• Title/Summary/Keyword: Nutrient reserves

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Symbiotic Microorganisms in Aphids (Homoptera, Insecta): A Secret of One Thriving Insect Group

  • Ishikawa, Hajime
    • Animal cells and systems
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    • v.5 no.3
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    • pp.163-177
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    • 2001
  • Most, if not all, aphids harbor intracellular bacterial symbionts, called Buchnera, in their bacteriocytes, huge cells differentiated for this purpose. The association between Buchnera and aphids is so intimate, mutualistic and obligate that neither of them can any longer reproduce independently. Buchnera are vertically transmitted through generations of the host insects. Evidence suggests that Buchnera were acquired by a common ancestor of aphids 160-280 million years ago, and have been diversified, since then, in parallel with their aphid hosts. Molecular phylogenetic analyses indicate that Buchnera belong to the g subdivision of the Proteobacteria. Although Buchnera are close relatives of Escherichia coli, they contain move than 100 genomic copies per cell, and their genome size is only one seventh that of E. coli. The complete genome sequence of Buchnera revealed that their gene repertoire is quite different from those of parasitic bacteria such as Mycoplasma, Rickettsia and Chlamydia, though their genome sizes have been reduced to a similar extent. Whereas these parasitic bacteria have lost most genes for the biosynthesis of amino acids, Buchnera retain many of them. In particular, Buchnera's gene repertoire is characteristic in the richness of the genes for the biosynthesis of essential amino acids that the eukaryotic hosts are not able to synthesize, reflecting a nutritional role played by these symbionts. Buchnera, when housed in the bacteriocyte, selectively synthesize a large amount of symbionin, which is a homolog of GroEL, the major stress protein of E. coli. Symbionin not only functions as molecular chaperone, like GroEL, but also has evolutionarily acquired the phosphotransferase activity through amino acid substitutions. Aphids usually profit from Buchnera's fuction as a nutritional supplier and, when faced with an emergency, consume the biomass of Buchnera cells as nutrient reserves.

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Establishment of Phosphorus Flow Model in Urban Area using Material Flow Analysis

  • Lee, Mina;Kim, Kye-Hoon
    • Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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    • v.47 no.2
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    • pp.80-84
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    • 2014
  • Phosphorus (P) is an essential nutrient for all living organisms. P is mostly obtained from mined rock phosphate. However, existing rock phosphate reserves could be exhausted in the next 50-100 years. As Korea is totally dependent on imported rock phosphate, we should seek for solution to overcome the P depletion by efficient use and recycling. For this, this study suggested a P flow model to identify the location and flow route of P in urban area based on traditional material flow analysis. The type of P entering the urban areas are fertilizer, food and feed. Each type of P is used in agriculture, human consumption and animal husbandry. After going through each process, P is moved to waste management facilities within food waste, excreta and sewage. Some portion of P in waste are buried, incinerated and discharged, which can be reservoir of P in the future.

Manipulation of Tissue Energy Metabolism in Meat-Producing Ruminants - Review -

  • Hocquette, J.F.;Ortigues-Marty, Isabelle;Vermorel, M.
    • Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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    • v.14 no.5
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    • pp.720-732
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    • 2001
  • Skeletal muscle is of major economic importance since it is finally converted to meat for consumers. The increase in meat production with low costs of production may be achieved by optimizing muscle growth, whereas a high meat quality requires, among other factors, the optimization of intramuscular glycogen and fat stores. Thus, research in energy metabolism aims at controling muscle metabolism, but also liver and adipose tissue metabolism in order to optimize energy partitioning in favour of muscles. Liver is characterized by high anabolic and catabolic rates. Metabolic enzymes are regulated by nutrients through short-term regulation of their activities and long-term regulation of expression of their genes. Consequences of liver metabolic regulation on energy supply to muscles may affect protein deposition (and hence growth) as well as intramuscular energy stores. Adipose tissues are important body reserves of triglycerides, which result from the balance between lipogenesis and lipolysis. Both processes depend on the feeding level and on the nature of nutrients, which indirectly affect energy delivery to muscles. In muscles, the regulation of rate-limiting nutrient transporters, of metabolic enzyme activities and of ATP production, as well as the interactions between nutrients affect free energy availability for muscle growth and modify muscle metabolic characteristics which determine meat quality. The growth of tissues and organs, the number and the characteristics of muscle fibers depend, for a great part, on early events during the fetal life. They include variations in quantitative and qualitative nutrient supply to the fetus, and hence in maternal nutrition. During the postnatal life, muscle growth and characteristics are affected by the age and the genetic type of the animals, the feeding level and the diet composition. The latter determines the nature of available nutrients and the rate of nutrient delivery to tissues, thereby regulating metabolism. Physical activity at pasture also favours the orientation of muscle metabolism, towards the oxidative type. Consequently, breeding systems may be of a great importance during the postnatal life. Research is now directed towards the determination of individual tissue and organ energy requirements, a better knowledge of nutrient partitioning between and within organs and tissues. The discovery of new molecules (e. g. leptin), of new molecular mechanisms and of more powerful techniques (DNA chips) will help to achieve these objectives. The integration of the different levels of knowledge will finally allow scientists to formulate new types of diets adapted to sustain a production of high quality meat with lower costs of production.

