SEARCH · Search PubMed
Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.
Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
The content of total lipid in banana fruit pulp tissue remained constant during the climacteric rise induced by applied ethylene. The relative proportions of neutral lipid, glycolipid and phospholipid did not change. However, the fatty acid composition of the lipid did change during ripening. This change was confined largely to the phospholipid fraction, in which there was an increase in the proportion of linolenic acid and a decrease in the proportion of linoleic acid. The net result was an increase in total unsaturation of the fatty acids in the phospholipid fraction. Measurements of spin label motion in liposomes prepared from banana phospholipids showed that the motion and fluidity of bilayer lipids increased during ripening of the fruit from which the liposomes were prepared, probably as a result of increased lipid unsaturation during ripening. Since increases in membrane fluidity are accompanied by increases in the passive permeability to small molecules in a number of membrane systems, it is suggested that the increased leakage which has been previously demonstrated in ripening banana fruit tissue is due to increases in the permeability of at least some cell membranes.
Partitioning of genetic variance into additive and non-additive components using the pedigree-based best linear unbiased prediction (P-BLUP) model is possible because of the family structure and replicated clones in clonally propagated crops, but this model may overestimate these components. However, the genomic best linear unbiased prediction (G-BLUP) method, which integrates the genetic relationship through molecular marker information reduces the overestimation. Alternatively, a combination of the P-BLUP and G-BLUP, sourcing to create a hybrid matrix that estimates hybrid best linear unbiased prediction (H-BLUP), is proposed. We investigated if integrating molecular information into the clonal model could improve the partitioning of the variance components leading to more accurate estimates of genetic parameters and prediction accuracy of breeding values of 14 key traits in diploid banana. In this study, we used clones of 14 full-sib families from a factorial mating design of four female and five diploid male banana (Musa acuminata) parents, generated at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture in Arusha. The genomic-based relationship matrices were constructed using a set of 2792 filtered single-nucleotide polymorphism markers. Additive variance and heritability derived from G-BLUP and H-BLUP models reduced bias compared to the P-BLUP model. The H-BLUP estimated the highest prediction accuracies for yield-related and cycling traits, while the P-BLUP model had the highest prediction accuracy estimates for agronomic traits. The use of marker-based models enhances the accuracy of predicting breeding values, contributing to accurate estimates of genetic gain while paving a way for further genomic exploration in diploid banana breeding programs.
East African highland bananas (EAHBs), locally referred to as "matooke", are an important staple crop in Uganda. The EAHBs have a triploid genome (AAA) with a large phenotypic diversity in the Great Lakes region of Africa and are challenged by both abiotic and biotic factors. The EAHBs have been improved through conventional breeding and genetic engineering though facing challenges such as genetic drag of unfavorable traits and complex regulatory processes, respectively. Therefore, a more precise approach for crop improvement such as genome editing is highly recommended. In the current study, we assessed the feasibility and applicability of the CRISPR/Cas9 mediated-genome editing in EAHBs. Two sgRNAs were designed from the Nakitembe phytoene desaturase (PDS) gene and used to edit the PDS gene in Nakitembe (NKT) and NAROBan5 (M30) cultivars. A total of 47 NKT and 130 M30 events were regenerated via agrobacterium-mediated transformation of banana embryogenic cell suspensions. Up to 100% and 94.6% albinism rates were observed in Nakitembe and M30 cultivars respectively with additional albino-variegated and variegated phenotypes observed in M30 only. Carotenoid analysis revealed a significant reduction of total carotenoid content in edited events with all complete albinos showing no detectable carotenoids implying that the carotenoid biosynthetic pathway was effectively disrupted. Sequence analysis revealed that all of the edited events had frameshift mutations leading to PDS disruption. Overall, this study presents the first report of CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing in EAHBs and more interestingly on a hybrid, M30 showing high precision and efficiency. This validated genome editing system provides a robust platform for targeted EAHB improvement.
