Electroantennogram and field responses of Korean population of the rice leaf folder,Cnaphalocrocis medinalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), to sex attractant candidates

A series of studies was conducted to determine the optimum sex attractant for monitoring the rice leaf folder, Cnaphalocrocis medinalis, in Korea, based on the previously reported pheromone composition in this species. (Z)-13-Octadecenal (Z13-18:Al) was most active in electroantennogram (EAG) and field tests. (Z)-11-Hexadecenal (Z11-16:Al), (Z)-11-octadecenal (Z11-18:Al), (Z)-11-hexadecenyl acetate (Z11-16:Ac), (Z)-13-octadecenyl acetate (Z13-18:Ac) and (Z)-13-octadecenol (Z13-18:OH) individually elicited significant EAG responses, but were not individually attractive in field trials. (Z)-11-Octadecenol (Z11-18:OH) alone was inactive in both EAG and field tests. The addition of Z11-18:OH and Z13-18:OH to the binary mixture of Z11-18:Al and Z13-18:Al, as the previously reported composition of the Japanese blend, significantly increased the trap catches of males in field trials. In contrast, the Philippine and Indian blends were not attractive to this species. Interestingly, when Z13-18:Ac alone was added to the binary mixture of Z11-18:Al and Z13-18:Al, the trap catch number was the same as that of the Japanese blend. The present study indicates that the four-component blend (Z11-18:Al/Z13-18:Al/Z11-18:OH/Z13-18:OH = 11/100/24/36) and the three-component blend (Z11-18:Al/Z13-18:Al/Z13-18:Ac = 11/100/11) can be used as sex attractants for monitoring the Korean populations of C. medinalis.     

Combined effects of oleic,linoleic and linolenic acids on lactation performance and the milk fatty acid profile in lactating dairy cows

The potential combined effects of oleic, linoleic and linolenic acids supplementation on lactation performance and the milk fatty acid (FA) profile in dairy cows have not been well investigated. Our objective was to examine the effects of supplementation with a combination of these FA as well as the effects of removing each from the combination on lactation performance and the milk FA profile in dairy cows. Eight Holstein cows (101±11 days in milk) received four intravenously infused treatments in a 4×4 Latin square design, and each period lasted for 12 days which consisted of 5 days of infusion and 7 days of recovery. The control treatment (CTL) contained 58.30, 58.17 and 39.96 g/day of C18: 1 cis-9; C18: 2 cis-9, cis-12; and C18: 3 cis-9, cis-12, cis-15, respectively. The other three treatments were designated −−C18: 1 (20.68, 61.17 and 41.72 g/day of C18: 1 cis-9; C18: 2 cis-9, cis-12; and C18: 3 cis-9, cis-12, cis-15, respectively), −C18: 2 (61.49, 19.55 and 42.13 g/day of C18: 1 cis-9; C18: 2 cis-9, cis-12; and C18: 3 cis-9, cis-12, cis-15, respectively) and −C18: 3 (60.89, 60.16 and 1.53 g/day of C18: 1 cis-9; C18: 2 cis-9, cis-12; and C18: 3 cis-9, cis-12, cis-15, respectively). Dry matter intake and lactose content were not affected by the treatments, but the milk protein content was lower in cows treated with −C18: 2 than that in CTL-treated cows. Milk yield as well as milk fat, protein and lactose yields were higher in cows treated with −C18: 3 than the yields in CTL-treated cows, and these yields increased linearly as the unsaturation degree of the supplemental FA decreased. Compared with the CTL treatment, the −C18: 2 treatment decreased milk C18: 2 cis-9 content (by 2.80%) and yield (by 22.12 g/day), and the −C18: 3 treatment decreased milk C18: 3 cis-9, cis-12, cis-15 content (by 2.72%) and yield (by 22.33 g/day). In contrast, removing C18: 1 cis-9 did not affect the milk content or yield of C18: 1 cis-9. The −C18: 2-treated cows had a higher C18: 1 cis-9 content and tended to have a higher C18: 1 cis-9 yield than CTL-treated cows. The yields of C8: 0, C14: 0 and C16: 0 as well as <C16: 0 tended to increase linearly as the unsaturation degree of the supplemental FA decreased (P=0.06, 0.07, 0.07 and 0.09, respectively). These results indicated that supplementation with C18 unsaturated FA might not independently affect the lactation performance and the milk FA profile of dairy cows.     

