Relation between trace element levels in plasma and myocardium during coxsackievirus B3 myocarditis in the mouse

During most infections the plasma levels of trace elements change, but it is not clear if this reflects changes in the infected tissues. Coxsackievirus B3 (CB3) infection may result in viral replication, subsequent inflammation and changed trace element levels in the myocardium. In the present study, the trace element levels in the plasma and heart of adult male A/J mice were determined during the pre-inflammatory stage (day 4) of CB3 myocarditis for the following trace elements: aluminium (Al), arsenic (As), calcium (Ca), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), selenium (Se), silver (Ag), vanadium (V) and zinc (Zn). The severity of the infection was assessed through clinical signs of disease and trace element levels were measured through inductively-coupled plasma mass-spectrometry (ICP-MS). In the heart, the levels decreased for V (59%; p<0.01), Co (38%; p<0.01), Al (81%; p< 0.01), As (66%; p<0.01) and Se (16%; p<0.01). Increased levels were detected for Mn (13%; p<0.05), Fe (48%; p<0.01), Cu (34%; p<0.01) and Ag (46%; p< 0.01). In the plasma, decreases were detected in the level of Zn (32%; p<0.05), whereas increases were seen in Mn (362%; p<0.05), Fe (272%; p<0.01), Co (71%; p<0.05), Cu (25%; n.s.) and Mg (43%; p<0.01) levels. A correlation was found between the levels in plasma and myocardium for Co (r _s=–0.636; p<0.05), Fe (r _s=0.764; p<0.05), Mn (r _s=0.682; p<0.05) and Mg (r _s=–0.791; p<0.05). Thus, determination of some of these trace elements in the plasma may be useful to indicate target tissue involvement in the early pre- inflammatory stage of an infectious disease. Some of these elements are important nutrients for the immune system, while others may be associated with the development of disease complications, such as cardiac arrhythmias.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">In vitro</Emphasis> screening of sugarcane to evaluate smut susceptibility

Tissue-cultured plantlets of three sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) cultivars having a known field smut reaction were screened for susceptibility to Ustilago scitaminea H&P Sydow. Plantlets were inoculated with 0.5 l of a suspension of equally mixed quantities of plus and minus mating type sporidia of U. scitaminea at concentrations ranging from 1×10¹ to 1×10⁶ cells. Fungal sori (whips) were produced in cultivar N12 (intermediate) 6weeks following inoculation with 1×10⁵ mixed sporidia and thereafter in cultivar NCo310 (susceptible) but not in cultivar N19 (resistant). Sori bearing teliospores were produced up to 3months following inoculation and incubation at 26°C. No sori were produced at mixed sporidial concentrations lower than 1×10⁵cells. The in vitro soral production in cultivars N19, N12 and NCo310 was 0, 27.5 and 47.5% respectively. Plantlets inoculated with 1×105sporidia of only one mating-type did not produce sori in any of the three cultivars tested. Blind scoring of an unknown sugarcane cultivar by this method corresponded exactly with its field smut rating.     

Recombinant Components of the EcoRII Restriction–Modification System: Restriction Endonuclease Can Interact with DNA · RNA Duplexes

To obtain recombinant restriction endonuclease (R) and methylase (M) of the EcoRII restriction–modification system, bacterial strains overproducing their functional hexahistidine derivatives were constructed. Active full-length R·EcoRII was produced only in cells that also expressed M·EcoRII from a multicopy plasmid. Recombinant R·EcoRII bound with hybrid DNA·RNA duplexes.     

Light utilization and competition between Echinacea purpurea, Panicum virgatum and Ratibida pinnata under greenhouse and field conditions

Competitive interactions were compared under field and greenhouse conditions for three representative tallgrass prairie species, Echinacea purpurea, Panicum virgatum and Ratibida pinnata. These were planted in monoculture and in mixtures of two species using a replacement series design with groups of four or eight plants. Competition was determined from shoot dry weight data collected during 120days in the greenhouse and after 415days in the field. Yields declined with increased density of a single species in the greenhouse from 40days onward and in the field. Relative yields were up to 100% higher in mixtures than in monocultures for all species early on in the greenhouse experiment. Later in the experiment and in the field relative yields of E.purpurea decreased in the presence of P.virgatum and R.pinnata, whereas relative yields of these two species increased in the presence of E.purpurea. There were correlations in relative yield between the field and the greenhouse experiment at 80 and 120days. In the greenhouse P.virgatum maintained higher net assimilation rates than the other species. Relative growth rates of all species were higher in monoculture and in mixtures up to 40days, after which they declined, especially for E.purpurea in mixtures. In the field, higher light intensities occurred in pure stands of E.purpurea than in mixed stands with other species. The order of competitive ability that was apparent from these field and greenhouse studies, P.virgatum=R.pinnata>E.purpurea, could be partially explained by photosynthetic rates in relation to canopy light interception.     

