Synthesis of SnO2 quantum dots mediated by Camellia sinensis shoots for degradation of thiamethoxam

Abstract

A novel method of synthesis of tin dioxide quantum dots employing Camellia sinensis shoots as reducing agent and stabilizer is presented. The quantum dots were characterized by UV spectroscopy, X-Ray diffraction analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The crystalline tin dioxide quantum dots with an average size of 4.3?nm were of flake like morphology capped by phenolic compounds of Camellia sinensis. The quantum dots were employed for the photocatalytic degradation of thiamethoxam resulting in 57% degradation within 45 mins.     

Changing face of polyculture in the Darma and Johaar valleys,Pithoragarh, Kumaun Himalayas

Traditional modes of living or sustenance invariably relate to immediate and surrounding resources. Traditional people use many plant resources and have developed subtle and innovative uses for them in order to obtain maximum benefit. Traditional crop varieties and races that evolved over time through trial and error, not only provide basic nutritional requirements, but also food security. While the effects of the green revolution are conspicuous in the lower Himalayas, they are less visible in the study region, the Darma and Johaar valleys in the Kumaun Himalayas. Loss of crop biodiversity has taken place over the years, principally and inadvertently related to changing lifestyle and closure of traditional trade with Tibet after the 1962 Sino-Indian war. Added to this, is a growing demand for medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs), principally Jambu (Allium stracheyii) and caraway (Carum carvi), whose acreage has increased with the concomitant decline in area under the traditional crops. In addition, the recent discovery of Yar tsa Gumba (Cordyceps sinensis) in the alpine zones of their summer homes has reduced people's interest in sowing, rearing and caring for traditional crops, viz. beans, potatoes, amaranth, whose growing season coincides with the harvesting season of Yar tsa Gumba. The present study attempts to show the causal factors behind the loss in crop biodiversity, as well as the changing lifestyle of these traditional people, vis a vis the changes in polyculture.     

Branchial and intestinal osmoregulatory acclimation in the four-eyed sleeper, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bostrychus sinensis</Emphasis> (Lacepède), exposed to seawater

Bostrychus sinensis is a facultative air breather that inhabits waters of a wide range of salinities. This study aimed to elucidate whether branchial and intestinal osmoregulatory acclimation occurred in B. sinensis transferred from 5‰ water through a progressive increase in salinities to seawater. Our results indicate that B. sinensis acted as a hyperosmotic regulator in 5‰ water, but exhibited hypoosmotic hypoionic regulation in seawater. During short- (1 day) and medium- (10 days) term acclimation to seawater, there were only minor perturbations in plasma osmolality and [Na⁺], which returned to control levels after 45 days of exposure to seawater. Branchial Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase activity was unaffected by 1, 10 or 45 days of exposure to seawater. However, prolonged (45 days) acclimation to seawater led to a significant increase in Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase α-subunit protein abundance. Taken together, these results indicate that there could be changes in the expression of Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase isoforms and/or post-translational modification of Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase in the gills of fish exposed to seawater. Immunofluorescence microscopy revealed that acclimation to seawater for 10 days only resulted in no change in branchial Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase protein expression, but there were increases in protein expression of cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator (CFTR)-like chloride channel and Na⁺:K⁺:2Cl⁻ cotransporter (NKCC; probably NKCC1). Indeed, NKCC was undetectable in gills of fish kept in 5‰ water by Western blotting, but it became weakly detectable in fish exposed to seawater for 10 days and prominently expressed in fish exposed to seawater for 45 days. Therefore, our results indicate that branchial CFTR-like chloride channel and NKCC1 were the determining factors in the transition between hyperosmotic regulation and hypoosmotic hypoionic regulation in B. sinensis. Furthermore, the intestine of B. sinensis also served as an important osmoregulatory organ, since there were significant increases in both the activity and protein abundance of intestinal Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase in fish acclimated to seawater for 45 days. The effectiveness of branchial and intestinal osmoregulatory acclimation in B. sinensis during seawater acclimation led to only a minor increase in plasma osmolality, and thus resulted in relatively unchanged free amino acid contents in muscle and liver.     

