Rice Grains from Slightly Saline Field Exhibited Unchanged Starch Physicochemical Properties but Enhanced Nutritional Values

This study aims to investigate grain quality and nutritional values of rice(Pokkali,a salt-tolerant cultivar;RD73,a new cultivar improved from KDML105 introgressed with Saltol QTL from Pokkali,and KDML105,a moderately salt-susceptible cultivar)grown under non-saline(0.04–0.87 dS/m)and slightly saline(1.08–4.83 dS/m)field conditions.The results revealed that salinity caused significant reduction in grain size but significant increments in reducing sugar and total protein contents in the grains.Nevertheless,the amounts of starch in the grains of KDML105 and Pokkali rice genotypes were unaffected by the stress.The starch granule size distribution was also unaffected by salinity.Interestingly,only starch from Pokkali was significantly diminished in amylose content,from 19.18%to 16.99%.Accordingly,parameters relating to starch gelatinization,retrogradation,and pasting properties of KDML105 and RD73 were unaffected by salinity;only Pokkali showed a significant increase in percentage of retrogradation along with a significant reduction in gelatinization enthalpy.In the saline field,total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity in the grains of all rice cultivars tended to increase,particularly in Pokkali.On average,essential element contents in grains from the saline-treated plants showed a 33%,32%,32%,22%,20%,11%,and 10%increase in total P,N,K,Mg,Zn,Fe,and Ca content,respectively.Interestingly,total Fe content exhibited the greatest percentage of increments in KDML105(187%).Taken together,cultivation of rice in the slightly saline field did not alter its eating and cooking qualities,while enhanced some nutritional properties such as proteins,minerals,and secondary metabolites like phenolic compounds.

Historical relationships of the Mesoamerican highlands,with emphasis on tropical montane cloud forests:a temporal cladistic biogeographical analysis

The historical relationships of nine areas of endemism of the tropical montane cloud forests(TMCFs)were analysed based on a temporal cladistic biogeographical approach.Three cladistic biogeographical analyses were conducted based on 29cladograms of terrestrial taxa by partitioning them into three time-slices,namely,Miocene,Pliocene,and Pleistocene.The results showed different area relationships over time.For the Miocene and Pliocene time slices,the Isthmus of Tehuantepec acted as a geographic barrier that fragmented the TMCFs into two portions:west of the Isthmus and east of the Isthmus.In the case of the Pleistocene,the TMCFs were broken into two portions,one related to the Neotropical region and the other to the Nearctic region.Furthermore,the analyses allowed us to detect the influences of different geological and paleoclimatological events on the distribution of the TMCFs over time.Therefore,the TMCFs current distribution might have been driven by geological events during the Miocene-Pliocene,whereas climatic fluctuations have the highest impact during the Pleistocene.

低温逆境中不同抗寒性植物细胞内Ca^(2+)稳定平衡的区别(英文)

电镜细胞化学观察揭示 ,不抗寒的玉米 (ZeamaysL .cv.BlackMexicanSweet)和抗寒的小偃麦 (Triticumsect.Trititrigiamackey)细胞在 2 6℃悬浮培养时 ,标志Ca2 + 定位的锑酸钙沉淀物主要分布在液泡内 ,细胞质和细胞核中很少见到Ca2 + 沉淀 ;标志Ca2 + _ATPase活性反应的磷酸铈沉淀物丰富地分布在质膜上 ,显示这两种植物质膜Ca2 + _ATPase在 2 6℃培养中有着较高的活性。当这二者的细胞在 4℃低温培养 1h和 3h后 ,二者细胞质和细胞核中的Ca2 + 浓度都明显地增加 ,但质膜Ca2 + _ATPase活性没有明显改变。在继续延长低温培养后 ,二者之间的Ca2 +水平和Ca2 + _ATPase活性发生明显的区别 :在不抗寒的玉米细胞中 ,质膜Ca2 + _ATPase活性显著降低 ,甚至完全失活 ,细胞内增加的Ca2 + 水平不降低 ,不能恢复Ca2 + 的稳定平衡 ,细胞的精细结构受破坏 ;抗寒的小偃麦细胞则相反 ,在 3h以后的低温培养过程中 (至 3d) ,质膜Ca2 + _ATPase仍然保持高活性 ,细胞内增加的Ca2 + 浓度迅速降低 ,恢复Ca2 + 的稳定平衡 ,并提高抗寒力。这些结果表明 ,植物在低温条件下 ,质膜Ca2 + _ATPase活性的维持亦即细胞内Ca2 + 稳定平衡的恢复与其抗寒性有着密切的关系 ,对于它们在逆境中生存起着重要作用。

