Climate-dependent dispersal rates in metapopulations of burnet moths

Predicted climate change implies warmer weather and a higher frequency of extreme weather situations. The consequences of the warm July in 2003 was investigated in contrast to the cold July in 2004 in southern Sweden with focus on the dispersal rate of two species of burnet moths (Zygaenidae). During an extensive mark-release-recapture program in metapopulations of burnet moths substantial differences in inter habitat patch dispersal rates were observed. For two species of Zygaena it was 2.14 and 2.18 times higher during the warm year. Measured patch dispersal rate significantly declined towards the edges of the large study-area, suggesting that individuals disperse outside the study-area. No significant differences in dispersal rates were found between the two species studied. The dispersal rates were similar for both females and males, and no density dependent effects on dispersal or effects of amount of nectar rich flowers were found. Dispersal events appeared as distinct movements, often reaching several kilometres. We conclude that dispersal depend on climatic conditions. Exceptionally warm years may be especially important for survival of certain species in metapopulation systems and this may be crucial for the survival of populations during scenarios of climate change.     

Solution structure of the Mesorhizobium loti K1 channel cyclic nucleotide‐binding domain in complex with cAMP

Cyclic nucleotide‐sensitive ion channels, known as HCN and CNG channels, are crucial in neuronal excitability and signal transduction of sensory cells. HCN and CNG channels are activated by binding of cyclic nucleotides to their intracellular cyclic nucleotide‐binding domain (CNBD). However, the mechanism by which the binding of cyclic nucleotides opens these channels is not well understood. Here, we report the solution structure of the isolated CNBD of a cyclic nucleotide‐sensitive K⁺ channel from Mesorhizobium loti. The protein consists of a wide anti‐parallel β‐roll topped by a helical bundle comprising five α‐helices and a short 3₁₀‐helix. In contrast to the dimeric arrangement (‘dimer‐of‐dimers’) in the crystal structure, the solution structure clearly shows a monomeric fold. The monomeric structure of the CNBD supports the hypothesis that the CNBDs transmit the binding signal to the channel pore independently of each other.     

Inhibition of efflux transporter-mediated fungicide resistance in Pyrenophora tritici-repentis by a derivative of 4'-hydroxyflavone and enhancement of fungicide activity

Populations of the causal agent of wheat tan spot, Pyrenophora tritici-repentis, that are collected from fields frequently treated with reduced fungicide concentrations have reduced sensitivity to strobilurin fungicides and azole fungicides (C14-demethylase inhibitors). Energy-dependent efflux transporter activity can be induced under field conditions and after in vitro application of sublethal amounts of fungicides. Efflux transporters can mediate cross-resistance to a number of fungicides that belong to different chemical classes and have different modes of action. Resistant isolates can grow on substrata amended with fungicides and can infect plants treated with fungicides at levels above recommended field concentrations. We identified the hydroxyflavone derivative 2-(4-ethoxy-phenyl)-chromen-4-one as a potent inhibitor of energy-dependent fungicide efflux transporters in P. tritici-repentis. Application of this compound in combination with fungicides shifted fungicide-resistant P. tritici-repentis isolates back to normal sensitivity levels and prevented infection of wheat leaves. These results highlight the role of energy-dependent efflux transporters in fungicide resistance and could enable a novel disease management strategy based on the inhibition of fungicide efflux to be developed.     

Toward establishing structure–activity relationships for oxygenated coumarins as differentiation inducers of promonocytic leukemic cells

The presumption that some coumarins might be lead compounds in the search for new differentiation agents against leukemia is based on the fact that natural coumarins, 5-(3-methyl-2-butenyloxy)-6,7-methylenedioxycoumarin (C-2) and 5-methoxy-6,7-methylenedioxycoumarin (C-1) inhibit proliferation and induce differentiation in U-937 cells [Riveiro, M. E.; Shayo, C.; Monczor, F.; Fernandez, N.; Baldi, A.; De Kimpe, N.; Rossi, J.; Debenedetti, S.; Davio, C. Cancer Lett. 2004, 210, 179–188]. These promising findings prompted us to investigate the anti-leukemia activity of a broader range of related polyoxygenated coumarins. Twenty related natural or synthetically prepared coumarins, including a range of 5-substituted ayapin derivatives which have become easy accessible via newly developed synthesis methods, were evaluated, where treatments with 5-(2,3-dihydroxy-3-methylbutoxy)-6,7-methylenedioxycoumarin (D-3) and 5-(2-hydroxy-3-methoxy-3-methylbutoxy)-6,7-methylenedioxycoumarin (D-2) were able to inhibit the cell growth and induce the differentiation of U-937 cells after 48 h treatment. These results provide insight into the correlation between some structural properties of polyoxygenated coumarins and their in vitro leukemic differentiation activity.     

