Change of reactive oxygen species production in co-culture model of rat astrocytes and motor neurons VSC 4.1

AIM: To explore the mutual effect of co-culture of wild-type astrocytes (ASC) and motor neurons VSC4.1 (VSC) on the respective ability to produce reactive oxygen species (ROS). METHODS: The inhibition rates of cell growth in ASC and VSC in co-culture or independent culture was detected after exposed to excitatory stimulus by MTT method. Real-time observation of ROS production by ASC and VSC labeled with Hoechst 33342 was detected by confocal microscopy under the conditions of co-culture or independent culture. RESULTS: Higher concentration of glutamate induced a higher inhibition rate in mixed cell growth than that in ASC alone, while lower concentration of glutamate induced a higher inhibition rate in mixed cell growth than that in VSC only. Real-time observation by confocal microscopy showed that ROS production by VSC under the condition of co-culture, which showed a notable increase at 15 min, was significant less than that in independent culture, which peaked at 5 min and was gradually decreased. ROS production by ASC in co-culture began to increase significantly at 10 min. CONCLUSION: Compared to independent culture, ASC reduces the resting ROS production by co-cultured with VSC, while ASC prolongs the duration of ROS production by VSC after exposed to excitatory stimulus.     

Post-harvest storage effects on guayule latex,rubber, and resin contents and yields

Guayule is a new crop being commercialized for hypoallergenic latex production. Because natural processes that occur in the plant following harvest, notably dehydration, result in rapid loss of latex and immediate processing of guayule shrub for latex on a commercial scale is not feasible, storage conditions that maintain latex concentration and yield need to be established. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of different storage conditions on the extractable latex, total rubber, resin, and guayulin A and B contents, and extractable latex, total rubber, and resin yields in harvested guayule shrub. The experiment was established using plants transplanted into the field at the University of Arizona Maricopa Agricultural Center, Maricopa, AZ, USA, on 22 March 2001. A randomized complete block design with four replications was used. Two germplasm lines (11591 and AZ-2) were used for this experiment. Twenty plants of each line were harvested six times (November 2002, March 2003, July 2003, November 2003, March 2004, and July 2004) from each field plot. Two plants of each line were randomly assigned to each of 10 storage treatment combinations reflecting wet, dry, or wet alternated with dry conditions prior to chipping for latex extraction. Extractable latex content, total rubber content, resin content, and guayulin A and B contents were determined after storage and compared with freshly harvested shrub. Plant biomass, latex yield, rubber yield, and resin yield were also determined and compared with fresh harvested shrub. AZ-2 was significantly lower in latex, rubber, and guayulin A content than 11591, and significantly higher in biomass, latex yield, rubber yield, resin content, resin yield, and guayulin B content. The results from this study show that moist storage of harvested shrub prior to dry chipping allows a higher yield of latex. Storing the shrub under moist conditions may allow more flexible harvesting and processing schedules, by limiting post-harvest latex losses and increasing the time interval between harvesting and processing.     

Indices of soil nitrogen availability for an ecological site classification of British forests

An adequate supply of nitrogen (N) is essential for the successful establishment and sustainable productivity of forest stands. N deficits may necessitate the use of artificial fertilisers. Availability of N in the inorganic forms, and the relative abundance of the NO₃-N and NH₄-N components, influences the species composition of natural forest vegetation. Hence it is essential to use reliable measures of soil N supply that fully reflect its ecological significance. The new Ecological Site Classification (ESC) used in British forestry employs a multi-factorial definition of soil nutrient regime (SNR), including soil N. To develop this, a soil and vegetation study was made at 89 forest sites throughout Great Britain covering the major soil types used for forestry. “Total N” levels were compared with separate pre- and post-incubation measures of the two inorganic N components as potential indices of soil N supply. Multivariate statistical analysis showed that the major discriminant chemical variables for the sampled soils were pH, calcium and NO₃-N and that these were also the main variables influencing the species composition of the ground vegetation. Total N and NH₄-N were less effective discriminant variables for these sites. In some infertile soils the levels of NH₄-N or total N may be of greater importance, as NO₃-N is usually in very limited supply. A multivariate gradient of SNR, which incorporates the NO₃-N measures, has been adopted for use within the ESC system. The position of a site on this gradient can be estimated quantitatively from soil type, ground vegetation species composition and humus type. This enables soil N supply and overall SNR to be assessed in a simple but effective way that guides the operational management of British forest soils for sustainable productivity. It will also be possible to use these techniques to monitor the nutritional status of forest sites over time.     

