70年来中国化学海洋学研究的主要进展

我国的海洋化学工作者通过70年来,特别是近30年来的化学海洋学研究,实现了我国与世界先进水平进入同步发展的快车道,其显著的特点是:(1)化学海洋学研究从元素地球化学分布系统转向了以揭示深层次海洋生物地球化学过程为核心的研究;(2)化学海洋学研究实现了多领域、多视点的综合交叉研究;(3)更加关注了人为影响与自然变化共同作用下的海洋生态环境变化研究,对近海和海岸带而言,更加注重从海陆统筹一体化角度探析化学物质的分布迁移特征。本文从生源要素的海洋生物地球化学过程、微/痕量元素与同位素的海洋化学研究、生物过程作用下的化学海洋学过程等角度,重点总结归纳和分析了30年来我国海洋化学研究的重要进展和发展状况,以期对化学海洋学的进一步研究提供借鉴和启迪。

Role of Nitrogen and Nutrients in Crop Nutrition

Nutrition is an important factor for the growth and development of plants. Among the main nutritional elements, there are nitrogen （N） and calcium （Ca）. The N comes from two forms of inorganic ions, ammonium （NH4＋） and nitrate （NO3） whose functions in the plant are the increase in leaf area and improving the succulence of many crops, among other essential physiological processes. Both the deficit and excess NO3- have a negative impact on plants increasing susceptibility to insect pests and pathogens, while Ca as divalent ion absorbed Ca2＋ plays an important role in control of physiological disorders and the resistance of plants to diseases to increase the mechanical strength. The N and Ca have a close relationship in the nutritional role of the plant, because the Ca absorption acting nitrates, so that a proper balance affects plants better growth and higher strength.

Simulation Model for Photosynthetic Production in Oilseed Rape

Photosynthetic production is a major determinant of final yield in crop plants. A simulation model was developed for canopy photosynthesis and dry matter accumulation in oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) based on the ecophysiological processes and using a three-layer radiation balance scheme for calculating the radiation interception and absorption by the layers of flowers, pods, and leaves within the canopy. Gaussian integration method was used to calculate photosynthesis of the pod and leaf layers, and the daily total canopy photosynthesis was determined by the sum of photosynthesis from the two layers of green organs. The effects of physiological age, temperature, nitrogen, and water deficit on maximum photosynthetic rate were quantified. Maintenance and growth respiration were estimated to determine net photosynthetic production. Partition index of the shoot in relation to physiological development time was used to calculate shoot dry matter from plant biomass and shoot biomass loss because of freezing was quantified by temperature effectiveness. Testing of the model for dynamic dry matter accumulation through field experiments of different genotypes, sowing dates, and nitrogen levels showed good fit between the observed and simulated data, with an average root mean square error of 10.9% for shoot dry matter. Thus, the present model appears to be reliable for the prediction of photosynthetic production in oilseed rape.

The Study of the Market Economy Problem by the Method of Econophysics

The article considers the econophysical analysis of the relationship between monopoly and competition by using the methods, terms of physics. And it was investigated the philosophy of progress. It has been shown that in the transition from absolute monopoly to imperfect monopoly, the system becomes more complex, and its output characteristics depend on time, because monopoly is a natural, competitive is derivative process. Competition is created as a result of the interaction of at least two ~monopoly firms＂ through the ~market field＂ that they create to increase the production which is necessary of non-linear products over time. To do this, it is sufficient to have a multitude of firms interacting with each other under the influence force of ~market field＂. To create the necessary conditions, it is sufficient to have a high level of university education and a legal field for competition and unbreakable antitrust legislation. By acquiring technology and creating conditions for competition in the market, it is possible to achieve progress even without having a strong science. The term ~progress＂ has received a new content and is defined as the value of a numerically equal increase in the rate of production per unit time or production per squared time. It has been shown that the relationship between monopoly and competition is very simple and there is no contradiction between them. Initially, the market is born as a monopoly, and then analogical firms were created, competition between firms begins

