Vertical soil–air CO2 dynamics at the Takayama deciduous broadleaved forest AsiaFlux site

At the Takayama deciduous broadleaved forest Asiaflux site in Japan, the ecosystem carbon dynamics have been studied for more than two decades. In 2005, we installed non-dispersive infrared CO₂ sensors in the soil below the site’s flux tower to systematically study vertical soil–air CO₂ dynamics and explain the behavior of soil surface CO₂ efflux. Soil–air CO₂ concentrations measured from June 2005 through May 2006 showed sinusoidal variation, with maxima in July and minima in winter, similar to the soil CO₂ effluxes measured simultaneously using open-flow chambers. Soil–air CO₂ concentrations increased with soil depth from 5 to 50 cm: from 2,000 to 8,000 ppm in the summer and from 2,000 to 3,000 ppm in the winter under snow. Summer soil–air CO₂ concentrations were positively correlated with soil moisture on daily and weekly scales, indicating that the Oi, Oe, and A horizons, where decomposition is accelerated by high-moisture conditions, contributed substantially to CO₂ emissions. This result is consistent with the short residence time (about 2 h) of CO₂ in the soil and larger emissions in shallow soil layers based on our diffusion model. We revealed for the first time that soil–air CO₂ concentrations in winter were correlated with both snow depth and wind speed. CO₂ transfer through the snow was hundreds of times the gas diffusion rates in the soil. Our estimate of the CO₂ efflux during the snow-cover season was larger than previous estimates at TKY, and confirmed the important contribution of the snow-cover season to the site’s carbon dynamics.     

Long-term growth analyses of Japanese cedar trees in a plantation: neighborhood competition and persistence of initial growth deviations

The individual growth of tree diameter at breast height (dbh) is analyzed in an even-aged plantation of Cryptomeria japonica from stand age of 45 to 94 years, to examine how the growth of individual trees has been affected by the changes in spacing resulting from thinning operations. At any age, a significant proportion (0.37–0.46) of the variation in dbh growth during a 5–11-year period was explained by dbh at the beginning of the period, probably due to greater leaf mass of larger trees. Next, either one-sided or two-sided competition was added to the model, by calculating the basal area (BA) of neighboring trees around each tree within a given radius or BA for trees having larger dbh than the focal tree within the radius. After preliminary analyses, a radius of 8 m was selected as the critical range for tree competition. Although both types of competition explained a significant proportion (0.09–0.43) of growth variation, one-sided competition was not significant at ages greater than 54 years. Based on the model at 45 years of age, the initial deviation of growth rate for each tree from the predicted rate was calculated and added to the models as a third variable. This raised the coefficient of determination up to 0.50–0.74. These findings have practical significance for forest plantation management, particularly for controlling the growth of standing trees via thinning, to produce high-quality timber in the future.     

Allometric equations for accurate estimation of above-ground biomass in logged-over tropical rainforests in Sarawak, Malaysia

Although allometric equations can be used to accurately estimate biomass and/or carbon stock in forest ecosystems, few have been developed for logged-over tropical rainforests in Southeast Asia. We developed allometric relationships between tree size variables (stem diameter at breast height (dbh) and tree height) and leaf, branch, stem and total above-ground biomass in two logged-over tropical rainforests with different soil conditions in Sarawak, Malaysia. The study sites were originally classified as mainly lowland dipterocarp forest and have been selectively logged in the past 20 years. In total, 30 individuals from 27 species were harvested to measure above-ground parts. The correlation coefficients for the allometric relationships obtained for total above-ground biomass as a function of dbh had high values (0.99), although the relationships for leaf biomass had a relatively low coefficient (0.83). We also found relatively high coefficients for allometric relationships between tree height and plant-part biomass, ranging from 0.82 to 0.97. Moreover, there were no differences for allometric equations of total above-ground biomass between study sites. A comparison of equations of above-ground biomass in various previously reported tropical rainforests and pan-tropic general equations imply that our allometric equations differ largely from the equations for tropical primary forests, early successional secondary forest, and even for the general models. Therefore, choosing the biomass estimation models for above-ground biomass in the logged-over forests of Southeast Asia requires careful consideration of their suitability.     

