The culturable seed mycobiome of two Banksia species is dominated by latent saprotrophic and multi-trophic fungi

Seed fungal endophytes play an important beneficial role in the formation of the seedling mycobiome and contribute to plant establishment, but can also occur as latent pathogens and saprotrophs. Current knowledge on the function and diversity of seed fungal endophytes has been gained through studies in agricultural systems whilst knowledge from natural systems is relatively less. We used two co-occurring species from the genus Banksia from four sites in Australia's Sydney Basin Bioregion to investigate the abundance and diversity of seed fungal endophyte communities present in natural ecosystem hosts. Based on results from culturing and DNA sequence analysis of multiple loci, we found that Banksia seeds house a diverse range of fungal endophyte species, that when assigned to functional guilds belonged to multiple trophic modes. Thirty-one of the fungal taxa identified had not been previously reported as endophytes. Amongst the 58 Operational Taxonomic Units identified, Leotiomycetes and Sordariomycetes were the dominant classes and Banksiamyces (Leotiomycetes) and Penicillium (Sordariomycetes) the dominant genera, with many of the species isolated recorded in the literature as having a limited distribution. The two Banksias shared few fungal endophyte species, which were not always present across all study sites. We revealed a 'hidden diversity' within seeds of Banksia from natural ecosystems and provided insights into the influence host species can have on the seed mycobiome.

The effect of antibiotic timing on culture yield in paediatric osteoarticular infection

PURPOSE

To assess the influence of antibiotic timing on surgical culture yield in paediatric patients with haematogenous osteoarticular infection.

METHODS

All patients aged 0 to 15 years admitted to a National Children's Hospital with the diagnosis of acute, haematogenous, osteoarticular infection (osteomyelitis and/or septic arthritis) between June 1997 and December 2016 were retrospectively analyzed. Only patients with positive blood cultures undergoing surgery for culture and debridement were included. Patients were allocated into pre-treatment and post-treatment groups, according to whether they received antibiotics before or after surgical cultures were obtained. Outcomes measured included baseline variables, treatment characteristics and surgical culture yield.

RESULTS

A total of 131 patients were included; 107 patients in the pre-treatment group and 24 patients in the post-treatment group. There was no significant difference with respect to patient age (p = 0.870), white blood cell count (p = 0.197), ethnicity (p = 0.203) or infection multi-focality (p = 0.883) between the two groups.The administration of systemic antibiotics prior to obtaining surgical cultures had no clinically significant effect on surgical culture yield (rate of positive surgical cultures, 85% (pre-treatment) versus 54.2% (post-treatment); p = 0.002). Within the pre-treatment group, there was no significant difference in duration of pre-surgical antibiotic treatment between patients who had positive or negative surgical cultures (mean duration, 45.9 hours (positive cultures) versus 47.9 hours (negative cultures); p = 0.743).

CONCLUSION

In paediatric patients with acute, haematogenous, osteoarticular infection, antibiotic administration before surgery does not decrease surgical culture yield. Our results suggest that paediatric patients presenting with suspected osteoarticular infection should receive appropriate systemic antibiotics promptly after blood cultures are obtained.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III - retrospective case-control study.

Speech-language therapy for adolescents with written-language difficulties: the South African context

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether privately practising speech-language therapists in South Africa are fulfilling their role of identification, assessment and intervention for adolescents with written-language and reading difficulties. Further needs concerning training with regard to this population group were also determined.

METHOD

A survey study was conducted, using a self-administered questionnaire. Twenty-two currently practising speech-language therapists who are registered members of the South African Speech-Language-Hearing Association (SASLHA) participated in the study.

RESULTS

The respondents indicated that they are aware of their role regarding adolescents with written-language difficulties. However, they feel that South-African speech-language therapists are not fulfilling this role. Existing assessment tools and interventions for written-language difficulties are described as inadequate, and culturally and age inappropriate. Yet, the majority of the respondents feel that they are adequately equipped to work with adolescents with written-language difficulties, based on their own experience, self-study and secondary training. The respondents feel that training regarding effective collaboration with teachers is necessary to establish specific roles, and to promote speech-language therapy for adolescents among teachers.

