Hepatic Protection by Noni Fruit Juice Against CCl<Subscript>4</Subscript>-Induced Chronic Liver Damage in Female SD Rats

Morinda citrifolia L. (noni) has been used throughout the Pacific, Southeast Asia, Central America, and the Caribbean for a variety of health conditions, including heart and liver ailments. In this study, we examined the hepatoprotective effects of TAHITIAN NONI Juice (TNJ) against CCl(4)-induced chronic liver damage in female Sprague Dawley (SD) rats. Twelve female SD rats were divided into control, placebo and TNJ (6 mL/rat/day) groups. On day 15, animals in the placebo and TNJ groups received 0.25 mL/kg CCl(4) in corn oil once a week for 12 successive weeks. All animals were sacrificed at week 16. Blood and liver were collected for liver function, lipid panel tests, and histological observation. Histopathological examination revealed that liver sections from the TNJ + CCl(4) appeared similar to controls, whereas typical hepatic steatosis was observed in the placebo + CCl(4) group. Serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) levels were increased in the placebo group compared with the TNJ group. In contrast, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) was increased in the TNJ group and decreased in the placebo group. Thus, TNJ juice appears to protect the liver from chronic exogenous CCl(4) exposures. Such protective mechanisms are supportive evidence for the utility of noni in traditional medicine for liver ailments.     

低温胁迫对诺丽幼苗叶片光合荧光特性的影响

为了解诺丽抗寒生理特性,比较其抗寒能力,以4个诺丽(Morinda citrifolia L.)种质幼苗为试材,研究不同低温(25、12、9、6、3、0℃)及不同时间(1、3、5 d)胁迫对各种质幼苗叶片光合及叶绿素荧光参数等指标的影响,利用隶属函数法对4个诺丽种质耐寒能力进行评价.结果表明:(1)相同时间下随着胁迫温...     

Hypolipidemic and Antioxidative Effects of Noni (Morinda citrifolia L.) Juice on High- fat/Cholesterol-Dietary Hamsters

Noni juice (NJ) is rich in phytochemicals and polysaccharides. Lipid-lowering and antioxidative effects of NJ were investigated in this study. Fifty male hamsters were assigned randomly to one of the following groups: (1) normal diet and distilled water (LFCD); (2) high-fat/cholesterol diet and distilled water (HFCD); (3) HFCD and 3?ml NJ (including 0.20?g solids)/kg BW (NJ_L); (4) HFCD and 6?mL NJ (including 0.40?g solids)/kg BW (NJ_M); (5) HFCD and 9?ml NJ (including 0.60?g solids)/kg BW (NJ_H) for six?weeks. NJ supplementation decreased (p?<?0.05) serum triacylglycerol, cholesterol, atherogenic index, malondialdehyde levels, and hepatic lipids in HFCD hamsters, whereas serum trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity, glutathione, and fecal lipids in HFCD hamsters were increased (p?<?0.05) by NJ supplementation. Although NJ supplementation downregulated (p?<?0.05) sterol regulator element binding protein-1c in HFCD hamsters, it upregulated (p?<?0.05) hepatic peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha and uncoupling protein 2 gene expressions in HFCD hamsters. Results demonstrate that NJ promotes cardioprotection in a high-fat/cholesterol diet.     

Potential use of Asteraceae extracts to control Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and selectivity to their parasitoids Trichogramma pretiosum (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) and Telenomus remus (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae)

Extracts of 12 Asteraceae were tested on Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and on their parasitoids Telenomus remus (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) and Trichogramma pretiosum (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae). The plants Lychnophora ericoides and Trichogonia villosa were toxic for 97.7 ± 0.15% of one-day-old eggs of S. frugiperda and Lepidaploa lilacina for 72.0 ± 2.50% for two-day-old eggs of this insect. Extracts of Vernonia holosenicea, Lychnophora ramosissima and Chromolaena chaseae had higher impact on S. frugiperda, while those of Eremanthus elaeagnus and L. ericoides were more selective to T. pretiosum and T. remus. Asteraceae extracts present potential for integrated pest management programs of S. frugiperda.     

