Significant Levels Of Resistance Research Articles

Advances in research of induced resistance to insects in cotton

Any change in a plant that occurs following herbivory or environmental factors is an induced response. These changes include phytochemical induction, increases in physical defenses, emission of volatiles that attract predators and parasitoids of herbivores, and reduction in plant nutritional quality for herbivores, which is termed induced resistance. Induced resistance has been demonstrated ubiquitously in plants. It is one of our goals to review what is known about the induced resistance to herbivorous insects in cotton, including three resistance secondary metabolites (terpenoid, tannin, and flavonoids) that are contained at any significant levels of resistance to herbivorous insects in cotton cultivates. In many cases, the quantities or quality of secondary metabolites in plant are changed after attacked by insects. This review focuses on induced plant resistance as quantitative or qualitative enhancement of defense mechanism against insect pests, especially on the abiotic-elicitors-induced resistance in cotton plants. The abiotic-elicitor of cupric chloride, an exogenous inorganic compound, may induce the secondary metabolites accumulation and is referred to as a copperinducible elicitor (CIE). Finally, we discuss how copperinducible elicitor may be used in the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) system for cotton resistance control.

Distribution of Glyphosate-Resistant Horseweed (Conyza canadensis) and Relationship to Cropping Systems in The Central Valley of California

Horseweed is an increasing problem in perennial crops and noncrop areas of the Central Valley of California. Similar to the situation in glyphosate-tolerant crops in other regions, glyphosate-based weed-management strategies in perennial crops and noncrop areas have resulted in selection of a glyphosate-resistant horseweed biotype in California. Research was conducted to determine the level of resistance to glyphosate in horseweed using an in vivo enzyme assay and to determine the distribution of the resistant horseweed biotype in central California. The resistant biotype was 4.8-fold more resistant to in vivo glyphosate exposure compared with the susceptible biotype, although enzyme function was inhibited in both biotypes at high glyphosate concentrations. An intermediate in vivo glyphosate dose was used to discriminate between glyphosate-resistant and glyphosate-susceptible individuals in a roadside survey conducted in 2006 to 2007. Overall, 62% of the individuals tested from the Central Valley were classified as resistant to glyphosate. Resistant individuals were found at most locations throughout the Central Valley, although the proportion of resistant individuals was slightly lower in the northern-most area. No correlation could be made between proportion of resistant or susceptible individuals and land use patterns likely because of long-distance seed dispersal or different selection pressure for resistant biotypes on field margins compared with that within fields. Horseweed with an economically significant level of resistance to glyphosate is already widely distributed in the Central Valley of California. Grower awareness of the problem and adoption of best management practices are needed to minimize the effects of horseweed in this highly productive and diverse agricultural region.

Vaccination with recombinant Semliki Forest virus particles expressing translation initiation factor 3 of Brucella abortus induces protective immunity in BALB/c mice

Recombinant replicons of Semliki Forest virus (SFV) can be used to induce high-level, transient expression of heterologous proteins in vivo. We constructed infectious but replication-deficient SFV particles carrying recombinant RNA encoding the Brucella abortus translation initiation factor 3 (IF3). The recombinant SFV particles (SFV-IF3 particles) were then evaluated for their ability to induce immune responses and to protect BALB/c mice against a challenge with B. abortus 2308 following vaccination. Animals inoculated with SFV-IF3 developed IF3-specific IgM antibodies at day 14 post-immunization. In vitro stimulation of splenocytes from vaccinated mice with either recombinant IF3 (rIF3) or crude Brucella protein extracts resulted in a T-cell proliferative response and induction of interferon gamma secretion, but not interleukin-4. In addition, mice immunized with SFV-IF3 exhibited a significant level of resistance against challenge with the virulent B. abortus strain 2308 ( P<0.01). These findings indicate that an SFV-based vector carrying RNA encoding Brucella IF3 has potential for use as a vaccine to induce protection against B. abortus infections.

