Mapping genomic regions for reproductive traits in beef cattle: Inclusion of the X chromosome

Although the second largest chromosome of the genome, the X chromosome is usually excluded from genome-wide association studies (GWAS). Considering the presence and importance of genes on this chromosome that are involved in reproduction, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of its inclusion in GWAS on reproductive traits (scrotal circumference [SC], early pregnancy [P16] and age at first calving [AFC]) in a Nelore herd. Genotype data from 3,263 animals with the above-mentioned phenotypes were used. The results showed an increase in the variances explained by the autosomal markers for all traits when the X chromosome was not included. For SC, there was an increase of more than 10% for the windows on chromosomes 2 and 6. For P16, the effect was increased by almost 20% for windows on chromosome 5. The same pattern was found for AFC, with an increase of more than 10% for the most important windows. The results indicate that the noninclusion of the X chromosome can overestimate the effects of autosomes on SC, P16 and AFC not only because of the additive effect of the X chromosome itself but also because of its epistatic effect on autosomal genes.     

Nanoparticles in the management of brown eye spot in coffee

European Journal of Plant Pathology - Brown eye spot (Cercospora coffeicola) is one of the main diseases of coffee (Coffea arabica L.) and represents a serious phytosanitary problem for the crop....     

Prior and concomitant dehydroepiandrosterone treatment affects immunologic response of cultured macrophages infected with Trypanosoma cruzi in vitro?

DHEA, a steroid hormone synthesized from cholesterol by cells of the adrenal cortex, plays an essential role in enhancing the host's resistance to different experimental infections. Receptors for this hormone can be found in distinct immune cells (especially macrophages) that are known to be the first line defense against Trypanosoma cruzi infection. These cells operate through an indirect pathway releasing nitric oxide (NO) and cytokines such TNF-α and IL-12 which in turn trigger an enhancement of natural killer cells and lymphocytes which finally secrete pro and anti-inflammatory cytokines. The effects of pre- and post-infection DHEA treatment on production of IL-12, TNFα and NO were evaluated. T. cruzi infected macrophages post treated with DHEA displayed enhanced concentrations of TNF-α, IL-12 and NO. Probably, the mechanisms that induced the production of cytokines by infected cells are more efficient when the immune system has been stimulated first by parasite invasion, suggesting that the protective role of DHEA is greater when administered post infection.     

Syrian pear (Pyrus syriaca) as a pollinator for European pear (Pyrus communis) cultivars

In Israel four European pear cultivars are grown: ‘Spadona’ is the main cultivar and ‘Coscia’, ‘Gentile’ and ‘Spadochina’ are its pollinators. However, molecular S-genotyping revealed that ‘Spadona’ is semi-compatible with its three pollinators. This explains, at least in part, the relatively low pear yield in Israel. The Syrian pear (Pyrus syriaca) grows wild in Israel and blooms intensively, overlapping the blooming of the cultivated European pears. Cross-fertilization between Syrian pear and ‘Spadona’ was shown to be efficient suggesting that Syrian pear might be a potent pollinator for ‘Spadona’. Twenty-six Syrian pear seedlings, from different sites in north-east Israel were S-genotyped identifying 11 that are fully compatible with the four European pear varieties cultivated in Israel. By this screening, 24 different S-RNases were cloned; ten of them are new, whereas the other fourteen had been identified previously. In addition, seedlings of two wild pear species were also S-genotyped. Two seedlings from Pyrus betulifolia and one from Pyrus korshinskii were found to be genetically compatible with the four European pear cultivars. From these seedlings four S-RNases were cloned, two are new, one had been cloned previously and one was identical to an S-RNase allele cloned from Syrian pear in this work.     

Fungitoxicity of 6H-pyrazolo[3,4-c][l,2,5]thiadiazine-2,2-dioxides

A base-promoted cyclisation of 4-nitroso-5-benzylsulphonamidopyrazoles (VII) afforded 6 H -pyrazolo[3,4-c][1,2,5]thiadiazine-2,2-dioxides (VIII). They were tested in vitro for antifungal activity against a series of phytopathogenic fungi of different taxonomic classes. Five of the compounds had noteworthy activity; in particular 6H-3-phenyl-5-methyl-7–(3,4-dichlorophenyl) pyrazolo[3,4-c][1,2,5]thiadiazine-2,2-dioxide (VIIIc) at the concentration of 200 mg litre^?1 completely inhibited the growth of Pythium ultimum, Corticium solani and Sclerotinia minor.