Active compounds in Populus nigra L. wilted leaves responsible for attracting Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lep., Noctuidae) and new agaropectin formulation

Abstract:  The leaf extracts of Populus nigra were collected and identified by steam distillation, air entrainment and gas chromatographic–mass spectrometric analysis. Electroantennograms were recorded from Helicoverpa armigera adults in response to the chemicals identified. Both aromatic compounds and green-leaf volatiles elicited strong responses. Field experiments revealed that the active compounds responsible for attracting H. armigera moths are mainly short-side-chain aromatic alcohols and aldehydes. We, for the first time, used agaropectin as the controlled-release matrix of insect attractants. A five-component lure containing all the aromatics without phenolics, mixed in the proportions as found in the steam distillate of the leaves collected in August, produced the best trap catch. The results showed that the volatiles of wilted leaves of P. nigra can attract H. armigera adults by feeding attraction.     

<i>Acetobacter okinawensis</i> sp. nov., <i>Acetobacter papayae</i> sp. nov., and <i>Acetobacter persicus</i> sp. nov.; novel acetic acid bacteria isolated from stems of sugarcane, fruits, and a flower in Japan

Eleven strains of acetic acid bacteria were isolated from stems of sugarcane, fruits, and a flower in Japan. The isolates were separated into three groups, Groups I, II, and III, in the genus Acetobacter according to phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA sequences. The isolates had sequence similarities of 99.8-100% within the Group, 99.3-99.6% to those of the type strains of each related Acetobacter species, and less than 98.4% to those of the type strains of other Acetobacter species. Genomic DNA G+C contents of Groups I, II, and III were 59.2-59.4, 60.5-60.7, and 58.7-58.9 mol%, respectively. The isolates in the Group showed high values of DNA-DNA relatedness to each other, but low values less than 46% to the type strains of related Acetobacter species. A good correlation was found between the three Groups and groups based on DNA G+C contents and DNA-DNA relatedness. All the strains had Q-9 as the main component, and Q-8 and Q-10 as minor components. The isolates in the three Groups did not completely match with any Acetobacter species on catalase reaction, the production of ketogluconic acids from D-glucose, growth on ammoniac nitrogen with ethanol (Hoyer-Frateur medium and Frateur modified Hoyer medium), growth on 30% (w/v) D-glucose, growth in 10% (v/v) ethanol, or DNA G+C contents. On the basis of phylogenetic relationships in the genus Acetobacter and chemosystematic and phenotypic characteristics, the three Groups were regarded as novel species in the genus Acetobacter. Acetobacter okinawensis sp. nov. is proposed for Group I, Acetobacter papayae sp. nov. for Group II, and Acetobacter persicus sp. nov. for Group III.     

A Visit to the Zoos and Aquariums in Japan II

In the year 2013, the authors, who had already visited some Japanese aquariums and zoos in 2012 (Lange & Tai, 2012), revisited several Japanese aquariums and zoos. They were accompanied by two colleagues from Basle Zoo and the Monterey Bay Aquarium, who joined the tour.Their goals of the tour were focused on new innovative husbandry methods, on new aquarium buildings and new zoo enclosures as well as on rare Japanese endemic animals, which are never or seldom seen outside of Japan.The perfect new aquariums in Kyoto and Kitami City (Hokkaido), but also the very specialized aquariums like the Kamo Aquarium (for jellyfish) in Yamagata, the Chitose Salmon Aquarium (for salmons), the Otaru Aquarium (for sea mammals) and the Umi Kirara Kujukushima Aquarium (for the fauna of the Kujukushima island National Park) have been destinations for this trip. Besides the aquariums also the Asahiyama Zoo (new enclosures for endemic animals of Hokkaido), Kobe Oji Zoo, Kushiro Zoo (many endemic Hokkaido species), Nagasaki Bio Park, Sapporo Maruyama Zoo (new area for South East Asian animals) and the Sasebo Zoological & Botanical Garden were visited.During this tour it was obvious that neither the colleagues in Japan nor the staff in the zoos outside of Japan know sufficient enough about the conception and the husbandry methods in the different institutions in this part of the world. Therefore it is recommendable to organize such tours often for more people, thus both sides can benefit and learn from each other. This again will influence to help to keep the animals better, to attract more visitors in order to inspire them for the conservation of nature and environment.     

