Non-spore forming eubacteria isolated at an altitude of 20,000 m in Earth’s atmosphere: extended incubation periods needed for culture-based assays

On 13 August 2004, an atmospheric sample was collected at an altitude of 20,000 m along a west to east transect over the continental United States by NASA’s Stratospheric and Cosmic Dust Program. This sample was then shipped to the US Geological Survey’s Global Desert Dust program for microbiological analyses. This sample, which was plated on a low nutrient agar to determine if cultivable microorganisms were present, produced 590 small yellow to off-white colonies after approximately 7 weeks of incubation at room-temperature. Of 50 colonies selected for identification using 16S rRNA sequencing, 41 belonged to the family Micrococcaceae, seven to the family Microbacteriaceae, one to the genus Staphylococcus, and one to the genus Brevibacterium. All of the isolates identified were non-spore-forming pigmented bacteria, and their presence in this sample illustrate that it is not unusual to recover viable microbes at extreme altitudes. Additionally, the extended period required to initiate growth demonstrates the need for lengthy incubation periods when analyzing high-altitude samples for cultivable microorganisms.     

Male-sterile mutation alters Zea m 1 (β-expansin 1) accumulation in a maize mutant

gaMS-2 is a gametophytic male-sterile mutant of maize, with sterile pollen grains developmentally blocked at the binucleate stage. To characterise differentially expressed proteins in gaMS-2 pollen, we compared protein profiles of anthers and mature pollen from heterozygous GaMS-2/gaMS-2 plants and wild type (wt) plants by two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE). A basic protein present at a greatly reduced level in GaMS-2/gaMS-2 anthers was subsequently identified by tandem mass spectrometry as Zea m 1 (a glycoprotein of 31 kDa), the major group-1 allergen of maize pollen and a member of the -expansin 1 family. Moreover, we show that Zea m 1 can be deglycosylated by peptide N-glycosidase F. After deglycosylation, four major isoforms—Zea m 1a (more acetic), Zea m 1b, Zea m1c and Zea m 1d (more basic)—can be discriminated in wt anther in 2-DE immunoblots probed with a monoclonal antibody against the group-1 pollen allergen, whereas all the isoforms, especially Zea m 1a, exist at reduced levels in GaMS-2/gaMS-2 anthers. Furthermore, the reduced Zea m 1 accumulation in the mutant appears to occur in immature pollen but not in anther sporophytic tissues. Finally, we separated sterile pollen grains (at the mononucleate stage) from fertile ones using 42% Percoll solution, and found that Zea m 1 is barely detectable in sterile pollen grains. Together, our results indicate that a reduced Zea m 1 level is associated with the sterile phenotype of gaMS-2.W. Wang and M. Scali contributed equally to this study     

Grasshopper populations across 2000 m of altitude: is there life history adaptation?

Life history differentiation along climatic gradients may have allowed a species to extend its geographic range. To explore this hypothesis, we compared eleven Omocestus viridulus (Orthoptera: Acrididae) populations along an altitudinal gradient from 410 to 2440 m in Switzerland, both in the field and laboratory. In situ temperature records indicated a striking decline in available heat sums along the gradient, and field populations at high altitudes reached egg hatching and adulthood much later in the year than at low elevation. The reproductive period at high altitude is thus severely limited by season length, especially during a cool year. However, controlled environment experiments revealed that intrinsic rates of embryonic and juvenile development increased with the populations' altitude of origin. This countergradient variation is largely genetic and conforms to predictions of life history theory. No corresponding differentiation in the overwintering egg stage, a pivotal determinant of phenology, was found. This trait seems conserved within the gomphocerine grasshopper subfamily. Although we found evidence for altitudinal adaptation in development, the potential of O. viridulus to adapt to cool alpine climates appears restricted by a phylogenetic constraint.     

Tissue banking in Bangladesh: 12 years of experience (2003–2014)

Tissue Banking and Biomaterial Research Unit (TBBRU), the only tissue bank of Bangladesh, has been established to create an available supply of human tissue allografts for transplantation in Bangladesh. Since its establishment in 2003, TBBRU strictly follows the guidelines of tissue banking setup by the International Atomic Energy Agency, the European Association of Tissue Banks and the American Association of Tissue Banks. Though started serving from earlier, regular supply of tissue allografts from this bank were documented at the end of 2006. From January 2007 to December 2014, 3747 bones and 5772 amniotic sacs were collected from live tissue donors. During this period, 59,489 cc bone allografts and 23,472 pieces of amniotic membrane allografts were processed. In the same period, 58,483 cc bone allografts and 20,786 pieces membrane were supplied to different hospitals throughout the country on the basis of demand. The outcomes of the concerted efforts of tissue banking professionals and physicians were the restoration of health and hope of 3662 patients during the last 8 years.     

