牡丹花芽分化类型与促成连续二次开花

牡丹（Paeonia suffruticosa Andr.），芍药科芍药属植物，是我国的传统名花，因花朵硕大、花色丰富、花型齐全而显雍容华贵、富丽端庄，“惟有牡丹真国色，花开时节动京城”，深受人民的喜爱。人们在欣赏牡丹的过程中，一方面为其艳丽多姿而赞叹，同时又为其自然花期较短且集中而遗憾，“弄花一年，看花十日”，因此，如何通过栽培等技术措施使牡丹连续开花，一直是牡丹研究者探索的重要课题。近年，在对牡丹栽培的系统研究中，发现不同牡丹品种的花芽分化类型（数量、梯度）直接影响其开花数量和开花次数。为了有效地利用不同类型的牡丹，选育出更多的丰花、同株可连续开花的品种，服务于牡丹的产业化生产，本试验对4个牡丹品种群的135个品种进行了同枝条芽数的统计分析及花芽分化梯度的划分，阐明了花芽分化类型与促成连续二次开花的关系。初步测定了具有促成连续二次开花习性的牡丹品种‘High Noon’不同芽位腋芽内源激素的含量，揭示了牡丹同株连续二次开花过程中不同芽位腋芽内源激素的生理变化规律，为解决牡丹同株花期短、不能同株连续开花的难题奠定了理论基础。本研究主要结果如下： 1、牡丹花芽分化类型与自然开花的关系 通过对135个牡丹品种花芽分化数量和梯度类型的调查，将同枝条的芽数聚类为少（3-4）、中等（5-7）、多（8-10）三类;将花芽分化梯度划分为小、中、大三种类型。芽数类型和花芽分化梯度类型均与品种群有一定的关系。中原品种群中90%的品种属于芽数少的类型，47%的品种属于分化梯度大的类型;日本品种群中73%的品种属于芽数中等的类型，52%的品种属于分化梯度中的类型;法国品种群和美国品种群品种调查数量较少，但大多数品种属于芽数中等的类型，分别占80%和44%，分化梯度小的品种分别占调查总数的40%和67%。绝大部分品种的腋花芽因在枝条上着生的位置不同而有明显的异质性，上部芽顶端优势强，萌动率和开花率均高，芽数多的品种中、下部芽在春天自然开花季节常处于休眠状态。 2、牡丹花芽分化类型与促成连续二次开花的关系 花芽分化数量的多少与梯度的大小直接影响着开花次数。花芽分化数量少、梯度大的品种不建议直接用于同株促成连续二次开花栽培;花芽分化数量中等或多、梯度小的品种可以实现同株促成连续二次开花，10个试验牡丹品种中的中原牡丹品种‘如花似玉（Ru Hua Si Yu）’和美国牡丹品种‘High Noon’具有同株连续二次开花能力，且二次开花率达75%以上，两次开花品质均优良。 3、‘High Noon’不同芽位腋芽内源激素与促成连续开花的关系 通过测定美国牡丹品种‘High Noon’同枝条不同芽位腋芽萌动前期、后期内源激素含量，结果表明：萌动后期不同芽位腋芽的GA3、IAA、ZRs含量增加，尤其1位芽、2位芽含量增加显著;萌动后期ABA含量则随着芽位自上而下增加显著，可能是导致下部芽继续保持休眠状态的主要原因;萌动后期下部芽的ABA/ZRs配比增幅较高，说明ABA/ZRs配比与芽的生长与休眠关系密切。

Identification of a novel C2 domain factor in ovaries of orange-spotted grouper (Epinephelus coioides)

Follicle consists of an oocyte and a lot of surrounding follicular cells, and significant interactions exist between the oocyte and the somatic cells. In this study, a novel cDNA has been screened from a subtractive cDNA library between tail bud embryos and blastula embryos in the protogynous hermaphrodite orange-spotted grouper (Epinephelus coioides). Its full-length cDNA is 821 bp, and has an ORF of 414 by for encoding a peptide of 137 aa, which shows 38%, 37%, 33%, and 33% homology with 4 putative proteins screened from zebrafish (Danio rerio). Conserved domain search in NCBI reveals a single C2 domain existing in the C2 domain superfamily proteins, and has only 7 beta strands in comparison with 8 beta strands of C2 domains in other C2 domain superfamily proteins. Artificial sex reversal, RT-PCR analysis and Western blot detection demonstrated ovary-specific expression of the C2 domain factor, and therefore the novel gene was designated as E. coioides ovary-specific C2 domain factor, EcOC2 factor. Moreover, predominant expression of EcOC2 factor was further revealed in grouper mature ovary, and its strong immunofluorescence signals were located between granulosa cells and oocyte zona radiata in grouper mature follicles. The data indicate that the novel EcOC2 factor might be a main component that associates between granulosa cells and the oocyte during oocyte maturation, and might play significant roles in regulating oocyte maturation and ovulation. Further studies on its developmental behaviour and physiological functions will elucidate the interactions between oocyte and the surrounding somatic cells and the underlying molecular mechanisms. (C) 2005 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

