Predicting the Dispersal Potential of an Invasive Polychaete Pest along a Complex Coastal Biome

Boccardia proboscidea is a recently introduced polychaete in South Africa where it is a notorious pest of commercially reared abalone. Populations were originally restricted to abalone farms but a recent exodus into the wild at some localities has raised conservation concerns due to the species’ invasive status in other parts of the world. Here, we assessed the dispersal potential of B. proboscidea by using a population genetic and oceanographic modeling approach. Since the worm is in its incipient stages of a potential invasion, we used the closely related Polydora hoplura as a proxy due its similar reproductive strategy and its status as a pest of commercially reared oysters in the country. Populations of P. hoplura were sampled from seven different localities and a section of the mtDNA gene, Cyt b and the intron ATPSa was amplified. A high resolution model of the coastal waters around southern Africa was constructed using the Regional Ocean Modeling System. Larvae were represented by passive drifters that were deployed at specific points along the coast and dispersal was quantified after a 12-month integration period. Our results showed discordance between the genetic and modeling data. There was low genetic structure (Φ = 0.04 for both markers) and no geographic patterning of mtDNA and nDNA haplotypes. However, the dispersal model found limited connectivity around Cape Point—a major phylogeographic barrier on the southern African coast. This discordance was attributed to anthropogenic movement of larvae and adult worms due to vectors such as aquaculture and shipping. As such, we hypothesized that cryptic dispersal could be overestimating genetic connectivity. Though wild populations of B. proboscidea could become isolated due to the Cape Point barrier, anthropogenic movement may play the critical role in facilitating the dispersal and spread of this species on the southern African coast.

Assessing the mitochondrial DNA diversity of the Chagas disease vector Triatoma sordida (Hemiptera: Reduviidae)

Triatoma sordida is a species that transmits Trypanosoma cruzi to humans. In Brazil, T. sordida currently deserves special attention because of its wide distribution, tendency to invade domestic environments and vectorial competence. For the planning and execution of control protocols to be effective against Triatominae, they must consider its population structure. In this context, this study aimed to characterise the genetic variability of T. sordida populations collected in areas with persistent infestations from Minas Gerais, Brazil. Levels of genetic variation and population structure were determined in peridomestic T. sordida by sequencing a polymorphic region of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene. Low nucleotide and haplotype diversity were observed for all 14 sampled areas; π values ranged from 0.002-0.006. Most obtained haplotypes occurred at low frequencies, and some were exclusive to only one of the studied populations. Interpopulation genetic diversity analysis revealed strong genetic structuring. Furthermore, the genetic variability of Brazilian populations is small compared to that of Argentinean and Bolivian specimens. The possible factors related to the reduced genetic variability and strong genetic structuring obtained for studied populations are discussed in this paper.

Phylogeographical history of the white seabream Diplodus sargus (Sparidae): Implications for insularity

Partial sequences of the mitochondrial control region and its comparison with previously published cytochrome b (cyt-b) and microsatellite data were used to investigate the influence of island isolation and connectivity on white seabream genetic structure. To achieve this, a total of 188 individuals from four island localities (Castellamare and Mallorca, Mediterranean Sea; Azores and Canary Islands, Atlantic Ocean) and five coastal localities (Banyuls, Murcia and Tunisia, Mediterranean Sea; Galicia and Faro, Atlantic Ocean) were analysed. Results showed high haplotype diversity and low to moderate nucleotide diversity in all populations (except for the Canary Islands). This pattern of genetic diversity is attributed to a recent population expansion which is corroborated by other results such as cyt-b network and demographic analyses. Low differentiation among Mediterranean/Atlantic and coastal/island groups was shown by the AMOVA and FST values, although a weak phylogeographic break was detected using cyt-b data. However, we found a clear and significant island/ distance effect with regard to the Azores islands. Significant genetic differentiation has been detected between the Azores islands and all other populations. The large geographical distance between the European continental slope and the Azores islands is a barrier to gene flow within this region and historic events such as glaciation could also explain this genetic differentiation.

