Assessing the contribution of bacteria to the heat tolerance of experimentally evolved coral photosymbionts

Coral reefs are extremely vulnerable to ocean warming, which triggers coral bleaching—the loss of endosymbiotic microalgae (Symbiodiniaceae) from coral tissues, often leading to death. To enhance coral climate resilience, the symbiont, Cladocopium proliferum was experimentally evolved for >10 years under elevated temperatures resulting in increased heat tolerance. Bacterial 16S rRNA gene metabarcoding showed the composition of intra- and extracellular bacterial communities of heat-evolved strains was significantly different from that of wild-type strains, suggesting bacteria responded to elevated temperatures, and may even play a role in C. proliferum thermal tolerance. To assess whether microbiome transplantation could enhance heat tolerance of the sensitive wild-type C. proliferum, we transplanted bacterial communities from heat-evolved to the wild-type strain and subjected it to acute heat stress. Microbiome transplantation resulted in the incorporation of only 30 low-abundance strains into the microbiome of wild-type cultures, while the relative abundance of 14 pre-existing strains doubled in inoculated versus uninoculated samples. Inoculation with either wild-type or heat-evolved bacterial communities boosted C. proliferum growth, although no difference in heat tolerance was observed between the two inoculation treatments. This study provides evidence that Symbiodiniaceae-associated bacterial communities respond to heat selection and may contribute to coral adaptation to climate change.     

Monograph of the moss genus Macrodictyum (Broth.) E.H.Hegew. (Dicranaceae)

Abstract

Macrodictyum is a small acrocarpous moss genus of three species (M. latifolium (E.B.Bartram) M.J.Price, M. proliferum (Mitt.) E.H.Hegew., M. wrightii (Sull.) E.H.Hegew.). It grows in tufts and mats on trees or rocks at 450–1500 m in the Neotropics. The genus has a restricted distribution within the Neotropics and is currently known from only a few localities in Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and southeastern Brazil. Macrodictyum is characterized by four main features: 1) appressed, non-crispate, ovate–oblong, lingulate to ligulate or linear leaves; 2) large, rhomboidal, thin-walled cells in the upper leaf; 3) large, irregular, multicellular apical teeth; and 4) guide cells that are ventral at and above mid-leaf. These features are atypical of the Dicranaceae. However, Macrodictyum shares pseudautoicous sexuality, sheathing perichaetial leaves, and peristome structure with the large pantropical Dicranaceous genus Holomitrium Brid. In these two genera the peristome consists of 16 single, triangular, entire or weakly divided, fenestrate, striate teeth that are papillose throughout on both the inner and outer surfaces. Macrodictyum is retained in the Dicranoideae (Dicranaceae), close to Holomitrium, based on its pseudautoicous sexuality, sheathing perichaetial leaves, and peristome structure.     

The Effect of Activated Charcoal on Tissue Cultures: Adsorption of Metabolites Inhibiting Morphogenesis

Cell suspensions of Daucus carota and Haplopappus gracilis and callus suspensions of Allum cepa var. proliferum were grown in media with and without activated charcoal. Differentiation occurred in those Daucus and Allium cultures that contained charcoal. It was shown by mass spectrometry that the media without charcoal contained high amounts of phenylacetic acid and p-OH-benzoic acid (Daucus), 2,6-OH-benzoic acid (Allium) and benzoic acid, pelargonic acid and caprylic acid (Haplopappus), whereas the media with activated charcoal did not. It was also shown that p-OH-benzoic acid had inhibitory effects on the embryogenesis in Daucus cultures.     

Proposal of Monorhizochytrium globosum gen. nov., comb. nov. (Stramenopiles,Labyrinthulomycetes) for former Thraustochytrium globosum based on morphological features and phylogenetic relationships

