Displaying publications 101 - 120 of 144 in total

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  1. Fulltext The effects of catchment and riparian forest quality on stream environmental conditions across a tropical rainforest and oil palm landscape in Malaysian Borneo
    Luke SH, Barclay H, Bidin K, Chey VK, Ewers RM, Foster WA, et al.
    Ecohydrology, 2017 06;10(4):e1827.
    PMID: 28706573 DOI: 10.1002/eco.1827
    Freshwaters provide valuable habitat and important ecosystem services but are threatened worldwide by habitat loss and degradation. In Southeast Asia, rainforest streams are particularly threatened by logging and conversion to oil palm, but we lack information on the impacts of this on freshwater environmental conditions, and the relative importance of catchment versus riparian-scale disturbance. We studied 16 streams in Sabah, Borneo, including old-growth forest, logged forest, and oil palm sites. We assessed forest quality in riparian zones and across the whole catchment and compared it with stream environmental conditions including water quality, structural complexity, and organic inputs. We found that streams with the highest riparian forest quality were nearly 4 °C cooler, over 20 cm deeper, had over 40% less sand, greater canopy cover, more stored leaf litter, and wider channels than oil palm streams with the lowest riparian forest quality. Other variables were significantly related to catchment-scale forest quality, with streams in the highest quality forest catchments having 40% more bedrock and 20 times more dead wood, along with higher phosphorus, and lower nitrate-N levels compared to streams with the lowest catchment-scale forest quality. Although riparian buffer strips went some way to protecting waterways, they did not maintain fully forest-like stream conditions. In addition, logged forest streams still showed signs of disturbance 10-15 years after selective logging. Our results suggest that maintenance and restoration of buffer strips can help to protect healthy freshwater ecosystems but logging practices and catchment-scale forest management also need to be considered.
    Matched MeSH terms: Wood
  2. Fulltext Physico-mechanical, thermal and morphological properties of furfuryl alcohol/2-ethylhexyl methacrylate/halloysite nanoclay wood polymer nanocomposites (WPNCs)
    Rahman MR, Hamdan S, Lai JCH, Jawaid M, Yusof FABM
    Heliyon, 2017 Jul;3(7):e00342.
    PMID: 28725868 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2017.e00342
    In this study, the physical, morphological, mechanical and thermal properties of furfuryl alcohol/2-ethylhexyl methacrylate/halloysite nanoclay wood polymer nanocomposites (FA-co-EHMA-HNC WPNCs) were investigated. FA-co-EHMA-HNC WPNCs were prepared via an impregnation method and the properties of the nanocomposites were characterized through the weight percent gain, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), three-point flexural test, dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis and moisture absorption test. The weight percent gain in the 50:50 FA-co-EHMA-HNC WPNC was the highest compared with the raw wood (RW) and other WPNCs. The FT-IR results confirmed that polymerization took place in the nanocomposites, especially 50:50 FA-co-EHMA-HNC WPNC, which had a reduced amount of hydroxyl groups. The SEM results revealed that the 50:50 FA-co-EHMA-HNC WPNC had the smoothest and most uniform surface among all of the nanocomposites. The 50:50 FA-co-EHMA-HNC WPNC showed the highest flexural strength and modulus of elasticity. The results revealed that the storage modulus and loss modulus of the FA-co-EHMA-HNC WPNCs were higher and the tan δ of FA-co-EHMA-HNC WNPCs was lower compared with the RW. The FA-co-EHMA-HNC WPNCs exhibited the higher thermal stability in the TGA and DSC analysis. The 50:50 FA-co-EHMA-HNC WPNC exhibited remarkably lower moisture absorption compared with the RW. Overall, this study proved that the ratio 50:50 FA-co-EHMA ratio was the most suitable for introduction in the in the RW.
    Matched MeSH terms: Wood
  3. Logging disturbance shifts net primary productivity and its allocation in Bornean tropical forests
    Riutta T, Malhi Y, Kho LK, Marthews TR, Huaraca Huasco W, Khoo M, et al.
    Glob Chang Biol, 2018 07;24(7):2913-2928.
