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Adapting a allometric equation to quantify carbon sequestration rates on the Middle Elbe floodplain.MethodsX 2022Destructively sampling old Pedunculate oak () trees on the active floodplain of the Middle Elbe to create an allometric equation to estimate carbon stocks (CS) and...
Destructively sampling old Pedunculate oak () trees on the active floodplain of the Middle Elbe to create an allometric equation to estimate carbon stocks (CS) and carbon sequestration rates (CSR) would defeat the purpose of protecting increasingly vulnerable and threatened primeval floodplain forests. To nondestructively estimate CS and CSR, we have adapted a two-parameter allometric equation which uses tree height (H) and diameter at breast height (DBH) (Dik 1984, Zianis et al. 2005) into a 1-parameter equation that requires only DBH to quantify stocks and annual changes in carbon stock (carbon sequestration rates) for individual trees. The equations have also been adapted to estimate below- and above-ground carbon stocks of individual trees. The new method has:•Adapted a 2-parameter allometric equation which estimates tree volume to a 1-parameter equation which estimates above and below-ground carbon stock•Removed the requirement of tree height to reconstruct the carbon stock of trees at an annual timestep•An almost perfect linear relationship (Pearson R= 0.998) between carbon sequestration rate and basal area increment (BAI).
PubMed: 35958097
DOI: 10.1016/j.mex.2022.101800 -
Physiology and Molecular Biology of... Nov 2019The use of pedunculate oak ( L.), along with other tree species, for the afforestation of heavy metal contaminated lands is an attractive prospect. Little, however, is...
The use of pedunculate oak ( L.), along with other tree species, for the afforestation of heavy metal contaminated lands is an attractive prospect. Little, however, is known of tolerance and its antioxidative system response to heavy metal exposure. The main objective of the study was to determine the cadmium-induced changes in antioxidative system of pedunculate oak in an attempt to identify molecular mechanisms underlying Cd tolerance. This may be of great importance in respect of using for phytoremediation purposes. As the response of the antioxidative system to heavy metal contamination can vary within species, the research was conducted on oak seedlings from two different regions of origin. Differences in antioxidative system response of seedlings derived from tested regions of origin were noticed both at the transcript and enzyme activity levels. The obtained results indicate that ascorbate peroxidase (APX; EC 1.11.1.11) and superoxide dismutase (SOD; EC 1.15.1.1) play a first barrier role in oak seedlings response to the oxidative stress caused by Cd exposure. Catalase (CAT; EC 1.11.1.6) is involved in reducing the negative effects of prolonged Cd treatment.
PubMed: 31736541
DOI: 10.1007/s12298-019-00712-1 -
Oecologia Sep 2019Sunlight can accelerate the decomposition process through an ensemble of direct and indirect processes known as photodegradation. Although photodegradation is widely...
Sunlight can accelerate the decomposition process through an ensemble of direct and indirect processes known as photodegradation. Although photodegradation is widely studied in arid environments, there have been few studies in temperate regions. This experiment investigated how exposure to solar radiation, and specifically UV-B, UV-A, and blue light, affects leaf litter decomposition under a temperate forest canopy in France. For this purpose, we employed custom-made litterbags built using filters that attenuated different regions of the solar spectrum. Litter mass loss and carbon to nitrogen (C:N) ratio of three species: European ash (Fraxinus excelsior), European beech (Fagus sylvatica) and pedunculate oak (Quercus robur), differing in their leaf traits and decomposition rate, were analysed over a period of 7-10 months. Over the entire period, the effect of treatments attenuating blue light and solar UV radiation on leaf litter decomposition was similar to that of our dark treatment, where litter lost 20-30% less mass and had a lower C:N ratio than under the full-spectrum treatment. Moreover, decomposition was affected more by the filter treatment than mesh size, which controlled access by mesofauna. The effect of filter treatment differed among the three species and appeared to depend on litter quality (and especially C:N), producing the greatest effect in recalcitrant litter (F. sylvatica). Even under the reduced irradiance found in the understorey of a temperate forest, UV radiation and blue light remain important in accelerating surface litter decomposition.