Efeito de extratos de plantas do Cerrado em Dipetalogaster maxima (Uhler) (Hemiptera, Reduviidae)

Chagas disease, also known as American Trypanosomiasis, is chiefly transmitted by faeces of haematophagous bugs (Triatominae) that ingested Trypanosoma cruzi from blood of infected people or other mammals. Pyrethroids have been the main insecticides used against these insects. However, some populations of insects have shown significant levels of resistance to several pyrethroids, indicating the need of new insecticides for the control of triatomines. Thus, the insecticidal activity of 83 Cerrado plant extracts belonging to 35 species were assayed on first instar nymphs of Dipetalogaster maxima (Uhler, 1894) (Hemiptera, Reduviidae), species found in Mexico. For the extract application on triatomines, 50 μg of the extract were topically applied in duplicate on dorsal tergites of ten insects. Insects topically treated with acetone, ethanol, as well as insects with no treatment were used as controls. Triatomines were observed over a 28-day period. The extracts showed no insect mortality, however, fruit hexane and stem bark ethanolic extracts of Simarouba versicolor (Simaroubaceae) inhibited the rate of ecdysis in D. maxima (40% and 25%, respectively). These preliminary data suggest that this extracts should be chemically investigated and monitored through biological assays in order to determine the components, so that it may be used as a molecular model or as biorational compounds for use in insect control programmes.

The influence of organizational and national culture on the acceptance of organizational change: Empirical study in Serbian enterprises

Organizational culture is one of the most important factors influencing the process of organizational change. As such it is the object of research and analysis in this paper. Key values held by the employees that impact the formation of organizational culture, as well as the feedback organizational culture has in determining organizational processes are explored. Different relevant classifications of organizational cultures are described depending on research focus. Special consideration is given to the effect national cultural attributes have in this interaction. The specific contribution of this paper consists of presenting a study conducted within a sample of twenty Serbian corporations, in order to identify and examine some specific characteristics of organizational culture generated by the unique cultural attributes of this region. Presented results suggest a bureaucratic organizational culture, dominance of the directive leadership style, and a significant level of resistance to change in domestic corporations. The main goal of the research is to provide evidence for thesis that the process of initiating and implementing organizational changes is determined by national and organizational culture, based on values that promote inclination toward change.

A genetic linkage map for an apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) BC1 population mapping plum pox virus resistance

Plum pox virus (sharka; PPV) can cause severe crop loss in economically important Prunus species such as peach, plum, apricot, and cherry. Of these species, certain apricot cultivars (‘Stark Early Orange’, ‘Goldrich’, ‘Harlayne’) display significant levels of resistance to the disease and are the genetic substrate for studies of several xlaboratories working cooperatively to genetically characterize and mark the resistance locus or loci for marker-assisted breeding. The goals of the work presented in this communication are the characterization of the genetics of PPV resistance in ‘Stark Early Orange’ and the development of co-dominant molecular markers for marker-assisted selection (MAS) in PPV resistance breeding. We present the first genetic linkage map for an apricot backcross population of ‘Stark Early Orange’ and the susceptible cultivar ‘Vestar’ that segregates for resistance to PPV. This map is comprised of 357 loci (330 amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLPs), 26 simple sequence repeats (SSRs), and 1 morphological marker for PPV resistance) assigned to eight linkage groups. Twenty-two of the mapped SSRs are shared in common with genetic reference map for Prunus (T × E; Joobeur et al. 1998) and anchor our apricot map to the general Prunus map. A PPV resistance locus was mapped in linkage group 1 and four AFLP markers segregating with the PPV resistance trait, identified through bulk segregant analysis, facilitated the development of SSRs in this region.

