Phenological and physiological evaluation of first and second cropping periods of sorghum and maize crops

Environmental conditions influence phenology and physiological processes of plants. It is common for maize and sorghum to be sown at two different periods: the first cropping (spring/summer) and the second cropping (autumn/winter). The phenological cycle of these crops varies greatly according to the planting season, and it is necessary to characterize the growth and development to facilitate the selection of the species best adapted to the environment. The aim of this study was to characterize phenological phases and physiological parameters in sorghum and maize plants as a function of environmental conditions from the first cropping and second cropping periods. Two parallel experiments were conducted with both crops. The phenological characterization was based on growth analyses (plant height, leaf area and photoassimilate partitioning) and gas exchange evaluations (net assimilation rate, stomatal conductance, transpiration and water-use efficiency). It was found that the vegetative stage (VS) for sorghum and maize plants was 7 and 21 days, respectively, longer when cultivated during the second cropping. In the first cropping, the plants were taller than in the second cropping, regardless of the crop. The stomatal conductance of sorghum plants fluctuated in the second cropping during the development period, while maize plants showed decreasing linear behaviour. Water-use efficiency in sorghum plants was higher during the second cropping compared with the first cropping. In maize plants, in the second cropping, the water-use efficiency showed a slight variation in relation to the first cropping. It was concluded that the environmental conditions as degree-days, temperature, photoperiod and pluvial precipitation influence the phenology and physiology of both crops during the first and the second cropping periods, specifically cycle duration, plant height, leaf area, net assimilation rate, stomatal conductance and water-use efficiency, indicating that both crops respond differentially to environmental changes during the growing season.     

Seroepidemiological evidence for the possible presence of Babesia (Theileria) equi and Babesia caballi infections in donkeys in western Xinjiang, China

The prevalence of Babesia (Theileria) equi and B. caballi infections in donkeys in western Xinjiang China was investigated. In total, 93 serum samples were randomly taken from donkeys in the Kashi and Ili areas, and examined for B. equi and B. caballi infections by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays using recombinant antigens. Of the 93 samples, 9 (9.6%) and 36 (38.7%) samples were positive for B. equi infection and B. caballi infection, respectively. In addition, 2 (2.2%) samples were positive for both B. equi and B. caballi infections. These results indicate that equine babesiosis might be extensively prevalent in donkeys in western Xinjiang.     

Electron tunneling paths in proteins

One of the crucial issues in biological electron transfer is the determination of the role of spatially intermediate amino acid residues in controlling or directing the electronic tunneling interaction between redox sites. A quantum path integral Monte Carlo method is developed for the analysis of electronic tunneling pathways in a highly structured environment. This path integral method is applied to intramolecular electron transfer in a ruthenium-modified myoglobin that contains a tryptophan in the "line-of-flight." A principal result is the identification of the relevant cylindrical zone swept out by the tunneling electron.     

Dysfunction of erythropoietin-producing interstitial cells in the kidneys of ICR-derived glomerulonephritis (ICGN) mice

Anemia is a major secondary symptom in chronic renal disorder (CRD), but the precise cause of insufficient production of erythropoietin (EPO) remains unclear owing to the controversial localization of EPO-producing cells in the kidneys. The ICR-derived glomerulonephritis (ICGN) mouse, a new hereditary nephrotic mouse, is an appropriate model of anemia associated with CRD. By using an amplified in situ hybridization technique, we detected and counted the renal EPO-producing cells under both normoxic and hypoxic conditions. The expression levels of renal EPO mRNA were quantified and oxygen gradients were also assessed immunohistochemically. Amplified in situ hybridization clarified that EPO-producing cells were peritubular interstitial cells in the middle region of renal cortex in both ICR and ICGN mice. Hypoxia (7% O2) induced low oxygen tension in proximal tubular epithelial cells of renal cortex, and increased the expression of EPO mRNA and the number of EPO-producing cells in both ICR and ICGN mice. However, hypoxia did not increase the serum EPO levels in ICGN mice. The ICGN mouse is a good model for anemia associated with CRD, and the suppression of EPO protein production in the renal EPO-producing cells is considered to be a potential cause of anemia associated with CRD.     

The Morphophysiological Responses of Free-Floating Aquatic Macrophytes to a Supra-optimal Supply of Manganese

