The influence of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ceratophyllum demersum</Emphasis> L. and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Stratiotes aloides</Emphasis> L. on richness and diversity of aquatic vegetation in the lakes of mid-eastern Poland

The aim of this study was to estimate the influence of Ceratophyllum demersum L. and Stratiotes aloides L. on the species richness and phytocoenotic diversity of aquatic vegetation in lakes. The study was based on field investigations in the Łęczna-Włodawa Lake District located in mid-eastern Poland. The studied lakes (32) included both polymictic and dimictic reservoirs. Both in the polymictic and dimictic lakes, statistically significant correlation coefficients were obtained between the parameters that characterize Stratiotes aloides (the frequency in the phytosociological relevés, the percent share of Stratiotetum aloidis association in the phytolittoral) and those characteristic for species richness (the total number of hydromacrophytes, the number of charophytes, elodeids, nymphaeids and lemnids), phytocoenotic richness (the mean number of species in the phytosociological relevés) and phytocoenotic diversity (the Shannon–Wiener Index). The communities with a share of S. aloides are characterized by higher species richness. However, not a single case of statistically significant dependency was reported between the parameters that describe C. demersum (the frequency in the phytosociological relevés, the percent share Ceratophylletum demersi association in the phytolittoral) and the vegetation traits in both lake groups. Common occurrence of Stratiotes aloides might be considered to be evidence for good status of an aquatic ecosystem and a very good indicator of species richness and diversity of aquatic vegetation.     

Direct gene transfer study and transgenic plant regeneration after electroporation into mesophyll protoplasts of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pelargonium</Emphasis> <Emphasis Type="Italic">×</Emphasis> <Emphasis Type="Italic">hortorum</Emphasis>, ‘Panaché Sud’

Direct genetic transformation of mesophyll protoplasts was studied in Pelargonium × hortorum. Calcein and green-fluorescent protein (GFP) gene were used to set up the process. Electroporation (three electric pulses from a 33-μF capacitor in a 250-V cm⁻¹ electric field) was more efficient than PEG 6000 for membrane permeation, protoplast survival and cell division. Transient expression of GFP was detected in 33–36% of electroporated protoplasts after 2 days and further in colonies. A protoplast suspension conductivity of >1,500 μS cm⁻¹ allowed high colony formation and plant regeneration. Stable transformation was obtained using the plasmid FAJ3000 containing uidA and nptII genes. When selection (50 mg l⁻¹ kanamycin) was achieved 6 weeks after electroporation, regenerated shoots were able to grow and root on 100 mg l⁻¹ kanamycin. The maximum transformation efficiency was 4.5%, based on the number of colonies producing kanamycin-resistant rooted plants or 0.7% based on the number of cultured protoplasts. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis on in vitro micropropagated plants showed that 18 clones out of 20 contained the nptII gene, while the uidA gene was absent. These results were confirmed after PCR analyses of five glasshouse-acclimatized clones.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Utricularia</Emphasis>: a vegetarian carnivorous plant?

Aquatic carnivorous plants of the genus Utricularia capture and utilise a wide range of small aquatic organisms. Most of the literature focuses on animals as prey. In this study, we investigate the occurrence of algae inside the traps of four species of bladderwort. We observed that algae of 45 genera form up to 80% of the total prey; algae were found frequently in traps without animal prey. The majority are coccal and trichal algae of the families Desmidiaceae and Zygnemataceae. The percentage of algae increases significantly with decreasing electric conductivity of the water (r _S = −0.417; P = 0,000). Thus, algae are the most frequent prey in extremely soft waters. The percentage of algae did not differ significantly, not within the investigated Utricularia species or within the various study sites. However, the taxonomic composition of the algal prey showed highly significant differences between different sites. More than 90% of the trapped algae were killed and degraded by the bladders. The recent data allow for two alternative hypotheses: either algal prey supplements animal prey in oligotrophic waters, or the unprofitable trapping of algae is rather an additional stress factor for Utricularia and contributes to its limited distribution in some peat bogs.     

