Experimental and theoretical studies of the thermal degradation of a phenolic dibenzodioxocin lignin model

A large part of biphenyl structures in lignin are etherified by α- and β-carbons of another phenylpropane unit to give an eight-member ring called dibenzodioxocin. The behavior of a phenolic dibenzodioxocin lignin model, 4-(4,9-dimethoxy-2,11-n-dipropyl-6,7-dihydro-5,8-dioxa-dibenzo[a,c]cycloocten-6-yl)-2-methoxyphenol (DBDOH, 1), was studied by different mass spectrometry and thermal methods, leading to the conclusion that dibenzodioxocins are thermally unstable products. Both semi-empirical and density functional theory quantum calculations show that both C–O bonds, which connect the biphenyl part of the dibenzodioxocin molecule to the phenolic group, can be broken under increasing temperature. However, they do not play the same role since their dissociation occurs through different barrier heights. The C–O bond directly connected to the phenolic group (α–O-4) will dissociate first since its barrier energy for scission is lower than the other one (β–O-4), by roughly 12 kcal mol^–1 (≈50 kJ mol^?1). This conclusion is likely applicable to thermal degradation of DBDO units in lignin polymer.     

Listeria monocytogenes contamination of finishing pigs: an exploratory epidemiological survey in France

Listeria monocytogenes is a foodborne pathogen of major concern for public health in industrialised countries. Since L. monocytogenes carriage by pigs at the herd level could be a primary source for carcass contamination, control measures should be designed to reduce the L. monocytogenes load at the pre-harvest stage. For this purpose, an exploratory analytical survey was carried out in 2000-2001 in 93 French farrow-to-finish pig farms concerning L. monocytogenes contamination in pigs before they left for the slaughterhouse. On each farm, the L. monocytogenes status of a batch of contemporary fattening pigs housed in the same room was assessed on faecal material samples taken by means of gauze swabs wiped on the perianal region of the pigs. Fourteen percent of the batches studied had at least one contaminated sample and were therefore classified as L. monocytogenes contaminated batches. Two logistic regression models were used to assess the association between managerial and hygiene practices and the risk of L. monocytogenes contamination of the batch at the end of the finishing period on the whole data set (n = 93) and in the wet feeding farms only (n = 57). Wet feeding during the fattening period was identified as a risk factor for L. monocytogenes contamination. Risk factors related to the introduction of L. monocytogenes in pig facilities were identified for both the general and wet feeding farm data sets. Poor care paid to hygiene on the farms was found to increase the risk of being infected (boots cleaning, change room presence). When the duration of the empty period prior to the introduction of growing pigs was less than one day in the fattening section, the risk of L. monocytogenes contamination was significantly increased. For wet feeding farms, a distribution pipeline cleaning procedure including disinfection was found to be associated with a higher risk of contamination than no cleaning or a procedure consisting of rinsing with water only.     

Assortative mating in sympatric host races of the European corn borer

Although a growing body of work supports the plausibility of sympatric speciation in animals, the practical difficulties of directly quantifying reproductive isolation between diverging taxa remain an obstacle to analyzing this process. We used a combination of genetic and biogeochemical markers to produce a direct field estimate of assortative mating in phytophagous insect populations. We show that individuals of the same insect species, the European corn borer Ostrinia nubilalis, that develop on different host plants can display almost absolute reproductive isolation-the proportion of assortative mating was >95%-even in the absence of temporal or spatial isolation.     

Risk factors for Listeria monocytogenes contamination in French laying hens and broiler flocks

The objective of this study was to identify potential risk factors for Listeria monocytogenes contamination in French poultry production. Eighty-four flocks of layer hens kept in cages and 142 broiler flocks were included in this study. For each production type, a questionnaire was submitted to farmers and fecal samples were taken to assess the L. monocytogenes status of the flocks during a single visit to the farm. Two logistic regression models (specific to each production) were used to assess the association between management practices and the risk of L. monocytogenes contamination of the flock. The prevalence of L. monocytogenes-positive flocks was 30.9% (95% CI: 21.0; 40.9) and 31.7% (95% CI: 24.0; 39.4) for cage-layers and broiler flocks, respectively. For layer flocks, the risk of L. monocytogenes contamination was increased when pets were present on the production site. When droppings were evacuated by conveyor belt with deep pit storage, the risk of L. monocytogenes contamination decreased significantly. Feed meal was found to be associated with a higher risk of L. monocytogenes contamination than feed crumb. For broiler flocks, the risk of L. monocytogenes contamination was increased when farmers did not respect the principle of two areas (clean and dirty) at the poultry house entrance. A first disinfection by thermal fogging and the absence of pest control of the poultry house before the arrival of the next flock was found to increase the risk of contamination. When litter was not protected during storage and when farm staff also took care of other broiler chicken houses, the risk of L. monocytogenes contamination increased significantly. In the case of the watering system, nipples with cups were found to decrease the risk of contamination.     

