New approaches to basic population ecology studies: Revealing more complex patterns of a small Characidae that inhabit streams

Bayesian inference was used to estimate the main population parameters (sex ratio, L₅₀, LWR and somatic growth) and to evaluate sexual dimorphism and growth patterns (isometric/allometric and monophasic/biphasic growth) of Astyanax paranae of the Upper Paraná River. This study brings three statistical differentials: (a) the reparametrisation of the logistic model as a function of L₅₀; (b) the reparameterisations of the LWR models based on the exponential of a piecewise linear regression to evaluate the hypotheses of polyphase growth; and (c) the first application of the recently proposed somatic growth models based only on length data to real data, as well as its expansion and generalisation. The models estimated L₅₀ of females at 37.75 mm and sex ratio at 1.4 females per male. LWR models showed that both sexes presented biphasic growth with a lower increase in weight for males in first stanza. In second stanza, both sexes presented a greater increase in weight. Growth models showed that the growth rates were low, equal for both sexes in early life and slightly higher for females after the eighteenth months old. The studied population inhabits streams, therefore being exposed to constraining conditions that can limit the expression of their whole growth potential since they prioritise energy allocation for reproduction and survival, including reducing L₅₀ in order to ensure the maintenance of the population. Finally, the complex biological patterns that arose from the proposed LWR and growth models demonstrated high potential and applicability for population studies.     

Immunogenicity in dogs of three recombinant antigens (TSA, LeIF and LmSTI1) potential vaccine candidates for canine visceral leishmaniasis

Control of canine visceral leishmaniasis (VL) remains a difficult and serious problem mostly because there is no reliable and effective vaccine available to prevent this disease. A mixture of three recombinant leishmanial antigens (TSA, LeIF and LmSTI1) encoded by three genes highly conserved in the Leishmania genus have been shown to induce excellent protection against infection in both murine and simian models of cutaneous leishmaniasis. A human clinical trial with these antigens is currently underway. Because of the high degree of conservation, these antigens might be useful vaccine candidates for VL as well. In the present study, using the dog model of the visceral disease, we evaluated the immunogenicity of these three antigens formulated with two different adjuvants, MPL-SE and AdjuPrime. The results were compared with a whole parasite vaccine formulated with BCG as the adjuvant. In order to investigate if sensitization with the recombinant antigens would result in recognition of the corresponding native parasite antigens upon infection, the animals were exposed for four weeks after the termination of the immunization protocol with the recombinant antigens to a low number of L. chagasi promastigotes, an etiological agent of VL. Immune response was evaluated by quantitative ELISA in the animal sera before and after exposure to the viable parasites. Both antigen specific IgG1 and IgG2 antibody levels were measured. Immunization of dogs with the recombinant antigens formulated in either MPL-SE or AdjuPrime resulted in high antibody levels particularly to LmSTI1. In addition, this immunization although to low levels, resulted in the development of antibody response to the whole parasite lysate. Importantly, experimental exposure with low numbers of culture forms of L. chagasi promastigotes caused a clear boost in the immune response to both the recombinant antigens and the corresponding native molecules. The boost response was predominantly of the IgG2 isotype in animals primed with the recombinant antigens plus MPL-SE. In contrast, animals primed with the recombinant antigens formulated in AdjuPrime as well as animals vaccinated with crude antigen preparation responded with mixed IgG1/IgG2 isotypes. These results point to the possible use of this antigen cocktail formulated with the adjuvant MPL-SE in efficacy field trials against canine VL.     

