Amount Of 14C Research Articles

Cytosolic fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase isoform mediates metabolic adjustments in bean fruit pericarp to support seed growth.

Seed development requires substantial metabolic resources and is influenced by adverse environmental conditions. However, the ability of plants to produce viable seeds under restrictive conditions suggests the existence of mechanisms that make this process less sensitive to environmental stress. Uncovering their regulation could lead to the development of genotypes better adapted to stressful conditions. Plant response to stress is complex, and the contribution of organs such as the fruit pericarp to stress tolerance mechanism may have been underestimated. The bean fruit pericarp, a photosynthetic structure that contributes to seed development, can synthesize starch from surplus sucrose, which is later degraded during the rapid seed growth phase. This metabolic flexibility may be crucial for supporting seed growth when the photosynthate supply is reduced. To explore this possibility, we disrupted phloem continuity at the pedicel level in fruits about to enter the seed reserve accumulation stage. We used the capacity of the pericarp to incorporate 14CO2 to investigate changes in its metabolism. Our findings reveal that, in response to reduced photosynthate availability, the fruit pericarp did not increase 14CO2 fixation. However, the amount of 14C used for starch synthesis decreased, while the proportion used for soluble sugars synthesis increased. This shift resulted in an increase in 14C-products transported to seeds was accompanied by a significant increase in the activity of cytosolic fructose 1,6-bisphosphatase. Our results indicate that photosynthate restriction accelerates the degradation of pericarp storage proteins, and the increase in cFBPase activity could be crucial in converting the carbon produced in carbohydrates.

Defoliation modifies the impact of drought on the transfer of recent plant-assimilated carbon to soil and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi

Abstract Aims The allocation of recent plant photosynthates to soil via arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi is a critical process driving multiple ecosystem functions in grasslands. Yet, our understanding of how defoliation modifies below-ground allocation of recent plant photosynthate and its response to drought, which is becoming more intense and frequent, remains unresolved. Methods Here we undertook a 13C pulse-labelling experiment in a mesotrophic temperate grassland to evaluate in situ how defoliation intensity modifies the transfer of recently assimilated 13C from plant shoots to roots, extraradical AM fungal hyphae, soil, and 13C-CO2 efflux (soil respiration) in response to simulated drought. Results We found that, individually, both defoliation and drought reduced initial plant 13C uptake, but when defoliation and drought were combined, we detected a significant reduction in below-ground 13C allocation to soil. Furthermore, while defoliation stimulated 13C transfer to plant roots and soil, high intensity defoliation amplified 13C-CO2 efflux relative to the amount of 13C taken up by plants. Drought stimulated 13C transfer to fungal hyphae relative to initial plant uptake. High intensity defoliation, however, suppressed both 13C enrichment of extraradical AM fungal hyphae and 13C transfer to fungal hyphae relative to initial uptake. Conclusions Our findings suggest that defoliation can reduce the transfer of recent photosynthate below-ground under simulated drought and provide new insights into how defoliation may influence grassland C allocation dynamics and cycling between plants and AM fungi in grasslands facing drought.

Elevated CO2 enhanced the incorporation of 13C-residue into plant but depressed it in the microbe in the tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) rhizosphere soils

The translation of plant residue carbon in plant–soil–microbe systems under atmospheric CO2 (aCO2) and elevated CO2 (eCO2) is key to understanding the response of ecosystems to climatic change. Using stable isotope probing technology, we conducted an experiment on 3.5 g·kg−1 tomato 13C-residue (1050 ‰) added to tomato soils to investigate the decomposition and incorporation of 13C-residue under varied CO2 concentrations (aCO2 and eCO2: 400 and 800 μmol·mol−1, respectively). The results showed that the 13C-residue decomposition rate was stimulated by approximately 7.2 % and the 13C amount in plant stems was stimulated by 15.6 % (22.2 vs. 19.2 μg/pot), while the total 13C amount in soil microbial phospholipid fatty acids (PLFAs) was significantly decreased by 16.3 % (541 vs. 646 nmol·g−1), the DNA δ13C in soil microbes decreased by 5.1 % (−27.629 ‰ vs. −26.289 ‰), and soil δ13C decreased by 7.1 % (49.9 ‰ vs. 53.7 ‰) under eCO2. The microbial community structure involved in 13C-residue incorporation was significantly affected by the CO2 concentration. Firmicutes (Caldalkalibacillus 20.4 % and Bacillus 20.4 %) and Actinobacteria (Streptomyces 6.6 %) were the dominant phyla under aCO2 and eCO2, respectively. Proteobacteria (Dyella) were the most depleted microbes under eCO2, whereas almost no genera were found under aCO2. The 13C-residue decomposition rate was positively correlated with soil NO3−-N (r = 0.998, P < 0.05) at t1 (17 days of cultivation under varied CO2 concentrations), and DNA δ13C was positively related with soil pH (r = 0.978, P < 0.05) at t2 (35 days of cultivation under varied CO2 concentrations). Mantel tests showed that the microbial community composition involved in 13C incorporation was significantly correlated with the soil pH under various CO2 conditions (r = 0.879, P < 0.05). These results indicate that eCO2 stimulated the decomposition of 13C-residue and the transportation of 13C to the plant stem, but suppressed the incorporation of 13C into microbes (PLFA and DNA), which were adjusted by the rhizosphere N status and soil pH.

