Linking herbivore monitoring with interpolation to map regional risk of pest species

Journal of Pest Science - Long-term monitoring networks that generate data on pest abundance are the foundation of integrated pest management. Monitoring can estimate local risk from pests and...     

Cytotoxic Effects of Loperamide Hydrochloride on Canine Cancer Cells

Loperamide is a peripheral opiate agonist that can cause apoptosis and G2/M arrest in human cancer cell lines and may sensitize cells to chemotherapy. The objectives of this study were to investigate the effects of loperamide on viability, apoptosis and cell cycle kinetics in canine cancer cells and to establish whether the drug sensitizes cells to doxorubicin. Cell viability was assessed using Alamar Blue. Cell death and cell cycle were studied using flow cytometry with 7-Aminoactinomycin-D (7-AAD) and propidium iodide (PI), respectively. Loperamide decreased cell viability in a dose-dependent fashion and was most effective against canine osteosarcoma cells. In all cell lines, it induced a dose and time dependent apoptosis and resulted in accumulation in G0/G1. When co-incubated with doxorubicin, loperamide induced a synergistic cell kill in canine carcinoma cells. Investigation is warranted into the role of loperamide in the treatment of canine cancer.     

Stewardship and management of freshwater ecosystems: From Leopold's land ethic to a freshwater ethic

1. In 1949, Aldo Leopold formalized the concept of the ‘land ethic’, in what emerged as a foundational and transformational way of thinking about natural resource management, biodiversity conservation, and stewardship in terrestrial systems. Yet, the land ethic has inherent linkages to aquatic ecosystems; Leopold himself conducted research on rivers and lakes, and freshwater ecosystems figured widely in his writing.
2. We reflect on the land ethic and other aspects of Leopold's scholarship to identify key messages that provide insight into the stewardship and management of freshwater ecosystems around the globe. We also frame what we call the ‘freshwater ethic’ around Leopold's legacy. Although Leopold could not have envisaged the stressors affecting modern aquatic ecosystems, his core principles remain salient. These apply not only to ecosystem protection, but also to the ethics of modern conservation economics, sustainability, and the protection of natural capital, in which lakes, rivers, and wetlands now figure prominently.
3. We identify key ‘Aldo-inspired’ recommendations for protecting and restoring freshwater ecosystems in the Anthropocene that emanate directly from his writings (e.g. adopt an ecosystem approach, identify win–win–win scenarios, recognize the irreplaceability of wild waters, and strive for freshwater optimism).
4. In an epoch where links between people and nature are becoming more explicit in environmental management, policy, and governance, we suggest that Aldo Leopold's work illustrates how inspirational, seminal thinkers have offered leadership in this domain. We contend that today there is still much that can be learned from Leopold, especially by the next generation of environmental practitioners, to ensure the effective stewardship of our aquatic ecosystems.
5. We submit that the adoption of a freshwater ethic in parallel with Leopold's land ethic will enhance the stewardship of the world's increasingly threatened fresh waters by raising the profile of the plight of fresh waters and identifying enduring actions that, if embraced, will help conserve and restore biodiversity.

     

Photostabilization of biocontrol agents by berberine

We studied the photostabilizing effect of the isoquinoline alkaloid berberine on the following three model photounstable biocontrol agents: the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis ( Bt ), the baculovirus Spodoptera littoralis nucleopolyhedrosis virus ( SlNPV ), and the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana . The photoprotection provided by berberine was evaluated following various periods of simulated sunlight-UV irradiation. Insecticidal activity of Bt and SlNPV , as well as the rate of B. bassiana spore germination served as parameters for the photostabilizing effects. Only a berberine- Bt complex is effective, as practically no photostabilization was evident by just mixing the two components. The UV-sensitive SlNPV and B. bassiana spores were considerably photostabilzed by berberine. The role of the cationic nature of the berberine molecule and the importance of its absorbance spectrum in photostabilization of biocontrol agents are discussed.     

Ocular metastasis of a vaccine-associated fibrosarcoma in a cat

A 6‐year‐old, neutered male domestic shorthair cat was evaluated for a recurrent vaccine‐associated fibrosarcoma. The cat had three excisions of the tumour prior to presentation and was referred for radiation therapy. Ten months following treatment with radiation therapy, the cat was presented again for a cloudy appearance to the eye. An exenteration was performed, and biopsy revealed fibrosarcoma. At the same time, two discrete pulmonary nodules were identified on thoracic radiographs. Two doses of doxorubicin (20 mg/m²) and cyclophosphamide (100 mg/m²) were administered intravenously 3 weeks apart. Despite treatment, the pulmonary nodule doubled in size. This case represents the first antemortem report of ocular metastasis of a vaccine‐associated sarcoma and supports the highly aggressive nature of these tumours.     

EMPHYSEMATOUS PYOMETRA IN A DOG

An 8-year-old intact female West Highland White Terrier was examined for anorexia, vomiting, abdominal distension, and mild purulent vulvar discharge. The results of physical examination, laboratory testing, and radiography are presented. Emphysematous pyometra was suspected and confirmed at surgery. Clostridium perfringens was isolated from the uterine lumen. A brief discussion of emphysematous pyometra is presented.     

The floral system of tomato

The tomato floral system is distinguished from that of Arabidopsis and Antirrhinum in several ways. The shoot is a sympodium, the first flower of the inflorescence is apical and no bracts are formed. We discuss the possible function of genes affecting growth habit and inflorescence development and analyze in detail the unique developmental alterations caused by inhibition or ectopic expression of tomato-specific MADS-box genes. Preliminary analysis of transgenic tomato plants expressing an alien homeotic gene and several different chimeric genes of the MADS-box family is also reported.     

Phenotypic and genotypic analysis of a commercial cultivar and wild populations of Anemone coronaria

Seven wild populations of Anemonecoronaria were assessed for 11 phenotypic traits, most of them having economic value for the flower industry. The wild populations were sampled to represent the diversity in habitats, climates, rock and soil types, terrains, and elevations in Israel. AFLP analysis was carried out on 12 individuals from each of six out of the seven wild populations and for six individuals from the commercial cultivar ‘Mona-Lisa’. It was found that the Dorot population, which is located in the area bordering the semi-arid zone at the very end of the species distribution, exhibits extreme and different phenotypes with relatively low variability compared withthe other wild populations. The other six wild populations, that grow in more favorable geographic and climatic conditions exhibit phenotypes with larger plants, larger numbers of flowers and less dissected leaves. These populations were less uniform than that of Dorot. Genetic characterization by AFLP markers revealed a total of 165 bands. The wild populations exhibit wide variation within-population, with about 80% polymorphic bands and average gene diversity between pairs of about 30%. The Dorot population has the lowest genetic variation and the Megido population the highest. Thus, the phenotypic variation reflects the genetic variation. The cultivar ‘Mona-Lisa’, as expected, has much lower genetic variation. The Dorot population and the ‘Mona-Lisa’ cultivar were found to have the largest genetic distances from the other wild populations, and the highest genetic variation between themselves. Phenetic analysis yielded a dendrogram describing the genetic relatedness of these populations. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.