Accumulation of mixed linkage (1 → 3) (1 → 4)-β-d-glucan during grain filling in barley: A vibrational spectroscopy study

The accumulation of mixed linkage barley (1 → 3) (1 → 4)-β-d-glucan (BG) during grain filling at eight stages was studied using standard reference methods and infrared spectroscopy. Two mutant barley genotypes having higher (starch mutant lys5f) and lower (high lysine mutant lys3a) BG content than the normal control Cork were studied. The Cork and lys3a genotypes showed a linear BG accumulation throughout the grain filling to reach a maximum of approximately 6 and 4% BG (w/w) dry matter, respectively. However, lys5f mutant exhibited an exponential increase in BG synthesis to a maximum of approximately 18% BG (w/w) dry matter 30 days after flowering (DAF), seemingly compensating for a decreased synthesis of starch.     

Role of ‘<Emphasis Type="Italic">Candidatus</Emphasis> Liberibacter solanacearum’ and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bactericera cockerelli</Emphasis> Haplotypes in Zebra Chip Incidence and Symptom Severity

Two haplotypes of the pathogen, ‘Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum,’ (Lso) and four haplotypes of the insect vector, Bactericera cockerelli, are associated with zebra chip disease of potato. Whether disease severity or incidence is influenced by pathogen or insect haplotype is poorly understood. The role of Lso ‘A’ and ‘B,’ transmitted by three haplotypes of B. cockerelli, on disease severity and incidence in eight potato cultivars was analyzed. Both haplotypes of Lso induced tuber symptoms. In general, Lso B caused higher incidence of symptoms, and greater reduction in tubers compared with Lso A. Lso B was associated with more severe tuber symptoms, producing fewer mild or moderate tuber symptoms. Lso A was associated with less severe tuber symptoms, despite being able to induce severe symptoms. Disease incidence, tuber yield, and symptom severity ratings were not dependent upon the psyllid haplotype transmitting the pathogen, suggesting that pathogen, not insect haplotype affects Lso transmission.     

Chemical and Functional Characterization of Kañiwa (C<Emphasis Type="Italic">henopodium pallidicaule</Emphasis>) Grain,Extrudate and Bran

Cereals provide a good source of dietary fibre and other important compounds with nutritional potential, such as phenolic compounds, antioxidants, minerals and vitamins. Although native Andean cereals are known to have high nutritional value, their minor components have not been studied thoroughly. In this study, two varieties of a native Andean crop, kañiwa (Chenopodium pallidicaule), were investigated as sources of dietary fibre and specific antioxidant compounds. Two products, an extrudate and bran, were also prepared and their functional properties and bioactive compounds were determined. Both varieties were rich in total dietary fibre and lignin, and the phenolic components analyzed had high antioxidant activity. The extrudates had good functional properties, such as degree of gelatinization, sectional expansion index and water solubility index; the bran was high in bioactive compounds, such as total phenolics. In conclusion, kañiwa may offer an alternative to traditional cereals as a health-promoting food ingredient.     

Determination of the Antimicrobial and Antioxidative Properties and Total Phenolics of Two “Endemic” Lamiaceae Species from Turkey: <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ballota rotundifolia</Emphasis> L. and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Teucrium chamaedrys</Emphasis> C. Koch

This study was designed to examine the in vitro antimicrobial and antioxidant activities and the amount of total phenolics of the methanol extracts of Ballota rotundifolia L. and Teucrium chamaedrys C. Koch. In the case of antimicrobial activity tests, polar sub-fractions of the methanol extracts of plant species exhibited weakest antimicrobial activity when compared with the non-polar ones. While, non-polar sub-fraction of B. rotundifolia showed moderate activity against A. lwoffii, C. perfringens and the yeasts, T. chamaedrys performed excellent activity pattern against all of the tested microorganisms. The sub-fractions were also screened for their possible antioxidant activities by two complementary tests, namely DPPH free radical-scavenging and β-carotene/linoleic acid assays. Non-polar extracts of the plant species remained inactive in both test systems. On the other hand polar extracts showed remarkable antioxidant activities. In DPPH system, free radical scavenging effect of T. chamaedrys was measured as 18.00 ± 1.42 μg.mg⁻¹. It is extremely important to point out that, polar sub-fraction of T. chamaedrys is found as effective as the positive control BHT. Non-polar sub-fraction of T. chamaedrys found to have the highest total phenolic amount (97.12 ± 1.28 μg/mg). Results obtained from this experiment confirm the relationship between the amount of phenolics and biological activities.     