CONCLUSION

Further research is needed in developing appropriate assessment and intervention tools as well as improvement of training at an undergraduate level.

Next-Gen phylogeography of rainforest trees: exploring landscape-level cpDNA variation from whole-genome sequencing

Standardized phylogeographic studies across codistributed taxa can identify important refugia and biogeographic barriers, and potentially uncover how changes in adaptive constraints through space and time impact on the distribution of genetic diversity. The combination of next-generation sequencing and methodologies that enable uncomplicated analysis of the full chloroplast genome may provide an invaluable resource for such studies. Here, we assess the potential of a shotgun-based method across twelve nonmodel rainforest trees sampled from two evolutionary distinct regions. Whole genomic shotgun sequencing libraries consisting of pooled individuals were used to assemble species-specific chloroplast references (in silicio). For each species, the pooled libraries allowed for the detection of variation within and between data sets (each representing a geographic region). The potential use of nuclear rDNA as an additional marker from the NGS libraries was investigated by mapping reads against available references. We successfully obtained phylogeographically informative sequence data from a range of previously unstudied rainforest trees. Greater levels of diversity were found in northern refugial rainforests than in southern expansion areas. The genetic signatures of varying evolutionary histories were detected, and interesting associative patterns between functional characteristics and genetic diversity were identified. This approach can suit a wide range of landscape-level studies. As the key laboratory-based steps do not require prior species-specific knowledge and can be easily outsourced, the techniques described here are even suitable for researchers without access to wet-laboratory facilities, making evolutionary ecology questions increasingly accessible to the research community.

Enhancing the survival and expansion potential of a founder population through clonality

• Although founder populations often have low diversity, they can potentially serve as stepping stones for further colonization, as refugia during nonoptimal times and as a source of specialized adaptive potential. The demonstration of such potential within natural plant populations has proven to be particularly difficult. Our investigation into a geographically disjunct population of a heterostylous shrub, Erythroxylum pusillum, aims to explore the evolutionary and ecological consequences of being an isolated founder population. • Microsatellite-based analyses were used to find evidence for, and trace the origins of, a severe founder effect. Molecular and spatial evidence was used to quantify clonality and to discover proof of somaclonal mutations. • We describe the unprecedented case of an isolated population that persisted through historical environmental fluctuations and in marginal habitat through vegetative spread, and is counteracting the lack of sexual recombination and gene flow through somatic mutation. • Our findings advance our understanding of how founder populations survive, differentiate and evolve. They also have implications for how conservation agencies should perceive and manage previously considered 'dead-end' populations.

Cooking and drying as effective mechanisms in limiting the zoonotic effect of Mycobacterium bovis in beef

For this study 48 non-infected muscle, lymphatic and visceral bovine tissue samples were collected from an approved red meat abattoir and spiked with 8 x 10(7) cfu/ml of M. bovis. The different spiked samples were subjected to cooking and drying (drying through the process of biltong-making) processes in a controlled laboratory environment. Mycobacterial isolates confirmed as M. bovis by means of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were observed in 17 of a total of 576 samples that were exposed to the secondary processing method of cooking. The study showed that not only can M. bovis survive the cooking process but the survival of the bacterium will be determined by its unique adaptive changes to the surrounding composition of the environment. The results for the samples exposed to the drying process (n = 96) did not show any growth, suggesting that the process of biltong production as used in this study is likely to render infected meat safe for human consumption.

