Assembly and analysis of the Populus deltoides mitochondrial genome:the first report of a multicircular mitochondrial conformation for the genus Populus

Genomics research of Populus deltoides,an important timber species that is widely planted worldwide,is an important part of poplar breeding.Currently,the nuclear and chloroplast genome of P.deltoides have been sequenced,but its mitochondrial genome(mitogenome)has not been reported.To further explore the evolution and phylogeny of P.deltoides,the mitogenome of P.deltoides I-69 was assembled using reads from Nanopore and Illumina sequencing platforms and found to consist of 802,637 bp and three circular chromosomes(336,205,280,841,and 185,591 bp)containing 58 genes(34 protein-coding genes,21 tRNA genes,and 3 rRNA genes).RNA analysis in combination with several species showed signifi cantly fewer RNA editingsites in the mitogenomes of poplar and other angiosperms than in gymnosperms.Sequence transfer analysis showed extensive mitogenome rearrangements in Populus species,and with evolution from lower to higher plants,tRNA transfer from chloroplasts to mitochondria became increasingly frequent.In a phylogenetic analysis,the evolutionary status of P.deltoides was determined,and the section Populus was supported.Our results based on the fi rst report of a multicircular conformation of the Populus mitogenome provide a basis for further study of the evolution and genetics of P.deltoides and other Populus species and for breeding programs.

Isolation and characterization of two genes encoding polygalacturonase-inhibiting protein from Populus deltoides

Polygalacturonase-inhibiting proteins （PGIPs） are extracellular proteins that belong to the leucine-rich repeat （LRR） protein superfamily. PGIPs inhibit fungal polygalacturonases （PGs） and promote accumulation of oligogalacturonides, which activate plant defense responses. PGIPs play important roles in resistance to infection of pathogens. In this study, reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction （RT-PCR） and RNA ligase-mediated rapid amplification of cDNA ends （RLM-RACE） were used to isolate the full-length PGIP cDNA from Populus deltoides （GenBank accession no. of PdPGIP2 and PdPGIP4：EF684913 and EF684912）. Domain analysis revealed that the deduced amino acid sequences of PdPGIP2 and PdPGIP4 had a typical PGIP topology. Phylogenetic analysis of known PGIPs indicated that the two PdPGIPs were clustered to the defense-related PGIP clade. Using real-time RT-PCR, the expression patterns of the two PdPGIPs following treatment with a fungal pathogen and defense-related signaling molecules were studied. The expression levels of PdPGIP2 and PdPGIP4 were both up-regulated when inoculated with the phytopathogenic fungus Marssonina brunnea. Therefore, it was proposed that the two PGIPs might be involved in the resistance to Marssonina brunnea in P. deltoides.

Morphological and physiological plasticity response to low nitrogen stress in black cottonwood(Populus deltoides Marsh.)

It is important to evaluate nitrogen use efficiency and nitrogen tolerance of trees in order to improve their productivity.In this study,both were evaluated for 338 Populus deltoides genotypes from six provenances.The plants were cultured under normal nitrogen(750μM NH_4 NO_3)and low nitrogen(5μM NH_4 NO_3)conditions for 3 months.Growth,chlorophyll content and glutamine synthetase activity of each genotype were measured.Under low nitrogen,heights,ground diameter,leaf area,leaf and root biomass,and chlorophyll contents were significantly lower than those under normal nitrogen level.Correlation analysis showed that nutrient distribution changed under different nitrogen treatments.There was a negative correlation between leaf traits and root biomass under normal nitrogen level,however,the correlation became positive in low nitrogen treatment.Moreover,with the decrease of nitrogen level,the negative correlation between leaf morphology and chlorophyll levels became weakened.The growth of the genotypes under the two treatments was evaluated by combining principal component analysis with a fuzzy mathematical membership function;the results showed that leaf traits accounted for a large proportion of the variation in the evaluation model.According to the results of comprehensive evaluation of plants under the two treatments,the 338 P.deltoides genotypes could be divided into nine categories,with wide genotypic diversity in nitrogen use efficiency and low nitrogen tolerance.As a result,26 N-efficient genotypes and 24 N-inefficient genotypes were selected.By comparative analysis of their morphological and physiological traits under the two treatments,leaf traits could be significant indicators for nitrogen use efficiency and nitrogen tolerance,which is of considerable significance for breeding poplar varieties with high nitrogen use efficiencies.

