Phenological traits of the mangrove Rhizophora stylosa Griff. at the northern limit of its biogeographical distribution

The vegetative and reproductive phenology of the subtropical mangrove species Rhizophora stylosa was investigated at Manko Wetland, Okinawa Island, Japan. We assessed phenology using litterfall data over four years. Leaf and stipule litterfall occurred throughout the year, with distinct seasonal patterns. Kendall’s coefficient of concordance, W, revealed that the monthly changes in leaf and stipule litterfall were strongly and significantly concordant among years. Leaf litterfall was significantly correlated with monthly maximum wind speed and monthly day length, and stipule litterfall was significantly correlated with monthly mean air temperature and relative humidity. Branch litterfall showed no clear monthly pattern and correlated well with monthly maximum wind speed. Mean total litterfall was 11.2 Mg ha^?1 year^?1, with the largest component being vegetative organs (78.7 %). Flower, fruit, and propagule litterfall were all highest in summer and lowest in winter. The W values revealed that most reproductive organs in litterfall had significant monthly trends. Flower and fruit litterfall were significantly correlated with monthly day length and monthly mean air temperature, respectively. The average development periods from flower buds to flowers, fruits, and mature propagules were approximately 2–3 months, 4–5 months, and 11–12 months, respectively. Except for branches, all vegetative and reproductive components of litterfall had approximately one year cycles.     

DYRK1A regulates the recruitment of 53BP1 to the sites of DNA damage in part through interaction with RNF169

Human Dual-specificity tyrosine (Y) Regulated Kinase 1A (DYRK1A) is encoded by a dosage dependent gene whereby either trisomy or haploinsufficiency result in developmental abnormalities. However, the function and regulation of this important protein kinase are not fully understood. Here, we report proteomic analysis of DYRK1A in human cells that revealed a novel role of DYRK1A in DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) repair, mediated in part by its interaction with the ubiquitin-binding protein RNF169 that accumulates at the DSB sites and promotes homologous recombination repair (HRR) by displacing 53BP1, a key mediator of non-homologous end joining (NHEJ). We found that overexpression of active, but not the kinase inactive DYRK1A in U-2 OS cells inhibits accumulation of 53BP1 at the DSB sites in the RNF169-dependent manner. DYRK1A phosphorylates RNF169 at two sites that influence its ability to displace 53BP1 from the DSBs. Although DYRK1A is not required for the recruitment of RNF169 to the DSB sites and 53BP1 displacement, inhibition of DYRK1A or mutation of the DYRK1A phosphorylation sites in RNF169 decreases its ability to block accumulation of 53BP1 at the DSB sites. Interestingly, CRISPR-Cas9 knockout of DYRK1A in human and mouse cells also diminished the 53BP1 DSB recruitment in a manner that did not require RNF169, suggesting that dosage of DYRK1A can influence the DNA repair processes through both RNF169-dependent and independent mechanisms. Human U-2 OS cells devoid of DYRK1A display an increased HRR efficiency and resistance to DNA damage, therefore our findings implicate DYRK1A in the DNA repair processes.     

Milk composition of three free-ranging African elephant (Loxodonta africana africana) cows during mid lactation

Data are presented that indicate the dynamic changes of nutrients in milk from three free ranging African elephant (Loxodonta africana africana) cows during lactation. At the respective collection times of 12, 14 and 18 months of lactation the nutrient content was 47.3, 52.0 and 68.6 g protein; 60.7, 87.4 and 170.8 g fat; 1.6, 2.1 0.5 g lactose and 20.9, 21.5 and 8.6 g oligosaccharides per kg milk. The protein fraction respectively consisted of 18.0, 31.7 and 45.9 g caseins/kg milk and of 29.3, 20.3 and 22.7 g whey proteins/kg milk. Electrophoresis and identification of protein bands showed that polymorphs of one whey protein may be present in elephant's milk similar to polymorphs of alpha-lactalbumin found in cow's milk. From the middle of the lactation time lactose was replaced by oligosaccharides as major carbohydrate, and the major compound of these was identified as isoglobotriose by 1H NMR spectroscopy. The lipid fraction contains a high content, of capric and lauric acids, approximately 70% of the total fatty acids, and low content of myristic, palmitic and oleic acids. During these lactation times the content of short chain fatty acids, capric and caprylic acids increased, while fatty acids lauric acid and longer decreased.     

