Spatiotemporal dynamics of the social structure of Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins(Sousa chinensis)in Xiamen waters from 2007 to 2019

As highly social animals,Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins(Sousa chinensis)exhibit community differentiation.Nevertheless,our understanding of the external and internal factors influencing these dynamics,as well as their spatiotemporal variations,is still limited.In the present study,variations in the social structure of an endangered Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin population in Xiamen Bay,China,were monitored over two distinct periods(2007–2010 and 2017–2019)to analyze the effects of habitat utilization and the composition of individuals within the population.In both periods,the population demonstrated a strikingly similar pattern of social differentiation,characterized by the division of individuals into two main clusters and one small cluster.Spatially,the two primary clusters occupied the eastern and western waters,respectively,although the core distribution area of the eastern cluster shifted further eastward between the two periods.Despite this distribution shift,the temporal stability of the social structure and inter-associations within the eastern cluster remained unaffected.A subset of 16individuals observed in both periods,comprising 51.6%and 43.2%of the population in each respective period,emerged as a foundational element of the social structure and may be responsible for sustaining social structure stability,especially during the 2007–2010 period.These observations suggest that the composition of dominant individuals,an internal factor,had a more substantial influence on the formation of the social network than changes in habitat use,an external factor.Consequently,the study proposes distinct conservation measures tailored to each of the two main clusters.

Identification of novel mammalian viruses in tree shrews(Tupaia belangeri chinensis)

The Chinese tree shrew(Tupaia belangeri chinensis),a member of the mammalian order Scandentia,exhibits considerable similarities with primates,including humans,in aspects of its nervous,immune,and metabolic systems.These similarities have established the tree shrew as a promising experimental model for biomedical research on cancer,infectious diseases,metabolic disorders,and mental health conditions.Herein,we used metatranscriptomic sequencing to analyze plasma,as well as oral and anal swab samples,from 105 healthy asymptomatic tree shrews to identify the presence of potential zoonotic viruses.In total,eight mammalian viruses with complete genomes were identified,belonging to six viral families,including Flaviviridae,Hepeviridae,Parvovirinae,Picornaviridae,Sedoreoviridae,and Spinareoviridae.Notably,the presence of rotavirus was recorded in tree shrews for the first time.Three viruses-hepacivirus 1,parvovirus,and picornavirus-exhibited low genetic similarity(<70%)with previously reported viruses at the whole-genome scale,indicating novelty.Conversely,three other viruses-hepacivirus 2,hepatovirus A and hepevirus-exhibited high similarity(>94%)to known viral strains.Phylogenetic analyses also revealed that the rotavirus and mammalian orthoreovirus identified in this study may be novel reassortants.These findings provide insights into the diverse viral spectrum present in captive Chinese tree shrews,highlighting the necessity for further research into their potential for crossspecies transmission.

Lignans are the main active components of Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus for liver disease treatment:a review

As a traditional Chinese herbal medicine,Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus(SC)has been used in medicine and food industry due to its health care and therapeutic effects.Over the past 20 years,the use of SC and its active ingredient lignans in the prevention and treatment of liver diseases has been increasing,and their hepatoprotective effects has increased the interest of the public and academia.Therefore,in the present work,we first determined the effectiveness of SC in the treatment of liver diseases such as metabolic associated fatty liver disease,alcoholic liver disease,cholestatic liver disease and acute liver injury.Subsequently,the pharmacological effects and molecular mechanisms of lignans,the active components of SC,for liver disease treatment were comprehensively summarized for the first time.The results showed that the lignans in SC could achieve hepatoprotective effects by regulating lipid metabolism,anti-fibrosis,anti-inflammation,anti-oxidation,anti-tumor and regulating bile acid metabolism.The mechanism mainly involved adenosine 5’-monophosphate-activated protein kinase,endoplasmic reticulum stress,sterol regulatory element binding protein 1c,autophagy,transforming growth factor-β,mitogen-activated protein kinase,microRNA,nuclear factor kappa-B,nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2,heat shock proteins and pregnane X receptor signaling pathways.These results can lay a scientific foundation for the development of hepatoprotective drugs or functional foods from SC/lignans.

