Real-time assays for detection of Phytophthora spp. and identification of an avr3a gene variant

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - A study was carried out for identification and detection of Phytophthora spp. from soil and plant samples, collected from Solanaceous crops in Egypt and...     

Synthesis and in-vitro antifungal activity of 6-trifluoromethylpyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidines

Thirty 6-trifluoromethylpyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidines were synthesised and tested for antifungal activity in vitro against ten phytopathogenic fungi of different taxonomic classes. Six of the compounds had noteworthy activity against Sclerotinia minor, Corticium solani and Phoma betae. The relationships between structure and activity are discussed on the basis of the present and previous studies.     

Fungitoxicity of 6H-pyrazolo[3,4-c][l,2,5]thiadiazine-2,2-dioxides

A base-promoted cyclisation of 4-nitroso-5-benzylsulphonamidopyrazoles (VII) afforded 6 H -pyrazolo[3,4-c][1,2,5]thiadiazine-2,2-dioxides (VIII). They were tested in vitro for antifungal activity against a series of phytopathogenic fungi of different taxonomic classes. Five of the compounds had noteworthy activity; in particular 6H-3-phenyl-5-methyl-7–(3,4-dichlorophenyl) pyrazolo[3,4-c][1,2,5]thiadiazine-2,2-dioxide (VIIIc) at the concentration of 200 mg litre^?1 completely inhibited the growth of Pythium ultimum, Corticium solani and Sclerotinia minor.     

Role of maize hybrids and their chemical composition in Fusarium infection and fumonisin production

This study was designed to investigate the role of hybrids in maize Fusarium section Liseola interaction and fumonisin production, with particular emphasis on the occurrence and accumulation of hidden fumonisins in maize (masking phenomenon). In this 2 year study, naturally infected field crops were chosen with 10 maize hybrids, six of them grown in both years. Maize samples collected in 2010 showed a higher incidence of fungal infection as well as higher fumonisin contamination than those obtained in 2009 but a very similar incidence of F. section Liseola. Fumonisin masking was confirmed in raw maize, with a lower amount of hidden forms as compared to free fumonisins detected in the year with higher contamination. The chemical composition of the different hybrids was determined and correlated with the contamination data: the results obtained highlight the main role of fatty acids, with a higher fumonisin contamination in hybrids showing a higher linoleic acid content and a higher masking action in hybrids with higher oleic to linoleic ratio. These results represent a good basis to explain maize hybrid susceptibility to F. section Liseola infection, fumonisin contamination, and masking not related to a specific commercial hybrid but extendable to all hybrids.     

Group-type and fingerprint analysis of roasted food matrices (coffee and hazelnut samples) by comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography

The present study is focused on the volatile fraction of roasted hazelnut and coffee samples, differing in botanical origins, morphological characteristics, and roasting treatments, selected as challenging matrices. Volatile components, sampled by headspace solid phase microextraction (HS-SPME), were analyzed by GC x GC-qMS, and separation results were adopted to classify, correlate, and/or compare samples and evaluate processing effects. The high-complexity sample profiles were interpreted through different methods: a group-type characterization, a direct fingerprint comparison, and a template matching to extract useful and consistent information, and advantages and limits of each specific approach were critically evaluated. The group-type analysis, focused on several known botanical and technological markers, enabled sample comparison and characterization based on their quali-quantitative distribution; it is highly reliable, because of the authentic standard confirmation, and extends the comparative procedure to trace and minor components. Fingerprint approaches (i.e., direct fingerprint comparison and template matching), on the other hand, extended sample comparisons and correlations to the whole volatiles offering an increased discrimination potential and improved sensitivity due to the wider analyte pattern considered. This study demonstrates the ability of comprehensive GC to further explore the complexity of roasted samples and emphasizes the advantages of, and the need for, a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach to interpret the increased level of information provided by GC x GC separation in its full complexity.     

Relationship between the oil and sugar content in olive oil fruits from Moraiolo and Leccino cultivars during ripening

In our previous work (Cherubini et al., 2009), sugar concentration was proposed as an accurate, reproducible index for technological ripening of olive oil fruits. During 2009 crop season, sugar and oil content of olive oil fruits from Moraiolo and Leccino cultivars were measured during ripening. The sugar content of olive oil fruits was determined both by titration and by using a portable refractometer.     

