Vegetation change in created emergent wetlands (1988–1996) in Connecticut (USA)

Changes in hydrology, water quality and vegetation were evaluated in four palustrine emergent wetland pairs, each including created and reference sites. Located along interstate highways, they were initially sampled in 1988 (Confer and Niering, 1992) and again in 1996. Overall, created sites showed significant decreases in open water and water depth between 1989 and 1996 compared to more stable conditions in reference sites. Total nitrogen was generally higher in created sites compared to reference sites, as was specific conductivity, with chloride levels exceeding 800 mg/L, apparently related to road salt. Emergent plant cover increased from 30 to 39% at three created sites, and decreased at a fourth, whereas reference sites remained relatively stable. Wetland species richness also increased from 31 to 39 species at created sites and 35 to 42 species at reference wetlands between the surveys. By 1996 there was an increase in invasive species, particularly Phragmites australis (common reed) and Lythrum salicaria (purple loosestrife). Phragmites increased from <1 to 15% at created sites, while Lythrum increased at one reference site from <1 to 16%. Typha latifolia (common cattail), dominant in the created wetlands in 1988, decreased from 16 to 5% while Typha angustifolia (narrow-leaved cattail) increased from 2 to 10%. At two created sites experiencing increased sedimentation, Phragmites is now dominant or co-dominant with Typha spp., whereas Carex stricta (tussock sedge) and T. latifolia continue to dominate at reference sites. At the one created, permanent flow-through-hydrology wetland, a three-fold decrease in T. latifolia and an eight-fold increase in Phragmites cover have occurred, the latter correlated with sedimentation from road culverts. Increases in alien or invasive species such as Phragmites and Lythrum can serve as indicators of wetland disturbance. Although these created wetlands provide the services of sediment retention, flood storage, and wildlife habitat, a greater range of wetland functions should be possible by constructing two-tiered systems that remove excess sediments and nutrients upstream of the wetland designed to compensate for wetland loss.     

IUBMB Symposia in 2000(英文)

ＦｒｏｎｔｉｅｒｓｏｆＰｒｏｔｅｉｎＳｔｒｕｃｔｕｒｅａｎｄＦｕｎｃｔｉｏｎＭａｒｃｈ２６３１,２０００ＳａｎＦｒａｎｃｉｓｃｏ,Ｃａｌｉｆｏｒｎｉａ,ＵＳＡＤｒ．ＲｏｂｅｒｔＧｅｎｎｉｓＤｅｐｔ．ｏｆＢｉｏｃｈｅｍｉｓｔｒｙ,ＵｎｉｖｅｒｓｉｔｙｏｆＩｌｌｉｎｏｉｓ６００ＳｏｕｔｈＭａｔｈｅｗｓＡｖｅｎｕｅ,Ｕｒｂａｎａ,ＩＬ６１８０１３３６４,ＵＳＡＴｅｌ：＋１２１７３３３９０７５;Ｆａｘ：＋１２１７２４４３１８６;Ｅｍａｉｌ：ｒｇｅｎｎｉｓ＠ｕｉｕｃ．ｅｄｕ１３ｔｈＩｎｔｅｒｎａ…     

Acidification of lakes in Šumava (Bohemia) and in the High Tatra Mountains (Slovakia)

