Bacterial communities in the rhizosphere of Phragmites australis from an oil-polluted wetland

Although Phragmites australis is commonly planted in constructed wetlands, very little is known about its roots-associated bacterial communities, especially in wetlands used for the remediation of oil produced waters. Here, we describe the bacterial diversity, using molecular (illumina MiSeq sequencing) and cultivation techniques, in the rhizosphere soils of P. australis from an oil-polluted wetland in Oman. The obtained isolates were tested for their plant-growth promoting properties. Most sequences belonged to Proteobacteria, Bacteriodetes and Firmicutes. Sequences of potential hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria (e.g. Ochrobactrum, and Pseudomonas) were frequently encountered. All soils contained sequences of known sulfur-oxidizing (e.g. Thiobacillus, Thiofaba, Rhodobacter and Sulfurovum) and sulfate-reducing bacteria, although the latter group made up only 0.1% to 3% of total sequences. The obtained isolates from the rhizosphere soils were phylogenetically affiliated to Serratia, Acinetobacter, Xenorhabdus, Escherichia and Salmonella. All strains were able to solubilize phosphate and about half were capable of producing organic acids and 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) deaminase. Around 42% of the strains had the ability to produce indole acetic acid and siderophores. We conclude that the rhizosphere soils of P. australis in oil polluted wetlands harbor diverse bacterial communities that could enhance the wetland performance through hydrocarbon degradation, nutrient cycling and supporting plant growth.     

Data on the ecology of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Kermes echinatus</Emphasis> Balachowsky (Hemiptera,Coccomorpha, Kermesidae) on <Emphasis Type="Italic">Quercus ilex</Emphasis> (Fagaceae) in Greece

The Phenology and natural enemies of the scale insect Kermes echinatus Balachowsky (Hemiptera: Kermesidae), which infests the holly oak Quercus ilex (Fagaceae), were studied between November 2015 and November 2017, in southern Greece (Kalamata, Peloponnese). Kermes echinatus is a univoltine, oviparous and biparental species. It overwinters as 1st instar nymphs, settling on the branches of the trees. The second instar nymphs appear by the middle of April, followed by 3rd instar nymphs until the end of May. The male larvae and pupae were recorded from the end of April to the end of May. Mature females, pre-ovipositing and ovipositing adults, were recorded during May and June. The newly hatched crawlers appeared by the end of June, which remained at this stage, settled on branches during the rest of summer and winter periods till next April. The parasitoid species Metaphycus gennaroi Guerrieri & Noyes and the hyperparasite Cheiloneurus claviger Thomson (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) were recorded on the colonies of the scale. The parasitism level of the scale reached to 21%. The predator Chilocorus bipustulatus L. (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) was also recorded on the colonies of the scale.     

Sinonasal plasmacytoma in a cat.

A 13-year-old female spayed Domestic Shorthair cat presented with a history of right-sided mucopurulent nasal discharge for 18 months. Computed tomography revealed a mass within the right nasal cavity and the right frontal sinus. The animal was euthanized, and a postmortem examination was performed. On macroscopic examination, the right nasal cavity and the right frontal sinus were partially occluded by a soft whitish mass. Microscopically, the mass was composed of well-differentiated plasma cells that were immunopositive for immunoglobulin G and lambda light chains. These findings were consistent with a mature-type sinonasal plasmacytoma. In addition, there was right-sided mucopurulent rhinitis and sinusitis caused by a Pasteurella infection, which probably developed secondary to the sinonasal plasmacytoma. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of a sinonasal plasmacytoma in a cat. The present communication shows that feline sinonasal plasmacytomas should be included in the differential diagnosis for tumors located in the upper respiratory tract of cats.     

The culture potential of Paracentrotus lividus (Lamarck 1816) in Greece: a preliminary report

Two hundred and forty adult and sub-adult Paracentrotus lividus were divided into two major groups (adults, sub-adults) based on their diameter differences (above or below 40 mm) and allocated to baskets suspended from the walkways of finfish cages, in South Evoikos Gulf, Central Greece. Each group were fed a commercial finfish diet, while their respective controls remained unfed during the whole duration of the experiment. Total weight and gonad weight of all treatment groups increased while the respective weights of the control groups decreased by the end of the experiment. In addition, gonad indices of the treatment groups increased by the end of the experiment, except for the sub-adult groups. No mortalities were observed in the treatment groups, while the low mortalities in the control groups (1–1.5%) can be attributed to the nutrient status of the surrounding waters and the increased plankton populations and sedentary organisms. It has therefore been shown that fish/sea urchin polyculture in Greece can be low risk and beneficial for the producer system, as long as prevailing water quality and environmental aquaculture standards are kept.     

Volatile compounds of wines produced by cells immobilized on grape skins

A biocatalyst was prepared by immobilization of Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells on grape skins. Repeated batch fermentations were conducted using the immobilized biocatalyst as well as the free yeast cells at 25, 20, 15, and 10 degrees C. The major volatile byproducts were determined by GC, whereas the minor volatile constituents were extracted in dichloromethane and analyzed by HRGC-MS. The qualitative profiles of the wines produced were similar in every case. Immobilized cells gave wines with higher contents of ethyl and acetate esters that increased with temperature decreases from 25 to 15 degrees C. The amount of volatile alcohols was more pronounced in wines produced by free cells and decreased dramatically at low fermentation temperatures (10 degrees C).     

