The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of diet and 677 C®T mutation of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene on plasma homocyst(e)ine concentrations in an adolescent population (113 males, age: 14.2±2.4 years; 202 females, age: 14.9±2.1 years) from a region characterized by high cardiovascular mortality. Homocyst(e)ine levels did not differ between males and females (9.4±3.5 and 8.9±3.1 mmol/l, respectively). The homozygosity for the 677 C®T MTHFR mutation was found in 4.6 % of subjects. No differences in homocyst(e)ine levels were found between MTHFR genotypes. Analysis of the diet composition which was performed on a 24-hour daily recall basis and a food frequency questionnaire showed a low daily intake of vitamin B6 (males: 1.13 mg/66 % RDA; females: 0.92 mg/61 % RDA). Daily folic acid intake was 0.21 g/105 % RDA in males and 0.23 g/115 % RDA in females. The results of our study show that the high homocyst(e)ine levels in the adolescent population were not affected by the 677 C®T MTHFR mutation. We conclude that an insufficient dietary intake of vitamin B6 and folic acid is responsible for this finding. This is in accord with the recommendation that the dietary allowances for folate should be reset to the originally prescribed levels of 0.4 g/day which should be sufficient to control the homocysteine levels., K. Rašlová, A. Bederová, J. Gašparovič, P. Blažíček, B. Smolková., and Obsahuje bibliografii
a1_The effect of different muscle shortening velocity was studied during cycling at a pedalling rate of 60 and 120 rev.min-1 on the [K+]v in 21 healthy young men (aged 22.5±2.2 years, body mass 72.7±6.4 kg, VO2max 3.720±0.426 l . min-1) performing an incremental exercise test until exhaustion. The power output increased by 30 W every 3 min, using an electrically controlled ergometer Ergoline 800S (see Zoladz et al. J. Physiol. 488: 211-217, 1995). The test was performed twice: once at a cycling frequency of 60 rev.min-1 (test A) and a few days later at frequency of 120 rev.min-1 (test B). At rest and at the end of each step (i.e. the last 15 s) antecubital venous blood samples for [K+]v were taken. Gas exchange variables were measured continuously (breath-by-breath) using Oxycon Champion Jaeger. The pre-exercise [K+]v in both tests was not significantly different amounting to 4.24±0.36 mmol.l-1 in test A, and 4.37±0.45 mmol.l-1 in test B. However, the [K+]v during cycling at 120 rev.min-1 was significantly higher (p<0.001, ANOVA for repeated measurements) at each power output when compared to cycling at 60 rev.min-1. The maximal power output reached 293±31 W in test A which was significantly higher (p<0.001) than in test B, which amounted to 223±40 W. The VO2max values in both tests reached 3.720±0.426 l.min-1 vs 3.777±0.514 l.min-1. These values were not significantly different. When the [K+]v was measured during incremental cycling exercise, a linear increase in [K+]v was observed in both tests. However, a significant (p<0.05) upward shift in the [K+]v and a % VO2max relationship was detected during cycling at 120 rev.min-1. The [K+]v measured at the VO2max level in tests A and B amounted to 6.00±0.47 mmol.l-1 vs 6.04±0.41 mmol.l-1, respectively., a2_This difference was not significant. It can thus be concluded that a) generation of the same external mechanical power output during cycling at a pedaling rate of 120 rev.min-1 causes significantly higher [K+]v changes than when cycling at 60 rev.min-1, b) the increase of venous plasma potassium concentration during dynamic incremental exercise is linearly related to the metabolic cost of work expressed by the percentage of VO2max (increase as reported previously by Vollestad et al. J. Physiol. Lond. 475: 359-368, 1994), c) there is a tendency towards upward shift in the [K+]v and % VO2max relation during cycling at 120 rev.min-1 when compared to cycling at 60 rev.min-1., J. A. Zoladz, K. Duda, J. Majerczak, P. Thor., and Obsahuje bibliografii