Growth kinetics and nutrient requirements of two tropical marine phytoplankters

Growth rates of nutrient-depleted cells of Biddulphia sinensis Greville and Ceratium furca (Ehrenberg) Claparède et Lachmann as a function of phosphate and nitrate, follow the hyperbolic expression of the Michaelis-Menten equation. variations in the half-saturation constants (K _s) for both species in each nutrient gave an index of their capacity to utilize these two nutrients when available either singly or in combination. The maximum growth rates (_max) of the two species did not follow the trends shown by K _s. Seasonal abundance of the two species in the Cochin Backwater (an Indian tropical estuary) showed that, at low concentrations of nutrients, C. furca becomes predominant; high nutrient concentrations present in the estuary during the monsoon months tend to increase the abundance of B. sinensis. The differences in the K _s values of the two organisms seem to reflect their observed seasonal abundance in the estuary.     

Two herbivore-deterrent iridoid glycosides reduce the in-vitro growth of a specialist but not of a generalist pathogenic fungus of Plantago lanceolata L

Summary. Many secondary plant compounds are involved in defense against both insect herbivores and pathogens. Two secondary plant compounds of Plantago lanceolata, the iridoid glycosides catalpol and its precursor aucubin, are well known for their deterrent effects on generalist and non-adapted specialist insect herbivores. We tested the effects of these compounds on the in-vitro growth of a specialist and generalist fungal pathogen of this host species. Two chemical forms of these iridoids were tested. The glycosides and their aglycones, the products of enzymatic conversion by specific $/Beta$-glucosidase enzymes. The glycosides enhanced growth of both the specialist fungus Diaporthe adunca and the generalist fungus Fusarium moniliforme var. subglutinans. The positive effect of these glycosides on the generalist fungus is in sharp contrast with the generally negative effects of these glysosides on generalist insect herbivores. The aglycones of aucubin and catalpol reduced the growth of the specialist fungus D. adunca, but, contrary to expectation, enhanced the growth of the generalist fungus F. moniliforme var. subglutinans. Effects of aucubin on D. adunca were stronger than effects of catalpol. This was true both for the growth stimulating effects of the glycosides and for the fungitoxic effects of the aglycones. We therefore expect that the effects of these iridoids in P. lanceolata on the specialist fungus will strongly depend on the ratio between catalpol and its precursor aucubin and the chemical form (glycoside or aglycone) in which these compounds are encountered by the fungus during growth. Our results suggest that iridoid glycosides in P. lanceolata can be used as defense against both herbivores and pathogens, but that their effects are highly specific with respect to the natural enemy species that is encountered. Received 11 April 2002; accepted 9 August 2002     

Effects of Two Amphibian Pathogens on the Developmental Stability of Green Frogs

Abstract: Developmental instability, measured as fluctuating asymmetry (FA), is often used as a tool to measure stress and the overall quality of organisms. Under FA, it is assumed that control of symmetry during development is costly and that under stress the trajectory of development is disturbed, resulting in asymmetric morphologies. Amphibian emergent infectious diseases (EIDs), such as Ranavirus and chytrid fungus, have been involved in several mortality events, which makes them stressors and allows for the study of FA. We analyzed nine populations of green frogs (Rana clamitans) for the presence or absence of Ranavirus and chytrid fungus. Individuals were measured to determine levels of FA in seven traits under the hypothesis that FA is more likely to be observed in individuals infected by the pathogens. Significantly higher levels of FA were found in individuals with Ranavirus compared with uninfected individuals among all populations and all traits. We did not observe FA in individuals infected with chytrid fungus for any of the traits measured. Additionally, we observed a significant association between Ranavirus infection and levels of FA in both males and females, which may indicate this viral disease is likely to affect both sexes during development. Altogether, our results indicate that some EIDs may have far‐reaching and nonlethal effects on individual development and populations harboring such diseases and that FA can be used as a conservation tool to identify populations subject to such a stress.     

