Quantitative monitoring of changes in forest habitat connectivity following the great eastern Japan earthquake and tsunami

Landscape Ecology - In March of 2011 a huge tsunami devastated forest habitats along the coast of Sendai Bay in northeastern Japan. Evaluation and monitoring of the changes in habitat connectivity...     

Comparison of the effects of seed coating with tungsten and molybdenum compounds on seedling establishment rates of rice,wheat, barley,and soybean under flooded conditions

Seed coating with molybdenum compounds improves seedling establishment for rice, wheat, barley, and soybean when such seeds were sown under flooded conditions. Tungsten belongs to the same chemical group as molybdenum in the periodic table, and similar to molybdenum, inhibits the generation of sulfide ions. Here, the effects of tungsten and molybdenum containing seed coatings on seedling establishment under flooded conditions were compared using rice, wheat, barley, and soybean. In rice, the effects of tungsten compounds on seedling establishment varied. Tungsten trioxide had little effect but tungstic acid and ammonium phosphotungstate significantly improved seedling establishment when the amounts were at least .1–.2 mol W kg^?1. Although the effect of tungsten coating varied depending on the compound used, ammonium phosphotungstate, along with other tungsten compounds, improved seedling establishment in a manner comparable with that of molybdenum compounds. For wheat and barley, ammonium phosphotungstate treatment resulted in a significant increase in establishment that was only slightly less than the results observed using molybdenum compounds. Tungstic acid and ammonium phosphotungstate treatments improved soybean establishment in a significant manner that was comparable with those of molybdenum compounds. Collectively, these results suggest that tungsten compounds, as well as molybdenum compounds, improve seedling establishment under flooded conditions.     

Regression of venous thrombus after trans-sphenoidal hypophysectomy for pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism in a dog

An 8.0-kg 8-year-old male dachshund was presented for surgical treatment of suspected pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism with portal vein thrombosis. Advanced diagnostic imaging revealed a thrombus in the splenic and portal veins. For the portal vein thrombus, CT angiography showed an enhanced timing delay in the lateral right and caudate liver lobes. Blood tests showed a marked increase in the liver panel, including total bile acid. Brain MRI revealed a pituitary mass, suggesting pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism. The mass was completely resected. The preoperative antithrombotic therapy of rivaroxaban (0.66 mg/kg, PO, once per day) and clopidogrel sulphate (1.66 mg/kg, PO, once per day) was continued postoperatively. Six months after resection of the pituitary mass, the thrombus had disappeared. Further studies are required to prove a causal association between the disappearance of the thrombus and the treatments provided.     

Overstory and shrub effects on natural regeneration processes in native Pinus radiata stands

Native Monterey pine (Pinus radiata D. Don) stands on the Monterey peninsula have been significantly modified by natural and anthropogenic disturbances. The exclusion of fire and the introduction of pitch canker (caused by Fusarium circinatum Nirenberg & O’Donnell) created a need for the examination of these changing ecosystems with respect to regeneration, especially as these stands reach mature ages. We established 210 plots on 35 transects distributed throughout five stands in order to describe the current stand structure and quantify the extent and condition of regeneration. The results indicated that Monterey pine seedling establishment varies throughout the peninsula depending on percent canopy cover, duff and litter depth, and percent shrub cover while seedling growth is influenced by percent shrub cover. Canopy cover was also found to inversely influence shrub cover. Our study highlights the importance of understory removal to increase Monterey pine regeneration and seedling growth as canopy cover decreases, especially in areas where coast live oak (Quercus agrifolia Nee) and poison-oak (Toxicodendron diversilobum E. Greene) are abundant.     

Boron-Calcium Synergically Alleviates Aluminum Toxicity in Wheat Plants (Triticum aestivum L.)

The effects of B and Ca treatments on root growth, nutrient localization and cell wall properties in wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) plants with and without Al stress were investigated. Seedlings were grown hydroponically in a complete nutrient solution for 7 d and then treated with B (0, 40 μM), Ca (0, 2,500 μM), and Al (0, 100 μM) in a 500 μM CaCl₂ solution for 8 d. The cell wall materials (CWM) were extracted with a phenol: acetic acid: water (2:1:1 w/v/v) solution and used for subsequent pectin extraction with trans -1,2-diami-nocyclohexane- N,N,N,N -tetraacetic acid (CDTA) and Na₂CO₃ solutions. Boron, Ca, and B + Ca treatments enhanced root growth by 19.5, 15.2, and 27.2%, respectively, compared to the control (pH 4.5). Calcium and B+Ca treatments enhanced root growth with Al stress by 43 and 54%, respectively, while B did not exert any effect. The amounts of CWM and pectin per unit of root fresh weight increased by Al treatment, whereas the Ca and B+Ca treatments slightly reduced the contents of these components. Seventy-four percent of total B, 69% of total Ca, and 85% of total Al were located in the cell wall in the B, Ca, and Al treatments, respectively and 32% of total B, 33% of total Ca, and 33% of total Al were located in the CDTA-soluble and Na₂CO₃-soluble pectin fractions. A more conspicuous localization of B was observed in the presence of Al. Aluminum treatment markedly decreased the Ca content in the cell wall as well as pectin fractions, mainly in the case of the CDTA-soluble pectin fraction. Boron + Ca treatment decreased the Al content in the cell wall and pectin fractions compared to the Ca treatment alone in the presence of Al. It is concluded that the B+Ca treatment enhanced root growth and, B and Ca uptake, and helped to maintain a normal B and Ca metabolism in the cell walls even in the presence of Al.     