DISCUSSION: PRESENTATION OF ATMOSPHERIC 14CO2 DATA

ABSTRACTObservations of radiocarbon (14C) in Earth’s atmosphere and other carbon reservoirs are important to quantify exchanges of CO2 between reservoirs. The amount of 14C is commonly reported in the so-called Delta notation, i.e., Δ14C, the decay- and fractionation-corrected departure of the ratio of 14C to total C from that ratio in an absolute international standard; this Delta notation permits direct comparison of 14C/C ratios in the several reservoirs. However, as Δ14C of atmospheric CO2, Δ14CO2 is based on the ratio of 14CO2 to total atmospheric CO2, its value can and does change not just because of change in the amount of atmospheric14CO2 but also because of change in the amount of total atmospheric CO2, complicating ascription of change in Δ14CO2 to change in one or the other quantity. Here we suggest that presentation of atmospheric 14CO2 amount as mole fraction relative to dry air (moles of 14CO2 per moles of dry air in Earth’s atmosphere), or as moles or molecules of 14CO2 in Earth’s atmosphere, all readily calculated from Δ14CO2 and the amount of atmospheric CO2 (with slight dependence on δ13CO2), complements presentation only as Δ14CO2, and can provide valuable insight into the evolving budget and distribution of atmospheric 14CO2.

MONITORING OF MODERN CARBON FRACTION IN DISPOSABLE PACKAGING

ABSTRACT Radiocarbon (14C) methodology was used to investigate the presence of biocarbon in different bio-based disposable packaging products. Packaging waste contributes to a municipal solid waste, which is increasing environmental concerns and resulting in the enhancement of EU regulations that aim to reduce packaging waste. The 14C amount in samples reflects how much of the biocarbon has been used. In this study, the concentration of 14C was determined in commonly used types of disposable packaging, such as cups, plates, straws, cutlery, and baking paper. Samples were made of materials such as paper, wheat bran, sugarcane, and wood. The mean concentration of the 14C isotope, measured by the accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) technique, is greater than 100 pMC in all tested samples, indicating that the samples are modern. The relatively high 14C concentration values in the waterproof layer of the sample indicate that bioplastic, rather than plastic, was used in its production. The highest 14C isotope concentration values were measured for samples that used the oldest biomass (wood and paper), and the lowest for products from current crops (sugarcane and wheat bran), which is consistent with the trend of changes in 14C concentration in the biosphere. The study also addresses the problem of heterogeneity and representativeness of subsamples.