Allotetraploidization event of Coptis chinensis shared by all Ranunculales

Coptis chinensis Franch.,also named Chinese goldthread is a member of Ranunculaceae in the order Ranunculales and represents an important lineage of early eudicots with traditional medicinal value.In our study,by using syntenic analysis combined with phylogenomic analysis of C.chinensis and four other representative genomes from basal and core eudicots,we confirmed that the WGD event in C.chinensis was shared by Aquilegia coerulea and Papaver somniferum L.and quickly occurred after Ranunculales diverged from other eudicots,likely a Ranunculales common tetraploidization(RCT).The synonymous nucleotide substitutions at synonymous sites distribution of syntenic blocks across these genomes showed that the evolutionary rate of the P.somniferum genome is faster than that of the C.chinensis genome by approximately 13.7%,possibly due to Papaveraceaes having an additional special tetraploidization event(PST).After Ks correction,the RCT dated to 115—130 million years ago(MYA),which was close to the divergence of Ranunculaceaes and Papaveraceaes approximately115.45—130.51 MYA.Moreover,we identified homologous genes related to polyploidization and speciation and constructed multiple sequence alignments with different reference genomes.Notably,the event-related subgenomes in the basal genomes all showed genomic fractionation bias,suggesting a likely allopolyploid nature of the RCT,PST and T-Alpha and T-Beta events in Tetracentron sinense.In addition,we detected that the sixteen P450 subfamilies were markedly expanded in the genomes of Ranunculales,and most of them were related to the RCT and PST events.We constructed a new platform for Early Eudicot Comparative Genomic Research(http://www.cgrpoee.top/index.html)to store more information.In summary,our findings support the WGD of C.chinensis shared by Ranunculales,which is likely an allotetraploidization event.This present effort offered new insights into the evolution of key polyploidization events and the genes related to secondary metabolites during the diversification of early eudicots.

Parent-offspring relationship recognition based on SSR and mtDNA confirmed resource supplement effect of Fenneropenaeus chinensis release

The resource of Fenneropenaeus chinensis has declined sharply due to excessive fishing intensity,ecological changes and diseases.In order to supplement the fishing yield and restore resources of F.chinensis,the relevant authorities have carried out the activities of stock enhancement and releasing.It can increase biomass and recover resources.However,compared with increasing biomass,there were still few reports on its effect on the recovery of resources.Resource recovery is a process related to whether the released individuals can form a reproductive population.Up to now,there has been a lack of evidence whether the released F.chinensis can complete the entire life history,and form reproduction population.In this study,gravid female shrimp after spawning migration were captured from coastal waters of Haiyang,Qingdao,and Yellow Sea.After identifying parentage relationships using simple sequence repeat(SSR)and mtDNA haplotype,it was finally confirmed that there were eight released individuals in the recapture samples.It was confirmed for the first time that at least part of the released F.chinensis can complete overwintering and reproductive migration,and maintain the migration habits as their wild counterparts.Therefore,we infered that the released shrimp can reproduce under natural conditions,these F.chinensis can form reproductive populations theoretically if without human intervention.These results indicated that enhancenment and release activities have a positive effect on resource recovery.

Antioxidant and lipoxygenase inhibitory properties of a novel flavonoid from Pistacia chinensis Bunge and its molecular docking analysis

Background:Pistacia chinensis Bunge has been traditionally used to manage various conditions,including asthma,pain,inflammation,hepatoprotection,and diabetes.The study was conducted to investigate the antioxidant and anti-lipoxygenase(LOX)properties of the isolated compound 2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-5,7-dihydroxy-4H-chromen-4-one from Pistacia chinensis.Methods:LOX assay and antioxidant activity using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl(DPPH)assay were performed.Molecular docking studies were conducted using a molecular operating environment.Results:The LOX assay revealed significant inhibitory effects at 0.2µM concentration,with an IC50 value of 37.80µM.The antioxidant effect demonstrated dose-dependency across 5 to 100µg/mL concentrations,reaching 93.09%at 100µg/mL,comparable to ascorbic acid’s 95.43%effect.Molecular docking studies highlighted strong interactions with the lipoxygenase enzyme,presenting an excellent docking score of-10.98 kcal/mol.Conclusion:These findings provide valuable insights into Pistacia chinensis’chemical components and biological effects,reinforcing its traditional medicinal applications.

