Physiological comparison between colonial and unicellular forms of Microcystis aeruginosa Kutz. (Cyanobacteria)

In order to gain insight into the bloom sustainment of colonial Microcystis aeruginosa Katz., physiological characterizations were undertaken in this study. Compared with unicellular Microcystis, colonial Microcystis phenotypes exhibited a higher maximum photosynthetic rate (Pm), a higher maximum electron transfer rate (ETRmax), higher phycocyanin content, and a higher affinity for inorganic carbon (K-0.5 DIC <= 8.4 +/- 0.7 mu M) during the growth period monitored in this study. This suggests that photosynthetic efficiency is a dominant physiological adaptation found in colonial Microcystis, thus promoting bloom sustainment. In addition, the high content of soluble and total carbohydrates in colonial Microcystis suggests that this phenotype may possess a higher ability to tolerate enhanced stress conditions when compared to unicellular (noncolonial) phenotypes. Therefore, high photosynthetic activities and high tolerance abilities may explain the bloom sustainment of colonial Microcystis in eutrophic lakes.

Free radical scavenging and antioxidant enzymes activation of polysaccharide extract from Nostoc sphaeroides

Nostoc sphaeroides Kuetzing has been used as a traditional medicine in China to treat a variety of ailments. This research identified the antioxidant activities of polysaccharide extract from Nostoc sphaeroides. The extract, which contains 46.2% carbohydrates, exhibited an effective scavenging capability on superoxide radical, hydroxyl radicals in non site-specific as well as site-specific assays, and also performed lipid peroxidation inhibition in a dose-dependent manner. Polysaccharide extract had no 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging potential at all test concentrations. Activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase in human embryo kidney 293 cells were increased effectively when Nostoc sphaeroides extract was applied. These results suggested that the use of N. sphaeroides in treating ailments may be based on the antioxidant capacities of polysaccharide composition.

The role of NH4+ toxicity in the decline of the submersed macrophyte Vallisneria natans in lakes of the Yangtze River basin, China

Experimental and field studies were conducted to evaluate the effects of NH4+ enrichment on growth and distribution of the submersed macrophyte, Vallisneria natans L, in lakes of the Yangtze River in China, based on the balance between free amino acids (FAA) and soluble carbohydrates (SC) in the plant tissue. Increase of NH4+ rather than NO3- concentrations in the water column caused FAA accumulation and SC depletion of the plant. The plant showed a unimodal pattern of biomass distribution along both FAA/SC ratios and external NH4+ concentrations, indicating that a moderate NH4-N concentration (< 0.3 mg L-1) benefited the plant, whereas the high NH4-N concentration (> 0.56 mg L-1) eliminated the plant completely. Therefore, 0.56 mg NH4-N mg L-1 in the water column was taken as the upper limit for V. natans in lakes of the Yangtze River basin. The mesocosm experiment showed that at a high external NH4-N (0.81 mg L-1), V. natans failed to propagate with a loss of half SC content (5 mg g(-1) DW) in the rhizomes, indicating that the consumption of carbohydrates for detoxification of excess NH4+ into non-toxic FAA significantly diminished carbohydrate supply to the rhizomes. This might consequently inhibit the vegetative reproduction of the plant, and also might be an important cause for the decline and disappearance of the plant with eutrophication. The present study for the first time reports substantial ecophysiological evidences for NH4+ stress to submersed macrophytes, and indicates that NH4+ toxicity arising from eutrophication probably plays a key role in the deterioration of submersed macrophytes like V. natans.

Effects of salt stress on carbohydrate metabolism in desert soil alga Microcoleus vaginatus Gom.

