Advances in management and utilization of invasive water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) in aquatic ecosystems – a review

The objective of this review is to provide a concise summary of literature in the Chinese language since late 1970s and focuses on recent development in global scenarios. This work will replenish the FAO summary of water hyacinth utilization from 1917 to 1979 and review ecological and socioeconomic impacts of the water hyacinth from 1980 to 2010. This review also discusses the debate on whether the growth of the water hyacinth is a problem, a challenge or an opportunity. Literature suggested that integrated technologies and good management may be an effective solution and the perception of water hyacinth could change from that of a notorious aquatic weed to a valuable resource, including its utilization as a biological agent for the application in bioremediation for removing excess nutrients from eutrophic water bodies at low cost. Key aspects on system integration and innovation may focus on low-cost and efficient equipment and the creation of value-added goods from water hyacinth biomass. In the socioeconomic and ecological domain of global development, all the successful and sustainable management inputs for the water hyacinth must generate some sort of social and economic benefit simultaneously, as well as benefiting the ecosystem. Potential challenges exist in linkages between the management of water hyacinth on the large scale to the sustainable development of agriculture based on recycling nutrients, bio-energy production or silage and feed production. Further research and development may focus on more detailed biology of water hyacinth related with its utilization, cost–benefit analysis of middle to large-scale application of the technologies and innovation of the equipment used for harvesting and dehydrating the plant.     

Nutrient dynamics in the floodplain ponds of the Paraná River (Argentina) dominated by the water hyacinth Eichhornia crassipes.

Some aspects of nutrient status and dynamics prevailing during low and high water conditions in the fringing floodplain ponds of the Paraná River dominated by the floating macrophyte Eichhornia crassipes are described. During summertime low water conditions, low DIN:DRP ratios (0.16–1.0) and low DIN (0.5–4.8 mol.liter^–1) in the root-zone of the floating meadows suggest that macrophyte growth is limited by nitrogen. DRP concentrations appear to be controlled more by abiotic sorption-dissolution than by biological reactions. Preflood nutrient fluxes from the sediments, as estimated from porewater profiles, show that a minimum of 1.19 and 0.38 mmol.m^–2.d^–1 of DIN and DRP were regenerated from the sediments, respectively. Heterotrophic N₂ fixation is primarily associated with decaying litter (0.4 to 3.2 molN₂.g^–1.d^–1). Nutrient recycling from sediments and meadow-litter, and heterotrophic N₂ fixation (1.4 mmolN.m^–2.d^–1) appear sufficient to sustain high floating macrophyte productivity for long periods of time, without invoking large inputs from the river. The high water and early isolation periods are characterized by a very dynamic behavior of DIN, reflecting marked imbalances between N supply and demand by the biota. After hydrologic isolation of the ponds, DIN rapidly decreases to undetectable levels and stays low for the following 3 weeks, presumably as a result of high demand by phytoplankton and sediment bacteria. DIN increases again to high values 3–8 weeks after the flood, following the re-establishment of NH₄ ⁺ fluxes from the sediments. Compared to DIN, DRP concentrations remain relatively high and change little during and after the flood. Because of their small amplitude and short duration, floods do not appear to stimulate floating macrophyte production in the Paraná.     

Macroinvertebrates on Eichhornia crassipes roots in two lakes of the Paraná River floodplain

Changes in the abundance, biomass and in the relativeproportions of functional feeding groups ofmacroinvertebrates were studied for 17 months duringlow and high water periods in two floodplain lakeswith indirect connections to the Paraná River.At low water, Eichhornia crassipes root clusterswere colonized by comparatively low densities ofmacroinvertebrates, especially in the lake moredistant to the river. Collector-gatherers andpredators were the most abundant functional feedinggroups, but different taxa of these groups dominatedin the two lakes during low water.At high water, macroinvertebrates densities increasedas a result of increased flow through the roots. Inthis period, collector-filterers dominated at bothlakes and constituted over 34% of themacroinvertebrates. Four independent variables(conductivity, hydrological periods, dissolved oxygenand site) explain 87% of the variability inmacroinvertebrates density expressed as the number ofindividuals per m2. No significant relationshipwere found between macroinvertebrate biomass and anyof the independent variables.     

