Effect of Pathogen Synergistic Pathogenicity on Severity of Verticillium Wilt of Cotton

Verticillium dahliae is a soil-borne and vascular pathogen causing Verticillium wilt of cotton, which is one of the most severe diseases affecting cotton production in China. Recently, a soil-inhabiting opportunistic pathogen was isolated and identified as Scopulariopsis gossypii; it could infect the host through wounds and increase disease severity in combination with V. dahliae. S. gossypii was able to form conidia in a nutritionally poor substrate and had similar biological characteristics to other vascular pathogens, while ultrastructure observation also confirmed that it was present in vascular tissue of cotton plants and produced conidia. Nematode activity in soil could cause wounds on the surface of cotton roots resulting in infection by the pathogens. On the basis of our analysis of the biological characteristics and infection process of S. gossypii and its interactions with other pathogens in cotton plants, we propose establishing a research program for multipathogen-host interactions in the cotton rhizosphere, which will enable detailed investigation of the synergistic pathogenesis of S. gossypii and V. dahliae.     

Influence of climate and abundance on migration timing of adult Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) among rivers in Newfoundland and Labrador

Evidence mounts for the influence of climate variability on temporal trends in the phenology of many organisms including various species of fish. Accordingly, we examined variation in adult Atlantic salmon Salmo salar run timing in thirteen Newfoundland and Labrador rivers where returns were monitored at fishways or fish‐counting fences. Run timing varied significantly among rivers with the median date of return differing by up to 5 weeks. Duration of runs was generally short with most adults returning over a period of three to 5 weeks. A mixed model analysis incorporating a first‐order autoregressive error structure was used to generalise changes in run timing among all monitored rivers. Results indicated that the median date of return has advanced by almost 12 days over a 35‐year interval from 1978 to 2012, while several individual rivers have advanced by almost 21 days. The influence of climate on median timing was evident when the simultaneous effects of both climate and salmon abundance were controlled. We found earlier runs associated with overall warmer climate conditions on the Newfoundland and Labrador Shelf. Results contrast with those from the north‐east Atlantic where Atlantic salmon are returning later in some rivers coincident with warming climate conditions.     

Is it possible to differentiate between environmental and fishery effects on abundance‐biomass variation? A case study of blackspot seabream (Pagellus bogaraveo) in the Strait of Gibraltar

We assessed the potential for simulation and modelling of the blackspot seabream (Pagellus bogaraveo) population in the Strait of Gibraltar to discriminate the environmental effects of fishery impacts. A discrete biomass–abundance dynamic model was implemented to obtain a simulated monthly time series of blackspot seabream biomass. On this simulated time series, autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) models were fitted. The best ARIMA fit provided a significant correlation of 0.76 and persistence index higher than 0.85. The proportion of variance non‐explained by the ARIMA models was correlated with a time series of sea surface temperature (SST) and North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO). The analysis of global, annual and winter correlation between the proportion of variance not explained by the ARIMA models and environmental variables showed that significant associations were not detected over the full time series. Our analysis therefore suggests that overexploitation is the main factor responsible for the commercial depletion of blackspot seabream in the Strait of Gibraltar.     

Productive performance of juvenile freshwater prawns Macrobrachium rosenbergii in biofloc system

The aim of this study was to compare two rearing systems for freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii: one with use of a recirculating aquaculture system with biofilters (RAS) and another with use of microbial flocs (F). Thirty postlarvae of freshwater prawn with an initial average weight of 0.13 ± 0.05 g were randomly stocked in six experimental units with 0.20 m² and volume of 50 L. The experiment lasted thirty days. Dissolved oxygen, temperature and pH were monitored daily; ammonia concentration was determined three times per week; nitrite concentration, alkalinity and hardness were measured weekly. For the formation of microbial floc, molasses was used to keep the ammonia concentrations within safe levels for prawn farming. The variables of water quality remained within the suitable range for the production of the species, except for ammonia concentrations at the F treatment, which exceeded the safe levels. At the end of the experiment, the following parameters were evaluated: survival, specific growth rate, weight gain and feed conversion rate. Differences were found only in feed conversion rate with better values on RAS treatment. The microorganisms present in the RAS and F treatment were also evaluated. The densities of rotifers, amoebas and total bacteria were higher at the F treatment although the same organisms were found at the RAS treatment. The results of this study showed the possibility of rearing M. rosenbergii in biofloc system technology.     