The influence of different leaf-to-fruit (l-t-f) ratios on leaf net photosynthetic rate (PN) and fruit characteristics in Olea europaea L. cv. Frantoio was evaluated in 2001 and 2002. In both years, at the end of June, at the end of July, and in mid-September (first, second, and third time of treatment, respectively), defoliation or fruit thinning were performed to give l-t-f ratios of 1/1, 3/1, 5/1, and 7/1 (about 5.1, 15.3, 25.6, and 35.8 cm2 of leaf area per fruit, respectively) on girdled and ungirdled peripheral shoots. PN showed substantial seasonal and diurnal variations. In ungirdled shoots, no differences due to the different l-t-f ratios were observed, whereas in girdled shoots PN tended to be lower in shoots with a high l-t-f ratio. In general, the values of leaf transpiration rate (E), stomatal conductance (gs), sub-stomatal CO2 concentration (Ci), and dark respiration rate (RD) were associated with those of PN. The starch and reducing sugar contents and area leaf dry mass (ADM) tended to be higher in leaves on girdled shoots with high l-t-f ratio, whereas in ungirdled shoots no differences related to the different l-t-f ratios were observed. The higher saccharide content in the leaves and the lower PN, in the presence of a high Ci, observed in girdled shoots with a high l-t-f ratio suggests that the depression in PN in these shoots may be the result of a feedback inhibition of the photosynthetic mechanism that regulates such a process. The l-t-f ratio did not have a substantial effect on fruit drop. In ungirdled shoots, the different l-t-f ratios did not produce significant differences in terms of fruit growth and leaf dry matter and saccharide contents, whereas in girdled shoots fruit growth increased as the l-t-f ratio increased, particularly when treatments were applied at the initial stage of fruit development. The percentage of oil in the pulp, on a dry matter basis, was not substantially influenced by girdling and l-t-f ratio. The abundant availability of assimilates seemed to cause earlier fruit ripening and, at the same time, retard fruit senescence (fruit detachment force). Shoot growth was slightly reduced by girdling. The abundant availability of assimilates, induced by girdling associated with high l-t-f ratio, stimulated flower induction. and P. Proietti, L. Nasini, F. Famiani.
The effects of metabolisable sugars sucrose and glucose along with non-metabolisable isomers of sucrose palatinose and turanose were tested. Rate of oxygen evolution (P), electron transport rate (ETR), and photochemical quenching (qp) showed substantial decrease after 24 and 48 h by glucose and sucrose treatments, whereas there was no effect on all these parameters by the treatment with palatinose and turanose. Also the Fv/Fm ratio remained constant through the time of studies revealing that the maximal photochemical capacity of the cells was unchanged. Non-photochemical quenching (qN) showed a decrease compared to the control values by all the treatments. Hence P and Chl fluorescence parameter were affected only by those sugars which are used in the metabolic pathways and not by sugar analogues. and A. K. Sinha, T. Roitsch.
The rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis) is an important tropical crop with a high economic value that has been successfully cultivated in Xishuangbanna, China. Xishuangbanna has a long dry season (November-February) with cold nights and frequent fog events. Thus, it is important to select chilling-tolerant cultivars in order to understand better the role of fog in protecting rubber tree from chilling-induced photodamage. In this study, we examined the photosynthetic responses of six rubber tree cultivars (Lan 873, Yunyan 77-2, Yunyan 77-4, GT1, Reken 523, and Reyan 733-97) to night-chilling stress (0, 5, and 10°C) and two different irradiances (100 and 50% of full sunlight). Our results showed that all six cultivars could withstand nights at 10°C for three days, while night chilling at 0 and 5°C impaired photosynthesis, which was indicated by photoinhibition, decrease of soluble protein content, and accumulation of malondialdehyde. Reken 523 and Reyan 733-97 were more sensitive to night chilling than other cultivars. Low irradiance (50% of full sunlight) after the chilling treatment apparently mitigated the effect of night-chilling stress. It indicates that frequent fog events after cold nights might greatly contribute to the success of rubber tree cultivation in Xishuangbanna., Y.-H. Tian, H.-F. Yuan, J. Xie, J.-W. Deng, X.-S. Dao, Y.-L. Zheng., and Seznam literatury
