Extending Ethnoprimatology: Human–Alloprimate Relationships in Managed Settings

The majority of studies in ethnoprimatology focus on areas of sympatry where humans and nonhuman primates (hereafter, primates) naturally coexist. We argue that much can be gained by extending the field’s scope to incorporate settings where humans manage most aspects of primates’ lives, such as zoos, laboratories, sanctuaries, and rehabilitation centers (hereafter, managed settings). We suggest that the mixed-methods approach of ethnoprimatology, which facilitates examination of both humans’ and primates’ responses to one another, can reveal not only how humans’ ideas about primates shape management strategies, but also how those management strategies affect primates’ lives. Furthermore, we note that a greater focus on managed settings will strengthen links between ethnoprimatology and primate rights/welfare approaches, and will introduce new questions into discussions of ethics in primatology. For example, managed settings raise questions about when it might be justifiable to restrict primates’ freedom for a “greater good,” and the desirability of making primates’ lives more “natural” even if this would decrease their well-being. Finally, we propose that because ethnoprimatology is premised on challenging false dichotomies between categories of field site—specifically, between “natural” and “unnatural” free-ranging populations—it makes sense for ethnoprimatologists to examine settings in which humans exert considerable control over primates’ lives, given that the distinction between “wild” and “captive” is similarly unclear.     

First draft genome sequencing of fennel (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Foeniculum vulgare</Emphasis> Mill.): identification of simple sequence repeats and their application in marker-assisted breeding

The development of F₁ hybrid varieties benefits from the synergistic effect of conventional and molecular marker-assisted breeding schemes. A sequencing run was carried out in Foeniculum vulgare (2n?=?2x?=?22) to develop the first genome draft and to identify microsatellites suitable for implementing multilocus SSR marker assays. A preliminary cytometric analysis allowed us to estimate the genome size (2C?=?2.64–2.86 pg), equal to about 1.34 Mbp for 1C genome, and to calculate the sequencing coverage (53×). The genome draft assembly into 300,408 scaffolds and its bioinformatic analysis enabled the annotation of coding and non-coding regions across the genome, including 103,306 SSR elements. A total of 100 microsatellites were randomly chosen among those with dinucleotide and trinucleotide repeat motifs and with a repeat motif length?≥?25 times and were preliminarily tested. Of these, 27 SSR markers, classified as suitable for genetic diversity analyses, were efficiently organized in five PCR multiplex assays and validated using a core collection of 100 fennel individuals potentially useful for the development of inbred lines and F₁ hybrids. All SSR loci were found to be polymorphic, scoring an observed number of marker alleles Na?=?207 and an average polymorphism information content PIC?=?0.69. The SSR data were used to calculate (i) the degree of homozygosity for the individual inbred lines (0.35?<?Ho?<?0.96), to eventually plan additional selfing or sibling cycles, and (ii) the degree of genetic similarity for all possible pair-wise comparisons between parental inbred lines (GS?=?0.55–0.77), to identify the most divergent combinations for the constitution of experimental F₁ hybrids. The integration of genotypic and phenotypic data was useful for implementing guidelines for precision hybrid breeding schemes in fennel.     

Uphill energy transfer in photosystem I from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chlamydomonas reinhardtii</Emphasis>. Time-resolved fluorescence measurements at 77 K

Energetic properties of chlorophylls in photosynthetic complexes are strongly modulated by their interaction with the protein matrix and by inter-pigment coupling. This spectral tuning is especially striking in photosystem I (PSI) complexes that contain low-energy chlorophylls emitting above 700 nm. Such low-energy chlorophylls have been observed in cyanobacterial PSI, algal and plant PSI–LHCI complexes, and individual light-harvesting complex I (LHCI) proteins. However, there has been no direct evidence of their presence in algal PSI core complexes lacking LHCI. In order to determine the lowest-energy states of chlorophylls and their dynamics in algal PSI antenna systems, we performed time-resolved fluorescence measurements at 77 K for PSI core and PSI–LHCI complexes isolated from the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. The pool of low-energy chlorophylls observed in PSI cores is generally smaller and less red-shifted than that observed in PSI–LHCI complexes. Excitation energy equilibration between bulk and low-energy chlorophylls in the PSI–LHCI complexes at 77 K leads to population of excited states that are less red-shifted (by ~?12 nm) than at room temperature. On the other hand, analysis of the detection wavelength dependence of the effective trapping time of bulk excitations in the PSI core at 77 K provided evidence for an energy threshold at ~?675 nm, above which trapping slows down. Based on these observations, we postulate that excitation energy transfer from bulk to low-energy chlorophylls and from bulk to reaction center chlorophylls are thermally activated uphill processes that likely occur via higher excitonic states of energy accepting chlorophylls.     

