Respiratory Physiology of a Facultative Anaerobe, Romanomermis culicivorax

The respiratory physiology of postparasitic larval and adult Romanornermis culicivorax was studied by manometric and polarographic methods. Endogenous respiration rates were relatively low and unaffected by postemergent development. The respiratory quotient (RQ) of larvae and young adults was 0.4 but increased to 0.7 about 3 wk after emergence. Exogenous glucose (0.02 mM) had no effect on QO₂ or RQ. Respiration of adults and larvae was completely inhibited by KCN (l mM) but not by NaN₃ (l mM) or 2,4-DNP (0.1 mM). The nematodes survived exposure to cyanide (l mM) for 18 h. Carbon dioxide (10%) inhibited respiration. The postparasitic stages of the nematode were mixed respiratory regulators-conformers. Exposure to anaerohic conditions resulted in an increased postanaerobic oxygen consumption which persisted for 3.5 h. The experiments confirmed that the postemergent stages of the nematode are facultative anaerobes.     

Effects of Host Size and Parasite Burden on Sex Ratio in the Mosquito Parasite Octomyomermis muspratti

The ratio of Octomyomermis muspratti to the host mosquito at the time of exposure had little effect on the ratio of male to female parasites that resulted. However, the ratio of males to females increased as the number of parasites/host increased. Hosts with a single nematode produced fewer than 1% males in comparison with hosts with 8 parasites which produced about 40% males; hosts with 10 or more nematodes generally produced more male than female nematodes. Males of O. muspratti usually emerged before females because of the earlier death of multiply-infected mosquitoes. The size of the host at the time of invasion bad no significant influence on nematode sex ratios. Since mating is apparently necessary for reproduction in O. muspratti, the low male to female ratios that occur will be important in developing successful mass production techniques.     

Parasitism of Kenyan Mosquito Larvae (Diptera: Culicidae) by Romanomermis culicivorax (Nematoda: Mermithidae)

The ability of Romanomermis culicivorax to infect, develop, and emerge from Kenyan mosquito hosts was evaluated in the laboratory. Host species tested were Aedes aegypti, Ae. dentatus, Ae. hirsutus, Anopheles arabiensis, An. coustani, An. funestus, An. gambiae, An. pharoensis, Culex duttoni, Cu. ethiopicus, Cu. poicilipes, Cu. quinquefasciatus, Cu. tigripes, Cu. univittatus, Coquillettidia metallica, Mansonia africana, Ma. uniformis, Mimomyia splendens, Mi. uniformis, Toxorhyncites brevipalpis, and Uranotaenia balfouri. R. culicivorax penetrated all the host species tested and developed and emerged from most of the hosts. Both penetration and some development, but not nematode emergence, were observed from all instars of Ma. uniformis. T. brevipalpis exhibited signs of resistance in the form of melanization of R. culicivorax within 48 hours of infection in all four instar stages. Nematode melanization, especially in older hosts, was observed in Ae. dentatus, Ae. hirsutus, Cu. duttoni, Cu. tigripes, and Mi. splendens. When melanization occurred, the melanized carcass of the nematode was passed on from instar to instar. The implications for field release of R. culicivorax in Kenya are still good, especially in habitats where different mosquito species occupy the same niche at different times, which would allow for nematode recycling.     

Aging-related changes in the sensitivity of the system of respiratory control and the intensity of free-radical processes in humans

Results of a comparative study of the sensitivity of the system of respiratory control to increases in the CO₂ concentration and the intensity of free-radical processes in young and elderly subjects are described. It is shown that normal (natural) aging is accompanied by a decrease in the sensitivity of the respiratory system to hypercapnic stimulation and a parallel significant decrease in the activity of catalase in the blood of examined subjects. Mechanisms responsible for the modifications of the sensitivity of the system of respiratory control to hypercapnia are discussed; these shifts can be at least partly related to changes in the intensity of production of free radicals observed in elderly subjects. Neirofiziologiya/Neurophysiology, Vol. 40, No. 1, pp. 53–57, January–February, 2008.     