Thraustochytrium is the type genus of the family Thraustochytriaceae in the class Labyrinthulomycetes. This genus is characterized by zoospore formation, namely, shape of the cell wall of sporangia and presence or absence of a proliferous body. However, there are several issues associated with the taxonomy of this genus, and these include polyphyletic taxa and overlapping of taxonomic features among species. In particular, the first and second species, T. proliferum and T. globosum, were described based on observations of the morphological features of natural samples in the absence of culture conditions. Before addressing the taxonomic issues associated with this genus, it is important to consider the taxonomic features of each species, i.e., the life history under culture conditions and the phylogenetic position. The objective of the present study was to isolate T. globosum, the second described species in the genus Thraustochytrium, from the type locality. We successfully isolated strain NBRC 112723, which exhibited characteristic features of T. globosum. Under culture conditions, strain NBRC 112723 exhibited taxonomic features observed in other thraustochytrid species. Our molecular phylogeny indicated that this strain isolated from the type locality was located in an unidentified thraustochytrid group; moreover, some strains located in this group exhibited characteristic features of strain NBRC 112723. We clearly distinguished T. globosum based on the taxonomic criteria used to classify the T. proliferum type species. Therefore, we propose the establishment of a new genus, Monorhizochytrium, for the species T. globosum in the family Thraustochytriaceae.     

Growth and Organogenesis in Tissue Cultures of Allium cepa var. proliferum

Callus isolated from aerial bulbs of Allium cepa var. proliferum was grown in agar and liquid cultures on a synthetic medium containing 5 × 10^?6M 2,4-D. Root formation occurred in the absence of 2,4-D and was highly stimulated by 5 × 10^?6M NAA. Cytokinin was not necessary for growth and organ formation but slightly stimulated the formation of leafy buds. Combinations of NAA or IAA and cytokinin stimulated growth and root formation to a greater extent than anyone of these substances added alone. Pieces of callus in liquid culture developed roots in one week in root-inducing medium, but bud or embryo formation was not observed in liquid cultures.     

Human proliferative sparganosis update

Proliferative sparganosis is one of the most bizarre and mysterious parasitic diseases ever described. The causative parasite is Sparganum proliferum, which is a pseudophyllidean cestode distinct from Spirometra tapeworms. Here we overview this rare but fascinating disease with the all original case reports on human patients published in the last 115 years.Proliferative sparganosis is clearly divided into two disease types, cutaneous and internal proliferative sparganosis. Cutaneous type starts with a skin eruption caused by the dermal invasion of a sparganum. Skin lesion progresses to larger areas of the body if left untreated. Various internal organs and body wall can be eventually affected. The clinical symptoms of patients in this group are very similar to each other. Molecular data suggest that cutaneous proliferative sparganosis is caused by S. proliferum of which genetic variation is limited, regardless of the time or localities of the emergence of patients.Internal proliferative sparganosis, on the other hand, is much more heterogeneous. Some cases show aggressive infection in internal organs, while others show only restricted lesions. Some of the cases that had been cited as proliferative sparganosis in the past literature were removed from the list, because they were judged as cyclophyllidean tapeworm infections. DNA sequencing is mandatory for the definite diagnosis of proliferative sparganosis.The Venezuelan strain of S. proliferum is maintained in experimental mice in Japan, which is fully prepared for the experimental study with advanced technologies in modern molecular biology.     

Partial Reversal by Cytokinin and (2-Chloroethyl)-Trimethylammonium Chloride of Near-Ultraviolet Inhibited Growth and Morphogenesis in Callus Cultures

Callus cultures of Haplopappus gracilis, Nicotiana tabacum and Allium cepa var. proliferum were in varying degrees inhibited by blue to near-UV light obtained from fluorescent tubes. The inhibition was considerably reduced for Haplopappus cultures by 6-(3-methyl-2-buten-1-ylamino)-purine (2 iP) and (2-chloro-ethyl)-trimethylammonium chloride (CCC) in combination. Even separately these compounds stimulated growth in blue but not in white light. A high concentration of 2 iP reduced the inhibiting effects of near-UV on tobacco tissue cultures, and a synergism was observed between 2 iP and CCC in respect to shoot formation in blue light. Allium callus was not significantly affected by CCC. It was also observed that the concentration of indol-3-acetic acid (IAA) was more important for the growth of tobacco cultures in blue than in white light. It is believed that the light-inhibition of growth is partly due to a photoinactivation of IAA and that 2 iP and CCC might be active through processes controlling the levels of IAA and other growth hormones.     

