Genetic and evolutionary consequences of symbiosis

Permanent stable symbioses, primarily microbial, are analyzed as parasexual phenomena from the evolutionary point of view. Such associations bring together in single individuals heritable traits of high selective advantage in certain environments. By convergent evolution several types of associations have repeatedly arisen: motile photosynthetic forms, nitrogen fixing and wood digesting complexes, and so forth. Many examples are discussed from the point of view of the number of originally independent genomes that comprise the recognizable individuals.The level of partner integration in many associations is analyzed. Examples of many levels: genic, gene product, metabolite, behavioral, and the methods by which they can be distinguished are discussed.The literature concerning a large number of associations is reviewed: Methanobacillus; predatory and consortia bacteria; blue green algal sheath dwelling bacteria; anaerobic worm-bacterial; algal, and foreign chloroplast retention by heterotrophic eukaryotes (ciliates, coelenterates, mollusks); the double nucleated photosynthetic dinoflagellate (Peridinium balticum); hindgut microbes in termites and woodroaches (Pyrsonympha, Barbulanympha and their associated spirochetes and other bacteria); sand dwelling and other ciliates and their associated bacteria; and so forth. The status of observations and artificial systems claiming evidence for transfer of genes between very distantly related organisms is critically discussed.A continuum from nearly completely autonomous partners (e.g., zoochlorellae in invertebrate animals) to nearly unrecognizable merged components (e.g., gamma particles in Blastocladiella) is found to exist among examples of extant organisms. The diversity and prevalence of such associations support the concept that there are many precedents for the steps hypothesized in the serial endosymbiotic theory of the origin of eukaryotic cells.     

Expression of novel cytosolic malate dehydrogenases (cMDH) in Lupinus angustifolius nodules during phosphorus starvation

During P deficiency, the increased activity of malate dehydrogenase (MDH, EC 1.1.1.37) can lead to malate accumulation. Cytosolic- and nodule-enhanced MDH (cMDH and neMDH, respectively) are known isoforms, which contribute to MDH activity in root nodules. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of the cMDH isoforms in nodule malate supply under P deficiency. Nodulated lupins (Lupinus angustifolius var. Tanjil) were hydroponically grown at adequate P (+P) or low P (−P). Total P concentration in nodules decreased under P deficiency, which coincided with an increase in total MDH activity. A consequence of higher MDH activity was the enhanced accumulation of malate derived from dark CO₂ fixation via PEPC and not from pyruvate. Although no measurable neMDH presence could be detected via PCR, gene-specific primers detected two 1 kb amplicons of cMDH, designated LangMDH1 (corresponding to +P, HQ690186) and LangMDH2 (corresponding to −P, HQ690187), respectively. Sequencing analyses of these cMDH amplicons showed them to be 96% identical on an amino acid level. There was a high degree of diversification between proteins detected in this study and other known MDH proteins, particularly those from other leguminous plants. Enhanced malate synthesis in P-deficient nodules was achieved via increased anaplerotic CO₂ fixation and subsequent higher MDH activities. Novel isoforms of cytosolic MDH may be involved, as shown by gene expression of specific genes under P deficiency.     

豆科固氮植物对CO2加富的生理响应

 全球CO2浓度升高对植物的影响成为近代植物生理生态学研究的热点,豆科植物因其独特的固氮能力使其研究具有重要价值。从光合生理、固氮特性及碳、氮代谢等几个方面综述了CO2浓度升高对豆科植物生理生态特性的影响,总结出如下结论：在高CO2浓度条件下,豆科植物的光合速率、根     

Immune responses of locusts to challenge with the pathogenic fungus Metarhizium or high doses of laminarin

