\u3ci\u3eMicroctonus Pachylobii\u3c/i\u3e (Hymenoptera: Braconidae): New Host Record From \u3ci\u3eHylobius Radicis\u3c/i\u3e (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), and Additional Notes on Its Biology

The endoparasite Microctonus pachylobii was discovered parasitizing a new weevil host, Hylobius radicis. Thirteen of the 154 H. radicis adults collected were parasitized (8.5%). The median numbers of parasites per weevil were 26 (x =22.5) during the period April through June, and 4 (x =9.4) during August and September. The median male:female sex ratio was 0.91 (x =0.65). Males emerged approximately 1 day earlier than females. Median parasite mortality while in the cocoon was 10.2% per parasitized weevil (x = 11.8%). Microctonus pachylobii was not found parasitizing two previously recorded weevil hosts from field samples, Hylobius rhizophagus and H. pales, and a laboratory study suggests that the parasite may have difficulty parasitizing the latter species

\u3ci\u3eDendroctonus Valens\u3c/i\u3e and \u3ci\u3eHylastes Porculus\u3c/i\u3e (Coleoptera: Scolytidae): Vectors of Pathogenic Fungi (Ophiostomatales) Associated With Red Pine Decline Disease.

A study was conducted to determine whether Dendroctonus valens and Hylastes porculus could vector their commonly associated fungi to red pine. Field collected adult D. valens transmitted Leptographium terebrantis, Leptographium procerum and Ophiostoma ips into 45%, 30%, and 5%, respectively of the wounded red pine roots onto which they were caged. Field collected H. porculus transmitted L. terebrantis, L. procerum and O. ips into 55%, 40%, and 5%, respectively, of the wounded red pine roots onto which beetles were caged. None of the control roots, which were mechanically wounded only, were found to contain O. ips, whereas only one control root contained L. terebrantis and only one control root contained L. procerum. This work demonstrates that D. valens and H. porculus can vector their associated Leptographium fungi to red pine trees and that these organisms are likely involved in red pine decline disease

Effects of Feeding by Two Folivorous Arthropods on Susceptibility of Hybrid Poplar Clones to a Foliar Pathogen

We investigated variation in folivore-induced effects on subsequent plant suitability to a foliar pathogen. We used a leaf disk assay to expose three clones of hybrid poplar, NC11382, NE332 and NM6, to colonization by a leaf spot pathogen, Septoria musiva. Undamaged leaf disks of NE332 were the most resistant to S. musiva, followed by NM6 and NC11382, respectively. To test the effects of prior herbivory on subsequent susceptibility to this fungal pathogen, we inoculated S. musiva on leaf disks taken from leaves which had been exposed to feeding by Tetranychus mites or cottonwood leaf beetles. Prior activity by mites and cottonwood leaf beetle affected the subsequent susceptibility of clones NC 11382 and NE332 to S. musiva

Tree defence and bark beetles in a drying world: carbon partitioning, functioning and modelling.

Drought has promoted large-scale, insect-induced tree mortality in recent years, with severe consequences for ecosystem function, atmospheric processes, sustainable resources and global biogeochemical cycles. However, the physiological linkages among drought, tree defences, and insect outbreaks are still uncertain, hindering our ability to accurately predict tree mortality under on-going climate change. Here we propose an interdisciplinary research agenda for addressing these crucial knowledge gaps. Our framework includes field manipulations, laboratory experiments, and modelling of insect and vegetation dynamics, and focuses on how drought affects interactions between conifer trees and bark beetles. We build upon existing theory and examine several key assumptions: (1) there is a trade-off in tree carbon investment between primary and secondary metabolites (e.g. growth vs defence); (2) secondary metabolites are one of the main component of tree defence against bark beetles and associated microbes; and (3) implementing conifer-bark beetle interactions in current models improves predictions of forest disturbance in a changing climate. Our framework provides guidance for addressing a major shortcoming in current implementations of large-scale vegetation models, the under-representation of insect-induced tree mortality

Novel achromatic single reflection quarter-wave retarder: design and measurement

In this work, we present an achromatic quarter-wave retarder whose design is based upon the reflection properties of an isotropic-anisotropic interface. In theory, it is possible to obtain a π/2 phase shift by means of a total internal reflection at an isotropic-isotropic interface. However, in order to achieve such a phase shift, it is necessary to use a medium with a particularly high refractive index. We have previously shown that these phase shifts can be achieved by means of a total internal reflection in an isotropic-uniaxial interface, which allows the use of smaller refractive index media. By means of this property, we designed, built, and characterized a novel quarter-wave retarder that makes it possible to obtain circularly polarized light from a linear polarization state. We developed some guidelines that allowed us to obtain a device of competitive performance, low cost, and manageable manufacture.Fil: Veiras, Francisco Ezequiel. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ingeniería. Departamento de Física; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Raffa, G.. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ingeniería. Departamento de Física; ArgentinaFil: Caré, D.. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ingeniería. Departamento de Física; ArgentinaFil: Perez, Liliana Ines. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ingeniería. Departamento de Física; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Garea, María Teresa. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ingeniería. Departamento de Física; Argentin

