Kefir consumption has been demonstrated to improve lipid and cholesterol metabolism; however, our previous study identified that benefits vary between different commercial and traditional kefir. Here, we investigate the ability of pitched culture kefir, that is, kefir produced by a small number of specific strains, to recapitulate health benefits of a traditional kefir, in a diet-induced obesity mouse model, and examine how microbial composition of kefir impacts these benefits. Eight-week-old female C57BL/6 mice were fed a high-fat diet (40 % energy from fat) supplemented with one of five kefir varieties (traditional, pitched, pitched with no Lactobacillus, pitched with no yeast and commercial control) at 2 ml in 20 g of food for 8 weeks prior to analysis of plasma and liver lipid profiles, and liver gene expression profiles related to lipid metabolism. Both traditional and pitched kefir lowered plasma cholesterol by about 35 % (P = 0·0005) and liver TAG by about 55 % (P = 0·0001) when compared with commercial kefir despite no difference in body weight. Furthermore, pitched kefir produced without either yeast or Lactobacillus did not lower cholesterol. The traditional and pitched kefir with the full complement of microbes were able to impart corresponding decreases in the expression of the cholesterol and lipid metabolism genes encoding 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase, PPARγ and CD36 in the liver. These results demonstrate that traditional kefir organisms can successfully be utilised in a commercial process, while highlighting the importance of microbial interactions during fermentation in the ability of fermented foods to benefit host health.

The development of nutritional strategies to improve microbial homeostasis and gut health of piglets post-weaning is required to mitigate the high prevalence of post-weaning diarrhea and subsequent growth checks typically observed during the weaning transition. Therefore the objective of this study was to determine the effect of supplementing piglet creep and nursery feed with a yeast-derived mannan-rich fraction (MRF) on piglet growth performance, cecal microbial profiles, and jejunal morphology and gene expression. Ten litters of piglets (n=106) were selected on postnatal day (PND) 7 and assigned to diets with or without MRF (800 mg/kg) until weaning (n=5 litters/treatment; initial weight 3.0±0.1 kg). On PND 21, 4 piglets per litter (n=40) were selected and weaned into the nursery where they remained on their respective diets until PND 42. A two-phase feeding program was used to meet nutrient requirements, and pigs were switched from phase 1 to phase 2 on PND 28. Feed intake and piglet weights were recorded on PND 7, 14, 21, 28, 35 and 42. On PND 28 and 42, ten piglets per treatment were euthanized to collect intestinal tissue and digesta. Piglets supplemented with MRF had 21.5% greater (P<0.05) average daily feed intake between PND 14-21. However, MRF supplementation did not affect piglet growth performance compared to control. On PND 28, jejunal villus height was 16.8% greater (P<0.05) in piglets consuming MRF supplemented diets. Overall microbial community structure in cecal digesta on PND 28 tended to differ in pigs supplemented with MRF (P=0.076; analysis of similarities (ANOSIM)) with increased (P<0.05) relative abundance of Paraprevotellaceae genera YRC22 and CF231, and reduced (P<0.05) relative abundance of Sutterella and Prevotella. Campylobacter also tended to reduce (P<0.10) in MRF supplemented piglets. On PND 28 differential gene expression in jejunal tissue signified an overall effect of supplementing MRF to piglets. Downstream analysis of gene expression data revealed piglets supplemented with MRF had enriched biological pathways involved in intestinal development, function and immunity, supporting the observed improvement in jejunal villus architecture on PND 28. On PND 42 there was no effect of MRF supplementation on jejunal morphology or overall cecal microbial community structure. In conclusion, supplementing Actigen™, a MRF, to piglets altered cecal microbial community structure and improved jejunal morphology early post-weaning on PND 28, which is supported by enrichment of intestinal development pathways.

The thermal diffusivity of diopside, jadeite and enstatite were measured at simultaneous pressures and temperatures of up to 7 GPa and 1200 K using the X-radiographic Ångström method. The measurements herein show that the pressure dependency of thermal diffusivity in pyroxenes is significantly greater than in olivine or garnet and that in the MORB-layer of a subducting slab the thermal diffusivity of pyroxenes are a factor of 1.5 greater than that of olivine. The temperature dependence of all the data sets is well described by a low-order polynomial fit to 1/K and the pressure dependence is exponential in 1/K, formulations which are consistent with the damped harmonic oscillator model for thermal properties.

