Variation in the use of orchid extrafloral nectar by ants

Summary The relation between ant-plant specificity and the use of host plants as a resource was investigated in the facultative, myrmecophytic orchid, Caularthron bilamellatum (Rchg.f.) Schult. Using stable isotopes, we determined the portion of the ants' diets derived from host plants. We documented that six ant species inhabiting the orchid: (1) derived nutritional benefit from host orchids, and (2) had species-specific levels of extrafloral nectar use. Proportionate contribution of extrafloral nectar to ant diets ranged from 11 to 48%. These results demonstrate extreme interspecific differences in the nutritional benefits received by ants from host orchids. Interspecific differences in nutritional benefits from orchid nectar may be affected by colony size, nutritional needs, behavioral ecology of the ants, and the abundance of alternate food sources.     

Studies on quinones. Part 42: Synthesis of furylquinone and hydroquinones with antiproliferative activity against human tumor cell lines

The preparation of furyl-1,4-quinone and hydroquinones by reaction of 2-furaldehyde N,N-dimethylhydrazone with benzo- and naphthoquinones is reported. Access to furylnaphthoquinones from unactivated quinones requires acid-induced conditions, however oxidative coupling reactions of activated quinones proceed under neutral conditions. The in vitro cytotoxic activity of the prepared compounds against a panel of three human cancer cell lines has been studied. Most of the furyl-1,4-quinones exhibited good antiproliferative activity (GI(50)=6.5-33.5microm) against the MCF-7, NCI-H460, and SF-268 (CNS cancer) cell lines chosen for testing.     

Linking the patterns in soil moisture to leaf water potential, stomatal conductance, growth, and mortality of dominant shrubs in the Florida scrub ecosystem

Patterns in soil moisture availability affect plant survival, growth and fecundity. Here we link patterns in soil moisture to physiological and demographic consequences in Florida scrub plants. We use data on different temporal scales to (1) determine critical soil moisture content that leads to loss of turgor in leaves during predawn measurements of leaf water status (Ψ _crit), (2) describe the temporal patterns in the distribution of Ψ _crit, (3) analyze the strength of relationship between rainfall and soil moisture content based on 8 years of data, (4) predict soil moisture content for 75 years of rainfall data, and (5) evaluate morphological, physiological and demographic consequences of spring 2006 drought on dominant shrubs in Florida scrub ecosystem in the light of water-uptake depth as determined by stable isotope analysis (δ¹⁸O). Based on 1998–2006 data, the soil moisture content at 50 cm depth explained significant variation in predawn leaf water potential of two dominant shrubs, Quercus chapmanii and Ceratiola ericoides (r ²?=?0.69). During 8 years of data collection, leaves attained Ψ _crit only during the peak drought of 2000 when the soil moisture fell below 1% by volume at 50 and 90 cm depth. Precipitation explained a significant variation in soil moisture content (r ²?=?0.62). The patterns in predicted soil moisture for 75 year period, suggested that the frequency of drought occurrence has not increased in time. In spring 2006, the soil reached critical soil moisture levels, with consequences for plant growth and physiological responses. Overall, 24% of plants showed no drought-induced damage, 51% showed damage up to 50%, 21% had intense leaf shedding and 2% of all plants died. Over the drought and recovery period (May–October 2006), relative height growth was significantly lower in plants with greater die-back. All species showed a significant depression in stomatal conductance, while all but deep-rooted palms Sabal etonia and Serenoa repens showed significantly lower predawn (Ψ _pd) and mid-day (Ψ _md) leaf water potential in dry compared to wet season. Plants experiencing less severe die-back exhibited greater stomatal conductance, suggesting a strong relationship between physiology and morphology. Based on results we suggest that the restoration efforts in Florida scrub should consider the soil moisture requirements of key species.     

Studying the functional genomics of stress responses in loblolly pine with the Expresso microarray experiment management system

Conception, design, and implementation of cDNA microarray experiments present a variety of bioinformatics challenges for biologists and computational scientists. The multiple stages of data acquisition and analysis have motivated the design of Expresso, a system for microarray experiment management. Salient aspects of Expresso include support for clone replication and randomized placement; automatic gridding, extraction of expression data from each spot, and quality monitoring; flexible methods of combining data from individual spots into information about clones and functional categories; and the use of inductive logic programming for higher-level data analysis and mining. The development of Expresso is occurring in parallel with several generations of microarray experiments aimed at elucidating genomic responses to drought stress in loblolly pine seedlings. The current experimental design incorporates 384 pine cDNAs replicated and randomly placed in two specific microarray layouts. We describe the design of Expresso as well as results of analysis with Expresso that suggest the importance of molecular chaperones and membrane transport proteins in mechanisms conferring successful adaptation to long-term drought stress.     

