Exploring Niches for Short-Season Grain Legumes in Semi-Arid Eastern Kenya — Coping with the Impacts of Climate Variability

PubMed Central

Sennhenn, Anne; Njarui, Donald M. G.; Maass, Brigitte L.; Whitbread, Anthony M.

2017-01-01

Climate variability is the major risk to agricultural production in semi-arid agroecosystems and the key challenge to sustain farm livelihoods for the 500 million people who inhabit these areas worldwide. Short-season grain legumes have great potential to address this challenge and help to design more resilient and productive farming systems. However, grain legumes display a great diversity and differ widely in growth, development, and resource use efficiency. Three contrasting short season grain legumes common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] and lablab [Lablab purpureus (L.) Sweet] were selected to assess their agricultural potential with respect to climate variability and change along the Machakos-Makueni transect in semi-arid Eastern Kenya. This was undertaken using measured data [a water response trial conducted during 2012/13 and 2013/14 in Machakos, Kenya] and simulated data using the Agricultural Production System sIMulator (APSIM). The APSIM crop model was calibrated and validated to simulate growth and development of short-season grain legumes in semi-arid environments. Water use efficiency (WUE) was used as indicator to quantify the production potential. The major traits of adaptation include early flowering and pod and seed set before the onset of terminal drought. Early phenology together with adapted canopy architecture allowed more optimal water use and greater partitioning of dry matter into seed (higher harvest index). While common bean followed a comparatively conservative strategy of minimizing water loss through crop transpiration, the very short development time and compact growth habit limited grain yield to rarely exceed 1,000 kg ha−1. An advantage of this strategy was relatively stable yields independent of in-crop rainfall or season length across the Machakos-Makueni transect. The growth habit of cowpea in contrast minimized water loss through soil evaporation with rapid ground cover and dry matter

Bioaccessibility assessment of toxic and essential elements in produced pulses, Bahia, Brazil.

PubMed

Santos, Wagna Piler Carvalho; Ribeiro, Nubia Moura; Santos, Daniele Cristina Muniz Batista; Korn, Maria Graças Andrade; Lopes, Mariângela Vieira

2018-02-01

The objective of this study was to analyze the effect of heat treatment on the bioaccessibility of major (K, Ca, Mg, P) and trace elements (As, Ba, Cu, Fe, Mn, Cd, Cr, Hg, Mo, Ni, Pb, Se, Sb, Sn, and Zn) in three different pulse species: Vigna unguiculata L. Walp (cowpea beans), Cajanus cajan L. (pigeon pea) and Lablab purpureus L. Sweet (mangalo). Analyte concentrations were determined in the samples by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. The results showed that thermal processing can affect the concentrations of the elements investigated in pulse samples. The influence of the heat treatment can range between legume species and chemical elements, as well as with the type of heat treatment, dry, wet, conductive heating and using microwaves. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Nutritive value and qualitative assessment of secondary compounds in seeds of eight tropical browse, shrub and pulse legumes.

PubMed

Babayemi, O J; Demeyer, D; Fievez, V

2004-01-01

Seeds of four tropical multipurpose trees (Albizia saman, Albizia lebbeck, Albizia rhizonse, Leucaena leucocephala), two shrubs (Tephrosia candida, Tephrosia bracteolata) and two pulse legume (Lablab purpureus, Canavalia ensiformis) were chemically analysed for dry matter (DM), ash, crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and ether extract (EE). Qualitative evaluation of secondary metabolites (saponins, phenols, steroids, and alkaloids) was elucidated. The DM, ash, CP, NDF and EE ranged between 88.9-93.6 %, 3.0-5.4 %, 24.8-38.2 %, 22.1-46.9 % and 2.0-17.0 % respectively. All seed species contained at least one group of secondary plant metabolites and steroids were common to all except C. ensiformis that was not implicated for any. A. lebbeck and A. rhizonse showed low saponin content. Indications for water soluble tannins were reported for L. leucocephala while the two species of Tephrosia contained flavonoids or condensed tannins. The study suggested the potentials of the legumes seed species as a feed source for ruminants.

Use of bean husk as an easily digestible fiber source for activating the fibrolytic rumen bacterium Fibrobacter succinogenes and rice straw digestion.

PubMed

Fuma, Ryosuke; Oyaizu, Shinya; Nukui, Yoko; Ngwe, Tin; Shinkai, Takumi; Koike, Satoshi; Kobayashi, Yasuo

2012-10-01

A series of in sacco and in vitro studies were carried out to evaluate bean husks for activation of fibrolytic rumen bacteria and rice straw digestion. First, lablab bean husk, chickpea husk and rice straw were suspended in the rumen of sheep to analyze the bacterial consortium developed on each fiber source. Known members of fiber-associating bacteria were found on both lablab bean husk and rice straw, but some of these bacteria were lacking on chickpea husk. Second, a pure culture study was carried out using six strains of Fibrobacter succinogenes. Both husks stimulated the growth of all tested strains, including a strain that did not grow on rice straw. The strain OS128 that showed the highest growth on rice straw displayed even higher growth on lablab bean husk without a time lag. Finally, two-step incubations were carried out to determine whether prior incubation of rumen fluid with husks stimulates subsequent rice straw digestion. Higher digestibility of rice straw was recorded in the second-round incubation following the first incubation with bean husks. These results suggest that the tested bean husks improve the digestion of rice straw by activating fibrolytic F. succinogenes and other associated bacteria. © 2012 The Authors. Animal Science Journal © 2012 Japanese Society of Animal Science.

Analysis of predatory behaviors of the soldier bug, Podisus maculiventris towards the kudzu bug, Megacopta cribraria and genetic profile of M. cribraria in the Southern US

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Megacopta cribraria is a serious agricultural pest that causes damage to numerous economical important crops such as soybean, lablab bean, and vetch. Megacopta cribraria is a newly introduced invasive pest species that has a few predators and parasitoids that control it in nature. Podisus maculivent...

Reduction of Turbidity of Water Using Locally Available Natural Coagulants

PubMed Central

Asrafuzzaman, Md.; Fakhruddin, A. N. M.; Hossain, Md. Alamgir

2011-01-01

Turbidity imparts a great problem in water treatment. Moringa oleifera, Cicer arietinum, and Dolichos lablab were used as locally available natural coagulants in this study to reduce turbidity of synthetic water. The tests were carried out, using artificial turbid water with conventional jar test apparatus. Optimum mixing intensity and duration were determined. After dosing water-soluble extracts of Moringa oleifera, Cicer arietinum, and Dolichos lablab reduced turbidity to 5.9, 3.9, and 11.1 nephelometric turbidity unit (NTU), respectively, from 100 NTU and 5, 3.3, and 9.5, NTU, respectively, after dosing and filtration. Natural coagulants worked better with high, turbid, water compare to medium, or low, turbid, water. Highest turbidity reduction efficiency (95.89%) was found with Cicer arietinum. About 89 to 96% total coliform reduction were also found with natural coagulant treatment of turbid water. Using locally available natural coagulants, suitable, easier, and environment friendly options for water treatment were observed. PMID:23724307

Extracts of Monascusus purpureus beyond statins--profile of efficacy and safety of the use of extracts of Monascus purpureus.

PubMed

Bianchi, Antonio

2005-12-01

Extracts of Monascus purpureus have always been considered a natural source of lovastatin, the precursor of the world's largest selling class of drugs. In actual fact, the fungus contains many other substances (flavonoids, polyunsaturated fats, pyrrolinic compounds etc.) with a wide variety of other actions. The most recent studies have shown that it has an action on the glycemic metabolism, and on the mechanisms of adipogenesis, also an effects on the endothelium and on postprandial vasodilation. These effects are more extensive and complex than those of statins alone. And new strains of Monascus purpureus have recently been patented where the presence of statins is only one of the therapeutic components of the fungus. In particular, the increase in secondary components, such as flavonoids, which coincides with a more complex therapeutic action, probably making the new extracts of Monascus purpureus, the ideal candidate for the treatment of the metabolic syndrome.

Effect of Monascus purpureus inoculum concentration on pigment production in jackfruit seed flour substrate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hamdiyati, Yanti; Kusnadi, Yuliani, Lia Amelia

2016-02-01

The used of synthetic dyes have various negative effects on human health. Roomates pigment produced by Monascus purpureus mold can be used as an alternative natural food coloring. The research on the effect of inoculum concentration's M. purpureus to pigment production on the jackfruit seed flour has been done. The objective of research to is to investigate the effect of inoculum concentration's M. purpureus to the production of red, yellow and orange pigment on the jackfruit seed flour. The concentrations used were 0%, 5%, 10%, and 15% (v/w). The result of the data analysed using One-Way ANOVA showed that the inoculum concentration affected the production of red pigment M. purpureus, as well as the data analysis using the Kruskal-Wallis showed that inoculum concentration has influence on the production of yellow and orange pigments. Inoculum concentration of 15% is the optimum concentration for the production of red, yellow and orange pigments with 0:10, 0:50 and 0:20 absorbance units per gram of sample respectively. Based on the results of the research, it can be concluded that inoculum concentration of M. purpureus influenced the production of red, yellow and orange pigments.

De Novo RNA Sequencing and Transcriptome Analysis of Monascus purpureus and Analysis of Key Genes Involved in Monacolin K Biosynthesis

PubMed Central

Zhang, Chan; Liang, Jian; Yang, Le; Sun, Baoguo; Wang, Chengtao

2017-01-01

Monascus purpureus is an important medicinal and edible microbial resource. To facilitate biological, biochemical, and molecular research on medicinal components of M. purpureus, we investigated the M. purpureus transcriptome by RNA sequencing (RNA-seq). An RNA-seq library was created using RNA extracted from a mixed sample of M. purpureus expressing different levels of monacolin K output. In total 29,713 unigenes were assembled from more than 60 million high-quality short reads. A BLAST search revealed hits for 21,331 unigenes in at least one of the protein or nucleotide databases used in this study. The 22,365 unigenes were categorized into 48 functional groups based on Gene Ontology classification. Owing to the economic and medicinal importance of M. purpureus, most studies on this organism have focused on the pharmacological activity of chemical components and the molecular function of genes involved in their biogenesis. In this study, we performed quantitative real-time PCR to detect the expression of genes related to monacolin K (mokA-mokI) at different phases (2, 5, 8, and 12 days) of M. purpureus M1 and M1-36. Our study found that mokF modulates monacolin K biogenesis in M. purpureus. Nine genes were suggested to be associated with the monacolin K biosynthesis. Studies on these genes could provide useful information on secondary metabolic processes in M. purpureus. These results indicate a detailed resource through genetic engineering of monacolin K biosynthesis in M. purpureus and related species. PMID:28114365

Potential of Leguminous Cover Crops in Management of a Mixed Population of Root-knot Nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.)

PubMed Central

Osei, Kingsley; Gowen, Simon R.; Pembroke, Barbara; Brandenburg, Rick L.; Jordan, David L.

2010-01-01

Root-knot nematode is an important pest in agricultural production worldwide. Crop rotation is the only management strategy in some production systems, especially for resource poor farmers in developing countries. A series of experiments was conducted in the laboratory with several leguminous cover crops to investigate their potential for managing a mixture of root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne arenaria, M. incognita, M. javanica). The root-knot nematode mixture failed to multiply on Mucuna pruriens and Crotalaria spectabilis but on Dolichos lablab the population increased more than 2- fold when inoculated with 500 and 1,000 nematodes per plant. There was no root-galling on M. pruriens and C. spectabilis but the gall rating was noted on D. lablab. Greater mortality of juvenile root-knot nematodes occurred when exposed to eluants of roots and leaves of leguminous crops than those of tomato; 48.7% of juveniles died after 72 h exposure to root eluant of C. spectabilis. The leaf eluant of D. lablab was toxic to nematodes but the root eluant was not. Thus, different parts of a botanical contain different active ingredients or different concentrations of the same active ingredient. The numbers of root-knot nematode eggs that hatched in root exudates of M. pruriens and C. spectabilis were significantly lower (20% and 26%) than in distilled water, tomato and P. vulgaris root exudates (83%, 72% and 89%) respectively. Tomato lacks nematotoxic compounds found in M. pruriens and C. spectabilis. Three months after inoculating plants with 1,000 root-knot nematode juveniles the populations in pots with M. pruriens, C. spectabilis and C. retusa had been reduced by approximately 79%, 85% and 86% respectively; compared with an increase of 262% nematodes in pots with Phaseolus vulgaris. There was significant reduction of 90% nematodes in fallow pots with no growing plant. The results from this study demonstrate that some leguminous species contain compounds that either kill root

Salicylic acid and nitric oxide alleviate high temperature induced oxidative damage in Lablab purpureus L plants by regulating bio-physical processes and DNA methylation.

PubMed

Rai, Krishna Kumar; Rai, Nagendra; Rai, Shashi Pandey

2018-07-01

Salicylic acid (SA) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP, NO donor) modulates plant growth and development processes and recent findings have also revealed their involvement in the regulation of epigenetic factors under stress condition. In the present study, some of these factors were comparatively studied in hyacinth bean plants subjected to high temperature (HT) environment (40-42 °C) with and without exogenous application of SA and SNP under field condition. Exogenous application of SA and SNP substantially modulated the growth and biophysical process of hyacinth bean plants under HT environment. Exogenous application of SA and SNP also remarkably regulated the activities of antioxidant enzymes, modulated mRNA level of certain enzymes, improves plant water relation, enhance photosynthesis and thereby increasing plant defence under HT. Coupled restriction enzyme digestion-random amplification (CRED-RA) technique revealed that many methylation changes were "dose dependent" and HT significantly increased DNA damages as evidenced by both increase and decrease in bands profiles, methylation and de-methylation pattern. Thus, the result of the present study clearly shows that exogenous SA and SNP regulates DNA methylation pattern, modulates stress-responsive genes and can impart transient HT tolerance by synchronizing growth and physiological acclimatization of plants, thus narrowing the gaps between physio-biochemical and molecular events in addressing HT tolerance. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Meiotic sex ratio variation in natural populations of Ceratodon purpureus (Ditrichaceae).

PubMed

Norrell, Tatum E; Jones, Kelly S; Payton, Adam C; McDaniel, Stuart F

2014-09-01

• Sex ratio variation is a common but often unexplained phenomenon in species across the tree of life. Here we evaluate the hypothesis that meiotic sex ratio variation can contribute to the biased sex ratios found in natural populations of the moss Ceratodon purpureus.• We obtained sporophytes from several populations of C. purpureus from eastern North America. From each sporophyte, we estimated the mean spore viability by germinating replicate samples on agar plates. We estimated the meiotic sex ratio of each sporophyte by inferring the sex of a random sample of germinated spores (mean = 77) using a PCR-RFLP test. We tested for among-sporophyte variation in viability using an ANOVA and for deviations from 1:1 sex ratio using a χ(2)-test and evaluated the relationship between these quantities using a linear regression.• We found among-sporophyte variation in spore viability and meiotic sex ratio, suggesting that genetic variants that contribute to variation in both of these traits segregate within populations of this species. However, we found no relationship between these quantities, suggesting that factors other than sex ratio distorters contribute to variation in spore viability within populations.• These results demonstrate that sex ratio distortion may partially explain the population sex ratio variation seen in C. purpureus, but more generally that genetic conflict over meiotic segregation may contribute to fitness variation in this species. Overall, this study lays the groundwork for future studies on the genetic basis of meiotic sex ratio variation. © 2014 Botanical Society of America, Inc.

[Effect of space flight on yield of Monascus purpureus].

PubMed

Yin, Hong; Xie, Shen-yi; Zhang, Guang-ming; Xie, Shen-meng

2003-10-01

To select high Lovastatin-producing microbial breed by space flight. Monascus purpureus species was carried into space by the recoverable spaceship, "Shenzhou 3". After flight, the strain was rejuvenized, segregated and selected. The content of Lovastatin produced in the solid fermentation was examined. Mutants with high productivity of Lovastatin were obtained. A series of tests showed that the acquired character of the mutants was stable. Space flight is an effective method for the selection of fine strains.

Characterization of the nutritive value of tropical legume grains as alternative ingredients for small-scale pork producers using in vitro enzymatic hydrolysis and fermentation.

PubMed

Torres, J; Muñoz, L S; Peters, M; Montoya, C A

2013-12-01

In the tropic, the small-scale pork production is negatively influenced by the low availability of high protein ingredients. The study aimed to compare the protein and starch hydrolysis as well as fibre fermentation of five tropical legume grains (Canavalia brasiliensis, CB; Lablab purpureus, LP; Vigna unguiculata, white WVU; pink PVU and red RVU) and a control (extruded full-fat soybean (SB)), using an in vitro model that simulated digestion in the gastrointestinal tract of pigs. A sequential in vitro hydrolysis was carried out with pepsin (120 min) and pancreatin (240 min) to determine the degree of hydrolysis (DH) of protein and starch. The indigestible residue was fermented in vitro with pig faecal inoculum to compare the modelled kinetics of gas production over 72 h and the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA). After 360 min of pepsin-pancreatin hydrolysis, SB and WVU had the highest protein hydrolysis (76% and 66%) and PVU and WVU the highest starch hydrolysis (70% and 64%) (p < 0.01). The in vitro fermentation of the indigestible residue of WVU resulted in the highest (482 ml/g DM; p < 0.001) and CB the lowest (335 ml/g DM) gas production. These data were consistent with the SCFA production. Butyrate, propionate and total SCFA were higher (or tended) for RVU and WVU when compared with CB and SB (p = 0.015-0.085). In conclusion, the high DH of protein and starch as well as the high gas and SCFA production obtained with raw WVU makes it an interesting alternative to SB as a feedstuff for swine nutrition in the tropic. Other legume grains (LP and CB) cannot be used by pigs in their raw form. © 2012 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.

Effect of Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) Cropping Systems on Soil and Nutrient Losses Through Runoff in a Humic Nitisol, Kenya

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nyawade, Shadrack; Charles, Gachene; Karanja, Nancy; Elmar, Schulte-Geldermann

2016-04-01

Soil erosion has been identified as one of the major causes of soil productivity decline in the potato growing areas of East African Highlands. Potato establishes a protective soil cover only at about 45-60 days after planting and does not yield sufficient surface mulch upon harvest which leaves the soil bare at the critical times when rainfall intensities are usually high thus exposes soil to erosion. A field study was carried out using runoff plots during the short and long rainy seasons of 2014/15 respectively at the University of Nairobi Upper Kabete Farm, Kenya. The objectives were to assess the effect of soil surface roughness and potato cropping systems on soil loss and runoff, to determine the effect of erosion on nutrient enrichment ratio and to evaluate the soil organic matter fraction most susceptible to soil erosion. The treatments comprised of Bare Soil (T1); Potato + Garden Pea (Pisum sativa) (T2); Potato + Climbing Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) (T3); Potato + Dolichos (Lablab purpureus) (T4) and Sole Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) (T5). The amount of soil loss and runoff recorded in each event differed significantly between treatments (p<0.05) and were consistently highest in T1 and lowest in T4. Mean cumulative soil loss reduced by 6.4, 13.3 and 24.4 t ha-1from T2, T3 and T4 respectively compared to sole potato plots (T5), while mean cumulative runoff reduced by 8.5, 17.1 and 28.3 mm from T2, T3 and T4 respectively when compared with the sole potato plots (T5) indicating that T4 plots provided the most effective cover in reducing soil loss and runoff. Regression analyses revealed that both runoff and soil loss related significantly with surface roughness and percent cover (R2=0.83 and 0.73 respectively, p<0.05). Statistically significant linear dependence of runoff and soil loss on surface roughness and crop cover was found in T4 (p<0.05) indicating that this system was highly effective in minimizing soil loss and runoff. Enrichment ratio was on average

Finger millet (Eleusine coracana) - an economically viable source for antihypercholesterolemic metabolites production by Monascus purpureus.

PubMed

Venkateswaran, V; Vijayalakshmi, G

2010-08-01

Rice, parboiled rice, finger millet, germinated finger millet, broken wheat, njavara (medicinal rice), sorghum and maize were used as substrates for solid state fermentation of Monascus purpureus at 28°C for 7 days using 2% seed medium as inoculum for the production of its metabolites. The fungus exhibited good growth in all the substrates. The fermented substrates were dried at 45°C and analysed for antihypercholesterolemic metabolite statins by standardized HPLC method and dietary sterol contents by spectrophotometric method using reference standards of statin (pravastatin and lovastatin) and cholesterol, respectively. Germinated finger millet yielded higher total statin production of 5.2 g/kg dry wt with pravastatin and lovastatin content of 4.9 and 0.37 g/kg dry wt respectively than other substrates which range from 1.04-4.41 g/kg. In addition to statin, monascus fermented germinated finger millet yielded dietary sterol of 0.053 g/kg dry wt which is 7.6 folds higher than the control. The value addition of finger millet by germination and fermentation with Monascus purpureus provides scope for development of functional food.

The genetic basis of developmental abnormalities in interpopulation hybrids of the moss Ceratodon purpureus.

