Canna tandilensis Ciciar. (Cannaceae-Zingiberales), a new species from Argentina.

Canna tandilensis is proposed as a species new to science. Plants grow wild terrestrial, in rocky places exposed to solar radiation forming dense colonies whose individuals of small to medium length, produce reduced inflorescences with large and few yellow to bright orange flowers and narrow and reflexed staminodes. The specific epithet refers to the city of Tandil at the south of Buenos Aires Province where the holotype comes from. It is related to other species having reduced inflorescences, narrow leaves and staminodes, and nectar guides in androecium pieces such as C. lineata. A detailed description of the new species is given, along with a study of the morphological vegetative and floral characters. These characters were compared with those from two other species C. glauca and C. lineata. According to these new evidences two groups of similar species of the genus are suggested. The number of species surveyed until now in Argentina rises to sixteen.

Botany origin and protein content of homemade honeys from Galicia hives (NW Spain)

The botanic origin and the protein content of 15 honeys from small bee farms exploitations of Galicia, for family consume, were studied; the aim is to check if the protein wealth and the pollen wealth are dependent parameters. Seven honeys resulted to be Rhamnus frangula unifloral (pollen patterns with low diversity), two Castanea sativa Miller unifloral, other one heather unifloral, and five was multifloral honeys of various pollen patterns (four Castanea predominant and one Rhamnus frangula predominant). Their pollen wealth was low; eight honeys classified in the Maurizio Class I, 3 in Class II, 2 in Class III, and one in Maurizio Class IV. There has been a wide variability in its protein content (0.09- 4.83 mg prot./g honey). The relative amount of pollen from different taxa has a direct or inverse proportionality to wealth protein.

Floristic catalogue of the Duraton Canyon (Segovia), V. Alismataceae to Orchidaceae

This report completes the series devoted to the Floral catalogue of the Duraton river Canyon, which has been published in Lazaroa. 111 taxones of Monocotiledoneae (Liliatae) are refeted.

Doubly duped males: the sweet and sour of the orchid's bouquet

Flowers of the orchid genus Ophrys resemble female insects, and thereby sexually deceive, attract and are pollinated by male insects. Floral bouquet is thought to play a major role in this sexual mimicry, although the search for functional odour components has been something of a chemical ecologist's Holy Grail. Two new papers unravel the exquisite intricacy of the chemical deception by the orchid.

Targeted 3' processing of antisense transcripts triggers Arabidopsis FLC chromatin silencing.

Noncoding RNA is emerging as an important regulator of gene expression in many organisms. We are characterizing RNA-mediated chromatin silencing of the Arabidopsis major floral repressor gene, FLC. Through suppressor mutagenesis, we identify a requirement for CstF64 and CstF77, two conserved RNA 3'-end-processing factors, in FLC silencing. However, FLC sense transcript 3' processing is not affected in the mutants. Instead, CstF64 and CstF77 are required for 3' processing of FLC antisense transcripts. A specific RNA-binding protein directs their activity to a proximal antisense polyadenylation site. This targeted processing triggers localized histone demethylase activity and results in reduced FLC sense transcription. Targeted 3' processing of antisense transcripts may be a common mechanism triggering transcriptional silencing of the corresponding sense gene.

Altered interactions within FY/AtCPSF complexes required for Arabidopsis FCA-mediated chromatin silencing.

The role of RNA metabolism in chromatin silencing is now widely recognized. We have studied the Arabidopsis RNA-binding protein FCA that down-regulates an endogenous floral repressor gene through a chromatin mechanism involving histone demethylase activity. This mechanism needs FCA to interact with an RNA 3' processing/polyadenylation factor (FY/Pfs2p), but the subsequent events leading to chromatin changes are unknown. Here, we show that this FCA-FY interaction is required for general chromatin silencing roles where hairpin transgenes induce DNA methylation of an endogenous gene. We also show 2 conserved RNA processing factors, AtCPSF100 and AtCPSF160, but not FCA, are stably associated with FY in vivo and form a range of different-sized complexes. A hypomorphic fy allele producing a shorter protein, able to provide some FY functions but unable to interact with FCA, reduces abundance of some of the larger MW complexes. Suppressor mutants, which specifically disrupt the FY motif through which FCA interacts, also lacked these larger complexes. Our data support a model whereby FCA, perhaps after recognition of a specific RNA feature, transiently interacts with FY, an integral component of the canonical RNA 3' processing machinery, changing the interactions of the different RNA processing components. These altered interactions would appear to be a necessary step in this RNA-mediated chromatin silencing.

