Biologia最新文献

In this work, we focus on the identification of novel fungal peroxygenase gene belonging to the peroxidase-peroxygenase superfamily. We applied a metagenomic approach on soil samples from primeval forest and appropriate bioinformatics tools for analysis of obtained genomic DNA sequence. Peroxidases are ubiquitous metalloenzymes that are able to reduce reactive peroxides, mainly hydrogen peroxide, into water, whereas several substrates can be concomitantly oxidized during their catalytic reaction. Our purpose was to collect unique peroxygenase sequence data originating from a preserved biotope for a robust phylogenetic reconstruction of a particular gene family coding for highly versatile heme-thiolate peroxidases that has peculiar yet undiscovered representatives among ectomycorrhizal fungi. We identified unique DNA sequence, 812 bp long, from ectomycorrhizal Suillus species coding for a heme-thiolate peroxidase with 1 typical intron that appears distinctive for Carpathian forests. After translation in corresponding protein sequence 251 amino acids long we could identify typical signatures of this peroxygenase. On the proximal side of heme we found the conserved P-C-P triad responsible for efficient ligation of heme iron thus influencing the reactivity of this peroxidase. On the distal side we recognized the E-H-D-X-S-L motif for interaction with a stabilizing magnesium ion. Maximum likelihood reconstruction of protein phylogeny revealed with a high bootstrap support the presence of a monophyletic HTP4 clade originating in numerous Suillus representatives. Together with sister clades of edible Boletus and poisonous Paxillus containing diverse peroxygenases these newly discovered heme catalyst can be considered for application of oxyfunctionalization of organic molecules.

Biostimulants such as ascorbic acid, known as vitamin C, have been reported to have numerous positive roles in plant tolerance to abiotic stresses. However, little is known about the biostimulant effects of ascorbic acid on alfalfa (Medicago sativa). Accordingly, a pot experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of 1 mM ascorbic acid, applied as foliar spray, on the salt tolerance of a Moroccan alfalfa population Demnate 201. One month-old M. sativa seedlings were exposed to 200 mM NaCl for four weeks with or without 1 mM of exogenous ascorbic acid treatment. The results showed that salinity stress significantly (p < 0.001) reduced plant biomass, disturbed photosynthesis-related parameters and induced oxidative stress. However, ascorbic acid foliar spray counteracted the observed negative effects of salinity. It significantly (p < 0.001) improved plant growth and photosynthetic parameters. Besides, stress indicators, including Na⁺ in shoot and root, hydrogen peroxide and electrolyte leakage, were significantly reduced by 42%, 29%, 12% and 34%, respectively, in treated and salt-stressed alfalfa plants. Interestingly, the decrease in oxidative stress markers was positively correlated to the ability of ascorbic acid to induce the accumulation of flavonoids and to increase the antioxidant activity of guaiacol peroxidase. Furthermore, compatible solutes, such as proline and soluble sugars, were found higher especially in salt-stressed alfalfa plants treated with 1 mM ascorbic acid. Our findings showed that ascorbic acid supply could be an eco-friendly and sustainable technique to mitigate the toxic effect of salt and could improve alfalfa forage production when grown in salt-affected soils.

Aquatic environments, including their flora and fauna, are known reservoirs of pathogenic Vibrio species. This study aimed to determine the diversity and antimicrobial susceptibility of bacteria from water hyacinth (Eichornia crassipes) and surrounding waters in Lagos lagoons. Bacteria isolation, phenotypic, and genotypic analysis were conducted using standard microbiology and molecular methods..Sampled lagoons exhibited physicochemical parameters such as dissolved oxygen (4.76—6.91 mgL⁻¹) and biochemical oxygen demand (80.5 – 242 mgL⁻¹) that exceeded permissible levels, indicating pollution. A total of 41 bacterial isolates were recovered from water hyacinth samples and surrounding lagoon waters. Twelve (29.26%) were Vibrio strains, comprising 4 (9.8%) Vibrio cholerae, 3 (7.3%) V. paracholerae, 2 (4.9%) V. parahaemolyticus, 2 (4.88%) V. injensis and 1 (2.4%) V. mimicus. Of the 4 V. cholerae isolates, 1 belonged to the O1 serotype. Vibrio species were exclusively recovered from water samples. Phylogenetic analysis of the Vibrio strains isolated from different lagoons showed genetic relatedness. All 41(100%) bacteria isolates displayed pan sensitivity to meropenem, while the highest resistance rate 27(65.9%) was recorded for amoxicillin + clavulanic acid. Multiple antibiotic resistance index of 8/12 (66.7%) of multidrug resistant Vibrio isolates was > 0.2 (20%) which could imply a high risk source of contamination in the environment where they were isolated. tdh, trh, and t1 genes were detected in V. parahaemolyticus isolates. Although, water hyacinth in this study did not harbored Vibrio species, the lagoon remains a source of pathogenic drug resistant Vibrio species. Therefore, surveillance should be enhanced.

A list of ant species collected in caves at different localities of Minas Gerais state, Brazil is presented, based on specimens deposited in the Entomological Collection Padre Jesus Santiago Moure (DZUP). Of the 51 species/morphospecies found, two are new records for the state. We encourage an increase in ant collection efforts in Brazilian caves using different sampling techniques and comparative approaches in order to improve the current knowledge of ant diversity in these environments.

Thin-lipped mullet (Chelon ramada) is an important resource in the Mediterranean Sea and a candidate species for aquaculture. As microsatellite loci remain the markers of choice for the evaluation of breeding programmes or stock assessment, we hereby provide and share a resource of 3,883 species-specific microsatellite loci for this species, where they are currently lacking. This resource includes primer pairs useful for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification. A subset of nine loci including di-, tri- and tetranucleotide loci with correct amplification success rates have been specifically tested under identical PCR conditions, opening up new avenues for research.

