Transgenic fertile soybean plants derived from somatic embryos transformed via the combined DNA-free particle bombardment and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Agrobacterium</Emphasis> system

An Agrobacterium-mediated transformation procedure for soybean [Glycine max L. Merrill] proliferating somatic embryos is here described. The Agrobacterium tumefaciens LBA4404 strain harboring pTOK233, pCAMBIA1390-olp or pH7WG2Dwrky plasmids was used to mediate gene transfer into the plant genome. Prior to Agrobacterium inoculation, proliferative soybean embryogenic clusters were microwounded by DNA-free tungsten particle bombardment. Three independent transformation experiments were performed. In Experiment I, 26 transgenic plants were obtained from a unique clone of cv Bragg, while 580 plants were recovered from 105 clones of cv IAS5. In Experiment II, a single hygromycin-resistant clone of cv BRSMG68 Vencedora was recovered and gave rise to five plants. In Experiment III, 19 plants of cv Bragg and 48 plants of IAS5 were recovered, representing five and 14 independent transformation events, respectively. PCR and Southern analyses confirmed the transgenes’ integration into plant genomes. Transgenic plants were fertile. They flowered, set pods and seeds. Transgene segregation in two T₁ progenies fits the Mendelian pattern (3:1 transgenic:non-transgenic plants). This is the first report of transgenic fertile soybean plants obtained from somatic embryogenic tissues transformed by the system that combines DNA-free particle bombardment and Agrobacterium.     

Phenolic constituents and antioxidant properties of Xanthosoma violaceum leaves

An extract of Xanthosoma violaceum leaves was subjected to a polyphenol profile determination, including total polyphenols, and antioxidant activity evaluation. Analysis of the extract resulted in the isolation of a new flavone C-glycoside, apigenin 6-C-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-8-C-beta-D-apiofuranoside (1), as well as known flavone C-glycosides, including vitexin (2), isovitexin (3), isovitexin 4'-O-rhamnopyranoside (4), apigenin 6-C-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->6)-beta-D-glucopyranoside] (5), and apigenin 6,8-diC-beta-D-glucopyranoside (6). The antioxidant activity of the extract was assessed by means of two different in vitro tests: bleaching of the stable 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH test) and peroxidation induced by the water-soluble radical initiator 2,2'-azobis(2-amidinopropane) hydrochloride, on mixed dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine/linoleic acid unilamellar vesicles (LP-LUV test). In both tests used, the extract and a fraction II showed a significant antioxidant/free-radical scavenging effect (fraction II, EC(50) = 11.6 microg/mL) in comparison to alpha-tocopherol (EC(50) = 10.1 microg/mL).     

Effects of water content and N addition on potential greenhouse gas production from two differently textured soils under laboratory conditions

GHGs production and emission may vary depending on soil physical properties, water management and fertilization. Two paddy soils characterized by different texture were incubated to evaluate the impact of flooding (permanent or intermittent) and N addition on potential N₂O, CH₄ and CO₂ production and release into atmosphere and soil solution. Relationships with volumetric water content (VWC) and water filled pore space (WFPS) were evaluated. Overall, the finer clayey soil (CL) produced 58% more CH₄ than the coarser sandy soil (SA) and showed an earlier sink to source transition; the difference was lower with N addition. Permanent flooding favoured the amount of dissolved CH₄. SA produced more N₂O emissions than CL under permanent flooding (31.0 vs. 3.7%); an opposite pattern was observed for dissolved N₂O (16.4 vs. 52.7%). Fertilization increased N₂O emissions under dry conditions in CL and under flooding in SA.

Our findings showed that i) VWC had a larger influence on N₂O and CH₄ emissions than WFPS, ii) soil type influenced the gas release into atmosphere or soil solution and the timing of sink to source transition in CH₄ emissions. Further investigation on timing of fertilization and drainage are needed to improve climate change mitigation strategies.     

