Blood and saliva-derived exomes from healthy Caucasian subjects do not display overt evidence of somatic mosaicism
- Authors: Hall, Nathan , Mamrot, Jared , Frampton, Chris , Read, Prue , Steele, Edward , Bischoff, Robert , Lindley, Robyn
- Date: 2020
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Mutation Research - Fundamental and Molecular Mechanisms of Mutagenesis Vol. 821, no. (2020), p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Somatic mosaicism is a normal occurrence during development in the tissues and organs. As part of establishing a “healthy population “(HP) background or base-line, we investigated whether such mosaicism can be routinely detected in the circulating DNA secured from a rigorously designed healthy human liquid biopsy clinical trial (saliva, blood). We deployed next generation (NG) whole exome sequencing (WES) at median exome coverage rates of 97.2 % (-to-30x) and 70.0 % (-to-100x). We found that somatic mosaicism is not detectable by such standard bulk WES sequencing assays in saliva and blood DNA in 24 normal healthy Caucasians of both sexes from 18 to 60 years of age. We conclude that for circulating DNA using standard WES no novel somatic mutational variants can be detected in protein-coding regions of normal healthy subjects. This implies that the extent within normal tissues of somatic mosaicism must be at a lower level, below the detection threshold, for these circulating DNA WES read depths. © 2020 The Author(s)
Retention of essential amino acids during extrusion of protein and reducing sugars
- Authors: Singh, Shivendra , Wakeling, Lara , Gamlath, Shirani
- Date: 2007
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry Vol. 55, no. 21 (2007), p. 8779-8786
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: This research investigates the retention of essential amino acid profiles of products during the extrusion of proteins and reducing sugars. Animal proteins (egg and milk protein at 10 and 30% levels) and reducing sugars (fructose and galactose at 0, 2, and 8% levels), with pregelatinized wheat flour, were extruded at 110 and 125°C product temperatures and feed moistures of 19 and 23.5% for egg protein and 13.75 and 16% for milk protein. The nutritional property analyzed was essential amino acid retention, and sugar retention was also considered to understand the relationship of sugars with retention of amino acids. Lysine showed the lowest retention (up to 40%) of all the essential amino acids. Retention of other essential amino acids varied from 80 to 100% in most situations. Apart from lysine, tryptophan, threonine, and methionine were found to be significantly changed (P < 0.05) with processing conditions. Increased protein and sugar levels resulted in a significant degradation of lysine. Greater lysine retention was found at a lower temperature and higher feed moisture. Results of sugar retention also showed similar patterns. The products made from fructose had greater lysine retention than products made from galactose with any type of protein. The outcomes of this research suggested that the combination of milk protein and fructose at a lower temperature and higher feed moisture is most favorable for developing high-protein extruded products. © 2007 American Chemical Society.
- Description: C1
- Description: 2003004841
Application of high-speed countercurrent chromatography for the isolation of sulforaphane from broccoli seed meal
- Authors: Liang, Hao , Li, Chunfang , Yuan, Qipeng , Vriesekoop, Frank
- Date: 2008
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry Vol. 56, no. 17 (2008), p. 7746-7749
- Full Text: false
- Description: In order to produce large amounts of pure sulforaphane for research purposes, a novel method using high-speed countercurrent chromatography (HSCCC) was developed. Without any initial cleanup steps, sultoraphane was successfully purified from the ethyl acetate extract of the broccoli seed meal by HSCCC. The separation was performed with two-phase solvent systems: n-hexane/ethyl acetate/ methanol/water (1:5:1:5, v/v/v/v). From 850 mg of the ethyl acetate extract, 186 mg of sultoraphane was isolated with the solvent system. The purified compound was over 97% purity as determined by HPLC analysis, and the chemical structure was confirmed by MS and 1H and 13C NMR. © 2008 American Chemical Society.
