Patterns of Variation in Alkamides and Cichoric Acid in Roots and Aboveground Parts of Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench

We investigated patterns of variation in alkamides and cichoric acid accumulation in the roots and aboveground parts of Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench. These phytochemicals were extracted from fresh plant parts with 60% ethanol and quantified by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis. Concentrations of alkamides and cichoric acid were measured on a dry-weight basis (mg·g(-1)). For total alkamides, concentrations among individual plants varied from 5.02 to 27.67 (mean = 14.4%) in roots, from 0.62 to 3.42 (mean = 1.54) in nearly matured seed heads (NMSH), and 0.22 to 5.25 (mean = 0.77) in young tops (about ? flower heads, ? leaves, and ? stems). For cichoric acid, concentrations among individual plants varied from 2.65 to 37.52 (mean = 8.95), from 2.03 to 31.58 (mean = 10.9), and from 4.79 to 38.55 (mean = 18.88) in the roots, the NMSH, and the tops, respectively. Dodeca-2E, 4E, 8Z, 10E-tetraenoic acid isobutylamide and dodeca-2E, 4E, 8Z, 10Z-tetraenoic acid isobutylamide (alkamides 8/9) accounted for only 9.4% of the total alkamides in roots, but comprised 87.9% in the NMSH, and 76.6% in the young tops. Correlations of concentrations of alkamides or cichoric acid between those of roots and those of the NMSH were not statistically significant, and either within the roots, the NMSH, and the young tops. However, a significant negative correlation was observed between the concentration of cichoric acid in the roots and in young tops, and a significant positive correlation was observed between total alkamide concentration in the roots and cichoric acid concentration in the young tops. These results may be useful in the genetic improvement of E. purpurea for medicinal use.     

Measuring versus estimating net radiation and soil heat flux: Impact on Penman–Monteith reference ET estimates in semiarid regions

The standardized ASCE Penman–Monteith and FAO-56 equations were used to estimate reference evapotranspiration (ET₀) using estimated and measured net radiation (R_n) and soil heat flux (G), based on hourly and daily meteorological data. The estimates were evaluated against lysimeter measurements. The results indicate that using measured or estimated values of R_n and G can have significant effect on the accuracy of the ET₀ estimations, especially when calculations were made on an hourly basis. The FAO-56 version performed very well during the irrigation season on a daily basis. The use of measured R_n and G did not improve ET₀ estimation on a daily basis, therefore, the use of estimated R_n and G appears to be dependable when calculations are based on 24-h weather data. When daily ET₀ was calculated from hourly estimations, the results were different depending on the version used. The ASCE version was more accurate, especially when R_n and G were measured. Therefore, measurement of R_n and G may have potential to improve estimation only when daily ET₀ is calculated from hourly estimations. The PM FAO-56 version was always a little less accurate than the ASCE version. For hourly calculations, using a constant surface resistance (as in FAO-56 version), the PM method underpredicted for high evaporative demand and vice versa. The ASCE version performed better than PM FAO-56 version when R_n and G were measured and estimated. Therefore, ASCE version tended to provide quite accurate values of hourly ET₀, even using estimated values of R_n and G. As conclusion, the methods proposed by FAO-56 for estimating R_n and G tended to produce accurate estimates for daily and hourly ET₀ under semiarid conditions and can be used with some degree of confidence for estimating ET₀. In addition, results suggest that the ASCE standardized equation on an hourly basis improved the accuracy of ET₀ estimation with respect to the FAO-56 version.     

The spore coat of the bean anthracnose fungus Colletotrichum lindemuthianum is required for adhesion, appressorium development and pathogenicity

The spores (conidia) of the bean anthracnose fungal pathogen, Colletotrichum lindemuthianum, adhere to the aerial parts of plants to initiate the infection process. In previous studies we have shown that the Colletotrichum spores are surrounded by a fibrillar spore coat, comprising several major glycoproteins. Previous evidence showed that a monoclonal antibody (UB20) that recognised these glycoproteins was able to inhibit adhesion of spores to a hydrophobic surface. In this paper we have further studied the role of the spore coat in adhesion, germination and fungal development by studying the effects of UB20 and protease treatment of spores. The latter treatment has previously been shown to remove the spore coat. Spores germinate on glass, polystyrene and water agar, however, appressoria only develop on glass or polystyrene, showing a requirement for a hard surface. Removal of the spore coat with protease inhibits adhesion at 30 min, before the secretion of ECM glycoproteins. Protease treatment also inhibits the development of appressoria and reduces pathogenicity on leaves. Incubation of spores with the MAb UB20 inhibits adhesion at 30 min, but does not affect appressorium formation or pathogenicity. The results suggest that an intact spore coat has two functions; it is required for adhesion to a hydrophobic surface and for the detection of a hard surface necessary for appressorium formation. We suggest that contact with a hard surface, rather than adhesion, is the key event leading to appressorium formation.     

