Effect of constant temperatures on germination, radial growth and virulence of Metarhizium anisopliae to three species of African tephritid fruit flies

The effect of temperatureon conidial germination, mycelial growth, andsusceptibility of adults of three tephritidfruit flies, Ceratitis capitata(Wiedemann), C. fasciventris (Bezzi) andC. cosyra (Walker) to six isolatesof Metarhizium anisopliae were studied inthe laboratory. There were significantdifferences among the isolates in the effect oftemperature on both germination and growth.Over 80% of conidia germinated at 20, 25 and30°C, while between 26 and 67% conidiagerminated at 35°C and less than 10% at15°C within 24 hours. Radial growth was slowat 15°C and 35°C with all of theisolates. The optimum temperature forgermination and mycelial growth was 25°C. Mortality caused by the six fungal isolatesagainst the three fruit fly species varied withtemperature, isolate, and fruit fly species.Fungal isolates were more effective at 25, 30and 35°C than at 20°C. The LT₉₀values decreased with increasing temperature upto the optimum temperature of 30°C. Therewere significant differences in susceptibilitybetween fly species to fungal infection at allthe temperatures tested.     

Influence of galactoglucomannan oligosaccharides on root culture of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Karwinskia humboldtiana</Emphasis>

Galactoglucomannan oligosaccharides (GGMOs) activity in K. humboldtiana root culture has been determined. GGMOs inhibited adventitious root growth and lateral root induction in contrast to IAA, IBA, and NAA stimulating effect in these processes. Similarly, the combination of GGMOs with natural auxins (IAA, IBA) evoked an inhibition of adventitious root growth and lateral root induction that depended on the oligosaccharides concentration and the type of auxin. The growth stimulating effect of the synthetic auxin, NAA, in adventitious roots was negatively affected by GGMOs, but they were without influence on lateral root induction. The presence of oligosaccharides triggered lateral root position on adventitious roots and the anatomy of adventitious roots (diameter, proportion of primary cortex to the central cylinder, number and size of primary cortical cells, intercellular spaces, and the number of starch grains in cells of primary cortex) in dependence on their coactions with auxin.     

Improved attractants for Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann): responses of sterile and wild flies to (-) enantiomer of ceralure B1

Tests were conducted on wild Mediterranean fruit flies, Ceratitis capiata (Wiedemann), in Hawaii, Italy, and Kenya, and on sterile released flies in Florida and California with a new male attractant, (-)-ceralure B1. Compared on an equal dosage basis, Mediterranean fruit fly males were significantly more attracted to the (-)-ceralure B1 than to trimedlure in each of the sites tested except for California. Compared with the standard commercial 2 g trimedlure plug, 10 mg applied on cotton wicks (Kauai) was as attractive to wild males as trimedlure after the first 2 d of the test but not after 7 d. At a dose of 40 mg (50 times less than in the 2-g plug), the (-)-ceralure B1 was significantly more attractive to male flies than the 2-g trimedlure plug for the first week of service (Florida) but not after 2 wk. Studies using released sterile flies in Florida confirm our previous work on the improved attraction of (-)-ceralure B1 (40 mg) over trimedlure. However, this trend did not hold up in a single test conducted in a residential area in California that did not show a significant difference in attraction using 20 mg of compound. Future refinements in synthesis and costs of this compound and increased availability and testing will be needed before any final evaluation in the field can be carried out.     

Two vegetation maps of the same island: floristic units versus structural units

Abstract. This paper presents a comparison of two alternative methods to describe and map vegetation: on the basis of plant species and growth forms, respectively. A stratified random sampling was taken from spontaneous vegetation in 1989 on the volcanic island of Pantelleria (near Sicily, Italy). Cartographic and other comparisons of the results from classification and ordination analysis suggest that the major differences were associated with differences in the time scale of the underlying processes. Species results (leading to floristic vegetation units) were representative of longer-term processes, growth-form results (leading to structural vegetation units) with shorter-term processes. Further implications of these results are discussed.     

Radicle ofEchinocactus platyacanthus (Cactaceae)

Radicle of matureEchinocactus platyacanthus embryo is approximately 320 m long and represents less then 1/7 of the embryonal axis length. The radicle-hypocotyl boundary can be distinguished according to the striking difference in the size and shape of cells in protoderm and procambium, as well as discontinuity and different number of the cell files in the ground meristem. The root cap is small, consists of 4 layers of cells covering the apex of the radicle. The upper limit of the root cap is approximately 100 m closer towards the radicle tip than the radicle-hypocotyl boundary. Ultrastructure of radicle cells showed numerous lipid bodies as is typical for other oily seeds. Protein bodies of variable structure were also present together with other cell structures. Striking differences in protein body structure were found when protoderm and ground meristem were compared. Several small globoid crystals were present in each protein body of the protoderm, while protein bodies in the radicle ground meristem mostly contained one large globoid crystal. X-ray microanalysis revealed presence of P, K and Mg in all analyzed globoid crystals. Fe, Ca and Zn were detected in some of them.Abbreviations EDX microanalysis energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis - GC(s) globoid crystals - ICP spectroscopy ion-coupled plasma spectroscopy - LM light microscopy - PB(s) protein bodies - SEM scanning electron microscopy - TEM transmission electron microscopy     

Assessment of post extraction complications in Indians

Extraction is one of the commonest procedures in dentistry. Therefore, it is of interest to evaluate the post extraction complications in patients undergoing extractions of permanent teeth. A total of 70 adult patients who had undergone dental extractions and presented with post -operative complications were included in the study and evaluated. Data collected was statistically analyzed using SPSS software and results obtained. Most of the patients with post extraction complications were in the age group of 31-40 years (21.6%), followed by 21-30 (20.2%) and 61-70 years (20.2%). Dry socket (39.19%) was the common post extraction complication in our study especially in the age group of 31-40 years. There was a statistically significant association between age of the patients and the post extraction complications (p<0.001). In our study, post extraction complications were commonly observed in age group of 31-40 years with a predilection for males. Dry socket was the most common post extraction complication. Age of the patient has a significant effect on post extraction complications. However, gender, smoking habits and systemic diseases have no influence on post extraction complications.     

Chemotaxis in pathogenic spirochetes: directed movement toward targeting tissues?

Chemotaxis is an important feature of motile organisms that allows navigation through various environments. It enables them to detect nutrients and to avoid unfavorable or dangerous conditions. Motility and chemotaxis are widely acknowledged as important virulence factors for pathogenic bacteria. In this review, we try to explore the role of chemotaxis in the pathogenesis of spirochetes. Chemotaxis might be involved in tissue identification and penetration, and represents a possible mechanism for evasion of the host's immune defense. The recent development of genetic tools for pathogenic spirochetes and "tracking" techniques, employing fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH), could revolutionize our understanding of the importance of chemotaxis for infection and persistence of these bacteria in their host.