Genetic structure of endangered lake chubsucker Erimyzon sucetta in Canada reveals a differentiated population in a precarious habitat

We used mitochondrial DNA to assess the genetic structure of endangered lake chubsucker Erimyzon sucetta across its Canadian range. We found unique mitochondrial haplotypes in Lyons Creek, a tributary of the Niagara River that faces a strong potential for habitat deterioration. Lyons Creek may therefore serve as a reservoir of unique genetic diversity. The sensitivity of Lyons Creek, combined with the genetic uniqueness of its E. sucetta population, call for further investigation into whether this population should be considered a separate designatable unit for conservation purposes.     

Turning food waste to energy and resources towards a great environmental and economic sustainability: An innovative integrated biological approach

Food waste (FW) management is a global conundrum because of the rapid population growth and growing economic activity. Currently, incineration and landfill are still the main means for FW management, while their environmental sustainability and economic viability have been in question. Recently, the biological processes including anaerobic digestion, aerobic composting, bioethanol fermentation, feed fermentation etc. have attracted increasing interest with the aims for energy and resource recovery from FW. However, these biological approaches have inherent drawbacks, and cannot provide a comprehensive solution for future FW management. Therefore, this review attempts to offer a critical and holistic analysis of current biotechnologies for FW management with the focus on the challenges and solutions forward. The biological approaches towards future FW management should be able to achieve both environmental sustainability and economic viability. In this instance, the concept of zero solid discharge-driven resource recovery has thus been put forward. According to which, several innovative biological processes for FW management are further elucidated with critical analysis on their engineering feasibility and environmental sustainability. It turns out that is an urgent need for turning current single task-orientated bioprocess to an integrated biological process with multiple tasks of concurrent recovery of water, resource and energy together with zero-solid discharge.     

Faunistische Untersuchungen im hyporheischen Interstitial des Flusses Mur (Steiermark, Österreich)

Faunistic Investigations of the Hyporheic Interstitial of the River Mur (Styria, Austria) Two distinct sections of the River Mur (Styria, Austria), one almost unpolluted and the other heavily polluted by domestic and industrial waste waters, were investigated for two years. Faunistic, hydrographic, and ecological investigations were carried out at the river bottom, including particularly the hyporheic interstitial zone. All species found were investigated qualitatively and quantitatively, and ecological factors are stressed. The composition of the fauna of the unpolluted area differs markedly from that in the polluted section.     

Variations temporelles de l'ultrastructure de Scenedesmus quadricauda exposée au cuivre lors d'une expérience à long terme

An experiment was conducted with a continuous culture of Scenedesmus quadricauda for 50 days in a copper concentration of 250 μg l⁻¹. Ultrastructural examinations were carried out at different times to obtain the sequence of events. After 1.5 h of exposure, the ultrastructural effects were obvious: the chloroplasts were retracted and all cell structures appeared diffuse. The same observations were reported after 3, 6, 12 and 24 hours. Between the 3rd and 15th days of the experiment, the cells showed major accumulations of starch, lipid and electron-dense inclusions in the vacuoles, and the cell walls became thicker. After 22,32 and 50 days the cells appeared normal, but the cytoplasm was densely packed with ribosomes and the endoplasmic reticulum was evident in most cells. However, atomic absorption analysis for copper showed that there was no bio-accumulation after 50 days of exposure. These findings suggest the implication of a second tolerance mechanism to copper (possibly extracellular complexation or removal) that is activated after long exposure, in contrast to electron-dense inclusions, which appear after a relatively short time (2 days).     

Thermophilic and mesophilic bacteria in biofilms associated with corrosion in a heat exchanger

Biofilm development on AISI-1020 carbon steel coupons installed at the outlet of a heat exchanger was evaluated at the thirtieth and the sixtieth days of exposure. Water temperature varied between 41 and 60°C. The most probable number technique (MPN) was applied to quantify mesophilic and thermophilic species of aerobic, anaerobic, and sulphate-reducing bacteria (SRB) in planktonic and sessile phases. The results showed predominance of thermophilic aerobic bacteria in both phases, corresponding to 9.5±0.8×10⁶cells/ml in the planktonic phase. In biofilms, maximal aerobic cell concentration, 7.8±0.6×10⁸cells/cm2, was registered at the sixtieth day. An increase in the number of thermophilic anaerobic and SRB with elapsed time was also observed. The results obtained after 60 days were 5.8±0.4×10⁷ and 8.9±0.9×10⁴cells/cm² for anaerobic and sulphate-reducing bacteria, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy showed a varied composition of species in the biofilms and corrosion on the carbon steel surfaces after biofilm removal.     

