Assessment of species specificity of moulting accelerating compounds in Lepidoptera: comparison of activity between Bombyx mori and Spodoptera littoralis by in vitro reporter and in vivo toxicity assays

BACKGROUND: Dibenzoylhydrazine analogues have been developed successfully as a new group of insect growth regulators, called ecdysone agonists or moulting accelerating compounds. A notable feature is their high activity against lepidopteran insects, raising the question as to whether species‐specific analogues can be isolated. In this study, the specificity of ecdysone agonists was addressed through a comparative analysis in two important lepidopterans, the silkworm Bombyx mori L. and the cotton leafworm Spodoptera littoralis (Boisd.). RESULTS: When collections of non‐steroidal ecdysone agonists containing different mother structures (dibenzoylhydrazine, acylaminoketone, tetrahydroquinoline) were tested, in vitro reporter assays showed minor differences using cell lines derived from both species. However, when compounds with high ecdysone agonist activity were examined in toxicity assays, larvicidal activity differed considerably. Of note was the identification of three dibenzoylhydrazine analogues with > 100‐fold higher activity against Bombyx than against Spodoptera larvae. CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrated that species‐specific ecdysone‐agonist‐based insecticides can be developed, but their species specificity is not based on differences in the activation of the ecdysone receptor but rather on unidentified in vivo parameters such as permeability of the cuticle, uptake/excretion by the gut or metabolic detoxification. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

THE ROLE OF CALCIUM IN PLANTS' SALT TOLERANCE

High concentrations of sodium (Na) are toxic to most plant species, making soil salinity a major abiotic stress in plant productivity world wide. It has been shown that, calcium (Ca²⁺) is an important determinant for plant salt tolerance and confers protective effects on plants under growing in sodic soils. Calcium plays an essential role in processes that preserve the structural and functional integrity of plant cell membranes, stabilizes cell wall structures, regulates ion transport and selectivity, and controls ion-exchange behavior as well as cell wall enzyme activities. The nature of these responses will vary depending on the plant genotype. One of the essential functions of Ca²⁺ is acting as a second messenger in stress signaling. Genetic evidence suggests that perception of salt stress leads to a cytosolic calcium-signal that activates the calcium sensor protein SOS₃. SOS₃ binds to and activates a ser/thr protein kinase SOS₂. The activated SOS₂ kinase regulates the activities of SOS₁, a plasma membrane Na⁺/H⁺ antiporter, and NHX₁, a tonoplast Na⁺/H⁺ antiporter. This results in either Na⁺ efflux out of cytosol or its compartmentation in vacuole.     

Grain filling pattern of Hordeum vulgare as affected by salicylic acid and salt stress

Although application of salicylic acid (SA) to various plants grown on saline soils has been examined adequately, the effect of SA on changes during grain filling period has not been studied in details. In this 2-year field study, the grain-filling pattern of barley has been monitored as affected by different SA concentrations (0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0?mM) under varied irrigation salinity levels (2 and 12?dSm^?1) during 2012–2013 and 2013–2014 growing seasons. In both years, total soluble carbohydrates (TSC) increased up to 15?days after anthesis (DAA) and then decreased until the end of the grain-filling period. However, starch content (SC) and the mean grain weight (MGW) increased form the first sampling, and such increase was substantial between 15 and 25 DAA. The grain growth rate (GGR) and the absolute grain growth rate (AGGR) were enhanced up to 20 DAA and then were reduced until 30 DAA. The grain-filling pattern changed by salt stress, so that TSC was greater for the salt stressed plants from 15 or 10 DAA in the first and the second years, respectively. Throughout the grain-filling period, SC, MGW, and AGGR were lower under saline conditions in both years. Application of SA increased TSC, SC, MGW, GGR, and AGGR from 15 to 20 DAA, however, the effect of SA was obvious earlier under saline than the non-saline conditions. Generally, it can be concluded that SA foliar application might increase grain weight through modulating the negative impact of salt stress on carbohydrate and starch contents. It also appeared that the effect of SA was obvious earlier under salt stress conditions.     

Cardiopulmonary effects during anaesthesia induced and maintained with propofol in acepromazine pre‐medicated donkeys

