Phytoplankton community,structure and succession delineated by partial least square regression in Daya Bay,South China Sea

Daya Bay is facing the influence of human activities and nature changes, which result in phytoplankton adjusting to the changing environment. The data about environmental changes and phytoplankton were obtained from four seasonal cruises in 2013 in the bay. It is helpful to explore seasonal succession of phytoplankton driven by the determining environmental factors in this bay. Temperature is a significant indicator of season change. The limiting factor of phytoplankton growth totally changed from P (PO₄-P) limiting during the southwest monsoon to Si (SiO₃-Si) limiting during northeast monsoon. The order of diatoms and dinoflagellates was the dominant phytoplankton groups in Daya Bay. The dominant species included chain-forming diatoms (Skeletonema, Pseudo-nitzschia, Thalassionema, Chaetoceros and Rhizosolenia) were found all the year round and filamentous cyanobacteria (Trichodesmium) in spring and autumn. Partial least square regression (PLS) found that salinity, temperature and nutrients were important driving force for phytoplankton seasonal succession.

     

广州市黄花社区登记糖尿病患者的屈光不正患病率及相关因素的横断面研究

目的　了解广州市社区50岁以上2型糖尿病患者屈光不正的患病率及其相关影响因素。方法　以社区参与慢病管理的糖尿病患者为研究对象的横断面研究。抽取2019年1月至2021年5月在广州市越秀区黄花社区卫生服务中心登记的50岁以上2型糖尿病患者,了解受检者的一般情况、生化检测和糖化血红蛋白浓度等。所有受检者都接受了视力和眼部检查,包括验光检查。采用独立样本t检验、χ²检验和多因素logistic回归分析进行分析。结果　共有454例2型糖尿病患者参加了本研究,186例男性（41.0%）,年龄（65.70±8.27）岁,糖尿病病程（9.46±7.28）年。该人群中近视、远视、散光相应的患病率为22.7%（95%CI：18.8%～26.6%）、47.6%（95%CI：43.0%～52.2%）、50.7%（95%CI：46.0%～55.3%）,其中远视患病率随着年龄的增长而上升（P<0.05）。多因素回归分析发现,近视仅与教育水平有关（P<0.05）,远视与年龄、糖尿病病程有关（均P<0.05）,散光、屈光参差均仅与年龄有关（均P<0.05）。结论　黄花社区2型糖尿病患者屈光不正患病率较高,其中教育水平是近视的影响因素;年龄及糖尿病病程是远视的影响因素;年龄是散光及屈光参差的影响因素。     

Coordinated responses of phytochelatin synthase and metallothionein genes in black mangrove, Avicennia germinans, exposed to cadmium and copper

To evaluate the role of phytochelatins and metallothioneins in heavy metal tolerance of black mangrove Avicennia germinans, 3-month-old seedlings were exposed to cadmium or copper for 30 h, under hydroponic conditions. Degenerate Mt2 and PCS primers were synthesized based on amino acid and nucleotide alignment sequences reported for Mt2 and PCS in other plant species found in GenBank. Total RNA was isolated from A. germinans leaves and two partial fragments of metallothionein and phytochelatin synthase genes were isolated. Gene expression was evaluated with reverse transcripatase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) amplification technique. Temporal analysis showed that low Cd2+ and Cu2+ concentrations caused a slight (but not significant) increase in AvMt2 expression after a 16 h exposure time, while AvPCS expression showed a significant increase under the same conditions but only after 4h. Results strongly suggest that the rapid increase in AvPCS expression may contribute to Cd2+ and Cu2+ detoxification. Moreover, we found that A. germinans has the capacity to over-express both genes (AvMt2 and AvPCS), which may constitute a coordinated detoxification response mechanism targeting non-essential metals. Nonetheless, our results confirm that AvPCS was the most active gene involved in the regulation of essential metals (e.g., Cu2+) in A. germinans leaves.     