The present study explores the macroevolutionary dynamics of shape changes in the humeri of all major grades and clades of early tetrapods and their fish-like forerunners. Coordinate point eigenshape analysis applied to humeral outlines in extensor view reveals that fish humeri are more disparate than those of most early tetrapod groups and significantly separate from the latter. Our findings indicate sustained changes in humeral shape in the deepest portions of the tetrapod stem group and certain portions of the crown. In the first half of sampled tetrapod history, subclades show larger than expected humeral disparity, suggesting rapid diffusion into morphospace. Later in tetrapod evolution, subclades occupy smaller and non-overlapping morphospace regions. This pattern may reflect in part increasing specialisations in later tetrapod lineages. Bayesian shifts in rates of evolutionary change are distributed discontinuously across the phylogeny, and most of them occur within rather than between major groups. Most shifts with the highest Bayesian posterior probabilities are observed in lepospondyls. Similarly, maximum likelihood analyses of shifts support marked rate accelerations in lepospondyls and in various subclades within that group. In other tetrapod groups, rates either tend to slow down or experience only small increases. Somewhat surprisingly, no shifts are concurrent with structural, functional, or ecological innovations in tetrapod evolution, including the origin of digits, the water–land transition and increasing terrestrialisation. Although counterintuitive, these results are consistent with a model of continual phenotypic innovation that, although decoupled from key evolutionary changes, is possibly triggered by niche segregation in divergent clades and grades of early tetrapods.

Effects of 0.1 M ammonium sulfate, 0.1 M potassium phosphate, and 7 g/ha of the isopropylamine salt of imazapyr {(+)-2-[4,5-dihydro-4-methyl-4-(1-methylethyl)-5-oxo-1H-imidazol-2-yl]-3-pyridinecarboxylic acid} were evaluated on the phytotoxicity of the ammonium salt of imazaquin {2-[4,5-dihydro-4-methyl-4-(1-methylethyl)-5-oxo-1H-imidazol-2-yl]-3-quinolinecarboxylic acid} and the ammonium salt of imazethapyr {(+)-2-[4,5-dihydro-4-methyl-4-(1-methylethyl)-5-oxo-1H-imidazol-2-yl]-5-ethyl-3-pyridinecarboxylic acid} applied postemergence to pitted morningglory (Ipomoea lacunosa L. #3 IPOLA). While each of these salts and imazapyr applied alone had no effect, combining them with imazaquin or imazethapyr significantly increased control of pitted morningglory.

Yellow nutsedge (Cyperus esculentus L.) develops as a series of shoots, bulbs, and tubers connected by rhizomes. The leaves contain parallel, collateral vascular bundles with the majority of the chlorophyll-containing cells concentrated in two sheathing girdles around each bundle. The upper leaf surface consists of a single layer of large epidermal cells covered by a thick cuticle. Stomates occur primarily in the lower surface. The vascular bundles are collateral in the leaves and amphivasal in the rhizome, changing their anatomical arrangement as they pass through the basal bulb. Newly developing rhizomes and tubers are white and fleshy with a parenchymatous epidermis and cortex. Mature rhizomes are brown and wiry with a deteriorated outer cortex and a lignified inner cortex and endodermis. Tubers and bulbs form similarly at the rhizome apices with the tubers accumulating starch. The rhizome vascular system remains intact throughout the growing season.

The effects of 1.24 kg ha−1 ammonium sulfate, 5 g ae ha−1 of the isopropylamine salt of imazapyr, and air temperatures of 18, 27, or 35 C at 40 or 100% relative humidity (RH) on the absorption and translocation of the ammonium salt of 14C-imazethapyr applied postemergence to pitted morningglory were evaluated. Absorption of 14C-imazethapyr was greater at 100 than at 40% RH (88 vs. 47%). At 40% RH, absorption was increased to 79% by the addition of ammonium sulfate. At 100% RH absorption was similar with all treatments. Translocation of 14C-imazethapyr applied alone was greater at 100 than at 40% RH (34 vs. 17%). Addition of ammonium sulfate increased translocation at 40% RH but not at 100%. Addition of imazapyr did not affect 14C translocation. Distribution of 14C throughout the plant was more acropetal than basipetal with the greatest distribution at 35 C.