Summer Warming Limited Bud Output Drives a Decline in Daughter Shoot Biomass through Reduced Photosynthetis of Parent Shoots in Leymus chinensis Seedlings

Understanding how summer warming influences the parent and daughter shoot production in a perennial clonal grass is vital for comprehending the response of grassland productivity to global warming.Here,we conducted a simulated experiment using potted Leymus chinensis,to study the relationship between the photosynthetic activ-ity of parent shoots and the production of daughter shoots under a whole(90 days)summer warming scenario(+3°C).The results showed that the biomass of parents and buds decreased by 25.52%and 33.45%,respectively,under warming conditions.The reduction in parent shoot biomass due to warming directly resulted from decreased leaf area(18.03%),chlorophyll a(18.27%),chlorophyll b(29.21%)content,as well as a reduction in net photosynthetic rate(7.32%)and the maximum quantum efficiency of photosystem II(PSII)photochemistry(4.29%).The decline in daughter shoot biomass was linked to a decrease in daughter shoot number(33.33%)by warming.However,the number of belowground buds increased by 46.43%.The results indicated that long-term summer warming reduces biomass accumulation in parent shoot by increasing both limitation of stoma and non-stoma.Consequently,the parent shoot allocates relatively more biomass to the belowground organs to maintain the survival and growth of buds.Overall,buds,as a potential aboveground population,could remedy for the cur-rent loss of parent shoot density by increasing the number of future daughter shoots if summer warming subsides.

Network pharmacology combined with molecular docking revealed the potential targets of Coridius chinensis in prostate cancer treatment

BACKGROUND Prostate cancer(PCa)has high morbidity and mortality rates in elderly men.With a history of thousands of years,traditional Chinese medicine derived from insects could be an important source for developing cancer-targeted drugs to prevent tumorigenesis,enhance therapeutic effects,and reduce the risk of recurrence and metastasis.Multiple studies have shown that Coridius chinensis(Cc)has anticancer effects.AIM To elucidate the mechanism of action of Cc against PCa via network pharma-cology and molecular docking.METHODS Potential targets for Cc and PCa were predicted using ChemDraw 19.0 software,the PharmMapper database and the GeneCards database.Then,the STRING database was used to construct the protein–protein interaction network.Gene Ontology(GO),Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)enrichment and molecular docking analyses were subsequently conducted to identify the key targets,active ingredients and pathways involved.RESULTS GO and KEGG analyses indicated that the PI3K-Akt signalling pathway was the critical pathway(P value<1.0×10-8).Multiple targeting ingredients that can affect multiple pathways in PCa have been identified in Cc.Seven active compounds(asponguanosines A,asponguanine B,asponguanine C,aspong-pyrazine A,N-acetyldopamine,aspongadenine B and aspongpyrazine B)were selected for molecular docking with 9 potential targets,and the results revealed that aspongpyrazine A and asponguanosine A are the main components by which Cc affects PCa(affinity<-5 kcal/mol,hydrogen bonding),but more studies are needed.CONCLUSION We used network pharmacology to predict the bioactive components and important targets of Cc for the treatment of PCa,supporting the development of Cc as a natural anticancer agent.