The experimental results and the interpretation of small angle X-ray scattering measurements by the author and Hammel (1975) and of small angle neutron scattering measurements by Marguerie and Stuhrmann (1976) on dilute solutions of bovine fibrinogen are compared. The potential of both methods to discern straight and bent cylindrical structures is demonstrated. The study arrives at the conclusion that the question whether the fibrinogen molecule resembles more a banana or a straight sausage cannot be safely decided by the available data. This justifies the previous suggestion of the author to imagine the fibrinogen molecule as a swollen sausage 450 A long and 90 A thick with conceivable flexibility, a molecular model of sufficient universality to include the banana-shaped model of Marguerie and Stuhrmann (1976) as a special case.
Chemical and biological evaluation of both the edible and nonedible portion of banana fruit was carried out. The possibility of using the nonedible portion (peel) as animal feed was also explored. The results showed a remarkable difference concerning the chemical composition of both the edible and nonedible portions. The amino acid contents were proved to vastly deficient with regard to the indispensable amino acids with exception of phenylalanine which was found in good amounts in the edible portion (pulp). The biological results demonstrated that neither the pulp nor the peel portions yielded good P.E.R. values when used at 6% protein level. The P.E.R values showed negative values which amounted to -1.75, -5.85 and -4.67 for the pulp and peel diets respectively. Incorporation of the stock diet to the peel diet resulted in a slight increase which amounted to 6% in both male and female rat groups.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
INTRODUCTION: Fusarium wilt of banana (FWB), caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense tropical race 4 (Foc TR4), poses a serious threat to the safety and sustainable development of the banana industry. Biological control represents one of the most environmentally friendly approaches for managing this disease. METHODS: In this study, Streptomyces violaceusniger WZS5-6 antifungal activity against Foc TR4 has been investigated through an integrated approach combining antifungal assays, genome analysis, and metabolomic profiling. For the purpose, the effects of the bacterial strain and its cell-free extract on morphological and ultrastructural changes on pathogenic fungal hyphae and spores were assessed using scanning and transmission electron microscopy. LC-MS analysis was used to identify the metabolites responsible for antifungal activity. We further explored the potential of S. violaceusniger WZS5-6 against Foc TR4 through in planta validation. RESULTS: Streptomyces violaceusniger WZS5-6 exhibited a strong inhibition rate of 91.57% on Foc TR4. The cell-free extract obtained from S. violaceusniger WZS5-6 strongly inhibited Foc TR4 with an EC50 value of 91.62 µg·mL-1, indicating the presence of antifungal bioactive metabolites. The results showed that S. violaceusniger WZS5-6 significantly inhibited the mycelial growth of Foc TR4 and induced alterations in spore morphology, mycelial ultrastructure, and cell membrane leakage. Metabolomic profiling of the S. violaceusniger WZS5-6 extracts revealed numerous antifungal metabolites, among which the key metabolites, viz., citronellic acid and furanodienone, exhibited strong inhibitory effects on Foc TR4, with antifungal activity of 61.13% and 57.44%, respectively. Moreover, strain WZS5-6 not only demonstrated 61.54% control efficacy against FWB in a pot experiment but also showed promising growth-promoting effects on banana plants. DISCUSSION: This study demonstrates that S. violaceusniger WZS5-6 inhibits Foc TR4 through a multi-level mechanism involving cellular disruption, metabolic adaptation, and activation of host defense responses. These findings highlight the potential of S. violaceusniger WZS5-6 as a promising novel candidate strain to be employed as a biological control agent of FWB.
