Global analysis of Coffea canephora Pierre ex Froehner (Rubiaceae) from the Guineo-Congolese region reveals impacts from climatic refuges and migration effects

As the second species used for commercial coffee, evaluation of Coffea canephora Pierre ex Froehner population genetics is a challenging task for coffee breeding. This study examined the pattern of genetic variability and genetic relationships of cultivated and wild populations of C. canephora sampled across the Guineo-Congolese region of Africa and some improved populations maintained in field genebanks. A total of 293 individuals, sampled from 17 populations, were genotyped with 39 nuclear microsatellite markers. Genetic diversity and structure were investigated with both a model-based and a graphical approach; isolation by distance was also tested. Relationships between the diversity clusters are discussed with regard to differentiation due to several glacial refuges during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). High genetic diversity within C. canephora is confirmed with a mean number of alleles of 11.85 per marker, a mean gene diversity of 0.72 and a mean observed heterozygosity of 0.36. An overall structure of two main groups (Guinean and Congolese) subdivided in six subgroups (2 for the Guinean and 4 for the Congolese) was found, including one described for the first time in the Guinean group. A fine structure within the Guinean group was also newly detected. Genetic structure of C. canephora appears to be consistent with its geographic repartition at the continent scale. Structure of diversity was found in accordance with localizations of refuge zones during LGM and migration from this period. Results from this genetic structure study raise our capabilities to better manage and use the collections of genetics resources for breeding purposes. Those results will be used in future association studies to optimize the number of genotypes to be phenotyped.     

In Winter Wheat (Triticum Aestivum L.), No-Till Improves Photosynthetic Nitrogen and Water-Use Efficiency

Journal of Crop Science and Biotechnology - To evaluate the combined effect of different agricultural practices on photosynthetic nitrogen and water-use efficiency, winter wheat was grown in the...     

Effects of chronic GRF treatment on lambs having low or normal birth weight

The effects of a long term treatment with human GRF(1–29)NH2 on plasma growth hormone (GH), somatomedin C (Sm-C), histomorphometric parameters of bone growth and body composition were investigated in normal and low birthweight male lambs. The animals were divided into two groups according to their birthweight: 24 normal birthweight (NBW) lambs weighing more than 4 kg and 22 low birthweight (LBW) lambs weighing less than 2.5 kg at birth. Half of the animals in each group received two daily subcutaneous injections (8 μg/kg body weight) of hGRF(1–29)NH2 (GRF) from birth to slaughter at 45 or 90 days of age. The other animals received the solvant only. At the beginning and at the end of the treatment, plasma GH and serum Sm-C concentrations were measured in all groups. After slaughter, a histomorphometric study was performed on undecalcified sections of metacarpal growth plates, and the remaining of the carcass was pulverized to study the chemical body composition.

GRF induced GH release in both GRF-treated groups. However, plasma GH reached higher (P<.001) concentrations and the GRF-induced GH peak lasted longer in LBW than in NBW lambs. At day 45, the GRF treatment increased (P<.05) serum Sm-C concentrations in LBW. Most of histomorphometric parameters reflecting the metacarpal growth in length, were not statistically modified under GRF treatment. However, the size of degenerative cells was smaller (P<.05) in LBW treated lambs as compared to controls. Consequently, the cell production in the growth plate was increased (P<.05) under GRF treatment. In both NBW and LBW groups at 45 days of treatment, GRF treatment reduced the amounts of lipids (P<.025) and energy (P<.05), while increased (P<.01) phosphorus deposition in the body. In contrast, there was no effect of GRF treatment on protein content.

We conclude from this experiment that the induction of GH secretion by a chronic treatment with GRF is able to modify some patterns of growth. However, most of the effects of GRF were observed in LBW lambs and after 45 days of treatment only. This suggests that treatment with GRF may serve to compensate for growth in growth-retarded animals. Further studies with different mode of GRF administration should indicate whether it is as much effective in normal animals.     

CHLAMYDIA AVIUM DETECTION FROM A RING-NECKED PARAKEET (PSITTACULA KRAMERI) IN FRANCE

The crossing of host species barriers, through the spreading populations of introduced pet animals that become established in the wild, sets the stage for zoonotic pathogen (re)emergence. A literature review on pathogens that are hosted by the ring-necked parakeet (Psittacula krameri), a worldwide introduced pet, highlighted local infections of captive birds by chlamydial agents with high sanitary risk for human health in its introduced range. We searched for these pathogens through cloacal swabs collected from 85 individuals in an invasive population established in the suburban areas of Paris (Ile-de-France) from 5 localities during the winter seasons between 2011 and 2014. Based on quantitative PCR analysis, Chlamydiaceae shedding was detected at too low levels for species identification in 5 birds, but 1 parakeet (found dead) was positive for Chlamydiaceae typed as Chlamydia avium. The only known hosts recorded for C. avium in Europe are feral pigeons (Columba livia) and captive psittacines. This result raises the question of the sanitary risks associated with new pathogen transmission from exotic pets released in the wild, which could locally affect birds and potentially people who feed birds.     

