Phosphonic analogues of morphactins. Part V: Peptides containing 9-aminofluoren-9-ylphosphine oxides

Di- and tripeptides containing P-terminal 9-aminofluoren-9-ylphosphine oxides were synthesised and evaluated for herbicidal activity using Spirodela oligorriza (Kurz.) Hegelm. The glycylglycyl and threonyl peptides showed high activity as measured by the reduction of dry matter.     

Plant-growth-regulating phosphono peptides

Phosphono peptides exhibited plant-growth-regulating activity when tested on Lepidium sativum and Cucumis sativus. The studies have provided evidence that the mechanism of action of these compounds may involve the uptake of the phosphono peptides into the plant, intracellular hydrolysis of the peptide bond and release of the P-terminal aminoalkylphosphonic acid. This acid or its metabolite is then probably responsible for the observed physiological effect.     

Acute BVDV-2 infection in beef calves delays humoral responses to a non-infectious antigen challenge

Immunosuppressive effects of an intranasal challenge with non-cytopathic bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) 2a (strain 1373) were assessed through acquired and innate immune system responses to ovalbumin (OVA). Concurrent BVDV infection was hypothesized to delay and reduce the humoral response to ovalbumin (administered on days 3 and 15 post-inoculation). Infected animals followed the expected clinical course. BVDV titers, and anti-BVDV antibodies confirmed the course of infection and were not affected by the administration of OVA. Both the T-helper (CD4⁺) and B-cell (CD20⁺) compartments were significantly (P < 0.05) reduced in infected animals, while the gamma-delta T-cell population (Workshop cluster 1+, WC1⁺) decreased slightly in numbers. Infection with BVDV delayed the increase in OVA IgG by approximately 3 d from day 12 through day 21 post-inoculation. Between days 25 and 37 post-inoculation following BVDV infection the IgM concentration in the BVDV− group decreased while the OVA IgM titer still was rising in the BVDV+ animals. Thus, active BVDV infection delays IgM and IgG responses to a novel, non-infectious antigen.     

Test of Mendelian segregation among 10 microsatellite loci in the fourth generation of bester (Huso huso L. ×Acipenser ruthenus L.)

Ten microsatellite loci were tested on Mendelian segregation in the bester – hybrid of beluga, Huso huso L. and sterlet, Acipenser ruthenus L. in the fourth generation. All studied loci showed disomic inheritance and Mendelian segregation of their alleles. The molecular approach by microsatellite DNA analysis represents a reliable tool for interspecific characterization of sturgeons and their hybrids (different alleles of several loci are present in sturgeon fishes, and interspecific hybrids posesses both maternal and paternal specific alleles). This is the first report of the Mendelian segregation testing in interspecific hybrid of acipenserid fishes using microsatellite DNA markers.     

The cannabinoid receptors system in horses: Tissue distribution and cellular identification in skin

BackgroundThe endocannabinoid system (ECS) is composed of cannabinoid receptors type 1 (CBR1) and type 2 (CBR2), cannabinoid‐based ligands (endogenous chemically synthesized phytocannabinoids), and endogenous enzymes controlling their concentrations. Cannabinoid receptors (CBRs) have been identified in invertebrates and in almost all vertebrate species in the central and peripheral nervous system as well as in immune cells, where they control neuroimmune homeostasis. In humans, rodents, dogs, and cats, CBRs expression has been confirmed in the skin, and their expression and tissue distribution become disordered in pathological conditions. Cannabinoid receptors may be a possible therapeutic target in skin diseases.ObjectivesTo characterize the distribution and cellular expression of CBRs in the skin of horses under normal conditions.AnimalsFifteen healthy horses.MethodsUsing full‐thickness skin punch biopsy samples, skin‐derived primary epidermal keratinocytes and dermal‐derived cells, we performed analysis of Cnr1 and Cnr2 genes using real‐time PCR and CBR1 and CBR2 protein expression by confocal microscopy and Western blotting.ResultsNormal equine skin, including equine epidermal keratinocytes and dermal fibroblast‐like cells, all exhibited constant gene and protein expression of CBRs.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceOur results represent a starting point for developing and translating new veterinary medicine‐based pharmacotherapies using ECS as a possible target.     

Verification of ploidy level in sturgeon larvae

Chromosome preparations and assay of the microsatellite locus Afu‐68 were used to determine ploidy in Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baeri Brandt) and F₁ hybrids of Siberian sturgeon and Russian sturgeon (Acipenser gueldenstaedti Brandt). The chromosome number and microsatellite locus Afu‐68 were compared and these analyses were used for identification of ‘haploid’, ‘diploid’ and ‘triploid’ progeny of the studied cross of A. baeri× (A. baeri×A. gueldenstaedti).     

Rapid protocol for visualization of rust fungi structures using fluorochrome Uvitex 2B

Background

Histological examination using fluorochromes is one of the standard methods for observation of microorganisms in tissues and other compartments. In the study of fungi, especially those that cannot be cultured in axenic media such as biotrophic fungi, histological examination of processes associated with the fungal growth, differentiation, infection and other cellular functions can lead to the better understanding of host-parasite interactions. Fluorescence microscopy coupled with Fluorochrome Uvitex 2B have been extensively utilized to study rust fungi structures and host-pathogen interactions. In this study, we report development of a rapid staining protocol of the rust fungus Puccinia triticina using fluorochrome Uvitex 2B. The newly developed rapid procedure was compared with a standard staining technique to observe in planta fungal infection structures development during the wheat—Puccinia triticina interaction.

Results

While significantly reducing the time for staining, the rapid protocol described here was equally efficient or better compared to standard procedure in detecting fungal infection structures using Uvitex 2B. In the rapid staining procedure, pre-heating of the stain increased efficiency to detect all the infection structures including haustoria with highly reduced background noise from plant tissue.

Conclusion

This staining process described here is simple and quick. It can be completed in 4 h, which is of 6 times faster than the standard Uvitex 2B staining procedure.

     

Cross-border molecular tracing of brucellosis in Europe

To assess the general impact of endemic countries on the re-emergence of brucellosis in non-endemic regions of the European Union, the genetic fingerprints of Brucella melitensis strains imported to Germany were compared to ovine strains from Turkey in a molecular epidemiological study. Genotyping of 66 Brucella strains (based on Multiple Locus of Variable number of tandem repeats Analysis) isolated from German travellers and Turkish immigrants living in Germany revealed epidemiological concordance with 20 sheep isolates originating from Eastern Anatolia, Turkey. In summary, cross-border molecular tracing confirmed brucellosis being a zoonosis of concern for European public health.