Anthracenediethanol inhibits lignin degradation by Phanerochaete chrysosporium by competing for oxidation by lignin peroxidase,and not by trapping singlet oxygen

The biodegradation of anthracene-9, 10-diethanol by the ligninolytic fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium, previously though to involve singlet oxygen, is shown to be catalyzed by lignin peroxidases. Veratryl alcohol stimulated the enzymatic degradation of anthracenediethanol, and anthracenediethanol inhibited enzymatic oxidation of veratryl alcohol. Competition for oxidation by lignin peroxidase is suggested as the mechanism of the inhibition of lignin biodegradation by anthracenediethanol and related anthracene derivatives.Abbreviations ADE anthracene-9,10-diethanol - AES anthracene-9,10-bisethanesulfonic acid - DHP dehydrogenative polymerizate - DMF N,N-dimethylformamide - EPX 9,10-endoperoxide of ADE - PMR proton magnetic resonance     

Ligninolytic activity and levels of ammonia assimilating enzymes in Sporotrichum pulverulentum

Levels of ammonia-assimilating enzymes (glutamate dehydrogenase, glutamine synthetase, glutamate synthase) were determined in extracts of Sporotrichum pulverulentum grown under different conditions with respect to both nitrogen source and concentration. Evolution of ¹⁴CO₂ from ¹⁴C-synthetic lignin by fungal cultures grown under parallel conditions was also determined as a measure of lignin decomposition and the suppressive effect of nitrogen on ligninolysis confirmed. Under low nitrogen conditions, fungal extracts exhibited relatively high levels of NADP-dependent glutamate dehydrogenase and glutamine synthetase dehydrogenase. Conversely, in high nitrogen extracts, lower levels of NADP-dependent glutamate dehydrogenase and glutamine synthetase activity, and higher levels of NAD-dependent glutamate dehydrogenase, were recorded. Possible effects of enzyme activities on intracellular pool concentrations of glutamate/glutamine, and the implications for the regulation of lignin metabolism, are discussed.A preliminary report was presented at The Ekman Days 1981, International Symposium on Wood and Pulping Chemistry, Stockholm, Sweden, June 9–12, 1981.     

Effects of chemical and botanical insecticides used for locust control on Metarhizium anisopliae var. acridum conidia after short- to medium-term storage at 30°C

The short- to medium-term viability and growth of Metarhizium anisopliae var. acridum conidia were investigated when combined with six insecticides, at three different concentrations. All of the insecticides used in this study were suitable for immediate spraying with M. anisopliae var. acridum conidia except for fenitrothion. Fipronil, teflubenzuron, and fenitrothion formulations significantly reduced conidial viability over time. The 10% teflubenzuron treatment caused loss of viability relatively quickly with 9.9% germination after 28 days. Mycelial growth was affected by all the treatments except fenitrothion.     

Deregulation of hepatic lipid metabolism associated with insulin resistance in rats subjected to chronic monocrotophos exposure

In our previous study, we demonstrated the potential of monocrotophos (MCP), an organophosphorus insecticide (OPI), to induce glucose intolerance, insulin resistance (IR), and dyslipidemia with hyperinsulinemia in rats after chronic exposure. As hyperinsulinemia is likely to exert an impact on hepatic lipid metabolism, we carried out this study to establish the effect of chronic MCP exposure (0.9 and 1.8 mg/kg/day for 180 days) on hepatic lipid metabolism in rats. The state of IR induced by MCP in rats was associated with an increase in the liver lipid content (triglyceride and cholesterol) and expression levels of sterol regulatory element‐binding proteins, PPARγ, acetyl‐CoA carboxylase, and fatty acid synthase in the liver. Similarly, activities of key enzymes (acetyl‐COA carboxylase, fatty acid synthase, lipin 1, malic enzyme, glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase, and glycerol‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase), which regulate lipogenesis, were enhanced in livers of pesticide‐treated rats. A strong correlation was observed between insulin levels, hepatic lipid content, and plasma lipid profile in treated rats. Our study suggests that long‐term exposure to OPIs not only has a propensity to induce a state of hyperinsulinemic IR, but it is also associated with augmented hepatic lipogenesis, which may explain dyslipidemia induced by chronic exposure to MCP.     

