Preliminary estimates of the potential for carbon mitigation in European soils through no-till farming

In this paper we estimate the European potential for carbon mitigation of no-till farming using results from European tillage experiments. Our calculations suggest some potential in terms of (a) reduced agricultural fossil fuel emissions, and (b) increased soil carbon sequestration. We estimate that 100% conversion to no-till farming would be likely to sequester about 23 Tg C y^–1 in the European Union or about 43 Tg C y^–1 in the wider Europe (excluding the former Soviet Union). In addition, up to 3.2 Tg C y^–1 could be saved in agricultural fossil fuel emissions. Compared to estimates of the potential for carbon sequestration of other carbon mitigation options, no-till agriculture shows nearly twice the potential of scenarios whereby soils are amended with organic materials. Our calculations suggest that 100% conversion to no-till agriculture in Europe could mitigate all fossil fuel-carbon emissions from agriculture in Europe. However, this is equivalent to only about 4.1% of total anthropogenic CO₂-carbon produced annually in Europe (excluding the former Soviet Union) which in turn is equivalent to about 0.8% of global annual anthropogenic CO₂-carbon emissions.     

Presence of a Ca2+-dependent K+ channel in brown adipocytes. Possible role in maintenance of alpha 1-adrenergic stimulation

We have previously demonstrated mobilization of Ca2+ in and efflux of Rb+ (K+) from isolated hamster brown adipocytes as a consequence of norepinephrine stimulation. We have now investigated the adrenoceptor subtype specificity of these responses and found them both to be of the alpha 1-subtype. Further, we have found that the Rb+ (K+) efflux was dependent upon a primary Ca2+ mobilization event in response to the alpha 1-adrenergic stimulation, since the Rb+ efflux could also be demonstrated by the addition of the Ca2+ ionophore A23187 to the cells. The norepinephrine- and A23187-stimulated Rb+ effluxes were both inhibited by the Ca2+-dependent K+-channel blocker apamin. Apamin also significantly attenuated Ca2+ mobilization in cells in response to a submaximal concentration of norepinephrine. We conclude that alpha 1-adrenergic stimulation of brown fat cells leads to a mobilization of intracellular Ca2+ which, in itself or via other mechanisms, leads to an increase in cytosolic Ca2+ concentration which, in turn, activates a Ca2+-dependent K+ channel, leading to a K+ release from these cells. A possible role for this channel to sustain and augment the response to alpha 1-adrenergic stimulation is discussed.     

Growth and Reproduction of Double-Ended Pipefish, Syngnathoides biaculeatus, in Moreton Bay, Queensland, Australia

Life-history characteristics of the double-ended pipefish, Syngnathoides biaculeatus (Bloch), were investigated to determine growth rate, degree of sexual dimorphism, size at maturity, and reproductive biology. Growth rates of wild juveniles and adults calculated from monthly progression of length-frequency modes ranged from 0.8mmd^–1 (fish lengths 120–145mm standard length (SL)) in summer to 0.2mmd^–1 in winter (185–200mm SL). Growth of laboratory-reared juveniles up to 63d old was greater, ranging from 0.8 to 2.3mmd^-1. The von Bertalanffy growth constant K was estimated at 0.0076d^{- 1}, or 2.8year^–1. Morphological differentiation between the sexes based upon abdominal pattern was possible for fish larger than 120mm SL, with females possessing a zigzag pattern on the abdomen. The association between this pattern and sex was confirmed by histological gonad analysis. Males were significantly longer than females during four of seven seasons examined, and a 1:1 sex ratio was determined for all seasons except autumn when the ratio was female biased. The breeding season was marked by the appearance of pregnant males between October and April, and during courtship both species exhibited increased pigmentation. The minimum paternal size at maturity was 185mm, the maximum length recorded 260mm. Clutch size ranged between 60 and 200 eggs, with a mean of 153. Ovaries had a sequential pattern of egg development, resulting in egg batches that approximated the number of eggs carried by brooding males. Additionally, all eggs in a brood were at the same developmental stage. This suggests that one female provides all of the eggs for one male per breeding event in a monogamous mating system.     

Friedolanostane, friedocycloartane and benzophenone constituents of the bark and leaves of Garcinia benthami

Friedolanostanes, (22Z,24E)-3β-acetoxy-9α-hydroxy-17,14-friedolanosta-14,22,24-trien-26-oic acid, (22Z,24E)-3β,9α-dihydroxy-17,14-friedolanosta-14,22,24-trien-26-oic acid, (22Z,24E)-9α-hydroxy-3-oxo-17,14-friedolanosta-14,22,24-trien-26-oic acid, a friedocycloartane, (22Z,24E)-3α-hydroxy-17,13-friedocycloarta-12,22,24-trien-26-oic acid, and a benzophenone, benthaphenone, together with known compounds (22Z,24E)-3α,9α-dihydroxy-17,13-friedolanosta-12,22,24-trien-26-oic acid, methyl (24E)-3α,23-dihydroxy-17,14-friedolanosta-8,14,24-trien-26-oate, glutinol, lupeol, and stigmasterol, were isolated from leaves and bark of Garcinia benthami. Their structures were elucidated using spectroscopic techniques, mainly 1-D and 2-D NMR spectroscopy, and chemical correlations.     

