<Emphasis Type="Italic">Eubacterium rangiferina</Emphasis>, a novel usnic acid-resistant bacterium from the reindeer rumen

Reindeer are able to eat and utilize lichens as an important source of energy and nutrients. In the current study, the activities of antibiotic secondary metabolites including usnic, antranoric, fumarprotocetraric, and lobaric acid commonly found in lichens were tested against a collection of 26 anaerobic rumen bacterial isolates from reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus) using the agar diffusion method. The isolates were identified based on their 16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid (rRNA) gene sequences. Usnic acid had a potent antimicrobial effect against 25 of the isolates, belonging to Clostridiales, Enterococci, and Streptococci. Isolates of Clostridia and Streptococci were also susceptible to atranoric and lobaric acid. However, one isolate (R3_91_1) was found to be resistant to usnic, antranoric, fumarprotocetraric, and lobaric acid. R3_91_1 was also seen invading and adhering to lichen particles when grown in a liquid anaerobic culture as demonstrated by transmission electron microscopy. This was a Gram-negative, nonmotile rod (0.2-0.7 x 2.0-3.5 microm) with a deoxyribonucleic acid G + C content of 47.0 mol% and main cellular fatty acids including 15:0 anteiso-dimethyl acetal (DMA), 16:0 iso-fatty acid methyl ester (FAME), 13:0 iso-3OH FAME, and 17:0 anteiso-FAME, not matching any of the presently known profiles in the MIDI database. Combined, the phenotypic and genotypic traits including the 16S rRNA gene sequence show that R3_91_1 is a novel species inside the order Clostridiales within the family Lachnospiraceae, for which we propose the name Eubacterium rangiferina. This is the first record of a rumen bacterium able to tolerate and grow in the presence of usnic acid, indicating that the rumen microorganisms in these animals have adapted mechanisms to deal with lichen secondary metabolites, well known for their antimicrobial and toxic effects.     

A review on usnic acid,an interesting natural compound

Lichens are a world-widespread consortium of fungal and photosynthetic partners. Usnic acid is one of the most common and abundant lichen metabolites, well known as an antibiotic, but also endowed with several other interesting properties. This review summarises the most relevant studies on usnic acid, focusing on a number of biological activities in different fields. On the basis of the existing literature, usnic acid seems to be an exclusive lichen product. No synthetic derivatives more effective than the natural form are known. Both the (+) and (-) enantiomers of usnic acid are effective against a large variety of Gram-positive (G+) bacterial strains, including strains from clinical isolates, irrespective of their resistant phenotype. Of particular relevance is the inhibition of growth of multi-resistant strains of Streptococcus aureus, enterococci and mycobacteria. The (+)-usnic acid enantiomer appears to be selective against Streptococcus mutans without inducing perturbing side effects on the oral saprophyte flora. On the other hand, the (-)-usnic acid enantiomer is a selective natural herbicide because of its blocking action against a specific key plant enzyme. Other recognised characteristics of usnic acid are ultraviolet absorption and preserving properties. The toxicology, the in vitro anti-inflammatory effects and the mechanism of action of usnic acid need to be investigated in greater detail in order to reach clinical trials and to allow further applications. Furthermore, more research is needed to make possible intensive lichen culture, in order to produce large quantities of lichen substances for pharmaceutical, cosmetic and agricultural purposes. Some biological aspects, i.e. the possible biological roles of usnic acid, are discussed.     

Potent activity of the lichen antibiotic (+)-usnic acid against clinical isolates of vancomycin-resistant enterococci and methicillin-resistant <Emphasis Type="Italic">Staphylococcus aureus</Emphasis>

Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) and methicillin-resistant staphylococci, most notably methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), are serious clinical problems. The antibiotic arsenal available against them is limited, and new mutants worsen the situation. We studied the activity of (+)-usnic acid, an old lichen-derived drug, and its sodium salt against clinical isolates of VRE and MRSA using the agar diffusion and minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) methods. The acid and, especially, the sodium salt had potent antimicrobial activity against all clinical isolates of VRE and MRSA studied. The MIC values of the sodium salt against VRE strains ranged between 4 and 16 μg/ml (1-day test) and between 4 and 31 μg/ml (2-day test), being below 8 μg/ml for most strains. The salt had potent activity even against those strains that were not inhibited by ampicillin (125 μg/ml), and it never lost its activity after 24 h, in contrast to ampicillin. Thus, in spite of the fact that usnic acid can in some cases cause serious toxicity, it and its salts may be worth considering in clinical practice in cases where other therapies have failed or the microbe is resistant toward other agents.     

