Five New Records of Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) From Morocco

A recent catalogue of the rich ant fauna of Morocco included 214 species, with later studies adding an additional 12 species. Following recent fieldwork in the north of Morocco, we report five new records for the country (Plagiolepis pygmaea Latreille, 1798, Ponera testacea Emery, 1895, Strumigenys tenuipilis Emery, 1915, Temnothorax pardoi Tinaut, 1987, and Tetramorium parvioculum Guillem & Bensusan, 2009) and we present new data on the distribution and natural history of six additional species. This work brings the total number of ants known from Morocco to 233, taking into account two species which were omitted in the list of Cagniant.     

茶树磷酸烯醇式丙酮酸转运子基因CsPPT的克隆与表达分析

以白叶1号为试验材料,通过RT-PCR和RACE技术克隆获得茶树磷酸烯醇式丙酮酸转运子基因CsPPT（GenBank登录号：KJ652972）。CsPPT完整ORF长度为1β227βbp,编码408个氨基酸,蛋白分子量为44.7βkDa,理论等电点为10.16;无信号肽位点,属于非分泌型蛋白;建立了茶树CsPPT蛋白的系统发育树;磷酸化修饰预测该蛋白质多肽链中共有26个磷酸化位点;TMHMM预测表明CsPPT蛋白为跨膜蛋白;亚细胞定位发现,CsPPT蛋白定位于叶绿体上,推测CsPPT蛋白可能定位于叶绿体膜上。荧光定量PCR结果表明CsPPT基因在茶树花中表达量最高,其次为芽、叶和嫩茎,根中最低。     

A novel rhizobacterium Bk7 for biological control of brown sheath rot of rice caused by Pseudomonas fuscovaginae and its mode of action

The study presents the first report on biocontrol of brown sheath rot disease of rice caused by Pseudomonas fuscovaginae using rhizo-bacterial isolate Bacillus amyloliquefaciens Bk7. Four potential bioactive antagonists were selected from 120 Bacillus isolates. Results obtained from in vitro laboratory assay showed that rhizosphere bacterial strain Bk7 and its metabolites significantly suppressed the growth of Pseudomonas fuscovaginae with 93 % efficacy. In glasshouse experiments, strain Bk7 exhibited biocontrol efficacy of 76.6 % by reducing the disease incidence to 16.9 %, compared to 72.8 % observed in control treatment. In addition, the isolate Bk7 showed the growth promotion efficacy of plant height (GPE, 46.4 %) and fresh weight (GPE, 84.3 %). Characterization of isolate Bk7 revealed its strong capability for biofilm formation, inorganic phosphate solubilization and production of high amounts of Indole-3 acetic acid, siderophores and ammonia in vitro. Results obtained from multiplex PCR assay confirmed the presence of five lipopeptide biosynthetic gene markers (srfAA, fenD, bmyB, bacA and ituC) in the genome of strain Bk7. Moreover, Real-time qPCR of these genes demonstrated that surfactin, iturin and bacylisin coding genes were highly expressed in response to P. fuscovaginae exposure in vitro. Rhizosphere bacterial strain Bk7 was identified as B. amyloliquefaciens strain Bk7 based on the analysis of 16S rDNA internal transcribed spacer sequences and a fatty acid methyl ester analysis. The results obtained from this study showed the potential usefulness of Bk7 as a biocontrol agent in disease control of rice brown sheath rot.     