Water relations advantages for invasive <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rubus</Emphasis> <Emphasis Type="Italic">armeniacus</Emphasis> over two native ruderal congeners

Despite species in the Rubus fruticosus complex (wild blackberry) being among the most invasive plants globally in regions with large annual fluctuations in water availability, little is known about their water relations. We compared water relations of a prominent member of the complex, R. armeniacus (Himalayan blackberry), with species native to the Pacific Northwest of North America (PNW), R. spectabilis (salmonberry) and R. parviflorus (thimbleberry). In eight stands of each species located near Portland, Oregon, USA, we measured mid-day hydraulic resistance (R _plant), and daily time series of stomatal conductance (g _s), leaf water potential (Ψ_lf), and environmental conditions at four time periods spanning the 2007 growing season. Although all species maintained Ψ_lf above −0.5 MPa in spring, R. armeniacus maintained less negative Ψ_lf (≥−1.0 MPa) than the natives in summer, a factor attributable to advantages in both its root and shoot systems. R _plant of R. armeniacus was ≤0.1 MPa mmol⁻¹ m² s for the duration of the study, and approximately 25–50% of R _plant for the native species in summer. R. armeniacus had higher g _s compared to the native species throughout the spring and summer, with approximately twice their rates in summer. Our R _plant and g _s results show that R. armeniacus has access to more water during PNW summers than congeneric natives, allowing it to maintain high water-use, and potentially helping it achieve higher growth and reproductive rates. Water relations may therefore be a critical component of the competitive and invasive success of R. armeniacus and other R. fruticosus species worldwide.     

Conversion of soybean sterols into 3,17-diketosteroids using actinobacteria <Emphasis Type="Italic">Mycobacterium neoaurum,Pimelobacter simplex</Emphasis>, and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rhodococcus erythropolis</Emphasis>

Soybean sterols were converted into androst-4-ene-3,17-dione (AD) and 9α-hydroxyandrost-4-ene-3,17-dione (9-OH-AD) using three actinobacterium strains. The transformation of a microcrystallic substrate (particle size 5–15 μm) or the transformation in the presence of randomly methylated β-cyclodextrin (MCD) were carried out by Mycobacterium neoaurum with a phytosterol load of 30 g/l over 144 h with an AD content of 14.5 and 15.2 g/l, respectively. AD obtained in the presence of MCD was transformed into ADD (13.5 g/l) by Pimelobacter simplex cells over 3 h and into 9-OH-AD by Rhodococcus erythropolis cells after 22 h without the isolation of AD from the cultural liquid. The crude product ADD was obtained in 75% yield, based on phytosterol. It contained as by-products 1.25% of AD and 1.5% of 1,2-dehydrotestosterone. In a control experiment—the process of 1,2-dehydrogenation of 20 g/l AD in the water solution of MCD—no by-products were isolated. Thus, it is more expedient to introduce the 1,2-double bond into pure AD, whereas R. erythropolis strain with low destructive activity towards steroid nucleus can be used in the mixed culture with M. neoaurum. The crystal product contained, according to HPLC, 80% of 9-OH-AD, and 1.5% AD was obtained. The yield of 9-OH-AD (m.p. 218–220°C) based on transformed phytosterol was 56%.     

Observations on morphology of insufficiently known amoebae <Emphasis Type="Italic">Saccamoeba wellneri</Emphasis> Siemensma, 1987 and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Saccamoeba limna</Emphasis> Bovee, 1972 (Gymnamoebia: Hartmannellidae)

The morphology of poorly known freshwater amoebae, Saccamoeba wellneri Siemensma, 1987 and Saccamoeba limna Bovee, 1972, were investigated using living observations at light microscopic level. S. wellneri was collected from Karloveské rameno branch of the Danube River and Štrkovecké jazero lake in Bratislava, Slovakia. Its locomotive form is typical with crescent-shaped and bipyramidal crystals and uroid with short wart-like papillae. S. limna was found in an indoor freshwater aquarium in Bratislava, Slovakia. The locomotive form of S. limna has broad monopodial shape and possesses typical hyaline uroid with short nonadhesive filaments. Many small bipyramidal crystals were noted. Additional data and details on the morphology of both species were described and illustrated and re-diagnoses are presented. This paper is helpful for their identification on the base of locomotive morphology, floating, and resting forms and allows distinguishing S. wellneri and S. limna from other hartmannellids at light microscopic level.     