    PMID: 29364562 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.14068
    Tropical forests play a major role in the carbon cycle of the terrestrial biosphere. Recent field studies have provided detailed descriptions of the carbon cycle of mature tropical forests, but logged or secondary forests have received much less attention. Here, we report the first measures of total net primary productivity (NPP) and its allocation along a disturbance gradient from old-growth forests to moderately and heavily logged forests in Malaysian Borneo. We measured the main NPP components (woody, fine root and canopy NPP) in old-growth (n = 6) and logged (n = 5) 1 ha forest plots. Overall, the total NPP did not differ between old-growth and logged forest (13.5 ± 0.5 and 15.7 ± 1.5 Mg C ha-1  year-1 respectively). However, logged forests allocated significantly higher fraction into woody NPP at the expense of the canopy NPP (42% and 48% into woody and canopy NPP, respectively, in old-growth forest vs 66% and 23% in logged forest). When controlling for local stand structure, NPP in logged forest stands was 41% higher, and woody NPP was 150% higher than in old-growth stands with similar basal area, but this was offset by structure effects (higher gap frequency and absence of large trees in logged forest). This pattern was not driven by species turnover: the average woody NPP of all species groups within logged forest (pioneers, nonpioneers, species unique to logged plots and species shared with old-growth plots) was similar. Hence, below a threshold of very heavy disturbance, logged forests can exhibit higher NPP and higher allocation to wood; such shifts in carbon cycling persist for decades after the logging event. Given that the majority of tropical forest biome has experienced some degree of logging, our results demonstrate that logging can cause substantial shifts in carbon production and allocation in tropical forests.
    Matched MeSH terms: Wood
  4. Liquefied residue of Kenaf core wood produced at different Phenol-Kenaf ratio
    Saiful Bahari Bakarudin, Sarani Zakaria, Ching HC, Mohd Jani S
    Sains Malaysiana, 2012;41:225-231.
    Liquefactions of kenaf core wood were carried out at different phenol-kenaf (P/k) ratios. Characterizations of kenaf core wood liquefied residue were carried out to measure the degree of liquefaction. This provides a new approach to understand some fundamental aspects of the liquefaction reaction. Functional groups on the raw kenaf core wood and liquefied residue were examined using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The crystallinity index of the kenaf wood liquefied residue, which represents crystallinity changes of the cellulose component after the liquefaction process, was studied using X-ray diffraction (XRD). The surface morphology of the wood residue was observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The thermal behavior of the residues was analyzed using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Abroad peak around 3450-3400 cm-1 representing OH stretching in lignin start to disappear as P/K ratio increases. The results showed that the higher the P/K ratio the greater the liquefaction of the lignin component in the kenaf core wood. The crystallinity index (CrI) on the kenaf liquefied residues increased with the increase in P/K ratio. SEM images showed that the small fragments attached on the liquefied kenaf residue surface were gradually removed as the P/K ratio was increased from 1.5/1.0 to 2.5/1.0, which is mainly attributed to the greater chemical penetration toward reactive site of the kenaf fibres. Residue content decreased as the P/K ratio increased from 1.5/1.0 to 2.5/1.0. TGA results showed the increase of heat resistance in the residue as the P/K ratio was increased.
    Matched MeSH terms: Wood
  5. Anatomy of wooden core of ottoman composite archery bows
    Gokhan Gunduz, Barbaros Yaman, Seray Ozden, Suleyman Donmez
    Sains Malaysiana, 2013;42:547-552.
    Composite archery bows have been well known and used by Asiatic societies for thousands of years. The Turkish composite bow, made of wood, horn, sinew and glue is one of the most famous and powerful bows in the world. Because of its high draw weight and mechanical efficiency, the Turkish composite bow became a powerful weapon in the Seljuk and the Ottoman empire. In addition to being a powerful weapon of war, at the same time the bow and arrow (archery) continued
    to be a sport of Ottoman (sultans, state officials, janissaries) until the late Ottoman period. In this study of the Ottoman composite archery bows in the collections of Izmir Ethnography Museum, a small wood sample was investigated on the basis of its wood anatomy. The results showed that it was made of maple wood (Acer sp.) and some of its qualitative and quantitative anatomical properties are presented here. One of the key properties for the identification of maple wood is
    the helical thickening throughout the body of the vessel element. Helical thickenings in vessel elements in cutting surfaces of maple-wooden core increase the bonding surface between the wood and sinew-horn. In most of the woods preferred traditionally for bow-making, helical thickenings in tracheids, vessel elements or ground tissue fibres should be taken into account at a hierarchy of cellular structures for elucidating the efficiency of Ottoman composite-wooden bow.
    Matched MeSH terms: Wood
  6. First Report of Lasmenia sp. and Two Species of Gliocephalotrichum on Rambutan in Hawaii
    Nishijima KA, Follett PA, Bushe BC, Nagao MA
    Plant Dis, 2002 Jan;86(1):71.
