GASTROPROTECTIVE EFFECT OF ABRUS PRECATORIUS ON ETHANOL-INDUCED AND ASPIRIN + PYLORUS LIGATION-INDUCED PEPTIC ULCER IN RATS

Objective: The present work deals with investigation of Gastroprotective effect of Abrus precatorius on ethanol-induced and aspirin + pylorus ligation-induced peptic ulcer in rats. Methods: In ethanol-induced ulcer, after the pretreatment period of one hour, peptic ulcer was induced with absolute ethanol at a dose of 1 ml/200g (p.o.). Whereas, in aspirin + pylorus ligation-induced peptic ulcer, after the pretreatment with aspirin dose of 200mg/kg for 2 days then ulcer also induced by tight ligation of pylorus portion of stomach.Results: In ethanol-induced and aspirin + pylorus ligation-induced peptic ulcer in rats models, Abrus precatorius (AP) has shown significant decrease in ulcer area and significant increase in the mucosal production and also decreased the level of lipid peroxidase (LPO), and increased the levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH) and catalase (CAT).Conclusion: The present findings elucidate the therapeutic value of ethanolic extract of leaves of AP in the prevention of experimental peptic ulcer by virtue of its antioxidant, antisecretary and cytoprotective mechanisms.Key words:  Abrus precatorius, ethanol induced ulcer, aspirin + pylorus ligation, antioxidant.Â

Potential and limitations of nucleon transfer experiments with radioactive beams at REX-ISOLDE

As a tool for studying the structure of nuclei far off stability the technique of gamma-ray spectroscopy after low-energy single-nucleon transfer reactions with radioactive nuclear beams in inverse kinematics was investigated. Modules of the MINIBALL germanium array and a thin position-sensitive parallel plate avalanche counter (PPAC) to be employed in future experiments at REX-ISOLDE were used in a test experiment performed with a stable 36S beam on deuteron and 9Be targets. It is demonstrated that the Doppler broadening of gamma lines detected by the MINIBALL modules is considerably reduced by exploiting their segmentation, and that for beam intensities up to 10^6 particles/s the PPAC positioned around zero degrees with respect to the beam axis allows not only to significantly reduce the gamma background by requiring coincidences with the transfer products but also to control the beam and its intensity by single particle counting. The predicted large neutron pickup cross sections of neutron-rich light nuclei on 2H and 9Be targets at REX-ISOLDE energies of 2.2 MeV A are confirmed.Comment: 11 pages, 8 figure

Einsatz molekularer Marker zur Analyse der genetischen Diversität unterschiedlicher Populationen der Blutlauszehrwespe, Aphelinus mali (Haldeman) (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae)

Die Blutlaus Eriosoma lanigerum (Hausmann) wurde Ende des 18. Jahrhunderts nach Europa eingeschleppt. E. lanigerum ist ein Schädling des Apfels, wobei es durch die Saugtätigkeit der Aphiden zu Wuchshemmungen (Blutlauskrebs, Blutlausgallen) infolge von Stoffwechselstörungen, zu irreversiblen Trieb- und Knospenschäden bis hin zum Absterben des Baumes kommen kann. Durch ihre versteckte Lebensweise unter den Rindenschuppen des Baumes sowie auf Grund von flüssigkeitsabweisenden Wachsausscheidungen sind die Tiere sehr gut gegen chemische Bekämpfungsmaßnahmen geschützt. Alternativ kann eine biologische Bekämpfung über den natürlichen Gegenspieler der Blutlaus, die Blutlauszehrwespe Aphelinus mali (HALDEN), erfolgen. Zwar kann sich diese Zehrwespe in wärmeren Gebieten sehr gut vermehren, bei niedrigen Frühjahrstemperaturen kann die Populationsdichte aber stark minimiert werden oder ganz einbrechen. Auch feuchte Witterung wird von A. mali nicht gut vertragen und schmälert die Parasitierungsraten. Die Blutlauszehrwespe hat einen Entwicklungsnullpunkt bei 8,3 bis 9,0°C, während die Blutlaus erst bei ca. 5°C ihre Entwicklung einstellt. Damit ergibt sich die Frage, ob es Biotypen dieser Schlupfwespe gibt, die möglicherweise besser an die vor Ort herrschenden Klimabedingungen angepasst sind. Ziel der vorliegenden Untersuchungen war es daher, das Ausmaß der genetischen Diversität zwischen einzelnen Populationen zu erfassen und somit Aussagen über eventuell auftretende Biotypen der Wespe treffen zu können.The endoparasitoid Aphelinus mali (HALDEMAN) (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) has been introduced from its native home North America to Europe in 1920 as a biological control agent for the woolly apple aphid Eriosoma lanigerum (HAUSMANN). When A. mali appears early in spring with the temperatures being relatively low at this time, the rate of parasitism and consequently the effectivity of the parasite is quite low. Thus, an identification and a subsequent release of A. mali biotypes which might be better adapted to the prevailing environmental conditions could result in higher parasitisation rates by this parasitoid. As a first step towards the identification of A. mali biotypes we examined the extent of genetic diversity in A. mali field populations and in individuals from a laboratory rearing A. mali was collected from different regions such as Germany (BBA Dossenheim, Lake Constance, Altes Land, Stuttgart-Mühlhausen, Ahrweiler), Canada, France, Italy and the Netherlands and genomic DNA was analysed using the AFLP-Technique (Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism) as well as amplification and sequence analysis of the ITS-2 (Internally Transcribed Spacer) region

