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To investigate the potential role of allelopathy in plant interference and in the successful invasion of alien species Solidago canadensis, aqueous and ethanolic extracts from rhizomes, stems and leaves of S. canadensis were prepared and used as treatment solutions to assess their effects on seed germination and seedling growth in four target species, mulberry (Morus alba); morning glory (Pharbitis nil), wheat (Triticum aestivum) and rape (Brassica campestris). Reduction and/or growth in germination and growth of the target plant species in the presence of both aqueous and ethanolic extracts at different concentrations indicated that the responses were species-specific and concentration-dependent. Generally, ethanolic extracts (especially from leaves) imposed stronger effects on both seed germination and seedling growth. Extracts with lower concentration at 0.001 g/ml dw could stimulate the seedling growth of rape and morning glory, whereas extracts at any given concentrations have inhibitory effects on wheat and mulberry. It is suggested that the aqueous and ethanolic extracts of all the three parts of S. canadensis have significant allelopathic effects. Although both inhibition and stimulation occurred in the germination and growth of the target species, extracts with higher concentrations definitely inhibit seed germination and seedling growth of all target plants. We suggest that allelopathy plays a more important role than other mechanisms do in the out-competition of S. canadensis over other plants, and make it invasive in new habitats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] A novel “three-in-one” sample preparation method was designed for VitaFast® kits. [•] Simultaneous determination of vitamin B12, biotin and folic acid is required. [•] The results were in good agreement with those of the classical VitaFast® protocol. [•] One extraction buffer can meet determination of several vitamins at the same time. [•] The proposed novel method makes assays faster and improves work efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ac and Ds insertions among the genomic DNAs of hybrids of Ac x Ds lines were screened by PCR. The genomic DNAs, which were proved to harbour both Ac and Ds, were used as templates in TAIL-PCR to clone the Ds flanking sequences. The cloned specific fragments were sequenced, and the sequenced Ds flanking sequences were used as query sequences to perform on-line sequence comparing analysis against GenBank by employing BLAST program of NCBI. The information about the chromosome location of Ds-inserted genes, or genes immediately downstream of the inserted sites, and their functional innotations were achieved. Based on the analysis from the cloned 93 Ds-flanking sequences, it was found that 21 hybrid plants had Ds insertions in genic regions, whereas the remaining 72 samples's intergenic regions were inserted by Ds element. Moreover, among the 72 regions, 12 were inserted immediately upstream (within 3 kb) of specific genes. Also, the strategies to improve the performance in cloning the Ds flanking sequences and in screening the Ac/Ds lines were emphasized.

Sj20.8 gene was amplified by PCR and inserted into eukaryotic expression plasmid pcDNA3.1 to construct recombinant plasmid pcDNA3.1/Sj20.8, which was then injected into the quadriceps femoris of the BALB/c mice. Results showed that the Sj20.8 antigen was low expressed in the local tissue of the mice, and was not able to significantly reduce eggs in the liver than in the control mice.

Objective: To acquire and analyze adult stage Schistosoma japonicum (Chinese strain) expressed sequence tags and new genes from an adult S. japonicum cDNA library, and to search new vaccine candidates and drug targets., Methods: A cDNA library was constructed from adult stage S. japonicum. Clones were selected randomly from the cDNA library and were sequenced. ESTs and new genes were acquired after analysis in GenBank databases by BLAST and other programs. All ESTs and new genes were submitted to GenBank and received accession numbers., Results: 149 ESTs were acquired from a total 382 clones that were randomly selected from the adult S. japonicum cDNA library. All ESTs were successfully submitted to the dbEST at Genbank. Some of them were homologous with sequences of male, female, egg, schistosomula, cercaria and miracidia of S. japonicum. 18 new genes of adult S. japonicum were acquired. Some genes were housekeeping genes and some genes might be interesting as vaccine candidates or drugs targets., Conclusions: The EST strategy is a rapid, efficient and economical method to acquire ESTs and to discover new genes of adult stage S. japonicum from cDNA libraries.