Termite (order Blattodea,infraorder Isoptera) baiting 20 years after commercial release

Termite baiting is now one of the two main management tools in developed countries after 20 years of commercial release. It has two main goals: to use small amounts of active ingredient and ‘colony elimination’, i.e. death of all individuals in the colony. We consider how well baiting has been evaluated from 100 studies in the scientific literature. Studies have included 15 active ingredients, 23 termite species and 16 countries, yet most studies have focused on the chitin synthesis inhibitor hexaflumuron, Reticulitermes and the United States. Baiting has mostly met its goals: typically about 0.5 g of active ingredient was used, and colony elimination achieved, albeit with rates varying from 0 to 100%, and sometimes supplemented with liquid insecticide. Baiting was most successful using chitin synthesis inhibitors against Reticulitermes and Coptotermes (Rhinotermitidae), in temperate locations, although colony elimination was usually inferred indirectly – mostly by termite absence from baits – and was often slow, from 25 to 450 days. Baiting has been less tested and less successful against higher termites in tropical locations, where they are most diverse and abundant. Future research may have to consider greater termite species diversity and other active ingredients to reduce control times in order to fulfil the potential of baiting. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effect of temperature on gametophytic selection in a <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phalaenopsis</Emphasis> F<Subscript>1</Subscript> population

Gametophytic selection has potential to increase the efficiency of breeding for temperature tolerance. Here, we describe orchid seedlings after application of low and high temperatures during gametophytic development. In addition to phenotypic traits, amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers were used to determine the genetic variability in seedlings. Two hybrid Phalaenopsis were cross-pollinated and exposed to 30°C day/25°C night for 3 days for a warm pollination or 15°C day/10°C night for 7 days as a cold pollination treatment. The plants were returned to the greenhouse after pollination and green capsules were collected after 150 days. Protocorms obtained from these treatments were evaluated 72 days after initial plating for germination and size on a thermogradient table ranging from 10 to 30°C. Seedlings were then evaluated 1 year after initial plating. The mean number of roots per seedling (4.2) was greater for plantlets that derived from the cold pollination treatment compared to those from warm pollination (3.6). Weight of the seedlings, number of roots and the average root length were significantly affected by the interaction between pollination treatment and germination temperature. The weight, number of leaves, and average root length were significantly affected by the interaction between pollination treatment and incubator/growth chamber. The results indicated that seedlings derived from warm pollination were more vigorous under warm growing conditions and those derived from cold pollination were more vigorous under cold growing conditions. Genetic variation among 16 F₁ seedlings randomly selected from various temperature treatments was analyzed. A dendrogram based on 651 loci resulted in three major groups and one subgroup. The groups and subgroup revealed common selection pressure during the gametophytic stage. The AFLP data support genetic differentiation of Phalaenopsis hybrids pollinated under different temperatures.     

Zinc bioavailability in maize grains in response of phosphorous–zinc interaction

Phosphorous (P) and zinc (Zn) are plant nutrients that interact with each other in soil–plant systems. Such interactions may cause deficiency of one of the nutrients interacting with each other if interactions are antagonistic. In the present trial, a field experiment was conducted to investigate the interactive effect of Zn (0 and 16 kg ha^?1) and P (0 and 60 kg ha^?1) on growth, yield and grain Zn concentration of two maize (Zea mays L.) genotypes, i.e., Neelam (local) and DK‐6142 (hybrid). Growth and yield of both maize genotypes were increased by the application of Zn and P treatments compared with control, but Zn+P was more effective than their sole application. When compared to control, combined application of Zn+P increased grain Zn and P concentrations by 52% and 32%, respectively, averaged for the two genotypes. Single application of P decreased grain Zn concentration by 10% over control. Application of P and Zn particularly in combination decreased the grain [phytate] : [Zn] ratio and increased the estimated human Zn bioavailability in grains based on a trivariate model of Zn absorption in both maize genotypes. Conclusively, combined Zn+P application appeared more suitable for enhancing grain yield and agronomic Zn biofortification in maize grains. However, Zn fertilization aiming at increasing grain yield and grain Zn concentration should consider the genotypic variations and P rate.     

Prevalence and molecular diagnosis of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trypanosoma evansi</Emphasis> in Nili-Ravi buffalo (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Bubalus bubalis</Emphasis>) in different districts of Punjab (Pakistan)

The prevalence of Trypanosoma evansi was investigated in 1,250 Nili-Ravi buffaloes of mixed age and sex by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the first time in Pakistan. DNA of the trypanosomes was isolated with TRIREAGENT®. The assay was employed using primers ESAG 6/7, specific for a 237-bp fragment from T. evansi genomic DNA. The samples were screened for the presence of T. evansi also by stained thin smear. Forty-four (3.5%) samples were positive by microscopy, while 97 (7.7%) samples were identified by PCR, indicating the high sensitivity of PCR for surveying the disease in epidemiological studies.     