Untersuchungen zur Populationsgenetik der Minderempfindlichkeit des Apfelwicklers gegenüber Cydia pomonella Granulovirus (CpGV)

The Codling moth granulovirus (Cydia pomonella granulovirus, CpGV, Baculoviridae) is one of the most important bio control agents of the codling moth in apple production. Since 2003, codling moth populations have been observed in Germany and France, which show an up to thousand fold decreased susceptibility to CpGV. A spread of this phenomenon is a severe threat to the efficient control of the codling moth, particularly in organic farming. In order to prevent this development, investigations on the popula-tion genetics of codling moth populations in Germany were initiated to assess the baseline susceptibilities of selected populations. Furthermore, the genetic and biologi-cal background of resistance of the codling moth to CpGV are being elucidated by crossing susceptible and low susceptible codling moth populations. These investiga-tions will help to develop new control strategies or to restore high susceptibility to-wards CpGV. Mapping of traits involved in resistance will be performed. Involved loci will be identi-fied with the help of amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP). Loci coupled with susceptibility can help to elucidate resistance mechanisms. Analysis of comple-mentary DNA amplified fragment length polymorphism (cDNA-AFLP) will be per-formed to display differences in expression rate of particular genes. If there are differ-ences between sensitive and non-sensitive strains, the genes will be isolated and sequenced. Putative sequence homologies give the direction of the functional sense of the mentioned gene and further conclusion of the mechanisms of the susceptibility of CpGV

Management der Minderempfindlichkeit von Apfelwicklerstämmen gegenüber dem Apfelwicklergranulovirus

Das Apfelwicklergranulovirus (CpGV) ist effizientes biologisches Bekämpfungsmittel des Apfelwicklers mit großer Bedeutung im ökologischen und integrierten Kernobstbau. 2005 wurde erstmals eine Resistenz gegen CpGV in einzelnen Anlagen beobachtet. Um geeignete Hilfestellungen für den Obstbau zu entwickeln, wurden verschiedene Aspekte der CpGV-Resistenz aufgeklärt: 1. Bisher wurden mehr als 40 Apfelwicklerpopulationen in Europa mit CpGV-Resistenz gefunden. Sie kommen in Deutschland (26), Frankreich (2), Italien (6), Österreich (2), Schweiz (3), Niederlande (3) und Tschechien (1) vor. Vermutlich handelt es sich in allen Fällen um denselben Resistenztyp. 2. Die Resistenz wird durch einen ungewöhnlichen Vererbungsgang (einfaktoriell, Geschlechtschromosomal und mit einer konzentrationsabhängigen Dominanz) sehr effizient selektiert. 3. Der Resistenzmechanismus liegt in einer frühen Blockade der Virusvermehrung. Resistente Tiere zeigten keinen Fitnessnachteil gegenüber nicht resistenten Tieren in Laborexperimenten. 4. Neue CpGV-Isolate können Resistenz brechen. Viele der resistenzbrechenden Isolate wirken in resistenten Apfelwicklerlarven etwas langsamer als in anfälligen Larven. Dadurch ist auch bei Verwendung resistenzbrechender Tiere mit einem etwas erhöhten Schaden zu rechnen, solange bis die Apfelwicklerpopulation wieder auf ein niedriges Niveau reduziert wurde. Aus den Ergebnissen ergeben sich folgende Empfehlungen: 1. Betriebe ohne CpGV-Resistenz - dies ist die ganz überwiegende Zahl - können konventionelle CpGV-Präparate weiter verwenden. Sobald neue CpGV-Isolate zugelassen sind, sollte auch diese eingesetzt werden, um eine Selektion der bekannten Resistenz zu vermeiden. 2. Betriebe mit CpGV-Resistenz oder begründetem Resistenzverdacht sollten sofort neue resistenzbrechende Isolate verwenden. Diese stehen seit 2006 als Versuchspräparate zur Verfügung, ihre Zulassung wird erwartet. 3. Die Apfelwicklerbekämpfung muß auf eine möglichst breite Basis gestellt werden

Excited bands and signature dependent electromagnetic decay properties in neutron-rich 159,161,163Dy