Location of Pm3g, a powdery mildew resistance allele in wheat, by using a monosomic analysis and by identifying associated molecular markers

A segregating population of doubled-haploid lines issued from the cross between the wheat (Triticum aestivum L. em. Thell) cultivars Courtot, resistant to several isolates of powdery mildew (Blumeria graminis DC. f. sp. tritici Em. Marchal), and Chinese Spring (susceptible) was used to map Mlar, a gene carried by Courtot and conferring resistance to this pathogen. The assignation of Mlar using monosomic lines of Courtot was confirmed by the mapping analysis. Mlar was located on the short arm of the chromosome 1A, in the vicinity of the locus XGli-A5 coding for storage proteins. This result was in accordance with those demonstrating that Mlar was an allele of the Pm3 locus (Pm3g), a gene also involved in the resistance to powdery mildew. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

New data and phylogenetic placement of the enigmatic Old World lupin: <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lupinus mariae</Emphasis>-<Emphasis Type="Italic">josephi</Emphasis> H. Pascual

Lupinus mariae-josephi H. Pascual is an intriguing lupin species recently discovered in the Mediterranean region. New data from seed coat micromorphology, cytology, and DNA sequences were generated in order to extend our knowledge on this species and to examine its evolutionary relationships within Lupinus. This species shows morphological similarities with the Mediterranean smooth seeded species of sections Micranthi and Lutei. It shares the same chromosome number 2n = 52 with the latter Old World taxa, but also with unifoliolate lupins from Florida. Besides, L. mariae-josephi exhibited a seed coat micromorphology “intermediate” between the rough and the smooth seed coat types. Phylogenetic analyses using ITS and ETS nrDNA spacers, and the LEGCYC1A locus supported L. mariae-josephi as a distinct Old World line, placed out of the Scabrispermae, but without clear placement amongst the Mediterranean smooth-seeded lineages. Unexpectedly, LEGCYC1A data revealed phylogenetic affinities between L. mariae-josephi and L. villosus, a unifoliolate North American lupin that might have experienced a reticulated evolutionary process. All together, the data underline the phylogenetic interest of L. mariae-josephi in Lupinus and the need of additional investigations in order to definitely elucidate its enigmatic status. Moreover, as L. mariae-josephi is one of the rare Old World lupins strictly restricted to poor basic soils, it opens new perspectives of ecological and agronomic interests in the wide areas of poor calcareous soils in the Mediterranean region.     

Cardiopulmonary effects of combined xylazine-guaiphenesin-ketamine infusion and extradural (inter-coccygeal lidocaine) anaesthesia in calves

