V-shaped Pits in Regions of Ancient Baekje Kingdom Paleoparasitologically Confirmed as Likely Human-Waste Reservoirs

In a paleo-parasitological analysis of soil samples obtained from V-shaped pits dating to the ancient Baekje period in Korean history, we discovered Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, and Clonorchis sinensis eggs. In light of the samples'' seriously contaminated state, the V-shaped pits might have served as toilets, cesspits, or dung heaps. For a long period of time, researchers scouring archaeological sites in Korea have had difficulties locating such structures. In this context then, the present report is unique because similar kind of the ancient ruins must become an ideal resource for successful sampling in our forthcoming paleoparasitological studies.     

Plant Growth Promoting Bacteria from Cow Dung Based Biodynamic Preparations

Indigenous formulations based on cow dung fermentation are commonly used in organic farming. Three biodynamic preparations viz., Panchagavya (PG), BD500 and ‘Cow pat pit’ (CPP) showed high counts of lactobacilli (10⁹ ml⁻¹) and yeasts (10⁴ ml⁻¹). Actinomycetes were present only in CPP (10⁴ ml⁻¹) and absent in the other two. Seven bacterial isolates from these ferments were identified by a polyphasic approach: Bacillus safensis (PG1), Bacillus cereus (PG2, PG4 PG5), Bacillus subtilis (BD2) Lysinibacillus xylanilyticus (BD3) and Bacillus licheniformis (CPP1). This is the first report of L. xylanilyticus and B. licheniformis in biodynamic preparations. Only three carbon sources—dextrose, sucrose and trehalose out of 21 tested were utilized by all the bacteria. None could utilize arabinose, dulcitol, galactose, inositol, inulin, melibiose, raffinose, rhamnose and sorbitol. All the strains produced indole acetic acid (1.8–3.7 μg ml⁻¹ culture filtrate) and ammonia. None could fix nitrogen; but all except B. safensis and B. licheniformis could solubilize phosphorous from insoluble tri-calcium phosphate. All the strains except L. xylaniliticus exhibited antagonism to the plant pathogen Rhizoctonia bataticola whereas none could inhibit Sclerotium rolfsi. In green house experiment in soil microcosms, bacterial inoculation significantly promoted growth of maize; plant dry weight increased by ~21 % due to inoculation with B. cereus (PG2). Results provide a basis for understanding the beneficial effects of biodynamic preparations and industrial deployment of the strains.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s12088-014-0468-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

长白鱼鳞云杉木材纹孔塞不同位置对渗透性的影响

通过对长白鱼鳞云杉（Picea jezoensis var.komarovii(V.Vassi.)Cheng et L.K.Fu)生材分别进行气干处理和酒精置换处理以及对其气干材进行水浸后再用酒精置换处理,研究了此３种处理方法形成不同的纹孔塞位置对木材渗透性的影响。结果表明,为材和心材的生材经气干处理后,其中边材的早材和晚材纹孔闭塞率增加至９９％和８１％,而心材因为其纹孔塞在立木时就已发生偏移,其早材和晚材纹孔闭塞率亦高,分别为９７％和８６％;由于其绝大多数纹孔塞保持中央位置,其中边材的早材和晚材纹孔塞闭率低,分别为８％和１７％,而心材因为绝大部分纹孔在立木时即已为关闭状态,酒精置换处理以降低其闭塞率无效,故其纹孔闭塞率高,分别为９７％和８６％;此种状态下边材和心材的气体渗透性分别为１１．７１３和０．０７４darcy,比普通气干处理状态下的渗透性分别增加１０１．５倍和６２．０％,t检验表明,前差异非常显,但后差异不显,气干材经水浸处理后再用酒精置换处理,其边材的早材和晚材纹孔闭塞率分别降低了１８％和２２％,心材分别降低了０和１７％;其气体渗透性分别为０．４３９和０．０６０darcy,较处理前分别增 ８５％和４９％,t检验表明差异均显。     

Some properties of the walls of metaxylem vessels of maize roots,including tests of the wettability of their lumenal wall surfaces

Background and Aims

Since the proposal of the cohesion theory there has been a paradox that the lumenal surface of vessels is rich in hydrophobic lignin, while tension in the rising sap requires adhesion to a hydrophilic surface. This study sought to characterize the strength of that adhesion in maize (Zea mays), the wettability of the vessel surface, and to reconcile this with its histochemical and physical nature.