Synthesis of orthogonally protected (<Emphasis Type="Italic">3R</Emphasis>,<Emphasis Type="Italic">4S</Emphasis>)- and (<Emphasis Type="Italic">3S</Emphasis>,<Emphasis Type="Italic">4S</Emphasis>)-4,5-diamino-3-hydroxypentanoic acids

Summary.  The paper describes two methods of the synthesis of ethyl (3R,4S)- and (3S,4S)-4-[(benzyloxycarbonyl)amino]-5-[(tert-butyloxycarbonyl)amino]-3-hydroxypentanoates, useful for the syntheses of edeine analogs. Differently N-protected (S)-2,3-diaminopropanoic acid was used as a substrate in both procedures. The absolute configuration of newly generated asymmetric carbon atoms C-3 in β-hydroxy-γ,δ-diamino products was assigned by means of ¹H NMR spectroscopy after their transformation into corresponding piperidin-2-ones. Received May 24, 2002 Accepted October 10, 2002 Published online December 18, 2002 Acknowledgment The authors are indebted to the Faculty of Chemistry, Technical University of Gdańsk for financial support. Authors' address: Zbigniew Czajgucki, M. Sc., Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Technical University of Gdańsk, 11/12 Narutowicza St., 80-952 Gdańsk, Poland, Fax +48 58 347 11 44, E-mail: zmczaj@wp.pl     

Geoglossaceous fungi in Slovakia III. The genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Geoglossum</Emphasis>

Recent field research on grassland fungi in Slovakia resulted in collection of rare geoglossaceous fungi. Previously published data on the distribution of the genus Geoglossum in Slovakia have been extended: G. glutinosum (11 sites), G. glabrum (3 sites), G. cookeanum (1 site), G. umbratile (9 sites) and G. fallax (3 sites). The last three species are new for the territory. Each treated species is described and ecological preferences and threat categories are discussed. A field identification key of accepted species is included.     

Single-nucleotide polymorphism <Emphasis Type="Italic">rs</Emphasis>11562975 of the thermosensitive ion channel <Emphasis Type="Italic">TRPM</Emphasis>8 gene and human sensitivity to cold and menthol

The examination of subjects from the Russian ethnic group revealed that 20.3% of them had the heterozygous genotype containing the C-allele in the rs11562975 (G → C) single-nucleotide polymorphism located in exon 7 of the gene encoding the temperature-sensitive ion channel TRPM8. Functional differences associated with the sensitivity to cold and menthol were revealed in subjects with different rs11562975 polymorphism genotypes (GG and GC). The subjects with the heterozygous genotype GC were characterized by increased sensitivity to cold and decreased sensitivity to menthol, an agonist of the ion channel TRPM8, compared to the subjects with the homozygous genotype GG     

Quorum sensing inhibitors from the red alga,<Emphasis Type="Italic">Ahnfeltiopsis flabelliformis</Emphasis>

Three new acylhomoserine lactone (AHL) inhibitors have been isolated from the Korean red alga.Ahnfeltiopsis flabelliformis, via bioactivity-guided fractionation using the recombinantAgrobacterium tumefaciens liquid culture bioassay. Unlike the majority of AHL inhibitors reported to date, these compounds were α-d-galactopyranosyl-(1→2)-glycerol (floridoside) (1), betonicine (2), and isethionic acid (3), all of which are structurally unrelated to AHLs.     

Comparison between <Emphasis Type="Italic">Compsopogon coeruleus</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Porphyra yezoensis</Emphasis> in their O<Subscript>2</Subscript> evolution rates and phycobilisome composition

In order to investigate the possible effects of the ecological environment on photosynthetic activity and the major light harvesting complex, the oxygen evolution rates and composition of phycobilisome from marine red alga Porphyra yezoensis Ueda and freshwater red alga Compsopogon coeruleus (Balbis) Montagne, which could grow and reproduce under salinity up to 35 ppt, were studied. The results showed that the oxygen evolution rate of P. yezoensis in seawater was significantly higher than that of C. coeruleus in freshwater, and P. yezoensis tolerated inorganic ions at a relatively higher concentration than C. coeruleus. Moreover, the phycoerythrin (PE) of P. yezoensis was R-phycoerythrin containing α, β, and γ subunits comprised phycoerythrobilin and phycourobilin. In contrast, the PE from C. coeruleus consisted of α, β, and γ subunits comprised only phycoerythrobilin but not phycourobilin, suggesting that the PE from C. coeruleus was of a new type. This text was submitted by the authors in English.     

