Photostabilization of bioresmethrin by organic cations on a clay surface

Photostabilization of the pyrethroid insecticide bioresmethrin (BR) was achieved by adsorbing it onto the ciay montmorillonite with a cationic organic chromophore. Experiments in the dark showed that adsorption of BR to the surface of the clay did not inhibit its insecticidal activity. Complexes containing the organic cations methyl green (MG) or naphthylammonium (NA) retained their insecticidal activity against the flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum for 3-5 days in sunlight whereas unprotected BR was inactivated within a few hours. Optimum stabilization was achieved by definite amounts of BR and MG adsorbed, indicating that photostabilization was due to specific intermolecular interactions on the clay surface rather than to a UV-screening effect. The interactions between BR and MG at the clay surface were studied by Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy.     

Amplification of three different papillomaviral DNA sequences from a cat with viral plaques

A 3‐year‐old cat from New Zealand developed three small raised non‐ulcerated plaques on the face. Serology detected antibodies against feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV). Histology of the plaque revealed epidermal hyperplasia with keratinocytes either distended with large blue‐grey cytoplasmic bodies or with shrunken nuclei surrounded by a clear halo. Papillomavirus (PV) antigen was detected immunohistochemically and feline viral plaque was diagnosed. Swabs were taken of both lesional and non‐lesional skin, and polymerase chain reactions were used to detect PV DNA. Three different PV DNA sequences were amplified, one from a Felis domesticus PV type 1 (FdPV‐1) previously amplified from a feline viral plaque, a second (FdPV‐JM) previously amplified from feline cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas, and a third FdPV‐MY that was not reported previously. All three sequences were amplified from swabs of both lesional and non‐lesional skin. These results extend the geographical range of FdPV‐1 outside North America and also demonstrate the ability of FdPV‐1 to asymptomatically infect feline skin. However, the detection of multiple PV sequences within both lesional and non‐lesional samples makes it difficult to determine whether or not any of the PVs caused feline viral plaque development in this cat. This is the first time PV DNA has been detected in a feline skin swab sample. Additionally, it is the first report of multiple PVs being detected in a single sample from a cat. This may suggest that FIV infection predisposes cats to cutaneous PV infection.     

Gelatinization Profiles of Triticale Starch in Cookies as Influenced by Moisture and Solutes

Starch physicochemical parameters and phase transitions were determined in flours of 10 advanced lines and cultivars of triticale (Cananea, Currency, Eronga, LA 24 Bve, LA 20 FCA, LA 83 FCA, Tatú, Tehuelche, Quiñé, and Yagan). Starch behavior was also analyzed during the baking of cookies prepared with triticale flours. Starch granule size, crystal type patterns, and size distribution were determined by light microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and gel-permeation chromatography, respectively. Two types and sizes of starch granules with characteristic A-form crystals were obtained in all samples tested. The Quiñé cultivar showed the lowest extent of starch crystallinity. Only a monophasic endotherm was found by differential scanning calorimetry for water content >50–60%. Gelatinization temperature and enthalpy values varied significantly among samples. A biphasic endotherm was detected for water contents between 35 and 60%, and no endothermic transitions were observed for water levels <35%. Only one endotherm corresponding to starch gelatinization was detected in baked cookies prepared with five triticale flours. In all samples, the highest enthalpy of gelatinization of starch was detected for the cookie surface, whereas the highest gelatinization temperature was observed for the center. These differences may be attributed to the presence and content of the solutes in cookie dough and also to the degree of starch gelatinization during the cooking process.     

Genomics,genetics and breeding of tropical legumes for better livelihoods of smallholder farmers

Legumes are important components of sustainable agricultural production, food, nutrition and income systems of developing countries. In spite of their importance, legume crop production is challenged by a number of biotic (diseases and pests) and abiotic stresses (heat, frost, drought and salinity), edaphic factors (associated with soil nutrient deficits) and policy issues (where less emphasis is put on legumes compared to priority starchy staples). Significant research and development work have been done in the past decade on important grain legumes through collaborative bilateral and multilateral projects as well as the CGIAR Research Program on Grain Legumes (CRP‐GL). Through these initiatives, genomic resources and genomic tools such as draft genome sequence, resequencing data, large‐scale genomewide markers, dense genetic maps, quantitative trait loci (QTLs) and diagnostic markers have been developed for further use in multiple genetic and breeding applications. Also, these mega‐initiatives facilitated release of a number of new varieties and also dissemination of on‐the‐shelf varieties to the farmers. More efforts are needed to enhance genetic gains by reducing the time required in cultivar development through integration of genomics‐assisted breeding approaches and rapid generation advancement.     

Effect of Different Methods of Thermal Treatment on Starch and Bioactive Compounds of Potato

Plant Foods for Human Nutrition - The study examined the effects of various methods of thermal treatment of Lord cultivar potato tubers on changes in starch, polyphenols, vitamin C, antioxidant...     