Among the many anthropogenic abiotic stresses, manganese (Mn) toxicity has been recognized for its impact on aquatic ecosystems as well as on the biological components of these ecosystems, including aquatic plants. The objective of this study was to determine the Mn accumulation ability of aquatic macrophytes (Azolla caroliniana, Salvinia minima and Spirodela polyrhiza) and evaluate the morphophysiological responses of the species that gather the highest amount of Mn when exposed to a supra-optimal supply of manganese. The experiments were conducted in the laboratory, and the effects of Mn were evaluated based on plant growth; the concentration of total chlorophyll, carotenoids, and anthocyanins; the enzymatic activity of catalase and peroxidase; and leaf anatomy. All of the studied species accumulated Mn in their tissues. Moreover, it was observed that this accumulation was dependent on the concentration of the metal in solution. S. polyrhiza showed higher concentrations of Mn in its tissues (17.062?mg?g^?1 dry weight (DW)), followed by S. minima (4.283?mg?g^?1 DW) and A. caroliniana (1.341?mg?g^?1 DW). Despite the Mn accumulation in all species, S. polyrhiza was the only one selected for further analyses because of its greater ability to accumulate Mn. The high Mn concentration found in tissues of S. polyrhiza suggests that this species has the potential to sequester and accumulate this metal. However, a sensitive response in the plants exposed to higher Mn concentrations (0.4?mM) was observed. The phytotoxicity effects of this accumulation were responsible for a decrease in the plant growth, a reduction in the pigment content (total chlorophyll, carotenoids, and anthocyanins), a low activity of catalase, and the disarrangement of the leaf aerenchyma.     

Frugivory of carnivores and seed dispersal of fleshy fruits in cool-temperate deciduous forests

Five members of the order Carnivora in the cool-temperate deciduous forests of Japan consume the fruits of trees, and they are potential dispersers of the seeds of fleshy-fruited plants. We studied the frugivory of the Asiatic black bear, Japanese marten, badger, red fox, and raccoon dog in cool-temperate deciduous forest of central Japan. From May 2003 to April 2005, a total of 377 fecal samples of the five carnivores (bears, 91; martens, 158; badgers, 45; foxes, 36; and raccoon dogs, 47) were sampled to determine the presence and frequency of occurrence of seeds. Seeds from 17 plant species, representing about 50% of the fleshy-fruited plants occurring in the study forest, were recovered from the carnivore fecal samples. Large numbers (9–10,256) of seeds were present in those feces. Almost all the seeds of fleshy fruits retrieved from the fecal samples were undamaged whereas no intact acorns or nuts were recovered. These findings suggest that all five carnivores can act as seed dispersers for some fleshy-fruited plants in cool-temperate deciduous forest. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Rapid and convenient method for preparing aurapten-enriched product from hassaku peel oil: implications for cancer-preventive food additives

Aurapten (7-geranyloxycoumarin) has been reported to be an effective inhibitor of chemical carcinogenesis in some rodent models. In the present study, a method for preparing an aurapten-enriched agricultural product has been established. Out of 17 Rutaceae varieties, the aurapten content in hassaku (Citrus hassaku Hort ex Y. Tanaka) fruit peel was marked, as well as that in natsumikan (C. natsudaidai) and grapefruit (C. paradisi). The aurapten content in hassaku peel was most abundant in April. Hassaku fruit peel oil, which was dissolved by heating precipitates including aurapten which had formed after freezing the peel oil at -20 degrees C, was used. After adsorbing aurapten from peel oil onto synthetic adsorbent SP70, the adsorbent was washed with 40% (v/v) ethanol in water to remove essential oils and pigments remaining on the adsorbent. Aurapten was then eluted with 80% (v/v) ethanol. In a laboratory-scale test, the recovery rates of aurapten and total carotenoids from the eluates were 74.3 and 4.6%, respectively. In a pilot-scale test, the recovery rate of aurapten in the aurapten-enriched preparation from dissolved hassaku oil was 91.0%, and its concentration was 64.1% (w/w). When stored for 180 days under sunlight, aurapten in powder form remained at 88.0-89.0% of the initial level, but only 31.3-43.8% in ethanol. The stability of aurapten in the aurapten-enriched preparation was higher than that of purified aurapten. These results suggest that aurapten is readily recovered from hassaku peel oil using SP70, and thus may be used as a food additive.     

Institutional capacity and rural community planning in Japan: an event history analysis

Bottom-up and governance paradigms are becoming more prevalent in rural community planning in East Asia. Rural communities must enhance their institutional capacities, which are the baseline for planning future changes. However, few studies have analyzed the relationship between institutional capacity and rural community planning. Using a quantitative method of event history analysis, we compared the hazards of establishing conferences and plan approval from the Sato-dzukuri of Kobe City, Japan. We examined the effect of institutional capacity on rural community planning for the conference establishment and plan approval. We found that knowledge resources and relational resources are related to the proxy mobilization capacity for conference establishment. These resources are related to plan approval, although no relationship exists between conference establishment and plan approval. Conferences can be planned more rapidly than plans for approval can be, although both require substantial time. Communities with rural contexts present more rapid conference establishment than do suburban areas, whereas there are no significant differences in plan approval. This suggests that rural communities require more effort for the plan approval process. Rural community planning should judiciously address issues of institutional capacity regarding restrained knowledge resources and progress management, and should maintain vigilance regarding administration to achieve local governance.     

The Simulated Effects of Iron Dust and Acidity During the Early Stages of Establishment of Two Coastal Plant Species

Water, Air, & Soil Pollution - In Brazil’s littoral, many iron ore industries are located in areas of restinga, a type of coastal ecosystem; such industries represent stationary sources...