The Production of Ligninolytic Enzymes by Marine-Derived Basidiomycetes and Their Biotechnological Potential in the Biodegradation of Recalcitrant Pollutants and the Treatment of Textile Effluents

Filamentous fungi derived from marine environments are well known as a potential genetic resource for various biotechnological applications. Although terrestrial fungi have been reported to be highly efficient in the remediation of xenobiotic pollutants, fungi isolated from the marine environment may possess biological advantages over terrestrial fungi because of their adaptations to high salinity and pH extremes. The present study describes the production of ligninolytic enzymes under saline and non-saline conditions and the decolorization of Remazol Brilliant Blue R (RBBR) dye by three basidiomycetes recovered from marine sponges (Tinctoporellus sp. CBMAI 1061, Marasmiellus sp. CBMAI 1062, and Peniophora sp. CBMAI 1063). Ligninolytic enzymes were primarily produced by these fungi in a salt-free malt extract and malt extract formulated with artificial seawater (saline condition). CuSO₄ and wheat bran were the best inducers of lignin peroxidase and manganese peroxidase activity. RBBR was decolorized up to 100% by the three fungi, and Tinctoporellus sp. CBMAI 1061 was the most efficient. Our results revealed the biotechnological potential of marine-derived basidiomycetes for dye decolorization and the treatment of colored effluent as well as for the degradation of other organopollutants by ligninolytic enzymes in non-saline and saline conditions that resemble the marine environment.     

‘舜麦1718’和‘中麦175’在晋中晚熟冬麦区的生育表现

为了研究黄淮冬麦区育成品种‘舜麦1718’和北方冬麦区育成品种‘中麦175’在晋中晚熟冬麦区的生育表现,采用田间试验,采取不同生育时期采样调查的方法,结合当地气候条件,研究2个品种在返青、起身、拔节、孕穗、抽穗等5个生育时期的农艺性状,以及收获后的产量性状及籽粒品质性状。研究结果表明,‘中麦175’和‘舜麦1718’都有在晋中晚熟冬麦区推广应用的潜力。具体来讲,‘中麦175’产量水平较高,‘舜麦1718’产量水平有进一步提升的空间;‘舜麦1718’的抗晚霜冻害能力较强,籽粒品质更好,具有较好的生态适应性,但株型矮小,在生产上应注意重施拔节水肥以促进茎节伸长生长,提高茎蘖成穗率,提高后期籽粒充实度。研究为充分挖掘山西小麦优良种质资源提供理论依据。     

Photodegradation of 17α-Ethynylstradiol (EE2) on Nanostructured Material of Type WO<Subscript>3</Subscript>-SBA-15

The growing contamination from the use of endocrine deregulator (EDs) has made the scientific community come worrying, because of this, studies to eliminate these pollutants in the water resources have intensified. Among the processes used, ‘Advanced Oxidative Processes’ (AOP’s) stands out, by means of heterogeneous photocatalysis for the removal of these organic pollutants present in the environment. The paper’s main point is on the synthesis of photocatalysts WO₃-SBA-15 in the molar ratios Si/W (10, 25, 50, and 75) and the photocatalytic activity in the degradation process of 17α-ethynylstradiol (EE2), present in several water contaminants. The catalysts prepared were characterized by XRD, XRF, Raman, FTIR, UV-vis, adsorption, and desorption of nitrogen, and to determine the photocatalytic activity, frequency of turnover (TOF) was used. Through the characterizations, it can be observed that insertion of nanoparticles in WO₃ did not cause changes in the mesoporous structure of the SBA-15 and there is presence of monoclinic, triclinic, and orthorhombic phases of WO₃. The photocatalytic activity showed to be dependent on the calcination temperature and the molar ratio of the catalysts WO₃-SBA-15, being the sample WO₃-SBA-15(50) at 600 °C which presented the greatest degradation potential in the degradation of 17α-ethynylstradiol, with 98%, using ultraviolet radiation, for 4 h. Moreover, reuse of the catalyst did not show significant losses after 4 cycles, with 82% in EE2 degradation.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Halyomorpha halys</Emphasis>, a serious threat for hazelnut in newly invaded areas

Following its first detection, Halyomorpha halys has become a key pest in many crops in NW Italy. In this area, one of the most important crops is hazelnut, in which the species can cause severe damage through feeding on nuts. Therefore, semi-field trials were carried out in NW Italy to compare the harmfulness of H. halys with that of the local hazelnut bug species, such as Gonocerus acuteangulatus, Nezara viridula, and Palomena prasina. Additionally, a 2-year field survey was conducted in hazel groves in NW Italy and W Georgia, another important hazelnut cropping area, to assess the presence and abundance of the new invasive species and to evaluate the damage at harvest. Monitoring was carried out by plant beating and by commercial traps throughout the growing season. In semi-field trials, H. halys was the most harmful species, causing the highest damage in kernels, and was able to survive and reproduce at higher rates. During field surveys in NW Italy, H. halys was sampled in groves late in the season in 2015 and, with higher populations, throughout the season in 2016. In W Georgia, bug population levels consistently increased in the 2-year period, resulting in a significant increase in damage at harvest in 2016. A similar trend is hence expected also in NW Italy in the following years. Moreover, data on individuals collected in different points of the hazelnut groves confirmed the border-driven behavior of this pest, leading to consideration of potential integrated pest management solutions.     

