Determination of vc and mating types of Cryphonectria parasitica isolates by multiplex PCR and their genetic diversity in 13 chestnut-growing provinces of Turkey

Vegetative compatibility (vc) and mating types and genetic diversity of Cryphonectria parasitica isolates were determined using 183 isolates obtained from 215 infected chestnut trees growing in 13 provinces of Turkey. Based on the cultural aspects, 143 of these isolates were evaluated as virulent whereas the remaining 40 isolates were hypovirulent. When vc types of 183 isolates were classically differentiated, 135 of them matched to EU-1 (82.3%), 29 of them to EU-12 (17.6%) vc type, whereas 19 of them did not match to the two. When molecular vic markers were used, all the isolates were assigned to two EU vc types; 149 to EU-1 (81.4%) and 34 (18.5%) to EU-12. Of the majority of the isolates, 134 (73.2%) had mating-type MAT-1, while 44 (24%) isolates had MAT-2 and 5 (2.8%) isolates had both mating types. The population analysis based on two DNA marker systems, Inter-Primer Binding Site and Start Codon Targeted Polymorphism, showed no intraspecific genetic variation among the C. parasitica isolates. The prevalence of two dominant vc types revealed by this study shows that biological control with hypovirulent EU-1 and EU-12 isolates will be significant for the country. The results might be helpful to chestnut breeders carrying out resistance breeding studies to manage this disease based on hypovirulence attributed to Cryphonectria hypovirus 1.     

Effect of Oyster Mushroom,Pleurotus ostreatus,Extract on Hemato‐Immunological Parameters of Rainbow Trout,Oncorhynchus mykiss

The current study investigated the effects of oyster mushroom Pleurotus ostreatus, extract on immunological and hematological parameters of rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss. The fish were fed diets containing 0 (control), 1, and 2% supplementation of the oyster mushroom extract for 6 wk. Blood samples were collected weekly for the first 6 weeks. After 6 wk of feeding, the fish were challenged with Lactococcus garvieae and mortality was recorded. The results of this study showed that feeding rainbow trout an oyster mushroom extract–supplemented diet stimulated phagocytic activity of phagocytic cells, lysozyme activity, and myeloperoxidase activity in serum, but it did not significantly affect the total serum immunoglobulin level. At the same time, a significant increase was found in the number of neutrophils, monocytes, and total white blood cells. Fish fed the diet supplemented with oyster mushroom extract showed reduced mortalities following L. garvieae infection compared with controls. These results show that supplementation of fish diets with oyster mushroom extract at 1 and 2% concentrations significantly imrpoves hematological parameters and modulates the immune response against L. garvieae in rainbow trout.     

Adsorption kinetics of 17α-ethinyl estradiol and bisphenol A on carbon nanomaterials. II. Concentration-dependence

Purpose  

Carbon nanomaterials (CNMs) have attracted a great deal of research interest for their potential environmental applications because of their unique properties. Adsorption of organic chemicals on CNMs was reported to be important in controlling their environmental risks. However, the kinetics of the adsorption is hardly investigated in literature. The objective of this work was, therefore, to quantitatively describe the sorption kinetics of 17 α-ethinyl estradiol (EE2) and bisphenol A (BPA) on CNMs as compared to activated carbon (AC).     

Biochemical properties,molecular characterizations,functions, and application perspectives of phytases

As a kind of enzyme widely existing in eukaryotic species, especially in grains and oil seeds, phytases play an important role in the degradation of some phosphates containing organic molecules. So far, phytases derived from various species have been successfully used as animal feed additives. It has also been experimentally verified that phytases have a potential use in generating crop germplasm with high phosphorus use efficiency, based on their biochemical role in releasing Pi from the phytate and its derivatives. In this paper, the biochemical properties, molecular characterizations, functions and the potential application perspective of phytases are reviewed and commented on, aiming at the further exploration of the biochemical and molecular characterizations, and promotion of the application of phytases, a kind of important enzyme possessing potential use in animal feeding and creation of high P use crop cultivars, in the future.     