Objective To investigate the cardiopulmonary effects of a xylazine–guaiphenesin–ketamine infusion combined with inter‐coccygeal extradural (lidocaine) anaesthesia in calves. Study design Prospective study. Animals Five Holstein Friesian calves (one steer, four heifers) aged 6 weeks weighing 65.2 ± 2.7 kg. Materials and methods Calves were anaesthetized with isoflurane in oxygen for instrumentation. At least 12 hours later, xylazine (0.2 mg kg^?1 IM) was given. After 15 minutes, an infusion of xylazine hydrochloride (0.1 mg mL^?1), guaiphenesin (50 mg mL^?1) and ketamine (1 mg mL^?1) (X–G–K) was infused at a rate of 1.1 mL kg^?1 hour^?1 IV. Oxygen (4 L minute^?1) was delivered by nasotracheal tube 30 minutes later. Inter‐coccygeal (Co₁–Co₂) extradural anaesthesia (lidocaine 2%, 0.18 mL kg^?1) was administered 30 minutes later. Cardiopulmonary variables were obtained in the unsedated standing calves 10 minutes after xylazine, 15 and 30 minutes after X–G–K without O₂, 15 and 30 minutes after X–G–K with O₂ and 5, 15, 30, 45 and 60 minutes after extradural anaesthesia. Data were analysed using a repeated measurement analysis of variance including an autoregressive covariance structure of order 1 (correlations at different time intervals). Results Xylazine caused significant (p < 0.05) decreases in heart rate (HR), cardiac output (Qt) and index (CI), stroke volume and stroke index, mean, systolic and diastolic arterial blood pressure (MAP, SAP, DAP), left (LVWSI) and right ventricular stroke work index (RVWSI), mean, systolic and diastolic pulmonary arterial pressure (MPAP, SPAP, DPAP), arterial pH, arterial oxygen tension (P_aO₂), arterial base excess, arterial HCO₃^? concentration, arterial saturation, packed cell volume, arterial and venous oxygen content (C_aO₂, C_vO₂), O₂ consumption and O₂ delivery (V?O₂, ?O₂). Increases in systemic vascular resistance (SVR) and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) were observed. During X–G–K infusion without O₂, HR, Qt and CI increased gradually while SVR, PVR and MAP decreased. Left ventricular stroke work index and P_aO₂ remained constant, while O₂ supplementation improved P_aO₂. Coccygeal extradural anaesthesia had little effect on cardiopulmonary variables. Respiratory rate (f) and P_aCO₂ significantly increased over the experiment. Conclusions and clinical relevance Xylazine caused adverse cardiopulmonary effects in calves. Improvement occurred during xylazine–guiaphenesin–ketamine infusion. Cardiac index and arterial blood pressure remained below baseline values while sustained increases in respiration rate and P_aCO₂ were observed. Inter‐coccygeal extradural anaesthesia had only minor effects. Oxygen supplementation proved advantageous during guiaphenesin, ketamine and xylazine infusion in healthy calves in combination with coccygeal extradural anaesthesia induced persistent cardiopulmonary depression.     

Hydrogen peroxide scavenging mechanisms are components of Medicago truncatula partial resistance to Aphanomyces euteiches

The biochemical processes underlying the expression of resistance in the roots of Medicago truncatula against Aphanomyces euteiches infection was investigated, with emphasis on oxidative stress. The levels of H₂O₂, superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, ascorbate peroxidase, catalase, soluble phenolics and lignin were measured in the roots of two lines, A17 partially resistant and F83005.5 susceptible to A. euteiches at three infection stages; penetration of the epidermis (1 dpi), colonization of the cortex (3 dpi) and invasion of the root stele (6 dpi). A rapid and large decrease of the H₂O₂ levels in A17 roots occurred. However, in F83005.5 roots, the decrease in H₂O₂ levels was delayed until 3 dpi. In A17 roots, the activities of ascorbate peroxidase, peroxidase and catalase were induced as early as 1 dpi, whereas a general decrease in the activity of the four antioxidant enzymes was observed in F83005.5 roots. The levels of soluble phenolics and lignin were increased in A17 roots at 3 and 6 dpi, respectively. The H₂O₂ levels were negatively correlated to ascorbate peroxidase, catalase and lignin production at 1, 3 and 6 dpi, respectively in A17 roots. Physiological concentrations of H₂O₂ found in M. truncatula infected roots had no detrimental effect on the in vitro growth of this oomycete. Our data suggest that H₂O₂ does not have a direct antimicrobial effect on M. truncatula resistance to A. euteiches, but is involved in cell wall strengthening around the root stele, preventing pathogen invasion of the vascular tissues.     

An Ulva armoricana extract protects plants against three powdery mildew pathogens

The protective activity of a crude extract prepared from the green macroalga, Ulva armoricana, previously shown to induce plant defence responses, was evaluated on three plant species, common bean, grapevine and cucumber, cultivated in the greenhouse and inoculated with three powdery mildew pathogens Erysiphe polygoni, E. necator and Sphareotheca fuliginea respectively. Chemical analyses showed that the extract was enriched in ulvans, which are green algae polysaccharides essentially composed of uronic acid and sulphated rhamnose. Weekly applications were performed by spraying of the green algal extract at various dilutions on bean, grapevine and cucumber leaves. A significant effect (50% protection) was observed using a dilution corresponding to about 3 g l⁻¹ dry matter and up to 90% reduction of symptom severity was obtained for the highest concentration (1/9 dilution, 6 g l⁻¹ dry matter) for the three plant species. To study the natural variability of the protective activity, five extracts prepared from algae batches harvested at different year periods were evaluated. Although polysaccharide composition varied among batches, all extracts elicit a reporter gene regulated by a defence-gene promoter in a transgenic tobacco line, and protect cucumber plants against powdery mildew infection. Together, these data demonstrate that U. armoricana is a reproducible source of active compounds which can be used to efficiently protect crop plants against powdery mildew diseases.