Two-Peptide Lantibiotics: A Medical Perspective

Lantibiotics are ribosomally synthesised, post-translationally modified antimicrobial peptides that exhibit activity against a wide-range of Gram positive bacteria. During the last decade a number of two-peptide lantibiotics, i.e. lantibiotics that function optimally as a consequence of the synergistic activity of two peptides, have been identified, six of which (lacticin 3147, staphylococcin C55, plantaricin W, Smb, BHT-A and haloduracin) are closely related. It has been established in at least one instance, i.e. lacticin 3147, that these are extremely potent antimicrobials, which are active at nanomolar concentrations against a number of microorganisms, exhibit activity against multidrug resistant nosocomial pathogens such as MRSA and VRE and significantly, to date the development of significant levels of resistance has not been apparent. Given the similarity between lacticin 3147 and related two-peptide lantibiotics, it is likely that they too possess similarly beneficial traits and thus could potentially have medical and veterinary applications. In addition to discussing these aspects of two-peptide lantibiotic research, this review will focus on new developments in this area pertaining to studies elucidating the mechanism of action of these antimicrobials, the use of bioengineering to reveal the location of essential and variable domains therein and the potential for the use of in vivo and in vitro engineering to create derivatives with even greater activities against specific target organisms.

Cross-pathogenicity of Rhizoctonia solani strains on pasture legumes in pasture-crop rotations

In Australia, in the past, pasture legumes were rotated mainly with cereals, but increasingly these rotations now involve pasture legumes with a wider range of crops, including legumes. This increasing frequency of the leguminous host in the rotation system may be associated with increased root rots in legumes in the current pasture-crop rotations. The primary aim of this study was to see whether the pathogenicity on pasture legumes of strains of Rhizoctonia solani sourced from lupins and cereals (common crops in rotation with pastures) is associated with increased incidence of root rots in pasture legumes in the disease conducive sandy soils of the Mediterranean regions of southern Australia. The second aim was to determine sources of resistance among newly introduced pasture legumes to R. solani strains originating from rotational crops as this would reduce the impact of disease in the pasture phase. Fifteen pasture legume genotypes were assessed for their resistance/susceptibility to five different zymogram groups (ZG) of the root rot pathogen R. solani under glasshouse conditions. Of the R. solani groups tested, ZG1–5 and ZG1–4 (both known to be pathogenic on cereals and legumes) overall, caused the most severe root disease across the genotypes tested, significantly more than ZG6 (known to be pathogenic on legumes), in turn significantly >ZG4 (known to be pathogenic on legumes) which in turn was >ZG11 (known to be pathogenic on legumes including tropical species). Overall, Ornithopus sativus Brot. cvs Cadiz and Margurita, Trifolium michelianum Savi. cvs Paradana and Frontier and T. purpureum Loisel. cv. Electro showed a significant level of resistance to root rot caused by R. solani ZG11 (root disease scores ≤1.2 on a 1–3 scale where 3 = maximum disease severity) while O. sativus cvs Cadiz and Erica showed a significant level of resistance to root rot caused by R. solani ZG4 (scores ≤1.2). O. compressus L. cvs Charano and Frontier, O. sativus cv. Erica, and T. purpureum cv. Electro showed some useful resistance to root rot caused by R. solani ZG6 (scores ≤1.8). This is the first time that cvs Cadiz, Electro, Frontier, Margurita and Paradana have been recognised for their levels of resistance to root rot caused by R. solani ZG11; and similarly for cvs Cadiz and Erica against ZG4; and for cvs Charano, Erica, and Electro against ZG6. These genotypes with resistance may also serve as useful sources of resistance in pasture legume breeding programs and also could potentially be exploited directly into areas where other rotation crops are affected by these R. solani strains. None of the tested genotypes showed useful resistance to R. solani ZG1–4 (scores ≥2.0) or ZG1–5 (scores ≥2.5). This study demonstrates the relative potential of the various R. solani ZG strains, and particularly ZG1–4, ZG1–5, ZG4 and ZG6 to attack legume pastures and pose a significant threat to non-pasture crop species susceptible to these strains grown in rotation with these pasture legumes. Significantly, the cross-pathogenicity of these strains could result in the continuous build-up of inoculum of these strains that may seriously affect the productivity eventually of legumes in all rotations. In particular, when choosing pasture legumes as rotation crops, caution needs to be exercised so that the cultivars deployed are those with the best resistance to the R. solani ZGs most likely to be prevalent at the location.

