Volume 68, Issue 5

Amyloids are insoluble fibers which arise from inappropriately folded versions of proteins and have been associated with the pathology of many neurodegenerative diseases. α-Casein is one of the major components of the casein family which is known to show chaperone-like activity. Glycerol is a polyol compound which acts as a chemical chaperone to increase protein stability and inhibit protein aggregation. In this study, the effect of arginine and glycine on the chaperone ability of α-casein and glycerol against order aggregation of κ-casein was investigated and compared. We found that these additives reduced the chaperone ability of α-casein against the amyloid formation of κ-casein, especially in the presence of arginine. Importantly, our results show that the chaperone action of glycerol is enhanced in the presence of both arginine and glycine. Accordingly, our results suggest that these small molecules associated with glycerol, especially glycine, should be considered as a mechanism for the treatment of amyloid disease.

To compare the effect of decabromodiphenyl ether (BDE 209) on microbial community from the Pearl River estuary, the microbial community at three in situ sites and the responses of microbial community to BDE-209 stressor were investigated. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis analysis of 16S rRNA gene showed that microbial community at site A2 has less diversity than sites A1 and A3. Physicochemical parameters (NH4-N, salinity and SiO3-Si) could significantly impact the microbial community composition in this estuary. In laboratory-incubated experiments, results indicated high concentration of BDE 209 (100 mg/kg) could increase the microbial diversity at sites A1 and A2, whereas reduced the microbial diversity at site A3. The unweighted pair group method with arithmetic means cluster analysis and principal component analysis demonstrated that the community structure changes at sites A1 and A2 were driven by the BDE 209 concentration, whereas at site A3 they depended on the incubation time. Thirty-five days after the addition of 100 mg/kg BDE 209, Firmicutes were found to be the dominant bacteria at sites A1 and A2. These data suggest the BDE 209 may have different effects on the microbial community in the Pearl River estuary.

An extracellular toxic protease, KB76 from Brevibacterium otitidis was successfully purified to 31.3-fold by anion-exchange and gel filtration chromatography. The molecular mass was determined to be 47 kDa using SDS-PAGE. The optimum temperature and pH of the protease were 7.4 and 40°C, respectively. Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid and phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride inhibited the activity of the enzyme but soybean trypsin inhibitor and aprotinin had no obvious inhibition, which suggested the presence of both metal and hydrosulfuryl at or near the active site. Additionally, the isoelectric point of this protein was 5.5 ± 0.2. Its apparent K m and V max for the synthetic substrate N-succinyl-L-phenylalanine p-nitroanilide were 2.41 mM and 21.74 μM/min, respectively. Further, studying the lethality of the protease on mice by intraperitoneal injection, it exhibited 48-h LD50 value of 9.6 mg/kg body weight. Gross and electron microscopic study in mice revealed that purified protease was capable of eliciting a variety of tissue responses resulted in liver necrosis. In conclusion, this protease produced by B. otitidis represents a potential toxic agent.

Candida albicans morphogenesis enables colonization of various niches in host body. Various hyphae-dependent genes have been described. Among them secreted aspartyl proteinases (Saps) play a central role in pathogenesis. Candida albicans SAP4-6 genes encode secretory aspartyl proteinases Sap4-6, which are involved in hyphae formation and virulence. Transcriptional factors Cph1 (STE-like transcription factor) and Efg1 (positive regulator of filamentous growth) govern the expression of several C. albicans genes and contribute to morphogenesis. Given that SAP4-6 expression is regulated during hyphal formation, in this study we investigated the degree of SAP6 expression in strains with deletion of EFG1 and/or CPH1 regulating morphological transition in comparison to clinical isolate. The SAP6 gene expression level was measured with the application of quantitative real-time PCR, after 18 h incubation in human serum at body temperature. Moreover, scanning electron microscopy was applied to characterize morphologies of the tested strains. The estimated SAP6 expression was considerably high in the Δcph1/Δcph1 strain. Furthermore, introduction of the functional copy of CPH1 to this mutant resulted in upregulation of SAP6 expression. In the contrary, in the strains deleted for either EFG1 or both CPH1 and EFG1 factors, SAP6 expression was significantly altered. Reintroduction of one copy of EFG1 to Δcph1/Δcph1 Δefg1/Δefg1 restored hyphae formation, yet SAP6 expression remained altered in this strain. This might suggest that SAP6 is hyphae-independent and is not solely regulated by Efg1 but also by Cph1. Moreover, other transcriptional factors may regulate this gene expression under human serum influence.

