Diagnosis of the primary amoebic meningoencephalitis due to Naegleria fowleri

Trophozoites of the free-living amoeba, Naegleria fowleri, were isolated from the cerebrospinal fluid of meningoencephalitis patient. The infecting agent was identified as N. fowleri based on morphologic, serologic and molecular techniques carried out on the isolated organisms.     

Antibody induced capping and endocytosis of surface antigens in Naegleria fowleri

Naegleria fowleri, a free-living amoeba-flagellate responsible for primary amoebic meningoencephalitis in man, was observed to cap and internalize surface-bound antibody. These results suggest that the ability of N. fowleri to remove antibody from its surface may allow the amoeba to resist the action of the host's immune system.     

Suprachiasmatic nucleus and circadian core temperature rhythm in the rat

Core temperature was telemetered from 26 singly-housed adult male inbred Fischer rats standardized in an ambient temperature of 24 ± 1°C, in light from 0600–1800 alternating with darkness (L:D 12:12), with food and water freely available. The rats were operated upon first for bilateral electrolytic lesioning of the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) or by a sham-operation, which consisted of an inserted electrode which neither penetrated into the SCN area nor was activated to produce a lesion. Next, a temperature sensor was implanted intraperitoneally. The telemetered data obtained at 10-min intervals from each rat were analyzed by the least-squares fit of certain trial periods (cosinor methods). A circadian population rhythm persisted in the SCN-lesioned rats which sustained destruction of both SCN (P < 0.01). The amplitude of the circadian temperature rhythm was attenuated(P < 0.01) and the rhythm's acrophase advanced (P < 0.05) from mid-dark to a time near the transition from light to darkness. Unilateral lesions of the suprachiasmatic nuclei altered the circadain amplitude but not the phasing.     

The freshwater littoral meiofauna in a South Carolina reservoir receiving thermal effluents*

SUMMARY. The freshwater littoral meiofauna along a temperature gradient in Par Pond (a cooling reservoir receiving thermal effluents from a nuclear reactor) was sampled from September 1975 to October 1976. Monthly samples were taken at three stations; ‘hot-water’ (15–40°C), ‘warm-water’ (13–37°C) and ambient or ‘cold-water’ (8–37°C) sites. Total numbers of individuals at the ambient site ranged from 971 to 3674 per 10 cm² (mean = 2263), approximating the density reported from productive estuarine environments. Nematodes, rotifers, ostracods, cladocerans and mites comprised 80% of overall density. When compared to the ambient site, thermally affected sites demonstrated reduced faunal density. Contrary to other environmental perturbation studies, the Shannon-Weaver diversity index (H') did not reflect alteration of structural complexity within the rotifer taxocene when hot-water, warm-water and cold-water sites were compared. Though there was a significant reduction in number of species at the thermally altered sites, high ‘equitability’ among the reduced species resulted in H’ values comparable to those in natural communities. Distinct winter-spring and summer-autumn assemblages were evident in the ambient community while no seasonal clustering was apparent at the thermally affected sites. It is hypothesized that the maintenance of temperatures above ambient normals masks environmental cues that normally would elicit seasonal changes in the rotifer fauna at those two sites.     

A genetic approach to species criteria in the amoeba genus Naegleria using allozyme electrophoresis

The present study employs allozyme electrophoresis to characterize and inter-relate 61 isolates of Naegleria. Diploidy was confirmed, with heterozygotes observed at 29 of the 33 loci established and in all but two isolates. With a single exception, isolates clustered at two levels of similarity, either below 21% or above 52%. It is argued that such a major discontinuity provides a sound biological basis for a species concept in Naegleria. On this basis the present species-level taxonomy does not reflect the genetic diversity of the genus. The study recognized 18 genetic groups of species rank. The subspecies N. australiensis italica deserves specific rank; additional thermophilic species not closely related to N. fowleri and N. lovaniensis are recognized; and N. gruberi as currently conceived is a complex of 10 species, at least five of which are represented in the formal culture collections. Most species are genetically too different for relationships to be elucidated by allozyme electrophoresis, supporting the view that some of the times of divergence within the genus are extremely ancient.     