Microatoll microbialites of Lake Clifton,Western Australia: Morphological analogues ofCryptozoön proliferum Hall,the first formally-named stromatolite

Summary The Linnaean nameCryptozo?n proliferum Hall was proposed in 1883 for a previously undescribed life-form preserved in spectacular exposures of Cambrian limestones in New York State, USA. It is now recognised that these are exposures of stromatolitic microbialites, laminated organosedimentary structures formed from interaction between a benthic microbial community (BMC) and the environment. Microbialites are neither fossil organisms nor trace fossils. These complex structures are the products of dissipative, self-organising systems involving a BMC, the external environment and the accreting microbialite. Functionally analogous BMCs of different species compositions may build similar structures in similar environments in quite separate periods. The type exposures ofCryptozo?n proliferum show objects composed of complex, concentric rings, up to a metre in diameter, that have grown laterally without any restriction other than that provided by neighbouring structures. They are not the relicts of domes truncated by penecontemporaneous erosion or Pleistocene glaciation, but depositional forms in which upward growth was restricted. Analogous modern structures occur on a reef platform along the north east shore of hyposaline Lake Clifton, Western Australia. These are tabular thrombolitic microbialites that vary lakeward across the reef platform from low, compound structures to discrete, concentric structures up to 50 cm high. The Lake Clifton forms are, in turn, morphological analogues of microatolls found on coral reef platforms. Coral microatolls are coral colonies with flat, dead tops and living perimeters in which upward growth is constrained by the sea surface. In shallow water they form circular rims of laterally growing coral around a dead centre. In deeper water they form coral heads that develop flat tops on reaching sea level. It is concluded that both the tabular microbialites of Lake Clifton and the type exposures ofCryptozo?n proliferum are analogous to coral microatolls in both form and origin-structures that have been able to grow laterally, but in which upward growth is restricted by subaerial exposure. Similar microatoll microbialites have been described from other modern environments, including Great Salt Lake, Utah, USA and Stocking Island, Exuma Cays, Bahamas. Ancient examples may include some of the “tufa” deposits of the Basal Purbeck Formation in Dorset, UK, as well as the coalesced domal bioherms of the Upper Cambrian Arrinthrunga Formation of the Georgina Basin, Central Australia, and the “washbowl” structures described from the B?tsfjord Formation of the Varanger Peninsula, north Norway. Progress towards a reliable interpretation of ancient microbialites depends on an understanding of modern environments in which analogous structures are forming. This study of microatolls has demonstrated that other sessile life forms may create colonial ecomorphs that, used cautiously, can serve as analogues for understanding the factors controlling the growth and form of microbialites. The surprising lack of pre-Pleistocene examples of microatolls recorded to date has simply been due to their lack of recognition in the geological record. They occur in sequences from the Proterozoic onwards, and provide powerful environmental indicators of ancient reef platforms on which biological growth was adjusted to contemporary sea level.     

Lunularia cruciata, a potential in vitro host for Glomus proliferum and G. intraradices

A study was conducted to define culture conditions for in vitro growth arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) with liverworts as hosts. Lunularia cruciata (L.) Dumortier ex. Lindberg developed in vitro monoxenic mycothalli with both Glomus proliferum Dalpé & Declerck (MUCL 41827) and Glomus intraradices Schenck & Smith (MUCL 43204). AMF inoculated plants were co-cultured in plastic Petri dishes with semi-solidified medium supplemented with sucrose and grown under filtered light. Mycothalli of L. cruciata produced external hyphae and spores in quantities equivalent to those obtained with Ri T-DNA transformed root systems.     

Effects of heavy metal (Pb) on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in vitro

The responses of Ri-TDNA-transformed roots and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi established on Ri-TDNA-transformed roots to lead-amended media was investigated in vitro. At exposure to increasing concentrations of lead (2–10 mg/l[ppm]), three Ri-TDNA-transformed root clones viz., Swa, Swb and Swc, exhibited profuse growth. At exposure to increasing concentrations of lead (0.1–5 ppm), the dual cultures of Ri-TDNA-transformed roots and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi., Glomus lamellosum/Swa, Glomus intraradices/Swb and Glomus proliferum/Swc, exhibited tolerance to 5 ppm of lead. When subjected to one physiological stress, either exposure to Pb or inoculation with AM fungi, Ri-TDNA-transformed root clones exuded more phenols in the growth medium than retained in the roots. When subjected to dual physiological stress, mycorrhizal Ri-TDNA-transformed roots growing on Pb-enriched medium, the total phenol content increased in the roots and exudation into the medium decreased.     

