Trichopodiella faurei n. sp. (Ciliophora,Phyllopharyngea, Cyrtophoria): Morphological Description and Phylogenetic Analyses Based on SSU rRNA and Group I Intron Sequences

ABSTRACT. A new marine cyrtophorian ciliate Trichopodiella faurei n. sp., which belongs to the order Dysteriida, family Hartmannulidae, was investigated at the morphological and molecular levels. A combination of morphological features of the organism including the oval body shape, 2–3 contractile vacuoles, 22–28 nematodesmal rods in the cytopharyngeal basket, and 31–39 somatic kineties, distinguishes it from all other known congeners. In reconstructed small subunit (SSU) rRNA phylogenies, T. faurei groups with Isochona, a representative genus of the subclass Chonotrichia. The similarity of the infraciliature between hartmannulids and several chonotrichian examples also suggests that these taxa should be closely related. A new S943 intron belonging to group IC1 was identified in the SSU rRNA gene of this species. This intron is phylogenetically related to the S891 introns previously found in the suctorians Acineta sp. and Tokophrya lemnarum, and their internal guide sequences share four nucleotides, indicating that these introns were vertically inherited from a common phyllopharyngean ancestor and that reverse splicing might have been involved in the transposition.     

Morphology and Small Subunit rDNA Gene Sequence of Pseudoamphisiella quadrinucleata n. sp. (Ciliophora,Urostylida) from the South China Sea

ABSTRACT. The urosylid genus Pseudoamphisiella was established by Song (1996) with hitherto only two known congeners. In the present work, the morphology and infraciliature of a new member, Pseudoamphisiella quadrinucleata n. sp., a form with conspicuous alveolar layer and four macronuclear nodules isolated from the coastal waters both near Hong Kong and near Guangzhou, South China were investigated using living observation and protargol silver impregnation methods. Pseudoamphisiella quadrinucleata differs from other two known forms mainly by the number of macronuclear nodules: constantly four vs. two in Pseudoamphisiella alveolata and 24–57 in Pseudoamphisiella lacazei. To support this, the sequence of the small subunit rDNA of P. quadrinucleata n. sp. showed 14 and 74 nucleotides in comparison with that of the two known congeners, respectively, which hence firmly supports the validity of the new species.     

Pan-European regional-scale modelling of water and N efficiencies of rapeseed cultivation for biodiesel production

The energy produced from the investment in biofuel crops needs to account for the environmental impacts on soil, water, climate change and ecosystem services. A regionalized approach is needed to evaluate the environmental costs of large-scale biofuel production. We present a regional pan-European simulation of rapeseed ( Brassica napus ) cultivation. Rapeseed is the European Union's dominant biofuel crop with a share of about 80% of the feedstock. To improve the assessment of the environmental impact of this biodiesel production, we performed a pan-European simulation of rapeseed cultivation at a 10 × 10 km scale with Environmental Policy Integrated Climate (EPIC). The model runs with a daily time step and model input consists of spatialized meteorological measurements, and topographic, soil, land use, and farm management practices data and information. Default EPIC model parameters were calibrated based on literature. Modelled rapeseed yields were satisfactory compared with yields at regional level reported for 151 regions obtained for the period from 1995 to 2003 for 27 European Union member countries, along with consistent modelled and reported yield responses to precipitation, radiation and vapour pressure deficit at regional level. The model is currently set up so that plant nutrient stress is not occurring. Total fertilizer consumption at country level was compared with IFA/FAO data. This approach allows us to evaluate environmental pressures and efficiencies arising from and associated with rapeseed cultivation to further complete the environmental balance of biofuel production and consumption.     

Phylogenetic analyses suggest that Psammomitra (Ciliophora,Urostylida) should represent an urostylid family,based on small subunit rRNA and alpha‐tubulin gene sequence information

The morphologically unique ciliate Psammomitra has long been considered as a systematically uncertain stichotrich. This is mainly because of its highly specialized morphology and a lack of either detailed information concerning its ontogenesis, or molecular data. Based on the small subunit rRNA (SSrRNA) gene and alpha‐tubulin gene sequences, we re‐evaluated the phylogenetic position of Psammomitra retractilis using multiple algorithms. Phylogenetic trees inferred from the SSrRNA gene sequences representing a total of 53 spirotrichs demonstrated the closest relationship of Psammomitra was with Holosticha‐like taxa, with strong support, which clearly suggested that Psammomitra should be placed into the order Urostylida although it branched at a rather deep level, and is likely to be closely related to Holostichidae. With consideration to molecular evidence and morphological characters, Psammomitra should be a clearly outlined taxon at about the rank of family, i.e. Psammomitridae stat. nov. , within the order Urostylida. The improved diagnosis for this family is as follows: Urostylida possessing extremely contractile, elongated body which consists of three parts: head, trunk, and slender tail; midventral complex composed of midventral pairs only and restricted to about anterior 1/3 of ventral surface; frontal, frontoterminal, and transverse cirri present; one left and one right marginal rows which commence near proximal end of adoral zone and extend to near rear body end.     

Molecular characterization of a fungal gene paralogue of the penicillin penDE gene of Penicillium chrysogenum

Background  

Penicillium chrysogenum converts isopenicillin N (IPN) into hydrophobic penicillins by means of the peroxisomal IPN acyltransferase (IAT), which is encoded by the penDE gene. In silico analysis of the P. chrysogenum genome revealed the presence of a gene, Pc13g09140, initially described as paralogue of the IAT-encoding penDE gene. We have termed this gene ial because it encodes a protein with high similarity to IAT (IAL for IAT-Like). We have conducted an investigation to characterize the ial gene and to determine the role of the IAL protein in the penicillin biosynthetic pathway.     