Purple nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus L.) develops as a series of shoots connected by bulbs, rhizomes, and tubers. The leaves contain parallel, collateral vascular bundles with the majority of the photosynthetic cells concentrated in the sheathing girdle around each bundle. The upper leaf surface consists of a single layer of large epidermal cells covered by a thick cuticle. Stomates occur only in the lower surface. The vascular bundles vary from collateral to amphivasal as they pass from the leaves through the bulb into the rhizomes and tubers. Newly developing rhizomes and tubers appear white and fleshy with a parenchymatous epidermis and cortex. Mature rhizomes appear brown and wiry with a deteriorated outer cortex and a lignified inner cortext and endodermis. Tubers and bulbs form similarly at the rhizome apices with each accumulating starch. The interconnecting vascular system appears to remain intact throughout the growing season.

Purple nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus L.) plants were analyzed for free reducing sugars, free glucose, free plus acid hydrolyzable fructose, phosphorus, and iron. The only sugars detected were sucrose, glucose, and fructose. Sucrose was the most concentrated sugar in the shoots with the greatest concentration in the younger leaves. Sucrose was also the most concentrated sugar in mature rhizomes. Glucose and fructose were the most concentrated sugars in the actively growing rhizomes and tubers. Phosphorus was concentrated in the actively growing leaves and rhizomes, while iron was most concentrated in older tissues including rachises with seedheads, mature shoots, tubers, and rhizomes.

Absorption and translocation of 14C-mefluidide {N-[2,4-dimethyl-5-[[(trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl] amino] phenyl] acetamide} in soybeans [Glycine max (L.) Merr. ‘Lee 68’], common cocklebur (Xanthium pensylvanicum Wallr.), and johnsongrass [Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers.] were evaluated under different environmental conditions with and without adjuvants. At a constant level of 40 or 100% relative humidity (RH), an increase in air temperature from 22 to 32 C resulted in a two- to three-fold increase in absorption and a four- to eight-fold increase in translocation of the 14C in soybeans following application to the second trifoliolate. At constant 22 or 32 C an increase from 40 to 100% RH resulted in less than a two-fold increase in absorption or translocation of 14C in soybeans. Autoradiograms indicated that movement of the 14C was primarily into leaves above the treated area. Translocation of 14C was significantly greater following application to the lower stem than to leaves. In common cocklebur, 14C absorption increased about three-fold at both 22 and 32 C with an increase from 40 to 100% RH following application to the second alternate leaf. At both levels of RH, absorption and translocation increased as the temperature was increased from 22 to 32 C. The addition of an adjuvant increased absorption and translocation in common cocklebur under all environmental conditions. When 14C-mefluidide was applied without an adjuvant to johnsongrass, absorption increased five- to six-fold at both 22 and 32 C as RH was increased from 40 to 100%. Translocation in johnsongrass was often affected less by variations in temperature than it was in soybeans or common cocklebur. The adjuvant increased absorption and translocation of the 14C-label of mefluidide in johnsongrass. The 14C-label accumulated primarily in the distal leaf of johnsongrass or in leaves above the treated area.

The absorption and translocation of foliarly applied 14C-labeled (2,4,5-trichlorophenoxy)acetic acid (2,4,5-T-1-14C) in winged elms (Ulmus alata Michx.) as affected by season of application, air temperature, and soil moisture were determined by autoradiography of bark samples and liquid scintillation counting of leaf tissue. Treatments at 3-week intervals throughout the growing season showed highly variable trends in absorption and translocation within and between growing seasons. Seasonal variations in the absorption of 14C-2,4,5-T were similar to the variations in translocation. Translocation into the stem closely correlated with absorption into the leaves. Higher daily temperatures of 24 to 40 C appeared to enhance absorption and translocation. Variations in soil moisture showed little effect on absorption; whereas, a decrease in soil moisture reduced translocation from leaves to roots.