    PMID: 30823004 DOI: 10.1094/PDIS.2002.86.1.71C
    Rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum L.) is a tropical fruit grown in Hawaii for the exotic fruit market. Fruit rot was observed periodically during 1998 and 1999 from two islands, Hawaii and Kauai, and severe fruit rot was observed during 2000 in orchards in Kurtistown and Papaikou on Hawaii. Symptoms were characterized by brown-to-black, water-soaked lesions on the fruit surface that progressed to blackening and drying of the pericarp, which often split and exposed the aril (flesh). In certain cultivars, immature, small green fruits were totally mummified. Rambutan trees with high incidence of fruit rot also showed symptoms of branch dieback and leaf spot. Lasmenia sp. Speg. sensu Sutton, identified by Centraalbureau voor Schimmelcultures (Baarn, the Netherlands), was isolated from infected fruit and necrotic leaves. Also associated with some of the fruit rot and dieback symptoms were Gliocephalotrichum simplex (J.A. Meyer) B. Wiley & E. Simmons, and G. bulbilium J.J. Ellis & Hesseltine. G. simplex was isolated from infected fruit, and G. bulbilium was isolated from discolored vascular tissues and infected fruit. Identification of species of Gliocephalotrichum was based on characteristics of conidiophores, sterile hairs, and chlamydospores (1,4). Culture characteristics were distinctive on potato dextrose agar (PDA), where the mycelium of G. bulbilium was light orange (peach) without reverse color, while G. simplex was golden-brown to grayish-yellow with dark brown reverse color. Both species produced a fruity odor after 6 days on PDA. In pathogenicity tests, healthy, washed rambutan fruits were wounded, inoculated with 30 μl of sterile distilled water (SDW) or a fungus spore suspension (105 to 106 spores per ml), and incubated in humidity chambers at room temperature (22°C) under continuous fluorescent light. Lasmenia sp. (strain KN-F99-1), G. simplex (strain KN-F2000-1), and G. bulbilium (strains KN-F2001-1 and KN-F2001-2) produced fruit rot symptoms on inoculated fruit and were reisolated from fruit with typical symptoms, fulfilling Koch's postulates. Controls (inoculated with SDW) had lower incidence or developed less severe symptoms than the fungus treatments. Inoculation tests were conducted at least twice. To our knowledge, this is the first report of Lasmenia sp. in Hawaii and the first report of the genus Gliocephalotrichum on rambutan in Hawaii. These pathogens are potentially economically important to rambutan in Hawaii. G. bulbilium has been reported previously on decaying wood of guava (Psidium guajava L.) in Hawaii (2), and the fungus causes field and postharvest rots of rambutan fruit in Thailand (3). References: (1) J. J. Ellis and C. W. Hesseltine. Bull. Torrey Bot. Club 89:21, 1962. (2) D. F. Farr et al. Fungi on Plants and Plant Products in the United States. The American Phytopathological Society, St. Paul, MN, 1989. (3) N. Visarathanonth and L. L. Ilag. Pages 51-57 in: Rambutan: Fruit Development, Postharvest Physiology and Marketing in ASEAN. ASEAN Food Handling Bureau, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 1987. (4) B. J. Wiley and E. G. Simmons. Mycologia 63:575, 1971.
    Matched MeSH terms: Wood
  7. Fulltext UV-Curable Urethane Acrylate Resin from Palm Fatty Acid Distillate
    Teo KT, Hassan A, Gan SN
    Polymers (Basel), 2018 Dec 11;10(12).
    PMID: 30961299 DOI: 10.3390/polym10121374
    Palm fatty acid distillate (PFAD), is a by-product of the crude palm oil refining process. It comprises mainly of free fatty acids-around 45% palmitic and 33% oleic acids-as the major components. Ultra-violet (UV) curable urethane acrylate (UA) oligomers could be synthesized from PFAD, by the following procedure. A hydroxyl terminated macromer was first prepared by reacting PFAD with a mixture of isophthalic acid, phthalic anhydride, neopentagylcol (NPG), and pentaerythritol. The macromer was then reacted with 2-hydroxylethylacrylate (2HEA) and toluene diisocynate (TDI) to generate a resin, containing acrylate side chains for UV curable application. A series of UA resins were prepared by using 15, 25, 45, 55, and 70% of PFAD, respectively. The UA resin has Mw in the range of 3,200 to 27,000. They could be cured by UV irradiation at an intensity of 225 mW/cm². Glass transition temperature (Tg) of the cured film was measured by differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), and hardness of the film was determined by a pendulum hardness tester, according to American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)4366. The resins were used in a wood-coating application. All of the cured films showed good adhesion, hardness, and chemical resistance except for the one using the 70% PFAD, which did not cure properly.