受损背根节神经元自发放电节律的整数倍模式及其动力学变化

本文记录了大鼠损伤背根节神经元的自发放电活动。采用背根节慢性压迫动物模型,记录慢性压迫手术后３－１０ｄ背根节的自发放电。在记录的１５６根纤维中,观察到１７根（占１１Ａ％）出现的动作电位峰峰间期以某一基础间期的整数倍模式出现的整数倍时间节律形式,其回归映射图为晶格状点阵结构,并且该时间形式受细胞膜上钠,钾通道的调控。     

去甲肾上腺素介导低氧引起家兔颈动脉体神经电活动增加

在30只家兔颈动脉体-窦神经(CSN)标本上, 记录了窦神经中39个对低氧反应敏感的化学感受性单位由去甲肾上腺素(NA)及其拮抗剂引起的反应。结果如下 (1)以低氧的改良台氏液(MTS)灌流标本时, 19个单位放电频率由0.13±0.06增至0.25±0.12 imp/s (P<0.001); (2)在灌流液中加入去甲肾上腺素(10     

The molecular diversity of the methanogenic community in a hypereutrophic freshwater lake determined by PCR-RFLP

AIMS: To combine database-held sequence information with a programme of experimental molecular ecology to define the methanogenic community of a hypereutrophic lake by a PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis. METHODS AND RESULTS: Methanogen diversity in a hypereutrophic freshwater lake was analysed using 16S rDNA PCR-RFLP. Database-held 16S rRNA gene sequences for 76 diverse methanogens were analysed for specific restriction sites that permitted unequivocal differentiation of methanogens. Restriction digestion and agarose gel electrophoresis of the 16S rDNA from selected methanogen pure cultures generated observed restriction profiles that corroborated the expected patterns. This method was then tested by analysing methanogen diversity in samples obtained over 1 year from sediment and water samples taken from the same sampling site. CONCLUSIONS: Restriction analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequences from 157 methanogen clones generated from lakewater and sediment samples showed that over 50% were similar to Methanoculleus spp. Furthermore, a total of 16 RFLP types (1-16) were identified, eight of which contained no cultured representative archaeal 16S rRNA gene sequences. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This RFLP strategy provides a robust and reliable means to rapidly identify methanogens in the environment.     

Microampullary organs of a freshwater eel-tailed catfish,Plotosus (tandanus) tandanus

Whole body studies of Plotosus tandanus revealed that ampullary pores occur over the entire body of the fish, but are in higher concentrations in the head region. These pores give rise to a short canal (50-60 microm) produced by columnar epithelial cells bound together by tight junctions and desmosomes. At the junction of the canal and the ampulla, cuboidal epithelial cells make up the wall. The ampulla consists of layers of collagen fibers that surround flattened epithelial cells in the lateral regions and give rise to supportive cells that encase a small number of receptor cells (10-15). The ampullary wall comprises several types of cells that are adjoined via tight junctions and desmosomes between cell types. The ovoid receptor cells possess microvilli along the luminar apical area. Beneath this area, the cells are rich in mitochondria and rough endoplasmic reticulum. An unmyelinated neuron adjoins with each receptor cell opposite multiple presynaptic bodies. This form of microampulla has not been previously described within the Family Plotosidae.     

Mechanisms of adrenergic control of sino-atrial node discharge

Among the mechanisms proposed for the increase in discharge of sino-atrial node (SAN) by norepinephrine (NE) are an increase in the hyperpolarization-activated current I(f) and in the slow inward current I(Ca,L). If I(f) is the primary mechanism, cesium (a blocker of I(f)) should eliminate the positive chronotropic effect of NE. If I(Ca,L), is involved, [Ca(2+)](o) should condition NE effects. We studied the electrophysiological changes induced by NE in isolated guinea pig SAN superfused in vitro with Tyrode solution (both SAN dominant and subsidiary pacemaker mechanisms are present) as well as with high [K(+)](o), higher Cs(+) or Ba(2+) (only the dominant pacemaker mechanism is present). In Tyrode solution, NE (0.5-1microM) increased the SAN rate and adding Cs(+) (approximately 12 mM) caused a decaying voltage tail during diastole in subsidiary pacemakers. NE enhanced the Cs(+)-induced tail, and increased the rate but less than in Tyrode solution. In higher [Cs(+)](o) (15- 18 mM), Ba(2+) (1 mM) or Ba(2+) plus Cs(+) (10 mM) dominant action potentials (not followed by a tail) were present and NE accelerated them as in Tyrode solution. In high [K(+)](o), NE increased the rate in the absence and presence of Cs(+), Ba(2+) or Ba(2+) plus Cs(+). In these solutions, NE increased the overshoot and maximum diastolic potential of dominant action potentials (APs) and increased the rate by steepening diastolic depolarization and shifting the threshold for upstroke to more negative values. High [Ca(2+)](o) alone increased the rate and NE enhanced this action, whereas low [Ca(2+)](o) reduced or abolished the increase in rate by NE. In SAN quiescent in high [K(+)](o) plus indapamide, NE induced spontaneous discharge by decreasing the resting potential and initiating progressively larger voltage oscillations. Thus, NE increases the SAN rate by acting primarily on dominant APs in a manner consistent with an increase of I(Ca,L) and I(K) and under conditions where I(f) is either blocked or not activated. NE INITIATES spontaneous discharge by inducing voltage oscillations unrelated to I(f).