Identification and localization of a schistosome-associated fucosyllactose determinant expressed by Fasciola hepatica

A Biomphalaria alexandrina-derived lectin (BaSII), of proven specificity to a Schistosoma mansoni-associated fucosyllactose [(Fuc alpha1-2) Gal beta1-4 Glc] determinant, was employed to investigate the putative antigenic cross-reactivity between Schistosoma mansoni and Fasciola hepatica in terms of this structurally-defined oligosaccharide sequence. BaSII affinity column chromatography of extracts of adult worms metabolically radiolabelled with 35S-methionine and analysis by two-dimensional gels established the expression of the fucosyllactose determinant in multiple copies among heterogeneous, acidic glycoproteins synthesized by adult Fasciola hepatica. Direct fluorescence microscopy revealed that determinant-bearing glycoproteins were localized to the external glycocalyx and perikarya of the tegument as well as the epithelial lining of the intestinal caeca and vitelline ducts and glands. Determinant expression was also evident in embryonated cells of eggs and miracidia as well as the intermediate cellular wall of encysted metacercariae, suggesting its conservation during the course of development of the parasite. Based on the structural relatedness of the cross-reactive fucosyllactose determinant to the antigenic mammalian blood group H trisaccharide, our observations may have implications in serodiagnosis and immunoprophylaxis of schistosomiasis/fascioliasis.     

Effects of neem (Azadirachta indica) seed kernel extracts from different solvents on the carmine spider mite,Tetranychus cinnabarinus

Extracts of neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) seed kernels prepared from various solvents affected the behavior and fecundity of the carmine spider mite,Tetranychus cinnabarinus (Boisd.). Bean leaf discs freshly sprayed with different concentrations of the extracts strongly repelled the females from the treated leaves and egg-laying was reduced. On the basis of EC 50s for both parameters, the order of effectiveness of the extracts was pentane > chloroform >n-butanol > acetone > methanol > H₂ 0 (inactive). The activity decreased with increasing dielectric constant of the extracting solvent. The chloroform and butanol extracts in the original solvents were phytotoxic. Bean leaf discs 7 days after spraying with the pentane and acetone extracts, still caused mortality and reduction in fecundity of adult females, but no repellency. The acetone and the pentane extracts sprayed directly on adult female mites on bean leaf discs, caused repellency and reduction of fecundity and also mortality of adults.     

Effect of commonly used pesticides onChiracanthium mildei and other spiders occurring on apple

Phytoparasitica - Laboratory experiments employing two test procedures were carried out to evaluate the effect of three commercial pesticides commonly used against apple pests in Israel, on the...     

Homogenous liquid-liquid microextraction for determination of betulinic acid in the food samples using RP-HPLC

In this work, a new, simple and fast homogenous liquid-liquid microextraction (HLLME) coupled with reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) was developed for the determination of betulinic acid in food samples. The effect of various parameters on the extraction step including type and volume of extraction solvents, extraction time and ionic strength were studied and optimized. The results showed that the amount of ionic strength and extraction time were not affective on the extraction efficiency. In the optimum conditions, the limit of detection (LOD) and enrichment factor were 1.8 μgL^?1 and 110, respectively. Furthermore, the relative standard deviation of the ten replicate was <3.9%. The developed procedure was then applied to the extraction and determination of betulinic acid in the food samples.     

Antioxidant response element activator,BTZO-1, improves the developmental competence of bovine oocytes

Increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation may disrupt the oocytes function and their competence. In this study, we introduced BTZO-1, a new supplement that can regulate the oxidative stress. Addition of BTZO-1 during IVM of bovine oocytes improved their developmental competence in the term of improvement of blastocyst rates. In addition, the quality of the produced embryos was improved by decreasing the apoptosis level by showing a decreased number of TUNNEL positive cells.     

