Bacillus bingmayongensis sp. nov., isolated from the pit soil of Emperor Qin’s Terra-cotta warriors in China

A Bacillus-like isolate, strain FJAT-13831^T, isolated from the No. 1 pit soil of Emperor Qin’s Terra-cotta Warriors in Xi’an City, China, was studied to determine its taxonomic status. Dominant fatty acids of this organism included iso-C_15:0, iso-C_17:0, C_16:0, iso-C_13:0, anteiso-C_15:0, and iso-C_17:1ω5c. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis confirmed the affiliation of this isolate to the genus Bacillus and indicated that it was closely related to Bacillus pseudomycoides DSM 12442^T (99.72 % similarity). A phylogenetic analysis of the gyrB gene sequence similarities exhibited independent clustering of the isolate FJAT-13831^T and showed 93.8 % (<95 %) sequence similarity with its closest phylogenetic neighbour B. pseudomycoides DSM 12442^T. Separate standing of the strain FJAT-13831^T was supported by a whole genome-based phylogenetic analysis with an average nucleotide identity value of 91.47 (<95 %) between isolate FJAT-13831^T and B. pseudomycoides DSM 12442^T and was consistent with the results of DNA–DNA hybridization (69.1 % relatedness). These findings support the conclusion that the isolate FJAT-13831^T represents a novel species, for which the name Bacillus bingmayongensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is FJAT-13831^T (= CGMCC 1.12043^T = DSM 25427^T).     

Effect of exposure to 50 Hz magnetic field with or without insulin on blood–brain barrier permeability in streptozotocin‐induced diabetic rats

We investigated the effect of long‐term exposure to modulation magnetic field (MF), insulin, and their combination on blood–brain barrier (BBB) permeability in a diabetic rat model. Fifty‐three rats were randomly assigned to one of six groups: sham, exposed to no MF; MF, exposed to MF; diabetes mellitus (DM), DM induced with streptozotocin (STZ); DM plus MF (DMMF); DM plus insulin therapy (DMI); and DM plus insulin therapy plus MF (DMIMF). All the rats underwent Evans blue (EB) measurement to evaluate the BBB 30 days after the beginning of experiments. The rats in MF, DMMF, and DMIMF groups were exposed to MF (B = 5 mT) for 165 min every day for 30 days. Mean arterial blood pressure (MABP), body mass, and serum glucose level of the study rats were recorded. The extravasation of brain EB of the MF, DM, DMMF, DMI, and DMIMF groups was higher than that of the sham group and the extravasation of right hemisphere of the DMIMF group was highest (P < 0.05). The post‐procedure body mass of the sham and MF groups were significantly higher than those of the DM and DMMF groups (P < 0.05). In the DM, DMMF, DMI, and DMIMF groups, the baseline glucose was significantly lower than the post‐procedure glucose (P < 0.05). DM and MF increase BBB permeability; in combination, they cause more increase in BBB permeability, and insulin decreases their effect on BBB. Improved glucose metabolism may prevent body mass loss and the hypoglycemic effect of MF. DM increases MABP but MF causes no additional effect. Bioelectromagnetics 31:262–269, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Molecular Characterization and Virulence of Beauveria spp. from the Pine Processionary Moth, Thaumetopoea pityocampa (Lepidoptera: Thaumetopoeidae)

The pine processionary moth Thaumetopoea pityocampa (Den. & Schiff.) is one of the most harmful pests to pine species in Mediterranean countries including Turkey. Caterpillars of T. pityocampa are not only significantly harmful to forest trees but also responsible for various allergic reactions in humans and animals. In this study, in order to find a more effective and safe biological control agent against T. pityocampa, we investigated fungal pathogens of T. pityocampa in the Black Sea Region of Turkey and tested their pathogenicity on it. Five different fungi were isolated and identified based on their morphological and molecular characteristics including ITS and partial sequence of EF1-[alpha]. Based on these characteristics, four isolates were identified as Beauveria bassiana cf. Clade C (Rehner and Buckley in Mycologia 97:84–98, 2005) and one isolate was identified as Beauveria bassiana. Among these isolates, B. bassiana KTU-24, B. bassiana cf. Clade C KTU-66 and KTU-67 showed the highest virulence with 100% mortality within 10 days after application. B. bassiana isolate KTU-24 produced the highest mycosis value with %100. Consequently, B. bassiana KTU-24 seems to be good candidate for further investigation as a possible biological control agent against this pest.     

Production, purification and structural characterization of an exopolysaccharide produced by a probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum MTCC 9510

Exopolysaccharides (EPS) from lactic acid bacteria contribute to specific rheology and texture of fermented milk products and finds applications even in non-dairy foods and in therapeutics. Box-Behnken model of response surface methodology (RSM) was employed to formulate the production medium for exopolysaccharide (EPS). FT-IR spectral analysis of the purified EPS from Lactobacillus plantarum MTCC 9510 revealed prominent characteristic groups corresponding to polyhydric alcohols. The degradation temperature (Td) of the polysaccharide was found to be 260°C with the help of thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA). Structure elucidation of the EPS showed that it consists of a trisaccharide repeating unit of α-d-glucose, β-d-glucose and α-d-mannose.     

