In vitro evaluation of native entomopathogenic fungi and neem (Azadiractha indica) extracts on Spodoptera frugiperda

The control of Spodoptera frugiperda is based on synthetic insecticides, so some alternatives are the use of entomopathogenic fungi (EF) and neem extract. The objective of the study was to evaluate in vitro effectiveness of native EF and neem extracts on S. frugiperda larvae. Six EF were identified by DNA sequencing of ITS regions from three EF (Fusarium solani, Metarrhizium robertsii, Nigrospora spherica and Penicillium citrinum). They were evaluated in concentrations of 1 × 10⁸ spores/ mL. In addition, a second bioassay was carried out evaluating only F. solani, M. robertsii and N. sphaerica and the addition of vegetable oil. On the other hand, extraction of secondary metabolites from neem seed (Azadirachta indica) was carried out by performing, mass (g) and solvent volume (mL ethanol and water) combinations, which were subjected to microwaves and ultrasound. Subsequently, these extracts were evaluated in concentrations of 3%, 4% and 5%. A survival analysis was performed for each of the bioassays. With respect to the results of the first bioassay, F. solani obtained a probability of survival of 0.476 on the seventh day, while in the second bioassay, M. robertsii obtained 0.488 survival probability. This suggests that the expected percentage of larvae that stay alive on the sixth day is 48.8%. However, in the evaluation of the neem extract the combination 1:12/70% to 4% caused 84% mortality of larvae. The use of native HE and neem extracts has potential for the control of S. frugiperda.     

Identification of spawning sites and natural nurseries of fishes in the upper Paraná River,Brazil

Synopsis We studied the timing of migratory fish spawning in the last dam-free stretch of the upper Paraná River and in Itaipu Reservoir. Eggs were more common in the Amambai and Ivaï Rivers, while larvae predominated in the Paraná River and in Itaipu Reservoir. Both eggs and larvae were more abundant at night. The highest abundance of eggs was in October and that of larvae in November. Migratory species predominated in the Amambai and Paraná Rivers, and non-migratory species in the Ivaï River and Itaipu Reservoir. The predominance of eggs in the upper and middle portions, and larvae in the lower, infer that there are spawning sites in the former and nurseries in the latter. The high nocturnal abundance of eggs is associated with spawning at sunset and that of larvae with feeding, avoidance of predators and nocturnal disorientation. The presence of tributaries such as the Amambai and Ivaí Rivers in the last dam-free stretch of the Paraná River is extremely important to the maintenance of regional fish diversity and fish stocks in both the Paraná River and Itaipu Reservoir.     

A point mutation in an unusual Sec7 domain is linked to brefeldin A resistance in a Plasmodium falciparum line generated by drug selection

The malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum has an unusual organization of its secretory compartments. As an approach to a functional identification of auxiliary proteins involved in secretion, a parasite line was generated by drug selection that is resistant to brefeldin A, an inhibitor of the secretory pathway. In the resistant line, neither protein secretion nor parasite viability were affected by the drug. The analysis of a sec7 domain, a conserved structure of guanine nucleotide exchange factors (ARF-GEF) required for the activation of ADP-ribosylation factors, revealed a single methionine-isoleucine substitution in the resistant parasite line. ARF-GEFs are key molecules in the formation of transport vesicles and the main targets of brefeldin A. The methionine residue in this position of sec7 domains is highly conserved and confers brefeldin A sensitivity. Unlike other eukaryotes that have multiple ARF-GEFs, the plasmodial genome encodes a single sec7 domain. This domain shows a distinct structural difference to all sec7 domains analysed so far; two conserved subdomains that are essential for protein function are separated in the plasmodial protein by an insertion of 146 amino acids.     

Expression of Drosophila Ten-a,a dimeric receptor during embryonic development

Ten-a and Ten-m are the two Drosophila members of the newly discovered Ten-m family of dimeric type II transmembrane proteins. Here, we report complete cDNA cloning and protein expression patterns of Ten-a. The Ten-a protein, a dimeric receptor of about 500 kDa is mainly expressed on axons of the embryonic central nervous system and on muscle attachment sites.     

