Water stress tolerance of shrubs in Mediterranean-type climate regions: Convergence of fynbos and succulent karoo communities with California shrub communities

Mediterranean-type climate regions are highly biodiverse and predicted to be particularly sensitive to climate change. Shrubs of the mediterranean-type climate region of South Africa are highly threatened, and their response to water stress has been comparatively little studied. Resistance to water stress induced xylem cavitation (P(50)) and xylem specific hydraulic conductivity (K(s)) were measured in 15 shrub species from fynbos and succulent karoo communities of South Africa. Species displayed a fivefold variation in cavitation resistance (P(50) of -1.9 to -10.3 MPa) with succulent karoo species displaying greater interspecific variability in P(50) than fynbos species. Principal components analysis (including P(50), minimum seasonal water potential, K(s), and xylem density) showed the response to water stress in fynbos species to be similar to chaparral species from the mediterranean-type climate region of California. The data suggest convergence of community and species-specific water stress "strategies" between these mediterranean-type climate regions with respect to their xylem traits. On the basis of the current study and reported plant death and dieback in these regions, woody species within the fynbos may be more susceptible to climate warming and drying than those within the succulent karoo that appear to be utilizing more diverse xylem strategies in response to water stress.     

Mechanisms of Mutagenesis by a Bulky DNA Lesion at the Guanine N7 Position

The RpII215 locus encodes the large subunit of RNA polymerase II (polII). Three of 22 RpII215 alleles cause a synergistic enhancement of the mutant phenotype elicited by mutations in the Ultrabithorax (Ubx) locus. We have recovered and analyzed three new mutations that suppress this enhancement. All three mutations map to the RpII215 locus. In addition to suppressing the Ubx enhancement of other RpII215 alleles, two of the new mutations, JH1 and WJK2, themselves enhance Ubx. RpII215 alleles can be placed into three classes based on their ability to enhance Ubx. Class I alleles, including Ubl, C4, C11, JH1, and WJK2, enhance Ubx when heterozygous with class II alleles, which include wild-type RpII215. Class III alleles, which include amorphic alleles, do not enhance Ubx. The third new mutation, WJK1, is a conditional amorphic allele, which behaves like a class III allele at 29 degrees but like a class II allele at 19 degrees. Another mutant phenotype is caused by certain RpII215 alleles, including all class I alleles. This phenotype is a synergistic enhancement of a mutant phenotype elicited by mutations at the Delta (Dl) locus. Unlike the enhancement of Ubx, the enhancement of Dl is not dependent upon antagonistic interactions between different classes of RpII215 alleles.     

Lack of AMPKalpha2 enhances pyruvate dehydrogenase activity during exercise

5'-AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) was recently suggested to regulate pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) activity and thus pyruvate entry into the mitochondrion. We aimed to provide evidence for a direct link between AMPK and PDH in resting and metabolically challenged (exercised) skeletal muscle. Compared with rest, treadmill running increased AMPKalpha1 activity in alpha(2)KO mice (90%, P < 0.01) and increased AMPKalpha2 activity in wild-type (WT) mice (110%, P < 0.05), leading to increased AMPKalpha Thr(172) (WT: 40%, alpha(2)KO: 100%, P < 0.01) and ACCbeta Ser(227) phosphorylation (WT: 70%, alpha(2)KO: 210%, P < 0.01). Compared with rest, exercise significantly induced PDH-E(1)alpha site 1 (WT: 20%, alpha(2)KO: 62%, P < 0.01) and site 2 (only alpha(2)KO: 83%, P < 0.01) dephosphorylation and PDH(a) [ approximately 200% in both genotypes (P < 0.01)]. Compared with WT, PDH dephosphorylation and activation was markedly enhanced in the alpha(2)KO mice both at rest and during exercise. The increased PDH(a) activity during exercise was associated with elevated glycolytic flux, and muscles from the alpha(2)KO mice displayed marked lactate accumulation and deranged energy homeostasis. Whereas mitochondrial DNA content was normal, the expression of several mitochondrial proteins was significantly decreased in muscle of alpha(2)KO mice. In isolated resting EDL muscles, activation of AMPK signaling by AICAR did not change PDH-E(1)alpha phosphorylation in either genotype. PDH is activated in mouse skeletal muscle in response to exercise and is independent of AMPKalpha2 expression. During exercise, alpha(2)KO muscles display deranged energy homeostasis despite enhanced glycolytic flux and PDH(a) activity. This may be linked to decreased mitochondrial oxidative capacity.     

