Genome Assembly Anchored QTL Map of Bovine Chromosome 14

Bovine chromosome 14 (BTA14) has been widely explored for quantitative trait loci (QTL) and genes related to economically important traits in both dairy and beef cattle. We reviewed more than 40 investigations and anchored 126 QTL to the current genome assembly (Btau 4_0). Using this anchored QTL map, we observed that, in dairy cattle, the region spanning 0 – 10 Mb on BTA14 has the highest density QTL map with a total of 56 QTL, mainly for milk production traits. It is very likely that both somatic cell score (SCS) and clinical mastitis share some common QTL in two regions: 61.48 Mb - 73.84 Mb and 7.86 Mb – 39.55 Mb, respectively. As well, both ovulation rate and twinning rate might share a common QTL region from 34.16 Mb to 65.38 Mb. However, there are no common QTL locations in three pregnancy related phenotypes: non-return rate, pregnancy rate and daughter pregnancy rate. In beef cattle, the majority of QTL are located in a broad region of 15 Mb – 45 Mb on the chromosome. Functional genes, such as CRH, CYP11B1, DGAT1, FABP4 and TG, as potential candidates for some of these QTL, were also reviewed. Therefore, our review provides a standardized QTL map anchored within the current genome assembly, which would enhance the process of selecting positional and physiological candidate genes for many important traits in cattle.     

Caries clinical trial of a remineralising toothpaste in radiation patients

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy and safety of a specially formulated remineralising toothpaste in controlling caries in a high‐risk population: head and neck radiation patients. Design: The study compared the performance of the remineralising toothpaste with a conventional fluoride dentifrice using double‐blind randomisation. Materials and methods: Test products: The products compared contained equivalent quantities of fluoride (1100 p.p.m.). The dual‐phase remineralising toothpaste, Enamelon^®, also delivered soluble calcium and phosphate ions, essential components of teeth, from separate phases. Both groups had all caries restored at baseline and used a fluoride rinse daily. Subjects: Fifty‐seven subjects who received radiation to the head and neck causing saliva hypofunction, entered the study, while 44 completed the 10–12 month visit. Measurements: Examinations included coronal and root caries using the Pitts Diagnostic Criteria, salivary flow rate, plaque and gingival indices and microbiological counts over a 1‐year period. Results: The average net increment per year for root caries per subject was 0.04 (±.052) in subjects completing the study using the remineralising toothpaste and 1.65 (±0.51) for root caries in subjects completing the study using the conventional fluoride dentifrice. The difference was statistically significant (p = 0.03), suggesting lower net root surface increment/year for the remineralising toothpaste relative to the conventional toothpaste. No significant differences were noted on coronal surfaces. Conclusion: The results indicate that the remineralising toothpaste provides a significant benefit in preventing and remineralising root caries in high‐risk patients.     

Genetics for Pseudoalteromonas provides tools to manipulate marine bacterial virus PM2

The genetic manipulation of marine double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) bacteriophage PM2 (Corticoviridae) has been limited so far. The isolation of an autonomously replicating DNA element of Pseudoalteromonas haloplanktis TAC125 and construction of a shuttle vector replicating in both Escherichia coli and Pseudoalteromonas enabled us to design a set of conjugative shuttle plasmids encoding tRNA suppressors for amber mutations. Using a host strain carrying a suppressor plasmid allows the introduction and analysis of nonsense mutations in PM2. Here, we describe the isolation and characterization of a suppressor-sensitive PM2 sus2 mutant deficient in the structural protein P10. To infect and replicate, PM2 delivers its 10-kbp genome across the cell envelopes of two gram-negative Pseudoalteromonas species. The events leading to the internalization of the circular supercoiled dsDNA are puzzling. In a poorly understood process that follows receptor recognition, the virion capsid disassembles and the internal membrane fuses with the host outer membrane. While beginning to unravel the mechanism of this process, we found that protein P10 plays an essential role in the host cell penetration.     

