Behavioural analysis of a nonionic detergent in the kraft pulp washing process using cryo-time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry and cryo-scanning electron microscopy

In order to understand the kraft pulp decolouring mechanism on using a nonionic detergent, the pulp washing process and the resulting pulp handsheets were investigated by examining the brightness, kappa number, thioacidolysis product yield, and dewatering efficiency in the pressing sheet making process. The pulp decolouring could be attributed to a decrease in the lignin content and an improvement in the dewatering efficiency. Furthermore, the detergent distribution in the aqueous pulp suspension obtained during the pulp washing process was visualised using cryo-time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry/scanning electron microscopy (cryo-TOF-SIMS/SEM). The detergent was clearly observed at the transverse surface of the pulp fibre cell wall and was also detected in the lumen of the fibres, suggesting the permeation of the detergent into the pulp fibre cell wall. Based on these results, the pulp decolouring mechanism can be proposed as follows: the detergent permeates into the pulp fibre cell wall and promotes the solution-exchange between the inside and the outside parts of the fibre cell wall, finally washing away the chromophoric substances such as lignin and its degradation products owing to the enhanced dewatering efficiency.     

Economics and Employment Generation of Bamboo-Based Enterprises: A Case Study from Eastern Bangladesh

An exploratory survey was carried out to assess economics and employment generation of the trade of bamboo and bamboo-based secondary products in the eastern Bangladesh, to obtain reliable information about their status, socio-economic significance, production and marketing. The study was undertaken over 30 bamboo-based enterprises in a suburban market of eastern Bangladesh, to investigate regional product details, economic profitability and employment opportunities. The sample entrepreneurs, corresponding to about 25% of the bamboo enterprise population were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire. About 202 full and part-time workers were employed in the factories, under categories of artisan (who manufactured secondary products). The average number of worker’s in the large, medium and small factories were 9 (artisan 40%), 6.45 (artisan 35%) and 5 (artisan 25%) respectively. The study revealed that there was always a satisfied demand of skilled artisans. Most of the workers were relatively newly employed (not more than 5 years). The daily wage rate varied between 70 and 130 Tk. ($US 1 equals approximately 70 Bangladeshi Taka (Tk.), as at December 2008). Bambusa balcooa was the most utilized species (39.96%) in terms of monetary value. The price of a single B. balcooa culm in the local market was Tk. 160–210. Nine sizes of articles under seven bamboo categories were identified, these being bera (36″ × 120″ and 72″ × 96″), bookshelf (36″ × 24″), chaluni (12″ × 12″), chatai (48″ × 60″ and 36″ × 48″), jhuri, rickshaw hood and tukri. Net average profit per article was the highest for rickshaw hoods (Tk. 400 at the retailer stage). The total expected annual income for an enterprises from all articles types sold was estimated to be Tk. 85,800. Three distinct marketing channels were identified for selling bamboo and value-added secondary products. The study also generated policy implications for effective management of bamboo-based enterprises.     

Therapeutic use of plants by local communities in and around Rema-Kalenga Wildlife Sanctuary: implications for protected area management in Bangladesh

Traditional systems of medicine have become a topic of global importance recently. Increased commercialization of economically important medicinal plants has resulted in overharvesting, threatening their survival. The present study was carried out to document the indigenous uses of medicinal plants by the local communities in and around Rema-Kalenga Wildlife Sanctuary, Bangladesh. Data collection was predominantly qualitative recording the species use, identifying their relative importance (RI) and assessing the informants’ consensus factor (F_ic) on associated knowledge. We interviewed 140 households of the local community and 5 local herbal practitioners. A total of 44 plant species were in use to treat 33 ailments under 10 broad disease categories. Five species were found to have high use versatility (RI > 1), Emblica officinale L. being the most versatile. Respiratory problems scored the highest F_ic value (0.56) involving the use of 30% of the species recorded. Terminalia bellerica Roxb., Sterculia villosa Roxb., Dillenia pentagyna Roxb. and Terminalia arjuna Bedd. were being harvested commercially. Use by the community, particularly for subsistence consumption, seemed to be sustainable, but commercial extraction of some species appeared unsustainable. Buffer zone-based commercial farming of medicinal plants with a commercial value could serve a dual purpose of assuring sustainable alternative income generation for local communities as well as conserving the natural resources in protected areas.     

Towards exploration of plant-based ethno-medicinal knowledge of rural community: basis for biodiversity conservation in Bangladesh

Because lack of data impedes the assessment of the conservation of medicinal plants, ethno-medicinal studies are important to fill this gap. This study considered the traditional use of plants for health care by the rural communities in two forested and non-forested regions of Bangladesh. A total of 230 respondents were interviewed accompanied by field observation and voucher specimen collection. Altogether, 68 species of medicinal plants belonging to 38 families distributing over 58 genera were recorded, of which 22 species were common in both regions. Trees were the most commonly utilized growth form and leaves were the most commonly used plant part. Forests and homesteads were the major sources of medicinal plants in forested and non-forested regions, respectively. High use versatility (Relative Importance >1) was represented by 14 species; Emblica officinale L. and Allium sativum L. were the most versatile species. Forty-one individual ailments were treated with the medicinal plants recorded. The ailment categories ‘respiratory problems’ and ‘sexual problems’ received the highest score from the calculation of informants’ consensus factor (F _ic) in forested and non-forested regions, respectively. The findings could contribute in the pharmaceutical sector by directing further investigation of bio-active compounds in medicinal plants. Secondly, results could inform the clues for conservation strategies of forest resources in that region.     

