Extended rat liver slice survival and stability monitored using clinical biomarkers

Precision-cut liver slices are reportedly limited as toxicity models by their short half-life in culture. We used traditional clinical chemistry biomarkers and histology to assess a newer procedure for improved liver slice maintenance. Slices from Sprague-Dawley rat livers were well maintained in a roller culture system for up to 10 days based on protein content (60-70% or higher of initial values) and biomarker retention and verified by histological examination of the tissues showing morphological integrity and viability of hepatocyte and biliary regions. Exposure of the slices to geldanamycin (GEL) resulted in loss of slice LDH and transaminase content, with associated depression in ALP and GGT levels and elevated bilirubin, indicating that GEL affects both cell types as occurs in vivo with this hepatobiliary toxicant. Thus, we conclude that liver slices merit further investigation as a general model for chronic as well as acute toxicity studies.     

Phylogeography of five Polytrichum species within Europe

Using allozymes and microsatellites we have analysed the genetic structure among European populations for several Polytrichum species to infer relevant factors, such as historical events or gene flow, that have shaped their genetic structure. As we observed low levels of genetic differentiation among populations, and no decreasing levels of genetic variation with increasing latitude within most of the examined species, no genetic evidence was obtained for a step-wise recolonization of Europe from southern refugia after the latest glacial period for P. commune , P. uliginosum , P. formosum and P. piliferum . The near absence of population substructuring within these species does indicate that extensive spore dispersal is the most important factor determining the genetic structure among European Polytrichum populations. Gene flow levels have apparently been sufficient to prevent genetic differentiation among populations caused by genetic drift, and to wipe out any genetic structure caused by the postglacial recolonization process. On the other hand, increased genetic differentiation of alpine P. formosum populations suggests that mountain ranges might restrict gene flow significantly among Polytrichum populations. In contrast to most examined Polytrichum species, P. juniperinum showed high levels of genetic differentiation and a profound genetic structure. Assuming that gene flow is not more restricted in P. juniperinum , these findings suggest that this species has recolonized Europe after the latest glacial period from two different refugia, one possibly being the British Isles.  © 2003 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society 2003, 78, 203–213.     

分离自安徽土壤金龟子绿僵菌种群的遗传异质性研究

金龟子绿僵菌是昆虫种群自然控制和害虫生物防治中重要的虫生真菌,已被作为化学农药的替代品广泛应用于农林害虫的防治。其寄主范围和地理分布极广,因此种群结构也十分复杂。为明确安徽省土栖金龟子绿僵菌的种群遗传结构,采用ISSR分子标记技术对采集自安徽省不同地区土壤中的116株金龟子绿僵菌进行遗传异质性分析。分子数据显示,筛选出的8个引物共获得79个位点,其中多态位点比率为100%。不同地区种群的Nei’s基因多样性(H)为0.2796,Shannon信息指数(I)为0.4425,种群间存在一定程度的基因流(Nm=4.4282)和遗传分化(Gst=0.1015),种群内的基因多样度占总居群的89.85%,种群间占10.15%,表明安徽土栖金龟子绿僵菌的遗传变异主要来源于种群内,且种群内表现出较大的遗传变异。并采用UPGMA对所有供试材料进行聚类分析,得到7大类种群。结果表明,安徽土栖金龟子绿僵菌之间的亲缘关系与地理来源不存在相关性。     

Predictive systems ecology

Human societies, and their well-being, depend to a significant extent on the state of the ecosystems that surround them. These ecosystems are changing rapidly usually in response to anthropogenic changes in the environment. To determine the likely impact of environmental change on ecosystems and the best ways to manage them, it would be desirable to be able to predict their future states. We present a proposal to develop the paradigm of predictive systems ecology, explicitly to understand and predict the properties and behaviour of ecological systems. We discuss the necessary and desirable features of predictive systems ecology models. There are places where predictive systems ecology is already being practised and we summarize a range of terrestrial and marine examples. Significant challenges remain but we suggest that ecology would benefit both as a scientific discipline and increase its impact in society if it were to embrace the need to become more predictive.     

STRONG SELECTION BARRIERS EXPLAIN MICROGEOGRAPHIC ADAPTATION IN WILD SALAMANDER POPULATIONS

Microgeographic adaptation occurs when populations evolve divergent fitness advantages across the spatial scales at which focal organisms regularly disperse. Although an increasing number of studies find evidence for microgeographic adaptation, the underlying causes often remain unknown. Adaptive divergence requires some combination of limited gene flow and strong divergent natural selection among populations. In this study, we estimated the relative influence of selection, gene flow, and the spatial arrangement of populations in shaping patterns of adaptive divergence in natural populations of the spotted salamander (Ambystoma maculatum). Within the study region, A. maculatum co‐occur with the predatory marbled salamander (Ambystoma opacum) in some ponds, and past studies have established a link between predation risk and adaptive trait variation in A. maculatum. Using 14 microsatellite loci, we found a significant pattern of genetic divergence among A. maculatum populations corresponding to levels of A. opacum predation risk. Additionally, A. maculatum foraging rate was strongly associated with predation risk, genetic divergence, and the spatial relationship of ponds on the landscape. Our results indicate the sorting of adaptive genotypes by selection regime and strongly suggest that substantial selective barriers operate against gene flow. This outcome suggests that microgeographic adaptation in A. maculatum is possible because strong antagonistic selection quickly eliminates maladapted phenotypes despite ongoing and substantial immigration. Increasing evidence for microgeographic adaptation suggests a strong role for selective barriers in counteracting the homogenizing influence of gene flow.     