ObjectiveTo evaluate the cardiopulmonary effects of anaesthesia induced and maintained with propofol in acepromazine pre-medicated donkeys.Study designProspective experimental study.AnimalsSix healthy male donkeys weighing 78–144 kg.MethodsDonkeys were pre-medicated with intravenous (IV) acepromazine (0.04 mg kg⁻¹). Ten minutes later, anaesthesia was induced with IV propofol (2 mg kg⁻¹) and anaesthesia maintained by continuous IV infusion of the propofol (0.2 mg kg⁻¹ minute⁻¹) for 30 minutes. Baseline measurements of physiological parameters, and arterial blood samples were taken before the acepromazine administration, then 5, 15, 30, 45, and 60 minutes after the induction of anaesthesia. Changes from baseline were analysed by anova for repeated measures.ResultsWhen compared with baseline (standing) values, during anaesthesia heart rate increased throughout: significant at 5 (p = 0.001) and 15 (p = 0.015) minutes. Mean arterial blood pressure increased significantly only at 15 minutes (p < 0.001). Respiratory rate and arterial pH did not change significantly. PaO₂ was lower throughout anaethesia, but this only reached significance at 15 minutes (p = 0.041). PaCO₂ was statistically (but not clinically) significantly reduced at the times of 30 (p = 0.02), 45 (p = 0.01) and 60 (p = 0.04). Rectal temperature decreased significantly at all times of the study.Conclusions and clinical relevanceAdministration of propofol by the continuous infusion rate for the maintenance of anaesthesia resulted in stable cardiopulmonary effects and could prove to be clinically useful in donkeys.     

Non-steroidal ecdysteroid agonist chromafenozide: Gene induction activity, cell proliferation inhibition and larvicidal activity

The activity profile of the most recent commercial non-steroidal ecdysteroid agonist chromafenozide (ANS-118), was evaluated on a comparative basis to methoxyfenozide (RH-2485) that is to date the most potent commercial agonist against Lepidoptera. This was done first at the molecular and cellular level regarding its induction activity of an ecdysteroid-responsive reporter gene and its cell proliferation inhibition activity, and subsequently at the level of larvicidal toxicity. For in vitro experiments three ecdysteroid-responsive insect cell lines were used: Drosophila melanogaster (Diptera) S2 cells, Bombyx mori (Lepidoptera) Bm5 cells and Spodoptera exigua (Lepidoptera) Se4 cells. The in vivo toxicity was scored against two major lepidopteran pests in the world, the beet armyworm S. exigua and the cotton leafworm Spodoptera littoralis. In vitro results revealed that chromafenozide and methoxyfenozide are highly potent against lepidopteran cells compared to dipteran cells, supporting the lepidopteran-specificity of these compounds. Interestingly, in the reporter gene induction experiments and proliferation inhibition experiments, a slightly higher efficacy was observed in S2 compared to Bm5 cells at high concentrations of chromafenozide and methoxyfenozide. Our analysis shows the high potency and efficacy of the chromafenozide compound as an ecdysteroid agonist towards lepidopteran insects at a level that is similar to methoxyfenozide.     

Biochemical mechanisms of methoxyfenozide resistance in the cotton leafworm Spodoptera littoralis

BACKGROUND: Methoxyfenozide is a lepidopteran‐specific insecticide that belongs to a new group of insecticides, the non‐steroidal ecdysteroid agonists, also called moulting accelerating compounds (MACs). To investigate the risk of resistance and possible mechanisms conferring resistance to methoxyfenozide, the authors selected in the laboratory for a resistant strain of the cotton leafworm Spodoptera littoralis (Boisd.), which is a representative lepidopteran model and an important pest in cotton and vegetables worldwide, with a high risk for resistance development. RESULTS: After selection with methoxyfenozide during 13 generations, toxicity data showed that the selected strain developed fivefold resistance to methoxyfenozide in comparison with the susceptible strain. Measurement of the detoxification enzymes demonstrated that the monooxygenase (MO) activity was 2.1 times higher in the selected strain, whereas there was no change for esterases and glutathione‐S‐transferases. When the inhibitors piperonyl butoxide (PBO), S,S,S‐tributyl phosphorotrithioate (DEF) and diethyl maleate were tested as synergists, the respective synergistic ratios were 0.97, 0.96 and 1.0 for the susceptible strain, and 2.2, 0.96 and 1.1 for the resistant strain. The significant synergistic effect by PBO concurs with the increased MO activity in the selected strain. CONCLUSION: Taken overall, the present study supports the importance of MO‐mediated metabolism in resistance to methoxyfenozide, directing tactics to fight against resistance development for this novel group of insecticides. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

Fabrication and Characterization of Nanocomposite Hydrogel Based on Alginate/Nano-Hydroxyapatite Loaded with Linum usitatissimum Extract as a Bone Tissue Engineering Scaffold

In the current paper, we fabricated, characterized, and applied nanocomposite hydrogel based on alginate (Alg) and nano-hydroxyapatite (nHA) loaded with phenolic purified extracts from the aerial part of Linum usitatissimum (LOH) as the bone tissue engineering scaffold. nHA was synthesized based on the wet chemical technique/precipitation reaction and incorporated into Alg hydrogel as the filler via physical cross-linking. The characterizations (SEM, DLS, and Zeta potential) revealed that the synthesized nHA possess a plate-like shape with nanometric dimensions. The fabricated nanocomposite has a porous architecture with interconnected pores. The average pore size was in the range of 100–200 µm and the porosity range of 80–90%. The LOH release measurement showed that about 90% of the loaded drug was released within 12 h followed by a sustained release over 48 h. The in vitro assessments showed that the nanocomposite possesses significant antioxidant activity promoting bone regeneration. The hemolysis induction measurement showed that the nanocomposites were hemocompatible with negligible hemolysis induction. The cell viability/proliferation confirmed the biocompatibility of the nanocomposites, which induced proliferative effects in a dose-dependent manner. This study revealed the fabricated nanocomposites are bioactive and osteoactive applicable for bone tissue engineering applications.     

