Host resistance to lung infection mediated by major vault protein in epithelial cells

The airway epithelium plays an essential role in innate immunity to lung pathogens. Ribonucleoprotein particles primarily composed of major vault protein (MVP) are highly expressed in cells that encounter xenobiotics. However, a clear biologic function for MVP is not established. We report here that MVP is rapidly recruited to lipid rafts when human lung epithelial cells are infected with Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and maximal recruitment is dependent on bacterial binding to the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator. MVP was also essential for optimal epithelial cell internalization and clearance of P. aeruginosa. These results suggest that MVP makes a substantial contribution to epithelial cell-mediated resistance to infection.     

Effect of high temperatures on survival and longevity of the predator Cryptolaemus montrouzieri Mulsant

The effect of high temperature on survival and longevity of Cryptolaemus montrouzieri Mulsant (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) female adults was studied in the laboratory by daily exposure of the beetles to 35°C (mean r.h. 52%) combined with 1-, 2- and 3-h intervals of thermal treatment at 38, 40, 42 and 44°C (r.h. 46–48%). Fifty percent of females survived until the 12th–13th day of the thermal treatment at 38°C (depending on the exposure time), the 2nd–10th day at 40°C for 1–2 h exposure and the 4th–5th day at 42°C for 1 h exposure. Survival was 25–38% on the 1st–2nd day of the thermal treatment at 40, 42 and 44°C for 3, 2 and 1 h of exposure, respectively. Three hours of exposure of female C. montrouzieri at 42°C and 2 h exposure at 44°C were lethal for the beetles. Mean longevity of the predator was 33.13?±?1.22 days at 35°C and was significantly shorter as the temperature of the thermal treatments increased from 38^o to 44°C. These results suggest that daily temperature regimes of 35°C combined with 38–40°C for 1–3 h are marginal for the survival and longevity of the C. montrouzieri, whereas temperatures above 42°C are lethal even at short exposure. These results can partly justify the inability of C. montrouzieri to be permanently established in Pakistan environments and could contribute to a pre-evaluation assay of its potential adaptability in such environmental systems.     

Influence of additional amino acids in growth of different wheat (Triticum aestivum L) genotypes

Abstract

Wheat is the main source of carbohydrates and amino acids consumed in the world. Amino acids and other physiological characters were determined in six wheat genotypes viz. IBWSN-1010, IBWSN -1025, TD-1, ESW-9525, Khirman and Chakwal-86 for pot experiment, to evaluate the response of genotypes under water stress at Nuclear Institute of Agriculture (NIA), Tandojam, Sindh, Pakistan, during 2018. Eight different physiological indices (Proline content, glycine-betaine, total sugars, total chlorophyll, nitrate reductase activity (NRA), potassium (K⁺) content, osmotic potential (OP) and relative water content (RWC)) were determined. The variance of analysis shows two-way interaction one with water stress [Control (normal four irrigations) and the other with terminal drought (Soaking dose) having significance at p?≤?0.05. It was observed that, ESW9525, IBWSN-1010 and IBWSN-1025 exhibited the tolerance followed by, Khirman and Chakwal-86 by maintaining their OP and accumulation of higher proline and glycine-betaine content. Whereas, moderate total soluble sugars were found in these genotypes. However, NRA increased in IBWSN-1010 enhancing tolerance under water stress.     

Insect growth regulators as agents to control the Florida wax scale,Ceroplastes floridensis Comst. (Hom., Coccidae)

The effect of 5 insect growth regulators (IGRs): 3 juvenile hormone analogues (JHAs), fenoxycarb, CGA 29-170 and Pro-Drone and two moult inhibiting compunds, Dawco 439 and R-20458 in addition to the organophosphate isoxathion was evaluated on the Florida wax scale. Treatment with 100 ppm induced good reduction in the population when the compounds were applied to the first generation. The effect extended to the following generation up to 8 months posttreatment and the juvenile hormone analogues showed superior effect over the moult inhibiting compounds and also the organophosphate. The influence of the IGRs on the oviposition was clearly obvious with both the JHA, fenoxycarb and the IGR, Dawco 439 since they completly prevented the scale maturity and oviposition.     

