In Situ Proteolytic Activity in Nepenthes gracilis Pitcher Plant Traps Is Affected by Both Pitcher-Extrinsic and Pitcher-Intrinsic Factors

2019 ◽  
Vol 180 (3) ◽  
pp. 179-185 ◽  
Author(s):  
Weng Ngai Lam ◽  
Kwek Yan Chong ◽  
Ganesh S. Anand ◽  
Hugh T. W. Tan
Keyword(s):  
Proteolytic Activity ◽  
Pitcher Plant ◽  
Intrinsic Factors ◽  
Nepenthes Gracilis

scholarly journals Dipteran larvae and microbes facilitate nutrient sequestration in the Nepenthes gracilis pitcher plant host

2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 20160928 ◽  
Author(s):  
Weng Ngai Lam ◽  
Kwek Yan Chong ◽  
Ganesh S. Anand ◽  
Hugh Tiang Wah Tan
Keyword(s):  
Inorganic Nitrogen ◽  
Plant Host ◽  
Pitcher Plant ◽  
Prey Protein ◽  
Nitrogen Sequestration ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Nutrient Sequestration ◽  
Nepenthes Gracilis

The fluid-containing traps of Nepenthes carnivorous pitcher plants (Nepenthaceae) are often inhabited by organisms known as inquilines. Dipteran larvae are key components of such communities and are thought to facilitate pitcher nitrogen sequestration by converting prey protein into inorganic nitrogen, although this has never been demonstrated in Nepenthes . Pitcher fluids are also inhabited by microbes, although the relationship(s) between these and the plant is still unclear. In this study, we examined the hypothesis of digestive mutualism between N. gracilis pitchers and both dipteran larvae and fluid microbes. Using dipteran larvae, prey and fluid volumes mimicking in situ pitcher conditions, we conducted in vitro experiments and measured changes in available fluid nitrogen in response to dipteran larvae and microbe presence. We showed that the presence of dipteran larvae resulted in significantly higher and faster releases of ammonium and soluble protein into fluids in artificial pitchers, and that the presence of fluid microbes did likewise for ammonium. We showed also that niche segregation occurs between phorid and culicid larvae, with the former fragmenting prey carcasses and the latter suppressing fluid microbe levels. These results clarify the relationships between several key pitcher-dwelling organisms, and show that pitcher communities facilitate nutrient sequestration in their host.

scholarly journals Anaerobic digestion is the dominant pathway for pit latrine decomposition and is limited by intrinsic factors

2019 ◽  
Vol 79 (12) ◽  
pp. 2242-2250 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miriam H. A. van Eekert ◽  
Walter T. Gibson ◽  
Belen Torondel ◽  
Faraji Abilahi ◽  
Bernard Liseki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Anaerobic Digestion ◽  
Oxygen Demand ◽  
In Vitro Tests ◽  
Full Potential ◽  
Water Addition ◽  
Intrinsic Factors ◽  
Pit Latrine ◽  
First Time

Abstract In vitro methods were used to assess the full potential for decomposition (measured as biogas formation) from pit latrine samples taken from the top layer of 15 Tanzanian latrines. We found considerable variability in the decomposition rate and extent. This was compared with decomposition in the same latrines, measured by comparing top layer composition with fresh stools and deeper (older) layers, to assess whether this potential was realised in situ. Results showed a close match between the extent of organic material breakdown in situ and in vitro, indicating that anaerobic digestion is the dominant pathway in latrines. The average potential decrease in chemical oxygen demand (COD) (determined as methane production in vitro within 60 days) and actual measured decrease in situ are 68.9% ± 11.3 and 69.7% ± 19.4, respectively. However in the in vitro tests, where samples were diluted in water, full decomposition was achieved in 2 months, whereas in situ it can take years; this suggests that water addition may offer a simple route to improving latrine performance. The results also allowed us to estimate, for the first time to our knowledge using experimental data, the contribution that latrines make to greenhouse gas emissions globally. This amounts to ∼2% of annual US emissions.

scholarly journals Bioinspired Ultra-Low Adhesive Energy Interface for Continuous 3D Printing: Reducing Curing Induced Adhesion

Research ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Wu ◽  
Z. Dong ◽  
H. Du ◽  
C. Li ◽  
N. X. Fang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
3D Printing ◽  
Direct Contact ◽  
Interfacial Adhesion ◽  
Pitcher Plant ◽  
Liquid Resin ◽  
Physical Mechanisms ◽  
Adhesive Energy ◽  
Slippery Surface ◽  
Resin Curing

Additive manufacturing based on liquid resin curing is one of the most promising methods to construct delicate structures. However, precision and speed are limited by the vertical adhesion of in situ cured resin at the curing interface. To overcome the unavoidable adhesion and to develop a general curing interface, we propose a slippery surface taking inspiration of the peristome surface of the pitcher plant. Such surface shows ultra-low adhesive energy at the curing interface due to the inhibition of the direct contact between the cured resin and the solid surface, which also increases the refilling speed of liquid resin. This ultra-low adhesive energy interface is effective for continuous 3D printing and provides insights into the physical mechanisms in reducing vertical solid-solid interfacial adhesion.

scholarly journals Effect of crosslinkers on bond strength stability of fiber posts to root canal dentin and in situ proteolytic activity

2018 ◽  
Vol 119 (3) ◽  
pp. 494.e1-494.e9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juliana R.L. Alonso ◽  
Fernanda G. Basso ◽  
Débora L.S. Scheffel ◽  
Carlos Alberto de-Souza-Costa ◽  
Josimeri Hebling
Keyword(s):  
Bond Strength ◽  
Proteolytic Activity ◽  
Root Canal ◽  
Fiber Posts ◽  
Root Canal Dentin

scholarly journals MODIFICATION OF THE GELATIN SUBSTRATE PROCEDURE FOR DEMONSTRATION OF ACROSOMAL PROTEOLYTIC ACTIVITY

1972 ◽  
Vol 20 (7) ◽  
pp. 499-506 ◽  
Author(s):  
ARTHUR PENN ◽  
BARTON L. GLEDHILL ◽  
ZBIGNIEW DARŻYNKIEWICZ
Keyword(s):  
Proteolytic Activity ◽  
Trichloroacetic Acid ◽  
Mammalian Species ◽  
Trypsin Activity ◽  
Diisopropyl Fluorophosphate ◽  
Sperm Sample ◽  
Biochemical Studies ◽  
Inhibit Trypsin Activity

In situ proteolytic activity in the heads of sperm of seven mammalian species has been demonstrated using autoradiographic film as a gelatin substrate. The film is first exposed and processed and then coated with the sperm sample. Proteolytic activity is monitored by following the appearance of "halos," which are areas of gelatin digestion and are found to surround the heads of reacting sperm. The proteolytic factor appears to be released from the acrosome and may be the protease with trypsin-like activity that has been found associated with the acrosome in biochemical studies. l-Chloro-3-tosylamido-7-amino-2-heptanone and diisopropyl fluorophosphate, both of which inhibit trypsin activity, apparently interact with a substance released from the acrosome but do not interfere with the formation of halos. Sperm treated with trichloroacetic acid, urea or formalin do not form halos.

Fasciola hepatica proteolytic activity in liver revealed by in situ zymography

2005 ◽  
Vol 96 (5) ◽  
pp. 308-311 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yazmín Alcalá-Canto ◽  
Froylán Ibarra-Velarde ◽  
Jesús Gracia-Mora ◽  
Héctor Sumano-López
Keyword(s):  
Proteolytic Activity ◽  
Fasciola Hepatica ◽  
In Situ Zymography
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