Growth performance of sixty tree species in smallholder reforestation trials on Leyte, Philippines

Although many reforestation projects have attempted to mitigate deforestation in the Philippines, most have focused on planting introduced trees, often with low success rates. A smallholder-based project in the Visayas region planted native species instead. This study assessed the growth performance of forty-four native and sixteen introduced species in 25 sites established by this project between 1995 and 2000. Diameter at breast height and total height were measured for 2,789 trees. Mean annual increments for diameter (MAID) at breast height and height (MAIH) were significantly higher for trees planted on limestone-influenced soils (MAID = 1.19 cm/year; MAIH = 1.05 m/year) than on purely volcanic soils (MAID = 0.81 cm/year; MAIH = 0.78 m/year). Growth of two native species, Melia dubia and Terminalia microcarpa, was higher than that of the widely planted exotic Swietenia macrophylla. The height increment for the highest-performing dipterocarp species, Shorea guiso, Shorea contorta, and Parashorea malaanonan, was not statistically different from the MAIH of S. macrophylla. A range of soil characteristics predicted performance, with organic matter predicting growth for six species, and percent nitrogen and percent clay predicting performance of five species. These findings show that certain native species can perform better than some exotic species when planted in open areas. They also disprove the widely held belief in the Philippines that Dipterocarpaceae cannot be planted in grasslands, and suggest that dipterocarps can be used successfully in reforestation. Finally, the findings show that more research is needed on species-site matching and on silvicultural management of native species plantations.     

A Ni-Fe-Cu center in a bifunctional carbon monoxide dehydrogenase/acetyl-CoA synthase

A metallocofactor containing iron, sulfur, copper, and nickel has been discovered in the enzyme carbon monoxide dehydrogenase/acetyl-CoA (coenzyme A) synthase from Moorella thermoacetica (f. Clostridium thermoaceticum). Our structure at 2.2 angstrom resolution reveals that the cofactor responsible for the assembly of acetyl-CoA contains a [Fe4S4] cubane bridged to a copper-nickel binuclear site. The presence of these three metals together in one cluster was unanticipated and suggests a newly discovered role for copper in biology. The different active sites of this bifunctional enzyme complex are connected via a channel, 138 angstroms long, that provides a conduit for carbon monoxide generated at the C-cluster on one subunit to be incorporated into acetyl-CoA at the A-cluster on the other subunit.     

Crystal structure of the RC-LH1 core complex from Rhodopseudomonas palustris

The crystal structure at 4.8 angstrom resolution of the reaction center-light harvesting 1 (RC-LH1) core complex from Rhodopseudomonas palustris shows the reaction center surrounded by an oval LH1 complex that consists of 15 pairs of transmembrane helical alpha- and beta-apoproteins and their coordinated bacteriochlorophylls. Complete closure of the RC by the LH1 is prevented by a single transmembrane helix, out of register with the array of inner LH1 alpha-apoproteins. This break, located next to the binding site in the reaction center for the secondary electron acceptor ubiquinone (UQB), may provide a portal through which UQB can transfer electrons to cytochrome b/c1.     

Microbial reefs in the Black Sea fueled by anaerobic oxidation of methane

Massive microbial mats covering up to 4-meter-high carbonate buildups prosper at methane seeps in anoxic waters of the northwestern Black Sea shelf. Strong 13C depletions indicate an incorporation of methane carbon into carbonates, bulk biomass, and specific lipids. The mats mainly consist of densely aggregated archaea (phylogenetic ANME-1 cluster) and sulfate-reducing bacteria (Desulfosarcina/Desulfococcus group). If incubated in vitro, these mats perform anaerobic oxidation of methane coupled to sulfate reduction. Obviously, anaerobic microbial consortia can generate both carbonate precipitation and substantial biomass accumulation, which has implications for our understanding of carbon cycling during earlier periods of Earth's history.     

Molecular genetic and chemical assessment of Rhizoma Curcumae in China

Rhizoma Curcumae (Ezhu) is a traditional Chinese medicine that has been used in removing blood stasis and alleviating pain for over a thousand years. Three species of Curcuma rhizomes are being used, which include Curcuma wenyujin, Curcuma phaeocaulis, and Curcuma kwangsiensis. In China, the production of Rhizoma Curcumae largely depends on agricultural farming. The essential oils are considered as active constituents in Rhizoma Curcumae, which include curdione, curcumol, and germacrone. On the basis of the yield of curdione, curcumol, and germacrone in an orthogonal array design, the optimized extraction condition was developed. The amounts of these compounds within essential oils in Rhizoma Curcumae varied according to different species and their regions of cultivation. Chemical fingerprints were generated from different species of Curcuma, which therefore could serve as identification markers. In molecular genetic identification of Rhizoma Curcumae, the 5S-rRNA spacer domains of 5 Curcuma species, including the common adulterants of this herb, were amplified, and their nucleotide sequences were determined. Diversity in DNA sequences among various species was found in their 5S-rRNA spacer domains. Thus, the chemical fingerprint together with the genetic distinction could serve as markers for quality control of Curcuma species.     