Characterization of a Lactococcus lactis Strain That Secretes a Major Epitope of Bovine Beta-Lactoglobulin and Evaluation of Its Immunogenicity in Mice

Bovine β-lactoglobulin (Blg) is one of the major cow's milk allergens. Peptide 41-60 of Blg (Blg41-60) was described as a murine T-cell determinant and a murine, rat, and human immunoglobulin E (IgE) epitope. The aim of this study was the expression of Blg41-60 as a fusion protein in the food-grade bacterium Lactococcus lactis and the characterization of its immunogenicity in mice. We constructed a recombinant strain of L. lactis capable of inducible production and secretion of Blg41-60::Nuc, a fusion protein between Blg41-60 and the mature part of the staphylococcal nuclease (Nuc). The highest production yield of Blg41-60::Nuc (32.5 mg/liter) was reached 4 h after induction. At this time, up to 75% of Blg41-60::Nuc was secreted. When monoclonal antibodies specific for Blg41-60 were used, purified Blg41-60::Nuc and synthetic Blg41-60 exhibited very similar immunoreactivities. Subcutaneous coadministration of purified Blg41-60::Nuc and killed nonrecombinant L. lactis resulted in the induction of specific anti-Blg41-60 IgG2a and IgG1. The IgG1/IgG2a ratio and the lack of specific IgE suggest a Th1-type immune response, i.e., a nonallergic response. Similar administrations of the killed Blg41-60::Nuc-producing L. lactis strain did not elicit a specific immune response, whereas a transitory mucosal IgA-specific immune response was induced in mice after oral administration of the live Blg41-60::Nuc-producing L. lactis strain.     

Parallel electron donation pathways to cytochrome cz in the type I homodimeric photosynthetic reaction center complex of Chlorobium tepidum

We studied the regulation mechanism of electron donations from menaquinol:cytochrome c oxidoreductase and cytochrome c-554 to the type I homodimeric photosynthetic reaction center complex of the green sulfur bacterium Chlorobium tepidum. We measured flash-induced absorption changes of multiple cytochromes in the membranes prepared from a mutant devoid of cytochrome c-554 or in the reconstituted membranes by exogenously adding cytochrome c-555 purified from Chlorobium limicola. The results indicated that the photo-oxidized cytochrome c_z bound to the reaction center was rereduced rapidly by cytochrome c-555 as well as by the menaquinol:cytochrome c oxidoreductase and that cytochrome c-555 did not function as a shuttle-like electron carrier between the menaquinol:cytochrome c oxidoreductase and cytochrome c_z. It was also shown that the rereduction rate of cytochrome c_z by cytochrome c-555 was as high as that by the menaquinol:cytochrome c oxidoreductase. The two electron-transfer pathways linked to sulfur metabolisms seem to function independently to donate electrons to the reaction center.     

Biosynthesis and desaturation of prokaryotic galactolipids in leaves and isolated chloroplasts from spinach

Mono- and digalactosyldiacylglycerol (MGDG and DGDG) were isolated from the leaves of sixteen 16:3 plants. In all of these plant species, the sn-2 position of MGDG was more enriched in C₁₆ fatty acids than sn-2 of DGDG. The molar ratios of prokaryotic MGDG to prokaryotic DGDG ranged from 4 to 10. This suggests that 16:3 plants synthesize more prokaryotic MGDG than prokaryotic DGDG. In the 16:3 plant Spinacia oleracea L. (spinach), the formation of prokaryotic galactolipids was studied both in vivo and in vitro. In intact spinach leaves as well as in chloroplasts isolated from these leaves, radioactivity from [1-¹⁴C]acetate accumulated 10 times faster in MGDG than in DGDG. After 2 hours of incorporation, most labeled galactolipids from leaves and all labeled galactolipids from isolated chloroplasts were in the prokaryotic configuration. Both in vivo and in vitro, the desaturation of labeled palmitate and oleate to trienoic fatty acids was higher in MGDG than in DGDG. In leaves, palmitate at the sn-2 position was desaturated in MGDG but not in DGDG. In isolated chloroplasts, palmitate at sn-2 similarly was desaturated only in MGDG, but palmitate and oleate at the sn-1 position were desaturated in MGDG as well as in DGDG. Apparently, palmitate desaturase reacts with sn-1 palmitate in either galactolipid, but does not react with the sn-2 fatty acid of DGDG. These results demonstrate that isolated spinach chloroplasts can synthesize and desaturate prokaryotic MGDG and DGDG. The finally accumulating molecular species, MGDG(18:3/16:3) and DGDG(18:3/16:0), are made by the chloroplasts in proportions similar to those found in leaves.     

