Radiation intensity and carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2) concentration can be precisely controlled to manipulate plant yield and quality. Due to increased plant densities during seedling production, fewer ...inputs per plant are required, creating the potential to increase production efficiency. Therefore, the objectives of this research were to: 1) quantify the extent radiation intensity and CO.sub.2 concentration under sole-source lighting influence morphology and yield of sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum) seedlings, and 2) determine if differences in morphology, yield, and volatile organic compound (VOC) concentration persist after transplant in a common environment. Sweet basil 'Nufar' seedlings were grown in growth chambers with target CO.sub.2 concentrations of 500 or 1,000 mumol·mol.sup.-1 under light-emitting diodes (LEDs) providing target photosynthetic photon flux densities (PPFD) of 100, 200, 400, or 600 mumol·m.sup.-2 ·s.sup.-1 for 16 h per day. After two weeks, seedlings were transplanted into a common greenhouse environment and grown until harvest. At transplant and three weeks after transplant (harvest), growth and developmental differences were quantified along with key terpenoid and phenylpropanoid concentrations at harvest. Radiation intensity and CO.sub.2 interacted influencing many aspects of plant morphology, though CO.sub.2 concentration effects were less pronounced than those of radiation intensity. As radiation intensity during seedling production increased from 100 to 600 mumol·m.sup.-2 ·s.sup.-1, basil seedlings were 38% taller, had a 713% larger leaf area, and had 65% thicker stems; at harvest, plants were 24% taller, had 56% more branches, 28% more nodes, 22% thicker stems, and weighed 80% more when fresh and dry. Additionally, after growing in a common environment for three weeks, eugenol concentration was greater in plants grown under a PPFD of 600 mumol·m.sup.-2 ·s.sup.-1 as seedlings compared to lower intensities. Therefore, increasing radiation intensity during seedling production under sole-source lighting can carry over to increase subsequent yield and eugenol concentration during finished production.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
We report chain self-diffusion and viscosity data for sodium polystyrene sulfonate (NaPSS) in semidilute salt-free aqueous solutions measured by pulsed-field gradient NMR and rotational rheometry, ...respectively. The molecular weight of NaPSS is characterized using five techniques. Relationships between M w and the intrinsic viscosity and diffusion coefficient in excess salt are established. These are helpful for the accurate determination of the molar mass of NaPSS. The observed concentration dependence of η and D are consistent with the Rouse–Zimm scaling model if the monomeric friction coefficient (ζ) is concentration-dependent. The concentration dependence of ζ exceeds that expected from free-volume models of diffusion, and its origin remains unclear, possibly being related to electrostatic effects. Correlation blobs and dilute chains with equivalent end-to-end distances exhibit nearly equal friction coefficients, in agreement with scaling. Viscosity and diffusion data are combined using the Rouse model to calculate the single-chain dimensions of NaPSS in salt-free solution, and the results overpredict direct SANS measurements of the radii of gyration by a factor of ≃1.4.
With the energetic particle telescope (EPT) performing with direct electron and proton discrimination on board the ESA satellite PROBA-V, we analyze the high-resolution measurements of the charged ...particle radiation environment at an altitude of 820 km for the year 2015. On 17 March 2015, a big geomagnetic storm event injected unusual fluxes up to low radial distances in the radiation belts. EPT electron measurements show a deep dropout at L > 4 starting during the main phase of the storm, associated to the penetration of high energy fluxes at L < 2 completely filling the slot region. After 10 days, the formation of a new slot around L = 2.8 for electrons of 500–600 keV separates the outer belt from the belt extending at other longitudes than the South Atlantic Anomaly. Two other major events appeared in January and June 2015, again with injections of electrons in the inner belt, contrary to what was observed in 2013 and 2014. These observations open many perspectives to better understand the source and loss mechanisms, and particularly concerning the formation of three belts.
