Diversity of Rhizobia isolated from various Hedysarum species

Cultural and physiological properties, serology, plasmid profiles and infective traits were determined for 23 strains of rhizobia isolated from various Hedysarum species: H. coronarium (common name: sulla) (16), H. carnosum (1), H. alpinum (3), H. mackenzii (2) and H. pallens (1) from Portugal, Spain, Tunisia, Alaska and Israel. Strains isolated from H. alpinum, H. mackenzii and H. pallens have slow growth rates on yeast-extract mannitol medium and were unable to nodulate H. coronarium plants, whereas the latter were effectively nodulated by all sixteen fast growing strains from sulla. Regardless of the country of origin all H. coronarium strains fell into one serogroup and were not serologically related with strains of other Hedysarum species. The RAPD (random amplified polymorphic DNA) fingerprinting method which was carried out on five H. coronarium and three H. alpinum strains allowed distinction to be made among serologically related rhizobia. No particular plasmid profile pattern was observed in relation to the host or geographical origin of the strains.     

CHROMOSOME HOMOLOGY IN SOME INTERCONTINENTAL HYBRIDS IN HIBISCUS SECT. FURCARIA

Ten kinds of interspecific hybrids were obtained involving the following species: H. surattensis L. (2x, genome constitution BB), H. sudanensis Hochr. (2x, GG), and H. rostellatus Guill. and Perr. (4x, GGHH) from Africa; H. furcatus Roxb. non Willd. (8x) from India and Ceylon; H. furcellatus Lam. and H. bifurcatus Cav. (both 4x, PPQQ) from South America; and H. heterophyllus Vent. (6x) from Australia. Chromosome pairing in pollen mother cells (PMC's) at metaphase I in the 4x hybrids H. bifurcatus-rostellatus and H. furcellatus-rostellatus indicated that the parents have one genome in common (Q = G or H). Hibiscus furcatus was shown earlier to have a B genome; hybrids of H. surattensis-sudanensis F₁ X furcatus were hexaploid, having received an unreduced gamete from their hybrid parent, and had approximately 36 II, 36 I in PMC's. The genome formula of H. furcatus may therefore be designated BBGGWWZZ. The hybrid H. rostellatus-furcatus (BGGHWZ) confirmed that H. furcatus has a G genome in common with H. rostellatus; pairing of the other three genomes was inconsistent, as was that in H. rostellatus-heterophyllus. Some samples of the latter approached 36 II, 36 I, expected if H. heterophyllus were GGHHJJ; other samples had less pairing. Hibiscus furcatus-heterophyllus hybrids apparently arose from unreduced gametes of H. heterophyllus and originated as decaploids rather than heptaploids; chromosome number was unstable in PMC's. Nevertheless, multivalents, especially trivalents, were frequent enough to suggest that H. furcatus and H. heterophyllus share G genomes. On the other hand, an 8x H. bifurcatus-furcatus hybrid, which apparently arose from an unreduced gamete of H. bifurcatus, had a low multivalent frequency. Hybrids were obtained of H. heterophyllus X sudanensis and H. surattensis-sudanensis X heterophyllus, but the plants were weak and were not analyzed cytologically. We suggest that the New World, African, Indian, and Australian genomes which retain a considerable degree of homology (G or H or both) were distributed by land prior to separation of the southern continents by continental drift.     

基于cpDNA单倍型多态性的草果栽培地理起源证据

为了探索草果(Amomum tsaoko)的栽培地理起源,该文检测了草果、拟草果(A. paratsaoko)的cpDNA序列变化,并获取了单倍型多态性信息。结果表明:(1)20个草果居群272个植株、5个拟草果居群62个植株共检测到7种单倍型。其中,草果有3种单倍型(H1、H3、H6),拟草果有6种单倍型(H1、H2、H3、H4、H5、H7)。H1和H3为共享单倍型,H6为草果私有单倍型,H2、H4、H5、H7为拟草果私有单倍型。H1为普通单倍型,H2为祖先单倍型。(2)草果居群遗传多样性远小于拟草果居群,遗传变异主要来源于居群内,拟草果居群主要来源于居群间。麻栗坡铁厂(TC)、屏边玉屏(YP)居群的遗传多样性、单倍型多样性高于其他18个草果居群。(3)进一步分析表明,包含屏边、马关、西畴、麻栗坡的云南东南部前端地域和邻接的广西那坡可能共同构成草果栽培驯化起源中心,以麻栗坡为核心区域,向周边的西畴、马关、屏边、那坡扩张。因此,结果显示应对TC、YP、那坡下华(XH)居群加以保护。该研究结果为草果种质资源保护、利用提供了遗传学信息。     

