Environmental and Physiological Influences to Isotopic Ratios of N and Protein Status in a Montane Ungulate in Winter

Winter severity can influence large herbivore populations through a reduction in maternal proteins available for reproduction. Nitrogen (N) isotopes in blood fractions can be used to track the use of body proteins in northern and montane ungulates. We studied 113 adult female caribou for 13 years throughout a series of severe winters that reduced population size and offspring mass. After these severe winters, offspring mass increased but the size of the population remained low. We devised a conceptual model for routing of isotopic N in blood in the context of the severe environmental conditions experienced by this population. We measured δ¹⁵N in three blood fractions and predicted the relative mobilization of dietary and body proteins. The δ ¹⁵N of the body protein pool varied by 4‰ and 46% of the variance was associated with year. Annual variation in δ¹⁵N of body protein likely reflected the fall/early winter diet and winter locations, yet 15% of the isotopic variation in amino acid N was due to body proteins. Consistent isotopic differences among blood N pools indicated that animals tolerated fluxes in diet and body stores. Conservation of body protein in caribou is the result of active exchange among diet and body N pools. Adult females were robust to historically severe winter conditions and prioritized body condition and survival over early investment in offspring. For a vagile ungulate residing at low densities in a predator-rich environment, protein restrictions in winter may not be the primary limiting factor for reproduction.     

Liver Accumulation of Plasmodium chabaudi-Infected Red Blood Cells and Modulation of Regulatory T Cell and Dendritic Cell Responses

It is postulated that accumulation of malaria-infected Red Blood Cells (iRBCs) in the liver could be a parasitic escape mechanism against full destruction by the host immune system. Therefore, we evaluated the in vivo mechanism of this accumulation and its potential immunological consequences. A massive liver accumulation of P. c. chabaudi AS-iRBCs (Pc-iRBCs) was observed by intravital microscopy along with an over expression of ICAM-1 on day 7 of the infection, as measured by qRT-PCR. Phenotypic changes were also observed in regulatory T cells (Tregs) and dendritic cells (DCs) that were isolated from infected livers, which indicate a functional role for Tregs in the regulation of the liver inflammatory immune response. In fact, the suppressive function of liver-Tregs was in vitro tested, which demonstrated the capacity of these cells to suppress naive T cell activation to the same extent as that observed for spleen-Tregs. On the other hand, it is already known that CD4+ T cells isolated from spleens of protozoan parasite-infected mice are refractory to proliferate in vivo. In our experiments, we observed a similar lack of in vitro proliferative capacity in liver CD4+ T cells that were isolated on day 7 of infection. It is also known that nitric oxide and IL-10 are partially involved in acute phase immunosuppression; we found high expression levels of IL-10 and iNOS mRNA in day 7-infected livers, which indicates a possible role for these molecules in the observed immune suppression. Taken together, these results indicate that malaria parasite accumulation within the liver could be an escape mechanism to avoid sterile immunity sponsored by a tolerogenic environment.     

Phytoremediation and natural attenuation of sulfentrazone: mineralogy influence of three highly weathered soils

Abstract

This study evaluated remediation of the herbicide sulfentrazone in soils with three different mineralogies (kaolinite, hematite, and gibbsite) and three remediation sulfentrazone treatments (Canavalia ensiformis L., Crotalaria juncea L., and natural attenuation). This study was conducted in a factorial scheme, in triplicate with randomized block design. Sulfentrazone was applied at 0 and 400?g ha^?1. We analyzed sulfentrazone residue in the soils by high-performance liquid chromatography and confirmed the results with bioassays of Pennisetum glaucum. Herbicide movement was greater in the kaolinitic soil without plant species. The retention of herbicide in the kaolinitic soil occurred in larger quantities in the 0–12?cm layer, with higher levels found in the treatments with plants. In the hematitic soil with C. juncea, all applied herbicides were concentrated in the 0–12?cm layer. In the other hematitic soil treatments, sulfentrazone was not detected by chemical analysis at any soil depth, although in many treatments, it was detected in the bioassay. Phytoremediation was more efficient with C. ensiformis grown in gibbsitic soil, reducing the sulfentrazone load by approximately 27%. Natural attenuation was more efficient than phytoremediation in oxidic soils due to soil pH and texture soils favored microbial degradation of the compound.

• Highlights

• The influence of soil mineralogy of herbicide sulfentrazone retention was evaluated.

• Canavalia ensiformis and Crotalaria juncea were evaluated as phytoremediation plants.

• Kaolinite soils presented great movement of sulfentrazone in the soil.

• Natural attenuation is more efficient in oxide soils than phytoremediation.

     

Genetic diversity and geographic distribution of Bemisia tabaci and Trialeurodes vaporariorum in Costa Rica

The tobacco whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) cryptic species complex and of the greenhouse whitefly Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Westwood) are extensively reported as destructive pests in vegetable crops worldwide. A survey was conducted in 2011 and 2012 to determine the occurrence and genetic diversity present in the populations of these whiteflies in the major vegetable production areas of Costa Rica. Insect samples were collected from sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum L.), tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.), common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) and weeds present in commercial crops either in open field or greenhouse conditions. PCR‐RFLP analysis of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 gene (mtCOI) sequences of 621 whitefly individuals confirmed the presence of the Mediterranean (MED) type of the B. tabaci and of T. vaporariorum in most sampled regions. Also, individuals of the Middle East‐Asia Minor 1 (MEAM1) type of the B. tabaci were observed in low numbers. Contingency analyses based on type of crop, geographical region, whitefly species, year of collection and production system confirmed that T. vaporariorum was the most frequent species in vegetable production areas in Costa Rica, both in greenhouses and in open fields. B. tabaci MED is likely spreading to new areas of the country, whereas B. tabaci MEAM1 was mostly absent or rarely found. Comparisons of mtCOI sequences from B. tabaci individuals revealed the presence of four B. tabaci sequence haplotypes (named MED‐i, MED‐ii, MEAM1‐i, MEAM1‐xviii) in Costa Rica, three of them identical to B. tabaci haplotypes previously reported in the Western Hemisphere and other parts of the world. Analysis of sequences of T. vaporariorum individuals revealed a more complex population with the presence of 11 haplotypes, two of which were identical to T. vaporariorum sequences reported from other countries.     