Genetic variability and heterotic groups of Brazilian popcorn populations

The development of successful advanced lines and cultivars in maize is dependent on parental selection and assignment to defined heterotic groups. So, the objectives of this study were to evaluate genetic variability and identify heterotic groups among Brazilian popcorn varieties. Thus, diallel crosses of advanced generations of the popcorn hybrids, IAC 112 and Zélia, and of three open-pollinated popcorn varieties, RS 20, Branco, and SAM were performed. Ten hybrid combinations, the five parents, and five check treatments were arranged in a block design with four replicates in two tropical-zone locations (CWb climate). Both additive and non-additive effects were important for grain yield, plant height, ear height, and husk cover. For popping expansion, only the additive effects were important. Hybrid combinations between the local variety (Branco) and F₂ populations (IAC 112 and Zelia) resulted in the third and fourth highest values for popping expansion. The best grain yields were obtained with hybrid combinations involving SAM. Cultivars Zélia, IAC 112, and RS 20 increased popping expansion, whereas cultivar Branco increased grain yield of hybrid combinations. The following conclusions may be drawn: Brazilian popcorn populations have reduced heterosis and genetic variability to popping expansion in relation commercial cultivars; there is genetic variability among Brazilian popcorn populations that allows the exploitation of additive and non-additive effects for grain yield; it is possible to increase grain yield by using local varieties; but it would be difficult to obtain commercial hybrids from local varieties because they have poor performance for popping expansion.     

Effect of PCB on some MFO enzyme activities in pregnant and virgin rabbits

Fenclor 64 (a PCB's commercial mixture) was administered twice i. p. to virgin and pregnant New Zealand rabbits at the dose of 100 mg/Kg to evaluate its inducing properties on the following hepatic microsomal MFO activities: p-nitro-anisole-O-demethylase, amino-pyrine-N-demethylase, acetanilide-hydroxylase and arylhydrocarbons-hydroxylase.The results indicate that Fenclor 64 evoked a mixed type induction in virgin as well as in pregnant rabbits since it increased liver weight, cytochrome P-450 levels, as well as p-nitro-anisole-O-demethylase and acetanilide-hydroxylase. Pregnancy by itself affects only amino-pyrine-N-demethylase levels.Work supported by a grant from M. P. I. 40% (1982)     

Wood variation in<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Laguncularia racemosa</Emphasis> and its effect on fibre quality

Laguncularia racemosa wood is commonly used in north-western Mexico and harvested without the knowledge of whether environmental conditions affect wood quality. Laguncularia racemosa anatomy variation was evaluated to identify which cell features, mainly fibre features, are related to an environmental gradient and how this variation affects wood quality. Trees were sampled in six sites along the river where different flooding periods and levels occur. Analyses revealed that in sites with high salinity and flooding levels, there are more abundant vessels and axial parenchyma although the fibres and vessel elements are shorter, suggesting a water stress effect. Correlation analysis confirmed that the higher the percentage of gelatinous fibres, the longer the fibres. This occurred in L. racemosa trees growing in those sites with a high sand particle percentage and a lower flooding level. Anova (analysis of variance) revealed non-significant differences among sites for flexibility, rigidity and Peteri coefficients as well as for Runkel ratio, however the rigidity coefficient is affected by occurrence of gelatinous fibres. L. racemosa wood harvesting should avoid those sites with high flooding level, high sand particle percentage and high salinity that may modify wood quality.     

The influence of thinning on rainfall interception by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pinus pinea</Emphasis> L. in Mediterranean coastal stands (Castel Fusano—Rome)

• Context  

This research was conducted in a 62-year-old stone pine (Pinus pinea L.) forest within the National Natural Reserve of the Roman Coast, Italy. Net under-canopy precipitation was measured between September 2004 and December 2008 in a unthinned and a thinned area of about 1 ha each.     

Synaptic theory of working memory

It is usually assumed that enhanced spiking activity in the form of persistent reverberation for several seconds is the neural correlate of working memory. Here, we propose that working memory is sustained by calcium-mediated synaptic facilitation in the recurrent connections of neocortical networks. In this account, the presynaptic residual calcium is used as a buffer that is loaded, refreshed, and read out by spiking activity. Because of the long time constants of calcium kinetics, the refresh rate can be low, resulting in a mechanism that is metabolically efficient and robust. The duration and stability of working memory can be regulated by modulating the spontaneous activity in the network.