Investigation on bacterial community and diversity in the multilayer aquifer-aquitard system of the Pearl River Delta,China

Bacteria play an important role in groundwater chemistry. The groundwater resource in the Pearl River Delta (PRD) is responsible for 50 million people’s water requirement. High amount of ammonium, arsenic and methane had been reported in groundwater of the PRD, which was considered as the result of intensive bacterial metabolism in the multilayer aquifer-aquitard system. To investigate bacterial community in this system and its relation with groundwater chemistry, sediment and groundwater samples were taken from representative locations in the PRD at different lithological units. Bacterial 16S rRNA gene clone libraries were constructed for microbial identifications and community structures in different strata. Canonical correlation analysis between bacterial linages and environment variables (Cl^?, PO₄ ^3?, SO₄ ^2?, NH₄ ⁺) showed that community structures were significantly modified by geological conditions. Higher bacterial diversity was observed in samples from the Holocene aquitard M1 and aquifer T1, while in the older aquitard M2 and basal aquifer T2, bacterial diversity was much lower. Chloroflexi, γ-proteobacteria and δ-proteobacteria were the dominant phyla in the aquitard sediment. β-proteobacteria was the dominant phylum in sediment which was strongly influenced by fresh water. The results of this study demonstrated that bacterial community contains information of geological events such as sea transgression and deltaic evolution, and microbes in the aquitards have great potential in dominating groundwater quality in aquifers.     

永定县巴戟天次生林群落数量特征及物种多样性

以福建省永定县湖山乡巴戟天次生林为研究对象,分析其群落物种重要值及物种多样性。研究结果表明：在巴戟天次生林群落组成上,乔木层以杨梅、阿丁枫为优势种,灌木层以暗色菝葜、沿海紫金牛为优势种,草本层以芒萁、铁线蕨为优势种;灌木层的物种丰富度最高;乔木层的均匀度最高;Shannon-wiener指数（H′）计算所得物种多样性为乔木层〉灌木层〉草本层,而Simpson指数（λ）值正好相反,主要是由于乔木层的稀有物种比较多,而草本层中芒萁的高优势度引起的。     

Influence of genetic variables on means, variances, and covariances in behavioral responses to toxicological and pharmacological substances.

Inbred strains and F1 generations provide strong experimental control in toxicological studies by virtue of the relative stability of their means. Their variances do not always conform to simple expectations, with respect either to each other or to segregating populations. For the evaluation of covariances or correlations, populations of choice are genetically segregating ones. A genetic approach of demonstrated power but as yet limited application to toxicological problems is that of selective breeding, a procedure by which lines of animals can be developed to precise specifications.     

Effects of three different PAHs on nitrogen-fixing bacterial diversity in mangrove sediment

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are of great environmental and human health concerns due to their widespread occurrence, persistence and carcinogenic properties. There is now compelling evidence that the mangrove sediment microbial structure is susceptible to PAHs contamination. The study aimed to assess the effects of PAHs on the nitrogen-fixing bacterial community of mangrove sediment. Three types of PAHs, naphthalene (NAP), a two-ring PAH; fluorene (FLU), a three-ring PAH; and pyrene (PYR), a four-ring PAH; were applied at three doses. After 7 and 24 days of incubation, the nitrogen-fixing bacterial population and diversity were evidenced in the nifH gene polymerase chain reaction denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis profile. DGGE pattern shows that the nitrogen-fixing bacterial community changed significantly with the types and doses of PAHs, and the incubation time. As far as single PAH is concerned, high concentration of PAH has larger impact on the nitrogen-fixing bacteria than low concentration of PAH. Besides, among the three types of PAHs, NAP has the greatest short term toxicity; PYR has the strongest long-term impact, whereas FLU has relatively higher long-time effect. Multidimensional scaling analysis and correspondence analysis are two reliable multivariate analysis methods for investigating the relationship between the nitrogen-fixing bacterial community and PAHs contamination. Investigating the effect of PAHs on the nitrogen-fixing bacterial diversity could yield useful information for understanding the process of biogeochemical cycling of nitrogen in mangrove sediment. The present study reveals that nitrogen-fixing bacterial community can be used as an important parameter indicating the impact of PAHs on mangrove sediment ecosystem.     

