Comparison of allometric equations and biomass expansion factors for six evergreen broad-leaved trees in subtropical forests in southern Korea

This study was conducted to compare the allometric equations and biomass expansion factors (BEFs) of six dominant evergreen broad-leaved trees (Camellia japonica L, Castanopsis sieboldii Hatus, Quercus acuta Thunb, Q. glauca Thunb, Machilus thunbergii S. et Z., and Neolitsea sericea Koidz) in subtropical forests. A total of 86 trees were destructively sampled to quantify the aboveground biomass of each tree component (i.e., leaves, branches, and stem). Species-specific or generalized allometric equations and species-dependent BEFs were developed for each tree component of the six broad-leaved forest trees. Species-specific allometric equations were significant (P < 0.05), with the diameter at breast height (DBH) accounting for 68–99% of the variation, whereas generalized allometric equations explained 64–96% of the variation. The values of stem density ranged broadly from 0.49 g cm^?3 for C. sieboldii to 0.79 g cm^?3 for Q. glauca, with a mean value of 0.68 g cm^?3. The BEFs were significantly (P < 0.05) lower for C. sieboldii (1.25) than for M. thunbergii (2.02). Stem density and aboveground BEFs had a significant negative relationship with tree ages. The results indicate that species-specific allometric equations and species-dependent BEFs are applicable for obtaining accurate biomass estimates of subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forests.     

Immunohistochemical characterization of macrophage and dendritic cell subpopulations of the spleen,thymus, tongue and heart in cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppressed rat

This study was undertaken to investigate the immunohistochemical characterization of different subpopulations of macrophages and dendritic cells (DCs) of the spleen, thymus, tongue and heart in cyclophosphamide (CY)-induced immunosuppressed rat. After CY treatment, remarkably, ED1+, ED2+ and ED3+ macrophage subpopulations, in general exhibited signs of cellular activation such as an increase in number and size of cell, and an upregulation of the ED1, ED2 and ED3 reactive surface molecule expression in all the organs studied, except for some macrophage subpopulations including ED1+ macrophages in the non-lymphoid tissues. Subpopulations of DCs showed a differential sensitivity to CY. Lymphoid DCs were more sensitive to CY than non-lymphoid interstitial DCs. CY induced a conspicuous upregulation of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) expression in the vascular endothelial cells, splenic marginal zone and thymic cortex. In this study, we demonstrated the in vivo effects of CY treatment on subpopulations of macrophages and DCs as well as on ICAM-1 expression in the rat spleen, thymus, tongue and heart. Moreover, our results shed more light on the activation effects of CY on certain subpopulations of macrophages, on the differential sensitivity of DCs to CY between the immature and mature ones, on the functional role of different subpopulations of macrophages, and on the significance of upregulated ICAM-1 expression in the splenic marginal zone and thymic cortex after CY treatment.     

Effects of 17beta-estradiol and tamoxifen on the selenoprotein phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase (PHGPx) mRNA expression in male reproductive organs of rats

The selenoprotein phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase (PHGPx) is highly expressed in testes under gonadotropin control. The expression patterns of PHGPx mRNA by 17beta-estradiol (E2) as an estrogen and tamoxifen (Tam) as an estrogen antagonist were investigated in the reproductive organs of male rats. Twelve-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were subcutaneously injected with E2 (7.5 microg/kg/day) or Tam (5 mg/kg/day) for 1 week. The E2 treatment significantly increased the levels of PHGPx mRNA in both testes and prostates, whereas the Tam treatment significantly decreased the levels of PHGPx mRNA, compared to the vehicle control (p<0.01). The treatment with E2 or Tam slightly decreased the levels of PHGPx mRNA in epididymides. In histopathological examination, severe vacuolization and depletion of germ cells in the seminiferous tubules, cell debris in the tubular lumen, and mild proliferative changes in interstitial tissues were observed in the testes of Tam-treated rats, whereas only mild spermatogonial proliferation was observed in the seminiferous tubules of E2-treated rats. There were no typical histopathological changes in the epididymides of any of the laboratory rats but mild epithelial proliferation in the prostates of E2- and Tam-treated rats. These results suggest that PHGPx mRNA expression may be influenced by estrogen in the male reproductive organs.     

