Assessing the generality of global leaf trait relationships

Global-scale quantification of relationships between plant traits gives insight into the evolution of the world's vegetation, and is crucial for parameterizing vegetation-climate models. A database was compiled, comprising data for hundreds to thousands of species for the core 'leaf economics' traits leaf lifespan, leaf mass per area, photosynthetic capacity, dark respiration, and leaf nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations, as well as leaf potassium, photosynthetic N-use efficiency (PNUE), and leaf N : P ratio. While mean trait values differed between plant functional types, the range found within groups was often larger than differences among them. Future vegetation-climate models could incorporate this knowledge. The core leaf traits were intercorrelated, both globally and within plant functional types, forming a 'leaf economics spectrum'. While these relationships are very general, they are not universal, as significant heterogeneity exists between relationships fitted to individual sites. Much, but not all, heterogeneity can be explained by variation in sample size alone. PNUE can also be considered as part of this trait spectrum, whereas leaf K and N : P ratios are only loosely related.     

Structural studies of the exopolysaccharide consisting of a nonasaccharide repeating unit isolated from Lactobacillus rhamnosus KL37B

A novel structure of exopolysaccharide from the lactic acid bacteria (LAB) Lactobacillus rhamnosus KL37B, from the human intestinal flora, is described. During the structural investigation of the exopolysaccharide it was found that the repeating unit is a nonasaccharide, which is the largest repeating unit found in LAB exopolysaccharides to date. The polysaccharide material was prepared by TCA extraction of a bacterial cell mass, purified by anion-exchange and gel permeation chromatography and characterized using chemical and enzymatic methods. On the basis of monosaccharide and methylation analysis and also 1D and 2D ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy the exopolysaccharide was shown to be composed of the following nonasaccharide repeating unit:The physicochemical cell surface study and adhesive properties indicated distinct surface properties of Lactobacillus rhamnosus strain KL37B with high adhesive abilities to Caco-2 cells, hydrophobicity and slime production, in comparison to other Lactobacillus strains used as controls.     

Zinc and Iron Concentration and SOD Activity in Human Semen and Seminal Plasma

The aim of the present study was to measure zinc (Zn) and iron (Fe) concentration in human semen and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in seminal plasma and correlate the results with sperm quality. Semen samples were obtained from men (N = 168) undergoing routine infertility evaluation. The study design included two groups based on the ejaculate parameters. Group I (n = 39) consisted of males with normal ejaculate (normozoospermia), and group II (n = 129) consisted of males with pathological spermiogram. Seminal Zn and Fe were measured in 162 samples (group I, n = 38; group II, n = 124) and SOD activity in 149 samples (group I, n = 37; group II, n = 112). Correlations were found between SOD activity and Fe and Zn concentration, and between Fe and Zn concentration. SOD activity was negatively associated with volume of semen and positively associated with rapid progressive motility, nonprogressive motility, and concentration. Negative correlation was stated between Fe concentration and normal morphology. Mean SOD activity in seminal plasma of semen from men of group I was higher than in seminal plasma of semen from men of group II. Fe concentration was higher in teratozoospermic males than in males with normal morphology of spermatozoa in group II. Our results suggest that Fe may influence spermatozoa morphology.     

Additional contribution of emerging risk factors to the prediction of the risk of type 2 diabetes: evidence from the Western New York Study

Objective: To examine whether several biomarkers of endothelial function and inflammation improve prediction of type 2 diabetes over 5.9 years of follow‐up, independent of traditional risk factors. Methods and Procedures: A total of 1,455 participants from the Western New York Study, free of type 2 diabetes at baseline, were selected. Incident type 2 diabetes was defined as fasting glucose exceeding 125 mg/dl or on antidiabetic medication at the follow‐up visit. Sixty‐one people who met the case definition (8/1,000 person years) were identified and individually matched with up to three controls on gender, race, year of study enrollment, and baseline fasting glucose (<110 or 110–125 mg/dl). Biomarkers were measured from frozen baseline samples. Results: In conditional logistic regression analyses accounting for traditional risk factors (age, family history of diabetes, smoking, drinking status, and BMI), E‐selectin was positively related (3rd vs. 1st tertile: odds ratio 2.77, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.13–6.79, P for linear trend = 0.023) and serum albumin was inversely related (3rd vs. 1st tertile: odds ratio 0.36, 95% CI 0.14–0.93, P for linear trend = 0.032) to type 2 diabetes incidence. The addition of E‐selectin, serum albumin, and leukocyte count to a basic risk factor model including only traditional risk factors significantly increased the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) (from 0.646 to 0.726, P value = 0.04). Discussion: These results support the role of endothelial dysfunction and subclinical inflammation as important mechanisms in the etiopathogenesis of type 2 diabetes; moreover, they indicate that novel biomarkers may improve the prediction of type 2 diabetes beyond the use of traditional risk factors alone.     

