A Recombinant ω-Gliadin-like D-Type Glutenin and an α-Gliadin from Wheat (Triticum aestivum): Two Immunoglobulin E Binding Proteins, Useful for the Diagnosis of Wheat-Dependent Allergies

Among the wheat prolamins, D-type glutenins display a highly repetitive sequence similar to ω-gliadins, but they contain a cysteine, that allows them to be included in the gluten macropolymers. An ω-gliadin-like D-type glutenin, an α-gliadin, and an ω5-gliadin-like D-type glutenin were obtained as recombinant proteins and compared using synchrotron radiation circular dichroism. This technique evidenced the strong thermostability of the ω5-gliadin-like protein. The IgE reactivity of recombinant proteins was evaluated using 45 sera from wheat-allergic patients. The sera from patients diagnosed with cutaneous hypersensitivity to hydrolyzed wheat proteins often reacted with the ω-gliadin-like D-type glutenin and α-gliadin, whereas the IgE reaction was less frequent after dietary sensitization. So, these two proteins could be useful to diagnose these diseases. The sera from patients with exercise-induced anaphylaxis recognized the ω5-gliadin-like protein as a positive control and, less frequently, the other proteins tested. Only some sera from patients with baker's asthma reacted with the proteins tested.     

Local and landscape factors determine functional bird diversity in Indonesian cacao agroforestry

Large-scale intensification of smallholder cacao management is currently affecting the agroforestry landscapes of Sulawesi (Indonesia), the world’s third largest cacao producer. Little is known about how this shift from diverse plantations to full-sun cacao will affect functionally important biodiversity within the agroecosystem, and how this is related to landscape-wide patterns in land-use and natural ecosystems. We recorded birds in 43 cacao plots differing in woody and herbaceous vegetation as well as distance to forest in two valleys around the Lore Lindu National Park in Central Sulawesi. Species richness of frugivores and nectarivores decreased with increasing distance to forest, whereas granivorous birds increased in richness. Forest specialists, but not habitat generalists, responded positively to forest edge proximity. Species richness of all functional groups except seed eaters increased at higher density of tall shade trees. Greater species richness of shade trees was associated with higher species richness of frugivores and nectarivores, while herbaceous vegetation did not have a strong impact on the avifauna. The positive effect of shade trees was independent of distance to forest. In conclusion, our study shows the relative importance of local and landscape effects on bird diversity with shade trees being critical for bird conservation in cacao agroforestry landscapes.     

Six years of habitat modification in a tropical rainforest margin of Indonesia do not affect bird diversity but endemic forest species

Studies on temporal changes of tropical bird communities in response to habitat modification are rare. We quantified changes in bird assemblages at the rainforest margin of Lore Lindu National Park, Central Sulawesi, over an interval of 6 years. Standardized bird counts were conducted in the years 2001/2002 and 2008 at 15 census points representing natural forest, secondary forest, agroforest and openland sites. Although overall species richness remained nearly identical, different species groups were affected unequally by habitat modification within the forest margin landscape. The mostly endemic forest species declined in abundance (72.0% of forest species) and were detected at fewer census points in 2008 (56.0%). In contrast, 81.8% of the solely widespread openland birds became more abundant and 63.6% of the species were recorded at a larger number of census points. Hence, recent human activities in the forest margin ecotone negatively affected species of high conservation value. Species richness turned out to be a poor indicator of habitat change, and our results underline the importance of considering species identities. Biotic homogenization as result of habitat conversion is a global phenomenon. In our study, the winners were widespread openland species, while the losers were endemic forest birds. In conclusion, our study shows that 6 years of land-use change had negative impacts on bird community structure and endangered species, but not on overall bird species richness.     

竹农参与技术创新模式的构建

以解决技术供求矛盾为前提,把政府各级部门、科研机构、竹农、竹加工企业之间存在一种“断层”关系“接续”起来,提出了“接续”方法,即竹农参与技术创新模式的实施和运用。在本文中,提出了竹农参与技术创新模式的基本要求、参与效果的指标、参与模式的基本思路、基本运行机制和主要特色。     

Relating MODIS vegetation index time-series with structure,light absorption and stem production of fast-growing Eucalyptus plantations

By allowing the estimation of forest structural and biophysical characteristics at different temporal and spatial scales, remote sensing may contribute to our understanding and monitoring of planted forests. Here, we studied 9-year time-series of the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on a network of 16 stands in fast-growing Eucalyptus plantations in São Paulo State, Brazil. We aimed to examine the relationships between NDVI time-series spanning entire rotations and stand structural characteristics (volume, dominant height, mean annual increment) in these simple forest ecosystems. Our second objective was to examine spatial and temporal variations of light use efficiency for wood production, by comparing time-series of Absorbed Photosynthetically Active Radiation (APAR) with inventory data.     