黄土高原半干旱区人工林刺槐展叶期树干液流动态分析

应用热扩散式树干茎流计(TDP)于2008年4月26日至5月31日,在黄土高原半干旱区安塞县对人工林刺槐展叶期树干液流及其气象、土壤水分等6个指标进行连续测定。结果表明:刺槐展叶期可分为芽期、展叶初期、中期和全叶期。在芽期,刺槐树干液流速率日变化无明显昼夜波动;在展叶初期至全叶期日变化呈现出从微弱波动逐渐增大到趋于平稳的剧烈波动;在展叶中期以后液流速率表现为上升快、下降缓慢的单峰曲线;在全叶期平均峰值约为0.0027cm.s-1;树干液流速率与光合有效辐射强度、大气温度、水蒸气压亏缺和风速呈极显著正相关,与相对湿度呈负相关,其相关程度依次为光合有效辐射强度>大气温度>水蒸气压亏缺>相对湿度>风速,且可用光合有效辐射强度和大气温度线性表达式来估测;土壤水分在展叶期呈逐渐减少趋势,但对树干液流的胁迫不显著;在展叶期刺槐单株日蒸腾耗水量随直径的增大而增大并与胸径呈良好的线性关系,可用来估算展叶期刺槐人工林蒸腾耗水量。

Seed germination and seedling morphology of the seagrass, Halophila engelmannii (Hydrocharitaceae)

Seeds of Halophila engelmannii Aschers., that were collected in Redfish Bay, Texas, at weekly intervals from mid-May to mid-June 1986, began to germinate 3–4 weeks after collection. Most of the collections subsequently showed an increase in the rate of germination under increased light intensity and all had a stoppage of germination after transfer to darkness, indicating a light requirement to break endogenous seed dormancy. During the 5 weeks after seeds germinated, seedlings in soil culture produced a rosette of six leaves before the appearance of a rhizome bud in the axil of the third leaf. The first node of the rhizome produced a root and an upright shoot with a pseudowhorl of three to five leaves.

赤霉素、硫脲处理对黄精根状茎和须根发生的影响

为诱导无芽黄精根状茎产生不定芽,选择不同的化学物质进行诱导处理。结果表明,GA3处理效果明显,选用0.4 mg/L的GA3浸泡25 min对黄精根状茎不定芽的产生和须根生长有明显促进作用,高浓度抑制其生长;1%硫脲浸泡处理对黄精无顶芽根状茎萌发新芽和须根有明显的抑制作用。

容器苗质量评定指标的研究

In this paper,the assessing indices of container seedlings quality were synthesized in accordance with growth and physiological factors. The results showed that the seedling quality might be determined by the dormancy state of terminal bud,nutrient condition of plant,and the state of root system. The critical quality indices should include stem diameter at soil surface,dry weight of terminal bud,and soluble sugar content. Moreover,some indices such as root system vitality and dry weight of plant were also important.

Variation of active constituents of an important Tibet folk medicine Swertia mussotii Franch. (Gentianaceae) between artificially cultivated and naturally distributed

Concentrations of seven phytochemical constituents (swertiamarin, mangiferin, swertisin, oleanolic acid, 1,5,8-trihydroxy-3methoxyxanthone, 1,8-dihydroxy-3,7-dimethoxyxanthone and 1,8-dihydroxy-3,5-dimethoxyxanthone) of "ZangYinChen" (Swertia mussotii, a herb used in Tibetan folk medicine) were determined and compared in plants collected from naturally distributed high-altitude populations and counterparts that had been artificially cultivated at low altitudes. Levels of mangiferin, the most abundant active compound in this herb, were significantly lower in cultivated samples and showed a negative correlation with altitude. The other constituents were neither positively nor negatively correlated with cultivation at low altitude. Concentrations of all of the constituents varied substantially with growth stage and were highest at the bud stage in the cultivars, but there were no distinct differences between flowering and fruiting stages in this respect. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Analiza specjacyjna arsenu w wodzie techniką wysokosprawnej chromatografii cieczowej połączonej ze spektrometrią mas z jonizacją w indukowanej plazmie

Wydział Chemii: Pracownia Analizy Spektroskopowej Pierwiastków

Developmental origins of precocial forelimbs in marsupial neonates.

