Phosphonic analogues of morphactins. Part III: Peptides containing p-terminal 9-aminofluoren-9-ylphosphonic acid

Peptides of 9-aminofluoren-9-ylphosphonic or 1-aminocyclohexylphosphonic acids were synthesised and found to have typical morphactin activity when tested on Lepidium sativum and Triticum vulgare. The observed effects included root elongation with simultaneous stem shortening. The results obtained indicate that these phosphonic acid derivatives of cyclohexylamine and fluoren-9-ylamine may have a similar mechanism of action.     

The enzymes of glycogen and trehalose catabolism from Hysterothylacium aduncum (Nematoda: Anisakidae)

The activity of alpha-amylase, glucoamylase, maltase, trehalase, glycogen phosphorylase and trehalose phosphorylase was measured in extracts from larval and adult Hysterothylacium aduncum (Rudolphi, 1802), parasitic nematode of marine fish. The content of glycogen and trehalose in the worm's body was also determined. Both the hydrolytic and phosphorolytic paths of sugar decomposition are present in H. aduncum. In the larvae glycogen was utilised mainly via the hydrolytic path. In the adults the activities of phosphorolytic enzymes were higher than in the larvae. In both stages the activity of trehalose phosphorylase is present. In adult nematodes it is uncommonly high. The dominating sugars in the adults were glucose and glycogen, while in the larvae it was trehalose.     

Combining novel monitoring tools and precision application technologies for integrated high-tech crop protection in the future (a discussion document)

The possibility of combining novel monitoring techniques and precision spraying for crop protection in the future is discussed. A generic model for an innovative crop protection system has been used as a framework. This system will be able to monitor the entire cropping system and identify the presence of relevant pests, diseases and weeds online, and will be location specific. The system will offer prevention, monitoring, interpretation and action which will be performed in a continuous way. The monitoring is divided into several parts. Planting material, seeds and soil should be monitored for prevention purposes before the growing period to avoid, for example, the introduction of disease into the field and to ensure optimal growth conditions. Data from previous growing seasons, such as the location of weeds and previous diseases, should also be included. During the growing season, the crop will be monitored at a macroscale level until a location that needs special attention is identified. If relevant, this area will be monitored more intensively at a microscale level. A decision engine will analyse the data and offer advice on how to control the detected diseases, pests and weeds, using precision spray techniques or alternative measures. The goal is to provide tools that are able to produce high-quality products with the minimal use of conventional plant protection products. This review describes the technologies that can be used or that need further development in order to achieve this goal.     

Impact of Maillard reaction on immunoreactivity and allergenicity of the hazelnut allergen Cor a 11

Few studies exist on the influence of processing methods on structural changes and allergenic potential of hazelnut proteins. This study focused on the effect of glycation (Maillard reaction) on the immunoreactivity and degranulation capacity of the purified hazelnut 7S globulin, Cor a 11. After heating, the extent of the Maillard reaction, sensitivity to proteolysis, binding of human IgE or rabbit IgG, and degranulation capacity were analyzed. Changes in electrophoretic mobility, amount of free amino groups, and contents of bound sugar and fructosamine indicated that glycation of Cor a 11 occurred at all conditions. Glycation at 37 °C did not influence the specific IgG or IgE binding and was decreased after heating at 60 and 145 °C. Heating, with or without glucose, at 145 °C increased basophil degranulation capacity. The results suggest that glycation of Cor a 11 at 60 and 145 °C may decrease the IgE/IgG binding properties but not the degranulation capacity of basophils. This is possibly related to aggregation of the proteins as a result of the Maillard reaction.     

Lactoferrin, a glycoprotein with immunomodulatory and mast cell stabilising properties, in skin of horses suffering from Culicoides hypersensitivity

Lactoferrin (LF), a glycogen of the transferrin family with anti-bacterial and immunomodulatory properties, is expressed in various secretions and tissues. Cutaneous LF serves as a mast cell stabilising compound, modulates T cell activity and is found during IgE-mediated late phase reactions at allergen challenged sites. Culicoides hypersensitivity (CHS) in horses is a common IgE-mediated allergic dermatitis, characterised by an early and late phase cutaneous reaction upon allergen challenge. The aim of the study presented here was to examine whether LF mRNA expression in skin biopsies from horses affected by CHS prior to and 4h following intradermal challenge with a commercial C. nubeculosus extract is modified in comparison to skin biopsies from non-affected horses. In order to obtain reliable data, real time PCR was performed and genes of interest were normalized using three different housekeeping genes, beta-actin, GAPDH, beta-2-microglobulin. In comparison to non-affected horses, higher variation in LF mRNA levels both prior to and post-intradermal challenge with C. nubeculosus extract was seen in horses affected by CHS. However, the statistical analysis demonstrated that LF mRNA expression was not significantly different between CHS affected and non-affected horses prior to intradermal challenge with C. nubeculosus extract. Intradermal injection of C. nubeculosus extract did not result in local upregulation of LF mRNA at 4h post-injection. LF mRNA expression was therefore not significantly different pre- or post-intradermal challenge with C. nubeculosus extract in either group. Our data indicate that clinically normal skin of horses affected by CHS is not characterized by modified maintenance levels of LF mRNA. In contrast to human skin allergen challenged sites, LF mRNA levels in horses affected by CHS are not significantly different to that of control sites at 4h post-injection of C. nubeculosus extract.     

