Effect of Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae on the Trialeurodes vaporariorum-Encarsia formosa system

The virulence of three strains of Beauveria bassiana and one of Metarhizium anisopliae was tested against Trialeurodes vaporariorum and its parasitoid Encarsia formosa in laboratory assays. These strains were previously selected for their virulence against Galleria mellonella and Tenebrio molitor. The commercial B. bassiana strain ATCC 74040, both as pure fungal culture and formulated myco-insecticide (Naturalis), was included in the assays as positive control. First, the entomopathogenic fungal strains were tested for their virulence against T. vaporariorum nymphs on tomato leaf disks. Then, the E. formosa development was evaluated under treatment with the entomopathogenic fungal strains at five different time points from the parasitization of T. vaporariorum nymphs. The virulence of our entomopathogenic fungal strains was superior to that of ATCC 74040, although not significantly, resulting in a cumulative mortality (CM) of T. vaporariorum nymphs 7 days after inoculation (DAI) greater than 86 %. Our M. anisopliae strain CIST8 was the most effective (96.6 % CM 7 DAI), even superior to the myco-insecticide Naturalis (94.2 %), which was more effective than the ATCC 74040 pure strain (85.6 %). The entomopathogenic fungal strains, and especially Naturalis, negatively affected E. formosa development and its parasitization activity of T. vaporariorum nymphs. This effect was more pronounced when the fungal strains were applied before parasitization. Results suggest that the application of entomopathogenic fungi is incompatible with E. formosa release on crops.     

Management of downy mildew of sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum) caused by Peronospora belbahrii by means of resistance inducers, fungicides, biocontrol agents and natural products

To control downy mildew of sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.), incited by Peronospora belbahrii Thines, a number of compounds were tested in 2011 and 2012 under glasshouse conditions. These included copper-based fungicides, biocontrol agents, and compounds previously reported to induce resistance in plants to pathogens. Results were compared with those provided by fungicides registered for downy mildew control in Italy. The tested compounds were used alone or applied in rotation in spray programs. In all trials, the greatest reduction in disease incidence and severity was found with treatments that included metalaxyl-M?+?copper hydroxide, a mineral fertilizer ‘Alexin’, mandipropanid, and azoxystrobin. The glucohumates activator complex and acibenzolar-S-methyl also provided significant disease control (P?<?0.05). The mineral fertilizer Alexin, the glucohumates activator complex and acibenzolar-S significantly reduced disease incidence and severity 20 days after the last treatment compared with the untreated control (P?<?0.05). Among the copper-based products, the greatest reductions in disease incidence and severity were provided by copper hydroxide with terpenic alcohols and copper oxychloride?+?copper hydroxide. The mineral fertilizer Kendal and prohexadione-Ca, as well as mustard oil, partially reduced disease incidence and severity compared with the untreated control (P?<?0.05), whereas the biocontrol agent Bacillus subtilis QST 713 and thyme oil extract were not effective in two out of three trials. When different combinations of various products used in rotation were tested, effective control was found either using a rotation of fungicides with compounds that can induce resistance, as well as by using rotation with different resistance-inducing compounds on their own.     

Application of near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) to the evaluation of carotenoids content in maize

The importance of including antioxidant compounds in the diet is well recognized. These compounds remediate the detrimental activity on animal cells of the so-called reactive oxygen substances (ROS). Many papers have reported on the determination of both hydrophilic and hydrophobic antioxidant compounds present in a large number of vegetables, and all methods involve the extraction from the matrix of the compounds to be determined. Because some problems may arise, such as the completeness of the extraction and the stability of the extracted compound during the extraction steps, the possibility of analyzing these compounds in the native matrix would be useful. Here is reported the application of near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) to the determination of the content of carotenoids in maize, comparing the obtained data with those derived from high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) determination of the extract obtained from the same samples. Equations for predicting carotenoid content in maize were derived using scores from modified partial least-squares (MPLS) as independent variables. Cross-validation procedures indicated good correlations between HPLC values and NIRS estimates. The results show that NIRS, a well-established and widely applied technique, can be applied to determine the maize carotenoids and that samples are readily analyzed in minutes, the only required step being their grinding.     

Accumulation and erosion of Mars' south polar layered deposits

Mars' polar regions are covered with ice-rich layered deposits that potentially contain a record of climate variations. The sounding radar SHARAD on the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter mapped detailed subsurface stratigraphy in the Promethei Lingula region of the south polar plateau, Planum Australe. Radar reflections interpreted as layers are correlated across adjacent orbits and are continuous for up to 150 kilometers along spacecraft orbital tracks. The reflectors are often separated into discrete reflector sequences, and strong echoes are seen as deep as 1 kilometer. In some cases, the sequences are dipping with respect to each other, suggesting an interdepositional period of erosion. In Australe Sulci, layers are exhumed, indicating recent erosion.     

Antioxidant characterization of some Sicilian edible wild greens

Epidemiological studies have demonstrated that many antioxidants and the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) of the diet may protect against cancers and cardiovascular disease. Common fruits and vegetables are good sources of antioxidants, although in some Mediterranean areas traditional wild greens are responsible for a significant percentage of total dietary antioxidant intake. In the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition cohort of Ragusa (Sicily), a high number of subjects were found to frequently eat wild greens, including Sinapis incana and Sinapis nigra, Diplotaxis erucoides, Cichorium intybus, Asparagus acutifolius, and Borrago officinalis. On the basis of these observations, detailed characterization of single antioxidant components (i.e., polyphenols, carotenoids, chlorophylls, and ascorbic acid) and the TAC of these edible wild traditional plants was performed. The wild plants examined were found to be very rich in antioxidants, such as flavonoids and carotenoids, with high TAC values, suggesting that the importance of these vegetables, not only in the traditional but even in the contemporary diet, needs to be emphasized.     