Marsupial mammals are born in an embryonic state, as compared with their eutherian counterparts, yet certain features are accelerated. The most conspicuous of these features are the precocial forelimbs, which the newborns use to climb unaided from the opening of the birth canal to the teat. The developmental mechanisms that produce this acceleration are unknown. Here we show that heterochronic and heterotopic changes early in limb development contribute to forelimb acceleration. Using Tbx5 and Tbx4 as fore- and hindlimb field markers, respectively, we have found that, compared with mouse, both limb fields arise notably early during opossum development. Patterning of the forelimb buds is also accelerated, as Shh expression appears early relative to the outgrowth of the bud itself. In addition, the forelimb fields and forelimb myocyte allocation are increased in size and number, respectively, and migration of the spinal nerves into the forelimb bud has been modified. This shift in the extent of the forelimb field is accompanied by shifts in Hox gene expression along the anterior-posterior axis. Furthermore, we found that both fore- and hindlimb fields arise gradually during gastrulation and extension of the embryonic axis, in contrast to the appearance of the limb fields in their entirety in all other known cases. Our results show a surprising evolutionary flexibility in the early limb development program of amniotes and rule out the induction of the limb fields by mature structures such as the somites or mesonephros.

La brotación y la floración del kiwi en función de las temperaturas invierno - primaverales de la región central de Córdoba

p.183-188

Allelic depletion of grem1 attenuates diabetic kidney disease.

OBJECTIVE: Gremlin (grem1) is an antagonist of the bone morphogenetic protein family that plays a key role in limb bud development and kidney formation. There is a growing appreciation that altered grem1 expression may regulate the homeostatic constraints on damage responses in diseases such as diabetic nephropathy. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Here we explored whether knockout mice heterozygous for grem1 gene deletion (grem1(+/-)) exhibit protection from the progression of diabetic kidney disease in a streptozotocin-induced model of type 1 diabetes. RESULTS: A marked elevation in grem1 expression was detected in the kidneys and particularly in kidney tubules of diabetic wild-type mice compared with those of littermate controls. In contrast, diabetic grem1(+/-) mice displayed a significant attenuation in grem1 expression at 6 months of diabetes compared with that in age- and sex-matched wild-type controls. Whereas the onset and induction of diabetes were similar between grem1(+/-) and wild-type mice, several indicators of diabetes-associated kidney damage such as increased glomerular basement membrane thickening and microalbuminuria were attenuated in grem1(+/-) mice compared with those in wild-type controls. Markers of renal damage such as fibronectin and connective tissue growth factor were elevated in diabetic wild-type but not in grem1(+/-) kidneys. Levels of pSmad1/5/8 decreased in wild-type but not in grem1(+/-) diabetic kidneys, suggesting that bone morphogenetic protein signaling may be maintained in the absence of grem1. CONCLUSIONS: These data identify grem1 as a potential modifier of renal injury in the context of diabetic kidney disease.

THE IMPACT OF BURNING AND GRAZING OF HEATHLAND PLANTS AND INVERTEBRATES IN COUNTRY ANTRIM

The impact of burning and grazing on plant, ground beetle and spider species was investigated experimentally in stands of varying ages (burnt in 1982 and 1988 and unburnt plots) on an area of heather moorland in County Antrim, north-east Ireland. Burning initiated complex succession pathways which appear to have characteristic plant and invertebrate species associations. Removal of Calluna dominance initiated a period of high plant species diversity. Investigation of initial post-fire regeneration suggested that the frequency of occurrence of plant species changed over time and was affected by grazing. Grouping of species by the position of their renewal bud, i.e. their life-form, did not account for all observed interspecific variation. The dominant species after burning were Eriophorum vaginatum, E. angustifolium and Vaccinium myrtillus. Studies of vegetation canopy structure showed that, even with the exclusion of the main grazing herbivores, Calluna will not re-establish itself as the dominant species until several years after burning. The ground beetle Nebria salina was trapped more often on plots burnt in 1988 than on unburnt plots or those burnt in 1982. In comparison, Pterostichus niger and Carabus granulatus were trapped in greater numbers on plots burnt in 1982 than on unburnt plots and plots burnt in 1988. The large species Carabus problematicus and Carabus glabratus were trapped in greater numbers on unburnt plots. Similarly, more of the spiders Ceratinella brevipes and Centromerita concinna were trapped on the plots burnt in 1982. In comparison, Lepthyphantes zimmermanni and Robertus lividus were trapped more often on unburnt plots than on plots burnt in 1982 and 1988. Results are discussed with respect to the importance of the continuation of traditional heathland management practices.

