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Cedrol‐like compounds are of pharmacological interest due to their diverse range of medicinal effects and are used globally in traditional medicines and cosmetics. Many cedrol tautomers are known from molecular studies but few have been studied in crystalline form by X‐ray diffraction. Acicular white crystals collected from the wood of eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana) are determined to be (+)‐cedrol hemihydrate, namely, (1S,2R,5S,7R,8R)‐2,6,6,8‐tetramethyltricyclo[5.3.1.01,5]undecan‐8‐ol hemihydrate, C15H26O·0.5H2O, a novel packing of two unique cedrol molecules (Z′ = 2) with a single water molecule [space group P212121; a = 6.1956 (1), b = 14.5363 (1), and c = 30.9294 (4) Å]. The hydrogen bonding forms a one‐dimensional spiral chain running along the a axis, following the chirality of the cedrol molecule, through hydrogen‐bonding interactions with a right‐handed helical configuration in graph‐set notation Δ‐C33(6) > a > c > b. The crystal packing and symmetry are different from crystalline isocedrol due to the different hydrogen‐bonding geometry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pediatric allergic rhinitis (AR), including cedar pollinosis (CP), is increasing in Japan. We investigated the effects of sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT), which has limited studies of its effectiveness in real‐world settings, on children with CP. Methods: This retrospective cohort study used a claim database in 2018–2021. Children aged ≤15 years with CP records in 2019 were eligible and were followed up through 2021. We included 2962 CP children undergoing SLIT and 547 who were not. The medication score was used to evaluate SLIT effectiveness in the cedar pollen dispersal season each year. Adverse events and the occurrence of allergic diseases were also evaluated. Results: Medication score was higher in the SLIT group during the index period but lower in 2021 compared to the non‐SLIT group (mean ± standard deviation: 5.17 ± 2.39 and 4.74 ± 2.38 in 2019, 3.13 ± 2.30 and 3.55 ± 2.48 in 2021, respectively). The adjusted mean difference between groups from 2019 to 2021 was −0.62 (95% confidence interval: −0.86 to −0.39, p <.0001), and the medication score was reduced in the SLIT group (risk ratio: 1.2: 1.1 to 1.3). The occurrence of adverse events involving abdominal disorders (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 0.64: 0.51 to 0.81), asthma exacerbation (aOR: 0.37: 0.24 to 0.57), and allergic diseases involving hay fever unrelated to CP (aOR: 0.60: 0.45 to 0.80) or asthma (aOR: 0.71: 0.58 to 0.86) was lower in the SLIT group. Conclusion: In children with CP, SLIT is effective, well tolerated, and could decrease the occurrence of other allergic diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electronic health records (EHRs) offer great promises for advancing precision medicine and, at the same time, present significant analytical challenges. Particularly, it is often the case that patient‐level data in EHRs cannot be shared across institutions (data sources) due to government regulations and/or institutional policies. As a result, there are growing interests about distributed learning over multiple EHRs databases without sharing patient‐level data. To tackle such challenges, we propose a novel communication efficient method that aggregates the optimal estimates of external sites, by turning the problem into a missing data problem. In addition, we propose incorporating posterior samples of remote sites, which can provide partial information on the missing quantities and improve efficiency of parameter estimates while having the differential privacy property and thus reducing the risk of information leaking. The proposed approach, without sharing the raw patient level data, allows for proper statistical inference. We provide theoretical investigation for the asymptotic properties of the proposed method for statistical inference as well as differential privacy, and evaluate its performance in simulations and real data analyses in comparison with several recently developed methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eastern red cedar (ERC, Juniperus virginiana L.) is a common tree species in agroforestry plantings and has great potential for bioenergy production due to physical and chemical characteristics of its biomass. The objective of this study was to assess the effects of ERC plantings on carbon (C) sequestration and selected soil quality parameters in existing plantings across the northern U.S. Great Plains. Nine locations were selected in five states with mean annual precipitation (MAP) from 446 to 999 mm and mean annual temperature (MAT) from 4.4 to 10.0°C. Infiltration was measured using the twin ring technique at nine sites in each tree planting and adjacent field (crop, pasture, or hay) at each location. Following infiltration measurements, a 4.8 cm‐diameter soil core to 30 cm depth was collected from inside one infiltration ring of each pair for bulk density, pH, aggregate stability, soil organic carbon (SOC), and total nitrogen (TN) analyses. Penetration resistance in 2.5 cm increments to 30 cm depth was measured in the other infiltration ring. SOC stocks under ERC were significantly higher than in the adjacent field soil at five of the locations and, for all locations, averaged 16.8% greater than in the adjacent field. The estimated SOC accumulation rate for the eight locations with uniform tree stand age averaged 0.30 Mg C ha−1 year−1. Most locations had higher TN and C/N and lower bulk density beneath ERC. Fewer differences for infiltration and penetration resistance and smaller and less consistent differences for pH and aggregate stability were observed. Tree aboveground C stocks were estimated to increase an average of 2.05 Mg C ha−1 year−1. Estimated tree aboveground biomass C and SOC stocks under ERC and in adjacent fields were strongly correlated with MAP. Potential ERC planting for C sequestration or bioenergy feedstock production is not likely to significantly degrade soil quality and may improve soil physical or chemical quality for locations in the US Great Plains. Core ideas: Eastern red cedar (ERC) is a common tree species with biomass that is well suited for biofuel production.ERC effects on soil quality should be evaluated if considered for bioenergy feedstock production.Soils beneath ERC had higher SOC, TN, C/N, and lower bulk density than adjacent fields at most locations.ERC C accumulation and SOC were highly correlated with MAP.ERC plantings had generally positive impacts on soil quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cypress canker is a branch and stem canker disease of Cupressaceae trees, particularly those in the genera Cupressus and Hesperocyparis. These trees have been planted in many parts of the world as ornamentals and the Seiridium species that cause the disease, consequently, also have an almost global distribution. The taxonomy of Seiridium species causing cypress canker has recently been revised and numerous species are now believed to cause the disease. This study describes, for the first time, cypress canker on the native South African Cupressaceae tree, Widdringtonia nodiflora. The aim was to identify the causal agent and confirm its pathogenicity. Phylogenetic analyses of sequence data for four regions identified the fungus as Seiridium neocupressi, a species previously known only from Australia, New Zealand and Italy. Field inoculations of W. nodiflora branches resulted in distinct cankers within 6 weeks and the fungus could be reisolated from the treated trees. Cypress canker has been known in South Africa for many decades, where it causes a serious disease on nonnative species of Cupressus, but it has never been found on native Cupressaceae. The newly discovered disease caused by a probable alien pathogen is of particular concern because only three species of Widdringtonia occur in South Africa and are important components of the native flora. The two other species, W. wallichii and W. schwartzii, occur in small endemic and threatened populations. The origin of S. neocupressi in South Africa and the relative susceptibility of the three Widdringtonia species, consequently, requires urgent attention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Particulate matter (PM), such as air pollutants and pollens, are known to cause skin ageing through skin inflammation. It is important to develop formulations which protect the skin from PM. We previously developed a conventional water‐in‐oil emulsion with a synthetic surfactant, distearyldimonium chloride, modified bentonite (C‐W/O), which protects skin from allergens. In the present study, we developed a novel