Taxonomic implication of embryo micromorphology in the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Vicia</Emphasis> L. (Fabaceae)

In this work, embryos of selected Vicia species were examined to reveal the micromorphological characters that could have taxonomic significance. Experimental results show that morphological characters such as cotyledons shape and colour, radicle shape, colour and position, plumule colour and stipular parts attachments are variable and could be used for taxa identification in the genus Vicia. Numerical analysis based on 38 micromorphological characters was used to build a phenogram that indicated the relationships among the studied taxa. In addition, an identification key using embryo characters was prepared for Vicia species. The variability of embryo characters were discussed in the taxonomic context. Although the embryo characters have only limited phylogenetic signal for Vicia species, they might be used for their morphological delimitation.     

First record of Zombrus bicolor (Enderlein) (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Doryctinae) in Western Europe

The finding of Zombrus bicolor (Enderlein) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Doryctinae) in a Tuscan vineyard of the Siena province (Italy) represents the first record of this species in western Europe. A female was captured in summer 2009 with a malaise trap located in an organic vineyard. Until this finding, the species was recorded only in the Oriental regions of continental China, Taiwan, Korea and Japan and, very recently, in the eastern and southern parts of the Palaearctic region.     

Patterns of associations of clinical features in neurofibromatosis 1 (NF1)

Neurofibromatosis 1 (NF1) is a common, fully penetrant autosomal dominant disease. The clinical course is generally progressive but highly variable, and the pathogenesis is poorly understood. We studied statistical associations among 13 of the most common or important clinical features in data from four separate sets of NF1 patients: a "developmental sample" of 1,413 probands from the NNFF International Database, an independent "validation sample" of 1,384 probands from the same database, 511 affected relatives of these probands, and 441 patients from a population-based registry in northwest England. We developed logistic regressive models for each of the 13 features using the developmental sample and attempted to validate these models in the other three samples. Age and gender were included as covariates in all models. Models were successfully developed and validated for ten of the 13 features analysed. The results are consistent with grouping nine of the clinical features into three sets: (1) café-au-lait spots, intertriginous freckling and Lisch nodules; (2) cutaneous, subcutaneous and plexiform neurofibromas; (3) macrocephaly, optic glioma and other neoplasms. In addition, three-way interactions among café-au-lait spots, intertriginous freckling and subcutaneous neurofibromas indicate that the first two groups are not independent. Our studies show that some individuals with NF1 are more likely than others to develop certain clinical features of the disease. Some NF1 features appear to share pathogenic mechanisms that are not common to all features.     

Banking of cryopreserved arterial allografts in Europe: 20 years of operation in the European Homograft Bank (EHB) in Brussels

Vascular allografts have been used for many years in patients with infection complications and when the patient lacks own autologous venous material. Cryopreservation has permitted the long term storage of these allografts, offering the optimal solution for particular clinical situations. For more than 20 years the European Homograft Bank has prepared, stored in the liquid nitrogen vapour below ?130 °C and distributed various types of the quality controlled arterial allografts throughout the European centers and elsewhere. The tissues are prepared according to the existing European, Belgian, Swiss and other EU countries’ regulations and standards. This paper gives an overview of this activity since 1991. During this period 1,428 batches of arteries were received from recovery centres within European Union and Switzerland and 3,941 arterial segments were evaluated. 1,250 (32 %) were discarded for morphological findings (58 %), bacteriology (31 %) and other reasons, while 2,685 or 68 % (ascending and descending aorta, arch, aortic bifurcation, iliac and femoral arteries and the non-valved pulmonary bifurcations) were cryopreserved and stored. 2,506 arteries were implanted in 1,600 patients in vascular and cardiac centers in European Union and elsewhere. The most important indications were infections (65 %), critical limb ischemia (15 %) and congenital cardiac malformations (15 %). Some allografts were used for the repair of arterial injury (2 %) or prosthetic graft thrombosis (1.5 %). 10 aortic allografts (0.4 %) were used for tracheal replacement in case of cancer. In 52 cases EHB did not fulfill the surgeon’s requests due to shortage of arterial allografts. Collaboration with vascular surgeons in the tissue recovery might improve the number, diversity and quality of vascular allografts. A multicentric study is necessary to evaluate the long-term outcome of these allografts.     