‘马来西亚1号’菠萝蜜叶片氮磷钾动态的研究

通过对海南省文昌市南阳镇、琼海市大路镇、乐东县黄流镇3个地区‘马来西亚1号’菠萝蜜叶片氮、磷、钾3种营养元素的周年变化规律跟踪调查分析,结果表明：3个地区菠萝蜜叶片营养元素变化规律相似。元素年平均含量表现为氮>钾>磷。根据实际生产中的生育期调研分析,将菠萝蜜的生长周期大致划分为2个批次3个时期：第一批次养树期（11—12月）、花芽分化期（1—2月）、结果期（3—4月）;第二批次养树期（5—6月）、花芽分化期（7—8月）、结果期（9—10月）。生长周期内,氮元素含量年变化呈现“N”字型变化趋势;磷含量在1—4月呈先上升后下降的趋势,随后呈缓慢上升趋势;钾含量变化趋势与氮含量变化相似,但钾元素含量变化没有氮元素变化明显。菠萝蜜叶片中大量元素含量的适宜范围为：全氮21.03~22.15 g/kg,全磷2.86~3.40 g/kg,全钾13.49~14.47 g/kg。在生长发育过程中,菠萝蜜需氮、钾元素较多,特别是在花芽分化期和结果期,应注意增施氮肥与钾肥,磷肥应于养树期施足。     

Preparation and characterization of electrospun polyvinyl alcoholstyrylpyridinium/<Emphasis Type="Italic">β</Emphasis>-cyclodextrin composite nanofibers: Release behavior and potential use for wound dressing

Biocompatible polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-styrylpyridinium (SbQ)/β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) composite nanofibers were obtained by electrospinning in this study. PVA-SbQ was used as the foundation polymer as well as crosslinking agent, β-CD was incorporated to achieve expected properties such as improved mechanical properties and thermal stability. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) spectra confirmed the existence of β-CD, and the morphologies and average fiber diameters of the electrospun composite nanofibers were also analyzed by SEM. X-ray diffraction patterns (XRD) of PVA-SbQ/β-CD composite nanofibers revealed that the inclusion of β-CD in the nanofibers affected the ordered phase of PVA. Besides, the thermal analyses revealed the improvement in the thermal properties for PVA-SbQ/β-CD composite nanofibers. It was found that the crosslinked composite nanofibers showed a clear higher tensile strength (TS) as well as a greater elongation at break (EB). Eventually, antifungal drug griseofulvin (GSV) has been loaded into the composite nanofibers by formation of its inclusion complex with β-CD in aqueous solution, ultraviolet light (UV-Vis) spectral analysis showed that the drug-loading nanofibers had certain sustained release effect.     

Floating Photocatalyst Based on Poly(ε-caprolactone) Foam and TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> Nanoparticles for Removal of Textile Dyes

This study discusses a novel approach for fabrication of floating photocatalyst which can be efficiently exploited for photodegradation of dyes in aqueous solutions. A fabrication of the floating photocatalyst consisted of two steps: transformation of the poly(ε-caprolactone) beads (PCL_b) into poly(ε-caprolactone) foam (PCL_f) with porous structure in supercritical carbon-dioxide and subsequent loading of PCL_f with TiO₂ nanoparticles (NPs). Morphological characterization of the PCL_f before and after TiO₂ NPs loading was carried out by FESEM. The presence of titanium on the surface and inside the PCL_f was detected by EDX. Photocatalytical activity of the floating photocatalyst was investigated in aqueous solution of textile dyes C.I. Acid Orange 7 (AO7) and C.I. Basic Yellow 28 (BY28) which were exposed to lamp that simulates the sun light. In addition to sustainable floatability for a long period of time, developed floating photocatalyst exhibited high rate of photodegradation since the complete discoloration of AO7 and BY28 solutions and photocatalysts alone occurred after 300 and 180 min of illumination, respectively. Its photocatalytic activity was preserved after three repeated photodegradation cycles with unchanged chemical structure that was confirmed by FTIR analysis.     

Are soil‐adjusted vegetation indices better than soil‐unadjusted vegetation indices for above‐ground green biomass estimation in arid and semi‐arid grasslands?

