Profiling glucosinolates, flavonoids, alkaloids, and other secondary metabolites in tissues of Azima tetracantha L. (Salvadoraceae)

Azima tetracantha L. (needle bush; bee sting bush; Salvadoraceae) is used as a food and for various herbal medicines in Africa, India, and Madagascar, but there is very little information on the secondary metabolites in this species. High concentrations of N-methoxy-3-indolylmethyl-glucosinolate, a common glucosinolate of Brassica crops such as Brussels sprouts and broccoli, were found in the roots and seeds of A. tetracantha. Lower concentrations were detected in the stems and young leaves. The roots also contained another indole glucosinolate that was provisionally identified, from MS data and comparison with indole glucosinolate standards, as N-hydroxy-3-indolymethyl-glucosinolate. The roots, stems, and leaves contained neoascorbigen (the condensation product of N-methoxy-indole-3-carbinol and ascorbic acid). The seeds of A. tetracantha contained a complex mixture of 26 flavonoids predominantly as glycosides and acyl-glycosides, with traces of aglycones. The core aglycones of these flavonoids were identified as quercetin, isorhamnetin (3'-O-methylquercetin), rhamnetin (7-O-methylquercetin), and rhamnazin (7, 3'-di-O-methylquercetin). No flavonoids or anthocyanins were detected in other tissues, and procyanidins were undetectable. The dimeric piperidine alkaloids azimine, azcarpine, and carpaine were found in all tissues of A. tetracantha.     

A plant miRNA contributes to antibacterial resistance by repressing auxin signaling

Plants and animals activate defenses after perceiving pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) such as bacterial flagellin. In Arabidopsis, perception of flagellin increases resistance to the bacterium Pseudomonas syringae, although the molecular mechanisms involved remain elusive. Here, we show that a flagellin-derived peptide induces a plant microRNA (miRNA) that negatively regulates messenger RNAs for the F-box auxin receptors TIR1, AFB2, and AFB3. Repression of auxin signaling restricts P. syringae growth, implicating auxin in disease susceptibility and miRNA-mediated suppression of auxin signaling in resistance.     

Structure of the exon junction core complex with a trapped DEAD-box ATPase bound to RNA

In higher eukaryotes, a multiprotein exon junction complex is deposited on spliced messenger RNAs. The complex is organized around a stable core, which serves as a binding platform for numerous factors that influence messenger RNA function. Here, we present the crystal structure of a tetrameric exon junction core complex containing the DEAD-box adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) eukaryotic initiation factor 4AIII (eIF4AIII) bound to an ATP analog, MAGOH, Y14, a fragment of MLN51, and a polyuracil mRNA mimic. eIF4AIII interacts with the phosphate-ribose backbone of six consecutive nucleotides and prevents part of the bound RNA from being double stranded. The MAGOH and Y14 subunits lock eIF4AIII in a prehydrolysis state, and activation of the ATPase probably requires only modest conformational changes in eIF4AIII motif I.     

Phase I trial and pharmacokinetic analysis of ifosfamide in cats with sarcomas

OBJECTIVE: To determine the maximally tolerated dose (MTD) and dose-limiting toxicosis (DLT) of ifosfamide in tumor-bearing cats. ANIMALS: 38 cats with resected, recurrent, or metastatic sarcomas. PROCEDURE: The starting dosage of ifosfamide was 400 mg/m(2) of body surface area, IV, and dosages were increased by 50 to 100 mg/m(2) in cohorts of 3 cats. To protect against urotoxicosis, mesna was administered at a dosage equal to 20% of the calculated ifosfamide dosage. Diuresis with saline (0.9% NaCl) solution before and after administration of ifosfamide was used to minimize nephrotoxicosis. Samples for pharmacokinetic analysis were obtained after the MTD was reached. RESULTS: 38 cats were entered into this phase I study and were administered a single dose of ifosfamide at various dosages. The MTD was 1,000 mg/m(2), and neutropenia was the DLT. Seven of 8 episodes of neutropenia were on day 7 after treatment, and 1 cat developed severe neutropenia on day 5. Adverse effects on the gastrointestinal tract were generally mild and self-limiting, the most common of which was nausea during ifosfamide infusion. One cat had signs consistent with a drug-induced hypersensitivity reaction. There were no episodes of hemorrhagic cystitis or nephrotoxicosis. Correlations between pharmacokinetic variables and ifosfamide-associated toxicoses were not found. Preliminary evidence of antitumor activity was observed in 6 of 27 cats with measurable tumors. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The dosage of ifosfamide recommended to treat tumor-bearing cats is 900 mg/m(2) every 3 weeks. This dosage should be used in phase II clinical trials.     

