Sowing time and prediction of flowering of different hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) genotypes in southern Europe

Fibre hemp can be grown under a wide range of agro-ecological conditions, but it requires special attention for several physiological features and crop management. A management strategy in order to reduce inputs and thus achieve acceptable yield could be achieved optimizing sowing time. With this respect, the effects of sowing date on hemp biology and yield was studied, using two monoecious and two dioecious genotypes. Field experiments were carried out in two subsequent years (2003-2004) in South of Italy, using drip irrigation system. Sowing time, in the two year period, ranged between March 10th and July 22nd. Optimal sowing time was observed between the end of April and the first three weeks of May; in that range, the dioecious Fibranova yielded the most in terms of aboveground biomass and stem dry yield, followed by Tiborszallasi, while the two monoecious showed the lowest yield. On the contrary, before and after that period, the shorter day length caused an early floral induction that strongly reduced stem and fibre elongation, and thus aboveground dry biomass and consequently stem yields. Based on this study a simulation model focusing on flowering prediction in Mediterranean environment was developed.     

Proteomic profiling of sea bass muscle by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and tandem mass spectrometry

In this study, the proteome profile of European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) muscle was analyzed using two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) and tandem mass spectrometry with the aim of providing a more detailed characterization of its specific protein expression profile. A highly populated and well-resolved 2-DE map of the sea bass muscle tissue was generated, and the corresponding protein identity was provided for a total of 49 abundant protein spots. Upon Ingenuity Pathway Analysis, the proteins mapped in the sea bass muscle profile were mostly related to glycolysis and to the muscle myofibril structure, together with other biological activities crucial to fish muscle metabolism and contraction, and therefore to fish locomotor performance. The data presented in this work provide important and novel information on the sea bass muscle tissue-specific protein expression, which can be useful for future studies aimed to improve seafood traceability, food safety/risk management and authentication analysis. This work is also important for understanding the proteome map of the sea bass toward establishing the animal as a potential model for muscular studies.     

Isolation and characterization of Avenin-like protein type-B from durum wheat

Proteomic techniques were applied for the investigation of “avenin-like protein type-B” in tetraploid wheat. Protein was extracted from endosperm, according to a classical chromatographic procedure and its identity confirmed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analysis. The characterization of avenin-like protein type-B was in good agreement with the gene-derived sequence, with the exception of glutamine as N-terminus. The presence in the glutenin extract and the high number of cysteine residues suggested that avenin-like protein type-B is integrated into gluten polymers via inter-chain disulphide bonds. This raises the question of whether the protein could play a role in determining the functional properties of gluten.     

Effects of two fractions of inspired oxygen on lung aeration and gas exchange in cats under inhalant anaesthesia

ObjectiveTo compare the effects of two fractions of inspired oxygen (FiO₂) (0.4 and 1) on lung aeration and gas exchange during general anaesthesia in cats.Study designRandomized, blinded, controlled study.AnimalsThirty healthy, mixed breed, client owned female cats.Materials and methodsCats were premedicated intramuscularly with acepromazine (0.03 mg kg^?1) and medetomidine (0.015 mg kg^?1). Anaesthesia was induced with propofol (5 mg kg^?1) and, after orotracheal intubation, maintained with isoflurane carried by either 100% oxygen (G100, n = 15) or an oxygen-air mixture with 40% oxygen (G40, n = 15). All cats were placed in dorsal recumbency and breathed spontaneously throughout the entire procedure. Following surgery (ovariectomy), a spiral computed tomography (CT) of the thorax was performed, arterial oxygen (PaO₂) and carbon dioxide (PaCO₂) tensions were measured and alveolar-arterial gradient of oxygen [P(A-a)O₂] calculated. The CT images were analysed for lung aeration by the analysis of radiograph attenuations (Hounsfield units, HU), according to the following classification: hyperinflated area (-1000 to -900 HU), normally aerated area (-900 to -500 HU), poorly aerated area (-500 to -100 HU) and non-aerated area (-100 to +100 HU). The groups were compared using one-way anova.ResultsCompared to G100, the normally-aerated lung area was significantly greater and the poorly-aerated and non-aerated areas were significantly smaller in G40. PaCO₂ was similar in both groups. PaO₂ and P(A-a)O₂ were significantly higher in G100. In both groups, pulmonary atelectasis developed preferentially in the caudal lung fields.ConclusionIn cats anaesthetised with isoflurane, the administration of an FiO₂ of >0.9 significantly impaired lung aeration and gas exchange as compared to an FiO₂ of 0.4.Clinical relevanceAn FiO₂ of 0.4 may better preserve lung aeration and gas exchange in anaesthetised spontaneously breathing cats but monitoring is essential to ensure oxygenation is adequate.     