Genetic diversity for grain nutrients in wild emmer wheat: potential for wheat improvement

Background and Aims

Micronutrient malnutrition, particularly zinc and iron deficiency, afflicts over three billion people worldwide due to low dietary intake. In the current study, wild emmer wheat (Triticum turgidum ssp. dicoccoides), the progenitor of domesticated wheat, was tested for (1) genetic diversity in grain nutrient concentrations, (2) associations among grain nutrients and their relationships with plant productivity, and (3) the association of grain nutrients with the eco-geographical origin of wild emmer accessions.

Methods

A total of 154 genotypes, including wild emmer accessions from across the Near Eastern Fertile Crescent and diverse wheat cultivars, were characterized in this 2-year field study for grain protein, micronutrient (zinc, iron, copper and manganese) and macronutrient (calcium, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus and sulphur) concentrations.

Key Results

Wide genetic diversity was found among the wild emmer accessions for all grain nutrients. The concentrations of grain zinc, iron and protein in wild accessions were about two-fold greater than in the domesticated genotypes. Concentrations of these compounds were positively correlated with one another, with no clear association with plant productivity, suggesting that all three nutrients can be improved concurrently with no yield penalty. A subset of 12 populations revealed significant genetic variation between and within populations for all minerals. Association between soil characteristics at the site of collection and grain nutrient concentrations showed negative associations between soil clay content and grain protein and between soil-extractable zinc and grain zinc, the latter suggesting that the greatest potential for grain nutrient minerals lies in populations from micronutrient-deficient soils.

Conclusions

Wild emmer wheat germplasm offers unique opportunities to exploit favourable alleles for grain nutrient properties that were excluded from the domesticated wheat gene pool.     

Exogenous salicylate application affects the lead and copper accumulation characteristics of Lemna gibba L

Previous studies have shown that salicylates can change the ion permeability of root cells. Therefore the possible effects of exogenous salicylate application on lead (Pb) and copper (Cu) accumulation and its protective role against DNA damage due to metal exposure in Lemna gibba were studied. L. gibba was exposed to 5, 10, and 25 microM Pb and Cu for six days in the presence and absence of sodium salicylate (SA) (0.1, 0.5, and 1 mM). At all concentrations tested, SA application decreased Pb accumulation. On the other hand, application of 0.5 mM SA increased Cu accumulation. SA did not reduce DNA damage resulting from Pb and Cu toxicity. In summary, SA may be useful for reducing Pb accumulation, and application of SA at 0.5 mM may be useful for the phytoextraction of Cu.     

The effects of dietary boric acid and borax supplementation on lipid peroxidation,antioxidant activity,and DNA damage in rats

The aims of this study were to clarify the effects of high dietary supplementation with boric acid and borax, called boron (B) compounds, on lipid peroxidation (LPO), antioxidant activity, some vitamin levels, and DNA damage in rats. Thirty Sprague Dawley male rats were divided into three equal groups: the animals in the first group (control) were fed with a standard rodent diet containing 6.4 mg B/kg, and the animals in the experimental group were fed with a standard rodent diet added with a supra-nutritional amount of boric acid and borax (100 mg B/kg) throughout the experimental period of 28 days. The B compounds decreased malondialdehyde (MDA), DNA damage, the protein carbonyl content (PCO) level in blood, and glutathione (GSH) concentration in the liver, Cu–Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) activity in the kidney. The B compounds increased GSH concentration in blood and the vitamin C level in plasma. Consequently, our results demonstrate that B supplementation (100 mg/kg) in diet decreases LPO, and enhances the antioxidant defense mechanism and vitamin status. There are no differences in oxidant/antioxidant balance and biochemical parameters except for serum vitamin A and liver GSH concentration, between the boron compounds used in this study.     

Screening of entomopathogenic fungi against the European spruce bark beetle,Dendroctonus micans (Coleoptera: Scolytidae)

The European spruce bark beetle, Dendroctonus micans Kugelann (Coleoptera: Scolytidae), is one of the most serious destructive pests of oriental spruce (Picea orientalis L.). In order to find an effective biocontrol agent against this pest, we determined the effectiveness of entomopathogenic fungi against D. micans. Virulence of nine highly pathogenic strains including Beauveria bassiana (2), Beauveria cf. bassiana (2), Metarhizium anisopliae (2), Metarhizium sp. (1), Isaria fumosorosea (1) and Evlachovaea sp. (1) was evaluated on D. micans larvae and adults under laboratory conditions. Mortality values for both larvae and adults ranged from 83 to 100% and from 23 to 100%, respectively. Larvae were more susceptible to fungi than adults (P<0.05). Based on screening tests, B. cf. bassiana isolate KTU-53 was found the most effective isolate. LC₅₀ values were calculated as 1.77×10⁴ and 2.65×10⁴ conidia mL^?1 for isolate KTU-53 against larvae and adults, respectively. Consequently, B. cf. bassiana isolate KTU-53 appears to be the most promising microbial control agent for biocontrol of D. micans.