Quantitative trait locus analysis for soybean (Glycine max) seed protein and oil concentrations using selected breeding populations

Soybean seed protein and oil concentrations are important traits that directly affect the quality of soyfoods. Many studies and breeding programmes have been conducted to find major quantitative trait loci (QTL) that regulate protein and oil concentrations and to develop soybean cultivars with high protein and/or oil content. The purpose of this study was to identify these QTL using a selected breeding population. The population was tested in field conditions over a period of 3 years. Seed protein and oil concentrations were measured each year. Single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were used to construct genetic map using a 180K SoyaSNP array, which identified 1,570 SNPs. We identified 12 QTL for seed protein, 11 for seed oil concentration and four for both traits. Among these, 17 QTL were closely mapped to previously reported QTL, whereas ten sites were novel. Several QTL were detected across at least two experimental years. These loci are good candidate QTL for optimal seed protein and oil concentrations. Our results demonstrate that favourable target QTL can be successfully identified using selected breeding populations.     

Physiological Indices of Maricultured Mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis Lamarck, 1819 in Istria,Croatia: Seasonal and Transplantation Effect

Transplantation of mussels to new aquaculture sites is currently being undertaken in Istria (Croatia) to increase production, minimize potential seasonal urban contamination, and secure safer seafood products. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of season and transplantation on physiological indices (condition index and meat yield) of mussels, Mytilus galloprovincialis. Mussels were obtained from five aquaculture areas in Istria (central Lim Bay, Ra?a, Budava, Vabriga, and Pomer) and moved to a reference site in inner Lim Bay from April to July. Results showed that both season and transplantation affected physiological indices of mussels. Higher physiological indices were found in cultivated mussels from all areas in summer compared to spring, except in mussels from Vabriga and Pomer. In addition, higher physiological indices were found in mussels transplanted from central Lim Bay to the reference site in inner Lim Bay. Transplantation negatively affected physiological indices of mussels from Vabriga and Pomer, with no change in mussels from Ra?a and Budava. In conclusion, mussels from all areas exhibit satisfactory commercial results (≥15%) during the peak summer harvesting season. For most transplanted mussels, transplantation itself represents additional stress, bringing into focus adaptation processes, stock genetics, and favorable ecological conditions.     

Towards a model predicting cutting forces and surface quality in routing layered boards

The general aim of work reported here was to assist designers and operators of routers and similar tools for cutting wood-composite boards, by providing a model predicting cutting force components from readily available material properties. This initial study explored, for edge cutting, the variation within a single medium density fibre board across the thickness and in various cutting directions in the plane of the board. Material properties of interest were specific gravity and friction coefficient. In slow linear cutting on a modified milling machine, carbide router inserts cut the edges of layers cut from a medium density fibre board. Specific gravity and coefficient of sliding friction were measured for each layer. Cuts were also made on full-thickness edges in various directions in the plane of the board. Chip thickness was varied from 0.025 to 0.8 mm. Parallel and normal force data and digital video images of chip formation were stored for analysis. Specific gravity increased as the fourth power of the distance from the central plane to the surface. Friction coefficient values, estimated both from cutting forces and from rubbing forces during return, varied about a value of 0.23, with no significant difference between layers. The values for cutting force per mm width of cut increased progressively from the central plane to the surface, in a logarithmic relation with specific gravity. The cutting forces did not vary with cutting direction in the plane of the board. For a sharp edge with 32° rake angle cutting at chip thickness values above 0.1 mm, the normal force component was negative, indicating reduced feed force and improved surface quality. With dulling, the threshold value of chip thickness for this increased. It is concluded that elaboration of this approach would generate relationships suitable for incorporating in a useful general model. However, it may be found that weight per unit area of board will suffice as a proxy for cutting resistance in modelling the cutting of full-thickness edges. Received 10 June 1999     

Isolation of lignin from spruce by acidolysis in dioxane

Summary Acidolysis of spruce wood (Picea abies) corresponded to a pseudo-first order reaction mechanism. While anhydrous methanolis a better medium for wood acidolysis than anhydrous dioxane, after addition of 10% water dioxane became about twice as effective as methanol. The results are discussed in terms of acidity functions (H), solubility parameters and condensation effects. Infrared spectra of dioxane lignins showed a similar re-arrangement of side chain carboxyl groups from to position, as was observed previously during acidolysis in methanol.     

