and the values of TSI(CHL) did not show obvious changes in S2, S3 and S4 after the TGR impoundment. The values of TSI(TN), TSI(TP) and TSI(SD) show similar spatial variances with the highest value in S4, followed in a descending order by S3, S2 and S1. TSI(CHL) in the S2 and S3 were higher than that in S1 and S4. According to the characteristics of water level, the operational period of the TGR classified into following four stages: stage I (pre-November-April), stage II (May-July), stage III (July-September) and stage IV (September-November). The values of TSI(TN) and TSI(TP) in the Daning River and the TGR mainstream showed similar seasonal variances with the highest value in the stage II and III, followed in a descending order by stage I and IV. The values of TSI(CHL) varied substantially among the four stages, with the highest value in stage III, followed by stage II, IV and I. The trophic state indices differences were getting smaller between the four stages after the TGR impoundment. Using Carlson's two-dimensional approach, deviations of the TSI(S) indicated that factors other than phosphorous and nitrogen limited algal growth and that nonalgal particles affected light attenuation. These findings were further supported by the significant correlation among the values of TSI and hydrological factors.

[Exploration of relationships between phytoplankton and related environmental factors in the Daning River during sensitive period of algal blooms].

To elucidate relationships between phytoplankton and related environmental factors, phytoplankton and environmental parameters of water quality in the Daning River were conducted using multivariate statistical analysis. Most of the investigated physico chemical parameters [water temperature, total nitrogen, nitrate-N (NO3(-) -N), pH and dissolved oxygen concentration (DO)] in Daning River are significantly different among those sampling sites (ANOVA, p < 0.05). The results indicate that the Daning River has a comparatively high spatial and temporal heterogeneity in the phytoplankton community composition (ANOVA, p < 0.05). The maximum cell density was recorded in Dachang and the minimum density was found at Wuxia-kou sites. Multi-algal species blooms were observed in the same time and place with the maximum density appeared. Correlation analysis was performed to illuminate the relationships between algae density and environmental variables, TN (r = - 0.789, p < 0.05), NO3(-) -N (r = - 0.825, p < 0.05) and NO2(-) -N (r = -0.803, p < 0.05) were negatively correlated with algae density. The results indicate that nitrogen soluble nutrients are key regulatory factors for phytoplankton abundance. The results of redundancy analysis (RDA) indicate that main soluble nutrients (TN, TP, NO3(-)-N and NO2(-)-N), suspended substance (SS) and transparency contributed significantly to phytoplankton community composition. Phytoplankton growth could enhance the pH value. The environmental characterizations and sample sites adjacency contributed significantly to phytoplankton community composition.

[Effects of applying calcium on peanut physiological characteristics, its yield and kernel quality under cadmium stress].

Taking high-oil peanut cultivar Yuhua15 and high-protein peanut cultivar XB023 as test materials, a pot experiment was conducted in both 2009 and 2010 to study the effects of applying different concentration calcium (Ca) on the vegetative growth, leaf chlorophyll content, photosynthetic rate, and protective enzyme activities, as well as the yield and kernel quality of the cultivars under cadmium (Cd) stress. Applying Ca alleviated the inhibitory effects of Cd on the height growth of peanut main stem and the length growth of the branches, resulting in the increase of plant dry mass, and mitigated the Cd damage on peanut leaf, manifesting in the increase of leaf chlorophyll content, photosynthetic rate, superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catlase (CAT) activities, and soluble protein content, and the decrease of leaf malondialdeyde (MDA) content. Under the application of Ca, both the pod yield and the kernel yield increased, mainly because of the increase of pod number per plant and of the kernel number per pod. Applying Ca also promoted the transformation of soluble sugar into fat and protein in peanut kernel, increased the kernel fat and protein contents, and improved the kernel quality under Cd stress. Ca application decreased the kernel Cd content of the cultivars, with better effect on Yuhua15 than on XB023.

[Soil microbial biomass and respiration rate under effects of different planting patterns of peanut].

A field experiment with randomized design was conducted to study the effects of six planting patterns of peanut, i.e., spring sowing and plastic film mulching, spring sowing and open cultivation, summer sowing and plastic film mulching, summer sowing and open cultivation, intercropped in wheat field, and control of intercropped in wheat field, on soil microbial biomass C, soil active microbial biomass, and soil respiration rate. The results showed that the growth stage and planting pattern of peanut had significant effects on soil microbial biomass and respiration rate. With the prolonged time after anthesis, soil microbial biomass C, active microbial biomass, and respiration rate increased gradually, peaked at pod-setting stage, and decreased then. Open cultivation enhanced soil microbial biomass C and respiration rate but reduced soil active microbial biomass, being unfavorable to soil nutrient transformation and nutrient availability, while plastic film mulching increased soil active microbial biomass, and consequently, promoted soil nutrient transformation and nutrient availability. Comparing with intercropped in wheat field and open cultivation, intercropped in wheat field and plastic film mulching increased soil microbial biomass C, active microbial biomass, and respiration rate, which immobilized more soil nutrients and was not conducive to peanut growth.