Mitochondrial damage and clearance in retinal pigment epithelial cells.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a devastating eye disease that causes permanent vision loss in the central part of the retina, known as the macula. Patients with such severe visual loss face a reduced quality of life and are at a 1.5 times greater risk of death compared to the general population. Currently, there is no cure for or effective treatment for dry AMD. There are several mechanisms thought to underlie the disease, for example, ageing-associated chronic oxidative stress, mitochondrial damage, harmful protein aggregation and inflammation. As a way of gaining a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms behind AMD and thus developing new therapies, we have created a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (PGC1α/NFE2L2) double-knockout (dKO) mouse model that mimics many of the clinical features of dry AMD, including elevated levels of oxidative stress markers, damaged mitochondria, accumulating lysosomal lipofuscin and extracellular drusen-like structures in retinal pigment epithelial cells (RPE). In addition, a human RPE cell-based model was established to examine the impact of non-functional intracellular clearance systems on inflammasome activation. In this study, we found that there was a disturbance in the autolysosomal machinery responsible for clearing mitochondria in the RPE cells of one-year-old PGC1α/NFE2L2-deficient mice. The confocal immunohistochemical analysis revealed an increase in autophagosome marker microtubule-associated proteins 1A/1B light chain 3B (LC3B) as well as multiple mitophagy markers such as PTE-induced putative kinase 1 (PINK1) and E3 ubiquitin ligase (PARKIN), along with signs of damaged mitochondria. However, no increase in autolysosome formation was detected, nor was there a colocalization of the lysosomal marker LAMP2 or the mitochondrial marker, ATP synthase β. There was an upregulation of late autolysosomal fusion Ras-related protein (Rab7) in the perinuclear space of RPE cells, together with autofluorescent aggregates. Additionally, we observed an increase in the numbers of Toll-like receptors 3 and 9, while those of NOD-like receptor 3 were decreased in PGC1α/NFE2L2 dKO retinal specimens compared to wild-type animals. There was a trend towards increased complement component C5a and increased involvement of the serine protease enzyme, thrombin, in enhancing the terminal pathway producing C5a, independent of C3. The levels of primary acute phase C-reactive protein and receptor for advanced glycation end products were also increased in the PGC1α/NFE2L2 dKO retina. Furthermore, selective proteasome inhibition with epoxomicin promoted both nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase and mitochondrial-mediated oxidative stress, leading to the release of mitochondrial DNA to the cytosol, resulting in potassium efflux-dependent activation of the absent in melanoma 2 (AIM2) inflammasome and the subsequent secretion of interleukin-1β in ARPE-19 cells. In conclusion, the data suggest that there is at least a relative decrease in mitophagy, increases in the amounts of C5 and thrombin and decreased C3 levels in this dry AMD-like model. Moreover, selective proteasome inhibition evoked mitochondrial damage and AIM2 inflammasome activation in ARPE-19 cells.

Unequal carbon and nitrogen translocation between ramets affects sexual reproductive performance of the clonal grass Leymus chinensis under nitrogen addition

Sexual reproduction is crucial for population continuity in clonal plants. The effect of nutrient translocation between ramets on sexual reproduction of clonal plants under nitrogen addition remains unclear. In this study, we focused on clonal fragments of Leymus chinensis reproductive ramets with different number of vegetative ramets connected to tillering nodes. A series of pot experiments was conducted under nitrogen addition, including 13C and 15N bidirectional labelling of vegetative ramets and reproductive ramets at the milk-ripe stage, determination of the 13C and 15N amount translocated, and assessment of the quantitative characteristics, nitrogen and carbon concentrations of reproductive ramets and vegetative ramets. Nitrogen addition promoted the translocation of 13C while inhibiting 15N between vegetative ramets and reproductive ramets. With an increase in the number of connected vegetative ramets, the 13C translocated by reproductive ramets and the 15N translocated by reproductive and vegetative ramets gradually increased. The translocation of 13C and 15N between vegetative and reproductive ramets was bidirectional and unequal. The translocated amount of 13C and 15N from reproductive ramets to vegetative ramets was always higher than that from vegetative ramets to reproductive ramets. Nitrogen addition did not prominently affect the sexual reproductive performance of L. chinensis, whereas the number of connected vegetative ramets both positively and negatively affected sexual reproductive performance. Ramet biomass is an important driver of nutrient acquisition by L. chinensis ramets. We demonstrate for the first time that unequal nutrient translocation between ramets affects sexual reproductive performance in L. chinensis. The findings contribute to an enhanced understanding of the reproductive strategies of clonal plant populations in future environments.

Warming influences carbon and nitrogen assimilation between a widespread Ericaceous shrub and root-associated fungi.

High-latitude ecosystems are warming faster than other biomes and are often dominated by a ground layer of Ericaceous shrubs, which can respond positively to warming. The carbon-for-nitrogen (C-for-N) exchange between Ericaceous shrubs and root-associated fungi may underlie shrub responses to warming, but has been understudied. In a glasshouse setting, we examined the effects of warming on the C-for-N exchange between the Ericaceous shrub Empetrum nigrum ssp. hermaphroditum and its root-associated fungi. We applied different 13 C and 15 N isotope labels, including a simple organic N form (glycine) and a complex organic N form (moss litter) and quantified their assimilation into soil, plant biomass, and root fungal biomass pools. We found that warming lowered the amount of 13 C partitioned to root-associated fungi per unit of glycine 15 N assimilated by E. nigrum, but only in the short term. By contrast, warming increased the amount of 13 C partitioned to root-associated fungi per unit of moss 15 N assimilated by E. nigrum. Our study suggests that climate warming affects the short-term exchange of C and N between a widespread Ericaceous shrub and root-associated fungi. Furthermore, while most isotope tracing studies use labile N sources, we demonstrate that a ubiquitous recalcitrant N source may produce contrasting results.

