Flavan-3-ols and procyanidins in grape seeds: biodiversity and relationships among wild and cultivated vines

Flavan-3-ol monomers and polymers composition of seeds from wild (17) and autochthonous (8) Vitis vinifera grapes growing in northern Tunisia were evaluated. Wild grape seeds were spherical with a small beak and relatively a high seed/berry ratio (~ 18.1%w/w). Local cultivars developed pyriform-shaped seeds with a well-developed beak representing on average 2.2% of total weight of the berry. Flavanol concentrations ranged between 40.9 and 67.5 mg/g FW in seeds from wild accessions and between 48.9 and 96.7 mg/g FW in seeds from cultivated grapes. Differences between accessions were highly significant (p < 0.01) and seeds from cultivar ‘Boukhasla’ showed the highest polyphenols content. Among flavan-3-ol monomers, (+)-catechin was predominant for all ecotypes and generally their abundance was: (+)-catechin (Cat) > (?)-epicatechin (Ec) > (?)-epicatechin-3-O-gallate (EcG). The Cat/Ec ratio was approximately 1.7 for wild grapes while it was about 2.5 for cultivated grapes. Procyanidins in wild seeds differed from cultivated ones by a lower mDP and higher proportions of galloylated derivatives, likely to affect fruit bitterness and astringency. (?)-epicatechin was the main extension subunit in grape seed procyanidins, reaching on average 52% in wild and 58% in cultivated seeds. Hierarchical cluster analysis based on seeds morphometry and procyanidin profile indicated close proximity between some wild and cultivated grapes suggesting that some cultivars derived from ancestral events of local domestication or cross hybridization with native wild plants.     

关于天津市非洲猪瘟无疫小区创建工作的思考

2019年12月,农业农村部组织制定颁发了《无规定动物疫病小区评估管理办法》（农业农村部公告第242号）、《农业农村部办公厅关于印发<无非洲猪瘟区标准>和<无规定动物疫病小区管理技术规范>的通知》（农办牧[2019]86号）等文件,随即启动了非洲猪瘟无疫小区建设工作。     

木耳菌棒力学性能试验

以经过栽培的木耳菌棒为试验材料,在万能试验机上对不同含水率的菌棒试样进行剪切、压缩的力学性能试验。试验结果表明:含水率是影响菌棒剪切强度、抗压强度的重要自然因素。平均含水率分别为11.75%,21.16%,27.68%的菌棒其平均剪切强度分别为29.4k Pa、20k Pa、14.5k Pa。平均含水率分别为14.3%,24%的菌棒,其平均抗压强度分别为144.7k Pa、77.7k Pa。菌棒的含水率与剪切强度,抗压强度均呈幂指数关系。这些都为研制菌棒粉碎机械、选择粉碎参数提供了设计依据。     

Molecular cloning of a Mycoplasma meleagridis-specific antigenic domain endowed with a serodiagnostic potential

A recombinant phage library harbouring Mycoplasma meleagridis (MM) genomic DNA fragments was generated in the bacteriophage lambda gt11 expression vector. The library was screened for expression of MM specific antigens with a polyclonal antiserum that had been preadsorbed with antigens of the most common unrelated avian mycoplasma species. A 49-amino acid antigenic domain unique to MM was isolated, expressed in Escherichia coli, and its serodiagnostic potential was demonstrated. An antiserum raised against this MM-specific antigenic domain recognized a cluster of seven membrane-associated MM proteins with molecular masses ranging from 34 to 75 kDa. Overall, this study resulted in the identification of a potent serodiagnostic tool and revealed the complex antigenic nature of MM.     

