The biochemical basis of resistance of potato to soft rot bacteria

Evidence is presented that a number of mechanisms are involved in the resistance of commercial cultivars of potato to soft rottingErwinia spp. These include phytoalexins, phenolics, cell wall modification, and possibly proteins. The role of elicitor-active oligogalacturonides, which are released from plant cell walls by pectic enzymes, is discussed.     

Phytotoxicity on cotton ex-plants of an 18.5 kDa protein from culture filtrates of Verticillium dahliae

A phytotoxic protein that evokes the typical symptoms of Verticillium wilt disease in seedlings of Gossypium hirsutum L. (Upland cotton) was isolated from culture filtrates of Verticillium dahliae. The protein was purified by ammonium sulfate precipitation, Sephadex-G100 fractionation, and native PAGE. The 18.5 kDa protein, designated VD18.5, appears to be a single subunit protein with an isoelectric point between 3 and 5. VD18.5 induces symptoms of leaf dehydration, chlorosis, necrosis and stem discoloration in seedlings of the disease susceptible cotton cultivar Siokra 1–4. The LD₅₀ of VD18.5 on protoplasts of Siokra 1–4 was 18 μg mL⁻¹. VD18.5 had no noticeable effect on Pima S-7, which is a disease resistant cultivar. Phytotoxic activity was partially destroyed at high temperature and was abolished by digestion with proteinase K. Mass spectrometry fingerprinting and protein sequence data from VD18.5 yielded no significant matches when submitted to the Mascot search engine and NCBI non-redundant protein databases, respectively. These results suggest that VD18.5 is a novel protein that may be involved in the development of some of the symptoms associated with Verticillium wilt disease in the cotton plant.     

Molecular, physiological and pathological characterization of Corynespora leaf spot fungi from rubber plantations in Sri Lanka

The plant pathogenic fungus Corynespora cassiicola causes a severe leaf spot disease on more than 70 host plant species including Hevea brasiliensis . Genetic variability in 32 isolates of C. cassiicola collected from diverse hosts and locations in Sri Lanka and Australia was assessed using restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of ribosomal DNA and random amplified polymorphic DNA-polymerase chain reaction (RAPD-PCR) analysis of total fungal DNA. Amplified ITS fragments from all 32 C. cassiicola isolates exhibited an identical size, and restriction analysis with seven different restriction endonucleases revealed identity in all of the detected DNA fragments. This finding of high genetic relatedness was further supported by the cloning and DNA sequencing of the ITS2 region from one Sri Lankan and one Australian isolate. However, RAPD-PCR profiles generated by 15 oligonucleotide decamer primers revealed significant polymorphism between groups of organisms. Genetic relationships among the isolates were determined by cluster analysis of the RAPD-PCR data and seven different RAPD groups were identified. Isolates showed strong correlations between the assigned RAPD group and the location and host plant genotype from which the isolate was collected. Correlations were also observed between the RAPD group, growth of the isolate and pathogenicity on different plant hosts.     

Unusually rapid growth and adult stature in an American hairless terrier puppy

A puppy was evaluated for rapid growth and large stature. Extensive diagnostic evaluation suggested a growth hormone independent disorder. As the sole detected abnormality was elevated leptin concentration, an obesity syndrome causing leptin resistance was speculated to explain the puppy's condition but was not confirmed. Except for large body size, the puppy remained clinically normal.     

Abscisin II, an Abscission-Accelerating Substance from Young Cotton Fruit

Crystalline abscisin II, with a tentative molecular formula of C(15)H(20)O(4), has been isolated from young cotton fruit. It accelerates abscission when applied in amounts as low as 0.01 microg per abscission zone. It inhibits indoleacetic acid-induced straight growth of Avena coleoptiles but has no gibberellin activity on dwarf maize.     

Coal science: basic research opportunities

More fundamental knowledge of coal (knowledge of its structure and its behavior during conversion processes) is essential before we can generate new technologies necessary for the efficient use of coal in the future. Herein are suggested specific basic research opportunities in the areas of coal characterization, gasification, combustion, and liquefaction, along with an assessment of the impact such research programs could have. Critical characterization needs include qualitative and quantitative determination of the chemical forms of carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, and sulfur and reliable methods for the measurement of surface area, pore volume, and weight-average molecular weights. Mechanistic studies aimed at increasing understanding of the thermal breakdown of the functionalities in coal, the behavior of coal in the presence of molecular and donor hydrogen environments, and carbon gasification and hydrocarbon synthesis reactions starting from carbon monoxide and hydrogen will lay the scientific foundation for the development of new processes for converting coal into clean usable fuels and chemicals.     

Predatory Dinosaurs from the Sahara and Late Cretaceous Faunal Differentiation

Late Cretaceous (Cenomanian) fossils discovered in the Kem Kem region of Morocco include large predatory dinosaurs that inhabited Africa as it drifted into geographic isolation. One, represented by a skull approximately 1.6 meters in length, is an advanced allosauroid referable to the African genus Carcharodontosaurus. Another, represented by a partial skeleton with slender proportions, is a new basal coelurosaur closely resembling the Egyptian genus Bahariasaurus. Comparisons with Cretaceous theropods from other continents reveal a previously unrecognized global radiation of carcharodontosaurid predators. Substantial geographic differentiation of dinosaurian faunas in response to continental drift appears to have arisen abruptly at the beginning of the Late Cretaceous.