(Arylpiperazinyl)cyclohexylsufonamides: discovery of alpha(1a/1d)-selective adrenergic receptor antagonists for the treatment of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia/Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (BPH/LUTS)

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia/Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (BPH/LUTS) can be effectively treated by alpha(1)-adrenergic receptor antagonists. Unfortunately, all currently marketed alpha(1) blockers produced CV related side effects that are caused by the subtype non-selective nature of the drugs. To overcome this problem, it was postulated that a alpha(1a/1d) subtype selective antagonist would bring more benefit for the treatment of BPH/LUTS. In developing selective alpha(1a/1d) ligands, (arylpiperazinyl)cyclohexylsulfonamides were synthesized and their binding profiles against three cloned human alpha(1)-adrenergic receptor subtypes were evaluated. Many compounds show equal affinity for both alpha(1a) and alpha(1d) subtypes with good selectivity against the alpha(1b) subtype. They also overcome the problem of dopamine receptor affinity that previous analogues had exhibited.     

Synthesis and evaluation of pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridine CDK1 inhibitors as anti-tumor agents

A series of 3,5-disubstituted pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridine cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitors was synthesized. These compounds showed potent and selective CDK inhibitory activities and inhibited in vitro cellular proliferation in cultured human tumor cells. Selected compounds were evaluated in an in vivo tumor xenograft model. The synthesis and biological evaluation of these pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridines and related compounds are reported.     

1-Arylpiperazinyl-4-cyclohexylamine derived isoindole-1,3-diones as potent and selective alpha-1a/1d adrenergic receptor ligands

Subtype-selective alpha-1a and/or alpha-1d adrenergic receptor antagonists may be useful for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) with fewer adverse effects than non-selective drugs. A series of 1-arylpiperazinyl-4-cyclohexylamine derived isoindole-1,3-diones has been synthesized, displaying in vitro alpha(1a) and alpha(1d) binding affinity K(i) values in the range of 0.09-38nM with K(i)(alpha1b)/K(i)(alpha1a) and K(i)(alpha1b)/K(i)(alpha1d) selectivity ratios up to 3607-fold.     

Design, synthesis, and evaluation of 3,4-disubstituted pyrazole analogues as anti-tumor CDK inhibitors

Two series of 3,4-disubstituted pyrazole analogues, 3-(benzimidazol-2-yl)-4-[2-(pyridin-3-yl)-vinyl]-pyrazoles (2) and 3-(imidazol-2-yl)-4-[2-(pyridin-3-yl)-vinyl]-pyrazoles (3), were synthesized as novel cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitors. Representative compounds showed potent and selective CDK inhibitory activities and inhibited in vitro cellular proliferation in various human tumor cells. The design, synthesis, and preliminary biological evaluation of these pyrazole compounds are reported.     

A plant triterpenoid, avicin D, induces autophagy by activation of AMP-activated protein kinase

Avicins, a family of plant triterpene electrophiles, can trigger apoptosis-associated tumor cell death, and suppress chemical-induced carcinogenesis by its anti-inflammatory, anti-mutagenic, and antioxidant properties. Here, we show that tumor cells treated with benzyloxycarbonylvalyl-alanyl-aspartic acid (O-methyl)-fluoro-methylketone, an apoptosis inhibitor, and Bax(-/-)Bak(-/-) apoptosis-resistant cells can still undergo cell death in response to avicin D treatment. We demonstrate that this non-apoptotic cell death is mediated by autophagy, which can be suppressed by chloroquine, an autophagy inhibitor, and by specific knockdown of autophagy-related gene-5 (Atg5) and Atg7. Avicin D decreases cellular ATP levels, stimulates the activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), and inhibits mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and S6 kinase activity. Suppression of AMPK by compound C and dominant-negative AMPK decreases avicin D-induced autophagic cell death. Furthermore, avicin D-induced autophagic cell death can be abrogated by knockdown of tuberous sclerosis complex 2 (TSC2), a key mediator linking AMPK to mTOR inhibition, suggesting that AMPK activation is a crucial event targeted by avicin D. These findings indicate the therapeutic potential of avicins by triggering autophagic cell death.