Accurate estimation of grassland biomass has been a central focus due to its importance in ecosystem processes and carbon cycles. This study aimed to examine whether the performance of soil‐adjusted vegetation indices for estimating above‐ground green biomass was better than that of soil‐unadjusted vegetation indices in arid and semi‐arid grasslands. Above‐ground green biomass in desert steppe of Inner Mongolia and corresponding moderate‐resolution imaging spectroradiometer (MODIS) surface reflectance 8‐day composite MOD09Q1 data were collected during late September of 2013. Results showed that soil‐adjusted SAVI (soil‐adjusted vegetation index), MSAVI (modified soil‐adjusted vegetation index), OSAVI (optimized soil‐adjusted vegetation index), TSAVI (transformed soil‐adjusted vegetation index), ATSAVI (adjusted transformed soil‐adjusted vegetation index) and PVI (perpendicular vegetation index) did not improve estimation accuracy over soil‐unadjusted simple ratio (SR) and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), due to low green vegetation cover (<30%) in the study area. Our results suggest that these soil‐adjusted vegetation indices may be not suitable for describing green vegetation information in arid and semi‐arid grasslands with low green vegetation cover (<30%).     

Weight loss and morphology changes of electrospun poly(<Emphasis Type="Italic">?</Emphasis>-caprolactone) yarns during <Emphasis Type="Italic">in vitro</Emphasis> degradation

In this study, the in vitro degradation of yarns made from PCL electrospun fibers containing various concentrations of ampicillin sodium salt was investigated. PCL fibers were electrospun and collected as well-aligned fiber bundles and then twisted into yarns. Yarn weight loss, morphology changes in the yarns, and morphology changes in the fiber microstructure with degradation were evaluated. Results showed that the electrospun PCL yarns degraded slowly with a weight loss less than 3 % in 12 weeks. The addition of various concentrations of ampicillin salt increased the degradation rate slightly. The morphological changes observed in fiber microstructure suggested that the degradation underwent bulk erosion and the degradation began with the amorphous regions. Revealed by the fiber morphological changes with degradation, the microstructure of electrospun PCL fibers followed the fringed fibril fiber model. The fiber arrangement in the yarn was impaired by the in vitro degradation environment as well.     

Digested and Fermented Green Kiwifruit Increases Human β-Defensin 1 and 2 Production In vitro

The intestinal mucosa is constantly exposed to a variety of microbial species including commensals and pathogens, the latter leaving the host susceptible to infection. Antimicrobial peptides (AMP) are an important part of the first line of defense at mucosal surfaces. Human ??-defensins (HBD) are AMP expressed by colonic epithelial cells, which act as broad spectrum antimicrobials. This study explored the direct and indirect effects of green kiwifruit (KF) on human ??-defensin 1 and 2 (HBD-1 and 2) production by epithelial cells. In vitro digestion of KF pulp consisted of a simulated gastric and duodenal digestion, followed by colonic microbial fermentation using nine human faecal donors. Fermenta from individual donors was sterile filtered and independently added to epithelial cells prior to analysis of HBD protein production. KF products obtained from the gastric and duodenal digestion had no effect on the production of HBD-1 or 2 by epithelial cells, demonstrating that KF does not contain substances that directly modulate defensin production. However, when the digested KF products were further subjected to in vitro colonic fermentation, the fermentation products significantly up-regulated HBD-1 and 2 production by the same epithelial cells. We propose that this effect was predominantly mediated by the presence of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) in the fermenta. Exposure of cells to purified SCFA confirmed this and HBD-1 and 2 production was up-regulated with acetate, propionate and butyrate. In conclusion, in vitro colonic fermentation of green kiwifruit digest appears to prime defense mechanisms in gut cells by enhancing the production of antimicrobial defensins.     

棉花良种补贴，“鸡肋”还是“飨宴”

 实践证明,棉农是国家实施棉花良种补贴的最大受益者，实现了棉花良种补贴的主要目的。有人对棉花良种补贴持有不同的态度，是因为棉农、种子企业和基层农技推广部门等相对独立的利益主体，均以从项目实施中获利多少来评价政策的优劣。棉种市场混乱是制约项目实施的关键因素,要提高项目实施水平，必须采取综合措施，重点是整治棉种市场，简化补贴操作程序。     

Does pre‐grazing herbage mass really affect herbage intake and milk production of strip‐grazing dairy cows?

