The prevention of dehydration injury in celery seeds by polyethylene glycol, abscisic acid, dark and high temperature

Celery seeds ( Apium graveolens L.) given a germination induction period (3 days imbibition at 17°C in the light) could be prevented from germinating by up to 14 days subsequent exposure to high temperature (32°C), polyethylene glycol (PEG), abscisic acid (ABA) or dark (22°C). When the seeds were returned to 17°C in the light, germination occurred and, except for the high temperature treatment, was more rapid compared to seeds given a germination induction period only.
Celery seeds incubated for 3 days at 17°C in the light and then air-dried at 20°C germinated slowly when re-sown at 17°C in the light, and achieved only 19% germination after 21 days. Exposing the seeds to high temperature, PEG, ABA or dark for up to 14 days before drying maintained seed viability and subsequent germination was faster. The longer treatment periods gave increased benefit, and PEG was the most effective treatment. It is suggested that the effectiveness of the treatments in inducing dehydration tolerance relates to their ability to inhibit germination possibly via their prevention of cell expansion.     

A catalogue of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Triticum monococcum</Emphasis> genes encoding toxic and immunogenic peptides for celiac disease patients

The celiac disease (CD) is an inflammatory condition characterized by injury to the lining of the small-intestine on exposure to the gluten of wheat, barley and rye. The involvement of gluten in the CD syndrome has been studied in detail in bread wheat, where a set of “toxic” and “immunogenic” peptides has been defined. For wheat diploid species, information on CD epitopes is poor. In the present paper, we have adopted a genomic approach in order to understand the potential CD danger represented by storage proteins in diploid wheat and sequenced a sufficiently large number of cDNA clones related to storage protein genes of Triticum monococcum. Four bona fide toxic peptides and 13 immunogenic peptides were found. All the classes of storage proteins were shown to contain harmful sequences. The major conclusion is that einkorn has the full potential to induce the CD syndrome, as already evident for polyploid wheats. In addition, a complete overview of the storage protein gene arsenal in T. monococcum is provided, including a full-length HMW x-type sequence and two partial HMW y-type sequences. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Molecular Identification of Aeromonas and Coliform Bacteria Isolated on m Endo Media from Lake Erie Waters

Summary Bacteria from recreational waters collected from two Lake Erie beaches in Dunkirk, New York were plated onto m Endo LES media. The 16S rRNA gene was then amplified from coliform and non-coliform bacteria using the polymerase chain reaction. The PCR products were characterized by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis. A total of 8 RFLP groups were identified from the analysis of 920 samples and selected PCR products from each group were sequenced. The DNA sequence analysis indicated that more than half of the bacteria identified as coliforms on the m Endo plates belonged to the genus Aeromonas from the family Aeromonadaceae. Most of the remaining coliforms were from the Enterobacteriaceae. The data indicate that m Endo agar plates allow the growth of non-coliform bacteria, especially Aeromonas species.     

Impact of the TCR Signal on Regulatory T Cell Homeostasis,Function, and Trafficking

Signaling through the T cell antigen receptor (TCR) is important for the homeostasis of naïve and memory CD4⁺ T cells. The significance of TCR signaling in regulatory T (Treg) cells has not been systematically addressed. Using an Ox40-cre allele that is prominently expressed in Treg cells, and a conditional null allele of the gene encoding p56^Lck, we have examined the importance of TCR signaling in Treg cells. Inactivation of p56^Lck resulted in abnormal Treg homeostasis characterized by impaired turnover, preferential redistribution to the lymph nodes, loss of suppressive function, and striking changes in gene expression. Abnormal Treg cell homeostasis and function did not reflect the involvement of p56^Lck in CD4 function because these effects were not observed when CD4 expression was inactivated by Ox40-cre.The results make clear multiple aspects of Treg cell homeostasis and phenotype that are dependent on a sustained capacity to signal through the TCR.     

Modeling the effects of El Niño, density-dependence, and disturbance on harbor seal (Phoca vitulina) counts in Drakes Estero, California: 1997–2007

Harbor seal ( Phoca vitulina ) haul-out site use may be affected by natural or anthropogenic factors. Here, we use an 11-yr (1997–2007) study of a seal colony located near a mariculture operation in Drakes Estero, California, to test for natural (El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO), density-dependence, long-term trends) and anthropogenic (disturbance or displacement related to oyster production activities) factors that may influence the use of haul-out subsites. Annual mariculture related seal disturbance rates increased significantly with increases in oyster harvest ( r _s= 0.55). Using generalized linear models (GLMs) ranked by best fit and Akaike's Information Criteria, ENSO and oyster production (as a proxy for disturbance/displacement) best explained the patterns of seal use at all three subsites near the mariculture operations, with effects being stronger at the two subsites closest to operations. Conversely, density-dependence and linear trend effects poorly explained the counts at these subsites. We conclude that a combination of ENSO and mariculture activities best explain the patterns of seal haul-out use during the breeding/pupping season at the seal haul-out sites closest to oyster activities.     

Winnipeg pediatrician prepares to assume CMA presidency

The CMA''s incoming president is Dr. Jack Armstrong, a Winnipeg pediatrician with a particular interest in aboriginal issues. Armstrong, who graduated from the University of Manitoba in 1966, considers himself a team player. “You have to be a part of a team. My job is to try to be as good a spokesperson as possible, along with the other team members, for the physicians of the country.”     

Cerebroside analogues from 3-phenylserines

Cerebroside analogues were synthesized from DL-threo-and DL-erythro-3-phenylserines by the following sequence of reactions: estirification, N-acylation, reduction with sodium bis (2-methoxyethoxy)-aluminum hydride (SMEAH), and condensation with acetobromoglucose followed by deacetylation. Mass spectrometry disclosed that the glycosidic bond was formed at the primary hydroxyl group.