Characterization and identification of leaf morphology of Populus deltoides Bartr. clones

Leaves are of fundamental importance to plants, representing their facility to generate power and are the sensing units of plants towards the environment. An attempt was made to characterize and compare the variations of leaf morphology of various Populus deltoides Bartr. clones by studying the winter buds and other leaf parameters of fully developed leaves. To achieve these objectives, forty-three exotic and indigenous clones ofP. deltoides Bartr. were evaluated for different parameters. On the basis of various morphological characteristics the results reveal that each clone has a distinct color pattern of leaves. Different colors observed in these clones varied from light green through green to dark green. Two distinct lengths of the leaf apex were found, i.e., short and long; as well both acuminate and acute apex types were found. Erratic distribution of serration of leaves was also found. In this study, the morphological traits of leaves provided discriminatory grounds for separating various populations of P. deltoides Bartr. clones. Winter bud studies indicate that different clones vary considerably with regard to shape, color, shape of leaf scars and exudation.

Compressive Strength Parallel to Grain Variation of Different Clones of Populus deltoides Marsh.

In order to explore the differences in the compressive strength parallel to grain （CSPG） between different clones and individual woods of Populus deltoides Marsh., the CSPGs of 5 15-year-old P. deltoides clones were determined and analyzed. The results showed that there were significant differences in CSPG of wood between different clones of P. deltoides . The CSPG of the tested clones reached more than 41 MPa, which was higher than the average compressive strength of P. deltoides （32.94 MPa）. Similar to the changes of stem height, the CSPG of the clones gradually increased with the increase of stem height. However, there were significant differences in CSPG of an individual plant at different tree heights. The CSPG of P. deltoides clones was related with their growth traits, but not significantly. Therefore, it is expected to achieve simultaneous and independent improvement on CSPG and the growth of P. deltoides , so as to get excellent individuals with fast growth and high CSPG.

江苏省里下河沼泽地地下水位对Ⅰ-69杨生长的影响

长江中下游地区丰富的江河滩地和水网沼泽地是重要的土地资源,也是血吸虫(Schistosoma japonicum)病的主要发生区域。营造人工林有利于控制血吸虫的中间寄主钉螺(Oncomelania hupensis)的孳生,也有利于提高土地的生态效益和经济效益。耐湿树种的选择是滩地和沼泽地造林的重要环节。通过对江苏省里下河沼泽地主要造林树种I-69杨(Populus deltoides)的生长状况进行调查可知,在高水位(年平均地下水位-29cm,每年淹水1～2个月)、中水位(年平均地下水位-59cm,每年淹水0～10d)、低水位(年平均地下水位-87cm,常年不淹水)立地上,10a生的I-69杨平均树高分别为16.4m、19.8m、22.9m;平均胸径分别为12.8cm、18.2cm、21.2cm;平均蓄积量分别为67.9m3/hm2、193.1m3/hm2、313.6m3/hm2;地上部分生物量分别为51.8t/hm2、130.0t/hm2、201.4t/hm2;总生物量分别为67.1t/hm2、161.7t/hm2、241.2t/hm2。因此,I-69杨虽然具有较强的耐水能力,在地下水位较高的情况下,其生长也会受到明显抑制,这一结果将为今后湿地造林中的立地选择和树种选择提供参考。