Seasonal variation and diurnal fluctuations in ephemeral desert pools

The physical variables which directly affect organisms inhabiting desert ephemeral pools were examined in four pools in southeastern Utah. During the day, pools were hyperoxic (240 torr) and hypocapnic (0.07 torr) while pH and temperature increased (7.5–9.0 & 17–35 °C respectively). Conversely, predawn pool measurements were hypoxic (40 torr) and hypercapnic (3 torr). While TA increased throughout the season (from 0.4 to 1.43 meq l^–1), due largely to increased bicarbonate concentration (from 0.5 to 1.4 mmol l^–1), water osmolarity remained relatively constant. These desert ephemeral systems represent unique environmental habitats where organisms experience both diurnal and seasonal changes in numerous physical variables over short time frames.     

Plants and altitude--revisited

The importance of modelling and the integration of all environmentalfactors as they change with time is emphasized in relation tothe evaluation of plant response to altitude.     

Effects of Carbon dioxide on the Rheological behavior and oxygen transfer in submerged penicillin fermentations

Fermentations of Penicillium chrysogenum have been made with different CO(2) contents in the influent gas streams. The rheological behavior of the culture broth was found to be significantly changed by exposure to high levels of CO(2). This is attributed to the wide variation in the morphology of P. chrysogenum, from normal mycelia with long hyphae to roughly spherical pellets when subjected to high levels of CO(2). A correlation has been developed relating volumetric O(2) transfer coefficients, k(L)a, with the effective O(2) diffusion coefficients, D(e), and the apparent viscosities, mu(app), based on the results obtained in this study. The use of CO(2) as a potent means for altering the rheological properties of culture broths and consequently improving the O(2) transfer capabilities in penicillin fermentations was clearly demonstrated.     

始红蝽呼吸代谢的季节变化及对温度的适应性

为阐明始红蝽呼吸代谢的季节变化规律,探讨其对温度适应的呼吸代谢策略,运用多通道昆虫呼吸仪逐月测定始红蝽自然种群的O_2吸收率、CO_2释放率、代谢率和呼吸商。基于预实验获得始红蝽完成一次完整的呼吸代谢活动的时间为90 s,故每90 s记录1次数据。结果表明,始红蝽的呼吸代谢存在明显的季节变化。冬季种群(12—2月)呼吸代谢水平最弱,O_2吸收率、CO_2释放率和代谢率的平均值依次为(3.16±1.02)×10~(-5)mL/min、(2.09±0.78)×10~(-5)m L/min、(0.11±0.08)×10-3mLg~(-1)min~(-1);春季种群(3—5月)呼吸代谢水平迅速增加,夏季种群(6—8月)呼吸代谢水平最高,O_2吸收率、CO_2释放率和代谢率的平均值分别为(33.68±2.68)×10~(-5)mL/min、(36.00±3.07)×10~(-5)m L/min、(18.16±0.83)×10-3m Lg~(-1)min~(-1);秋季种群的呼吸代谢水平开始减弱并持续到冬季。始红蝽O_2吸收率、CO_2释放率和代谢率的值与栖息地的地表温度成正相关(r_1=0.914,r_2=0.909,r_3=0.836);春、夏、秋3个季节始红蝽以糖类物质作为呼吸代谢消耗的底物,冬季则消耗脂类物质。研究得出,随季节温度变化,始红蝽不仅能够调节呼吸代谢水平的强弱以提高自身对温度的适应能力,还可通过调整呼吸代谢消耗的底物类型以最大程度降低消耗,这对维持始红蝽种群数量和扩大其地理分布具有重要的生态学意义。     