Genetic relationships among <Emphasis Type="Italic">Hystrix patula,H. duthiei</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">H. longearistata</Emphasis> according to meiotic studies and genome-specific RAPD assay

Hybrids including Hystrix patula, H. duthiei and H. longearistata were obtained and genetic relationships among them were studied. Meiotic pairing in hybrids of H. duthiei × Psathyrostachys juncea (Ns), H. longearistata × Psa. juncea (Ns), Leymus multicaulis (NsXm) × H. duthiei, L. multicaulis (NsXm) × H. longearistata, Elymus sibiricus (StH) × H. patula, Roegneria ciliaris (StY) × H. patula, R. ciliaris (StY) × H. duthiei and R. ciliaris (StY) × H. longearistata averaged 5.76, 5.44, 11.94, 10.88, 10.08, 3.57, 0.46 and 0.90 bivalents per cell, respectively. The results indicated that H. duthiei and H. longearistata had the NsXm genomes of Leymus, while H. patula contained the StH genomes and had a low genome affinity with the StY genomes of Roegneria. Results of genome-specific RAPD assay were comparable with the chromosome pairing data. According to the genomic system of classification in Triticeae, H. patula should be considered as Elymus hystrix L., while H. duthiei and H. longearistata as Leymus duthiei and Leymus duthiei ssp. longearistata, respectively.     

Social evolution in the genusHalictus: a phylogenetic approach

Summary Halictine bees exhibit an enormous diversity of solitary and social colony structures. To investigate social evolution in the genusHalictus, phylogenies of 15 species of the subgeneraH. (Halictus) andH. (Seladonia) were constructed based on protein electrophoretic data. Solitary, social, and socially polymorphic species were included.Halictus (Seladonia) apparently rendersH. (Halictus) paraphyletic. The common ancestor ofH. (Halictus) andH. (Seladonia) was probably social or socially polymorphic. This implies that some solitary and socially polymorphic species, such asH. confusus andH. tumulorum, represent evolutionary reversals from a completely eusocial condition to the solitary condition that is thought to be primitive for the subfamily as a whole.     

ceRNA network construction and comparison of gastric cancer with or without Helicobacter pylori infection

Gastric cancer (GC) is a lethal disease, and among its variety of etiological factors, Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is the strongest risk factor. However, the genetic and molecular mechanisms underlying H. pylori-related GC need further elucidation. We investigated the competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network differences between H. pylori (+) and H. pylori (−) GC. The long noncoding RNA (lncRNA), microRNA (miRNA), and messenger RNA (mRNA) expression data from 32 adjacent noncancerous samples and 18 H. pylori (+) and 141 H. pylori (−) stomach adenocarcinoma samples were downloaded from the TCGA database. After construction of lncRNA–miRNA–mRNA ceRNA networks of H. pylori (+) and H. pylori (−) GC, Panther and Kobas databases were used to analyze the Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways. Finally, survival analysis was used to discover the key genes. In H. pylori (+) GC, we identified a total of 1,419 lncRNAs, 82 miRNAs, and 2,501 mRNAs with differentially expressed profiles. In H. pylori (−) GC, 2,225 lncRNAs, 130 miRNAs, and 3,146 mRNAs were differentially expressed. Furthermore, three unique pathways (cytokine–cytokine receptor interaction, HIF-1 signaling pathway, and Wnt signaling pathway) were enriched in H. pylori (+) GC. According to the overall survival analysis, three lncRNAs (AP002478.1, LINC00111, and LINC00313) and two mRNAs (MYB and COL1A1) functioned as prognostic biomarkers for patients with H. pylori (+) GC. In conclusion, our study has identified the differences in ceRNA regulatory networks between H. pylori (+) and H. pylori (−) GC and provides a rich candidate reservoir for future studies.     