Nitrate import-export dynamics in groundwater interacting with surface-water in a wet-tropical environment
- Authors: Rasiah, Velu , Armour, John , Cogle, A.L. , Florentine, Singarayer
- Date: 2010
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Australian Journal of Soil Research Vol. 48, no. 4 (2010), p. 361-370
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Solute import-export dynamics in groundwater (GW) systems interacting with surface-water are complex, particularly under farming systems receiving high fertiliser/pesticide inputs in high rainfall regions. We investigated whether any linkage existed between nitrate-N in: (i) leachate (LC) collected at similar to 1m depth under banana (Musa) and that in GW, and (ii) GW and drain-water (DW). We also assessed the hazard/risk of the concentrations against the trigger values proposed for the sustainable health of different aquatic ecosystems. The LC, GW, and DW samples were collected at short intervals during 3 consecutive rainy seasons (January-July) from a similar to 300-ha banana farm in the wet tropical Tully River Catchment in north-east Queensland, Australia. Water samples were analysed for nitrate-N, dissolved organic carbon, and electrical conductivity. The coefficients of variation, ranging from 13 to 132%, obtained for solute concentrations in LC, GW, and DW indicated large within-and between-season temporal variations. The mean nitrate-N concentrations in LC, GW, and DW were 5320, 4135, and 1976 mu g/L, respectively, and were orders of magnitude higher than the trigger values proposed for the sustainable health of most of the neighbouring aquatic ecosystems. Significant positive associations, with correlation coefficients ranging from 0.56 to 0.96, existed between rainfall received and LC volume collected, and between LC volume and solute concentration, including nitrate-N, in the LC. Similar associations existed between the solutes in (i) LC and GW and (ii) GW and DW. From these associations we conclude the unused/under-utilised nitrate that leached below the root-zone was imported into the GW by the percolating rainwater and was exported into the drain via GW base-flow discharge.
- Description: 2003008225
Short term effects of wild fire on invertebrates in coastal heathland in southeastern Australia
- Authors: Greenslade, Penelope , Smith, Derek
- Date: 2010
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Pacific Conservation Biology Vol. 16, no. 2 (2010), p. 123-132
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: Differences in the assemblages of terrestrial arthropod communities in burnt and adjacent unburnt areas of coastal heathland are reported. The burnt site experienced a wildfire 20 months prior to sampling. Collections of invertebrates from pitfall traps in winter indicated that there was no difference in total species richness or total numbers of individuals trapped between burnt and unburnt plots. However, at species level, 60 percent of the taxa showed a strong preference for either burnt areas or unburnt areas with only a few species trapped in around equal numbers in both areas. Twenty percent of species were only found on the unburnt plots. The implications of these results for fire management are discussed.
Composition of pecan cultivars Wichita and Western Schley [Carya illinoinensis (Wangenh.) K. Koch] grown in Australia
- Authors: Wakeling, Lara , Mason, Richard , D'Arcy, Bruce , Caffin, Nola
- Date: 2001
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry Vol. 49, no. 3 (2001), p. 1277-1281
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: Pecans from the cultivars Wichita and Western Schley [Carya illinoinensis (Wangenh.) K. Koch] collected over three years were analyzed for the following constituents: total lipid content; fatty acid profiles; sucrose content; protein; total dietary fiber; the minerals magnesium, calcium, potassium, sulfur, phosphorus, boron, copper, iron, manganese, sodium, zinc, and aluminum; vitamin C; and lipase and lipoxygenase activities. Year of harvest and cultivar had little effect on the composition of the pecans. Overall, protein content was the only constituent that differed between pecans grown in Australia and those grown in the United States. This difference is probably related to differences in growing location and horticultural practices between the two countries.
