Compensatory growth of Phanerochaete velutina mycelial systems grazed by Folsomia candida (Collembola)

Phanerochaete velutina is a major agent of wood decomposition in temperate forests. It grows out of woody resources in search of other resources and is then vulnerable to grazing by invertebrates. The aim of this study was to determine how continuous grazing and grazing for only 2 days by different densities of collembola, Folsomia candida, affect mycelial development (radial extension, hyphal coverage and fractal dimension) of P. velutina growing across non-sterile soil. High density (80 collembola) continuous grazing resulted in different mycelial foraging patterns compared to controls and lower density (20 and 40 collembola) continuous grazing: radial extension rate was reduced from 8.4 mm day(-1) (control) to 6.9 mm day(-1) (80 collembola), hyphal coverage was reduced to 81% of controls and mass fractal dimension increased from 1.68 (control) to 1.72 (80 collembola). There was evidence of over-compensatory growth: when high density grazing ceased the new growth was considerably greater (38%) than in controls. Grazing also resulted in growth stimulation: at low density continuous grazing (20 collembola) hyphal coverage was 15.6% greater than in controls. The ecological implications of compensatory and stimulatory growth in fungal-invertebrate interactions are considered.     

Biomechanical interaction between hyphae of two Pythium species (Oomycota) and host tissues

Forces exerted by hyphae of the phytopathogen Pythium graminicola and mammalian pathogen Pythium insidiosum were compared with the mechanical resistance of their hosts' tissues. Hyphal apices of both species exerted a mean force of 2 microN, corresponding to mean pressures of 0.19 microN microm(-2) (or MPa) for P. graminicola, and 0.14 microN microm(-2) for P. insidiosum. Experiments with glass microprobes showed that the epidermis of grass roots resisted penetration until the pressure applied at the probe tip reached 1-12 microN microm(-2). Previously published data show that mammalian skin offers even greater resistance (10-47 microN microm(-2)). Clearly, tissue strength exceeds the pressures exerted by hyphae of these pathogens, verifying that secreted enzymes must play a critical role in reducing the resistance of plant and animal tissues. It is presumed that hyphae are sufficiently powerful to bore through any obstacles remaining after enzyme action.     

Physical and structural characterization of yersiniophore, a siderophore produced by clinical isolates of Yersinia enterocolitica

Clinical isolates of Yersinia enterocolitca, which belong to mouse-lethal serotypes, produce the siderophore yersiniophore. Siderophore production was shown to be iron regulated and to reach maximum production in late log phase. Yersiniophore is a fluorescent siderophore with maximum excitation at 270 nm and a major emission peak at 428 nm. Absorption maxima were seen at 210 and 250 nm with a low broad peak from 280 to 320 nm. Purification of unchelated yersiniophore for structural analysis was made difficult by low yields (1–2 mg mg^-1), and susceptibility to acid hydrolysis, oxidation and possibly polymerization. Yersinophore was therefore purified as an Al³⁺ chelate, which was found to be stable in solution for several weeks. To purify Al³⁺-yersiniophore, unchelated yersiniophore was first extracted from culture supernatants with dichloromethane, concentrated by rotary evaporation and adsorbed to a DEAE-sephacel column. Al³⁺-yersiniophore was eluted with 0.01 m AlCl₃ and further purified by HPLC. The structure was established by a combination of elemental analysis, high resolution mass spectrometry and two-dimensional NMR experiments. Yersiniophore is a phenolate-thiazole siderophore with the formula C₂₁H₂₄N₃O₄S₃Al and a molecular weight of 505.07404 when chelated to Al³⁺. The structure of yersiniophore was determined to be closely related to the structures of pyochelin, produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and anguibactin, produced by Vibrio anguillarum.     

Microbes are not bound by sociobiology: Response to Kümmerli and Ross‐Gillespie (2013)

In recent years, sociobiology has been extended to microorganisms. Viewed through this lens, the microbial world is replete with cooperative behaviors. However, little attention has been paid to alternate hypotheses, making many studies self‐confirming. Somewhat apart is a recent analysis of pyoverdin production—a paradigmatic public good and social trait—by Pseudomonas, which has revealed discord between predictions arising from sociobiology and the biology of microbes. This led the authors, Zhang and Rainey (Z&R), to question the generality of the conclusion that pyoverdin is a social trait, and to question the fit between the sociobiology framework and microbiology. This has unsettled Kümmerli and Ross‐Gillespie (K&R), who in a recent “Technical Comment” assert that arguments presented by Z&R are flawed, their experiments technically mistaken, and their understanding of social evolution theory naive. We demonstrate these claims to be without substance and show the conclusions of K&R to be based on a lack of understanding of redox chemistry and on misinterpretation of data. We also point to evidence of cherry‐picking and raise the possibility of confirmation bias. Finally, we emphasize that the sociobiology framework applied to microbes is a hypothesis that requires rigorous and careful appraisal.     

