Octasubstituted flavones from Ageratum houstonianum

Two new highly oxygenated flavones, were isolated from aerial parts of Ageratum houstonianum. Their structures were established as 3′-hydroxy-5,6,7,8,2′,4′,5′-heptamethoxyflavone and 5,3′-dihydroxy-6,7,8,2′,4′,5′-hexamethoxyflavone on the basis of spectral data and chemical degradation. The structure of the latter compound was confirmed by X-ray analysis.     

Two new species of Phyllonema (Rivulariaceae,Cyanobacteria) with an emendation of the genus

Two untapered, heterocytous species were observed and collected from the intertidal and supratidal zones of the Mexican coastline of the Pacific Ocean near Oaxaca and from the Gulf of Mexico. These populations were highly similar in morphology to the freshwater taxon Petalonema incrustans in the Scytonemataceae. However, 16S rRNA sequence data and phylogenetic analysis indicated that they were sister taxa to the epiphyllic, Brazilian species Phyllonema aveceniicola in the Rivulariaceae, described from culture material. While genetic identity between the two new species was high, they differed significantly in morphology, 16S rRNA gene sequence identity, and sequence and structure of the 16S–23S ITS region. Their morphology differed markedly from the generitype of the previously monotypic Phyllonema, which has tapered, heteropolar, single‐false branched trichomes with very thin or absent sheath. The two new species, Phyllonema ansata and Phyllonema tangolundensis, described from both culture and environmental material, have untapered, isopolar, geminately false branched trichomes with thick, lamellated sheaths, differences so significant that the species would not be placed in Phyllonema without molecular corroboration. The morphological differences are so significant that a formal emendation of the genus is required. These taxa provide a challenge to algal taxonomy because the morphological differences are such that one would logically conclude that they represent different genera, but the phylogenetic evidence for including them all in the same genus is conclusive. This conclusion is counter to the current trend in algal taxonomy in which taxa with minor morphological differences have been repeatedly placed in separate genera based primarily upon DNA sequence evidence.     

Paraptosis‐like cell death in Wistar rat granulosa cells

Follicular atresia, a common process present in all mammals, involves apoptotic and autophagic cell death. However, the participation of paraptosis, a type of caspase‐independent cell death, during follicular atresia is unknown. This study found swollen endoplasmic reticulum in the granulosa cells of adult Wistar rats. Calnexin was used as a marker of the endoplasmic reticulum at the ultrastructural and optical levels. The cells with swelling of the endoplasmic reticulum were negative to the TUNEL assay and active caspase‐3 immunodetection, indicating that this swelling is not part of any apoptotic or autophagic process. Additionally, immunodetection of the CHOP protein was used as a marker of endoplasmic reticulum stress, and this confirmed the presence of the paraptosis process. These data suggest that paraptosis‐like cell death is associated with the death of granulosa cells during follicular atresia in adult Wistar rats.     

Evolutionary implications of C3–C4 intermediates in the grass Alloteropsis semialata

C₄ photosynthesis is a complex trait resulting from a series of anatomical and biochemical modifications to the ancestral C₃ pathway. It is thought to evolve in a stepwise manner, creating intermediates with different combinations of C₄‐like components. Determining the adaptive value of these components is key to understanding how C₄ photosynthesis can gradually assemble through natural selection. Here, we decompose the photosynthetic phenotypes of numerous individuals of the grass Alloteropsis semialata, the only species known to include both C₃ and C₄ genotypes. Analyses of δ¹³C, physiology and leaf anatomy demonstrate for the first time the existence of physiological C₃–C₄ intermediate individuals in the species. Based on previous phylogenetic analyses, the C₃–C₄ individuals are not hybrids between the C₃ and C₄ genotypes analysed, but instead belong to a distinct genetic lineage, and might have given rise to C₄ descendants. C₃ A. semialata, present in colder climates, likely represents a reversal from a C₃–C₄ intermediate state, indicating that, unlike C₄ photosynthesis, evolution of the C₃–C₄ phenotype is not irreversible.     

Designing healthy,climate friendly and affordable school lunches

Purpose

This study aims to develop a model with which to build diets taking into account nutritional, climate change and economic aspects. A case study is used to test the proposed model, consisting of finding the optimal menus for school children in Spain from combinations of 20 starters, 20 main dishes and 7 desserts for a 20-day planning period.