In vitro assessment of plant lectins with anti-pinwood nematode activity

Two lectin proteins were purified from the corms of Pinellia ternata and Lycoris radiata. Both P. ternata agglutinin (PTA) protein and L. radiata agglutinin (LRA) protein formed polymers and coagulated both rabbit red blood cells and yeast cells. The two proteins were each diluted to different concentration and then mixed with pinewood nematodes, and nematode survival was measured. Results showed that the two lectin proteins showed significant levels of resistance against nematodes and the nematode population was significantly reduced, compared to PBS buffer without protein control group. The mean number of nematodes of two lectin proteins group was significantly lower than that of control group constantly throughout the assay period with differences being very significant at P < 0.01 after 24 h. After 96 h, when 500 μg/ml proteins were used, nematode number significantly declined to an average of 26 (approximately 43% of the controls) and 32.2 (approximately 53.3% of the controls) nematodes at LRA and PTA protein, respectively, compared to the control group. Results also indicated that higher concentrations of protein were more toxic to the pinewood nematode. Even when the concentration was as low as 30 μg/ml, the toxic proteins retained their anti-nematode activity. Furthermore, pinewood nematode was exposed to the proteins for longer, more pinewood nematodes were killed. Our results indicated the two lectin proteins both apparently have a toxic effect on the pinewood nematode that affects its survival in vitro.

Resistance of sugarcane borer to Bacillus thuringiensis Cry1Ab toxin

AbstractThe sugarcane borer, Diatraea saccharalis (F.) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), strain (F52‐3‐R) was developed from F3 survivors of a single‐pair mating on commercial Cry1Ab Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) corn plants in the greenhouse. The susceptibility of a Bt‐susceptible and the F52‐3‐R strain of D. saccharalis to trypsin‐activated Cry1Ab toxin was determined in a laboratory bioassay. Neonate‐stage larvae were fed a meridic diet incorporating Cry1Ab toxin at a concentration range of 0.0625 to 32 µg g−1. Larval mortality, larval weight, and number of surviving larvae that did not gain significant weight (&lt;0.1 mg per larva) were recorded on the 7th day after inoculation. The F52‐3‐R strain demonstrated a significant level of resistance to the activated Cry1Ab toxin. Larval mortality of the Bt‐susceptible strain increased in response to higher concentrations of Cry1Ab toxin, exceeding 75% at 32 µg g−1, whereas mortality of the F52‐3‐R strain was below 8% across all Cry1Ab concentrations. Using a measure of practical mortality (larvae either died or gained no weight), the median lethal concentration (LC50) of the F52‐3‐R strain was 102‐fold greater than that of the Bt‐susceptible insects. Larval growth of both Bt‐susceptible and F52‐3‐R strains was inhibited on Cry1Ab‐treated diet, but the inhibition of the F52‐3‐R strain was significantly less than that of the Bt‐susceptible insects. These results confirm that the survival of the F52‐3‐R strain on commercial Bt corn plants was related to Cry1Ab protein resistance and suggest that this strain may have considerable value in studying resistance management strategies for Bt corn.