Peat-Based Inoculum of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bradyrhizobium japonicum</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sinorhizobium fredii</Emphasis> Supplemented with Xanthan Gum

The addition of xanthan to high water retention capacity peat (HWRC) inoculants did not show differences on the survival of Bradyrhizobium japonicum E109. In low water retention capacity peats (LWRC) however, xanthan increased the survival of B.japonicum significantly. Xanthan showed the best effect at 0.1 g/l for B. japonicum, in contrast to Sinorhizobium fredii USDA205 where the concentrations evaluated (0–1.0 g/l) did not affected significantly its survival. Nevertheless, when the symbiotic performance on soybean was evaluated, the presence of 0.1 g xanthan/l increased the nodule number for both strains.     

Activity-density of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pardosa cribata</Emphasis> in Spanish citrus orchards and its predatory capacity on <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ceratitis capitata</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Myzus persicae</Emphasis>

The wolf spider Pardosa cribata Simon is the most abundant ground-dwelling spider inhabiting citrus orchards in eastern Spain. However, little is known about its activity-density and its predatory role in the citrus agrosystem. Here we report on the activity-density of P. cribata monitored by pitfall traps, and on its capacity to prey on two citrus pests that appear both in the citrus canopy and the ground cover, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemman) and Myzus persicae (Sulzer), respectively. Pardosa cribata was present in citrus orchards throughout the year, with a peak in spring and a higher peak in summer. Pardosa cribata preyed on adults and third-instar larvae but not on pupae of C. capitata. A type II functional response was obtained for teneral-like adults, with an estimated attack rate (a′) of 0.771 ± 0.213 days⁻¹ and a handling time (T _h) of 0.051 ± 0.013 days. Pardosa cribata also preyed efficiently on M. persicae, giving a type II functional response with an estimated attack rate and handling time of 2.833 ± 0.578 days⁻¹ and 0.031 ± 0.001 days, respectively. The data reported here indicate that this wolf spider could play an important role in regulating both these pests, and therefore might contribute to developing conservation biological control strategies for citrus pests. Handling Editor: Arne Jenssen.     

Introduction of <Emphasis Type="Italic">OsglyII</Emphasis> gene into <Emphasis Type="Italic">Oryza sativa</Emphasis> for increasing salinity tolerance

Mature seed-derived embryogenic calli of indica rice (Oryza sativa L. cv. PAU201) were induced on semisolid Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with 2.5 mg dm⁻³ 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid + 0.5 mg dm⁻³ kinetin + 560 mg dm⁻³ proline + 30 g dm⁻³ sucrose + 8 g dm⁻³ agar. Using OsglyII gene, out of 3180 calli bombarded, 32 plants were regenerated on medium containing hygromycin (30 mg dm⁻³). Histochemical GUS assay of the hygromycin selected calli revealed GUS expression in 50 % calli. Among the regenerants, 46.87 % were GUS positive. PCR analysis confirmed the presence of the transgene of 1 kb in 60 % of independent plants. Further, these plants have been grown to maturity in glasshouse. In vitro screening for salt tolerance showed increase in fresh mass of OsglyII putative transgenic calli (185.4 mg) as compared to control calli (84.2 mg) on 90 mM NaCl after 15 d. When exposed to 150 mM NaCl, OsglyII putative transgenic plantlets showed normal growth while the non-transgenic control plantlets turned yellow and finally did not survive.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Mayorella vespertilioides</Emphasis> Page, 1983 (Amoebozoa) — new host for the ectoparasitic fungus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Amoebophilus simplex</Emphasis> (Zygomycota)

During research on gymnamoebae in freshwater ponds near the Modra town (Slovakia), in one sample of water and sediment of the 71 samples examined a fungal infection of Amoebophilus simplex Barron, 1983 (Zygomycota: Zoopagales) in Mayorella vespertilioides Page, 1983 (Amoebozoa: Flabellinea) was detected for the first time. From 27 observed amoebae, 9 specimens (33%) were infected. Populations of other species recorded in the sample, Mayorella penardi and Korotnevella stella, were uninfected.     