The cytogenetics of a triploid Hordeum bulbosum and of some of its hybrid and trisomic derivatives

Summary The progeny from a cross between diploid H. vulgare and triploid H. bulbosum were mostly triploid (VBB) hybrids, the other progeny were haploid (V) barley (H. vulgare). From a cross between diploid and triploid H. bulbosum, four of the seven possible trisomic lines were isolated. The Giemsa banded karyotype of H. bulbosum was produced, and two of the lines were identified as trisomic for chromosomes 6 and 7. The cytology and transmission rates of the trisomics were examined.     

木芙蓉三个品种及近缘种的叶绿体基因组比较分析

木芙蓉(Hibiscus mutabilis)栽培历史悠久,是原产中国的古老园林树种和药用植物。为了探讨木芙蓉品种及近缘种的进化特征,厘清木芙蓉品种间及其与近缘种间的亲缘关系,以及探究木芙蓉叶绿体基因组(chloroplast DNA, cpDNA)的遗传方式,该文选择了一个杂交组合中的3个木芙蓉栽培品种(‘单瓣白’‘金秋颂’‘牡丹粉’),用高通量测序平台Illumina NovaSeq对其cpDNA进行首次测序。经组装注释后得到3条完整的cpDNA序列,结合该团队已经完成的近缘种台湾芙蓉(H.taiwanensis)和来自基因库的木槿、朱槿的cpDNA,对木槿属4种及木芙蓉种下的3个品种进行了cpDNA组成和结构特征的比较分析,并完成了其系统发育树重建。结果表明：(1)‘单瓣白’‘金秋颂’‘牡丹粉’的cpDNA序列长度分别为160 880、160 879、160 920 bp,基因数目均为130个,其中蛋白编码基因85个、核糖体RNA 8个和转运RNA 37个。(2)比较分析结果显示,木芙蓉的种下3个品种及其近缘种台湾芙蓉在cpDNA上高度保守,反向重复区(IR)均为26 300 b...     

Elimination and duplication of particular Hordeum vulgare chromosomes in aneuploid interspecific Hordeum hybrids

Summary Seeds formed in crosses Hordeum lechleri (6x) x H. vulgare (2x and 4x), H. arizonicum (6x) x H. v. (2x), H. parodii (6x) x H. v. (2x), and H. tetraploidum (4x) x H. v. (2x) produced plants at high or rather high frequencies through embryo rescue. Giemsa C-banding patterns were used to analyze chromosomal constitutions and chromosomal locations on the methaphase plate. Among 100 plants obtained from H. vulgare (2x) crosses, 32 plants were aneuploid with 2n=29 (1), 28 (3), 27 (13), 26 (5), 25 (4), 24 (4), or 22 (2); 50 were euploid (12 analyzed), and 18 were polyhaploid (5 analyzed). Four plants had two sectors differing in chromosome number. Two of four hybrids with H. vulgare (4x) were euploid and two were aneuploid. Parental genomes were concentrically arranged with that of H. vulgare always found closest to the metaphase centre. Many plants showed a certain level of intraplant variation in chromosome numbers. Except for one H. vulgare (4x) hybrids, this variation was restricted to peripherally located non-H. vulgare genomes. This may reflect a less firm attachment of the chromosomes from these genomes to the spindle. Interplant variation in chromosome numbers was due to the permanent elimination or, far less common, duplication of the centrally located H. vulgare chromosomes in all 34 aneuploids, and in a few also to loss/gain of non-H, vulgare chromosomes. This selective elimination of chromosomes of the centrally located genome contrasts conditions found in diploid interspecific hybrids, which eliminate the peripherally located genome. The difference is attributed to changed genomic ratios. Derivatives of various H. vulgare lines were differently distributed among euploid hybrids, aneuploids, and polyhaploids. Chromosomal constitutions of hypoploid hybrids revealed a preferential elimination of H. vulgare chromosomes 1, 5, 6, and 7, but did not support the idea that H. vulgare chromosomes should be lost in a specific order. H. vulgare SAT-chromosomes 6 and 7 showed nucleolar dominance. Aneuploidy is ascribed to the same chromosome elimination mechanism that produces haploids in cross-combinations with H. vulgare (2x). The findings have implications for the utilization of interspecific Hordeum hybrids.     

