Prediction of deoxynivalenol and zearalenone in winter wheat grain in a maize-free crop rotation based on cultivar susceptibility and meteorological factors

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - Grains of the three differentially Fusarium-susceptible winter wheat cultivars “Ritmo” (highly susceptible), “Inspiration”...     

Long-term culture of a cell population from Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baerii) head kidney

In vitro cultures of native fish cell lines are of great importance, both for basic research and applied science. In particular, there is strong demand for long-term growable cell lines from breeding fish, like sturgeon. Here, we describe the culture of cells from Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baerii) head kidney. The cells have so far been cultured over a period of 12 months (24 passages). Cytochemical and immunocytochemical examination suggests that, in vitro, the cells exhibit markers that are indicative for different cell types. In particular, fat storing cells (adipocytes) were observed, and the expression of cytokeratins and glial fibrilar acidic protein (GFAP) can be concluded on the basis of immuncytochemical analysis. The observation of different morphologies additionally underlines the heterogeneity of the cell population and matches the typical behaviour of in vitro cultures of stem/progenitor cells. Different applications can be imagined.     

Coriander spice oil: effects of fruit crushing and distillation time on yield and composition

Crushing intensity and distillation time were evaluated for their effects on the oil yield and composition of steam-distilled essential oil from fruits of Coriandrum sativum var. microcarpum L. A comparison of oils produced by laboratory- and pilot-scale stills showed that the two still types gave comparable yields and oil composition. The laboratory still was then used to compare oil yields and compositions from fruits crushed at three different intensities, at intervals during a distillation period of 60 min. Both crushing intensity and distillation time had significant (P< 0.05) effects on the yield and composition of the oil. The maximum oil yield was less from the light-crushed fruits, but the rate of oil recovery was significantly P < 0.05) higher. From the light-crushed fruits, 95% of the maximum yield was extracted in 22.5 min compared with 32 and 39 min for the standard and heavy-crushed fruits, respectively. The effect of crushing intensity on oil composition was most pronounced on the low-boiling-point a-pinene and on the higher-boiling-point geranyl acetate. Crushing had little effect on linalool content, but distillation time could be manipulated to alter the linalool content of the oil.     

Novel chemotaxonomic markers of the Alternaria infectoria species-group

Two new structurally related metabolites, novae-zelandin A (1) and novae-zelandin B (2), as well as the novel metabolite 4Z-infectopyrone (3) were purified from extracts of filamentous fungi belonging to the Alternaria infectoria species-group. The structures were elucidated by a combination of 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic data and MS data. 1-3 are important chemotaxonomic markers of the A. infectoria species-group and exhibit structures similar to those of known biologically active compounds, suggesting that they could be potential phytotoxins.     

A COMPARISON OF NORMAL TISSUE COMPLICATION PROBABILITY OF BRAIN FOR PROTON AND PHOTON THERAPY OF CANINE NASAL TUMORS

This study compared the calculated normal tissue complication probability of brain in dogs with a nasal tumor, which had both photon and proton treatment planning. Nine dogs diagnosed with a variety of histologies, but all with large, caudally located nasal tumors were studied. Three-dimensional (3-D) photon dose distribution, and a proton dose distribution was calculated for each dog. To calculate the normal tissue complication probability (NTCP) for brain, the partial brain volume irradiated with the prescribed dose was determined, then a mathematic model relating complications to partial volume and radiation dose was used. The NTCP was always smaller for proton plans as compared to photon plans, indicating conformation of the dose to the target allows a higher dose to be given. If a 5% NTCP were accepted, the mean applicable dose for this group of dogs was 50.2 Gy for photons, but 58.3 Gy for protons. Not all dogs would benefit the same from proton irradiation. If a large partial brain volume has to be irradiated, the advantage becomes minimal. There is also a minimal advantage if the planning target volume (PTV) includes a small, superficial brain volume. However, for a complex PTV shape the degree of conformation is clearly superior for protons and results in smaller calculated NTCPs.     

Potential tumour doubling time: determination of Tpot for various canine and feline tumours

Spontaneous tumours in dogs and cats are an excellent model for clinical human research, such as in developing proton conformation radiotherapy for humans. The kinetics of tumour cells can be used effectively to predict prognosis and response to therapy in patients with tumours. Knowledge of the kinetic parameters in these tumours is therefore important. In the present study the kinetic parameters evaluated included the labelling index (LI), relative movement (RM), mitotic index (MI), and potential doubling time (T_pot). These parameters were determined using in vivo labelling with bromodeoxyuridine, flow cytometry and histological preparation. Samples were obtained and evaluated from 72 dogs and 20 cats, presenting as patients in our clinic. Within the groups of epithelial and mesenchymal tumours from dogs and cats, the kinetic parameters LI, RM and MI were compared with T_pot. Significant correlations were observed for the comparison T_pot and LI. No correlation was found between T_pot and RM.