Phylogenetic relationships of Mediterranean Hedysarea species assessed by AFLP markers

Mediterranean Hedysarea species constitute important phytogenetic resources able to promote forage production and to valorize grasslands currently damaged by severe genetic erosion. The study of genetic diversity in nine Mediterranean Hedysarea species found in North Africa was performed using the AFLP technique. The eight primer combinations generated, on the whole, 325 polymorphic bands exhibiting an important genetic diversity that constitutes an ideal source stock for germplasm selection. The estimation by AFLP analysis of the relative relationships among six Sulla and three Hedysarum species revealed the genetic nearness of the two analyzed genera as shown by the close relatedness of S. carnosa and Hedysarum species. Our investigation suggested a nuclear lineage among the Mediterranean Hedysarea species. Moreover, a common genetic pool among the analyzed species indicated a common ancestor H. membranaceum generating all the analyzed species. The obtained UPGMA dendrogram exhibited species clustering independently from their bioclimatic origin. This result was confirmed by Pearson's correlation coefficient (0.097, p = 0.302). Principal component analysis of the obtained AFLP data has also shown mixed species. In fact, the distribution in plan 1–2 (34.34% of the global inertia) showed typical continuous variability since there is no distinctiveness of species. The close congruence of the only cultivated Sulla species (i.e., S. coronaria) and the spontaneous S. flexuosa, which is affected by severe genetic erosion, could permit including these species in amelioration programs for improvement of forage crops. Moreover, the related proximity of the semi-temperate species S. capitata and H. aculeolatum, respectively, to the arid/semi-arid species S. carnosa and S. spinosissima could be exploited in breeding programs to improve the damaged southern Tunisian grasslands, especially in arid and semi-arid areas.     

New data on the Rectogordius (foraminifera) abundance zone (Latest Carboniferous: Gzhelian) of the Zaladou Formation (east-central Iran,Tabas block,Shishtu section)

The Rectogordius (Foraminifera) abundance zone is described in the east of the Shishtu village in the Ozbak Kuh Mountain. The samples were collected in the Zaladou Formation., which is 60 m thick and composed of shales, sandstones, sandy limestones, microconglomerate, bioclastic limestones, coral limestone and fusulinid limestones. The Rectogordius abundance zone was found in sandy bioclastic limestone. It displays two species and three subspecies of this foraminifer, including Rectogordius iranicus, R. iranicus gadukensis, R. minimus and R. minimus shishtuensis n. subsp., R. iranicus ozbakensis n. subsp. The age of this abundance zone is considered to be Gzhelian, due to the distribution of Rectogordius in Central Iran (Ozbak Kuh; Zaladou Formation), central and eastern Alborz (Emarat Fm.), Sanandaj-Sirjan zone (Vazhnan Formation), as well as in the Donets, Arctic Canada, Afghanistan, and the Carnic Alps. The genus Rectogordius is possibly restricted to the northern Paleotethys margin, northern Cimmerian margin, shelf of the Uralian Ocean as far as the northernmost part of North America. Two new subspecies Rectogordius minimus shishtuensis n. subsp. and Rectogordius iranicus ozbakensis n. subsp. are described.     

Selenium alleviates cadmium toxicity by preventing oxidative stress in sunflower (Helianthus annuus) seedlings

The present study investigated the possible mediatory role of selenium (Se) in protecting plants from cadmium (Cd) toxicity. The exposure of sunflower seedlings to 20 μM Cd inhibited biomass production, decreased chlorophyll and carotenoid concentrations and strongly increased accumulation of Cd in both roots and shoots. Similarly, Cd enhanced hydrogen peroxides content and lipid peroxidation as indicated by malondialdehyde accumulation. Pre-soaking seeds with Se (5, 10 and 20 μM) alleviated the negative effect of Cd on growth and led to a decrease in oxidative injuries caused by Cd. Furthermore, Se enhanced the activities of catalase, ascorbate peroxidase and glutathione reductase, but lowered that of superoxide dismutase and guaiacol peroxidase. As important antioxidants, ascorbate and glutathione contents in sunflower leaves exposed to Cd were significantly decreased by Se treatment. The data suggest that the beneficial effect of Se during an earlier growth period could be related to avoidance of cumulative damage upon exposure to Cd, thus reducing the negative consequences of oxidative stress caused by heavy metal toxicity.     