江西省芝麻地方种质表型性状遗传多样分析

【目的】对江西省芝麻地方种质资源进行表型性状遗传多样分析,为江西芝麻种质资源的有效利用及开发提供理论参考。【方法】依托“第三次全国农作物种质资源普查与收集行动”从江西省39个县(市、区)收集到的132份芝麻地方种质为试验材料,对其23个表型性状(12个质量性状和11个数量性状)进行测定,并计算遗传多样性指数和变异系数。同时,对11个数量性状进行相关分析,并对供试种质进行聚类分析。【结果】23个表型性状的平均遗传多样性指数为1.2821,其中,12个质量性状的遗传多样性指数为0.3217~1.0307,平均0.7290;11个数量性状的变异系数为4.70%~43.58%,遗传多样性指数为1.6138~2.0627,平均1.8855。3种粒色类型芝麻种质中,以46份白芝麻种质表型性状的平均遗传多样性指数最高,为1.3602,74份黑芝麻种质和12份其他粒色(黄色、褐色、黄褐色、红褐色等)芝麻种质表型性状的平均遗传多样性指数分别为1.1782和1.0476。生育期与株高、始蒴高度、蒴果长、千粒重和蛋白含量呈极显著正相关(P<0.01,下同),但与含油量呈极显著负相关。供试的132份芝麻种质资源可分为四大类,不同类群种质的来源地存在地理位置的交错分布现象,其中,第Ⅰ类群可作为潜在选育芝麻高含油量新品种的亲本材料,第Ⅱ类群可作为潜在高产优良芝麻材料利用,第Ⅲ类群可作为潜在矮杆株型的亲本材料,第Ⅳ类群可作为潜在的高蛋白型亲本材料加以利用。【结论】江西芝麻地方种质资源的主要表型性状变异较大,遗传多样性较丰富,其中以46份白芝麻种质的遗传多样性更丰富。种质间亲缘关系与地理来源无必然联系。以高产高蛋白为育种目标时应选择株高较高,始蒴高度适中、蒴果较大、千粒重较高的材料为亲本,并据此进行后代选择。     

生姜主栽品种枯萎病抗性评价及抗病性鉴定指标筛选

【目的】筛选抗枯萎病的生姜品种,建立抗病评价体系,为生姜枯萎病抗病品种选育及抗病机理研究提供理论参考。【方法】选取5个生姜主产区的主栽品种,采用室内人工接种法测定枯萎病菌(腐皮镰刀菌)侵染对不同生姜品种超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)、苯丙氨酸解氨酶(PAL)、几丁质酶(CHI)、β-1,3-葡聚糖苷酶(GLU)活性及次生抗菌物质含量、超氧阴离子(O₂-·)、过氧化氢(H₂O₂)、丙二醛(MDA)含量等的影响,结合抗病系数、主成分分析、聚类分析、相关分析和隶属函数对5个生姜品种幼苗的抗病性进行综合评价。【结果】山东大姜病情指数最低(4.0)、发病率最低(4%)、发病周期最长(24 d),表现出较强的抗病性;罗平小黄姜病情指数最高(45.2)、发病周期最短(7 d),表现抗病性较弱。不同生姜品种幼苗接菌后的生理生化指标均出现不同程度的变化,其中,山东大姜的抗氧化酶(SOD、POD、CAT)活性、防御酶(PAL、CHI、GLU)活性和次生抗菌物质(总酚、类黄酮、木质素)含量均高于其他品种,O₂-·、H₂O₂和MDA含量低于其他品种,而罗平小黄姜呈现相反趋势。主成分分析将12个单项生理生化指标转换为3个独立综合指标,聚类分析将5个生姜品种划分为3类,结合隶属函数综合评价结果,5个生姜品种抗病性强弱表现为:山东大姜>凤头姜>竹根姜>贵州黄姜>罗平小黄姜,与人工接种试验中5个品种的发病程度一致。相关分析结果显示,SOD和类黄酮与抗病性综合评价值(D值)呈极显著正相关(P<0.01)。【结论】5个生姜品种中山东大姜抗病性最强,罗平小黄姜抗病性最弱;SOD和类黄酮可作为生姜枯萎病抗性鉴定的主要参考指标。     

Managing fisheries is managing people: what has been learned?