Dams in the Amazon: The importance of maintaining free-flowing tributaries for fish reproduction

1. Free-flowing tributaries are important for the maintenance of fish diversity in dammed systems. In relation to the reproduction of fish species, the role of a free-flowing tributary was evaluated and compared with that of a dammed tributary downstream of large dams in the Madeira River, one of the main tributaries of the Amazon River.
2. Two hypotheses were tested: (i) the densities of the ichthyoplankton differ between the dammed and the free-flowing tributaries; and (ii) the free-flowing tributary contributes a greater diversity of fish larvae species to the assemblage structure of the main stem than the dammed tributary.
3. Fish eggs and larvae were sampled at five sites: one in each tributary (Jamari – dammed – and Machado – free-flowing) and three in the main stem (Madeira River), upstream and downstream from the mouth of each tributary.
4. Fitted Bayesian models showed that the densities both of eggs and larvae were more than twice as high in the free-flowing tributary than in the dammed tributary. The results also indicated that the free-flowing tributary makes a major contribution to the fish assemblage structure of the Madeira River, whereas the dammed tributary does not have a significant influence on the main stem assemblage structure.
5. The results demonstrate the importance of conservation and maintenance not only of the Machado River but also of other free-flowing tributaries in dammed basins, especially those basins with high biodiversity, such as the Amazon. Moreover, this study helps inform the decision-making process regarding the location of new dams, which is critical in fish diversity conservation.

     

甘蔗近缘野生种蔗茅EfGRAS基因克隆及表达分析

为深入挖掘甘蔗品种的抗旱性能,本研究挑选甘蔗品种中参与调控抗旱机制的主要转录因子GRAS的基因进行表达分析。从转录组数据库中调取GRAS转录因子基因序列信息,采用RACE-PCR和qRT-PCR技术从‘蔗茅99-2’中克隆得到1个GRAS基因,将其命名为EfGRAS（GenBank登录号MT499789）,并对其进行生物信息学分析与干旱胁迫表达分析。结果表明,EfGRAS基因编码547个氨基酸,CDS全长1644 bp,该蛋白的分子式为C₂₆₄₅H₄₁₄₉N₇₄₇O₈₁₆S₂₁,相对分子质量为60.14 kDa,不稳定系数为54.85,脂肪系数为84.37,GRAVY值为?0.293,是一类不稳定蛋白和亲水蛋白;亚细胞定位表明其位于细胞核内,EfGRAS蛋白主要的二级结构是α-螺旋和无规则卷曲,与高粱亲缘关系最近;qRT-PCR分析显示,受到干旱胁迫后,‘蔗茅99-2’中基因表达量相比于对照组上调约57.6倍,‘滇蔗01-58’中基因表达量相比于对照上调约27.4倍,‘崖城89-9’中基因表达量相比于对照组上调倍数较低。本研究结果为进一步研究EfGRAS基因在甘蔗中的功能提供理论基础。     

Haematological and oxidative stress responses in Piaractus mesopotamicus under temperature variations in water

In this study, the influence of temperature variation on the blood and oxidative stress parameters of pacu Piaractus mesopotamicus juveniles was evaluated. Fish were subjected to gradual changes of temperature, over 5 days, by 24°C until reaching to experimental temperatures 18, 21, 24 (control), 27 and 30°C. There were significant differences (p < .05) in glucose and lactate of blood in both the haematological relationships and oxidative stress parameters. Glucose levels increased at 30°C and decreased at 21°C. Lactate levels were highest at 18°C. While the haematocrit was higher at all altered temperatures, haemoglobin levels decreased at 21°C and increased at 30°C, causing alterations in haematimetric indices. In the liver, glutathione‐S‐transferase (GST) activity was reduced at 18°C while antioxidant capacity against peroxyl radicals (ACAP) was highest at 30°C. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) increased at 18, 21 and 27°C. In the muscle, ACAP decreased at 27 and 30°C and TBARS increased at 30°C. The results indicate that the species shows sensitivity to temperature variations. Accordingly, we conclude that with short‐term temperature variations >3°C, it is possible to induce higher alterations in the observed parameters in pacu juveniles.     

Screening Mangrove Endophytic Fungi for Antimalarial Natural Products

We conducted a screening campaign to investigate fungi as a source for new antimalarial compounds. A subset of our fungal collection comprising Chinese mangrove endophytes provided over 5000 lipophilic extracts. We developed an accelerated discovery program based on small-scale cultivation for crude extract screening and a high-throughput malaria assay. Criteria for hits were developed and high priority hits were subjected to scale-up cultivation. Extracts from large scale cultivation were fractionated and these fractions subjected to both in vitro malaria and cytotoxicity screening. Criteria for advancing fractions to purification were developed, including the introduction of a selectivity index and by dereplication of known metabolites. From the Chinese mangrove endophytes, four new compounds (14–16, 18) were isolated including a new dimeric tetrahydroxanthone, dicerandrol D (14), which was found to display the most favorable bioactivity profile.     

