Detection of a Phytoplasma Associated with Grapevine Flavescence dorée in Clematis vitalba

About 40 different species of wild herbaceous and woody plants were collected in underbrush close to a vineyard where Flavescence dorée (FD) has been reported for several years. Polymerase chain reaction assays were carried out using DNA extracted from leaves of each species for the detection of the presence of phytoplasmas. Only samples of Clematis vitalba were found to be infected with phytoplasmas. Restriction fragment length polymorphism and sequencing data of the 16S ribosomal RNA gene and of a non-ribosomal DNA fragment FD9 revealed that the phytoplasma isolate was identical to that causing FD in the nearby vineyard. The isolate identified in the clematis is the same as the FD-C phytoplasma found in grapevine in north-east Italy.     

Roe enhancement of Paracentrotus lividus: Nutritional effects of fresh and formulated diets

Sea urchin gonads are exploited both for gastronomic and scientific purposes; thus, the production of large and mature gonads is essential. Natural populations of the Mediterranean Sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus are subject to increasing fishing efforts, due to continuous intensification of consumptions. Aquaculture practices may represent an answer, but the availability of artificial feeds accelerating the production of high‐quality gonads in terms of size, taste, colour, firmness, maturity and viability of gametes is critical to boost the productions. The accessibility of cheap and effective feeds promoting the fattening of gonads and the quality of gametes is still a bottleneck slowing down the expansion of echinoculture practices. This investigation is aimed at enabling the development of this strategic sector, by comparing the dietetic effects of fresh foods and a commercial feed for aquaculture, to four newly formulated feeds. The protein contents of diets were strongly related to the GSIs. The abundance of fatty acids appeared inversely related to the viability of embryos and abnormalities of larvae. The features of an ideal diet for this sea urchin were defined, based on the results of experimental trials, and the need for increasing levels of plant‐derived proteins during the grow‐out period was demonstrated.     

Detection and quantitation of genetically modified maize (Bt-176 transgenic maize) by applying ligation detection reaction and universal array technology

We have applied the ligation detection reaction (LDR) combined with a universal array approach to the detection and quantitation of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplified cry1A(b) gene from Bt-176 transgenic maize. We demonstrated excellent specificity and high sensitivity. Down to 0.5 fmol (nearly 60 pg) of PCR amplified transgenic material was unequivocally detected with excellent linearity within the 0.1-2.0% range with respect to wild-type maize. We suggest the feasibility of extending the LDR/universal array format to detect in parallel several transgenic sequences that are being developed for food applications.     

High Temperature and Humidity Effect on Biochemical Characteristics of Organically-Grown Parsnip Roots Compared to Garlic Bulbs

Plant Foods for Human Nutrition - Functional food with high concentrations of monosaccharides and antioxidants is important for quick replenishment of energy reserves and rehabilitation after...     

Column Elution Experiments on Volcanic Ash: Geochemical Implications for the Main Ethiopian Rift Waters

Column laboratory experiments were employed to assess the leaching behaviour of pyroclastic glassy ash deposits collected in the central Main Ethiopian Rift, where surface and groundwater resources are affected by fluoride (F^?) pollution, which is the cause of an endemic disease (fluorosis) in the local community. To elucidate the source of F^? and simulate the water–rock interaction processes, as well as quantify its distribution within different grain sizes, the pyroclastic ash was analysed by XRF, XRD and SEM and separated into coarse and fine fractions. Three columns were filled with raw (unsieved), coarse (63 μm–2 mm) and fine (<63 μm) fraction, respectively, and flushed with synthetic rain water in saturated conditions. Very fast F^? leaching was observed in the fine fraction column at the start of the experiment, while in the other two columns, F^? was slowly released; in addition, a strong accumulation of F^? was found in the fine fraction. The effect was more pronounced in the fine fraction column due to the available effective adsorbing surface area. Subsequent to elution experiments, the columns were characterised via moment analysis of tracer test. Finally, flow and transport modelling (MODFLOW-2000 and MT3DMS) was employed to compute the amount of F^? adsorbed onto the solid phase, comparing the calculated conservative transport of F^? and the observed concentrations. The results of this study suggest that fluoride is a fundamental constituent of the glass phase (about 0.3 wt.%) and that it is released during the incongruent dissolution of glassy particles. Dissolution of coatings on glass particles could provide an additional contribution to the geochemistry of the interacting fluids. These processes are more effective in the fine fraction due to a much higher reactive (specific) surface area.     