Consequences of adaptive foraging in diverse communities

1.  Selective pressures acting on foraging activities constrain the strength of interaction, hence the stability and energetic availability in food webs.
2.  Because such selective pressures are usually measured at the individual level and because most experimental and theoretical works focus on simple settings, linking adaptive foraging with community scale patterns is still a far stretch.
3.  Some recent models incorporate foraging adaptation in diverse communities. The models vary in the way they incorporate adaptation, via evolutionary or behavioural changes, and define individual fitness in various ways.
4.  In spite of these differences, some general results linking adaptation to community structure and functioning emerge. In the present article, I introduce these different models and highlight their common results.
5.  Adaptive foraging provides stability to large food web models and predicts successfully interaction patterns within food webs as well as other topological features such as food chain length.
6.  The relationships between adaptive foraging and other structuring factors particularly depend on how well connected the local community is with surrounding communities (metacommunity aspect).     

The influence of electrostatic interactions on partition in aqueous polyethylene glycol/dextran biphasic systems: Part II

In aqueous polyethylene glycol/dextran two-phase systems, the hydrophobicity, free volume, surface tension, and interfacial tension of the phases in equilibrium were measured as a function of pH and ionic strength. These parameters were found to change with pH, but the pattern and magnitude cannot explain the unusual partition of charged macromolecules, observed previously. The electrostatic potential difference was determined by a new experimental approach based on the measurement of the pH difference between the phases at equilibrium. In polyethylene glycol/dextran systems containing sodium chloride as ionized species, the electrostatic potential is not constant in the pH range 2 to 11. The partition behavior of charged macromolecules and its dependence on pH can be explained by the combined action of charge and phase potential. This conclusion was tested with poly-L-glutamate, which partitioned as predicted and in a pattern opposite to positively charged macro- molecules. (c) 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Gene flow in Dubautia arborea and D. ciliolata: the roles of ecology and isolation by distance in maintaining species boundaries despite ongoing hybridization

The relative roles of gene flow and natural selection in maintaining species differentiation have been a subject of debate for some time. The traditional view is that gene flow constrains adaptive divergence and maintains species cohesiveness. Alternatively, ecological speciation posits that the reverse is true: that adaptive ecological differentiation constrains gene flow. In this study, we examine gene flow and population differentiation among populations of two species of the Hawaiian silversword alliance, Dubautia arborea and D. ciliolata. We compare divergence in putatively neutral microsatellite markers with divergence in leaf morphometric traits, which may be selectively important or physiologically linked to selectively important traits. Gene flow between populations was found to be significant in only one of the two species, D. arborea. Leaf morphometric differentiation between species was significant, though not among populations within species. No evidence of effective genetic introgression was observed between apparently 'pure' populations of these species. Gene flow as measured by microsatellites was not correlated with geographic distance between populations, but was correlated with the linear placement of the widest part of the leaf. Because these two species are interfertile, as demonstrated by the presence of active hybrid zone, the lack of genetic introgression and the maintenance of species boundaries may be associated with natural selection on differential habitat.     

Real-time quantification of Pseudomonas fluorescens cell removal from glass surfaces due to bacteriophage varphiS1 application

Aims:  To study the efficacy of the lytic phage φS1 in eliminating Pseudomonas fluorescens in the early stage of biofilm formation, using an in situ and real time methodology for cell quantification.
Methods and Results:  Cell adhesion and phage infection studies were carried out in a parallel plate flow chamber under laminar conditions. Cells were allowed to adhere until reaching 1·7–1·8 × 10⁶ cells cm⁻² and phage infection was performed with two different phage concentrations (2 × 10⁹ PFU ml⁻¹ and 1 × 10¹⁰ PFU ml⁻¹). Phage concentration clearly affects the speed of infection. The less concentrated phage solution promoted a three times slower rate of cell removal but did not affect the overall percentage of cell removal. In fact, after a longer infection period the less concentrated phage solution reached the same 93% cell removal value.
Conclusions:  Phages are efficient in the eradication of bacterial cells at the early stage of biofilm formation and their presence at the surface did not allow bacterial recolonization of the surface.
Significance and Impact of the Study:  To date, no published studies have been made concerning in situ and real time quantification of cell removal from surfaces due to phage action.     

Gene variation and gene flow inOrchis morio (Orchidaceae) from Italy

Data are presented on genetic variation at 27 enzyme loci of the Green-Winged orchid,Orchis morio, in 18 population samples from Italy. The existence in Italy of two subspecies, i.e. subspp.morio andpicta, is not supported by allozyme data. No genetic heterogeneity was found betweenmorio-like andpicta-like samples and specimens. Moreover, morphological transition between the two forms was observed in different Italian populations. The parameters of genetic variability estimated forO. morio populations are consistent with those found among monocotyledon plants, and among those outcrossing, animal-pollinated and with wind-dispersed seeds. Genetic diversity of ItalianO. morio is mostly within populations. Correspondingly, low values of interpopulational genetic distance were found. This appears to be due to high levels of gene flow, which were estimated with different methods. The lack ofO. longicornu from Italian samples, as well as of any hybrid withO. morio (F₁, backcrossed or recombinant individuals) is demonstrated on the basis of genetic data. It is concluded that recurrent reports ofO. longicornu from Italy are due to confusion withO. morio or with otherOrchis species.