Emergence of novel strains of avian infectious bronchitis virus in Sweden

Infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) causes avian infectious bronchitis, an important disease that produces severe economic losses in the poultry industry worldwide. Recent IBV infections in Sweden have been associated with poor growth in broilers, drop in egg production and thin egg shells in layers. The complete spike gene of selected isolates from IBV cases was amplified and sequenced using conventional RT-PCR. Nucleotide and amino acid sequence comparisons have shown that the recent isolates bear 98.97% genetic similarity with strains of the QX-like genotype. The phylogenetic analysis revealed that strains predominant in the nineties, which were of the Massachusetts type, have been replaced by D388/QX-like strains, however the evolutionary link could not be established. The homology between the two genotypes was 79 and 81%. Remarkably, a strong positive selection pressure was determined, mostly involving the S1 subunit of the S gene. This strong selective pressure resulted in recombination events, insertions and deletions in the S gene. Two new isolates generated from recombination were found with nucleotide sequence diverging 1.7-2.4% from the D388/QX-like branch, indicating the emergence of a new lineage. The study demonstrates a constant evolution of IBV that might be in relation to increased poultry farming, trade and vaccine pressure. The findings underscore the importance of continuous monitoring to control spread of infections, as well as to timely adjust diagnostic methods, molecular epidemiological studies, development and use of vaccines that are adapted to the changing disease scenario.     

温度与微生物制剂对小麦秸秆腐解及土壤碳氮的影响

【目的】探讨不同温度和添加微生物制剂条件下,小麦秸秆腐解对土壤中不同形态碳、氮含量的影响,为评价秸秆还田措施补充土壤养分、改善土壤肥力的贡献提供理论依据。【方法】采用室内模拟恒温培养方法,于15和20 ℃条件下,在装有127.5 g风干土样的培养盆中,分别添加不同量秸秆（0.961,0 g/盆）和微生物制剂（2.88,0.961,0 mg/盆）,后培养75 d,测定秸秆腐解期间CO₂释放量及腐解后土壤中不同形态碳、氮的含量。【结果】温度对秸秆腐解和养分释放影响较大,而微生物制剂未表现出作用效果。经75 d腐解培养后,添加秸秆与对照相比,15 ℃下秸秆CO₂-C的净累积释放量较20 ℃下低37.1%,而土壤有机碳和微生物量碳净增量分别增加了260%和949%;同时,15 ℃下土壤全氮和铵态氮含量分别较20 ℃下降低了100%和18.4%,微生物量氮提高了262%。【结论】较低的温度有利于秸秆对土壤有机碳和微生物量碳、氮的截留和保蓄,而较高的温度会加速秸秆有机碳向无机碳转化,同时微生物制剂在本研究的水热条件下未能发挥作用。     

Contrasted responses of Botrytis cinerea isolates developing on tomato plants grown under different nitrogen nutrition regimes

The nutritional status of a plant is known to influence its susceptibility to pathogens. In the case of Botrytis cinerea, the role of nitrogen fertilization of various host plants on disease development appears to be variable. This study was carried out to characterize possible variability associated with isolates and inoculum density of B. cinerea in its ability to infect leaf‐pruning wounds and to develop stem lesions on tomato plants, as affected by the nitrogen input. Six isolates differing in their aggressiveness to tomato were compared. They all had similar reaction patterns in vitro in response to differential nitrogen levels. In tests on plants grown with contrasted regimes of nitrate fertilization, overall disease severity was lower for all isolates on plants with higher nitrogen inputs, regardless of inoculum concentration. However, differences among isolates were observed in the effect of plant nitrogen nutrition on infection and on lesion expansion. Disease onset was delayed on all plants with higher nitrogen inputs, but the response was greater for isolates with lower aggressiveness on tomato. The highest contrast among isolates was observed with the colonization of stems. The daily rate of stem lesion expansion decreased with increasing nitrogen fertilization levels for the more aggressive isolates, while it increased for the less aggressive isolate. Hypotheses to explain these results are discussed in light of the possible physiological effects of nitrogen fertilization on nutrient availability for the pathogen in the host tissue and of possible production of defence metabolites by the plant.