PubMed

McDaniel, Stuart F; Willis, John H; Shaw, A Jonathan

2008-07-01

Divergent populations are intrinsically reproductively isolated when hybrids between them either fail to develop properly or do not produce viable offspring. Intrinsic isolation may result from Dobzhansky-Muller (DM) incompatibilities, in which deleterious interactions among genes or gene products lead to developmental problems or underdominant chromosome structure differences between the parents. These mechanisms can be tested by studying marker segregation patterns in a hybrid mapping population. Here we examine the genetic basis of abnormal development in hybrids between two geographically distant populations of the moss Ceratodon purpureus. Approximately half of the hybrid progeny exhibited a severely reduced growth rate in early gametophyte development. We identified four unlinked quantitative trait loci (QTL) that interacted asymmetrically to cause the abnormal development phenotype. This pattern is consistent with DM interactions. We also found an excess of recombination between three marker pairs in the abnormally developing progeny, relative to that estimated in the normal progeny. This suggests that structural differences in these regions contribute to hybrid breakdown. Two QTL coincided with inferred structural differences, consistent with recent theory suggesting that rearrangements may harbor population divergence alleles. These observations suggest that multiple complex genetic factors contribute to divergence among populations of C. purpureus.

Recent gene-capture on the UV sex chromosomes of the moss Ceratodon purpureus.

PubMed

McDaniel, Stuart F; Neubig, Kurt M; Payton, Adam C; Quatrano, Ralph S; Cove, David J

2013-10-01

Sex chromosomes evolve from ordinary autosomes through the expansion and subsequent degeneration of a region of suppressed recombination that is inherited through one sex. Here we investigate the relative timing of these processes in the UV sex chromosomes of the moss Ceratodon purpureus using molecular population genetic analyses of eight newly discovered sex-linked loci. In this system, recombination is suppressed on both the female-transmitted (U) sex chromosome and the male-transmitted (V) chromosome. Genes on both chromosomes therefore should show the deleterious effects of suppressed recombination and sex-limited transmission, while purifying selection should maintain homologs of genes essential for both sexes on both sex chromosomes. Based on analyses of eight sex-linked loci, we show that the nonrecombining portions of the U and V chromosomes expanded in at least two events (~0.6-1.3 MYA and ~2.8-3.5 MYA), after the divergence of C. purpureus from its dioecious sister species, Trichodon cylindricus and Cheilothela chloropus. Both U- and V-linked copies showed reduced nucleotide diversity and limited population structure, compared to autosomal loci, suggesting that the sex chromosomes experienced more recent selective sweeps that the autosomes. Collectively these results highlight the dynamic nature of gene composition and molecular evolution on nonrecombining portions of the U and V sex chromosomes. © 2013 The Author(s). Evolution © 2013 The Society for the Study of Evolution.

Safety and mutagenicity evaluation of red mold dioscorea fermented from Monascus purpureus NTU 568.

PubMed

Hsu, Li-Chuan; Hsu, Ya-Wen; Hong, Chih-Chun; Pan, Tzu-Ming

2014-05-01

Monascus-fermented products, including red mold rice and red mold dioscorea, have been developed as functional foods with many health benefits. We performed safety and mutagenic evaluations on red mold dioscorea powder (RMDP) fermented from Monascus purpureus NTU 568. The results of Ames test using Salmonella typhimurium strains TA97a, TA98, TA100, TA102, and TA1535 showed that RMDP (⩽5 mg/plate) was not mutagenic. The mammalian chromosomal aberration test showed that the number of Chinese hamster ovary cells with abnormal chromosomes was <3% after RMDP treatment (maximum concentration: 5 mg/mL). Imprinting control region mice were used to estimate the genotoxicity of RMDP. Compared with the control, high-dose RMDP administration (2000 mg/kg) did not show significant differences in the number of reticulocytes or the occurrence of micronucleated reticulocytes. A 28-day oral toxicity assay in Sprague-Dawley rats was performed to investigate the no observed adverse effect level of RMDP. Compared with the control, high-dose RMDP administration (2000 mg/kg) caused no toxicological responses such as mortality, variation in body weight, or toxicopathologic lesions. Thus, RMDP from M. purpureus NTU 568 shows no significant mutagenic or toxic effects. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Nodulation of Cyclopia spp. (Leguminosae, Papilionoideae) by Burkholderia tuberum

PubMed Central

Elliott, Geoffrey N.; Chen, Wen-Ming; Bontemps, Cyril; Chou, Jui-Hsing; Young, J. Peter W.; Sprent, Janet I.; James, Euan K.

2007-01-01

Background and Aims Species of the genus Burkholderia, from the Betaproteobacteria, have been isolated from legume nodules, but so far they have only been shown to form symbioses with species of Mimosa, sub-family Mimosoideae. This work investigates whether Burkholderia tuberum strains STM678 (isolated from Aspalathus carnosa) and DUS833 (from Aspalathus callosa) can nodulate species of the South African endemic papilionoid genera Cyclopia (tribe Podalyrieae) and Aspalathus (Crotalarieae) as well as the promiscuous legume Macroptilium atropurpureum (Phaseoleae). Method Bacterial strains and the phylogeny of their symbiosis-related (nod) genes were examined via 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Seedlings were grown in liquid culture and inoculated with one of the two strains of B. tuberum or with Sinorhizobium strain NGR 234 (from Lablab purpureus), Mesorhizobium strain DUS835 (from Aspalathus linearis) or Methylobacterium nodulans (from Crotalaria podocarpa). Some nodules, inoculated with green fluorescence protein (GFP)-tagged strains, were examined by light and electron microscopy coupled with immunogold labelling with a Burkholderia-specific antibody. The presence of active nitrogenase was checked by immunolabelling of nitrogenase and by the acetylene reduction assay. B. tuberum STM678 was also tested on a wide range of legumes from all three sub-families. Key Results Nodules were not formed on any of the Aspalathus spp. Only B. tuberum nodulated Cyclopia falcata, C. galioides, C. genistoides, C. intermedia and C. pubescens. It also effectively nodulated M. atropurpureum but no other species tested. GFP-expressing inoculant strains were located inside infected cells of C. genistoides, and bacteroids in both Cyclopia spp. and M. atropurpureum were immunogold-labelled with antibodies against Burkholderia and nitrogenase. Nitrogenase activity was also shown using the acetylene reduction assay. This is the first demonstration that a β-rhizobial strain can effectively

Intercropping Corn with Lablab bean, Velvet Bean, and Scarlet Runner Bean for Forage

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Low crude protein (CP) concentration in corn (Zea mays L.) forage is its major limitation in dairy rations. This experiment was designed to determine if intercropping corn with climbing beans is a viable option to increase CP concentration in forage rather than purchasing costly CP supplements for ...

Trachymolgus purpureus sp. nov., an armored snout mite (Acari: Bdellidae) from the Ozark highlands: morphology, development, and key to Trachymolgus Berlese

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Trachymolgus purpureus Fisher & Dowling sp. nov. is described from the Ozark highlands of North America. A diversity of imaging techniques are used to illustrate the species including field emission low-temperature scanning electron microscopy (FE-LTSEM), stereomicrography, compound light micrograph...

Sex-specific morphological and physiological differences in the moss Ceratodon purpureus (Dicranales).

PubMed

Slate, Mandy L; Rosenstiel, Todd N; Eppley, Sarah M

2017-11-10

Dioecy and sexual dimorphism occur in many terrestrial plant species but are especially widespread among the bryophytes. Despite the prevalence of dioecy in non-vascular plants, surprisingly little is known about how fine-scale sex-specific cell and leaf morphological traits are correlated with sex-specific physiology and population sex ratios. Such data are critical to understanding the inter-relationship between sex-specific morphological and physiological characters and how their relationship influences population structure. In this study, these data types were assessed to determine how they vary across three populations within one moss species and whether fine-scale morphological traits scale up to physiological and sex ratio characteristics. Twenty cell-, leaf- and canopy-level traits and two photochemical measurements were compared between sexes and populations of the dioecious moss Ceratodon purpureus . Field population-expressed sex ratios were obtained for the same populations. Male and female plants differed in cell, leaf and photochemical measures. These sexual dimorphisms were female biased, with females having larger and thicker leaves and greater values for chlorophyll fluorescence-based, leaf photochemistry measurements than males. Female traits were also more variable than male traits. Interestingly, field population sex ratios were significantly male biased in two study populations and female biased in the third study population. The results demonstrate that the larger morphology and the greater physiological output of female C. purpureus gametophytes compared with males occurs across populations and is likely to have significant effects on resource allocation and biotic interactions. However, this high level of dimorphism does not explain population sex ratio variation in the three study populations tested. This research lays the groundwork for future studies on how differential sex-specific variation in cell and leaf traits influences bryophyte

Cytotoxic steroids from Monascus purpureus-fermented rice.

PubMed

Shang, Xiao-Ya; Li, Jin-Jie; Liu, Ming-Tao; Li, Shuai; Liu, Ying; Wang, Ye-Feng; Huang, Xiao; Jin, Zong-Lian

2011-01-01

Bioassay-guided fractionation of an EtOH extract of Monascus purpureus-fermented rice led to the isolation of two new steroids (22S, 23R, 24S)-20β,23α,25α-trihydroxy-16,22-epoxy-4,6,8(14)-trienergosta-3-one (1), the first example of a steroid possessing both a conjugated triene ketone system and a fused 4H-furan ring side chain within one molecule, and (22E, 24R)-3β,5α-dihydroxyergosta-23-methyl-7,22-dien-6-one (2), as well as two known compounds (22E, 24R)-3β,5α-dihydroxyergosta-7,22-dien-6-one (3) and (22E, 24R)-6β-methoxy-ergosta-7,22-diene-3β,5α-diol (4). Their structures were assigned by detailed interpretation of HRESIMS, 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic data. The absolute stereochemistry of 1 was determined by single-crystal X-ray crystallography while the absolute stereochemistry of 2 was established by CD. Compounds 1-4 showed cytotoxic activity against the lung adenocarcinoma (A549) with IC(50) values of 0.08, 0.94, 12.6 and 13.5 μM, respectively. In addition, compounds 1 and 2 exhibited moderate activities against human ovarian cancer (A2780), with IC(50) values of 2.8 and 5.1 μM. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Amyloplasts as possible statoliths in gravitropic protonemata of the moss Ceratodon purpureus

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Walker, L. M.; Sack, F. D.

1990-01-01

The kinetics of gravitropism and of amyloplast sedimentation were studied in dark-grown protonemata of the moss Ceratodon purpureus (Hedw.) Brid. The protonemata grew straight up at a rate of 20-25 micromoles h-1 in nutrient-supplemented agar. After they were oriented to the horizontal, upward curvature was first detected after 1-1.5 h and reached 84 degrees by 24 h. The tip cells exhibited an amyloplast zonation, with a tip cluster of non-sedimenting amyloplasts, an amyloplast-free zone, and a zone with pronounced amyloplast sedimentation. This latter zone appears specialized more for lateral than for axial sedimentation since amyloplasts sediment to the lower wall in horizontal protonemata but do not fall to the basal wall in vertical protonemata. Amyloplast sedimentation started within 15 min of gravistimulation; this is within the 12-17-min presentation time. The data support the hypothesis that some amyloplasts function as statoliths in these cells.

Trachymolgus purpureus sp. n., an armored snout mite (Acari, Bdellidae) from the Ozark highlands: morphology, development, and key to Trachymolgus Berlese

PubMed Central

Fisher, J. Ray; Skvarla, Michael J.; Bauchan, Gary R.; Ochoa, Ronald; Dowling, Ashley P.G.

2011-01-01

Abstract Trachymolgus purpureus Fisher & Dowling sp. n. is described from the Ozark highlands of North America. A diversity of imaging techniques are used to illustrate the species including low-temperature scanning electron microscopy (LT-SEM), stereomicrography, compound light micrography, and digitally created line drawings. Developmental stages (larva, nymphs, and adult) and morphology are illustrated and discussed, and terminological corrections are suggested. Trachymolgus recki Gomelauri, 1961 is regarded as being described from tritonymphs. A key to Trachymolgus is presented. PMID:21998535

Recovery of gravitropism after basipetal centrifugation in protonemata of the moss Ceratodon purpureus

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Walker, L. M.; Sack, F. D.

1991-01-01

Apical cells of 5-day-old dark-grown protonemata of the moss Ceratodon purpureus (Hedw.) Brid. are negatively gravitropic and appear to utilize amyloplasts as statoliths. These cells exhibit a characteristic plastid zonation (five zones) with one zone (No. 3) specialized for the lateral sedimentation of amyloplasts. Basipetal centrifugation displaces all amyloplasts in the apical cell to the end wall. In basipetally centrifuged protonemata observed using infrared videomicroscopy, tip extension occurred with or without amyloplasts present in the apical dome. The initial return of upward curvature was always correlated with the return and sedimentation of amyloplasts in zone 3. Subsequent vigorous upward curvature was correlated with distinct amyloplast zonation and further sedimentation in zone 3. Initial downward ("wrong way") curvature, which often preceded upward curvature, correlated with the presence of amyloplasts in the apical dome (zone 1). These data support the hypotheses that nonsedimenting amyloplasts in zone 1 are necessary for initial downward curvature and that amyloplast sedimentation in zone 3 is necessary for upward curvature.

Production of Angkak Through Co-Culture of Monascus Purpureus and MONASCUS RUBER.

PubMed

Panda, Bibhu Prasad; Javed, Saleem; Ali, Mohd

2010-07-01

Angkak (red mold rice, red yeast rice, Chinese red rice) is a traditional Chinese medicine produced by solid-state fermentation of cooked non-glutinous rice with Monascus species. The secondary metabolite of Monascus species, monacolin K /lovastatin, has been proven to lower blood lipid levels. In this study, a co-culture of Monascus purpureus MTCC 369 and Monascus ruber MTCC 1880 was used for angkak production. Four medium parameters screened by Plackett-Burman design were optimized by response surface methodology for highest lovastatin production in angkak during solid-state fermentation by the co-culture. Maximum lovastatin production of 2.84 mg g(-1) was predicted in solid medium containing 20 g rice and 40 ml liquid nutrients medium (malt extract 9.68 g l(-1), dextrose 38.90 g l(-1), MnSO4.H2O 1.96 g l(-1), and MgSO4.7H2O 0.730 g l(-1)) by point prediction tool of Design Expert 7.1 software (Statease Inc. USA).

The density of apical cells of dark-grown protonemata of the moss Ceratodon purpureus

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schwuchow, J. M.; Kern, V. D.; Wagner, T.; Sack, F. D.

2000-01-01

Determinations of plant or algal cell density (cell mass divided by volume) have rarely accounted for the extracellular matrix or shrinkage during isolation. Three techniques were used to indirectly estimate the density of intact apical cells from protonemata of the moss Ceratodon purpureus. First, the volume fraction of each cell component was determined by stereology, and published values for component density were used to extrapolate to the entire cell. Second, protonemal tips were immersed in bovine serum albumin solutions of different densities, and then the equilibrium density was corrected for the mass of the cell wall. Third, apical cell protoplasts were centrifuged in low-osmolarity gradients, and values were corrected for shrinkage during protoplast isolation. Values from centrifugation (1.004 to 1.015 g/cm3) were considerably lower than from other methods (1.046 to 1.085 g/cm3). This work appears to provide the first corrected estimates of the density of any plant cell. It also documents a method for the isolation of protoplasts specifically from apical cells of protonemal filaments.

Curvature induced by amyloplast magnetophoresis in protonemata of the moss Ceratodon purpureus

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kuznetsov, O. A.; Schwuchow, J.; Sack, F. D.; Hasenstein, K. H.

1999-01-01

After gravistimulation of Ceratodon purpureus (Hedw.) Brid. protonemata in the dark, amyloplast sedimentation was followed by upward curvature in the wild-type (WT) and downward curvature in the wwr mutant (wrong way response). We used ponderomotive forces induced by high-gradient magnetic fields (HGMF) to simulate the effect of gravity and displace the presumptive statoliths. The field was applied by placing protonemata either between two permanent magnets at the edge of the gap, close to the edge of a magnetized ferromagnetic wedge, or close to a small (<1 mm) permanent magnet. Continuous application of an HGMF in all three configurations resulted in plastid displacement and induced curvature in tip cells of WT and wwr protonemata. WT cells curved toward the HGMF, and wwr cells curved away from the HGMF, comparable to gravitropism. Plastids isolated from protonemal cultures had densities ranging from 1.24 to 1.38 g cm-3. Plastid density was similar for both genotypes, but the mutant contained larger plastids than the WT. The size difference might explain the stronger response of the wwr protonemata to the HGMF. Our data support the plastid-based theory of gravitropic sensing and suggest that HGMF-induced ponderomotive forces can substitute for gravity.

Amyloplasts That Sediment in Protonemata of the Moss Ceratodon purpureus Are Nonrandomly Distributed in Microgravity1

PubMed Central

Kern, Volker D.; Smith, Jeffrey D.; Schwuchow, Jochen M.; Sack, Fred D.

2001-01-01

Little is known about whether or how plant cells regulate the position of heavy organelles that sediment toward gravity. Dark-grown protonemata of the moss Ceratodon purpureus displays a complex plastid zonation in that only some amyloplasts sediment along the length of the tip cell. If gravity is the major force determining the position of amyloplasts that sediment, then these plastids should be randomly distributed in space. Instead, amyloplasts were clustered in the subapical region in microgravity. Cells rotated on a clinostat on earth had a roughly similar non-random plastid distribution. Subapical clusters were also found in ground controls that were inverted and kept stationary, but the distribution profile differed considerably due to amyloplast sedimentation. These findings indicate the existence of as yet unknown endogenous forces and mechanisms that influence amyloplast position and that are normally masked in stationary cells grown on earth. It is hypothesized that a microtubule-based mechanism normally compensates for g-induced drag while still allowing for regulated amyloplast sedimentation. PMID:11299388

Irradiance-dependent regulation of gravitropism by red light in protonemata of the moss Ceratodon purpureus

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kern, V. D.; Sack, F. D.

1999-01-01

Apical cells of protonemata of the moss Ceratodon purpureus (Hedw.) Brid. are negatively gravitropic in the dark and positively phototropic in red light. Various fluence rates of unilateral red light were tested to determine whether both tropisms operate simultaneously. At irradiances > or = 140 nmol m-2 s-1 no gravitropism could be detected and phototropism predominated, despite the presence of amyloplast sedimentation. Gravitropism occurred at irradiances lower than 140 nmol m-1 s-1 with most cells oriented above the horizontal but not upright. At these low fluence rates, phototropism was indistinct at 1 g but apparent in microgravity, indicating that gravitropism and phototropism compete at 1 g. The frequency of protonemata that were negatively phototropic varied with the fluence rate and the duration of illumination, as well as with the position of the apical cell before illumination. These data show that the fluence rate of red light regulates whether gravitropism is allowed or completely repressed, and that it influences the polarity of phototropism and the extent to which apical cells are aligned in the light path.

Tip-growing cells of the moss Ceratodon purpureus Are gravitropic in high-density media

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schwuchow, Jochen Michael; Kern, Volker Dieter; Sack, Fred David

2002-01-01

Gravity sensing in plants and algae is hypothesized to rely upon either the mass of the entire cell or that of sedimenting organelles (statoliths). Protonemata of the moss Ceratodon purpureus show upward gravitropism and contain amyloplasts that sediment. If moss sensing were whole-cell based, then media denser than the cell should prevent gravitropism or reverse its direction. Cells that were inverted or reoriented to the horizontal displayed distinct negative gravitropism in solutions of iodixanol with densities of 1.052 to 1.320 as well as in bovine serum albumin solutions with densities of 1.037 to 1.184 g cm(-3). Studies using tagged molecules of different sizes and calculations of diffusion times suggest that both types of media penetrate through the apical cell wall. Estimates of the density of the apical cell range from 1.004 to 1.085. Because protonemata grow upward when the cells have a density that is lower than the surrounding medium, gravitropic sensing probably utilizes an intracellular mass in moss protonemata. These data provide additional support for the idea that sedimenting amyloplasts function as statoliths in gravitropism.

Curvature Induced by Amyloplast Magnetophoresis in Protonemata of the Moss Ceratodon purpureus1

PubMed Central

Kuznetsov, Oleg A.; Schwuchow, Jochen; Sack, Fred D.; Hasenstein, Karl H.

1999-01-01

After gravistimulation of Ceratodon purpureus (Hedw.) Brid. protonemata in the dark, amyloplast sedimentation was followed by upward curvature in the wild-type (WT) and downward curvature in the wwr mutant (wrong way response). We used ponderomotive forces induced by high-gradient magnetic fields (HGMF) to simulate the effect of gravity and displace the presumptive statoliths. The field was applied by placing protonemata either between two permanent magnets at the edge of the gap, close to the edge of a magnetized ferromagnetic wedge, or close to a small (<1 mm) permanent magnet. Continuous application of an HGMF in all three configurations resulted in plastid displacement and induced curvature in tip cells of WT and wwr protonemata. WT cells curved toward the HGMF, and wwr cells curved away from the HGMF, comparable to gravitropism. Plastids isolated from protonemal cultures had densities ranging from 1.24 to 1.38 g cm−3. Plastid density was similar for both genotypes, but the mutant contained larger plastids than the WT. The size difference might explain the stronger response of the wwr protonemata to the HGMF. Our data support the plastid-based theory of gravitropic sensing and suggest that HGMF-induced ponderomotive forces can substitute for gravity. PMID:9952461

Gravitropism and gravimorphism during regeneration from protoplasts of the moss Ceratodon purpureus (Hedw.) Brid

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wagner, T. A.; Sack, F. D.

