Following the completion of genome sequencing of model plants, such as rice (Oryza sativa L.) and Arabidopsis thaliana, the era of functional plant genomics has arrived which provides a solid basis for the development of plant proteomics. We review the background and concepts of proteomics, as well as the key techniques which include: (1) separation techniques such as 2-DE (two-dimensional electrophoresis), RP-HPLC (reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography) and SELDI (surface enhanced laser desorption/ionization) protein chip; (2) mass spectrometry such as MALDI-TOF-MS (matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight- mass spectrometry) and ESI-MS/MS (electrospray ionization mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry); (3) Peptide sequence tags; (4) databases related to proteomics; (5) quantitative proteome; (6) TAP (tandem affinity purification) and (7) yeast two-hybrid system. In addition, the challenges and prospects of proteomics are also discussed.

Annual plants are the main vegetation in arid and semi-arid desert regions. Because of their unique traits, they are the optimal experimental subjects for ecological studies. In this article, we summarize annual plants’ seed germination strategies, seedling adaptability mechanism to environments, seed dispersal, and soil seed banks. We also discuss the biotic and abiotic factors affecting the composition and dynamics of annual plant populations and communities. Because annual plants have important ecological functions in desert vegetation systems, this study on annual plants will be of great benefit to the conservation and restoration of desert ecosystems, the rational utilization of resources, and the sustainable development of desert regions.

Prourokinase (scu-PA), a thrombolytic agent, was inserted between Gly118 and Ile119 with foreign anti-thrombosis functional motif (Lys-Gly-Asp-Trp-motif) to construct a multi-functional chimeric molecule. The molecular model of a chimera was simulated and predicted. The recombinant chimeric protein was expressed by the baculovirus-insect cell expression system and purified by affinity chromatography. The physico-chemical characteristics of the chimeric molecule were assayed. The thrombolytic activity was determined to be 90000 IU/mg of fibrinolytic special activity by the fibrin-plate method. The anti-thrombosis activities were also assayed with IC₅₀ of 9.6 ?M by an inhibition test of ADP-induced platelet aggregation.

Transgenic animal mammary gland bioreactors are used to produce recombinant proteins with appropriate post-translational modifications. The nuclear transfer of transgenic somatic cells is a powerful method to produce mammary gland bioreactors. We established an efficient gene transfer and nuclear transfer approach in goat somatic cells. Gene targeting vector pGBC2LF was constructed by cloning human lactoferrin (LF) gene cDNA into exon 2 of the milk goat beta-casein gene and the endogenous start codon was replaced by that of human LF gene. Goat fetal fibroblasts were transfected with linearized pGBC2LF and 14 cell lines were positive according to PCR and Southern blot. The transgenic cells were used as donor cells of nuclear transfer and some of reconstructed embryos could develop into blastocyst in vitro.

We evaluated the inhibitory effect of 3,7-dinitrodibenzobromonium salts (cBr) on the proliferation of human chronic myelogenous leukemia K₅₆₂ cell by trypan blue exclusion test and MTT colorimetric assay. The degree of DNA damage in K₅₆₂ cells treated with cBr, was detected by isotopic tracer method (³H-TdR). The morphological changes of these K₅₆₂ cells were examined by fluorescence and electron microscopy. Biochemical characteristics of K₅₆₂ cells were detected by flow cytometry and ³H-thymidine incorporation assay. Findings indicated that cBr could significantly inhibit cell proliferation and result in DNA damage of K₅₆₂ cells. cBr is a new type of immunostimulant and can induce cell apoptosis.

Partial cDNA sequences coding for antifreeze proteins in Tenebrio molitor were obtained by RT-PCR. Sequence analysis revealed nine putative cDNAs with a high degree of homology to Tenebrio molitor antifreeze protein genes published in GenBank. The recombinant pGEX-4T-1-tmafp-XJ430 was introduced into E. coli BL21 to induce a GST fusion protein by IPTG. SDS-PAGE analysis for the fusion protein shows a band of 38 kDa. pCDNA3- tmafp-XJ430 was injected into mice to generate antiserum which was later detected by indirect ELISA. The titer of the antibody was 1:2000. Western blotting analysis shows that the antiserum was specifically against the antifreeze protein. Our results laid the foundation for further studies on the properties and functions of insect antifreeze proteins.

