Estimating coarse root biomass with ground penetrating radar in a tree-based intercropping system

Conventional measurements of tree root biomass in tree-based intercropping (TBI) systems can be inadequate in capturing the heterogeneity of rooting patterns or can be highly destructive and non-repeatable. In this study, we estimated coarse root biomass using ground penetrating radar (GPR) of 25-year-old trees inclusive of five species (Populus deltoides × nigra clone DN-177, Juglans nigra L., Quercus rubra L., Picea abies L. Karst, and Thuja occidentalis L.) at a TBI site in Southern Ontario, Canada. Subsurface images generated by GPR were collected in grids (4.5 × 4.5 m) centred on tree stems. The predictive relationship developed between GPR signal response and root biomass was corrected for species effects prior to tree-scale estimates of belowground biomass. Accuracy of the tree-scale estimates was assessed by comparing coarse root biomass measured from complete excavations of the corresponding tree. The mean coarse root biomass estimated from GPR analysis was 54.1 ± 8.7 kg tree^?1 (mean ± S.E.; n = 12), within 1 % of the mean coarse root biomass measured from excavation. Overall there was a root mean square error of 14.4 kg between measured and estimated biomass with no detectable bias despite variable conditions within the in-field and multi-species study. Root system C storage by species, calculated with species-specific root carbon concentrations, is estimated at 5.4 ± 0.7–34.8 ± 6.9 kg C tree^?1 at this site. GPR is an effective tool for non-destructively predicting coarse root biomass in multi-species environments such as temperate TBI systems.     

Identifying autism loci and genes by tracing recent shared ancestry

To find inherited causes of autism-spectrum disorders, we studied families in which parents share ancestors, enhancing the role of inherited factors. We mapped several loci, some containing large, inherited, homozygous deletions that are likely mutations. The largest deletions implicated genes, including PCDH10 (protocadherin 10) and DIA1 (deleted in autism1, or c3orf58), whose level of expression changes in response to neuronal activity, a marker of genes involved in synaptic changes that underlie learning. A subset of genes, including NHE9 (Na+/H+ exchanger 9), showed additional potential mutations in patients with unrelated parents. Our findings highlight the utility of "homozygosity mapping" in heterogeneous disorders like autism but also suggest that defective regulation of gene expression after neural activity may be a mechanism common to seemingly diverse autism mutations.     

Two cases of brachymelia in cats

In this report, two cases of brachymelia in related neonatal cats are described. The malformations are described in view of normal limb development, which is illustrated by scanning electron microscopic images. Hypoplasia and aplasia of the distal limb segments were the main disorders in both kittens. Additional malformations in the second case included fusion of the radius and ulna, congenital patella luxation and a shortened tail. Brachymelia and similar cases of feline dysmelia are poorly documented in the existing literature. Possible causes and terminology of these developmental deformations are discussed.     

Pharmacokinetics, stability, and retrospective analysis of use of an oral gel formulation of the bovine injectable enrofloxacin in horses

In many cases of equine infectious disease, long-term administration of antimicrobial drugs is required. Oral agents are preferred because of the relative ease of administration compared with other routes. Enrofloxacin has been shown to be effective against a variety of equine pathogens, but oral administration of this drug has proved difficult in horses. An oral gel formulation made from the injectable cattle product produces blood levels sufficient to resolve infections caused by a variety of common equine pathogens.     

Amino acid catalysis of 2-alkylfuran formation from lipid oxidation-derived α,β-unsaturated aldehydes

The formation of 2-alkylfurans from the corresponding lipid-derived α,β-unsaturated aldehydes under dry-roasting conditions was investigated in detail. The addition of an amino acid to an α,β-unsaturated aldehyde drastically increased 2-alkylfuran formation. Peptides and proteins as well were able to catalyze 2-alkylfuran formation from the corresponding α,β-unsaturated aldehydes. Further investigation of 2-alkylfuran formation showed the need of oxidizing conditions and the involvement of radicals in the reaction. This way, the formation of 2-methylfuran from 2-pentenal, 2-ethylfuran from 2-hexenal, 2-propylfuran from 2-heptenal, 2-butylfuran from 2-octenal, 2-pentylfuran from 2-nonenal, and 2-hexylfuran from 2-decenal was shown. The impact of amino acids on 2-alkylfuran formation from lipid-derived α,β-unsaturated aldehydes represents an interesting example of the complex role of amino acids in the multitude of chemical reactions occurring during thermal processing of lipid-rich foods.     

Mechanistic insights into furan formation in Maillard model systems

Furan has recently received considerable attention as a possibly carcinogenic compound occurring in thermally processed foods. Although several food constituents have been identified as furan precursors, multiple formation pathways remain unclear. Therefore, the mechanisms of furan formation in Maillard model systems were studied by means of the carbon module labeling (CAMOLA) technique. Under both roasting and pressure-cooking conditions, furan was formed from glucose via the intact skeleton, and its formation pathways from glucose alone were not amino acid-dependent. However, some amino acids, especially alanine and serine, did influence the furan production by providing an additional formation pathway. Furthermore, most amino acids enhanced the furan production from glucose. Roasting conditions produced 25-100 times higher amounts of furan as compared to pressure-cooking conditions. Surprisingly, in the alanine/glucose model systems, the relative importance of furan production from glucose alone and from the combination of a glucose-derived and an alanine-derived fragment changed completely over a limited time course of 60 min.