Simultaneous selection for yield-related traits and susceptibility to Fusarium head blight in spring wheat RIL population

Fusarium head blight (FHB), caused by the fungal plant pathogen Fusarium, is a fungal disease that occurs in wheat and can cause significant yield and grain quality losses. The present paper examines variation in the resistance of spring wheat lines derived from a cross between Zebra and Saar cultivars. Experiments covering 198 lines and parental cultivars were conducted in three years, in which inoculation with Fusarium culmorum was applied. Resistance levels were estimated by scoring disease symptoms on kernels. In spite of a similar reaction of parents to F. culmorum infection, significant differentiation between lines was found in all the analyzed traits. Seven molecular markers selected as linked to FHB resistance QTLs gave polymorphic products for Zebra and Saar: Xgwm566, Xgwm46, Xgwm389, Xgwm533, Xgwm156, Xwmc238, and Xgwm341. Markers Xgwm389 and Xgwm533 were associated with the rate of Fusarium-damaged kernels (FDK) as well as with kernel weight per spike and thousand kernel weight in control plants. Zebra allele of marker Xwmc238 increased kernel weight per spike and thousand kernel weight both in control and infected plants, whereas Zebra allele of marker Xgwm566 reduced the percentage of FDK and simultaneously reduced the thousand kernel weight in control and infected plants.     

Phagocytic and oxidative burst activity of phagocytic cells in peripheral blood and uterine washings in cows with clinical endometritis before and after intrauterine use of cephapirin and methisoprinol

The aim of the study was to evaluate phagocytic and killing activity of phagocytic cells in blood and uterine flush of cows with endometritis before and after intrauterine (i.u.) administration of cephapirin and methisoprinol. The research was carried out on 28 cows with clinical endometritis. Animals were divided into four groups, each composed of seven cows, depending on the i.u. treatment used: Group A—cephapirin; Group B—methisoprinol; Group C—cephapirin and methisoprinol at the same time; and a control group—without medication. Using flow cytometry technique, the phagocytic activity of granulocytes and monocytes was identified, as well as the oxidative burst activity of neutrophils in the peripheral blood and uterine washings. Summarizing the results of the research, i.u. infusion of cephapirin caused a reduction in the phagocytic and killing activity of phagocytes. The i.u. use of methisoprinol increased phagocytic and killing activity of phagocytes in the uterus. Administering both listed substances simultaneously showed a decrease in phagocytosis, presumably due to the dominating inhibitor effect of the antibiotic. However, also an increase of mean fluorescence intensity was observed, presumably caused by the methisoprinol. Intrauterine use of immunostimulatory substances, can improve the effectiveness of the treatment of endometritis in cows.     

Patterns of geographic variation between mitochondrial and nuclear markers in Heaviside's (Benguela) dolphins (Cephalorhynchus heavisidii)

The Heaviside's (or Benguela) dolphin (Cephalorhynchus heavisidii) is endemic to the west coast of southern Africa. The present study investigated the population genetic structure across a large portion of the species distribution using mitochondrial control region and nuclear (microsatellite) markers. A total of 395 biopsy skin samples were analyzed; they were collected from free‐ranging Heaviside's dolphins in 7 locations along 1650 km of coast between Table Bay, South Africa and Walvis Bay, Namibia. Both genetic markers rejected the hypothesis of 1 homogenous population but revealed contrasting results in the genetic structuring of putative populations. Mitochondrial DNA suggested either 2 populations or a fine‐scale division with 6 (sub) populations, while microsatellite markers were indicative of 2 widespread populations with measurable gene flow between them. Neutrality tests and mismatch distribution of the mitochondrial sequences indicated a departure from mutation–drift equilibrium due to a population expansion at the 2 extremes of the geographic range, but not towards the middle of the distribution. These results highlight the importance of evaluating multiple genetic markers to gain reliable insights into population processes and structure.     

The First Attempt to Artificially Reproduce the Endangered Cyprinid Lake Minnow Eupallasella Perenurus (Pallas)

The standard artificial reproduction technique with the use of Ovopel (GnRH analogue) was evaluated for the critically endangered cyprinid species in Poland, the lake minnow Eupallasella perenurus. Wild spawners were angled at the beginning of the spawning season. Only females with a condition coefficient value higher than the mean were included in the experiment and then stimulated with Ovopel. Group A (n = 20) was given standard treatment (0.2 pellet kg^–1 and 1.0 pellet kg^–1 after 12 h), whereas group B (n = 8) was treated with a single dose of 2.0 pellets kg^–1. After fertilisation with the dry method, the glutinous eggs attached to the bottom of flow-through aquaria were incubated at 17.1–18.4°C. Throughout incubation (85D°), dead eggs were removed and counted. The same was done with dead larvae, those with deformed bodies or those with empty alimentary tracts after 2 days of external feeding. Two injections of Ovopel resulted in a significantly (P 0.05) higher ovulation rate in comparison with the single dose (70 and 25% in groups A and B, respectively). The individual hatching rates were very high (98.4–100%), as was the share of good quality larvae (91.1 and 96.5% of stripped eggs in groups A and B, respectively). These results indicate that the standard propagation method used with commercially important cyprinid species can also be used to successfully breed E. perenurus.     