Genome-wide analysis of codon usage bias patterns in an enterotoxigenic <Emphasis Type="Italic">Escherichia coli</Emphasis> F18 strain

Enterogenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) F18 strains are the main pathogenic bacteria causing severe diarrhea in humans and domestic animals. However, the information about synonymous codon usage pattern of ETEC F18 genome remains unclear. We conducted a genome-wide analysis of synonymous codon usage patterns in the ETEC F18 strain SRA: SAMN02471895. After filtering of the complete genome sequence, 4327 coding sequences were analyzed using multivariate statistical methods to calculate synonymous codon usage patterns and to evaluate the influence of various factors in shaping the codon usage. The mean GC content was 51.38%, with a slight preference for G/C-ending codons. Twenty-two codons were determined as ‘‘optimal codons”. ENC plots showed some of the genes were on or close to the expected curve, while only points with low-ENC values were below the curve. PR2 analysis showed that GC and AT were not used proportionally, suggesting major roles for mutational pressure and natural selection in shaping usage. Neutrality plots showed a significant correlation between GC12 and GC3, suggesting that mutational pressure is responsible for nucleotide composition in shaping the strength of codon usage. Translational selection was the main factor shaping the codon usage pattern of ETEC F18 genome, while other factors such as protein length, GRAVY and ARO values also influenced codon usage to some extent. We analyzed the codon usage pattern systematically and identified the factors shaping codon usage bias in the ETEC F18 genome. Such information further elucidates the mechanisms of synonymous codon usage bias and provides the basis of molecular genetic engineering and evolutionary studies.     

Regulation of Xenopus oocyte meiosis arrest by G protein betagamma subunits

BACKGROUND: Progesterone induces the resumption of meiosis (maturation) in Xenopus oocytes through a nongenomic mechanism involving inhibition of an oocyte adenylyl cyclase and reduction of intracellular cAMP. However, progesterone action in Xenopus oocytes is not blocked by pertussis toxin, and this finding indicates that the inhibition of the oocyte adenylyl cyclase is not mediated by the alpha subunits of classical G(i)-type G proteins. RESULTS: To investigate the possibility that G protein betagamma subunits, rather than alpha subunits, play a key role in regulating oocyte maturation, we have employed two structurally distinct G protein betagamma scavengers (G(t)alpha and betaARK-C(CAAX)) to sequester free Gbetagamma dimers. We demonstrated that the injection of mRNA encoding either of these Gbetagamma scavengers induced oocyte maturation. The Gbetagamma scavengers bound an endogenous, membrane-associated Gbeta subunit, indistinguishable from Xenopus Gbeta1 derived from mRNA injection. The injection of Xenopus Gbeta1 mRNA, together with bovine Ggamma2 mRNA, elevated oocyte cAMP levels and inhibited progesterone-induced oocyte maturation. CONCLUSION: An endogenous G protein betagamma dimer, likely including Xenopus Gbeta1, is responsible for maintaining oocyte meiosis arrest. Resumption of meiosis is induced by Gbetagamma scavengers in vitro or, naturally, by progesterone via a mechanism that suppresses the release of Gbetagamma.     

Overexpression of nuclear protein kinase CK2 α catalytic subunit (CK2α) as a poor prognosticator in human colorectal cancer

Background

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common malignancies but the current therapeutic approaches for advanced CRC are less efficient. Thus, novel therapeutic approaches are badly needed. The purpose of this study is to investigate the involvement of nuclear protein kinase CK2 α subunit (CK2α) in tumor progression, and in the prognosis of human CRC.

Methodology/Principal Findings

Expression levels of nuclear CK2α were analyzed in 245 colorectal tissues from patients with CRC by immunohistochemistry, quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot. We correlated the expression levels with clinicopathologic parameters and prognosis in human CRC patients. Overexpression of nuclear CK2α was significantly correlated with depth of invasion, nodal status, American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging, degree of differentiation, and perineural invasion. Patients with high expression levels of nuclear CK2α had a significantly poorer overall survival rate compared with patients with low expression levels of nuclear CK2α. In multi-variate Cox regression analysis, overexpression of nuclear CK2α was proven to be an independent prognostic marker for CRC. In addition, DLD-1 human colon cancer cells were employed as a cellular model to study the role of CK2α on cell growth, and the expression of CK2α in DLD-1 cells was inhibited by using siRNA technology. The data indicated that CK2α-specific siRNA treatment resulted in growth inhibition.

Conclusions/Significance

Taken together, overexpression of nuclear CK2α can be a useful marker for predicting the outcome of patients with CRC.