water‐in‐oil emulsion with a natural surfactant, lecithin, modified bentonite (N‐W/O). Methods: The microarray analysis was performed using total RNA extracted from a reconstructed human epidermis (RHE) stimulated with urban aerosols or cedar pollen for 6 h in order to develop an epidermal inflammation model by PM for the evaluation of topical formulations. We then compared the efficacy of N‐W/O and C‐W/O to prevent epidermal degradation. Tissues and culture media were collected 24 h after the urban aerosol or cedar pollen stimulation for a histological assay, and the quantification of MMP1 and IL‐8 secretion. Results: The expression levels of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines, such as IL1A and CXCL8, and matrix metalloproteinases, including MMP1, MMP3 and MMP9, were significantly up‐regulated by the PM stimulation. As a result of ranking based on the pathway enrichment analysis, oxidative stress‐related pathways, such as MAPK‐mediated signalling, HIF‐1 signalling, IL‐1 signalling and ROS‐induced cellular signalling, were ranked high in the urban dust‐ and cedar pollen‐treated groups. A thickened stratum corneum, thinned vital layer and cleaved E‐cadherin were observed by haematoxylin and eosin staining and immunohistochemical staining of E‐cadherin in the PM treated groups. The secretion of MMP1 and IL‐8 into the media was significantly increased by the PM stimulation. N‐W/O prevented the degradation of epidermal integrity and secretion of inflammatory proteins more effectively than C‐W/O. Conclusion: The present results showed that N‐W/O made using natural surfactant is useful at protecting skin from PM, such as urban aerosols and cedar pollen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Better understanding of the competitive interaction at the early development stages of the stand is crucial to help schedule silvicultural treatments for young stands and for the better management of the future stands. We used scale‐dependent analysis to improve our understanding of sapling dynamics in the pure Taurus cedar (Cedrus libani A. Rich.) stands in Southern Turkey. Using data from nine plots established at the western Taurus Mountains, diameter, height, and crown radii of saplings were compared, and spatial point pattern analyses were performed. We found significant differences for the mean diameter and height, and crown radii of saplings among the plots. Univariate pair correlation function showed that sapling pattern was regular only at small scales (r < 0.4 m) but was predominantly random. Bivariate pair correlation function revealed no evidence of spatial interaction between tall saplings and short saplings. Univariate mark correlation function revealed that strong intraspecific competition was detected at small scales (up to 0.55 m). This distance is reasonable for the juvenile age tending of Taurus cedar saplings and should be under consideration during silvicultural treatments to use the site productivity more efficiently. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim To explore the recent (past ~1,000 year) migration history of yellow-cedar ( Callitropsis nootkatensis), a climate-threatened tree, which appears to lag behind its potential climatic niche at a leading northern range edge, and infer its continued migration potential under changing climate. Location Southeast Alaska, USA. Methods We located 11 leading range edge yellow-cedar stands near Juneau, Alaska, determined their proportional occupancy of modelled habitat and estimated stand ages to determine approximate time of establishment. We used future climate projections to determine the potential vulnerability of these leading edge populations using a well-established risk factor for yellow-cedar mortality in the region. Results Despite abundant potential habitat, and having existed in the study area > 675 years, yellow-cedar has only occupied a small proportion (<0.8%) of suitable habitat. Yellow-cedar appears to have undergone a past pulse of successful regeneration and establishment during the Little Ice Age climate period, with little expansion in recent decades. Under high emissions future climate scenarios, nine of 11 stands (82%) may become exposed to climate conditions that predispose yellow-cedar to root freezing injury by 2070. Main conclusions We show that yellow-cedar's migration near a northern range edge is episodic, with a past pulse of establishment during the Little Ice Age. When planning for the conservation and management of this culturally and economically valuable tree, forest managers should consider yellow-cedar's currently limited migration at the leading edge, mortality emerging farther north in recent decades and potential vulnerability of range edge stands by 2070. The range of intense, climatic driven yellow-cedar mortality is expanding northward and rapidly approaching the species' leading edge in southeast Alaska. Yellow-cedar's episodic migration demonstrates that species may not respond linearly to a warming climate and that other factors controlling dispersal to suitable habitat must be considered for accurate range predictions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim To maintain biodiversity in plantation forest ecosystems it is important to understand the community assembly process. Canopy thinning effectively increases understorey diversity in plantation forests. However, the process of understorey community assembly after canopy thinning remains unclear. We compared the relative importance of two mechanisms that could affect the assembly of understorey woody communities after thinning: (1) environmental filtering due to competition from canopy trees, and (2) stochastic immigration. If the latter is dominant, the effectiveness of local treatment might be unpredictable because of the variable probability of immigration at each location. Location Yamagata Prefecture, Japan. Methods We censused the understorey tree communities in 18 quadrats (each 1 m × 1 m) in each of 49 stands of Japanese cedar plantations. The mean species richness of the 18 quadrats (alpha-diversity), variation in community composition among them (beta-diversity), deviation of beta-diversity from that of a random community (beta-deviation) and total species richness of the plots (gamma-diversity) were compared among censuses (before thinning, 2 and 5 yr after thinning). The relative contributions of two explanatory variables to the various diversities were examined: (1) basal area of canopy trees (overstorey BA, an index of environmental filtering), and (2) available seed source in the surrounding landscape (landscape effect; an index of the probability of immigration). Results Although neither beta-diversity nor gamma-diversity changed throughout the censuses, the alpha-diversity, stem abundance and beta-deviation were affected by thinning. beta-deviation increased after thinning. Overstorey BA limited alpha- and gamma-diversity throughout the censuses. The landscape effect was more significant in terms of beta-deviation after than before thinning. In addition, the effective scale of the landscape effect increased after thinning. Conclusion Our results indicate that both processes are important: thinning brought about an increase in the relative importance of stochastic immigration as well as a reduction in competitive pressure from canopy trees. These results suggest that while local treatment can increase understorey diversity, stochastic immigration from seed sources is the direct driver after thinning. Although local treatment is effective, its efficiency depends on the seed source availability in the surrounding landscape. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of dual-energy (DE) vs single-energy (SE) fluoroscopic imaging of lung tumors using a markerless template-based tracking algorithm. Methods: Ten representative patient breathing patterns were programmed into a Quasar™ motion phantom. The phantom was modified by affixing pork ribs to the surface, and a cedar insert with a small spherical volume was used to simulate lung and tumor, respectively. Sequential 60 kVp (6 mA) and 120 kVp (1.5 mA) fluoroscopic sequences were acquired. Frame-by-frame weighted logarithmic subtraction was performed resulting in a DE fluoroscopic sequence. A template-based algorithm was then used to track tumor motion throughout the DE and SE fluoroscopy sequences. Tracking coordinates were evaluated against ground-truth tumor locations. Fluoroscopic images were also acquired for two lung cancer patients, neither of which had implanted fiducials. Results: For phantom imaging, a total of 1925 frames were analyzed. The algorithm successfully tracked the target on 99.9% (1923/1925) of DE frames vs 90.7% (1745/1925) SE images (p < 0.01). The displacement between tracking coordinates and ground truth for the phantom was 1.4 mm ± 1.1 mm for DE vs 2.0 mm ± 1.3 mm for SE (p < 0.01). Images from two patients, one with a larger tumor and one with a smaller tumor, were also analyzed. For the patient with the larger tumor, the average displacement from physician defined ground truth was 1.2 mm ± 0.6 mm for DE vs 1.4 mm ± 0.7 mm for SE (p = 0.016). For the patient that presented with a smaller tumor, the average displacement from physician defined ground truth was 2.2 mm ± 1.0 mm for DE vs 3.2 mm ± 1.4 mm for SE (p < 0.01). Importantly, for this single patient with the smaller tumor, 15.6% of the SE frames had >5 mm displacements from the ground truth vs 0% for DE fluoroscopy. Conclusions: This work indicates the potential for markerless tumor tracking utilizing DE fluoroscopy. With DE imaging, the algorithm showed improved detectability vs SE fluoroscopy and was able to accurately track the tumor in nearly all cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Species' geographic range limits interest biologists and resource managers alike; however, scientists lack strong mechanistic understanding of the factors that set geographic range limits in the field, especially for animals. There exists a clear need for detailed case studies that link mechanisms to spatial dynamics and boundaries because such mechanisms allow us to predict whether climate change is likely to change a species' geographic range and, if so, how abundance in marginal populations compares to the core. The bagworm Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis (Lepidoptera: Psychidae) is a major native pest of cedars, arborvitae, junipers, and other landscape trees throughout much of North America. Across dozens of bagworm populations spread over six degrees of latitude in the American Midwest we find latitudinal declines in fecundity and egg and pupal survivorship as one proceeds toward the northern range boundary. A spatial gradient of bagworm reproductive success emerges, which is associated with a progressive decline in local abundance and an increase in the risk of local population extinction near the species' geographic range boundary. We developed a mathematical model, completely constrained by empirically estimated parameters, to explore the relative roles of reproductive asynchrony and stage-specific survivorship in generating the range limit for this species. We find that overwinter egg mortality is the biggest constraint on bagworm persistence beyond their northern range limit. Overwinter egg mortality is directly related to winter temperatures that fall below the bagworm eggs' physiological limit. This threshold, in conjunction with latitudinal declines in fecundity and pupal survivorship, creates a nonlinear response to climate extremes that sets the geographic boundary and provides a path for predicting northward range expansion under altered climate conditions. Our mechanistic modeling approach demonstrates how species' sensitivity to climate extremes can create population tipping points not reflected in demographic responses to climate means, a distinction that is critical to successful ecological forecasting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

α-Cedrene is a pharmacologically active ingredient isolated from the essential oil of cedar. A selective and sensitive GC-MS/MS method was developed for the quantification of α-cedrene in rat plasma for the first time. α-Cedrene was extracted from rat plasma using ethyl acetate at neutral pH. The analytes were determined in selective reaction monitoring mode using MS/MS: m/z 204.3→119.0 for α-cedrene and m/z 146.0→111.0 for 1,4-dichlorobenzene (internal standard). The standard curve was linear ( r2 ≥ 0.995) over the concentration ranges of 5-800 ng/mL. The lower limit of quantification was 5 ng/mL using 50 μL of rat plasma. The coefficient of variation and relative error for intra- and interassays at four quality control levels were 3.1-13.9% and −4.0-2.6%, respectively. The stability of processing (freeze-thaw, long-term storage at −80°C, and short-term storage at room temperature) and chromatography (reinjection) was shown to be of insignificant effect. The present method was applied successfully to the pharmacokinetic study of α-cedrene after its intravenous (10 mg/kg) and oral (25 mg/kg) administration in male Sprague-Dawley rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A survey was conducted in forest sites of the Muğla Regional Forest Directorates for the presence of the pinewood nematode, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus. Wood samples were collected from declining pine and cedar trees. A total of 207 samples were taken, and nematodes were extracted, observed and identified. The pinewood nematode was not detected, but another Bursaphelenchus species was recovered from the wood of a Pinus brutia tree in Eşen- Karadere location in Fethiye, which strongly resembled the original description of B. hellenicus. It was identified as this species by morphology and ITS- RFLP. Measurements and diagnostic features are presented. This is the first report of B. hellenicus from Turkey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Patients allergic to pollen have been known to become more symptomatic during pollen season compared with the nonpollen season. However, there are few studies regarding whether higher exposure to pollen might increase the prevalence of allergic diseases. Methods An ecological analysis was conducted to evaluate whether pollen exposure is associated with the prevalence of allergic diseases in schoolchildren. Pollen count data of Japanese cedar ( Cryptomeria japonica) and Japanese cypress ( Chamaecyparis obtusa), which are the major pollen allergens in Japan, were obtained from each prefecture. The prevalence of allergic diseases in schoolchildren in each prefecture was based on a nationwide cross-sectional survey using the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood questionnaire. Results After omitting three prefectures where pollen data were not available, data of 44 prefectures were analysed. The prevalence of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis in children aged 6-7 years was positively associated with both cedar and cypress pollen counts ( P = 0.01, both), whereas the prevalence of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis in children aged 13-14 years was positively associated with only cypress pollen counts ( P = 0.003). Furthermore, the prevalence of asthma was positively associated with cedar pollen counts in 6- to 7-year-old children ( P = 0.003) but not cypress pollen counts in either age group. Conclusions There are ecological associations between pollen counts and the prevalence of allergic diseases in Japanese schoolchildren. Further studies are needed to determine whether the difference between the effects of cedar and cypress pollens is attributable to pollen counts or allergenicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transgenic rice accumulating the modified major Japanese cedar pollen allergens, Cryptomeria japonica 1 ( Cry j 1) and Cryptomeria japonica 2 ( Cry j 2), which were deconstructed by fragmentation and shuffling, respectively, in the edible part of the seed was generated by transformation of a good-tasting rice variety, ' Koshihikari'. These modified cedar pollen antigens were deposited in ER-derived protein bodies ( PB- I), which are suitable for delivery to the mucosal immune system in gut-associated lymphoid tissue when orally administered because antigens bioencapsulated in PB- I are resistant against hydrolysis by intestinal enzymes and harsh environments. Mice fed transgenic seeds daily for three weeks and then challenged with crude cedar pollen allergen showed marked suppression of allergen-specific CD4+ T-cell proliferation, Ig E and Ig G levels compared with mice fed nontransgenic rice seeds. As clinical symptoms of pollinosis, sneezing frequency and infiltration of inflammatory cells such as eosinophils and neutrophils were also significantly reduced in the nasal tissue. These results imply that oral administration of transgenic rice seeds containing the structurally disrupted Cry j 1 and Cry j 2 antigens, serving as universal antigens, is a promising approach for specific immunoprophylaxis against Japanese cedar pollinosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