Environmental conditions and their impact on immunocompetence and pathogen susceptibility of the Caribbean termite Nasutitermes acajutlae

1. Little is known about interactions between environmental conditions surrounding insects and their immune responses. 2. The environment in and around termite colonies, including temperature, relative humidity, soil pH, and light was analysed using principal components analysis (PCA). 3. The relationship between these abiotic parameters and two aspects of termite immunity (phenoloxidase activity and lipid content) was examined in field‐caught workers of Nasutitermes acajutlae Holmgren. Finally, termites from warm/dry and cool/moist habitats were exposed to Metarhizium anisopliae to determine their susceptibility to mycosis. 4. PCA indicated that environmental components external to the nest [ambient temperature, ambient relative humidity (RH), soil temperature and light] comprised the majority (PC1 = 37.5%) of variation. Internal variables (nest temperature and RH) and nest volume accounted for 19.6% (PC2) of the variation with pH comprising 12.9% (PC3). 5. AIC and regression models suggested that ambient temperature was most strongly and positively associated with immune variables and that relative humidity may also play a role. Termites from warm/dry colonies were less susceptible to M. anisopliae than termites from cool/moist colonies. 6. Thus, termites nesting in warmer habitats may exhibit increased immune‐related measures and reduced susceptibility to mycosis compared with termites from cooler habitats.     

西南地区红花龙胆分布格局模拟与气候变化影响评价

应用最大熵(MaxEnt)模型,基于230条分布记录及33个气候因子数据,模拟全新世中期(约6000年前)、当前时期(1950—2000年)和未来(2050s、2070s)气候条件下,红花龙胆西南地区的潜在分布范围;结合多元统计分析和ArcGIS空间分析,筛选影响物种分布的关键气候因子,探讨不同分布区对气候变化的敏感性.结果表明: 模型训练集AUC值为0.942,验证集AUC值为0.849,表明模型预测的准确性较高.5个气候因子(7月最高气温、8月最低气温、昼夜温差与年温差比值、7月最低气温和6月最低气温)对模型贡献最大,累计贡献率达59.9%.随未来气候变化,红花龙胆适生区将呈现先减少后增加的变化趋势,在RCP 8.5情景下,至2070s阶段,西南地区红花龙胆适宜生境总面积与当前气候条件相比减少15.0%,但云南境内适生区和高适生区面积较当前分别增加32.8%和32.7%.红花龙胆适宜生长于温暖、湿润的气候条件下,气候变暖明显影响着适宜生境的面积和范围,尤其低海拔分布区对气候变化较敏感,适宜生境退缩严重,而高海拔地区由于降水、温度条件的改善适宜生境有所增加.随着全球气候的变化,未来西南地区红花龙胆主要分布区可能向西迁移,并向更高海拔扩张.     

Temporal response of neurons to ambient heating in the preoptic and septal area of the unanesthetized rabbit

The firing rates of single neurons were recorded in the septal and preoptic areas of unanesthetized rabbits during brief periods of ambient heating. The temporal response for neurons responsive to ambient temperature were calculated as the interval of time between the onset of heating and the point at which the unit's activity reached 63% (i.e. 1-1/e) of its total change in activity. Thirty-one neurons were isolated in 5 rabbits. Fourteen neurons were facilitated, 10 were inhibited and 7 were unaffected by heating. Temporal responses ranged from less than 5 to 122 s. We observed a bimodal relationship in the number of neuronal responses to ambient temperature vs temporal response: a sharp 0- to less than 10-s peak comprising 22% of all responses and a relatively broad peak with a mode of 60 to less than 70 s. These data resemble the temporal response patterns of thermally excitable neurons throughout the central nervous system.     

气候变化下桃儿七潜在地理分布的预测

桃儿七(Sinopodophyllum hexandrum)为小檗科多年生草本植物, 是我国濒危传统藏药, 预测气候变化对该物种分布范围的影响对于其保护和资源可持续利用具有重要意义。该文利用获得的桃儿七136个地理分布记录和21个气候环境图层, 通过MaxEnt模型分析桃儿七在我国西部七省的潜在地理分布, 并基于该模型预测政府间气候变化专门委员会(IPCC)发布的SRES-A1B、SRES-A2和SRES-B1气候情景下21世纪20、50和80年代桃儿七分布范围。结果表明: 最热季平均温度、年降水量、温度季节性变动系数和等温性是影响桃儿七分布的主要气候因子; 在当前气候条件下, 桃儿七适宜的生境面积占研究区总面积的11.71%, 主要集中在青藏高原东缘的四川、甘肃、青海境内次生植被丰富、地形复杂的高海拔地区, 低适宜生境与不适宜生境分别占研究区总面积的15.86%与72.43%。由模型预测可知, 在SRES-A1B、SRES-A2和SRES-B1三种情景下, 桃儿七在研究区低适宜生境的数量相对变化较小, 在适宜生境先大幅减少后又缓慢增加。研究结果同时表明, 在未来气候变化条件下, 桃儿七的适宜生境平均海拔将逐渐升高, 范围以及几何重心极有可能先向北移, 然后再向西延伸至青藏高原内部较高海拔的山区。     

