Production of phenolics and the emission of volatile organic compounds by perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.)/Neotyphodium lolii association as a response to infection by Fusarium poae

Grasses very often form symbiotic associations with Neotyphodium/Epichloë endophytic fungi. These endophytes often allow the host grass to be protected from different pathogens. However, there is little known about the mechanisms of such endophyte influence on the host. Thus, the purpose of this research was to examine the effect of the N. lolii endophyte on the total production of phenolic compounds, VOCs emission and the resistance of three perennial ryegrass genotypes infected by pathogenic Fusarium poae. Analyses of total phenolics content were performed in control (not inoculated) and inoculated plants after 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 days (DAI) and for VOCs after 0, 3, 6 and 12 DAI. The presence of endophytes significantly reduced the disease index in two of the three genotypes relative to that in E−. Plants infected by N. lolii exhibited higher production of phenolics relative to the E− plants. The highest amounts of phenolics were observed on the second and sixth DAI. Genotype Nl22 showed the strongest effect of the endophyte on the production of phenolics, which increased by over 61%. Both the endophyte infected and non-infected plants emitted most abundantly two GLVs ((Z)-3-hexenal, (Z)-3-hexen-1-yl acetate), three terpenes (linalool, (Z)-ocimene, β-caryophyllene) and three shikimic acid pathway derivatives (benzyl acetate, indole, and methyl salicylate). The endophyte presence and the intervals of VOCs detection were a highly significant source of variation for all emitted volatiles (P < 0.001). The genotype of the perennial ryegrass significantly affected only the emission of methyl salicylate (P < 0.05) and β-caryophyllene (P < 0.05). Most of the VOCs ((Z)-3-hexen-1-yl acetate, (Z)-3-hexenal, linalool and methyl salicylate) reached their highest levels of emission on the sixth DAI, when averaged over genotypes and endophyte status. The results highlight the role of Neotyphodium spp. in the mediation of quadro-trophic interactions among plants, symbiotic endophytes, invertebrate herbivores and plant pathogenic fungi. Our results also confirm the fact that symbiotic plants can activate a defense reaction faster than non-symbiotic plants after a pathogen attack. Thus, N. lolii can be involved in the defense of perennial ryegrass against pathogens and potentially could be central to the host plants’ protection.     

Field trapping of male Phyllonorycter ringoniella using variable ratios of pheromone components

The sex pheromone of Phyllonorycter ringoniella (Matsumura) (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae) has been identified to be a blend of (Z)‐10‐tetradecenyl acetate (Z10‐14:OAc) and E4,Z10‐tetradecadienyl acetate (E4,Z10‐14:OAc) in Japan, Korea, and China. However, the commercial product based on previous results is not attractive enough to be used for monitoring and controlling apple leafminer populations in the field. We re‐investigated the attractiveness of the two pheromone components, singly and in blends, in apple orchards in Shangdong and Shaanxi, the main apple‐growing provinces in China. Our results revealed that Z10‐14:OAc alone was not attractive to P. ringoniella male moths in the field, but E4,Z10‐14:OAc alone not only was strongly attractive but caught more males than any of the blends of Z10‐14:OAc and E4,Z10‐14:OAc tested. The most attractive blend ratios differed slightly for the two locations. No clear dose–response relationship was obtained for the 2:8 blend of Z10‐14:OAc and E4,Z10‐14:OAc. However, the dose–response field study of E4,Z10‐14:OAc alone showed that 1 mg per lure achieved the highest moth catch. These findings differ from the previous report of the best pheromone blend in China. Our data showed that E4,Z10‐14:OAc is the major component of the pheromone of P. ringoniella.     

Melatonin attenuates the effects of sub-acute administration of lead on kidneys in rats without altering the lead-induced reduction in nitric oxide

Exposure to lead induces oxidative stress and renal damage. Although most forms of oxidative stress are characterized by simultaneous elevation of nitrogen and oxidative species, lead-induced oxidative stress is unusual in that it is associated with a reduction in nitric oxide (NO) levels in the kidney. The role of NO in kidney injury is controversial; some studies suggest that it is associated with renal injury, whereas others show that it exerts protective effects. Concentration-dependent effects have also been proposed, linking low levels with vasodilatation and high levels with toxicity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of melatonin co-exposure on the lead-induced reduction in renal NO levels. We found that sub-acute intraperitoneal administration of 10 mg/kg/day of lead for 15 days induced toxic levels of lead in the blood and caused renal toxicity (pathological and functional). Under our experimental conditions, lead induced an increase in lipid peroxidation and a decrease in NO. Melatonin co-treatment decreased lead-induced oxidative stress (peroxidation level) and toxic effects on kidneys without altering the lead-induced reduction in renal NO. These results suggest that, in our experimental model, the reduction in renal NO levels by lead exposure is not the only responsible factor for lead-induced kidney damage.     

Syntheses of Four Methyl-branched Secondary Acetates and a Methyl-branched Ketone as Possible Candidates for the Female Pheromone of the Screwworm Fly,Cochliomyia hominivorax

6-Acetoxy-19-methylnonacosane (1), 7-acetoxy-19-methylnonacosane (2), 8-acetoxy-19-methylnonacosane (3), 7-acetoxy-15-methylnonacosane (4), and 21-methyl-7-hentriacontanone (5) were synthesized as racemic and diastereomeric mixtures. These are new compounds isolated from an HPLC fraction of the female hexane extract which elicited mating responses in the male screwworm fly, Cochliomyia hominivorax.     

