The genetic relationship between popping expansion volume and two yield components in popcorn using unconditional and conditional QTL analysis

Popping expansion volume (PEV) is the most important quality trait in popcorn, while its germplasm is inferior to normal dent/flint corn in yield. In this study, 259 F_2:3 families, developed from the cross between a dent corn inbred Dan232 and a popcorn inbred N04, were evaluated for their PEV, grain weight per plant (GWP) and 100-grain weight (100 GW) in two environments. The genetic relationship between PEV and GWP, and 100 GW on individual gene loci were evaluated using unconditional and conditional QTL mapping methods. In total, five, one and three unconditional QTL were identified for PEV, GWP, and 100 GW, respectively. The positive alleles of all QTL for PEV were from N04, while positive alleles of all QTL for GWP and 100 GW were from Dan232. In conditional mapping, one and two QTL failed to be detected, and all four additional QTL were detected. Nevertheless, three QTL were identified, which controlled PEV independently from GWP/100 GW. They seemed to be potential candidates in popcorn breeding to increase PEV without decreasing GWP/100 GW. The results suggested that for significantly correlated traits, the conditional QTL mapping method could be used to dissect the genetic interrelationship between traits at the level of individual QTL, as well as reveal additional QTL that were undetectable by unconditional mapping.     

Two Hungarian isolates of cucumber mosaic virus from sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum) and melon (Cucumis melo): Identification and antiserum preparation

Two Hungarian virus isolates from sweet pepper (K8) and melon (S4) were identified as cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) on the basis of host plant reactions and serology. The isolates were purified and antisera prepared. Homologous antiserum titers in double-diffusion tests were 256 (K8) and 512 (S4). They were serologically closely related to each other and to other CMV isolates. On the basis of symptoms they belong to different symptomatological groups of CMV; this was supported by serological properties. Sedimentation coefficients were c. 93 S, at 2 mg ml^–1. Purified preparations, stained with 2% uranyl acetate, showed spherical particles. In ELISA purified preparations reacted with each other's antisera.Samenvatting Twee hongaarse virusisolaten uit paprika (K8) en meloen (S4) werden geïdentificeerd als komkommermozaïekvirus (CMV) met behulp van toetsplanten en serologie. Beide isolaten werden gezuiverd en er werden antisera tegen bereid. De homologe titers van de antisera in de agar-geldiffusietoets bedroegen 256 (K8) en 512 (S4). K8 en S4 waren serologisch nauw verwant aan elkaar, evenals aan andere CMV-isolaten. Op grond van hun symptomen op toetsplanten behoren ze tot verschillende symptomatologische groepen van CMV. Dit laatste werd gesteund door de serologische eigenschappen. Beide isolaten hebben een sedimentatiecoëfficiënt van ca 93 S, bij een concentratie van 2 mg ml^–1. Gezuiverde preparaten, gekleurd met 2% uranylacetaat, bleken bolvormige deeltjes te bevatten. In ELISA reageerden gezuiverde preparaten van K8 en S4 met elkaars antisera.     

Characterization of biodiesel and bio-oil from Sterculia striata (chicha) oil

This work describes the mechanical and solvent extraction of Sterculia striata seed oil. It was determined that the seeds contain up to 41% in oil, which has an unusual composition. Indeed, up to 50% of the fatty acid contain cyclopropenoid ring. The oil was used as raw material to produce bio-oil and biodiesel and their physical-chemical properties were evaluated. Some of the studied physical-chemical properties of the S. striata biodiesel are in acceptable range for use as biodiesel in diesel engines, showing a promising economic exploitation of this raw material in semi-arid regions. It was also observed that the cyclopropenoid ring remains after transesterification and is decomposed during pyrolysis.     

Effects of dietary calcium content and vitamin D source on skeletal properties in growing turkeys

1. The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of feeding fast growing turkeys with differentiated dietary calcium (Ca) content, and the partial replacement of vitamin D₃ in the feed with 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25(OH)D₃), on skeletal properties.

2. One-day-old Big-6 male turkeys (n?=?1008) were randomly divided into 4 groups, and two subgroups were created within each group. The groups were differentiated with 4 levels of Ca provision in the feed, namely 85% of the National Research Council (NRC) recommendation (Group Ca₁); 95% as above (Group Ca₂); 105% as above (Group Ca₃); and 115% as above (Group Ca₄). The first subgroup received the recommended dosage of cholecalciferol (vitamin D₃ subgroup) in the feed, while in the second subgroup (Hy-D subgroup), half of the dosage of cholecalciferol was replaced with 25(OH)D₃. At the ages of 4, 8, 12 and 20 weeks, 7 turkeys from each subgroup were randomly selected and killed to obtain the right tibia for densitometric, geometric and mechanical analyses.

3. This study showed advantageous effects of increased calcium supply in the diet on skeletal system properties, that were increased and produced the most desirable traits in turkeys receiving 95%, 105% and 115% of the NRC calcium recommendation. Benefits resulting from administration of 25(OH)D₃ in the diet were also obtained in the skeletal formation of turkeys, and the most advantageous effects were present in the group receiving 105% of recommended dietary Ca.