* Premise of the study: Geographically peripheral (marginal) populations are expected to have lower genetic diversity and higher genetic differentiation than geographically core (central) populations as a result of supposedly lower effective population size (No) and higher genetic drift, founder effect, fragmentation, and isolation in peripheral than in core populations. Here we ad- dress this issue for a long-lived plant species, eastern white cedar (Thuja occidenmlis). * Methods: Genetic diversity and population structure of 13 natural populations of eastern white cedar from its Canadian eastern peripheral and core natural ranges in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island were studied using six nuclear microsatellite DNA markers. * Key results: The core populations of eastern white cedar had significantly higher allelic diversity (mean A = 8.83, Ar = 8.13, Ae = 4.03) and Ne (428) than the peripheral populations (A = 6.64, Ar 6.15, Ae = 3.12, Ne = 198). However, expected heterozygosity was similar in the core (He = 0.64) and peripheral (He = 0.60) populations. Genetic differentiation was significantly higher among the peripheral (FST = 0.089) than among the core (FST 0.032) populations. No genetic differentiation (FST/Φ RT = 0.000) was detected between core and peripheral regions. * Conclusions: Peripheral populations have significantly lower N~ and genetic diversity in terms of allelic diversity (richness) and significantly higher genetic differentiation than the core populations of eastern white cedar in its Canadian eastern range. However, core and peripheral populations have similar levels of expected heterozygosity. Implications for conservation of eastern white cedar genetic resources are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction and Aims. The Cedar Project is a community-based study aiming to identify variables associated with ever being on methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) among young Aboriginal people using drugs and to discuss possible barriers to MMT in this population. Design and Methods. This is a prospective cohort study with recruitment by health-care providers, outreach, and word of mouth in Vancouver and Prince George. Participants included 605 Aboriginal participants who were age 14-30 years, reported illicit drug use in the month prior to enrolment, and provided written informed consent. Variables associated with ever being on MMT were analysed through χ2-testing and multivariate logistic regression, limited to people reporting opioid use (n = 397). Results. Less than half of participants reporting daily injection of opioids had ever been on MMT. In adjusted multivariate logistic regression analyses, older age [odds ratio (OR) 1.17; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.08-1.28)]; female gender (OR 3.76; 95% CI 2.00-7.07); hepatitis C antibody positivity (OR 2.76; 95% CI 1.53-4.95); and daily opioid injection (OR 2.59; 95% CI 1.46-4.61) were positively associated with ever being on MMT. Weekly or more alcohol use (OR 0.43; 95% CI 0.21-0.87) was negatively associated with ever being on MMT. Discussion and Conclusion. MMT access by young Aboriginal people is low. The associations between MMT use and other variables need further study to steer efforts directed at recruitment into MMT. The removal of barriers to MMT and inclusion of young Aboriginal people in the development of treatment programs based on Indigenous values are urgently required to help Aboriginal people who use drugs.[Yang J, Oviedo-Joekes E, Christian KWM, Li K, Louie M, Schechter M, Spittal P. The Cedar Project: Methadone maintenance treatment among young Aboriginal people who use opioids in two Canadian cities. Drug Alcohol Rev 2011;30:645-651] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As planted forests expand in area, they are beginning to dominate landscapes as a matrix and cause the fragmentation of remaining natural forests. To understand and predict the responses of biological assemblages to maturing planted landscapes, examining the effects of forest type (natural vs planted) and forest age on such assemblages is particularly important. Therefore, to document the effects of forest type and age on longhorned beetle assemblages, in 2008 we collected beetles in broad-leaved natural and cedar planted forests where beetles had also been collected in 1989. Beetle species composition differed greatly between the two forest types in 1989, whereas this difference was less pronounced in 2008. Species richness and total abundance were higher in natural forests than in planted forests in 1989. In 2008, species richness had decreased in both forest types, but the difference between the two forest types had been maintained. Total abundance was also markedly lower in 2008, and the difference between forest types was much smaller. Although larval host plants were not associated with the responses of species to year (forest age or maturation), beetle species whose larvae fed on either broad-leaved or coniferous trees (or both) exhibited slight preferences for natural forests. These results suggest that longhorned beetle assemblages become impoverished in planted landscapes as the planted matrix matures. Changes in species composition with forest maturation may be difficult to predict based on larval host plants. However, consideration of larval host plants may enable the prediction of changes in species composition caused by the replacement of natural forests by planted forests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The geographic origins of the invasive Phytophthora species, P. lateralis and P. ramorum are unknown. In 2008 soil samples were collected in an old growth yellow cedar ( Chamaecyparis obtusa var. formosana) stand in the Ma-kau Ecological Park in north eastern Taiwan and subjected to Phytophthora baiting procedures at 18°C. Cedar needle baits yielded isolates of a slow growing Phytophthora culture from one soil sample, together with P. cinnamomi. Phytophthora bisheria sp. nov. was obtained from another sample. The slow growing isolates conformed closely to P. lateralis in the morphology of their sporangia and chlamydospores, growth–temperature relationships, absence of gametangia and their ITS and cox II sequences. The isolates’ sporangia were partially caducous, with short pre-formed pedicels of ca. 3–5 μm, a highly unusual feature in a non-papillate Phytophthora. The isolates also produced multicellular stromata on cedar decoction agar. Small morphological and molecular differences were observed between the Taiwan-isolates and Oregon-control isolates. Taiwan may lie within the geographic centre of origin of P. lateralis. By analogy Japan may also lie within the natural range of P. lateralis; and Japan, along with Taiwan and Yunnan, could be an origin for the closely related P. ramorum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1. After it enters streams, terrestrially derived organic matter (OM) rapidly absorbs water. Using field and laboratory experiments, we examined how this process affected the buoyancy, settling velocity, transport distance and retention locations of four types of organic matter typically found in Pacific coastal streams (‘flexible’ red alder leaves and three ‘stiff’ particle types – Douglas-fir needles, red cedar fronds and Douglas-fir branch pieces). 2. Immersion in water rapidly changed the physical characteristics of alder leaves, Douglas-fir needles and red cedar fronds, which all reached constant still-water settling velocities after only a few days of soaking. In contrast, the settling velocity of branch pieces continued to increase for 13 days, eventually reaching much higher values than any other OM type. Dried alder leaves became negatively buoyant after only two days of immersion, while other types took substantially longer (up to 24 days) before the specific gravity of all particles was >1. 3. We released saturated OM particles in an experimental channel and found that all particle types travelled further in a fast, shallow ‘riffle’ than a slow, deep ‘pool’. Comparisons with a passive settlement null model indicated that leaves were retained more rapidly than expected in the riffle (by large protruding stones), while the three stiff particle types travelled further than expected (probably due to turbulent suspension) and were retained when they settled in deeper water between larger stones. In pools, passive settlement appeared to dominate the retention of all OM types, with leaves travelling furthest. 4. These retention patterns corresponded well with those observed when saturated OM particles collected in the field were released in two pools and two riffles in a second-order coastal stream. 5. When the experimental channel and in-stream data were combined, the retention rates of the three stiff OM types were closely related to calculated Rouse numbers (Rouse number = particle settling velocity/shear velocity), whereas the retention rate of alder leaves was not. This suggests that different physical mechanisms are responsible for the retention of leaves and stiff OM types in shallow streams. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim To investigate the impact of past environmental changes on Cedrus atlantica and its current genetic diversity, and to predict its future distribution. Location Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia. Methods Eleven fossil pollen records from these three countries were used to locate putative glacial refugia and to reconstruct past climate changes. A mechanistic vegetation distribution model was used to simulate the distribution of C. atlantica in the year 2100. In addition, a genetic survey was carried out on modern Moroccan C. atlantica. Results Pollen records indicate that Cedrus was present during the last glacial period, probably in scattered refugia, in Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco. In the Tunisian and Algerian sites, cedar expanded during the late glacial and the early Holocene, then disappeared after c. 8000 yr bp. Reconstructed mean annual precipitation and January temperature show that the last glacial period in Morocco was cooler by 10–15°C and drier by c. 300–400 mm year−1 than the climate today. Modern chloroplast microsatellites of 15 C. atlantica populations in Morocco confirm the presence of multiple refugia and indicate that cedar recolonized the Moroccan mountains fairly recently. Model simulation indicates that by the year 2100 the potential distribution of C. atlantica will be much restricted with a potential survival area located in the High Atlas. Main conclusions Environmental changes in northern Africa since the last glacial period have had an impact on the geographical distribution of C. atlantica and on its modern genetic diversity. It is possible that by the end of this century C. atlantica may be unable to survive in its present-day locations. To preserve the species, we suggest that seedlings from modern C. atlantica populations located in the High Atlas mountains, where a high genetic diversity is found, be transplanted into the western High Atlas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We studied how the dominant factor affecting stem volume growth changes during stand development in a monoclonal stand of Cryptomeria japonica D. Don. Stem analysis was used to compare growth history of trees in an unthinned plot (closed canopy) and a thinned plot (open canopy). In the unthinned plot, the dominant factor affecting stem volume growth was basal area (BA) before canopy closure, whereas neighborhood competition index (CI) was the dominant factor after canopy closure. In contrast, the dominant factor affecting stem volume in the thinned plot was BA throughout stand development. Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient between BA and CI continued to increase after canopy closure and size rank among individuals became increasingly fixed. Our results indicated that stem volume growth shifts from size-dependent to competition-dependent growth at canopy closure. The apparent correlation between tree size and growth rate observed in many previous studies may be the result of competition-mediated positive feedback between size and growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Northwest Africa is a major hotspot of plant biodiversity, but very little is known about the Quaternary range dynamics of plant species in this region. Here we investigate the range-wide population structure and phylogeography of Atlas cedar (Cedrus atlantica), an emblematic forest tree endemic to Morocco and Algeria. We genotyped 261 individuals from 11 populations using AFLP markers. Data were analyzed using both conventional F[subST]-based techniques and Bayesian clustering. Overall population differentiation was high (F[subST] = 0.25). Two major groups of populations were identified, one distributed through the Rif and Middle Atlas mountains in Morocco and the other through the Algerian Tell Atlas and Aurës mountains as well as the Middle Atlas. Combined molecular and fossil data indicate that C. atlantica survived the Last Glacial Maximum in at least three disjunct refugia along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, whereas the Middle Atlas, today the core of the species range, has been colonized relatively recently (<10000 yr BP). The colonization history of individual populations has left clear imprints in their present-day diversity, which may vary greatly even between nearby stands. Our study illustrates how integrating different data sources and analytical approaches can help elucidate complex range dynamics that would otherwise remain undeciphered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It has been hypothesized that yellow-cedar [ Chamaecyparis nootkatensis (D. Don) Spach] decline may result from root freezing injury following climate change-induced reductions in protective snow cover. To test this hypothesis, we measured the freezing tolerance and injury expression of yellow-cedar seedlings in three treatments that differed in the insulative protection they provided to soils during winter and spring: (1) full exposure to ambient temperatures (exposed treatment), (2) continuous protection from ambient temperatures via addition of perlite over pots (full protection), and (3) perlite protection only during winter and exposure to ambient temperatures during spring (partial protection). Foliage from all treatments was cold tolerant enough to prevent foliar freezing injury throughout the study period. However, on all sample dates, roots of seedlings from all treatments were only tolerant to about −5 °C – a level considerably warmer than the reported maximum cold tolerance for the species and well above the soil temperature recorded in the exposed treatment. As a result of this limited root cold tolerance, visibly uninjured roots of seedlings from the exposed treatment had significantly higher relative electrolyte leakage (REL) throughout the winter and early spring than seedlings in soil protection treatments. Seedlings from the exposed treatment also had significantly higher foliar REL values and greater visual foliar injury than seedlings from the other treatments starting in early spring. For both roots and foliage, REL measurements consistently detected tissue damage before visual injury was evident. Patterns of injury from both REL and visual injury assessments showed the same pattern: damage began with freezing injury to roots and subsequently became evident as foliar browning after spring temperatures increased. All seedlings in the exposed treatment eventually had 100% fine root damage and died. This progression of initial root damage followed by foliar browning and mortality after the onset of warming conditions is consistent with reports of yellow-cedar decline symptom development in the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rice seed-based edible vaccines expressing T-cell epitope peptides derived from Japanese cedar major pollen allergens have been used to successfully suppress allergen-specific Th2-mediated immunoglobulin E (IgE) responses in mouse experiments. In order to further expand the application of seed-based allergen-specific immunotherapy for controlling Japanese cedar pollinosis, we generated transgenic rice plants that specifically express recombinant Cry j 1 allergens in seeds. Cry j 1 allergens give low specific IgE-binding activity but contain all of the T-cell epitopes. The allergens were expressed directly or as a protein fusion with the major rice storage protein glutelin. Fusion proteins expressed under the control of the strong rice endosperm-specific GluB-1 promoter accumulated in rice endosperm tissue up to 15% of total seed protein. The fusion proteins aggregated with cysteine-rich prolamin and were deposited in endoplasmic reticulum-derived protein body I. The production of transgenic rice expressing structurally disrupted Cry j 1 peptides with low IgE binding activity but spanning the entire Cry j1 region can be used as a universal, safe and effective tolerogen for rice seed-based oral immunotherapy for cedar pollen allergy in humans and other mammals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we demonstrate that 140 mg/kg of essential oil from the wood of yellow-cedar, incense cedar, Port-Orford-cedar or western juniper strongly inhibits zoospore germination and hyphal growth of Phytophthora ramorum in culture. Four individual compounds in yellow-cedar heartwood were also tested. Zoospore germination was reduced to 0% with 10, 100 and 1000 mg/kg of nootkatin, carvacrol and valencene, respectively. Nootkatone was the least active compound, with 3.5% zoospore germination at 1000 mg/kg. Sporangia germination was 0% with 500 mg/kg of nootkatin or carvacrol. The disruption of the zoospore outer membrane and the