Energy–water and seasonal variations in climate underlie the spatial distribution patterns of gymnosperm species richness in China

Studying the pattern of species richness is crucial in understanding the diversity and distribution of organisms in the earth. Climate and human influences are the major driving factors that directly influence the large‐scale distributions of plant species, including gymnosperms. Understanding how gymnosperms respond to climate, topography, and human‐induced changes is useful in predicting the impacts of global change. Here, we attempt to evaluate how climatic and human‐induced processes could affect the spatial richness patterns of gymnosperms in China. Initially, we divided a map of the country into grid cells of 50 × 50 km² spatial resolution and plotted the geographical coordinate distribution occurrence of 236 native gymnosperm taxa. The gymnosperm taxa were separated into three response variables: (a) all species, (b) endemic species, and (c) nonendemic species, based on their distribution. The species richness patterns of these response variables to four predictor sets were also evaluated: (a) energy–water, (b) climatic seasonality, (c) habitat heterogeneity, and (d) human influences. We performed generalized linear models (GLMs) and variation partitioning analyses to determine the effect of predictors on spatial richness patterns. The results showed that the distribution pattern of species richness was highest in the southwestern mountainous area and Taiwan in China. We found a significant relationship between the predictor variable set and species richness pattern. Further, our findings provide evidence that climatic seasonality is the most important factor in explaining distinct fractions of variations in the species richness patterns of all studied response variables. Moreover, it was found that energy–water was the best predictor set to determine the richness pattern of all species and endemic species, while habitat heterogeneity has a better influence on nonendemic species. Therefore, we conclude that with the current climate fluctuations as a result of climate change and increasing human activities, gymnosperms might face a high risk of extinction.     

Focus: Zoonotic Disease: New Series of Imidazoles Showed Promising Growth Inhibitory and Curative Potential Against Trypanosoma Infection

The Trypanosoma spp. cause animal and human trypanosomiasis characterized with appreciable health and economic burden mostly in developing nations. There is currently no effective therapy for this parasitic disease, due to poor drug efficacy, drug resistance, and unwanted toxicity, etc. Therefore, new anti-Trypanosoma agents are urgently needed. This study explored new series of imidazoles for anti-Trypanosoma properties in vitro and in vivo. The imidazoles showed moderate to strong and specific action against growth of T. congolense. For example, the efficacy of the imidazole compounds to restrict Trypanosoma growth in vitro was ≥ 12-fold specific towards T. congolense relative to the mammalian cells. Additionally, the in vivo study revealed that the imidazoles exhibited promising anti-Trypanosoma efficacy corroborating the in vitro anti-parasite capacity. In particular, three imidazole compounds (C1, C6, and C8) not only cleared the systemic parasite burden but cured infected rats after no death was recorded. On the other hand, the remaining five imidazole compounds (C2, C3, C4, C5, and C7) drastically reduced the systemic parasite load while extending survival time of the infected rats by 14 days as compared with control. Untreated control died 3 days post-infection, while the rats treated with diminazene aceturate were cured comparable to the results obtained for C1, C6, and C8. In conclusion, this is the first study demonstrating the potential of these new series of imidazoles to clear the systemic parasite burden in infected rats. Furthermore, a high selectivity index of imidazoles towards T. congolense in vitro and the oral LD₅₀ in rats support anti-parasite specific action. Together, findings support the anti-parasitic prospects of the new series of imidazole derivatives.     

Comparative GO: A Web Application for Comparative Gene Ontology and Gene Ontology-Based Gene Selection in Bacteria

Availabilityhttp://turing.ersa.edu.au/BacteriaGO.     

In vivo effects of anacetrapib on preβ HDL: improvement in HDL remodeling without effects on cholesterol absorption

Cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) transfers cholesteryl ester and triglyceride between HDL and apoB-containing lipoproteins. Anacetrapib (ANA), a reversible inhibitor of CETP, raises HDL cholesterol and lowers LDL cholesterol in dyslipidemic patients. We previously demonstrated that ANA increases macrophage-to-feces reverse cholesterol transport and fecal cholesterol excretion in hamsters, and increased preβ HDL-dependent cholesterol efflux via ABCA1 in vitro. However, the effects of ANA on in vivo preβ HDL have not been characterized. In vitro, ANA inhibited the formation of preβ, however in ANA-treated dyslipidemic hamsters, preβ HDL levels (measured by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis) were increased, in contrast to in vitro findings. Because changes in plasma preβ HDL have been proposed to potentially affect markers of cholesterol absorption with other CETP inhibitors, a dual stable isotope method was used to directly measure cholesterol absorption in hamsters. ANA treatment of hamsters (on either dyslipidemic or normal diet) had no effect on cholesterol absorption, while dalcetrapib-treated hamsters displayed an increase in cholesterol absorption. Taken together, these data support the notion that ANA promotes preβ HDL functionality in vivo, with no effects on cholesterol absorption.     