Quantifying growth in maricultured corals using photogrammetry

In coral mariculture, growth is one of the most common ways to track success. However, numerous methods of monitoring coral growth make comparative studies challenging. A literature review of 39 studies from 1982 to 2017 indicated that the most predominant non‐invasive methods used were linear and areal measurement and these were evaluated for their accuracy using nursery‐reared corals. The monthly change in linear and areal growth rates of six coral species (n = 215), Pocillopora acuta, Hydnophora rigida, Merulina ampliata, Podabacia crustacea, Echinopora lamellosa and Platygyra sinensis were measured via photogrammetry. We tested whether the planar area of coral colonies can be estimated using three geometric formulas of linear measurements. Based on the literature review, the six types of measurement methods were namely linear, volume, weight, area, count of polyps/branches and calcification, in decreasing order of application. Our results showed that the change in area calculated by geometric mean diameter (GMD) formulas provided the most accurate estimation among the three formulas and was strongly correlated with planar area (R² ≥ .60; p < .05) for all coral species, except E. lamellosa and Pl. sinensis. However, our findings suggest that it is not ideal to use geometric formulas to estimate the change in area. Instead, we posit that areal photogrammetry represents the simplest yet accurate non‐invasive method for rapid monitoring of extensive areas of corals in situ. Lastly, we discuss the recommendations and limitations for areal photogrammetry.     

Microphytobenthic production estimated by in situ oxygen microprofiling: short-term dynamics and carbon budget implications

Purpose

Short-term temporal variability of microphytobenthic primary production is suspected to be of the same magnitude as seasonal variability, but data remain very scarce due to methodological limitations. In this context, a 6-day in situ high-frequency survey was performed in a temperate intertidal mudflat using an automated microprofiling system.

Materials and methods

In situ microphytobenthic primary production was measured using an automated acquisition system for oxygen microprofiles. More than 900 microprofiles, acquired during six consecutive days in April 2008, allowed the establishment of robust relationships between oxygen production and irradiance. Moreover, simultaneous measurements of fluorescence parameters and oxygen microprofiles during two diurnal emersion periods led to significant correlations between relative electron transport rate (rETR) and gross oxygen production (GOP).

Results and discussion

The use of an automated system allowed the estimation of oxygen exchanges during both immersion and emersion periods, and to our knowledge, this is the first study presenting continuous measurements during six consecutive days. The intertidal mudflat studied here was characterized by a maximum net oxygen production of 6.74?mmol?O₂?m^?2?h^?1. Evidence for microphytobenthic migration behavior was observed during several periods and induced important depletion in oxygen production while irradiance remained high. Consequently, estimations of GOP from fitted photosynthesis?Cirradiance curves (P?CI curves) showed an overestimation of 31?% compared to the GOP actually measured during the whole deployment.

Conclusions

This study confirmed that oxygen microsensors may be used to record microphytobenthic primary production, as resulting dynamics agreed with fluorescence data, while production values were in accordance with those presented in the literature. High-frequency microprofiles acquisition may be an easy way to monitor short-term temporal changes in microphytobenthic primary production in order to calculate accurate carbon or oxygen budgets for intertidal areas.     

Ostreid herpesvirus 1 detection and relationship with Crassostrea gigas spat mortality in France between 1998 and 2006

ABSTRACT: Since its molecular characterisation, Ostreid herpesvirus 1 (OsHV-1) has been regularly detected in Crassostrea gigas in France. Although its pathogenicity was demonstrated on larval stages, its involvement during mortality outbreaks at the juvenile stage was highly suspected but not evidenced. To investigate mortality outbreaks, the French National Network for Surveillance and Monitoring of Mollusc Health (REPAMO) carried out two surveys in juvenile C. gigas. The first survey lasted from 1998 to 2006 and was an epidemiological inquiry occurring when oyster farmers reported mortality outbreaks. The second survey, a longitudinal one, was set up in 1998 to complete the network observations on OsHV-1. Data analysis showed a specific pattern of mortality outbreaks associated with OsHV-1 detection. Ostreid herpesvirus 1 detection mainly appeared during the summer, suggesting the influence of the seawater temperature on its occurrence. It mostly presented a patchy distribution in the field in contrast to the nursery. Significant relationship between OsHV-1 detection and spat mortality was found, preferentially in sheltered and closed environments. The longitudinal survey confirmed most of the network observations. Although subsequent works particularly epidemiological surveys would be useful to confirm the causal link between the detection of OsHV-1 and the mortality outbreaks in juvenile C. gigas, the role of OsHV-1 in oyster mortality is progressing.