Sorption of aged dicamba residues in soil

The effect of aging (residence time in soil) on dicamba (3,6-dichloro-2-methoxybenzoic acid) and a major metabolite, 3,6-dichlorosalicylic acid (3,6-DCSA) sorption was determined in an unamended and a carbon-amended sandy loam and in a silt loam soil. During the incubation, sequential solvent extraction with 0.01 M calcium chloride solution and aqueous acetonitrile + hydrochloric acid was used to determine the solution and sorbed concentrations of dicamba and 3,6-DSCA, and sorption coefficients were calculated. Dicamba was weakly sorbed to soil (Kd < 0.7). In contrast to some other classes of pesticides, sorption of dicamba did not significantly increase with aging, at least not until < 15% of the applied dicamba remained. 3,6-DSCA was strongly sorbed to soil (Kd > 8) and the Kd-a value increased by a factor of 2-6 during a 28-day aging period. Addition of a carbon source to the soil had minimal effect on the strength of sorption of aged dicamba. However, it did appear to decrease 3,6-DSCA availability to soil micro-organisms; once formed 3,6-DSCA was not further mineralized. While it appears that sorption can be well characterized for weakly sorbed pesticides using the batch equilibration method with freshly treated soils, this procedure may not be adequate for more strongly sorbed pesticides and their degradates.     

Lysine requirement of finishing pigs administered porcine somatotropin by sustained-release implant

To alleviate the need for daily injection of porcine somatotropin (pST), a sustained-release implant (pSTSR) was devised that continuously delivers a daily dose of 2 mg of pST for 42 d. Ninety-six white composite (Large White x Landrace) finishing barrows (83.6 +/- 1.2 kg BW) were assigned to receive zero or two pSTSR implants (4 mg pST/d) and to consume one of six diets differing in total Lys concentration (0.29, 0.52, 0.75, 0.98, 1.21, or 1.44%, as-fed basis). Diets were formulated to be isocaloric and based on the ideal protein concept. Pigs were housed individually, allowed ad libitum access to feed and water, and slaughtered at 112 kg of BW. The pSTSR affected neither ADG (P = 0.88) nor 10th rib LM area (LMA; P = 0.51), but it decreased (P < 0.01) ADFI, average backfat thickness, 10th rib fat depth, weights of leaf fat and ham fat, improved (P < 0.05) G:F, and increased (P < 0.01) weights of four trimmed lean cuts (T-cuts), and percentages of ham lean and bone. Increasing total Lys increased ADG (quadratic; P < 0.05) and ADFI (linear; P < 0.01). The G:F, plasma urea N concentrations (PUN), and T-cuts were affected by the interaction pSTSR x dietary Lys (P < 0.01). Without pSTSR, the G:F did not differ (P = 0.37) among pigs fed 0.52% and greater total Lys. With pSTSR, the G:F was less (P < 0.05) for pigs fed 0.52% than 0.98 and 1.44% total Lys. Increases in dietary total Lys resulted in increased PUN (P < 0.01), and incremental increases were less in pSTSR-implanted pigs. Maximal yield of T-cuts was at 0.98% dietary total Lys in nonimplanted pigs and 1.21% total Lys in pSTSR-implanted pigs. Estimates of total Lys requirements of pigs without and with pSTSR, respectively, were 0.52 and 0.86% for growth (ADG and G:F) and 0.73 and 0.88% for lean production (LMA and T-cuts). Equivalent apparent ileal digestible Lys requirements of pigs without and with pSTSR, respectively, were 0.44 and 0.68% for growth, and 0.62 and 0.75% for lean production. With ADFI of 3.5 kg daily, an intake of approximately 26.1 g of total daily Lys (0.75%) or 22.4 g of apparent ileal digestible Lys is needed to maximize lean production in finishing barrows receiving 4 mg pST/d via sustained-release implant.     

Comparison of dietary selenium fed to grower-finisher pigs from various regions of the United States on resulting tissue Se and loin mineral concentrations

A study was conducted to evaluate the mineral content of pork tissue with particular emphasis on Se between various states (regions) having different diet (grain) indigenous Se concentrations. The study involved 19 states in the north, central, and southern regions of the United States, with committee members of NCR-42 and S-1012 (formerly S-288). A total of 62 pigs were used, with collaborators sending 100-g samples each of loin, heart, and liver, and a 3- to 4-g sample of hair (collected along the topline) from two to five market-weight pigs to a common laboratory for analysis. Diets at each station were formulated with locally purchased soybean meal and grain that was either grown or normally fed to pigs within their state. Tissues were analyzed for Se, but only the loin was analyzed for the macro- and micromineral elements. Correlation of dietary minerals to the tissue element was determined. The results demonstrated differences in tissue Se among states (P < 0.01), with high correlations of dietary Se to loin (r = 0.84; P < 0.01), heart (r = 0.84; P < 0.01), liver (r = 0.83; P < 0.01), and hair Se (r = 0.90; P < 0.01) concentrations. The correlation of hair Se to the Se concentration of loin, heart, and liver tissues was high (r > 0.90; P < 0.01). States in the west-central region of the United States and west of the Mississippi river had higher dietary Se and tissue Se concentrations than states in the eastern section of the Corn Belt, east of the Mississippi river, and along the East Coast. Generally, states did not differ greatly in their loin macro- and micromineral concentrations. The simple correlation of dietary minerals to their corresponding loin mineral concentration was generally non-significant, but most macrominerals had decreasing mineral concentrations when the dietary mineral level was higher. These results indicate that regional differences in tissue Se were influenced more by the indigenous Se content of the diet (grain) fed to the pigs than from sodium selenite.     