Radiocarbon (14C) accelerator mass spectrometry as a convenient tool for differentiation of flavor chemicals of synthetic origin from biobased sources and their in-vivo toxicity assessment

Plants are known to be the natural factory for the production of flavor chemicals. Essential oils comprised of aldehyde as a functional group are potent in deciphering flavor effects in beverages and fresh and prepared food products. In the majority, these are manufactured through synthetic routes, resulting in high product carbon footprints or CO2 equivalents in total greenhouse gas emission. FDA has banned some of the synthetic flavor chemicals due to the health hazards associated with them. However, consumer's preference for natural is at stake due to the absence of quantitative traceability tools. The accelerator mass spectrometer (AMS) analysis revealed a distinction between natural and fossil-derived citral and its blends in Cymbopogon essential oils. The plant-derived citral contained a percent modern carbon (pMC) value in the range of 99–100 %. In contrast, the fossil fuel-derived citral showed zero pMC. Similarly, blends of Cymbopogon oils with 30–50 % (w/w) of fossil origin citral contained pMC equivalent to the proportions of modern carbon. These results showed the usefulness of AMS in quantifying the amount of 14C associated with flavor ingredients. Besides, acute oral toxicity data revealed Cymbopogon oils as the safe flavoring substance at the highest 2000 mg/kg body weight dose in Swiss albino mice.

What cooling pond sediments can reveal about 14C in nuclear power plant liquid effluents: Case study Lake Drūkšiai, Ignalina nuclear power plant cooling pond.

The vertical distribution of radiocarbon (14C) was examined in two bottom sediment cores, taken from Lake Drūkšiai which had been used as a cooling pond for the Ignalina nuclear power plant (INPP) with two RBMK type reactors. The aim of this work was to reconstruct 14C amounts in the lake ecosystem during an 8-year period after the INPP was closed, as any official monitoring of 14C in liquid releases from the INPP was not performed. The possibility of comparing the variation of the 14C specific activity in the corresponding layers of the same period of 3 different cores (one taken in 2013 and two in 2019) revealed the variability of the determined values of liquid radiocarbon discharges from the INPP into the lake. Cores taken in 2019 showed a permament14C release rate of 0.76±0.06 GBq/y all eight years after the closure of the INPP. The 14C release rate established from radiocarbon measurements in both cores did not differ by more than 0.8 GBq/y. However, including data from the core taken several years ago, the estimated radiocarbon release rate values varied within 1.3 GBq/y.

Measuring Photosynthesis of Entire Tree Crowns and Pulse Label Trees in Large Closed Chamber with 13CO2 in the Field: Design and Testing

Measuring the photosynthesis of entire tree crowns and pulse labelling trees with 13CO2 are valuable approaches to study carbon acquisition, transfer, and allocation; however, it is challenging for trees in the field. The objective was to develop and field test large chambers (35 - 45 m3) that enclosed the entire crown of a tree, provided a reliable estimate of tree crown photosynthesis, and ensured efficient 13CO2 labelling. The chambers, made of transparent polyethylene film pulled tightly over a frame, were equipped with an air conditioner, fans, and air blowers. Air temperature, relative humidity, and photosynthetic photon flux density were measured outside and inside each chamber. Six of 4-year-old rubber trees (Hevea brasiliensis) were pulsed-labelled with 18 L of 13CO2 in June and October 2016. The mean air temperature inside the chambers was 1.2 °C higher and the relative humidity 8 % lower than the outside air. The crown photosynthesis, calculated from the decrease in the CO2 concentration inside the chamber, was in the range 140 - 249 µmol s–1 and was significantly related to photosynthetic photon flux density, total leaf area of the tree, and average net CO2 assimilation at leaf level. The labelling efficiency, estimated as the ratio of the amount of 13C recovered in the foliage immediately after labelling divided by the amount of 13C delivered to the tree, was in the range 43 - 68 %. The designed chamber was suitable to estimate crown photosynthesis and perform 13CO2 pulse labelling of 5-m-tall trees in the field. HIGHLIGHTS Measuring carbon acquisition, transfer, and allocation of entire trees in the field is a challenge The paper describes in detail the system including a 45 m3 chamber that was developed and tested to measure crown photosynthesis and to label trees 5 - 6 m tall with 13CO2 The system and methodology proved efficient in controlling the chamber temperature and providing appropriate conditions for leaf gas exchanges The rates of crown photosynthesis were consistent with measurements at the leaf and ecosystem levels, providing a clear relationship with photosynthetic photon flux density More than 1-half the injected 13CO2 was recovered in the leaves after the end of labelling, showing that the design of the chamber and the labelling protocol were effective for studying C allocation within the tree GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