Identification of a Novel Fusarium Head Blight Resistance Quantitative Trait Locus on Chromosome 7A in Tetraploid Wheat

ABSTRACT Fusarium head blight (FHB) caused by Fusarium graminearum is one of the most destructive diseases of durum (Triticum turgidum sp. durum) and common wheat (T. aestivum). Promising sources of FHB resistance have been identified among common (hexaploid) wheats, but the same is not true for durum (tetraploid) wheats. A previous study indicated that chromosome 7A from T. turgidum sp. dicoccoides accession PI478742 contributed significant levels of resistance to FHB. The objectives of this research were to develop a genetic linkage map of chromosome 7A in a population of 118 recombinant inbred lines derived from a cross between the durum cv. Langdon (LDN) and a disomic LDN-T. turgidum sp. dicoccoides PI478742 chromosome 7A substitution line [LDN-DIC 7A(742)], and identify a putative FHB resistance quantitative trait locus (QTL) on chromosome 7A derived from LDN-DIC 7A(742). The population was evaluated for type II FHB resistance in three greenhouse environments. Interval regression analysis indicated that a single QTL designated Qfhs.fcu-7AL explained 19% of the phenotypic variation and spanned an interval of 39.6 cM. Comparisons between the genetic map and a previously constructed physical map of chromosome 7A indicated that Qfhs.fcu-7AL is located in the proximal region of the long arm. This is only the second FHB QTL to be identified in a tetraploid source, and it may be useful to combine it with the QTL Qfhs.ndsu-3AS in order to develop durum wheat germ plasm and cultivars with higher levels of FHB resistance.

Proteasome Inhibitor PS-341 Induces Apoptosis in Cisplatin-resistant Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells by Induction of Noxa

Proteasome Inhibitor PS-341 Induces Apoptosis in Cisplatin-resistant Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells by Induction of Noxa

Plant yield response to artificial infestation of the false chinch bug,Nysius raphanus, confined on spring canola

A 2-year study was conducted to evaluate the relationship of plant yield responses to artificial infestations of the false chinch bug (FCB)Nysius raphanus (Howard) on spring canola in Colorado, USA. Yield losses were greater when infestation occurred at the early flowering stage (EFS) than at the early pod stage (EPS), in both 2001 and 2002. In the first trial in 2001, with infestations of 10, 20 and 40 FCB/head, the respective average yield losses over all cultivars were 43%, 68% and 69%, respectively, compared with the non-infested control at the EFS, but 11%, 26% and 23% at the EPS. In the second trial in 2001, with infestations of 10, 20 and 40 FCB/head, the respective average yield losses over all cultivars were 26%, 58% and 55% at the early EFS, but 35%, 20% and 35% at the EPS. Yield reductions from FCB infestation were lower in 2002 than in 2001. In the first trial in 2002, with infestations of 10, 20 and 40 FCB/head, the respective average yield losses of all cultivars combined were 31%, 51% and 68% at the EFS, and 13%, 32% and 18% at the EPS. However, in the second trial in 2002, with the same numbers of FCB per head, no yield reductions were observed at either EFS or EPS. The number of FCB causing 10% yield loss in the four trials ranged from 6.1 to 39.4 FCB/head (avg. 14.8) following infestation at the EFS and 15.4–109.8 (avg. 41.8) following infestation at the EPS. Cultivar responses to FCB may also influence FCB yield reductions. However, in these studies all eight tested cultivars sustained yield loss in at least one trial at some FCB infestation level. Variation between trials was substantial but a significant level of resistance to FCB injury did not occur among the tested cultivars.

Proteasome Inhibitor PS-341 Induces Apoptosis in Cisplatin-resistant Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells by Induction of Noxa

