Phytoremediation efficiency of Vigna mungo with the amalgamation of indigenous metal tolerant bacterial strain on metal polluted agriculture soil.

This research was performed to evaluate physico-chemical properties of farmland soil nearby the magnesite mine site. Unexpectedly, few physico-chemical properties were crossing the acceptable limits. Particularly, the quantities of Cd (112.34 ± 3.25), Pb (386.42 ± 11.71), Zn (854.28 ± 3.53), and Mn (2538 ± 41.11) were crossing the permissible limits. Among 11 bacterial cultures isolated from the metal contaminated soil, 2 isolates names as SS1 and SS3 showed significant multi-metal tolerance up to the concentration of 750 mg L-1. Furthermore, these strains also showed considerable metal mobilization as well as absorption ability on metal contaminated soil under in-vitro conditions. In a short duration of treatment, these isolates effectively mobilize and absorb the metals from the polluted soil. The results obtained from the greenhouse investigation with Vigna mungo revealed that the among various treatment (T1 to T5) groups, the T3 (V. mungo + SS1+SS3) showed remarkable phytoremediation potential (Pb: 50.88, Mn: 152, Cd: 14.54, and Zn: 67.99 mg kg-1) on metal contaminated soil. Furthermore, these isolates influence the growth as well as biomass of V. mungo under greenhouse conditions on metal contaminated soil. These findings suggest that combining multi-metal tolerant bacterial isolates can improve the phytoextraction efficiency of V. mungo on metal-contaminated soil.

Concentrations of nucleophilic sulfur species in small Indian mongoose (Herpestes auropunctatus) in Okinawa, Japan.

Reactive sulfur species (RSS), such as hydrogen per (poly)sulfide, cysteine per (poly)sulfide, glutathione per (poly)sulfide, and protein-bound per (poly)sulfides, can easily react with environmental electrophiles such as methylmercury (MeHg), because of their high nucleophilicity. These RSS are produced by enzymes such as cystathionine ß-synthase (CBS) and cystathionine γ-lyase (CSE) and are found in mammalian organs. Organs of wildlife have not been analyzed for hydrogen sulfide, cysteine, glutathione, and RSS. In this study, low molecular weight nucleophilic sulfur substances, including RSS, were quantified by stable isotope dilution assay-based liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry using ß-(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethyl iodoacetamide to capture the target chemicals in the small Indian mongoose which species possesses high mercury content as same as some marine mammals. Western blotting revealed that the mongoose organs (liver, kidney, cerebrum, and cerebellum) contained proteins that cross-reacted with anti-CBS and CSE antibodies. The expression patterns of these enzymes were similar to those in mice, indicating that mongoose organs contain CBS and CSE. Moreover, bis-methylmercury sulfide (MeHg)2S, which is a low toxic compound in comparison to MeHg, was found in the liver of this species. These results suggest that the small Indian mongoose produces RSS and monothiols associated with detoxification of electrophilic organomercury. The animals which have high mercury content in their bodies may have function of mercury detoxification involved not only Se but also RSS interactions.

Evaluating toxicity impacts of environmental exposed chromium on small Indian mongoose (Urva auropunctatus) hematological, biochemical and histopathological functioning.

Sub-lethal toxic impacts of chromium on hematological, biochemical and histological parameters were analyzed in the female small Indian mongoose (Urva auropuctatus) residing contaminated environment of tannery industry. Chromium bioaccumulation in the blood, liver and kidney tissue of the exposed mongooses was found elevated compared to the control mongooses' tissues. Total body weight (75.7%), liver weight (83.6%) as well as HSI (68.1%), RSI (86.2%) and the platelets counts (59.7%) were found significantly elevated, with significantly reduced RBCs (59.6%), and WBCs (64%). LFT and RFT were also found abnormal, moreover, the histopathological injuries had been distinct inside the kidney (>75%) and hepatic (>75%) tissues of exposed animals. Shrinkage and vacuolization (>75%) inside the hepatocyte expanded sinusoidal spaces and nuclear pyknosis (>75%) was evident within the hepatic tissue. Hypertrophy of epithelial cells of renal tubules and inter-renal cells of the head kidney with a reduction in tubular lumens (>75%) and vacuolization of tubules were witnessed within the kidney section. Atrophy inside the kidney inter-renal cells, glomeruli compression within the Bowman's capsules (>75%) following the necrosis in hematopoietic tissues were found in exposed animals. The present findings indicate that chronic exposure to chromium induces severe anemia, decreased serum protein concentration, hepatic and renal tissue histopathology, impairing the vital capabilities of liver, metabolic regulation, excretion, and stress homeostasis maintenance of which within the long-run may posture a severe risk to animal well-being then distress their inhabitants.