Disruption of calcineurin catalytic subunit (cnaA) in Epichloë festucae induces symbiotic defects and intrahyphal hyphae formation

Calcineurin is a conserved calcium/calmodulin‐dependent protein phosphatase, consisting of a catalytic subunit A and a regulatory subunit B, which is involved in calcium‐dependent signalling and regulation of various important cellular processes. In this study, we functionally characterized the catalytic subunit A (CnaA) of the endophytic fungus Epichloë festucae which forms a symbiotic association with the grass host Lolium perenne. We deleted the CnaA‐encoding gene cnaA in E. festucae and examined its role in hyphal growth, cell wall integrity and symbiosis. This ΔcnaA strain had a severe growth defect with loss of radial growth and hyper‐branched hyphae. Transmission electron microscopy and confocal microscopy analysis of the mutant revealed cell wall defects, aberrant septation and the formation of intrahyphal hyphae, both in culture and in planta. The mutant strain also showed a reduced infection rate in planta. The fluorescence of mutant hyphae stained with WGA‐AF488 was reduced, indicating reduced chitin accessibility. Together, these results show that E. festucae CnaA is required for fungal growth, maintaining cell wall integrity and host colonization.     

Characterization of the Tumorlike (T) Antigen Induced by Type 12 Adenovirus : II. Physical and Chemical Properties

T antigen, purified from KB cells infected with type 12 adenovirus, was characterized by chemical and physical methods. The immunologically active molecule had an ultraviolet-absorption spectrum characteristic of a protein, and was partially inactivated (i.e., approximately 85%) by trypsin (final concentration of 150 mug/ml). Centrifugation analyses indicated that the purified antigen was a single molecular species with an average sedimentation coefficient of 2.40S (measured by zonal centrifugation in sucrose gradients) and an S(20,w) of 2.58 determined by analytical centrifugation. The antigen was inactivated at temperatures above 40 C, it was stable between pH 5.7 and 8.8, and it had an isoelectric point of approximately 5.0, as determined by electrophoresis on cellulose polyacetate membranes.     

Siderophore production by using free and immobilized cells of two pseudomonads cultivated in a medium enriched with Fe and/or toxic metals (Cr, Hg, Pb)

Pseudomonads are serious candidates for siderophore production applied to toxic metal (TM) solubilization. The bioaugmentation of contaminated soils by these TM-solubilizing bacteria combined with phytoextraction is an emerging clean-up technology. Unfortunately, siderophore synthesis may be drastically reduced by soluble iron in soils and bacteria can suffer from TM toxicity. In this study, we compared siderophore production by Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Pseudomonas fluorescens by using free and immobilized cells in Ca-alginate beads incubated in a medium containing Fe and/or TM (mixture of Cr, Hg, and Pb in concentrations which represented the soluble fraction of a contaminated agricultural soil). Free cell growth was stimulated by Fe, whatever the microorganism, the inoculum size and the presence or not of TM might have been. P. aeruginosa was less sensitive to TM than P. fluorescens. By comparison with free cells, immobilization with the high inoculum size showed less sensitivity to TM most probably because of lower metal diffusion in beads. Indeed, a maximum of 99.1% of Cr, 57.4% of Hg, and 99.6% of Pb were adsorbed onto beads. The addition of iron in the culture medium reduced significantly siderophore production of free cells while it led only to a low decrease with their immobilized counterparts, in particular with P. aeruginosa. In culture medium enriched with Fe and/or TM, siderophore-specific production of immobilized cells was higher than for free cells.     

