High Genetic Diversity With Weak Phylogeographic Structure of the Invasive (Poaceae) in China.

Biological invasion represents a global issue of concern due to its large negative impacts on native ecosystems and society. Elucidating the evolutionary history and genetic basis underpinning invasiveness is critical to understanding how alien species invade and adapt to novel environments. Smooth cordgrass (, 2n = 6 = 62) is a notorious invasive species that causes heavily negative effects on native ecosystems worldwide.

Methyl coenzyme M reductase A (mcrA) gene-based investigation of methanogens in the mudflat sediments of Yangtze River estuary, China.

Methanogen populations of an intertidal mudflat in the Yangtze River estuary of China were investigated based on the methyl coenzyme M reductase A (mcrA) gene using 454-pyrosequencing and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Samples were collected at six depths from three locations. In the qPCR analyses, a mean depth-wise change of mcrA gene abundance was observed from (1.

Antibody response can be conditioned using electroacupuncture as conditioned stimulus.

To establish a new model of conditioned enhancement of antibody production, electroacupuncture was served as the conditioned stimulus (CS) and an injection of a protein antigen ovalbumin as the unconditioned stimulus (UCS). After a CS/UCS pairing was made, re-exposure of animals to the CS alone resulted in significant conditioned enhancement of anti-ovalbumin antibody production. Even in deep sleep induced by anesthesia, the animals can associate a single CS with UCS and an antibody response can be elicited upon subsequent re-exposure to CS in the absence of exogenous antigen.