Novel and recurrent mutations in the tyrosinase gene and the P gene in the German albino population

Albinism is a heterogeneous group of genetic disorders resulting from deficiencies in pigmentation. Clinically, it is divided into ocular (OA) and oculocutaneous albinism (OCA). OCA involves lack of pigment in the skin, hair, and eyes and results from mutations in the tyrosinase gene or in the P gene. OA mainly affects pigmentation in the visual system and may be a mild form of OCA or may be caused by other genetic defects. Clinical diagnosis of albinism type is difficult, because of the observed range of phenotypic variation. Thus, genetic analysis may be helpful with respect to a more accurate diagnosis. Here, we report the mutational profile, determined by genetic analysis of the tyrosinase and P genes, of a large German albino population. We have revealed a total of 42 distinct mutations, 19 of which are novel. Of the 74 unrelated patients screened, 32 (43%) had mutations in the tyrosinase gene, 16 (22%) had P gene mutations, and 26 (35%) patients had no detectable genetic abnormalities. This defines a population of albino patients who are tyrosinase-gene- and P-gene-negative and who thus may represent a good study group for searching for additional genes associated with albinism.     

Passive Detection of Biological Aerosols in the Atmosphere with a Fourier Transform Instrument (FTIR)—the Results of the Measurements in the Laboratory and in the Field

Fourier Transform Infrared Radiation (FTIR) spectroscopy is one of the most powerful methods for the detection of gaseous constituents, aerosols, and dust in planetary atmospheres. Infrared spectroscopy plays an important role in searching for biomarkers, organics and biological substances in the Universe. The possibility of detection and identifications with FTIR spectrometer of bio-aerosol spores (Bacillus atrophaeus var. globigii=BG) in the atmosphere is discussed in this paper. We describe the results of initial spectral measurements performed in the laboratory and in the field. The purpose of these experiments was to detect and to identify bio-aerosol spores in two conditions: 1) In a closed chamber where the thermal contrast between the background and aerosols was large, and 2) In open air where the thermal contrast between the background and aerosols was small. The extinction spectrum of BG spores was deduced by comparing our measurements with models, and other measurements known from the literature. Our theoretical and experimental studies indicate that, during passive remote sensing measurements, it is difficult-but possible to detect and to identify bio-aerosol clouds by their spectral signatures. The simple spectral analysis described in the paper can be useful for the detection of various kinds of trace aerosols-not only in the Earth's atmosphere, but also during planetary missions in the environments of other astronomical objects such as planets, comets etc. We expect that the interpretation of data from spectrometric sounding of Venus and Mars during the current missions Mars and Venus Express, and later during the Rosetta mission will benefit from our experimental work and numerical modelling.     

Acidification of lakes in Šumava (Bohemia) and in the High Tatra Mountains (Slovakia)

Acidification of lakes takes place when pH of rainwater is less than 4.5 and the catchments lie on sensitive geology. Both conditions are met for most lakes in Bohemia and Slovakia. Since 1978 we have studied mountain lakes in the Sumava and in the High Tatra Mountains. In Šumava the three lakes under study are of glacial origin. The catchments are small, with steep sides covered by spruce. The bedrocks are biotite-rich paragneiss, together with gneiss, quartzite and granite. In summer 1936 surface pH was 5.7–6.9 in the Lake Čertovo and 6.9–7.0 in the Lake Černé. Now the pH values are 4.3–4.8 in the two lakes and in the Lake Prášilské as well. Old reports on zooplankton are from the years 1871, 1892–96, 1935–37, 1947 and 1960. Since 1979 we have not found any planktonic Crustacea in the lakes Černé and Čertovo. Lake Prášilské is inhabited by Daphnia longispina and Cyclops abyssorum. In July 1989 the pH values were 4.4, 4.7 and 4.7, concentrations of labile monomeric Al were 0.83, 0.68 and 0.24 mg l^-1 in the lakes Čertovo, Černé and Prašilské, respectively. High levels of toxic Al compounds might be responsible for the extinction of planktonic Crustacea in the lakes Čertovo and Černé. All the three lakes are void of fish at present. In the High Tatra Mts. we examined more than 40 lakes above timberline in altitudes 1612–2145 m. They are all clearwater, naturally fishless lakes. The bedrock is granite. Owing to different levels of calcium the lakes are now in different stages of acidification. According to recent changes in the zooplankton they can be divided into three groups: (1) Species composition of planktonic Crustacea has not changed. (2) Planktonic Crustacea were present until 1973 but are absent now. (3) From the original species of Crustacea only Chydorus sphaericus is present. The three groups are well separated along the gradients of calcium, ANC and pH. They can be identified with the Henriksen's bicarbonate (our group 1), intermediate (our group 2) and acid (our group 3) lakes. We suppose that in the process of acidification the lakes of the group (2) have been shifted from oligotrophy to ultraoligotrophy.     