Suspected lily toxicosis in a meerkat (Suricata suricatta): a case report.

Lilies are considered nephrotoxic only to domestic cats, which belong to the family Felidae of the suborder Feliformia. However, a 7-month-old female meerkat, belonging to the family Herpestidae of the suborder Feliformia, presented with oliguria, seizure, tachypnea, self-biting, and nystagmus after it ingested lilies. The meerkat died approximately 40 hr after lily ingestion. Gross and histopathologic lesions consistent with acute renal failure were conspicuous in the animal. The renal lesions were acute tubular necrosis, corresponding to the typical pathological changes of lily toxicosis in cats. In addition, massive hepatocyte necrosis and pulmonary congestion/edema were observed. These findings suggest that lily toxicosis in meerkats is characterized by pulmonary and hepatic failure, in addition to the renal failure observed in domestic cats.

Identification of 2-phenylethanol with a rose-like odor from anal sac secretions of the small Indian mongoose (Herpestes auropunctatus).

The small Indian mongoose (Herpestes auropunctatus) is an invasive species in Okinawa and Amami-Oshima, Japan. Major strategies for their eradication have been the use of baited traps, which suffer from decreasing efficiency with declining populations and the bycatch of native animals. To address these concerns, mongoose-specific lures are required. In this study, we aimed to identify species- and/or sex-specific compounds from anal sac secretions of small Indian mongooses. Volatile compounds emitted from male and female mongoose anal sac secretions were analyzed by thermal desorption-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. In addition to several fatty acids, 2-phenylethanol was identified as a minor compound, which is uncommon in mammalian secretions but a dominant odorant in roses. Female samples emitted higher levels of 2-phenylethanol than male samples did. These findings indicate that 2-phenylethanol is a female-specific volatile compound of anal sac secretions in small Indian mongooses, and it may be useful as an ingredient of mongoose-specific scent lures.

Molecular modeling and structural analysis of nAChR variants uncovers the mechanism of resistance to snake toxins.

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are neuromuscular proteins responsible for muscle contraction upon binding with chemical stimulant acetylcholine (ACh). The α-neurotoxins of snake mimic the structure of ACh and attacks nAChRs, which block the flow of ACh and leads to numbness and paralysis. The toxin-binding site of alpha subunit in the nAChRs is highly conserved throughout chordate lineages with few exceptions in resistance organisms. In this study, we have analyzed the sequence and structures of toxin-binding/resistant nAChRs and their interaction stability with toxins through molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation (MDS). We have reported the potential glycosylation residues within the toxin-binding cleft adding sugar moieties through N-linked glycosylation in resistant organisms. Residue variations at key positions alter the secondary structure of binding cleft, which might interfere with toxin binding and it could be one of the possible explanations for the resistance to snake venoms. Analysis of nAChR-α-neurotoxin complexes has confirmed the key interacting residues. In addition, drastic variation in the binding stability of Mongoose nAChR-α-Bungarotoxin (α-BTX) and human nAChR-α-BTX complexes were found at specific phase of MDS. Our findings suggest that specific mutations in the binding site of toxin are potentially preventing the formation of stable complex of receptor-toxin, which might lead to mechanism of resistance. This in silico study on the binding cleft of nAChR and the findings of interacting residues will assist in designing potential inhibitors as therapeutic targets.

Mean fecal glucocorticoid metabolites are associated with vigilance, whereas immediate cortisol levels better reflect acute anti-predator responses in meerkats.

Adrenal hormones likely affect anti-predator behavior in animals. With experimental field studies, we first investigated associations between mean fecal glucocorticoid metabolite (fGC) excretion and vigilance and with behavioral responses to alarm call playbacks in free-ranging meerkats (Suricata suricatta). We then tested how vigilance and behavioral responses to alarm call playbacks were affected in individuals administered exogenous cortisol. We found a positive association between mean fGC concentrations and vigilance behavior, but no relationship with the intensity of behavioral responses to alarm calls. However, in response to alarm call playbacks, individuals administered cortisol took slightly longer to resume foraging than control individuals treated with saline solution. Vigilance behavior, which occurs in the presence and absence of dangerous stimuli, serves to detect and avoid potential dangers, whereas responses to alarm calls serve to avoid immediate predation. Our data show that mean fGC excretion in meerkats was associated with vigilance, as a re-occurring anti-predator behavior over long time periods, and experimentally induced elevations of plasma cortisol affected the response to immediate threats. Together, our results indicate an association between the two types of anti-predator behavior and glucocorticoids, but that the underlying mechanisms may differ. Our study emphasizes the need to consider appropriate measures of adrenal activity specific to different contexts when assessing links between stress physiology and different anti-predator behaviors.

