Unexpectedly higher expression levels of a chimeric 2S albumin seed protein transgene from a tandem array construct

In wild-type Arabidopsis seeds the 2S albumin seed protein gene family members are differentially expressed. In this work it is shown that as predicted by the wild type situation, the at2S2 promoter is much more effective than that of the at2S1 gene in the expression of a transgene. However, unexpectedly high expression levels were obtained using a construct in which the transgene was present as a tandem duplication in the T-DNA. Neither in this case nor in homozygous plants with either construct was epigenetic silencing observed. While transgene mRNA levels were of the same order of magnitude as the endogenous at 2S2 gene, protein levels were much lower.     

Pollen consumption by free-living mice

We present the first evidence of mice actively searching and consuming the pollen of Bromeliaceae and describe this behavior for the first time based on video-recorded evidence in the wild. Following repeated observations of nocturnal florivory in several individuals of Tillandsia macropetala, mice of the genus Peromyscus were recorded consuming pollen from this bromeliad during the dry season in the tropical montane cloud forest of central Veracruz, Mexico. The mice first consumed the anthers and, although it also consumed part of the filaments, the majority of these were discarded once the mice had consumed the pollen. The mice seem to be opportunistic consumers of pollen in a season when other resources are possibly scarce. It would be of value to determine the proportion of the rodent diet represented by pollen and other floral products during periods of low food availability, as well as to determine the potential impact of such herbivory on plant reproductive success.     

Radiation-constrained boundaries cause nonuniform responses of the carbon uptake phenology to climatic warming in the Northern Hemisphere

Climatic warming has lengthened the photosynthetically active season in recent decades, thus affecting the functioning and biogeochemistry of ecosystems, the global carbon cycle and climate. Temperature response of carbon uptake phenology varies spatially and temporally, even within species, and daily total intensity of radiation may play a role. We empirically modelled the thresholds of temperature and radiation under which daily carbon uptake is constrained in the temperate and cold regions of the Northern Hemisphere, which include temperate forests, boreal forests, alpine and tundra biomes. The two-dimensionality of the temperature-radiation constraint was reduced to one single variable, θ, which represents the angle in a polar coordinate system for the temperature-radiation observations during the start and end of the growing season. We found that radiation will constrain the trend towards longer growing seasons with future warming but differently during the start and end of season and depending on the biome type and region. We revealed that radiation is a major factor limiting photosynthetic activity that constrains the phenology response to temperature during the end-of-season. In contrast, the start of the carbon uptake is overall highly sensitive to temperature but not constrained by radiation at the hemispheric scale. This study thus revealed that while at the end-of-season the phenology response to warming is constrained at the hemispheric scale, at the start-of-season the advance of spring onset may continue, even if it is at a slower pace.     

Sustained protective rabies neutralizing antibody titers after administration of cationic lipid-formulated pDNA vaccine

Published data indicate that formulation of pDNA with cationic lipids could greatly enhance the response to a pDNA vaccine in larger mammals. The present work tested the influence of several pDNA:cationic lipid formulations on rabies neutralizing titers. Plasmid expressing Rabies G protein (CVS strain) was evaluated in vivo for ability to elicit neutralizing titers. pDNA:DMRIE-DOPE formulated at two DNA:cationic lipid molar ratios was compared in mice to a Vaxfectin?-pDNA formulation. Mouse data indicate that Vaxfectin? is more effective than DMRIE-DOPE in eliciting neutralizing titers. In addition, the ratio of pDNA to DMRIE-DOPE can also affect neutralizing titers. Our data show that sustained neutralizing titers (120 days) can be obtained after a single administration of DMRIE-DOPE-formulated pDNA in rabbits.     

Zoonotic tuberculosis knowledge and practices among cattle handlers in selected districts of Bangladesh

We assessed zoonotic tuberculosis (zTB) knowledge and prevention and control practices of 404 cattle handlers via a survey in three dairy-intensive districts of Bangladesh. Most respondents were aged 30–49 (52%) and male (95%). Almost all (99%) recognized the important public health burden of tuberculosis in Bangladesh, however, most (58%) had inadequate knowledge about zTB transmission to humans. Inappropriate practices such as: not using protective equipment (98%); smoking, drinking or eating food whilst working with cattle (69%); and sharing the same premises with animals (83%) were identified. Cattle handlers educated at secondary or higher levels were 2.82- (95% CI: 1.59–5.10) and 5.15 times (95% CI: 1.74–15.20) more likely to have adequate knowledge of control and prevention activities compared to those with no formal education. Those who had reared animals for 1–5 years were 2.67 times (95% CI: 1.44–4.91) more likely to have adequate knowledge, compared to those who reared animals for >15 years. Cattle handlers with a monthly incomes of 10,000–20,000 taka were significantly (Odds Ratio = 0.36, 95% CI: 0.14–0.92) less likely to have adequate knowledge compared to those with monthly incomes <10,000 taka. Cattle handlers with high school or higher education were 6.98 times (95% CI: 2.47–19.71) more likely to use appropriate zTB control and prevention practices compared to those without formal education. Those who had reared animals for 1–5 years, 6–10 years and 11–15 years were 2.72- (95% CI: 1.42–5.24), 2.49- (95% CI: 1.29–4.77) and 2.86 times (95% CI: 1.13–7.23) more likely to apply appropriate practices compared to those who reared animals for >15 years. Overall, education, duration of cattle rearing and monthly income predicted zTB knowledge and practices. There is an urgent need to educate those at high-risk of zTB transmission on issues including the handling of infected animals, and general hygiene. A One Health approach, to support the Sustainable Development Goals and the End TB strategy, appears to be the way forward.     

Evaluation of Mycorrhizal Influence on the Development and Phytoremediation Potential of Canavalia Gladiata in Pb-Contaminated Soils

Soil contamination by heavy metals is a serious problem to humans due to its high level of toxicity. The heavy metal lead (Pb) is commonly used in industries and if the disposal of residues that contain this element is not done properly may result in tragic consequences to the organisms. In this experiment we assessed the potential of a forrage leguminous, Canavalia gladiata, to phytoremediate lead-contaminated soil under mycorrhizal influence. The experimental design was composed of 4 Pb doses (0, 250, 500, and 1000 mg kg^?1 of soil) and the plants were inoculated or uninoculated with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). We observed that the nodulation was severely affected by the presence of Pb independently of the mycorrhizal status; most of the elements analyzed were affected independently of the mycorrhizal status with exception of P. The mycorrhizal colonization was able to restrict the entrance of Pb in plants under high concentrations of Pb but promoted it's accumulation in both organs under intermediate concentrations of this element. Besides the mycorrhization did not promote plant growth under Pb stress, the use of this plant may be considered to be used for phytostabilization purposes.