Assembly history dictates ecosystem functioning: evidence from wood decomposer communities.

Community assembly history is increasingly recognized as a fundamental determinant of community structure. However, little is known as to how assembly history may affect ecosystem functioning via its effect on community structure. Using wood-decaying fungi as a model system, we provide experimental evidence that large differences in ecosystem functioning can be caused by small differences in species immigration history during community assembly.

Diversity and distribution of fungal foliar endophytes in New Zealand Podocarpaceae.

The diversity and distribution of fungal endophytes in the leaves of four podocarps (Dacrydium cupressinum, Prumnopitys ferruginea, Dacrycarpus dacrydioides, and Podocarpus totara, all Podocarpaceae) and an angiosperm (Kunzea ericoides, Myrtaceae) occurring in close stands were studied. The effects of host species, locality, and season on endophyte assemblages were investigated. Host species was the major factor shaping endophyte assemblages.

ATP-binding cassette transporters in human heart failure.

Adenosine triphosphate-binding cassette (ABC) transporters are involved in energy-dependent transport of substrates across biological membranes. We hypothesized that their expression is altered during human heart failure, suggesting a pathophysiologic basis. Messenger ribonucleic acid quantification of all known ABC transporters revealed multiple alterations in ABC transporter expression in failing human hearts (New York Heart Association classification III-IV) compared to nonfailing controls.

High-throughput culturing of fungi from plant litter by a dilution-to-extinction technique.

High-throughput bacterial cultivation has improved the recovery of slow-growing and previously uncultured bacteria. The most robust high-throughput methods are based on techniques of 'dilution to extinction' or 'extinction culturing'. The low-density partitioning of CFUs in tubes or microwells exploits the fact that the number of culturable species typically increases as inoculum density decreases.

Diversity and distribution of saprobic microfungi in leaf litter of an Australian tropical rainforest.

The diversity and distribution of microfungal assemblages in leaf litter of a tropical Australian forest was assessed using two methods: (1) cultures were isolated using a particle filtration protocol (wet season 2001), and (2) fruit bodies were observed directly on leaf surfaces following incubation in humid chambers (wet and dry season of 2002). Four tree species were studied using both methods, namely Cryptocarya mackinnoniana (Lauraceae), Elaeocarpus angustifolius (Elaeocarpaceae), Ficus pleurocarpa (Moraceae), and Opisthiolepis heterophylla (Proteaceae). An additional two species, Darlingia ferruginea (Proteaceae) and Ficus destruens (Moraceae), were studied using direct observations.

Phylogenetic and morphological assessment of five new species of Thozetella from an Australian rainforest.

During an investigation of saprobic microfungi in leaf litter from an Australian rainforest, five new species of Thozetella, namely T. acerosa, T. boonjiensis, T.

Estimation of microfungal diversity in tropical rainforest leaf litter using particle filtration: the effects of leaf storage and surface treatment.

Fungal species richness and abundance were assessed in leaf litter of the Australian rainforest tree Neolitsea dealbata (Lauraceae) using particle filtration. Results were comparable to the species richness and abundance reported in previous studies of tropical leaf litter microfungi. Eight leaf samples yielded 1365 strains.

Activation of the mucosal immune system in irritable bowel syndrome.

Background & Aims: A role for the mucosal immune system in the pathogenesis of irritable bowel syndrome is suggested by its association with intestinal infections.

Methods: To investigate this, we performed histologic and immunohistologic studies on colonoscopic biopsy specimens from 77 patients with symptoms satisfying the Rome criteria and 28 asymptomatic control patients.

Results: Histologic assessment of biopsy specimens from symptomatic patients indicated 3 different groups.