Defective remethylation of homocysteine is related to decreased synthesis of coenzymes B2 in thyroidectomized rats

Summary. We investigated the influence of hypothyroidism on homocysteine metabolism in rats, focusing on a hypothetical deficient synthesis of FAD by riboflavin kinases. Animals were allocated in control group (n=7), thyroidectomized rats (n=6), rats with diet deficient in vitamin B2, B9, B12, choline and methionine (n=7), thyroidectomized rats with deficient diet (n=9). Homocysteine was decreased in operated rats (2.6±1.01 vs. 4.05±1.0mol/L, P=0.02) and increased in deficient diet rats (29.56±4.52 vs. 4.05±1.0mol/L, P=0.001), when compared to control group. Erythrocyte-Glutathione-Reductase-Activation-Coefficient (index of FAD deficiency) was increased in thyroidectomized or deficient diet rats (P=0.004 for both). Methylenetetrahydrofolate-reductase and methionine-synthase activities were decreased in thyroidectomized rats but not in those subjected to deficient diet. Cystathionine--synthase was increased only in operated rats. Taken together, these results showed a defective re-methylation in surgical hypothyroidism, which was due in part to a defective synthesis of vitamin B2 coenzymes. This defective pathway was overcompensated by the increased Cystathionine--synthase activity.     

A Cytogenetic Study of the Leaf Beetle Genus Cyrtonus (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae)

The chromosomes of ten species of Cyrtonus and the genome sizes of six are surveyed. Among the total of 15 chromosomally studied species, 11 have 2n=28 chromosomes and a 13+Xy_p male meioformula, three have 2n=40 and 19+Xy_p and one 2n=46 and 22+Xy_p. All but one species with 28 chromosomes show only metacentric or submetacentric chromosomes, whereas the species with 40 and 46 chromosomes display some telocentrics or subtelocentrics, that are probably derived from the former by centric fissions. However, since the number of major chromosome arms is strikingly higher in these latter species (NF=70 and 78) than in the 28-chromosome species (mostly NF=56), other chromosomal rearrangements such as pericentric inversions or heterochromatin accretions could also be involved. The genome sizes display a narrow range, from 1C=0.6–1.22pg, and they are not significantly correlated with the chromosome numbers. Some possible factors implied in the rough chromosomal evolution of Cyrtonus are discussed in relation to a few other genera of the subfamily Chrysomelinae.     

Larval development and food habits of the marbled parrotfish, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Leptoscarus vaigiensis</Emphasis>, associated with drifting algae

The larval development and food habits of the marbled parrotfish, Leptoscarus vaigiensis (Scaridae) associated with drifting algae were studied. In this study, 628 L. vaigiensis of various developmental stages ranging from postflexion larvae (9.4mm in standard length, SL) to adults (192.0mmSL) were sampled from drifting algae at two fishing ports in Nakagusuku Bay of Okinawa Island. In 3969 fish comprising 65 taxa in 34 families of Teleostei collected with drifting algae, L. vaigiensis occupied 15.8% of samples and occurred generally throughout the whole year. A large number of L. vaigiensis were collected from July to October accompanied by an occurrence of drifting algae composed of Sargassum spp. Larvae and early juveniles ranging from 11.1 to 14.9mmSL appeared sporadically throughout the year, and postflexion larvae 11mmSL occurred from July to November. Their food shifted from planktonic copepods in postflexion larvae and juveniles ranging from 10.0 to 14.9mmSL to seaweed in the juveniles ranging from 15.0 to 24.9mmSL. Furthermore, adults and young over 25mmSL fed almost exclusively on seaweed, with Sargassum spp. constituting the drifting algae. These facts indicate that drifting algae may have a role concerning food and habitat, and may act as a nursery for L. vaigiensis.     