Autosomal mutations affecting Y chromosome loops in Drosophila melanogaster

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The Y chromosome of <it>Drosophila melanogaster </it>harbors several genes required for male fertility. The genes for these fertility factors are very large in size and contain conspicuous amounts of repetitive DNA and transposons. Three of these loci (<it>ks-1</it>, <it>kl-3 </it>and <it>kl-5</it>) have the ability to develop giant lampbrush-like loops in primary spermatocytes, a cytological manifestation of their active state in these cells. Y-loops bind a number of non-Y encoded proteins, but the mechanisms regulating their development and their specific functions are still to be elucidated.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Here we report the results of a screen of 726 male sterile lines to identify novel autosomal genes controlling Y-loop function. We analyzed mutant testis preparations both <it>in vivo </it>and by immunofluorescence using antibodies directed against Y-loop-associated proteins. This screen enabled us to isolate 17 mutations at 15 loci whose wild-type function is required for proper Y-loop morphogenesis. Six of these loci are likely to specifically control loop development, while the others display pleiotropic effects on both loops and meiotic processes such as spermiogenesis, sperm development and maturation. We also determined the map position of the mutations affecting exclusively Y-loop morphology.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our cytological screening permitted us to identify novel genetic functions required for male spermatogenesis, some of which show pleiotropic effects. Analysis of these mutations also shows that loop development can be uncoupled from meiosis progression. These data represent a useful framework for the characterization of Y-loop development at a molecular level and for the study of the genetic control of heterochromatin.</p

A very promising antibiofilm activity against Candida albicans from an in vitro screening for antimicrobial, antibiofilm and antiproliferative activity of new synthesized 4-cinnamamido- and 2-phenoxyacedamido-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)benzamides

Several new synthesized 4-cinnamamido- and 2-phenoxyacedamido-(1H-pyrazol-5-yl)benzamides were obtained by two multi step different synthetic routes in order to maximize their yield. The new derivatives were screened to determine the antiproliferative, antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity. The biological results showed how, respect to the antiproliferative and antimicrobial activities, the compounds have a low to missing activity. Different are the results obtained concerning the antibiofilm activity, especially towards Candida albicans. Most of the synthesized compounds showed a good percentage inhibition of biofilm formation ranging from 60 to 73% with a Biofilm Inhibition Concentration 50% (BIC50) from 0.13 to 0.01 μM. Among the synthesized compounds the ethyl 5-(4-(2-(4-chlorophenoxy)acetamido)benzamido)-1-methyl-1Hpyrazole- 4-carboxylate (27c) resulted the most active molecule with a BIC50 of 0.01 μM. According to the results obtained, such compound could be considered a lead subject of further studies to obtain novel and more effective antibiofilm agents against C. albicans

Drosophila HP1c Is Regulated by an Auto-Regulatory Feedback Loop through Its Binding Partner Woc

HP1 is a major component of chromatin and regulates gene expression through its binding to methylated histone H3. Most eukaryotes express at least three isoforms of HP1 with similar domain architecture. However, despite the common specificity for methylated histone H3, the three HP1 isoforms bind to different regions of the genome. Most of the studies so far focused on the HP1a isoform and its role in transcriptional regulation. As HP1a requires additional factors to bind methylated chromatin in vitro, we wondered whether another isoform might also require additional targeting factors. Indeed, we found that HP1c interacts with the DNA binding factors Woc and Row and requires Woc to become targeted to chromatin in vivo. Moreover, we show that the interaction between HP1c and Woc constitutes a transcriptional feedback loop that operates to balance the concentration of HP1c within the cell. This regulation may prevent HP1c from binding to methylated heterochromatin

Effects of Feeding by Two Folivorous Arthropods on Susceptibility of Hybrid Poplar Clones to a Foliar Pathogen

We investigated variation in folivore-induced effects on subsequent plant suitability to a foliar pathogen. We used a leaf disk assay to expose three clones of hybrid poplar, NC11382, NE332 and NM6, to colonization by a leaf spot pathogen, Septoria musiva. Undamaged leaf disks of NE332 were the most resistant to S. musiva, followed by NM6 and NC11382, respectively. To test the effects of prior herbivory on subsequent susceptibility to this fungal pathogen, we inoculated S. musiva on leaf disks taken from leaves which had been exposed to feeding by Tetranychus mites or cottonwood leaf beetles. Prior activity by mites and cottonwood leaf beetle affected the subsequent susceptibility of clones NC 11382 and NE332 to S. musiva