    Matched MeSH terms: Wood
  8. Use of ammonium-enriched skim latex serum to compost rubber biomass wastes and its effect on planting brassica alboglabra
    Jutarut Iewkittayakorn, Juntima Chungsiriporn, Prukraya Pongyeela
    Sains Malaysiana, 2017;46:1763-1769.
    Ammonium-enriched skim latex serum - used for absorption of contaminating ammonia gas - when composted with other rubber tree wastes, is promising as a good compost. The objective of this research was to utilize ammonium-enriched skim latex serum (S) as a raw composting ingredient after being combined with para sawdust (W1) and para rubber leaves (W2). Several ratios of S, W1 and W2 were experimented in a 15L composting vessel to determine the most effective compost. The best ratio was found to be 3:1:3 by weight at 12-day retention. The modified 30 L composting reactor employed with the derived optimum mixing conditions yielded N, P and K of 2.40, 1.51 and 14.84 %w/w. The growth of Brassica alboglabra after application of this compost combined with a chemical fertilizer generated the highest fresh weight (4.48 g/plant). Thus, compost from these wastes could be used as a fertilizer and logically should contribute to cost saving of waste disposal.
    Matched MeSH terms: Wood
  9. Characterization of hydrocarbons in smoke aerosols from burning of three tropical wood species
    Tan hs, Mohd Radzi Abas, Norhayati Mohd Tahir
    Sains Malaysiana, 2016;45:365-371.
    A study has been carried out to characterize hydrocarbons emitted from the burning of three tropical wood species. The woods were burned to ember and smoke aerosols emitted were sampled using high volume sampler fitted with a pre-cleaned glass fibre filters. Hydrocarbons were extracted using ultrasonic agitation with dichloromethane-methanol (3:1 v/v) as solvent and the extracts obtained were then fractionated on silica-alumina column. Detection and quantification of aliphatic and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) compounds were carried out using GC-MS. The results indicated that the major aliphatic hydrocarbons characterized were straight chain n-alkanes in the range of C12-C35 with Cmax in the range of C27-C33. Rhizophora apiculata and Hevea brasiliensis wood smoke exhibited a weak odd to even carbon number predominance with carbon preference index (CPI) values greater than one whereas Melaleuca cajuputi wood smoke aerosols did not exhibit similar pattern with CPI obtained close to one. The results obtained also indicated that burning of these wood resulted in formation of PAHs compounds in their smoke aerosols with predominance of three to four rings PAHs over the two, five and lesser of six rings PAHs. PAH diagnostic ratios calculated except for Flan/(Flan+Py) and Indeno/(Indeno+BgP) were consistent with the ratios suggested for wood combustion source as reported in literatures. In the case of the latter, two diagnostic ratios, the values were generally lower than the range normally reported for wood combustion.
    Matched MeSH terms: Wood
  10. The potential of endophytic bacteria as a biological control agent for ganoderma disease In oil palm
    Nur Rashyeda Ramli, Maizatul Suriza Mohamed, Idris Abu Seman, Madihah Ahmad Zairun, Nasyaruddin Mohamad
    Sains Malaysiana, 2016;45:401-409.
    This study was conducted to screen the endophytic bacteria as a biological control agent (BCA) against Ganoderma boninense. A total of 581 endophytic bacteria were successfully isolated from symptomless oil palm root tissues at Teluk Intan, Perak, Malaysia. Three endophytic bacteria, Pseudomonas aeruginosa GanoEB1, Burkholderia cepacia GanoEB2, and Pseudomonas syringae GanoEB3 were found to have a potential as BCA based on their percentage inhibition of radial growth (PIRG) in dual culture and culture filtrate tests. Two nursery trials were conducted to evaluate the capability of these bacteria to suppress Ganoderma disease in oil palm seedlings that were artificially infected with G. boninense using rubber wood block (RWB) sitting technique. The percentage of disease incidence (DI), severity of foliar symptoms (SFS) and dead seedlings were used as the assessment tools. As a result, DI and SFS have developed much slower in the seedlings that were pre-treated with bacteria compared to untreated seedlings. After 6 months of inoculation, Ganoderma disease incidence was reduced from 62-75% in the seedlings treated with P. aeruginosa GanoEB1, followed by B. cepacia GanoEB2 (31-59%) and P. syringae GanoEB3 (30-31%). Among these three endophytic bacteria, P. aeruginosa GanoEB1 was the most effective in controlling Ganoderma disease and the dead seedlings were in the range of 13.3-26.7%, followed by B. cepacia GanoEB2 (33.3% for both trials) and P. syringae GanoEB3 (33.3-40.0%) compared to untreated seedlings at 60% for both trials. A field study needs to be conducted to verify their effectiveness in controlling Ganoderma in oil palm.