Cisplatin is one of the most common DNA-damaging agents used for treating patients with solid tumors such as squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Unfortunately, significant levels of resistance in SCC cells emerge rapidly following cisplatin treatment. Here we report that the proteasome inhibitor PS-341, the representative of a new class of chemotherapeutic drugs, was capable of inducing apoptosis in cisplatin-resistant SCC cells via the endoplasmic reticulum stress. PS-341 stimulated the phosphorylation of PERK and the unfolded protein response, resulting in the induction of the transcription factor ATF-4. Importantly, the Bcl-2 homology domain 3-only (BH3-only) protein Noxa was found to be strongly induced in cisplatin-resistant SCC cells by PS-341 but not by cisplatin. The knock-down of Noxa using small interference RNA significantly abolished PS-341-mediated apoptosis in SCC cells. Using eIF2alpha mutant mouse embryonic fibroblasts, we found that functional eIF2alpha played an essential role in PS-341-induced Noxa expression. Taken together, our novel findings reveal a direct link between PS-341-induced endoplasmic reticulum stress and the mitochondria-dependent apoptotic pathway and suggest that PS-341 may be utilized for overcoming cisplatin-resistance in human SCC.

The role of multidrug resistance efflux transporters in antifolate resistance and folate homeostasis

Members of the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters including P-glycoprotein (Pgp/ABCB1), multidrug resistance proteins (MRPs/ABCC) as well as breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP/ABCG2) function as ATP-dependent drug efflux transporters, which form a unique defense network against multiple chemotherapeutic drugs and cellular toxins. Among antitumor agents is the important group of folic acid antimetabolites known as antifolates. Antifolates such as methotrexate (MTX), pemetrexed and raltitrexed exert their cytotoxic activity via potent inhibition of folate-dependent enzymes essential for purine and pyrimidine nucleotide biosynthesis and thereby block DNA replication. Overexpression of MRPs and BCRP confers resistance upon malignant cells to various hydrophilic and lipophilic antifolates. Apart from their central role in mediating resistance to antifolates and other anticancer drugs, MRPs and BCRP have been recently shown to transport naturally occurring reduced folates. This was inferred from various complementary systems as follows: (a) Cell-free systems including ATP-dependent uptake of radiolabeled folate/MTX into purified inside-out membrane vesicles from stable transfectants and/or cells overexpressing these transporters, (b) Decreased accumulation of radiolabeled folate/MTX in cultured tumor cells overexpressing these transporters, as well as (c) In vivo rodent models such as Eisi hyperbillirubinemic rats (EHBR) that hereditarily lack MRP2 in their canalicular membrane and thereby display a bile that is highly deficient in various reduced folate cofactors and MTX, when compared with wild type Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. In all cases, these folate/antifolate transporters functioned as high capacity, low affinity ATP-driven exporters. While the mechanism of cellular retention of (anti)folates is mediated via (anti)folylpolyglutamylation, certain efflux transporters including MRP5 (ABCC5) and BCRP were shown to transport both mono-, di- as well as triglutamate derivatives of MTX and folic acid. Furthermore, overexpression of MRPs and BCRP has been shown to result in decreased cellular folate pools, whereas loss of ABC transporter expression brought about a significant expansion in the intracellular reduced folate pool. The latter finding has important implications to antifolate-based chemotherapy as an augmented cellular folate pool results in a significant level of resistance to certain antifolates. Hence, the aims of the present review are: (a) To summarize and discuss the cumulative evidence supporting a functional role for various multidrug resistance efflux transporters of the ABC superfamily which mediate resistance to hydrophilic and lipophilic antifolates, (b) To describe and evaluate the recent data suggesting a role for these efflux transporters in regulation of cellular folate homeostasis under folate replete and deplete conditions. Furthermore, novel developments and future perspectives regarding the identification of novel antifolate target proteins and mechanisms of action, as well as rationally designed emerging drug combinations containing antifolates along with receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors are being discussed.

