A recombinant flagellin fragment,which includes the epitopes flg22 and flgII-28, provides a useful tool to study flagellin-triggered immunity

Plants and animals independently evolved the ability to recognize flagellin (also called FliC), the building block of the bacterial flagellum, as part of their innate immune response. While animals recognize a relatively large region of FliC, most plants recognize one or two short epitopes of FliC: flg22 and flgII-28. However, since most research in plants has focused on flg22 and flgII-28 and not the actual FliC protein, the importance of any FliC region beyond the two epitopes in plant immunity is poorly understood. Here we report cloning, overexpression, and purification of a Pseudomonas syringae FliC fragment from amino acid 1 to 143, which includes both FliC epitopes and the adjacent alpha helices. Exposing Arabidopsis thaliana leaves to FliC_1–143 did not reveal any additional FliC recognition capabilities beyond flg22. However, while the kiwifruit species Actinidia arguta did not respond to either flg22 or flgII-28, treatment of A. arguta leaves with FliC_1–143 triggered a significant reactive oxygen response, indicating recognition. This result suggests that in some plant species, recognition of FliC requires regions of FliC beyond the two well-known epitopes and that FliC_1–143 represents a useful tool in the study of plant immunity.     

Diverse antimicrobial killing by Enterococcus faecium E 50-52 bacteriocin

An effective bacteriocin was identified and characterized. Lactic acid bacteria were screened against Campylobacter jejuni. One bacteriocin producer, Enterococcus faecium (NRRL B-30746), was studied. The isolate was grown, and the bacteriocin was purified to single-band homogeneity. Biochemical traits indicated that the peptide was a Class IIa bacteriocin, and it was named E 50-52. The bacteriocin had a molecular weight of 3339.7 and an isoelectric point of 8.0. The minimal inhibitory concentrations of E 50-52 against C. jejuni, Yersinia spp., Salmonella spp., Escherichia coli O157:H7, Shigella dysenteriae, Morganella morganii, Staphylococcus spp., and Listeria spp. ranged from 0.025 to 32 microg/mL. In therapeutic broiler trials, oral treatment with E 50-52 reduced both C. jejuni and Salmonella enteritidis by more than 100,000-fold in the ceca, and systemic S. enteritidis was reduced in the liver and spleen. The wide range of antibacterial activity of bacteriocin E 50-52 against pathogens provides a promising alternative to antibiotics.     

Soil nutrient status,yield and quality of lemon (Citrus limon Burm.) cv. ‘Assam lemon’ as influenced by bio-fertilizers,organics and inorganic fertilizers

An experiment was conducted at Mizoram University, Aizawl, India during 2015-2017 to study the effect of integrated nutrient management on yield and quality of lemon cv. ‘Assam lemon’ (Citrus limon Burm.). The experiment was comprised of nine treatments viz. T1: 100% recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF) through inorganic fertilizers (IF); T2: 100% N through Farm Yard Manure (FYM); T3: 75% N through FYM + 25% through IF; T4: 50% N through FYM + 50% through IF; T5:75% N through FYM +25% through IF + Azotobacter + phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB)+ potash solubilizing bacteria (KSB); T6: 50% N through FYM + 50% through IF+ Azotobacter + PSB?+?KSB; T7: 75% N through FYM + 25% through IF?+?Azospirillum + AMF?+?KSB; T8: 50% N through FYM + 50% through IF+ Azospirillum + arbuscular mychorrhizal fungi (AMF) + KSB; T9: control. Among all treatments, T5 recorded highest value with respect to growth, yield and soil quality. While, T7 showed superiority in quality characters.     

Mechanisms regulating inter‐annual variability in zooplankton advection over the Lofoten shelf,implications for cod larvae survival

Variability in the availability of suitable prey (mainly nauplii stages of Calanus spp.) in the early life stages of cod is likely a significant contributor to the fluctuations in the year‐class strength in the Arcto Norwegian cod stock. We have investigated the origin of the Lofoten shelf population of Calanus using a particle tracking model approach based on velocity fields simulated from 2002 to 2012. By performing backwards simulations of trajectories from particles released on the Lofoten shelf in early spring, we assessed the relative contribution of potential Calanus sources, such as the Lofoten Basin, the local overwintering on the continental shelf and the adjacent fjords. This analysis revealed significant interannual differences in advection patterns mainly driven by changes in wind conditions and variable strength of the Norwegian Coastal Current. Most of the particles advected into our study area originated on the shelf, and contrary to expectations, only a few originated from the Lofoten Basin where Calanus abundances tend to be high. These results suggest that contribution from the Lofoten Basin to the early spring shelf Calanus population may be overestimated and that contribution from more local sources, especially from adjacent fjords, may play a more important role than what has been previously anticipated. Our results highlight the necessity to improve quantification of shelf‐fjord exchange processes, as these may contribute more to the regulation of spring zooplankton stocks on the northern Norwegian shelf, and, as a result, may affect the survival of cod larvae in this area.     

Global patterns of predator diversity in the open oceans

The open oceans comprise most of the biosphere, yet patterns and trends of species diversity there are enigmatic. Here, we derive worldwide patterns of tuna and billfish diversity over the past 50 years, revealing distinct subtropical "hotspots" that appeared to hold generally for other predators and zooplankton. Diversity was positively correlated with thermal fronts and dissolved oxygen and a nonlinear function of temperature (approximately 25 degrees C optimum). Diversity declined between 10 and 50% in all oceans, a trend that coincided with increased fishing pressure, superimposed on strong El Ni?o-Southern Oscillation-driven variability across the Pacific. We conclude that predator diversity shows a predictable yet eroding pattern signaling ecosystem-wide changes linked to climate and fishing.     

