Benzothiadiazole-induced resistance modulates ozone tolerance

The effects of ozone on bean plants pretreated with the SAR activator benzothiadiazole (BTH) have been investigated after fumigations with an acute dose of the pollutant (200 nL x L(-1) for 4 h), carried out at different times from BTH application. BTH pretreatment induced opposite effects on bean susceptibility to O(3), depending on the time elapsed before fumigation. When this time was only 1-2 days, bean plants were more susceptible to O(3) than untreated controls, showing rapid and extensive cell death in both palisade and spongy mesophyll. These damages appeared to be closely correlated with the amount and localization of H(2)O(2) in the leaf tissues. In BTH-pretreated, but not fumigated, plants, H(2)O(2) accumulation occurred in the cell walls and no dead cells were detected, whereas O(3) fumigation of untreated plants produced H(2)O(2) accumulation also inside some palisade mesophyll cells, causing their death. When BTH pretreatments were carried out 5-7 days before fumigation, plants appeared to be more tolerant to O(3) compared to untreated controls. Under these conditions, no visible symptoms of phytotoxicity were observed for at least 2 weeks after fumigation and no H(2)O(2) accumulation was detected. Biochemical assays showed a significant increase in the ascorbate (AA) level, taking place from the fifth to the seventh day after BTH treatment and unaffected by O(3) when given at these times. Ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activity appeared to decrease during the first 2 days after BTH treatment, and the decrease was somewhat enhanced by fumigation. On the contrary, guaiacol peroxidase (GuPX) activity was found to steadily increase up to the fifth day after BTH treatment but showed a bimodal trend upon fumigation. These results suggest that, during the first 1-2 days after BTH application, the H(2)O(2) level is enhanced by O(3) over a critical threshold for cell viability. However, in the absence of the pollutant, H(2)O(2) decreases in the following days under the effect of AA accumulation and increased GuPX activity. As GuPX is known to promote cell wall lignification and protein cross-linking, these effects would protect plasmalemma from O(3) irreversible damage, provided the priming by BTH has been fully developed.     

Metal ions restore the proteolytic resistance of denatured conglutin gamma, a lupin seed glycoprotein, by promoting its refolding

The susceptibility to trypsin of conglutin gamma, a lupin seed glycoprotein affected by this enzyme only when in a non-native conformation, was used to study the effect of Zn(2+) and other metal ions on the structural dynamics of the protein. When acid-treated trypsin-susceptible conglutin gamma was incubated at neutral pH in the presence of Zn(2+), it became resistant to tryptic attack, contrary to the protein treated in the absence of Zn(2+). The time course of this refolding event has been quantitatively evaluated by SDS-PAGE. Amino acid sequencing of the major polypeptide fragments, produced by trypsin before completion of the refolding process, indicated that only a few cleavable bonds were accessible to the enzyme. This suggested that the presence of metal ions affected the pathway of degradation of the protein, by inducing its folding. Among the other metal ions tested, Ni(2+) also promoted the adoption of a trypsin-resistant conformation of conglutin gamma, whereas Mn(2+) and Ca(2+) had only much lower effects. The relevance of these findings for a deeper understanding of the in vivo degradation of plant food proteins and how it is affected by metal ions are discussed.     

Human impact and slope dynamics evolutionary trends in the monoclinal relief of Adriatic area of central Italy

The present work deals with a large area of the Marche–Abruzzi monoclinal relief which is made up of a clayey sediment succession with sandy–conglomeratic levels alternating at varying stratigraphic heights. The east-verging monocline was generated by an intense Quaternary tectonic uplifting. It differs approximately in the west-east and in the southern directions forming three wide morphostructures. The deep fluvial down-cutting disjointed the monoclinal relief into a succession of high hills which give the area a typical cuesta morphology, with fronts facing the western quadrants.     

Heat-treated bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) residue meal as an alternative protein source in pelleted diets for Nile tilapia fingerlings: growth,body composition,and physical characteristics of diets

Tropical Animal Health and Production - The study aimed to evaluate heat-treated bean residue meal (Phaseolus vulgaris)—BRM—as an alternative protein source in diets for Nile tilapia...     

Hydrologic controls on water chemistry, vegetation and ecological patterns in two mires in the South-Eastern Alps (Italy)

We examined how hydrology influenced water chemistry, vegetation, nutrient status, aboveground net primary production (ANPP) and litter decomposition rates in two mires on the South-Eastern Alps of Italy. One of the mires had a modest hydraulic gradient and prevalently acted as a recharge system, although there were short phases of vertical flow reversal during dry periods. This mire was, therefore, prevalently fed by rainwater and was covered by bog-like vegetation, mainly hummocks and scrubs with a ground layer rich in Sphagnum mosses. The other mire presented a steeper hydraulic gradient, with the surface being fed by mineral water either by surface runoff or by vertical, upwards directed ground water flow. Compared to the bog-dominated mire, the pore water was less acidic and richer in telluric cations. This mire was covered by fen-like vegetation, prevalently fen meadows. Nitrogen (N) content in the vegetation was very similar in the two mire sites, while phosphorus (P) content was lower in the fen-dominated site. Contrary to our expectations, ANPP did not differ significantly between the two mire sites while litter decomposition rates were significantly lower in the fen-dominated mire, presumably because of P limitation of decomposers. This suggests that the development of ombrogenous mires in this region need not be due to increased accumulation of peat during succession from mineralwater-fed to rainwater-fed conditions.     