Endo-?-glucanase II (EG II) gene cDNA was isolated from the fungus Humicola insolens H31-3 by RT-PCR. It was cloned into the expression vector pGAPZ?A. The resultant recombinant plasmid was introduced into Pichia pastoris GS115 by electroporation after being linearized by BspHI digestion. The recombinant Pichia pastoris strain was obtained and SDS-PAGE showed that the molecular weight of the expression protein was about 55 kD.The cultivation condition and the characteristics of the recombinant EG II were also explored.

In this study, PCR-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) was applied to analyze the microbial communities in lake sediments from Lake Xuanwu, Lake Mochou in Nanjing and Lake Taihu in Wuxi. Sediment samples from seven locations in three lakes were collected and their genomic DNAs were extracted. The DNA yields of the sediments of Lake Xuanwu and Lake Mochou were high (10 ?g/g), while that of sediments in Lake Taihu was relatively low. After DNA purification, the 16S rDNA genes (V3 to V5 region) were amplified and the amplified DNA fragments were separated by parallel DGGE. The DGGE profiles showed that there were five common bands in all the lake sediment samples indicating that there were similarities among the populations of microorganisms in all the lake sediments. The DGGE profiles of Lake Xuanwu and Lake Mochou were similar and about 20 types of microorganisms were identified in the sediment samples of both lakes. These results suggest that the sediment samples of these two city lakes (Xuanwu, Mochou) have similar microbial communities. However, the DGGE profiles of sediment samples in Lake Taihu were significantly different from these two lakes. Furthermore, the DGGE profiles of sediment samples in different locations in Lake Taihu were also different, suggesting that the microbial communities in Lake Taihu are more diversified than those in Lake Xuanwu and Lake Mochou. The differences in microbial diversity may be caused by the different environmental conditions, such as redox potential, pH, and the concentrations of organic matters. Seven major bands of 16S rDNA genes fragments from the DGGE profiles of sediment samples were further re-amplified and sequenced. The results of sequencing analysis indicate that five sequences shared 99%–100% homology with known sequences (Bacillus and Brevibacillus, uncultured bacteria), while the other two sequences shared 93%–96% homology with known sequences (Acinetobacter, and Bacillus). The study shows that the PCR-DGGE technique combined with sequence analysis is a feasible and efficient method for the determination of microbial communities in sediment samples.

Based on the maritime data collected from 23°30′–33°00′ N and 118°30′–128°00′ E of the East China Sea (ECS) in four seasons during 1997–2000, the dynamics of medusae diversity and their causes were analyzed. A total of 103 medusae species were identified, and these species mainly distributed in the southern and northern offshore areas of the ECS. Species diversity index (H′) of medusae was higher in the south than those in the north, higher in summer and winter than in spring and autumn, and higher in offshore than in the nearshore areas. The species number was closely correlated with H′ value, whereas the abundance of species had no significant relationship with the diversity index. The lower H′ value of the nearshore in spring and autumn resulted from the aggregation of Muggiaea atlantica in the south nearshore and Diphyes chamissonis in the north nearshore. In addition, water temperature, followed by salinity, is the main environmental factor influencing the distribution of species diversity. The H′ value was related to the water temperature at the 10 m layer in winter and spring, and it was associated with the surface water temperature in summer and with the 10 m-salinity-layer in autumn. In spring and summer, the isoline distribution of H′ value reflected the direction of the Taiwan Warm Current and the variation of the water masses in the ECS. In winter, the isoline of the H′ value indicated the incursion of Kuroshio current. In conclusion, the H′ isoline is an good indicator for water masses in ECS.

The Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus) is a dominant species in urban bird communities. With the development of urbanization, the habitats and sources of food for Tree Sparrows are decreasing. Can the urban Tree Sparrow adapt to changes in the urban environment? To answer this question, we studied the habitat use of Tree Sparrows in eight types of urban areas in Beijing. The results show that the number of both breeding and wintering Tree Sparrows decreased with increasing urbanization. The habitat use of Tree Sparrows, analyzed using stepwise discriminant analysis, was positively correlated with the number of brick bungalows, coniferous and broad-leaved trees and air conditioners. It was negatively correlated with the area of high buildings and hardened roads, pedestrian and automobile flux. This indicates that the Tree Sparrow had not adapted to rapid urbanization even though it is a generally adaptable species. Urban planning should take birds such as the Tree Sparrow into consideration.

This study was conducted to examine the pollination characteristics of Eremurus anisopterus, an ephemeroid plant in the Gurbantunggut Desert in Xinjiang, China. An integrative approach combining field studies with lab analysis was adopted. Pollen traps were used to measure air-borne pollen loads and artificial isolation experiments were applied to test the potentiality of cross-pollination or apomixes. Results show that the duration of the flowering of Eremurus anisopterus varied from late April to mid-May. Anthesis of a single flower often lasted for 1 d. However, if the daily maximum air temperature was under 20°C, the anthesis of a single flower could be prolonged up to 2 d. The pollen dispersion period of the single flower could last for 4 to 5 h, from 10:30 to 15:00 local time, with the duration of pollen dispersion for a single anther lasting approximately 40 min. The heterotypical maturation of the stigma could significantly prolong the pollen dispersion period of the single flower suggesting an adaptation to the habitat of E. anisopterus in the desert where the pollinators were not reliable. The timing of the blossoms of the ephemeroid plant show close correlations with the wind velocity and the habit and characteristics of the pollinators in the desert. Plant pollens may be spread to over 70 m by wind with approximately 60% of the pollens falling within 20 m away from the plant. Insects, especially bees, hover flies, flesh flies, mason bees and Halictus sp. were very important pollinators. Bees and hover flies usually landed on the yellowish green spot on the tepal and then entered the flower along the purple vein on the pink tepals. The yellowish green spot might be a mimetic structure of nectar that could attract insects to visit. This was also an adaptation of the plant to the sandy desert environment. A higher visiting frequency was reached between 10:30 and 13:30. The pollen-ovule ratio (P/O) of E. anisopterus (6164) suggested that the species was from cross-pollination according to Cruden’s criterion. However, the artificial isolation experiment shows that E. anisopterus is self-compatible which might act as a compensation mechanism for the inadequate opportunities for breeding in the desert environment. Since there was no seed set in the bagged emasculated flowers, apomixes did not occur. In conclusion, E. anisopterus might adapt to the unreliable pollinator habits by self-pollination and by lengthening the pollen dispersion period of a single flower.

A long-term fertilized paddy field under rice/rape rotation in the Taihu Lake Region was selected to investigate the dynamics of soil weed seed diversity. Four fertilizer treatments were performed, including non-fertilizer (NF), chemical fertilizer only (CF), chemical fertilizer combined with pig manure (CMF) and chemical fertilizer plus crop stalk (CSF). We recorded the seed numbers and crop yields, estimated the weed seed bank density and identified the kinds of weed seeds in the topsoil (0–15 cm) in the study area using a stereomicroscope. Based on the records, we analyzed the effect of long-term fertilization on soil weed seed bank diversity and the relationship between weed seed diversity and crop yields. Comparing the four treatments, it was found that in the cultivating seasons of both rice and rape, the density of soil weed seed bank was the lowest with the treatment of chemical fertilizer plus crop stalk. Whereas, the total number of species and the weed seed bank diversity was the highest. Furthermore, the crop yields were at maximum and kept constant with this treatment. There was a definite correlation between fertilizer treatment and soil weed seed bank diversity and crop yields. It was concluded that balancing the fertilizer management was helpful in maintaining soil weed seed bank diversity, increasing crop yields and alleviating crop yield fluctuation. Therefore, among the four fertilizer treatments, chemical fertilizer plus rice crop stalk treatment was the best one to stimulate the productivity of agricultural ecosystems and simultaneously protect biodiversity.