Methods

An optimizing technique, specifically integer goal programming, is used as a means of designing diets which take into account the aforementioned aspects. Goal programming (GP) is used to design those menus that meet, or nearly meet, all the requirements with respect to caloric content, caloric share among macronutrients, nutrients to encourage and nutrients to limit, while reducing the carbon footprint (CFP) and the lunch budget. In order to have real, acceptable dishes, a school catering company provided information about the typical dishes they serve. The CFP of each dish was assessed, based on literature about life cycle assessment and CFP studies on food products. The nutritional value of each dish was obtained from databases, whereas prices were gathered from a wholesaler.

Results and discussion

After solving the goal programming model for several CFP and budget goals, the results show reductions with respect to the average CFP of between ?13 and ?24 %, and reductions with respect to the average budget between ?10 and ?15 % while maintaining the nutritional aspects similar to the average of the proposed menus. The results show that a wide range of budget is available, maintaining an almost constant CFP and meeting nutritional requirements to a similar degree; therefore, it is possible to avoid trade-offs between the CFP and the budget. The analysis of the dishes selected shows how the optimization model, in general, avoids the dishes which have a high CFP and high price and which are low in iron content, but high in protein and cholesterol.

Conclusions

Goal programming constitutes a suitable tool for designing diets which are economically, environmentally and nutritionally sustainable. Its flexibility enables specific issues to be studied, such as the existence of possible trade-offs between budget and CFP, attained by changing the budget and the CFP goals. By means of an iterative process, new dishes could be introduced or the existing ones could be improved, thus providing catering companies with useful information.

     

Genome‐wide transcriptome signatures of ant‐farmed Squamellaria epiphytes reveal key functions in a unique symbiosis

Farming of fungi by ants, termites, or beetles has led to ecologically successful societies fueled by industrial‐scale food production. Another type of obligate insect agriculture in Fiji involves the symbiosis between the ant Philidris nagasau and epiphytes in the genus Squamellaria (Rubiaceae) that the ants fertilize, defend, harvest, and depend on for nesting. All farmed Squamellaria form tubers (domatia) with preformed entrance holes and complex cavity networks occupied by P. nagasau. The inner surface of the domatia consists of smooth‐surfaced walls where the ants nest and rear their brood, and warty‐surfaced walls where they fertilize their crop by defecation. Here, we use RNA sequencing to identify gene expression patterns associated with the smooth versus warty wall types. Since wall differentiation occurred in the most recent common ancestor of all farmed species of Squamellaria, our study also identifies genetic pathways co‐opted following the emergence of agriculture. Warty‐surfaced walls show many upregulated genes linked to auxin transport, root development, and nitrogen transport consistent with their root‐like function; their defense‐related genes are also upregulated, probably to protect these permeable areas from pathogen entry. In smooth‐surfaced walls, genes functioning in suberin and wax biosynthesis are upregulated, contributing to the formation of an impermeable ant‐nesting area in the domatium. This study throws light on a number of functional characteristics of plant farming by ants and illustrates the power of genomic studies of symbiosis.     

Kinetic gait analysis in English Bulldogs

Background

Canine breed conformation may interfere with locomotion and may predispose to orthopedic disease. Bulldogs have a high incidence of orthopedic diseases such as hip dysplasia. Kinetic gait analysis provides an objective way to assess and analyze locomotion. The aim of this study was to study the vertical forces of English Bulldogs during walk using a pressure sensitive walkway. We hypothesize that Bulldogs affected by orthopedic diseases have decreased weight bearing and asymmetric locomotion in the limbs despite having mild to no sings during clinical examination. Thirty English Bulldogs were tested. Peak vertical force, vertical impulse, rate of loading, stance phase duration, symmetry index, goniometry and incidence of orthopedic diseases were recorded.

Results

Although none of the dogs showed signs of pain or discomfort upon manipulation of the hip joints, all dogs had radiographic evidences of hip dysplasia and lack of significant peak vertical force, vertical impulse and stance time differences. The dogs had a mean hind limb symmetry index of 19.8 ± 19.5% and rates of loading ranged from 1.0 to 3.1.

Conclusions

Despite the lack of evident decrease in weight bearing, subclinical lameness can be inferred. The examined dogs had a mean hind limb symmetry index of 19.8 ± 19.5%. Symmetry indices reported in dogs free from orthopedic diseases range from 0.3 to 9.6%. Given non-lame dogs are expected to have a symmetry index close to 0%, data from this study suggests that Bulldogs have gait dysfunctions, which translates into hind limb asymmetries and rate of loading was consistent with severe hip dysplasia despite no visible signs of gait dysfunction. Future studies comparing lame and non-lame Bulldogs are warranted.