Fragrance heritability in Hybrid Tea roses

Most of the Hybrid Tea roses that are sold as cut flowers are non-scented, despite the long-standing interest of the perfume industry to rose scent. In the absence of comprehensive knowledge on the genetic and biochemistry of volatile biosynthesis in roses, we decided to characterize a Hybrid Tea progeny obtained from parents that emit very different scents. First, we identified the 11 most abundant volatile compounds synthesized by the progeny, and a short review is given for each one that describes their occurrence in the genus Rosa, in the parents and the studied progeny. We have then used statistical analysis on the distribution of volatiles among individual progeny members to unveil the laws of segregation of the scent traits in this cross. As a general rule, the quantity and quality of volatile compounds was lower in the progeny members. Variations in scent quality were mostly linked to the quantity of monoterpenes that was present. Offsprings emitting a pleasant fragrance were, in practice, found to be rare.     

Host status and reaction of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Medicago truncatula</Emphasis> accessions to infection by three major pathogens of pea (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pisum sativum</Emphasis>) and alfalfa (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Medicago sativa</Emphasis>)

Ditylenchus dipsaci, the stem nematode of alfalfa (Medicago sativa), Mycosphaerella pinodes, cause of Ascochyta blight in pea (Pisum sativum) and Aphanomyces euteiches, cause of pea root rot, result in major yield losses in French alfalfa and pea crops. These diseases are difficult to control and the partial resistances currently available are not effective enough. Medicago truncatula, the barrel medic, is the legume model for genetic studies, which should lead to the identification and characterization of new resistance genes for pathogens. We evaluated a collection of 34 accessions of M. truncatula and nine accessions from three other species (two from M. italica, six from M. littoralis and one from M. polymorpha) for resistance to these three major diseases. We developed screening tests, including standard host references, for each pathogen. Most of the accessions tested were resistant to D. dipsaci, with only three accessions classified as susceptible. A very high level of resistance to M. pinodes was observed among the accessions, none of which was susceptible to this pathogen. Conversely, a high level of variation, from resistant to susceptible accessions, was identified in response to infection by A. euteiches.     

A Syndrome Resembling Idiopathic Noncirrhotic Portal Hypertension in 4 Young Doberman Pinschers

We describe 4 young male Doberman Pinschers (3 littermates and 1 unrelated dog) with a syndrome resembling idiopathic or noncirrhotic portal hypertension of humans. Each dog was evaluated for a hepatopathy resulting in portal hypertension, development of portosystemic collateral vessels, and hepatic encephalopathy. These dogs differ from previous reports of young dogs with hepatic insufficiency associated with portal hypertension and acquired portal systemic shunting by their lack of intrahepatic arteriovenous fistulae, portal vein atresia, or intrahepatic fibrosis. Clinicopathologic features included erythrocyte microcytosis, normal to mildly increased liver enzyme activities, increased concentrations of serum bile acids, reduced plasma indocyanine green clearance, and normal total bilirubin concentration. Abdominal ultrasonography disclosed a small liver and portosystemic collateral vessels. Radiographic imaging studies confirmed hepatofugal portal circulation and discounted hepatic arteriovenous fistulae. Histopathologic features in liver tissue from each dog were similar and consistent in all sections examined. Common findings included increased cross-sectional views of hepatic arterioles; hepatic lobular atrophy; scanty increase in connective tissue around some large portal triads; and absence of inflammation, disturbed lobular architecture, bile duct proliferation, or intrahepatic cholestasis.     

Comparison of tick resistance of crossbred Senepol × Limousin to purebred Limousin cattle

The comparison of resistance to natural tick infestation by Rhipicephalus microplus (Canestrini, 1887) of crossbred Senepol?×?Limousin and purebred Limousin cattle was investigated. The Senepol breed, originated from St Croix Island in the Caribbean is considered as a Bos taurus breed adapted to tropical conditions. Despite its B. taurus genetic background, it is believed to have a good tick resistance, but this resistance has never been assessed previously. Tick counts under natural infestation were carried out to investigate the difference of susceptibility between crossbred Senepol?×?Limousin and purebred Limousin cattle. Mixed-effect models were used to assess the effect of the breed on the number of ticks. Results show that Senepol?×?Limousin are five times less infested by ticks than purebred Limousin. These results underline the opportunity to use Senepol cattle for crossing with susceptible B. taurus breeds in tick infested areas, to combine tick resistance with beef production abilities.     

Antimicrobial potential of egg yolk ovoinhibitor, a multidomain Kazal-like inhibitor of chicken egg

Chicken egg ovoinhibitor is a multidomain Kazal-type serine protease inhibitor with unknown function. Comparison of expression between different tissues indicated that ovoinhibitor is highly expressed in the magnum and liver followed by the uterus, which secrete egg white, egg yolk, and eggshell precursors, respectively. The results also revealed that ovoinhibitor expression is increased in the liver during sexual maturation followed by a subsequent decrease in mature hens. Ovoinhibitor was purified from the egg yolk plasma from nonfertilized eggs using two consecutive affinity chromatographies and gel filtration. Purified egg yolk ovoinhibitor was shown to inhibit trypsin and subtilisin. It was shown that purified egg yolk ovoinhibitor exhibited antimicrobial activities against Bacillus thuringiensis . The results suggest that this anti-protease plays a significant role in antibacterial egg defense against Bacillus spp., preventing contamination of table eggs (nonfertilized eggs) and protecting the chick embryo (fertilized eggs).     