天麻种子／原球茎和营养繁殖茎被菌根真菌定殖后的细胞分化

天麻（Gastrodia elata Bl.)种子可与紫萁小菇（Mycena osmundicola Lange),兰小菇（M.orchidicola Fan et Guo)等一类小菇属真菌共生萌发形成原球茎。侵入种皮的菌丝集结在柄状细胞外周的胚柄残迹中,首先侵入胚的柄状细胞,然后自柄状细胞侵入其他原胚细胞。原胚细胞发生功能分化,形成菌丝结细胞和消化细胞,初被菌丝定殖的原胚细胞具有消化菌丝的功能,随后,部分原胚细胞逐渐被菌丝充满,充育成菌丝结细胞。菌丝由菌丝结细胞进一步侵入消化细胞后最终被消化。由原球茎分化形成的营养繁殖茎（以下简称营繁茎）进一步被蜜环菌（Armilariella mellea(Vahl.Fr.)Karst.)定植,蜜环菌与紫箕小菇的菌丝同时存在于营繁茎中,但两菌相遇时都停止蔓延,互不交错侵染。     

Cytodifferentiation of the Seeds (Protocorms) and Vegetative Propagation Corms Colonized by Mycorrhizal Fungi

The stipecell, subepidermal parenchyma cells and inner cortical parenchyma cells were differentiated from Gastrodia elata Bl. seed and protocorm cells when they were colonized by the fungal hyphae of Mycena osmundicola Lange and M. orchidicola Fan et Guo. The hyphae aggregated in the suspensor remnant surrounding stipecell, primarily penetrated the stipecell, and then colonized the embryo of seed. Stipecell is the unique invading site of the hyphae. Subepidermal parenchyma cells containing pelotons of hyphae is also a kind of passage cells of hyphae, but, when primarily colonized by hyphae, they can degenerate a little of hyphae. The hyphae colonizing inner cortical parenchyma cells were totally degenerated, and the function of inner ocrtical parenchyma cells is digestive. The vegetative propagation corms, which differentiated from protocorms, were recolonized by Armilariella mellea (Vahl:Fr.) Karst., and the hyphae of A. mellea and M. osmundicola were found in the same cell, but there is a layer of cells uncolonized by mycorrhizal fungal hyphae. This means the two fungal species can not crisscross colonize the cell of G. elata.     

新型生物降解材料聚己酸内酯的理化性能研究

对聚己酸内酯材料的理化性能测试结果显示其结构为[O-(CH_2)_5-CO-]n,为α-聚酯类聚合物。SEM分析结果为半晶体、线性聚合物。平均分子量为6万。抗压强度为25Mpa,具有力学松弛和蠕变性能。密度为1.13g/cm~3。材料软化点为60～62℃,降低温度至室温后5～15:分钟,样品固化,呈乳白色晶料,证实为热塑性聚合物。材料溶于四氢呋喃、三卤甲烷、甲苯。微溶于丙酮、乙酸。不溶于水和乙醇,可在室温下保存。是一种有广泛应用前景的组织修复材料。     

两株解磷真菌的解磷能力及其解磷机理的初步研究

从不同处理的水稻土壤中分离筛选出两株高效解磷真菌HP2、P5,研究了不同碳源条件对溶磷效果的影响,以及解磷菌株在不同的碳源培养条件下,溶磷量与培养介质pH值之间的相关性。结果表明,HP2菌株解磷能力在不同的测定时间内均高于P5菌株;不同碳源培养基的溶磷量顺序为蔗糖〉葡萄糖〉纤维素,且彼此差异显著：测定时间内,菌株的溶磷量与介质pH值之间存在极显著相关性（P〈0．01）。     

Effects of caffeine and dbcAMP on zona pellucida penetration by epididymal spermatozoa of cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis)

Spermatozoa mature during epididymal transit, acquiring the abilities to swim progressively, fertilize oocytes, and produce viable offspring. In this study, we investigate the capacity of spermatozoa retrieved from the midcorpus and distal cauda regions of the epididymis of the cynomolgus monkey to penetrate homologous zone pellucida. Successful in vitro fertilization by ejaculated macaque sperm is dependent upon the addition of caffeine and dbcAMP. Therefore, the effect of these cyclic nucleotide mediators was also examined in this study. Results of sperm motion analysis indicate no difference in baseline values (without stimulators) for any motion parameter. With the addition of caffeine and dbcAMP, curvilinear velocity significantly increased only for the distal cauda sperm (P = 0.05). Amplitude of the lateral head displacement was significantly increased for distal cauda sperm (P < 0.01); although elevated above baseline, the increase observed after activation by corpus sperm was significantly lower than that achieved by cauda sperm (P < 0.05). The addition of caffeine and dbcAMP was an absolute requirement for zona penetration by both midcorpus and distal cauda sperm. With activation, zona penetration was significantly decreased for corpus sperm compared to cauda sperm (P < 0.001). These results suggest that cynomolgus monkey sperm reaching the midcorpus region of the epididymis have not completed all of the maturational changes requisite for successful fertilization; this immaturity is evidenced by decreased sperm motion and by impedance at the level of zona penetration. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Limnological Observations on Rihand Reservoir (Uttar Pradesh) with Reference to the Physical and Chemical Parameters of its Water

