Association Mapping of Quantitative Trait Loci for Grain Size in Introgression Line Derived from Oryza Rufipogon

Grain size is one of the critical agronomic traits governing grain yield and quality in rice. However, the underlying genetic mechanisms that control grain size in rice are poorly understood. We used an introgression line derived from Zhonghui 8015 and Oryza rufipogon Griff. This introgression line was evaluated under two different environmental conditions to dissect the quantitative trait loci controlling grain size. Genome-wide association study (GWAS) was performed using 28 193 SNPs through a general linear model, and 56 significant SNPs on different loci associated with the 4 grain size traits were detected. Cloned genes including GS3 and qGL3 showed substantial effects on grain length and size. Seven new stable loci were identified with pleiotropic effects on grain size. Haplotype, gene expression analyses, combined gene-based associations, and functional annotations permitted the shortlisting of important dominant genes including GS3 and qGL3.     

The incidence of canine haematozoa in peninsular Malaysia

In 3 urban areas in Selangor, Peninsular Malaysia between 1973 and 1981, blood from 4080 dogs was examined for haematozoa. The following frequencies were found: Babesia gibsoni 17.7%; microfilariae of Dirofilaria immitis 9.6%; Hepatozoon canis 1.2%; B. canis 1.1%; Ehrlichia canis 0.2%; Trypanosoma evansi 0.1%. A detailed examination of B. gibsoni infections and microfilariasis due to D. immitis with regards to monthly distribution, breed frequency, sex and age, revealed that pedigree and non-pedigree dogs were equally susceptible to Babesia and microfilariae infections.     

Antimicrobial activity of Securinega leucopyrus

Extracts of the leaves of Securinega leucopyrus exhibited a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity.     

孟加拉涝原地区村林居住的宗教社团偏爱的乔木和灌木树种及使用的造林材料研究

2002年1月至6月对孟加拉涝原地区两个不同的宗教部落(印度教和穆斯林教)的传统家园森林进行了探索性研究，包括印度教和穆斯林教社团对树种(乔木和灌木)的偏爱度、类似性、造林材料及来源、植树地点和间距。研究发现Mangifera indica作为乔木树种，Ocimum sanctum作为灌木树种为印度教社团最喜爱的树种；Artocarpus heterophyllus和Lawsonia inermis分别为穆斯林社团最喜爱乔木树种和灌木树种。两中不同宗教社团选择乔木数种的相同性为86．57％，灌木树种为78．48％。两个宗教部落使用种子和苗木作为造林材料最多。乔木树种的造林材料主要来自家园(39％)灌木树种主要来自自然界(40％)。表3参27。     

棕榈在孟加拉乡村传统利用——一种可持续的生物多样性管理手段(英文)

采用多级采样的方法研究了孟加拉国农村耕作区内棕榈树的传统利用模式和当地的管理经验。农民管理棕榈主要为获取树液产品,生产以糖为主的次生品。树液可直接用作饮料,也可加工成糖蜜或酒精饮料。7块不同地块为棕榈提供生长环境,20.40%的棕榈种植在果园内。尽管中等级的农民拥有多数棕榈(33%),但是主要管理棕榈的是没有土地的农民,他们靠棕榈维持生计。这些农民将自己的智慧应用到棕榈管理当中,从种植到开孔取树液再到产品加工。如果能更科学地管理棕榈,加上农民的智慧,棕榈业将会对当地经济发展起到重要作用,也会丰富当地生物多样性。     

Food Production and Water Conservation in a Recirculating Aquaponic System in Saudi Arabia at Different Ratios of Fish Feed to Plants

