Marine Pseudovibrio sp. as a Novel Source of Antimicrobials

Antibiotic resistance among pathogenic microorganisms is becoming ever more common. Unfortunately, the development of new antibiotics which may combat resistance has decreased. Recently, however the oceans and the marine animals that reside there have received increased attention as a potential source for natural product discovery. Many marine eukaryotes interact and form close associations with microorganisms that inhabit their surfaces, many of which can inhibit the attachment, growth or survival of competitor species. It is the bioactive compounds responsible for the inhibition that is of interest to researchers on the hunt for novel bioactives. The genus Pseudovibrio has been repeatedly identified from the bacterial communities isolated from marine surfaces. In addition, antimicrobial activity assays have demonstrated significant antimicrobial producing capabilities throughout the genus. This review will describe the potency, spectrum and possible novelty of the compounds produced by these bacteria, while highlighting the capacity for this genus to produce natural antimicrobial compounds which could be employed to control undesirable bacteria in the healthcare and food production sectors.     

Marennine,Promising Blue Pigments from a Widespread Haslea Diatom Species Complex

In diatoms, the main photosynthetic pigments are chlorophylls a and c, fucoxanthin, diadinoxanthin and diatoxanthin. The marine pennate diatom Haslea ostrearia has long been known for producing, in addition to these generic pigments, a water-soluble blue pigment, marennine. This pigment, responsible for the greening of oysters in western France, presents different biological activities: allelopathic, antioxidant, antibacterial, antiviral, and growth-inhibiting. A method to extract and purify marennine has been developed, but its chemical structure could hitherto not be resolved. For decades, H. ostrearia was the only organism known to produce marennine, and can be found worldwide. Our knowledge about H. ostrearia-like diatom biodiversity has recently been extended with the discovery of several new species of blue diatoms, the recently described H. karadagensis, H. silbo sp. inedit. and H. provincialis sp. inedit. These blue diatoms produce different marennine-like pigments, which belong to the same chemical family and present similar biological activities. Aside from being a potential source of natural blue pigments, H. ostrearia-like diatoms thus present a commercial potential for aquaculture, cosmetics, food and health industries.     

喷施不同次数和剂量脱叶剂对新疆长绒棉脱叶催熟效果

探讨适合新疆阿克苏地区长绒棉脱叶剂的喷施次数和剂量,使棉铃提早成熟、集中吐絮,实现机采的目的。选用长绒棉品种新78,使用手动背负式喷雾器在不同时间喷施不同剂量的脱吐隆（540 g·L^－1噻苯·敌草隆悬浮剂）,并复配40%（质量分数,下同）乙烯利水剂,以清水为对照,探索脱叶剂对长绒棉的脱叶催熟效果及其对产量及纤维品质的影响。结果表明：T2（每666.7 m²一次性施用脱吐隆15 mL＋40%乙烯利水剂100 mL）和T5（施用2次,第1次和第2次每666.7 m²分别用脱吐隆12 mL＋40%乙烯利水剂30 mL和脱吐隆8 mL＋40%乙烯利水剂70 mL）处理下长绒棉脱叶率和吐絮率较高,T2和T4（施用2次,第1次和第2次每666.7 m²分别用脱吐隆10 mL＋40%乙烯利水剂30 mL和脱吐隆5 mL＋40%乙烯利水剂70 mL）处理下籽棉产量较高,每666.7 m²分别为360.77 kg和364.33 kg,且T2和T4处理下的纤维长度整齐度指数、断裂比强度、成熟系数总体优于其他处理,短纤维率低。综上,T2和T4处理均可使长绒棉获得较优产量和品质,但从节约成本和节省劳动力方面考虑,每666.7 m²可一次性喷施脱吐隆15 mL＋40%乙烯利水剂100 mL。     

Application of complex compost in the course of winter wheat cultivation

Influence of complex compost on the agronomical properties of soil, winter wheat development and productivity, and quality of production in the conditions of a farm located in the Leningrad area of Krasnodar territory was considered. The positive action of the complex compost on these indicators was noted.     

Genetic polymorphism of initial apple-tree shapes by alleles of genes associated with long shelf life and fruit quality

Features of the analyzed allele distribution in domestic and foreign varieties are revealed on the basis of apple variety and shape polymorphism in alleles of genes associated with shelf life (Md-ACS1 and Md-ACO1) and fruit quality (MD-Exp7). Two allelic states have been revealed for the Md-ACS1 gene. With regard to the foreign selection Fuji and Gala varieties, the Md-ACS1 gene is in a homozygous state. In the examined varieties, the Md-ACO1 gene is represented by two allelic variants, and the MD-Exp7 gene of expansin biosynthesis is represented by three allelic forms. Allele 1 is responsible for a lowered level of expansin synthesis and is identified in wild apple-tree species (Chinese Golden Apple, Tayozhnoye, Caucasian Self-Fruitful).     

