Control of peripheral nerve myelination by the beta-secretase BACE1

Although BACE1 (beta-site amyloid precursor protein-cleaving enzyme 1) is essential for the generation of amyloid-b peptide in Alzheimer's disease, its physiological function is unclear. We found that very high levels of BACE1 were expressed at time points when peripheral nerves become myelinated. Deficiency of BACE1 resulted in the accumulation of unprocessed neuregulin 1 (NRG1), an axonally expressed factor required for glial cell development and myelination. BACE1-/- mice displayed hypomyelination of peripheral nerves and aberrant axonal segregation of small-diameter afferent fibers, very similar to that seen in mice with mutations in type III NRG1 or Schwann cell-specific ErbB2 knockouts. Thus, BACE1 is required for myelination and correct bundling of axons by Schwann cells, probably through processing of type III NRG1.     

Somatic Embryogenesis in Maize and Comparison of Genetic Variability Induced by Gamma Radiation and Tissue Culture Techniques

Sixteen inbred lines and one hybrid of manse were tested for their capability of somatic embryogenesis, and fully developed plants could be regenerated, from ten inbred, lines. The highest frequency of plant regeneration was expressed in the inbred line CHI 31, and when this line was crossed with a recalcitrant, non-regenerating line, the F₁ and BC hybrids were regenerable. The results of reciprocal crosses demonstrated that dominant nuclear genes and cytoplasmic factors are primarily responsible for the heritable determination of embryogenic callus proliferation and in vitro regeneration of maize plants. Somaclonal and radiation-induced variability was studied in maize to assess their nature and potential contribution to plant breeding., The inbred line CHI 31 possessing a high in vitro capacity of somatic embryo formation was used as experiments.] material. CHI 31 plants were selfed and twelve-day old zygotic embryos irradiated with ⁶⁰Co gamma radiation in situ. Mature caryopses were harvested and assigned as M₁ material. In another series, immature zygotic embryos (size 1.2—1.5 mm) were cultured in vitro on N-6 medium supplemented with 2,4-D (2.5 μM), and somatic embryos regenerated into plants; these were transplanted into soil and self-pollinated. Regenerants from non-irradiated cultures were grown as R₁ generation, while regenerants from irradiated explants were considered as M₁R₁ generation. The genetic variability was evaluated in the M₂, R₂ and M₂R₂ generations, respectively, and compared with a non-treated seed control. Irradiation induced a variety of chlorophyll and morphological variants segregating in the M; generation; however, the frequency of deviant types obtained in the R: generation (somaclonal variation) was significantly exceeding the one derived from the M₂ populations. The combination of expert irradiation and in vitro regeneration was most effective for the manifestation of chlorophyll and morphological o if types in the M₂R₂ generation, and increased drastically the frequency of early flowering variants. Differences in the segregation patterns of mutant phenotypes amonsister somaclones in the R₃ and M₃R₃ generations indicate a different genetic basis, of plants originating from the same explant. This phenomenon suggests a mutational sectoring of the callus during culture. Radiation induced and somaclonal variation exerted a similar spectrum of chlorophyll and morphological deviants.     

Distribution of the cis-sabinene hydrate acetate-chemotype in accessions of marjoram (Origanum majorana L.)

The bicyclic monoterpenes cis-sabinene hydrate and cis-sabinene hydrate acetate are considered to be responsible for the special flavor of marjoram (Origanum majorana L.). Analysis of single plants of different marjoram accessions revealed the presence of a chemotype that divided the samples into two groups, with cis-sabinene hydrate acetate present either at high amounts of above 19% or at low amounts below 2%. Additionally, an arrow negative correlation of the concentration of cis-sabinene hydrate to its acetate was observed (R² = 0.92).Since no trans-sabinene hydrate acetate could be found in the analyzed samples, the formation of cis-sabinene hydrate acetate seems to be a result of a specific enzymatic conversion in marjoram. Among 20 accessions ofmarjoram studied, 17 were heterogeneous for the cis-sabinene hydrate acetate chemotype with frequencies of the low cis-sabinene hydrate acetate type between10% and 50%. If further sensorial studies can give leads as to which of the two compounds contributes to the preferred flavor, the variation observed in this study among natural populations could be used in breeding towards an optimized quality of marjoram. The analytical technique applied in this study can be used to screen high sample numbers with a reasonable effort and time. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Effect of cover crop management on soil organic matter

Characterization of soil organic matter (SOM) is important for determining the overall quality of soils, and cover crop system may change SOM characteristics. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of cover crops on the chemical and structural composition of SOM. We isolated humic substances (HS) from soils with the following cover crop treatments: (a) vetch (Vicia Villosa Roth.)/rye (Sesale cereale L.), (b) rye alone, and (c) check (no cover crops) that were treated with various nitrogen (N) fertilizer rates. CPMAS-TOSS (cross-polarization magic-angle-spinning and total sideband suppression) ¹³C NMR results indicated that humic acids (HA) from soils under rye only were more aromatic and less aliphatic in character than the other two cover crop systems without fertilizer N treatment. Based on the DRIFT (diffuse reflectance Fourier transform infrared) spectra peak O/R ratios, the intensities of oxygen-containing functional groups to aliphatic and aromatic (referred to as recalcitrant) groups, the highest ratio was found in the HA from the vetch/rye system with fertilizer N. The lowest ratio occurred at the vetch/rye system without fertilizer N treatment. The O/R ratio of fulvic acids (FA) can be ranked as: vetch/rye without fertilizer>vetch/rye with fertilizer>no cover crop without fertilizer>rye alone (with or without fertilizer) soils. Both organic carbon (OC) and light fraction (LF) contents were higher in soils under cover crop treatments with and without fertilizer N than soils with no cover crop. These chemical and spectroscopic data show that cover crops had a profound influence on the SOM and LF characteristics.     