A study on the utility of immobilized cells of indigenous bacteria for biodegradation of reactive azo dyes

Abstract

Azo dyes are recalcitrant compounds used as a colorant in various industries. The pollution caused by their extensive usage has adversely affected the environment for years. The existing physicochemical methods for dye pollution remediation are rather inefficient and hence there is a dearth of low-cost, potential systems capable of dye degradation. The current research studies the biodegradation potential of immobilized bacterial cells against azo dyes Reactive Orange 16 (RO-16) and Reactive Blue 250 (RB-250). Two indigenous dye degrading bacteria Bacillus sp. VITAKB20 and Lysinibacillus sp. KPB6 was isolated from textile sludge sample. Free cells of Bacillus. sp. VITAKB20 degraded 92.38% of RO-16 and that of Lysinibacillus sp. KPB6 degraded 95.36% of RB-250 within 72?h under static conditions. Upon immobilization with calcium alginate, dye degradation occurred rapidly. Bacillus. sp. VITAKB20 degraded 97.5% of RO-16 and Lysinibacillus sp. KPB6 degraded 98.2% of RB-250 within 48?h under shaking conditions. Further, the nature of dye decolorization was biodegradation as evident by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) results. Phytotoxicity and biotoxicity assays revealed that the degraded dye products were less toxic in nature than the pure dyes. Thus, immobilization proved to be a highly likely alternative treatment for dye removal.     

Effect of deltamethrin-incorporated nets on mobility and survivorship of Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) adults and nymphs in the laboratory

The brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys Stål (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), is an invasive pest that attacks specialty and row crops in North America and Europe. There has been a concerted effort to reduce frequent broad-spectrum insecticide applications made on vulnerable crops. One tool that has emerged recently is the use of long-lasting insecticide-treated nets (LLINs) as a killing agent. Here, we conducted bioassays to evaluate the effect of direct contact on deltamethrin-impregnated LLINs on the behaviour and survivorship of H. halys nymphs and adults in the laboratory. Following exposure at three different durations (1.25, 4.25 or 7.25 min), vertical and horizontal mobility of adults and nymphs and the flight capacity of adults were recorded and compared with individuals that were not exposed (control). Exposure to LLINs reduced the horizontal distance and velocity and increased the angular velocity of adults only but reduced vertical mobility of adults and nymphs. Adult flights were not significantly affected by LLIN exposure. Mortality of adults and nymphs at 7-day post-exposure ranged from 73% to 77% regardless of exposure time. We discuss our findings within the context of the potential for and limitations of deploying LLINs in vulnerable crops to manage H. halys populations.     

Heterogeneous genetic invasions of three insecticide resistance mutations in Indo‐Pacific populations of Aedes aegypti (L.)

Nations throughout the Indo‐Pacific region use pyrethroid insecticides to control Aedes aegypti, the mosquito vector of dengue, often without knowledge of pyrethroid resistance status of the pest or origin of resistance. Two mutations (V1016G + F1534C) in the sodium channel gene (Vssc) of Ae. aegypti modify ion channel function and cause target‐site resistance to pyrethroid insecticides, with a third mutation (S989P) having a potential additive effect. Of 27 possible genotypes involving these mutations, some allelic combinations are never seen whereas others predominate. Here, five allelic combinations common in Ae. aegypti from the Indo‐Pacific region are described and their geographical distributions investigated using genome‐wide SNP markers. We tested the hypothesis that resistance allele combinations evolved de novo in populations versus the alternative that dispersal of Ae. aegypti between populations facilitated genetic invasions of allele combinations. We used latent factor mixed‐models to detect SNPs throughout the genome that showed structuring in line with resistance allele combinations and compared variation at SNPs within the Vssc gene with genome‐wide variation. Mixed‐models detected an array of SNPs linked to resistance allele combinations, all located within or in close proximity to the Vssc gene. Variation at SNPs within the Vssc gene was structured by resistance profile, whereas genome‐wide SNPs were structured by population. These results demonstrate that alleles near to resistance mutations have been transferred between populations via linked selection. This indicates that genetic invasions have contributed to the widespread occurrence of Vssc allele combinations in Ae. aegypti in the Indo‐Pacific region, pointing to undocumented mosquito invasions between countries.     