Physical and chemical changes during the maturation of Gordal Sevillana olives (Olea europaea L., cv. Gordal Sevillana)
- Authors: Menz, Garry , Vriesekoop, Frank
- Date: 2010
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry Vol. 58, no. 8 (2010), p. 4934-4938
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: A series of physical and chemical changes occur as olives mature on the tree, and these changes are important for the production of oil and table olives. The aim of this study was to increase the understanding of the maturation process of Gordal Sevillana olives, to optimize harvest timing, and to determine the most appropriate harvesting and post-harvesting processing methods. During maturation, the olive size, flesh/pit ratio, and oil content increased, with a maximum oil content of 72 g kg(-1) (wet weight). Changes in the fatty acid composition are reported. Levels of both total sugars and total phenolic compounds slightly decreased over the maturation period; however, we observed that these compounds were continually being synthesized until full black maturity. The optimal harvest time for the production of Gordal Sevillana as Spanish-style green olives occurred immediately prior to the color change from green to turning color, at which point the sugar levels and flesh/p! it ratio were at maximum levels.
Separation and purification of sulforaphane from broccoli seeds by solid phase extraction and preparative high-performance liquid chromatography
- Authors: Liang, Hao , Li, Chunfang , Yuan, Qipeng , Vriesekoop, Frank
- Date: 2007
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry Vol. 55, no. 20 (2007), p. 8047-8053
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: A novel, rapid, and economical method to isolate and purify natural sulforaphane from broccoli seeds is described. The procedure involves solvent extraction of autolyzed seed meal, followed by separation by solid phase extraction (SPE) and purification by preparative high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The SPE method provides higher yield of sulforaphane from crude extracts compared to conventional liquid-liquid extraction. High purity and recovery of sulforaphane product can be obtained by preparative HPLC with a C18 column and 30% methanol in water as the mobile phase. The purified compound was characterized by MS and 1H and 13C NMR. The techniques described here are useful tools in the preparative-scale isolation of sulforaphane in a fast, cost-effective, and waste-conscious manner. © 2007 American Chemical Society.
- Description: C1
- Description: 2003004835
Investigations into the thiamine and riboflavin content of malt and the effects of malting and roasting on their final content
- Authors: Hucker, Barry , Wakeling, Lara , Vriesekoop, Frank
- Date: 2012
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Cereal Science Vol.56, no.2 (2012), p.300-306
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: A simple and effective method for the analysis of thiamine (B1) and riboflavin (B2) vitamers, in unmalted and malted grains, by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) has been developed. This method makes use of trichloroacetic acid (TCA) as an extraction medium to effectively clean up the sample and analyze the vitamer content with high accuracy (R2 > 0.9992; %RSD < 5%). This method was employed in the routine analysis of a wide range of malted and unmalted grains, and it was found that lighter colored malts contain higher concentrations (2–5 times higher) of thiamine and riboflavin vitamers compared to darker colored malts. The malting process has no effect on the overall riboflavin content; however, both steeping and kilning processes cause increases in thiamine vitamer content. Roasting profiles show that thiamine and riboflavin vitamer concentrations are significantly effected when the temperature reaches 120 °C, which explains why roasted products have lower vitamer content than paler malts.
- Description: A simple and effective method for the analysis of thiamine (B
Molecular data contradicts historical records and cautions translocation of the Lord Howe Island masked owl
- Authors: Hogan, Fiona , Campbell, Catriona , Harrison, Katharine , Milledge, David , Cooke, Raylene
- Date: 2013
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Biological Conservation Vol. 159, no. (2013), p. 313-320
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: Masked owls, reputedly all of the Tasmanian race (Tyto novaehollandiae castanops) were introduced onto Lord Howe Island (LHI) in the 1920s in an attempt to control the black rat (Rattus rattus). This attempt, however, has been unsuccessful and a co-eradication of the rats and masked owls has been planned to reduce the threat to endemic species and breeding seabirds on the island. As the Tasmanian masked owl is considered endangered, translocation of LHI masked owls to Tasmania has been suggested. Before translocation is considered the ancestry of the LHI masked owl needs to be confirmed, as LHI masked owls are typically smaller and paler than individuals occurring in Tasmania. Here we sequenced three sections of mitochondrial gene regions: cytochrome b, ATP6 and ND3 to assess the provenance of the LHI masked owl and screened a suite of microsatellite loci isolated from the barn owl (Tyto alba) to assess contemporary divergence. Phylogenetic analysis revealed two clades, one exhibited by individuals from LHI and south-eastern mainland Australia and the second by those from Tasmania. Cross species amplification of microsatellite loci was successful, with 18 loci polymorphic. Genotypic data revealed significant sub-structuring between LHI, south-eastern mainland Australia and Tasmania. Data presented here indicate that the south-eastern mainland masked owl was introduced to LHI and subsequently reproduced. The genetic integrity of the LHI masked owl population is therefore questionable and as such LHI individuals may not be suitable for translocation to Tasmania.