Ultrastructural Studies on Oocyte Development and Vitellogenesis associated with Follicle Cells in Female Scapharca subcrenata (Pelecypoda: Arcidae) in Western Korea

  • Kim, Sung Han
    • Development and Reproduction
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    • v.20 no.3
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    • pp.227-235
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    • 2016
  • Ultrastructural studies on oocyte development and vitellogenesis in oocytes, and the functions of follicle cells during oogenesis and oocyte degeneration were investigated to clarifyb the reproductive mechanism on vitellogenesis of Scapharca subcrenata using electron microscope observations. In this study, vitellogenesis during oogenesis in the oocytes occured by way of autosynthesis and heterosynthesis. Of two processes of vitellogenesis during oogenesis, the process of endogenous autosynthesis involved the combined activity of the Golgi complex, mitochondria and rough endoplasmic reticulum. However, the process of exogenous heterosynthesis involved endocytotic incorporation of extraovarian precursors at the basal region of the oolema of the early vitellogenic oocytes before the formation of the vitelline coat. In this study, follicle cells, which attached to the previtellogenic and vitellogenic oocytes, were easily found. In particular, the follicle cells were involved in the development of previtellogenic oocytes by the supply of nutrients, and vitellogenesis in the early and late vitellogenic oocytes by endocytosis of yolk precursors. Based on observations of follicle cells attached to degenerating oocytes after spawning, follicles of this species are involved in lysosomal induction of oocyte degeneration for the resorption phagosomes (phagolysosomes) in the cytoplasm for nutrient storage, as seen in other bivalves. In this study, the functions of follicle cells can accumulate reserves of lipid granules and glycogen particles for vitellogenesis from degenerating oocytes after spawning.

Underappreciated Resource Phosphorus : Implications in Agronomy

  • Kim, Hye-Jin;Ryu, Jin-Hee;Park, Mi-Suk;Chung, Doug-Young
    • Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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    • v.44 no.1
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    • pp.78-83
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    • 2011
  • Phosphorus (P) which is required by all living plants and animals is an important input for economic crop and livestock production systems. Phosphorus containing compounds are essential for photosynthesis in plants, for energy transformations and for the activity of some hormones in both plants and animals. Loss of soil P to water can occur in particulate forms of P with eroded surface soil and in soluble forms in runoff, soil interflow, and deep leaching. The excessive losses of P from agricultural systems can degrade water quality of surface waters, resulting in accelerating eutrophication. Thus, P is often the limiting element and its control is of prime importance in reducing the accelerated eutrophication of surface waters. However, reserves of phosphate begin to run out, the impacts are likely be immense in terms of rising food prices, growing food insecurity. This paper reviews underappreciated resource as a key component of fertilizers and one of controversial pollutant in terms agronomy and environment.

Oocyte Degeneration Associated with Follicle Cells in Female Mactra chinensis (Bivalvia: Mactridae)

  • Kim, Sung Han;Chung, Ee-Yung;Lee, Ki-Young
    • Development and Reproduction
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    • v.18 no.4
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    • pp.321-327
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    • 2014
  • Ultrastructural studies of oocyte degeneration in the oocyte, and the functions of follicle cells during oocyte degeneration are described to clarify the reproductive mechanism on oocyte degeneration of Mactra chinensis using cytological methods. Commonly, the follicle cells are attached to the oocyte. Follicle cells play an important role in oocyte degeneration. In particular, the functions of follicle cells during oocyte degeneration are associated with phagocytosis and the intracellular digestion of products. In this study, morphologically similar degenerated phagosomes (various lysosomes), which were observed in the degenerated oocytes, appeared in the follicle cells. After the spawning of the oocytes, the follicle cells were involved in oocyte degeneration through phagocytosis by phagolysosomes. Therefore, it can be assumed that follicle cells reabsorb phagosomes from degenerated oocytes. In this study, the presence of lipid granules, which occurred from degenerating yolk granules, gradually increased in degenerating oocytes. The function of follicle cells can accumulate reserves of lipid granules and glycogen in the cytoplasm, which can be employed by the vitellogenic oocyte. Based on observations of follicle cells attached to degenerating oocytes after spawning, the follicle cells of this species are involved in the lysosomal induction of oocyte degeneration for the reabsorption of phagosomes (phagolysosomes) in the cytoplasm for nutrient storage, as seen in other bivalves.

