Uses of ethnomedicinal plants by the people living around Kitam Bird Wildlife Sanctuary,South Sikkim,India

The utilization of wild medicinal plants in primary healthcare system is still vital for mankind, particularly for people residing nearby the protected area. However, ethnobiological knowledge of indigenous people on plant usage is diminishing. The present study aimed at documenting the wild ethnomedicinal plants and to evaluate their importance in the healthcare among the local inhabitants in the fringe villages of Kitam Bird Sanctuary, South Sikkim, India. The methodology comprised interviews and questionnaire-based household surveys focusing on the informant's knowledge and experience in the use of wild medicinal plants against several diseases and ailments. Data was analysed using relative frequency citation (RFC), use value (UV), informant consensus factor (ICF) and fidelity level (FL%). A total of 23 ethnomedicinal plant species belonging to 20 families were recorded from the study area. Among the growth forms, herbs accounted the highest number of species (39%), followed by trees (30%), climbers (13%), ferns and shrubs with 9% each. Fruits have shown the highest use (20%), followed by leaves (16%) and whole plant. Terminalia chebula had the highest RFC (0.91) and UV (0.99), followed by Terminalia bellirica (RFC = 0.89, UV = 0.96) and Phyllanthus emblica (RFC = 0.84, UV = 0.91). Results indicate that the locals in the area had good ethnobotanical knowledge of medicinal plants which indicates their dependency on plants for treating several ailments and diseases. Some unexplored species such as Calamus erectus, Laportea bulbifera, Pteris biaurita and Solanum viarum possessing high fidelity level have scope for further pharmacological investigation.     

A national‐scale dataset for threats impacting Australia’s imperiled flora and fauna

Australia is in the midst of an extinction crisis, having already lost 10% of terrestrial mammal fauna since European settlement and with hundreds of other species at high risk of extinction. The decline of the nation''s biota is a result of an array of threatening processes; however, a comprehensive taxon‐specific understanding of threats and their relative impacts remains undocumented nationally. Using expert consultation, we compile the first complete, validated, and consistent taxon‐specific threat and impact dataset for all nationally listed threatened taxa in Australia. We confined our analysis to 1,795 terrestrial and aquatic taxa listed as threatened (Vulnerable, Endangered, or Critically Endangered) under Australian Commonwealth law. We engaged taxonomic experts to generate taxon‐specific threat and threat impact information to consistently apply the IUCN Threat Classification Scheme and Threat Impact Scoring System, as well as eight broad‐level threats and 51 subcategory threats, for all 1,795 threatened terrestrial and aquatic threatened taxa. This compilation produced 4,877 unique taxon–threat–impact combinations with the most frequently listed threats being Habitat loss, fragmentation, and degradation (n = 1,210 taxa), and Invasive species and disease (n = 966 taxa). Yet when only high‐impact threats or medium‐impact threats are considered, Invasive species and disease become the most prevalent threats. This dataset provides critical information for conservation action planning, national legislation and policy, and prioritizing investments in threatened species management and recovery.     

Self-activating G protein α subunits engage seven-transmembrane regulator of G protein signaling (RGS) proteins and a Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factor effector in the amoeba Naegleria fowleri

The free-living amoeba Naegleria fowleri is a causative agent of primary amoebic meningoencephalitis and is highly resistant to current therapies, resulting in mortality rates >97%. As many therapeutics target G protein–centered signal transduction pathways, further understanding the functional significance of G protein signaling within N. fowleri should aid future drug discovery against this pathogen. Here, we report that the N. fowleri genome encodes numerous transcribed G protein signaling components, including G protein–coupled receptors, heterotrimeric G protein subunits, regulator of G protein signaling (RGS) proteins, and candidate Gα effector proteins. We found N. fowleri Gα subunits have diverse nucleotide cycling kinetics; Nf Gα5 and Gα7 exhibit more rapid nucleotide exchange than GTP hydrolysis (i.e., “self-activating” behavior). A crystal structure of Nf Gα7 highlights the stability of its nucleotide-free state, consistent with its rapid nucleotide exchange. Variations in the phosphate binding loop also contribute to nucleotide cycling differences among Gα subunits. Similar to plant G protein signaling pathways, N. fowleri Gα subunits selectively engage members of a large seven-transmembrane RGS protein family, resulting in acceleration of GTP hydrolysis. We show Nf Gα2 and Gα3 directly interact with a candidate Gα effector protein, RGS-RhoGEF, similar to mammalian Gα_12/13 signaling pathways. We demonstrate Nf Gα2 and Gα3 each engage RGS-RhoGEF through a canonical Gα/RGS domain interface, suggesting a shared evolutionary origin with G protein signaling in the enteric pathogen Entamoeba histolytica. These findings further illuminate the evolution of G protein signaling and identify potential targets of pharmacological manipulation in N. fowleri.     