An optimum Aspergillus oryzae CBS 819.72 α-amylase production in a laboratory-scale fermentor using a wheat grinding by-product as a sole carbon source (340 U/mL) was obtained after 48 h of batch fermentation under an agitation rate of 900 rpm and a pH maintained constant for 24 h. The application of this α-amylase preparation at an adequate concentration showed positive effects on dough properties and bread quality. Extensographic analysis revealed that while this addition induced a significant increase in maximal dough resistance to extension and area below the curve (energy), it brought a substantial decrease in extensibility. Farinographic results revealed small decreases in terms of time development, water absorption, and dough stability. Bread volume was also observed to undergo a significant increase.

The existence of two cryptic species within strains of the wood-decaying fungus Fomes fomentarius was revealed recently based on the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequence variability. In this study for the first time the sequences of another molecular markers, partial translation elongation factor 1-α (efa) region and partial 25S large subunit ribosomal RNA gene were obtained and used to evaluate genetic variability of F. fomentarius. Congruent phylogeny was observed for all three markers used confirming the presence of two cryptic species within F. fomentarius. Surprisingly, ITS sequence variability within F. fomentarius was significantly lower compared to the variability of efa sequences (0.023 versus 0.036 nucleotide substitutions per site) questioning the discriminatory power of ITS sequences for fungal species identification.

Sunflower, Helianthus annuus L., is a major oil-seed crop widely cultivated throughout the globe. White mold, caused by necrotrophic pathogen Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary, is a common and widespread disease of sunflower. Changes in various physiological activities such as production of malondialdehyde (MDA) as the main end product of lipid peroxidation, enzymatic and non-enzymatic activities and proline content, were investigated in leaves and stems of sunflower lines either resistant or susceptible to S. sclerotiorum. The results showed accumulation of high amount of free proline in the leaves of the resistant line. S. sclerotiorum invasion resulted in increase in the MDA content in both lines compared to the controls. Superoxide dismutase, ascorbate peroxidase and guaiacol peroxidase activities significantly increased in the stem and leaves of inoculated lines. In the resistant line, Sclerotinia infection significantly induced catalase (CAT) activity both in the stem and leaves of contaminated plants. The activity of CAT was significantly decreased in susceptible line. Based on our results the activity of antioxidant enzymes was much pronounced in sunflower resistant line than in susceptible one. Studied lines showed distinctive activity considering different biochemical parameters, which may point to further directions in exploring host-pathogen interaction and lead to selection and production of new lines to achieve an improvement of plant adaptation to pathogen.

Growth requirements of 10 possibly thermophilic strains of cyanobacteria were compared under a wide spectrum of light and temperature conditions (7–80Wm−2, 12–40°C). The strains were isolated from different localities: six of thermal springs in Slovakia (4 from Piešťany, 2 from Sklené Teplice), one from thermal waters in Rupite, Bulgaria, 2 strains from a hypersaline lake Chott-el-Djerid, Tunisia, and one strain from the tropical island of Cebu, Philippines. Although the crossed gradient unit allowed only sub-optimal temperature range with respect to thermophile definition, i.e. optimum temperature above 45°C, there were difference among the strains. The most thermophilic and high-light tolerant strain was Synechococcus bigranulatus strain Lukavsky 2005/66, with a peak above 45°C; the second was Chroococcidiopsis thermalis strain Hindák 2008/9, and Isocystis sp. strain Hindák 2006/1. The temperature requirements of other strains were similar; the least thermophilic were both Slovakian strains of the genus Hapalosiphon. Growth was not limited below 80 W m−2, except for H. fontinalis strain Hindák 2008/3, which prefers lower irradiance. Hapalosiphon delicatulus strain Hindák 2007/20, isolated from a bark tree on the tropical island of Cebu was rather mesophilic than thermophilic and shade-preferring. The CCA revealed that the ecologically similar strains originated from the same or nearby localities. There were no significant correlations between temperature optima in culture and in nature. Bulgarian and Tunisian strains preferred higher irradiances.