Aroma-active compounds of miniature beefsteakplant (Mosla dianthera Maxim)

Volatile flavor compounds of miniature beefsteakplant (Mosla dianthera Maxim.) from Vietnam were analyzed through gas chromatography-mass spectrometry-olfactometry (GC-MS-O). Sixty-two compounds were identified by GC-MS. Of these, (+/-)-carvone and (+/-)-limonene were the most abundant, followed by (Z)-limonene oxide, beta-caryophyllene, and alpha-humulene. Twenty aroma-active compounds were detected by aroma extract dilution analysis conducted on two GC columns of different polarities (DB-5MS and DB-Wax). The most intense aroma-active compounds were linalool (floral/sweet/lemon), (-)-carvone (spearminty), and 1-octen-3-one (mushroom/earthy). Other predominant aroma-active compounds included (Z)-3-hexenol (grassy/leafy/metallic), (Z)-limonene oxide (lemon/floral), myrcene (plastic/sweet), (+)-limonene (orange/lemon), alpha-thujene (soy sauce/grassy), and (Z)-dihydrocarvone (spearminty/pepperminty). On the basis of the aroma characteristics and intensity, it was concluded that (-)-carvone was responsible for the characteristic aroma of miniature beefsteakplant.     

Determination of influence of food intake after a single oral dose of mosapride in beagle dogs using nonlinear mixed effect modeling

The objective of this study was to describe the population pharmacokinetics (PK) of mosapride under fasting and fed conditions. A single 5‐mg oral dose of mosapride was administered to fasted (n = 15) and fed (n = 12) beagle dogs. Plasma concentrations of mosapride were subsequently measured by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. Data were analyzed using modeling approaches with the NONMEM 7.2 software. A one‐compartment open PK model utilizing model event time (MTIME) with first‐order absorption and first‐order elimination was found to be more appropriate than all other PK models tested. The absorption rate constants of mosapride were significantly decreased under fed conditions, compared to fasting conditions. The observed bootstrap medians of PK parameters were generally consistent with the corresponding population mean estimates. Furthermore, with the exception of some mosapride concentrations, most of observed data fell into the range of the 5th and 95th percentiles of the simulated values. Overall, the final model was able to describe the observed mosapride concentrations reasonably well. These findings suggest that food intake affects both the rate and extent of absorption of mosapride and that the pharmacological effect of mosapride can differ significantly depending on food intake.     

Preface—Biochar and agricultural sustainability

Journal of Soils and Sediments -     

Analysis of genetic diversity and population structure of 135 dill (Anethum graveolens L.) accessions using RAPD markers

Dill (Anethum graveolens L.) leaf, seed and their essential oil are rich source of antioxidants. The plant is native in Southwest Asia and is cultivated in Europe, India and the United States. This study evaluated the genetic diversity structure of 135 accessions of A. graveolens from different continents, based on random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers. The selected 10 RAPD primers generated a total of 142 highly reproducible bands, among which 89 were polymorphic. Percentage of polymorphism varied from 41.17 % (OPB20) to 92.85 % (OPB15) with an average of 77.74 %. A relatively high genetic diversity was detected among all the accessions with the Nei’s genetic diversity (H) values ranged from 0.346 (OPB07) to 0.444 (OPB18) with a mean of 0.401. When estimated for Shannon’s information index (I), it has ranged from 0.530 (OPB12) to 0.652 (OPB18), the mean was observed as 0.581. The respective values of H and I were found to be the highest value for primer OPB18. Cluster analysis of RAPD data using UPGMA algorithm based on Nei’s genetic similarity matrix placed the 135 accessions into two main clusters. Although a number of groups can be identified, the clusters show little to no association with the geographic origin of the material. The implication of the results of this study in developing a strategy for the conservation and breeding of dill germplasm are discussed.     

Metal ion adsorbability of electrospun wool keratose/silk fibroin blend nanofiber mats

In this study, electrospun wool keratose (WK)/silk fibroin (SF) blend nanofiber was prepared and evaluated as a heavy metal ion adsorbent which can be used in water purification field. The WK, which was a soluble fraction of oxidized wool keratin fiber, was blended with SF in formic acid. The electrospinnability was greatly improved with an increase of SF content. The structure and properties of WK/SF blend nanofibers were investigated by SEM, FTIR, DMTA and tensile test. Among various WK/SF blend ratios, 50/50 blend nanofiber showed an excellent mechanical property. It might be due to some physical interaction between SF and WK molecules although FTIR result did not show any evidence of molecular miscibility. As a result of metal ion adsorption test, WK/SF blend nanofiber mats exhibited high Cu²⁺ adsorption capacity compared with ordinary wool sliver at pH 8.5. It might be due to large specific surface area of nanofiber mat as well as numerous functional groups of WK. Consequently, the WK/SF blend nanofiber mats can be a promising candidate as metal ion adsorption filter.