Enhanced triterpene production in Tabernaemontana catharinensis cell suspension cultures in response to biotic elicitors

Cell suspension cultures of Tabernaemontana catharinensis were treated with autoclaved homogenates of Candida albicans, Fusarium oxysporum, Penicillium avelanium and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The effects caused by the concentration, exposure time and the type of elicitor on the accumulation of pentacyclic triterpenes were monitored. When exposed to biotic elicitors for longer periods, some cell lines redoubled the production of those triterpenes. Saccharomyces cerevisiae homogenate was the best elicitor of triterpenes in all cell lines investigated.

Natural variability in Arabidopsis thaliana germplasm response to Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris

This work aimed to study the interaction between the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana and Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris (Xcc), the pathogen responsible for black rot of crucifers. The response of 32 accessions of A. thaliana to the Brazilian isolate of Xcc CNPH 17 was evaluated. No immunity-like response was observed. "CS1308", "CS1566" and "CS1643" grown in continuous light were among the accessions that showed strongest resistance when inoculated with 5 x 10(6) CFU/mL. In contrast, "CS1194" and "CS1492" were among the most susceptible accessions. Similar results were obtained when plants were grown under short-day conditions. To quantify the differences in disease symptoms, total chlorophyll was extracted from contrasting accessions at different time points after inoculation. Chlorophyll levels from controls and Xcc inoculated plants showed a similar reduction in resistant accessions, whereas Xcc-inoculated susceptible accessions showed a greater reduction compared to controls. To test the specificity of resistance, accessions CS1308, CS1566, CS1643 and CS1438 (which showed partial resistance to CNPH 17), were inoculated with a more aggressive isolate of Xcc (CNPH 77) and Ralstonia solanacearum. Among the accessions tested, "CS1566" was the most resistant to Xcc CNPH 77 and also displayed resistance to R. solanacearum. Accessions CS1308, CS1566 and CS1643 were also inoculated with a high titer of Xcc CNPH 17 (5 x 10(8) CFU/mL). No collapse of tissue was observed up to 48 h after inoculation, indicating that a hypersensitive response is not involved in the resistance displayed by these accessions.

Soluble tissue sugar content and leaf blast severity in response to the application of calcinated serpentinite as a silicon source in irrigated rice

A field experiment conducted with the irrigated rice cultivar BRS Formoso, to assess the efficiency of calcinated serpentinite as a silicon source on grain yield was utilized to study its effect on leaf blast severity and tissue sugar levels. The treatments consisted of five rates of calcinated serpentinite (0, 2, 4, 6, 8 Mg.ha-1) incorporated into the soil prior to planting. The leaf blast severity was reduced at the rate of 2.96% per ton of calcinated serpentinite. The total tissue sugar content decreased significantly as the rates of serpentinite applied increased (R² = 0.83). The relationship between the tissue sugar content and leaf blast severity was linear and positive (R² = 0.81). The decrease in leaf blast severity with increased rates of calcinated serpentinite was also linear (R²= 0.96) and can be ascribed to reduced sugar level.

White mold intensity on common bean in response to plant density, irrigation frequency, grass mulching, Trichoderma spp., and fungicide

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of integrated managements on white mold control on common bean. Initially, in vitro testing was made to assess the antagonism of 11 Trichoderma isolates against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and to investigate fungicides (fluazinam and procymidone) inhibitory effects on those fungi. In two field experiments the following combinations were tested: irrigation frequencies (seven or 14 days), plant densities (six or 12 plants per meter), and three disease controls (untreated control, fungicide or Trichoderma spp.). In a third experiment plant densities were replaced by grass mulching treatments (with or without mulching). Fluazinam was applied at 45 and 55 days after emergence (DAE). The antagonists T. harzianum (experiments 1 and 3) and T. stromatica (experiment 2) were applied through sprinkler irrigation at 10 and 25 DAE, respectively. Most of the Trichoderma spp. were effective against the pathogen in vitro. Fluazinam was more toxic than procymidone to both the pathogen and the antagonist. Fungicide applications increased yield between 32 % and 41 %. In field one application of Trichoderma spp. did not reduce disease intensity and did not increase yield. The reduction from 12 to six plants per meter did not decrease yield, and disease severity diminished in one of the two experiments. It is concluded that of the strategies for white mold control just reduction of plant density and applications of fungicide were efficient.