Ripening influences banana and plantain peels composition and energy content

Musa sp. peels are widely used by smallholders as complementary feeds for cattle in the tropics. A study of the influence of the variety and the maturation stage of the fruit on fermentability and metabolisable energy (ME) content of the peels was performed using banana (Yangambi Km5) and plantain (Big Ebanga) peels at three stages of maturation in an in vitro model of the rumen. Peel samples were analysed for starch, free sugars and fibre composition. Samples were incubated in the presence of rumen fluid. Kinetics of gas production were modelled, ME content was calculated using prediction equation and short-chain fatty acids production and molar ratio were measured after 72 h of fermentation. Final gas production was higher in plantain (269–339 ml g⁻¹) compared to banana (237–328 ml g⁻¹) and plantain exhibited higher ME contents (8.9–9.7 MJ/kg of dry matter, DM) compared to banana (7.7–8.8 MJ/kg of DM). Butyrate molar ratio decreased with maturity of the peels. The main influence of the variety and the stage of maturation on all fermentation parameters as well as ME contents of the peels was correlated to changes in the carbohydrate fraction of the peels, including starch and fibre.     

Effects of diet restriction on life span and age-related changes in dogs

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of 25% diet restriction on life span of dogs and on markers of aging. DESIGN: Paired feeding study. ANIMALS: 48 Labrador Retrievers. PROCEDURES: Dogs were paired, and 1 dog in each pair was fed 25% less food than its pair-mate from 8 weeks of age until death. Serum biochemical analyses were performed, body condition was scored, and body composition was measured annually until 12 years of age. Age at onset of chronic disease and median (age when 50% of the dogs were deceased) and maximum (age when 90% of the dogs were deceased) life spans were evaluated. RESULTS: Compared with control dogs, food-restricted dogs weighed less and had lower body fat content and lower serum triglycerides, triiodothyronine, insulin, and glucose concentrations. Median life span was significantly longer for dogs in which food was restricted. The onset of clinical signs of chronic disease generally was delayed for food-restricted dogs. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that 25% restriction in food intake increased median life span and delayed the onset of signs of chronic disease in these dogs.     

浙江南部近海小黄鱼生长、死亡和单位补充量渔获量

浙江南部近海是东海种群小黄鱼(Larimichthys polyactis)的重要繁殖和育肥场所。根据2016年2月、5月、8月和11月采集的2023尾浙江南部近海小黄鱼全长、体长和体重等生物学信息,利用体长频率分布估算小黄鱼种群生长、死亡参数,并利用Beverton-Holt动态综合模型评估探讨单位补充量渔获量在不同自然死亡系数和渔具选择下随捕捞死亡系数的变化趋势。研究结果表明小黄鱼von Bertalanffy生长参数为渐近体长L_∞=22.58 cm,生长速率K=0.78/a,初始年龄t_a=-0.37 a;自然死亡系数M值为1.343,总死亡系数Z值为4.432,捕捞死亡系数F为3.089,开发率E为0.697,表明资源处于过度开发状态;小黄鱼的首次捕捞体长L_(50)=13.11cm,对应首次捕捞平均年龄t_c=0.743 a,小于临界年龄(0.886a)和体重生长的拐点年龄(0.979a),渔业主要捕捞对象为幼鱼和补充群体,无法保证资源的有效补充;根据B-H动态模型,当前的YPR值为15.279 g/ind,若降低捕捞强度到1.685,对应YPR_(max)为17.061 g/ind,与当前产量相比增幅11.66%;若提高开捕体长(13.11cm→16.0cm),YPR_(cur)会出现显著提高(15.279 g/ind→18.766 g/ind),增幅达22.82%,表明提高开捕体长要优于降低捕捞强度。当前东海小黄鱼群系处于小型低龄化和过度开发状态,建议将小黄鱼的开捕体长提高为15 cm,保证小黄鱼的产卵亲体量及资源的可持续发展。