Morphological and allozyme diversity in the Hieracium nigrescens group (Compositae) in the Sudety Mountains and the Western Carpathians

The overall pattern of morphological variation and genetic diversity (allozyme analysis) was studied in the Hieracium nigrescens group (H. nigrescens s.l., H. alpinum ≥ H. murorum) in the Sudety Mountains and the Western Carpathians. A morphological analysis was performed on 180 plants from 12 populations belonging to six a priori distinguished taxa. Altogether, 25 characters were measured or scored. Morphometric (canonical discriminant analysis) data separated five taxa, evaluated here at the species rank: H. chrysostyloides, H. decipiens, H. nigrescens (all from the Sudety Mountains), H. jarzabczynum, and H. vapenicanum (the Western Carpathians). A distinct local population from Mount Babia hora (the Western Carpathians) comprised a further possible taxon, given the preliminary name ‘H. babiagorense’. Genetic diversity was studied in 17 populations of H. chrysostyloides, H. decipiens, H. jarzabczynum, H. nigrescens, H. vapenicanum and ‘H. babiagorense’ using five enzyme systems. All a priori recognized species were proved to be genetically homogeneous, each consisting of one unique multilocus allozyme genotype, except ‘H. babiagorense’ which shared the same genotype with H. jarzabczynum. For the first time, a chromosome number is reported for H. vapenicanum (2n = 3x = 27) and previously published numbers were confirmed for H. chrysostyloides (2n = 5x = 45), H. decipiens (2n = 4x = 36), H. jarzabczynum (2n = 4x = 36), H. koprovanum (2n = 4x = 36), and H. nigrescens (2n = 4x = 36). All species have been shown to be endemic to either the Sudety Mountains or the Western Carpathians. Except for the species studied, two further ones (H. apiculatum, H. nivimontis) are recognized in the area, giving a total of seven species from the Hieracium nigrescens group in the area studied. The morphologically slightly different local population from Mount Babia hora/Babia Góra (‘H. babiagorense’) requires further study. Two new combinations are proposed: Hieracium jarzabczynum (Paw?. & Zahn) Mráz & Chrtek f. and Hieracium vapenicanum (Lengyel & Zahn) Chrtek f. & Mráz. © 2007 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2007, 153 , 287–300.     

Presence of Helicobacter pylori in a Sibling is Associated with a Long‐Term Increased Risk of H. pylori Infection in Israeli Arab Children

Background and Objectives: We examined the dynamics of Helicobacter pylori infection between pre‐school and school ages and compared the determinants of late acquisition of H. pylori infection with determinants of early and persistent H. pylori infection. Methods: ELISA was used to detect H. pylori antigens in stool specimens collected from children at preschool age (3–5 years) and from their mothers and siblings in 2004. The children were tested again for H. pylori at school age (6–9 years) in 2007–2009. Household and socioeconomic characteristics were obtained by interviews. Results: The prevalence of H. pylori infection increased from 49.7% (95% CI 42.8, 56.7) in 2004 to 58.9% (95% CI 51.8, 65.6) in 2007–2009. Among children tested in both examinations, 69 (49.3%) had persistent infection, 14 (10.0%) were new cases, 56 (40.0%) remained uninfected, and one (0.7%) had lost H. pylori infection. The approximate annual incidence of infection during 2004–2009 was 5%. Sibling’s H. pylori positivity at baseline increased the risk for late acquisition of H. pylori infection; adjusted prevalence ratio (PR) 4.62 (95% CI 0.76, 28.23) (p = .09), while maternal education lowered the risk; adjusted PR 0.84 (95% CI 0.69, 1.01) (p = .06). Sibling’s H. pylori positivity was the only significant variable associated with early and persistent H. pylori infection in multivariate analysis. Conclusions: Most H. pylori infections are acquired at preschool age and transient infection beyond this age is uncommon in this population. Helicobacter pylori‐infected siblings are the major reservoir of H. pylori in early and late childhood demonstrating sustained intra‐familial transmission of H. pylori.     

