Effects of tillage systems on soil organic carbon dynamics, structural stability and crop yields in irrigated wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)–cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) rotation in semi-arid Zimbabwe

In southern Africa, tillage research has focused on rainfed smallholder cropping systems, while literature on high-input irrigated cropping systems is limited. We evaluated the effects of conventional (CT), minimum (MT) and no-till (NT) tillage systems on soil organic carbon (SOC), bulk density, water-stable aggregates (WSA), mean weighted diameter (MWD) and crop yields in an irrigated wheat–cotton rotation. Soil data were monitored in the first and final year, while yields were monitored seasonally. Average bulk densities (1.5–1.7 Mg m⁻³) were similar among tillage systems, but often exceeded the critical limit (1.60 Mg m⁻³) for optimum root growth. Conversion from CT to MT and NT failed to ameliorate the high bulk densities associated with the alluvial soil. SOC (g kg⁻¹) at 0–15 cm was higher (P < 0.05) under MT (3.9–5.8) and NT (4.2–5.6) than CT (2.9–3.3). Corresponding horizon SOC stocks (Mg C ha⁻¹) for the tillage treatments were; 9.3–13.9 (MT), 9.3–13.5 (NT) and 7.3–7.7 (CT). In the final year, significant (P < 0.05) tillage effects on SOC stocks were also observed at 15–30 cm. Cumulative SOC stocks (Mg C ha⁻¹) in the 0–60 cm profile were higher (P < 0.05) under MT (32.8–39.9) and NT (32.9–41.6) than CT (27.8–30.9). On average, MT and NT sequestered between 0.55 and 0.78 Mg C ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ at 0–30 cm depth, but a net decline (0.13 Mg C ha⁻¹ year⁻¹) was observed under CT. At 0–30 cm, MT and NT had higher (P < 0.05) MWD (0.19–0.23 mm) and WSA (2.3–3.5%) than CT (MWD: 0.1–0.12 mm, WSA: ≈1.0%). Both MWD and WSA were significantly (P < 0.05) correlated to SOC. Seasonal yields showed significant (P < 0.05) tillage effects, but 6-year mean yields (t ha⁻¹) were similar (CT: 4.49, MT: 4.33, NT: 4.32 for wheat; CT: 3.30, MT: 2.82, NT: 2.83 for cotton). Overall, MT and NT improved soil structural stability and carbon sequestration, while impacts on crop productivity were limited. Therefore, MT and NT are more sustainable tillage systems for the semi-arid regions than conventional tillage. S. Chakanetsa—Deceased.     

用卤虫(Artemia salina L.)评价杀虫活性

[目的]以卤虫(Artemia salina L.)为模式生物对化合物的药理活性进行初步评价.对10种不同作用机制的14种杀虫剂进行了生物筛选试验.[结果]14种供试杀虫剂中有13种对卤虫有显著的毒杀效果,作用于以γ-氨基丁酸为神经递质传导系统的化合物及蜕皮激素类似物效果最为显著.[结论]用卤虫筛选杀虫剂活性的方法简便,对多种作用机制的杀虫剂灵敏.     

β-Sitosteryl (6'-O-linoleoyl)-glucoside of soybean (Glycine max L.) crude extract inhibits Y-family DNA polymerases

In the screening of selective DNA polymerase (pol) inhibitors, we isolated an acylated steryl glycoside, β-sitosteryl (6'-O-linoleoyl)-glucoside (compound 1), from the waste extract of soybean (Glycine max L.) oil. This compound exhibited a marked ability to inhibit the activities of eukaryotic Y-family pols (pols η, ι and κ), which are repair-related pols. Among mammalian Y-family pols, the activity of mouse pol κ was most strongly inhibited by compound 1, with an IC(50) value of 10.2 μM. On the other hand, compound 1 had no effect on the activities of other eukaryotic pols such as A-family (pol γ), B-family (pols α, δ, and ε), or X-family (pols β, λ and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase) pols. In addition, compound 1 had no effect on prokaryotic pols or other DNA metabolic enzymes such as calf primase of pol α, T7 RNA polymerase, T4 polynucleotide kinase, or bovine deoxyribonuclease I. Compound 1 consists of 3 groups: β-sitosteryl (compound 2), linoleic acid (compound 3), and D-glucose (compound 4). Compound 3 inhibited the activities of all mammalian pols tested, but compounds 2 and 4 did not have any effect on the tested pols. Kinetic studies showed that the inhibition of pol κ activity by compound 1 was noncompetitive with both the DNA template-primer and nucleotide substrate, whereas compound 3-induced inhibition was competitive with the DNA template-primer and noncompetitive with the nucleotide substrate. The relationship between the structure of compound 1 and the selective inhibition of eukaryotic Y-family pols is discussed.     

