Measuring compression wood severity in spruce

As the severity of compression wood influences the mechanical and chemical properties of wood it is desirable to be able to measure compression wood severity. However, so far no satisfactory method has been reported in the literature. Here we describe how scanning FTIR micro-spectroscopy can be employed to achieve CW severity measurements on increment cores of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L. Karst.) and Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis (Bong.) Carrière). Radial wood strips were converted into sawdust by a process that maintained their spatial orientation. Samples prepared in this way were scanned with an FTIR-microscope in reflective mode and from the spectra obtained a CW-indicator was calculated representing aromatic and carboxyl signals. This FTIR CW-indicator correlated well with alternative CW identification techniques (namely microfibril angle, transmitted light and immunolabelling of beta 1–4 galactan), which have been used to validate the method. Repeatability of the measurements was good and no systematic difference between spruce species was found. The achievable resolution of the measurements was of sub-mm order. The CW indicator described offers the opportunity to correlate CW severity with mechanical wood properties in spruce.     

Development of real-time PCR systems based on SYBR? Green I and TaqMan? technologies for specific quantitative detection of Phoma tracheiphila in infected Citrus

Real-time PCR assays based on SYBR? Green I and TaqMan? technologies were developed for in planta detection and quantification of Phoma tracheiphila, the mitosporic fungus causing ‘mal secco’ disease on citrus. Primers and a hybridization probe were designed on the basis of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of the nuclear rRNA genes. The real-time PCR assays were compared with a classic isolation method in two separate experiments carried out on 6 and 24 month-old sour orange seedlings, artificially inoculated with a conidial suspension of the pathogen. Both technologies made it possible to follow the progression of infection by P. tracheiphila, enabling detection and quantification of the target fungus prior to the development of symptoms. The detection limit was 10 copies of the cloned target sequence and 15 pg of genomic DNA extracted from fungal spores. The values of the cycle threshold (Ct) were linearly correlated with the concentration of the target DNA, indicating that the method is suitable as a qualitative and quantitative assay. The presence of non-target fungal DNA had no effect on the specificity of the assay, but resulted in a 10-fold reduction of sensitivity. Total inhibition of the reaction occurred when conidia of the target pathogen were mixed with an organic soil substrate before extracting DNA using the standard protocol, while an alternative purification kit resulted in a significant decrease in sensitivity. Compared to classic methods, real-time PCR proved faster and easier to perform and showed a higher sensitivity. These results suggest that real-time PCR, based on both chemistries, has a great potential for early diagnosis of ‘mal secco’ disease and for quantitative estimation of fungal growth within host tissue.     

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.     

Molecular and biological characterization of an isolate of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tomato mottle mosaic virus</Emphasis> (ToMMV) infecting tomato and other experimental hosts in eastern Spain

Fusarium Head Blight is a major disease of wheat and an important contributor to the reduced cultivation of wheat in South Africa, where the crop often is grown under irrigation. We collected Fusarium isolates from 860 Fusarium Head Blight-infected wheat heads in seven irrigated wheat-growing areas of South Africa. Six Fusarium species, i.e., F. chlamydosporum, F. crookwellense, F. culmorum, F. equiseti, F. graminearum and F. semitectum were recovered, three of which, i.e., F. chlamydosporum, F. equiseti and F. semitectum, were not previously associated with Fusarium Head Blight in South Africa. Fusarium graminearum occurred at high frequencies at all seven locations. Based on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays of diagnostic sequences, more isolates were predicted to produce deoxynivalenol than nivalenol. Fusarium graminearum (sensu lato) appears to be the primary causal agent of Fusarium Head Blight in irrigated wheat in South Africa, which may not be the case for wheat cultivated under rain-fed conditions. Rotations of irrigated wheat with other graminaceous crops and maize could increase fungal inoculum and disease pressure. The establishment of Fusarium Head Blight in the irrigated wheat region of the country means that resistant lines and alternative agronomic practices are needed to limit disease severity, yield losses and mycotoxin contamination.     

Fine‐scale analysis of heavily invaded Italian freshwater fish assemblages

Inland waters are highly vulnerable to the introduction and spread of non‐native species, due to heavy human use of aquatic ecosystems and the natural linkages among streams and lakes. This is particularly noticeable in freshwater fish communities. To better evaluate how these communities are affected by non‐native species introductions, we conducted a fine‐scale analysis of the changes in Italian freshwater fish assemblages after species introduction. For this analysis, we collected information on fish species present in 44 basins. The present Italian freshwater fish fauna is composed of 48 native and 41 established introduced species, while a further 15 introduced species have been reported but are not yet considered naturalized. The changes in the fish assemblages mostly took place in the past 2 centuries and have increased recently, with nearly 60% of the species introduced in the past 3 decades. The number of species introduced per basin ranged from 0 to 35 (mean 10.85 ± 7.77 species/basin), and in 10 basins the number of species introduced is now equal to or even higher than the number of native species. In the past, introduced species mainly originated from America, but over the past three decades, an increase of introductions from other parts of Europe and Asia has been recorded. Our results show that basins already rich in native species tend to become even richer as a consequence of the establishment of introduced species. This confirms the trend toward a biotic homogenization of ecosystems even at a local scale, due to an increase in the human‐mediated spread of generalist species.     