The effects of salt stress on carbohydrate metabolism in Microcoleus vaginatus Gom., a cyanobacterium isolated from desert algal crusts, were investigated in the present study. Extracellular total carbohydrates and exopolysaccharides (EPS) in the culture medium produced by M. vaginatus increased significantly during the growth phase and reached a maximum during the stationary phase. The production of extracellular carbohydrates also significantly increased under higher salt concentrations, which was attributed to an increase in low molecular weight carbohydrates. In the presence of NaCl, the production of cellular total carbohydrates decreased and photosynthetic activity was impaired, whereas cellular reducing sugars, water-soluble sugars and sucrose content and sucrose phosphate synthase activity increased, reaching a maximum in the presence of 200 mmol/L NaCl. These parameters were restored to original levels when the algae were transferred to a non-saline medium. Sodium and K+ concentrations of stressed cells decreased significantly and H+-ATPase activity increased after the addition of exogenous sucrose or EPS. The results suggest that EPS and sucrose are synthesized to maintain the cellular osmotic equilibrium between the intra- and extracellular environment, thus protecting algal cells from osmotic damage, which was attributed to the selective exclusion of cellular Na+ and K+ by H+-ATPase.

Effect of dietary carbohydrate sources on growth performance and utilization for gibel carp (Carassius auratus gibelio) and Chinese longsnout catfish (Leiocassis longirostris Gunther)

The nutritional function of monosaccharides, disaccharides and polysaccharides for omnivorous gibel carp and carnivorous Chinese longsnout catfish were investigated and the ability of these two species to utilize carbohydrates was compared. For each species, triplicate groups of fish were assigned to each of five groups of isoenergetic and isonitrogenous experimental diets with different carbohydrate sources: glucose, sucrose, dextrin, soluble starch (acid-modified starch) and alpha-cellulose. The carbohydrates were included at 60 g kg(-1) in Chinese longsnout catfish diets and at 200 g kg(-1) in gibel carp diets. A growth trial was carried out in a recirculation system at 27.8 +/- 1.9 degrees C for 8 weeks. The results showed that fish with different food habits showed difference in the utilization of carbohydrate sources. For gibel carp, better specific growth rate (SGR) and feed efficiency (FE) were observed in fish fed diets containing soluble starch and cellulose, but for Chinese longsnout catfish, better SGR and FE were observed in fish fed diets containing dextrin and sucrose. Apparent digestibility coefficient of dry matter (ADC(d)) and apparent digestibility coefficient of energy (ADC(e)) were significantly affected by dietary carbohydrate sources in gibel carp. ADC(d) and ADC(e) significantly decreased as dietary carbohydrate complexity increased in Chinese longsnout catfish except that glucose diet had medium ADC(d) and ADC(e). In both species, no significant difference of apparent digestibility coefficient of protein was observed between different carbohydrate sources. Dietary carbohydrate sources significantly affected body composition, and liver phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK), pyruvate kinase (PK), glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) and malic enzyme (ME) activities also varied according to dietary carbohydrate complexity. Fish with different food habits showed different abilities to synthesize liver glycogen, and the liver glycogen content in gibel carp was significantly higher than in Chinese longsnout catfish. The influence of carbohydrate source on gluconeogenesis and lipogenesis was also different in the two fish species.

Optimization of growth and fatty acid composition of a unicellular marine picoplankton, Nannochloropsis sp., with enriched carbon sources

A unicellular marine picoplankton, Nannochloropsis sp., was grown under CO2-enriched photoautotrophic or/and acetate-added mixotrophic conditions. Photoautotrophic conditions with enriched CO2 of 2800 mul CO2 l(-1) and aeration gave the highest biomass yield (634 mg dry wt l(-1)), the highest total lipid content (9% of dry wt), total fatty acids (64 mg g(-1) dry wt), polyunsaturated fatty acids (35% total fatty acids) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5omega3) (16 mg g(-1) dry wt or 25% of total fatty acids). Mixotrophic cultures gave a greater protein content but less carbohydrates. Adding sodium acetate (2 mM) decreased the amounts of the total fatty acids and EPA. Elevation of CO2 in photoautotrophic culture thus enhances growth and raises the production of EPA in Nannochloropsis sp.