The shadow of the Balbina dam: A synthesis of over 35 years of downstream impacts on floodplain forests in Central Amazonia

1. The Balbina hydropower dam in the Central Amazon basin, established in the Uatumã River in the 1980s, is emblematic for its socio-environmental disaster. Its environmental impacts go far beyond the reservoir and dam, however, affecting the floodplain forests (igapó) in the downstream area (dam shadow), which have been assessed using a transdisciplinary research approach, synthesized in this review.
2. Floodplain tree species are adapted to a regular and predictable flood pulse, with high- and low-water periods occurring during the year. This was severely affected by the operation of the Balbina dam, which caused the suppression of both the aquatic phase at higher floodplain elevations and the terrestrial phase at lower floodplain elevations (termed the ‘sandwich effect’).
3. During the period of construction and reservoir fill, large-scale mortality already occurred in the floodplains of the dam shadow as a result of reduced stream flow, in synergy with severe drought conditions induced by El Niño events, causing hydraulic failure and making floodplains vulnerable to wildfires.
4. During the operational period of the dam, permanent flooding conditions at low topographical elevations resulted in massive tree mortality. So far, 12% of the igapó forests have died along a downstream river stretch of more than 125 km. As a result of flood suppression at the highest elevations, an encroachment of secondary tree species from upland (terra firme) forests occurred.
5. More than 35 years after the implementation of the Balbina dam, the downstream impacts caused massive losses of macrohabitats, ecosystem services, and diversity of flood-adapted tree species, probably cascading down to the entire food web, which must be considered in conservation management.
6. These findings are discussed critically, emphasizing the urgent need for the Brazilian environmental regulatory agencies to incorporate downstream impacts in the environmental assessments of several dam projects planned for the Amazon region.

     

Thiopurine methyltransferase activity in red blood cells of dogs

Thiopurine methyltransferase (TPMT) is an important enzyme in the metabolism of thiopurine medications such as azathioprine. In humans, activity varies widely among individuals, primarily because of genetic polymorphisms. Low TPMT activity increases the risk of myelosuppression from azathioprine and 6-mercaptopurine, whereas high TPMT activity is associated with poor drug efficacy. The purpose of this study was to determine whether dogs also show a wide range of TPMT activity. Heparinized blood samples were obtained from 177 dogs associated with a veterinary teaching hospital. Red blood cell (RBC) TPMT activity was measured by means of a modification of a radiochemical method as established for use in people. TPMT activity varied across a 9-fold range (7.9-71.8 U of RBC per milliliter; median, 21.7). Variation in TPMT activity was not associated with age, sex, or neutering status. Giant Schnauzers had much lower TPMT activity (7.9-20 U of RBC per milliliter; median, 13.1; P < .001) than did other breeds, and Alaskan Malamutes had much higher TPMT activity (22.7-71.8 U of RBC per milliliter; median, 36.0; P < .001) than did other breeds. Such variations in TPMT activity in the canine population and within groups of related dogs could affect thiopurine drug toxicity and efficacy in canine patients.     

Topical delivery of diclofenac into and across equine skin from a novel liquid diclofenac epolamine formulation

The aim was to investigate diclofenac delivery into and across equine skin in vitro using Franz diffusion cells from a novel diclofenac epolamine (DIC‐EP; 1.3%) formulation and to compare the results to those of Surpass^® (1% diclofenac sodium liposomal cream) and a 1% aqueous solution of diclofenac sodium. Skin was harvested from the lower legs of Freiberger geldings immediately after slaughter and sliced to a thickness of ~2 mm. Skin samples were divided into two groups [Group 1: 1 year old (n = 2) and Group 2: 6–8 years old (n = 3)]. Cumulative permeation of diclofenac in Groups 1 and 2 after 24 h using diclofenac sodium solution was 1.91 ± 0.27 and 1.76 ± 0.34 μg/cm², respectively. The values for Surpass^® and DIC‐EP were 3.2 ± 0.8/3.3 ± 0.7 μg/cm² and 230 ± 59/89.2 ± 32.5 μg/cm², respectively. Thus, diclofenac permeation from DIC‐EP was significantly greater and appeared to show an age‐dependent effect. Mathematical modelling showed that the DIC‐EP formulation significantly increased diclofenac partitioning into the skin and a linear correlation was observed between steady‐state flux and the partition parameter. Greater skin deposition of diclofenac was also observed with DIC‐EP. These preliminary results suggest that the DIC‐EP formulation may be effective in treating inflammatory conditions in horses.     

Anti-hyperglycemic action of apigenin-6-C-β-fucopyranoside from Averrhoa carambola

A stimulatory effect of apigenin-6-C-β-fucopyranoside (1) on glucose uptake was observed when rat soleus muscle was incubated with 1, 10 and 100μM of this flavonoid glycoside. The presence of specific insulin signaling inhibitors, such as wortmannin, an inhibitor of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), RO318220, an inhibitor of protein kinase C (PKC), PD98059, an inhibitor of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MEK), and HNMPA(AM)(3), an insulin receptor tyrosine kinase activity inhibitor showed that apigenin-6-C-β-fucopyranoside triggers different metabolic pathways in skeletal muscle. The oral administration of crude extract, fractions and isolated flavonoids (apigenin-6-C-β-fucopyranoside (1) and apigenin-6-C-(2″-O-α-rhamnopyranosyl)-β-fucopyranoside (2)) from Averrhoa carambola leaves exhibited a potential hypoglycemic activity in hyperglycemic normal rats. Additionally, both flavonoids significantly increased the muscle and liver glycogen content after an acute treatment. The results indicate that A. carambola can be regarded as a potent antihyperglycemic agent with insulin secretagogue and insulin mimetic properties.