Biomass of tree species as a response to planting density and interspecific competition

Planting trees is an important way to promote the recovery of degraded areas in the Caatinga region. Experiments (E1, E2, and E3) were conducted in a randomized blocks design, with three, three, and five replicates, respectively. The objectives were to evaluate biomass of the shoots of: a) gliricidia (G) and sabiá (S), as a response to planting density; b) G, S, and neem (N) in competition; c) G, and S in agroforestry. E1 was conducted in split-plots, and planting densities (400, 600, 800, 1000, and 1200 plants ha-1) as subplots. E2 consisted of a factorial comprising the following plots: GGG, NGN, SGS, NNN, GNG, SNS, SSS, GSG, NSN (each letter represents a row of plants). E3 was conducted with G and S in agroforestry experiment. The trees were harvested after 54, 42, and 27 months old, in E1, E2 and E3, respectively. In E1, G presented higher green biomass of the stems and leaf at smaller densities than S, but lower green biomass of branches at most densities. The species did not differ for mean stem dry biomass and leaf dry biomass, but G showed higher branch dry biomass at most densities. Higher planting densities increased green and dry biomass of stems, branches, and leaves in S, but decreased those characteristics in G, with the exception of leaf dry mass, which was not influenced by density. In E2, the behavior of each species was identical in plots containing the same or different species. Griricidia showed the highest green biomass of stems and branches, and the highest values for geren biomass of the leaf were observed for gliricidia and neem. The highest stem, branch, and leaf dry biomass values were obtained for G, S, and N, respectively. In E3, G was superior for stem and leaf green biomass, and for stem and branch dry biomass. There were no differences between species for the other biomass values.

Image analysis for assessing broiler breeder behavior response to thermal environment

The research proposes a methodology for assessing broiler breeder response to changes in rearing thermal environment. The continuous video recording of a flock analyzed may offer compelling evidences of thermal comfort, as well as other indications of welfare. An algorithm for classifying specific broiler breeder behavior was developed. Videos were recorded over three boxes where 30 breeders were reared. The boxes were mounted inside an environmental chamber were ambient temperature varied from cold to hot. Digital images were processed based on the number of pixels, according to their light intensity variation and binary contrast allowing a sequence of behaviors related to welfare. The system used the default of x, y coordinates, where x represents the horizontal distance from the top left of the work area to the point P, and y is the vertical distance. The video images were observed, and a grid was developed for identifying the area the birds stayed and the time they spent at that place. The sequence was analyzed frame by frame confronting the data with specific adopted thermal neutral rearing standards. The grid mask overlapped the real bird image. The resulting image allows the visualization of clusters, as birds in flock behave in certain patterns. An algorithm indicating the breeder response to thermal environment was developed.

CFH Y402H polymorphism and response to intravitreal Ranibizumab in brazilian patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration

Objective: To investigate the association between CFH gene polymorphism and response to ranibizumab in Brazilian patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD).Methods: 95 patients were genotyped for the CFH rs1061170 (Y402H) single nucleotide polymorphism. Patients with neovascular AMD initially received intravitreal ranibizumab injections for three months and were retreated as needed. Visual acuity (VA) and central retinal thickness (CRT) were measured before treatment and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months post-treatment.Results: For patients with the TT and TC genotypes, paired comparisons of VA showed a statistically significant improvement when the data obtained at all visits were compared with baseline. Patients homozygous for the risk genotype (CC) did not show a statistically significant improvement when VA obtained at visits 1, 3, 6 and 12 were compared with baseline. For all genotypes, paired comparisons of CRT showed a statistically significant improvement when the data obtained at visits 1, 3, 6 and 12 were compared with baseline.Conclusion: Patients with the CC genotype showed poorer long-term functional response to intravitreal ranibizumab.

Ultimobranchial gland of freshwater catfish, Heteropneustes fossilis, in response to calcitonin administration

