Polyomavirus EGFP-pseudocapsids: analysis of model particles for introduction of proteins and peptides into mammalian cells

A vector for preparation of mouse polyomavirus capsid-like particles for transfer of foreign peptides or proteins into cells was constructed. Model pseudocapsids carrying EGFP fused with the C-terminal part of the VP3 minor protein (EGFP-VLPs) have been prepared and analysed for their ability to be internalised and processed by mouse cells and to activate mouse and human dendritic cells (DC) in vitro. EGFP-VLPs entered mouse epithelial cells, fibroblasts and human and mouse DC efficiently and were processed by both, lysosomes and proteasomes. Surprisingly, they did not induce upregulation of DC co-stimulation molecules or maturation markers in vitro; however, they did induce interleukin 12 secretion.     

Uranium accumulation by aquatic plants from uranium-contaminated water in Central Portugal

Several species of plants have developed a tolerance to metal that enables them to survive in metal contaminated and polluted sites. Some of these aquatic plants have been reported to accumulate significant amounts of specific trace elements and are, therefore, useful for phytofiltration. This work focuses the potential of aquatic plants for the phytofiltration of uranium (U) from contaminated water. We observed that Callitriche stagnalis, Lemna minor, and Fontinalis antipyretica, which grow in the uraniferous geochemical province of Central Portugal, have been able to accumulate significant amounts of U. The highest concentration of U was found in Callitriche stagnalis (1948.41 mg/kg DW), Fontinalis antipyretica (234.79 mg/kg DW), and Lemna minor (52.98 mg/kg DW). These results indicate their potential for the phytofiltration of U through constructed treatment wetlands or by introducing these plants into natural water bodies in the uraniferous province of Central Portugal.     

海南岛红树林湿地的水鸟多样性

从2015年10月至2016年6月,调查了海南岛17个沿海红树林湿地春、夏、秋、冬四季的湿地鸟类。共记录水鸟74种,隶属5目12科,其中,翘鼻麻鸭（Tadorna tadorna）为海南鸟类分布新记录种。位于海南省儋州市白马井镇洋浦湾的新英作为黑脸琵鹭（Platalea minor）新的越冬点被发现。全岛水鸟数量较多的地点在万宁小海、海口东寨港和乐东莺歌海,种类较多的地点在东寨港、东方四更和莺歌海。Jaccard指数分析表明,栖息地具有相似适合度的地方,水鸟种类相似性更高,人工湿地之间的水鸟相似性高,人工湿地与天然湿地之间的水鸟相似性低。海南岛沿海红树林湿地的鸟类种类和数量随季节变化,秋、冬季种类多、数量丰富,春、夏季的种类和数量均较少。鸻鹬类在春、冬季种类和数量占比均为最大,秋、夏季数量最多的为鹭类。Shannon-Wiener指数、Pielou均匀度指数分析得出东寨港的多样性指数最高,东寨港和莺歌海的均匀度指数表现较高。研究表明,海南岛的沿海红树林湿地是很多水鸟的重要栖息地,保护红树林是保护湿地水鸟多样性的关键。     

Isotherm and kinetic modelling of Toluidine Blue (TB) removal from aqueous solution using Lemna minor

The aim of this study was to investigate the ability of Lemna minor for Toluidine Blue (TB) removal. Influence of the initial concentration over the removal process was considered. Experimental data have been analyzed using Langmuir, Freundlich, Dubinin–Radushkevich (D–R), and Elovich isotherm models. In addition, several kinetic models, pseudo-first-, pseudo-second-order, intraparticle and film diffusion models were considered. Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm suggested a favorable adsorption of TB by Lemna minor plants. From the D–R the mean free energy was calculated to be 11.18 kJ/mol, which indicates that TB adsorption was characterized by a chemisorption process. Kinetic studies showed that liquid film diffusion plays an important role during the process. Adsorption capacities of up to 26.69 mg/g and a high capacity of adaptation indicated that phytoremediation using Lemna minor could be a valuable alternative for dyes removal from wastewaters.     

A photographic census of flamingos in the Rift Valley lakes of Tanzania

An aerial photographic census of flamingos ( Phoenicopterus minor and P. ruber) was conducted on 20 July 1994 on nine lakes in Tanzania: Lakes Natron, Manyara, Magadi (Ngorongoro), Burungi, Embagai, Eyasi, Lagarja, Masek, and Ambussel. This census, conducted concurrently with a survey in Kenya, documented the numbers and distribution of flamingos in the Rift Valley Lakes of East Africa. The total population size of flamingos in the Tanzanian lakes surveyed was |mF907,000. The largest concentrations in Tanzania were found in Lake Natron and Embagai Crater Lake. Although flamingos are known to breed in Lake Natron, no evidence of breeding was observed during the survey. The total estimate for the southern Kenya and northern Tanzania Rift Valley was |mF2·8 million. Trends in flamingo populations, survey methodology, and future monitoring needs are discussed.     