Effect of hydrocarbon concentration of pasture production (<i>Brachiaria humidicola</i>) in Texistepec,Veracruz

In this study, the relationship between the concentration of extra-heavy crude petroleum in a clayey material and the toxicity, field capacity, temperature, and growth of a tropical forage grass (Brachiara humidicola) was determined empirically. For this type of petroleum the acute toxicity (Microtox^®) was slight (CE₅₀ = 63200 - 76400 mg/kg) even at high hydrocarbon concentrations (29279 mg/kg). Nonetheless, serious impacts were encountered in terms of an increase in soil temperature (+ 1.3 °C), reduction in field capacity (-10.7%) and reduction in aerial biomass (-97%). The relationship between hydrocarbon concentration and biomass resulted in a typical dose-response curve (r = 0.99), where a concentration of 2626 mg/kg of hydrocarbons corresponds to a maintenance of 90% biomass. Furthermore, during the duration of this study (one year) the biodegradation was proportional to the pasture biomass production (r = 0.997) indicating a synergistic relationship between the petroleum biodegrading microorganisms in the rhizosphere and the pasture.     

Genetic Improvement of Willow for Bioenergy and Biofuels

Willows (Salix spp.) are a very diverse group of catkin-bearing trees and shrubs that are widely distributed across temperate regions of the globe.Some species respond well to being grown in short rotation coppice (SRC) cycles,which are much shorter than conventional forestry.Coppicing reinvigorates growth and the biomass rapidly accumulated can be used as a source of renewable carbon for bioenergy and biofuels.As SRC willows re-distribute nutrients during the perennial cycle they require only minimal nitro...     

Effects of Infection by Trypanosoma cruzi and Trypanosoma rangeli on the Reproductive Performance of the Vector Rhodnius prolixus

The insect Rhodnius prolixus is responsible for the transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi, which is the etiological agent of Chagas disease in areas of Central and South America. Besides this, it can be infected by other trypanosomes such as Trypanosoma rangeli. The effects of these parasites on vectors are poorly understood and are often controversial so here we focussed on possible negative effects of these parasites on the reproductive performance of R. prolixus, specifically comparing infected and uninfected couples. While T. cruzi infection did not delay pre-oviposition time of infected couples at either temperature tested (25 and 30°C) it did, at 25°C, increase the e-value in the second reproductive cycle, as well as hatching rates. Meanwhile, at 30°C, T. cruzi infection decreased the e-value of insects during the first cycle and also the fertility of older insects. When couples were instead infected with T. rangeli, pre-oviposition time was delayed, while reductions in the e-value and hatching rate were observed in the second and third cycles. We conclude that both T. cruzi and T. rangeli can impair reproductive performance of R. prolixus, although for T. cruzi, this is dependent on rearing temperature and insect age. We discuss these reproductive costs in terms of potential consequences on triatomine behavior and survival.     

Role of angiotensin II and oxidative stress on renal aquaporins expression in hypernatremic rats

The aim of this study was to assess whether endogenous Ang II and oxidative stress produced by acute hypertonic sodium overload may regulate the expression of aquaporin-1 (AQP-1) and aquaporin-2 (AQP-2) in the kidney. Groups of anesthetized male Sprague–Dawley rats were infused with isotonic saline solution (control) or with hypertonic saline solution (Na group, 1 M NaCl), either alone or with losartan (10 mg kg^?1) or tempol (0.5 mg min^?1 kg^?1) during 2 h. Renal function parameters were measured. Groups of unanesthetized animals were injected intraperitoneally with hypertonic saline solution, with or without free access to water intake, Na+W, and Na?W, respectively. The expression of AQP-1, AQP-2, Ang II, eNOS, and NF-kB were evaluated in the kidney by Western blot and immunohistochemistry. AQP-2 distribution was assessed by immunofluorescence. Na group showed increased natriuresis and diuresis, and Ang II and NF-kB expression, but decreased eNOS expression. Losartan or tempol enhanced further the diuresis, and AQP-2 and eNOS expression, as well as decreased Ang II and NF-kB expression. Confocal immunofluorescence imaging revealed labeling of AQP-2 in the apical plasma membrane with less labeling in the intracellular vesicles than the apical membrane in kidney medullary collecting duct principal cells both in C and Na groups. Importantly, our data also show that losartan and tempol induces a predominantly accumulation of AQP-2 in intracellular vesicles. In unanesthetized rats, Na+W group presented increased diuresis, natriuresis, and AQP-2 expression (112?±?25 vs 64?±?16; *p?<?0.05). Water deprivation increased plasma sodium and diuresis but decreased AQP-2 (46?±?22 vs 112?±?25; §p?<?0.05) and eNOS expression in the kidney. This study is a novel demonstration that renal endogenous Ang II–oxidative stress, induced in vivo in hypernatremic rats by an acute sodium overload, regulates AQP-2 expression.     

Determination of aflatoxin levels in peanut butter using HPLC and ELISA procedures: Inter-laboratory comparison

Mycotoxin Research - Six laboratories analyzed portions of the same aqueous acetonitrile extracts of three peanut butters for aflatoxin concentrations by an HPLC procedure (using immunoaffinity...