Precision And Accuracy Of Pest And Pathogen Damage Assessment In Young Eucalypt Plantations

Fungal pathogens, browsing mammals, birds, insects, nutrient deficiencies, drought, frost and waterlogging are all damaging agents to plantation species. The subsequent loss in leaf tissue or reduced photosynthetic potential can reduce growth and potentially lead to tree death. The Crown Damage Index (CDI) was developed in Australia to quantify damage in young eucalypt plantations. The accuracy and precision of assessing damage at a tree level were determined to ensure the reliability, objectivity and repeatability of the CDI method. Nine assessors, with varying levels of experience, estimated damage on three plots of fifty trees each, to obtain an understanding of the subjectivity of assessing damage caused by insects (e.g. Chrysophtharta spp.) and fungal pathogens (e.g. Mycosphaerella spp.) on Eucalyptus globulus. Damage levels were measured by destructive sampling to enable direct comparisons between estimates and damage levels to be made. The most experienced assessors provided the most repeatable estimates and were generally the most accurate. The incidence of foliar necrosis was the least subjective measure while defoliation was the most subjective and the least accurate of the indices measured. All assessors, regardless of experience, were able to predict the Crown Damage Index (a combined index of all damage classes) to within 12% of measured damage levels.     

In vitro anti-inflammatory and free radical scavenging properties of Oldenlandia auricularia

Abstract

The in vitro anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of extract of Oldenlandia auricularia with 70% aqueous alcohol have been evaluated. The inhibition of nuclear translocation of nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells in lipopolysaccharide stimulated murine macrophage cells was evaluated. Messenger ribonucleic acid levels of tumor necrosis factor-α and cyclooxygenase-2 were analysed by quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction. O. auricularia (100?mg/L) showed better anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities when compared to its lower doses, whereas the standard drugs curcumin and diclofenac sodium showed significant anti-inflammatory and antioxidant potential. Treatment at this concentration inhibited the signalling pathway of nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells and messenger ribonucleic acid expression of tumor necrosis factor- α, and cyclooxygenase-2. Liquid chromatography/quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry revealed the presence of previously reported compounds auricularine, ursolic acid and β-sitosterol. The observed anti-inflammatory property of O. auricularia could be due to the inhibition of nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells p65 sub unit nuclear translocation and inhibition of its signalling pathway.     

Technogenic stress and its effect on deciduous trees (an example from parks in Yaroslavl)

A comparative analysis of several morphological, physiological, and biochemical characteristics of leaves has been performed in birch (Betula pendula Roth), linden (Tilia cordata Mill.), and poplar (Populus nigra L.) trees growing in industrial areas of Yaroslavl with different levels of anthropogenic pollution. The results show that high concentrations of pollutants in the atmosphere suppress the growth of leaves, and the number and severity of necrotic lesions in them increase. Water content in leaves becomes lower, whereas ash content increases. The contents of photosynthetic pigments change as well: the leaves contain smaller amounts of chlorophylls a and b, whereas the accumulation of carotenoids increases. Judging from changes in the test parameters, P. nigra is more resistant to pollution than B. pendula and T. nordata.     

苯作业对工人血清白细胞介素-6肿瘤坏死因子影响的研究

目的 :探讨苯作业工人血清中细胞因子白细胞介素 -6(IL-6)、肿瘤坏死因子 (TNF)的变化及其意义。方法 :用放射免疫法 ,对不同工龄的苯作业工人血清中IL-6,TNF浓度进行检测 ,并同白细胞变化进行对照比较。结果 :接苯作业工人血清中IL-6 ,TNF较对照组有明显升高 (P<0.05,P<0.01) ,且这些变化在白细胞明显降低前即已发生。结论 :苯作业可致工人血清TNF,IL-6水平的增高 ,这对苯中毒的早期诊断有一定意义。     

镉致鸡脾淋巴细胞凋亡及对p53mRNA表达的影响

应用吖啶橙/溴化乙锭荧光染色(AO/EB)法、DNA琼脂糖凝胶电泳及半定量RT-PCR法检测了氯化镉在浓度0～30mol/L范围内对体外培养的鸡脾脏淋巴细胞凋亡及对p53mRNA表达的影响.结果表明,浓度为0～30mol/L的镉能引起鸡脾脏淋巴细胞凋亡及干扰p53mRNA的表达,低浓度镉引起的细胞凋亡与p53mRNA的表达密切相关,而高浓度的镉能够导致鸡脾脏淋巴细胞坏死.