Small algae are the trophic basis in both marine and freshwater ecosystems. The identification of tiny microorganisms and place of their origin is laborious but necessary. This paper consists of a literature review of 17 species of planktonic algae, with a discussion of taxonomic problems. We also clarify whether these 17 species are non-native, invasive or cryptogenic species, with an indication whether they had been recognised as ‘alien’ in Europe. According to our observations, areas colonized by small and alien algal species, were anthropogenically altered. There were: systems with heated waters (‘heated islands’), which imitated tropical conditions; highly eutrophic to hypereutrophic water ecosystems, easily colonized by alien species, fishponds with intense fish cultivation, where alien species of fish are/had been introduced, which carried also other alien organisms; and inland water ecosystems with high salinity or high conductivity e.g. pits inundated by mine waters, imitating sea or brackish conditions acting as hubs of migration of alien species adapted to brackish or saline waters. We have prepared a map showing areas inhabited by alien species, both of documented places and hypothetical ones, where we would expect alien species to occur.

We characterize lichen flora of Slovakia based on the review of recent studies published since 1998, point at selected lichen taxa described for science from this territory and outline main geographical elements and other important groups. We annex critically revised and updated checklist of lichens of Slovakia, which includes 1,628 species. As a result of intensive field work the number of species increased by 142 new species since the last version of checklist published 15 years ago, 26 species were excluded.

Trees of Aesculus sp. are often present in European landscapes. Common horse chestnut and red horse chestnut are seriously damaged by the fungus Erysiphe flexuosa as well as the pest Cameraria ohridella. Both pathogen and pest have spread throughout Europe. A genetic background of trees resistance still remains unknown. The present study was undertaken to estimate genetic variation of A. hippocastanum and A.×carnea grown in urban greens and their susceptibility to powdery mildew and horse chestnut leafminer. According to obtained results both species were infected by E. flexuosa in a similar degree but there were significant differences in susceptibility of particular trees (ANOVA). C. ohridella damaged only A. hippocastanum. The correlation between age of trees and degree of infestation by pathogen and pest was not observed. The significant genetic variability between two Aesculus species was revealed by the analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) where both the intra- and the inter-species variation were found to be significant. It was shown that 73.0% of the genetic variance was contributed by the differentiation between A. hippocastanum and A.×carnea, whereas 27.0% was partitioned within species. The medium level of genetic diversity of Aesculus spp. was determined using SRAP and RAPD analyses. The mean value of genetic similarity was equal to 0.55 for common horse chestnut and 0.98 for red horse chestnut. Among 40 polymorphic SRAP and RAPD markers 17 were associated with degree of leaf damage caused by C. ohridella.

The phytosociological affiliation of Tephroseris longifolia subsp. moravica, species of European importance, was studied in relation to two closely related species of the genus Tephroseris which have overlapping distribution within the Western Carpathian Mts: T. intergrifolia and T. crispa. The main aim was to compare plant communities inhabited by the three taxa, to assess the major environmental gradients responsible for variation in their distribution and to estimate ecological indicator values for Tephroseris longifolia subsp. moravica. T. longifolia subsp. moravica was recorded in nine localities in the Slovakia and Czech Republic where it occurs in very specific site conditions of ecotone habitats. Its phytosociological affiliation is restricted to grasslands of the alliances Bromion erecti and Arrhenatherion elatioris and to the ecotone vegetation between these grasslands and beech forests. T. integrifolia occurs most frequently in the Diantho lumnitzeri-Seslerion, Bromion erecti and Quercion pubescenti-petraeae alliances. T. crispa occurs predominantly in communities of the Calthion palustris alliance and Scheuchzerio-Caricetea fuscae, Mulgedio-Aconitetea and Montio-Cardaminetea classes. The major gradient responsible for variation in species composition of communities inhabited by the studied taxa was associated with moisture and nutrient content. The vascular plant-based ecological indicator values for Tephroseris longifolia subsp. moravica calculated from phytosociological relevés with its occurrence were set for light — 6, temperature — 5, continentality — 4, moisture — 5, soil reaction — 6 and nutrients — 5. We conclude that the studied taxon has intermediate relationship to the most of the studied factors in comparison with two related species, T. crispa and T. integrifolia.