Are population cycles recovering?

The dynamics of populations of small mammals of Central Siberia was analyzed. The studies were carried out at the Yenisei ecological station “Mirnoye” of the A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Russian Academy of Sciences. The time series analysis was performed by the wavelet transform using the statistical data processing language R. In the 20th century, the dynamics of the population of the community and some of its constituent species (Sorex araneus; S. caecutiens; S. isodon; S. tundrensis; S. minutus; Craseomys rufocanus; Clethrionomys rutilus; Microtus oeconomus; M. agrestis) were characterized by a 4-year periodicity. The type of dynamics changed to noncyclic by the nineties, but by 2022, four species (S. araneus, S. isodon, C. rutilus, and M. oeconomus) and the community as a whole showed a tendency toward recovery of population cycles. The remaining species were characterized by consistently low numbers with irregular low amplitude fluctuations.     

The Use of Multi Criteria Models for Decision Support System in Fruit Production

The success or failure of an investment project in fruit production also depends on the selection of the fruit species and variety. When selecting the variety for the creation of a new orchard it is necessary to perform the synthesis of different data and to look at all aspects of the investment. This paper presents the application of DEX multi-criteria decision making. The model was applied on 7 varieties of plum from the western Balkans region that were assessed by experts from “The association of agricultural economists of Western Balkans” using the Delphi method.By applying this model it has been shown that the ’Stanley’ is the most suitable for starting a new orchard while the varieties ’?a?anska ljepotica’ and ’?a?anska rodna’ are also very suitable for starting new fruit orchards and they have also received the value attribute “very acceptable”.Using this model all strong and weak sides of the observed plum variety were shown. For the final selection it is necessary to conduct research at a specific micro location where all characteristics of that area would also be taken into consideration.     

Molecular Targets of Brown Algae Phlorotannins for the Therapy of Inflammatory Processes of Various Origins

Inflammatory reactions are part of a complex biological response that plays a vital role in the appearance of various stimuli resulting from tissue and cell damage, the invasion of pathogenic bacteria, and the formation of the subsequent adaptive immune response. The production of many triggers and mediators of inflammation, which are inducers of pro-inflammatory factors, is controlled by numerous differentiation programs, through which inflammation is resolved and tissue homeostasis is restored. However, prolonged inflammatory responses or dysregulation of pro-inflammatory mechanisms can lead to chronic inflammation. Modern advances in biotechnology have made it possible to characterize the anti-inflammatory activity of phlorotannins, polyphenolic compounds from brown seaweed, and the mechanisms by which they modulate the inflammatory response. The purpose of this review is to analyze and summarize the results of numerous experimental in vitro and in vivo studies, illustrating the regulatory mechanisms of these compounds, which have a wide range of biological effects on the body. The results of these studies and the need for further research are discussed.     

Chromosomal composition of the genome in the monomorphic diplokaryotic microsporidium Paranosema grylli: analysis by two-dimensional pulsed-field gel electrophoresis

The molecular karyotype of Paranosema grylli Sokolova, Seleznev, Dolgikh et Issi, 1994, a monomorphic diplokaryotic microsporidium, comprises numerous bright and faint bands of nonstoichiometric staining intensity. Restriction analysis of chromosomal DNAs by "karyotype and restriction display" 2-D PFGE has demonstrated that the complexity of molecular karyotype of P. grylli is related to the pronounced length polymorphism of-homologous chromosomes. The background of this phenomenon is discussed in the context of ploidy state, reproductive strategy and population structure in this microsporidium. We propose that the remarkable size variation between homologous chromosomes in P. grylli may be a consequence of ectopic recombination at the chromosome extremities.     

Development of a Chlamydophila psittaci species-specific and genotype-specific real-time PCR

A Chlamydophila psittaci species-specific real-time PCR targeting the rDNA ribosomal spacer was developed as well as a genotype-specific real-time PCR targeting the Cp. psittaci outer membrane protein A (ompA) gene. The SYBR Green-based species-specific real-time PCR detected Cp. psittaci genotypes A to F, and the recently discovered E/B genotype. The genotype-specific real-time PCR could easily distinguish genotypes C, D, F by use of TaqMan probes. Genotypes A, B and E could not be distinguished from each other by simply using TaqMan probes. For this purpose, non-fluorescent competitor oligonucleotides, had to be used next to the TaqMan probes. Genotype E/B could only be detected by use of a minor groove binder (MGB) probe. Both real-time PCR assays allowed reproducible, sensitive (10 rDNA or ompA copies/microL DNA extract) and specific detection of Cp. psittaci DNA. The genotype-specific real-time PCR was compared to ompA sequencing and ompA restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis using five Cp. psittaci field isolates (99, 61/8, 7344/2, 8615/1 and 7778B15) each consisting of two different genotypes. The currently developed real-time PCR assays were used in a case study on a veterinary school and a turkey farm. In the veterinary school, Cp. psittaci genotypes D, E/B and F infection were detected in all five groups of turkeys, and one veterinarian who was taking care of all these turkeys. On the turkey farm, the presence of two Cp. psittaci genotype B infection waves was demonstrated in one randomly selected turkey, the first wave at the age of 6 weeks, and the second at the age of 12 weeks.