Evidence for a putative flavonoid translocator similar to mammalian bilitranslocase in grape berries (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Vitis vinifera</Emphasis> L.) during ripening

During maturation, Vitis vinifera berries accumulate a large amount of several anthocyanins in the epidermal tissue, whereas their precursors and intermediates are ubiquitously synthesized within the fruit. Up to date, several mechanisms of flavonoid transport at subcellular level have been hypothesized, but it is not possible to identify a general model applicable in every plant tissue and organ. Recently, a putative anthocyanin carrier, homologue to mammalian bilitranslocase (BTL) (TC 2.A.65.1.1), was found in Dianthus caryophyllus petal microsomes. In the present paper, an immunohistochemical and immunochemical analysis, using an antibody raised against a BTL epitope, evidences the expression and function of such a transporter in V. vinifera berries (cv. Merlot). Specific localisations of the putative carrier within berry tissues together with expression changes during different developmental stages are shown. Water stress induces an increase in protein expression in both skin and pulp samples. A bromosulfalein (BSP) uptake activity, inhibitable by the BTL antibody, is detected in berry mesocarp microsomes, with K (m) = 2.39 microM BSP and V (max) = 0.29 micromol BSP min(-1) mg(-1) protein. This BSP uptake is also competitively inhibited by quercetin (K (i) = 4 microM). A putative role for this carrier is discussed in relation to the membrane transport of secondary metabolites.     

Supramolecular salts containing the anionic [Ge(C2O4)3] complex and heteroaromatic amines

The crystalline compounds (Hbipy)₂[Ge(C₂O₄)₃] (1) and (Hphen)₂[Ge(C₂O₄)₃] · 2(H₂O) (2) [Hbipy⁺ is the 2,2′-bipyridinium cation (C₁₀H₉N₂), and Hphen⁺ is the 1,10′-phenathrolinium cation (C₁₂H₉N₂)] were isolated from mild hydrothermal syntheses and their structures were elucidated from single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The two compounds were further characterised by vibrational spectroscopy (FT-IR and FT-Raman), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and CHN elemental composition. Compounds 1 and 2 comprise the tris(oxalato-O,O′)germanate dianion complex, [Ge(C₂O₄)₃]²⁻, which co-crystallises with Hbipy⁺ (in 1), or Hphen⁺ and water molecules (in 2). In 1, the germanium oxalate anionic complex, [Ge(C₂O₄)₃]²⁻, and the Hbipy⁺ organic residues interact mutually via N-H?O hydrogen bonding interactions, leading to supramolecular discrete hydrogen-bonded units which are further interconnected via π-π stacking. Compound 2, on the other hand, exhibits a more complex hydrogen bonding network due to the presence of the water molecules of crystallisation which, along with π-π stacking between neighbouring Hphen⁺ residues, mediate the crystal packing.     

Analysis of 31 STR loci in the genetic isolate of Carloforte (Sardinia, Italy)

The genotypes of 31 autosomal short tandem repeat loci in the population of Carloforte were analyzed, these representing a linguistic and genetic isolate located on the island of Sardinia (Italy). The markers span the entire length of chromosomes 19, 20, 21 and 22. Allele frequencies and statistical parameters were presented for all loci. Observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.279 to 0.884, and polymorphism information content from 0.552 to 0.886. All but two loci showed Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium after Bonferroni correction. The 31 short tandem repeat loci examined in the present work provide additional data on the genetic structure of the Carloforte population.     

Structural Stability of Myoglobin in Organic Media

The structural stability of metmyoglobin in organic solvents and cosolvents was investigated aiming the choice of a suitable medium to perform its dissolution with maintenance of the native folding. The spectroscopic behavior of metmyoglobin solution in UV–Visible and circular dichroism was used to evaluate the solubility and the secondary structure. The results were dependable of the chemical structure of the organic compounds, their polarity and content, in the case of cosolvents. Protic solvents showed better ability than the aprotic ones for the biomolecule dissolution, since they are able to establish hydrogen bonds. Solvents with high polarity usually damage the secondary structure of the protein. Myoglobin was dissolved in pure methanol, ethylene glycol and glycerol. The secondary structure was retained in some extent. The controlled addition of sodium dodecyl sulfate to myoglobin aqueous solution changed the surface moiety of the protein. The complex was extracted to hexane with efficiency of 77%.     

