Decomposition of Eucalyptus globulus leaves and three native leaf species (Alnus glutinosa, Castanea sativa and Quercus faginea) in a Portuguese low order stream

Leaf decomposition of the exotic evergreen Eucalyptus globulus (eucalyptus), and three native deciduous tree species, Alnus glutinosa (alder), Castanea sativa (chestnut) and Quercus faginea (oak), was compared in a second order stream in Central Portugal. Changes in dry weight, nitrogen and polyphenolic compounds and microbial colonization were periodically assessed for three months.Negative exponential curves fit the leaf weight loss with time for all leaf species. Mass loss rate was in the order alder (K = 0.0161) > chestnut (K = 0.0079) > eucalyptus (K = 0.0068) > oak (K = 0.0037). Microbial colonization followed the same pattern as breakdown rates. Evidence of fungal colonization was observed in alder after 3 days in the stream, whereas it took 21 days in oak leaves to have fungal colonization. Fungal diversity was leaf species-dependent and increased with time. In all cases, percent nitrogen per unit leaf weight increased, at least, at the initial stages of decay while soluble polyphenolics (expressed as percentage per unit leaf weight) decreased rapidly in the first month of leaves immersion.Intrinsic factors such as nitrogen and polyphenolic content may explain differences in leaf decomposition. The possible incorporation of eucalyptus litter into secondary production in a reasonable time span is suggested, although community balance and structure might be affected by differences in allochthonous patterns determined by eucalyptus monocultures.     

Effects of eucalyptus afforestation on leaf litter dynamics and macroinvertebrate community structure of streams in Central Portugal

To test the hypothesis whether afforestation with Eucalyptus globulus affects litter dynamics in streams and the structure of macroinvertebrate aquatic communities, we compared streams flowing through eucalyptus and deciduous forests, paying attention to: (i) litterfall dynamics, (ii) accumulation of organic matter, (iii) processing rates of two dominant leaf species: eucalyptus and chestnut, and (iv) macroinvertebrate community structure. The amount of allochthonous inputs was similar in both vegetation types, but the seasonality of litter inputs differed between eucalyptus and natural deciduous forests. Eucalyptus forest streams accumulated more organic matter than deciduous forest streams. Decomposition of both eucalyptus and chestnut leaf litter was higher in streams flowing through deciduous forests. The eucalyptus forest soils were highly hydrophobic resulting in strong seasonal fluctuations in discharge. In autumn the communities of benthic macroinvertebrates of the two stream types were significantly different. Deciduous forest streams contained higher numbers of invertebrates and more taxa than eucalyptus forest streams. Mixed forest streams (streams flowing through eucalyptus forests but bordered by deciduous vegetation) were intermediate between the two other vegetation types in all studied characteristics (accumulation of benthic organic matter, density and diversity of aquatic invertebrates). These results suggest that monocultures of eucalyptus affect low order stream communities. However, the impact may be attenuated if riparian corridors of original vegetation are kept in plantation forestry.     

NMDA excitotoxicity and free radical generation in rat brain homogenates: Application of a chemiluminescence assay

NMDA, the specific agonist of glutamate gated ion channels permeable to calcium, is implicated as a causal factor in the pathogenesis of several neurobiological disorders such as stroke, seizures, ischemia, and chronic neurodegenerative disease. On the other hand, evidence on the roles of oxidative mechanisms involved in NMDA-induced neurotoxicity is accumulating. In this study, we have used chemiluminescence measurements as an easy, rapid and sensitive assay to investigate the effects of NMDA and oxidative stress on brain cell vulnerability. Rat brain homogenates were incubated with increasing concentrations of glutamate and NMDA. Production of reactive oxygen species was followed by single photon emission measurements using the specific enhancers luminol and lucigenin. Increases in emission were observed at excitotoxic concentrations of glutamate and NMDA. Other parameters of oxidative stress such as diene conjugates, TBARS and carbonyl groups were also investigated. Our results indicated that chemiluminescence measurements may be used to study involvement of oxidative stress in neurotoxicity.     

Long-Term Acceptance of Major Histocompatibility Complex-Mismatched Cardiac Allograft Induced by a Low Dose of CTLA4IgM Plus FK506

The immunosuppressant FK506 prolongs allograft survival. However, at therapeutic doses it has significant side effects. A fusion protein consisting of the extracellular portion of CTLA4 and the Fc portion of human IgG (CTLA4IgG) also prolongs allograft survival, but large doses of CTLA4IgG are required for the induction of cardiac allograft acceptance. Therefore, we constructed a pentameric form of a new CTLA4 fusion protein, CTLA4IgM. We tested whether low doses of CTLA4IgG or CTLA4IgM in combination with subtherapeutic doses of FK506 can prolong allograft survival in a synergistic fashion. C57BL/6 (H-2^b) neonatal hearts were transplanted to CBA/J (H-2^k) mice in a heterotopic, nonvascularized cardiac allograft model. The findings demonstrate that a combination of low doses of FK506 plus a pentameric form of CTLA4Ig, CTLA4IgM, leads to significant graft survival, while a combination of FK506 plus CTLA4IgG does not.     

Sequence analysis of the 5′-flanking region of the gene encoding human N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase III

We have isolated and characterized the immediate (1651 bp) 5′-flanking region of the gene (GnT-III) encoding N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase III (GnT-III) from a human placental genomic library. Analysis of promoter elements shows a similarity to the 5′-flanking region of murine 1,4-galactosyltransferase. The sequence lacks obvious TATA elements and CCAAT boxes; however, putative regulatory sites, including 2 potential cAMP-response regulatory elements (CRE), 11 insulin-response element consensus sequences (IRE), 7 potential AP-2-binding sites, 2 SP1 consensus sequences (GC boxes) and 2 sequences similar to the half-palindromic glucocorticoid-responsive element (GRE), are present.     