In two waters: contemporary evolution of lagoonal and marine white seabream (Diplodus sargus) populations

Brackish water ecosystems are often exposed to wide variations in environmental variables, including temperature and salinity, which may cause strong selective pressures on organisms modifying the genetic patterns of species. The aim of this work was to test whether there is a ‘divergence-with-gene flow’ in coastal lagoon populations of white seabream (Diplodus sargus) (Ria Formosa, S Portugal and Mar Menor, SE Spain) respect to four marine populations, by using partial sequences of cyt b mitochondrial gene and information from nine microsatellite loci. Genetic diversity was highest in both coastal lagoons (Mar Menor and Ria Formosa) considering mitochondrial and nuclear markers. Although some of FST population pairwise comparisons were not significant, analyses of molecular variance (AMOVAs) detected differences between groups (coastal lagoon and marine) close to significance. Also, only two haplotypes (Cytb-17 and Cytb-18) were detected in both coastal lagoon sampling sites and these localities (Mar Menor and Ria Formosa) showed the highest number of singletons, some of them with a high number of mutations, as has been already described for other Mar Menor populations (Pomatochistus marmoratus and Holothuria polii). Also, several tests detected significant positive and balancing selection considering mtDNA and microsatellite data. These data support the hypothesis of selection as one of the drivers of the genetic differences found between coastal lagoon and marine populations. The life strategy adopted by Diplodus sargus in coastal lagoons allows it to decrease its mortality rate and improve the heritability of its genes. Also, the increase time spent in coastal lagoons with different temperatures and salinities favours the fitness selection and the maintenance of exclusive haplotypes and genotypes in coastal lagoon inhabitants favouring the ‘divergence-with-gene-flow’.

Estudo do nível de infecção por Babesia bovis e Babesia bigemina em bovinos da raça canchim naturalmente infestados com o carrapato Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus.

Entre as principais causas de perdas produtivas em bovinos criados nos trópicos está a infestação pelo carrapato Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus e, consequentemente, dos hemoparasitas transmitidos por ele. A resistência dos zebuínos e de animais cruzados com raças taurinas à infestação por esse ácaro é amplamente conhecida. Entretanto, no que se refere à suscetibilidade às babesioses bovinas, existem evidências de que o grupo genético também pode interferir na resistência, seguindo o mesmo padrão observado para o carrapato vetor, com os taurinos apresentando maior sensibilidade. Assim, este estudo teve por objetivo avaliar a parasitemia por Babesia bovis e Babesia bigemina em 50 novilhas da raça Canchim ( Charolês + Zebu) naturalmente infestadas pelo R. (B.) microplus nas quatro estações do ano durante 24 meses, além de caracterizar o perfil de citocinas que podem estar associados ao fenótipo de resistência e suscetibilidade aos hemoparasitas do gênero Babesia spp. Foram realizadas contagens de fêmeas adultas de carrapatos com tamanho igual ou superior a 4,5 mm de diâmetro, presentes no lado esquerdo de cada bovino. As amostras de DNA extraídas foram submetidas à amplificação por meio da Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase Quantitativa em Tempo Real (qPCR), utilizando iniciadores que flanqueiam fragmentos dos genes mitocondriais do citocromo b (mt-cyt B), específicos para B. bovis e B. bigemina. O RNA extraído do sangue, foi usado para sintetizar o DNA complementar (cDNA) para análise de expressão dos genes do IFN- , TNF- , IL-10 e IL-12B por meio da quantificação relativa (RTqPCR). Foram observadas diferenças significativas (P<0,05) entre os meses das avaliações para a contagem de carrapatos. Entretanto, não houve efeito significativo (P>0,05) nas colheitas realizadas entre novembro de 2013 a janeiro de 2014 e entre os meses janeiro e fevereiro de 2015. A frequência da parasitemia no rebanho foi de 98%. Dentre as amostras de DNA que puderam ser quantificadas pela qPCR, 98% e 95,4% foram positivas para B. bovis e B. bigemina, respectivamente. Com relação ao número de cópias (NC) dos fragmentos dos genes mt-cyt B específicos para B. bovis e B. bigemina foram observados efeitos significativos (P<0,05) para ambas as espécies e interação das mesmas com as colheitas realizadas nas diferentes estações do ano. A análise do nível de expressão de mRNA do IFN- , TNF- e IL-12B revelou que houve um efeito siginificativo (P<0,05) da interação entre animais dos extremos de resistência/suscetibilidade e estações do ano, exceto para IL-10. Conclui-se que, a qPCR apresenta alta sensibilidade e especificidade para o diagnóstico das babesioses bovinas em amostras de sangue e que a oscilação na carga parasitária nas diferentes estações do ano pode estar associada com o perfil de expressão de citocinas apresentada.

