Arginine, a growth-limiting factor for Eubacterium lentum.

Eubacterium lentum is a gram-positive, asaccharolytic, obligately anaerobic bacillus, which grows to a low turbidity (absorbancy at 650 nm = 0.05 to 0.1) in peptone-based medium. The addition of substrate amounts of arginine or citrulline dramatically increased growth (absorbancy at 650 nm =1.4). The presence of an arginine dihydrolase pathway was confirmed by measurement of the necessary enzymes and demonstration of the intermediate compounds. The production of adenosine 5'-triphosphate from the arginine dihydrolase pathway appeared to be the sole source of energy for growth of this organism. Each of 11 strains showed definite growth stimulation. Ten of the 11 strains had cytochromes. Growth stimulation with arginine and the presence of cytochromes offer two new positive criteria for the identification of E. lentum.     

洱海蓝藻水华暴发期浮游植物群落变化及影响因素

对洱海水质和浮游植物进行了调查, 分析了洱海藻类水华暴发季节水质营养水平及浮游植物多样性, 并探讨了洱海浮游植物种群演替的环境机制. 研究结果表明, 洱海蓝藻水华在6-10月份大量暴发, 蓝藻数量高达107 cells/L, 水华种类为微囊藻(Microcystis)属的一些种, 微囊藻在6-10月份占绝对优势, 最高可达90%以上. 分析5-11月洱海营养水平, 其中7月营养水平最高, 浮游植物生物量10月份最大(以叶绿素a表示). 使用SPSS里的pearson分析了浮游植物和各理化因子的关系, 结果表明相对于其他浮游植物种类, 总磷(TP)对微囊藻的影响比较大.       

The risk of ventricular arrhythmias in a Dutch CRT population: CRT-defibrillator versus CRT-pacemaker

Background

Patients eligible for cardiac resynchronisation therapy (CRT) have an indication for primary prophylactic implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) therapy. However, response to CRT might influence processes involved in arrhythmogenesis and therefore change the necessity of ICD therapy in certain patients.

Method

In 202 CRT-defibrillator patients, the association between baseline variables, 6-month echocardiographic outcome (volume response: left ventricular end-systolic volume decrease < ≥15 % and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤ >35 %) and the risk of first appropriate ICD therapy was analysed retrospectively.

Results

Fifty (25 %) patients received appropriate ICD therapy during a median follow-up of 37 (23–52) months. At baseline ischaemic cardiomyopathy (hazard ratio (HR) 2.0, p = 0.019) and a B-type natriuretic peptide level > 163 pmol/l (HR 3.8, p < 0.001) were significantly associated with the risk of appropriate ICD therapy. After 6 months, 105 (52 %) patients showed volume response and 51 (25 %) reached an LVEF > 35 %. Three (6 %) patients with an LVEF > 35 % received appropriate ICD therapy following echocardiography at ± 6 months compared with 43 patients (29 %) with an LVEF ≤ 35 % (p = 0.001). LVEF post-CRT was more strongly associated to the risk of ventricular arrhythmias than volume response (LVEF > 35 %, HR 0.23, p = 0.020).

Conclusion

Assessing the necessity of an ICD in patients eligible for CRT remains a challenge. Six months post-CRT an LVEF > 35 % identified patients at low risk of ventricular arrhythmias. LVEF might be used at the time of generator replacement to identify patients suitable for downgrading to a CRT-pacemaker.     

Importance of water-level fluctuation on population dynamics of cladocerans in a hypertrophic reservoir (Lake Arancio,south-west Sicily,Italy)

During a period of three years (1990–1991 and 1993),we studied the population dynamics of planktoniccladocerans in a hypertrophic reservoir. Weeklysampling revealed that the five most common speciesfollowed a trend which reflects the peculiarhydrological characteristics of the reservoir andtheir key position in the pelagic food web. Inparticular, 1991 was characterized by a strong waterinflow which probably interfered with the reproductiveactivities of the dominant fish population (Rutilus rubilio) and reduced the concentration ofinedible planktonic algae allowing the development ofsmall Chlorococcales. This event was associated withhigher population densities of Daphnia hyalinacompared to the other years of the survey. In spring1991, an extended clear-water phase was observed andSecchi disk depth increased to 6 m, whereas in theother years it did not surpass 1 m. In addition, theD. hyalina population persisted throughout thesummer in 1991, whereas it started to decline at theend of June in the other years. This development ofD. hyalina probably influenced the populationdynamics of the other cladoceran species in thereservoir, and in particular reduced the summer growthof Diaphanosoma lacustris and delayed theoccurrence of Bosmina longirostris. Stomachanalysis indicated that D. hyalina is thepreferred food item of juvenile (less than two monthsold) R. rubilio. Overall, the hydrology of thereservoir was observed to interact with the trophicprocesses in the pelagic environment of the ecosystemin at least two different ways: via bottom-upprocesses, influencing phytoplankton dynamics, and viatop-down processes, regulating the predationefficiency of the planktivores.     