Heartwood extractives from the Amazonian trees <Emphasis Type="Italic">Dipteryx odorata,Hymenaea courbaril</Emphasis>, and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Astronium lecointei</Emphasis> and their antioxidant activities

Heartwood extracts from Amazonian trees cumaru-ferro (Dipteryx odorata), jatoba (Hymenaea courbaril), and guarita (Astronium lecointei) exhibit antioxidant activities comparable with that of α-tocopherol, a well-known antioxidant. This article reports the characterization of the antioxidant compounds in the extracts of the three heartwoods. Silica gel column chromatography of the cumaru-ferro EtOAc extract yielded (−)-(3R)-7,2′,3′-trihydroxy-4′-methoxyisoflavan and (+)-(3R)-8,2′,3′-trihydroxy-7,4′-dimethoxyisoflavan. Silica gel column chromatography followed by preparative high-performance liquid chromatography of the jatoba EtOAc extract yielded (−)-fisetinidol and (+)-trans-taxifolin. Chemical structures were assigned using electron-ionization mass spectrometry, ¹H and ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy including nuclear Overhauser effect spectroscopy (NOESY), as well as optical rotation and circular dichroism. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry demonstrated that the isolated compounds were predominant in the EtOAc extracts. In the guarita EtOAc extract, catechin and gallic acid were identified by comparing their retention times and mass fragmentation patterns with those of authentic samples. Antioxidant activity determined by the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl assay demonstrated that all these compounds had activities comparable with that of α-tocopherol. Part of this report was presented at the 57th Annual Meeting of the Japan Wood Research Society, Hiroshima, August 2007     

Effects of Garcinia cambogia extract on serum sex hormones in overweight subjects

(-) Hydroxycitric acid (HCA), an active ingredient extracted from the Garcinia cambogia fruit rind, has been commonly used as a dietary supplement for weight management. Given the controversy over HCA related testicular toxicity in animal studies, we investigated changes in serum sex hormones levels as an extension of our previous double-blind placebo-controlled trial in human subjects, in which 44 participants received either G. cambogia extract (1667.3 mg/day equivalent to 1000 mg HCA/day) or placebo for 12 weeks. Compared to the placebo group, administration of the extract did not significantly alter the serum testosterone, estrone, and estradiol levels. Similarly, hematology, serum triacylglycerol and serum clinical pathology parameters did not reveal any significant adverse effects. The results of this preliminary investigation indicate that ingestion of G. cambogia extract at dose levels commonly recommended for human use does not affect serum sex hormone levels and blood parameters.     

Follicular and hormonal dynamics during the estrous cycle in goats

Transrectal ultrasonography of ovaries was performed daily in 6 goats for 3 consecutive estrous cycles. Blood samples collected daily were measured for concentrations of FSH, inhibin A, and estradiol-17beta. Follicular and hormonal data were analyzed for associations between the follicular waves and hormonal concentrations. During the interovulatory intervals, follicular growth and regression occurred in a wave like pattern (2-5 waves), and the predominant patterns were three and four follicular waves. In addition, there was no significant difference among the diameters of dominant follicles during the growth phase of the follicular waves. The number of 3 mm follicles peaked on days 0, 7, and 11 in interovulatory intervals that had three follicular waves and on days -1, 5, 11, and 15 in those that had four follicular waves. Plasma concentrations of FSH increased around the day of follicular wave emergence and declined with the growth of follicles. Circulating FSH increased again concomitant with regression of dominant follicles in the anovulatory wave, whereas FSH levels remained low in the ovulatory wave. Inhibin A was negatively correlated with FSH, while it was positively correlated with estradiol-17beta, suggesting that inhibin A is a product of healthy growing follicles and that it contributes to the suppression of FSH secretion. In conclusion, the growth of ovarian follicles in goats exhibits a wave-like pattern, and follicular dominance is less apparent in goats. Moreover, inhibin A may be a key hormone for regulation of the follicular wave through suppression of FSH secretion in goats.     