蜘蛛丝基因MaSp1在转基因家蚕中的表达分析(英文)

利用反向PCR、定量PCR以及免疫共沉淀等方法分析研究转基因家蚕的丝素蛋白及基因的结构和性质。结果表明:(1)在DNA水平上,MaSp1基因整合进了家蚕的基因组,插入位点位于scaffold 868;(2)在RNA水平上,MaSp1的表达并不干扰其他3个基因(Fib-H,Fib-L and P25)的表达水平,并且外源基因MaSp1的表达水平略高于Fib-H;(3)在蛋白质水平上,MaSp1蛋白的丰度大约占丝素总蛋白的2%,而且通过自身的LBS区段和轻链蛋白(Fib-L)形成分子间二硫键,从而融入蚕丝蛋白复合体。     

Preventive effects of calcitriol on the development of capsular invasive carcinomas in a rat two-stage thyroid carcinogenesis model

We have shown phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt signaling activation in thyroid capsular invasive carcinomas (CICs), which are highly induced by promotion with sulfadimethoxine (SDM) in a rat 2-stage thyroid carcinogenesis model. To examine the potency of calcitriol, a synthetic vitamin D3 analog, on the development or progression of CICs, male F344 rats were injected with calcitriol (0.1 μg/kg body weight) three times a week intraperitoneally, during an entire period of SDM-promotion for 13 weeks (Experiment 1) or during the last 2 weeks of a 15-week SDM-promotion (Experiment 2). Initiation with N-bis(2-hydroxypropyl)nitrosamine preceded all treatments. In Experiment 1, long-term calcitriol treatment reduced the multiplicity of CICs, while cell proliferation activity, estimated by Ki-67 cell index in the induced CICs, was unchanged with SDM-promotion alone. Considering the strong dependency of promotion with SDM during the early stages on thyroid-stimulating hormone, the reduced multiplicity in Experiment 1 may be due to the effect on an early stage of neoplastic proliferation. Although the magnitude was mild, cell proliferation activity was decreased in existing CICs after short-term calcitriol treatment in Experiment 2, which was associated with a mild decrease in cyclin-dependent kinase-2-positive cells, cytoplasmic immunolocalization of phosphorylated, inactive, Rb protein and a mild increase in nucleocytoplasmic expression of p27(kip1). Although the effect was mild at the late stage of SDM-promotion in this hypothyroidism-related thyroid carcinogenesis model, our results suggest that calcitriol targets cell proliferation via inhibition of a molecular cascade downstream of PI3K/Akt signaling, controlling G1/S transition.     

Pigs as an experimental model for systemic Mycobacterium avium infectious disease

Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) is an opportunistic pathogen in AIDS patients and pigs, and causes dissemination through primary intestinal lesions. However, its pathogenesis is not well understood. In this article, we hypothesize that pigs can provide a suitable experimental model of disseminated MAC disease. We compared the initial route of infection, the characteristics of the pathogenic strains, the immunological status of the hosts, and the histological characteristics. The route of infection and infective strains are similar in AIDS patients and pigs. Pigs can respond to infection by the formation of systemic epithelioid granuloma with sufficient cell-mediated immunity. However, there are differences in immunological status and histological features between AIDS patients and pigs. Therefore, pigs might be used as an appropriate animal model because of their good cell mediated immunity triggered by systemic mycobacterial infection. In conclusion, MAC infections in AIDS patients and pigs show similarities in terms of the initial route of infection and the genetic characteristics of the pathogenic strains.     

On the nature of fresh volcanic ashes as parent material ejected from the Sakurajima and Aso volcanoes

There are few pedological studies in Japan of fresh volcanic ash. Fundamental information of the material from which Japanese volcanic-ash soils have developed, is of importance to obtain a better understanding of pedogenesis of such soils. The present paper deals with the mechanical. mmeralogical, and chemical characteristics of fresh ash ejected from the Sakurajima and Aso volcanoes which are among the most active in Japan.     

Investigations on Cambodian soils

Basic information on the nature of soils, their potentialities, and their limitations is necessary to evaluate Cambodian agriculture properly, and to develop a program for increasing food and other crops. Suitable information has, however, been limited, especially as there is not to be found in any report much data relating to soils of different origins over the whole country. There is, needless to say, some information on confined areas of Cambodia.     

Aluminum inhibits growth and stability of cortical microtubules in wheat (Triticum aestivum) roots

Aluminum (Al) occurs abundantly in soil and solubilized aluminum ions in acid soil inhibit plant growth, in particular, root growth. Although several toxic effects of Al on plant growth have been reported, the mechanism of Al toxicity remains to be clarified.