A rare hybridization event in two common Caribbean wrasses (genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Halichoeres</Emphasis>; family Labridae)

Molecular tools were used to evaluate the hybrid status of a specimen with intermediate colour pattern between Halichoeres bivittatus and Halichoeres garnoti from Belize. Phylogenetic analyses of the two species, eight Halichoeres species from new and old world lineages and two outgroups showed that the study species are closely related and that H. garnoti is the maternal contributor to the putative hybrid specimen, based on partial mitochondrial COI data. Direct sequencing of Intron 1 of the nuclear ribosomal protein S7 identified H. bivittatus as sister to H. garnoti with the putative hybrid specimen in an intermediate position, due to heterozygosity at nucleotides alternatively fixed in the two putative parent species. This is consistent with the hybrid status of the specimen, with parental contributions from both H. garnoti and H. bivittatus. These results, combined with no evidence of introgression between the two parent species (based on the mtDNA and the single investigated nuclear marker) and the biogeography and ecology of these species suggests that this is a rare event with minimal evolutionary implications.     

GIS-based Tools for Regional Assessments and Planning Processes Regarding Potential Environmental Effects of Poplar SRC

Based on regional stakeholder preferences and planning guidelines as allocation criteria for SRC, this study aims at providing a transparent approach to evaluate multiple environmental effects and the regional significance of SRC systems. Using the example of two poplar SRC-systems (4-year rotation, 9-year rotation) the potential effects on ground water supply, wind erosion, and biodiversity aspects are evaluated in comparison to arable land for two selected municipalities in the district of Uelzen, Germany. Building on fuzzy membership functions and simple fuzzy-logic rules, the qualitative multi-criteria assessment is transparent and easily to adapt. This approach is transferable to other regions and spatial levels, since it derives from commonly available data and scientific evidence. Results show that implementation of SRC could provide multiple beneficial environmental effects, especially in areas with low landscape heterogeneity. The tools provided allow for a multi-criteria evaluation of environmental effects, and reveal the sensitivity to distinct allocation patterns. Physiographical conditions of the study area implicate a preference for mini-SRC systems. This is supported by smaller decline of annual deep percolation water compared to maxi-SRC. On average, decline in groundwater recharge of mini-SRC (92mm a⁻¹) is comparable to irrigated arable land (80mm a⁻¹), which is common practice in the study area. Currently, the utilization of beneficial environmental SRC effects is quite limited, since only 3 % of arable land is suitable for SRC implementation regarding farmers’ preferences for SRC allocation. Allocation preferences could however change substantially with increasing incentives for SRC, e.g., due to regional bioenergy schemes or “Greening” initiatives within the European Common Agricultural Policy, which is to be reformed by 2013.     

Cognition,behaviour and academic skills after cognitive rehabilitation in Ugandan children surviving severe malaria: a randomised trial

Background  

Infection with severe malaria in African children is associated with not only a high mortality but also a high risk of cognitive deficits. There is evidence that interventions done a few years after the illness are effective but nothing is known about those done immediately after the illness. We designed a study in which children who had suffered from severe malaria three months earlier were enrolled into a cognitive intervention program and assessed for the immediate benefit in cognitive, academic and behavioral outcomes.     

PICH regulates the abundance and localization of SUMOylated proteins on mitotic chromosomes

Proper chromosome segregation is essential for faithful cell division and if not maintained results in defective cell function caused by the abnormal distribution of genetic information. Polo-like kinase 1–interacting checkpoint helicase (PICH) is a DNA translocase essential for chromosome bridge resolution during mitosis. Its function in resolving chromosome bridges requires both DNA translocase activity and ability to bind chromosomal proteins modified by the small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO). However, it is unclear how these activities cooperate to resolve chromosome bridges. Here, we show that PICH specifically disperses SUMO2/3 foci on mitotic chromosomes. This PICH function is apparent toward SUMOylated topoisomerase IIα (TopoIIα) after inhibition of TopoIIα by ICRF-193. Conditional depletion of PICH using the auxin-inducible degron (AID) system resulted in the retention of SUMO2/3-modified chromosomal proteins, including TopoIIα, indicating that PICH functions to reduce the association of these proteins with chromosomes. Replacement of PICH with its translocase-deficient mutants led to increased SUMO2/3 foci on chromosomes, suggesting that the reduction of SUMO2/3 foci requires the remodeling activity of PICH. In vitro assays showed that PICH specifically attenuates SUMOylated TopoIIα activity using its SUMO-binding ability. Taking the results together, we propose a novel function of PICH in remodeling SUMOylated proteins to ensure faithful chromosome segregation.     

Aggregation properties of cold-active lipase produced by a psychrotolerant strain of Pseudomonas palleroniana (GBPI_508)

Abstract

The present study aims to exploit microbial potential from colder region to produce lipase enzyme stable at low temperatures. A newly isolated bacterium GBPI_508 from Himalayan environment, was investigated for the production of cold-active lipase emphasizing on its aggregation properties. Plate based assays followed by quantitative production of enzyme was estimated under different culture conditions. Further characterization of partially purified enzyme was done for molecular weight determination and activity and stability under varying conditions of pH, temperature, and in presence of organic solvents, inhibitors, and metal ions. The psychrotolerant bacterium was identified as Pseudomonas palleroniana following 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Maximum lipase production by GBPI_508 was recorded in 7?days at 25?°C utilizing yeast extract as nitrogen source and olive oil as substrate in the lipase production medium. Triton X-100 (1%) in the medium as emulsifier significantly enhanced the lipase production. Lipase produced by bacterium showed aggregation which was confirmed by dynamic light scattering and native PAGE. SDS-PAGE followed by zymogram analysis of partially purified enzyme showed two active bands of ～50?kDa and ～54?kDa. Optimum activity of partially purified enzymatic preparation was recorded at 40?°C while the activity remained nearly consistent from pH 7.0 to 12.0, whereas, maximum stability was recorded at pH values 7.0 and 11.0 at 25?°C. Interestingly, lipase in the partially purified fraction retained 60% enzyme activity at 10?°C. Medium chain pNP ester (C10) was the most preferred substrate for the lipase of GBPI_508. The lipase possessed >50% residual activity when incubated with different organic solvents (25% v/v) except toluene and dichloromethane which inhibited the activity below 50%. Partially purified enzyme was also stable in the presence of metal ions and inhibitors. The study suggests applicability of GBPI_508 lipase in low temperature conditions such as cold-active detergent formulations and cold bioremediation.     