Chemical modelling applications to experimental recirculating streams

Chemical models describing the precipitation of calcium carbonate, coprecipitation of inorganic phosphate, carbon dioxide and oxygen transfer through the air-water interface have been applied to results from a recirculating experimental stream. The transfer velocities for carbon dioxide and oxygen transfer for the experimental stream were determined as 1.00 × 10^–4 m s^–1 and 0.0058 m min^–1 (at 20°C) respectively. During a 24-hour long experiment the stream, containing a varied biota dominated by the macro-algae Zygnema, was monitored to evaluate changes in the water chemistry. The calcite precipitation rate varied during the experiment reflecting changes in temperature, supersaturation of the water and local variation in the solution chemistry at the growth sites. The rate constant was evaluated from a chemical mechanistic model as 516.7 ± 27.2 mol h^–1 at 10 °C. The coprecipitation of inorganic phosphate, which accompanied calcite growth, accounted for < 6% of the total phosphorus loss. The constant uptake of phosphorus by plants and algae was estimated as 0.22 mol h^–1 g^–1 dry weight). The rates of production of oxygen and consumption of inorganic carbon in the experimental stream, after taking account of gas transfer and calcite precipitation, were also computed and found to be in good agreement during the experiment. The maximum rate of production of oxygen was 3.5 × 10^–4 mol h^–1 g^–1 (dry weight).     

Concentrations of CO2 and O2 in floodwater and in internodal lacunae of floating rice growing at 1–2 metre water depths

Abstract. Environment and plant measurements were made to determine what factors may limit growth of deepwater and floating rice plants during partial or complete submergence. Field surveys included measurements of temperature, pH, light, O₂ and CO₂ in floodwater in Thailand. In addition, measurements were made of O₂ and CO₂ concentrations inside internodal lacunae of deepwater and floating rice growing at 0.5–2.0 m water depths. The bulk of measurements were taken during periods when the changes in water level were less than 50 mm d^?1. In the 0–0.02 m surface layer of floodwater at any location there were large changes in oxygen concentrations over diurnal cycles: there were decreases during the night down to 0.02–0.18 mol m^?3 O₂ at 0600 h and increases during the day to 0.13–0.28 mol m^?3 O₂ at 1500 h (0.28 mol m^?3 being 120% of the O₂ concentration of air saturated water at 30°C). During the day oxygen concentrations decreased with increasing water depth; concentrations just above the soil surface were occasionally zero. Most of this gradient disappeared during the night, and at dawn the 0.6 m surface layer of water had uniform low O₂ concentrations. O₂ concentrations were also measured during flash floods in Thailand. In contrast to the conditions with only small increases in water level, the O₂ concentrations in the water during flash floods were more uniform with depth and changed little over a diurnal cycle, the O₂ ranging between 0.14–0.19 mol m^?3. In most locations floodwater contained 0.2–1.9 mol m^?3 CO₂ and 0.7–1.6 mol m^?3 bicarbonate; however, in a location with acid sulphate soil CO₂ was only 0.05–0.2 mol m^?3, and bicarbonate concentrations were several fold lower. Concentrations of CO₂ in floodwater increased with increasing water depth. O₂ and CO₂ concentrations inside internodal lacunae of rice were determined in the field when water depth were 1–2 m. Concentrations of O₂ in internodes at the water surface were 16–20%, and decreased to 10% and 5% at 0.8 and 1.8 m water depth respectively. There was no diurnal cycle in O₂ concentrations inside internodes. In contrast, CO₂ concentrations in the lacunae increased with water depth and ranged from 1–3% in internodes at the water surface to 5–10% in internodes at 1.8 m water depth. There was evidence for a diurnal cycle in CO₂ concentrations in the basal internode near the soil surface, CO₂ increased during the day and decreased during the night. The above data are used to show that there is little or no relationship between gas concentrations in floodwater and internodal lacunae of rice plants. Results are discussed in relation to O₂ supply to submerged portions of rice and metabolism of these tissues at low O₂ concentrations.     

