Effect of pH on the physicochemical and heat-induced gel properties of scallop <Emphasis Type="Italic">Patinopecten yessoensis</Emphasis> actomyosin

Gelation is an important functional property of protein in meats. In this study, we prepared actomyosin from scallop Patinopecten yessoensis adductor muscles and studied the effects of pH on the physicochemical properties of the actomyosin preparation and on its heat-induced gel-forming properties. The results showed that the turbidity and surface hydrophobicity of scallop actomyosin increased with increases in the heating temperature, while the α-helical content concomitantly decreased. Higher turbidity and surface hydrophobicity and lower α-helical content were found to be easily obtained at lower pH values. A high water-holding capacity, strong gel strength, fine gel network and uniform ice crystals were all clearly observed at pH 7.0, indicating that a neutral pH was most beneficial for formation of the heat-induced scallop actomyosin gel. We therefore conclude that both the physicochemical properties of scallop actomyosin and its gel-forming ability during the heating process are pH dependent.     

The effects of osmolality on sperm quality in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Jenynsia multidentata</Emphasis> (Cyprinodontiformes: Anablepidae)

Sperm quality tests on fish are classically used for evaluating cryopreservation procedures, and they are also promising to assess aquatic toxicity and biomarkers of xenobiotic effects on reproduction. Osmotic shock from the storage medium is one of the main factors affecting sperm quality during evaluation. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of different osmolalities (240–460 mOsm/kg) for at least 4 days on the sperm quality parameters of the viviparous fish Jenynsia multidentata. The level of significance was (P < 0.05). The plasma osmolality of J. multidentata is 326 ± 3.9 mOsm/kg. The motility of fresh semen was higher in osmolalities of 280 and 300 mOsm/kg but did not differ between osmolalities from 240 to 320 mOsm/kg. Above 380 mOsm/kg, the motility observed was 0 %. Over the time period studied motility increased with increasing osmolality, and the most constant and long-lasting rates were between 300 and 320 mOsm/kg. On the 4th day of evaluation, higher membrane integrity rates were observed between 280 and 360 mOsm/kg, higher mitochondrial membrane potential was observed between 300 and 460 mOsm/kg, and higher DNA integrity rates were observed between 260 and 380 mOsm/kg. Moreover, osmolalities ≥460 and ≤240 resulted in the lowest motility and DNA integrity levels. Over 4 days, the plasma membrane integrity was significantly lower at ≤260 and ≥400 mOsm/kg, and the mitochondrial membrane potential was significantly lower only in osmolalities ≤240 mOsm/kg. Therefore, we conclude that for sperm quality preservation in J. multidentata, an osmolality of 300–320 mOsm/kg of the most suitable diluent is necessary. Furthermore, we conclude that the storage of sperm in a hyposmotic (<260 mOsm/kg) or hyperosmotic (>400 mOsm/kg) solution affects not only motility but also other sperm quality parameters.     

Ribotyping of Indian Isolates of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pasteurella multocida</Emphasis> Based on 16S and 23S rRNA Genes

The applicability of ribotyping based on 16S and 23S rRNA was evaluated for molecular epidemiological studies. Forty-eight isolates of Pasteurella multocida isolated from different hosts and geographical locations and one reference isolate were ribotyped. Only four ribotypes were found. All the isolates including reference isolate from wild carnivores had the same ribotype, though they had different serotypes. The isolate from a tiger had one band in addition to the bands present in the major ribotype. The isolates from lions represented two ribotypes; of these ribotypes, one (r2) had an additional band of 3.6 kbp, which was absent in all other ribotypes. The second ribotype (r4) from a lion had one band missing (6 kbp) that was present in the other ribotypes. These isolates were further typed using ERIC-PCR and REP-PCR. With ERIC-PCR and REP-PCR, higher D values of 0.83 and 0.89 were obtained. The current study revealed that ribotyping is not a very efficient typing tool for use in molecular epidemiology for differentiation of isolates.     