The effects of patulin from Penicillium vulpinum on seedling growth,root tip ultrastructure and glutathione content of maize

A culture of Penicillium vulpinum CM1 isolated from a soil sample cultivated with maize was examined for the production of the mycotoxins cyclopiazonic acid, griseofulvin, patulin (PAT), and roquefortine C. The fungal strain was positive for PAT- and roquefortine C–producing ability, while it showed negative producing ability for cyclopiazonic acid, and griseofulvin. Both PAT and roquefortine C toxins were tested for their inhibitory effect on the germination of maize seeds. Roquefortine C showed no phytotoxicity up to a concentration of 100 μg ml^?1. However, a notable reduction in the average values of fresh weight and length of roots and shoots was observed following application of PAT and a culture filtrate of P. vulpinum to maize seedlings. The phytotoxic effect was found to be dose-dependent. To analyse the cellular effects of PAT, maize root tips were treated with PAT at different concentrations. The higher dose of 25 μg ml^?1 exhibited morphological changes in the nature of cytoplasm and cytoplasmic organelles as was shown by transmission electron microscopy. Furthermore, an increase in the vacuolation with localized tonoplast dissolution was observed. At this concentration, there was evidence of a disruption of lipid metabolism. On the metabolic level, the phytotoxicity of PAT and the culture filtrate of P. vulpinum led to alterations in the total reduced glutathione (GSH) concentration in maize seedlings. The GSH concentrations examined in roots and shoots after PAT, fungal filtrate or fungal crude extract treatments were enhanced compared with control treatments. Findings further showed higher total GSH levels in shoots than in roots following treatments either with PAT or the fungal crude extract. The results are discussed in the context of known herbicide and metal effects on GSH synthesis and transport mechanisms.     

Molecular screening and risk factors of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. in diarrheic neonatal calves in Egypt

The aim of the present study was to carry out molecular epidemiological investigation on enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) K99 and Salmonella spp. in diarrheic neonatal calves. Fecal samples were obtained from 220 diarrheic calves at 9 farms related to four governorates in central and northern Egypt. E. coli and Salmonella spp. isolates were examined for E. coli K99 and Salmonella spp. using PCR. ETEC K99 was recovered from 20 (10.36 %) out of 193 isolates, whereas Salmonella spp. was recovered from nine calves (4.09%).Multivariable logistic regression was used to evaluate the risk factors associated with both infections. ETEC K99 was significantly affected by age (P < 0.01; OR: 1.812; CI 95%: 0.566–1.769), colostrum feeding practice (P < 0.01; OR: 5.525; CI 95%: 2.025–15.076), rotavirus infection (P < 0.001; OR: 2.220; CI 95%: 0.273–1.251), vaccination of pregnant dams with combined vaccine against rotavirus, coronavirus and E. coli (K99) (P < 0.001; OR: 4.753; CI 95%: 2.124–10.641), and vitamin E and selenium administration to the pregnant dam (P < 0.01; OR: 3.933; CI 95%: 0.703–1.248).Infection with Salmonella spp. was found to be significantly affected by the animal age (P < 0.05; OR: 0.376; CI 95%: 0.511–1.369), Hygiene (P < 0.05; OR: 0.628; CI 95%: 1.729–5.612), and region (P < 0. 01; OR: 0.970; CI 95%: 0.841–1.624).The results of the present study indicate the importance of PCR as rapid, effective and reliable tool for screening of ETEC and Salmonella spp. when confronted with cases of undifferentiated calf diarrhea. Moreover, identification of the risk factors associated with the spreading of bacteria causing diarrhea may be helpful for construction of suitable methods for prevention and control.     

Responses of Batis maritima plants challenged with up to two‐fold seawater NaCl salinity