Based on non-targeted metabolomics for differential components screening of Rosae Chinensis Flos and Rosae Rugosae Flos and their quality evaluation

Background:Rosa chinensis Jacq.and Rosa rugosa Thunb.are not only of ornamental value,but also edible flowers and the flower buds have been listed in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia as traditional medicines.The two plants have some differences in efficacy,but the flower buds are easily confused for similar traits.In addition,large-scale cultivation of ornamental rose flowers may lead to a decrease in the effective components of medicinal roses.Therefore,it is necessary to study the chemical composition and make quality evaluation of Rosae Chinensis Flos(Yueji)and Rosae Rugosae Flos(Meigui).Methods:In this study,40 batches of samples including Meigui and Yueji from different regions in China were collected to establish high-performance liquid chromatography fingerprints.Then,the fingerprints data was analyzed using principal component analysis,hierarchical cluster analysis,and partial least squares discriminant analysis analysis chemometrics to obtain information on intergroup differences,and non-targeted metabolomic techniques were applied to identify and compare chemical compositions of samples which were chosen from groups with large differences.Differential compounds were screened by orthogonal partial least-squares discriminant analysis and S-plot,and finally multi-component quantification was performed to comprehensively evaluate the quality of Yueji and Meigui.Results:The similarity between the fingerprints of 40 batches roses and the reference print R was 0.73 to 0.93,indicating that there were similarities and differences between the samples.Through principal component analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis of fingerprints data,the samples from different origins and varieties were intuitively divided into four groups.Partial least-squares discriminant analysis analysis showed that Meigui and Yueji cluster into two categories and the model was reliable.A total of 89 compounds were identified by high resolution mass spectrometry,mainly were flavonoids and flavonoid glycosides,as well as phenolic acids.Eight differential components were screened out by orthogonal partial least-squares discriminant analysis and S-plot analysis.Quantitative analyses of the eight compounds,including gallic acid,ellagic acid,hyperoside,isoquercitrin,etc.,showed that Yueji was generally richer in phenolic acids and flavonoids than Meigui,and the quality of Yueji from Shandong and Hebei was better.It is worth noting that Xinjiang rose is rich in various components,which is worth focusing on more in-depth research.Conclusion:In this study,the fingerprints of Meigui and Yueji were established.The chemical components information of roses was further improved based on non-targeted metabolomics and mass spectrometry technology.At the same time,eight differential components of Meigui and Yueji were screened out and quantitatively analyzed.The research results provided a scientific basis for the quality control and rational development and utilization of Rosae Chinensis Flos and Rosae Rugosae Flos,and also laid a foundation for the study of their pharmacodynamic material basis.

The mechanism of Callistephus chinensis flavonoid compounds in the treatment of diabetes using network pharmacology and molecular docking

The purpose of this project is used for exploring the mechanism of Callistephus chinensis in the treatment of diabetes by network pharmacology and molecular docking methods.The target of Callistephus chinensis was obtained from SwissTargetPrediction database,while the target related to diabetes was obtained from GeneCards and OMIM databases.The target was added in String database to build the protein interaction network.GO biological process enrichment analysis and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis were carried out by Metascape software,then the target-pathway network was constructed.Molecular docking was carried out in Discovery Studio 2016 Client software to verify the binding force of Callistephus chinensis flavonoid compounds with key targets.In this study,10 potential active components were selected from the flavonoid monomer compounds of Callistephus chinensis.1847 biological processes(BP),126 cell compositions(CC)and 256 molecular functions(MF)were obtained by GO enrichment analysis;a total of 194 pathways were involved in KEGG enrichment analysis of 192 cross targets.Network analysis showed that quercetin was the main active component of flavonoids in the treatment of diabetes,AKT1,TNF,VEGFA,EGFR,SRC and other related signals were in relation to the treatment of diabetes.This study showed that Callistephus chinensis flavonoid compounds play a role in the treatment of diabetes by regulating multi-target and multi-pathway.

油茶象甲Curculio chinensis基因组Survey测序分析

油茶象甲Curculio chinensis Chevrolat是危害中国特有木本油料树种——油茶的专性蛀果害虫,也是中国林业危险性有害生物之一,在中国不同油茶产区均有分布,对油茶的为害呈加重趋势。为了深入研究其遗传基础和寄主适应性,确定适合鞘翅目象甲科基因组测序研究策略,首先采取Survey测序,之后做深度基因组测序和大规模种群测序。研究采用二代高通量测序技术(MGISEQ-2000),测定了油茶象甲基因组大小,并估计该物种基因组的杂合度、重复率和GC含量。结果显示:油茶象甲基因组大小约为1356.82 Mb,测序深度达到50×;K-mer分析油茶象甲基因组虽然具有杂合峰,但杂合率较低,为1.20%;基因组重复序列含量约为77%。该研究结果对于揭示油茶象甲适应性进化具有重要意义,可为后续构建完整基因组和多种群基因组测序提供策略选择依据。

