Male sterility and 2n pollen in 4x progenies derived from 4x×2x and 4x×4x crosses in potatoes

Summary The objectives of these experiments were to evaluate male sterility (MS) and 2n pollen frequency in 77 4x×2x families and 26 4x×4x families. The 2x parents were haploid-species hybrids and the 4x parents mainly clones withS. tuberosum ssp.tuberosum (tbr) andS. tuberosum ssp.andigena (adg) in their genetic background. The female parents had different cytoplasms: adg, tbr,S. demissum (dms), andS. stoloniferum (sto). Families from female parents with adg or dms cytoplasm did not have MS plants. However, families derived from crosses of many tbr females with 2x hybrids and a 4x adg clone had a high percentage of MS plants; all the progenies from cv. Serrana (sto cytoplasm) possessed tetrad sterility. These results can be explained as due to an interaction between a dominant male sterility (Ms) gene with tbr and sto cytoplasms. Some MS 4x hybrids (tbr×adg) used as females had the Ms gene, but male fertility was restored in some plants of their progenies when they were crossed with 4x tbr clones. This indicates that some tbr clones have a fertility restorer gene (Rt). The results from both 4x×2x and 4x×4x families fit the expected ratios assuming chromatid segregation for both the Ms and Rt loci. The gene frequency of parallel spindles was estimated in the 4x population as 0.74.     

Variation in nocturnality and circadian activity rhythms between photoresponsive F344 and nonphotoresponsive Sprague Dawley rats

Background

Variation in circadian rhythms and nocturnality may, hypothetically, be related to or independent of genetic variation in photoperiodic mediation of seasonal changes in physiology and behavior. We hypothesized that strain variation in photoperiodism between photoperiodic F344 rats and nonphotoperiodic Harlan Sprague Dawley (HSD) rats might be caused by underlying variation in clock function. We predicted that HSD rats would have more activity during the day or subjective day, longer free-running rhythms, poor entrainment to short day length, and shorter duration of activity, traits that have been associated with nonphotoperiodism in other laboratory rodent species, relative to F344 rats. An alternative hypothesis, that differences are due to variation in melatonin secretion or responses to melatonin, predicts either no such differences or inconsistent combinations of differences.

Methods

We tested these predictions by examining activity rhythms of young male F344 and HSD rats given access to running wheels in constant dark (DD), short day length (L8:D16; SD), and long day length (L16:D8; LD). We compared nocturnality (the proportion of activity during night or subjective night), duration of activity (alpha), activity onset and offset, phase angle of entrainment, and free running rhythms (tau) of F344 and HSD rats.

Results

HSD rats had significantly greater activity during the day, were sometimes arrhythmic in DD, and had significantly longer tau than F344 rats, consistent with predictions. However, HSD rats had significantly longer alpha than F344 rats and both strains entrained to SD, inconsistent with predictions.

Conclusion

The ability of HSD rats to entrain to SD, combined with longer alpha than F344 rats, suggests that the circadian system of HSD rats responds correctly to SD. These data offer best support for the alternative hypothesis, that differences in photoresponsiveness between F344 and HSD rats are caused by non-circadian differences in melatonin secretion or the response to melatonin.     

Fine-scale differences in diel activity among nocturnal freshwater planarias (Platyhelminthes: Tricladida)

Background  

Although most freshwater planarias are well known photonegative organisms, their diel rhythms have never been quantified. Differences in daily activity rhythms may be particularly important for temperate-climate, freshwater planarias, which tend to overlap considerably in spatial distribution and trophic requirements.     

2,4 D和干燥处理对小麦成熟胚愈伤组织诱导与分化的影响

为解决西北地区小麦栽培品种高频再生体系建立过程中的瓶颈问题,以不同品种、不同2,4-D浓度及对愈伤组织的不同干燥处理时间为变量,研究不同处理对小麦栽培品种成熟胚愈伤组织诱导与分化的影响。结果表明,甘春24、甘春20、西旱1号在2,4-D浓度为2.0～5.0mg·L-1时,愈伤组织诱导与分化较好,2,4-D浓度为5.0mg·L-1以上愈伤组织容易褐变,分化能力减弱,成苗率低;在转入胚性诱导培养基前,12h的干燥处理能促进各品种愈伤组织分化;通过正交设计分析,甘春24在2,4-D浓度为2.5mg·L-1,12h干燥处理条件下所建立的再生体系最好,是转基因中良好的受体;甘春20在2.0mg·L-1 2,4-D、12h干燥处理下愈伤组织形成与分化较好;西旱1号经3.0mg·L-1 2,4-D、12h干燥处理,能显著提高其愈伤组织的分化。     

