Effects of Antimony Stress on Growth and Physiology of 10 Genotypes of Catalpa bungei

Increasing levels of antimony (Sb) pollution have been recognized as an emerging environmental problem. Phytoremediation of Sb-contaminated soil is a green, economical, and effective method for restoring polluted soils. Here, we studied differences in Sb tolerance, accumulation, and transport by different genotypes of Catalpa bungei C. A. Mey, with the goal of identifying genotypes that are suitable for remediating Sb-contaminated soil. Different concentrations of Sb were applied to soil, and we analyzed variation in growth, biomass, Sb content in different organs, Sb transport capacity, oxidizing substances, antioxidants, and antioxidant enzyme activities in 10 C. bungei genotypes. Marked differences were found in plant height, ground diameter, and biomass among different genotypes at given Sb concentrations. The Sb concentration in different plant organs also varied between genotypes. The content of Sb in each genotype was proportional to the exposure. At 600 mg Sb/kg soil, the highest concentration of Sb in roots and leaves was found in Genotype 63, and that in stems was found in Genotype 8402. The lowest concentration of Sb in roots, stems, and leaves was found in Genotypes 8402, 2-8, and 20-01, respectively. At 1200 mg Sb/kg soil, Genotype 5-2 had the highest concentration of Sb in roots, and Genotype 1-1 had the highest concentration in stems and leaves. The lowest concentration of Sb in roots was in Genotype 72, and that in stems and leaves was found in Genotype 20-01. At 2000 mg Sb/kg soil, the highest concentration of Sb in roots was found in Genotype 5-8, in stems in Genotype 8402, and in leaves in Genotype 72. The lowest concentration of Sb in roots was observed in Genotype 72 and in stems and leaves in Genotype 2-8. After absorption by C. bungei, Sb mainly accumulated in the roots, and upward transfer ability was poor. The Sb biological concentration factor of roots of all genotypes was >1 at each tested Sb concentration. Our results demonstrate that all 10 C. bungei genotypes could be used for plant stabilization of Sb-contaminated soil. However, the different genotypes of C. bungei had different responses to different Sb concentrations. Based on root Sb accumulation values, at soil Sb concentrations around 600 mg/kg, Genotypes 1, 63, and 5-8 are suited to phytoremediation; Genotypes 5-8, 1, and 5-2 are suited to phytoremediation at soil Sb concentrations around 1200 mg/kg; and Genotypes 5-8, 1, and 8402 are suited to phytoremediation at soil Sb concentrations around 2000 mg/kg. We demonstrate for the first time that Sb-contaminated soil can be improved by using specific plant genotypes tailored to different levels of Sb pollution.

Morphometric and biochemical features of different Bunias orientalis L. genotypes in the M. M. Gryshko National Botanical Garden of the NAS of Ukraine

Purpose. Determine a number of morphometric and biochemical parameters of various genotypes of Bunias orientalis L. in the M. M. Gryshko National Botanical Garden of the NAS of Ukraine (NBG). Methods. Plant samples of B. orientalis (6 genotypes created in the NBG) were examined during the flowering stage. Determination of dry matter, ash, calcium was carried out according to Hrytsaienko et al. (2003), phosphorus according to Pochinok (1976), sugars, ascorbic acid and lipids were determined according to Krishchenko (1983), b-carotene according to Pleshkov (1985). The energy value of plants was determined using an IKA C-200 calorimeter. The obtained results were analysed statistically. Results. The height of plants varied from 140.9 (Genotype 1) to 157.5 (Genotype 5) cm, stem diameter from 11.67 (Genotype 1) to 16.1 (Genotype 6) mm, the number of internodes from 18.7 (Genotype 1) to 25.7 (Genotype 6), the number of leaves on a stem from 14.11 (Genotype 1) to 21.8 (Genotype 5), leaf lamina length from 14.2 (Genotype 1) to 23.45 (Genotype 6) cm, leaf lamina width from 6.34 (Genotype 1) to 14.5 (Genotype 4) cm, inflorescence length from 27.4 (Genotype 1) to 45.4 (Genotype 3) cm, inflorescence width from 2.32 (Genotype 1) to 4.92 (Genotype 3) cm, and the number of stems from 2.55 (Genotype 2) to 5.33 (Genotype 1). The study of the content of structural and functional compounds and nutrients at the flowering stage showed that the dry matter content was in the range of 13.58–16.00%, sugars 5.07–8.86%, titratable acidity 3.28–4.25%, lipids 3.33–6.61%, ascorbic acid 382.83–693.82 mg%, b-carotene 0.94–3.48 mg%, ash 6.79–9.2%, calcium 1.00–2.44%, phosphorus 1.61–2.67% and energy value 3337.0–3498.0 cal/g. Conclusions. It was revealed that samples of various genotypes of B. orientalis are a valuable source of nutrients at the flowering stage. The biochemical composition of plants depended on the genotype and stage of growth. Results of the morphometric study showed variability of investigated parameters. The obtained data can be used to predict and evaluate the results of introduction and breeding studies with B. orientalis genotypes as promising crops in Ukraine.

