Age-related resistance to Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato is associated with the transition to flowering in Arabidopsis and is effective against Peronospora parasitica

As plants mature it has been observed that some become more resistant to normally virulent pathogens. The ability to manifest the Age-Related Resistance (ARR) response in Arabidopsis to Pseudomonas syringae pathovars tomato (Pst) coincided with the transition to flowering in plants both delayed and accelerated in the transition to flowering. ARR was also associated with a change in PR-1 gene expression, such that young plants expressed PR-1 abundantly at 3 days post inoculation (dpi) while mature plants expressed much less. The Arabidopsis ARR response requires SA accumulation via isochorismate synthase (ICS1) [24]. ICS1 was expressed one dpi with virulent and avirulent Pst in both young and mature plants. The ARR response was also effective versus avirulent Pst providing an additional 4-fold limitation in bacterial growth. Arabidopsis ARR was found to be ineffective against two necrotrophs, Erwinia carotovora subspecies carotovora (bacterium) and Botrytis cinerea (fungus) and one obligate biotroph, Erysiphe cichoracearum (fungus). However, mature wild type, SA-deficient sid2 and NahG plants supported little growth of the obligate biotrophic oomycete, Peronospora parasitica. Therefore ARR to P. parasitica appears to be SA-independent, however the level of ARR resistance was somewhat reduced in these mutants in some experiments. Thus, there may be numerous defence pathways that contribute to adult plant resistance in Arabidopsis.     

Apoplastic redox metabolism: Synergistic phenolic oxidation and a novel oxidative burst

The plant apoplast is an important mediator of communication between the cell cytoplasm and its surroundings. Plant cell suspensions offer a convenient model system to gain insight into apoplastic physiology. Here, we describe a novel phenomenon that took place when two naturally occurring phenolics were added together to either soybean or tobacco cell suspensions. Acetosyringone (AS) and/or hydroxyacetophenone (HAP), phenolics found in the extracellular/apoplast of tobacco cells, were added to soybean or tobacco cell suspensions undergoing an oxidative burst. Individually, AS appeared to be utilized as a typical peroxidase substrate to scavenge hydrogen peroxide, while HAP was utilized at a much lower rate. However, when added together the rate of utilization of both phenolics increased and surprisingly resulted in the production of hydrogen peroxide. We have further characterized this novel phenomenon in suspension cells. This study demonstrates that certain phenolics in plants can cause co-oxidation which, as in animals, could alter the structure and bioactivity of surrounding phenolics.     

Development of an EU protocol for the detection and diagnosis of Potato spindle tuber pospiviroid*

The work described here formed part of the EU SMT DIAGPRO project, to develop diagnostic protocols for 18 regulated pests. The Potato spindle tuber pospiviroid (PSTVd) protocol was developed primarily for testing in vitro‐ and glasshouse‐grown potato plants for the purposes of post‐entry quarantine and the production of pathogen‐tested nuclear stock. After a performance audit of methods used by 12 laboratories in Europe and America by ring testing, four methods were chosen for multilaboratory validation. For most laboratories, the detection limits were 10–20 mg of PSTVd‐infective tissue for R‐PAGE; 0.25–0.5 mg for DIG‐probe; 0.062 mg for RT‐PCR; and 0.0155 mg for TaqMan (this was the lowest weight of infective tissue tested). Some laboratories were able to extend the detection limit to 0.0155 mg for DIG‐probe and RT‐PCR. The DIG‐probe and R‐PAGE are recommended as primary detection methods, with confirmation of viroid presence by any of the four validated detection methods. Specific diagnosis requires the viroid to be sequenced. Other methods may be used for primary detection, providing that they preferably detect all PSTVd isolates and other Pospiviroids that have the potential to infect potato, and detect viroid in at least 1/10 of the tissue weight normally tested per plant.     

Detection of Xanthomonas fragariae in symptomless strawberry plants by nested PCR*

Xanthomonas fragariae spreads in symptomlessly infected strawberry plantlets and a method for detection of latent infections is necessary. It is a very slow‐growing bacterium in culture and is easily overgrown by saprophytic bacteria. Therefore, plating is not a suitable method for detecting low numbers of bacteria in symptomless plants. In addition, selective media are not available. Serological assays like immunofluorescence are useful for testing in‐vitro plants, but they are not suitable for field‐grown plants, as cross reactions are common with the available antisera. For these plants, nested PCR with primers from Pooler ( Pooler et al., 1996 ) and Zimmermann ( Zimmermann et al., 2004 ) has proved to be a valuable method. The method was successfully applied for a survey of strawberry plants from fields in Germany and for testing imported plants (frigo and green plants).     