Effects of soil characteristics on the relationship between potato cyst nematodes and yield. II. Acidity (soil pH)

Summary The sandy and sandy peat soils of the northeast of The Netherlands are mineralogically very poor and acid. Independently of potato cyst nematode infestations, there is a considerable negative effect of increasing soil pH on potato tuber yield. Potato cyst nematode infections aggravate the effect of soil pH in depressing yield. It was shown that both potato cyst nematode infection and increasing soil pH values reduce the buffering capacity of the root system. Testing for yield as well as for tolerance to potato cyst nematode infection should be made at a range of soil pH values, similar to those found in the target area. This refers to active breeding programmes as well as to the selection of cultivars for yield trials.     

Studies on natural repellents against potato tuber moth (Phthorimaea operculella Zeller) in country stores

Summary The effects of the leaves of five plant species, one from each of the generaAmbrosia, Anemone, Eupatorium, Eucalyptus andLantana, on potato tuber moth were investigated under indigenous storage conditions at the Central Potato Research Station, Shillong (1800 m above sea level). Their action was compared with that of a biological insecticide (spores ofBacillus thuringiensis), a chemical insecticide (carbaryl), and an untreated control. The data collected after six months storage on tuber damage, sprout damage and the rotting indicated that the leaves ofLantana aculeata provided most protection to the tubers, reducing damage from over 70% in the check to below 5%, and sprout damage from over 45% to below 3%. Next best wasEucalyptus globulus followed byB. thuringiensis. They may be used on tubers stored for table use or for seed as they had no adverse effect on germination or on the yield of a subsequent crop.     

Cryotherapy of Potato Shoot Tips for Efficient Elimination of Potato Leafroll Virus (PLRV) and Potato Virus Y (PVY)

Viral diseases constitute a major constraint to high yield and high quality production of potato. Potato leafroll virus (PLRV) and Potato virus Y (PVY) are among the most damaging potato viruses and are prevalent in most potato growing areas. In the present study, attempts were made to eliminate PLRV and PVY by three cryogenic protocols, i.e., encapsulation-dehydration, encapsulation-vitrification and droplet. Results showed that both PLRV and PVY could be efficiently eliminated by cryogenic treatments with 83–86% and 91–95% of frequencies of virus-free plantlets obtained for the former and latter, respectively. Frequencies of virus-free plantlets produced by cryogenic treatments were higher than those by meristem culture (56% for PLRV and 62% for PVY) and thermotherapy (50% for PLRV and 65% for PVY), and similar to those by thermotherapy followed by meristem culture (90% for PLRV and 93% for PVY). Survival (75–85%) and regrowth (83–89%) from cryo-treated shoot tips were higher than those from meristem culture (50–55%) and thermotherapy followed by meristem culture (40–50%), but similar to those from thermotherapy (80–87%). The morphology of the plantlets regenerated from cryo-treated shoot tips was similar to that of non-treated plantlets. Thus, cryotherapy would provide an alternative method for efficient elimination of potato viruses, and can be simultaneously used for long-term storage of potato germplasm and for production of virus-free plants.     

宁夏小麦品种（系）脂肪氧化酶基因的检测与分布

为给宁夏优质小麦育种和推广提供依据,本研究以180份宁夏小麦品种（系）为材料,利用分子标记检测脂肪氧化酶（LOX）基因在QLpx.caas-1AL和TaLOX-B1位点的组成情况,分析其分布特点。结果表明,不同等位变异及其组合类型的分布比例不同。在QLpx.caas-1AL位点,除了原有的3种等位变异Xwmc312-227、Xwmc312-235和Xwmc312-247外,还发现了2种新的等位变异。经测序分析,两种新变异条带大小分别为199 bp和223 bp,暂命名为Xwmc312-199和Xwmc312-223。该位点5种等位变异的分布比例分别为46.11%、32.78%、18.89%、1.11%和1.11%。在TaLOX-B1位点存在2种等位变异,即TaLOX-B1a和TaLOX-B1b,分别占15.56%和84.44%。宁夏小麦LOX基因位点存在8种等位变异组合类型,其中Xwmc312-227/TaLOX-B1b组合类型比例（40.56%）最高,Xwmc312-235/TaLOX-B1b次之（27.78%）,Xwmc312-199/TaLOX-B1b和Xwmc312-223/TaLOX-B1b最低（均为1.11%）。同时,在不同地区和相同地区不同来源品种（系）间,LOX基因的分布也存在差异。总体来看,宁夏小麦低活性LOX基因等位变异类型（Xwmc312-227/TaLOX-B1b）所占的比例明显高于高活性类型（Xwmc312-235/TaLOX-Ba1）。     

