Isolation and Assessment of the in Vitro Anti-Tumor Activity of Smenothiazole A and B,Chlorinated Thiazole-Containing Peptide/Polyketides from the Caribbean Sponge,Smenospongia aurea

The study of the secondary metabolites contained in the organic extract of Caribbean sponge Smenospongia aurea led to the isolation of smenothiazole A (3) and B (4), hybrid peptide/polyketide compounds. Assays performed using four solid tumor cell lines showed that smenothiazoles exert a potent cytotoxic activity at nanomolar levels, with selectivity over ovarian cancer cells and a pro-apoptotic mechanism.     

Exploiting the diversity of barley landraces in Ethiopia

The paper describes a methodology to incorporate the collection of barley landraces available in the Plant Genetic Resources Centre of Ethiopia (PGRC/E), as well as future collections, in the Ethiopian barley breeding program. Six hundred pure lines extracted from thirty Ethiopian barley landraces were evaluated and selected, along with the original populations, between 1989 and 1993. Three lines were identified which significantly outyielded the local landrace in some of the testing sites and had a higher average yield across sites and seasons. The yield of these lines was similar to the best improved variety also developed from a landrace population. Despite the relatively small number of landrace-lines (600) in the original population, the exploitation of the diversity existing within Ethiopian barley germplasm has produced in only five years promising lines for yield at low input conditions and for disease and insect resistance. Some lines had a yield potential comparable with the best breeding lines produced earlier, and one is under multiplication for release.     

Barley adaptation and improvement in the Mediterranean basin

To study barley adaptation and improvement in the Mediterranean basin, a collection of 188 entries comprising landraces and old genotypes and current modern varieties from the Mediterranean basin and elsewhere was tested on moisture‐contrasted environments in seven Mediterranean countries, during 2004 and 2005 harvest seasons. The experimental design consisted of an unreplicated trial for all entries, augmented by four repeated checks to which a partial replicate containing a quarter of the entries was added. Best Linear Unbiased Predictions (BLUPs) representing adjusted genotypic means were generated for individual trials using a mixed model. BLUPs were used for genotype by environment interaction analysis using main effect plus genotype by environment interaction (GGE) biplots of yield ranked data and for comparisons of landraces, old and modern genotypes using analysis of variance. Mean yields ranged from near crop failure to 6 t/ha. Local landraces were better adapted to environments yielding below 2 t/ha, thus breeding has mostly benefited environments yielding above 2 t/ha where modern genotypes out yielded landraces and old cultivars by 15%. Current barley selection is leading to specifically adapted genotypes.     

Complex carbohydrate histochemistry and ultracytochemistry of the sheep lacrimal gland

The chemical content of the secretion of the sheep lacrimal gland was analysed at the light and electron microscope levels by applying histochemical techniques and an ultrastructural histochemical method (periodic acid, thiocarbohydrazide and silver proteinate). Mucosubstance histochemistry demonstrated acidic glycoconjugates, mainly sulphated, in the mucous and seromucous glandular cells and in the apical portion of the cells lining the terminal ducts. Moreover, secretory granules, stained with PA-TCH-SP, showed a different localization of the reaction product. The presence of lysozyme was also found in the glandular serous cells. These histochemical studies demonstrate that the secretion of sheep lacrimal glands is mixed, having serous, mucous and seromucous components, and that an excellent correlation exists between the secretory granule substructure and glycoprotein localization.     

Activity of the Pinus elliottii resin compounds against Lernaea cyprinacea in vitro

Lernaea cyprinacea infestation is a major problem for fishing culture in Brazil, which was introduced in the mid-eighties. To attempt controlling this parasite, an evaluation of the activity of the Pinus elliottii resin constituents against it was undertaken. To run the bioassay, fish infested with L. cyprinaceae were transferred to aquaria and kept at room temperature and ventilation for 15 days for adaptation. Afterwards, fish were sacrificed and the parasites were kept under water to run the experiments by evaluating the activities of the steamed oil and the chloroform fraction of the resin at concentrations of 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 and 5.0 ppm. The crude resin was also evaluated at concentrations of 1.0, 5.0 and 10 ppm, as well as the major components of its steamed oil, alpha and beta-pinenes, both at concentrations of 0.5 and 1.0 ppm. The results showed that both fractions from the resin were effective at 0.5 ppm concentration, while the pure compounds were less active. Moreover, the acute toxicity (DL(50)) of the crude resin for the fish Leptorinus piau, aged 1 month, was established at 200.0 ppm, which ensures its safe use.     

Characterisation of sugar residues in glycoconjugates of pig mandibular gland by traditional and lectin histochemistry

Sugar residues are important components of salivary gland secretion. Traditional histochemical methods and lectin histochemistry were used to characterise glycoconjugates present in the mandibular gland of normal adult pigs. Acinar cells contained abundant quantities of glycoconjugates with the terminal trisaccharide sialic acid - (alpha 2-->3, 6) galactosyl (beta 1-->3) N -acetylgalactosamine. Mandibular acinar cells also contained alpha and beta N -acetylgalactosamine and N -acetylglucosamine residues, whereas the demilunar cells contained glycoconjugates with fucose, mannose and N -acetylglucosamine residues. In the duct system a range of sugar residues were localised throughout the cell cytoplasm or limited to the apical surface. These results provide new knowledge concerning the structure of salivary glycoconjugates in normal adult pig and a basis for future pathological studies.     

Origin of enzootic intranasal tumor in the goat (Capra hircus): a glycohistochemical approach

Enzootic intranasal tumor (EIT) appears glandular in type and has recently been classified as an adenocarcinoma of low malignancy. The aim of this study was to characterize the secretion of surface glycoconjugates (GCs) in EIT and in normal respiratory and olfactory mucosae of the goat by means of conventional and lectin histochemistry, in order to shed light on the histogenesis of EIT. Morphologic and ultrastructural investigations showed two growth types of EIT: i.e., tubular and papillary patterns. Conventional histochemistry revealed the presence of neutral and carboxylated GCs in the olfactory glands and in the tubular part of EIT, as well neutral and sulphated GCs in the respiratory glands and in the papillary part of EIT, suggesting that the papillary pattern tumor arises from the respiratory glands, whereas the tubular portion of EIT arises from the olfactory glands. Lectin histochemistry gave further information on the expressed GCs.     

Conservation and use of genetic resources of cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) by gene banks and nurseries in six Latin American countries

Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution - Cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) is among the most important cash crops in tropical countries. The existing cacao genetic diversity represents a key resource to...     

Cytochemical identification of lymphocytes and other mononuclear cells in ovine and bovine hemal nodes

Cytochemical and immunocytochemical studies were carried out with specific markers for B lymphocytes, dendritic reticulum cells (ATPase, 5'Nase, SIg) and T lymphocytes (ANAE, A.P.) in an attempt to identify the mononuclear cells present in bovine and ovine hemal nodes. The results show that primary nodes and mantle of secundary nodes are composed of B cells, whereas T cells are mainly localized in the interfollicular cords. Since such an arrangement resembles the picture in normal lymph nodes, but the direct contact between lymphatic tissue and blood is more reminiscent of the spleen, hemal nodes probably perform immunological functions similar to those of both normal lymph nodes and spleen.