Effect of Drought and Weed Management on Maize Genotypes and the Tensiometric Soil Water Content of an Eutric Nitisol in South Western Nigeria

In the dry savannas of West and Central Africa, where low soil fertility, unpredictable rainfall, weed competition and recurrent drought are major constraints to maize production, the development of tropical maize genotypes with high and stable yields under drought and low-nitrogen condition is very important since access to these improved genotypes may be the only affordable alternative to many small scale farmers. Field trials were conducted in 2002 and 2003 at Ikenne southwestern Nigeria to investigate the effect of weed pressures and drought stress on 2 maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids (9134-14, 9803-9) and 2 open-pollinated varieties (STREVIWD, IYFDCO1). Irrigation was withdrawn 4 weeks after planting (about four weeks to mid-flowering) in the drought stress while the adjacent watered treatment had irrigation throughout the growing period. The weed pressures were the completely weeded plots (hand weeding every week) and weedy plots (weeded once, 2 weeks after planting). The experiment was a split plot in a randomized complete block design with four replicates. Drought stress reduced the stover weight and grain yield of the maize cultivars by 6% and 34% respectively. Weed-free plots had maize with higher agronomic traits than unweeded treatments. Hybrid 9803-9 was more susceptible to drought and weed stress as indicated in the stover weight and grain yield. STREVIWD an open-pollinated variety (OPV) and Hybrid 9134-14 had superior performances in terms of grain yield and shorter anthesis silking interval. Soil moisture content was higher in the unweeded plots while the uptake of moisture was highest in drought susceptible hybrid 9803-9. Irrespective of the genotypes, maize (hybrid and OPV) was more tolerant to drought in a weed-free environment than in unweeded conditions. There existed a negative but significant correlation between weed biomass and chlorophyll content (−0.29, P < 0.01), grain yield (−0.45, P < 0.05), ear plant⁻¹ (−0.27, P < 0.05) and kernel-number (−0.366 P < 0.01).     

Influence of different types of environmental enrichment on the behaviour of finishing pigs in two different housing systems: 3. Hanging toy versus rootable toy of the same material

This study aimed to assess the effects of (1) environmental enrichment with either straw bedding or a plastic toy and (2) the way in which the plastic toy was presented on the behaviour of finishing pigs in two different housing systems. One thousand and twenty four (Large White × Landrace) × Large White pigs were housed contemporarily in either a straw-based (ST) or fully slatted (FS) building from 35 kg to slaughter at 104 kg. In each building, half of the pens received additional environmental enrichment in the form of a hanging plastic toy. The remaining pens in the ST house were enriched only by the straw bedding. In the FS house, the remaining pens were provided with a rootable toy of the same plastic material presented on the floor of the pen. There was no significant effect of housing system on the level of manipulation of the hanging toy. Within the FS system, the level of manipulation of the hanging toy tended to be higher than that of the plastic toy presented on the floor (P = 0.052). Neither form of additional environmental enrichment provided a comparable level of occupation to that of straw bedding. In the absence of straw, more investigatory behaviours were directed towards both pen-mates (P < 0.001) and pen components (P < 0.001). Further study is required to identify functional forms of environmental enrichment in slatted systems to occupy pigs and prevent them from performing adverse behaviours.     

Vorinostat Enhances Cytotoxicity of SN-38 and Temozolomide in Ewing Sarcoma Cells and Activates STAT3/AKT/MAPK Pathways

Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) have been evaluated in patients with Ewing sarcoma (EWS) but demonstrated limited activity. To better understand the potential for HDACi in EWS, we evaluated the combination of the HDACi vorinostat, with DNA damaging agents SN-38 (the active metabolite of irinotecan and topoisomerase 1 inhibitor) plus the alkylating agent temozolomide (ST). Drugs were evaluated in sequential and simultaneous combinations in two EWS cell lines. Results demonstrate that cell viability, DNA damage and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production are dependent on the sequence of drug administration. Enhanced cytotoxicity is exhibited in vitro in EWS cell lines treated with ST administered before vorinostat, which was modestly higher than concomitant treatment and superior to vorinostat administered before ST. Drug combinations downregulate cyclin D1 to induce G0/G1 arrest and promote apoptosis by cleavage of caspase-3 and PARP. When ST is administered before or concomitantly with vorinostat there is activation of STAT3, MAPK and the p53 pathway. In contrast, when vorinostat is administered before ST, there is DNA repair, increased AKT phosphorylation and reduced H2B acetylation. Inhibition of AKT using the small molecule inhibitor MK-2206 did not restore H2B acetylation. Combining ST with the dual ALK and IGF-1R inhibitor, AZD3463 simultaneously inhibited STAT3 and AKT to enhance the cytotoxic effects of ST and further reduce cell growth suggesting that STAT3 and AKT activation were in part mediated by ALK and IGF-1R signaling. In summary, potent antiproliferative and proapoptotic activity were demonstrated for ST induced DNA damage before or simultaneous with HDAC inhibition and cell death was mediated through the p53 pathway. These observations may aid in designing new protocols for treating pediatric patients with high-risk EWS.     