4. Effects on the metabolic response of the skeleton of turkeys to manipulation of dietary calcium content and vitamin D₃ source were the most evident in the groups between 4 and 12 weeks of life, and demonstrated a limited ability to induce a positive influence on bone properties at advanced stages of the production cycle by alteration of these dietary factors.     

Accumulation of mercury and other metals by the lichen,Parmelia sulcata,at an italian minesite and a volcanic area

Young thallus tissue of the epiphytic lichen, Parmelia sulcata, and surface soil associated with its host trees were collected on Mt. Amiata for analysis of metal content including Al, Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn and Hg. The purpose of this study was to achieve a better understanding of plant-soil Hg relationships by comparisons of the Mt. Amiata minesite with the summit of an active volcano — Mt. Etna — and thereby to gain more insight into metal source and eco-physiology as factors in plant-Hg distribution. Although an Hg source-plant distance relationship clearly exists on Mt. Amiata, its precise nature is still in doubt, as it was impossible to distinguish statistically at p<0.01 among linear, log-linear, exponential, and third order polynomial regressions, even with N=47. Nevertheless, the distance-from-source relationship for Hg was clearly unique. No significant pattern could be assigned to the other metals studied, nor was there evidence of a regular relationship between soil content and plant content except in the case of Hg. Parmelia from Mt. Amiata accumulates Hg from soil degassing which was not at all the case for its mercury source on Mt. Etna. The data also suggests that high Zn values in the lichen of Mt. Amiata may be based on long range atmospheric transport. The Zn content of Parmelia was not analyzed on Mt. Etna. Element atomic ratios, Fe/Al for example, provide good evidence for accumulation of surface soil particulates, other than cinnabar by the thallus. Finally, we conclude that widely separated populations of the same species can display biogeochemical differences that are best explained on an eco-physiological basis.     

Protein and lipid sources affect cholesterol concentrations of juvenile Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone)

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of protein and lipid sources on cholesterol, AA, and fatty acid content, and on biological performance of juvenile Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone). In Exp. 1, seven isonitrogenous and isocaloric diets were prepared using fish meal; soybean meal; casein; fish meal + soybean meal; fish meal + casein; soybean meal + casein; and fish meal + soybean meal + casein. In Exp. 2, seven isonitrogenous and isocaloric diets were prepared using fish oil; soy oil; poultry fat; fish oil + soy oil; fish oil + poultry fat; soy oil + poultry fat; and fish oil + soy oil + poultry fat. Nine shrimp (average BW 570 mg) were stocked per 60-L tank, with three tanks per diet in each experiment. Shrimp were fed to apparent satiation twice daily for 28 d. Protein sources affected shrimp cholesterol, feed consumption, feed efficiency, protein consumption, protein efficiency ratio, and crude body fat (P < or = 0.05), but not weight gain, survival, hepatosomatic index, body protein, ash, and AA composition. Body (without hepatopancreas) cholesterol concentrations were the highest in shrimp fed the diet containing fish meal (0.81%), lowest for those fed the casein diet (0.64%), and intermediate in the other dietary treatment groups (range 0.71 to 0.74%). Lipid source also affected shrimp body cholesterol, body fatty acid profiles, and fatty acid profiles in the hepatopancreas (P < or = 0.05), but not growth performance, body protein, fat, ash, and cholesterol concentrations in the hepatopancreas. Shrimp fed the fish oil diet had the highest body cholesterol (0.75%), whereas those fed the soy oil or poultry fat diets were lowest (0.66 and 0.65%, respectively). Results indicate that by replacing fish meal and fish oil with soybean meal and soy oil, shrimp growth performance is not affected, but body cholesterol concentration is reduced.     

New spirostanol saponins from Chinese chives (Allium tuberosum)

Three new spirostanol saponins have been isolated from the seeds of Allium tuberosum. On the basis of acid hydrolysis and comprehensive spectroscopic analysis, their structures were established as tuberoside J, (25R)-5alpha-spirostan-2alpha,3beta,27-triol 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-beta-D-glucopyranoside; tuberoside K, (25R)-5alpha-spirostan-2alpha,3beta,27-triol 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->4)]-beta-D-glucopyranoside; and tuberoside L, 27-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(25R)-5alpha-spirostan-2alpha,3beta,27-triol 3-O-alpha-D-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->4)]-beta-D-glucopyranoside.     

Lung cancer and indoor air pollution in Xuan Wei, China

In Xuan Wei County, Yunnan Province, lung cancer mortality is among China's highest and, especially in females, is more closely associated with indoor burning of "smoky" coal, as opposed to wood or "smokeless" coal, than with tobacco smoking. Indoor air samples were collected during the burning of all three fuels. In contrast to wood and smokeless coal emissions, smoky coal emission has high concentrations of submicron particles containing mutagenic organics, especially in aromatic and polar fractions. These studies suggested an etiologic link between domestic smoky coal burning and lung cancer in Xuan Wei.