Analysis of cyanobacteria bloom in the Waihai part of Dianchi Lake,China

Blue-green algae (BGA) bloom is a typical phenomenon in eutrophied lakes. However, up to now, no environmental mechanism has been commonly accepted. Systematic and complete data sets of BGA blooms and environmental factors without any missing data are rare, which seriously affected previous studies. In this study, a bootstrapping based multiple imputation algorithm (EMB) was first applied to reconstruct a complete data set from the available data set with missing data, hence forming a basis for quantitatively relating BGA bloom to contributing factors. Then, the probability of BGA bloom outbreak was simulated using a binomial (or binary) logistic regression model, which is an effective tool for recognizing key contributing factors. The results suggest that 1) the outbreak frequency or probability of BGA bloom tends to first increase and then decrease with a turning point between June and September each year; 2) air temperature, relative humidity, and precipitation were significant positive factors correlated with outbreak frequency, whereas wind speed and the number of sunshine hours were negative factors; 3) water temperature had a strong positive effect on the probability of BGA bloom outbreak, whereas other water quality factors, such as concentrations of organics and nutrients, were not so significant. However, water quality factors, such as NO₃–N, SD, pH, NH₄–N, COD and DO, still need to be concerned, which had a potential to aggravate the outbreak of BGA bloom in Dianchi Lake, if they were out of control.     

氮、磷对热带浅水湖泊惠州西湖蓝藻的控制

湖泊富营养化常导致蓝藻生物量的增加,水质恶化.于2011年2月至12月对热带浅水湖泊惠州西湖六个湖区的蓝藻群落结构进行研究,以了解其时空变化特征及主要影响因素.结果表明,以沉水植物为优势的元妙观湖区与南南湖蓝藻无明显的优势种;平湖蓝藻优势种为银灰平裂藻(Merismopedia glauca)和湖丝藻(Limnothrix sp.),南丰湖、北丰湖和北南湖的主要优势种均为银灰平裂藻(Merismopedia glauca).平湖、南丰湖、北丰湖和北南湖蓝藻丰度及生物量存在显著的季节变化.相关分析显示惠州西湖夏季蓝藻生物量受氮、磷盐控制.冬季温度的影响,蓝藻生物量与氮、磷的相关性不显著.     

The life histories and population dynamics of two carabid species on a Dutch heathland

Summary We deal with the causes of the synchronously fluctuating numbers of subpopulations of the carabid species Calathus melanocephalus as compared with the asynchronously fluctuating numbers of subpopulations of the carabid Pterostichus versicolor. Both species continuously occupy a large heath area, Dwingelder Veld (1600 ha), in The Netherlands, and are studied there in the same localities with the same methods. Of the adults of C. melanocephalus, 90% do not cover more than 2 ha during the entire reproductive season, while 90% of adults of P. versicolor cover no more than 12 ha. In C. melanocephalus egg production in the field is usually similar to that under optimal feeding conditions in the laboratory, but in P. versicolor egg production seems to be much lower in the field. In the field 70–80% of the eggs most probably are killed by eelworms, followed by more than 90% mortality among the remaining larvae. Comparing mortality of developmental stages in laboratory experiments with that in field experiments in enclosures, it appears that mortality of larvae is not density-dependent, even when density in the experiments is much higher than it ever is in the field. Larval mortality mainly results from the poor ability of the larvae to find prey, even when in field experiments prey density is increased far above natural densities. We discuss why these poor prey-finding abilities are not improved by natural selection. In the spring breeder P. versicolor differences between localities both in abiotic factors, soil moisture and surface temperature, and biotic factors, reactions of prey species to abiotic factors, in spring and summer when the larvae are maturing contribute to the asynchronous fluctuations of numbers between subpopulations. In the autumn breeder C. melanocephalus possible differences in biotic factors between sites are outnumbered by the effects of winters with a higher or lower than normal amount of precipitation respectively. During a wet winter mortality among the larvae is much higher than during a dry winter. As these winter conditions are similar over large areas (many km²) the fluctuations of numbers between subpopulations are synchronous.Communication No. 443 of The Biological Station, Wijster     

The accuracy of population density estimates of a horizontally distributed zooplankton community in Dutch fish ponds