Haplotype analysis of key genes governing grain yield and quality traits across 3K RG panel reveals scope for the development of tailor‐made rice with enhanced genetic gains

Though several genes governing various major traits have been reported in rice, their superior haplotype combinations for developing ideal variety remains elusive. In this study, haplotype analysis of 120 previously functionally characterized genes, influencing grain yield (87 genes) and grain quality (33 genes) revealed significant variations in the 3K rice genome (RG) panel. For selected genes, meta‐expression analysis using already available datasets along with co‐expression network provided insights at systems level. Also, we conducted candidate gene based association study for the 120 genes and identified 21 strongly associated genes governing 10‐grain yield and quality traits. We report superior haplotypes upon phenotyping the subset of 3K RG panel, SD1‐H8 with haplotype frequency (HF) of 30.13% in 3K RG panel, MOC1‐H9 (HF: 23.08%), IPA1‐H14 (HF: 6.64%), DEP3‐H2 (HF: 5.59%), DEP1‐H2 (HF: 37.53%), SP1‐H3 (HF: 5.05%), LAX1‐H5 (HF: 1.56%), LP‐H13 (3.64%), OSH1‐H4 (5.52%), PHD1‐H14 (HF: 15.21%), AGO7‐H15 (HF: 3.33%), ROC5‐H2 (31.42%), RSR1‐H8 (HF: 4.20%) and OsNAS3‐H2 (HF: 1.00%). For heading date, Ghd7‐H8 (HF: 3.08%), TOB1‐H10 (HF: 4.60%) flowered early, Ghd7‐H14 (HF: 42.60%), TRX1‐H9 (HF: 27.97%), OsVIL3‐H14 (HF: 1.72%) for medium duration flowering, while Ghd7‐H6 (HF: 1.65%), SNB‐H9 (HF: 9.35%) were late flowering. GS5‐H4 (HF: 65.84%) attributed slender, GS5‐H5 (HF: 29.00%), GW2‐H2 (HF: 4.13%) were medium slender and GS5‐H9 (HF: 2.15%) for bold grains. Furthermore, haplotype analysis explained possible genetic basis for superiority of selected mega‐varieties. Overall, this study suggests the possibility for developing next‐generation tailor‐made rice with superior haplotype combinations of target genes suiting future food and nutritional demands via haplotype‐based breeding.     

Combined releases of entomopathogenic nematodes and the predatory mite Hypoaspis aculeifer to control soil-dwelling stages of western flower thrips Frankliniella occidentalis

The effect of the predatory miteHypoaspis aculeifer Canestrini (Acarina:Laelapidae) on soil-dwelling stages of thewestern flower thrips (WFT) Frankliniellaoccidentalis Pergande (Thysanoptera: Thripidae)and the influence of combined releases of H.aculeifer and two entomopathogenic nematodes(EPNs) Heterorhabditis bacteriophora Poinar(Rhabditida: Heterorhabditidae) (strain HK3,HK3) and Steinernema feltiae Filipjev(Rhabditida: Steinernematidae) (Nemaplus®,SFN) were investigated in pot trials usingseedlings of green beans (Phaseolus vulgarisL.). Ten H. aculeifer adults per pot and 400infective juveniles (IJs) cm^–2 soil, of the twoEPN strains were used. In comparison withuntreated control, H. aculeifer reduced theproportion of adult F. occidentalis emergenceby 46%, while SFN and HK3 led to a reductionin adult thrips emergence by 46% and 61%,respectively. Significant differences in adultWFT emergence were found between combinedtreatments of EPNs and H. aculeifer, andindividual applications of EPNs and/or H.aculeifer, with significantly lower adultthrips emergence in the combined treatments.These findings highlight the potential for acombined use of EPNs with H. aculeifer for thecontrol of soil-dwelling stages of thrips.     

Monosomic and double monosomic substitutions of Hordeum bulbosum L. chromosomes into H. vulgare L.

Summary One of the aims of the interspecific crossing programme between Hordeum vulgare L. and H. bulbosum L. has been to introgress desirable genes into barley from the wild species. However, despite their close taxonomic relationship there have been few reports of achieving this objective using amphidiploid hybrids. In order to broaden the range of available hybrids, partially fertile triploids between H. vulgare (2n = 2x = 14) and H. bulbosum (2n = 4x = 28) were developed and crossed with H. vulgare as female parent. From 580 progeny which were screened, eight putative single monosomic chromosome substitution lines and one double monosomic substitution were identified by cytological analysis. These involved the substitution of H. vulgare chromosome 1 (two lines), 6 (four lines), 6L (one line), 7 (one line) and 1 + 4 (one line) by their respective H. bulbosum homoeologues. The H. bulbosum chromosome was frequently eliminated during plant development, but it was observed regularly in pollen mother cells of two lines. However, pairing between the H. bulbosum chromosome and its H. vulgare homoeologue was low. Several of the lines were more resistant than their H. vulgare parents to powdery mildew (Erysiphe graminis DC. f.sp. hordei Em. Marchai), net blotch (Drechslera teres Sacc.) and scald (Rhynchosporium secalis (Oudem.) Davis). Apart from their use in studying genome relationships, their value to plant breeders will depend on the ease of inducing translocations between the parental chromosomes.     