中心静脉-动脉二氧化碳分压差与动脉-中心静脉氧含量差的比值(Pcv-aCO2/Ca-cvO2)变化率对急诊重症监护室脓毒症患者预后的评估价值

目的:探讨中心静脉动脉二氧化碳分压差/氧含量差(Pcv-aCO_2/Ca-cvO_2)变化率在急诊重症监护室(EICU)高乳酸脓毒血症患者病情及预后评估中的临床应用价值。方法:选择2017年1月到2018年9月入住急诊重症监护室的48例高乳酸(乳酸大于4 mmol/h)脓毒血症患者,均按2016年脓毒症指南进行液体复苏治疗。采集复苏前(T0h)和开始复苏后6h(T6h)、24h(T24h)的动脉血、上腔静脉血气分析以及动脉血乳酸浓度。计算并记录各时间点的乳酸,乳酸清除率,中心静脉动脉二氧化碳分压差(Pcv-aCO_2)值,中心静脉动脉二氧化碳分压差/氧含量(Pcv-aCO_2/Ca-cvO_2)值及其变化率。根据治疗24h改良SOFA评分是否改善将患者分为两组,即改良SOFA改善组和未改善组,观察和比较两组间基本临床资料及化验参数,并分析各时间点各参数之间的相关性,以及这些参数能否有效预测高乳酸脓毒血症患者病情危重程度和预后。结果:45例患者纳入最终分析,3例因为24h内死亡或者自动出院脱落。其中,17例24hSOFA改善,28例未改善;20例死亡,25例存活。两组患者复苏前各项一般临床资料指标比较差异均无统计学意义(P0.01)。24hSOFA改善组与未改善组患者Pcv-aCO_2/Ca-cvO_2(T24h)、Pcv-aCO_2/Ca-cvO_2变化率(0-24h)存在组间差异(P0.01)。45例患者的乳酸清除率(0-24h)与Pcv-aCO_2/Ca-cvO_2变化率(0-24h)呈显著相关性(r=0.906,P=0.034)。ROC分析显示Pcv-aCO_2/Ca-vO_2变化率(0-24h)能有效预测24hSOFA评分改善,同其他指标相比,曲线下面积最大(AUROC=0.851),最佳界值是0.307(30.7%),敏感度是76.5%,特异度是92.9%;Pcv-aCO_2/Ca-vO_2变化率(0-24h)也能有效预测脓毒症患者院内死亡,AUROC=0.696,AUROC较24h乳酸值小,但不存在统计学差异,最佳界值是0.181(18.1%),敏感度是65%,特异度是68%。结论:液体复苏前到开始复苏后24h的Pcv-aCO_2/Ca-cvO_2变化率可以有效预测高乳酸脓毒症患者的器官功能改善情况,也能有效预测脓毒症患者院内死亡的发生。     

Effects of sealed and vented gaseous microenvironments on the maturation of somatic embryos of black spruce with a special emphasis on ethylene

Maturation of black spruce somatic embryos in sealed and vented microenvironments was investigated. The sealed microenvironment induced a larger number of well-formed mature embryos and less precocious germination than the vented microenvironment. Maturation rate of somatic embryos was not changed either by injection of ethylene into the culture vessel or by its removal by potassium permanganate traps. Increased as well as decreased ethylene concentrations, by the addition of either 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (precursor of ethylene) or cobalt chloride (inhibitor of ethylene biosynthesis), resulted in a decreased number of embryos produced. However, inhibition of ethylene action by the addition of silver nitrate to the maturation medium did not affect either ethylene concentration or somatic embryo production. It was concluded that ethylene accumulation during maturation has no effect on somatic embryo production. Neither the microenvironment nor the modification of the ethylene metabolism affected conversion rate of somatic embryos into plantlets growing in soil. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

呼吸末二氧化碳监测在临床中的应用

呼吸末二氧化碳监测是评估患者通气状态的重要指标,也是确保病人安全的重要参数之一。呼吸末二氧化碳分压与动脉血二氧化碳分压之间存在良好的相关关系,可以通过持续监测其动态观察动脉血二氧化碳分压,近年来呼吸末二氧化碳监测已经成为了临床工作中一项常规监测技术手段。在临床的实际工作中呼吸末二氧化碳监测不仅能够确定气管插管的位置,评估心肺复苏的预后,而且能够监测患者的通气功能状态,更好地指导工作中呼吸模式和呼吸机的参数的调整,为撤机提供准确的时机,并能及时发现机械故障和减少不必要的操作。本文重点对呼吸末二氧化碳监测的原理以及其在临床中的应用展开综述。     

