Fortuitous Introduction and Successful Establishment ofTrichopoda pennipesF.: Adult Parasitoid ofNezara viridula(L.)

While the accidental introduction of insect pests is becoming increasingly common due to intense and rapid commercial exchanges, the incidence of accidental introduction of their parasitoids seems to be much less frequent or is overlooked. The case reported here, for a tachinid Phasiinae, is both fortuitous and fortunate since the parasitoid has been carried from the New World by a pest that is already present in the new country, Italy, where there are virtually no competitors. Establishment and specificity of the parasitoid was confirmed by the first follow-up studies immediately after its discovery.     

Cytotoxicity,genotoxicity and mechanism of action (via gene expression analysis) of the indole alkaloid aspidospermine (antiparasitic) extracted from Aspidosperma polyneuron in HepG2 cells

Aspidospermine is an indole alkaloid with biological properties associated with combating parasites included in the genera Plasmodium, Leishmania and Trypanossoma. The present study evaluated the cytotoxicity (resazurin test), genotoxicity (comet assay) and mechanism of action (gene expression analysis via qRT-PCR) of this alkaloid in human HepG2 cells. The results demonstrated that treatment with aspidospermine was both cytotoxic (starting at 75 μM) and genotoxic (starting at 50 μM). There was no significant modulation of the expression of the following genes: GSTP1 and GPX1 (xenobiotic metabolism); CAT (oxidative stress); TP53 and CCNA2 (cell cycle); HSPA5, ERN1, EIF2AK3 and TRAF2 (endoplasmic reticulum stress); CASP8, CASP9, CASP3, CASP7, BCL-2, BCL-XL BAX and BAX (apoptosis); and PCBP4, ERCC4, OGG1, RAD21 and MLH1 (DNA repair). At a concentration of 50 μM (non-cytotoxic, but genotoxic), there was a significant increase in the expression of CYP1A1 (xenobiotic metabolism) and APC (cell cycle), and at a concentration of 100 μM, a significant increase in the expression of CYP1A1 (xenobiotic metabolism), GADD153 (endoplasmic reticulum stress) and SOD (oxidative stress) was detected, with repression of the expression of GR (xenobiotic metabolism and oxidative stress). The results of treatment with aspidospermine at a 100 μM concentration (the dose indicated in the literature to achieve 89 % reduction of the growth of L. amazonensis) suggest that increased oxidative stress and an unfolded protein response (UPR) occurred in HepG2 cells. For the therapeutic use of aspidospermine (antiparasitic), chemical alteration of the molecule to achieve a lower cytotoxicity/genotoxicity in host cells is recommended.     

Mycoplasma development and cell alterations in white clover affected by clover dwarf an electron microscopy study

Summary The presence of mycoplasma has been demonstrated in the phloem of leaves of white clover (Trifolium repens L.) affected by clover dwarf. Mycoplasma-like bodies were found both in parenchyma and companion cells and in sieve elements.In young parenchyma and companion cells mycoplasma-like bodies appeared as round or oval particles with high ribosomal content, delimited by a ribosome-bearing membrane. Their diameter ranged between 50 and 400 nm. In mature sieve elements they were larger, more pleomorphic, and showed a central clear area containing presumed DNA filaments. Budding and dividing forms were sometimes seen among them.The main alterations found in the infected cells were: increased ribosome content, dilation of the perinuclear space, degeneration of mitochondria and chloroplasts, and cytoplasmic vacuolation. Many cells appeared completely disrupted and their content was replaced by a great number of pleomorphic mycoplasma.This investigation was supported by a grant of Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Rome.     

Histochemie des lipides complexes

Résumé Les auteurs, à la suite d'une série de récherches sur l'histochemie des lipides, donnent une nouvelle méthode pour la visualisation des seules groupes vic-glycols dans et en présence des lipides complexes, fondée sur le blocage aux halogènes des doubles liaisons. Le control histophotométrique démontre la spécificité et la sénsibilité de la méthode.