Effect of the lateral growth rate on wood properties in fast-growing hardwood species

We investigated the feasibility of using several fast-growing tropical or subtropical hardwood species for timber production by measuring key wood qualities in relationship to the high rates of lateral growth. The trees tested were sampled from even-aged plantations of Acacia mangium, A. auriculiformis, hybrid Acacia (A. mangium × A. auriculiformis), Eucalyptus grandis, E. globulus, and Paraserianthes falcataria (Solomon and Java origin) that had already reached commercial harvesting age. The released strain of the surface growth stress (RS), xylem density (XD), microfibril angle (MFA), and fiber length (FL) were measured at the outermost part of the xylem at breast height in each tree. Results were then compared to the lateral growth rate (radius/age) at breast height, which provides a relative indicator of the amount of tree growth per year. Our findings indicated that RS was constant, regardless of lateral growth rate in each species. Similar results were observed for XD, MFA, and FL, with a few exceptions, suggesting that high growth rates do not intrinsically affect the wood properties of fast-growing tropical or subtropical species that have reached harvesting age. However, special attention must be paid to patterns of xylem maturation when developing plantations of such species.     

Foliar Application of Iron (Fe) Improved the Antioxidant Defense and Cd Accumulation Potential of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ricinus communis</Emphasis> Under Hydroponic Condition

Heavy metal-polluted water has become a problem for sustainable environment, agriculture, and human health. Phyto-accumulation is an eco-friendly technique for decontamination of metal-polluted water and soil. The efficiency of phyto-accumulation and rhizo-filtration can be enhanced by the application of certain nutrients to accumulator plants. In this study, we focused on the role of iron (Fe) in rhizo-filtration and phyto-accumulation of cadmium (Cd) from polluted water/media, using Ricinus communis plant. Medium was contaminated with 10 ppm Cd while Fe (2.50, 5.00, and 7.50 ppm) was applied both as foliar spray and medium addition separately. Accumulation of Cd and concentrations of soluble proline, phenolic compounds, and chlorophylls were measured in plant tissues. Addition of Fe into media significantly increased biomass in the plants but decreased Cd absorption by roots and its accumulation in other tissues of the plants. Foliar application of Fe, especially 7.5 ppm, significantly increased biomass as well as accumulation of Cd in tissues of the plants. Contents of soluble proline (41.88?±?3.56 ppm) and phenolics (171.00?±?4.98 ppm) in leaves were highly increased by foliar spray of 7.5 ppm Fe on the plants. On the other hand, highest concentrations of free proline (67.00?±?2.00 ppm) and total phenolics (82.67?±?2.52 ppm) in plant roots were observed in 7.5 ppm Fe added to media and as foliar spray, respectively. Strong correlations were observed between phenolics content in roots and leaves with Cd accumulation after foliar application of 7.5 ppm Fe.     

Estimation of genetic parameters for reproductive traits in shall sheep

The objective of this study was to estimate genetic parameters for reproductive traits in Shall sheep. Data included 1,316 records on reproductive performances of 395 Shall ewes from 41 sires and 136 dams which were collected from 2001 to 2007 in Shall breeding station in Qazvin province at the Northwest of Iran. Studied traits were litter size at birth (LSB), litter size at weaning (LSW), litter mean weight per lamb born (LMWLB), litter mean weight per lamb weaned (LMWLW), total litter weight at birth (TLWB), and total litter weight at weaning (TLWW). Test of significance to include fixed effects in the statistical model was performed using the general linear model procedure of SAS. The effects of lambing year and ewe age at lambing were significant (P?<?0.05). Genetic parameters were estimated using restricted maximum likelihood procedure, under repeatability animal models. Direct heritability estimates were 0.02, 0.01, 0.47, 0.40, 0.15, and 0.03 for LSB, LSW, LMWLB, LMWLW, TLWB, and TLWW, respectively, and corresponding repeatabilities were 0.02, 0.01, 0.73, 0.41, 0.27, and 0.03. Genetic correlation estimates between traits ranged from ?0.99 for LSW–LMWLW to 0.99 for LSB–TLWB, LSW–TLWB, and LSW–TLWW. Phenotypic correlations ranged from ?0.71 for LSB–LMWLW to 0.98 for LSB–TLWW and environmental correlations ranged from ?0.89 for LSB–LMWLW to 0.99 for LSB–TLWW. Results showed that the highest heritability estimates were for LMWLB and LMWLW suggesting that direct selection based on these traits could be effective. Also, strong positive genetic correlations of LMWLB and LMWLW with other traits may improve meat production efficiency in Shall sheep.