Field vaccination of sheep with a larval-specific antigen of the gastrointestinal nematode, Haemonchus contortus, confers significant protection against an experimental challenge infection
- Authors: Piedrafita, David , De Veer, Michael , Lydall, Jayne , Kraska, Troy , Elhay, Martin , Meeusen, Els
- Date: 2012
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Vaccine Vol. 30, no. 50 (2012), p. 7199-7204
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: The availability of effective vaccines would add a valuable tool to the management of gastrointestinal nematode infections in livestock. While some experimental vaccines have shown protection in laboratory trials, few have been tested in the field. In the present study, eight month old sheep kept on pasture were treated with anthelmintic 8 weeks before vaccination with a larval surface antigen of the nematode parasite, Haemonchus contortus, under a commercially acceptable protocol, i.e. 2 immunizations using a commercial adjuvant; they were then given a controlled challenge infection 4 weeks later in indoor pens. Vaccination of sheep with 4 increasing doses of antigen resulted in significant reductions of 61% and 27% in cumulative faecal egg counts in the two highest dose groups, and a 69% reduction in worm burden in the highest dose group. Blood loss, as determined by packed cell volume, was also significantly reduced in the highest dose group of sheep. One outlier sheep showed an unusual increase in egg count without a concomitant increase in worm burden compared to the control sheep, indicating a vaccine-induced stress response. Antigen-specific serum antibody levels steadily increased in sheep while on pasture and decreased when transported to indoor pens. No difference in antibody levels could be detected between vaccinated and unvaccinated sheep, but all showed increased antibody levels compared to uninfected control sheep kept in indoors pens for 2–3 months, suggesting sheep were sensitized to the larval antigen either from low dose pasture contamination or cross reaction with pasture-related antigens. The results of these studies confirm the protective properties of the larval surface antigen and its protective effect when vaccinations are performed in the field.
Identification of observed factors that predict bather water-immersions at beaches
- Authors: Morgan, Damian , Ozanne-Smith, Joan
- Date: 2013
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Ocean and Coastal Management Vol. 84, no. (2013), p. 180-183
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: Coastal managers require accurate and relevant visitor information to manage visitor's leisure and recreation experiences. The study reports the development of a predictive model of bather water-immersions at selected beaches in Victoria, Australia for the daily peak-bathing period. Criterion variable data were collected over two summer periods to provide external validation. Predictor variables were observed on site or from secondary data. Results showed a statistically significant model meeting the required assumptions: Adjusted R2 = 0.65: F2, 292 = 270.50, p < 0.001; R2 95% CI: 0.58 to 0.71. Significant predictor variables were daily maximum air temperature and level of service (no service, toilet/water, or kiosk/club). Further research is required to assess the model generalisability to other beach locations and time frames
Interleukin-6 inhibition of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha expression is mediated by JAK2- and PI3K-induced STAT1/3 in HepG2 hepatocyte cells
- Authors: Chew, Guatsiew , Myers, Stephen , Shu-Chien, A. C. , Muhammad, Tengku
- Date: 2014
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry Vol. 388, no. 1-2 (2014), p. 25-37
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is the major activator of the acute phase response (APR). One important regulator of IL-6-activated APR is peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPAR
Isolation and characterisation via 454 sequencing of microsatellites from the tawny frogmouth, Podargus strigoides (Class Aves, Family Podargidae)
- Authors: Hogan, Fiona , Weaving, Marian , Johnston, Gregory , Gardner, Michael
- Date: 2012
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Australian Journal of Zoology Vol. 60, no. 2 (2012), p. 133-136
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: We isolated 24 novel polymorphic microsatellite markers from the tawny frogmouth, a nocturnal bird endemic to Australia, which has successfully adapted to urban environments. Initially, 454 shotgun sequencing was used to identify 733 loci with primers designed. Of these, we trialled 30 in the target species of which all amplified a product of expected size. Subsequently, all 30 of these loci were screened for variation in 25 individuals, from a single population in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Twenty-eight loci were polymorphic with observed heterozygosity ranging from 0.03 to 0.96 (mean 0.58) and the number of alleles per locus ranged from 2 to 18 (average of 6.5); we confirmed that 24 loci conformed to Hardy–Weinberg expectations. The 24 loci identified here will be sufficient to unequivocally identify individuals and will be useful in understanding the reproductive ecology, population genetics and the gene flow amongst localities in urban environments where this bird thrives.
Challenges in applying scientific evidence to width recommendations for riparian management in agricultural Australia
- Authors: Hansen, Birgita , Reich, Paul , Cavagnaro, Timothy , Lake, Philip
- Date: 2015
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Ecological Management and Restoration Vol. 16, no. 1 (2015), p. 50-57
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: Intact riparian zones maintain aquatic-terrestrial ecosystem function and ultimately, waterway health. Effective riparian management is a major step towards improving the condition of waterways and usually involves the creation of a 'buffer' by fencing off the stream and planting vegetation. Determination of buffer widths often reflects logistical constraints (e.g. private land ownership, existing infrastructure) of riparian and adjacent areas, rather than relying on rigorous science. We used published information to support riparian width recommendations for waterways in agricultural Victoria, Australia. We focused on different ecological management objectives (e.g. nutrient reduction or erosion control) and scrutinised the applicability of data across different environmental contexts (e.g. adjacent land use or geomorphology). Not surprisingly, the evidence supported variable 'effective' riparian widths, depending on the objective and environmental context. We used this information to develop a framework for determining riparian buffer widths to meet a variety of ecological objectives in south-east Australia. Widths for reducing nutrient inputs to waterways were most strongly supported with quantitative evidence and varied between 20 and 38 m depending on environmental context. The environmental context was inconsistently reported, making it difficult to recommend appropriate widths, under different land-use and physiographic scenarios. The evidence to guide width determination generally had high levels of uncertainty. Despite the considerable amount of published riparian research, there was insufficient evidence to demonstrate that implemented widths achieved ecological objectives. We emphasise the need for managers to clearly articulate the objectives of proposed riparian management and carefully consider the environmental context. Monitoring ecological responses associated with different riparian buffer widths is essential to support future management decisions.