小麦幼叶组织中胞间连丝的多样性(英文)

胞间连丝是植物细胞间物质运输和信息传递的直接通道,对植物的生长与发育,以及植物对环境的反应与适应等诸多方面起着十分重要的作用,是当今细胞生物学中最活跃的研究领域之一。本研究揭示,在小麦幼叶组织细胞壁中存在着胞间连丝的多样性,其中至少有4种类型:(1)具有压缩内质网(ER,中央桥管)的直形通道的胞间连丝;(2)"颈型"胞间连丝,即包含ER的胞间连丝的两端发生收缩,显示一种"颈"现象,甚至在中段形成一种"腹部"现象;(3)分枝型的胞间连丝,包含压缩ER;(4)令人感兴趣的是观察到一种不具中央桥管(不含ER),仅为质膜包围的简单的胞间连丝。这一观察证实,包含ER的胞间连丝不是高等植物的唯一结构类型。这种不具ER的简单胞间连丝对于大分子物质的运输,特别是原生质、染色质及细胞核的胞间迁移,可能是一种更有效的通道。

泰国北部森林、再造林和农业用地碳储量框架(英文)

估量了泰国不同形式用地类型的碳存储,并且评价了用地类型对碳储量的作用。通过野外采集的数据评估了原始林、再造林和农业用地的地上部分、土壤有机质和健康根系的碳储量。结果表明,森林碳储量(357.62±28.51Mg·ha-1)显著高于再造林(195.25±14.38Mg·ha-1)和农业用地(103.10±18.24Mg·ha-1)。森林土壤有机碳(196.24±22.81Mg·ha-1)也显著高于再造林(146.83±7.22Mg·ha-1)和农田(95.09±14.18Mg·ha-1)。各种用地中碳储量的差异主要是植被生物量和土壤有机质变更的结果。各种用地中的健康根系存储碳仅占碳储量的一小部分。土壤有机碳和根系碳量主要分布在0-40cm的土层间,并且随着土层的增加而降低。森林、再造林和农田中地上部分碳:土壤有机碳:根系碳比率分别是5:8:1,2:8:1和3:50:1。暗示大部分碳量损失是由林业用地转变为农业用地造成的。然而,再造林又可以通过有效回收碳,因为再造林中碳存储水平较高,有利于二氧化碳损失。图1表5参52。

Melatonin prevents oxidative stress,inflammatory activity,and DNA damage in cirrhotic rats

BACKGROUND Cirrhosis is an important health problem characterized by a significant change in liver parenchyma.In animals,this can be reproduced by an experimental model of bile duct ligation(BDL).Melatonin(MLT)is a physiological hormone synthesized from serotonin that has been studied for its beneficial properties,including its antioxidant potential.AIM To evaluate MLT’s effects on oxidative stress,the inflammatory process,and DNA damage in an experimental model of secondary biliary cirrhosis.METHODS Male Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups:Control(CO),CO+MLT,BDL,and BDL+MLT.MLT was administered(20 mg/kg)daily beginning on day 15 after biliary obstruction.On day 29 the animals were killed.Blood samples,liver tissue,and bone marrow were collected for further analysis.RESULTS BDL caused changes in biochemical and histological parameters and markers of inflammatory process.Thiobarbituric acid(0.46±0.01)reactive substance levels,superoxide dismutase activity(2.30±0.07)and nitric oxide levels(2.48±0.36)were significantly lower(P<0.001)n the groups that received MLT.DNA damage was also lower(P<0.001)in MLT-treated groups(171.6±32.9)than the BDL-only group(295.5±34.8).Tissue damage and the expression of nuclear factor kappa B,interleukin-1β,Nrf2,NQO1 and Hsp70 were significantly lower in animals treated with MLT(P<0.001).CONCLUSION When administered to rats with BDL-induced secondary biliary cirrhosis,MLT effectively restored the evaluated parameters.