Galinsona parviflora (Asteraceae) is a widespread annual weed that is invasive, colonizing new ground where it is able to persist. We studied the biomass structure of the G. parviflora population at the module level by using the methods of field plot investigation and weighing at 10 sample plots. Modular biomass was calculated and used for analysis of relationships between various modules. The results show that there was a positive correlation between plant height and modular biomass, between stem biomass and root biomass, stem biomass and capitulum biomass, aboveground biomass and underground biomass, and lastly, stem biomass and leaf biomass. The preferred model which measured all the relationships was a power function model with absolute coefficients(R²) ranging from 0.6303 to 0.9782.

Six leaf traits, i.e., fresh mass (FM), dry mass (DM), leaf dry matter content (DMC), area (AR), specific leaf area (SLA) and thickness (TH) from 23 plant species in the southeastern Keerqin Sandy Lands, China were measured. The results show that leaf traits of herbs were more diversified than those of shrubs and trees and average SLA tended towards a decreasing trend from herbs to shrubs to trees. On the contrary, DMC and DM show an upward trend from herbs to shrubs to trees. No apparent difference was found in TH. Except for DM and TH, there were significant variations in SLA and DMC among three different growth forms. Moreover, a significant correlation was found between SLA and DMC. It is concluded that SLA and DMC could be used to predict species position along a resource use gradient.

Using GPS technology and community research methods for plant communities, we investigated the distribution patterns of aquatic plant communities in the high plateaus of the Napahai Wetlands, Yunnan, China, as well as the species changes of plant communities compared with that of 24 years ago since 2005. We found that the types and numbers of aquatic plant communities have changed. Some pollution-tolerant, nutrient-loving plant communities such as Scirpus tabernaemontani, Zizania caduciflora, Myriophyllum spicatum, and Azolla imbricata flourished, while the primary aquatic plant communities were reduced or even disappeared. The number of aquatic plant communities were increased from nine to 12 with the addition of two new emergent plant communities and one new floating-leaved plant community. The increase in emergent plant communities was significant. From east to west and from south to north, various types of plant communities were continuously distributed, including floating-leaved plant communities, emergent plant communities and submerged plant communities. The composition of the communities became more complicated and the number of accompanying species increased, while the percentage ratio of dominant plant species declined. In 2005, the coverage of emergent plant communities was the largest (528.42 hm²) followed by submerged plant communities (362.50 hm²) and the floating-leaf plant communities was the smallest (70.23 hm²). The variations in the distribution of aquatic plant communities in the Napahai Wetlands reflect the natural responses to the change of the wetland ecological environment. This study indicates that human disturbances have led to an inward movement of the wetland shoreline, a decrease in water quality and a reduction in wetland habitat.

According to the principles and methods of ecology and system engineering, we set up an evaluation indicator system for multi-component and multiple cropping systems, evaluated the comprehensive benefits of multi-component and multiple cropping systems using grey relation clustering analysis and screened out the optimized model based on research done in the upland red soil in Jiangxi Agricultural University from 1984 to 2004. The results show that the grey relation degree of “cabbage/potato/maize - sesame” was the highest among 23 multi-component and multiple cropping systems and was clustered into the optimized system. This indicates that “cabbage/potato/maize - sesame” can bring the best social, economic and ecological benefits, increase product yield and farmers’ income and promote sustainable development of agricultural production. Therefore, it is suitable for promotion on upland red soil. The grey relation degree of “canola/Chinese milk vetch/maize/mung bean/maize” was second, which is suitable for implementation at the city outskirts. In conclusion, these two planting patterns are expected to play important roles in the reconstruction of the planting structure and optimization of the planting patterns on upland red soil.