Phylogenetic conclusions from Giemsa banding and NOR staining in top onions (Liliaceae)

The chromosomes of different strains of the top or tree onion, ofAllium cepa andA. fistulosum, as well as of cloned progenies from reciprocal crosses between these two taxa have been studied by application of Feulgen- or aceto carmine-, Giemsa- and silver staining. It was possible to differentiate between the satellite chromosomes and 2–4 other chromosome pairs ofA. cepa andA. fistulosum. The phylogenetic origin of the top onions [A. ×proliferum (Moench)Schrad.] from hybridization ofA. cepa andA. fistulosum is substantiated, taking into consideration the variability in size and position of satellites and of active NORs.     

Cytogenetical evidences for hybrid structure and origin of diploid and triploid shallots (Allium cepa var.viviparum,Liliaceae) from Dalmatia (Croatia)

Two viviparous strains of common onion (Allium cepa) denoted asAllium cepa var.viviparum (syn.Allium ×proliferum), traditionally cultivated in the seaside regions of Croatia were found to be diploid (2n = 2x = 16) and triploid (2n = 3x = 24), respectively. The triploid cultivated onion Ljutika has not been previously reported in Europe. Using Feulgen and Giemsa C-banding methods both karyotypes were shown to be of hybrid constitution. Results obtained in this work indicate that Dalmatian viviparous onions arose from spontaneous hybridization ofA. cepa withA. fistulosum.     

A model of cell firing patterns during epileptic seizures

A simplified model is presented of the dynamics of excitatory and inhibitory neurons in the cerebral cortex. A key feature of the model is that neurons may cease to fire when strongly depolarized (spike inactivation). Computer simulations for different parameters reveal five classes of solutons: a) steady states in which neither excitatory nor inhibitory cells are active, b) steady states in which one or both types of cells fire repetitively, c) states in which one type of cell fluctuates rapidly between bursts of action potentials and inactivity due to strong depolarization, d) rhythmic activity in which both types of cells fire in unison followed by a period of spike inactivation and e) states similar to d but in which the inhibitory cells never produce action potentials. Solutions b, c, d, and e qualitatively resemble the different firing patterns observed during experimental seizures. It is shown that changes in those parameters that are functions of potassium concentration can induce changes in the type of solution. It is therefore proposed that the increase in extracellular potassium concentration during seizures may be responsible for the progressive changes observed in firing patterns and particularly for the transition from tonic to clonic patterns. A method is also outlined for testing the predictions of the model.     

Mecranium juddii (Melastomataceae: Miconieae), a new species from the Massif de la Hotte, Haiti

Mecranium juddii is described and illustrated. It is known only from 1650–1700 m elevation in the Ravine du Sud on the northern slopes of Morne Formon in Macaya National Park, Haiti.Mecranium juddii is a member of theM. multiflorum complex and is phenetically most similar toM. revolutum andM. alpestre, which differ fromM. juddii in stem indumentum or leaf size and shape.     

Growth of micropropagated bananas colonized by root-organ culture produced arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi entrapped in Ca- alginate beads

The effect of root-organ culture (ROC) produced arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), i.e. Glomus proliferum, Glomus versiforme and Glomus intraradices, entrapped in Ca-alginate beads on the first stages development of micropropagated bananas (Musa spp. cv. Grande Naine) was investigated. The experimental design consisted of banana plants inoculated with one of the three AMF and two controls, i.e. Control-AL (with empty alginate beads), and Control (no beads). Forty plants were considered per treatment and cultured under greenhouse conditions in a completely randomized design. Eight plants per treatment were harvested 40, 80, 120, 160 and 200 days after inoculation and analysed for root colonization, growth parameters and nutrient concentration. In addition, spores were enumerated in the substrate at the same intervals. Ca-alginate entrapped ROC-produced AMF spores were able (1) to colonize the root system of a micropropagated banana cultivar under nursery conditions, (2) to increase plant P nutrition and biomass, and (3) to proliferate in the commercial nursery substrate, therefore increasing the fungal inoculum biomass. The entrapment of ROC-propagated spores, adaptable to a wide range of Glomeromycetes, represents thus a forthcoming alternative pathogen-free inoculum.     

A new blue-grey Veturius (Publius) Kaup of the northwestern Sierra de Talamanca,Costa Rica (Coleoptera: Passalidae)

A new species of Veturius (Publius) Kaup, V. unanus n. sp., from a mountain cloud forest of Costa Rica, northwestern Sierra de Talamanca, Tapantí-Río Macho Massif, Province of Cartago, is described and illustrated. It is the first known Publius species with a blue-grey body color, matt elytra and shining or satiny elsewhere. The species is interpreted as sister species of V. (Publius) talamacaensis Boucher, 2006, from which it differs by a few characters. Both species are sympatric. V. unanus n. sp. is the northernmost endemic in the subgenus Publius.     