中华白海豚(Sousa chinensis)组织中多氯联苯的研究

以珠江口海域的两头中华白海豚为研究对象,采用气相色谱法分析了海豚组织中多氯联苯(PCBs)的含量分布特征和毒性水平。结果表明,PCBs在海豚10种不同组织中的含量范围为25.1—85567.3ng/g,PCBs含量最高的组织为额隆和皮肤,其次为肝脏、肌肉、心脏、睾丸和脑,最低的为肺、胃和肾脏;PCBs同系物和同族物在海豚不同组织中的分布特征相似,同系物中以PCB101+113和PCB153所占总量的百分比最大,在10.25%—51.70%之间;在同族物中以含在同族物中以5个氯原子和6个氯原子的PCBs为主,所占百分比均在23.53%—60.06%之间;运用二毒性当量(TEQ)评价了中华白海豚不同组织中PCBs的毒性,其TEQs范围为55.9—68191.0pg/g,其中皮肤TEQs含量最高。TEQs主要来自非邻位取代的PCBs,占总量的74.15%—99.62%,其中来自PCB 126的占34.11%—96.51%。与世界其他海域海豚的PCBs污染水平相比,成年中华白海豚受PCBs污染严重,其体内的PCBs含量和毒性当量均已超出安全浓度范围,对其健康已造成威胁。

海州湾中国毛虾(Acetes chinensis)种群生物学特征和资源开发状态研究

为掌握我国限额捕捞物种海州湾中国毛虾(Acetes chinensis)的资源动态,于2020、2021年6~7月分别采集了1094、1700尾中国毛虾样本,测定其体长、体质量和性别等特征,并运用FiSATⅡ软件对生长、死亡参数及资源利用水平等进行评估。结果显示:2020、2021年限额捕捞期间其平均体长分别为32.30、35.73 mm,雌雄性比分别为1.52︰1、1.62︰1,体长大于35 mm的毛虾中雌性比例分别为98.5%、90.0%,并得出了体质量-体长关系式;2020、2021年自然死亡系数(M)分别为0.55、0.61 month^(-1),捕捞死亡系数(F)分别为0.62、0.27 month^(-1);2020、2021年开捕体长(L_(c))分别为26.28、29.73 mm,均小于最适开捕体长(L_(opt))33 mm;2020、2021年资源开发率(E)分别为0.53、0.31,均小于当年E_(0.1)(0.60、0.77),表明海州湾中国毛虾资源尚未过度捕捞。鉴于我国实施伏季休渔期毛虾限额捕捞的规模不断扩大,应谨慎增加捕捞努力量,将开发率E有效控制在E_(0.1)以内。

Structural characteristics,anticoagulant and antithrombotic mechanism of a novel polysaccharide from Rosa Chinensis Flos

This is the first report on a polysaccharide(RCJ2-Ib)isolated from Rosa Chinensis Flos.RCJ2-Ib was obtained through the extraction with water,precipitation with ethanol,separation with DEAE-52 column and purification with DEAE-Sepharose Fast Flow column and Sephadex G100 column.GC,FT-IR and NMR analyses revealed that RCJ2-Ib(3.3 k Da)was a 1,4-linked polymannuronic acid containing substantialβ-Danomers units.The anticoagulant effect of RCJ2-Ib evaluated by using rabbit ear venous blood and an acute blood stasis rat model showed that RCJ2-Ib had obvious anticoagulant activity in regulating endogenous and exogenous coagulation pathways and reducing serum thromboxane B2 and endothelin-1.In addition,RCJ2-Ib could also increase the number of Lactobacillus and Escherichia coli.As a result,RCJ2-Ib has the potential to inhibit thrombosis and maintain the intestinal environment.