Spinal cord injury reveals multilineage differentiation of ependymal cells

Spinal cord injury often results in permanent functional impairment. Neural stem cells present in the adult spinal cord can be expanded in vitro and improve recovery when transplanted to the injured spinal cord, demonstrating the presence of cells that can promote regeneration but that normally fail to do so efficiently. Using genetic fate mapping, we show that close to all in vitro neural stem cell potential in the adult spinal cord resides within the population of ependymal cells lining the central canal. These cells are recruited by spinal cord injury and produce not only scar-forming glial cells, but also, to a lesser degree, oligodendrocytes. Modulating the fate of ependymal progeny after spinal cord injury may offer an alternative to cell transplantation for cell replacement therapies in spinal cord injury.     

Modulation of physiological performance by temperature and salinity in the sugar kelp Saccharina latissima

The sugar kelp Saccharina latissima experiences a wide range of environmental conditions along its geographical and vertical distribution range. Temperature and salinity are two critical drivers influencing growth, photosynthesis and biochemical composition. Moreover, interactive effects might modify the results described for single effects. In shallow water coastal systems, exposure to rising temperatures and low salinity are expected as consequence of global warming, increased precipitation and coastal run‐off. To understand the acclimation mechanisms of S. latissima to changes in temperature and salinity and their interactions, we performed a mechanistic laboratory experiment in which juvenile sporophytes from Brittany, France were exposed to a combination of three temperatures (0, 8 and 15°C) and two salinity levels (20 and 30 psu (practical salinity units)). After a temperature acclimation of 7 days, sporophytes were exposed to low salinity (20 psu) for a period of 11 days. Growth, and maximal quantum yield of photosystem II (Fv/Fm), pigments, mannitol content and C:N ratio were measured over time. We report for the first time in S. latissima a fivefold increase in the osmolyte mannitol in response to low temperature (0°C) compared to 8 and 15°C that may have ecological and economic implications. Low temperatures significantly affected all parameters, mostly in a negative way. Chlorophyll a, the accessory pigment pool, growth and Fv/Fm were significantly lower at 0°C, while the de‐epoxidation state of the xanthophyll cycle was increased at both 0 and 8°C compared to 15°C. Mannitol content and growth decreased with decreased salinity; in contrast, pigment content and Fv/Fm were to a large extent irresponsive to salinity. In comparison to S. latissima originating from an Arctic population, despite some reported differences, this study reveals a remarkably similar impact of temperature and salinity variation, reflecting the large degree of adaptability in this species.     

Interaction between isopod grazing and wave action: a structuring force in macroalgal communities in the southern Baltic Sea

The macroalgal belt in the southern Baltic Sea may be partly structured by the interaction of physical and biological factors. A field study, spanning the 1990s, describes a rapid decline of the Fucus spp. stands along the wave-exposed Swedish southeast coast. During this period, a relative dominance of Fucus vesiculosus L. shifted to a relative dominance of Fucus serratus L. The decline of F. vesiculosus coincided with observations of large numbers of the grazing isopods Idotea baltica (Pallas) and Idotea granulosa Rathke, or with field observations of frequent grazing marks on Fucus fronds. I. baltica, but not I. granulosa, tended to aggregate in the declining Fucus spp. stands, indicating a strong preference for Fucus spp. In a mesocosm experiment I. baltica, when given a choice, grazed both Fucus species at weak water motion. At strong water motion grazing was concentrated on F. vesiculosus. It is hypothesized that one of the reasons I. baltica preferred F. vesiculosus to F. serratus at strong water motion may have been differences in habitat quality, like width of thallus, influencing the ability to cling to the plant. Smaller thallus, as in F. vesiculosus, thus is the preferred habitat for grazing of I. blatica. We postulate that the existence of F. serratus in the area may be favoured by strong wave action and moderate but not strong grazing by I. baltica, relaxing the interspecific competition from F. vesiculosus.     