Observations in respect of Rihand Reservoir based on monsoon inflow, reservoir level, evaporation loss, air and water temperature, rainfall and wind velocity have been discussed in relation to the physical and chemical parameters of the water body. A weak thermocline has been observed, and the water showed a biogenic chemical stratification during the warmer months. Rihand is a monomictic tropical lake with a moderate nutrient supply, but is not very productive from the limnological point of view. The nutrient content of this lake declined from 1972 to 1974, but improved in 1975 and 1976 with the increase in rain and inflow of water. The productivity of the reservoir depends greatly on the nutrient level of the inflowing water from the catchment area, so that the monsoon inflow largely influences the water quality of the reservoir.     

Some Physical and Chemical Properties of Water from an Undisturbed Tropical Catchment Area (Guma Dam,Sierra Leone)

The water had a very low content of total suspended solids (<1 mg l⁻¹), but its transparency was high (5–8 Hazen units). The concentration of Mg⁺⁺ and Ca⁺⁺ were below 1 mg l⁻¹, but that of SiO₂ was 5.3 mg l⁻¹. Free CO₂ was abundant (15.3 mg l⁻¹) and the pH was low (<6.5). These conditions were accompanied by low concentrations of PO₄-P, total iron and NO₃-N. The DO content of the water was always below 80 %, but the chloride concentration (8.4 mg l⁻¹) seems relatively high for this type of freshwaters. It is, however, much lower than that known for arid areas. It is concluded that the geology and vegetation dominate the chemistry of the water from the Guma Dam catchment area. The influence of man is acknowledged only in as far as he has protected the catchment area.     

Dramatic Variability of the Carbonate System at a Temperate Coastal Ocean Site (Beaufort,North Carolina,USA) Is Regulated by Physical and Biogeochemical Processes on Multiple Timescales

Increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂) from anthropogenic sources is acidifying marine environments resulting in potentially dramatic consequences for the physical, chemical and biological functioning of these ecosystems. If current trends continue, mean ocean pH is expected to decrease by ~0.2 units over the next ~50 years. Yet, there is also substantial temporal variability in pH and other carbon system parameters in the ocean resulting in regions that already experience change that exceeds long-term projected trends in pH. This points to short-term dynamics as an important layer of complexity on top of long-term trends. Thus, in order to predict future climate change impacts, there is a critical need to characterize the natural range and dynamics of the marine carbonate system and the mechanisms responsible for observed variability. Here, we present pH and dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) at time intervals spanning 1 hour to >1 year from a dynamic, coastal, temperate marine system (Beaufort Inlet, Beaufort NC USA) to characterize the carbonate system at multiple time scales. Daily and seasonal variation of the carbonate system is largely driven by temperature, alkalinity and the balance between primary production and respiration, but high frequency change (hours to days) is further influenced by water mass movement (e.g. tides) and stochastic events (e.g. storms). Both annual (~0.3 units) and diurnal (~0.1 units) variability in coastal ocean acidity are similar in magnitude to 50 year projections of ocean acidity associated with increasing atmospheric CO₂. The environmental variables driving these changes highlight the importance of characterizing the complete carbonate system rather than just pH. Short-term dynamics of ocean carbon parameters may already exert significant pressure on some coastal marine ecosystems with implications for ecology, biogeochemistry and evolution and this shorter term variability layers additive effects and complexity, including extreme values, on top of long-term trends in ocean acidification.     