Genetic diversity and relationships of wild and cultivated <Emphasis Type="Italic">Zanthoxylum</Emphasis> germplasms based on sequence-related amplified polymorphism (SRAP) markers

The genus Zanthoxylum, belonging to Rutaceae, has a long history of cultivation both for economic and chemical values in China. To effectively conserve and sustainably utilize this genus resource, a study on genetic diversity and relationships of Zanthoxylum germplasms was carried out by employing SRAP markers. We used 16 primer combinations to assess genetic variations and relationships among 175 accessions from eight cultivated provenances, including Shandong, Henan, Shanxi, Shaanxi, Gansu, Sichuan, Guizhou and Yunnan. A total of 145 clear repetitive and intense bands were yielded, and the percentage of polymorphic bands was 100 % for per primer combination, indicating a relatively high diversity among Zanthoxylum germplasms. From a geographic perspective, the highest genetic diversity level was observed within Guizhou provenance (N _a  = 1.97, Ne = 1.52, H = 0.31, I = 0.46) while Henan provenance had the lowest genetic diversity (N _a  = 1.68, Ne = 1.45, H = 0.25, I = 0.37). Based on AMOVA results, the abundant genetic variation was mainly caused by variation of intra-provenances (84.96 %), rather than among provenances (15.038 %). The results indicated low genetic differentiation (G _st  = 0.133) and high gene flow (N _m  = 3.2605) among provenances. The neighbor-joining tree revealed that the 175 accessions could be divided into four groups, and groupings indicated a divergence between the cultivated accessions of Zanthoxylum bungeanum Maxim. and Z. armatum DC. Moreover, three accessions of Z. piperitum DC. var. inerme without prickles introduced from Japan gathered one cluster. Cluster IV is composed of accessions of different geographical origin, including 11 wild species and 10 cultivated accessions of Z. bungeanum. The cluster analysis also reflected a relatively close relationship between the geographical origins and the classification of accessions in cluster I. Structure analysis indicated that collected Zanthoxylum accessions could be divided into two major groups. The information obtained from our research would benefit to make use of Zanthoxylum germplasms and assist the management of a Zanthoxylum germplasms collection.     

Irrigation of paddy soil with industrial landfill leachate: impacts in rice productivity,plant nutrition,and chemical characteristics of soil

Treated industrial effluents have high levels of nutrients and dissolved organic matter. The irrigation of rice by flooding can increase nutrient uptake and grain yield. Therefore, this study evaluated the nutrient contents in the shoots and grain of the rice crop and also the chemical of the soil after irrigation of the crop with leachate of the treated industrial effluent. A greenhouse experiment was conducted using pots filled with 20 kg of soil in a randomized block design with three replications. The treatments consisted of control (irrigation with distilled water) and four concentrations of the leachate (25, 50, 75, and 100 %) for irrigation. At the end of the experiment, the nutrient contents in tissues of rice plants, sterility of spikelets, and grain mass were evaluated. Results showed that irrigation with the leachate at 25 % content increased the macro- and micronutrients’ concentrations in the shoot biomass and grain, except for potassium and iron. Irrigation with the industrial leachate decreased tillering and grain yield; however, it increased chlorophyll content, sterility of spikelets, and sodium intake at this leachate concentration. The potassium and sodium levels and the electrical conductivity values of soils irrigated with treated industrial leachate were increased. The use of the treated leachate from industrial effluents is an alternative that reuses the nutritional load, but the volume of leachate should be limited and monitored to prevent the sodicity in the soil and problemsdue to eutrophication.     

Nutritional Evaluation of Wheat–Fenugreek Blends for Product Making

Wheat flour was separately substituted with fenugreek flour (raw, soaked, and germinated) at 5–20% levels for product making. Nutrient analysis of the blends, product development, and their acceptability were carried out. Replacement of wheat flour with fenugreek flour increased the protein, fat, lysine, minerals, and dietary fibre contents proportionately to the level of substitution. Among the composite flours, the blends containing germinated fenugreek flour were found superior in nutritional quality compared to others. However, products, viz., bread, biscuits, noodles, and macaroni prepared from the wheat–fenugreek blends at 10, 15, and 20% levels, were found organoleptically acceptable.     