Chrysosporium tropicum as a probable cause of mycosis of poultry in India

Chrysosporium tropicum was isolated from comb lesions in two different breeds of chickens in India and subcultures were shown to be pathogenic when inoculated onto prepared skin of guinea pigs. This report provides additional evidence to considerCh. tropicum as a pathogenic fungus and a probable cause of a dermatomycosis in chickens.     

The Attractive Serratia plymuthica BMA1 Strain With High Rock Phosphate-Solubilizing Activity and Its Effect on the Growth and Phosphorus Uptake by Vicia faba L. Plants

Abstract

The present work aims to investigate the attractive ability of the newly isolated bacterium Serratia plymuthica BMA1, to release phosphorus (P) from rock phosphate (RP) and also to assess its beneficial effect in promoting the growth of Vicia faba. This strain exhibited the highest RP-solubilization activity ever reported, with 450?mg l^?1 of soluble P at 30?°C. At 10 and 20?°C, its RP-solubilization was estimated at 100 and 200?mg l^?1, respectively. HPLC analysis revealed that RP-solubilizing activity was associated with the release of gluconic acid. The hydroxyapatite (HA) solubilization activity concomitantly occurred with the secretion of gluconic acid and lactic acid. Under greenhouse conditions, application of BMA1 strain as an inoculant in presence of RP as the sole P source, considerably increased phosphorus uptake by V. faba L. and upgraded its overall growth in terms of dry weight and length by 76% and 39%, respectively. This growth promoting effect was accompanied by a substantial increase in chlorophyll contents. Additionally, phosphorus levels within roots and shoots of S. plymuthica BMA1-treated plants were approximately three times greater, compared to the non-inoculated control plants. When HA was used instead of RP, bacterization with BMA1 strain also enhanced the plant growth parameters and P contents, but significantly less than RP. These findings revealed that S. plymuthica BMA1 could be a potential candidate to improve the agronomic effectiveness of RP, toward a clean P-nutrition through the formulation of bio-phosphate fertilizers for plant growth promotion.     

Trapping the larger grain borer Prostephanus truncatus in maize fields using synthetic pheromones

Pitfall traps baited with a lure containing a new pheromone component were used to catch adult Prostephanus truncatus (Horn) (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae) in the field in Tanzania. Traps baited with a mixture of Trunc-call (T1) and the new component Trunc-call (T2) caught ten times as many insects as traps baited with T1 alone. The data demonstrate for the first time that mixtures of T1 and T2 can be used as effective lures to trap P. truncatus in the field, and that P. truncatus is widespread outside of farm buildings in Africa.

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Résumé Des pièges contre P. truncatus Horn, appâtés avec un leurre contenant une nouvelle phéromone ont été utilisés dans la nature en Tanzanie. Les pièges appâtés avec un mélange de Trunc-call 1 (T1) et du nouveau composé Trunc-call 2 (T2) capturent 10 fois plus d'insectes que ceux appâtés avec T1 seul. Ces résultats montrent pour la première fois que des mélanges de T1 et T2 peuvent être utilisés efficacement pour leurrer P. truncatus dans la nature, et que P. truncatus est abondant autour des fermes en Afrique.

     

Reconstructive plastic surgery in hemophiliacs

Major surgery can be safely performed in hemophiliacs when adequate factor activity is provided, i.e., 100 percent activity perioperatively and 50 percent activity thereafter. These patients require complete hemostatic evaluation in order to properly titrate perioperative needs. The extreme cost of surgery and hospitalization mandates that, when possible, patients needing multiple procedures have them performed at the same time. A case is presented in which a paraplegic hemophiliac with extensive pressure sores underwent quadruple flaps following these tenets.