Biochemical response of grapevine variety ‘Chardonnay’ (Vitis vinifera L.) to infection with grapevine yellows (Bois noir)

This study was carried out on the leaves of phytoplasma susceptible grapevine variety ??Chardonnay?? (Vitis vinifera L.), and included research of the alterations in chlorophyll and carotenoid contents, contents of phenol compounds and in related enzymes activity in the phenylpropanoid pathway during the Bois noir (BN) infection. Phytoplasma-infected leaves showed reduced contents of chlorophylls and carotenoids, which promoted their susceptibility to oxidative reactions. Furthermore, modulation of flavonoid biosynthesis occurred in infected leaves, leading to an increased activity of phenylalanine ammonia lyase, chalcone synthase/chalcone isomerase, flavanone 3-hydroxylase and polyphenoloxidase, but to a decreased peroxidase activity. Phytoplasma infection led to an increase of the contents of hydroxycinnamic acids (caftaric acid, sinapic acid glucose derivate and coutaric acid), flavanols (procyanidin B1, procyanidin dimer 3, catechin, epicatechin) and flavonols (quercetin 3-O-glucuronide, quercetin 3-O-glucoside) especially in the period up to vérasion. The study demonstrated that at certain phenological key-stages infection with phytoplasma (BN) induced different alterations in enzyme activities and in the contents of biochemical compounds from primary and secondary metabolism.     

No transmission of Potato spindle tuber viroid shown in experiments with thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis, Thrips tabaci), honey bees (Apis mellifera) and bumblebees (Bombus terrestris)

Experiments were carried out to investigate whether Potato spindle tuber viroid (PSTVd) can be transmitted intra- and inter-species from infected Solanum jasminoides to non-infected S. jasminoides and S. esculentum and from infected Brugmansia sp. to S. esculentum by Frankliniella occidentalis and Thrips tabaci by leaf sucking. The F. occidentalis experiments also included feeding on pollen prior to feeding on PSTVd-infected leaf. No thrips-mediated transmission of PSTVd was recorded. The possibility of PSTVd transmission by Apis mellifera and Bombus terrestris during their feeding/pollinating activities within ornamentals and from ornamentals to S. esculentum was included, and no bee-mediated transmission was recorded.     

Variation in Ano‐Genital Distance in Spontaneously Cycling Female Mice

A recently observed developmental instability of the ano‐genital distance (AGD) in female mice indicates that natural prenatal androgens do not have such a robust effect on female genital morphology as has been generally assumed. Part of this instability might be caused by oestrous cyclicity. To check this assumption, we examined the effect of the stage of the oestrous cycle on the AGD in adult (61–75 days old) female mice. Consistent with our assumption, the female AGD (1) varied during the oestrous cycle (p < 0.05), indicating thus rapid changes in morphology of female external genitalia, and (2) showed good repeatability (>0.66) in each stage of the oestrous cycle, suggesting that female genital morphology systematically varied within the oestrous cycle. Therefore, the stage of the oestrous cycle should be considered when assessing prenatal masculinization in adult female mice.     

A simplified PCR method for genotyping Mycoplasma mycoides subspecies mycoides small colony: the aetiologic agent of contagious bovine pleuropneumonia

Mycoplasma mycoides subspecies mycoides small colony is the aetiological agent of contagious bovine pleuropneumonia, a cattle disease endemic to areas of sub-Saharan Africa. Twenty isolates from various geographical locations and the type strain were analysed by multi-locus sequence analysis (MLSA). The data generated was then used to develop three PCR primer sets to differentiate these isolates. The PCRs differentiated the isolates into four groups; the type strain (T); isolates of European origin (Eu); isolates from Tanzania (Af1) with a final group consisting of isolates from Namibia and Botswana (Af2). These PCRs offers a rapid and efficient post-identification typing method without the need to sequence and analyse multiple genes.     

The influence of essential oil of aniseed (Pimpinella anisum, L.) on drug effects on the central nervous system

Anise (Pimpinella anisum L.; Apiaceae) and its essential oil have been widely used in folk medicine, pharmacy and food industry. Since there are some data about the impact of anise on functions of central nervous system (CNS), the issue of possible interactions with drugs acting in CNS should be considered. This survey aimed to examine the influence of aniseed essential oil (EO) intake on the effects of drugs that act in CNS.     