Colonial recognition of fungus in the fungus-growing ant Acromyrmex subterraneus subterraneus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Summary. Leaf cutting ants live in symbiosis with a basidiomycete fungus that is exploited as a source of nutrients for the ant larvae. Tests of fungus transport demonstrated that Acromyrmex subterraneus subterraneus workers discriminate concolonial fungus from alien fungus, and rejected the latter. Larvae and pupae of the ant were used as controls. Chemical analysis of the fungus revealed a great similarity between its hydrocarbon profile and that found on the ant brood. Experiments with lures showed that chemical extracts from the fungus are responsible for this discrimination process. Moreover, the presence of brood inside the fungus seemed to be important for discrimination of the fungus by workers. Resident workers accepted concolonial broodless fungus less than concolonial fungus inoculated with brood odor. Fungus seems to acquire colonial odor passively, simply by contact with the brood. The impact of fungus volume present in the nest on closure of the colony is discussed. We show here for the first time the importance of a symbiotic vegetal organism in colonial recognition in social insects. Received 14 April 2000; accepted 29 September 2000     

Mate attraction by females in a sexually cannibalistic praying mantis

We studied mate attraction by females of the praying mantid, Tenodera aridifolia sinensis, testing honest signaling of mate availability versus deceptive signaling to attract males for sexual cannibalism. We experimentally varied female diet and mating history and measured the rate of attraction of a wild population of males to caged females. Honest signaling theory predicts that virgin females will attract males at the greatest rate whereas deceptive signaling predicts that hungry females (which are more likely to cannibalize males) will attract more males, particularly among non-virgin females. Our results show that hungry females did not attract more males than well-fed females. Indeed, the opposite was true: hungry females attracted significantly fewer males. Moreover, hungry females were no more likely than well-fed females to attract males subsequent to mating, and mated females attracted males at a lower rate than did virgin females. We also observed female T. aridifolia sinensis and male Mantis religiosa arriving at the caged females and we discuss the significance of these observations. The results refute the hypothesis of deceptive signaling and show that mate attraction signals of female T. aridifolia sinensis are honest indicators of female mate availability and a lower risk of sexual cannibalism.     

Mycoremediation of diclofenac using Mucor hiemalis

Diclofenac (DCF) is a pharmaceutical drug widely found in the aquatic environment, where it represents a persistent, anthropogenic hazard to all biota. Owing to the reported inefficiency of water treatment strategies to remove pharmaceuticals, the present study aimed to investigate the ability of the aquatic fungus Mucor hiemalis to take up and accumulate DCF. Cultures of M. hiemalis were exposed to varying concentrations of DCF (10, 25 and 50 µg/L) over a period of 144 h. In the presence of M. hiemalis, DCF concentrations in the media decreased by 95% within 24 h. This early removal was most likely due to extracellular metabolism of DCF, as low proportions of the pharmaceutical were found in the mycelium of the fungus, thereby excluding bioaccumulation as the main mode of removal. However, adsorption of DCF onto the surface of the M. hiemalis pellets cannot be excluded. Our study provides the first report of DCF remediation using M. hiemalis and is the first successful step towards a feasible and inexpensive bioremediation technique for DCF.     

Management of the Panzootic White‐Nose Syndrome through Culling of Bats

Abstract: The probability of persistence of many species of hibernating bats in the United States is greatly reduced by an emerging infectious disease, white‐nose syndrome (WNS). In the United States WNS is rapidly spreading and is associated with a psychrophilic fungus, Geomyces destructans. WNS has caused massive mortality of bats that hibernate. Efforts to control the disease have been ineffective. The culling of bats in hibernacula has been proposed as a way to break the transmission cycle or slow the spread of WNS. We formulated a disease model to examine the efficacy of culling to abate WNS in bat populations. We based the model dynamics on disease transmission in maternity roosts, swarms, and hibernacula, which are the arenas of contact among bats. Our simulations indicated culling will not control WNS in bats primarily because contact rates are high among colonial bats, contact occurs in multiple arenas, and periodic movement between arenas occurs. In general, culling is ineffective in the control of animal diseases in the wild.     