Macrophage-mediated endothelial inflammatory responses to airborne particulates: impact of particulate physicochemical properties

Epidemiological studies have implicated a role for airborne particulates of <2.5 microm diameter in the development/exacerbation of chronic cardiopulmonary disease; however, specific pathogenic mechanisms and the etiological significance of particle physicochemical properties remain unresolved. Using a microporous aluminosilicate zeolite Y as a manifold, we have synthesized 1 microm particulates of pure carbon (C), carbon-iron (C/Fe), and carbon-iron/fluoro-aluminum silicate (C-Fe/F-Al-Si). We have used these particulates, as well as coal fly ash (CFA) and diesel exhaust particulates (DEP), to test the hypotheses that human macrophages treated with particulates elaborate proinflammatory cytokines in quantities sufficient to induce endothelial adhesion molecule expression and that macrophage responses to particulate exposure vary as a function of particulate physicochemical properties. Human monocyte-derived macrophages (M?) were exposed for 24 h to sublethal concentrations of particulates, at which time phagocytosis was evident from optical microscopy. Human arterial, microvascular, or venous endothelial cells (EC) were treated with clarified supernatants recovered from M? cultures, stained with fluorescein-conjugated mononclonal antibodies specific for endothelial adhesion molecules intercellular adhesion molecule-1, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, or E-selectin, and assayed by fluorescence flow cytometry. Data generated by these experiments demonstrate that while supernatants of M? exposed to CFA and C particulates are relatively ineffective, supernatants from DEP, C/Fe, or C-Fe/F-Al-Si strongly induced adhesion molecule expression on EC, responses which were completely attenuated by antibody with blocking specificity for tumor necrosis factor alpha. Because the only difference between C and C/Fe particulates is the presence of surface iron on C/Fe, these findings suggest particulate-induced oxidative stress as a contributing factor in M? activation and implicate redox active iron as a major determinant of particulate bioreactivity.     

Soil microbial community responses to contamination with silver,aluminium oxide and silicon dioxide nanoparticles

Soil microorganisms are key contributors to nutrient cycling and are essential for the maintenance of healthy soils and sustainable agriculture. Although the antimicrobial effects of a broad range of nanoparticulate substances have been characterised in vitro, little is known about the impact of these compounds on microbial communities in environments such as soil. In this study, the effect of three widely used nanoparticulates (silver, silicon dioxide and aluminium oxide) on bacterial and fungal communities in an agricultural pastureland soil was examined in a microcosm-based experiment using a combination of enzyme analysis, molecular fingerprinting and amplicon sequencing. A relatively low concentration of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) significantly reduced total soil dehydrogenase and urease activity, while Al₂O₃ and SiO₂ nanoparticles had no effect. Amplicon sequencing revealed substantial shifts in bacterial community composition in soils amended with AgNPs, with significant decreases in the relative abundance of Acidobacteria and Verrucomicrobia and an increase in Proteobacteria. In particular, the relative abundance of the Proteobacterial genus Dyella significantly increased in AgNP amended soil. The effects of Al₂O₃ and SiO₂ NPs on bacterial community composition were less pronounced. AgNPs significantly reduced bacterial and archaeal amoA gene abundance in soil, with the archaea more susceptible than bacteria. AgNPs also significantly impacted soil fungal community structure, while Al₂O₃ and SiO₂ NPs had no effect. Several fungal ribotypes increased in soil amended with AgNPs, compared to control soil. This study highlights the need to consider the effects of individual nanoparticles on soil microbial communities when assessing their environmental impact.     

