Differences in sorghum cultivar root response to concomitant excess hydrogen (H+) and manganese (Mn2+) ion applications

Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] seeds were planted into ‘white quartz flintshot’ sand and watered with 0.01M sodium acetate at pH 6.0, 5.5, 5.0, 4.5, or 4.0 plus 0, 1.4, 14.0, or 140.0 mg/L manganese (Mn²⁺). Cultivars used were 38M, 58M, GP‐140, SC283, SC574, 5C599, TAM428, and Funk G522DR. Lengths, fresh weights, and dry weights of roots were decreased as hydrogen (H⁺) or Mn²⁺ concentrations increased. Interactions of H⁺ and Mn²⁺ concentrations were synergistic for length, fresh weight, and dry weight of roots in 38M and 58M. Interaction of H⁺ and Mn²⁺ stresses on root length was additive in GP‐140, SC283, SC574, SC599, and TAM428 but interactions of these stresses were antagonistic in root length of Funk GS22DR.     

Nifedipine influence on calcium and aluminum absorption in roots of three sorghum cultivars

A 1,4‐dihydroxypyridine type of ion channel blocker, nifedipine [1,4‐dihydro‐2,6‐dimethyl‐4‐(2‐nitrophenyl)‐3,5‐pyridinedicarboxylate dimethyl ester], was tested on the root absorption of Al³⁺ and Ca²⁺ by sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] cultivars with varying acid stress tolerance. In an acid stress sensitive cultivar, Funk G522DR, nifedipine (1 μM) influenced Ca²⁺ but not Al³⁺ absorption. In one acid stress tolerant cultivar, SC574, nifedipine (1 μM) influenced both Ca²⁺ and Al³⁺ absorption. In a second acid stress tolerant cultivar, SC283, nifedipine (1 μM) did not influence Ca²⁺ but did influence Al³⁺ absorption. Considerable genetic diversity is present in Ca²⁺ and Al³⁺ absorption between sorghum cultivars.     

Diltiazem influence on mineral nutrient uptake by sorghum primary root tips

Seedling sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench. cv GP10, SC283, SC574, and Funk G522DR] primary root tip (1‐cm) content of calcium (Ca), zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), magnesium (Mg), copper (Cu), boron (B), manganese (Mn), and phosphorus (P) in response to a known Ca‐channel blocker (diltiazem, 0,0.1, 1, or 10 mM) was measured after a 1‐hr exposure to Hoagland and Arnon complete mineral nutrient solution. Diltiazem (10 mM) significantly decreased content of Ca, Mn, and Mg in all four cultivars, P, Zn, and Fe in three cultivars, Cu in two cultivars, and B content was not altered. Differences among cultivars was observed in ion contents by the diltiazem untreated controls for all elements. Multiple avenues of ion movement across the plasma membrane are evident. Genetically determined mechanisms and rates of activity between cultivars were demonstrated.     

Coherent optical spectroscopy of a strongly driven quantum dot

Quantum dots are typically formed from large groupings of atoms and thus may be expected to have appreciable many-body behavior under intense optical excitation. Nonetheless, they are known to exhibit discrete energy levels due to quantum confinement effects. We show that, like single-atom or single-molecule two- and three-level quantum systems, single semiconductor quantum dots can also exhibit interference phenomena when driven simultaneously by two optical fields. Probe absorption spectra are obtained that exhibit Autler-Townes splitting when the optical fields drive coupled transitions and complex Mollow-related structure, including gain without population inversion, when they drive the same transition. Our results open the way for the demonstration of numerous quantum level-based applications, such as quantum dot lasers, optical modulators, and quantum logic devices.     

Cell corpse engulfment mediated by C. elegans phosphatidylserine receptor through CED-5 and CED-12

During apoptosis, phosphatidylserine, which is normally restricted to the inner leaflet of the plasma membrane, is exposed on the surface of apoptotic cells and has been suggested to act as an "eat-me" signal to trigger phagocytosis. It is unclear how phagocytes recognize phosphatidylserine. Recently, a putative phosphatidylserine receptor (PSR) was identified and proposed to mediate recognition of phosphatidylserine and phagocytosis. We report that psr-1, the Caenorhabditis elegans homolog of PSR, is important for cell corpse engulfment. In vitro PSR-1 binds preferentially phosphatidylserine or cells with exposed phosphatidylserine. In C. elegans, PSR-1 acts in the same cell corpse engulfment pathway mediated by intracellular signaling molecules CED-2 (homologous to the human CrkII protein), CED-5 (DOCK180), CED-10 (Rac GTPase), and CED-12 (ELMO), possibly through direct interaction with CED-5 and CED-12. Our findings suggest that PSR-1 is likely an upstream receptor for the signaling pathway containing CED-2, CED-5, CED-10, and CED-12 proteins and plays an important role in recognizing phosphatidylserine during phagocytosis.     