The effect of pre‐grazing herbage mass (HM) on herbage intake and milk production of strip‐grazing dairy cows is usually studied at the same herbage allowance (HA). In the literature, the effect of HM seems to be affected by the cutting height above which HA is estimated. The aim of this 2 × 3 factorial study was to determine whether the effect of HM (low vs high HM) on herbage intake, milk production and grazing behaviour of dairy cows is affected by the HA estimation height (ground level vs 2·5 vs 5 cm). Two HMs were compared in three different ways: at same HA above ground level (SHA₀), at same HA above 2·5 cm (SHA₂) and at same HA above 5 cm (SHA₅). During two consecutive years, twenty‐four Holstein‐Friesian dairy cows in mid‐lactation were assigned to one estimation height in an incomplete switchback design, with two 14‐d periods. There was an interaction between HM and estimation height for herbage intake and milk production. The effect of HM on herbage intake was positive, null and negative when HMs were compared at SHA₀, SHA₂ and SHA₅, respectively. This study may have practical implications on future research for studying, directly or indirectly, the effect of pre‐grazing HM under strip‐ or rotational‐grazing management, and on modelling herbage intake at grazing.     

Does post‐grazing sward height influence sward characteristics,seasonal herbage dry‐matter production and herbage quality?

Extending the grazing season through the production and utilization of high‐quality forage is a key objective in grassland‐based dairy production systems. Grazing swards to a low post‐grazing sward height (PGSH) is a strategy for improving grass utilization. A grazing experiment conducted in Ireland investigated immediate and subsequent effects of PGSH on sward production, utilization and structural characteristics. Swards were grazed to 2·7 cm (severe; S1) or 3·5 cm (moderate; M1) from 10 February to 18 April 2010 (Period 1; P1). From 19 April, each P1 paddock was halved and grazed to either 3·8 cm (S2) or 4·8 cm (M2), until 30 October (Period 2; P2). The first grazing rotation was +7 d on S1 swards compared with M1 swards (45 d), due to greater herbage utilization (+0·22). Herbage production during P1 was not affected by PGSH but a severe PGSH during this period reduced subsequent herbage production: 13·9 (S1) vs. 15·5 t dry matter (DM) ha^?1 (M1) by the end of the study. Leaf proportion was increased (+0·10) on S2 swards compared with M2 swards, but M2 swards produced 1·2 t DM ha^?1 more herbage during P2. Despite the relatively lower level of sward utilization obtained from moderate grazing in P1 (3·5 cm) and P2 (4·5–5·0 cm), such levels of PGSH increased DM production while maintaining sward quality, compared with severe grazing (2·7 cm in P1 and 3·5–4·0 cm in P2).     

In vitro fermentation kinetics and end-products of cereal arabinoxylans and (1,3;1,4)-β-glucans by porcine faeces

Purified and semi-purified polysaccharides characteristic of cereals were fermented in vitro with a pig faecal inoculum, using the cumulative gas production technique, to examine the kinetics and end-products of fermentation after 48 h. It was shown that arabinoxylan and mixed linkage (1,3;1,4) β-glucan were rapidly fermented if soluble, while less soluble substrates (insoluble arabinoxylan, maize and wheat starch granules, and bacterial cellulose) were more slowly fermented. Relevant monosaccharides were fermented at very similar rates to soluble polymeric arabinoxylan and β-glucan, showing that depolymerisation was not a limiting step, in contrast to some previous studies. Bacterial cellulose is shown to be a useful model substrate for fermentation of plant cellulose which is difficult to obtain without harsh chemical treatments. Fermentation end-products were related to kinetics, with slow carbohydrate fermentation resulting in increased protein fermentation. Ratios of short-chain fatty acid products were similar for all arabinoxylan and β-glucan substrates.     

Distribution and Abundance of Necrophagous Flies (Diptera: Calliphoridae and Sarcophagidae) in Maranh?o,Northeastern Brazil

This study aimed at surveying the local calliphorid and sarcophagid species in Maranhão State (Brazil) to determine their distribution and abundance, as well as the distribution of exotic Chrysomya species. In total, 18,128 calliphorid specimens were collected, distributed in 7 genera and 14 species. The species Hemilucilia semidiaphana (Rondani, 1850) and Paralucilia paraensis (Mello, 1969) were new state records. Chrysomya albiceps (Wiedemann, 1819) and Cochliomyia macellaria (F., 1775) were the most abundant species, and the exotic species of Chrysomya together contributed more than 50% of total blow fly abundance. The abundance distribution of the calliphorid community conformed to a log series model, characterized by a steep curve that reflects an assemblage with a high degree of dominance. For the Sarcophagidae, a total of 14,810 specimens were collected and distributed in 15 genera, 11 subgenera, and 52 species. Tricharaea (Sarcophagula) occidua (F., 1794) and Peckia (Sarcodexia) lambens (Wiedemann, 1830) were the most abundant species. The abundance distribution of the species followed a log normal model, with a gentler slope, consistent with a more uniform community. The cumulative species curve for the sarcophagids did not reach the asymptote. Forty-three sarcophagid species were new state records and 22 were new records for the Brazilian northeast, which emphasizes the need for a continued survey in this region.     