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Small interfering RNA (siRNA) technology holds great promise as a therapeutic intervention for targeted gene silencing in cancer and other diseases. However, in vivo systemic delivery of ...siRNA‐based therapeutics to tumour tissues/cells remains a challenge. The major limitations against the use of siRNA as a therapeutic tool are its degradation by serum nucleases, poor cellular uptake and rapid renal clearance following systemic administration. Several siRNA‐based loco‐regional therapeutics are already in clinical trials. Further development of siRNAs for anti‐cancer therapy depends on the development of safe and effective nanocarriers for systemic administration. To overcome these hurdles, nuclease‐resistant chemically modified siRNAs and variety of synthetic and natural biodegradable lipids and polymers have been developed to systemically deliver siRNA with different efficacy and safety profiles. Cationic liposomes have emerged as one of the most attractive carriers because of their ability to form complexes with negatively charged siRNA and high in vitro transfection efficiency. However, their effectiveness as potential therapeutic carriers is limited by potential for pulmonary toxicity. Recently, our laboratories described the use of neutral 1,2‐dioleoyl‐sn‐glycero‐3‐phosphatidylcholine based nanoliposomes in murine tumour models. We found this approach to be safe and 10‐ and 30‐fold more effective than cationic liposomes and naked siRNA, respectively, for systemic delivery of siRNA into tumour tissues. Here, we review potential approaches for systemic delivery of siRNA for cancer therapy.
ABSTRACT
Mitochondrial complex I (NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase) must be assembled precisely from 45 protein subunits for it to function correctly. One of its mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) encoded ...subunits, ND1, is incorporated during the early stages of complex I assembly. However, little is known about how mutations in ND1 affect this assembly process. We found that in human 143B cybrid cells carrying a homoplasmic MT‐ND1 mutation, ND1 protein could not be translated. As a result, the early stages of complex I assembly were disrupted, with mature complex I undetectable and complex I–linked respiration severely reduced to 2.0% of control levels. Interestingly, complex IV (ferrocytochrome c:oxygen oxidoreductase) steady‐state levels were also reduced to 40.3%, possibly due to its diminished stability in the absence of respiratory supercomplex formation. This was in comparison with 143B cybrid controls (that contained wild‐type mtDNA on the same nuclear background), which exhibited normal complex I, complex IV, and supercomplex assembly. We conclude that the loss of ND1 stalls complex I assembly during the early stages of its biogenesis, which not only results in the loss of mature complex I but also disrupts the stability of complex IV and the respiratory supercomplex to cause mitochondrial dysfunction.—Lim, S. C., Hroudová, J., Van Bergen, N. J., Lopez Sanchez, M. I. G., Trounce, I. A., McKenzie, M. Loss of mitochondrial DNA‐encoded protein ND1 results in disruption of complex I biogenesis during early stages of assembly. FASEB J. 30, 2236–2248 (2016). www.fasebj.org
•δ34SSO4 and major ions are set by lithology principally and seasonality secondarily.•Sulfide and Sorg oxidation source 62–101% of SO42− in Langtang-Trisuli-Narayani.•The fraction of H2SO4-driven ...weathering varies seasonally with system hydrology.•Narayani catchment weathering does not reduce pCO2 on timescales >5 kyr and <10 Myr.
Drawdown of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) due to silicate weathering in the Himalaya has previously been implicated in Cenozoic cooling. However, over timescales shorter than that of the removal of marine sulfate (SO42−), the oxidation of pyrite (FeS2) in weathering systems can counteract the alkalinity flux of silicate weathering and modulate pCO2. Here we present evidence from 34S/32S isotope ratios in dissolved SO42− (δ34SSO4), together with dissolved major ion concentrations, that reveals FeS2 oxidation throughout the Langtang-Trisuli-Narayani River system of the Nepal Himalaya. River water samples were collected monthly to bimonthly throughout 2011 from 16 sites ranging from the Lirung Glacier catchment through the Narayani River floodplain. This sampling transect begins in the High Himalayan Crystalline (HHC) formation and passes through the Lesser Himalayan (LH) formation with upstream influences from the Tethyn Sedimentary Series (TSS). Average δ34SSO4 in the Lirung Glacier outlet is 3.6‰, increases downstream to 6.3‰ near the confluence with the Bhote Kosi, and finally declines to −2.6‰ in the lower elevation sites. Using new measurements of major ion concentrations, inversion shows 62–101% of river SO42− is derived from the oxidation of sulfide minerals and/or organic sulfur, with the former process likely dominant. The fraction of H2SO4-driven weathering is seasonally variable and lower during the monsoon season, attributable to seasonal changes in the relative influence of shallow and deep flow paths with distinct residence times. Inversion results indicate that the primary control on δ34SSO4 is lithologically variable isotope composition, with the expressed δ34S value for the LH and TSS formations (median values −7.0–0.0‰ in 80% of samples) lower than that in the HHC (median values 1.7–6.2‰ in 80% of samples). Overall, our analysis indicates that FeS2 oxidation counteracts much of the alkalinity flux from silicate weathering throughout the Narayani River system such that weathering along the sampled transect exerts minimal impact on pCO2 over timescales >5–10 kyr and <10 Myr. Moreover, reanalysis of prior datasets suggests that our findings are applicable more widely across several of the frontal Himalayan drainages.
