An improved elutriation technique for the bioassessment of sediment contaminants

An improved method is proposed for the preparation of sediment elutriates which permits relatively realistic determination of bioavailable contaminants. It suggests the use of rotary tumbling in a cycle of 3–4 rpm to achieve sediment-water mixing. Experiments were undertaken to evaluate the mixing efficiency of the rotary tumbler as compared to that of the compressed air, wrist-action shaker, and reciprocal shaker methods. Sediment to water ratios of 0 : 1, 1 : 20, 1 : 10, and 1 : 4 were tested over 0.5, 1.0, 24, and 48-h elution periods. Elutriate evaluations were based on chemical, physico-chemical and gravimetric determinations; and also on ¹⁴C-phytoplankton bioassays using Chlorella vulgaris (Beyerinck). Results indicated that rotary tumbling produced the most consistent bioassay-supportable data. It was also the most efficient procedure when used for 1 h with 1 : 4 sediment-water mixtures.     

Measurements of sediment toxicity of autotrophic and heterotrophic picoplankton by epifluorescence microscopy

Sediment toxicity from Toronto (Ontario) and Toledo (Ohio) harbours to autotrophic and heterotrophic picoplankton was evaluated simultaneously using epifluorescent microscopy. The approach is a simple, fast and effective combination of autofluorescence and fluorescence probes - 1-anilino-8-naphthalene sulfonic acid. The procedure is ideally suited for use with sediment slurries since it can differentiate fluorescent biotic material against a background of abiotic sediment particles and detritus.     

A simple computer-based video image analysis system and potential applications to microbiology

An inexpensive microcomputer-based image analysis system is described in which an Apple microcomputer acquires data from a video camera or video cassette recorder and measures the brightness of the image received at specified points or areas. Suggested uses for this apparatus include measurements of chlorophyll fluorescence in algal cells, determination of the effects of ultraviolet illumination on chlorophyll fluorescence, estimation of total amounts of chlorophyll in a microscope field, and microspectrophotometic and microdensitometic measurements. A similar ssytem using the IBM personal computer with a different interface is also described.     

Physiological acclimation to elevated temperature in a reef-building coral from an upwelling environment

Recent work has found that pocilloporid corals from regions characterized by unstable temperatures, such as those exposed to periodic upwelling, display a remarkable degree of phenotypic plasticity. In order to understand whether important reef builders from these upwelling reefs remain physiologically uncompromised at temperatures they will experience in the coming decades as a result of global climate change, a long-term elevated temperature experiment was conducted with Pocillopora damicornis specimens collected from Houbihu, a small embayment within Nanwan Bay, southern Taiwan that is characterized by 8–9 °C temperature changes during upwelling events. Upon nine months of exposure to nearly 30 °C, all colony (mortality and surface area), polyp (Symbiodinium density and chlorophyll a content), tissue (total thickness), and molecular (gene expression and molecular composition)-level parameters were documented at similar levels between experimental corals and controls incubated at 26.5 °C, suggesting that this species can readily acclimate to elevated temperatures that cause significant degrees of stress, or even bleaching and mortality, in conspecifics of other regions of the Indo-Pacific. However, the gastrodermal tissue layer was relatively thicker in corals of the high temperature treatment sampled after nine months, possibly as an adaptive response to shade Symbiodinium from the higher photosynthetically active radiation levels that they were experiencing at that sampling time. Such shading may have prevented high light and high temperature-induced photoinhibition, and consequent bleaching, in these samples.     

The organization of interphase chromatin in drosophilidae

Cytological evidence is presented which shows that for Drosophila virilis and Samoaia leonensis at least, each satellite DNA is condensed into a distinct heterochromatic mass during interphase. This is seen as just one example of a general phenomenon in which chromatin containing a particular DNA sequence binds to other chromatin containing the same sequence. It is proposed that DNA sequence specific proteins can account for this phenomenon.     

Effect of tree species and end seal on attractiveness and utility of cut bolts to the redbay ambrosia beetle and granulate ambrosia beetle (coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae)

The redbay ambrosia beetle, Xyleborus glabratus Eichhoff, is a non-native invasive pest and vector of the fungus that causes laurel wilt disease in certain trees of the family Lauraceae. This study assessed the relative attractiveness and suitability of cut bolts of several tree species to X. glabratus. In 2009, female X. glabratus were equally attracted to traps baited with swampbay (Persea palustris (Rafinesque) Sargent) and camphortree (Cinnamomum camphora (L.) J. Presl), which were more attractive than avocado (Persea americana Miller), lancewood (Ocotea coriacea (Swartz) Britton), and sweetbay (Magnolia virginiana L.). These species were more attractive than loblolly bay (Gordonia lasianthus (L.) J. Ellis). X. glabratus entrance hole density and emergence from caged bolts were highest on swampbay and camphortree. In 2010, swampbay was significantly more attractive to X. glabratus than sassafras (Sassafras albidum (Nuttall) Nees), yellow poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera L.), and eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis L.). Sassafras bolts end sealed with a liquid wax-and-water emulsion were more attractive to X. glabratus than end-sealed bolts of yellow poplar and redbud. Relative to unsealed bolts, end seal decreased X. glabratus entrance hole density on swampbay and decreased granulate ambrosia beetle (Xylosandrus crassiusculus (Motschulsky)) trap catch, entrance hole density, and adult emergence from swampbay. X. crassiusculus was not attracted to sassafras, yellow poplar, and redbud and was not more attracted to manuka oil than to unbaited traps. Sassafras was more attractive to X. glabratus than previously reported and supported reproducing populations of the insect. End sealing bolts with a wax-and-water emulsion may not be optimal for attracting and rearing ambrosia beetles in small logs.     

