Light energy allocation at PSII under field light conditions: How much energy is lost in NPQ-associated dissipation?

In the field, plants are exposed to fluctuating light, where photosynthesis occurs under conditions far from a steady state. Excess energy dissipation associated with energy quenching of chlorophyll fluorescence (qE) functions as an efficient photo-protection mechanism in photosystem II. PsbS is an important regulator of qE, especially for the induction phase of qE. Beside the regulatory energy dissipation, some part of energy is lost through relaxation of excited chlorophyll molecules. To date, several models to quantify energy loss through these dissipative pathways in PSII have been proposed. In this short review, we compare and evaluate these models for PSII energy allocation when they are applied to non-steady state photosynthesis. As a case study, an investigation on energy allocation to qE-associated dissipation at PSII under non-steady state photosynthesis using PsbS-deficient rice transformants is introduced. Diurnal and seasonal changes in PSII energy allocation in rice under natural light are also presented. Future perspective of studies on PSII energy allocation is discussed

Combining hot-compressed water and ball milling pretreatments to improve the efficiency of the enzymatic hydrolysis of eucalyptus

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Lignocellulosic biomass such as wood is an attractive material for fuel ethanol production. Pretreatment technologies that increase the digestibility of cellulose and hemicellulose in the lignocellulosic biomass have a major influence on the cost of the subsequent enzymatic hydrolysis and ethanol fermentation processes. Pretreatments without chemicals such as acids, bases or organic solvents are less effective for an enzymatic hydrolysis process than those with chemicals, but they have a less negative effect on the environment.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The enzymatic digestibility of eucalyptus was examined following a combined pretreatment without chemicals comprising a ball milling (BM) and hot-compressed water (HCW) treatment. The BM treatment simultaneously improved the digestibility of both glucan and xylan, and was effective in lowering the enzyme loading compared with the HCW treatment. The combination of HCW and BM treatment reduced the BM time. The eucalyptus treated with HCW (160°C, 30 minutes) followed by BM (20 minutes) had an approximately 70% yield of total sugar with a cellulase loading of 4 FPU/g substrate. This yield was comparable to the yields from samples treated with HCW (200°C, 30 minutes) or BM (40 minutes) hydrolyzed with 40 FPU/g substrate.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The HCW treatment is useful in improving the milling efficiency. The combined HCW-BM treatment can save energy and enzyme loading.</p

Remarkable features of ovarian morphology and reproductive hormones in insulin-resistant Zucker fatty (fa/fa) rats

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Zucker fatty (fa/fa) rats are a well-understood model of obesity and hyperinsulinemia. It is now thought that obesity/hyperinsulinemia is an important cause of endocrinological abnormality, but to date there have been no reports on the changes in ovarian morphology or the ovarian androgen profile in rat models of obesity and insulin resistance.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In this study we investigated the effects of obesity and hyperinsulinemia on ovarian morphology and the hormone profile in insulin-resistant Zucker fatty rats (5, 8, 12 and 16 weeks of age, n = 6-7).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Ovaries from 5-week-old fatty rats had significantly greater total and atretic follicle numbers, and higher atretic-to-total follicle ratios than those from lean rats. Ovaries from 12- and 16-week-old fatty rats showed interstitial cell hyperplasia and numerous cysts with features of advanced follicular atresia. In addition, serum testosterone and androstenedione levels significantly declined in fatty rats from age 8 to 16 weeks, so that fatty rats showed significantly lower levels of serum testosterone (12 and 16 weeks) and androstenedione (all weeks) than lean rats. This may reflect a reduction of androgen synthesis during follicular atresia. Serum adiponectin levels were high in immature fatty rats, and although the levels declined significantly as they matured, it remained significantly higher in fatty rats than in lean rats. On the other hand, levels of ovarian adiponectin and its receptors were significantly lower in mature fatty rats than in lean mature rats or immature fatty rats.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our findings indicate that ovarian morphology and hormone profiles are significantly altered by the continuous insulin resistance in Zucker fatty rats. Simultaneously, abrupt reductions in serum and ovarian adiponectin also likely contribute to the infertility seen in fatty rats.</p

A Computer-Based Glucose Management System Reduces the Incidence of Forgotten Glucose Measurements: A Retrospective Observational Study