胚胎期草甘膦铵盐暴露对中华鳖幼体的表型与生理表现的影响

草甘膦是全球范围内生产与使用量最大的除草剂。虽然草甘膦制剂被分于低毒等级,但是许多研究显示其对动物的生理、行为表达具有广泛的干扰作用。本研究将中华鳖胚胎暴露于不同浓度的草甘膦铵盐溶液以评估草甘膦除草剂对其胚胎发育及孵出幼体表型及生理表现的影响。结果显示:一定浓度范围(5～5 000 mg·L~(-1))内,草甘膦铵盐对中华鳖胚胎发育速率、孵出幼体大小、游泳能力、肝脏甘油三酯含量、超氧化物歧化酶活性、丙二醛含量以及热激蛋白70 mRNA相对表达量无显著影响。结果表明:一定浓度范围草甘膦除草剂暴露对中华鳖胚胎发育的影响较小,不改变孵出幼体的表型及其生理表现。     

Hypoxia-induced structural changes in the diet of bottom-feeding fish and Crustacea

Interactive effects of three alternating normoxia-hypoxia cycles on benthic prey exploitation by mobile fish (spot, Leiostomus xanthurus; and hogchoker, Trinectes maculatus) and a burrowing crustacean (Squilla empusa) were investigated in the York River, Chesapeake Bay, Virginia, USA, in 1989. Predators collected in four depth strata (A: 5 to 10 m; B: 10 to 14 m; C: 14 to 20 m; D:>20 m) variously affected by hypoxia were separated into size classes (three for spot and two each for hogchoker and mantis shrimp) to examine potential ontogenetic influences in prey selection. The most severe effects of hypoxia on the benthos occurred in the two deepest strata (C and D) and decreased in shallower strata (B>A), with Stratum A never affected by low oxygen. Predators investigated exhibited dietary evidence of optimal prey exploitation during or immediately after hypoxic events. In most instances gut contents contained significantly larger, deeper-burrowing prey during periods of low oxygen than during alternating peroids of normal oxygen levels. Spot consumed a greater biomass (45 to 73%) of polychaetes than other prey, with crustaceans initially also constituting a main dietary component but decreasing in importance later in the study period. The deep-burrowing anemone, Edwardsia elegans, was an important prey species for spot, particularly in the lower depth strata affected by hypoxia. Prey consumed by 10-to 15-cm-long spot increased significantly in size during some hypoxic events, suggesting a sublethal effect of hypoxia on large benthic species. Polychaetes (primarily Glycera americana, Notomastis latericeus and Loimia medusa) were dominant dietary components in hogchoker, making up between 85 and 98% of the diet. Bivalve siphons became important prey for hogchoker in the three deepest strata and were only consumed after the August hypoxia. Stomach contents of mantis shrimp were difficult to identify in most instances due to the near complete mastication of consumed prey. Crustaceans were important prey initially but became less conspicuous in the diet subsequent to the July hypoxia event, when hydroids became more dominant. Overall, predator species exhibited optimal exploitation of moribund or slowly recovering benthos affected by hypoxia. The sublethal effects of hypoxia through increased availability of benthos to resident predators can have important consequences for energy flow in areas such as the York River which experience periodic low-oxygen cycles.     

The marine bacterium Leucothrix mucor as an algal epiphyte

Leucothrix mucor, a filamentous marine heterotrophic bacterium, is found in nature primarily as an algal epiphyte. Its distinctive characteristics make it easily recognizable by dir ect light-microscopic examination, and a method was develop ed to quantify natural populations of L. mucor on algae by direct microscopic counts. L. mucor was found to be widely distributed in the intertidal environment, especially in the mid-to-upper intertidal regions. Populations were most abundant on members of Rhodophyta, particularly on the alga Bangia juscopurpurea. The nature of the L. mucor-algal relationship was investigated by choosing an artificial plastic substrate to which L. mucor would attach. The use of the plastic substrate, both alone, and in conjunction with a natural algal host, gave results supporting the conclusion that L. mucor obtains its nutrients for growth from the alga rather than from seawater. Algae in the upper intertidal region may also protect attached L. mucor from desiccation.     