橡胶树HbPIP1;1基因的克隆及蛋白的亚细胞定位与多聚化分析

水通道蛋白（aquaporin）是一类广泛存在生物体中高效转运水分子的膜内在蛋白，其在生物膜上以同源或异源四聚体的形式起作用。根据序列相似性及亚细胞定位，植物水通道蛋白可分为PIP （plasma membrane intrinsic protein）、TIP（tonoplast intrinsic protein）、NIP（NOD26-like intrinsic protein）、SIP（small basic intrinsic protein）和XIP（X intrinsic protein）等5大类，其中，PIP定位在细胞膜，是介导细胞间水分跨膜运输的主要通道。橡胶树最早起源于南美亚马逊河流域，是目前天然橡胶的主要商业来源。与其他植物相比，橡胶树除蒸腾耗水外，周期性的割胶活动也会造成水分的大量流失，因此，水分平衡对于橡胶树尤为重要。为揭示橡胶树水分平衡的分子机制，采用RT-PCR技术对1个PIP类水通道蛋白基因HbPIP1;1进行克隆，并在此基础上对其编码蛋白的亚细胞定位和多聚化特征进行分析。结果显示：该基因的编码区长864 bp，预测编码287 aa，其理论分子量为30.80 kDa、等电点8.59、不稳定系数49.27、脂肪族指数22.34、总平均疏水指数为0.639，属于不稳定的疏水型碱性蛋白；蛋白含有水通道蛋白家族特有的MIP（major intrinsic protein）结构域及6个典型的跨膜螺旋，每个螺旋的残基数介于20~23之间。研究构建了基因的亚细胞定位分析载体，并采用农杆菌介导法对烟草叶片进行了瞬时转化。荧光共聚焦显微镜观察显示，HbPIP1;1蛋白定位在细胞膜，与用生物信息学手段预测的结果一致。在烟草叶片中的双分子荧光互补实验显示，HbPIP1;1蛋白自身不能互作，这进一步得到了点对点的酵母双杂交实验的证实。以上结果表明HbPIP1;1蛋白可能通过异源互作的方式参与橡胶树水分的平衡。     

Total Synthesis and Biological Activity of Marine Alkaloid Eudistomins Y1–Y7 and Their Analogues

Eudistomin Y class compounds are a series of β-carbolines which was originally isolated from a marine turnicate or ascidian near the South Korea Sea. These compounds contain bromo-substituted groups, which is one of the typical characters of marine natural products. We report herein the chemical synthesis and biological evaluation of seven new β-carboline-based metabolites, Eudistomins Y₁–Y₇, and their hydroxyl-methylated phenyl derivatives. Using bromo-substituted tryptamines and bromo-substituted phenylglyoxals as the key intermediates, Eudistomins Y₁–Y₇ and their derivatives were synthesized via the acid-catalyzed Pictet-Spengler reaction and fully characterized by ¹H- and ¹³C-NMR and mass spectroscopy. Biological studies revealed that all of the compounds showed moderate growth inhibitory activity against breast carcinoma cell line MDA-231 with IC₅₀ of 15–63 μM and the inhibitory activities of hydroxyl-methylated phenyl products were higher than that of the corresponding natural products Eudistomins Y₁–Y₇.     

Chemical Composition and Nutritional Value of Unripe Banana Flour (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Musa acuminata</Emphasis>, var. Nanicão)

Banana flour obtained from unripe banana (Musa acuminata, var. Nanicão) under specific drying conditions was evaluated regarding its chemical composition and nutritional value. Results are expressed in dry weight (dw). The unripe banana flour (UBF) presented a high amount of total dietary fiber (DF) (56.24 g/100 g), which consisted of resistant starch (RS) (48.99 g/100 g), fructans (0.05 g/100 g) and DF without RS or fructans (7.2 g/100 g). The contents of available starch (AS) (27.78 g/100 g) and soluble sugars (1.81 g/100 g) were low. The main phytosterols found were campesterol (4.1 mg/100 g), stigmasterol (2.5 mg/100 g) and β-sitosterol (6.2 mg/100 g). The total polyphenol content was 50.65 mg GAE/100 g. Antioxidant activity, by the FRAP and ORAC methods, was moderated, being 358.67 and 261.00 μmol of Trolox equivalent/100 g, respectively. The content of Zn, Ca and Fe and mineral dialyzability were low. The procedure used to obtain UBF resulted in the recovery of undamaged starch granules and in a low-energy product (597 kJ/100 g).