A Living Lab approach for sustainable intensification of dairy production: A case study of an organic and a conventional farm in northern Italy

Working on feed production and feeding strategies is one of the key ways of mitigating dairy impacts and of increasing dairy efficiency and the nutritional quality of milk, all of which are priorities for global dairy sector stakeholders. Feed production, both on farm and off-farm, is one of the main contributors to dairy farm greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and it is known that the adopted feeding strategies influence farm nutrient balance, nutrient losses to the environment, and milk fatty acid profile. This study has been aimed at improving farm efficiency, environmental sustainability, and milk nutritional quality by acting on the management of the cropping system, and by promoting the on-farm production of feeds of high nutritional quality and high fiber digestibility in order to improve the self-sufficiency of metabolizable energy (ME) and protein (CP) for animal feeding. A multi-year study was conducted to analyze the shift in cropping system management on an organic farm and on a conventional dairy farm, considered as a “lighthouses”, and which were part of a Living Lab. Two 3-year pre-change periods (PRE) and two 3-year post-change periods (POST) with 2 years of transition were considered. The main actions performed on the management of the forage system involved changes in the crop destination, in the harvest schedule and in the conservation methods. All the data necessary to determine the dry matter (DM) yield, the forage quality, in terms of crude protein (CP), the metabolizable energy (ME), the nitrogen balance, and the carbon footprint of the two farms were measured or collected on farm. One kg of fat and protein corrected milk (FPCM) was used as a functional unit. In the POST periods, the milk production intensity (t FPCM/ha) improved and the ME and CP self-sufficiency of the heard increased on both farms. Both farms showed a 9.8% reduction of the Carbon Footprint (CF), and a reduction in the nitrogen surplus at the farm level. The amounts of C18:3 n-3 and n-3 fatty acids increased on both farms in the POST period. The results of this work show that it is possible to intensify milk production and mitigate the impacts of dairy farms by acting on the management of the forage system and on the feed strategies, using a synergistic Living Lab approach to achieve sustainable intensification.

Composition and contribution of Stipa bungeana root exudates to soil organic carbon fractions in the Loess Plateau

Root exudates play an important role in carbon sequestration in grassland, but the contribution of root exudates to soil organic carbon (SOC) fractions remains unclear. In this study, Stipa bungeana was analyzed, determined the composition and content of root exudates by GC–MS in a soil culture experiment and labeled with 13CO2 in a rhizibox experiment. Esters accounted for 65.38 % of root exudates, among which 1-propen-1, 2, 3-tricarboxylic acid-tributyl ester, and acetyl-tributyl citrate were the main components. During a 65-day chase period, the contents of SOC and its fractions in the rhizosphere were higher than those in bulk soil. After first day of labeling, the SOC concentration decreased by 16.95 % in the rhizosphere and reached the minimum level. Except for 13C-HC in bulk soil, which was detected three days after labeling, the rest were detected 2 h after labeling. In the rhizosphere soil, the amount of 13C in MBC and HC peaked after one day of labeling. At 65 days after labeling, the 13C-DOC, 13C-HC, and 13C-MBC in the rhizosphere significantly decreased by 59.79 %, 75.99 %, and 55.56 %, respectively. Root exudates had a rapid effect on active organic carbon fractions (MBC and DOC), and also affect the humus carbon (HC) in the short term. This study reveals the mechanism of root exudates on SOC pool during plant growth.

Species selection determines carbon allocation and turnover in Miscanthus crops: Implications for biomass production and C sequestration

Growing Miscanthus species and hybrids has received strong scientific and commercial support, with the majority of the carbon (C) modelling predictions having focused on the high-yield, sterile and noninvasive hybrid Miscanthus × giganteus. However, the potential of other species with contrasting phenotypic and physiological traits has been seldom explored. To better understand the mechanisms underlying C allocation dynamics in these bioenergy crops, we pulse-labelled (13CO2) intact plant-soil systems of Miscanthus × giganteus (GIG), Miscanthus sinensis (SIN) and Miscanthus lutarioriparius (LUT) and regularly analysed soil respiration, leaves, stems, rhizomes, roots and soils for up to 190 days until leaf senescence. A rapid isotopic enrichment of all three species was observed after 4 h, with the amount of 13C fixed into plant biomass being inversely related to their respective standing biomass prior to pulse-labelling (i.e., GIG < SIN < LUT). However, both GIG and LUT allocated more photoassimilates in the aboveground biomass (leaves+stems = 78 % and 74 %, respectively) than SIN, which transferred 30% of fixed 13C in its belowground biomass (rhizomes+roots). Although less fixed 13C was recovered from the soils (<1 %), both rhizospheric and bulk soils were signficantly more enriched under SIN and LUT than under GIG. Importantly, the soils under SIN emitted less CO2, which suggests it could be the best choice for reaching C neutrality. These results from this unique large-scale study indicate that careful species selection may hold the success for reaching net GHG mitigation.