Effect of feeding strategy and carbohydrate source on carbohydrate utilization by white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) and hybrid tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus X O-aureus)

Two 8-week growth trials were conducted to determine the effect of continuous (CF) versus 2 meals day(-1) (MF) feeding and 30% starch versus 30% glucose diets on the carbohydrate utilization of 9.0-g white sturgeon and 0.56-g hybrid tilapia. The two trials were conducted under similar conditions except that sturgeon were kept at 18.5 degrees C in a flow-through system and tilapia were kept at 26 degrees C in a recirculating system. Significantly (P less than or equal to 0.05) higher specific growth rate (SGR), feed efficiency (FE), protein efficiency ratio (PER), body lipid content and liver glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6PGDH) activities were observed in the CF than MF sturgeon. Only SGR, FE and PER were higher in sturgeon fed the starch than the glucose diets. Only higher liver G6PDH and malic enzyme (ME) activities were observed in the CF than MF tilapia but higher SGR, FE, PER and liver G6PDH, 6PGDH and ME activities were observed in tilapia fed the starch diet than those fed the glucose diet. This suggested that carbohydrate utilization by sturgeon was more affected by feeding strategy whereas tilapia was more affected by carbohydrate source. Furthermore, white sturgeon can utilize carbohydrates better than hybrid tilapia regardless of feeding strategy and carbohydrate source.

Hydrogen production characteristics of the organic fraction of municipal solid wastes by anaerobic mixed culture fermentation

The hydrogen production from the organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW) by anaerobic mixed culture fermentation was investigated using batch experiments at 37 degrees C. Seven varieties of typical individual components of OFMSW including rice, potato, lettuce, lean meat, oil, fat and banyan leaves were selected to estimate the hydrogen production potential. Experimental results showed that the boiling treated anaerobic sludge was effective mixed inoculum for fermentative hydrogen production from OFMSW. Mechanism of fermentative hydrogen production indicates that, among the OFMSW, carbohydrates is the most optimal substrate for fermentative hydrogen production compared with proteins, lipids and lignocelluloses. This conclusion was also substantiated by experimental results of this study. The hydrogen production potentials of rice, potato and lettuce were 134 mL/g-VS, 106 mL/g-VS, and 50 mL/g-VS respectively. The hydrogen percentages of the total gas produced from rice, potato and lettuce were 57-70%, 41-55% and 37-67%. 2008 International Association for Hydrogen Energy.

CO2浓度升高对三种树木叶片化学和舞毒蛾幼虫取食及生长的影响

探讨全球气候变化的生物学和生态学效应是当今生态学中的热点，研究大气CO2浓度升高对植物-昆虫相互作用关系的影响具有重要的理论和实践意义。本文使用开顶式气室（Open-top chamber，OTC）在野外条件下研究了CO2浓度升高对三种树木（小青杨、白桦和蒙古栎）叶片化学成分含量的影响，以及树木叶片品质变化对一种广食性森林昆虫（舞毒蛾）幼虫取食、生长发育和取食偏嗜性的影响。得出如下结果：（1）CO2浓度升高对3个受试树种叶片中的营养成分及次生代谢物含量均有显著影响，总体表现为氮含量降低，而碳氮比、非结构性碳水化合物、总酚和缩合丹宁含量增加。叶片中的化学成分含量可随时间发生显著变化，不同树种、甚至同一树种不同冠层高度的叶片对CO2浓度升高的响应强度也是不同的。叶片的干物质含量和比叶重对CO2浓度升高的响应不显著。（2）室内非选择性取食实验、室内选择性取食实验以及上树取食饲养方式下的多龄期取食实验，均发现高浓度CO2处理组内舞毒蛾幼虫的生长发育受到显著抑制。但对四龄舞毒蛾幼虫所进行的短期生物测定并未发现不同CO2浓度处理下幼虫的生长发育速率、对食物的取食率和转化率等昆虫营养指标存在显著差异。（3）叶片品质的降低是导致舞毒蛾幼虫生长发育受抑制的主要原因。但是总体上，CO2浓度升高导致的叶片品质变化并未显著影响幼虫的取食率和取食量。（4）舞毒蛾幼虫对不同叶片种类表现出清晰的取食选择性，这种选择性在其幼龄期就可表现出来。幼虫对小青杨上层叶片有最显著的偏嗜性，对蒙古栎下层叶片有最明显的拒食性。但是CO2浓度升高导致的叶片品质变化对舞毒蛾幼虫的取食选择性和寄主偏嗜行为并未产生显著影响。（5）检测出高浓度CO2处理组内舞毒蛾幼虫虫粪中含有浓度更高的植物次生代谢物质（总酚和缩合单宁），这很可能是昆虫整体生长发育受抑制的重要原因之一。