美洲黑杨(中嘉8号)离体叶片再生研究

用中嘉8号杨[Populus deltoids(I-63×I-69)]试管苗叶片作外植体,在添加不同生长素和细胞分裂素浓度配比的1/2(N)MS培养基上,筛选出叶片直接分化不定芽的最适培养基1/2(N)MS+0.2 mg/L BA+0.02 mg/LNAA+25 g/L蔗糖+7 g/L琼脂,不定芽分化率为85%。同时发现,一定浓度的KT对生根具有促进作用,最适生根培养基为MS+0.08 mg/L KT+0.02 mg/L NAA+25 g/L蔗糖+8 g/L琼脂,生根率为82.2%。

Variation among poplar clones for growth and crown traits under field conditions at two sites of North-western India

We evaluated the growth and crown traits of 36 poplar clones at two distinct agro-climatic regions of Punjab （Ludhiana and Bathinda） in northwestern India, following randomized block design with three replications and plot size of four trees. Significant differences among clones （p〈0.001） were observed for diameter at breast height （DBH）, tree height, volume, crown width and number of branches under both the site conditions. Clones ‘G-3’, ‘25-N’ and ‘41-N’ at Ludhiana and ‘G-3’, ‘RD-01’ and ‘S7C8’ at Bathinda were found to be superior for volume production. All growth and crown traits registered significantly higher values at Ludhiana in comparison to those at Bathinda. Clone site interaction was also significant （p〈0.001）. For volume, clones ‘L-62/84’, ‘113520’, ‘25-N’ and ‘S4C2’ witnessed huge fluctuations in ranking between sites. The correlations between growth traits were positive and highly significant （p〈0.001） at both sites. The clonal mean heritability was moderate for DBH and volume both at Ludhiana （0.61–0.66） and Bathinda （0.61–0.62）. Across sites, the genetic advance was the highest for volume （49.76%） and the lowest （6.50%） in case of height.

Natural infectious behavior of the urediniospores of Melampsora larici-populina on poplar leaves

The uredinial stage in the life cycle of Melampsora larici-populina on poplar leaves is the most important pathogenic phase. We captured partial phases of uredinial infection in the wild, aiming to reconstruct the process of uredinial ontogeny by using scanning and transmission electron microscope. At the initial infection stage, germ tubes germinated from the echinulate urediniospores. Germ tubes were frequently seen to merge with the leaf surface and cuticle breakage was observed, indicating direct hyphal penetration. Stomata penetration occurred commonly, sometimes with more than one germ tube penetrating the same stoma. Melampsora larici-populina did not form appressoria in the infection process,implying that infectious behavior of this pathogen may differ from the other rust pathogens. In general, germ tubes branched randomly, and no distinct evidence indicated that stoma could induce or orient germ tube branches. However, oriented germ tube growth has been occasionally observed in other studies. The urediniospores collapsed and finally wizened when they became nutrient stressed. At the last stage of infection, the uredinia erupted from the leaf epidermis and appeared as orange pustules on the leaf surface.

A cDNA microarray analysis of the molecular control of poplar wood properties

Molecular biological research into wood development and formation has been the focus in recent years, but the pace of discovery of related genes and their functions in the control of wood properties has been slow. The microarray technique--with its advantages of high throughput capacity, sensitivity, and reliability over other tools developed for investigating genes expression patterns-is capable of rapidly assaying thousands of genes. In this study, a cDNA microarray prepared from two cDNA libraries of developing poplar xylem tissues was used to assay gene expression patterns in immature xylem tissues at different heights from the main stem of Populus deltoides （15 years old）, which was confirmed to have distinct wood properties （microfibrillar angle, woody density） by X-ray. Two hundred seventy-four transcripts with differ- ential expression profles between the chips were screened out, and the individual clones were subjected to 5＇ sequencing. Using bioinformatic analysis, we identified candidate genes that may influence poplar wood properties, many of which belong to various regulatory and signal transduction gene families, such as zinc finger protein transcription factor, DNA-binding transcription factor, ethylene response factors, and so on. The results suggest that these genes may regulate enzymes involved in wood formation. Further work will be performed to clone these genes and determine how they influence poplar wood properties.