We investigated net photosynthetic rate (PN) of ear and two uppermost (flag and penultimate) leaves of wheat cultivars Hongmangmai (drought resistant) and Haruhikari (drought sensitive) during post-anthesis under irrigated and non-irrigated field conditions. The PN of ear and flag leaf were significantly higher and less affected by drought in Hongmangmai than in Haruhikari. The rate of reduction in stomatal conductance (gs) was similar for the two cultivars, but intercellular CO2 concentration (Ci) in the flag leaf of Hongmangmai was lower than that of Haruhikari in non-irrigated treatment. No differences were observed in leaf water potential (ψ1) and osmotic adjustment of the flag leaf of the cultivars. These results imply that differences in photosynthetic inhibition on the flag leaf at low leaf ψ1 between the cultivars were primarily due to non-stomatal effects. Hence the main physiological factor associated with yield stability of Hongmangmai under drought stress may be attributed to the capacity for chloroplast activity in the flag leaf, which apparently allows sustained PN of flag leaf during grain filling under drought stress. The higher PN of ear in Hongmangmai under drought could also be related to its drought resistance. and T. Inoue ... [et al.].
The effect of a short (7 d), prolonged (14 d) soil drought (D) and (7 d) recovery (DR) on the leaf optical properties - reflectance (R), transmittance (T) and absorptance (A) in photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) and near infrared radiation (NIR) range of irradiation (750-1100 nm) was studied for maize and triticale genotypes differing in drought tolerance. The drought stress caused the changes in leaf optical properties parameters in comparison with non-drought plants. The observed harmful influence of drought was more visible for maize than triticale. and M. T. Grzesiak ... [et al].
Water stress usually impairs photosynthesis and plant growth. Acacia tortilis subsp. raddiana is well adapted to dry environments. The aim of the present study was to determine the impact of a progressive decrease in soil water content on photosynthetic-related parameters at the young seedling stage. Drought-induced plant responses occurred according to two types of kinetics. Water potential, stomatal conductance, and transpiration rates were rapidly affected by a decrease in soil water content, while chlorophyll fluorescence-related parameters and chlorophyll concentrations decreased only when soil water content was lower than 40%. The maximal efficiency of PSII photochemistry in the dark-adapted state remained unaffected by the treatment, whatever the stress duration. A. raddiana accumulated high concentrations of soluble sugars in relation to a stress-induced early stimulation of sucrose-phosphate synthase activity, while stimulation of invertase and sucrose synthase led to fructose accumulation only at the end of the stress period. We suggested that sugar accumulation may be involved in osmotic adjustment and protection of stressed tissues. A. raddiana was thus able to protect its photosynthetic machinery under drought conditions and may be considered as a promising species for revegetation of dry areas., S. Kebbas, S. Lutts, F. Aid., and Obsahuje bibliografii
Bottom sediments can be significant sinks for a variety of heavy metals and metalloids coming from various anthropogenic sources. When these sediments are dredged and disposed of to land, drying and oxidation can lead to several changes in their physico-chemical properties, such as redox potential and pH, and hence to changes in metal mobility. Therefore, this work was conducted to study the adsorptiondesorption behaviour of one selected heavy metal - copper - in three bottom sediment samples before and after drying. Moreover, possible geochemical associations of As, Cd, Co, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb and Zn in the airdried sediments were studied using a modified BCR sequential extraction protocol. Generally, redox state of the sediments changed from the highly anoxic to oxic and adsorption of Cu2+ decreased when the originally