Overwintering,chemical variation,and genetic diversity in three vegetatively propagated lines of French tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus var. sativa)

Summary

French tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus var. sativa) has been vegetatively propagated for centuries, but variability in the vegetative lines has not been studied. Three lines of French tarragon (A – C) were studied for their overwintering capacity at the limit of survival, their essential oil content and composition, and their genetic variability. Line B had the lowest Winter survival rate, the highest biomass yield, and the lowest content of essential oils. The essential oils of line B had higher proportions of cis- and trans-ocimenes, and contained less estragole and herniarin than the essential oils of lines A and C. When genetic diversity was studied using restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP), all French tarragon lines clustered together, while Russian tarragon was monophyletic. Lines A and B were genetically closer to each other than line C. These results indicate that all three lines tested were genetically and biochemically different, which may have resulted from spontaneous mutations over centuries of vegetative propagation. Our results demonstrate the need to monitor and preserve the most important traits for future cultivation and use of vegetatively propagated herbs.     

Perceived personal safety in relation to urban woodland vegetation – A review

Urban woodland vegetation provides people with many aesthetic, ecological and psychological benefits, but can also generate problems concerning people's perception of safety. This paper reviews existing knowledge about perceived personal safety in relation to vegetation, particularly woodland vegetation, in urban green spaces such as parks and residential areas. Individual and social factors, but also vegetation character, maintenance and design, proved to be important for perceived personal safety. Vegetation-related aspects identified as being of particular importance include landscape design, possibilities for overview and control, vegetation density, and vegetation character and maintenance. Vegetation of an open character with low density undergrowth might have positive effects on perceived personal safety without reducing other benefits. Issues for future research include context-based studies to consider several aspects of vegetation and their interactions.     

Impacts of soil erosion in the upper Manupali watershed on irrigated lowlands in the Philippines

With concerns about possible environmental degradation associated with agricultural production, the impacts of soil erosion in the upper Manupali watershed and the consequent sedimentation in the plains on the productivity of the Manupali River Irrigation System's (ManRIS) service area of 4,422 ha were assessed. Land-use changes in the watershed for the past 2 decades caused soil erosion and the consequent increasing trend of canal siltation at ManRIS. This resulted in a significant decline in the productivity and income of the farmers. Rice yields in farms that were heavily affected by siltation had decreased by 27% from 1990 to 1995. Furthermore, in addition to the regular Operation and Maintenance (O and M) costs, the ManRIS management incurred desilting costs in its operation. To cope with the siltation problem, the ManRIS management and farmers made adjustments in the water delivery schedule, cropping pattern and land allocation to various crops. However, it is expected that the siltation in the ManRIS canal network and the consequent decline in crop yield and income will continue in the coming years. Drastic measures are needed to remedy the soil erosion problem in the upper Manupali watershed. Electronic Publication     

Effect of irrigation frequency and amount on water use efficiency and yield of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) under field conditions

The water-use characteristics of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) were studied in the field under furrow irrigation. Irrigation water quantities were based on pan evaporation (E_pan) from a screened class-A pan. Treatments consisted of three irrigation intervals (I₁: 7 days; I₂: 14 days, I₃: 21 days), and four pan coefficients (K_cp 1: 0.60; K_cp 2: 0.80, K_cp 3: 1.00 and K_cp 4: 1.20). Average irrigation values for each treatment varied from 467 to 857 mm in 2003 and 398 to 654 mm in 2004. The highest seasonal evapotranspiration was obtained from the I₃K_cp 4 treatment in 2004 (1019 mm); the lowest value was observed in the I₁K_cp 1 treatment in the same year (598.0 mm). Data collected in 2003 and 2004 showed that the amount of irrigation water applied significantly the affected seed yield. However, the effects of irrigation interval on yield were not significant. On average, the K_cp 3 treatment gave the highest seed yield (1.915 t ha⁻¹), whereas K_cp 1 treatment gave the lowest (1.538 t ha⁻¹). Seasonal yield response factors (k_y) were 1.01 and 0.54 in 2003 and 2004, respectively. ET/E_pan ratios for each treatment varied from 0.3 to 1.3 in 2003 and from 0.1 to 1.1 in 2004. In conclusion, the K_cp 3 plant-pan coefficient is recommended for sesame grown under field conditions in order to maximise yield.     

Dietary intake among under-, normal- and overweight 9- and 15-year-old Estonian and Swedish schoolchildren

OBJECTIVES: To determine the differences in macronutrient and food group contribution to total food and energy intakes between Estonian and Swedish under-, normal- and overweight schoolchildren, and to estimate the association between diet and body mass index (BMI). DESIGN: Cross-sectional comparison between Estonian and Swedish children and adolescents of different BMI groups. SETTING: Twenty-five schools from one region in Estonia and 42 in two regions of central Sweden. SUBJECTS: In total 2308 participants (1176 from Estonia and 1132 from Sweden), including 1141 children with a mean age of 9.6 +/- 0.5 years and 1167 adolescents with a mean age of 15.5 +/- 0.6 years. RESULTS: Overweight was more prevalent among younger girls in Sweden (17.0 vs. 8.9%) and underweight among girls of both age groups in Estonia (7.9 vs. 3.5% in younger and 10.5 vs. 5.1% in older age group of girls). Compared with that of normal- and underweight peers, the diet of overweight Estonian children contained more energy as fat (36.8 vs. 31.7%) but less as carbohydrates, and they consumed more milk and meat products. Absolute BMI of Estonian participants was associated positively with energy consumption from eggs and negatively with energy consumption from sweets and sugar. Swedish overweight adolescents tended to consume more energy from protein and milk products. Risk of being overweight was positively associated with total energy intake and energy from fish or meat products. In both countries the association of overweight and biological factors (pubertal maturation, parental BMI) was stronger than with diet. CONCLUSION: The finding that differences in dietary intake between under-, normal- and overweight schoolchildren are country-specific suggests that local dietary habits should be considered in intervention projects addressing overweight.     

