Complete genome sequence of phi29-like Microbacterium foliorum podovirus phage PineapplePizza

Bacteriophage PineapplePizza is a podovirus infecting Microbacterium foliorum NRRL B-24224. The genome is 16,662 bp long and contains 23 predicted protein-coding genes. Interestingly, PineapplePizza shows amino acid similarities to well-studied Bacillus subtilis phage phi29

Insecticidal Reduction of Carpenterworm and Lilac Borer Infestations in Green Ash in North and South Dakota shelterbelts

This paper describes three insecticide demonstrations for control of carpenterworm, Prionoxystus robinae (Peck), and Iilac borer, Podosesia syringae Harris, in infested green ash shelterbelts in North Dakota and South Dakota. The number of trees infested with carpenterworms within test shelterbelts was reduced after 3 to 4 years by annual applications of Dursban (chloropyrifos) (1.0%), lindane (1.0%) or methoxychlor (1.0%). One spring application of chloropyrifos (1.0%) or lindane (0.5%) controlled lilac borer in infested shelterbelts, In a third demonstration, chloropyrifos (0.25% and 0.5%), lindane (0.5%) and endosulfan (0.5%) reduced the number of trees infested with lilac borers within the field shelterbelts by 86 to 92 per cent. Dursban (0.25%) was effective in half the dosage rate now recognized for lilac borer control

Determinants of bone density in 30- to 65-year-old women: A co-twin study

Introduction: Reported effects of body composition and lifestyle of bone mineral density in pre-elderly adult women have been inconsistent.Methods: In a co-twin study of 146 female twin pairs aged 30 to 65 years, DXA was used to measure bone mineral density at the lumbar spine, total hip, and forearm, total body bone mineral content, and lean and fat mass. Height and weight were measured. Menopausal status, dietary calcium intake, physical activity, current tobacco use, and alcohol consumption were determined by questionnaire. Within-pair differences in bone measures were regressed through the origin against within-pair differences in putative determinants.Results: Lean mass and fat mass were associated with greater bone mass at all sites. A discordance of 10 pack-years smoking was related to a 2.3-3.3% (SE, 0.8-1.0) decrease in bone density at all sites except the forearm, with the effects more evident in postmenopausal women. In all women, a 0.8% (SE, 0.3) difference in hip bone mineral density was associated with each hour per week difference in sporting activity, with effects more evident in premenopausal women. Daily dietary calcium intake was related to total body bone mineral content and forearm bone mineral density (1.4 &plusmn; 0.7% increase for every 1000 mg). Lifetime alcohol consumption and walking were not consistently related to bone mass.Conclusion: Several lifestyle and dietary factors, in particular tobacco use, were related to bone mineral density. Effect sizes varied by site. Characterization of determinants of bone mineral density in midlife and thereafter may lead to interventions that could minimize postmenopausal bone loss and reduce osteoporotic fracture risk. <br /