Fungitoxic metabolites from Erigeron apiculatus

Four enyne derivatives (1-4) and quercitrin were isolated during a bioassay-guided chromatographic separation of a methanolic extract of Erigeron apiculatus. Matricarialactone (1) and lachnophyllumlactone (2) showed a high fungitoxic activity against Pyricularia oryzae. Matricaria acid methyl ester (3) and lachnophyllum acid methyl ester (4) were, instead, less active.     

A comparison of coprological, serological and molecular methods for the diagnosis of horse infection with Anoplocephala perfoliata (Cestoda, Cyclophyllidea)

Anoplocephala perfoliata (Cestoda, Cyclophyllidea), the commonest intestinal tapeworm of horses, can cause colic, intussusceptions, ileal impactions and intestinal perforations. Common diagnostic techniques for A. perfoliata infection, i.e. coprology and serology, show inherent limitations in terms of sensitivity and specificity and new approaches are thus required. Hence, the present study compared the reliability of coprological, serological (i.e. ELISA) and molecular (i.e. nested PCR) methods in detecting A. perfoliata infection in naturally infected horses and in horses treated with a combination of ivermectin and praziquantel. Of 42 horses subjected to coprological examination, 16 and 26 resulted negative and positive, respectively for the presence of A. perfoliata eggs at the coprological examination. The 26 coprologically positive animals were also positive by nested PCR. Fifteen out of the 16 horses coprologically negative were negative at the molecular assay, while one yielded a PCR product detectable on an agarose gel. Eighteen out of 26 positive horses were treated with a combination of ivermectin 18.7 mg/g and praziquantel 140.3mg/g and resulted subsequently negative by coprology and nested PCR performed 2 weeks after treatment. All infected and untreated animals had a high ELISA test optical density indicating high infection intensity and associated risk of colic. However, high optical density values were also obtained in four horses post-treatment and in three horses that were negative on molecular and coprological analysis. The results of the present work indicate that the nested PCR assay represents a valid method for the specific molecular detection of A. perfoliata in faecal samples collected from naturally infected horses and may have advantages over coprological and serological approaches for diagnosing A. perfoliata infection.     

Pinger affects fish catch efficiency and damage to bottom gill nets related to bottlenose dolphins

There is some evidence that the presence of Tursiops truncatus in fishing areas represents a real economic threat to fishermen due the dolphin feeding on the entangled fish, damaging the nets and reducing the fish catch. We have carried out experiments to assess the efficiency of a pinger in decreasing the interaction between the dolphins and fishing nets, in a fishing area off the coast of southern Italy, where Tursiops truncatus is frequently observed to interact with bottom gill nets. Two identical monofilament bottom gill nets (900 m long), one equipped with pingers and the other without, were used to measure the effect of these pingers on the abundance of the catch and net damage. For each haul (58 in total), data on dolphin sightings near the nets, damage judged to have been done by dolphins, weight and species composition of the catch were collected. All damage to the nets were recorded at the end of each haul. Dolphins in the fishing area were sighted 11 times out of 29 fishing activities (38%). The net equipped with pingers contained 28% more fish (biomass) than the net without pingers (t test, P < 0.04) and was less damaged (−31%, t test, P < 0.01). To assess whether the efficacy of these pingers remain constant over long period, long-term experiments should be carried out.