Changing stock of biomass carbon in a boreal forest over 93 years

The growing stock more than doubled from 1.6 to 3.4 million m³ between 1912 and 2005 in forests on an area of 387 km² in southern Finland. The stock expansion continued for 93 years noting interim results, which were available for 1959, 1982, 1994 and 1999. Forested area in the region hardly changed. Carbon sequestration was mainly a result of a long-term recovery from forest degradation, a legacy of land use in the 18th and 19th centuries. Tree demography responded to management change especially of mature stands: Average tree size and stocking density of stands increased. On average the expanding biomass stock sequestered 18 tons C annually per km² (18 g C per m²). In comparison, the emissions of fossil carbon in the region were estimated at 12 tons C per km² (12 g C per m²) on average. However, fossil CO₂ emissions exceeded biomass sequestration in recent decades. The powerful and persistent expansion of the carbon stock was an unintended co-benefit of forestry, which was motivated by the intention to improve timber yield. On the more negative side the change in management introduced clear-cuts, and a loss of diverse elements of the pre-industrial biota.     

Effect of glyphosate on the tripartite symbiosis formed by Glomus intraradices,Bradyrhizobium japonicum,and genetically modified soybean

Most soybeans grown in North America are genetically modified (GM) to tolerate applications of the broad-spectrum herbicide glyphosate; as a result, glyphosate is now extensively used in soybean cropping systems. Soybean roots form both arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) and rhizobial symbioses. In addition to individually improving host plant fitness, these symbioses also interact to influence the functioning of each symbiosis, thereby establishing a tripartite symbiosis. The objectives of this study were to (1) estimate the effects of glyphosate on the establishment and functioning of AM and rhizobial symbioses with GM soybean, and (2) to estimate the interdependence of the symbioses in determining the response of each symbiosis to glyphosate. These objectives were addressed in two experiments; the first investigated the importance of the timing of glyphosate application in determining the responses of the symbionts and the second varied the rate of glyphosate application. Glyphosate applied at recommended field rates had no effect on Glomus intraradices or Bradyrhizobium japonicum colonization of soybean roots, or on soybean foliar tissue [P]. N₂-fixation was greater for glyphosate-treated soybean plants than for untreated-plants in both experiments, but only when glyphosate was applied at the first trifoliate soybean growth stage. These data deviate from previous studies estimating the effect of glyphosate on the rhizobial symbiosis, some of which observed negative effects on rhizobial colonization and/or N₂-fixation. We did observe evidence of the response of one symbiont (stimulation of N₂-fixation following glyphosate) being dependent on co-inoculation with the other; however, this interactive response appeared to be contextually dependent as it was not consistent between experiments. Future research needs to consider the role of environmental factors and other biota when evaluating rhizobial responses to herbicide applications.     

Surgical repair of a peritoneopericardial diaphragmatic hernia in a pregnant dog

Objective: To describe the surgical repair and pre‐ and postoperative management of a peritoneopericardial diaphragmatic hernia (PPDH) in a pregnant dog. Case summary: A pregnant dog was presented for vomiting, lethargy, and pale mucous membranes. Pulsus paradoxus was noted on physical examination. The dog was diagnosed with a PPDH via thoracic radiographs, abdominal ultrasound, and an echocardiogram. The hernia was surgically repaired and the dog received supportive medical care until the puppies were old enough to be delivered via cesarean section. The mother and all puppies survived. New or unique information provided: This is the first report that describes the surgical repair and postoperative management of a PPDH in a pregnant dog.     

Wood properties of Scots pines (Pinus sylvestris) grown at elevated temperature and carbon dioxide concentration

Impacts of elevated temperature and carbon dioxide concentration ([CO2]) on wood properties of 15-year-old Scots pines (Pinus sylvestris L.) grown under conditions of low nitrogen supply were investigated in open-top chambers. The treatments consisted of (i) ambient temperature and ambient [CO2] (AT+AC), (ii) ambient temperature and elevated [CO2] (AT+EC), (iii) elevated temperature and ambient [CO2] (ET+AC) and (iv) elevated temperature and elevated [CO2] (ET+EC). Wood properties analyzed for the years 1992-1994 included ring width, early- and latewood width and their proportions, intra-ring wood density (minimum, maximum and mean, as well as early- and latewood densities), mean fiber length and chemical composition of the wood (cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin and acetone extractive concentration). Absolute radial growth over the 3-year period was 54% greater in AT+EC trees and 30 and 25% greater in ET+AC and ET+EC trees, respectively, than in AT+AC trees. Neither elevated temperature nor elevated [CO2] had a statistically significant effect on ring width, early- and latewood widths or their proportions. Both latewood density and maximum intra-ring density were increased by elevated [CO2], whereas fiber length was increased by elevated temperature. Hemicellulose concentration decreased and lignin concentration increased significantly in response to elevated temperature. There were no statistically significant interaction effects of elevated temperature and elevated [CO2] on the wood properties, except on earlywood density.     

Muscle fibre type distribution of the thoracolumbar and hindlimb regions of horses: relating fibre type and functional role

Background

Although the majority of equine muscles have a mixed fibre type distribution indicative of diverse functional roles, the predominance of a fibre type can indicate the primary function of a muscle. The deep epaxial musculature has an important role in core spinal stability in humans, reflected as a predominantly muscle fibre type (MFT) I or postural fibre type. The fibre type of the deep epaxial musculature has not been determined in horses. The objective of the study was to determine the MFT distribution in selected muscles of thoracolumbar and hindlimb region of horses. This included deep epaxial and hypaxial muscles that were hypothesised to have a postural stabilising role. A second objective was to examine differences in MFT distribution between horses bred for endurance (Arabian) and sprinting (Quarter horse). Muscle biopsy samples were obtained from selected thoracolumbar and hind limb muscles of 5 Quarter horses, 4 Arabians, and 2 Thoroughbreds. The myosin heavy chain distribution was determined by gel electrophoresis. Mann–Whitney rank test was used to compare the proportional MFT and differences between breeds.