Acidification of lakes takes place when pH of rainwater is less than 4.5 and the catchments lie on sensitive geology. Both conditions are met for most lakes in Bohemia and Slovakia. Since 1978 we have studied mountain lakes in the Sumava and in the High Tatra Mountains. In Šumava the three lakes under study are of glacial origin. The catchments are small, with steep sides covered by spruce. The bedrocks are biotite-rich paragneiss, together with gneiss, quartzite and granite. In summer 1936 surface pH was 5.7–6.9 in the Lake Čertovo and 6.9–7.0 in the Lake Černé. Now the pH values are 4.3–4.8 in the two lakes and in the Lake Prášilské as well. Old reports on zooplankton are from the years 1871, 1892–96, 1935–37, 1947 and 1960. Since 1979 we have not found any planktonic Crustacea in the lakes Černé and Čertovo. Lake Prášilské is inhabited by Daphnia longispina and Cyclops abyssorum. In July 1989 the pH values were 4.4, 4.7 and 4.7, concentrations of labile monomeric Al were 0.83, 0.68 and 0.24 mg l^-1 in the lakes Čertovo, Černé and Prašilské, respectively. High levels of toxic Al compounds might be responsible for the extinction of planktonic Crustacea in the lakes Čertovo and Černé. All the three lakes are void of fish at present. In the High Tatra Mts. we examined more than 40 lakes above timberline in altitudes 1612–2145 m. They are all clearwater, naturally fishless lakes. The bedrock is granite. Owing to different levels of calcium the lakes are now in different stages of acidification. According to recent changes in the zooplankton they can be divided into three groups: (1) Species composition of planktonic Crustacea has not changed. (2) Planktonic Crustacea were present until 1973 but are absent now. (3) From the original species of Crustacea only Chydorus sphaericus is present. The three groups are well separated along the gradients of calcium, ANC and pH. They can be identified with the Henriksen's bicarbonate (our group 1), intermediate (our group 2) and acid (our group 3) lakes. We suppose that in the process of acidification the lakes of the group (2) have been shifted from oligotrophy to ultraoligotrophy.     

Common micro RNAs (miRNAs) target complement factor H (CFH) regulation in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and in age-related macular degeneration (AMD)

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) are complex and progressive inflammatory degenerations of the human neocortex and retina. Recent molecular, genetic and epigenetic evidence indicate that at least 4 micro RNAs (miRNAs) - including the NF-кB-regulated miRNA-9, miRNA-125b, miRNA-146a and miRNA-155 - are progressively up-regulated in both AD and AMD. This quartet of up-regulated miRNAs in turn down-regulate a small brain- and retinal-cell-relevant family of target mRNAs, including that encoding complement factor H (CFH), a major negative regulator of the innate immune and inflammatory response. Together miRNA-146a and miRNA-155 recognize an overlapping miRNA regulatory control (MiRC) region in the CFH 3’-untranslated region (3’- UTR; 5’-TTTAGTATTAA-3’) to which either of these miRNAs may interact. Progressive, pathogenic increases in specific miRNA binding to the entire 232 nucleotide CFH 3’-UTR appears to be a major regulator of CFH expression down-regulation, and the inflammatory pathology that characterizes both AMD and AD. The data presented in this report provides evidence that up-regulation of brain- and retinal- abundant miRNAs, including miRNA-9, miRNA-125b, miRNA-146a and miRNA-155, are common to the pathogenetic mechanism of CFH deficiency that drives inflammatory neurodegeneration, and for the first time indicates multiple, independent miRNA-mediated regulation of the CFH mRNA 3’-UTR.     

A Mn(II)–Mn(II) center in human prolidase

Human prolidase, the enzyme responsible for the hydrolysis of the Xaa-Pro/Hyp peptide bonds, is a key player in the recycling of imino acids during the final stage of protein catabolism and extracellular matrix remodeling. Its metal active site composition corresponding to the maximal catalytic activity is still unknown, although prolidase function is of increasing interest due to the link with carcinogenesis and mutations in prolidase gene cause a severe connective tissue disorder. Here, using EPR and ICP-MS on human recombinant prolidase produced in Escherichia coli (hRecProl), the Mn(II) ion organized in a dinuclear Mn(II)–Mn(II) center was identified as the protein cofactor. Furthermore, thermal denaturation, CD/fluorescence spectroscopy and limited proteolysis revealed that the Mn(II) is required for the proper protein folding and that a protein conformational modification is needed in the transition from apo- to Mn(II)loaded-enzyme. The collected data provided a better knowledge of the human holo-prolidase and, although limited to the recombinant enzyme, the exact identity and organization of the metal cofactor as well as the conformational change required for activity were proven.     