loss of sporangial contents were often observed and indicative of sporicidal activity. Hyphal growth was inhibited by 99.9% with 50 mg/kg of nootkatin or 500 mg/kg of carvacrol, but growth resumed upon removing the inhibitors. The zoosporicidal activity of yellow-cedar heartwood shavings stored dry for approximately 10 years was consistent with the quantity of extractable compounds they contained. Thus, spreading fresh shavings or chips of yellow-cedar heartwood with appreciable higher concentrations of the active compounds, over areas in infection zones where spores might be difficult to control such as trails and parking lots used by hikers and bicyclists, might be useful as part of an integrated program to minimize P. ramorum spore distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atlas cedar (Cedrus atlantica) is an ecologically and economically important forest tree species of northern Africa and is considered one of the endangered conifer species in the region. Chloroplast microsatellites (cpSSR) were used to study genetic variation within and among populations and geographical structure in natural populations of C. atlantica throughout its entire distribution range in Morocco. A total of 25 chloroplast haplotypes and 66 cpSSR alleles were found among 162 individuals. The cpSSRs indicate that C. atlantica appears to maintain a high level of genetic diversity (mean He = 0.95), as observed in most coniferous species. Values of mean pairwise distance within a population (D²SH) were related to the size and location of the populations. AMOVA analysis showed that most of the variation in C. atlantica occurs within populations and confirmed the general tendency of gymnosperms to display lower values of population differentiation than angiosperms. The distance-based clustering method (PCoA and neighbor-joining analysis) and the geographical structure revealed a poor structure among the six populations of Cedrus atlantica. Also, a Mantel test indicated a weak correlation between geographic and genetic distances (P = 0.106, r = 0.363). These results are also interpreted in the context of postglacial history of the region plus human impacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herbivores with very plastic dietary requirements, or so-called generalist species, can include individuals that develop specialized feeding habits through their experience with local chemically-defended plants. Local specialization has important implications for understanding a variety of ecological and evolutionary dynamics. However, the extent to which individuals within a generalist species specialize on local plants and the consequences of such specialization remain poorly understood, especially in non-insect herbivores. To better understand this phenomenon, we determined the diet and food preferences of a generalist mammalian herbivore, the dusky-footed woodrat ( Neotoma fuscipes), in two adjacent but distinct plant communities. Based on a combination of cafeteria trials and stable isotope analyses (δ13C and δ15N), our results indicate that woodrats display preferences for local plants and tend to avoid novel chemically-defended plants. Moreover, both methodologies support the conclusion that individual woodrats are dietary specialists restricting their diets to only a few (2-3) of the available plant species. In juniper woodland, woodrats prefer western juniper ( Juniperus occidentalis), while less than one km away in mixed-coniferous forest, woodrats prefer incense cedar ( Calocedrus decurrens). Both plants contain high levels of plant secondary compounds that require detoxification mechanisms within consumers. Therefore, preferences are likely indicative of underlying physiological adaptations that could promote further behavioral, physiological and ultimately genetic differences between woodrats in different habitats. This study provides additional evidence for local specialization and urges caution when using the term generalist to characterize feeding behaviors at the individual level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unused ancient Egyptian embalming material unearthed at Deir el-Bahari (c. 1500 bc ) shed new light on the potential preparation methods for various embalming materials in Pharaonic Egypt. Analyses revealed the presence of phenols, guaiacols, naphthalenes and sesquiterpenoids. These components were attributed to a wood tar oil produced by a dry distillation or smouldering process from the true cedar tree. The preservation effects were elucidated at the molecular level. Bone alkaline phosphatase, an enzyme that is tightly bound in deeper regions of the bone mineral, served as a marker to reveal the efficacy of the investigated compounds. A very similar embalming material was extracted from a Ptolemaic torso (340± 170 bc ), showing powerful bactericidal and fungicidal activity on the mummified tissue and bones. Here, we show that both the unused and the used embalming materials are in striking accordance with Pliny's description of liquid ‘cedrium ’, with the abundantly present guaiacol proving the most effective conserving compound. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cedrus atlantica (Pinaceae) is a large and exceptionally long-lived conifer native to the Rif and Atlas Mountains of North Africa. To assess levels and patterns of genetic diversity of this species, samples were obtained throughout the natural range in Morocco and from a forest plantation in Arbùcies, Girona (Spain) and analyzed using RAPD markers. Within-population genetic diversity was high and comparable to that revealed by isozymes. Managed populations harbored levels of genetic variation similar to those found in their natural counterparts. Genotypic analyses of molecular variance (AMOVA) found that most variation was within populations, but significant differentiation was also found between populations, particularly in Morocco. Bayesian estimates of FST corroborated the AMOVA partitioning and provided evidence for population differentiation in C. atlantica. Both distance- and Bayesian-based clustering methods revealed that Moroccan populations comprise two genetically distinct groups. Within each group, estimates of population differentiation were close to those previously reported in other gymnosperms. These results are interpreted in the context of the postglacial history of the species and human impact. The high degree of among-group differentiation recorded here highlights the need for additional conservation measures for some Moroccan populations of C. atlantica. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: We identified five Gryptorneria japonica trees producing Cry j 1 isoforms that cannot be detected in a sandwich ELISA using two monoclonal antibodies, J1B01 and J1B01, suggesting that the binding affinity of these isoforms for both monoclonal antibodies is low. Objectives: The binding properties of the Cryj 1 isoforms produced by five trees to J1B01 and J1B01 were examined. The complementary DNA (cDNA) sequences of the Cry j 1 isoforms were also determined. Methods: To clarify the binding properties of these Cryj 1 isoforms to J1B01 and J1B01, Cryj 1 was quantified in pollen samples collected from each of the five trees, by sandwich ELISAs using polyclonal antibodies and either J1BOT or J1B01. The cDNA sequences of isoforms with different binding properties were determined. To test the assumption that amino acid substitutions affect the binding affinities of Cry j 1 isoforms for monoclonal antibodies, cleaved amplified polymorphic sequences (CAPS) markers representing the putative polymorphisms were used to analyse additional trees. Results: Four of the five trees produced Cry j 1 isoforms with extremely low binding affinity for J1B01, whereas the other tree produced two different isoforms with low binding affinity for either J 1 BO 1 or J 1 B07. Cry j 1-encoding cDNA sequences for one of the four trees and for the exceptional fifth tree indicate that amino acid substitutions at positions 55 and 352 in mature Cry j 1 affect its binding to J1B01 and J1B01, respectively. This was supported by the results of CAPS analysis. Conclusion: The existence of Cry j 1 isoforms with low binding affinity for either J1B01 or J1B01 was established. Furthermore, a single amino acid substitution is involved in this difference in binding affinity for each monoclonal antibody. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil carbon cycling was studied in Japanese cedar plantations with different stand ages after clear-cutting and was analyzed by a compartment model. The amount of biomass and the litterfall rate increased rapidly with the growth of Japanese cedar, which were approximated by a simple logistic function of stand age. The accumulation of A0 layer decreased from 21 t ha−1 to 5 t ha−1 during the 10 years following clear-cutting, and then recovered to nearly the same level as before clear-cutting within 20 years after clear-cutting, although the amount of soil carbon in the mineral soil recovered more than 40 years after clear-cutting. The total and mineral soil respiration rates increased rapidly after clear-cutting and gradually decreased in young stands and stabilized in old stands. The relative decomposition rate of the A0 layer and organic matters in mineral soil was high in the young stands because of the relatively high soil temperature rather than the soil moisture content. After the closing up of the canopy, the relative decomposition rates of the A0 layer and humus in the mineral soil stabilized at 0.14 to 0.16 y–1 and 0.005 to 0.013 y−1, respectively. Consequently, soil carbon cycling was strongly affected by clear-cutting. The amount of soil carbon rapidly decreased because of the cessation of litterfall and the increase of the relative decomposition rate of the A0 layer and humus, and recovered gradually to the level before clear-cutting with the growth of the cedar plantation. The change in soil carbon cycling with stand development was partly caused by the change in soil temperature and moisture content but was mainly caused by the amount of cedar litterfall which changed significantly in the early stage of the stand following clear-cutting, and became slower and leveled off in the late stage with stabilization of the environmental conditions and litterfall rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Spanish Cedar (Cedrela odorata L.) is a globally important timber species which has been severely exploited in Mesoamerica for over 200 years. Using polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphisms, its chloroplast (cp) DNA phylogeography was studied in Mesoamerica with samples from 29 populations in six countries. Five haplotypes were characterized, phylogenetically grouped into three lineages (Northern, Central and Southern). Spatial analysis of ordered genetic distance confirmed deviation from a pattern of isolation by distance. The geographically proximate Northern and Central cpDNA lineages were genetically the most differentiated, with the Southern lineage appearing between them on a minimum spanning tree. However, populations possessing Southern lineage haplotypes occupy distinct moist habitats, in contrast to populations possessing Northern and Central lineage haplotypes which occupy drier and more seasonal habitats. Given the known colonization of the proto-Mesoamerican peninsula by South American flora and fauna prior to the formation of the Isthmus of Panama, it seems most likely that the observed population structure in C. odorata results from repeated colonization of Mesoamerica from South American source populations. Such a model would imply an ancient, pre-Isthmian colonization of a dry-adapted type (possessing the Northern lineage or a prototype thereof), with a secondary colonization via the land bridge. Following this, a more recent (possibly post-Pleistocene) expansion of moist-adapted types possessing the Southern lineage from the south fits the known vegetation history of the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract This study examined the effects of snowfall on the beginning day of Cryptomeria japonica pollen release and predicted it under global climate change. We used a statistical method in order to investigate when the pollen release would start and how much sooner it would be, by using data on predicted meteorological conditions under global warming in Yamagata City, Japan. Estimation accuracy was improved by multiple regression by using the mean air temperature from January to February and snowfall depth in February. Adding snowfall depth yielded more accurate estimates of the beginning day of pollen release than using air temperature alone. It is possible that the effects of heat insulation and cooling by snow delay the flowering day. Under the predicted global climate change, we expect the beginning day of pollen release to become earlier in Yamagata City. The date would be 8 February in approximately 100 years, compared with 20 February at the earliest now. Eighty years from now the date could be earlier than any date recorded so far. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background B7-1 (CD80) and B7-2 (CD86), which are costimulatory molecules in T-cell activation, play important roles in the differentiation of TH1- or TH2-phenotypes. These molecules were also suggested to play important roles in sensitization to a cedar pollen antigen by blocking studies using neutralizing antibodies, but there have been very few studies concerning the effects following induction by antigen. Objective In this study, we investigated the roles of B7-1 and B7-2 in the differentiation of TH1 and TH2 subsets after stimulation with the antigen in subjects with cedar pollinosis. Methods Skin-prick test was performed in nine subjects with pollinosis and in nine normal controls. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated and stimulated with Japanese cedar pollen extract. After in vitro stimulation, the expression of CD80 and CD86 on CD19+ cells was analysed by two-colour flow cytometry. Culture supernatants were collected for all subjects and the production of type 1 and type 2 cytokines was measured by ELISA. Results After in vitro stimulation, the expression of CD80 (B7-1) was upregulated in both pollinosis and control subjects, but no significant difference was observed between the two groups. On the other hand, CD86 (B7-2) was significantly upregulated following stimulation in pollinosis subjects (P = 0.02). A significantly higher level of IL-5 (P = 0.04) was produced by PBMCs of pollinosis subjects than by those of normal controls. A significantly higher level of interferon (IFN)-γ (P = 0.03) was produced by PBMCs of normal controls than by those of pollinosis subjects. Conclusion These results indicated that TH2 response was predominant in pollinosis subjects, and that CD19+ cells of pollinosis subjects expressed higher levels of B7-2 than those of control subjects after in vitro stimulation. In pollinosis subjects, B7-2 rather than B7-1 may be the costimulatory molecule involved in allergen-induced... [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BackgroundThe natural occurrence of Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica, CJ) pollinosis has been reported in Japanese monkeys (Macaca fuscata). However, the reactivity to Japanese cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa, CO) pollen allergens in these monkeys has not yet been reported. ObjectivesThe present study was designed to investigate the reactivity to CO pollen allergens in monkeys sensitized to CJ pollen allergens. MethodsSerum samples from 40 monkeys naturally sensitized to CJ pollen allergens were collected from four troops. We measured the specific IgE to CO pollen allergens and examined the reactivity to the allergens by intradermal test. Cross-reactivity between CJ and CO pollen allergens was examined by ELISA inhibition method. Furthermore, we examined the sensitivity to the allergens by histamine release assay from leucocytes. ResultsAll 40 monkeys had specific IgE to crude and purified major allergens (Cha o 1) of CO pollen. The monkeys showed a positive reaction to CO pollen allergens in the intradermal test. Allergenic cross-reactivity between Cha o 1 and Cry j 1 (a major allergen in CJ pollen) was also observed. Specific histamine release to both the major allergens was noted in two monkeys with CJ pollinosis. ConclusionJapanese monkeys sensitized to Japanese cedar pollen allergens also demonstrate reactivity to Japanese cypress pollen allergens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spleen cells of mice immunized with cis,trans (±) abscisic acid (ABA) conjugated to bovine serum albumin (BSA) were fused with myeloma cells to produce hybridomas. Hybridomas secreting antibodies to cis,trans (+) ABA were detected by enzyme-linked immunoassay and injected into the peritoneal cavity of mice to produce ascites fluid. Antibodies purified by size-exclusion chromatography were linked to cyanogen bromide-activated Sepharose beads and used to prepare immunoaffinity columns (IAC). Semi-purified conifer seedling {Douglas-fir [Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb) Franco] lodgepole pine Pinus contorta Dougl), cedar (Thuja plicata D. Don), and spruce [Picea glauca (Moench) Voss)]} extracts were passed through IAC, washed thoroughly with water and then eluted with methanol. ABA in the methanol eluate was analysed by high performance liquid chromatography with UV