A remarkable population of Carex extensa (Cyperaceae) was found south of Lake Fertő (Neusiedler See) in Hungary in 2012. This species typically occurs in coastal salt marshes in Europe and was hitherto unknown from the Pannonian Basin. The locality is situated in a territory which has been embanked in 1911. Keeping also in mind that the vegetation developed here from reed beds to saline habitats, we conclude that C. extensa reached the salt marshes of the area through long distance dispersal by water birds from the European coast in the last century. Nevertheless, several other maritime littoral species grow in the region, and the possibility that there is a hidden population of C. extensa at another site(s) nearby cannot be excluded. Lake Fertő is often described as the “westernmost steppe lake” and supports one of the richest European inland littoral floras. Although it appears likely that C. extensa has only recently colonised the site, we consider this discovery to be of significant biogeographical importance.

Soil salinity and drought severely affect all aspects of plant physiology, leading to significant losses of crop productivity and native biodiversity. A key to sustainable land use in such areas is to cultivate well-adapted native plants that are also commercially important and have the appropriate gene pool. Glycine betaine (GB) is an osmoprotectant that imparts salt and drought tolerance to some plants. It is also shown separately to provide significant health benefits to animals and humans. We investigated whether Australian saltbushes, which are extremely salt and drought tolerant and also impart health benefits to grazing animals, may have the genetic basis for GB biosynthesis, explaining the two different observations. Complementary DNAs encoding the two key enzymes of the plant GB biosynthesis pathway, choline monooxygenase (CMO) and betaine aldehyde dehydrogenase (BADH), were identified and analysed from Atriplex nummularia and Atriplex semibaccata. The sequences showed the putative CMO proteins exhibited all functionally important features including the Reiske-type cluster (2Fe-2S) and mononuclear non-heme Fe cluster, and the putative BADHs exhibited conservation of active site residues. The expression of both genes was found to be significantly up-regulated in leaf tissues under salt stress. The leaf tissues also showed accumulation of very high levels of GB, at 29.69 mmol/kg fresh weight for A. nummularia and 42.68 mmol/kg fresh weight for A. semibaccata, which is several times higher than in cereal crops. The results demonstrate a strong potential of cultivation of saltbushes for re-vegetation and as a perennial fodder in salinity and drought-affected areas.

Grapevine (Vitis vinifera L., cv. Limberger) leaf tissues and suspension-cultured cells were induced to undergo programmed cell death (PCD) by exogenously added methyl jasmonate (MeJA). The elicitor signaling pathway involved in MeJA-induced PCD was further investigated using pharmacological, biochemical and histological approaches. Pharmacological dissection of the early events preceding the execution of MeJA-triggered PCD indicated that this process strongly depends on both, de novo protein and mRNA synthesis. Treatment of leaf discs and cell suspensions with lipase inhibitor Ebelactone B and specific lipoxygenase inhibitor Phenidone blocked MeJA-induced PCD. These results suggest that some chloroplast membrane-derived compound(s) is required for MeJA-induced PCD in grapevine. The progression of MeJAtriggered PCD may be further inhibited by the use of metabolic inhibitors of key enzymes of octadecanoid biosynthesis including AOS, AOC, and OPR indicating that the functional jasmonate biosynthetic pathway is an integral part of the MeJA-induced signal transduction cascade that results in the coordinate expression of events leading to PCD. Finally, the activation of the octadecanoid pathway, as a critical point in MeJA-induced PCD, was independently demonstrated with cellulysin, a macromolecular elicitor acting via octadecanoid signaling. The cellulysin was shown to be a very potent enhancer of MeJA-triggered PCD in grapevine cells.