The expression of hHR21sp gene in the peripheral blood cells and bone marrow cells of patients with Fanconi anemia

AIM:To detect the expression of hHR21^spgene in normal human peripheral blood cells and in hemapoietic cell from fanconi anemia(FA) patients bone marrow after exposure to UV and gamma-irradiation.METHODS:RNA of FA hemapoietic cell and normal peripheral blood cells were harvested after UV and gamma irradiation. hHR21^sp gene expression was analyzed using RT-PCR, southern blot hybridization, phosphoimmage autoradiogram.RESULTS:The expression of hHR21^sp gene in PBL varied with the time of UV gamma-irradiation and increased obviously six hours after 80 J/M² UV-or 5 Gy gamma-irradiation. However, the expression was down-regulated in FA hemapoietic cell from FA patients indicating that hHR21^sp expression is something related to the ability of cells to repair DNA double strand break.CONCLUSION:The expression of hHR21^sp down-regulated in the FA syndrome and this might be involved in the pathogenesis of the FA.     

Concentrations of metals (zinc, copper, cadmium, and mercury) in three domestic ducks in France: Pekin, Muscovy, and Mule ducks

The role of different factors such as biological material (tissues, organs) and trophic condition (overfeeding or not) in the metal accumulation was studied in three genotypes of ducks (Pekin, Muscovy, and Mule) under breeding conditions. Results showed that overfeeding decreased the concentration in Cd, Cu, and Zn through the dilution process. In contrast, mercury concentration increased with this method. A relation between lipidic metabolism of genotypes and the distribution of this metal in biological material was found. Domestic ducks were little contaminated, but a low chronic contamination in Cd was observed, probably coming from the food. Due to the low levels of contamination observed in these breeding ducks, they can be considered as a good control for further contamination studies and comparison with accumulation levels recorded in the field. The impact of feeding condition on accumulation showed the importance of taking into account the life cycle of birds before studying their contamination and the impact of pollutants.     

Diversity of water use efficiency among Quercus robur genotypes: contribution of related leaf traits

? Previously, a large intra-specific diversity and a tight genetic control have been shown for Δ¹³C (carbon isotope discrimination) in a pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.) family, which is an estimator for intrinsic water use efficiency (W _i), a complex trait defined as the ratio of net CO₂ assimilation rate (A) to stomatal conductance for water vapour (g _s ).

? In the present study, twelve genotypes with extreme phenotypic values of Δ¹³C were selected within this family to (i) asses the stability of genotype differences across contrasting environments and for different measures W _i; (ii) quantify the relationship between Δ¹³C and W_i within this family; (iii) identify which leaf traits drive the diversity in W _i observed in this family.

? Genetic variability of Δ¹³C and W _i was largely independent from different temporal integration scales and their correlation was found to be strong (R ² = 88% for leaf sugars) within this family.

? Weak correlations between measures of W _i with estimators of photosynthetic capacity, suggest a minor role of the latter in the diversity of W _i.

? However, the tight correlation between g _s and Δ¹³C as well as W _i, and the related genotypic variation in stomatal density, suggest that the genotypic diversity in W _i within this pedunculate oak family might be due to differences in g _s .

     

Ontogeny and distribution of alkaline and acid phosphatases in the digestive system of California halibut larvae (Paralichthys californicus)

Studies aimed to assess the digestive physiology of marine fish larvae under culture conditions are important to further understand the functional characteristics and digestive capacities of the developing larvae. Most studies to date concentrate on intestinal lumen digestion and little attention to the absorption process. Thus, the objectives of this study were to histochemically detect and quantify some of the enzymes responsible for absorption and intracellular digestion of nutrients in the anterior and posterior intestine of California halibut larvae. Alkaline and acid phosphatases were detected from the first days post-hatch (dph). Alkaline phosphatase maintained a high level of activity during the first 20 dph in both intestinal regions. Thereafter, a clear intestinal regionalization of the activity was observed with the highest levels occurring in the anterior intestine. Acid phosphatase activity gradually increased in both intestinal regions during development, and a regionalization of the activity was not observed until late in development, once the ocular migration began. Highest levels were observed in the anterior intestine at the end of metamorphosis concomitant with the stomach development. The results from this study show some morphological and physiological changes are occurring during larval development and a clear regionalization of the absorption process as the larvae develops. These ontological changes must be considered in the elaboration of diets according to the digestive capacity of the larvae.     

Yield and nutritional requirements of cassava in response to potassium fertilizer in the second cycle

Potassium (K) is one of the most absorbed nutrients by cassava because it acts on the synthesis and starch accumulation in the storage roots. Here, we show that K application at the beginning of the second vegetative cycle of cassava submitted to shoot pruning increased the yield of roots and starch, and the nutrient demand of plants. Application of 45–89 kg ha^?1 dipotassium oxide (K₂O) in the second cycle increased the yield of storage roots and starch from 36–49% and K applied at this time had a greater effect on the synthesis and allocation of starch in the storage roots. K supply increased the accumulation of N and S by 2.0- to 3.0-fold and the accumulation of other nutrients by 1.4- to 1.7-fold. The removal of phosphorus (P), manganese (Mn), and zinc (Zn) by storage roots was not affected by K application, whereas the removal of other nutrients increased by 1.3- to 4.3-fold.