Scented grasses in Norway—identity and uses

Background

Some grass species are richer in coumarin and thus more sweetly scented than others. These have been eagerly sought after in parts of Norway, but the tradition has been weakly documented, both in terms of the species collected, their vernacular names, and uses.

Methods

Based on literature data and a substantial body of information collected during my own ethnobotanical field work, artefacts and voucher specimens, the grass species are identified, and their uses clarified.

Results

In Norwegian literature, the tradition of collecting and using scented grasses has received little attention, and past authors largely refer it to Anthoxanthum spp. The tradition’s concentration to the Sámi strongholds of northernmost Norway, and most authors’ lacking knowledge of the Sámi language, have contributed to the weak and misleading coverage in previous publications. Coumarin-rich grass species are well known in folk tradition in northernmost Norway, as luktegress (Norwegian, “scent grass”), háissasuoidni (North Sámi, “scent grass”), hajuheinä (Finnish, “scent grass”), or similar terms. They have been (and still are) frequently collected, and used as perfume, for storing with clothes, and a number of other purposes. Despite literature records identifying the species used as Anthoxanthum odoratum coll. (including A. nipponicum), the main source utilized in North Norway is Hierochloë odorata, both ssp. arctica and ssp. odorata. Anthoxanthum nipponicum and Milium effusum are alternative, but infrequently used sources of material, depending on local tradition and availability.

Conclusion

By far the most important grass species hiding behind the “scented grass” tradition in Norway is Hierochloë odorata. Anthoxanthum nipponicum is also used, but much less frequently, and only a single record confirms the use of Milium effusum. Only the foliage of Hierochloë provides suitable material for making traditional braids. The three major ethnic groups in Norway have all utilized scented grasses as perfume and for storing with clothes, but the tradition’s geographical concentration to the far north of Norway (Finnmark and NE Troms), suggests that it has originally mainly been a Sámi tradition, adopted by their neighbours.

     

Breeders’ knowledge on cattle fodder species preference in rangelands of Benin

Background

We undertook ethnobotanical and ecological studies on fodder plants grazed by cattle across Benin national area. The study aims to ascertain the top priority fodder plants in order to catalogue the indigenous knowledge regarding their use.

Methods

Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and covered 690 breeders and 40 days of pasture walk. These were analysed using similarity index of Jaccard (IS), relative frequency citation (RFC) and fodder value during pasture walk (FVPW).

Results

We documented a total of 257 fodder plant species, of which 116 recorded during ethnobotanical investigations and 195 during pasture walk. These species belong to 181 genera and 54 families. Both methods shared 52 species. Leaves (58%) and leafy stem (28%) were the most grazed parts of plant. The most common species used as fodder included Andropogon gayanus, Panicum maximum, Pterocarpus erinaceus and Flueggea virosa. The top species with a highest FVPW were Panicum maximum and Pterocarpus erinaceus. A total of 16 species were considered as top fodder plants in Benin.

Conclusions

The wide diversity of plants reported indicates that there is a number of promising fodder species in the flora of Benin. The insight gained in this study relating to bovine feeds could guide in the selection and introduction of feed innovations that could improve livestock production.

     

Insights into the genetic relationships among plants of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Beta</Emphasis> section <Emphasis Type="Italic">Beta</Emphasis> using SNP markers

Key message

Using a much higher number of SNP markers and larger sample sizes than all the previous studies, we characterized the genetic relationships among wild and cultivated plants of section Beta.

Abstract

We analyzed the genetic variation of Beta section Beta, which includes wild taxa (Beta macrocarpa, B. patula, B. vulgaris subsp. adanensis and B. vulgaris subsp. maritima) and cultivars (fodder beet, sugar beet, garden beet, leaf beet, and swiss chards), using 9724 single nucleotide polymorphism markers. The analyses conducted at the individual level without a priori groups confirmed the strong differentiation of B. macrocarpa and B. vulgaris subsp. adanensis from the other taxa. B. vulgaris subsp. maritima showed a complex genetic structure partly following a geographical pattern, which confounded the differences between this taxon and the cultivated varieties. Cultivated varieties were structured into three main groups: garden beets, fodder and sugar beets, and leaf beets and swiss chards. The genetic structure described here will be helpful to correctly estimate linkage disequilibrium and to test for statistical associations between genetic markers and environmental variables.

