Aerenchyma, gas diffusion, and catalase activity in Typha domingensis: a complementary model for radial oxygen loss.

Radial oxygen loss is a physical phenomenon that occurs naturally in aquatic plants. Typha domingensis was chosen as a model plant because it possesses basic morphological characteristics, such as a stem (rhizome) that produces leaves and adventitious roots, which are present in many aquatic plants. This study aimed to evaluate the following: the relevance of the anatomy of T. domingensis on gas diffusion among organs; the influence of plant parts on radial oxygen loss; the role of catalase in radial oxygen loss; and the proposition of a novel explanation for the downward diffusion of oxygen through the organs of this aquatic macrophyte and into the environment. Typha domingensis plants were cultivated in a greenhouse under different conditions: plants with intact leaves, plants with leaves cut in half, and plants without leaves. Furthermore, we evaluated the percentage of aerenchyma in different vegetative organs, the minimum pressure required for radial oxygen loss, the daily variations of dissolved oxygen, and the roots' catalase activity. The results demonstrated that certain cellular features contributed to decreased oxygen diffusion among the organs, specifically, those found in the leaf-rhizome and root-rhizome interfaces as well as the suberin and lignin layers in these regions. Additionally, our experiments with a catalase activator and inhibitor validated that a significant amount of the oxygen released in radial oxygen loss could not, in fact, be exclusively supplied by the atmosphere. Thus, a complementary model is proposed in which catalase activity is an important component of radial oxygen loss.

Lead tolerance of water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes Mart. - Pontederiaceae) as defined by anatomical and physiological traits.

This study aimed at verifying the lead tolerance of water hyacinth and at looking at consequent anatomical and physiological modifications. Water hyacinth plants were grown on nutrient solutions with five different lead concentrations: 0.00, 0.50, 1.00, 2.00 and 4.00 mg L-1 by 20 days. Photosynthesis, transpiration, stomatal conductance and the Ci/Ca rate were measured at the end of 15 days of experiment. At the end of the experiment, the anatomical modifications in the roots and leaves, and the activity of antioxidant system enzymes, were evaluated. Photosynthetic and Ci/Ca rates were both increased under all lead treatments. Leaf anatomy did not exhibit any evidence of toxicity effects, but showed modifications of the stomata and in the thickness of the palisade and spongy parenchyma in the presence of lead. Likewise, root anatomy did not exhibit any toxicity effects, but the xylem and phloem exhibited favorable modifications as well as increased apoplastic barriers. All antioxidant system enzymes exhibited increased activity in the leaves, and some modifications in roots, in the presence of lead. It is likely, therefore, that water hyacinth tolerance to lead is related to anatomical and physiological modifications such as increased photosynthesis and enhanced anatomical capacity for CO2 assimilation and water conductance.

Genetic diversity and differentiation in natural Plasmodium falciparum populations inferred by molecular typing of the merozoite surface proteins 1 and 2

Genetic diversity and differentiation, inferred by typing the polymorphic genes coding for the merozoite surface proteins 1 (Msp-1) and 2 (Msp-2), were compared for 345 isolates belonging to seven Plasmodium falciparum populations from three continents. Both loci yielded similar estimates of genetic diversity for each population, but rather different patterns of between-population differentiation, suggesting that natural selection on these loci, rather than the transmission dynamics of P. falciparum, determines the variation in allele frequencies among populations

Genetic diversity and differentiation in natural Plasmodium falciparum populations inferred by molecular typing of the merozoite surface proteins 1 and 2.

Genetic diversity and differentiation, inferred by typing the polymorphic genes coding for the merozoite surface proteins 1 (Msp-1) and 2 (Msp-2), were compared for 345 isolates belonging to seven Plasmodium falciparum populations from three continents. Both loci yielded similar estimates of genetic diversity for each population, but rather different patterns of between-population differentiation, suggesting that natural selection on these loci, rather than the transmission dynamics of P. falciparum, determines the variation in allele frequencies among populations.