Validity of the Myotest® in measuring force and power production in the squat and bench press

The purpose of this study was to verify the concurrent validity of a bar-mounted Myotest? instrument in measuring the force and power production in the squat and bench press exercises when compared to the gold standard of a computerized linear transducer and force platform system. Fifty-four men (bench press: 39-171 kg; squat: 75-221 kg) and 43 women (bench press: 18-80 kg; squat: 30-115 kg) (age range 18-30 years) performed a 1 repetition maximum (1RM) strength test in bench press and squat exercises. Power testing consisted of the jump squat and the bench throw at 30% of each subject's 1RM. During each measurement, both the Myotest? instrument and the Celesco linear transducer of the directly interfaced BMS system (Ballistic Measurement System [BMS] Innervations Inc, Fitness Technology force plate, Skye, South Australia, Australia) were mounted to the weight bar. A strong, positive correlation (r) between the Myotest and BMS systems and a high correlation of determination (R2) was demonstrated for bench throw force (r = 0.95, p < 0.05) (R2 = 0.92); bench throw power (r = 0.96, p < 0.05) (R2 = 0.93); squat jump force (r = 0.98, p < 0.05) (R2 = 0.97); and squat jump power (r = 0.91, p < 0.05) (R2 = 0.82). In conclusion, when fixed on the bar in the vertical axis, the Myotest is a valid field instrument for measuring force and power in commonly used exercise movements.     

α1 (Pi) types and subtypes in the Tyrolean population

Since nine patients with infantile liver cirrhosis or hepatopathy associated with the Pi ZZ phenotype had been observed in recent years in the Children's Hospital of the University of Innsbruck, Tyrol, the distribution of the Pi types and the PiM subtypes was determined in the Tyrolean population. Apparently healthy blood donors (868) from different regions of Tyrol were examined. Isoelectricfocusing was used for classification of Pi types. The frequency of the allele PiZ was 0.0138, which corresponded to the range observed in other Middle European populations. The frequencies for the suballeles of PiM were PiM1 = 0.7062, PiM2 = 0.1480, and PiM3 = 0.1037. PiS had a frequency of 0.0225, the other rare alleles occurred with a combined frequency of 0.0058.     

Adriano Buzzati-Traverso and the foundation of the International Laboratory of Genetics and Biophysics in Naples (1962–1969)

Despite a long tradition of research in applied genetics, particularly in agricultural research, in Italy the transition to the new knowledges and techniques of molecular biology was long and difficult. Political and financial constraints made academic institutions very slow to grasp the importance of molecular approaches to biology and medicine. In fact, the main studies concerning problems of molecular biology took place inside non-academic institutions. We reconstruct the complex paths leading to the birth of the International Laboratory of Genetics and Biophysics (LIGB) in Naples, and describe its work and activities in the period in which it was directed by its creator, Adriano Buzzati-Traverso, between 1962 and 1969. The origins of the LIGB are inextricably bound to the growth of biophysical research at the University of Pavia and at the Higher Health Institute in Rome. For a short period, with the aid provided by Italian and European physicists to biological research on the effects of nuclear radiation, LIGB became a focal point in European molecular biology. In 1968 the scientific and educational activities of the LIGB dramatically fell victim to the contradictions of the Italian academic and scientific system, and to the political climate which emerged in Italy at the time.     