High level expression of biologically active canine interferon-alpha subtype 4 using a baculovirus

In this study, a high amount of bioactive recombinant canine interferon-alpha subtype 4 (CaIFN-alpha4) was expressed in a baculovirus system. For easy purification, it was expressed as a CaIFN-alpha4 bearing histidine hexamer at the C-terminal region, designated CaIFN-alpha4His. CaIFN-alpha4His was detected in culture supernatants of insect cells infected with the recombinant virus using sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyarcylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and Coomassie Brilliant Blue staining. The level of expression was very high, and approximately 1 mg of purified protein, with 5.0 x 10(7) units/mg, was obtained from 300 ml of culture supernatant. The purified product showed antiviral activity against Vesicular stomatitis virus on canine tumor cell line A72 and chicken embryo fibroblast cells.     

Chemical analysis of three herbal extracts and observation of their activity against adults of Acanthoscelides obtectus and Leptinotarsa decemlineata using a video tracking system

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - Ethanol extracts of Rosmarinus officinalis, Lavandula angus-tifolia and Ruta graveolens were tested against adults of Acanthoscelides obtectus and...     

Decreased gallbladder emptying in dogs with biliary sludge or gallbladder mucocele

Biliary sludge in dogs is dismissed commonly as an incidental finding. On the other hand, gallbladder mucocele is reported increasingly in dogs and can lead to biliary obstruction or gallbladder rupture. Cholestasis is suspected to play a role in development of sludge and mucoceles, though there are no data in dogs to support this. We investigated gallbladder emptying, a key factor in biliary flow, in dogs with mobile sludge, immobile sludge, or gallbladder mucocele and in healthy controls. Gallbladder ejection fraction estimated by ultrasonography was used as the index of gallbladder emptying. The ejection fraction at 60 min after eating was significantly decreased in all three abnormal groups. Moreover, all dogs with sludge or a mucocele had gallbladder distension. These changes were the greatest in the mucocele group. Thus, biliary stasis occurs not only in dogs with gallbladder mucocele but also in dogs with biliary sludge. Cholestasis may play a role in the pathogenesis or progression of these diseases in dogs.     

Effects of Alendronate on A Disintegrin and Metalloproteinase with Thrombospondin Motifs Expression in the Developing Epiphyseal Cartilage in Rats

A disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs (ADAMTS) have been reported to play a role in the degradation of aggrecan, a major component of cartilage. This study was performed to examine the effects of alendronate on the expression of ADAMTS in developing femoral epiphyseal cartilage. Primary cultured chondrocytes from this cartilage were treated with alendronate in vitro and postnatal day 1 rats were injected subcutaneously with alendronate (1 mg/kg) every second day in vivo . The number of cultured chondrocytes and their aggrecan mRNA levels were unaffected by the alendronate treatment at 10⁻⁶ to 10⁻⁴  m concentrations. The mRNA levels of ADAMTS-1, -2 and -9 in chondrocytes were also unaffected. However, the levels of ADAMTS-5 and -4 were reduced significantly by the same treatment. The thickness of the proliferating chondrocyte layers and the aggrecan mRNA levels in the epiphysis were unaffected by the alendronate treatment in vivo . However, the hypertrophied chondrocyte layers became significantly thicker, and the size of the secondary ossification centre was reduced significantly by the same treatment ( P  < 0.05). Both ADAMTS-4 and -5 mRNA expressions were also reduced significantly in vivo . The immunoreactivity against ADAMTS-4 was seen in hypertrophied chondrocytes and reduced significantly by the alendronate treatment. These results suggested that alendronate can inhibit the degradation of aggrecan in the articular cartilage by downregulating the expression of matrix enzymes such as ADAMTS-4 and -5.     

Interaction between Likubin Bacterium and Phytophthora parasitica in Citrus Hosts

Infection with Likubin bacterium (LB) followed by Phytophthora parasitica increased the mortality of sour orange and pummelo seedlings, and enhanced the P. parasitica-induced root rot in all the four types of citrus tested. The LB-induced enhancement of root infection by P. parasitica was apparent within 1h of exposure to zoospore suspension. The enhancement of P. parasitica-induced root rot was affected by the infection sequence. Inoculation of sour orange seedlings with LB before P. parasitica was more effective in increasing P. parasitica-induced root rot than LB and P. parasitica concomitantly or LB after P. parasitica. Grafting P. parasitica susceptible scions of ponkan (Citrus reticulata) onto P. parasitica-tolerant rootstocks of sour orange greatly increased the susceptibility of rootstocks to P. parasitica. Results also demonstrate the enhancement of LB-induced symptoms by P. parasitica in citrus plants.