Growth and Reproduction of Double-Ended Pipefish, Syngnathoides biaculeatus, in Moreton Bay, Queensland, Australia

Life-history characteristics of the double-ended pipefish, Syngnathoides biaculeatus (Bloch), were investigated to determine growth rate, degree of sexual dimorphism, size at maturity, and reproductive biology. Growth rates of wild juveniles and adults calculated from monthly progression of length-frequency modes ranged from 0.8mmd^–1 (fish lengths 120–145mm standard length (SL)) in summer to 0.2mmd^–1 in winter (185–200mm SL). Growth of laboratory-reared juveniles up to 63d old was greater, ranging from 0.8 to 2.3mmd^-1. The von Bertalanffy growth constant K was estimated at 0.0076d^{- 1}, or 2.8year^–1. Morphological differentiation between the sexes based upon abdominal pattern was possible for fish larger than 120mm SL, with females possessing a zigzag pattern on the abdomen. The association between this pattern and sex was confirmed by histological gonad analysis. Males were significantly longer than females during four of seven seasons examined, and a 1:1 sex ratio was determined for all seasons except autumn when the ratio was female biased. The breeding season was marked by the appearance of pregnant males between October and April, and during courtship both species exhibited increased pigmentation. The minimum paternal size at maturity was 185mm, the maximum length recorded 260mm. Clutch size ranged between 60 and 200 eggs, with a mean of 153. Ovaries had a sequential pattern of egg development, resulting in egg batches that approximated the number of eggs carried by brooding males. Additionally, all eggs in a brood were at the same developmental stage. This suggests that one female provides all of the eggs for one male per breeding event in a monogamous mating system.     

Evidence of downstream migration of Sakhalin taimen, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Hucho perryi</Emphasis>, as revealed by Sr : Ca ratios of otolith

The migratory history of Sakhalin taimen, Hucho perryi, was examined in terms of strontium (Sr) and calcium (Ca) uptake in the otolith by using wavelength dispersive X-ray spectrometry on an electron microprobe. Otolioth Sr:Ca ratios of freshwater-reared samples remained consistently at low levels throughout the otolith. The Sr:Ca ratios of samples from Lake Aynskoye of Sakhalin Island showed a low value from the core up to a point of 700–2140µm. Thereafter, the ratios increased sharply and remained at higher levels up to the outermost regions. The difference in Sr:Ca ratio might be the result of the presence of individuals that underwent seawater and freshwater life history phases, probably reflecting the ambient salinity or the seawater–freshwater gradient in Sr concentration. Otolith Sr:Ca ratio analysis revealed downstream migration history in H. perryi.     

Purification and characterization of aspartate aminotransferase from developing embryos of the camel tick Hyalomma dromedarii

Aspartate transaminase (AST) activity in the camel tick Hyalomma dromedarii was followed throughout embryogenesis. During purification of AST to homogeneity, ion exchange chromatography lead to four separate forms (termed I, II, III and IV). AST II with the highest specific activity was pure after chromatography on Sephacryl S-300. The molecular mass of AST II was 52KDa for the native enzyme, composed of one subunit of 50KDa. AST II had a Km value of 0.67mM for -ketoglutarate and 15.1mM for aspartate. AST II had a pH optimum of 7.5 with heat stability up to 50°C for 15min. The enzyme was activated by MnCl₂, and inhibited by CaCl₂, MgCl₂, NiCl₂, and ZnCl₂.     

Conservation status of parrot populations in an Atlantic rainforest area of southeastern Brazil

A census of four species of syntopic parrots was carried out using distance sampling methods on São Sebastião island, SE Brazil. Most of the 33593 ha island is covered by mature and secondary Atlantic rainforest. Almost 80% of these forests are within the Ilhabela Park. Although the species counted have marked differences in size and weight, density (individuals/km²) and estimated population size in 23500 ha of well-preserved forests were similar: Amazona farinosa (13.82±5.94; 3247±1395), Pionus maximiliani (15.79±7.04; 3712±1654), Brotogeris tirica (15.05±4.87; 3537±1143) and Pyrrhura frontalis (13.06±5.53; 3068±1298). Encounter rates of Forpus crassirostris and Pionopsitta pileata were very low, which suggests that there is only a small population of these species on the island. The São Sebastião forests still support healthy populations of parrots. Although woodpecker population estimates on the island are large enough to provide nesting sites for parrots, competition for holes with other secondary cavity nesters such as toucans, flycatchers and tytiras, and the selective cutting of dead trees for canoe construction, which is a common practice on the island, may limit hole availability for parrots.     

