A novel sex-specific and inducible monoterpene synthase activity associated with a pine bark beetle,the pine engraver,<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Ips pini</Emphasis>

Ecological interactions of conifers and coniferophagous bark beetles are determined in part by terpenoids (isoprenoids), which are major defense metabolites of conifer oleoresin. Curiously, similar compounds are important aggregation pheromones of conifer-attacking bark beetles. Terpene synthases are responsible for generating the enormous variety of terpenoid carbon skeletons found in nature. These catalysts convert short-chain prenyl diphosphates to a diverse assortment of hemiterpene, monoterpene, sesquiterpene, and diterpene natural products. While terpene synthases have frequently been characterized from plant and microbial sources, they have not yet been described in animals. Here we report the discovery of a monoterpene synthase activity in an insect, the pine engraver, Ips pini (Say) (Coleoptera: Scolytidae). Cell-free assays of I. pini revealed that geranyl diphosphate (GDP) is converted to the acyclic monoterpene myrcene in whole-body extracts from males, but not females. Furthermore, the monoterpene synthase activity in males can be induced by prior treatment with juvenile hormone III (JH III) or by feeding on phloem from the host trees, Jeffrey pine (Pinus jeffreyi Grev. &; Balf.) or red pine (Pinus resinosa Ait.). The sex-specificity and endocrine induction of this activity argue for its involvement in the biosynthesis of monoterpenoid pheromones mediated by enzymes from insect tissue. This discovery is the first example of a monoterpene synthase in the Metazoa and evokes exciting new questions about the origin, evolution, and occurrence of terpene synthases.     

Coordinated gene expression for pheromone biosynthesis in the pine engraver beetle, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ips pini</Emphasis> (Coleoptera: Scolytidae)

In several pine bark beetle species, phloem feeding induces aggregation pheromone production to coordinate a mass attack on the host tree. Male pine engraver beetles, Ips pini (Say) (Coleoptera: Scolytidae), produce the monoterpenoid pheromone component ipsdienol de novo via the mevalonate pathway in the anterior midgut upon feeding. To understand how pheromone production is regulated in this tissue, we used quantitative real-time PCR to examine feeding-induced changes in gene expression of seven mevalonate pathway genes: acetoacetyl-coenzyme A thiolase, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A synthase, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase, mevalonate 5-diphosphate decarboxylase, isopentenyl-diphosphate isomerase, geranyl-diphosphate synthase (GPPS), and farnesyl-diphosphate synthase (FPPS). In males, expression of all these genes significantly increased upon feeding. In females, the expression of the early mevalonate pathway genes (up to and including the isomerase) increased significantly, but the expression of the later genes (GPPS and FPPS) was unaffected or decreased upon feeding. Thus, feeding coordinately regulates expression of the mevalonate pathway genes necessary for pheromone biosynthesis in male, but not female, midguts. Furthermore, basal mRNA levels were 5- to 41-fold more abundant in male midguts compared to female midguts. This is the first report of coordinated regulation of mevalonate pathway genes in an invertebrate model consistent with their sex-specific role in de novo pheromone biosynthesis.Electronic Supplementary Material  Supplementary material is available in the online version of this article at .     

Concentration of monoterpenes in a maple forest in Quebec

Measurements of monoterpene concentrations are reported for a maple forest in Quebec near the St Lawrence River. The upper limit of the total biogenic hydrocarbon concentrations obtained is 4.4 ppbV (24 μg m⁻³), similar to those found for coniferous forests. The main monoterpenes determined were: limonene, α-pinene, sabinene, camphene and myrcene.     

Unusual pheromone chemistry in the navel orangeworm: novel sex attractants and a behavioral antagonist

Using molecular- and sensory physiology-based approaches, three novel natural products, a simple ester, and a behavioral antagonist have been identified from the pheromone gland of the navel orangeworm, Amyelois transitella Walker (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae). In addition to the previously identified (Z,Z)-11,13-hexadecadienal, the pheromone blend is composed of (Z,Z,Z,Z,Z)-3,6,9,12,15-tricosapentaene, (Z,Z,Z,Z,Z)-3,6,9,12,15-pentacosapentaene, ethyl palmitate, ethyl-(Z,Z)-11,13-hexadecadienoate, and (Z,Z)-11,13-hexadecadien-1-yl acetate. The C₂₃ and C₂₅ pentaenes are not only novel sex pheromones, but also new natural products. In field tests, catches of A. transitella males in traps baited with the full mixture of pheromones were as high as those in traps with virgin females, whereas control and traps baited only with the previously known constituent did not capture any moths at all. The navel orangeworm sex pheromone is also an attractant for the meal moth, Pyralis farinalis L. (Pyralidae), but (Z,Z)-11,13-hexadecadien-1-yl acetate is a behavioral antagonist. The new pheromone blend may be highly effective in mating disruption and monitoring programs.     