Meiobenthic distribution and nematode community structure in five European estuaries

Meiofauna from the intertidal zone of five European estuaries (Ems, Westerschelde, Somme, Gironde, Tagus) was investigated. Samples represented a cross section of various benthic habitats from near-freshwater to marine, from pure silts to fine-sandy bottoms. The meiobenthic community comprised everywhere a fauna strongly dominated by nematodes, with meiobenthic density increasing with increasing salinity. The Ems differed from the other estuaries due to the presence of a well developed community of Copepods, Gastrotrichs, large Ciliates and/or soft-shelled Foraminiferans in some sites. The Westerschelde stood out due to the near-absence of harpacticoid copepods and, as in the Tagus, the lower meiobenthic densities in the marine part of the estuary. For nematode community analysis, we also included data from the Tamar which were obtained from the literature (Warwick &; Gee, 1984). This resulted in the enumeration of 220 species, belonging to 102 genera, each with a characteristic distribution along the salinity, sedimentary and latitudinal gradients. Using the multivariate technique CANOCO, a zonation along these different physicochemical determinants was observed as well although salinity and sediment characteristic (scale of hundreds of meters to kilometers) proved to be more important in explaining community structure than latitudinal differences (scale of hundreds of kilometers). Nematode diversity was nearly entirely determined on the genus level and was positively related to salinity. Deviations from this general trend in the Gironde and the Tamar were attributed to sedimentary characteristics or to low macrobenthic predation. The presence of a typical opportunistic colonizing nematode species Pareurodiplogaster pararmatus in the low-salinity region of the Gironde could indicate (organic?) pollution or disturbance of the intertidal mud-flats.     

Potential effects of three antibiotics on community respiration and production measurements

The effects of three commonly available antibiotics (tetracycline hydrochloride, streptomycin and neomycin sulfate) on the micro-Winkler and D.O. probe oxygen techniques and on the pH method of CO₂ determination were investigated in the laboratory to assess potential effects on community metabolism measurements.All three antibiotics significantly altered O₂ and CO₂ concentrations through time. The results demonstrate that the use of the three antibiotics as bacterial respiratory inhibitors in community metabolism studies could cause significant overestimations of community respiration when measured as CO₂, and significant underestimation of primary productivity and overestimation of respiration when measured as O₂.     

Atmospheric stability in cell culture vessels

Summary We have investigated the atmospheric stability in polystyrene and glass cell culture vessels by measuring the dissolved O₂ and CO₂ in the media of both seeded and unseeded culture vessels incubated at 37°C. There was no diffusion of either O₂ or CO₂ through glass vessels. At low partial pressures of oxygen (P_{O 2}), oxygen diffused into the polystyrene flasks at a rate of 1 to 2 mm Hg per 24 hr, and at high P_{O 2}, oxygen diffused slowly out of polystyrene flasks. CO₂ diffused out of polystyrene flasks with a half-time of 260 hr resulting in a considerable elevation in pH. In seeded polystyrene flasks with the P_{O 2} ⩽ room air, cellular oxygen consumption was masked by the inward diffusion of oxygen. In addition, the fall in pH due to metabolic CO₂ and organic acid production during cell growth in polystyrene flasks was buffered by the diffusion of CO₂ out of the vessels. Presented, in part, by Dr. Arthur Balin in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Ph.D. This work was supported by USPHS grants AG-00378 from the National Institute of Aging and CA-14345 from the National Cancer Institute and NR 202-005 from the Office of Naval Research. A.K.B. is a trainee of the Medical Scientist Training Program, National Institutes of Health (GM 02046).     