DHA status of vegetarians

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the influence of pregnancy in adolescents on the fatty acid composition of the erythrocyte membrane, which was used as a proxy for status of n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), and also on the composition of plasma non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) mobilized from the adipose tissue. Two matched groups of healthy adolescents (14–19 years) from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, were compared: pregnant (n=26; 32.7±3.9 weeks of gestation, mean±SD) and non-pregnant (n=20). Blood samples were collected after an overnight fast. Mean dietary intakes of total fat and n-3 and n-6 PUFA (energy %) were not different between pregnant and non-pregnant adolescents, and the consumption of food sources of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) was low. Fasting total NEFA and NEFA 18:2n-6, 18:3n-6 and 20:4n-6 (g/100 g fatty acids) were higher in pregnant than in non-pregnant adolescents. Although erythrocyte 20:4n-6 was lower in pregnant adolescents, there were no differences in DHA (g/100 g fatty acids), in DHA status indices (22:5n-6/22:4n-6 and 22:6n-3/22:5n-6 ratios) and in the index of n-3+n-6 PUFA status ([Σn-3+Σn-6]/[Σn-7+Σn-9]) in erythrocytes as compared with those of non-pregnant adolescents. In conclusion, pregnancy did not have an adverse effect on erythrocyte DHA content or on DHA and n-3+n-6 PUFA status indices in the adolescents studied.     

Biochemical Characterization of the Oxygenation of Unsaturated Fatty Acids by the Dioxygenase and Hydroperoxide Isomerase of Pseudomonas aeruginosa 42A2

We have studied oxygenation of fatty acids by cell extract of Pseudomonas aeruginosa 42A2. Oleic acid ((9Z)-18:1) was transformed to (10S)-hydroperoxy-(8E)-octadecenoic acid ((10S)-HPOME) and to (7S,10S)-dihydroxy-(8E)-octadecenoic acid (7,10-DiHOME). Experiments under oxygen-18 showed that 7,10-DiHOME contained oxygen from air and was formed sequentially from (10S)-HPOME by isomerization. (10R)-HPOME was not isomerized. The (10S)-dioxygenase and hydroperoxide isomerase activities co-eluted on ion exchange chromatography and on gel filtration with an apparent molecular size of ∼50 kDa. 16:1n-7, 18:2n-6, and 20:1n-11 were also oxygenated to 7,10-dihydroxy fatty acids, and (8Z)-18:1 was oxygenated to 6,9-dihydroxy-(7E)-octadecenoic acid. A series of fatty acids with the double bond positioned closer to ((6Z)-18:1, (5Z,9Z)-18:2) or more distant from the carboxyl group ((11Z)-, (13Z)-, and (15Z)-18:1) were poor substrates. The oxygenation mechanism was studied with [7S-²H]18:1n-9, [7R-²H]18:2n-6, and [8R-²H]18:2n-6 as substrates. The pro-R hydrogen at C-8 was lost in the biosynthesis of (10S)-HPODE, whereas the pro-S hydrogen was lost and the pro-R hydrogen was retained at C-7 during biosynthesis of the 7,10-dihydroxy metabolites. Analysis of the fatty acid composition of P. aeruginosa revealed relatively large amounts of (9E/Z)-16:1 and (11E/Z)-18:1 and only traces of 18:1n-9. We found that (11Z)-18:1 (vaccenic acid) was transformed to (11S,14S)-dihydroxy-(12E)-octadecenoic acid and to a mixture of 11- and 12-HPOME, possibly due to reverse orientation of (11Z)-18:1 at the active site compared with oleic acid. The reaction mechanism of the hydroperoxide isomerase suggests catalytic similarities to cytochrome P450.     