Silicon carbide fiber-mediated DNA delivery into cells of wheat (Triticum acstivum L.) mature embryos

We have demonstrated that foreign DNA can be delivered into cells of mature embryos of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) using silicon carbide fibers (SCF). The highest transient expression of thegusA (GUS) gene was detected when dry embryos were vortexed for 10–30 min in a SCF-DNA solution containing 90–120 g/l of sucrose. Up to 100 (on average 20–40) blue expression units per embryo were observed. Scutellum side and epiblast of the intact wheat embryos are preferentially transformed. When embryos with the coleoptilar tip removed were treated and allowed to germinate, GUS staining was observed in emerging leaf tissues. The potential of this new approach for stable transformation of wheat is under investigation. It has been found that callus tissues induced from the SCF treated embryos contain GUS-expressing sectors one month after treatment.     

Prolific shoot regeneration from immature embryo explants of sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia Scop.)

Summary Immature cotyledons and embryo axes of sainfoin were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) media supplemented with various concentrations of 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) and a-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) to induce adventitious shoot regeneration. The highest frequency of shoot regeneration occurred following an initial callus growth on a MS medium containing 0.5 mg/l BAP and 2 mg/l NAA. Immature embryo axes showed higher regeneration capacity than immature cotyledons, however, shoot elongation was best achieved on immature cotyledons. Regenerated shoots were excised and rooted in half strength MS medium with 1 mg/l indole-butyric acid (IBA) or 1 mg/l NAA. The rooted plantlets were finally transferred to compost.     

Acclimation of Respiratory Properties of Leaves of Spinacia oleracea L., a Sun Species, and of Alocasia macrorrhiza (L.) G. Don., a Shade Species, to Changes in Growth Irradiance

To clarify the way in which the light available for growth affectsrespiration in leaves of sun and shade plants, we examined therespiratory properties of mature leaves of Spinacia oleraceaL., a sun species, and of Alocasia macrorrhiza (L.) G. Don.,a shade species, that had been grown at various irradiances.In leaves of S. oleracea, the respiratory rates, on a dry massbasis, decreased with time during the night, and the higherwas the growth irradiance during the day, the higher was therespiratory rate. The marked decreases in the respiratory rateduring the night were accompanied by decreases in the concentrationof carbohydrates in the leaves. By contrast, the respiratoryrates of leaves of A. macrorrhiza were virtually constant throughoutthe night and the absolute rates were lower than those of S.oleracea even though the absolute value of the concentrationof carbohydrates and its decrease at night resembled to thosein S. oleracea. The maximum activities of respiratory enzymeswere also similar to those in S. oleracea. However, the leavesof A. macrorrhiza contained less soluble protein than thoseof S. oleracea. These results suggest that, in S. oleracea,the concentration of carbohydrates might determine the respiratoryrate while such is not the case in A. macrorrhiza. The lowerrespiratory rates in A. macrorrhiza might be due to a lowerdemand for ATP. (Received November 29, 1995; Accepted February 15, 1996)     

Sexual behavior of donkey jacks: influence of ejaculatory frequency and season

The courtship of 5 jacks was evaluated weekly for 12 mo. The characteristics of sexual behavior were recorded before the collection of 2 ejaculates, at 4-h intervals, into an artificial vagina in the presence of a female in either natural or induced estrus. The maximum time given to the jack to perform the ejaculatory mount was 1 h. If the jacks did not ejaculate, another attempt was made the following week. At the time of collection, the male and female remained free in a paddock (20 m2). The data presented in this study is based on results in which the first and second ejaculates occurred successively. Statistical analysis was done by a 2 x 2 factorial design in randomized blocks. The mean +/- SEM of sexual behavior characteristics for the first and second ejaculate were, respectively: time until first mount = 0.7 +/- 0.2 and 0.9 +/- 0.2 min; time until first erection = 11.9 +/- 1.1 and 11.6 +/- 1.1 min; time until ejaculation = 15.0 +/- 1.2 and 13.6 +/- 1.2 min; frequency of partial exposure of penis = 3.4 +/- 0.4 and 3.2 +/- 0.4; frequency of total exposure of penis = 1.0 + 0.2 and 1.1 +/- 0.2; frequency of flehmen responses = 6.6 +/- 0.5 and 4.6 +/-0.5; frequency of erections = 1.3 +/- 0.1 and 1.2 +/- 0.1; frequency of retreats away from the female = 1.8 +/- 0.2 and 1.0 +/- 0.2; frequency of mounts with erection but without ejaculation = 0.3 +/- 0.1 and 0.1 +/- 0.1; frequency of mounts without erection = 2.0 +/-0.1 and 1.2 +/- 0.1 ; and frequency of pelvic copulatory movements = 4.8 +/- 0.4 and 4.4 +/- 0.4. Individual differences were observed (P<0.05) for partial and total exposure, flehmen responses, mounts without erection and pelvic copulatory movements. The variables flehmen responses, retreats away from the female and mounts without erection showed significant differences (P<0.05) between ejaculates. Seasonal effects on sexual behavior characteristics were not found. However, a monthly effect was noted for flehmen responses, partial exposure of the penis, mounts without erection, retreats away from the female and pelvic copulatory movements when the 2 ejaculates were combined.