1998-01-01

Wild-type (WT) protonemata of the moss Ceratodon purpureus grow upwards in darkness (negative gravitropism), whereas protonemata of the mutant, wrong-way response (wwr-1) grow down. Since Ceratodon protoplasts regenerate to form new protonemata, we analyzed whether the direction of filament emergence was influenced by gravity (gravimorphism) and determined the cytological events that correlated with the onset of gravitropism in WT and wwr-1 filaments formed de novo. In the WT the direction of filament emergence appeared to be gravimorphic as more than 66% of the new filaments emerged above the horizontal. In contrast, the direction of filament emergence was random in wwr-1. Tip-growing cells of both genotypes became gravitropic within a total of one to two cell divisions. Gravitropic curvature in wwr-1 was opposite in direction to that of WT, and the timing of curvature was comparable, indicating that the wwr-1 mutation acts during the onset of gravitropic competence. In time-lapse studies of both genotypes, neither a plastid-free zone nor obvious and extensive plastid sedimentation characteristic of mature dark-grown protonemata was observed in the new filaments prior to gravitropic curvature. Thus, it appears that these latter two features are not required for gravitropism in new protonemal filaments from protoplasts.

A positively gravitropic mutant mirrors the wild-type protonemal response in the moss Ceratodon purpureus

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wagner, T. A.; Cove, D. J.; Sack, F. D.

1997-01-01

Wild-type Ceratodon purpureus (Hedw.) Brid. protonemata grow up in the dark by negative gravitropism. When upright wild-type protonemata are reoriented 90 degrees, they temporarily grow down soon after reorientation ("initial reversal") and also prior to cytokinesis ("mitotic reversal"). A positively gravitropic mutant designated wrong- way response (wwr-1) has been isolated by screening ultraviolet light-mutagenized Ceratodon protonemata. Protonemata of wwr-l reoriented from the vertical to the horizontal grow down with kinetics comparable to those of the wild-type. Protonemata of wwr-1 also show initial and mitotic reversals where they temporarily grow up. Thus, the direction of gravitropism, initial reversal, and mitotic reversal are coordinated though each are opposite in wwr-1 compared to the wild-type. Normal plastid zonation is still maintained in dark-grown wwr-1 apical cells, but the plastids are more numerous and plastid sedimentation is more pronounced. In addition, wwr-1 apical cells are wider and the tips greener than in the wild-type. These data suggest that a functional WWR gene product is not necessary for the establishment of some gravitropic polarity, for gravitropism, or for the coordination of the reversals. Thus, the WWR protein may normally transduce information about cell orientation.

Blue light- and genetically-reversed gravitropic response in protonemata of the moss Ceratodon purpureus.

PubMed

Lamparter, T; Hughes, J; Hartmann, E

1998-09-01

In darkness, protonemal filaments of Ceratodon purpureus (Brid.) grow negatively gravitropically (upwards). Red light induces a positive phototropic response mediated by the photoreceptor phytochrome. A red light treatment also has an inhibitory effect on the gravitropic response, an effect also mediated by phytochrome. In this study the effects of blue light on phototropism and on gravitropism were analysed. Unilateral blue light resulted in only a weak phototropic response, but markedly randomised growth direction. Blue light given together with a gravitropic stimulus reversed the gravitropism, changing it from negative to positive (filaments grow downward). The effect of blue light was also analysed with the mutant ptr116, which is defective in the biosynthesis of the phytochrome chromophore, and in a newly isolated mutant wwr2, which is positively gravitropic in darkness. Blue light induced the same reversal of gravitropism in ptrll6 as in the wild type, indicating that phytochrome is not involved in this process. In wwr2 the direction of gravitropism was unaltered by the blue light treatment. Light also affects chlorophyll content and the size of plastids, potential statoliths for gravitropism. Red light induced an increase in plastid size and chlorophyll content in the wild type but not in ptr116. Blue light induced a similar change in wild type plastids. It seems as though light-induced alterations of gravitropism are not simply mediated by alterations in plastid properties, and that red light and blue light evoke fundamentally different responses.

Trans-oceanic Remote Power Hardware-in-the-Loop: Multi-site Hardware, Integrated Controller, and Electric Network Co-simulation

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lundstrom, Blake R.; Palmintier, Bryan S.; Rowe, Daniel

Electric system operators are increasingly concerned with the potential system-wide impacts of the large-scale integration of distributed energy resources (DERs) including voltage control, protection coordination, and equipment wear. This prompts a need for new simulation techniques that can simultaneously capture all the components of these large integrated smart grid systems. This paper describes a novel platform that combines three emerging research areas: power systems co-simulation, power hardware in the loop (PHIL) simulation, and lab-lab links. The platform is distributed, real-time capable, allows for easy internet-based connection from geographically-dispersed participants, and is software platform agnostic. We demonstrate its utility by studyingmore » real-time PHIL co-simulation of coordinated solar PV firming control of two inverters connected in multiple electric distribution network models, prototypical of U.S. and Australian systems. Here, the novel trans-pacific closed-loop system simulation was conducted in real-time using a power network simulator and physical PV/battery inverter at power at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, CO, USA and a physical PV inverter at power at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation's Energy Centre in Newcastle, NSW, Australia. This capability enables smart grid researchers throughout the world to leverage their unique simulation capabilities for multi-site collaborations that can effectively simulate and validate emerging smart grid technology solutions.« less

Trans-oceanic Remote Power Hardware-in-the-Loop: Multi-site Hardware, Integrated Controller, and Electric Network Co-simulation

DOE PAGES

Lundstrom, Blake R.; Palmintier, Bryan S.; Rowe, Daniel; ...

2017-07-24

Electric system operators are increasingly concerned with the potential system-wide impacts of the large-scale integration of distributed energy resources (DERs) including voltage control, protection coordination, and equipment wear. This prompts a need for new simulation techniques that can simultaneously capture all the components of these large integrated smart grid systems. This paper describes a novel platform that combines three emerging research areas: power systems co-simulation, power hardware in the loop (PHIL) simulation, and lab-lab links. The platform is distributed, real-time capable, allows for easy internet-based connection from geographically-dispersed participants, and is software platform agnostic. We demonstrate its utility by studyingmore » real-time PHIL co-simulation of coordinated solar PV firming control of two inverters connected in multiple electric distribution network models, prototypical of U.S. and Australian systems. Here, the novel trans-pacific closed-loop system simulation was conducted in real-time using a power network simulator and physical PV/battery inverter at power at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, CO, USA and a physical PV inverter at power at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation's Energy Centre in Newcastle, NSW, Australia. This capability enables smart grid researchers throughout the world to leverage their unique simulation capabilities for multi-site collaborations that can effectively simulate and validate emerging smart grid technology solutions.« less

Positive and negative tropic curvature induced by microbeam irradiation of protonemal tip cells of the moss Ceratodon purpureus.

PubMed

Lamparter, T; Kagawa, T; Brücker, G; Wada, M

2004-01-01

The photoreceptor phytochrome mediates tropic responses in protonemata of the moss Ceratodon purpureus. Under standard conditions the tip cells grow towards unilateral red light, or perpendicular to the electrical vector of polarized light. In this study the response of tip cells to partial irradiation of the apical region was analysed using a microbeam apparatus. The fluence response curve gave an unexpected pattern: whereas a 15-min microbeam with light intensities around 3 micro mol m (-2) s (-1) induced a growth curvature towards the irradiated side, higher light intensities around 100 micro mol m (-2) s (-1) caused a negative response, the cells grew away from the irradiated side. This avoidance response is explained by two effects: the light intensity is high enough to induce photoconversion into the active Pfr form of phytochrome, not only on the irradiated but also on the non-irradiated side by stray light. At the same time, the strong light on the irradiated side acts antagonistically to Pfr. As a result of this inhibition, the growth direction is moved to the light-avoiding side. Such a Pfr-independent mechanism might be important for the phototropic response to distinguish between the light-directed and light-avoiding side under unilateral light.

Can temperate insects take the heat? A case study of the physiological and behavioural responses in a common ant, Iridomyrmex purpureus (Formicidae), with potential climate change.

PubMed

Andrew, Nigel R; Hart, Robert A; Jung, Myung-Pyo; Hemmings, Zac; Terblanche, John S

2013-09-01

Insects in temperate regions are predicted to be at low risk of climate change relative to tropical species. However, these assumptions have generally been poorly examined in all regions, and such forecasting fails to account for microclimatic variation and behavioural optimisation. Here, we test how a population of the dominant ant species, Iridomyrmex purpureus, from temperate Australia responds to thermal stress. We show that ants regularly forage for short periods (minutes) at soil temperatures well above their upper thermal limits (upper lethal temperature = 45.8 ± 1.3°C; CT(max) = 46.1°C) determined over slightly longer periods (hours) and do not show any signs of a classic thermal performance curve in voluntary locomotion across soil surface temperatures of 18.6-57°C (equating to a body temperature of 24.5-43.1°C). Although ants were present all year round, and dynamically altered several aspects of their thermal biology to cope with low temperatures and seasonal variation, temperature-dependence of running speed remained invariant and ants were unable to elevate high temperature tolerance using plastic responses. Measurements of microclimate temperature were higher than ant body temperatures during the hottest part of the day, but exhibited a stronger relationship with each other than air temperatures from the closest weather station. Generally close associations of ant activity and performance with microclimatic conditions, possibly to maximise foraging times, suggest I. purpureus displays highly opportunistic thermal responses and readily adjusts behaviour to cope with high trail temperatures. Increasing frequency or duration of high temperatures is therefore likely to result in an immediate reduction in foraging efficiency. In summary, these results suggest that (1) soil-dwelling temperate insect populations may be at higher risks of thermal stress with increased frequency or duration of high temperatures resulting from climate change than

Enhanced production of natural yellow pigments from Monascus purpureus by liquid culture: The relationship between fermentation conditions and mycelial morphology.

PubMed

Lv, Jun; Zhang, Bo-Bo; Liu, Xiao-Dong; Zhang, Chan; Chen, Lei; Xu, Gan-Rong; Cheung, Peter Chi Keung

2017-10-01

Natural yellow pigments produced by submerged fermentation of Monascus purpureus have potential economic value and application in the food industry. In the present study, the relationships among fermentation conditions (in terms of pH and shaking/agitation speed), mycelial morphology and the production of Monascus yellow pigments were investigated in both shake-flask and scale-up bioreactor experiments. In the shake-flask fermentation, the highest yield of the Monascus yellow pigments was obtained at pH 5.0 and a shaking speed of 180 rpm. Microscopic images revealed that these results were associated with the formation of freely dispersed small mycelial pellets with shorter, thicker and multi-branched hyphae. Further investigation indicated that the hyphal diameter was highly correlated with the biosynthesis of the Monascus yellow pigments. In a scaled-up fermentation experiment, the yield of yellow pigments (401 U) was obtained in a 200-L bioreactor, which is the highest yield to the best of our knowledge. The present findings can advance our knowledge on the conditions used for enhancing the production of Monascus yellow pigments in submerged fermentation and facilitate large-scale production of these natural pigments. Copyright © 2017 The Society for Biotechnology, Japan. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Why solid-state fermentation is more advantageous over submerged fermentation for converting high concentration of glycerol into Monacolin K by Monascus purpureus 9901: A mechanistic study.

PubMed

Zhang, Bo-Bo; Lu, Li-Ping; Xu, Gan-Rong

2015-07-20

The underlying mechanisms by which solid-state fermentation (SSF) was more advantageous over submerged fermentation (SmF) for converting high concentration of glycerol into Monacolin K by Monascus purpureus were investigated innovatively. First, the established kinetic models and kinetic parameters showed that the cell growth, Monacolin K formation and glycerol consumption in SSF were more rapid than those in SmF. Secondly, the comparison of fatty acid composition of mycelial cells indicated a better fluidity and permeability of the cell membrane in SSF than that of SmF, which was also consistent with the difference in the ratio of extracellular/intracellular Monacolin K between the two systems. Thirdly, the phenomenon of glycerol concentration gradient was verified in SSF, which could well explain the resistance effect to high concentration of glycerol in SSF. These new findings provide some important insights to the elucidation of the advantages of SSF for the synthesis of fungal secondary metabolites. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Cognitive Function of Artemisia argyi H. Fermented by Monascus purpureus under TMT-Induced Learning and Memory Deficits in ICR Mice

PubMed Central

Kang, Jin Yong; Lee, Du Sang; Park, Seon Kyeong; Ha, Jeong Su; Kim, Jong Min; Ha, Gi Jeong; Seo, Weon Taek

2017-01-01

The cognitive effect of Artemisia argyi H. under liquid-state fermentation by Monascus purpureus (AAFM), which has cellular antioxidant activity and neuronal cell viability, on trimethyltin- (TMT-) induced learning and memory impairment in Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) mice was confirmed. Tests were conducted to determine the neuroprotective effects against H2O2-induced oxidative stress, and the results showed that AAFM has protective effects through the repression of mitochondrial injury and cellular membrane damage against H2O2-induced neurotoxicity. In animal experiments, such as the Y-maze, passive avoidance, and Morris water maze tests, AAFM also showed excellent ameliorating effects on TMT-induced cognitive dysfunction. After behavioral tests, brain tissues were extracted to assess damage to brain tissue. According to the experimental results, AAFM improved the cholinergic system by upregulating acetylcholine (ACh) contents and inhibiting acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity. AAFM effectively improved the decline of the superoxide dismutase (SOD) level and the increase of the oxidized glutathione (GSH) ratio and lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde (MDA) production) caused by TMT-induced oxidative stress. The occurrence of mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis was also decreased compared with the TMT group. Finally, quinic acid derivatives were identified as the major phenolic compounds in AAFM using ultra-performance liquid chromatography quadrupole-time-of-flight (UPLC-Q-TOF) MS analysis. PMID:29081819

Cognitive Function of Artemisia argyi H. Fermented by Monascus purpureus under TMT-Induced Learning and Memory Deficits in ICR Mice.

PubMed

Kang, Jin Yong; Lee, Du Sang; Park, Seon Kyeong; Ha, Jeong Su; Kim, Jong Min; Ha, Gi Jeong; Seo, Weon Taek; Heo, Ho Jin

2017-01-01

The cognitive effect of Artemisia argyi H. under liquid-state fermentation by Monascus purpureus (AAFM), which has cellular antioxidant activity and neuronal cell viability, on trimethyltin- (TMT-) induced learning and memory impairment in Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) mice was confirmed. Tests were conducted to determine the neuroprotective effects against H 2 O 2 -induced oxidative stress, and the results showed that AAFM has protective effects through the repression of mitochondrial injury and cellular membrane damage against H 2 O 2 -induced neurotoxicity. In animal experiments, such as the Y-maze, passive avoidance, and Morris water maze tests, AAFM also showed excellent ameliorating effects on TMT-induced cognitive dysfunction. After behavioral tests, brain tissues were extracted to assess damage to brain tissue. According to the experimental results, AAFM improved the cholinergic system by upregulating acetylcholine (ACh) contents and inhibiting acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity. AAFM effectively improved the decline of the superoxide dismutase (SOD) level and the increase of the oxidized glutathione (GSH) ratio and lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde (MDA) production) caused by TMT-induced oxidative stress. The occurrence of mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis was also decreased compared with the TMT group. Finally, quinic acid derivatives were identified as the major phenolic compounds in AAFM using ultra-performance liquid chromatography quadrupole-time-of-flight (UPLC-Q-TOF) MS analysis.

Potential Re-utilization of Composted Mangrove Litters for Pond Environment Quality Improvement

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dwi Hastuti, Endah; Budi Hastuti, Rini; Hariyati, Riche

2018-05-01

Production of mangrove litter from pruning and thinning activities is potential source of organic materials which could be re-utilized to improve pond environment quality and fertility. This research aimed to analyze the nutrient composition compost produced from mangrove litter and to describe the effect of compost application on pond quality. This research was conducted through two phases, including composting trial and application of compost on pond trial. Composting process was conducted for 45-60 days on mangrove litter achieved from pruning activities in the silvofishery pond using composting container, while application of compost in pond was conducted by pouring 2 kg of compost in 25 m2 pond. Production of compost included solid compost and liquid compost. Nutrient concentration of solid compost was ranged from 0.47-0.52% for N; 0.36-0.44% for P; and 5.45-6.39% for organic C, while liquid compost provided 0.62-0.69%; 0.24-0.32%; and 3.98-4.45% respectively for N, P and organic C. While C/N ratio was ranged from 11.60-12.78 and 5.77-7.18 respectively for solid and liquid compost. Solid compost quality resulted that N, P and C/N ration had fulfilled the standart criteria defined by Indonesia National Standart for compost. Observed impact of compost application on pond water quality were the improvement of water clarity and increasing abundance of klekap (lab-lab). This showed that mangrove litters could be converted into a more productive materials to enhance pond environment quality and productivity, decrease management cost and increase benefit. Scheduled fertilization with compost is suggested to be conducted to provide best benefit on silvofishery management.

Genomics and molecular breeding in lesser explored pulse crops: current trends and future opportunities.

PubMed

Bohra, Abhishek; Jha, Uday Chand; Kishor, P B Kavi; Pandey, Shailesh; Singh, Narendra P

2014-12-01

Pulses are multipurpose crops for providing income, employment and food security in the underprivileged regions, notably the FAO-defined low-income food-deficit countries. Owing to their intrinsic ability to endure environmental adversities and the least input/management requirements, these crops remain central to subsistence farming. Given their pivotal role in rain-fed agriculture, substantial research has been invested to boost the productivity of these pulse crops. To this end, genomic tools and technologies have appeared as the compelling supplement to the conventional breeding. However, the progress in minor pulse crops including dry beans (Vigna spp.), lupins, lablab, lathyrus and vetches has remained unsatisfactory, hence these crops are often labeled as low profile or lesser researched. Nevertheless, recent scientific and technological breakthroughs particularly the next generation sequencing (NGS) are radically transforming the scenario of genomics and molecular breeding in these minor crops. NGS techniques have allowed de novo assembly of whole genomes in these orphan crops. Moreover, the availability of a reference genome sequence would promote re-sequencing of diverse genotypes to unlock allelic diversity at a genome-wide scale. In parallel, NGS has offered high-resolution genetic maps or more precisely, a robust genetic framework to implement whole-genome strategies for crop improvement. As has already been demonstrated in lupin, sequencing-based genotyping of the representative sample provided access to a number of functionally-relevant markers that could be deployed straight away in crop breeding programs. This article attempts to outline the recent progress made in genomics of these lesser explored pulse crops, and examines the prospects of genomics assisted integrated breeding to enhance and stabilize crop yields. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Protective and antioxidative effect of rubropunctatin against oxidative protein damage induced by metal catalyzed reaction.

PubMed

Dhale, Mohan A; Javagal, Manjunatha; Puttananjaiah, Mohan-Kumari H

2018-05-03

Monascus purpureus is known to produce several coloured secondary metabolites. In this study, M. purpureus CFR 410-11 mutant fermented with rice was dried and extracted in hexane for purification of pigment. The purity of the isolated pigment was confirmed by different chromatography techniques. The spectroscopic analysis revealed its structural identity as rubropunctatin. The antioxidant potencies of isolated rubropunctatin were evaluated. Rubropunctatin scavenged 16% 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical and inhibited 20% superoxide generation at 8 μg/ml concentration. The multiple antioxidant abilities of rubropunctatin were evidenced by its ferric reducing capacity also. The oxidative damage of BSA protein was induced by the metal catalyzed oxidation (MCO) by Fe 2+ /H 2 O 2 . The protective effects of rubropunctatin and M. purpureus (MTCC-410 and CFR 410-11) extracts were compared with glutathione and ascorbic acid. The M. purpureus extracts and rubropunctatin inhibited the formation of carbonyl content and protein oxidation assayed by SDS-PAGE. Rubropunctatin (42-169 μM) efficiently inhibited the protein oxidation compared to glutathione (48-195 μM) and ascorbic acid (85-340 μM) by scavenging the superoxide and hydroxyl radical generated in the system. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Effect of light on growth, intracellular and extracellular pigment production by five pigment-producing filamentous fungi in synthetic medium.

PubMed

Velmurugan, Palanivel; Lee, Yong Hoon; Venil, Chidambaram Kulandaisamy; Lakshmanaperumalsamy, Perumalsamy; Chae, Jong-Chan; Oh, Byung-Taek

2010-04-01

The competence of the living creatures to sense and respond to light is well known. The effect of darkness and different color light quality on biomass, extracellular and intracellular pigment yield of five potent pigment producers Monascus purpureus, Isaria farinosa, Emericella nidulans, Fusarium verticillioides and Penicillium purpurogenum, with different color shades such as red, pink, reddish brown and yellow, were investigated. Incubation in total darkness increased the biomass, extracellular and intracellular pigment production in all the fungi. Extracellular red pigment produced by M. purpureus resulted maximum in darkness 36.75 + or - 2.1 OD and minimum in white unscreened light 5.90 + or - 1.1 OD. Similarly, intracellular red pigment produced by M. purpureus resulted maximum in darkness 18.27 + or - 0.9 OD/g and minimum in yellow light 8.03 + or - 0.6 OD/g of substrate. The maximum biomass production was also noticed in darkness 2.51 g/L and minimum in yellow light 0.5 g/L of dry weight. In contrast, growth of fungi in green and yellow wavelengths resulted in low biomass and pigment yield. It was found that darkness, (red 780-622 nm, blue 492-455 nm) and white light influenced pigment and biomass yield. Copyright 2009 The Society for Biotechnology, Japan. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Monascus pigment production by solid-state fermentation with corn cob substrate.