Intracranial extension of retrobulbar blastomycosis (Blastomyces dermatitidis) in a dog

Blastomycosis (Blastomyces dermatitidis) is a fungal disease that is endemic in the southern United States. This case report illustrates the clinical, MRI and histopathologic findings in a dog with invasion of a retrobulbar blastomycotic lesion into the calvarium. A 5‐year‐old intact female Weimaraner was referred for a 2‐month history of change in behavior and recent onset of visual deficits. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination revealed a large (5.8 × 2.0 × 2.5 cm) mass extending from the left orbit through a circular defect in the left cranioventral aspect of the calvarium caudally to the level of the pituitary fossa and interthalamic adhesion. The mass was heterogeneously iso‐ to hypointense on T2‐W images, slightly hypointense on T1‐W images, did not attenuate on fluid attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) images, and did not show evidence of susceptibility artifact on T2*‐W gradient recalled echo (GRE) images. Vasogenic edema and associated mass effect were noted. The mass showed strong homogeneous contrast enhancement with well‐defined margins and had thickening of the adjacent meninges (dural tail sign). Based on MRI findings a malignant neoplastic process was considered most likely and the patient was placed on oral prednisone to decrease peri‐tumoral inflammation. The dog initially improved but was euthanized 3 weeks later for worsening clinical signs. Histopathologic assessment of the mass revealed marked pyogranulomatous optic neuritis with intralesional fungal yeasts consistent with blastomycosis (Blastomyces dermatitidis). To our knowledge this is the first report of invasion of a retrobulbar blastomycotic lesion into the calvarium in a dog.     

Scanning Tunneling Microscopy and Nanolithography on a Conducting Oxide, Rb0.3MoO3

The scanning tunneling microscope has been used to image and modify the surface of a conducting oxide (Rb(0.3)MoO(3))in ambient atmosphere. Individual octahedral MoO(6) units of the oxide can be imaged, and under certain conditions defects can be created in the surface that are stable in air. The ability to produce nanometer-sized structures on the surface of an oxide is demonstrated and discussed with reference to nanolithographic applications.     

Food safety program. Endrin monitoring in the Mississippi river

Twelve successive monthly samplings and analyses of representative fish and shellfish and of mud and water from the lower Mississippi River showed neither a high concentration of endrin nor a time-ordered change in the concentration. The general absence of endrin from the samples indicated no significant contamination.     

Aggressive and mild Potato virus Y isolates trigger different specific responses in susceptible potato plants

Differences in the early responses of two potato cultivars, Igor and Nadine, to two isolates of Potato virus Y (PVY), the aggressive PVY^NTN and the mild PVY^N, were monitored. Microarray and quantitative real‐time PCR analyses were carried out to identify differentially expressed genes after inoculation with each virus isolate. Additionally, symptom severity and development was observed and the amount of virus isolate accumulated in systemically infected leaves was evaluated, where a significantly higher amount of PVY^NTN was detected. Microarray analysis revealed 572, 1288 and 1706 differentially expressed genes at 0·5, 12 and 48 h post‐inoculation, respectively in cv. Igor, with a similar pattern observed in cv. Nadine. Microarray and quantitative real‐time PCR results implied an earlier accumulation of sugars and lower photosynthesis in leaves inoculated with the aggressive isolate than in leaves inoculated with the mild isolate. The PVY^NTN isolate did not activate early differential expression of the Fe‐superoxide dismutase and pectin methylesterase inhibitor (PMEI) genes, indicating a delay in plant response relative to that following PVY^N inoculation. Differences in the expression of the β‐glucanase‐I gene were also observed in early plant responses to inoculation with each virus isolate.     

Frequency of occurrence and genetic variability of Grapevine fanleaf virus satellite RNA

Little is known about the natural occurrence and genetic variability of nepovirus large satellite RNA (satRNA). This study screened 71 Grapevine fanleaf virus (GFLV) isolates mainly from Slovenia, but also from other countries in Europe and the USA, for the presence of satRNA, using a newly developed RT‐PCR assay. GFLV satRNA (satGFLV) was detected in 72% of naturally GFLV‐infected grapevines analysed, which is the highest frequency of occurrence of satGFLV reported to date. From 39 naturally GFLV‐infected grapevines, 122 satGFLV clones were sequenced and compared to publicly available sequences of satGFLVs and the closely related satRNAs from Arabis mosaic virus (satArMVs). Phylogenetic analyses of these satRNAs revealed that their evolution was driven by substitutions, insertions, deletions, recombinations and reassortments between closely related helper viruses. Phylogenetic relationships of the satGFLVs and satArMVs show their separate and subsequent common evolution. Furthermore, the satGFLVs varied in size and showed higher variability at the amino acid level than at the nucleotide level, just as the 2AHP gene of their helper virus. This study shows that satGFLVs are also similar to their helper virus with respect to their quasispecies nature and their transmission route through anthropogenic exchange of propagation material.