    Matched MeSH terms: Wood
  11. Surface-modified nanocrystalline cellulose from oil palm empty fruit bunch for effective binding of curcumin
    Foo ML, Tan CR, Lim PD, Ooi CW, Tan KW, Chew IML
    Int J Biol Macromol, 2019 Oct 01;138:1064-1071.
    PMID: 31301392 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2019.07.035
    Rod-shape particles have been a good drug carrier due to the long circulatory time, tumor accumulation and high cellular uptake in body. Acid-hydrolysed nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) from empty fruit bunch exhibited a width of 13-30nm and a length of 150-360nm in rod-shape structure. NCC holds good potential as a bio-based drug carrier owing to its biodegradability and biocompatibility. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy results confirmed the binding of curcumin onto the NCC modified with tannic acid (TA) and decylamine (DA). TA-DA modification rendered NCC with a higher level of hydrophobicity, as evidenced by a substantial increase in contact angle from 45° to 73°. The modified NCC had the curcumin-binding efficiency in the range of 95-99%, which is at least twofold higher than the unmodified NCC at any curcumin concentration tested. This remarkable curcumin-binding effciency was comparable to that of commercialized NCC from wood-based origin. This work suggests NCC as a superior and sustainable drug carrier, while TA-DA modification is a promising approach to alter the surface property of NCC for an efficient binding of curcumin.
    Matched MeSH terms: Wood
  12. Efficacy of purified nucleotide supplements on the growth performance and immunity of hybrid striped bass Morone chrysops x Morone saxatilis
    de Cruz CR, Yamamoto FY, Ju M, Chen K, Velasquez A, Gatlin DM
    Fish Shellfish Immunol, 2020 Mar;98:868-874.
    PMID: 31751660 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2019.11.046
    Fishmeal is being increasingly replaced in aquatic animal diets with alternative plant protein feedstuffs such as soybean meal which have lower concentrations of nucleotides; therefore, supplemental sources of exogenous nucleotides in diets could become increasingly important. A 9-week feeding trial was conducted with triplicate groups of juvenile hybrid striped bass (average initial body weight ± standard deviation, 5.6 ± 0.1 g) to determine the effects of supplementing single purified nucleotides on the growth performance and immune parameters. The basal diet, which utilized menhaden fishmeal (25%) and soybean meal (75%) as protein sources, contained 44% protein, 10% lipid and an estimated digestible energy level of 3.5 kcal g-1. Single additions of 5'- adenosine monophosphate (AMP), 5'- uridine monophosphate (UMP), 5'- cytidine monophosphate (CMP), 5'- guanosine monophosphate (GMP), and 5'- inosine monophosphate (IMP) disodium salts (Chem-Impex International, Wood Dale, Illinois, USA) were evaluated with each nucleotide added to the basal diet at 0.5% of dry weight at the expense of cellulose. A positive control diet in this trial was a diet containing 5'- AMP from Sigma-Aldrich also supplemented at 0.5% by weight. Results showed significantly (P  0.05) was detected in whole-body proximate composition and protein retention of fish fed any of the dietary treatments. The respiratory burst of whole blood phagocytes also was significantly (P 
    Matched MeSH terms: Wood
  13. Comprehensive studies on optimization of ligno-hemicellulolytic enzymes by indigenous white rot hymenomycetes under solid-state cultivation using agro-industrial wastes
    Naidu Y, Siddiqui Y, Idris AS
    J Environ Manage, 2020 Apr 01;259:110056.
