User‐friendly markers linked to Fusarium wilt race 1 resistance Fw gene for marker‐assisted selection in pea

Fusarium wilt is one of the most widespread diseases of pea. Resistance to Fusarium wilt race 1 was reported as a single gene, Fw, located on linkage group III. The previously reported AFLP and RAPD markers linked to Fw have limited usage in marker‐assisted selection due to their map distance and linkage phase. Using 80 F₈ recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from the cross of Green Arrow × PI 179449, we amplified 72 polymorphic markers between resistant and susceptible lines with the target region amplified polymorphism (TRAP) technique. Marker–trait association analysis revealed a significant association. Five candidate markers were identified and three were converted into user‐friendly dominant SCAR markers. Forty‐eight pea cultivars with known resistant or susceptible phenotypes to Fusarium wilt race 1 verified the marker–trait association. These three markers, Fw_Trap_480, Fw_Trap_340 and Fw_Trap_220, are tightly linked to and only 1.2 cM away from the Fw locus and are therefore ideal for marker‐assisted selection. These newly identified markers are useful to assist in the isolation of the Fusarium wilt race 1 resistance gene in pea.     

Quercetin improves the in vitro development of porcine oocytes by decreasing reactive oxygen species levels

Quercetin is a plant-derived flavonoid found in fruits or vegetables that has antioxidant properties and acts as a free radical scavenger. We investigated the effects of quercetin on porcine oocyte nuclear maturation and embryonic development after parthenogenetic activation. We then evaluated the antioxidant activities of quercetin by measuring reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in matured oocytes. Immature oocytes were untreated or treated with 1, 10, and 50 µg/mL quercetin during in vitro maturation (IVM). Quercetin treatment did not improve oocyte nuclear maturation, but significantly higher blastocyst rates (p < 0.05) of parthenogenetically activated oocytes were achieved when the IVM medium was supplemented with an adequate concentration of quercetin (1 µg/mL). However, cleavage rates and blastocyst cell numbers were not affected. Oocytes treated with 1 or 10 µg/mL quercetin had significantly lower (p < 0.05) levels of ROS than the control and group treated with the highest concentration of quercetin (50 µg/mL). Moreover, this highest concentration was detrimental to oocyte nuclear maturation and blastocyst formation. Based on our findings, we concluded that exogenous quercetin reduces ROS levels during oocyte maturation and is beneficial for subsequent embryo development.     

Site-level model–data synthesis of terrestrial carbon fluxes in the CarboEastAsia eddy-covariance observation network: toward future modeling efforts

Based on the model–data comparison at the eddy-covariance observation sites from CarboEastAsia datasets, we report the current status of the terrestrial carbon cycle modeling in monsoon Asia. In order to assess the modeling performance and discuss future requirements for both modeling and observation efforts in Asia, we ran eight terrestrial biosphere models at 24 sites from 1901 to 2010. By analyzing the modeled carbon fluxes against the CarboEastAsia datasets, the strengths and weaknesses of terrestrial biosphere modeling over Asia were evaluated. In terms of pattern and magnitude, the carbon fluxes (i.e., gross primary productivity, ecosystem respiration, and net ecosystem exchange) at the temperate and boreal forest sites were simulated best, whereas the simulation results from the tropical forest, cropland, and disturbed sites were poor. The multi-model ensemble mean values showed lower root mean square errors and higher correlations, suggesting that composition of multiple terrestrial biosphere models would be preferable for terrestrial carbon budget assessments in Asia. These results indicate that the current model-based estimation of terrestrial carbon budget has large uncertainties, and future research should further refine the models to permit re-evaluation of the terrestrial carbon budget.     

Alkaline weight reduction monitoring of sea-island type polyamide microfiber fabrics

The alkaline dissolution behavior of sea-island type polyamide microfibers were successfully monitored using a cationic dye staining method. Weight reduction behavior of the alkali-treated microfiber fabrics and the treated fabrics stained with cationic dye were investigated in a comparative manner. The termination of dissolution monitored by both methods was also confirmed by scanning electron microscopy.     

Living cationic polymerization of vinyl ethers in the presence of iodomethyl methyl ether and zinc iodide

Living cationic polymerization behaviors of isobutyl vinyl ethers (IBVE), initiated by iodomethyl methyl ether (IMME)/zinc iodide (ZnI₂) have been investigated. The polymerization was carried out at 0, −15, and −30°C in toluene. It was found that the rate of polymerization increased as the IMME concentration increased and decreased as temperature decreased. 100% conversion was always achieved without exception. Furthermore, the number-average molecular weight of polymers increased in direct proportion to monomer conversion. The molecular weights of polymers were in good agreement with the theoretical values, calculated on the basis that one polymer chain was formed by one IMME molecule and the values of polydispersity index are always less than 1.2, revealing the living nature. The living nature was also confirmed by synthesis of poly(IBVE-b-TBVE) by subsequent monomer addition of t-butyl vinyl ether (TBVE).     