Effect of steroids and the estrous cycle on uterine neuromedin U receptor expression

We investigated the role of estrogen and progesterone on rat uterine NmU receptor expression in both intact and ovariectomized animals and examined receptor expression through the estrous cycle. Chronic administration of beta-estradiol 3-benzoate (E2) or progesterone in intact animals was devoid of any effect. RU486 caused a 2-fold up-regulation in NmU receptor density. Ovariectomy caused a 60% decrease in receptor density, but chronic E2 administration to ovariectomized rats significantly increased NmU receptor density. The estrous cycle had no significant effect on NmU receptor density. These results suggest that NmU receptor expression is estrogen-dependent, whereas progesterone or a progestin-induced factor is involved in the modulation of this expression.     

Bioactive compounds from Rumex plants

Two new naphthalene acylglucosides, rumexneposides A (1) and B (2), together with 12 known compounds (3-14), were isolated from the roots of Rumex nepalensis. Their structures were established by chemical and spectroscopic methods. The biological activities of compounds 1-14 as well as an additional 11 compounds previously isolated from R. nepalensis and Rumex hastatus (15–25) were evaluated against Mycobacterium tuberculosis, para-aminobenzoic acid (pAba) pathway, and a panel of human cancer cell lines. The results showed that compound 15 was the most active against M. tuberculosis with an MIC value of 2.85 μM similar to that of isoniazid. Compound 5 could inhibit pAba synthetic pathway with an MIC value of 12.6 μM, comparable to that of positive control abyssomicin C, representing a new example of the rare pAba pathway inhibitors.     

Autoinhibition of the HECT-type ubiquitin ligase Smurf2 through its C2 domain

Ubiquitination of proteins is an abundant modification that controls numerous cellular processes. Many Ubiquitin (Ub) protein ligases (E3s) target both their substrates and themselves for degradation. However, the mechanisms regulating their catalytic activity are largely unknown. The C2-WW-HECT-domain E3 Smurf2 downregulates transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) signaling by targeting itself, the adaptor protein Smad7, and TGF-beta receptor kinases for degradation. Here, we demonstrate that an intramolecular interaction between the C2 and HECT domains inhibits Smurf2 activity, stabilizes Smurf2 levels in cells, and similarly inhibits certain other C2-WW-HECT-domain E3s. Using NMR analysis the C2 domain was shown to bind in the vicinity of the catalytic cysteine, where it interferes with Ub thioester formation. The HECT-binding domain of Smad7, which activates Smurf2, antagonizes this inhibitory interaction. Thus, interactions between C2 and HECT domains autoinhibit a subset of HECT-type E3s to protect them and their substrates from futile degradation in cells.     

Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria do not pose any deleterious effect on cowpea and detectable amounts of ethylene are produced

Summary The use of trap crops such as cowpea could reduce the effects of the root parasitic weed, Striga hermonthica and its subsequent constraints on the growth of cereals. Certain bacteria could augment the trap crop stimulatory effect. We studied the effect of three bacteria introduced to the rhizosphere of three cowpea varieties at planting. Number of days to cowpea flowering was noted and at harvest, data were collected on pod characteristics and biomass. Means of data subjected to ANOVA were compared using Tukey’s Studentized Range Test. We analysed bacterial headspace volatiles for ethylene by gas chromatography and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Bacterial type significantly influenced the cowpea varieties with better performance over the non-inoculated control. Average pod weight (g) with bacterial treatment was 37.97 for Enterobacter sakazakii 8MR5, 34.38 for Pseudomonas 44MS8 and 27.46 for Pseudomonas 10M3. Non-inoculated control had an average weight of 20.98 g. Bacteria promoted a significant increase in pod weight (≥30.89%), fresh biomass (≥24.22%), and improved pod number (≥20.54%) and pod wall thickness (≥7.33%) with no deleterious effect on plant health. Ethylene released by the bacteria ranged from trace concentrations in Pseudomonas sp. to 210 nmoles/10⁸ c. f. u./ml in Ent. sakazakii 8MR5.     

Smooth muscle relaxant evaluation of Jatropha Curcas Linn (Euphorbiaceae) and isolation of triterpenes

Jatropha curcas is a herbal preparation used in the tropics for the treatment of threatened abortion and related problems associated with pregnancy. The Stem bark of Jatropha curcas is used ethno medicinally in Nigeria especially in the eastern part of the country for the treatment of infertility and spontaneous abortion (miscarriage). The present study was undertaken in order to validate the folkloric claim, using scientific experimental procedures and bioassay guided fractionation. The crude powdered sample was subjected to phytochemical screening testing for the presence of alkaloids, tannins, saponins and carbohydrates. Chromatographic analysis (TLC and VLC) were carried out using various solvent systems. The effect of methanolic extracts on rat uterine contractions was studied in vitro, in 40ml organ baths containing physiological salt solution of De Jalon maintained at 370C, aerated with 95% O2 and 5% CO2 with an isometric transducer connected an UgoBasile recorder under a resting tension of 750mg. The result of the phytochemical screening revealed the presence of glycosides, tannins, saponins and alkaloids. The extract abolished significantly the spontaneous contraction of the uterus and reduced acetylcholine induced uterine contractions at a dose of 50mg/ml. The tocolytic effects indicate the presence of active principle(s) which would explain the ethno medicinal use of the stem bark of Jatropha curcas to treat spontaneous abortion.