Cytogenetic characterization of three Hypericum species by in situ hybridization

The chromosomal positions of the 5S/25S rRNA genes of Hypericum perforatum (2n=32), H. maculatum (2n=16) and H. attenuatum (2n=32) were comparatively determined by FISH, and six, three and seven chromosome pairs of the respective karyotypes were subsequently distinguished. The rDNA loci between H. perforatum and H. maculatum seem to be identical (with respect to the ploidy difference), indicating that H. perforatum probably arose by autotetraploidization from an ancestor closely related to H. maculatum. The positional differences between the 5S rRNA gene loci of H. perforatum and H. maculatum on the one hand and H. attenuatum on the other argue against a previous hypothesis according to which H. perforatum originated from a remote interspecific hybridization between H. maculatum and H. attenuatum. Received: 7 October 1999 / Accepted: 23 November 1999     

Genotypes,haplotypes and diplotypes of <Emphasis Type="Italic">IGF</Emphasis>-<Emphasis Type="Italic">II</Emphasis> SNPs and their association with growth traits in largemouth bass (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Micropterus salmoides</Emphasis>)

Insulin-like growth factor II (IGF-II) is involved in the regulation of somatic growth and metabolism in many fishes. IGF-II is an important candidate gene for growth traits in fishes and its polymorphisms were associated with the growth traits. The aim of this study is to screen single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) IGF-II gene and to analyze potential association between IGF-II gene polymorphisms and growth traits in largemouth bass. Four SNPs (C127T, T1012G, C1836T and C1861T) were detected and verified by DNA sequencing in the largemouth bass IGF-II gene. These SNPs were found to organize into seven haplotypes, which formed 13 diplotypes (haplotype pairs). Association analysis showed that four individual SNPs were not significantly associated with growth traits. Significant associations were, however, noted between diplotypes and growth traits (P < 0.05). The fish with H1H3 (CTCC/CGCC) and H1H5 (CTCC/TTTT) had greater body weight than those with H1H1 (CTCC/CTCC), H1H2 (CTCC/TGTT) and H4H4 (TGCT/TGCT/) did. Our data suggest a significant association between genetic variations in the largemouth bass IGF-II gene and growth traits. IGF-II SNPs could be used as potential genetic markers in future breeding programs of largemouth bass.     

Cloning and characterization of α-L-arabinofuranosidase and bifunctional α-L-arabinopyranosidase/β-D-galactopyranosidase from Bifidobacterium longum H-1

Aims: This study focused on the cloning, expression and characterization of recombinant α‐l ‐arabinosidases from Bifidobacterium longum H‐1. Methods and Results: α‐l ‐Arabinofuranosidase (AfuB‐H1) and bifunctional α‐l ‐arabinopyranosidase/β‐d ‐galactosidase (Apy‐H1) from B. longum H‐1 were identified by Southern blotting, and their recombinant enzymes were overexpressed in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3). Recombinant AfuB‐H1 (rAfuB‐H1) was purified by single‐step Ni²⁺‐affinity column chromatography, whereas recombinant Apy‐H1 (rApy‐H1) was purified by serial Q‐HP and Ni²⁺‐affinity column chromatography. Enzymatic properties and substrate specificities of the two enzymes were assessed, and their kinetic constants were calculated. According to the results, rAfuB‐H1 hydrolysed p‐nitrophenyl‐α‐l ‐arabinofuranoside (pNP‐αL‐Af) and ginsenoside Rc, but did not hydrolyse p‐nitrophenyl‐α‐l ‐arabinopyranoside (pNP‐αL‐Ap). On the other hand, rApy‐H1 hydrolysed pNP‐αL‐Ap, p‐nitrophenyl‐β‐d ‐galactopyranoside (pNP‐βD‐Ga) and ginsenoside Rb2. Conclusions: Ginsenoside‐metabolizing bifidobacterial rAfuB‐H1 and rApy‐H1 were successfully cloned, expressed, and characterized. rAfuB‐H1 specifically recognized the α‐l ‐arabinofuranoside, whereas rApy‐H1 had dual functions, that is, it could hydrolyse both β‐d ‐galactopyranoside and α‐l ‐arabinopyranoside. Significance and Impact of the Study: These findings suggest that the biochemical properties and substrate specificities of these recombinant enzymes differ from those of previously identified α‐l ‐arabinosidases from Bifidobacterium breve K‐110 and Clostridium cellulovorans.     