Modified crystal violet pectate medium (CVP) based on a new polypectate source (Slendid) for the detection and isolation of soft rot erwinias

Summary The selective-diagnostic crystal violet pectate (CVP) medium for the detection and isolation of soft rot erwinias was modified and improved to allow the use of a new source of sodium polypectate (Slendid type 440), as the previous polypectate (Bulmer) is no longer available. Two formulations were developed: CVP-S1 medium was less transparent but otherwise similar to the Bulmer polypectate-based CVP medium (CVP-B) except that NaOH was added and CaCl₂ concentration reduced. CVP-S2 medium was prepared by mixing equal volumes of two double strength preparations containing 1) polypectate and NaOH, and 2) all other ingredients, both sterilised separately. Although erwinia cavity formation was slower, it showed a number of advantages over CVP-B and CVP-S1 media, thereby facilitating colony/cavity detection and enumeration. These included the absence of precipitate, greater firmness and a reduced risk of liquefaction in the presence of large erwinia numbers, and a reduction in the number of saprophytic bacteria.     

Screening for resistance to early blight (Alternaria solani) in potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) using toxic metabolites produced by the fungus

Summary The phytotoxic components of the culture filtrate of the fungusAlternaria solani Sor, which causes early blight in potato, were used in this study to differentiate between resistant and susceptible genotypes selected to represent a range of reactions when screened in the field. Detached leaflet assays, using spores and toxic metabolites from the culture filtrate, were compared with field ratings and a whole-plant glasshouse test. Rank correlations between several detached leaflet tests were highly significant (P<0.01) but the correlations between these tests and the glasshouse and field tests were poor. The disease ratings obtained in the various tests were clustered into four groups and assigned to resistance classes. For many of the genotypes there was a good correspondence between resistance classes for all test methods. Divergent results between tests were associated with foliage maturity characteristics of the genotypes. Contribution no. 3879050 of the Lethbridge Research Station.     

A glasshouse progeny test for resistance to gangrene (Phoma foveata)

Summary Tubers were obtained from 80 glasshouse-grown seedlings of each of twelve progenies, inoculated withPhoma foveata Foister, and the mean percentage of infected tubers recorded. There was a good correlation (r=0.798) between this assessment and that made previously on field-grown tubers of eleven of the progenies. A gangrene test on glasshouse-grown tubers is suggested as a more rapid means of identifying progenies with useful levels of resistance.     

Elucidation of the sex pheromone system of the potato tuberworm moth,Phthorimaea operculella (Zeller) (Lepidoptera,Gelechiidae): a short review

Summary Recent research, reviewed here, of the pheromone system of the potato tuberworm moth has led to the isolation, identification, and synthesis of its components.trans-4,cis-7-tridecadien-l-ol acetate (PTM 1) andtrans-4,cis-7,cis-10-tridecatrien-l-ol acetate (PTM 2), mixtures of which are much more attractive in the field than 2 virgin female moths or each compound on its own.     

Effect of processing method on the quality of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) flour for akara preparation

An indigenous food mixture containing rice flour, milk coprecipitate, sprouted green gram paste and tomato pulp (2: 1: 1: 1 w/w) was developed and called a RCGT food mixture. It was autoclaved (1.5 kg/cm², 15min, 121 °C), cooled and fermented with 2% liquid culture (containing 10⁶ cells/ml broth). Two types of fermentations were carried out i.e. one step single culture fermentation [L. casei or L. plantarum (37 °C, 24 hr.)] and sequential culture fermentation [S. boulardii (25 °C, 24 hr.) +L. casei (37 °C, 24 hr.)]; [S. boulardii (25 °C, 24 hr.) + L. plantarum (37 °C, 24 hr.)]. All fermentations drastically reduced the contents of phytic acid, polyphenols and trypsin inhibitor activity while significantly improving the in vitro digestibilities of starch and protein. Sequential culture fermentations brought about further changes compared to one step single culture fermentation.     