Mean daily temperature (MDT) and daily light integral (DLI) can interact to influence growth and development of plants. Our objectives were to determine 1) the extent DLI and MDT influence growth and ...development of purple basil 'Dark Opal' (Ocimum basilicum), sage 'Extrakta' (Salvia officinalis), spearmint 'Spanish' (Mentha spicata), and sweet basil 'Nufar' (Ocimum basilicum) and 2) the influence on purple basil color. Young plants were transplanted into hydroponic systems in five greenhouse compartments with MDT set points of 23, 26, 29, 32, or 35°C and DLIs from 5 to 19 mol·m.sup.-2 ·d.sup.-1, respectively. At harvest, growth, development, and leaf color was measured. Branch number of all genera increased as MDT increased from ~23 to 35°C. Sweet basil branch number increased as DLI increased from 5.5 to 13.2 mol·m.sup.-2 ·d.sup.-1, but the effect of DLI was attenuated as MDT decreased. In contrast, increasing DLI from ~5-6 to ~18-19 mol·m.sup.-2 ·d.sup.-1 increased sage and spearmint branch number more when MDT was lower (~23°C) compared to ~35°C, while branch number of purple basil was not influenced by DLI. The optimal MDT (MDT.sub.opt) for sage and spearmint fresh mass decreased from 27.5 to 23.5°C and from 30.4 to 27.8°C, respectively, as DLI increased from 6 to 18 mol·m.sup.-2 ·d.sup.-1, while sweet basil fresh mass MDT.sub.opt increased from 32.6 to 35.5°C as DLI increased from 6 to 11 mol·m.sup.-2 ·d.sup.-1 . Purple basil was greener hue angle (h°) = 99° to 138° when MDT was ~35°C regardless of DLI, but when MDT was lower (~25°C), basil was more purple (h° = 335°) at a DLI of 18.7 compared to 5.0 mol·m.sup.-2 ·d.sup.-1 (h° = 98°). Taken together, MDT and DLI can have a large impact on plant growth, development, and color and can be manipulated to achieve desired characteristics.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), used to treat gastro-esophageal reflux and prevent gastric ulcers, are among the most widely used drugs in the world. The use of PPIs is associated with an increased ...risk of enteric infections. Since the gut microbiota can, depending on composition, increase or decrease the risk of enteric infections, we investigated the effect of PPI-use on the gut microbiota. We discovered profound differences in the gut microbiota of PPI users: 20% of their bacterial taxa were statistically significantly altered compared with those of non-users. Moreover, we found that it is not only PPIs, but also antibiotics, antidepressants, statins and other commonly used medication were associated with distinct gut microbiota signatures. As a consequence, commonly used medications could affect how the gut microbiota resist enteric infections, promote or ameliorate gut inflammation, or change the host's metabolism. More studies are clearly needed to understand the role of commonly used medication in altering the gut microbiota as well as the subsequent health consequences.
In controlled environments, crop models that incorporate environmental factors can be developed to optimize growth and development as well as conduct cost and/or resource use benefit analyses. The ...overall objective of this study was to model growth and development of dill 'Bouquet' (Anethum graveolens), parsley 'Giant of Italy' (Petroselinum crispum), and watercress (Nasturtium officinale) in response to photosynthetic daily light integral (DLI) and mean daily temperature (MDT). Plants were grown hydroponically in five greenhouse compartments with MDTs ranging from 9.7 to 27.2 °C under 0%, 30%, or 50% shade cloth to create DLIs ranging from 6.2 to 16.9 mol·m‒2·d‒1. MDT and DLI interacted to influence dill fresh mass and height, and watercress maximum quantum yield of dark adapted leaves (Fv/Fm), height, and branch number while only MDT affected dill leaf number and watercress fresh mass and branch length. Besides dry matter concentration (DMC), parsley was influenced by MDT and not DLI. Increasing MDT from ≈10 to 22.4 °C (parsley) or 27.2 °C (dill and watercress), linearly or near-linearly increased fresh mass. For dill, increasing DLI decreased fresh mass when MDT was low (9.7 to 13.9 °C) and increased fresh mass when MDT was high (18.4 to 27.2 °C). DMC of dill, parsley, and watercress increased as MDT decreased or DLI increased, indicating a higher proportion of plant fresh mass is water at higher MDTs or lower DLIs. With these data we have created growth and development models for culinary herbs to aid in predicting responses to DLI and MDT.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
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