Aliphatic ketones from Ruta chalepensis (Rutaceae) induce paralysis on root knot nematodes

This paper reports on the use of Ruta chalepensis L. extracts as a potential nematicide against root knot nematodes Meloidogyne incognita and Meloidogyne javanica . The essential oil (REO) and methanol extract (RME) of R. chalepensis were tested against second-stage juveniles, with REO inducing paralysis in both species (EC(50/1d) = 77.5 and 107.3 mg/L) and RME being selective for M. incognita (EC(50/1d) = 1001 mg/L). Chemical characterization of extracts was done by means of GC-MS and LC-MS, revealing mainly aliphatic ketones and coumarins, respectively. The first-ranking volatile nematicidal component in terms of individual activity against both species was 2-undecanone (EC(50) = 20.6 and 22.5 mg/L for M. incognita and M. javanica, respectively). This fact together with its high concentration in the most active extract found in this study, namely, REO (2926 mg/kg), categorizes 2-undecanone among the nematicidal principles of R. chalepensis. On the contrary, coumarins rutin and 8-methoxypsoralen were not found to be nematicidal at concentrations of ≤500 mg/L. Interestingly, M. incognita was found more sensitive than M. javanica.     

Chronic cystitis with ossification of the bladder wall in a 6-month-old German shepherd dog

Ossification of the bladder wall, detected radiographically as a nonhomogeneous radiopaque area in the cranioventral part of the bladder in a puppy, is reported. We speculate that chronic inflammation due to the presence of uroliths in the lumen may have stimulated a metaplastic transformation of the cells.     

Urban BTEX Spatiotemporal Exposure Assessment by Chemometric Expertise

Normative regulations on benzene in fuels and urban management strategies are expected to improve air quality. The present study deals with the application of self-organizing maps (SOMs) in order to explore the spatiotemporal variations of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene levels in an urban atmosphere. Temperature, wind speed, and concentration values of these four volatile organic compounds were measured after passive sampling at 21 different sampling sites located in the city of Trieste (Italy) in the framework of a multi-year long-term monitoring program. SOM helps in defining pollution patterns and changes in the urban context, showing clear improvements for what concerns benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene concentrations in air for the 2001–2008 timeframe.     

Identification of herbaceous hosts of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Grapevine Pinot gris virus</Emphasis> (GPGV)

Grapevine Pinot gris Virus (GPGV) is a single stranded RNA of the genus Trichovirus infecting grapevine (Vitis vinifera) and associated with stunting, chlorotic mottling and leaf deformation symptoms. During a monitoring of GPGV infection in vineyards of the Trentino region in Italy, we have detected the virus in the herbaceous plants Silene latifolia subsp. Alba (Mill.) (bladder campion) and Chenopodium album L. (white goosefoot), which showed symptoms of viral infection. The full-length GPGV RNA genome, amplified from these infected hosts, was sequenced and a phylogenetic analysis revealed that its closest relative is the strain SK13, recently isolated in Slovakia. Our results indicate that herbaceous plants can be considered as a reservoir for the GPGV virus. This finding is important for studying the epidemiological aspects of GPGV disease and to formulate appropriate control measures.     

Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometric ion-switching determination of chlorantraniliprole and flubendiamide in fruits and vegetables

The anthranilic and phthalic diamides, chlorantraniliprole (CAP) and flubendiamide (FLU), respectively, represent a new class of very effective insecticides that activate the ryanodine-sensitive intracellular calcium release channel (ryanodine receptor). This paper reports an analytical method for the simultaneous determination of the two insecticides on fruits and vegetables by liquid chromatography-electrospray tandem mass spectrometry operated in the positive and negative ionization switching mode. The two diamides were extracted with acetonitrile and separated on a Zorbax Column Eclipse XDB C8 (4.6 mm x 150 mm i.d., 3 microm) by isocratic elution with a mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile and water with 0.1% formic acid pumped at a flow rate of 0.4 mL/min. The diamides were selectively detected by multiple reaction monitoring for transitions of proton adduct precursor ions simultaneously: positive m/z 484.3-->285 for CAP, m/z 445.5-->169 for internal standard, and negative m/z 681.4-->253 for FLU. For CAP calibration in the positive mode was linear over a working range of 2 to 1000 microg/L with r > 0.992. The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) for CAP were 0.8 and 1.6 microg/kg, respectively. For FLU in the negative mode the corresponding values were 1-1000 microg/L for linear working range, with r > 0.996 and 0.4 and 0.8 microg/L for LOD and LOQ, respectively. Moreover, the presence of interfering compounds in the fruit and vegetable extracts was found to be minimal. Due to the linear behavior of the MS detector response for the two analytes, it was concluded that the multiple reaction transitions of molecular ions in the ion-switching mode can be used for analytical purposes, that is, for identification and quantification of diamides in fruit and vegetable extracts at trace levels.     

