How climate change might affect tree regeneration following fire at northern latitudes: a review

New Forests - Climate change is projected to increase fire severity and frequency in the boreal forest, but it could also directly affect post-fire recruitment processes by impacting seed...     

Reservoir entrapment and dam passage mortality of juvenile Chinook salmon in the Middle Fork Willamette River

Abstract – High‐head dams in Oregon’s Willamette River basin inhibit seaward migration and present significant mortality risks to ESA‐listed juvenile Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha). Over 7 years, we passively collected 13,365 downstream‐migrating juvenile salmon in rivers above and below Willamette dams. Most salmon emigrated from upstream sites in February–June, but passed dams in November–February when reservoirs were drawn down near annual lows, and access to deep‐water passage routes improved. Samples collected above reservoirs were dominated by subyearlings, whereas below‐dam samples were a phenotypically diverse mix of subyearling, yearling and older salmon. The life history data indicated that Willamette reservoirs seasonally entrap many salmon and some sea‐ready smolts probably residualise. Annual dam‐passage mortality estimates were 8–59% (mean = 26%). Individual salmon mortality risk increased significantly with body length and varied with reservoir elevation and discharge. Operational changes that allow timely volitional emigration and development of less hazardous passage routes would benefit this threatened population.     

Matrix metalloproteinase activity in stifle synovial fluid of cranial cruciate ligament deficient dogs and effect of postoperative doxycycline treatment

This prospective clinical study investigated the activity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in stifle synovial fluid (SF) of 13 dogs with acute cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) rupture, and the effect of a postoperative doxycycline treatment. MMP-2, 3, 9 and 13 activities were compared with respect to the time of sampling (preoperatively or 1 month after surgical stabilisation) and the type of postoperative adjuvant treatment (doxycycline or not). No significant activity was detected for both MMP-3 and MMP-13. MMP-2 and MMP-9 activities were found to be significantly highly increased in SF of CCL ruptured stifles compared to control stifles of unaffected dogs. No significant effect from surgical stabilisation and postoperative doxycycline treatment on MMP-2 and MMP-9 activities was found, indicating that doxycycline may not be an appropriate postoperative medical treatment after CCL rupture.     

Ultrasonographic and laboratory screening in clinically normal mature golden retriever dogs

Wellness and pre-anesthetic screening of blood and urine of geriatric companion animals are routinely recommended. In addition, there are occasional references to the use of imaging in clinically normal geriatric patients. However, the utility of wellness testing is not known, and there is limited information regarding the value of pre-anesthetic testing. Wellness testing, including complete blood cell count, biochemical profile, urinalysis, and abdominal ultrasound, was performed on 53 clinically normal, mature golden retriever dogs. Laboratory analysis revealed abnormalities in 54.7% (29/53) of the dogs. Abdominal ultrasound screening demonstrated abnormalities in 64.2% (34/53) of the dogs. As only a small number of dogs had follow-up diagnostic testing available, the significance of these abnormalities is unknown. Further study involving a larger cohort of animals and analysis of follow-up data is necessary to determine the utility of laboratory and imaging studies in clinically normal geriatric patients.     

Éléments de biologie chez Nacobbus aberrans (Thorne, 1935) Thorne & Allen, 1944 (Nematoda: Pratylenchidae): 1 – Capacités de quiescence et de diapause

Nacobbus aberrans est un nématode phytoparasite réglementé dans l'Union Européenne. Les risques d'introduction restent limités de par les réglementations mises en place. Toutefois, l'intensification actuelle des échanges commerciaux implique une meilleure connaissance de ses capacités à surmonter les conditions adverses auxquelles il peut être exposé lors d'importation de matériel végétal. La présente étude s'est attachée àétudier la capacité des stades précoces, œuf et J2, de N. aberrans à suspendre leur développement. L'étude de l'éclosion de masses d'œufs de deux populations sud-américaines de N. aberrans met en évidence l'existence d'une diapause embryonnaire, se traduisant par la persistance d'œufs non développés et de juvéniles non éclos dans une masse d'œufs, malgré des conditions favorables de développement. Cette même étude souligne l'existence d'une relation linéaire entre le nombre d'individus éclos et le nombre total d'individus dans une masse d'œufs, avec un pourcentage moyen d'éclosion d'une masse d'œufs variant de 85 à 90%. L'étude des deuxièmes stades juvéniles en conditions de dessiccation montre que ce stade est capable de surmonter cette condition extrême, en conservant ses capacités de parasitisme sur tomate en conditions in vitro . Ces résultats sur les dormances chez N. aberrans soulignent le risque accru d'établissement de ce nématode en cas d'introduction à des stades difficilement décelables, mais capables de parasitisme.     