Batis maritima is a promising halophyte for sand‐dune stabilization and saline‐soil reclamation. This species has also applications in herbal medicine and as an oilseed crop. Here, we address the plant response to salinity reaching up to two‐fold seawater concentration (0–1000 mM NaCl), with a particular emphasis on growth, water status, mineral nutrition, proline content, and photosystem II integrity. Plant biomass production was maximal at 200 mM NaCl, and the plants survived even when challenged with 1000 mM NaCl. Plant water status was not impaired by the high accumulation of sodium in shoots, suggesting that Na⁺ compartmentalization efficiently took place in vacuoles. Concentrations of Mg²⁺ and K⁺ in shoots were markedly lower in salt‐treated plants, while that of Ca²⁺ was less affected. Soluble‐sugar and chlorophyll concentrations were hardly affected by salinity, whereas proline concentration increased significantly in shoots of salt‐treated plants. Maximum quantum efficiency (F_v/F_m), quantum yield of PSII (Φ_PSII), and electron‐transport rate (ETR) were maximal at 200–300 mM NaCl. Both nonphotochemical quenching (NPQ) and photochemical quenching (qP) were salt‐independent. Interestingly, transferring the plants previously challenged with supraoptimal salinities (400–1000 mM NaCl) to the optimal salinity (200 mM NaCl) substantially restored their growth activity. Altogether, our results indicate that B. maritima is an obligate halophyte, requiring high salt concentrations for optimal growth, and surviving long‐term extreme salinity. Such a performance could be ascribed to the plant capability to use sodium for osmotic adjustment, selective absorption of K⁺ over Na⁺ in concomitance with the stability of PSII functioning, and the absence of photosynthetic pigment degradation.     

Relaxant effect of aqueous extract of Cistus ladaniferus on rodent intestinal contractions

The effects of the aqueous extract of Cistus ladaniferus leaves and stems were studied on the rodent isolated jejunum. The extract produced a reversible concentration dose-dependent (0.1-3 mg/ml) inhibition of the spontaneous motility of the rabbit jejunum. The inhibitory effects of the extract were not affected by pretreatment with the inhibitors of the alpha and beta adrenergic receptors yohimbine, prazosin or propranolol. The extract also inhibited K(+)-induced contractions in rabbit and rat jejunum at a similar concentration range. This result suggests that the antispasmodic action of the extract is mediated through calcium channel blockade. The results confirm the traditional use of C. ladaniferus in treating intestinal ache.     

三个农林复合树种幼苗对施加磷肥的响应:生长和生节能力(英文)

对苗床培养的楹树、雨豆树和水黄皮袋装幼苗(6月龄)施以80kg·hm-2的磷酸盐,通过比较不同收获间隔期幼苗生长和生节情况,研究了施加磷肥对三个农林复合树种幼苗生长和生节作用。研究表明,施加磷肥显著促进雨豆树和水黄皮幼苗生长,但并未促进楹树幼苗生长。此外,施加磷肥还会显著增加楹树、雨豆树幼苗生节数和节大小,但对水黄皮幼苗作用较小,而且高收割间隔期会降低水黄皮生节表现。     

Subereamolline A as a Potent Breast Cancer Migration, Invasion and Proliferation Inhibitor and Bioactive Dibrominated Alkaloids from the Red Sea Sponge Pseudoceratina arabica

A new collection of several Red Sea sponges was investigated for the discovery of potential breast cancer migration inhibitors. Extracts of the Verongid sponges Pseudoceratina arabica and Suberea mollis were selected. Bioassay-directed fractionation of both sponges, using the wound-healing assay, resulted into the isolation of several new and known brominated alkaloids. Active fractions of the sponge Pseudoceratina arabica afforded five new alkaloids, ceratinines A–E (2–6), together with the known alkaloids moloka’iamine (1), hydroxymoloka’iamine (7) and moloka’iakitamide (8). The active fraction of the sponge Suberea mollis afforded the three known alkaloids subereamolline A (9), aerothionin (10) and homoaerothionin (11). Ceratinine B (3) possesses an unprecedented 5,7-dibrominated dihydroindole moiety with an epoxy ring on the side chain of a fully substituted aromatic moiety. Ceratinines D (5) and E (6) possess a terminal formamide moiety at the ethylamine side chain. Subereamolline A (9) potently inhibited the migration and invasion of the highly metastatic human breast cancer cells MDA-MB-231 at the nanomolar doses. Subereamolline A and related brominated alkaloids are novel scaffolds appropriate for further future use for the control of metastatic breast cancer.