Structural and compositional dynamics of strictly protected woodland communities with silvicultural implications,using Białowieża Forest as an example

? Key message

Long-term strict protection of woodland communities may lead to their compositional simplification and homogenisation.

? Context

In the past, it has often been postulated that structures and processes typical for natural forests should be mimicked by silvicultural activities in the case of managed tree stands.

? Aims

To determine which features and traits of natural woodland communities (alongside typical old-growth attributes) should be imitated in managed forests, as well as which should not (and for what reasons).

? Methods

Tree data from five permanent study plots (of a total area of 15.44 ha) established in 1936 in the core area of the Bia?owie?a National Park (NE Poland) are used to calculate several quantitative indices describing the temporal dynamics (in terms of stand structure and composition) of eight major woodland community types.

? Results

Most structural attributes revealed rather high stability over time. In contrast to these, during the observation period, noticeable changes in the composition of particular Bia?owie?a woodland communities have been taking place, related to declining occurrence and reduced roles characteristic for a large number of tree species.

? Conclusion

In many ways, natural forests can serve as an important model for managed forest stands. However, in certain circumstances, silvicultural treatments counteracting natural developmental trends may appear to be indispensable, especially when more diverse and stable tree species composition (at a given spatial and temporal scale) is indicated or desirable.

     

The presence and expression of the HIF-1α in the respiratory intestine of the bronze Corydoras <Emphasis Type="Italic">Corydoras aeneus</Emphasis> (Callichthyidae Teleostei)

Bronze corydoras (Corydoras aeneus) is a small diurnal activity fish from South America. Under hypoxia conditions, it uses the posterior part of the intestine as an accessory respiratory organ. The present PCR studies demonstrated higher expression of HIF-1α (hypoxia-inducible factor) gene in the respiratory than that in digestive part of bronze corydoras intestine. Further, immunolocalization studies using antibodies specific to HIF-1α and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed the presence of HIF-1α epitopes in the intestine of Corydoras aeneus. In the respiratory intestine, the numerous clusters of gold particles visualizing HIF-1α antibody were observed within fibroblasts, whereas in the digestive tract of this species, single gold grains in the epithelial cells were noted. On the other hand, the presence of HIF-1α and the cytoplasmic domain of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in the respiratory intestine of bronze corydoras assumes their interactions in the system where these factors appeared for the first time. The non-obligatory air-breathing fishes using their digestive tract as an accessory respiratory organ during hypoxia conditions are very interesting for the studies of the processes that control HIF-1α expression and squamous cell proliferation.     

Evaluation of an inactivated Neospora caninum vaccine in beef feedlot steers

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate effects of vaccination of feedlot steers against bovine neosporosis on weight gain, feed intake and efficiency (feed intake per gain), and carcass characteristics. DESIGN: Longitudinal observational study. ANIMALS: 60 weaned Brangus steers seronegative for Neospora caninum. PROCEDURE: Steers were assigned to age-matched control and treatment groups. Steers in the treatment group received N. caninum vaccine on days 79 and 106, while control steers received 2 placebo injections. For each steer, serologic status for N. caninum was determined on days 0 (weaning), 51, 79, 106, 135, 163, 191, 219, and 247 by use of an ELISA; body weight was determined on the same days and at slaughter (day 259). Daily feed intake per steer was measured from days 79 to 259. RESULTS: Seroconversion occurred in 23 of 30 (76.7%) steers in the vaccinated group. Immediately after vaccination, average daily gain, average daily feed intake, and feed efficiency were significantly greater in the treatment group than in the control group, but these differences did not persist. No differences between groups were found in regard to live weight at slaughter, hot carcass weight, dressing percentage, or quality grade; however, steers in the vaccinated group had significantly lower yield grades than did control steers. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: In feedlot steers, use of this vaccine against N. caninum was safe and did not affect overall feedlot performance or meat quality; effects on yield grade require further evaluation.