Bark morphological and chemical features are differentially correlated with disease resistance and yield in hybrid poplar taxa

In the southeastern United States, the establishment of short-rotation intensively cultured plantations of hybrid poplar has been hindered by its susceptibility to stem cankers. We evaluated the tradeoffs between biomass yield and disease tolerance in hybrid poplar genotypes belonging to P. deltoides × P. maximowiczii (DM), P. deltoides × P. nigra (DN), P. trichocarpa × P. maximowiczii (TM), and P. deltoides × P. deltoides (DD) taxa. We hypothesized that canker resistant genotypes will have thicker bark but bark thickness and biomass yield will be negatively correlated. After two growing seasons, the DD genotypes developed thicker bark compared to the genotypes of other taxa and bark thickness was not correlated with biomass yield in the DD genotypes (R² = 0.002). However, in the TM, DM, and DN genotypes, bark thickness was negatively correlated with biomass yield (R² = 0.33–0.77). Disease incidence studies revealed that the DM genotypes were most susceptible to canker whereas no disease was detected in DD genotypes. Furthermore, bark analysis conducted by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy coupled with multivariate analysis showed that that DD genotypes to be chemically separate from the three hybrid genotypes and that bark chemistry was correlated with canker disease incidence. Taken together, these results reveal that it is possible to generate hybrid poplar genotypes with thicker bark, disease resistance, and higher biomass yields. This insight should guide further efforts to develop genetically improved hybrid poplar genotypes, both in terms of biomass yield and disease tolerance, for cultivation in the southeastern United States. Hybrid poplar cultivation in southeastern United States is hindered by its susceptibility to stem cankers. We evaluated tradeoffs between yield and canker disease resistance in various hybrid poplar genotypes. After two growing seasons, the DD genotypes showed disease resistance and developed thicker bark that was chemically distinct from the other genotypes. Bark thickness was not correlated with yield in the DD genotypes but was negatively correlated with yield in the other genotypes. These results will guide the development of hybrid poplar genotypes that are both disease resistant and high yielding for cultivation in the southeastern United States.     

Fostering sustainable land restoration through circular economy‐governed transitions

Soil and land are critical common pool resources offering a multitude of ecosystem services (ES) and presently affected by degradation and unplanned exploitation. The present article therefore attempts to elucidate the importance of circular economy in boosting land restoration and realization of several sustainable development goals through efficient waste recycling and clean energy production from degraded lands combined with policy restructuring for aligning circularity with restoration. Integrative policy frameworks targeting a “sustainable restoration economy” can help improve the cost feasibility of restoration projects through circularization of resource value chains besides enhancing social welfare and ecological vitality.     

Trehalose protects the endothelium from cadmium-induced dysfunction

The objective of the present study is to identify the possible regulatory role of trehalose (Tre) against cadmium chloride (CdCl₂)-induced endothelial cell dysfunction. To screen the dose-dependent effect of both Tre and CdCl₂, a methylthiazolyldiphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was performed. Interestingly, MTT assay results have shown that co-incubation of Tre (1 mM) with CdCl₂ significantly decreased the CdCl₂ (5 µM) cytotoxicity. Nitric oxide (NO) measurement using Griess assay and 4-amino-5-methylamino-2ʹ,7ʹ-difluorofluorescein fluorescence probe results have shown that CdCl₂ decreases NO production in endothelial cells. Western blotting analysis results showed that CdCl₂ decreases endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and phospho endothelial nitric oxide synthase (peNOS) expression. The present study results have also observed that CdCl₂ treatment increases reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. However, combination treatment (Tre + CdCl₂) could restore the NO production in CdCl₂-treated cells. In addition, combination treatment could also restore eNOS and peNOS expression in endothelial cells. Moreover, Tre treatment was found to decrease CdCl₂-induced ROS production. Collectively, the present study results demonstrate that Tre possesses a significant protective action against CdCl₂-mediated endothelial dysfunction by increasing NO production, eNOS and peNOS expression, and by decreasing oxidative stress.     

Neuroprotective effects of ononin against the aluminium chloride-induced Alzheimer’s disease in rats

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a chronic neurodegenerative disease categorized by the deficiency in the cognition and memory. Approximately 50 million peoples has the AD, which is categorized by the deficiency in the cognition, memory and other kinds of cognitive dissention. The present exploration was designed to unveil the ameliorative properties of ononin against the aluminium chloride (AlCl3)-provoked AD in animals via the suppression of oxidative stress and neuroinflammation. AD was provoked to the Sprague Dawley rats through administering orally with 0.5 ml/100 g b.wt. of AlCl3 25 days and then supplemented with the 30 mg/kg of ononin orally for 25th day to 36th day. The behavioural changes were examined using open field and Morris Water Maze test. The acetylcholine esterase (AChE) activity was studied by standard method. The status of Aβ1-42, MDA, SOD, total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were quantified using respective assay kits. The interleukin(IL)-1β and TNF-α, BDNF, PPAR-γ, p38MAPK, and NF-κB/p65 status was quantified using respective assay kits. Brain histology was studied using microscope. The ononin treatment effectively modulated the AlCl3-triggered behavioural alterations in the AD animals. Ononin appreciably suppressed the AChE, Aβ1-42, and MDA and improved the SOD and TAC in the brain tissues of AD animals. The status of IL-1β, TNF-α, p38MAPK, and NF-κB were suppressed and the BDNF and PPAR-γ contents were elevated in the brain tissues of AD animals. The outcomes brain histology analysis proved the attenuate role of ononin. Our findings recommended that the ononin treatment could ameliorate the cognitive impairment, suppress the neuroinflammation and oxidative stress in the AD animals.     

Social entrainment in the old frugivorous bats, Rousettusleschenaulti from the Lonar crater

Onset and end of activity of the old frugivorous bats Rousettus leschenaulti, roosting in a temple ruin of the Lonar crater were observed at 10-day intervals for one year. The old bats emerged about 4 h after and returned about 4 h before the young bats. Onset of activity of the old bats was entrained by the loud vocalization of the early emerging young conspecifics at dusk. The old bats free-ran when the young conspecifics were evicted from the roost but re-entrained when they were re-introduced. Socially isolated old bats in the laboratory also free-ran in the scotophase of LD 12:12 cycles until the onset of activity coincided with lights-off which resulted in a delayed phase shift. After the exposure to light, the sequence of events repeated all over again. Ecological implications of this social entrainment are discussed.     

Quantitation of proteins using a dye-metal-based colorimetric protein assay

We describe a dye-metal (polyhydroxybenzenesulfonephthalein-type dye and a transition metal) complex-based total protein determination method. The binding of the complex to protein causes a shift in the absorption maximum of the dye-metal complex from 450 to 660 nm. The dye-metal complex has a reddish brown color that changes to green on binding to protein. The color produced from this reaction is stable and increases in a proportional manner over a broad range of protein concentrations. The new Pierce 660 nm Protein Assay is very reproducible, rapid, and more linear compared with the Coomassie dye-based Bradford assay. The assay reagent is room temperature stable, and the assay is a simple and convenient mix-and-read format. The assay has a moderate protein-to-protein variation and is compatible with most detergents, reducing agents, and other commonly used reagents. This is an added advantage for researchers needing to determine protein concentrations in samples containing both detergents and reducing agents.