FCHo proteins are nucleators of clathrin-mediated endocytosis

Clathrin-mediated endocytosis, the major pathway for ligand internalization into eukaryotic cells, is thought to be initiated by the clustering of clathrin and adaptors around receptors destined for internalization. However, here we report that the membrane-sculpting F-BAR domain-containing Fer/Cip4 homology domain-only proteins 1 and 2 (FCHo1/2) were required for plasma membrane clathrin-coated vesicle (CCV) budding and marked sites of CCV formation. Changes in FCHo1/2 expression levels correlated directly with numbers of CCV budding events, ligand endocytosis, and synaptic vesicle marker recycling. FCHo1/2 proteins bound specifically to the plasma membrane and recruited the scaffold proteins eps15 and intersectin, which in turn engaged the adaptor complex AP2. The FCHo F-BAR membrane-bending activity was required, leading to the proposal that FCHo1/2 sculpt the initial bud site and recruit the clathrin machinery for CCV formation.

Estratégias para a valorização do coberto vegetal da Ilha de Porto Santo

No presente trabalho desenvolveram-se estudos visando a valorização do coberto vegetal da Ilha de Porto Santo, através de duas metodologias de investigação complementares: a) preservação e reintrodução na Ilha de uma espécie endémica e em risco do Arquipélago da Madeira (Olea maderensis) e de uma espécie naturalizada (Olea europaea ssp. europaea var. sylvestris), recorrendo para o efeito a técnicas de biotecnologia (micropropagação); b) análise da percepção da comunidade local e visitante sobre o fenómeno da desertificação e a valorização do coberto vegetal bem como a sua aceitação relativamente à aplicação de técnicas de biotecnologia (para micropropagar e reintroduzir espécies de oliveira na Ilha) para minimização do processo de desertificação. A dissertação estrutura-se em quatro partes principais. A Parte I caracteriza a Ilha de Porto Santo em termos geográficos, geológicos, climáticos, sócio-economicos e do uso do solo. Enquadra, ainda, o problema da desertificação, através da caracterização/evolução do coberto vegetal ao longo dos anos. Finalmente apresentam-se os objectivos gerais deste estudo. A Parte II centra-se no desenvolvimento de metodologias no âmbito da biotecnologia vegetal para propagação de espécies de O. maderensis e O. europaea ssp. europaea var. sylvestris. em larga escala. Esta parte está dividida em seis capítulos. O Capítulo II.1 aborda a distribuição geográfica das espécies de oliveira e faz uma revisão bibliográfica dos aspectos mais importantes da micropropagação de oliveira (O. europaea L.), principalmente através da micropropagação por estimulação de gomos axilares. No final deste capítulo apresentam-se os objectivos específicos desta investigação. No Capítulo II.2 faz-se a caracterização genética de genótipos de O. maderensis do Arquipélago da Madeira através da análise da ploidia e do conteúdo em DNA por citometria de fluxo (FCM) e através da detecção de polimorfismos por análise de microssatélites (SSR). Nesta análise usaram-se ainda outros genótipos, nomeadamente: O. europaea ssp. europaea var. sylvestris, O. cerasiformes e O. europaea ssp. europaea var. europaea. Este estudo contribuiu para uma melhor caracterização desta espécie e permitiu a detecção de um nível de ploidia novo no género Olea (tetraploidia). O Capítulo II.3 descreve a optimização das condições de cultura in vitro (e.g. desinfecção, meio de cultura e enraizamento) para propagar e preservar a O. maderensis. Avalia-se ainda a “performance” dos rebentos in vitro (taxas de crescimento, avaliação da aparência das folhas e estudos fisiológicos), de modo a confirmar a optimização das condições de propagação. Neste capítulo define-se um meio novo (OMG) para propagação desta espécie endémica. O Capítulo II.4 descreve dois protocolos de micropropagação e aclimatização de ambas as espécies (O. maderensis e O. europaea ssp. europaea var. sylvestris) e a qualidade das plantas (“true-to-type”) é avaliada através da possível ocorrência de variabilidade genética através de FCM (ploidia) e SSRs. O Capítulo II.5 descreve um protocolo eficiente de aclimatização ao campo de O. maderensis e avalia a “performance” das plantas micropropagadas no campo através da análise de parâmetros fisiológicos durante o processo. O Capítulo II.6 apresenta os estudos em curso relativamente às plantas de O. maderensis em aclimatização no campo, bem como a introdução de plantas micropropagadas num outro local da Ilha com um maior grau de degradação dos solos. Estas estratégias estão a ser aplicadas juntamente com a DRFRAM, no âmbito de programas de florestação em curso. Finalmente é realçada a necessidade de estudos semelhantes com outras espécies nativas. Na Parte III, são apresentados os estudos sobre a percepção da comunidade local relativamente à valorização do coberto vegetal para a minimização dos processos de degradação dos solos/desertificação. A introdução faz o enquadramento teórico sobre o fenómeno da desertificação, particularmente na Ilha de Porto Santo e sobre a percepção social da desertificação. São ainda apresentados os objectivos específicos desta investigação. A metodologia adoptada recorreu à aplicação de inquéritos por questionário à população residente e aos visitantes da Ilha de Porto Santo e ainda a realização de inquéritos por entrevista a algumas entidades e especialistas. Estes estudos permitiram verificar que existe uma nítida consciência da situação de risco da ilha, das medidas tomadas e a tomar e da premência da resolução do problema. Face ao recurso de estratégias alternativas envolvendo biotecnologia, e apesar de existir algum desconhecimento, concluiu-se ainda que a população manifesta aceitação, desde que essas estratégias valorizem o coberto vegetal e, assim, ajudem a combater a degradação biofísica dos solos. Finalmente são apresentadas as conclusões e algumas recomendações. Na Parte IV apresentam-se as conclusões gerais e perspectivas futuras, onde o potencial ambiental destas oliveiras bravas micropropagadas é destacado, bem como é considerado o alargamento da aplicação destas estratégias a outras espécies indígenas em risco, nesta Ilha (e noutros locais). São ainda resumidas as principais visões da população e das entidades e dos especialistas que poderão contribuir para apoiar a elaboração de medidas de mitigação e prevenção no combate ao processo de degradação dos solos/desertificação em curso.