CO2浓度升高对红桦幼苗生理与生长的影响

大气CO2浓度的增加已经成为不可争议的事实。预计本世纪末大气CO2浓度将增加到约700µmol mol-1。森林年光合产量约占陆地生态系统年光合产量的70%。森林树木是一个巨大的生物碳库，约占全球陆地生物碳库的85%。森林树木对CO2的固定潜力是缓解由大气CO2浓度升高引起的未来全球气候变化问题的决定性因子之一。红桦（Betula albosinensis Burk.）是川西亚高山采伐迹地自然或人工恢复的重要树种。本研究以1a红桦幼苗为模式植物，采用人工模拟的方法，研究CO2浓度升高对不同种内竞争强度（种群水平）下红桦幼苗的生理特征、生长、干物质积累及其分配的影响，探讨在种内竞争生长条件下红桦幼苗的“光合适应机理”与生长特征，为西南亚高山森林生产力对未来全球变化的预测提供重要参考。 本研究的主要结果如下： 1）在种内竞争生长条件下红桦幼苗经过CO2浓度升高熏蒸4个月后，叶片出现“光合适应”现象。与对照相比，低种植密度（28株m-2）和高种植密度（84株m-2）条件下的红桦幼苗净光合速率（A）、气孔导度（gs）、蒸腾速率（E）、表观量子产量（AQY）和羧化速率（CE）显著降低，而水分利用效率（WUE）则显著提高。CO2浓度升高处理的红桦幼苗叶片Rubisco活性、单位叶面积N浓度、叶绿素a、叶绿素b和类胡萝卜素浓度都显著降低。但CO2浓度对红桦幼苗的叶绿素a与叶绿素b的比值没有显著影响。CO2浓度升高显著增加红桦幼苗单位叶面积的非结构性碳水化合物（TNC）浓度，结果是红桦幼苗的比叶面积（SLA，cm2 g-1）显著降低。 2）与对照相比，CO2浓度升高处理的红桦幼苗高、基径、单叶面积和侧枝的相对生长速率（R GR）显著提高，尤其在试验处理的早期。CO2浓度升高既增加单株红桦幼苗总叶片数量又增加单叶面积，结果是单株红桦幼苗的总叶面积比对照显著增加。 3）CO2浓度升高处理显著增加红桦幼苗干物质积累（尤其是细根生物量），改变了红桦幼苗生物量的分配格局。与对照相比，CO2浓度升高处理的红桦幼苗叶重比（LWR）、叶面积比（LAR）、叶根重比（Wl/Wr）和源汇重比（leaf weight to non-leaf weight ratio, Wsource/Wsink）显著下降（高种植密度的LWR除外），而根冠比（R/S）则显著增加。在两种种植密度条件下，CO2浓度升高显著增加红桦幼苗根生物量的分配比率，显著降低叶片的生物量分配比率，对主茎、侧枝以及地上生物量的分配比率不变或约有下降。 总之，长期生长在CO2浓度升高条件下的红桦幼苗光合能力下降，并伴随Rubisco活性、叶N浓度、光合色素浓度的显著降低以及TNC浓度的显著增加。支持树木光合速率下降与Rubisco活性、叶N浓度下降以及TNC浓度增加紧密相关的假设。CO2浓度升高处理红桦幼苗的早期相对生长速率大大高于对照，而后期迅速下降，说明红桦幼苗生物量的显著增加主要归功于CO2浓度升高的早期促进作用和叶面积的显著增加。CO2浓度升高显著增加红桦幼苗根系生物量和根冠比，表明红桦幼苗“额外”固定的C向根系转移。 The steady increae of atmospheric CO2 concentration（[CO2]）has been inevitable fact. Models predict that the atmospheric [CO2] will increase to about 700µmol mol-1 at the end of the twenty-first century. As trees constitute a majoor carbon reservoir–85% of total plant carbon is found in forest, and their ability to sequester carbon is a key determinant of future global change problems caused by increases in atmospheric CO2. In addition to the role of forests in the global carbon cycle, inceased growth could be of economic benefit, for example, offsetting deleterious effects of climatic changes. Betula albosinensis (Burk.) usually emerges as the pioneer species in initial stage and as constructive species in later stages of forest community succession of mountain forest area, and also is one of important tree species for afforestation in logged area, in southwesten China. In this experinment, Betula albosinensis seedling (one-year-old) was used as the model plant. B. albosinensis seedlings were grown under two all-day [CO2], ambient (about 350 µmol·mol-1) and elevated [CO2] (about 700 µmol·mol-1), and two planting densities of 28 plants per m2 and 84 plants per m2. The objectives were to characterize birch mature leaf photosynthesis, growth, mass accumulation and allocation responses to long-tern elevated growth [CO2] under the influences of neighbouring plants, and to assess whether elevated [CO2] regulated birch mature leaf photosynthetic capacity, in terms of leaf nitrogen concentration (leaf [N]), activity of ribulose bisphosphate carboxygenase (Rubisco), Rubisco photosynthetic efficiency, and total nonstructural carbohydrates (TNC) concentration, and also to provide a strong reference to predict the productivity of subalpine forests under the future