The 14-3-3 proteins of Arabidopsis regulate root growth and chloroplast development as components of the photosensory system

The 14-3-3 proteins specifically bind a number of client proteins to influence important pathways, including flowering timing via the photosensory system. For instance, 14-3-3 proteins influence the photosensory system through interactions with Constans (CO) protein. 14-3-3 associations with the photosensory system were further studied in this investigation using 14-3-3 T-DNA insertion mutants to study root and chloroplast development. The 14-3-3 μ T-DNA insertion mutant, 14-3-3μ-1, had shorter roots than the wild type and the difference in root length could be influenced by light intensity. The 14-3-3 ν T-DNA insertion mutants also had shorter roots, but only when grown under narrow-bandwidth red light. Five-day-old 14-3-3 T-DNA insertion and co mutants all had increased root greening compared with the wild type, which was influenced by light wavelength and intensity. However, beyond 10 d of growth, 14-3-3μ-1 roots did not increase in greening as much as wild-type roots. This study reveals new developmental roles of 14-3-3 proteins in roots and chloroplasts, probably via association with the photosensory system.     

Gene expression normalization in a dual-compartment system: a real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction protocol for symbiotic anthozoans

Traditional real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction protocols cannot be used accurately with symbiotic organisms unless the relative contribution of each symbiotic compartment to the total nucleic acid pool is known. A modified 'universal reference gene' protocol was created for reef-building corals and sea anemones, anthozoans that harbour endosymbiotic dinoflagellates belonging to the genus Symbiodinium. Gene expression values are first normalized to an RNA spike and then to a symbiont molecular proxy that represents the number of Symbiodinium cells extracted and present in the RNA. The latter is quantified using the number of genome copies of heat shock protein-70 (HSP70) amplified in the real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Gene expression values are then normalized to the total concentration of RNA to account for differences in the amount of live tissue extracted among experimental treatments and replicates. The molecular quantification of symbiont cells and effect of increasing symbiont contributions to the nucleic acid pool on gene expression were tested in vivo using differentially infected sea anemones Aiptasia pulchella. This protocol has broad application to researchers who seek to measure gene expression in mixed organism assemblages.     

Dynamin-1 co-associates with native mouse brain BKCa channels: Proteomics analysis of synaptic protein complexes

In every synapse, a large number of proteins interact with other proteins in order to carry out signaling and transmission in the central nervous system. In this study, we used interaction proteomics to identify novel synaptic protein interactions in mouse cortical membranes under native conditions. Using immunoprecipitation, immunoblotting, and mass spectrometry, we identified a number of novel synaptic protein interactions involving soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptors (SNAREs), calcium-activated potassium channel (BK_Ca) alpha subunits, and dynamin-1. These novel interactions offer valuable insight into the protein-protein interaction network in intact synapses that could advance understanding of vesicle trafficking, release, and recycling.