Effect of 3-O-octanoyl-(+)-catechin on the responses of GABA(A) receptors and Na+/glucose cotransporters expressed in xenopus oocytes and on the oocyte membrane potential

Recently, 3-O-octanoyl-(+)-catechin (OC) was synthesized from (+)-catechin (C) by incorporation of an octanoyl chain into C in the light of (-)-epicatechin gallate (ECg) and (-)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCg), which are the major polyphenols found in green tea and have strong physiological activities. OC was found to inhibit the response of ionotropic gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors (GABA(A) receptors) and Na+/glucose cotransporters expressed in Xenopus oocytes in a noncompetitive manner more strongly than does C. OC also induced a nonspecific membrane current and decreased the membrane potential of the oocyte, and thus death of the oocyte occurred even at lower concentrations than that induced by C or EGCg. Although EGCg produced H2O2 in aqueous solution, OC did not. This newly synthesized catechin derivative OC possibly binds to the lipid membrane more strongly than does C, Ecg, or EGCg and as a result perturbs the membrane structure.     

Purification and characterization of two anionic trypsins from the hepatopancreas of carp

SUMMARY: Two trypsins, designated as trypsin A and trypsin B, have been purified from the hepatopancreas of carp. The purification procedures consisted of ammonium sulfate fractionation, and chromatographies on DEAE-Sephacel, Ultrogel AcA54 and Q-Sepharose. Trypsin A was purified to homogeneity with the molecular mass of approximately 28 kDa, while trypsin B gave two close bands of 28.5 kDa and 28 kDa on sodium dodecylsulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis both under reducing and non-reducing conditions. On native-PAGE, both trypsin A and trypsin B showed a single band. Trypsin A and trypsin B revealed optimum temperature of 40°C and 45°C, respectively, and shared the same optimum pH 9.0 using Boc-Phe-Ser-Arg-MCA as substrate. Both enzymes were effectively inhibited by trypsin inhibitors and their susceptibilities were similar. The NH₂-terminal amino acid sequences of trypsin A and trypsin B were determined to 37th and 40th amino acid residue, respectively. Their sequences were very homologous, but not identical to that of a trypsin-type serine proteinase from carp muscle and these of other trypsins. Immunoblotting test using the antibody raised against trypsin A cross-reacted with trypsin B positively.     

Correction to: A new and simple method for measuring in situ field-saturated hydraulic conductivity using a falling-head single cylinder

Paddy and Water Environment - Hydraulic properties of soil play important roles in water and temperature regimes. Measuring hydraulic properties has been studied for decades in the laboratory and...     

QTL analysis of photoperiod sensitivity in common buckwheat by using markers for expressed sequence tags and photoperiod-sensitivity candidate genes

Photoperiod sensitivity is an important trait related to crop adaptation and ecological breeding in common buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench). Although photoperiod sensitivity in this species is thought to be controlled by quantitative trait loci (QTLs), no genes or regions related to photoperiod sensitivity had been identified until now. Here, we identified QTLs controlling photoperiod sensitivity by QTL analysis in a segregating F₄ population (n = 100) derived from a cross of two autogamous lines, 02AL113(Kyukei SC2)LH.self and C0408-0 RP. The F₄ progenies were genotyped with three markers for photoperiod-sensitivity candidate genes, which were identified based on homology to photoperiod-sensitivity genes in Arabidopsis and 76 expressed sequence tag markers. Among the three photoperiod-sensitivity candidate genes (FeCCA1, FeELF3 and FeCOL3) identified in common buckwheat, FeELF3 was associated with photoperiod sensitivity. Two EST regions, Fest_L0606_4 and Fest_L0337_6, were associated with photoperiod sensitivity and explained 20.0% and 14.2% of the phenotypic variation, respectively. For both EST regions, the allele from 02AL113(Kyukei SC2)LH.self led to early flowering. An epistatic interaction was also confirmed between Fest_L0606_4 and Fest_L0337_6. These results demonstrate that photoperiod sensitivity in common buckwheat is controlled by a pathway consisting of photoperiod-sensitivity candidate genes as well as multiple gene action.     

Presettlement and modern disturbance regimes in coast redwood forests: Implications for the conservation of old-growth stands

Coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens), a western North American conifer of ancient lineage, has a paradoxical combination of late-successional characteristics and strong adaptations to disturbance. Despite its shade tolerance and heavy dominance of the canopy on many sites, redwood saplings are uncommon in upland old-growth stands. Information needed to ensure the conservation of old-growth redwood forests has been limited. In this review paper, we integrate evidence on redwood biology with data on the historic and modern disturbance regimes to help clarify the degree to which key attributes of redwood forests may have been dependent upon periodic disturbance. Available evidence suggests that episodes of fire, flooding, and slope failure prior to European settlement were frequent but predominantly of low to moderate severity and extent, resulting in broadly uneven-aged forests. The majority of fires prior to European settlement were apparently of human origin. Frequency and severity of the major disturbance agents have been radically changed in modern times. Fires have been largely excluded, and flooding has been altered in ways that have often been detrimental to old-growth redwoods on alluvial terraces. However, because of the apparent anthropogenic origin of most presettlement fires, the long-term evolutionary role of fire for coast redwood is ecologically ambiguous. With fire exclusion, redwood possibly could be displaced to some extent on upland sites by increasing abundance of fire-sensitive competitors. Alternatively, redwood may be able to maintain dominance by vegetative sprouting and new seedling establishment on root-wad mounds, fallen logs, and on soil exposed by slope failure. Future research priorities are suggested that will help resolve some of the current ambiguities.