Molecular Variability of the Capsid Protein of the Prune Dwarf Virus

Sequences of the capsid protein gene and the preceding intergenic region of eleven isolates of prune dwarf virus from central Europe were determined. The isolates were obtained from plum, cherry and peach trees. Comparison of all sequenced isolates (including two sequences published previously) revealed high (88%) conservation of the capsid protein gene. The highest degree of identity was observed in the C-terminal half, where only 13 amino acid substitutions could be observed in contrast to the N-terminal half with 22 substitutions. No reasonable correlation between amino acid substitutions and host species and/or geographic origin of the isolates was observed. Alignment with capsid protein genes of other ilarviruses revealed apple mosaic virus, elm mottle virus, lilac ring mottle virus and prunus necrotic ringspot virus as the most related to prune dwarf virus. Unlike the isolates of related prunus necrotic ringspot virus all the isolates of prune dwarf virus shared extensive conservation of the intergenic region. Portions of RNA3 were selected for design of universal primers for PCR detection.     

Aluminosilicates at different levels in rye litter and feed affect the growth and meat quality of broiler chickens

Veterinary Research Communications - Litter sanitation treatments and feed supplements that stimulate bird growth. The aim of this study was to analyse the effects of zeolite (z) and halloysite (h)...     

Technological properties and fire performance of medium density fibreboard (MDF) treated with selected polyphosphate-based fire retardants

ABSTRACT

The objective of the work was to evaluate the efficacy of two new polyphosphate-based fire retardants (FRs) and one commercial product named Siriono^® on the fire performance and physical–mechanical properties of medium density fibreboard (MDF) fabricated in the laboratory from Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) wood. The fibres were treated with aqueous solutions of fire retardants, at 12% loading (dry salt on dry wood), and bonded with a melamine urea formaldehyde (MUF) adhesive. The physical and mechanical properties of panels were assessed using the European standards, whereas their fire performance was evaluated using an in-house method and the Cone calorimeter. In overall, the chemicals added enhanced the fire and smoke properties of the panels to varying degrees. Critical FR parameters such as peak heat release rate (peak HRR), total heat release (THR) and total smoke production (TSP) were significantly improved in the FR-treated panels, as exhibited in cone calorimeter tests. However, the internal bond strength of treated panels largely decreased by the addition of fire retardants, while thickness swell and water absorption negatively affected to a significant extent. In contrast, the formaldehyde release of the panels was considerably decreased at the E1 class level, with the incorporation of the polyphosphate-based additives.     

Root architecture might account for contrasting establishment success of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudotsuga menziesii</Emphasis> var. <Emphasis Type="Italic">menziesii</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pinus sylvestris</Emphasis> in Central Europe under dry conditions

Key message

Pinus sylvestris seedlings quickly expand their roots to deeper soil layers while Pseudotsuga menziesii concentrates its root system in the topsoil, thereby running the risk of desiccation during long dry spells, as indicated by lower survival after simulated summer drought.

Context

Pseudotsuga menziesii (Douglas-fir) is regarded as a promising species to maintain the productivity of Central European lowland forests given the projected increase of long dry spells.

Aims

Will the species be able to regenerate from seed and spread outside plantations in a drier temperate Europe?

Methods

We measured the relative growth rate, biomass allocation, root architecture, and phenotypic plasticity of Pseudotsuga menziesii seedlings sown in a common garden and grown under current precipitation and prolonged drought, respectively. The species’ competitive ability with respect to Pinus sylvestris L., the most drought-tolerant native conifer in Central Europe, was assessed during three growing seasons.

Results

Pinus sylvestris seedlings had higher relative growth rates than did Pseudotsuga menziesii seedlings, first in terms of aboveground biomass and later in terms of shoot height. This resulted in heavier and taller seedlings after three growing seasons under both moist and dry conditions. Shorter vertical roots corresponded with lower survival of Pseudotsuga menziesii seedlings under dry conditions.

Conclusion

Fast root proliferation allows Pinus sylvestris seedlings to reach deeper water pools that are less rapidly depleted during transient drought. By contrast, the shallow root system might put Pseudotsuga menziesii seedlings at the risk of desiccation during prolonged dry spells.

