Fertilizer rate and β-galactosidase and peroxidase activity in pepper fruit at different stages and years of harvest

Beta-galactosidase and peroxidase are enzymes reported to have roles in pepper maturation. Fertilizer rate may affect activity of these enzymes in fruit maturing on the plant. Nine pepper cultivars, five non-pungent and four pungent, were fertilized at two rates in field plots in 1997 and 1998 at Lane, OK, USA. Fruit were harvested at mature green, turning, and red color developmental stages, and assayed for beta-galactosidase and peroxidase activity. Overall fruit beta-galactosidase activity increased as fertilizer rate increased, and was highest in red fruit. Fertilizer rate and fruit developmental stage did not affect peroxidase activity in 1997, but peroxidase activity was highest in red fruit in 1998. Enzyme activity appeared to be cultivar dependent, and patterns differed in both years. Activities of both enzymes were higher at the red stage in many of the non-pungent peppers than in pungent peppers. These data suggest that increased fertilizer affects the activity of at least one enzyme in fruit maturing on the plant. Cultural practices affecting enzyme activity may be used to modify concentrations of components in plants that are important for human consumption.     

Oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of canine zinc‐responsive dermatosis

Zinc deficiency causes skin diseases both in humans and in animals. The underlying pathogenic mechanisms remain unclear, but a growing body of evidence indicates a role for zinc in skin protection against free radical‐induced oxidative damage. The immunohistochemical expression of heat shock proteins (HSPs; Hsp27, Hsp72, Hsp73 and Hsp90), Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD), metallothionein (MT), Ki‐67 antigen and active caspase‐3 were evaluated in normal canine skin and in samples from eight dogs with zinc‐responsive dermatosis. All investigated HSPs showed intense cytoplasmic immunostaining in the affected epidermis. Focal nuclear positivity of Hsp72 was also detected in keratinocytes. Although Cu/Zn SOD expression was similar to that observed in normal skin, MT immunoreactivity occurred in both the cytoplasm and the nucleus of basal cells in normal skin but was absent from the affected epidermis. Caspase‐3 activation was also absent in the involved epidermis, which revealed a high Ki‐67 index (a 3.5‐ to 9‐fold increase compared with normal skin). These results support the hypothesis that cellular response to stress, particularly oxidative stress, is involved in the pathogenesis of skin lesions in canine zinc‐responsive dermatosis. The lack of MT immunoreactivity in the affected epidermis may be indicative of low zinc levels, thus resulting in vulnerability to oxidative damage. In contrast, high expression levels of HSPs in skin during zinc deficiency may confer protection against a variety of dangerous stimuli, contributing to inhibition of apoptosis and to cell cycle regulation of proliferating keratinocytes.     

Assessment of Vascular Perfusion Kinetics Using Contrast‐enhanced Ultrasound for the Diagnosis of Prostatic Disease in Dogs

Vascular perfusion was assessed in 10 dogs without prostatic abnormalities and 26 dogs with prostatic disease using contrast‐enhanced ultrasound. The time to reach peak contrast intensity (TTP) and peak perfusion intensity (PPI) were measured, and histological biopsies were collected from each dog. Biopsies confirmed normal prostate (n = 10), benign prostatic hyperplasia (n = 11), mixed benign pathology (n = 9), prostatitis (n = 1), prostatic malignancy [adenocarcinoma (n = 4); leiomyosarcoma (n = 1)]. In normal dogs, mean PPI was 16.8% ± 5.8 SD, and mean TTP was 33.6 ± 6.4 s. Benign conditions overall were not statistically different from normal dogs (p > 0.05); for benign prostatic hyperplasia, mean PPI was 16.9 ± 3.8%, and mean TTP was 26.2 ± 5.8 s; for mixed benign pathology mean PPI was 14.8 ± 7.8%, and mean TTP was 31.9 ± 9.7 s; for prostatitis, PPI was 14.2%, and TTP was 25.9 s. The malignant conditions overall had perfusion values that differed from the normal dogs (p < 0.05), although evaluation of the data for individual malignancies did not demonstrate a consistent trend; for adenocarcinomas, the PPI was numerically higher with a mean of 23.7 ± 1.9%, and the mean TTP was 26.9 ± 4.8 s, whilst for the dog with leiomyosarcoma values were numerically lower with a PPI of 14.1% and TTP of 41.3 s. Contrast‐enhanced ultrasound appears to offer some ability to document differences in perfusion that may differentiate between malignant and benign lesions, although studies with larger numbers of animals are required to confirm this contention.     

