Molecular characterization of Inonotus rickii /Ptychogaster cubensis isolates from different geographic provenances

Thirteen isolates of Inonotus rickii/Ptychogaster cubensis, from different geographic provenances, were analyzed by sequencing ITS1, ITS 2 and 5,8S ribosomal RNA region. A phylogenetic tree, also including sequences available in Genbank database, showed that the strains enclosed in this study fall into two well-separated groups, one formed by isolates from Florida (USA) and the other one by isolates from Europe, Argentina and China. Differences were also highlighted on the growth rate of mycelial cultures at different temperatures. In fact, although the tested isolates generally attained the best growth at 30°C, isolates from Europe seem well adapted to higher temperatures and went on growing at 40°C whilst the growth of isolates from Florida significantly decreased at 35°C. Since the teleomorph I. rickii was never detected in Florida, and in this study noticeable differences were detected by analysis of ITS region, the existence of two possible distinct species, not discriminated solely on the basis of morphological characters, could be suggested.     

Influence of the tracer characteristics on hydrodynamic models of packed-bed bioreactors

A bench-scale horizontal-flow anaerobic immobilized sludge (HAIS) reactor filled with porous ceramic spheres (5?mm diameter) was used for evaluating the effects of the tracer characteristics on the residence time distribution (RTD) curves and on the parameters of the hydrodynamic mathematical models. Stimulus-response assays were carried out with bromophenol blue, dextran blue, eosin Y, mordant violet, rhodamine WT and bromocresol green as tracers. The reactor was operated at the hydraulic residence time (HRT) of approximately 2 hours and the flow characteristics were evaluated by fitting the single-parameter models of dispersion and N-continuous stirred tank reactors (CSTR) in series to the experimental data. Tracer characteristics were found to affect deeply the form of RTD curves and the apparent degree of mixing observed in the responses were attributed to the tracer diffusion into the porous media, except for dextran blue. The best adjustment was obtained for the N-CSTR in series model. Thereafter, dextran blue and rhodamine WT were used in hydrodynamic experiments in the HAIS reactor operating with additional residence times. Values of N ranging from 34 to 62 were obtained from the dextran blue experiments for HRT ranging from 2 to 7 hours. The application of the statistical analysis ANOVA one-way method indicated that there was no significant statistical difference in the flow-pattern within the range of hydraulic residence times applied. The mean N value of 9 was obtained from the experiments with rhodamine WT. Such disagreement in the responses was attributed to the diffusion of rhodamine WT into the porous media, interfering in the shape of the experimental curves.     

Correction to: Synthesis,protonation constants and biological activity determination of amino acid–salicylaldehyde‑derived Schiff bases

Amino Acids - Unfortunately in the online published article, the name of compound “L-salicylidenealanine” was published with incorrect spelling in the section “Synthesis of...     

8,000 years of climate,vegetation, fire and land-use dynamics in the thermo-mediterranean vegetation belt of northern Sardinia (Italy)

Vegetation History and Archaeobotany - Knowledge about the vegetation history of Sardinia, the second largest island of the Mediterranean, is scanty. Here, we present a new sedimentary record...     

Spatial genetic patterns of Octopus vulgaris Mediterranean populations support the hypothesis of a transitional zone across the Siculo-Tunisian Strait

Hydrobiologia - Recent research hypothesised that the Siculo-Tunisian Strait might fit, at least for some species, the picture of a genetic transitional zone instead of a sharp genetic break...     

Effects of a metalloporphyrinic peroxynitrite decomposition catalyst,ww-85, in a mouse model of spinal cord injury

The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of a metalloporphyrinic peroxynitrite decomposition catalyst, ww-85, in the pathophysiology of spinal cord injury (SCI) in mice. Spinal cord trauma was induced by the application of vascular clips to the dura via a four-level T5–T8 laminectomy. SCI in mice resulted in severe trauma characterized by oedema, neutrophil infiltration, production of inflammatory mediators, tissue damage and apoptosis. ww-85 treatment (30–300 µg/kg, i.p. 1 h after the SCI) significantly reduced in a dose-dependent manner: (1) the degree of spinal cord inflammation and tissue injury, (2) neutrophil infiltration (myeloperoxidase activity), (3) nitrotyrosine formation and PARP activation, (4) pro-inflammatory cytokines expression, (5) NF-κB activation and (6) apoptosis. Moreover, ww-85 significantly ameliorated the recovery of limb function (evaluated by motor recovery score) in a dose-dependent manner. The results demonstrate that ww-85 treatment reduces the development of inflammation and tissue injury associated with spinal cord trauma.     

Author and type of the name Iris cengialti (Iridaceae)

Abstract

A. Kerner is correctly the author of the name Iris cengialti previously ascribed to Ambrosi, and consequently the type of the species is here selected, as lectotype, among Kerner's original material kept in WU.