Technology transfer in Britain: the case of monoclonal antibodies

In 1975 two Cambridge scientists published a short article in Nature which announced the discovery of monoclonal antibodies. The article concluded ‘Such cultures could be valuable for medical and industrial use’. The interest which developed by the end of the decade in the industrial and financial possibilities of the new prospects opening up in biotechnology was to throw the apparent ‘failure’ to follow‐up the potentialities of this discovery into a public prominence rarely achieved by scientific discoveries. By the time Mrs Thatcher came to power it had become a scandal, another example of Britain's apparent inability to exploit effectively the brilliance of its scientific base. It was to explore both the process of scientific discovery and the conditions in Cambridge which nurtured it, and the issues which this particular discovery raised in the area of technology transfer (and the changes of policy that ensued), that the Wellcome Trust's History of Twentieth Century Medicine Group and the Institute of Contemporary British History organised this special witness seminar. It was held at the Wellcome Trust in London on 24 September 1993. The seminar was chaired by Sir Christopher Booth and introduced by Dr Robert Bud of the Science Museum. Those participating included the two authors of the Nature article, Dr César Milstein and Dr Georges Köhler, who received a Nobel Prize for their research, Dr Basil Bard (National Research Development Corporation [NRDC] 1950–74), Sir James Gowans (Secretary of the Medical Research Council [MRC] 1977–87), Sir John Gray (Secretary of the MRC 1968–77), John Newell (BBC World Service science correspondent 1969–79), Dr David Owen (MRC), and Dr David Secher (Laboratory of Molecular Biology [LMB], Cambridge). There were also contributions from Dr Ita Askonas (former head of immunology at the National Institute for Medical Research), Dr John Galloway (former member of MRC headquarters staff), Dr David Tyrrell (former Director, MRC Common Cold Unit), Professor Miles Weatherall (head of Therapeutic Research Division, Wellcome Research Laboratories 1967–75), Dr Guil Winchester (post‐doctoral fellow, Wellcome Institute for the History of Medicine), and Dr Peter Williams (former Director of the Wellcome Trust). The organisers would like to thank the Wellcome Trust for hosting and sponsoring the seminar. We would like to dedicate this publication to the memory of Georges Köhler, who sadly died in April 1995 before this could appear.