BACKGROUND: Oropouche virus (OROV) is an arbovirus endemic in the Amazon region that closely resembles other arboviruses in terms of human disease, leading to potential misdiagnoses. The virus ecology has mostly restricted its occurrence to the Amazon biome; however, after a large 2023-24 OROV epidemic in the Brazilian Amazon region, outbreaks are being reported across Brazil and in other countries in Latin America. Here, we investigate the OROV spread outside Amazonia. METHODS: In this genomic and epidemiological study, OROV cases from January, 2023, to July, 2024, provided by the General Coordination of Public Health Laboratories of Brazil on Aug 1, 2024, were compared by geographical location (Amazon vs non-Amazon) and municipal population size, and a linear mixed model was employed to assess the relationship between agricultural area size and cases. OROV-positive samples from central laboratories of five non-Amazonian Brazilian states were sequenced using an amplicon-based approach. Bayesian phylogeographical analysis was performed with near full-length viral genomes, incorporating individual travel histories when relevant. The estimated dates of viral introductions in each sampled location were then contextualised with public epidemiological data. FINDINGS: Epidemic data show that outside the Amazon region, OROV cases frequency was 3·9-times higher in small municipalities than in large municipalities. The planted areas of some agricultural products, such as banana plantations, were positively correlated (r=0·39, p<0·0001) with OROV cases. The linear mixed model revealed that, besides banana, cassava also has larger (p<0·05) planted areas in municipalities with OROV cases when compared with those with no cases. The phylogenetic analysis of 32 new OROV genomes reconstructed multiple exportation events of the newly identified reassortant lineage from the Amazon to other Brazilian regions between January and March, 2024. At least three of the previously described OROV phylogenetic clades circulating in the Amazon were the source of viral introductions. Molecular clock analysis estimated that viral introductions happened from 50 days to 100 days before detecting the outbreaks in each state. INTERPRETATION: Our results confirm that the novel OROV reassortant lineage spread from the Amazon to other regions in early 2024, successfully establishing local transmission. The fact that outbreaks were observed in small municipalities, instead of large urban centres, suggests that local ecological conditions that are ideal for OROV vector occurrence, such as the banana plantation environment, might be important factors driving its spread in Brazil. FUNDING: DECIT, CNPq, FAPEAM, and Inova-Fiocruz. TRANSLATION: For the Portuguese translation of the abstract see Supplementary Materials section.
Mosquito density in Rangas where abaca is in abundance is much higher, almost twice, than that of Putiao where abaca is absent. The adult density of Aedes poecilus over Aedes ananae in the two areas combined is 3 to 4 times whereas the larval density of the former is much lower than Aedes ananae. The banana axils is a favorite breeding place for Aedes poecilus but may also utilize the abaca axils. This finding is very favorable in the transmission of bancroftian filariasis because this species of banana is planted around houses even closer to human dwelling than the abaca plants. Aedes poecilus being more anthropophylic than zoophylic can be domesticated as Culex quinquefasciatus and Aedes aegypti which again is a factor in favor of ideal transmission of the disease. The fact that bananas are planted around houses both in villages and towns, transmission of the disease could easily occur in both places, which should be borne in mind when planning a control program. The number of dissected mosquitoes is too small to be of significance in vector determination.
Kepone is a persistent chlorinated hydrocarbon pesticide which is no longer manufactured in the U.S.A., its uses having been cancelled on April 11, 1977; previous food uses included control of the banana root borer, and non-food uses included control of tobacco wireworm, ants, and cockroaches. An adduct of Kepone, Kelevan, is now distributed by Spiess and Sohn, Chemische Fabrik, Germany, with an as yet unknown manufacturer, for control of the Colorado potato beetle in Eastern Europe and Ireland, and for control of the banana root borer in the cameroons, Caribbean, and South America. Kepone is acutely toxic and induces cumulative and delayed toxicity, neurotoxicity, and reproductive impairment, in a wide range of species including birds, rodents and humans; it is also carcinogenic in rodents. Extensive environmental dispersion, with major evidence of aquatic toxicity has been demonstrated following its recent manufacture in Hopewell, Virginia, U.S.A.
1. The diencephalon of the unanaesthetized macaque monkey was radio-labelled with calcium by a microinjection of 6-8 muC (45)Ca(2+) into the third cerebral ventricle through a permanently implanted cannula. Successive 5 min push-pull perfusions of the mid-line hypothalamic region with an artificial C.S.F. were carried out at a rate of 28 mul./min every 20 min. A washout curve of declining (45)Ca(2+) radioactivity was thus generated.2. When the monkey exercised strenuously on a special ;rowing machine' to obtain highly palatable banana pellets, its body temperature rose sharply. As the monkey exercised, during a sequence of push-pull perfusions, the concurrent efflux of (45)Ca(2+) ions increased markedly in the corresponding samples of diencephalic perfusate. This enhanced activity of calcium ions continued throughout a 30 min work period and persisted as long as the monkey's temperature was elevated in the interval immediately following exercise.3. Exposure of the monkey's trunk, between neck and thigh to cold air of 5 degrees C likewise augmented the amount of (45)Ca(2+) ions in the diencephalic push-pull perfusates; however, a similar exposure to air warmed to 35 degrees C failed to alter the pattern of (45)Ca(2+) efflux from the animal's diencephalon. If a fasted monkey consumed only the banana pellets but was not exercised, the level of (45)Ca(2+) in the perfusate also increased transiently, just at the onset of feeding.4. We conclude that a local change in calcium transport, binding or other cellular activity of the cation within the diencephalon could play an important role in the central mechanism underlying the set-point rise in a primate's temperature which accompanies vigorous exercise. Further, the results support the idea that this cation functions in the diencephalic control of metabolic heat production as well as in the overall processes of energy metabolism, particularly in relation to feeding.