Clinical presentation,treatment and outcome in 31 dogs with presumed primary colorectal lymphoma (2001–2013)

The objective of this multicentre retrospective study was to describe clinical presentation, treatment and outcome and to determine prognostic factors for dogs with presumed primary colorectal lymphoma (PCRL). A total of 31 dogs were included. The predominant features of PCRL were high grade (n = 18) and immunophenotype B (n = 24). Most dogs were substage b (n = 25) with higher prevalence of haematochezia (n = 20). One dog had surgery only. Thirty dogs received chemotherapy; amongst them 13 had surgery or radiotherapy. Progression free survival (PFS) was 1318 days and disease‐related median survival time (MST) was 1845 days. Fourteen dogs were alive at the end of the study with a median follow‐up time of 684 days (3–4678 days). Younger dogs had longer PFS (P = 0.031) and disease‐related MST (P = 0.01). Presence of haematochezia corresponded with longer PFS (P = 0.02). Addition of local treatment to chemotherapy did not significantly improve the outcome (P = 0.584). Canine PCRL has considerably longer PFS and MST than other forms of non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma.     

Differential response of soybean genotypes to two lime rates

Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merril] is the leading food crop worldwide, and selection of soybean genotypes for different levels of soil acidity may raise crop yield without the need to increase in planted area. An experiment in greenhouse conditions was conducted to determine the effects of two lime rates on soil chemical properties, grain yield (GY), yield components, nutritional status and physiological components of 15 soybean genotypes adapted to tropical and subtropical conditions. Genotypes BMX Apolo RR, BMX Potência RR, BRS 295RR, BRS 359RR, FPS Solar IPRO and TMG 716 IRR were the least responsive to soil acidity reduction, and BMX Turbo RR and BRS 360RR were the most responsive. Number of pods per pot, shoot dry weight yield, GY, photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, transpiration and chlorophyll increased significantly with increase in lime rate. Cultivar FPS Solar IPRO showed the highest foliar P, K, Ca and Mg concentrations in soybean, which was not observed in the grain, indicating the presence of genetic factors and the dilution effect on nutrient uptake.     

Antioxidant and enzyme inhibition activities and chemical profiles of Polygonum sachalinensis F.Schmidt ex Maxim (Polygonaceae)

Polygonum sachalinensis is a widespread invasive plant in Europe. Chemical profiles of its different organs were studied by HPLC-UV-ESI/MS. Seven major constituents quercetin-3-O-β-D-galactopyranoside, quercetin-3-O-arabinopyranoside, lapathoside D, N-trans-feruloyltyramine, lapathoside C, hydropiperoside, and vanicoside B were isolated and identified. The free radical-scavenging, α/β-glucosidase, and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activities of crude MeOH extracts and isolated compounds were studied. The structure–activity relationships were discussed. The chemical profiles revealed flavonoids and phenylpropanoids are the major compounds of all the organs of this plant. Quercetin-3-O-arabinopyranoside, lapathoside D, N-trans-feruloyltyramine, lapathoside C and hydropiperoside were isolated from this species for the first time. In the α-glucosidase bioassay, quercetin-3-O-β-D-galactopyranoside, lapathoside D and N-trans-feruloyltyramine demonstrated stronger activities than the positive reference acarbose. The trend in scavenging power showed no relation to enzyme inhibition in the test models.     

Integration of LiDAR and QuickBird imagery for mapping riparian biophysical parameters and land cover types in Australian tropical savannas

Riparian zones are exposed to increasing pressures because of disturbance from agricultural and urban expansion and overgrazing. Accurate and cost-effective mapping of riparian environments is important for baseline inventories and monitoring and managing their functions associated with water quality, biodiversity, and wildlife habitats. In this study, we integrate remotely sensed light detection and ranging (LiDAR) data and high spatial resolution satellite imagery (QuickBird-2) to estimate riparian biophysical parameters and land cover types in the Fitzroy catchment in Queensland, Australia. An object based image analysis (OBIA) was adopted for the study. A digital terrain model (DTM), a tree canopy model (TCM) and a plant projective cover (PPC) map were first derived from the LiDAR data. A map of the streambed was then produced using the DTM information. Finally, all the LiDAR-derived biophysical map products and the QuickBird image bands were combined in an OBIA to (1) map the following land cover types: riparian vegetation, streambed, bare ground, woodlands and rangelands; (2) determine the distribution of overhang vegetation within the streambed; and (3) measure the width of both the riparian zone and the streambed. The combined use of both datasets allowed accurate land cover mapping, with an overall accuracy of 85.6%. The estimated widths of the riparian zone and the streambed showed strong correlation with the actual field measurements (r = 0.82 and 0.98 respectively). Our results show that the combined use of LiDAR and high spatial resolution imagery can potentially be used for the assessment of the riparian condition in a tropical savanna woodland riparian environment. This work also shows the capacity of OBIA to assist in the assessment of the composition of the riparian environment from multiple image datasets.