     

Detection of Cryptic <Emphasis Type="Italic">Candida</Emphasis> Species Recognized as Human Pathogens Through Molecular Biology Techniques

Purpose of Review

The aim of this review is to evaluate these molecular-based methods able to identify pathogenic cryptic Candida spp. focusing on those that demonstrated to be useful in clinical laboratory settings.

Recent Findings

It is long known that some Candida spp. are genetically heterogeneous. Firstly, individual species were divided into groups based on differences on the sequence of some genes. Later, those groups were designated as cryptic species and defined as phenotypically indistinguishable species that are only identified by their DNA sequences. Many common Candida spp. are now considered complexes formed by several cryptic species. Some of them have been recognized as human pathogens. The identification of these species is problematic but necessary since they have different host range, infection sites, infection severity, and antifungal susceptibility. Several independent DNA markers were proposed as tools for the differentiation of highly related species. We will concentrate on the three species complexes most frequently associated with human infections including Candida albicans, C. glabrata, and C. parapsilosis complexes and a fourth group of less common but multiresistant species including C. haeumulonii complex and C. auris.

Summary

We review the clinically useful molecular tools able to differentiate the cryptic species of C. albicans, C. glabrata, and C. parapsilosis complexes and designated to uncover emerging multiresistant species.

     

Metabolomics as a tool for understanding the evolution of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tabebuia sensu lato</Emphasis>

Background

Plant systematic studies have changed substantially in the last years, stimulated by new strategies for phylogenetic studies. In this regard, chemistry data has been a useful tool for understanding plant phylogenetic relationships.

Objective

Our aim was to apply metabolomic approaches, followed by multivariate statistical analysis and dereplication of Tabebuia sensu lato species, and compare our results with classifications based on traditional taxonomy and molecular phylogeny. We also evaluated the application of metabolomics as a chemotaxonomic identification tool, as well as to enlighten plant chemical evolution.

Methods

Metabolomic data was generated through a high-resolution mass spectrometry with electrospray ionization of 27 Tabebuia sensu lato specimens from different populations, consisting of 15 Handroanthus (from four species) and 12 Tabebuia sensu stricto (from three species). Chemometric tools, such as principal component analysis and metabolite heatmaps, were used to scrutinize the metabolic changes among species.

Results

Tabebuia and Handroanthus species presented different secondary metabolite storage capacity. The genus Tabebuia revealed higher levels of glycosylated iridoids esterified with a phenylpropanoid moiety, such as specioside, verminoside, and minecoside, while Handroanthus accumulated iridoids linked to a simple phenol, lignans, and verbascoside derivatives.

Conclusion

These results corroborate splitting the Tabebuia s.l., which was supported by profound changes in secondary metabolism, suggesting metabolomics as an excellent tool for understanding species evolution.

     

Development of a novel engineered antibody targeting <Emphasis Type="Italic">Neisseria</Emphasis> species

Objectives

A Neissaria bacterial pilus sugar, bacillosamine, was synthesized and, for the first time, used as a probe to screen a single-chain variable fragment (scFv).

Results

Four Neisseria, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Neisseria meningitidis, Neisseria sicca and Neisseria subflava, and two negative controls, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Escherichia coli, were tested through ELISA, immunostaining and gold nanoparticle immunological assay. All results indicated that the selected scFv is feasible for the specific detection of Neisseria species via the recognition of bacillosamine.

Conclusions

The recombinant scFv could detect Neisseria strains at 10⁶ CFU/ml.

     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">APOE</Emphasis> ε4 lowers age at onset and is a high risk factor for Alzheimer's disease; A case control study from central Norway

Background

The objective of this study was to analyze factors influencing the risk and timing of Alzheimer's disease (AD) in central Norway. The APOE ε4 allele is the only consistently identified risk factor for late onset Alzheimer's disease (LOAD). We have described the allele frequencies of the apolipoprotein E gene (APOE) in a large population of patients with AD compared to the frequencies in a cognitively-normal control group, and estimated the effect of the APOE ε4 allele on the risk and the age at onset of AD in this population.