Introduction: Frequent glucose measurements are needed for good blood glucose control in hospitals; however, this requirement means that measurements can be forgotten. We developed a novel glucose management system using an iPod and electronic health records. Methods: A time schedule system for glucose measurement was developed using point-ofcare testing, an iPod, and electronic health records. The system contains the glucose measurement schedule and an alarm sounds if a measurement is forgotten. The number of times measurements were forgotten was analyzed. Results: Approximately 7000 glucose measurements were recorded per month. Before implementation of the system, the average number of times measurements were forgotten was 4.8 times per month. This significantly decreased to 2.6 times per month after the system started. We also analyzed the incidence of forgotten glucose measurements as a proportion of the total number of measurements for each period and found a significant difference between the two 9-month periods (43/64,049–24/65,870, P = 0.014, chi-squared test). Conclusions: This computer-based blood glucose monitoring system is useful for the management of glucose monitoring in hospitals

Non-destructive Analysis of Ancient Bronze Swords Possessed at Archaeological Research Laboratory of Hiroshima University <Research and Studies at the Department of Archaeology: Article>

Eight ancient bronze swords possessed at archaeological research laboratory of Hiroshima University were investigated non-destructively. Gamma-ray radiography using 137Cs and 60Co were developed to obtain transmission images of swords. X-ray fluorescence analysis were applied for the characteristic and qualitative elemental analysis of the swords. Magnetic response were also utilized to know the distribution of iron cores. It has been identified that all bronze swords has iron cores inside of the grip part of the sword. Up to now, existence of iron cores were assumed as a ritual symbol or functional meaning, but, it has revealed that these swords had originally iron blade, which were replaced to present bronze blade just to raise the commercial value. The connecting part was soldered and painted in bronze color. These findings are deeply related to the process of the production of bimetal swords in ancient Iran. Further researches on the ancient bimetal swords are needed

Coordinated elevation of membrane type 1-matrix metalloproteinase and matrix metalloproteinase-2 expression in rat uterus during postpartum involution

BACKGROUND: The changes occurring in the rodent uterus after parturition can be used as a model of extensive tissue remodeling. As the uterus returns to its prepregnancy state, the involuting uterus undergoes a rapid reduction in size primarily due to the degradation of the extracellular matrix, particularly collagen. Membrane type-I matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP) is one of the major proteinases that degrades collagen and is the most abundant MMP form in the uterus. Matrix metalloproteinase-2(MMP-2) can degrade type I collagen, although its main function is to degrade type IV collagen found in the basement membrane. To understand the expression patterns of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in the rat uterus, we analyzed their activities in postpartum uterine involution. METHODS: We performed gelatin zymography, northern blot analysis and immunohistochemistry to compare the expression levels of MT1-MMP, MMP-2, matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and the tissue inhibitors of MMPs-1 and 2 (TIMP-1 and TIMP-2) in the rat uterus 18 h, 36 h and 5 days after parturition with their expression levels during pregnancy (day 20). RESULTS: We found that both MT1-MMP and MMP-2 localized mainly in the cytoplasm of uterine interstitial cells. The expression levels of MT1-MMP and MMP-2 mRNAs and the catalytic activities of the expressed proteins significantly increased 18 h and 36 h after parturition, but at postpartum day 5, their mRNA expression levels and catalytic activities decreased markedly. The expression levels of MMP-9 increased 18 h and 36 h after parturition as determined by gelatin zymography including the expression levels of TIMP-1 and TIMP-2. CONCLUSION: These expression patterns indicate that MT1-MMP, MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 may play key roles in uterine postpartum involution and subsequent functional regenerative processes

DOES SULPHUR EXPEL THE COFFEE BERRY BORER FROM Coffea arabica L. FRUITS?

Technicians and insecticide retailers recommend adding sulfur to the insecticide mixture to expel coffee borer females (Hypothenemus hampei ) from the fruit. The objective in this study was to verify if sulfur expels the coffee borer from the fruit and what the cost associated with the use of sulfur in the insecticide mixture is. Perforated fruits were collected from coffee crops (Red Catuaí, IAC 144) during the granulation phase for the experiments and divided into two lots. The first lot was used to verify the effectiveness of sulfur to expel the borer, and the second to evaluate the effect of temperature x sulfur source x expelling effect on the borer. Sources of sulfur tested were: SK30 and Kumulus DF. The first experiment was the treatments: sulfur sources (two + control without sulfur), two plastic containers (open and closed), five repetitions (factorial: 3 x 2). The second were the treatments: sulfur sources, plastic containers and under two temperatures, factorial 3x2x2. The number of adult females that left the fruits within 24 and 48 h was evaluated. There was no difference in the number of females that abandoned the fruits between treatments with sulfur and control (P&gt; 0.05). It was concluded that sulfur does not expel H. hampei from C. arabica fruits