Lulwoana sp., a dark septate endophyte in roots of Posidonia oceanica (L.) Delile seagrass.

Posidonia oceanica is the most common, widespread and important monocotyledon seagrass in the Mediterranean Basin, and hosts a large biodiversity of species, including microorganisms with key roles in the marine environment. In this study, we ascertain the presence of a fungal endophyte in the roots of P. oceanica growing on different substrata (rock, sand and matte) in two Sicilian marine meadows. Staining techniques on root fragments and sections, in combination with microscope observations, were used to visualise the fungal presence and determine the percentage of fungal colonisation (FC) in this tissue. In root fragments, statistical analysis of the FC showed a higher mean in roots anchored on rock than on matte and sand. In root sections, an inter- and intracellular septate mycelium, producing intracellular microsclerotia, was detected from the rhizodermis to the vascular cylinder. Using isolation techniques, we obtained, from both sampling sites, sterile, slow-growing fungal colonies, dark in colour, with septate mycelium, belonging to the dark septate endophytes (DSEs). DNA sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region identified these colonies as Lulwoana sp. To our knowledge, this is the first report of Lulwoana sp. as DSE in roots of P. oceanica. Moreover, the highest fungal colonisation, detected in P. oceanica roots growing on rock, suggests that the presence of the DSE may help the host in several ways, particularly in capturing mineral nutrients through lytic activity.

Heavy metals in coastal water systems. A case study from the northwestern Gulf of Thailand.

A geochemical survey of the northwestern part of the Thailand Gulf (Inner Gulf) was carried out in order to define concentrations and distribution patterns of selected heavy metals (V, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, and U) in the coastal system and estuarine area of the Mae Klong river. The results indicate the presence of two different sources of heavy metals in the studied environment and allowed us to identify a lithogenic component that significantly influences the composition of coastal waters and suspended particulate matter (SPM). Comparison of the normalized heavy metals concentrations both in the studied samples and in those reported for the Sn-W ores present in the surrounding areas suggests an important anthropogenic contribution to the chemistry of the seafloor sediments. Vanadium and nickel enrichment factors (EF) calculated for coastal waters indicate that contamination by hydrocarbons discharge took place in the investigated area.

Topographic approaches in human quantitative pharmaco-electroencephalography.

The scalp distribution of the quantitative EEG effects of neuroactive compounds was studied in a number of pharmaco-EEG investigations, in which comparable procedures for EEG recording and processing were applied: power spectral and amplitude analyses were combined in all studies. Topographic differentiations were observed. These could include intrahemispheric and/or interhemispheric dissimilarities in the distribution of EEG effects common to the explored electrode derivations, as well as drug effects detectable only in distinct areas. The distribution could vary depending upon the EEG parameter considered; it was restricted to drug-related EEG modifications in all cases.

Measurement of circumference of the knee with ordinary tape measure.

The circumference of the knees and thighs at three locations was measured in 10 patients on two consecutive occasions by three observers. Analysis of the results for interobserver, intraobserver and among-patient variation established that a change in circumference noted by different observers on two different days is significant if it exceeds 1-5 cm at the midpatella, 2-7 cm at 7 cm above, and 3-5 cm at 15 cm above the patella. If a single observer performs both measurements, the change need exceed only 1-0, 2-0, and 2-7 cm, respectively, to be significant.