Sex pheromone composition of the variegated cutworm,Peridroma saucia (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), in Korea

This study was conducted to investigate the sex pheromone composition of the variegated cutworm (Peridroma saucia Hübner) in Korea. The sex pheromone components of P. saucia were identified as (Z)-9-tetradecenyl acetate (Z9-14:Ac) and (Z)-11-hexadecenyl acetate (Z11-16:Ac) through GC-EAD and GC–MS analysis. EAG tests of the male antennae revealed that the Z9-14:AC exerted significantly larger responses than other compounds. The female moths primarily called and copulated between 6 h and 7 h after the lights off, and the ratio of two pheromone components, Z9-14:Ac and Z11-16:Ac, in the sex pheromone gland during this period was 1:2.1 to 1:2.4. In the field trapping studies, a large number of male moths were caught in the traps baited with the mixtures of Z9-14:Ac and Z11-16:Ac at the ratios ranging from 2.3:1 to 1:4, with the highest trap catches at 1:1 to 1:2.3 ratios of the two components. The seasonal flight activities of P. saucia monitored by using pheromone lures revealed complicated patterns in Korea. Specifically, the first flight period was spread over a long period and irregular, while the second flight period differed among the localities examined.     

Fatty acid desaturase 2 (FADS2) but not FADS1 desaturates branched chain and odd chain saturated fatty acids

Branched chain fatty acids (BCFA) and linear chain/normal odd chain fatty acids (n-OCFA) are major fatty acids in human skin lipids, especially sebaceous gland (SG) wax esters. Skin lipids contain variable amounts of monounsaturated BCFA and n-OCFA, in some reports exceeding over 20% of total fatty acids. Fatty acid desaturase 2 (FADS2) codes for a multifunctional enzyme that catalyzes Δ4-, Δ6- and Δ8-desaturation towards ten unsaturated fatty acids but only one saturate, palmitic acid, converting it to 16:1n-10; FADS2 is not active towards 14:0 or 18:0. Here we test the hypothesis that FADS2 also operates on BCFA and n-OCFA. MCF-7 cancer cells stably expressing FADS1 or FADS2 along with empty vector control cells were incubated with anteiso-15:0, iso-16:0, iso-17:0, anteiso-17:0, iso-18:0, or n-17:0. BCFA were Δ6-desaturated by FADS2 as follows: iso-16:0 → iso-6Z-16:1, iso-17:0 → iso-6Z-17:1, anteiso-17:0 → anteiso-6Z-17:1 and iso-18:0 → iso-6Z-18:1. anteiso-15:0 was not desaturated in either FADS1 or FADS2 cells. n-17:0 was converted to both n-6Z-17:1 by FADS2 Δ6-desaturation and n-9Z-17:1 by SCD Δ9-desaturation. We thus establish novel FADS2-coded enzymatic activity towards BCFA and n-OCFA, expanding the number of known FADS2 saturated fatty acid substrates from one to six. Because of the importance of FADS2 in human skin, our results imply that dysfunction in activity of sebaceous FADS2 may play a role in skin abnormalities associated with skin lipids.     

Female sex pheromone components of the box tree pyralid,Glyphodes perspectalis,in Korea: Field test and development of film-type lure

The box tree pyralid, Glyphodes perspectalis, is the most destructive pest of the box tree in Korea and was recently introduced into Europe. The previously known as EAG active components of this moth, (Z)-11-hexadecenal (Z11-16:Ald), (E)-11-hexadecenal (E11-16:Ald), and (Z)-11-hexadecenol (Z11-16:OH) have been detected from the extracts of female abdomen. The ratios of these three compounds identified in female moth were 5.2:1:0.2 in 2010 and 6.5:1:0.2 in 2011. During field bioassays, it was found that the male moths were not attracted to Z11-16:Ald or E11-16:Ald when used alone; however, they were attracted to a mixture of the above. The most effective ratios of Z11-16:Ald to E11-16:Ald were 5:1 and 7:1. A small amount of Z11-16:OH inhibited male moth attraction in field bioassays. Further, a uni-trap was found to be more effective in catching the moth than delta and wing traps were. In field bioassays using 2 different types of lures, significantly more male G. perspectalis were caught to film-type lures (50.5 ± 4.4/trap) than those to rubber septum lures (35.8 ± 5.2/trap).     