杨属( Populus)黑杨组(Aigeiros)种(品种)间核型比较

 对杨属黑杨组(Aigeiros) 的15个种(品种) 核型进行了分析, 结果如下: 箭杆杨( Populusnigra var. thevestina) , 2n = 38 = 3M + 29m + 5 sm + 1 st; 盖杨( P. del.cv. ×Lux ×P.×canadensis cv. Shanhaiguanensis) , 2n = 38 = 2M + 27m + 4 sm + 5 st (4SAT) ; 欧美杨107 (P1 ×euram ericana cv. ‘74 /76’) , 2n = 38 = 1M + 29m (1SAT ) + 5 sm + 3 st (3SAT) ; 欧美杨13 ( P. ×euramericana CL 13) , 2n = 38 = 3M + 23m + 6 sm + 3 st (1SAT ) + 3 t (3SAT) ; 加杨( P. ×canadensis Moench) , 2n = 38 = 1M + 27m + 6 sm + 4 st ( 4SAT) ; 辽杨×美洲黑杨(P.maximowiczii Henry ×P.deltoids Bartr. ) , 2n = 38 = 1M + 24m + 9 sm (2SAT ) + 4 st; 中尚8号( P. ×Zhongshangnensis) , 2n = 38 = 4M + 27m (1SAT ) + 2 sm + 3 st (2SAT ) + 2 t; 北京杨( P. ×beijingensis) , 2n = 38 = 3M + 28m + 3 sm + 4 st (2SAT) ; 鲁山杨( P. ×Liaoningensis) , 2n = 38 = 1M + 27m + 3 sm + 6 st (1SAT ) + 1 t (1SAT) ; 廊坊1号( P. CL ‘Langfang 1’) , 2n = 38 = 3M + 28m + 3 sm + 4 st (2SAT) ; 圣山杨(盖杨类) (P. ×gaixianesis) , 2n = 38 = 2M + 27m + 4 sm (1SAT ) + 4 st (3SAT ) + 1 t; 抗- 2 〔P. deltoids CL 2 (GMO) 〕, 2n = 38 = 26m + 7 sm (2SAT ) + 4 st (1SAT ) + 1 t (1SAT) ; 群改3号( P. ×Qungainensis 3) , 2n = 38 = 1M + 27m + 8 st (2SAT ) + 2 t (2SAT) ; 中金2号( P. ×Zhongjinnensis 2) , 2n = 38 = 1M + 18m + 13 sm (1SAT ) + 5 st (2SAT) + 1 t (1SAT) ; 辽宁杨( P. ×eur. cv. San Martino ×P. ×canadensis cv. Shanhaiguanensis) , 2n = 38 = 2M + 26m + 6 sm + 4 st。黑杨各种(品种) 核型均为2B型, 种(品种) 间核型差异主要表现在中部着丝点(M、m) 染色体数目(25～32) 和端部着丝点( st、t) 染色体数目变化(1～6) 上, 核型特征为种(品种) 鉴定提供了一定参考。     

5种国兰( Cymbidium ) 的光合特性

 通过气体交换和叶绿素荧光分析等方法研究了5种国兰(Cymbidium ) 的光合特性。其光饱和点、光补偿点、CO₂ 补偿点和CO₂ 饱和点表明它们具有C3 植物特征; 光合速率在3.0 ～5.9 μmol·m^{- 2} ·s^{- 1}之间, 在低于2 000 μmol·mol^{- 1} CO₂ 浓度下, 光合速率受CO₂ 浓度影响较大; 5种国兰的光合能力、表观量子效率、羧化效率等都有所差异; 光饱和点在350～650μmol·m^{- 2} ·s^{- 1}之间, 属于喜阴植物,其中春兰、建兰耐阴性相对较低, 墨兰、春剑耐阴性相对较高, 蕙兰居中。从暗处暴露到强光下, 5种国兰的光化学反应启动差异较大, 启动后的光化学效率差异也较大, 这可能与国兰不同种起源地的生态环境,适应性及进化有关。     

番茄不同部位中糖含量和相关酶活性的研究

 试验将番茄光合产物运转途径上叶片(源) 、运输系统以及果实(库) 区分开, 分别测定其糖的组成和含量以及糖代谢相关酶的活性。结果表明: 番茄光合产物运转途径上从“源”到“库”各部位糖的组成和含量不同。叶肉中果糖的含量最高, 蔗糖的含量最低; 中筋中以果糖和葡萄糖为主; 叶柄维管束中葡萄糖含量最高, 蔗糖含量次之, 果糖含量最低。节间和果柄维管束中主要含有蔗糖。果实维管束以及果实内各部位中则主要含有葡萄糖和果糖, 且两者含量无显著差异, 蔗糖含量很低。萼片中葡萄糖含量最高, 蔗糖含量最低; 果蒂中3种糖含量均较高且无显著差异。番茄叶肉及光合产物运转组织中转化酶活性很低, 而在库器官的非维管组织中转化酶活性较高。果蒂中的蔗糖合成酶( SS) 活性最高, 其次是叶肉和运转组织, 果实内各部位中SS活性较低。在合成蔗糖的器官—叶肉中, 有较高的蔗糖磷酸合成酶( SPS) 活性, 运转组织中的SPS活性较叶肉中降低, 但果柄维管束和果实维管束中则表现出较高SPS活性, 果肉、果胶质胎座及心室隔壁中的SPS活性最低。     