Melatonin restores zinc levels,activates the Keap1/Nrf2 pathway,and modulates endoplasmic reticular stress and HSP in rats with chronic hepatotoxicity

BACKGROUND Melatonin(MLT)is a potent antioxidant molecule that is shown to have a beneficial effect in various pathological situations,due to its action against free radicals.AIM To evaluate the effect of MLT on carbon tetrachloride(CCl_(4))induced liver injury in rats in terms of oxidative stress,reticular stress,and cell damage.METHODS Twenty male Wistar rats(230-250 g)were divided into four groups:Control rats,rats treated with MLT alone,rats treated with CCl_(4)alone,and rats treated with CCl_(4)plus MLT.CCl_(4)was administered as follows:Ten doses every 5 d,ten every 4 d,and seven every 3 d.MLT was administered intraperitoneally at a dose of 20 mg/kg from the 10th wk to the end of the experiment(16th wk).RESULTS MLT was able to reduce the release of liver enzymes in the bloodstream and to decrease oxidative stress in CCl_(4)treated rats by decreasing the level of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and increasing superoxide dismutase activity,with a lower reduction in serum zinc levels,guaranteeing a reduction in liver damage;additionally,it increased the expression of nuclear factor(erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 and decreased the expression of Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1.MLT also decreased the expression of the proteins associated with endoplasmic reticulum stress,i.e.,glucose-regulated protein 78 and activating transcription factor 6,as well as of heat shock factor 1 and heat shock protein 70.CONCLUSION MLT has a hepatoprotective effect in an experimental model of CCl_(4)-induced liver injury,since it reduces oxidative stress,restores zinc levels,and modulates endoplasmic reticulum stress.

Check Dams in an Ephemeral Stream in a Tropical Deciduous Forest Extend Water Period with Minimal Effect on Reptile Assemblage

Although numerous check dams have been constructed in many countries, and its effect on physical factors were well documented, only a few reports were available on its effect on biotic component in adjacent area. This research aims to address effects of the check dam on reptile assemblage in an ephemeral stream based on an assumption that reptile live in the stream and adjacent area may be susceptible to prolonged hydroperiod after check dam construction. Ten stream transects and 40 terrestrial strip transects, including 5, 10, 25, and 50 m from the stream, were used to monitor reptile diversity and composition in a deciduous forest of northern Thailand during April 2009 to February 2011. Physical factors related to water pattern in the stream and the terrestrial habitats were also collected. Results on physical factors indicated that the water pattern and soil moisture in the stream, as well as leaf litter moisture in the terrestrial habitat were increased as a result of the check dam. However, rarefaction curve indicated that reptile diversity was not significantly different between pre- and post-check dam periods in every transect. Moreover, Morisita’s index of similarity indicated that reptile composition between pre- and post-check dam periods was approximately the same (86% - 100%). These results indicated that reptile assemblage was not affected by the check dam. It can be concluded based on data of one year after the check dam construction that check dam can effectively prolong water and moisture to the habitat with minimal effect on reptile assemblage in the area.

