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Brassicaceae plants are generally considered non-mycorrhizal; however, recent studies have challenged this non-host status, suggesting occasional colonization during reproductive stages or by overlooked fungi such as Mucoromycotina Fine Root Endophytes (MFRE). To re-evaluate the non-host status of Brassicaceae, we cultivated five Brassicaceae species, including rapid life cycle Brassica rapa (Fast plants) using field soil containing both Glomeromycotina Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (G-AMF) and MFRE. To ensure inoculum potential, a co-planting system with lettuce (Lactuca sativa) as a nurse plant was employed. While lettuce roots were rapidly colonized by both G-AMF and MFRE, no mycorrhizal colonization was observed in any Brassicaceae roots throughout their entire life cycle, from vegetative growth to flowering and seed maturation in Fast plants. Furthermore, co-planting with Brassicaceae did not significantly affect the mycorrhizal colonization or shoot phosphorus concentrations of the neighboring lettuce. These results demonstrate that Brassicaceae plants maintain a robust non-host status against both G-AMF and MFRE. Moreover, they function as "neutral non-hosts" that do not disrupt the symbiotic networks of neighboring plants. This characteristic reinforces the value of Brassicaceae in sustainable crop rotation systems.
This study uses drone imagery and orthomosaic analysis to document three large-scale fortification complexes in Central Mongolia's Khangai range, located near a known 13th-century military encampment associated with Khubilai Khan. Building upon observations first recorded by Russian explorer P.K. Kozlov in the 1920s, we present detailed mapping of these features, revealing their scale, geometric properties, and spatial organization. The complexes, each covering areas between 198,000 and 720,000 square meters, exhibit distinct square layouts adapted to hilly terrain, with regularly spaced pit structures, stone-demarcated trenches, and varying entrance configurations suggesting sophisticated planning and construction. Our research contextualizes these findings within the broader framework of Inner Asian military architecture, drawing comparisons with fortified sites across Mongolia from multiple periods. The results offer a foundation for future investigations into the chronology, function, and regional significance of these complexes.
A novel virus belonging to the genus Marafivirus was identified from the male Oriental persimmon (Diospyros kaki Thunb.) cultivar ‘Kumemaru’. The complete genome of persimmon marafivirus (PerMaV) is 6,397 nucleotides in length and encodes a single large polyprotein containing conserved domains typical of viruses in the genus Marafivirus. Phylogenetic and sequence identity analyses indicate that PerMaV represents a new species in the family Tymoviridae.
The high lactation performance or parity in dairy cows may affect intrauterine oxidative stress (OS) status. This study aimed to investigate the effects of milk yield, blood β-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA) concentrations, and parity on oxidative stress (diacron-reactive oxygen metabolites [d-ROMs]) or antioxidant activity (biological antioxidant potential [BAP]) in the uterine flush fluid of lactating Holstein Friesian dairy cows. Uterine flush fluid samples were collected at 4, 5, 6, and 8 weeks postpartum (n = 43), and d-ROMs and BAP were measured. d-ROMs, BAP, and oxidative stress index (OSI) were investigated in relation to the correlation between milk yield and BHBA concentrations. Cows were classified into primiparous cow groups (P group, n = 11), biparous cow group (B group, n = 5), and the third or more calving groups (M group, n = 27); d-ROMs, BAP, and OSI changes were evaluated across the groups. No significant correlations were noted between milk yield, blood BHBA concentrations, and d-ROMs, BAP, or OSI. The M group exhibited higher d-ROMs and OSI than the P group at 5 weeks, and the M group had a higher OSI than the B group at 6 weeks. Therefore, parity may influence uterine OS and antioxidant activity.
This study aimed to evaluate the associations of diarrhea frequency on intestinal permeability, plasma glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2) concentration, and growth performance in dairy calves. Twenty-two Holstein calves were monitored from birth to postweaning and classified into high (H) and low (L) diarrhea groups based on the number of days with diarrhea (top and bottom 25%, respectively: n = 6). Fecal consistency was scored on a 4-point scale ranging from 0 to 3, and diarrhea was defined as a fecal score ≥ 2, with total days of diarrhea ranging from 19 to 36 d in the H group and from 3 to 5 d in the L group throughout the 66 d experimental period. To evaluate the intestinal permeability, chromium-EDTA (Cr-EDTA) test was assessed by orally administration of Cr-EDTA followed by blood sample collections at 28, 42, and 63 d of age. At 0, 1, 5, 28, 42, 49, 56, and 66 d of age, blood GLP-2 concentrations were measured. Although no differences in intestinal permeability were detected between groups, plasma GLP-2 concentrations were consistently higher in the L group throughout the observation period. In addition, despite no differences in solid feed intake between groups, average daily gain was greater in the L group than in the H group. These findings suggest that plasma GLP-2 concentrations may be associated with postweaning average daily gain (ADG), even in the absence of detectable changes in intestinal permeability.
