Messages from Powdery Mildew DNA： How the Interplay with a Host Moulds Pathogen Genomes

The genomes of the barley, Arabidopsis and pea powdery mildew are significantly larger than those of related fungi. This is due to an extraordinary expansion of retro-trasposons that are evident as repetitive elements in the sequence. The protein coding genes are fewer than expected due to an overall reduction in the size of gene families, a reduction in the number of paralogs and because of the loss of certain metabolic pathways. Many of these changes have also been observed in the genomes of other taxonomically unrelated obligate biotrophic pathogens. The only group of genes that bucks the trend of gene loss, are those encoding small secreted proteins that bear the hall marks of effectors.     

Occurrence and characterisation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rhizoctonia</Emphasis> species causing diseases of ornamental plants in Italy

During surveys conducted in 2010–2012 Rhizoctonia symptoms were observed on 30 ornamental species in different nurseries located in eastern Sicily (Southern Italy). Eighty-eight isolates of Rhizoctonia spp. were obtained from symptomatic leaves, roots and stems. Fifty-six of the isolates were binucleate and 32 were multinucleate Rhizoctonia. Characterisation of anastomosis groups (AGs) was performed using morphological characteristics and sequence analysis of the internal transcribed spacer of ribosomal DNA ( rDNA-ITS) region. Most isolates collected were Rhizoctonia solani AG-4 HG-I (35.2% of all isolates) and one isolate was AG-2-2 IIIB. The binucleate isolates belonged to AG-R (27.3%), AG-A (21.6%), AG-G (12.5%), AG-V (1.1%) and AG-Fb (1.1%). The pathogenicity of 38 representative isolates collected from each host was tested on seedlings or cuttings grown in a growth chamber. All R. solani AG-4 HG-I isolates, most of the binucleate AG-R, AG-A and AG-G and AG-V were pathogenic and reproduced symptoms identical to that observed in nurseries, while binucleate AG-Fb and R. solani AG-2-2 IIIB isolates were nonpathogenic. This is the first report of the occurrence of Rhizoctonia species on some ornamental plants and the first report of binucleate Rhizoctonia AG-R and AG-V in Europe.     

Using the same fish with different rules: A science‐based approach for improving management of recreational fisheries in a biodiversity hotspot of the Western South Atlantic

In this study we tested the hypothesis that Centropomus parallelus Poey moves between areas where fishing tourism is important, but the management rules for recreational fisheries are different. Fieldwork was conducted from May 2014 to June 2017 in an estuary located in the border between the states of São Paulo and Paraná, South‐Southeastern Brazil. Through a mark and recapture experiment, 2.000 individuals were tagged, of which 42 were recaptured. Among these, six fish were recaptured in Paraná, after being tagged in São Paulo, and a fish was recaptured in São Paulo, after being tagged in Paraná. These results support the hypothesis tested and indicate an uneven use of C. parallelus by anglers in both states. Thus, the use of the species and the recreational fisheries regulations need to be reviewed in the study area, taking into account the ability of C. parallelus to move across political boundaries and the importance of a fish‐oriented fisheries management regime.     

Assessment of the origin of new citrus tetraploid hybrids (2<Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis> = 4x) by means of SSR markers and PCR based dosage effects

We report the accurate determination of the allelic configurations of a total of eight new citrus tetraploid hybrids by means of SSR analysis, coupled with capillary electrophoresis, and PCR based dosage effects. Tetraploid hybrids were spontaneously obtained from different interploid crosses (2x × 4x) between diploid ‘Femminello’ lemon and the allotetraploid somatic hybrid (2n = 4x = 36) ‘Key’ lime + ‘Valencia’ orange, and between diploid ‘Wilking’ and ‘Fortune’ mandarins and an autotetraploid ‘Dancy’ mandarin (2n = 4x = 36). To understand the opportunity to employ them in further backcross programs, the cytological mechanisms underlying their ploidy level were unambiguously determined using six SSR primers. PCR conditions were optimized and skewness in template/product ratios were verified. Tetraploid allelic configurations were determined from PCR based dosage effects using electropherogram peak heights to estimate the copy number per allele. In all the tetraploid hybrids we found out that diploginy (2n eggs) has occurred, contributing the extra haploid genome in the tetraploids. According to the marker genotypes, it was further inferred that the 2n eggs in ‘Femminello’ lemon resulted from first division restitution (FDR), while in ‘Wilking’ and ‘Fortune’ mandarins 2n eggs occurred in second division restitution (SDR). These new genotypes, with their improved genetic female background, can be therefore considered very valuable in our citrus genetic improvement program as pollen donors in backcrosses suitable to eliminate negative traits.     