Simulated potential effects of ecological factors on a hypothetical population of Chiricahua leopard frog (Rana chiricahuensis)

Simulations provide an opportunity to examine how single or multiple perturbations may impact a specific species. The objectives of this study were to identify thresholds at which changes in stream peak flow, stream base flow, and/or chytrid fungus presence alter long-term Rana chiricahuensis populations. We used scenarios with varying peak flow mortality rates, base flow mortality rates, and chytrid fungus mortality rates. Sensitivity analysis was also conducted. Over 50 years, populations in six scenarios increased and 13 scenarios decreased. Eight scenarios resulting with fewer than 100 individuals included stochastic effects for at least two of three perturbations and the remaining scenarios included chronic effects of 30% or higher. Scenarios with population increases had either no chytrid fungus effect or chronic effects from perturbations totaling less than 30%. In the absence of chytrid fungus, populations increased and became stable. At a 10% annual death rate caused by chytrid fungus, the R. chiricahuensis population decreased 46.8%. At a 20% death rate, the population decreased 98.6%. Model scenarios were sensitive to peak flow death rates. As peak flow mortality increased to 10 and 20%, extinction rates increased to 91.7 and 99.9%, respectively. With model parameters and the no base flow mortality, R. chiricahuensis populations declined by 92% with a 3.2% extinction rate at 50 years. Models with base flow mortality rates of 10 and 20% resulted in population extinction rates of 48.7 and 96.1%, respectively. Scenario analysis of perturbations on a hypothetical R. chiricahuensis population provided a framework in which to view combined effects on a species. Analysis supports supposition that chytrid fungus is the proximate cause of many amphibian declines, but the added effect of base flow and peak flow has the potential to hasten declines.     

Screening the methanolic extracts of some plants for tyrosinase inhibitory activity

Melanin is responsible for pigmentation of skin and hair. It protects the skin from the harmful effects of UV radiation; however, its abnormal production may lead to different diseases such as hyper-pigmentation or vitiligo. Tyrosinase is a key enzyme in melanin production, therefore inhibitors of this enzyme should have broad application. Due to the adverse effects of synthetic inhibitors currently being used, the search for new inhibitors, especially natural ones, is needed. The methanolic extracts of 80 plants were tested for their tyrosinase inhibitory activities by spectrophotometry at 492?nm. The inhibition mode of effective plant extracts was determined using the Lineweaver-Burk plots. Among these plant extracts, Alhagi camelorum (camel thorn), Camelia sinensis (green tea), Cuminum cyminum (Cumin), Lawsonia inermis (henna), Quercus infectoria (masso), and Vaccinium arctostaphylos (Caucasian whortleberry) were identified as tyrosinase inhibitors with inhibitory effect of more than 50% at concentrations of 1.14?g?L^?1. The inhibition mode of four newly found effective plant extracts showed that A. camelorum and V. arctostaphylos inhibit the enzyme in a competitive manner whereas L. inermis and Q. infectoria have mixed inhibitory effect. To recommend these plant extracts for hyper-pigmentation disorders and other applications, further in vitro and in vivo studies are needed.     

Genetic structure of the scleractinian coral<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Platygyra sinensis</Emphasis> in Hong Kong

Genetic structure was studied in Platygyra sinensis from six sites in Hong Kong by allozyme electrophoresis using an isoelectric focusing gel (IEF). Seven variable loci were detected using six enzyme systems. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 3.3 to 3.6 in the six samples, and heterozygosity from 0.429 to 0.540. Genotype frequencies were generally close to Hardy–Weinberg expectations. The values of unique multilocus genotype to the number of individuals for each sample (N_G/N) and observed genotypic diversity to expected genotypic diversity (G_O/G_E) were high, indicating a high level of sexual reproduction. Variation in allele frequencies among sites was low (F_ST=0.017), as was Nei's unbiased genetic distance (D), suggesting genetic similarity among sites.Communicated by T. Ikeda, Hakodate     