Sorghum extrusion process combined with biofortified sweet potato contributed for high iron bioavailability in Wistar rats

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of sorghum and sweet potato on the bioavailability of iron, gene expression of proteins involved in iron metabolism and the plasma antioxidant capacity in animals fed with whole sorghum grains processed by dry heat or extrusion, combined or not with sweet potato flour with high content of carotenoids. Five experimental groups were tested (n = 7): dry heat sorghum flour (DS); extruded sorghum flour (ES); whole sorghum flour + sweet potato flour (DS + SP); extruded sorghum flour + sweet potato flour (ES + SP) and positive control (FS). The evaluations included: hemoglobin gain, hemoglobin regeneration efficiency, gene expression of divalente metal transporter 1 (DMT-1), duodenal citochroma B (DcytB), ferroportin, hephaestin, transferrin and ferritin and total plasma antioxidant capacity (TAC). The ES + SP group showed higher (p < 0.05) expression of DcytB, ferroportin and hephaestin when compared to the control group. The DS group showed high (p < 0.05) expression of DMT-1 and the ES showed high mRNA expression of transferrin and ferritin. The changes in the sorghum physicochemical properties from extrusion process reduced the iron and phytate content, and increased the gene expression of proteins involved in iron metabolism, improving iron bioavailability. The combination of sweet potato and sorghum flour (dry or extruded) improved the iron capture and total antioxidant capacity, probably due to the presence of β-carotene and antioxidant compounds.     

共生菌Arsenophonus、水稻品种和温度对褐飞虱黄绿绿僵菌发病率的影响

【目的】研究共生菌Arsenophonus、水稻和温度对褐飞虱黄绿绿僵菌发病率的影响,揭示影响褐飞虱黄绿绿僵菌发病的重要因子。【方法】通过共生菌Arsenophonus(感染和未感染)与水稻品种(TN1、IR56和Mudgo)以及Arsenophonus与温度(21℃、23℃、25℃、27℃、29℃和31℃)两个二因素完全随机区组试验,观察喷黄绿绿僵菌孢子悬浮液后不同时间褐飞虱黄绿绿僵菌的发病率。【结果】喷黄绿绿僵菌孢子悬浮液后,不同水稻品种上褐飞虱发病率均以含Arsenophonus的试虫较低,而不同温度下的褐飞虱发病率则仅喷菌处理后第3 d和5 d时在25℃、27℃和29℃时含Arsenophonus的试虫发病率显著较低,其他温度下无显著差异。双因素方差结果表明,Arsenophonus与水稻品种双因素试验中均以含Arsenophonus褐飞虱黄绿绿僵菌的发病率显著较低,而Arsenophonus与温度双因素试验中仅在喷菌处理后第3 d、5 d以含Arsenophonus褐飞虱黄绿绿僵菌的发病率显著较低。温度显著影响褐飞虱的发病率,23℃~29℃条件下褐飞虱的发病率较高,LT50较短,为黄绿绿僵菌侵染褐飞虱的适温范围。其中,27℃时发病率最高,LT50最短,最为适宜;31℃和21℃条件下褐飞虱发病率较低,LT50较长,不利于黄绿绿僵菌对褐飞虱的侵染。温度还影响含Arsenophonus与不含Arsenophonus试虫LT50的相对大小。其中,含Arsenophonus试虫LT50在27℃、29℃时相对较长,在其他温度下则相同甚至较短。【结论】共生菌Arsenophonus显著抑制黄绿绿僵菌对褐飞虱的致病力,且该作用受到温度的显著影响;温度亦显著影响褐飞虱的黄绿绿僵菌发病率,而水稻品种以及Arsenophonus和水稻品种间、Arsenophonus和环境温度间的交互作用均无显著影响。     

Investigations into the temporal development of epitheliocystis infections in brown trout: a histological study