Infection of citrus pollen grains by Colletotrichum acutatum

Postbloom fruit drop (PFD), an important disease caused by Colletotrichum spp., affects citrus yields in Brazil. PFD is characterised by the presence of necrotic lesions on the petals and stigmas of citrus flowers and by the subsequent abscission of young fruit. PFD epidemics have high disease progress rates, which is unusual for a pathogen that produces acervuli and is dispersed by rain. It is possible that other dispersal agents, such as insects and pollen, are involved in the spread of this disease. The objective of this work was to test whether citrus pollen grains can be colonised by Colletotrichum acutatum. Studies using light and electron microscopy showed that the pollen of Citrus sinensis can be infected by C. acutatum. This pathogen can penetrate and colonise citrus pollen grains 24 h after inoculation with the pathogen. The germ tube of conidia either penetrates the pollen sporodermis directly or passes through pollen germ pores. A single hypha can colonise more than one pollen grain. On the surface of the stigma, conidium formation can be observed. This study shows that Citrus sinensis pollen may, in fact, play a role in the spread of C. acutatum in citrus orchards.     

芥菜型油菜(Brassica Juncea)杂种优势利用的研究

1973年,本院发现芥菜型油菜雄性不育株后,经连续几年研究,1975年育成了欧新 A 不育系,欧新 B 保持系和74243—6恢复系,实现了芥菜型“三系”配套。多年来连续测定表明,育成的芥菜型“三系”表现育性稳定,欧新 A 不育系的不育株率达100%,单株自交结实指数平均在0.000—0.103之间。恢复株率为99.54～100%,F_1杂种有较强的苗期优     

Treating the locoregional lymph nodes with radiation and/or surgery significantly improves outcome in dogs with high‐grade mast cell tumours

High‐grade canine mast cell tumours (HG‐MCT) have a high rate of locoregional relapse. In this study, dogs with HG‐MCT treated with radiation therapy (RT) were retrospectively evaluated to determine the benefit associated with treating the locoregional lymph nodes (LNs). Forty‐two dogs were included. Variables assessed for association with overall survival (OS) and progression‐free survival (PFS) included WHO stage, tumour location and size, LN irradiation (prophylactic, therapeutic or none), LN treatment (yes or no), LN status at RT (metastatic or nonmetastatic) and RT intent (definitive vs palliative). Lower‐stage disease at irradiation was significantly associated with prolonged median PFS (425 vs 125 days for stage 0 vs 1‐4), and OS (615 vs 314 days for stage 0 vs 1‐4). Having any LN treatment and definitive RT were both significantly associated with prolonged OS. In order to evaluate the role of LN irradiation, dogs were divided into subgroups: (a) stage 0 at irradiation with no LN treatment (n = 14), (b) stage 0 at irradiation with prophylactic LN irradiation (n = 6), (c) stage 0 at irradiation but previously stage 2 (n = 5) and (d) stage >0 at irradiation (n = 17). Prophylactic LN irradiation significantly prolonged PFS (>2381 vs 197 days; group B vs A). Interestingly, dogs that were stage 2 and had LN treatment (C) had prolonged OS vs dogs with negative LNs and no LN treatment (A) (1908 vs 284 days; P = .012). This study confirms that prophylactic and therapeutic LN irradiation in dogs with HG‐MCT is beneficial and improves outcome.     

甘蔗作为能源作物的优势分析及前景展望

与其他能源作物相比,能源甘蔗在原料供应、乙醇产量、生产成本及加工技术等方面具有明显优势,发展前景广阔。能源乙醇生产有利于蔗糖产业的持续发展,促进农业产业结构调整,稳定和提高农民收入。当前,发展甘蔗燃料乙醇产业应重视解决品种选育、工艺改进、政策扶持等问题。