Topics: Forests; France; Plant Leaves; Trees; Ultraviolet Rays
PubMed: 31363838
DOI: 10.1007/s00442-019-04478-x -
BMC Microbiology Sep 2013Host plant roots, mycorrhizal mycelium and microbes are important and potentially interacting factors shaping the performance of mycorrhization helper bacteria (MHB). We...
BACKGROUND
Host plant roots, mycorrhizal mycelium and microbes are important and potentially interacting factors shaping the performance of mycorrhization helper bacteria (MHB). We investigated the impact of a soil microbial community on the interaction between the extraradical mycelium of the ectomycorrhizal fungus Piloderma croceum and the MHB Streptomyces sp. AcH 505 in both the presence and the absence of pedunculate oak microcuttings.
RESULTS
Specific primers were designed to target the internal transcribed spacer of the rDNA and an intergenic region between two protein encoding genes of P. croceum and the intergenic region between the gyrA and gyrB genes of AcH 505. These primers were used to perform real-time PCR with DNA extracted from soil samples. With a sensitivity of 10 genome copies and a linear range of 6 orders of magnitude, these real-time PCR assays enabled the quantification of purified DNA from P. croceum and AcH 505, respectively. In soil microcosms, the fungal PCR signal was not affected by AcH 505 in the absence of the host plant. However, the fungal signal became weaker in the presence of the plant. This decrease was only observed in microbial filtrate amended microcosms. In contrast, the PCR signal of AcH 505 increased in the presence of P. croceum. The increase was not significant in sterile microcosms that contained plant roots.
CONCLUSIONS
Real-time quantitative PCR assays provide a method for directly detecting and quantifying MHB and mycorrhizal fungi in plant microcosms. Our study indicates that the presence of microorganisms and plant roots can both affect the nature of MHB-fungus interactions, and that mycorrhizal fungi may enhance MHB growth.
Topics: Bacterial Load; Basidiomycota; Colony Count, Microbial; DNA Primers; DNA, Bacterial; DNA, Fungal; Microbial Interactions; Mycorrhizae; Plant Roots; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; Soil Microbiology; Streptomyces
PubMed: 24025151
DOI: 10.1186/1471-2180-13-205 -
PloS One 2015To investigate image quality and radiation dose of CT colonography (CTC) with adaptive iterative dose reduction three-dimensional (AIDR3D).
OBJECTIVE
To investigate image quality and radiation dose of CT colonography (CTC) with adaptive iterative dose reduction three-dimensional (AIDR3D).
METHODS
Ten segments of porcine colon phantom were collected, and 30 pedunculate polyps with diameters ranging from 1 to 15 mm were simulated on each segment. Image data were acquired with tube voltage of 120 kVp, and current doses of 10 mAs, 20 mAs, 30 mAs, 40 mAs, 50 mAs, respectively. CTC images were reconstructed using filtered back projection (FBP) and AIDR3D. Two radiologists blindly evaluated image quality. Quantitative evaluation of image quality included image noise, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR). Qualitative image quality was evaluated with a five-score scale. Radiation dose was calculated based on dose-length product. Ten volunteers were examined supine 50 mAs with FBP and prone 20 mAs with AIDR3D, and image qualities were assessed. Paired t test was performed for statistical analysis.
RESULTS
For 20 mAs with AIDR3D and 50 mAs with FBP, image noise, SNRs and CNRs were (16.4 ± 1.6) HU vs. (16.8 ± 2.6) HU, 1.9 ± 0.2 vs. 1.9 ± 0.4, and 62.3 ± 6.8 vs. 62.0 ± 6.2, respectively; qualitative image quality scores were 4.1 and 4.3, respectively; their differences were all not statistically significant. Compared with 50 mAs with FBP, radiation dose (1.62 mSv) of 20 mAs with AIDR3D was decreased by 60.0%. There was no statistically significant difference in image noise, SNRs, CNRs and qualitative image quality scores between prone 20 mAs with AIDR3D and supine 50 mAs with FBP in 10 volunteers, the former reduced radiation dose by 61.1%.
CONCLUSION
Image quality of CTC using 20 mAs with AIDR3D could be comparable to standard 50 mAs with FBP, radiation dose of the former reduced by about 60.0% and was only 1.62 mSv.