Sustaining Plants and People: Traditional Q’eqchi’ Maya Botanical Knowledge and Interactive Spatial Modeling in Prioritizing Conservation of Medicinal Plants for Culturally Relative Holistic Health Promotion

Ethnobotanical surveys were conducted to locate culturally important, regionally scarce, and disappearing medicinal plants via a novel participatory methodology which involves healer-expert knowledge in interactive spatial modeling to prioritize conservation efforts and thus facilitate health promotion via medicinal plant resource sustained availability. These surveys, conducted in the Maya Mountains, Belize, generate ethnobotanical, ecological, and geospatial data on species which are used by Q’eqchi’ Maya healers in practice. Several of these mountainous species are regionally scarce and the healers are expressing difficulties in finding them for use in promotion of community health and wellness. Based on healers’ input, zones of highest probability for locating regionally scarce, disappearing, and culturally important plants in their ecosystem niches can be facilitated by interactive modeling. In the present study, this is begun by choosing three representative species to train an interactive predictive model. Model accuracy was then assessed statistically by testing for independence between predicted occurrence and actual occurrence of medicinal plants. A high level of accuracy was achieved using a small set of exemplar data. This work demonstrates the potential of combining ethnobotany and botanical spatial information with indigenous ecosystems concepts and Q’eqchi’ Maya healing knowledge via predictive modeling. Through this approach, we may identify regions where species are located and accordingly promote for prioritization and application of in situ and ex situ conservation strategies to protect them. This represents a significant step toward facilitating sustained culturally relative health promotion as well as overall enhanced ecological integrity to the region and the earth.     

Enhancing the adhesion of Epicoccum nigrum conidia to peach surfaces and its relationship to the biocontrol of brown rot caused by Monilinia laxa

Aims: To find a formulation of Epicoccum nigrum conidia that enhances its adhesion to peach surfaces and improves its biocontrol efficacy against brown rot caused by Monilinia laxa. Methods and Results: The stickers, glycerol, sodium alginate and methylcellulose; the desiccants, silica powder and talc; and a commercial adhesive (NU FILM 17^®) were added at two different points during the production of an E. nigrum conidial formulation to improve conidial adhesion to peach surfaces. Conidial adhesion levels were determined from the number of E. nigrum conidia that adhered to glass slides or peach surfaces and conidial viability of adherent E. nigrum conidia was determined from the number of colony‐forming units of glass or peach‐adherent E. nigrum that grew on Petri dishes that contained potato dextrose agar. Compared to dried E. nigrum conidia without additives, the adhesion and viability of adherent E. nigrum conidia to peach surfaces were enhanced when either 1·25% sodium alginate or 2·5% methylcellulose was added to the conidial mass after fluid‐bed drying, and when 2·5% methylcellulose was added to the conidial mass after its production and before fluid‐bed drying. Epicoccum nigrum conidial formulations with 2·5% methylcellulose were more effective than dried E. nigrum conidia without additives in reducing the incidence of brown rot in peaches caused by M. laxa. Conclusions: When 2·5% methylcellulose is incorporated into an E. nigrum conidial formulation, the adhesion of E. nigrum conidia to peach surfaces improves and results in efficacious biocontrol of brown rot. Significance and Impact of the Study: A new improved formulation of a biocontrol agent has been developed to improve the control of M. laxa on peaches.     

Ecological indicators based on trophic spectrum as a tool to assess ecosystems fishing impacts

Trophic indicators were used to compare two Malian freshwater reservoirs whose main differences are based on their different fishing pressures. Data were collected from a scientific survey of small-scale fishery landings conducted in 2002/2003. The trophic levels of fish species caught by artisanal fisheries are estimated from observations of scientific fishing or from the metabase Fishbase. Important differences exist in the trophic structure of both reservoirs. In Selingue (with high fishing pressure), very few top predators are found in the catches while the low trophic level fishes increase in total catches. In Manantali (with low fishing pressure), the top predators contribute twice as much to catches compared to Selingue. Hence, the mean trophic level of catches in Selingue (2.80) is lower than in Manantali (2.97). When comparing these results with those of study made in 1994/1995, it clearly appears that the effects of the fishing pressure in Selingue are obvious through a decrease of 0.12 in the mean trophic level while in Manantali this mean level has increased by 0.33 due to a recent strategic targeting of top predators. Trophic spectra seem to be relevant tools to characterize exploited fish communities from multi-specific and multi-gear small-scale fisheries catch data.