anoxic sediments were dried. On the other hand, the enhanced release of Cu2+ was observed from the air-dried sediments. The adsorption-desorption data showed that the changes in metal leachability occurred between originally anoxic and air dried sediments. In terms of water and soil pollution by Cu and likely other heavy metals, it appears that the dredged, air-dried sediments could represent somewhat greater contamination risks when compared with the originally anoxic sediments. Using the sequential extraction data, leaching potential of heavy metals and arsenic in the air-dried sediments was possible to evaluate with Cd, Co, Zn as the most mobile heavy metals, followed by Cu, Ni, As, Pb and Hg, respectively. and Dnové sedimenty sú významnými adsorbentmi celej rady ťažkých kovov a polokovov, ktoré pochádzajú z rôznych antropogénnych zdrojov. Po vyťažení týchto sedimentov z vodných nádrží na zemský povrch prechádzajú procesmi sušenia a oxidácie, ktoré menia niektoré ich vlastnosti, ako oxidačno-redukčný potenciál a pH, a teda môžu ovplyvňovať pohyblivosť potenciálne toxických kovov prítomných v sedimentoch. Z tohto dôvodu cieľom práce bolo štúdium adsorpcie a desorpcie jedného vybraného ťažkého kovu - medi - v troch vzorkách dnových sedimentov pred vysušením a po ňom. Okrem toho sme pomocou modifikovanej BCR metódy sekvenčnej extrakcie študovali možné geochemické interakcie ťažkých kovov (Cd, Co, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, Zn) a arzénu s jednotlivými zložkami dnových sedimentov. Ako ukázali experimentálne výsledky, počas sušenia sa zmenili redukčné podmienky v sedimentoch na oxidačné a adsorpčná kapacita vysušených sedimentov vzhľadom k Cu2+ bola výrazne nižšia ako u pôvodných sedimentov. Na druhej strane, množstvo uvoľneného Cu2+ z vysušených sedimentov bolo vyššie ako z pôvodných sedimentov. Uvedené zistenia teda poukazujú na zmenu v správaní a pohyblivosti potenciálne toxických prvkov medzi pôvodnými, redukčnými sedimentmi a tými, ktoré prešli procesom sušenia a oxidácie. Z hľadiska znečistenia prírodných vôd a pôd meďou a pravdepodobne aj ďalšími ťažkými kovmi sa zdá, že v porovnaní s pôvodnými kontaminovanými sedimentmi vyťažené a na vzduchu vysušené sedimenty môžu predstavovať vyššie riziko pre životné prostredie. Podľa výsledkov sekvenčnej extrakcie sa ukázalo, že Cd, Co a Zn sú po vysušení v skúmaných sedimentoch veľmi mobilnými prvkami, pričom pohyblivosť ostatných prvkov klesá v poradí Cu > Ni > As > Pb >> Hg.
The effect of ectomycorrhizal Pisolithus tinctorius (Pt) infection was studied on the growth and photosynthetic characteristics of Pinus densiflora seedlings grown at ambient (360 µmol mol-1, AC) and elevated (720 µmol mol-1, EC) CO2 concentrations. After 18 weeks, Pt inoculation had led to significantly increased dry mass and stem diameter of P. densiflora at both CO2 concentrations, relative to non-inoculated seedlings. Moreover, EC significantly increased the ectomycorrhizal development. The phosphate content in needles inoculated with Pt was about three times higher than without inoculation at both CO2 concentrations. The PAR saturated net photosynthetic rates (Psat) of P. densiflora inoculated with Pt were clearly higher than for control seedlings at both CO2 concentrations, and the maximum net photosynthetic rate (PN) at saturated CO2 concentration (Pmax) was higher than in controls. Moreover, the carboxylation efficiency (CE) and RuBP regeneration rate of the PN/Ci curve for P. densiflora inoculated with Pt were significantly higher than for non-inoculated seedlings at both CO2 concentrations, especially at EC. The water use efficiency (WUE) of seedlings inoculated with Pt grown at EC was significantly raised. Allocation of photosynthates to roots was greater in Pt inoculated pine seedlings, because of the enhanced activity of ectomycorrhiza associated with seedlings at EC. Moreover, PN of non-inoculated seedlings grown for 18 weeks at EC tended to be down regulated; in contrast, Pt inoculated seedlings showed no down-regulation at EC. The activity of ectomycorrhiza may therefore be enhanced physiological function related to water and phosphate absorption in P. densiflora seedlings at EC. and D. S. Choi ... [et al.].