Predictions of potential geographical distribution of Sinopodophyllum hexandrum under climate change

桃儿七(Sinopodophyllum hexandrum)为小檗科多年生草本植物, 是我国濒危传统藏药, 预测气候变化对该物种分布范围的影响对于其保护和资源可持续利用具有重要意义。该文利用获得的桃儿七136个地理分布记录和21个气候环境图层, 通过MaxEnt模型分析桃儿七在我国西部七省的潜在地理分布, 并基于该模型预测政府间气候变化专门委员会(IPCC)发布的SRES-A1B、SRES-A2和SRES-B1气候情景下21世纪20、50和80年代桃儿七分布范围。结果表明: 最热季平均温度、年降水量、温度季节性变动系数和等温性是影响桃儿七分布的主要气候因子; 在当前气候条件下, 桃儿七适宜的生境面积占研究区总面积的11.71%, 主要集中在青藏高原东缘的四川、甘肃、青海境内次生植被丰富、地形复杂的高海拔地区, 低适宜生境与不适宜生境分别占研究区总面积的15.86%与72.43%。由模型预测可知, 在SRES-A1B、SRES-A2和SRES-B1三种情景下, 桃儿七在研究区低适宜生境的数量相对变化较小, 在适宜生境先大幅减少后又缓慢增加。研究结果同时表明, 在未来气候变化条件下, 桃儿七的适宜生境平均海拔将逐渐升高, 范围以及几何重心极有可能先向北移, 然后再向西延伸至青藏高原内部较高海拔的山区。     

Daily Rhythms of Metabolic Rate and Body Temperature of Two Murids from Extremely Different Habitats

Daily circadian rhythms of body temperature (T_b) and oxygen consumption (VO₂) were measured in two murid species, which occupy extremely different habitats in Israel. The golden spiny mouse (Acomys mssalus) is a diurnal murid distributed in arid and hot parts of the great Syrio-African Rift Valley, while the broad-toothed field mouse (Apodeinns mystacinus) is a nocturnal species that inhabits the Mediterranean woodlands. In both species, the daily rhythms of T_b and VO₂ are entrained by the photoperiod. Under laboratory experimental conditions (ambient temperature T_a = 33^oC and photoperiod regime of 12L: 12D), Acomys russatus exhibits a tendency towards a nocturnal activity pattern, compared to the diurnal activity displayed by this species under natural conditions. Under the same photoperiod regime and at T_a = 28^oC, Apodemus mystacinus displays nocturnal activity, as observed under natural conditions. The maximal values of T_b were recorded in Acomys russatus at midnight (23:50 h), while the maximal values of VO₂ were recorded at the beginning of the dark period (18:20 h). In Apodemus mystacinus, the maximal values of T_b and VO₂ were recorded at 23:40 and 20:00 h, respectively. The ecophysiological significance of these results is discussed further.     

Effect of nifedipine on core cooling in rats during tail cold water immersion

Male rats (450 g, n=11/group) were heated at an ambient temperature of 42°C until a rectal temperature of 42.8°C was attained. Rats, then received either saline (30°C)+tail ice water immersion (F+I) or saline (30°C)+tail ice water immersion+Nifedipine, a peripheral vasodilator, (F+I+N) to determine cooling rate effectiveness and survivability. The time to reach a rectal temperature of 42.8°C averaged 172 min in both groups resulting in similar heating rates (0.029°C/min). The cooling rates in group F+I and F+I+N were not significantly different from each other. We conclude that since Nifedipine did not improve cooling rates when combined with fluid+tail ice water immersion, its use as a cooling adjunct does not seem warranted.     

温度与聚群对三种仔兽热能代谢的影响

仔兽出生以前,是在相对稳定而安全的母兽子宫内生活的,出生以后,仔兽的营养条件与环境温度即起了根本的变化。新生仔兽是如何适应新环境的?仔兽在新环境中的生活能力怎样?环境温度与食物条件对新生仔兽的存活率、生长与发育的影响如何?环境温度和聚群行为与能量代谢的关系怎样?这是一系列的基础理论问题,尤其是毛皮动物饲养业所关心的实际问题。     