Methods

376 patients diagnosed with AD and 561 cognitively-normal control individuals with no known first degree relatives with dementia were genotyped for the APOE alleles. Allele frequencies and genotypes in patients and control individuals were compared. Odds Ratio for developing AD in different genotypes was calculated.

Results

Odds Ratio (OR) for developing AD was significantly increased in carriers of the APOE ε4 allele compared to individuals with the APOE ε3/ε3 genotype. Individuals carrying APOE ε4/ε4 had OR of 12.9 for developing AD, while carriers of APOE ε2/ε4 and APOE ε3/ε4 had OR of 3.2 and 4.2 respectively. The effect of the APOE ε4 allele was weaker with increasing age. Carrying the APOE ε2 allele showed no significant protective effect against AD and did not influence age at onset of the disease. Onset in LOAD patients was significantly reduced in a dose dependent manner from 78.4 years in patients without the APOE ε4 allele, to 75.3 in carriers of one APOE ε4 allele and 72.9 in carriers of two APOE ε4 alleles. Age at onset in early onset AD (EOAD) was not influenced by APOE ε4 alleles.

Conclusion

APOE ε4 is a very strong risk factor for AD in the population of central Norway, and lowers age at onset of LOAD significantly.

     

Growth and root dry matter allocation by pasture legumes and a grass with contrasting external critical phosphorus requirements

Background and aims

This work aimed to quantify the critical external requirement for phosphorus (P) (i.e. extractable-P concentration required for 90 % of maximum yield) for a number of temperate legume species and understand differences in dry matter allocation, P distribution and P acquisition efficiency among these species.

Methods

Shoot and root growth of five legume and one grass species was assessed in response to six rates of P mixed into the top 45 mm of soil in a pot experiment. Dactylis glomerata and Trifolium subterraneum were used as benchmark species; they are commonly grown together in mixed temperate pastures and have low and high critical external requirements for P, respectively. Growth was compared with four alternative legume species: Ornithopus compressus, Ornithopus sativus, Biserrula pelecinus and Trifolium hirtum, that have root morphologies better suited to soil exploration and nutrient acquisition than that of Trifolium subterraneum.

Results

Dactylis glomerata, Ornithopus compressus and Ornithopus sativus had maximum yields equal to or greater than Trifolium subterraneum but achieved this at rates of P less than half that of Trifolium subterraneum. Biserrula pelecinus and Trifolium hirtum had critical P requirements between that of Trifolium subterraneum and the Ornithopus species, but also had lower yields. Root dry matter of Dactylis glomerata and the Ornithopus species in the fertilised soil layer was only marginally changed in response to low P supply. In contrast, Trifolium subterraneum, Trifolium hirtum and to a lesser extent Biserrula pelecinus markedly increased root dry matter allocation to this soil layer. Species with lower critical P requirements were able to take up more P per unit root dry mass than those with higher critical P requirements, particularly at lower levels of P addition.

Conclusions

The high P acquisition efficiencies of the Ornithopus species and Dactylis glomerata were likely to have contributed to their low critical external P requirements. It was surmised that differences in root morphology traits underpin the differences in acclimation to low P stress and P acquisition efficiency among the species.

     

Ethnobotanical appraisal and cultural values of medicinally important wild edible vegetables of Lesser Himalayas-Pakistan

Background

The association among food and health is momentous as consumers now demand healthy, tasty and natural functional foods. Knowledge of such food is mainly transmitted through the contribution of individuals of households. Throughout the world the traditions of using wild edible plants as food and medicine are at risk of disappearing, hence present appraisal was conducted to explore ethnomedicinal and cultural importance of wild edible vegetables used by the populace of Lesser Himalayas-Pakistan.

Methods

Data was collected through informed consent semi-structured interviews, questionnaires, market survey and focus group conversation with key respondents of the study sites including 45 female, 30 children and 25 males. Cultural significance of each species was calculated based on use report.