Topics: Adult; Aged; Algorithms; Animals; Colon; Colonography, Computed Tomographic; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Pilot Projects; Radiation Dosage; Radiographic Image Enhancement; Sus scrofa; Young Adult
PubMed: 25635839
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0117116 -
Bioresource Technology Mar 2013This work describes the performance and microbial diversity in a sequencing batch reactor of a decentralized full-scale system for urban wastewater treatment under...
This work describes the performance and microbial diversity in a sequencing batch reactor of a decentralized full-scale system for urban wastewater treatment under limited aeration. The removal efficiency was: 83% for soluble chemical oxygen demand (SCOD), 60% for N-NH4(+), 70% for total suspended solids (TSS) and 80% for volatile suspended solids (VSS). The biomass concentration had a maximum value around 8.7gVSSL(-1) for organic load rate of 0.6gCODL(-1)d(-1). The food/microorganism ratios showed average of 0.2gCOD/gVSSd. The sludge bacterial flocs were formed an irregular arrangement with organisms attached such as Euglypha sp. and pedunculate ciliates. It was observed the presence of Bacteria domains including Nitrosomonas spp., Nitrobacter spp., Nitrospira and C. "Accumulibacter" cluster. The DPAO activity was 70%. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis showed changes in ribotype number over biological treatment time among the groups observed being some are linked to nutrient removal. The reactor showed viability to treat domestic wastewater.
Topics: Bacteria; Biodiversity; Biological Oxygen Demand Analysis; Biomass; Bioreactors; Brazil; DNA, Ribosomal; Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis; Flocculation; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; Phosphorus; Species Specificity; Waste Disposal, Fluid; Water Purification
PubMed: 23411457
DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2013.01.027 -
Journal of Veterinary Science Sep 2009A not pregnant 4-year-old Jersey cow was presented with the sudden appearance of respiratory noise, nasal discharge and moderate respiratory difficulty. Upon physical...
A not pregnant 4-year-old Jersey cow was presented with the sudden appearance of respiratory noise, nasal discharge and moderate respiratory difficulty. Upon physical examination a snoring-like noise, extended head and neck position, exaggerated abdominal effort, bilateral nasal discharge and left prescapular lymph node enlargement were noted. Sub-occlusion of the initial portion of the respiratory tract was suspected. Radiographic and endoscopic examinations revealed a pedunculate mass on the dorsal aspect of the rhinopharynx, which was removed with endoscopically assisted electrosurgery. Histologic examination revealed a chronic pyogranulomatous inflammation with eosinophilic club-like bodies surrounding small colonies of rod-shaped bacteria. Results of histochemical staining were consistent with Actinobacillus-like bacteria and a diagnosis of respiratory actinobacillosis was reached. Surgery and antibiotic therapy were resolutive, as demonstated by an endoscopic check at the second month after surgery, even without the association of the traditional iodine cure, which is regarded as the treatment of choice for actinobacillosis.
Topics: Actinobacillosis; Actinobacillus; Animals; Cattle; Cattle Diseases; Female; Respiratory Tract Infections; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 19687629
DOI: 10.4142/jvs.2009.10.3.265 -
Annals of Botany May 2014The interaction between forest fragmentation and predicted climate change may pose a serious threat to tree populations. In small and spatially isolated forest...
BACKGROUND AND AIMS
The interaction between forest fragmentation and predicted climate change may pose a serious threat to tree populations. In small and spatially isolated forest fragments, increased homozygosity may directly affect individual tree fitness through the expression of deleterious alleles. Climate change-induced drought stress may exacerbate these detrimental genetic consequences of forest fragmentation, as the fitness response to low levels of individual heterozygosity is generally thought to be stronger under environmental stress than under optimal conditions.
METHODS
To test this hypothesis, a greenhouse experiment was performed in which various transpiration and growth traits of 6-month-old seedlings of Quercus robur differing in multilocus heterozygosity (MLH) were recorded for 3 months under a well-watered and a drought stress treatment. Heterozygosity-fitness correlations (HFC) were examined by correlating the recorded traits of individual seedlings to their MLH and by studying their response to drought stress.
KEY RESULTS
Weak, but significant, effects of MLH on several fitness traits were obtained, which were stronger for transpiration variables than for the recorded growth traits. High atmospheric stress (measured as vapour pressure deficit) influenced the strength of the HFCs of the transpiration variables, whereas only a limited effect of the irrigation treatment on the HFCs was observed.
