Studying aquatic benthic macroinvertebrates (BMIs) in the field requires accurate taxonomic identification, which can be difficult and time consuming. Conventionally, head capsule morphology has been used to identify wild larvae of Chironomidae. However, due to the number of species and possible damage and/or deformity of their head capsules, another supporting approach for identification is needed. Here, we provide hemoglobin (Hb) protein in hemolymph of chironomids as a new biomarker that may help resolve some of the ambiguities and difficulties encountered during taxonomic identification. Chironomids collected from two locations in Maine and New Jersey, USA were identified to the genus level and in some cases to the species-level using head capsule and body morphologies. The head capsule for a particular individual was then associated with a corresponding Hb protein profile generated from sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS–PAGE). Distinct Hb profiles were observed from one group (Thienemannimyia) and four genera (Chironomus, Cricotopus, Dicrotendipes, and Glyptotendipes) of chironomids. Several species were polymorphic, having more than one Hb profile and/or having bands of the same size as those of other species. However, major bands and the combination of bands could distinguish individuals at the genus and sometimes species-level. Overall, this study showed that Hb profiles can be used in combination with head capsule morphology to identify wild chironomids.

The overexpression of wheat Bx7 subunit (Bx7OE) encoded by the Glu-B1al allele is originated from a duplication event of the Bx7 gene, and has a positive effect on gluten strength. Thus, it is an important genetic resource for wheat quality improvement. In this study, the Bx7OE subunit from a large number of bread wheat and related species was characterized by sodium dodecyl sulphate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) and Sequence-Tagged sites (STS) markers. Only 31 bread wheat varieties were found to carry Bx7OE. RP-HPLC quantification analysis revealed that the mean proportion of the Bx7OE subunit to the total amount of high-molecular-weight glutenin subunits among the 31 bread wheat varieties was 41.8%, which is much higher than that of varieties with the normal Bx7 subunit (generally at 30%). Flour quality analysis of seven representative varieties with Bx7OE and three with the normal Bx7 subunit showed that the varieties with Bx7OE generally displayed better gluten strength than those with the normal Bx7 subunit. STS markers demonstrated that, in addition to the 31 bread wheat varieties with Bx7OE, no PCR products were obtained from the related Triticum and Aegilops species. This suggests that the retroelement-mediated recombination event at the Glu-B1 locus could have occurred more recently, later than the formation of hexaploid wheat. The Bx7OE subunit is mainly distributed in some bread wheat varieties from American countries with a low frequency, which is of particular importance for the quality improvement of wheat gluten.

The present study examines antigenic variability for the human whipworm Trichuris trichiura. Recognition by IgG of somatic antigens of individual worms collected from 3 intensely infected children from Jamaica, West Indies has been investigated by immunoblotting. When probed with 1 plasma sample, significant differences in recognition of 2 selected antigens among worm populations and between male and female worms was observed. In addition, there was evidence for antigenic variability within worm populations at the individual worm level. Such variation may have considerable implications for the development of immunity to parasitic nematodes.