Dermatophytes in Portugal (1972–1981)

For the years 1972–1981, 7 333 isolates of dermatophytes belonging to 14 species were obtained from glabrous skin (32%), feet (28%), groin (19%), scalp (8%), toenails (7%), fingernails (3%) and beard (1%)., T. rubrum represented 50% of all the isolates and was the most frequent species on glabrous skin, groin and nails. T. mentagrophytes (24%) was mainly obtained from the feet, E. floccosum (9%) from the groin and T. megninii (4%) from uncovered areas of the skin, fingernail and beard. These 4 species predominated in men. M. canis was the commonest agent on the scalp and in children up to 11 years. T. violaceum, previously the main cause of tinea capitis, and T. tonsurans have been decreasing for the period of this study, just as T. schoenleinii for the years 1962–71.The rising prevalence of T. rubrum was observed since 1962. In the whole it seems stable after 1969, but the analysis of the main sites involved shows that in the glabrous skin this species increased from 1962 to 1974; in the groin it was gone up from 30% during 1962–1965, to 64% in the years 1969–1971; in the feet the evolution was slower and only in 1980 T. rubrum became more frequent than T. mentagrophytes.The increase in certain species, whereas others become rare, lacks a satisfactory explanation.

---

Résumé Depuis 1972 jusqu'à 1981, 7 333 isolements de dermatophytes concernant 14 espèces ont été obtenus de la peau glabre (32%), des pieds (28%), des plis inguinaux (19%), des ongles des orteils (7%), des ongles des mains (3%) et de la barde (1%). T. rubrum a réprésenté 50% de tous les isolements, étant l'espèce la plus fréquente dans la peau glabre, aux plis inguinaux et dans les ongles. T. mentagrophytes (24%) a été isolé surtout des pieds; E.floccosum (9%) des plis inguinaux; et T. megninii (4%) des régions découvertes de la peau, des ongles de la main et de la barbe. Ces 4 espèces ont prédominé chez des adultes du sexe masculin. M. canis a été l'agent le plus commun dans le cuir chevelu et chez des enfants jusqu'à 11 ans. T. violaceum (auparavant la cause principale des teignes du cuir chevelu) et T. tonsurans sont devenus beaucoup moins fréquents pendant cette étude, comme d'ailleurs T. schoenleinii était devenu rare au cours d'une enquête anterieur (1962–1971).La prévalence de T. rubrum s'est beaucoup elevée dès 1962. Dans l'ensemble, elle parait stabilisée depuis 1969, mais l'analyse des principales localisations de la maladie démontre que dans la peau glabre cette espèce a augmenté depuis 1962 jusqu'à 1974; aux plis inguinaux elle a changé de 30% en 1962–1965 pour 64% en 1969–1971; aux pieds l'évolution a été moins rapide et seulement dès 1980 T. rubrum est devenu plus fréquent que T. mentagrophytes.L'augmentation de certaines espèces tandis que d'autres deviennent rares n'a pas trouvée une interpretation satisfaisante.

     

Charge Transport in Poly(dG)–Poly(dC) and Poly(dA)–Poly(dT) DNA Polymers

We investigate the charge transport in synthetic DNA polymers built up from single type of base pairs. In the context of a polaronlike model, for which an electronic tight-binding system and bond vibrations of the double helix are coupled, we present estimates for the electron-vibration coupling strengths utilizing a quantum-chemical procedure. Subsequent studies concerning the mobility of polaron solutions, representing the state of a localized charge in unison with its associated helix deformation, show that the system for poly(dG)–poly(dC) and poly(dA)–poly(dT) DNA polymers, respectively possess quantitatively distinct transport properties. While the former supports unidirectionally moving electron breathers attributed to highly efficient long-range conductivity, the breather mobility in the latter case is comparatively restrained, inhibiting charge transport. Our results are in agreement with recent experimental results demonstrating that poly(dG)–poly(dC) DNA molecules acts as a semiconducting nanowire and exhibit better conductance than poly(dA)–poly(dT) ones.     