Experimental study and kinetic modeling of methanol conversion to propylene with co-feeding of C4 and C5/C6 hydrocarbon cuts over a ZSM-5 catalyst.

Extensive experimental data were used to develop a comprehensive kinetic model for the methanol to propylene (MTP) process over a ZSM-5 catalyst. Preliminary experiments were performed to determine the reaction conditions that would ensure the absence of external (film) and internal mass transfer resistances. The kinetic experiments were subsequently carried out at 420-500 °C under conditions where mass transfer limitations were absent. A detailed reaction network was proposed for the MTP process based on the experimental product distribution and various reported kinetic models in the literature. According to the first series of experiments (without C4 and C5/C6 recycle streams) conducted at various temperatures, the best yield for propylene production was achieved at 480 °C with a water to methanol ratio of 0.7. Subsequently, kinetic experiments were performed at 480 °C and a water to methanol ratio of 0.7 using feeds with different amounts of C4 and C5/C6 hydrocarbons as recycle streams. Species material balances for the integral tubular reactor along with power-law rate functions and the Arrhenius equation for rate constants were employed in an optimization algorithm to obtain the kinetic parameters. The predictive ability of the model was checked against experimental data, and the kinetic parameters were validated by additional experiments.

Molecular diversity and the fate of biochemical fractions of eucalypt tissues in soil

The molecular diversity of the source substrate has been regarded as a significant controller of the proportion of plant material that is either mineralized or incorporated into soil organic matter (SOM). However, quantitative parameters to express substrate molecular diversity remain elusive. In this research, we fractionated leaves, twigs, bark, and root tissues of 13C-enriched eucalypt seedlings into hot water extractables (HWE), total solvent (acetone) extractables (TSE), a cellulosic fraction (CF), and the acid unhydrolyzable residue (AUR). We used 13C NMR spectroscopy to obtain a molecular diversity index (MDI) based on the relative abundance of carbohydrate, protein, lignin, lipid, and carbonyl functional groups within the biochemical fractions. Subsequently, we obtained artificial plant organs containing fixed proportions (25%) of their respective biochemical fractions to be incubated with soil material obtained from a Haplic Ferralsol for 200-days, under controlled temperature (25 ± 1 °C) and moisture adjusted to 70–80% of the soil water holding capacity. Our experimental design was a randomized complete block design, arranged according to a factorial scheme including 4 plant organs, 4 biochemical fractions, and 3 blocks as replicates. During the incubation, we assessed the evolution of CO2 from the microcosms after 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 10, 13, 21, 28, 38, 45, 70, 80, 92, 112, 148, 178 and 200 days from the start of the incubation. After the incubation, soil subsamples were submitted to a density fractionation to separate the light fraction of SOM (LFOM) i.e., with density <1.8 g cm−3. The heavy fraction remaining was submitted to wet-sieving yielding the sand-sized SOM (SSOM) and the mineral-associated SOM (MAOM), with particle-size greater and smaller than 53 µm, respectively. We found that HWE and AUR exhibited comparatively higher MDIs than the TSE and CF. During the incubation, HWE and CF were the primary sources of 13C-CO2 from all plant organs and after 92 days, the respiration of the TSE of bark and roots increased. Otherwise, the AUR contributed the least for the release of 13C-CO2. There were no significant relationships between the MDI and the amount of 13C transferred into the LFOM or SSOM. Otherwise, the transfer of 13C into the MAOM increased as a linear-quadratic function of MDI, which in turn was negatively correlated with the total 13C-CO2 loss. Overall, the MDI exerted a stronger control on the 13C-labeled MAOM than on 13C-CO2 emissions, highlighting the need to improve our ability to distinguish and quantify direct plant inputs from those of microbial origin entering soil C pools.

Ewe early gestation supplementation with eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids affects the liver, muscle, and adipose tissue fatty acid profile and liver mRNA expression in the offspring.