Plant and animal communities in brackish supra-littoral pools (‘dobben’) in the northern part of the Netherlands

Fifty brackish supra-littoral pools bordering the Waddenzee were studied. The structure of plant communities (Potamogeton pectinatus L., Ranunculus baudotii Godr. and Zannichellia pedunculata Rchb.) is discussed in relation to water level fluctuations, chlorinity and water transparency. Chlorinity tolerances of the macrophytes (7 species) are discussed. The macrofauna was studied semi-quantitatively. The aquatic Coleoptera had the greatest diversity (24 species). A distinct relationship between the number of Coleoptera species and the percentage of macrophyte coverage was found. The distribution patterns of the most frequent species with respect to chlorinity categories are shown in histograms. The number of aquatic Heteroptera species is also discussed in relation to chlorinity and vegetation coverage. Less important macrofaunal groups (the Crustacea, Mollusca and Odonata) occurred in low species numbers.     

(−)-Epigallocatechin-gallate (EGCG) stabilize the mitochondrial enzymes and inhibits the apoptosis in cigarette smoke-induced myocardial dysfunction in rats

The present study brings out the preventive role of (?)-epigallocatechin-gallate (EGCG) on cardiac mitochondrial metabolism and apoptosis in cigarette smoke (CS)-exposed rats. The CS-exposed rats showed significantly decreased activities of TCA cycle enzymes and mitochondrial enzymatic antioxidants, on the other hand, mitochondrial lipid peroxidation was increased and GSH level was decreased. Further, CS exposure was found to induce cardiac apoptosis through release of cytochrome c into the cytosol, cleavage of pro-caspase-3 to active caspase-3, up-regulation of pro-apoptotic (Bax) and down-regulation of antiapoptotic (Bcl-2) molecules. The CS-induced apoptosis was further confirmed by mitochondrial and nuclear ultra structural apoptotic features as evaluated by electron microscopic studies. EGCG supplementation shelters the activities of TCA cycle enzymes and antioxidant enzymes, with concomitant decrease in lipid peroxidation and increase in GSH level. EGCG administration inhibited apoptosis through the inhibition of cytochrome c release into cytosol, activation of pro-caspase-3, down regulation of Bax and significant up regulation of Bcl-2. EGCG reversed the ultra structural apoptotic alterations of mitochondria and nucleus. The present study has provided experimental evidences that the EGCG treatment enduring to cardio protection at mitochondrial level.     

Duration of marriages and remarriages in Chiomonte (Turin) in the XVII–XVIII century

This is a preliminary study of the duration of marriages and remarriages by widowed people in Chiomonte (Turin) from 1670 to 1729, a period that saw long periods of war alternating with brief intervals of peace. We analysed 748 marriage acts and evaluated the age at first marriage, the duration of marriage, the frequency of remarriage by widowed people and the number of widowed people who remarried. The data were analysed in five-year intervals. The results show that the population of Chiomonte was essentially permanent, since the end of the marriage could be established in 77,6% of cases. The mean duration of marriages increased from the end of the XVII century and around 51% of all marriages lasted more than 20 years. Historical events had different effects on the matrimonial behaviour. After the mortality crisis in 1690–91, marriages and remarriages increased in 1691–94, a typical response of populations decimated by an epidemic. However, the matrimonial behaviour in the decade 1704–14 was different, in that there was a strong increase in exogamous marriages (56.52% of all marriages). Remarriages, especially of widowed persons, also increased in that period. Although these data are preliminary and from a brief time period, they reveal particular aspects of the marriage and remarriage behaviour, thus helping to clarify the biodemographic evolution of the Chiomonte population.     