detection. UV absorption of extracts before and after purification through IAC indicated an excellent purification of extract by IAC. The identity of the ABA peak was confirmed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Imposition of low, but above freezing, temperatures resulted in a gradual increase in the cold hardiness of western red cedar seedlings. This was associated with a decrease in the maximum rates of photosynthetic CO2 fixation and O2 evolution, and changes in chlorophyll a fluorescence transients which indicated that photoinhibition had occurred, Maximum photosynthetic rates declined approximately 40% during cold hardening. The leaves changed colour from green to red-brown during the hardening process. The colour change was due to the synthesis of large amounts of the carotenoid rhodoxanthin, Lutein levels doubled, while chlorophyll declined slightly. Dehardening resulted in the rapid recovery of photosynthesis to control levels, the rapid disappearance of rhodoxanthin, and the return of lutein levels to control, It is suggested that rhodoxanthin accumulation at low temperature functions to decrease the light intensity reaching the photosynthetic apparatus. The combination of photoinhibition and rhodoxanthin synthesis probably serves to protect the photosynthetic capacity of the seedlings at low temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) pollinosis has been reported to occur naturally in Japanese monkeys (Macaca fuscata) as well as humans. Using monoclonal antibodies (mAb) specific to Cry j 1, a major allergen in Japanese cedar pollen, we identified five independent epitopes (EPA to EP-5) on the molecule. The epitopes recognized by IgE antibodies in the sera of humans and monkeys with the pollinosis were analysed by an IgE enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay inhibition method with these mAb. In human patients, the mAb to EPA strongly blocked the binding of IgE antibodies in all patients' sera to Cry j 1. The reaction patterns of IgE antibodies in monkeys, however, varied among the troops of monkeys. In some troops, the mAb to EPA showed a blocking pattern similar to that for human patients. In other troops, mAb to EP-4 and EP-5 blocked binding of IgE. These results indicate that some, but not all, monkeys have antibody responses to the major allergen similar to those of humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thirteen apple cultivars and selections were evaluated in a greenhouse for their reaction to cedar-apple rust inoculation. Five of the cultivars/selections developed aecial lesions on their leaves whereas the sixth cultivar, Jonathan, showed only pycnial lesions. The responses of the remaining seven resistant cultivars/selections ranged from a lack of any visible symptoms to the presence of discrete flecks or continuous chlorolic mottles. Quantitative parameters were used for statistical analysis: these included the highest number of pycnial lesions on a leaf/plant (N), the largest diameter of pycnial lesions on any leaf/plant (D), and the calculated infection rating (IR= ND2). Significant differences were observed among cultivars/selections for variables N, D, and IR. Segregation ratios among progenies derived from 16 controlled crosses indicated that resistance to cedar-apple rust was conditioned by two major genes, and both were required in dominant form to confer resistance. However, in three crosses the dual-gene hypothesis was inadequate to explain the reaction of seedlings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article describes a case of variability in Sphaeropsis sapinea. Two isolates of Sphaeropsis sapinea were isolated from the collar of a declining Cedrus deodara in the South of France. Cultural characteristics on PDA and MEA as well as conidial dimensions were compared with those of types A and B of S. sapinea described to occur in North America. However, type I grew faster on PDA, had smaller conidia and lacked microconidia. Single-conidia isolates obtained from the four types showed stability of these characteristics.

This article focuses on the impact of the environment on allergic lung diseases. Episodes of severe air pollution, particularly by acid aerosols and sulphur dioxide resulting from excessive burning of coal, frequently resulted in substantial morbidity and mortality from respiratory disease during the first few decades of this century. However, studies from Japan have demonstrated that the incidence of rhinoconjunctivitis in residents living alongside old cedar tree-lined main roads with heavy traffic all day long was much higher than that in residents living in the cedar forest but with less traffic, despite the cedar pollen counts being similar in both areas.

The article focuses on a study related to the establishment of Widdringtonia Cedarbergensis or clanwilliam cedar. It refers to a is a tree species endemic in Cederberg mountains, Cape Province, South Africa. A decline has been noted in their numbers, due to exploitation, stock grazing and modifications in fire regime. In this study, the impact of sowing method, seed density and granivory on the germination and establishment of cedar seedlings, were assessed. It is stated in the conclusion that granivory plays a major role in cedar regeneration, but does not preclude successful reestablishment.

We developed primers for the amplification of six polymorphic nuclear microsatellites in Mediterranean Cedrus taxa. Microsatellites originated from two Cedrus atlantica genomic libraries enriched for TC (four markers) and TG (two markers) motifs. No distortion from Mendelian segregation was observed. There were up to eight alleles per locus and mean expected heterozygosity was 0.75. Four microsatellites also amplified in the Himalayan cedar. These markers should be helpful for species identification, diversity studies, parentage analysis and genome mapping and to monitor biodiversity in endangered Mediterranean Cedrus forests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines the influence of cedar essence (CE) on spontaneous activity and sleep of rats and human daytime nap. Decrease of spontaneous activities and amount of wake; Increase of amount of non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep; Length of NREM sleep stage 2 latency in human daytime nap after exposure to CE.

Forest ecosystems are self-fertilizing systems, and development of forest stands depends on nutrient supply via biogeochemical cycling within the ecosystem. Therefore, it is important to clarify the nutrient cycle mediating growth and development. In addition, long-term hydrochemical monitoring is needed to understand the influence of environmental changes on biogeochemical cycling in forest ecosystems. The Oyasan Experimental Forest Watershed (OEFW) is located in the Field Museum Oyasan, the university forest of Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, in Gunma prefecture, Japan. OEFW comprises two small adjacent forested watersheds-A-watershed and B-watershed-with respective areas of 1.3 and 1.8 ha. A-watershed is a reestablished forest planted with sugi (Japanese cedar; Cryptomeria japonica) and hinoki (Japanese cypress; Chamaecyparis obtusa) in 1976, and has been managed intensively with fertilizer application. By contrast, B-watershed is an established forest planted with sugi and hinoki in 1907. No forest practices have been carried out except for thinning of suppressed trees in 1983. However, the sugi plantation on the lowest slope (18% of the watershed area) was cut in 2000, and sugi was replanted the following year. In this data paper, we present data on the daily precipitation, discharge, pH, and concentrations of major nutrients (Ca, Mg, K, Na, NH, Cl, NO, and SO) in rainwater and stream water since November 1978. The arithmetical mean pH of precipitation, stream water in A- and B-watershed from the beginning of the monitoring to the present were 4.77 ± 0.67, 6.85 ± 0.41 and 6.88 ± 0.36 (average ± SD), respectively. The arithmetical mean concentrations in precipitation in mmol L were 0.030 ± 0.030 for Ca, 0.010 ± 0.011 for Mg, 0.009 ± 0.013 for K, 0.020 ± 0.024 for Na, 0.035 ± 0.041 for NH, 0.026 ± 0.029 for Cl, 0.033 ± 0.038 for NO, and 0.046 ± 0.043 for SO. The mean concentrations in stream water in A-watershed were 0.180 ± 0.032 for Ca, 0.073 ± 0.013 for Mg, 0.018 ± 0.009 for K, 0.182 ± 0.024 for Na, 0.010 ± 0.010 for NH, 0.060 ± 0.008 for Cl, 0.111 ± 0.038 for NO, and 0.074 ± 0.012 for SO; whereas for B-watershed the mean concentrations were 0.169 ± 0.025 for Ca, 0.079 ± 0.016 for Mg, 0.018 ± 0.005 for K, 0.192 ± 0.026 for Na, 0.010 ± 0.010 for NH, 0.065 ± 0.010 for Cl, 0.093 ± 0.025 for NO, and 0.087 ± 0.011 for SO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]