Effect of the degree of dilution of the antibiotic fermentation broths on the filtration indices]

Dilution of the fermentation broths with water before the mycelium separation lowered the specific cake resistance. The effect of the dilution on the filtration duration was different and depended on the fermentation broth type. As for the erythromycin fermentation broth, the time of its filtration decreased after the dilution, while the filtration time of the fermentation broths of the other 2 antibiotic-producing organisms increased after the dilution.     

Bio-catalyzed coloration of cellulose fibers

Cotton fabrics were dyed with dyes generated in situ by laccase-catalyzed oxidative coupling of the colorless 2,5-diaminobenzenesulfonic acid (2,5-DABSA) and 1-hydroxyphenol (catechol). The enzymatic oxidation of the dye intermediates led to cross-coupling reaction products when the reaction was conducted with an excess of catechol. At least fourfold excess of catechol was necessary to achieve satisfactory dye fixation on cotton. Formation of the same colored product using either an equimolar ratio of the reagents or tenfold excess of catechol was observed. Most probably, homo-molecular reactions predominate over the cross-coupling at equimolar ratio of the precursors, while with an excess of catechol, the cross-coupling occurs in higher yield. The reaction was followed using UV-Vis spectroscopy, HPLC, FTIR and MALDI-TOF MS. A reaction pathway for laccase-induced cross-coupling of catechol and 2,5-DABSA yielding a major colored product was proposed.     

The ecology of a late Visean forest at Catcraig (East Lothian,Scotland) based on multiproxy study of paleosol and root-casts

The Middle Longcraig Limestone (late Visean) at Catcraig, Scotland, is densely covered with large (about 1 m in diameter) hollows, which are surrounded by numerous fossilized roots. The latter represent the positions of tree-sized plants belonging to a fossil forest. This paper aims to reconstruct its ecology based on paleosol properties, size and spatial distribution of root-casts, rooting system morphology and characteristics of coalified plant remnants. The obtained data are consistent with the supposition that the Visean peat wetland forest of Catcraig represents a Cordaitalean dominated community composed of mono-sized, most probably, even-aged giant trees. The peaty paleosol (Histosol) contains pyrite and siderite, indicating reducing and acidic conditions, whilst the abundant presence of gypsum testifies periods of elevated salinity. The adaptation of trees to such conditions is supported by morphologically evident large root mass (typically more than 1000 individual roots per cast). Good preservation of plant tissues in peat, in addition to other paleosol and rooting system characteristics allow us to conclude that the trees occupied seacoast settings or lagoons, which were not permanently flooded.     

Bacteriophage MS2 displays unreported capsid variability assembling T = 4 and mixed capsids

Bacteriophage MS2 is a positive-sense, single-stranded RNA virus encapsulated in an asymmetric T = 3 pseudo-icosahedral capsid. It infects Escherichia coli through the F-pilus, in which it binds through a maturation protein incorporated into its capsid. Cryogenic electron microscopy has previously shown that its genome is highly ordered within virions, and that it regulates the assembly process of the capsid. In this study, we have assembled recombinant MS2 capsids with non-genomic RNA containing the capsid incorporation sequence, and investigated the structures formed, revealing that T = 3, T = 4 and mixed capsids between these two triangulation numbers are generated, and resolving structures of T = 3 and T = 4 capsids to 4 Å and 6 Å respectively. We conclude that the basic MS2 capsid can form a mix of T = 3 and T = 4 structures, supporting a role for the ordered genome in favouring the formation of functional T = 3 virions.     

Congruent population genetic structures and divergence histories in anther‐smut fungi and their host plants Silene italica and the Silene nutans species complex

Study of the congruence of population genetic structure between hosts and pathogens gives important insights into their shared phylogeographical and coevolutionary histories. We studied the population genetic structure of castrating anther‐smut fungi (genus Microbotryum) and of their host plants, the Silene nutans species complex, and the morphologically and genetically closely related Silene italica, which can be found in sympatry. Phylogeographical population genetic structure related to persistence in separate glacial refugia has been recently revealed in the S. nutans plant species complex across Western Europe, identifying several distinct lineages. We genotyped 171 associated plant–pathogen pairs of anther‐smut fungi and their host plant individuals using microsatellite markers and plant chloroplastic single nucleotide polymorphisms. We found clear differentiation between fungal populations parasitizing S. nutans and S. italica plants. The population genetic structure of fungal strains parasitizing the S. nutans plant species complex mirrored the host plant genetic structure, suggesting that the pathogen was isolated in glacial refugia together with its host and/or that it has specialized on the plant genetic lineages. Using random forest approximate Bayesian computation (ABC‐RF), we found that the divergence history of the fungal lineages on S. nutans was congruent with that previously inferred for the host plant and probably occurred with ancient but no recent gene flow. Genome sequences confirmed the genetic structure and the absence of recent gene flow between fungal genetic lineages. Our analyses of individual host–pathogen pairs contribute to a better understanding of co‐evolutionary histories between hosts and pathogens in natural ecosystems, in which such studies remain scarce.     

Clear-cutting impacts nutrient,carbon and water exchange parameters in woody plants in an east Fennoscandian pine forest

Plant and Soil - Clear-cut logging currently is a key factor transforming forest communities in many boreal regions. The dynamics of biogeochemical processes taking place in clear-cuts makes them a...