Molecular Phylogenetics of Hepatitis D Virus in New Zealand and the Implications for Pacific Island Countries

Hepatitis delta virus (HDV) is considered a satellite virus that requires hepatitis B virus surface antigen for infectivity. HDV is endemic in some Pacific Island (PI) countries, including Kiribati and Nauru, with a unique genotype 1, “Pacific clade.” The aims of this study were to determine the HDV genotypes in New Zealand and investigate the link of strains to other PI countries and the rest of the world through phylogenetics. Sequencing and phylogenetic analyses were performed on 16 HDV-positive serum samples from 14 individuals collected between 2009 and 2014 at Auckland Hospital. Thirteen of 14 strains were confirmed as genotype 1 and 1 was genotype 5. Eleven of the 13 genotype 1 strains clustered with the Pacific clade. These were isolated from subjects born in Samoa, Kiribati, Tuvalu, and Niue. Another genotype 1 strain isolated from a Maori health-care worker clustered most closely with a European strain. There was an African genotype 1 and genotype 5 from African-born subjects with HIV coinfection. This study supports the probable transmission of HDV Pacific clade around the PI from Micronesia to Polynesia. The data also confirm the need to screen hepatitis B surface antigen-positive individuals for HDV.

ACE Genotype Distributions Differ between Sporadic and Familial Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

This study investigated the frequency of ACE genotypes in sporadic hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and compared these frequencies to those found in the general population and in familial HCM. Delineation of the genotype of a 287 bp fragment in the ACE gene of 10 patients with confirmed sporadic HCM demonstrated that 2 (20%) were of the DD genotype, 5 (50%) of the ID genotype, and 3 (30%) of the II genotype. These genotype distributions did not differ significantly from controls (p < 0.57). Comparison of the present results with genotype frequencies in familial HCM reported in prior studies revealed a significant difference in genotype distribution between sporadic and familial HCM (p < 0.04). These findings indicate that the frequency of the ACE genotype does not appear to differ between patients with sporadic HCM and the general population. However, the results suggest that, with regard to the ACE polymorphism studied, genetic differences may exist between the sporadic and familial forms of HCM.

White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) are a reservoir of a diversity of Toxoplasma gondii strains in the USA and pose a risk to consumers of undercooked venison

To assess the role of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus, WTD) in the epidemiology of toxoplasmosis, we conducted a national survey of WTD across the USA for Toxoplasma gondii infection. To do this, we combined serology with parasite isolation to evaluate the prevalence and genetic diversity of T. gondii in this game species. From October 2012 to March 2019, serum and tissues were collected from 914 WTD across the USA. Serum samples were screened for antibodies to T. gondii, and then the tissues of seropositive WTD were bioassayed in mice. Antibodies were detected in 329 (36%) of 914 WTD tested by the modified agglutination test (positive reaction at 1:25 or higher). Viable T. gondii was isolated from the heart of 36 WTD from 11 states. Three of the 36 isolates were pathogenic but not highly virulent to outbred Swiss Webster mice and all 36 isolates could be propagated further in cell culture and were genotyped. For genotyping, DNA extracted from cell culture-derived tachyzoites was characterized by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) using the genetic markers SAG1, SAG2, SAG3, BTUB, GRA6, c22-8, c29-2, L358, PK1 and Apico. Genotyping revealed seven ToxoDB PCR-RFLP genotypes, including 24 isolates for genotype #5 (haplogroup 12), four isolates for #2 (type III, haplogroup 3), three isolates for genotypes #1 (type II, haplogroup 2), two isolates for genotypes #3 (type II, haplogroup 2) and one isolate each for #39, #221 and #224. Genotype #5 was the most frequently isolated, accounting for 66.6% (24 of 36) of the isolates. Combining the 36 isolates from this study with previously reported 69 isolates from WTD, 15 genotypes have been identified. Among these, 50.4% (53/105) isolates belong to genotype #5. Our results indicate moderate genetic diversity of T. gondii in WTD. The results also indicate that undercooked venison should not be consumed by humans or fed to cats.