Susceptibilities of Apple Aphid and Spirea Aphid Collected from Apple in the Pacific Northwest to Selected Insecticides

Laboratory bioassays using leaf disks of apple dipped in test solutions of insecticides demonstrated that the apple aphid, Aphis pomi De Geer, and the spirea aphid, Aphis spiraecola Patch, differed significantly in susceptibility to a number of insecticides registered for control of aphids on apple (Malus spp.). Compared with A. pomi, A. spiraecola was approximately four- and three-fold less susceptible to pirimicarb and lambda-cyhalothrin, respectively, whereas there was little difference in response to dimethoate. Pymetrozine is thought to act on aphids primarily as a feeding inhibitor. Exposure of aphids to this material generated data that fit the probit model for only half the tested clones. However, the LC50 value for one clone of A. spiraecola was nearly 1,000 times higher than the value for one clone of A. pomi. Although the results from these trials did not indicate that either species had developed significant levels of resistance to the test materials, differences in LC50 levels of > 10-fold suggest insecticide tolerances and the possibility of control failures in the future. The demonstrated differences in susceptibility to insecticides between these two morphologically similar species also should be considered during the evaluation of new products for use on apple.

Towards an Understanding of Chromosomally Mediated Penicillin Resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae : Evidence for a Porin-Efflux Pump Collaboration

In this issue of the Journal of Bacteriology, Olesky et al. (13) report a novel observation regarding the mechanism by which Neisseria gonorrhoeae developed clinically significant levels of resistance to penicillin. Although yet to be fully defined, their results link changes in the structure of a gonococcal porin (PorB), which was presumed to modulate permeation of penicillin due to precedents set by studies with porins from Enterobacteriaceae (1, 11), with overexpression of a multidrug efflux pump and the development of penicillin resistance in gonococci. The implications of their work for further advancing our knowledge regarding the structure-function relationships of the gram-negative cell envelope, differences between such bacteria in this respect, and the connection of efflux pumps with other cell envelope proteins in the development of antibiotic resistance are substantial. Moreover, the findings justify continued research on basic problems of antibiotic resistance even when the antibiotic in question is no longer used clinically to treat the disease in question.

Insecticidal activity of cerrado plant extracts on Rhodnius milesi Carcavallo, Rocha, Galvão &amp; Jurberg (Hemiptera: Reduviidae), under laboratory conditions

Chagas' disease is chiefly transmitted by feces of haematophagous bugs (Triatominae) that ingested Trypanosoma cruzi from blood of infected people or animals. Pyrethroids have been the main insecticides used against these insects. However, some populations of insects have shown significant levels of resistance to several pyrethroids, indicating the need of new insecticides for the control of triatomines. Insecticidal activity of 24 Cerrado plant extracts belonging to five species of four families were assayed on fourth instar nymphs of Rhodnius milesi Carcavallo, Rocha, Galvão & Jurberg (Hemiptera: Reduviidae), under laboratory conditions. For the extract application on triatomines, 50 microg of the extract were topically applied in duplicate on dorsal tergites of ten insects. Insects topically treated with acetone, ethanol, as well as insects with no treatment were used as controls. Triatomines were observed over a 28-day period. Hexanic and ethanolic extracts of Simarouba versicolor, Guarea kunthiana, Guarea guidonia and Talauma ovata caused mortality between 20% and 95% of R. milesi in comparison with the controls, which showed no insect mortality. These preliminary data suggest that the ethanolic extract of the root bark of S. versicolor and the hexanic extract of the root of G. guidonia, responsible for a 95% and 75% insect mortality, respectively, should be chemically investigated and monitored through biological assays in order to determine their insecticidal components, that could be used as a molecular model or as biorational compounds for use in insect control programmes.

Evaluation of cacao (Theobroma cacao) clones against seven Colombian isolates of Moniliophthora roreri from four pathogen genetic groups