Georges Teissier (1900–1972) and the Modern Synthesis in France

This Perspectives is devoted to the ideas of the French zoologist Georges Teissier about the mechanisms of evolution and the relations between micro- and macroevolution. Working in an almost universally neo-Lamarckian context in France, Teissier was one of the very few Darwinians there at the time of the evolutionary synthesis. The general atmosphere of French zoology during the 1920s and the 1930s will first be recalled, to understand the specific conditions in which Teissier became a zoologist. After a brief overview of his joint work with Philippe L’Héritier on the experimental genetics of Drosophila, this article describes the ways Teissier, during the 1950s, conceptualized the mechanisms that could allow for macroevolutionary transitions.IT is usually acknowledged that France did not significantly participate in the elaboration of 20th century evolutionary theory, often designated The Modern Synthesis. In their classical book on the history of the synthesis, Ernst Mayr and William B. Provine devoted a whole—nonetheless small—chapter to this specific issue (Mayr and Provine 1998, pp. 309–328). Mayr clearly stated that “France is the only major scientific nation that did not contribute significantly to the evolutionary synthesis” (Mayr 1998, p. 309). In the absence of a French architect of the synthesis, Mayr and Provine asked Ernest Boesiger, a Swiss population geneticist and a former student of Georges Teissier, to tell the story of what had happened in French biology at the time of the evolutionary synthesis. Boesiger, who died in 1975, wrote a paper in 1974 that provided the firm basis of the chapter. In very strong terms, he depicted French biology as “a kind of living fossil in the rejection of modern evolutionary theories” (Boesiger 1998, p. 309). He insisted on the fact that, even in 1974, most French biologists and philosophers were still reluctant to accept Darwinism. As regards the period of the 1930s, Boesiger was able to think of only two exceptions: Georges Teissier and Philippe L’Héritier. He then referred to their joint research in population genetics, which was based on the new technique of the population cages with the species Drosophila melanogaster, and listed their contributions to this new discipline.If Teissier and L’Héritier’s works on Drosophila are nowadays more widely recognized than in 1974, due in particular to the efforts of Jean Gayon and Michel Veuille (Gayon and Veuille 2001), this recognition could have as an unintended consequence the reduction of both Teissier and L’Héritier to being simply the inventors of a useful technique, namely the population cages (see especially how Mayr presented their work in his other classical book, Mayr 1982, p. 574), or as the founders of a French school of population geneticists (Gayon and Veuille 2001). The aim of this article is to reevaluate the way Georges Teissier (1900–1972) conceived Darwinian natural selection not only as an important mechanism for evolution at the population level but more fundamentally as a general key for the unification of biology, exactly as Julian Huxley or Ernst Mayr did during the same period (1930–1970). However, starting in the early 1950s, Teissier went on to conceive a very specific understanding of the evolutionary synthesis.In this article, I will first describe the general atmosphere of evolutionary issues in French biology at the time when Teissier started working as a zoologist, to understand against what he developed his joint research program with L’Héritier and afterward his general conceptions about evolution. During the 1930s and the 1940s, only a very few scientists in France could be seen as Darwinians. In addition to Teissier and L’Héritier, one may also consider Marcel Prenant, Boris Ephrussi, and the mathematician Gustave Malécot. Building on Jean Gayon and Michel Veuille’s work, I will then give a quick overview of L’Héritier and Teissier’s most important achievements in the field of population genetics. In the third part, I will discuss the discovery made by Teissier and L’Héritier of a case of cytoplasmic inheritance in Drosophila. This unexpected finding led them into the field of non-Mendelian heredity. I will then develop in detail the way Teissier finally went on to conceive the relation between microevolution and macroevolution, in light of the general context of French biology and of the development of the field of cytoplasmic inheritance.     

Comparative study of metal uptake by Eichhornia crassipes growing in ponds from mining and nonmining areas—a field study

The study deals with metal (Cu, Mn, Pb, Cd) concentrations in sediment, water, and corresponding leaf samples of Eichhornia crassipes obtained from ponds in nonmining (P1) and mining (P2, P3, P4) regions. In spite of significant high metal concentrations in sediments from mining regions rather than from nonmining regions, the unelevated SQG-I (sediment quality guideline index) values proved low levels of toxicity. Irrespective of the wide range of metal concentration in sediments, the levels in water had been nearly consistent in all the ponds. Concentration of metals in leaves decreased with an increase in concentration in the substrate. Mn, Cu, and Cd accumulated within the range of MAC (maximum allowable concentration) for plants, whereas Pb accumulated above the limit. BAF_sl (bioaccumulation factor with respect to sediment) values for Mn (0.20–0.27) were highest, followed by Cu (0.13–0.20) and Pb (0.03–0.20), whereas BAF_wl (bioaccumulation factor with respect to water) was highest for Cu (428–3205), followed by Mn (285–1100), Pb (242–506), and Cd (7–130). This study concludes that E. crassipes plays a very important role in removing the metals from the pond ecosystem, whereas leaves of this plant can be used effectively for biomonitoring surveys. E. crassipes can be used for phytoremediation of polluted wetlands through proper management strategies.     