Locked doors in acute inpatient psychiatry: a literature review

Many acute inpatient psychiatric wards in the UK are permanently locked, although this is contrary to the current Mental Health Act Code of Practice. To conduct a literature review of empirical articles concerning locked doors in acute psychiatric inpatient wards, an extensive literature search was performed in SAGE Journals Online, EBM Reviews, British Nursing Index, CINAHL, EMBASE Psychiatry, International Bibliography of the Social Sciences, Ovid MEDLINE, PsycINFO and Google, using the search terms 'open$', 'close$', '$lock$', 'door', 'ward', 'hospital', 'psychiatr', 'mental health', 'inpatient' and 'asylum'. A total of 11 empirical papers were included in the review. Both staff and patients reported advantages (e.g. preventing illegal substances from entering the ward and preventing patients from absconding and harming themselves or others) and disadvantages (e.g. making patients feel depressed, confined and creating extra work for staff) regarding locked doors. Locked wards were associated with increased patient aggression, poorer satisfaction with treatment and more severe symptoms. The limited literature available showed the urgent need for research to determine the real effects of locked doors in inpatient psychiatry.

Morphology and distribution of sweat glands in the Cape fur seal, Arctocephalus pusillus pusillus (Carnivora:Otariidae)

The present study examined whether sweat glands are present in the skin of the Cape fur seal, Arctocephalus pusillus pusillus. Sweat glands have an important role in thermoregulation; the presence or absence of sweat glands in the fur-covered and naked skin areas of the Cape fur seal was investigated using standard histological procedures and light and scanning electron microscopy. Sweat glands were present in both fur-covered and naked skin areas. The skin layers in the naked skin areas were thicker than those in the fur-covered areas, presumably to protect them against abrasions in the absence of hair. The density of apocrine sweat glands did not differ among the body regions; however, both apocrine and eccrine sweat glands were larger in naked skin areas than in fur-covered areas. This increased size of the glands suggests a more active role for the glands in the naked skin areas, and a higher heat-loss capability through evaporative cooling in these body regions.

Seasonal reproduction in the highveld mole-rat, Cryptomys hottentotus pretoriae (Rodentia: Bathyergidae)

The highveld mole-rat, Cryptomys hottentotus pretoriae, is a cooperatively breeding rodent that exhibits seasonal breeding and a reproductive division of labour. Body mass, reproductive-tract morphometrics, ovarian histology, and plasma oestrogen and progesterone concentrations were studied for both reproductive and non-reproductive females from 55 colonies, the main objective being to determine the inclination of this species towards seasonal breeding. Offspring are born from July through to November. However, qualitative analysis of ovarian histology revealed that reproductive females retain the potential for ovulation and subsequent production of corpora lutea during the late-summer nonbreeding period (December–March). Seasonal differences were found in ovarian morphometrics and hormone concentrations that are associated with enhanced follicular activation in April and May and subsequent conceptions from July through to November during the breeding period. The nonbreeding period coincides with maximal dispersal opportunities in the summer-rainfall areas inhabited by the highveld mole-rat. Body mass, reproductive-tract morphometrics, testicular histology, and plasma testosterone concentrations were determined for reproductive and non-reproductive males from 37 colonies. Available evidence suggests that there is a gradual increase in testicular mass for reproductive males as the breeding season approaches, but after September the testicular parameters fall. Seminiferous-tubule diameter was significantly greater in reproductive males but exhibited no seasonal variation. Testosterone concentrations were higher in reproductive males. Current data support a lack of gonadal regression in males during the nonbreeding season.

Seasonal changes in the ovarian structure ofthe Cape fur seal, Arctocephalus pusillus pusillus

The annual reproductive cycle of the female Cape fur seal (Arctocephalus pusillus pusillus) was described by noting monthly gross changes in ovaries from 159 females, histological changes in 46 females and placental scars in 119 females. The size and weight of an ovary containing a corpus luteum was significantly greater than that of an ovary containing a corpus albicans for most of the year, the latter only approaching, or exceeding the former during the breeding season. Follicular activity initially increased in ovaries containing either a corpus luteum or a corpus albicans; however, it declined in the ovary containing a corpus luteum after implantation, while in that containing a corpus albicans it increased, reaching a maximum in December of 32.0 ± 10.08 follicles, averaging 5.41 ± 0.73 mm. The corpus luteum increased in size following ovulation, attaining a maximum size of 22.28 ± 3.38 mm in August (eight months after ovulation). Thereafter, it gradually decreased in size, generally becoming invisible to the naked eye by 30–32 months after ovulation. Luteal cells increased until seven months after ovulation, reaching a maximum size of 34.36 ± 1.26 μm before regressing, disappearing from the corpus luteum by 18 months after ovulation. Using placental scarring and CA counts in 119 females, a pregnancy rate of 77.4% was calculated, with 6.5% abortions and 16.1% non-implantations making up the remainder.