Glucose and weight control in mice with a designed ghrelin O-acyltransferase inhibitor

Ghrelin is a gastric peptide hormone that stimulates weight gain in vertebrates. The biological activities of ghrelin require octanoylation of the peptide on Ser(3), an unusual posttranslational modification that is catalyzed by the enzyme ghrelin O-acyltransferase (GOAT). Here, we describe the design, synthesis, and characterization of GO-CoA-Tat, a peptide-based bisubstrate analog that antagonizes GOAT. GO-CoA-Tat potently inhibits GOAT in vitro, in cultured cells, and in mice. Intraperitoneal administration of GO-CoA-Tat improves glucose tolerance and reduces weight gain in wild-type mice but not in ghrelin-deficient mice, supporting the concept that its beneficial metabolic effects are due specifically to GOAT inhibition. In addition to serving as a research tool for mapping ghrelin actions, GO-CoA-Tat may help pave the way for clinical targeting of GOAT in metabolic diseases.     

In vivo and in vitro characteristics of contagious ecthyma virus isolates: host response mechanism

Three Vero cell culture-adapted contagious ecthyma virus (CEV) isolates were compared by plaque morphology, ability to induce vesicles in skin and in vivo growth curve characteristics by sampling sequentially experimental skin lesions produced in four sheep and one goat. Two of the isolates (CEV-29A and CEV-378) were from outbreaks of ecthyma in sheep and one (CEV-102) from a human case of orf. When replicating in Vero cells, the viruses exhibited similar growth parameters, but were distinguishable from each other on the basis of plaque morphology. In vivo latent periods for these isolates were 48 h (CEV-29A), 96 h (CEV-102), and 120 h (CEV-378). When isolates CEV-102 and CEV-29A were passaged into another sheep, they produced similar patterns of growth. Isolate CEV-102 produced the highest infectivity titer [1.4 X 10(9) plaque forming units (PFU) g-1], followed by CEV-29A (6.8 X 10(7) PFU g-1) and CEV-378 (2.5 X 10(7) PFU g-1). In addition, these viruses varied in their ability to induce vesicle formation. Virus was no longer detectable at the inoculation sites at 288 h post-infection (PI). We conclude that plaque morphology, ability to induce vesicle formation in the skin and growth curves in the skin can be considered as important criteria to differentiate CEV isolates. A comparison of the growth curves of CEV-378 in the skin of sheep and goats suggested differences in virus-host interaction between the two animal species. Since intravenous injection of 1 X 10(9) PFU of CEV failed to produce lesions in the sham-scarified skin of sheep, virus spread via the hematogenous route from one site to another appears unlikely. No virus-neutralizing antibody or interferons were found in serum samples or in skin homogenates collected between 0 and 24 days PI. Virus-neutralizing antibody was present in the circulation as late as 24 days PI. Lymphocytes collected from CEV-exposed sheep as early as 12 days PI responded specifically to stimulation with CEV antigen. As this was about the time when infectious virus disappeared from the sites, we assume that cell-associated immune mechanisms may play a larger role in virus clearance from skin lesions than virus-neutralizing antibody.     

Two new species of Philometra (Nematoda: Philometridae) from needlefishes (Belonidae) in Iraq, with a key to Philometra spp. parasitic in the host's subcutaneous tissue, fins and musculature

Two new nematode species, Philometra strongylurae sp. n. and Philometra tylosuri sp. n., are described from female specimens collected from needlefishes (Belonidae, Beloniformes) off the Fao coast, Basrah, Persian Gulf, in Iraq. Philometra strongylurae (gravid females with larvae) was recorded from the subcutaneous tissue, muscles of beak and gills of Strongylura leiura (type host) and S. strongylura, whereas P. tylosuri (nongravid females) from the musculature and the subcutaneous tissue of Tylosurus crocodilus. The former is characterized mainly by the presence of eight markedly large cephalic papillae, conspicuously large anterior oesophageal bulb and by the length of body (15-20 mm); the latter by eight minute cephalic papillae, poorly developed oesophageal bulb and by the body length (46-72 mm). A key to Philometra spp. with gravid females parasitic in the subcutaneous tissue, fins or musculature of fishes is provided.     

Effect of different levels of rice bran processed by various techniques on performance of broiler chicks

1. Rice bran processed by extrusion cooking, roasting or pelleting and treated with antioxidant was used in broiler starter and finisher diets at various concentrations up to 500 g/kg. 2. Extrusion cooking gave the best performance, followed by roasting, while non-significant differences were observed between raw and pelleted bran. 3. Increasing the amount of rice bran in broiler diets resulted in significantly negative effects on growth performance. Non-significant differences were observed in mortality and dressing percentage due to different processes and concentrations of rice bran in the diet. Organ weights were significantly higher on raw and pelleted rice bran as compared to extruded and roasted bran. Liver and heart weights significantly increased with increasing contents of rice bran above 200g/kg, while pancreas weight increased with an addition of rice bran. 4. Treating the rice bran with antioxidant up to 250ppm had non-significant effects on broiler performance.