Severe dietary lysine restriction affects growth and body composition and hepatic gene expression for nitrogen metabolism in growing rats

Dietary lysine restriction may differentially affect body growth and lipid and nitrogen metabolism, depending on the degree of lysine restriction. This study was conducted to examine the effect of dietary lysine restriction on growth and lipid and nitrogen metabolism with two different degree of lysine restriction. Isocaloric amino acid–defined diets containing 1.4% lysine (adequate), 0.70% lysine (50% moderate lysine restriction) and 0.35% lysine (75% severe lysine restriction) were fed from the age of 52 to 77 days for 25 days in male Sprague–Dawley rats. The 75% severe lysine restriction increased (p < 0.05) food intake, but retarded (p < 0.05) growth, increased (p < 0.05) liver and muscle lipid contents and abdominal fat accumulation, increased (p < 0.05) blood urea nitrogen levels and mRNA levels of the serine‐synthesizing 3‐phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase gene, but decreased (p < 0.05) urea cycle arginase gene mRNA levels. In contrast, the 50% lysine restriction did not significantly (p > 0.05) affect body growth and lipid and nitrogen metabolism. Our results demonstrate that severe 75% lysine restriction has detrimental effects on body growth and deregulate lipid and nitrogen metabolism.     

An intrauterine catch‐up growth regimen increases food intake and post‐natal growth in rats

Nutritional conditions during the intrauterine stage are an important developmental programming factor that can affect the growth and metabolic status during foetal development and permanently alter the phenotypes of newborn offspring and adults. This study was performed to examine the effects of intrauterine catch‐up growth (IUCG) on food intake, post‐natal body growth and the metabolic status of offspring and growing rats. Control pregnant rats were fed ad libitum during the entire gestation period. For the IUCG regimen, pregnant rats were fed 50% of the food of the controls from pregnancy days 4 through 11 (8 days), followed by ad libitum feeding from pregnancy days 12 through parturition. The birth weight of offspring was not affected by the IUCG regimen. At weaning, offspring from each treatment group were assigned to two groups and given either a normal diet or high‐fat diet (HFD) for 12 weeks until 103 days of age. In the normal diet group, the IUCG offspring showed a 9.0% increase (P < 0.05) in total food intake, were 11.2% heavier (p < 0.05) at 103 days of age and had an 11.0% greater (p < 0.05) daily weight gain compared with control offspring. The IUCG regimen did not affect body glucose and lipid metabolism. After exposure to the HFD, the IUCG regimen has not exacerbated metabolic disorders. In conclusion, our findings suggest that the IUCG nutritional regimen during pregnancy can increase the food intake and post‐natal body growth of offspring without inducing metabolic disorders such as obesity and insulin resistance. The IUCG nutritional regimen might be used to improve the food intake and post‐natal body growth of domestic animals.     

Optimizing Electrical Activation of Porcine Oocytes by Adjusting Pre‐ and Post‐Activation Mannitol Exposure Times

Modifying electrical activation conditions have been used to improve in vitro embryo production and development in pigs. However, there is insufficient information about correlations of porcine embryo development with oocyte pre‐ and post‐activation conditions. The purpose of this study was to compare the developmental rates of porcine oocytes subjected to different mannitol exposure times, either pre‐ or post‐electrical activation, and to elucidate the reason for the optimal mannitol exposure time. Mannitol exposure times around activation were adjusted as 0, 1, 2 or 3 min. Blastocyst development were checked on day 7. Exposure of oocytes to mannitol for 1 or 2 min before electrical activation produced significantly higher blastocyst rates than exposure for 0 or 3 min. There was no significant difference in blastocyst rates when activated oocytes were exposed to mannitol for 0, 1, 2 or 3 min after electrical activation. While exposure of oocytes to mannitol for 1 min pre‐ and 3 min post‐activation showed significantly higher blastocyst development than 0 min pre‐ and 0 min post‐activation. It also showed higher maintenance of normal oocyte morphology than exposure for 0 min pre‐ and 0 min post‐activation. In conclusion, exposure of oocytes to mannitol for 1 min pre‐ and 3 min post‐activation seems to be optimal for producing higher in vitro blastocyst development of porcine parthenogenetic embryos. The higher blastocyst development is correlated with higher maintenance of normal morphology in oocytes exposed to mannitol for 1 min pre‐ and 3 min post‐activation.