Chemical Constituents of a Heat-dried Chinese Mushroom,Hohenbuehelia serotina

Several compounds were isolated from a Chinese mushroom, Huangmo, the heat-dried fruiting body of Hohenbuehelia serotina. They were identified as linoleic acid (I), hexadecanoic acid (II), β-sitosterol (IV), benzoic acid (V), D-mannitol (VI), sucrose (VII), and L-rhamnose (VIII). In addition, six acidic substances were identified. (Table I). Also, ethyl linoleate, hexadecanoic acid, and 9,12-octadecadienoic acid (Z-Z) ethyl esters, IV, V, and VI were identified for the first time from this mushroom.     

Synthesis of (3E, 5Z)-3,5-Dodecadienylacetate,the Sex Pheromone of Phtheochroa cranaodes (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)

(3E, 5Z)-3,5-Dodecadienyl acetate, the female sex pheromone of Phtheochroa cranaodes, was regio and stereo-selectively synthesized from 1-octyne and (E)-4-bromo-3-buten-1-ol by using Pd(PPh₃)₄, CuI and piperidine to afford the enyne (5). Further elaboration afforded the target pheromone. The synthetic pheromone was identified with the natural product by its MS and IR, data GLC retention time and biological activity.     

Stereoselective Reduction of Ethyl 4-chloro-3-oxobutanoate by Fungi

The enantioselectivity of ECAA to ECHB by eight fungi of four genus was evaluated. All strains showed (S)-selectivity, and Cylindrocarpon sclerotigenum IFO 31855 gave the highest yield and good optical purity (e.e.; >99%). Cell-free extract and acetone-dried cells of C. sclerotigenum IFO 31855 reduced ECAA to (S)-ECHB in the presence of NADPH (e.e.; >99%) and the e.e. was not decreased by heat treatment of the cell-free extract or the acetone-dried cells. The active fractions shown by two peaks on a DEAE-Toyopearl 650 M column gave preferentially (S)-ECHB (e.e.; >99%).     

Evaluation of the ratio of ω6 : ω3 fatty acids and vitamin e levels in the diet on the reproductive performance of cockerels

Three hundred and twenty 30-week old White Leghorn cockerels were housed in individual cages and distributed in a completely randomized factorial design of 5?×?3, with five oil sources (sunflower, soybean, canola, linseed and fish/soybean) and three levels of antioxidant (30, 200 and 400?mg of vitamin E/kg). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the ratio of ω6?:?ω3 fatty acids by the inclusion of different oil sources and of dietary supplementation with vitamin E on the reproductive performance of cockerels. The use of the fish/soybean combination determined the lowest total antioxidant status of the semen. However, the addition of vitamin E to the fish/soybean-oil-based diet resulted in a linear increase in semen volume, motility and sperm vigour in the 38th week and again in the 52nd week for motility and for sperm vigour and fertility rate in the periods from 50?–?53 and 41?–?53 weeks of age. The use of canola oil in the diet resulted in the highest fertility rate during 50?–?53 and 41?–?53 weeks of life. Animals receiving the soybean oil based diet showed the smallest fertility rate in the range from 50?–?53 weeks of age and concomitantly the highest level of cholesterol in the spermatozoa in the range from 47?–?51 weeks. An interaction between the vitamin E level and soybean oil was verified by the linear increase in motility and sperm vigour at 38 weeks of age. Later, the contrary was shown by a linear reduction in fertility in the periods from 44?–?46, 47?–?49 and 41?–?53 weeks of age. Cockerels that had been fed on the sunflower-oil-based diet showed the highest content of saturated fatty acids in the spermatozoa from 48?–?51 weeks. An interaction effect was observed between the vitamin E level and sunflower oil shown by a linear increase in the content of saturated fatty acids in the spermatozoa and a linear reduction in the C18?:?1ω9, C18?:?2ω6 and PUFA (C18?:?2ω6?+?C20?:?4ω6) contents in the spermatozoa at 48?–?51 weeks and in sperm volume at 52 weeks of age.     

Acetate oxidation by syntrophic association between Geobacter sulfurreducens and a hydrogen-utilizing exoelectrogen

Anodic microbial communities in acetate-fed microbial fuel cells (MFCs) were analyzed using stable-isotope probing of 16S rRNA genes followed by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis. The results revealed that Geobacter sulfurreducens and Hydrogenophaga sp. predominated in the anodic biofilm. Although the predominance of Geobacter sp. as acetoclastic exoelectrogens in acetate-fed MFC systems has been often reported, the ecophysiological role of Hydrogenophaga sp. is unknown. Therefore, we isolated and characterized a bacterium closely related to Hydrogenophaga sp. (designated strain AR20). The newly isolated strain AR20 could use molecular hydrogen (H₂), but not acetate, with carbon electrode as the electron acceptor, indicating that the strain AR20 was a hydrogenotrophic exoelectrogen. This evidence raises a hypothesis that acetate was oxidized by G. sulfurreducens in syntrophic cooperation with the strain AR20 as a hydrogen-consuming partner in the acetate-fed MFC. To prove this hypothesis, G. sulfurreducens strain PCA was cocultivated with the strain AR20 in the acetate-fed MFC without any dissolved electron acceptors. In the coculture MFC of G. sulfurreducens and strain AR20, current generation and acetate degradation were the highest, and the growth of strain AR20 was observed. No current generation, acetate degradation and cell growth occurred in the strain AR20 pure culture MFC. These results show for the first time that G. sulfurreducens can oxidize acetate in syntrophic cooperation with the isolated Hydrogenophaga sp. strain AR20, with electrode as the electron acceptor.