Micropropagation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Glossonema varians</Emphasis> (Stocks) Benth. ex Hook.f.—a rare Asclepiadeae of Indian Thar Desert

In the present study, an in vitro regeneration protocol for Glossonema varians (Stocks) Benth. ex Hook.f. of family Asclepiadaceae was optimized. Cotyledonary nodes of in vitro cultured seedlings were used as explants for activation of axillary shoot buds. Axillary shoot buds were initially activated on 0.1 mg L^?1 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) and then multiplied on 0.05 mg L^?1 BAP. Shoots were rooted in vitro on 1/4 strength Murashige and Skoog medium containing 0.1 mg L^?1 2-naphthoxyacetic acid and 100 mg L^?1 activated charcoal. The cultures were maintained in a 12 h photoperiod at 40–50 μmol m^?2 s^?1 spectral flux photon, 25–30?±?2°C, and 60% relative humidity (RH). Up to 80% of in vitro regenerated plantlets were acclimatized on soilrite in cotton-plugged culture tubes in the greenhouse. This protocol can be a useful method to mass propagate and conserve this rare plant to balance biodiversity in the desert ecosystem.     

The Molecular Mechanisms of Protective Role of Se on the G<Subscript>2</Subscript>/M Phase Arrest of Jejunum Caused by AFB<Subscript>1</Subscript>

Aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁) is the most toxic among the mycotoxins and causes detrimental health effects on human and animals. Selenium (Se) plays an important role in chemopreventive, antioxidant, anticarcinogen, and detoxification and involved in cell cycle regulation. The aim of this study was to explore the molecular mechanisms of selenium involved in inhibition of G₂/M cell cycle arrest of broiler’s jejunum. A total of 240 one-day-old healthy Cobb broilers were randomly divided into four groups and fed with basal diet (control group), 0.6 mg/kg AFB₁ (AFB₁ group), 0.4 mg/kg Se (+Se group), and 0.6 mg/kg AFB₁ + 0.4 mg/kg Se (AFB₁ + Se group) for 21 days, respectively. The histological observation and morphological analysis revealed that 0.4 mg/kg Se prevented the AFB₁-associated lesions of jejunum including the shedding of the apical region of villi, the decreased villus height, and villus height/crypt ratio. The cell cycle analysis by flow cytometry showed that 0.4 mg/kg Se ameliorated the AFB₁-induced G₂/M phase arrest in jejunal cells. Moreover, the expressions of ATM, Chk2, p53, Mdm2, p21, PCNA, Cdc25, cyclin B, and Cdc2 analyzed by immunohistochemistry and qRT-PCR demonstrated that 0.4 mg/kg Se restored these parameters to be close to those in the control group. In conclusion, Se promoted cell cycle recovery from the AFB₁-induced G₂/M phase arrest by the molecular regulation of ATM pathway in the jejunum of broilers. The outcomes from the present study may lead to a better understanding of the nature of selenium’s essentiality and its protective roles against AFB₁.     

The Adverse Effects of Se Toxicity on Inflammatory and Immune Responses in Chicken Spleens

Selenium (Se) is an essential trace element, but excessive intake of Se could induce Se poisoning, and result in various health problems. NF-κB regulated many molecules of the immune response and the inflammatory response, and Th1/Th2 balance played a key in the regulation of immune response. The aim of this study is to investigate the role of NF-κB pathway and Th1/Th2 imbalance in the adverse influence of Se poisoning on chicken spleens. In the current study, 90 chickens were randomly divided into two groups (n?=?45 per group). The chickens were maintained either on a basal diet (the control group) containing 0.2 mg/kg Se or a high supplemented diet (the Se group) containing 15 mg/kg Se for 45 days. Then, we observed the pathohistology of spleen cells and detected NO content, iNOS activity, and the expression of NF-κB, iNOS, COX-2, PTGE, IL-6, TNF-α, Foxp3, IL-4, and IFN-γ in chicken spleens. In chicken spleens of the Se group, the result showed typical characteristics of inflammation: the content of NO and the activity of iNOS were increased, and the expression of NF-κB, iNOS, COX-2, PTGE, IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-4 was enhanced and that of Foxp3 and IFN-γ was decreased. Our study showed that Se toxicity could promote inflammation via NF-κB pathway, impairing the immune function, and changing Th1/Th2 balance in the chicken spleens.     