microRNA (miRNA) speciation in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and extracellular fluid (ECF)

Human cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), produced by the choroid plexus and secreted into the brain ventricles and subarachnoid space, plays critical roles in intra-cerebral transport and the biophysical and immune protection of the brain. CSF composition provides valuable insight into soluble pathogenic bio-markers that may be diagnostic for brain disease. In these experiments we analyzed amyloid beta (Aβ) peptide and micro RNA (miRNA) abundance in CSF and in short post-mortem interval (PMI <2.1 hr) brain tissue-derived extracellular fluid (ECF) from Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and age-matched control neocortex. There was a trend for decreased abundance of Aβ42 in the CSF and ECF in AD but it did not reach statistical significance (mean age ~72 yr; N=12; p~0.06, ANOVA). The most abundant nucleic acids in AD CSF and ECF were miRNAs, and their speciation and inducibility were studied further. Fluorescent miRNA-array-based analysis indicated significant increases in miRNA-9, miRNA-125b, miRNA-146a, miRNA-155 in AD CSF and ECF (N=12; p<0.01, ANOVA). Primary human neuronal-glial (HNG) cell co-cultures stressed with AD-derived ECF also displayed an up-regulation of these miRNAs, an effect that was quenched using the anti-NF-кB agents caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) or 1-fluoro-2-[2-(4-methoxy-phenyl)-ethenyl]-benzene (CAY10512). Increases in miRNAs were confirmed independently using a highly sensitive LED-Northern dot-blot assay. Several of these NF-кB-sensitive miRNAs are known to be up-regulated in AD brain, and associate with the progressive spreading of inflammatory neurodegeneration. The results indicate that miRNA-9, miRNA-125b, miRNA-146a and miRNA-155 are CSF- and ECF-abundant, NF-кB-sensitive pro-inflammatory miRNAs, and their enrichment in circulating CSF and ECF suggest that they may be involved in the modulation or proliferation of miRNA-triggered pathogenic signaling throughout the brain and central nervous system (CNS).     

Argyrotaenia sphaleropa (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) in citrus in the State of Paraná, Brazil

Argyrotaenia sphaleropa (Meyrick) is associated with various fruit species in South America. This tortricid was first detected in citrus, Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck, in Brazil, in commercial groves in northern Paraná, during the 1994/95-crop season. The aim of this work was to study the biology of this lepidopteran under laboratory conditions (28 +/- 2 degrees C, 70 +/-10% UR, 14h photofase) using the citrus cultivar Pêra. Larvae obtained from egg masses collected in a commercial citrus grove in Rolandia, PR, were individually placed on citrus terminal leaves inside glass shell vials (8.5 x 2.5 cm) until adulthood. A male and a female moth were then transferred to acrylic cages (13 x 10 cm) containing inside a bouquet made with new citrus flush to serve as oviposition substrate. Adults were fed daily with a 10% honey solution. The biological parameters evaluated were duration of development of egg, larval and pupal stages; pupae weight; duration of pre-oviposition and oviposition periods, fecundity and longevity. The length of the egg to adult stage was around 36 days. The pre-oviposition period was almost two days, the oviposition period approximately ten days and the embryonary period around six days. Adult longevity was almost 15 days for females and nine days for males, and the lifetime fecundity was slightly over 180 eggs.     