Toxicity and translocation of nonradiolabeled and translocation of 14C-labeled sethoxydim {2-[1-(ethoxyimino)-butyl]-5-[2-(ethylthio)-propyl]-3-hydroxy-2-cyclohexen-1-one} in common bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. ♯3 CYNDA] were evaluated for foliar treated plants grown 2 or 4 days under controlled environmental conditions. Nonradiolabel treated plants were further grown in the greenhouse for the remainder of 3 weeks. Shoot injury of intact plants was greatest (90%) and regrowth of plants clipped after 2 days treatment each was least (< 5%) at 35 C and 100% RH. At 35 C and 40% RH and at 18 C (40 and 100% RH), shoot injuries were 60 to 68%, regrowth in lengths were 82 to 87%, and in fresh weights were 55 to 74%, respectively. After 2 days treatment, absorption of 14C-activity was greatest (70%) at 35 C and 100% RH, moderate (56%) at 35 C and 40% RH, and least (33 to 43%) at 18 C and 40 and 100% RH, respectively. At 35 C, translocation was approximately 4 fold greater at 100% and 2 fold greater at 40% RH than at 18 C at either RH. Autoradiography indicated the greatest distribution of the radiolabel at 35 C.

Purple nutsedge collections from 13 states within the continental United States and from 21 other locations around the world were studied to compare their reproduction and morphological characteristics. Differences occurred in the number of shoots produced from single tubers, the number of leaves per shoot, and the length and width of leaves. Differences were also found with respect to flowering, length of culms supporting the inflorescences, and number, length, and width of involucral bracts at the apex of the culms. Variations occurred in the flower parts, including the number and length of rachises and the length of rachillae and spikelets. There were differences in the growth patterns of the leaves, with some collections having leaves mostly erect and others having leaves lie more closely to the ground. The color of the leaves varied between light and dark green, and the color of the inflorescence varied between light and dark purplish-brown. Greater variation was found among plants from different locations around the world than from within the continental United States.

The effects of 1.24 kg ha-1 ammonium sulfate, 5 g ae ha-1 of the isopropylamine salt of imazapyr, and air temperature of 18, 27, and 35 C at 40 and 100% relative humidity on the phytotoxicity of 35 g ae ha-1 of the ammonium salt of imazethapyr applied postemergence to pitted morningglory were evaluated. Both ammonium sulfate and imazapyr increased imazethapyr phytotoxicity to pitted morningglory. Ammonium sulfate enhanced imazethapyr phytotoxicity the most at 40% whereas imazapyr was most effective at 100% relative humidity. Imazethapyr phytotoxicity was enhanced more by the combination of ammonium sulfate and imazapyr than with either alone regardless of relative humidity. Variations in temperature had little effect on phytotoxicity.

Greenhouse and laboratory experiments were conducted to study activity, rainfastness, absorption, and translocation of glyphosate with and without a nonionic organosilicone surfactant in purple nutsedge. Purple nutsedge responded differently to glyphosate depending on growth stage. Glyphosate at 2.24 kg ai/ha in 17-d-old and at 4.48 kg/ha in 10-wk-old plants controlled purple nutsedge at least 96%. Regrowth of plants and tuber resprouting were greatly reduced in these treatments. Organosilicone surfactant did not increase efficacy of glyphosate. A simulated rainfall of 2.5 cm (7.5 cm/h intensity) at 1 and 24 h after glyphosate application reduced efficacy by one-half and one-third, respectively, compared with no simulated rainfall. A rain-free period of 72 h prevented loss of glyphosate activity. Absorption of 14C-glyphosate increased from 2.8% at 1 h after application to 21.4% at 168 h after application and translocation increased from 0.43% at 1 h after application to 5.18% at 168 h after application. Organosilicone surfactant did not affect absorption and translocation of glyphosate in purple nutsedge.