The absence o!!f a hypocalcemic effect of calcitonin (CT) in fishes has been suggested due to exceedingly high plasma levels of CT; the fish may be saturated with respect of circulating CT and therefore unable to respond to exogenously administered CT. Earlier it has been suggested that a hypocalcemic action of injected CT may be obscured by changes in the release of endogenous CT and other calcium regulating hormones. In this study we have used artificial freshwater, calcium-deficient freshwater and calcium-rich freshwater and injected the fish with CT. The aim behind selecting these media were (i) in calcium-deficient medium there would be reduced circulating levels of CT, (ii) in calcium-rich medium there would be diminished secretion of prolactin (this hormone is hypercalcemic in fish), and (iii) by keeping the fish in calcium-rich medium we can test the antihypercalcemic action of CT. Moreover, the present study would reveal the changes in the ultimobranchial gland (UBG) after keeping the fish in all the above three media and/or injecting the fish with CT. Freshwater catfish, Heteropneustes fossilis, were administered intraperitoneally daily with vehicle or 0.5 U/100g body wt of salmon calcitonin (CT) and kept in artificial freshwater, calcium-rich freshwater and calcium-deficient freshwater for 10 days. Blood samples were collected on 1, 3, 5, and 10 days following the treatment and analyzed for serum calcium levels. The ultimobranchial gland (UBG) was also fixed for histological studies on these intervals. In artificial freshwater there was no change in the serum calcium levels of calcitonin-injected fish. The ultimobranchial gland of calcitonin-injected fish exhibited a progressive decrease in the nuclear volume from day 5 onwards. On day 10 vacuolization in the gland was also noticed. In vehicle-injected fish (control) kept in calcium-rich freshwater hypercalcemia has been noticed which persists till the end of the experiment. In calcitonin-treated fish maintained in calcium-rich freshwater there is no change in serum calcium level as compared to vehicle-injected fish. In vehicle-injected fish the UBG depicts decreased staining response and increased nuclear volume at day 5. On day 10 the nuclear volume is further increased and few degenerating cells have been noticed. Calcitonin fails to induce any histological change in the UBG as compared to control. In vehicle-injected fish kept in calcium-deficient freshwater the serum calcium levels decrease from day 1 to day 3. The levels exhibit hypercalcemia on day 10. CT treatment to the fish kept in calcium-deficient freshwater evokes a decrease in the calcium levels on day 1 and day 3. A significant hypercalcemia has been noticed on day 5 and day 10. In vehicle-injected fish kept in calcium-deficient freshwater the UBG reveals a decreased staining response on day 10. In CT-injected fish maintained in calcium-deficient freshwater the UBG depicts an increased nuclear volume and few exhausted cells on day 10. It can be concluded that CT can provoke hypocalcemia only when the fish is kept in medium which reduces the circulating levels of this hormone. The UBG of the fish kept in different calcemic media responded in a manner to indicate that it produces hypocalcemic factor - CT.

But in this twilight our choices seal our fate : the interplay autonomy and dignity in defining the international legal response to the beginning of life

Tutkielman aiheena on kansainvälisen oikeuden kysymys elämän alkamisesta ja elämän alkamisen ajankohdasta. Tutkielma lähestyy aihetta Yhdistyneiden kansakuntien lasten oikeuksien sopimuksen kolmannen lisäpöytäkirjan valossa. Astuessaan voimaan lisäpöytäkirja tulee mahdollistamaan yksilövalitusten käsittelyn erillisessä ihmisoikeuskomiteassa. Koska lasten oikeuksien sopimus jättää määrittelemättä elämän alkamisen ajankohdan, tutkielman perushypoteesina on, miten tuleva komitea ratkaisisi lasten oikeuksien sopimukseen jääneen jännitteen. Tämän hypoteesin ohella tutkielmaa suuntaa olettamus elämän alun määrittymisestä pitkälti oikeusperiaatteisiin rinnastuvien autonomian ja ihmisarvon käsitteiden kautta. Tutkielma lähestyy aihettaan sekä oikeuskäytännön että -kirjallisuuden valossa, sitoutumatta sen tarkemmin mihinkään yksittäiseen oikeustieteelliseen tutkimusmetodiin. Oikeuskäytännön kohdalla tarkastelu perustuu pääosin länsimaisten ylimpien oikeuksien antamille tuomioille kysymyksissä, jotka liittyvät elämän alkamisen tematiikkaan. Tämän ohella, rajatummin, käsitellään pohjoismaista elämän alun sääntelyä. Oikeuskäytännön sekä säädösten tarkastelun keskiössä on ennen kaikkea oikeudellinen argumentaatio sekä esiintuodun argumentaation jännitteisyys. Oikeuskäytännön pohjalta muotoutuu moniääninen ja usein kontekstisidonnainen kuva elämän alusta. Tämän oikeudellisen moniäänisyyden analyysi muodostaa tutkielman keskeisen sisällön. Autonomian ja ihmisarvon käsitteiden merkitystä oikeuskäytännön ja säädösten arvioinnille perustellaan tutkimuksessa yhtäältä niiden merkityksellä tuomioistuinten argumentaatiossa toisaalta periaatteiden saamalla tuella oikeustieteellisessä kirjallisuudessa. Tutkielma suhtautuu kriittisesti autonomian ja ihmisarvon käsitteisiin. Kriittisen luennan tarkoituksena on paljastaa oikeudellisen argumentaation sumeus ja sumeuden oikeudelliselle tulkinnalle aiheuttama epävarmuus. Tulkinnan epävarmuuden seurauksena myös vastaus elämän alulle näyttäytyy tutkielmassa ristiriitaisena ja osin perustelemattomana. Tutkielman keskeinen tulos on ennen kaikkea oikeuden jännitteiden tunnistamisessa sen lähestyessä elämän alun määrittelyä. Tutkielman tulosten pohjalta on mahdollista pyrkiä löytämään muotoutumassa olevan kansainvälisen oikeuden vastaus elämän alulle. Tuon vastauksen vakaus, perusteltavuus ja pysyvyys riippuvat siitä, miten onnistuneesti oikeudellinen argumentaatio kykenee yhdistämään yksilön autonomisen oikeuden päättää elämästään kollektiivin intressiin ylläpitää elämää.

