Impact of sheep bedding on soil nutrient dynamics in the Centennial Mountains of Montana and Idaho

Sheep and lamb production is an important industry in Idaho, with summer sheep grazing in the mountains a common practice. Sheep are concentrated in bedding areas at night leading to concentrated grazing and manure and urine accumulation in these areas. To address the effects of bedding on soil nutrient status, we monitored 16 bedding areas in the Centennial Mountains, with a general survey performed in 2004 followed by more intense monitoring of six sites from 2005 to 2006. In 2004, soils were analyzed for total carbon (C) and nitrogen (N), organic C, total P, Olsen P, water-soluble phosphorus (WSP), soluble nitrate, and soluble ammonium. Over the period 2005–2006, soils were analyzed for soluble nutrients including Olsen P, WSP, soluble nitrate, and soluble ammonium. The 16 sites evaluated in 2004 had significantly greater total N, C, and organic C concentrations in the nonbedded areas, whereas Olsen P, WSP, and ammonium concentrations were greater in the bedding areas. When six sites were monitored over time, there was no significant effect of bedding on soluble P concentrations over time or between bedding and control areas, whereas there was a significant effect of time on soluble N concentrations but no significant differences between bedding and control areas. Although these results are preliminary, it seems as if sheep bedding can alter the nutrient content of soils increasing some measures of soil nutrients, while decreasing others, which ultimately can affect the productivity and plant species diversity in these areas

Impact of sheep bedding on soil nutrient dynamics in the Centennial Mountains of Montana and Idaho

Sheep and lamb production is an important industry in Idaho, with summer sheep grazing in the mountains a common practice. Sheep are concentrated in bedding areas at night leading to concentrated grazing and manure and urine accumulation in these areas. To address the effects of bedding on soil nutrient status, we monitored 16 bedding areas in the Centennial Mountains, with a general survey performed in 2004 followed by more intense monitoring of six sites from 2005 to 2006. In 2004, soils were analyzed for total carbon (C) and nitrogen (N), organic C, total P, Olsen P, water-soluble phosphorus (WSP), soluble nitrate, and soluble ammonium. Over the period 2005–2006, soils were analyzed for soluble nutrients including Olsen P, WSP, soluble nitrate, and soluble ammonium. The 16 sites evaluated in 2004 had significantly greater total N, C, and organic C concentrations in the nonbedded areas, whereas Olsen P, WSP, and ammonium concentrations were greater in the bedding areas. When six sites were monitored over time, there was no significant effect of bedding on soluble P concentrations over time or between bedding and control areas, whereas there was a significant effect of time on soluble N concentrations but no significant differences between bedding and control areas. Although these results are preliminary, it seems as if sheep bedding can alter the nutrient content of soils increasing some measures of soil nutrients, while decreasing others, which ultimately can affect the productivity and plant species diversity in these areas

Evaluation of a dithiocarbamate derivative as an inhibitor of human glutaredoxin-1

Context: Glutaredoxins (GRX) are involved in the regulation of thiol redox state. GRX-1 is a cytosolic enzyme responsible for the catalysis of deglutathionylation of proteins. To date, very few inhibitors of GRX-1 have been reported. Objective: The objective of this paper is to report 2-acetylamino-3-[4-(2-acetylamino-2-carboxyethyl-sulfanylthiocarbonylamino)phenylthiocarbamoylsulfanyl]propionic acid (2-AAPA) as an inhibitor of human GRX-1. Materials and methods: The mechanism of inhibition of GRX-1 was investigated using dialysis, substrate protection, and mass spectrometry. Results: 2-AAPA inhibits GRX-1 in a time and concentration dependent manner. The activity did not return following dialysis indicating that inhibition is irreversible. Results of substrate protection and mass spectrometry indicate that the inhibition is occurring at the active site. The compound also produced GRX inhibition in human ovarian cancer cells. Discussion: 2-AAPA is an irreversible GRX-1 inhibitor with similar or greater potency compared to previously reported inhibitors. Conclusion: The inhibition of GRX-1 by 2-AAPA could be used as a tool to study thiol redox state