DNA metabarcoding quantifies the relative biomass of arthropod taxa in songbird diets: Validation with camera‐recorded diets

Ecological research is often hampered by the inability to quantify animal diets. Diet composition can be tracked through DNA metabarcoding of fecal samples, but whether (complex) diets can be quantitatively determined with metabarcoding is still debated and needs validation using free‐living animals. This study validates that DNA metabarcoding of feces can retrieve actual ingested taxa, and most importantly, that read numbers retrieved from sequencing can also be used to quantify the relative biomass of dietary taxa. Validation was done with the hole‐nesting insectivorous Pied Flycatcher whose diet was quantified using camera footage. Size‐adjusted counts of food items delivered to nestlings were used as a proxy for provided biomass of prey orders and families, and subsequently, nestling feces were assessed through DNA metabarcoding. To explore potential effects of digestion, gizzard and lower intestine samples of freshly collected birds were subjected to DNA metabarcoding. For metabarcoding with Cytochrome Oxidase subunit I (COI), we modified published invertebrate COI primers LCO1490 and HCO1777, which reduced host reads to 0.03%, and amplified Arachnida DNA without significant changing the recovery of other arthropod taxa. DNA metabarcoding retrieved all commonly camera‐recorded taxa. Overall, and in each replicate year (N = 3), the relative scaled biomass of prey taxa and COI read numbers correlated at R = .85 (95CI:0.68–0.94) at order level and at R = .75 (CI:0.67–0.82) at family level. Similarity in arthropod community composition between gizzard and intestines suggested limited digestive bias. This DNA metabarcoding validation demonstrates that quantitative analyses of arthropod diet is possible. We discuss the ecological applications for insectivorous birds.     

Prevalence of multidrug resistant and extended spectrum beta-lactamase producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa in a tertiary care hospital

Resistance to broad-spectrum beta-lactams, mediated by extended-spectrum beta-lactamase enzymes (ESBL), is an increasing problem worldwide. The present study was undertaken to determine the incidence of ESBL-production among the clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and their susceptibility to selected antimicrobials. A total of one eighty-seven clinical specimens were tested for the presence of ESBL production using the double-disc synergy test. Of these, 25.13% (n = 47) isolates of P. aeruginosa were observed as ESBL positive. The maximum number of ESBL-producing strains were found in sputum (41.67%; n = 24) followed by pus (28.36%; n = 19), cerebrospinal fluid and other body fluids (21.74%; n = 5), urine (20.45%; n = 9) and blood (13.79%; n = 4). ESBL producing isolates exhibited co-resistance to an array of antibiotics tested. Imipenem and meropenem can be suggested as the drugs of choice in our study.     

Why do Argos satellite tags stop relaying data?

1. Satellite tracking of animals is very widespread across a range of marine, freshwater, and terrestrial taxa. Despite the high cost of tags and the advantages of long deployments, the reasons why tracking data from tags stop being received are rarely considered, but possibilities include shedding of the tag, damage to the tag (e.g., the aerial), biofouling, battery exhaustion, or animal mortality.
2. We show how information relayed via satellite tags can be used to assess why tracking data stop being received. As a case study to illustrate general approaches that are broadly applicable across taxa, we examined data from Fastloc‐GPS Argos tags deployed between 2012 and 2019 on 78 sea turtles of two species, the green turtle (Chelonia mydas) and the hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata).
3. Tags transmitted for a mean of 267 days (SD = 113 days, range: 26–687 days, median = 251 days). In 68 of 78 (87%) cases, battery failure was implicated as the reason why tracking data stopped being received. Some biofouling of the saltwater switches, which synchronize transmissions with surfacing, was evident in a few tags but never appeared to be the reason that data reception ceased.
4. Objectively assessing why tags fail will direct improvements to tag design, setup, and deployment regardless of the study taxa. Assessing why satellite tags stop transmitting will also inform on the fate of tagged animals, for example, whether they are alive or dead at the end of the study, which may allow improved estimates of survival rates.