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Lipids histochemistryI. Detection of vic-glycols groups

Summary The authors proposed, in the course of a general investigation about the lipids, a improved method for the demonstration only of the vic-glycols groups in the lipids, founded on the halogenic block of ethylenic bounds. Histophotometrical control proved that this tecnic is specific and sensitive.

     

Morphological and chromosomal characterization of three new continuous cell lines of Drosophila melanogaster

Three continuous cell lines (GM₁, GM₂ and GM₃) were obtained from embryos of Drosophila melanogaster. Karyotypic analysis revealed characteristics distinguishing each line. Except for some minor variations GM₁ cells had an X and a centric heterochromatic fragment (which is a portion of the Y). GM₂ line was characterized by XO cells showing two new telocentric chromosomes while an autosome of the II pair was missing. GM₃ cells were XY; the Y chromosome, however, was shorter than the normal, having a deletion of the terminal section of the short arm. Several problems concerning the origin of these different genomes are discussed.This work was supported by a grant of the Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Roma.     

Surface markers and cytotoxic activities of lymphocytes in monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance and untreated multiple myeloma

Summary To determine whether monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) resembles multiple myeloma (MM) with regard to phenotype and functional activity, 16 patients with MGUS and 16 with untreated MM were studied for surface markers and cytotoxic activities phytohemagglutinin-induced cellular cytotoxicity (PHA-ICC), antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity, natural killer (NK) activity. Our data showed a consistent immunological similarity between the two diseases. An increase in OKT8+ cells was evident in both patient groups and a significant reduction in the T4/T8 ratio, more pronunced in MM, was observed. Alterations in NK activity or ADCC were not found in MGUS or MM. A significant increase in PHA-ICC was demonstrated in the two diseases. The increase in PHA-ICC observed seems to be attributable to an increased frequency and/or lytic efficiency of PHA-ICC lymphoid effector cells. These data suggest that similar immunological alterations are common to the two diseases. The greater helper/suppressor ratio reduction observed in MM seems to be related to the more severe clonal proliferation in these patients.This study was supported in part by CNR, grant 85.02130.44     

Biogas from dedicated energy crops in Northern Italy: electric energy generation costs

Agricultural anaerobic digestion facilities are increasing in many EU member States and biomass supply is sometimes an issue. Dedicated energy crops (DEC) (mainly Maize, Triticale and Sorghum) are often used to integrate other substrates, such as agricultural residues, manure and organic waste. However, DEC production includes onerous agricultural operations (soil preparation, harvest, transport and storage) and may result in high unit costs (UC) of electric energy (EE, € kWhe⁻¹), compared to other renewable sources. In this work, seven different types of DEC (4 different combinations of crop successions) were cultivated in 30 different parcels, distributed along the Po Valley (northern Italy), using different varieties of seeds for each crop type. All agricultural operations were accounted for their costs (988–3346 € ha⁻¹). Biomass production was measured and reported as average of different parcels for each type of crop (31.2–187 Mg ha⁻¹). Biomass dry matter content and biogas potential were measured on representative samples and the EE obtainable was calculated (7.9–35.3 MWhe ha⁻¹), by assuming conservative factors (CH₄ contents in biogas and electric generation yields). The costs of ensiled biomass sensibly varied (13.8–40 € Mg⁻¹) among crop solutions, as well as the same UC of EE (0.068–0.150 € kWhe⁻¹). These costs were considered together with typical plant management and investment costs (plant size: 0.5–1 MWe): total UC of EE generation through anaerobic digestion (considering 100% DEC) varied in a relatively wide range (0.143–0.279 € kWhe⁻¹). When the biomass mix is ‘blended’ with low-cost residues or organic waste, this range could be lowered to 0.096–187 € kWhe⁻¹. Only this strategy and strong efforts in reducing technological investment/management costs can candidate biogas-based EE as a really competitive renewable alternative to traditional sources, in the next future.