Characterization of a gamma-3 Proteobacteria Responsible for the Syndrome "Basses Richesses" of Sugar Beet Transmitted by Pentastiridius sp. (Hemiptera, Cixiidae)

ABSTRACT The disease syndrome "basses richesses" (SBR) has affected sugar beet crops in Burgundy (France) since 1991. It mainly is associated with an uncultivable phloem-restricted bacterium-like organism (BLO) called SBR BLO. Transmission tests showed that field-collected Pentastiridius sp. (Hemiptera, Cixiidae) were able to transmit the SBR BLO to sugar beet. In the present work, sequences of a 1,507-bp 16S ribosomal (r)DNA fragment of SBR BLO were amplified from DNA extracts of SBR-affected field sugar beet plants, of field-collected Pentastiridius sp. plant-hoppers, and of Pentastiridiussp.-exposed sugar beet seedlings that expressed SBR symptoms. The sequences showed total identity, confirming the role of SBR BLO in the etiology of SBR and the vector role of Pentastiridius sp. Our surveys on SBR-affected sugar beet plants and Pentastiridius sp. planthoppers collected in different fields and different years suggest that a unique BLO was involved in SBR. Furthermore, comparison of 16S rDNA sequences permitted the identification of the SBR BLO as a new plant-pathogenic gamma-3 proteobacteria different from 'Candidatus Phlomobacter fragariae,' another BLO responsible for marginal chlorosis disease of strawberry in France. Phylogenetic analysis revealed a close relationship between the SBR bacterium and several bacteria described as endosymbionts of hemipteran insects.     

Biosafety, antioxidant status, and metabolites in urine after consumption of dried cranberry juice in healthy women: a pilot double-blind placebo-controlled trial

This study assessed the effect of an 8 week consumption of dried cranberry juice (DCJ) on 65 healthy young women. Basic biochemical and hematological parameters, antioxidant status, presence of metabolites in urine, and urine ex vivo antiadherence activity were determined throughout the trial. A 400 mg amount of DCJ/day had no influence on any parameter tested. A 1200 mg amount of DCJ/day resulted in a statistically significant decrease in serum levels of advanced oxidation protein products. This specific protective effect against oxidative damage of proteins is described here for the first time. Urine samples had an inhibitory effect on the adhesion of uropathogenic Escherichia coli strains, but no increase in urine acidity was noted. Hippuric acid, isomers of salicyluric and dihydroxybenzoic acids, and quercetin glucuronide were identified as the main metabolites. In conclusion, cranberry fruits are effective not only in the prevention of urinary tract infection but also for the prevention of oxidative stress.     

Influence of molar ratio in aminoplastic resins on the dependence of the measured perforator values on the moisture content of wood-based panels

The correction factor developed by Jann and Deppe (1990) to adjust the measured perforator values of particleboards and fibreboards measured at different moisture contents in the range of 3% ≤ u ≤ 9% to the level at 6.5% moisture content has two main deficiencies. It takes no account of the influence of the molar ratio of the resins used, which seems to remarkably impact the relationship between the moisture content and the measured perforator values. Moreover, research work revealed that the correction factor to be applied also depends on the moisture content, at which the perforator value was measured, according to an inversely proportional correlation. Besides, the correction factor according to Jann–Deppe leaves this fact unconsidered.     

K+ channel mutations in adrenal aldosterone-producing adenomas and hereditary hypertension

Endocrine tumors such as aldosterone-producing adrenal adenomas (APAs), a cause of severe hypertension, feature constitutive hormone production and unrestrained cell proliferation; the mechanisms linking these events are unknown. We identify two recurrent somatic mutations in and near the selectivity filter of the potassium (K(+)) channel KCNJ5 that are present in 8 of 22 human APAs studied. Both produce increased sodium (Na(+)) conductance and cell depolarization, which in adrenal glomerulosa cells produces calcium (Ca(2+)) entry, the signal for aldosterone production and cell proliferation. Similarly, we identify an inherited KCNJ5 mutation that produces increased Na(+) conductance in a Mendelian form of severe aldosteronism and massive bilateral adrenal hyperplasia. These findings explain pathogenesis in a subset of patients with severe hypertension and implicate loss of K(+) channel selectivity in constitutive cell proliferation and hormone production.     

Storm-induced tree resistance and chemical differences in Norway spruce (Picea abies)

Introduction   

Windstorm is one of the most destructive environmental disturbance factors on forests, but its influence on conifer defense chemistry and susceptibility to insects and diseases is not well understood.