Patient responses to an integrated service,initiated by community pharmacists,for the prevention of osteoporosis

Objective This study aimed to develop, implement and evaluate an integrated service provided by pharmacists to consumers based on the results of a risk‐assessment survey carried out by the pharmacist and testing of bone mineral density (BMD) by a radiographer. It also investigated whether measurement of BMD in the pharmacy increased the effectiveness of the service and pharmacist referral in terms of adherence to advice and uptake of referral compared with the same service offered without BMD testing. Setting Community pharmacists in urban and rural settings in New South Wales, Australia, delivered the service. Method The adherence to advice or referral given by 12 community pharmacists during 2003 to 217 participants about the prevention of osteoporosis following screening with either a BMD test plus risk‐assessment questionnaire or a risk‐assessment questionnaire only was compared. Key findings No significant between‐group differences in adherence to advice or referral were found. However, participants valued the BMD service significantly more highly than the non‐BMD service as measured by satisfaction scores. Conclusions Consumers were interested in receiving information about osteoporosis and their own risk of it and even greater interest in BMD testing in the pharmacy. There was no difference in uptake of referral or advice following either questionnaire only or questionnaire plus BMD testing. Low uptake of referral and advice overall by those deemed to be at high risk is of concern. Far greater education and encouragement for consumers to follow through is required.     

An assessment of community pharmacists' responses to hypothetical medical emergency situations

Objective To investigate community pharmacists' proposed actions in hypothetical medical emergency situations in South‐East Queensland, Australia. Method A survey was posted to 151 Gold Coast and Toowoomba community pharmacies in October 2009. Pharmacists were asked to document their opinions regarding the pharmacist's role in medical emergencies and to respond to statements associated with two hypothetical medical emergency situations: an anaphylaxis and an asthma attack. Key findings Forty‐five pharmacists responded to the survey (29.8%). In response to a hypothetical situation involving an asthma attack, 41 pharmacists (91.1%) agreed that they would assist the asthmatic person to administer salbutamol through a spacer, with 28 pharmacists (62.2%) confident in treating an asthma attack in the pharmacy. In comparison, only 21 pharmacists (21/38; 55.3%) agreed to administer an adrenaline auto‐injector (Epi‐Pen) for a child experiencing an anaphylaxis, with nine respondents (9/38; 23.7%) indicating that they would ask the mother for directions in a situation where they were unsure how to administer it. There were comments questioning whether indemnity insurance covers pharmacists for medicine administration, and 12 pharmacists (12/38; 31.6%) indicated that if they were unsure about insurance cover they would ask the mother to administer the adrenaline. Conclusion Pharmacists' responses to administering medications in hypothetical medical emergencies were variable. The cause of this variation is multi‐factorial and likely to include familiarity with the medication, its safety profile and uncertainty about the pharmacist's role and responsibilities in these situations. Further clarification, training and guidelines are needed in order to address this.     

黑龙江省两种金丝桃属植物理化鉴别特征

目的：为了探讨黑龙江省两种金丝桃属植物长柱金丝桃(Hypericum ascyron L．)、乌腺金丝桃(H．attenuatum Choisy．)理化鉴别特征。方法：分别采用黄酮、皂苷、鞣质及金丝桃素的鉴别试验。结果：黄酮定性反应均为阳性；皂苷定性反应表明均含三萜皂苷；鞣质的定性反应表明它们所含鞣质为缩合鞣质；金丝桃素的定性反应表明乌腺金丝桃含金丝桃素。结论：二者理化鉴别特征有一定差别．能通过化学鉴别方法予以鉴别。     

Khat in the neighbourhood--local government responses to khat use in a London community

There is increasing fear among the general public about khat, its use and users, and associated crime. In many English cities, neighborhoods with growing Somali populations and emerging khat-using scenes and markets have to find ways of managing the impact of the negative image of khat. This case study describes and analyzes how a local municipal authority can respond constructively by generating an evidence base, engaging in consultation, and endeavoring to identify the actual relationship between reported criminality and public nuisance and the alleged patterns of use and distribution of khat. It is argued that it is important to frame the khat in the community not as a "drug problem" but as a wider public health issue, for which appropriate solutions can be developed.     