Purification, crystallization and preliminary crystallographic studies of haemoglobin from mongoose (Helogale parvula) in two different crystal forms induced by pH variation.

Haemoglobin (Hb) is a respiratory pigment; it is a tetrameric protein that ferries oxygen from the lungs to tissues and transports carbon dioxide on the return journey. The oxygen affinity of haemoglobin is regulated by the concentration of oxygen surrounding it and several efforts have revealed the shapes of Hb in different states and with different functions. However, study of the molecular basis of Hbs from low-oxygen-affinity species is critically needed in order to increase the understanding of the mechanism behind oxygen adaptation. The present study reports the preliminary crystallographic study of low-oxygen-affinity haemoglobin from mongoose, a burrowing mammal. Haemoglobin from mongoose was purified by anion-exchange chromatography, crystallized using the hanging-drop vapour-diffusion method and diffraction data sets were collected from monoclinic (2.3 Å resolution) and orthorhombic (2.9 Å resolution) crystal forms obtained by pH variation. The monoclinic and orthorhombic asymmetric units contained half and a whole biological molecule, respectively.

Non-invasive monitoring of glucocorticoid metabolites in banded mongooses (Mungos mungo) in response to physiological and biological challenges.

Free-ranging banded mongooses are infected by the novel pathogen, Mycobacterium mungi in northern Botswana. A reliable method for determining stress-related physiological responses in banded mongooses will increase our understanding of the stress response in M. mungi infection. Therefore, our aim was to examine the suitability of four enzyme immunoassays (EIAs) for monitoring adrenocortical endocrine function in captive and free-ranging banded mongooses based on fecal glucocorticoid metabolite (FGM) analysis. A conducted adrenocorticotropic hormone challenge revealed suitability of a valid measurement of FGM levels in banded mongoose feces for all four tested EIAs, with an 11-oxoetiocholanolone assay detecting 11,17-dioxoandrostanes (11,17-DOA) performing best. Subsequent analyses using only this EIA showed the expected decrease in FGM concentrations 48 h after administering dexamethasone sodium phosphate. Furthermore, captive mongooses showed higher FGM concentrations during reproductive activity, agonistic encounters and depredation events. Finally, a late-stage, tuberculosis-infected moribund mongoose in a free-ranging troop had a 54-fold elevation in FGM levels relative to the rest of the troop. Measurements of gastrointestinal transit times and FGM metabolism post-defecation indicate that the time delay of FGM excretion approximately corresponded with food transit time and that FGM metabolism is minimal up to 8h post-defecation. The ability to reliably assess adrenocortical endocrine function in banded mongoose now provides a solid basis for advancing our understanding of infectious disease and endocrinology in this species.

Biochemical and physiological observations in meerkats (Suricata suricatta) at two zoos during a dietary transition to a diet designed for insectivores.

This research (involving two separate institutions) assessed the serum chemistries and body weights of meerkats (Suricata suricatta) over a 6-10-week feeding trial to determine the acceptability of a commercially available manufactured diet intended for the feeding of insectivorous animals. Five animals at two zoos were heavier than desired and otherwise healthy at the start of the studies. Measurements of blood chemistries including cholesterol and cell blood count remained within physiologic expected ranges throughout the short-term study. Plasma and serum amino acid levels also remained within normal expected ranges, except taurine, which was much higher than predicted, although there were no significant changes in taurine over time. After initiation of the 6-week trial, these trials were extended for longer-term evaluation of animals in regards to body weight maintenance. In the long-term study, some individuals were restricted in their access to diet, and achieved a beneficial weight loss while maintaining good health. Approximate dietary consumption for captive meerkats in our study averaged 32-44 g, or calculated 92-127 kcal GE/meerkat*day (83-114 kcal ME/meerkat*day), and weight loss of animals at one institution of 10.4% was accomplished over 151 days from day 0, at approximately 30 g, or calculated 86 kcal GE/meerkat*day (78 kcal ME/meerkat*day).