GWAS of 126,559 individuals identifies genetic variants associated with educational attainment

A genome-wide association study (GWAS) of educational attainment was conducted in a discovery sample of 101,069 individuals and a replication sample of 25,490. Three independent single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are genome-wide significant (rs9320913, rs11584700, rs4851266), and all three replicate. Estimated effects sizes are small (coefficient of determination R(2) approximately 0.02%), approximately 1 month of schooling per allele. A linear polygenic score from all measured SNPs accounts for approximately 2% of the variance in both educational attainment and cognitive function. Genes in the region of the loci have previously been associated with health, cognitive, and central nervous system phenotypes, and bioinformatics analyses suggest the involvement of the anterior caudate nucleus. These findings provide promising candidate SNPs for follow-up work, and our effect size estimates can anchor power analyses in social-science genetics.

光系统II反应中心D1/D2/Cyt b559复合物的光谱特性及其光破坏作用的研究

采用柱层析法从菠菜叶绿体中分离纯化得到高等植物光系统Ⅱ(PSⅡ)反应中心色素蛋白复合体Dl/D2/Cyt b559，并对其性质，特别是光破坏作用的分子机理进行了研究。主要结果如下： 1、PSⅡ反应中心复合物所含的色素比大约为Chla／2 Pheo a=6.0。其四阶导数光谱在红区有两个峰，表明该反应中心至少存在两种结合状态的Chla。 2、Dl/D2/Cyt b559复合物的荧光相对产率及发射光谱的谱带位置与样品的浓度直接相关。只有当样品的浓度达到足够稀的程度(Chla和Pheo a总浓度小于1μg／ml)，才能得到较真实的荧光光谱，其峰位在681nm处。 3、Dl/D2/Cyt b559复合物的CD光谱在红区（Qy带）有一对反向谱带，正蜂为680nm,负峰为660nm，而在β-胡萝卜素的吸收区没有明显的CD信号。当该反应中心复合物受光破坏后，CD信号明显下降，而且当正峰完全消失后，负峰仍然存在，说明负峰不仅包含P680 的信号，也包含其它色素分子的信号，很可能有部分来源于Pheo a。 4、Dl/D2/Cyt b559复合物在488nm处激发的共振拉曼光谱显示四个主要谱带，其峰位分别在1532(ν1)、1165(ν2)、1010(ν3)和970cm-1（ν4）处，表明PSⅡ反应中心结合的B-胡萝卜素分子是全反式构型。Dl/D2/Cyt b559复合物的色素抽提液的拉曼光谱也显示四个主要的拉曼峰，其中ν4谱带的强度急剧下降，说明PSⅡ反应中心内部结合的β-胡萝卜素分子与抽提液中自由的β-胡萝卜素分子的构象不同，而与光合细菌反应中心内部的类胡萝卜素分子的构象相似，其共轭多烯链的平面也处于扭曲状态。 5、光照使PSⅡ反应中心的原初电子供体P680受到破坏，在光照后的暗放置过程中P680分子继续受到破坏，表明在光照过程中很可能有一个相对稳定的反应中间体产生，以至于光照后暗放置过程中Dl/D2/Cyt b559复合物的光谱特性继续发生变化。也就是说，PSⅡ反应中心Dl/D2/Cyt b559复合物的光破坏不是一步反应，而是一个多步反应或多条途径。 6、光照使Dl/D2/Cyt b559复合物中的组氨酸(His)残基受到很大程度的破坏，甲硫氨酸(Met）残基的含量也略有下降，而其它氨基酸的含量基本保持不变。His残基的破坏很可能与光照后暗放置过程中Dl/D2/Cyt b559复合物的光谱特性变化相关。我们认为His残基的光照破坏很可能是Dl/D2/Cyt b559复合物受光照破坏的另一分子机理。 7、人工电子受体癸基质体醌(DPQ)可以与Dl/D2/Cyt b559复合物进行重组。Dl/D2/Cyt b559复合物的荧光衰减分析表明，在DPQ重组之后，两个长寿命荧光组分（24ns和73ns）的寿命减小，而且占整个荧光的分数也下降，表明这两个长寿命荧光衰减组分均来源于电荷重组过程。同时，β-胡萝卜素分子在DPQ重组之后更易于被光照破坏，这个过程可能与β-胡萝卜素分子的生理功能相关。 8、在没有外加人工电子受体的情况下，光照使DDl/D2/Cyt b559 复合物的多肽组成发生一定变化。SDS-PAGE图谱中出现一个约40KDa的新谱带，同时Dl与D2多肽的表观分子量增加，谱带染色强度下降。 9、本文根据以上实验结果，着重对Dl/D2/Cyt b559复合物光破坏的分子机理进行了分析和讨论，并在D1蛋白裂解的两种可能途经中又增加了一个新的可能导致Dl蛋白裂解的途径，即：His残基的光照破坏可以作为Dl/D2/Cyt b559复合物光破坏及Dl蛋白裂解的又一分子机理，这为深入研究PSⅡ反应中心的光破坏提供了新的线索，也为今后研究活体内光抑制现象的分子机制打下了良好的基础

