Effects of desiccation on the physiology and biochemistry of Quercus alba acorns

Seeds that lose viability when dried to a water content of less than 12% are said to be recalcitrant. We subjected acorns of Quercus alba L., a species with recalcitrant seeds, to desiccation to determine the effects of drying on lipids, proteins and carbohydrates of the embryonic axis and cotyledon tissues. Samples of fresh seed and seed dried for selected intervals were analyzed for water content and germination, and for lipids, proteins and carbohydrates by Fourier transform-infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. Carbohydrates were further analyzed by gas chromatography (GC). The FT-IR analysis revealed that membrane lipid structure initially exhibited reversible shifts between gel and liquid crystalline phases in response to drying and rehydration; however, reversibility declined as viability was lost. Changes in carbohydrate concentration were observed based on peak height comparisons; sucrose concentration in the embryonic axis increased dramatically after 5 days of drying. The most sensitive indicator of desiccation damage was the irreversible change in protein secondary structure in embryonic axes and cotyledon tissue. These changes were illustrated by shifts in amide absorbance near 1650 cm(-1). Gas chromatography indicated an abundance of sucrose in both the embryonic axes and the cotyledon tissue. Although sucrose concentrations in these tissues were initially similar, sucrose concentration in the embryonic axes became significantly greater than in the cotyledons as the acorns dried. We hypothesize that, in drying acorns, increased concentration of sucrose does not prevent loss of viability, but acts as a glycoprotectant against cell collapse and cell wall membrane damage as water stress increases.     

Regulation of ponderosa pine foliar physiology and insect resistance mechanisms by basal area treatments

We compared foliar physiology and several measures of tree resistance to insect attack among ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa var. scopulorum Engelm.) trees growing in thinned stands. Measurements were made in a second-growth ponderosa pine forest in northern Arizona where the basal area treatments (6.9, 18.4, 27.6, 78.2 m(2) ha(-1)) have been experimentally maintained by frequent thinnings for 32 years before our measurements began in 1994. Most of the physiological characteristics measured were affected by the basal area treatments. As stand basal area increased from 6.9 to 78.2 m(2) ha(-1), predawn water potential, midday water potential, net photosynthetic rate, resin production, phloem thickness, and foliar toughness decreased. Foliar nitrogen concentration was greatest in trees in the intermediate basal area treatments. Our results show that the physiological condition of second-growth ponderosa pine can be manipulated by silvicultural control of stand basal area, and support the hypothesis that high stand basal area increases tree stress and decreases tree resistance to insect attack.     

Ocular and systemic manifestations after oral administration of a high dose of enrofloxacin in cats

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the effects of oral administration of a high dose of enrofloxacin to cats. ANIMALS: 24 (12 male and 12 female) young healthy cats. PROCEDURES: Cats were allocated on the basis of sex into 2 groups (4 males and 4 females/ group) from which 3 subgroups for 3 durations (3, 5, or 7 days) of enrofloxacin (50 mg/kg, PO, q 24 h) or control solution (1 mL of water, PO, q 24 h) administration that began on day -1 were created. Funduscopic examinations were performed daily. Electroretinography (ERG) was performed before and every 2 to 3 days after the start of oral administration. Four cats/study group were euthanized on days 3, 5, and 7, and eyes were collected for light and electron microscopic evaluations. RESULTS: Neurologic, funduscopic, and ERG abnormalities were evident only in cats administered enrofloxacin. Funduscopic changes (granular appearance or graying of the area centralis) were noticed on or before day 3 (after only 3 days of enrofloxacin administration), with subsequent similar changes along the visual streak. Vascular attenuation (between days 2 and 4) and generalized tapetal hyperreflectivity (between days 5 and 7) followed. Reduction in b-wave ERG amplitude preceded funduscopic changes. Morphologic changes in the photoreceptor layers correlated with duration of enrofloxacin administration, with generalized degenerative changes evident after 3 doses. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The study indicated that a high dose of enrofloxacin (50 mg/kg/d, PO) induced retinal and systemic changes. Enrofloxacin at 10 times the recommended dosage is acutely toxic to the outer retina of clinically normal cats.     

Free polyunsaturated fatty acids cause taste deterioration of salmon during frozen storage

Increased intensity of train oil taste, bitterness, and metal taste are the most pronounced sensory changes during frozen storage of salmon (Refsgaard, H. H. F.; Brockhoff, P. B.; Jensen, B. Sensory and Chemical Changes in Farmed Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar) during Frozen Storage. J. Agric. Food Chem. 1998a, 46, 3473-3479). Addition of each of the unsaturated fatty acids: palmitoleic acid (16:1, n - 7), linoleic acid (C18:2, n - 6), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; C20:5, n - 3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; C22:6, n - 3) to fresh minced salmon changed the sensory perception and increased the intensity of train oil taste, bitterness, and metal taste. The added level of each fatty acid ( approximately 1 mg/g salmon meat) was equivalent to the concentration of the fatty acids determined in salmon stored as fillet at -10 degrees C for 6 months. The effect of addition of the fatty acids on the intensity of train oil taste, bitterness and metal taste was in the order: DHA > palmitoleic acid > linoleic acid > EPA. Formation of free fatty acids was inhibited by cooking the salmon meat before storage. Furthermore, no changes in phospholipid level were observed during frozen storage. The results suggest that enzymatic hydrolysis of neutral lipids plays a major role in the sensory deterioration of salmon during frozen storage.     