     

Outcome of transcatheter aortic valve replacement in patients over 85 years of age versus patients aged 85 and younger

IntroductionThe Dutch general population is aging rapidly. Many of these patient are fit and eligible for TAVR. However, studies on outcome in older versus younger patients are scant.Material and methodsA single-centre retrospective study comparing patients older and younger than age 85 on outcome.Results190 patients underwent TAVR: 136 were aged 85 or younger (U85), 54 were older than 85 (O85). The U85 group had more men (U85: 71 [52.2%] vs O85: 19 [35.2%]; p = 0.034), a higher incidence of diabetes (U85: 36 [26.5%] vs O85: 3 [5.6%]; p = 0.001) and atrial fibrillation (U85: 35 [25.7%] vs O85: 5 [9.3%]; p = 0.03) and a higher body mass index (U85: 27.5 [± 5.24] vs O85: 26 [± 3.78]; p = 0.027). In the O85 group there was a lower estimated glomerular filtration rate (O85: 50.28 [± 15.32] ml/min vs U85: 65.25 [± 29.97] ml/min; p = 0.012). There was no difference in 30-day mortality (U85: 6 [4.4%] vs O85: 3 [5.6%]) and 1‑year mortality (U85 9 [6.6%] vs O85 3 [5.6%]) (p = 0.521). There was an equal amount of new onset permanent left bundle branch block (U85: 38 [27.9%] vs O85: 14 [25.9%]; p = 0.896) and permanent pacemaker implantation (U85: 28 [20.6%] vs O85: 28 [20.6%]; p = 0.748). There was no difference in bleeding events (p = 0.469), vascular complications (p = 0.195) or moderate/severe regurgitation (p = 0.972). The U85 group had a slightly longer admission duration (U85 6.29 [± 5.289] days vs O85 5.98 [± 3.328] days (p = 0.037)).ConclusionTAVR in patients over 85 years of age has excellent outcome, comparable to those aged 85 and younger.     

Comparative study of high sensitivity troponin T and heart-type fatty acid-binding protein in STEMI patients

Aim and background

Heart-type fatty acid-binding proteins (H-FABP) which are detected within 2–3 h of acute myocardial infarction are involved in uptake of free fatty acids in the myocardium. Our aim in the present study is to compare window periods of H-FABP to high sensitivity troponin T (hs-Trop T) in acute ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

Methods

160 STEMI diagnosed patient’s serum samples are analyzed for hs-Trop T and H-FABP. Different window periods of chest pain onset (<3 h, 3–6 h and >6 h) are compared with complications, in-hospital mortality and statistically analyzed.

Results

From 160 patients, 53 (33%) cases are presented in <3 h, 75 (47%) in 3–6, and 32 (20%) after >6 h respectively. Accordingly sensitivity of hs-Trop T was 92%, 94% and 97% while H-FABP was 75%, 88% and 84%, respectively. Overall sensitivity was 94% and 82% respectively. Statistically significant difference between mean hs-Trop T values with respect to window period <3, 3–6 and >6 h was 0.21, 0.35 and 0.80 ng/ml respectively, p value < 0.0001. No significant difference in H-FABP values was observed.Hs-Trop T positively correlated with age (r = 0.153, P = 0.05), window period (r = 0.363, P < 0.0001), TIMI score (r = 0.208, P = 0.008), ejection fraction (r = 0.191, P = 0.008), serum H-FABP (r = 0.229, P = 0.004), and serum hs-CRP (r = 0.326, p < 0.001). There was a statistically significant difference of mean hs-Trop T values with or without in hospital mortality (0.35 vs. 0.85 ng/ml, respectively, p = 0.008).No significant correlation to age, TIMI score, ejection fraction and hs-CRP values for H-FABP was observed.