Growth, biomass allocation and photosynthesis of Rolandra fruticosa (asteraceae) in response to shade

The effects of shade on growth, biomass allocation patterns and photosynthetic response was examined for Rolandra fruticosa (L.) Kuntze, a common perennial weed shrub in cultivated pastures and agricultural areas of Brazilian Amazonia, for plants grown in full sunlight and those shaded to 30 % of full sunlight over a 34-d period. Specific leaf area and leaf area ratio were higher for shade plants during all the experimental period. Shade plants allocated significantly less biomass to root tissue than sun plants and relative growth rate was higher in sun plants. Sun leaves had significantly higher dark respiration and light saturated rates of photosynthesis than shade leaves. The apparent quantum efficiency was higher for shade leaves, while light compensation point was higher for sun leaves. These results are discussed in relation to their ecological and weed management implications.

Corn yield response to weed and fall armyworm controls

The interference imposed the by weeds on corn decreases practically all vegetative characteristics. As consequence, the green ear and grain yield are also reduced. Losses due to the fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) attack can reduce corn grain yield up to 34%. In general, weed and insect control issues are addressed separately in research papers. Nevertheless, interaction between weeds and insects may exist. This study aimed to evaluate green ear and corn grain yield response to weed and fall armyworm control. A completely randomized block design with split-plots and five replicates was adopted. Corn cultivar AG 1051 was grown under weedy conditions or with control by hand hoeings performed at 20 and 40 days after planting. Fall armyworm control (applied to subplots) was performed with sprays of water (control), deltamethrin (5g active ingredient ha-1); neem oil, at 0.5% (diluted in water), and neem leaf extract at 5%. Each product was sprayed three times, at seven-day intervals, starting at the 7th day after planting, using 150 L ha-1 of the tank solution. Dry mass of the above-ground part, internode diameter, leaf length, leaf width, leaf area, green ear yield and grain yield of corn were reduced due to the lack of weed control. Fall armyworm control in the weeded plots did not influence green ear yield and grain yield, except green mass of marketable, husked ears, which was reduced when the caterpillar was not controlled. Without weed control, neem extracts and deltamethrin sprays provided highest yields of number and total weight of green ears with husks, number and weight of marketable ears with husks and number of marketable ears without husks. The best results for husked ear mass and for grain yield were obtained with neem extract and deltamethrin, respectively.

Sunflower response to repeated foliar applications of Paclobutrazol

Paclobutrazol (PBZ), a well-known growth retardant of the triazole family, is mostly used for controlling plant size and growth, resulting in more desirable compact plants for floricultural purposes; however, limited experimental data are available for use of PBZ in field sunflower. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of repeated foliar applications of PBZ at rates of 50 + 50 g ha-1(double application) and 50 + 50 + 50 g ha-1 (triple application) on sunflower morphology and productivity. PBZ applications corresponded to growth stages of four to five, five to six, and six to eight true leaves of sunflower plants, respectively. The double foliar application of PBZ reduced sunflower plant height at maturity by 4.4% (or by 11.7 cm). The triple foliar application of PBZ reduced sunflower plant height at maturity by 14.4% (or by 49.2 cm). However, PBZ either in the double or the triple application reduced achene yield per plant by 25.6% and 22.5% and the 100-achene weight by 11.4% and 25.0%, respectively, compared with the non-treated control. Overall, the repeated foliar applications of PBZ at the rates tested in this study, apart from providing a reduction of sunflower plant height, had major adverse effects on achene yield and weight. Thus, different application schemes of PBZ or perhaps different growth regulators should be investigated to control plant height in sunflower.