First investigation of ultraoligotrophic alpine Lake Puma Yumco in the pre-Himalayas,China

Lake Puma Yumco is a typical alpine lake (altitude 5030m) located in the pre-Himalayas of Tibet, China, and this study was the first limnological investigation ever conducted on it. Lake Puma Yumco (28°34N, 90°24E) has the following morphometric properties: maximum length 31km, maximum width 14km, mean width 9km, shoreline 90km, surface area 280km², and shoreline development 1.5. Transparency was approximately 10m, even in the thawing season. The extinction coefficient of the lake water was calculated as 0.15m^–1. Annual maximum transparency was estimated from the depth of the Chara zone to be 30m. Dissolved oxygen was 7mg O₂ l^–1 and showed saturated values, and salinity was 360mgl^–1. The chemical type of the lake water was Mg-Ca-HCO₃-SO₄, and it was slightly alkaline in character. Total nitrogenous nutrients (sum of ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and urea nitrogen), phosphate, and silicate were extremely low at 1, 0.02, and 9µM, respectively. Dissolved organic carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus concentrations were 160, 11, and 0.08µM and the molar ratio was calculated as 2100:140:1. Chlorophyll a concentration was 0.2mgm^–3. Phytoplankton and zooplankton were dominated by Aphanocapsa sp. and Diaptomidae. Both nitrogen and phosphorus appear to be the limiting parameters for phytoplankton growth. Organic carbon and nitrogen contents in lake sediments were low and the sediments contained a large amount of CaCO₃. The grain size of sediment was that of silt-sand in most cases. The present results indicate that the pre-Himalayan alpine freshwater Lake Puma Yumco is an ultraoligotrophic lake.     

Comparative residual toxicities of pesticides to the predator Agistemus industani (Acari: Stigmaeidae) on citrus in Florida

Residual toxicities of registered and selected experimental pesticides used on citrus against Agistemus industani Gonzalez (Acari: Stigmaeidae) were compared. Pesticides considered highly toxic to A. industani were: abamectin 0.15 EC at 731ml/ha+FC 435-66 petroleum oil at 46.8l/ha, pyridaben 75WP at 469g/ha, ethion 4EC at 7.01l/ha+FC 435-66 petroleum oil at 46.8l/ha, propargite 6.55 EC at 3.51l/ha, chlorfenapyr 2SC at 1.46l/ha applied alone or in combination with FC 435-66 petroleum oil at 46.8l/ha, sulphur 80DF at 16.81kg/ha, dicofol 4EC at 7.01l/ha, fenbutatin oxide 50WP at 2.24kg/ha, benomyl 50WP at 2.24kg/ha, benomyl 50WP at 1.68kg/ha+ferbam 76 GF at 5.60kg/ha, ferbam 76GF at 11.21kg/ha, neem oil 90EC at 46.8l/ha, and copper hydroxide DF (40% metallic copper) at 4.48kg metallic copper/ha+FC 435-66 petroleum oil at 46.8l/ha. Pesticides that were moderately to slightly toxic included: copper sulphate 98% at 4.48kg metallic copper/ha+FC 435-66 petroleum oil at 46.8l/ha, fenbuconazole 2F at 280ml/ha+FC 435-66 petroleum oil at 46.8l/ha, FC 435-66 petroleum oil applied alone at 46.8l/ha or 23.4l/ha, and diflubenzuron 25WP at 1.40kg/ha. Pesticides that were non-toxic included: fenbuconazole 2F at 585ml/ha, malathion 57EC at 5.85l/ha, FC 435-66 petroleum oil at 46.8l/ha, carbaryl 80S at 3.36kg/ha, chlorpyrifos 4EC at 4.68l/ha, and formetanate 92SP at 1.12kg/ha. Understanding the toxic effects of field weathered pesticides against key predacious mite species is important for effective IPM. The results of this study provide a comparison of direct and indirect toxic effects of various pesticides to A. industani under field conditions.     