Assessment of synthetic chemicals for disruption of Rhynchophorus ferrugineus response to attractant-baited traps in an urban environment

The red palm weevil (RPW), Rhynchophorus ferrugineus Olivier (Coleoptera, Curculionidae), is one of the most severe pests of ornamental palm species in urban areas of Mediterranean countries. Aiming to discover inhibitory semiochemicals for RPW population management in urban environments, we conducted electroantennographic (EAG) screenings of 17 commercially available synthetic compounds, representing three groups of plant volatiles (isoprenoids, phenyl propanoid derivatives and fatty acid derivatives) known for their repellent effects toward insects. These tests were followed by trap-based screenings of EAG-active menthone, α-pinene and methyl salicylate, singly and in combination, under urban conditions. In EAG bioassays, RPW antennae of both sexes showed positive dose-dependent responses to 13 of the 17 synthetic chemicals with significant differences among them. In field trapping experiments, conducted in the city of Palermo, Italy, from weeks 31 to 38 in 2010 and 2011, α-pinene, tested singly or in combination with methyl salicylate (2010) or menthone (2011), reduced trap catches by about 30% to 40%. Methyl salicylate and menthone alone were inactive. In conclusion, RPW is significantly affected by α-pinene. This isoprenoid is a promising disruptant for semiochemical-based management of this pest. In addition, identification of a large number of EAG-active chemicals could serve as a database for future design of active repellents or attractants of RPW adults.     

Genome-wide analysis of plastome sequence variation and development of plastidial CAPS markers in common potato and related <Emphasis Type="Italic">Solanum</Emphasis> species

The plastome sequence of the European cultivated potato, Solanum tuberosum subsp. tuberosum (tbr, GenBank accession no. DQ386163), was compared with that of S. bulbocastanum, a wild potato relative (blb, GenBank accession no. DQ347958), in order to characterize the degree and type of variability in different genomic regions, and develop molecular markers relevant to genetics, breeding and biotechnology of potato. One hundred forty-two and 251 PICs (Potentially Informative Characters) were found in coding and non-coding sequences (NCSs), respectively. Further, while variation in coding regions was almost exclusively due to nucleotide substitutions, 25% of PICs in NCSs of tbr and blb were due to indels, most of them mononucleotide or longer tandem repeats (micro and minisatellites). Four intergenic regions were selected for further analyses in other 16 tuber-bearing Solanum species. The rps16-trnQ ^UUG gene spacer was found to be the most variable, forty-six PICs in this region distinguishing 18 haplotypes. Analysis of haplotype relationships, based on variability in the four intergenic regions, confirmed that the most primitive species from Central America were the most distant to S. tuberosum. Finally, polymorphic sites in the same regions were used to develop a set of CAPS (Cleaved Amplified Polymorphic Sequences) markers for species/cytoplasm identification in Solanum spp.     