    PMID: 31929034 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2019.110056
    The disposal of oil palm biomass is a huge challenge in Malaysian oil palm plantations. The aim of this study was to develop efficient solid-state cultivated (SSC) ligno-hemicellulolytic bio-degrader formulations of indigenous white-rot hymenomycetes (Trametes lactinea FBW and Pycnoporus sanguineus FBR) utilizing oil palm empty fruit bunches (EFB), rubber wood sawdust (SD) and vermiculite (V) either alone or in combination as substrates. Based on significant laccase (849.40 U mg-1 protein), xylanase (42.26 U g-1 protein) and amylase (157.49 U g-1 protein) production, SD+V (T5) and V (T3) were the optimum substrates for SSC of T. lactinea FBW. Whereas, utilizing EFB (T1) substrate for SSC of P. sanguineus FBR enhanced the production of MnP (42.51 U mg-1 protein), LiP (103.20 U mg-1 protein) and CMCase (34.39 U g-1 protein), enzymes. Apparently, this is the first study reporting on the protein profiles by T. lactinea FBW, producing two isoforms of un-purified laccase (~55 and 70 kDa) and MnP (~40 and 60 kDa) and a CMCase band (~60 kDa) during SSC on SD+V (T5) substrate. Interestingly, this is also the first report to document a single isoform of un-purified laccase (~50 kDa), MnP (~45 kDa), CMCase (~60 kDa) and xylanase (~55 kDa) by P. sanguineus FBR during SSC on empty fruit bunches substrate. The computed Principal Component Analysis (PCA) Biplot analysis elucidated the relationship between the solid substrate compositions, the hymenomycete strain, ligno-hemicellulolytic enzyme profiles, and cultivation time. Therefore, it is suggested to use PCA as a tool for multivariate analysis method for comprehensive selection and optimization of ligno-hemicellulolytic enzyme cocktails by the indigenous white rot hymenomycetes. These non-toxic (acute oral toxicity) formulations are safe to be used in field applications to efficiently degrade oil palm trunks and root mass that had been felled, chipped or pulverized under zero burning waste management program. This study could also serve as an alternative method for efficient utilization of agro-industrial waste as substrates for the development of cost-effective bio-degraders formulations for agro-waste management.
    Matched MeSH terms: Wood
  14. Fulltext Insight into plant cell wall degradation and pathogenesis of Ganoderma boninense via comparative genome analysis
    Ramzi AB, Che Me ML, Ruslan US, Baharum SN, Nor Muhammad NA
    PeerJ, 2019;7:e8065.
    PMID: 31879570 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.8065
    Background: G. boninense is a hemibiotrophic fungus that infects oil palms (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) causing basal stem rot (BSR) disease and consequent massive economic losses to the oil palm industry. The pathogenicity of this white-rot fungus has been associated with cell wall degrading enzymes (CWDEs) released during saprophytic and necrotrophic stage of infection of the oil palm host. However, there is a lack of information available on the essentiality of CWDEs in wood-decaying process and pathogenesis of this oil palm pathogen especially at molecular and genome levels.

    Methods: In this study, comparative genome analysis was carried out using the G. boninense NJ3 genome to identify and characterize carbohydrate-active enzyme (CAZymes) including CWDE in the fungal genome. Augustus pipeline was employed for gene identification in G. boninense NJ3 and the produced protein sequences were analyzed via dbCAN pipeline and PhiBase 4.5 database annotation for CAZymes and plant-host interaction (PHI) gene analysis, respectively. Comparison of CAZymes from G. boninense NJ3 was made against G. lucidum, a well-studied model Ganoderma sp. and five selected pathogenic fungi for CAZymes characterization. Functional annotation of PHI genes was carried out using Web Gene Ontology Annotation Plot (WEGO) and was used for selecting candidate PHI genes related to cell wall degradation of G. boninense NJ3.

    Results: G. boninense was enriched with CAZymes and CWDEs in a similar fashion to G. lucidum that corroborate with the lignocellulolytic abilities of both closely-related fungal strains. The role of polysaccharide and cell wall degrading enzymes in the hemibiotrophic mode of infection of G. boninense was investigated by analyzing the fungal CAZymes with necrotrophic Armillaria solidipes, A. mellea, biotrophic Ustilago maydis, Melampsora larici-populina and hemibiotrophic Moniliophthora perniciosa. Profiles of the selected pathogenic fungi demonstrated that necrotizing pathogens including G. boninense NJ3 exhibited an extensive set of CAZymes as compared to the more CAZymes-limited biotrophic pathogens. Following PHI analysis, several candidate genes including polygalacturonase, endo β-1,3-xylanase, β-glucanase and laccase were identified as potential CWDEs that contribute to the plant host interaction and pathogenesis.