Analysis of cDNA libraries from developing seeds of guar (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cyamopsis tetragonoloba</Emphasis>(L.) Taub)

Background  

Guar, Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) Taub, is a member of the Leguminosae (Fabaceae) family and is economically the most important of the four species in the genus. The endosperm of guar seed is a rich source of mucilage or gum, which forms a viscous gel in cold water, and is used as an emulsifier, thickener and stabilizer in a wide range of foods and industrial applications. Guar gum is a galactomannan, consisting of a linear (1→4)-β-linked D-mannan backbone with single-unit, (1→6)-linked, α-D-galactopyranosyl side chains. To better understand regulation of guar seed development and galactomannan metabolism we created cDNA libraries and a resulting EST dataset from different developmental stages of guar seeds.     

Utilization of dibenzothiophene as sulfur source by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Microbacterium</Emphasis> sp. <Emphasis Type="Italic">NISOC-06</Emphasis>

Oil-polluted soils were sampled from National Iranian South Oil Company (NISOC) for isolation and screening of C–S and not C–C targeted Dibenzothiophene (DBT) degrading microorganisms. Microbacterium sp. NISOC-06, a C–S targeted DBT degrading bacterium, was selected and its desulfurization ability was studied in aqueous phase and water-gasoline biphasic systems. The 16srRNA gene was amplified using universal eubacteria-specific primers, PCR product was sequenced and the sequence of nearly 1,500 bp 16srDNA was studied. Based on Gas Chromatography results Microbacterium sp. NISOC-06 utilized 94.8% of 1 mM DBT during the 2 weeks of incubation. UV Spectrophotometry and biomass production measurements showed that the Microbacterium sp. NISOC-06 was not able to utilize DBT as a carbon source. There was no accumulation of phenolic compounds as Gibb’s assay showed. Biomass production in a biphasic system for which DBT-enriched gasoline was used as the sulfur source indicated the capability of Microbacterium sp. NISOC-06 to desulfurize gasoline.     

Parasitic microfungi of the Tatra Mountains: 5. <Emphasis Type="Italic">Plasmopara</Emphasis> representatives on the species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Geranium</Emphasis>

A list of species and the distribution of the members of Plasmopara (Chromista, Peronosporales) on Geranium spp. in the Tatra National Park (Western Carpathians) biospheric reserve are given. Three fungal species parasitizing 3 plant species were recorded in the area. Plasmopara praetermissa is a species new to Poland and Slovakia.     

Chemical composition of the essential oil from two wormwood species <Emphasis Type="Italic">Artemisia frigida</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Artemisia argyrophylla</Emphasis>

The composition of the essential oil from the wormwood sage (Artemisia frigida Willd., Asteraceae) of populations growing in the Altai Territory, the Altai Republic, the Khakass Republic, the Tuva Republic, and the East-Kazakhstan region of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the representative species of the silver-leaved wormwood Artemisia argyrophylla Ledeb. growing in the Republic Altai has been studied by chromato-mass spectrometry. An analysis of 15 samples of the essential oil from A. frigida obtained over a period from 1999 to 2007 indicates that samples from different populations have similar sets of the main components: α-pinene (0.2–7.8%), camphene (1.9–5.8%), 1,8-cineole (8.9–33.8%), camphor (6.7–40.0%), borneol (3.9–12.3%), terpine-4-ol (1.5–6.5%), bornyl acetate (1.4–22.0%), and germacrene D (1.4–14.6%). Some samples contain substantial amounts of α- and β-thujones (in total up to 19.1%), which are completely absent in other samples. Some samples contain santolina alcohol (up to 13.8%) and its acetate (up to 4.8%). As differentiated from A. frigida, the essential oil of A. argyrophylla contains yomogi alcohol (1.2%), artemisia ketone (12.9%), artemisia alcohol (3.1%), artemisia alcohol acetate (3.9%), and small amounts of camphor (3.2%), borneol (0.3%), and bornyl acetate (0.2%).