Results

A total of 45 wild edible vegetables belonging to 38 genera and 24 families were used for the treatment of various diseases and consumed. Asteraceae and Papilionoideae were found dominating families with (6 spp. each), followed by Amaranthaceae and Polygonaceae. Vegetables were cooked in water (51%) followed by diluted milk (42%) and both in water and diluted milk (7%). Leaves were among highly utilized plant parts (70%) in medicines followed by seeds (10%), roots (6%), latex (4%), bark, bulb, flowers, tubers and rhizomes (2% each). Modes of preparation fall into seven categories like paste (29%), decoction (24%), powder (14%), eaten fresh (12%), extract (10%), cooked vegetable (8%) and juice (4%). Ficus carica was found most cited species with in top ten vegetables followed by Ficus palmata, Bauhinia variegata, Solanum nigrum, Amaranthus viridis, Medicago polymorpha, Chenopodium album, Cichorium intybus, Amaranthus hybridus and Vicia faba.

Conclusions

Patterns of wild edible plant usage depend mainly on socio-economic factors compare to climatic conditions or wealth of flora but during past few decades have harshly eroded due to change in the life style of the inhabitants. Use reports verified common cultural heritage and cultural worth of quoted taxa is analogous. Phytochemical analysis, antioxidant activities, pharmacological applications; skill training in farming and biotechnological techniques to improve the yield are important feature prospective regarding of wild edible vegetables.

     

Remarks on the Nomenclature of“Dryopteris borreri Newman I854”

The nameDryopteris borreri Newman 1854 was not validly published in the specific rank. A new nameDryopteris pseudo-mas (Wollaston) Holub etPouzar 1967 is proposed as the correct name for this European species.     

Impacts of peat bulk density,ash deposition and rainwater chemistry on establishment of peatland mosses

Background and aims

Peatland moss communities play an important role in ecosystem function. Drivers such as fire and atmospheric pollution have the capacity to influence mosses via multiple pathways. Here, we investigate physical and chemical processes which may influence establishment and growth of three key moss species in peatlands.

Methods

A controlled factorial experiment investigated the effects of different peat bulk density, ash deposition and rainwater chemistry treatments on the growth of Sphagnum capillifolium, S. fallax and Campylopus introflexus.

Results

Higher peat bulk density limited growth of both Sphagnum species. S. capillifolium and C. introflexus responded positively to ash deposition. Less polluted rain limited growth of C. introflexus. Biomass was well correlated with percentage cover in all three species.

Conclusions

Peat bulk density increases caused by fire or drainage can limit Sphagnum establishment and growth, potentially threatening peatland function. Ash inputs may have direct benefits for some Sphagnum species, but are also likely to increase competition from other bryophytes and vascular plants which may offset positive effects. Rainwater pollution may similarly increase competition to Sphagnum, and could enhance positive effects of ash addition on C. introflexus growth. Finally, cover can provide a useful approximation of biomass where destructive sampling is undesirable.

     

Five new species of dictyostelid social amoebae (Amoebozoa) from Thailand

Background

Dictyostelid cellular slime molds (dictyostelids) are common inhabitants of the soil and leaf litter layer of fields and forests, along with animal dung, where they feed mostly on bacteria. However, reports on the species diversity of dictyostelids in South Asia, particularly Thailand, are limited. The research reported in this paper was carried out to increase our knowledge of the species diversity of this group of organisms in northern Thailand.

Results

Forty soil samples were collected at four localities in northern Thailand to assess the species richness of dictyostelids. These samples yielded five dictyostelid isolates that were not morphologically consistent with any described species. Based on molecular signatures, all five of these isolates were assigned to the family Cavenderiaceae, genus Cavenderia. All five share a number of morphological similarities with other known species from this family. The new taxa differ from previously described species primarily in the size and complexity of their fruiting bodies (sorocarps). This paper describes these new species (Cavenderia aureostabilis, C. bhumiboliana, C. protodigitata, C. pseudoaureostipes, and C. subdiscoidea) based on a combination of morphological characteristics and their phylogenetic positions.

Conclusions

At least 15 taxa of dictyostelids were obtained from the four localities in northern Thailand, which indicates the high level of species diversity in this region. Five species were found to be new to science. These belong to the family Cavenderiaceae, genus Cavenderia, and were described based on both morphology and phylogeny.

