Antioxidant activity of glyceollins derived from soybean elicited with Aspergillus sojae

The extract of soybean exposed to biotic elicitors such as food-grade fungus is known to have antioxidant activity. Glyceollins were major bioactive compounds present in soybean elicited by fungi and shown to have antifungal and anticancer activities. The purpose of present study was to evaluate the antioxidant activities of glyceollins by measuring ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging, singlet oxygen quenching, 2,2'-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging, hydroxyl radical scavenging activity, and lipid peroxidation inhibition. In addition, the antioxidant potential of glyceollins were measured by a fluorescent probe, 2',7'-dichlorofluorescin diacetate (DCFDA), and dihydroethidium (DHE) in mouse hepatoma hepa1c1c7 cells in which they were insulted with H2O2 to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS). Glyceollins showed a strong reducing power and inhibited lipid peroxidation, with significant scavenging activities of radicals including singlet oxygen, superoxide anion, ABTS, and DPPH. We also found that glyceollins significantly suppressed H2O2-induced ROS production in hepa1c1c7 cells. Therefore, glyceollins deserve further study as natural antioxidants and nutraceuticals.     

Nitrite Toxicity and Methemoglobin Changes in Southern Flounder,Paralichthys lethostigma,in Brackish Water

This study was performed to estimate the nitrite toxicity to southern flounder, Paralichthys lethostigma, in brackish water (7.5 ppt of salinity). For a LC₅₀ test, 20 fingerlings (5.7 ± 0.4 cm) in each aquarium (15 L) were exposed to the concentrations of 0, 1, 5, 10, 15, 30, 60, 120, and 240 mg NO₂^?‐N/L in duplication for 10 d. Median lethal concentration at 96 h (96‐h LC₅₀) was calculated as 81.6 mg NO₂^?‐N/L. For a verification test, young flounder (164.2 ± 9.1 g) were exposed to a simulated culture condition in recirculating systems (1000 L). Sodium nitrite was not added to control system, whereas it was added to Treatment system 1 (TS 1) and Treatment system 2 (TS 2) to maintain nitrite concentrations of 20 and 30 mg NO₂^?‐N/L, respectively. The plasma nitrite concentrations of the young flounder in TS 1 and TS 2 were 4.5 and 6.6 mg NO₂^?‐N/L, respectively, after 2 wk. At this time, the methemoglobin percentages in TS 1 and TS 2 reached 85.8 and 89.7%, and survival rates were 37.5 and 25.0%, respectively. The results of these tests indicate that southern flounder do not concentrate nitrite in blood from the environment, but they seem to be more sensitive to nitrite compared with other species that do not concentrate nitrite.     

Antagonistic effects of yohimbine in pigs anaesthetised with tiletamine/zolazepam and xylazine

Twelve healthy two-month-old Landrace x Yorkshire pigs of both sexes were randomly assigned to receive either tiletamine and xylazine (zx) or zolazepam and xylazine followed 20 minutes later by yohimbine (zxy). The pigs' scores for immobilisation and analgesia, and their rectal temperature, heart rate, respiration rate, pO(2), pCO(2), alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, glucose and total plasma proteins were determined before and five, 25, 45, 65 and 85 minutes after the administration of the tiletamine/zolazepam and xylazine. The mean total scores for immobilisation and analgesia of the zxy pigs were significantly lower than those of the zx pigs after 85 minutes. The mean rectal temperatures of the zxy pigs were significantly lower than those of zx pigs after 25, 45 and 65 minutes. The mean respiratory rates of the zx pigs were significantly lower than those of zxy pigs after five minutes. The mean pCO(2) of the zxy pigs were significantly lower than those of zx pigs five minutes after the administration of yohimbine. The mean glucose concentration of the zxy pigs were significantly lower than those of zx pigs after 65 and 85 minutes. The mean concentration total protein of the zxy pigs were significantly lower than those of zx pigs throughout the period of anaesthesia. Both groups became laterally recumbent within three minutes. When recovering from anaesthesia, the pigs treated with yohimbine took significantly less time to achieve sternal recumbency (mean [sd] 52.2 [8.9] v 76.2 [20.6] minutes) and less time to be able to stand (mean [sd] 77.0 [9.8] v 98.7 [15.8] minutes), and walk (mean [sd] 81.3 [11.3] v 110.8 [18.6] minutes).     