Vegetation responses to rapid climatic changes during the last deglaciation 13,500-8,000 years ago on southwest Andoya, arctic Norway

The late-glacial vegetation development in northern Norway in response to climate changes during the Allerod, Younger Dryas (YD), and the transition to the Holocene is poorly known. Here we present a high-resolution record of floral and vegetation changes at lake Lusvatnet, south-west Andoya, between 13500 and 8000 cal b.p. Plant macrofossil and pollen analyses were done on the same sediment core and the proxy records follow each other very closely. The core has also been analyzed using an ITRAX XRF scanner in order to check the sediment sequence for disturbances or hiatuses. The core has a good radiocarbon-based chronology. The Saksunarvatn tephra fits very well chronostratigraphically. During both the Allerod and the Younger Dryas time-periods arctic vegetation prevailed, dominated by Salix polaris associated with many typically arctic herbs such as Saxifraga cespitosa, Saxifraga rivularis and Oxyria digyna. Both periods were cold and dry. Between 12450 and 12250 cal b.p. during the Younger Dryas chronozone, the assemblage changed, particularly in the increased abundance of Papaver sect. Scapiflora and other high-Arctic herbs, suggesting the development of polar desert vegetation mainly as a response to increased aridity. After 11520 cal b.p. a gradually warmer and more oceanic climate initiated a succession to dwarf-shrub vegetation and the establishment of Betula woodland after 1,000 years at c. 10520 cal b.p. The overall late-glacial aridity contrasts with oceanic conditions in southern Norway and is probably related to sea-ice extent.

An allelic series reveals essential roles for FY in plant development in addition to flowering-time control.

The autonomous pathway functions to promote flowering in Arabidopsis by limiting the accumulation of the floral repressor FLOWERING LOCUS C (FLC). Within this pathway FCA is a plant-specific, nuclear RNA-binding protein, which interacts with FY, a highly conserved eukaryotic polyadenylation factor. FCA and FY function to control polyadenylation site choice during processing of the FCA transcript. Null mutations in the yeast FY homologue Pfs2p are lethal. This raises the question as to whether these essential RNA processing functions are conserved in plants. Characterisation of an allelic series of fy mutations reveals that null alleles are embryo lethal. Furthermore, silencing of FY, but not FCA, is deleterious to growth in Nicotiana. The late-flowering fy alleles are hypomorphic and indicate a requirement for both intact FY WD repeats and the C-terminal domain in repression of FLC. The FY C-terminal domain binds FCA and in vitro assays demonstrate a requirement for both C-terminal FY-PPLPP repeats during this interaction. The expression domain of FY supports its roles in essential and flowering-time functions. Hence, FY may mediate both regulated and constitutive RNA 3'-end processing.

Microbiology of sugar-rich environments: Diversity, ecology and system constraints

Microbial habitats that contain an excess of carbohydrate in the form of sugar are widespread in the microbial biosphere. Depending on the type of sugar, prevailing water activity and other substances present, sugar-rich environments can be highly dynamic or relatively stable, osmotically stressful, and/or destabilizing for macromolecular systems, and can thereby strongly impact the microbial ecology. Here, we review the microbiology of different high-sugar habitats, including their microbial diversity and physicochemical parameters, which act to impact microbial community assembly and constrain the ecosystem. Saturated sugar beet juice and floral nectar are used as case studies to explore the differences between the microbial ecologies of low and higher water-activity habitats respectively. Nectar is a paradigm of an open, dynamic and biodiverse habitat populated by many microbial taxa, often yeasts and bacteria such as, amongst many others, Metschnikowia spp. and Acinetobacter spp., respectively. By contrast, thick juice is a relatively stable, species-poor habitat and is typically dominated by a single, xerotolerant bacterium (Tetragenococcus halophilus). A number of high-sugar habitats contain chaotropic solutes (e.g. ethyl acetate, phenols, ethanol, fructose and glycerol) and hydrophobic stressors (e.g. ethyl octanoate, hexane, octanol and isoamyl acetate), all of which can induce chaotropicity-mediated stresses that inhibit or prevent multiplication of microbes. Additionally, temperature, pH, nutrition, microbial dispersion and habitat history can determine or constrain the microbiology of high-sugar milieux. Findings are discussed in relation to a number of unanswered scientific questions.