Intertidal community responses to field‐based experimental warming

As the climate warms, there is little doubt that ecosystems of the future will look different from those we see today. However, community responses to warming in the field are poorly understood. We examined the effects of field‐based warming on intertidal communities in the Salish Sea, which is a regional thermal ‘hot spot’ and therefore a model system for studying thermally stressed communities. We manipulated temperature at three tidal heights by deploying black‐ and white‐bordered settlement plates. Black plates increased in situ substratum temperature by an average of 2.6°C (maximum temperature, 40.9°C). Barnacles fared poorly on black plates in all zones. When overall thermal stress was highest (summer in the high intertidal zone) herbivores were absent. In lower tidal zones, herbivores were abundant on white plates but were scarce on black plates. The total percent cover of algae was unaffected by the temperature treatment, despite the fact that macroalgae were expected to be the least thermally tolerant functional group. However, we did find that ephemeral green algae exhibited a delay in phenology on black plates. We also found that species richness declined and invertebrate assemblage structure was altered due to warming. Results from this year long experiment suggest that communities in thermally stressful habitats respond to warming via the interplay between species‐specific thermal responses and secondary adaptive strategies such as behavioral microhabitat selection. Declines in diversity and changes in the invertebrate assemblage were due to the decline of local thermally‐stressed species and the lack of replacement by warm‐adapted species. Given the low variation in the species pool along the northeast Pacific coastline, the arrival of warm‐adapted species to the Salish Sea may not occur over relevant time scales, leaving local communities depauperate.     

Thermoregulatory differences in African mole-rat species from disparate habitats: Responses and limitations

Individuals and populations possess physiological adaptations to survive local environmental conditions. To occur in different regions where ambient temperature varies, animals must adopt appropriate thermoregulatory mechanisms. Failure to adjust to environmental challenges may result in species distributional range shifts or decreased viability. African mole-rats (Bathyergidae) occupy various habitats in sub-Saharan Africa from deserts to montane regions to mesic coastal areas. We examined thermoregulatory characteristics of three African mole-rat species originating from disparate (montane, savannah, and arid/semi-arid) habitats. Animals were exposed to various ambient temperatures, whilst core body temperature and the surface temperature of different body parts were measured. Oxygen consumption was determined as a measure of heat production. Core body temperatures of Natal (montane) mole-rats (Cryptomys hottentotus natalensis) increased significantly at ambient temperatures >24.5 °C, while those of the highveld (Cryptomys hottentotus pretoriae) (savannah) and Damaraland (Fukomys damarensis) (arid/semi-arid) mole-rats remained within narrower ranges. In terms of surface temperature variation, while pedal surfaces were important in regulating heat loss in Natal and Damaraland mole-rats at high ambient temperatures, the ventral surface was important for heat dissipation in Damaraland and highveld mole-rats. This study provides evidence of the variation and limitations of thermo-physiological mechanisms for three mole-rat species relative to their habitats. Information on physiological adaptations to particular habitats may inform predictive modelling of species movements, declines, and extinctions in response to a changing environment, such as climate change.     

Temperature regulation by evaporative cooling in a desert grasshopper, Calliptamus barbarus (Ramme, 1951)

1. 1. We examined the desert-dwelling grasshopper, Calliptamus barbarus, to determine whether it used evaporative cooling, and if differences existed in the use of evaporative cooling between the small males and larger females. Male C. barbarus are the smallest grasshoppers tested for their use of evaporative cooling.

2. 2. Calliptamus barbarus use evaporative cooling at high ambient temperatures to keep their body temperature below lethal levels. This has been shown in insects such as cicadas, bees and other grasshoppers. Maximal water loss rates for C. barbarus are similar (8–10% of body mass per hour) to those of other grasshoppers.

3. 3. Male C. barbarus weigh 370 mg on average, and are 20% of the females' mass. At low ambient temperatures males evaporated 13.31 ± 1.14 mg water/h (n = 12), a similar rate to that in females, who evaporated 17.53 ± 2.03 mg water/h (n = 29), but a considerably greater fraction of body mass per unit time. At high ambient temperatures, the males lost less in absolute terms, but a similar amount relative to body mass. The differences are partially accounted for by scaling effects, but for the most part, the reasons for these differences are unclear. They may be linked to differences in ventilatory patterns between males and females or differences in cuticular permeability, the two major pathways of water loss in insects.

