Potato varieties and their protein electropherogram characteristics

Summary Protein electropherograms of 59 Dutch potato varieties, obtained by paper electrophoresis, turned out to be specific to the varieties. The specific characteristics were maintained even when external factors, such as soil type, level of nitrogen fertilization and environment were varied. The individual tubers of a sample showed the same patterns, provided that they were all full-grown. In several experiments, the sap of immature tubers gave patterns in which the peaks of slower moving fractions were lower. A significant relationship was established between the electrophoretic characteristics and five out of the twelve characters analysed, in all the varieties studied.

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Zusammenfassung Bis jetzt bestand die einzige praktisch anwendbare Methode zur Identifizierung von Kartoffelsorten in der Untersuchung der Lichtkeime, was jedoch viel Zeit beanspruchte. Eine schnellere Methode stellt die Trennung der l?slichen Eiweisse in den Knollen auf elektrophoretischem Wege dar. Die Elektropherogramme von 59 holl?ndischen Sorten zeigten sich spezifisch zu sein (Tabelle 1, Abb. 5). In einer Haushalt-Saftpresse (Rotel) wurden die Knollen zerkleinert und der Saft vom Brei getrennt. Nachher wurde die St?rke durch Filtration des Saftes abgetrennt. Alle Versuche wurden mit einem Elphor-H Papier-Elektrophoresc-Apparat nach einer abge?nderten Form der nachGrassmann undHannig (1952) benannten Methode ausgeführt. Das Auftragen des Saftes auf die Papierstreifen wurde durch Verwendung eines magnetischen Glas-Auftragsstempels (Abb. 1) vereinfacht. Da verschiedene Saftmengen leicht abweichende Muster ergaben — die sich am schnellsten bewegende Gruppe von Fraktionen wich unverh?ltnism?ssig stark ab (Abb. 2) —musste die Eiweiss-Konzentration jeder Probe vor der Untersuchung bestimmt werden. Jede Auftrennung beanspruchte 5 Stunden; die totale Wanderungsstrecke nach dieser Zeit war immer ungef?hr dieselbe, und die Abst?ndezwischen den entsprechenden Fraktionen auf den verschiedenen Streifen war konstant (Abb. 4). Die Streifen wurden nach dem Trocknen bei Zimmertemperatur mit Amidoschwarz-10^B-L?sung gef?rbt und die überschüssige Farbe nach und nach mit Methanol-Essigs?ure und einer warmen, w?sserigen L?sung von Essigs?ure wieder herausgel?st. Für diesen Arbeitsvorgang benützte man rostfreie Stahlbeh?lter (Abb. 3). Nach der Entf?rbung des Hintergrundes wurde der so pr?parierte Streifen mit einem Zeiss Extinktions-Schreiber II ausgemessen. Nachdem man die Charakteristiken der Elektropherogramme festgestellt hatte, wurde der Einfluss ?usserer Bedingungen w?hrend des Pflanzenwachstums und m?gliche Variationen des Absorptionsmusters von einzelnen Knollen innerhalb einer Probe untersucht. Untersuchte ?ussere Einflüsse waren: die Bodenart (Tabelle 2), die Stickstoffdüngung (Tabelle 3), Umwelt, Knollengr?sse (Tabelle 4) und Reifegrad. Nur die zwei letztgenannten Faktoren bewirkten signifikante Unterschiede. Kleine Knollen (Abb. 7) und unreife Knollen (Abb. 6) zeigten die gleichen Abweichungen, d.h. die langsam wandernden Gruppen von Fraktionen ergaben kleinere “Peak”-H?hen im Vergleich mit grossen und reifen Knollen. Die Ergebnisse der statistischen Auswertung der elektrophoretischen Merkmale und zw?lf der wichtigsten Eigenschaften aller untersuchten Kartoffelsorten sind in Tabelle 5 aufgeführt. Bei fünf der zw?lf Eigenschaften wurde eine signifikante Korrelation festgestellt.