global changes. The results are as follows: 1) B.albosinensis seedlings exposed to elevated [CO2] for 120 days, photosynthetic acclimation phenomena occurred. At two planting densities, leaves of birch seedlings grown under elevated [CO2] had lower net photosynthetic rate (A), stomatal conductance (gs), transpiration (E), apparent quantum yield (AQY) and carboxylated efficiency (CE) and higher water use efficiency (WUE), compared to those of B.albosinensis seedlings grown under ambient [CO2]. Based on the leaf area, leaf [N], Rubisco activity and photosynthetic pigments concentrations of B. albosinensis seedlings grown under elevated [CO2] were significantly lower than those grown under ambient [CO2]. The ratio of chlorophyll a to chlorophyll b concentration was not affected by elevated [CO2]. Under elevated [CO2], the TNC concentration per unit leaf area significantly increased, resulting in significant decrease in specific leaf area. Thus leaf photosynthetic capacity of B. albosinensis seedlings would perform worse under rising atmospheric [CO2] and the influences of neighbouring plants. 2) Under elevated [CO2], the relative growth rate (RGR) of B. albosinensis seedlings height, basal diameter, a leaf area and branch length significantly increased, especially at the initial stage of exposure to elevated [CO2], and a leaf area and leaf numbers per B. albosinensis seedling also significantly increased. Thus the total leaf area per B. albosinensis seedling was significantly increased under elevated [CO2]. 3) As the increase of RGR and total leaf area, biomass of B. albosinensis seedling grown elevated [CO2] was higher, compared to that of B.albosinensis seedlings grown at ambient [CO2]. Elevated [CO2] changed the biomass allocation pattern of B. albosinensis seedling. At two planting densities, B. albosinensis seedlings grown elevated [CO2] had lower leaf weight to total weight ratio (LWR), leaf area to total weight ratio (LAR) and leaf weight to non-leaf weight ratio (Wsource/Wsink), but higher root weight to shoot weight ratio (R/S), compared to those of B.albosinensis seedlings grown at ambient [CO2]. Under elevated [CO2], roots biomass to total biomass ratio was signigicantly increased, leaves biomass to total biomass ratio was significantly decreased. The main stem and branch biomass to total biomass ratio were not affected by elevated [CO2]. In conclusion, our results supported the hypothesis that the decline in photosynthetic capacity of C3 plants will appear after long-term exposure to elevated [CO2], accompanying with the significant decrease in Rubisco activity, leaf N concentration, photosynthetic pigments concentration, and significant increase in total non-structural carbohydrates concentration. Our results also have shown that the increase of biomass of B. albosinensis seedlings should be attributed to initial stimulation on RGR and total leaf area resulted from elevated [CO2]. Under elevated [CO2], the extra carbon sequestered by B.albosinensis seedlings transferred into under-ground part because of increase in root biomass and R/S.