Birth seasonality in Jujeño (north-west Argentina) altitude populations

Seasonality of births has been related to multiple factors, including environmental, biological and sociocultural ones, in populations of diverse geographic and cultural origin. However, the relationship between this variable of bioanthropologic interest and geographic altitude has not been adequately explored. The aim of this study was to analyse the monthly distribution pattern of birth rates in Juje?o (north-west Argentina) populations located at different geographic altitude levels. Data were provided by the Statistical Reports on Liveborns (n = 110,404) in the province of Jujuy, 1985-1992. Records were grouped by birthplace into the four geographic regions of the province: Ramal (350 m.a.s.l.), Valle (1200 m.a.s.l.), Quebrada (2500 m.a.s.l.) and Puna (3500 m.a.s.l.). Henry's coefficients of seasonality were estimated. A chi-square test for goodness of fit (chi2) was used to identify statistically significant seasonal variations. Edwards' test was used to detect simple harmonic cycles in birth distribution. Statistically significant seasonal patterns were found in the four geographic regions and they respond to a cyclic model of simple harmonic variation. The greatest Henry coefficients were observed in spring and summer in the higher regions (Puna and Quebrada). whereas they were seen in autumn and winter in the lowlands (Valle and Ramal). It is suggested that these patterns reflect the influence of environmental and socioeconomic altitude-related factors and inter-regional cultural diversity, rather than the influence of geographical altitude per se.     

The influence of moss on grazers in high‐altitude streams: food,refuge or both?

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The life – history of the peach silver mite,Aculus fockeui (Acari: Eriophyidae) in Egypt

The peach silver mite Aculus fockeui (Nalepa and Trouessart) successfully developed from egg to adult stage when reared on a nectarine or peach leaflet attached with soft lateral divided branch dipped in test tube at different constant temperatures and 70% r.h. The effect of temperature on the development, reproduction and population growth was investigated. Below 20°C all activity ceased and by 33°C the adult began to slow down and cease all activity. At least of 34% of the generation time was spent in the egg stage at 29°C. Adult longevity decreased with increasing temperature. Fecundity was highest at 29°C with 43.16 eggs per female. Life table parameters showed that the population of A. fockeui on nectarine leaves multiplied 30.04 times in a generation time of 18.49 days at 29°C, while the population on peach leaves increased 13.87 times in a generation time of 19.18 days under the same conditions.     

Invasion ecology of quagga mussels (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Dreissena rostriformis bugensis</Emphasis>): a review of evolutionary and phylogenetic impacts

Two invasive freshwater mussels, Dreissena rostriformis bugensis (quagga mussel) and D. polymorpha (zebra mussel), reveal differences in patterns and timing of their invasions in Europe. They belong to different clades in Dreissena phylogenetics: D. rostriformis bugensis genetically is coupled with the brackish water, lacustrine D. r. distincta and the two are believed to represent a single species. As such, the guaqqa mussel has environmental requirements that differ from the congeneric D. polymorpha. D. rostriformis bugensis invasions were confined to reservoirs of the Dnieper, Don and Dniester Rivers of the Black Sea basin. We recorded D. r. bugensis outside the Black Sea basin for the first time between 1992 and 2001, along the Volga River reservoir cascade including the Northern Caspian Sea shallows. This represents a 40-year invasion time lag since an invasion corridor through the Volgo-Don Waterway was established in 1952 (a corridor used extensively by many invertebrate species from the Black Sea region). We attribute the postponed invasion of Europe by D. r. bugensis, including peculiarities in establishment and its absence in fossil records, to its phylogenetically close relationship with D. r. distincta and its recent evolutionary origin. The relatively rapid range expansion of D. r. bugensis in eastern Europe during the past several decades was facilitated by human-mediated ecosystem transformation, notably impoundment of large eastern European rivers, that have allowed this species to utilize newly transformed ecosystems.     

Hand searching versus pitfall trapping: how to assess biodiversity of ground beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) in high altitude equatorial Andes?

The use of ground beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) as bioindicators of environmental change depends on the reliability and the effectiveness of the sampling methods. Those that have been tested in the temperate zone and in tropical forests still await experimentation in tropical high-altitude environments. For the first time, pitfall trapping and hand searching have been compared in Ecuadorian páramo above 4000 m a.s.l., in terms of practical effectiveness. The study was performed on six volcanoes and was based on the comparison of 28 sampling sessions (pitfall trapping and hand searching) performed along two different elevational belts [lower superpáramo (LSP) and upper superpáramo (USP)]. Analyses of sampling sessions showed that detected species richness is slightly higher with hand searching than with pitfall trapping, regardless of the elevation. Additionally, hand searching is more time-effective than pitfall trapping. The performance of the sampling method slightly varies when species assemblage composition is analysed in relation to elevational belts. In the LSP, hand searching and pitfall trapping should be simultaneously used to obtain exhaustive inventories of carabid biodiversity, since different species are likely to be collected by each method. In the USP, hand searching and pitfall trapping efficiency is very similar, but hand searching allows to collect a slightly larger number of species. Lastly, the sample-based rarefaction curves showed that four temporal replicates are mandatory to obtain a robust dataset and an exhaustive inventory of the true species richness and species assemblages composition. Our findings suggest a combined use of hand searching and pitfall trapping in the LSP, while both methods can be used alone for surveying carabids in the USP. Furthermore, hand searching is recommended if the aim is to obtain an inventory of species diversity, whereas pitfall trapping seems more convenient for fine grain ecological and comparative studies.     