Methods

Wettability was assessed by emptying the maize root vessels of sap, perfusing them with either water or oil, and examining the adhesion (as revealed by contact angles) of the two liquids to vessel walls by cryo-scanning electron microscopy. The phobicity of the lumenal surface was also assessed histochemically with hydrophilic and hydrophobic probes.

Key Results

Pit borders in the lumen-facing vessel wall surface were wetted by both sap/water and oil. The attraction for oil was weaker: water could replace oil but not vice versa. Pit apertures repelled oil and were strongly stained by hydrophilic probes. Pit chambers were probably hydrophilic. Oil never entered the pits. When vessels were emptied and cryo-fixed immediately, pit chambers facing away from the vessels were always sap-filled. Pit chambers facing vessel lumens were either sap- or gas-filled. Sap from adjoining tracheary elements entering empty vessels accumulated on the lumenal surface in hemispherical drops, which spread out with decreasing contact angles to fill the lumen.

Conclusions

The vessel lumenal surface has a dual nature, namely a mosaic of hydrophilic and hydrophobic patches at the micrometre scale, with hydrophilic predominating. A key role is shown, for the first time, of overarching borders of pits in determining the dual nature of the surface. In gas-filled (embolized) vessels they are hydrophobic. When wetted by sap (vessels refilling or full) they are hydrophilic. A hypothesis is proposed to explain the switch between the two states.     

Effect of Different Positions of Bordered Pit Torus in Yezo Spruce on Its Permeability

The green wood of yezo species (Picea jezoensis var. komarovii (V. Vassil.) Cheng et L. K. Fu) was treated with air drying and ethanol exchange drying and by soaking the air-dried wood in water followed by ethanol change drying. The results showed that the proportion of aspirated pits in the respective earlywood and latewood of the air-dried sapwood was increased to 99% and 81%, while that of heartwood was also as high as 97% and 86% because most of the bordered pits were aspirated at its green state. The permeability of air-dried sapwood and heartwood was as low as 0.114 and 0.045 darcy respectively. The proportion of aspirated pits in the earlywood and latewood of sapwood after ethanol exchange drying was very low (8% and 17% respectively), whereas that of heartwood was very high (97% and 86% respectively) since most of the pits in it were aspirated at its green state, so the ethanol exchange drying failed to prevent pit aspiration. The permeability of sapwood and heartwood after ethanol exchange drying was 11.713 and 0.074 darcy respectivly, which was increased 101.5 times and 62.0% over the permeability at air-dried state. t-test showed that the difference of permeability of ethanol exchange drying versus air drying for sapwood was very significant at the level of 0.1%, but was not significant for heartwood. The proportion of aspirated pits in earlywood and latewood of air-dried sapwood and heartwood after soaking in water followed by ethanol exchange drying was decreased by 18% and 22%, and 0 and 17%, respectively, while the permeability of sapwood and heartwood was 0.439 and 0.060 darcy respectively, which was increased by 85% and 49% respectively. The permeability difference of soaking sapwood and heartwood versus their controls was very significant at the 0.1% level by t-test.     

Bordered pits in xylem of vesselless angiosperms and their possible misinterpretation as perforation plates