p47phox is required for atherosclerotic lesion progression in ApoE(-/-) mice

NADPH oxidase is upregulated in smooth muscle cells (SMCs) in response to growth factor stimulation, concomitant with increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. We investigated the role of ROS production by NADPH oxidase in SMC responses to growth factors and in atherosclerotic lesion formation in ApoE(-/-) mice. SMCs from wild-type, p47phox(-/-), and gp91phox(-/-) mice differed markedly with respect to growth factor responsiveness and ROS generation. p47phox(-/-) SMCs had diminished superoxide production and a decreased proliferative response to growth factors compared with wild-type cells, whereas the response of gp91phox(-/-) SMCs was indistinguishable from that of wild-type SMCs. The relevance of these in vitro observations was tested by measuring atherosclerotic lesion formation in genetically modified (wild-type, p47phox(-/-), ApoE(-/-), and ApoE(-/-)/p47phox(-/-)) mice. ApoE(-/-)/p47phox(-/-) mice had less total lesion area than ApoE(-/-) mice, regardless of whether mice were fed standard chow or a high-fat diet. Together, these studies provide convincing support for the hypothesis that superoxide generation in general, and NADPH oxidase in particular, have a requisite role in atherosclerotic lesion formation, and they provide a rationale for further studies to dissect the contributions of ROS to vascular lesion formation.

The influence of fibre in the diet on growth rates and the digestibility of nutrients in the greater cane rat (Thryonomys swinderianus)

The greater cane rat Thryonomys swinderianus is a coprophagous rodent in which fermentation occurs in the large caecum. The extent to which a 45% increase in the fibre component of the diet influenced growth rates of cane rats and the digestibility of nutrients and energy was investigated in two feeding trials. Higher fibre levels in the diet reduced the digestibility of dry matter, protein and fat, while animals digested fibre components (neutral-detergent fibre, acid detergent fibre, hemicellulose and cellulose) with a comparable efficiency to those maintained on a low fibre diet. In one of the trials animals fed the high fibre diet exhibited significantly lower growth rates than animals fed the low fibre diet. Digestibility coefficients of the cane rats for neutral-detergent fibre and protein seem to be intermediate to high when compared to reported values for the porcupine, guinea-pig, degu and rabbit. It is suggested that the ability of cane rats to utilise large quantities of fibre enable them to survive periods when only dry grass is available.

Mutation of Gly-444 inactivates the S. pombe malic enzyme

A mutant malic enzyme gene, mae2-, was cloned from a strain of Schizosaccharomyces pombe that displayed almost no malic enzyme activity. Sequence analysis revealed only one codon-altering mutation, a guanine to adenine at nucleotide 1331, changing the glycine residue at position 444 to an aspartate residue. Gly-444 is located in Region H, previously identified as one of eight highly conserved regions in malic enzymes. We found that Gly-444 is absolutely conserved in 27 malic enzymes from various prokaryotic and eukaryotic sources, as well as in three bacterial malolactic enzymes investigated. The evolutionary conservation of Gly-444 suggests that this residue is important for enzymatic function.