Beech leaf disease: An emerging forest epidemic

Beech leaf disease (BLD) is a currently undiagnosed and seemingly lethal disease that was discovered in 2012 on American beech trees (Fagus grandifolia) in north‐east Ohio in the United States. Since its discovery, BLD has spread rapidly and can now be found in forests in 10 counties in Ohio, eight counties in Pennsylvania and five counties in Ontario, Canada. The initial symptoms of the disease appear as a dark green, interveinal banding pattern on the lower canopy foliage. These initial symptoms typically occur in the shrub or sampling layer of a beech stand. The later symptoms result in solidly darkened leaves that are shrunken and crinkled. The symptoms appear to progress through the buds as the affected buds are eventually aborted and no new leaves are produced. We fear this disease has the potential to drastically alter the Eastern deciduous forests of the United States on its own and through potential compounding disease effects. In addition, BLD poses a threat to global forests as symptoms of the disease were detected on European (F. sylvatica) and Oriental (F. orientalis) beech species in nurseries in north‐eastern Ohio. Due to its rapid spread and variability in environmental conditions where it has been detected, it seems unlikely that BLD is an abiotic disorder. Thus, intense efforts are underway to determine the causal agent of BLD. Relevant stakeholders are advised to be alert for BLD symptoms in beech forests in the Northern Hemisphere, and substantial resources should be invested in understanding this emerging forest disease.     

Nitrogen and phosphorous budgets during a farming cycle of the Manila clam Ruditapes philippinarum: An in situ experiment

In the Sacca di Goro lagoon a farming cycle of the Manila clam (Ruditapes philippinarum) was simulated seeding young molluscs in an unexploited sandy spot. The experimental area (2100 m²) consisted of three sectors: a control (C), almost devoid of clams (∼ 1600 m^− 2, ∼ 30 ind m^− 2), a low (L) density area (400 m², ∼ 300 ind m^− 2) and a high (H) density zone (∼ 110 m^− 2, ∼ 800 ind m^− 2). Water chemistry, external freshwater nutrient loads, molluscs filtration rates, biomass, elemental composition and nutrient recycling were analysed.Clam filtration rates and light and dark fluxes of nutrients were measured with intact core incubations. Three replicate cores (i.d. 20 cm) were collected from C, L and H in April, one month after the seeding, June, August and October 2003. External loads were calculated multiplying dissolved and particulate nutrients concentration by freshwater flow from the main lagoon tributaries. Direct excretion, filtration activity of clams and particulate matter deposition resulted in significantly higher ammonium (NH₄⁺) and soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) effluxes to the water column at L and H. For the entire farming cycle, particulate nitrogen (PN) uptake by clams from the water column was 1.7 (C), 9.1 (L) and 16.3 (H) mol m^− 2, whilst total dissolved nitrogen (TDN) fluxes were − 0.3 (C), 1.6 (L) and 6.9 (H) mol m^− 2. Particulate phosphorus (PP) uptake from the water column was 0.1 (C), 0.6 (L) and 1.0 (H) mol m^− 2, whilst total dissolved phosphorus (TDP) efflux was 0.2 (C), 0.5 (L) and 0.8 (H) mol m^− 2. At the end of the farming cycle, harvested N as mollusc flesh was negligible for C, 0.4 mol m^− 2 for L and 1.8 mol m^− 2 for H. Harvested P as mollusc flesh was negligible for C, 0.02 mol m^− 2 for L and 0.04 mol m^− 2 for H. Farmed areas seem to have a great potential for fast coupling between sedimentation (filter feeder mediated biodeposition) and benthic recycling. At the lagoon level, mollusc farming probably attenuates the export of particulate matter to the open sea. Our results show that a minor fraction of biodeposited N (∼ 6%) and P (∼ 3%) was exported as a commercial product at the end of the farming cycle, whilst a larger fraction was incorporated in the sediments or recycled as dissolved inorganic or organic forms.     

Nematicidal activity of (E,E)-2,4-decadienal and (E)-2-decenal from Ailanthus altissima against Meloidogyne javanica

Methanol extracts of various plant parts of Ailanthus altissima were tested against the root knot nematode Meloidogyne javanica . Extracts of bark (ABE), wood (AWE), roots (ARE), and leaves (ALE) from A. altissima were investigated against freshly hatched second-stage juveniles (J(2)). AWE was the most active extract, with EC(50/3d) of 58.9 mg/L, while ALE, ARE, and ABE did not show nematicidal activity. The chemical composition of the extracts of A. altissima was determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, and (E,E)-2,4-decadienal, (E)-2-undecenal, (E)-2-decenal, hexanal, nonanal, and furfural were the most prominent constituents. (E,E)-2,4-Decadienal, (E)-2-decenal, and furfural showed the highest nematicidal activity against M. javanica , with EC(50/1d) = 11.7, 20.43, and 21.79 mg/L, respectively, while the other compounds were inactive at the concentrations tested. The results obtained showed that AWE and its constituents (E,E)-2,4-decadienal and (E)-2-decenal could be considered as potent botanical nematicidal agents.