Structured summary

MINT-7543319: Snap-25 (uniprotkb:P60879) physically interacts (MI:0914) with Tubulin beta-5 chain (uniprotkb:P99024), V-type proton ATPase subunit d 1 (uniprotkb:P51863), Zinc finger homeobox protein 3 (uniprotkb:Q61329), Tubulin beta-2A chain (uniprotkb:Q7TMM9), Synaptophysin (uniprotkb:Q62277), Gapdh (uniprotkb:P16858), Basement membrane-specific heparan sulfate proteoglycan core protein (uniprotkb:Q05793), Tubulin alpha-4A chain (uniprotkb:P68368), Tubulin alpha-1A chain (uniprotkb:P68369), Microtubule-associated protein 6 (uniprotkb:Q7TSJ2), AP-2 complex subunit beta (uniprotkb:Q9DBG3), Phosphofurin acidic cluster sorting protein 1 (uniprotkb:Q8K212), AP-2 complex subunit alpha-1 (uniprotkb:P17426), Kinesin-1 heavy chain (uniprotkb:Q617r68), Kinesin heavy chain isoform 5C (uniprotkb:P28738), Sodium/potassium-transporting ATPase subunit alpha-1 (uniprotkb:Q8VDN2) and Nck-associated protein 1 (uniprotkb:P28660) by anti bait co-immunoprecipitation (MI:0006)MINT-7543636: Calcium-activated potassium channel subunit alpha-1 (uniprotkb:Q08460) physically interacts (MI:0914) with AMP deaminase 2 (uniprotkb:Q9DBT5), Gamma-tubulin complex component 4 (uniprotkb:Q9D4F8), Gamma-tubulin complex component 2 (uniprotkb:Q921G8), Sodium/potassium-transporting ATPase subunit alpha-1 (uniprotkb:Q8VDN2), Phosphoinositide 3-kinase regulatory subunit 4 (uniprotkb:Q8VD65), Beta-centractin (uniprotkb:Q8R5C5), KIAA1107 (uniprotkb:Q80TK0), Sodium/potassium-transporting ATPase subunit alpha-2 (uniprotkb:Q6PIE5), Sodium/potassium-transporting ATPase subunit alpha-3 (uniprotkb:Q6PIC6), Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase catalytic subunit type 3 (uniprotkb:Q6PF93), KH domain-containing, RNA-binding, signal transduction-associated protein 1 (uniprotkb:Q60749), Tubulin gamma-1 chain (uniprotkb:P83887), Heat shock cognate 71 kDa protein (uniprotkb:P63017), Alpha-centractin (uniprotkb:P61164), Gamma-tubulin complex component 3 (uniprotkb:P58854), Dynamin-1 (uniprotkb:P39053), Kinesin heavy chain isoform 5C (uniprotkb:P28738), Elongation factor 1-alpha 1 (uniprotkb:P10126), Kinesin light chain 2 (uniprotkb:O88448), Activated CDC42 kinase 1 (uniprotkb:O54967) and Syntaxin-binding protein 1 (uniprotkb:O08599) by anti bait co-immunoprecipitation (MI:0006)MINT-7544031: Calcium-activated potassium channel subunit alpha-1 (uniprotkb:Q08460) physically interacts (MI:0914) with Syntaxin-binding protein 1 (uniprotkb:O08599), Syntaxin-1A (uniprotkb:O35526) and Dynamin-1 (uniprotkb:P39053) by anti bait co-immunoprecipitation (MI:0006)MINT-7543287: Syntaxin-1A (uniprotkb:O35526) physically interacts (MI:0914) with Vamp2 (uniprotkb:P63044), Snap-25 (uniprotkb:P60879), munc-18 (uniprotkb:O08599) and BK_Ca alpha subunit (uniprotkb:Q08460) by anti bait co-immunoprecipitation (MI:0006)MINT-7543972: Vamp-2 (uniprotkb:P63044) physically interacts (MI:0914) with Dynamin-1 (uniprotkb:P39053), Snap-25 (uniprotkb:P60879), Syntaxin-1A (uniprotkb:O35526) and Synaptophysin (uniprotkb:Q62277) by anti bait co-immunoprecipitation (MI:0006)MINT-7543728: Dynamin-1 (uniprotkb:P39053) physically interacts (MI:0914) with Clathrin heavy chain 1 (uniprotkb:Q68FD5) and Calcium-activated potassium channel subunit alpha-1 (uniprotkb:Q08460) by anti bait co-immunoprecipitation (MI:0006)MINT-7543905: Snap-25 (uniprotkb:P60879) physically interacts (MI:0914) with Syntaxin-1A (uniprotkb:O35526) and Vamp-2 (uniprotkb:P63044) by anti bait co-immunoprecipitation (MI:0006)MINT-7543476: Vamp-2 (uniprotkb:P63044) physically interacts (MI:0914) with Syntaxin-7 (uniprotkb:O70439), Neuronal membrane glycoprotein M6-a (uniprotkb:P35802), Syntaxin-1B (uniprotkb:P61264), Beta-soluble NSF attachment protein (uniprotkb:P28663), Guanine nucleotide-binding protein G(I)/G(S)/G(T) subunit beta-3 (uniprotkb:Q61011), Guanine nucleotide-binding protein G(I)/G(S)/G(T) subunit beta-1 (uniprotkb:P62874), Guanine nucleotide-binding protein G(o) subunit alpha (uniprotkb:P18872), V-type proton ATPase subunit d 1 (uniprotkb:P51863), Zinc transporter 3 (uniprotkb:P97441), Sodium/potassium-transporting ATPase subunit alpha-2 (uniprotkb:Q6PIE5), Sodium/potassium-transporting ATPase subunit alpha-3 (uniprotkb:Q6PIC6), Sodium/potassium-transporting ATPase subunit alpha-1 (uniprotkb:Q8VDN2), Potassium-transporting ATPase alpha chain 1 (uniprotkb:Q64436), Synaptophysin (uniprotkb:Q62277), Syntaxin-1A (uniprotkb:O35526) and Dynamin-1 (uniprotkb:P39053) by anti bait co-immunoprecipitation (MI:0006)     

Methods for the identification of differentially expressed genes in human post-mortem brain

Microarrays can be used to monitor the expression of thousands of genes simultaneously. This technique requires high-quality RNA which can be extracted from a variety of tissues and cells including post-mortem human brain. Given the vast amount of information obtained from microarray studies, it is critical to establish valid analysis techniques to identify differentially expressed genes. This technical report describes the basic methodology and analyses used to identify such genes in human post-mortem brain tissue.