Vesselless wood represents a rare phenomenon within the angiosperms, characterizing Amborellaceae, Trochodendraceae and Winteraceae. Anatomical observations of bordered pits and their pit membranes based on light, scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM and TEM) are required to understand functional questions surrounding vesselless angiosperms and the potential occurrence of cryptic vessels. Interconduit pit membranes in 11 vesselless species showed a similar ultrastructure as mesophytic vessel‐bearing angiosperms, with a mean thickness of 245 nm (± 53, SD; n = six species). Shrunken, damaged and aspirated pit membranes, which were 52% thinner than pit membranes in fresh samples (n = four species), occurred in all dried‐and‐rehydrated samples, and in fresh latewood of Tetracentron sinense and Trochodendron aralioides. SEM demonstrated that shrunken pit membranes showed artificially enlarged, > 100 nm wide pores. Moreover, perfusion experiments with stem segments of Drimys winteri showed that 20 and 50 nm colloidal gold particles only passed through 2 cm long dried‐and‐rehydrated segments, but not through similar sized fresh ones. These results indicate that pit membrane shrinkage is irreversible and associated with a considerable increase in pore size. Moreover, our findings suggest that pit membrane damage, which may occur in planta, could explain earlier records of vessels in vesselless angiosperms.     

Peperomia leaf cell wall interface between the multiple hypodermis and crystal-containing photosynthetic layer displays unusual pit fields

Background and Aims

Leaves of succulent Peperomia obtusifolia (Piperaceae), and its related species, contain a large multilayered hypodermis (epidermis) subtended by a very small single-layered photosynthetic palisade parenchyma, the latter containing spherical aggregates of crystals called druses. Each druse is in a central vacuole surrounded by chloroplasts. All hypodermal cell walls are thin, except for thick lowermost periclinal walls associated with the upper periclinal walls of the subtending palisade cells. These thick walls display ‘quilted’ impressions (mounds) formed by many subtending palisade cells. Conspicuous depressions occur in most mounds, and each depression contains what appear to be many plasmodesmata. These depressions are opposite similar regions in adjacent thin palisade periclinal walls, and they can be considered special pit fields that represent thin translucent regions (‘windows’ or ‘skylights’). Druses in the vacuoles of palisade cells occur below these pit field regions and are surrounded by conspicuous cytoplasmic chloroplasts with massive grana oriented perpendicular to the crystals, probably providing for an efficient photosynthetic system under low-intensity light.

Methods

Leaf clearings and fractures, light microscopy and crossed polarizers, general and histochemical staining, and transmission and scanning electron microscopy were used to examine these structures.

Key Results

Druses in the vacuoles of palisade cells occur below the thin pit field regions in the wall interface, suggesting an interesting physical relationship that could provide a pathway for light waves, filtered through the multiple hypodermis. The light waves pass into the palisade cells and are collected and dispersed by the druses to surrounding chloroplasts with large grana.

Conclusions

These results imply an intriguing possible efficient photosynthetic adaptation for species growing in low-light environments, and provide an opportunity for future research on how evolution through environmental adaptation aids plants containing crystals associated with photosynthetic tissues to exist under low-light intensity and with other stresses.     

Neuronal Substrates for Infrared Contrast Enhancement and Motion Detection in Rattlesnakes

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AN EXPANDED SURVEY OF THE ULTRASTRUCTURE OF RED ALGAL PIT PLUGS1

The fine structure of pit plugs in 90 species of red algae was examined, bringing the total number of species in the continuing survey to 153. The organization of plug caps was confirmed to be a stable, predictable trait within thalli, between generations in heteromorphic life histories, and within the presently recognized orders, with one exception—the Acrochaetiales. Two forms of the outer cap were found in this group, a thin plate, as in the Nemaliales and Palmariales, and a dome, as in Batrachospermales and Corallinales. Variation of pit plug structure indicates that the Acrochaetiales are a heterogeneous assemblage and that pit plugs will be useful in reappraising their systematics. The systematic affinities of several species of uncertain affinities are clarified. Schmitziella endophloea Bornet et Batters is excluded from both orders, Corallinales and Acrochaetiales, with which it previously was allied. Although other ordinal attributions are not precluded by pit plug structure alone, pit plug structure is consistent with placement of Apophlaea sinclairii Harvey and Hildenbrandia rivularis (Liebman) J. Agardh in the Hildenbrandiales, Plagiospora gracilis Kuckuck, Schmitziella endophloea, and Wurdemannia miniata (Duby) J. Feldmann et Hamel in the Gigartinales, and Pseudorhododiscus nipponicus Masuda in the Palmariales.     