Sex pheromone composition of the cotton caterpillar,Palpita indica (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), in Korea

This study was conducted to investigate the sex pheromone composition of Palpita (=Diaphania) indica (Saunders) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in Korea. Two sex pheromone components, E11-16:Al and E,E-10,12-16:Al, were identified by GC and GC-EAD analysis of sex pheromone gland extracts. The mean ratios of the two components, E11-16:Al and E,E-10,12-16:Al, were about 6.5:3.5 and 7.5:2.5 in gland extracts and in SPME collection, respectively. In field bioassays, maximum attraction occurred in traps baited with a 7:3 ratio of E11-16:Al and E,E-10,12-16:Al. The head extracts of P. indica stimulated the sex pheromone production of P. indica, as well as Hez-PBAN and PssPT, indicating that a PBAN-like substance exists in the head extracts of P. indica. Whole-mount immunocytochemistry showed that three groups of neurosecretory cells showed PBAN-like immunoreactivity in the SEG of P. indica. The PBAN-like immunoreactivity connected to the Corpora Cardiaca, a neurohemal organ. Also, PBAN-like immunoreactivity was found in the brain and in the thoracic and third/fourth abdominal ganglia. The addition of sex pheromone components of Peridroma saucia to the sex pheromone of P. indica greatly improved the attraction of P. indica males. The mixing of the sex pheromone components of S. exigua did not significantly increase the catches of P. indica, while the sex pheromone of H. armigera completely inhibited the attractiveness.     

The influence of unsaturation on the phase transition temperatures of a series of heteroacid phosphatidylcholines containing twenty-carbon chains

A series of heteroacid sn-1,2 phosphatidylcholines (PC) with twenty-carbon fatty acyl chains has been synthesized. Each PC contained eicosanoate (20:0) in the sn-1 position and one of a group of eicosaenoic acids with increasing numbers of cis double bonds in the sn-2 position. The double bonds were at positions Δ11 (20:1), Δ11,14 (20:2), Δ11,14,17 (20:3), or Δ5,8,11,14 (20:4). The disaturated PC containing two eicosanoate chains was also studied. Aqueous dispersions of these PC were analyzed by differential scanning calorimetry, and data for the gel to liquid-crystalline transitions (given as PC: T_c (° C), T_max (° C), ΔH(kcal/mol)) were as follows - 20:0-20:0 PC: 66.8, 68.4, 15; 20:0-20:1 PC: 19.8, 22.2, 8; 20:0-20:2 PC: −4.3, 1.8, 5; 20:0-20:3 PC: 1.2, 4.4, 7; 20:0-20:4 PC: −10.7, −6.8, 3. Double bonds in excess of two per chain did not substantially change the transition temperatures of these heteroacid PC. There was a small effect of the location of the multiple double bonds on the transition temperature. The data is consistent with the model that the transition temperatures are determined by a balance between a decrease in the packing density in the gel and a decrease in the rotational freedom of the chains in the liquid crystal, both caused by the double bonds ((1983) Biochemistry 22, 1466–1473).     

Fatty acid composition of Mesorhizobium huakuii lipopolysaccharides. Identification of 27-oxooctacosanoic acid

Lipopolysaccharides of three Mesorhizobium huakuii strains carried a number of amide-linked 3-hydroxylated fatty acids including: 3-OH-12:0, 3-OH-i-13:0, 3-OH-20:0, 3-OH-i-21:0, 3-OH-22:0, 3-OH-23:0 and unsaturated 3-OH-22:1. The first three of the above mentioned acids are the main amide-linked fatty acids in the LPS preparations. The main ester-bound fatty acids comprise 16:0, i-17:0, 18:0, 20:0 and 27-OH-28:0. Among minor constituents of lipid A 25-OH-26:0 and 29-OH-30:0 together with some non-polar fatty acids were found. Additionally, the presence of 4-oxo-20:0, 4-oxo-i-21:0 and 4-oxo-22:0 amide-bound fatty acids as well as the 27-oxo-28:0 ester-linked fatty acid were proved. To our knowledge oxo fatty acids are rare constituents of lipopolysaccharides and 27-oxo-28:0 was found for the first time in the LPS preparations from members of Rhizobiaceae.     