Identification and stereochemical characterization of lignans in flaxseed and pumpkin seeds

Phytoestrogens of the lignan type are widely distributed in plant-derived food items and are believed to protect against hormone-dependent cancer. The richest known dietary source of lignans is flaxseed. Flaxseed has been reported to contain glycosides of secoisolariciresinol as the major lignan, together with small amounts of matairesinol, isolariciresinol, and pinoresinol. Secoisolariciresinol, but none of the other lignans, has so far been identified in pumpkin seeds. In the present study, two different methods for the hydrolysis of lignan glycosides are compared. Artifact formation and loss of lignans under acidic conditions were observed. Lariciresinol was identified by GC-MS analysis in two different types of flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum L. and Linum flavum L.) and in pumpkin seeds (Cucurbita pepo L.) for the first time. Likewise, the novel lignan demethoxy-secoisolariciresinol was tentatively identified in the flaxseed samples. Stereochemical analysis by chiral HPLC of several lignans isolated from flaxseed showed that secoisolariciresinol, matairesinol, and lariciresinol consisted predominantly of one enantiomer.     

Developmental changes in structure and polypeptide profile of the androgenic gland of the freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii

Although the mechanism of sex-differentiation in crustaceans has yet to be defined, the androgenic gland (AG) is thought to be the exclusive organ that produces the androgenic hormone (AH) which induces male sexual development. This paper presents results of light and transmission electron microscopy and total protein analysis of androgenic glands from three male morphotypes (orange-claw, orange-blue-claw and blue-claw) of the freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii. Highest protein content (76 µg//AG) was found in the blue-claw morphotype as compared to the orange-blue-claw (45 µg/AG) and the orange-claw morphotype (19 µg/AG). Sodiumdodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-page) analysis of the cell free extract of the AG from the three morphotypes revealed four polypeptides (16, 18, 23 and 26 Kd) which quantitatively increase from the sexually immature orange-claw to the sexually mature blue-claw morphotype. The 16 and 18 Kd polypeptides could be the AHs.     

Low compliance with recommendations on folic acid use in relation to pregnancy: is there a need for fortification?

OBJECTIVE: As a means to prevent neural tube defects (NTDs), women planning pregnancy in Denmark are recommended to take a dietary supplement of 400 microg folic acid daily during the periconceptional period. We examined compliance with this recommendation in a national survey. DESIGN: Cohort study on pregnant women in Denmark. SETTING: The Danish National Birth Cohort (DNBC). SUBJECTS: From November 2000 to February 2002, 22,000 pregnant women were recruited for DNBC. Use of dietary supplements was recorded at enrollment. Compliance with the recommendation was related to an information campaign that took place during the second half of 2001, and to lifestyle factors provided in a telephone interview by the end of the first trimester of pregnancy. RESULTS: An increase was seen in the proportion of women complying with the recommendation in the study period and this coincided with the information campaign events. However, even at the end of the period, only 22.3% of the women who had planned their pregnancy fully complied with the recommendation. No increase at all was seen in periconceptional folic acid use among women with unplanned pregnancies. Young age, low education and smoking were identified as factors that determined non-compliance. CONCLUSIONS: Alternative and more effective strategies are needed if the Danish population is to benefit fully from the knowledge that folic acid prevents NTDs. Future strategies should not only target vulnerable groups, such as the less educated and the young, but also women who get pregnant without planning this. The only possible way to reach the last group may be through fortification of foods with folic acid.     

Antioxidant properties of carnosine re-evaluated in a ferrylmyoglobin model system and in cooked pork patties

The antioxidative effect of purified carnosine (i.e., separated from the common contaminant hydrazine) has been evaluated in two systems: (i) Carnosine was found to possess poor reducing properties toward the prooxidant ferrylmyoglobin; at pH approximately 5 the presence of carnosine did not increase the rate of reduction of MbFe(IV)=O compared to autoreduction, whereas at pH 7.4 the rate constant for reduction by carnosine was 0.010 +/- 0.002 M(-1).s(-1) (I = 0.16; 25.0 degrees C). (ii) In cooked pork patties prepared from meat (longissimus dorsi and masseter) with purified or nonpurified carnosine added, the effect of purified carnosine was insignificant when compared to control patties, whereas patties with carnosine contaminated with hydrazine had a lower oxidation level than patties with purified carnosine. Carnosine is concluded not to deactivate the prooxidant ferrylmyoglobin and not to have any antioxidative effect in cooked pork.