Kairomonal responses of Tomicus destruens (Col., Scolytidae) to host volatiles α-pinene and ethanol

The Mediterranean pine shoot beetle Tomicus destruens is one of the most damaging bark beetles attacking Mediterranean pine forests in southern Europe and north Africa. We studied the attractiveness of the host volatiles α-pinene and ethanol at a range of release rates, alone or in combination, to T. destruens , in order to develop an attractive lure for the management of this beetle. T. destruens was attracted slightly to the host volatile α-pinene, but a strong synergistic effect was found in the attraction towards monoterpene when ethanol was added to the bait. The highest catches of T. destruens were obtained by the optimal blend releasing 300 mg/day of α-pinene and 900 mg/day of ethanol. In contrast to data reported for the related species T. piniperda , Mediterranean pine shoot beetles were clearly attracted to baits releasing ethanol alone (1350 mg/day). trans -Verbenol, which was also added to host volatiles in some tests, did not affect the response. The use of the attractive blend proposed would have a low impact on the natural enemy population of Thanasimus formicarius because of asynchronies in flight periods. Other non-target insects, such as the facultative predator or competitor Oxipleurus nodieri , were also significantly attracted. These results allow the development of an operative lure for the effective monitoring of T. destruens , although improvements by the addition of other host volatiles should be studied.     

Intrinsically bent DNA sites in the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Drosophila melanogaster</Emphasis> third chromosome amplified domain

Bent DNA sites promote the curvature of DNA in both eukaryotic and prokaryotic chromosomes. Here, we investigate the localization and structure of intrinsically bent DNA sites in the extensively characterized Drosophila melanogaster third chromosome DAFC-66D segment (Drosophila amplicon in the follicle cells). This region contains the amplification control element ACE3, which is a replication enhancer that acts in cis to activate the major replication origin ori-β. Through both electrophoretic and in silico analysis, we have identified three major bent DNA sites in DAFC-66D. The bent DNA site (b1) is localized in the ACE3 element, whereas the other two bent DNA sites (b2 and b3) are localized in the ori-β region. Four additional bent DNA sites were identified in the intron of the S18 gene and near the TATA box of the S15, S19, and S16 genes. The identification of DNA bent sites in genomic regions previously characterized as functionally relevant for DNA amplification further supports a function for DNA bent sites in DNA replication in eukaryotes. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Immunohistochemical evidence of the presence of aromatase P450 in the rat hypophysis

In order to analyze whether aromatase is present in the hypophysis of adult rats, we have performed an immunohistochemical study in young adult male and female rats. Our study has revealed that the hypophysis of adult rats contains aromatase, although marked differences are found between the sexes. The hypophyses of male rats have cells immunoreactive for the enzyme, 34.40% of these hypophyseal cells showing reaction. By contrast, cells from female rats show very little reaction, only 0.84% of them being reactive. No significant differences in the percentage of immunoreactive cells between one phase and another are observed during the estrous cycle. Our results point to the immunohistochemical expression of aromatase in the hypophysis of adult rats and at the same time suggest that its expression is sex-dependent. The enzyme may therefore be involved in the regulation of adenohypophyseal cytology by androgens.     

Eradication of Helicobacter pylori for the prevention of peptic ulcer rebleeding

AIM: To evaluate the effect of Helicobacter pylori eradication on ulcer bleeding recurrence in a prospective, long-term study including more than 400 patients. METHODS: Patients with peptic ulcer bleeding were prospectively included. H. pylori infection was confirmed by rapid urease test, histology or (13)C-urea breath test. Several eradication regimens were used. Ranitidine 150 mg was administered daily until eradication was confirmed by breath test 8 weeks after completing eradication therapy. Patients with therapy failure received a second or third course of therapy. Patients with eradication success did not receive maintenance anti-ulcer therapy, and were controlled yearly with a repeated breath test. RESULTS: Four hundred and twenty-two patients were followed up for at least 12 months, with a total of 906 patient-years of follow up. Mean age was 59 years, and 35% were previous nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) users. Sixty-nine percent had duodenal, 24% gastric, and 7% pyloric ulcer. Recurrence of bleeding was demonstrated in two patients at 1 year (incidence: 0.22% per patient-year of follow up), which occurred after NSAID use in both cases. CONCLUSION: Peptic ulcer rebleeding does not occur in patients with complicated ulcers after H. pylori eradication. Maintenance anti-ulcer (antisecretory) therapy is not necessary if eradication is achieved.     

Influence of yeast population on characteristics of the wine obtained in spontaneous and inoculated fermentations of must from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Vitis vinifera</Emphasis> Lado

This work describes the influence of yeast population on the chemical characteristics of wine obtained by spontaneous and inoculated fermentation of must from Vitis vinifera Lado, a minor white grapevine autochthonous to Galicia (NW Spain). The study was carried out for two consecutive years. The results showed that musts derived from Lado presented a high acidity though the potential alcohol level was acceptable. The genetic diversity of S. cerevisiae strains isolated from spontaneous fermentations was low, probably due to must characteristics, although these did not interfere with the implantation of the commercial strains used. Analyses showed that the wines subsequently produced had high alcoholic levels and very high acidities (pH 3.0) as was expected from must composition. Wines obtained from spontaneous fermentations had a lower alcohol content but higher total acidity than those from inoculated fermentations. Monovarietal wines produced from Lado were poorly evaluated in sensorial tests because of their unbalanced structure and sourness; however, when they were mixed with other autochthonous white varieties with less acidity, the resulting wines were well accepted.     

A new and simple way to clear the hair from operating fields in the scalp.

The McGivney instrument has been designed for rubber band ligation of hemorrhoids. A simple way to clear the hair from the operating field with the aid of this device during surgery on the scalp is described. The method has been found to be quick and easy, and the tuft of hair is also held in a firmer position than with other methods used for this purpose.     

Pyruvate fermentation in Rhodospirillum rubrum and after transfer from aerobic to anaerobic conditions in the dark

The fermentative metabolism of Rhodospirillum rubrum (strain Ha, F₁, S₁) was studied after transfering the cells from aerobic to anaerobic dark culture conditions. Pyruvate was metabolized mainly to acetate and formate, and to a lesser extent to CO₂ and propionate, by all strains. Therefore, pyruvate formate lyase would appear to be the characteristic key enzyme of the dark anaerobic fermentation metabolism in R. rubrum. Strain F₁ and S₁ metabolized the formate further to H₂ and CO₂. It is concluded that this cleavage was catalysed by a formate hydrogen lyase system. Strain Ha was unable to metabolize formate. The cleavage of formate and the synthesis of poly--hydroxy-butyric acid were increased by a low pH value (6.5). Fermentation equations and schemes of the pyruvate metabolism are discussed.