Genome-wide detection of signatures of selection in three Valdostana cattle populations

The Valdostana is a local dual purpose cattle breed developed in Italy. Three populations are recognized within this breed, based on coat colour, production level, morphology and temperament: Valdostana Red Pied (VPR), Valdostana Black Pied (VPN) and Valdostana Chestnut (VCA). Here, we investigated putative genomic regions under selection among these three populations using the Bovine 50K SNP array by combining three different statistical methods based either on allele frequencies (F_ST) or extended haplotype homozygosity (iHS and Rsb). In total, 8, 5 and 8 chromosomes harbouring 13, 13 and 16 genomic regions potentially under selection were identified by at least two approaches in VPR, VPN and VCA, respectively. Most of these candidate regions were population-specific but we found one common genomic region spanning 2.38 Mb on BTA06 which either overlaps or is located close to runs of homozygosity islands detected in the three populations. This region included inter alia two well-known genes: KDR, a well-established coat colour gene, and CLOCK, which plays a central role in positive regulation of inflammatory response and in the regulation of the mammalian circadian rhythm. The other candidate regions identified harboured genes associated mainly with milk and meat traits as well as genes involved in immune response/inflammation or associated with behavioural traits. This last category of genes was mainly identified in VCA, which is selected for fighting ability. Overall, our results provide, for the first time, a glimpse into regions of the genome targeted by selection in Valdostana cattle. Finally, this study illustrates the relevance of using multiple complementary approaches to identify genomic regions putatively under selection in livestock.     

Chemical composition and pasting properties of einkorn (Triticum monococcum L. subsp. monococcum) whole meal flour

Einkorn (Triticum monococcum L. subsp. monococcum) is an ancient wheat appreciated for its high proteins, carotenoids and tocols content. To better understand its potential for human consumption and food preparation, composition and pasting properties of 65 einkorn accessions, of different geographical origin but cultivated at S. Angelo Lodigiano (Italy), were evaluated. Eight Triticum turgidum and seven Triticum aestivum cultivars, belonging to different subspecies, were assessed as controls.On average, the einkorn samples had light seeds (25.0 mg/kernel), extra-soft texture (238.3 g), high protein content (18.2%), high ash content (2.35%), low SDS sedimentation volume (25.6 ml), high carotenoids (8.36 μg/g) and high yellow pigments (8.46 μg/g). The pasting parameters studied were peak viscosity (average: 2426 cP), breakdown (765 cP), final viscosity (2788 cP) and setback (1126 cP). Total amylose (25.7%) and total starch (65.5%) were also measured. Significant differences from the controls and a broad variation for all the traits analysed were observed. Einkorns from diverse geographical areas showed different mean values for all characters, apart from ash content.The good pasting properties, coupled with high proteins and carotenoids content, suggest that einkorn is particularly suited for the production of baby and specialty foods.     

Effects of glandular trichomes on the development of Phytophthora infestans infection in potato (S. tuberosum)

S. berthaulltii Hawkes, a wild potato species, possesses two types of glandular trichomes on its leaf surface: types A and B wich confer resistance to insects. Preliminary results indicated that the presence of glandular trichomes also confers resistance to Phytophthora infestans, the causal agent of late blight. In this paper we report the evaluation of trichome characteristics (density and exudate activities) performed on 8 lines of potato, including the control varieties Desirée and Tropicana, 5 hybrid lines derived from intercrosses and backcrosses between S. tuberosum and S. berthaultii and one accession of S. berthaultii. Whole plants of the 8 genotypes were inoculated with a spore suspension of Phytophthora infestans in order to evaluate their resistance to late blight. The resultant disease incidence correlated negatively with type A trichome density and with polyphenol-oxidase (PPO) activity of type A trichome glands. The removal of type B trichomes exudate by leaf dipping in ethanol did not influence the disease development after artificial inoculation of detached leaves. Type B trichome exudate was extracted and the fraction corresponding to Fatty Acids Sucrose Esters (FASE) was recovered after Thin Layer Chromatography and tested on the fungal mycelium in vitro. The FASE exhibited a slight inhibitory effect on mycelium growth. The results of the experiments are discussed, and several hypotheses regarding the possible role of types A and B trichomes are formulated. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.