Artificial pod inoculation was used to compare the relative aggressiveness of seven Colombian isolates of Moniliophthora roreri (the causal agent of moniliasis or frosty pod disease), representing four major genetic groupings of the pathogen in cacao (cocoa), when applied to five diverse cacao genotypes (ICS‐1, ICS‐95, TSH‐565, SCC‐61 and CAP‐34) at La Suiza Experimental Farm, Santander Department, Colombia. The following variables were evaluated 9 weeks after inoculation of 2‐ to 3‐month‐old pods with spore suspensions (1·2 × 105 spores mL−1): (i) disease incidence (DI); (ii) external severity (ES); and (iii) internal severity (IS). IS was found to be of greatest value in classifying the reaction of the host genotype against M. roreri. Genetic variation reported between isolates and cacao genotypes was not matched by similar diversity in their aggressiveness. All isolates were generally highly aggressive against most cacao genotypes, with only two isolates showing reduced IS and ES reactions. There was considerable variation between clones in the IS and ES scores, but one cultivated clone (ICS‐95) displayed a significant level of resistance against all seven isolates. This clone may be useful in cacao breeding initiatives for resistance to moniliasis of cacao.

Ordinary Russians? Rethinking August 1991

Abstract: A specialist in Russian history and politics reexamines the prevailing conventional wisdom that only a few Russians in Moscow and St. Petersburg resisted the attempt coup in August 1991. Press accounts at the time indicate a higher level of opposition across the country than is generally assumed, along with significant levels of resistance and subversion, but the structure of broadcast media fostered an impression of activism in the captials and apathy elsewhere. Compared with other coups and coup attempts in the twentieth century, Russians evinced an unusual willingness to face down a military takeover. The conclusion considers reasons for downplaying the significance of opposition in historical memory and its impact on the prospects for democracy in Russia. Key words: August 1991, coup, democracy, media, protest, Russia ********** Whether perestroika was in flux or at the end of its life by summer 1991, it was decisively terminated by the August 1991 coup. The dominant narratives about August 1991 suggest that an ill-conceived and poorly executed attempt to seize power failed because of its leaders' incompetence, their serious miscalculations of public opinion, or Gorbachev's failure to support political allies whose actions he had previously endorsed. The interpretation presented here--that the forces bent on restoring order and preventing further devolution of central power were defeated by a combination of direct opposition, resistance, and subversion--now amounts to a revisionist approach. Yet, in the context of the breakdown of democratic regimes in the twentieth century, Russians' opposition to the August 1991 coup provides a striking example of resistance to forces that more often succeed in suppressing democracy. (1) Considering the August 1991 events in a comparative context has not been the standard approach. Russians have difficulty accepting that they are not unique. Whether in the form of Moscow as the Third Rome (accompanied by assurances that there would not be a fourth), Stalin's repackaging of the world socialist revolution for a single country, Berdyaev's insistence that all countries are unique but Russia is more unique, (2) or the persistent folk wisdom that Russia is a strana zagodochnaia (indicipherable or puzzling country), Russians continue to believe that Russia is exempt from generalizations derived from social science. Many of the specialists studying the country share and reinforce that view. Ukraine's in December 2004 provoked yet another round of breast-beating by the Russian intelligentsia, decrying the Russian inability to overcome the masses' slavish desire for a strong leader. Yuri Levada, comparing the events in Kyiv with the neostagnation in Russian political life, stated that there would be nothing comparable in Russia in the twenty-first century. (3) This sort of pronouncement should give us pause. As Levada himself acknowledges, the events of the twenty years following Mikhail Gorbachev's March 1985 election as general secretary overturned practically every law and prediction regarding Soviet politics. Shortly before Gorbachev came to power, the U.S. government's (and MacArthur Foundation's) favorite Sovietologist, Seweryn Bialer, concluded the politics chapter for the Center for Strategic and International Studies' After Brezhnev project by predicting more stagnation: In summary, I anticipate no fundamental changes during this decade, despite intensive and divisive discussion concerning economic reforms, a number of organizational policy initiatives, experimentation with economic structure, and significant political conflict. (4) Given the rapid, dramatic, and far from linear changes of the past two decades, we should all be reticent in offering sweeping predictions about politics and society even one or two, much less ten decades hence. Rather than being a basis for pessimism about Russia, Ukraine's Orange Revolution can provide additional perspective on the events of August 1991, further encouraging us to view that experience in a comparative context. …