Dependence of colour and discolouration on total extractive content of African Padauk and Jatoba

This study is about relationships between total extractive contents, heartwood colour and light-induced discolourations of the tropical species African Padauk (Pterocarpus soyauxii Taub) and Jatoba (Hymenaea courbaril L.). Wood surface colour was measured spectrophotometrically before and after light irradiation. Subsequently, the total extractive content was determined and linked to the colour parameters. Total extractive content varied between 6 % (Jatoba) and 27 % (African Padauk). The fact that non-irradiated Jatoba appeared lighter and more yellow with higher extractives contents, opposed the often assumed relationship that more heartwood extractives cause darker wood. For light-irradiated Jatoba wood only the reddishness was more intense when samples had higher extractive content. In contrast, light-irradiated African Padauk showed significant differences in all colour parameters as extractives varied. High overall colour change in African Padauk due to light irradiation was observed; however, no relationship with the extractive content existed. In contrast, discolouration rate of Jatoba wood strongly varied with its extractive content. Individual wood species react differently during exposure to light and therefore require specific surface treatment to maintain the desired colour appearance and colour stability.     

Important properties of bamboo pellets to be used as commercial solid fuel in China

Bamboo is a type of biomass material and has great potential as a bio-energy resource of the future in China. Some properties of bamboo pellets, length, diameter, moisture content (MC), particle density, bulk density, durability, fine content, ash, gross calorific value, combustion rate and heat release rate, were determined and the effects of MC and particle size (PS) on these properties were investigated in this research. The results showed that bamboo pellets will be the proposed new biomass solid fuel and have the potential to be developed as commercial pellets. All properties of bamboo pellets met the requirement of Pellet Fuels Institute Standard Specification for Residential/Commercial Densified Fuel. The gross calorific value of bamboo pellets also met the minimum requirement for making commercial pellets according to DIN 51731 (>17,500 J/g). The effects of MC on length, diameter, MC, particle density and bulk density were significant at p = 0.05. There were no significant differences between PS and all properties of bamboo pellets. Due to higher MC and larger PS, bamboo pellets exhibited higher combustion rates and heat release rates. This research represents an initial stage in the study of bamboo pellets, and its objectives provide guidelines for further research.     

Evaluating changes in switchgrass physiology,biomass, and light-use efficiency under artificial shade to estimate yields if intercropped with Pinus taeda L.

There is growing interest in using switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) as a biofuel intercrop in forestry systems. However, there are limited data on the longevity of intercropped bioenergy crops, particularly with respect to light availability as the overstory tree canopy matures. Therefore, we conducted a greenhouse study to determine the effects of shading on switchgrass growth. Four treatments, each with different photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) levels, were investigated inside the greenhouse: control (no shade cloth, 49 % of full sunlight), low (under 36 % shade cloth), medium (under 52 % shade cloth), and heavy shade (under 78 % shade cloth). We determined the effect of shading from March to October 2011 on individually potted, multi-tillered switchgrass transplants cut to a stubble height of 10 cm. In the greenhouse, there was a reduction in tiller number, tiller height, gas exchange rates (photosynthesis and stomatal conductance), leaf area, above- and belowground biomass and light-use efficiency with increasing shade. Total (above- and belowground) biomass in the control measured 374 ± 22 compared to 9 ± 2 g pot^?1 under heavy shade (11 % of full sunlight). Corresponding light-use efficiencies were 3.7 ± 0.2 and 1.4 ± 0.2 g MJ^?1, respectively. We also compared PAR levels and associated aboveground switchgrass biomass from inside the greenhouse to PAR levels in the inter-row regions of a range of loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) stands from across the southeastern United States (U.S.) to estimate when light may limit the growth of intercropped species under field conditions. Results from the light environment of loblolly pine plantations in the field suggest that switchgrass biomass will be significantly reduced at a loblolly pine leaf area index between 1.95 and 2.25, which occurs on average between ages 6 and 8 years across the U.S. Southeast in intensively managed pine plantations. These leaf area indices correspond to a 60–65 % reduction in PAR from open sky.     

长白山8种林型土壤有机碳和全氮的质量分数及垂直分布特征1）

基于样地调查和室内分析,比较研究了长白山地区典型的8种森林类型土壤有机碳和全氮的质量分数、碳氮比、碳密度和氮密度的分布特征。结果表明,8种林型土壤有机碳和全氮的质量分数变化范围分别是36．99～70．33、3．14～6．04 g· kg－1,有机碳、全氮质量分数最大的林型均是阔叶混交天然林。红松天然林土壤C ／N值最大为15．56,其它C ／N值变化范围为10．55～12．19。在土壤垂直剖面上,随着土层深度的增加,土壤的有机碳、全氮质量分数随之递减,土壤密度随之递增。8种林型土壤碳密度是杨树天然林最大,为22．13 kg· m－2,氮密度是落叶松人工林最大,为1．97 kg· m－2;针阔混交人工林的碳密度和氮密度均为最小,分别是12．37、1．11 kg· m－2。