     

小兴安岭大亮子河国家森林公园不同生境下土壤细菌多样性和群落结构

土壤细菌是森林生态系统的一个重要组成成分, 是生态系统中物质循环和能量流动的重要参与者, 细菌群落组成和生物多样性是反映土壤生态功能的重要指标。本文利用高通量测序技术分析了大亮子河国家森林公园内红松(Pinus koraiensis)林、落叶松(Larix gmelinii)林、蒙古栎(Quercus mongolica)林、枫桦(Betula costata)林、针阔混交林、灌木林和草甸等7种不同生境土壤细菌群落组成和多样性的差异性, 探讨该地区土壤细菌群落对不同生境的响应, 为地区森林生态系统的经营管理及生态系统稳定性的维护提供科学理论基础。在门的水平上, 各生境的细菌群落组成基本一致, 其中变形菌门(Proteobacteria)、放线菌门(Actinobacteria)、酸杆菌门(Acidobacteria)和疣微菌门(Verrucomicrobia)在7种生境土壤中相对丰度均大于10.0%, 是细菌中的优势菌门。在属的水平上, 共测得245个菌属, 各样地共有属118个, 占总属数的48.2%, 占总相对丰度的97.8%; 优势菌属分别为Spartobacteria_ genera_incertae_sedis、Gaiella、Gp16、Gp4, 占总相对丰度的47.0%, Spartobacteria_genera_incertae_sedis在7种生境土壤中丰度均最高。7种生境下的土壤细菌多样性和土壤理化因子存在着显著的差异, 红松林的土壤细菌群落多样性和丰富度均高于其他生境。土壤pH是大亮子河森林公园影响土壤细菌多样性的关键因子。     

Effects of environmental factors, age and genotype on sperm production and semen quality in Bos indicus and Bos taurus AI bulls in Brazil

The effects of ambient temperature and humidity, month, age and genotype on sperm production and semen quality in AI bulls in Brazil were evaluated. Data from two consecutive years were analyzed separately. Seven Bos indicus and 11 Bos taurus bulls from one artificial insemination (AI) center were evaluated in Year 1 and 24 B. indicus and 16 B. taurus bulls from three AI centers were evaluated in Year 2. Ambient temperature and humidity did not significantly affect sperm production and semen quality, probably because there was little variation in these variables. Month accounted for less than 2% of the variation in sperm production and semen quality. Increased bull age was associated with decreased sperm motility (P<0.10) and increased minor sperm defects (P<0.001) in Year 1. B. indicus bulls had greater (P<0.005) sperm concentration than B. taurus bulls in both years (1.7×10⁹/ml versus 1.2×10⁹/ml in Year 1 and 1.6×10⁹/ml versus 1.2×10⁹/ml in Year 2, respectively). Ejaculate volume was not significantly affected by genotype in Year 1 (6.6 ml versus 6.9 ml in B. indicus and B. taurus bulls, respectively), but B. indicus bulls had greater (P<0.05) total (11.4×10⁹ versus 8.2×10⁹) and viable (6.7×10⁹ versus 4.9×10⁹) numbers of spermatozoa in the ejaculate than B. taurus bulls. In Year 2, B. taurus bulls had greater (P<0.05) ejaculate volume than B. indicus bulls (8.2 ml versus 6.7 ml, respectively) and total and viable number of spermatozoa in the ejaculate were not significantly different between genotypes (10.3×10⁹ versus 9.1×10⁹ and 6.1×10⁹ versus 5.4×10⁹ in B. indicus and B. taurus bulls, respectively). Sperm motility was not significantly affected by genotype (mean, 59%). In Year 1, B. indicus bulls tended (P<0.10) to have more major sperm defects and had more (P<0.05) total sperm defects than B. taurus bulls (11.8% versus 8.7% and 13.6% versus 10.0%, respectively). In Year 2, B. indicus bulls tended (P<0.10) to have more total sperm defects than B. taurus bulls (16.2% versus 13.3%, respectively). In conclusion, neither ambient temperature and humidity nor month (season) significantly affected sperm production and semen quality. B. indicus bulls had significantly greater sperm concentration and B. taurus bulls had significantly fewer morphologically defective spermatozoa.     

Investigation of methanogen population structure in biogas reactor by molecular characterization of methyl-coenzyme M reductase A (mcrA) genes

The methanogen community in biogas reactor running on cattle dung was investigated in two different seasons; summer (April, 36 °C) and winter (December, 24 °C), in the year 2004 by a culture-independent approach. Community structure was determined by phylogenetic analyses of 343 and 278 mcrA clones belonging to summer and winter month libraries, respectively. In summer month’s library, 41.7% clones were affiliated to Methanomicrobiales, 30% to Methanosarcinales, 19% to Methanobacteriales, 5% to Methanococcales and a total of 4.3% clones belonged to unclassified euryarchaeotal lineages. In winter month’s library, Methanomicrobiales encompassed 98.6% clones, and Methanobacteriales included 1.4% of total clone diversity. Biogas plant performance data collected during the winter month indicated significant reduction in daily biogas produced as compared to summer month because of lowering in ambient temperature and associated shift in microbial community. Results from this molecular study showed the existence of highly diverse and complex methanogens communities present in biogas plant.