Antimicrobial Compounds from Eukaryotic Microalgae against Human Pathogens and Diseases in Aquaculture

The search for novel compounds of marine origin has increased in the last decades for their application in various areas such as pharmaceutical, human or animal nutrition, cosmetics or bioenergy. In this context of blue technology development, microalgae are of particular interest due to their immense biodiversity and their relatively simple growth needs. In this review, we discuss about the promising use of microalgae and microalgal compounds as sources of natural antibiotics against human pathogens but also about their potential to limit microbial infections in aquaculture. An alternative to conventional antibiotics is needed as the microbial resistance to these drugs is increasing in humans and animals. Furthermore, using natural antibiotics for livestock could meet the consumer demand to avoid chemicals in food, would support a sustainable aquaculture and present the advantage of being environmentally friendly. Using natural and renewable microalgal compounds is still in its early days, but considering the important research development and rapid improvement in culture, extraction and purification processes, the valorization of microalgae will surely extend in the future.     

竹农参与技术创新过程中科技资源配置的帕累托效应

以解决竹业技术推广态势下造成的竹农和科研机构双方在时间、空间上的技术供需“断层”为出发点,提出竹农参与技术创新来改变科技资源在时间和空间上重新配置,认为从竹农角度看,这种重新配置是一种市场配置行为,而从科研机构角度看,却是一种半市场配置行为。在比较科研机构与竹农科技资源的优劣势的基础上,认为竹农参与技术创新不仅可以带来整个社会财富福利的增加,而且使竹农和科研机构双方的福利有所提升,从而使科技资源配置在假设前提下获得帕累托改进。     

森林土壤肥力概述

森林土壤肥力以维持和恢复自然肥力为主，人工施肥为输。本文概述了森林与土壤的关系、维持和提高森林土壤肥力的途径，对提高森林土壤肥力及其生态、经济效益具有重要的指导意义。     

土耳其斯坦叶螨对杀螨剂的抗性选育及解毒酶活力变化

为探索土耳其斯坦叶螨的抗药性及其生化机理,在室内对敏感系土耳其斯坦叶螨分别用螺螨酯、甲氰菊酯和阿维菌素逐代处理,选育出抗性种群。结果表明,选育至15代,土耳其斯坦叶螨对螺螨酯、甲氰菊酯和阿维菌素的抗性指数分别达到268.63、37.98和112.68倍。分别测定敏感品系(SS)、抗螺螨酯(RS)、抗甲氰菊酯(RF)、抗阿维菌素(RA)品系的解毒酶活性显示,3种不同抗性品系相对SS品系的羧酸酯酶(CarE)、谷胱甘肽S-转移酶(GSTs)和多功能氧化酶(MFO)的比活力均有不同程度的提高,差异均达到显著水平(P0.05)。其中,RF品系的MFO比活力上升最快,是SS品系的12.7倍;RA品系的MFO比活力次之,是SS品系的5.76倍;RS品系的3种解毒酶比活力均增长较慢,其中CarE比活力上升最慢,是SS品系的1.31倍。由此表明,CarE、GSTs、MFO的活性增大可促进土耳其斯坦叶螨对3种杀虫剂的抗性形成;螺螨酯的抗性增强可能与CarE关系甚微;MFO活性的增加可能与甲氰菊酯抗性升高密切相关;GSTs、MFO的活性升高可能是土耳其斯坦叶螨对阿维菌素产生抗性的主要原因。     

Biogeochemical cycles of nutrients in tropical Eucalyptus plantations: Main features shown by intensive monitoring in Congo and Brazil

The sustainability of fast-growing tropical Eucalyptus plantations is of concern in a context of rising fertilizer costs, since large amounts of nutrients are removed with biomass every 6–7 years from highly weathered soils. A better understanding of the dynamics of tree requirements is required to match fertilization regimes to the availability of each nutrient in the soil. The nutrition of Eucalyptus plantations has been intensively investigated and many studies have focused on specific fluxes in the biogeochemical cycles of nutrients. However, studies dealing with complete cycles are scarce for the Tropics. The objective of this paper was to compare these cycles for Eucalyptus plantations in Congo and Brazil, with contrasting climates, soil properties, and management practices.The main features were similar in the two situations. Most nutrient fluxes were driven by crown establishment the two first years after planting and total biomass production thereafter. These forests were characterized by huge nutrient requirements: 155, 10, 52, 55 and 23 kg ha^?1 of N, P, K, Ca and Mg the first year after planting at the Brazilian study site, respectively. High growth rates the first months after planting were essential to take advantage of the large amounts of nutrients released into the soil solutions by organic matter mineralization after harvesting. This study highlighted the predominant role of biological and biochemical cycles over the geochemical cycle of nutrients in tropical Eucalyptus plantations and indicated the prime importance of carefully managing organic matter in these soils. Limited nutrient losses through deep drainage after clear-cutting in the sandy soils of the two study sites showed the remarkable efficiency of Eucalyptus trees in keeping limited nutrient pools within the ecosystem, even after major disturbances. Nutrient input–output budgets suggested that Eucalyptus plantations take advantage of soil fertility inherited from previous land uses and that long-term sustainability will require an increase in the inputs of certain nutrients.