Two isolates of Metarhizium anisopliae var acridum were tested for their effects on the locust immune system and for comparison with the effects of challenge by injection with laminarin. Isolate IMI 330189 (referred to hereafter as Met 189) is highly pathogenic whether applied topically as conidia or injected as blastospores. However, isolate ARSEF 728 (referred to hereafter as Met 728) is pathogenic only when injected as blastospores, suggesting that the lack of pathogenicity of topically applied conidia from this isolate is due to a failure to penetrate the insect cuticle and gain access to the haemocoel. After topical application of conidia from Met 189, no activation of prophenoloxidase is detected, but injection of blastospores from Met 189 brings about a transient increase in phenoloxidase activity in the haemolymph in both adult locusts and 5th instar nymphs, although this does not prevent fungal-induced mortality. Co-injection of adipokinetic hormone-I (AKH-I) with blastospores prolongs the activation of prophenoloxidase in the haemolymph of adult locusts, and enhances it in nymphs. It is argued that the lack of activation of prophenoloxidase in nymphs shown previously (Mullen, L., Goldsworthy, G., 2003. Changes in lipophorins are related to the activation of phenoloxidase in the haemolymph of Locusta migratoria in response to injection of immunogens. Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 33, 661-670), reflects differences in the sensitivity of the immune system between adults and nymphs rather than distinct qualitative differences, and this is confirmed in this study by the demonstration that doses of laminarin higher than those used previously (>or=100 microg) do activate the prophenoloxidase cascade in 5th instar nymphs. Nodules are formed in locusts of all ages in response to fungal infection or injection of laminarin, although there is wide variation in the number, size and distribution of nodules formed. During the examination of 5th instar nymphs for nodule formation, a previously unknown phenomenon was observed in which the salivary glands melanise in response to injections of blastospores or high doses of laminarin. In c. 85% of such nymphs, this reaction is so strong that the whole salivary gland is intensely black. Such a response is not observed in the salivary glands of mature adult locusts.     

Influence de pH acides sur la viabilité d'isolats deFrankia

Résumé Vingt souches deFrankia, isolées à partir de 7 espèces différentes de plantes actinorhiziennes ont été cultivées sur des milieux maintenus à des pH constants de 5; 4,8; 4,6 et 4,2. Chaque souche a été cultivée 2 à 3 fois consécutives à un même pH. Quatorze souches ne montrent aucune croissance à pH 5. Seules 3 souches résistent à un séjour de plusieurs semaines à pH 4,6. Aucune souche ne demeure viable après un séjour dans un milieu à pH 4,2. Les 3 souches acido-résistantes supportent également la présence d'Al⁺⁺⁺ libre dans le milieu de culture. Une forte concentration d'H⁺ dans le milieu stimule beaucoup la sporogénèse. Inoculée dans un sol acide une souche acido-résistante conserve une chance de survie nettement supérieure à celle d'une souche neutrophile maintenue dans les mêmes conditions.      

Mycorrhizal fungi increase salt tolerance of Strophostyles helvola in coastal foredunes

A greenhouse study was conducted to determine the effects of increasing concentrations of salt (NaCl) solutions applied to the soil containing mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal plants of the leguminous species Strophostyles helvola (L.) Ell. The dry weight of roots and shoots and leaf chlorophyll content of S. helvola plants decreased with an increase in the concentrations of salt solutions. Although increasing salt concentrations promoted hyphal growth in mycorrhizal plants, the percent uncolonized root surface, arbuscules and vesicles decreased. An increase in the concentration of salt solutions did not decrease the number of root nodules. The data clearly showed evidence of significantly higher chlorophyll content, shoot dry weight and number of root nodules in mycorrhizal than non-mycorrhizal plants. High salt concentrations had a negative effect on the growth of S. helvola plants but the negative effects were partially mitigated by the presence of mycorrhizal fungi.     

高频超声探查甲状腺结节内钙化的临床价值

目的：探讨甲状腺钙化在诊断和鉴别诊断甲状腺姑节中的临床意义。方法：回顾性分析经超声检查和手术病理证实的77例甲状腺结节患者的临床资料。结果：超声检查与病理对照分析显示：良性20例,结节性甲状腺肿18例,恶性56例,其中乳头状癌50例,乳头状增生1例。良性结节中超声声像图钙化多表现为均匀强回声光斑,光团或弧形光团,后方伴声影。恶性结节中钙化表现为“针尖样”、“砂粒样”、“点状”的微钙化,后方声影可有可无。结论：依据甲状腺结节内钙化的形态大小,可以鉴别甲状腺结节的良恶性。     