The influence of increasing doses of salicylic acid (SA) on selected physiological parameters and the content of coumarin-related compounds of diploid and tetraploid cultivars of Matricaria chamomilla plants were studied. Forty-eight hours after treatment SA showed growth-promoting effect with decrease in tissue water content, chlorophylls and soluble proteins. High doses of SA led to an increase of reactive oxygen species (hydrogen peroxide and superoxide radical) resulted in membrane damage (measured by accumulation of malondialdehyde). Changes in secondary metabolites accumulation in leaves were also observed. The pattern of quantitative changes of studied compounds was similar in tetraploid and diploid plants. The content of herniarin and its precursor (Z)- and (E)-2-β-d-glucopyranosyloxy-4-methoxycinnamic acid increased simultaneously. A considerable increase of umbelliferone and decrease in chlorogenic acid was registered. The rise of ene-yne-dicycloether in treated plant was also detected.

During a survey of entomopathogenic nematodes from the Mashhad region, in northeastern Iran, an entomophilic nematode was isolated using the Galleria trap method. Morphological characterization showed that this isolate belongs to the family Neodiplogastridae. Detailed morphological and morphometric characterization including SEM data fit with Pristionchus pacificus Sommer, Carta, Kim et Sternberg, 1996, representing the first record of this genus and species from Iran. Iranian specimens of P. pacificus FUM 5 are characterized by the body length (0.69–0.83 mm), the stoma (6–10 μm) bearing a dorsal tooth and a conical elongated tail (146–220 μm). Molecular analyses using 18S and ITS rDNA genes further support this identification. Measurements, illustrations, and SEM photographs of the Iranian isolate are provided and the phylogenetic position of the species is discussed.

A sample of clay loam vineyard soil, containing the nematode Xiphinema index, was divided into equal portions and stored in plastic bags. Nematodes were extracted immediately or remained in fridge for a short time or at room temperature for longer periods. The number of extracted nematodes did not differ significantly between treatments, indicating that X. index in soil samples collected for diagnostic purposes could remain viable for a period up to six months. Four other samples, of similar soil type, were collected from different vineyards and kept stored in plastic bags at room temperature. Variable periods of nematode survival recorded, ranging from less than two years in one sample, up to five years in another one. It is concluded that a long fallow period of at least five years may be required between successive grapevine crops to eliminate the nematode from clay loam soils.

In European streams and rivers, the freshwater pearl mussel (Margaritifera margaritifera L., 1758) faces extinction. This is also true for the Waldaist River, with 20,000 specimens recorded in the early 1990s then Austria’s most important pearl mussel river. Nowadays, there is only a single 320 m stretch with noteworthy mussel densities. During an in-depth survey of this river stretch in 2010, we detected a total of 2,774 specimens. Mussel microhabitats were confined to patches of sand and fine gravel (psammal and akal) at run sections of the river, stabilized by large boulders. Pearl mussels avoided large accumulations of fine sediments. Typically situated at undercut slopes, preferred microhabitats were 0.25–0.50 m deep at baseflow with current velocities (at 40% depth) of 0.2–0.6 m s−1. A comparison of the present stock with data from 1997 revealed a rapid decline in mussel density down to 27%. We also noticed strongly reduced growth and a high mortality of medium age classes. Juvenile mussels were completely lacking. With respect to host specificity in terms of glochidia survival, the brook char Salvelinus fontinalis (Mitchill, 1814), a suitable host in North America, shed glochidia within eight days. In the brown trout Salmo trutta L., 1758, two strains were investigated. Glochidia survival, growth and prevalence were significantly higher in the Danish than in the Austrian hatchery strain.