The Hani terrace paddyfield in Yunnan Province, China is categorized as a ‘constructed wetland’ under the Lamsar Convention classification. The Hani terrace paddyfield ranges from an altitude of 144 to 2000 m above sea level (ASL) in the southern slopes of the Ailao Mountains, angling down at a range of 15° to 75°. In this study, we investigated the ecosystem of the terrace paddyfields in the Mengpin and Quanfuzhuang administrative villages located at the center of the cultural heritage conservation district in the Hani terrace paddyfield. The Hani terrace paddyfield ecosystem structure is “forest-village-terrace paddyfield-river” in the order of descending altitude. Soil and water samples were sequentially taken from forests, villages and the terrace paddyfields to be able to study the vertical characteristics of Hani’s terrace paddyfields. PO₄–P and NH₃–N in water were measured to test for water contamination. Seven soil nutrient factors were tested, including organic material (OM), char and nitrogen ratio (C/N), pH, total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), available phosphorus (AP), and available potassium (AK). Soil quality was also evaluated using the characteristics of the soil nutrient factors. Vertical changes in the landscape, wetland types, wetland plants, hydrology and soil nutrients were characterized. Results showed that: (1) Hani’s terrace paddyfield can be divided into five types of wetlands; the rice varieties and cultivation patterns vary in each type of wetland. (2) Hani’s terrace paddyfield has a great capacity for water conservation and a strong ability to purify contaminants. The impoundage of Hani’s terrace paddyfield is about 5050 m³/hm². Contaminants in the terrace paddyfield soils decrease exponentially with the decline in altitude. (3) Comparison of soil quality in five different land use types indicates decreasing soil quality from forest to terrace land to terrace paddyfield to water source. Except for headwater soil, single factors such as OM, TN and TP, and the comprehensive soil quality in individual sampling zones tend to increase with altitude elevation. Comprehensive soil quality in the Quanfuzhuang sampling zone is better than in the Mengpin sampling zone. Finally, a comparison of Hani’s terrace paddyfield with plain paddyfields and natural wetlands highlighted the vertical characteristics of Hani’s terrace paddyfield.

The agricultural land suitability assessment based on the natural characteristics of land blocks is traditionally the basis for agricultural and/or land use planning. The assessment, however, is static and cannot be incorporated with potential land use changes. Recently, a dynamic approach, i.e., matter element analysis, has been effectively applied for land use planning. In the present study, based on matter element analysis, we established a matter element analysis model for land use suitability assessment using the suitability grade of land use, evaluation indicators and their characteristic values as matter elements, and also using sutra field, controlled field, weight value and correlation degree from field survey, as well as an expert system. This model was applied to the structure regulation of the land use in the small Yuejiagou watershed of the Langzhong Municipality in Sichuan Province, China. Results show that the proportion among agriculture, forestry and animal husbandry tended to rationalize land use. The economic and ecological indices of the lands were increased from 1529.8 to 1719.99 and from 1460.94 to 1758.21 after the regulation, respectively. The regulation also caused changes in landscape patterns as follows: The indices of diversity and evenness were increased from 1.3028 to 2.0920 and from 0.6108 to 0.8463, or by 60.58% and 38.56%, respectively. However, the indices of dominance and contagion were decreased from 0.6431 to 0.2106 and from 0.7467 to 0.7125, respectively. This indicated that the land use in the small watershed was rational. The spatial distribution of patches tended to be uniform. The patch congregation was gradually dispersed. This study verified that the matter element analysis approach can not only overcome the factitious influences and improve the precision of land assessment, but also can be used for the structure regulation of specific patches.

The economic and ecological aspects of a social system are coherently linked and can be examined by its material and energy flows. In this study, we used the material flow analysis (MFA) to model the material input and output of the Wujin District of Changzhou City, Jiangsu Province in China. It was revealed that: (1) total material input and material input per capita increased with economic development, while the total material output and material output per capita decreased consistently; (2) except for water, the total material input continued to increase. Input of solid materials grew faster than that of gaseous materials, while the total material output declined. The gas output accounted for the largest proportion of the output resulting in primary environmental pollution as burned fossil fuel; (3) water use in agriculture continued with an increasing trend while that in industrial and residential sectors decreased per capita. The total wastewater discharge and wastewater discharge per capita decreased with a faster decreasing rate of residential wastewater discharge followed by industrial wastewater discharge; (4) material input per unit GDP fluctuated and material output per unit GDP decreased. A decreasing trend in both water use and wastewater discharge per unit GDP was disclosed. These results suggest that the efficiency of resource use in the Wujin District has improved. This weakened the direct link between economic development and environmental deterioration. Additionally, we discussed the harmonic development between environment and economy. Potential limitations of MFA’s application were also discussed. It is suggested that effective measures should be taken for the enforcement of circular economic strategies and the construction of a resource-saving economy