Molecular Dynamics Simulations of Adrenocorticotropin (1–24) Peptide in a Solvated Dodecylphosphocholine (DPC) Micelle and in a Dimyistoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC) Bilayer

Abstract

The structure and interactions of the 1–24 fragment of the adrenocorticotropin hormone, ACTH (1–24), with membrane have been studied by molecular dynamics (MD) simulation in an NPT ensembles in two explicit membrane mimics, a dodecylphosphocholine (DPC) micelle and a dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC) bilayer. The starting configuration of the peptide/lipid systems had the 1–10 segment of the peptide lying on the surface of the model membrane, the same as the equilibrated structure (by MD) of ACTH (1–10) in a DPC micelle. The simulations showed that the peptide adopts the surface-binding mode and essentially the same structure in both systems. Thus the results of this work lend support to the assumption that micelles are reasonable mimics for biological membranes for the study of peptide binding. The 1–10 segment is slightly tilted from the parallel orientation to the interface and interacts strongly with the membrane surface while the more polar 11–24 segment shows little tendency to interact with the membrane surface, preferring to reside primarily in the aqueous phase. Furthermore, the 1–10 segment of the peptide binds to the DPC micelle in essentially the same way as ACTH (1–10). Thus the MD results are in excellent agreement with the model of interaction of ACTH (1–24) with membrane derived from NMR experiments. The secondary structure and the hydration of the peptide and the interactions of specific residues with the lipid head groups have also been analyzed.     

Presence of Marteilia sp. (Paramyxea) in the razor clam Solen marginatus (Pennántt, 1777) in Galicia (NW Spain)

Protistan parasites of the genus Marteilia, phylum Paramyxea, cause the molluscs disease named Marteiliosis. Histological observations and transmission electron microscopy revealed the presence of life cycle stages of a Marteilia sp. in the bivalve mollusc Solen marginatus (Solenidae). Parasites occurred in epithelial cells of the digestive ducts and tubules. Early stages (primary cells) presented one or several nuclei while advances stages formed a complex of cells-within-cells (secondary and tertiary cells) culminating in spores. Refringent bodies were present inside the presporangia. This is the first report of a Marteilia sp. in S. marginatus.     

Changes in Habitat Suitability for the Tick Ixodes ricinus (Acari: Ixodidae) in Europe (1900–1999)

Climatic changes may lead to drastic changes in the distribution of arthropods important in human health. We tracked changes in habitat suitability for the tick Ixodes ricinus in Europe from 1900 to 1999, using a geographically extensive gridded climate data set. For the whole period, 52% of the territory was always unsuitable for the tick. In the grid, 6.11% of the cells were classified as having a deterministic drift with positive trend and 7.4% as deterministic drift with a negative trend. A total of 17.25% of cells were classified as exhibiting a random walk behavior, with a trend to increase of habitat suitability (9.57%) or decrease (7.68%). Zones of deterministic trend extend into most of Ireland and parts of the United Kingdom and France. Total and summer rainfall primarily drive changes in habitat suitability in these sites. Areas of random walk are common in Scandinavia, central Europe, and the Balkans, with summer rainfall and temperature largely directing the changes. Sites of reported increased abundance of I. ricinus coincided with areas of increased habitat suitability over the last 20–30 years, but this feature showed a long-term random walk negative trend. Habitat suitability for I. ricinus remains relatively stable in Europe, with no sites showing permanent changes in habitat suitability (negative to sustained positive or vice versa). However, some zones in the continent showed a clear trend to increase or decrease.     

β 2 -microglobulin in neotropical primates (Platyrrhini)