大气CO2浓度升高对红桦碳水化合物含量和分配的影响

碳水化合物按其存在的形式可分为结构性碳水化合物和非结构性碳水化合物两种。前者主要用于植物体的形态建成；后者是参与植物生命代谢的重要物质。迄今为止，有关CO2浓度升高对植物叶片中的碳水化合物含量的研究较多，而对其它器官中碳水化合物含量以及碳水化合物在植物体内的分配响应研究较少。碳水化合物含量在植物各器官中的变化能够反映光合同化产物在叶和茎、枝和根中的转运情况；碳水化合物的分配与植物的生长模式相关，它的变化会对植物的生长情况产生影响。因此，为全面认识植物生理生化与生长过程对大气CO2浓度升高响应情况，需要对CO2浓度升高条件下植物体内碳水化合物的含量及分配变化进行深入的研究与探讨。本文应用自控、独立、封闭的生长室系统，研究了红桦幼苗根、茎、叶和枝的碳水化合物含量以及分配格局对大气CO2浓度升高(环境CO2浓度+350 µmol·mol-1) 的响应。研究结果表明：1) CO2浓度升高使红桦幼苗叶片中的非结构性碳水化合物含量显著增加。这可能会对光合作用造成反馈抑制，降低光合速率。2) CO2浓度升高使红桦幼苗根、茎和枝中的还原糖、蔗糖、总可溶性糖、淀粉和总的非结构性碳水化合物(TNC) 含量显著增加。说明CO2浓度升高促进了碳水化合物由叶片向枝、茎和根中的运输转移，支持了Finn和Brun的假设。3) 在总的非结构性碳水化合物(TNC) 中，淀粉所占比例最大。同样地，CO2浓度升高使TNC含量增加的部分中，淀粉所占的比例也最大。在叶片、枝、茎和根中淀粉含量增加部分占TNC含量增加部分的91.45%、88.23%、83.23%和82.01%。4) CO2浓度升高使红桦幼苗根、茎、叶和枝内的纤维素含量有增加的趋势，但未达到显著水平。需要进一步研究长期CO2浓度升高下，纤维素含量的响应程度。5) CO2浓度升高使碳水化合物在红桦幼苗体内的分配发生了改变。红桦幼苗体内碳水化合物分配变化的一致趋势是由地上部分向地下部分分配转移。其中，测定的所有碳水化合物均向根中分配增多。同时，CO2浓度升高使红桦幼苗的根冠比显著增大；根系干重显著增加。这些结果支持了Gorissen 和Cotrufo的假设，即碳水化合物向根中分配增多是根冠比增大的主要原因。6) CO2浓度升高使红桦幼苗体内的氮含量显著下降。氮含量的下降可能主要是由生长的加快和TNC (主要是淀粉) 含量的增加对氮的稀释造成的。Carbohydrates found in plants are frequently grouped into two different classes:structural carbohydrates and non-structural carbohydrates. The former mainlyconstruct the plant basic framework, while the latter are essential for plant growth andmetabolism. As yet there is lack of information on the effects of elevated CO2concentration on carbohydrate contents in stem, branch and root of plant, and oncarbohydrate allocation in organs of plant although there have been many reports onthe responses of carbohydrate contents to elevated CO2 concentration in plant foliages.A shift of carbohydrate contents in plant reflects a change in transporting ofphotosynthetic production from leaf to stem, branch and root of plant. The allocationof carbohydrates that is correlated to plant growth patterns affects plant growth. Thus,in order to understand the influences of elevated CO2 on biochemical process,physiological change and plant growth well, the response of carbohydrate contentsand allocation in plant to elevated CO2 should be further investigated. In our study, theeffects of elevated CO2 on carbohydrate contents and their allocation between leaf,stem, branch and root tissue of Betula albosinensis seedlings were determined. Theseedlings were grown in independent and enclosed-top chambers. Chambers werecontrolled to reproduce ambient (CK) and ambient + 350 µmol·mol-1 CO2 (EC)concentration for 1 year. The results here showed that,1) Elevated CO2 significantly increased non-structural carbohydrate contents in leafof red birch seedlings. This will reduce photosynthetic rate.2) Elevated CO2 also significantly increased non-structural carbohydrate contentsin root, stem and branch of red birch seedlings. These findings supported thehypothesis that elevated CO2 accelerated carbohydrates from leaf to branch, stem androot.3) Starch makes up the largest parts of total non-structural carbohydrate. In thesame way, the increase of starch plays a main role in the increase of totalnon-structural carbohydrate under elevated CO2. In leaf, branch, stem and root, theincrements of starch contents comprised 91.45%, 88.23%, 83.23% and 82.01% of theincrements of total non-structural carbohydrate contents.4) Under elevated CO2 the cellulose contents have an increasing tendency in redbirch seedlings. It is needed to investigate the effects of long-term elevated CO2 oncellulose contents in plant.5) There are significant CO2 effects on the allocation of carbohydrate in organs ofred birch seedlings. Under elevated CO2 more carbohydrates were allocated to root.Moreover, CO2 enrichment significantly increased the root to shoot ratio of red birchseedlings and the dry weight of roots. These results supported Gorissen and Cotrufo ‘shypothesis that increase of carbohydrate allocation to root mostly contributed to theincrease of root to shoot ratio.6) Elevated CO2 brought about a reduction in the nitrogen contents of leaf, stem,branch and root. The decline of nitrogen contents under elevated CO2 is mainlycaused by the dilution effects of increasing starch level and growth of red birchseedlings.