中国蛤蜊Mactra chinensis Philippi稚贝运动行为学初步研究

为从行为学角度解释中国蛤蜊(Mactra chinensis Philippi)的跑滩现象,研究了规格、温度对其跳跃行为以及底质、流速和周期性干露对其潜沙行为的影响。结果表明,中国蛤蜊运动能力与其规格和水温有关, 3 mm稚贝不具备跳跃能力, 5 mm以上具备跳跃能力;跳跃频率和高度随水温的升高呈上升趋势。中国蛤蜊稚贝潜沙比例均随时间推移逐渐上升;各时间节点中国蛤蜊稚贝在细沙底质的潜沙比例最高,中沙底质次之,粗沙底质最低。施加微弱水流后,中国蛤蜊稚贝潜沙速度和比例显著增加;流速增大到一定程度后部分稚贝被水流冲走,潜沙比例随之下降。周期性干露会导致中国蛤蜊稚贝从底质中爬出,干露时间越长,爬出比例越高。干露后的稚贝重新放置于海水中,部分稚贝会在水面漂浮一段时间后再下落至水底,漂浮比例随干露时间的增加而增加。本研究从行为学角度初步查明了中国蛤蜊跑滩现象,为解决中国蛤蜊防跑滩问题提供了思路。

Virulence changes in Vibrio parahaemolyticus during the freezing of Penaeus chinensis

Although Vibrio parahaemolyticus has become the most common pathogen in fresh and frozen seafood,its virulence changes have often been ignored during the processing of seafood.To investigate these potential risks,we used frozen Penaeus chinensis as examples,and the most virulent factors of V.parahaemolyticus,including amounts,viable but nonculturable(VBNC)status,toxins TDH and TRH,and virulence genes tdh and trh,were determined.Bacterial quantities were signifi cantly reduced during drain and sprinkling phases,but caused by different factors.By SYTO9 and PI staining showed that washing was the main reason for the bacterial reduction at the drain phase,while the strain entering VBNC state was another reason at sprinkling phase.Their hemolysis toxicity,produced by TDH and TRH,became stronger after inoculation on shrimp,and could be detected throughout the process.Moreover,tdh and trh also exhibited trends similar to that of the hemolysis toxicity test.tdh was almost to a two-fold expression level during ice-glazing phase,while trh only express at a low level,less than half of the expression level before inoculation.These results demonstrated that the strains were not dead during freezing process,but became VBNC cells,which still produced and accumulated toxins,especially TDH,the most virulent factor.

A preliminary investigation on genetic diversity of Sousa chinensis in the Pearl River Estuary and Xiamen of Chinese waters

In this study, the mitochondrial DNA （mtDNA） control region and the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene of stranded Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin （Sousa chinensis） samples from the Pearl River Estuary and Xiamen waters were sequenced and analyzed. The result of mtDNA control region revealed 34 variable sites and four unique haplotypes （named as A, B, C and D） identified among the total samples from these two water areas, and the most common haplotype （A） was shared by 75% of the dolphins sampled from the two water areas. The haplotypic diversity （h） was 0.455 and the nucleodde diversity （π） was 0.0088. The phylogenetic analysis showed that the haplotype A, C, and D were closely related, but the haplotype B （unique for XM01 from Xiamen） was far from the other three. By scanning cytochrome b fragments, two haplotypes （A and B） were identified in these two water areas, and the most common haplotype （A） was shared by 91.67% individuals, while XM01 from Xiamen as the only exception. The data suggest that there is a possibility of gene exchange between the two populations in the Pearl River Estuary and Xiamen waters, and there possibly exists a unique maternal lineage in Xiamen waters.