Distributions of C22–C30 even-carbon-number n-alkanes in Ocean Anoxic Event 1 samples from the Basque-Cantabrian Basin

The Ocean Anoxic Event 1 (OAE-1) in central sites of the Basque-Cantabrian Basin exhibits very reducing depositional conditions of sedimentation. These sedimentation events have left a distinct mixture of hydrocarbons that are represented by C₂₂–C₃₀ n-alkanes with a predominance of the even-carbon-number homologues, high relative proportions of squalane and C₁₆–C₂₄ n-alkylcyclopentanes predominated by n-undecyl-, n-tridecyl- and n-pentadecylcyclopentane. Other minor compounds encompass a series of C₁₈–C₂₁ n-alkylcyclohexanes and C₁₈–C₂₄ dimethyl n-alkylcyclohexanes maximized by the even-carbon-number homologues as well as iso- and anteiso-alkanes. This unusual distribution of n-alkanes in this environment provides a new case for comparison with previously reported hypersaline and phosphorite sedimentary deposits where the occurrence of similar n-alkane distributions was reported. In the present case, these major n-alkanes and squalane are indicative of transformation under strong reducing conditions. In contrast, the occurrence of the alkylcyclopentanes, irrespective of the presence of even-carbon-number n-alkanes or squalane, suggests that reductive cyclization of fatty acids is less dependent on strong reducing conditions.     

Formaldehyde concentration and its influencing factors in residential homes after decoration at Hangzhou, China

Air pollution surveys of formaldehyde(HCHO) were conducted in 2324 rooms decorated within one year in 2007-2009 in Hangzhou,China.The mean HCHO concentration(C HCHO) was 0.107 ± 0.095 mg/m 3,and 38.9% of samples exceeded the Chinese National Standard GB 50325-2010.Over the past 3 years,the C HCHO decreased with time(p < 0.05).Relationships of potential factors to indoor C HCHO were also evaluated.C HCHO was related to temperature(T),relative humidity(RH),time duration of the windows and doors being closed before sampling(DC),time duration from the end of decoration to sampling(DR) and source characteristics(d).A model to relate indoor C HCHO to these five factors(T,RH,DC,DR,d) was established based on 298 samples(R 2 = 0.87).Various factors contributed to C HCHO in the following order:T,43.7%;d,31.0%;DC,10.2%;DR,8.0%;RH,7.0%;specifically,meteorological conditions(i.e.,RH plus T) accounted for 50.7%.The coefficient of T and RH,R TH,was proposed to describe their combined influence on HCHO emission,which also had a linear relationship(R 2 = 0.9387) with HCHO release in a simulation chamber test.In addition,experiments confirm that it is a synergistic action as T and RH accelerate the release of HCHO,and that is a significant factor influencing indoor HCHO pollution.These achievements could lead to reference values of measures for the efficient reduction of indoor HCHO pollution.     

膜生物反应器处理甲苯性能及机制

采用膜生物反应器处理甲苯有机废气,研究了进气浓度、停留时间、循环液喷淋密度和pH值对甲苯去除率的影响.膜生物反应器能高效净化挥发性有机废气,甲苯去除率可达99%.适宜运行条件为:pH值为7.2、停留时间为6.4 s、循环液喷淋密度为2.5 m3.(m2.h)-1.采用GC-MS分析出口气样,研究结果表明乙醛酸(C2H2O3)和乙烯基甲酸(C3H4O2)为甲苯生物降解的中间产物.膜生物反应器处理甲苯机制为甲苯气体通过中空纤维膜传质到生物膜,被生物降解为乙醛酸和乙烯基甲酸,然后继续好氧降解为最终产物二氧化碳和水.     

戴云山土壤微生物碳源利用效率的海拔变异规律及影响因素

微生物碳源利用效率（CUE）是指微生物将吸收的碳（C）转化为自身生物量C的效率,土壤微生物CUE的研究对深入认识土壤C循环过程十分重要.利用¹⁸ O-H₂ O-DNA标记法,研究戴云山不同海拔（980~1765 m）天然林土壤微生物CUE、微生物生长速率（C_growth）和呼吸速率（C_respiration）的变化特征和影响机制.结果表明,微生物CUE在0.1~0.4之间变化,并随海拔升高而增加;微生物CUE与C_growth、C_respiration和单位微生物生长正相关,而与呼吸熵负相关,说明随海拔的增加,微生物通过增加个体生长和抑制个体呼吸来提高CUE;温度是影响CUE的主要因素,微生物CUE与温度负相关,说明随海拔增加,温度下降是促进土壤微生物CUE升高的关键因素.     