Conclusion

It appears that hs-Trop T is a more sensitive marker than H-FABP in early hours of AMI and higher hs-Trop T predicts increase in-hospital mortality.     

Diel timing of nest predation changes across breeding season in a subtropical shorebird

Predation is the most common cause of nest failure in birds. While nest predation is relatively well studied in general, our knowledge is unevenly distributed across the globe and taxa, with, for example, limited information on shorebirds breeding in subtropics. Importantly, we know fairly little about the timing of predation within a day. Here, we followed 444 nests of the red‐wattled lapwing (Vanellus indicus), a ground‐nesting shorebird, for a sum of 7,828 days to estimate a nest predation rate, and continuously monitored 230 of these nests for a sum of 2,779 days to reveal how the timing of predation changes over the day and season in a subtropical desert. We found that 312 nests (70%) hatched, 76 nests (17%) were predated, 23 (5%) failed for other reasons, and 33 (7%) had an unknown fate. Daily predation rate was 0.95% (95%CrI: 0.76% – 1.19%), which for a 30‐day long incubation period translates into ~25% (20% – 30%) chance of nest being predated. Such a predation rate is low compared to most other avian species. Predation events (N = 25) were evenly distributed across day and night, with a tendency for increased predation around sunrise, and evenly distributed also across the season, although night predation was more common later in the season, perhaps because predators reduce their activity during daylight to avoid extreme heat. Indeed, nests were never predated when midday ground temperatures exceeded 45℃. Whether the diel activity pattern of resident predators undeniably changes across the breeding season and whether the described predation patterns hold for other populations, species, and geographical regions await future investigations.     

Risk factors for acquisition of extended spectrum beta lactamase producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae in North-Indian hospitals

Multidrug resistance and production of extended spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) by enteric gram negative rods in hospitals and community continue to be a matter of scientific concern. This retrospective study was executed to assess the prevalence of ESBL-producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae at two North Indian hospitals and to determine the risk factors associated with the acquisition of these organisms. A total of 346 bacterial isolates were obtained. Of these, 48.27% (n = 167) were confirmed to be ESBL producers while 51.73% (n = 179) were non ESBL-producers. Among the ESBL producers, 55.69% (n = 93) were E. coli and 44.31% (n = 74) were K. pneumoniae. ESBL producing isolates showed co-resistance to multitude of antibiotics tested. Length of hospital stay (>3 days) and previous exposure to antibiotics were found as significant risk factors (p = 0.01 and 0.02) associated with the acquisition of ESBL-producing E. coli and K. pneumoniae isolates. Imipenem and meropenem can be suggested as drugs of choice in our study.     

Designer proteins that competitively inhibit Gαq by targeting its effector site

During signal transduction, the G protein, Gα_q, binds and activates phospholipase C-β isozymes. Several diseases have been shown to manifest upon constitutively activating mutation of Gα_q, such as uveal melanoma. Therefore, methods are needed to directly inhibit Gα_q. Previously, we demonstrated that a peptide derived from a helix-turn-helix (HTH) region of PLC-β3 (residues 852–878) binds Gα_q with low micromolar affinity and inhibits Gα_q by competing with full-length PLC-β isozymes for binding. Since the HTH peptide is unstructured in the absence of Gα_q, we hypothesized that embedding the HTH in a folded protein might stabilize the binding-competent conformation and further improve the potency of inhibition. Using the molecular modeling software Rosetta, we searched the Protein Data Bank for proteins with similar HTH structures near their surface. The candidate proteins were computationally docked against Gα_q, and their surfaces were redesigned to stabilize this interaction. We then used yeast surface display to affinity mature the designs. The most potent design bound Gα_q/i with high affinity in vitro (K_D = 18 nM) and inhibited activation of PLC-β isozymes in HEK293 cells. We anticipate that our genetically encoded inhibitor will help interrogate the role of Gα_q in healthy and disease model systems. Our work demonstrates that grafting interaction motifs into folded proteins is a powerful approach for generating inhibitors of protein–protein interactions.     