How and why does the areole meristem move in Echinocereus (Cactaceae)?

Background and Aims In Cactaceae, the areole is the organ that forms the leaves, spines and buds. Apparently, the genus Echinocereus develops enclosed buds that break through the epidermis of the stem adjacent to the areole; this trait most likely represents a synapomorphy of Echinocereus. The development of the areole is investigated here in order to understand the anatomical modifications that lead to internal bud development and to supplement anatomical knowledge of plants that do not behave according to classical shoot theory.Methods The external morphology of the areole was documented and the anatomy was studied using tissue clearing, scanning electron microscopy and light microscopy for 50 species that represent the recognized clades and sections of the traditional classification of the genus, including Morangaya pensilis (Echinocereus pensilis).Key Results In Echinocereus, the areole is sealed by the periderm, and the areole meristem is moved and enclosed by the differential growth of the epidermis and surrounding cortex. The enclosed areole meristem is differentiated in a vegetative or floral bud, which develops internally and breaks through the epidermis of the stem. In Morangaya pensilis, the areole is not sealed by the periderm and the areole meristem is not enclosed.Conclusions The enclosed areole meristem and internal bud development are understood to be an adaptation to protect the meristem and the bud from low temperatures. The anatomical evidence supports the hypothesis that the enclosed bud represents one synapomorphy for Echinocereus and also supports the exclusion of Morangaya from Echinocereus.     

17-β estradiol in the acetylcholinesterase activity and lipid peroxidation in the brain and blood of ovariectomized adult and middle-aged rats

AimsTo investigate the 17-β estradiol in the acetylcholinesterase activity and lipid peroxidation in the brain and blood of ovariectomized rats of different ages.Main methodsAnimals were randomly assigned into three experimental groups of each age (n = 6). Control groups consisted of adult (sham-A) and middle-aged (sham-MA) female rats, ovariectomized adult (OVX-A) and middle-aged (OVX-MA) rats without estrogen therapy reposition, and ovariectomized adult (OVX + E2-A) and middle-aged (OVX + E2-MA) rats treated with 17-β estradiol for 30 days. After this period, AChE activity and lipid peroxidation were measured in the brain and blood.Key findingsThe AChE activity increased (p < 0.05) in striatum (ST) in OVX-A, OVX + E2-A and OVX-MA, and hippocampus (HP) in OVX-MA. The enzyme activity decreased (p < 0.05) in ST of OVX + E2-MA, and cerebral cortex (CC) in OVX + E2-A, OVX-MA and OVX + E2-MA. Blood AChE activity increased (p < 0.05) in OVX + E2-A and decreased (p < 0.05) in OVX-MA. Lymphocyte AChE activity increased (p < 0.05) in OVX-A and OVX + E2-A and decreased (p < 0.05) in OVX-MA. Lipid peroxidation increased (p < 0.05) in ST of OVX-A, CC of OVX-A and OVX-MA, HP of OVX-A, and cerebellum (CE) of OVX-A, OVX-MA, and OVX + E2-MA. Lipid peroxidation decreased (p < 0.05) in ST, CC and CE of OVX + E2-A, and ST and HP of OVX + E2-MA. Similar values of lipid peroxidation to control groups were found in ST and HP of OVX-MA, HP of OVX + E2-A and CC of OVX + E2-MA.Significance17-β estradiol is able to modulate the AChE activity and non-neuronal cholinergic response as well as to reduce lipid peroxidation. Its response is dependent on the age and brain structure analyzed.