A study on the utility of immobilized cells of indigenous bacteria for biodegradation of reactive azo dyes

Abstract

Azo dyes are recalcitrant compounds used as a colorant in various industries. The pollution caused by their extensive usage has adversely affected the environment for years. The existing physicochemical methods for dye pollution remediation are rather inefficient and hence there is a dearth of low-cost, potential systems capable of dye degradation. The current research studies the biodegradation potential of immobilized bacterial cells against azo dyes Reactive Orange 16 (RO-16) and Reactive Blue 250 (RB-250). Two indigenous dye degrading bacteria Bacillus sp. VITAKB20 and Lysinibacillus sp. KPB6 was isolated from textile sludge sample. Free cells of Bacillus. sp. VITAKB20 degraded 92.38% of RO-16 and that of Lysinibacillus sp. KPB6 degraded 95.36% of RB-250 within 72?h under static conditions. Upon immobilization with calcium alginate, dye degradation occurred rapidly. Bacillus. sp. VITAKB20 degraded 97.5% of RO-16 and Lysinibacillus sp. KPB6 degraded 98.2% of RB-250 within 48?h under shaking conditions. Further, the nature of dye decolorization was biodegradation as evident by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) results. Phytotoxicity and biotoxicity assays revealed that the degraded dye products were less toxic in nature than the pure dyes. Thus, immobilization proved to be a highly likely alternative treatment for dye removal.     

Azadirachta indica and Ocimum sanctum leaf extracts alleviate arsenic toxicity by reducing arsenic uptake and improving antioxidant system in rice seedlings

In the present study the potentials of aqueous extracts of the two plants, neem (Azadirachta indica) and Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum) were examined in alleviating arsenic toxicity in rice (Oryza sativa L.) plants grown in hydroponics. Seedlings of rice grown for 8 days in nutrient solution containing 50 μM sodium arsenite showed decline in growth, reduced biomass, altered membrane permeability and increased production of superoxide anion (O2·−), H2O2 and hydroxyl radicals (·OH). Increased lipid peroxidation marked by elevated TBARS (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances) level, increased protein carbonylation, alterated levels of ascorbate, glutathione and increased activities of enzymes SOD (superoxide dismutase), CAT (catalase), APX (ascorbate peroxidase) and GPX (glutathione peroxidase) were noted in the seedlings on As treatment. Exogenously added leaf aqueous extracts of Azadirachta indica (0.75 mg mL−1, w/v) and Ocimum sanctum (0.87 mg mL−1, w/v) in the growth medium considerably alleviated As toxicity effects in the seedlings, marked by reduced As uptake, restoration of membrane integrity, reduced production of ROS, lowering oxidative damage and restoring the levels of ascorbate, glutathione and activity levels of antioxidative enzymes. Arsenic uptake in the seedlings declined by 72.5% in roots and 72.8% in shoots, when A. indica extract was present in the As treatment medium whereas with O. sanctum extract, the uptake declined by 67.2% in roots and 70.01% in shoots. Results suggest that both A. indica and O. sanctum aqueous extracts have potentials to alleviate arsenic toxicity in rice plants and that A. indica can serve as better As toxicity alleviator compared to O. sanctum.     

Energy–water and seasonal variations in climate underlie the spatial distribution patterns of gymnosperm species richness in China

Studying the pattern of species richness is crucial in understanding the diversity and distribution of organisms in the earth. Climate and human influences are the major driving factors that directly influence the large‐scale distributions of plant species, including gymnosperms. Understanding how gymnosperms respond to climate, topography, and human‐induced changes is useful in predicting the impacts of global change. Here, we attempt to evaluate how climatic and human‐induced processes could affect the spatial richness patterns of gymnosperms in China. Initially, we divided a map of the country into grid cells of 50 × 50 km² spatial resolution and plotted the geographical coordinate distribution occurrence of 236 native gymnosperm taxa. The gymnosperm taxa were separated into three response variables: (a) all species, (b) endemic species, and (c) nonendemic species, based on their distribution. The species richness patterns of these response variables to four predictor sets were also evaluated: (a) energy–water, (b) climatic seasonality, (c) habitat heterogeneity, and (d) human influences. We performed generalized linear models (GLMs) and variation partitioning analyses to determine the effect of predictors on spatial richness patterns. The results showed that the distribution pattern of species richness was highest in the southwestern mountainous area and Taiwan in China. We found a significant relationship between the predictor variable set and species richness pattern. Further, our findings provide evidence that climatic seasonality is the most important factor in explaining distinct fractions of variations in the species richness patterns of all studied response variables. Moreover, it was found that energy–water was the best predictor set to determine the richness pattern of all species and endemic species, while habitat heterogeneity has a better influence on nonendemic species. Therefore, we conclude that with the current climate fluctuations as a result of climate change and increasing human activities, gymnosperms might face a high risk of extinction.