Jarosite and hematite at Meridiani Planum from Opportunity's Mossbauer Spectrometer

Mossbauer spectra measured by the Opportunity rover revealed four mineralogical components in Meridiani Planum at Eagle crater: jarosite- and hematite-rich outcrop, hematite-rich soil, olivine-bearing basaltic soil, and a pyroxene-bearing basaltic rock (Bounce rock). Spherules, interpreted to be concretions, are hematite-rich and dispersed throughout the outcrop. Hematitic soils both within and outside Eagle crater are dominated by spherules and their fragments. Olivine-bearing basaltic soil is present throughout the region. Bounce rock is probably an impact erratic. Because jarosite is a hydroxide sulfate mineral, its presence at Meridiani Planum is mineralogical evidence for aqueous processes on Mars, probably under acid-sulfate conditions.     

向日葵菌核病研究简报

向日葵菌核病在黑龙江省发生分布及为害情况过去没有记载。我院于1960—1961年进行了调查研究,初步了解此病分布在尚志、讷河、嫩江等县部分地区,而且常年发病严重。其他如海伦、阿城、召东、召州等县,在个别年分也发生为害。根据嫩江九三农場1958年的调查,发病率一般在50％左右,1959年高达80％,个别地块颗粒无收。成为向日葵上的毁灭性病害。该病在向日葵整个生育期都能侵染为害,表现立枯和烂盘两个类型。立枯型自苗期开始到花盘形成前均能发病;幼苗期发病部位主要在茎基     

Mechanistic target of rapamycin is activated in bovine granulosa cells after LH surge but is not essential for ovulation

The LH surge induces functional and morphological changes in granulosa cells. Mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) is an integrator of signalling pathways in multiple cell types. We hypothesized that mTOR kinase activity integrates and modulates molecular pathways induced by LH in granulosa cells during the preovulatory period. Cows were ovariectomized and granulosa cells collected at 0, 3, 6, 12 and 24 hr after GnRH injection. While RHEB mRNA levels increased at 3 and 6 hr, returning to basal levels by 12 hr after GnRH treatment, RHOA mRNA levels increased at 6 hr and remained high thereafter. Western blot analyses revealed increased S6K phosphorylation at 3 and 6 hr after GnRH injection. Similarly, mRNA levels of ERK1/2, STAR and EGR‐1 were higher 3 hr after GnRH treatment. Rapamycin treatment inhibited mTOR activity and increased AKT activity, but did not alter ERK1/2 phosphorylation and EGR1 protein levels in cultured bovine granulosa cells. Rapamycin also inhibited LH‐induced increase in EREG mRNA abundance in granulosa cells in vitro. However, intrafollicular injection of rapamycin did not suppress ovulation. These findings suggest that mTOR is involved in the control of EREG expression in cattle, which may be triggered by LH surge stimulating RHEB and S6K activity.     

鹅观草属(Roegneria C.Koch)的订正(禾本科:小麦族)(英文)

鹅观草属(Roegneria)属于禾本科小麦族,其物种都是含St与Y染色体组的异源多倍体植物。主要分布在亚洲,只有一个种分布于南欧,另一个种从亚洲一直分布到北美洲的阿拉斯加。由于St染色体组的显性遗传特性使含St染色体组的属,例如:Pseudoroegeria(St),Elymus(StH),Roegneria(StY)和Campeiostachys(HStY),在形态上表现出非常相似。更由于1984年Lve发表他划时代的以染色体组组成来界定的小麦族属的自然系统时还不知道Y染色体组的存在,因此他把鹅观草属合并到披碱草属(Elymus)中,从而导致一些人至今仍然信奉他的系统而不承认鹅观草属。虽然现今对Y染色体组的研究已经取得巨大进步,所属物种也已十分清楚。其中当然也有传统的形态学分类对显性遗传造成的趋同熟视无睹带来的错误,以及一些大形态分类学家的错误分类的影响。现在发表的这个修订了的鹅观草属是基于形态观察、多变量形态统计分析、细胞遗传与分子遗传的研究成果综合判定的。这些成果来自不同的学者也包括我们自己。     

Sulforaphane potentiates the efficacy of imatinib against chronic leukemia cancer stem cells through enhanced abrogation of Wnt/β-catenin function

Sulforaphane (SFN) has been indicated for the prevention and suppression of tumorigenesis in solid tumors. Herein, we evaluated SFN's effects on imatinib (IM)-resistant leukemia stem cells (LSCs). CD34(+)/CD38(-) and CD34(+)/CD38(+) LSCs were isolated from KU812 cell line flowcytometrically. Isolated LSCs showed high expression of Oct4, CD133, β-catenin, and Sox2 and IM resistance. Differentially, CD34(+)/CD38(-) LSCs demonstrated higher BCR-ABL and β-catenin expression and imatinib (IM) resistance than CD34(+)/CD38(+) counterparts. IM and SFN combined treatment sensitized CD34(+)/CD38(-) LSCs and induced apoptosis, shown by increased caspase 3, PARP, and Bax while decreased Bcl-2 expression. Additionally, the combined treatment reduced BCR-ABL and β-catenin and MDR-1 protein expression. Mechanistically, IM and SFN combined treatment resensitized LSCs by inducing intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). Importantly, β-catenin-silenced LSCs exhibited reduced glutathione S-transferase pi 1 (GSTP1) expression and intracellular GSH level, which led to increased sensitivity toward IM and SFN. We demonstrated that IM and SFN combined treatment effectively eliminated CD34(+)/CD38(-) LSCs. Since SFN has been shown well tolerated in both animals and human, this regimen could be considered for clinical trials.