窖泥群落结构及功能微生物研究进展

窖泥是浓香型白酒的特征发酵载体,包含多种功能微生物,这些功能微生物对浓香型白酒的风格特征和品质有着重要的影响。本文对不同窖龄窖泥、不同浓香型白酒产地的窖泥及不同质量窖泥的窖泥微生物研究进展进行总结分析,并在此基础上对窖泥主体微生物的功能进行阐述。以期为窖泥微生物的研究提供思路,为浓香型白酒的质量和香味成分研究提供思考,促进窖泥微生物的研究,加深对浓香型白酒窖泥的认知。     

ABSENCE OF CAP MEMBRANES AS A CHARACTERISTIC OF PIT PLUGS OF SOME RED ALGAL ORDERS1

The current general model of the organization of a fully developed rhodophycean pit plug includes a cap membrane associated with each end of the plug. Continuity of the plasmalemma and cap membrane results in the plug core being extracellular. However, routine ultrastructural methods have not convincingly demonstrated cap membranes in the Bangiales or the Corallinales. In this study, a variety of fixation regimes that enhance membrane contrast were used in an attempt to detect cap membranes in representatives of these two orders. Although cap membranes were readily and clearly demonstrable by these methods in a representative of an order previously known to have cap membranes, they could not be detected in members of the Bangiales or Corallinales. Should the absence of cap membranes prove to be an invariant feature of these two orders, presence or absence of cap membranes will constitute a new character for phylogenetic analysis. It is proposed that the ancestral character state of red algal pit plugs was a homogeneous plug without caps and without cap membranes.     

ABSENCE OF CAP MEMBRANES AS A CHARACTERISTIC OF PIT PLUGS OF SOME RED ALGAL ORDERS1

The current general model of the organization of a fully developed rhodophycean pit plug includes a cap membrane associated with each end of the plug. Continuity of the plasmalemma and cap membrane results in the plug core being extracellular. However, routine ultrastructural methods have not convincingly demonstrated cap membranes in the Bangiales or the Corallinales. In this study, a variety of fixation regimes that enhance membrane contrast were used in an attempt to detect cap membranes in representatives of these two orders. Although cap membranes were readily and clearly demonstrable by these methods in a representative of an order previously known to have cap membranes, they could not be detected in members of the Bangiales or Corallinales. Should the absence of cap membranes prove to be an invariant feature of these two orders, presence or absence of cap membranes will constitute a new character for phylogenetic analysis. It is proposed that the ancestral character state of red algal pit plugs was a homogeneous plug without caps and without cap membranes.     

Modelling the mechanical behaviour of pit membranes in bordered pits with respect to cavitation resistance in angiosperms

Background and Aims

Various correlations have been identified between anatomical features of bordered pits in angiosperm xylem and vulnerability to cavitation, suggesting that the mechanical behaviour of the pits may play a role. Theoretical modelling of the membrane behaviour has been undertaken, but it requires input of parameters at the nanoscale level. However, to date, no experimental data have indicated clearly that pit membranes experience strain at high levels during cavitation events.

Methods

Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used in order to quantify the pit micromorphology of four tree species that show contrasting differences in vulnerability to cavitation, namely Sorbus aria, Carpinus betulus, Fagus sylvatica and Populus tremula. This allowed anatomical characters to be included in a mechanical model that was based on the Kirchhoff–Love thin plate theory. A mechanistic model was developed that included the geometric features of the pits that could be measured, with the purpose of evaluating the pit membrane strain that results from a pressure difference being applied across the membrane. This approach allowed an assessment to be made of the impact of the geometry of a pit on its mechanical behaviour, and provided an estimate of the impact on air-seeding resistance.

Key Results

The TEM observations showed evidence of residual strains on the pit membranes, thus demonstrating that this membrane may experience a large degree of strain during cavitation. The mechanical modelling revealed the interspecific variability of the strains experienced by the pit membrane, which varied according to the pit geometry and the pressure experienced. The modelling output combined with the TEM observations suggests that cavitation occurs after the pit membrane has been deflected against the pit border. Interspecific variability of the strains experienced was correlated with vulnerability to cavitation. Assuming that air-seeding occurs at a given pit membrane strain, the pressure predicted by the model to achieve this mechanical state corresponds to experimental values of cavitation sensitivity (P₅₀).