Tyrosinase gene mutations in oculocutaneous albinism 1 (OCA1): definition of the phenotype

Oculocutaneous albinism (OCA) is a common human genetic condition resulting from mutations in at least twelve different genes. OCA1 results from mutations of the tyrosinase gene and presents with the life-long absence of melanin pigment after birth (OCA1A) or with the development of minimal-to-moderate amounts of cutaneous and ocular pigment (OCA1B). Other types of OCA have variable amounts of cutaneous and ocular pigment. We hypothesized that white hair at birth indicates OCA1 and tested this in a sample of 120 probands with OCA and white hair at birth. We found that 102 (85%) of the probands had OCA1 with one or two identifiable tyrosinase gene mutations, with 169 (83%) of the 204 OCA1 tyrosinase gene alleles having identifiable mutations and 35 (17%) having no identifiable change in the coding, splice junction, or proximal promoter regions of the gene. The inability to identify the mutation was more common with OCA1B (24/35, 69%) than with OCA1A (11/35, 31%) alleles. Seven probands with no tyrosinase gene mutations were found to have OCA2 with one or two P gene mutations, and in eleven, no mutations were detected in either gene. We conclude that (1) the presence of white hair at birth is a useful clinical tool suggesting OCA1 in a child or adult with OCA, although OCA2 may also have this presentation; (2) the molecular analysis of the tyrosinase and P genes are necessary for precise diagnosis; and (3) the presence of alleles without identifiable mutations of the tyrosinase gene, particularly in OCA1B, suggests that more complex mutation mechanisms of this gene are common in OCA.Electronic database Information: accession numbers and URLs for data presented in this article are as follows:Albinism Database, , for a list of published mutations of the tyrosinase geneOnline Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM), , for OCA1 (MIM 203100), OCA2 (MIM 203200)     

Development of EST-SSRs in scallop (Patinopecten yessoensis) from sequence database

Patinopecten yessoensis is a kind of cold water shellfish, and is an important economic species in China. In our study, we developed and evaluated simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers of P. yessoensis. Characteristics of 11 EST-SSR loci were investigated using 40 P. yessoensis individuals. The number of alleles per locus ranged from two to five. The observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.1026 to 0.9487, while the expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.1865 to 0.7433. All loci except P4 departed from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium (P < 0.05) significantly. There was no LD observed between all pairs of EST-SSRs loci. These loci and markers will be useful for population genetics and systemic evolution of scallop.     

Optimization of in vitro multiple shoot clump induction and plantlet regeneration of Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis)

An efficient protocol for Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) in vitro culture was established using shoot apices of seedlings as explants. The optimal procedure of this protocol for majority of the genotypes was that meristematic cell clumps and small calluses were firstly induced from the bases of explants on initial culture medium supplemented with 0.9 μM 2,4-d and 8.9 μM 6-BA for 20 d, then were separated and transferred to shoot clumps induction medium containing 8.9 μM 6-BA for the formation of multiple shoot clumps. The percentage of multiple shoot clumps and numbers of shoots per clump were deeply related with the combinations of different plant growth regulators, duration of initial culture, the intensity of illumination and genotypes. Histological observation of the induced explants revealed that the meristematic cell clumps were produced from repeated division of the cortical cells and original meristematic primodium cells of explants, and the multiple shoots were formed via organogenesis pathway in the meristematic cell regions of cultures on shoot clumps induction medium. In this study, plantlets were efficiently regenerated on large scale from seven cultivars of Kentucky bluegrass. Hence the meristematic cell clumps and small calluses in this protocol could be considered good targets for genetic transformation of Kentucky bluegrass.     

A review of parasites in the Tasmanian devil (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Sarcophilus harrisii</Emphasis>)

Threatened by devil facial tumour disease, the Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii), a carnivorous marsupial confined to Tasmania, Australia, is the subject of conservation management under the Save the Tasmanian Devil Program. Conservation actions such as captive breeding and translocation may impact upon parasite ecology, presenting risk of increased disease through stress and impaired immunity, and by exposing hosts to parasites to which they are immunologically naïve. Given the importance of parasites to ecosystem function, it has been argued from a biodiversity perspective that parasites should be conserved in their own right. In this review we describe current knowledge, and limitations in our knowledge, of Tasmanian devil parasites. We then discuss the potential for changes in host–parasite interactions as a result of host-population decline and conservation management, both generally and with examples from the Tasmanian devil. The review closes with a recommendation for a systematic evaluation of parasites in captive and wild devils to aid conservation of this host–parasite system in its entirety.