Herbaceous vegetation response to a grazing exclusion in patches and inter-patches in semi-arid pasture and woody encroachment
- Authors: Good, Megan , Schultz, Nick , Tighe, Matthew , Reid, Nick , Briggs, Sue
- Date: 2013
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment Vol. 179, no. (2013), p. 125-132
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Semi-arid rangelands have strong feedbacks between vegetation and abiotic factors (rainfall and soil), which manifest at the small patch/inter-patch scale. The effects of excluding grazing at the small patch scale have not been studied in these systems, despite fine-grained patch/inter-patch mosaics determining landscape-scale ecosystem function and productivity. We established small (1 m × 1 m) grazing exclosures and monitored change in herbaceous vegetation cover quarterly over 2 years, in grazed and ungrazed patches (high herbaceous vegetation cover) and inter-patches (low herbaceous vegetation cover), in woody encroachment and pasture sites in semi-arid eastern Australia. Prior to excluding grazing, herbaceous groundcover in pasture patches (63–67%) was significantly greater than in woody encroachment patches (15–16%) or inter-patches in both vegetation states (0–1%). The effect of grazing exclusion on herbaceous cover varied between patch type and vegetation state. In the absence of grazing, herbaceous cover was significantly greater in pasture patches than in woody encroachment patches at every monitoring time. Initial differences in herbaceous cover between woody encroachment patches and pasture patches was significantly less pronounced with continued grazing pressure, indicating that grazing pressure can negatively influence the positive effect of a lack of woody plants on herbaceous growth in pastures. Grazed pasture patches had significantly less herbaceous cover than ungrazed pasture patches at every monitoring time, whereas in woody encroachment, grazed patches had less herbaceous cover than ungrazed patches on only two occasions in the second year. Inter-patches in both vegetation states failed to respond to grazing exclusion in the 2-year study period. Herbaceous cover change in semi-arid rangelands is a function of grazing, rainfall and woody plant incidence. If grazing pressure in pasture patches is not carefully managed to maintain herbaceous cover, the positive effects of high rainfall and low woody plant abundance on herbaceous cover can rapidly diminish. Improving herbaceous groundcover overall will require an interventionist approach to overcome barriers to plant establishment in inter-patch areas such as the lack of resource retention.
Fetal sex affects expression of renin-angiotensin system components in term human decidua
- Authors: Wang, Yu , Pringle, Kirsty , Sykes, Shane , Marques, Francine , Morris, Brian , Zakar, Tamas , Lumbers, Eugenie
- Date: 2012
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Endocrinology Vol. 153, no. 1 (January 2012), p. 462-468
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: The maternal decidua expresses the genes of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS). Human decidua was collected at term either before labor (i.e. cesarean delivery) or after spontaneous labor. The mRNA for prorenin (REN), prorenin receptor (ATP6AP2), angiotensinogen (AGT), angiotensinconverting enzymes 1 and 2 (ACE1 and ACE2), angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AGTR1), and angiotensin 1-7 receptor (MAS1) were measured by quantitative real-time RT-PCR. Decidual explants were cultured in duplicate for 24 and 48 h, and all RAS mRNA, and the secretion of prorenin, angiotensin II, and angiotensin 1-7 was measured using quantitative real-time RT-PCR, ELISA, and radioimmunoassay, respectively. In the decidua collected before labor, REN mRNA levels were higher if the fetus was female. In addition, REN, ATP6AP2, AGT, and MAS1 mRNA abundance was greater in decidual explants collected from women carrying a female fetus, as was prorenin protein. After 24 h, ACE1 mRNA was higher in the decidual explants from women with a male fetus, whereas after 48 h, both ACE1 and ACE2 mRNA was higher in decidual explants from women with a female fetus. Angiotensin II was present in all explants, but angiotensin 1-7 levels often registered below the lower limits of sensitivity for the assay. After labor, decidua, when compared with nonlaboring decidua, demonstrated lower REN expression when the fetus was female. Therefore, the maternal decidual RAS is regulated in a sex-specific manner, suggesting that it may function differently when the fetus is male than when it is female.