Nuclear Divisions of Isolated,In Vitro Cultured Generative Cells in Hemerocallis minor Mill

The generative cells isolated from pollen grains of Hemerocallis minor Mill. were cultured in modified Ks and MS agarose media surrounded by liquid media containing anthers as a feeder. Microscopical observations on a total of 5961 cells revealed that nuclear divisions occured leading to the formation of 2–4 nuclei within one cell. The average induction frequency among 14 culture experiments was 3.27% and the 11.46% as the highest. The generative cells varied considerably from spindle, oval to spherical shape. Among them the spherical cells appeared easier to be triggered. There were equal and unequal first nuclear divisions with almost equal chance of their occurence. A few of the cellspassed through the second nuclear division, producing 3--4 nucleate cells. Cytokinesis resulting in 2-celled structures seemed to be induced in rare cases. This is the first experimental attempt to culture isolated generative cells and the results show the potential of free generative cells surviving and developing under In Vitro conditions.     

Crystallographic insights into DNA minor groove recognition by drugs

This review surveys the crystal structures between minor groove drugs and oligonucleotides, of which over thirty have now been determined. The various factors that are involved in the observed A/T sequence selectivity of these drugs are examined in structural terms. The roles of, in particular, hydrogen-bond recognition and sequence-dependent groove width, are assessed, and as a consequence the minor groove drugs have been classified into two categories, dependent on the relative roles played by these two factors in sequence recognition. Implications for the recognition of non-A/T sequences are discussed. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Biopoly 44: 105–121, 1997     

Radio‐transmitters have no impact on survival of pre‐fledged American Woodcocks

American Woodcocks (Scolopax minor) are a high priority species of conservation need across most of their breeding range due to long‐term population declines. Survival of juveniles may be key to understanding these population declines, but there have been few direct estimates of juvenile woodcock survival rates, and no recent assessment of the possible effect of radio‐tagging on juvenile survival. In 2011 and 2012, we radio‐tagged 73 juvenile American Woodcocks in west‐central Minnesota and compared survival rates of radio‐tagged (N = 58) and non‐radio‐tagged (N = 82) juveniles during the period from hatching to fledging. We compared survival rates of juveniles with known fates and used logistic‐exposure models to assess the potential impact of radio‐transmitters on survival. We evaluated variables related to juvenile survival including age, hatch date, maximum and minimum temperature, precipitation, and year to assess the possible effects of radio‐transmitters. The best‐supported model of survival rate of juvenile American Woodcocks included the interaction of age and year and a negative effect of precipitation (β = ?0.76, 85% CI: ?1.08 to ?0.43), but did not include a negative effect of transmitters. Our results suggest that radio‐transmitters did not impact survival of juvenile American Woodcocks and that transmitters are a reliable tool for studying survival of juvenile American Woodcocks, and perhaps other precocial shorebirds.     

小朱兰在广东的首次记录及其意义

报道了广东省朱兰属1新记录——小朱兰,并论述了它的分类学、区系学意义。     

Digestive enzymes of Anarhichas minor and the effect of diet composition on their performance

The effect of feeding two different diets, containing 38 and 45% protein and 35 and 28% lipid, respectively, on growth as well as performance of the digestive proteases (total protease at pH 1·5, 7·0, 9·0 and 10·0) and carbohydrases (total carbohydrase, α-amylase and α-glucosidase) of a new candidate species for aquaculture, the carnivorous spotted wolffish Anarhichas minor (Teleostei, Anarhichadidae), was investigated. No significant growth differences were observed when feeding high protein (HP) or low protein (LP) levels ( P > 0·05), although the LP group exhibited slightly higher protease activity and capacity ( P > 0·05), mostly at the anterior end of the intestine and at alkaline pH. Carbohydrase levels were generally low, apart from α-glucosidase, which was significantly increased for the HP group ( P < 0·05). Implications concerning the performance of digestive enzymes under varying dietary macronutrient levels and effects of digestive enzyme activity on the formulation of efficient artificial diets for carnivorous fishes are discussed in this study.