A 70--80% decrease in the vitamin C (ascorbic acid) level was found in a mixture of fresh orange juice, apple, and banana prepared under aerobic conditions as compared with the level present in identical quantities of each individual ingredient. Since it was determined that this decrease was caused mainly by the presence of the banana, we suggest that the latter not be added to fresh orange juice which serves as an important source of vitamin C for infants.
The origin and survival of a polyploid in a mixture of this polyploid and its parent(s) is reviewed. With several examples a picture is drawn of the interference of cytotypes in a mixture of cytotypes. Some natural polyploids, both wild and domesticated, are very successful. They, like bread wheat and banana, largely replaced their parents. The same is true for some artificial polyploids like autotriploid hybride sugar beet in Europe and autotetraploid perennial ryegrass. But when grown together with their parents for several generations they will disappear from this misture. Although in South America under primitive conditions, diploid, triploid, and tetraploid potatoes are grown, elsewhere only the tetraploids have survived. Various causes are presented to explain why the diploids and triploids succumbed. Autotetraploids of maize, rye, barley, and rice cannot maintain themselves in diploid/tetraploid mixtures. The maintenance of diploid or tetraploid rye varieties is less difficult as both are "self-cleaning" with respect to the other. Only two haploid cultivars exist but they can only maintain themselves with the help of man. It is concluded that the survival chances of a polyploid after its origination is low. Firstly, under conditions of random sampling a rare type has a very small chance of occurring in the next generation. Furthermore, seedset of triploids and tetraploids is often low which limits their survival. In addition, in mixtures of cross-fertilizing diploid and autotetraploids the n gamete has an advantage over the 2n gamete. This limits the survival of the autotetraploids again. It is concluded that our knowledge of the the mutual interference of cytotypes in a cytotype mixture is quite limited. Much more research is needed and some proposals concerning this research are made.
The two species of Sarcocystis--S. levinei and S. fusiformis from the water buffalo, Bubalus bubalis, show some ultrastructural similarities in their cyst wall and zoites. The zoites of both species are of about the same size, banana-shaped and have 22 subpellicular microtubules, numerous micronemes, eight rhoptries, a micropore in the region of the micronemes, an elongated mitochondrion, and a nucleus. S. levinei has 200--300 micronemes and S. fusiformis has about 400. The sarcocysts of both species are trabeculated and their cyst walls have cytophaneres containing annulated fibrils and coarse, electron dense granules. The cytophaneres of S. levinei are sloping, with irregular, wavy outlines, whereas S. fusiformis has the cauliflower-type of cytophaneres. This difference in the appearance of the cytophaneres, together with the difference in size of the sarcocysts and their definitive hosts, further confirms that S. levinei and S. fusiformis are two distinct species in the water buffalo.
The bioavailability of lead was studied in rats fed various baby foods (Babymix-turkey, Babymix-vegetables, Frutolino-fruit, Frutamix-bananas, Babyron-S-26, Truefood), cow's milk, bread, liver and standard rat diet. Lead absorption was determined by measuring the whole body retention of 203Pb 6 days after a single oral application. Highest absorption values ranging from 17 to 20% were obtained in animals fed cow's milk and fruit foods. Rats on other "human" diets absorbed between 3 and 8% of the radioactive lead dose. Only in animals on rat diet lead absorption was below 1%. It is concluded that rats fed "human" diets show absorption values similar to those in humans. This might indicate that the bioavailability of lead is primarily dependent on dietary habits. This experimental model, if confirmed by further work, might be useful for obtaining preliminary data on the bioavailability of metals from various foods.