Assessment of treatment of Osteochondrosis dissecans (OCD) of shoulder joint in dogs--the results of two years of experience

Osteochondrosis is a common and clinically important joint disorder that occurs in human and many species of animals such as pigs, horses and dogs. The aim of this article is to present the results of conservative and surgical treatment of Osteochondrosis dissecans (OCD) and to compare the recovery time in relation to race, age and extent of cartilage damage. The study was performed on 36 dogs of both sexes, aged from 4 to 24 months, weighing 12-70 kg, of different breeds (predisposed and non-specific for this disease). All patients underwent clinical, orthopedic and radiological examination through which the location of OCD changes in the shoulder joint and the degree of this problem were established. Based on the examinations the patients were qualified for particular treatment procedures. Control tests were performed after 14, 30 and 60 days, which allowed for a precise evaluation of the progress of therapy. Achieved results indicate that dogs age and the lesions extent in the shoulder joint have an impact on the outcome of treatment. Studies showed that the best therapeutic effects were obtained in dogs aged 6-10 months, which underwent surgery. The study proved that the early diagnosis of OCD strongly influence the recovery rate and may inhibit the development of degenerative changes in the joint (DJD).     

Eco-geographical distribution of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lactuca aculeata</Emphasis> natural populations in northeastern Israel

The wild lettuce, Lactuca aculeata Boiss. et Ky., is closely related and fully interfertile with cultivated lettuce, Lactuca sativa L. Altogether, 155 accessions of this wild species, which is rare conserved within the world’s germplasm collections, were collected from 12 localities throughout northeastern Israel. Ten of these localities represent different sites across the Golan Heights, while two, high-density populations were suprisingly found at the Hula Plain (first report of this species in this region). Lactuca aculeata was recorded at various elevations (222–968 m a.s.l.) and habitats. The taxonomic status of 30 L. aculeata accessions was morphologically validated during ex situ seed regeneration of 31 random accessions representing all 12 localities. Characterization of 12 traits showed that the Israeli populations of L. aculeata do not exhibit broad morphological variability, but more great levels of variation were obtained for developmental traits. Relatively little variability was observed in the morphology of cauline leaves or in the distribution of anthocyanin pigmentation in bracteae. In two cases, L. aculeata plants lacked trichomes in the inflorescence, a typical feature in the majority of plants. These unique collections of wild lettuce may carry novel sources of genetic variation for a wide range of traits and, thus, should be of interest for careful evaluation and exploitation in lettuce breeding.     

Allelic relationships at the pvr1 locus in Capsicum annuum

Diseases caused by members of the Potyviridae family currently threaten pepper crops (Capsicum annuum L.) worldwide. A series of monogenic recessive resistance genes that control potyvirus resistance at the pvr1 locus in Capsicum species are widely known and used in pepper breeding programs, each allele with a differential resistance spectrum affecting a distinct range of viral strains across three viruses, Tobacco etch virus (TEV), Pepper mottle virus and Potato virus Y. In this study, we systematically analyzed the resistant spectra, and the level of the resistance each allele confers using a set of pepper genotypes homozygous or heterozygous for the following alleles; Pvr1 ⁺, pvr1, pvr1 ¹ and pvr1 ². The resistance alleles at the pvr1 locus show recessive inheritance when combined with a susceptible allele in F1 progenies. However, our results show that resistance in this system is, in fact, not always fully recessive and establish a hierarchy of allelic interactions We identified the resistance phenotype in F₁ progenies generated by combining a complete resistant allele with an incomplete resistance allele against TEV strains implying that the resistance alleles at the pvr1 shows dominant inheritance when combined with an incomplete resistance allele. Resistance alleles against TEV-HAT, pvr1 and pvr1 ², show dominance inheritance when each is combined with pvr1 ¹. The resistance allele, pvr1, shows dominance inheritance when combined with pvr1 ² against TEV-N. These results clarify the allelic relationship between resistance alleles at the pvr1 locus displaying different resistance spectra, and will assist breeders to select the preferred combinations of the resistance alleles to obtain durable resistance against multiple potyviral strains.     

The Seasonal Variation in Bioactive Compounds Content in Juice from Organic and Non-organic Tomatoes

A specific objective of this paper was to evaluate seasonal changes in bioactive compounds level (carotenoids and polyphenols) in juice prepared from organic and non-organic tomatoes in Poland. In the examined tomato juice, the content of dry matter, vitamin C, carotenoids as well as polyphenols (by HPLC method) has been measured. The presented results indicate the impact of the growing system and the year of production on the composition of tomato juice. The organic tomato juice contained significantly more beta-carotene, chlorogenic acid, rutin as well as more total phenolic acids, gallic acid, p-coumaric acid, total flavonoids, quercetin-3-O-glucoside and quercetin in comparison with the non-organic. The tomato juice from 2008 contained significantly more carotenoids and some flavonoids compared to the one produced in 2009, which contained significantly more dry matter, vitamin C, as well as quercetin and it derivatives.     

Silver Fir (Abies alba) Extracts Inhibit Enzymes Involved in Blood Glucose Management and Protect against Oxidative Stress in High Glucose Environment

Plant Foods for Human Nutrition - The diet rich in fruits and vegetables reduces the risk of metabolic syndrome, including diabetes development by various mechanisms of action, mainly due to the...