Hydrogen production and uptake by pea nodules as affected by strains of Rhizobium leguminosarum

Hydrogen evolution from root nodules has been reported to make N₂ fixation by some legume-Rhizobium symbiotic systems inefficient. We have surveyed the extent of H₂ evolution and estimated relative efficiencies of nodules of Austrian winter peas formed by 15 strains of R. leguminosarum. Their rates of H₂ evolution in air were about 30% of the rates of H₂ evolution under an atmosphere in which N₂ was replaced by Ar. Relative efficiency values based on C₂H₂ reduction rates ranged from 0.55 to 0.80. With some of the strains, hydrogenase activities were demonstrated in intact nodules and in bacteroids, but the levels of activity were insufficient to recycle all the H₂ evolved by the nitrogenase system. In both intact nodules and bacteroids the hydrogenase is less sensitive to O₂ damage than the nitrogenase system, so H₂ uptake capacity was observed in intact nodules by suppressing the nitrogenase-dependent H₂ evolution with an atmosphere containing a high O₂ concentration, and in bacteroids by using aerobically prepared bacteroid suspensions. The hydrogenase activity of both was dependent on O₂ consumption. A K _mfor H₂ of near 4 M was determined in suspension of bacteroids from nodules formed by strains 128C53 and 128C56.     

Mineralogical characteristics of residues produced in microbiological treatment of acidic mine drainages

Inorganic residues produced on the disks of rotating biological contactor (RBC) wastewater treatment units during microbiological oxidation of the ferrous iron in both natural and synthetic acidic mine drainages were analyzed using x‐ray energy‐dispersive microanalysis, x‐ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy. The predominant mineral forms were x‐ray amorphous ferric hydroxysulfates. In addition, jarosites were detected in RBC units which treated natural mine drainages, and magnetite was detected in solids generated during treatment of a synthetic acidic mine drainage. Bacteria were observed on the surface of the inorganic residues and in gelatinous films seen microscopically following chemical dissolution of the iron crust.     

超微血管成像技术在乳腺良恶性病变中的鉴别诊断及乳腺癌新辅助化疗疗效评估中的价值研究

摘要 目的：探讨超微血管成像技术（SMI）在乳腺良恶性病变中的鉴别诊断价值以及在乳腺癌新辅助化疗中的疗效评估价值。方法：回顾性分析2014年2月至2019年10月于长沙市第三医院行SMI检查的109例乳腺结节患者的临床资料,根据病理结果将其分为良性组和恶性组,比较两组患者SMI微血管形态分型分布差异,采用受试者工作特征曲线（ROC）分析SMI鉴别诊断乳腺良恶性病变的价值。乳腺癌患者经序贯新辅助化疗后再次接受SMI检查,比较新辅助化疗前后、不同疗效乳腺癌患者SMI血流分级差异。结果：良性组微血管形态分型以无血管型,线型,树枝型为主（97.83%）,恶性组以残根型,蟹足型为主（80.99%）,两组微血管形态分型分布差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。以病理检查结果为金标准,SMI鉴别诊断乳腺良恶性病变的曲线下面积（AUC）为0.890,灵敏度为80.99%,特异度为97.83%,准确率为85.63%。68例乳腺癌患者完成新辅助化疗,新辅助化疗有效[完全缓解（CR）+部分缓解（PD）] 47例,无效[稳定（SD）+进展（PD）]21例。化疗前SMI血流分级以Ⅱ、Ⅲ级为主（80.88%）,化疗后以0、Ⅰ级为主（69.12%）,有效组SMI血流分级以0、Ⅰ级为主（87.23%）,无效组SMI血流分级以Ⅰ、Ⅱ级为主（85.71%）,化疗前后、不同疗效组SMI血流分级差异均有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。结论：SMI能有效检出乳腺结节病灶内微小血管形态和血流改变,对乳腺良恶性病变的鉴别诊断及新辅助化疗的疗效评估均有一定临床应用价值。