Elevated rates of positive selection drive the evolution of pestiferousness in the Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata,Say)

Contextualizing evolutionary history and identifying genomic features of an insect that might contribute to its pest status is important in developing early detection and control tactics. In order to understand the evolution of pestiferousness, which we define as the accumulation of traits that contribute to an insect population's success in an agroecosystem, we tested the importance of known genomic properties associated with rapid adaptation in the Colorado potato beetle (CPB), Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say. Within the leaf beetle genus Leptinotarsa, only CPB, and a few populations therein, has risen to pest status on cultivated nightshades, Solanum. Using whole genomes from ten closely related Leptinotarsa species native to the United States, we reconstructed a high‐quality species tree and used this phylogenetic framework to assess evolutionary patterns in four genomic features of rapid adaptation: standing genetic variation, gene family expansion and contraction, transposable element abundance and location, and positive selection at protein‐coding genes. Throughout approximately 20 million years of history, Leptinotarsa species show little evidence of gene family turnover and transposable element variation. However, there is a clear pattern of CPB experiencing higher rates of positive selection on protein‐coding genes. We determine that these rates are associated with greater standing genetic variation due to larger effective population size, which supports the theory that the demographic history contributes to rates of protein evolution. Furthermore, we identify a suite of coding genes under positive selection that are putatively associated with pestiferousness in the Colorado potato beetle lineage. They are involved in the biological processes of xenobiotic detoxification, chemosensation and hormone function.     

一株氯霉素降解细菌的分离鉴定与代谢特性研究

微生物是介导环境中氯霉素降解转化的主要驱动者,但高效降解矿化菌株资源匮乏,氧化反应介导的代谢途径不清。为研究微生物介导下氯霉素的环境归趋过程,为氯霉素污染环境强化修复提供菌株资源,文中以受氯霉素污染的活性污泥为接种源,首先富集获得一个由红球菌Rhodococcus主导 (相对丰度>70%) 的氯霉素高效降解菌群,并从中分离获得一株能够高效降解氯霉素的菌株CAP-2,通过16S rRNA基因分析鉴定为红球菌Rhodococcus sp.。菌株CAP-2能在不同营养条件下高效降解氯霉素。基于菌株CAP-2对检测到的代谢产物对硝基苯甲酸和已报道的代谢产物对硝基苯甲醛和原儿茶酸的生物转化特征,提出其降解途径是由氯霉素侧链氧化断裂生成对硝基苯甲醛,进一步氧化为对硝基苯甲酸的新型氧化降解途径。该菌株对于氯霉素分解代谢的分子机制研究以及受氯霉素污染环境的原位生物修复应用具有巨大潜力。     

6种复配杀虫剂对七星瓢虫的毒力测定及风险评估

采用药膜法分别测定了10％甲维盐·茚虫威悬浮剂、12％甲维盐·虫螨腈悬浮剂、12％虫螨腈·虱螨脲悬浮剂、14％呋虫胺·螺虫乙酯悬浮剂、22％吡虫啉·螺虫乙酯悬浮剂和6％吡虫啉·高效氯氟氰菊酯悬浮剂6种复配杀虫剂对七星瓢虫Coccinella septempunctata Linnaeus幼虫急性毒性,并进行了初级风险评估.结果 显示,6种药剂对七星瓢虫48 h的LR5o(半致死用量,Median lethal rate)分别为0.812、2.255、4.082、22.735、6.755和0.00467 g a.i/hm2.在农田内暴露场景下,6种复配杀虫剂对七星瓢虫风险均不可接受;在农田外暴露场景下,仅有14％呋虫胺·螺虫乙酯悬浮剂和22％吡虫啉·螺虫乙酯悬浮剂对七星瓢虫风险可接受,其它均不可接受.结果 表明在田间最大推荐用量下,6种药剂对七星瓢虫的初级风险评价均存在高风险.