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The 14C-uptake method is the most common approach employed for estimating primary production in the ocean. Normalizing 14C-uptake to chlorophyll a and time yields a value termed the assimilation number, which is thought to reflect phytoplankton physiology. It is often assumed that the measured rate of 14C-uptake is between net and gross primary production, depending on the time scale of the incubation. Recent studies employing multiple oxygen and carbon isotopic methods to measure photosynthesis of phytoplankton grown over a range of steady-state division rates have provided mechanistic insights on the relationship between 14C-uptake and gross-to-net primary production. Results from these studies show that short-term (<12 h) "photosynthesis-irradiance" measurements are not a reliable means of estimating net production, gross production or nutrient limitation, but can provide important information on the photoacclimation state of the phytoplankton. Long-term (24 h) incubations yield assimilation numbers that are in good agreement with net production rates, but are independent of nutrient-limited division rates. Despite complications in interpreting 14C-uptake data, we suggest that these measurements are important for understanding phytoplankton physiology and carbon cycles while, at the same time, efforts are needed to establish new incubation-free methods for measuring phytoplankton division rate and biomass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The long-term effect of feeding the catecholamine analog ractopamine (RAG; ractopamine hydrochloride, Elanco Animal Health, Indianapolis, IN) on the expression of genes involved in energy and lipid metabolism in subcutaneous adipose tissue was studied. Large White pigs (84 kg) were fed corn- and soy- bean meal-based diets supplemented with 0, 20, or 60 mg/kg of RAG for 14, 28, or 42 d. Expression (mRNA abundance) in adipose tissue of sterol regulatory binding protein-1 (SREBP-1), PPARα, PPAR-γ2, fatty acid synthase (FAS), glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4), and stearoyl-CoA desaturase was determined by Northern blotting. Feed intakes did not differ, and RAG (20 and 60 mg/kg) improved BW gain at d 14, 28, and 42 (P < 0.05) and increased loin eye area (measured on d 42 only; P < 0.05). Expression of SREBP-1 and PPARγ2 declined (P < 0.05) with RAG by d 28 and 42, whereas expression of PPARα was increased (P < 0.05) on d 14, 28, and 42. After 14 d, expression of FAS and GLUT4 was decreased (P < 0.05) with 60 mg/kg of RAC, whereas both RAC concentrations attenuated FAS expression on d 28 and 42. Overall, adipose tissue stearoyl-CoA desaturase expression was not affected by RAC but showed somewhat less expression (P < 0.15) on d 28 at 60 mg/kg of RAC. Although prolonged chronic RAG feeding most likely downregulates adipose tissue membrane β-adrenergic receptors, mRNA abundances of anabolic lipid metabolism transcription factors, glucose transporters, and enzymes (SREB:P-1 PPARγ2, FAS, GLUT4) were still attenuated up to d 42. Conversely, a transcription factor related to oxidative metabolism expression (PPARα) was enhanced. We conclude that even after 42 ci, RAC still decreased expression of lipogenic genes in adipose tissue by yet undefined cyclic adenosine monophosphate-directed mechanisms, but in contemporary lean pigs, this effect is likely of limited practical significance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]