The herbicide binding niche of photosystem II-a model

The Q_B binding niche of photosystem II is also the binding site for many different herbicides. In order to understand the mode of binding of the herbicides, a 3-dimensional model of the binding niche was constructed. The model was based upon a comparison of the known structure of the Q_B binding niche in purple bacteria with sequence and mutant data of the D-1 protein of photosystem II. Plastoquinone builds up hydrogen bonds to phenylalanine 265 backbone amide nitrogen, to serine 264 hydroxyl, and to histidine 215 delta-1 nitrogen. In addition to these hydrogen bond donors and acceptors, herbicides can build up hydrogen bonds to backbone carbonyl of alamine 263 and to serine 268 hydroxyl. This is supported by binding data of inhibitors in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii chloroplasts of wild type and of five D-1 protein mutants (Ser264 Ala, Ala251 Val, Phe255Tyr, Val2191le, Leu275Phe).     

Revealing the angular symmetry of chemical bonds by atomic force microscopy

We have measured the angular dependence of chemical bonding forces between a carbon monoxide molecule that is adsorbed to a copper surface and the terminal atom of the metallic tip of a combined scanning tunneling microscope and atomic force microscope. We provide tomographic maps of force and current as a function of distance that revealed the emergence of strongly directional chemical bonds as tip and sample approach. The force maps show pronounced single, dual, or triple minima depending on the orientation of the tip atom, whereas tunneling current maps showed a single minimum for all three tip conditions. We introduce an angular dependent model for the bonding energy that maps the observed experimental data for all observed orientations and distances.     

A classification scheme for earthworm populations (Lumbricidae) in cultivated agricultural soils in Brandenburg,Germany

Earthworm activity is observed at long‐term monitoring sites as an indicator of soil function to assess changes resulting from environmental and management conditions. In order to assess changes, characteristic values of earthworm populations under different site conditions have to be known. Therefore, a classification scheme for site‐specific earthworm populations was developed for soil in agricultural use, taking interactions between earthworm populations and soil properties into account. Characteristics of sites grouped by means of a cluster analysis after principal‐component analysis served as a basis for the derivation of the classification scheme. Soil variables found to characterize site differences with respect to earthworm populations were the texture of the topsoil, the texture of the subsoil, and the soil organic‐matter (SOM) content. The textural classes of the topsoil were divided into five groups comprising sandy soils (Ss), silty sand soils (Su), slightly loamy sand soils (Sl2), medium to strongly loamy sand soils (Sl3/Sl4), and loam and clay soils. Soil organic matter was divided into grades of equal size in a range from <1%, 1%–2% up to >6%. The variables “earthworm abundance” and “earthworm species” were selected to represent earthworm populations and were divided into six groups ranging from very low to extremely high. Defined groups of earthworm populations showed a clear structure in relation to soil textural groups and the content of SOM. From this distribution, a classification scheme was derived as basis for prognostic values of site‐specific earthworm populations, thus enabling the interpretation of changes over time. For some soil textural groups, selected variables appeared to enable the derivations of expected earthworm densities and species composition outside the range of the given database, but for some soil textural groups, broader databases will be needed to specify these derivations.     

Rotation of a single molecule within a supramolecular bearing

Experimental visualization and verification of a single-molecule rotor operating within a supramolecular bearing is reported. Using a scanning tunneling microscope, single molecules were observed to exist in one of two spatially defined states laterally separated by 0.26 nanometers. One was identified as a rotating state and the other as an immobilized state. Calculations of the energy barrier for rotation of these two states show that it is below the thermal energy at room temperature for the rotating state and above it for the immobilized state.     

Breeding of Persian melon: Purpose to increase volatile compounds in melon (Cucumis melo) intergroup F1 cross population

Understanding the volatile profile of melon is an ever increasingly important task for breeders for enhancing their flavour component. For this purpose, F1 progeny and parental lines were analysed using headspace-solid phase microextraction gas chromatography–mass spectrometry-based analysis. Diallel analysis showed that most of the investigated compounds were controlled via non-additive genetic effects with general combining ability to specific combining ability ratios of less than 0.4. High heterosis results were observed in alcohols such as ethanol and octanol in both rind and mesocarp samples and benzylalcohol in the rind. It was also noted that the ester-based compounds with high heterosis values in mesocarp samples differed from those with heterosis in rind samples. These observations further emphasize the non-additive control of these compounds. It can be concluded that non-additive genetic control is strongly governing the genetic profile within the studied progeny. This finding indicated that dudaim lines as a valuable genetic material enhanced the volatile profile of odourless commercial types of ameri and inodorus melon.     