PubMed

Velmurugan, Palanivel; Hur, Hyun; Balachandar, Vellingiri; Kamala-Kannan, Seralathan; Lee, Kui-Jae; Lee, Sang-Myung; Chae, Jong-Chan; Shea, Patrick J; Oh, Byung-Taek

2011-12-01

Natural pigments are an important alternative to potentially harmful synthetic dyes. We investigated the feasibility of corn cob powder as a substrate for production of pigments by Monascus purpureus KACC 42430 in solid-state fermentation. A pigment yield of 25.42 OD Units/gram of dry fermented substrate was achieved with corn cob powder and optimized process parameters, including 60% (w/w) initial moisture content, incubation at 30°C, inoculation with 4mL of spores/gram of dry substrate, and an incubation period of 7 days. Pigment yield using corn cobs greatly exceeded those of most other agricultural waste substrates. The pigments were stable at acidic pH, high temperatures, and in salt solutions; all important considerations for industrial applications. Our results indicate the viability of corn cob substrate in combination with M. purpureus for industrial applications. Copyright © 2011 The Society for Biotechnology, Japan. All rights reserved.

Effects of delayed winter harvest on biomass yield and quality of napiergrass and energycane

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Napiergrass (Cenchrus purpureus Schumach) and energycane (Saccharum hyb.) are high-yielding perennial grasses that are well-suited for biomass production in the southeast USA. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of delayed winter harvest on biomass yield and quality of these two ...

Modelling the dissipation and leaching of two herbicides in decomposing mulch of crop residues

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aslam, Sohaib; Iqbal, Akhtar; Lafolie, François; Recous, Sylvie; Benoit, Pierre; Garnier, Patricia

2013-04-01

Conservation agricultural practices are increasingly adopted because of ecosystem services such as conservation of soil and water resources. These farming systems are characterized mainly by the presence of mulch made of residues of harvested or cover crops on soil surface. The mulch can intercept and retain applied pesticides depending on pesticide molecule and rainfall timing. The pesticide wash-off from mulch is considered a key process in pesticide fate and can have effects on degradation and transport processes. This work highlights a modelling approach to study the pesticide wash-off from mulch residues and their further transport in soil under two rainfall regimes. Transformation and leaching of two herbicides, s-metolachlor and glyphosate, was studied and simulated by Pastis-mulch model. A pesticide module describing pesticide degradation in mulch and soil was coupled to a transport model including a mulch module. The model was tested to simulate the pesticide dissipation, wash-off from mulch and further leaching in soil. Pesticide degradation parameters in mulch were estimated from incubation experiments with 14C-labelled molecules in small cylinders. The model was then tested using the data obtained through a soil column experiment (reconstructed soil cores :15 cm diameter x 35 cm depth), a mulch of Zea mais + Doliquos lablab and with two treatments varied by water regimes: i) frequent rain (temperate, twice a week) with week intensity (6 mm/hr); and ii) occasional rain (tropical, twice a month) with stronger intensity (20 mm/hr). Columns were incubated at 20 °C for 84 days to monitor soil water, C, N and pesticide dynamics. Model successfully simulated the experimental data of pesticide dissipation in mulch residues. Results showed that the rain regime affected more S-metolachlor than glyphosate behavior. The simulated results indicated also that the dynamics in mulch of the two molecules differed according to the rain treatment. Glyphosate showed a

Nature's Cholesterol-Lowering Drug: Isolation and Structure Elucidation of Lovastatin from Red Yeast Rice-Containing Dietary Supplements

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Nazri, Maisarah Mohd; Samat, Farah D.; Kavanagh, Pierce V.; Walsh, John J.

2012-01-01

Red yeast rice, produced by fermenting the fungus, "Monascus purpureus", on rice ("Oryza sativa" L. gramineae), is commonly used as a dietary supplement. It contains lovastatin, a member of the statin family of compounds, and is licensed for use as a cholesterol-lowering agent. This experiment involves the isolation and structure elucidation of…

Monascus-fermented red mold dioscorea protects mice against alcohol-induced liver injury, whereas its metabolites ankaflavin and monascin regulate ethanol-induced peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ and sterol regulatory element-binding transcription factor-1 expression in HepG2 cells.

PubMed

Cheng, Chih-Fu; Pan, Tzu-Ming

2018-03-01

Alcoholic hepatitis is a necroinflammatory process that is associated with fibrosis and leads to cirrhosis in 40% of cases. The hepatoprotective effects of red mold dioscorea (RMD) from Monascus purpureus NTU 568 were evaluated in vivo using a mouse model of chronic alcohol-induced liver disease (ALD). ALD mice were orally administered vehicle (ALD group) or vehicle plus 307.5, 615.0 or 1537.5 mg kg -1 (1 ×, 2 × and 5 ×) RMD for 5 weeks. RMD lowered serum leptin, hepatic total cholesterol, free fatty acid and hepatic triglyceride levels and increased serum adiponectin, hepatic alcohol dehydrogenase and antioxidant enzyme levels. Furthermore, ankaflavin (AK) and monascin (MS), metabolites of RMD fermented with M. purpureus 568, induced peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ expression and the concomitant suppression of ethanol-induced elevation of sterol regulatory element-binding transcription factor-1 and TG in HepG2 cells. These results indicate the hepatoprotective effect of Monascus-fermented RMD. Moreover, AK and MS were identified as the active constituents of RMD for the first time and were shown to protect against ethanol-induced liver damage. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.

BRIC-60: Biological Research in Canisters (BRIC)-60

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Richards, Stephanie E. (Compiler); Levine, Howard G.; Romero, Vergel

2016-01-01

The Biological Research in Canisters (BRIC) is an anodized-aluminum cylinder used to provide passive stowage for investigations evaluating the effects of space flight on small organisms. Specimens flown in the BRIC 60 mm petri dish (BRIC-60) hardware include Lycoperscion esculentum (tomato), Arabidopsis thaliana (thale cress), Glycine max (soybean) seedlings, Physarum polycephalum (slime mold) cells, Pothetria dispar (gypsy moth) eggs and Ceratodon purpureus (moss).

Producers and Important Dietary Sources of Ochratoxin A and Citrinin

PubMed Central

Ostry, Vladimir; Malir, Frantisek; Ruprich, Jiri

2013-01-01

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a very important mycotoxin, and its research is focused right now on the new findings of OTA, like being a complete carcinogen, information about OTA producers and new exposure sources of OTA. Citrinin (CIT) is another important mycotoxin, too, and its research turns towards nephrotoxicity. Both additive and synergistic effects have been described in combination with OTA. OTA is produced in foodstuffs by Aspergillus Section Circumdati (Aspergillus ochraceus, A. westerdijkiae, A. steynii) and Aspergillus Section Nigri (Aspergillus carbonarius, A. foetidus, A. lacticoffeatus, A. niger, A. sclerotioniger, A. tubingensis), mostly in subtropical and tropical areas. OTA is produced in foodstuffs by Penicillium verrucosum and P. nordicum, notably in temperate and colder zones. CIT is produced in foodstuffs by Monascus species (Monascus purpureus, M. ruber) and Penicillium species (Penicillium citrinum, P. expansum, P. radicicola, P. verrucosum). OTA was frequently found in foodstuffs of both plant origin (e.g., cereal products, coffee, vegetable, liquorice, raisins, wine) and animal origin (e.g., pork/poultry). CIT was also found in foodstuffs of vegetable origin (e.g., cereals, pomaceous fruits, black olive, roasted nuts, spices), food supplements based on rice fermented with red microfungi Monascus purpureus and in foodstuffs of animal origin (e.g., cheese). PMID:24048364

Functional food red yeast rice (RYR) for metabolic syndrome amelioration: a review on pros and cons.

PubMed

Patel, Seema

2016-05-01

Red yeast rice (RYR), the fermentation product of mold Monascus purpureus has been an integral part of Oriental food and traditional Chinese medicine, long before the discovery of their medicinal roles. With the identification of bioactive components as polyketide pigments (statins), and unsaturated fatty acids, RYR has gained a nutraceutical status. Hypercholesterolemic effect of this fermented compound has been validated and monacolin K has been recognized as the pivotal component in cholesterol alleviation. Functional similarity with commercial drug lovastatin sans the side effects has catapulted its popularity in other parts of the world as well. Apart from the hypotensive role, ameliorative benefits of RYR as anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, anticancer and osteogenic agent have emerged, fueling intense research on it. Mechanistic studies have revealed their interaction with functional agents like coenzyme Q10, astaxanthin, vitamin D, folic acid, policosanol, and berberine. On the other hand, concurrence of mycotoxin citrinin and variable content of statin has marred its integration in mainstream medication. In this disputable scenario, evaluation of the scopes and lacunae to overcome seems to contribute to an eminent area of healthcare. Red yeast rice (RYR), the rice-based fermentation product of mold Monascus purpureus is a functional food. Its bioactive component monacolin K acts like synthetic drug lovastatin, without the severe side effects of the latter. RYR has been validated to lower cholesterol, control high blood pressure; confer anti-flammation, hypoglycaemic, anticancer and osteogenic properties. However, dose inconsistency and co-occurrence of toxin citrinin hampers its dietary supplementation prospect. Further research might facilitate development of RYR as a nutraceutical.

How are recent changes in Southern Hemisphere Westerly Winds affecting East Antarctic terrestrial plants?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Robinson, S. A.; Waterman, M. J.; Bramley-Alves, J.; Clarke, L. J.; Hua, Q.

2017-12-01

Antarctica has experienced major changes in temperature, wind speed, stratospheric ozone levels and ultraviolet-B radiation over the last century. However, because East Antarctica has shown little climate warming, biological changes were predicted to be relatively slow, compared to the rapid changes observed on the warmer Antarctic Peninsula. Detecting the biological effects of Antarctic climate change has been hindered by the paucity of long-term data sets, particularly for organisms that have been exposed to these changes throughout their lives. Recent studies using radiocarbon signals preserved along the shoots of individual mosses, as well as peat cores, enables accurate determination of the growth rates of the dominant Antarctic moss flora over the last century. This allows us to explore the influence of environmental variables on growth providing a dramatic demonstration of the effects of climate change on Antarctic biodiversity. We generated detailed 50-year growth records for four Antarctic moss species, Ceratodon purpureus, Bryum pseudotriquetrum, Schistidium antarctici and Bryoerythrophyllum recurvirostre using the 1960s radiocarbon bomb spike. Ceratodon purpureus' growth rates are positively correlated with ozone depth and temperature and negatively correlated with wind speed. Carbon stable isotopic measurements (∂13C) suggest that the observed effects of climate variation on growth are mediated through changes in water availability and mostly likely linked to the more positive phase of the Southern Annular Mode (SAM) and changing westerly wind patterns. For cold remote locations like Antarctica, where climate records are limited and of relatively short duration, this illustrates that mosses can act as microclimate proxies and have the potential to increase our knowledge of coastal Antarctic climate change.

Identification and characterization of filamentous fungi isolated from fermentation starters for Hong Qu glutinous rice wine brewing.

PubMed

Lv, Xu-Cong; Huang, Zhi-Qing; Zhang, Wen; Rao, Ping-Fan; Ni, Li

2012-01-01

Hong Qu glutinous rice wine is one of the most popular traditional rice wines in China. Traditionally, this wine is brewed from glutinous rice with the addition of wine fermentation starters (Hong Qu (also called red yeast rice) and White Qu). The objective of this study was to investigate the variability of filamentous fungi associated with traditional fermentation starters through a traditional culture-dependent method and a molecular identification approach. In this study, forty-three filamentous fungi were separated by traditional culture-dependent means (macro- and microscopic characteristics) from 10 fermentation starters and classified into 16 different species based on morphological examination and the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences analysis. It was observed that the genus Aspergillus had the highest number (14 isolates) of isolates followed by Rhizopus (11 isolates), Monascus (5 isolates) and Penicillium (4 isolates). The species R. oryzae, A. niger, A. flavus and M. purpureus were frequently found in wine starter samples, among which R. oryzae was the most frequent species. The enzyme-producing properties (glucoamylase, α-amylase and protease) of all fungal isolates from different starters were also evaluated. A. flavus, R. oryzae and M. purpureus were found to be better glucoamylase producers. A. flavus, R. oryzae and A.oryzae exhibited higher activity of α-amylase. A. flavus and A. oryzae had higher protease activity. However, some fungal isolates of the same species exhibited a significant variability in the production levels for all determined enzyme activity. This study is the first to identify filamentous fungi associated with the starter of Hong Qu glutinous rice wine using both traditional and molecular methods. The results enrich our knowledge of liquor-related micro-organisms, and can be used to promote the development of the traditional fermentation technology.

Identification of the Ulex europaeus agglutinin-I-binding protein as a unique glycoform of the neural cell adhesion molecule in the olfactory sensory axons of adults rats.

PubMed

Pestean, A; Krizbai, I; Böttcher, H; Párducz, A; Joó, F; Wolff, J R

1995-08-04

Histochemical localization of two lectins, Ulex europaeus agglutinin-I (UEA-I) and Tetragonolobus purpureus (TPA), was studied in the olfactory bulb of adult rats. In contrast to TPA, UEA-I detected a fucosylated glycoprotein that is only present in the surface membranes of olfactory sensory cells including the whole course of their neurites up to the final arborization in glomeruli. Immunoblotting revealed that UEA-I binds specifically to a protein of 205 kDa, while TPA stains several other glycoproteins. Affinity chromatography with the use of a UEA-I column identified the 205 kDa protein as a glycoform of neural cell adhesion molecule (N-CAM), specific for the rat olfactory sensory nerves.

[The growth movements of moss protonemata under clinostatic and microgravity conditions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Demkiv, O. T.; Kordium, E. L.; Tairbekov, M. G.; Sack, F.; Kern, F.; Kardash, A. R.

1999-01-01

Populations of dark-grown protonemata of moss Ceratodon purpureus wt-4 (Germany) and wt-U (Ukraine) were rotated on clinostat or flown in space (experiment "Protonema" aboard Bion-11, December 24, 1996-January 7, 1997) to determine the effects of altered gravity on orientation of protonemata growing filaments. Protonemata had been cultivated 8 days in vertical stationary position at dark to be transported to microgravity or placed in clinostat for the period of 14 days. In the ground control, protonemata demonstrated the negatively gravitropic growth (straight upwards in a bundle of compact filaments). The horizontal or circular rotation in clinostat and exposure to microgravity made filaments grow every each way within the substrate plane but with an apparent trend to rightward curling resulting in "spiral galaxies".

Stereological analysis of gravitropism in protonemata of the moss Ceratodon

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Walker, L. M.; Sack, F. D.

1997-01-01

Apical cells of dark-grown protonemata of the moss Cerotodon purpureus are negatively gravitropic. Previous light microscopy has shown that reorientation to the horizontal induces amyloplast sedimentation and redistribution of microtubules. To determine whether other components become redistributed laterally or axially, the apical 35 micrometers of both vertical and horizontal apical cells were compared stereologically using transmission electron microscopy. Reorientation to the horizontal changed the longitudinal distributions of tubular ER, Golgi stacks, and vesicles but not cisternal ER, mitochondria, and plastids. Only plastids showed a statistically significant lateral redistribution after horizontal placement. Qualitative examination of the sedimentation zone showed plastids sedimented close to peripherally located ER with vacuoles displaced above plastids. These results argue against a model where differential tip growth results from a redistribution of Golgi stacks or exocytic vesicles.

Comparative Study of Fatty Acids Profile in Eleven Wild Mushrooms of Boletacea and Russulaceae Families.

PubMed

Dimitrijevic, Marija V; Mitic, Violeta D; Jovanovic, Olga P; Stankov Jovanovic, Vesna P; Nikolic, Jelena S; Petrovic, Goran M; Stojanovic, Gordana S

2018-01-01

Eleven species of wild mushrooms which belong to Boletaceae and Russulaceae families were examined by gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis for the presence of fatty acids. As far as we know, the fatty acid profiles of B. purpureus and B. rhodoxanthus were described for the first time. Twenty-six fatty acids were determined. Linoleic (19.5 - 72%), oleic (0.11 - 64%), palmitic (5.9 - 22%) and stearic acids (0.81 - 57%) were present in the highest contents. In all samples, unsaturated fatty acids dominate. Agglomerative hierarchical clustering was used to display the correlation between the fatty acids and their relationships with the mushroom species. Based on the fatty acids profile in the samples, the mushrooms can be divided into two families: Boletaceae and Russulaceae families, using cluster analysis. © 2018 Wiley-VHCA AG, Zurich, Switzerland.

Effects of nifedipine on gravi-dependent germination of moss spores

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Khorkavtsiv, O. Y.; Demkiv, O. T.

Influence of gravity on germination of spores and dependence of the generation of a polar axis on a Ca2+ influx were investigated. The germination of spores does not depend on gravity but outgrowth polarity is controlled by light and gravity (Sytnik et al., 1989; Pundiak et al., 2001). We have shown that gravity determines the polarity of germination of spores and development of rhizoid and chloronemal outgrowths in both moss species -- Ceratodon purpureus and Pohlia nutans, the alignment of polar of germinating spores in C. purpureus, however, is less dependent on gravistimulus than in P. nutans. In 48 h after sowing onto culture medium+0,2% glucose in vertically oriented petri dishes in darkness spores of P. nutans germinated positively gravitropic rhizoid at the lower spore side and negatively gravitropic chloronema at the opposite one. The germination of C. purpureus spores is similar but the outgrowths show the lower level of alignment to the gravity vector than that of P. nutans, the dispersion of angles being 8,9 vs. 1,2 respectively. The cellular mechanism by which gravity acts remains unknown. The intracellular signaling Ca2+ ions play a crucial role in gravity perception and ability of a single cell to respond to gravity. We determined relative intensity of Ca2+ luminescence in the spores before their germination and at the early stages of outgrowth formation after treatment with the nifedipine and in a dependence on gravity vector. Gravity determined the position of outgrowth initiation zone and later on the growth direction of spore filaments. Treatment with nifedipine suppressed the gravity-directed calcium channel influx and distrupted polar growth of outgrowths. In experiments with calcium channel blocker sterilized spores were pregerminated on normal Knop's agar one day after were transferred to 50 μ M nifedipine just before emergence of the germ tube. After 48 h on nifedipine treatment, 50% spores did not germinate, 35% grew apolarily and in 15

Novel biogenic aggregation of moss gemmae on a disappearing African glacier.

PubMed

Uetake, Jun; Tanaka, Sota; Hara, Kosuke; Tanabe, Yukiko; Samyn, Denis; Motoyama, Hideaki; Imura, Satoshi; Kohshima, Shiro

2014-01-01

Tropical regions are not well represented in glacier biology, yet many tropical glaciers are under threat of disappearance due to climate change. Here we report a novel biogenic aggregation at the terminus of a glacier in the Rwenzori Mountains, Uganda. The material was formed by uniseriate protonemal moss gemmae and protonema. Molecular analysis of five genetic markers determined the taxon as Ceratodon purpureus, a cosmopolitan species that is widespread in tropical to polar region. Given optimal growing temperatures of isolate is 20-30 °C, the cold glacier surface might seem unsuitable for this species. However, the cluster of protonema growth reached approximately 10 °C in daytime, suggesting that diurnal increase in temperature may contribute to the moss's ability to inhabit the glacier surface. The aggregation is also a habitat for microorganisms, and the disappearance of this glacier will lead to the loss of this unique ecosystem.

Millipedes and centipedes in German greenhouses (Myriapoda: Diplopoda, Chilopoda)

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Abstract A review is given of all the literature records of millipedes and centipedes that have been found in German greenhouses together with additional records for 29 such sites. Species lists are given for 46 greenhouses investigated throughout Germany. Thirty-five diplopod and 18 chilopod species were found to occur in greenhouses, of which 15 (3 Chilopoda, 12 Diplopoda) are restricted to this type of habitat. First records for Germany include Anadenobolus monilicornis (Porat, 1876), Epinannolene cf. trinidadensis Chamberlin, 1918, Epinannolene sp., Mesoiulus gridellii Strasser, 1934, Leptogoniulus sorornus (Butler, 1876), Rhinotus purpureus (Pocock, 1894), Cryptops doriae Pocock, 1891, Lamyctes coeculus (Brölemann, 1889) and Tygarrup javanicus (Attems, 1907). The millipedes Oxidus gracilis (C. L. Koch, 1847) and Amphitomeus attemsi (Schubart, 1934) and the centipedes Lithobius forficatus (Linnaeus, 1758) and Cryptops hortensis (Donovan, 1810) are the species most frequently found in greenhouses. PMID:24891823

In Vivo Hypocholesterolemic Effect of MARDI Fermented Red Yeast Rice Water Extract in High Cholesterol Diet Fed Mice

PubMed Central

Beh, Boon Kee; Kong, Joan; Ho, Wan Yong; Mohd Yusof, Hamidah; Hussin, Aminuddin bin; Jaganath, Indu Bala; Alitheen, Noorjahan Banu; Jamaluddin, Anisah

2014-01-01

Fermented red yeast rice has been traditionally consumed as medication in Asian cuisine. This study aimed to determine the in vivo hypocholesterolemic and antioxidant effects of fermented red yeast rice water extract produced using Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI) Monascus purpureus strains in mice fed with high cholesterol diet. Absence of monacolin-k, lower level of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), higher content of total amino acids, and antioxidant activities were detected in MARDI fermented red yeast rice water extract (MFRYR). In vivo MFRYR treatment on hypercholesterolemic mice recorded similar lipid lowering effect as commercial red yeast rice extract (CRYR) as it helps to reduce the elevated serum liver enzyme and increased the antioxidant levels in liver. This effect was also associated with the upregulation of apolipoproteins-E and inhibition of Von Willebrand factor expression. In summary, MFRYR enriched in antioxidant and amino acid without monacolin-k showed similar hypocholesterolemic effect as CRYR that was rich in monacolin-k and GABA. PMID:25031606

Immunomodulatory activities and antioxidant properties of polysaccharides from Monascus-fermented products in vitro.