Subcellular distribution and potential detoxification mechanisms of mercury in the liver of the Javan mongoose (Herpestes javanicus) in Amamioshima Island, Japan.

In a previous study, we showed that Hg accumulated to high levels in the liver of the Javan mongoose (Herpestes javanicus), a terrestrial mammal that lives on Amamioshima Island, Japan. This suggests a sophisticated mechanism of hepatic Hg detoxication. Assay of the subcellular localization of Hg and the expression of protective enzymes provides important clues for elucidating the mechanism of Hg detoxication. In the present study, the concentrations of 11 elements (Mg, Cr, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Se, Rb, Cd, total Hg [T-Hg] and organic Hg [O-Hg], and Pb) were determined in the liver and in five liver subcellular fractions (plasma membrane, mitochondria, nuclei, microsome, and cytosol) of this species. As the T-Hg level increased, T-Hg markedly distributed to the plasma membrane. The T-Hg levels in all subcellular fractions correlated with Se levels. Although the T-Hg level in the microsomal fraction was relatively low, the ratio of O-Hg to T-Hg was significantly lower in the microsomes than in the other fractions. Significant positive correlations were found between the level of glutathione-S-transferase-pi, a marker of oxidative stress, and the O-Hg and T-Hg levels, but the correlation was better with O-Hg than with T-Hg. Western blot analysis of thioredoxin reductase 2 (TrxR2), a protein involved in protecting cells from mitochondrial oxidative stress, showed that the level of TrxR2 correlated with that of T-Hg. High TrxR2 levels may be one mechanism by which the Javan mongoose attenuates the toxicity of the high Hg levels present in the liver.

Longitudinal differences in 15N between mothers and offspring during and after weaning in a small cooperative mammal, the meerkat (Suricata suricatta).

Gestation and subsequent lactation are energetically costly life history events for mammalian females. We used longitudinal delta15N data from hair samples from offspring and their mothers to explore lactation patterns in a small cooperative mammal, the meerkat (Suricata suricatta). Lactation enriched hair from meerkat offspring in 15N compared with that of their mothers, and this enrichment gradually declined after weaning. Although the observed peak enrichment of approximately 1 per thousand was substantially below the predicted levels of trophic enrichment in capital versus income breeders, we suggest that our results reflect an income breeding tactic in this species. Our study supports the notion that delta15N analyses can be a useful tool to investigate lactation schedules in mammals. However, reliable conclusions from 15N data regarding the nutritional tactics of mammalian females during reproduction may be limited by our scant understanding of the effects of various physiological variables on isotope assimilation.

Accumulation of Hg and other heavy metals in the Javan mongoose (Herpestes javanicus) captured on Amamioshima Island, Japan.

Concentrations of 22 elements (Mg, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Rb, Sr, Mo, Ag, Cd, Sb, Cs, Ba, Tl, total Hg (T-Hg), Pb) and organic Hg (O-Hg) were examined in the liver, kidney and brain of the Javan mongoose (Herpestes javanicus) and in liver of the Amami rabbit (Pentalagus furnessi) from Amamioshima Island in Japan. Relatively high levels of T-Hg levels (from 1.75 to 55.5 microg g-1 wet wt.) were found in the Javan mongoose. As for a comparison of hepatic T-Hg concentrations between the two areas, there was no significant difference between the Javan mongoose in Amamioshima and those in the Okinawa islands. In addition, T-Hg levels in the livers of the Amami rabbit were the same as in the livers of other herbivorous mammals. Taken together, it suggested that T-Hg accumulation in the livers of the Javan mongoose was not affected by the environment but by a specific physiological mechanism. The comparison of Hg and other heavy metal accumulations between terrestrial mammals (13 species, 61 individuals) including the Javan mongoose and marine mammals (18 species, 508 individuals) were also discussed.

Noninvasive monitoring of adrenocortical activity in carnivores by fecal glucocorticoid analyses.