Protein kinase C and ion transport in the posterior gills of the Chinese crabEriocheir sinensis

The possible involvement of protein kinase C in control of ion transport was investigated on a preparation of isolated, perfused posterior gills of the Chinese crabsEriocheir sinensis (collected in 1989 from lakes near Emden, northern Germany) acclimated to fresh water. 1-oleyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycerol (OAG) and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), two activators of protein kinase C, when added to the perfusion saline, induced depolarisation of the transepithelial potential difference (PD) and an increase in transepithelial Na⁺ influx. The observed increase was proportional to OAG concentration up to 250µM, with a 2.5× accelerated Na⁺ influx. OAG and PMA remained without effect on Cl^– fluxes. The observed effects were in agreement with an activation, via protein kinase C, of the Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase located on the serosal side of the epithelium.     

Induction of host specificity in larvae of Manduca sexta: chemical dependence controlling host recognition and developmental rate

Summary. The tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta L. (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae) is a specialist on Solanaceae. This host specificity is induced as the larva feeds on solanaceous foliage, so that solanaceous-reared larvae will refuse to feed on other plants. Experiments were designed to determine the role of dietary constituents on the induction of host specificity and the effects of these on development of M. sexta. Choice assays using leaf discs of cowpea, Vigna sinensis (Fabaceae), were used to monitor the isolation of relevant chemical cues from foliage of potato. An aqueous extract of potato foliage strongly stimulated feeding. This extract was partitioned with n-butanol under alkaline conditions to obtain a highly active butanol extract. Reversed phase flash chromatography with a water-methanol gradient gave an active fraction that was used as a supplement for wheat germ-based artificial diet. Larvae reared on this s-diet became dependent on potato allelochemicals for initiation and continuation of feeding activity. These larvae also developed faster than larvae reared on the control p-diet, but no effect on adult mass was detected. Further flash chromatography of the active fraction under alkaline conditions provided a highly active sub-fraction, and semi-preparative HPLC using gradients of water and acetonitrile resulted in the isolation of a single compound. Bioassays indicated that this compound alone can account for host recognition by solanaceous-reared larvae. The results suggest that the mechanism of induced host specificity in M. sexta involves development of dependence on this compound. Received 21 December 1999; accepted 14 March 2000     

How <Emphasis Type="Italic">Doratomyces stemonitis</Emphasis> copes with Benzoxazolin-2(3<Emphasis Type="Italic">H</Emphasis>)-one (BOA), its derivatives and detoxification products

Summary. Doratomyces stemonitis (Hyphomycetales, Dematiaceae) is a saprotrophic fungus belonging to the mycobiota of the cereal rhizosphere. The fungus is able to metabolize benzoxazolin-2-(3H)-one and a variety of its derivatives including higher plant detoxification products, microbial degradation products and the chemically rather stable 2-amino-(3H)-phenoxazin-3-one. D. stemonitis can use all of these compounds as sole C-sources but their utilization, especially that of microbial degradation products and 2-amino-(3H)-phenoxazin-3-one, seems to be highly energy consuming, resulting in slow mycelium growth and a change of colony morphology. Benzoxazolin-2-(3H)-one derived compounds induce the synthesis of different isoforms of a glycosylated protein with sequence homologies to the endo-1,3-β-glucanase Asp f2, an allergen from Aspergillus fumigatus and other Asp f2-like proteins e.g., from Verticillium dahliae or PRA1 antigen from Candida albicans. The induction of the protein is regarded as a stress response.     

Experimental tests of suspension feeding in Atlantic reef corals

The ability of 15 species of Atlantic reef corals to act as suspension feeders was demonstrated by their removal of suspended particles from sea water in culture vessels. Mean clearance rates varied from 16.6 to 145.5 ml water cleared/h/cm² of live coral tissue. The lowest rates was found in Porites porites which is primarily a tentacle feeder, and the highest in Diploria clivosa which acts as both a tentacle feeder and suspension feeder. Rates of particle clearance in Agaricia agaricites, which is primarily a suspension feeder, were influenced by current velocity and type of food.