Disposition and metabolism of the novel macrolide antibiotic CP-163505 in cattle

The plasma pharmacokinetics, lung tissue to plasma concentration ratios, and depletion profiles in edible tissue (liver, muscle, kidney, fat and injection site) for a single subcutaneous dose of a novel macrolide antibiotic, CP-163505 (20-[3-dimethylaminopropyl(L-alanyl)amino]-20-deoxo-repromicin), were investigated in crossbred beef cattle. Mean peak plasma concentration of 2.5 ± 0.4 μg/mL, occurring at 0.5 h, was found for CP-163505 following a 5 mg/kg dose ( n  = 5). The pharmacokinetic profile consisted of a distribution phase, followed by an extended terminal elimination phase (t_1/2 of 19 h). The disposition of CP-163505 was characterized by distribution from the plasma into the tissue resulting in lung to plasma ratios of 103 and 87 at 72 h following a single 5 or 10 mg/kg dose, respectively. The depletion of CP-163505 from edible tissues was determined following administration of tritiated CP-163505 at a dose of 10 mg/kg. On day 42, the liver contained the highest mean concentration of total tritium residues, 5.9 ± 3.4 μg/g. CP-163505 was determined to be a significant component of the total residues in liver with 72% on day 3 and 50% on day 42. Three metabolites of CP-163505 were identified by liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) in liver samples: loss of alanine, formation of an hydroxyl derivative, and sulfate addition to the lactone ring.     

Scale-dependent determinants of heterogeneity in fire frequency in a coniferous boreal forest of eastern Canada

Despite the recognized importance of fire in North American boreal forests, the relative importance of stochastic and determinist portions of intra-regional spatial variability in fire frequency is still poorly understood. The first objective of this study is to identify sources of spatial variability in fire frequency in a landscape of eastern Quebec’s coniferous boreal forest. Broad-scale environmental factors considered included latitude, longitude, human activities and belonging to a given bioclimatic domain, whereas fine-scale factors included slope, position on the slope, aspect, elevation, surficial deposit and drainage. The average distance to waterbodies was also considered as a potential intermediate-scale source of variability in fire frequency. In order to assess these environmental factors’ potential influence, they were incorporated into a proportional hazard model, a semi-parametric form of survival analysis. We also used a digital elevation model in order to evaluate the dominant aspect within neighborhoods of varying sizes and successively incorporated these covariates into the proportional hazard model. We found that longitude significantly affects fire frequency, suggesting a maritime influence on fire frequency in this coastal landscape. We also found that position on the slope was related to fire frequency since hilltops and upperslopes were subject to a lower fire frequency. Dominant aspect was also related to fire frequency, but only when characterized within a neighborhood delimited by 4,000 to 10,000-m radii (5,027–31,416 ha). A 2–6-fold variation in fire frequency can be induced by geographic and topographic contexts, suggesting a substantial intra-regional heterogeneity in disturbance regime with potential consequences on forest dynamics and biodiversity patterns. Implications for forest management are also briefly discussed. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi: ) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

A survey investigating the current practice of French health professionals regarding infection risk after monkey bites

International tourism is steadily increasing, with 15% of travellers reporting health problems when they come back. Animal bites represent 2% of consulting causes, of which 20% are due to monkey bites. The Monkey B virus (Macacine alphaherpesvirus 1) is an alphaherpesvirus (Herpesviridae, genus Simplexvirus) enzootic in macaques (Genus Macaca). Zoonotic infections with the Monkey B virus following exposure to macaques are exceptionally rare, but can cause fatal encephalomyelitis in humans. An observational survey was undertaken in 2018 to assess the practice of French health professionals regarding infection risk after monkey bites. French health professionals practicing in vaccination and rabies centres were specifically targeted for this study. Standardized questionnaires were sent by email to a sample of French health professionals. They were asked to participate on a voluntary and anonymous basis. The questionnaires requested epidemiological details and included multiple‐choice questions about the infection management of monkey bites. The response rate was 33.5%. The frequency of monkey bites in 2017 was variable with a minority of centres managing more than 6 per year (12%), 46% managing 1–5 monkey bites and 42% none. Most of the monkey bites were described as occurring in South Asia at tourist sites, on naked upper limbs, shortly after the travellers arrived at their destination. Tetanus status verification, rabies post‐exposure prophylaxis and antibiotic therapy were said to be prescribed in most cases. Knowledge about the Monkey B virus was reported as scarce for 38% of the participants. The number of monkey bites managed per year per centre varied greatly but practices regarding infectious risk after monkey bites were generally homogeneous. The risk of Monkey B virus transmission did not readily come to mind in the differential diagnosis of infection risk for many French health professionals.     

Rhizosphere effects of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Populus euramericana</Emphasis> Dorskamp on the mobility of Zn,Pb and Cd in contaminated technosols

Purpose

This study aimed at investigating the rhizosphere effects of Populus euramericana Dorskamp on the mobility of Zn, Pb and Cd in contaminated technosols from a former smelting site.

Materials and methods

A rhizobox experiment was conducted with poplars, where the plant stem cuttings were grown in contaminated technosols for 2 months under glasshouse conditions. After plant growth, rhizosphere and bulk soil pore water (SPW) were sampled together. SPW properties such as pH, dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and total dissolved concentrations of Zn, Pb and Cd were determined. The concentrations of Zn, Pb and Cd in plant organs were also determined.

Results and discussion

Rhizosphere SPW pH increased for all studied soils by 0.3 to 0.6 units compared to bulk soils. A significant increase was also observed for DOC concentrations regardless of the soil type or total metal concentrations, which might be attributed to the plant root activity. For all studied soils, the rhizosphere SPW metal concentrations decreased significantly after plant growth compared to bulk soils which might be attributed to the increase in pH and effects of root exudates. Zn, Pb and Cd accumulated in plant organs and the higher metal concentrations were found in plant roots compared to plant shoots.

Conclusions

The restricted transfer of the studied metals to the plant shoots confirms the potential role of this species in the immobilization of these metals. Thus, P. euramericana Dorskamp can be used for phytostabilization of technosols.