Identification of molecular markers linked to the genes for purple grain color in wheat (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Triticum aestivum</Emphasis>)

Pericarp color in wheat is an important trait related to nutrients and health benefits. Identification of molecular markers closely linked to the grain color genes will help utilize pericarp trait in wheat breeding. Genetic studies involving F₁, F₂, and F₃ populations from the cross Jizi 439 (purple grain)/Gao8901 (white grain) showed that the purple grain color was controlled by two genes. By using the bulked segregant analysis (BSA) approach, two DNA pools were established from the dark purple-grain and white-grain plants respectively. Among the 230 pairs of microsatellite primers used in this study, two markers showed polymorphism in DNA pools, parents, F₁ and F₂ populations. Linkage analysis indicated that the two markers Xgwm47 and Xgwm155 were linked with two purple pigment genes. One of the purple pigment genes is located on chromosome 2AS and is 34.7cM away from the marker Xgwm47, whereas another gene is mapped on 3AL with 14.7cM away from marker Xgwm155.     

Food provisioning strategies,food insecurity,and stress in an economically vulnerable community: the Northern Cheyenne case

Living in poverty is associated with high levels of protracted stress associated with health problems. Economic and food insecurity are particularly poignant aspects of poverty and condition the work of securing basic daily needs of families. Recent studies suggest that levels of stress increase as family food needs rise. This paper presents new findings which clarify the relationship of food provisioning to stress levels, by examining actual food provisioning strategies and food insecurity among the Northern Cheyenne Indians of southeastern Montana. Results clearly show that stress varies by types of food acquisition strategies. Contrary to our expectations, more complex strategies, including relatively unpredictable and cumbersome food provisioning activities, are not linked to higher stress levels in our analysis. Controlling for food security levels, households using a combination of local programs and informal subsistence sources are the least stressed, despite the demands of managing a large number of food sources. Households primarily using Food Stamps are the most likely to experience high levels of stress. Interviews with Food Stamp recipients show that potential sources of stress include inadequate allocations of Food Stamps, difficulty achieving and maintaining eligibility, challenges to complying with paperwork and appointment requirements, as well as personal obstacles and community barriers to making food stamps last. Analyses indicate that contradictions between local cultural norms for food provisioning and the realities of food insecurity in this context promote strategies emphasizing greater independence from federal food programs.     

Molecular divergence and application of the ITS-5.8S rDNA and RUBISCO spacer in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Porphyra haitanensis</Emphasis> Chang et Zheng (Bangiales,Rhodophyta)

To select a reliable and sensitive method for discriminating strains of Porphyra haitanensis, the nucleotide sequence of the internal transcribed spacer 1 to internal transcribed spacer 2 regions (ITS-5.8S) of nuclear ribosomal DNA and the intergenic spacer region of RUBISCO were compared in five wild and five cultivated Porphyra haitanensis strains. Based on molecular analyses, sequences of ITS-5.8S (about 1,210 bp) could be divided into three regions: ITS1, 5.8S, and ITS2. The ITS1 and ITS2 sequences of each strain differed, even between individuals collected from the same site. In contrast, 5.8S rDNA and RUBISCO spacer sequences were identical among the ten P. haitanensis strains, although differences were found among different Porphyra species. Phylogenetic analysis also supported these conclusions. These sequence features of highly conserved regions and diversified regions that occurred repeatedly in ITS-5.8S could be useful in discriminating germplasm of P. haitanensis strains or Porphyra species. In contrast, the RUBISCO spacer is only suitable for identifying Porphyra species. New coupled primers were designed to amplify only the 5.8S rDNA and ITS2 region of Porphyra. The sequences of these amplified fragments can be readily used to identify germplasm or to perform phylogenetic analysis of Porphyra spp.