Caracterização química e actividade biológica dos óleos essenciais e extractos aquosos de algumas Lavandula spp. do Sul de Portugal

No presente trabalho estudaram-se três espécies do género Lavandula, do sul de Portugal: L. luisieri e L. pedunculata (Alentejo) e L.viridis (Algarve), com vista caraterizar a composição química dos óleos essenciais das diferentes espécies, parte vegetativa (folha) e espiga floral, e dos respetivos extratos de hidrodestilação, e avaliar as propriedades antioxidante, antimicrobiana, toxicológica, analgésica e antiinflamatória de alguns dos seus óleos essenciais e extratos aquosos, mais promissores. Os resultados mostraram importantes diferenças na composição química dos óleos essenciais, quanto à diversidade e à proporção dos seus constituintes. Os óleos essenciais e hidrolatos, em estudo, apresentaram importantes propriedades antioxidantes e antimicrobianas. Os estudos toxicológicos e farmacológicos mostraram que os óleos apresentaram citotoxicidade em Artemia salina, apresentaram valores de DL50 muito superiores a 2000 mg/kg em ratinhos Swiss, e que possuem importantes propriedades analgésicas e anti-inflamatória. Estes resultados sugerem o seu potencial uso para aplicações farmacológicas como agentes nutracêuticos e/ou fitoterapêuticos; ABSTRACT:The aim of present work was to develop a set of studies of three species of the genera Lavandula, at the South of Portugal: L. luisieri e L. pedunculata (Alentejo) e L.viridis (Algarve), in order to characterize the chemical composition of the essential oils (leaves and flowers) and to evaluate the antioxidant, antimicrobial, toxicological and pharmacological properties of selected essential oils and aqueous extracts. Results show important differences in chemical composition of essential oils, both in diversity as the proportion of their constituents. Essential oils and aqueous extracts of different Lavandula spp. showed important antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. Pharmacological studies have shown that essential oils showed cytotoxicity against Artemia salina, low acute toxicity, with LD50 >> 2000 mg/kg for mice, and important analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. These results suggest their potential use for pharmacological applications as nutraceutical and/or phytotherapeutic agents.

Studies on honey from the Algarve in view of its valorization

Tese de dout., Química, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Univ. do Algarve, 2012

Micromorphology of the labellum and structure of the osmophore in a group of closely related species of the sexually deceptive Orchid genus Ophrys (orchidaceae)

Tese de doutoramento, Biologia (Biologia Celular), Universidade de Lisboa, Faculdade de Ciências, 2016

Histoire naturelle de Pline.

Saisi le 11 septembre 1797 à San Daniele del Friuli; cf. Laffitte, Bulletin du Bibliophile, 1989/2, 315

Annales de Gênes, par Cafaro.

Acquis le 13 germinal an VII (2 avril 1799), à l'ouverture de deux caisses adressées au conservatoire de la Bibliothèque nationale par le ministre de l'Intérieur, suite à un envoi de la commission des arts en Piémont, avec une note datée de Turin, 17 ventôse an 7 (7 mars 1799), note qui fut remise le 23 floréal an IX (12 mai 1801) au citoyen Capperonnier, administateur de la Bibliothèque nationale, par les conservateurs du département des Manuscrits; cf. B.n.F., département des Manuscrits, Archives Modernes 492, registre des acquisitions du département des Manuscrits an II-an XIV (1793-1805), f. 33 "3. Annales genuenses. Ms. in fol., un vol., écrit. du 13e s."; cf. Laffitte, Bulletin du Bibliophile, 1989/2, 316-318.

Breviarium Strigoniense.