An individual-level selection model for the apparent altruism exhibited by cellular slime moulds

In Dictyostelium discoideum, cells that become part of the stalk or basal disc display behaviour that can be interpreted as altruistic. Atzmony et al. (Curr Sci 72:142–145, 1997) had hypothesised that this behaviour could be the outcome of an adaptive strategy based on differing intrinsic quality as reflected by phenotypes that indicate differences in potential for survival and reproduction, followed by intercellular competition among amoebae of differing qualities. Low-quality amoebae would have a poor chance of succeeding in the competition to form spores; they could enhance their chances of survival by adopting a presumptive stalk strategy. Here we extend the hypothesis by making use of recent findings. Our approach is based on the view that an evolutionary explanation for the apparent altruism of stalk cells in D. discoideum must apply broadly to other cellular slime moulds (CSMs) that exhibit stalk cell death. Further, it must be capable of being modified to cover social behaviour in CSMs with an extracellular stalk, as well as in sorocarpic amoebae whose stalk cells are viable. With regard to D. discoideum, we suggest that (a) differentiation-inducing factor, thought of as a signal that inhibits amoebae from forming spores and induces them to differentiate into basal disc cells, is better viewed as a mediator of competition among post-aggregation amoebae and (b) the products of the ‘recognition genes’, tgrB and tgrC, allow an amoeba to assess its quality relative to that of its neighbours and move to a position within the aggregate that optimises its reproductive fitness. From this perspective, all cells behave in a manner that is ‘selfish’ rather than ‘altruistic’, albeit with different expectations of success.     

Aloe Emodin Reduces Phthiodiolone Dimycocerosate Potentiating Vancomycin Susceptibility on Mycobacteria

Treatment of tuberculosis still represent a major public health issue. The emergence of multi-and extensively-drug resistant (MDR and XDR) Mycobacterium tuberculosis clinical strains further pinpoint the urgent need for new anti-tuberculous drugs. We previously showed that vancomycin can target mycobacteria lacking cell wall integrity, especially those lacking related phthiocerol and phthiodolone dimycocerosates, PDIM A and PDIM B, respectively. As aloe emodin was previously hypothesized to be able to target the synthesis of mycobacterial cell wall lipids, we tested its ability to potentiate glycopeptides antimycobacterial activity. The aloe emodin with the vancomycin induced a combination effect beyond simple addition, close to synergism, at a concentration lower to reported IC₅₀ cytotoxic value, on M. bovis BCG and on H37Rv M. tuberculosis. Interestingly, out of six MDR and pre-XDR clinical strains, one showed a strong synergic susceptibility to the drug combination. Mycobacterial cell wall lipid analyses highlighted a selective reduction of PDIM B by aloe emodin.     

Presence of bark influences the succession of cryptogamic wood-inhabiting communities on conifer fallen logs

Predictors of cryptogamic wood-inhabiting communities need to be examined to understand the drivers of forest biodiversity. We estimated the influence of bark cover on the wood-inhabiting vegetation on conifer logs in early stages of epixylic succession in mature European boreal and hemi-boreal forests. Abundance of substrate groups with respect to log attributes was estimated with generalized linear and generalized linear mixed models. The structure and composition of epixylic communities was analysed using non-metric multidimensional scaling with subsequent environmental fitting. The abundance of true epixylics was inversely related to bark cover. In the first stage, bark cover did not influence the abundance of epiphytes and epigeous species; positively influenced the abundance of facultative epixylics on spruce logs and negatively influenced it on pine logs. In the second stage, the effect of bark cover was positive for epiphytes and epigeous species on spruce logs and for facultative epixylics independent of log species identity and negative for epigeous species on pine logs. Generalist species did not depend on bark cover. Total cover of wood-inhabiting vegetation was marginally influenced by bark cover. The effect of bark cover on epixylic vegetation at community level was negligible. In general, bark cover favours the establishment and growth of species with low substrate specificity. This preference may lead to either burial of logs by epigeous bryophytes, or facilitation of succession towards the dominance of ground vegetation.