Risk assessment in poplar plantations:a case study from northern Iran

Linear risk programming was used to determine the optimum cultivation pattern to increase incomes of poplar farmers.Seven clones of Populus deltoides Bartr.ex Marsh.were examined in Guilan province,northern Iran.Growth and price data were taken from previous research at the Safrabaste Poplar Research Station and in interviews with farmers.The Lingo software was used to analyze the data in different forms of E.The results show that when risk was considered,the optimal solution included the clones Pd63/51-x1,-Pd72/51-x3,Pd73/51-x4 and Pd79/51-x6.There was a high growth fluctuations of the clones Pd69/55-x2,Pd77.51-x5,and Pd caroliniensis-x7 and were not included in cultivation plans.Furthermore,the existing farm plans executed by local farmers,is neither profitoriented nor efficient in terms of income risk management according to risk efficient frontier.These results could help farmers with different levels of risk-aversion to select proper planting plans.

Influences of the Populus deltoids seedlings treated with exogenous methyl jasmonate on the growth and development of Lymantria dispar larvae

Lyantria dispar larvae were fed with the leaves of Populus deltoids seedlings exposed to methyl jasmonate （MeJA） for 24 h. The growth and development of the larvae were investigated, and phenolics contents in treated leaves including pyrocatechol, caffeic acid, coumarin, fernlic acid and benzoic acid were also surveyed by high-pressure liquid chromatography （HPLC）. Results indicated that approximate digestibility, efficiency of conversion of ingested food, efficiency of conversion of digested food, and weight of the larvae were inhibited obviously, especially from the sixth day, which may result from the increase of total phenolics contents in treated leaves. This result provides strong supports for MeJA acting as the airborne signal molecule between woody plants.

Ovipositional preference and larval performance of poplar defoliator,Clostera restitura on different poplar clones in north-western India

We evaluated ten poplar clones （G-3, G-48, L-50/88, L- 154/84, L-156/89, S7C8, S7C15 WSL-22, WSL-29 and Uday） for ovi- positional preference and larval performance of Clostera restitura. Fe- male moths did not show any preference with respect to clones for ovi- position. Significant differences were observed for number of eggs laid on different plant parts. C. restitura laid eggs in clusters, preferably on upper surface of leaf and size of the egg cluster varied from 15 to 167 eggs. Clones varied for their relative resistance and susceptibility to C. restitura. L-50/88; L-156/89 were identified as most resistant clone based on minimum leaf consumption, whereas S7C15 was found to be most susceptible clone to C. restitura. In multiple choice experiments, no feeding preference by C. restitura larvae was detected amongst different poplar clones. After initial settlement of larvae on a particular clone, the larvae remained confined to that clone and negligible inter-clonal move- ment was noticed subsequently. The fresh pupal weight was correlated negatively （r = -0.37） with percentage surface leaf area eaten and positively （r = 0.47） with length of larval period, measured on different clones. Relationship between percentage leaf area eaten and length of larval period was negative （r = -0.23）. Owing to relative resistance of L- 50/88 and L-156/89 against C. restitura, these clones can be recom- mended for plantation in defoliator prone areas in north-western India.

THE NATIONAL STANDARD OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA LOCATION OF POINTS

The writing style for the nomenclature ofthe points in this national standard consultedA Standard International Acupuncture Nomen-clature approved by the WHO Scientific Groupto Adopt a Standard International AcupuncureNomenclature. The Main Contents and the Range of Use This national standard specifies the me-thods for location of points and the standardlocation of 361 regular points and 48

Explanatory Variables as Evidence for Precision in Intramuscular Long-Acting Injections of Patients with Schizophrenia