Non-Stem Amino Acids Are Involved in the Phage P22 TSP NTD Stability

The P22 phage system is an intensely studied model system. Studies have ranged from biochemical analysis of basic life processes to the use of this phage for phage therapy. The phage tailspike protein (TSP) has itself been the subject of intensive studies over the past fifty years. The P22 TSP is essential for initiation of the infection process and instrumental as the last protein assembled onto the phage particle structure to complete its assembly. It has also been the subject for many structural studies including cryoelectron microscopic analysis and photophysical studies. It has been a model for in vivo and in vitro protein folding including analysis using P22 TSP temperature-sensitive for folding mutations (tsf). Recently the structure and function of the N-terminal domain (NTD), including some aspects of the structural stability of the P22 TSP NTD (aa1-aa108), are being genetically dissected. This report strongly supports the notion that two amino acids, not localized to the internal NTD dome stem, are important in the structural stability of the P22 TSP NTD.

Biodegradation of acrylamide by Enterobacter aerogenes isolated from wastewater in Thailand

A widespread use of acrylamide, probably a neurotoxicant and carcinogen, in various industrial processes has led to environmental contamination. Fortunately, some microorganisms are able to derive energy from acrylamide. In the present work, we reported the isolation and characterization of a novel acrylamide-degrading bacterium from domestic wastewater in Chonburi, Thailand. The strain grew well in the presence of acrylamide as 0.5% （W/V）, at pH 6.0 to 9,0 and 25℃. Identification based on biochemical characteristics and 16S rRNA gene sequence identified the strain as Enterobacter aerogenes. Degradation of acrylamide to acrylic acid started in the late logarithmic growth phase as a biomass-dependent pattern. Specificity of cell-free supernatant towards amides completely degraded butyramide and urea and 86% of lactamide. Moderate degradation took place in other amides with that by formanaide 〉 benzamide 〉 acetamide 〉 cyanoacetamide 〉 propionamide. No degradation was detected in the reactions of N,N-methylene bisacrylamide, sodium azide, thioacetamide, and iodoacetamide. These results highlighted the potential of this bacterium in the cleanup of acrylamide/amide in the environment.

Rapid assessment checklist for green roof ecosystem services in Bangkok,Thailand

Background:A green roof is a man-made ecosystem created when a rooftop is covered with substrate and vegetation.Although green roof ecosystems(GREs)are able to provide ecosystem services,there is currently no assessment tool available to specifically evaluate this.Therefore,the aim of this study was to develop a rapid assessment checklist(RAC)to assess GRE services(GRES),which was developed and tested on 10 green roofs in Bangkok,Thailand.Results:The RAC consisted of 46 proxy indicators(33 qualitative and 13 quantitative indicators)encompassing various aspects of GRESs.The GRES values or scores varied according to structural differences in the green roofs.The average score(from a maximum of 100)of total ecosystem services was 61±7,which could be inferred as a good performance in ecosystem service provision.The highest scores were obtained from the regulating services at 68±7.The lowest average score was 53±11 from the provisioning services.Conclusions:The RAC was able to evaluate the levels of GRES provided by the selected green roofs,enabling the meaningful comparison of their potential capability to provide GRES.Therefore,this RAC could be an innovative tool for evaluation of four categories of GRES.

The role of central nervous system on hypoglycemia and the feasibility of the brain theory in traditional Chinese medicine on treatment of diabetes mellitus

The central nervous system （CNS） plays a key regulatory role in glucose homeostasis. In particular, the brain is important in initiating and coordinating protective counterregulatory responses when blood glucose levels fall. This may due to the metabolic dependency of the CNS on glucose, and protection of food supply to the brain. In healthy subjects, blood glucose is normally maintained within a relatively narrow range. Hypoglycemia in diabetic patients can increase the risk of complications, such as heart disease and diabetic peripheral neuropathy. The clinical research finds that the use of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） has a positive effect on the treatment of hypoglycemia. Here the authors reviewed the current understanding of sensing and counterregulatory responses to hypoglycemia, and discuss combining traditional Chinese and Western medicine and the theory of iatrogenic hypoglycemia in diabetes treatment. Furthermore, the authors clarify the feasibility of treating hypoglycemia on the basis of TCM theory and CNS and have an insight on its clinical practice.