Microphytobenthic biomass assessment by pigment analysis: comparison of spectrophotometry and High Performance Liquid Chromatography methods

Samples of microphytobenthos from the Tagus estuary were analysed for photosynthetic pigments by spectrophotometry and High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Chlorophyll a values obtained with HPLC and spectrophotometry methods presented a highly significant positive correlation for both spectrophotometric methods used (with and without the correction for pheopigments), but this relationship depended on the type of sediment. We concluded that spectrophotometric methods give reliable Chl-a values, being suited for routine analysis, when a vast number of replicates is needed. However, for the correct estimation of pheopigments, HPLC analysis is indispensable. In the literature, Chl-a estimations are expressed per content (μg g⁻¹) or concentration (mg m⁻²). We discuss the influence of sediment type on the results depending on the type of unit used, and propose a simple conversion factor based on sediment water content.     

Haplotypes of the bovine IgG2 heavy gamma chain in tick-resistant and tick-susceptible breeds of cattle

Bovines present contrasting, heritable phenotypes of infestations with the cattle tick, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus. Tick salivary glands produce IgG-binding proteins (IGBPs) as a mechanism for escaping from host antibodies that these ectoparasites ingest during blood meals. Allotypes that occur in the constant region of IgG may differ in their capacity to bind with tick IGBPs; this may be reflected by the distribution of distinct allotypes according to phenotypes of tick infestations. In order to test this hypothesis, we investigated the frequency of haplotypes of bovine IgG2 among tick-resistant and tick-susceptible breeds of bovines. Sequencing of the gene coding for the heavy chain of IgG2 from 114 tick-resistant (Bos taurus indicus, Nelore breed) and tick-susceptible (B. t. taurus, Holstein breed) bovines revealed SNPs that generated 13 different haplotypes, of which 11 were novel and 5 were exclusive of Holstein and 3 of Nelore breeds. Alignment and modeling of coded haplotypes for hinge regions of the bovine IgG2 showed that they differ in the distribution of polar and hydrophobic amino acids and in shape according to the distribution of these amino acids. We also found that there was an association between genotypes of the constant region of the IgG2 heavy chain with phenotypes of tick infestations. These findings open the possibility of investigating if certain IgG allotypes hinder the function of tick IGBPs. If so, they may be markers for breeding for resistance against tick infestations.     

High interleukin-4 expression and interleukin-4 gene polymorphisms are associated with susceptibility to human paracoccidioidomycosis

Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is caused by dimorphic fungi fromtheParacoccidioides brasiliensis complex. Previous studies havedemonstrated that the severity of disease is associated with a T-helper 2 immuneresponse characterised by high interleukin (IL)-4 production. In the present study weanalysed two polymorphisms in the IL-4 gene (-590 C/T and intron-3microsatellite) in 76 patients with PCM and 73 control subjects from an endemic area.The production of IL-4 by peripheral blood mononuclear cells after antigen orphytohaemagglutinin stimulation was determined by ELISA. A significant correlationwas observed between the RP2/RP2 intron-3 genotype and infection withParacoccidioides sp. (p = 0.011), whereas the RP1/RP1 genotypewas correlated with resistance. No significant correlation was observed forthe IL-4 promoter polymorphism. Furthermore, the low IL-4expression observed in the control group compared with patients was associated withthe RP1/RP1 genotype. These results suggest that IL-4polymorphismsmight be associated with the ability of the host to control Paracoccidioidessp. infection. The relevance of this polymorphism is supported by theobservation that patients with disease produce high levels of IL-4 following mitogenor antigen stimulation. The IL-4 gene is located in the cytokinecluster region of chromosome 5 where other polymorphisms have also beendescribed.     

Biofuel and energy crops: high-yield Saccharinae take center stage in the post-genomics era

The Saccharinae, especially sugarcane, Miscanthus and sorghum, present remarkable characteristics for bioenergy production. Biotechnology of these plants will be important for a sustainable feedstock supply. Herein, we review knowledge useful for their improvement and synergies gained by their parallel study.     