     

Effect of dietary Schizochytrium microalga oil and fish oil on plasma cholesterol level in rats

The purpose of the study was to test the hypothesis that the dietary oils with different content of n‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) + docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) affect plasma lipid level in rats in a different degree. The diets with 6% of fish oil (FO) and Schizochytrium microalga oil (SchO; EPA+DHA content in the diets 9.5 + 12.3 and 2.6 + 29.5% of the sum of total fatty acids, respectively) were used; the diet with 6% of safflower oil (high content of n‐6 PUFA linoleic acid, 65.5%; EPA+DHA content 0.7 + 0.9%) was used as a control. The difference between FO and SchO was established only in the case of plasma triacylglycerol (TAG) level: plasma TAG of the FO‐fed rats did not differ from the control rats (p > 0.05), while SchO decreased (p < 0.05) plasma TAG to 46% of the control. On the other hand, FO and SchO decreased (p < 0.05) total plasma cholesterol (TC) in rats in the same extent, to 73% of the control. Regarding the underlying mechanisms for the TC decrease, both SchO and FO up‐regulated hepatic Insig‐1 gene (181 and 133% of the control; p < 0.05), which tended (p = 0.15 and p = 0.19 respectively) to decrease the amount of hepatic nSREBP‐2 protein (61 and 66% of the control). However, neither SchO nor FO influenced hepatic 3‐hydroxy‐3‐methyl‐glutaryl‐CoA reductase gene expression (p > 0.05); SchO (but not FO) increased (p < 0.05) low‐density lipoprotein receptor mRNA in the liver. It was concluded that the decrease of total plasma cholesterol might be caused by an increased cholesterol uptake from plasma into the cells (in the case of SchO), but also by other (in the present study not tested) mechanisms.     

Multiresidue analysis of seven anticoagulant rodenticides by high-performance liquid chromatography/electrospray/mass spectrometry

Mice and rat populations are commonly controlled by two classes of rodenticide anticoagulants, coumarins and indandiones. However, poisoning of nontarget animals also often occurs. For cases such as these, a rapid, multiresidue method, which provides positive confirmation for both classes of anticoagulant rodenticides, is needed by diagnostic laboratories. A method was developed for the determination of seven anticoagulant rodenticides, coumafuryl, pindone, warfarin, diphacinone, chlorophacinone, bromadiolone, and brodifacoum, in diverse matrices, animal feed, cooked beef, and fruit-flavored beverages using high-performance liquid chromatography/electrospray/mass spectrometry. Detection was by MS/MS with electrospray ionization in negative mode. Confirmation was by retention time, m/z of molecular ion, and two parent-daughter transitions. Recoveries from selected the matrices ranged from 61 to 117%. Limits of quantitation were as low as 1.5-4.5 ng g-1. The developed method was rapid and provided the simultaneous confirmation and quantification of the seven anticoagulant rodenticides.     

Species mixing effect on Norway spruce response to elevated CO2 and climatic variables: root and radial growth response

A 7-year study was conducted to examine the growth (diameter and root) response of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) seedlings to elevated CO₂ (CO_2ELV, 770 μmol (CO₂) mol^?1) in different mixture types (monospecific (M): a Norway spruce seedling surrounded by six spruce seedlings, group-admixture (G): a spruce seedling surrounded by three spruce and three European beech seedlings, single-admixture (S): a spruce seedling surrounded by six beech seedlings). After seven years of treatments, no significant effect from elevated CO₂ was found on the root dry mass (p?=?0.90) and radial growth (p?=?0.98) of Norway spruce. Neither did we find a significant interaction between [CO₂]?×?mixing treatments (p?=?0.56), i.e. there was not a significant effect of CO₂ concentrations [CO₂] in all the admixture types. On the contrary, spruce responses to admixture treatments were significant under CO_2AMB (p?=?0.05), which demonstrated that spruce mainly increased its growth (diameter and root) in M and neighbouring with beech was not favourable for spruce seedlings. In particular, spruce growth diminished when growing beside high proportions/numbers of European beech (S). Here, we also evaluated the association between tree-ring formation and climatic variables (precipitation and air temperature) in different admixture types under elevated and ambient CO₂ (CO_2AMB, 385 μmol (CO₂) mol^?1). Overall, our result suggests that spruce responses to climate factors can be affected by tree species mixing and CO₂ concentrations, i.e. the interaction between climatic variables?×?admixture types?×?[CO₂] could alter the response of spruce to climatic variables.

     

Radiography,Computed Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Craniofacial Structures in Pig

The pig has recently become popular as a large animal experimental model in many fields of biomedical research. The aim of this study is to evaluate the basic anatomical structures in the head region of the pig to lay the groundwork for its practical clinical usage or pre‐clinical research in the future. We used three different diagnostic imaging methods: radiography, computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The analysis showed that radiographic imaging is suitable only for general evaluation of the facial area of the pig skull. CT images showed excellent spatial definition of bony structures of the whole craniofacial area, and MRI images revealed fine soft tissue details. Radiography is preferentially suited to general assessment of bone structures of the facial skeleton; however, the thick layer of adipose tissue in the craniofacial region of the pig makes the imaging of some parts difficult or even impossible. CT is useful for revealing morphological details of mineralized tissues, whereas MRI is more suitable for soft tissue analysis and the detection of subtle pathologic changes in both bone and soft tissues. Therefore, before using pigs as an experimental model in craniofacial research, it is necessary to evaluate the suitability and disadvantages of potential imaging methods and how appropriate they are for accurate visualization of desired structures.