Ginkgo biloba extract EGb 761 protects against mitochondrial aging in the brain and in the liver.

According to the free radical theory of aging, oxygen-derived free radicals causes the age-associated impairment at the cellular and tissue levels. The mitochondrial theory of aging points to mitochondria, and specially mitochondrial DNA, as the major targets of free radical attack upon aging. Thus, oxidative damage to mtDNA accumulate with age in human and rodent tissues and also is inversely related to maximum life span of mammals. Mitochondrial deficits, such as a decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential, occur upon aging due to oxidative damage. The age-related mitochondrial oxidative stress may be prevented by late onset administration of certain antioxidants, such as Ginkgo biloba extract EGb 761. These antioxidants may also delay the physiological impairment associated with aging.     

The influence of the rearing host on the response of the parasitoid Venturia canescens (Gravenhorst) (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) to odours from Ephestia kuehniella and Plodia interpunctella in a Y-tube olfactometer

Venturia canescens (Gravenhorst) is an ichneumonid generalist parasitoid that successfully attacks the larvae of different lepidopteran pests that infest stored products. These pest species include Plodia interpunctella and Ephestia kuehniella. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the influence of the rearing host on the parasitoid’s ability to detect and respond to a new host different from the rearing species. For this reason, the trials tested the preference of parasitoids reared on P. interpunctella or E. kuehniella for products that were or were not infested with larvae of these hosts. The trials were conducted in a Y-tube olfactometer. Regardless of the rearing host species, the parasitoids showed no preference for uninfested products. The parasitoids were attracted to products infested with larvae of their rearing host in preference to uninfested products. They also showed preferential attraction to products infested with the new host over uninfested products. E. kuehniella was the preferred host, irrespectively of the parasitoid host rearing species. The results are discussed to develop a better understanding of the ecology of V. canescens for its application in biological control.     

Linkage analysis and identification of quantitative trait loci associated with freeze tolerance and turf quality traits in St. Augustinegrass

St. Augustinegrass [Stenotaphrum secundatum (Walt.) Kuntze] is a warm-season turfgrass commonly grown in the southern USA. In this study, the first linkage map for all nine haploid chromosomes of the species was constructed for cultivar ‘Raleigh’ and cultivar ‘Seville’ using a pseudo-F₂ mapping strategy. A total of 160 simple sequence repeat markers were mapped to nine linkage groups (LGs) covering a total distance of 1176.24 cM. To demonstrate the usefulness of the map, quantitative trait loci (QTL) were mapped controlling field winter survival, laboratory-based freeze tolerance, and turf quality traits. Multiple genomic regions associated with these traits were identified. Moreover, overlapping QTL were found for winterkill and spring green up on LG 3 (99.21 cM); turf quality, turf density, and leaf texture on LG 3 (68.57–69.50 cM); and surviving green tissue and regrowth on LGs 1 (38.31 cM), 3 (77.70 cM), 6 (49.51 cM), and 9 (34.20 cM). Additional regions, where QTL identified in both field and laboratory-based/controlled environment freeze testing co-located, provided strong support that these regions are good candidates for true gene locations. These results present the first complete linkage map produced for St. Augustinegrass, providing a template for further genetic mapping. Additionally, markers linked to the QTL identified may be useful to breeders for transferring these traits into new breeding lines and cultivars.     

Identificación de polimorfismos de un solo nucleótido relacionados con la fragilidad

Introduction

The search for biomarkers that can lead to the early diagnosis and thus, early treatment of frailty, has become one of the main challenges facing the geriatric scientific community. The aim of the present study was to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) related to frailty.

Insertion reactions of 1,4-diisocyanobenzene in binuclear Pd(I) complexes

Reactions between XPd(μ-dmp)₂PdX′ (X = X′ = Cl, Br, I, NCO, SCN, N₃ or C₆F₅; X = C₆F₅, X′ = Cl, Br, I, NCO) with 1,4-diisocyanobenzene lead to the tetranuclear complexes [(μ,μ′-CNC₆H₄NC){XPd(μ-dpm)₂PdX′}₂], where both ends of the diisocyanide are inserted in a metalmetal bond. The cationic derivatives [(μ,μ′-CNC₆H₄NC){(RNC)Pd(μ-dpm)₂(CNR)}₂](BPh₄)₄ and [(μ,μ′-CNC₆H₄NC){(RNC)Pd(μ-dpm)₂Pd(C₆F₅)}₂] (BPh₄)₂ (R = p-Tol, Cy, or ^tBu) are obtained by reacting [(μ,μ′-CNC₆H₄NC){ClPd(μ-dpm)₂PdX}₂] (X= Cl or C₆F₅) with RNC in the presence of NaBPh₄. Treatment of [(μ,μ′-CNC₆H₄NC){ClPd(μ-dpm)₂Pd(C₆F₅)}]₂ with NaBPh₄ causes the di-insertion and subsequent coordination of the isocyanide, yielding [(C₆F₅)Pd(CN-C₆H₄NC) Pd(μ-dpm)₂Pd(C₆F₅)](BPh₄)₂.     

Occurrence of Drug-Resistant Bacteria in Two European Eel Farms

The occurrence of strains that are resistant to oxolinic acid, oxytetracycline, sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim, and nitrofurantoin among heterotrophic bacteria, including human and fish pathogens, in two freshwater eel farms was investigated. High levels of individual- and multiple-drug-resistant bacteria were detected, although sampling events were not correlated with clinical outbreaks and drug therapy.