长白山不同海拔岳桦非结构碳水化合物含量的变化

通常认为,随着林木不断接近其海拔分布极限,光合作用产量不断下降,导致碳水化合物供应不足(碳供应限制),或者低温限制了碳投资(生长限制)。植物组织内非结构性碳水化合物(Nonstructural carbohydrates,NSC)的含量反映了植物碳供应与碳吸收的平衡。为了检验"碳供应限制"和"生长抑制"假说,我们对长白山海拔1700~2050m的自然生境下生长的岳桦(Betula ermanii)的叶片和枝条组织的NSC含量进行了比较。结果表明:岳桦叶片的NSC含量随海拔升高变化不显著,枝条的NSC含量随海拔升高显著增加;叶片和枝条中淀粉含量与可溶性总糖含量的比值均随海拔的升高而减小;林线附近的岳桦林木不存在碳水化合物供应不足的问题,这在一定程度上表明生长限制导致长白山岳桦林线的形成。

The separation of biomolecules using capillary electrochromatography

The unique properties of capillary electrochromatography such as high performance, high selectivity, minimum consumption of both reagents and samples, and good compatibility with mass spectrometry make this technique an attractive one for the analysis of biomolecules including peptides, proteins, carbohydrates, nucleosides and nucleoticles. Irreversible adsorption between the biomolecules and the charged packing surface leads to a lack of reproducibility and serious peak tailing, so various approaches have been taken to overcome this and to improve the technique for future challenges.

Capillary electrophoretic study on UDP-sugars in cells

Glucose is an important regulator of cell growth and metabolism. Uridine diphosphate sugars (UDP-sugars), as the intermediate products of metabolism, play pivotal roles as precursors in the synthesis of complex carbohydrates and glycolipids as well as lectose. It is very important to study their metabolism in cells in clinical biochemistry. A capillary electrophoretic method has been developed for the analysis of UDP-sugars and nucleotides, By using an uncoated capillary (70cm x 50 mu m) and 20 mmol/L borax buffer (pH 9), 4 important UDP-sugars can be analyzed in 15 min at 22 kV with satisfactory precision and sensitivity. The developed method has been applied to analyze UDP-sugars concentrations in lymphocytes, fibroblasts and mesangial cells, and the results show it not only is much better than HPLC method, but also can be used to measure the energy charge of cells.

Microarray-Based Study of Carbohydrate-Protein Binding by Gold Nanoparticle Probes

In order to develop a novel high-throughput tool for monitoring carbohydrate-protein interactions, we prepared carbohydrate or glycoprotein microarrays by immobilizing amino modified carbohydrates on aldehyde-derivatized glass slides or glycoprotein on epoxide-derivatized glass slides and carried out lectin binding experiments by using these microarrays, respectively. The interaction events are marked by attachment of gold nanoparticles followed by silver deposition for signal enhancement. The attachment of the gold nanoparticles is achieved by standard avidin-biotin chemistry.