Rat and hamster species differences in susceptibility to elastase-induced pulmonary emphysema relate to differences in elastase inhibitory capacity

Syrian Golden hamsters develop severe emphysema after a single intratracheal dose of elastase, whereas Sprague-Dawley rats exhibit mild emphysema with the same dose per kilogram body weight. We hypothesized that the development of severe emphysema is prevented in rats by the high serum level of alpha1-antitrypsin reported in rats, compared with hamsters, which provides for a high lung elastase inhibitory capacity (EIC). To explore this possibility, we challenged the antiprotease system of the rats by treating them with three similar weekly doses of elastase. Four months after treatment, we evaluated changes in histology, volume, and elastic properties of rat lungs and compared them with those of hamsters receiving a single dose of elastase. We also measured serum alpha1-antitrypsin levels and serum and lung EIC in control rats and hamsters. Results showed that, in association with 40% less serum and lung EIC compared with rats (P < 0.001), hamster lungs had upper-lobe bullae formation, severe microscopic emphysema, a fourfold increase in lung volume (P < 0.01) and a threefold increase in constant k, an index of compliance, of the lung deflation pressure-volume curve (P < 0.01). In contrast, rats developed mild emphysema, with only 50% increase in volume (P < 0.05) and 60% increase in constant k (P < 0.01). In conclusion, two species that differ in serum and lung EIC exhibit significant differences in emphysema development after elastase. Rats with high EIC, despite receiving three doses of elastase, showed significantly less derangement of morphological and physiological parameters than hamsters with low EIC receiving a single dose.     

Biodirected mutagenic chemical assay of PM(10) extractable organic matter in Southwest Mexico City

The concentration of breathable particles (PM(10)) in urban areas has been associated with increases in morbidity and mortality of the exposed populations, therein the importance of this study. Organic compounds adsorbed to PM(10) are related to the increased risk to human health. Although some studies have shown the lack of correlation between specific mutagenic compounds in an organic complex mixture (OCM) and the mutagenic response in several bioassays, the same organic compounds selectively separated in less complex groups can show higher or lower mutagenic responses than in the OCM. In this study, we fractionated the OCM, from the PM(10) in four organic fractions of increasing polarity (F1-F4). The Salmonella bioassay with plate incorporation was applied for each one using TA98, with and without S9 (mammalian metabolic activation), and YG1021 (without S9) strains. The most polar fraction (F4) contained the greatest mass followed by F1 (non-polar), F2 and F3 (moderately polar). The concentrations of the OCM as well as the F4 were the only variables correlated with PM(10), atmospheric thermal inversions, fire-prone area, NO(2), SO(2), CO, rain and relative humidity. This indicated that polar organic compounds were originated in gas precursors formed during the atmospheric thermal inversions as well as the product of the incomplete combustion of vehicular exhausts and of burned vegetation. The percentages of the total PAH, and the individual PAH with molecular weight > or = 228 g mol(-1) (except retene) correlated with the percentages of indirect-acting mutagenicity in TA98+S9. The percentages of the total nitro-PAH and most of the analyzed individual nitro-PAH correlated with percentages of the direct-acting mutagenicity in both TA98-S9 and YG1021, the latter being more sensitive. In general, the highest mutagenic activity (indirect and direct) was found in F3 (moderately polar) and in F4 (polar). The non-polar fraction (F1) did not exhibit any kind of mutagenicity. In 77% of the cases, mutagenic activity was higher in the sum fractions with respect to their OCM. The combinations between F1, F2 and F4, with F3 under different or equal proportions suggested that mutagenicity reduction, in the combined matter of January (with TA98+S9 and YG1021) and of May (with YG1021), was due to concentrations of mutagens and non-mutagens in each fraction, and not to an antimutagenic effect. The organic compounds present in the non-polar fractions showed no antagonism, inhibition or reduction in the most mutagenic fractions in both indirect- and direct-acting mutagenicity, and the less polar organic compounds in F3 reduced mutagenicity in F4, in both months.     

Accumulation and Distribution of Lead and Chromium in Laboratory-Scale Constructed Wetlands Inoculated with Metal-Tolerant Bacteria

The accumulation and distribution of lead and chromium was tested in a laboratory-scale constructed wetland (CW) inoculated with metal-tolerant bacteria. Two non-inoculated systems also were evaluated, one planted and the other unplanted. Mass balances indicated that 57% of chromium input was accumulated into inoculated CW after 151 days of operation. The distribution was similar in support media and vegetation, in which 78% was transferred to aerial part. Similarly Pb was accumulated 29% in the support media and 39% in vegetation, which was distributed 52% in rhizome and 48% in aerial part. Significantly lower amounts of heavy metals were accumulated in non-inoculated systems than in the inoculated wetlands (p < 0.005). In addition, a markedly higher proportion of chromium in aerial vegetation and of lead in the suspended fraction of the effluent was exhibited, which raises a subsequent recovery of the metal by harvest and settling, respectively. Results indicate that CW inoculated with metal-tolerant bacteria might be a suitable option for treating wastewater with content of lead and chromium.     

Age,growth and mortality of the comber Serranus cabrilla (Linnaeus, 1758) in the Eastern Atlantic

Comber is an important bycatch species in the trawl fishery both in the Mediterranean and the Atlantic. Age and growth studies have been restricted to the eastern Mediterranean and no methodologies were ever applied to ensure accuracy and precision. In this study a total of 471 otoliths from specimens ranging from 12 to 26?cm were used. Precision indices showed a high level of agreement between readers and no evidence of systematic disagreement was obtained. To estimate fish growth and due to the absence of individuals smaller than 12?cm, three approaches were used to estimate the von Bertalanffy growth parameters: whole otolith readings, back calculation and a combination of both methodologies. Akaike’s information criterion suggests that the back calculation approach was the best one for describing comber growth: TL?=?25.26 [1?e^{(?0.21(t+1.72)}]. Natural mortality estimates varied between M?=?0.44 year^?1 and M?=?0.48 year^?1 while estimates of the fishing mortality varied between 0.12 year^?1 and 0.16 year^?1 and the exploitation rate between 0.20 and 0.27.