Effects of Onion (Allium cepa L.) Extract Administration on Intestinal α-Glucosidases Activities and Spikes in Postprandial Blood Glucose Levels in SD Rats Model

Diets high in calories and sweetened foods with disaccharides frequently lead to exaggerated postprandial spikes in blood glucose. This state induces immediate oxidant stress and free radicals which trigger oxidative stress-linked diabetic complications. One of the therapeutic approaches for decreasing postprandial hyperglycemia is to retard absorption of glucose by the inhibition of carbohydrate hydrolyzing enzymes, α-amylase and α-glucosidases, in the digestive organs. Therefore, the inhibitory activity of Korean onion (Allium cepa L.) extract against rat intestinal α-glucosidases, such as sucrase, maltase, and porcine pancreatic α-amylase were investigated in vitro and in vivo. The content of quercetin in ethyl alcohol extract of onion skin (EOS) was 6.04 g/100 g dried weight of onion skin. The in vitro half-maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC(50)) of EOS and quercetin, a major phenolic in onion, on rat intestinal sucrase were 0.40 and 0.11 mg/mL, respectively. The postprandial blood glucose lowering effects of EOS and quercetin were compared to a known type 2 diabetes drug (Acarbose), a strong α-glucosidase inhibitor in the Sprague-Dawley (SD) rat model. In rats fed on sucrose, EOS significantly reduced the blood glucose spike after sucrose loading. The area under the blood glucose-time curve (AUC(last)) in EOS-treated SD rats (0.5 g-EOS/kg) was significantly lower than in untreated SD rats (259.6 ± 5.1 vs. 283.1 ± 19.2 h·mg/dL). The AUC(last) in quercetin-treated SD rats (0.5 g-quercetin/kg) was similar to in EOS-treated group (256.1 ± 3.2 vs. 259.6 ± 5.1 h·mg/dL). Results from this study indicates that although quercetin does have blood glucose lowering potential via α-glucosidase inhibition, there are other bioactive compounds present in onion skin. Furthermore, the effects of two weeks administration of EOS in a high carbohydrate-dietary mixture (Pico 5053) on sucrase and maltase activities in intestine were evaluated in SD rat model. Compared to the upper and middle parts of intestine, the activities of sucrase in the lower parts of intestine remained significantly higher after two weeks of EOS treatment. These results indicate that EOS may improve exaggerated postprandial spikes in blood glucose and glucose homeostasis since it inhibits intestinal sucrase and thus delays carbohydrate absorption, although clinical trials are needed.     

Fatty acid composition of maturingVernonia anthelmintica (L.) Willd. seeds. dihydroxyoleic acid—A possible precursor of epoxyoleic acid

Quantitative measurements of epoxyoleic acid and co-occurring fatty acids in maturingVernonia anthelmintica (L.) Willd. seeds were made to elucidate partially the mode of epoxyoleic biosynthesis. Free (+)threo-12,13-dihydroxy-cis-9-octadecenoic acid was the major component at an intermediate maturation stage, and is believed to be dehydrated to free epoxyoleic acid before incorporation into glycerides. Presented before the Division of Biological Chemistry, Am. Chem. Soc. meeting in St. Louis, Mo., 1961. A laboratory of the No. Utiliz. Res. & Dev. Div., ARS, U.S.D.A.     

阿根廷中部发现2,4-滴抗性杂草芸苔(L.)

<正>阿根廷布宜诺斯艾利斯省中部检测到对2,4-滴除草剂产生抗性的杂草——芸苔(L.),该杂草俗称"Nabo",属于十字花科,原产地为欧洲和亚洲,多生于围场、沿岸和边缘地区。前两年,在布宜诺斯艾利斯省的中部和东南部,已经进行了2,4-滴防控杂草的研究。有人怀疑在阿根廷布宜诺斯艾利斯省的Azul存在抗性生物。     

从罗望子(Tamarindus indica L.)果实提取酒石酸的生产工艺研究

酒石酸用途很广,应用于化工原料、纺织工业印染的固定剂、电镀工业、食品工业、制药工业,以及其他轻工业如鞣革、制镜、照相等,我国每年的消耗量据有关商业部门资料在百吨以上。我国酒石酸的工业生产主要靠合成和从葡萄酒酒脚中提取,但远远不能满足国内需要,不但数量上存在供求悬殊,而且合成品不适于食品工业,每年要     

