Development of pheromone-based mating disruption for control of the eye-spotted bud moth, Spilonota ocellana

The potential for pheromone-based mating disruption of eye-spotted bud moth (ESBM), Spilonota ocellana (Denis & Schiffermüller) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), in apple orchards in the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia was examined in small-plot trials. In a preliminary experiment, treatment of the orchard atmosphere with a 99:1 blend of Z8-tetradecenyl acetate (Z8-14:OAc) and Z8-tetradecenyl alcohol (Z8-14:OH) completely inhibited captures of male ESBM in pheromone-baited traps, but treatment with Z8-14:OAc alone did not. Therefore, all subsequent trials used the two-component blend as a disruptant. Mean catches of male ESBM in traps baited with 0.1, 1, 10, or 20 mg of 99:1 Z8-14:OAc and Z8-14:OH were significantly reduced (81–97%) in pheromone-treated plots relative to similar traps placed in control plots. In both control and treated plots, there was a significant positive relationship between trap bait dose and trap catch. In pheromone-treated plots, this suggests that high doses of trap baits over-ride the camouflage effect of disruption or overcome the effect of sensory adaptation and habituation. The number of virgin-female baited traps capturing at least one male ESBM was reduced by 96%, and mating of virgin females on mating tables was reduced by 95% in plots treated with the two-component pheromone. The total amount of Z8-14:OAc released from pheromone disruption dispensers during the latter field trials was estimated to average 6.4 g ha^-1 over 11 days or 26.4 mg ha^-1 h^-1. The low levels of Z8-14:OH released from disruption dispensers could not be estimated by GC analysis. Dispensers loaded with a 99:1 blend of Z8-14:OAc and Z8-14:OH were highly attractive to males in baited traps, indicating that they have the potential to induce false trail following.     

Impaired calcium mobilisation in the 7315a prolactin-secreting pituitary tumour

The 7315a tumour secretes prolactin, but is refractory to enhancement of prolactin release by thyrotrophin-releasing hormone (TRH). In order to investigate further this refractoriness of the 7315a tumour cell, we compared cells from the tumour and from the normal pituitary with regard to TRH-enhanced fractional 45Ca2+ efflux and inositol phosphate production. TRH caused a large efflux of calcium from normal pituitary cells, but only mildly enhanced calcium efflux from the tumour cells. In contrast, TRH enhanced total inositol phosphate generation in both groups of cells to a similar degree. We therefore conclude that prolactin release from 7315a tumour cells is refractory to TRH due, at least in part, to impaired mobilisation of intracellular calcium by inositol phosphates.     

Nef-mediated downregulation of CD4 enhances human immunodeficiency virus type 1 replication in primary T lymphocytes

The accessory protein Nef plays a crucial role in primate lentivirus pathogenesis. Nef enhances human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infectivity in culture and stimulates viral replication in primary T cells. In this study, we investigated the relationship between HIV-1 replication efficiency in CD4(+) T cells purified from human blood and two various known activities of Nef, CD4 downregulation and single-cycle infectivity enhancement. Using a battery of reporter viruses containing point mutations in nef, we observed a strong genetic correlation between CD4 downregulation by Nef during acute HIV-1 infection of activated T cells and HIV-1 replication efficiency in T cells. In contrast, HIV-1 replication ability was not significantly correlated with the ability of Nef to enhance single-cycle virion infectivity, as determined by using viruses produced in cells lacking CD4. These results demonstrate that CD4 downregulation by Nef plays a crucial role in HIV-1 replication in activated T cells and underscore the potential for the development of therapies targeting this conserved activity of Nef.     

Taxonomic studies in the Miconieae (Melastomataceae). VII. Miconia howardiana,a new speices from Hispaniola

Miconia howardiana, which is known only from a diverse moist montane forest in the vicinity of Loma Trocha de Pey (or “Monteada Nueva”), the easternmost peak of the Sierra de Baoruco, is described and illustrated. It is compared to phenetically similar (and probably phylogenetically related) species of theMiconia favosa complex, i.e.,M. favosa, M. xenotricha, M. campanensis M. Sintenisii, M. foveolata, andM. pycnoneura. The species of this complex are characterized by bullate leaves with frequently cordate bases and often six secondary veins. Most species also have large berries and flowers, 5-locular ovaries, large inflorescence bracts and bracteoles, and more or less dendritic multicellular hairs.     