PubMed

Tseng, Kuo-Chuan; Fang, Tony J; Chiang, Shen-Shih; Liu, Chin-Feng; Wu, Cheng-Lun; Pan, Tzu-Ming

2012-05-01

Monascus-fermented products have featured in Chinese cuisine for thousands of years and are widely used as food colourants and dietary materials in many Asian countries. Rice and dioscorea fermented with Monascus purpureus NTU 568 have health-promoting attributes in vitro and in vivo. The aim of this study was to investigate the immunomodulatory and antioxidant effects of polysaccharides from red mould rice (RMRP) and red mould dioscorea (RMDP) in Raw 264.7 cells. The results showed the antioxidant capabilities (including scavenging, chelating, inhibition of lipid peroxidation, and reducing power) of RMRP and RMDP at a concentration of 10 mg mL(-1). RMRP and RMDP also stimulated cell proliferation, nitric oxide production, phagocytosis and cytokine production (including IL1-β, IL-6 and TNF-α) in Raw 264.7 cells. These findings demonstrate that RMRP and RMDP have antioxidant and immunomodulation potential to be developed as novel dietary supplements. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry.

Filamentous fungi as a source of natural antioxidants.

PubMed

Smith, Helen; Doyle, Sean; Murphy, Richard

2015-10-15

Ten species of filamentous fungi grown in submerged flask cultures were investigated for antioxidant capacity. Effective antioxidant activity was demonstrated in terms of β-carotene/linoleic acid bleaching, radical scavenging, reduction of metal ions and chelating abilities against ferrous ions. Different extraction methods affected antioxidant activities through their effect on biologically active compounds produced in fungal mycelia. The methanolic extract of each fungus was typically more effective in antioxidant properties. Phenolic content was established in the range of 0.44-9.33 mg/g, flavonoid contents were in the range of 0.02-3.90 mg/g and condensed tannin contents were in the range of 1.77-18.83 mg/g. Total phenol content of each extract was attributed to overall antioxidant capacity (r ⩾ 0.883-1.000). Submerged cultivation of Grifola frondosa, Monascus purpureus, Pleurotus spp., Lentinula edodes and Trametes versicolor proved to be an effective method for the production of natural antioxidants. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Cryptic termites avoid predatory ants by eavesdropping on vibrational cues from their footsteps.

PubMed

Oberst, Sebastian; Bann, Glen; Lai, Joseph C S; Evans, Theodore A

2017-02-01

Eavesdropping has evolved in many predator-prey relationships. Communication signals of social species may be particularly vulnerable to eavesdropping, such as pheromones produced by ants, which are predators of termites. Termites communicate mostly by way of substrate-borne vibrations, which suggest they may be able to eavesdrop, using two possible mechanisms: ant chemicals or ant vibrations. We observed termites foraging within millimetres of ants in the field, suggesting the evolution of specialised detection behaviours. We found the termite Coptotermes acinaciformis detected their major predator, the ant Iridomyrmex purpureus, through thin wood using only vibrational cues from walking, and not chemical signals. Comparison of 16 termite and ant species found the ants-walking signals were up to 100 times higher than those of termites. Eavesdropping on passive walking signals explains the predator detection and foraging behaviours in this ancient relationship, which may be applicable to many other predator-prey relationships. © 2017 John Wiley & Sons Ltd/CNRS.

Quantifying Ant Activity Using Vibration Measurements

PubMed Central

Oberst, Sebastian; Baro, Enrique Nava; Lai, Joseph C. S.; Evans, Theodore A.

2014-01-01

Ant behaviour is of great interest due to their sociality. Ant behaviour is typically observed visually, however there are many circumstances where visual observation is not possible. It may be possible to assess ant behaviour using vibration signals produced by their physical movement. We demonstrate through a series of bioassays with different stimuli that the level of activity of meat ants (Iridomyrmex purpureus) can be quantified using vibrations, corresponding to observations with video. We found that ants exposed to physical shaking produced the highest average vibration amplitudes followed by ants with stones to drag, then ants with neighbours, illuminated ants and ants in darkness. In addition, we devised a novel method based on wavelet decomposition to separate the vibration signal owing to the initial ant behaviour from the substrate response, which will allow signals recorded from different substrates to be compared directly. Our results indicate the potential to use vibration signals to classify some ant behaviours in situations where visual observation could be difficult. PMID:24658467

Novel Biogenic Aggregation of Moss Gemmae on a Disappearing African Glacier

PubMed Central

Uetake, Jun; Tanaka, Sota; Hara, Kosuke; Tanabe, Yukiko; Samyn, Denis; Motoyama, Hideaki; Imura, Satoshi; Kohshima, Shiro

2014-01-01

Tropical regions are not well represented in glacier biology, yet many tropical glaciers are under threat of disappearance due to climate change. Here we report a novel biogenic aggregation at the terminus of a glacier in the Rwenzori Mountains, Uganda. The material was formed by uniseriate protonemal moss gemmae and protonema. Molecular analysis of five genetic markers determined the taxon as Ceratodon purpureus, a cosmopolitan species that is widespread in tropical to polar region. Given optimal growing temperatures of isolate is 20–30°C, the cold glacier surface might seem unsuitable for this species. However, the cluster of protonema growth reached approximately 10°C in daytime, suggesting that diurnal increase in temperature may contribute to the moss’s ability to inhabit the glacier surface. The aggregation is also a habitat for microorganisms, and the disappearance of this glacier will lead to the loss of this unique ecosystem. PMID:25401789

Characterization of the lipid fraction of wild sea urchin from the Sardinian Sea (western Mediterranean).

PubMed

Angioni, Alberto; Addis, Pierantonio

2014-02-01

The fatty acid (FA) composition of Spatangus purpureus, Echinus melo, Sphaerechinus granularis, and Paracentrotus lividus, sea urchins, has been studied. Sea urchins were collected at different depth along Sardinia coast in the Mediterranean sea, and their gonad was measured, separated, and analyzed for FA composition by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. A total of 53 FAs were detected, 16 saturated (SFA), 10 monounsaturated (MUFA), 9 polyunsaturated (PUFA), and 13 highly unsaturated (HUFA). Moreover, 5 furan FAs (FFAs) were revealed for the first time in sea urchin. The HUFA and PUFA classes were the most represented accounting for almost 80% of total FAs. Among these compounds, C20:4 n6 (19.64, 20.52, 23.37, and 8.48 mg/g, respectively) and C22:6 n3 (19.68, 20.05, 3.83, and 1.78 mg/g, respectively) were the most abundant. The results of principal component analysis indicated that the sea urchin samples could be clearly discriminated with respect to their FAs composition. © 2014 Institute of Food Technologists®

Microtubules restrict plastid sedimentation in protonemata of the moss Ceratodon

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schwuchow, J.; Sack, F. D.

1994-01-01

Apical cells of protonemata of the moss Ceratodon purpureus are unusual among plant cells with sedimentation in that only some amyloplasts sediment and these do not fall completely to the bottom of vertical cells. To determine whether the cytoskeleton restricts plastid sedimentation, the effects of amiprophos-methyl (APM) and cytochalasin D (CD) on plastid position were quantified. APM treatments of 30-60 min increased the plastid sedimentation that is normally seen along the length of untreated or control cells. Longer APM treatments often resulted in more dramatic plastid sedimentation, and in some cases almost all plastids sedimented to the lowermost point in the cell. In contrast, the microfilament inhibitor CD did not affect longitudinal plastid sedimentation compared to untreated cells, although it did disturb or eliminate plastid zonation in the tip. These data suggest that microtubules restrict the sedimentation of plastids along the length of the cell and that microtubules are load-bearing for all the plastids in the apical cell. This demonstrates the importance of the cytoskeleton in maintaining organelle position and cell organization against the force of gravity.

Effects of inversion on plastid position and gravitropism in Ceratodon protonemata

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schwuchow, J.; Sack, F. D.

1993-01-01

When dark-grown tip cells of protonemata of the moss Ceratodon purpureus are turned to the horizontal, plastids first sediment towards gravity in a specific zone and then the tip curves upward. To determine whether gravitropism and plastid sedimentation occur in other orientations, protonemata were reoriented to angles other than 90 degrees. Qualitative and quantitative light microscopic observations show that plastid sedimentation along the cell axis occurs in both upright and inverted cells. However, only some plastids fall and sedimentation is incomplete; plastids remain distributed throughout the length of the cell, and those plastids that sediment do not fall all the way to the bottom of the cell. Tip cells are gravitropic regardless of stimulation angle, and as in higher plants, the maximal rate of initial curvature is in response to a 120 degrees reorientation. Infrared videomicroscopy, time-lapse studies of living, inverted protonemata indicate that amyloplast sedimentation precedes upward curvature. Together, these data further support (i) the hypothesis that amyloplast sedimentation functions in gravitropic sensing in these cells, and (ii) the idea that gravity affected the evolution of cell organization.

The gravireaction of Ceratodon protonemata treated with gibberellic acid

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chaban, C. I.; Kordyum, E. L.; Demkiv, O. T.; Khorkavtsiv, O. Ya.; Khorkavtsiv, Ya. D.

1999-01-01

Moss protonemata exhibit negative gravitropism and the amyloplasts of the apical cell seem to play a key role in protonemal gravisensitivity. However, the mechanisms of this process are still poorly understood. Previously, we have shown that Ceratodon protonemata grown on agar-medium demonstrated greater gravicurvature than protonemata grown on medium with 11 mM glucose. In this study, we have examined whether gibberellic acid (GA), which promotes α-amylase expression, influences graviresponse of C. purpureus protonemata (strains WT-4 and WT-U) and how this event interacts with exogenous soluble sugars. After gravistimulation the WT-4 strain curved about twice as fast as the WT-U strain. However, responses of both strains to added substances were similar. High concentration of glucose (0.11 M) caused a decrease in protonema curvature, while the same concentration of sucrose did not significantly change the angles of curvature compared with controls. GA at 0.1 mM and higher concentrations inhibited gravitropism, and caused some apical cells to swell. The possible involvement of the carbohydrates in gravitropism is discussed.

Fluorescence in insects

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Welch, Victoria L.; Van Hooijdonk, Eloise; Intrater, Nurit; Vigneron, Jean-Pol

2012-10-01

Fluorescent molecules are much in demand for biosensors, solar cells, LEDs and VCSEL diodes, therefore, considerable efforts have been expended in designing and tailoring fluorescence to specific technical applications. However, naturally occurring fluorescence of diverse types has been reported from a wide array of living organisms: most famously, the jellyfish Aequorea victoria, but also in over 100 species of coral and in the cuticle of scorpions, where it is the rule, rather than the exception. Despite the plethora of known insect species, comparatively few quantitative studies have been made of insect fluorescence. Because of the potential applications of natural fluorescence, studies in this field have relevance to both physics and biology. Therefore, in this paper, we review the literature on insect fluorescence, before documenting its occurrence in the longhorn beetles Sternotomis virescens, Sternotomis variabilis var. semi rufescens, Anoplophora elegans and Stellognatha maculata, the tiger beetles Cicindela maritima and Cicindela germanica and the weevil Pachyrrhynchus gemmatus purpureus. Optical features of insect fluorescence, including emitted wavelength, molecular ageing and naturally occurring combinations of fluorescence with bioluminescence and colour-producing structures are discussed.

Effects of spaceflight (STS-87) on tropisms and plastid positioning in protonemata of the moss Ceratodon purpureus

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kern, V. D.; Sack, F. D.

Apical cells of moss protonemata represent a single-celled system that perceives and reacts to light (positive and negative phototropism) and to gravity (negative gravitropism). Phototropism completely overrides gravitropism when apical cells are laterally irradiated with relatively high red light intensities, but below a defined light intensity threshold gravitropism competes with the phototropic reaction. A 16 day-long exposure to microgravity conditions demonstrated that gravitropism is allowed when protonemata are laterally illuminated with light intensities below 140 nmol m-2s-1. Protonemata that were grown in darkness in microgravity expressed an endogenous tendency to grow in arcs so that the overall culture morphology resembled a clockwise spiral. However this phenomenon only was observed in cultures that had reached a critical age and/or size. Organelle positioning in dark-grown apical cells was significantly altered in microgravity. Gravisensing most likely involves the sedimentation of starch-filled amyloplasts in a well-defined area of the tip cell. Amyloplasts that at 1-g are sedimented were clustered at the apical part of the sedimentation zone in microgravity. Clustering observed in microgravity or during clino-rotation significantly differs from sedimentation-induced plastid aggregations after inversion of tip cells at 1-g.

Changes in Species, Areal Cover, and Production of Moss across a Fire Chronosequence in Interior Alaska

USGS Publications Warehouse

Harden, J.W.; Munster, J.; Manies, K.L.; Mack, M.C.; Bubier, J.L.

2009-01-01

In an effort to characterize the species and production rates of various upland mosses and their relationship to both site drainage and time since fire, annual net primary production of six common moss species was measured. Several stands located near Delta Junction, interior Alaska, were located. These stands ranged from one to 116 years since fire in well-drained (dry) and moderately to somewhat poorly drained (wet) black spruce (Picea mariana)-feathermoss systems. Moss species composition varied greatly during the fire cycle, with Ceratodon purpureus dominating the earliest years after a fire, Aulacomnium palustre dominating the transitional and older stages, and Hylocomium splendens dominating the oldest, mature sites. Polytrichum spp. was found at all sites. Average moss cover ranged from <10 percent in the youngest sites to almost 90 percent in the mature sites. Species from the genus Polytrichum were the most productive and contributed up to 30 g m2 of organic matter in one growing season. Least productive was Rhytidium rugosum, which contributed about 1.5 g m2 of organic matter in mature stands. Recovery of moss productivity after fire was not significantly different for wet and dry sites.

Differentiation and Tropisms in Space-Grown Moss

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sack, Fred D.; Kern, Volker

1999-01-01

This grant supported a Space Shuttle experiment on the effects of microgravity on moss cells. Moss provides a rich system for gravitational and spaceflight research. The early phase of the moss life cycle consists of chains of cells that only grow only at their tips. In the moss Ceratodon purpureus these filaments (protonemata) grow away from gravity in the dark, in a process called gravitropism. The tipmost cells, the apical cells, contain heavy starch-filled bodies called amyloplasts that probably function in g-sensing and that sediment within the apical cell. The SPM-A (Space Moss aka SPAM) experiment flew in November - December, 1997 on STS-87 as part of the Collaborative US Ukrainian Experiment (CLTE). The experiment was accommodated in hardware purpose-built by NASA KSC and Bionetics and included Petri Dish Fixation Units (PDFU) and BRIC-LEDs. Together, this hardware allowed for the culture of the moss on agar in commercial petri dishes, for unilateral illumination with red light of varying intensity, and for chemical fixation in situ. The key findings of the spaceflight were quite unexpected. Neither the orientation of tip-growth nor the distribution of amyloplasts was random in microgravity.

Participation of IAA in transduction of gravistimulus in apical cells of moss protonema

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Oksyniuk, U. A.; Khorkavtsiv, O. Y.; Lesniak, Y. I.

Growth movements of vascular plant axis organs -- photo-, gravi- and other tropisms -- are tightly connected with IAA transport (Hertel, 1983; Medvedev, 1996; Kiss, 2000). Moss protonema synthesizes IAA (indole-3-acetic acid) and transports it basipetally favouring growth and differentiation of caulonema (Bopp, 1979; Rose, Bopp, 1983; Rose et al., 1983). We aimed at studying the role of IAA in moss protonema gravitropism using exogenous IAA, 1-NAA (1-naphthaleneacetic acid), 2,4D (2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid) and inhibitors of polar IAA transport -- phytotropins NPA (N-1-naphthylphthalamic acid) and TIBA (2,3,5-triiodobenzoic acid). Six-day gravitropic protonema of Ceratodon purpureus and Pohlia nutans were taken for experiments. Auxin and phytotropins solutions were laid on protonema mats the latters being kept in solutions for 30 min. Then the surplus of solutions were poured off and Petri dishes were placed vertically for 6 h. 20 μ M of IAA and of other synthetic auxins did not significantly influence the angle of protonema gravity bending, 40 μ M of the agents, howewer, reduced the per cent of apical cells bendings and their angles. The most expressed influence on the angles of bending had the inhibitors of polar IAA transport -- NPA. 0,1 -- 3,0 μ M of this phytotropin did not change the form of apical cell, did not disturb the general distribution of amyloplasts and did not significantly lower the per cent and the value of gravity bending angle, though 10 μ M of the phytotropin - inhibited gravity bending. The mixture of 1-NAA and NPA having been added into the medium the influence of NPA was lowered and gravitropic growth renewed in course of time. 10 μ M of other phytopropin TIBA also inhibited gravitropism of Ceratodon purpureus and Pohlia nutans protonema. The analysis of basipetal transport of IAA in moss rhizoids and protonema may indicate the availability of special IAA transport in these structures (Bopp, Cerier, 1988). On the basis of the

Environmental evaluation of the life cycle of elephant grass fertilization-Cenchrus purpureus (Schumach.) Morrone-using chemical fertilization and biosolids.

PubMed

Neves, Talles Iwasawa; Uyeda, Claudio Augusto; Carvalho, Monica; Abrahão, Raphael

2017-12-19

Law 12305/10, National Solid Waste Policy of Brazil, banned the disposal in landfills of any solid waste that could be converted to another use. Sludge produced at Industrial Wastewater Treatment Plants, which contains components characteristic of fertilizers, falls into this category. This type of sludge, also known as a biosolid, has great potential to replace commercial chemical fertilization. The use of biosolids in agriculture allows for compliance with new legislation, reducing the burden on landfills and reusing a waste product. The present paper utilizes the life cycle assessment methodology to compare the carbon footprint associated with the use of different quantities of biosolid and selected chemical fertilizers in the production of elephant grass. The IPCC 2013 GWP 100a method, which is based on data published by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, was selected as the environmental assessment method. The method expresses the emissions of greenhouse gases generated, in kilograms of CO 2 equivalent, over a time horizon of 100 years. The biosolid quantities used were based on the Brazilian Environment Council Resolution 375. The chemical fertilizer used contained urea, simple superphosphate, and potassium chloride. The use of biosolids in the amounts calculated according to Brazilian standards resulted in a carbon footprint approximately 17.7% lower than the use of the chemical fertilization mix, with similar productivity in both cases. The transportation of biosolids to the experimental area was responsible for the majority of emissions associated with the use of biosolids. Urea synthesis was the largest contributor to emissions resulting from the use of commercial chemical fertilizer, accounting for 73.6% of total emissions.

Duration and outcome of intergroup conflict influences intragroup affiliative behaviour

PubMed Central

Radford, Andrew N

2008-01-01

Theoreticians have long suggested that the amount of intergroup conflict in which a group is involved could influence the level of cooperation or affiliation displayed by its members. Despite the prevalence of intergroup conflicts in many social animal species, however, few empirical studies have investigated this potential link. Here, I show that intragroup allopreening rates are highest in green woodhoopoe (Phoeniculus purpureus) groups that have the greatest involvement in intergroup conflict. One reason for this relationship is a post-conflict increase in allopreening, and I demonstrate for the first time that both conflict duration and outcome influence subsequent allopreening rates: group members allopreened more following long conflicts and those they lost compared with short conflicts and those they won, perhaps because the former are more stressful. The increase in affiliative behaviour was the result of more allopreening of subordinate helpers by the dominant breeding pair, which may be because the breeders are trying to encourage helpers to participate in future conflicts; relative group size influences conflict outcome and helpers contribute more to conflicts than do the breeding pair. These results emphasize that our understanding of cooperation and group dynamics can be enhanced by investigations of how intergroup interactions affect intragroup processes. PMID:18765344

Seasonal and spatial community dynamics in the meromictic Lake Cadagno.

PubMed

Bosshard, P P; Stettler, R; Bachofen, R

2000-09-01

The seasonal and spatial variations in the community structure of bacterioplankton in the meromictic alpine Lake Cadagno were examined by temporal temperature gradient gel electrophoresis (TTGE) of PCR-amplified 16S rDNA fragments. Two different amplifications were performed, one specific for the domain Bacteria (Escherichia coli positions 8-536) and another specific for the family Chromatiaceae (E. coli positions 8-1005). The latter was followed by semi-nested reamplification with the bacterial primer set, allowing comparison of the two PCR approaches by TTGE. The TTGE patterns of samples from the chemocline and the anoxic monimolimnion were essentially identical, whereas the oxic mixolimnion displayed distinctively different banding patterns. For samples from the chemocline and the monimolimnion, dominant bands in the Bacteria-specific TTGE profiles comigrated with bands obtained by the semi-nested PCR approach specific for Chromatiaceae. This observation suggested that Chromatiaceae are in high abundance in the anoxic water layer. All dominant bands were excised and sequenced. Changes in the community structure, as indicated by changes in the TTGE profiles, were observed in samples taken at different times of the year. In the chemocline, Chomatium okenii was dominant in the summer months, whereas Amoebobacter purpureus populations dominated in autumn and winter. This change was confirmed by fluorescent in situ hybridization.

Sporophytic inbreeding depression in mosses occurs in a species with separate sexes but not in a species with combined sexes.