Summer dormancy in edible dormice (Glis glis) without energetic constraints

Average longevity in free-living edible dormice (Glis glis) can reach 9 years, which is extremely high for a small rodent. This remarkable life span has been related to a peculiar life history strategy and the rarity of reproductive bouts in these seed eaters. Most females (96%) reproduce only once or twice in their lifetime, predominantly during years of mast seeding of, e.g., beech, but entire populations can skip reproduction in years of low seed availability. Surprisingly, in non-reproductive years, large fractions of populations apparently vanished and were never captured above ground. Therefore, we determined the duration of above-ground activity, and body temperature profiles in a subset of animals, of dormice under semi-natural conditions in outdoor enclosures. We found that non-reproductive dormice returned to dormancy in underground burrows throughout summer after active seasons as short as <2 weeks. Thus, animals spent up to >10 months per year in dormancy. This exceeds dormancy duration of any other mammal under natural conditions. Summer dormancy was not caused by energy constraints, as it occurred in animals in good condition, fed ad libitum and without climatic stress. We suggest that almost year-round torpor has evolved as a strategy to escape birds of prey, the major predators of this arboreal mammal. This unique predator-avoidance strategy clearly helps in explaining the unusually high longevity of dormice.     

The Significance of Lichens and Their Metabolites

Pseudevernia furfuracea   and Evernia prunastri are processed in the perfume industry, and some lichens are sensitive reagents for the evaluation of air pollution.     

Long-range atmospheric transport and alpine condensation of short-chain chlorinated paraffins on the southeastern Tibetan Plateau

Pristine alpine regions are ideal regions for investigating the long-range atmospheric transport and cold trapping effects of short chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs). The concentrations and alpine condensation of SCCPs were investigated in lichen samples collected from the southeastern Tibetan Plateau. The concentrations of SCCPs ranged from 3098 to 6999 ng/g lipid weight (lw) and appeared to have an increasing trend with altitude. For congeners, C₁₀ dominated among all the congener groups. The different environmental behavior for different congener groups was closely related to their octanol-air partition coefficient (K_oa). C₁₀ congeners showed an increasing trend with altitude, whereas C₁₃ congeners were negatively correlated with altitude. Volumetric bioconcentration factors (BCF) of SCCPs reached 8.71 in lichens, which were higher than other semivolatile organic compounds (SVOCs) such as organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD). These results suggested that SCCPs were prone to accumulate in the lichen from the air and provided evidence for the role of lichens as a suitable atmospheric indicator in the Tibetan Plateau.     

Extraction and quantification of "condensed tannins" as a measure of plant anti-herbivore defence? Revisiting an old problem

Contents of phenolic compounds in leaf extracts often serve as a measure of plant anti-herbivore defence. This method suffers from the multifunctionality of phenolics and from problems with their colorimetric quantification. Here we present further evidence for the pertinence of these problems. Contents of condensed tannins (CCT) were spectrophotometrically quantified in leaf extracts of 11 closely related mimosoid species, and Spodoptera littoralis caterpillars were reared on artificial diet containing these extracts. The relationship of CCT with caterpillar growth differed considerably among plant species, since both positive and negative correlations were detected. There was, however, a negative correlation of CCT with fungal spore germination, indicating a role of these compounds in resistance to fungi. Detailed knowledge on the structure and biological function of defensive compounds and on the overall composition of leaves is required to estimate a plant's defensive efficacy against a particular group of enemies.     

废弃电子塑料在超临界异丙醇中的液化特性

研究了废弃含溴化阻燃剂的电子塑料在超临界异丙醇中的液化特性.研究结果表明塑料在超临界异丙醇中发生了解聚,产生油、气以及固体残渣,塑料中的溴化阻燃剂发生了脱溴降解.反应时间、固/液比、溶剂填充度对塑料解聚及阻燃剂脱溴降解影响较大,在最佳工艺条件(温度:400℃,反应时间:60min,固/液比:1/10,溶剂填充度:50%)下获得60%的产油率及95.3%的脱溴率.油以苯系物及酚类物质为主要组成物质,其热值为37.5MJ/kg.超临界异丙醇处理含溴化阻燃剂塑料主要包括溴化阻燃剂的萃取、脱溴降解和塑料高温解聚等过程.     