Hopanoid Biosynthesis and Function in Bacteria

   Hopanoids are pentacyclic triterpenoid lipids occurring in bacteria. They are synthesized from isopentenyl units which are formed in a new biosynthetic route leading to isopentenyl diphosphate. Six C₅ units are joined to form squalene, the immediate precursor in hopanoid synthesis. In a highly complex cyclization reaction that shares considerable similarities with that of oxidosqualene to sterols, the hopane skeleton is formed from squalene by the squalene-hopene cyclase. Recent elucidation of the X-ray structure of this membrane-bound cyclase has shed some light on the properties of this unusual enzyme. The active site is located in a cavity within the enzyme. The squalene substrate diffuses through a channel structure from the membrane into this cavity and is there transformed into hopene. Polar side chains are attached to hopene resulting in the amphiphilic molecular structure of many hopanoids. These hopanoids are membrane components involved in regulating membrane fluidity and stability. However, the many structural variants of hopanoids indicate that they may have other interesting but as yet unknown functions.     

天津市常用绿化树种挥发性有机物排放潜力估算

BVOCs（植被释放的挥发性有机物）对PM_2.5等大气颗粒物的形成有重要贡献,树种BVOCs排放潜力的研究有助于城市绿化树种的科学选择.对天津市城市绿地常见绿化树种BVOCs样品进行采集与鉴定,基于Guenther提出的模型估算了天津市32种常见绿化树种BVOCs的排放量,并对估算过程中的不确定性因素进行分析.结果表明:构树、毛白杨、旱柳和绦柳的BVOCs排放量（以C计）最高,分别为2 179.438、2 147.394、2 116.537、2 045.722 g/（株·a）.从科属的角度来看,杨柳科植物BVOCs排放量最高,豆科、桑科和松科BVOCs排放量位居其次.采用聚类分析方法将32种绿化树种的异戊二烯、单萜烯排放潜力进行分类,其中毛白杨、构树、旱柳和绦柳属于高排放异戊二烯的树种;油松和苹果属于高排放单萜烯的树种.从科属水平而言,豆科和杨柳科植物具有较强的异戊二烯排放潜力.松科和部分蔷薇科的乔木具有较强的单萜烯排放潜力.从叶片类型的角度上,阔叶树主要以排放异戊二烯为主,针叶树主要以排放单萜烯为主,且异戊二烯的排放潜力要大于单萜烯的排放潜力.植物OVOCs（其他VOCs）排放潜力与异戊二烯和单萜烯的排放潜力相比显著较弱.天津市外来树种与本地树种BVOCs排放潜力无显著性差异（P＞0.05）.研究显示,天津市常用绿化树种的单株排放潜力差异明显,因此可优选臭椿、洋白蜡和紫叶李等排放潜力相对较低的树种用作城市绿化.      

Interactive response of photosynthetic characteristics in Haloxylon ammodendron and Hedysarum scoparium exposed to soil water and air vapor pressure deficits

C₄ plants possess better drought tolerance than C₃ plants. However, Hedysarum scoparium, a C₃ species, is dominant and widely distributed in the desert areas of northwestern China due to its strong drought tolerance. This study compared it with Haloxylon ammodendron, a C₄ species, regarding the interactive effects of drought stress and different leaf–air vapor pressure deficits. Variables of interest included gas exchange, the activity levels of key C₄ photosynthetic enzymes, and cellular anatomy. In both species, gas exchange parameters were more sensitive to high vapor pressure deficit than to strong water stress, and the net CO₂ assimilation rate (A_n) was enhanced as vapor pressure deficits increased. A close relationship between A_n and stomatal conductance (g_s) suggested that the species shared a similar response mechanism. In H. ammodendron, the activity levels of key C₄ enzymes were higher, including those of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-malate enzyme (NADP-ME), whereas in H. scoparium, the activity level of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide-malate enzyme (NAD-ME) was higher. Meanwhile, H. scoparium utilized adaptive structural features, including a larger relative vessel area and a shorter distance from vein to stomata, which facilitated the movement of water. These findings implied that some C₄ biochemical pathways were present in H. scoparium to respond to environmental challenges.     