PubMed

Taylor, Philip J; Eppley, Sarah M; Jesson, Linley K

2007-11-01

Inbreeding depression is a critical factor countering the evolution of inbreeding and thus potentially shaping the evolution of plant sexual systems. Current theory predicts that inbreeding depression could have important evolutionary consequences, even in haploid-dominant organisms. To date, no data have been reported on inbreeding depression in moss species. Here, we present data on the magnitude of inbreeding depression in sporophytic traits of moss species with contrasting breeding systems. In Ceratodon purpureus (Ditrichaceae), a moss species with separate sexes, self-fertilizations between sibling gametophytes (intergametophytic selfing) significantly reduced fitness in two of four traits quantified, with seta length and capsule length having inbreeding coefficients significantly different from zero, resulting in a cumulative inbreeding depression that was also significantly greater than zero (δ = 0.619 ± 0.076). In hermaphroditic Funaria hygrometrica (Funariaceae), there was no evidence of inbreeding depression in seta length, spore number, capsule mass, or capsule length resulting from sporophytes generated by self-fertilization within an individual (intragametophytic selfing), and cumulative inbreeding depression was also not different from zero (δ = 0.038 ± 0.022). These results provide evidence that, despite haploid dominance, inbreeding depression can be expressed at the diploid stage in mosses and may have implications for the evolution and maintenance of combined versus separate sexes in mosses.

RNA editing in bryophytes and a molecular phylogeny of land plants.

PubMed Central

Malek, O; Lättig, K; Hiesel, R; Brennicke, A; Knoop, V

1996-01-01

RNA editing has been observed to date in all groups of vascular plants, but not in bryophytes. Its occurrence was therefore assumed to correlate with the evolution of tracheophytes. To gain more insight into both the phylogeny of early land plants and the evolution of mitochondrial RNA editing we have investigated a number of vascular and non-vascular plant species. Contrary to the belief that editing is absent from bryophytes, here we report mitochondrial RNA editing in cox3 mRNA of the liverwort Pellia epiphylla, the mosses Tetraphis pellucida and Ceratodon purpureus and the hornwort Anthroceros crispulus. RNA editing in plants consequently predates the evolution of tracheophytes. Editing is also found in the eusporangiate ferns Ophioglossum petiolatum and Angiopteris palmiformis, the whisk fern Tmesipteris elongata and the gnetopsid Ephedra gerardiana, but was not detected in Gnetum gnemon.cox3 mRNA of the lycopsid Isoetes lacustris shows the highest frequency of RNA editing ever observed in a plant, with 39% of all cytidine residues converted to uridines. The frequency of RNA editing correlates with the genomic GC content rather than with the phylogenetic position of a species. Phylogenetic trees derived from the slowly evolving mitochondrial sequences find external support from the assessments of classical systematics. Images PMID:8635473

Therapeutic Potential of Traditional Chinese Medicine on Inflammatory Diseases

PubMed Central

Tsai, Wen-Hsin; Yang, Chih-Ching; Li, Ping-Chia; Chen, Wang-Chuan; Chien, Chiang-Ting

2013-01-01

Increased oxidative stress induces inflammation to several tissues/organs leading to cell death and long-term injury. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, and autophagic regulatory functions has been widely used as preventive or therapeutic strategy in modern medicine. Oxidative stress and inflammation have been widely reported to contribute to cigarette smoke-induced lung inflammation, hepatotoxicity, or sympathetic activation-induced liver inflammation, lipopolysaccharide-induced renal inflammation, and substance P-mediated neurogenic hyperactive bladder based on clinical findings. In this review, we introduce several evidences for TCM treatment including Monascus adlay (MA) produced by inoculating adlay (Cois lachrymal-jobi L. var. ma-yuen Stapf) with Monascus purpureus on lung injury, Amla (Emblica officinalis Gaertn. of Euphorbiaceae family) on hepatotoxin-induced liver inflammation, Virgate Wormwood Decoction (Yīn Chén Hāo tāng) and its active component genipin on sympathetic activation–induced liver inflammation, and green tea extract and its active components, catechins, or a modified TCM formula Five Stranguries Powder (Wǔ Lén Sǎn) plus Crataegi Fructus (Shān Zhā) on hyperactive bladder. The pathophysiologic and molecular mechanisms of TCM on ameliorating inflammatory diseases are discussed in the review. PMID:24716170

Evaluation of photo-mutagenicity and photo-cytotoxicity of food coloring agents.

PubMed

Arimoto-Kobayashi, Sakae; Machida, Masaki; Okamoto, Keinosuke; Yamaguchi, Akie

2005-05-01

Pigments extracted from natural products are widely used for food coloration in Japan. An investigation concerning the photo-mutagenicity and photo-carcinogenicity of frequently used colorants in Japan was performed. Colorants examined were from Laccifer lacca (lac-color), Coccus cacti (cochineal-color), Carthamus tinctorius (carthamus yellow), Gardenia augusta (gardenia yellow and gardenia blue), Monascus anka and Monascus purpureus (monascus red), the skin of Vitis vinifera and Vitis labrusca (grape-skin color), Tamarindus indica (tamarind brown) and Beta vulgaris (beet red). No significant increase in bacterial mutation was found when Salmonella typhimurium TA98, TA100 and TA102 were simultaneously treated with colorants and subjected to UVA irradiation for 30 min. When colorant solutions were subjected to UVA irradiation for 4 h, irradiated solutions containing lac-color became slightly mutagenic toward S.typhimurium TA98 without metabolic activation. A decrease in cell survival resulted when WTK-1 cells were subjected to UVA irradiation for 60 min in the presence of purpurin at 1 mg/ml. Delayed cytotoxicity was also observed following 24 h incubation in fresh medium of samples that were subjected to UVA irradiation for 60 min in the presence of colorant (carthamus yellow, grape-skin color, gardenia blue, cochineal-color, monascus red or purpurin).

Tolerance to environmental desiccation in moss sperm.

PubMed

Shortlidge, Erin E; Rosenstiel, Todd N; Eppley, Sarah M

2012-05-01

• Sexual reproduction in mosses requires that sperm be released freely into the environment before finding and fertilizing a receptive female. After release from the male plant, moss sperm may experience a range of abiotic stresses; however, few data are available examining stress tolerance of moss sperm and whether there is genetic variation for stress tolerance in this important life stage. • Here, we investigated the effects of environmental desiccation and recovery on the sperm cells of three moss species (Bryum argenteum, Campylopus introflexus, and Ceratodon purpureus). • We found that a fraction of sperm cells were tolerant to environmental desiccation for extended periods (d) and that tolerance did not vary among species. We found that this tolerance occurs irrespective of ambient dehydration conditions, and that the addition of sucrose during dry-down improved cell recovery. Although we observed no interspecific variation, significant variation among individuals within species in sperm cell tolerance to environmental desiccation was observed, suggesting selection could potentially act on this basic reproductive trait. • The observation of desiccation-tolerant sperm in multiple moss species has important implications for understanding bryophyte reproduction, suggesting the presence of a significant, uncharacterized complexity in the ecology of moss mating systems. © 2012 The Authors. New Phytologist © 2012 New Phytologist Trust.

Comparison study of the volatile profiles and microbial communities of Wuyi Qu and Gutian Qu, two major types of traditional fermentation starters of Hong Qu glutinous rice wine.

PubMed

Liu, Zhibin; Wang, Zhiyao; Lv, Xucong; Zhu, Xiaoping; Chen, Liling; Ni, Li

2018-02-01

Hong Qu, which mainly contains Monascus sp. and other microorganisms, as well as numerous microbial metabolites, is used as the fermentation starter of Hong Qu glutinous rice wine, a traditional alcoholic beverage. Two widely-used types of Hong Qu, namely Wuyi Qu (WYQ) and Gutian Qu (GTQ), were thoroughly compared for their fermentation properties, volatile profiles, and microbiota structures in this study. Significantly higher color value, glucoamylase and α-amylase activities were discovered in WYQ. And substantial variation in volatile components and microbial communities were also observed between them. It was identified that bacterial genus Burkholderia dominated GTQ (71.62%) and Bacillus dominated WYQ (44.73%), while Monascus purpureus was the most abundant fungal species in both types of starters (76.99%). In addition, 213 bacterial genera and 150 fungal species with low-abundance were also detected. Since the Linear Discriminant Analysis Effect Size algorithm, 14 genus-level bacterial taxa and 10 species-level fungal taxa could be utilized to distinguish these two types of starters. Moreover, the potential correlation of the volatile components and microbiota within WYQ and GTQ were further analyzed, by utilizing Partial Least Squares Discriminant Analysis. Ultimately, this study provides detailed insight into the volatile profiles and microbial communities presented in Hong Qu. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Time-lapse analysis of gravitropism in Ceratodon protonemata

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Young, J. C.; Sack, F. D.

1992-01-01

The tip cell of the protonema of the moss Ceratodon purpureus (Hedw.) Brid. is negatively gravitropic when grown in the dark on supplemented agar. Gravitropism, plastid distribution, and plastid movement were studied in living cells using time-lapse video microscopy and infrared light. A wrong-way (downward) curvature preceded upward curvature and was detected as early as 2 minutes after reorientation. Upward curvature began 30-45 minutes after reorientation to the horizontal. Cell division temporarily reversed upward curvature, but did not inhibit wrong-way curvature. Since significant amyloplast sedimentation always occurred before the start of upward curvature, it is possible that these amyloplasts function as statoliths for upward curvature. However, no significant amyloplast sedimentation occurred before wrong-way curvature. Thus, this early phase of gravitropism cannot require plastid sedimentation for gravity sensing. Most plastids moved within and between zones, and plastid zonation was highly dynamic. Plastids moved toward the apex and toward the base of the cell at rates much slower than cytoplasmic streaming. Despite the dynamic nature of plastid movement and zonation, during upward curvature the distance between sedimented plastids and the apex stayed constant. Time-lapse analysis has revealed intriguing events not readily seen previously using destructive sampling.

Tracking photosynthetic sulfide oxidation in a meromictic lake using sulfate δ34S and δ18O

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gilhooly, W. P.; Reinhard, C.; Lyons, T. W.; Glass, J. B.

2012-12-01

Phototrophic sulfur bacteria oxidize sulfide and fix carbon dioxide in the presence of sunlight without producing oxygen. Environmental conditions in the Paleo- and Mesoproterozoic, when atmospheric oxygen concentrations were at low levels and portions of the oceans were anoxic and sulfidic (euxinic), were conducive to widespread carbon fixation by anoxygenic photosynthesis. This pathway may have helped sustain euxinic conditions in the Proterozoic water column. With limited organic biomarker and geochemical evidence for widespread production of anoxygenic phototrophs, however, additional proxies are needed to fingerprint paleoecological and biogeochemical signals associated with photic zone euxinia. Paired δ34S and δ18O from ancient sulfates (gypsum, barite, or CAS) may offer an added constraint on the history and ecological dominance of photosynthetic S-oxidation. Sulfate-oxygen can fractionate during sulfate reduction, but the extent of isotopic enrichment is controlled either by kinetic isotope effects imparted during intracellular enzymatic steps or equilibrium oxygen exchange with ambient water. An improved understanding of these processes can be gained from modern natural environments. Mahoney Lake is a density-stratified lake located within the White Lake Basin of British Columbia. The euxinic water column supports a dense plate of purple sulfur bacteria (Amoebobacter purpureus) that thrives where free sulfide intercepts the photic zone at ~7 m water depth. We analyzed the isotopic composition of sulfate (δ34SSO4 and δ18OSO4), sulfide (δ34SH2S), and water (δ18OH2O) to track the potentially coupled processes of dissimilatory sulfate reduction and phototrophic sulfide oxidation within this meromictic lake. Large isotopic offsets observed between sulfate and sulfide within the monimolimnion (δ34SSO4-H2S = 51‰) and within pore waters along the oxic margin (δ34SSO4-H2S >50‰) are consistent with sulfate reduction in both the sediments and the anoxic

Soil disturbance effects on the composition of seed-dispersing ants in roadside environments.

PubMed

Palfi, Zsofia; Spooner, Peter G; Robinson, Wayne

2017-02-01

Myrmecochory (the dispersal of seeds by ants) is a significant ecological process in sclerophyll woodlands, but habitat disturbance is known to alter the extent and success of this mutualism. We investigated the influence of soil disturbance on the composition of the seed-dispersing ant community. Surveys were conducted in roadside verges where soils are regularly disturbed by road maintenance activities. Using a 'cafeteria' bait station approach, we selected 24 roads of different widths to investigate ant composition and abundance in relation to soil disturbance. We found ant species richness was greater in non-disturbed than disturbed zones, where road verge width significantly influenced results. The composition and abundance of individual seed-dispersing ant species varied between disturbed and non-disturbed zones. Rhytidoponera metallica were more abundant in non-disturbed sites, whereas Melophorus bruneus and Monomorium rothseini were more frequently recorded in disturbed areas. Commonly found Iridomyrmex purpureus was significantly more abundant in disturbed zones in narrow roadsides and vice versa in wide roadsides, and strongly influenced total community composition. Variation in the abundance of commonly recorded Iridomyrmex and Monomorium genera were related more to site conditions (roadside width and habitat) than soil disturbance. The rich composition of seed dispersing ants in roadside environments, and the effects of soil disturbances on these ant communities that we describe, provide a key insight to important seed dispersal vectors occurring in fragmented rural landscapes.

Gravitropic moss cells default to spiral growth on the clinostat and in microgravity during spaceflight

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kern, Volker D.; Schwuchow, Jochen M.; Reed, David W.; Nadeau, Jeanette A.; Lucas, Jessica; Skripnikov, Alexander; Sack, Fred D.

2005-01-01

In addition to shoots and roots, the gravity (g)-vector orients the growth of specialized cells such as the apical cell of dark-grown moss protonemata. Each apical cell of the moss Ceratodon purpureus senses the g-vector and adjusts polar growth accordingly producing entire cultures of upright protonemata (negative gravitropism). The effect of withdrawing a constant gravity stimulus on moss growth was studied on two NASA Space Shuttle (STS) missions as well as during clinostat rotation on earth. Cultures grown in microgravity (spaceflight) on the STS-87 mission exhibited two successive phases of non-random growth and patterning, a radial outgrowth followed by the formation of net clockwise spiral growth. Also, cultures pre-aligned by unilateral light developed clockwise hooks during the subsequent dark period. The second spaceflight experiment flew on STS-107 which disintegrated during its descent on 1 February 2003. However, most of the moss experimental hardware was recovered on the ground, and most cultures, which had been chemically fixed during spaceflight, were retrieved. Almost all intact STS-107 cultures displayed strong spiral growth. Non-random culture growth including clockwise spiral growth was also observed after clinostat rotation. Together these data demonstrate the existence of default non-random growth patterns that develop at a population level in microgravity, a response that must normally be overridden and masked by a constant g-vector on earth.

Microtubule distribution in gravitropic protonemata of the moss Ceratodon

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schwuchow, J.; Sack, F. D.; Hartmann, E.

1990-01-01

Tip cells of dark-grown protonemata of the moss Ceratodon purpureus are negatively gravitropic (grow upward). They possess a unique longitudinal zonation: (1) a tip group of amylochloroplasts in the apical dome, (2) a plastid-free zone, (3) a zone of significant plastid sedimentation, and (4) a zone of mostly non-sedimenting plastids. Immunofluorescence of vertical cells showed microtubules distributed throughout the cytoplasm in a mostly axial orientation extending through all zones. Optical sectioning revealed a close spatial association between microtubules and plastids. A majority (two thirds) of protonemata gravistimulated for > 20 min had a higher density of microtubules near the lower flank compared to the upper flank in the plastid-free zone. This apparent enrichment of microtubules occurred just proximal to sedimented plastids and near the part of the tip that presumably elongates more to produce curvature. Fewer than 5% of gravistimulated protonemata had an enrichment in microtubules near the upper flank, whereas 14% of vertical protonemata were enriched near one of the side walls. Oryzalin and amiprophos-methyl (APM) disrupted microtubules, gravitropism, and normal tip growth and zonation, but did not prevent plastid sedimentation. We hypothesize that a microtubule redistribution plays a role in gravitropism in this protonema. This appears to be the first report of an effect of gravity on microtubule distribution in plants.

Tree hole mosquito species composition and relative abundances differ between urban and adjacent forest habitats in northwestern Argentina.

PubMed

Mangudo, C; Aparicio, J P; Rossi, G C; Gleiser, R M

2018-04-01

Water-holding tree holes are main larval habitats for many pathogen vectors, especially mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae). Along 3 years, the diversity and composition of mosquito species in tree holes of two neighbouring but completely different environments, a city and its adjacent forest, were compared using generalized linear mixed models, PERMANOVA, SIMPER and species association indexes. The city area (Northwest Argentina) is highly relevant epidemiologically due to the presence of Aedes aegypti L. (main dengue vector) and occurrence of dengue outbreaks; the Yungas rainforests are highly biologically diverse. In total seven mosquito species were recorded, in descending order of abundance: Ae. aegypti, Haemagogus spegazzinii Brèthes, Sabethes purpureus (Theobald), Toxorhynchites guadeloupensis Dyar and Knab, Aedes terrens Walker, Haemagogus leucocelaenus Dyar & Shannon and Sabethes petrocchiae (Shannon and Del Ponte). The seven mosquito species were recorded in both city sites and forested areas; however, their mosquito communities significantly diverged because of marked differences in the frequency and relative abundance of some species: Tx. guadeloupensis and Ae. aegypti were significantly more abundant in forest and urban areas, respectively. Positive significant associations were detected between Ae. aegypti, Hg. spegazzinii and Hg. leucocelaenus. The combined presence of Ae. aegypti, Haemagogus and Sabethes in the area also highlight a potential risk of yellow fever epidemics. Overall results show an impoverished tree hole mosquito fauna in urban environments, reflecting negative effects of urbanization on mosquito diversity.

Genetic diversity of Cosmos species revealed by RAPD and ISSR markers.

PubMed

Rodríguez-Bernal, A; Piña-Escutia, J L; Vázquez-García, L M; Arzate-Fernández, A M

2013-12-04

The genus Cosmos is native of America and is constituted by 34 species; 28 of them are endemic of Mexico. The cosmos are used as a nematicide, antimalarial, and antioxidative agent. The aim of this study was to estimate the genetic diversity among 7 cosmos species based on random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and inter-simple sequences repeats (ISSR) markers. With RAPD markers, the obtained polymorphism was 91.7 % and the genetic diversity was 0.33, whereas these values were 65.6%, and 0.22 from ISSR markers, respectively, indicating the presence of high genetic diversity among the Cosmos species that were analyzed. The unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean dendrograms that were obtained with both markers were notably similar, revealing 2 clusters and indicating a clear genetic differentiation among the Cosmos species that were assessed. The first cluster comprised the species Cosmos sulphureus, Cosmos pacificus, and Cosmos diversifolius, while the second cluster included the species Cosmos purpureus, Cosmos crithmifolius, Cosmos bipinnatus, and Cosmos parviflorus. Besides this, the Cosmos species were clustered according to their collection sites. The Mantel test corroborates the correlation between the genetic distance and the geographic altitude of each Cosmos species. The results suggest that it is necessary to preserve the Cosmos species in their natural habitat in addition to the germoplasm collection for ex situ conservation.

Composition and distribution patterns of bryophytes at a reclaimed surface mine in Grundy County, Illinois, with a list of vascular plants

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Rastorfer, J.R.

1981-12-01

Bryological surveys and collections were made in order to assess the natural colonization of mosses (and liverworts) on acid minesoils of a reclamation demonstration site located adjacent to Goose Lake Prairie State Park in northeastern Illinois. Four types of fine-textured mineral soils were recognized within the site; these were designated as abandoned (cultivated) field soil, oil minesoil (spoil), reclaimed minesoil 1972 to 1973, and reclaimed minesoil 1975 to 1976. The two reclaimed minesoils were distinguished by reclamation efforts begun in 1972 and 1975. Thirty moss taxa and one liverwort species were found on the site, and two additional moss speciesmore » were found in areas adjacent to the site. Of the 33 bryophyte taxa recognized, 14 species of mosses were new reports for Grundy County. Comparative distribution patterns indicate that the major pioneer species of mosses on reclaimed minesoil were Barbula unguiculata, Ceratodon purpureus, Ditrichum pallidum, and Funaria hygrometrica. On the other hand, Bryum caespiticium and Weissia controversa were considered later seral species rather than primary invaders. Distribution patterns also indicate that mosses were generally unable to colonize unshaded bare reclaimed minesoil. However, moss colonization was successful in those areas where the harsh microhabitat conditions were ameliorated by vascular vegetation. Shoots of both living and dead higher plants most likely affect the proliferation of mosses by shading the soil surface, which results in increased moisture and decreased temperature at the soil surface in contrast to conditions of fully exposed soil.« less

The efficacy and safety of herbal medicines used in the treatment of hyperlipidemia; a systematic review.

