Comparing alpha-diversity between plants and birds in a remnant wetland: evidence for a threshold and implication for management

In a Mediterranean patchy wetland of central Italy, we analyzed the relationship between the number of bird species, expressed in terms of bird alpha diversity, and plant alpha diversity, expressed as Hill number. This number (the exponential of the Shannon entropy) is considered one of the most strong and reliable indexes of alpha-diversity, synthesizing the information on evenness, richness and diversity in one single metric. We observed a progressive increase of the mean values of bird alpha diversity when plant alpha diversity increases along Hill number. Bird alpha diversity shows an abrupt increase between the first and the second of four categories of plant alpha diversity (0–1, >1–2, >2–3, >3), indicating a threshold response in all the groups considered (breeding, wintering and total bird assemblages). This marked decline of bird species richness at around 1 in the Hill index should represent an alarm for managers: wetland sites at or below this level of plant alpha diversity are likely to be experiencing a drastic decrease in bird species richness, both in spring (breeding birds) and in winter (wintering birds).     

TopBP1 functions with 53BP1 in the G1 DNA damage checkpoint

TopBP1 is a checkpoint protein that colocalizes with ATR at sites of DNA replication stress. In this study, we show that TopBP1 also colocalizes with 53BP1 at sites of DNA double‐strand breaks (DSBs), but only in the G1‐phase of the cell cycle. Recruitment of TopBP1 to sites of DNA replication stress was dependent on BRCT domains 1–2 and 7–8, whereas recruitment to sites of DNA DSBs was dependent on BRCT domains 1–2 and 4–5. The BRCT domains 4–5 interacted with 53BP1 and recruitment of TopBP1 to sites of DNA DSBs in G1 was dependent on 53BP1. As TopBP1 contains a domain important for ATR activation, we examined whether it contributes to the G1 cell cycle checkpoint. By monitoring the entry of irradiated G1 cells into S‐phase, we observed a checkpoint defect after siRNA‐mediated depletion of TopBP1, 53BP1 or ATM. Thus, TopBP1 may mediate the checkpoint function of 53BP1 in G1.     

Climatic limits of exotic genera in the Legler palynoflora,miocene, New Jersey,U.S.A.

Climate of the Legler lignite paleoflora (Miocene, New Jersey, U.S.A.) was estimated using the Bailey system of bioclimatology. The data indicate that the Legler climate was warm, very temperate, with short, periodic frosts, and had ample precipitation with no dry season. New Jersey climate is now colder and has much greater frost frequencies.     

Physiology of the Rhizobium-legume association: I—The presence of bacterial DNA within the plant root

Summary Rhizobium deoxyribonucleic acid has been detected within Vicia faba root cells by in situ hybridization and autoradiography after exposure of root apexes to Rhizobium viable cells. Reannealed regions are localized into the cortex cells; the presence of bacterial DNA is specific for the root tissue; labelled regions were not detectable within apexes exposed to non-nodulating strains or to bacteria other than Rhizobium; Rhizobium DNA was not detectable in tissues of plants other than its leguminous host. re]19750313     

Studies on the incubation mixtures for the in vitro mutagenesis test with metabolic activation (microsomal assay). Behaviour of mixed function oxidase and lipid peroxidation in the presence of some xenobiotics.

The effect of some xenobiotics on microsomal mixed function oxidase and lipid peroxidation, in mice, in incubation mixtures for the in vitro mutagenesis test with metabolic activation was studied. Aniline 1 or 2 mM and aminopyrine 0.38 or 8.33 mM completely inhibited the lipid peroxidation with small protection of the monooxygenase. Styrene 50 or 100 mM inhibited to a lesser extent the lipid peroxidation with marked increase in the inactivation of the monooxygenase. By a technique based on successive additions of fresh microsomes it was possible to evaluate the part of the inactivation due to enzyme denaturation and that due to inhibition. EDTA 40 mM was not able to protect from inactivation in the presence of aniline 1mM. Data of this type could be utilized to obtain more reliable results of in vitro mutagenesis tests with metabolic activation by suitably managing the enzyme activity in the incubation mixtures in order to keep it as constant as possible.     

The signature of long-standing balancing selection at the human defensin β-1 promoter

Background  

Defensins, small endogenous peptides with antimicrobial activity, are pivotal components of the innate immune response. A large cluster of defensin genes is located on human chromosome 8p; among them the beta defensin 1 (DEFB1) promoterhas been extensively studied since discovery that specific polymorphisms and haplotypes associate with asthma and atopy, susceptibility to severe sepsis, as well as HIV and Candida infection predisposition.     

Risk assessment does not explain high prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus in a large group of Sardinian women

Background  

A very high prevalence (22.3%) of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) was recently reported following our study on a large group of Sardinian women. In order to explain such a high prevalence we sought to characterise our obstetric population through the analysis of risk factors and their association with the development of GDM.