Facultative storage of spermatozoa by the female Geoffroy's horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus clivosus)

The winter breeding biology of Rhinolophus clivosus on the Gauteng Highveld, South Africa (25°S), was investigated. In contrast with a previous study in Natal (29°S), spermatozoa were not found to be stored in the uterine lumen and glands, since the spermatozoa were phagocytosed by polymorphonuclear leucocytes in the uterus. Only 25% of the females collected contained spermatozoa in their uterotubal junctions and oviducts, where the spermatozoa were oriented towards the epithelium with their heads parallel to one another, an arrangement that is characteristic of sperm-storage sites. The uteri of 66% of the females were infiltrated by large numbers of polymorphonuclear leucocytes, most probably in response to recent inseminations. The results indicate that only 25% of the females retained spermatozoa in their reproductive tracts for an undetermined length of time, whereas 66% of the females were most likely inseminated but did not store spermatozoa for the duration of the winter (May to August). In contrast with R. clivosus in Natal, females of this species on the Gauteng Highveld do not uniformly store spermatozoa for prolonged periods and sperm storage seems to be the responsibility of the males. This illustrates the divergent geographic variability in the reproduction of this species.

The influence of habitat and altitude on oxygen uptake in sub-Antarctic weevils

Whole-organism oxygen uptake rate and its temperature sensitivity (determined using regression analyses and estimates of Q10) were examined in six closely related weevil species (Palirhoeus eatoni, Bothrometopus randi, Bothrometopus elongatus, Bothrometopus parvulus, Ectemnorhinus similis, and Ectemnorhinus marioni) from sub-Antarctic Marion Island over a short time period and using the same methods. Bothrometopus elongatus, B. parvulus, and the two Ectemnorhinus species have populations at both high and low elevations, and pairwise comparisons of these species were made. Regressions of the log of oxygen uptake rate on temperature and Q10 values revealed that the Ectemnorhinus species have a significantly greater thermal sensitivity than do species in the genera Bothrometopus and Palirhoeus. This may be considered an adaptation of the former to their moist lowland habitats and the requirements of angiosperm-feeding in E. similis. It is argued that elevated oxygen uptake rates and reduced slopes of the regression of the log of oxygen uptake rate on temperature in species and populations from high altitudes compared with those from low elevations provide evidence for metabolic cold adaptation. In addition, it seems likely that elevated oxygen uptake rates and their reduced thermal sensitivity within the genera Bothrometopus and Palirhoeus are an adaptation to the cold Neogene environments they evolved in. However, because data on the more basal taxa in the Ectemnorhinus group of weevils are not available, this temperature compensation could not be attributed conclusively to adaptation. Q10's of the lowland populations of all the species were negatively correlated with body water content, and it is suggested that the low temperature sensitivity of metabolism in P. eatoni and the Bothrometopus species may also be due to constraints imposed on them by their dry habitats.

Reproduction in the rusty bat, Pipistrellus rusticus, in the northern Transvaal bushveld, South Africa

Rusty bats are seasonally monoestrous and give birth to twins during November. Spermatozoa are present in the epididymides from March to August but absent from the testes from April until September. Males thus store spermatozoa in the epididymis for 5 months of the year (April-August). Mating is initiated during April with uterine horns exhibiting a 3-fold increase in sperm volume between April and July samples. It is concluded that ovulation and fertilization occur during the second half of August. Up to 5 conceptuses per female were recorded, but a maximum of only 2 implantations was observed.

Plasma progesterone concentrations in the female Natal clinging bat (Miniopterus schreibersii natalensis)

Plasma progesterone concentrations measured by radioimmunoassay in the Natal clinging bat remained below 2.01 ng/ml during lactational anoestrus but increased significantly during the period of delayed implantation. Values peaked at implantation but were followed by a significant decrease thereafter. Concentrations remained low (less than 6.0 ng/ml) during the initial period of fetal development (153-180 days post coitum) and attained peak values (85.6-181.3 ng/ml) 216-222 days after fertilization. The marked post-implantation increase in progesterone concentrations coincided with a significant increase in placental weight.