Understanding the behaviour of fishermen is a key ingredient to successful fisheries management. The aggregate behaviour of fishing fleets can be predicted and managed with appropriate incentives. To determine appropriate incentives, we should look to successes to learn what works and what does not. In different fisheries incentive systems have been found to reduce the race‐for‐fish and make fisheries profitable, to stimulate stock rebuilding, to reduce bycatch, and to provide for reductions in illegal fishing. Yet, success can be evaluated in many dimensions, but is, in fact, rarely done – per cent overfished seems to be the dominant measure of performance. I evaluate the yield lost due to overfishing in several ecosystems and contrast the situation of North Atlantic cod where considerable yield is lost, to fisheries in New Zealand and the west coast of the USA where lost yield due to overfishing is very small. Much more systematic evaluation of the other aspects of fisheries performance is greatly needed. From examples explored in this paper I conclude that prevention of overfishing can be achieved with strong central governments enforcing conservative catch regulations, but economic success appears to require an appropriate incentive structure.     

Biodiversity and ecological assessments of Indian sacred groves

Sacred groves are patches of forests preserved for their spiritual and religious significance.The practice gained relevance with the spread of agriculture that caused large-scale deforestation affecting biodiversity and watersheds.Sacred groves may lose their prominence nowadays,but are still relevant in Indian rural landscapes inhabited by traditional communities.The recent rise of interest in this tradition encouraged scientific study that despite its pan-Indian distribution,focused on India’s northeast,Western Ghats and east coast either for their global/regional importance or unique ecosystems.Most studies focused on flora,mainly angiosperms,and the faunal studies concentrated on vertebrates while lower life forms were grossly neglected.Studies on ecosystem functioning are few although observations are available.Most studies attributed watershed protection values to sacred groves but hardly highlighted hydrological process or water yield in comparison with other land use types.The grove studies require diversification from a stereotyped path and must move towards creating credible scientific foundations for conservation.Documentation should continue in unexplored areas but more work is needed on basic ecological functions and ecosystem dynamics to strengthen planning for scientifically sound sacred grove management.     

Evaluation of the nutritive value of Leucaena leucocephala leaf meal, inoculated with fish intestinal bacteria Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus circulans in formulated diets for rohu, Labeo rohita (Hamilton) fingerlings

Nine isonitrogenous (35% crude protein approximately) and isocaloric (18.37 kJ g^?1) experimental diets (RLL20–BCFL40) were formulated with either raw or treated (inoculated with fish intestinal bacteria) Leucaena leucocephala leaf meal at 20%, 30% and 40% levels replacing other ingredients partially from a fish meal based reference diet (RD). Two specific strains of fish intestinal bacteria, Bacillus subtilis (isolated from Cyprinus carpio) and B. circulans (isolated from Oreochromis mossambicus) having extracellular cellulolytic and amylolytic activities, were used to inoculate Leucaena leaf meal for 15 days at 37°C. The crude fibre, cellulose and hemicellulose contents and the antinutritional factors, tannin, phytic acid and mimosine in the leaf meal decreased due to inoculation. However, free amino acids and fatty acids increased in the treated leaf meal. The response of rohu, Labeo rohita, fingerlings fed the experimental diets for 80 days was compared with fish fed a RD. Both the inclusion level and type of Leucaena leaf meal in diets significantly affected the growth performance of rohu. Fish fed diets containing inoculated Leucaena leaf meal performed better in comparison with those with the RD. On the basis of growth response, feed conversion ratio, protein efficiency ratio and apparent net protein utilization, diet formulated with 30%Leucaena leaf meal inoculated with B. circulans resulted in the best performance of rohu fingerlings followed by diet with 40%B. subtilis inoculated Leucaena leaf meal. The apparent protein digestibility (APD) was better in fish fed diets containing B. circulans inoculated leaf meal. An increasing level of raw Leucaena leaf meal was associated with a decrease in the carcass protein content of rohu fingerlings. The activity of α‐amylase increased with the increasing level of treated leaf meal in diets. Cellulase activity increased with increasing level of inclusion of raw leaf meal, and was comparatively lower in fish fed diets with treated leaf meal. Activities of protease and lipase were higher in fish fed the RD. The results showed that it is possible to incorporate Leucaena leaf meal inoculated with enzyme‐producing fish intestinal bacteria in carp diets up to 40% level of inclusion.