Development of an oat-based biorefinery for the production of L(+)-lactic acid by Rhizopus oryzae and various value-added coproducts

A novel oat-based biorefinery producing L(+)-lactic acid and various value-added coproducts (e.g., beta-glucan, anti-irritant solution) is proposed. Pearling is employed for sequential separation of bran-rich fractions for the extraction of value-added coproducts. Lactic acid production is achieved via fungal fermentation of Rhizopus oryzae on pearled oat flour. Maximum lactic acid concentration (51.7 g/L) and starch conversion yield (0.68 g/g) were achieved when an oat flour concentration of 116.5 g/L was used. Oxygen transfer played a significant role with respect to lactic acid production and starch conversion yield. Rhizopus oryzae produced a range of enzymes (glucoamylase, protease, phosphatase) for the hydrolysis of cereal flour macromolecules. Enzyme production during fungal fermentation has been reported. The proposed biorefining strategy could lead to significant operating cost reduction as compared to current industrial practices for lactic acid production from pure glucose achieved by bacterial fermentations.     

Sugar fragmentation in the maillard reaction cascade: formation of short-chain carboxylic acids by a new oxidative alpha-dicarbonyl cleavage pathway

The formation of short-chain carboxylic acids was studied in Maillard model systems (90 degrees C, pH 6-10) with emphasis on the role of oxygen and water. The total amount of acetic acid formed did not depend on the reaction atmosphere. In the presence of labeled dioxygen or water (18O2, H2 17O), labeled oxygen was partially incorporated into acetic acid. Thermal treatment of 1-deoxy-d-erythro-2,3-hexodiulose (1) and 3-deoxy-d-erythro-hexos-2-ulose in the presence of 17O-enriched water under alkaline conditions led to acetic and formic acid, respectively, as indicated by 17O NMR spectroscopy. The suggested mechanism involves an oxidative alpha-dicarbonyl cleavage leading to an intermediary mixed acid anhydride that releases the acids, e.g., acetic and erythronic acid, from 1. Similarly, glyceric and lactic acids were formed from 1-deoxy-3,4-hexodiuloses, corroborated by complementary analytical techniques. This paper provides for the first time evidence for the direct formation of acids from C6-alpha-dicarbonyls by an oxidative mechanism and incorporation of a 17OH group into the carboxylic moiety. The experimental data obtained support the coexistence of at least two newly described reaction mechanisms leading to carboxylic acids, i.e., (i) a hydrolytic beta-dicarbonyl cleavage as a major pathway and (ii) an alternative minor pathway via oxidative alpha-dicarbonyl cleavage induced by oxidizing species.     

Short‐time clay‐mineral evolution in a soil chronosequence in Oléron Island (France)

Major weathering sequences in soils are well established; however, knowledge on rates of mineral transformations remains unknown, because it is often difficult to date precisely soil processes. This work was carried out on soils developed on recent (< 188 y) sand dunes on the W coast of Oléron Island (France). The coast has been protected against marine and wind erosion by constructing five consecutives barriers close to the coastline since 1820 (1820, 1864, 1876, 1889, 1948) defining the maximum age of the soil parent material, as before the areas between the barriers were under water. Soils on the older dunes have low clay content (> 94% of sand) and exhibit a bleached E horizon that overlies a yellowish brown B horizon. The process responsible for their formation is podzolization promoted by the high permeability of the material and complexing organic matter produced by coniferous vegetation. Initial mineralogy of C horizons is homogenous and constituted of chlorite, illite, illite/smectite mixed‐layer minerals, and kaolinite, quartz, calcite (≈ 8% related to shell fragments), and feldspars. The initial clay‐mineral assemblage of the E horizons is dominated by illite (well‐crystallized WCI and poorly crystallized PCI) and chlorite. With progressive podzolization, poorly crystallized illite is first transformed to illite/smectite mixed‐layer minerals and in a further step into smectite. In addition, transformation of well‐crystallized illite leads to formation of ordered illite/smectite mixed‐layer minerals in the E horizons, which is not commonly described in soils. In the B horizons, illite/smectite mixed‐layer minerals are present with traces of smectite, as well as Al and Fe oxi‐hydroxides as revealed by DCB and oxalate chemical extractions. This chronosequence illustrates that over short distances and short time (< 188 y) intense mineral weathering and soil development occur. Major clay‐mineral changes occur between 132 and 188 y in agreement with development of the pine forest producing acidic litter.     

Sexual dimorphism in limb long bones of the German Shepherd Dog

The study of sexual dimorphism in dog anatomy, especially with regard to skeletal elements, has received little attention. The present work focuses on elements of the canine stylo- and zeugopodium, less documented than the skull or pelvis in the literature. In order to identify only sex-dependent effects, we analysed a single breed: the German Shepherd Dog. Data come from 25 dogs, with a balanced sex ratio (12 males and 13 females). Four skeletal elements of the forelimb and hindlimb (humerus, radius, femur, tibia) were each measured using seven linear morphometric variables. Univariate and multivariate analyses were then performed on these 28 variables. For all measurements, males are on average larger than females, with a mean sexual dimorphism ratio of 1.07. Sexual dimorphism is significant for 92.8% of the variables. Except of femoral measurements, diaphyseal values show the highest grade of sexual dimorphism. The mean level of disparity is higher in the forelimb (1.08) than in the hindlimb (1.05). A significant dimorphism is shown for the first component of principal component analyses conducted on each skeletal element, and for the second component with humerus measurements. Discriminant functions for sex identification give success rates included between 82% for the radius and 93% for the femur, the latter providing the highest reported score for sex identification in dogs from any skeletal element. These complementary statistic methods highlight a more dimorphic forelimb in size and a more dimorphic hindlimb in shape.