Malignant melanoma in a seagull (Larus fuscus): morphological and immunohistochemical approach

A common seagull (Larus fuscus) was found near the southern coast of Italy by the veterinarians of the local wild animal rescue center. Physical examination of the bird revealed an ulcerated mass involving a majority of the oral cavity; the mass did not allow for normal feeding. After the bird died necropsy was performed and the mass was histologically and immunohistochemically examined. The morphology and the immunoreactivity for Melan-A and S-100 antigens led to a diagnosis of malignant melanoma. This is the first case of malignant melanoma described in a seagull, and herein we compare the characteristics of the present case with malignant melanoma already described in domestic animals.     

Modification of Secondary Metabolism and Flavonoid Biosynthesis Under Phosphate Deficiency in Bean Roots

The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of phosphate deficiency on enzymatic activities and on compounds of the secondary metabolism linked with the production of root exudates in bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) plants cv. ‘Bianco di Bagnasco.’ Phosphate deficiency induced a decrease in root total soluble phenolic content, but also caused an increase in total soluble phenolic content of exudates. Alteration of phenolic production was paralleled by increased activity of L-phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) and decreased activity of chalcone isomerase (CHI) in roots. Two isoflavonoids daidzein and naringenin, have been detected in roots; they are considered signal molecules in the chemical trafficking with soil microorganisms. Naringenin content was reduced by phosphorus (P) deficiency, due to lower activity of CHI, the enzyme responsible for its biosynthesis. On the other hand, daidzein content was higher in –P plants than in the control. The results are discussed, considering the possible roles of phenolics and flavonoids in plant-soil microbe interactions and rizosphere modification.     

A decision making scheme for potato quality

A decision making scheme is proposed for integrating and evaluating variables important for judging tuber quality in the potato industry. Within the scheme, variables affecting potato quality are grouped into categories according to their mutual association in a decision, and their values are rated according to a common linear scale. Expert opinions, as to which range of variable values ensure “commercially acceptable” and “ideal” potato quality, were superimposed as shaded areas over the numerical ratings. Observations of variables used in a decision can be compared to values delineated by experts to judge whether sampled potatoes would be acceptable for commercial use. The scheme is designed to be utilized at various points in the life cycle of a potato from field to market. It is demonstrated for one variety of sampled tubers that were being stored for chip processing.     

Experimental studies on maedi-visna

In order to study pathogenicity of sheep lentiviruses, to obtain monospecific sera and to perfect ELISA, 3 experiments with different strains were carried out for 4 yr. In expt 1, one clone only of a French maedi-visna strain (564-79) elicits a clear seroconversion in inoculated sheep. In expt 2, K1514 is more immunogenic than K796 and PPV: intratracheal route seems more efficient than intracerebral route. Sheep infected by ts mutants (expt 3) are early positive as wild strain K796. Nevertheless, the level of positivity is less important than for the parental strain, suggesting that the defect of the ts mutants is not limiting their replication in vivo. An important result is the lack of clinical signs and anatomical and histopathological lesions, in spite of frequent isolations of virus from buffy coat cells. These results suggest that: different enhancing factors have to be taken in account in the apparition of clinical signs; all the clones are not infectious; viral infection might be effective with several types of virions.     

Caprine enzootic arthritis-encephalitis in France: epidemiological and experimental studies

In an epidemiological study on CAEV-induced caprine arthritis, the ELISA carried out on mixed sera appeared to be an efficient pointer to viral articular pathology in flocks; the breed and origin of goats, the selection of flocks with high milk production proved to be factors which favour viral arthritis, the serological diagnosis of which remains a flock diagnosis. In addition, in an experimental infection, only one type II caprine strain induced significant cases of arthritis; the disease could be reproduced more effectively by the intra-articular route than intravenously. Lastly, in a vaccination test followed by infectious CAEV challenge, two vaccinated goats showed more severe arthritis than did non vaccinated control goats. These observations emphasise the importance of the different viral strains, of the penetration route of the virus, of the repetition of infections and of the immune response in the induction of CAEV arthritis.     

Separation of signal transduction and adaptation functions of the aspartate receptor in bacterial sensing

In order to investigate the functions of stimulus recognition, signal transduction, and adaptation, the aspartate receptor gene for bacterial chemotaxis in Salmonella typhimurium has been sequenced and modified. A carboxyl-terminal truncated receptor was shown to bind aspartate and to transmit a signal to change motility behavior. However, the truncated receptor showed greatly reduced methyl-accepting capacity, and did not allow adaptation to the sensory stimulation. The separation of receptor functions by alteration of primary structure emphasizes that the receptor is directly involved in adaptation and is not solely a device for transmitting a signal across a membrane.