In November 2004 a catastrophic windstorm destroyed a large part of the spruce forest in the Tatra National Park (Slovakia). The majority of the windthrown area was cleared; only a small part was left uncleared, thereby allowing regeneration by natural succession. The aim of the present study was to assess the impact of the different forestry practices on soil Oribatida. Three different stands were selected for the study, where sampling took place in June and October 2006: control forest stands (REF), windthrown stands left for natural development (NEX) and clear-cut windthrown stands (EXT). The mean abundance of Oribatida recorded in REF and NEX stands was significantly higher than in EXT stands. Kruskal-Wallis test of mean abundance of adults as well as juveniles confirmed significant influence of treatment and date. The highest abundance of adults was found in control forest stands (REF). Post hoc multiple comparison proved significantly lower abundance of adults in clear-cut stands (EXT) compared with REF. The mean abundance of adults and juveniles was several times higher in stands left for natural development (NEX) than in EXT stands. The highest species richness was observed in REF, followed by NEX and EXT stands. Ordination method showed differences in species composition between studied treatments. Furthermore, a much lower abundance of Hermannia gibba, a dweller of leaf litter and upper soil layers, was recorded in cleared stands compared to the other stands. Indeed, windthrown stands had an obvious lower species richness than control stands. The ordination method used demonstrated a significant influence of both treatment and sampling date on the abundance and species richness of Oribatida. The present study showed that clear-cutting of wind-damaged spruce forest markedly decreases the abundance of soil Oribatida compared with windthrown forest stands left to natural succession.

Epigeic communities of Collembola were studied after a windthrow in differently managed spruce forest stands in the High Tatras, Slovakia. Investigations were carried out in following treatments: reference forest stands (REF), windthrown stands left to natural regeneration (NEX), windthrown stands from which fallen wood had been extracted (EXT), and windthrown stands from which fallen wood had been removed and which had been affected by fire (FIR). A Kruskal-Wallis nonparametric ANOVA revealed significant differences of Collembola community composition and activity between the treatments studied, which was also further supported by the results from NMS ordination and cluster analysis using indicator species analysis. EXT stands had communities with remarkably high activity and diversity of Collembola, whereas FIR stands had low species richness and diversity indices compared to other treatments (REF, NEX, EXT). Windthrown stands had greater collembolan activity and diversity (NEX, EXT) than intact forest stands. However, forest specialists and bryophilous species were sensitive to forest clearing and fire disturbance and were replaced by xeroresistant and generalist species, or species preferring open habitats. The collembolan community most similar to that found in REF stands, in terms of community homogeneity and the magnitude of diversity indices, was found in NEX stands.

A total 14 streams located in the Tatra Mts (Slovakia) were investigated. The studied river basins have different deforestation range (0–45.5%) influenced by windstorm. Daily and annual water temperature suggested that in streams overflowing through the area deforested by windstorm the temperature was higher than in selected non-disturbed streams. Higher average nutrient concentrations in samples from these streams are connected with nutrient mobilization from disturbed forest soils after the windstorm. Most of the damaged streams have higher trophic status, including POM and biofilms. The growth of the most abundant larvae increases with deforestation. Growth of species Leuctra rauscheri, Protonemura Montana, and Perlodes intricatus correlates with the sum of daily temperatures over a given time interval. Growth of species Brachyptera seticornis, Leuctra autumnalis and Isoperla sudetica are affected by stream trophy.

The present study gives an updated overview on the distribution of species of the genus Lyristes Horváth, 1926 in the eastern Mediterranean area. Besides occurring in southern continental Europe, specimens of L. plebejus were also found along the southern Greek mainland and in the western Aegean island of Kithira. Moreover, the new data presented give L. gemellus as a new record for Greece (appearing only along most of the Anatolian coast) as well as for Cyprus. The genus seems to be absent from the Cyclades as well as from the islands of Crete and Karpathos. Therefore, the results revealed a faunal discontinuity between the Greek western and eastern islands in the Aegean Sea. Hence, the persistence of a deep sea barrier between these two groups of islands seems to explain the present distribution of Lyristes species, which is also in accordance with the paleogeography of the area and with the fact that dispersal to more geographically isolated islands might have been virtually impossible for species of this genus.