An indoor aquaponic system (i.e., the integration of fish culture with hydroponic plant production in a recirculating setup) was operated for maximizing water reuse and year-round intensive food production (Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus , and leaf lettuce) at different fish feed to plants ratios. The system consisted of a fish culture component, solid removal component, and hydroponic component comprising six long channels with floating styrofoam rafts for holding plants. Fish culture effluents flowed by gravity from the fish culture component to the solid removal component and then to the hydroponic component. Effluents were collected in a sump from which a 1-horsepower in-line pump recirculated the water back to the fish culture tanks at a rate of about 250 L/min. The hydroponic component performed as biofilter and effectively managed the water quality. Fish production was staggered to harvest one of the four fish tanks at regular intervals when fish attained a minimum weight of 250 g. Out of the total eight harvests in 13 mo, net fish production per harvest averaged 33.5 kg/m³ of water with an overall water consumption of 320 L/kg of fish produced along with the production of leaf lettuce at 42 heads/m² of hydroponic surface area. Only 1.4% of the total system water was added daily to compensate the evaporation and transpiration losses. A ratio of 56 g fish feed/m² of hydroponic surface effectively controlled nutrient buildup in the effluents. However, plant density could be decreased from 42 to 25–30 plants/m² to produce a better quality lettuce.     

Therapeutic Potential of Marine Peptides in Prostate Cancer: Mechanistic Insights

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the leading cause of cancer death in men, and its treatment is commonly associated with severe adverse effects. Thus, new treatment modalities are required. In this context, natural compounds have been widely explored for their anti-PCa properties. Aquatic organisms contain numerous potential medications. Anticancer peptides are less toxic to normal cells and provide an efficacious treatment approach via multiple mechanisms, including altered cell viability, apoptosis, cell migration/invasion, suppression of angiogenesis and microtubule balance disturbances. This review sheds light on marine peptides as efficacious and safe therapeutic agents for PCa.     

Effects of Exogenous Glutathione on the Quality of Chilled Bull Semen

Glutathione (GSH) at concentrations of 0.0 (control), 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0 mM was added to chilled bull semen to determine its effects on the keeping quality of semen used for artificial insemination (AI). The semen was preserved with egg yolk citrate extender. All samples were stored at 4-8 degrees C for 5 days. Sperm motility and proportion of abnormal acrosome were assessed daily. Sperm motility was significantly (p < 0.01) higher in the semen treated with 0.5 mM glutathione than in untreated semen on each day. The optimum sperm motility (>or=50%) for AI was retained significantly (p < 0.01) for 3 days in 0.0, 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 mM glutathione treated semen, whereas in 0.3 mM glutathione-treated semen, sperm motility was 46.8% for 3 days. Acrosomal damage was significantly (p < 0.01) reduced after addition of 0.5 mM GSH in the preserved semen. Bull semen can be preserved in chilled condition for 5 days with 0.5 mM GSH with sperm motility above 40% and 12% acrosome abnormality.     

Augmentation of photosynthesis,crop productivity,enzyme activities and alkaloids production in Sadabahar (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Catharanthus roseus</Emphasis> L.) through application of diverse plant growth regulators

Exogenous application of plant growth regulators (PGRs) has vital impact on the growth and productivity of plants. Foliar application of selected PGRs, viz. indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), indole-3-butyric acid (IBA), naphthalene acetic acid (NAA), 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP), kinetin (KIN), thidiazuron (TDZ), gibberellic acid (GA3), salicylic acid (SA), homobrassinosteroids (HBR), and triacontanol (TRIA), were carried out in order to assess the effects on growth of two cultivars (Rosea and Alba) of Catharanthus roseus L. G. Don. The Rosea and Alba plants were sprayed with PGRs (10⁻⁷ M) at 60 days after planting (DAP). Shoot and root lengths, plant fresh and dry weights, leaf-area index, total chlorophyll and carotenoids content, net photosynthetic rate, nitrate reductase and carbonic anhydrase activities, and leaf essential nutrients (N, P, and K) were analyzed at 150 DAP while yield attributes and total alkaloids of leaves and roots, contents of vincristine and vinblastine alkaloids were measured at 210 DAP. The results showed that HBR significantly improved most of the growth attributes. Application of HBR, KIN, and GA3 resulted in the ameliorative effects on plant productivity, physiological and biochemical parameters as compared to the unsprayed (control) plants. The effect of TDZ was not significantly different than the control plants. GA3 application significantly increased the vincristine content (7.3%) while TDZ exhibited reduced vincristine content. The effect of other PGR was insignificant towards vincristine and vinblastine contents. The response of Rosea toward exogenous PGRs application was better than Alba in terms of crop productivity, physiological and biochemical parameters, and alkaloid production.