Induction of secondary metabolite production by UV-C radiation in Vitis vinifera L. ?küzg?zü callus cultures

Background

The aim of the present work was to examine the role of UV-C irradiation on the production of secondary metabolites (total phenolic, total flavanols, total flavonols, catechin, ferulic acid and trans-resveratrol in phenolic compounds and α-, β-, γ- δ-tocopherols) in callus cultures. Studies on the effects of UV-C treatment on callus culture are seldom and generally focused on UV-B. However UV-C radiation play an important role in accumule secondary metabolites.

Results

In this study, callus cultures from Öküzgözü grape cultivar were initiated from leaf petiole explants. Calli formed after 6 weeks on the medium supplemented with 0.5 mg L^-1 benzylaminopurine (BA), 0.5 mg L^-1 indole acetic acid (IAA) on B5 media. Callus tissues were exposed to UV-C irradiation at 10, 20 and 30 cm distances from the UV source for 5 and 10 minutes and samples were collected at hours 0, 24 and 48.

Conclusions

The greatest total phenolic content (155.14 mg 100 g^-1) was detected in calli exposed to UV-C for 5 min from 30 cm distance and sampled after 24 h. 24 h and 48 h incubation times, 30 cm and 5 min were the most appropriate combination of UV-C application in total flavanol content. Maximum total flavonol content (7.12 mg 100 g^-1) was obtained on 0 h, 5 min and 20 cm combination. The highest (+)- catechin accumulation (8.89 mg g^-1) was found in calli with 10 min UV-C application from 30 cm distance and sampled after 48 h. Ferulic acid content increased 6 fold in Öküzgözü callus cultures (31.37 μg g^-1) compared to the control group. The greatest trans-resveratrol content (8.43 μg g^-1) was detected in calli exposed to UV-C for 5 min from 30 cm distance and sampled after 24 h. The highest α-tocopherol concentration was found in calli exposed to UV-C for 10 min from 30 cm distance and sampled after 24 h. As a conclusion, it was showed that UV-C radiation had remarkable promoting effects on the accumulation of secondary metabolites in the calli of Öküzgözü grape cultivar.     

Characteristics of long-term survivors of brain metastases from lung cancer

Background and aim

Long-term survival of lung cancer patients with brain metastases (BM) is very rare. Our aim is to report the characteristics of patients who survived for at least three years after a BM diagnosis.

Materials and methods

Nineteen lung cancer patients who had survived ≥3 years after a BM diagnosis were identified in our database. Seven (37%) had undergone whole-brain radiotherapy (WBRT) only, five (26%) BM surgery + WBRT, three (16%) BM surgery + WBRT + BM radiosurgery, and four (21%) no WBRT (one, surgery; one, radiosurgery; two, BM surgery + radiosurgery). Their characteristics were compared with historical data for 322 lung cancer patients with BM (control group, CG), who had received WBRT between 1986 and 1997.

Results

Median survival from BM in long survivors group was 73 months (in CG – 4 months). Characteristics comparison: median age 55 vs. 58 (CG), p = 0.16; female sex 68% vs. 28% (CG), p = 0.003; RTOG/RPA class 1 – 75% vs. 13% (CG), p = 0.00001; adenocarcinoma histology 84% vs. 24% (CG), p < 0.00001; control of primary tumor 95% vs. 27% (CG), p < 0.00001; extracranial metastases 0 vs. 26% (CG), p = 0.01; single BM 63% vs. 9% (CG), p = 0.00001; surgery of BM 53% vs. 14% (CG), p = 0.00001.

Conclusions

Beside prognostic factors already recognized as favorable in patients with BM, the adenocarcinoma histology and female sex were prevalent in long-term survivors of BM from lung cancer.     