细胞分裂素基因（T-cyt）对转基因植物生长发育的调控

高等植物基因表达过程中的信号传导是目前植物分子生物学研究的前沿和热点之一。不少研究者已将脱落酸、乙烯、细胞分裂素及其它植物激素的作用一起归之于植物基因表达的信号传导系统。细胞分裂素作为—类重要的植物激素在植物的生长和发育过程中起重要的调节控制作用。因此研究细胞分裂素的基因与植物发育过程的关系是十分重要的。 为研究细胞分裂素对植物基因表达的调节，本文从转录和翻译水平上测定了黄瓜子叶在外源细胞分裂素诱导下微管蛋白基因表达的活性。发现经BAP处理的黄瓜子叶中α,β-tubulin mRNA迅速积累，微管蛋白的含量迅速增加。这表明外源细胞分裂素在诱导黄瓜子叶膨大的过程中激活了微管蛋白基因的表达。 为探索不同启动子驱动下的细胞分裂素基因转入植物后的表达对转基因植物生长发育的调控，本文将来自根癌农杆菌的细胞分裂素基因(T-cyt)分别置于CaMV 35S启动子，rbc S启动子和T-cyt基因自身启动子的调控下，构建了嵌合表达质粒，分别转化烟草和马铃薯。转基因烟草和马铃薯的PCR检测和Southern杂交鉴定均证实T-cyt基因已分别整合进烟草和马铃薯的核基因组中。标志基因NPTⅡ的酶活性测定表明有外源基因的表达。转基因烟草的Northern分析表明：CaMV 35s启动子驱动的T-cyt基因的mRNA在叶、茎和根中均有表达;rbc S启动子指导的T-cyt基因在叶中表达最强，茎中较弱，在根中几乎没有表达。转细胞分裂素基因的烟草在生长发育上与未转化的对照相比有明显不同。转基因烟草中叶绿素a，b含量明显增加，叶面积减小，叶衰老迟缓。T-cyt基因转化的烟草顶端优势受到抑制，侧芽生长旺盛;与对照相比，其节间短，株高降低，根生长受抑制。 本文还构建了T-cyt基因自身启动子与报告基因GUS编码区的嵌合表达质粒，转化烟草和马铃薯以研究T-cyt启动子在植物中的表达。组织化学定位测定表明，T-cyt启动子在植物的茎，叶中的表达较强，特别是在腋芽的生长点有很高的表达活性，但在根中的表达较弱。诱导性表达试验表明，T-cyt启动子的表达强度受细胞分裂素的诱导，而生长素对T-cyt启动子的表达无明显影响。这提示T-cyt启动子是一个细胞分裂素诱导性表达的启动子。 总之，将T-cyt基因转入植物，作为调节内源细胞分裂素的一种手段，可以对植物的生长发育进行调控。尤其是利用发育阶段特异性和各种器官特异性表达的启动子可以调节T-cyt基因的表达活性，有可能创造出具有经济价值的、具有新遗传特性的植物。

