Genetic Diversity Based on AIIozyme Alleles of Chinese Cultivated Rice

Genetic diversity was analyzed with 6 632 core rice cultivars selected from 60 282 Chinese rice accessions on the basis of 12 allozyme loci, Pgil, Pgi2, Amp1, Amp2, Amp3, Amp4, Sdhl, Adhl, Estl, Est2, Est5 and Est9, by starch gel electrophoresis. Among the materials examined, 52 alleles at 12 polymorphic loci were identified, which occupied 96.3% of 54 alleles found in cultivated germplasm of O. sativa L. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 2 to 7 with an average of 4.33. The gene diversity （He） each locus varied considerably from 0.017 for Amp4 to 0.583 for Est2 with an average gene diversity （Ht） 0.271, mid Shannon-Wiener index from 0.055 to 0.946 with an average of 0.468. The degree of polymorphism （DP） was in a range from 0.9 to 46.9% with an average of 21.4%. It was found that the genetic diversity in japonica （Keng） subspecies was lower in terms of allele＇s number, Ht and S-W index, being 91.8, 66.2 and 75.7% of indica （Hsien） one, respectively. Significant genetic differentiation between indica and japonica rice has been appeared in the loci Pgil, Amp2, Pgi2, and Est2, with higher average coefficient of genetic differentiation （Gst） 0.635, 0.626, 0.322 and 0.282, respectively. Except less allele number per locus （3.33） for modern cultivars, being 76.9% of landraces, the Ht and S-W index showed in similar between the modem cultivars and the landraces detected. In terms of allozyme, the rice cultivars in the Southwest Plateau and Central China have richer genetic diversity. The present study reveals again that Chinese cultivated rice germplasm has rich genetic diversity, showed by the allozyme allele variation.     

The international cometary explorer mission to comet giacobini-zinner

The International Cometary Explorer (ICE) became the first spacecraft ever to encounter a comet when it passed through the tail of comet Giacobini-Zinner. An overview of this encounter is presented, including highlights of the results.     

CIPC residues on stored Russet Burbank potatoes: 1. Maximum label application

Residue concentrations of chlorpropham (CIPC) on stored Russet Burbank potatoes were evaluated after thermal aerosol treatment at maximum labeled rates. The aerosol was applied after the potatoes had been placed in the storage structure and the wound healing process was complete. Average residue concentrations four days after the initial application ranged from 6 to 8 mg/kg fresh tuber weight depending on the storage temperature and the application rates. A second aerosol treatment applied 90 days after the first treatment kept the residue concentrations above 5 mg/kg for the duration of the storage period. A direct spray application to the tubers at various times during the study raised the average CIPC concentration an additional 2 to 3 mg/kg. All CIPC residue concentrations measured on tubers in this study were below the EPA established (1996) tolerance of 30 mg/kg. Residue concentrations of CIPC were greater on potatoes near the bottom of the pile than near the top of the pile. These variations in CIPC residue concentrations (3–8 mg/kg between top and bottom of the bulk pile) are appropriate justification for the development of improved application methodology.     

Physical characteristics, blood hormone concentrations, and plasma lipid concentrations in obese horses with insulin resistance

OBJECTIVE: To compare obese horses with insulin resistance (IR) with nonobese horses and determine whether blood resting glucose, insulin, leptin, and lipid concentrations differed between groups and were correlated with combined glucose-insulin test (CGIT) results. ANIMALS: 7 obese adult horses with IR (OB-IR group) and 5 nonobese mares. PROCEDURES: Physical measurements were taken, and blood samples were collected after horses had acclimated to the hospital for 3 days. Response to insulin was assessed by use of the CGIT, and maintenance of plasma glucose concentrations greater than the preinjection value for > or = 45 minutes was used to define IR. Area under the curve values for glucose (AUC(g)) and insulin (AUC(i)) concentrations were calculated. RESULTS: Morgan, Paso Fino, Quarter Horse, and Tennessee Walking Horse breeds were represented in the OB-IR group. Mean neck circumference and BCS differed significantly between groups and were positively correlated with AUC values. Resting insulin and leptin concentrations were 6 and 14 times as high, respectively, in the OB-IR group, compared with the nonobese group, and were significantly correlated with AUC(g) and AUC(i). Plasma nonesterified fatty acid, very low-density lipoprotein, and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) concentrations were significantly higher (86%, 104%, and 29%, respectively) in OB-IR horses, and HDL-C concentrations were positively correlated with AUC values. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Measurements of neck circumference and resting insulin and leptin concentrations can be used to screen obese horses for IR. Dyslipidemia is associated with IR in obese horses.     