Consequences of harvesting for genetic diversity in American ginseng (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Panax quinquefolius</Emphasis> L.): a simulation study

American ginseng, Panax quinquefolius L., is one of the most heavily traded medicinal plants in North America. The effect of harvest on genetic diversity in ginseng was measured with a single generation culling simulation program. Culling scenarios included random harvest at varying levels, legal limit random harvest and legal limit mature plant harvest. The legal limit was determined by the proportion of legally harvestable plants per population (% mature plants per population). Random harvest at varying levels resulted in significant loss of genetic diversity, especially allelic richness. Relative to initial levels, average within-population genetic diversity (H _e) was significantly lower when plants were culled randomly at the legal limit (Mann–Whitney U=430, p<0.001) or when only mature plants were culled (Mann–Whitney U=394, p<0.01). Within-population genetic diversity was significantly higher with legal limit mature plant harvest (H _e=0.068) than when plants were culled randomly at the legal limit (H _e=0.064; U=202, p<0.01). Based on these simulations of harvest over one generation, we recommend that harvesting fewer than the proportion of mature plants could reduce the negative genetic effects of harvest on ginseng populations.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Uncisudis posteropelvis</Emphasis>, a new species of barracudina (Aulopiformes: Paralepididae) from the western North Pacific Ocean

Six specimens (2 flexion larvae: 9.5–10.4mm in notochord length; 4 postflexion larvae: 12.3–18.2mm in standard length) collected from the western North Pacific are tentatively ascribed to the genus Uncisudis of the tribe Lestidiini of the subfamily Paralepidinae (Paralepididae) in sharing remarkably elongate and filamentous pelvic fin rays, their tips reaching the origin of the anal fin. They are described as Uncisudis posteropelvis sp. nov. in uniquely having the insertion of pelvic fins closer to the origin of anal fin than to the posterior end of dorsal fin base among lestidiine species. Addition to this character, the new species has remarkably elongate and filamentous dorsal fin rays, the short distance between anus and origin of anal fin (4.2–6.1% of standard length, SL), the posteriorly located pelvic fins (prepelvic length 69.4–71.5% SL), dorsal fin rays 10, anal fin rays 28–29, myomeres 41–42+38–40=80–81 (vertebrae 38+41=79), and peritoneal pigment spots 11–12. The occurrence of larvae differing in pigment pattern from the present new species suggests another undescribed species of Uncisudis in the western South Pacific.     

Root traits, nutrient uptake, multi-location grain yield and benefit–cost ratio of two lentil (Lens culinaris, Medikus.) varieties

Lentil is a protein-rich pulse, grown mainly in developing countries as a rain-fed crop in nutrient-poor soils. Hence, the importance of root traits for efficient capture of soil nutrients and water can be crucial to its economical yield. Little is known about the lentil root system and even less about its relationship to grain yield. We compared the root system of two Bangladeshi lentil varieties, Barimasur-3 (BM-3) and Barimasur-4 (BM-4), in a pot experiment and related it to their multi-location grain yield in the fields. BM-4 maintained faster root development both at an early growth stage (20days after sowing) and at flowering (60days) compared to BM-3. The roots of BM-4 penetrated the 25cm depth of the soil profile after 19±1days and while those of BM-3 took 24±2days to reach the same depth. The roots of BM-4 were covered with denser (26±3mm^–1) and longer (0.48±0.11) root hairs than BM-3 (density 17±2mm^–1, length 0.32±0.09mm). The differential presence of root hairs increased the effective length of root system of BM-4 by 12 times and that of BM-3 by five times. The lentil varieties did not differ in their ability to induce pH change and acid phosphatase activity in rhizosphere. In the pot experiment, the uptake of macro-nutrients (K, P, Ca, and Mg) as well as micro-nutrients (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, B and Mo) by BM-4 was significantly higher, compared to BM-3. The varieties produced the same amount of shoot biomass. At five of six agro-ecological distinct field locations in Bangladesh, BM-4 gave significantly higher (10–20%) grain yield than BM-3. Linked with the higher grain yield, the benefit-cost ratio (BCR) of BM-4 was 3.14 and that of BM-3 were 2.62, indicating that BM-4 provided better return per unit investment, compared to BM-3, supported by the better root morphology and higher nutrient uptake. This may be one of the reasons supporting the popularity and preferred adoption of BM-4 among the Bangladeshi farmers, who grow lentil mainly on nutrient-poor soils. The results indicate the benefits of selection and breeding for superior root traits for better agro-economics.     

