The Main Phenotypic Characteristic of Elida, a New Luffa Cultivar Created at Vegetable Research Development Station Buzău, Romania

Luffa cylindrica also known as sponge gourd, Egyptian cucumber or Vietnamese luffa is an annual cucurbit vine native South Asia. In India, China, Japan and Vietnam the crop is cultivated on large areas, being a plant with multipurpose uses. Since 1962 at Vegetable Research Development Station (VRDS) Buzau, has begun the acclimatization of this species, but, although it was heavily promoted, no Romanian variety has been registered so far. The present study aims to present the main quantitative characteristics of the new variety obtained at VRDS Buzau, ‘Elida’. The cultivar has a distinct phenotypic expressiveness with high quality fruits. Since year 2020 the cultivar was registered in the Official Catalogue of Romanian Crop Plants. ‘Elida’ has shown a high plasticity and can also be grown in ecological system.

Technological Aptitude and safety of Enterococus faecium Bioactive Strains Isolated from south Algerian Camel Milk

Twenty strains of Enterococcus faecium were isolated from raw camel milk (Camelus dromedarius) These bacteria are classified as lactic acid bacteria. After isolating Enterococci from milk of camel, we selected three strains and identificated by phenotypic characteristic and FTIR analysis. In vitro studies have shown that the strains of Enterococcus faecium selected have a remark-able probiotic characteristic, and they can survive at low pH (2 and 4). The strains were able to survive at pH 3 in the presence of 3mg/mL pepsin, and able to produce dextran, the strains have a proteolytic activity (degradation of milk casein). These conditions (temperature, pH, concentration of salt, etc.), are ideal for the growth and proliferation of enterococci. This study sought to identify the species and describe the antimicrobial resistance fea-tures of Enterococci isolated from camel milk. The antimicrobial activity was investigated by isolating strains from camel milk of south Algeria and testing them against certain microorganism strains such as Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeroginosa, Candida albicans, Aspergillus brasiliensis, and Alternaria. We concluded that these strains have a techno-logical efficiency and have potential for use as new probiotic starters.

Aromatic Profile Variation of Essential Oil from Dried Makwhaen Fruit and Related Species

The aim of this research is to evaluate the relationship between genotype, phenotype, and chemical profiles of essential oil obtained from available Zanthoxylum spp. Three specimens of makhwaen (MK) distributed in Northern Thailand were genetically and morphologically compared with other Zanthoxylum spices, known locally as huajiao (HJ) and makwoung (MKO), respectively. HJ was taxonomically confirmed as Z. armatum while MKO and MK were identified as Z. rhetsa and Z. myriacanthum. Genetic sequencing distributed these species into three groups accordingly to their confirmed species. Essential oil of the dried fruits from these samples was extracted and analyzed for their chemical and physical properties. Cluster analysis of their volatile compositions separated MKO and MK apart from HJ with L-limonene, terpinen-4-ol, β-phellandrene, and β-philandrene. By using odor attributes, the essential oil of MKO and MK were closely related possessing fruity, woody, and citrus aromas, while the HJ was distinctive. Overall, the phenotypic characteristic can be used to elucidate the species among makhwaen fruits of different sources. The volatile profiling was nonetheless dependent on the genotypes but makwoung and makhwaen showed similar profiles.

The genotypic composition of the herd of black-motley breed and phenotypic characteristic in connection with Holsteinization

The article presents the results of using the genetic potential of the Holstein breed to improve black-and-white cattle. The purpose of the research was to analyze the influence of Holstein on the genetic structure of the herd and its milk productivity for the subsequent use of the results of the analysis in breeding and breeding work with animals. The objects of research were pure-bred animals of black-motley breed and crossbreeds of different genotypes from their crosses with bulls-producers of Holstein breed. Methods. The work used data from zootechnical and pedigree farm accounting, appraisal of livestock. Reliability of the origin of animals and the genetic structure of the herd was established by immunogenetic examination of the blood group systems (antigenic composition and alleles of the B-system). Results. It was established that under the same conditions of feeding and keeping, the milk productivity of the crossbred cows for the first lactation, depending on the blood content in the Holstein breed, was 97–550 kg more milk than pure-bred peers of black-motley breed. The most desirable for further breeding work are the genotypes of 5/8 and 3/4 blood animals. The use of Holstein bulls in this herd led to a significant change in the concentration of individual antigens and alleles of the B-system of blood groups in animals in comparison with the population of black-motley cattle. Scientific novelty. For the first time in the conditions of the Saratov region, studies were conducted to assess the population of black-motley cows and their Holstein crossbreeds by a set of economically useful traits and the efficiency of their breeding.

Is the motor impairment in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) a co-occurring deficit or a phenotypic characteristic?

ObjectivesMotor difficulties are often reported in individuals with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The aims of this study are to detail the motor profile of children with ADHD and to determine whether the motor impairment present in a large proportion of children with ADHD represents a phenotypic characteristic of ADHD or a co-occurring deficit. MethodsParticipants with ADHD (N=51; age 8 to 15 years) and typically developing (TD) motor matched control children (N=75; age 4 to 11 years) completed the largest battery of assessments of motor function that have been used with this population to-date, as well as a measure of inhibition as a behavioural measure of ADHD characteristics. Parents/caregivers also completed questionnaires relating to ADHD symptomology and a retrospective report of their child’s motor milestone achievement. ResultsA motor deficit was observed in 47% of our ADHD sample. Few relationships were observed between ADHD core characteristics and motor competence. Furthermore, there was an uneven profile of motor performance across different motor tasks, relative to the TD children. Interestingly, it appears that motor milestone achievement is not delayed in ADHD.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that the motor deficit observed in ADHD is not inherent to ADHD. The motor deficit observed in some children with ADHD does not represent a simple delay in development, and is not observed in infancy with respect to reaching motor milestones. This has strong implications for early intervention.

Detection and Characterization of Botrytis cinerea Isolates from Vegetables in Egypt

Botrytis cinerea is a necrotrophic plant pathogen that causes plenty of crop losses in Egypt and worldwide. Fifteen isolates of B. cinerea were collected from cabbage, pepper and lettuce grown in different locations in Egypt and subjected to investigation. Diversity in phenotypic, pathological and molecular characteristics was detected among isolates, leading to categorising them into four different groups. Molecular variation was demonstrated in all isolates by transposable elements (TEs) analyses. Four TE types, based on the presence or absence of two transposable elements, boty and flipper, were recognised among B. cinerea isolates in which transposa type (having both TE, boty + flipper) was predominant (40%), while only boty and only flipper types appeared with distribution values of 26.7 and 20%, respectively and vacuma type (Lacking both TEs) showed the lowest distribution value (13.3%). Furthermore, vacuma population demonstrated the lowest potential comparing to others. A correlation was found between TE type and virulence level of isolate, but no impact of TE type was observed on phenotypic characteristics of B. cinerea. The present study revealed a correlation between the TE type and the isolate virulence, but no correlation was observed between phenotypic characteristic/sensitivity to fenhexamid and TE type