Functional and antigenic properties of GlpO from Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides SC: characterization of a flavin adenine dinucleotide-binding site deletion mutant

L-α-glycerophosphate oxidase (GlpO) plays a central role in virulence of Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides SC, a severe bacterial pathogen causing contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP). It is involved in production and translocation of toxic H₂O₂ into the host cell, causing inflammation and cell death. The binding site on GlpO for the cofactor flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) has been identified as Gly ₁₂−Gly₁₃−Gly ₁₄−Ile₁₅−Ile₁₆−Gly ₁₇. Recombinant GlpO lacking these six amino acids (GlpOΔFAD) was unable to bind FAD and was also devoid of glycerophosphate oxidase activity, in contrast to non-modified recombinant GlpO that binds FAD and is enzymatically active. Polyclonal monospecific antibodies directed against GlpOΔFAD, similarly to anti-GlpO antibodies, neutralised H₂O₂ production of M. mycoides subsp. mycoides SC grown in the presence of glycerol, as well as cytotoxicity towards embryonic calf nasal epithelial (ECaNEp) cells. The FAD-binding site of GlpO is therefore suggested as a valuable target site for the future construction of deletion mutants to yield attenuated live vaccines of M. mycoides subsp. mycoides SC necessary to efficiently combat CBPP.     

Communication in production animal medicine: modelling a complex interaction with the example of dairy herd health medicine

Background

The importance of communication skills in veterinary medicine is increasingly recognised. Appropriate communication skills towards the client are of utmost importance in both companion animal practice and production animal field and consultancy work. The need for building a relationship with the client, alongside developing a structure for the consultation is widely recognised and applies to both types of veterinary practice.

Results

Veterinary advisory practice in production animal medicine is, however, characterised by a more complex communication on different levels. While the person-orientated communication is a permanent process between veterinarian and client with a rather personal perspective and defines the roles of interaction, the problem-orientated communication deals with emerging difficulties; the objective is to solve an acute health problem. The solution - orientated communication is a form of communication in which both veterinarian and client address longstanding situations or problems with the objective to improve herd health and subsequently productivity performance. All three forms of communication overlap.

Conclusions

Based on this model, it appears useful for a veterinary practice to offer both a curative and an advisory service, but to keep these two separated when deemed appropriate. In veterinary education, the strategies and techniques necessary for solution orientated communication should be included in the teaching of communication skills.     

Taxonomy and evolution of cultivated plants: Literature review 1982/1983

Summary Important papers on taxonomy and evolution of cultivated plants published in 1982 and 1983 were compiled and briefly discussed.

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Taxonomie und Evolution der Kulturpflanzen: Literaturübersicht 1982/1983

Zusammenfassung Wichtige Arbeiten über Taxonomie und Evolution der Kulturpflanzen aus den Jahren 1982 und 1983 wurden zusammengestellt und kurz kommentiert.

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: 1982–1983

, 1982 1983 . .

     

Retention of Ni,Zn and Cd by Si-associated goethite

Synthetic goethite used to study the effects of reaction time and temperature on the pH-dependent sorption of Ni, Zn and Cd was associated with amorphous silica. Ni interacted with dissolved Si and formed a Ni/Si precipitate on the goethite surface. Individual metals added at a concentration of 0.5 μmol g^?1 and sorbed during a reaction period of 504 hours (21 days) at 35°C were extracted by 0.7 M HNO₃ for 14 days. At the end of this period 11,28 and 40 percent of Ni, Cd and Zn, respectively, were not extracted whereas 20 percent of the total Fe content of the goethite and 39 percent of the associated Si were dissolved. During the sorption process metals became immobilized in the goethite particles. This effect can be related to a diffusion of metal ions into micropores. A total mobilization of sorbed metals can only be achieved by a complete dissolution of the goethite. The strong fixation of Ni, Zn and Cd by goethite suggests that additions of this Fe oxide could be used to ameliorate highly contaminated sludges or soils.     

Sicherheitsmaßnahmen bei der Anwendung von Pestiziden

Summary When pesticides are used safety measures are necessary. Laws alone are insufficient when their application is not controlled. Above all it is to be expected that people will not be endangered by ignorant use of pesticides. Many fields of pest control, i.e. the control of cockroaches, are not sufficiently developed in Germany. In the near future the control of hygienic and other pests should be intensified. Therefore we need well-trained specialists, and only these should be permitted to control pests in household and field.