Dyeing performance of disperse dyes based on 2-aminothiazole for cellulose triacetate and nylon fibers

A series of monoazo disperse dyes based on 2-amino-4-phenylthiazole was prepared using variousN,N-dialkylaniline derivatives as the coupling component. The dyes were characterized by IR spectral studies, visible absorption spectroscopy and elemental analysis. The dyeing performance of these dyes was assessed on cellulose triacetate and nylon fibers. These dyes were found to give a wide range of colour shades varying from bright red to royal blue with very good depth, brightness and levelness on fibers. The dyed fibers showed good to very good light fastness and very good to excellent fastness to washing, perspiration, rubbing and sublimation. The dyebath exhaustion and fixation on the fibers were found to be very good.     

Changes of plasma membrane H<Superscript>+</Superscript>-ATPase activities of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Glycine max</Emphasis> seeds by PEG treatment

The soybean （Glycine max） Heihe No. 23 is sensitive to imbibitional chilling injury. Polyethylene glycol （PEG） treatment can improve chilling tolerance of soybean seeds to a certain extent. The changes of hydrolytic ATPase in plasma membranes and H^＋-pumping responses in soybean seeds were investigated during PEG treatments. Effects of exogenous calcium and exogenous ABA on the hydrolytic ATPase were also examined in order to understand the mechanism of chilling resistance. Highly purified plasma membranes were isolated by 6.0% aqueous two-phase partitioning from soybean seeds, as judged by the sensitivity of hydrolytic ATPase to sodium vanadate. PEG treatment resulted in a slight increase of the hydrolytic ATPase activity in 12 h. Then the activity decreased gradually, but still higher than the control. The H^＋-pumping activity increased steadily during PEG treatment. Exogenous calcium had both activating and inhibiting effects on the hydrolytic ATPase, but the activity was inhibited in soybean seeds treated with exogenous ABA. Results suggested that PEG treatment, not the exogenous calcium and ABA, up-regulated H^＋-ATPase activities in soybean seeds.     

云南楚雄州双子叶植物区系特征分析

云南省楚雄州自然分布(少数几种为栽培)的双子叶植物有2939种(含种以下单位)，隶属170科914属。本文对其区系成分进行了统计分析，结果表明双子叶植物科的分布类型主要是以热带——亚热带分布型(41科，占24．18％)和热带——温带分布型(31科，占18．24％)为主。属的分布类型主要以泛热带分布型(243属，占26．59％)、东亚分布型(112属，占12．25％)和北温带分布型(94属，占10．28％)为主。楚雄州双子叶植物区系特征有以下显著特点：①植物种类丰富；②区系成分复杂、起源广泛；③热带、亚热带成分突出。     

Locating wildlife crossings for multispecies connectivity across linear infrastructures

Context

Linear transportation infrastructures traverse and separate wildlife populations, potentially leading to their short- and long-term decline at local and regional scales. To attenuate such effects, we need wildlife crossings suitable for a wide range of species.

Objectives

We propose a method for identifying the best locations for wildlife crossings along linear infrastructures so as to improve the connectivity of species with varying degrees of mobility and living in different habitats. We evaluate highway impacts on mammal species.

Methods

The study area is the Grésivaudan Valley, France. We used allometric relationships to create eight virtual species and model their connectivity networks, developing a nested method defining populations by daily travel distances and connecting them by dispersal. We tested the gain in connectivity for each species produced by 100 and 600 crossing locations respectively in crossable, i.e. with crossing infrastructures, and uncrossable highway scenarios. We identified the crossings that optimize the connectivity of the maximum number of species combining the results in multivariate analyses.

Results

Highly mobile species needing a large habitat area were the most sensitive to highways. The importance of locomotive performance in structuring the graphs decreased with highway impermeability. Depending on the species, the best locations improved connectivity by 0–10 and 2–75 % respectively in the crossable and uncrossable scenarios. Compromise locations were found for seven of the eight species in both scenarios.

Conclusions

This method could guide planners in identifying crossing locations to increase the connectivity of different species at regional scales over the long term.