Production of low-fat cookies and their nutritional and metabolic effects in rats

Two weaning formulations were designed using computer software and then processed on a pilot plant scale by three different schemes involving extrusion cooking and traditional food processes such as soaking, decorticating and toasting to yield a total of six precooked experimental mixtures. The ingredients incorporated into these formulations were maize, cowpeas, peanuts, soybeans and soybean oil. Proximate composition indicated protein and lipid contents of 17.5-20.0 g/100 g and 7.8-9.1 g/100 g, respectively. Mineral analyses performed on samples indicated that the concentrations of copper, magnesium and zinc were comparable to those predicted whereas the concentrations of calcium and iron were lower than had been expected. Thiamin, riboflavin and niacin content ranged between 50-80% of the values predicted by the software. The differences could be due to varietal differences inherent in the nutrient profile of the raw materials or a result of processing these mixtures. However, a 100 g portion of all the supplements met at least one-third of the daily nutrient requirement of the 0.5-0.9 year old infant for selected micronutrients.     

Association of a novel SNP in exon 10 of the IGF2 gene with growth traits in Egyptian water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)

Insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2) plays an important role in muscle growth and it might be used as a marker for the growth traits selection strategies in farm animals. The objectives of this study were to detect polymorphisms in exon 10 of IGF2 and to determine associations between these polymorphisms and growth traits in Egyptian water buffalo. PCR-single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) and DNA sequencing methods were used to detect any prospective polymorphism. A novel single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), C287A, was detected. It was a non-synonymous mutation and led to replacement of glutamine (Q) amino acid (aa) by histidine (H) aa. Three different SSCP patterns were observed: AA, AC, and CC, with frequencies of 0.540, 0.325, and 0.135, respectively. Association analyses revealed that the AA individuals had a higher average daily gain (ADG) than other individuals (CC and AC) from birth to 9 months of age. We conclude that the AA genotype in C287A SNP in the exon 10 of the IGF2 gene is associated with the ADG during the age from birth to 9 months and could be used as a potential genetic marker for selection of growth traits in Egyptian buffalo.     

Grapevine trunk diseases: complex and still poorly understood

This review presents an overview of eutypa dieback, esca and botryosphaeria dieback, the predominant grapevine trunk diseases worldwide. It covers their symptomatologies in the trunk, leaves and berries; the characteristics of the different fungal species associated with them; and host–pathogen interactions. Here, the host–pathogen relationship is defined at the cytological, physiological and molecular levels. Currently available experimental tools for studying these diseases, both in vitro and in the field, are discussed. Finally, a progress report on their control, which, since the ban of sodium arsenite, comprises chemical, biological and/or sanitation methods, is presented.     

Morphological characterization of Arctic char, Salvelinus alpinus, eggs subjected to rapid post-ovulatory aging at 7 °C

Egg quality in Arctic char, Salvelinus alpinus, kept indoors at 7 °C during spawning season was morphologically classified. Four egg categories based on lipid droplet distributions and egg diameter were characterized. Eggs with homogenous lipid vesicle distributions and a uniform size were classified as Good. Eggs with some yolk lipid droplets coalesced toward one pole but were homogeneous in size were classified as Fair. Eggs with lipid vesicles that were usually coalesced at one or two poles with were classified as Poor. The fourth egg category was Heterogeneous, in which lipid vesicle distribution and egg size were inhomogeneous. This distribution pattern of the lipid vesicle had a strong relationship with the percentage of fertilized and eyed eggs. Percentages of fertilized and eyed eggs in Good and Fair eggs were 85.5 and 83.4; 30.2 and 28.2, respectively. With Poor and Heterogeneous eggs, the percentages of fertilized and eyed eggs were zero. Egg diameter and absolute weight was increased in Poor eggs than in other egg categories. Relative weight increase during hardening after 30, 45 and 60 min were higher in Good and Fair eggs than in Poor and Heterogeneous eggs. Ovarian fluid collected from egg batches with low rates of fertilized and eyed eggs (Heterogeneous and Poor) had a lower pH and higher protein and aspartate amino-transferase enzyme than ovarian fluid from eggs batches classified as Good or Fair, while the ovarian fluid osmolality did not significantly differ. ATP contents of Poor and Heterogeneous eggs were lower than for Good and Fair eggs. In Heterogeneous eggs, both ATP and acid phosphatase contents were very variable.