Response of foundation macrophytes to near‐natural simulated marine heatwaves

Marine heatwaves have been observed worldwide and are expected to increase in both frequency and intensity due to climate change. Such events may cause ecosystem reconfigurations arising from species range contraction or redistribution, with ecological, economic and social implications. Macrophytes such as the brown seaweed Fucus vesiculosus and the seagrass Zostera marina are foundation species in many coastal ecosystems of the temperate northern hemisphere. Hence, their response to extreme events can potentially determine the fate of associated ecosystems. Macrophyte functioning is intimately linked to the maintenance of photosynthesis, growth and reproduction, and resistance against pathogens, epibionts and grazers. We investigated morphological, physiological, pathological and chemical defence responses of western Baltic Sea F. vesiculosus and Z. marina populations to simulated near‐natural marine heatwaves. Along with (a) the control, which constituted no heatwave but natural stochastic temperature variability (0HW), two treatments were applied: (b) two late‐spring heatwaves (June, July) followed by a summer heatwave (August; 3HW) and (c) a summer heatwave only (1HW). The 3HW treatment was applied to test whether preconditioning events can modulate the potential sensitivity to the summer heatwave. Despite the variety of responses measured in both species, only Z. marina growth was impaired by the accumulative heat stress imposed by the 3HW treatment. Photosynthetic rate, however, remained high after the last heatwave indicating potential for recovery. Only epibacterial abundance was significantly affected in F. vesiculosus. Hence both macrophytes, and in particular F. vesiculosus, seem to be fairly tolerant to short‐term marine heatwaves at least at the intensities applied in this experiment (up to 5°C above mean temperature over a period of 9 days). This may partly be due to the fact that F. vesiculosus grows in a highly variable environment, and may have a high phenotypic plasticity.     

Identification of ATP binding residues of a protein from its primary sequence

Background  

One of the major challenges in post-genomic era is to provide functional annotations for large number of proteins arising from genome sequencing projects. The function of many proteins depends on their interaction with small molecules or ligands. ATP is one such important ligand that plays critical role as a coenzyme in the functionality of many proteins. There is a need to develop method for identifying ATP interacting residues in a ATP binding proteins (ABPs), in order to understand mechanism of protein-ligands interaction.     

Habitat Impoverishment and Egg Predation by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Alouatta caraya</Emphasis>

Species response to habitat loss, fragmentation, or alteration ranges from intolerance and extinction to tolerance and population growth. An ability to increase trophic niche breadth is likely to play a key role in promoting tolerance to habitat change in many species. Howlers (Alouatta spp.) are good examples of these tolerant species. Researchers have related their capacity to thrive well in disturbed habitats to their ability to exploit an eclectic vegetarian diet. Despite >50,000 h of observation of habituated free-ranging groups throughout the distribution of Alouatta, no case of intentional ingestion of animal matter has ever been observed. Here, we report an unexpected trophic niche broadening for free-ranging groups of black-and-gold howlers (Alouatta caraya) living in small (≤2 ha) impoverished habitat islands in the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. We studied 3 isolated social groups (15–17, 12–14, and 5 individuals) and observed 1 of them preying on birds’ nests. We recorded 19 events of egg-eating during 2274 h of observation in 1 group and 2 suspected cases in another. Our findings highlight the dietary flexibility that characterize howlers and contrast with the widely held view that they observe a strictly vegetarian diet.     

Evaluation of the effects of the parameters involved in the purification of clavulanic acid from fermentation broth by aqueous two-phase systems

The purification of clavulanic acid (CA), which is an important β-lactam antibiotic produced by submerged cultivation of Streptomyces clavuligerus, was studied through the use of phosphate and polyethylene glycol-based aqueous two-phase systems. The parameters’ effect on the yield and purification was evaluated through an experimental design and the preliminary results showed that the polyethylene molecular mass and tie-line length and phase volume ratio exerted the strongest effect on the yield and distribution coefficient in the range tested. In addition, the response surface methodology was used to optimize the distribution coefficient, yield, and purification factor. The optimal conditions of yield and purification factor are in the regions where polyethylene has a low molecular mass, pH close to the isoelectric point, and lower top phase volume. A 100% yield and a 1.5-fold purification factor are obtained when extracting CA by maximizing the conditions of an aqueous two-phase system.     

Sensitive fluorescence in situ hybridization signal detection in maize using directly labeled probes produced by high concentration DNA polymerase nick translation

The signal produced by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) often is inconsistent among cells and sensitivity is low. Small DNA targets on the chromatin are difficult to detect. We report here an improved nick translation procedure for Texas red and Alexa Fluor 488 direct labeling of FISH probes. Brighter probes can be obtained by adding excess DNA polymerase I. Using such probes, a 30 kb yeast transgene, and the rp1, rp3 and zein multigene clusters were clearly detected.