In the paper, the intra-annual growth patterns and tree water balance of four different tree species (Pinus sylvestris, Picea abies, Larix decidua and Abies alba) were examined. Seasonal radial increment, tree water deficit (ΔW) and maximum daily shrinkage (MDS) were derived from the records obtained using high-resolution digital band dendrometers. The study area was located in Arboretum Borová hora (350 m a. s. l., Zvolen valley, Central Slovakia) characterised by a warmer climate (Picea abies) and warmer and drier climate (Abies alba, Larix decidua, Pinus sylvestris) compared to the sites of tree origins. Monitored species exhibited remarkably distinct growth and water balance patterns over the 2015 growing season characterised with the highly above normal temperature and uneven precipitation distribution. A. alba exhibited smooth continuous growth least affected by varying environmental conditions. Of all analysed species, only A. alba showed significant positive correlations of radial growth and ΔW with temperature and global radiation, despite environmental water limitations. The lowest cumulative growth, lower negative values of ΔW and greater MDS of L. decidua indicate a higher water limitation of this species. The results showed more pronounced sensitivity of P. sylvestris to increased temperature and drought. All monitored variables of environmental conditions, except precipitation, significantly influenced MDS values of all studied tree species. Based on 30 variables describing radial stem growth patterns and water status we identified large inter-species variability and discrete species-specific groups, while the indicators of growth and water status of L. decidua and P. sylvestris were similar and the most different patterns were observed between A. alba and L. decidua. The behaviour of P. abies was closer to A. alba than to the other two species.

Climate, land use and land cover change influence infectious disease dynamics, particularly vector-borne diseases. Knowledge about mosquito ecology in southern Indiana is limited. Here, we present results from a season long study where we sampled mosquitoes at the Hickory Ridge Fire Tower in Hoosier National Forest, Monroe County, Indiana, USA. Using BG-Pro traps with BG-Lure and LED lights weekly from 23 May to 31 October 2023, we collected 178 mosquitoes over 24 weeks of sampling, encompassing a total of 120 trap-nights, with an average of 1.48 ± 3.41 (SD) mosquitoes per trap-night. The species accumulation curve for all the samples was flat, indicating a comprehensive sampling of species. We collected 10 species with a Chao2 ± SE species richness estimate of 14.46 ± 7.14. The dominant species was Aedes vexans (n = 58, 36%), followed by Culex spp. (composed of morphologically indistinguishable Culex pipiens and Culex restuans) (n = 51, 31%), Culex erraticus (n = 16, 10%), and Aedes triseriatus (n = 15, 9%). Because mosquitoes are ectothermic, they are highly sensitive to microclimatic variables such as temperature, humidity, and rainfall. Our time series analysis showed a significant association of mosquito abundance with the variability (SD and kurtosis) of the environmental variables we studied highlighting the importance of weather fluctuations in mosquito ecology. Our study highlights how weather variability shapes mosquito abundance, thus impacting disease vectors like Culex spp. and Aedes triseriatus with implications for arbovirus transmission in the context of climate change.

Sweet sagewort (Artemisia annua) is a species that has been used for many years to treat high fever due to its artemycin content. Artemycin is the active ingredient in antimalarial drugs. Additionally, the plant’s leaves are consumed as tea or aqueous extract. Invertebrate model organism Galleria mellonella is preferred in immune studies due to its ease of administration, natural immunity shared with mammals, including humans, and rapid determination of results. In this research, we systematically assessed the impact of A. annua extract on the immune system of animals by employing the G. mellonella model organism. We meticulously examined key facets of innate immune responses, including total hemocyte count, encapsulation-melanization, and phenoloxidase activity. Furthermore, we delved into the effects on antioxidant enzyme activity, specifically superoxide dismutase, catalase, and lipid peroxidase. The hemocyte count showed a statistically significant decrease across all given doses of the A. annua extract when compared to the control groups. The A. annua extract had no effect on the catalase activity, malondialdehyde amount, phenoloxidase activity, or melanization response of G. mellonella larvae, according to the findings of our study. Nonetheless, it enhanced SOD activity. In comparison to the control groups, it decreased the strong encapsulation response, which is a cell-mediated immune response, at all doses. While the A. annua extract had little effect on enzymatic processes in animals, it reduced cell-mediated immune responses by altering cell behaviours and count with cytotoxic and genotoxic effects.

Animals can synchronize their reproductive behavior patterns with biological rhythms and environmental conditions. Understanding these patterns is particularly critical for conserving endangered species like sea turtles. This study analyzed the relationship between the nesting behavior of the green turtle (Chelonia mydas) and lunar luminosity, lunar phases, and sea surface temperature (SST) in the Atol das Rocas Biological Reserve, Brazil. Field data were obtained through nightly monitoring during the breeding seasons from 2018 to 2020. Although lunar luminosity and lunar phases did not exhibit a statistically significant effect, the highest number of nesting occurrences was observed during the full moon and new moon, which may be related to the spring tide. The SST was the only variable showing a statistically significant relationship with complete oviposition, incomplete oviposition, and false crawl occurrences, indicating the preference of turtles to come ashore at higher temperatures (around 29.5 °C). Furthermore, while lunar luminosity and lunar phases may have some influence on the nesting pattern of the green turtle, they do not limit it, as turtles come ashore under different observed environmental conditions.

Two new genera and two species of Desmiphorini are described from Mexico: Evrysoma cinereum gen. n., sp. n. from Querétaro and San Luis Potosí; Kuklimia balam gen. n., sp. n. from Chiapas. Diagnostic characters of the new species are discussed and photographs of the type material are provided. A key to Mexican genera of Desmiphorini is provided.