Proapoptotic BAX and BAK modulate the unfolded protein response by a direct interaction with IRE1alpha

Accumulation of misfolded protein in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) triggers an adaptive stress response-termed the unfolded protein response (UPR)-mediated by the ER transmembrane protein kinase and endoribonuclease inositol-requiring enzyme-1alpha (IRE1alpha). We investigated UPR signaling events in mice in the absence of the proapoptotic BCL-2 family members BAX and BAK [double knockout (DKO)]. DKO mice responded abnormally to tunicamycin-induced ER stress in the liver, with extensive tissue damage and decreased expression of the IRE1 substrate X-box-binding protein 1 and its target genes. ER-stressed DKO cells showed deficient IRE1alpha signaling. BAX and BAK formed a protein complex with the cytosolic domain of IRE1alpha that was essential for IRE1alpha activation. Thus, BAX and BAK function at the ER membrane to activate IRE1alpha signaling and to provide a physical link between members of the core apoptotic pathway and the UPR.     

Identification of lactoferrin and glutamate receptor‐interacting protein 1 in bovine cervical mucus: A putative marker for oestrous detection

Accurate detection of oestrus is important for artificial insemination. The aim of this study was to identify oestrous‐specific bovine cervical mucus proteins that could be used to determine the optimal time for artificial insemination. Non‐oestrous and controlled internal drug release (CIDR)‐induced oestrous‐stage mucus proteins were purified and subjected to surface‐enhanced laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry, sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and MALDI‐TOF/TOF. Among differentially expressed proteins, lactoferrin (LF) and glutamate receptor‐interacting protein 1 (GRIP1) showed a twofold increase during the CIDR‐induced oestrous stage compared to the levels in non‐oestrous stage in bovine cervical mucus. The RT‐PCR, Western blotting and immunohistochemistry results showed that LF and GRIP1 expression was significantly increased during the oestrous stage in the uterus. This study demonstrated that bovine LF and GRIP1 exist during the oestrous stage, but not during the non‐oestrous stage, suggesting that cervical mucus LF and GRIP1 are useful oestrous detection markers in cattle.     

Sage Russet: a New High Yielding Russet Potato Variety with Cold-Sweetening Resistance,High Vitamin C and Protein Contents and Excellent Fresh Pack and Processing Potential

Sage Russet was released in 2009 by Oregon State University, in cooperation with the USDA-ARS and the Agricultural Experiment Stations of Idaho and Washington. It is a product of the Northwest Potato Variety (Tri-State) Development Program. Sage Russet has a medium-early maturity and produces long, somewhat flattened tubers with medium russeting of the skin. Total yields of Sage Russet are similar to those of Russet Burbank and Ranger Russet, but are significantly higher than those of Russet Norkotah. Sage Russet has significantly higher U.S. No.1 yields than Russet Burbank, Russet Norkotah, and Ranger Russet. It can be grown as an early or late crop with high U.S. No.1 yields and minimal internal defects. It achieved very high merit scores in processing and fresh market in Western Regional trials and can be considered for both markets. Sage Russet has a medium to high fertility requirements with high nitrogen use efficiency and medium storage capability. Sage Russet has moderate specific gravity and produces lighter fry color than the industry standard varieties. The color of fried strips following tuber storage at 4.4 °C and 7.2 °C is significantly lighter for Sage Russet than the control varieties, indicating good cold sweetening resistance. Chemical analyses have shown that Sage Russet has higher protein and vitamin C content than control varieties. Sage Russet is moderately resistant to early dying, early blight, and common scab, is resistant to tuber late blight, but susceptible to Fusarium wilt and is prone to shatter bruise.     

Die Verbreitung der San José-Schildlaus in Italien

Ohne Zusammenfassung Mit 4 Abbildungen