The direct electrochemistry behavior of Cyt c on the modified glassy carbon electrode by SBA-15 with a high-redox potential

It is discovered that SBA-15 (santa barbara amorphous) can provide the favorable microenvironments and optimal direct electron-transfer tunnels (DETT) of immobilizing cytochrome c (Cyt c) by the preferred orientation on it. A high-redox potential (254 mV vs. Ag/AgCl) was obtained on glassy carbon (GC) electrode modified by immobilizing Cyt c on rod-like SBA-15. With ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis), circular dichroism (CD), FTIR and cyclic voltammetry, it was demonstrated that immobilization made Cyt c exhibits stable and ideal electrochemical characteristics while the biological activity of immobilized Cyt c is retained as usual.

Energy levels and radiative rates for transitions in B-like to F-like Kr ions (Kr XXXII-XXVIII)

Energy levels, radiative rates, oscillator strengths, line strengths, and lifetimes have been calculated for transitions in B-like to F-like Kr ions, Kr XXXIII-XXVIII. For the calculations, the fully relativistic GRASP code has been adopted, and results are reported for all electric dipole (E1), electric quadrupole (E2), magnetic dipole (M1), and magnetic quadrupole (M2) transitions among the lowest 125, 236, 272, 226, and 113 levels of Kr XXXII, Kr XXXI, Kr XXX, Kr XXIX, and Kr XXVIII, respectively, belonging to the n

Tabela de vida ecológica de Bemisia tabaci (Genn.) biótipo B (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae)

Este trabalho teve por objetivo construir tabelas de vida ecológica para Bemisia tabaci (Genn.) biótipo B em soja. Para isso realizaram-se sucessivas infestações artificiais em plantas de soja, Glycine max (L.) Merrill, cultivar FT 2000. As amostragens foram realizadas retirando-se 10 folhas ao acaso com intervalos de três dias, durante oito gerações da mosca branca. O número de insetos vivos, mortos, parasitados e a distribuição etária foi registrado para cada folha amostrada. No presente trabalho os coeficientes de correlação para a mortalidade de ovos (0,1954), ninfas de 1º ínstar (0,5610) e pupas (0,6168), não foram significativos, porém as ninfas de 2º e 3º ínstar apresentaram coeficientes significativos de 0,7978 e 0,8641, respectivamente. No entanto o fator chave não foi identificado. O parasitóide Encarsia spp., apresentou-se como fator de mortalidade importante na fase de 'pupa' de B. tabaci biótipo B, porém o coeficiente de correlação não foi significativo.

Suplementação de alto consumo na terminação de tourinhos Nelore em pastagem de b. brizantha cv. Marandu

Pós-graduação em Zootecnia - FCAV

Genotoxic and mutagenic effects of erythrosine B, a xanthene food dye, on HepG2 cells

Erythrosine (ErB) is a xanthene and an US Food and Drug Administration approved dye used in foods, drugs and cosmetics. Although its utilization is permitted, ErB is described as inhibitor of enzymes and protein-protein interactions and is toxic to pituitary and spermatogenesis processes. However, the genotoxicity and mutagenicity of ErB is inconclusive in the literature. This study aimed to analyze the genotoxicity of this dye using the alkaline comet assay and is the first investigation to evaluate ErB mutagenicity using the cytokinesis block micronucleus cytome (CBMN-Cyt) assay in HepG2 cells. These cells were chosen because they produce phase I and phase II enzymes that can mimic in vivo metabolism. The cells were treated with seven concentrations (0.1-70.0 mu g mL(-1)) of ErB, and the results showed genotoxicity at the two highest concentrations and mutagenicity at six concentrations. Furthermore, as micronuclei result from clastogenic and aneugenic processes, while comet assay is often considered more sensitive and detects DNA single strain breaks, we suggest that an aneugenic is responsible for the observed damage. Although ErB is approved for use in the food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries, it must be used carefully because it damages the DNA structure. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.