Intramuscular injections can cause damage to arteries, veins and nerves. Achieving maximum effects of medications through precise intramuscular (IM) injections must be assured and with certainty, particularly with long-acting injection drugs (LAI). The purpose of this study is to determine precision in IM LAIs of patients with schizophrenia. These evidences estimate “Distance from the Epidermis to the Under-Fascia” (DEUF) and “Distance from Epidermis to the Upper-Arm Bone” (DEB) of the deltoid muscle. Explanatory variables include body height, weight, body-mass index (BMI), deltoid-muscle circumference, fat percentage and muscle mass measured by body composition monitor. Sixty nine subjects are included based on the Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV, 1994), and receive treatments of typical and atypical antipsychotic LAI. There are 46 males and 23 females with average age of 51.41 (Standard Deviation = 13.58) and ranging from 21 to 81 years who are all right-handed. Ultrasonographic data and those from explanatory variables are calculated using Spearman’s rank correlation coefficients. Multiple regression analysis (step-wise method/forced input method) is performed assuming DEUF or DEB as dependent variables. Significant correlations are found with highest adjusted R-square. Paired t-tests show differences in average values of actual ultrasonographic measurements assigned to DEUF or DEB, and the regression equations for accuracy. Ultrasonographic values are assigned multiple-regression equations as true values, and the calculated values are compared with those obtained by regression equations. There are no significant differences observed for either the right or left arm. The multiple regression equations for BMI and fat percentages (upper extremity estimation) of DEUF, and for BMI and injection site circumference of estimated DEB, successfully value the DEUF and DEB. By using these multiple regression equations for IM injection to the deltoid-muscle, DEUF can better ensure accurate LAI into the muscle through body monitor, DEB, and measured values of the deltoid-muscle injection site circumference.

TREATMENT OF PERIARTHRITIS OF THE SHOULDER WITH ACUPUNCTURE AT THE ZHONGPING(FOOT)EXTRAPOINT IN 345 CASES

Periatthritis of the Shoulder isadegenerative inflammatory disease of theshoulder,generally regarded as a result oflocal strain,trauma,or invasion of cold andwind.Sinee 1986,the authors treated 345eases of the disease,diagnostically eon-fin刀ed by the DePartment of Surgery,withacuPuneture at the ExtraPoint of ZhongPing(fo ot);the total effeetive rate was 99.1%,and the rate of elinical cures 73.9%.Patients Cadres 141 cases,workers

SUPPLEMENTARY COMMENTS ON THE STANDARDIZATION OF AURICULAR POINTS

This paper is intended to supplement accurate descriptions concerning auricular point loca-tion and provide studies in establishing basic landmarks of the auricle. This paper mainly discusses the medial border of helix, antihelix peak, scapha groove, antihelix scapha border, cymba concha border of the antihelix, deltoid fossa border of the antihelix, cymba concha folding line, cymba concha border of the antitragus, upper line of ear lobe, and the anterior border of tragus.

Ankle injuries in athletes:A review of the literature

Ankle injuries are commonplace in the athletic population, with lateral ligamentsprains accounting for the majority of them. The medial ligament complex, thedistal tibiofibular syndesmosis as well as any of the bones that constitute the anklejoint can also be injured. Typical mechanisms of injury include inversion-plantarflexionand external rotation on a supinated, dorsiflexed or pronated foot. Lesionsof the ankle present with similar symptoms of pain, swelling and tenderness.Therefore, a thorough history and physical examination must be obtained to makethe correct diagnosis. This is especially critical for athletes as certain injuries canlead to termination of their career if not treated accurately on time. Imaging maybe useful in some cases to confirm or rule out differential diagnoses. Most injuriescan be managed conservatively using the Protection, Rest, Ice, Compression andElevation protocol followed by a comprehensive rehabilitation programme.Surgery is reserved for grade III ligament tears that are refractory to initial nonoperativetreatment and displaced fractures that are unlikely to unite withoutsurgical intervention. The objective of this review is to discuss the common ankleinjuries encountered in the athletic population and the approaches to theirdiagnosis and management.