Cyclooxygenase ‐2 Expression in Mammary Tumors in Dogs and its Correlation to Histologic and Biologic Behavior

Introduction:  Cyclooxygenase‐2 (Cox‐2) is the inducible form and the rate‐limiting enzyme, for conversion of arachidonic acid to prostaglandins. Cox‐2 overexpression, common in carcinomas, is associated with increased growth rate, resistance to apoptosis, angiogenesis, and overall, both local and distant aggressive behavior. Cox‐2 overexpression has been detected in human and canine mammary tumors (MTs). Histopathology of canine MT is not always predictive of biologic behavior, and anecdotally, only 50% of the malignant MTs are expected to metastasize. We hypothesize that Cox‐2 expression correlates with aggressive behavior.
Methods:  This retrospective study evaluated 48 bitches, presented for excision of MT between 2000 and 2003 at FMVZ de Botucatu‐UNESP, Brasil. Follow‐up varied from 18 months to 24 months and included physical examination and thoracic radiographs. Histopathologic examination was performed in all tumors, as well as in metastatic lesions when detected in the follow‐up period. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect expression of Cox‐2 in paraffin blocks (Rabbit polyclonal anti‐PGHS‐2. Oxford Biomedical). 10 adenomas, 10 carcinomas, 10 benign mixed tumors, 10 malignant mixed tumors and 8 cases of primary carcinomas and their metastatic lesions.
Results:  Expression of Cox‐2 varied among groups. Adenomas (32.1%), mixed benign tumors (38%), carcinomas (60.3%), malignant mixed tumors (65.8%), and metastatic carcinomas (81.25%) and their metastatic lesions (84.35%). Statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed between the benign and malignant counterparts and between carcinomas and metastatic carcinomas.
Conclusions:  Cox‐2 expression correlates with both histologic and biologic behavior in mammary carcinomas, and may serve as a predictor of metastatic potential.     

Antitumor Activity of Mycobacterial Cell Wall‐DNA Complex (MCC) Against Canine Urinary Bladder Transitional Cell Carcinoma Cells

Introduction:  Mycobacterial cell wall‐DNA complex (MCC) is a bifunctional anticancer agent that induces cancer cell apoptosis and stimulates cytokine synthesis by immune cells. Intravesical MCC is currently being evaluated in humans with high‐grade urinary bladder cancer. Evaluation of MCC in dogs with transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) will allow mechanistic studies in a natural animal model of TCC, and a potentially beneficial therapy for dogs with this cancer. In this study, we have determined the anticancer activity of MCC against canine TCC cells in vitro .
Methods:  Canine TCC cells (K9TCC cell line) were incubated with MCC (0.05–100 μg/ml, 0.5–72 hours). Cellular proliferation was measured by MTT reduction. Cell cycle was analyzed by flow cytometry with propidium iodide. Apoptosis was identified by flow cytometry using anti‐active‐caspase‐3/PE and anti‐cleaved‐PARP/FITC antibodies. Apoptosis‐inducing activity of 100 μg/ml MCC in combination with piroxicam (0.1–1.0 uM) was evaluated.
Results:  MCC inhibited K9TCC cell proliferation in a concentration‐dependent manner (maximal activity – 45% at 100 μg/ml MCC) in association with the presence of activated caspase‐3 and cleaved PARP. Inhibition of proliferation and apoptosis‐inducing activities of MCC were independent of cell cycle phase. A thirty‐minute exposure of MCC was sufficient for optimal activity. Piroxicam (0.5 uM) enhanced apoptosis‐inducing activity of MCC.
Conclusions:  MCC induces apoptosis in K9TCC cells. This activity is potentiated by piroxicam. Following positive results in vitro , in vivo studies have been initiated. One dog, treated to date, has had a minor reduction in tumor volume following the first course of treatment with no treatment‐related toxicity.     

Different biological behaviour of Waldenström macroglobulinemia in two dogs

Waldenström Macroglobulinemia is a low‐grade immunosecretory disorder associated with lymphoid tumours, which is rarely reported in veterinary medicine. In this study, we describe two clinical cases of this rare syndrome in dogs, each characterized by a different onset and clinical course. In one case, a hyperacute onset and aggressive behaviour of the neoplasm was observed. Absolute serum viscosity (SV) was retrospectively evaluated in order to explain clinical findings. Rotational viscosimetry showed good precision in measuring SV. Both dogs had SV values higher than a control groups of healthy dogs although only one subject developed hyperviscosity symptoms and complications. At high paraprotein concentrations, a slight reduction of the M‐component was associated with a marked decrease in SV. Thus, this work suggests that SV assessment is a relevant tool for managing monoclonal gammopathies, whose usefulness should be further confirmed in larger cohorts of dogs.