Tightly Regulated Expression Vectors for Ochrobactrum anthropi

Genetic studies of Ochrobactrum anthropi, a bacterial species important in bioremediation and biopesticide degradation, are hindered by the lack of suitably regulated gene expression system. A tightly regulated gene-expression system was developed for O. anthropi using the lacI^q gene and a re-engineered coliphage T5 promoter containing completely symmetrical DNA segment that binds more efficiently to the lactose repressor. The β-galactosidase activity was increased 57-fold when the expression of the re-engineered T5 promoter was induced. The degree of induction was controllable by varying the concentration of inducer isopropyl-β-d-thiogalactopyranoside.     

Clinical and pathological findings of a newly recognized disease of elephants caused by endotheliotropic herpesviruses

The unique clinical and pathological findings in nine Asian (Elephas maximus) and two African (Loxodonta africana) elephants from North American Zoos with a highly fatal disease caused by novel endotheliotropic herpesviruses are described. Identification of the viruses by molecular techniques and some epidemiological aspects of the disease were previously reported. Consensus primer polymerase chain reaction (PCR) combined with sequencing yielded molecular evidence that confirmed the presence of two novel but related herpesviruses associated with the disease, one in Asian elephants and the second in African elephants. Disease onset was acute, with lethargy, edema of the head and thoracic limbs, oral ulceration and cyanosis of the tongue followed by death of most animals in 1 to 7 days. Pertinent laboratory findings in two of three clinically evaluated animals included lymphocytopenia and thrombocytopenia. Two affected young Asian elephants recovered after a 3 to 4 wk course of therapy with the anti-herpesvirus drug famciclovir. Necropsy findings in the fatal cases included pericardial effusion and extensive petechial hemorrhages in the heart and throughout the peritoneal cavity, hepatomegaly, cyanosis of the tongue, intestinal hemorrhage, and ulceration. Histologically, there were extensive microhemorrhages and edema throughout the myocardium and mild, subacute myocarditis. Similar hemorrhagic lesions with inflammation were evident in the tongue, liver, and large intestine. Lesions in these target organs were accompanied by amphophilic to basophilic intranuclear viral inclusion bodies in capillary endothelial cells. Transmission electron microscopy of the endothelial inclusion bodies revealed 80 to 92 nm diameter viral capsids consistent with herpesvirus morphology. The short course of the herpesvirus infections, with sudden deaths in all but the two surviving elephants, was ascribed to acute cardiac failure attributed to herpesvirus-induced capillary injury with extensive myocardial hemorrhage and edema.     

Distribution pattern of the Snake-eyed Lizard,Ophisops elegans Ménétriés, 1832 (Squamata: Lacertidae), in Iran

Ophisops elegans, a common lizard with a wide distribution range in Iran, was selected to investigate the influence of environmental factors on its distribution pattern. Based on a distribution model developed with the software Maxent for O. elegans, the most important factors influencing the distribution pattern were found to be high winter precipitation, intermediate levels of Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and intermediate levels of sunshine. It seems that overall plant cover and competition with Mesalina watsonana are the main factors which influence the distribution pattern of O. elegans in the central Iranian Plateau.     

Evaluation of substituted oxime ethers for growth regulatory activity against Spodoptera litura (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Insect growth regulator (IGR) activity of 52 substituted oxime ethers was evaluated against an important polyphagous lepidopteran pest, Spodoptera litura (F.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Several compounds produced symptoms comparable to exogenously applied juvenile hormone. Maximum ICR activity was exhibited by 4'-(2,6,6-trimethyl-2-cyclohexen-1-yl)-3'-buten-2'(E)-ketoxime-N-O-alkyl ether with an ED50 (morphological) of 40 microg g(-1) body weight, compared with 20 microg g(-1) of juvenile hormone (JH) III. Two more compounds, namely, 4'-(2,6,6-trimethyl-2-cyclohexen-1-yl)-3'-buten-2'(Z)-ketoxime-N-O-methyl propyl ether (ED50 of 192 microg g(-1)) and 4'-(2,6,6-trimethyl-1-cyclohexen-1-yl)-3'-buten-2'(E)-ketoxime-N-O-pentyl ether (ED50 of 380 microg g(-1)) showed considerable IGR activity, whereas 4'-(2,6,6-trimethyl-2-cyclohexen-1-yl)-3'-buten-2'(E)-ketoxime-N-O-pentyl ether was found to be acutely toxic to larvae (ED50 of 268 microg g(-1)). Three compounds used in this study also were synergized by piperonyl butoxide. Synergistic ratios ranged from 1.330 to 4.605. No significant ovicidal activity was obtained.     