Role of genetic variants in ADIPOQ in human eating behavior

The beneficial effects of adiponectin and its negative correlation with BMI are well described. Adiponectin serum levels are altered in eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa or binge eating. Here, we tested the hypothesis that (1) adiponectin serum levels correlate with human eating behavior factors and (2) that genetic variants of the ADIPOQ locus influence both serum levels and eating behavior. We analyzed 11 SNPs within ADIPOQ and in the 5′ UTR and measured serum adiponectin levels in 1,036 individuals from the German Sorbs population. The German version of the three-factor eating questionnaire (FEV) was completed by 548 Sorbs. For replication purposes, we included an independent replication cohort from Germany (N = 350). In the Sorbs, we observed positive correlations of restraint with adiponectin serum levels (P = 0.001; r = 0.148) which, however, did not withstand adjustment for covariates (P = 0.083; r = 0.077). In addition, four SNPs were nominally associated with serum adiponectin levels (all P < 0.05). Of these, two variants (rs3774261; rs1501229, all P < 0.05) were also related to disinhibition. Furthermore, three variants were exclusively associated with hunger (rs2036373, P = 0.049) and disinhibition (rs822396; rs864265, all P < 0.05). However, none of these associations withstood Bonferroni corrections for multiple testing (all P > 9.3 × 10⁻⁴). In our replication cohort, we observed similar effect directions at rs1501229 for disinhibition and hunger. A meta-analysis resulted in nominal statistical significance P = 0.036 (Z score 2.086) and P = 0.017 (Z score 2.366), respectively. Given the observed relationship of the SNPs with adiponectin levels and eating behavior, our data support a potential role of adiponectin in human eating behavior. Whether the relationship with eating behavior is mediated by the effects of circulating adiponectin warrants further investigations.     

Morphometric study of Kalophrynus palmatissimus at two forest reserves in Malaysia

A research study on morphometrics of Kalophrynus palmatissimus (commonly known as Lowland Grainy Frog) at Ayer Hitam Forest Reserve (AHFR), Selangor and Pasoh Forest Reserve (PFR), Negeri Sembilan was carried out from 12 November 2016 to 13 September 2017. The study was to examine data on the morphometric traits of K. palmatissimus at the two forest reserves. 15 morphometric traits of K. palmatissimus that were taken by using vernier calipers. Frog surveys were done by using 15 and 18 nocturnal 400 m transect lines with an interval distance of 20 m at AHFR and PFR, respectively. The GPS coordinates for all frog samples were recorded to ensure the precise geographic location. In addition, five climatic data were recorded. The results showed that most morphometric traits in AHFR (n = 34) and PFR (n = 31) were positively correlated with each other. On the other hand, climatic factor, which was soil pH, had a significant positive influence on most of the morphometric traits (p < .01), except for tympanum diameter and upper eyelid width (p ≥ .05). Meanwhile, the temperature had a significantly negative influence on all morphometric traits (p < .01). General linear model (GLM) analysis showed that snout‐vent length (SVL) influenced most morphometric traits (F ≤ 80.86, p < .01), except for hand length (HAL: F = 0.299, p > .05). Later, it was found that the snout‐vent length of K. palmatissimus at AHFR was slightly larger than at PFR (AHFR: μ = 37.00 mm, SE = 1.16 c.f. PFR: μ = 30.29 mm, SE = 1.07). It showed that there were variations in morphometric traits of K. palmatissimus at AHFR and PFR. From PCA analysis, morphometric traits are grouped into two components for AHFR and PFR, respectively. In AHFR, head length, eye diameter, head width, internarial distance, interorbital distance, forearm length, tibia length, foot length, and thigh length were strongly correlated, while snout length and eye‐nostril distance were strongly correlated. In PFR, eye diameter, head width, internarial distance, interorbital distance, foot length, and thigh length were strongly correlated, though snout length and eye‐nostril distance were strongly correlated, hence, suggested that all morphometric traits grow simultaneously in K. palmatissimus with eye‐nostril distance (EN), and snout length (SL) growing almost simultaneously at AHFR (r = .91) and PFR (r = .97). There is still a lack of available information regarding the distribution and morphometric studies of K. palmatissimus in Malaysia, especially at AHFR and PFR. This study showed 15 different morphometric traits of K. palmatisssimus between AHFR and PFR, with K. palmatissimus at AHFR were found to be slightly larger than at PFR.     

Heterotrimeric G protein subunits differentially respond to endoplasmic reticulum stress in Arabidopsis

Canonical heterotrimeric G proteins in eukaryotes are major components that localize at plasma membrane and transmit extracellular stimuli into the cell. Genome of a seed plant Arabidopsis thaliana encodes at least one Gα (GPA1), one Gβ (AGB1), and 3 Gγ (AGG1, AGG2 and AGG3) subunits. The loss-of-function mutations of G protein subunit(s) cause multiple defects in development as well as biotic and abiotic stress responses. However, it remains elusive how these subunits differentially express these defects. Here, we report that Arabidopsis heterotrimeric G protein subunits differentially respond to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. An isolated homozygous mutant of AGB1, agb1-3, was more sensitive to the tunicamycin-induced ER stress compared to the wild type and the other loss-of-function mutants of G protein subunits. Moreover, ER stress responsive genes were highly expressed in the agb1-3 plant. Our results indicate that AGB1 positively contributes to ER stress tolerance in Arabidopsis.     