The fauna of aphid parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Aphidiinae), as well as their diversity and tritrophic (parasitoid-host aphid-host plant) associations in cultivated and non-cultivated areas of Markazi province, was studied during 2004–2009. Thirty species of Aphidiinae belonging to 9 genera were identified. There are presented, in total, 73 associations with 32 host aphids occurring on 42 host plants. Five parasitoid-aphid associations are newly recorded from Iran. Lysiphlebus cardui (Marshall) is newly recorded for the fauna of Iran. Lysiphlebus fabarum (Marshall) and Diaeretiella rapae (M’Intosh) were the most abundant species in non-cultivated (72.96%) and cultivated (41.17%) areas, respectively. In the non-cultivated areas, L. fabarum was found on eight aphid species, while in cultivated areas it was only found on Aphis craccivora Koch. In cultivated areas, Sitobion avenae (F.) has the greatest diversity of parasitoids (Shanon-Weiner H = 0.875) whereas in non-cultivated areas the greatest diversity of parasitoids was recorded upon Acyrthosiphon pisum (Harris) (Shanon-Weiner H = 1.149). Significant differences were found between diversity of two ecosystems based on the overall diversity indices. Both species diversity and evenness were greater in cultivated ecosystems. The results are discussed in relation to the over-all parasitoid-aphid-plant associations in the area.

As part of a study on the cynipids (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae: Cynipinae) in the Chinese fauna, we report in the present paper two species of Andricus Hartig from the tribe Cynipini, including one new species, namely, A. deqingis sp. n. from that country. In addition to new species, we also provide illustrated keys to east Palaearctic and Oriental species of this genus. The type specimens are deposited in the Hymenoptera Collection, Zhejiang A & F University, Lin’an, China.

Description of Dinotrema jimenezi sp. n. with only basomedially sculptured propodeum from Spain is suggested. The comparison of new species with the most related D. caesum Tobias and D. vituperatum (Fischer) is given.

In recent years, many studies have stated the nutritional benefits of fish consumption: vitamins, proteins and omega-3 fatty acids, which may protect humans from adverse health effects, including heart disease and stroke. This study aimed to evaluate the concentration of Cu, Pb and As in the liver, gills and muscles of tilapia fish (Oreochromis niloticus) and to calculate the weekly intake from eating tilapia collected from Cempaka Lake, Selangor — Peninsular Malaysia during the period between April 2009 to February 2010. The elemental concentrations were determined using inductively — coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The results showed that all heavy metal concentrations were significantly different among fish organs, and between calendar months. The data showed that Cu levels in liver, gills and muscles were 491.30, 3.70 and 1.82 μg/g dry weight (dw), respectively. Meanwhile Pb levels were 2.71, 1.04 and 0.48 μg/g dw, respectively and As levels were 6.26, 4.18 and 1.79 μg/g dw, respectively. Significant changes occurred in Cu, Pb and As levels in tilapia fish organs in Cempaka Lake over the period of 11 months. Tilapia weekly intake was calculated based on mean Cu, Pb and As concentrations in the muscle of tilapia fish and adult consumption of tilapia in Malaysia which averages at 160 grams per day. Furthermore, tilapia weekly and daily human intakes for Cu, Pb and As were compared with the Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intake (PTWI) established by the JECFA (WHO/FAO) presenting values below the PTWI. Metal levels in fish muscle were found to be lower than the maximum permitted concentrations recommended by various authorities; hence, consumption of tilapia fish from Cempaka Lake is currently safe for humans.

