Biosynthesis of a vasotocin-like peptide in cell cultures from pineal glands of human fetuses

Cultured cells from pineal glands of human fetuses release into their media a substance that has antidiuretic and hydroosmotic activities. The ratio of these activities as well as their susceptibility to tryptic digestion, specific oxidative inactivation by tyrosinase, and reductive inactivation by sodium thioglycollate, indicates the presence of a basic peptide, presumably identical with arginine vasotocin. The total amount of this peptide released into the culture media during 38 days of incubation is about ten times greater than the amount contained in nonincubated pineal glands from fetuses of the same age, strongly suggesting that fetal ependymal cells from the pineal gland can synthesize in vitro a peptide similar to arginine vasotocin.     

Whole-genome shotgun sequencing of mitochondria from ancient hair shafts

Although the application of sequencing-by-synthesis techniques to DNA extracted from bones has revolutionized the study of ancient DNA, it has been plagued by large fractions of contaminating environmental DNA. The genetic analyses of hair shafts could be a solution: We present 10 previously unexamined Siberian mammoth (Mammuthus primigenius) mitochondrial genomes, sequenced with up to 48-fold coverage. The observed levels of damage-derived sequencing errors were lower than those observed in previously published frozen bone samples, even though one of the specimens was >50,000 14C years old and another had been stored for 200 years at room temperature. The method therefore sets the stage for molecular-genetic analysis of museum collections.     

Analysis of sampling precision in low-density weed populations

Precision Agriculture - Site-specific weed management (SSWM) can provide significant herbicide savings but requires the reliable detection of weed populations. In this work, the effect of sample...     

Comment on "Protein sequences from mastodon and Tyrannosaurus rex revealed by mass spectrometry"

Asara et al. (Reports, 13 April 2007, p. 280) reported sequencing of Tyrannosaurus rex proteins and used them to establish the evolutionary relationships between birds and dinosaurs. We argue that the reported T. rex peptides may represent statistical artifacts and call for complete data release to enable experimental and computational verification of their findings.     

Way-marking behaviour: an aid to spatial navigation in the wood mouse (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Apodemus sylvaticus</Emphasis>)

Background  

During their movements in the wild, wood mice (Apodemus sylvaticus) distribute small objects, such as leaves or twigs, which are often visually conspicuous. Our experiments demonstrate that these marks serve as points of reference during exploration. Way-marking, as we call it, may diminish the likelihood of losing an "interesting" location, perhaps following disturbance by, for example, a predator or conspecific. Way-marks, being readily portable, may be a less confusing method of marking ephemeral sites than scent marks. They may also be a safer option for local navigation insofar as scent marks can easily be detected by a predator.     

Biochar applications enhance the phytoextraction potential of Salix smithiana [Willd.] (willow) in heavily contaminated soil: potential for a sustainable remediation method?

Journal of Soils and Sediments - The combination of chemostabilization and phytoextraction provide an affordable and environmentally effective remediation technology for the heavy metals in...     

Long-term dynamics of causative agents of stem base diseases in winter wheat and reaction of Czech <Emphasis Type="Italic">Oculimacula</Emphasis> spp. and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Microdochium</Emphasis> spp<Emphasis Type="Italic">.</Emphasis> populations to prochloraz

Trichoderma aggressivum is an aggressive contaminant mould in the cultivation of Agaricus bisporus leading to severe reductions in mushroom yields. Production of fully colonised A. bisporus substrate in Europe is commonly carried out in large tunnels (Phase III), after which the substrate undergoes several bulk handling (mixing) operations before ending up on shelves in mushroom growing facilities. The work presented here studied the effect of Trichoderma aggressivum inoculum, substrate mixing and supplementation on Agaricus bisporus yields and evaluated four methods to detect T. aggressivum in bulk handled substrate. Inoculum dilution level was shown to correlate well with mushroom yield (P < 0.0001) with reductions of 2–6 % at the most dilute level (10^?4) and 60–100 % at the most concentrated level (10^?1), depending on the experiment. Supplementation, with or without T. aggressivum, had no significant effect on mushroom yield (P ≥ 0.85) but a high degree of substrate mixing was shown to significantly increase (P < 0.0001) T. aggressivum-associated crop losses. Four T. aggressivum detection methods were evaluated and a quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) method gave the most consistent and least variable results. Cycle threshold (CT) values ranged from 24 to 40, depending on the experiment and the inoculum dilution level, and false negatives (CT = 40) were reported on one occasion with the most dilute samples. The results indicate that Phase III mushroom substrate is vulnerable to infection by T. aggressivum when the fully colonised substrate is broken up and mixed during bulk handling operations, identifying a previously unidentified risk for Phase III substrate producers.     

Insecticidal activity of two formulations of essential oils against the cereal leaf beetle

Purpose: Plant-derived essential oils and their encapsulations have recently received increasing interest as an alternative to synthetic biopesticides suitable for integrated pest management and organic farming. In this study, combinations of essential oils (EO) from Rosmarinus officinalis with Cymbopogon citratus and Pelargonium graveolens with Thymus vulgaris in two formulations including encapsulate were tested for their potential for wheat protection against adults and larvae of Oulema melanopus (L.).

Materials and methods: The chemical composition of the essential oils was analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Testing of insecticidal activity of the evaluated substances was conducted with 2.5?ml of tested combinations of EOs sprayed on the paper. Ten adults or larvae of O. melanopus were placed into a vessel. Control of mortality of O. melanopus specimens was assessed after 24?h after establishment of the experiment.

Results and conclusions: Tarsal contact toxicity assay showed the effectiveness of EO in concentration against O. melanopus larvae and adults in both formulations (essential oil and encapsulation) causing 100% mortality within 24?h. These results indicate the great potential of these essential oils and their encapsulations for future use in crop protection against insect pests.