Comparison of soil seed banks of habitats distributed along an altitudinal gradient in northern Iran

In this study we investigated the variations in soil seed banks along an altitudinal gradient in the Alborz mountains, Iran, covering three habitats from lower to upper altitudes: forest, forest-subalpine grassland ecotone and subalpine meadow. In each habitat from 1850 to 2400 m, 20 quadrats were established along four transects, and the above-ground vegetation and the germinable seed banks were determined. Results show that the similarity between seed bank and vegetation was lowest in the ecotone located at intermediate altitudes. Together with the contrasting highest density and species diversity of seeds at these altitudes, the ecotonal role of this habitat was confirmed.We found evidence that lower altitudes could act as storage for seeds of some species growing at higher altitudes; the role of the ecotone was more prominent as a reserve for the meadow plant seeds than the role of the forest as a reserve for seeds of the meadow and ecotone habitats. Soil seed banks, particularly from the ecotone, can be used for restoring vegetation in some degraded sites.     

Sexual size dimorphism in Ophisops elegans (Squamata: Lacertidae) in Iran

Twenty-three morphological features of 140 specimens of Ophisops elegans were analysed in order to identify sexual dimorphism in west and northwestern populations of Iran. Sexual dimorphism is significant (P<0.05) in nearly all metric features except for trunk length (TL) and length of widest part of belly (LWB), and in only two meristic characters, the number of dorsal scales around mid-body (DSN) and the number of femoral pores (FPN). Males have a relatively longer snout-vent length (SVL) than females and males have generally relatively larger heads compared to females.     

Paleoclimate and tectonic controls on the depositional and diagenetic history of the Cenomanian–early Turonian carbonate reservoirs, Dezful Embayment, SW Iran

Integrated facies and diagenetic analyses within a sequence stratigraphic framework were carried out on mid-Cretaceous Sarvak carbonate reservoirs in five giant and supergiant oilfields in the central and southern parts of the Dezful Embayment, SW Iran. Results of facies analysis indicate a homoclinal ramp-type carbonate platform for this formation with the frequencies of different facies associations in six wells reflecting their approximate position in the sedimentary model. Diagenetic studies indicate periods of subaerial exposure with different intensities and durations in the upper Sarvak carbonates producing karstified profiles, dissolution-collapse breccias, and thick bauxitic-lateritic horizons. Sequence stratigraphic interpretations show that the tectonic evolution of the NE margin of the Arabian Plate (Zagros Basin) during Cenomanian–Turonian times shaped the facies characteristics, diagenetic features, and strongly influenced reservoir formation. Reactivation of basement-block faults and halokinetic movements (related to the Hormoz salt series) in the middle Cretaceous, resulted in the development of several paleohighs and troughs in the Dezful Embayment hydrocarbon province. Movements on these structures generated two and locally three disconformities in the upper parts of Sarvak Formation in this region. The paleohighs played an important role in reservoir evolution within the Sarvak Formation in three giant-supergiant oilfields (including Gachsaran, Rag-e-Safid, and Abteymour oilfields) but where these structures are absent reservoir quality is low.     

The Distribution of Heavy Metals in Urban Street Dusts of Karak City,Jordan

Street dust samples from urban and suburban areas were collected from the city of Karak, Jordan, during the summer season of 2004. Samples were analyzed for their heavy metal concentrations (Pb, Cu, Zn, Ni, Fe, Cr, Cd, and Mn). The results showed that all heavy metals are higher in city urban areas than the surrounding suburbs. The distribution and concentrations of heavy metals in all areas show automobile originated sources such as emissions and wear and tear of automobiles were the main source of pollution. Despite the fact that the city of Karak and the capital Amman are under the same climatic conditions and same type of fuel used in both cities, the heavy metal concentrations of street dust samples were lower in Karak than Amman due to the lower traffic density.