Effects of Blackcurrant and Dietary Fibers on Large Intestinal Health Biomarkers in Rats

This study examined the effects of anthocyanin-rich blackcurrant extract and dietary fibers individually and their combinations on biomarkers of large intestinal health in rats. After six weeks of feeding, rats fed diets with blackcurrant gained significantly less body weight and reduced their food intake resulting in a lower food efficiency compared with those rats fed control diets. Combining dietary fiber (apple or broccoli) with blackcurrant in the diet was more effective in reducing the body weight gain and food intake. Cecal bacterial populations and short-chain fatty acids differed between the experimental diets. Blackcurrants significantly altered the bacterial populations by increasing the abundance of Bacteroides-Prevotella-Porphyromonas group and Lactobacillus spp., while decreasing the abundance of Bifidobacterium spp. and Clostridium perfringens. Propionic acid concentrations were increased by the diets with blackcurrant. Butyric acid concentrations were increased by dietary fiber supplementation. Dietary fiber increased the number of goblet cells in the colon. Diets with blackcurrant were more effective in altering the biomarkers of large intestinal health than those without blackcurrant.     

Effects of feeding ensiled kale (Brassica oleracea) on the performance of finishing lambs

The use of forage brassicas, such as kale, in diets of ruminants is typically constrained by the presence of anti-metabolites that break down in the rumen to cause detrimental effects after absorption including haemolytic anaemia and tissue damage. Ensilage of kale before feeding may provide conditions that favour the degradation of potentially toxic anti-metabolites, thereby improving the nutritive value of the feed. An experiment was conducted with eighty Scottish Blackface housed lambs, in which four levels of kale silage were used to replace grass silage and in which the forage component comprised around 60% of the finishing diet. Productivity of lambs was not affected other than to increase the killing-out percentage of the lambs. Glucosinolate concentrations in kale were markedly reduced by the ensiling process. Haematological parameters, such as packed cell volume, haemoglobin concentration and the presence of Heinz−Ehrlich bodies, were not significantly affected by replacing grass silage with kale silage. Similarly, there were no significant effects arising from the dietary treatments on the blood plasma components, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, blood urea nitrogen, tri-iodothyroxine and thyroxine, which are conventional measures of glucosinolate toxicity.
The results indicated that the ensilage of kale reduces its toxicity and hence removes constraints on the maximum inclusion levels in the diet. Also, it was possible to reduce the potential contamination of carcasses with soil by lambs not grazing the crop and thus keeping fleeces clean.     

Ecology and movement of juvenile salmonids in beaver-influenced and beaver-free tributaries in the Trøndelag province of Norway

There is concern that expanding beaver (Castor fiber) populations will negatively impact the important economic, recreational and ecological resources of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) and sea trout (Salmo trutta) populations in Europe. We studied how beaver dams influenced habitat, food resources, growth and movement of juvenile Atlantic salmon and trout on three paired beaver-dammed and beaver-free (control) tributaries of important salmon rivers in central Norway. Lotic reaches of beaver-dammed and control sites were similar in habitat and benthic prey abundance, and ponds were small (<3,000 m²). Though few juvenile salmonids were detected in ponds, trout and salmon were present in habitats below and above ponds (comprising 9%–31% and 0%–57% of the fish collected respectively). Trout dominated control sites (79%–99%), but the greatest proportion of Atlantic salmon were upstream of beaver ponds (0%–57%). Growth rates were highly variable, with no differences in growth between lotic reaches of beaver-dammed and control sites. The condition and densities of juvenile salmon and trout were similar in lotic reaches of beaver-dammed and control sites, though one beaver-dammed site with fine sediment had very few juvenile salmonids. Beaver dams did not block the movement of juvenile salmonids or their ability to use upstream habitats. However, the degree of repeated movements and the overall proportion of fish moving varied between beaver-dammed and control sites. The small scale of habitat alteration and the fact that fish were able to move past dams makes it unlikely that beaver dams negatively impact the juvenile stage of salmon or trout populations.     

Comparison of egg quality between wild and captive bullseye puffer (Sphoeroides annulatus)

The quality of eggs from wild and captive bullseye puffer were compared. No significant differences were found between percentage hatch, percentage fertilization or egg size for eggs from wild and captive bullseye puffer.     

Effect of high water temperature on the survival, moulting and food consumption of Penaeus (Marsupenaeus) japonicus (Bate, 1888)

The kuruma shrimp, Penaeus (Marsupenaeus) japonicus (Bate, 1888), is a valuable aquaculture species in Queensland, Australia. The shrimp is supplied live to the Japanese market and must survive emersed transport for up to 36 h. In-transit mortality after harvest from high water temperatures (> 30 °C) has been reported by the industry, and a knowledge of the effects of high water temperature may provide important information for producers on grow-out management, timing of production and farm location. Experiments were conducted to determine the effect of high water temperature on survival, moulting and food consumption in P. japonicus. Replicated groups of 15.6 ± 0.2 g shrimp were acclimated and exposed to five temperatures, between 28 and 36 °C, for up to 28 days. Mortality was highest at 36 °C and equally lowest between 28 °C and 32 °C. Intermoult period was not significantly different for temperatures between 28 and 32 °C (19.8–15.5 days) but was significantly greater above 32 °C (27.4 days at 34 °C and > 104 days at 36 °C). There was evidence of moulting synchrony at 28 °C. Mean daily food consumption was highest at 32 °C at 2.34% of body weight, but decreased to 1.56% at 28 °C and 1.33% at 36 °C. Over the range of water temperatures examined, survival, moulting rate and food consumption were highest at 32 °C.