Uniform Temperature Dependency in the Phenology of a Keystone Herbivore in Lakes of the Northern Hemisphere

Spring phenologies are advancing in many ecosystems associated with climate warming causing unpredictable changes in ecosystem functioning. Here we establish a phenological model for Daphnia, an aquatic keystone herbivore based on decadal data on water temperatures and the timing of Daphnia population maxima from Lake Constance, a large European lake. We tested this model with long-term time-series data from two lakes (Müggelsee, Germany; Lake Washington, USA), and with observations from a diverse set of 49 lakes/sites distributed widely across the Northern Hemisphere (NH). The model successfully captured the observed temporal variation of Daphnia phenology in the two case study sites (r² = 0.25 and 0.39 for Müggelsee and Lake Washington, respectively) and large-scale spatial variation in the NH (R² = 0.57). These results suggest that Daphnia phenology follows a uniform temperature dependency in NH lakes. Our approach – based on temperature phenologies – has large potential to study and predict phenologies of animal and plant populations across large latitudinal gradients in other ecosystems.     

Population‐specific responses of an insect herbivore to variation in host‐plant quality

Anthropogenic climate change poses a substantial challenge to many organisms, to which they need to respond to avoid fitness reductions. Investigating responses to environmental change is particularly interesting in herbivores, as they are potentially affected by indirect effects mediated via variation in host‐plant quality. We here use the herbivorous insect Pieris napi to investigate geographic variation in the response to variation in food quality. We performed a common garden experiment using replicated populations from Germany and Italy, and manipulated host quality by growing host plants at different temperature and water regimes. We found that feeding on plants grown at a higher temperature generally diminished the performance of P. napi, evidenced by a prolonged development time and reduced larval growth rate, body mass, fat content, and phenoloxidase activity. Genotype by environment interactions (G × E) were present in several performance traits, indicating that Italian populations (1) respond more strongly to variation in host‐plant quality and (2) are more sensitive to poor food quality than German ones. This may reflect a cost of the rapid lifestyle found in Italian populations. Consequently, German populations may be more resilient against environmental perturbations and may perhaps even benefit from warmer temperatures, while Italian populations will likely suffer from the concomitantly reduced host‐plant quality. Our study thus exemplifies how investigating G × E may help to better understand the vulnerability of populations to climate change.     

Natural seedling recruitment and regeneration in deforested and sand‐filled Mangrove forest at Eagle Island,Niger Delta,Nigeria

Seed recruitment is a major driver of mangrove restoration globally. It is hypothesized that soil condition and channel hydrology can accelerate seedling recruitment and regeneration after a major disturbance. Species abundance, diversity indices, microbial and chemical concentrations in sand‐filled mangrove forest was studied. Eight plots measuring 487.77 m² each were established with ten transects in each plot in a random block design to investigate the effect of soil conditions on seedling growth. A total of 1,886 seedlings were counted. Seedling abundance was significantly different between red (Rizophora racemosa), white (Laguncularia racemosa), and black (Avicennia germinans) mangroves, and nypa palm (nypa fruticans). The most dominant species was black mangrove, and the least dominant species was nypa palm. Muddy soils had the most abundant species (n = 994) followed by sandy (n = 457) and semi‐muddy (435) soils. Furthermore, sandy soils had the highest species diversity (H = 0.896) followed by semi‐muddy (H = 0.876) and muddy (H = 0.583) soils. The soil metal concentration has no correlation with seed abundance and occur in the order Iron > Nitrate > Copper > Cadmium. Soil with high species diversity had high soil microbial population; however, seedling abundance was correlated with soil nutrients and not heavy metals. Small seeds are easily recruited while good soil condition plus existing hydrological connection facilitated natural seedling regeneration in the disturbed mangrove forest.