CaGE: cardiac gene expression knowledgebase

CaGE is a Cardiac Gene Expression knowledgebase we have developed to facilitate the analysis of genes important to human cardiac function. CaGE integrates the functionality of the LocusLink database with data from several human cardiac expression libraries, phenotypic data from OMIM and data from large-scale microarray gene expression studies to create a knowledgebase of gene expression in human cardiac tissue. The knowledgebase is fully searchable via the web using several intuitive query interfaces. Results can be displayed in several concise easy to navigate formats. AVAILABILITY: CaGE is located at http://www.cage.wbmei.jhu.edu     

Dystroglycan is required for polarizing the epithelial cells and the oocyte in Drosophila

The transmembrane protein Dystroglycan is a central element of the dystrophin-associated glycoprotein complex, which is involved in the pathogenesis of many forms of muscular dystrophy. Dystroglycan is a receptor for multiple extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules such as Laminin, agrin and perlecan, and plays a role in linking the ECM to the actin cytoskeleton; however, how these interactions are regulated and their basic cellular functions are poorly understood. Using mosaic analysis and RNAi in the model organism Drosophila melanogaster, we show that Dystroglycan is required cell-autonomously for cellular polarity in two different cell types, the epithelial cells (apicobasal polarity) and the oocyte (anteroposterior polarity). Loss of Dystroglycan function in follicle and disc epithelia results in expansion of apical markers to the basal side of cells and overexpression results in a reduced apical localization of these same markers. In Dystroglycan germline clones early oocyte polarity markers fail to be localized to the posterior, and oocyte cortical F-actin organization is abnormal. Dystroglycan is also required non-cell-autonomously to organize the planar polarity of basal actin in follicle cells, possibly by organizing the Laminin ECM. These data suggest that the primary function of Dystroglycan in oogenesis is to organize cellular polarity; and this study sets the stage for analyzing the Dystroglycan complex by using the power of Drosophila molecular genetics.     

Weight stability masks sarcopenia in elderly men and women

Skeletal muscle loss or sarcopenia in aging has been suggested in cross-sectional studies but has not been shown in elderly subjects using appropriate measurement techniques combined with a longitudinal study design. Longitudinal skeletal muscle mass changes after age 60 yr were investigated in independently living, healthy men (n = 24) and women (n = 54; mean age 73 yr) with a mean +/- SD follow-up time of 4.7 +/- 2.3 yr. Measurements included regional skeletal muscle mass, four additional lean components (fat-free body mass, body cell mass, total body water, and bone mineral), and total body fat. Total appendicular skeletal muscle (TSM) mass decreased in men (-0.8 +/- 1.2 kg, P = 0.002), consisting of leg skeletal muscle (LSM) loss (-0.7 +/- 0.8 kg, P = 0.001) and a trend toward loss of arm skeletal muscle (ASM; -0.2 +/- 0.4 kg, P = 0.06). In women, TSM mass decreased (-0.4 +/- 1.2 kg, P = 0.006) and consisted of LSM loss (-0.3 +/- 0.8 kg, P = 0.005) and a tendency for a loss of ASM (-0.1 +/- 0.6 kg, P = 0.20). Multiple regression modeling indicates greater rates of LSM loss in men. Body weight in men at follow-up did not change significantly (-0.5 +/- 3.0 kg, P = 0.44) and fat mass increased (+1.2 +/- 2.4 kg, P = 0.03). Body weight and fat mass in women were nonsignificantly reduced (-0.8 +/- 3.9 kg, P = 0.15 and -0.8 +/- 3.5 kg, P = 0.12). These observations suggest that sarcopenia is a progressive process, particularly in elderly men, and occurs even in healthy independently living older adults who may not manifest weight loss.