Fingerprinting Indian potato cultivars by random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers

Summary Random amplified polymorphic DNA markers were used to distinguish and characterize 20 Indian potato cultivars. A total of 198 scorable fragments were amplified using 10 random primers, only two of which were monomorphic. Similarity values among the cultivars ranged from 0.33 to 0.80. A primer having resolving power above 7.4 was sufficient to distinguish all 20 cultivars. Wide variations in band profiles were observed when the same template DNA was amplified using Taq DNA polymerase from four different sources. No significant difference in profile complexity was observed at 40°C annealing temperature with a primer having 70% GC content. Prior restriction of template DNA resulted in band profiles whose complexity was similar to or higher than that of unrestricted template. However, multiplex RAPD with cleaved template DNA could not increase fingerprint complexity. Publication No. 1666, CPRI. Shimla     

Re-evaluation of sugarcane borer (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) bioeconomics in Louisiana

The sugarcane borer, Diatraea saccharalis (F.) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), is the key insect pest of sugarcane, Saccharum spp., grown in Louisiana. For more than 40 years, Louisiana sugarcane farmers have used a value of 10% internodes bored at harvest as the economic injury level (EIL). Three plant-cane studies were conducted to re-evaluate the long-standing sugarcane borer EIL level using the most recently released varieties of sugarcane. Varieties were exposed to artificially enhanced borer infestations; the experimental treatments consisted of borer control with insecticides or no control. Data were collected on infestation intensity, damage intensity, and associated yield losses. Crop yields from plots were obtained by mechanical harvesting, and losses were classified as field losses, e.g. losses of gross tonnage in the field and factory losses, e.g., losses that were realized at the factory as cane is being milled. Farm income is based on the product of these two measures of yield, i.e. cane yield×sugar yield. In our study, seasonal stalk-infestation counts did not reveal any indication of preference by the borer moths for a specific variety; infestation pressure was generally uniform within a season among the varieties that we planted. Significant differences were detected among the varieties for harvest percentage of internodes bored as well as yields between borer-controlled and non-controlled plots (P<0.05). In general, varieties were less susceptible to losses in the field (sugarcane yields) than in the factory (sugar yields). As a group, the most recent varieties released to Louisiana growers exhibit more tolerance to the borer than varieties grown 40 years ago. The percent reduction in sugar/ha loss per 1% internodes bored has decreased from an average of 0.74 for varieties grown in the 1960s to 0.61 as a mean for the newly released varieties. Although the cost associated with an insecticide application for sugarcane borer control has increased nearly 4-fold from 1971 to present, sugar yields have increased by approximately 60% allowing farmers to offset some of these increased costs. Our economic analysis indicates that the EIL of 10% internodes bored is too high, considering the high yielding potential and susceptibility of currently grown varieties. For the most at risk farmer, the tenant farmer, a more appropriate value for the EIL is 6% internodes bored. However, this EIL can be raised 12% if a resistant variety is grown.     

Potato cultivar identification using simple sequence repeats markers (SSR)

Summary Identification of potato cultivars is currently based on phenotypic characters. Crop inspections are needed at different stages and the increasing number of cultivars means the process is becoming more and more complex. Molecular markers are a possible complementary tool to identify potato cultivars and to rapidly check the identity of seeds lots. In this study 286 potato cultivars produced in France were characterized by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) using Simple Sequence Repeats (SSR) markers. Sequential amplifications with 4 to 5 of the chosen SSR markers enabled complete discrimination between all the cultivars. The patterns were registered in a database and the procedure is now used routinely in France.     

Antioxidant activity and phenolic content of chestnut (Castanea sativa) shell and eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus) bark extracts

Chestnut (Castanea sativa) shell and eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus) bark, waste products of the food and wood industries, respectively, were analysed as potential sources of antioxidant compounds. The extraction yield, the antioxidant activity and total phenols content of the extracts were greater in chestnut shell than in eucalyptus bark for most of the extraction conditions essayed. Extraction of chestnut shell with a 2.5% Na₂SO₃ aqueous solution led to the highest extraction yield, 25.6%, total phenols, 13.4 g gallic acid equivalent/100 g oven-dried shell, and FRAP antioxidant activity, 80.7 mmol ascorbic acid equivalent/100 g oven-dried shell. Extraction with methanol:water (50:50, v/v) provided the best results for eucalyptus bark. The antioxidant activity and the total phenols content of the extracts had a positive linear correlation. FTIR spectroscopy confirmed the higher content of phenolic compounds in chestnut shell extracts compared to eucalyptus bark extracts. Chestnut shell extracts were characterized by the presence of high molecular weight species whereas lower molecular weight species were predominant in eucalyptus bark extracts.     