     

The optimum Se application time for reducing Cd uptake by rice (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Oryza sativa</Emphasis> L.) and its mechanism

Background and aims

Intraspecific aggregation of plant individuals can promote species coexistence by delaying competitive exclusions. However, such impacts may differ among species with contrasting spatial architecture and rely on the spatial distribution of resources.

Methods

We grew a phalanx clonal plant Carex neurocarpa (with aggregated ramets) and a guerilla one Bolboschoenus planiculmis (with diffused ramets) in monocultures or in 1:1 mixtures with an even or a clustered distribution pattern of the two species in homogeneous or heterogeneous soils.

Results

After 16 months, shoot biomass and ramet number were greater in mixtures than in monocultures in C. neurocarpa, but smaller in B. planiculmis. However, the growth of neither C. neurocarpa nor B. planiculmis differed between even and clustered mixtures. Soil nutrient heterogeneity did not significantly affect the growth of either species, but increased relative yield of B. planiculmis and decreased that of C. neurocarpa.

Conclusions

The relative importance of intra- vs. interspecific competition depends on the spatial architecture of plants, and soil nutrient heterogeneity slows down competitive exclusion by decreasing differences in competitive ability between plants. However, our results do not support the idea that intraspecific aggregation of individuals alters competitive interactions between species.

     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Parthenium hysterophorus</Emphasis> L. (Asteraceae) invasion had limited impact on major soil nutrients and enzyme activity: Is the null effect real or reflects data insensitivity?

Background and aims

Competition from the annual grass Bromus tectorum threatens aridland perennial bunchgrass communities. Unlike annuals, perennials must allocate part of their first year nitrogen (N) budget to storage rather than growth, potentially placing them at a competitive disadvantage.

Methods

We evaluated N acquisition and conservation for two perennial bunchgrasses, Agropyron desertorum and Pseudoroegneria spicata, at the seedling stage to investigate potential trade-offs between storage and growth when grown with and without B. tectorum under two levels of soil N.

Results

Agropyron desertorum had higher growth rates, N uptake, and N productivity than P. spicata when grown without B. tectorum, but trait values were similarly low for both species under competition. Without competition, N resorption was poor under high soil N, but it was equally proficient among species under competition.

Conclusions

A. desertorum had higher growth rates and N productivity than P. spicata without competition, suggesting these traits may in part promote its greater success in restoration programs. However, B. tectorum neighbors reduced its trait advantage. As plant traits become more integral to restoration ecology, understanding how N capture and conservation traits vary across candidate species and under competition may improve our ability to select species with the highest likelihood of establishing in arid, nutrient-limited systems.

     

Molecular Identification of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Malassezia</Emphasis> Species in Patients with <Emphasis Type="Italic">Malassezia</Emphasis> folliculitis in Sfax,Tunisia

Aim

Malassezia folliculitis is caused by the invasion of hair follicles by large numbers of Malassezia cells. Several Malassezia researches still use cultures, morphology and biochemical techniques. The aim of this study was to identify Malassezia species isolated from patients diagnosed with folliculitis, at the Parasitology and Mycology Laboratory of Sfax University Hospital, and to explore the genetic diversity of Malassezia by using PCR-RFLP and PCR-sequencing targeting the rDNA region of the Malassezia genome.

Patients and Methods

Specimens were taken from 27 patients with Malassezia folliculitis. For the molecular identification, PCR amplification of the 26S rDNAD1/D2 region was carried out using the Malup and Maldown primers and three restriction enzymes (BanI, MspI and HeaII) for RFLP analysis. The nucleotide sequences of each isolate were compared to those in the NCBI GenBank by using BLASTIN algorithm.

Results

Three species of Malassezia yeasts were identified among the 31 Malassezia strains isolated: M. globosa (83.9%), M. sympodialis (12. 9%) and M. furfur (3.2%). The sequence analysis of M. globosa showed six genotypes.

Conclusion

There is a high genotypic variability of M. globosa colonizing patients with folliculitis.