基于土壤水分变化的砷与土壤碱性磷酸酶活性关系探讨

砷作为土壤主要污染元素之一,其毒性受到存在形态等的影响.土壤酶是土壤重要组成部分,但水分对二者关系的影响鲜见报道.本文采用室内模拟方法,在35%、65%和110%最大饱和持水量(WHC)条件下,较为系统地分析了不同水分下土壤有效砷及土壤碱性磷酸酶活性的变化规律.结果表明:外源砷浓度、老化时间是影响土壤有效砷含量的主要因素,且有效砷浓度随老化时间延长降幅减缓,Elovich方程较好表征了二者关系,揭示出水分对土壤有效砷向其他形态转变速率影响的大小顺序为:110%WHC65%WHC35%WHC;干燥(35%WHC)和淹水(110%WHC)导致土壤碱性磷酸酶活性减小;砷抑制土壤碱性磷酸酶活性,模型U=A/(1+B×C)可较好表征砷浓度(C)与土壤酶活性(U)的关系,揭示出土壤碱性磷酸酶活性在一定程度上可表征土壤砷污染程度,并反映出其机理为完全抑制作用;计算得到了土壤砷轻度污染的临界浓度Ecological dose 10%(ED10)总砷99 mg·kg-1和有效砷39 mg·kg-1,从侧面表明土壤碱性磷酸酶在土壤砷浓度达到国家土壤质量标准中的二级标准前不会对土壤酶产生严重毒害;水分由于对砷的存在状态等的作用,从而对土壤碱性磷酸酶活性产生重要影响.     

苯水相光氧化反应形成二次有机气溶胶的实验研究

来源于机动车尾气的苯能溶于大气水滴、云雾等水相中并发生水相光氧化反应,在水分蒸发后,产物保留在颗粒相中形成二次有机气溶胶(SOA)粒子.本文采用雾化器将羟基启动苯水相光氧化反应溶液雾化产生气溶胶粒子,通过扩散干燥管除去水蒸气后产生SOA粒子,采用气溶胶激光飞行时间质谱仪进行在线检测,利用紫外可见吸收光谱仪、红外光谱仪和液相色谱串联质谱仪离线测量SOA的化学组分.实验结果表明,激光解吸附质谱中存在醛类(m/z=29(CHO~+)、57(CHOCO~+))、羧酸(m/z=44(COO~+))和苯环(m/z=39(C_3H~+_3)、65(C_5H~-_5))特征裂解碎片峰.SOA粒子的红外光谱图中存在苯环C—H和C=C双键,以及C=O双键、C—O、O—H和C—O—C键的伸缩振动吸收峰,电喷雾电离质谱中存在m/z高达915的离子峰.这表明醛类、羧酸、酚类、芳香醚类产物和酚类产物发生聚合形成的高分子量化合物是SOA粒子的主要化学组分.这为研究人为源挥发性有机化合物水相反应形成SOA的机理提供了实验依据.     

Emission of linalool from Valencia orange blossoms and its observation in ambient air

Emission measurements made over a 5-month period of a Valencia orange tree showed the significant emission of the terpenoid linalool (C₁₀H₁₈O) from Valencia orange blossoms. The average annual emission rate of this Olinda Valencia orange, derived from emission measurements which include the blossoming season, is a factor of ∼10 higher than the average annual emission rate derived from measurements taken outside of the blossom season. Ambient monoterpene and linalool concentrations were measured in Riverside, California, in the spring and supported the chamber plant emissions data, with linalool concentrations as high as 17 μg m⁻³ being observed in an orange grove. These results show that current biogenic emission inventories which are formulated from limited survey data, generally not including seasonal variations in the vegetative emissions, can be subject to large uncertainties.     

Adsorption of fluoride on clay minerals and their mechanisms using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy

This research investigates the adsorption mechanisms of fluoride (F) on four clay minerals (kaolinite, montmorillonite, chlorite, and illite) under different F⁻ concentrations and reaction times by probing their fluoride superficial layer binding energies and element compositions using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). At high F⁻ concentrations (C ₀ = 5–1000 mg·L⁻¹), the amount of F⁻ adsorbed (Q _F), amount of hydroxide released by clay minerals, solution F⁻ concentration, and the pH increase with increasing C ₀. The increases are remarkable at C ₀>50 mg·L⁻¹. The QF increases significantly by continuously modifying the pH level. At C ₀<5–100 mg·L⁻¹, clay minerals adsorb H⁺ to protonate aluminum-bound surface-active hydroxyl sites in the superficial layers and induce F⁻ binding. As the C ₀ increases, F⁻, along with other cations, is adsorbed to form a quasi-cryolite structure. At C ₀>100 mg·L⁻¹, new minerals precipitate and the product depends on the critical Al³⁺ concentration. At [Al³⁺]>10^−11.94 mol·L⁻¹, cryolite forms, while at [Al³⁺]<10^−11.94 mol·L⁻¹, AlF₃ is formed. At low C ₀ (0.3–1.5 mg·L⁻¹), proton transfer occurs, and the F⁻ adsorption capabilities of the clay minerals increase with time.     