Conclusions

The results provide a functional understanding of the importance of pit geometry and pit membrane structure in air-seeding, and thus in vulnerability to cavitation.     

中国裸子植物木材具缘纹孔构造类型的研究

根据100种中国裸子植物木材(隶属4纲、8目、11科,42属)具缘纹孔构造的研究,提出8种不同具缘纹孔类型:1.苏铁型;2.南洋杉 A 型;3.南洋杉 B 型;4.落羽杉 A 型;5.落羽杉 B 型;6.松木 A 型;7.松木 B 型;8.买麻藤型。A 型是指纹孔室内瘤状层缺乏或罕见,B型则具明显的瘤状层。并对具缘纹孔在系统发育中的变化进行了讨论。     

Control of retinoic acid synthesis and FGF expression in the nasal pit is required to pattern the craniofacial skeleton

Endogenous retinoids are important for patterning many aspects of the embryo including the branchial arches and frontonasal region of the embryonic face. The nasal placodes express retinaldehyde dehydrogenase-3 (RALDH3) and thus retinoids from the placode are a potential patterning influence on the developing face. We have carried out experiments that have used Citral, a RALDH antagonist, to address the function of retinoid signaling from the nasal pit in a whole embryo model. When Citral-soaked beads were implanted into the nasal pit of stage 20 chicken embryos, the result was a specific loss of derivatives from the lateral nasal prominences. Providing exogenous retinoic acid residue development of the beak demonstrating that most Citral-induced defects were produced by the specific blocking of RA synthesis. The mechanism of Citral effects was a specific increase in programmed cell death on the lateral (lateral nasal prominence) but not the medial side (frontonasal mass) of the nasal pit. Gene expression studies were focused on the Bone Morphogenetic Protein (BMP) pathway, which has a well-established role in programmed cell death. Unexpectedly, blocking RA synthesis decreased rather than increased Msx1, Msx2, and Bmp4 expression. We also examined cell survival genes, the most relevant of which was Fgf8, which is expressed around the nasal pit and in the frontonasal mass. We found that Fgf8 was not initially expressed along the lateral side of the nasal pit at the start of our experiments, whereas it was expressed on the medial side. Citral prevented upregulation of Fgf8 along the lateral edge and this may have contributed to the specific increase in programmed cell death in the lateral nasal prominence. Consistent with this idea, exogenous FGF8 was able to prevent cell death, rescue most of the morphological defects and was able to prevent a decrease in retinoic acid receptorbeta (Rarbeta) expression caused by Citral. Together, our results demonstrate that endogenous retinoids act upstream of FGF8 and the balance of these two factors is critical for regulating programmed cell death and morphogenesis in the face. In addition, our data suggest a novel role for endogenous retinoids from the nasal pit in controlling the precise downregulation of FGF in the center of the frontonasal mass observed during normal vertebrate development.     

Foraging in the ant-lionMyrmeleon mobilis hagen 1888 (neuroptera: Myrmeleontidae): Behavioral flexibility of a sit-and-wait predator

The relative effects of foraging benefits (food intake) and costs (disturbance = pit destruction) on growth rate and foraging behavior of larvae of the ant-lionMyrmeleon mobilis were investigated. In a laboratory experiment second-instar larvae were subjected to combinations of three rates of feeding and three rates of disturbance. Pit relocations were generally rare but occurred more often in starved larvae. Disturbance rate had no significant effect on pit relocation rate. Feeding rate was a major determinant of the energy allocated in pit construction and maintenance (positive relationship). In a second experiment third-instar larvae encountered changing rates of disturbance. Pit size was reduced as a response to increased rates of disturbance. Disturbance had no detectable effect on growth. In general,M. mobilis larvae were cost-conservative, foragers.