- Description: C1
Looking forward through the past: Identification of 50 priority research questions in palaeoecology
- Authors: Mills, Keely
- Date: 2014
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Ecology Vol. 102, no. 1 (2014), p. 256-267
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: Priority question exercises are becoming an increasingly common tool to frame future agendas in conservation and ecological science. They are an effective way to identify research foci that advance the field and that also have high policy and conservation relevance. To date, there has been no coherent synthesis of key questions and priority research areas for palaeoecology, which combines biological, geochemical and molecular techniques in order to reconstruct past ecological and environmental systems on time-scales from decades to millions of years. We adapted a well-established methodology to identify 50 priority research questions in palaeoecology. Using a set of criteria designed to identify realistic and achievable research goals, we selected questions from a pool submitted by the international palaeoecology research community and relevant policy practitioners. The integration of online participation, both before and during the workshop, increased international engagement in question selection. The questions selected are structured around six themes: human–environment interactions in the Anthropocene; biodiversity, conservation and novel ecosystems; biodiversity over long time-scales; ecosystem processes and biogeochemical cycling; comparing, combining and synthesizing information from multiple records; and new developments in palaeoecology. Future opportunities in palaeoecology are related to improved incorporation of uncertainty into reconstructions, an enhanced understanding of ecological and evolutionary dynamics and processes and the continued application of long-term data for better-informed landscape management. Synthesis. Palaeoecology is a vibrant and thriving discipline, and these 50 priority questions highlight its potential for addressing both pure (e.g. ecological and evolutionary, methodological) and applied (e.g. environmental and conservation) issues related to ecological science and global change.
Abundant stocks and mobilization of elements in boreal acid sulfate soils
- Authors: Yli-Halla, Markku , Virtanen, Seija , Mäkelä, Minna , Simojoki, Asko , Hirvi, Mirva , Innanen, Saila , Mäkelä, Jaakko , Sullivan, Leigh
- Date: 2017
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Geoderma Vol. 308, no. (2017), p. 333-340
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: Large amounts of sulfate and divalent iron (Fe) are released into the pore water of acid sulfate (AS) soils upon oxidation of sulfidic materials. The simultaneously produced acidity dissolves metals from the soil matrix. Reduced horizons of AS soils commonly have a large mineral nitrogen (N) stock in the form of NH4 +-N, which is a potential source of N leaching and gaseous emissions. This study was carried out at three AS soil sites in Finland. Cation composition of pore water was monitored in a monolithic lysimeter experiment. Timothy samples grown in an AS soil were analysed for mineral elements and the soil was investigated for zinc (Zn) distribution in different chemical species at four depths down to 85 cm. The composition of pipestems formed in previous root channels was investigated by SEM, X-ray EDX and XRD. Emissions of CO2 and N2O were measured in an AS field which had a peaty topsoil. Monitoring by closed chambers was carried out at three sites differing in the depth of peat layer (15, 30 and 60 cm). In the sulfuric horizon, large amounts of calcium and magnesium were mobilized. Reflooding stopped the mobilization of those elements but resulted in abundant dissolution of Fe, which became the dominant cation in the pore water. Timothy growing in an AS soil showed only small deviations from the average composition measured in Finland with the exception of Zn that was at the deficiency level. As Zn in the root zone had been dissolved and subsequently leached, it was recovered in easily soluble forms in the subsoil. Pipestem composition indicated accumulation of Fe and formation of a new solid phase probably mostly in the form of schwertmannite even though jarosite was also detected. The annual CO2 emissions from the peaty AS soil were about 6000 kg C ha− 1 but the N2O emissions were relatively small, with a magnitude more typical of mineral rather than organic soils. Thus, large N stock of an AS soil do not necessarily contribute to abundant gaseous N emissions. © 2017 Elsevier B.V.
Increased production through parasite control : can ancient breeds of sheep teach us new lessons?
- Authors: Piedrafita, David , Raadsma, Herman , Gonzalez, Jorge , Meeusen, Els
- Date: 2010
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Trends in Parasitology Vol. 26, no. 12 (2010), p. 568-573
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: With a rising world population and economic development, the global demand for meat, milk and other animal products is increasing dramatically. Controlling parasitic diseases in livestock, in particular helminth infections, could rapidly improve productivity and resource utilization. There is a growing interest in indigenous ruminant breeds because these animals have adapted to survive with minimal maintenance in the presence of high exposure to parasite infection. Recent findings on the mechanisms of parasite resistance in indigenous breeds are discussed, and the possibility that such studies may lead to new insight into the immunity and control of parasites proposed. These findings have important implications for the preservation of poorly characterized local indigenous breeds.