Reproductive cycle of the European clam Ruditapes decussatus from Óbidos Lagoon,Leiria, Portugal

ABSTRACT

In Portugal, the European clam (Ruditapes decussatus) is an important commercial resource. Óbidos Lagoon is a strong candidate as a cultivation area to increase European clam exploitation. However, the reproductive biology of this population has not been described. In this work, the reproductive cycle of R. decussatus was characterized by determining gonadal development stages, gonad index, condition index, and biochemical composition. The relationship between reproduction and environmental parameters (sea surface temperature, chlorophyll a, and particulate organic matter) was assessed. Ruditapes decussatus had an annual reproductive cycle. The gametogenic cycle started in late winter, and the ripe stage in spring was followed by spawning that began at the end of spring/early summer and extended until early autumn. The subsequent period of sexual rest occurred during the winter. Condition index showed seasonal variations related to food availability (chlorophyll a). The European clams in Óbidos Lagoon recovered rapidly after their reproductive period, most likely owing to the availability of food. This study will help to improve sustainable management of this wild stock and is important for future aquaculture development of this species.     

Cryptophytes: An emerging algal group in the rapidly changing Antarctic Peninsula marine environments

The western Antarctic Peninsula (WAP) is a climatically sensitive region where foundational changes at the basis of the food web have been recorded; cryptophytes are gradually outgrowing diatoms together with a decreased size spectrum of the phytoplankton community. Based on a 11-year (2008–2018) in-situ dataset, we demonstrate a strong coupling between biomass accumulation of cryptophytes, summer upper ocean stability, and the mixed layer depth. Our results shed light on the environmental conditions favoring the cryptophyte success in coastal regions of the WAP, especially during situations of shallower mixed layers associated with lower diatom biomass, which evidences a clear competition or niche segregation between diatoms and cryptophytes. We also unravel the cryptophyte photo-physiological niche by exploring its capacity to thrive under high light stress normally found in confined stratified upper layers. Such conditions are becoming more frequent in the Antarctic coastal waters and will likely have significant future implications at various levels of the marine food web. The competitive advantage of cryptophytes in environments with significant light level fluctuations was supported by laboratory experiments that revealed a high flexibility of cryptophytes to grow in different light conditions driven by a fast photo-regulating response. All tested physiological parameters support the hypothesis that cryptophytes are highly flexible regarding their growing light conditions and extremely efficient in rapidly photo-regulating changes to environmental light levels. This plasticity would give them a competitive advantage in exploiting an ecological niche where light levels fluctuate quickly. These findings provide new insights on niche separation between diatoms and cryptophytes, which is vital for a thorough understanding of the WAP marine ecosystem.     

Male-Directed Object Use by Proceptive Female Bearded Capuchin Monkeys (Sapajus libidinosus) in Captivity

International Journal of Primatology - Some nonhuman primates use tools to modify the behavior of other animals in social contexts. For example, during their proceptive periods, female bearded...     

A computational investigation on the antioxidant potential of myricetin 3,4′-di-<Emphasis Type="Italic">O</Emphasis>-<Emphasis Type="Italic">α</Emphasis>-<Emphasis Type="Italic">L</Emphasis>-rhamnopyranoside

In this work, we present a computational study on the antioxidant potential of myricetin 3,4\(^{\prime }\)-di-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside (Compound M). A density functional theory (DFT) approach with the B3LYP and LC-ωPBE functionals and with both the 6-311G(d,p) and 6-311+G(d,p) basis sets was used. The focus of the investigation was on the structural and energetic parameters including both bond dissociation enthalpies (BDEs) and ionization potentials (IPs), which provide information on the potential antioxidant activity. The properties computed were compared with BDEs and IPs available in the literature for myricetin, a compound well known for presenting antioxidant activity (and the parent molecule of the compound of interest in the present work). Myricetin 3,4\(^{\prime }\)-di-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside presented the lowest BDE to be 79.13 kcal/mol (as determined using B3LYP/6-311G(d,p) in water) while myricetin has a quite similar value (within 3.4 kcal/mol). IPs computed in the gas phase [B3LYP/6-311G(d,p)] are 157.18 and 161.4 kcal/mol for myricetin 3,4\(^{\prime }\)-di-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside and myricetin, respectively. As the values of BDEs are considerably lower than the ones probed for IPs (in the gas phase or in any given solvent environment), the hydrogen atom transfer mechanism is preferred over the single electron transfer mechanism. The BDEs obtained suggest that myricetin 3,4\(^{\prime }\)-di-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside can present antioxidant potential as good as the parent molecule myricetin (a well-known antioxidant). Therefore, experimental tests on the antioxidant activity of Compound M are encouraged.