To elucidate the effect of the horizontal distribution of different zooplankton populations on the accuracy of population density estimates in a fish pond, 40 samples were taken according to a rectangular grid which divided the pond into 5 longitudinal rows and 10 transversal columns. The zooplankton consisted of 55% copepods (mainly Acanthocyclops viridis), 43% cladocerans (mainly Daphnia longispina and Bosmina longirostris) and 2% Rotatoria. The index of patchiness was mostly higher than 1, revealing a strongly clumped distribution. B. longirostris and D. longispina aggregated in the centre of the pond, exhibiting a shore avoiding behaviour. Chydoridae and Ceriodaphnia quadrangula were concentrated in the littoral zone. Besides this habitat related dispersion, a more passive wind induced distribution was detected for most taxonomic groups. Copepod nauplii were concentrated at the leeward side of the pond while elder copepod stages of A. viridis were found in higher densities at the windward end. Based on the calculated coefficients of variation, a table of the accuracies of the density estimates in relation to the number of samples was presented. For more detailed studies on a particular species population, about 25 samples (column samples of 10 L each) are needed to obtain an accuracy varying between 10 an 20%, depending upon the taxonomic group. A slightly higher precision can be obtained, however at a strongly increasing effort. For the practice of fish farming, two to five sample stations should suffice to estimate the total zooplankton abundance with a 30 to 10% accuracy respectively.     

Diversity of microcystin-producing cyanobacteria in spatially isolated regions of Lake Erie

The diversity of microcystin-producing cyanobacteria in the western basin of Lake Erie was studied using sequence analysis of mcyA gene fragments. Distinct populations of potentially toxic Microcystis and Planktothrix were found in spatially isolated locations. This study highlights previously undocumented diversity of potentially toxic cyanobacteria.     

应用RT-qPCR技术定量检测湖泊水体中蓝藻方法的比较

利用RT-qPCR技术建立了对湖泊水体中的微囊藻和蓝藻的SYBR Green Ⅰ荧光定量PCR检测方法,在所建立的方法中,对以微囊藻藻蓝蛋白基因、蓝藻16S rRNA基因、微囊藻16S rRNA基因分别作为RT-qPCR检测的目的基因所得结果进行了比较,并对实验室培养的微囊藻和太湖的环境样品进行了检测。结果表明,用藻蓝蛋白基因作为检测目的基因,以M.aeruginosa PCC 7806基因组DNA作为标准品的测定方法与显微镜计数的结果有较好的相关性和一致性,并具有简便、快速、特异性高的特点,可以满足检测的要求。     

Mineralisation of filamentous cyanobacteria in Lake Thetis stromatolites,Western Australia

Stromatolites are cited as some of the earliest evidence for life on Earth, but problems remain in reconciling the paucity of microfossils in ancient carbonate examples with the abundance of microbes that help construct modern analogues. Here, we trace the mineralisation pathway of filamentous cyanobacteria within stromatolites from Lake Thetis, Western Australia, providing new insights into microfossil preservation in carbonate stromatolites. Lake Thetis cyanobacteria exhibit a spectrum of mineralisation processes that include early precipitation of Mg‐silicates, largely controlled by the morphochemical features of the cyanobacteria, followed by aragonite formation that is inferred to be driven by heterotrophic activity. Fossilised cyanobacteria with high‐quality morphological preservation are characterised by a significant volume of authigenic Mg‐silicates, which have preferentially nucleated in/on extracellular organic material and on cell walls, and now replicate the region once occupied by the cyanobacterial sheath. In such specimens, aragonite is restricted to the outer sheath margin and parts of the cell interior. Cyanobacteria that display more significant degradation appear to possess a higher ratio of aragonite to Mg‐silicate. In these specimens, aragonite forms micronodules in the sheath zone and is spatially associated with the inferred remains of heterotrophic bacteria. Aragonite also occurs as an advancing front from the outer margin of the sheath where it is commonly intergrown with Mg‐silicates. Where there is no evidence of Mg‐silicates within filaments, the fidelity of microfossil preservation is poor. In these cases, individual filaments may no longer be visible under light microscopy, and little organic material remains, but filament traces remain detectable using electron microscopy due to variations in aragonite texture. These data provide further evidence that authigenic silicate minerals play a crucial role in the fossilisation of micro‐organisms; in their absence, carbonate crystal growth potentially mediated by heterotrophic microbial decay may largely obliterate morphological evidence for life within stromatolites, although mineralogical traces may still be detectable using electron microscopy.     