Characterization of waxy grain sorghum lines in relation to granule-bound starch synthase

The waxy phenotype, associated with endosperm containing little or no amylose, has been recognized in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) since 1933. Although variants of the waxy gene are well characterized in other cereals, the waxy trait has been assumed to be controlled by a single allele, wx, in sorghum. Recent improvements in technologies encourage re-examination of the waxy sorghums. The objectives of this research were therefore to identify and characterize sorghum lines with differing waxy alleles and to describe the actions of those alleles in crosses. Grain of eight waxy sorghum lines (BTxARG1, BTx630, Tx2907, B.9307, 94C274, 94C278, 94C289, 94C369), three wild-type checks (BWheatland, RTx430, BN122), and F₂ families from crosses among a subset of these lines were evaluated for presence or absence of granule-bound starch synthase (GBSS), the gene product of the wx locus, and wild-type vs. waxy endosperm. The F₂ segregation ratios were tested for fit to a 3:1 ratio using Chi-square analyses. Two distinctly different naturally occurring waxy alleles were identified: One with no GBSS (GBSS−), and one with apparently inactive GBSS present (GBSS+). We propose that the waxy allele with no GBSS be designated wx^a, and that waxy allele with apparently inactive GBSS present be designated wx^b. These two alleles are located in close proximity on the waxy locus. The wx^b allele is dominant to the wx^a allele in terms of GBSS production, and both are recessive to the wild-type Wx in terms of amylose content. The U.S. Government's right to retain a non-exclusive, royalty-free license in and to any copyright is acknowledged.     

The Giemsa C-Banded Karyotype of Canada Wildrye (Elymus canadensis)

Karyotype of Canada wildrye (Elymus canadenisis L.) was described using giemsa C-banding techniques. Most of the chromosomes showed dome banding pattern polymorphism. Small to large terminal and centormere bands were observed in most of the chromosomes. A faint satellite was observed in one chromosome. Tow chromosomes had a large interstitial band near the centromeres in the long arms. The Giemsa C-banding pattern of E. Canadensis is compared to that of Pseudoroegneria spicata and Critesion boddanii to illustrate species relationship.     

Regional phenotypic diversity of Puccinia triticina and wheat host resistance in western Europe, 1995

Pathogenicity data from surveys of Puccinia triticina (formerly P. recondita f. sp. tritici) conducted in western Europe in 1995 were analysed to compare the structure of regional populations of the pathogen. Many of the populations differed in phenotypic diversity and pathotypic composition, even though they occurred within a single epidemiological unit, suggesting that local factors may influence the establishment and propagation of individual pathotypes in the regional populations. Neighbouring regions were more similar than distant regions, and all regions shared at least one pathotype, except populations in northern Italy and Scotland. A high degree of similarity was found between populations in northern France and Great Britain, providing strong evidence of free movement of inoculum between these regions. Resistance genes were postulated for a selection of 91 wheat cultivars, representing those most commonly grown in western Europe in 1995. Thirteen cultivars lacked detectable seedling resistance genes and the remaining 78 possessed from one to three resistance genes; those detected were Lr1, Lr3a, Lr10, Lr13, Lr14a, Lr17b, Lr20, Lr26 and Lr37. The most commonly detected resistance gene was Lr13, which was present singly or in combination with other resistance genes in 48 cultivars (53%). The gene Lr14a was detected in 18 cultivars, Lr26 was present in 16 cultivars. The role of host selection in the composition of the regional populations of P. triticina in western Europe in 1995 was difficult to assess on the basis of the results obtained, since virulence data were not available for Lr13 and Lr14a. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Molecular mapping and characterization of traits controlling fiber quality in cotton

Cotton (Gossypium spp) is the world's leading natural fiber crop. Genetic manipulation continues to play a key role in the improvement of fiber quality properties. By use of DNA-based molecular markers and a polymorphic mapping population derived from an inter specific cross between TM-1 (G. hirsutum) and 3-79 (G. barbadense), thirteen quantitative trait loci (QTLs) controlling fiber quality properties were identified in 3-79, an extra long staple (ELS) cotton. Four QTLs influenced bundle fiber strength, three influenced fiber length, and six influenced fiber fineness. These QTLs were located on different chromosomes or linkage groups and collectively explained 30% to 60%of the total phenotypic variance for each fiber quality property in the F₂ population. The effects and modes of action for the individual QTLs were characterized with 3-79 alleles in TM-1 genetic background. The results indicated more recessive than dominant, with much less additive effect in the gene mode. Transgressive segregation was observed for fiber fineness that could be beneficial to improvement of this trait. Molecular markers linked to fiber quality QTLs would be most effective in marker-assisted selection (MAS) of these recessive alleles in cotton breeding programs. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Genetics of resistance to five strains of turnip mosaic virus in Chinese cabbage

Summary Inheritance of resistance to turnip mosaic virus (TuMV) strains C1, C2, C3, C4, and C5 in Chinese cabbage (Brassica campestris subsp. pekinensis) was evaluated using monoclonal antibodies. Crosses were made between a resistant line, 0–2, and four susceptible line. Seoul (SE),SSD31 (SS), Cheongbang (CH), and Yaki 1 ho (YA), to determine the inheritance of resistance of 0–2 in different genetic backgrounds. Resistance to TuMV was controlled by a single dominant gene or double dominant genes depending on the strain and cross. The resistance genes of 0–2 were modified by susceptible parents such that a single dominant gene was involved in the SS×0–2 combination, but double dominant genes in the SE×0–2 against TuMV-C3 or TuMV-C5. ELISA tests using inoculated and noninoculated leaves in the same plant suggested that the dominant resistance genes inhibit virus movement rather than virus multiplication.