Antioxidant activity of strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) leaves

Antioxidant activity of aqueous extracts from two cultivated strawberry leaves, Senga Sengana and Mount Everest, obtained by maceration, reflux extraction and ultrasonic extraction, was investigated. Antioxidant activity of extracts was assessed by DPPH, FRAP, FIC and H₂O₂ test; total phenolics and flavonoids were assessed by Folin–Ciocalteu and aluminium chloride methods, respectively. Extract obtained from Senga Sengana by reflux extraction, containing higher amounts of extractive matter, total phenolics and flavonoids, has shown higher antioxidant activity (EC_50(DPPH) = 10.4 μg/mL; FRAP = 258.61 mgFe²⁺/g dry extract.; FIC activity = 62.6% in concentration of 2 mg/mL; H₂O₂ scavenging = 25.43% in concentration of 0.5 mg/mL) compared to extracts obtained by other extraction techniques. Rutin, coumaroyl-galloyl-glucopyranoside, hydroxyphenylethyl-coumaroyl-glucopyranoside, derivates of hydroxyphenylethyl-coumaroyl-glucopyranoside, chlorogenic acid and p-coumaroylhexose have been identified by UHPLC–DAD–HESI–MS analysis.     

Crystallisation of Wild-Type and Variant Forms of a Recombinant Plant Enzyme ��-d-Glucan Glucohydrolase from Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and Preliminary X-ray Analysis

Wild-type and variant crystals of a recombinant enzyme β-d-glucan glucohydrolase from barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) were obtained by macroseeding and cross-seeding with microcrystals obtained from native plant protein. Crystals grew to dimensions of up to 500 × 250 × 375 μm at 277 K in the hanging-drops by vapour-diffusion. Further, the conditions are described that yielded the wild-type crystals with dimensions of 80 × 40 × 60 μm by self-nucleation vapour-diffusion in sitting-drops at 281 K. The wild-type and recombinant crystals prepared by seeding techniques achived full size within 5–14 days, while the wild-type crystals grown by self-nucleation appeared after 30 days and reached their maximum size after another two months. Both the wild-type and recombinant variant crystals, the latter altered in the key catalytic and substrate-binding residues Glu220, Trp434 and Arg158/Glu161 belonged to the P4₃2₁2 tetragonal space group, i.e., the space group of the native microcrystals was retained in the newly grown recombinant crystals. The crystals diffracted beyond 1.57–1.95 Å and the cell dimensions were between a = b = 99.2–100.8 Å and c = 183.2–183.6 Å. With one molecule in the asymmetric unit, the calculated Matthews coefficients were between 3.4–3.5 ų·Da⁻¹ and the solvent contents varied between 63.4% and 64.5%. The macroseeding and cross-seeding techniques are advantageous, where a limited amount of variant proteins precludes screening of crystallisation conditions, or where variant proteins could not be crystallized.     

黄花蒿(Artemisia annua L.)提取物对两种病原真菌的生物活性

以石油醚Ⅰ(30℃～60℃)、石油醚Ⅱ(60℃～90℃)、乙醇和丙酮等4种溶剂对黄花蒿的根、茎、叶进行初步提取,采用生长速率法测定不同提取物对玉米小斑病菌、棉花枯萎病菌的抑菌活性。结果表明,黄花蒿提取物对玉米小斑病菌的生物活性好于棉花枯萎病菌;黄花蒿叶的提取物抑菌效果最好,根的抑菌效果最差;叶的石油醚(60℃～90℃)提取物对玉米小斑病菌EC50为156.32mg/L;而叶的丙酮提取物对玉米小斑病菌的EC50为82.37mg/L。     

Effects of ultrasound on adsorption and desorption of chromium(Ⅵ) on activated carbon

研究了超声波对活性炭吸附/脱附Cr(Ⅵ)的影响,结果表明：有无超声波作用下,活性炭对Cr(Ⅵ)的吸附率均随pH值的升高而减小,相对于无超声作用体系,超声作用下的相平衡向吸附量减小的方向移动,且pH值越大,其减小的幅度越大;当Cr(Ⅵ)初始浓度由20 mg·L^-1增至110 mg·L^-1时,超声波作用下的Cr(Ⅵ)去除率由99.9%降至79.8%,平衡吸附量则由3.3 mg·g^-1增至15.0 mg·g^-1,与无超声波作用下的效果接近,但无超声波作用时的吸附率持续上升至平衡,而超声波作用下的吸附率先快速增加至近平衡,再出现小幅下降后又缓慢增至平衡。脱附实验发现,无论有无超声作用,活性炭表面Cr(Ⅵ)在蒸馏水中的脱附率均很小;添加NaOH可显著改善脱附效果,脱附率随NaOH用量的增加而增加,且超声场中NaOH对脱附的促进作用显著高于非超声场中的效果。     