Effect of coniferyl alcohol addition on removal of chlorophenols from water effluent by fungal laccase

The effect of coniferyl alcohol on removal of chlorinated phenols from a water environment byRhizoctonia praticola andCerrena unicolor laccases was studied. At optimal conditions in which 7 mM coniferyl alcohol and laccase were added to chlorinated phenols over 20h, about 34% of the radioactivity of 4-chlorophenol, 57% of 2,4-dichlorophenol, 66% of 2,4,5-trichlorophenol, and 85% of pentachlorophenol were removed from the supernatants, compared to the level without laccase activity. After 12-h incubation periods at the optimal concentrations of coniferyl alcohol and laccase (added simultaneously), the fast first phase of chlorophenol removal was complete in 1 h, and eventually coniferyl alcohol enhanced the removal of 4-chlorophenol by 40%, 2,4-dichlorophenol by 54%, 2,4,5-trichlorophenol by 60%, and pentachlorophenol by 76%.     

The Ultrastructure of the Trophoblast Fossal Regions in the Pig Placenta During Pregnancy: Its Steroidogenic Features*

The fine structural changes of the trophoblast covering the fossae of the porcine placenta between the 21st day of pregnancy and term are described. Considering the characteristic features of cells, six morphological stages in the development of the fetal placental fossae were distinguished. Three types of trophoblast cells were recognized: light, dark and intermediates. The light cells were characterized by whorls of strongly convoluted SER channels, dense granules were sometimes associated with these whorls and by lipid droplets. They were particularly numerous in the second month and the last week of pregnancy. With the ultrastructural investigation, ultracytochemical and histochemical methods were used for the detection and localization of 3 β-hydroxysterols and 3 β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity. The localization of 3 β-hydroxysterols was studied by the digitonin reaction adapted to electron microscopy by Ökrös (1968). The digitonin 3 β-hydroxysteroid complexes were most numerous during the second month and last week of pregnancy. They were located mainly in contact with granules in the region of the SER whorls and in the matrix of mitochondria. The 3 β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity was investigated with the use of dehydroepiandrosterone and dehydroisoandrosterone as substrates. The enzyme activity in the trophoblast determined with dehydroepiandrosterone increased in the 52nd and 106th day of pregnancy. The cells of the fossae showed higher activity than that observed on the sides and tops of the folds. Lower activity was exhibited by dehydroepiandrosterone. The finding suggest that the trophoblast of the fossae is a region where synthesis of steroid hormones takes place and that the light cells are involved in this process. The results correspond to biochemical findings regarding progesterone and estradiol concentrations in the maternal and fetal circulation and estrogen distribution in fetal organs and placenta.     

Effect of glyphosate-based herbicide on hematological and hemopoietic parameters in common carp (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cyprinus carpio</Emphasis> L)

The effects of Roundup (glyphosate-based herbicide) on peripheral blood parameters and hematopoietic tissue cellular composition and activity in common carp juveniles were evaluated. The fish were exposed for 7 days at 0.0, 0.1, 0.5, or 5.0 mg/L of glyphosate. In fish exposed to Roundup, hematological alterations were observed; however, most of them were not directly related to the herbicide concentration. An increase in Ht and MCV, and decrease in Hb, MCH, and MCHC compared to the control were observed. Fish exposed to Roundup showed also a reduction in WBC and oxidative metabolic activity of phagocytes (NBT) compared to the control. The fish exposed to 0.1 and 5.0 mg/L showed increased glucose values, whereas in those subjected to 0.5 mg/L blood glucose concentration declined compared to the control. Cholesterol significantly increased at 0.1 mg/L and decreased at 5.0 mg/L. Analysis of head kidney hematopoietic tissue revealed that Roundup at concentrations 0.5 and 5.0 mg/L caused a significant increase in the rate of cell proliferation accompanied by an increase in frequency of early blast cells. No significant differences occurred in percentages of most cell lineages but the frequency of monocytoid, eosinophilic, and basophilic lineage cells significantly increased in the herbicide-exposed fish compared to the control. The obtained results revealed that sublethal concentrations of Roundup that may occur in polluted natural waters caused a slight anemic and significant immunosuppressive response in common carp juveniles. On the other hand, they indicate a considerable compensatory potential of carp hematopoietic system.