Aesculus pavia foliar saponins: defensive role against the leafminer Cameraria ohridella

BACKGROUND: Recently, the leafminer Cameraria ohridella Deschka & Dimic has caused heavy damage to the white‐flowering horse chestnut in Europe. Among the Aesculus genus, A. pavia L. HBT genotype, characterised by red flowers, showed an atypical resistance towards this pest. Its leaves, shaken in water, originated a dense foam, indicating the presence of saponins, unlike the common horse chestnut tree. The aim was to isolate and identify these leaf saponins and test their possible defensive role against C. ohridella. RESULTS: Spectroscopic analyses showed that A. pavia HBT genotype leaves contained a mixture of saponins, four of which were based on the same structure as commercial escin saponins, the typical saponin mixture produced by A. hippocastanum and accumulated only within bark and fruit tissues. The mixture showed a repellent effect on C. ohridella moth. The number of mines detected on the leaves of A. hippocastanum plants treated with A. pavia HBT saponins through watering and stem brushing was significantly lower than the control, and in many cases no mines were ever observed. CONCLUSION: The results showed that the exogenous saponins were translocated from roots/stem to the leaf tissues, and their accumulation seemed to ensure an appreciable degree of protection against the leafminer. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

New cholinesterase inhibiting bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids from Abuta grandifolia

The phytochemical study of the stem bark and wood of Abuta grandifolia (Mart.) Sandwith led to the identification of four bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids (BBIQs), namely (R,S)-2 N-norberbamunine (1), (R,R)-isochondodendrine (2), (S-S)-O4″-methyl, Nb-nor-O6'-demethyl-(+)-curine (3), and (S-S)-O4″-methyl, O6'-demethyl-(+)-curine (4), together with the aporphine alkaloid R-nornuciferine (5), all obtained by countercurrent distribution separation (CCD) and identified on the basis of their spectroscopic data. Alkaloids 3 and 4 were new. All the isolated compounds were tested for acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) inhibitory activities. 1 was the most active against AChE, whereas 3 and 4 were the most potent against BChE. Interestingly, all tested alkaloids are more potent against BChE than against AChE. This selectivity of cholinesterase (ChE) inhibition could be important in order to speculate on their potential therapeutic relevance.     

The effect of soil texture on the water use efficiency of irrigated crops: Results of a multi-year experiment carried out in the Mediterranean region

The effect of soil texture on water use efficiency (WUE) was analyzed for six crops cultivated on loam and clay soils. Results were obtained after a long-term study, carried out in a lysimetric set-up, in conditions of experimental neutrality (climate, agro-techniques, and variety were the same for each crop) with the sole exception of the soil texture, which was the variable to be studied.In the case of potato, corn, sunflower, and sugar beet, WUE was reduced significantly when crops were grown in clay soil. The reductions ranged from 22% to 25%. The decrease of WUE in clay soil was coupled with significant reductions in yield and in ET, except in the case of the corn crop. The reduction in WUE in corn depended solely on the yield decrease.A 10% decrease in WUE values was also observed for the soy-bean and tomato grown in clay soil, but it was not statistically significant.Different causes which may reduce the WUE values observed in the clay soil are discussed. It seems coherent to hypothesize that, during the active growing phase, a deficit in water uptake occurs in the plants growing in the clay soil. This hypothesis is consistent with the observations of stomatal conductance, daily evapotranspiration, and leaf surface.In conclusion, the operative development of this study is outlined.     

Detection of comorbidities and synchronous primary tumours via thoracic radiography and abdominal ultrasonography and their influence on treatment outcome in dogs with soft tissue sarcomas,primary brain tumours and intranasal tumours

Canine soft tissue sarcomas (STS), primary brain tumours and intranasal tumours are commonly treated with radiotherapy (RT). Given the low metastatic potential of these tumours, recommendations regarding imaging tests as staging are variable among institutions. The purpose of our study was to describe thoracic radiographic and abdominal ultrasonographic findings in dogs with these neoplasms and to investigate association of abnormal findings with alterations in recommended treatment. Medical records from 101 dogs, each having thoracic radiographs and abdominal ultrasound performed as part of their staging, were reviewed. In 98 of 101 (97%), imaging abnormalities were detected, 27% of which were further investigated with fine needle aspiration cytology or biopsy. Nine percent of the detected abnormalities were considered serious comorbidities that altered treatment recommendations, including 3 (3%) which were confirmed as synchronous primary neoplasms. These findings may influence recommendations regarding the decision to perform thoracic radiographs and abdominal ultrasound prior to initiation of RT.