Vegetative and reproductive phenology of the mangrove Bruguiera gymnorrhiza (L.) Lam. on Okinawa Island, Japan

Vegetative and reproductive phenology of the subtropical mangrove Bruguiera gymnorrhiza was investigated at Manko Wetland, Okinawa Island, Japan. Phenology was assessed using litterfall data over 4 years. Leaf and stipule litterfall occurred throughout the year, with distinct seasonal patterns. Kendall’s coefficient of concordance, W, revealed that the monthly changes in leaf and stipule litterfall were strongly and significantly concordant among years. Leaf litterfall was linked to monthly day length and maximum wind speed, and stipule litterfall was linked to monthly mean air temperature, monthly rainfall, and maximum wind speed. Branch litterfall showed no clear monthly pattern, but tended to vary with monthly maximum wind speed. Mean leaf longevity was 19 months. Mean total litterfall was 10.1 Mg ha^?1 year^?1, with the largest component being vegetative organs (58 %). Flower and propagule litterfall were highest in autumn and summer, respectively, and lowest in winter. The W values revealed that, of the reproductive organs, only flower litterfall had a significant monthly trend. Flower litterfall was correlated with monthly mean air temperature and relative humidity. The average development periods from flower buds to flowers and from flowers to mature propagules were approximately 1 and 8 months, respectively. It took 9 months to produce mature propagules from flower buds. Except for branches, all vegetative and reproductive components of litterfall had clear annual cycles.     

Urbanization Increases Aedes albopictus Larval Habitats and Accelerates Mosquito Development and Survivorship

Introduction

Aedes albopictus is a very invasive and aggressive insect vector that causes outbreaks of dengue fever, chikungunya disease, and yellow fever in many countries. Vector ecology and disease epidemiology are strongly affected by environmental changes. Urbanization is a worldwide trend and is one of the most ecologically modifying phenomena. The purpose of this study is to determine how environmental changes due to urbanization affect the ecology of Aedes albopictus.

Methods

Aquatic habitats and Aedes albopictus larval population surveys were conducted from May to November 2013 in three areas representing rural, suburban, and urban settings in Guangzhou, China. Ae. albopictus adults were collected monthly using BG-Sentinel traps. Ae. albopictus larva and adult life-table experiments were conducted with 20 replicates in each of the three study areas.

Results

The urban area had the highest and the rural area had the lowest number of aquatic habitats that tested positive for Ae. albopictus larvae. Densities in the larval stages varied among the areas, but the urban area had almost two-fold higher densities in pupae and three-fold higher in adult populations compared with the suburban and rural areas. Larvae developed faster and the adult emergence rate was higher in the urban area than in suburban and rural areas. The survival time of adult mosquitoes was also longer in the urban area than it was in suburban and rural areas. Study regions, surface area, water depth, water clearance, surface type, and canopy coverage were important factors associated with the presence of Ae. albopictus larvae.

Conclusions

Urbanization substantially increased the density, larval development rate, and adult survival time of Ae. albopictus, which in turn potentially increased the vector capacity, and therefore, disease transmissibility. Mosquito ecology and its correlation with dengue virus transmission should be compared in different environmental settings.     

Population doubling time, phosphatase activity, and hydrogen peroxide generation in Jurkat cells.

Differences in growth characteristics, phosphatase activity, and hydrogen peroxide generation in two clones of a T-cell leukemic line are described in this communication. Wurzburg cells had significantly shorter population doubling times compared with the parental Jurkat cells (16.6 +/- 2.0 h and 20.7 +/- 2.2 h, respectively; mean +/- SD, p < .0001, n = 20). In addition, total phosphatase activity was significantly decreased (p < .006) and hydrogen peroxide production was significantly increased (p < .002) in Wurzburg cells compared to Jurkat cells. That the cell line with the faster growth rate should have these latter two properties is entirely consistent with the positive effects of increased kinase activity and hydrogen peroxide on proliferative cellular responses in T cells. As originally described, Wurzburg cells were distinguished from Jurkat cells by their lack of CD45, a membrane protein tyrosine phosphatase, and their positive response to hydrogen peroxide-stimulation of NF-kappaB activation. We propose that these two clones, with their distinguishing characteristics, can be used to advantage in experiments designed to study the effects of antioxidants on signaling pathways that control cell life and death.