Volatile Organic Compounds,Indole, and Biogenic Amines Assessment in Two Mediterranean Irciniidae (Porifera,Demospongiae)

Solid phase microextraction (SPME) coupled to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was employed for the headspace determination of the volatile organic fraction emitted by two of the most common Mediterranean demosponges, Ircinia variabilis and Sarcotragus spinosulus, and of indole and some biogenic amines released by sponges in an aqueous medium. A total of 50/30 µm divinylbenzene/carboxen/polydimethylsiloxane and 75 µm carboxen/polydimethylsiloxane fibers were used for the headspace extraction of low molecular weight sulfur compounds from a hermetically sealed vial containing sponge fragments, while the direct immersion determination of indole and biogenic amines was performed. The biogenic amines were extracted after in-solution derivatization with isobutyl chloroformate. All analytical parameters (linearity, limits of detection, and quantification, precision, and recovery) were evaluated for indole and biogenic amines. SPME-GC-MS proved to be a reliable means of highlighting the differences between molecules released by different sponges, principally responsible for their smell. The combined approaches allowed the identification of several volatile compounds in the headspace and other molecules released by the sponges in an aqueous medium, including indole and the BAs cadaverine, histamine, isobutylamine, isopentylamine, propylamine, 2-phenylethylamine, putrescine and tryptamine. The results obtained represent a further contribution to the picture of odoriferous molecules secreted by sponges.     

Clinical Nutrition in Gerontology: Chronic Renal Disorders of the Dog and Cat

The recent advances in the nutrition of companion animals has resulted in a longer possible life-span for dogs and cats and an improvement in their quality of life. Numerous studies about geriatric animals show that an aging dog or cat requires a specific nutritional formulation that considers the metabolic changes associated with age. A correct diet plays an important role in the treatment of some chronic pathologies in aging animals, particularly those for which the aging process modifies the organ function. A correct diet can provide therapeutic support to the administration of drugs that can sometimes compromise organ function. In the present study, we identify key aspects of the clinical nutrition during chronic renal disorders of dogs and cats, diseases with an elevated incidence and a major cause of mortality in geriatric animals. The aim of nutritional treatment for dogs and cats affected by chronic renal disorders is to improve the quality and length of life, assuring an adequate amount of energy and slowing the progression of renal failure. To improve treatment efficacy it is necessary to prepare different dietary rations during the various stages of disease, on the basis of clinical signs and laboratory data.

     

Impact of Past Mining Activity on the Quality of Water and Soil in the High Moulouya Valley (Morocco)

Physical and chemical properties and the total content of potentially toxic metals (PTMs) in waters and soils were studied from the High Moulouya Valley (Morocco) in order to assess the impact of the past mining activity on their quality and to lay the foundations of a potential reclamation of the area. Surface water and groundwater samples were collected from the Moulouya River and mine pit lakes; tailings and soils were sampled inside and outside the mine sites of Zeïda, Mibladen, and Aouli. Both waters and soils were alkaline, due to the limestone environment, and contained Pb and Zn as main metallic contaminants. Pollution levels were highest within the Mibladen mining site, and soil pollution was mainly restricted to the areas where activities of metal concentration were carried out. Tailings and soils from these areas besides Pb and Zn were also polluted by As, Cd, and Cu showing clay fraction highly enriched in metal contaminants. At the time of study, all soils and wastes (including the highly polluted tailings) were in advanced stage of spontaneous herbaceous and arbustive revegetation. It is concluded that, in the High Moulouya Valley, the processes governing PTM transfer from the element-rich sites to the nearby environment are strongly influenced by pH, carbonate content, and semi-arid climate reducing metal mobility from the mining waste impoundments by dissolution. The transfer by wind and water erosion of metal-enriched fine waste particles is likely to be a much more important vector for metal dispersion. In this perspective, among a range of land remediation techniques available, natural and oriented revegetation could represent a low-cost and possible permanent solution.