Proposed Classification of Auriculotemporal Nerve,Based on the Root System

The topography of the auriculotemporal nerve (ATN) root system is the main criterion of this nerve classification. Previous publications indicate that ATN may have between one and five roots. Most common is a one- or two-root variant of the nerve structure. The problem of many publications is the inconsistency of nomenclature which concerns the terms “roots”, “connecting branches”, or “branches” that are used to identify the same structures. This study was performed on 80 specimens (40 adults and 40 fetuses) to propose a classification based on: (i) the number of roots, (ii) way of root division, and (iii) configuration of interradicular fibers that form the ATN trunk. This new classification is a remedy for inconsistency of nomenclature of ATN in the infratemporal fossa. This classification system has proven beneficial when organizing all ATN variants described in previous studies and could become a helpful tool for surgeons and dentists. Examination of ATN from the infratemporal fossa of fetuses (the youngest was at 18 weeks gestational age) showed that, at that stage, the nerve is fully developed.     

Effect of Mating Frequency on Female Fitness in Caloglyphus Berlesei (Astigmata: Acaridae)

We studied the effect of mating frequency on female longevity and fecundity in the mite Caloglyphus berlesei. We tested the hypothesis that high promiscuity is selected for in this species because females receive nutrients during copulation. Females were constantly exposed to either one or four males and fed either a standard or poor diet. The prediction that frequent mating benefits females was not confirmed. On the contrary, females kept with four males had significantly lower longevity on both diets and on the standard diet they also had decreased fecundity compared to females exposed to one male. On the poor diet the number of males had no significant effect on fecundity. Thus, increased mating frequency had a detrimental effect on female fitness.     

Effectiveness of some substances in the control of carrot and parsley roots against fungal diseases

Field experiments were carried out in the years 2005 and 2006 on carrot cv. 'Koral' and 'Perfekcja', and parsley cv. 'Berlinska' and 'Cukrowa'. Effectiveness of substances: Biochikol 020 PC (biologically active substances BAS--chitosan 20 g/dm3), Bioczos BR (extract of garlic 10 g/1 brick) and Biosept 33 SL (extract of grapefruit 33%) on seedling roots of carrot and parsley was studied. As the standard fungicide Zaprawa Funaben T (carbendazim 20% + tiuram 45%) was used. Roots of carrot and parsley were treated one of tested substances spring immediately before planting seedling roots. During vegetation period the growth of seedling shoots and setting of seeds, and their infestation by fungal and bacterial pathogens was noticed. Among substances used for spring dressing of carrot and also parsley seedling roots, the best efficacy exhibited Zaprawa Funaben T in both years of observation. The highest yield of carrot seeds had combination roots cv. 'Koral' and parsley seeds roots cvs 'Berlińska' and 'Cukrowa' dressed Zaprawa Funaben T. Effectiveness of biopreparates Biochikol and Biosept was lower in comparison with the standard fungicide, but their protective effect was significantly higher than in control. Bioczos had the lowest control efficacy.     

Prostaglandins contribute to the vasodilation induced by nicotinic acid

The significance of endogenously formed prostaglandins in the vasodilation induced by nicotinic acid (NIC) was investigated. The forearm venous plasma level of radioimmunoassayed PGE (R-PGE) and the forearm blood flow (FBF) were measured in 13 healthy male volunteers at rest and during infusion of NIC. Each subject was subsequently re-studied after pretreatment with the PG synthesis inhibitor, naproxen. In the absence of naproxen, NIC infusion resulted in an almost four-fold rise in the release of R-PGE and a 60% increase in FBF. Pretreatment with naproxen did not affect the basal release of R-PGE or the basal FBF but inhibited both the release of R-PGE and the increase in FBF following NIC. The data support the hypothesis that the vasolidating effect of NIC is largely dependent upon an increased vascular formation of PG.