High-resolution ultrasonography of xenografted domestic cat ovarian cortex

Transplantation of ovarian tissue has high potential for female gamete conservation. However, optimal timing of oocyte recovery for in vitro maturation and fertilization is still critical. Therefore the aim of the present study was to use high-resolution transcutaneous ultrasonography to monitor follicular development within xenografted ovarian tissue. Ovarian cortex fragments (n=44) from domestic cats were transplanted into athymic nude rats (n=12). Graft development in the animals was assessed weekly by high frequency ultrasound (10-22 MHz) under two different FSH regimes. Blood collection for serum estradiol determination and vaginal smears were performed simultaneously. The xenografts were removed at different time points according to the ultrasound findings. The survival rate of the transplants 4 weeks after surgery was 54.5% and antral follicular growth was observed within 10 grafts from 5 different hosts (8.6 +/- 6.43 follicles per graft). Early follicle antrums could be detected from 0.4 mm onwards. The growth rate of the antral cavity was calculated from weekly measurements (0.56 +/- 0.44 mm per week). Although vaginal cells and estradiol levels followed a cyclic pattern, no correlation was found between follicular diameter, estradiol and keratinized vaginal cells. We recovered 5, 1 and 4 cumulus oocyte complexes from three different individuals during weeks 19, 21, and 23 respectively. Extrusion of a polar body (1 oocyte) and germinal vesicle break down (7 oocytes) indicated progression of maturation after in vitro culture. We conclude that ultrasonography und provided a reliable method to examine xenograft survival and follicular development within the grafts. Furthermore, this technique is suitable for assessment of the efficiency of hormonal treatment and narrowing of the optimal time frame for oocyte retrieval. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the in vivo development of early antral follicles in mammalian species.     

杀线虫苏云金芽胞杆菌NBIN-863高含量悬浮剂的研制

目前我国微生物农药原药生产技术已达到甚至超过发达国家水平,但制剂技术却存在较大差距,主要体现在剂型结构不合理、制剂质量差、农药助剂种类及品种少、剂型加工工艺总体水平还比较落后等方面。苏云金芽胞杆菌（Bt）等功能微生物产品的市场容量及应用效果与剂型是密切相关的。为了明确新型生物杀线剂NBIN-863的最佳施用剂型,特开展此试验。通过对防腐剂、分散剂、悬浮剂等不同助剂的选择,研制了一种高含量Bt悬浮剂（5.2×10⁹～7.9×10⁹CFU/mL）。配方优化试验表明,在Bt发酵液中加入0.4%防腐剂山梨酸钾、1.0%分散剂硅酸镁铝、4.0%悬浮剂木质素磺酸钙,用盐酸调节pH至4.5,54℃热储前芽胞数最高为7.9×10⁹ CFU/mL,对秀丽隐杆线虫活性最高,LC₅₀为2.83 mg/L,对黄瓜根结线虫田间防效达68.64%。综合各指标,尤其是对秀丽隐杆线虫的半致死浓度,杀线虫NBIN-863悬浮剂（7.9×10⁹ CFU/mL）效果最好,不仅流动性好,而且耐贮藏,是防治作物根结线虫病的理想药剂。     

The effect of salinity on corn yield using the CERES-maize model

In most cases, when calculating soil water availability, only thewater content is considered. The effect of salinity on the wiltingpoint is neglected. The objective of this work is to use asimulation model (CERES-maize) in order to predict cornyields as a function of water salinity under severalenvironmental, agrotechnical, and plant characteristics. A modelis presented in which the wilting point is a function of the soilsalt content. At high salinity, the water content at wilting pointis higher than at low salinity, resulting in an insufficient amountof available water and, therefore, a reduced yield. The modelwas used to simulate several theoretical and experimentalsituations for forage corn and grain corn. Simulation resultsshowed that nitrogen fertilization increases the salinity thresholdvalue and the yield sensitivity (rate of yield reduction per unitof salinity). The also showed that forage corn is more sensitiveto salinity than grain corn. If the soil is not leached, a heaviersoil texture has a higher salinity threshold value. On the otherhand, if the soil is leached, the soil texture has no influence onthe salinity threshold value and the yield is less sensitive tosalinity in sandy soils. The determination coefficient (r²= 0.75) indicated that the results of the simulations were in goodagreement with the field data.     

Simulated water and solute distribution from a crossed triple line-source

Summary Multivariable irrigation experiments are usually expensive and seldom cover the whole range of desired values. The crossed triple line-source (CTLS) was designed to provide a relatively simple and inexpensive irrigation system for creating continuous gradients of more than one variable. A computer model was developed to assist in evaluating the continuously changing multivariable levels, produced by the CTLS, given various inputs. A single sprinkler's distribution function was used in the model's development. The results of the overlapping sprinkling patterns are calculated throughout the experimental area for water depth, salinity level, and Nitrogen concentration. Measured values of irrigation water electrical conductivity (EC_i) and Nitrogen concentration were in good agreement with predicted values.