Sex pheromone analysis and effective attraction of males of the cabbage webworm,Hellula undalis,inhabiting the Mekong Delta of Vietnam

Hellula undalis is a harmful insect pest of green mustard in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam. In order to establish a tool for a sustainable pest control program, the sex pheromone of H. undalis inhabiting the Mekong Delta was examined. GC-EAD and GC–MS analyses of pheromone gland extracts from the virgin females elucidated three new components, (Z)-11-tetradecenyl acetate (Z11-14:OAc), (Z)-11-hexadecenal (Z11-16:Ald), and (11E,13E)-11,13-hexadecadien-1-ol, in addition to the known pheromone component (11E,13E)-11,13-hexadecadienal (E11,E13-16:Ald). Double bond positions of the two monoenyl components were determined by GC–MS analysis of the pheromone extract treated with dimethyl disulfide. On the other hand, GC–MS analysis of the female body extract detected the unsaturated hydrocarbon (3Z,6Z,9Z)-3,6,9-tricosatriene (Z3,Z6,Z9-23:H). Field examinations of their synthetic compounds indicated the significant role of E11,E13-16:Ald as a major component and a clear synergistic effect of the two monoenyl compounds as a minor component. Although the 3:3:7 mixture of Z11-14:OAc, E11-16:Ald, and E11,E13-16:Ald captured the largest number of males among the tested mixtures, the activity was still quite a bit lower than that of virgin females. However, the 3:3:7:1 mixture, which was prepared by adding a small amount of Z3,Z6,Z9-23:H to the 3:3:7 ternary lure, succeeded in attracting males more powerfully than the females did. This strong synergistic effect was not observed when the triene was added to unmixed E11,E13-16:Ald, indicating important roles of not only the triene but also the two monoenyl compounds as natural pheromone components.     

Separation, structure characterization, conformation and immunomodulating effect of a hyperbranched heteroglycan from Radix Astragali

A water soluble polysaccharide (RAP) was isolated and purified from Radix Astragali and its structure was elucidated by monosaccharide composition, partial acid hydrolysis and methylation analysis, and further supported by FT-IR, GC-MS and ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectra, SEM and AFM microscopy. Its average molecular weight was 1334 kDa. It was composed of Rha, Ara, Glc, Gal and GalA in a molar ratio of 0.03:1.00:0.27:0.36:0.30. The backbone consisted of 1,2,4-linked Rhap, α-1,4-linked Glcp, α-1,4-linked GalAp6Me, β-1,3,6-linked Galp, with branched at O-4 of the 1,2,4-linked Rhap and O-3 or O-4 of β-1,3,6-linked Galp. The side chains mainly consisted of α-T-Araf and α-1,5-linked Araf with O-3 as branching points, having trace Glc and Gal. The terminal residues were T-linked Araf, T-linked Glcp and T-linked Galp. Morphology analysis showed that RAP took random coil feature. RAP exhibited significant immunomodulating effects by stimulating the proliferation of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells and enhancing its interleukin production.     

A co-attractant mixture of (Z)-11-tetradecenyl acetate and (Z)-9-dodecenyl acetate for Neocalyptis angustilineata and Homona magnanima

While monitoring for the seasonal occurrence of the tea tortrix moth, Homona magnanima Diakonoff (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), a number of Neocalyptis angustilineata (Walsingham) were attracted to traps baited with H. magnanima attractant, a 9:1 blend of (Z)-11-tetradecenyl acetate (Z11-14Ac) and (Z)-9-dodecenyl acetate (Z9-12Ac). We evaluated a 1:1 blend (1 mg) and a 9:1 blend (1 mg) of Z11-14Ac and Z9-12Ac for their attractiveness to the two moth species. H. magnanima was attracted only to the 9:1 blend. However, N. angustilineata was equally attracted to both blends. Thus, we report the 9:1 blend as a co-attractant for N. angustilineata and H. magnanima. This blend is the first finding for the attractant for N. angustilineata.     