In the Southwest Atlantic Ocean the wintering breeding ground of Megaptera novaeangliae is located in northeastern coast of Brazil, mainly in the Abrolhos Bank (16°55′ S, 38°50′ W) and its surroundings. During migratory percussion, events of strandings are thought to occur. A total of 58 stranded humpback whales were recorded between 1981 and 2011 along the coast of the Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil. The number of strandings in 20 years (1992–2011) increased during the period of study, with a mean of 2.6 events per year. In 2010 a peak occurred with 13 records of strandings. Most of them occurred preferably in the southern half of the study area, or in the southeast area of Rio de Janeiro state. Three cases of entanglement were found, two of these involving calves with less than eight meters of body length. Stranding events were more frequent during winter and spring. No statistical differences were found between age categories, but 33% were classified as “dependent calf” (< 8 m length). Males stranded more often than females. Only one whale out of 16 specimens that had the stomach contents examined presented food remains, but comprising only two cephalopod beaks of the squid Doryteuthis sanpaulensis. Bacteriological survey of Vibrionaceae and Aeromonadaceae agents in three live stranded whales on the Brazilian coast indicated evidence of animal impairment that resulted or were associated with the cause of death and stranding event.

The bacterial translocation induced by colitis may cause the organ failure and sepsis. Therefore, it is necessary to find new possibilities for prevention and therapy of this problem. The purpose of this study was to examine Escherichia coli anti-translocation activity of cinnamon oil and its ability to reduce colonic damage in mice with TNBS (2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid) induced colitis. Mice received cinnamon essential oil in four various concentrations (0.5%, 0.25%, 0.125% and 0.063%) in the powdery commercial rodent diet, starting 21 days before induction of TNBS colitis. The colonic damage was assessed using the colon macroscopic scoring system (Wallace score). E. coli translocation to the mesenteric lymphatic nodules was evaluated by serial dilutions method for counting bacteria. Bacterial translocation was significantly reduced in first and third group (15.2% or 42.8% in cinnamon oil groups versus 100% in TNBS group). Cinnamon oil was effective also against the colonic damage in all cinnamon oil groups (macroscopically scores of grade 9 in TNBS group versus 5.25, 5.63, 5.13 and 3.25 in cinnamon oil groups). Our results confirmed that dietary administration of cinnamon oil could possess potential therapeutic effects on bacterial translocation and intestinal wall injury in colitis.

α-Pinene, an organic monoterpene, is found in essential oils of pine and coniferous trees. To date, although various biological activities of α-pinene have been demonstrated, its neurotoxicity has never been explored. Therefore in this study, we aimed to describe in vitro antiproliferative and/or cytotoxic properties by 3-(4,5-dimetylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) test, genotoxic damage potentials by single cell gel electrophoresis, and oxidative effects by total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and total oxidative stress (TOS) analysis of α-pinene. Statistical analysis of MTT assay results indicated significant (p < 0.05) decreases of the cell proliferation rates in healthy neurons treated with α-pinene at only 400 mg/L, while significant decreases were observed in N2a cells at 100, 200 and 400 mg/L. On the other hand, the mean values of the total scores of cells showing DNA damage were not found significantly different from the control values on both cells. In addition, our results indicated that 10 and 25 mg/L of α-pinene treatment caused increases of TAC levels in primary rat neurons without any alterations of its level in N2a cells. However, α-pinene treatments at higher doses led to increases of TOS levels in both cell types. Overall our results suggest that α-pinene is of a limited therapeutic use as an anticancer agent.

The phosphotyrosine interaction domain containing 1 (PID1) gene was firstly isolated from obese subjects and involved in obesity-associated insulin resistance. In the present study, Duroc×Landrace×Yorkshire (DLY) pig PID1 cDNA was cloned. The entire open reading frame of the cloned porcine PID1 is 654 bp. The predicted protein is composed of 217 amino acids residues with a molecular mass of 24,774 Da. Over-expression of porcine PID1 significantly accelerated the proliferation of 3T3-L1 preadipocyte, but inhibited preadipocyte differentiation by decreasing the numerous fat droplets appeared and down-regulating the mRNA expression levels of peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor-γ, CCAAT/enhancer binding protein α, fat acid synthase and lipoprotein lipase. Together, these results suggest that porcine PID1 plays a role in regulating adipose development.