Studies on life cycle of mealybug, Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Green) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), on different hosts at different constant temperatures

The life cycle of a laboratory reared parthenogenic line of mealybug, Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Green) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) was investigated on six host plants (Lagenaria siceraria var.clavata, Solanum tuberosum L. var. Kufri Chandramukhi, Praecitrullus fistulosus (Stocks) Pangalo var. MTNH1, Cucurbita pepo var. Styriaca, Triticum aestivum L. var. Lokvan, H. rosa sinensis L.) at five constant temperatures (25, 29, 35, 38, 42 °C). The number of emerging crawlers and adults as well as weight of adults varied with host and temperature. P. fistulosus and H. rosa sinensis were suitable hosts for laboratory rearing of M. hirsutus. However, ease of maintenance of P. fistulosus to produce M. hirsutus under laboratory conditions is an additional advantage compared to using green plants such as H. rosa sinensis. Among the range of constant temperatures, 38 °C was found to be the most favourable for the development and survival of M. hirsutus. These results suggest that P. fistulosus fruits are suitable hosts for laboratory rearing and life cycle studies of M. hirsutus.     

Larvicidal property of essential oils against Culex quinquefasciatus Say (Diptera: Culicidae)

Essential oils from 22 aromatic plant species were tested for mortality of the mosquito larvae Culex quinquefasciatus. Lethal concentrations were determined for individual essential oils. Essential oils obtained from Thymus vulgaris, Satureja hortensis and Thymus satureioides plants showed the highest effect, with LC₅₀ found lower than 50 μg/ml (33, 36 and 44 μg/ml, respectively). Analyses showed that majority substances for T. vulgaris were thymol and p-cymene (60.3 and 10.1%, respectively); carvacrol and γ-terpinene for S. hortensis (48.1 and 36.7%, respectively), and borneol and thymol for T. satureioides (30.3 and 32.5%, respectively).The selected essential oils also showed very good effectiveness with respect to mortality and percentage of adult emergence upon short-term exposure in water contaminated with lethal doses of individual oils. While there was 77% adult emergence from the larvae in the control, in T. vulgaris, T. satureoides and S. hortensis there was only 12.3, 15.3 and 16.0% adult emergence, respectively. High antioviposition effectiveness was found in all selected oils. Almost 100% deterrence of female oviposition was determined for all oils in concentrations of 0.02%. Significant differences were seen with tested concentrations of 0.01 and 0.005%, where the oil of T. vulgaris proved most effective (repellency about 99.8 and 62.3%, respectively).     

小麦株高QTL的定位及对重要农艺性状的多效性分析

株高作为小麦育种的重要指标,对产量具有较大的影响。为进一步挖掘小麦株高的数量性状位点（quantitative trait loci,QTL）,本研究以扬麦12和偃展1号杂交得到的包含205个家系的重组自交系（recombinant inbred lines,RIL）群体为材料,利用小麦55K SNP芯片构建高密度遗传图谱,结合 3年共6个环境的表型数据对株高性状进行QTL定位分析。结果表明,在染色体2B（1）、4B（1）、4D（1）、5A（1）、5B（1）和7D（2）上共检测到7个与株高相关的QTL。QPh.yaas-4B、QPh.yaas-5A和QPh.yaas-7D.1的矮秆效应来源于扬麦12,其余4个QTL的矮秆效应来源于偃展1号。在6个环境下都能检测到的位点是QPh.yaas-4B和QPh.yaas-4D,对株高的贡献率分别14.50%~24.09%和19.01%~29.80%,经过比对发现,这2个QTL分别是Rht1和Rht2。QPh.yaas-5A在5个环境下被检测到,对株高的贡献率为3.29%~5.36%;QPh.yaas-2D和QPh.yaas-7D.2在4个环境中均被检测到,对株高的贡献率分别为3.45%~6.14%和3.16%~4.10%;QPh.yaas-5B和QPh.yaas-7D.1分别在2个和3个环境中被检测到,对株高的贡献率分别是2.27%~5.09%和2.72%~4.82%。QTL比较分析后发现,QPh.yaas-7D.1和QPh.yaas-7D.2可能是新的株高位点。研究Rht-B1和Rht-D1对千粒重、穗长和穗粒数的效应,发现Rht-B1位点对这些农艺性状无显著效应,Rht-D1位点仅对千粒重有显著效应,其株高增效等位变异可显著增加千粒重。在自然群体中验证Rht-B1和Rht-D1的效应结果与RIL群体结果一致。