Inhibition of gastric acid secretion in dogs by neurotensin

Neurotensin is a tridacapeptide which has been isolated from bovine hypothalamus. The action of synthetic neurotensin was studied on gastric acid secretion in dogs provided with gastric pouches. Intravenously infused neurotensin, 50 ng × kg^?1 × min^?1, was found to produce a considerable inhibition of pentagastrin stimulated gastric acid secretion. On the other hand, there was no sign of inhibition of histamine induced gastric acid secretion. The experiments show that neurotensin, isolated from the central nervous system is a potent gastric secretory inhibitor and that it has a selective action in inhibiting gastric acid responses to pentagastrin but not to histamine.     

Classifying Response Correctness across Different Task Sets: A Machine Learning Approach

Erroneous behavior usually elicits a distinct pattern in neural waveforms. In particular, inspection of the concurrent recorded electroencephalograms (EEG) typically reveals a negative potential at fronto-central electrodes shortly following a response error (Ne or ERN) as well as an error-awareness-related positivity (Pe). Seemingly, the brain signal contains information about the occurrence of an error. Assuming a general error evaluation system, the question arises whether this information can be utilized in order to classify behavioral performance within or even across different cognitive tasks. In the present study, a machine learning approach was employed to investigate the outlined issue. Ne as well as Pe were extracted from the single-trial EEG signals of participants conducting a flanker and a mental rotation task and subjected to a machine learning classification scheme (via a support vector machine, SVM). Overall, individual performance in the flanker task was classified more accurately, with accuracy rates of above 85%. Most importantly, it was even feasible to classify responses across both tasks. In particular, an SVM trained on the flanker task could identify erroneous behavior with almost 70% accuracy in the EEG data recorded during the rotation task, and vice versa. Summed up, we replicate that the response-related EEG signal can be used to identify erroneous behavior within a particular task. Going beyond this, it was possible to classify response types across functionally different tasks. Therefore, the outlined methodological approach appears promising with respect to future applications.     

Conversions of prostaglandin endoperoxides by prostacyclin synthase from pig aorta

Partially purified prostacyclin synthase from pig aorta converted the prostaglandin (PG) endoperoxide PGH₂ to prostacyclin (PGI₂), and PGH₁ to 12-hydroxy-8,10-heptadecadienoic acid (HHD). Both reactions were inhibited by 15-hydroperoxy-5,8,11,13-eicosatetraenoic acid (15-HP) in a dose-dependent fashion. However, the reactions PGH₂ → PGI₂ and PGH₁ → HHD appeared to differ: substrate availability was rate limiting in the latter reaction, while the enzyme became rapidly saturated with PGH₂ and a steady rate of prostacyclin formation was observed at higher substrate levels.     

Life-Cycle Assessment of Biosolids Processing Options

Biosolids, also known as sewage sludge, are reusable organic materials separated from sewage during treatment. They can be managed in a variety of ways. Different options for biosolids handling in Sydney, Australia, are compared in this study using life-cycle assessment. Two key comparisons are made: of system scenarios (scenario 1 is local dewatering and lime amendment; scenario 2 is a centralized drying system) and of technologies (thermal drying versus lime amendment). The environmental issues addressed are energy consumption, global warming potential (GWP), and human toxicity potential (HTP).
Scenario 2 would consume 24% more energy than scenario 1. This is due to the additional electricity for pumping and particularly the petrochemical methane that supplements biogas in the drier. A centralized system using the same technologies as scenario 1 has approximately the same impacts. The GWP and HTP of the different scenarios do not differ significantly.
The assessment of technology choices shows significant differences. The ample supply of endogenous biogas at North Head sewage treatment plant for the drying option allows reductions, relative to the lime-amendment option, of 68% in energy consumption, 45% in GWP, and 23% in HTP.
Technology choices have more significant influence on the environmental profile of biosolids processing than does the choice of system configurations. Controlling variables for environmental improvement are the selection of biogas fuel, avoidance of coalsourced electrical energy, minimization of trucking distances, and raising the solids content of biosolids products.