DNA Sequence-Specific Ligands: XI.* The Synthesis and Binding to DNA of bis-Netropsins with the C-Ends of Their Netropsin Fragments Tethered by Tetra- or Pentamethylene Linkers

Bis-Netropsins with the C-ends of their netropsin fragments tethered via tetra- or pentamethylene linkers and with Gly or L-Lys-Gly residues on their N-ends were synthesized. The footprinting technique was used to study the specificity of bis-netropsin binding to the specially constructed DNA fragments containing various clusters of A · T pairs. It was found that the linker length affects the binding of bis-netropsins, with the tetramethylene linker providing better protection than the pentamethylene linker. It was shown that the newly synthesized bis-netropsins bind tighter to the 5"-A ₄ T ₄-3" sequence, whereas the bis-netropsin with a linker between the netropsin N-ends binds better to 5"-T ₄ A ₄-3" sequences.     

Impact of unilateral spatial neglect on chronic patient's post-stroke quality of life

Abstract

Background: Unilateral spatial neglect (USN) is the prevalent feature in patients with right-sided stroke. It is diagnosed through the behavior inattention test (BIT) and has a negative impact on patients affecting both their functional capacity and quality of life.

Objective: Here, we aimed to evaluate the impact of USN on the quality of life of patients in the chronic phase of stroke.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional study with stroke patients with USN. After confirming the presence of stroke through neuroimaging examinations and of USN through the BIT, patients’ quality of life was evaluated by using the EUROQOL scale. Spearman’s correlation was used to validate the correlation between patients’ USN and quality of life, with a p?<?.05 representing significant results.

Results: Eighteen individuals were included. When correlating the value of each domain of the EUROQOL scale with the results of the BIT, we observed a negative correlation between mobility (r?=?–0.97; p?=?.000), self-care (r?=?–0.82; p?=?.013), usual activities (r?=?–0.87; p?=?.005); pain or discomfort (r?=?–0.88; p?=?.004), anxiety or depression (r?=?–0.97; p?=?.000), and EUROQOL total score (r?=?–0.97, p?=?.000).

Conclusion: After a correlation between the overall EUROQOL and BIT scores, we suggest that the higher the USN degree is in stroke patients, the worse their perceived quality of life tends to be.     

Agouticarpa, a new neotropical genus of Tribe Gardenieae (Rubiaceae)

Agouticarpa, a new genus of the informalAlibertia group (Rubiaceae), is described and illustrated. It comprises six species, and occurs from Costa Rica to Bolivia. Three species are here described as new:Agouticarpa grandistipula, A. hirsuta, andA. velutina. Additionally, three new combinations are made:A. curvifolia andA. williamsii (previously inGenipa) andA. isernii (previously inAlibertia). Agouticarpa is characterized by being dioecious, having elliptic to abovate, membranaceous stipules, male flowers in a branched dichasial or thyrse-like inflorescence, a poorly developed cup-shaped calyx, pollen grains with 3–7 apertures, and large globose fruits.     

Notes on the Potentilleæ

Background: Various rare and endangered temperate ferns are being threatened by their recent population decline, but there is limited understanding of the causes behind it.

Aims: This study attempted to identify the possible drivers of regional population decline and extinction in the globally distributed woodland fern Polystichum braunii.

Methods: A comparison was undertaken of the climatic, edaphic and phytosociological characteristics of sites with increasing, decreasing or recently extinct populations in Germany.

Results: A significantly higher frequency of episodes of low relative air humidity (<60%) was found at sites with decreasing or extinct populations compared to habitats with population increases. Sites with decreasing or extinct populations were also characterised as having less summer precipitation (<500 mm year^?1) and a shorter duration of snow cover (<110 days year^?1) than sites with increasing populations. The latter had significantly higher moss cover (56% of the forest floor), but less cover by a tree litter layer (23%) compared to decreasing (36% and 38%) or recently extinct populations (22% and 52%). All increasing populations were located in intact Tilia – Acer ravine forests, while those suffering population decline were mostly located in Fagus-dominated forests.

Conclusions: It was concluded that the probable causes of the recent decline in German P. braunii populations are reduced air humidity levels, decreasing snow duration or a shift from moss-covered to tree litter-covered forest floors due to climate warming or altered forest management.