Appearance and establishment of diazotrophic cyanobacteria in Lake Kinneret,Israel

1. We propose that the appearance and establishment of Nostocales (cyanobacteria) species of the genera Aphanizomenon and Cylindrospermopsis in the warm subtropical Lake Kinneret (Sea of Galilee, Israel) from 1994 was linked to changes in climate conditions and summer nitrogen (N) availability. 2. From 1994 to 2009, an increase in frequency of events of elevated water temperature (>29 °C) in summer, and to some extent a greater frequency of lower summer wind speed events, affected water turbulence and water column stratification, thus providing better physical conditions for the establishment of these populations. 3. In recent years, N‐depleted conditions in Lake Kinneret in early summer have promoted the development and domination of Nostocales that could gain an ecological advantage owing to their N₂‐fixing capability. 4. Nitrogen fixation rates coincided both with heterocyst abundance and with Nostocales biomass. The N supplied to the lake via nitrogen fixation ranged from negligible quantities when Nostocales represented only a minor component of the phytoplankton community to 123 tonnes when Cylindrospermopsis bloomed in 2005. This high N₂ fixation rate equals the average summer dissolved inorganic nitrogen load to the lake via the Jordan River.     

冬季太湖表层底泥产毒蓝藻群落结构和种群丰度

应用荧光定量PCR对冬季太湖不同湖区底泥表面有毒微囊藻和总微囊藻种群丰度进行调查,同时基于PCR-DGGE技术对底泥中有毒微囊藻群落结构进行分析。结果表明:微囊藻在太湖底泥表面分布广泛,所有采样点都检测到有毒微囊藻存在,且不同湖区有毒微囊藻和总微囊藻种群丰度存在显著差异,有毒微囊藻和微囊藻基因型丰度范围分别为1.23×10⁴-3.75×10⁶拷贝数/g干重和2.56×10⁴-1.07×10⁷ 拷贝数/g干重,有毒微囊藻与微囊种群丰度的比例为4.8％-35.2％;DGGE指纹图谱显示,冬季太湖不同湖区表层底泥中有毒微囊藻群落结构相似性较高,相似性系数为70.2％-96.0％。虽然不同湖区基因型组成存在差异,但所有样品中占优势的基因型是一致的。同时发现,优势基因型所占的比例与样品的香农多样性指数呈负相关。序列分析表明,mcyA序列长度为291bp,序列相似性超过97％。综合定量PCR结果和底泥中叶绿素a和藻蓝素浓度的测定结果,可以得出2010年冬季太湖蓝藻越冬主要集中在梅梁湾、竺山湾、贡湖湾和湖心。通过建立荧光定量PCR分析方法,为研究湖泊底泥中蓝藻种群丰度动态变化奠定了基础。     

滇池外海蓝藻水华爆发反演及规律探讨

气象条件和营养盐浓度一直被认为是导致蓝藻水华爆发的两个重要因素。通过滇池外海Chla浓度时空分异性分析,得出晖湾中测点最易爆发蓝藻水华且爆发时间集中在每年6—9月。同时,采用基于缺失数据多重插补的EMB算法将气象条件和蓝藻水华爆发的不完全数据集进行反演,建立了滇池外海2004—2008年4—10月完整的气象、营养盐及蓝藻爆发的基础数据集,解决了表观蓝藻水华爆发研究中观测数据缺失的问题。据此,探讨了滇池外海晖湾中测点Chla、TN和TP与蓝藻水华爆发关系,进而提出了控制滇池外海蓝藻水华的一种新思路。     

Use of qPCR for the study of hepatotoxic cyanobacteria population dynamics

Toxic cyanobacteria blooms are increasingly frequent and object of greater concern due to its ecological and health impacts. One important lack in the toxic cyanobacteria research field is to understand which parameters influence most and how they operate to regulate the overall levels of cyanotoxins in a body of water. MC concentration is believed to be influenced by changes in several seasonal environmental factors that influence the succession of toxic cyanobacteria. In the last years, qPCR (quantitative polymerase chain reaction) has been applied to determine the seasonal and temporal shifts in the proportions of MC-producing and non-MC-producing subpopulations by quantifying both mcy genotypes and total population numbers. We discuss the most prominent and recent studies using qPCR to address hepatotoxic cyanobacteria population dynamics and evaluate how they helped understanding the factors promoting the growth of toxic strains in situ and the succession of hepatotoxin-producing genera in natural populations.     

Gly118Asp is a SCA14 founder mutation in the Dutch ataxia population

Missense mutations in the PRKCG gene have recently been identified in spinocerebellar ataxia 14 (SCA14) patients; these include the Gly118Asp mutation that we found in a large Dutch autosomal dominant cerebellar ataxia (ADCA) family. We subsequently screened the current Dutch ataxia cohort (approximately 900 individuals) for SCA14 mutations in the Cys2 region of the PRKCG gene. We identified the Gly118Asp mutation in another eight individuals from five small families. Haplotype analysis identified a shared chromosomal region surrounding the SCA14 gene, and genealogical research was able to link all these ADCA patients to a single common ancestor. We therefore confirmed that the Gly118Asp mutation is a SCA14 founder mutation in the Dutch ADCA population.