Seasonal Variations in Biochemical Components of the Visceral Mass and Adductor Muscle in the Pen Shell, Atrina pectinata

  • Baik Sung-Hyun;Kim Kang-Jeon;Chung Ee-Yung;Choo Jong-Jae;Park Kwan Ha
    • Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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    • v.4 no.1
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    • pp.18-24
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    • 2001
  • Seasonal content changes of the three key nutrients for organisms, protein, lipid and glycogen, were analyzed for a whole year to delineate the seasonal energy strategy in pen shells, Atrina pectinata. Two metabolically important organs, the visceral mass and the posterior adductor muscle, were examined. Protein in the visceral mass rose in April and stayed at the level until June followed by the constant minimum value between August and November. The protein contents in the posterior adductor muscle increased sharply in April and again in July, followed by a gradual decline thereafter. Total lipid contents in the visceral mass gradually increased between January and May, and then slowly decreased until September since which a new weak increase was noticed. Lipid levels in the adductor muscle rapidly dropped in June and July. Glycogen contents in the visceral mass rapidly increased between February and June, followed by a drastic drop in July. This reduced visceral glycogen level was maintained up to September, and a gradual reduction ensued. Glycogen contents in the adductor muscle steadily but markedly increased from April reaching the maximum in August, and then slowly declined thereafter. These results suggest that an accelerated protein and lipid synthesis occurs in the gonad when the pen shell undergoes the ripe stage of gametogenesis, but the levels of these two nutrients decrease on spawning. With this gonadal process, regular protein synthesis and lipid storage in the posterior adductor muscle are temporarily arrested. The most important nutrient reserves that support gonad developmental cycles in a long term seem to be glycogen of the posterior adductor muscle.

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Effects of Phosphorus Deficiency on C and N Metabolism during Regrowth of Italian Ryegrass

  • Kim, Tae-Hwan;Jung, Woo-Jin;Lee, Bok-Rye;Kim, Dae-Hyun;Chung, Soon-Ju;Kim, Kil-Yong
    • KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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    • v.46 no.4
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    • pp.272-278
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    • 2001
  • To investigate of C and N metabolisms in response to phosphorus-deficient stress during regrowth of Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum L.), C and N metabolites were analyzed at 0, 6, 12 and 24 days after defoliation. P-sufficient (control, +P) and P-absent (-P) nutrient solutions were applied from 7 days before defoliation, and continued for one cycle of 24 day-regrowth period. During 24 days of regrowth, dry matter of regrowing shoots and remaining tissues were not significantly different between +P and -P treatment. In remaining stubble, 70% to 91 % decline of the initial level (at day 0) in all C compounds occurred during the first 6 days of regrowth. Initial amounts of nitrate and amino acids in roots were significantly higher in the +P medium. Nitrate contents in stubble in the +P medium significantly decreased for the first 12 days and then rapidly recovered, while that of the -P medium continuously decreased until day 24. Amino acids in stubble in the P medium were continuously increased during the whole regrowth period. Soluble proteins in stubble in the +P medium also largely fell down (46.0% of the initial) for only the first 6 days, however the decline in the -P medium continued until day 12. In regrowing shoots, the accumulation of C compounds was significantly higher, while that of N compounds except amino acids was largely lower in the -P medium. These results showed a stimulation of carbohydrate synthesis and a compensatory utilization of organic reserves occurred to support regrowth under P-deficient condition.

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Characteristics of Population Dynamics and Habitat Use of Shorebirds in Rice Fields during Spring Migration (봄철 논습지에 도래하는 도요·물떼새의 서식지 이용과 개체군 변동)

  • Choi, Seung-Hye;Nam, Hyung-Kyu;Yoo, Jeong-Chil
    • Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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    • v.33 no.4
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    • pp.334-343
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    • 2014
  • BACKGROUND: Shorebirds use a variety of wetlands as their stopover sites to replenish energy and nutrient reserves along the migration route. It is increasingly important to understand how birds use the remaining available habitats during migration period, because shorebird stopover sites are often altered and destroyed. Rice fields serve as a major inland stopover site for migrating shorebirds. However, the information on habitat use patterns of shorebirds in rice fields is very limited in Korea. Therefore, we studied the patterns of shorebird abundance and their habitat use in rice fields during spring migration period in western-central Korea. METHODS AND RESULTS: Surveys were conducted at interval of 2-3 days during the spring migration period of 2014 at rice fields of mid-western Korea. We recorded the location of the observed birds on the rice field map according to the local habitat type. The habitat types were divided by physical structure and cultivation methods. Fifteen shorebird species and 7,852 individuals were recorded during the survey period. The number of shorebird species and their abundance began to increase from the beginning of flooding in late-April, and reached a maximum in early-May. After rice transplantation, the number of shorebird species and their abundance dramatically declined. Shorebirds selectively used paddy and levee rather than road and ditch and most species used shallow depth field type. Plowed field types were less attractive to most species. CONCLUSION: Flooding rice fields were functioned as stopover sites for a variety of shorebird species during spring migration period. Furthermore, these results provide that the appropriate agricultural practices can be improving the habitat quality for shorebirds.