Reproduction in Schlieffen's bat, Nycticeius schlieffenii, in the eastern Transvaal lowveld, South Africa

The present study is based on 153 Schlieffen's bats collected over a 2-year period from September 1983 to September 1985. Spermatogenesis extends over a 10-month period with the first signs of spermatozoa in the epididymides by the end of April. Spermatozoa were present in the epididymides from the end of April until the beginning of September. Copulation begins during June (early winter) and the females have spermatozoa in the uterine horns from then until the end of August (late winter) when ovulation occurs. These bats are seasonally monoestrous with the great majority of births occurring during November. The number of conceptuses varied; a maximum of 5 pre-implanted embryos was recorded, but the maximum number of fetuses observed was 3.

Reproduction in females of the little free-tailed bat, Tadarida (Chaerephon) pumila, in the eastern Transvaal, South Africa

Little free-tailed bats (2-9/month) were collected over 15 months in the eastern Transvaal lowveld (latitude 24 degrees 59'S). There was an extended but distinct breeding season of 8 months per year. Females appeared to be polyoestrous and able to bear 3 pregnancies per breeding season. There was a progressive decrease in the magnitude of the three birth peaks during the breeding season, with a concomitant slight loss in birth synchronization. Gestation period was approximately 60 days and one young per female was the rule, with implantation occurring only in the right uterine horn of the bicornuate uterus. It is suggested that offspring are weaned before the age of 21 days, and that female become sexually mature in the following breeding season at the age of 5-12 months.

The effects of lithium on the functions of human neutrophils and lymphocytes in vitro and in vivo

The effects of lithium sulphate (LiSO4) at concentrations ranging from 10(-7)M to 10(-2)M on human polymorphonuclear leucocyte (PMNL) and lymphocyte functions in vitro were investigated. The leucocyte function assessed were PMNL motility, post-phagocytic hexose-monophosphate shunt activity, myeloperoxidase-mediated iodination of Candida albicans and lymphocyte transformation to mitogens. These same functions as well as the results of serological studies were assessed in normal volunteers prior to ingestion of lithium carbonate (LiCO3), 2 hours and 24 hours after the ingestion of a single oral dose of 480 mg LiCO3, and on the 4th day of ingestion of 2 X 480 mg LiCO3 tablets daily. Incubation of PMNL with LiSO4 at concentrations up to 10(-3)M had no detectable effects on motility or post-phagocytic metabolic activity. Higher concentrations (10(-3)M) inhibited these functions. Likewise, at concentrations up to 1 X 10(-4)M LiSO4 had no effects on mitogen-induced transformation of lymphocytes, although higher concentrations did inhibit this activity. These same leucocyte functions were unaffected by ingestion of LiCO3. Levels of serum immunoglobulins and complement components, total haemolytic complement activity and salivary IgA values also remained unaltered. In vitro investigations showed that at a concentration of 10(-3)M LiSO4 had no inhibitory effects on the stimulation of PMNL motility mediated by ascorbate, levamisole and thiamine.

Histological study of implantation in the Natal clinging bat (Miniopterus schreibersii natalensis)

In the Natal clinging bat, Miniopterus schreibersii natalensis, implantation is centric and superficial in the right uterine horn. The blastocyst implants during the bilaminar stage with the inner cell mass orientated antimesometrially. During the preimplantation period the blastocyst becomes completely enclosed by uterine mucosae with the trophoblast in close contact with the surrounding uterine epithelium. Just before implantation the trophoblast becomes bilaminar over the greater part of the embryonic hemisphere of the blastocyst. The uterine epithelium is very persistent and parts were still present mesometrially although penetration of the uterine endometrium had already occurred on the antimesometrial side.

Annual reproductive pattern in the springhaas, Pedetes capensis

The springhaas, Pedetes capensis, is capable of breeding throughout the year in the Orange Free State province of South Africa and fetuses of all sizes were found throughout the year. The highest incidence of pregnancies was found during the winter months July and August with the majority of embryos and small fetuses occurring between April and July and most larger fetuses thereafter. Birth weight was probably 280-300 g. Juveniles stay in the burrows until they have attained a body mass of 1.5 kg. Once spermatogenesis is established at a liveweight of about 2.5 kg it appears to be continuous. There was an indication that plasma LH and progesterone concentrations were related to corpus luteum diameter.