Inheritance of trichome density in Ethiopian mustard leaves

A pubescent mutant of Ethiopian mustard (Brassica carinata A. Braun), N2-9531, was developed from the glabrous line C-101. The objective of this research was to study the inheritance of trichome density in this mutant. Plants of N2-9531 and C-101 were reciprocally crossed and F₁, F₂, and BC₁F₁ generations were analysed for trichome density. The average trichome density differed in the reciprocal F₁ and F₂ generations, indicating partial cytoplasmic effects. The trichome density of F₁ plants was lower than the midparent value, revealing a partial dominance of absence over high trichome density. Segregation in the F₂ and BC₁F₁ generations approximated 1:4:6:4:1 and 1:2:1 ratios, respectively indicating that two independent loci (H ₁ and H ₂) acting in an additive manner contributed equally to the expression of trichome density. The proposed genotypes were h ₁ h ₁ h ₂ h ₂ for N2-9531 and H ₁ H ₁ H ₂ H ₂ for C-101. The simple inheritance of this trait should facilitate the transfer of leaf pubescence to other Ethiopian mustard lines. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Situs inversus totalis associated with subaortic stenosis, restrictive ventricular septal defect, and tricuspid dysplasia in an adult dog

A rare association between situs inversus totalis (SIT), restrictive ventricular septal defect, severe subaortic stenosis, and tricuspid dysplasia was observed in an adult mixed-breed dog. Primary ciliary dyskinesia and Kartagener's syndrome were excluded. After 15 mo the dog died suddenly. The association between SIT and congenital heart diseases is discussed.     

Monoclonal antibodies against the leptospiral immunoglobulin-like proteins A and B conserved regions

Leptospirosis is an infectious disease caused by pathogenic spirochetes of the genus Leptospira that affects humans and a wide variety of animals. Recently the genomes of Leptospira interrogans, Leptospira borgpetersenii and Leptospira biflexa species were sequenced allowing the identification of new virulence factors involved in survival and pathogenesis of bacteria. LigA and LigB are surface-exposed bacterial adhesins whose expression is correlated with the virulence of Leptospira strains. In this study, we produced and characterized five monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against a recombinant fragment of LigB (rLigBrep) with approximately 54 kDa that comprise the portions of LigA and LigB (domains 2–7). The 5 MAbs obtained were of the IgG1 (2) and IgG2b (3) isotypes and their affinity constants for rLigBrep ranged from 7 × 10⁷ M⁻¹ to 4 × 10⁸ M⁻¹. The MAbs were able to react with the native antigen on the L. interrogans, L. borgpetersenii and Leptospira noguchii surfaces by indirect immunofluorescence, immunoblotting and immunoelectron microscopy. These results demonstrate that the MAbs anti-rLigBrep can be useful to complement genetic studies and to aid studies aiming understanding the role of Lig proteins in Leptospira pathogenesis and the development of Lig-based vaccines and improved diagnostic tests for leptospirosis.     

Synthesis,fungicidal activity and structure-activity relationships of a series of 1-(3-pyridyl)-1-substituted-but-3-yn-1-ols

A series of 1-(3-pyridyl)-1-substituted-but-3-yn-1-ols and some related compounds were synthesised and tested for antifungal activity against eight phytopathogenic fungi of different taxonomic classes. High activity was shown in particular against Sphaerotheca fuliginea on Cucumis sativus. The compounds containing aromatic substituents gave the best results, not only in protectant but also in systemic and eradicant tests. The quantitative structure-activity relationship suggests that steric effects play an important role in determining fungicidal activity.     

Reattachment of tooth fragment: an in vitro study

Canine tooth fracture is common in dogs. Application of an esthetic and durable restoration may be challenging in veterinary dental practice. This study used traditional human dental laboratory methods to evaluate fracture strength of intact dog canine teeth and fractured teeth that had been restored by reattachment of the tooth fragment. The results showed that the teeth restored by reattachment of the tooth fragment supported a test load equal to 45.4 % of the load necessary to fracture intact canine teeth.     

Survival and persistence of Lactobacillus plantarum 4.1 and Lactobacillus reuteri 3S7 in the gastrointestinal tract of pigs

Lactobacillus sp. are important inhabitants of the intestines of animals. They are also largely used as probiotics for both humans and animals. To exert beneficial effects, lactobacilli have to survive through the gastrointestinal transit. Based on bile-salt resistance, pH tolerance, antimicrobial activity and heat resistance, Lactobacillus plantarum 4.1 and Lactobacillus reuteri 3S7 were previously selected and used as probiotic additives in pelleted feeding trials. Both strains were fed to pigs (sows and piglets) at a cell number of ca. 10(10) viable cells per day. A polyphasic approach, comprising growth on selective media, Biolog System analysis, 16S rRNA gene sequencing and RAPD-PCR typing, was used to identify and differentiate L. plantarum 4.1 and L. reuteri 3S7 from other faecal Lactobacillus sp., L. plantarum 4.1 and L. reuteri 3S7 had the capacity to survive during the gastrointestinal transit and were found in the feaces at a cell number of 6-8 log cfu/g. Their persistence was shown after 6 days from the administration. Compared to untreated pigs, the administration of L. plantarum 4.1 and L. reuteri 3S7 significantly (P<0.05) decreased the population of Enterobacteriaceae. Besides, the beta-glucuronidase activity of all pigs decreased of ca. 23.0% during administration. The findings of this study showed that L. plantarum 4.1 and L. reuteri 3S7 have the potential to be used as probiotic additives in pelleted feed for pigs.     

Physiological host range of Trissolcus mitsukurii,a candidate biological control agent of Halyomorpha halys in Europe

Journal of Pest Science - The invasive stink bug Halyomorpha halys, native to East Asia, is a severe agricultural pest of worldwide importance, and chemical insecticides are largely sprayed for its...     

Synthesis of Acetylhomoagmatine

The first total synthesis of acetylhomoagmatine, a natural product isolated form the methanolic extracts from the sponge Cliona celata, is performed in four steps in a very high yield.