PubMed

Hasani-Ranjbar, Shirin; Nayebi, Neda; Moradi, Leila; Mehri, Avin; Larijani, Bagher; Abdollahi, Mohammad

2010-01-01

This review focuses on the efficacy and safety of effective herbal medicines in the management of hyperlipidemia in human. PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and IranMedex databases were searched up to 11th May 2010. The search terms were "hyperlipidemia" and ("herbal medicine" or "medicine traditional", "extract plant") without narrowing or limiting search elements. All of the human studies on the effects of herbs with the key outcome of change in lipid profiles were included. Fifty three relevant clinical trials were reviewed for efficacy of plants. This study showed significant decrease in total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol after treatment with Daming capsule (DMC), chunghyul-dan, Glycyrrhiza glabra, garlic powder (Allicor), black tea, green tea, soy drink enriched with plant sterols, licorice, Satureja khuzestanica, Monascus purpureus Went rice, Fenugreek, Commiphora mukul (guggul), Achillea wilhelmsii C. Koch, Ningzhi capsule (NZC), cherry, compositie salviae dropping pill (CSDP), shanzha xiaozhi capsule, Ba-wei-wan (hachimijiogan), rhubarb stalk, Silybum marianum, Rheum Ribes and Jingmingdan granule (primrose oil). Conflicting data exist for red yeast rice, garlic and guggul. No significant adverse effect or mortality were observed except in studies with DMC, guggul, and Terminalia belerica, Terminalia chebula, Emblica officinalis, ginger, and garlic powder (Allium sativum). Amongst reviewed studies, 22 natural products were found effective in the treatment of hyperlipidemia that deserve further works to isolate and characterization of their constituents to reach novel therapeutic and more effective agents.

Effects of koji-making with mixed strains on physicochemical and sensory properties of Chinese-type soy sauce.

PubMed

Chen, Zhi-Yao; Feng, Yun-Zi; Cui, Chun; Zhao, Hai-Feng; Zhao, Mou-Ming

2015-08-15

Two kinds of soy sauces were prepared with Aspergillus oryzae koji (SSAO) and mixed koji (SSAOM, A. oryzae mouldstarter:Monascus purpureus mouldstarter = 1:2, w/w) respectively. The effects of mixed koji on the essential indices, oxygen radical absorption capacity, color indices, free amino acids and volatile compounds of soy sauce have been studied, followed by a sensory evaluation between SSAO and SSAOM. The contents of non-salt soluble solid, reducing sugar, total acid, total nitrogen and amino nitrogen in SSAOM increased by 21.50%, 9.88%, 15.35%, 5.98% and 41.43%, respectively, compared with the control SSAO, owing to the higher activities of acid protease and glucoamylase in the mixed koji. Moreover, SSAOM showed higher antioxidant activity, higher levels of free amino acids and much more attractive color. Meanwhile, flavor groups such as esters, aldehydes, pyrazines and sulfur-containing compounds in SSAOM were also improved. The contents of free amino acids and aroma compounds were consistent with the sensory evaluation. According to descriptive sensory analysis, SSAOM showed higher intensity for sweet and umami attributes; in addition, higher flowery, burnt, fruity and caramel-like attributes were perceived in SSAOM, while SSAO showed higher ethanolic and sour attributes. The investigated soy sauce prepared with mixed koji can be considered as an effective method to accelerate the fermentation process and improve the flavor of soy sauce. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry.

Synthesis, crystal structure analysis, spectral (NMR, FT-IR, FT-Raman and UV-Vis) investigations, molecular docking studies, antimicrobial studies and quantum chemical calculations of a novel 4-chloro-8-methoxyquinoline-2(1H)-one: An effective antimicrobial agent and an inhibition of DNA gyrase and lanosterol-14α-demethylase enzymes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Murugavel, S.; Sundramoorthy, S.; Lakshmanan, D.; Subashini, R.; Pavan Kumar, P.

2017-03-01

The novel title compound 4-chloro-8-methoxyquinoline-2(1H)-one (4CMOQ) has been synthesized by slow evaporation solution growth technique at room temperature. The synthesized 4CMOQ molecule was characterized experimentally by FT-IR, FT-Raman, UV-Vis, NMR and single crystal diffraction (XRD) and theoretically by quantum chemical calculations. The molecular geometry was also optimized using density functional theory (DFT/B3LYP) method with the 6-311++G (d,p) basis set in ground state and compared with the experimental data. The entire vibrational assignments of wave numbers were made on the basis of potential energy distribution (PED) by VEDA 4 programme. The nuclear magnetic resonance spectra (1H and 13C NMR) are obtained by using the gauge-invariant atomic orbital (GIAO) method. The change in electron density (ED) in the antibonding orbital's and stabilization energies E(2) of the molecule have been evaluated by natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis to give clear evidence of stabilization. Moreover, electronic characteristics such as HOMO and LUMO energies, Mulliken atomic charges and molecular electrostatic potential surface are investigated. Absorption spectrum analysis, nonlinear optical properties, chemical reactivity descriptors and thermodynamic features are also outlined theoretically. Molecular docking studies were executed to understand the inhibitory activity of 4CMOQ against DNA gyrase and Lanosterol 14 α-demethylase. The antimicrobial activity of 4CMOQ was determined against bacterial strains such as Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa and fungal strains such as Aspergillus niger, Monascus purpureus and Penicillium citrinum. The obtained results show that the compound exhibited good to moderate antimicrobial activity.

Production of red mold rice using a modified Nagata type koji maker.

PubMed

Chiu, Chiu-Hsia; Ni, Kuang-Huei; Guu, Yuan-Kuang; Pan, Tzu-Ming

2006-11-01

In this research, a commercial koji maker with a rotary perforated bed of 5-m diameter was modified for red mold rice production. Monascus purpureus BCRC 31499 was selected for its high production capacities of monacolin K and red pigment. The selected strain was first cultivated in a 120-l submerged type fermentor at 34 degrees C and 2 vvm aeration rate with 60 rpm agitation for 5 days using 20% liquefied rice porridge as carbon source. The high concentration red mold rice broth (>3.5 g/ml) was harvested for inocula and well mixed with cooked rice to an initial concentration of 2% v/w. The inoculated cooked rice then was directed into the modified koji maker, in which temperature and humidity profiles were kept at varied levels at different stages, respectively. Air was circulated to remove fermentation heat while the perforated bed rotated slowly for providing mild agitation. Lag phase of the Monascus sp. in the modified koji maker was determined to be 16 h by the time the koji temperature raised rapidly. Water was added into the koji bed by a water curtain at the 36th hour to keep the moisture content of the rice koji at 50% or above. At the final stage, temperature was adjusted to 34 degrees C to direct red pigment production. After 7 days, 1,200-kg high quality red mold rice was harvested per batch. Labor costs, space, and fermentation time were reduced tremendously compared with those made by traditional methods.

Vegan-mycoprotein concentrate from pea-processing industry byproduct using edible filamentous fungi.

PubMed

Souza Filho, Pedro F; Nair, Ramkumar B; Andersson, Dan; Lennartsson, Patrik R; Taherzadeh, Mohammad J

2018-01-01

Currently around one billion people in the world do not have access to a diet which provides enough protein and energy. However, the production of one of the main sources of protein, animal meat, causes severe impacts on the environment. The present study investigates the production of a vegan-mycoprotein concentrate from pea-industry byproduct (PpB), using edible filamentous fungi, with potential application in human nutrition. Edible fungal strains of Ascomycota ( Aspergillus oryzae , Fusarium venenatum , Monascus purpureus , Neurospora intermedia ) and Zygomycota ( Rhizopus oryzae ) phyla were screened and selected for their protein production yield. A. oryzae had the best performance among the tested fungi, with a protein yield of 0.26 g per g of pea-processing byproduct from the bench scale airlift bioreactor cultivation. It is estimated that by integrating the novel fungal process at an existing pea-processing industry, about 680 kg of fungal biomass attributing to about 38% of extra protein could be produced for each 1 metric ton of pea-processing byproduct. This study is the first of its kind to demonstrate the potential of the pea-processing byproduct to be used by filamentous fungi to produce vegan-mycoprotein for human food applications. The pea-processing byproduct (PpB) was proved to be an efficient medium for the growth of filamentous fungi to produce a vegan-protein concentrate. Moreover, an industrial scenario for the production of vegan-mycoprotein concentrate for human nutrition is proposed as an integrated process to the existing PPI production facilities.

"Fire Moss" Cover and Function in Severely Burned Forests of the Western United States

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Grover, H.; Doherty, K.; Sieg, C.; Robichaud, P. R.; Fulé, P. Z.; Bowker, M.

2017-12-01

With wildfires increasing in severity and extent throughout the Western United States, land managers need new tools to stabilize recently burned ecosystems. "Fire moss" consists of three species, Ceratodon purpureus, Funaria hygrometrica, and Bryum argentum. These mosses colonize burned landscapes quickly, aggregate soils, have extremely high water holding capacity, and can be grown rapidly ex-situ. In this talk, I will focus on our efforts to understand how Fire Moss naturally interacts with severely burned landscapes. We examined 14 fires in Arizona, New Mexico, Washington, and Idaho selecting a range of times since fire, and stratified plots within each wildfire by winter insolation and elevation. At 75+ plots we measured understory plant cover, ground cover, Fire Moss cover, and Fire Moss reproductive effort. On plots in the Southwest, we measured a suite of soil characteristics on moss covered and adjacent bare soil including aggregate stability, shear strength, compressional strength, and infiltration rates. Moss cover ranged from 0-75% with a mean of 16% across all plots and was inversely related to insolation (R2 = .32, p = <.01), directly related to elevation (R2 = .13, p = .02), and not related to slope (R2 = .02, p =.41). Moss covered areas had twice as much shear strength and compressional strength, and three times higher aggregate stability and infiltration rates as adjacent bare ground. These results will allow us to model locations where Fire Moss will naturally increase postfire hillslope soil stability, locations for targeting moss restoration efforts, and suggest that Fire Moss could be a valuable tool to mitigate post wildfire erosion.

Necrophilous Insect Dynamics at Small Vertebrate Carrion in a Temperate Eucalypt Woodland.

PubMed

Barton, Philip S; Evans, Maldwyn J; Pechal, Jennifer L; Benbow, M Eric

2017-07-01

Insects associated with carrion are critical to the decomposition process and nutrient cycling in ecosystems. Yet the communities of insects associated with carrion vary between locations, and detailed case studies are necessary for identifying differences and similarities among contrasting habitats. In this study, we examined temporal changes in the crawling insect community collected from rabbit carcasses placed in contrasting grassland and tree habitats in southeastern Australia. We collected 18,400 adult insects, including 22 species of fly, 57 species of beetle, and 37 species of ant. We found significant effects of habitat type and time, but not their interaction, on the composition of the entire insect community. Several ant species showed early and rapid colonization and highest abundances during early stages of decay, including Iridomyrmex purpureus (Smith, 1858) under trees, and Iridomyrmex rufoniger (Lowne, 1865) and Rhytidoponera metallica (Smith, 1858) in grassland. We found that most fly species showed highest abundance during active decay, but Chrysomya varipes (Macquart 1851) was more abundant under trees than in grassland during this time. Beetles peaked during active or advanced decay stages, with Saprinus and Omorgus the most abundant genera. Our study demonstrates that strong replication of contrasting environmental treatments can reveal new information on habitat preferences of important carrion insect species. The numerical dominance of ants early in decomposition has implications for insect community structure via potential competitive interactions with flies, and should be more rigorously examined in future carrion studies. © The Authors 2017. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Entomological Society of America. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Post-accident recovery of hardware and moss cultures from STS-107

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kern, V. D.; Reed, D. W.; Sack, F. D.

In a follow-up investigation to our STS-87 moss experiment, 99 cultures of the moss Ceratodon purpureus were launched on January 16, 2003, and incubated under microgravity conditions for up to 15 days onboard the orbiter Columbia during the STS-107 mission. Following a flawless performance during the on-orbit experiment phase, cultures were chemically fixed in space by the crew at pre-determined intervals. After the accidental break up of Columbia during descent on February 1, 2003, it was assumed that no results would be available since all cultures and data were to be retrieved for analysis post-landing. However, during the subsequent months seven out of eight BRIC (Biological Research in Canisters)-LED containers were recovered on the ground by searchers in Eastern Texas. Each canister housed six polycarbonate Petri Dish Fixation Units (PDFUs) containing petri dishes with 1 or 3 moss cultures each. When these canisters were opened in late April at Kennedy Space Center, 86 out of 87 moss cultures were recovered. Many but not all cultures were severely fragmented and it was impossible to discern growth patterns. However, thousands of well-fixed moss apical cells were found and documented by microscopy. Data retrieved from an internal temperature logger indicated that the canisters experienced intense but transient heat shortly after Columbia broke apart. Some PDFU polycarbonate had fused to the aluminum canister wall. Interior temperatures were sufficient to melt the agarose substrate (˜ 88C), but none of the 41 petri dishes was heat damaged. Initial results from the examination of culture and cell morphology will be presented. (Supported by NASA: NAG10-0179.)

Field evaluation of the bait toxicant chlorfluazuron in eliminating Coptotermes acinaciformis (Froggatt) (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae).

PubMed

Peters, Brenton C; Fitzgerald, Christopher J

2003-12-01

Two aspects of the Exterra Termite Interception and Baiting System (Ensystex, Fayetteville, NC) were evaluated in a field experiment using 13 termite mounds near Townsville, Australia. First, a cellulose-acetate powder containing either 0.05% wt:wt or 0.25% wt:wt chlorfluazuron (Requiem, Ensystex, Fayetteville, NC) was tested for its efficacy in eliminating colonies of the xylophagous mound-building subterranean termite Coptotermes acinaciformis (Froggatt). The moist bait matrix was replenished during the first inspection of 10 mounds (five mounds by two treatments) used in the experiment. Second, a single application of the moist bait matrix was used on three additional mounds to test termite responses and the effectiveness of 0.25% wt:wt chlorfluazuron. Although there was no evidence of repellence, there was little removal of replenished bait. Five colonies were eliminated by 0.05% wt:wt chlorfluazuron and five colonies by 0.25% wt:wt chlorfluazuron: another colony was moribund, and elimination appeared imminent. Colony decline was first suspected some 12 wk after bait application, and colony elimination was confirmed, by destructive sampling, about 5 wk later. Colony elimination may have occurred within 12 wk. One colony was an anomaly and did not succumb to the effects of the toxicant. Another colony was not eliminated because of invasion of the baiting system by ants. Ants, principally Iridomyrmex purpureus (F. Smith) group and Papyrius nitidus (Mayr) group, occurred commonly in the stations during the experiment. Microcerotermes sp. was found in five of the C. acinaciformis mounds, after colony elimination. Inspections of small sections of mounds and wooden dowels inserted into mounds were reliable methods for monitoring colony health.

Chinese Red Yeast Rice Inhibition of Prostate Tumor Growth in SCID mice

PubMed Central

Hong, Mee Young; Henning, Susanne; Moro, Aune; Seeram, Navindra P.; Zhang, Yanjun; Heber, David

2011-01-01

Prostate cancer is a slowly developing but very common cancer in males that may be amenable to preventive strategies that are not toxic. Chinese red yeast rice (RYR), a food herb made by fermenting Monascus purpureus Went yeast on white rice, contains a mixture of eight different monacolins that inhibit cholesterogenesis in addition to red pigments with antioxidant properties. Monacolin K is identical to lovastatin (LV), but lovastatin unlike RYR can be used in individuals intolerant to statins due to muscle pain. Both LV and RYR inhibit de novo cholesterogenesis, which is critical to the growth of tumor cells. Long-term use of statin drugs has been associated with a reduced risk of prostate cancer. We have previously shown that RYR inhibited androgen-dependent and AR-overexpressing androgen-independent prostate cancer cell proliferation in vitro. The present study was designed to determine whether RYR and LV inhibit prostate tumor growth in SCID mice. RYR significantly reduced tumor volumes of androgen-dependent and androgen-independent prostate xenograft tumors compared to animals receiving vehicle alone (P<0.05). Inhibition by RYR was greater than that observed with LV at the dose found in RYR demonstrating that other compounds in RYR contributed to the antiproliferative effect. There was a significant correlation of tumor volume to serum cholesterol (P<0.001). RYR decreased gene expression of androgen synthesizing enzymes (HSD3B2, AKR1C3 and SRD5A1) in both type of tumors (P<0.05). Clinical studies of RYR for prostate cancer prevention in the increasing population of men undergoing active surveillance should be considered. PMID:21278313

Spirals in space - non-random orientation of moss protonemata in microgravity (STS-87)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kern, V.; Sack, F.

Protonemata of the moss Ceratodon purpureus are an excellent system for studying gravitropism and phototropis in a tip-growing cell. In darkness protonemata express negative gravitropism (they grow up) with high fidelity. When irradiated they accurately align in the light path. When grown in darkness under microgravity conditions (STS-87, Nov./Dec. 1997), 7-day old cultures displayed a predominately radial orientation. However, in older (14 d) cultures the protonemata grew in arcs and overall formed clockwise spirals. Cultures grown on a slow-rotating clinostat for 14 days also expressed spirals. Spirals were mostly clockwise and formed regardless of the orientation with respect to the acceleration force (speed of clinostat rotation) or to the direction of rotation. The presence of spirals in 14 d but not 7 d cultures could be due to culture age, stage, or size and/or to the duration of exposure to microgravity or clino-rotation. The phenomenon of protonemal phototropism allowed us to investigate this further. When unilaterally irradiated for 7 days, cultures displayed negative and positive phototropism while gravitropism was suppressed; in these cultures almost all cells were aligned in a straight line along the light path. When such cultures were transferred to darkness for an additional 7 d, clockwise arcs and spirals formed. Thus, spiral formation requires only a 7-day dose of microgravity or clino-rotation, as long as the cultures are of a sufficient age or stage (7 days or less). The presence of coordinated clockwise spiral growth in μg suggests that there is an endogenous growth polarity in Ceratodon that normally is suppressed by gravitropism. A working hypothesis is that the spirals represent a residual spacing mechanism for controlling colony growth and the distribution of side branches. (Supported by NASA: NAG10-017).

A randomized, double-blind clinical study to determine the effect of ANKASCIN 568 plus on blood glucose regulation.

PubMed

Wang, Yin-Ruei; Liu, Sheng-Fu; Shen, You-Cheng; Chen, Chien-Li; Huang, Chine-Ning; Pan, Tzu-Ming; Wang, Chin-Kun

2017-04-01

Diabetes is the fourth major cause of death in Taiwan. High blood glucose can lead to macrovascular diseases, small vessel diseases (retinopathy, kidney disease), and neuropathy. This study aimed to investigate whether Monascus-fermented products (ANKASCIN 568 plus) can regulate blood glucose and blood lipids. This study enrolled 39 patients with a fasting blood glucose level between 100 mg/dL and 180 mg/dL, and a glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level of <9%. All patients were randomly divided into placebo (n=20) and experimental (n=19) groups. Each patient received two placebo capsules (maltodextrin) or ANKASCIN 568 plus capsules daily for 12 weeks. The patients were screened during follow-up 4 weeks after the administration of sample or placebo had been discontinued. Blood and urine samples were collected at the initial, 6 th week, 12 th week, and 16 th week. The anthropometric indicators of blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose level, postprandial plasma glucose level, insulin level, insulin resistance, blood lipid changes, and liver, kidney, and thyroid function indices were measured. After 6 weeks, changes in fasting blood glucose, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and total cholesterol (TC) levels showed that ANKASCIN 568 plus had a more favorable effect than the placebo. Compared to baseline, a statistically significant decrease of 8.5%, 10.3%, and 7.5% was observed in fasting blood glucose, LDL-C and, TC levels, respectively (p<0.05 for all pairs). Therefore, ANKASCIN 568 plus produced by Monascus purpureus NTU 568 fermentation may be a potentially useful agent for the regulation of blood glucose and blood lipids and for treatment of coronary artery diseases. Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Epidemiology, chronobiology and taxonomic updates of Rhinoestrus spp. infestation in horses of Sardinia Isle, Western Mediterranean (Italy).

PubMed

Mula, P; Pilo, C; Solinas, C; Pipia, A P; Varcasia, A; Francisco, I; Arias, M S; Paz Silva, A; Sánchez-Andrade, R; Morrondo, P; Díez-Baños, P; Scala, A

2013-02-18

From January to December 2008, 265 horses slaughtered in Sardinia (Italy) were examined for the presence of Rhinoestrus spp. (Diptera: Oestridae) through the examination of the nasal cavities and pharynges. Larvae were detected in 49% of the horses, with a mean intensity of infestation of 16.09 and abundance of 7.95. A total of 2108 larvae were collected, 66% of which were classified in first instar (L1), 22% in second instar (L2) and 12% in third instar (L3). The most frequent localization of larvae was the ethmoid, while the less one the larynx. According to the dynamics of Rhinoestrus larval stages, three periods in the chronobiology can be considered, the diapause (September-February) characterized by an absolute prevalence of first larval stage; the active phase of the endogenous phase (February-September) with an increase in the percentages of L2 and L3, and the exit phase (May-September), pointed by a further increase of L1. Morphological examination of L3 larvae revealed the presence of the Rhinoestrus purpureus features in 8% of the examined larvae, of 8% of the Rhinoestrus usbekistanicus features, while in 84% of the larvae were evidenced intermediate features. Contrastingly biomolecular analysis of the COI gene of the larvae evidenced uniformity at genetic level, confirming the presence of a unique species in the Mediterranean area. The results of the present paper, reveal the wide diffusion of rhinoestrosis among Sardinian horses, and suggest the need for applying appropriate control measures. Chemotherapy should be very useful if administered during the diapause period, for reducing the presence of L1 stages and interrupting thus the life cycle of this myiasis. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Radiocaesium in Cortinarius spp. mushrooms in the regions of the Reggio Emilia in Italy and Pomerania in Poland.