Effect of coniferyl alcohol addition on removal of chlorophenols from water effluent by fungal laccase

The effect of coniferyl alcohol on removal of chlorinated phenols from a water environment byRhizoctonia praticola andCerrena unicolor laccases was studied. At optimal conditions in which 7 mM coniferyl alcohol and laccase were added to chlorinated phenols over 20h, about 34% of the radioactivity of 4-chlorophenol, 57% of 2,4-dichlorophenol, 66% of 2,4,5-trichlorophenol, and 85% of pentachlorophenol were removed from the supernatants, compared to the level without laccase activity. After 12-h incubation periods at the optimal concentrations of coniferyl alcohol and laccase (added simultaneously), the fast first phase of chlorophenol removal was complete in 1 h, and eventually coniferyl alcohol enhanced the removal of 4-chlorophenol by 40%, 2,4-dichlorophenol by 54%, 2,4,5-trichlorophenol by 60%, and pentachlorophenol by 76%.     

Assessment of aluminum sensitivity of maize cultivars using roots of intact plants and excised root tips

Maize cultivars (Zea mays L.) were evaluated for their aluminum (Al) sensitivity using intact plants and excised root tips exposed to 25 μM Al in nutrient solution of low ionic strength and pH 4.3. Aluminum supply increased callose formation and Al concentrations in root tips of intact plants as well as in excised root tips. Using intact plants, differences in Al sensitivity among cultivars could be characterized by Al‐induced callose formation, Al‐induced inhibition of root elongation, as well as Al contents in root tips as parameters. Significant correlations between Al‐induced callose formation and Al contents in root tips (r² = 0.64**) and inhibition of root elongation (r² = 0.80***) were found. Excised root tips did not show a significant Al‐induced inhibition of root elongation. While average Al‐induced callose formation was similar for root tips of intact plants and excised root tips, mean Al contents in excised root tips were up to 1.5‐fold higher than in root tips of intact plants after 24 h of Al treatment. Aluminum‐induced callose formation as found in excised root tips did neither correspond to Al‐induced callose formation nor to inhibition of root elongation of intact plants. The addition of 10 mM glucose to the incubation medium led to a significant increase in the elongation of excised root tips and a 2‐3‐fold increase in Al‐induced callose formation. Staining with triphenyl‐tetrazolium‐chloride (TTC) revealed increased viability of these root segments. However, these effects of glucose supply did not improve the characterization of the cultivars for Al resistance. The results presented suggest that Al exclusion mechanisms expressed in root tips of intact plants might be non‐operational in excised root tips. Therefore, the characterization of maize germplasm for Al resistance using excised root tips appears not to be reliable.     

Salmon cells SHK‐1 internalize infectious pancreatic necrosis virus by macropinocytosis

We have previously shown that infectious pancreatic necrosis virus (IPNV) enters the embryo cell line CHSE‐214 by macropinocytosis. In this study, we have extended our investigation into SHK‐1 cells, a macrophage‐like cell line derived from the head kidney of Atlantic salmon, the most economically important host of IPNV. We show that IPNV infection stimulated fluid uptake in SHK‐1 cells above the constitutive macropinocytosis level. In addition, upon infection of SHK‐1 cells, IPNV produced several changes in actin dynamics, such as protrusions and ruffles, which are important features of macropinocytosis. We also observed that the Na+/H+ pump inhibitor EIPA blocked IPNV infection. On the other hand, IPNV entry was independent of clathrin, a possibility that could not be ruled out in CHSE 214 cells. In order to determine the possible role of accessory factors on the macropinocytic process, we tested several inhibitors that affect components of transduction pathways. While pharmacological intervention of PKI3, PAK‐1 and Rac1 did not affect IPNV infection, inhibition of Ras and Rho GTPases as well as Cdc42 resulted in a partial decrease in IPNV infection. Further studies will be required to determine the signalling pathway involved in the macropinocytosis‐mediated entry of IPNV into its target cells.     

Conventional and molecular cytogenetics of the pikeperch (Sander lucioperca L.)

Pikeperch (Sander lucioperca L.) is a percid fish species of high commercial value and potential for being aquacultured in Europe. As such, pikeperch needs to be karyologically studied with special attention dedicated to arrangement of the homologous chromosomes into pairs and chromosomal location of the chosen DNA sequences. The karyotype of the pikeperch consists of 48 small chromosomes: One pair of metacentric chromosomes, 15 pairs of submetacentric chromosomes and eight pairs of subtelo‐acrocentric chromosomes (FN = 80). Original data on the chromosomal distribution of early and late replication regions, segments resistant to AluI, DdeI, HinfI and HaeIII restriction endonucleases and identification of the C‐banded heterochromatin presented herein have been used to arrange pikeperch chromosomes into the karyotype. After Primed in situ labeling (PRINS) technique with primers enabling amplification of 5S rDNA sequences, hybridization spots observed on the short (p) arms of two the largest pikeperch submetacentric chromosomes (no. 2). Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with telomeric PNA (Peptide Nucleic Acid) probe enabled recognition of the conservative telomeric DNA sequences on the pikeperch chromosomes. No interstitial signals were observed. The specimens studied did not show any morphologically differentiated sex chromosomes.