CONCLUSIONS
Under ongoing climate change, increased atmospheric stress in the future may strengthen the negative fitness responses of trees to low MLH. This indicates the necessity to maximize individual multilocus heterozygosity in forest tree breeding programmes.
Topics: Biomass; Droughts; Genes, Plant; Heterozygote; Microsatellite Repeats; Quercus
PubMed: 24638819
DOI: 10.1093/aob/mcu025 -
Taiwanese Journal of Obstetrics &... Jan 2020To evaluate differences in hysteroscopic findings between benign endometrial polyps and endometrial cancer.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate differences in hysteroscopic findings between benign endometrial polyps and endometrial cancer.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
From January 2012 to December 2016, we extracted 179 cases with endometrial polyps from 3066 women who underwent hysteroscopy followed by dilatation and curettage or transcervical resection, with 154 and 25 cases of benign and malignant endometrial polyps, respectively. Clinical characteristics, histopathological and hysteroscopic findings of the women were evaluated retrospectively.
RESULTS
The hysteroscopic findings of malignant polyps were hyper-vascular (72%, 18/25), ulcerative (64%, 16/25) and polyps with irregular surfaces (24%, 6/25). In contrast, pedunculate small growths with smooth surfaces were usually seen in the benign endometrial polyps (38.3%, 59/154). Hyper-vascular (OR: 142.6, 95% CI: 25.98-783.4) and polyps with irregular surfaces (OR: 12.02, 95% CI: 1.765-81.83) in hysteroscopic findings were significant strong predictors of endometrial polyps with endometrial cancer. Hysteroscopic findings of ulcerative changes were most strongly associated with a diagnosis of malignant polyps, with sensitivity, specificity, negative (NPV) and positive (PPV) predictive values of 64.0%, 100%, 94.5%, and 100%, respectively.
CONCLUSION
Women with hysteroscopic findings of endometrial polyps with hyper-vascular, ulcerative, and polyps with irregular surfaces had a high likelihood of endometrial cancer. A target biopsy of the polyps with these specific appearances should be performed to exclude malignant lesions.
Topics: Adult; Biopsy; Diagnosis, Differential; Dilatation and Curettage; Endometrial Neoplasms; Endometrium; Female; Humans; Hysteroscopy; Middle Aged; Polyps; Retrospective Studies; Sensitivity and Specificity; Uterine Diseases
PubMed: 32039807
DOI: 10.1016/j.tjog.2019.11.013 -
Comparative population genetics of swimming crab host ( and common symbiotic barnacle () in Vietnam.PeerJ 2021By comparing spatial geographical structures of host populations with that of their symbionts light can be shed on their biological interactions, and the degree of...
BACKGROUND
By comparing spatial geographical structures of host populations with that of their symbionts light can be shed on their biological interactions, and the degree of congruence between host and symbiont phylogeographies should reflect their life histories and especially dispersal mechanisms.
METHODS
Here, we analyzed the genetic diversity and structure of a host, the blue swimming crab, , and its symbiotic pedunculate barnacle from six location sites representing three geographic regions (north, central and south) along the Vietnam coastline. High levels of congruence in their phylogeographic patterns were expected as they both undergo planktonic larval stages.
RESULTS
Based on the COI mtDNA markers, populations showed higher genetic diversity in comparison with their host (number of haplotype/individuals, haplotype and nucleotide diversity are 119/192, 0.991 ± 0.002 and 0.02; and 89/160, 0.913 ± 0.02 and 0.015, respectively). Pairwise Fst and AMOVA analyses showed a more pronounced population structure in the symbiotic barnacle than in its crab host. The DAPC analyses identified three genetic clusters. However, both haplotype networks and scatter plots supported connectivity of the host and the symbiotic barnacle throughout their distribution range, except for low subdivision of southern population. Isolation by distance were detected only for the symbiont (R = 0.332, = 0.05), while dbMEM supported spatial structure of both partners, but only at MEM-1 (Obs. 0.2686, < 0.01 and Obs. 0.2096, < 0.01, respectively).
PubMed: 34277149
DOI: 10.7717/peerj.11671