Rates of cuticular penetration of 1-naphthylacetic acid (NAA) as affected by adjuvants, temperature, humidity and water quality

When NAA is used for fruit thinning, results can be unpredictable. Problemswith foliar penetration of NAA can contribute to this variability. Usingisolated pear leaf cuticles we have investigated effects of humidity,temperature, hard water and selected adjvants on rates of cuticularpenetration of NAA. If NAA was dissolved in deionised water about 40% ofthe applied dose penetrated in 8 h, while water having a pH > 7 practicallyeliminated cuticular penetration of NAA, even at high humidity (100%) andmoderate temperatures (20°C). Rates of penetration were much lowerat 10°C and 55% humidity. Adding urea, ammonium sulphate or Tween20 increased rates of penetration but not to a great extent. Highest rates ofpenetration were obtained when solutions were buffered at pH 4 with DL-lactic acid and the accelerator adjuvant Genapol C-100 was added. Withthis combination, about 70% of the applied NAA dose penetrated within 8 hat 20°C and 40% at 10°C, respectively, even at low humidity(55 to 60%) and when hard water was used as carrier. It is argued thatpoor performance of NAA as chemical thinner must be expected when hardwater is used for spraying and when the pH of the spray liquid is notadjusted to values around 4, such that a significant proportion of the NAAis non-ionised. Only non-ionised NAA can penetrate cuticles. Rates of foliarpenetration of NAA can be greatly increased, especially at low temperatures,by adding 0.2 to 2.0 g l^–1 Genapol C-100. Since NAA is destroyed byUV light, spraying should be done in the evening. High humidity during thenight is favourable for foliar penetration, but low temperatures aredetrimental and addition of an accelerator adjuvant (i.e. Genapol C-100) isnecessary. If NAA must be sprayed during cold weather (5–10°C),higher NAA concentrations may be used because rates of penetrationduring the night are proportional to dose and excess NAA left on the foliagewill be destroyed by UV light after sunrise.     

Enzymatic activity and degradation of different kinds of organic wastes by Saccobolus saccoboloides (Fungi,Ascomycotina)

The ability to degrade organic solid wastes by the fungus Saccobolus saccoboloides was studied. The organism, unusual in such studies, was cultivated in synthetic liquid media with agitation, and on day 8 of growth the mycelium was passed to flasks with trimming. On day 16 of growth, the trimming degradation was assesed by carboxymethylcellulase, xylanase, and amylase activities evaluation, and NaOH 1% hydrolysis. Later on, the type of waste was modified (trimming, filter paper, newspaper, cardboard, sawdust and wood shaving were used) as well as the mass (300-1800 mg/flask). In these cases the enzymatic activities increased between 300 and 600 mg/flask. The total separation of the cellular components in all types of paper and cardboard was observed, together with a high loss of weight. S. saccoboloides was not able to degrade the wood wastes     

The rhinoceros among Serpents: Comparative anatomy and experimental biophysics of Calabar burrowing python (Calabaria reinhardtii) skin

The Calabar burrowing python (Calabaria reinhardtii) has a unique combination of marked thickness of the integumentary layers, a highly organized lamellate arrangement of the dermal collagen bundles, and a reduction in the size of the interscale hinge region of the integument. Biomechanical testing demonstrates that the skin of C. reinhardtii is more resistant to penetration than the skin of other snakes. The laminar arrangement of the collagen bundles provides for penetrative resistance, even while maintaining the flexibility characteristic of snake skin. Considering the life history of this species, it is hypothesized that the specialized integument of C. reinhardtii is a passive defensive mechanism against penetrative bites from maternal rodents and predators.     

Human sperm injection into the perivitelline space (SI-PVS) of hamster oocytes: Effect of sperm pretreatment by calcium-ionophore A23187 and freezing-thawing on the penetration rate and polyspermy

Calcium-ionophore A23187 and freezing-thawing were used as sperm treatments before human sperm injection into the perivitelline space (SI-PVS) of hamster oocytes. The penetration rate (PR) was higher when SI-PVS was performed with calcium-ionophore-treated (28%) or frozen-thawed (51%) sperm than with untreated sperm (8%). Optimal PR occurred when five calcium-ionophore-treated (57%) or frozen-thawed (71%) sperm were injected under the zona pellucida. When the sperm:egg ratio was 1:1, PR was higher for calcium-ionophore-treated (18.5%) or frozen-thawed (27.8%) sperm than for untreated sperm (0.0%). Calcium-ionophore sperm treatment had no effect on the polyspermic oocyte rate (POR) or the mean number of swollen sperm nuclei per penetrated oocyte (Pd) or per injected sperm (SR). This may result from premature oocyte activation induced by Ca-ionophore. However, POR was higher with frozen-thawed (74%) than with untreated (50%) or Ca-ionophore-treated (50%) sperm. Whatever the sperm treatment, there was a trend toward a lower SR as the number of injected sperm increased. Cytoplasmic regulation of polyspermy in the hamster oocyte is discussed.