Polyphenols and pectin enriched golden kiwifruit (Actinidia chinensis) alleviates high fructose-induced glucolipid disorders and hepatic oxidative damage in rats:in association with improvement of fatty acids metabolism

This study aimed to investigate the protective effects of fleshes from two Actinidia chinensis(ACF), pericarps from two A. chinensis(ACP), and fleshes with pericarps from two A. chinensis(ACFP)on high fructose(HF)-instigated dyslipidemia, hepatic steatosis, oxidative stress, insulin resistance, and fatty acid metabolism disorders in rats. In general, the above abnormalities were improved after 10 weeks intervention of ACF, ACP, and ACFP. Especially, ACFP considerably ameliorated HF-induced abnormal changes in body weight gain, serum TC, TG, LDL-C and HDL-C levels, as well as serum and hepatic SFAs, MUFAs and PUFAs contents. ACFP also alleviated HF-induced hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia, stabilized HF-caused increase in hepatic MDA and serum ALT, AST levels, and restored HF-declined hepatic T-SOD and GSH-Px activities. Besides, histopathology of the liver further endorsed the protective effects of ACFP on hepatocellular injury. Moreover, ACFP increased HF-dropped acetic, propionic and butyric acid levels. Overall, ACFP employs more efficacious protective effects against HF-induced metabolic disorders and liver damage than ACF and ACP. This study delivers a scientific foundation for developing kiwifruit(counting peel)-based dietary supplements for those with glucolipid-metabolic disorders and liver damage.

Molecular identification and biochemical characteristics of a delta class glutathione S-transferase gene(FcδGST)from Chinese shrimp Fenneropenaeus chinensis

Glutathione S-transferases(GSTs)are a superfamily of multifunction enzymes involved in the regulation of redox homeostasis and innate immune responses against various pathogenic infections in marine invertebrates.In the present study,a delta class GST gene(designated as FcδGST)was cloned from Fenneropenaeus chinensis using rapid amplification of c DNA ends(RACE)technology.The complete cDNA sequence of FcδGST was 780 bp in length,which includes a 27-bp 5′non-coding region(UTR),a 117-bp 3′UTR,a 636-bp open reading frame(ORF),and a polyadenylate signal site(AATAAA)presented at the upstream of poly A tail.The FcδGST gene encoded 211 amino acids peptide,including a GST_N domain and a GST_C domain,and exhibited high similarity with previously reported delta GSTs.The predicted molecular mass of FcδGST protein was 23.39 kDa,and its theoretical isoelectric point(pI)was 5.34.The FcδGST mRNA transcripts were ubiquitously expressed in all the tested tissues,with the highest expression level in hemocytes and hepatopancreas.During the stimulation of Vibrio anguillarum or white spot syndrome virus(WSSV),the m RNA expression of FcδGST in hemocytes and hepatopancreas revealed significant up-regulation.The purified recombinant FcδGST protein(designated as rFcδGST)exhibited specific catalytic activity against 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene(CDNB)substrate with relatively low stable enzymatic activities.These results indicated that FcδGST was a fragile but typical novel delta class GST member and potentially involved in the innate immune responses of F.chinensis.

Effects of water and salt for groundwater-soil systems on root growth and architecture of Tamarix chinensis in the Yellow River Delta,China

To test the patterns of the root morphology and architecture indexes of Tamarix chinensis in response to water and salt changes in the two media of the groundwater and soil,three-year-old T.chinensis seedlings were chosen as the research object.Groundwater with four salinity levels was created,and three groundwater level(GL)were applied for each salinity treatment to measure the root growth and architecture indexes.In the fresh water and brackish water treatments,the topological index(TI)of the T.chinensis roots was close to 0.5,and the root architecture was close to a dichotomous branching pattern.In the saline water and saltwater treatments,the TI of the T.chinensis roots was large and close to 1.0,and the root architecture was close to a herringbone-like branching pattern.Under different GLs and salinities,the total root length was significantly greater than the internal link length,the external link length was greater than the internal link length,and the root system showed an outward expansion strategy.The treatment with fresh water and a GL of 1.5 m was the most suitable for T.chinensis root growth,while the root growth of T.chinensis was the worst in the treatment with saline water and a GL of 0.3 m.T.chinensis can adapt to the changes in soil water and salt by regulating the growth and morphological characteristics of the root system.T.chinensis can adapt to high-salt environments by reducing its root branching and to water deficiencies by expanding the distribution and absorption area of the root system.