Loss of Restriction Site DdeI, used for Avian Molecular Sexing, in Oreophasis derbianus

Molecular sexing is a rapid and safe procedure for bird sex determination. Two universal methods based on the amplification of a chromo‐helicase‐DNA‐Binding 1 (CHD) gene region, located in both sexual chromosomes (Z and W), have been established. We found that molecular sexing of Oreophasis derbianus failed by using these two procedures. One of them is based on a restriction site located in CHD1W gene but absent in CHD1Z. The DdeI restriction site, used successfully to determine gender in several bird species, was found to be lost because of nucleotide change in O. derbianus. This change created a new restriction site, NlaIII, that was successfully applied for sexing this endangered bird.     

Fibrin–alginate hydrogel supports steroidogenesis,in vitro maturation of oocytes and parthenotes production from caprine preantral follicles cultured in group

This study aimed to establish a culture system that improves the in vitro development of caprine preantral follicles. In a first experiment, follicles were encapsulated as a single unit per bead and cultured singly or in groups or with five follicles in the same alginate (ALG) bead for 18 days. In a subsequent experiment, the “five follicles per bead” design was chosen to culture in ALG, fibrin–alginate (FA) or hyaluronate (HA) for 18 days. In a third experiment, we chose the five follicles per bead in FA to culture for 30 days. The culture set‐up of five follicles per ALG bead increased antrum formation and follicle diameter compared to the other culture designs (p < .05). Moreover, under this condition, 44.44% of the oocytes from in vitro cultured preantral follicles reached meiotic resumption. A significant increase of follicle diameter occurred in attachment system and FA (p < .05), but the ALG condition reached the highest among all groups on day 18 (p < .05). Follicles encapsulated in matrix produced more estradiol and progesterone than attachment system (p < .05). The expression of MMP‐9 mRNA was higher in FA than in other groups (p < .05) and similar to antral follicles from in vivo control (p > .05). Only FA group resulted in oocytes matured. After 30 days, oocytes from preantral follicles in vitro grown in FA developed to eight‐cell parthenotes. In conclusion, a culture system using FA supported the development of caprine preantral follicles cultured in group and included in the same bead of hydrogel, improving the oocyte maturation and producing parthenotes.     

Molecular characterization of an influenza A virus (H4N2) isolated from waterfowl habitats in the State of Mexico

Wild waterfowl and their habitats are the main reservoirs of influenza A virus (IAV) mainly during the breeding season and prior to migration. This study describes the molecular characterization of an IAV isolated from 240 water samples of a small wetland during non-breeding season of migratory wild ducks in the State of Mexico, Mexico. The results showed that the virus belongs to the H4N2 subtype and each of its eight segments of the viral genome has similarity to IAV isolated from ducks in North America. This study suggests that IAV can be isolated from small wetland during non-breeding season of migrating waterfowl.     

Evaluation of the use of sulfur dioxide to reduce postharvest losses on dark and green figs

Postharvest diseases limit the storage period and market life of fresh figs (Ficus carica L.). The objective of this work was to determine the effect of sulfur dioxide (SO₂) applied by fumigation and/or by dual release SO₂ generating pads on postharvest decay and quality retention of ‘Black Mission’ and ‘Brown Turkey’ (dark skin), and ‘Kadota’ and ‘Sierra’ (green skin) figs. A protocol for the computer-controlled application of gaseous SO₂ has been developed which allows the application of very low specific concentration × time products of SO₂ and simultaneous monitoring of the application progress. In vitro tests with important fungal, yeast and bacterial postharvest pathogens plated on Petri dishes and exposed to a SO₂ concentration × time product (C × t) of 100 (μL/L) h at different temperatures showed fewer survived at 20 °C than at 0 °C. Therefore, fumigations were carried out at 20 °C in the rest of the experiments. The evaluation of different SO₂ concentration × time products showed that a product of 25 (μL/L) h provided the best compromise between decay control and fruit injury. The performance of SO₂ fumigations on warm or cold fruit, its combination with SO₂ generating pads, and the use of repeated fumigations during cold storage were also evaluated. All the SO₂ treatments tested reduced the percentage of decay, extending the market life of fresh figs. However, in some cases, the use of SO₂ generating pads increased the incidence of skin bleaching. Fumigation of warm fruit at 25 (μL/L) h of SO₂ reduced populations of Alternaria and Rhizopus spp. growing on the fig surface. The treatment was more effective against Rhizopus spp. than against Alternaria spp. Contamination of fruit by Botrytis spp. and Penicillium spp. was also reduced by SO₂. In conclusion, results showed that SO₂ can be a potential tool to control postharvest rots and therefore increase the market life of fresh figs.     