 Nucleotide sequences for the three exons of the β₂-microglobulin (β₂m) gene (B2m) were determined for 135 animals representing 37 species and all 16 genera of neotropical primates (Platyrrhini). Twenty-eight different nucleotide sequences, encoding for 26 different proteins, were obtained. In comparison with those of other primate species, the β₂-microglobulins of the Platyrrhini form a distinct clade. Individual genera of neotropical primates have distinctive B2m sequences, but within a genera species can have either the same or different B2m sequences. B2m polymorphism was found within three of the species sampled: Callicebus personatus, Saguinus midas, and Aotus azarae. Of these only the polymorphism in A. azarae has an effect upon the mature, functional β₂m protein: residue 4 being either alanine or threonine. The A. azarae B2m allele encoding alanine at position 4 is shared with another species of Aotus (A. infulatus). In pairwise comparison the mature β₂m proteins of neotropical primates differ by 1–9 amino acid substitutions which can occur at 18 positions within the sequence. The substitutions are distributed throughout the primary structure but are more commonly found in loops rather than β strands of the tertiary structure. Of 17 residues of β₂m which hydrogen-bond with the class I heavy chain in human MHC class I molecules, 13 are conserved in the neotropical primates. The overall pattern of sequence variation in the B2m genes of the Platyrrhini is consistent with an evolution by successive selectively neutral events. Received: 13 November 1997 / Revised: 12 January 1998     

Bovine tuberculosis in “Eurasian” badgers (Meles meles) in France

In France, several surveillance programmes have been carried out to monitor the presence of bovine tuberculosis (bTB) in badgers in regions where cattle or wildlife show high bTB prevalence (Seine-Maritime, Côte d’Or, Dordogne/Charente). Diagnostic methods include post-mortem examination, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and/or microbiological culture. The frequency of visible lesions was significantly higher in Dordogne/Charente (14/283, 4.9 %) than in Côte d’Or (19/1146, 1.7 %) and Seine-Maritime (2/160, 1.25 %) (Fisher’s exact test, p?<?0.001). Lesions were mainly located in cephalic and thoracic lymph nodes with one badger showing generalised tuberculosis. Near infected cattle farms or pastures, Mycobacterium bovis was detected using the culture method in roughly 1 % (1/103) of the badgers sampled in Seine-Maritime and in 5.6 % (49/878) of the badgers sampled in Côte d’Or. In Dordogne/Charente, the prevalence determined by PCR was 13.3 % (29/218). M. bovis was not found in badgers trapped in areas where there are no infected cattle. Spoligotyping and multiple locus variable number tandem repeat analysis showed that all M. bovis strains isolated from badgers were of the same genotype as those isolated from cattle in the vicinity, demonstrating an epidemiological link between both species. These are the first cases of bTB in badgers reported in France. Further surveys and research are needed to investigate the role badgers play in the epidemiology of bTB.     

Ambrosia elatior (L.) in Hungary (1989–1990)

Summary Weeds and among themAmbrosia are probably the most important vascular plants related to pollinosis in Hungary. Sampling was carried out in central (Budapest) and in southern (Paks, Szeged) Hungary. The results of two years (1989–1990) of aerobiological study onAmbrosia airborne pollen are reported. The highest percentage of airborne pollen was found in the mid-August to mid-September period, having a good correlation with clinical data on pollinosis. The implications of these results are considered in the context of forecasting and prevention of seasonal ragweed pollinosis.     

Achiasmatic Male Meiosis in Tenagobia (Fuscagobia) fuscata (Stål) (Heteroptera, Corixoidea, Micronectidae)

Male karyotype and meiosis of Tenagobia fuscata (Corixoidea, Micronectidae) are studied. The species possesses a male diploid chromosome number 2n = 28 + XY, holokinetic chromosomes, absence of m chromosomes and an achiasmatic male meiosis. Autosomes divide pre-reductionally while the sex chromosomes do so post-reductionally. Banding techniques (C, DAPI and CMA) show that large heterochromatic AT-GC rich bands are generally terminally located, although some interstitial bands are also detected. Many bivalents are heteromorphic for heterochromatin amount and location. This is the first report of a species with achiasmatic male meiosis within the Nepomorpha. These cytogenetic features markedly differ from all previous reports for 26 species of the superfamily Corixoidea. T. fuscata occurs in permanent shallow water bodies, and most known individuals are brachypterous. Their dispersion depends on occasional floodings of the water bodies they occupy. Since achiasmatic meiosis maintains groups of co-adapted genes, this feature could be an adaptive strategy of the species to the particular type of habitat and ecological niche it occupies.