Electroretinography in the western gray kangaroo (Macropus fuliginosus)

Objective To perform electroretinography on normal anesthetized western gray kangaroos (Macropus fuliginosus). Animals studied Six captive western gray kangaroos. Procedures The kangaroos were anesthetized using a combination of ketamine and medetomidine via a remote drug delivery system, then were maintained on isoflurane after endotracheal intubation and reversal of the medetomidine with atipamazole. After a minimum of 20 min of dark adaptation, electroretinograms were obtained using a handheld electroretinography (ERG) machine using a single flash protocol at three light intensities: 10 mcd.s/m², 3000 mcd.s/m², 10 000 mcd.s/m². Results At 10 mcd.s/m² the mean b‐wave amplitude and implicit time was 102.0 μV (SD ± 41.3 and 95% CI 68.9–135.1) and 78.4 ms (SD ± 8.3 and 95% CI 71.8–85.0). At 3000 mcd.s/m² the mean a‐wave amplitude and implicit time was 69.9 μV (SD ± 20.5 and 95% CI 53.5–86.3) and 17.6 ms (SD ± 1.5 and 95% CI 16.4–18.8) and the mean b‐wave amplitude and implicit time was 175.4 μV (SD ± 35.9 and 95% CI 146.7–204.1) and 74.1 ms (SD ± 3.5 and 95% CI 71.2–76.9). At 10 000 mcd.s/m² the mean a‐wave amplitude and implicit time was 89.1 μV (SD ± 27.1 and 95% CI 67.5–110.8) and 16.8 ms (SD ± 1.0 and 95% CI 16.0–17.0) and the mean b‐wave amplitude and implicit time was 203.7 μV (SD ± 41.4 and 95% CI 170.6–236.8) and 75.4 ms (SD ± 3.3 and 95% CI 72.8–78.1). Conclusion Electroretinography outside of the typical clinical setting is feasible using a portable ERG system and allows for quick analysis of retinal function in exotic species.     

Acremonium zeae, a protective endophyte of maize, produces dihydroresorcylide and 7-hydroxydihydroresorcylides

Acremonium zeae has been characterized as a protective endophyte of maize and displays antifungal activity against other fungi. Pyrrocidines A and B were discovered to be the metabolites accounting for this activity. During a population survey of A. zeae isolates from maize seeds produced in nine states to determine their ability to produce pyrrocidines, another metabolite of A. zeae, unrelated to the pyrrocidines, was found to have widespread occurrence (105 of 154 isolates) and to be produced in amounts comparable to the pyrrocidines. Further chemical studies of fermentation extracts of an A. zeae isolate (NRRL 45893) from maize led to the identification of a new compound, dihydroresorcylide, the saturated analogue of cis-resorcylide. Also identified were the two diastereomers of 7-hydroxydihydroresorcylide. Dihydroresorcylide and pyrrocidines A and B were detected by LC-APCI-MS in symptomatic maize kernels from ears that were wound-inoculated in the milk stage with A. zeae NRRL 34559.     

钼与花生根瘤菌的复配及在酸性紫色土上的接种效果

通过供试菌株Spr4-5、Spr2-9耐钼酸钠、钼酸铵试验表明,根瘤菌耐Mo能力强,耐钼酸铵能力比钼酸钠强,不同菌株耐钼能力不同。在研制的“高效根瘤菌+Mo”的复合菌肥中,用钼酸铵生产的复合菌肥比用钼酸钠的活菌数高,高活菌数持续的时间长;复合菌肥的pH一般随含钼量的增加和贮存时间的延长而升高,但复合钼酸铵菌肥pH增幅较小,复合钼酸钠菌肥pH增幅较大。在贮存的180d内,复合钼酸铵的菌肥活菌数和pH均符合《根瘤菌肥料》质量标准;钼酸钠对菌肥的活菌数和pH影响大,钼酸钠不宜作为钼肥添加到根瘤菌剂中。盆栽试验表明,不同菌株共生固氮的有效性与钼酸铵浓度相关。钼酸铵浓度为0.2%时,供试菌株Spr.4-5共生固氮效果最好,比CK增产73.4%,比传统菌肥增产13.7%,占瘤率为59.7%;钼酸铵浓度为0.3%时,Spr.2-9共生固氮效果最好,比CK增产49%,比传统菌肥增产21.4%,占瘤率为70.3%;其增产效果均达极显著水平。     

乳酸菌对泡菜发酵过程中亚硝酸盐含量变化及泡菜品质的影响研究

将棒状乳杆菌棒状亚种(L.coryniformis)、短乳杆菌(L.brevis)、布氏乳杆菌(L.buchneri)、干酪乳杆菌干酪亚种(L.caseisubsp.Casei)、植物乳杆菌(L.plantarun)五种乳酸菌分别接种于泡菜中作为优势菌和传统的自然发酵泡菜方式进行比较,分别对泡菜的亚硝酸盐的产生及变化、pH值的变化、感官品质进行比较分析。结果表明:植物乳杆菌可以明显缩短泡菜的发酵时间,泡菜的色、香、味明显较好,并且显着降低亚硝酸盐的含量。     

四川攀西地区豆科蔬菜丛枝菌根真菌的初步研究

用湿筛倾析-蔗糖离心法分离土样中丛枝菌根真菌的孢子,并用形态学方法对其进行种类鉴定。研究结果显示,攀西地区的豆科蔬菜中共分离出2属9种丛枝菌根真菌,球囊霉属(Glomus)8种,G.luteum、G.mosseae、G.aggregatum、G.lamellosum、G.claroideum、G.etunicatum、G.intraradices、G.occultum;无梗囊霉属(Acaulospora)1种,A.delicata。丛枝菌根真菌与攀西豆科蔬菜的共生性良好,其种类较多,种群结构丰富。