The revised international autoimmune hepatitis score in chronic liver diseases including autoimmune hepatitis/overlap syndromes and autoimmune hepatitis with concurrent other liver disorders

Background

We conducted a study in order to determine the usefulness and diagnostic value of International Autoimmune Hepatitis Group (IAHG) score in non-autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) hepatic disorders as well as in AIH/overlap syndromes and in cases with coexistence of AIH and other liver diseases.

Methods

We applied the IAHG score in 423 patients with liver diseases excluding patients with AIH, AIH/overlap syndromes and AIH with concurrent other liver disease namely, patients with chronic hepatitis B (n = 109), chronic hepatitis C (n = 95), chronic hepatitis D (n = 4), alchoholic liver disease (n = 28), non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (n = 55), autoimmune cholestatic liver diseases (n = 77), liver disorders of undefined origin (n = 32) and with miscellaneous hepatic disorders (n = 23). 24 patients with AIH associated with any kind of liver disorder including 10 patients with AIH/overlap syndromes and 14 AIH with concurrent other liver disease were also investigated. 43 patients with AIH consisted the control group.

Results

The specificity of the score was 98.1% while the sensitivity in unmasking AIH in patients with either AIH/overlap syndromes or AIH with concurrent other liver diseases was only 50% and 78.6%. In the binary logistic regression model, the presence of other autoimmune diseases (p < 0.001), the total histological score (p < 0.001) and positivity for autoantibodies (p < 0.05) were identified as independent predictors for the presnce of AIH/ovea syndromes o AI with concurren other liver diseass.

Conclusion

The IAHG scoring system has very good specificity for excluding AIH in patients with chronic liver diseases but not that sensitivity in order to unmask AIH/overlap syndromes or AIH with concurrent other liver diseases. The presence of other autoimmune diseases or autoantibody markers in the absence of hepatitis viral markers should alarm physicians for the possible presence of AIH either as "pure" AIH or in association with other liver disorders (AIH/overlap syndromes or AIH with concurrent other liver diseases). Under these conditions, liver histology seems essential and it must always be included in the work up of hepatic patients.

     

A new genomovar of Pseudomonas cichorii, a causal agent of tomato pith necrosis

Recent taxonomic advances, based on biochemical and genotypic processes demonstrate that the plant pathogenic species Pseudomonas cichorii consists of a cluster of closely related genomic groups. Prior to this study, three morphotype groups had been described (C1-C3), all sharing various phenotypic and biochemical characters but partially differing in their DNA content. All entities of the complex could cause disease among a variety of hosts, including lettuce, celery, chrysanthemum and others. In this study, we present the biochemical and molecular characterization of P. cichorii isolates as the causal agent of pith necrosis of tomato plants. A detailed characterization of the genetic variability among strains belonging to P. cichorii was achieved using BOX-PCR and Multi Locus Sequence Analysis utilizing three housekeeping genes (gyrB, rpoD, rpoB). In addition, a number of biochemical and physiological tests were also used for the identification of the tomato P. cichorii isolates. To our knowledge, this is the first complete biochemical, molecular and phylogenetic study of P. cichorii strains isolated from tomato plants affected by pith necrosis disease. Our findings demonstrate the emergence of a new genomovar of P. cichorii, yet another indication for the genetic heterogeneity of the species.     

Evaluation of commercial traps of various designs for capturing the olive fruit fly Bactrocera oleae (Diptera: Tephritidae)

Abstract

The attractiveness of six different traps, one hand-made and five commercially available, on olive fruit fly adults, was compared in the field. Experiments were undertaken at three different localities of Messinia Co., SW Greece, with varying conditions of fruit load and pest population density. The Glass-Plastic Elkofon Trap attracted more adult flies than any other type of trap. Satisfactory catches were also given by the Glass McPhail trap, the Plastic McPhail trap and the Plastic Elkofon trap, whereas low attractiveness was demonstrated by the Bottle trap and the Pouch trap. It is clear from the findings of this study that trap captures of the olive fruit fly are significantly influenced by trap design (e.g. shape, materials, special features), especially during the period of the high population peak (mid-September – early November) as well as in olive orchards with a high pest population density. In olive orchards with a low pest population density no significant differences were recorded among captures of different trap types. We discuss ways of improving the mass-trapping technique as a control method against olive fruit fly.     

Electrical Conductivity and pH Prediction in a Recirculated Nutrient Solution of a Greenhouse Soilless Rose Crop

The influence of nutrient solution (1) mixing rate, and (2) time of use on pH and electrical conductivity (EC) of a recirculated nutrient solution used for the irrigation of a greenhouse soilless rose crop was studied. Measurements of microclimate variables, pH, and EC of nutrient solutions and crop transpiration were conducted. The measurements of pH and EC values of nutrient solutions mixed with different mixing rates and applied for crop fertigation were used to develop and calibrate a model for pH and EC prediction in relation to nutrient-solution mixing rate and time of use. Application of the calibrated model gave satisfactory results. It was found that nutrient solutions with high mixing rates or volume equal to or double that of the total water consumed by the canopy during the conservation period had the most stable EC evolution and minimal pH changes.