Sweet Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) Organic Seedling Production: The Role of Compost,Cultivar, and Protein Hydrolyzate

In the past decade, the increasing environmental concerns regarding the use of non-renewable resources, such as peat, for growing media production has led to a search for alternative materials as substrate components. Until now, compost represents the most investigated one. Despite the critical aspects related to compost use (i.e., its high pH, salinity, and potential content of toxic elements), partial peat substitution with this material represents an achievable objective. In this study, green compost was evaluated as a component of peat substrates for organic sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) seedling production. Three compost rates (CR) were compared: 0 (peat without compost), 30, and 60% of compost v/v. Two pepper cultivars, one derived from a local (medium-Adriatic) germplasm (L) and a commercial hybrid (H), were tested. Furthermore, organic fertilizers based on hydrolyzed proteins, of animal (A) and vegetal (V) origin, were compared. Substrates were analyzed for characterization (pH, EC, nutrient contents, heavy metals). Seedling performances were evaluated in terms of size, biomass, nutrient uptake, and toxic element contents. Indices able to assess seedling resistance to transplant stress were also calculated. Results showed that CR60 treatment was able to produce seedlings with the same biomass of control. CR30, instead, assured the same chance to resist the transplanting stress of CR0. The performances of fertilizer A were significantly higher than those of fertilizer V. Local germplasm (L) showed the highest resistance to transplant stress, while H was more performing in nitrogen uptake. The risk of seedling contamination by toxic elements resulted negligible.     

Effect of spineless cactus intake (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Opuntia ficus-indica</Emphasis>) on blood glucose levels in lactating sows and its impact on feed intake,body weight loss,and weaning-estrus interval

The effect of spineless cactus intake (Opuntia ficus-indica) on blood glucose (BG) levels in lactating sows and its impact on daily and total feed intake (dFI^?1 and TFI, respectively), body weight loss (BWL), and weaning-estrus interval length (WEI) were evaluated. Thirty-four hybrid (Yorkshire × Landrace × Pietrain) sows in lactation phase were used. Sows were divided into two groups: G1 (n = 17) where they received commercial feed and G2 (n = 17) provided with commercial feed plus an average of 2.0 ± 0.5 kg spineless cactus, based on a sow’s body weight. The variables evaluated were BG, dFI^?1, TFI, BWL, and WEI. Statistical analysis was performed by using a fixed and mixed model methodology, under a repeated measurements experiment. Group effects were found on all analyzed variables (P < 0.05). The BG was lower in G2 (55.2 and 64.5 mg/dL pre- and post-prandial, respectively), compared to that in G1 (70.9 and 80.1 mg/dL pre- and post-prandial, respectively) (P < 0.05). G2 showed better performance than G1 for dFI^?1, BWL, and WEI (P < 0.05) whose averages were 5.5 ± 1.8 kg, 7.4 ± 4.5%, and 5.3 ± 1.2 days, respectively. Averages for these variables in G1 were 4.7 ± 1.5 kg, 16.8 ± 4.6%, and 6.1 ± 1.6 days, respectively. Intake of spineless cactus reduced BG levels in lactating sows, generating greater dFI^?1, lower BWL at the end of lactation, and a lower WEI.     

Chitosan-Genipin Microspheres for the Controlled Release of Drugs: Clarithromycin,Tramadol and Heparin

The aim of this study was to first evaluate whether the chitosan hydrochloride-genipin crosslinking reaction is influenced by factors such as time, and polymer/genipin concentration, and second, to develop crosslinked drug loaded microspheres to improve the control over drug release. Once the crosslinking process was characterized as a function of the factors mentioned above, drug loaded hydrochloride chitosan microspheres with different degrees of crosslinking were obtained. Microspheres were characterized in terms of size, morphology, drug content, surface charge and capacity to control in vitro drug release. Clarithromycin, tramadol hydrochloride, and low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) were used as model drugs. The obtained particles were spherical, positively charged, with a diameter of 1–10 μm. X-Ray diffraction showed that there was an interaction of genipin and each drug with chitosan in the microspheres. In relation to the release profiles, a higher degree of crosslinking led to more control of drug release in the case of clarithromycin and tramadol. For these drugs, optimal release profiles were obtained for microspheres crosslinked with 1 mM genipin at 50 ºC for 5 h and with 5 mM genipin at 50 ºC for 5 h, respectively. In LMWH microspheres, the best release profile corresponded to 0.5 mM genipin, 50 ºC, 5 h. In conclusion, genipin showed to be eligible as a chemical-crosslinking agent delaying the outflow of drugs from the microspheres. However, more studies in vitro and in vivo must be carried out to determine adequate crosslinking conditions for different drugs.     

Genetic analysis and molecular mapping of quantitative trait loci in common bean against Pythium ultimum

Pythium ultimum is a soil pathogen that can cause seed decay and damage to roots in common bean. In this study, the response of a set of 40 common bean genotypes to P. ultimum and inheritance of the resistance in the 92 F? recombinant inbred lines (RIL) developed from a cross between Xana and Cornell 49242 was investigated by using emergence rate and seedling vigor. Emergence of the 40 genotypes showed a significant association between white seed coat and response to this pathogen. Among these, 11 common bean genotypes, all with colored seeds, exhibited a high percentage of emergence and seedling vigor not significantly different (P > 0.05) to noninoculated plants. Response of the RIL population revealed both qualitative and quantitative modes of inheritance. A major gene (Py-1) controlling the emergence rate was mapped in the region of the gene P, a basic color gene involved in control of seed coat color, located on LG 7. Using the RIL subpopulation with colored seeds, a significant quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with the emergence rate (ER3(XC)) and another with seedling vigor (SV6(XC)) were identified on the LG 3 and 6, respectively. QTL SV6(XC) was mapped in the region of the gene V, another gene involved the genetic control of color. QTLs associated with seed traits were mapped in the same relative position as regions involved in responses to P. ultimum suggesting the possible implication of avoidance mechanisms in the response to this pathogen.