固相微萃取模拟生物法用于养殖底泥多环芳烃污染监测的研究

本研究以养殖底泥中多环芳烃(PAHs)为研究对象,采用以聚二甲基硅氧烷(PDMS)为材料测定孔隙水中PAHs自由溶解态浓度(Cfree)的固相微萃取技术,以重要海水经济底栖生物菲律宾蛤仔(Ruditapes philippinarum)为参照生物,建立了PDMS中PAHs浓度与菲律宾蛤仔脂肪标化及底泥有机碳标化的PAHs浓度间的定量关系模型,进一步证明了基于固相微萃取的模拟生物法用于养殖区域中多环芳烃监测的可能性.结果表明,孔隙水中自由溶解态PAHs浓度(Cfree)显著低于孔隙水中总PAHs浓度(Cwater),且随着环数增加,两者间的差异越大,说明Cwater忽视了生物有效性,从而会高估孔隙水中PAHs的环境风险,因此,Cfree能更好地反映底泥孔隙水中PAHs的暴露水平;菲律宾蛤仔对PAHs的富集系数(BAF)及PDMS-水分配系数(KPDMS)均与辛醇-水分配系数(Kow)呈显著线性相关,且两者斜率相近,说明菲律宾蛤仔摄取PAHs的主要途径与PDMS相似,且PDMS中PAHs的浓度与生物体内PAHs的残留浓度和底泥有机碳标化的PAHs浓度间均呈现显著相关,说明当底泥孔隙水中和PDMS膜之间达到平衡时,固相微萃取模拟生物法可以用于计算底栖生物和沉积物中有机污染物,具有应用于养殖区域中多环芳烃监测的潜力,但有机污染物在生物体内转化和底泥性质对相关关系和监测应用的影响有待进一步研究.     

Soil enzyme activities and their indication for fertility of urban forest soil

To reveal the biological characteristics of urban forest soil and the effects of soil enzyme on soil fertility as well as the correlation between physicochemical properties and enzyme activities, 44 urban forest soil profiles in Nanjing were investigated. Basic soil physicochemical properties and enzyme activities were analyzed in the laboratory. Hydrogen peroxidase, dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase, and cellulase were determined by potassium permanganate titration, TTC (C₁₉H₁₅N₄·Cl) colorimetry, phenyl phosphate dinatrium colorimetry, and anthrone colorimetry, respectively. The result showed that soil pH, organic carbon (C), and total nitrogen (N) had great effects on hydrogen peroxidase, dehydrogenase, and alkaline phosphatase activities in 0–20 cm thick soil. However, pH only had great effect on hydrogen peroxidase, dehydrogenase, and alkaline phosphatase activities in 20–40 cm thick soil. Hydrogen peroxidase, dehydrogenase, and alkaline phosphatase were important biological indicators for the fertility of urban forest soil. Both in 0–20 cmand 20–40 cmsoil, soil enzyme system (hydrogen peroxidase, dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase, and cellulase) had a close relationship with a combination of physicochemical indicators (pH, organic C, total N, available K, available P, cation exchange capacity (CEC), and microbial biomass carbon (C_mic)). The more soil enzyme activities there were, the higher the fertility of urban forest soil. __________ Translated from Urban Environment & Urban Ecology, 2007, 20(4): 4–6, 9 [译自: 城市环境与城市生态]     

Degradation of 4-aminophenol by hydrogen peroxide oxidation using enzyme from Serratia marcescens as catalyst

This paper reports on the degradation of 4-aminophenol using hydrogen peroxide as oxidizer and the enzyme from Serratia marcescens AB 90027 as catalyst. The effecting factors during degradation and the degrading mechanism were studied. Also, the location of the enzyme in the cell, which could catalyze the degradation of 4-aminophenol, was analyzed. The results showed that to degrade 50 mL of 4-aminophenol whose concentration was 500 mg/L, the optimal conditions were: volume of H₂O₂ = 3 mL, temperature = 40–60°C and pH = 9–10. In the degradation process, 4-aminophenol was first converted to benzoquinone and NH₃, then organic acids including maleic acid, fumaleic acid, and oxalic acid were formed, and then finally CO₂ and H₂O were generated as final products. The enzyme that could catalyze the degradation of 4-aminophenol was mainly extracellular enzyme. Translated from Environmental Chemistry, 2006, 25(2): 141–144 [译自: 环境化学]