Results

Mm. sacrocaudalis dorsalis medialis and diaphragm had the highest proportion of MFT-I. The remaining deep epaxial muscles and the hypaxial muscle m. psoas minor had approximately equal MFT I and II proportions. Mm. psoas major, iliocostalis, longissimus dorsi and the hind limb muscles contained mostly MFT-IIX. The fibre type distribution was similar between Arabians and Quarter horses, although Quarter horses had more MFT-IIX fibres in psoas major (P = 0.02) while Arabians had more MFT-I fibres in m. longissimus dorsi (P = 0.03).

Conclusions

The fibre type distribution of the deep epaxial muscles, mm psoas minor and diaphragm varied from approximately equal MFT-I and II proportions to predominantly MFT-I suggesting a postural stabilising role possibly important in core spinal stability. In contrast the fibre type proportions of mm psoas major, iliocostalis, longissimus dorsi and the hind limb muscles were mainly MFT-II suggesting a locomotory role. Knowledge of fibre type distribution in such a clinically important area can direct diagnosis, prevention and treatment of muscular or neuromotor dysfunction.     

Top-spraying soybean meal-based diets with phytase improves protein and mineral digestibilities but not lysine utilization in rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum)

Two digestibility trials and two growth trials were carried out to evaluate the influence of top‐sprayed phytase on apparent digestibility coefficients (ADCs) of protein and mineral and utilization in rainbow trout fed with soybean meal‐based diets. In Trial 1, a semi‐purified diet containing 50% soybean meal was supplemented with graded levels of phytase (0, 500, 1000, 2000 and 4000 U kg^?1 diet), and fed to triplicate groups of fish. In Trial 2, commercial‐type extruded feeds containing 36% soybean meal with either 0 or 2000 U phytase kg^?1 were fed to five replicate groups of fish. Phytase clearly decreased phytic acid content of feces from 35 to 5 mg and from 34 to 14 mg phytic acid per g faecal dry matter in Trials 1 and 2 respectively. Apparent digestibility coefficient of P improved from 23% to 83% in Trial 1 and from 35% to 54% in Trial 2 by phytase. Apparent protein increased by 1.2% and 3.2%‐units by phytase in Trials 1 and 2. Zinc digestibility was significantly increased in Trial 1, but not in Trial 2. Trials 3 and 4 were conducted to evaluate the influence of phytase on dietary P (Trial 3) and lysine (Trial 4) utilization. Three diets were prepared for each trial: P (Trial 3)‐ or lysine (Trial 4)‐deficient basal diets, basal diets with phytase supplementation (2000 U kg^?1) and P (Trial 3)‐ or lysine (Trial 4)‐fortified diets. Rainbow trout (initial weight 20 g) were fed for 10 weeks using four and six replicates for Trials 3 and 4 respectively. Phytase increased P utilization in Trial 3 as demonstrated by an increase in vertebra ash from 24.1% to 45.4%, and by an increase in weight gain from 243% to 459% of the initial weight. Phytase did not increase lysine utilization, since neither protein retention nor weight gain were enhanced by phytase. Supplemental lysine increased protein retention and weight gain to 43.1% and 514%, respectively, and also decreased whole‐body lipid contents significantly from 120 to 123 g kg^?1 in fish fed the basal diet and phytase‐supplemented diet to 106 g kg^?1 in fish fed with lysine‐fortified diet.     

Common sequence variants in the LOXL1 gene confer susceptibility to exfoliation glaucoma

Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible blindness. A genome-wide search yielded multiple single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the 15q24.1 region associated with glaucoma. Further investigation revealed that the association is confined to exfoliation glaucoma (XFG). Two nonsynonymous SNPs in exon 1 of the gene LOXL1 explain the association, and the data suggest that they confer risk of XFG mainly through exfoliation syndrome (XFS). About 25% of the general population is homozygous for the highest-risk haplotype, and their risk of suffering from XFG is more than 100 times that of individuals carrying only low-risk haplotypes. The population-attributable risk is more than 99%. The product of LOXL1 catalyzes the formation of elastin fibers found to be a major component of the lesions in XFG.     

盐胁迫对扁桃砧木营养器官离子吸收的影响

温室条件下,用NaCl和Na2SO4处理石头扁桃、桃扁桃和毛桃,处理浓度为0,75,150,300和350 mmol/L,处理10,20 d分别取叶、根和茎,测定各器官中离子吸收与分布变化规律。研究结果表明,盐胁迫下,3种砧木根、茎、叶中Na ,Cl-,SO42-含量及Na /K 比均随盐浓度的增加和处理时间的延长而增加,K 含量变化规律不稳定,但桃扁桃根、茎和叶片中K 略高于其他两个品种;石头扁桃根、茎、叶片中Na /K 比值高于其它两个品种,桃扁桃中Na /K 比值最低。桃扁桃根部Na ,Cl-和SO42-含量高于石头扁桃和毛桃,而叶片和茎中Na ,Cl-和SO42-含量却低于石头扁桃和毛桃。桃扁桃根部能够积累较多的Na ,阻止和减少了Na 向地上部的运输,从而减轻了Na2SO4对它的伤害,进而表明了桃扁桃耐盐能力较强。