Epitheliocystis in Swiss brown trout (Salmo trutta) is a chlamydial infection, mainly caused by Candidatus Piscichlamydia salmonis and Candidatus Clavichlamydia salmonicola. To gain a better understanding of the temporal development of infections in wild brown trout, we investigated epitheliocystis infections during the course of the summer and autumn months of a single year (2015), and compared this to sampling points over the span of the years 2012–2014. The survey focused on tributaries (Venoge and Boiron) of the Rhone flowing in to Lake Geneva. When evaluated histologically, epitheliocystis infections were found throughout the period of investigation with the exception of the month of June. Fifty to 86 animals per sampling were investigated. Highest prevalence and infection intensities were seen in September. A correlation between epitheliocystis infection and water temperatures was not evident. Interyear comparison revealed consistent levels of prevalence and infection intensities in late summer. The absence of infections in June, combined with the consistent interyear results, indicates seasonal fluctuation of epitheliocystis infections in brown trout with a reservoir persisting during winter months from which infections can re‐initiate each year. This could either be at levels below detection limits within the brown trout population itself or in an alternative host.     

番茄棒孢叶斑病病原鉴定及生物学特性研究

本研究采用PSA培养基对上海地区的番茄棒孢叶斑病的病原菌进行分离、培养及致病性测定,通过形态学和分子生物学方法鉴定病原菌,并对该病菌的生物学特性进行研究。结果表明:番茄棒孢叶斑病病原菌菌落呈灰褐色,菌丝质地致密、绒毛状;分生孢子单生或串生,圆柱形或倒棍棒形、顶端钝圆,基部平截,呈半透明至浅褐色,假隔膜4～10个,直或稍弯曲,基脐加厚,深褐色。结合病原菌rDNA ITS序列测定、比对后,确定该病原为多主棒孢Corynespora cassiicola。该病菌的菌丝生长最适温度为25～30℃,最适pH范围为4～8,产孢的最适温度约为25℃,最适pH范围为5～9,麦芽糖和乳糖为碳源的培养基适宜菌丝生长,可溶性淀粉和乳糖溶液中孢子萌发率最高,光暗交替条件适宜菌丝生长,孢子在水滴中极易萌发。这是该病在上海地区的首次报道。     

白屈菜CmFAD2基因的克隆及植物转化载体构建

通过对白屈菜低温应答过程的转录组分析发现膜脂不饱和化相关基因的表达在一定过程中发生变化,脂肪酸去饱和酶基因FAD2在随温度的变化趋势为正"V"型,且表达量变化显著。利用NCBI等在线软件对序列进行相关生物学信息分析,并对白屈菜FAD家族成员FAD2基因的完整开放阅读框(ORF)进行克隆,并命名为CmFAD2。选用克隆载体pMD-19-T,转化大肠杆菌DH5α,测序验证序列正确性及完整性。将目的基因与植物表达载体pRI-201-AN连接构建重组DNA pRI-201-AN-Cm FAD2,电击法转化农杆菌LBA4404,利用菌液PCR法验证成功。该基因可作为药用植物抗寒品种创制的候选基因。     

Comparing the behavioural thermoregulation response to heat stress by Atlantic salmon parr (Salmo salar) in two rivers

Climate change is expected to increase the frequency and magnitude of extreme thermal events in rivers. The Little Southwest Miramichi River (LSWM) and the Ouelle River (OR) are two Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) rivers located in eastern Canada, where in recent years, water temperatures have exceeded known thermal limits (~23°C). Once temperature surpasses this threshold, juvenile salmon exploit thermal heterogeneity to behaviourally thermoregulate, forming aggregations in coolwater refuges. This study aimed to determine whether the behavioural thermoregulation response is universal across rivers, arising from common thermal cues. We detailed the temperature and discharge patterns of two geographically distinct rivers from 2010 to 2012 and compared these with aggregation onset temperature. PIT telemetry and snorkelling were used to confirm the presence of aggregations. Mean daily maximum temperature in 2010 was significantly greater in the OR versus the LSWM (p = 0.005), but not in other years (p = 0.090–0.353). Aggregations occurred on 14 and 9 occasions in the OR and LSWM respectively. Temperature at onset of aggregation was significantly greater in the OR (T_onset = 28.3°C) than in the LSWM (T_onset = 27.3°C; p = 0.049). Logistic regression models varied by river and were able to predict the probability of aggregation based on the preceding number of hours >23°C (R² = 0.61 & 0.65; P₅₀ = 27.4°C & 28.9°C; in the OR and LSWM respectively). These results imply the preceding local thermal regime may influence behaviour and indicate a degree of phenotypic plasticity, illustrating a need for localised management strategies.