4x-4x和4x-2x杂种后代高世代选系比重的比较

马铃薯的比重是加工企业要考虑的一个重要性状。本研究的目的是比较4x-4x和4x-2x杂种后代高世代选系的比重,试图利用单向有性多倍化(Unilateral sexual polyploidization,USP)的方法从二倍体栽培种向四倍体普通栽培种转育高比重基因。四倍体亲本为品种或高世代选系,二倍体亲本是普通马铃薯栽培种(Solanum tuberosum)双单倍体与二倍体栽培种富利亚(S.phureja)杂种的互交后代,或经轮回选择适应长日照的S.phureja-S.stenotomum杂种后代。从4x-4x和4x-2x组合各选出17个高世代无性系,以‘克新18号’(鲜食)和‘夏坡地’(薯条加工)为对照,采用随机区组设计,2011～2012年在黑龙江省的加格达奇评价了4x-4x和4x-2x高世代选系比重的表现。4x-2x和4x-4x后代高世代选系比重平均为1.0727和1.0659,二者差异极显著。但是,4x-2x内和4x-4x内无性系的差异仍达极显著水平。4x-2x四倍体后代HJ04-18-17,HJ04-27-41,HJ04-22-19以及HJ04-15-36比重高于对照品种‘夏坡地’,并和其有显著差异。结果表明,和4x-4x组合相比,4x-2x组合后代含有较高的比重。     

Breeding value of 2n pollen diploid from hybrids and Phureja in 4x-2x crosses in potatoes

Breeding value of 2n pollen from Phureja — haploid Group Tuberosum diploid hybrids (DHs) and Phureja was compared in crosses with tetraploid cultivars. Mean total yield for Phureja — derived (PT) hybrids significantly exceeded that for DH — derived (DHT) hybrids, and did not differ from that for cultivar parents. PT hybrids had the largest range for total yield, with 13% of the population between 4200 and 5750 gm/plant (0.8 and 4.6% for DHT hybrids and cultivars, respectively). Moreover, the tail of the frequency distribution of total yield for PT hybrids extended 920 gm/plant above that for cultivars. Mean marketable yield for PT hybrids significantly exceeded that for DHT hybrids, but was significantly below that for cultivars. However, the tail of the distribution of marketable yields for PT hybrids exceeded that of the cultivars by 820 gm/plant. Significant general combining ability among 2x and 4x parents for total and marketable yield indicates that the potential of specific crosses can be predicted by average performance of parents in test-crosses. Predictability of parental breeding value and exceptional yield potential of hybrids make 4x-2x breeding an attractive alternative to conventional approaches.     

Yield and tuber characteristics of 4x progeny from 2x×2x crosses

Summary Unrelated, unselected 2x haploid-species hybrids that produce 2n eggs, by second division restitution and 2n pollen due to first division restitution were intercrossed to generate 4x progeny. The 19, 4x families were compared with seven cultivars for tuber yield, tuber appearance and tuber set. The mean yield of the 4x families was 30% higher than the mean yield of the cultivars. The best five 4x families outyielded the best five cultivars by 57% and 69% at two locations. Cultivars were superior for tuber appearance and tuber set. The high yields of the 4x families are due to genetic diversity of the 2x parents and their ability to transmit that diversity to the 4x progeny utilizing 2n gametes. The potential of the 2x×2x breeding method is dependent on developing 2x hybrid clones that form 2n eggs and possess desirable tuber types; clones producing 2n pollen and good tuber quality are available.     

Azocalix[4]pyrrole dyes: Application in dyeing of fibers and their antimicrobial activity

The dyeing performance of the azocalix[4]pyrrole dyes on fibers like nylon, wool, acrylic, and silk have been determined. Their fastness properties towards light, water, washing, and acid-alkali perspiration have been studied. The position of color in CIELAB coordinates (L*, a*, b*, H, and C*) was assessed. The azocalix[4]pyrrole demonstrated good antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Aspergillus niger. These super molecules exhibit bright shades on fabric with very good fastness properties.     

Performance and stability of nine 4x clones from 4x−2x crosses and four commercial cultivars

Summary Nine clones from 4x−2x crosses were evaluated along with four cultivars in six Wisconsin environments. The 4x clones from 4x−2x crosses had as their 2x parents hybrids with haploid Tuberosum and either Group Phureja orSolanum tarijense. The 2x hybrids produced 2n pollen by first division restitution. The traits evaluated were marketable yield, mass density and chip color. Stability analysis was conducted by determining the linear relationships between mean yield of individual clones and environmental mean yields. Mean square deviations from linear regression (s² _d) were used to evaluate phenotypic stability and regression coefficients (b) as environmental response parameters. Three 4x clones from 4x-2x crosses were more stable and not significantly different for yield than cv. Atlantic; some also had superior specific gravity and chip color. The results suggest that the 4x×2x breeding method is very efficient for the production of high yielding, stable clones with superior processing qualities, particularly since the 4x clones from 4x-2x crosses originated from very small source populations.     