Our objectives were to assess the effects of eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acids (DHA) supplementation to pregnant ewes during the first third of gestation on their offspring's liver, adipose, and muscle tissues fatty acid (FA) profile and liver mRNA expression after a finishing period receiving diets with different FA profiles. Twenty-four post-weaning lambs, blocked by sex and body weight, were used in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. The first factor was dam supplementation (DS) in the first third of gestation with 1.61% of Ca salts of palm fatty acid distillate (PFAD) or Ca salts enriched with EPA-DHA. Ewes were exposed to rams with marking paint harnesses during the breeding. Ewes started DS at the day of mating, considered day 1 of conception. Twenty-eight days after mating, ultrasonography was used to confirm pregnancy, and nonpregnant ewes were removed from the groups. After weaning, the offspring lambs were supplemented (LS, second main factor) with two different FA sources (1.48% of PFAD or 1.48% of EPA-DHA) during the growing and fattening phase. Lambs were fed the LS diet for 56 d and sent to slaughter, where the liver, muscle, and adipose tissue samples were collected for FA analysis. Liver samples were collected for relative mRNA expression for genes associated with FA transport and metabolism. The data were analyzed as a mixed model in SAS (9.4). In the liver, the amount of C20:5 and C22:6 (P < 0.01) increased in lambs with LS-EPA-DHA, while some C18:1 cis FA isomers were greater in the lambs from DS-PFAD. In muscle, amounts of C22:1, C20:5, and C22:5 increased (P < 0.05) in lambs born from DS-EPA-DHA. The adipose tissue amounts of C20:5, C22:5, and C22:6 were greater (P < 0.01) in lambs from LS-EPA-DHA. Interactions (DS × LS; P < 0.05) were observed for DNMT3β, FABP-1, FABP-5, SCD, and SREBP-1; having greater mRNA expression in liver tissue of LS-EPA-DHA, DS-PFAD and LS-PFAD, DS-EPA-DHA lambs compared with the lambs in the other two treatments. Liver ELOVL2 mRNA relative expression (P < 0.03) was greater in the offspring of DS-PFAD. Relative mRNA expression (P < 0.05) of GLUT1, IGF-1, LPL, and PPARγ increased in the liver from LS-EPA-DHA lambs. Dam supplementation during early gestation using with different FA sources changed the lipid FA profile in MT, LT, and SAT during the finishing period depending on the tissue and type of FA source administered during the growing phase.

Effects of nitrogen application rate on the accumulation of 13C assimilates after flowering and water-nitrogen use efficiency of wheat under supplemental irrigation based on soil moisture.

This study aimed to explore nitrogen fertilizer management measures to synergistically improve wheat yields and water and nitrogen use efficiency under supplemental irrigation based on soil moisture in the Huang Huai winter wheat area. Wheat variety "Yannong 1212" was used as the test material. There were three nitrogen application levels, 150 kg·hm-2 (N1), 210 kg·hm-2 (N2), and 270 kg·hm-2 (the conventional nitrogen application rate in the Huang Huai winter wheat area, N3), with the relative soil water content of 0-40 cm of each treatment was supplemented to 70% at the jointing and flowering stages. We investigated the effects of nitrogen rates on photosynthetic characteristics of flag leaves after flowering, 13C assimilate accumulation and transport, and water and nitrogen use efficiency after flowering of wheat. The results showed that photosynthetic capacity of flag leaves in the N2 and N3 was significantly higher than that in N1 14-35 days after flowering, and that there was no significant diffe-rence between N2 and N3 treatments. The 13C isotope tracing results showed that the translocation amount of 13C assimilates in vegetative organs in N2 was 12.1% and 7.1% higher than that in N1 and N3, respectively. The distribution amount of 13C assimilates in grains at maturity was 10.1% and 5.3% higher than that of N1 and N3, respectively. The amount of nitrogen fertilizer affected water consumption, water consumption proportion, and total water consumption in different growth stages of wheat. Water consumption during the whole growth period showed no difference between N2 and N3 treatments, but both were significantly higher than that for N1. Water consumption and water consumption proportion of N2 were higher from the jointing to maturity stages, water use efficiency of N2 was 7.5% and 4.8%, and grain yield was 4.7% and 10.9% higher than that of N3 and N1 treatments, respectively. The partial productivity of nitrogen fertilizer was 34.6% higher in the N2 than that of N3. Considering wheat grain yield and water and nitrogen use efficiency, 210 kg·hm-2 nitrogen application was the best rate under water-saving condition of supplementary irrigation after soil moisture measurement in the study area.