The influence of thinning on rainfall interception by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pinus pinea</Emphasis> L. in Mediterranean coastal stands (Castel Fusano—Rome)

• Context  

This research was conducted in a 62-year-old stone pine (Pinus pinea L.) forest within the National Natural Reserve of the Roman Coast, Italy. Net under-canopy precipitation was measured between September 2004 and December 2008 in a unthinned and a thinned area of about 1 ha each.     

α‐Amylase Inhibitors from Wheat Against Development and Toxigenic Potential of Fusarium verticillioides

Fusarium verticillioides is one of the most important pathogens in maize and is a producer of fumonisin B₁ (FB₁). Although reports of its presence in wheat are scarce, the susceptibility of this cereal to fungus of the same genus motivates interest in investigating compounds present in the grain with inhibitory activity against this species. The aim of this study was to extract α‐amylase inhibitors from wheat and apply them in vitro to evaluate its effect on the development and expression of toxigenic potential of F. verticillioides. The α‐amylase inhibitors, both crude (P₀) and purified (P₁), were applied to in vitro culture containing a pathogen mycelium disc. Mycelial growth of the pathogen, glucosamine content, α‐amylase activity, and production of FB₁ were investigated. All protein extracts of wheat showed the ability to inhibit pathogen growth, especially the extract P₀ from cultivar Quartzo, which resulted in a reduction of glucosamine content (66%) and α‐amylase activity (84%). Furthermore, the protein inhibitors showed antifumonisin effect, reducing by 33 and 47% the mycotoxin production when applied as P₀ and P₁, respectively. These results suggest that α‐amylase inhibitor contributed to resistance against pathogen attack, acting in a diversified manner for each fungal species.     

Jellyfish as an Alternative Source of Bioactive Antiproliferative Compounds

Jellyfish are commonly considered a nuisance for their negative effects on human activities (e.g., fisheries, power plants and tourism) and human health. However, jellyfish provide several benefits to humans and are commonly eaten in eastern countries. Additionally, recent studies have suggested that jellyfish may become a source of high-value molecules. In this study, we tested the effects of the methanolic extracts and enriched fractions, obtained by solid-phase extraction fractionation, from the scyphomedusae Pelagia noctiluca, Rhizostoma pulmo, Cotylorhiza tuberculata and the cubomedusa Caryddea marsupialis on different human cancer cell lines in order to evaluate a potential antiproliferative activity. Our results indicated that fraction C from Caryddea marsupialis-(CM) and C. tuberculata oral arms (CTOA) were the most active to reduce cell viability in a dose-dependent manner. LC/MS based dereplication analyses highlighted that both bioactive fractions contained mainly fatty acids and derivatives, with CM additionally containing small peptides (0.7–0.8 kDa), which might contribute to its higher biological activity. The mechanism of action behind the most active fraction was investigated using PCR arrays. Results showed that the fraction C of CM can reduce the expression of genes involved in apoptosis inhibition in melanoma-treated cells, which makes jellyfish a potential new source of antiproliferative drugs to be exploited in the future.     

Antemortem diagnosis of congenital glaucoma in a white‐bellied caique (Pionites leucogaster)

A 34‐day‐old, male, white‐bellied caique (Pionites leucogaster) was presented for a complaint of bilateral buphthalmos. Clinical examination was unremarkable apart from the ophthalmic findings. The ophthalmologic examination was negative for direct, consensual, and dazzle reflexes in both eyes. The intraocular pressure exceeded 40 mm Hg OU. Fluorescein stain demonstrated corneal surface lesions suggestive of exposure keratopathy subsequent to bilateral buphthalmos. Diagnostic imaging tests were conducted to perform ocular biometric measurements and investigate the intraocular structures, including the iridocorneal angle and lens, by means of high‐resolution ultrasonography (HRUS). The presence of congenital glaucoma in this young parrot was strongly suspected after clinical and ophthalmological examination and the results of diagnostic imaging. Pharmacological treatment to reduce intraocular pressure was initiated using dorzolamide hydrochloride 2% and timolol maleate 0.5%. A month later, the parrot's eyes did not show any visual improvement, but the intraocular pressure had returned to normal. The parrot was unable to feed itself and died during a feeding procedure. Postmortem examination revealed ab ingestis pneumonia. Both eyes were submitted for histopathology, with severe anterior segment dysplasia and goniodysgenesis found OU. Histological findings added to the clinical presentation, the ophthalmologic examination and the imaging findings, confirmed the presence of congenital glaucoma.