Characteristics of Salmonella enterica Serovar 4,[5],12:i:- as a Monophasic Variant of Serovar Typhimurium

Salmonella enterica subspecies enterica serovar 4,[5],12:i:- (S. 4,[5]12:i:-) is believed to be a monophasic variant of S. enterica serovar Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium). This study was conducted to corroborate this hypothesis and to identify the molecular and phenotypic characteristics of the S. 4,[5]12:i:- isolates in Japan. A total of 51 S. 4,[5]12:i:- isolates derived from humans, cattle, swine, chickens, birds, meat (pork), and river water in 15 prefectures in Japan between 2000 and 2010 were analyzed. All the S. 4,[5],12:i:- isolates were identified as S. Typhimurium by two different polymerase chain reactions (PCR) for identification of S. Typhimurium. Of the 51 S. 4,[5],12:i:- isolates, 39 (76.5%) harbored a 94-kb virulence plasmid, which is known to be specific for S. Typhimurium. These data suggest that the S. 4,[5],12:i:- isolates are monophasic variants of S. Typhimurium. The flagellar phase variation is induced by three adjacent genes (fljA, fljB, and hin) in the chromosome. The results of PCR mapping of this region and comparative genomic hybridization analysis suggested that the deletion of the fljAB operon and its flanking region was the major genetic basis of the monophasic phenotype of S. 4,[5],12:i:-. The fljAB operon and hin gene were detectable in eight of the S. 4,[5],12:i:- isolates with common amino acid substitutions of A46T in FljA and R140L in Hin. The introduction of these mutations into S. Typhimurium isolates led to the loss of selectability of isolates expressing the phase 2 H antigen. These data suggested that a point mutation was the genetic basis, at least in part, of the S. 4,[5],12:i:- isolates. The results of phenotypic analysis suggested that the S. 4,[5],12:i:- isolates in Japan consist of multiple distinct clones. This is the first detailed characterization of the S. 4,[5],12:i:- isolates derived from various sources across Japan.     

Sex pheromone composition of Ascotis selenaria (Lepidoptera: Geometridae) and its regional variation in Korea

This study was conducted to investigate sex pheromone composition of Ascotis selenaria (Lepidoptera: Geometridae) in Korea. Two sex pheromone compounds such as (Z,Z)-6,9-cis-3,4-epoxynonadecadiene (6Z,9Z-cis-3,4-epoxy-19:H) and (Z,Z,Z)-3,6,9-nonadecatriene (3Z,6Z,9Z-19:H) were identified in the glands of A. selenaria females by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis. However, the component 3Z,6Z,9Z-19:H neither elicited an electroantennogram response nor increased the attractiveness for A. selenaria males in the field. The role of 3Z,6Z,9Z-19:H seems to be as an antagonistic signal for mating behavior of A. selenaria males.The blend ratios of two 6Z,9Z-cis-3,4-epoxy-19:H isomers such as, 6Z,9Z-cis-3R,4S-epoxy-19:H and 6Z,9Z-cis-3S,4R-epoxy-19:H, were critical to attract A. selenaria males. The blend ratios of the two isomers showing peak catch of A. selenaria males had large variations among the locations investigated. A. selenaria populations in Gunwi showed peak activity at ratios of 0.9:0.1 and 0.8:0.2, whereas the populations in Goheung, Yeongam, and Jeju (Aewol and Harye) showed peak activity at a 0.5:0.5 ratio. In Changnyeong, the peak activity occurred in a bimodal form at ratios of 0.7:0.3 and 0.4:0.6. Such variation was partially explained by geographical isolation due to mountain ranges. Consequently, the results of our study should be useful for designing a region-specific pheromone lure for successful A. selenaria monitoring.     

Collecting cultivated and wild Cucurbits in Mexico

The authors spent approximately 5 weeks in Mexico (October 13–November 15, 1979) collecting Cucurbitaceae in 5 areas: 1) Tampico- Valles- Ocampo; 2) San Luis Potosi; 3) Celaya- Queretaro; 4) Veracruz; 5) Zacatecas- Durango- Mazatlan. A few supplemental collections were made in the vicinity of Tapachula, Chiapas. A grand total of 183Cucurbita collections was made, distributed as follows:C. pepo-49;C. moschata-47;C. mixta- 41;C. ficifolia-11;C. foetidissima-13;Cucurbita sp. wild, unidentified- 22. A few collections were made in the following genera:Sechium-4;Lagenaria-2;Sicana-1;Momordica-4;Sicyos-2;Cucumis melo-2;C. anguria-1. The ecological distribution of the 4 cultivated species is reported and discussed. Seed of these materials was divided equally between the participating countries, and will be made available to interested plant breeders.