Successful induction of lactation in a barren thoroughbred mare: growth of a foal raised on induced lactation and the corresponding maternal hormone profiles

The purpose of this study was to demonstrate that a barren parous Thoroughbred mare with lactation induced by hormonal treatment can be introduced to an orphan foal at the same farm and that the mare can become pregnant after the end of the hormonal treatment. An additional purpose was to investigate the changes in the plasma concentrations of prolactin, estradiol-17β, progesterone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone before, during, and after hormonal treatment. The difference in body weight between the adopted foal and the control foals, which were at the same farm and raised by their natural mothers, was 17 kg at 24 weeks old, when the foals were weaned. However, the adopted foal and the control foals had almost the same weight at 35 weeks old and later. The first ovulation after hormonal treatment was confirmed 10 days after the end of hormonal treatment and then the normal estrous cycle resumed. Furthermore, the changes in plasma progesterone, estradiol-17β, follicle-stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone showed regular patterns after the first ovulation. Conception was confirmed in the fifth ovulation. Meanwhile, another study demonstrated that conception was confirmed in the first ovulation after hormonal treatment. The present study is the first to demonstrate the hormonal profiles during and after induction of lactation in a Thoroughbred mare. This approach is useful for solving the economic and epidemic problems of introducing a nurse mare to an orphan foal.     

移栽秧龄对杂交中稻抽穗进程和成熟期的影响

以4个熟期不同的杂交组合为材料进行田阃试验,研究了这些品种在4种秧龄处理下抽穗进程和成熟期的变化.结果表明,在较短秧龄处理下,水稻见穗期有所提前且见穗至完全齐穗所经历的时间较短,抽穗相对集中;在长龄或超长龄处理下,水稻见穗期推迟,见穗至完全齐穗所经历的时间拉长.但生育期不同的品种抽穗进程对秧龄的反应有较大差异.移栽秧龄对同一品种成熟期的影响很小.     

K/Ca and NH4/Ca selectivity of hydroxyaluminum-interlayered vermiculite and montmorillonite: Contribution from regular and frayed edge exchange sites

Cation distribution in adsorbed and solution phases and their mobility in the soil profile are largely influenced by the cation exchange capacity and selectivity coefficient of the soil. Vermiculites (Vt) and montmorillonites (Mt) in acid soils and sediments are frequently interlayered by hydroxyaluminum (HyA). Such interlayering causes significant changes in various properties of Vt and Mt. We evaluated the contribution of HyA-induced frayed edge sites (FES) in Vt and Mt to the overall selectivity of K/Ca and NHJCa. A more preferential adsorption and exchange of K to Ca was observed in the case of Vt in contrast to Mt. The overall K/Ca selectivity of Vt increased markedly by HyA-interlayering, whereas that of Mt was slightly affected. An increased overall K/Ca selectivity, especially of Vt was also observed due to the larger amount of HyA adsorption at higher initial basicity of the HyA ionic solution. Selective adsorption of K and NH₄ predominantly occurred on the FES. Interlayering substantially enhanced such FES contribution. The overall K/Ca and NH₄/Ca selectivity coefficients did not indicate any striking competitiveness of NH₄ with K, unlike that for the natural micaceous clay minerals. However, the parameter of FES contribution suggested that NH₄ could be slightly more competitive with K for the FES. The relative abundance of FES on different clay specimens determining K/Ca and NH₄/Ca selectivity and a slightly higher preference of NH₄ to K on FES played a major role at low K or NH₄-saturation.     

沙田柚黄龙病病原16S rDNA片段的克隆与序列分析

采集田间表现斑驳症状的沙田柚叶脉,用CTAB法提取总DNA。根据柑橘黄龙病病原16S rDNA的核苷酸序列设计引物P1/P2,进行PCR扩增,获得1条大小为1 167 bp的片段。酶切分析显示,该片段可被切成大小分别约为640 bp和520 bp的2个片段。扩增产物经纯化,与pM D 18-T V ector连接,转化大肠杆菌(E scherich ia coli)DH 5α,筛选克隆重组子。对PCR产物进行测序及序列分析,结果表明,与柑橘黄龙病病原亚洲种16S rDNA的同源性为99%,与非洲种的同源性为97%,与美洲种的同源性为96%。认为,沙田柚的斑驳症状是由黄龙病病原引致的,称之为沙田柚黄龙病。该沙田柚黄龙病病原属于柑橘黄龙病病原亚洲种(L iberobacter as iaticus)中的一个成员。系统进化树分析显示,沙田柚黄龙病病原与中国柑橘黄龙病病原亲缘关系最近,推测是直接来自中国柑橘黄龙病病原。