2,2′-oxo-1,1′-azobenzene: microbial transformation of rye (Secale cereale L.) allelochemical in field soils byAcinetobacter calcoaceticus: III

Acinetobacter calcoaceticus, a gram-negative bacterium isolated from field soil, was found to be responsible for the biotransformation of 2(3H)-benzoxazolinone (BOA) to 2,2-oxo-1,1-azobenzene (AZOB). Experiments were conducted to evaluate the transformation of BOA to AZOB by this microbe in sterile and nonsterile soil. Transformation studies with soils inoculated withA. calcoaceticus indicated that the production of AZOB increased linearly with the concentration of BOA in sterile soil and showed a quadratic trend in nonsterile soils. This also indicated that all soil types studied for the transformation experiments might containA. calcoaceticus capable of the conversion of benzoxazolinones.     

Calcium phosphate and calcium carbonate mineralization of bioinspired hydrogels based on β-chitin isolated from biomineral of the common cuttlefish (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Sepia officinalis</Emphasis>, L.)

Chitin, a bioactive, antibacterial and biodegradable polymer is commonly utilized by diverse marine organisms as the main scaffold material during biomineralization. Due to its properties, chitin is also of interest as a component of organo-inorganic composites for diverse biomedical applications. In this study, chitinous fibers isolated from the cuttlebone of the common cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis, L.) are characterized and evaluated for use as an integral part of mineralized hydrogels for biomedical applications. Since marine organisms use calcium carbonates (CaCO₃), while vertebrates use calcium phosphates (CaP) as the main inorganic hard tissue components, and both minerals are used in hard tissue engineering, they were compared to determine which composite is potentially a better biomaterial. Hydrogel mineralization was conducted by subsequent dipping into cationic and anionic reactant solutions, resulting in the formation of a CaCO₃ or CaP coating that penetrated into the hydrogel. Obtained composites were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), atomic force microscopy (AFM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), rheology, swelling tests and simple compression. The results indicate that β-chitin can be used for the preparation of moldable hydrogels that are easily mineralized. Mineralized hydrogels have higher elasticity than non-mineralized ones while swelling is better if the extent of mineralization is lower. Further optimization of the hydrogels composition could improve their stress response and Young’s modulus, where the current hydrogel with a higher extent of CaP mineralization excels in comparison to all other investigated composites.     

2,2′-OXO-1,1′-azobenzene: Selective toxicity of rye (Secale cereale L.) allelochemicals to weed and crop species: II

Three allelochemicals from rye or its breakdown products were evaluated for activity on garden cress (Lepidum sativum L.), barnyardgrass [Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) Beauv.], cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.), and snap bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). 2,4-Dihydroxy-1,4(2H)-benzoxazin-3-one (DIBOA), 2(3H)-benzoxazolinone (BOA), and 2,2-oxo-1,1-azobenzene (AZOB) were all applied singly at 50, 100, and 200 ppm and in two- and three-way combinations each at 50 and 100 ppm. AZOB at 100 and 200 ppm produced 38–49% more inhibition than DIBOA, while combinations of BOA/ DIBOA, which contained AZOB at 100 ppm had 54–90% more inhibition when compared to DIBOA/BOA combinations. All combinations were slightly antagonistic to barnyardgrass, while several combinations caused a synergistic response to garden cress germination and growth. Cucumbers and snap beans exhibited both types of responses, depending on the allelochemical combination and application rate. The plant-produced benzoxazinones were more inhibitory to crops than weeds. Therefore, improved herbicidal selectivity would be expected if there were rapid transformation of the benzoxazinones to the microbially produced AZOB.     

Nutritive Evaluation of the Bambara Groundnut Ci12 Landrace [Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc. (Fabaceae)] Produced in C?te d’Ivoire

The nutritional evaluation of the Bambara groundnut Ci12 landrace (Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc.) seeds produced in Côte d’Ivoire shows a 19% content of protein, containing all the essential amino acids with tryptophan as the limiting amino acid, a total dietary fiber level of 10%, with a low soluble fraction content, and a fat content of 1.4%, with a high proportion of total unsaturated fatty acids (61%) of which 36% were n-6 fatty acids. This legume contains phosphorus, as the major mineral, followed by magnesium and calcium, and trace elements (iron, copper and zinc). It is characterized by the same amount of α-tocopherol and antioxidant capacity as common legumes. The high concentration of essential amino acids, n-6 fatty acids and minerals, mainly Fe, in the Ci12 landrace of Bambara groundnut indicates that this local legume has the potentiality to improve the nutritional status in Côte d’Ivoire and it could be regarded as a nutrient dense food.     