Deep-sea organisms research oriented by deep-sea technologies development

Deep-sea environment,characterized by high pressures,extremely high/low temperatures,limited photosynthesis-generated organic matter,darkness,and high levels of corrosion,is home to flourishing special ecosystems in the world.Here,we illustrate how the deep-sea equipment offers insights into the study of life in the deep sea based on the work in the past five decades.We first describe how organisms in the deep sea are studied,even though it is highly difficult to get access to such extreme environments.We then explain the role of deep-sea technologies in advancing research on the evolution of organisms in hydrothermal vents,cold seeps,seamounts,oceanic trenches,and whale falls from the following perspectives:biological diversity,mechanisms of environmental adaptation,biological evolution,and ecosystem connectivity.Finally,to better understand the function and service of deep-sea organisms,and further conserve the special creatures under anthropologic activity and climate change,we highlight the importance of innovative deep-sea technologies to promote cutting-edge research on deep-sea organisms,and note the remaining challenges and developing directions for deep-sea equipment.

Membrane protein reconstitution for functional and structural studies

Membrane proteins are involved in various critical biological processes,and studying membrane proteins represents a major challenge in protein biochemistry.As shown by both structural and functional studies,the membrane environment plays an essential role for membrane proteins.In vitro studies are reliant on the successful reconstitution of membrane proteins.This review describes the interaction between detergents and lipids that aids the understanding of the reconstitution processes.Then the techniques of detergent removal and a few useful techniques to refine the formed proteoliposomes are reviewed.Finally the applications of reconstitution techniques to study membrane proteins involved in Ca2+ signaling are summarized.

Roles and regulations of the ETS transcription factor ELF4/MEF

Most E26 transformation-specific （ETS） transcription factors are involved in the pathogenesis and progression of cancer. This is in part due to the roles of ETS transcription factors in basic biological processes such as growth, proliferation, and differentiation, and also because of their regulatory functions that have physiological relevance in tumorigenesis, immunity, and basal cellular homoeostasis. A member of the E74-1ike factor （ELF） subfamily of the ETS transcription factor family--myeloid elf-l-Uke factor （MEF）, designated as ELF4~has been shown to be critically involved in immune response and signalling, osteogenesis, adipo- genesis, cancer, and stem cell quiescence. ELF4 carries out these functions as a transcriptional activator or through interactions with its partner proteins. Mutations in ELF4 cause aberrant interactions and induce downstream processes that may lead to dis- eased cells. Knowing how ELF4 impinges on certain cellular processes and how it is regulated in the cells can lead to a better understanding of the physiological and pathological consequences of modulated ELF4 activity.

The miR-58 microRNA family is regulated by insulin signaling and contributes to lifespan regulation in Caenorhabditis elegans

microRNAs regulate diverse biological processes such as development and aging by promoting degradation or inhibiting translation of their target mRNAs. In this study, we have found that the miR-58 family microRNAs regulate lifespan in C.elegans. Intriguingly, members of the miR-58 family affect lifespan differently, sometimes in opposite directions, and have complex genetic interactions. The abundances of the miR-58 family miRNAs are up-regulated in the long-lived daf-2 mutant in a daf-16-dependent manner, indicating that these miRNAs are effectors of insulin signaling in C. elegans. We also found that miR-58 is regulated by insulin signaling and partially required for the lifespan extension mediated by reduced insulin signaling,germline ablation, dietary restriction, and mild mitochondrial dysfunction. We further identified the daf-21, ins-1, and isw-1 mRNAs as endogenous targets of miR-58. Our study shows that miRNAs function in multiple lifespan extension mechanisms,and that the seed sequence is not the dominant factor defining the role of a miRNA in lifespan regulation.

Large-scale study of long non-coding RNA functions based on structure and expression features

Mammals and other complex organisms can transcribe an abundance of long non-coding RNAs(lncRNAs)that fulfill a wide variety of regulatory roles in many biological processes.These roles,including as scaffolds and as guides for protein-coding genes,mainly depend on the structure and expression level of lncRNAs.In this review,we focus on the current methods for analyzing lncRNA structure and expression,which is basic but necessary information for in-depth,large-scale analysis of lncRNA functions.