Uptake of sewage derived nitrogen by<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Ulva rigida</Emphasis> (Chlorophyceae) in Bahía Nueva (Golfo Nuevo,Patagonia, Argentine)

Uptake kinetics of nitrogen derived from sewage–seawater mixtures (2.5–20% v/v effluent) were determined in the laboratory for Ulva rigida (Chlorophyceae) native from Bahía Nueva (Golfo Nuevo, Patagonia, Argentine). In terms of nitrogen concentration, experimental enrichment levels varied between 53.7 and 362.3M of ammonium and between 0.77 and 6.21M of nitrate+nitrite. Uptake rates were fitted to the Michaelis–Menten equation, with the following kinetic parameters: ammonium: V_max = 591.2molg^–1h^–1, K _s=262.3M, nitrate+nitrite: V _max=12.9molg^–1h^–1, K _s=3.5M). Both nutrients were taken up simultaneously, but ammonium incorporation was faster in all cases. The results show a high capability of Ulva rigida to remove sewage-derived nitrogen from culture media. In the field, most of the nitrogen provided by the effluent would be tied up in algal biomass, supporting low nitrogen levels found at a short distance away from the source.     

Proliferation and germination of somatic embryos from embryogenic suspension cultures in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phœnix dactylifera</Emphasis>

The present study demonstrates a procedure for the rapid development of a high number of somatic embryos from embryogenic suspension culture. This method might be efficient for mass propagation of Phnix dactylifera L. Embryogenic callus placed in liquid medium with 10^–5M ABA yielded an average 72 embryos per 100ml of culture medium within 2months, while those placed on solid medium yielded an average of 33, 20 and 16 embryos per 100ml of culture medium respectively for 10^–7, 10^–6 and 10^–5 M ABA after 4months. The combination of 2,4-DIchlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) (4.5×10^–7M), glutamine (6.7×10^–4M), and ABA (10^–5M) (L8 liquid medium) showed a beneficial effect on somatic embryos production compared to 2,4-D and glutamine alone, while this combination significantly (p<0.05) increased the accumulation of storage proteins (144 and 138mgg^–1 DW respectively for Jihel and Bousthami noir cultivars) in somatic embryos. The somatic embryos which underwent maturation on medium containing only 4.5×10^–7M 2,4-D and 10^–5M ABA (L6 liquid medium) accumulated more sugars (292 and 265mgg^–1 DW respectively for Jihel and Bousthami noir) than those matured on any other liquid medium. Histological studies revealed that somatic embryos (developed in L6 and L8 liquid media) accumulated less reserve compounds (proteins and sugars) than zygotic embryos. The addition of activated charcoal (0.25 and 0.5gl^–1) and phytagel^® (2.5gl^–1) to the germination medium may be useful for enhancing the germination of Phnix dactyliferasomatic embryos.     

(T2AG3)n Telomeric Sequence Hybridization Indicating Centric Fusion Rearrangements in the Karyotype of the Rodent Oryzomys Subflavus

Chromosome preparations of 30 specimens of Oryzomys subflavus trapped in eight Brazilian localities were C-, and G-banded and analyzed by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Two karyotypes were found, 2n=50/FN=64, at three coastal localities of the Atlantic Forest domain, and 2n=58/FN=70 at two sites located in the Cerrado biome, Brazil Central. Two fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) patterns of the telomeric sequence (T₂AG₃)_n were observed: in both karyotypes the probes hybridized to the telomeres of all chromosomes and also a hybridization signal in the centromeric regions of two autosome pairs was seen in the 2n=50 karyotype. These results, together with the occurrence of other diploid numbers described in the literature, suggest that O. subflavus is a complex species, bearing fusion/fission rearrangements proper to the different biomes which it inhabits.     

Inoculation of sugar mill by-products compost with N2-fixing bacteria

Inoculation of sugar mill by-products compost with N₂-fixing bacteria may improve its quality by increasing total N and available P. Compost was inoculated with Azotobacter vinelandii(ATCC 478), Beijerinckia derxii (ATCC 49361), and Azospirillumsp. TS8, each alone and all three together. Numbers of all N₂-fixing bacteria in compost declined from an initial population of 5×10⁵cellsg^–1 during incubation. The population of Azotobacter declined to approximately 2×10²cellsg^–1 and the population of Beijerinckia and Azospirillum declined to approximately 9×10³ and 3.5×10⁴cellsg^–1 respectively, at day 50. Inoculation with N₂-fixing bacteria increased acetylene reduction, total N by 6–16 and available P by 25–30% in comparison to the uninoculated control. Increasing the N content and P availability of compost increases its value and there may be additional benefit from providing N₂ fixing bacteria.