Bromeliad‐associated Reductions in Host Herbivory: Do Epiphytic Bromeliads Act as Commensalists or Mutualists?

Many members of the family Bromeliacae are able to adopt epiphytic lifestyles and colonize trees throughout the Neotropics. Bromeliacae do not extract nutrients from their hosts and confer relatively minor costs on their host plants. We suggest that bromeliads, however, may benefit their hosts by providing habitat for predators of host plant herbivores. We report a correlation between bromeliad presence and a reduction in herbivore damage in orange trees, an effect that is increased when bromeliads are colonized by ants. Our results may have important implications for agricultural systems in the Neotropics, where bromeliads are often removed in the belief they are parasitic. We instead demonstrate that bromeliads may impart a benefit to their hosts, and speculate that under particular circumstances they may be part of a three‐species mutualism.     

Valoración de la utilidad del test de estimulación intraarterial con calcio en el diagnóstico de localización del hiperinsulinismo endógeno

Background and objectiveThe aim of this study was to assess the utility of arterial calcium stimulation with hepatic venous sampling (ASVS) in the localization of tumors in patients with endogenous hyperinsulinism not detected with other methods.Patients and methodsWe performed a retrospective study of 26 patients admitted to our hospital for hypoglycemia who underwent ASVS because the source of hyperinsulinism was not clearly identified by other imaging techniques. The histopathological result in patients who underwent a surgical procedure was considered the reference for statistical study of the accuracy of this technique. Statistical analysis was performed by comparing proportions with the chi-squared test with Yates’ correction for contingency tables, and Cohen′s kappa coefficient as a measure of interrater agreement between two observations.ResultsSurgery was performed in 17 patients, 13 with positive ASVS and the remaining four with negative results. An insulinoma was removed in 12 patients, and 10 of these were detected in the ASVS. A total of 76.9 % of positive ASVS tests corresponded to a histological diagnosis of insulinoma, and 83% of these insulinomas were positive in ASVS. This association was statistically significant (chi cuadrado = 7.340; p = 0.012). Two of three patients with nesidioblastosis had a positive response in the ASVS. A good and statistically significant agreement was obtained between histopathologic diagnosis and ASVS results (κ=0.556, p = 0.007).ConclusionsASVS is a useful procedure in the localization diagnosis of endogenous hyperinsulinism not detected by other imaging tests. This technique allows tumors in the pancreatic gland to be identified and may be useful in the choice of the surgical technique to be used.     

Factors conditioning the camera-trapping efficiency for the Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus)

Camera trapping is the most used method for surveying medium-sized carnivores in Spain. The main target for these surveys has been the Iberian lynx, the most endangered cat in the world. The Iberian lynx conservation program has received the largest EU LIFE projects grant. So, efficiency is a key goal for managing this grant. During 2003 and 2007, we have applied these funds to the survey of the Iberian lynx in Eastern Sierra Morena (Spain). Using two different techniques, we have studied both to see which is the most efficient. The survey developed in active latrines resulted more efficient than that of scent stations and live prey camera trapping throughout the years, although there has been a variation between years. Otherwise, the live prey method has been the one providing the greatest speed and number of pictures per entrance. We suggest that camera-trapping surveys can be improved in terms of efficiency for a wide range of species, or at least for the Iberian lynx. To improve the results, cameras might be placed in relation to breeding territories. With this determinant, camera-trapping surveys would be shorter than 120 days. Finally, we suggest how those surveys for medium carnivores should be designed.     

A review of research on Chinese <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tuber</Emphasis> species

Truffles are abundant in some regions of China. Nevertheless, it was not until the 1980s that Tuber species were discovered by Chinese mycologists. In recent years, international truffle markets have shown an increasing interest in the import of Chinese Tuber. These truffles serve as a complement to European truffles due to their lower prices and their greater availability in a deficit market. However, Chinese truffles have been the subject of fraudulent commercial practices, and these could have a negative effect on truffle culture. These concerns have been behind numerous recent studies designed to obtain detailed information about Chinese Tuber species. Unfortunately, many of these studies are not published in English, and are dispersed throughout the specific local or national bibliography and proceedings of specialized truffle conferences. In view of the need to expand current knowledge of Chinese Tuber species, we present a comprehensive summary of the taxonomy, ecology, mycorrhizae, genetics, biochemistry, and cultivation of Chinese Tuber species. We also provide a synthetic taxonomy and morphological characterization of 16 Chinese Tuber species in order to assist in their verification and monitoring.     

In vitro antiamyloidogenic properties of 1,4-naphthoquinones

The aim of this study is to find out whether several 1,4-naphthoquinones (1,4-NQ) can interact with the amyloidogenic pathway of the amyloid precursor protein processing, particularly targeting at β-secretase (BACE), as well as at β-amyloid peptide (Aβ) aggregation and disaggregating preformed Aβ fibrils. Compounds bearing hydroxyl groups at the quinoid (2) or benzenoid rings (5, 6) as well as some 2- and 3-aryl derivatives (11-15) showed BACE inhibitory activity, without effect on amyloid aggregation or disaggregation. The halogenated compounds 8 and 10 were selective for the inhibition of amyloid aggregation. On the other hand, 1,4-naphthoquinone (1), 6-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone (4) and 2-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,4-naphthoquinone (26) did not show any BACE inhibitory activity but were active on amyloid aggregation and disaggregation preformed Aβ fibrils. Juglone (5-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone (3), and 3-(p-hydroxyphenyl)-5-methoxy-1,4-napththoquinone (19) were active on all the three targets. Therefore, we suggest that 1,4-NQ derivatives, specially 3 and 19, should be explored as possible drug candidates or lead compounds for the development of drugs to prevent amyloid aggregation and neurotoxicity in Alzheimer’s disease.     

Alpha-amylase starch binding domains: cooperative effects of binding to starch granules of multiple tandemly arranged domains

The Lactobacillus amylovorus alpha-amylase starch binding domain (SBD) is a functional domain responsible for binding to insoluble starch. Structurally, this domain is dissimilar from other reported SBDs because it is composed of five identical tandem modules of 91 amino acids each. To understand adsorption phenomena specific to this SBD, the importance of their modular arrangement in relationship to binding ability was investigated. Peptides corresponding to one, two, three, four, or five modules were expressed as His-tagged proteins. Protein binding assays showed an increased capacity of adsorption as a function of the number of modules, suggesting that each unit of the SBD may act in an additive or synergic way to optimize binding to raw starch.     

Construction and characterization of a bacterial artificial chromosome library of the causal agent of Black Sigatoka fungal leaf spot disease of banana and plantain, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Mycosphaerella fijiensis</Emphasis>

A bacterial artificial chromosome library of the causal agent of the Black Sigatoka leaf spot disease of banana and plantain, Mycosphaerella fijiensis, has been constructed using a non-sphaeroplasting technique and characterized using both homologous and heterologous probes. After first and a second size selection of PFGE-fractionated DNA, a ligation was obtained using a 1:4 molar ratio (insert:vector). One hundred random clones were analyzed, and the mean insert size was estimated to be 90 kb. The range of the insert sizes was between 40 and 160 kb. The highest percentage of inserts belonged to the range between 80 and 100 kb; 32% of the inserts had 2 or 3 internal NotI sites. This library consists of 1920 clones, if the genomic size is at least 35 Mb, then this represents 4.9× genome equivalents, which was supported by hybridization results with homologous and heterologous probes. Blondy Canto-Canché and Diana Karina Guillén-Maldonado contributed equally to this work and should be regarded as co-first authors.