Alterations of NADPH:protochlorophyllide oxidoreductase quantity and lipid composition in etiolated barley seedlings infected by Barley stripe mosaic virus (BSMV)

To understand the phenomenon by which infection of seed-transmitted Barley stripe mosaic virus (BSMV) alters membrane structures and inhibits protochlorophyllide biosynthesis of dark-grown barley ( Hordeum vulgare L.) plants, we analysed the presence of NADPH:protochlorophyllide oxidoreductase (POR, EC 1.3.1.33) and the galactolipid content and fatty acid composition. The amount of POR in etioplasts of infected leaves, compared with non-infected leaves, was reduced, as measured by immunoelectron microscopy and Western blot. These results are in agreement with the previously described reduction of the ratio of the photoactive 650 nm to non-photoactive 630 nm absorbing protochlorophyllide forms ( Harsányi et al. , 2002 . Physiol. Plant 114 , 149–155). The galactolipid content was lower in infected leaves. Monogalactosyl-diacylglycerol (MGDG) content was reduced to 40% and digalactosyl-diacylglycerol to 55% of control plants on a fresh weight basis. In infected plants, the proportion of linolenic acid decreased in both galactolipids. The lower amount of highly unsaturated fatty acids and the reduced abundance of MGDG correlated well with the previously detected reduction in the membrane ratio of prolamellar body (PLB) to prothylakoid ( Harsányi et al. , 2002 . Physiol. Plant 114 , 149–155). The reduced amount of POR and the above described alterations in the lipid composition resulted in a disturbed structure of PLBs. As a consequence, pigment synthesis and the greening process were inhibited in infected cells, in turn explaining the appearance of chlorotic stripes of BSMV-infected barley leaves. Our results show that BSMV infection can be detected at a very early stage of leaf development.     

A guide for banding North Island robin (Petroica longipes) nestlings

Measures of population productivity and individual survival are essential for effective conservation management and scientific investigations. In studies of birds, individuals are often marked with unique colour band combinations to enable estimates of population vital rates. If birds are banded in the nest this must be done at the correct stage in nestling development. If nestlings are banded too early it can lead to leg damage. If they are banded too late it can cause early fledging and reduced survival. Here, we use photographs to guide estimation of the best stage to band North Island robin (Petroica longipes), or toutouwai, nestlings, which is typically at 9–12 days of age.     

Multiple interspecies transmissions of human and simian T-cell leukemia/lymphoma virus type I sequences

Using two sets of nucleotide sequences of the human and simian T-cell leukemia/lymphoma virus type I (HTLV-I/STLV-I), one consisting of 522 bp of the env gene from 70 viral strains and the other a 140-bp segment from the pol gene of 52 viral strains, I estimated cladograms based on a statistical parsimony procedure that was developed specifically to estimate within-species gene trees. An extension of a nesting procedure is offered for sequence data that forms nested clades used in hypothesis testing. The nested clades were used to test three hypotheses relating to transmission of HTLV/STLV sequences: (1) Have cross-species transmissions occurred and, if so, how many? (2) In what direction have they occurred? (3) What are the geographic relationships of these transmission events? The analyses support a range of 11-16 cross-species transmissions throughout the history of these sequences. Additionally, outgroup weights were assigned to haplotypes using arguments from coalescence theory to infer directionality of transmission events. Conclusions on geographic origins of transmission events and particular viral strains are inconclusive due to small samples and inadequate sampling design. Finally, this approach is compared directly to results obtained from a traditional maximum parsimony approach and found to be superior at establishing relationships and identifying instances of transmission.      

Fine Structure of the Neogregarine Farinocystis tribolii Weiser, 1953. Developmental Stages in Merogony.

SYNOPSIS. The fine structure of schizonts and free merozoites of the neogregarine Farinocystis tribolii Weiser, and their development in the fat body of larval Tribolium castaneum were studied.
The surface of a multinucleate schizont and that of a uninucleate merozoite is covered by a double-layered membrane. Rhoptries and micronemes are present. The cytoplasm is packed with ribosomes and also contains dark bodies. Mitochondria are of the vesicular type. The spherical nucleus of the schizont and merozoite contains a large nucleolus. The anterior end of the merozoite has a typical conoidal complex composed of a conoid and a polar ring with 22 subpellicular mirotubules projecting from it.
New findings are a membranous septum across the body of the merozoite at 2/3 of its length below the nucleus and a highly osmiophilic spiral structure in the perinuclear space close to the Golgi complex. In addition, we found some "developmental stages" of the latter structure.     

The palatability of flavoured novel floating pellets made with brewer's spent grain to captive carp

Abstract

The palatability to common carp, Cyprinus carpio L. of three newly developed differently flavoured floating pellets made from a high proportion (40%) of brewer's spent grain (BSG) was tested using a multiple-offer feeding experiment. The addition of ‘bold’ flavours, such as vanilla or strawberry essence, may help mask the unpleasant taste of some piscicides; however, their inclusion must not compromise uptake by carp. There were no significant differences between the consumption rates of the three varieties, and all flavours were readily consumed. Therefore, it is suggested that highly flavoured pellets made with BSG have a strong potential to mask the flavour of an unpalatable toxin, and further research is now needed to test this hypothesis.     

Detrimental effects of albuterol on airway responsiveness requires airway inflammation and is independent of β-receptor affinity in murine models of asthma

Background

Inhaled short acting β2-agonists (SABA), e.g. albuterol, are used for quick reversal of bronchoconstriction in asthmatics. While SABA are not recommended for maintenance therapy, it is not uncommon to find patients who frequently use SABA over a long period of time and there is a suspicion that long term exposure to SABA could be detrimental to lung function. To test this hypothesis we studied the effect of long-term inhaled albuterol stereoisomers on immediate allergic response (IAR) and airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) in mouse models of asthma.

Methods

Balb/C mice were sensitized and challenged with ovalbumin (OVA) and then we studied the IAR to inhaled allergen and the AHR to inhaled methacholine. The mice were pretreated with nebulizations of either racemic (RS)-albuterol or the single isomers (S)- and (R)-albuterol twice daily over 7 days prior to harvest.

Results

We found that all forms of albuterol produced a significant increase of IAR measured as respiratory elastance. Similarly, we found that AHR was elevated by albuterol. At the same time a mouse strain that is intrinsically hyperresponsive (A/J mouse) was not affected by the albuterol isomers nor was AHR induced by epithelial disruption with Poly-L-lysine affected by albuterol.

Conclusions

We conclude that long term inhalation treatment with either isomer of albuterol is capable of precipitating IAR and AHR in allergically inflamed airways but not in intrinsically hyperresponsive mice or immunologically naïve mice. Because (S)-albuterol, which lacks affinity for the β2-receptor, did not differ from (R)-albuterol, we speculate that isomer-independent properties of the albuterol molecule, other than β2-agonism, are responsible for the effect on AHR.