Chemical investigation of oil of the seed of “White Todri” (Matthiola incana,R.Br.)

The fixed oil from the seeds of 舠White Todri舡,Matthiola incana, R.Br. (Cruciferae), of Indian origin, has been studied for its component acids. The fatty acid composition was found to be myristic (2.60%), palmitic (4.73%), steric (4.37%), arachidic (2.50%), lignoceric (?) (0.73%), oleic (32.17%), linoleic (21.70%), linolenic (10.70%), erucic (13.10%), and resin acids (7.40%).     

Camelina (Camelina sativa L.) oil as a biofuels feedstock: Golden opportunity or false hope?

Camelina (Camelina sativa L.) is a promising sustainable alternative energy crop belonging to the Brassicaceae (mustard) family. Camelina has several favorable agronomic characteristics which give it potential to significantly enhance domestic biofuels production. With high seed oil content as well as high yield of oil per hectare, camelina can be efficiently processed into high quality renewable fuels such as biodiesel (fatty acid methyl esters) as well as renewable diesel and jet fuels using existing technologies. This review summarizes the attributes of camelina along with conversion of the lipid fraction into advanced renewable biofuels.     

Effect of emulsifier on poly(urea–formaldehyde) microencapsulation of tetrachloroethylene

Microcapsules containing tetrachloroethylene as an internal phase were prepared by in situ polymerization of urea–formaldehyde (UF) without prepolymerization. The effects of different emulsifiers on the process of microencapsulation and morphology of microcapsules were investigated. The results show that the emulsifier gum arabic (GA) can effectively slow down the deposition rate of resin onto the oil/water interface, which can lead to smooth and compact surface of microcapsules. The surface activity of GA was also enhanced by complex formation of gum arabic and sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate. The microcapsules represent good thermal and barrier property as a result of the formation of capsule wall with compact microstructure.     

Electrophoretic deposition of bioactive wollastonite and porcelain–wollastonite coatings on 316L stainless steel

Wollastonite and porcelain–wollastonite coatings on stainless steel were obtained by electrophoretic deposition using acetone as dispersive medium. A direct electric current of 800 V for 3 min was used for obtaining the single wollastonite coating. A well-sintered layer was observed after heat treatment at 1050 °C for 1 h in air. The two-layer coating was obtained by depositing dental porcelain at 400 V for 30 s followed by the deposition of wollastonite at 400 V for 3 min. After forming the two layers, this complex coating was heat treated at 800 °C for 5 min. Under these conditions, strong bonds of both the interface wollastonite–porcelain and that of porcelain–metallic substrate were observed. The in vitro bioactivity assessment of the coatings was performed by immersing the deposited substrates in simulated body fluid (SBF) for 21 days. All the materials showed to be highly bioactive through the formation of a homogeneous apatite layer.     

Adsorption characteristics of U(Ⅵ)on tea waste

通过静态吸附实验,考察了铀溶液初始pH、初始浓度以及吸附时间、吸附剂粒度、温度对茶渣吸附U(Ⅵ)的影响,分析了吸附过程的动力学行为及等温吸附特性,并通过红外光谱和扫描电镜探讨了吸附机理。结果表明:pH对茶渣吸附U(Ⅵ)的影响较大,pH为2和6时吸附量分别为13.90、43.19 mg·g^-1。茶渣吸附U(Ⅵ)的过程较慢,吸附过程需要12 h才能达到平衡。吸附过程的准二级动力学方程的拟合效果优于准一级动力学方程。吸附量随铀溶液浓度的增加而增大,而吸附率则相反。铀溶液初始浓度为10~100 mg·L^-1,相应的吸附量为9.40~70.05 mg·g^-1,吸附率为94.04%~70.05%。茶渣吸附U(Ⅵ)的动力学行为更符合准二级动力学方程,等温吸附数据对Freundlich方程的拟合度较高。茶渣粒度及温度对茶渣吸附U(Ⅵ)的影响不大。茶渣吸附U(Ⅵ)的过程中,起主要作用的基团有羟基、羰基、硝基、P—O、Si—O。