Quantification of carbon-water dynamics in soil-perennial grass (Bothriochloa ischaemum) feedbacks under drought stress following a double isotope-labelled pulse experiment

Current studies have described photosynthetic and hydraulic processes in plants using parameters from the whole plant or particular organs. Quantification of carbon and water resource consumption and coupling between plant organs is poorly understood but important for predicting carbon and water coupled processes in grassland ecosystem drought responses. We determined the correlations between water transport parameters and carbon allocation in leaves, stems, branches, and roots of the grass Bothriochloa ischaemum, sampled 0, 6, 24, 48, 216, and 360 h after 13C-18O pulse-labeling under three drought treatments: control (CK), mild stress (MS) and serious stress (SS). We found that: (1) The sum of 13C in roots, soil, and rhizosphere soil was higher than the amount of 13C respired by roots under all treatments. The ratio of stored to respired 13C in the SS had a significantly lower than CK, indicating that the underground grass-soil system was a carbon sink rather than a carbon source. (2) 216 h after the application of 18O-labeled water, the proportion of 18O-labeled water in the aboveground portion of plants was up to 60% under MS, significantly greater than under SS (36.5%) and under CK (45.9%). Root density was mainly distributed in the 0–15 cm soil layer under mild drought stress. Both results suggest that grasses respond to mild drought by increasing topsoil root density to absorb soil water and improve the water transfer ratio to the aboveground portion of the plants. (3) During the double-labeling experiment, the ratio of 13C accumulated to 18O consumed in roots under mild drought was significantly higher than in other treatments. In contrast, these ratios in old leaves and stems under drought were significantly lower than in the control treatment, indicating that B.ischaemum experiences a trade-off between increasing root carbon and water utilization and reducing old leaf and stem carbon and water utilization under mild drought stress.

The DPP4 inhibitor linagliptin exacerbated heart failure due to energy deficiency via downregulation of glucose absorption and utilization in mice

Abstract Background It was reported that glucagon-like peptide-1 has cardio-protective effects, however, the occurrence of heart failure was increased with DPP4 inhibitor in some large clinical trials. Purpose The purpose of the present work was to clarify whether DPP4 inhibitor had any effects on chronic, dilated heart failure and to identify the mechanisms. Methods Heart / Muscle-specific Manganese superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD)-deficient mice, (H/M-Sod−/−) which exert dilated cardiomyopathy were randomized to receive low dose (1 mg/kg) linagliptin, HF-L group; high dose (10 mg/kg) linagliptin, HF-H group; mixed with food, or normal food, HF group; for eight weeks. Then, evaluation was performed in cardiac function and pathophysiological changes. Result Interestingly, the mice treated with linagliptin treatment exhibited shorter life span and greater heart/body weight ratio. Echocardiographic studies showed decreased contractility in the HF-H group with compared to the HF control group. In Sirius Red staining, severer fibrosis was also observed in the linagliptin groups. HbA1c levels did not change among three groups, however, glycogen content in the liver was significantly decreased in the linagliptin groups. Similarly, indirect calorimetry showed decreased carbohydrate consumption in the HF-H group compared to the HF control group, suggesting worsening of heart failure was due to unavailability of carbohydrates as an energy source. Therefore, we fed a diet containing 33 wt% glucose to the HF-H group as complementary experiments. As a result, adequate glucose supplementation reduced cardiac fibrosis and cardiac function, while worsened life span, HbA1c levels and CHO consumption were not changed. Therefore, we hypothesized that there might be a change in the absorption of glucose in intestine or utilization ability of glucose in body another experiments were performed. 13C, which was released from mice after the oral administration of 13C glucose and measured by respiratory gas analysis, was significantly reduced in HF-H mice. The measurements the amount of 13C in feces revealed increased levels of unabsorbed glucose by linagliptin treatment in HF. In addition, GLUT2, a glucose transporter, in small intestine, was downregulated in the HF-H and the HF-HG groups. On the other hand, the cardiac uptake of Deoxy-D-glucose, 2-[1,2-3H(N)] (3H-2DG), which was injected from mice tail vein, was not different between in the HF-H group and in the HF control group. Taken together, linagliptin treatment may inhibit glucose transport in intestine in HF. Conclusions Linagliptin treatment exacerbated heart failure, resulting in shortened life span, worsened cardiac function, and fibrosis of the myocardium. DPP4 inhibitor may promote the cardiac cachexia and exacerbate heart failure at least, in part, through modification of glucose absorption and utilization. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.