Phytase activity in extracts of flour and bran from wheat cultivars: enhanced extractability with β-glucanase and endo-xylanase

Phytase (EC 3.1.3.8) hydrolyzes phytic acid to myo-inositol and inorganic phosphate through intermediate myo-inositol phosphates. Microbial phytase has been employed to minimize the negative effects of phytic acid in cereal-based feeds, however, other sources such as wheat, would be natural alternatives. Investigations were therefore carried out to determine the levels of phytase activity in various cultivars and how the extraction of the enzyme may be enhanced using buffers fortified with glycanases. We screened 23 cultivars and the results showed that bran from hard white wheat cultivars had relatively lower levels of activity, ranging from about 1.5 to about 2.5 FTU/g bran, whereas hard red wheat cultivars had much higher levels, ranging from approximately 2 to 5.5 FTU/g bran. These levels were greatly enhanced, up to 5-fold, when extraction buffer contained a commercial preparation consisting of β-glucanase (EC 3.2.1.6) and endo-xylanase (EC 3.2.1.8) (Natugrain) (opt 1%) from BASF. The effect of glycanases was concentration and cultivar dependent, but not significantly influenced by temperature exposure of mixtures of samples with extraction buffers prior to extraction. Relative increases were more substantial in hard white than in hard red wheat cultivars. The additional value of supplementing grain-based diets with glycanases for monogastric animals is discussed.     

Effects of bending properties and drapability on the hand and appearance of wool-blended Fabrics: Comparison of real clothing with online and 3D virtual garments

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of bending properties and drapability on the hand and appearance of wool-blended fabrics for comparison of real clothing with online and 3D virtual garments. Objective evaluations were performed by measuring mechanical properties of fabrics, while subjective evaluations were performed by subjects evaluating sensory images of fabrics; real clothing evaluations were performed offline and online, and 3D virtual garments were evaluated. Bending properties and drape coefficients of fabrics were affected by wool blending ratio, and fabrics with high wool blending ratio showed low stiffness, warm-cool, weight, and high smoothness, drapability image. In the real clothing evaluation, stiffness image showed many differences with online evaluation with respect to wool blending ratio. Objective bending properties and drape coefficients showed no correlation with subjective sensory images offline. For the online results, objective mechanical properties had good correlations with all sensory images except smoothness. Stiffness and warm-cool online scores were higher than the offline ones and the offline drapability was higher than the online one for 100 % wool fabrics. Thus, clothing was generally evaluated online as more hard and moist than real clothing. For the virtual garment evaluation, sensory images had no difference according to wool blending ratio compared with real clothing. Many differences in subjective sensory images between real clothing and virtual garments were observed, except for smoothness and weight images. The results showed that it is difficult to exactly predict the hand and appearance of clothing according to fabric properties using 3D virtual garment system.     

Actinomycetes from sediments in the Trondheim fjord, Norway: diversity and biological activity

The marine environment represents a largely untapped source for isolation of new microorganisms with potential to produce biologically active secondary metabolites. Among such microorganisms, Gram-positive actinomycete bacteria are of special interest, since they are known to produce chemically diverse compounds with a wide range of biological activities. We have set out to isolate and characterize actinomycete bacteria from the sediments in one of the largest Norwegian fjords, the Trondheim fjord, with respect to diversity and antibiotic-producing potential. Approximately 3,200 actinomycete bacteria were isolated using four different agar media from the sediment samples collected at different locations and depths (4.5 to 450 m). Grouping of the isolates first according to the morphology followed by characterization of isolates chosen as group representatives by molecular taxonomy revealed that Micromonospora was the dominating actinomycete genus isolated from the sediments. The deep water sediments contained a higher relative amount of Micromonospora compared to the shallow water samples. Nine percent of the isolates clearly required sea water for normal growth, suggesting that these strains represent obligate marine organisms. Extensive screening of the extracts from all collected isolates for antibacterial and antifungal activities revealed strong antibiotic-producing potential among them. The latter implies that actinomycetes from marine sediments in Norwegian fjords can be potential sources for the discovery of novel anti-infective agents.     