Solarization for the control of Pueraria montana (kudzu)

The effects of translucent polyethylene sheeting as a thermal covering to eradicate Pueraria montana (kudzu) were investigated at Clemson, South Carolina on a clay loam. In 2005, the highest reduction of live root crowns was observed where P. montana was covered for the entire growing season (May–October) with a reduction of 42% of live root crowns compared with the control plots. Where P. montana was covered for alternate weeks throughout the growing season live root crowns were reduced by 35%. Covering P. montana for one week and then uncovering for four weeks repeatedly through the season killed 24% of root crowns. In 2006, the second year of treatment to the same plots, the three solarization treatments had similar efficacy of about 97%. The use of polyethylene sheeting appears not to be cost‐effective for general control of large P. montana infestations, but may be useful for small patches.     

Cold-storage potential of four yellow-fleshed peach cultivars defined by their volatile compounds emissions, standard quality parameters, and consumer acceptance

'Early Rich', 'Royal Glory', 'Sweet Dream(cov)', and 'Elegant Lady' peaches were stored at -0.5 °C for up to 40 days and then subjected to ripening at 20 °C for up to 3 days. Firmness, soluble solids content (SSC), titratable acidity (TA), color, consumer acceptance, and volatile compounds were then determined. The observed physicochemical changes included a significant decrease in firmness during both storage and commercialization periods. In contrast, the SSC, TA, and color remained constant during storage. Ten days of cold storage produced the highest total volatile emissions and the greatest consumer acceptance for 'Elegant Lady' and 'Sweet Dream(cov)', whereas similar results were obtained after 40 and 20 days for 'Royal Glory' and 'Early Rich', respectively. Volatile compounds that most consistently exhibited a positive correlation with consumer acceptance were dependent on the cultivar.     

短尾鮠精子细胞和精子的超微结构研究

用透射电镜观察了短尾鮠精子细胞和精子的形态以及细胞核、拟染色体和线粒体等的结构变化规律。结果表明,随着精子细胞的发育,核质凝聚程度逐渐增强。精子细胞时期细胞器较丰富,到精子细胞后期,细胞器的形态和数量发生了较大变化。短尾鮠的精子具有椭圆的头部和复杂的中片;近侧中心粒和远侧中心粒靠近核的中央;鞭毛呈9+2轴丝结构,并具有由外膜折迭形成的波浪形的鳍状结构。     

Behandlung von Reis mit Neem und Diatomeenerde zur Bek?mpfung der vorratssch?dlichen Coleopteren Sitophilus oryzae und Tribolium castaneum

The commercial available diatomaceous earth Fossil Shield® and the neem product Neem Azal-T/S® are tested as single treatments and in combination as controls for the stored product pests Sitophilus oryzae (L.) and Tribolium castaneum (Herbst). The diatomaceous earth, applied in concentrations of 0.5 g, 1 g and 2 g kg^-1 rice, reduced numbers of surviving beetles significantly (over a period of 3 weeks). A single treatment with the neem product, in concentrations of 0.01 g, 0.1 g, 0.2 g and 1 g azadirachtin kg^-1 rice, increased the mortality rate for both species significantly. The combination of neem and diatomaceous earth (1 g diatomaceous earth with 0.2 g or 1 g azadirachtin kg^-1 rice) was more effective than the single treatment in reducing numbers of surviving beetles.     

The effect of feeding time (day versus night) and feeding frequency on pancreatic exocrine secretion in pigs

The effect of night feeding and feeding frequency on exocrine pancreatic secretion was studied in five chronically catherized growing pigs (16 to 31 kg). Feeding during the night (2200 to 2400 h) as compared to the day (1000 to 1200 h) tended to stimulate cholesterol ester lipase activity and tended to lower the colipase : lipase ratio in the pancreatic juice, but no effect on volume output, protein output and the activities of trypsin, chymotrypsin, amylase, lipase and colipase could be demonstrated. Feeding 12 small meals between 0800 and 2000 h as compared to one large meal (1000 to 1200 h) daily, altered the pattern of exocrine pancreatic secretion, tended to stimulate protein output by 44 %, chymotrypsin activity by 29 % and lipase activity by 46 %. These observations strengthened the theory that exocrine pancreatic secretion is partly regulated by feed intake per se and does not only depend on the amount of feed consumed. Feeding 12 small meals versus one large meal, compared at the same total daily feed intake, lowered the colipase : lipase ratio by 32 %. It can be concluded that feed intake pattern affected exocrine pancreatic secretion.     

Effects of L-carnitine administration on treadmill test performance of untrained dogs

Introduction   Carnitine (trimethyl-γ-amino-β-hydroxybutyrate; molecular weight 161 g) is not only essential for the transport and utilization of long-chain fatty acids, it also occurs as a medium and short-chain ester and serves as an acetyl and acyl pool. Short-term muscle exercise causes an increase of acetyl-carnitine levels in the serum and in the liver. It prevents the accumulation of acyl-coenzyme A (CoA) and provides the organism with CoA by producing acetyl-carnitine from acetyl-CoA. Human muscle tissue contains approximately 10 μmol CoA/kg, whereas carnitine levels range between 2000 and 5000 μmol/kg.