Cf. notice du ms. par Leroquais, Bréviaires, III, 182-185 n° 591 et pl. XCIX; P. Radó, Libri liturgici manuscripti bibliothecarum Hungariae et limitropharum regionum, Budapest, 1973. Un bréviaire d'Esztergom a été imprimé en 1524 à Venise. F. 2-8v Calendrier à l'usage d'Esztergom, avec un grand nombre de saints d'origines diverses (2-7v); cf. Leroquais, op. cit., 182. À noter les saints non mentionnés dans les Acta sanctorum, ou du moins pas pour la date correspondante; ne sont pas relevés les saints hongrois considérés comme classiques par Radó, op. cit., passim : 4 févr., «Victoris m.»; 8 févr., «Juliani m.»; 13 févr., «Adalberti m.», signalé une fois dans Radó, op. cit., 96 d'après ms. Budapest, B. N. Hung., c. l. m. ae. 395; 15févr., «Faustiani m.»; 21 févr., «Septuaginta mm.», non signalé sous cette forme pour cette date dans Radó, op. cit.; 15 mars, «Hilarii conf. et pont.», non signalé sous cette forme pour cette date dans Radó, op. cit.; 17 mars, «Bernardi conf.»; 26mars, «Eustachii abb.», signalé une fois dans Radó, op. cit., 96 d'après ms. Budapest, B.N. Hung., c. l. m. ae. 395; 28 mars, «Gastuli m.», non signalé dans Radó, op. cit.; 3 juill., «Bonifacii ep.», non signalé dans Radó, op. cit.; 5 juill., «Dominici m.»; 4 août, «Gaudentii ep. et conf.», signalé une fois dans Radó, op. cit., 329 d'après ms. Budapest, B. N. Hung., c. l. m. ae. 408; 8 août, «Adventus sanguinis D. N. J. C.»; 31 août, «Pauli ep. et m.», non signalé dans Radó, op. cit.; 12 oct., «Quatuor milium mm.», non signalé dans Radó, op. cit., à rapprocher de quatuor mille octingenti septuaginta mm., cf. Radó, op. cit., 167 d'après ms. Esztergom, B. metropolitana Strigoniensis I. 20; 14 oct., «Cerbonii conf.»; 27 oct., «Vedasti m.»; 15 nov., «Martini conf.», non signalé pour cette date dans Radó, op. cit; 20 nov., «Aniani ep. [Aurelianensis] et conf.». Pour plusieurs saints du calendrier on ne trouve pas d'office dans le sanctoral, et vice versa. — «Sequitur tabula impositionis historiarum...» (8-8v). F. 11-76 Psautier férial (11-72). — Office des défunts à l'usage d'Esztergom (72v-76); cf. K. Ottosen, The responsories and versicles of the latin office of the dead, Aarhus 1993, 127 (description des ff.74v-75v = «BN8879B») et 180 (description des ff.72v-74v = «BN8879A»). F. 77-528v Temporal : «Incipit breviarium secundum chorum alme ecclesie Strigoniensis. Dominica prima in adventu Domini...» (77-282v). Sanctoral : «Incipit secunda pars breviarii scilicet de festivitatibus. De s. Silvestro...» (286-486). À noter : office de l'Immaculée Conception composé par Léonard Nogarolo (480v). Commun des saints : «Incipit commune de sanctis et primo in vigilia unius apostoli...» (486v-513v). — «Sequitur de b. Virgine sabbatis diebus per estatem. Ad vesperas...» (513v-516v). «In quotidianis horis b. Virginis...» (516v-525). — «Sequuntur preces in quadragesima...» (525-526v). — «Sequuntur suffragia sabbatis diebus per estatem...» (526v-528), dont suffrages des ss. [Stephani regis Hungariae; Emerici ducis] (527), [Ladislai regis Hungariae; Adalberti ep. Pragensis et m.] (527v). — «Absolutio excommunicati...» (528-528v). 106 hymnes mentionnées dans la table des incipit, dont une non répertoriée dans Chevalier, Repert. hymn. ni dans les A. H., pour les confesseurs : «Christe lucis splendor vere fabrice mundi semper nobis parcens miserere confessorum precibus//...» (506v); cf. P. Radó, Répertoire hymnologique des mss. liturgiques dans les bibliothèques publiques de Hongrie, Budapest 1945, n° 111, relevée une fois dans le ms. Budapest, Bibl. nat. Hung. c. l. m. ae. 132, ms. décrit par Radó, Libri liturgici..., op. cit., 395-400.