    Discussion: This study employed bioinformatics tools for providing a greater understanding of the biological mechanisms underlying the production of CAZymes in G. boninense NJ3. Identification and profiling of the fungal polysaccharide- and lignocellulosic-degrading enzymes would further facilitate in elucidating the infection mechanisms through the production of CWDEs by G. boninense. Identification of CAZymes and CWDE-related PHI genes in G. boninense would serve as the basis for functional studies of genes associated with the fungal virulence and pathogenicity using systems biology and genetic engineering approaches.

    Matched MeSH terms: Wood
  15. The Travelling Particles: Investigating microplastics as possible transport vectors for multidrug resistant E. coli in the Weser estuary (Germany)
    Song J, Jongmans-Hochschulz E, Mauder N, Imirzalioglu C, Wichels A, Gerdts G
    Sci Total Environ, 2020 Jun 10;720:137603.
    PMID: 32143053 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.137603
    The prevalence of multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria in aquatic environments has been a long withstanding health concern, namely extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producing Escherichia coli. Given increasing reports on microplastic (MP) pollution in these environments, it has become crucial to better understand the role of MP particles as transport vectors for such multidrug-resistant bacteria. In this study, an incubation experiment was designed where particles of both synthetic and natural material (HDPE, tyre wear, and wood) were sequentially incubated at multiple sites along a salinity gradient from the Lower Weser estuary (Germany) to the offshore island Helgoland (German Bight, North Sea). Following each incubation period, particle biofilms and water samples were assessed for ESBL-producing E. coli, first by the enrichment and detection of E. coli using Fluorocult® LMX Broth followed by cultivation on CHROMAgar™ ESBL media to select for ESBL-producers. Results showed that general E. coli populations were present on the surfaces of wood particles across all sites but none were found to produce ESBLs. Additionally, neither HDPE nor tyre wear particles were found to harbour any E. coli. Conversely, ESBL-producing E. coli were present in surrounding waters from all sites, 64% of which conferred resistances against up to 3 other antibiotic groups, additional to the beta-lactam resistances intrinsic to ESBL-producers. This study provides a first look into the potential of MP to harbour and transport multidrug-resistant E. coli across different environments and the approach serves as an important precursor to further studies on other potentially harmful MP-colonizing species.
    Matched MeSH terms: Wood
  16. Characterization of soy-lignin bonded Rhizophora spp. particleboard as substitute phantom material for radiation dosimetric studies - Investigation of CT number, mass attenuation coefficient and effective atomic number
    Zuber SH, Hashikin NAA, Mohd Yusof MF, Aziz MZA, Hashim R
    Appl Radiat Isot, 2021 Apr;170:109601.
    PMID: 33515930 DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2021.109601
    Experimental particleboards are made from Rhizophora spp. wood trunk with three different percentages of lignin and soy flour (0%, 6% and 12%) as adhesives. The objective was to investigate the equivalence of Rhizophora spp. particleboard as phantom material with human soft tissue using Computed Tomography (CT) number. The linear and mass attenuation coefficient of Rhizophora spp. particleboard at low energy range was also explored using X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) configuration technique. Further characterization of the particleboard was performed to determine the effective atomic number, Zeff using Energy Dispersive X-Ray (EDX) method. Adhesive-bonded Rhizophora spp. particleboard showed close similarities with water, based on the average CT numbers, electron density calibration curve and the analysis of CT density profile, compared to the binderless particleboard. The effective atomic number obtained from the study indicated that the attenuation properties of all the particleboards at different percentages of adhesives were almost similar to water. The mass attenuation coefficient calculated from XRF configuration technique showed good agreement with water from XCOM database, suggesting its potential as phantom material for radiation study.
    Matched MeSH terms: Wood
  17. Fulltext Complete plastome sequence of Vatica mangachapoi (Dipterocarpaceae): a vulnerable (VU) plant species in Southeast Asia
    Wang JH, Zhao KK, Zhu ZX, Wang HF
    Mitochondrial DNA B Resour, 2018 Oct 03;3(2):1145-1146.
    PMID: 33490565 DOI: 10.1080/23802359.2018.1522977
    Vatica mangachapoi is a tree up to 20 m tall with white resinous. It is distributed in China (Hainan province), Indonesia, Malaysia (N Borneo), Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam. It grows in forests on hills and mountain slopes below 700 metres. Its durable wood is used for making boats and building bridges and houses. It has been ranked as a VU (Vulnerable) species in China. Here we report and characterize the complete plastid genome sequence of V. mangachapoi in an effort to provide genomic resources useful for promoting its conservation and phylogenetic research. The complete plastome is 151,538 bp in length and contains the typical structure and gene content of angiosperm plastome, including two Inverted Repeat (IR) regions of 23,921 bp, a Large Single-Copy (LSC) region of 83,587 bp and a Small Single-Copy (SSC) region of 20,109 bp. The plastome contains 114 genes, consisting of 80 unique protein-coding genes, 30 unique tRNA gene, and 4 unique rRNA genes. The overall A/T content in the plastome of V. mangachapoi is 62.80%. The phylogenetic analysis indicated that V. mangachapoi and V. odorata is closely related and as an independent branch in Malvales in our study. The complete plastome sequence of V. mangachapoi will provide a useful resource for the conservation genetics of this species and for the phylogenetic studies for Vatica.