14 págs.; 12 figs.; 3 tabs. ; PACS number(s): 23.20.Lv, 27.70.1q, 21.10.ReHigh-spin states of the neutron-rich odd nuclei 159,161,163Dy have been studied using the incomplete fusion reactions 158,160Gd(7Li,(p,d,t)xn). In 159Dy, the band crossing in the 11/2-[505] band has been observed for the first time. Moreover, 11 E1 transitions connecting both signatures of the 3/2-[521] band to the 5/2+[642] band have been observed in this nucleus; the deduced B(E1)/B(E2) ratios as well as the B(M1)/B(E2) ratios for transitions within the 3/2-[521] band show a pronounced signature dependence. In 161Dy and 163Dy, rotational bands have been extended to significantly higher spin values. In 161Dy, the sequences built on the neutron 5/2-[523] and 3/2-[521] states have been followed up to spin 49/2- and 33/2-, respectively, and in both cases upbends have been observed around hℏ ω ≈0.26 MeV. In addition, a new band most probably built on the 11/2-[505] single-particle state has been identified in this isotope. In 163Dy, both the 5/2-[523] ground state band and the structure built on the 5/2+[642] neutron orbit have been extended up to the 45/2- and 49/2+ states, respectively. However, no band crossing has been observed in this nucleus. The properties of the observed bands in 159,161,163Dy are discussed and compared to calculations performed within the projected shell model. ©2003 The American Physical SocietyThis work was supported by the Deutsches Bundesministerium für Bildung, Wissenschaft, Forschung und Technologie (BMBF). A.J. acknowledges support by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) within the Heisenberg program.Peer Reviewe

Backbending region study in 160,162Dy using incomplete fusion reactions

18 págs.; 17 figs.; 3 tabs. ; PACS number(s): 23.20.Lv, 23.20.En, 27.70.1q, 21.60.CsThe incomplete fusion reactions 7Li→158,160Gd at beam energies of 8 MeV/nucleon have been used to study the first band crossing region in the heavy stable Dy isotopes 160,162Dy. The γ rays were detected in the GASP spectrometer in coincidence with fast charged particles detected in the ISIS silicon ball. We succeeded to observe the first backbending in 162Dy at a crossing frequency of ℏ ω ≈ 350 keV, a value much higher than expected from other nuclei in this mass region. Moreover, for the first time in a nucleus with a very large interaction strength, the yrare band in 160Dy could be established up to rather high spin (I= 20ℏ) allowing for a precise determination of the interaction strength between the ground state and the Stockholm band, |Vg-S| = 219(2) keV. Together with |Vg-S| = 14(2) kev determined for the corresponding interaction in 162Dy, a full oscillation of the strengths from one node to the next could be observed within an isotopic chain. In addition to the ground state and Stockholm bands, many other known bands in the two nuclei were considerably extended to higher spin and the experimental results are compared to calculations within the projected shell model. ©2002 The American Physical SocietyThis work has been supported by Deutsches Bundesministerium fur Bildung, Wissenschaft, Forschung und Technologie (BMBF). A.J. acknowledges support by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG).Peer Reviewe

Synthesis, characterisation and photochemistry of PtIV pyridyl azido acetato complexes

PtII azido complexes [Pt(bpy)(N3)2] (1), [Pt(phen)(N3)2] (2) and trans-[Pt(N3)2(py)2] (3) incorporating the bidentate diimine ligands 2,2′-bipyridine (bpy), 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) or the monodentate pyridine (py) respectively, have been synthesised from their chlorido precursors and characterised by X-ray crystallography; complex 3 shows significant deviation from square-planar geometry (N3–Pt–N3 angle 146.7°) as a result of steric congestion at the Pt centre. The novel PtIV complexes trans, cis-[Pt(bpy)(OAc)2(N3)2] (4), trans, cis-[Pt(phen)(OAc)2(N3)2] (5), trans, trans, trans-[Pt(OAc)2(N3)2(py)2] (6), were obtained from 1–3via oxidation with H2O2 in acetic acid followed by reaction of the intermediate with acetic anhydride. Complexes 4–6 exhibit interesting structural and photochemical properties that were studied by X-ray, NMR and UV-vis spectroscopy and TD-DFT (time-dependent density functional theory). These PtIV complexes exhibit greater absorption at longer wavelengths (ε = 9756 M−1 cm−1 at 315 nm for 4; ε = 796 M−1 cm−1 at 352 nm for 5; ε = 16900 M−1 cm−1 at 307 nm for 6, in aqueous solution) than previously reported PtIV azide complexes, due to the presence of aromatic amines, and 4–6 undergo photoactivation with both UVA (365 nm) and visible green light (514 nm). The UV-vis spectra of complexes 4–6 were calculated using TD-DFT; the nature of the transitions contributing to the UV-vis bands provide insight into the mechanism of production of the observed photoproducts. The UV-vis spectra of 1–3 were also simulated by computational methods and comparison between PtII and PtIV electronic and structural properties allowed further elucidation of the photochemistry of 4–6

An experimental and theoretical study of the enantioselective deprotonation of cyclohexene oxide with isopinocampheyl-based chiral lithium amides

The mechanism of the enantioselective deprotonation of cyclohexene oxide with isopinocampheyl-based chiral lithium amide was studied by quantum chemical calculations. The transition states of eight molecules were fully optimized at the ab initio HF/3-21G and density functional B3LYP/3-21G levels with Gaussian 98. The activation energies were calculated at the B3LYP/6-31+G(3df,2p)//B3LYP/3-21G level. We found the theoretical evaluation to be consistent with the experimental data. At the best case, an enantiomeric excess of up to 95% for (R)-2-scyclohexen-1-ol was achieved with (−)-N, N-diisopinocampheyl lithium amide