     

A new species and a new combination in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ctenitis</Emphasis> (Dryopteridaceae) from South America

We describe a new species and propose a new combination of Ctenitis from South America. The new species is from Peru. We named it Ctenitis megalastriformis due to the resemblance to Megalastrum. The new combination corresponds to the species known until now as C. pedicellata. This species should be called C. nervata, based on the older name Aspidium nervatum. Lectotypes are designated for A. pedicellatum and Dryopteris indecora, both considered here to be synonyms of C. nervata.     

Parasites of importance for human health in Nigerian dogs: high prevalence and limited knowledge of pet owners

Background

Dogs are the most common pet animals worldwide. They may harbour a wide range of parasites with zoonotic potential, thus causing a health risk to humans. In Nigeria, epidemiological knowledge on these parasites is limited.

Methods

In a community-based study, we examined 396 dogs in urban and rural areas of Ilorin (Kwara State, Central Nigeria) for ectoparasites and intestinal helminths. In addition, a questionnaire regarding knowledge and practices was applied to pet owners.

Results

Nine ectoparasite species belonging to four taxa and six intestinal helminth species were identified: fleas (Ctenocephalides canis, Pulex irritans, Tunga penetrans), mites (Demodex canis, Otodectes sp., Sarcoptes scabiei var. canis), ticks (Rhipicephalus sanguineus, Ixodes sp.), and lice (Trichodectes canis); and Toxocara canis, Ancylostoma sp., Trichuris vulpis, Dipylidium caninum, Taenidae and Strongyloides sp. Overall prevalence of ectoparasites was 60.4% and of intestinal helminths 68.4%. The occurrence of C. canis, R. sanguineus, T. canis, Ancylostoma sp. and T. vulpis was most common (prevalence 14.4% to 41.7%). Prevalence patterns in helminths were age-dependent, with T. canis showing a decreasing prevalence with age of host, and a reverse trend in other parasite species. Knowledge regarding zoonoses was very limited and the diseases not considered a major health problem. Treatment with antiparasitic drugs was more frequent in urban areas.

Conclusion

Parasites of importance for human health were highly prevalent in Nigerian dogs. Interventions should include health education provided to dog owners and the establishment of a program focusing on zoonotic diseases.

     

Evolution of blue-flowered species of genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Linum</Emphasis> based on high-throughput sequencing of ribosomal RNA genes

Background

The species relationships within the genus Linum have already been studied several times by means of different molecular and phylogenetic approaches. Nevertheless, a number of ambiguities in phylogeny of Linum still remain unresolved. In particular, the species relationships within the sections Stellerolinum and Dasylinum need further clarification. Also, the question of independence of the species of the section Adenolinum still remains unanswered. Moreover, the relationships of L. narbonense and other species of the section Linum require further clarification. Additionally, the origin of tetraploid species of the section Linum (2n?=?30) including the cultivated species L. usitatissimum has not been explored. The present study examines the phylogeny of blue-flowered species of Linum by comparisons of 5S rRNA gene sequences as well as ITS1 and ITS2 sequences of 35S rRNA genes.

Results

High-throughput sequencing has been used for analysis of multicopy rRNA gene families. In addition to the molecular phylogenetic analysis, the number and chromosomal localization of 5S and 35S rDNA sites has been determined by FISH.Our findings confirm that L. stelleroides forms a basal branch from the clade of blue-flowered flaxes which is independent of the branch formed by species of the sect. Dasylinum. The current molecular phylogenetic approaches, the cytogenetic analysis as well as different genomic DNA fingerprinting methods applied previously did not discriminate certain species within the sect. Adenolinum. The allotetraploid cultivated species L. usitatissimum and its wild ancestor L. angustifolium (2n?=?30) could originate either as the result of hybridization of two diploid species (2n?=?16) related to the modern L. gandiflorum and L. decumbens, or hybridization of a diploid species (2n?=?16) and a diploid ancestor of modern L. narbonense (2n?=?14).

Conclusions

High-throughput sequencing of multicopy rRNA gene families allowed us to make several adjustments to the phylogeny of blue-flowered flax species and also reveal intra- and interspecific divergence of the rRNA gene sequences.