Essential‐Oil Composition of the Fruits of Six Heracleum L. Species from Iran: Chemotaxonomic Significance

The fruit essential oils of Heracleum persicum, H. rechingeri, H. gorganicum, H. rawianum, H. pastinacifolium, and H. anisactis from Iran were obtained by hydrodistillation and characterized by GC‐FID and GC/MS analyses. The oils of the six species were compared to determine the similarities and differences among their compositions. Overall, 36 compounds were identified in the fruit oils, accounting for 92.40–96.74% of the total oil compositions. Aliphatic esters constituted the main fraction of the oils (86.61–94.31%), with octyl acetate and hexyl butyrate as the major components. The oil compositions of species belonging to section Pubescentia (H. persicum, H. gorganicum, and H. rechingeri) were discriminated by equally high contents of both octyl acetate (13.84–20.48%) and hexyl butyrate (17.73–38.36%). On the other hand, the oils of H. rawianum, H. pastinacifolium and H. anisactis, belonging to section Wendia, showed lower hexyl butyrate contents (3.62–6.6%) and higher octyl acetate contents (48.71–75.36%) than the former. Moreover, isoelemicin was identified at low amounts (0.10–2.51%) only in the oils of the latter species. The differences in the oil composition among the six species were investigated by hierarchical cluster and principal component analyses, which indicated that the oil composition confirmed well the taxonomical classification based on the morphological and botanical data, and, thus, may provide a reliable marker to discriminate Heracleum species at the intersectional level.     

Molecular Characterization of Three Heritiera Species Using AFLP Markers

In the present study three species of Heritiera Aiton (Sterculiaceae) were characterized using 9 amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) primer combinations and the genetic relationship among these three species was assessed, Nine AFLP primer combinations yielded 445 bands out of which 210 were monomorphic and 235 were polymorphic. Out of the 235 polymorphic bands 79 were present only in a single species. Among the total amplified bands 255 were shared between H. fomes and H. littoralis, 225 were shared between H. fomes and H. macrophylla and 306 bands were shared between H. littoralis and H. macrophylla. The cluster analysis showed H. littoralis is closer to H. macrophylla than H. fomes. The similarity between H. fomes and H. littoralis was higher than that of H. fomes and H. macrophylla. The present study indicates that H. littoralis is better classified as mangrove associate or back mangal than a true mangrove. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Prediction and validation of cross-protective candidate antigen of Hyalomma asiaticum cathepsin L between H. asiaticum and H. anatolicum

Hyalomma asiaticum and H. anatolicum are tick species in Eurasia and Africa with major medical and veterinary significance. Beside their direct pathogenic effects, H. asiaticum and H. anatolicum are vectors of important diseases of livestock and in some instances of zoonoses. In search of ways to address the increasing incidence of global acaricide resistance, tick control through vaccination is regarded as a sustainable alternative approach. Cathepsin L-like cysteine protease (CPL) is a potent hemoglobinase, and plays important roles in the digestion of blood acquired from a host. CPL from H. anatolicum (HanCPL) with high similarity (>?90%) for H. asiaticum CPL (HasCPL) were aligned by in silico analysis. After further in vitro validation, the anti-HasCPL sera have cross-reactivity between the different total native protein of life stages and tissues for H. asiaticum and H. anatolicum. Furthermore, we further confirmed that recombinant HasCPL (rHasCPL) immunized rabbits were partially cross-protected (54.8%) by H. anatolicum infestation.