悬浮态TiO_2光催化降解苯系物的方法研究

以高压汞灯为光源 ,在TiO2 粉末悬浮体系内 ,系统地研究了光照时间、光照距离、催化剂用量、苯系物浓度和溶液pH、空气流量、H2 O2 浓度、Fe3+ 浓度等因素对模拟水样中苯系物的光催化降解效率的影响。研究结果表明 ,当光照时间为 2 0min、光照距离为 6cm ,TiO2 用量为 4 0 0mg L、pH =7、苯系物浓度为 10 0mg L ,空气流量为 4 0 0mL min,苯系物降解率可达 93% ,添加H2 O2 与Fe3+ 能增加苯系物的降解率 ,当H2 O2 浓度为 6mmol L ,Fe3+ 浓度为 0 2mmol L ,苯系物可完全降解。实验测定精密度RSD为 0 5 %。     

西南丘陵区村镇典型供水水源有机物分布特征及对饮水水质的影响

以西南丘陵区村镇典型供水水源原水及其净化水为研究对象,分析了水质净化常规工艺前后其有机污染物分布特征及对饮水水质的影响.结果表明:该区域村镇供水水源属微污染水源水体,有机污染物以溶解性中小分子有机物为主,占有机物总量的50%~80%.共检测到53种共14类有机物,主要为烷烃、酯、酚、苯类物质,占有机物总量的80%~90%左右,有机酸、烯烃、醇和醛含量较小.有机物中二氯甲烷、苯酚、邻苯二甲酸二丁酯含量较高,并且出现了除草剂、食品添加剂、抗生素等污染物,如特丁津、2,6-二叔丁基对甲酚、萘啶酸等.水质净化常规工艺主要去除相对分子质量10×10~3的有机物,小分子量有机物中有机酸类去除效果较好,但烷烃、酯、酚、苯类有机物去除效果较差.     

In vitro radical scavenging activity of two Columbian Magnoliaceae

The recent interest in the conservation of the tropical forest is due, at least in part, to the potential economic and health benefits that can be exploited from several plants. This report shows the in vitro antioxidant activity of some fractions isolated from leaves of two Columbian Magnoliaceae, Talauma hernandezii G. Lozano-C and Dugandiodendron yarumalense Lozano. The activity was determined using the radical monocation 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS·+) and the stable free radical 2-2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH·), as part of general biological screening of these plants. The antioxidant capacity obtained from fractions was similar to those of α-tocopherol, tert-butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), and ascorbic acid. The most active scavenger extract was the fraction 7 (TAA = 48.6 mmol Trolox/kg extract and IC₅₀ ≤ 0.01 kg extract/mmol DPPH); and the least active was the fraction 1 (TAA = 11.23 mmol Trolox/kg extract and IC₅₀ = 0.21 kg extract/mmol DPPH) all of them isolated from D. yarumalense. These results suggest that these plants can be attractive as source of antioxidant compounds with the ability to reduce radicals like ATBS and DPPH.     

麦芽糖假丝酵母10-4降解酚类化合物的研究

为了探索微生物处理多种酚类污染物的可能性,研究了高效脱酚菌麦芽假丝酵母１０－４对１５种酚类化合物的降解能力及降解生理。该菌能利用二元酚及三元酚为生长碳源,降解３种二元酚最快,３００ｍｇ／Ｌ浓度４８ｈ能去除９７％￣９９％,甲酚、硝基酚和氨基酚均不能作为生长碳源,硝基酚和氨基酚可以作为生长氮源。在培养基中添加碳,氮源可以明显促进该菌的生长和提高对这些取代酚的降解能力,３００ｍｇ／Ｌ浓度的单硝基酚可去除     

Fetoscopic laser photocoagulation versus expectant management for stage I twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis

To investigate the outcomes of asymptomatic stage I twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (stage I TTTS) among patients treated with fetoscopic laser photocoagulation (FLP) versus expectant management. Databases such as PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus were systematically searched from inception up to March 1st, 2022. The primary outcome was at least one fetal survival at birth and secondary outcomes included gestational age at delivery, preterm premature rupture of membranes < 32 weeks, preterm birth < 32 weeks, and single and dual fetal survival. Five studies were included in the meta-analysis. There was no significant difference in terms of at least one survival (odds ratio (OR) = 1.40, 95%CI= (0.26, 7.43), P = 0.70), single survival (OR = 0.87, 95%CI= (0.51, 1.48), P = 0.60) and dual survival (OR = 1.63, 95%CI= (0.74, 3.62), P = 0.23) among FLP and expectant groups. Gestational age at delivery (mean difference = 1.19, 95%CI= (−0.25, 2.63), P = 0.10), the risk of PTB<32 weeks (OR = 0.88, 95%CI= (0.50, 1.54), P = 0.65), and pPROM<32 weeks (OR = 1.80, 95% CI= (0.41, 7.98), P = 0.44) were also comparable between the groups. Routine FLP of the placental anastomoses before 26 weeks of gestation is unlikely to be beneficial among asymptomatic stable stage I TTTS patients without cervical shortening as the procedure does not offer a survival advantage compared with expectant management.     

Plants with phytotoxic potential: Wollemi pine (Wollemia nobilis)

Herbicide resistance in annual ryegrass (ARG, Lolium rigidum) threatens the quality and yield of winter wheat crops in Australia, prompting research to discover novel natural plant compounds with herbicidal properties. Due to its novel nature and potentially interesting chemistry, the Australian native, Wollemi pine (Wollemia nobilis), was tested for its ability to suppress ARG growth and its feasibility for use in weed control strategies. The leaf extract of Wollemi pine significantly inhibited the growth of ARG and wild radish (Raphanus raphanistrum) in laboratory bioassays at concentrations above 1% extract. In soil trials, the 100% extract (100 g dried plant material/L) inhibited the dry weight of ARG by 25%. The addition of a wetting agent to the extract increased the suppression of ARG to 80% which was as phytotoxic as a 4-fold increase in the extract concentration (“400%” extract). Using bioassay-guided fractionation, the most phytotoxic fraction was identified and further analysed via GC/MS. Several compounds not previously identified in Wollemi pine leaf extracts have been identified, namely, 2-propylphenol, 3,4-dimethoxyphenol, 2-methoxybenzoic acid, vanillyl alcohol and isovanillic acid. These results suggest that Wollemi pine is an important potential source of compounds for the control of ARG and wild radish in winter crops.     

Where clocks are redundant: weak circadian mechanisms in reindeer living under polar photic conditions

Biological rhythms are a result of interplay between endogenous clocks and the ambient light–dark (LD) cycle. Biological timing in resident polar organisms presents a conundrum because these experience distinct daily LD cycles for only a few weeks each year. We measured locomotor activity in reindeer, Rangifer tarandus platyrhynchus (SR, n = 5 and 6) and R. tarandus tarandus (NR, n = 6), ranging freely at 78 and 70°N, respectively, continuously throughout 1 year using data loggers. NR, but not SR, are gregarious which enabled us to examine the integrated effects of differences in social organisation and the photic environment at two different latitudes on the organisation of activity. In both sub-species, ultradian bouts of activity and inactivity alternated across the 24-h day throughout the year. This pattern was modified by the LD cycle in NR but barely at all in SR. Periodogram analysis revealed significant ultradian rhythmicity in both sub-species; the frequency of daily cycles of activity increased from three per day in winter to nearly five in summer. We conclude that this increase, and a concomitant increase in the level of daily activity, reflected the seasonal increase in the animals’ appetite and the quality of their forage. Secondly, the combination, most evident in SR, of a weak photic response, weak circadian mechanisms and a weak social synchronization reduces the constraints of biological timing in an environment which is effectively non-rhythmic most of the year and permits expression of the basic ultradian pattern of ruminant activity. Third, the weaker 24-h rhythmicity in SR compared to NR indicates a latitudinal decrease in circadian organization and photic responsiveness in Rangifer.     

Coping with chaos: unpredictable food supplies intensify torpor use in an arid-zone marsupial, the fat-tailed dunnart (Sminthopsis crassicaudata)

The severity, duration and amplitude of extreme weather events are forecast to intensify with current climate trends, over both long (e.g. seasonal) and short (e.g. daily) time-scales. As such, the predictability of food supplies for many small endotherms is likely to become increasingly important. Numerous small mammals and birds combat food shortages using torpor, a controlled reduction in metabolic rate and body temperature that helps lower their daily energy requirements. As such, torpor often has been cited as a key feature allowing some small endotherms to survive highly unpredictable climates, such as tropics or dry deserts, but mensurative demonstrations of this are lacking. We have shown here that when a small desert marsupial, the fat-tailed dunnart (Sminthopsis crassicaudata), is offered unpredictable levels of daily food, they increase frequency of daily torpor and length of bouts compared with animals offered ad libitum food, but this was not found for animals offered a 70% food-restricted diet. Our data suggest that simple food restriction may not be sufficient for evaluating the efficacy of torpor as a strategy for managing unpredictable climates.     