An extinct genus of Salicaceae based on twigs with attached flowers, fruits, and foliage from the Eocene Green River Formation of Utah and Colorado, USA

A newly recovered twig with attached leaves and flowers from the Eocene Green River Formation of Utah provides the basis for recognizing a new, extinct genus of Salicaceae sensu lato (s.l.). Pseudosalix handleyi gen. et sp. nov. has alternate lanceolate leaves with pinnate, semicraspedodromous venation and a serrate margin with glandular teeth. The inflorescence is terminal on the twig and is unisexual, composed of flowers organized in a paniculoid cyme, with lateral paraclades of pedicellate flowers. The attached pistillate flowers have four prominent sepals that are valvate in bud, spreading but basally fused at anthesis; the single pistil of each flower is ovoid with three or four longitudinal sutures, indicating development to a capsular fruit. Three or four recurved styles radiate from the apex of the pistil, each with a distal globose stigma. The infructescence, verified by attachment to twigs with the same kind of leaves, bore capsular fruits of three and four valves. Associated but unattached, staminate flowers also have four well-developed, basally connate sepals. They are pedicellate and bear several stamens, each with a short filament and globose anther. The available morphological characters place the fossil species within the Salicaceae s.l. as an immediate sister to the clade containing Populus and Salix. Although the likely outgroup genera (including Itoa, Poliothyrsis, Carrierea, and Idesia) to tribe Saliceae all occur in Asia today and not North America, the occurrence of both Pseudosalix and Populus in the Eocene of Utah raises the possibility of a North American origin for the Saliceae.     

Molecular phylogeny, biogeography, and systematics of Dicerandra (Lamiaceae), a genus endemic to the southeastern United States

Dicerandra, an endemic mint of the southeastern United States, comprises nine species, all of which are threatened or endangered and restricted to sandhill vegetation and a mosaic of scrub habitats. Molecular phylogenetic analyses of Dicerandra based on data from the nuclear and plastid genomes for all 13 taxa of the genus, identified two strongly supported clades, corresponding to the four annual and to the five perennial species of Dicerandra. However, the nuclear and plastid trees were incongruent in their placement of two perennial taxa, D. cornutissima and D. immaculata var. savannarum, perhaps due to ancient hybridization or to lineage sorting. Based on these analyses, the widespread D. linearifolia is not monophyletic, with populations of D. linearifolia var. linearifolia falling into either western or eastern clades. The western clade, comprising populations of D. linearifolia var. linearifolia and var. robustior, occurs in an area drained by rivers flowing toward the Gulf of Mexico, whereas the eastern clade, comprising populations of D. linearifolia var. linearifolia, D. densiflora, D. odoratissima, and D. radfordiana (i.e., all the annual species), occupies a region drained by rivers flowing to the Atlantic Ocean. Although this pattern of genetic differentiation between populations from these two river drainages has been documented in several animal species, it has not previously been reported for plants. A revised subgeneric classification is presented to reflect the annual and perennial clades.     

Are Seafood PCB Data Sufficient to Assess Health Risk for High Seafood Consumption Groups?

Some populations in Washington's Puget Sound area consume much more seafood than the general population. Mean consumption rates are 61?g/person/day for the Tulalip and Squaxin Island Tribes and 117.2?g/person/day for Asian and Pacific Islanders (API). There is concern about possible health risks from seafood PCB exposure for these groups, but exposure evaluation is difficult due to inadequacies of environmental data. Available seafood PCB data were matched to results from recent seafood consumption surveys. To rate quality of matches and identify data gaps, a ranking system based on species specificity, data quality, and location compatibility was developed. Sensitivity of total PCB and congenerspecific PCB testing (for use in TCDD toxic equivalency approaches) necessary for cancer risk assessment was explored and included in the ranking scheme. For the Squaxin Tribe, appropriate total PCB data for risk assessment were available for 58% of seafood consumed, which is dominated by local salmon. For API, appropriate total PCB data were identified for only 4% of seafood consumed, which is dominated by commercial shellfish. Insufficient sensitivity of commercial seafood PCB analysis and overall lack of sufficiently sensitive PCB congener analysis are major gaps in ability to characterize PCB exposure and risk for these groups.     

Prions adhere to soil minerals and remain infectious

An unidentified environmental reservoir of infectivity contributes to the natural transmission of prion diseases (transmissible spongiform encephalopathies [TSEs]) in sheep, deer, and elk. Prion infectivity may enter soil environments via shedding from diseased animals and decomposition of infected carcasses. Burial of TSE-infected cattle, sheep, and deer as a means of disposal has resulted in unintentional introduction of prions into subsurface environments. We examined the potential for soil to serve as a TSE reservoir by studying the interaction of the disease-associated prion protein (PrP(Sc)) with common soil minerals. In this study, we demonstrated substantial PrP(Sc) adsorption to two clay minerals, quartz, and four whole soil samples. We quantified the PrP(Sc)-binding capacities of each mineral. Furthermore, we observed that PrP(Sc) desorbed from montmorillonite clay was cleaved at an N-terminal site and the interaction between PrP(Sc) and Mte was strong, making desorption of the protein difficult. Despite cleavage and avid binding, PrP(Sc) bound to Mte remained infectious. Results from our study suggest that PrP(Sc) released into soil environments may be preserved in a bioavailable form, perpetuating prion disease epizootics and exposing other species to the infectious agent.