乌头根际土壤真菌群落多样性的PCR-DGGE分析

目的:研究不同生长期乌头根际土壤微生物真菌群落结构的差异。方法:采用PCR-DGGE技术,研究不同产地不同健康状况的乌头根际土壤真菌群落结构的变化。结果:健康与患病乌头根际土壤真菌群落结构存在差异性,且致病菌与正常菌株之间存在着拮抗关系。结论:患病植株改变了乌头根际土壤的微生物真菌群落多样性,致病菌的存在抑制了正常植株真菌群落的繁殖。根际土壤的健康状况对土壤微生物群落结构有显著影响,根际微生物群落结构的不同将导致植物对病原菌的抗性及品种差异。     

Changes in bacterial diversity and community structure following pesticides addition to soil estimated by cultivation technique

An experiment was conducted under laboratory conditions to investigate the effect of increasing concentrations of fenitrothion (2, 10 and 200 mg a.i./kg soil), diuron (1.5, 7.5 and 150 mg a.i./kg soil) and thiram (3.5, 17.5 and 350 mg a.i./kg soil) on soil respiration, bacterial counts and changes in culturable fraction of soil bacteria. To ascertain these changes, the community structure, bacterial biodiversity and process of colony formation, based on the r/K strategy concept, EP- and CD-indices and the FOR model, respectively, were determined. The results showed that the measured parameters were generally unaffected by the lowest dosages of pesticides, corresponding to the recommended field rates. The highest dosages of fenitrothion and thiram suppressed the peak SIR by 15–70% and 20–80%, respectively, while diuron increased respiration rate by 17–25% during the 28-day experiment. Also, the total numbers of bacteria increased in pesticide-treated soils. However, the reverse effect on day 1 and, in addition, in case of the highest dosages of insecticide on days 14 and 28, was observed. Analysis of the community structure revealed that in all soil treatments bacterial communities were generally dominated by K-strategists. Moreover, differences in the distribution of individual bacteria classes and the gradual domination of bacteria populations belonging to r-strategists during the experiment, as compared to control, was observed. However, on day 1, at the highest pesticide dosages, fast growing bacteria constituted only 1–10% of the total colonies number during 48 h of plate incubation, whereas in remaining samples they reached from 20 to 40% of total cfu. This effect, in case of fenitrothion, lasted till the end of the experiment. At the highest dosages of fenitrothion, diuron and at all dosages of thiram the decrease of biodiversity, as indicated by EP- and CD-indices on day 1, was found. At the next sampling time, no significant retarding or stimulating effect was detected. However, in case of CD values the higher differences were observed. The significant impact of pesticides on the physiological state of soil bacteria was not found. They were generally in dormant state (λ < 0.5), but immediately after pesticides application, the additional reduction of frequency of bacterial cell proliferation (max. decrease of λ value to 0.15 for thiram on day 14) and prolonged retardation time of colony appearance (max. increase of t _r value to 1.39 for fenitrothion on day 1) on agar plates were found.     

Baculoviruses and apoptosis: a diversity of genes and responses

Apoptosis is used by metazoan organisms to dispose of damaged or unnecessary cells during development, tissue homeostasis, and disease. One of the situations where apoptosis is important is in defense against microbial pathogens, especially viruses. The demonstration that apoptosis could be stimulated by baculovirus infection was one of the first examples of apoptosis associated with virus infection, and this system remains one of the most valuable for studying how apoptosis can be a defense against viruses. In addition, studying how baculoviruses regulate apoptosis has led to many important findings in the field of apoptosis research, such as the discovery of P35, a caspase inhibitor that is widely used in studies of apoptosis, and IAP (inhibitor of apoptosis) proteins, which have homologs in cellular genomes that play important roles in regulating apoptosis and cytokinesis. This review highlights the range of apoptotic responses observed between different baculoviruses and different lepidopteran insects, and the diverse baculovirus genes that have evolved to regulate apoptosis.