Measurement of glucocorticoid metabolites in feces has become an accepted method for the noninvasive evaluation of adrenocortical activity. The objective of this study was to determine if a simple cortisol enzyme immunoassay (EIA) was suitable for monitoring adrenocortical activity in a variety of carnivore species. Performance of the cortisol EIA was gauged by comparison to a corticosterone radioimmunoassay (RIA) that has been used for measuring glucocorticoid metabolites in feces of numerous species. Tests for parallelism and extraction efficiency were used to compare the cortisol EIA and corticosterone RIA across eight species of carnivores (Himalayan black bear, sloth bear, domestic cat, cheetah, clouded leopard, black-footed ferret, slender-tailed meerkat, and red wolf). The biological relevance of immunoreactive glucocorticoid metabolites in feces was established for at least one species of each Carnivora family studied with an adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) challenge. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis of fecal extracts for each species revealed (1) the presence of multiple immunoreactive glucocorticoid metabolites in feces, but (2) the two immunoassays measured different metabolites, and (3) there were differences across species in the number and polarities of metabolites identified between assay systems. ACTH challenge studies revealed increases in fecal metabolite concentrations measured by the cortisol EIA and corticosterone RIA of approximately 228-1145% and approximately 231-4150% above pre-treatment baseline, respectively, within 1-2 days of injection. Concentrations of fecal glucocorticoid metabolites measured by the cortisol EIA and corticosterone RIA during longitudinal evaluation (i.e., >50 days) of several species were significantly correlated (P<0.0025, correlation coefficient range 0.383-0.975). Adrenocortical responses to physical and psychological stressors during longitudinal evaluations varied with the type of stimulus, between episodes of the same stimulus, and among species. Significant elevations of glucocorticoid metabolites were observed following some potentially stressful situations [anesthesia (2 of 3 subjects), restraint and saline injection (2 of 2 subjects), restraint and blood sampling (2 of 6 episodes), medical treatment (1 of 1 subject)], but not in all cases [e.g., gonadotropin injection (n=4), physical restraint only (n=1), mate introduction/breeding (n=1), social tension (n=1), construction (n=2) or relocation (n=1)]. Results reinforced the importance of an adequate baseline period of fecal sampling and frequent collections to assess adrenocortical status. The corticosterone RIA detected greater adrenocortical responses to exogenous ACTH and stressful exogenous stimuli in the Himalayan black bear, domestic cat (female), cheetah, clouded leopard, slender-tailed meerkat, and red wolf, whereas the cortisol EIA proved superior to resolving adrenocortical responses in the black-footed ferret and domestic cat (male). Overall results suggest the cortisol EIA tested in this study offers a practical method for laboratories restricted in the usage of radioisotopes (e.g., zoological institutions and field facilities) to integrate noninvasive monitoring of adrenocortical activity into studies of carnivore behavior and physiology.

Isolation of peptides homologous to domains of human alpha 1B-glycoprotein from a mongoose antihemorrhagic factor.

Thirteen peptides, homologous to one of the five domains of human alpha 1B-glycoprotein (alpha 1BG), were isolated from a mongoose antihemorrhagic factor (AHF1); four of them were generated by BrCN cleavage, and three and six peptides by the digestions with lysyl endopeptidase and staphylococcal protease V8, respectively. The purified peptides covered 75.9% of the whole sequence of human alpha 1BG (359/474 residues) and showed 46.4% identity (167/360 amino acids) with the sequence of human alpha 1BG including cysteine residues forming disulfide linkages. One of the sugar binding sites of human alpha 1BG was also conserved in AHF1. These results suggest that AHF1 is a protein homologous to human alpha 1BG and a supergene family of immunoglobulins.

Mirex residues in wildlife and soils, Hawaiian pineapple-growing areas--1972-74.

A monitoring program was conducted in the pineapple-growing areas of Hawaii from 1972 to 1974 to survey mirex residues in sediments, soils, and aquatic and terrestrial wildlife. Residues in pineapple field soils ranged from 3 to 18 ppb 9 months after mirex had been applied. No residues were found in the sediments. Only 8 fish of 110 aquatic animals sampled contained mirex; these levels were low and ranged from 3 to 7 ppb. Mirex residues in birds ranged from undetectable to 10 ppm; residues in rodents were quite variable, but in terms of the geometric mean, the amounts in the Polynesian rat decreased with time from 1,270 to 56 ppb. Similarly, values for the roof rat ranged from 666 to 17 ppb. The geometric mean for residues in mongooses decreased from 2,200 ppb immediately after application to 238 ppb 39 weeks later. Aerial application of mirex to the pineapple fields did not contaminate the marine environment of Hawaii and no evidence of mirex residue buildup in the aquatic food chain was apparent. Mirex accumulation in terrestrial biota was temporary; there was no definitive indication of permanent accumulation in the wildlife of the areas studied.