Effect of dissolved carbon dioxide on oxygen consumption in the Pacific white shrimp,Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone 1931)

A failure in the aeration system of Litopenaeus vannamei rearing with biofloc technology can decrease the oxygen concentrations rapidly and also increase the carbon dioxide (CO₂) concentrations at the same rate. We report here an evaluation of the effect of CO₂ on the oxygen consumption of L. vannamei. We used a continuous-flow respirometer with water recirculation equipped with a digital fiber-optic oximeter. Eight juveniles of L. vannamei (12.1 ± 1. 4 g) were used in each treatment with one per respiratory chamber (0.6 L). The shrimp were exposed to six concentrations of CO₂ (5, 30, 60, 95, 150, and 300 mgCO₂/L) with an acute exposure time of six hours. Upon treatment with 5–30 mgCO₂/L, we observed a consumption of oxygen of 0.233 ± 0.129 and 0.33 ± 0.072 mgO₂/g/h, respectively. Upon treatment with 60 mgCO₂/L, an increase was observed in the oxygen consumption (0.521 ± 0.098 mgO₂/g/h). Upon treatment with 95, 150, and 300 mgCO₂/L however, the shrimp decreased their oxygen consumption and lost their equilibrium. The CO₂ should therefore be maintained at a maximum of 5 mgCO₂/L during shrimp rearing.     

Is Helicobacter pylori a True Microaerophile?

BACKGROUND: There is no general consensus about the specific oxygen and carbon dioxide requirements of the human pathogen Helicobacter pylori. This bacterium is considered a microaerophile and consequently, it is grown under atmospheres at oxygen tensions 5-19% and carbon dioxide tensions 5-10%, both for clinical and basic and applied research purposes. The current study compared the growth of H. pylori in vitro, under various gas atmospheres, and determined some specific changes in the physiology of bacteria grown under different oxygen partial pressures. METHODS: Measurements of bacterial growth under various conditions were carried out employing classical solid and liquid culture techniques. Enzymatic activities were measured using spectrophotometric assays. RESULTS: H. pylori and all the other Helicobacter spp. tested had an absolute requirement for elevated carbon dioxide concentrations in the growth atmosphere. In contrast with other Helicobacter spp., H. pylori can tolerate elevated oxygen tensions when grown at high bacterial concentrations. Under 5% CO(2), the bacterium showed similar growth in liquid cultures under oxygen tensions from microaerobic (< 5%) to fully aerobic (21%) at cell densities higher than 5 x 10(5) cfu/ml for media supplemented with horse serum and 5 x 10(7) cfu/ml for media supplemented with beta-cyclodextrin. Evidence that changes occurred in the physiology of H. pylori was obtained by comparing the activities of ferredoxin:NADH (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) oxidoreductases of bacteria grown under microaerobic and aerobic atmospheres. CONCLUSIONS: H. pylori is a capnophile able to grow equally well in vitro under microaerobic or aerobic conditions at high bacterial concentrations, and behaved like oxygen-sensitive microaerophiles at low cell densities. Some characteristics of H. pylori cells grown in vitro under microaerobic conditions appeared to mimic better the physiology of organisms grown in their natural niche in the human stomach.     

昆虫取食和药剂熏蒸对马尾松针叶脱落酸和茉莉酸含量的影响

脱落酸(ABA)和茉莉酸(JA)在诱导植物产生抗逆性过程中具有重要作用.以马尾松为试验材料,用GC/MS检测了马尾松毛虫咬食、外源茉莉酸甲酯(MeJA)熏蒸和萜烯混合物熏蒸处理4 h后,马尾松损伤针叶、相邻姊妹针叶(处理同一轮未受损伤枝条)、系统上枝针叶(处理枝上一轮枝条)和系统下枝针叶(处理枝下一轮枝条)中ABA和JA含量的变化.结果表明,虫害4 h后,马尾松损伤针叶、相邻姊妹针叶、系统上枝针叶和系统下枝针叶的ABA和JA含量均明显升高.用10 μmol·L^-1 MeJA熏蒸和10 μmol·L^-1萜烯混合物熏蒸健康植株后,各部位枝条针叶中ABA和JA含量明显升高.说明ABA和JA是马尾松苗木伤反应信号传导途径中的重要信号分子,参与了马尾松苗木系统抗性的形成过程.