Disulfated Ophiuroid Type Steroids from the Far Eastern Starfish Pteraster marsippus and Their Cytotoxic Activity on the Models of 2D and 3D Cultures

New steroidal 3β,21-disulfates (2–4), steroidal 3β,22-disulfate (5), and the previously known related steroidal 3β,21-disulfate (1) were isolated from the ethanolic extract of the Far Eastern starfish Pteraster marsippus, collected off Urup Island in the Sea of Okhotsk. The structures of these compounds were determined by intensive NMR and HRESIMS techniques as well as by chemical transformations. Steroids 2 and 3 have an oxo-group in the tetracyclic nucleus at position C-7 and differ from each other by the presence of the 5(6)-double bond. The Δ²⁴-22-sulfoxycholestane side chain of the steroid 5 has not been found previously in the starfish or ophiuroid steroids. The cytotoxic activities of 1, 4, 5, and the mixture of 2 and 3 were determined on the models of 2D and 3D cultures of human epithelial kidney cells (HEK293), melanoma cells (SK-MEL-28), small intestine carcinoma cells (HuTu80), and breast carcinoma cells (ZR-75-1). The mixture of 2 and 3 revealed a significant inhibitory effect on the cell viability of human breast carcinoma ZR-75-1 cells, but other tested compounds were less effective.     

Paspalines C–D and Paxillines B–D: New Indole Diterpenoids from Penicillium brefeldianum WZW-F-69

Five new indole diterpenoids named paspaline C–D (1–2) and paxilline B–D (3–5), as well as eleven known analogues (6–16), were identified from fungus Penicillium brefeldianum strain WZW-F-69, which was isolated from an abalone aquaculture base in Fujian province, China. Their structures were elucidated mainly through 1D- and 2D-NMR spectra analysis and ECD comparison. Compound 1 has a 6/5/5/6/6/8 hexacyclic ring system bearing 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxocane, which is rare in natural products. Compound 2 has an unusual open F-ring structure. The cytotoxic activities against 10 cancer cell lines and antimicrobial activities against model bacteria and fungi of all compounds were assayed. No compound showed antimicrobial activity, but at a concentration of 1 μM, compounds 1 and 6 exhibited the highest inhibition rates of 71.2% and 83.4% against JeKo-1 cells and U2OS cells, respectively.     

The quantity of OA and activity of cellulase and polygalacturonase are involved in variation of virulence in Sclerotium rolfsii

In order to understand the pathogenic mechanisms of Sclerotium rolfsii on peanut and to analyze the variation of virulence in S. rolfsii strains, the highly virulent strain(ZY2) and weakly virulent strain(GP3-1) were investigated under both in vivo and in vitro conditions. The results indicated that S. rolfsii directly infected peanut by producing infection cushions. ZY2 formed infection cushions earlier than GP3-1, and ZY2 produced a greater number of infection cushions compare to GP3-1. Both s...     

Dough and bread made from high- and low-protein flours by vacuum mixing: Part 2. Yeast activity,dough proofing and bread quality

The combined effects of reduced mixer headspace pressure and mixing duration on the yeast activity, proofing and quality of dough and bread made from both high-protein flour (HPF) and low-protein flour (LPF) were addressed in this study. Rheofermentometer analysis showed that a reduction in mixer headspace pressure up to 0.08 MPa did not affect the overall gassing power of yeast in either of the two dough matrices. An increase in mixing duration sped up the mass transfer rate of CO₂ at the initial stage of fermentation, leading to a faster expansion of dough volume at the beginning. Moreover, an increase in mixing time promoted dough development and gas inclusion, which resulted in a increased volume of dough and bread, as well as a softer texture of both baked bread and steamed bread. In general, reduced headspace pressure produced baked bread of smaller volume, denser structure and harder texture. On the other hand, vacuum mixing produced steamed bread with softer texture without significantly changing the bread’s volume and porosity.     

茶蚕大陆种群性信息素鉴定与虫口监测应用

茶蚕（Andraca bipunctata Walker）是我国一种重要的茶树食叶害虫,严重时其幼虫可将整株茶树的叶片取食殆尽,造成极大危害。本研究对我国茶蚕大陆种群性信息素进行了鉴定,利用正己烷浸提法对求偶高峰期的茶蚕雌虫性信息素进行了提取,利用气相色谱-触角电位联用仪（GC-EAD）筛选性信息素提取物中的活性成分,运用气相色谱-质谱联用仪（GC-MS）对活性成分进行分析,采用触角电位技术（EAG）测试了性信息素成分的电生理活性,并通过田间诱捕试验筛选出性信息素最佳剂量,最后利用性信息素对海南五指山地区的茶蚕种群进行了监测。GC-EAD结果显示,茶蚕性信息素提取物中只有1种成分可引起雄虫的触角电位反应。GC-MS分析结果初步确定该活性成分为顺11,顺14-十八碳醛（E11,E14-18Ald）。EAG测试和田间引诱试验验证了性信息素鉴定结果,田间诱捕数据显示不同剂量的性信息素在田间的引诱效果不同,当剂量为0.9 mg时,田间引诱效果最佳。虫口监测结果表明,茶蚕性信息素是一种理想的虫口监测方法,利用该方法明确海南五指山地区5—10月共有两代茶蚕,成虫高峰期为6月17日和8月27日。本研究结果为我国茶叶主产区利用性信息素进行诱杀防治或虫口监测提供了理论依据。