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Résumé Jusqu'à présent, la seule méthode pratique d'identification des variétés de Pomme de terre consistait dans l'examen des germes qui exigeait un long délai. Une méthode plus rapide est la séparation par électrophorèse des proté?nes solubles des tubercules. Les courbes d'électrophorèse de 59 variétés hollandaises paraissent être spécififiques (Tableau 1, Fig. 5). Les tubercules sont macérés et le jus séparé de la pulpe dans une centrifugeuse ménagère à jus (Rotel); l'amidon est éliminé par filtration. Tous les essais ont été exécutés avec un appareil d'électrophorèse sur papier “Elphor H”, selon la méthode modifiée deGrassmann etHannig (1952). La construction d'applicateurs magnétiques en verre (Fig. 1) simplifie l'application du jus sur les bandes de papier. Comme différentes quantités de jus donnent des aspects légèrement différents — le groupe des fractions se mouvant le plus rapidement varie d'une manière non-proportionnelle (Fig. 2) — la concentration en proté?ne de chaque échantillon doit être déterminée avant l'application. Chaque cycle dure 5 heures, temps pendant lequel la distance totale couverte est approximativement constant ainsi que celles comprises entre les groupes de fractions identiques sur différentes bandes (Fig. 4). Les bandes sont séchées à la température de la chambre et colorées avec une solution amidoblack 10^B et décolorées successivement dans methanol-acide acétique et une solution aqueuse schaude d'acide acétique. On utilise pour ce faire des récipients en acier inoxydable (Fig. 3). Quand le fond est décoloré la bande est exploréc avec un appareil Zeiss Extinction Recorder II qui reproduit la courbe d'électrophorèse. La spécificité des courbes d'électrophorèse ayant été établie, on a étudié l'effet sur celles-ci des conditions externes pendant la croissance de la récolte, de même que la possibilité de variations des courbes de tubercules individuels d'un échantillon. Les conditions externes étudiées étaient le type de sol (Tableau 2), la fumure azotée (Tableau 3), le milieu, la grosseur de tubercule (Tableau 4) et la maturité. Seuls les deux derniers facteurs mentionnés induisaient des différences significatives. Les petits tubercules (Fig. 7) et les tubercules non m?rs (Fig. 6) montraient les mêmes déviations, c'est-à-dire que les groupes de fractions se mouvant plus lentement avaient des sommets plus bas par rapport aux tubercules gros et m?rs respectivement. Le Tableau 5 donne les résultats de l'analyse statistique des caractéristiques électrophorétiques et douze des caractères les plus importants de toutes les variétés étudiées. Cinq des douze caractères montrent une corrélation significative.

     

Effect of the density on the growth and survival of the Caribbean scallops Argopecten nucleus and Nodipecten nodosus in suspended culture

Juveniles of the Caribbean scallops Argopecten nucleus and Nodipecten nodosus were suspended in pearl nets at densities of 25%, 30% and 50% coverage of the bottom of the net (BC) during days. Additionally, adults of A. nucleus (>35 mm) were placed in lantern nets at densities of 40%, 50% and 65% BC during days. Stocking density affected the growth of animals, with higher growth rates obtained at the lower densities. Although the survival of the two scallops was not influenced at the densities studied, the 15-day net changes, and culture in water of <28 °C produced better survival of A. nucleus and N. nodosus respectively. Predators of the families Cymatiidae, Grapsidae, Portunidae, Majidae and Xanthidae were found in the culture nets of juvenile A. nucleus , but during the adult phase they were absent. Predators exhibited a dense-independent behaviour in relation to scallops. There was not any association between predator frequency and survival of A. nucleus .     

Growth, herbivore distribution, and herbivore damage of timber trees in a tropical silvopastoral reforestation system

Context

The reforestation of degraded tropical pastures requires innovative tree planting systems that consider land user needs.

Aim

We established a silvopastoral reforestation system and assessed the effects of companion trees on the native timber tree Tabebuia rosea in Panama. Timber tree individuals were established in (1) solitary plantings (TSol) or in companion plantings with (2) Guazuma ulmifolia (TGua) or (3) the nitrogen-fixing Gliricidia sepium (TGli).

Methods

We quantified growth characteristics and herbivory of T. rosea, and analyzed leaf chemistry (including the stable isotopes ??¹⁵N and ??¹³C) and structure (leaf mass per area).

Results

Companion trees significantly affected stem diameter growth of T. rosea. Stem diameter growth was as high in TGli trees as in TSol trees but was reduced in TGua trees. Furthermore, TGua trees had higher leaf water content, and lower ??¹³C and lower leaf mass-to-area ratio than TGli trees, suggesting there were effects of shading by G. ulmifolia on T. rosea. Herbivory was high but not affected by planting regimes. Leafing phenology did not differ between planting regimes and G. sepium did not increase nitrogen content in T. rosea leaves.