PubMed

Zalewska, Tamara; Cocchi, Luigi; Falandysz, Jerzy

2016-11-01

Activity concentrations of 134 Cs and 137 Cs have been determined in 23 species of mushrooms of the genus Cortinarius (59 individual samples) collected from the Reggio Emilia in Italy 1992-1999 and in 4 species (16 composite samples and 413 individuals) from the Pomerania region in Poland from 1996 to 2015. Across all the Cortinarius species from the Reggio Emilia, the activity concentrations were relatively high in Cortinarius alboviolaceus, Cortinarius duracinus, Cortinarius orellanus, Cortinarius rapaceus, and Cortinarius subannulatus, in which 137 Cs was at 10,000 ~ 100,000 Bq kg -1 dry biomass (db) in 1994. Smaller activity concentrations were found in Cortinarius bivelus, Cortinarius bulliardii, Cortinarius cotoneus, Cortinarius largus, Cortinarius lividoviolaceus, Cortinarius purpureus, Cortinarius rufo-olivaceus, Cortinarius torvus, and Cortinarius venetus with levels at 1000 ~ 6000 Bq kg -1 db from 1992 to 1994, and further in Cortinarius anserinus, Cortinarius auroturbinatus, C. largus, Cortinarius praestans, Cortinarius purpurascens, Cortinarius scaurus, Cortinarius sebaceous, Cortinarius talus, and Cortinarius variecolor with activity concentrations at 100 ~ 600 Bq kg -1  db in 1994. All the data were calculated for dehydrated fungal material corrected back to the exact date samples of collection. The greatest activity concentrations of 137 Cs both in Italy (1992-1999) and Poland (1996-2010) were found in the popular Cortinarius caperatus, confirming its very high capacity of radiocaesium accumulation. Besides 137 Cs, the isotope 134 Cs was detected in some species from the Reggio Emilia. An average calculated ratio of activities of 134 Cs to 137 Cs referenced to 1986 was equal to 0.38 in mushrooms from the Reggio Emilia, and this value slightly differ from that specific for Chernobyl fallout, which was 0.54. It was calculated that 137 Cs originating from Chernobyl accident constituted about 68 % of the total activity concentration of the

[Yellow fever: reemerging in the state of Sao Paulo, Brazil, 2009].

PubMed

Mascheretti, Melissa; Tengan, Ciléa H; Sato, Helena Keiko; Suzuki, Akemi; de Souza, Renato Pereira; Maeda, Marina; Brasil, Roosecelis; Pereira, Mariza; Tubaki, Rosa Maria; Wanderley, Dalva M V; Fortaleza, Carlos Magno Castelo Branco; Ribeiro, Ana Freitas

2013-10-01

To describe the investigation of a sylvatic yellow fever outbreak in the state of Sao Paulo and the main control measures undertaken. This is a descriptive study of a sylvatic yellow fever outbreak in the Southwestern region of the state from February to April 2009. Suspected and confirmed cases in humans and in non-human primates were evaluated. Entomological investigation in sylvatic environment involved capture at ground level and in the tree canopy to identify species and detect natural infections. Control measures were performed in urban areas to control Aedes aegypti . Vaccination was directed at residents living in areas with confirmed viral circulation and also at nearby cities according to national recommendation. Twenty-eight human cases were confirmed (39.3% case fatality rate) in rural areas of Sarutaiá, Piraju, Tejupá, Avaré and Buri. The deaths of 56 non-human primates were also reported, 91.4% were Allouatta sp. Epizootics was confirmed in two non-human primates in the cities of Itapetininga and Buri. A total of 1,782 mosquitoes were collected, including Haemagogus leucocelaenus , Hg. janthinomys/capricornii , and Sabethes chloropterus, Sa. purpureus and Sa. undosus . Yellow fever virus was isolated from a group of Hg. Leucocelaenus from Buri. Vaccination was carried out in 49 cities, with a total of 1,018,705 doses. Nine serious post-vaccination adverse events were reported. The cases occurred between February and April 2009 in areas with no recorded yellow fever virus circulation in over 60 years. The outbreak region occurred outside the original recommended vaccination area with a high percentage of susceptible population. The fast adoption of control measures interrupted the human transmission within a month and the confirmation of viral circulation in humans, monkeys and mosquitoes. The results allowed the identification of new areas of viral circulation but further studies are required to clarify the dynamics of the spread of this disease.

Engineered fungal polyketide biosynthesis in Pichia pastoris: a potential excellent host for polyketide production

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Background Polyketides are one of the most important classes of secondary metabolites and usually make good drugs. Currently, heterologous production of fungal polyketides for developing a high potential industrial application system with high production capacity and pharmacutical feasibility was still at its infancy. Pichia pastoris is a highly successful system for the high production of a variety of heterologous proteins. In this work, we aim to develop a P. pastoris based in vivo fungal polyketide production system for first time and evaluate its feasibility for future industrial application. Results A recombinant P. pastoris GS115-NpgA-ATX with Aspergillus nidulans phosphopantetheinyl transferase (PPtase) gene npgA and Aspergillus terrus 6-methylsalicylic acid (6-MSA) synthase (6-MSAS) gene atX was constructed. A specific compound was isolated and idenified as 6-MSA by HPLC, LC-MS and NMR. Transcription of both genes were detected. In 5-L bioreactor, the GS115-NpgA-ATX grew well and produced 6-MSA quickly until reached a high value of 2.2 g/L by methanol induction for 20 hours. Thereafter, the cells turned to death ascribing to high concentration of antimicrobial 6-MSA. The distribution of 6-MSA changed that during early and late induction phase it existed more in supernatant while during intermediate stage it mainly located intracellular. Different from 6-MSA production strain, recombinant M. purpureus pksCT expression strains for citrinin intermediate production, no matter PksCT located in cytoplasm or in peroxisomes, did not produce any specfic compound. However, both npgA and pksCT transcripted effectively in cells and western blot analysis proved the expression of PPtase. Then the PPTase was expressed and purified, marked by fluorescent probes, and reacted with purified ACP domain and its mutant ACPm of PksCT. Fluoresence was only observed in ACP but not ACPm, indicating that the PPTase worked well with ACP to make it bioactive holo-ACP. Thus, some

Engineered fungal polyketide biosynthesis in Pichia pastoris: a potential excellent host for polyketide production.

PubMed

Gao, Limei; Cai, Menghao; Shen, Wei; Xiao, Siwei; Zhou, Xiangshan; Zhang, Yuanxing

2013-09-08

Polyketides are one of the most important classes of secondary metabolites and usually make good drugs. Currently, heterologous production of fungal polyketides for developing a high potential industrial application system with high production capacity and pharmaceutical feasibility was still at its infancy. Pichia pastoris is a highly successful system for the high production of a variety of heterologous proteins. In this work, we aim to develop a P. pastoris based in vivo fungal polyketide production system for first time and evaluate its feasibility for future industrial application. A recombinant P. pastoris GS115-NpgA-ATX with Aspergillus nidulans phosphopantetheinyl transferase (PPtase) gene npgA and Aspergillus terrus 6-methylsalicylic acid (6-MSA) synthase (6-MSAS) gene atX was constructed. A specific compound was isolated and identified as 6-MSA by HPLC, LC-MS and NMR. Transcription of both genes were detected. In 5-L bioreactor, the GS115-NpgA-ATX grew well and produced 6-MSA quickly until reached a high value of 2.2 g/L by methanol induction for 20 hours. Thereafter, the cells turned to death ascribing to high concentration of antimicrobial 6-MSA. The distribution of 6-MSA changed that during early and late induction phase it existed more in supernatant while during intermediate stage it mainly located intracellular. Different from 6-MSA production strain, recombinant M. purpureus pksCT expression strains for citrinin intermediate production, no matter PksCT located in cytoplasm or in peroxisomes, did not produce any specific compound. However, both npgA and pksCT transcripted effectively in cells and western blot analysis proved the expression of PPtase. Then the PPTase was expressed and purified, marked by fluorescent probes, and reacted with purified ACP domain and its mutant ACPm of PksCT. Fluoresence was only observed in ACP but not ACPm, indicating that the PPTase worked well with ACP to make it bioactive holo-ACP. Thus, some other factors may

Evaluation of Mercury Contamination in Fungi Boletus Species from Latosols, Lateritic Red Earths, and Red and Yellow Earths in the Circum-Pacific Mercuriferous Belt of Southwestern China.

PubMed

Falandysz, Jerzy; Zhang, Ji; Wang, Yuan-Zhong; Saba, Martyna; Krasińska, Grażyna; Wiejak, Anna; Li, Tao

2015-01-01

For the first time, highly elevated levels of mercury (Hg) have been documented for several species of the edible Fungi genus Boletus growing in latosols, lateritic red earths, and red and yellow earths from the Yunnan province of China. Analysis of Hg concentrations in the genus suggests that geogenic Hg is the dominant source of Hg in the fungi, whereas anthropogenic sources accumulate largely in the organic layer of the forest soil horizon. Among the 21 species studied from 32 locations across Yunnan and 2 places in Sichuan Province, the Hg was found at elevated level in all samples from Yunnan but not in the samples from Sichuan, which is located outside the mercuriferous belt. Particularly abundant in Hg were the caps of fruiting bodies of Boletus aereus (up to 13 mg kg-1 dry matter), Boletus bicolor (up to 5.5 mg kg-1 dry matter), Boletus edulis (up to 22 mg kg-1 dry matter), Boletus luridus (up to 11 mg kg-1 dry matter), Boletus magnificus (up to 13 mg kg-1 dry matter), Boletus obscureumbrinus (up to 9.4 mg kg-1 dry matter), Boletus purpureus (up to 16 mg kg-1 dry matter), Boletus sinicus (up to 6.8 mg kg-1 dry matter), Boletus speciosus (up to 4.9mg kg-1 dry matter), Boletus tomentipes (up to 13 mg kg-1 dry matter), and Boletus umbriniporus (up to 4.9 mg kg-1 dry matter). Soil samples of the 0-10 cm topsoil layer from the widely distributed locations had mercury levels ranging between 0.034 to 3.4 mg kg-1 dry matter. In Yunnan, both the soil parent rock and fruiting bodies of Boletus spp. were enriched in Hg, whereas the same species from Sichuan, located outside the mercuriferous belt, had low Hg concentrations, suggesting that the Hg in the Yunnan samples is mainly from geogenic sources rather than anthropogenic sources. However, the contribution of anthropogenically-derived Hg sequestered within soils of Yunnan has not been quantified, so more future research is required. Our results suggest that high rates of consumption of Boletus spp. from Yunnan can

Evaluation of Mercury Contamination in Fungi Boletus Species from Latosols, Lateritic Red Earths, and Red and Yellow Earths in the Circum-Pacific Mercuriferous Belt of Southwestern China

PubMed Central

Falandysz, Jerzy; Zhang, Ji; Wang, Yuan-Zhong; Saba, Martyna; Krasińska, Grażyna; Wiejak, Anna; Li, Tao

2015-01-01

For the first time, highly elevated levels of mercury (Hg) have been documented for several species of the edible Fungi genus Boletus growing in latosols, lateritic red earths, and red and yellow earths from the Yunnan province of China. Analysis of Hg concentrations in the genus suggests that geogenic Hg is the dominant source of Hg in the fungi, whereas anthropogenic sources accumulate largely in the organic layer of the forest soil horizon. Among the 21 species studied from 32 locations across Yunnan and 2 places in Sichuan Province, the Hg was found at elevated level in all samples from Yunnan but not in the samples from Sichuan, which is located outside the mercuriferous belt. Particularly abundant in Hg were the caps of fruiting bodies of Boletus aereus (up to 13 mg kg-1 dry matter), Boletus bicolor (up to 5.5 mg kg-1 dry matter), Boletus edulis (up to 22 mg kg-1 dry matter), Boletus luridus (up to 11 mg kg-1 dry matter), Boletus magnificus (up to 13 mg kg-1 dry matter), Boletus obscureumbrinus (up to 9.4 mg kg-1 dry matter), Boletus purpureus (up to 16 mg kg-1 dry matter), Boletus sinicus (up to 6.8 mg kg-1 dry matter), Boletus speciosus (up to 4.9mg kg-1 dry matter), Boletus tomentipes (up to 13 mg kg-1 dry matter), and Boletus umbriniporus (up to 4.9 mg kg-1 dry matter). Soil samples of the 0–10 cm topsoil layer from the widely distributed locations had mercury levels ranging between 0.034 to 3.4 mg kg-1 dry matter. In Yunnan, both the soil parent rock and fruiting bodies of Boletus spp. were enriched in Hg, whereas the same species from Sichuan, located outside the mercuriferous belt, had low Hg concentrations, suggesting that the Hg in the Yunnan samples is mainly from geogenic sources rather than anthropogenic sources. However, the contribution of anthropogenically-derived Hg sequestered within soils of Yunnan has not been quantified, so more future research is required. Our results suggest that high rates of consumption of Boletus spp. from Yunnan

Monitoring of Antarctic moss ecosystems using a high spatial resolution imaging spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Malenovsky, Zbynek; Lucieer, Arko; Robinson, Sharon; Harwin, Stephen; Turner, Darren; Veness, Tony

2013-04-01

The most abundant photosynthetically active plants growing along the rocky Antarctic shore are mosses of three species: Schistidium antarctici, Ceratodon purpureus, and Bryum pseudotriquetrum. Even though mosses are well adapted to the extreme climate conditions, their existence in Antarctica depends strongly on availability of liquid water from snowmelt during the short summer season. Recent changes in temperature, wind speed and stratospheric ozone are stimulating faster evaporation, which in turn influences moss growing rate, health state and abundance. This makes them an ideal bio-indicator of the Antarctic climate change. Very short growing season, lasting only about three months, requires a time efficient, easily deployable and spatially resolved method for monitoring the Antarctic moss beds. Ground and/or low-altitude airborne imaging spectroscopy (called also hyperspectral remote sensing) offers a fast and spatially explicit approach to investigate an actual spatial extent and physiological state of moss turfs. A dataset of ground-based spectral images was acquired with a mini-Hyperspec imaging spectrometer (Headwall Inc., the USA) during the Antarctic summer 2012 in the surroundings of the Australian Antarctic station Casey (Windmill Islands). The collection of high spatial resolution spectral images, with pixels about 2 cm in size containing from 162 up to 324 narrow spectral bands of wavelengths between 399 and 998 nm, was accompanied with point moss reflectance measurements recorded with the ASD HandHeld-2 spectroradiometer (Analytical Spectral Devices Inc., the USA). The first spectral analysis indicates significant differences in red-edge and near-infrared reflectance of differently watered moss patches. Contrary to high plants, where the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) represents an estimate of green biomass, NDVI of mosses indicates mainly the actual water content. Similarly to high plants, reflectance of visible wavelengths is

Gravity regulation in tuber-bearing moss Leptobryum pyriforme (Hedw.) Wilson

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lobachevska, Oksana

distribution, to store considerable genetic variability and long term preservation of viable diasporas bank as a “genetic memory”. It also has been shown that spiral growth, which still had been found only for Ceratodon purpureus (Hedw.) Brid. under the conditions of microgravitation and for Barbula unguiculata Hedw. for 1 g (Kern et al., 2005; Demkiv et al., 2006) is also characteristic of protonemata turf L. pyriforme. Considering the fact that spirality is generally accepted biological phenomenon, it is possible to find the growth spiral movements under certain ecological conditions and various stages of moss development. Thus, the space orientation of moss organs is gravidependent process, and gravimorphogenesis is precondition to change growth model at various ontogenesis stages.

Evaluation of different PCR primers for denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) analysis of fungal community structure in traditional fermentation starters used for Hong Qu glutinous rice wine.

PubMed

Lv, Xu-Cong; Jiang, Ya-Jun; Liu, Jie; Guo, Wei-Ling; Liu, Zhi-Bin; Zhang, Wen; Rao, Ping-Fan; Ni, Li

2017-08-16

principal component analysis. The statistical analysis results based on the band intensities of fungal DGGE profile showed that Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Saccharomycopsis fibuligera, Rhizopus oryzae, Monascus purpureus and Aspergillus niger were the dominant fungal species. In conclusion, the comparison of several primer sets for fungal PCR-DGGE would be useful to enrich our knowledge of the fungal community structures associated with traditional fermentation starters, which may facilitate the development of better starter cultures for manufacturing Chinese Hong Qu glutinous rice wine. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Impact of biocrust succession on water retention and repellency on open-cast lignite mining sites under reclamation in Lower Lusatia, NE-Germany

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gypser, Stella; Fischer, Thomas; Lange, Philipp; Veste, Maik

2016-04-01

Mining activities can strongly affect ecosystem properties by destruction of naturally developed soils and removal of vegetation. The unstructured substrates show high bulk densities, compaction, low water infiltration rates, reduced water holding capacities and higher susceptibility to wind and water erosion. In the initial stage of the ecosystem development, the post-mining sites are open areas without or with a low cover of higher vegetation. It is well-known that biocrusts are able to colonize the soil surface under such extreme conditions without human support and affect soil hydrological processes such as water infiltration, run-off or re-distribution. Investigations were conducted on two former lignite open-cast mining sites, an artificial sand dune on the reclaimed watershed Welzow "Neuer Lugteich" and a reforestation area in Schlabendorf (Brandenburg, north-east Germany). The aim was to relate the hydrological characteristics of the topsoil to successional stages of biological soil crusts on reclaimed soils and their influence on repellency index and water holding capacity compared to pure mining substrate. Our study emphasized the influence of changing successional stages and species composition of biological soil crusts, forming a small-scale crust pattern, on water repellency and retention on sandy soils in temperate climate. Different successional stages of soil crusts were identified from initial scattered green algae crusts, dominated by Zygogonium spec. and Ulothrix spec., and more developed soil crusts containing mosses such as Ceratodon purpureus and Polytrichum piliferum. Lichens of the Genus Cladonia were more pronouncedly contributed to biocrusts at later and mature stages of development. The repellency index on the one hand increased due to the cross-linking of sand particles by the filamentous green algae Zygogonium spec. which resulted in clogging of pores, and on the other hand decreased with the occurrence of moss plants due to absorption

Development and hydrology of biological soil crusts -- first results from a surface inoculation experiment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mykhailova, Larysa; Raab, Thomas; Gypser, Stella; Fischer, Thomas

2016-04-01

Representing a set of various micro-biocoenoses, biocrusts often reside in adjacent patches, which not necessarily relate to structural elements of the habitat, like (micro-) topography or vegetational patterns. Such biocrust patches may become more stable through the formation of mutually dependent ecohydrological regimes. For example, algal patches inhibiting infiltration and generating runoff alternate with runoff-receiving moss patches possessing high water holding capacities. Here, we preliminarily report on a lysimeter field experiment where natural biocrust isolates were used for surface inoculation to (I) prove stochastic vs. deterministic biocrust development and (II) to quantitatively relate biocrust development to soil hydrology. Lysimeter sand was collected from 3-4 m below surface at natural dune outcrops in south-eastern Brandenburg, Germany (Glashütte (GLA) and Neuer Lugteich (LUG)), where biocrust samples were collected at the respective dune bases. The lysimeters were designed to prevent runoff. In a completely randomized full-factorial design, three factors were considered. (A) Inocolum in three treatments (bare control, mosses, algae), (B) mineral substrate texture in two treatments (GLA: 55% and LUG: 79% particles >630 μm), and (C) surface compaction in two treatments (control, 41.5 kN m-2 for 30 seconds). The samples were kept dry and re-moistened to -60 hPa two days before inoculation. After a species inventory, the inoculate was isolated by gently washing off sand particles from the biocrust samples. Algal/lichen crusts were dominated by Zygogonium ericetorum and Cladonia sp. at both sites. All moss crusts were dominated by Polytrichum piliferum and Ceratodon purpureus, whereas Brachythecium albicans was present at GLA only. 20 g of homogenized moist inoculate were spread over the surface of each lysimeter (Ø 19 cm, 22 cm depth). We performed autochthonous inoculation, i.e. biocrust isolates collected from GLA were used for inoculation of

Analysis of landslide overgrowing rates at Vaskiny Dachi key site, Central Yamal, Russia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Khomutov, A.

2009-04-01

Equiesetum arvense ssp. boreale were presented, pioneer moss species (Bryum sp., Ceratodon purpureus appropriate for disturbed habitats appeared. In the "frontal zone" transformed initial communities were observed and sedge communities with Carex glareosa were developing (Rebristaya et al. 1995). In 2005 landslide shear surface was characterized by abundance of pioneer grass and chamomile-grass with herb communities on rather dry portions (Deschampsia borealis, Puccinellia sibirica, Draba hirta, Tanacetum bipinnatum, Senecio congestus), and sedge (Carex glaerosa, Carex bigelowii ssp. arctisibirica) or cottongrass (Eriophorum angustifolium, Eriophorim vaginatum) meadows in depressions, but edges of gentle troughs were overgrowing poorly. On the landslide body, initial moss cover did not recover, on separate blocks crustose lichens developed. However, everywhere in more stable herb-shrub communities with Salix polaris typical moss cover formed. In "frontal zone" sedge bogs appeared. Some activation of overgrowing was noted in 2007-2008 in connection with favorable weather conditions with warm summers in preceding 2005-2006 and relatively high summer precipitation, but shear surfaces of majority of landslides got overgrown by 30-40 % because of poorly developed organic horizon and high erosion liability of these surfaces, as well as shear surfaces of small landslides on steep slopes. Different are landslides on gentle southern slopes. Their shear surfaces got overgrown by herb, cotton grass and sedge communities by 90% while communities on landslide bodies are similar to those on surrounding undisturbed slopes. Specific are landslides with actively developing thermoerosion on shear surface. Overgrowing and thermoerosion are developing simultaneously at such landslides. At one of such landslides depth of thermoerosion gully reached to 2 m in 2008. At the same time shear surface around the gully got overgrown by pioneer grass and chamomile-grass communities with equisetum and