[Analysis of algal blooms in Da-Ning River of Three Gorges Reservoir].

According to the survey conducted from Apr. to Jun. 2007 and from Apr. to May. 2008, the changes of water quality, forms and distributions of nutrient salts and characters of algal blooms in Da-ning River of Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR) were studied. The results indicated that the concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus nutrient were abundant during sensitive period of algal blooms in Da-ning River. Total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) values are 0.84-3.21 mg/L and 0.011-0.531 mg/L respectively, and the nutrients concentrations become high gradually from upstream to downstream. Total dissolved nitrogen (TDN) is the major form of TN accounting for 84%, and total dissolved phosphorus (TDP) is dominant (TDP/TP = 60%). Algal blooms bring phosphorus nutrient bio-concentration. The rates of TN and TP are all in excess of 16, which show eutrophication is limited by phosphorus. Potassium permanganate index and dissolved oxygen (DO) are at low levels and change stably. But chlorophyll a (Chl-a) becomes frequently, the value is 1.41-219.04 mg x m(-3). Significant positive correlations are all observed by correlation analysis between Chl-a and the main parameters (r(Chla-TP) = 0.453, r(Chla-potassium permanganate index) = 0.641, r(Chla-DO) = 0.584, r(Chla-pH) = 0.409, p < 0.01), but significant negative correlations are observed between Chl-a and Secchi depth (SD) (r(Chla-SD) = - 0.392, p < 0.01). The pH is fluctuated by multiparameter esp. in algal blooms. Widespread algae are observed by microscope during sensitive period of algal blooms in Da-ning River accounting for 8 phylum 82 genus 124 species, which Bacillariophyta and Chlorophyta are dominant, and then Cyanophyta and Pyrrophyta. Three whole watershed algal blooms break out in Da-ning River during the period, and the highest values of algal density are 14-1 427 times as many as the normal values. The dominant species of algal blooms are mostly involved with O. borgei, C. microporum, Chlorococcum humicola, P. morum and C. vulgaris of Chlorophyta; P. pleuronectes and T. oblonga of Euglenophyta; Cyclotella, Stephanodiscus astraea and Navicula of Bacillariophyta; P. elpatiewskyi of Pyrrophyta. Multi-algal species blooms are observed in the same time and place, and there are few algae in the estuary of Da-ning River to Changjiang River.

[Systematic investigation into winter and spring algal blooms in Daning River of Three Gorges Reservoir].

According to the survey conducted from winter and spring algal blooms, the changes of water quality and characteristics of Daning River of Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR) were studied. The results suggested that during the period of winter algal blooms centered on Tangjia bay in Daning river, chlorophyll a (Chl-a) had a wide range (the rates of (Chl-a)max and (Chl-a)min is 260). The contents of total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP) and potassium permanganate index were at very high levels because of bioaccumulation from algal blooms, but the values of dissolved oxygen (DO) and pH were very low. During winter algal blooms fastigium poor algae were observed accounting for 2 phylum 4 species, dominant species are Microcystis aeruginosa and Microcystis flos-aquae, the maximum value of algal density was 3.15 x 10(7) cells/L, and the correlation weighted nutrition state index was 80, which indicated water body was at high eutrophication level. However the spring algal blooms belonged to whole watershed outbreak, the values of Chl-a, TN, TP and potassium permanganate index became all markedly high with outbreak of algal blooms. There were 5 phylum 44 species algae being observed during spring algal blooms fastigium, different sections observed different dominant species and algal density values. The correlation weighted nutrition state index showed water of Dongping bar and Baishui River sections was at slight eutrophication level. During winter algal blooms there were significantly positive correlations between Chl-a and TN, TP, potassium permanganate index, water temperature, between pH and SD. Significantly negative correlations were observed between Chl-a and DO, SD, between pH and TN, TP, potassium permanganate index. In spring algal blooms significantly positive correlations were observed between Chi-a and TP, potassium permanganate index, DO, pH, between pH and Chla, TP, potassium permanganate index, DO, air temperature. Significantly negative correlations were observed between Chl-a and SD, between pH and SD.