Conclusion

Companion tree planting can support timber tree growth in silvopastoral reforestations, but adequate species selection is crucial for successful implementation of this planting system. Tree?Ctree interactions seem to be more relevant for timber tree growth than herbivory in the studied system.     

Effect of Barley β-Glucan in Durum Wheat Pasta on Human Glycemic Response

High-fiber, high-carbohydrate diets, including foods with low glycemic index, have been associated with prevention and treatment of diseases such as coronary heart disease and diabetes. β-glucan, a soluble, viscous polymer found in oat and barley endosperm cell wall, was incorporated into pasta test meals. Five fasted adult subjects were fed test meals of a barley and durum wheat blend pasta containing 100 g of available carbohydrate, 30 g of total dietary fiber (TDF) and 12 g of β-glucan, or an all durum wheat pasta containing the same amount of available carbohydrate, 5 g of TDF, and negligible β-glucan. The β-glucan and durum wheat pasta resulted in a lower glycemic response as measured by average total area and maximum increment of the blood glucose curves. Lower insulin response to the β-glucan and durum wheat pasta was also indicated by lower average area and increment characteristics of the insulin curves. Barley β-glucans may be an economical and palatable ingredient for processed food products formulated to modify glycemic and insulin response.     

Prediction of human cases of West Nile virus by equine cases, Saskatchewan, Canada, 2003

In 2003, an outbreak of West Nile virus (WNV) occurred in Saskatchewan, Canada from July to September. One-hundred thirty-three horse cases and 947 human cases were recorded and data were analyzed retrospectively for evidence of clustering to determine if clinical infection in the horse population could be used to estimate human risk of infection with WNV. Kulldorff's scan statistic was used to identify spatial-temporal clusters in both the human and horse cases. In most areas, human clusters were not preceded by horse clusters. In one area, a significant cluster of horse cases preceded human cases by 1 week; however, 1 week does not provide sufficient time for human-health authorities to act and provide advance warning for the public.     

Determinants of floodplain forest development illustrated by the example of the floodplain forest in the District of Leipzig

This paper discusses determinants of the historical and current spatial extent of the floodplain forest in Leipzig as well as its tree species composition using a GIS-data based delineation model and historical forest inventories for the floodplain forest in the district of Leipzig in Germany from the 19th to the 20th century. We found that the spatial extent of the floodplain forest remained considerably stable in spite of an overall decline in the entire floodplain area from the period where the city first experienced industrialisation in the 19th century to now. However, with river regulations and the alteration of forest management from coppice-with-standards forest to high forest in the 19th century, major changes can be found in the tree species composition of the floodplain forest. Comparing these findings with references from other European floodplain forests we discuss the impact of historical and current forest management as well as the city location's influence on the extent and tree species composition of urban floodplain forests. For urban forest management in particular there is a great need to integrate biophysical, historical and forestry knowledge when predicting future developmental trends.     

Genetic and environmental control of dormancy in white-grained wheat (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Triticum aestivum</Emphasis> L.)

Grain dormancy in wheat is an important component of resistance to preharvest sprouting and hence an important trait for wheat breeders. The significant influence of environment on the dormancy phenotype makes this trait an obvious target for marker-assisted-selection. Closely related breeding lines, SUN325B and QT7475, containing a major dormancy QTL derived from AUS1408 located on chromosome 4A, but substantially different in dormancy phenotype, were compared with a non-dormant cultivar, Hartog, in a range of controlled environments. As temperature increased, dormancy at harvest-ripeness decreased particularly for QT7475. The dormancy phenotypes of reciprocal F₁ grains involving all possible combinations of Hartog, QT7475 and SUN325B were also compared in two environments with different temperatures. The results were consistent with the presence of QTL in addition to 4A in SUN325B, compared with QT7475, at least one of which was associated with the seed coat. Genetic analysis of a doubled haploid population derived from SUN325B × QT7475 identified a highly significant QTL located on chromosome 3BL, close to the expected position of the mutant allele of the red seed coat colour gene in white-grained wheat, R-B1a. When the lines in the population were grouped according to the parental alleles at marker loci flanking the 3B QTL, the dormancy phenotype frequency distribution for the SUN325B group was shifted towards greater dormancy compared with the QT7475 group. However, significant variation for dormancy phenotype remained within each group. Lines representing the extremes of the range of phenotypes within each group maintained their relative ranking across seven environments consistent with the presence of another unidentified QTL contributing to dormancy in SUN325B.     

