Systematics within Gyps vultures: a clade at risk

Background  

Populations of the Oriental White-backed Vulture (Gyps bengalensis) have declined by over 95% within the past decade. This decline is largely due to incidental consumption of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory veterinary pharmaceutical diclofenac, commonly used to treat domestic livestock. The conservation status of other Gyps vultures in southern Asia is also of immediate concern, given the lack of knowledge regarding status of their populations and the continuing existence of taxonomic uncertainties. In this study, we assess phylogenetic relationships for all recognized species and the majority of subspecies within the genus Gyps. The continuing veterinary use of diclofenac is an unknown but potential risk to related species with similar feeding habits to Gyps bengalensis. Therefore, an accurate assessment of the phylogenetic relationships among Gyps vultures should aid in their conservation by clarifying taxonomic uncertainties, and enabling inference of their respective relatedness to susceptible G. bengalensis.     

Pseudomonas tolaasii in mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) crops: activity of formulations of 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol (bronopol) against the bacterium and the use of this compound to control blotch disease

The bactericidal activity of 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol (bronopol) against Pseudomonas tolaasii , the causative organism of mushroom bacterial blotch, is enhanced by the addition of Tween 80, EDTA and phenylethanol. Results of tests with this pseudomonad confirm that bronopol is more active in alkaline solutions and enhancement of the bactericidal activity of this compound can be obtained by adding calcium carbonate, or mushroom casing (limestone and peat). Quantitative observations show that sterility can be achieved with bronopol at 100 µg/ml in 24 h following artificial inoculation of casing with Ps. tolaasii in glass flasks. On miniature mushroom beds in controlled environments a single application of bronopol, in tap water during routine watering, controls bacterial blotch disease. Bronopol is a slow-acting bactericide, destroying Ps. tolaasii in mushroom casing and effecting control of bacterial blotch disease.     

Fine Structure of Oocyst Transformation and the Sporozoites of Leucocytozoon dubreuili*

SYNOPSIS. The sporogonic stages of Leucocytozoon dubreuili in the midgut and salivary glands of the simuliid vectors was studied by electron microscopy. Young uninucleate oocysts have a pellicle that initially resembles that of the ookinetc. Numerous electron-dense bodies and microtubules in the peripheral cytoplasm may be involved in the formation of the cyst wall. The dense bodies appear to give rise to the amorphous material of the wall. The tubules which run circumferentially beneath the oocyst's boundary probably serve as a skeletal support for the cell surface during deposition of the wall material. A subcapsular “space” which provides area for expansion of the developing sporozoites is formed in early multinucleate oocysts. The subcapsular “space” appears to be formed through a condensation of the peripheral cytoplasm, resulting in an osmotic gradient across the oocyst's limiting membrane. Consequently water diffuses out, creating a fluid-filled space. Sporozoite formation begins with localized thickenings on the oocyst's limiting membrane. Subsequent extension of the thickened regions into the subcapsular “space” marks the onset of sporozoite budding. The process is highly synchronized, and culminates with the production of up to 150 sporozoites about the sporoblastoid body. The structure of sporozoites from mature oocysts and of the salivary glands of the vector is basically similar, although salivary gland sporozoites are more elongate and have numerous electron-dense micronemes. The paired rhoptries in the latter sporozoites are more elongate and uniformly electron-dense than in oocyst sporozoites.     

Eucalyptus leachate inhibits reproduction in a freshwater fish

1. Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) can induce lethal and sub‐lethal effects in exposed biota via hypoxic blackwater events and the toxicity of leached compounds. Little is known of how DOC exposure affects fish reproduction despite the fact that its release can coincide with spawning‐associated flow pulses. 2. River red gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) leaf leachate is a major source of DOC in Australian freshwaters and includes the toxic plant secondary metabolites polyphenols and tannins. High concentrations of leachate are released when leaves on floodplains or dry stream channels are inundated by water. 3. Southern pygmy perch (Nannoperca australis) from naturally high and naturally low Eucalyptus leachate environments in south‐east Australia were exposed to elevated leachate levels to investigate the effects of DOC on reproduction and to explore whether response patterns were consistent with populations becoming locally adapted to historical leachate levels. 4. Fish exposed to leachate were half as likely to reach sexual maturity as control fish. Fish from a naturally high‐exposure population tended to reach sexual maturity earlier than those from a naturally low‐exposure population. Leachate exposure had no effect on either egg size or fecundity. 5. Our results suggest that leachate‐exposed mothers did not reproduce because they were physiologically stressed or perceive the environment to be unsuitable, which raises the potential of plastic or adaptive responses to this stressor. The negative sub‐lethal effects observed have important fitness implications for individuals, the viability of populations and the management of environmental flows and riparian zones.     

AngⅡ和PKC对心肌细胞AngⅡ 1型受体的转录调节

利用体外培养的心肌细胞,观察血管紧张素Ⅱ（ＡｎｇⅡ）和蛋白激酶Ｃ（ＰＫＣ）在诱导ＡｎｇⅡ１型受体（ＡＴ１）基因表达及蛋白质代谢中的作用．研究结果表明：ＡｎｇⅡ可诱导ＡＴ１ｍＲＮＡ水平一过性下调,呈时间及剂量依赖性,１０ｎｍｏｌ／ＬＡｎｇⅡ刺激细胞６ｈ,引起ＡＴ１ｍＲＮＡ水平降低幅度最大,降至对照的５１．６％±９．５％,然后逐渐回升,２４ｈ恢复至对照水平．３０μｍｏｌ／ＬＨ－７（ＰＫＣ抑制剂）能阻断ＡｎｇⅡ诱导的ＡＴ１ｍＲＮＡ水平的下调．０．３μｍｏｌ／Ｌ的ＰＭＡ（ＰＫＣ激活剂）单独应用可诱导ＡＴ１ｍＲＮＡ水平下调达对照的４３％±８％,加入ＡＴ１拮抗剂ＤＭＰ８１１及Ｄｕｐ７５３均可阻断ＡｎｇⅡ诱导的ＡＴ１ｍＲＮＡ水平的下调．１０ｎｍｏｌ／Ｌ的ＡｎｇⅡ刺激心肌细胞９６ｈ可使蛋白含量降低至对照的７３．４％±５．６％,而加药持续刺激１４４ｈ可使蛋白含量较对照增加３３．８％±６．３％,Ｈ－７不能阻断ＡｎｇⅡ诱导的蛋白含量降低,但可有效地抑制蛋白含量的增加．以上结果提示：ＡｎｇⅡ对心肌细胞ＡＴ１基因的转录和细胞的蛋白代谢有调节作用,而ＰＫＣ则参与了ＡｎｇⅡ的这种调节作用     

呼吸活性的下降可解释水分亏缺对银合欢根瘤固氮酶活性的抑制(英)

在温室条件下研究了水分亏缺对银合欢根瘤的水分关系、固氮酶活性（乙炔还原活性）、呼吸活性以及蔗糖代谢有关酶活性的影响。随着土壤含水量的下降,根瘤水势也相继下降。土壤干旱不但显著地抑制了根瘤乙炔还原的活性,而且对根瘤的呼吸活性、ATP的产生以及催化蔗糖降解的碱性转化酶和蔗糖合成酶的活性也具强烈的抑制作用。然而,根瘤可溶性总糖含量则不受土壤干旱的影响。用呼吸抑制剂DNP处理根瘤后,其固氮酶活性、呼吸活性及ATPI含量都受到极显著的抑制。这都表明,水分胁迫对根瘤呼吸活性及ATP产生的抑制可解释干旱条件下固氮酶活性的下降。