Urea potentiometric enzymatic biosensor based on charged biopolymers and electrodeposited polyaniline

A potentiometric biosensor based on urease was developed for the quantitative determination of urea concentration in aqueous solutions for biomedical applications. The urease was either physisorbed onto an electrodeposited polyaniline film (PANI), or immobilized on a layer-by-layer film (LbL) assembled over the PANI film, that was obtained by the alternate deposition of charged polysaccharides (carboxymethylpullulan (CMP) and chitosan (CHI)). In the latter case, the urease (Urs) enzyme was either physically adsorbed or covalently grafted to the LbL film using carbodiimide coupling reaction. Potentiometric responses of the enzymatic biosensors were measured as a function of the urea concentration in aqueous solutions (from 10(-6) to 10(-1) mol L(-1) urea). Very high sensitivity and short response time were observed for the present biosensor. Moreover, a stability study showed a higher stability over time for the potentiometric response of the sensor with the enzyme-grafted LbL film, testifying for the protective nature of the polysaccharide coating and the interest of covalent grafting.     

Herbaceous vegetation of seasonally wet habitats on inselbergs and lateritic crusts in West and Central Africa

Inselbergs, mountain ridges and lateritic crusts are characteristic landscape elements in many tropical regions. They are of great interest from a botanical point of view. Their vegetation is relatively uniform and differs from the surrounding vegetation. The first synopsis of herbaceous vegetation of seasonally wet or inundated habitats on rocks, inselbergs, mountain ridges and lateritic crusts in several bioclimatic zones of tropical West Africa and Atlantic Central Africa is presented. A classification of 43 partial data sets, based on 378 relevés, resulted in four associations and several rankless communities, grouped into four different classes (Drosero-Xyridetea, Afrotrilepidetea pilosae, Lycopodietea cernui andMicrochloetea indicae). Plant communities from Atlantic Central Africa and West Africa are very distinct from a floristic point of view; in an ordination, they are clearly separated. TheDrosero indicae-Utricularietalia subulatae (Drosero-Xyridetea) comprises ephemeral vegetation in rock pools and depressions over lateritic crusts. It contains theEriocaulo pumili-Ophioglossion gomezianum, which combines communities with short-lived plant species in small pools on rock outcrops and in shallow depressions over laterite, and theGenliseo africanae-Sporobolion pauciflori, which colonizes similar habitats but is geographically restricted to few mountains in Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia. Mats of monocytyledonous plants (Afrotrilepidetea pilosae, Afrotrilepidetalia pilosae) are very widespread in humid parts of tropical West Africa. They colonize gentle slopes and are often close to communities of theDrosero-Utricularietalia subulatae. Three alliances can be distinguished: West African alliancesCyanotido lanatae-Afrotrilepidion pilosae andSpermacoco hepperanae-Afrotrilepidion pilosae, and an Atlantic Central AfricanOreonesiono testui-Afrotrilepidion pilosae. Small-sacle alterations of the ecological situation often result in a mosaic-like pattern of the plant communities. Especially small inselberg and rock outcrop habitats are often affected by heavy fluctuations of their environmental and climatic conditions. Besides regular short-term dynamics, there are also long-term vegetation dynamics with cycles spanning several years.     

Effect of prostaglandin E1 on chemiluminescence response and adherence of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes to human cultured endothelial cells of prostaglandin E1 treated polytraumatized patients

We investigated the effect of prostaglandin E1 on human polymorphonuclear leukocytes, in vivo. Polymorphonuclear leukocytes of a prostaglandin E1 and placebo study group were harvested and their function, as production of oxygen-derived metabolites and adherence to human cultured endothelial cells, was compared. Additionally, data obtained from polymorphonuclear leukocytes of a prostaglandin E1 and placebo group were compared with data obtained from polymorphonuclear leukocytes from 28 blood donors, who served as a control group. Production of oxygen-derived metabolites by polymorphonuclear leukocytes during contact with endothelial cells was measured by chemiluminescence. Chemiluminescence was significantly (p < 0.01) increased in the placebo group in comparison to the control group decreasing to values of control group after 6 d (post-trauma). Chemiluminescence response was not significantly suppressed in patients treated with prostaglandin E1 in comparison to the placebo group. Adherence of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (placebo group) to endothelial cells was significantly increased (p < 0.01) within the first 6 d post-trauma Following day 6, values were in the same range as values for the control group. Adherence was not significantly suppressed in patients treated with prostaglandin E1 in comparison to the placebo group. In conclusion, prostaglandin E1 at a dose of 20 ng/kg bw/min does not influence production of oxygenderived metabolites and adherence in polytraumatized patients in comparison to a placebo group. Additionally, production of oxygen-derived metabolites by polymorphonuclear leukocytes in response to endothelial cells is shown and it is evident that endothelial cells might influence production of oxygen derived metabolites by polymorphonuclear leukocytes.