Complete Larval Development of the Fresh Water Prawn Macrobrachium vollenhovenii in Cameroon

The African River prawn Macrobrachium vollenhovenii is the largest of the local Palaemonidae prawns along the Cameroonian coast and an important target species for fisheries and aquaculture. A preliminary study on larviculture of this species was carried out at the IRAD-AQUASOL hatchery in Kribi, Cameroon. Berried females M. vollenhovenii were obtained from the Lobe and Lokoundje Rivers in the Southern Region, typical Lower Guinea rainforest streams. The larval rearing system consisted of a single recirculation system of four 65 L cylindrical plastic containers connected to a submerged biological filter container (65 L). Experiments were conducted three times in the same condition, with two batches of larvae reared separately in duplicate per experiment, at a density of 40/L, temperature 26°C, and salinity 16%. Larvae were fed from 1 day after hatching until metamorphosis to postlarvae (PL) with newly hatched Artemia nauplii, three times daily at the rate of 5 nauplii per mL water. The number of newly hatched larvae per female body weight unit was not affected by the female size and ranged between 531 to 1349 larvae g^?1. The six batches succeeded from hatching to metamorphosis, and the 11 distinct larval stages described for M. rosenbergii were found. Larvae in all the batches developed more or less at the same pace up to stage V. However, a clear difference in the timing of appearance of the developmental stages was observed between batches and individuals of the same batch during the subsequent stages. The transition from stage V to stage VI and from stage IX to stage X was longer than the passage to other stages and seems to be the critical rearing period of M. vollenhovenii. From day 20 onward to sampling, the larval stage index (LSI) showed that larval development of the batch 1 was significantly faster than for all other batches. The time for first appearance of postlarvae was variable between batches (41–74 days), and batch 1 larvae passed through metamorphosis within a shorter span of time (41 days). Survival up to postlarvae was variable among batches, ranging between 3%–9%, and was better in batch 1 (9.31 ± 1.09). The general poor performance in terms of survival and metamorphosis rates of larvae seems to be related to the wild condition of broodstock. To improve performance of larvae, domestication of stock may be necessary. This result is the first recorded success in larviculture of M. vollenhovenii in Cameroon.     

Nonregenerative immune‐mediated anemia associated with a diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma in a captive jaguar (Panthera onca)

An 18‐year‐old male castrated jaguar (Panthera onca) was presented with anorexia and continuous bleeding from the oral cavity after a history of fighting with the partner animal. Clinical evaluation revealed ulcerating lesions on the gingiva and hard palate and a hematoma on the tongue. Computed tomography of the head and endoscopic examination of the esophagus and stomach were unremarkable. Hematology and clinical chemistry revealed severe nonregenerative anemia, mild thrombocytopenia, and moderate azotemia. Several PCRs for feline hemotropic mycoplasmas (Mycoplasma haemofelis, M heamominutium, M turicensis), Babesia felis, and Bartonella spp., as well as an FeLV antigen test were negative. The cytologic examination of a bone marrow aspirate was consistent with ineffective erythropoiesis, most likely due to immune‐mediated destruction of the erythroid precursor cells. Prednisolone therapy was initiated (1.25 mg/kg/day), and the CBC returned to normal 16 days after the initiation of the therapy. Anemia relapsed after 4 months and severe splenomegaly was noted. A repeat bone marrow aspirate revealed active erythropoiesis in the presence of erythroid precursor phagocytosis suggesting an immune‐mediated process. Splenic fine‐needle aspiration and tissue biopsies were taken, and all findings including histology and immunohistochemistry were consistent with a diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Five days later, the clinical condition deteriorated and the jaguar died. Histopathology following necropsy showed infiltration with neoplastic lymphoblasts in the spleen, liver, and abdominal lymph nodes. This case report describes a nonregenerative immune‐mediated anemia associated with a DLBCL in a jaguar.