    Matched MeSH terms: Wood
  18. Cockroach pollination and breeding system of Uvaria elmeri (Annonaceae) in a lowland mixed-dipterocarp forest in Sarawak
    Nagamitsu T, Inoue T
    Am J Bot, 1997 Feb;84(2):208.
    PMID: 21712200
    Tropical forest plants are known to be pollinated by a diverse array of animals. Here we report on the pollination of a woody climber species, Uvaria elmeri (Annonaceae), by cockroaches in a lowland mixed-dipterocarp forest in Sarawak, Malaysia. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of pollination by cockroaches. The cauliflorous flowers in the understory are protogynous and bloomed for 50 h. An odor similar to decayed wood or a mushroom was secreted by flowers and was stronger during the male stage. Pollinators were cockroaches (Blattellidae) and drosophilid flies (Drosophilidae). Cockroaches, the main pollinators, visited flowers during both female and male stages at night, feeding on stigmatic exudate and pollen. Drosophilids, the secondary pollinators. mainly visited female-stage flowers during daytime, fed on stigmatic exudate. and laid eggs on stigmas. Neither autogamy nor self-compatibility was observed. Fruit production appeared to be pollen-limited. The fruit set, which was 2% of flowers in natural condition, was significantly lower than the 30% fruit set obtained by artificial cross-pollination. We discuss the traits of cockroaches as pollinators and the breeding system of U. elmeri.
    Matched MeSH terms: Wood
  19. Wood fuel consumption and mortality rates in Sub-Saharan Africa: Evidence from a dynamic panel study
    Sulaiman C, Abdul-Rahim AS, Chin L, Mohd-Shahwahid HO
    Chemosphere, 2017 Mar 06;177:224-231.
    PMID: 28292722 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2017.03.019
    This study examined the impact of wood fuel consumption on health outcomes, specifically under-five and adult mortality in Sub-Saharan Africa, where wood usage for cooking and heating is on the increase. Generalized method of moment (GMM) estimators were used to estimate the impact of wood fuel consumption on under-five and adult mortality (and also male and female mortality) in the region. The findings revealed that wood fuel consumption had significant positive impact on under-five and adult mortality. It suggests that over the studied period, an increase in wood fuel consumption has increased the mortality of under-five and adult. Importantly, it indicated that the magnitude of the effect of wood fuel consumption was more on the under-five than the adults. Similarly, assessing the effect on a gender basis, it was revealed that the effect was more on female than male adults. This finding suggests that the resultant mortality from wood smoke related infections is more on under-five children than adults, and also are more on female adults than male adults. We, therefore, recommended that an alternative affordable, clean energy source for cooking and heating should be provided to reduce the wood fuel consumption.
    Matched MeSH terms: Wood
  20. Fulltext Nano-structural study of microfibrils in Acacia Mangium wood using small- angle x-ray scattering (SAXS)
    Tabet, Tamer A., Fauziah Abdul Aziz, Shahidan Radiman
    Journal of Nuclear and Related Technologies, 2007;2007(1):209-216.
    MyJurnal
    Small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) was used to investigate the nanostructure of the microfibrils of cell wall in Acacia Mangium wood. Parameters, such as the fibre length (L), surface area of the single fibre (S), the correspondence distance from the center of the fibre to the center of its neighbor and the shape of the fibre were determined as a function to the distance from pith towards the bark. The results indicate that the fibre length ranged from 53.44 nm to 13.72 nm from pith to bark. Surface area of the single fibre varied from 0.65 nm 2 to 4.36 nm 2 , the highest being found at the end of bark region. The mean value of the correspondence distance is 13.95 nm. Surface structure analysis from scattering graph showed a rod shape of fibre in the pith region of Acacia Mangium wood. The use of SAXS technique and scanning electron microscope (SEM) micrographs gives the most reliable dimensions values.
    Matched MeSH terms: Wood
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