Photoperiod affects daily torpor and tissue fatty acid composition in deer mice

Photoperiod and dietary lipids both influence thermal physiology and the pattern of torpor of heterothermic mammals. The aim of the present study was to test the hypothesis that photoperiod-induced physiological changes are linked to differences in tissue fatty acid composition of deer mice, Peromyscus maniculatus (∼18-g body mass). Deer mice were acclimated for >8 weeks to one of three photoperiods (LD, light/dark): LD 8:16 (short photoperiod), LD 12:12 (equinox photoperiod), and LD 16:8 (long photoperiod). Deer mice under short and equinox photoperiods showed a greater occurrence of torpor than those under long photoperiods (71, 70, and 14%, respectively). The duration of torpor bouts was longest in deer mice under short photoperiod (9.3 ± 2.6 h), intermediate under equinox photoperiod (5.1 ± 0.3 h), and shortest under long photoperiod (3.7 ± 0.6 h). Physiological differences in torpor use were associated with significant alterations of fatty acid composition in ∼50% of the major fatty acids from leg muscle total lipids, whereas white adipose tissue fatty acid composition showed fewer changes. Our results provide the first evidence that physiological changes due to photoperiod exposure do result in changes in lipid composition in the muscle tissue of deer mice and suggest that these may play a role in survival of low body temperature and metabolic rate during torpor, thus, enhancing favourable energy balance over the course of the winter.     

Association of amnioinfusion volume at the time of surgery for twin-twin transfusion syndrome and latency to delivery

Objective

To evaluate the impact of amnioinfusion and other peri-operative factors on pregnancy outcomes in the setting of Twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) treated via fetoscopic laser photocoagulation (FLP).

Methods

Retrospective study of TTTS treated via FLP from 2010 to 2019. Pregnancies were grouped by amnioinfusion volume during FLP (<1 L vs. ≥1 L). The primary outcome was latency from surgery to delivery. An amnioinfusion statistic (AIstat) was created for each surgery based on the volume of fluid infused and removed and the preoperative deepest vertical pocket. Regression analysis was planned to assess the association of AIstat with latency.

Results

Patients with amnioinfusion of ≥1 L at the time of FLP had decreased latency from surgery to delivery (61 ± 29.4 vs. 73 ± 28.8 days with amnioinfusion <1 L, p < 0.001) and increased preterm prelabor rupture of membranes (PPROM) <34 weeks (44.7% vs. 33.5%, p = 0.042). Amnioinfusion ≥1 L was associated with an increased risk of delivery <32 weeks (aRR 2.6, 95% CI 1.5–4.5), 30 weeks (aRR 2.4, 95% CI 1.5–3.8), and 28 weeks (aRR 1.9, 95% CI 1.1–2.3). Cox-proportional regression revealed that AIstat was inversely associated with latency (HR 1.1, 95% CI 1.1–1.2).

Conclusion

Amnioinfusion ≥1 L during FLP was associated with decreased latency after surgery and increased PPROM <34 weeks.     

Neonatal outcomes of congenital diaphragmatic hernia in full term versus early term deliveries: A systematic review and meta-analysis

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to review the optimal timing of delivery at term for neonates with prenatally diagnosed congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). We reviewed the literature up to December 19, 2022 using MEDLINE and the Cochrane Library databases. The inclusion criteria were original articles, comparative studies of CDH neonates delivered at an early term (37–38 weeks of gestation) and at full term (39 weeks of gestation or later), and comparative studies investigating outcomes of CDH neonates. Six studies met the inclusion criteria, including 985 neonates delivered at an early term and 629 delivered at full term. The cumulative rate of survival to discharge showed no significant difference between CDH neonates delivered at an early term (395/515; 76.7%) or at full term (345/467; 73.9%) (risk ratio [RR] 1.01; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.89–1.16; p = 0.85). Furthermore, the number of neonates requiring oxygen therapy at discharge was not significantly different between CDH neonates delivered at an early term (32/370; 8.6%) and at full term (14/154; 9.1%) (RR, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.36–2.70; p = 0.99). Therefore, the optimal timing of delivery at term for neonates with CDH remains unclear.