The uptake, translocation, and metabolism of 14C-MSMA in organic arsenical-resistant (R) and -susceptible (S) Mississippi biotypes of common cocklebur were investigated. The two biotypes did not differ significantly with respect to either uptake, total translocation, or translocation pattern of 14C-MSMA plus its radiolabeled metabolites regardless of whether plants were pre-treated with 1.12 kg ai ha−1 of unlabeled MSMA or treated only with radiolabeled material. Absorption of 14C-MSMA was greater in unlabeled MSMA-pretreated plants than untreated plants, whereas the percent of total absorbed 14C-MSMA that was translocated out of the 14C-MSMA-treated leaf was almost the same in MSMA-pretreated and untreated plants. Qualitative detection of 14C-MSMA distribution by autoradiographs confirmed quantitative results obtained with radioassays. Herbicide metabolism in the 14C-treated leaf showed that MSMA was not readily broken down in both biotypes and the extractable 14C was the same. Uptake, translocation, and metabolic degradation were not involved in the mechanism of resistance of the resistant-Mississippi biotype common cocklebur to MSMA.

Absorption and translocation of 14C-glyphosate [N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine] in johnsongrass [Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers.] and soybeans [Glycine max (L.) Merr. ‘Lee 68’] were evaluated under various environmental conditions. The toxicity of unlabeled glyphosate applied similarly was determined in soybeans under similar conditions. In johnsongrass, absorption of 14C-glyphosate nearly doubled and translocation increased as air temperature increased from 24 to 35 C. Translocation in johnsongrass and soybeans was often greater at a relative humidity (RH) of 100% than at 45% and at a soil moisture level of 20% (field capacity) than at 12% (near the wilting point). In soybeans, absorption of 14C-glyphosate increased about 100%, translocation increased between 100 and 1200%, and glyphosate toxicity increased more than 200% as temperature decreased from 35 to 24 C. At 35 C, translocation in soybeans was often greater at 20% than 12% soil moisture. Absorption of 14C-glyphosate in soybeans was greater when the herbicide was applied to mature rather than immature leaves and stems, but the age of the treated tissue had less effect on 14C translocation. The addition of surfactant plus KH2PO4 to the treatment solution increased glyphosate absorption and translocation in soybeans, but addition of surfactant alone reduced translocation and addition of KH2PO4 alone increased translocation. Injury to six soybean cultivars from application of unlabeled glyphosate at 0.4 kg/ha ranged from 37% to 95% while total absorption of 14C-glyphosate into treated leaves of the same six cultivars ranged from 23% to 74% of the amount applied.

Field experiments conducted over three years at Stoneville, MS evaluated invert emulsion and oil diluents on the efficiacy of glyphosate and MSMA on purple nutsedge. The herbicides were applied at 0.6 and 1.1 kg ai/ha in an invert emulsion (oil-in-water) and a paraffinic oil at 19 L/ha (low-volume) and in water with a non-ionic surfactant (0.25% v/v) at 187 L/ha (high-volume). Purple nutsedge control with both herbicides was greater with the low-volume, invert emulsion and oil diluent applications than with high-volume, water diluent applications. Glyphosate and MSMA at 1.1 kg/ha in the oil diluent controlled purple nutsedge at least 88% when compared with the invert emulsion (≥ 75 and ≥ 76%, respectively) and water (≥ 42 and ≥ 44%, respectively) diluents. Cotton injury and seed cotton yields were unaffected by any treatment with MSMA but glyphosate with each diluent caused unacceptable cotton injury and seed cotton yield reduction.

Toxicity of nonradiolabeled and translocation of 14C-labeled glyphosate [N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine] in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) were evaluated under different environmental conditions as affected by surfactant and by the maturity of the plant tissue at the place of herbicide application. Toxicity was affected primarily by temperature with 21 to 40% greater cotton injury at 25 C than at 35 C. The addition of surfactant often increased toxicity under environmental conditions where toxicity was initially low. Absorption and translocation of 14C was affected primarily by relative humidity (RH). At constant temperature and rate of surfactant, an increase in RH from 40 to 100% resulted in a 3- to 6-fold increase in translocation of 14C. Autoradiograms indicated that the movement of the 14C-label was primarily into leaves above the treated area. Translocation of 14C was significantly greater following application to the mature lower stem than to the mature lower leaves or to immature upper stem or leaves of cotton.